the rover boys on treasure isle or, the strange cruise of the steam yacht by edward stratemeyer introduction. my dear boys: this is a complete tale in itself, but forms the thirteenth volume of the "rover boys series for young americans." this line of books was started some ten years ago with the publication of the first three volumes, "the rover boys at school ... .. the rover boys on the ocean" and "the rover boys in the jungle." at that time i thought to end the series with a fourth volume provided the readers wanted another. but with the publication of "the rover boys out west," came a cry for "more!" and so i added "on the great lakes," "in the mountains," "in camp," "on land and sea," "on the river," "on the plains," "in southern waters" and "on the farm," where we last left our friends. for a number of years tom, dick and sam have attended a military academy, but now their school days at putnam hall are at an end, and we find them getting ready to go to college. but before leaving home for the higher seat of learning they take a remarkable cruise on a steam yacht, searching for an island upon which it is said a large treasure is hidden. they are accompanied on this trip by their father and a number of friends, and have several adventures somewhat out of the ordinary, and also a good bit of fun for there is bound to be fun when tom rover is around. they lose themselves and lose their yacht, and once some of them come pretty close to losing their lives, but in the end--well, the story will tell the rest. i cannot close without again thanking my many friends for all the nice things they have said about the "rover boys" stories and the "putnam hall" stories. i trust the present volume will fulfill every fair expectation. affectionately and sincerely yours, edward stratemeyer contents i bound for home ii an important telegram iii fun on the farm iv a midnight search v at the old mill vi the story of a treasure vii in which something is missing viii the rover boys in new york ix a chase on the bowery x dick becomes a prisoner xi aboard the steam yacht xii something about firecrackers xiii a wild automobile ride xiv what a roman candle did xv the sailing of the steam yacht xvi a row on shipboard xvii a mishap in the fog xviii the new deck hand xix treasure isle at last xx the boys make a discovery xxi scaring off the enemy xxii prisoners in the forest xxiii what wingate had to tell xxiv a missing landmark xxv the trail through the jungle xxvi a dismaying discovery xxvii what happened on the steam yacht xxviii a new move of the enemy xxix the hunt for the treasure xxx homeward bound--conclusion chapter i bound for home "hurry up, sam, unless you want to be left behind!" "i'm coming!" shouted sam rover, as he crossed the depot platform on the run. "where is tom?" "he went ahead, to get two good seats for us," answered dick rover. he looked around the crowd that had gathered to take the train. "hi, there, songbird, this way! come in this car, hans!" "say, aren't you fellows coming aboard?" came a voice from the nearest car, and a curlytopped head with a pair of laughing eyes appeared. "folks crowding in to beat the band! come on in if you want seats." "we'll be in directly," answered sam, and followed his brother dick to the car steps. here there was quite a jam, and the rover boys had all they could do to get into the car, followed by half a dozen of their school chums. but tom rover had managed to keep seats for all, and they sat "in a bunch," much to their satisfaction. then the train rolled out of the station, and the journey homeward was begun. the term at putnam hall military academy was at an end, and the school days of the three rover boys at that institution were now a thing of the past. each had graduated with honors, yet all were a trifle sad to think that there would be no going back to a place where they had made so many friends. "it's almost like giving up your home," dick had said, several times, while at the actual parting sam had had to do his best to keep back the tears which welled up in his eyes. even fun-loving tom had stopped a good deal of his whistling and had looked unusually sober. "we'll never have such good times as we've had at putnam hall," sam had said, but he was mistaken, as later events proved. the three rover boys did not wish to part from their many school chums, yet they were, more than anxious to get home, and for this there was a very good reason. their father had told them that he had a very important communication to make to them one regarding how the summer was to be spent. so far no arrangements had been made for the vacation, and the brothers were anxious to know "what was in the wind," as tom expressed it. "maybe we are to prepare for college," said dick. "perhaps we are to go on another trip to africa?" added sam. "or start on a hunt for the north pole," put in tom. "that would be just the thing for this hot weather." "i can tell you one thing," went on dick. "whatever father has on his mind is of a serious nature. it is no mere outing for pleasure." "i know that," answered sam, "i could see it by the look on his face." "well, we'll know all about it by this time tomorrow," said tom. "i hope it is some trip--i love to travel," and his brothers nodded their heads in approval. to those who have read any of the twelve previous volumes in this "rover boys series" the three brothers will need no special introduction. for the benefit of new readers allow me to state that dick was the oldest, fun-loving tom next, and sam the youngest. they were the sons of anderson rover, a widower and rich mine owner. the father was a great traveler, and for years the boys had made their home with their uncle, randolph rover, and their aunt martha, on a farm called valley brook, in the heart of new york state. from the farm, and while their father was in africa, the boys had been sent to putnam hall, as related in the first volume of this series, entitled, "the rover boys at school." at the hall they made a score of friends and several enemies, some of which will be introduced later. a term at school was followed by a trip on the ocean, and then one into the jungles of the dark continent in search of mr. rover, who had mysteriously disappeared. then the rover boys went out west and to the great lakes, and later spent a fine time hunting in the mountains. they likewise spent some time in camp with their fellow cadets, and during the summer vacation took a long trip on land and sea. then they returned home, and during another vacation sailed down the ohio river in a houseboat, spent some time on the plains, took an unexpected trip to southern waters, and then came back to the farm. on getting back home, as related in the twelfth volume of this series, called "the rover boys on the farm," the boys had imagined that adventures for them were a thing of the past. they were willing to take it easy, but this was not to be. some bad men, including a sharper named sid merrick, were responsible for the theft of some freight from the local railroad, and merrick, by a slick trick, obtained possession of some traction company bonds belonging to randolph rover. the rover boys managed to locate the freight thieves, but sid merrick got away from them, dropping a pocketbook containing the traction company bonds in his flight. this was at a time when dick, tom and sam had returned to putnam hall for their final term at that institution. at the hall they had made a bitter enemy of a big, stocky bully named tad sobber and of another lad named nick pell. tad sobber, to get even with the rovers for a fancied injury, sent to the latter a box containing a live, poisonous snake. the snake got away and hid in nick pell's desk and nick was bitten and for some time it was feared that he might die. he exposed tad sobber, and fearing arrest the bully ran away from the hall. later, much to their surprise, the rover boys learned that the bully was a ward and nephew of sid merrick, and when the sharper disappeared, tad sobber went with him. "they are certainly a bad pair," said dick, but how bad the rovers were still to find out. with the boys on the train were john powell, better known as "songbird," because he had a, habit of reciting newly made doggerell which he called poetry, hans mueller, a german youth who frequently got his english badly twisted, fred garrison, who had graduated with the rovers, and some others. "dick, you haven't told me yet what you intended to do this summer," remarked fred garrison, as the train rolled on. "because i don't know, fred," answered the elder rover. "my father has something in store, but i don't know what it is." "can't you guess?" "no." "i wish we could take another trip like that on the houseboat--it was certainly a dandy." "the best ever!" put in tom. "even if we did have trouble with lew flapp, dan baxter and some others." "speaking of dan baxter puts me in mind of something," came from songbird powell. "it has just leaked out that tad sobber sent a note to captain putnam in which tad blamed some of the cadets for his troubles, and said he was going to get square some day." "did he mention any names?" questioned sam. "yes." "mine?" "yes--and dick's and tom's, too." "it is just like sobber--to blame his troubles on somebody else," remarked dick. "i am not afraid of him," declared tom. "he had better keep his distance unless he wants to get the worst of it. we used to put up with a whole lot from dan baxter before he reformed--i am not going to put up with as much from sobber." "tad certainly went off in bad company," said sam. "his uncle ought to be in prison this minute." "have the authorities heard anything of merrick?" asked songbird. "not a thing." "i dink me dot feller has skipped to europe alretty," vouchsafed hans mueller. "he vould peen afraid to stay py der united states in, yah!" and the german boy shook his head wisely. "personally i never want to set eyes on sobber again," said dick, with a shrug of his broad shoulders. "the idea of introducing that deadly snake into the school was the limit. why, half a dozen of us might have been bitten instead of only poor pell." "maybe he did it only for a joke," said larry colby, another of the cadets. "if he did, it was carrying a joke altogether too far--endangering one or more human lives. i don't believe in that sort of fun." "nor do i," came from several. "if he is in europe with his uncle perhaps i'll meet him there," said larry colby. "i am going to france and italy with my uncle and cousin. wish some of you fellows were going along," he added, wistfully. "i am going to the maine woods," said a lad named george granberry. "you can never guess who is going there, too." "who?" "william philander tubbs and mr. strong." "what, our own dude going to camp in the wilderness," cried tom. "oh, if i was only along wouldn't i give him some surprises!" "i'll have some fun don't forget that!" replied george, with a grin. "but as mr. strong is going to be along, of course i'll have to be a little careful." "dear mr. strong!" murmured sam, with a sigh. "what a fine teacher he is, and how i hate to give him up!" "i envy your having him along," said dick. at that moment the train rolled into a station and larry and some of the others got off. "we leave you at the next station," said songbird, to the rovers. "when you find out what you are going to do this summer, write and let me know." "i certainly shall," answered dick. the three rover boys soon after found themselves alone. they had to make a change of cars, and some time later rolled into the station at oak run. "home again!" shouted tom, as he alighted on the depot platform. "yes, and there is uncle randolph waiting for us," added dick, as he hurried forward to meet his relative. "how do you do, uncle!" he cried. "i am well, richard," answered randolph rover, and then he shook hands with all three boys. "your--er--your father--" he began and hesitated. "father? what of him?" asked tom, in quick alarm, for he saw that his uncle was much disturbed. "isn't he with you?" "why, no!" answered the three, in a chorus. "he started for home last night," added dick. "took the train after the one you and aunt martha took." "but he didn't come home," said randolph rover. "didn't come home?" "no." "didn't he send any word?" questioned sam. "none that i received." "he said he was going straight home would telephone from lockville for the carriage to meet the last train," said tom. "this is mighty queer." it was queer and for the moment the rover boys and their uncle stared blankly at one another. "something is wrong," declared dick, presently. "and i am going to make it my business to find out at once what it is." chapter ii an important telegram dick rover would not have been so much disturbed by his father's disappearance had it not been for one thing, which was that mr. rover, on leaving the closing exercises at putnam hall, had declared that he would take the last train home that night. this train got into oak run at one o'clock in the morning, when the station was closed and the platform usually deserted. "let us ask around and see if anybody was here when the train came in," suggested tom. they first appealed to mr. ricks, the station master, an old and crabbed individual, who disliked the boys for the jokes they had played on him in times past. he shook his head at once. "don't keep the station open that long," he grunted. "i was home an' in bed, an' i don't know anything about your father." "was anybody around the station, that you know of?" went on dick. "no." "did any telegram come in for our family?" "if it did i reckon jackson would send it over, or telephone." "let us ask jackson and make sure," said sam, and led the way to the telegraph office. the telegraph receiver was ticking away at a lively rate, and jackson, who had charge of the office, was taking down a message on a blank. "hullo!" cried the telegrapher, as he finished and looked up. "here is a message for mr. randolph rover hot off the wire. it won't take long to deliver it," and he handed it over. "it's paid for," he added. "but you'll have to sign for it," and mr. rover did so. eagerly all the rovers read the communication, which ran as follows: "am following man i want to catch if possible. may be away from home several days or a week. very important to see man--trip this summer depends upon it. "anderson rover." "wonder who the man can be?" mused dick, after reading the message twice. "he has something to do with this matter father was going to tell us about," returned sam. "it's certainly a mystery." "well, this relieves our anxiety," said randolph rover. "so long as i know nothing has happened, your father can stay away as long as, he pleases." "but i am dying to know what it is all about," burst out tom, who was always impatient to get at the bottom of things. "uncle randolph, do you know what father has in mind to do this summer?" "he talks about taking a sea trip, but where to i don't know." "and he wants us to go along?" queried the youngest rover. "i believe so, samuel." "hurrah! i'd like a sea trip first rate." "yes, but--" mr. rover lowered his voice. "he doesn't want anybody to know where to. it's some kind of a secret--very important, i imagine --something to do with a gold mine, or something of the sort. he did not give me any particulars." "he said he was going to let us know about it when we got home from the hall," said dick. "i hope he catches his man." "wonder who it can be?" came from tom. nobody could answer that question, and in a thoughtful mood the three rover boys followed their uncle to the carriage and got in. then the team was touched up and away they whirled, out of the village, across swift river, and in the direction of valley brook farm. it was a beautiful day in june and never had the country looked finer. as they swept along the well kept road dick drew a deep breath of satisfaction. "this air makes a fellow feel new all over!" he declared. "i suppose you are going to plant and grow some wonderful things this summer, uncle randolph," said tom. his uncle had studied scientific farming for years, but had never made any tremendous success of it in fact his experiments usually cost him considerably more than they brought in. "well--er--i am trying my hand this year on some mexican melons said to be very fine, thomas," was the reply. "mexican melons?" said the fun-loving tom, innocently. "that puts me in mind when i was over to albany last i saw a pumpkin in a restaurant window eight feet high and at least ten feet across." "is it possible!" ejaculated randolph rover, gazing at his nephew incredulously. "sure thing. the pumpkin looked to be good, too. they had a lot of pumpkin pies set around it, just for an advertisement." "thomas, did you measure that pumpkin?" "no; why should i?" "then how do you know it was eight feet high and ten feet across?" "why, uncle randolph, i didn't say the pumpkin was eight feet high and ten feet across. i said i saw it in a restaurant window eight feet high and ten feet across," and tom drew down the corners of his mouth soberly. "tom, that's the worst ever!" cried sam. "you ought to be made to walk home for that," added dick. "thomas! thomas! you are as bad as ever!" said mr. rover, with a sigh. "but i might have been on my guard. i know there are no pumpkins of that size." "uncle randolph, you'll have to forgive me," said tom, putting his hand affectionately on his relative's shoulder. "i really couldn't help it--i am just bubbling over to think that school days are over and i won't have to do any studying for several months to come." "i fancy we'll have to tie you down to keep you out of mischief." "you won't have to tie me down if i go on a sea trip with dad." "haven't you had sea trips enough with being cast away in the middle of the pacific, and being wrecked in the gulf of mexico? it seems to me every time you and the others leave home something serious happens to you." "true but we always come back right side up with care and all charges paid," answered the fun-loving rover airily. they soon made a turn in the road which brought them in sight of the big farmhouse, nestling comfortably in a group of stately trees. as they turned into the lane their aunt martha came to the front piazza and waved her hand. down in the roadway stood jack ness; the hired man, grinning broadly, and behind mrs. rover stood alexander pop, the colored helper, his mouth open from ear to ear. at once tom began to sing: "home again! home again! safe from putnam hall." and then he made a flying leap from the carriage, rushed up the steps and gave his aunt such a hug as made her gasp for breath. "oh, tom, you bear! do let up!" she cried. "now, there's a kiss for you, and there's another! how do you do, sam, and how are you, dick?" and she kissed them also. "i am glad you are back at last." she turned to her husband "what of anderson, did you hear anything?" "yes, he will be back in a few days." "i'se jess too pleased fo' anything to see yo' boys back heah!" came from aleck pop. "it's dun been mighty lonely since yo' went away." "don't worry, aleck, we'll cheer you up," answered tom. "oh, i know dat, massa tom yo'll turn dis place upside down in two days suah!" "why, aleck, you know i'd never do anything so rash," answered tom, meekly. "going to uncover some more freight thieves?" asked jack ness, as he took charge of the team and started for the barn. "i think dem boys had bettah cotch some of dem chicken thieves," put in aleck pop. "yo' don't seem to git holt ob dem nohow." "oh, never you mind about the chicken thieves," grumbled jack ness. "has somebody been stealing chickens again?" asked dick, remembering that they had suffered several times from such depradations. "yes, da has took two chickens las' wednesday, foah on saturday, an' two on monday. jack he laid fo' 'em wid a shotgun, but he didn't cotch nobody." "i'll catch them yet, see if i don't," said the hired man. "perhaps a fox is doing it," suggested sam. "if so, we ought to go on a fox hunt. that would suit me first rate." "no fox in this," answered jack ness. "i see the footprints of two men,--tramps, i reckon. if i catch sight of 'em i'll fill 'em full of shot and then have 'em locked up." chapter iii fun on the farm two days passed and the boys felt once more at home on the farm. the strain of the recent examinations and the closing exercises at school had gone and as sam declared, "they were once more themselves," and ready for anything that might turn up. in those two days came another telegram from mr. rover, sent from philadelphia, in which he stated that he had caught his man, but had lost him again. he added that he would be home probably on the following sunday. this message came in on monday, so the boys knew they would have to wait nearly a week before seeing their parent. "i am just dying to know what it is all about," said tom, and the others said practically the same. tom could not keep down his propensities for joking and nearly drove sarah, the cook, to distraction by putting some barn mice in the bread box in the pantry and by pouring ink over some small stones and then adding them to the coal she was using in the kitchen range. he also took a piece of old rubber bicycle tire and trimmed it up to resemble a snake and put it in jack ness' bed in the barn, thereby nearly scaring the hired man into a fit. ness ran out of the room in his night dress and raised such a yell that he aroused everybody in the house. he got his shotgun and blazed away at the supposed snake, thereby ruining a blanket, two sheets, and filling the mattress with shot. when he found out how he had been hoaxed he was the most foolish looking man to be imagined. "you just wait, master tom, i'll get square," he said. "who said i put a snake in your bed?" demanded tom. "i never did such a thing in my life." "no, but you put that old rubber in, and i know it," grumbled the hired man and then went back to bed. tom also had his little joke on aleck pop. one evening he saw the colored man dressing up to go out and learned that he was going to call on a colored widow living at dexter's corners, a nearby village. "we can't allow this," said the fun-loving rover to his younger brother. "the next thing you know aleck will be getting married and leaving us." "what do you think of doing?" asked sam. "come on, and i'll show you." now, aleck was rather a good looking and well formed darkey and he was proud of his shape. he had a fine black coat, with trousers to match, and a gorgeous colored vest. this suit tom was certain he would wear when calling on the widow. when in ithaca on his way home the fun-loving rover had purchased an imitation rabbit, made of thin rubber. this rabbit had a small rubber hose attached, and by blowing into the hose the rabbit could be blown up to life size or larger. leading the way to aleck's room, tom got out the colored man's coat and placed the rubber rabbit in the middle of the back, between the cloth and the lining. it was put in flat and the hose was allowed to dangle down under the lining to within an inch of the split of the coat tails, and at this point tom put a hole in the lining, so he could get at the end of the hose with ease. it was not long before aleck came in to dress. it was late and he was in a hurry, for he knew he had a rival, a man named jim johnson, and he did not want johnson to get to the widow's home ahead of him. he washed up and donned his clothing with rapidity, and never noticed that anything was wrong with the coat. "now, sam, you fix his necktie for him," whispered tom, who, with his younger brother, was lying in wait outside the house. "tell him it doesn't set just straight." sam understood, and as soon as aleck appeared he sauntered up side by side with tom. "hullo, aleck, going to see your best girl?" he said pleasantly. "i'se gwine to make a little call, dat's all." "he's after the widow taylor," put in tom. "he knows she's got ten thousand or so in the bank." "massa tom, you dun quit yo' foolin'," expostulated aleck. "if you are going to make a society call you want your necktie on straight," said sam. "it's a fine tie, but it's no good the way you have it tied. here, let me fix it," and he pulled the tie loose. "i did hab a lot ob trubble wid dat tie," agreed the colored man. "it's too far around," went on sam, and gave the tie a jerk, first one way and another. then he began to tie it, shoving aleck again as he did so. in the meantime tom had gotten behind the colored man and was blowing up the rubber rabbit. as the rubber expanded aleck's coat went up with it, until it looked as if the man was humpbacked. then tom fastened the hose, so the wind could not get out of it. next the youth brought out a bit of chalk and in big letters wrote on the black coat as follows: i have got to hump to catch the widow. "now your tie is something like," declared sam, after a wink from tom. "it outshines everything i ever saw." "i'se got to be a going," answered aleck. "much obliged." "now, aleck, hump yourself and you'll get the widow sure along with her fourteen children." "she ain't got but two children," returned the colored man, and hurried away. his appearance, with the hump on his back and the sign, caused both the rovers to burst out laughing. "come on, i've got to see the end of this," said tom, and led the way by a side path to the widow taylor's cottage. this was a short cut, but aleck would not take it, because of the briar bushes and the dust. as the boys were in their knockaround suits they did not mind this. the widow's cottage was a tumbled down affair on a side street of dexter's corners. a stovepipe stuck out of a back window, and the front door lacked the lower hinge. in the front yard the weeds were several feet high. "i don't see why aleck wants to come and see such a person as this," observed sam. "she may be pretty, as colored widows go, but she is certainly lazy and shiftless." "yes, and she has more than two children and i know it. why, once i came past here and i saw her with at least seven or eight." when the boys came up they saw several colored children hurrying away from the house. as they did this the widow came to the door and called after them: "now, arabella, go to the cemetery, jest as i tole yo', an' stay thar!" "i ain't gwine to stay long," answered arabella. "you stay an hour or two," answered the widow. "to morrow, i'll give yo' money fer lolly pops." "what is she sending the children to the cemetery for?" asked tom, in a whisper. "maybe to keep 'em quiet," answered sam, with a grin. "must be wanting to keep them out of aleck's way." at that moment the figure of a tall, lanky colored man came down a side street. the man entered the widow's cottage and received a warm welcome. "glad to see you, mistah thomas. hopes yo' is feelin' fine this ebenin'," said the widow graciously. "i'se come fo' to make yo' an offah," said mr. thomas. "yo' said yo' would mahrry me soon as i had a job. well, i'se got de job now." "is it a steady job?" "yes, at de stone quarry dribin' a stone wagon." "how much yo' gits a week, peter?" "twelve dollahs," was the proud answer. "den i closes wid you," said the widow, and allowed the suitor to embrace her. just then aleck came in sight. as he saw the couple through the open door he straightened up. "maybe yo' didn't look fo' me around, mrs. taylor," he said, stiffly. "oh, yes, i did, mistah pop," she said, sweetly. "but yo' see--i-- dat is--" she stopped short. "wot's dat?" she cried. "wot?" "dat hump on yo' back?" "ain't no hump on my back," answered aleck. "suah da is." "he's got a sign on, too," put in peter thomas. "look wot it reads, 'i hab got to hump to cotch de widow.' hah! hah! hah! dot's a good one." "yo' needn't hump yo'self to cotch me," cried the widow, wrathfully. "i'se engaged to mistah thomas." and she smiled on the individual in question. crestfallen and bewildered, aleck felt of his back and took off his coat. he squeezed the rubber rabbit so hard that it exploded with a bang, scaring himself and the others. "dat's a trick on me!" roared the rover's man, and tore the rabbit from his coat. "dem boys did dat!" "i can't see yo' to night, or any udder night, mistah pop," said the widow. "i'se engaged to mistah thomas." "den good night," growled aleck, and turning on his heel he started for home. tom and sam saw that he was angry, yet they had to roar at the scene presented. they wondered what aleck would say when he got back to the farm. "we have got to square ourselves," said tom. "how are you going to do it?" "oh, we'll do it somehow." they took the short cut, but so did aleck, and consequently all three soon met. "yo' played dat joke yo' can't go fo' to deny it!" cried the colored man. "we are not going to deny it, aleck," said tom. "but it was no joke. we did it for your good." "huh!" "we certainly did," put in sam. "why, aleck, we can't bear to think of your getting married and leaving us." "huh!" "we want you to stay with us," said tom. "besides, that widow has a lot of children and is after your money." "she ain't got but two chillen. she had moah, but she dun told me all but two was in de seminary." "the seminary?" queried tom. then a light broke in on him. "you mean the cemetery." "persackly--de place da puts de dead folks." "well, they are in the cemetery right enough--but they are a long way from being dead." "wot yo' mean, tom?" "we saw her send five of them away this evening--she told 'em to go to the cemetery and stay there awhile." "wot! yo' is fooling dis chile!" "it is absolutely true," said sam. "i am quite sure she has seven children." "huh! if dat's de case dat thomas nigger can hab her," grumbled aleck, and walked on. "but i ain't takin' yo' word fo' dis," he added cautiously. "i'se gwine to make a few investigations to morrow." "do so--and you'll thank us from the bottom of your heart," answered tom; and there the subject was dropped. it may be added here that later on aleck discovered that the widow had ten children and was head over heels in debt, and he was more than glad that the boys had played the trick on him, and that the other colored man had gained mrs. taylor's hand. chapter iv a midnight search that night was destined to be an eventful one on the rover farm. arriving home, sam and tom told of the fun they had had and dick laughed heartily. then all three of the boys went to bed. about midnight came a loud shouting from the barn, followed by the report of a shotgun. this was followed by a shriek from sarah, the cook, who was afraid that burglars had come to murder her. "what's that?" questioned dick, as he hopped out of bed. "that's jack ness' gun," answered tom. "something must be wrong at the barn." "chicken thieves again--i'll bet a new hat," said sam. by this time randolph rover and his wife were up and were lighting a lamp. without waiting for them, the boys slipped on some clothing and their shoes and ran downstairs. dick took with him a pistol and each of the others a baseball bat. "boys! boys! be careful!" shouted their uncle after them. "all right," returned dick, readily. he was the first outside, but sam and tom were close upon his heels. he heard jack ness running to the edge of a cornfield, shouting lustily. then came another report of the shotgun. "what is it, jack?" shouted dick. "who are you shooting at?" "i'm after two men," was the hired man's reply. "they jest run into the cornfield." "chicken thieves?" queried tom. "i guess so--anyway they was prowlin' around the hen house an' the barn. i called an' asked 'em what they wanted and they ran for dear life--so i knew they was up to no good." "they certainly must have been chicken thieves, or worse," was sam's comment. "really, this is getting to be too much," he added. "we ought to catch them and have them locked up." "i'm willing to go after them," answered tom, readily. "did you get a good look at the rascals?" asked dick. "not very good," answered jack ness. "they weren't boys, were they?" "no--they were men--both tall and heavy fellows." "did you ever see them before?" asked tom. "not that i can remember." while they were talking the party of four had run down to the edge of the cornfield. this spot was really a peach orchard, but the trees were still so small that the ground was being utilized that season for corn, planted in rows between the trees. the corn was not yet full grown, but it was high enough to conceal a man lying flat or crouching down. the sky was filled with stars and the old moon was beginning to show over the hills beyond the valley, so it was fairly light across the field. the boys kept their eyes on the corn and the peach trees, but failed to discover any persons moving among them. "my shotgun is empty--maybe i had better go back and load up," said the hired man. "yes, do it, but hurry up," answered dick. "i'll stay here on guard with the pistol." the hired man ran off toward the barn. hardly had he disappeared when sam gave a short cry and pointed into the field with his hand. "i saw somebody raise up just now and look around," he said. "he is out of sight now." "where?" came from dick and tom quickly. "over yonder by the twisted peach tree." "i'll investigate," said dick. "you can come along if you want to. keep your eyes open for both men. we don't want either to get away if we can help it." the three lads spread out in something of a semi circle and advanced slowly into the field, keeping their eyes and ears on the alert for anything out of the ordinary. thus they covered fifty yards, when tom found himself near one of the largest of the peach trees. as he passed this a form arose quickly from under a bough, caught him by the waist and threw him forcibly to the ground. "hi!" yelled tom. "let up!" and then he made a clutch for his assailant, catching him by the foot. but the man broke away and went crashing through the corn, calling on "shelley" to follow him. the yell from tom attracted the attention of dick and sam, and they turned to learn what had happened to their brother. as they did this a second man leaped up from the corn in front of them and started to run in the direction of the river. "stop!" called out dick. "stop, or i'll fire on you!" and then he discharged his pistol into the air as a warning. the man promptly dodged behind a row of peach trees, but kept on running as hard as ever. the rover boys were now thoroughly aroused, and all three started in pursuit of the two men. they saw the fellows leave the field and hurry down a lane leading to swift river. "i believe they are going to the river. maybe they have a boat," said tom. "i shouldn't wonder," answered dick. "i wish they would take to a boat," said sam. "we could follow them easily--in dan bailey's boat." "hi, where are you?" came a shout from behind, and they saw jack ness returning. "your uncle and aunt want you to be careful--they are afraid those villains will shoot you." "we'll be careful," answered tom. "but we are going to capture them if it can be done," he added, sturdily. the hired man had reloaded the shotgun and also brought some additional ammunition with him. he was nervous and the boys could readily see that he did not relish continuing the pursuit. "we can't do nothin' in the dark," he grumbled. "let us wait till morning." "no, i am going after them now," answered dick, decidedly. "so am i," added sam and tom. they were going forward as rapidly as the semi darkness would permit. the ground was more or less uncertain, and once the youngest rover went into a mud hole, splashing the mud up into jack ness' face. "hi, stop that!" spluttered the hired man. "want to put my eye out?" "excuse me, jack, i didn't see the hole," answered sam. "it ain't safe to walk here in the dark--somebody might break a leg." "if you want to go back you can do so," put in dick. "give tom the shotgun." "oh--er--i'm goin' if you be," answered jack ness. he was ashamed to let them know how much of a coward he really was. it was quite a distance to swift river, which at this point ran among a number of stately willows. as the boys gained the water's edge they saw a boat putting out not a hundred feet away. "there they are!" cried dick. "stop!" yelled tom. "stop, unless you want to be shot!" "we'll do a little shooting ourselves if you are not careful!" came back in a harsh voice. "take care! take care!" cried jack ness, in terror, and ran to hide behind a handy tree. the two men in the boat were putting down the stream with all speed. the current, always strong, soon carried them around a bend and out of sight. it must be confessed that the boys were in a quandary. they did not wish to give up the chase, yet they realized that the escaping men might be desperate characters and ready to put up a hard fight if cornered. "jack, i think you had better run over to the ditwold house and tell them what is up," said dick, after a moment's thought. "tell ike and joe we are going to follow in dan bailey's boat." the ditwolds were neighboring farmers and ike and joe were strong young men ever ready to lend a hand in time of trouble. "all right," answered the hired man, and set off, first, however, turning his firearm over to tom. the three rover boys were well acquainted with the river, and had had more than one adventure on its swiftly flowing waters, as my old readers know. they skirted a number of the willows and came to a small creek, where they found dan bailey's craft tied to a stake. but there were no oars, and they gazed at one another in dismay. "we might have known it," said dick, in disgust. "he always takes the oars up to the barn with him." the barn was a good distance off and none of the boys relished running that far for oars. more than this, they felt that by the time the oars were brought the other craft would be out of sight and hearing, and thus the trail of the midnight prowlers would be lost. "here is a bit of board," said sam, searching around. "let us use that for a paddle. the current will carry us almost as swiftly as if we were rowing. the main thing will be to keep out of the way of the rocks." "i wish those chaps would run on the rocks and smash their boat to bits," grumbled tom, who had gotten a stone in his loose shoe and was consequently limping. the boys shoved the rowboat from the creek to the river and leaped in. dick, being the largest and strongest, took the board and using it as a sweep, sent the craft well out where the current could catch it. down the stream went the boat, with sam in the middle and tom in the stern. there was no rudder, so they had to depend entirely upon dick, who stood up near the bow, peering ahead for rocks, of which the river boasted a great number. "those fellows must know this river," remarked sam, as he started to lace his shoes, there being nothing else just then to do. "they ought to--if they are the fellows who visited our henhouse before," answered tom. "dick, can you see them?" "no, but i know they must be ahead." "perhaps they went ashore--just to fool us." "they couldn't get ashore here very well--it is too rocky, you know that as well as i do. listen!" they listened, but the only sound that broke the stillness was the distant roar of humpback falls, where sam had once had such a thrilling adventure, as related in "the rover boys at school." even now, so long afterward, it made the youngest rover shiver to think of that happening. a minute later the boat came clear of the tree shadows and the boys saw a long stretch ahead of them, shimmering like silver in the moonbeams. sam, looking in the direction of the opposite shore, made out a rowboat moving thither. "there they are!" he cried. at once dick essayed to turn their own craft in that direction. but with only a bit of a board for a paddle, and with the current tearing along wildly, this was not easy. the rowboat was turned partly, but then scraped some rocks, and they were in dire peril of upsetting. "i see where they are going!" cried tom. "to the old henderson mill." "we'll have to land below that point," said his oldest brother. "if i try to get in there with only this board i'll hit the rocks sure." "they are taking chances, even with oars," was sam's comment. "see, they have struck some rocks!" he was right, and the rovers saw the boat ahead spin around and the two men leap to their feet in alarm. but then the craft steadied itself, and a moment later shot into the shadows of the trees beside the old flour mill. it was not until five minutes later that dick was able to guide their own rowboat to the shore upon which the mill was located. they hit several rocks, but at last came in where there was a sandy stretch. all leaped out, and the craft was hauled up to a point out of the current's reach. "now to get back to the mill as soon as possible, and corner those fellows if we can," said tom, and without delay the three rover boys started through the woods in the direction of the spot where the two men had landed. chapter v at the old mill the henderson mill was now largely so only in name. so far back as the rover boys could remember, it had been a tenantless structure going slowly to decay. the water wheel was gone, and so were the grinding stones, and the roof and sides were full of holes. henderson, the owner, had years ago fallen heir to a fortune, and had moved away, leaving the building at the mercy of the tramps who frequently stopped there. it was no easy matter to climb around or over the rocks which lay between the boys and the old mill, and the darkness under the thick trees was intense. they felt their way along slowly, and tom was careful to carry the shotgun with the barrel pointed downward, that there might be no accident. "more than likely those fellows have been putting up at the old mill," said dick. "they'll leave now--if they think we are coming," answered sam. "let us keep quiet," put in tom. "if they hear us talking they will surely skip out." after that but little was said. foot by foot they drew closer to the dilapidated structure, until it loomed up dimly before them. then dick motioned for the others to halt. with bated breath the boys listened. at first they heard little but the rushing of the water over the rocks. then came a sudden cracking of a rotten floor board, followed by an exclamation. "confound the luck! i've put my foot through the floor again," growled a man's voice. "shelley, why don't you light the lantern? do you want me to break my neck?" "if i light the lantern the rovers may come here," was the answer from the man called shelley. "oh, they went down the river i saw them." "they may have turned in nearby." some more words followed, but spoken so low that the boys could not understand them. they heard a faint creaking of the flooring of the old mill, but that was all. "they are there, that's certain," whispered dick. "but i don't see how we are going to capture them in this darkness." "i wish we had a lantern," said the youngest rover. "we wouldn't dare to light it, sam," answered tom. "let us crawl up close to the building. maybe we can find out something more about the men. they may be some good for nothing fellows from the village." as there seemed nothing else to do, this advice was followed, and soon the boys were at one of the broken out windows of the mill. they listened and looked inside, but saw and heard nothing. "they are not here," whispered sam, disappointedly. "they are not far off," answered his big brother confidently. "look!" came from tom. "a light!" he pointed through the window to the flooring inside. from between the loose boards shone several streaks of light. as the boys gazed the light vanished and all was as dark as before. "they are in the lower room, the one where the water wheel used to be," whispered tom. "maybe that is where they have been hanging out." "come after me--but don't make any noise," said dick, cautiously. "if they have gone into the second room down there maybe we can make them prisoners!" "that's the idea!" cried sam. "just the thing!" "hush, sam, or you'll spoil all." scarcely daring to breathe, now that they knew the strange men were so close, the three rover boys walked to the open doorway of the old mill and went inside. dick led the way and crossed to where an enclosed stairs ran to the floor below. on tiptoes he went down, not trusting a step until he was sure of his footing. it was well he did this, for two of the steps were entirely rotted away, and he had to warn his brothers, otherwise one or another might have had a fall. standing in the wheel room of the old mill the boys saw another streak of light, coming from the room which dick had suggested. the door to this was closed, a bolt on the inner side holding it in place. there was another bolt on the outside, which dick remembered having seen on a previous visit. "we can lock them in if we wish," he whispered. "do it," answered his brothers promptly. the bolt was large and old fashioned, and dick had considerable trouble in moving it into its socket. it made a rasping sound, but this was not noticed by the two men, who were conversing earnestly. "well, we made a mess of it," growled the man called shelley. "so we did. but i didn't think that hired man would wake up. neither of us made a bit of noise. he must be a light sleeper." "i only hope they think we were after chickens, cuffer. if they knew the truth--" the man named shelley broke off with a coarse laugh. "well, we got chickens the other night, didn't we?" and now the man called cuffer laughed also. "but say, this is getting serious," he went on presently. "merrick expects us to do this job for him and do it quick, and he won't like it at all when he finds out how we have missed it." "we can't do the impossible. those rovers are too wide awake for us." "they certainly were too wide awake for merrick in that traction company bond matter. he was a chump not to sell those bonds as soon as he got hold of them." "he didn't dare--he was afraid the market was being watched." "what does he want of those papers, anyway?" "i don't know exactly. but you know what he said--there would be a small fortune in it for us if we got 'em. he says he's got some papers --or a map i guess it is--but he wants these papers, too. he didn't dare show himself around here--you know the reason why." "sure--those rovers would recognize him, even if he tried to disguise himself." dick, tom and sam listened to this conversation with keenest interest and amazement. these men had mentioned the name of sid merrick, the rascal who had in the past tried so hard to harm them and who had up to the present time escaped the clutches of the law. evidently they were in league with merrick and under his directions. "we must capture those fellows by all means," whispered tom, excitedly. "if we do, maybe we can find out where merrick is." "yes, and tad sobber, too," added sam, who had not forgotten the poisonous snake episode at putnam hall. "they weren't after chickens--that was only a blind," said dick. "they want to get something from the house--some papers that merrick wants." "they must be valuable," said sam. "father has all sorts of valuable papers," went on tom. "bonds, deeds to mining properties, and such. but i thought he had the most of those in a safe deposit vault in the city." "so he has," answered dick. "maybe these fellows would be fooled even if they got into uncle randolph's house. they--listen!" shelley and cuffer had begun to talk again. they mentioned a tramp steamer called the _josephine_, and shelley said she was now in port being repaired. then the conversation drifted to sporting matters, and cuffer told how he had lost a hundred dollars on a prize fight. "that's why i'm here," he added. "and i want some money the next time i see sid merrick." "he won't give us any unless we--" said shelley, and the boys did not hear the end of the sentence, for the speaker tried the door as he spoke, throwing the inner bolt back. of course with the outer bolt in place, the door refused to budge. the boys drew back, and tom raised the shotgun and dick his pistol. "the door is caught!" cried shelley, and pushed on it as hard as he could. "what!" exclaimed cuffer and leaped forward. he, too, tried to move the barrier. "this is a trick! somebody has bolted the door on the outside." "was there a bolt there?" "yes, a heavy one, too." "then somebody has trapped us!" "open that door!" sang out cuffer, before his companion could stop him. "we are not going to open that door," answered dick, in an equally loud voice. "we have got you fast and we intend to keep you so." "who are you?" "i am dick rover, and my two brothers are with me. we are well armed, and we'll shoot if you try to break that door down." "caught!" cried shelley in a rage, and then uttered several exclamations under his breath. "what are you going to do?" asked cuffer, after a moment of silence. "hold you prisoners until we can get help and then turn you over to the officers of the law." "we haven't done anything wrong." "that remains to be seen." "you haven't any right to lock us in here." "then we take the right," answered tom grimly. "let us smash the door down," came in a low tone from inside the room. "if you try it we'll surely fire," said dick, and cocked his pistol so the men might hear the click. tom did the same with the shotgun. "see here, you let us out and we'll make it all right with you," remarked shelley, after another pause. "we are not the bad fellows you take us to be. we were only going to play a joke, that's all." "i suppose you think sid merrick's doings are a joke, too," said sam, before he had time to think twice. "ha! what do you know of merrick?" ejaculated cuffer. "they must have been listening to our talk," he added, in a low tone to his companion. "yes, and if so, we are in a bad box," answered shelley. "i'd give a good deal to be out of here just now." "talk to them, while i take a look around," continued cuffer, struck by a sudden idea. shelley did as told, pleading with the three rovers to let him go and offering to pay fifty dollars for his liberty. he talked in a loud tone, to cover up what noise his companion might make. the boys listened, but refused to open the door until some sort of help should arrive, or until morning came. "sam, you go outside and see if jack and the ditwolds are anywhere around," said dick, and the youngest rover departed immediately. presently tom and dick heard cuffer give a cry of pain. "you've stepped on my sore toe!" howled the man. "phew! how it hurts!" the two men talked about the hurt toe for several minutes. then their voices suddenly ceased. tom and dick strained their ears, but could hear absolutely nothing. "they must be up to some trick," whispered the eldest rover. "hi, you, what are you doing?" he called out. there was no answer and the silence was just as ominous as before. the light in the inner room had gone out. "what are you doing?" repeated dick, and ran close to the door to listen. nothing but absolute silence followed. what to do next the two boys did not know. they waited for fully five minutes--then five more. presently they heard sam coming back. "i yelled for jack and the others, but i got no answer," said he. "what are the men doing?" "we don't know," answered tom. "we are afraid they are up to some trick." "a trick?" repeated sam. then he gave a gasp. "the room--isn't there a back door, leading out to the shed?" "i don't know," answered dick. "i'll run and see." sam was gone less than two minutes when they heard a cry, and then he pounded on the door they had so carefully guarded. "there is a back door and it is wide open. the men have gone!" was his dismaying announcement. chapter vi the story of a treasure it was a disheartening discovery, but the three rover boys did not stop to think it over. throwing open the bolted door, tom and dick joined sam, and in the darkness made their way to the rear of the room in which they had held cuffer and shelley prisoners. in a minute more they were outside, under the trees at the rear of the old mill. "which way did they go?" tom asked the question, but nobody could answer it. the moon had now gone under some clouds and it was so dark they could scarcely see ten feet in any direction. "perhaps they took to the river again," suggested sam. "it is not likely," answered his big brother. "but we can take a look." they ran around to where the men had landed. their boat was still in its place, tied to a tree. "listen!" cried sam "somebody's shouting, and there is a light." "it is jack ness," said tom. the boys set up an answering shout, and soon a boat came up to the shore. it contained the hired man and the two ditwolds. they had a lantern with them and also an old fashioned single barrel shotgun. the situation was quickly explained, and then the party of six began a systematic search of the woods and the various roads in the vicinity of henderson's mill. this search lasted until morning, but nothing came of it. "we may as well give up," said dick, at last. "they have gotten away and that is all there is to it." the boys were completely tired out when they got home. their uncle and aunt were much worried over their prolonged absence and overjoyed to see them return unharmed. "i was so afraid one of you might get shot or something," said mrs. rover. "some of those, chickens thieves are desperate characters." "those men were more than chicken thieves," answered dick. and he told his uncle and aunt of the conversation overheard at the old mill. "it is a great pity that they got away," said randolph rover. "what do you imagine they are after, uncle randolph?" questioned sam. "i do not know, excepting it may be some mining stocks or a deed to some property. perhaps your father will be able to explain it when he gets back." the authorities were notified, but they failed to apprehend the men. it was learned that the boat they had used had been stolen from, a point near oak run, and the craft was returned to its owner. that they had used the old mill for a stopping place was evidenced by the remains of numerous meals found there. the boys made a careful search of the premises, but brought nothing to light which was of use to them. "i wish father was home--or we knew how to reach him by telephone, or with a telegram," remarked dick. "well, we can't reach him, so we'll have to be patient until he returns," answered sam. "by the way, i wonder if his going away had anything to do with what those men were up to?" "it might be so," returned dick, slowly. "both happenings are queer, to say the least." "i wish i knew what father has in mind to do," came from tom. "i hope we take some kind of a trip. i don't want to stick on the farm all summer." with nothing to do, the next two days passed slowly. the boys went fishing and swimming, and they also did some shooting at a target which they set up behind the barn, and whiled away, some time at boxing and in gymnastic exercises. dick also spent an hour in penning a long letter to dora stanhope, who, as my old readers are well aware, was his dearest girl friend. dora and her mother lived not far from putnam hall, and dick and his brothers had become acquainted with her and her two cousins, nellie and grace laning, when they had first gone to school. the rover boys had on several occasions saved mrs. stanhope from serious trouble, and for this the widow was very grateful. she and her daughter had gone with them on the houseboat trip down the ohio and the mississippi, and mrs. laning and nellie and grace had likewise accompanied the party. it may be added here that tom and sam thought nellie and grace two of the nicest girls in the whole world, which indeed they were. on saturday morning the boys were contemplating a bicycle ride when sam, who chanced to look toward the road, set up a shout: "here comes father!" all gazed in the direction and saw mr. rover coming toward them in a rig he had hired at the depot. they ran to meet their parent and were soon shaking him by the hand. they saw that he looked travel worn and tired. "i have been on the go ever since i left putnam hall," said anderson rover. "it was a most unexpected trip. i will tell you all about it as soon as i have rested a bit and had something to eat." "we have something to tell, too," answered dick. "but that can keep until later." inside of an hour mr. rover had been served with a good, hot breakfast and then he declared that he felt like a new man. he invited the whole family into the sitting room for a conference of importance. "i told you lads i had something on my mind," he said. "i did not want to speak of it while at the graduation exercises at the school because there was too much going on. now i am going to tell you everything and also tell you what i propose to do. but first, i want to listen to what you have to tell me." it did not take the three boys long to relate the particulars of the pursuit of cuffer and shelley, and of what they had overheard at the old mill. anderson rover listened with close attention and did not seem surprised when they mentioned sid merrick's name. "that fits in, to a certain degree, with what i have to tell you." he said, when they had finished. "it is a strange story, and the only way for me to do, so that it will be perfectly clear to you, is to tell it from the beginning." "well, we're willing enough to listen," said dick, with a smile. "we've been on pins and needles ever since you said you had something important to tell," added tom, grinning. "well, to start, this concerns mrs. stanhope more than it concerns ourselves," began the father. "what!" ejaculated dick. he had not expected anything of this sort. "i knew you would be surprised, dick, and you'll be more surprised when i get through." "are the lanings in this?" questioned sam, thinking of grace. "they are in a certain sense--or will be if everything turns out successfully. when mr. stanhope died he left most of his property to mrs. stanhope and dora--the majority to dora--but a small share was left to the lanings, they being so closely related and such good friends." "but what is it all about?" asked tom, impatiently. "as i said before, i must start at the beginning, or perhaps you won't understand at all. as you know, mr. stanhope died some years ago. he was interested in various business enterprises, including a number of vessels which carried freight between the united states and the west indies. one of his partners in the freight carrying business was a man named robertson and another was a silas merrick." "merrick!" cried sam. "yes, and this silas merrick was an older brother to sid merrick, the rascal who stole the bonds, and whom you heard mentioned by cuffer and shelley. let me say here that silas merrick is dead, and when he died he left all his property to his brother sidney and his sister. the sister is dead, too, and her property, so i understand, went to her son tad sobber." "this is getting deep," said tom, his sunny face growing wrinkled. "it will soon get deeper, tom. during the time that the firm of stanhope, robertson & merrick were carrying freight from the west indies there was a fierce revolution in central america. some families of high rank were forced to flee, among them a nobleman named parmonelli, who left home carrying with him gold and diamonds worth many thousands of dollars. he managed to get on board one of the vessels owned by mr. stanhope's firm, and mr. stanhope was on the ship at the same time. the vessel was followed by revolutionists who were no better than pirates, and after a fierce fight the revolutionists shot parmonelli and carried off his fortune." "this is certainly getting deep," murmured sam. "parmonelli was not killed at once, but died two days after being shot down. he was very bitter against the revolutionists, and said they had no right to take his fortune from him--that it was his and did not belong to the state. as mr. stanhope had befriended him to the last he made a will, leaving the fortune to mr. stanhope if the same could be recovered." "and how much was it?" questioned dick. "i cannot say exactly the will mentions six bags of gold and one bag of precious stones, all packed in several chests." "it's queer i never heard of this from dora," said dick. "she told me about the other money her father left." "mr. stanhope kept the matter to himself, and at his death told only mr. laning, for--as you know--mrs. stanhope was then in delicate health and it was deemed very unwise to excite her." "but what about the fortune--was it recovered?" asked tom. "no." "then the money has long since been spent," cried sam in dismay. "no, sam, the money and the jewels, to the best of my belief, have never been touched. when the revolutionists carried them off they said they were going straight back to central america with them. instead, however, they landed on an island of the west indies and there started to divide the fortune. this caused a bitter fight, in which several of the party were killed and wounded. then it was decided to hide the money and jewels in a cave on the island and make a division later. a place was selected and the gold and jewels placed under heavy rocks in a small cave. after that the party sailed away. when they got home, much to their surprise and dismay, they found their country in the hands once more of the government. they were captured and all but two were sentenced to be shot as traitors. the two were sent to prison and they were released less than a year ago. one was a spaniard named doranez and the other a spanish american sailor named camel, but usually called bahama jack, because he has spent nearly all his life among the bahama islands." "did those two men go after the treasure when they got out of prison?" asked sam. "they wanted to, but were poor and had forgotten the exact location of the island where the treasure was hidden. bahama jack was a happy go lucky sort of a sailor and he came to this country and worked for a while on a lumber schooner running from florida to boston. doranez also came to this country, but where he kept himself at first i do not know." "go on, dad, this is getting exciting," broke in tom, as his parent paused in his recital. "not long ago mrs. stanhope came to me for advice concerning this matter. mr. laning had told her everything, and she wanted to know if it would be worth while to organize an expedition to hunt for the treasure. i said i would look into the matter and ask her to give me what papers mr. stanhope had left in reference to the affair. i started to hunt up bahama jack and doranez. after a good deal of work i found the former and had several long talks with him." "did you get any news from him?" asked dick. "a little. he does not remember exactly where the island was located, but told much about its general appearance and what other islands were in that vicinity. but he also told me something else, which worried me a good deal. it was that sid merrick, as the heir of silas merrick, was also after the treasure." chapter vii in which something is missing "sid merrick after the treasure!" cried dick. "yes. he wants it both for himself and for his nephew, tad sobber. he claims that the revolutionists took it from a ship belonging in part to his brother and consequently he has as much right to it as has mrs. stanhope." "but that isn't so, is it?" asked sam. "no; the treasure, if it is found, belongs to mr. stanhope's estate absolutely--that is, to mrs. stanhope, dora and the lanings. the fact that silas merrick had an interest in the ship at the time of the stealing of the wealth cuts no figure at all." "what is sid merrick doing?" asked tom. "he has been working in secret, looking for bahama jack and the spaniard, doranez. i found out that he had one talk with bahama jack, but the sailor did not like merrick and told him very little. then i started to find doranez--he is the man i have been after during the past week. i found him and he promised to work with me if i would pay him for his trouble. but yesterday he sent me a note, stating he had changed his mind and was going to spain, to look up some of his relatives. so he is probably out of it from now on." "maybe he is going to look for the treasure on his own account," suggested randolph rover. "he cannot do that very well, for he has little or no money." "and what do you propose to do, father--go on a hunt for the treasure?" asked dick. "yes. from what papers i have on hand and the information gotten from bahama jack i think we stand a fair chance of locating that island and of finding the cave where the treasure is secreted. of course, there is a good deal of guess work about it, but i am convinced the thing is worth trying." "and how are you going at it?" came from tom. "a friend of mine in philadelphia, a mr. dale, has a steam yacht which he is not going to use this summer, as he is going to europe. i have determined to charter that yacht and go on a cruise among the west indies. it will be a fine outing for the summer, even if we don't locate treasure isle, as mr. stanhope called the spot." "and you'll take us along?" asked tom, quickly. "if you want to go." "if we want to go? does a duck want to swim, or a dog want to scratch fleas? of course we want to go." "such a trip will suit me to a t," said sam. "and i hope with all my heart we locate that treasure," he added earnestly. "of course you'll take this bahama jack along," said dick. "yes, and i have promised him a big reward if the treasure is recovered," answered his father. "who else will be in the party?" at this question anderson rover's eyes began to sparkle. "i was going to keep it a secret, but perhaps i had better tell you. the steam yacht is a large one and can readily accommodate fifteen or twenty passengers. i have decided to ask mrs. stanhope to go and bring dora, and will also ask the lanings. then they will know exactly what is being done to recover the treasure. in addition, if you want to take some of your chums with you, as you did on that houseboat trip." "hurrah, just the thing!" burst out sam. "let us take fred garrison by all means." "yes, and songbird powell and hans mueller" added tom. "they will help to make things lively." "can they go?" questioned dick. "we can telegraph and find out," answered tom. "i'll telegraph this afternoon," he added always ready to do things on the rush. "we ought to get an answer to night or to morrow morning. "when do you want to start on the trip?" asked dick. "as soon as the party can be made up, and the steam yacht can be gotten in readiness. i have already instructed the captain to provision her for the trip." "then she has a captain and a crew?" "oh, yes, she carries ten men, including an engineer and his assistant." "that is certainly fine!" said dick, and he smiled as he thought of what a nice trip they would have with dora stanhope on board. dick was not "moonstruck," but he had a manly regard for dora that did him credit. after that anderson rover gave them many more details regarding the treasure, and his talks with bahama jack and of what he hoped to accomplish. he had a fair idea of the latitude and longitude of treasure isle, which, he had been told, was of coral formation, covered with palms and shaped somewhat like a horseshoe. "bahama jack says the treasure cave is about in the center of the inner curve of the island, but that you cannot sail close to it on account of the numerous reefs. you have to land on the island in a small boat, and that is why very few ships stop there. natives of that vicinity occasionally go there for fruit and for birds, but there is no regular village on the island." "if the island is shaped like a horseshoe we ought not to have great difficulty in locating it," said dick. "the trouble is, you cannot see the formation very well from the sea, dick. if one were in a balloon it would be different. you must remember that there are many hundreds of islands scattered in that part of our globe." "let's take a balloon along," suggested tom. "then we could go up and take a look around." "you couldn't look far enough, tom, and if you tried to sail in the balloon you'd probably drop into the ocean and be drowned. no, we'll have to do our searching from the steam yacht. but i have several maps and drawings which i think, will aid us." "the things cuffer and shelley were after?" cried dick. "perhaps if they are in league with sid merrick. merrick, of course, would like to get all the information possible." "i'd like to look at the maps and drawings." "so would i," added sam and tom. the idea of going on a treasure hunt filled them with great interest. "the maps and drawings i have are only copies," went on anderson rover. "the originals are in mrs. stanhope's possession." mr. rover turned to his brother. "you have them, randolf. will you please get them?" "i have them?" queried randolph rover, in perplexity. as my old readers know, he was at times somewhat absent minded. "why, yes, don't you remember my giving them to you? they were in a large yellow envelope. i think you placed them away with your traction company bonds." "why--er--so i did," stammered randolph rover. "but i--er--i don't quite remember what i did with them." he scratched his head. "i'll go and get my tin box." he left the sitting room, and after being gone fully ten minutes returned with a flat tin box, in which he kept some papers of value. "the envelope doesn't seem to be here," he said, turning over the contents of the box. "don't you remember it?" asked his brother, anxiously. "oh, yes, i remember it very well now. i saw it only a couple of days before i went to carwell with my bonds." "did you take that tin box to carwell?" asked tom. "yes." "was the envelope in it then?" "i--er--i really don't know, thomas. you see i was much upset, thinking my bonds were no good. perhaps the yellow envelope was in the box, under the bonds." "and did sid merrick have hold of the box?" demanded anderson rover. "he may have had. the box was on a side table, and he walked around the room and over to it several times." "then, unless you have the envelope now, sid merrick stole it," said anderson rover, somewhat bitterly. this announcement filled randolph rover with increased anxiety and as a result he looked over all his private papers and ransacked his safe and his desk from end to end. but the precious yellow envelope and its contents were not brought to light. "merrick must have gotten hold of that envelope at the time he stole the bonds," said dick. "maybe that is what made him trace up this story of the treasure." "that may be true, dick," answered his parent. randolph rover was greatly distressed over the disappearance of the maps and drawings and upbraided himself roundly for not having been more careful. "now that they are in this merrick's hands he may make use of them," he said dolefully. "undoubtedly he will," answered anderson rover. "if he has those papers and maps why did he send cuffer and shelley here?" asked tom. "most likely he thought he could get additional information." "it seems to me the best thing we can do is to get after that treasure without delay," said dick. "if we don't, merrick may form some kind of a party, locate the island, and steal the gold and jewels from under our very noses!" "oh, such things are not done in a day, dick," said his father, with a faint smile. "but i agree with you, the quicker we get after the treasure the better." after that a discussion lasting well after the dinner hour followed, and was only ended when mrs. rover fairly drove them into the dining room for the midday repast. it was resolved that the party to go in search of the treasure should be made up of anderson rover and his three sons, mrs. stanhope and dora, the lannings, and also fred garrison, songbird powell and hans mueller. during the afternoon a number of telegrams and letters were written, and the boys send these off before nightfall. aleck pop was very much interested in such conversation as he had overheard, and as he had accompanied the boys to the jungles of africa and on the houseboat trip he was very anxious to be a member of the present party. "i don't see how yo' young gen'men is gwine to get along widout me," he said to sam. "don't yo' think you kin squeeze me aboadh somehow?" "aren't you afraid you'd get seasick, aleck?" asked sam. "i ain't afraid ob muffin, if only yo'll take me along," answered the darkey earnestly. "i suppose the steam yacht has its cook." "dat might be, massa sam, but didn't i cook all right on dot houseboat?" "you certainly did." "might be as how i could gab dot cook on de yacht seem p'ints as to wot yo' young gen'men like, ain't dot so?" "perhaps, aleck. if you wish, i'll speak to father about it." "t'ank yo' werry much, massa sam!" "but you must promise one thing," put tom, who was listening to the talk. "wot is dat?" "you won't run off and marry the widow taylor when you get back." "huh! i'se done wid dat trash!" snorted aleck. "she kin mahrry dat thomas an' welcome. i don't want her or her chillun neither!" "all right, then, aleck, we'll, see what we can do for you," said tom, and sam said the same. in the end it was agreed that aleck should accompany the party as a general helper, and this pleased the colored man very much. it was a lucky thing for the boys that aleck went along, as certain later events proved. chapter viii the rover boys in new york the more the rover boys talked about the treasure hunt the more enthusiastic they became, until, as tom expressed it, they were "simply boiling over with enthusiasm." "it will be a grand thing for the stanhopes and the lanings if we do locate that treasure," said sam. "mr. laning has some money, but i know he'd like more, so he wouldn't have to farm quite so hard." "and dick wants to get all he can for dora, i'm certain of that," said tom, with a merry glance at his elder brother. "how about you getting the laning share for nellie's benefit?" retorted dick, his face growing red. "i reckon the boot is as long as the shoe." as the rovers had plenty of money it was an easy matter to arrange for the expenses of the trip. mrs. stanhope wanted to pay a share, but anderson rover said she had better wait until the treasure was found. inside of three, days word was received from all those who had been asked to participate in the search. mr. laning said that he could not leave his farm very well, but that his wife and two daughters would go. mrs. stanhope and dora said they would pack immediately. fred garrison was visiting hans mueller and the two sent a telegram as follows: "you couldn't hold us back if you tried. where shall we meet you?" "that's like fred," said dick. "i am awfully glad he is to be with us --and glad hans will come, too." the last telegram to come in was from songbird powell. the reply of the would-be poet of putnam hall was characteristic: "tell me where, and i'll be there, on the run for lots of fun." "if that isn't songbird!" exclaimed sam, laughing, as he read the telegram. "had to talk in rhyme even over the telegraph wire!" it was finally decided that the whole party should meet in philadelphia about the fourth of july, which was now less than a week off. they should go directly to the steam yacht, and the voyage was to begin as soon as all arrangements were completed. "i wish to stop off at new york for a day," said anderson rover. "if you boys want to go with me you may do so." "that will suit me," answered dick, and his brothers said the same. it had been agreed that no outsiders should be told of the treasure hunt, so nothing was mentioned but a summer trip on a steam yacht. the day the rovers and aleck pop left the farm was a clear one, and all were in the best of spirits. the colored man drove to the depot with jack ness and the trunks and dress suit cases, and all of the others went in the carryall, randolph rover driving and mrs. rover giving the boys final instructions about taking care of themselves. "i shall miss you very much," she said, with tears in her eyes. her lively nephews were as dear to her as if they were her own sons. "you'd better go along, aunt martha," said dick. "we'd like it first rate," added sam. "it might help us to keep out of mischief," came from tom, with a bright smile. "no, i'll stay at home with your uncle, boys. but do take care of yourselves, and come home safe." "oh, there will be no danger in this trip," said dick, but he was mistaken--there was to be great peril and of an unusual kind. if the treasure hunters could have seen what was before them they would not have started off in such a confident frame of mind. the train was a little late, but presently it rolled into the station and the trunks and other baggage were hoisted aboard. then came the final embraces and the boys climbed up the steps, followed by their father and aleck. "hurrah, we are off at last!" cried tom, and waved his cap enthusiastically. the others did the same, and then the train started and oak run quickly faded from sight. as the boys settled down in their seats a lad came from another car and moved swiftly toward them. "songbird, by all that's lucky!" cried dick, and caught the other by the hand. "i thought you'd be on this train," answered songbird powell. "i got your wire last night that you would stop off at new york. i am going to stop, too--to see an uncle of mine on a little business." "then you'll travel with us to philadelphia?" queried sam. "sure." "good! tom was just saying he'd like some of the others along." "when i got your invitation i danced a jig of delight," went on songbird. "i just couldn't help it. then i sat down and wrote--" "a piece of poetry about it thirty five stanzas long," finished tom. "no, tom, there are only six verses. you see i couldn't help it--i was so chuck full of enthusiasm. the poem begins like this: "'twas a peaceful, summer night, when all the stars were shining bright, there came a rap on our house door which made me leap from bed to floor. to me had come a telegram from my old chums, dick, tom and sam asking if i had a notion to sail with them upon the ocean. to skim along on waters blue--" "and then and there get seasick, too," finished tom. "don't forget to put in about the seasickness, songbird--it always goes with a voyage, you know." "seasick!" snorted the would-be poet. "who ever heard of seasickness in a poem? the next line is this: "and see so many sights quite new, to rest in quiet day by day and watch the fishes at their play." "that's the first verse. the second begins--" "save it, songbird, until we're on the yacht," interrupted sam. "we'll have more time to listen then." "all right," answered the would-be poet cheerfully. "i want to fix up some of the lines anyhow. i've got 'harm' to rhyme with 'storm' and it doesn't quite suit me." "never mind--a storm often does great harm," said dick. "you can easily fix it up by throwing out both words, you know." after that the talk drifted around to the matter of the treasure hunt and songbird was given some of the details, in which he became much interested. he declared that he thought the trip on the steam yacht would be even more interesting than the one on the houseboat had been. "we're after something definite this trip," he said. "we've got something to look forward to specially if that sid merrick starts a rival hunt." "we want to get ahead of merrick," answered dick. "we want to locate treasure isle and get the gold and jewels before he knows what we are up to." "what's the name of the steam yacht." "the _rainbow_." "that's a good name, for a rainbow is a sign of good promise," was songbird's comment. the party had to make one change of cars and had their dinner on the train. they arrived at the grand central depot at half past two o'clock and the rovers went to a nearby hotel, taking aleck with them, while songbird hurried off to transact his business with his uncle. mr. rover had to meet some men who were interested in his mining ventures in the far west, and so, after accommodations had been obtained, he hurried off, leaving the boys to their own devices. "let us take a stroll down broadway," suggested sam, to whom the sights of this busy thoroughfare were always interesting. the others were willing, and they passed through forty second street to broadway and then turned southward. the street was filled with wagons, trucks and trolley cars, and the sidewalk appeared to "overflow with folks," as sam said. at one point a man was giving some sort of an exhibition in a store window and here the crowd was so great they had to walk out into the gutter to get past. "i can tell you one thing," remarked dick. "there is after all but one new york and no other city is like it." the boys walked slowly as far as union square and then sat down on one of the park benches to rest. nearly all the benches were filled with people and in idle curiosity dick began to scan the various types of men present, from bright, brisk clerks to fat and unshaved bummers, too lazy to work. "hullo!" dick uttered the exclamation so abruptly that sam and tom were startled. "what do you see?" queried both. "look there!" they gazed in the direction dick pointed out and on a distant bench saw a youth of about tom's age, but heavier set, talking to a man who wore a rusty suit of brown and a peculiarly shaped slouch hat. "why, that's tad sobber!" cried tom. "so it is," added sam. "who is that fellow with him?" "i don't know, although his figure looks somewhat familiar to me," answered dick. "what can tad be doing in new york?" questioned tom. "do you suppose he is down here with sid merrick?" "perhaps." "let's go over and see what he has to say for himself," suggested sam. "maybe he'll run away when he sees us." all of the boys were curious to know what the former bully of putnam hall might have to say for himself and they strode over to the bench upon which sobber and the man in brown were sitting. they came up behind the pair. "i can't give you any money, cuffer," they heard tad sobber say. "you'll have to wait till my uncle sid gets here." "when will he get to new york?" "to morrow." "that fellow is cuffer, the man who ran away from us at the old mill!" cried dick. "let us catch him and hand him over to the police," returned tom. in his excitement he talked rather loudly and this attracted the attention of cuffer and tad sobber. "the rovers!" cried sobber, leaping to his feet in consternation. "how did they get down to new york?" "who did you say?" questioned cuffer, and then looking at the three youths his face blanched. "we must get away from here, and be quick about it!" he started to run and dick and sam went after him. the chase led to the lower end of the little park, and then cuffer crossed fourteenth street, and amid the crowd bound homeward for the day, pushed his way in the direction of the third avenue elevated railroad station. in the meantime tad sobber started to run in another direction. but before he had taken a dozen steps tom was on him and had him by the arm. "stop, sobber," he said shortly. "i won't! you let me go, tom rover." "i'll not let you go," answered tom, firmly. "and if you don't stand still i'll call a policeman and have you arrested." chapter ix a chase on the bowery tom's threat to have tad sobber arrested caused the former bully of the school to pause and turn pale. "you--er--you don't mean that," he faltered. "you can't have me arrested." "we'll see about that, sobber." "i haven't done anything wrong." "then why did you run away from putnam hall?" "i had a right to leave. captain putnam wasn't treating me fairly." "you ran away on account of that snake affair--you can't deny it." "humph!" "that snake nearly killed nick pell. he isn't over it yet, altogether." "bah! it wasn't the snake made nick sick. he wasn't feeling well some days before the snake bit him." "it was the snake and nothing else put him in bed," answered tom warmly. "and that is not all. you are in league with your uncle, who robbed my uncle of those traction company bonds." "i--er--i don't know anything about that matter," answered sobber, hastily. "well, i know all about it. you were with your uncle when he got away from us, and when he dropped the pocketbook containing the bonds." "did you get the bonds back?" asked sobber, with sudden interest. it may be added here that sid merrick had gone back long after the chase to look for the pocketbook, but, of course, had been unable to get any trace of it. "we did." "my uncle didn't steal them. your uncle put them in his hands to sell," went on tad sobber, with sudden boldness. "it is all a cooked up story about his running away with them. and it's a cooked up story about his having anything to do with those freight thieves. my uncle is an honest man." "i know all about the freight affair, for i overheard him talking to some of the other thieves," answered tom. "where is your uncle now?" "do you think i'd be fool enough to tell you?" "perhaps you might--if i had you locked up." "my uncle is a good long way from new york." "i heard you tell that man your uncle would be in the city to-morrow." "i didn't say any such thing!" burst out sobber, but his manner showed that he was very much disturbed. "you did say it. where are you stopping?" "nowhere--i only got in a few hours ago." "did you come here to meet cuffer?" "what do you know about cuffer?" "i know your uncle hired him and a man named shelley to visit our farm and get some things belonging to my father." "why, you're crazy! my uncle hardly knows cuffer--and i never heard of a man named shelley." "i am not crazy, and you know i am speaking the truth," answered tom, calmly. "now you tell me where your uncle is or i'll have you arrested." "you'll not arrest me!" exclaimed tad sobber, and with a sudden movement he twisted himself free from tom's grasp. "you follow me and you'll get the worst of it!" he added, and darted across the park at top speed. tom made after the bully, but as luck would have it a nurse girl with a baby carriage got between them and before tom could clear himself of the carriage sobber was a good distance away. he turned to the eastward, down a side street where a large building was in the course of erection. he looked back and then skipped into the unfinished building. "he shan't catch me," he muttered to himself, and ran to the rear of the building, amid piles of bricks and concrete blocks. a number of workmen were present, but nobody noticed him. reaching the building tom peered inside, but saw nothing of the bully. he was about to go in when a warning cry reached him from overhead. "get back there, unless you want to be hurt!" tom looked up and saw a workman in the act of throwing down a mass of rubbish, broken bricks, sticks and old mortar. he leaped back and the stuff descended in front of him and raised a cloud of dust. "what do you want here, young man?" demanded the superintendent of the building as he came forward. "i am after a boy who just ran in here." "nobody here that i saw." "he just came in." "we don't allow skylarking around here. you make yourself scarce," and the superintendent waved tom away. "i want to have that fellow arrested--that is why he ran away from me." "oh, that's a different thing. go find him, if you can." the superintendent stepped aside and tom entered the building. but the delay had cost him dear, for in the meanwhile tad sobber had made good his escape by running back to the next street. tom looked around for over quarter of an hour and then gave up the chase. "it's too bad, but it can't be helped," he mused. "i may as well go back to the park and wait for dick and sam. i hope they caught that cuffer." while tom was talking to sobber the other rover boys had followed cuffer to the elevated railroad station. a train was just coming in and cuffer bounded up the steps two at a time, with the boys not far behind. "stop that man!" cried dick, to the crowd coming from the train. but before anybody would or could act, cuffer had slipped past the man at the ticket box and was trying to board one of the cars. dick essayed to follow, but the ticket box guard stopped him. "not to fast, young fellow. where's your ticket?" "i must catch that man--he is wanted by the police," answered dick. "that's an old dodge, but it don't work with me, see? you go back and get a ticket," said the gateman, firmly. "but he'll get away from me," pleaded the eldest rover. "if he does, it's not my fault. you can't pass here without a ticket." by this time the train was almost ready to start. but sam had procured tickets and he rushed up. "there are two tickets!" he cried. "come on, dick!" and he sprinted for the train. the guard was closing the platform gate, but they managed to squeeze through. the train was crowded with people going home from their day's work and in the jam they could see nothing of cuffer. "but he is on board," said dick. "i know it," returned his brother, "and we must find him. quick, you go to the front and i'll go to the rear. if you locate him, tell the trainman you want him arrested at the next station." without another word the brothers separated and each tried to work his way to an end of the train, which was composed of five cars. this was by no means easy, for the crowd was in no humor to be jostled or have its toes stepped upon. "look where you are going!" cried one stout man to sam. "stop pushing me!" and then as the youngest rover dodged out of his way he ran his ear into the big feather on a young lady clerk's immense hat. the girl glared at him and murmured something under her breath, which was far from complimentary. by the time he had reached the front end of the car half a dozen passengers were his enemies. dick had gone to the rear and as he entered the last car he saw cuffer crouching down in a seat near the door. the train was stopping at another station, and quick as a flash the fellow arose in the seat, shot between dick and a man with several bundles, and forced his way out on the platform. dick tried to follow, but was caught fast by several men. "here, don't be acting in such a rowdy fashion!" cried one man, in great irritation. "you knocked my bundle from my hand!" added another. "it's a shame the way some roughs act on these trains. the authorities ought to have them arrested," he went on in a loud voice. "what's the trouble in there?" demanded a policeman, who was on the station platform in the crowd. "this young fellow is too fresh," explained the man who had dropped his bundle. "i want to get off, that's all," said dick. "well, you behave yourself," growled the guardian of the peace, and dick was glad enough to get away with this reprimand. he saw cuffer running for the stairs and made after him as rapidly as the density of the crowd permitted. when dick gained the street once more the train bearing sam was again on its way downtown. cuffer was about a block away, running past cooper institute in the direction of the bowery. "i may as well keep up the chase and try to run him down," thought dick, but he wished his brother was with him. at this time of day the bowery, always a busy thoroughfare, was swarming with people, and the numerous "barkers" for the clothing stores, photograph establishments, and the like, were doing their best to make trade come to them. as dick hurried past one clothing establishment a short, stocky jew stepped in front of him. "von't you step inside, young chentleman? i sell you some gloding cheap as dirt." "i don't want any clothing," answered dick, briefly. "i vos mof next veek, und i sell you a suit for next to nodding," persisted the clothing dealer. "i don't want to buy anything," said dick, and tried to push past the man. the fellow caught him by the arm. "if you vill only look at dose peautiful suits vot i haf for twelf dollar--" the jew got no further, for with a strong push dick sent him staggering among the dummies in front of his store. he tried to recover his balance, but could not, and over he went, bringing down two of the dummies on top of him. "serves you right," flung back dick, as he ran on. "the next time you'll know enough to leave me alone." "isaac! moses! sthop dot young mans!" bawled the clothing dealer, as he scrambled to his feet. "he has ruined two peautiful dummies, mit fine suits on! sthop him!" "not to day!" muttered dick, and dodged into the crowd. then, seeing that cuffer had crossed the street, he did the same, and continued the pursuit on that side. but to follow anybody long in a crowd on the bowery is not easy, and after six blocks had been passed dick came to a halt on a corner in bewilderment. he had seen cuffer last on that corner, but where the rascal had gone was a question. "want a paper?" asked an urchin close by. "evening papers!" "say, kid, did you see a man run past here just now?" asked dick. "sure i did." "where did he go?" "wot will yer give me if i tell yer?" asked the newsboy shrewdly. "five cents." "all right, hand over de nickel." "here it is," and dick showed the money in his hand. "now where was it?" "he went in de sunrise hotel, down dare. i watched him run in." "what kind of a hat did he have on?" "a soft hat wid a big knock in one side." "and you are sure he went in that hotel?" "cross me heart, mister. i watched him, cos he was out o' breath, an' i knowed he was up to som't'in'." "here is your money," answered dick, and passed the nickel over. then he walked to the hotel and paused on the sidewalk to look the place over before entering. chapter x dick becomes a prisoner the sunrise hotel had seen better days. it was a five story brick building, blackened by age and had numerous small windows, down in front of which ran an iron fire escape. the lower floor was used as a drinking place, to one side of which ran a narrow stairs, leading to an office and a parlor above. looking in over the short doors of the drinking place, dick saw that cuffer was not there. he rightly surmised that the fellow had gone upstairs, to a room he was occupying. "perhaps that fellow shelley is with him," mused dick. "if so, i'd like to collar them both." several men were coming and going and nobody paid particular attention to the youth until he gained the dingy office, where two men were smoking and talking over the merits of some race horses. "what can i do for you?" asked one of the men abruptly, as dick looked around. "is a man named cuffer stopping here?" the hotel clerk shook his head. "perhaps i have the name wrong. i mean a man who came in a minute or two ago--fellow with a soft hat, knocked in on the side." "oh, that chap! yes, he's here--room eighteen, next floor," and the clerk pointed up the stairs, for the hotel had no elevator. dick walked up the stairs slowly, revolving in his mind what he should do if he met cuffer face to face. if he had the man arrested it might lead to legal complications, and the voyage in search of treasure isle might be delayed. it would be hard to prove that the rascal had done any actual wrong. reaching the upper hallway, dick looked at the dingy numbers on the still more dingy doors. eighteen proved to be at the rear, where it was so dark he could scarcely see. as the youth approached the door he heard a murmur of voices in the room beyond. he listened, and made out cuffer speaking, and then he recognized the voice of shelley. "and so i dusted out before i had a chance to get any money from sobber," cuffer was saying. "well, did the rovers catch the young fellow?" questioned shelley. "that i don't know. if he didn't know enough to run away he is a fool." "you say one of the rovers followed you from the train?" "yes, but i gave him the slip as soon as i reached the bowery," answered cuffer with a chuckle. "well, what are we to do next?" asked shelley, after a pause. "there is nothing to do but to wait until tomorrow, when merrick arrives." "have you any faith in this treasure hunt of his?" "i have so long as he pays the bills. i wouldn't put a cent of my own money in it." "has he got enough money to see the thing through?" "so he says. he met the captain of that tramp vessel somewhere and got him interested in the hunt by promising him a share of the find. he says as soon as he can get hold of a spaniard who knows the exact location of the island he'll set sail." "and take the spaniard along?" "of course. the spaniard was one of the chaps who originally took the treasure to the island." "well, where do we come in?" "he wants us along because he is afraid the fellows on the vessel will make a fight for the gold and jewels when they are found. some of those sailors are pretty bloodthirsty, you know. he says he is going to take at least four strong men whom he can trust." dick listened with keen interest to this talk, which revealed a great deal. sid merrick had made an arrangement to go on a voyage after the treasure! how soon he would start there was no telling, but probably as quickly as he could get ready. more than this, he expected to have with him the spaniard, doranez, the fellow who had said he was going to spain to visit his relatives. more than likely merrick and doranez were in league with each other and would do all in their power to keep the treasure out of the hands of the rightful owners. "if only tom and sam were here," thought dick. "or if only tom has captured tad sobber. this is getting lively, to say the least." the men were now speaking in a lower tone and he put his ear to the keyhole, to catch what they might say. then, of a sudden, the door opened and he found himself confronted by shelley. "thought i heard somebody in the hall!" cried that individual, and grabbed dick by the arm. "let go!" answered the youth and tried to break away. but cuffer came to shelley's assistance, and between them the two men dragged the boy into the room and shut the door after him. dick struggled vigorously even when in the apartment until cuffer caught up an empty water pitcher and flourished it over his head. "make another move and i'll knock you senseless with this!" he exclaimed and the look on his face showed he meant what he said. seeing his captors were too powerful for him, dick subsided and was forced into a chair in a corner. "been listening to all our talk, i suppose," said cuffer, uglily. he was angry to think that dick had been able to follow him after all. "i have," was the youth's bold reply. he felt nothing was to be gained by beating around the bush. "it's a nice business to be in!" "it is better than the business you are in." "i don't think so." "i do. you fellows are in league with sid merrick, and you know what sort he is." "see here," interrupted shelley. "now we have him in here, what are we going to do with him?" "you are going to let me out," said dick. "perhaps we are," said cuffer, and gave shelley a significant look. "let us see if he's got any papers with him," suggested shelley, and returned the look given to him by his companion. the look meant that they would go through dick's pockets and rob him. the men were thorough rascals and if the youth had anything worth taking they meant to have it. "you keep out of my pockets!" cried dick and started to rise from the chair in which he was sitting. instantly both men grabbed him, and while cuffer held him tightly from the rear, shelley caught up a towel and gagged him. then a bed sheet was used to tie dick inside of a closet in a corner of the room. "listen, i think somebody is coming!" cried cuffer, in sudden alarm. "keep the boy quiet!" answered shelley and ran to the hall door just as a knock sounded upon it. "what's the racket up here?" demanded the voice of the hotel clerk. "oh, we were only trying a vaudeville turn," answered shelley, coolly. "we have an engagement for next week." "well, stop that noise and don't break any of the furniture, or you'll pay for it," growled the clerk and went away. it chanced that actors occasionally stopped at the hotel and practised their parts. shelley knew of this, hence the excuse he gave for the noise made in rendering dick a prisoner. as soon as the clerk had retired cuffer and shelley both paid their attention to dick, and with great rapidity they went through his pockets, stripping him of his watch and chain, and twenty four dollars and a quarter in money. they also took a small diamond scarf pin and a ring set with a valuable ruby. in one pocket cuffer found several letters and he likewise appropriated these. "not such a bad haul," was the thief's comment. of course, dick did not submit willingly, but with a gag in his mouth, and his hands and feet tied tightly, he could do but little. as soon as the men had taken his things from him, they shut the closet door upon him and locked it. a few minutes later all became quiet, showing that they had left the room. the closet was small and stuffy and in this warm weather made dick perspire freely. but without waiting to make certain that the men were really gone, he commenced to work upon his bonds and the gag in his mouth. it was no light task and it was a good quarter of an hour before he got one hand loose. then he freed his other hand and undid the troublesome gag, which had all but smothered him, and then unfastened his feet. he was still a prisoner in the closet, the door of which was an old fashioned one and thick. but by bracing his feet against the back wall, dick got a firm hold and soon his shoulder on the barrier caused it to bend and creak. then the lock gave way and the door flew open with a bang. a glance around the room showed that the men had flown, and for good, for two valises which had stood in a corner were missing. dick leaped to the hall door, only to find it locked from the outside. "they must have gone that way," he reasoned, after a look out of the window, and then he rapped on the door loudly. it was several minutes before anybody answered his summons. then an ignorant looking chambermaid appeared. "phot does yez want?" she demanded, in a strong irish brogue. "i am locked in. let me out," answered dick. after some fumbling, the chambermaid found her key and unlocked the door. she gazed at dick in some surprise, for she saw that he was excited. "sure, i didn't know yez had that room," she said. "did you see the two men who had this room?" demanded the youth. "i did not." "they robbed me and ran away." "saints preserve us! robbed ye? of phat?" "of everything i had. sure you didn't see 'em?" "not since this marnin'." "well, they must have just gone out," said dick, and ran down the stairs and to the office. here he found the place deserted, the clerk having gone down to the dining room for his supper, and nobody else being on duty. the clerk listened to his story with small interest and shrugged his shoulders. "don't see what i can do," he said. "we ain't responsible for our guests. you had better go and see the police. i hope you catch them, for such rascals give hotels bad reputations." "do you know the men at all?" "no, never set eyes on 'em until a couple of days ago. then they came in, hired that room, and came and went to suit themselves. one was named brown and the other smith--at least that's the names on the register." "those were fake names. then you won't help me to catch them?" "i don't see what i can do," answered the clerk, calmly. "we are not to blame for this, you can see that for yourself." dick could see, and after a few words more, he left the hotel, feeling very depressed in spirits. he spent an hour in looking up and down the bowery for cuffer and shelley, but without success. then, as it was getting late, he returned to the hotel at which he and the rest of his family were putting up. chapter xi aboard the steam yacht mr rover, as well as tom and sam, had come in, and all were anxious to hear what dick might have to report. they were filled with amazement at the story of the robbery. "i thought i'd wait about telling the police until i had heard what you had to say," said dick, to his father. "i am afraid in a big city like new york it won't do much good to tell the police," answered anderson rover. "however, we can report it to morrow. but i think cuffer and shelley will keep in the shade until they see sid merrick and have a chance to get away," and in this surmise mr. rover was correct. the matter was reported to the police, and that was the end of it, so far as the authorities went, for they failed to apprehend the evildoers. mr. rover was much worried when he learned that merrick had fallen in with a captain of a tramp vessel who was ready to go on a hunt for the treasure. and he was still more worried when dick told him of the letters which had been abstracted from his coat pocket by the thieves. among them was one from mrs. stanhope mentioning the treasure hunt and how she would be on hand at philadelphia to board the steam yacht with dora and the lanings. "if cuffer and shelley turn that letter over to merrick it will give him some idea of our proposed trip," said mr. rover, "and more than likely he will strain every nerve to get ahead of us." "his vessel may not be able to sail as fast as our steam yacht," said tom. "that is true, tom, but he may get down among the west indies before we can locate treasure isle and then he'll have as good a chance as ourselves. moreover, if he should land on the isle at the time we did --" "there'd be a hot time, that's sure," said the fun-loving boy, with a grin. "do you think they'd fight?" asked sam. "yes, if they saw a chance of getting the best of us," answered his father. "i wish i had caught tad sobber," came from tom, regretfully. "that might have done some good, but i doubt it," said anderson rover. "from what i have learned of this sid merrick he is a man bound to do as he sees fit, regardless of those around him. when the freight thieves were captured he managed to get away, and he'll try to get away even if we catch tad, cuffer, and shelley." "i guess he is a worse man than arnold baxter was," was dick's comment. he referred to an old enemy of the rovers, who had now reformed. "much worse than either mr. baxter or his son dan ever were," answered mr. rover. "if caught in a corner i think this merrick would be capable of any wicked thing." "what do you advise?" asked tom. "we will go to philadelphia as soon as possible and get the steam yacht ready for the trip. the best way to foil merrick and his crowd is to find the isle, get possession of the treasure, and get away before they know what we are doing," answered anderson rover. on the following day the party was rejoined by songbird, and then all journeyed to philadelphia, taking aleck pop with them. they found the _rainbow_ tied up to a dock along the delaware river, and went aboard. the master of the craft, captain barforth, was on hand to greet them, and he speedily made them feel at home. the captain was a big, good natured man of about forty, and the boys knew they would like him the moment they saw him. "well, this is certainly a swell boat," said sam, after an inspection. "and as clean as a whistle." "puts me in mind of the deserted steam yacht we boarded in the gulf of mexico," answered dick, referring to a happening which has been related in detail in "the rover boys in southern waters." "wonder if we'll have as many adventures as we did on that boat," mused dick. "those were hot times, eh?" "we'll not lack for adventures if we come into contact with merrick and his gang," answered songbird, who had been told all the details of the adventures in new york. there were six single and four double staterooms aboard the steam yacht, so the rovers and their friends were not crowded for accommodations, since even a single room contained two berths, an upper and a lower. each room was done in white and gold, giving, it a truly aristocratic appearance. there was a good deal of brass and nickel plated work, and the metal shone like a mirror. "i declare it's most too good to use," said sam, when on a tour of inspection. "this craft must have cost a sight of money." "it did," answered his father. "but the owner is a millionaire so he can well afford it." the boys were as much interested in the machinery as in anything, and they visited the engine room and became acquainted with frank norton, the head engineer. they learned that the engine was of the most modern type, and that the _rainbow_, in spite of her breadth of beam she was rather wide could make twenty to twenty six knots an hour in an ordinary sea. "and we've got a licence to go where we please," added the head engineer proudly. now that they were aboard the steam yacht the rover boys were anxious to be sailing. but they were also anxious to greet their friends and they awaited the arrival of the others with interest. fred garrison and hans mueller came in together, the following noon, hans lugging a dress suit case that was as big almost as a dog house. "here we are again!" sang out fred, dropping his baggage and shaking hands all around. "i declare it's like when we went on the houseboat trip." "maybe i ton't vos glad to drop dot leetle drunk alretty?" said hans, indicating his baggage. "he vos veigh most a don, i dink." "why didn't you let an expressman bring it?" asked dick. "not much!" declared the german youth, shaking his head vigorously. "vonce i haf a pox mid a new hat in him, und i say to a poy, carry dot und i gif you den cents. vell he is carrying dot yet, i dink, for i ton't see dot hat no more, nefer!" "well, you won't have to carry any more baggage for a long while to come," said mr. rover, with a smile, and then had aleck take the things below. when hans saw the elegant staterooms, and the main saloon of the steam yacht with its beautiful mirrors and rich carvings, his eyes bulged out like saucers. "mine cracious!" he gasped. "vos dis der poat we sail in, udder vos dis a poat pelonging to mr. vanderfellow, or some of dose udder millionaires?" "this is the boat," said tom, with a wink at the others. "of course it's rather plain, hans, but maybe you'll get used to it." "blain? vy, dom--" "there are only six kinds of baths aboard, cold, hot, soda, milk, mustard, and cream de fizz, but if you want any other kind all you've got to do is to ask the ship's carpenter about it." "six kinds of paths! vy i ton't vos--" "and then at meals the cook serves only five kinds of dessert pie, fruit, iced cabbage, vinegar sherbit, and hot lardalumpabus. of course i know you don't like pie and fruit and things like that, but you'll fall dead in love with the lardalumpabus," went on the fun-loving rover. "vot is dot lardapusalump ennahow?" queried hans, scratching his head gravely. "i ton't remember him." "why, it's a compote, with frizzled gizzardinus and pollylolly. it's delicious, served with cream and salt--but you want lots of salt, hans, lots of salt." "maybe i try him, i ton't know," answered the german youth, gravely. and then even tom had to turn away, to keep from roaring in hans' face. the rover boys went to the depot to meet the train which was to bring in the stanhopes and the lanings. there was a little delay, but it was soon over and they were shaking hands warmly all around. "it seems so delightful to go off on another trip!" said dora, to dick. "i know i am going to enjoy it very much!" "and i know i am going to enjoy it, too--with you along," answered dick, with a smile which spoke volumes. "mother is quite excited--thinking she is going on a treasure hunt," went on dora. "but i think a few days' rest on shipboard will quiet her nerves." "i hope for your sake, dora, our hunt proves successful," added dick, gallantly. "i have always wanted to go to the west indies," said nellie lanning to tom. "i want to pick some ripe bananas and cocoanuts right from the trees. "yes, and ripe oranges," put in grace. "won't it be jolly?" she added, turning to sam. "too jolly for anything!" murmured sam, and then he gave grace's arm a little squeeze and led her through the crowd to where a carriage was in waiting. there were trunks to be looked after, but the checks for these were turned over to aleck, and the colored man saw to it that all the baggage was properly transferred to the steam yacht. it was with not a little pride that the boys took the stanhopes and the lanings aboard the _rainbow_, for, although they did not own the elegant craft it was something to even have her under charter. mr. rover met the newcomers at the gangplank and made them welcome. "oh, but isn't this just too lovely for anything!" cried dora, as she surveyed the double stateroom assigned to her and her mother. "and look at the fine bunch of roses on the stand!" she looked at dick. "this is some of your doings, isn't it?" "yes." "thank you very much! but you must have one," and the girl promptly pinned one of the largest in his buttonhole. "this is more than comfortable," said mrs. stanhope, with a sigh of satisfaction. and then she sank down in an easy chair to rest, for the long journey from cedarville had greatly fatigued her. in the meantime the other boys had taken the lanings to another double stateroom, equally luxurious. here a vase held a big bunch of carnations, the gift of tom and sam combined. nellie and grace and their mother were much pleased and said so. "tom, i could almost hug you for this!" cried nellie, in a low voice. "well, nobody is stopping you," he added promptly. "all right, i will--on your next birthday," cried nellie, not to be caught. "but really, i'm a thousand times obliged to you." "this is like a room in a fairies' palace!" exclaimed grace. "i know when i go to sleep i'll dream of fairies and rainbows, and pots of gold--" "the gold we want to unearth," broke in sam. "just dream where that is located and then tell us of it." "oh, you'll be sure to find that." "how do you know. "oh, you never fail in anything," and grace gave him a sunny smile. "i don't know about that, grace. this is going to be no easy task." "oh, i know that, sam, but you'll win in the end, i know you will." "i trust we do--for your sake as much as for the others. you know if it is found a good share of the treasure goes to your mother." "yes, and that will be awfully nice." "maybe, if you get all that money, you won't notice poor me." "poor you? why, you'll have a great deal more than we'll have anyway. you are rich already." "well, if you get the money you won't forget me, will you?" persisted sam. "what a queer boy you are, sam! forget you! well, just try me with the money and see!" she added, and gave him one of her warmest smiles. then she danced off to look at the rest of the steam yacht, and the youngest rover followed her. chapter xii something about firecrackers all was in readiness for departure but one thing, and that was the most important of all. bahama bill had not put in an appearance and was not expected until the evening of the fourth of july. "we shall have to remain over the fourth after all," said anderson rover. "but i imagine that will suit you boys, for you can stay in the city and have some fun." it did suit all the young folks, and they immediately planned a fine automobile tour for the afternoon, hiring two autos large enough to accommodate all of the girls and boys. the morning was spent in and around the yacht, where tom and some of the others amused themselves by shooting off their pistols and some firecrackers. tom had purchased some things for the fourth the day previous and he had one package which he was careful to keep out of sight. "i am going to have a barrel of fun with the girls," he said to his brothers. "but don't tell anybody about it." "what is it?" asked his younger brother. "wait and see." it had been arranged that the whole party should have an early lunch, so that they might start on the automobile ride by one o'clock. aleck was in charge of the dining room of the yacht and he had spread himself in trimming it with red, white and blue streamers and small flags. "oh, how lovely!" cried dora, as she came in and sat down. "i declare, aleck, you deserve a great deal of credit." and she gave the colored man a smile which pleased him immensely. "where is tom?" asked mr. rover, after all the others were seated. "i ton't know," answered hans. "tidn't he know ve vos to eat a leetle early to tay?" "he's coming," answered sam. just then tom came into the dining room holding something in his hand covered with a long paper bag. from under the bag smoke was curling. "in honor of the fourth of july!" cried the fun-loving rover and placed the object upright in the center of the long table. then he took off the bag with a flourish. there was revealed a big cannon cracker, fully a foot and a half high and several inches in diameter. the fuse was spluttering away at a great rate. "tom!" yelled mr. rover in alarm. "throw that thing out!" "we'll be blown to pieces!" yelled fred. "that's too big to shoot off indoors," added songbird, preparing to run. "ve peen knocked to bieces!" groaned hans, and slid under the table out of sight. the ladies shrieked and so did the girls. mrs. stanhope looked ready to faint, but tom whispered hastily into her ear and she recovered. mr. rover wanted to throw the cannon cracker through a window, but tom held him back. the long fuse continued to splutter and all watched it as if fascinated, and the girls put their hands to their ears in anticipation of a fearful explosion. then came a tiny flash, a strange clicking, and off flew the top of the cannon cracker, sending a shower of confetti of various colors in all directions. "oh!" shrieked the girls, and then everybody but hans set up a laugh. the german youth looked suspiciously out from under the table. "vot's der madder--did he go off?" he questioned. "yes, he did, hans," answered grace. "it was nothing but a cracker full of colored paper instead of powder." "is dot so?" hans got up and looked around. "vell, i neffer! looks like ve got a colored snowstorm alretty, hey?" and this caused a roar. it certainly did look like a "colored snowstorm," for the confetti was everywhere, on the table, on their heads and over their clothing. now it was over everybody was highly amused, even mrs. stanhope laughing heartily. as for aleck, he roared so loudly he could be heard a block up the docks. "dat's jess like massa tom!" he cried. "i suspicioned he'd be up to somet'ing afo' de day was up. yo' can't keep him down no mo' dan yo' kin keep a jack rabbit from hoppin', no, sah!" "it certainly looked like the real thing," was mr. rover's comment. "had it been--" "i'd never have brought it in here," finished tom. "i'm sorry if i frightened anybody," he added, looking at mrs. stanhope and mrs. laning. "we'll forgive you, tom," answered mrs. stanhope, and mrs. laning said she would, provided he wouldn't scare them again that holiday. after that, the confetti on the table was cleared away and they ate their lunch amid a constant cracking of jokes and bright sayings. songbird woke up and recited some verses he said he had composed the night before, while lying awake in his berth. some of these ran in this fashion: "this is the day i love the best-- the day the small boy knows no rest,-- the day when all our banners soar, the day when all our cannons roar, the day when all are free from care, and shouts and music fill the air!" "good for songbird!" cried sam. "go on, please!" came from the girls, and the poet of putnam hall continued: "i love this land of liberty from mountains down to flowing sea, i love its cities and its plains, its valleys and its rocky chains, i'm glad to know that we are free, and so forever may we be!" "hurrah, songbird, you ought to have that put to music," cried dick. "maybe i will, some day," answered the would-be poet modestly. "i dink i make some boetry up, too," remarked hans, after several minutes of serious thought on his part. "chust you listen vonce!" and he began: "dis is der day ven crackers bust und fill der air mid bowder tust, und ven you shoots your bistol off, you make a smokes vot makes you cough. a rocket goes up in der sky-- der sthick vos hit you in der eye!" "three cheers for hans!" shouted tom, clapping the german lad on the back. "for real, first class a, no. , first chop poetry that can't be beat." and then as the others screamed with laughter tom went on: "a little boy, a can of powder, a scratch, a flash-- he's gone to chowder!" "oh, tom, what horrible poetry!" cried nellie, as she shivered. "well, i couldn't help it," he said. "i had to say something or--or bust! perhaps this will suit you better," and he continued: "a little boy, a great big gun, a father yelling on the run. the trigger falls, there is a roar. the father halts-- the danger's o'er." "tom, you're positively the worst boy ever!" said nellie, but the way she spoke told she meant just the opposite. "i tell you vot ve vos do, tom," suggested hans. "ve vos form a boetry association alretty, hey? songpirt can be der bresident." "what will you be, secretary?" asked fred. "no, i vos peen treasurer," answered hans. "hans wants the money," put in dick. "dot's it," answered the german youth calmly. "ven dem udder fellers makes up pad verses i vos fine dem a tollar, und ven i gits enough tollars i skip me to canada or mexigo, hey?" and he said this so comically everybody had to laugh. the automobiles had been ordered down to the dock and were already in waiting. each was in charge of a chauffeur, and soon the boys and girls went ashore and piled in. dick and dora, sam and grace, and fred got in the first turnout and the others in the second. "now do not go too far," said mrs. stanhope, "and be sure and keep on roads that are safe." "and do not stay out later than ten o'clock this evening," added mrs. laning. "oh, we'll be back safe and sound and on time," cried dick. "so don't worry about us." "those are both powerful machines," was mr. rover's comment. "be careful that you don't exceed the speed limits, or you may be arrested." "providing they catch us," answered tom, with a grin. it had been decided that they should go out into the country by the way of germantown, and soon they were bowling along in fine fashion over the smooth city pavement. here and there they met crowds shooting off pistols and firecrackers. "it is good we haven't horses," said sam. "this racket might cause them to run away." "that is where the automobilist has the advantage over a horse driver, sam," answered his big brother. "but i must say, some of the young fellows on the street are rather careless." scarcely had dick spoken when the big machine rounded a corner and speeded through a crowd of what were evidently factory hands. they were shooting off pistols and firecrackers and raised a great din. then one ugly looking young fellow lighted a firecracker and sent it toward the automobile. it landed directly in dora's lap. "oh!" screamed dora, and tried to draw away. as quick as a flash dick leaned forward and caught up the firecracker. as he threw it out of the automobile it exploded close by. "do that again, and i'll come back at you!" shouted the elder rover, and shook his fist at the fellow in the street. "dick, did it hurt you?" asked dora, anxiously. "oh, it burst my little finger a trifle, that's all," was the reply. the finger smarted quite some, but dick did not want to show it. "we ought to go back and punch his head," was sam's comment. "wonder if they'll try that game on the other auto," said fred, as he arose to look back. he saw the street rough throw a lighted firecracker at the other machine. it landed on the floor of the tonneau, but like a flash tom was after it. the fun-loving rover held it up, took aim, and sent it straight at the fellow who had first launched it. bang! went the firecracker, right close to the rough's left ear. he set up a howl of pain, for he had been burnt enough to make it smart well. "there, he's paid back," said fred, and then the two automobiles passed on, leaving the roughs in the distance. chapter xiii a wild automobile ride "this is glorious!" "it certainly could not be finer, dick." "some day, dora, i am going to take you for a long ride," went on dick. "i mean some day after we get home with that treasure," he added, in a lower tone, so that the chauffeur might not hear. "that's a long time off, dick." "perhaps not so long." "and what are you going to do after this hunt is over?" "go to college, i guess. it is not yet fully decided, for we don't know what college to go to." "i hope--" dora broke off short. "what, dora." "oh, i was just thinking. mamma thinks that i might go to college. if i went it would be nice if we went to two places that were near each other." "nice? it would be the best ever!" cried dick, enthusiastically. they were running along a country road a good many miles from philadelphia. all the noise of the city had been left behind and it was as calm and peaceful as one would wish. the second machine was only a short distance behind the first, and each was making not less than thirty miles per hour. "do you know, some day i am going to make a regular tour in an auto," remarked sam. "i am sure a fellow could have lots of fun." "you can have this machine any time you want to," said the chauffeur, who had taken greatly to, the party. "we'll remember," answered dick, indifferently. he did not particularly fancy the fellow, for he was rather familiar and his breath smelt of liquor. twice he had talked of stopping at road houses, but dick had told him to go on, fearful that he might drink too much. a hill was before the automobiles, but both machines climbed it without an effort. from the top of the hill a fine view was to be obtained, and here a hotel had been located, and this displayed a sign which interested the boys and girls very much: ice cream. soda water. root beer. best candy. "let us stop for some ice cream," suggested songbird. and he yelled to those in the automobile ahead. all of the girls loved ice cream, so despite dick's anxiety over his chauffeur, a stop was made, and the boys and girls filed into the hotel for the treat. dick lingered behind to speak to both of the machine drivers, for he saw that the second man was of the same "thirsty" type as the other. "do you smoke?" he asked. "sure," was the reply from both. "then here is a quarter with which you can buy some cigars. and please remember, no drinking," he added, significantly. "can't a fellow have a drink if he wants it?" demanded the chauffeur of the first car. "not while you have my party out," was dick's reply. "well, a fellow gets thirsty, driving a car in this dust," grumbled the second chauffeur. "if you are thirsty, there is plenty of water handy and root beer and soda water, too. i meant liquor when i spoke." "oh, we'll keep straight enough, don't you worry," said the first chauffeur, and then both of them turned away to a side entrance of the hotel. dick was much worried, but he did not let the rest see it. he joined the crowd in the ice cream pavillion attached to the hotel, and there they spent an hour, eating ice cream, water ices, and cake. then some of the lads went off and got several boxes of bonbons and chocolates to take along on the rest of the trip. when they went out to the two automobiles the chauffeurs were missing. a man was trimming a hedge nearby and dick asked him if he had seen the pair. "must be over to the barroom," said the gardener. "that hellig loves his liquor, and snall likes a glass, too." "was hellig the driver of this first car?" "yes, and snall ran the second." just then tom came up, having placed nellie in the second car. "what's the trouble, dick?" he questioned. "i am afraid both our men have gone off to drink. this man says they both love their liquor." "they do, and both of 'em have been locked up for reckless driving but don't say i told you," said the gardener. "humph! this is serious," murmured tom. "i don't like to trust a chauffeur who drinks." "come with me," said his brother, in a low tone. "just wait for us," he shouted to the others, who were now in the two cars. he walked behind the ice cream pavillion, tom at his side, and then the pair reached a side door, connecting with the hotel barroom. they looked in and at a small table saw the two chauffeurs drinking liquor from a bottle set before them. both were rather noisy and had evidently been imbibing freely. "i won't let no boy run me and tell me what i shall take," they heard hellig say thickly. "i'll drink what i please and when i please," answered snall. "let us have another, nat." "sure." "this is the worst ever!" murmured tom. "they are in no fit condition to run the cars. i wouldn't trust my neck with either of them." "and i am not going to trust the lives of the girls in their care," answered dick, firmly. "what are you going to do?" "i don't know yet. but one thing is settled--, they shan't take us back." "i think i could run one car--if we didn't go too fast," suggested tom, who had run several machines at various times in his lively career. "i could run the other." "then let us do it, dick. those fellows don't own the cars, and we didn't hire from them, we hired from the owner of the garage. i guess we have a right to run them under the circumstances." the two boys walked back to the automobiles. all of the others were now anxious to know what was wrong and they had to give the particulars. "oh, dick, you must not let them run the cars!" cried grace, turning pale. "i'd rather have you and tom run them ten times over," declared dora. while the party was talking the two chauffeurs came from the hotel and walked unsteadily towards the automobiles. their faces were red and their eyes blinked unsteadily. "stop!" called dick, when they were some distance away, and the gardener and some guests of the hotel gathered around to see what was the matter. "what yer want?" growled hellig, thickly. "we are going to leave you both here and run the cars ourselves," answered dick, coldly. "you are not fit to run them." "what's the reason we ain't?" mumbled snall. he could hardly speak. "you've been drinking too much--that's the reason." "humph!" "we are going to run them machines an' don't you forgit it," mumbled hellig, and lurched forward. "don't you ride with those intoxicated fellows," said one of the hotel guests. "we don't intend to," answered dick. "all ready, tom?" he called out. "yes." "then go ahead. i'll catch up to you." "hi, you stop!" screamed snall, as one of the automobiles began to move off down the road. but tom paid no attention to him. running swiftly, dick reached the other car and hopped up to the chauffeur's seat. he had watched the driver operate the car and knew exactly what to do. he soon had the engine running and then he threw in the speed clutch just as hellig lurched up. "you mustn't ran away with that machine!" he roared. "keep away!" cried sam, and leaning out of the car he gave the chauffeur a shove that sent him flat on his back in the dust of the road. then the car moved off. as those in the automobile looked back they saw hellig arise and shake his fist after them and snall waved his arms wildly. "we'll hear from them again, i suppose," said sam. "and they'll hear from me," answered dick. "and the fellow who sent them out to run the cars for us will hear from me, too," he added. tom was quite a distance ahead, but they soon caught up to his car. by this time they were out of sight and hearing of the hotel, and going down the other side of the hill they had come up. "if you wish, you can take the lead," said the fun-loving rover to his older brother. "i don't know a thing about these roads." "we'll have to trust to luck and the signboards," returned dick. "it will be all right if only you don't get on some road that is impassible," put in fred. "and get stuck thirty miles from nowhere," added songbird. "you stick to dem roads vot haf stones on de got," said hans wisely. "ton't you vos, drust der car to der tirt roads, no!" "i shall follow hans' advice and stick to the good roads," said dick. "i think the signboards will help us to get back to philadelphia sooner or later." they sped down the hill and there found the road turned to the left and crossed a small stream. then they reached a corner with several signboards. "hurrah! that's the way to philly!" cried sam. "but it doesn't say how many miles," protested grace. "never mind, we are bound to get there before dark, and that is all we care," came from nellie. in the exhilaration of running the cars, dick and tom soon forgot about the trouble with the chauffeurs. it was great sport, and as soon as dick "got the hang of it," as he said, he let the speed out, notch by notch. his car ran a trifle more easily than did the other and before long he was a good half mile ahead of that run by tom. those in the rear shouted for him to slow down, but the wind prevented him from hearing their calls. "this is something like, isn't it?" said dick to dora, who was beside him. "oh, it is splendid!" she replied enthusiastically. "i feel as if i could go on riding forever!" "an auto certainly beats a team all to bits, if the road is good." they passed up another hill, and then through a patch of woods. then they made a sharp turn, and the car began to descend over a road that was filled with loose stones. "say, dick, you'd better slow up," cautioned sam, as the machine gave a quick lurch over a stone. "this road isn't as smooth as it was." "i know it." "i saw a road to our right," said grace. "perhaps we should have taken that." there was no time to say more, for the automobile was jouncing over the stones in too lively a manner. alarmed, dick, who had already shut off the power, applied the brake, but he was not used to this and he jammed it fast so it did not altogether prevent the car from advancing. "oh, we must stop!" screamed dora, a moment later. "look ahead!" dick did so, and his heart gave a leap of fear. below them the stony road was narrow, and on one side was a rocky gully and on the other some thick bushes. in the roadway was a farmer with a large farm wagon filled with lime. should they hit the turnout below somebody would surely be hurt and perhaps killed. chapter xiv what a roman candle did it was a time for quick action, and it was a lucky thing that dick rover had been in perilous positions before and knew enough not to lose his presence of mind. as the others in the automobile arose to leap out he called to them: "sit down! don't jump! i'll look out for things!" then, even as he spoke, dick turned the steering wheel and sent the big machine crashing into the bushes to one side of the roadway. he chose a spot that was comparatively level, and in five seconds they came to a halt just in front of half a dozen trees. "we must take care of tom's machine!" cried sam, and leaped over the back of the automobile. the machine had cut down the bushes, so the path was clear and he ran with might and main to the roadway. at the top of the hill was the second car, coming along at a good speed. "stop! stop!" he yelled, frantically, and waved his arms in the air. tom saw the movement and knew at once something was wrong. he threw off the power and applied the emergency brake and the automobile just passed sam and no more. "what's the matter?" came from everyone in the second car. "that's what's the matter," answered sam, pointing to the foot of the rocky hill. "that wagon--well, i declare!" the youngest rover stared and well he might, for the farmer's turnout with the load of lime had disappeared from view. the farmer had turned into a field at the bottom of the hill just as dick turned his car into the bushes. "i don't see anything," said nellie. and then sam had to explain and point out the situation of the first car. "i guess i can get down the hill well enough," said tom. "but this appears to be a poor road. we ought to try to find something better." all those in the second car got out and walked to that which was stalled in the bushes. they found dick and fred walking around the machine trying to learn if any damage had been done. "we might have kept right on," said sam, and explained why. "well, we are here, and now comes the problem of getting back on the road," said the eldest rover. "i don't think i can back very well in here." "better make a turn on the down grade," suggested sam. "we can cut down some of the big bushes that are in the way, and fill up some of the holes with stones." it was decided to do this, and all of the boys took off their coats and went to work. soon they had a fairly clear path, and after backing away a few feet from the trees, dick turned downward in a semi circle, and got out once more on the road. this time he was mindful to use the brake with care, and consequently he gained the bottom of the stony hill without further mishap, and the second machine came after him. "there is that farmer," said songbird. "why not ask him about the roads?" "i will," said dick, and stalked into the field. "this ain't no good road to philadelphia," said the farmer, when questioned. "better go back up the hill and take the road on the right." "we can't get back very well." "then you had better go along this road and take the first turn to the left and after that the next turn to the right. you'll have about three miles o' poor roads, but then you'll be all right, but the distance to the city is six miles longer." there was no help for it and they went on, over dirt roads which were anything but good. they had to go slowly, and tom kept the second car far to the rear, to escape the thick dust sent up by the leading machine. "this isn't so fine," declared dick, with a grimace at dora. "i am sorry we took that false turn at the top of the hill." "oh, we'll have to take the bitter with the sweet," answered the girl, lightly. "i shan't mind it if you don't, dora." "don't worry, dick, i am not minding it a bit. i am only glad we got rid of that intoxicated chauffeur. he might have gotten us into far more trouble than this." inside of an hour they found themselves on a good stone road and reached a signboard put up by the automobile association, telling the exact distance to philadelphia. this set them at ease mentally, and they started off at a speed of twenty miles an hour. tom wanted to "let her out," as he put it, but nellie demurred and so he kept to the rear as before. "but some day i am going to have a machine of my own," said he, "and it is going to do some speeding, i can tell you that." "yah, and der first dings you know, dom, you vos ub a dree odder you sphlit a rock insides owid," warned hans. "ven i ride so fast like dot i valk, i pet you!" it was dark long before the city was reached and they had to stop to light the lamps, and they also had to fix the batteries of the second car. fred, who was getting hungry, suggested they stop somewhere for something to eat, but the girls demurred. "wait until the ride is ended," said dora. "then we can take our time over supper." as night came on they saw fireworks displayed here and there and enjoyed the sights greatly. "i've got some fireworks on the yacht," said tom. "i reckon i'll be rather late setting them off." while they were yet three miles from the river they stopped at a drug store and there dick telephoned to the owner of the machines, explaining matters, and asking the man to send down to the dock for the cars. "he's pretty angry," said dick, as he leaped into the automobile again. "he says we had no right to run off with the cars." "well, he had no right to send us off with those awful chauffeurs," answered dora. "oh, i'm not afraid of anything he'll do," answered dick. nevertheless, he was a bit anxious as he reached the dock, and he lost no time in sending the girls to the yacht with songbird, and he asked his chum to send mr. rover ashore. a minute later a light runabout spun up and a tall, thin man, with a sour face, leaped out and strode up to the two machines. "who hired these machines, i want to know?" he demanded. "i did," answered dick boldly. "are you the manager of the garage?" "i am, and i want to know by what right you've been running the cars without the regular drivers?" "we wanted to get back to the city and the chauffeurs were in no condition to bring us back," put in tom. "what have you to do with it, young man?" "i drove one car and my brother here drove the other. we didn't hurt the machines and you ought to be glad we brought them back in good condition." "humph! you hadn't any license to run them." "we took the liberty of doing so," said dick. "if you want to get angry about it, i'll get angry myself. you had no right to place those cars in the hands of unreliable men. you risked our lives by so doing." "those men are reliable enough. one of them telephoned to me you had run away with the autos." "the folks at the dardell hotel will tell you how reliable they were. i warned them not to drink, but they did, and they were in no condition to run any automobile." "i don't allow just anybody to run my machines," stormed the man. "they are expensive pieces of property." "well, they are not worth as much as our necks, not by a good deal," said tom. "don't you get impudent, young fellow!" "he is not impudent," said dick. "your machines are all right--we didn't hurt them in the least. but i can tell you one thing," he proceeded earnestly. "we don't propose to pay for the hire of the chauffeurs." "that's the talk," broke in fred. "pay him for the use of the cars only." "you'll pay the whole bill!" growled the automobile owner. "not a cent more than the hire of the two cars," said tom the man began to storm, and threatened to have them locked up for running the cars without a license. but in the end he accepted the money dick offered him. "maybe you haven't heard the end of this," he muttered. "if you make trouble, perhaps i'll do the same," answered dick, and then he and the others went aboard the yacht, where a late supper awaited them. mr. rover had heard of the unreliable chauffeurs and he was even more indignant than his sons. "i don't think that owner will show himself again," he said. "if he does i'll take care of him." the man was never heard of; and that ended the affair. "we had a splendid time anyway," declared grace, and the other girls agreed with her. tom had not forgotten about his fireworks, and after supper he invited the crowd to the deck and gave them quite an exhibition. "here, hans, you can set off this roman candle," he said, presently. "show the ladies how nicely you can do it. but take off your coat and roll up your shirt sleeve before you begin," he added, with a dig into sam's ribs, which meant, "watch for fun." quite innocently the german lad took off his coat and rolled his shirt sleeve up over his elbow. then he took the big roman candle and lit it. "now swing it around lively," cried tom, and hans began to describe little circles with the roman candle. soon the sparks began to pour forth, and not a few came down on the bare wrist and forearm. "ouch! ouch!" yelled hans, dancing around. "ach du meine zeit! say, somepody sthop dot! i vos purn mineselluf ub alretty!" "swing it around quicker!" cried dick. "turn it in the shape of a figure eight!" suggested fred. "loop the loop with it," came from sam. around and around went the roman candle and then bang! out shot a ball, hitting one of the masts of the steam yacht. then bang! went another ball, hitting the top of the cabin. "hold it up straighter, hans!" said songbird. "don't shoot somebody." "if i hold him ub i burn mineselluf worser!" groaned the german youth. "here, you dake him, sam, i got enough." "no, no, hans, i won't deprive you of the pleasure of shooting it off," answered the youngest rover, and skipped out of the way. one after another the balls, red, white and blue, poured from the roman candle. it was a pretty sight, but hans' aim was more than bad, and one hit the bow and another the stern, while a third whizzed past dick's ear. in the meantime hans was hopping around like a madman, trying to keep the sparks from his skin. "throw it overboard!" cried mr. rover, who was enjoying the fun, but who was afraid somebody might get a fire ball in the face. "only a few more balls left," said tom. "hans, try to hit the top of the mast don't point it downward." the german youth was too excited to listen to the advice. he continued to dance around. bang! went another ball and entered the cabin of the steam yacht. bang! came the final one and that too disappeared into the interior of the craft. then the roman candle went out, and hans breathed a sigh of relief. "i vos glat dot is ofer," he said. "no more firevorks for me, not on your kollarbuttons, no!" "i hope they didn't do any damage in the cabin--" began mrs. stanhope anxiously, when there came a cry from aleck pop. "stop dat fire from comin' down!" yelled the colored man. "de hull cabin's in a blaze!" chapter xv the sailing of the steam yacht the announcement made by aleck pop filled all on board the steam yacht with consternation, and while hans still nursed his arm and wrist the other boys, with anderson rover and captain barforth, rushed down the companionway. a glance showed them what was the matter. one of the balls of fire had struck a curtain and ignited the flimsy material. the fire was now dropping down on some fireworks tom had left on a chair. just as they entered a pinwheel, lying flat, began to fizz, sending a shower of sparks across the other pieces. "quick! out with that stuff!" cried anderson rover and sent the pinwheel flying into a corner with his hand. then he stepped on it, putting out the fire. in the meantime, dick and sam pulled down the burning curtain and stamped on that. the others scattered the fireworks and saw to it that not a spark remained in the cabin. "a close call!" murmured captain barforth, when the excitement was over. "it is lucky we got down here so soon." "i was thinkin' de hull ship was gwine ter bust up!" said aleck, with a shiver. "dis chile knows jess how quick fireworks kin go off. i see a big combustication of dem one summer in a hotel where i was waiting. da had to call de fire department to put dem out an' da shot out moah dan a dozen winders, too!" "we had a similar trouble, when the yacht club had a celebration," said the captain. "a japanese lantern dropped on some rockets and set them off. the rockets flew in all directions and one struck a deck hand in the arm and he had to go to the hospital to be treated. we have had a lucky escape." the accident put a damper on more celebrating, and tom was requested to store away what remained of the fireworks. little did he dream of how useful those fireworks were to become in the future. early on the following morning bahama bill, presented himself. the boys had been told how he looked, yet they had all they could do to keep from smiling when he presented himself. he was a short, thickset man, with broad shoulders, and legs which were very much bowed. he wore his reddish hair long and also sported a thick beard. he had a squint in one eye which, as sam said, "gave him the appearance of looking continually over his shoulder. when he talked his voice was an alternate squeak and rumble. "well, of all the odd fellows i ever met he is the limit," was tom's comment. "why, he'd do for a comic valentine!" "i almost had to laugh in his face," said sam. "even now i can't look at him without grinning." "he's a character," was dick's opinion. "you'll never get tired with that chap around," and in this surmise he was correct, for bahama bill was as full of sea yarns as some fish are full of bones, and he was willing to talk as long as anybody would listen to him. "very much pleased to know ye all," said he with a profound bow to the ladies. "ain't seen such a nice crowd since i sailed on the mary elizabeth, up the coast o' maine, jest fourteen years ago. at that time we had on board captain rigger's wife, his mother in law, his two sisters, his brother's wife, his aunt and--" "never mind the rigger family just now, camel," interrupted mr. rover. "what i want to know is, are you ready to sail?" "aye, aye! that i am, and i don't care if it's a for two months or two years. once when i sailed on the sunflower the captain said we'd be out a month, and we struck a storm and drifted almost over to the coast a' africy. the water ran low, and--" "well, if you are ready to sail, we'll start without further delay," interrupted anderson rover, and gave the necessary orders to captain barforth. "good bye to home!" cried dick, and took off his cap. "when we return may we have the treasure safely stowed away in the hold or the cabin!" "so say we all of us!" sang out tom. steam was already up and a cloud of smoke was pouring from the funnel of the steam yacht. the lines were cast off, and a few minutes later the vessel was on her voyage down the delaware river to the bay. "you are sure we have everything necessary for this trip?" asked mr. rover, of the captain. "yes, mr. rover; i even brought along some picks and shovels," answered the master of the steam yacht, and smiled faintly. he had little faith in the treasure hunt being successful, but he thought the trip down among the west indies would be well worth taking. it was a beautiful day, with just sufficient breeze blowing to cool the july air. while they were steaming down the river the girls and ladies, and some of the boys, sat on the forward deck taking in the various sights which presented themselves. there were numerous tugs and sailing craft, and now and then a big tramp steamer or regular liner, for philadelphia has a large commerce with the entire world. "it hardly seems possible that the treasure hunt has really begun," said dora to dick. "well, it won't actually begin until we are down about where treasure isle is located," was the reply. "we have quite a few days' sailing before that time comes." "i hope it remains clear, dick." "i am afraid it won't, dora; there are always more or less storms among the west indies." "i have heard they sometimes have terrible hurricanes," came from grace. "i read of one hurricane which flooded some small islands completely." "grace is trying to scare us!" cried nellie. "well, islands have been swept by hurricanes," said sam, coming to the rescue of his dearest girl friend. "but let us hope we escape all heavy storms." "a steam yacht is not as bad off as a sailing vessel," said dick. "if necessary, we can run away from a heavy storm. in a high wind it's a sailing ship that catches it." by nightfall they had passed out of delaware bay into the atlantic ocean, and then the course was changed to almost due south. as soon as they got out on the long swells the _rainbow_ commenced to toss and pitch considerably. "now you can sing a life on the ocean wave!" cried dick to songbird. "how does this suit you?" "elegant!" was the reply, and then the would-be poet began to warble: "i love the rolling ocean with all its strange commotion and all the washing wavelets that hit us on the side; i love to hear the dashing of the waves and see the splashing of the foam that chums around us as on we glide!" "gee christopher!" cried sam. "say, songbird, that rhyme is enough to make one dizzy!" "i dink dot boetry vos make me tizzy already," came from hans, as he sat down on a nearby chair, his face growing suddenly pale. "hullo, hans is sick!" cried tom. "hans, i thought you had better sea legs than that." "i vosn't sick at all, dom, only vell, der ship looks like be vos going to dake a summersaults already kvick!" "you're seasick," said sam. "better go to your stateroom and lie down." "i ton't vos going to get seasick," protested the german youth. "think of hansy getting seasick!" cried fred. "that's the best yet!" and he laughed heartily. "shall i hold your head for you?" he asked, with a grin. "i guess it vos der fireworks yesterday done him," said hans weakly, and staggered off to the cabin. "that's kind of rough to twit him, fred," remarked dick. "oh, i only meant it in fun." "maybe you'll get seasick yourself." "not much! if i do, i have a remedy in my trunk, that i brought from home." "you'd better give the remedy to hans." "i will." fred went below and got the bottle of medicine from his dress suit case. as he did this his own head began to swim around, much to his alarm. "here, hans, is a dose for you," he said, entering the stateroom, where the german youth was rolling around on the berth. "vot ist it for?" groaned the sufferer. "seasickness." "den gif it to me kvick! gif me apout two quarts!" "it says take a tablespoonful," said fred, reading the label with difficulty. "here you are." he administered the medicine, which hans took without a murmur, although it was very bitter. then he tried to take a dose himself, but his stomach suddenly "went back on him," and he let the bottle fall with a crash to the floor. "oh, my! you vos lose all dot goot medicine!" cried hans, in alarm. "i--i know it," groaned fred. "and i--er--i need it so much!" "vot, you seasick, too? ha, ha! dot's vot you gits for boking fun at me, yah!" and hans smiled in spite of his anguish. it was certainly poetic justice that fred should get seasick and that the malady should affect him far more seriously than it did hans. the medicine given to the german lad made him feel better in less than an hour, while poor fred suffered until noon of the next day. none of the other boys were affected. the ladies and the girls felt rather dizzy, and mrs. stanhope had to lie down until the next forenoon, but by the evening of the next day all were around as before, and then seasickness became a thing of the past. "can't tell nuthin' about that seasickness," said bahama bill, to tom, after hearing how ill fred was. "i remember onct i took a voyage to rio, in south america. we had a cap'n as had sailed the sea for forty years an' a mate who had been across the ocean sixteen times. well, sir, sure as i'm here we struck some thick weather with the johnny jackson tumblin' an' tossin' good, and the cap'n an' the mate took seasick an' was sick near the hull trip. then the second mate got down, an' the bosun, an' then the cook, an--" "the cabin boy--" suggested tom. "no, we didn't have any cabin boy. next--" "maybe the second fireman caught it." "no, this was a bark an' we didn't have no second fireman, nor fust, neither. next--" "maybe the cat, or don't cats get seasick?" "the cat. why, mate--" "i see some cats get sick, but that may not be seasick, even though you can see the sickness," went on tom, soberly. "i don't know as we had a cat on board. but as i was sayin', next--" "oh, i know what you are driving at, bill. next the steersman got down with the mumps, then you took the shingles, and another sailor got lumbago, while the third mate had to crawl around with a boil on his foot as large as a cabbage. i heard about that affair--read about it in the last monthly number of the gasman's gazette--how the ship had to sail itself for four weeks and how the wind blew it right into port and how not even a shoestring was lost overboard. it was really wonderful and i am thankful you reminded me of it." and then tom walked off, leaving bahama bill staring after him in dumb amazement. the old tar realized dimly that for once he had met his match at yarn spinning, and it was several days before he attempted to tell any more of his outrageous stories. chapter xvi a row on shipboard "do you know, i think we are going on the wildest kind of a goose chase," said tom, the next day, to his two brothers. "why?" questioned sam. "because we are depending, in large part, on what bahama bill has to tell, he's the worst yarn spinner i ever ran across." "it's true that he is a yam spinner," said dick, "but behind it all father says he tells a pretty straight story of how the treasure was stolen and secreted on treasure isle." "i want to see the island, and the treasure, too, before i'll believe one quarter of what that sailor says," replied tom. "well, we'll soon know the truth of the matter," came from sam. "if this good weather continues we ought to get to where we are going inside of ten days. of course, if we are held up by fogs or storms it will take longer." the boys, and the girls, too, for the matter of that, were greatly interested in the elegant steam yacht, and they took great pleasure in visiting every part of the vessel from bow to stem. captain barforth did all in his power to make all on board the _rainbow_ feel at home and whenever the boys visited the engine room they were met with a smile from frank norton. but if they had friends on board there were also some persons they did not like. the first mate, whose name was asa carey, was a silent man who rarely had a pleasant word for anybody. he hated to have young folks around, and it was a mystery to the rovers why he should occupy a position on a pleasure craft. "he ought to be on a freight steamer," was dick's comment--"some boat where he wouldn't meet anybody but those working under him. i can't understand how the captain can bear him for his first assistant." "the owner of the steam yacht hired him," answered mr. rover. "i believe the captain does not like him any more than we do. but the mate does his duty faithfully, so the captain cannot find fault." another individual the boys did not like was bill bossermann, the assistant engineer. bossermann was a burly german, with the blackest of hair and a heavy black beard and beady black eyes. he had a coarse voice and manners that put one in mind of a bull. hans tried to get friendly with him, but soon gave it up. "he vos von of dem fellers vot knows it all," explained hans to his chums. "he makes some of dem, vot you call him--bolitical talks, yah. he dinks eferypotty should be so goot like eferypotty else, und chust so rich, too." "must be an anarchist," said tom. "he looks the part." "norton told me he was a first-class engineer," said dick, "but when i asked him if he was a good fellow he merely shrugged his shoulders in answer." one day the first mate was in command, the captain having gone below to study his charts and work out the ship's position. tom had brought a baseball to the deck and was having a catch with sam. the boys enjoyed the fun for quite a while and did not notice the mate near them. "can you throw it up over that rope?" asked sam, pointing to a stay over his head. "sure thing!" cried tom. "look out you don't throw it overboard." "i'll take care," answered the fun-loving rover, and launched the baseball high into the air. just then the steam yacht gave a lurch, the ball hit the mainmast, and down it bounced squarely upon asa carey's head, knocking the mate's cap over his eyes and sending him staggering backwards. "hi, hi! you young rascals!" roared the mate. "what do you mean by such conduct?" "excuse me," replied tom, humbly. "i didn't mean to hit you. it was an accident." "i think you did it on purpose, you young villain!" "it was an accident, mr. carey--and i'll thank you not to call me a rascal and a villain," went on tom rather warmly. "i'll call you what i please!" "no, you won't." "yes, i will. i am in command here, and i won't have you throwing baseballs at me." "i just told you it was an accident. if the yacht hadn't rolled just as i threw the ball it would not have hit you." "bah! i know boys, and you especially. you love to play tricks on everybody. but you can't play tricks on me." and as the mate spoke he stopped, picked up the rolling ball, and put it in his pocket. "are you going to keep that ball?" demanded sam. "i am." "it is our ball." "see here, mr. carey, we didn't mean to hit you, and we were only amusing ourselves catching," said tom. "we have hired this yacht and we have a right to do as we please on board so long as we don't interfere with the running of the vessel. i want you to give us our ball back." and tom stepped up and looked the mate squarely in the eyes. "what! you dare to dictate to me!" roared the mate, and raised his hand as if to strike tom. he thought the youth would retreat in fear, but tom never budged. "i am not trying to dictate, but i have rights as well as you. i want that ball." "you can't have it." "if you don't give it to me i shall report the matter to captain barforth." at this threat the mate glared at tom as if he wanted to eat the boy up. "if i give you the ball you'll be throwing it at me again," he growled. "i didn't throw it at you. but as for catching on the deck--i shall ask the captain if that is not allowable. i am quite sure it is, so long as we do no damage." "going to sneak behind the captain for protection, eh?" sneered asa carey. he did not like the outlook, for that very morning he had had some words with the commander of the steam yacht and had gotten the worst of it. "i want that ball." the mate glared at tom for a moment and then threw the ball to him. "all right, take your old ball," he muttered. "but you be mighty careful how you use it after this or you'll get into trouble," and with this the mate walked away. "are you going to speak to the captain?" asked sam, in a low tone. tom thought for a moment. "perhaps it will be better to let it go, sam. i don't want to stir up any more rows than are necessary. but after this i am going to keep my eye on that fellow." but if the lads did not mention it to the captain they told their brother and their chums of it, and a long discussion followed. "i noticed that the mate and the assistant engineer are quite thick," observed fred. "it seems they were friends before they came aboard." "and they are two of a kind," remarked dick. "i feel free to say i do not like than at all." it was growing warmer, and for the next few days the girls and the boys were content to take it easy under the awnings which had been spread over a portion of the deck. once the lads amused themselves by fishing with a net and bait, but were not very successful. in the evening they usually sang or played games, and often songbird would favor them with some of his poetry. for the most of the time mrs. stanhope and mrs. laning did fancywork. "captain says there is a storm coming up," announced sam, one evening. "oh, dear! i hope it doesn't get very rough!" cried mrs. stanhope. "i detest a heavy storm at sea." "well, mamma, we'll have to expect some storms," said dora. "oh, i shan't mind, if it doesn't thunder and lightning and blow too much." but this storm was not of the thunder and lightning variety, nor did it blow to any extent. it grew damp and foggy, and then a mist came down over the ocean, shutting out the view upon every side. at once the engine of the steam yacht was slowed down, and a double lookout was stationed at the bow, while the whistle was blown at regular intervals. "this isn't so pleasant," remarked songbird, as he and dick tramped along the deck in their raincoats. "ugh! what a nasty night it is!" "no poetry about this, is there, songbird?" returned dick, grimly. "hardly," said the poet, yet a few minutes later he began softly: "a dreadful fog came out of the sea, and made it as misty as it could be. the deck was wet, the air was damp--" "it was bad enough to give you a cramp!" finished up tom, who had come up. "beautiful weather for drying clothes or taking pictures," he went on. "by the way, i haven't used my new camera yet. i must get it out as soon as the sun shines again." "and i must get out my camera," said songbird. "i have a five by seven and i hope to take some very nice pictures when we get down among the islands." "how do ye like this sea fog?" asked a voice at the boys' rear, and bahama bill appeared, wrapped in an oilskin jacket. "it puts me in mind of a fog i onct struck off the coast o' lower californy. we was in it fer four days an' it was so thick ye could cut it with a cheese knife. why, sir, one day it got so thick the sailors went to the bow an' caught it in their hands, jess like that!" he made a grab at the air. "the captain had his little daughter aboard an' the gal went out on deck an' got lost an' we had to feel around in that fog nearly an hour afore we found her, an' then, sure as i'm a standin' here, she was next to drowned an' had to be treated jess like she had been under water." "how long ago was that?" asked tom, poking the other boys in the ribs. "seven years ago, this very summer." "i thought so, bill, for that very summer i was at fort nosuch, in lower california. i remember that fog well. one of the walls of the fort had fallen down and the commander was afraid the desperadoes were going to attack him. so he had the soldiers go out, gather in the fog, and build another wall with it. it made a fine defence, in fact, it was simply out of sight," concluded the fun-loving rover. "say, you--" began bahama bill. "you--er--you--say, i can't say another word, i can't! the idee o' building a wall o' fog! why, say--" what the old tar wanted to say, or wanted them to say, will never be known, for at that instant came a loud cry from the bow. almost immediately came a crash, and the _rainbow_ quivered and backed. then came another crash, and the old sailor and the boys were hurled flat on the deck. chapter xvii a mishap in the fog "we have struck another vessel!" "we are sinking!" "how far are we from land?" these and other cries rang out through the heavy fog, as the two crashes came, followed, a few seconds later, by a third. captain barforth had left the steam yacht in charge of the first mate and was on the companionway going below. with two bounds he was on deck and running toward the bow at top speed. "what was it? have we a hole in the bow?" he questioned, of the frightened lookouts, who had been sent spinning across the slippery deck. "couldn't make out, captain--it was something black," said one lookout. "black and square like." "i think it was a bit of old wreckage," said the other. "anyway, it wasn't another vessel, and it was too dark for a lumber raft." "is it out of sight?" it was, and though all strained their eyes they could not make out what had been struck, nor did they ever find out. from the deck the captain made his way below, followed by mr. rover, who was anxious to learn the extent of the injuries. in the meantime the ladies and girls had joined the boys on the deck, and the latter began to get out the life preservers. the most excited man on board was asa carey, and without waiting for orders from the captain, he ordered two of the small boats gotten ready to swing overboard. then he ran down to his stateroom, to get some of his possessions. "is we gwine to de bottom?" questioned aleck, as he appeared, clad in a pair of slippers and a blanket. "i don't know," answered fred. "i hope not." the boys had all they could do to keep the girls quiet, and grace was on the point of becoming hysterical, which was not to be wondered at, considering the tremendous excitement. "we cannot be so very far from one of the islands," said dick. "and if the worst comes to the worst we ought to be able to make shore in the small boats." "are there enough boats?" asked mrs. laning. "yes, the steam yacht is well equipped with them." the engine of the vessel had been stopped and the steam yacht lay like a log on the rolling waves. the shocks had caused some of the lights to go out, leaving the passengers in semi darkness. "oh, dick, do you think we'll go down?" whispered dora, as, she clung to his arm. "let us hope not, dora," he answered and caught her closer. "i'll stick to you, no matter what comes!" "yes! yes! i want you to do that! and stick to mamma, too!" "i will. but i don't think we'll go down just yet," he went on, after a long pause. "we seem to be standing still, that's all." they waited, and as they did so he held her trembling hands tightly in his own. in that minute of extreme peril they realized how very much they were to one another. at last, after what seemed to be hours, but, was in reality less than five minutes, anderson rover appeared. "there is no immediate danger," said he. "we must have struck some sort of wreckage, or lumber float. there is a small hole in the bow, just above the water line, and several of the seams have been opened. captain barforth is having the hole closed up and has started up the donkey pump to keep the water low in the hold. he says he thinks we can make one of the nearby ports without great trouble." this news removed the tension under which all were suffering, and a little later the ladies and the girls retired to the cabin, and aleck stole back to his sleeping quarters. the boys went forward, to inspect the damage done, but in the darkness could see little. "it was an accident such as might happen to any vessel," said the captain, later. "the lookouts were evidently not to blame. there are many derelicts and bits of lumber rafts scattered throughout these waters and consequently traveling at night or in a fog is always more or less dangerous. "we shall have to put up somewhere for repairs, not so?" questioned anderson rover. "it would be best, mr. rover. of course we might be able to patch things ourselves, but, unless you are in a great hurry, i advise going into port and having it done. it will have to be done sooner or later anyway." "where do you advise putting in?" captain barforth thought for a moment. "i think we had better run over to nassau, which is less than sixty miles from here. nassau, as perhaps you know, is the capital city of the bahamas, and has quite some shipping and we'll stand a good chance there of getting the right ship's--carpenters to do the work." after some talk, it was decided to steer for nassau, and the course of the _rainbow_ was changed accordingly. they now ran with even greater caution than before, and a strong searchlight was turned on at the bow, the surplus power from the engine being used for that purpose. as my young readers may know, nassau is located on new providence island, about two hundred miles east of the lower coast of florida. it is under british rule and contains about fifteen thousand inhabitants. it is more or less of a health resort and is visited by many tourists, consequently there are several good hotels and many means of spending a few days there profitably. the run to nassau was made without further mishaps, and immediately on arriving the steam yacht was placed in the hands of some builders who promised to make the needed repairs without delay. the entire crew remained on board, as did aleck pop, but the rovers and their friends put up at a leading hotel for the time being. after the run on shipboard from philadelphia to the bahamas, the ladies and girls were glad enough to set foot again on land. after one day of quietness at the hotel the party, went out carriage riding, and, of course, the boys went along. they saw not a few unusual sights, and were glad they had their cameras with them. "we'll have a dandy lot of pictures by the time we get home," said sam. "there is one picture i want more than any other," said tom. "one of nellie, i suppose," and sam winked. "oh, i've got that already," answered the fun-loving rover unabashed. "what's that you want?" asked songbird. "a picture of that treasure cave with us loading the treasure on the yacht." "now you are talking, tom!" cried his older brother. "we all want that. i am sorry we have been delayed here." "how long vos ve going to sthay here?" questioned hans. "the repairs will take the best part of a week, so the ship builders said." "ain't you afraid dot sid merrick got ahead of you?" "i don't know. he may be on his way now, or he may not have started yet from new york." "oh, i hope we don't meet merrick, or sobber either!" cried dora. on the outskirts of the town was a fine flower garden where roses of unusual beauty were grown. one day the girls and ladies visited this and dick and songbird went along. in the meantime tom and sam walked down to the docks, to see how the repairs to the _rainbow_ were progressing, and also to look at the vessels going out and coming in. "a vessel is due from new york," said tom. "i heard them talking about it at the hotel." "let us see if there is anybody on board we know," answered his brother. they walked to the spot where the people were to come in, and there learned that the steamer had sent its passengers ashore an hour before. a few were at the dock, taking care of some baggage which had been detained by the custom house officials. "well, i never!" exclaimed tom. "if there isn't peter slade! what can he be doing here?" peter slade had once been a pupil at putnam hall. he had been something of a bully, although not as bad as tad sobber. the boys had often played tricks on him and once peter had gotten so angry he had left the school and never come back. "let us go and speak to him," said sam. "maybe he won't speak, sam. he was awful angry at us when he left the hall." "if he doesn't want to speak he can do the other thing," said the youngest rover. "perhaps he'll be glad to meet somebody in this out of the way place." they walked over to where peter slade stood and both spoke at once. the other lad was startled at first and then he scowled. "humph! you down here?" he said, shortly. "yes," answered tom, pleasantly enough. "did you just get in on the steamer?" "i don't know as that is any of your business, tom rover!" "it isn't, and if you don't want to speak civilly, slade, you haven't got to speak at all," said tom, and started to move away, followed by his brother. "say, did you meet tad sobber and his un--" and then peter slade stopped short in some confusion. "did we meet who?" demanded tom, wheeling around in some astonishment. "never mind," growled peter slade. "were they on the steamer?" asked sam. "i'm not saying anything about it." "look here, slade, if they were on the steamer we want to know it," came from tom. "really?" and the former bully of the hall put as much of a sneer as possible into the word. "we do, and you have got to tell us." "i don't see why." "you will if you are honest," said sam. "you know as well as i do that tad sobber's uncle is a rascal and ought to be in prison." "tad says it isn't so--that his uncle didn't take those bonds-- that they were placed in his care to be sold at a profit, if possible." "when did tad tell you that?" "only a couple of days ago--i mean he told me, and that's enough." "then he told you while you were on the steamer," put in tom. "yes, if you must know." peter slade's face took on a cunning look. "i guess mr. merrick and tad will trim you good and proper soon." "what do you mean by that?" "oh, i know a thing or two." "did they tell you what had brought them down here?" "maybe they did." "who was with them?" "you had better ask them." "where are they?" "that's for you to find out." "see here, slade, this is no way to talk," went on tom earnestly. "if you know anything about sid merrick and his plans you had better tell us about them. if you don't i shall take it for granted that you are in league with that rascal and act accordingly." "yes, and that may mean arrest for you," added sam. peter slade was a coward at heart, and these suggestive words made him turn pale. "i am not in league with them," he cried hastily. "i met them on the steamer by accident. tad told me he and his uncle were going to get the best of you, but how he didn't say." "who was with them, come, out with it." "a spaniard named doranez." "doranez!" cried both the rover boys and looked suggestively at each other. "yes, do you know him?" "we know of him," answered tom slowly. "where did they go?" "i don't know exactly." "don't you know at all?" "they were going to look for some tramp steamer that was to be here. if they found her they were going to sail at once to some other island," answered peter slade. chapter xviii the new deck hand having said so much, peter slade seemed more inclined to talk, one reason being that he wanted to get at the bottom of the mystery which had brought tad sobber and his uncle to that part of the globe. tad had hinted of great wealth, and of getting the best of the rovers and some other people, but had not gone into any details. peter said he had come to nassau to join his mother, who was stopping there for her health. his father was coming on later, and then the family was going across the ocean. "i know there is something up between your crowd and the merrick crowd," said the youth. "you are both after something, ain't you?" "yes," answered tom. "what?" "i can't tell you that, slade. it's something quite valuable, though." "well, i guess sobber's uncle will get ahead of you." "perhaps so. what is the name of the tramp steamer he is looking for?" "the _josephine_." "was she to be here?" "they hoped she would be." "were they going to hire her?" asked sam. "i suppose so." "then merrick had money." "yes, he had some, and that spaniard had some, too." a little more conversation followed, and then the rover boys asked slade where he was going to stop, and said they might see him later. "this is mighty interesting," remarked tom, as he and his brother hurried to their hotel. "we must tell father of this without delay." but mr. rover could not be found until that evening, when the party came back from the visit to the flower gardens. he listened with deep interest to what was said, and then went off on a hunt for sid merrick and the tramp steamer _josephine_ without delay. nothing was discovered that night, but a little before noon of the day following they learned that a tramp steamer had appeared in the harbor, taken several persons on board, and then steamed away again. "can you tell me the name of that craft?" asked anderson rover of the man who gave him this information. "she was the _josephine_, sir, of charleston, captain sackwell." "was she loaded?" "i think not, sir." "how many persons got aboard?" "five or six." "one of them a young fellow?" "yes, sir, and one was a fellow who was very dark." mr. rover knew that doranez was very dark, and he rightfully surmised that the party had been made up of merrick, tad, doranez, cuffer and shelley. "this is certainly a serious turn of affairs," said he to his sons. "while we have been losing time in philadelphia and elsewhere, sid merrick has gone to work, gotten somebody to let him have this tramp steamer, and now, in company with doranez, is off to locate treasure isle and the treasure. it looks to me as if it might be a race between us after all." "yes, and the worst of it is that we are laid up for repairs," said dick, with almost a groan in his voice. "how long must we remain here?" asked sam "can't they hurry the job somehow?" "let us offer 'em more money to hurry," suggested tom. the suggestion to offer more money was carried out, and the ship builders promised to have the _rainbow_ fit for sailing by the following afternoon. the paint on the new work would not be dry, but that would not matter. on the morning of the day they were to sail a man applied to captain barforth for a position. he said he had been a fireman on an ocean liner, but had lost three fingers in some machinery and been discharged. "i am hard up," he pleaded. "i'll work for almost anything." the captain was kind hearted, and as the _rainbow_ could use another deck hand he told the man to bring his luggage aboard, which the fellow did. the newcomer's name was walt wingate, and he did his best to make friends with everybody on board. he had a low, musical voice, and was frequently whistling popular airs. "he's an odd one," said dick, after noticing the new deck hand several times. "he seems real nice and yet--" "you don't like him," finished sam. "that's it, sam." "neither do i, and i can't tell why." "well, he hasn't anything to do with us. if he's a good man i'm glad the captain gave him a job. it's tough luck to lose your fingers, especially if you must work for a living." by five o'clock the steam yacht had left the harbor of nassau and was standing out to sea once more. the course was again southward, around the western extremity of cuba. during the following days they passed numerous islands and keys, as they are called, but generally at such a distance that the shores could be seen but faintly. to make sure of what he was doing, anderson rover held several consultations with captain barforth, and bahama bill was closely questioned regarding the location of treasure isle. the old tar stuck to the story he had told so often, and went over numerous maps with the commander of the steam yacht. "he has the location pretty well fixed in his head unless the whole thing is a fairy tale," was captain barforth's comment. while one of these talks was going on, dick, who was on deck, chanced to go below in a hurry. as he passed down the companionway he encountered walt wingate, who had been listening at the cabin doorway. "hullo, what do you want?" demanded dick, for the man's face had a guilty look on it. "why--er--my handkerchief blew down here and i came down to get it," answered the new deck hand, and pointed to the cloth in question sticking out of his pocket. "is that all?" "that's all, sir," answered wingate, and touching his cap he slouched off. then he turned back. "sorry if i disturbed anybody," he added. "oh, i suppose it is all right," returned dick, but he was by no means satisfied, although he could not tell exactly why. there was something about the new deck hand that did not "ring true." at first he thought to speak to his parent about the occurrence, but then concluded not to worry his father. knowing that it was now a race between the _rainbow_ and the _josephine_ for treasure isle, captain barforth crowded on all steam. the course of the steam yacht was fairly well laid out, but it contained many turns and twists, due to the many keys--located in these waters. "we don't want to run on any hidden reef," said the master of the vessel. "if we do we may go down or be laid up for a long while for repairs. these waters are fairly well charted, but there is still a great deal to be learned about them. from time to time they have had earthquakes down here, and volcano eruptions, and the bottom is constantly shifting." on the second night out from nassau, sam, for some reason, could not sleep. he tumbled and tossed in his berth for two hours, and then, feeling that some fresh air might do him good, dressed in part and went on deck. it was not a very clear night, and but few stars shone in the firmament. in the darkness the lad walked first to one side of the steam yacht and then to the other. then he strolled toward the bow, to have a little chat with the lookout. as he walked along the side of the cabin he became aware of a figure leaning over the rail, gazing far down into the sea. by the man's general form he made the fellow out to be walt wingate. the deck hand had hold of something, although what it was sam could not tell. at first the youngest rover was going to call to the man and ask him what he was doing. but he remained silent, and stepped into the shadow of the cabin as wingate left the rail and crossed to the other side of the yacht. from under some coils of rope the deck hand brought forth something, lifted it over the rail and dropped it gently into the sea. then he leaned far over the rail as before, and this lasted two or three minutes. "he is certainly up to something out of the ordinary," thought sam. "i wonder if he is fishing? if he is, it seems to me it is a queer way to go at it." as wingate left the rail he walked directly to where the boy stood. when he discovered sam he started back as if confronted by a ghost. "oh--er--didn't know anybody was up," he stammered. "it was so hot in my stateroom i couldn't sleep," answered sam. "i came out to get the air." "it's almost as hot on deck as it is anywhere," said the deck hand, and his tone had little of cordiality in it. "i think i'll go forward and try it there." "yes, it's a little breezier at the bow, sir. by the way, did you-- er--see me trying to catch some of those firefish just now?" "i saw you doing something, i didn't see what." "i thought i might get one, but they are all gone now," answered wingate, and slouched off, whistling in that peculiar manner of his. sam walked slowly to the bow. as he did this, wingate turned to look at him in a speculative way. "wonder if the young fool saw what i was up to?" he muttered. "if he did i'd better go slow. i don't want to get caught. they might treat me pretty roughly." the watch on deck was changed and wingate went below. asa carey was in command of the yacht and he, too, wanted to know why sam was up at such a late hour. the boy told him, but said nothing to the mate of wingate's strange actions. when sam turned in, dick wanted to know if he was sick. "no, only restless, dick," he replied. "by the way, i saw something strange," he continued, and he related the occurrence. "we must look into this, sam. it may mean nothing and it may mean a great deal," was the eldest rover boy's comment. the boys did not go on deck until after breakfast. then they walked to the starboard rail and stopped at the spot where sam had first discovered the deck hand. "i don't see anything," said dick, gazing over the rail. "perhaps he was fishing, after all. he may have thought--hullo!" "what is it, dick?" "some kind of a line down here--a wire, fastened to a hook!" "can you reach it?" "hardly. i might if you'll hold my legs, so i don't go overboard." "hadn't we better tell captain barforth of this first? the wire may belong there." "i don't know what for. but we can tell the captain. here he comes now." "good morning, boys," said the master of the steam yacht pleasantly. "what can you see over there?" "something we think unusual," said sam "please take a look and tell us what it is." captain barforth did as requested. "that wire has no business there," he declared. "i don't know how it came there." "i can tell you how it got there, and i guess you'll find something like it on the other side," answered sam, and told what he had seen wingate do during the night. "humph, i'll investigate this," muttered the captain, and went off for a boathook. when he returned he caught the hook into the loop of the wire and tried to bring the end of the strand to the deck. he was unable to do it alone and had to get the boys to aid him. then all three ran the wire around a brace and gradually hauled it aboard. at the end was an iron chain, fastened into several loops, and also the anchor to one of the rowboats. chapter xix treasure isle at last "so this is the work of that new deck hand, eh?" cried captain barforth, grimly. "a fine piece of business to be in, i must say!" "let us see what is on the other side?" suggested dick. this was done, and they brought up another wire, to the end of which were attached two small anchors and some pieces of scrap steel from the tool room. "he put those overboard for drag anchors," explained the master of the steam yacht. "he did it to delay the _rainbow_." "yes, and that was done so the _josephine_ could get ahead of us," added dick. "in that case he must be in league with sid merrick," came from sam. "perhaps he met merrick at nassau and was hired for this work," said dick. "that is possible, dick. i'll have the truth out of him, if i have to put him in irons and on bread and water to do it," added captain barforth. he at once sent for walt wingate. the deck hand who went after the man came back five minutes later to report that the fellow could not be located. "he must be found!" cried captain barforth. "he can't skulk out of this!" a search was instituted, in which all of the boys, mr. rover and aleck joined. but though the steam yacht was searched from stem to stern, the missing deck hand was not located. some of the men even went down into the hold, but with no success. "do you think he jumped overboard?" asked fred. "he might, but it would be a foolish thing to do," answered the captain. "we are at least ten miles from any island." "he may have had a small boat," said songbird. "no, the small boats are all here. he is on this vessel, but where is the question." to stimulate them in their search, the captain offered a reward of ten dollars to any one of his crew who should bring wingate to light. but this brought no success, and for a very good reason as we shall learn later. how much the drags had hampered the progress of the _rainbow_ there was no telling, but freed of them, the steam yacht made good time. all of the machinery was carefully inspected, including the propeller, to which some wire was found twisted. but this had thus far done no damage and was easily pulled out. "he is certainly in league with merrick and his crowd," said anderson rover, "and that being so, we must be on constant guard against him." the ladies and the girls were much alarmed to think that such a character as wingate might be roaming around the vessel in secret, and at night they locked every stateroom door with care. the boys and mr. rover were also on the alert, and some of them slept with loaded pistols near at hand. had wingate shown himself unexpectedly he might have met with a warm reception. "that feller's disappearance puts me in mind o' something that happened aboard the _nancy belden_, bound from the congo to new york, jest eight years ago this summer," said bahama bill, who had searched as hard as anybody for the missing man. "we had on board a lot o' wild animals fer a circus man, an' amongst 'em, was an orang outang, big an' fierce, i can tell you. well, this orang outang got out o' his cage one night, an' in the mornin' he couldn't be found. we hunted an' hunted, an' the next night nobody wanted to go to sleep fer fear he'd wake up dead. the cap'n had his family aboard and the wife she was 'most scart stiff an' wouldn't hardly leave her room." "and did you find the orang outang?" asked songbird, with interest. "we did an' we didn't. the fifth night after he was missing we heard a fearful noise right in a cage wot had a lion in it. we run to the place with shootin' irons an' spears and capstan bars, thinkin' the lion was loose. when we got there we found the orang outang had twisted one o' the bars o' the cage loose an' got inside and disturbed mr. lion's best nap. mr. lion didn't like it, an' he gets up, and in about two minutes he makes mince meat o' the orang outang. when we got there all we see was bits o' skin, an' the feet an' head o' the orang outang, yes, sir. we was glad he was gone--especially the cap'n wife --but the circus men was mad to lose sech a valerable beast," concluded bahama bill. "that was a pretty good one," was tom's comment. "too good to be spoiled," and at this remark the others laughed. "vell, it's someding like ven dot snake got loose py putnam hall," was hans' comment. "dot vingate vos noddings put a snake, hey?" "you hit it that time, hans," answered dirk, "a snake and of the worst kind." according to bahama bill's reckoning they were now less than two days' sailing from treasure isle, and all on board who were in the secret were filled with expectancy. so far nothing had been seen of the _josephine_, and they wondered if the tramp steamer was ahead of them, or if they had passed her in the darkness. "of course, she may have come by a different route," said captain barforth. "while we passed to the east and south of some of the little islands she may have gone to the north and west of them. one route would be about as good as the other." that night it grew foggy, and as a consequence they had to slow down, which filled the boys with vexation for, as tom declared, "they wanted to find that island and the treasure right away." "well, you'll have to be patient," said nellie, "aren't you anxious, nellie?" he asked. "oh, yes, tom; but i don't want to see anybody hurt, or the yacht sunk." twenty four hours later the fog rolled away and on the following morning captain barforth announced they were in the locality where treasure isle was supposed to be located. the boys stationed themselves in various parts of the steam yacht, and dick and tom went aloft with a good pair of marine glasses. "i see an island!" cried tom, half an hour later. this announcement thrilled all on board, but an hour later it was discovered that the island was only a small affair and bahama bill promptly said it was not that for which they were seeking. "come aloft and look through the glass," said dick to the old tar, and bahama bill readily accepted the invitation. thus two hours more went by, and the course of the steam yacht was changed to a wide circle. "more land!" cried dick, presently. "what do you make of that?" he asked and handed the marine glasses to bahama bill. the old tar looked through the glasses for a long time and then put them down with much satisfaction. "that's the place, or i'll forfeit a month's wages," he said. "is it treasure isle?" burst out tom. "yes." "hurrah!" shouted tom, running down the ratlines to the deck. "we've found the island!" he shouted. "hurrah!" "where?" asked half a dozen at once. "over in that direction. you can't see it with the naked eye, but it's there just the same. hurrah!" and in his high spirits tom did a few steps of a fancy jig. without delay the bow of the steam yacht was pointed in the direction of the land that had been discovered, and after awhile all made it out, a mere speck on the blue water. but as they approached, the speck grew larger and larger, and they saw it was a beautiful tropical isle, with waving palms reaching down almost to the water's edge. "we can't land on this side," announced bahama bill. "the sea is too dangerous here, we'll have to sail around to the south shore and lay to beyond the reef, and then take small boats to the inside of the horseshoe." again the course of the _rainbow_ was changed, and they skirted the eastern shore of the island, which was truly shaped like a horseshoe, with the opening on the south side. to the north, the east and the west were smaller islands and reefs, sticking out, "like horseshoe nails," as sam said. sailing was dangerous here, and they had to go slow and make frequent soundings, so that they did not reach the south side of treasure isle until almost nightfall. "the same old place!" murmured bahama bill. "an' we anchored right out here when we took that treasure ashore! i remember it as well if it was yesterday!" and he nodded over and over again. "and where is the cave from here?" asked mr. rover, who was as anxious as anybody to locate the treasure. "you can't see it, because it's behind the trees an' rocks," replied the tar. the reef beyond the horseshoe was a dangerous one, with the sea dashing up many feet over it. there was only one break, less than thirty feet wide, so gaining entrance to the harbor would be no easy matter in a rowboat. "we had better wait until morning before we go ashore," said captain barforth. "even if we land we'll be able to do little in the darkness." "oh, don't wait!" pleaded tom. "why can't some of us go ashore?" put in sam, who was as impatient as his brother. "i'd like to go myself," added dick, "even if i had to stay ashore all night. remember, the _josephine_ is on the way here, and the sooner some of us get to land and locate that cave the better." "the _josephine_ isn't here yet," said fred. "no, but she may put in an appear at any time," answered tom. "i believe in taking time by the forelock, as the saying is." the matter was talked over for a few minutes, and then it was decided to let tom, dick, and sam go ashore in company with two sailors, who would then bring the rowboat back to the steam yacht. the boys were to take blankets and some provisions with them and spend the night on the island. "i don't think you'll find the cave without bahama bill's aid," said mr. rover. "but it will do no harm to look around. if this isle is like the rest of the west indies there will be little on it to hurt you. there are few wild animals down here, and no savages outside of some negroes who occasionally go on a spree and cut loose.." the rowboat was soon ready, and the boys embarked, with the best wishes of those left behind. hans wanted to go very much, but was told he must wait until morning. bahama bill said he would rather sleep on shipboard any time than on shore. "a bunk for me," were his words. "it's better than under the trees or bushes. once i was ashore sleepin' an' a big snake crawled over my legs. i thought some cannibals were trying to tie me fast and jumped up. when i see the snake i run about three miles without stopping. a bunk fer me every time, yes, sir!" it was exciting to bring the rowboat through the passage of the reef and once the boys thought they were going to ship a good deal of water. but the two men who were rowing knew their business and brought them into the horseshoe harbor without mishap. they helped the lads to land, on a small sandy strip close to some palms, and then started back to the steam yacht. "treasure isle at last!" cried dick, when they were left alone. "so far our quest has been successful. now to locate the cave and unearth that treasure!" "and may it prove to be worth all that has been said of it," added sam chapter xx the boys make a discovery the boys had landed at a spot that was particularly inviting in appearance, and they stopped for several minutes to take in the natural beauty surrounding them. there were tall and stately palms, backed up by other trees, trailing vines of great length, and numerous gorgeous flowers. a sweet scent filled the air, and from the woods in the center of the isle came the song of tropical birds. "what a fine camping place!" murmured sam. "a fellow could spend several weeks here and have lots of fun, bathing and boating, and hunting birds, and fishing," and his brothers agreed with him. yet the beauty of treasure isle was soon forgotten in their anxiety to locate the cave. they had a general idea that it was in the center of the horseshoe curve, and that center was quite a distance from where they had been brought ashore. "the best we can do is to tramp along the water's edge," said dick. "then when we reach the center we can go inland." "we haven't over an hour," replied his youngest brother. "by that time it will be too dark to do much more. and we'll have to find some suitable place to camp for the night." "oh, we can camp anywhere," cried tom. "it's good enough--just for one night." they began to trudge along the edge of the horseshoe curve, over smooth sand. but this did not last, and presently they came to a muddy flat and went down to their ankles. dick was ahead and he cried to the others. "stop! it's not fit to walk here!" "why, it's like a bog!" declared sam, after testing it. "we'll have to go inland a distance," said tom. "come on," and he turned back and struck out for the palms and bushes beyond. it was then that the rover boys began to realize what was before them. scarcely had they penetrated the interior for fifty yards when they found themselves in a perfect network of trailing vines. then, after having pulled and cut their way through for fifty yards more, they came to a spot that was rocky and covered with a tangle of thorny bushes. "wow!" ejaculated tom, after scratching his hand and his leg. "this is something prime, i must confess!" "what i call hunting a treasure with a vengeance," added dick, dryly. "i move we go back," came from sam. "we seem to be stuck in more ways than one." "perhaps it is better traveling just beyond," declared dick. "i am not going to turn back just yet anyway." he took the lead, breaking down the thorny bushes as best he could, and sam and tom followed closely in his footsteps. it was rather dark among the bushes and almost before the three knew it they had fallen headlong into a hollow. "well, i never!" "this is coming down in a hurry!" "is this the treasure cave?" such were the exclamations of the three lads as they picked themselves up out of the dirt, which, fortunately for them, was soft and yielding. nobody had been hurt, for which they were thankful. the hollow was about fifty feet in diameter and half that depth in the center. on the opposite side were more bushes and rocks, and then a thicket of tall trees of a variety that was strange to them. "this is what i call hard work," observed tom, as they began to fight their way along again. "i don't know but what we would have done as well to have waited until morning." "don't croak, tom," said sam. "oh, i am not croaking, but this is no fun, let me tell you that." all of the boys were panting from their exertions, and soon they had to call a halt to get their breath. it was now growing dark rapidly, for in the tropics there is little of what we know as twilight. "we certainly can't do much more in this darkness," said dick at last. "i must confess i thought walking in the direction of the cave would be an easy matter." "well, what's to do next?" questioned sam, gazing around in perplexity. this was no easy question to answer. as if by magic darkness had settled all around them, shutting out the sight of objects less than a hundred yards away. to go forward was all but impossible, and whether or not they could get back to where they had come from was a serious problem. "if we can't get back we'll have to camp right here," said dick. but they did not want to stay in such a thicket and so they pushed on a little further, until they reached a slight rise of ground. then dick, who was in advance as before, uttered a cry of surprise: "a trail! i wonder where it leads to?" he was right, a well defined trail or footpath lay before them, running between the brushwood and palms and around the rocks. it did not look as if it had been used lately, but it was tolerably clear of any growth. this was something the rover boys had not counted on, for bahama bill had never spoken of any trail in his descriptions of the isle. they gazed at the path with curiosity. tom was the first to speak. "shall we follow it?" he asked. "might as well," answered sam. "it's better than scratching yourself and tearing your clothing in those thorn bushes." the boys took to the trail and passed along for a distance of quarter of a mile or more. it wound in and out around the rocks and trees and had evidently been made by some natives bringing out wild fruits and the like from the forest. "it doesn't seem to be leading us to anywhere," was dick's comment. "i don't know whether to go on or not." nevertheless, they kept on, until they came to a sharp turn around a series of rocks. as they, moved ahead they suddenly saw a glare of light cross the rocks and then disappear. "what was that?" asked sam, somewhat startled. "a light," answered dick. "i know. but where did it come from?" "it was like the flash of a bicycle gas lamp," said tom. "there are no bicycles on this trail," said dick. "i know that, too, dick. but it was like that kind of a lamp." just then the flash of light reappeared, and now they saw it came from a point on the trail ahead of them. they listened intently and heard somebody approaching. "several men are coming!" whispered dick. "not from our yacht?" said tom. "i don't think so." "can they be from the _josephine_?" asked sam. "that remains to be seen." "if they are from the _josephine_ what shall we do?" "i think the best thing we can do is to keep out of sight and watch them." "but they may locate the cave and take the treasure away," said tom. "we have got to run that risk unless we want to fight them." "oh, if only we could get our crowd here to help us!" murmured sam. "we may be mistaken and they may be strangers to us. come, let us hide." losing no time, the three rover boys stepped into the bushes beside the trail. as they did so the other party came closer, and the lads saw that they carried not only an acetylene gas lamp, but also a ship's lantern and several other things. the party was made up of sid merrick, tad sobber, cuffer and shelley. "it's mighty rough walking here," they heard tad sobber complain. "i've got a thorn right through my shoe. wait till i pull it out, will you?" and he came to a halt not over ten yards from where the rover boys were hidden. "you didn't have to come, tad," said his uncle, somewhat harshly. "i told you to suit yourself." "oh, i want to see that treasure cave as well as you do," answered sobber. "i'd like to know if this is the right trail or not," came from shelley. "you ought to have brought that spaniard along, to make sure." "doranez is no good!" growled sid merrick who was by no means in the best of humor. "he likes his bottle too well. if he would only keep sober it would be different." "why don't you take his liquor from him?" asked cuffer. "i'd do it quick enough if i was running this thing." "he says he won't tell us a thing more if we cut off his grog. he is getting mighty ugly." "maybe he wants to sell out to those rovers," suggested shelley. "he wouldn't dare to do that--i know too much about him," answered sid merrick. "no, it's because he wants too big a share of the treasure." "do you suppose the fellows on the steam yacht have landed here yet?" asked tad, as he prepared to go on. "i don't know. they are laying to outside of the reef. i reckon they don't know anything of the landing on the other side of the island," answered his uncle. "come on, we haven't any time to waste if we want to head them off. i didn't dream they'd get here so quickly." "i guess that fellow wingate was no good," came from cuffer. "he didn't delay the steam yacht in the least." "maybe he got caught at his funny work," suggested shelley, hitting the nail directly on the head, as the reader already knows. casting the light of the acetylene gas lamp ahead of them, the party from the _josephine_ moved on, directly past the spot where the rovers were in hiding. the boys hardly dared to breathe for fear of discovery. they stood stock still until the others were all but out of sight. "this is interesting," murmured tom. "they must have landed on the other side of the island." "yes, and merrick hired that walt wingate to play us foul!" cried sam. "what shall we do next, dick?" he continued anxiously. "they act as if they expect to get that treasure to night!" "i don't know what to do exactly," answered dick. "but one thing is certain--we must follow them up and prevent their getting hold of that treasure if we possibly can!" chapter xxi scaring off the enemy it was easy enough for dick to say they must follow up their enemies and prevent sid merrick and his party from gaining possession of the treasure, but how all this was to be accomplished was another matter. in the first place, the other party numbered four as against their three. more than this, those from the _josephine_ were heavily armed, while the rovers had brought with them nothing but a single pistol. "it's well enough to talk," whispered sam, after sid merrick and his crowd had passed on, "but if we tackle them in the open the chances are we'll get the worst of it." "we may get a chance at them in some other way," answered dick. "we have this advantage, we know where they are and they don't know we are on the isle." with cautious steps they stole after the merrick party, keeping them in sight by the waving rays of the lamp and lantern ahead, as they danced over the rocks and among the trees and bushes. they kept about a hundred feet to the rear. "i've got a plan," said tom, as the party ahead came to a halt to make sure of the trail. "can't we cut in somewhere and get ahead of them and then scare them back?" "let's try it!" exclaimed sam. "i am sure if we play ghosts, or something like that, we'll scare tad sobber out of his wits." "it's a risky thing to do," mused the eldest rover. "we might get caught at it." nevertheless, he was rather in favor of the plan, and when the merrick party stopped again, for cuffer to take a stone out of his shoe, they "cut into" the woods and pushed forward with all speed. it was hard work, but they were in deadly earnest, and did not let the vines and brushwood deter them. "now, the question is, how are we to scare them?" said dick, after they had regained the trail, well in advance of sid merrick and his followers. "let us play ghosts?" said sam. "we might black up and play niggers on the warpath, with big clubs," suggested tom. "and get shot down," interrupted dick. "no, i think the ghosts idea is as good as anything. quick, take off your coats and tie your handkerchiefs over your faces." the boys had on light colored outing shirts, and these, with the handkerchiefs over their faces, made them look quite ghostlike in the gloom under the trees. "now, when the time comes groan," said tom "ghosts always groan, you know." "and let us order them back," added sam. "but be sure to do it in very ghostlike tones," warned dick. "if our voices sound a bit natural they'll get suspicious at once. if they come for us, or shoot at us, drop behind the rocks and run into the woods." it must be confessed that the boys were doubtful of the success of their ruse. yet they felt they must do something to hold the treasure seeking party in check, at least until morning. with the coming of daylight they could signal to the _rainbow_ and with the aid of those on the steam yacht probably rout the enemy. the rover boys advanced along the trail until they reached a spot they deemed favorable for their purpose. then dick gave his brothers a few more directions. presently they saw the rays of the gas lamp and the lantern in the distance. at once tom set up a deep groaning and sam and dick joined in. "what's that?" asked shelley, who was the first to hear the sounds. "sounds like somebody in distress," answered sid merrick. "thought you said there was nobody on this island?" came from cuffer. "didn't think there was. maybe it's some native who--" "look! look!" screamed tad sobber and pointed ahead with his hand. "what's that?" "what's what?" asked the men in concert. "there--that thing bobbing up and down over the rocks?" and tad sobber trembled as he spoke. this lonely walk through the darkness of the forest had somewhat unnerved him. "that's strange," muttered merrick. "it's groaning!" "it's a ghost!" screamed tad, and shrank back, as did cuffer and shelley. "a ghost?" repeated sid merrick. "nonsense! there are no such things as ghosts." "it cer-certainly looks like a-a ghost!" faltered cuffer. "it is a ghost!" said tad, his teeth beginning to chatter. "i-i ca-can hear it gro-groan! come on ba-ba-back!" and he began to retreat. "back with you!" came in solemn tones. "back with you!" "no white man must come here," said a second voice. "this is sacred ground!" "he who sets foot here dies!" came from a third voice. "this is the burial place of the great hupa hupa! back, if you value your life!" and then followed a jabbering nobody could understand, and white arms were waved wildly in the air. this warning was too much for tad sobber, and without further ado he took to his heels and retreated down the trail whence he had come. cuffer followed him, and shelley also retreated several yards. "stop, you fools!" cried sid merrick. "those are no ghosts, i tell you. it's a trick of some kind." "i--i don't know about that," answered shelley. "don't you think it would be better to come here in the daylight? we--er--we can't find that cave in the dark anyway." "yes, we can--and i am going to do it, too," was merrick's answer. "that is a trick, i tell you." he raised his voice: "who are you?" he called out. "answer me truthfully, or i'll fire on you!" this threat alarmed the rover boys, for they saw that merrick was in earnest. "i guess our cake is dough," muttered tom. "wait, i think i can scare him back yet," said dick. "let me do the talking." "i say, who are you?" repeated merrick. "you needn't pretend to be ghosts, for i don't believe in them." "we are the owners of this isle," answered dick, in the heaviest tone he could assume. "we are ten strong, and we order you to go back to your ship at once." "the owners of this isle?" "yes." "i don't believe it." "you can do as you please about that. but if you come a yard further we'll fire at you." "humph! then you are armed?" "we are and we know how to shoot, too." "what brought you here at such a time as this?" "we have a special reason for being here, as you may learn by to morrow." "do you know anything of a treasure on this island?" went on sid merrick curiously. "we know something of it, yes. it belongs to the stanhope estate, provided it can be found." "it doesn't belong to the stanhopes at all--it belongs to me," cried merrick. "in a day or two the stanhopes are coming here to take possession," went on dick. "they will bring with them a number of their friends and uncover the treasure, which is now hidden in a secret place. as i and my brothers and cousins own this isle we are to have our share of what is uncovered. now we warn you again to go away. we are ten to your four, and we are all armed with shotguns and pistols, and we have the drop on you." "good for you, dick, pile it on," whispered tom. then he pulled sam by the arm. "come on, let us appear from behind another rock--they'll think we are two more of the brothers or cousins!" "you won't dare to shoot us," blustered merrick, but his voice had a trace of uncertainty in it. "won't we?" answered dick. "there is a warning for you!" and raising the pistol he carried he sent a shot over the heads of the other party. "they are shooting at us! we'll all be killed!" yelled tad sobber, who had come back during the conversation, and again he and cuffer took to their heels. "mind the warning!" called out dick, and dropped almost out of sight behind a rock. at that same moment tom and sam appeared from behind a rock far to the left. "mind that warning!" they cried. "remember, we are ten to four!" "there are two more of 'em," cried shelley. "confound the luck, what sort of a game is this anyway?" said sid merrick, much chagrined. "well, it is more than we expected," answered shelley. "i, for one, don't care to risk being shot down. i reckon they have the bulge on us, if there really are ten of 'em." "i've seen but five the three ahead and the two over yonder." "there are two more!" answered shelley and pointed to another rock, to which sam and tom had just crawled. "that makes seven." "go back, i tell you," warned dick. "we'll give you just two minutes in which to make up your mind. if you don't go back we'll start to shoot!" "come on back!" cried tad, from a safe distance. "don't let them shoot you, uncle sid!" "we'll go back to our ship," called out sid merrick. "but remember, this thing isn't settled yet." "if you have any differences with the stanbopes you can settle with the folks on the steam yacht which has just arrived," answered dick, not knowing what else to say. the party under sid merrick began to retreat, and dick, tom and sam watched them with interest, until the lights faded in the distance. then tom did a jig in his delight. "that was easier than i expected," he said. "even if we didn't scare them playing ghost," added sam. "i wonder if they really thought we were ten in number?" "well, they thought we were seven anyway!" answered dick. "it was a clever ruse you two played." what to do next the rover boys did not know. it was impossible for any of them to calculate how far they were from the spot where they had landed or to determine the best way of getting back to foreshow bay, as they had named the locality. "if we move around very much in this darkness we may become hopelessly lost in the forest," said dick. "maybe we had better stay right where we are until morning," suggested his youngest brother. "i'm agreeable to anything," were tom's words. "if we stay here we want to remain on guard," said dick. "merrick may take it into his head to come back." an hour later found the three rover boys encamped in a small opening to one side of the forest trail. they made beds for themselves of some soft brushwood, and it was decided that one should remain on guard while the other two slept. "each can take three hours of guard duty," said dick. "that will see us through the night nicely," and so it was arranged. chapter xxii prisoners in the forest dick was the first to go on guard and during the initial hour of his vigil practically nothing came to disturb him. he heard the occasional cry of the nightbirds and the booming of the surf on the reefs and the shore of the isle, and saw numerous fireflies flit to and fro, and that was all. "i don't believe they'll come back," he murmured to himself. "like as not they are afraid to advance on the trail and also afraid to trust themselves to this jungle in the darkness." dick had found some wild fruit growing close at hand and he began to sample this. but it was bitter, and he feared to eat much, thinking it might make him sick. then, to keep awake, for he felt sleepy because of his long tramp, he took out his knife and began to cut his initials on a stately palm growing beside the temporary camp. dick had just finished one letter and was starting the next when of a sudden he found himself caught from behind. his arms were pinned to his side, his pistol wrenched from his grasp, and a hand that was not overly clean was clapped over his mouth. "not a sound, rover, if you know when you are well off!" said a voice into his ear. despite this warning the lad would have yelled to his brothers, but he found this impossible. he had been attacked by merrick and shelley, and cuffer stood nearby, ready with a stick, to crack him over the head should he show fight. the attack had come in the dark, the gas lamp and the lantern, having been extinguished when the party from the _josephine_ drew close. merrick had prepared himself for his nefarious work, and in a twinkling he had dick's hands bound behind him and had a gag placed in the youth's mouth. then he had the lad bound fast to a nearby tree. in the meantime tom and sam were sleeping soundly. the two brothers lay each with a hand close to the other, and with caution merrick and his party tied the two hands together. then they tied the lads' feet, so that they could not run. "what's the meaning of this?" cried tom, struggling to rise, as did sam. "it means you are prisoners!" cried tad sobber, who had had small part in the operations, but who was ready to do all the "crowing" possible. "prisoners!" gasped sam. "where is dick?" he added. "also a prisoner," said tad, with a chuckle. "you thought you had fooled us nicely, but i guess we have turned the tables on you." "i suspected you rovers," said sid merrick. "really!" answered tom, sarcastically. "you acted it!" "see here, don't you get funny, young man. please remember you are in our power." "and we'll do some shooting, if we have to," added tad, bombastically. "tad, i guess i can do the talking for this crowd," said his uncle. "you were afraid of the ghosts, tad," said sam. "you must have run about a mile!" and the youngest rover grinned in spite of the predicament he was in. "you shut up i." roared tad sobber, and exhibited some of the brutality that had made him so hated at putnam hall by raising his foot and kicking sam in the side. "stop!" cried the youngest rover, in pain. "what a brute you are!" "leave my brother alone!" came from tom. "a fine coward you are, to kick him when he is a prisoner! you wouldn't dare to try it if he was free." "i wouldn't, eh? i want you to understand i'm not afraid of anybody," blustered tad. "i am--" "tad, be quiet," cried his uncle. "i am fully capable of managing this affair. don't kick him again." "yes, but look here, uncle sid, they--" "i will take care of things," cried sid merrick, and so sharply that his nephew at once subsided. but on the sly he shook his fist at both tom and sam. "maybe we had better make sure that nobody else is around," suggested shelley, who had been merrick's best aide in the capture. "all right, look around if you want to," was merrick's reply. "i am pretty certain these boys are alone here--although more persons from the steam yacht may be ashore." they looked around, but, of course, found nobody else. then dick, tom and sam were tied in a row to three trees which were handy. merrick took possession of their single weapon. "i don't want you to hurt yourselves with it," he said, grimly. "merrick, this is a high handed proceeding," said dick, when the gag was removed from his mouth. "no more so than was your statement of owning the isle," was the answer. "what are you going to do with us?" "nothing." "i must say i don't understand you." "what should i do with you? i don't enjoy your company. i am here solely to get that treasure, as you must know. i am going after that and leave you where you are." "bound to these trees?" "certainly." "supposing we can't get loose?" remonstrated tom. "we may starve to death!" "that will be your lookout. but i reckon you'll get loose sooner or later, although we've bound you pretty tight." "can i have a drink before you go?" asked sam, who was dry. "don't give 'em a drop, uncle sid!" cried tad. "they don't deserve it." "oh, they can have a drink," said sid merrick. "i'd give a drink even to a dog," he added, and passed around some water the boys had in a bottle. less than fifteen minutes later the three rover boys found themselves alone in the forest. the merrick party had lit their acetylene gas lamp and the lantern and struck out once more along the trail which they supposed would take them to the treasure cave. the boys heard them for a short distance, and then all became dark and silent around them. "well, now we are in a pickle and no mistake," remarked sam, with a long sigh. "that ghost business proved a boomerang," was tom's comment. "it's a pity we didn't dig out for the shore, signal to the steam yacht, and tell father and the others about what was going on." "there is no use crying over spilt milk," said dick. "the first thing to do is to get free." "yes, and that's real easy," sniffed tom. "i am bound up like a bale of hay to be shipped to the south pole!" "and the cord on my wrists is cutting right into the flesh," said sam. "if we were the heroes of a dime novel we'd shoo these ropes away in a jiffy," went on tom, with a grin his brothers could not see. "but being plain, everyday american boys i'm afraid we'll have to stay tied up until somebody comes to cut us loose." "oh, for a faithful dog!" sighed sam. "i saw a moving picture once in which a dog came and untied a girl who was fastened to a tree. i'd give as much as five dollars for that dog right now." "make it six and a half, sam, and i'll go half," answered tom. "well, this is no joke," declared dick, almost severely. "we must get free somehow--or they'll get that treasure and be off with it before father and the others have a chance to land. we've got to do something." they all agreed they "had to do something," but what that something was to be was not clear. they worked over their bonds until their wrists were cut and bleeding and then gave the task up. it was so dark they could see each other but dimly, and the darkness and quietness made them anything but lighthearted. "supposing some wild beast comes to chew us up," said sam, presently, after a silence that was positively painful. "we know there are no big beasts on these islands," answered dick. "don't worry yourself unnecessarily, sam. we've got troubles enough as it is." "the only beasts here are human beasts," said tom, "and their names are merrick, sobber, cuffer and shelley," and he said this so dryly his brothers had to laugh. slowly the night wore away, each hour dragging more than that which preceded it. two or three times the boys tried again to liberate themselves, but fared no better than before, indeed, dick fared worse, for he came close to spraining his left wrist. the pain for a while was intense and it was all he could do to keep from crying out. "i'd like to know what time it is," said sam, when the first streak of dawn began to show among the trees. "and i'd like to know if merrick has found the treasure cave," added dick. "it will soon be morning," came from tom, and he was right. the rising sun did not penetrate to where they stood, but it tipped the tops of the trees with gold and made it light enough for them to see each other quite plainly. the boys were glad that day had come at last, for being prisoners in the light was not half as bad as in the dark. each looked at the others rather curiously. "well, we are still here," said tom laconically. "yes, and liable to stay here," added sam. "i wonder if father is getting ready to land," said dick. "i suppose if he does he will come ashore where we did." "yes, but that is a good distance from here," was sam's comment. "wonder if it would do us any good to yell?" said tom. "and bring merrick and his gang down on us," said his younger brother. "no, thank you." "i don't believe they are around," said dick. "i am going to try my lungs." and he began to yell with all the power of his vocal organs. then tom and sam joined in, and they kept this up, off and on, for fully an hour. "i am not only dry but hungry," said tom. "wish i had that lunch we brought along." "tad sobber sneaked that away," said dick. "if ever there was a fellow with a heart of stone he's the chap. why, dan baxter in his worst days wasn't as bad as this young rascal." another hour went by and then dick uttered an exclamation: "listen!" "what did you hear?" asked his brothers. "i thought i heard somebody calling!" they strained their ears and from a great distance heard a cry, but what it was they could not make out. "let's call back," said dick. "it may do us harm," interposed sam. "we'll take the chance," said tom, and started a loud cry, in which all joined. they waited patiently for an answer to come back. but for several minutes there was absolute silence. then, to their surprise, a pistol shot sounded out. "hullo!" ejaculated dick. "something is up, i wonder what it is?" chapter xxiii what wingate had to tell after the departure of the rover boys from the steam yacht mr. rover and captain barforth held a consultation, and it was decided that the search for the treasure cave should begin in earnest at daybreak. "i do not think the boys will locate the cave in the coming darkness," said anderson rover. "but still it will do no harm to let them have a try at it." "mr. rover, do you suppose those on board the _josephine_ have landed yet?" asked fred, who was present. "there is no telling for certain, fred. but i should say not, since their steamer is nowhere in sight." "i hope they do not come for some days," said mrs. stanhope. "for if they do, and you meet, i feel sure there will be serious trouble." after that anderson rover had a long talk with bahama bill, and the old tar said he thought he could locate the cave without much trouble. " ' course, the isle has changed since i was here last," said he. "must have had a hurricane or something like that, to wash the beach and rake down some o' the trees. but i think i can find it as soon as i locate the trail leadin' that way. you know trails are great things. why, when i was sailing on the _jessie d._, from the south sea islands, we landed on a place where there was a trail running to a volcano. we took to it, and the first thing we know we went down into that ere volcano about a thousand feet. it made my hair stand on end, i can tell ye! four o' us went down, an' the others had to git ropes an' haul us up ag'in, an' it took half a day to do it." "vos you hurted much?" asked hans. "not a scratch, my hearty, only it broke my pipe, one my brother gave me afore i sailed, an' one i wouldn't have taken a month's pay for," concluded bahama bill. an hour later songbird, who was on the deck of the steam yacht, composing poetry in the darkness of the night, saw the old tar coming toward him. bahama bill was groaning deeply. "what's the matter?" asked the would be post. "oh, i'm a burnin' up on my inside!" answered the old tar, and gave a deep groan. "i want a doctor, i do!" seeing bahama bill was really sick, songbird went to his assistance and called mr. rover. then captain barforth was consulted and he gave the man some medicine. "it's queer i took sick so quick," said bahama bill, an hour later, when he felt better. "what did you eat and drink?" asked anderson rover. "i ate a tongue sandwich--one o' them was handed around awhile ago. i put it in my bunk room when i got it and ate it on going to bed. it made me sick the minit i downed it." "i ate one of those sandwiches and it didn't hurt me," said fred. "yah, and i vos eat two of dem," put in hans. "da vos goot, doo!" and he smacked his lips. "perhaps you ate something earlier in the day that didn't agree with you," said captain barforth; and there the talk ended, and bahama bill retired once more. less than an hour later came a commotion on the steam yacht. two men were evidently fighting and the voice of bahama bill was heard. "i've caught ye!" he bellowed. "no, ye ain't goin' to git away nuther!" and then came a crash as some article of furniture was tipped over. a rush was made by mr. rover, the boys and several others, and to the astonishment of all bahama bill was discovered on the deck locked arm in arm with walt wingate, who was doing his best to break away. "wingate, you rascal!" shouted anderson rover, and caught the deck hand by the collar. "let me go!" yelled the fellow, and struggled to free himself. he held a pistol in one hand and this went off, but the bullet merely cut the air. then the weapon was taken from him. "so you are still on board, eh?" roared captain barforth, when he confronted the man. "what have you to say for yourself?" "i--er--i haven't done anything wrong," was wingate's stubborn reply. "oh, no, of course not!" "he came at me in my sleep," cried bahama bill. "he had something in a little white paper and he was trying to put it into my mouth when i woke up an' caught him. i think he was going to poison me!" and he leaped forward and caught the prisoner by the throat. "le--let up!" gasped the deck hand. "it--it's all a mis-- mistake! i wasn't going to poi--poison anybody." "maybe he vos poison does sandwiches, doo," suggested hans. "i mean dose dot made bahama pill sick." "like as not he did," growled the old tar. "he's a bad one, he is!" and he shook the deck hand as a dog shakes a rat. "he is surely in league with sid merrick," said anderson rover. he faced wait wingate sternly. "do you dare deny it?" at first wingate did deny it, but when threatened with severe punishment unless he told the whole truth, he confessed. "i used to know sid merrick years ago," he said. "he used me for a tool, he did. when we met at nassau he told me what he wanted done and i agreed to do it, for some money he gave me and for more that he promised me." "and what did you agree to do?" asked anderson rover. "i agreed to get a job as a deck hand if i could and then, on the sly, cripple the yacht so she couldn't reach treasure isle as quick as the _josephine_--the steamer merrick is on. then i also promised to make bahama bill sick if possible, so he couldn't go ashore and show you where the cave was. i wasn't going to poison him. the stuff i used was given to me by merrick, who bought it at a drug store in nausau. he said it would make bahama bill sleepy dopy, he called it." "did he tell you what the stuff was?" "no." "then it may be poison after all," said captain barforth. "you took a big risk in using it, not to say anything about the villainy of using anything." "oh, jest let me git at him, cap'n!" came from bahama bill, who was being held back by fred and songbird. "i'll show him wot i think o' sech a measly scoundrel!" and he shook his brawny fist at the prisoner. "i'm sorry now i had anything to do with merrick," went on walt wingate. "he always did lead me around by the nose." "well, he has led many others that way," answered anderson rover, remembering the freight robbers. "i am willing to do anything i can to make matters right," went on wingate. " ' course you are, now you're caught," sneered bahama bill. "can you tell us if the _josephine_ was coming to this spot?" asked captain barforth. "is this the south side of the isle?" "yes." "well, captain sackwell said he knew of a landing place on the north side of treasure isle, and he was bound for that spot." "the north side!" cried anderson rover. he looked at captain barforth. "can they have tricked us?" he asked. "i never heard o' any landing on that side," said bahama bill. "but then i never visited the place but onct, as i told ye afore." "did the spaniard doranez know of the landing on the north side?" questioned songbird. "so he told merrick," answered wingate. "he said he was the one to speak of the isle first, for he had visited it half a dozen times during his voyages among the west indies." "then they may be on the north side of the island now!" cried fred. after that walt wingate was questioned closely and he told all he knew about merrick and his plans. he was very humble, and insisted upon it that he had meant to do no more than put bahama bill into a sound sleep. "well, you are a dangerous character," said captain barforth. "for the present i am going to keep you a prisoner," and a few minutes later he had wingate handcuffed and placed under lock and key in a small storeroom. the deck hand did not like this, but he was thankful to escape a worse fate. anxious to know if the _josephine_ was anywhere in the vicinity of the isle, some of those on board the _rainbow_ ascended one of the masts and attempted to look across the land. but a hill shut off the view. "we'll have to wait until morning," said mr. rover, and was about to go down to the deck when something attracted his attention. it was a strange shaft of light shooting up from along the trees in the center of treasure isle. "a searchlight!" he cried. "somebody is on shore, and it must be merrick with his crowd." and this surmise was correct, as we already know. chapter xxiv a missing landmark the searchlight was watched with interest for fully quarter of an hour. it was, of course, visible only now and then, but from the shafts of light seen, those on the steam yacht were certain somebody was moving from the north side of the isle to the location of the treasure cave. "we ought to head them off, if possible," declared anderson rover. "should that be merrick's crowd and they meet my sons there will surely be trouble!" "let us go ashore without delay!" said songbird, who was sorry he had not accompanied the rover boys. "that's what i say!" added fred. "we can take plenty of lights." "i vos not von pit sleepy," declared hans. "i go kvick, of you said so, mr. rofer." "if yo' go, don't forgit aleck!" pleaded the colored man. "you shall go, aleck," answered mr. rover, who knew he could depend upon the colored man in any emergency. "i hope you find dick, and tom and sam," said dora. "it was foolish for them to go off alone." "and don't let merrick hurt anybody," pleaded nellie. it was quickly decided that the party to go ashore should be composed of mr. rover, bahama bill, aleck, and the three boys. nearly everybody went armed, and the party carried with them a small electric searchlight, run by a "pocket" battery, and two oil lanterns. they also took with them some provisions, and a pick, a shovel and a crowbar, for bahama bill said there might be some digging to do to get at the treasure. had it not been for the small searchlight it would have been next to impossible to find the opening through the reef during the night. but the light was all that was needed, and they came through with little more than a shower of spray touching them. bahama bill and mr. rover rowed the boat and soon brought the craft to a point where they disembarked without difficulty. "the boys did not land here," said anderson rover, after a look along the sandy shore for footprints. "but they must have come in somewhere around here." "let's call for them," suggested songbird, and this was done, but no reply came back. "they have started on the hunt for the cave, just as i supposed they would," said mr. rover. "den let us git aftah dem directly," said aleck. "i feels like i could tramp all night widout half tryin'!" tying up the rowboat, and shouldering their tools and provisions, they set off along the shore of horseshoe bay, just as the three rover boys had done. bahama bill led the way, with mr. rover beside him, carrying the electric light, which gave out fully as much light as did the acetylene gas lamp carried by merrick. "here are some footprints!" cried mr. rover, after a short distance had been covered. "dem was made by our boys!" cried aleck, after a minute examination. "i know dem shoes, fo' i has shined 'em many de time!" "if they walked in that direction they took the wrong course," was bahama bill's comment. "like as not they got turned around among the trees an' in the dark." "we must locate the party with that strong light we saw from the yacht," said mr. rover. "perhaps in doing that we'll come up to my sons." once on shore, the old tar said he remembered the locality well, and he did not hesitate in pushing forward, across the path taken by the three rover boys, and then to a trail which the rovers had missed. they had to climb a small hill, and here it was that bahama bill showed the first signs of perplexity. "queer!" he muttered, coming to a halt and gazing around. "mighty queer!" "what is queer?" questioned anderson rover. "this looks changed to me. when i was here afore there was a rock yonder, an' the crowd placed a mark on it fer a guide as i told ye. ain't no rock there now!" and he scratched his head as if he was afraid he was not seeing aright. "when you were here was a good many years ago," said songbird. "the rock may have tumbled down the hill. let us look around." this advice was followed, and after a long hunt a rock was found in a hollow. it had a peculiar mark cut upon it. "that's it!" cried bahama bill, in delight. "i knew it must be around here somewhere--but what made that big rock tumble down?" "maybe somepody pushed him ofer," said hans. "four men couldn't budge that rock," declared fred. "i believe an earthquake must have done it," came from anderson rover, and suddenly his face grew grave. "i trust no earthquake has disturbed the treasure cave," he added. they pushed on, but scarcely had they covered a quarter of a mile when bahama bill called another halt. and well he might, for the trail they had been following came to an abrupt end in front of a pit several rods in diameter and twenty to thirty feet deep. the bottom of the pit was choked up with rocks, dead trees and brushwood. "what now?" asked mr. rover, and his tone betrayed his uneasiness. "this wasn't here afore," said the old tar, briefly. he was so "stumped" he could scarcely speak. "you are sure?" "dead certain." "then this isle has undoubtedly been visited by an earthquake within the last few years." "thet's it, mr. rover." "maybe the trail can be picked up on the other side of the hole," came from fred. "let us walk around." he and some of the others started to do so, but soon came to a place where walking became uncertain and dangerous. song bird went into one hole up to his waist and poor hans disappeared entirely. "hellup! hellup!" roared the german boy. "bull me owid, somepody!" aleck was close at hand, and reaching down into the hole he got hold of hans' hand. it was a hard pull, but presently anderson rover took hold, too, and between him and the colored man they got the german youth to the surface. hans' face and clothing were covered with dust and dirt and he was scratched in several places, "i dink i was goin' t'rough to chiny!" he said. "you pet my life i vos careful after dis vere i valk, yah!" "the earthquake seems to have left this part of the isle full of pits and holes," said mr. rover. "i hope my boys have managed to steer clear of the dangerous places." they soon found they had to turn back, and now bahama bill frankly declared that he was "all at sea," as he put it. "every landmark i knew has been swept away," he said. "all i can say is, the cave is in that direction," and he pointed with his hand. "but it may be buried out o' sight now," he added, dismally. there was nothing to do but to retrace their steps, and this they did as far as they were able. they had covered about half the distance when they saw a shaft of light shoot around the treetops near them. "there is that strange light!" cried songbird. "let us find out what it is!" added fred. they tried to follow the light and in doing this became hopelessly lost in the jungle. then one of the boys struck one of the oil lanterns on a rock and smashed it, thus doing away with that much of the illumination they carried. "we must be careful," said anderson rover. "we are making no progress so far as the treasure is concerned. we had better try to find our way back to the shore, and try to find my sons." and this was agreed to by all. but it was no easy matter to get back to the shore, and an hour later found them in a tangle of undergrowth. aleck was ahead, accompanied by fred and songbird. "hark! i heah something!" cried the colored man, presently. "somebody is calling!" cried songbird. "maybe it's dick and the others!" added fred. they called in return and then they fired off a pistol. there was a brief silence and then came the call once more. "come on, dis way!" yelled aleck, and plunged through the underbrush with the boys following. he continued to call and at last made out the voices of dick, tom and sam quite plainly. "i'se found de boys!" cried the colored man in delight. "i'se found de boys!" and he plunged on again until he gained the clearing where the three lads were tied to the trees. with his pocketknife he cut their bonds. "good for you, aleck!" cried dick. "i am more than glad to see you!" "and so am i," added sam and tom in a breath. then the others came up, and the rover boys had to tell their story, to which the members of the second party listened with the keenest of interest. chapter xxv the trail through the jungle "sid merrick is certainly in deadly earnest," was mr. rover's comment, after the boys had finished their tale. "he means to get hold of that treasure by hook or by crook, and he will stop at nothing to gain his end." "we want to go after him and his gang," said dick. "we ought not to lose a minute doing it." "can you walk, dick?" "i guess so, although being tied up made me rather stiff." "i see your wrist is bleeding." "yes, and i tried pretty hard to free myself." "and i tried, too," added sam. "but i couldn't budge a single knot." "we could not unknot the knots," added tom, who was bound to have his joke. it was now morning, for which all were thankful. the lights were put out, and the whole party partook of some of the provisions on hand. "i believe merrick would have left us to starve," said sam. "he is the greatest rascal i ever knew!" the rover boys pointed out the direction sid merrick and his party had taken. bahama bill said that trail was new to him, and if it led to the treasure cave he did not know it. "but i'll know the cave as soon as i see it--if it is still there," he added. "well, you won't see it if it isn't there," said dick, grimly. "that earthquake may have changed the whole face of that portion of the isle." the trail appeared to make a wide sweep to the westward, and led them over ground that was unusually rough. the trailing vines were everywhere and they had to brush away innumerable spider webs as they progressed. once songbird came upon some spiders larger than any he had yet seen and two crawled on his shoulder, causing him to yell in fright. "what's the matter?" asked dick. "spiders! two were just going to bite me, but i got rid of 'em!" "don't be afraid, songbird," came from tom. "why don't you study them and write a poem about them?" "a poem about spiders! ugh!" and songbird's face showed his disgust. "der spider vos a pusy little animal," observed hans. "he sphins his veb und attends strictly to business. i dink i make up some boetry apout him," and the german boy began: "der vos von lettle sphider vot lifed owid in der voot, he made himself a leetle veb und said dot it vos goot." "hurrah, for hans!" cried tom. "he's the true poet of spiderdom!" and then he added: "hans, we'll crown you poet laureate if you say so." "i ton't von no crown," answered hans, complacently. "i chust so vell vear mine cap alretty." as the party progressed the way become more uncertain, and at last they reached the edge of a swamp, beyond which was some kind of a canebrake. they saw numerous footprints in the soft soil, and these led further still to the westward. "listen!" said dick, presently, and held up his hand. all did as requested and from a distance heard somebody calling to somebody else. then came a reply in sid merrick's voice. "merrick is talking to shelley," said dick. "they have lost the right trail, too." "hang the luck!" they heard shelley say. "no path at all?" "none," answered sid merrick. "there is no path here either--it's a regular jungle," came from cuffer, who was not far off. "i'm all stuck up with the thorns," put in tad sobber. "i think we were foolish to come to such a spot as this." "you can go back if you want to," answered his uncle, who was evidently out of patience. "nobody is keeping you." "i am not going back alone--i couldn't find the way," answered tad. "then don't growl." "i reckon we'll all have to go back and wait till that spaniard can show us the way," said shelley. "that's well enough to say, shelley. but supposing those rovers come here in the meantime?" "those boys?" "yes, and their father, and the others on that steam yacht," went on sid merrick earnestly. "they can't find the cave any quicker than we can--if wingate did as he promised." "but if he didn't? he's a good deal of a coward and perhaps he didn't have the nerve to dose bahama bill." more talk followed, but as the men were now moving in another direction the rovers and their companions made out little more of the conversation. "what shall we do, confront them?" asked sam of his parent. "not if they are going back to their ship," answered mr. rover. "we can watch them and see what they do." at the end of half an hour they saw that the merrick party had started for the north side of the isle. they waited in silence until all were well out of hearing. "i am glad we are rid of them--at least for the time being," said anderson rover. "now we can continue the treasure hunt in peace." "but dem fellers will be suah to come back," interposed aleck. "i know that, aleck, but they won't come back right away. evidently they are returning to their vessel to get that spaniard, doranez." "i'd like to have punched merrick's head for tying me up," growled tom. "it will be punishment enough for him if we get the treasure," answered mr. rover. "if we do." "you are not ready to give up yet, are you, tom?" "oh, no. but finding that treasure isn't going to be as easy as i thought." "we ought to be able to find some trace of the cave pretty soon--the isle is so small. if the isle was large it would be a different matter." they decided to advance, some of the party skirting the swamp in one direction and some in another. it was difficult work and they did not wonder that merrick and his party had given up in disgust. occasionally they had to wade in water up to their ankles and then climb through brushwood that was all but impassible. they tore their clothing more than once, and scratches were numerous. the sun had been shining brightly, but now, as if to add to their misery, it went under some heavy clouds, casting a deep gloom over the jungle. "we are goin' to have a storm," said bahama bill. "an' when it comes i reckon it will be a lively one. i remember onct, when i was on the island o' cuby, we got a hurricane that come putty nigh to sweepin' everything off the place. it took one tree up jest whar i was standin' an' carried it 'bout half a mile out into the ocean. thet tree struck the foremast o' a brig at anchor an' cut it off clean as a whistle. some o' the sailors thought the end o' the world was comin'." "they certainly do have some heavy hurricanes down here," remarked anderson rover. "but let us hope we'll escape all such, even though we get a wetting," he added, as he felt a few drops of rain. soon it was raining steadily, and when they reached a spot clear of trees they got soaked to the skin. but as it was very warm they did not mind this. "it's like taking a bath without troubling about undressing," said tom, and this remark caused a smile. they were now in a bunch once more, with bahama bill leading them. the old tar was looking sharply ahead and soon he gave a grunt of satisfaction. "what is it?" asked anderson rover eagerly. "i know where i am now," was the reply. "and unless that earthquake knocked it skyhigh thet cave ought to be right ahead o' us!" chapter xxvi a dismaying discovery the announcement that the treasure cave must be just ahead of them filled the entire party with renewed energy, and regardless of the rain, which was now coming down heavily, they pushed on behind bahama bill in a close bunch, each eager to be the first to behold the sought for spot. there was no longer any trail, and they had to pick their way over rough rocks and through brushwood and vines which were thick regardless of the fact that they had little or no rooting places. "i guess we've got to earn that treasure if we get it," said sam, as he paused to get his breath. "it certainly looks that way," answered dick, as he wiped the rain and perspiration from his face. "i wonder how much further we have to go?" that question was answered almost immediately, for bahama bill, turning the corner of several extra large rocks, came to a halt with a grunt of dissatisfaction. "well, what now?" questioned anderson rover. "it's gone!" "what, the cave?" asked several. "yes--she's gone, swallowed up, busted!" answered the old tar. "thet air earthquake done it an' no error," he went on. "it jest shook thet pile o' rock wot made the cave into a heap, and there's the heap." bahama bill pointed in front of him, where a large quantity of rocks lay in a scattered mass, many of them ten and twenty tons in weight. at one point was what he said had been the entrance to the cave, but this was completely blocked by the stones. "vot's der madder, can't ve get in?" queried hans, with a look of real concern on his honest face. "that doesn't look like it," answered fred. "too bad, and after coming so far for this treasure, too!" "we must get in there somehow!" cried dick. "why can't we blow up the rocks with dynamite," suggested tom. "we can--but it will take time," said his father. he turned to bahama bill. "about how far into the cave was the treasure placed?" "oh, at least a hundred feet maybe two hundred." anderson rover heaved a deep sigh, which was echoed by his sons. to get down into that mass of rocks a distance of from one to two hundred feet would surely be a herculean task, if not an impossible one. and then, too, there was a question whether or not the treasure had not dropped down through some hole in the bottom of the cave after the earthquake. "i'll have to think this over," said anderson rover, after an examination of the rocks. "we'll have to try to locate the treasure and then see if we can raise enough dynamite to blow the rocks away. more than likely, if we undertake the task, it will take a long time--perhaps weeks and months." "what, as long as that?" cried sam, in dismay. "well, if the treasure is as valuable as reported it will be worth it," answered dick. "but in the meantime, what of sid merrick and his gang?" asked tom. "more than likely they will make us seven kinds of trouble and do their best to get the treasure away from us." "we shall have to protect ourselves as well at we can," said mr. rover. after that it rained so hard they were forced to seek shelter under a thick bunch of palms. the rain continued for half an hour longer and then the sun came out strongly, and the jungle became steaming hot. with bahama bill to guide them, they walked around what had been the top of the treasure cave. from some landmarks which had not been totally destroyed by the earthquake the old tar felt certain that there could be no mistake and that the treasure must be buried beneath them. "but how far down you'll have to go to reach it i can't tell," he added. "it's like them ile well diggers--sometimes they strike ile near the top o' the ground, an' then ag'in they have to bore putty deep down. it's my hope ye won't have to roll away more'n two or three rocks to git into the hole an' put your hands on the boxes with the gold and jewels." "if we only had to roll away two or three rocks i'd be for doing the rolling right now!" cried tom. "i'd like to see you roll a rock weighing ten or fifteen tons," observed songbird. "you'd want about twenty horses to even start it." now that the first disappointment was over, the rovers began to consider getting down into the cave from a purely practical point. they looked over all the big rocks with care, making a note of such as ought to be blasted away and of others that could be removed with the aid of a rope and pulleys. "let us see if we cannot gain the shore of the bay in a straight line from here," said mr. rover, after the examination of the ground had come to an end. "if we can it will make it so much easier to go back and forth from the steam yacht." they had a compass with them, and leaving the vicinity of the shattered cave, struck out in a direct line for horseshoe bay. much to their surprise they found an easy path, and came out on the sandy beach almost before they knew it. "well, i never!" cried dick. "if we had known of this before, what a lot of trouble we might have saved ourselves." "well, we know it now," answered tom. "and as we marked the path it will be an easy matter in the future to go back and forth from the cave to the bay." it took them some time to get their boat, and it was almost nightfall before they reached the steam yacht. it can readily be imagined that the stanhopes and lanings awaited their coming with interest. "what success, dick?" cried dora eagerly. "not so very much as yet," he answered, soberly, for he hated to disappoint the girl who was so dear to him. and then he told her of all that had happened. she shuddered when she found he had been a prisoner of sid merrick and his followers. "oh, dick, i am so thankful you escaped," she cried, with tears in her eyes. "you must not get into such a situation again! why, the whole treasure isn't worth it." "but i want to get that money and the jewels for you, dora." "yes, but i don't want money and jewels if--if you are--are going to get hurt," she answered, and her deep eyes looked him through and through. "i'll be careful after this--but we are going to get the treasure, sure thing," he added, stoutly. "i was afraid an earthquake might have played pranks with that cave," was captain barforth's comment. "an earthquake can shake down the top of a cave quicker than it can shake down anything else. it doesn't take much to do it." the captain said he had a fair quantity of powder on board, to be used in the cannon for saluting and signalling. if they wanted dynamite, however, he'd have to run over to one of the big islands for it. "and then we may have trouble getting it," he added. "we'd probably have to buy up the supply of some contractor who happened to have it on hand." "i don't like to think of leaving the island while merrick and his crowd are around," answered anderson rover. on the following morning mr. rover and captain barforth went ashore, taking dick, tom and sam along. the steam yacht was left in charge of asa carey, and the mate was told to remain close to the mouth of the reef and to send some of the others ashore armed if there came a signal of distress. "we have enemies on this isle," said captain barforth. "and they may try to do us harm." "i'll watch out," answered the mate, shortly. and then he turned away with a thoughtful look on his sour countenance. that there was something on his mind was evident. the small boat was brought ashore at the point where the path led directly to the sunken cave. although there was a lively breeze blowing, those landing did so without mishap. they had with them some tools for digging, and also a rock drill and some powder. "it will do no harm to blast one or two of the rocks and see what is underneath," said anderson rover. "we may possibly be lucky enough to find some entrance into the cave, although i must confess i doubt it." when they got to the vicinity of the shattered cave they found everything as they had left it. even a pick tom had forgotten remained undisturbed. "evidently the merrick crowd has not yet found its way here," said dick. "we shall have to be on our guard when we go to blasting," answered his parent. "for the noise may bring that rascal and his gang here in a hurry." and then all set to work with vigor to see if by some means they could not get down under the rocks and to the spot where the precious treasure had been deposited so many years before. chapter xxvii what happened on the steam yacht about an hour after the rovers and captain barforth had left the steam yacht dora came from the forward deck looking much disturbed. "what is the trouble?" asked her mother. "oh, not very much," she answered, for she did not wish to worry her parent. "where is fred?" "i think he is at the stern, fishing with hans and john." "i want to see them," continued dora, and hurried off. she found the three chums at the stern. they had been fishing for some time and several fish lay on the deck near them. "hullo, dora, want to try your luck?" asked fred, pleasantly. "i'll fix you a line--and fix lines for nellie and grace, too, if they want them." "i want to tell you boys something," said the girl, in almost a whisper, and not noticing what fred had proposed. "i-i am afraid something is going to happen." "what's that?" asked songbird, and all three youths looked at dora anxiously. "i was just up near the bow of the boat, and i overheard mr. carey, the mate, talking to mr. bossermann, the assistant engineer. you know i don't like those men a bit." "none of us do," said fred. "didn't ve haf a quarrel mid both of dem," added hans. "they were so in earnest that they did not notice me," continued dora. "i was going to walk away when i saw them, but then i overheard the name of walt wingate and i turned back to learn what they were saying about that bad man. it seems both the mate and the assistant engineer have been talking to wingate, and wingate has made them an offer." "does wingate want his liberty?" questioned fred. "yes, and he wants more--he wants the mate and the assistant engineer to help him to defeat mr. rover's plan to get the treasure. he told mr. carey and mr. bossermann that if they would aid him he was sure sid merrick would reward them handsomely." "and what did carey and bossermann say to that?" asked songbird eagerly. "they said they'd like to talk it over with sid merrick." "the scoundrels!" vociferated fred. "talk it over with merrick! we ought to put 'em, both in irons!" "i wanted to hear more, but they walked away and i was afraid to follow them," continued dora. "i thought i had better tell you and perhaps you'd know what to do. i didn't want to worry mother or my aunt." "we ought to let captain barforth know of this at once," said songbird. "chust vot i say," said hans. "der better der quicker." "how can you let him know?" "one of us might row ashore," said fred. "the others ought to stay behind to watch affairs." "i'll go ashore," said songbird promptly. "you'll have to have one of the sailors row you." "i know it. i can take hollbrook, he's a pretty decent sort of chap and i know he can row well." the fishing lines were wound up, and without delay songbird presented himself to asa carey. he and the others had agreed to say nothing to the mate about what dora had over heard. "mr. carey, i wish to go ashore," he said. "can i have hollbrook row me to the beach?" "go ashore?" growled the mate. "i didn't know anybody else was going." "well, i've just made up my mind to go. can hollbrook take me in one of the small boats?" "why didn't you go when captain barforth went?" "i didn't think of it then." "i don't know that i can spare hollbrook," grumbled the mate. he was eyeing songbird in a suspicious manner. "he doesn't seem to be doing anything just now." "say, who is running this vessel, you or i?" cried asa carey. "captain barforth is running her. but she is under charter to mr. rover, and mr. rover told me to use a small boat whenever i pleased," answered songbird sharply. "if you refuse to let me have a boat say so." "oh, i--er--i didn't say that," stammered the mate. "if you want to go do so. but i don't know if hollbrook can get you through the reef in safety or not." "i'll risk it," said songbird briefly and hurried below to prepare himself for the trip. fred and hans met him in his stateroom. "i think carey is suspicious," said songbird. "keep an eye on him, and if anything goes wrong shoot off the cannon or a gun. i'll do my best to find mr. rover and the captain and bring them back as quickly as possible." in a few minutes songbird and the sailor were over the side of the _rainbow_. hollbrook could pull a long, telling stroke, and under his guidance the craft soon shot through the opening in the reef and glided safely into the bay. "i am glad to put foot on shore," said the sailor, as he leaped out on the sand. "i want you to remain near the boat," said songbird. "i want to see the captain and it is possible we may want to get back to the steam yacht in a hurry." "oh! all right, sir." "while i am gone watch the _rainbow_ and if she should steam away any great distance call me." "why, i thought orders were for us to remain near the reef," cried hollbrook. "so they were, but mr. carey is in command now." leaving the sailor on the sand, songbird hurried up the path which the rovers and captain barforth had taken earlier in the day. he had covered less than half the distance to the shattered cave when he heard a shout from the beach. then, from the water, came the sound of a shotgun. "something is wrong already!" he gasped, as he stopped running. "i wonder what it can be?" he hesitated, not knowing whether to go forward or back. then he set up a yell on his own accord. "captain barforth! mr. rover! this way, quick!" he called at the top of his lungs. at first no answer came back, but presently he heard tom's shrill whistle, and then a cry from sam and dick. the three rover boys came down the path pell mell, and their father and the captain were not far behind them. "what's the trouble?" came simultaneously from dick and tom. sam would have asked the question too, but he was out of breath. "it's asa carey," answered songbird. and then, as the others came up, he told what dora had overheard. "and that shot we heard?" questioned captain barforth. "it told that there was trouble on board, but what i don't know." "let us get to the shore," said dick. he was thinking of dora and her mother and the lanings. as quickly as possible they dashed along to the sandy beach. hollbrook was still calling for songbird. "the yacht is steaming away!" he announced. "she is standing to the eastward." captain barforth gave a look and something like a groan escaped him. the _rainbow_ was a good mile away from where she had been stationed since reaching treasure isle. "can it be possible carey and bossermann are running away with the vessel?" asked sam. "that would be both mutiny and robbery," answered the captain. "i gave orders to carey to leave her where she was, unless a heavy blow threatened to send her in--then he was to stand off until the blow was over." "do you know what i think?" came from dick. "i think he is going to sail around to the other side of the isle. probably he has an idea of consulting with sid merrick. then, if merrick's offer suits him, he will do all he can to prevent us from getting the treasure." "you mean he and bossermann will throw in their fortunes with merrick?" asked mr. rover. "yes, and as many more on the steam yacht as carey can win over. i believe carey is a rascal and bossermann is no better." "yes, but they are only two against over a dozen?" said captain barforth. "no, three, for you must remember they have wingate with them," put in tom. "that is true." "can't we get to the yacht somehow?" asked sam. he was thinking of grace and the other girls, and wondering what would become of them in case there was a fight on board. "no, that is out of the question," answered mr. rover. "all we can do is to remain on the isle and wait developments. if they land we can fight them, but not before." chapter xxviii a new move of the enemy "something is up." it was fred who spoke, only a few minutes after songbird and the sailor in charge of the rowboat had left the side of the steam yacht. he addressed hans. "vot you vos see?" asked the german youth. "look!" hans looked and beheld walt wingate on the deck, in earnest conversation with the mate. the deck hand was not handcuffed as he had been a short while before, when tramping the forward deck for air, by captain barforth's permission. "carey must haf daken dem handguffs off," said the german youth. "i ton't like dot. maype dot vingate make troubles, hey?" the boys watched, and presently saw bossermann come up and join the pair. then bossermann went below to the engine room. shortly after this the yacht began to get up steam. "we're moving!" cried dora, as she came to the boys, accompanied by nellie and grace. "oh, what does it mean?" "i don't know," answered fred. "can't you find out, fred?" asked nellie. "i am sure the captain said nothing about sailing before he went ashore." "i'll find out--if the mate will tell me," answered fred. he walked over to where the mate stood, close to the wheelhouse, giving directions to the pilot of the _rainbow_. "mr. carey, where are we bound?" he asked, respectfully. "oh, just going to take a little sail around, to test the engine," was the apparent indifferent answer. "is the engine out of order?" "not exactly, but i thought it best to test the shaft. the assistant engineer thinks it is weak." this was apparently a fair enough answer and fred bowed and walked away. then he went down the ladder leading to the engine room. he met frank norton coming up. there was a look of concern on the head engineer's honest face. "mr. norton, is there anything wrong with the engine or the shaft?" asked fred. "nothing the matter. why?" "mr. carey said there was, and he is taking a cruise around to test them--so he says." "i don't understand it, garrison. everything .k." "are you in charge now?" "no, this is my hour off. bossermann is in charge. by the way, i see powell went off after the others." "yes, and i wish the others were back," answered fred. he hesitated a moment. "mr. norton, i believe you have been with captain barforth a long time and that you and he are old chums." "that's right." "then i can trust you, can't i? it is something which concerns captain barforth and this vessel very much." "sure you can trust me." without hesitation, for he felt sure norton was both honest and reliable, fred told his story to the head engineer, who nodded many times during the recital. "i see it," whispered norton. "i suspected something was wrong. carey and bossermann are in some sort of a plot with this wingate, who came on board solely to aid that sid merrick. i believe carey is going off to meet merrick and see if he can make a deal with him." "that is what i think. how can we thwart him?" "better fire that gun, as a signal to those on shore, first of all. then we'll see what the mate has to say." fred needed no urging and soon he brought up a shotgun from the cabin and discharged it--the signal heard by songbird, as we already know. scarcely had this been accomplished when asa carey rushed down upon him from the pilot house. "hi! what did you do that for?" roared the mate, in sudden anger. "just for fun," answered fred, as coolly as he could, although his heart beat rapidly. "for fun?" "yes. haven't i a right to fire a gun if i want to?" "i reckon that was some sort of a signal for those on shore." "and supposing it was, what then, mr. carey?" fred put the question boldly and looked the mate squarely in the eyes as he spoke. "why--er--it's most unusual. there was no need of a signal." "i wanted them to know we were moving, that's all." "humph! there was no use of alarming them. we'll be back long before they want to come aboard again." "in that case i'll have nothing more to say." "don't you believe it?" "i'm bound to believe it, if you say so." "don't get impudent, young man!" "i am not impudent, and you needn't get impudent either!" cried fred, his anger rising. "you are in command here, but this boat is under charter and just now i represent the man who owns that charter. if you have got to cruise around to test the engine and shaft well and good, but if you are merely cruising around for the fun of it i say go back to where we came from--none of us want to do any cruising today." at this plain speech the mate grew purple in the face. he raised his hand as if to strike the youth, but just then aleck came on deck, carrying a pitcher of ice water in his hand. "stop dat! don't yo' go fo' to hit dat boy!" cried the colored man. "if yo' do i'll fling dis watah pitcher at yo' head!" "you shut up, you rascally nigger!" shouted the mate. "you have nothing to say here!" "i'se got somet'ing to say if yo' hit massa fred," answered aleck, and held the water pitcher as if ready to launch it at the mate's head. there was a moment of excitement and several crowded around, but then the mate waved the crowd away. "i shall report this to captain barforth as soon as he comes back," he said, and turning on his heel, he walked off. fred went down into the cabin, and aleck followed him. a few minutes later norton joined the youth and the others, who had gathered to talk the matter over. "we must be on the watch," said the chief engineer. "i am certain now that carey is up to some game." a long discussion followed, but nothing came of it. the steam yacht kept on its way and rounded the eastern point of treasure isle. then it stood to the north westward. "i hope he knows his course," said norton, to the boys. "if he doesn't he stands a good chance of running us on some key or reef." if the boys were excited, the girls and ladies were more so. nobody knew exactly what to do, and each minute added to the general anxiety. at last the vessel rounded another point of the isle and came in sight of the sea beyond. there in the distance was a steamer at rest on the waves, and fred and hans felt certain she must be the _josephine_. the two vessels were soon close together. as the _rainbow_ came up to the other craft, walt wingate went to the rail and shouted something through a megaphone which the mate loaned him. immediately came back an answering cry, but the boys did not catch what was said. "this is going pretty far," said fred, to frank norton. "don't you think i ought to step in and stop it?" the chief engineer shrugged his shoulders. "carey is really in command and it might be called mutiny to do anything to stop him." "but supposing he allows wingate to go to that other ship. "well, if wingate goes we'll be well rid of him." "of course that is true, but still--" fred did not finish for just then asa carey came up. "i am going to visit that other steamer," he said, to the chief engineer. "i shall take that man wingate along, and bossermann is going, too. you can remain right here until i get back." norton nodded, but said nothing. the mate looked at fred as if to say more, but then apparently changed his mind and hurried away. soon a small boat was over the side and this was manned by the mate, bossermann, wingate and a sailor named ulligan, a fellow noted for his laziness and untrustworthiness. without delay the small boat set out for the _josephine_. "i don't like this at all," said fred. "those fellows mean mischief as sure as you are born!" "i dink da vos hatch owid somedings mid dot merrick," said hans. "perhaps they are plotting to gain possession of this yacht," was dora's comment. "they may bring over a crowd to take possession and make us prisoners!" "if they try any game like that we'll fight," answered fred. "dat's right!" cried aleck. "we'll fight, an' fight mighty hard, too!" "if only the rovers were here," sighed dora. "i am sure they would know exactly what to do." "they may be having their own troubles on land," said mrs. stanhope. "sid merrick is a very bad man and will do all in his power to get that treasure in his possession." chapter xxix the hunt for the treasure with the _rainbow_ steaming away from horseshoe bay, the rovers and those with them on shore felt that a crisis had been reached. if it was true that carey, bossermann and wingate contemplated joining sid merrick there was no telling what the enemy might not accomplish next. "i have never liked carey," observed captain barforth. "but i did not imagine he would take matters in his own hands in this fashion. i did not think he had the backbone." "it's the thought of the treasure has done it," answered anderson rover. "many a man's head is turned because of gold." those on the shore watched the steam yacht round the eastern point of the isle. each heart sank as the vessel disappeared from view. "well, we can do nothing at present, but hope for the best," observed the captain. "we cannot think of chasing them in the rowboats." "we might tramp across the isle and see where they go to," suggested tom. "the _josephine_ must be over there somewhere." "yes, we can do that," answered mr. rover. "but it will be a rough journey." "i have a better idea," came from dick. "father has his spyglass with him. why not ascend that hill back of where the treasure cave is and then get up in the highest tree there? a fellow ought to be able to see all around from that height." "hurrah! just the thing!" exclaimed sam. he did not relish the long tramp through the thorn bushes and tangle of vines. dick's idea was acceptable to all, and they set off without further delay. they took the path leading to the shattered cave, and then mounted the small hill dick had mentioned. close to the top stood a large tree. "let me go up!" exclaimed tom, who could climb like a cat, and he started without delay. "look out that you don't break your neck!" cried his parent. "i'll be careful," answered the fun-loving youth. "this just suits me!" he added, enthusiastically. "can't i go, too?" asked sam. "if you are careful," answered mr. rover, and up went the lad, right on the heels of his brother. it was rather difficult work getting from limb to limb, for some were wide apart, but the vines, which used the tree as a trellis, aided them greatly. soon tom was close to the top and sam speedily joined him. then each took his turn at looking through the spyglass. "i see the _rainbow_!" cried tom. "she is headed for the north side of the isle." "yes, and yonder is another vessel," returned sam, as he pointed the glass in the direction. "that must be the _josephine_." and then the two youths shouted the news to those below. after that the boys watched the progress of the steam yacht with interest, keeping those below informed of all that was going on. they saw the _rainbow_ draw closer to the other vessel, and saw the small boat leave the steam yacht. "four men are rowing to the other vessel," announced tom. "we can't make out who they are." they saw the four men board the other vessel and disappear, presumably into the cabin. then came a wait of over half an hour. "this is getting tiresome," said tom. "you can go below if you want to," answered dick, who had come up, followed by songbird. tom descended to the ground and sam followed him. they had just done this when there came a cry from dick: "two boats are putting off from that other vessel! each of them is filled with men!" "are they coming ashore or going to my yacht?" demanded captain barforth. "they are heading for the yacht!" "they intend to capture the _rainbow_!" groaned mr. rover. "oh, if only we were on board!" in his anxiety to see what was being done, he climbed the tree and so did the captain. then the others came up, the tree being large and strong even at the top and capable of holding a good weight. "if those rascals try to take my vessel i'll have them all hung!" roared captain barforth, and trembled with rage. "oh, if only i was on board!" and he clenched his fists. "look! look!" ejaculated dick, who had the spyglass. "i think--yes, the _rainbow_ is moving!" "moving!" came from the others. "yes, and she is turning away from the other vessel and from those in the rowboats!" "let me see," said the captain and took the spyglass. "you are right, dick. the _rainbow_ is running away from them!" the news was true, the steam yacht was indeed running away from the _josephine_ and from those in the rowboats who had set out to take possession of her. it was a time of great excitement. "the rowboats are getting close to the _rainbow_," said tom, who had taken the glass. "the yacht doesn't seem to have much steam up." "perhaps the fires were banked when carey left," suggested the captain. "maybe they were put out, so the vessel couldn't move." the steam yacht was moving slowly and those in the two rowboats were making every effort to catch up to her. then the black smoke began to pour from the funnel of the _josephine_. "the other vessel is getting up steam," said mr. rover. "she may catch the _rainbow_ even if those in the rowboats do not." closer and closer to the steam yacht drew the two rowboats, until it looked as if the _rainbow_ would surely be boarded by the enemy. then of a sudden there came a cloud of smoke from the deck of the steam yacht, followed by a stream of sparks which went whizzing just over the rowboats. then followed more sparks, and balls of fire, red, white and blue. "what in the world are they doing?" murmured captain barforth. "they are shooting off something, but it is not a gun or a cannon," answered mr. rover. "hurrah! i know what it is!" cried tom "good for fred and hans! those are my fireworks--those i had left from the fourth of july celebration. they are giving them a dose of rockets and roman candles!" this news was true, and as the rockets and roman candles hit the rowboats and the occupants the latter stopped rowing and then began to back water in confusion. soon the rowboats turned back and hastened to the side of the _josephine_. "that's what i call repelling boarders!" said captain barforth, grimly. "i only hope the fireworks hold out." "it is now to be a race between the _rainbow_ and that other craft," observed mr. rover, and he was right. inside of fifteen minutes both vessels were headed out to sea, and running at about the same rate of speed. soon the haze over the water hid both craft from view. "well, one thing is certain," said mr. rover. "our friends are alive to their danger and are going to do their best to get away from the enemy." "and another thing is that we are left marooned on this isle," said the captain. the party remained in the tree a while longer, and then, as there seemed nothing else to do, they descended to the ground. "well, we have one thing in our favor," was dick's comment. "sid merrick and his crowd must be on the _josephine_, or they wouldn't chase the _rainbow_, and that being so they can't interrupt our treasure hunt, at least for the present." "but if they capture our steam yacht how are we to get away from here, even if we do uncover the treasure?" said sam. "we'll get away somehow--and make it good and hot for them in the bargain," answered tom, and his father nodded in approval. with their thoughts on the _rainbow_ and those on board, the treasure hunters went back to the vicinity of the shattered cave. nobody felt much like working, yet to remain idle made the time hang heavily on their hands. "there is no use of our going to work in a haphazard fashion," were mr. rover's words. "we must first go over the ground carefully and plan out just what is best to do. otherwise a good portion of our energies will be wasted." this was sound advice and was followed out. they surveyed the whole vicinity with care, poking in among the rocks with long sticks, and turning over such as were loose and easily moved. "this looks as if it was going to be a long winded job," was sam's comment, and he heaved a sigh. "i thought we'd come here, march into the cave, and put our hands right on the gold and diamonds!" dick was a short distance away, poking into a hole with a stick. the stick was over eight feet long, but the end did not appear to touch anything. "there is some kind of a hollow below here," he said to the others. "i think we ought to investigate and see how large it is." the others agreed with him, and all set to work to pull aside half a dozen rocks which were in the way. they had to use all their strength and even then the largest of the stones refused to budge. "let us get a small tree and use it for a pry," suggested mr. rover. they had an ax with them, and tom cut down the tree and trimmed it. then, resting the log on one stone, they inserted the end under the big rock and pressed down with all their might. "she's coming!" shouted sam, as the big stone commenced to move. "yes, and look at the opening underneath," added dick. "it must surely be part of the cave!" the sight of the big hole made all eager to know if it was really a portion of the shattered cave and they worked on the big rock with renewed energy. twice it slipped back on them, but then they got a new purchase and over it went and rolled out of the way. then all of the treasure hunters got on their hands and knees to gaze down into the hole. "it must be part of the cave," said mr. rover. "i'll climb down on the rope," said tom. "hurry up, i can't wait!" "you be careful, tom, or you'll get hurt," warned his father. but it must be confessed he was as eager as his son to learn whether or not they had discovered the treasure cave. tom went down, and dick and sam came after him. the bottom of the hole was rough. on one side was another opening, leading to what certainly looked like a cave of considerable extent. "drop down the lantern," called dick, and captain barforth did so. with the lantern lit dick crawled into the side opening and his brothers followed. "this is certainly a cave," said tom. "but whether it is the right one or not remains to be seen." "it must be a part of the original cave, tom," answered dick. "because it is in the spot covered by the other. but it may not be the part that contained the treasure." they crawled around, over the rough rocks and fallen dirt. it was a dangerous proceeding, for they did not know but what some stones might fall at any moment and crush them. suddenly tom and sam uttered the single exclamation: "look!" dick looked and then he, too, gave a cry. from under the edge of a rock they saw one end of a heavy wooden chest. a part of the side was split away and through the hole they saw a quantity of gold money! chapter xxx homeward bound--conclusion "the, treasure!" the boys uttered the cry together and it thrilled those at the top of the opening as nothing else could have done. "what's that?" cried mr. rover. "we have found one of the chests," answered dick. "and it's full of gold pieces!" added sam and tom in a breath. "then this is the treasure cave after all," said captain barforth. "i must say you are in luck." "i'd like to go down and have a look," put in songbird eagerly. all wanted to look, and in the end they came down one after another by way of the rope. the rock on the chest was lifted away and the strong box was dragged forth into the light. sure enough, it was filled with gold, just as bahama bill had said it would be. "bahama bill said there were three chests," said mr. rover, after the excitement of finding so much wealth had somewhat subsided. "do you see anything of the other two?" "not yet--but they must be somewhere near," answered his oldest son. regardless of the danger of falling rocks, they commenced to dig around where the chest had been uncovered. they soon found a second chest, which contained more gold in leather bags, and also a quantity of jewelry and precious stones. then, when they were almost ready to give up work for the day, they discovered the third chest, smashed flat under two heavy rocks, with its contents of gold scattered in all directions. "we'll have to blow up those rocks to get all that gold," said sam. "don't do that," warned captain barforth. "if you do you may cave in the whole roof and then the gold may be gone forever." it was then decided to bring down the log, and pry the rocks away, and late as it was this was done, and they scooped up the loose golden pieces and put them in their pockets. "it's a fine lot o' money," was the comment of hollbrook, the sailor. "wish some o' it was mine." "you shall be well paid for your work, hollbrook," answered mr. rover. "only stick by us and help us to get this to safety." "oh, i'll stick by you," was the ready answer. "i've got no use for such scoundrels as carey and bossermann. i'm only livin' one life, and i'll live that honest like, god helpin' me." night was coming on when they got the treasure to the surface of the ground. they hunted around diligently until they were almost certain they had everything of value. each was exhausted from his labors, but all were happy. the rovers were particularly delighted. "this will make the lanings and the stanhopes independent for life," said dick, to his brothers. "and they deserve it," returned tom. "won't they be glad when they hear the news!" "remember one thing," said sam. "we haven't got the treasure from the isle yet, and we don't know how the _rainbow_ is faring. if those on the _josephine_ capture our steam yacht i don't know what we are going to do." "well, we won't give up the treasure, no matter what happens," said dick, stoutly. mr. rover calculated that the treasure was worth more than bahama bill had said. roughly estimated it would foot up to over a hundred thousand dollars, and this figure did not take in some jewelry of quaint design with precious stones which were new to the treasure hunters. "for all we know those stones may be worth another ten thousand or more," said dick. "i can tell you, it's a great find and no mistake!" it was decided to take the treasure down to the shore of horseshoe bay and there bury it directly behind the sandy beach. "and we'll leave everything here as near as possible as we found it," said anderson rover. "then, if sid merrick comes, he can look for the treasure to his heart's content," and he winked at his sons. "good!" cried tom. "i hope he breaks his back working to move the rocks." night had settled over treasure isle by the time the shore was reached with the treasure, which was carried in one of the chests and in several bundles and numerous pockets. men and boys were thoroughly fagged out, and they sat down under the trees to rest before starting to place their find underground again. "we might as well wait till morning," said tom. "i want to have a look at that gold and that jewelry by daylight." "we can wait," said his father. "so long as none of our enemies return to this isle we shall be safe." they ate what little provisions were left and washed down the scanty meal with what water was left in the bottles. so far they had been unable to find any springs on the isle. "i believe the want of fresh water is what keeps the natives away," was captain barforth's comment, and it is probable that his surmise was correct. "i see a light!" cried songbird, when they were on the point of retiring. "it is out on the water." he pointed, and soon all made out the lights of a vessel in the distance. then, as the craft came closer, they saw a rocket shoot up in the air, followed by a roman candle. "it's the _rainbow_!" shouted dick. "that must be some sort of signal for us!" "but where is the _josephine_" asked tom. nobody knew, and just then nobody cared. captain barforth ran down to the water's edge and prepared to launch one of the small boats. "i am going out to my vessel," he said. "hollbrook, come along. if everything is all right, we'll send two rockets up or fire the cannon twice. then you had better bring the treasure on board without delay." this was agreed to, and in a moment more the captain and his man were afloat and rowing toward the opening of the reef with all their might. those left behind waited anxiously for what might follow. "the steam yacht may be in the hands of the enemy," said songbird, but he was mistaken, for quarter of an hour later up went two rockets into the air. then the searchlight struck the water, and those on shore saw a rowboat put off and head for land. "it's bahama bill and one of the sailors," cried tom, a little later. and then he raised his voice as the rowboat shot into the bay. "this way, bill, this way!" soon the rowboat struck the sand and bahama bill leaped out. his face was one broad smile. "so ye got the treasure after all, did ye!" he cried. "i'm powerful glad on it, yes, sir! now we'll fool that merrick crowd good!" "but what of them and of their vessel?" asked anderson rover anxiously. "broke down an' drifting out on the ocean," answered the old tar, and then he continued: "you know how they tried to board us--after carey, bossermann, that skunk o' a wingate, an' ulligan went to 'em. well, fust we kept 'em off with fireworks and with a shotgun. we didn't have much steam up, but frank norton--bless his heart-- worked like a beaver, and the boys, fred and hans, helped him. i went to steer an' by good luck kept off the rocks an' reefs. they came after us pell mell an' onct or twict we thought sure they had us, an' all o' us got pistols and cutlasses an' prepared to fight. the ladies an' the gals was most scared to death an' locked themselves in their staterooms. but we put some ile on the fire an' putty soon we had steam enough up to bust, an' then we walked right away from 'em. i reckon the captain o' the _josephine_ was mad, for he kept on a followin' us and onct he got putty close ag'in. but then came some sort o' an explosion from the other boat, an' we see a cloud o' steam rushin' up from below, and somebody jumped overboard. then the steam blew away an' the engine stopped, an' we went on--an' left them away out in the ocean, fifteen or twenty miles from here. we calkerlated they'd follow us soon as they could make repairs, so we came on at full speed, to take you on board." "is everybody safe?" asked dick. "yes. that dutch boy burnt himself ag'in with a rocket, but it ain't much an' he don't care, for he said the rocket hit a chap named sobber in the stomach and keeled him over." "good for hans!" cried sam. "that will give tad sobber something to remember him by!" as quickly as it could be done, the treasure was transferred to the two rowboats, and the entire party set out for the steam yacht. they were careful in going through the opening in the reef, for nobody wanted to see either boat swamped and its precious contents lost. the passage was made in safety, the searchlight aiding them. "back again!" cried dick, as he mounted to the deck. "oh, dick, are you safe?" cried dora, rushing to him. "yes, and we have the treasure!" he answered proudly. "oh, how glad i am everybody is safe!" put in nellie. "we are all glad," said mrs. stanhope. "the last forty eight hours have been so full of peril!" of course everybody has to tell his or her story, and for a long time there was a perfect babel of voices. fred and hans related how the steam yacht had been rescued from the clutches of the enemy, and how frank norton had taken command and prevented anything in the shape of a mutiny. the ladies and girls told of how they had been scared and how they had locked themselves up in a stateroom, as bahama bill had said. then the rover boys had to tell all about the finding of the great treasure. "and just to think!" cried tom. "it is worth more than we at first supposed!" and in his glee he hugged both mrs. stanhope and mrs. laning, and then hugged nellie. nellie herself was so excited she never even noticed it. in the meantime, captain barforth was consulting with the chief engineer and learning some of the particulars of how the mate had acted and how the steam yacht had been chased by the tramp steamer. "i trust i did what was proper, captain barforth," said norton, anxiously. "i tried to use my best judgment. from what miss stanhope overheard of the talk between mr. carey and that scoundrel of a wingate i felt mr. carey was not the proper man to trust." "you did exactly right," said the captain, "and what has happened since proves it. if carey and bossermann try to kick up any fuss i'll tend to them." mr. rover was called into the consultation, and it was decided to leave the vicinity of treasure isle at once, before the _josephine_ should put in an appearance. it was a cloudy night, so they had to run with care and at reduced speed. they kept a constant lookout for the other vessel, but failed to sight her. "carey and bossermann, as well as ulligan, will have to remain on board of her," said captain barforth. "mr. rover wants to get back to philadelphia as soon as possible with the treasure, and she is under his charter. if they want to kick up a fuss later, why, they can do it, that's all." "homeward bound!" cried sam, enthusiastically. "and with the treasure safe on board!" added tom. "it seems almost too good to be true." "and the enemy left behind," put in dick. "i hope they go back and hunt for the stuff," he went on, with a grin. his wish was fulfilled, as they learned a long time later, through one of the sailors composing the crew of the _josephine_. the tramp steamer tried all of the next day to locate the steam yacht and then sid merrick ordered the craft back to treasure isle. here, merrick, tad sobber, carey, bossermann and several others worked for nearly a week trying to unearth the treasure, but, of course, without success. then they had a quarrel with the spaniard, doranez, who would not keep sober. they accused the man of taking them to the wrong place, and in the fight that followed three men were seriously wounded. then all went aboard the steamer and set sail for cuba. the very next day the _josephine_ was caught in a hurricane, one of the worst experienced in the west indies for many years. it drove the tramp steamer on the rocks, and before she could be gotten off several big holes were pounded into her and she went down. the sailor who told the story said he got away with four other sailors in a rowboat, and after a fearful experience lasting two days was picked up by a steamer bound for havana. he did not know what had become of the others on board and was of the opinion that the most of them, if not all, had been drowned. fortunately for those on the steam yacht, the _rainbow_ weathered the hurricane well. the craft did a lot of plunging and pitching, and the ladies and girls had to keep below, but that was all. after the hurricane the weather became unusually fine, and the trip back to philadelphia proved a pleasant one. arriving at the quaker city, mr. rover had the treasure deposited in a strong box of a local trust company, and later it was divided according to the terms of mr. stanhope's will. this put a goodly sum in the bank for dora and her mother, and also large amounts to the credit of mrs. laning and nellie and grace. the entire expenses of the trip were paid out of the treasure, and captain barforth and his men were not forgotten for their services. mrs. stanhope wanted to reward the boys, but not one would listen to this. "well, you are very kind," she said, to all of them. "if at any time you are in trouble, come to me. i shall not forget you." she, however, insisted upon presenting dick with a new watch and chain and diamond pin to replace those stolen from him by cuffer and shelley. "well, that winds up the treasure hunt," observed tom, as the whole party were on their way home. "now for the next move on the programme." "the next move is to go to school once more," said dick. and he was right, as we shall learn in the next volume of this series, to be entitled, "the rover boys at college; or, the right road and the wrong." in that volume we shall meet many of our old friends once more, and learn the details of a plot against fun-loving tom which had a most unlooked for ending. we shall also meet dora and her cousins again, and see how they acted when their boy friends were in deep trouble. the home coming for the rover boys was full of pleasure. uncle randolph and aunt martha were at the depot to meet them, and the aunt gave each the warmest kind of a hug and kiss, while the uncle shook hands over and over again. nor were anderson rover and aleck forgotten. "back again, and glad of it," said tom, as he flung his cap into the air. "the west indies are all right, but give me valley brook farm every time." "so say we all of us," sung out dick and sam, and here we will once again bid our friends goodbye. produced from scans of public domain material produced by microsoft for their live search books site.) [illustration: yacht club series] [illustration: miss nellie patterdale and don john. frontispiece.] [illustration: oliver optic's yacht club series. the yacht club. lee & shepard, boston] the yacht club series. * * * * * the yacht club; or, the young boat-builder. by oliver optic, author of "young america abroad," "the army and navy series," "the woodville stories," "the starry flag series," "the boat club stories," "the lake shore series," "the upward and onward series," etc., etc. _with thirteen illustrations._ boston: lee and shepard, publishers. new york: lee, shepard and dillingham. entered, according to act of congress, in the year , by william t. adams, in the office of the librarian of congress, at washington. * * * * * brown type-setting machine company. to my young friend _charles h. hastings_, of new york, this book is affectionately dedicated. the yacht club series. . little bobtail; or, the wreck of the penobscot. . the yacht club; or, the young boat-builder. . money-maker; or, the victory of the basilisk. . the coming wave; or, the hidden treasure of high rock. . the dorcas club; or, our girls afloat. (the sixth in preparation.) preface. "the yacht club" is the second volume of the yacht club series, to which it gives a name; and like its predecessor, is an independent story. the hero has not before appeared, though some of the characters of "little bobtail" take part in the incidents: but each volume may be read understandingly without any knowledge of the contents of the other. in this story, the interest centres in don john, the boat-builder, who is certainly a very enterprising young man, though his achievements have been more than paralleled in the domain of actual life. like the first volume of the series, the incidents of the story transpire on the waters of the beautiful penobscot bay, and on its shores. they include several yacht races, which must be more interesting to those who are engaged in the exciting sport of yachting, than to others. but the principal incidents are distinct from the aquatic narrative; and those who are not interested in boats and boating will find that don john and nellie patterdale do not spend all their time on the water. the hero is a young man of high aims and noble purposes: and the writer believes that it is unpardonable to awaken the interest and sympathy of his readers for any other than high-minded and well-meaning characters. but he is not faultless; he makes some grave mistakes, even while he has high aims. the most important lesson in morals to be derived from his experience is that it is unwise and dangerous for young people to conceal their actions from their parents and friends; and that men and women who seek concealment "choose darkness because their deeds are evil." harrison square, boston, may , . contents. page chapter i. don john of belfast, and friends chapter ii. about the tin box chapter iii. the yacht club at turtle head chapter iv. a sad event in the ramsay family chapter v. captain shivernock chapter vi. donald gets the job chapter vii. laying down the keel. chapter viii. the first regatta. chapter ix. the skylark and the sea foam. chapter x. the launch of the maud. chapter xi. the white cross of denmark. chapter xii. donald answers questions. chapter xiii. moonlight on the juno. chapter xiv. captain shivernock's joke. chapter xv. laud cavendish takes care of himself. chapter xvi. saturday cove. chapter xvii. the great race. chapter xviii. the hasbrook outrage, and other matters. the yacht club; or, the young boat-builder. chapter i. don john of belfast, and friends. "why, don john, how you frightened me!" exclaimed miss nellie patterdale, as she sprang up from her reclining position in a lolling-chair. it was an intensely warm day near the close of june, and the young lady had chosen the coolest and shadiest place she could find on the piazza of her father's elegant mansion in belfast. she was as pretty as she was bright and vivacious, and was a general favorite among the pupils of the high school, which she attended. she was deeply absorbed in the reading of a story in one of the july magazines, which had just come from the post-office, when she heard a step near her. the sound startled her, it was so near; and, looking up, she discovered the young man whom she had spoken to close beside her. he was not don john of austria, but donald john ramsay of belfast, who had been addressed by his companions simply as don, a natural abbreviation of his first name, until he of austria happened to be mentioned in the history recitation in school, when the whole class looked at don, and smiled; some of the girls even giggled, and got a check for it; but the republican young gentleman became a titular spanish hidalgo from that moment. though he was the son of a boat-builder, by trade a ship carpenter, he was a good-looking, and gentlemanly fellow, and was treated with kindness and consideration by most of the sons and daughters of the wealthy men of belfast, who attended the high school. it was hardly a secret that don john regarded miss nellie with especial admiration, or that, while he was polite to all the young ladies, he was particularly so to her. it is a fact, too, that he blushed when she turned her startled gaze upon him on the piazza; and it is just as true that miss nellie colored deeply, though it may have been only the natural consequence of her surprise. "i beg your pardon, nellie; i did not mean to frighten you," replied donald. "i don't suppose you did, don john; but you startled me just as much as though you had meant it," added she, with a pleasant smile, so forgiving that the young man had no fear of the consequences. "how terribly hot it is! i am almost melted." "it is very warm," answered donald, who, somehow or other, found it very difficult to carry on a conversation with nellie; and his eyes seemed to him to be twice as serviceable as his tongue. "it is dreadful warm." and so they went on repeating the same thing over and over again, till there was no other known form of expression for warm weather. "how in the world did you get to the side of my chair without my hearing you?" demanded nellie, when it was evidently impossible to say anything more about the heat. "i came up the front steps, and was walking around on the piazza to your father's library. i didn't see you till you spoke," replied donald, reminded by this explanation that he had come to captain patterdale's house for a purpose. "is ned at home?" "no; he has gone up to searsport to stay over sunday with uncle henry." "has he? i'm sorry. is your father at home?" "he is in his library, and there is some one with him. won't you sit down, don john?" "thank you," added donald, seating himself in a rustic chair. "it is very warm this afternoon." nellie actually laughed, for she was conscious of the difficulties of the situation--more so than her visitor. but we must do our hero--for such he is--the justice to say, that he did not refer to the exhausted topic with the intention of confining the conversation to it, but to introduce the business which had called him to the house. "it is intensely hot, don john," laughed nellie. "but i was going to ask you if you would not like to take a sail," said donald, with a blush. "with your father, i mean," added he, with a deeper blush, as he realized that he had actually asked a girl to go out in a boat with him. "i should be delighted to go, but i can't. mother won't let me go on the water when the sun is out, it hurts my eyes so," answered nellie; and the young man was sure she was very sorry she could not go. "perhaps we can go after sunset, then," suggested donald. "i am sorry ned is not at home; for his yacht is finished, and father says the paint is dry enough to use her. we are going to have a little trial trip in her over to turtle head, and, perhaps, round by searsport." "is the sea foam really done?" asked nellie, her eyes sparkling with delight. "yes, she is all ready, and father will deliver her to ned on monday, if everything works right about her. i thought some of your folks, especially ned, would like to be in her on the first trip." "i should, for one; but i suppose it is no use for me to think of it. my eyes are ever so much better, and i hope i shall be able to sail in the sea foam soon." "i hope so, too. we expect she will beat the skylark; father thinks she will." "i don't care whether she does or not," laughed nellie. "do you think i could see your father just a moment?" asked donald. "i only want to know whether or not he will go with us." "i think so; i will go and speak to him. come in, don john," replied nellie, rising from her lolling-chair, and walking around the corner of the house to the front door. donald followed her. the elegant mansion was located on a corner lot, with a broad hall through the centre of it, on one side of which was the large drawing-room, and on the other the sitting and dining-rooms. at the end of the great hall was a door opening into the library, a large apartment, which occupied the whole of a one-story addition to the original structure. it had also an independent outside door, which opened upon the piazza; and opposite to it was a flight of steps, down to the gravel walk terminating at a gate on the cross street. people who came to see captain patterdale on business could enter at this gate, and go to the library without passing through the house. on the present occasion, a horse and wagon stood at the gate, which indicated to miss nellie that her father was engaged. this team had stood there for an hour, and donald had watched it for half that time, waiting for the owner to leave, though he was not at all anxious to terminate the interview with his fair schoolmate. nellie knocked at the library door, and her father told her to come in. she passed in, while donald waited the pleasure of the rich man in the hall. he was invited to enter. captain patterdale was evidently bored by his visitor, and gave the young man a cordial greeting. donald stated his business very briefly; but the captain did not say whether he would or would not go upon the trial trip of the sea foam. he asked a hundred questions about the new yacht, and it was plain that he did not care to resume the conversation with his visitor, who walked nervously about the room, apparently vexed at the interruption, and dissatisfied thus far with the result of his interview with the captain. what would have appeared to be true to an observer was actually so. the visitor was one jacob hasbrook, from a neighboring town, and his reputation for honesty and fair dealings was not the best in the world. captain patterdale held his note, without security, for thirteen hundred and fifty dollars. hasbrook had property, but his creditors were never sure of him till they were paid. at the present interview he had astonished captain patterdale by paying the note in full, with interest, on the day it became due. but it was soon clear enough to the rich man that the payment was only a "blind" to induce him to embark in a doubtful speculation with hasbrook. the nature and immense profits of the enterprise had been eloquently set forth by the visitor, and his own capacity to manage it enlarged upon; but the nabob, who had made his fortune by hard work, was utterly wanting in enthusiasm. he had received the money in payment of his note, which he had expected to lose, or to obtain only after resorting to legal measures, and he was fully determined to have nothing more to do with the man. he had said all this as mildly as he could; but hasbrook was persistent, and probably felt that in paying an honest debt he had thrown away thirteen hundred and fifty dollars. he would not go, though captain patterdale gave him sufficient excuse for doing so, or even for cutting his acquaintance. the rich man continued to talk with don john, to the intense disgust of the speculator, who stood looking at a tin box, painted green, which lay on a chair. perhaps he looked upon this box as the grave of his hopes; for it contained the money he had just paid to the captain--the wasted money, because the rich man would not embark with him in his brilliant enterprise, though he had taken so much pains, and parted with so much money, to prove that he was an honest man. he appeared to be interested in the box, and he looked at it all the time, with only an impatient glance occasionally at the nabob, who appeared to be trifling with his bright hopes. the tin chest was about nine inches each way, and contained the private papers and other valuables of the rich man, including, now, the thirteen hundred and fifty dollars just received. captain patterdale was president of the twenty-first national bank of belfast, which was located a short distance from his house. the tin box was kept in the vaults of the bank; but the owner had taken it home to examine some documents at his leisure, intending to return it to the bank before night. as it was in the library when mr. hasbrook called, the money was deposited in it for safe keeping over night. "i'm afraid i can't go with you, donald," said captain patterdale, after he had asked him all the questions he could think of about the sea foam. "i am sorry, sir; for miss nellie wanted to go, and i was going to ask father to wait till after sunset on her account," added the young man. mr. hasbrook began to look hopeful; for the last remark of the nabob indicated a possible termination of the conversation. donald began his retreat toward the hall of the mansion, for he wanted to see the fair daughter again; but he had not reached the door before the captain called him back. "i suppose your father wants some more money to-night," said he, feeling in his pocket for the key to open the tin box. "he didn't say anything to me about it, sir," replied donald; "i don't think he does." hasbrook looked hopeless again; for captain patterdale began to calculate how much he had paid, and how much more he was to pay, for the yacht. while he was doing so, there was a knock at the street door, and, upon being invited to do so, mr. laud cavendish entered the library with a bill in his hand. mr. laud cavendish was a great man in his own estimation, and a great swell in the estimation of everybody else. he was a clerk or salesman in a store; but he was dressed very elegantly for a provincial city like belfast, and for a "counter-jumper" on six or eight dollars a week. he was about eighteen years old, tall, and rather slender. his upper lip was adorned with an incipient mustache, which had been tenderly coaxed and colored for two years, without producing any prodigious result, though it was the pride and glory of the owner. mr. cavendish was a dreamy young gentleman, who believed that the fates had made a bad mistake in his case, inasmuch as he was the son of an honest and industrious carpenter, instead of the son and heir of one of the nabobs of belfast. he believed that he was fitted to adorn the highest circle in society, to shine among the aristocracy of the city, and it was a cruel shame that he should be compelled to work in a store, weigh out tea and sugar, carry goods to the elegant mansions where he ought to be admitted at the front, instead of the back, door, collect bills, and perform whatever other service might be required of him. the fates had blundered and conspired against him; but he was not without hope that the daughter of some rich man, who might fall in love with him and his mustache, would redeem him from his slavery to an occupation he hated, and lift him up to the sphere where he belonged. laud was "soaring after the infinite," and so he rather neglected the mundane and practical, and his employer did not consider him a very desirable clerk. mr. laud cavendish came with a bill in his hand, the footing of which was the sum due his employer for certain necessary articles just delivered at the kitchen door of the elegant mansion. captain patterdale opened the tin box, and took therefrom some twenty dollars to pay the bill, which laud receipted. mr. hasbrook hoped he would go, and that don john would go; and perhaps they would have gone if a rather exciting event had not occurred to detain them. "father! father!" exclaimed miss nellie, rushing into the library. "what's the matter, nellie?" demanded her father, calmly; for he had long been a sea captain, and was used to emergencies. "michael has just dropped down in a fit!" gasped nellie. "where is he?" "in the yard." captain patterdale, followed by his three visitors, rushed through the hall, out at the front door, near which the unfortunate man had fallen, and, with the assistance of his companions, lifted him from the ground. michael was the hired man who took care of the horses, and kept the grounds around the elegant mansion in order. he was raking the gravel walk near the piazza where nellie was laboring to keep cool. as we have hinted before, and as nellie and don john had several times repeated, the day was intensely hot. the sun where the man worked was absolutely scorching, and the hired man had experienced a sun-stroke. captain patterdale and his visitors bore him to his room in the l, and don john ran for the doctor, who appeared in less than ten minutes. the visitors all did what they could, mr. laud cavendish behaving very well. michael's wife and other friends soon arrived, and there was nothing more for laud to do. he went down stairs, and, finding nellie in the hall, he tried to comfort her; for she was very much concerned for poor michael. "do you think he will die, mr. cavendish?" asked she, almost as much moved as though the poor man had been her father. "o, no! i think he will recover. these irishmen have thick heads, and they don't die so easily of sun-stroke; for that's what the doctor says it is," replied laud, knowingly. nellie thought, if this was a true view of _coup de soleil_, laud would never die of it. she thought this; but she was not so impolite as to say it. she asked him no more questions; for she saw don john approaching through the dining-room. "good afternoon, miss patterdale," said laud, with a bow and a flourish, as he retired towards the library, where he had left his hat. in a few moments more, the rattle of the wagon, with which he delivered goods to the customers, was heard as he drove off. don john came into the hall, and nellie asked him ever so many questions about the condition of michael, and what the doctor said about him; all of which the young man answered to the best of his ability. "do you think he will die, don john?" she asked. "i am sure i can't tell," replied donald; "i hope not." "michael is real good, and i am so sorry for him!" added nellie. but michael is hardly a personage in our story, and we do not purpose to enter into the diagnosis of his case. he has our sympathies on the merit of his sufferings alone, and quite as much for nellie's sake; for it was tender, and gentle, and kind in her to feel so much for a poor irish laborer. while she and donald were talking about the case, mr. hasbrook came down stairs, and passed through the hall into the library, where he, also, had left his hat. in a few moments more the rattle of his wagon was heard, as he drove off, indignant and disgusted at the indifference of the nabob in refusing to take an interest in his brilliant enterprise. he was angry with himself for having paid his note before he had enlisted the payee in his cause. "how is he, father?" asked nellie, as captain patterdale entered the hall. "the doctor thinks he sees some favorable symptoms." "will he die?" "the doctor thinks he will get over it. but he wants some ice, and i must get it for him." "i suppose you will not go in the sea foam now?" asked donald. "no; it is impossible," replied the captain, as he passed into the dining-room to the refrigerator. the father was like the daughter; and though he was a _millionnaire_, or a _demi-millionnaire_--we don't know which, for we were never allowed to look over his taxable valuation--though he was a nabob, he took right hold, and worked with his own hands for the comfort and the recovery of the sufferer. it was creditable to his heart that he did so, and we never grudge such a man his "pile," especially when he has earned it by his own labor, or made it in honorable, legitimate business. the captain went up stairs again with a large dish of ice, to assist the doctor in the treatment of his patient. donald staid in the hall, talking with miss nellie, as long as he thought it proper to do so, though not as long as he desired, and then entered the library where he, also, had left his hat. perhaps it was a singular coincidence that all three of the visitors had left their hats in that room; but then it was not proper for them to sit with their hats on in the presence of such a magnate as captain patterdale, and no decent man would stop for a hat when a person had fallen in a fit. captain patterdale's hat was still there; and, unluckily, there was something else belonging to him which was not there. chapter ii. about the tin box. captain patterdale worked with the doctor for a full hour upon poor michael, who at the end of that time opened his eyes, and soon declared that he was "betther entirely." he insisted upon getting up, for it was not "the likes of himself that was to lay there and have his honor workin' over him." but the doctor and the nabob pacified him, and left him, much improved, in the care of his wife. "how is he, dr. wadman?" asked the sympathizing nellie, as they came down stairs together. "he is decidedly better," replied the physician. "will he die?" "o, no; i think not. his case looks very hopeful now." "i thought folks always died with sun-stroke," said nellie, more cheerfully. "no; not unless their heads are very soft," laughed the doctor. "well, i shouldn't think laud cavendish would dare to go out when the sun shines," added the fair girl, with a snap of her bright eyes. "it isn't quite safe for him to do so. unfortunately, such people don't know their own heads. i will come in again after tea," said the doctor, as he went out of the house, at the front door; for he had not left his hat in the library. "i am so glad michael is better!" continued nellie. "when i saw him drop, i felt as cold as ice, and i was afraid i should drop too before i could get to the library." "did you see him fall, nellie?" asked her father. "yes; he gave a kind of groan, and then fell; he was--" "gracious!" exclaimed captain patterdale, interrupting her all of a sudden. he turned on his heel, and walked rapidly into the library. nellie was startled, and was troubled with a suspicion that her father had a _coup de soleil_, or _coup de_ something-else; for he did not often do anything by fits and starts. she followed him into the library. it was a fact that the captain had left his hat there; but it was not for this article, so necessary in a hot day, that he hastened thus abruptly into the room. nellie found him flying around the apartment in a high state of excitement for him. he was looking anxiously about, and seemed to be very much disturbed. "what in the world is the matter, father?" asked nellie. "where is your mother?" "she has gone over to mrs. rodman's." "hasn't she been back?" "no, certainly not; i was just going over to tell her what had happened to michael, when you came down." "who has been in here, nellie?" "i don't know that anybody has. i haven't seen any one. what's the matter, father? what in the world has happened?" "i left my tin box here when i went out to see to michael, and now it is gone," answered captain patterdale, anxiously. "i didn't know but that your mother had come in and taken care of it." "the tin box gone?" exclaimed nellie. "why, what can have become of it?" "that is just what i should like to know," added the captain, as he renewed his search in the room for the treasure chest. it was not in the library, and then he looked in the great hall and in the little hall, in the drawing-room, the sitting-room, and the dining-room; but it was not in any of these. he knew he had left it on the chair near where he was sitting when he went out of the room. then he examined the spring-lock on the door of the library which led into the side street. it was closed and securely fastened. the door shut itself with a patent invention, and when shut it locked itself, so that anybody could get out, but no one could get in unless admitted. "where were you when i was up stairs, nellie?" asked captain patterdale, as he seated himself in his arm-chair, to take a cool view of the whole subject. "i was in the hall most of the time," she replied. "who has been in the library?" "let me see; laud cavendish came down first, and went out through the library." the captain rubbed his bald head, and seemed to be asking himself whether it was possible for mr. laud cavendish to do so wicked a deed as stealing that tin box. he did not believe the young swell had the baseness or the daring to commit so great a crime. it might be, but he could not think so. "who else has been in here?" he inquired, when he had hastily considered all he knew about the moral character of laud. "that other man who was with you--i don't know his name--the one that was here when i came in with don john." "mr. hasbrook." "he went out through the library. i thought he looked real ugly too," added nellie. "he kept fidgeting about all the time i was here." "and all the time he was here himself. he went out through the library--did he?" "yes, sir." captain patterdale mentally overhauled the character of mr. hasbrook. it was unfortunate for his late debtor that his character was not first class, and between him and laud cavendish the probabilities were altogether against hasbrook. he had evidently been vexed and angry because he failed to carry his point, and his cupidity might have been stimulated by revenge. but the captain was a fair and just man, and in a matter of this kind, involving the reputation of any person, he kept his suspicions to himself. "who else has been in the library, nellie?" he asked. "no one but don john," replied she. and whatever laud or hasbrook might have done in wickedness, nellie had too much regard for her friend and schoolmate to admit for one instant the possibility of his doing anything wrong, much less his committing so gross a crime as the stealing of the tin box and its valuable contents. captain patterdale was hardly less confident of the integrity of donald. certainly it was not necessary to suspect him when the possibilities of guilt included two such persons as laud and hasbrook. donald was rather distinguished, in school and out, as a good boy, and he ought to have the full benefit of his reputation. "you don't think don john took the box--do you, father?" asked nellie, as her father was meditating on the circumstances. "certainly not, nellie," protested the captain, warmly; "i don't know that anybody has taken it." "i know don john would not do such a thing." "i don't believe he would." "i know he would not." her father thought she was just a little more earnest in her uncalled-for defence of the young man than was necessary, and for the first time in his life it occurred to him that she was more interested in him than he wished her to be; for, as donald was only the son of a poor boat-builder, such a strong friendship might be embarrassing in the future. however, this was only the shadow of a passing thought, which divided his attention only for a moment. the loss of the tin box was the question of the hour, and "society" topics were not just then in order. "i have no idea that don john took the box," replied captain patterdale. "i am more willing to believe either of the other two who were in the library took it than that he did. but he was the last of the three who went out through this room. he may be able to give me some information, and i will go down and see him. he and his father were going off in the new yacht--were they not?" "yes, sir." "you need not say a word about the box to any one, nellie, nor even that it is lost," added the captain. "if i do not find it, i shall employ a skilful detective to look it up, and he may prefer to work in the dark." "i will not mention it, father," replied nellie. "what was in the box? was it money?" "i put thirteen hundred and fifty dollars into it, but i took out twenty to pay the bill that laud brought. it contains my deeds, leases, policies of insurance, and my notes, and these papers are really more valuable to me than the money. luckily, my bonds and securities are in another box, in the vault of the bank." "then you will lose over thirteen hundred dollars if you don't find the box?" "more than that, i am afraid, for i shall hardly be able to collect all the money due on the notes if i lose them," replied the captain, as he left the house. he walked down to the boat shop of mr. ramsay. it was on the shore, and near it was the house in which the boat-builder lived. neither don john nor his father was at the shop, but a sloop yacht, half a mile out in the bay, seemed to be the sea foam. she was headed towards the shore, however, and captain patterdale seated himself in the shade of the shop to await its arrival, though he hardly expected to obtain any information in regard to the box from donald. while he was sitting there, mr. laud cavendish appeared with a large basket in his hand. the counter-jumper started when he turned the corner of the shop, and saw the nabob seated there. "going a-fishing?" asked the captain. "yes, sir; i'm going over to turtle head to camp out over sunday," replied laud. "how is michael, sir?" "he is much better, and is doing very well." "i'm glad of it," added laud, as he carried his basket down to a sail-boat which was partly aground, and deposited it in the forward cuddy. captain patterdale wanted to talk with laud, but he did not like to excite any suspicions on his part. if the young man had taken the box he would not be likely to go off on an island to stay over sunday. besides, it was evident from the position of the boat, and the fact that it contained several articles necessary for a fishing excursion, in addition to those in the basket, that laud had made his arrangements for the trip before he visited the library of the elegant mansion. if he had taken the box, he would probably have changed his plans. it was not likely, therefore, that laud was the guilty party. "are you going alone?" asked the captain, walking down the beach to the boat. "yes, sir; i couldn't get any one to go with me. i tried don john, but he won't go off to stay over sunday," replied laud, with a sickly grin. "i commend his example to you. i don't think it is a good way to spend sunday." "it's the only time i can get to go. i've been trying to got off for a month." "saturday must be a bad time for you to leave," suggested the captain. "it is rather bad," added laud, as he shoved off the bow of the boat, for he seemed to be in haste to get away. "by the way, laud, did you notice a tin box in my library when you were there this afternoon?" asked the nabob, with as much indifference in his manner and tone as he could command. "a tin box?" repeated laud, busying himself with the jib of the sail-boat. "yes; it was painted green." "i don't remember any box," answered laud. "didn't you see it? i opened it to take out the money i paid you." "i didn't mind. i was receipting the bill while you were getting the money ready. you know i sat down at your desk." "yes; i know you did; but didn't you see the box?" "no, sir; i don't remember seeing any box," said laud, still fussing over the sail, which certainly did not need any attention. "you went out through the library when you came down from michael's room--didn't you?" continued the captain. "yes, sir; i did. i left my hat in there." "did you see the box then?" "of course i didn't. if i had, i should have remembered it," replied laud, with a grin. "i just grabbed my hat, and ran, for i had been in the house some time; and i got a blessing for being away so long when i went back to the store." "you didn't see the box, then?" "if it was there, i suppose i saw it; but i didn't take any notice of it. why? is the box lost?" "i want to get another like it. haven't you anything of the sort in the store?" "we have some cake and spice boxes. they are tin, and painted on the outside." "those will not answer the purpose. it's a very hot day," added the captain, as he wiped the perspiration from his face, and walked back to the shade of the shop. mr. laud cavendish stepped into the sail-boat, hoisted the sails, and shoved her off into deep water with an oar. captain patterdale thought, and then he did not know what to think. was it possible laud had not noticed that tin box, which had been on a chair out in the middle of the room? if he had not, why, then he had not; but if he had laud had more cunning, more self-control, and more ingenuity than the captain had ever given him the credit, or the discredit, of possessing, for there was certainly no sign of guilt in his tone or his manner, except that he did not look the inquirer square in the face when he answered his questions, though some guilty people can even do this without wincing. captain patterdale watched the departing and the approaching boats, still considering the possible relation of laud cavendish to the tin box. if the fellow had stolen it, he would not go off on an island to stay over sunday, leaving the box behind to betray him; and this argument seemed to be conclusive in his favor. the captain had looked into the boat, and satisfied himself that the box was not there; unless it was in the basket, which appeared to contain so many other things that there was no room for it. on the whole, the captain was willing to acquit mr. laud cavendish of the act, partly, perhaps, because this had been his first view of the matter. it was more probable that hasbrook, angry and disappointed at his failure, had put the box into his wagon, and returned to the neighboring town, where, as before stated, his reputation was not first class, though, perhaps, not many people believed him capable of stealing outright, without the formality of getting up a mining company, or making a trade of some sort. but donald had been the last of the trio of visitors who passed through the library, and the captain wanted to see him. the sea foam, with snowy sails just from the loft, and glittering in her freshly-laid coat of white paint, ran up to a wharf just below the boat shop. donald was at the helm, and he threw her up into the wind just before she came to the pier, so that when she forged ahead, with her sails shaking in the wind, her head came up within a few inches of the landing-place. mr. ramsay fended her off, and went ashore with a line in his hand, which he made fast to a ring. captain patterdale walked around to the wharf, as soon as he saw where she was to make a landing. "well, how do you like her, sam?" said donald to a young man of his own age in the standing-room with him. "first rate; and i hope your father will go to work on mine at once," replied the passenger. "you will lay down the keel on monday--won't you, father?" "what?" asked mr. ramsay, who had seated himself on a log on the wharf. "you will lay down the keel of the boat for mr. rodman on monday--won't you?" repeated donald. "yes, if i am able; i don't feel very well to-day." and the boat-builder doubled himself up, as though he was in great pain. the young man in the standing-room of the sea foam was samuel rodman, a schoolmate of donald, whose father was a wealthy man, and had ordered another boat like the skylark, which had been the model for the new yacht. he had come down to see the craft, and had been invited to take a sail in her; but an engagement had prevented him from going as far as turtle head, and the boat-builder and his son had returned to land him, intending still to make the trip. by this time captain patterdale had reached the end of the wharf. he went on board of the sea foam, and looked her over with a critical eye, and was entirely satisfied with her. he was invited to sail in her for as short a time as he chose, but he declined. "by the way, donald, did you see the green tin box when you were in my library this afternoon?" he asked, when all the topics relating to the yacht had been disposed of. "yes, sir; i saw you take some money from it," replied donald. "then you remember the box?" "yes, sir." "did you notice it when you came out--i mean, when you left the house?" "i don't remember seeing it when i came out," answered donald, wondering what these questions meant. "i want to get another box just like that one. did you take particular notice of it?" "no, sir; i can't say i did." "you didn't stay any time in the library after you came down from michael's room, did you?" "no, sir; i only went for my hat, and didn't stay there a minute." "and you didn't notice the tin box?" "no, sir; i didn't see it at all when i came out." "then of course you didn't see any marks upon it," added the captain, with a smile. "if i didn't see the box, i shouldn't have been likely to see the marks," laughed donald. "what marks were they, sir?" "it's of no consequence, if you didn't see them. the box was in the library--wasn't it?--when you went out." "i don't know whether it was or not. i only know that i don't remember noticing it," said donald, who thought the captain's question was a very queer one, after those he had just answered. the nabob was no better satisfied with donald's answers than he had been with those of laud cavendish, except that the former looked him full in the face when he spoke. he obtained no information, and went home to seek it at other sources. "i think i won't go out again, donald," said mr. ramsay, when captain patterdale had left. "i don't feel very well, and you may go alone." "do you feel very sick, father?" asked the son, in tones of sympathy. "no; but i think i will go into the house and take some medicine. you can run over to turtle head alone," added the boat-builder, as he walked towards the house. "can't you go any how, sam?" said donald, turning to his friend. "no, i must go home now. i have to drive over to searsport after my sister," replied sam, as he left the yacht, and walked up the wharf. donald hoisted the jib of the sea foam, shoved off her head, and laid her course, with the wind over the quarter, for turtle head--distant about seven miles. chapter iii the yacht club at turtle head. the sea foam was a sloop yacht, thirty feet in length, and as handsome as a picture in an illustrated paper, than which nothing could be finer. it was a fact that she had cost twelve hundred dollars; but even this sum was cheaper than she could have been built and fitted up in boston or bristol. she was provided with everything required by a first class yacht of her size, both for the comfort and safety of the voyager, as well as for fast sailing. though mr. ramsay, her builder, was a ship carpenter, he was a very intelligent and well-read man. he had made yachts a specialty, and devoted a great deal of study to the subject. he had examined the fastest craft in new york and newport, and had their lines in his head. and he was a very ingenious man, so that he had the tact to make the most of small spaces, and to economize every spare inch in lockers, closets, and stow-holes for the numerous articles required in a pleasure craft. he had learned his trade as a ship carpenter and joiner in scotland, where the mechanic's education is much more thorough than in our own country, and he was an excellent workman. the cabin of the sea foam was about twelve feet long, with transoms on each side, which were used both as berths and sofas. they were supplied with cushions covered with brussels carpet, with a pillow of the same material at each end. through the middle, fore and aft, was the centre-board casing, on each side of which was a table on hinges, so that it could be dropped down when not in use. the only possible objection to this cabin, in the mind of a shoreman, would have been its lack of height. it was necessarily "low studded," being only five feet from floor to ceiling, which was rather trying to the perpendicularity of a six-footer. but it was a very comfortable cabin for all that, though tall men were compelled to be humble within its low limits. it was entered from the standing-room by a single step covered with plate brass, in which the name of the yacht was wrought with bright copper nails. on each side of the companion-way was a closet, one of which was for dishes, and the other for miscellaneous stores. the trunk, which readers away from boatable waters may need to be informed is an elevation about a foot above the main deck, to afford head-room in the middle of the cabin, had three deck lights, or ports, on each side. at one end of the casing of the centre-board was a place for the water-jar, and a rack for tumblers. in the middle were hooks in the trunk-beams for the caster and the lantern. the brass-covered step at the entrance was movable, and when it was drawn out it left an opening into the run under the standing-room, where a considerable space was available for use. in the centre of it was the ice-chest, a box two feet square, lined with zinc, which was rigged on little grooved wheels running on iron rods, like a railroad car, so that the chest could be drawn forward where the contents could be reached. on each side of this box was a water-tank, holding thirty gallons, which could be filled from the standing-room. the water was drawn by a faucet lower than the bottom of the tank in a recess at one side of the companion-way. the tanks were connected by a pipe, so that the water was drawn from both. at the side of the step was a gauge to indicate the supply of fresh water on board. forward of the cabin, in the bow of the yacht, was the cook-room, with a scuttle opening into it from the forecastle. the stove, a miniature affair, with an oven large enough to roast an eight-pound rib of beef, and two holes on the top, was in the fore peak. it was placed in a shallow pan filled with sand, and the wood-work was covered with sheet tin, to guard against fire. behind the stove was a fuel-bin. on each side of the cook room was a shelf eighteen inches wide at the bulk-head and tapering forward to nothing. under it were several lockers for the galley utensils and small stores. the room was only four feet high, and a tall cook in the sea foam would have found it necessary to discount himself. on the foremast was a seat on a hinge, which could be dropped down, on which the "doctor" could sit and do his work, roasting himself at the same time he roasted his beef or fried his fish. everything in the cook-room and the cabin, as well as on deck, was neat and nice. the cabin was covered with a handsome oil-cloth carpet, and the wood was white with zinc paint, varnished, with gilt moulding to ornament it. edward patterdale, who was to be the nominal owner and the real skipper of this beautiful craft, intended to have several framed pictures on the spaces between the deck lights, a clock in the forward end over the cook-room door, and brass brackets for the spy-glass in the companion-way. on deck the sea foam was as well appointed as she was below. her bowsprit had a gentle downward curve, her mast was a beautiful spar, and her topmast was elegantly tapered and set up in good shape. unlike most of the regular highflyer yachts, her jib and mainsail were not unreasonably large. mr. ramsay did not intend that it should be necessary to reef when it blew a twelve-knot breeze, and, like the skylark, she was expected to carry all sail in anything short of a full gale. but she was provided with an abundance of "kites," including an immense gaff-topsail, which extended on poles far above the topmast head, and far beyond the peak, a balloon-jib, a jib-topsail, and a three-cornered studding-sail. the balloon-jib, or the jib-topsail, was bent on with snap-hooks when it was needed, for only one was used at the same time. these extra sails were to be required only in races, and they were kept on shore. one stout hand could manage her very well, though two made it easier work, and six were allowed in a race. donald seated himself in the standing-room, with the tiller in his right hand. as soon as he had run out a little way, his attention was excited by discovering three other sloop yachts coming down the bay. in one of them he recognized the skylark, and in another the christabel, while the third was a stranger to him, though he had heard of the arrival that day of a new yacht from newport, and concluded this was she. he let off his sheet, and ran up to meet the little fleet. "sloop, ahoy!" shouted robert montague, from the skylark, as donald came within hailing distance. "on board the skylark!" replied the skipper of the sea foam. "is that you, don john?" "ay, ay." "what sloop is that?" demanded robert. "the sea foam." "where bound?" "over to turtle head." "we are bound there; come with us." "ay ay." "hold on a minute, don john," shouted some one from the christabel. each of the yachts had a tender towing astern, and that from the christabel, with five boys in it, immediately put off, and pulled to the sea foam. "will you take us on board, don john?" asked gus barker, as the tender came alongside. "certainly; i'm glad to have your company," replied donald, who had thrown the yacht up into the wind. three of the party in the tender jumped upon the deck of the sea foam, and the boat returned to the christabel. each of the yachts appeared to have half a dozen or more on board of her, so that there was quite a party on the way to turtle head. the sloops filled away again, the skylark and the new arrival having taken the lead, while the other two were delayed. "what sloop is that with the skylark?" asked donald. "that's the phantom. she got here from newport this forenoon. joe guilford's father bought her for him. she is the twin sister of the skylark, and they seem to make an even thing of it in sailing," replied gus barker. "you have quite a fleet now," added donald. "yes; and we are going to form a yacht club. we intend to have a meeting over at turtle head. will you join, don john?" "i haven't any boat." "nor i, either. all the members can't be skippers," laughed gus. "i am to be mate of the sea foam, and that's the reason i wanted to come on board of her." "and i am to be one of her crew," added dick adams. "and i the steward," laughed ben johnson. "i am going down into the cook-room to see how things look there." "you will join--won't you, don?" "well, i don't know. i can't afford to run with you fellows with rich fathers." "o, get out! that don't make any difference," puffed gus. "the owner of the yacht has to foot the bills. besides, we want you, don john, for you know more about a boat than all the rest of the fellows put together." "well, i shall be very glad to do anything i can to help the thing along; but there are plenty of fellows that can sail a boat better than i can." "but you know all about a boat, and they want you for measurer. we have the printed constitution of a yacht club, which bob montague got in boston, and according to that the measurer is entitled to ten cents a foot for measuring a yacht; so you may make something out of your office." "i don't want to make any money out of it," protested donald. "you can make enough to pay your dues, for we have to raise some money for prizes in the regattas; and we talk of having a club house over on turtle head," rattled gus, whose tongue seemed to be hung on a pivot in his enthusiasm over the club. "every fellow must be voted in, and pay five dollars a year for membership. we shall have some big times.--we are gaining on the skylark, as true as you live!" "i think we are; but i guess bob isn't driving her," added donald. "she carries the same sail as the sea foam. i would give anything to beat her. make her do her best, don john." "i will," laughed the skipper, who had kept one eye on the skylark all the time. he trimmed the sails a little, and began to be somewhat excited over the prospect of a race. the christabel was three feet longer than the other yachts, and it was soon evident that in a light wind she was more than a match for them, for she ran ahead of the sea foam. her jib and mainsail were much larger in proportion to her size than those of the other sloops, but she was not an able boat, not a heavy-weather craft, like them. the sea foam continued to gain on the skylark, till she was abreast of her, while the phantom kept about even with her. but then robert montague was busy all the time talking with his companions about the yacht club, and did not pay particular attention to the sailing of his boat. the sea foam began to walk ahead of him, and then, for the first time, it dawned upon him that the reputation of the skylark was at stake. he had his crew of five with him, and he placed them in position to improve the sailing of his craft. he ordered one of his hands to give a small pull on the jib-sheet, another to let off the main sheet a little, and a third to haul up the centre-board a little more, as she was going free. the effect of this attention on the part of the skipper of the skylark was to lessen the distance between her and the sea foam; they were abeam of each other, with the phantom in the same line. the christabel was about a cable's length ahead of them. "she's game yet," said gus barker, his disappointment evident in the tones of his voice, as the skylark came up to the sea foam. "this is a new boat, and i haven't got the hang of her yet," donald explained. "haul up that fin a little, dick." "what fin?" "the centre-board." "ay, ay," replied dick, as he obeyed the order. "steady! that's enough," continued donald, who now narrowly watched the sailing of the sea foam, to assure himself that she did not make too much leeway. "that was what she wanted!" exclaimed gus, when the yacht began to gain again, and in a few minutes was half a length ahead. [illustration: the start. page .] "but not quite so much of it," replied donald, when he saw that his craft was sliding off a very little. "give her just three inches more fin, dick." the centre-board was dropped this distance, and the tendency to make leeway thus corrected. "she is gaining still!" cried gus, delighted. "not much; it is a pretty even thing," added donald. "no matter; we beat her, and i don't care if it's only half an inch in a mile." "but the christabel is leading us all. she is sure of all the first prizes." "not a bit of it. she has to reef when there's a capful of wind. in a calm she will beat us, but when it blows we shall wax her all to pieces." "hallo!" shouted mr. laud cavendish, whose small sail-boat was overhauled about half way over to turtle head. "is that you, don john?" "i believe so," replied donald. "where you going?" "over to turtle head. want us to give you a tow?" "no; you needn't brag about your old tub. she don't belong to you; and i'm going to have a boat that will beat that one all to splinters," replied laud. "all right; fetch her along." "i say, don john, i'm going to stop over sunday on turtle head. won't you stay with me?" "no, i thank you. i must go home to-night," answered donald. mr. laud cavendish knew very well that donald would not spend sunday in boating and fishing; and he did not ask because he wanted him. besides, for more reasons than one, he did not desire his company. the sea foam ran out of talking distance of the sail-boat in a moment. robert montague was doing his best to keep up the reputation of the skylark; but when the fleet came up to turtle head, she was more than a length behind. the jib was hauled down, the yachts came up into the wind, and the anchors were let go. "beat you," shouted gus barker. "not much," replied robert. "we will try that over again some time." "we are willing," added donald. the mainsails were lowered, and the young yachtmen embarked in the tenders for the shore. turtle head is a rocky point at the northern extremity of long island, in penobscot bay. there were a few trees near the shore, and under these the party purposed to hold their meeting. though the weather was intensely hot on shore, it was comfortably cool at the head, where the wind came over five or six miles of salt water cool from the ocean. the boys leaped ashore, and hauled up their boats where the rising tide could not float them off. there were over twenty of them, all members of the high school. "the sea foam sails well," said robert montague, as he walked over to the little grove with donald. "very well, indeed. this is the first time she has been out, and i find she works first rate," replied donald. "i want to try it with her some day, when everything is right." "wasn't everything right to-day?" asked donald, smiling, for he was well aware that every boatman has a good excuse for the shortcomings of his craft. "no; my tender is twice as heavy as yours," added robert. "i must get your father to build me one like that of the sea foam." "we will try it without any tenders, which we don't want in a race." "of course i don't know but the sea foam can beat me; but i haven't seen the boat of her inches before that could show her stern to the skylark," said robert; and it was plain that he was a little nettled at the slight advantage which the new yacht had gained. "i should like to sail her when you try it, for i have great hopes of the sea foam. if my father has built a boat that will beat the skylark in all weathers, he has done a big thing, and it will make business good for him." "for his sake i might be almost willing to be whipped," replied robert, good-naturedly, as they halted in the grove. charley armstrong was the oldest member of the party, and he was to call the meeting to order, which he did with a brief speech, explaining the object of the gathering, though everybody present knew it perfectly well. charles was then chosen chairman, and dick adams secretary. it was voted to form a club, and the secretary was called upon to read the constitution of the "dorchester yacht club." the name was changed to belfast, and the document was adopted as the constitution of the belfast yacht club. the second article declared that the officers should consist of a "commodore, vice-commodore, captain of the fleet, secretary, treasurer, measurer, a board of trustees, and a regatta committee;" and the next business was to elect them, which had to be done by written or printed ballots. as the first three officers were required to be owners in whole, or in part, of yachts enrolled in the club, there was found to be an alarming scarcity of yachts. the skylark, sea foam, phantom, and christabel were on hand. edward patterdale and samuel rodman had signified their intention to join, though they were unable to be present at the first meeting. the maud, as samuel rodman's new yacht was to be called, was to be built at once: she was duly enrolled, thus making a total of five, from whom the first three officers must be chosen. the secretary had come supplied with stationery, and a slip was handed to each member, after the constitution had been signed. a ballot was taken for commodore; robert b. montague had twenty votes, and charles armstrong one. robert accepted the office in a "neat little speech," and took the chair, which was a sharp rock. edward patterdale was elected vice-commodore, and joseph guilford captain of the fleet. donald was chosen measurer, and the other offices filled to the satisfaction of those elected, if not of the others. it was then agreed to have a review and excursion on the following saturday, to which the ladies were to be invited. the important business of the day was happily finished, and the fleet sailed for belfast. having secured the sea foam at her mooring, donald hastened home. as he approached the cottage, he saw a doctor's sulky at the door, and the neighbors going in and out. his heart rose into his throat, for there was not one living beneath that humble roof whom he did not love better than himself. chapter iv. a sad event in the ramsay family. donald's heart beat violently as he hastened towards the cottage. before he could reach it, another doctor drew up at the door, and it was painfully certain that one of the family was very sick--dangerously so, or two physicians would not have been summoned. it might be his father, his mother, or his sister barbara; and whichever it was, it was terrible to think of. his legs almost gave away under him, when he staggered up to the cottage. as he did so, he recalled the fact that his father had been ailing when he went away in the sea foam. it must be his father, therefore, who was now so desperately ill as to require the attendance of two doctors. the cottage was a small affair, with a pretty flower garden in front of it, and a whitewashed fence around it. but small as it was, it was not owned by the boat-builder, who, though not in debt, had hardly anything of this world's goods--possibly a hundred dollars in the savings' bank, and the furniture in the cottage. though he was as prudent and thrifty as scotchmen generally are, and was not beset by their "often infirmity," he had not been very prosperous. the business of ship-building had been almost entirely suspended, and for several years only a few small vessels had been built in the city. ramsay had always obtained work; but he lived well, and gave his daughter and his son an excellent education. alexander ramsay's specialty was the building of yachts and boats, and he determined to make a better use of his skill than selling it with his labor for day wages. he went into business for himself as a boat-builder. when he established himself, he had several hundred dollars, with which he purchased stock and tools. he had built several sail-boats, but the sea foam was the largest job he had obtained. doubtless with life and health he would have done a good business. donald had always been interested in boats, and he knew the name and shape of every timber and plank in the hull of a vessel, as well as every spar and rope. though only sixteen, he was an excellent mechanic himself. his father had taken great pains to instruct him in the use of tools, and in draughting and modelling boats and larger craft. he not only studied the art in theory, but he worked with his own hands. in the parlor of the little cottage was a full-rigged brig, made entirely by him. the hull was not a log, shaped and dug out, but regularly constructed, with timbers and planking. when he finished it, only a few months before his introduction to the reader, he felt competent to build a yacht like the sea foam, without any assistance; but boys are generally over-confident, and possibly he overrated his ability. with his heart rising up into his throat, donald walked towards the cottage. as he passed the whitewashed gate, one of the neighbors came out at the front door. she was an elderly woman, and she looked very sad as she glanced at the boy. "i'm glad you have come, donald; but i'm afraid he'll never speak to you again," said she. "is it my father?" gasped the poor fellow. "it is; and he's very sick indeed." "what ails him?" "that's more than the doctors can tell yet," added the woman. "they say it's very like the cholera; and i suppose it's cholera-morbus. he has been ailing for several days, and he didn't take care of himself. but go in, donald, and see him while you may." the young man entered the cottage. the doctors, his mother and sister, were all doing what they could for the sufferer, who was enduring, with what patience he could, the most agonizing pain. donald went into the chamber where his father lay writhing upon the bed. the physicians were at work upon him; but he saw his son as he entered the room and held out his hand to him. the boy took it in his own. it was cold and convulsed. "i'm glad you've come, donald," groaned he, uttering the words with great difficulty. "be a good boy always, and take care of your mother and sister." "i will, father," sobbed donald, pressing the cold hand he held. "i was afraid i might never see you again," gasped mr. ramsay. "o, don't give up, my man," said dr. wadman. "you may be all right in a few hours." the sick man said no more. he was in too much pain to speak again, and dr. wadman sent donald to the kitchen for some hot water. when he returned with it he was directed to go to the apothecary's for an ounce of chloroform, which the doctors were using internally and externally, and had exhausted their supply. donald ran all the way as though the life of his father depended upon his speed. he was absent only a few minutes, but when he came back there was weeping and wailing in the little cottage by the sea-side. his father had breathed his last, even while the doctors were hopefully working to save him. "o, donald, donald!" cried mrs. ramsay, as she threw her arms around his neck. "your poor father is gone!" the boy could not speak; he could not even weep, though his grief was not less intense than that of his mother and sister. they groaned, and sobbed, and sighed together, till kind neighbors led them from the chamber of death, vainly endeavoring to comfort them. it was hours before they were even tolerably calm; but they could speak of nothing, think of nothing, but him who was gone. the neighbors did all that it was necessary to do, and spent the night with the afflicted ones, who could not separate to seek their beds. the rising sun of the sabbath found them still up, and still weeping--those who could weep. it was a long, long sunday to them, and every moment of it was given to him who had been a devoted husband and a tender father. on monday, all too soon, was the funeral; and all that was mortal of alexander ramsay was laid in the silent grave, never more to be looked upon by those who had loved him, and whom he had loved. the little cottage was like a casket robbed of its single jewel to those who were left. earth and life seemed like a terrible blank to them. they could not accustom themselves to the empty chair at the window where he sat when his day's work was done; to the vacant place at the table, where he had always invoked the blessing of god on the frugal fare before them; and to the silent and deserted shop on the other side of the street, from which the noise of his hammer and the clip of his adze had come to them. a week wore away and nothing was done but the most necessary offices of the household. the neighbors came frequently to beguile their grief, and the minister made several visits, bearing to them the consolations of the gospel, and the tender message of a genuine sympathy. but it is not for poor people long to waste themselves in idle lamentations. the problem of the future was forced upon mrs. ramsay for solution. if they had been able only to live comfortably on the earnings of the dead husband, what should they do now when the strong arm that delved for them was silent in the cold embrace of death? they must all work now; but even then the poor woman could hardly see how she could keep her family together. barbara was eighteen, but she had never done anything except to assist her mother, whose health was not very good, about the house. she was a graduate of the high school, and competent, so far as education was concerned, to teach a school if she could obtain a situation. mrs. ramsay might obtain work to be done at home, but it was only a pittance she could earn besides doing her housework. she wished to have donald finish his education at the high school, but she was afraid this was impossible. donald, still mourning for his father, who had so constantly been his companion in the cottage and in the shop, that he could not reconcile himself to the loss, hardly thought of the future, till his mother spoke to him about it. he had often, since that bitter saturday night, recalled the last words his father had ever spoken to him, in which he had told him to be a good boy always and take care of his mother and sister; but they had not much real significance to him till his mother spoke to him. then he understood them; then he saw that his father was conscious of the near approach of death, and had given his mother and his sister into his keeping. then, with the memory of him who was gone lingering near and dear in his heart, a mighty resolution was born in his soul, though it did not at once take a practical form. "don't worry about the future, mother," said he, after he had listened to her rather hopeless statement of her views. "i don't worry about it, donald, for while we have our health and strength, we can work and make a living. i want to keep you in school till the end of the year, but i--" "of course i can't go to school any more, mother. i am ready to go to work," interposed donald. "i know you are, my boy; but i want you to finish your school course very much." "i haven't thought a great deal about the matter yet, mother, but i think i shall be able to do what father told me." "your father did not expect you to take care of us till you had grown up, i'm sure," added mrs. ramsay, who had heard the dying injunction of her husband to their son. "i don't know that he did; but i shall do the best i can." "poor father! he never thought of anything but us," sighed mrs. ramsay; and her woman's tears flowed freely again, so freely that there was no power of utterance left to her. donald wept, too, as he thought of him who was not only his father, but his loving companion in study, in work, and in play. he left the house and walked over to the shop. for the first time since the sad event, he unlocked the door and entered. the tears trickled down his cheeks as he glanced at the bench where his father had done his last day's work. the planes and a few other tools were neatly arranged upon it, and his apron was spread over them. on the walls were models of boats and yachts, and in one corner were the "moulds." donald seated himself on the tool-chest, and looked around at every familiar object in the shop. he was thinking of something, but his thought had not yet taken definite form. while he was considering the present and the future, samuel rodman entered the shop. "do you suppose i can get the model of the sea foam, don john?" inquired he, after something had been said about the deceased boat-builder. "i think you can. the model and the drawings are all here," replied donald. "we intend to build the maud this season, and i want her to be as near like the sea foam as possible." "who is going to build her?" asked donald, his interest suddenly kindled by the question. "i don't know; we haven't spoken to any one about it yet," replied samuel. "there isn't anybody in these parts that can build her as your father would." [illustration: don john wants a job. page .] "sam, can't i do this job for you?" said donald. "you?" "yes, i. you know i used to work with my father, and i understand his way of doing things." "well, i hadn't thought that you could do it; but i will talk with my father about it," answered samuel, who appeared to have some doubts about the ability of his friend to do so large a job. "i don't mean to do it all myself, sam. i will hire one or two first-rate ship carpenters," added donald. "she shall be just like the sea foam, except a little alteration, which my father explained to me, in the bow and run." "do you think you could do the job, don john?" asked samuel, with an incredulous smile. "i know i could," said donald, earnestly. "if i had time enough i could build her all alone." "we want her as soon as we can get her." "she shall be finished as quick as my father could have done her." "i will see my father about it to-night, don john, and let you know to-morrow. i came down to see about the model." samuel rodman left the shop and walked down the beach to the sail-boat in which he had come. donald was almost inspired by the idea which had taken possession of him. if he could only carry on his father's business, he could make money enough to support the family; and knowing every stick in the hull of a vessel, he felt competent to do so. full of enthusiasm, he hastened into the cottage to unfold his brilliant scheme to his mother. he stated his plan to her, but at first she shook her head. "do you think you could build a yacht, donald?" she asked. "i am certain i could. didn't you hear father say that my brig contained every timber and plank that belongs to a vessel?" "yes, and that the work was done as well as he could do it himself; but that does not prove that you can carry on the business." "i want one or two men, if we build the maud, because it would take too long for me to do all the work alone." "the maud?" "that was the yacht that father was to build next. i asked sam rodman to give me the job, and he is going to talk with his father about it to-night." mrs. ramsay was rather startled at this announcement, which indicated that her son really meant business in earnest. "do you think he will let you do it?" she asked. "i hope he will." "are you sure you can make anything if you build the yacht?" "father made over three hundred dollars on the sea foam, besides his day wages." "that is no reason why you can do it." "all his models, moulds, and draughts are in the shop. i know where they are, and just what to do with them. i hope you will let me try it, mother." "suppose you don't make out?" "but i shall make out." "if mr. rodman refuses to accept the yacht after the job is done, what will you do?" "i shall have her myself then, and i can make lots of money taking out parties in her." "your father was paid for the sea foam as the work progressed. he had received eight hundred dollars on her when she was finished." "i know it; and captain patterdale owes four hundred more. if you let me use some of the money to buy stock and pay the men till i get payment on the job, i shall do very well." "we must have something to live on. after i have paid the funeral expenses and other bills, this money that captain patterdale owes will be all i have." "but mr. rodman will pay me something on the job, when he is satisfied that the work will be done." the widow was not very clear about the business; but she concluded, at last, that if mr. rodman would give him the job, she would allow him to undertake it. donald was satisfied, and went back to the shop. he opened his father's chest and took out his account book. turning to a page which was headed "sea foam," he found every item of labor and expenditure charged to her. every day's work, every foot of stock, every pound of nails, every article of brass or hardware, and the cost of sails and cordage, were carefully entered on the account. from this he could learn the price of everything used in the construction of the yacht, for his guidance in the great undertaking before him. but he was quite familiar before with the cost of everything used in building a boat. on a piece of smooth board, he figured up the probable cost, and assured himself he could make a good job of the building of the maud. the next day was saturday--two weeks after the organization of the yacht club. there had been a grand review a week before, which donald did not attend. the yachtmen had taken their mothers, sisters, and other friends on an excursion down the bay, and given them a collation at turtle head. on the saturday in question, a meeting of the club at the head had been called to complete the arrangements for a regatta, and the committee on regattas were to make their report. donald had been requested to attend in order to measure the yachts. he did not feel much like taking part in the sports of the club, but he decided to perform the duty required of him. he expected to see samuel rodman on this occasion, and to learn the decision of his father in regard to the building of the maud. after breakfast he embarked in the sail-boat which had belonged to his father, and with a fresh breeze stood over to turtle head. he had dug some clams early in the morning, and told his mother he should bring home some fish which he intended to catch after the meeting of the club. as the boat sped on her way, he thought of his grand scheme to carry on his father's business, and everything seemed to depend upon mr. rodman's decision. he hoped for the best, but he trembled for the result. when he reached his destination, he found another boat at the head, and soon discovered laud cavendish on the bluff. "hallo, don john!" shouted the swell, as donald stepped on shore. "how are you, laud? you are out early." "not very; i came ashore here to see if i couldn't find some clams," added laud, as he held up a clam-digger he carried in his hand--a kind of trowel fixed in a shovel-handle. "you can't find any clams here," said donald, wondering that even such a swell should expect to find them there. "i am going down to camden to stay over sunday, and i thought i might fish a little on the way." "you will find some farther down the shore, where there is a soft beach. do you get off every saturday now, laud?" "get off? yes; i get off every day. i'm out of a job." "i thought you were at miller's store." "i was there; but i'm not now. miller shoved me out. do you know of any fellow that has a good boat to sell?" "what kind of a boat?" "well, one like the skylark and the sea foam." "no; i don't know of any one around here. do you want to buy one?" "yes; i thought i would buy one, if i could get her about right. she must be cheap." "how cheap do you expect to buy a boat like the sea foam?" asked donald, wondering what a young man out of business could be thinking about when he talked of buying a yacht. "four or five hundred dollars." "the sea foam cost twelve hundred." "that's a fancy price. the skylark didn't cost but five hundred." "do you want to give five hundred for a boat?" "not for myself, don john. i was going to buy one for another man. i must be going now," added laud, as he went down to his boat. hoisting his sail, he shoved off, and stood over towards searsport. donald walked up the slope to the head, from which he could see the yacht club fleet as soon as it sailed from the city. chapter v. captain shivernock. donald seated himself on a rock, with his gaze directed towards belfast. his particular desire just then was to see samuel rodman, in order to learn whether he was to have the job of building the maud. he felt able to do it, and even then, as he thought of the work, he had in his mind the symmetrical lines of the new yacht, as they were to be after the change in the model which his father had explained to him. he recalled a suggestion of a small increase in the size of the mainsail, which had occurred to him when he sailed the sea foam. his first aspiration was only to build a yacht; his second was to build one that would beat anything of her inches in the fleet. if he could realize this last ambition, he would have all the business he could do. the yacht fleet did not appear up the bay; but it was only nine o'clock in the morning, and possibly the meeting of the club would not take place till afternoon. if any one had told him the hour, he had forgotten it, but the former meeting had been in the forenoon. he was too nervous to sit still a great while, and, rising, he walked about, musing upon his grand scheme. the place was an elevated platform of rock, a portion of it covered with soil to the depth of several feet, on which the grass grew. it was not far above the water even at high tide, nor were the bluffs very bold. the plateau was on a peninsula, extending to the north from the island, which was not unlike the head of a turtle, and the shape had given it a name. donald walked back and forth on the headland, watching for the fleet. "i wonder if laud cavendish was digging for clams up here," thought he, as he observed a spot where the earth appeared to have been disturbed. the marks of laud's clam-digger were plainly to be seen in the loam, a small quantity of which remained on the sod. certainly the swell had been digging there; but it could not have been for clams; and donald was trying to imagine what it was for, when he heard footsteps near him. coming towards him, he discovered captain shivernock, of the city; and he had two problems to solve instead of one; not very important ones, it is true, but just such as are suggested to everybody at times. perhaps it did not make the least difference to the young man whether or not he ascertained why laud cavendish had been digging on the head, or why captain shivernock happened to be on the island, apparently without any boat, at that time in the morning. i do not think donald would have given a nickel five-cent piece to have been informed correctly upon either point, though he did propose the question to himself in each case. probably laud had no particular object in view in digging--the ground did not look as though he had; and captain shivernock was odd enough to do anything, or to be anywhere, at the most unseasonable hours. "how are you, don john?" shouted the captain, as he came within hailing distance of donald. "how do you do, captain shivernock," replied the young man, rather coldly, for he had no regard, and certainly no admiration, for the man. "you are just the man i wanted to see," added the captain. donald could not reciprocate the sentiment, and, not being a hypocrite, he made no reply. the captain seemed to be somewhat fatigued and out of breath, and immediately seated himself on the flat rock which the young man had occupied. he was not more than five feet and a half high, but was tolerably stout. the top of his head was as bald as a winter squash; but extending around the back of his head from ear to ear was a heavy fringe of red hair. his whiskers were of the same color; but, as age began to bleach them out under the chin, he shaved this portion of his figure-head, while his side whiskers and mustache were very long. he was dressed in a complete suit of gray, and wore a coarse braided straw hat. captain shivernock, as i have more than once hinted, was an eccentric man. he had been a shipmaster in the earlier years of his life, and had made a fortune by some lucky speculations during the war of the rebellion, in which he took counsel of his interest rather than his patriotism. he had a strong will, a violent temper, and an implacable hatred to any man who had done him an injury, either actually or constructively. it was said that he was as faithful and devoted in his friendships as he was bitter and relentless in his hatreds; but no one in the city, where he was a very unpopular man, had any particular experience of the soft side of his character. he was a native of lincolnville, near belfast, though he had left his home in his youth. he had a fine house in the city, and lived in good style. he was said to be a widower, and had no children. the husband of his housekeeper was the man of all work about his place, and both of them had come with their employer from new york. he seldom did anything like other people. he never went to church, would never put his name upon a subscription paper, however worthy the object, though he had been known to give a poor man an extravagant reward for a slight service. he would not pay his taxes till the fangs of the law worried the money out of him, but would give fifty dollars for the first salmon or the first dish of peaches of the season for his table. he was as full of contradictions as he was of oddities, and no one knew how to take him. one moment he seemed to be hoarding his money like a miser, and the next scattering it with insane prodigality. "i'm tired out, don john," added captain shivernock, as he seated himself, fanning his red face with his hat. "have you walked far, sir?" asked donald, who was well acquainted with the captain; for his father had worked on his boat, and he was often in the shop. "i believe i have hoofed it about ten miles this morning," replied captain shivernock with an oath; and he had a wicked habit of ornamenting every sentence he used with a profane expletive, which i shall invariably omit. "then you have walked nearly the whole length of the island." "do you mean to tell me i lie?" demanded the captain. "certainly not, sir," protested donald. "my boat got aground down here. i started early this morning to go down to vinal haven; but i'm dished now, and can't go," continued captain shivernock, so interlarding with oaths this simple statement that it looks like another thing divested of them. "where did you get aground?" asked donald. "down by seal harbor." "about three miles from here." "do you think i lied to you?" "by no means, sir." donald could not divine how the captain had got aground near seal harbor, if he was bound from belfast to vinal haven, though it was possible that the wind had been more to the southward early in the morning, compelling him to beat down the bay; but it was not prudent to question anything the captain said. "i ran in shore pretty well, and took the ground. i tried for half an hour to get the juno off, but i was soon left high and dry on the beach. i anchored her where she was, and i'm sorry now i didn't set her afire," explained the captain. "set her afire!" exclaimed donald. "that's what i said. she shall never play me such a trick again," growled the strange man. "why, it wasn't the fault of the boat." "do you mean to say it was my fault?" demanded the captain, ripping out a string of oaths that made donald shiver. "it was an accident which might happen to any one." "do you think i didn't know what i was about?" "i suppose you did, sir; but any boat may get aground." "not with me! if she did i'd burn her or sell her for old junk. i never will sail in her again after i get home. i know what i'm about." "of course you do, sir." "got a boat here?" suddenly demanded the eccentric. "yes, sir; i have our sail-boat." "take me down to seal harbor in her," added the captain, rising from his seat. "i don't think i can go, sir." "don't you? what's the reason you can't?" asked the captain, with a sneer on his lips. "i have to meet the yacht club here." captain shivernock cursed the yacht club with decided unction, and insisted that donald should convey him in his boat to the place where the juno was at anchor. "i have to measure the yachts when they come, sir." "measure--" but the place the captain suggested was not capable of measurement. "i'll pay you well for going." "i should not ask any pay if i could go," added donald, glancing up the bay to see if the fleet was under way. "i say i will pay you well, and you will be a fool if you don't go with me." "the yachts haven't started yet, and perhaps i shall have time to get back before they arrive." "i don't care whether you get back or not; i want you to go." "i will go, sir, and run the risk," replied donald, as he led the way down to the boat. shoving her off, he helped the captain into her, and hoisted the sail. "what boat's that over there?" demanded captain shivernock, as he pointed at the craft sailed by laud cavendish, which was still standing on towards searsport. donald told him who was in her. "don't go near her," said he, sternly. "i always want a good mile between me and that puppy." "he is bound to camden, and won't get there for a week at that rate," added donald. "don't care if he don't," growled the passenger. "i don't know that i do, either," added the skipper. "laud wants to buy a boat, and perhaps you can sell him yours, if you are tired of her." "shut up!" donald did "shut up," and decided not to make any more talk with the captain, only to give him civil answers. ordinarily he would as soon have thought of wrestling with a bengal tiger as of carrying on a conversation with such a porcupine as his passenger, who scrupled not to insult man or boy without the slightest provocation. in a few moments the skipper tacked, having weathered the head, and stood into the little bay west of it. "don john," said captain shivernock, sharply, fixing his gaze upon the skipper. "sir?" the captain took his wallet from his pocket. it was well filled with greenbacks, from which he took several ten-dollar bills--five or six of them, at least. "i will pay you," said he. "i don't ask any pay for this, sir. i am willing to do you a favor for nothing." "hold your tongue, you fool! a favor?" sneered the eccentric. "do you think i would ask a little monkey like you to do me a favor?" "i won't call it a favor, sir." "better not. there! take that," and captain shivernock shoved the bills he had taken from his wallet into donald's hand. "no, sir! i can't take all that, if i do anything," protested the skipper, amazed at the generosity of his passenger. the captain, with a sudden spring, grasped a short boat-hook which lay between the rail and the wash-board. "put that money into your pocket, or i'll smash your head; and you won't be the first man i've killed, either," said the violent passenger. donald did not find the money hard to take on its own merits, and he considerately obeyed the savage order. his pride, which revolted at the idea of being paid for a slight service rendered to a neighbor, was effectually conquered. he put the money in his pocket; but as soon as the captain laid down the boat-hook, he took it out to count it, and found there was fifty dollars. he deposited it carefully in his wallet. "you don't mean to pay me all that money for this little job?" said he. "do you think i don't know what i mean?" snarled the passenger. "i suppose you do, sir." "you suppose i do!" sneered the cynic. "you know i do." "fifty dollars is a great deal of money for such a little job." "that's none of your business. don john, you've got a tongue in your head!" said captain shivernock, pointing his finger at the skipper, and glowering upon him as though he was charging him with some heinous crime. "i am aware of it, sir," replied donald. "do you know what a tongue is for?" demanded the captain. "it is of great assistance to one in talking." "don't equivocate, you sick monkey. do you know what a tongue is for?" "yes, sir." "what's a tongue for?" "to talk with, and--" "that's enough! i thought you would say so. you are an ignorant whelp." "isn't the tongue to talk with?" "no!" roared the passenger. "what is it for, then?" asked donald, who did not know whether to be alarmed or amused at the manner of his violent companion. "it's to keep still with, you canting little monkey! and that's what i want you to do with your tongue," replied captain shivernock. "i don't think i understand you, sir." "i don't think you do. how could you, when i haven't told you what i mean. listen to me." the eccentric paused, and fixed his gaze earnestly upon the skipper. "have you seen me this morning?" demanded he. "of course i have." "no, you haven't!" "i really thought i had." "thought's a fool, and you're another! you haven't seen me. if anybody in belfast asks you if you have seen me, tell 'em you haven't." "if the tongue isn't to talk with, it isn't to tell a lie with," added donald. "ha, ha, ha!" laughed the captain; "you've got me there." he produced his wallet again, and took a ten-dollar bill from the roll it contained, which he tendered to donald. "what's that for?" asked the skipper. "put it in your pocket, or i'll mash your empty skull!" donald placed it with the other bills in his wallet, more than ever amazed at the conduct of his singular passenger. "i never allow anyone to get ahead of me without paying for my own stupidity. do you go to sunday school, and church, and missionary meetings?" asked the captain, with a sneer. "i do, sir." "i thought so. you are a sick monkey. you don't let your tongue tell a lie." "no, sir; i don't mean to tell a lie, if i can help it, and i generally can." "you walk in the strait and narrow way which leads to the meeting-house. i don't. all right! broad is the way! but one thing is certain, don john, you haven't seen me to-day." "but i have," persisted donald. "i say you have not; don't contradict me, if you want to take that head of yours home with you. nobody will ask whether you have seen me or not; so that if a lie is likely to choke you, keep still with your tongue." "i am not to say that i have seen you on the island?" queried donald. "you are not," replied the captain, with an echoing expletive. "why not, sir?" "none of your business! do as you are told, and spend the money i gave you for gingerbread and fast horses." "but when my mother sees this money she will want to know where i got it." "if you tell her or anybody else, i'll hammer your head till it isn't thicker than a piece of sheet-iron. don't let her see the money. hire a fast horse, and go to ride next sunday." "i don't go to ride on sunday." "i suppose not. give it to the missionaries to buy red flannel shirts for little niggers in the west indies, if you like. i don't care what you do with it." "you don't wish anybody to know you have been on the island this morning--is that the idea, captain shivernock?" asked donald, not a little alarmed at the position in which his companion was placing him. "that's the idea, don john." "i don't see why--" "you are not to see why," interrupted the captain, fiercely. "that's my business, not yours. will you do as i tell you?" "if there is any trouble--" "there isn't any trouble. do you think i've killed somebody?--no. do you think i've robbed somebody?--no. do you think i've set somebody's house on fire?--no. do you think i've stolen somebody's chickens?--no. nothing of the sort. i want to know whether you can keep your tongue still. let us see. there's the juno." "somebody will see your boat, and know that you have been here--" "that's my business, not yours. don't bother your head with what don't concern you," growled the passenger. the juno was afloat, but she could not have been so many minutes, when donald came alongside of her. it was now about half tide on the flood, and she must have grounded at about half tide on the ebb. this fact indicated that captain shivernock had left her at four o'clock in the morning. the owner of the juno stepped into her, and donald hoisted the sail for him. the boat was cat-rigged, and about twenty-four feet long. she was a fine craft, with a small cabin forward, furnished with every convenience the limited space would permit. the captain seated himself in the standing-room, and began to heap maledictions upon the boat. "i never will sail in her again," said he. "i will burn her, and get a centre-board boat." "what will you take for her, sir?" asked donald. "do you want her, don john?" demanded the captain. "i couldn't afford to keep her; but i will sell her for you." "sell--" it is no matter what; but captain shivernock suddenly leaped back into donald's boat, and her skipper wondered what he intended to do next. "she is yours, don john!" he exclaimed. "to sell for you?" "no! sell her, if you like, but put the money in your own pocket. i will sail up in your boat, and you may go to jerusalem in the juno, if you like. i will never get into her again," added the captain, spitefully. "but, captain shivernock, you surely don't mean to _give_ me this boat." "do you think i don't know what i mean?" roared the strange man, after a long string of expletives. "she is yours, now; not mine. i'll give you a bill of sale as soon as i go ashore. not another word, or i'll pound your head. don't tell anybody i gave her to you, or that you have seen me. if you do there will be a job for a coffin-maker." the captain shoved off the boat, and laid her course across the bay, evidently to avoid laud cavendish, whose craft was a mile distant; for he had probably put in at searsport. donald weighed the anchor of the juno, and sailed for turtle head, hardly knowing whether he was himself or somebody else, so amazed was he at the strange conduct of his late passenger. he could not begin to comprehend it, and he did not have to strain his logic very much in coming to the conclusion that the captain was insane. chapter vi. donald gets the job. whether captain shivernock was sane or insane, donald ramsay was in possession of the juno. of course he did not consider himself the proprietor of the craft, if he did of the sixty dollars he had in his pocket. she had the wind over her port quarter, and the boat tore through the water as if she intended to show her new skipper what she could do. but donald paid little attention to the speed of the juno, for his attention was wholly absorbed by the remarkable events of the morning. captain shivernock had given him sixty dollars in payment nominally for the slight service rendered him. but then, the strange man had given a poor laborer a hundred dollars for stopping his horse, when the animal leisurely walked towards home from the store where the owner had left him. again, he had given a negro sailor a fifty-dollar bill for sculling him across the river. he had rewarded a small boy with a ten-dollar bill for bringing him a despatch from the telegraph office. when the woman who went to his house to do the washing was taken sick, and was not able to work for three months, he regularly called at her rooms every monday morning and gave her ten dollars, which was three times as much as she ever earned in the same time. remembering these instances of the captain's bounty, donald had no doubt about the ownership of the sixty dollars in his pocket. the money was his own; but how had he earned it? was he paid to keep his tongue still, or simply for the service performed? if for his silence, what had the captain done which made him desire to conceal the fact that he had been to the island? the strange man had explicitly denied having killed, robbed, or stolen from anybody. all the skipper could make of it was, that his desire for silence was only a whim of the captain, and he was entirely willing to accommodate him. if there had been any mischief done on the island, he should hear of it; and in that event he would take counsel of some one older and wiser than himself. then he tried to satisfy himself as to why the captain had walked at least three miles to turtle head, instead of waiting till the tide floated the juno. this appeared to be also a whim of the strange man. people in the city used to say it was no use to ask the reason for anything that captain shivernock did. his motive in giving donald sixty dollars and his boat, which would sell readily for three hundred dollars, and had cost over five hundred, was utterly unaccountable. donald was determined not to do anything wrong, and if the captain had committed any evil deed, he fully intended to expose him; but he meant to keep still until he learned that the evil deed had been done. the money in his pocket, and that for which the juno could be sold, would be capital enough to enable him to carry on the business of boat-building. but he was determined to see captain shivernock that very day in regard to the boat. perhaps the strange man would give him a job to build a centre-board yacht, for he wanted one. "hallo! juno, ahoy!" shouted laud cavendish. donald threw the boat up into the wind, under the stern of laud's craft. "i thought you were going down to camden," said he. "you won't get there to-day at this rate." "i forgot some things i wanted, and ran up to searsport after them. but what are you doing in the juno, don john?" "she's going to be sold, laud," replied donald, dodging the direct question. "didn't you say you wanted to buy a boat?" "i said so; and i want to buy one badly. i'm going to spend my summer on the water. what does the captain ask for her?" "i don't know what the price is, but i'll let you know on monday," added donald, as he filled away again, for the yacht fleet was now in sight. "hold on a minute, don john; i want to talk with you about her." "i can't stop now. i have to go up to the head and measure the yachts." "don't say a word to anybody about my buying her," added laud. he was soon out of hearing of laud's voice. he wondered if the swell really wished to buy such a boat as the juno, and could pay three hundred dollars for her. his father was not a rich man, and he was out of business himself. and he wanted donald to keep still too. what motive had he for wishing his proposition to be kept in the dark? his object was not apparent, and donald was obliged to give up the conundrum, though he had some painful doubts on the subject. as he thought of the matter, he turned to observe the position of the two boats to the southward of him. directly ahead of laud's craft was an island which he could not weather, and he was obliged to tack. he could not lay his course, and he had to take a short and then a long stretch, and he was now standing across the bay on the short leg. captain shivernock had run over towards the northport shore, and donald thought they could not well avoid coming within hailing distance of each other. but the juno passed beyond the north-west point of the island, and he could no longer see them. he concluded, however, that the captain would not let laud, or any one else, see him afloat that day. he was a very strange man. donald ran the juno around the point, and anchored her under the lee of turtle head. the fleet was still a couple of miles distant, and after he had lowered and secured the mainsail, he had nothing to do but examine the fine craft which had so strangely come into his possession. he went into the cuddy forward, and overhauled everything there, till he was fully qualified to set forth the merits of her accommodations to a purchaser. the survey was calculated to kindle his own enthusiasm, for donald was as fond of boating as any young man in the club. the idea of keeping the juno for his own use occurred to him, but he resisted the temptation, and determined not even to think of such an extravagant plan. the yacht fleet was now approaching, the skylark gallantly leading the way, and the christabel, with a reef in her mainsail, bringing up the rear. the sea foam did not seem to hold her own with the skylark, as she had done before, but she was the second to drop her anchor under the lee of turtle head. "i cam glad to see you, don john," said commodore montague, as he discovered donald in the juno. "i was afraid you were not coming, and i went up to the shop to look for you. but how came you in that boat?" "she is for sale," replied donald, as the tender of the skylark came alongside the juno, and he stepped into it. "do you know of anybody that wants to buy her?" "i know three or four who want boats, but i am not sure the juno would suit either of them," replied the commodore. the boat pulled to the shore, and no one asked any more questions about the juno, or her late owner. the members of the club on board of the several yachts landed, and donald was soon in earnest conversation with samuel rodman. "what does your father say?" he asked. "he wants to see you," replied samuel. "does he think i can't do the job?" "he did not think so at first, but when i told him you would employ one or two regular ship carpenters, he was satisfied, and i think he will give you the job." "i hope he will, and i am sure i can give him as good work as he can get anywhere." "i haven't any doubt of it, don john. but the sea foam isn't doing so well as she did the first day you had her out. the skylark beats her every time they sail." "ned patterdale hasn't got the hang of her yet." "perhaps not." "i should like to have bob montague sail her, and ned the skylark; i think it would make a difference," added donald. "ned does very well, but a skipper must get used to his boat; and he hasn't had much experience in yachts as large as the sea foam. i spoke to you of a change in the model for the maud; and if i'm not greatly mistaken, she will beat both the sea foam and the skylark." "i would give all my spending-money for a year, over and above the cost, if she would do that," replied rodman, with a snap of the eye. "of course i can't promise that she will do it, but i expect she will," said donald. the club assembled under the trees, and the members were called to order by the commodore. the first business was to hear the report of the regatta committee, which proved to be a very interesting document to the yachtmen. the race was to take place the next saturday, and was open to all yachts exceeding twenty feet in length, duly entered before the time. all were to sail in the same class; the first prize was a silver vase, and the second a marine glass. the course was to be from the judge's boat, in belfast harbor, by turtle head, around the buoy on stubb's point ledge, leaving it on the port hand, and back to the starting-point. the sailing regulations already adopted by the club were to be in full force. the report was accepted, and the members looked forward with eager anticipation to what they regarded as the greatest event of the season. other business was transacted, and donald, who had brought with him a measuring tape and plummet, measured all the yachts of the club. dinner was served on board of each craft, and the commodore extended the hospitalities of the skylark to donald. in the afternoon, the fleet made an excursion around long island, returning to belfast about six o'clock, donald sailing the juno, and catching a mess of fish off haddock ledge. he moored her off the shop, and was rather surprised to find that his own boat had not yet been returned. after supper he hastened to the house of mr. rodman, with whom he had a long talk in regard to the building of the maud. the gentleman had some doubts about the ability of the young boat-builder to do so large a job, though he desired to encourage him. "i am willing to give you the work, and to pay you the same price your father had for the sea foam; but i don't like to pay out money till i know that you are to succeed," said he. "i don't ask you to do so, sir," replied donald, warmly. "you need not pay me a cent till you are perfectly satisfied." "but i supposed you would want money to buy stock and pay your men, even before you had set up your frame." "no, sir; we have capital enough to make a beginning." "i am satisfied then, and you shall have the job," added mr. rodman. "thank you, sir," replied donald, delighted at his success. "you may go to work as soon as you please; and the sooner the better, for samuel is in a great hurry for his yacht." "i will go to work on monday morning. the model, moulds, and drawings are all ready, and there will be no delay, sir," answered the young boat-builder, as he took his leave of his considerate patron. perhaps mr. rodman was not satisfied that the young man would succeed in the undertaking, but he had not the heart to discourage one who was so earnest. he determined to watch the progress of the work very closely, and if he discovered that the enterprise was not likely to be successful, he intended to stop it before much time or money had been wasted. donald had fully detailed the means at his command for doing the job in a workman-like manner, and he was well known as an ingenious and skilful mechanic. mr. rodman had strong hopes that the young man would succeed in his undertaking. donald walked toward the house of captain shivernock, congratulating himself on the happy issue of his interview with mr. rodman. as he passed the book and periodical store, he saw lawrence kennedy, a ship carpenter, who had formerly worked with mr. ramsay, standing at the door, reading the weekly paper just from the press. this man was out of work, and was talking of going to bath to find employment. donald had already thought of him as one of his hands, for kennedy was a capital mechanic. "what's the news?" asked donald, rather to open the way to what he had to say, than because he was interested in the latest intelligence. "how are you, donald?" replied the ship carpenter. "there's a bit of news from lincolnville, but i suppose you heard it; for all the town is talking about it." "i haven't heard it." "a man in lincolnville was taken from his bed in the dead hour of the night, and beaten to a jelly." "who was the man?" "his name was hasbrook." "hasbrook!" exclaimed donald. "do you know him, lad?" "i know of him; and he has the reputation of being anything but an honest man." "then it's not much matter," laughed the ship carpenter. "but who beat him?" asked donald. "no one knows who it was. hasbrook couldn't make him out; but likely it's some one the rogue has cheated." "hasbrook must have seen him," suggested donald. "the ruffian was disguised with his head in a bit of a bag, or something of that sort, and he never spoke a word from first to last," added kennedy, looking over the article in the paper. donald wondered if captain shivernock had any dealings with hasbrook. he was just the man to take the law into his own hands, and assault one who had done him a real or a fancied injury. donald began to think he understood why the captain did not wish it to be known that he was on long island the night before. but the outrage had been committed in lincolnville, which bordered the western arm of penobscot bay. it was three miles from the main land to the island. if the captain was in lincolnville in "the dead of night," on a criminal errand, what was he doing near seal harbor, where the juno was aground, at four o'clock in the morning? if he was the guilty party, he would naturally desire to get home before daylight. the wind was fair for him to do so, and there was enough of it to enable the juno to make the run in less than two hours. it did not seem probable, therefore, that the captain had gone over to the other side of the bay, three miles off his course. besides, he was not disguised, but wore his usual gray suit; and hasbrook ought to have been able to recognize him by his form and his dress even in the darkest night. donald was perplexed and disturbed. if there was any probability that captain shivernock had committed the crime, our hero was not to be bribed by sixty or six thousand dollars to keep the secret. if guilty, he would have been more likely to go below and turn in than to walk three miles on the island for assistance, and he would not have gone three miles off his course. but donald determined to inquire into the matter, and do his whole duty, even if the strange man killed him for it. kennedy was reading his paper while the young man was thinking over the case; but, having decided what to do, he interrupted the ship carpenter again. "are you still out of work, mr. kennedy?" he asked. "i am; and i think i shall go to bath next week," replied kennedy. "i know of a job for you." [illustration: the news from lincolnville. page .] "do you, lad? i don't want to move away from belfast, and i should be glad to get work here. what's the job?" "we are going to build a yacht of the size of the sea foam." "who?" inquired the workman. "my mother and i intend to carry on my father's business." "and you wish me to manage it for you?" "no; i intend to manage it myself," added donald, confidently. "well, lad, you are clever enough to do it; and if you are like your father, i shall be glad to work for you." the wages were agreed upon, and kennedy promised to be at the shop on monday morning, to assist the young boat-builder in selecting the stock for the maud. donald walked to the house of captain shivernock. in the yard he found sykes, the man who did all sorts of work for his employer, from taking care of the horses up to negotiating mortgages. donald had occasionally been to the house, and he knew sykes well enough to pass the time of day with him when they met in the street. "is captain shivernock at home?" asked the young man, trying to appear indifferent, for he wanted to get as much information in regard to the strange man's movements during the last twenty-four hours as possible. "no, he is not," replied sykes, who to some extent aped the manners of his eccentric employer. "not at home!" exclaimed donald, who had not expected this answer, though he had not found his own boat at her moorings on his return from the excursion with the fleet. "are you deaf, young man?" "no, sir; not at all." "then you heard me say he was not at home," growled sykes. "i want to see him very much. will he be long away?" asked donald. "i can't tell you. he won't come back till he gets ready, if it isn't for a month." "of course not; but i should like to know when i can probably see him." "you can probably see him when he comes home. he started in his boat for vinal haven early this morning." "this morning?" repeated donald, who wished to be sure on this point. "didn't i say so? this morning. he comes back when he pleases." "when do you expect him?" "i don't expect him. i never expect him. he may be home in five minutes, in five days, or five weeks." "at what time this morning did he go?" "he left the house at five minutes after four this morning, the last that ever was. i looked at my watch when he went out at the gate; for i was thinking whether or no his boat wasn't aground. do you want to know what he had for breakfast? if you do, you must ask my wife, for i don't know," growled sykes. "i am very anxious to see him," continued donald, without heeding the sulky tones and manner of the man. "perhaps he told mrs. sykes when he should return." "perhaps he did, and perhaps he told her how much money he had in his pocket. he was as likely to tell her one as the other. you can ask her," sneered sykes. as the housekeeper sat on the piazza enjoying the cool evening breeze, donald decided to avail himself of this permission, for he desired to know how well the two stories would agree. he saluted the lady, who gave him a pleasanter reception than her bearish husband had accorded to him. "mr. sykes told me that captain shivernock was away from home," said donald. "can you tell me when he is likely to return?" "he intended to come back to-night if the wind favored him. he went to vinal haven early this morning, and as you are a sailor, you can tell better than i whether he is likely to return to-night," replied mrs. sykes. "the wind is fair, and there is plenty of it," added donald. "what time did he leave?" "about four o'clock. i gave him his coffee at half past three, and it must have been about four when he went away." if the outrage at lincolnville had been committed in "the dead of the night," it was perfectly evident to donald that captain shivernock had had nothing whatever to do with it. this conclusion was a great relief to the mind of the young man; but he had hardly reached it before the captain himself passed through the gate, and fixed a searching gaze upon him, as though he regarded him as an interloper. chapter vii. laying down the keel. "what are you doing here, don john?" demanded captain shivernock, as he ascended the steps of the piazza. "i came to see you, sir," replied donald, respectfully. "well, you see me--don't you?" "i do, sir." "have you been talking to sykes and his wife?" asked the captain, sternly. "i have, sir." "have you told them that you saw me on the island?" "no, sir; not them, nor anybody else." "it's well for you that you haven't," added the captain, shaking his head--a significant gesture, which seemed to relate to the future, rather than to the present. "if you lisp a syllable of it, you will need a patch on your skull.--now," he continued, "what do you want of me?" "i wanted to talk about the juno with you. perhaps i can find a customer for you." "come into the house," growled the captain, as he stalked through the door. donald followed him into a sitting-room, on one side of which was a secretary, provided with a writing-desk. the captain tossed his cap and overcoat into a chair, and seated himself at the desk. he picked up a quill pen, and began to write as though he intended to scratch a hole through the paper, making noise enough for a small locomotive. he finished the writing, and signed his name to it. then he cast the contents of a sand-box upon it, returning to it the portion which did not adhere to the paper. the document looked as though it had been written with a handspike, or as though the words had been ploughed in, and a furrow of sand left to form the letters. "here!" said the captain, extending the paper to his visitor, with a jerk, as though he was performing a most ungracious office. "what is it, sir?" asked donald, as he took the document. "can't you read?" growled the strange man. under ordinary circumstances donald could read--could read writing when not more than half the letters were merged into straight lines; but it required all his skill, and not a little of his scotch-yankee guessing ability, to decipher the vagrant, staggering characters which the captain had impressed with so much force upon the paper. it proved to be a bill of sale of the juno, in due form, and for the consideration of three hundred dollars. "surely you cannot mean this, captain shivernock?" exclaimed the amazed young man. "can't i? do you think i'm a lunatic?" stormed the captain. donald did think so, but he was not so imprudent as to say it. "i can't pay you three hundred dollars for the boat," pleaded he. "nobody asked you to pay a red cent. the boat is yours. if you don't want her, sell her to the first man who is fool enough to buy her. that's all." "i'm very grateful to you for your kindness, captain shivernock; and i hope--" "all stuff!" interposed the strange man, savagely. "you are like the rest of the world, and next week you would be as ready to kick me as any other man would be, if you dared to do so. you needn't stop any longer to talk that sort of bosh to me. it will do for sunday schools and prayer meetings." "but i am really--" "no matter if you are really. shut up!" "i hope i shall be able to do something to serve you." "bah!" "have you heard the news, captain shivernock?" asked donald, suddenly changing the topic. "what news?" "it's in the _age_. a man over in lincolnville, by the name of hasbrook, was taken out of his bed last night, and severely beaten." "hasbrook! served him right!" exclaimed the captain, with a rough string of profanity, which cooled the blood of the listener. "he is the biggest scoundrel in the state of maine, and i am much obliged to the man who did it. i would have taken a hand with him at the game, if i had been there." [illustration: the bill of sale. page .] this was equivalent to saying that he was not there. "do you know this hasbrook?" asked donald. "do i know him? he swindled me out of a thousand dollars, and i ought to know him. if the man that flogged him hasn't finished him, i'll pound him myself when i catch him in the right place," replied the strange man, violently. "who did the job, don john?" "i don't know, sir. he hasn't been discovered yet." "if he is discovered, i'll give him five hundred dollars, and pay the lawyers for keeping him out of jail. i wish i had done it myself; it would make me feel good." donald was entirely satisfied that captain shivernock had not done it. he was pleased, even rejoiced, that his investigation had resulted so decidedly in the captain's favor, for he would have been very sorry to feel obliged to disregard the injunction of secrecy which had been imposed upon him. "did you fall in with any one after we parted this morning?" asked donald, who desired to know whether the captain had met laud cavendish when the two boats appeared to be approaching each other. "none of your business!" rudely replied the captain, after gazing a moment into the face of the young man, as if to fathom his purpose in asking the question. "do you think the world won't move on if you don't wind it up? mind your own business, and don't question me. i won't have anybody prying into my affairs." "excuse me, sir; i don't wish to pry into your affairs; and with your permission i will go home now," replied donald. "you have my permission to go home," sneered the strange man; and donald availed himself of it without another instant's delay. certainly captain shivernock was a very strange man, and donald could not begin to understand why he had given him the juno and the sixty dollars in cash. it was plain enough that he had not been near hasbrook's house, though it was not quite clear how, if he left home at four o'clock, he had got aground eight miles from the city at the same hour; but there was probably some error in donald's reckoning. the young man went home, and, on the way, having assured himself, to his own satisfaction, that he had no painful duty in regard to the captain to perform, he soon forgot all about the matter in the more engrossing consideration of his great business enterprise. when he entered the cottage, his mother very naturally asked him where he had been; and he gave her all the details of his interview with mr. rodman. mrs. ramsay was more cheerful than she had been before since the death of her husband, and they discussed the subject till bed time. donald had seventy-two dollars in his pocket, including his fees for measuring the yachts. it was a new experience for him to keep anything from his mother; but he felt that he could not honorably tell her what had passed between the captain and himself. he could soon work the money into his business, and he need keep it only till monday. he did not feel just right about it, even after he had convinced himself that he ought not to reveal captain shivernock's secret to her; but i must add, confidentially, that it is always best for boys--i mean young men--to tell their mothers "all about it;" and if donald had done so in this instance, no harm would have come of the telling, and it might have saved him a great deal of trouble, and her a great deal of anxiety, and a great many painful doubts. donald thought his view was correct; he meant to do exactly right; and he had the courage to do it, even if thereby he incurred the wrath and the vengeance of the strange man. i have no doubt, from what indications i have of the character of donald ramsay, that he tried to learn his sunday school lesson, tried to give attention to the sermons he heard, and tried to be interested in the good books he essayed to read on sunday; but i am not sure that he succeeded entirely, for the skeleton frame of the maud would rise up in his imagination to cloud the vision of higher things, and the remembrance of his relations with captain shivernock would thrust itself upon him. yet it is a great deal even to try to be faithful in one's thoughts, and donald was generally more successful than on this occasion, for it was not often that he was excited by events so stirring and prospects so brilliant. a single week would be time enough to accustom the young boat-builder to his occupation and restore his mental equilibrium. the light of monday morning's sun was very welcome to him; and when only its light gleamed in the gray east, he rose from his bed to begin the labors of the day. his father had enlarged the shop, so that he could build a yacht of the size of the maud under its roof; and before breakfast time, he had prepared the bed, and levelled the blocks on which the keel was to rest. at seven o'clock lawrence kennedy appeared, and together they looked over the stock on hand, and made out a list of the pieces of timber and plank that would be required. at first the journeyman was inclined to take the lead in the business; but he soon found that his youthful employer was entirely familiar with the minutest details of the work, and knew precisely how to get out every stick of the frame. donald constantly referred to the model of the sea foam, which he had already altered in accordance with the suggestions of his father, using the inch scale on which the model was projected, to get the size of the pieces, so that there should be no unnecessary waste in buying. kennedy went with him to the lumber wharf, where the stock was carefully selected for the frame. before dinner it was carted over to the shop, and in the afternoon the work was actually commenced. the keelson, with the aperture for the centre-board nicely adjusted, was laid down, levelled, and blocked up, so that the yacht should be as true as a hair when completed. the next steps were to set up the stern-post and the stem-piece, and mr. ramsay's patterns of these timbers were ready for use. donald was tired enough to rest when the clock struck six; but no better day's work for two men could be shown than that performed by him and his journeyman. another hand could now work to advantage on the frame, and kennedy knew of a first-rate workman who desired employment. he was requested to have him in the shop the next morning. after supper, donald went back to the shop to study, rather than to work. he seated himself on the bench, and was thinking over the details of the work, when, through the window, he saw laud cavendish run his sail-boat alongside the juno, which was moored a short distance from the shore. laud wanted to buy a boat, and donald wanted to sell one. more than once he had been tempted to keep the juno for his own use; but he decided that he could not afford such a luxury, even though she had cost him nothing. if he kept her, he would desire to use her, and he might waste too much of his precious time in sailing her. it would cost money as well as time to keep her; for boats are always in need of paint, spars, sails, rigging, and other repairs. he was resolute in his purpose to dispose of the juno, lest the possession of her should demoralize him, and interfere with his attention to business. it was plain enough to donald that he must sell the juno, though it was not as clear that laud cavendish could buy her; but he decided to see him, and, launching his tender, he pulled out for the juno. while he was plying his oars, it suddenly came across the mind of the young boat-builder that he could not sell this boat without exposing his relations to captain shivernock. he was rather startled by the thought, but, before he had followed it out to a conclusion, the tender was alongside the juno. "how are you, don john?" said laud. "i thought i would come down and look over the juno." "she is a first-rate boat," replied donald. "and the captain wants to sell her?" "she's for sale," replied her owner. "what's the price of her?" "four hundred." "that's too steep, don john. it is of no use for me to look at her if the captain won't sell her for less than that." "say three fifty, then," replied donald. "say three hundred." "she is worth more money," continued the owner, as he unlocked the cuddy. "she has a fine cabin, fitted up like a parlor. go in and look round." donald led the way, and pointed out all the conveniences of the cabin, eloquently setting forth the qualities of the boat and her accommodations. "i'll give three hundred for her," said laud. "she is worth more than that," replied donald. "why, she cost the captain over five hundred; and i wouldn't build her for a mill less than that." "you?" laughed laud. "i'm building a yacht thirty feet long for sam rodman; and i'm to have twelve hundred for her," answered donald, struggling to be modest. "you are some punkins--ain't you, don john?" "i can't quite come up to you, mr. cavendish." "perhaps you will when you are as old as i am." "possibly; but it's a big height to reach in two years. a man of your size ought not to haggle for fifty dollars on a boat." "i can't afford to give more than three hundred for the juno," protested laud, very decidedly. "can you afford to give that?" asked donald, with a smile. laud looked at him sharply, and seemed to be somewhat embarrassed. "i suppose i can't really afford it; but what's life for? we can't live it over again, and we ought to make the best of it. don't you think so?" "certainly--the best of it; but there may be some difference of opinion in regard to what the best of it may be." "i mean to be a gentleman, and not a philosopher. i go in for a good time. will you take three hundred for the boat? or will you tell the captain i will give that?" "i can sell her without going to him. i haven't offered her to anybody but you, and i have no doubt i can get my price for her." laud talked till it was nearly dark; but donald was firm, and at last he carried his point. "i will give the three hundred and fifty, because i want her very badly; but it's a big price," said laud. "it's dog cheap," added donald, who was beginning to think how he should manage the business without informing the purchaser that the juno was his own property. donald was a young man of many expedients, and he finally decided to ask captain shivernock to exchange the bill of sale for one conveying the boat directly to laud cavendish. this settled, he wondered how laud expected to pay for his purchase, for it was utterly incredible to him that the swell could command so large a sum as three hundred and fifty dollars. after all, perhaps it would not be necessary to trouble the captain about the business, for donald did not intend to give a bill of sale without the cash. "when do you want to close the trade?" he asked. "i thought we had closed it," replied laud. "you want a bill of sale--don't you?" "no, i don't; i would rather not have one. when i get the boat, i know how to keep her. besides, you will be a witness that i have bought her." "that isn't the way to do business," protested donald. "if i'm satisfied, you need not complain. if i pay you the cash down, that ends the matter." "if you do." "well, i will; here and now," added laud, pulling out his wallet. "where did you get so much money, laud?" asked donald. it was doubtless an impertinent question, but it came from the heart of him who proposed it; and it was not resented by him to whom it was put. on the contrary, laud seemed to be troubled, rather than indignant. "don john, you are a good fellow," said laud, after a long pause. "of course i am." "for certain reasons of my own, i want you to keep this trade to yourself." "why so?" "i can't tell you." "then i won't do it. if there is any hitch about the money, i won't have anything to do with it." "any hitch? what do you mean by that?" demanded laud, with a lofty air. "it's no use to mince the matter, laud. three hundred and fifty dollars don't grow on every bush in your or my garden; and i have been wondering, all the time, where a fellow like you should get money enough to buy a boat like the juno." donald said all this fairly and squarely; but it occurred to him just then, that after he had sold the boat, any one might ask him the same question, and he should not feel at liberty to answer it. "do you mean to insult me?" demanded laud. "nothing of the sort; and you needn't ride that high horse. i won't sell the boat till i know where the money came from." "do you doubt my honor?" "confound your honor! i think we have said enough." "if you mean to say that i didn't come honorably by my money, you are mistaken." "where did you get it, then?" "are you always willing to tell where you get every dollar in your pocket?" retorted laud. that was a home-thrust, and donald felt it in his trowsers pocket, where he kept his wallet. "i am generally ready to tell where i get my money," he replied, but he did not speak with much energy. laud looked about him, and seemed to be considering the matter. "i don't like to be accused of stealing," mused he. "i don't accuse you of anything," added donald. "it's the same thing. if i tell you where i got this money, will you keep it to yourself?" asked laud. "if it's all right i will." "honor bright, don john?" "if it's all right." "o, it is!" protested laud. "i will tell you; but you must keep the secret, whatever happens." "i will, if everything is as it should be." "well, captain shivernock gave it to me," said laud, in confidential tones, and after looking about to satisfy himself that no third person was within hearing. "captain shivernock!" exclaimed donald. "just so." "what for?" "i can't tell you any more. the captain would kill me if he found out that i had told you so much," answered laud. "i don't understand the matter myself; but the captain gave me that money and fifty dollars more;" and he handed donald the price of the juno. "you are not to say that i have even seen the captain." "when was this?" "last saturday; but that's all; not another word from me." "it's very odd," mused donald. "you will keep still--won't you?" "yes; until i am satisfied the thing is not all right." "i shall not say that i own the juno yet a while," added laud, as he returned to the boat in which he had come. donald pulled ashore, with the money in his pocket. chapter viii. the first regatta. donald was not disposed to doubt the truth of laud cavendish's story, for the circumstances were precisely the same as those under which he had received the boat and the money from captain shivernock. if he had had no experience with the eccentric shipmaster himself, he would have doubted the whole explanation, and refused to take the money. he recalled the events of saturday. the last he saw of laud, on that day, was when he ran his boat over towards the northport shore, whither the captain had gone before him. he had lost sight of both their boats at a time when it seemed very probable that they would meet. after what laud had just said to him, and with the money he had paid him in his pocket, he was confident they had met. the strange man had purchased the silence of laud, as he had his own, and at about the same price. donald realized that captain shivernock had thrown away about seven hundred dollars that morning, and, as he thought of it, he was amazed at his conduct; but the captain did not mind paying a thousand dollars any time to gratify the merest whim. the young man tried again to fathom the motive of his eccentric but liberal patron in thus throwing away such large sums, unnecessarily large, to accomplish his object. the lincolnville outrage was the only possible solution; but if he were the ruffian, he would not have been on long island when he had a fair wind to run home, and sykes and his wife both agreed that he had left the house on the morning that donald had seen him. it was not possible, therefore, that the captain was guilty of the outrage. laud had paid him seven fifty dollar bills, and he had over four hundred dollars in his pocket. he did not know what to do with it, and feeling that he had come honestly by it, he was vexed at the necessity of concealing it from his mother; but he was determined to pay it out, as occasion required, for stock and hardware for the yacht he was building. when he went to his chamber, he concealed three hundred and fifty dollars of the money in a secret place in the pine bureau in which his clothes were kept. the next morning kennedy appeared with the man he was authorized to employ, and the chips flew briskly in the shop all that day. at noon donald went to the wharf where he had bought his stock, and paid the bill for it. the lumber dealer commended his promptness, and offered to give him credit for any lumber he might need; but donald proudly declared that he should pay cash for all he bought, and he wanted the lowest cash prices. on his return to the shop, he entered, in the account-book his father had kept, the amount he had expended. the work went bravely on, for his two journeymen were interested in his success. they were glad to get employment, and desired that the young boat-builder should not only build a fine yacht, but should make money by the job. the stem-piece and stern-post were set up, and gradually the frame began to assume the shape of a vessel. donald watched the forming of the yacht very carefully, and saw that everything was done according to the model and the scale. on saturday morning mr. rodman, accompanied by a friend who was a ship-builder, visited the shop to inspect the work. the frame, so far as it had been set up, was carefully examined, and the expert cordially approved all that had been done, declaring that he had never seen a better job in his life. of course donald was proud of this partial success. "i have had some doubts, don john," laughed mr. rodman; "but i am entirely satisfied now." "thank you, sir. i have had no doubts; i could see that frame in my mind as plainly before a stick had been touched as i do now." "you have done well, and i am quite sure that you will make a yacht of it. now, if you will give me a receipt for one hundred dollars, i will let you have so much towards the price of the maud, for i suppose you want to pay your men off to-night." "i have money enough, sir, to pay my men, and i don't ask you for any money yet," replied the young boat-builder. "but i prefer to pay you as the work progresses." donald did not object, and wrote the receipt. he was a minor, and his mother, who was the administratrix of her husband's estate, was the responsible party in the transaction of business; but he did not like to sign his mother's name to a receipt, and thus wholly ignore himself, and, adopting a common fiction in trade, he wrote, "ramsay and son," which he determined should be the style of the firm. ramsay might mean his father or his mother, and he had already arranged this matter with her. mr. rodman laughed at the signature, but did not object to it, and donald put the money in his pocket, after crediting it on the book. this was the day appointed for the first regatta of the yacht club. the coming event had been talked about in the city during the whole week, not only among the boys, but among the men who were interested in yachting. about a dozen yachts had been entered for the race, though only four of them belonged to the club; those that were not enrolled being nominally in charge of members, in order to conform to the regulations. donald had measured all these boats, and made a schedule of them, in which appeared the captain's name, the length of the craft, with the correction to be subtracted from the sailing time in order to reduce it to standard time. there were columns in the table for the starting time, the return time, and the sailing time. the "correction" was virtually the allowance which a large yacht made to a smaller one for the difference in length. the club had adopted the regulation of the dorchester yacht club, which contained a "table of allowance per mile." in this table, a yacht one hundred and ten feet six inches long, is taken as the standard for length. the skylark was just thirty feet long on the water-line, and her allowance by the table was two minutes forty-three and four tenths seconds for every mile sailed in a regatta. the sea foam's length was three inches less, and her allowance was one and three tenths seconds more. donald had his table all ready for the use of the judges, of whom he had been appointed the chairman. mr. montague's large yacht had been anchored in the bay, gayly dressed with flags and streamers, to be used as the judges' boat. the yachts were to start at ten o'clock. "i don't want to leave my work a bit," said donald, as he took off his apron. "i may have to lose a whole day in the race, and i can't afford it." "now, i think you can," replied kennedy. "it looks too much like boys' play." "no matter what it is. if you are going to make a business of building yachts and sail-boats, it is for your interest to encourage this sort of thing all you can," added kennedy. "i think you are right there," answered donald, who had not before taken this view. "besides, you ought to see how the boats work. you will get some ideas that will be of use to you. you should observe every movement of the boats with the utmost care. i think you will make more money attending the regattas, if there was one every week, than by working in the shop." "you are right, kennedy, and i am glad you expressed your opinions, for i shall feel that i am not wasting my time." "your father has been to newport and new york on purpose to attend regattas, and i am sure, if he were here now, he would not miss this race for a fifty-dollar bill," continued the workman. donald was entirely satisfied, and went into the house to dress for the occasion. he was soon ready, and walked down the beach towards the skiff he used to go off to the sail-boat. the sky was overcast, and the wind blew a smashing breeze, promising a lively race. the juno had been entered for the regatta, but she was still at her moorings off the shop, and donald wondered where laud was, for he had been very enthusiastic over the event. before he could embark, the new proprietor of the juno appeared. he was dressed in a suit of new clothes, wore a new round-top hat, and sported a cane in his hand. his mustache had been freshly colored, and every hair was carefully placed. he did not look like a yachtman; more like a first-class swell. "i have been all the morning looking for some fellows to sail with me," said laud. "i can't find a single one. won't you go with me, don john?" "thank you; i am one of the judges, and i can't go," replied donald, who, if he had not been engaged, would have preferred to sail with some more skilful and agreeable skipper than laud cavendish. "won't your men go with me?" "i don't know; you can ask them." "i am entitled to carry five, and i want some live weights to-day, for it is blowing fresh," added laud, as he walked towards the shop. neither of donald's men was willing to lose his time, and as laud came out of the shop, he discovered a young lady walking up the beach towards the city. a gust of wind blew her hat away at this moment, and mr. cavendish gallantly ran after, and recovered it, as donald would have done if he had not been anticipated, for he recognized the young lady as soon as he saw her. even as it was, he was disposed to run after that hat, and dispute the possession of it with mr. laud cavendish, for the owner thereof was miss nellie patterdale. "allow me to return your truant hat, miss patterdale," said laud. "thank you, mr. cavendish," replied nellie, rather coldly, as she resumed her walk towards the place where donald stood, a few rods farther up the beach. "we have a fine breeze for the race, miss patterdale," added laud, smirking and jerking, as though he intended to improve the glorious opportunity, for the young lady was not only bewitchingly pretty, but her father was a nabob, with only two children. "very fine, i should think," she answered; and her tones and manner were anything but encouraging to the aspirant. "i hope you are going to honor the gallant yachtmen with your presence, miss patterdale." "i shall certainly see the race.--good morning, don john," said she, when she came within speaking distance of donald. "good morning, nellie," replied he, blushing, as he felt the full force of her glance and her smile--a glance and a smile for which laud would have sacrificed all he held dear in the world, even to his cherished mustache. "don't you attend the race?" "yes, i want to attend now. ned invited me to go on board of the judge's boat; but the sun was out then, and mother would not let me go. father said the day would be cloudy, and i decided to go; but ned had gone. i came down here to see if i couldn't hail him. won't you take me off to the penobscot in your boat?" "certainly i will, with the greatest pleasure," replied donald, with enthusiasm. "i beg your pardon, miss patterdale," interposed laud. "i am going off in the juno; allow me to tender her for your use. i can take you off, don john, at the same time." "it's quite rough; as you see, nellie, and the juno is much larger than my boat. you can go in her more comfortably than in mine," added donald. "thank you; just as you please, don john," she answered. "bring her up to the wharf, mr. cavendish," continued donald. laud leaped into his skiff, and pulled off to the juno, while nellie and donald walked around to the wharf. in a few moments the boat was ready, and came up to the pier, though her clumsy skipper was so excited at the prospect of having the nabob's pretty daughter in his boat, that he had nearly smashed her against the timbers. the gallant skipper bowed, and smirked, and smiled, as he assisted miss patterdale to a place in the standing-room. donald shoved off the bow, and the juno filled her mainsail, and went off flying towards the penobscot. "it's a smashing breeze," said donald, as the boat heeled down. "glorious!" exclaimed laud. "are you fond of sailing, miss patterdale?" "i am very fond of it." "perhaps you would like to sail around the course in one of the yachts?" suggested the skipper. "i should be delighted to do so," she replied, eagerly; and she glanced at donald, as if to ascertain if such a thing were possible. "i should be pleased to have you sail in the juno," added laud, with an extra smirk. "thank you, mr. cavendish; you are very kind; but perhaps i had better not go." "i should be delighted to have you go with me." "i don't think you would enjoy it, nellie," said donald. "it blows fresh, and the juno is rather wet in a heavy sea." laud looked at him with an angry expression, and when nellie turned away from him, he made significant gestures to induce donald to unsay what he had said, and persuade her to go with him. "i am sure you will be delighted with the sail, miss patterdale. you will be perfectly dry where you are sitting; or, if not, i have a rubber coat, which will protect you." "i think i will not go," she replied, so coldly that her tones would have frozen any one but a simpleton like laud. the passage was of brief duration, and donald assisted nellie up the accommodation steps of the penobscot, stepping forward in season to deprive laud of this pleasant office. "i am much obliged to you, mr. cavendish," said she, walking away from the steps. "that was mean of you, don john," muttered laud, as donald came down the steps to assist in shoving off the juno. "what was mean?" "why, to tell nellie she would not enjoy the sail with me." "she could do as she pleased." "but you told her the juno was wet," added laud, angrily. "she is wet when it blows." "no matter if she is. it was mean of you to say anything about it, after all i have done for you." "it wasn't mean to tell the truth, and save her from a ducking, and i don't know what you have done for me." "you don't? didn't i buy this boat of you, and pay you fifty dollars more than she is worth?" "no, you didn't. but if you are dissatisfied with your bargain, i will take her off your hands." "you! i want the money i paid." "you shall have it. come to the shop after the race, and you may throw up the trade." "will captain shivernock pay you back the money?" sneered laud. "i'll take care of that, if you want to give her up," added donald, warmly. "never mind that now. can't you persuade nellie to sail with me?" continued laud, more gently. "if you will, i will give you a five-dollar bill." donald would have given double that sum rather than have had her go with him, and she would have given ten times the amount to avoid doing so. "i can't persuade her, for i don't think it is best for her to go," replied donald. "no matter what you think. you are a good fellow, don john: do this for me--won't you? it would be a great favor, and i shall never forget it." "why do you want her to go with you?" demanded donald, rather petulantly. "a yacht in a race is no place for ladies. i can find some fellows on board here who will be glad to go with you." "but i want her to go with me. the fact of it is, don john, i rather like nellie, and i want to be better acquainted with her." "if you do, you must paddle your own canoe," replied donald, indignantly, as he ascended the steps, and joined the other two judges on deck. "we are waiting for you, don john," said sam rodman, who was one of them. "it isn't ten yet, and i have the papers all ready. who is to be time-keeper?" asked the chairman. "i have a watch with a second hand, and i will take that office," said frank norwood, who was the third. most of the yachts were already in line, and the captain of the fleet, in the tender of his yacht, was arranging them, the largest to windward. the first gun had been fired at half past nine which was the signal to get into line, and at the next, the yachts were to get under way. all sail except the jib was set, and at the signal each craft was to slip her cable, hoist her jib, if she had one, and get under way, as quickly as possible. the "rode" was simply to be cast off, for the end of it was made fast to the tender, which was used as a buoy for the anchor. "are they all ready?" asked donald, as the time drew near. "all but the juno. laud has picked up two live weights, and wants another man," replied sam rodman. "we won't wait for him." but laud got into line in season. one of the seamen of the penobscot stood at the lock-string of the gun forward, ready to fire when the chairman of the judges gave the word. "have your watch ready, frank," said donald. "all ready," answered norwood. "fire!" shouted donald. some of the ladies "squealed" when the gun went off, but all eyes were immediately directed to the yachts. the christabel, with a reef in her fore and main sails, was next to the penobscot; then came the skylark, the sea foam, and the phantom. before the gun was fired, the captain had stationed a hand in each yacht at the cable, and others at the jib-halyards and down-hauls. the instant the gun was discharged, the jibs were run up, and the "rodes" thrown overboard. some of the yachts, however, were unfortunate, and did not obtain a good start. in one the jib down-haul fouled, and another ran over her cable, and swamped her tender. the conflict was believed to be between the skylark and the sea foam, for there was too much wind for the christabel, which was the fastest light-weather craft in the line. it was a beautiful sight when the yachts went off, with the wind only a little abaft the beam. the young gentlemen sailing them were rather excited, and made some mistakes. the skylark at once took the lead, for commodore montague was the most experienced boatman in the fleet. he made no mistakes, and his superior skill was soon evident in the distance between him and the sea foam. the crowd of people on the shore and the judges' yacht watched the contestants till they disappeared beyond turtle head. the boats had a free wind both ways, with the exception of a short distance beyond the head, where they had to beat up to stubb's point ledge. there was nothing for the judges to do until the yachts came in, and donald spent a couple of delightful hours with nellie patterdale. presently the skylark appeared again beyond the head, leading the fleet as before. on she drove, like a bolt from an arrow, carrying a big bone in her mouth; and the judges prepared to take her time. chapter ix. the skylark and the sea foam. frank norwood was the time-keeper, and he stood with his watch in his hand. each yacht was to pass to windward of the penobscot, and come round her stern, reporting as she did so. sam rodman was to call "time" when the foremast of each yacht was in range with a certain chimney of a house on the main shore. at the word frank was to give the time, and donald was to write it down on his schedule. everything was to be done with the utmost accuracy. the skylark was rapidly approaching, with the sea foam nearly half a mile astern of her. the phantom and christabel were not far behind the sea foam, while the rest were scattered along all the way over to turtle head. "ready there!" shouted donald, as the skylark came nearly in range of the penobscot and the chimney. "all ready," replied sam rodman. the gun forward had been loaded, and a seaman stood at the lock-string, to salute the first boat in. "time!" shouted sam, as the mainsail of the skylark shut in the chimney on the shore; and the six-pounder awoke the echoes among the hills. "twelve, forty, and thirty-two seconds," added frank, as he took the time from the watch. "twelve, forty, thirty-two," repeated donald, as he wrote it on the schedule. the crowd on the judges' yacht cheered the commodore as the skylark rounded the penobscot, and the ladies waved their handkerchiefs at him with desperate enthusiasm. "i thought you said the sea foam was to beat the skylark," said nellie patterdale. "i think she may do it yet," replied donald. "and sam's new boat must beat them both, don john," laughed maud rodman. "time!" called sam. "twelve, forty-five, two," added frank. "twelve, forty-five, two," repeated donald, writing down the time. by this time the skylark had come about, not by gybing,--for the wind was too heavy to make this evolution in safety,--but had come round head to the wind, and now passed under the stern of the penobscot. "skylark!" reported the commodore. a few minutes later the sea foam did the same. the phantom came in a minute after the sea foam, and for a few moments the judges were very busy taking the time of the next four boats. the juno did not arrive till half past one, and she was the last one. as fast as the yachts rounded the penobscot, they went off to the line and picked up their cables and anchors. the captains of the several craft which had sailed in the race then boarded the penobscot to ascertain the decision of the judges. "you waxed me badly, robert," said ned patterdale, who was mortified at the defeat of the sea foam, though he kept good-natured about it. "i still think the skylark can't be beaten by anything of her inches," replied commodore montague. "i am rather disappointed in the sea foam," added ned. donald heard this remark, and he was much disturbed by it; for it seemed like a reproach upon the skill of his father, and an imputation upon the reputation of ramsay and son. if the yachts built by the "firm" were beaten as badly as the sea foam had been, though she had outsailed the phantom, it would seriously injure the business of the concern. the defeat of the sea foam touched the boat-builder in a tender place, and he found it necessary to do something to maintain the standing of the firm. he knew just what the matter was; but under ordinary circumstances he would not have said a word to damage the pride of the present owner of the sea foam. "i am sorry you are not satisfied with her, ned," said donald. "but i expected too much of her; for i thought she was going to beat the skylark," replied ned patterdale. "i think you encouraged me somewhat in that direction, don john." "i did; and i still think she can beat the skylark." "it's no use to think so; for she has just beaten me four minutes and a half; and that's half a mile in this breeze. nothing could have been more fairly done." "it was all perfectly fair, ned; but you know that winning a race does not depend entirely upon the boat," suggested donald, hinting mildly at his own theory of the defeat. "then you think i didn't sail her well?" said ned. "i think you sailed her very well; but it could not be expected that you would do as well with her as bob montague with the skylark, for he has sailed his yacht for months, while you have only had yours a few weeks. this is a matter of business with me, ned. if our boats are beaten, we lose our work. it is bread and butter to me." "if it was my fault, i am sorry she was beaten, for your sake, don john; but i did my best with her," replied ned, with real sympathy for his friend. "of course i am not going to cry over spilt milk." "do you really think the sea foam can beat the skylark?" "i think so; but i may be mistaken. at any rate, i should like the chance to sail the sea foam with the skylark. i don't consider it exactly an even thing between you and the commodore, because he has had so much more experience than you have," replied donald. "you believe you can sail the sea foam better than i can--do you, don john?" "it wouldn't be pleasant for me to say that, ned." "but that's what you mean?" "i have explained the reason why i spoke of this matter at all, ned. it is bread and butter to me, and i hope you don't think i am vain." ned was a little vexed at the remarks of his friend, and rather indignant at his assumed superiority as a boatman. donald was usually very modest and unpretentious. he was not in the habit of claiming that he could do anything better than another. generally, in boating matters, when he saw that a thing was done wrong, he refrained from criticising unless his opinion was asked, and was far from being forward in fault-finding. though he was an authority among the young men in sailing boats, he had not attained this distinction by being a critic and caviller. ned was therefore surprised, as well as indignant, at the comments and the assumption of donald; but a little reflection enabled him to see the boat-builder's motive, which was anything but vanity. he had some of this weakness himself, and felt that he had sailed the sea foam as well as any one could have done it, and was satisfied that the skylark was really a faster yacht than his own. the race was plain sailing, with a free wind nearly all the way, and there was not much room for the exercise of superior skill in handling the craft. at least, this was ned's opinion. if the course had been a dead beat to windward for ten miles, the case would have been different; and ned had failed to notice that he had lost half the distance between the skylark and the sea foam when he rounded the stake buoy. it was a fact that among the large party on board the penobscot, the boats of the firm of ramsay and son were just then at a discount, and those of the newport builders at a corresponding premium. donald was grieved and vexed, and trembled for the future of the firm of which he was the active representative. but he figured up the results of the race, and when the captains of all the yachts had come on board of the judges' boat, he announced the prizes and delivered them to the winners, with a little speech. the silver vase was given to the commodore, with liberal and magnanimous commendations both of the yacht and her captain. the marine glass was presented to edward patterdale, as the winner of the second prize, with some pleasant words, which did not in the least betray the personal discomfiture of the chairman. there was a further ceremony on the quarter-deck of the penobscot, which was not in the programme, and which was unexpected to all except the officers of the club. "captain laud cavendish, of the juno," said the chairman of the judges, who stood on the trunk of the yacht, where all on board, as well as those in the boats collected around her, could see him. laud stepped forward, wondering what the call could mean. "i find, after figuring up the results of the race," continued the chairman, glancing at the schedule he held in his hand, "that you are entitled to the third and last prize. by carefully timing the movements of your excellent craft, and by your superior skill in sailing her, you have contrived to come in--last in the race; and the officers of the club have instructed the judges to award this medal to you. i have the honor and the very great pleasure of suspending it around your neck." the medal was made of sole leather, about six inches in diameter. attached to it was a yard of stove-pipe chain, by which it was hung around the neck of the winner of the _last_ prize. a shout of laughter and a round of applause greeted the presentation of the medal. laud did not know whether to smile or get mad; for he felt like the victim of a practical joke. miss nellie patterdale stood near him, and perhaps her presence restrained an outburst of anger. mr. montague, the father of the commodore, had provided a bountiful collation in the cabin of the penobscot, and the next half hour was given up to the discussion of the repast. laud tried to make himself agreeable to nellie, and the poor girl was persecuted by his attentions until she was obliged to break away from him. "don john, i am told that everybody is satisfied with this race except you," said commodore montague, as the party went on deck after the collation. "i am satisfied with it," replied donald. "everything has been perfectly fair, and the skylark has beaten the sea foam." "but you still think the sea foam can outsail the skylark?" "i think so; but of course i may be mistaken." "you believe that ned patterdale didn't get all her speed out of the sea foam," added the commodore. "i don't mean to say a word to disparage ned; but he don't know the sea foam as you do the skylark." "there is hardly a particle of difference between the boats." "i know it; but you have had so much more experience than ned, that he ought not to be expected to compete with you. if you will exchange boats, and you do your best in the sea foam, i believe you would beat your own yacht. i think ned does first rate for the experience he has had." "so do i; but i believe the difference is in the sailing of the boats; for you may build two yachts as near alike as possible, and one of them will do better than the other," said robert montague. "i should like to have you sail the sea foam against the skylark, bob," added donald. "you don't want me to beat my own boat, if i can--do you, don john?" laughed robert. "i think you could." "i'll tell you what i'll do: i'll sail the skylark against the sea foam this afternoon, and you shall handle ned's yacht. i have been talking with him about it, and he agrees to it." "i'm willing, bob," replied donald, eagerly. "all right." "i hope ned don't think hard of me for speaking of this matter," added donald. "i wouldn't have uttered a word if this result did not affect our business." "i understand it, don john; and so does ned. but i think you are making a mistake; for if the sea foam is beaten again by the skylark,--as i believe she will be,--it will be all the worse for your firm," laughed robert. "i am willing to run the risk," replied donald. "if we can't build a boat as fast as the skylark, i want to know it." "but, don john, you don't expect me to _let_ you beat me--do you?" "certainly not, bob. i hope you will do your very best, and i shall be satisfied with the result." it was soon reported over the penobscot that another race was to be sailed immediately, and the report created intense excitement when the circumstances of the affair were explained. judges were appointed, and other arrangements concluded. donald and ned patterdale went on board of the sea foam, and commodore montague on board of the skylark. the two yachts anchored in line, with the skylark to windward, as she was three inches longer than the other. the start was to be made at the firing of the first gun. donald took his place at the helm of the sea foam, and stationed the hands. he was a little afraid that ned patterdale was not as enthusiastic as he might be; for if his yacht won the race, the responsibility for the loss of the first prize in the regatta would rest upon him, and not upon his craft. it would not be so pleasant for him to know that he had failed, in any degree, as a skipper. the position of donald, therefore, was not wholly agreeable; for he did not like to prove that his friend was deficient in skill, though the future prosperity of the firm of ramsay and son required him to do so. the wind was even fresher than before, and dark clouds indicated a heavy rain before night; but donald did not heed the weather. he stationed ned in the standing-room to tend the jib-sheets and mind the centre-board. two hands were at the cable, and two more at the jib-halyards. "are you all ready forward?" called the skipper _pro tem._ of the sea foam. "all ready," replied the hands. and donald waited with intense interest for the gun. bang. "let go! hoist the jib!" cried donald. the hands forward worked with a will. the rope was thrown into the tender, to which the end of it was made fast, and the jib, crackling and banging in the stiff breeze, now almost a gale, went up in an instant. "haul down the lee jib-sheet," said donald to his companion in the standing-room. and it is but fair to say that ned worked as briskly as the yachtmen at the bow. the sea foam heeled over, as the blast struck her sails, till her rail went under; but donald knew just what she would bear, and kept the tiller stiff in his hand. stationing dick adams at the main sheet behind him, he placed the others upon the weather side. in a moment more the yacht came to her bearings, and lying well over, she flew off on her course. she had made a capital start, and the skylark was equally fortunate in this respect. the two yachts went off abeam of each other, and for half a mile neither gained a hair upon the other. then commenced the struggle for the victory. first the skylark gained a few inches; then the sea foam made half a length, though she immediately lost it; for in these relative positions, she came under the lee of her opponent. again the skylark forged ahead, and was a length in advance of the sea foam, when the yachts came up with turtle head. "you are losing it, don john," said ned, apparently not much displeased at the result. "not yet," replied donald. "a pull on the main sheet, dick," added the skipper, as he put the helm down. "give her six inches more centre-board, ned." "you will be on the rocks, don john!" shouted the owner of the yacht, as the sea foam dashed under the stern of the skylark, and ran in close to the shore. "don't be alarmed, ned. haul down the jib-sheet a little more! steady! belay!" said the confident skipper. by this manoeuvre the sea foam gained a position to windward of her rival; but she ran within half her breadth of beam of the dangerous rocks, and ned expected every instant the race would end in a catastrophe. she went clear, however; for donald knew just the depth of water at any time of tide. both yachts were now under the lee of the island, and went along more gently than before. it was plain enough now that the sea foam had the advantage. beyond the head, and near the ledge, she was obliged to brace up to the wind, in order to leave the buoy on the port, as required by the rule. donald kept her moving very lively, and when she had made her two tacks, she had weathered the buoy, and, rounding it, she gybed so near the ledge that the commodore could not have crawled in between him and the buoy if he had been near enough to do so. hauling up the centre-board, and letting off the sheets, the sea foam went for a time before the wind. when the skylark had rounded the buoy, and laid her course for turtle head again, she was at least an eighth of a mile astern of her rival. donald hardly looked at her, but gazed steadfastly at the sails and the shore of the island. the sheets had to be hauled in little by little, as she followed the contour of the land, till at the point below turtle head the yacht had the wind forward of the beam. then came the home stretch, and the skipper trimmed his sails, adjusted the centre-board, and stationed his crew as live weights with the utmost care. it was only necessary for him to hold his own in order to win the race, and he was painfully anxious for the result. [illustration: donald sailing the sea foam. page .] in the skylark the commodore saw just where he had lost his advantage, and regretted too late that he had permitted the sea foam to get to windward of him; but he strained every nerve to recover his position. the wind continued to freshen, and probably both yachts would have done better with a single reef in the mainsail; but there was no time to reduce sail. as they passed turtle head and came out into the open bay, the white-capped waves broke over the bows, dashing the spray from stem to stern. neither donald nor robert flinched a hair, or permitted a sheet to be started. "you'll take the mast out of her, don john," said ned patterdale, wiping the salt water from his face. "if i do, i'll put in another," replied donald. "but you can't snap that stick. the skylark's mast will go by the board first, and then it will be time enough to look out for ours." "you have beaten her, don john," added ned. "not yet. 'there's many a slip between the cup and the lip.'" "but you are a quarter of a mile ahead of her, at least. it's blowing a gale, and we can't carry all this sail much longer." "she can carry it as long as the skylark. when she reefs, we will do the same. i want to show you what the sea foam's made of. she is as stiff as a line-of-battle ship." "but look over to windward, don john," exclaimed ned, with evident alarm. "isn't that a squall?" "no; i think not. it's only a shower of rain," replied donald. "there may be a puff of wind in it. if there is, i can touch her up." "the skylark has come up into the wind, and dropped her peak," added norman, considerably excited. but donald kept on. in a moment more a heavy shower of rain deluged the deck of the sea foam. with it came a smart puff of wind, and the skipper "touched her up;" but it was over in a moment, and the yacht sped on her way towards the goal. half an hour later she passed the penobscot, and a gun from her saluted the victor in the exciting race. about four minutes later came the skylark, which had lost half this time in the squall. chapter x. the launch of the maud. the heavy rain had driven nearly all the people on board of the penobscot below, but the judges, clothed in rubber coats, kept the deck, in readiness to take the time of the rival yachts. after the squall, the weather was so thick that both of them were hidden from view. the craft not in the race had anchored near the penobscot, and on board of all the yachts the interest in the result was most intense. "i'm afraid it will be no race," said sam rodman, who was now the chairman of the judges. "the commodore will put the skylark through, whatever the weather," replied frank norwood. "don john will keep the sea foam flying as long as bob runs the skylark, you may depend." "it was quite a little squall that swept across the bay just now," added rodman. "i hope no accident has happened to them." "i'll risk the accidents. i would give a dollar to know which one was ahead." "not much doubt on that point." "i think there is. don john generally knows what he is about. he don't very often say what he can do, but when he does, he means it." "the commodore is too much for him." "perhaps he is, but i have hopes of the sea foam. don john is building the maud for me, and i have some interest in this race. i don't want a yacht that is to be beaten by everything in the fleet. if the skylark is too much for the sea foam, the chance of the maud won't be much better." the judges discussed the merits of the two yachts for half an hour longer, and there was as much difference of opinion among them as among the rest of the spectators of the race. "there's one of them!" shouted frank norwood, as the sea foam emerged from the cloud of mist which accompanied the rain. "which is it?" demanded rodman. "i can't make her out," replied norwood, for the yacht was over a mile distant. "but where is the other? one of them is getting badly beaten," added rodman. "that must be the skylark we see." "i don't believe it is. it is so thick we can't make her out, but her sails look very white. i think it is the sea foam." "there's the other!" exclaimed norwood, as the skylark was dimly perceived in the distance. "she is half a mile astern. it is a bad beat for one of them." "that's so; and if it is the sea foam, i shall want to throw up the contract for the maud," said rodman. "there is one thing about it; both of those craft are good sea boats, and if they can carry whole jib and mainsail in this blow, they are just the right kind of yachts for me. i like an able boat, even if she don't win any prizes. give me a stiff boat before a fast one." "i should like to have mine both stiff and fast." "look at the christabel. she went round the course with a reef in the fore and main sails, and was beaten at that," added norwood. "here comes the head boat. it is the skylark, as sure as you live." "not much, frank. do you see her figure-head? is it a bird?" demanded rodman, triumphantly. "it isn't; that's a fact." "that's the sea foam fast enough." this was exciting news, and sam rodman walked rapidly to the companion-way of the penobscot. "yachts in sight!" shouted he to the people below. "which is ahead?" asked mr. montague. "the sea foam," replied rodman. "i'm so glad!" exclaimed miss nellie patterdale. mr. montague and captain patterdale only laughed, but they were sufficiently interested to go on deck in spite of the pouring rain, and they were followed by many others. "time!" shouted sam rodman, as the gun was fired. "four, thirty-two, ten," added frank norwood; and the figures were entered upon the schedule. the sea foam passed the judges' yacht, came about, and went under her stern. "the sea foam," shouted donald. though the spectators were not all satisfied with the result, they gave three cheers to the victorious yacht, magnanimously led off by mr. montague himself. "time!" called sam, as the skylark came into the range of the chimney on shore. "four, thirty-six, twelve," said norwood. the skylark came about, and passed under the stern of the penobscot, reporting her name. the judges went below, and figured out the result, by which it appeared that the sea foam had beaten the skylark, after the correction for the three inches' difference in length, by three minutes fifty-nine and four tenths seconds. donald was the first to come on board of the penobscot, and was generously congratulated on his decisive victory, especially by mr. montague, the father of the commodore. robert followed him soon after, and every one was curious to know what he would say and do. "don john, you have beaten me," exclaimed he, grasping the hand of donald. "you have done it fairly and handsomely, and i am ready to give up the first prize to the sea foam." the party in the cabin of the penobscot heartily applauded the conduct of the commodore. "you are very kind and generous, bob," replied donald, deeply moved by the magnanimity of the commodore. "when i am whipped, i know it as well as the next man. the silver vase belongs to the sea foam." "not at all," protested donald. "this last race was not for the vase, and you won the first one fairly." "of course the vase belongs to the commodore," added rodman. "the judges have already awarded and presented the prizes." this was the unanimous sentiment of all concerned, and robert consented to retain the first prize. "i say, don john," continued the commodore, removing his wet coat and cap, "i want to have an understanding about the affair. while i own that the skylark has been beaten, i am not so clear that the sea foam is the faster boat of the two." "i think she is, commodore," laughed donald; "though i believe i understand your position." "we made an even thing of it till we came up with turtle head--didn't we?" "yes, that's so. if either gained anything for the moment, he lost it again," replied donald. "then, if we made exactly the same time to turtle head, it seems to me the merits of the two boats are about the same." "not exactly, commodore. you forgot that the skylark has to give time to the sea foam--one and three-tenths seconds per mile; or about eight seconds from here to the head." "that's next to nothing," laughed robert. "but i was a length ahead of you." "i let you gain that, so that i could go to windward of you." "you made your first point by running nearer to the rocks than i like to go, by which you cut off a little of the distance; and inches counted in so close a race." "that's part of the game in sailing a race." "i know that, and it's all perfectly fair. i lost half my time when the squall came. i thought it was going to be heavier than it proved to be." "i threw the sea foam up into the wind when it came," said donald. "but you didn't drop your peak, and i lost two minutes in doing it. now, don john, i can put my finger on the four minutes by which you beat me; and i don't think there is any difference between the two yachts." "you forget the allowance." "that's nothing. in all future regattas the result will depend more upon the sailing than upon the boats." "i think you are quite right, bob; and the fellow who makes the most mistakes will lose the race. but when the maud is done she is going to beat you right along, if she has anything like fair play," laughed donald. "she may if she can," replied robert. the reputation of ramsay & son, boat builders, was greatly increased by the result of the race. if edward patterdale was a little mortified to have it demonstrated that the sea foam had lost the first prize by his own want of skill and tact in sailing her, he was consoled by the fact that commodore montague, who had the credit of being the best skipper in belfast, had been beaten by his yacht. when the shower was over the party went on shore, and donald hastened to the shop to attend to business. he found that his men had done a good day's work in his absence, and he related to kennedy all the particulars of the two races. "it would have been a bad egg for you if you had not been present," said kennedy, much interested in the story. "in these regattas the sailing of the yacht is half the battle, and these young fellows may ruin your reputation as a boat-builder, if you don't look out for them." "when i heard ned patterdale say he was disappointed in the sea foam, i felt that our business was nearly ruined. i think i have done a good thing for our firm to-day." "so you have, donald; and when the maud is finished, i hope you will sail her yourself in the first race she enters." "i will, if sam rodman consents." donald paid off his men that night from the money received from mr. rodman. the next week he employed another hand, and worked diligently himself. every day his mother came out to see how the work progressed, as she began to have some hope herself of the success of the firm of ramsay & son. donald paid her all the fees he received for measuring yachts, and thus far this had been enough to support the family. she did not inquire very closely into the financial affairs of the concern, and the active member of it was not very communicative; but she had unbounded confidence in him, and while he was hopeful she was satisfied. it would be tedious to follow the young builder through all the details of his business. the frame of the maud was all set up in due time, and then planked. by the first of august, when the vacation at the high school commenced, she was ready to be launched. all the joiner work on deck and in the cabin was completed, and had received two coats of paint. mr. rodman had paid a hundred dollars every week on account, which was more than donald needed to carry on the work, and the affairs of ramsay & son were in a very prosperous condition. on the day of the launch, the yacht club attended in a body, and all the young ladies of the high school were present. miss maud rodman, with a bottle in her hand, had consented formally to give her own name to the beautiful craft. nellie patterdale was to be on deck with her, attended by donald and sam rodman. the boarding at the end of the shop had been removed, to allow the passage of the yacht into her future element. the ways had been laid down into the water, and well slushed. it was high tide at ten o'clock, and this hour had been chosen for the great event. "are you all ready, mr. kennedy?" asked donald. "all ready," replied the workman. "let her slide!" shouted the boat-builder. a few smart blows with the hammers removed the dog-shores and the wedges, and the maud began to move very slowly at first. those on deck were obliged to stoop until the hull had passed out of the shop. "now stand up," said donald, as the yacht passed the end of the shop; and he thrust a long pole, with a flag attached to the end, into the mast hole. the boat increased her speed as she advanced, and soon struck the water with a splash. "now break the bottle, maud," added donald. "i give this yacht the name of maud," said miss rodman, in a loud tone, as she broke the bottle upon the heel of the bowsprit. "won't she tip over, don john?" asked nellie. "not at all; nearly all her ballast has been put into her, and she will stand up like a queen on the water," answered donald, proudly, as he realized that the launch was a perfect success. loud cheers from the crowd on shore greeted the yacht as she went into the embrace of her chosen element. the ladies waved their handkerchiefs, and the gentlemen their hats. maud and nellie returned the salute, and so did sam rodman; but donald was too busy, just then, even to enjoy his triumph. as the hull slid off into the deep water, the boat-builder threw over the anchor, and veered out the cable till her headway was checked. the maud rested on the water as gracefully as a swan, and the work of the day was done. hardly had the yacht brought up at her cable, when the juno, in which laud cavendish had been laying off and on where he could see the launch, ran alongside of her. "keep off!" shouted donald; "you will scrape her sides." "no; hold on, don john; i have a cork fender," replied laud, as he threw his painter on board of the maud. "catch a turn--will you?" "don't let him come on board, if you can help it," whispered nellie patterdale. "he is a terrible bore." "i can help it," replied donald, as, with a boat-hook he shoved off the bow of the juno. then, for the first time, he observed that laud had a passenger, a man whom he remembered to have seen before, though he did not think where. "what are you about, don john?" demanded laud. "keep off, then," replied donald. "we don't want any visitors on board yet. we are going to haul her up to the wharf at once." "but i came off to offer the ladies a passage to the shore," said laud. "they don't want any passage to the shore." "good morning, miss patterdale," added laud, as nellie went to the rail near the juno. "allow me to offer you a place in this boat to convey you to the shore." "thank you, mr. cavendish; i intend to remain where i am," replied she, rather haughtily. "i shall be happy to take you out to sail, if you will do me the honor to accompany me; and miss rodman, too, if she will go." "no, i thank you; i am otherwise engaged," answered nellie, as she retreated to the other side of the yacht. "i say, donald, let me come on board," asked laud, who was desperately bent upon improving his acquaintance with nellie patterdale. "not now; you can come on board at the wharf." donald was resolute, and laud, angry at his rebuff, filed away. "here is a man that wants to see you, don john," shouted laud, as he ran his boat up to the maud again. "i can't see him now," replied donald. kennedy now came alongside in the skiff, bringing a warp-line from the shore, by which the maud was hauled up to the wharf. the spectators went on board, and examined the work. many of them crawled into the cabin and cook-room, and all of them were enthusiastic in their praise, though a few seasoned it with wholesome criticism. some thought the cabin ought to be longer, evidently believing that it was possible to put a quart of water into a pint bottle; others thought she ought to be rigged as a schooner instead of a sloop, which was a matter of fancy with the owner; but all agreed that she was a beautiful yacht. in honor of the event, and to please the young people, mr. rodman had prepared a collation at his house, to which the members of the yacht club and others were cordially invited. kennedy and the other men who worked on the maud were included in the invitation, and the afternoon was to be a holiday. laud cavendish, who had moored the juno and come on shore, liberally interpreted the invitation to include himself, and joined the party, though he was not a member of the club. some people have a certain exuberance on the side of their faces, which enables them to do things which others cannot do. "i want to see you, don john," said laud, as the party began to move from the wharf towards the mansion of mr. rodman. "i'll see you this evening," replied donald, who was anxious to gain a position at the side of miss nellie patterdale. "that will be too late. you saw the man in the juno with me--didn't you?" continued laud, proceeding to open his business. "i saw him." "did you know him?" "no; though i thought i had seen him before," replied donald, as they walked along in the rear of the party. "he is the man who was beaten within an inch of his life over to lincolnville, a while ago." "hasbrook?" "yes, his name is jacob hasbrook." "he was with us in the library of captain patterdale the day we were there, when the man had a sun-stroke." "was he? well, i don't remember that. folks say he is a big rascal, and the licking he got was no more than he deserved. he was laid up for a month after it; but now he and the sheriff are trying to find out who did it." donald was interested, in spite of himself, and for the time even forgot the pleasant smile of nellie, which was a great deal for him to forget. "has he any idea who it was that beat him?" "i don't know whether he has or not. he only asks questions, and don't answer any. you know i met you over to turtle head the morning after the affair in lincolnville." "i remember all about it," answered donald. "i saw you in the juno afterwards. by the way, don john, you didn't tell me how you happened to be in the juno at that time. i don't recollect whether you had her at turtle head, or not. i don't think i saw her there, at any rate." "no matter whether you did or not. go on with your story, for we are almost to mr. rodman's house," replied donald, impatiently. "well, after i left you, i ran over towards saturday cove," continued laud. "you know where that is." "of course i do." this was the place towards which captain shivernock had gone in the sail-boat, and where laud had probably seen him, when he gave him the money paid for the juno. laud did not say that this was the time and place he had met the captain, but donald was entirely satisfied on this point. "from saturday cove i ran on the other tack over to gilky's harbor," added laud. "did you see anybody near the cove?" "i didn't say whether i did or not," replied laud, after some hesitation, which confirmed donald's belief that he had met the captain on this occasion. "never mind that. off gilky's harbor i hailed tom reed, who had been a-fishing. it seems that tom told hasbrook he saw me that forenoon, and hasbrook has been to see me half a dozen times about it. i don't know whether he thinks i am the fellow that thrashed him, or not. he has pumped me dry about it. i happened to let on that i saw you, and hasbrook wants to talk with you." by this time they reached mr. rodman's house, and to the surprise of donald, laud cavendish coolly walked into the grounds with him. chapter xi. the white cross of denmark. laud cavendish was at donald's side when they entered the grounds of mr. rodman, where the tables were spread under the trees in the garden. as the collation was in honor of the launch of the maud, of course the young boat-builder was a person of no little consequence, and being with him, laud was permitted to enter the grounds unchallenged; but they soon separated. donald was disturbed by what laud had told him, and he did not wish to answer any questions which might be put to him by hasbrook, who was evidently working his own case, trying to ascertain who had committed the outrage upon him. he did not wish to tell whom he had seen on that saturday forenoon, and thus violate the confidence of captain shivernock. but he was entirely satisfied that the captain had nothing to do with it, for he had not left his house until after the deed was done, according to the testimony of sykes and his wife, whom he had separately interviewed. to decline to answer hasbrook's questions, on the other hand, was to excite suspicion. he could not tell any lies about the case. if he could, it would have been easily managed; as it was, the situation was very awkward. but he had not time to think much of the matter, for one and another began to congratulate him upon the success of the launch, the fine proportions and the workmanship of the maud. the praise of captain patterdale was particularly agreeable to him; but the best news he heard was that major norwood intended to have a yacht built for his son, and would probably give the job to ramsay & son. "well, don john, you are a real lion," laughed nellie patterdale, when, at last, the young boat-builder obtained a place at her side, which had been the objective point with him since he entered the grounds. "better be a lion than a bear," replied donald. "everybody says you have built a splendid yacht, and maud is delighted to have it named after her." "i think the sea foam ought to have been called the nellie," added donald. "pooh! i asked ned to call her the sea foam." "if i ever build a yacht on my own account, i shall certainly name her the nellie patterdale," continued donald, though the remark cost him a terrible struggle. "i thank you, don john; but i hope you will never build one on your own account, then," answered she, with a slight blush. "why, wouldn't you like to have a boat named after you?" asked he, rather taken aback at her reply. "i shouldn't like to have my whole name given to a boat. it is too long." "o, well! then i shall call her the nellie." "you are too late, don john," laughed laud cavendish, who was standing within hearing distance, and who now stepped forward, raised his hat, bowed, and smirked. "i have already ordered the painter to inscribe that word on the bows and stern of the juno, for i never liked her present name." nellie blushed deeper than before, but it was with anger this time, though she made no reply to laud's impudent remark. at this moment mr. rodman invited the party to gather around the tables and partake of the collation. "will miss patterdale allow me to offer her my arm?" added laud, as he thrust his elbow up before her. "no, i thank you," she replied, walking towards the tables, but keeping at donald's side. the boat-builder had not the courage to offer her his arm, though some of the sons of the nabobs had done so to the ladies; but he kept at her side. laud was desperate, for nellie seemed to be the key of destiny to him. if he could win her heart and hand, or even her hand without the heart, his fortune would be made, and the wealth and social position of which cruel fate had thus far robbed him would be obtained. though she snubbed him, he could not see it, and would not accept the situation. if donald had not been there, she would not have declined his offered arm; and he regarded the boat-builder as the only obstacle in his path. "i wish you had not invited that puppy, don john," said nellie, as they moved towards the tables; and there was a snap in her tones which emphasized the remark. "i didn't invite him," replied donald, warmly. "he came in with you, and mr. rodman said you must have asked him." "indeed, i did not; i had no right to invite him," protested donald. nellie immediately told this to the host of the occasion, and in doing so she left donald for a moment. "why don't you get out of the way, don john, when you see what i am up to?" said laud, in a low tone, but earnestly and indignantly, as though donald had stepped between him and the cheerful destiny in which his imagination revelled. "what are you up to?" "i told you before that i liked nellie, and you are all the time coming between me and her. she would have taken my arm if you had stepped aside." "i don't choose to step aside," added donald. "i want to get in there, don john," added laud, in a milder tone. "paddle your own canoe." "you don't care anything about her." "how do you know i don't?" "do you?" "that's my affair." "she don't care for you." "nor you, either." "perhaps not now, but i can make it all right with her," said laud, as he twirled his colored mustache, which he probably regarded as a lady-killer. "besides, you are not old enough to think of such things yet, don john." "well, i don't think of such things yet," replied donald, who really spoke only the truth, so far as he was consciously concerned. "but you ought not to stick by her to-day. you are the boat-builder, and you should bestow your attentions upon maud rodman, after whom the yacht was named. she is the daughter of the man who gave you the job. if you will just keep away from nellie, i can paddle my own canoe, as you say." "mr. cavendish," interposed mr. rodman, "i believe you are not a member of the belfast yacht club." "i am not yet, but i intend to join," replied laud. "in the mean time, this occasion is for the members of the club and their friends; and i wish to suggest the propriety of your withdrawing, as i believe you are here without an invitation," added mr. rodman. "i came with don john," said laud, rather startled by the plain speech of the host. "if don john invited you--" "i didn't invite him, or any one else. i did not consider that i had any right to do so," protested donald, as he walked forward and joined nellie. laud could not gainsay this honest avowal; but there was no limit to his wrath at that moment, and he determined to punish the boat-builder for "going back" on him, as he regarded it. the collation was a sumptuous one, for when belfast nabobs do anything, they do it. the guests had good appetites, and did abundant justice to the feast. the incident of which laud cavendish had been the central figure caused some talk and some laughter. "he had the impudence to say he was going to name his boat after me," said nellie patterdale. "he don't like the name of juno." "does he own the juno?" asked captain patterdale, quietly. "i suppose he does." "how is that, don john?" added the captain. "yes, sir, he owns her; captain shivernock got tired of the juno, and laud bought her." captain patterdale made a note of that piece of information, and regarded it as a clew to assist in the discovery of the tin box, which had not yet been found, though the owner and the deputy sheriff had been looking diligently for it ever since its disappearance. "what did he pay for her?" inquired captain patterdale. "three hundred and fifty dollars," answered donald, who hoped he would not be asked of whom laud had bought the juno. the captain did not ask the question, for it seemed to be self-evident that he had purchased her of captain shivernock. indeed, nothing more was said about the matter. a dance on the shaven lawn followed the collation, and the guests remained until the dews of evening began to fall. donald walked home with nellie, and then went to the shop. he expected to find hasbrook there, but he had returned to lincolnville. he saw that the sails for the maud had been sent down during his absence, and on the desk lay the bill for them, enclosed in an envelope, directed to "messrs. ramsay & son." while he was looking at it, mr. leach, the sail-maker, entered the shop. he had come to look after his money, for possibly he had not entire confidence in the financial stability of the firm. "have you looked over those sails, don john?" asked leach. "not yet; it is rather too dark to examine them to-night," replied donald. "that's the best suit of sails i ever made," added the sail-maker. "you said you wanted the best that could be had." "i did." and donald unrolled them. "they look like a good job." "if they are not as good as anything that ever went on a boat, i'll make you another suit for nothing. i was in hopes you would look them over to-night. i don't want to trouble you, don john, but i'm a little short of money. captain patterdale has a mortgage on my house, and i like to pay the interest on it the day it is due. you said you would let me have the money when the sails were delivered." "and so i will." "if they are not all right, i will make them so," added leach. "i should like to pay the captain my interest money to-night, if i can." "you can. i will go into the house and get the money." donald went to his room in the cottage, and took from their hiding-place the bills which had been paid to him by laud cavendish for the juno. without this he had not enough to pay the sail-maker. he did not like to use this money, for he was not fully satisfied that laud would not get into trouble on account of it, or that he might not himself have some difficulty with captain shivernock. he feared that he should be called upon to refund this money; but mr. rodman would pay him another instalment of the price of the maud in a few days, and he should then be in condition to meet any demand upon him. laud had paid him seven fifty-dollar bills, and he put them in his pocket. as he passed through the kitchen, he lighted the lantern, and returned to the shop. "i didn't mean to dun you up so sharp for this bill," said leach; "but i haven't a dollar in my pocket at this minute, and i am very anxious to be punctual in the payment of my interest." "it's all right; i had as lief pay it now as at any other time. in fact, i like to pay up as soon as the work is done," replied donald, as he handed the sail-maker three of the fifty-dollar bills, which was the price agreed upon for the sails, five in number. leach looked carefully at each of the bills. all of them were quite new and fresh, and one was peculiar enough to attract the attention of any one through whose hands it might pass. it was just like the others, but at some period, not very remote in its history, it had been torn into four parts. it might have been in a sheet of note paper, torn up by some one who did not know the bill was between the leaves. it had been mended with two narrow slips of thin, white paper, extending across the length and width of the bill, like the horizontal white cross on the flag of denmark. "that bill has been in four pieces," said leach, as he turned it over and examined it; "but i suppose it is good." "if it is not, i will give you another for it," answered donald. "it is all here; so i think it is all right. i wonder who tore it up." "i don't know; it was so when i took it." "i am very much obliged to you, don john; and the next time i make a suit of sails for you, you needn't pay me till you get ready," said the sail-maker, as he put the money in his wallet. "i didn't pay for this suit till i got ready," laughed the boat-builder; "and when you get up another, i hope i shall be able to pay you the cash for them." leach left the shop a happy man; for most men are cheerful when they have plenty of money in their pocket. he was more especially happy because, being an honest man, he was able now to pay the interest on the mortgage note on the day it was due. he had worked half the night before in order to finish the sails, so that he might get the money to pay it. with a light step, therefore, he walked to the elegant mansion of captain patterdale, and rang the bell at the library door. there was a light in the room, which indicated that the captain was at home. he was admitted by the nabob himself, who answered his own bell at this door. "i suppose you thought i wasn't going to pay my interest on the day it was due," said leach, with a cheerful smile. [illustration: the sail-maker's bill. page .] "on the contrary, i didn't think anything at all about it," replied captain patterdale. "i was not even aware that your interest was due to-day." "i came pretty near not paying it, for work has been rather slack this season; but the firm of ramsay & son helped me out by paying me promptly for the sails i made for the maud." "ramsay & son is a great concern," laughed the nabob. "it pays promptly; and that's more than all of them do," added leach, drawing his wallet from his pocket. "i haven't your note by me, mr. leach," said captain patterdale; but he did not consider it necessary to state that the important document was at that moment in the tin box, wherever the said tin box might be. "i will give you a receipt for the amount you pay, and indorse it upon the note when i have it." "all right, captain." "do you know how much the interest is? i am sure i have forgotten," added the rich man. "i ought to know. i have had to work too hard to get the money in time to forget how much it was. it is just seventy dollars," answered leach. "you needn't pay it now, if you are short." "i'm not short now. i'm flush, for which i thank don john," said the sail-maker, as he placed two of the fifty-dollar bills on the desk, at which the captain was writing the receipt. the uppermost of the two bills was the mended one, for leach thought if there was any doubt in regard to this, it ought to be known at once. if the nabob would take it, the matter was settled. captain patterdale wrote the receipt, and did not at once glance at the money. "there's a hundred, captain," added the sail-maker. the rich man picked up the bills, and turned over the upper one. if he did not start, it was not because he was not surprised. he was utterly confounded when he saw that bill, and his thoughts flashed quickly through his mind. but he did not betray his thoughts or his emotions, quick as were the former, and intense as were the latter. he took up the mended bill, and looked it over several times. "that's the white cross of denmark," said he, suppressing his emotions. "isn't the bill good?" asked the sail-maker. "good as gold for eighty-eight cents on a dollar," replied the captain. "then it is not good," added leach, who did not quite comprehend the nabob's mathematics. "yes, it is." "but you say it is worth only eighty-eight cents on a dollar." "that is all any paper dollar is worth when gold is a little rising fourteen per cent. premium. the bill is perfectly good, in spite of the white cross upon it. you want thirty dollars change." the captain counted out this sum, and handed it to the debtor. "if the bill isn't good, i can give you another," replied leach, as he took the money. "it is a good bill, and i prefer it to any other for certain reasons of my own. it has the white cross of denmark upon it; at least, the white bars on this bill remind me of the flag of that nation." "it's like a flag--is it?" added the sail-maker, who did not understand the rich man's allusion. "like the flag of denmark. i made a voyage to copenhagen once, and this bill reminds me of the merchant's flag, which has a couple of white bars across a red ground. where did you say you got this bill, mr. leach?" "don john gave it to me, not half an hour ago." "it has been torn into quarters some time, and the pieces put together again. did don john mend the bill himself?" "no, sir; he says the bill is just as it was when he received it. i looked at it pretty sharp when i took it; but he said if it wasn't good, he would give me another." "it is perfectly good. did he tell you where he got the bill?" asked captain patterdale, manifesting none of the emotion which agitated him. "no, sir; he did not. i didn't ask him. if it makes any difference, i will do so." "it makes no difference whatever. it is all right, mr. leach." the sail-maker folded up his receipt, and left the library. he went home with eighty dollars in his pocket, entirely satisfied with himself, with the nabob, and especially with the firm of ramsay & son. he did not care a straw about the white cross of denmark, so long as the bill was good. captain patterdale was deeply interested in the bill which bore this mark, and possibly he expected to conquer by this sign. he was not so much interested in the bill because he had made a voyage up the baltic and seen the white cross there, as because he had seen it on a bill in that tin box. he was not only interested, but he was anxious, for the active member of the firm of ramsay & son seemed to be implicated in a very unfortunate and criminal transaction. more than once captain patterdale had observed the pleasant relations between don john and his fair daughter. as nellie was a very pretty girl, intelligent, well educated, and agreeable, and in due time would be the heiress of a quarter or a half million, as the case might be, he was rather particular in regard to the friendships she contracted with the young gentlemen of the city. possibly he did not approve the intimacy between them. but whatever opinions he may have entertained in regard to the equality of social relations between his daughter and the future partner of her joys and sorrows, we must do him the justice to say that he preferred honor and honesty to wealth and position in the gentleman whom nellie might choose for her life companion. the suspicion, or rather the conviction, forced upon him by "the white cross of denmark," that donald was neither honest nor honorable, was vastly more painful than the fact that he was poor, and was the son of a mere ship carpenter. certainly nellie did like the young man, though, as she was hardly more than a child, it might be a fancy that would pass away when she realized the difference between the daughter of a nabob and the son of a ship carpenter. while he was thinking of the subject, nellie entered the library, as she generally did when her father was alone there. she was his only confidant in the house in the matter of the tin box, and he determined to talk with her about the painful discovery he had just made. chapter xii. donald answers questions. "well, nellie, did you have a good time to-day?" asked captain patterdale, as his daughter seated herself near his desk. "i did; a capital time. everybody seemed to enjoy it," replied she. "but some seemed to enjoy it more than others," added the captain, with a smile. "now, father, you have something to say," said she, with a blush. "i wish you would say it right out, and not torment me for half an hour, trying to guess what it is." "of course, if i hadn't anything to say, i should hold my tongue," laughed her father. "everybody don't." "but i do." "do you think i enjoyed the occasion more than any one else, father?" "i thought you were one of the few who enjoyed it most." "perhaps i was; but what have i done?" "done?" "what terrible sin have i committed now?" "none, my child." "but you are going to tell me that i have sinned against the letter of the law of propriety, or something of that kind. this is the way you always begin." "then this time is an exception to all other times, for i haven't a word of fault to find with you." "i am so glad! i was trying to think what wicked thing i had been doing." "nothing, child. don john seemed to be supremely happy this afternoon." "i dare say he was; but the firm of ramsay & son had a successful launch, and don john had compliments enough to turn the head of any one with a particle of vanity in his composition." "no doubt of it; and i suppose you were not behind the others in adding fuel to the flame." "what flame, father?" "the flame of vanity." "on the contrary, i don't think i uttered a single compliment to him." "it was hardly necessary to utter it; but if you had danced with him only half as often, it would have flattered his vanity less." "how could i help it, when he asked me? there were more gentlemen than ladies present, and i did not like to break up the sets," protested nellie. "of course not; but being the lion of the occasion, don't you think he might have divided himself up a little more equitably?" "i don't know; but i couldn't choose my own partner," replied nellie, her cheeks glowing. "you like don john very well?" "i certainly do, father," replied she, honestly. "don't you?" "perhaps it don't make so much difference whether i like him or not." "you have praised him to the skies, father. you said he was a very smart boy; and not one in a hundred young fellows takes hold of business with so much energy and good judgment. i am sure, if you had not said so much in his favor, i shouldn't have thought half so much of him," argued nellie. "i don't blame you for thinking well of him, my child," interposed her father. "i only hope you are not becoming too much interested in him." "i only like him as a good-hearted, noble fellow," added nellie, with a deeper blush than before, for she could not help understanding just what her father meant. "he appears to be a very good-hearted fellow now; but he is young, and has not yet fully developed his character. he may yet turn out to be a worthless fellow, dissolute and dishonest," continued the captain. "don john!" exclaimed nellie, utterly unwilling to accept such a supposition. "even don john. i can recall more than one young man, who promised as well as he does, that turned out very badly; and men fully developed in character, sustaining the highest reputations in the community, have been detected in the grossest frauds. i trust don john will realize the hopes of his friends; but we must not be too positive." "i can't believe that don john will ever become a bad man," protested nellie. "we don't know. 'put not your trust in princes,' in our day and nation, might read, 'put not your trust in young men.'" "why do you say all this, father?" asked nellie, anxiously. "has don john done anything wrong; or is he suspected of doing anything wrong?" "he is at least suspected," replied captain patterdale. "why, father!" "you need not be in haste to condemn him, or even to think ill of him, nellie." "i certainly shall not." "there is the white cross of denmark," added the captain, holding up the bank bill which had told him such a terrible story about the boat-builder. "what is it, father? it looks like a bank note." "it is; but there is the white cross of denmark on it." "i don't understand what you mean." "i only mean that these white slips of paper make the bill look like the flag of denmark." nellie took the bill and examined it. "it has been torn into four pieces and mended," said she. "that is precisely how it happens to be the white cross of denmark. do you think, if you had ever seen that bill before, you would recognize it again, if it fell into your hands?" added the captain. "certainly i should." "well, it has been in my hands before. do you remember the day that michael had the sun-stroke?" "yes, sir; and your tin box disappeared that day." "precisely so; and this bill was in that tin box. jacob hasbrook, of lincolnville, paid me a note. i put the money in the box, intending to take it over to the bank before night, and deposit it the next day. i looked at the bill when i counted the money, and i spoke to hasbrook about it. i called it the white cross of denmark then." "where did you get it now?" inquired nellie, her heart in her throat with anxiety. "mr. leach, the sail-maker, paid it to me just before you came into the library." "mr. leach!" exclaimed she, permitting herself to be cheered by a ray of hope that her father was not working up a case against donald ramsay. "yes; you remember who were in the library on the day i lost the tin box." "i remember very well; for all of you went out and carried michael into the house. besides we talked about the box ever so long. you asked me who had been in the library while you were up stairs; and i told you mr. hasbrook, laud cavendish, and don john." "precisely so; i remember it all very distinctly. now, one of the bills that was in that box comes back to me." "but it was paid to you by mr. leach." "it was; but he had it from don john half an hour before he paid it to me." "why, father!" exclaimed nellie, with real anguish; for even a suspicion against donald was a shock to her. "i can never believe it!" "i don't wish you to believe anything yet; but you may as well be prepared for anything an investigation may disclose." "that don john should steal!" ejaculated nellie. "why, we all considered him the very soul of honor!" "you are getting along faster than i do with your conclusions, child," added captain patterdale. "a suspicion is not proof. the bill came from him, beyond a doubt. but something can be said in his favor, besides the statement that his character is excellent. of the three persons who were in the library that day, two of them had wagons on the street. it does not seem probable that don john walked through the city with that tin box in his hand. if he did, some one must have seen it. of course he would not have carried it openly, while it could easily have been concealed in the wagon of hasbrook or laud cavendish." "certainly; if don john had taken it, he would not have dared to carry it through the streets," added nellie, comforted by the suggestion. "again, if he had stolen this white cross of denmark, he would not have been likely to pass it off here in belfast," continued the captain; "for he is sharp enough to see that it would be identified as soon as it appeared. very likely mr. leach told him he intended to pay me some money, and he surely would not have allowed the bill to come back to me." "i know he didn't do it," cried nellie, with enthusiasm. "you are too fast again, child. it is possible that he did, however improbable it may seem now, for rogues often make very silly blunders. is edward in the house?" "i think so; he was reading the _age_ when i came in." "tell him to go down and ask don john to come up and see me. we will have the matter cleared up before we sleep. but, nellie, don't tell edward what i want to see don john for. not a word about that to any one. by keeping my own counsel, i may get at the whole truth; whereas the thief, if he gets wind of what i am doing, may cover his tracks or run away." "i will be very discreet, father," replied nellie, as she left the library. in a few moments she returned. "he has gone, father; though he is very tired," said she. "i suppose he is; but i don't want to believe that don john is a thief even over one night," replied the captain. "he asked me what you wanted of don john; but i didn't tell him." the father and daughter discussed the painful suspicion until donald arrived, and entered the library with edward. a conversation on indifferent topics was continued for some time, and the boat-builder wondered if he had been sent for to talk about the launch of the maud, which was now an old story. "how is the wind, edward?" asked captain patterdale. "'sou'-sou'-west, half west," laughed edward, who understood precisely what his father meant by his question; and bidding donald good night, he left the library, without the formality of saying he would go and see which way the wind was. "you know which way the wind is, nellie; and so you need not leave," added the captain, as she rose from her seat to follow the example of her brother. "so did ned, for he told you," she answered. "and you heard him, and know also." when captain patterdale had private business with a visitor, and he wished any member of his own family to retire, he always asked which way the wind was. "don john, you had a great success in the launch of the maud to-day," said the nabob; but as the same thing had been said half a dozen times before since the boat-builder entered the room, it was hardly to be regarded as an original idea; and donald was satisfied that the launch was not the business upon which he had been sent for. "yes, sir; we got her off very well," he replied. "i was sorry i couldn't launch her with the mast stepped, so as to dress her in the colors." "in that case, you would have needed the flags of all nations. i have them, and will lend them to you any time when you wish to make a sensation." "thank you, sir." "i have here the white cross of denmark," added the captain, holding up the mended bill. "a fifty-dollar white-cross," laughed donald. "i have seen it before." "this bill?" "yes, sir; i paid it to mr. leach for the maud's sails since dark," answered donald, so squarely that the nabob could not help looking at his daughter and smiling. "he said you paid promptly, which is a solid virtue in a business man. by the way, don john, you will be out of work as soon as the maud is finished." "i hope to have another yacht to build by that time, especially if the maud does well." "i wanted to say a word to you about that, and tell you some good news, don john," continued captain patterdale, as calmly as though he had no interest whatever in the mended bill. "i had a long talk with mr. norwood this afternoon. he says he shall give you the job if the maud sails as well as the skylark or the sea foam. he don't insist that she shall beat them." "but i expect she will do it; if she don't i shall be disappointed," added donald. "don't expect too much, don john. i thought you would sleep better if you knew just how mr. norwood stood on this question." "i shall, sir; and i am very much obliged to you." "do you think you will make any money on the building of the maud?" asked the nabob. "yes, sir. i think i shall do pretty well with her." "you seem to have money enough to pay your bills as you go along. did mr. rodman pay you this bill?" inquired the captain, as he held up the cross again. "no, sir; he did not. i have had that bill in the house for some time," replied donald. "are you so flush as that?" "yes, sir; i had considerable cash in the house." "your father left something, i suppose." "yes, sir; but he never had that bill and the other two i paid mr. leach," replied donald; and he could not help thinking all the time that they were a part of the sum laud cavendish had paid him for the juno, under promise not to say where he got it, if everything was all right. though the boat-builder was a square young man, he could not help being somewhat embarrassed, for his sense of honor did not permit him to violate the confidence of any one. "if it is a fair question, don john, where did you get this bill?" asked the captain. donald thought it was hardly a fair question under the circumstances, and he made no answer, for he was thinking how he could get along without a lie, and still say nothing about laud's connection with the bill, for that would expose captain shivernock. "you don't answer me, don john," added the nabob, mildly. "i don't like to tell," replied donald. "why not?" "i promised not to do so." "you promised not to tell where you got this money?" poor nellie was almost overwhelmed by these answers on the part of donald, and her father began to have some painful doubts. "i did, sir; that is, i promised not to tell if everything about the money was all right." "if you don't tell where you got the money, how are you to know whether everything is all right or not?" demanded captain patterdale, in sharper tones than he had yet used. "well, i don't know," answered the boat-builder, not a little confused, and sadly troubled by the anxious expression on miss nellie's pretty face. perhaps her father, who understood human nature exceedingly well, had required her to remain in the library during this interview, for a purpose; but whether he did or not, donald was really more concerned about her good opinion than he was about that of any other person in the world, unless it was his mother. he was conscious that he was not making a good appearance; and under the sad gaze of those pretty eyes, he was determined to redeem himself. "you ought not to make such promises, don john," said the captain; and this time he spoke quite sternly. "you have that bill, sir. is there anything wrong about it?" asked donald. "yes." "then my promise covers nothing. laud cavendish paid me that bill," added the boat-builder. "laud cavendish!" exclaimed nellie. her father shook his head, to intimate that she was to say nothing. "laud cavendish gave you this bill?" repeated the captain. "yes, sir, and six more just like it; only the others were not mended. i paid mr. leach three of them, and here are the other four," said donald, producing his wallet, and taking from it the four bills, which he had not returned to their hiding-place in the bureau. captain patterdale examined them, and compared them with the two in his possession. they looked like the bills he had deposited in the tin box, when hasbrook paid him the thirteen hundred and fifty dollars and interest. twelve of the bills which made up this sum were fifties, nearly new; the balance was in hundreds, and smaller notes, older, more discolored, and worn. "laud cavendish paid you three hundred and fifty dollars, then?" continued the nabob. "yes, sir; just that. but what is there wrong about it?" asked donald, trembling with emotion, when he realized what a scrape he had got into. "following your example, don john, i shall for the present decline to answer," replied the captain. "if you don't know--" "i don't!" protested donald, earnestly. "if you don't know, i thank god; and i congratulate you that you don't know." "i haven't the least idea." "of course, if you don't wish to answer any question i may ask, you can decline to answer, as i do, don john." "i am entirely willing to answer any and every question that concerns me." "as you please; but you can't be called upon to say anything that will criminate yourself." "criminate myself, sir!" exclaimed donald, aghast. "i haven't done anything wrong." "i don't say that you have, don john; more than that, i don't believe you have; but if you answer any question of mine, you must do it of your own free will and accord." "i will, sir." "for what did laud cavendish pay you three hundred and fifty dollars?" "for the juno," replied donald, promptly. "i did not know he owned the juno." "he said he did to-day; at least, he said he was going to change her name," added nellie. "the fact that i did not know it doesn't prove that it was not so. you sold the juno to laud, did you, don john?" "i did, sir." "did you own the juno?" "yes, sir." "did you buy her of captain shivernock?" "no, sir; i did not buy her; he made me a present of her." "a present!" "yes, sir; he got disgusted with her, and gave her to me. i could not afford to keep her, and sold her to laud cavendish." "gave her to you! that's very strange." "but captain shivernock is a very strange man." "none will dispute that," replied captain patterdale, with a smile and a shrug of the shoulders. "that man throws away his property with utter recklessness; and i should not be surprised if he ended his life in the almshouse. i will not ask any explanation of the conduct of captain shivernock. laud cavendish is not a man of means. did he tell you, donald, where he got his money to buy a boat worth three hundred and fifty dollars?" "he did, sir, and explained the matter so that i was satisfied; for i would not sell him the juno till he convinced me that there was no hitch about the money." "well, where did he get it?" "i don't feel at liberty to tell, sir; for he told me it was a great secret, which did not affect him, but another person. i inquired into the matter myself, and was satisfied it was all right." "i am afraid you have been deceived, don john; but i am convinced you have done no wrong yourself--at least, not intentionally. secrets are dangerous; and when people wish you to conceal anything, you may generally be sure there is something wrong somewhere, though it may look all right to you. i have no more questions to ask to-night, don john; but i may wish to see you again in regard to this subject. i must see mr. laud cavendish next." [illustration: donald answers questions. page .] donald declared that he was ready to give all the information in his power; and after a little chat with nellie, he went home, with more on his mind than had troubled him before, since he could remember. chapter xiii. moonlight on the juno. donald felt that he was in hot water, in spite of the assurance of captain patterdale that he believed him innocent of all wrong, and he was sorry that he had made any bargains, conditional or otherwise, with captain shivernock or laud cavendish. the nabob would not tell him what was wrong, and he could not determine whether laud or some other person had stolen the money. he went into the house on his return from the elegant mansion. his mother had gone to watch with a sick neighbor, though his sister barbara was sewing in the front room. donald was troubled, not by a guilty conscience, but by the fear that he had innocently done wrong in concealing his relations with captain shivernock and with laud cavendish. somehow the case looked different now from what it had before. laud had told where he got his money, and given a good reason, as it seemed to him at the time, for concealment; but why the strange man desired secrecy he was utterly unable to imagine. he almost wished he had told captain patterdale all about his meeting with captain shivernock on long island, and asked his advice. it was not too late to do so now. donald was so uneasy that he could not sit in the house, and went out doors. he walked about the beach for a time, and then sat down in front of the shop to think the matter over again. suddenly, while he was meditating in the darkness, he saw the trunk lights of the maud illuminated, as though there was a fire in her cabin. he did not wait to study the cause, but jumping into his skiff, he pushed off, and sculled with all his might towards the yacht. he was mad and desperate, for the maud was on fire! he leaped on board, with the key of the brass padlock which secured the cabin door in his hand; but he had scarcely reached the deck before he saw a man on the wharf retreating from the vicinity of the yacht. then he heard the flapping of a sail on the other side of the pier; but he could not spend an instant in ascertaining who the person was. he opened the cabin door, and discovered on the floor a pile of shavings in flames. fortunately there was a bucket in the standing-room, with which he dashed a quantity of water upon the fire, and quickly extinguished it. all was dark again; but to make sure, donald threw another pail of water on the cabin floor, and then it was not possible for the fire to ignite again. although the deck had been swept clean before the launch, the side next to the wharf was littered with shavings, and a basket stood there, in which they had been brought on board, for it was still half full. donald found that one of the trunk lights had been left unfastened, in the hurry and excitement of attending the festival at mr. rodman's house. through the aperture the incendiary had stuffed the shavings, and dropped a card of lighted matches upon them, for he saw the remnants of it when he threw on the first water. who had done this outrageous deed? donald sprang upon the wharf as he recalled the shadowy form and the flapping sail he had seen. leaping upon the pier, he rushed over to the other side, where he discovered a sail-boat slowly making her way, in the gentle breeze, out of the dock. beyond a peradventure, the boat was the juno. her peculiar rig enabled him readily to identify her. was laud cavendish in her, and was he wicked enough to commit such an act? donald returned to the maud to assure himself that there was no more fire in her. he was satisfied that the yacht was not injured, for he had extinguished the fire before the shavings were well kindled. he fastened the trunk lights securely, locked the cabin door, and taking possession of the basket, he embarked in his skiff again. sculling out beyond the wharf, he looked for the juno. the wind was so light she made but little headway, and was standing off shore with the breeze nearly aft. it was laud's boat, but it might not be laud in her. why should the wretch attempt to burn the maud? then the scene in mr. rodman's garden, when laud had been invited to leave, came to his mind, and donald began to understand the matter. while he was thinking about it, the moon came out from behind a cloud which had obscured it, and cast its soft light upon the quiet bay, silvering the ripples on its waters with a flood of beauty. donald glanced at the basket in the skiff, still half filled with shavings. it was laud's basket, beyond a doubt, for he had often seen it when the owner came down to the shore to embark in his boat. the initials of his father's name, "j. c.," were daubed upon the outside of it, for there is sometimes as much confusion in regard to the ownership of baskets as of umbrellas. donald was full of excitement, and full of wrath; and as soon as he got the idea of the guilty party through his head, he sculled the skiff with all the vigor of a strong arm towards the juno, easily overhauling her in a few moments. he was so excited that he dashed his skiff bang into the juno, to the serious detriment of the white paint which covered her side. "what are you about, don john?" roared laud cavendish, who had seen the approaching skiff, but had not chosen to hail her. "what are you about?" demanded donald, answering the question with another, yankee fashion, as he jammed his boat-hook into the side of the juno, and drew the skiff up to the yacht, from which it had receded. taking the painter, he jumped on the forward deck of the juno, with the boat-hook still in his hand. "what do you mean by smashing into me in that kind of style, and jabbing your boat-hook into the side of my boat?" cried laud, as fiercely as he could pitch his tones, though there seemed to be a want of vim to them. "what do you mean by setting the maud afire?" demanded donald. "that's what i want to know." "who set her afire?" replied laud, in rather hollow tones. "you did, you miserable spindle-shanks!" "i didn't set her afire, don john," protested laud. "yes, you did! i can prove it, and i will prove it, too." "you are excited, don john. you don't know what you are talking about." "i think i do, and i'll bet you'll understand it, too, if there is any law left in the state of maine." "what do you mean by that?" "i mean what i say, and say what i mean." "i haven't been near the maud." "yes, you have! didn't i see you sneaking across the wharf? didn't i see your mainsail alongside the pier? you can't humbug me. i know a pint of soft soap from a pound of cheese," rattled donald, who could talk very fast when he was both excited and enraged; and laud's tongue was no match for his member. "i tell you, i haven't been near the maud." "don't tell me! i saw it all; i have two eyes that i wouldn't sell for two cents apiece; and i'll put you over the road at a two-forty gait." laud saw that it was no use to argue the point, and he held his peace, till the boat-builder had exhausted his rhetoric, and his stock of expletives. "what did you do it for, laud?" asked he, at last, in a comparatively quiet tone. "i have told you a dozen times i didn't do it," replied the accused. "you talk so fast i can't get a word in edgeways." "it's no use for you to deny it," added don john. "do you think i'd burn your yacht?" "yes, i do; and i know you tried to do it. if i hadn't been over by the shop, you would have done it." [illustration: don john visits the juno. page .] "i didn't do it, i repeat. do you think i would lie about it? do you think i have no sense of honor about me!" "confound your honor!" sneered donald. "don't insult me. when you assail my honor, you touch me in a tender place." "in a soft place, and that's in your head." "be careful, don john. i advise you not to wake a sleeping lion." "a sleeping jackass!" "i claim to be a gentleman, and my honor is my capital stock in life." "you have a very small capital to work on, then." "i warn you to be cautious, don john. my honor is all i have to rest upon in this world." "it's a broken reed. i wouldn't give a cent's worth of molasses candy for the honor of a fellow who would destroy the property of another, because he got mad with him." in spite of his repeated warnings, laud cavendish was very forbearing, though donald kept the boat-hook where it would be serviceable in an emergency. "no, don john, i did not set the maud afire. though you went back on me this afternoon, and served me a mean and shabby trick, i wouldn't do such a thing as burn your property." "who went back on you?" demanded donald. "you did; when you could have saved me from being driven out of the garden, you took the trouble to say, you did not invite me," replied laud, reproachfully. "i didn't invite you; and i had no right to invite you." "no matter for that; if you had just said that your friend, mr. cavendish, had come in with you it would have been all right." "my friend, mr. cavendish!" repeated donald, sarcastically. "i didn't know i had any such friend." "i didn't expect that of you, after what i had done for you, don john." "spill her on that tack! you never did anything for me." "i took that boat off your hands, and i suppose you got a commission for selling her. wasn't that doing something for you?" "no!" protested donald. "i have always used you well, and done more for you than you know of. you wouldn't have got the job to build the maud if it hadn't been for me. i spoke a good word for you to mr. rodman," whined laud. "you!" exclaimed donald, disgusted with this ridiculous pretension. "if you said anything to mr. rodman about it, i wonder he didn't give the job to somebody else." "you think i have no influence, but you are mistaken; and if you insist on quarrelling with me, you will find out, when it is too late, what folks think of me." "they think you are a ninny; and when they know what you did to-night, they will believe you are a knave," replied donald. "you didn't cover your tracks so that i couldn't find them; and i can prove all i say. i didn't think you were such a rascal before." "you won't make anything out of that sort of talk with me, don john," said laud, mildly. "you provoke me to throw you overboard, but i don't want to hurt you." "i'll risk your throwing me overboard. i can take care of myself." "i said i didn't want to hurt you, and i don't. i didn't set your boat afire; i wouldn't do such a thing." "you can tell that to squire peters to-morrow." "you don't mean to say that you will prosecute me, don john?" "yes; i do mean it." "i came down from the harbor, and tacked between those two wharves," explained laud. "i was standing off on this tack when you bunted your skiff into me. that's all i know about it." "but i saw you on the wharf. no matter; we won't argue the case here," said donald, as he made a movement to go into his skiff. "hold on, don john. i want to talk with you a little." "what about?" "two or three things. i am going off on a long cruise in a day or two. i think i shall go as far as portland, and try to get a situation in a store there." "i don't believe you will have a chance to go to portland, or anywhere else, unless it's thomaston, where the state prison is located." "i didn't think you would be so rough on me, don john. i didn't set your boat afire; but i can see that it may go hard with me, because i happened to be near the wharf at the time." "you will find that isn't the worst of it," added donald. "what is the worst of it?" "never mind; i'll tell squire peters to-morrow, when we come together." "don't go to law about it, don john; for though i didn't do it, i don't want to be hauled up for it. even a suspicion is sometimes damaging to the honor of a gentleman." "you had better come down from that high horse, and own up that you set the maud afire." "will you agree not to prosecute, if i do?" asked laud. donald, after his anger subsided, thought more about the "white cross of denmark" than he did about the fire; for the latter had done him no damage, while the former might injure his character which he valued more than his property. "i will agree not to prosecute, if you will answer all my questions," he replied; but i confess that it was an error on the part of the young man. donald fastened the painter of his skiff at the stern, and took a seat in the standing-room of the juno. "i will tell you all i know, if you will keep me out of the courts," added laud, promptly. "why did you set the maud afire?" "because i was mad, and meant to get even with you for what you did at rodman's this afternoon. you might do me a great service, don john, if you would. i like nellie patterdale; i mean, i'm in love with her. i don't believe i can live without her." "i'll bet you'll have to," interposed donald, indignantly. "you don't know what it is to love, don john." "i don't want to know yet awhile; and i think you had better live on a different sort of grub. what a stupid idea, for a fellow like you to think of such a girl as nellie patterdale!" "is it any worse for me to think of her, than it is for you to do so?" asked laud. "i never thought of her in any such way as that. we went to school together, and have always been good friends; that's all." "that's enough," sighed laud. "i actually suffer for her sake. if the quest were hopeless," laud read novels--"i think i should drown myself." "you had better do it right off, then," added donald. "you can pity me, don john, for i am miserable. day and night i think only of her. my feelings have made me almost crazy, and i hardly knew what i was about when i applied the incendiary torch to the maud." "i thought it was a card of friction matches." "the world will laugh and jeer at me for loving one above my station; but love makes us equals." "perhaps it does when the love is on both sides," added the practical boat-builder. "but i think i am fitted to adorn a higher station than that in which i was born." "if so, you will rise like a stick of timber forced under the water; but it strikes me that you have begun in the wrong way to figure for a rise." "but i wish to rise only for nellie's sake. you can help me, don john; you can take me into her presence, where i can have the opportunity to win her affection." "i guess not, laud. shall i tell you what she said to me this afternoon?" "tell me all." "she said you were an impudent puppy, and she was sorry i invited you." "did she say that?" asked laud, looking up to the cold, pale moon. "she did; and i was obliged to tell her that i didn't invite you." "perhaps i have been a fool," mused the lover. "there's no doubt of it. nellie patterdale dislikes, and even despises you. i have heard her say as much, in so many words. that ought to comfort you, and convince you that it is no use to fish any longer in those waters." "possibly you are right; but it is only because she does not know me. if she only knew me better--" "she would dislike and despise you still more," said donald, sharply. "if she only knew that you set the maud afire, she would love you as a homeless dog likes the brickbats that are thrown at him." "you will not tell her that, don john?" "i will not tell her, or any one else, if you behave yourself. now i want to ask some more questions." "go on, don john." "where did you get the money you paid for the juno?" demanded donald, with energy. "where did i get it?" repeated laud, evidently startled by the question, so vigorously put. "i told you where i got it." "tell me again." "captain shivernock gave it to me." "what for?" "i can't tell you that." "why not?" "because it is a matter between the captain and me." "i don't care if it is. you said you would answer all my questions, if i would not prosecute." "questions about the maud," explained laud. "i have told you the secret of my love--" "hang the secret of your love!" exclaimed donald, disgusted with that topic. "i meant all questions." "but i cannot betray the secrets of captain shivernock. my honor--" "stick your honor up chimney!" interrupted donald. "if you go back on the agreement, i shall take the fire before squire peters. the question i asked was, why captain shivernock gave you four or five hundred dollars?" "i wish i could answer you, don john; but i do not feel at liberty to do so just now. i will see the captain, and perhaps i may honorably give you the information you seek." "you needn't mince the matter with me. i know all about it now; but i want it from you." "all about what?" asked laud. "you needn't look green about it. do you remember the saturday when i told you the juno was for sale?" "i do, very distinctly," answered laud. "you were in the juno at the time." "i was; we parted company, and you stood over towards the northport shore." "just so." "over there you met captain shivernock." "i didn't say i did." "but i say you did," persisted donald. "for some reason best known to himself, the captain did not want any one to know he was on long island that night." laud listened with intense interest. "do you know what his reason was, don john?" "no, i don't. you saw his boat, and overhauled him near the shore." "well?" "you overhauled him near the shore, and he gave you a pile of money not to say that you had seen him." "it is you who says all this, and not i," added laud, with more spirit than he had before exhibited. "my honor is not touched." "i wish you wouldn't say anything more about your honor. it is like a mustard seed in a haymow, and i can't see it," snapped donald. "you can see that i came honorably by the money." "honestly by it; i am satisfied on that point," replied donald. "if i had not been, i wouldn't have sold you the boat. you see i knew something of captain shivernock's movements about that time. if i hadn't, i wouldn't have believed that he gave it to you." "then you must have seen the captain at the same time." "i didn't say i saw him," laughed donald. "but the wind is breezing up, and we are half way over to brigadier island. come about, laud." the skipper acceded to the request, and headed the juno for belfast. chapter xiv. captain shivernock's joke. donald considered himself shrewd, sharp, and smart, because he had induced laud virtually to own that captain shivernock had given him the money to purchase his silence, but donald was not half so shrewd, sharp, and smart as he thought he was. "mr. cavendish, it's no use for us to mince this matter," he continued, determined further to draw out his companion, and feeling happy now, he was very respectful to him. "perhaps not, don john." "it can do no harm for you and me to talk over this matter. you saw captain shivernock on that saturday morning--didn't you?" "of course, if i say i did, you will not let on about it--will you?" "not if i can help it; for the fact is, i am in the same boat with you." "then you saw the captain." "of course i did." "but what was he doing down there, that made him so particular to keep shady about it?" "i haven't the least idea. it was the morning after hasbrook was pounded to a jelly in his own house; but i am satisfied that the captain had nothing to do with it." "i am not so sure of that," added laud. "i am. i went to the captain's house before he returned that day, and both sykes and his wife told me he had left home at four o'clock that morning, and this was after the pounding was done. besides, the captain was over on long island when i saw him. if he had done the deed, he would have got home before daylight, for the wind was fresh and fair. instead of that, he was over at turtle head when i first saw him. the juno got aground with him near seal harbor, which made him so mad he would not keep her any longer. he was mad because she wasn't a centre-boarder. i suppose after we parted he went over to the lincolnville or northport shore, and hid till after dark in spruce harbor, saturday cove, or some such place. at any rate, i was at his house in the evening, when he came home." "the old fellow had been up to some trick, you may depend upon it," added laud, sagely. "i came to the conclusion that his desire to keep dark was only a whim, for he is the strangest man that ever walked the earth." "that's so; but why should he give me such a pile if he hadn't been up to something?" "and me another pile," added donald. "we can talk this thing over between ourselves, but not a word to any other person." "certainly; i understand. i am paid for holding my tongue, and i intend to do so honorably." "so do i, until i learn that there is something wrong." "you have told me some things i did not know before, don john," suggested laud. "you knew that the captain was down by long island." "yes, but i didn't know he was at turtle head; and i am satisfied now that he is the man that shook up hasbrook that night," continued laud, in meditative mood. "are you? then i will let the whole thing out," exclaimed donald. "no, no! don't do that!" protested laud. "that wouldn't be fair, at all." "i would not be a party to the concealment of such an outrage." "you don't understand it. hasbrook is a regular swindler." "that is no reason why he should be pounded half to death in the middle of the night." "he borrowed a thousand dollars of captain shivernock a short time before the outrage. the captain told him he would lend him the money if hasbrook would give him a good indorser on the paper. after the captain had parted with the money, he ascertained that the indorser was not worth a dollar. hasbrook had told him the name was that of a rich farmer, and of course the captain was mad. he tried to get back his money, for he knew hasbrook never paid anything if he could help it. here is the motive for the outrage," reasoned laud. "why didn't he prosecute him for swindling? for that's what it was." "captain shivernock says he won't trouble any courts to fight his battles for him; he can fight them himself." "it was wrong to pound any man as hasbrook was. why, he wasn't able to go out of the house for a month," added donald, who was clearly opposed to lynch law. donald was somewhat staggered in his belief by the evidence of his companion, but he determined to inquire further into the matter, and even hoped now that hasbrook would call upon him. "one more question, laud. do you know where captain shivernock got the bills he paid you, and you paid me?" asked he. "of course i don't. how should i know where the captain gets his money?" replied laud, in rather shaky tones. "true; i didn't much think you would know." "what odds does it make where he got the bills?" asked laud, faintly. "it makes a heap of odds." "i don't see why." "i'll tell you why. i paid three of those bills to mr. leach to-night for the maud's suit of sails. one of them was a mended bill." "yes, i remember that one, for i noticed it after the captain gave me the money," added laud. "mr. leach paid that bill to captain patterdale." "to captain patterdale!" exclaimed laud, springing to his feet. "what odds does it make to you whom he paid it to?" asked donald, astonished at this sudden demonstration. "none at all," replied laud, recovering his self-possession. "what made you jump so, then?" "a mosquito bit me," laughed laud. but it was a graveyard laugh. "leach paid the bill to captain patterdale--you say?" "yes, and captain patterdale says there is something wrong about the bill," continued donald, who was far from satisfied with the explanation of his companion. "what was the matter? wasn't the bill good?" inquired laud. "yes, the bill was good; but something was wrong, he didn't tell me what." "that was an odd way to leave it. why didn't he tell you what was wrong?" "i don't know. i suppose he knows what he is about, but i don't." "i should like to know what was wrong about this bill. it has passed through my hands, and it may affect my honor in some way," mused laud. "you had better have your honor insured, for it will get burned up one of these days," added donald, as he rose from his seat, and hauled in his skiff, which was towing astern. he stepped into the boat, and tossed laud's basket to him. "here is your basket, laud," added he. "it was my evidence against you; and next time, when you want to burn a yacht, don't leave it on her deck." "you will keep shady--won't you, don john?" he pleaded. "that will depend upon what you say and do," answered donald, as he shoved off, and sculled to the wharf where the maud lay, to assure himself that she was in no danger. he was not quite satisfied to trust her alone all night, and he decided to sleep in her cabin. he went to the house, and told barbara he was afraid some accident might happen to the yacht, and with the lantern and some bed-clothes, he returned to her. he swept up the half-burned shavings, and threw them overboard. there was not a vestige of the fire left, and he swabbed up the water with a sponge. making his bed on the transom, he lay down to think over the events of the evening. he went to sleep after a while, and we will leave him in this oblivious condition while we follow laud cavendish, who, it cannot be denied, was in a most unhappy frame of mind. he ran the juno up to her moorings, and after he had secured her sail, and locked up the cabin door, he went on shore. undoubtedly he had done an immense amount of heavy thinking within the last two hours, and as he was not overstocked with brains, it wore upon him. it was nearly ten o'clock in the evening, but late as it was, laud walked directly to the house of captain shivernock. there was a light in the strange man's library, or office, and another in the dining-room, where the housekeeper usually sat, which indicated that the family had not retired. laud walked up to the side door, and rang the bell, which was promptly answered by mrs. sykes. "is captain shivernock at home?" asked the late visitor. "he is; but he don't see anybody so late as this," replied the housekeeper. "i wish to speak to him on very important business, and it is absolutely necessary that i should see him to-night," persisted laud. "i will tell him." mrs. sykes did tell him, and the strange man swore he would not see any one, not even his grandmother, come down from heaven. she reported this answer in substance to laud. "i wish to see him on a matter in which he is deeply concerned," said the troubled visitor. "tell him, if you please, in regard to the hasbrook affair." perhaps mrs. sykes knew something about the hasbrook affair herself, for she promptly consented to make this second application for the admission of the stranger, for such he was to her. she returned in a few moments with an invitation to enter, and so it appeared that there was some power in the "hasbrook affair." laud was conducted to the library,--as the retired shipmaster chose to call the apartment, though there were not a dozen books in it,--where the captain sat in a large rocking-chair, with his feet on the table. "who are you?" demanded the strange man; and we are obliged to modify his phraseology in order to make it admissible to our pages. "mr. laud cavendish, at your service," replied he, politely. "_mister_ laud cavendish!" repeated the captain, with a palpable sneer; "you are the swell that used to drive the grocery wagon." "i was formerly employed at miller's store, but i am not there now." "well, what do you want here?" "i wish to see you, sir." "you do see me--don't you?" growled the eccentric. "what's your business?" "on the morning after the hasbrook outrage, captain shivernock, you were seen at seal harbor," said laud. "who says i was?" roared the captain, springing to his feet. "i beg your pardon sir; but i say so," answered laud, apparently unmoved by the violence of his auditor. "you were in the boat formerly owned by mr. ramsay, and you ran over towards the northport shore." "did you see me?" "i did," replied laud. "and you have come to levy black-mail upon me," added the captain, with a withering stare at his visitor. "nothing of the sort, sir. i claim to be a gentleman." "o, you do!" captain shivernock laughed heartily. "i do, sir. i am not capable of anything derogatory to the character of a gentleman." "bugs and brickbats!" roared the strange man, with another outburst of laughter. "you are a gentleman! that's good! and you won't do anything derogatory to the character of a gentleman. that's good, too!" "i trust i have the instincts of a gentleman," added laud, smoothing down his jet mustache. "i trust you have; but what do you want of me, if you have the instincts of a gentleman, and don't bleed men with money when you think you have them on the hip?" "if you will honor me with your attention a few moments, i will inform you what i want of you." "good again!" chuckled the captain. "i will honor you with my attention. you have got cheek enough to fit out a life insurance agency." "i am not the only one who saw you that saturday morning," said laud. "who else saw me?" "don john." "how do you know he did?" "he told mo so." "the young hypocrite!" exclaimed the strange man, with an oath. "i made it a rule years ago never to trust a man or a boy who has much to do with churches and sunday schools. the little snivelling puppy! and he has gone back on me." "it is only necessary for me to state facts," answered laud. "you can form your own conclusions, without any help from me." "perhaps i can," added captain shivernock, who seemed to be in an unusual humor on this occasion, for the pretentious manners of his visitor appeared to amuse rather than irritate him. "again, sir, jacob hasbrook, of lincolnville, believes you are the man who pounded him to a jelly that night," continued laud. "does he?" laughed the captain. "well, that is a good joke; but i want to say that i respect the man who did it, whoever he is." "self-respect is a gentlemanly quality. the man who don't respect himself will not be respected by others," said laud, stroking his chin. "eh?" laud confidently repeated the proposition. "you respect yourself, and of course you respect the man that pounded hasbrook," he added. "do you mean to say i flogged hasbrook?" demanded the strange man, doubling his fist, and shaking it savagely in laud's face. "it isn't for me to say that you did, for you know better than i do; but you will pardon me if i say that the evidence points in this direction. hasbrook has been over to belfast several times to work up his case. the last time i saw him he was looking for don john, who, i am afraid, is rather leaky." in spite of his bluff manners, laud saw that the captain was not a little startled by the information just imparted. "the miserable little psalm-singer," growled the strange man, walking the room, muttering to himself. "if he disobeys my orders, i'll thrash him worse than--hasbrook was thrashed." "it is unpleasant to be suspected of a crime, and revolting to the instincts of a gentleman," added laud. "do you mean to say that i am suspected of a crime, you long-eared puppy?" yelled the captain. "i beg your pardon, captain shivernock, but it isn't agreeable to a gentleman to be called by such opprobrious names," said laud, rising from his chair, and taking his round-top hat from the table. "i am willing to leave you, but not to be insulted." laud looked like the very impersonation of dignity itself, as he walked towards the door. "stop!" yelled the captain. "i do not know that any one but hasbrook suspects you of a crime," laud explained. "i'm glad he does suspect me," added the strange man, more gently. "whoever did that job served him just right, and i envy the man that did it." "still, it is unpleasant to be suspected of a crime." "it wasn't a crime." "people call it so; but i sympathize with you, for like you i am suspected of a crime, of which, like yourself, i am innocent." "are you, indeed? and what may your crime be, mr. cavendish?" "it is in this connection that i wish to state my particular business with you." "go on and state it, and don't be all night about it." "i may add that i also came to warn you against the movements of hasbrook. i will begin at the beginning." "begin, then; and don't go round cape horn in doing it," snarled the captain. "i will, sir. captain patterdale--" "another miserable psalm-singer. is he in the scrape?" "he is, sir. he has lost a tin box, which contained nearly fourteen hundred dollars in cash, besides many valuable papers." "i'm glad of it; and i hope he never will find it," was the kindly expression of the eccentric nabob for the christian nabob. "was the box lost or stolen?" "stolen, sir." "so much the better. i hope the thief will never be discovered." laud did not say how he happened to know that the tin box had been stolen, for captain patterdale, the deputy sheriff, and nellie were supposed to be the only persons who had any knowledge of the fact. "it appears that in this tin box there was a certain fifty-dollar bill, which had been torn into four parts, and mended by pasting two strips of paper upon it, one extending from right to left, and the other from top to bottom, on the back." "eh?" interposed the wicked nabob. "wait a minute." the captain opened an iron safe in the room, and from a drawer took out a handful of bank bills. from these he selected three, and tossed them on the table. "like those?" he inquired, with interest. "exactly like them," replied laud, astonished to find that each was the counterpart of the one he had paid donald for the juno, and had the "white cross of denmark" upon it. "do you know how those bills happened to be in that condition, mr. cavendish?" chuckled the captain. "of course i do not, sir." "i'll tell you, my gay buffer. i have got a weak, soft place somewhere in my gizzard; i don't know where; if i did, i'd cut it out. about three months ago, just after i brought from portland one hundred of these new fifty-dollar bills, there was a great cry here for money for some missionary concern. i read something in the newspaper, at this time, about what some of the missionaries had done for a lot of sailors who had been cast away on the south sea islands. i thought more of the psalm-singers than ever before, and i was tempted to do something for them. well, i actually wrote to some parson here who was howling for money, and stuck four of those bills between the leaves. i think it is very likely i should have sent them to the parson, if i hadn't been called out of the room. i threw the note, with the bills in it, on the table, and went out to see a pair of horses a jockey had driven into the yard for me to look at. when i came back and glanced at the note, i thought what a fool i had been, to think of giving money to those canting psalm-singers. i was mad with myself for my folly, and i tore the note into four pieces before i thought that the bills were in it. but mrs. sykes mended them as you see. go on with your yarn, my buffer." "that bill i paid to don john for the juno," continued laud. "he paid it to mr. leach, the sail-maker, who paid it to captain patterdale, and he says it was one of the bills in the tin chest when it was stolen. don john says he had it from me." "precisely so; and that is what makes it unpleasant to be suspected of a crime," laughed captain shivernock. "but you don't state where you got the bill, mr. cavendish. perhaps you don't wish to tell." "i shall tell the whole story with the greatest pleasure," added laud. "i was sailing one day down by haddock ledge, when i saw a man tumble overboard from a boat moored where he had been fishing. he was staving drunk, and went forward, as i thought, to get up his anchor. the boat rolled in the sea, and over he went. i got him out. the cold water sobered him in a measure, and he was very grateful to me. he went to his coat, which he did not wear when he fell, and took from his pocket a roll of bills. he counted off ten fifties, and gave them to me. feeling sure that i had saved his life, i did not think five hundred dollars was any too much to pay for it, and i took the money. i don't think he would have given me so much if he hadn't been drunk. i asked him who he was, but he would not tell me, saying he didn't want his friends in boston to know he had been over the bay, and in the bay; but he said he had been staying in belfast a couple of days." "good story!" laughed the wicked nabob. "every word of it is as true as preaching," protested laud. "just about," added the captain, who hadn't much confidence in preaching. "you can see, captain shivernock, that i am in an awkward position," added laud. "i have no doubt the man i saved was the one who stole the tin box. he paid me with the stolen bills." "it is awkward, as you say," chuckled the strange man. "i suppose you wouldn't know the fellow you saved if you saw him." "o, yes, i think i should," exclaimed laud. "but suppose, when captain patterdale comes to me to inquire where i got the marked bill, i should tell him this story. he wouldn't believe a word of it." "he would be a fool if he did," exclaimed captain shivernock, with a coarse grin. "therefore, my gay buffer, don't tell it to him." "but i must tell him where i got the bill," pleaded laud. "ha, ha, ha!" laughed the eccentric, shaking his sides as though they were agitated by a young earthquake. "tell him i gave you the bill!" the captain seemed to be intensely amused at the novel idea; and laud did not object; on the contrary, he seemed to appreciate the joke. it was midnight when he left the house, and went to the juno to sleep in her cabin. if he had gone home earlier in the evening, he might have seen captain patterdale, who did him the honor to make a late call upon him. chapter xv. laud cavendish takes care of himself. donald did not sleep very well in the cabin of the maud, not only because his bed was very hard and uncomfortable, but because he was troubled; and before morning he fully realized the truth of the saying, in regard to certain persons, that "they choose darkness, because their deeds are evil." he wished he had not consented to keep the secret of either captain shivernock or laud cavendish, and was afraid he had compromised himself by his silence. when he turned out in the morning, he believed he had hardly slept a wink all night, though he had actually slumbered over six hours; but a person who lies awake in the darkness, especially if his thoughts are troublesome, lengthens minutes into hours. but donald welcomed the morning light when he awoke, and the bright sun which streamed through the trunk ports. he went to the shop, and for two hours before his men arrived worked on the tender of the maud. the mast of the yacht was stepped during the forenoon, and after dinner the rigger came to do his part of the work. samuel rodman was now so much interested in the progress of the labor on the new yacht, that he spent nearly all his time on board of her. the top mast, gaff, and boom were all ready to go into their places, and the maud looked as though she was nearly completed. all the members of the yacht club were impatient for her to be finished, for the next regatta had been postponed a week, so that the maud could take part in the affair; and the club were to go on a cruise for ten days, after the race. there was no little excitement in the club in relation to the maud. donald had confidently asserted his belief, weeks before, that she would outsail the skylark, not as a mere boast, but as a matter of business. his father had made an improvement upon the model of the sea foam, which he was reasonably certain would give her the advantage. the young boat-builder had also remedied a slight defect in the arrangement of the centre-board in the maud, had added a little to the size of the jib and mainsail, and he hoped these alterations would tell in favor of the new craft, while they would not take anything from her stiffness in heavy weather. "i believe the old folks are as much interested in the next race as the members of the club, don john," said rodman, one day, as he came upon the wharf. "i am glad they are," replied donald, laughing. "it will make business good for ramsay & son." "half a dozen of them are going to make up a first prize of one hundred dollars for the regatta; so that the winner of the race will make a good thing by it," added rodman. "that will be a handsome prize." "if the maud takes it, don john, the money shall be yours, as you are to sail her." "o, no!" exclaimed donald. "i don't believe in that. the prize will belong to the boat." "if you win the race in the maud, i shall be satisfied with the glory, without any of the spoils." "well, we won't quarrel about it now, for she may not win the first prize." "well, the same gentlemen will give a second prize of fifty dollars," continued rodman. "but don't you expect to get the first prize, don john?" "i do; but to expect is not always to win, you know." "you have always talked as though you felt pretty sure of coming in first," said rodman, who did not like to see any abatement of confidence on the part of the boat-builder. "it is the easiest thing in the world to be mistaken, sam. if the maud loses the first prize, i may as well shut up shop, and take a situation in a grocery store, for my business would be ruined." "not quite so bad as that, i hope," added rodman. "mr. norwood is waiting to see how she sails, before he orders a yacht for frank. can't you invite frank and his father to sail with us in the race?" "certainly, if you desire it, don john," replied rodman. "mr. norwood is a big man, and he will be a capital live weight for us, if it happens to blow fresh." "i hope it will blow; if it don't, the christabel is sure of the first prize. i want just such a day as we had when the sea foam cleaned out the skylark." "that was a little too much of a good thing. you came pretty near taking the mast out of the sea foam that day." "not at all; our masts don't come out so easily as that, though i think the mast of the sea foam would snap before she would capsize." "i like that in a boat; it is a good thing to have a craft that will stay right side up. the fellows have got another idea, don john." "well, ideas are good things to have. what is it now?" asked donald. "they are going to build a club-house over on turtle head." "on turtle head! why don't they have it down on manhegan?" which is an island ten miles from the coast of maine. "it will be only a shanty, where the fellows can have a good time, and get up chowders. they talk of hiring a hall in the city, and having meetings for mutual improvement during the fall and winter." "that will be a capital idea." "we can have a library of books on nautical and other subjects, take the newspapers and magazines, and hang up pictures of yachts and other vessels on the walls. i hope, when you get the maud done, you will not be so busy, don john, for you don't attend many of our club meetings." "i hope to be busier than ever. you see, sam, i can't afford to run with you rich fellows. i don't wear kid gloves," laughed donald. "no matter if you don't; you are just as good a fellow as any of them." "everybody uses me first rate; as well as though my father had been a nabob." "well, they ought to; for it is brains, not money, that makes the man. we want to see more of you in the club. you must go with us on our long cruise." "i am afraid i can't spare the time. ten days is a good while; but it will depend upon whether i get the job to build mr. norwood's yacht." donald would gladly have spent more time with the club, but his conscience would not permit him to neglect his business. he felt that his success depended entirely upon his own industry and diligence; and he never left his work, except when the occasion fully justified him in doing so. he attended all the regattas as a matter of business, as well as of pleasure; and he had seen the sea foam beaten twice by the skylark since he won the memorable race in the former. edward patterdale was fully satisfied, now, that a skilful boatman was as necessary as a fast boat, in order to win the honors of the club, and he wished donald to "coach" him, until he obtained the skill to compete with the commodore. donald had promised to do it, as soon as he had time, and the owner of the sea foam hoped the opportunity would be afforded during the long cruise. the work on the maud was hurried forward as rapidly as was consistent with thoroughness, and in a few days she was ready for the last coats of paint. the boat-builder was favored with good, dry weather, and on the day before the great regatta, she was ready to receive her furniture and stores. the paint was dry and hard; but when the stove-dealer came with the little galley for the cook-room, the deck was carefully covered with old cloths, the cushions were placed on the transoms, the oil-cloth carpet was laid on the floor by kennedy, who was experienced in this kind of work, and samuel rodman was as busy as a bee arranging the crockery ware and stores which he had purchased. it only remained to bend on the sails, which was accomplished early in the afternoon. with mr. rodman, samuel, and the two workmen on board, donald made a trial trip in the new craft. the party went down the bay as far as seal harbor; but the wind was rather light for her, and she had no opportunity to show her sailing qualities, though with her gaff-topsail and the balloon-jib, she walked by everything afloat that day. "i am entirely satisfied with her, don john," said mr. rodman, as the maud approached the city on her return. "i think she will sail well." "i hope she will, sir," replied donald. "to-morrow will prove what there is in her." "she is well built and handsomely finished, and whether she wins the race or not i shall be satisfied. i never looked upon a handsomer yacht in my life. you have done your work admirably, don john." "mr. kennedy did the joiner work," said donald, willing to have his foreman, as he called him, share the honors of the day. "he did it well." "i only did just what my boss ordered me to do," laughed kennedy; "and i want to say, that i didn't do the first thing towards planning any part of her. don john hasn't often asked for any advice from me. he is entitled to all the credit." "i have no doubt you did all you could to make the job a success," added mr. rodman. "i did; and so did walker," said kennedy, indicating the other ship carpenter. "both of us did our very best, never idling a moment, or making a bad joint; and i can say, there isn't a better built craft in the united states than this yacht. not a knot or a speck of rot has been put into her. everything has been done upon honor, and she will be stiff enough to cross the atlantic in mid-winter. i'd rather be in her than in many a ship i've worked on." "i'm glad to know all this," replied mr. rodman. "now, don john, if the firm of ramsay & son is ready to deliver the maud, i will give you a check for the balance due on her." donald was all ready, and after the yacht had been moored off the wharf where she had been completed, the business was transacted in the shop. a bill of sale was given, and the boat-builder received a check for four hundred dollars, which he carried into the house and showed to his mother. of course the good lady was delighted with the success of her son, and barbara laughed till she shook her curls into a fearful snarl. "you have done well, donald," said mrs. ramsay. "i thank god that you have been so successful." "i have paid nearly all my bills, and i shall make about two hundred and fifty dollars on the job," added the young boat-builder. "i think i can build the next one for less money." "you may not get another one to build, my son." "that depends upon the race to-morrow. if i beat the skylark, i'm sure of one." "don't be too confident." "i am to sail the maud to-morrow, and if there is any speed in her, as i think there is, i shall get it out of her. to-morrow will be a big day for me; but if i lose the race, the firm of ramsay & son is used up." donald put the check in his wallet, and went out to the shop again, where he found samuel rodman looking for him. the owner of the maud was so delighted with the craft, that he could not keep away from her, and he wanted to go on board again. "bob montague is going to give you a hard pull to-morrow, don john," said rodman, as they got into the tender. "i hope he will do his best; and the harder the pull, the better," replied donald. "if we only beat him," suggested rodman. "i expect to beat him; but i may be mistaken." "bob hauled up the skylark on the beach this afternoon, and rubbed her bottom with black lead." "i am glad to hear it." "glad? why?" "it proves that he means business." "of course he means business." "i wonder if he knows i am to build a yacht for mr. norwood, in case i win this race." "i don't believe he does. i never heard of it till you told me." "he is such a splendid fellow, that i was afraid he would _let_ me beat him, if he knew i was to make anything by it." "i think it very likely he would." "but i want to beat the skylark fairly, or not at all." "there comes laud cavendish," said rodman, as the juno came up the bay, and bore down upon the maud. "he was blackballed in the club the other day, and he don't feel good. let's go ashore again, and wait till he sheers off, for i don't want to see him. he will be sure to go on board of the yacht if we are there, for he is always poking his nose in where he is not wanted." donald, who was at the oars, pulled back to the shore. the juno ran close up to the maud, tacked, and stood up the bay. "he is gone," said rodman. "i don't want him asking me why he was blackballed. he is an intolerable spoony." "don john!" called some one, as he was shoving off the tender. donald looked up, and saw mr. beardsley, the deputy sheriff, who had been working up the tin box case with captain patterdale. "i want to see you," added the officer. donald wondered if mr. beardsley wanted to see him officially; but he was thankful that he was able to look even a deputy sheriff square in the face. he jumped out of the tender, and rodman went off to the yacht alone. we are somewhat better informed than the young boat-builder in regard to the visit of the sheriff, and we happen to know that he did come officially; and in order to explain why it was so, it is necessary to go back to the point where we left mr. laud cavendish. he slept in the cabin of the juno after he left the house of captain shivernock. he did not sleep any better than donald ramsay that night; and the long surges rolled in by the paddle-wheels of the steamer richmond, as she came into the harbor early the next morning, awoke him. the first thing he thought of was his visit to the house of the strange man; the next was his breakfast, and he decided to go on shore, and get the meal at a restaurant. the juno was moored near the steamboat wharf, where the portland boat made her landings. this was a convenient place for him to disembark, and he pulled in his tender to the pier. as he approached the landing steps, he saw captain shivernock hastening down the wharf with a valise in his hand. it was evident that he was going up the river, perhaps to bangor. laud did not like the idea of the captain's going away just at that time. donald had told captain patterdale that the mended bill came from him, and of course the owner of the tin box would immediately come to him for further information. "then, if i tell him captain shivernock gave it to me, he will want to see him; and he won't be here to be seen," reasoned laud. "i can't explain why the captain gave me the money, and in his absence i shall be in a bad fix. i must take care of myself." laud went to the restaurant, and ate his breakfast; after which he returned to the juno. he took care of himself by getting under way, and standing over towards castine, where he dined that day. then he continued his voyage down the bay, through edgemoggin reach to mount desert, where he staid several days, living upon "the fat of the land" and the fish of the sea, which go well together. when he was confident that captain shivernock had returned, he sailed for belfast, and arrived after a two days' voyage. the strange man had not come back, and laud thought it very singular that he had not. then he began to wonder why the captain had laughed so unreasonably long and loud when he told him to say that he had given him the mended bill. laud could not see the joke at the time; but now he concluded that the laugh came in because he was going away on a long journey, and would not be in town to answer any questions which captain patterdale might propose. mr. cavendish was disturbed, and felt that he was a victim of a practical joke, and he determined to get out of the way again. unfortunately for him, he had shown himself in the city, and before he could leave he was interviewed by captain patterdale and mr. beardsley. the white cross of denmark was pleasantly alluded to again by the former, and exhibited to laud. did he know that bill? had he ever seen it before? he did not know it; had never seen it. it was no use to say, in the absence of that gentleman, that captain shivernock had given him the bill. it would be equally foolish to tell the haddock ledge story in the absence of the generous stranger, who had declined to give his name, though he was kind enough to say that he had spent a few days in belfast. since neither of these fictions was available in the present emergency, laud "went back" on donald ramsay. he did not love the boat-builder, and so it was not a sacrifice of personal feeling for him to do it. on the contrary, he would rather like to get his "rival," as he chose to regard him, out of the way. "but you paid him a considerable sum of money some two months ago," suggested captain patterdale. "not a red!" protested laud. "i never paid him any money in my life." "you bought the juno of him." "no, sir; nor of any one else. she don't belong to me." "but you are using her all the time." "captain shivernock got tired of her, and lets me have the use of her for taking care of her." "didn't you say you owned her, and that you were going to change her name from juno to nellie?" demanded the captain, sternly. "i did; but that was all gas," replied laud, with a sickly grin. "if you would lie about one thing, perhaps you would about another," said the captain. "i was only joking when i said i owned the juno. if you will go up to captain shivernock's house, he will tell you all about it." that was a plain way to solve the problem, and they went to the strange man's house. laud knew the captain was not at home; but his persecutors gave him the credit of suggesting this step. sykes and his wife were at home. they did not know whether or not captain shivernock had given laud the use of the juno, but presumed he had, for the young man was in the house with him half the night, about ten days before. thus far everything looked well for laud; and the sykeses partially confirmed his statements. "now, captain patterdale, i have answered all your questions, and i wish you would answer mine. what's the matter?" said laud, putting on his boldest face. "never mind what the matter is." "well, i know as well as you do. i used to think don john was a good fellow, and liked him first rate. i didn't think he would be mean, enough to shove his own guilt upon me," replied laud. "what do you mean by that?" demanded captain patterdale. "though i knew about it all the time, i didn't mean to say a word." "about what?" [illustration: the papers from the tin box. page .] "about your tin trunk. we didn't keep any such in our store! i knew what you meant all the time; but i didn't let on that don john had done it." "done what?" "stolen it. that day i was in the library with don john and hasbrook, i was discharged from miller's, because i wanted to go away to stay over sunday. i had a boat down by ramsay's shop, and i went there to get off. well, captain, i saw don john have the same tin trunk i saw in your library." "are you telling the truth?" "of course i am. i wouldn't go back on don john if he hadn't tried to lay it to me. if you search his house and shop, i'll bet you'll find the tin trunk, or some of the money and papers." captain patterdale was intensely grieved, even to believe laud's statement was possibly true; but he decided to have the boat-builder's premises searched before he proceeded any further against laud. mr. beardsley was to do this unpleasant duty, and for this purpose he called on donald the night before the great race. the deputy sheriff did his work thoroughly, in spite of the confidence of donald and the distress of his mother and sister. perhaps he would not have discovered the four fifty-dollar bills concealed in the bureau if donald had not assisted him; but he had no help in finding a lot of notes and other papers hidden under a sill in the shop. the boat-builder protested that he knew nothing about these papers, and had never seen them before in his life. mrs. ramsay and barbara wept as though their hearts would break; but donald was led away by the sheriff. that night captain shivernock returned by the train from portland. chapter xvi. saturday cove. mr. beardsley, the deputy sheriff, conducted donald to the elegant mansion of captain patterdale. perhaps no one who saw them walking together suspected that the boat-builder was charged with so gross a crime as stealing the tin box and its valuable contents. some persons do not like to walk through the streets with sheriffs and policemen; but donald was not of that sort, for in spite of all the evidence brought against him, he obstinately refused to believe that he was guilty. even the fact that several notes and other papers had been found in the shop did not impair his belief in his own innocence. captain patterdale was in his library nervously awaiting the return of the officer, when they arrived. "don john, i hope you will come out of this all right," said he, as they entered. "i have no doubt i shall, sir," replied donald. "if i don't, it will be because i can't prove what is the truth." mr. beardsley reported the result of the search, and handed the captain the four fifty-dollar bills with the papers. "i have no doubt all these were in the tin box," said the nabob, sadly. "the bills are like those paid me by hasbrook, and these notes are certainly mine. i don't ask you to commit yourself, don john, but--" "commit myself!" exclaimed donald, with a look of contempt, which, in this connection, was sublime. "i mean to speak the truth, whether i am committed or not." "perhaps you will be able to clear this thing up," added captain patterdale. "i wish to ask you a few questions." "i will answer them truly. the only wrong i have done was to conceal what i thought there was no harm in concealing." "it is not wise to do things in the dark." "you will excuse me, sir, but you have done the same thing. if i had known that your tin box was stolen, i should have understood several things which are plain to me now." "what, for instance?" "if i had known it, i should have brought these bills to you as soon as laud paid them to me, to see if they belonged to you. and i should have known why laud was digging clams on turtle head." "laud says he paid you no money." "he paid me three hundred and fifty dollars for the juno--these four bills and the three i paid mr. leach." "he persists that he don't own the juno, and says that captain shivernock lets him have the use of her for taking care of her," continued the nabob. donald's face, which had thus far been clouded with anxiety, suddenly lighted up with a cheerful smile, as he produced the cover of an old tuck-diary, which contained the papers of ramsay & son. he opened it, and took therefrom the bill of sale of the juno, in the well-known writing of captain shivernock. "does that prove anything?" he asked, as he tossed the paper on the desk, within reach of the inquisitor. "it proves that captain shivernock sold the juno to you, and consequently he has not owned her since the date of this bill," replied the nabob, as he read the paper. "is it likely, then, that captain shivernock lets laud have the use of her for taking care of her?" demanded donald, warmly. "certainly not." "is it any more likely that, if i own the juno, i should let laud use her for nothing, for he says he never paid me a dollar?" "i don't think it is." "then you can believe as much as you please of the rest of laud's story, which mr. beardsley related to me as we walked up," added donald. "he says he saw you have the tin box, don john." "and i saw him digging clams in the loam on turtle head." "what do you mean by that?" "i think he buried the tin box there. i saw where he had been digging, but i didn't know any tin box had been stolen then, and thought nothing of it," answered donald. at this moment there was a tremendous ring at the door bell, a ring that evidently "meant business." captain patterdale opened the door himself, and captain shivernock stalked into the room as haughtily as though he owned the elegant mansion. he had been to newport and cape may to keep cool, and had arrived a couple of hours before from portland. mrs. sykes had told him all the news she could in this time, and among other things informed him that captain patterdale and the deputy sheriff had called to inquire whether laud had the use of the boat for taking care of her. by this he knew that the tin trunk matter was under investigation. he was interested, and possibly he was alarmed; at any rate, he went to his safe, put the roll of fifty-dollar bills in his pocket, and hastened over to captain patterdale's house. "when people come to my house, and i'm not at home, i don't like to have them talk to my servants about my affairs," blustered the strange man. "i don't think we meddled with your affairs any further than to ask if laud cavendish had the use of the juno for taking care of her," explained captain patterdale. "it don't concern you. laud cavendish does have the use of the juno for taking care of her." "indeed!" exclaimed the good nabob, glancing at donald. "indeed!" sneered the wicked nabob. "you needn't _indeed_ anything i say. i can speak the truth better than you psalm-singers." "i am very glad you can, captain shivernock, for that is what we are in need of just now," laughed the good nabob. "and since we have meddled with your affairs in your absence, it is no more than right that we should explain the reason for doing so. a tin box, containing nearly fourteen hundred dollars in bills, and many valuable papers, was stolen from this room. three persons, jacob hasbrook, laud cavendish, and don john here, passed through the library when they left the house." "hasbrook stole it; he is the biggest scoundrel of the three," added the wicked nabob. "perhaps not," continued the good nabob. "a bill which i can identify came back to me the other day. don john paid it to mr. leach, and he to me. don john says laud cavendish paid him the bill." "and so he did," protested donald, as the captain glanced at him. "and i gave it to laud cavendish," added captain shivernock; thus carrying out the programme which had been agreed upon the night before he went on his journey. possibly, if mr. laud cavendish had known that the wicked nabob had returned, he would have hastened to see him, and inform him of the change he had made in the programme. if he had done so, their stories might have agreed better. captain patterdale, mr. beardsley, and donald were astonished at this admission. "for what did you pay it to him?" asked the good nabob. "none of your business what i paid it to him for. that's my affair," bluffed the wicked nabob. "but this bill was in the box." "but how do you know it was? i suppose you will say next that i stole the box." "i hope you will assist me in tracing out this matter," said the good nabob, as he produced the mended bill. "this is the one; i call it the white cross of denmark." captain shivernock picked up the bill, and took from his pocket his own roll of fifties. "you must admit that the bill is peculiar enough to be easily identified," added captain patter dale. "i don't admit it," said the strange man, as he threw the four mended bills together on the desk. "now, which is it?" the wicked nabob laughed and roared in his delight when he saw the confusion of the good nabob. "they are very like," said the good. "but three of them are mine, and haven't been out of my hands since the 'white cross of denmark' was put upon them," added the wicked, still shaking his sides with mirth. "still i can identify the one that was in the box. that is it;" and captain patterdale held up the right one. "this has been folded, while yours have simply been rolled, and have not a crease in them. hasbrook paid me the money that was stolen." "the villain swindled it out of me," growled the wicked. "but he folded his money, however he got it," continued the good. "i can bring you a dozen bills with the white cross on them," blustered the wicked, "and all of them folded like that one." "can you tell where you got it, captain?" "from the bank," replied he, promptly; and then more to have his hit at the missionaries than to explain the white cross, he told how the bills were torn. "that's all i have to say," he added; and he stalked out of the house, in spite of the host's request for him to remain, without giving a word or even a look to donald. "i am astonished," said captain patterdale. "can it be possible that he paid that bill to laud?" perhaps this was the joke of the strange man--simply to confuse and confound a "psalm-singer." "it looks as though we had lost the clew," said the deputy sheriff. "at any rate, don john's story is confirmed." "why should the captain give laud so much money?" mused the nabob. "i know," said donald. "i told you, in the first place, that i knew where laud got the money to pay for the juno; but it was a great secret affecting another person, and he wished me not to tell." "i remember that, don john," added the captain. "he told me that captain shivernock gave him the money; but he would not tell me why he gave it to him; but i knew without any telling, for the captain gave me sixty dollars, besides the juno, for holding my tongue." "about what?" asked the nabob, deeply interested in the narrative. "i don't understand the matter myself; but i will state all the facts, though captain shivernock threatened to kill me if i did so. on the morning after the hasbrook outrage, while i was waiting on turtle head for the yacht club to arrive, the captain came to the head, saying he had walked over from seal harbor, where he had got aground in his boat. i sailed him down, and on the way he gave me the money. then he said i was not to mention the fact that i had seen him on long island, or anywhere else. i didn't make any promises, and told him i wouldn't lie about it. then he gave me the juno, and took my boat, which he returned that night. after i went up in the juno, i met laud, and offered to sell him the boat. when we parted, he stood over towards the northport shore, where captain shivernock had gone, and i thought they would meet; but i lost sight of them." "then you think the captain paid laud the money when they met." "that was what i supposed when laud paid me for the boat. i believed it was all right. i had a talk with laud afterwards about it, and i told him how he got the money. he did not deny what i said." "this was the morning after the hasbrook outrage--was it?" asked mr. beardsley. "yes, it was; but i knew nothing about that till night." "we can easily understand why the captain did not want to be seen near lincolnville," added the sheriff. "it was he who pounded hasbrook for swindling him." "no, sir; i think not," interposed donald. "i inquired into that matter myself. mr. sykes and his wife both told me, before the captain got home, that he left his house at four o'clock in the morning." "i am afraid they were instructed to say that," said the nabob. "they shall have a chance to say it in court under oath," added the officer; "for i will arrest the captain to-morrow for the outrage. i traced the steps of a man over to saturday cove, in northport, and that is where he landed." "was it the print of the captain's boot?" asked the nabob. "no; but i have a theory which i shall work up to-morrow. don john's evidence is the first i have obtained, that amounts to anything." "if he pounded hasbrook, why should he run over to seal harbor, when he had a fair wind to come up?" asked donald. "to deceive you, as it seems he has," laughed mr. beardsley. "probably getting aground deranged his plans." "but he ran over to northport after we parted." "because it was a better place to conceal himself during the day. sykes says he went down to vinal haven that day. i know he did not. now, don john, we must go to turtle head to-night, and see about that box." "i am ready, sir." "i will go with you," added captain patterdale; "and we will take the sea foam." donald was permitted to go home and comfort his mother with the assurance that he was entirely innocent of the crime with which he was charged; and great was the joy of his mother and sister. the mainsail of the sea foam was hoisted when he went on board. the wind was rather light, and it was midnight before the yacht anchored off turtle head. the party went ashore in the tender, the sheriff carrying a lantern and a shovel. donald readily found the place where the earth had been disturbed by laud's clam-digger. mr. beardsley dug till he came to a rock, and it was plain that no tin box was there. "but i am sure that laud had been digging here, for i saw the print of his clam-digger," said donald. "this hole had been dug before," added the sheriff. "even laud cavendish would not be fool enough to bury the box in such an exposed place as this," suggested captain patterdale. "i know he came down here on the day the box was stolen," said donald, "and that he was here with his clam-digger on the day i met captain shivernock. he must have put those papers in the shop." "if the box was ever buried here, it has been removed," added the captain. "just look at the dirt which came out of the hole," continued mr. beardsley, pointing to the heap, and holding the lantern over it. "what i threw out last is beach gravel. that was put in to fill up the hole after he had taken out the box. when he first buried it, he had to carry off some of the yellow loam. in my opinion, the box has been here." "it is not here now, and we may as well return," replied captain patterdale. "i am really more desirous of finding the papers in the box than the money." "he has only chosen a new hiding-place for it," said the sheriff. "if we say nothing, and keep an eye on him for a few days, we may find it." as this was all that could be done, the party returned to the city; and early in the morning donald went to bed, to obtain the rest he needed before the great day. possibly mr. beardsley slept some that night, though it is certain he was at saturday cove, in northport, the next forenoon. he had a "theory;" and when a man has a theory, he will sometimes go without his sleep in order to prove its truth or its falsity. jacob hasbrook was with him, and quite as much interested in the theory as the officer, who desired to vindicate his reputation as a detective. he had driven to the house of the victim of the outrage, and looked the matter over again in the light of the evidence obtained from the boat-builder. [illustration: more evidence. page .] "i have been trying to see donald ramsay," said hasbrook. "i have been to his shop four times, but he's always off on some boat scrape. you say he saw captain shivernock the next morning." "yes; and the captain didn't want to be seen, which is the best part of the testimony. if it was he, it seems to me you would have known him when he hammered you." "how could i, when he was rigged up so different, with his head all covered up?" replied hasbrook, impatiently. "the man was about the captain's height, but stouter." "he was dressed for the occasion," added the sheriff, as he walked to the shore, where the skiff lay. they dragged it down to the water,--for it was low tide,--and got into it. beardsley had traced to the cove the print of the heavy boot, which first appeared in some loam under the window where the ruffian had entered hasbrook's house. he found it in the sand on the shore; and he was satisfied that the perpetrator of the outrage had arrived and departed in a boat. he had obtained from the captain's boot-maker a description of his boots, but none corresponded with those which had made the prints in northport and lincolnville. at the cove all clew to the ruffian had been lost; but now it was regained. the sheriff paddled the skiff out from the shore in the direction of seal island. the water was clear, and they could see the bottom, which they examined very carefully as they proceeded. "i see it," suddenly exclaimed hasbrook, as he grasped the boat-hook. "lay hold of it," added the sheriff. "i knew i was right." "i have it." hasbrook hauled up what appeared to be a bundle of old clothes, and deposited it in the bottom of the skiff. mr. beardsley had worked up his case very thoroughly, though it was a little singular that he had not thought to ask donald any questions; but these investigations had been made when the boat-builder was at home all the time, and the detective did not like to talk about the case any more than was necessary. he had ascertained that captain shivernock wore his usual gray suit when donald saw him after the outrage, and he came to the conclusion that the ruffian had been disguised, for hasbrook would certainly have known him, even in the dark, in his usual dress. they returned to the shore; and the bundle was lifted, to convey it to the beach. "it is very heavy," said hasbrook. "i suppose there is a rock in it to sink it." "open it, and throw out the rock," added the sheriff. instead of a rock, the weight was half a pig of lead, which had evidently been chopped into two pieces with an axe. "that's good evidence, for the ballast of the juno is pig lead," said beardsley, as he stepped on the beach with the clothes in his hand. they were spread on the sand, and consisted of a large blue woolen frock, such as farmers sometimes wear, a pair of old trousers of very large size, and a pair of heavy cow-hide boots. "now i think of it, the man had a frock on," exclaimed hasbrook. "that's what made him look stouter than the captain," added beardsley, as he proceeded to measure one of the boots, and compare it with the notes he had made of the size of the footprints. "it's a plain case; these boots made those tracks." "and here's the club he pounded me with," said hasbrook, taking up a heavy stick that had been in the bundle. "but where in the world did captain shivernock get these old duds?" mused the sheriff. "of course he procured them to do this job with," replied hasbrook. "that's clear enough; but where did they come from? he has covered his tracks so well, that he wouldn't pick these things up near home." "there comes a boat," said the victim of the outrage, as a sail rounded the point. "get out of the way as quick as you can," added the sheriff, in excited tones, as he led the way into the woods near the cove, carrying the wet clothes and boots with him. "what's the matter now?" demanded hasbrook. "that boat is the juno; laud cavendish is in her, and i want to know what he is about. don't speak a word, or make a particle of noise. if you do, he will sheer off; and i want to see the ballast in that boat." laud ran his craft up to the rocks on one side of the cove, where he could land from her; but as it is eleven o'clock, the hour appointed for the regatta, we must return to the city. chapter xvii. the great race. it was nine o'clock when donald turned out on the day of the great regatta. he had returned at three in the morning, nearly exhausted by fatigue and anxiety. it was horrible to be suspected of a crime; and bravely as he had carried himself, he was sorely worried. he talked the matter over with his mother and sister while he was eating his breakfast. "why should laud cavendish charge you with such a wicked deed?" asked his mother. "to save himself, i suppose," replied donald. "but he won't make anything by it. he hid those papers in the shop within a day or two, i am sure, for i had my hand in the place where he put them, feeling for a brad-awl i dropped day before yesterday, and i know they were not there then. but he is used up, anyhow, whether we find the box or not, for he tells one story and captain shivernock another; and i think captain patterdale believes what i say now. but the race comes off to-day, and if i lose it, i am used up too." the boat-builder left the house, and went on board of the maud, which lay off the shop. samuel rodman was on deck, and they hoisted the mainsail. the wind had hauled round to the north-west early in the morning, and blew a smashing breeze, just such as donald wanted for the great occasion. in fact, it blew almost a gale, and the wind came in heavy gusts, which are very trying to the nerves of an inexperienced boatman. the penobscot, gayly dressed with flags, was moored in her position for the use of the judges. "we shall not want any kites to-day," said donald, as he made fast the throat halyard. "no; and you may have to reef this mainsail," added rodman. "not at all." "but it is flawy." "so much the better." "why so?" "because a fellow that understands himself and keeps his eyes wide open has a chance to gain something on the heavy flaws that almost knock a boat over. it makes a sharper game of it." "but commodore montague is up to all those dodges." "i know he is; but in the other race, he lost half his time by luffing up in a squall." "but don't you expect a fellow to luff up in a squall?" demanded rodman. "if necessary, yes; but the point is, to know when it must be done. if you let off the main-sheet or spill the sail every time a puff comes, you lose time," replied donald. "i believe in keeping on the safe side; but a fellow may lose the race by dodging every capful of wind that comes. there goes the first gun." "let us get into line," added rodman, as he cast off the moorings and hoisted the jib. "let her drive." donald took the helm, and the maud shot away like an arrow in the fresh breeze. "her sails set beautifully," said the skipper for the occasion; though rodman was nominally the captain of the yacht, and was so recorded in the books of the club. "nothing could be better." "we shall soon ascertain how stiff she is," added donald, as a heavy flaw heeled the yacht over, till she buried her rail in the water. "i don't think we shall get anything stronger than that. she goes down just so far, and then the wind seems to slide off. i don't believe you can get her over any farther." "that's far enough," replied rodman, holding on, to keep his seat in the standing-room. the maud passed under the stern of the judges' yacht, and anchored in the line indicated by the captain of the fleet. the skylark soon arrived, and took her place next to the penobscot. in these two yachts all the interest of the occasion centred. the phantom and the sea foam soon came into line; and then it was found that the christabel had withdrawn, for it blew too hard for her. mr. norwood and his son came on board, with dick adams, who was to be mate of the maud, and kennedy, who was well skilled in sailing a boat. donald had just the crew he wanted, and he stationed them for the exciting race. mr. norwood was to tend the jib-sheets in the standing-room, kennedy the main sheet, while dick adams, frank norwood, and sam rodman were to cast off the cable and hoist the jib forward. "are you all ready, there?" called donald, raising his voice above the noise made by the banging of the mainsail in the fresh breeze. "all ready," replied dick adams, who was holding the rode with a turn around the bitts. "don't let her go till i give the word," added donald. "i want to fill on the port tack." "ay, ay!" shouted dick; "on the port tack." this was a very important matter, for the course from the judges' station to turtle head would give the yachts the wind on the port quarter; and if any of them came about the wrong way, they would be compelled to gybe, which was not a pleasant operation in so stiff a breeze. donald kept hold of the main-sheet, and by managing the sail a little, contrived to have the tendency of the maud in the right direction, so that her sail would fill on the port tack. he saw that dick adams had the tender on the port bow, so that the yacht would not run it down when she went off. "there goes the gun!" shouted rodman, very much excited as the decisive moment came. but dick adams held on, as he had been instructed to do, and pulled with all his might, in order to throw the head of the maud in the right direction. "hoist the jib!" shouted donald, when he saw that the yacht was sure to cast on her port tack. rodman and norwood worked lively; and in an instant the jib was up, and mr. norwood had gathered up the lee sheet. "let go!" added donald, when he felt that the maud was in condition to go off lively. she did go off with a bound and a spring. donald crowded the helm hard up, so that the maud wore short around. "let off the sheet, lively, kennedy!" said the skipper. "ease off the jib-sheet, mr. norwood!" "we shall be afoul of the phantom!" cried dick adams, as he began to run out on the foot-ropes by the bowsprit. "lay in, dick!" shouted donald. "don't go out there!" dick retraced his steps, and came on deck. the phantom had not cast in the right direction, and was coming around on the starboard tack, which had very nearly produced a collision with the maud, the two bowsprits coming within a few inches of each other. "i was going out to fend off," said dick, as he came aft, in obedience to orders. "i was afraid you would be knocked off the bowsprit, which is a bad place to be, when two vessels put their noses together. it was a close shave, but we are all right now," replied the skipper. "the sea foam takes the lead," added mr. norwood. "she had the head end of the line. the skylark made a good start." "first rate," said kennedy. "she couldn't be handled any better than she is." "we lead her a little," continued mr. norwood. "we had the advantage of her about half a length; as the sea foam has a length the best of us." the yachts were to form the line head to the wind, and this line was diagonal with the course to turtle head, so that the sea foam, which was farthest from the penobscot, had really two length's less distance to go in getting to stubb's point ledge than the skylark; but this difference was not worth considering in such a breeze, though, if the commodore was beaten by only half a length by the maud, he intended to claim the race on account of this disparity. the two yachts in which all the interest centred, both obtained a fair start, the maud a little ahead of her great rival. the phantom had to come about, and get on the right tack, for guilford was too careful to gybe in that wind. the sea foam got off very well; and vice commodore patterdale was doing his best to make a good show for his yacht, but she held her position only for a moment. the tremendous gusts were too much for edward's nerves, and he luffed up, in order to escape one. the maud went tearing by her, with the skylark over lapping her half a length. "haul up the centre-board a little more, dick," said donald, who did not bestow a single glance upon his dreaded rival, for all his attention was given to the sailing of the maud. "a small pull on the jib-sheet, mr. norwood, if you please." "you gained an inch then," said kennedy, striving to encourage the struggling skipper. but donald would not look at the skylark. he knew that the shortest distance between two points was by a straight line; and having taken a tree on the main land near castine as his objective point, he kept it in range with the tompion in the stove-pipe, and did not permit the maud to wabble about. occasionally the heavy gusts buried the rail in the brine; but donald did not permit her to dodge it, or to deviate from his inflexible straight line. she went down just so far, and would go no farther; and at these times it was rather difficult to keep on the seat at the weather side of the standing-room. dick adams, norwood, and rodman were placed on deck above the trunk, and had a comfortable position. the skipper kept his feet braced against the cleats on the floor, holding on with both hands at the tiller; for in such a blow, it was no child's play to steer such a yacht. "you are gaining on her, don john," said mr. norwood. "do you think so, sir?" "i know it." "the end of her bowsprit is about even with the tip of our main boom," added kennedy. "how much fin have we down, dick?" asked the skipper. the mate of the maud rushed to the cabin, where the line attached to the centre-board was made fast, and reported on its condition. "haul up a little more," continued donald. "steady! not the whole of it, but nearly all." "it is down about six inches now." "that will do." for a few moments all hands were still, watching with intense interest the progress of the race. the commodore, in the skylark, was evidently doing his level best, for he was running away from the sea foam and the phantom. "bravo, don john!" exclaimed the excited mr. norwood. "you are a full length ahead! i am willing to sign the contract with ramsay & son to build the yacht for me." "don't be too fast, sir. we are not out of the woods yet, and shall not be for some time." "i am satisfied we are going to beat the skylark." "beat her all to pieces!" added frank norwood. "she is doing it as easily as though she were used to it." "i give you the order to build the yacht," said mr. norwood. "thank you, sir; but i would rather wait till this race is finished before i take the job. we may be beaten yet--badly beaten, too. there are a dozen things that may use us up. the tide is not up, so that i can't play off the dodge i did in the sea foam; and if i could, bob montague is up to it." "there is no need of any dodge of any sort," replied mr. norwood. "we are beating the skylark without manoeuvring; and that is the fairest way in the world to do it." "this is plain sailing, sir; and the skylark's best point is on the wind. for aught i know, the maud may do the best with a free wind," said donald; and he had well nigh shuddered when he thought of the difference in yachts in this respect. "it may be so; but we are at least two lengths ahead of her now." "over three," said kennedy. "so much the better," laughed mr. norwood. "the more we gain with the wind free, the less we shall have to make on the wind." "but really, sir, this running down here almost before the wind is nothing," protested donald, who felt that his passenger was indulging in strong expectations, which might not be realized. "the tug of war will come when we go about. we have to beat almost dead to windward; and it may be the maud has given us her best point off the wind." "you don't expect her to fail on the wind--do you, don john." "no, sir; i don't expect her to fail, for she did first rate yesterday, when we tried her. she looked the breeze almost square in the face: but i can't tell how she will do in comparison with the skylark. of course i don't expect the maud to be beaten; but i don't want you to get your hopes up so high, that you can't bear a disappointment." "we will try to bear it; but frank don't want a yacht that is sure to be beaten," added mr. norwood. "then perhaps it is fortunate i didn't take the job, when you offered to give it to me." "but i think the maud will win the race," persisted the confident gentleman. "so do i; but it is always best to have an anchor out to windward." "bully for you, don john!" shouted kennedy, after the yacht had crossed the channel where the sea was very rough and choppy. "you made a good bit in the last quarter of an hour, and we are a dozen lengths ahead of her." "surely she can never gain that distance upon us!" exclaimed mr. norwood. "it is quite possible, sir. i have known a boat to get a full mile ahead of another before the wind, and then be beaten by losing it all, and more too, going to windward. i expect better things than that of the maud; but she may disappoint me. she is only making her reputation now." donald watched his "sight" ahead all the time, and had not seen the skylark for half an hour. the party was silent again for a while, but the maud dashed furiously on her course, now and then burying her rail, while the water shot up through the lee scupper-holes into the standing-room. but dick adams, who was a natural mechanic, was making a pair of plugs to abate this nuisance. "turtle head!" exclaimed rodman, who, though he had said but little, watched the movements of the yacht with the most intense delight and excitement. "we are a square quarter of a mile ahead of the skylark," said kennedy. "business will be good with us, don john, after this." "give her a little more main-sheet, kennedy," was the skipper's reply, as the yacht passed the head, and he kept her away a little. "eleven thirty," mused mr. norwood, who had taken out his gold watch, and noted the moment when the maud passed the headland. "now, mind your eye, all hands!" shouted donald, as the maud approached the north-east point of long island, where he had to change her course from south-east to south, which involved the necessity, with the wind north-west, of gybing, or coming about head to the wind. it would take a small fraction of a minute to execute the latter manoeuvre; and as the sails were now partially sheltered under the lee of the land, the bold skipper determined to gybe. kennedy had early notice of his intention, and had laid the spare sheet where it would not foul anybody's legs. he hauled in all he could with the help of the mate and others. "now, over with it," said donald, as he put the helm down. the huge mainsail fluttered and thrashed for an instant, and then flew over. kennedy, who had been careful to catch a turn in the rope, held fast when the sail "fetched up" on the other tack, and then the yacht rolled her rail under on the port side. "let off the sheet, lively!" cried donald. "that's what i'm doing," replied the stout ship carpenter, paying off the sheet very rapidly, so as to break the shock. "steady! belay! now draw jib there." as dick adams cast off the weather sheet in the new position, mr. norwood hauled in the lee. for a short distance the maud had the wind on her starboard quarter; then the sheets were hauled in, and she took it on the beam, till she was up with the buoy on stubbs point ledge, which she was to round, leaving it on the port. the ledge was not far from the land, on which was a considerable bluff, so that the wind had not more than half its force. in rounding the buoy, it was necessary to gybe again; and it was done without shaking up the yacht half so much as at the north-east point. "now comes the pull," said donald, as the maud rounded the buoy. "stand by your sheets! now brace her up! give her the whole of the board, dick." donald put the helm down; the jib and mainsail were trimmed as flat as it was judicious to have them; and the maud was close-hauled, standing up to the northward. the skipper was careful not to cramp her by laying too close to the wind. he was an experienced boatman, and he governed himself more by the feeling of the craft under him than by his sight. he could shut his eyes, and tell by the pressure of the tiller in his hand whether she was cramped, or was going along through the water. "did you get the time when the skylark passed the head, mr. norwood?" asked donald. "no; you made things so lively, i hadn't time to look," replied the gentleman. "i should like to know just how many minutes we are ahead of her." "i think i can tell you, sir," added the skipper, with a smile. "how many?" "how many do you think, sir?" "five or six." "not more than one and a half, mr. norwood. neither yacht has to give the other time, and what we gain belongs to us." "i should have thought we were at least five minutes ahead of her." "no, sir. now we have a chance to manoeuvre a little," added donald. "i know just what the commodore will do; he will stand on this tack, when he gets round the buoy, till he is almost up with brigadier island; then he will make a long stretch. i shall not do so." "why not?" "because, if the wind lessens, he will get under the lee of the land. i shall go just one mile on this tack," replied donald. "have you any rubber coats on board, sam?" "i have only two." "you will want them, for we are beginning to toss the spray about, as though it didn't cost anything." it was decidedly damp on the deck of the maud, for the water thrown up by the waves, dashing against the weather bow, was carried by the gusty wind to the standing-room, drenching those who sat there. donald and his companions had no fear of salt water, and were just as happy wet to the skin, as they were when entirely dry, for the excitement was quite enough to keep them warm, even in a chill, north-west wind. half way across to brigadier island, donald gave the order, "ready about," and tacked. as he had predicted, commodore montague continued on his course, almost over to the island, and then came about. the maud rushed furiously on her long stretch, dashing the spray recklessly over her deck, till she was almost up with the northport shore, when she tacked again, and laid her course to windward of the judges' yacht, as the regulations required. as she rounded the penobscot, a gun announced the arrival of the first yacht. the maud let off her sheets, and passed under the stern of the judges' craft. "the maud!" shouted donald, enraptured with his victory. four minutes and thirty-four seconds later, the gun announced the arrival of the skylark. it was all of twenty minutes later when the sea foam arrived, and half an hour before the phantom put in an appearance. there was not a shadow of a doubt that the maud had won the great race. chapter xviii. the hasbrook outrage and other matters. the maud went round to the line, and after picking up her tender and moorings, anchored near the penobscot. "there is no doubt now which boat has won the race," said mr. norwood. "none whatever, sir," replied donald. "the day is ours by as fair a race as ever was sailed. the maud proved what she could do before we got to turtle head; and all the conditions were exactly equal up to that time. if i made anything by manoeuvring, it was only when we tacked a mile north of the head. we have beaten her squarely in a heavy wind; but how she would do compared with the skylark in a light breeze, is yet to be proved." "i am satisfied, don john; and i give you the job to build the alice, for that is to be the name of frank's yacht." "thank you, sir. i suppose you don't expect to get her out this season." "no; if he has her by the first of june of next year, it will be soon enough.--i hope you are satisfied with the maud, sam," added mr. norwood, turning to the owner of the winning craft. "i ought to be, and i am," replied rodman. "you have the fastest yacht in the fleet." "she won't be when i sail her. the commodore will clean me out every time, if don john is not at the helm." "then there is a capital opportunity for you to improve in the art of sailing a yacht." "plenty of room for that," laughed rodman. dick adams brought the tender alongside, and pulled mr. norwood, rodman, and donald to the penobscot. "i congratulate you, don john," said mr. montague, extending his hand to the boat-builder. "you have won the race handsomely." "thank you, sir." "it is a double triumph to you, since you both built your yacht, and sailed her," added mr. montague. "it is worth a good deal to me in a business point of view; for i get a job to build another yacht by it. the firm of ramsay & son can't afford to have their boats beaten," laughed donald. "here comes robert." "i suppose he will not be satisfied with the skylark, now that she has been so thoroughly whipped," added the commodore's father. "perfectly satisfied with her, father. she is as good a boat as she ever was," answered robert, as he gave his hand to donald. "you have won the race fairly and handsomely, don john; and i congratulate you upon your success." "i thank you, bob; but i would rather have beaten any other fellow than you," replied donald. "i can stand it as well as anybody." the ladies and gentlemen on board of the penobscot congratulated the hero of the occasion, and condoled with the commodore, till the last of the fleet arrived. the judges filled out the schedule with the corrected time. "captain rodman, of the maud," said the chairman; and the owner of the winning yacht stepped forward. "it appears from the schedule that you have made the shortest time, and i have the pleasure of presenting to you the first prize." "thank you, sir," replied rodman, accepting the envelope, which contained the prize of one hundred dollars; "but as it appears that donald ramsay sailed the maud, as well as built her, i shall have the pleasure of presenting it to him." a round of hearty applause followed this little speech, which ended in three cheers for the captain of the maud, and three more for her builder. "i can't take that," said donald, declining to receive the envelope. "but you must take it. i will hand you over to mr. deputy sheriff beardsley, who, i see, is coming up the bay in the juno." "it don't belong to me. i am not the owner of the maud," protested donald. "take it! take it!" shouted one and another of the interested spectators, until nearly all of them had expressed their opinion in this way. thus overborne, the boat-builder took the envelope, though his pride revolted. "commodore montague, it appears that the skylark made the next best time, and i have the pleasure of presenting to you the second prize." "which i devote to the club for the building fund." the members heartily applauded this disposal of the money. "i will give the other prize to the club for the same purpose," added donald. "impossible!" exclaimed commodore montague. "the fund is completed, and the donation cannot be accepted." "no! no!" shouted the members. "the fifty dollars i added to the fund just makes up the sum necessary to pay for the club-house on turtle head, which is to be only a shanty; so you can't play that game on us, don john." donald was compelled to submit; and he transferred the hundred dollars to his pocket-book. "i am so glad you won the race, don john!" said nellie patterdale. "everybody said you sailed the maud splendidly." "thank you, nellie; your praise is worth more to me than that of all the others," replied donald, blushing deeply; but i must do him the justice to say that, if he had not been laboring under intense excitement, he would not have made so palpable a speech to her. nellie blushed too; but she was not angry, though her father might have been, if he had heard the remark. "is captain patterdale on board?" shouted mr. beardsley, as the juno ran under the stern of the penobscot. "here," replied the captain. "i want to see you and don john," added the officer. the business of the race was finished, and the maud conveyed captain patterdale, his daughter, and donald to the shore. laud cavendish was in the juno, and so was hasbrook; but none of the party knew what had transpired at saturday cove during the forenoon. "i will be at your house in half an hour, captain patterdale," said donald, as they landed. "i am wet to the skin, and i want to put on dry clothes." mr. beardsley had proposed the place of meeting; and the boat-builder hastened home. in a few minutes he had put himself inside a dry suit of clothes. then he went to the shop, and wrote a brief note to captain shivernock, in which he enclosed sixty dollars, explaining that as he had been unable to "keep still with his tongue," he could not keep the money. he also added, that he should send him the amount received for the juno when he obtained the bills from captain patterdale, who had a part of them. sealing this note in an envelope, he called at the house of the strange man, on his way to the place of meeting. mrs. sykes said that captain shivernock was in his library. "please to give him this; and if he wishes to see me, i shall be at captain patterdale's house for an hour or two," continued donald; and without giving the housekeeper time to reply, he hastened off, confident there would be a storm as soon as the eccentric opened the note. in the library of the elegant mansion, he found the party who had been in the juno, with captain patterdale and nellie. on the desk was the tin box, the paint on the outside stained with yellow loam. laud cavendish looked as though life was a burden to him, and donald readily comprehended the situation. "we have found the tin box," said mr. beardsley, with a smile, as the boat-builder was admitted. "where did you find it?" "laud had it in his hand down at saturday cove. while i was looking up the hasbrook affair, our friend here landed from the juno, and was walking towards the woods, when he walked into me. he owns up to everything." "then i hope you are satisfied that i had nothing to do with the box." "of course we are," interposed captain patterdale. "it certainly looked bad for you at one time, don john." "i know it did, sir," added donald. "but i could not really believe that you would do such a thing," said the captain. "i knew he wouldn't," exclaimed nellie. "laud says he buried the box on turtle head, just where you said, and only removed it yesterday, when he put the notes under the sill in your shop," continued mr. beardsley. "what did you do that for, laud?" asked donald, turning to the culprit. "you promised not to tell where i got the money to pay for the juno. you went back on me," pleaded laud. "i told you i wouldn't tell if everything was all right. when it appeared that the mended bill was not all right, i mentioned your name, but not till then." "that is so," added the nabob. "now, laud, did captain shivernock pay you any money?" "no, sir," replied laud, who had concluded to tell the whole truth, hoping it would go easier with him if he did so. "where did you get the mended bill you paid don john?" "from the tin trunk." "why did you say that captain shivernock gave you the money you paid for the juno?" "i couldn't account for it in any other way. i knew the captain threw his money around very loosely, and i didn't think any one would ask him if he gave me the money. if any one did, he wouldn't answer." "but he did answer, and said he gave you the money." "he told me he would say so, when i went to see him a fortnight ago." "why did you go to see him?" laud glanced at donald with a faint smile on his haggard face. "don john told me captain shivernock had a secret he wanted to keep." "i told you so!" exclaimed donald. "you did; but you thought i knew the secret," answered laud. "you told me the captain had given me the money not to tell that i had seen him near saturday cove on the morning after the hasbrook affair." "i remember now," said donald. "captain shivernock gave me sixty dollars, and then gave me the juno, for which i understood that i was not to say i had seen him that day. i refused to sell the boat to laud till he told me where he got the money. when he told me the captain had given it to him, and would not say what for, i concluded his case was just the same as my own. after i left the captain, he stood over to the northport shore, and laud went over there soon after. i was sure that they met." "we didn't meet; and i did not see captain shivernock that day," laud explained. "i supposed he had; i spoke to laud just as though he had, and he didn't deny that he had seen him." "of course i didn't. don john made my story good, and i was willing to stick to it." "but you did not stick to it," added the nabob. "you said you had paid no money to don john." "i will tell you how that was. when i got the secret out of don john, i went to the captain with it. he asked me if i wanted to black-mail him. i told him no. then i spoke to him about the tin trunk you had lost, and said one of the bills had been traced to me. i made up a story to show where i got the bill; but the man that gave it to me had gone, and i didn't even know his name. he had some bills just like that mended one; and when i told him what my trouble was, he promised to say that he had given me the bill; and then he laughed as i never saw a man laugh before." "what was he laughing at?" asked the sheriff. "he went off early the next morning, and i suppose he was laughing to think what a joke he was playing upon me, for he was not to be in town when wanted to get me out of trouble." "he did say he let you have the use of the juno for taking care of her, and that he gave you the money, though he wouldn't indicate what it was for," added the officer. "i thought he was fooling me, and i didn't depend on him." "that's captain shivernock," said the good nabob, as the party in the library were startled by a violent ring at the door. it was the strange man. he was admitted by nellie. he stalked up to donald, his face red with wrath, and dashed the letter and bills into his face, crumpled up into a ball. "you canting little monkey! what have you been doing?" roared he. "since i could not do what you wished me to do, i have returned your money," replied donald, rising from his chair, for he feared the captain intended to assault him. "have you disobeyed my orders, you whelp?" "i have; for i told you i should tell no lies." "i'll break every bone in your body for this!" howled captain shivernock. "not yet, captain," interposed mr. beardsley. "you may have something else to break before you do that job." "who are you?" demanded the wicked nabob, with what was intended as a withering sneer; but no one wilted under it. "a deputy sheriff of waldo county, at your service; and i have a warrant for your arrest." "for my arrest!" gasped captain shivernock, dismounting from his high horse, for he had a wholesome fear of the penalties of violated law. "here is the document," added the sheriff, producing a paper. "for what?" "for breaking and entering in the night time, in the first place, and for an aggravated assault on jacob hasbrook in the second." "what assault? you can't prove it." "yes, we can; we went a-fishing down in saturday cove this morning, and we caught a bundle, containing a pair of boots, a blue frock, and other articles, including the stick the assault was committed with. they were sunk with half a pig of lead, the other half of which i found in the juno. i hope you are satisfied." "no, i'm not. i didn't leave my house till four o'clock that morning; and i can prove it." "you will have an opportunity to do so in court." the wicked nabob was silent. "i was bound to follow this thing up to the bitter end," said hasbrook, rejoiced at the detection of the wretch. "you got what you deserved, you miserable, canting villain!" roared the captain. "you cheated me out of a thousand dollars, by giving me an indorser you knew wasn't worth a dollar." "but i meant to pay you. i pay my debts. i appeal to captain patterdale to say whether i do or not." "i think you do when it is for your interest to do so, or when you can't help it," added the good nabob, candidly. "i suppose you know mr. laud cavendish, captain?" "i do," growled the rich culprit. "he is the fellow that saved a man's life down at haddock ledge; a man he hadn't been introduced to, who gave him a pile of money for the job, but didn't give him his name." "but, captain shivernock, you said you gave him some money, and you didn't tell us what you gave it to him for," added beardsley. "that was my joke." "we do not see the point of it." "i only wanted the privilege of proving to captain patterdale that he was mistaken about the bill, by showing him three more just like it." "how do you fold your money, captain shivernock?" asked the nabob. "none of your business, you canting psalm-singer." "i shall be obliged to commit you," said the sheriff, sharply. "commit me!" howled the wicked nabob. "i should like to see you do it." "you shall have that satisfaction. if you give me any trouble about it, i shall have to put these things on," added the sheriff, taking from his pocket a pair of handcuffs. the culprit withered at the sight of the irons. he and laud both walked to the county jail, where they were locked up. of course the imprisonment of such a man as the wicked nabob caused a sensation; but there was no one to object. he was willing to pay any sum of money to get out of the scrape; but the majesty of the law must be vindicated, and there was a contest between money and justice. he obtained bail by depositing the large amount required in the hands of two men, whom his well-fed lawyer procured. between two days he left the city; but beardsley kept the run of him, and when he was wanted for trial, he was brought back from a western state. on the trial a desperate attempt was made to break down the witnesses; but it failed. the first for the defence was mrs. sykes; but her evidence was not what had been expected of her. she had told, and repeated the lie, that the captain left his house at four o'clock on the morning after the outrage; but in court, and under oath, she would not perjure herself. she declared that the defendant had left home about eleven o'clock in the evening, dressed in her husband's blue frock, boots, and hat. mr. sykes, after his wife had told the whole truth, was afraid to testify as he had said he should do. a conviction followed; and the prisoner was sentenced to the state prison for ten years. he was overwhelmed by this result. he swore like a pirate, and then he wept like a child; but he was sent to thomaston, and put to hard work. laud pleaded guilty, and was sent to the same institution for a year. there was hope of him; for if he could get rid of his silly vanity, and go to work, he might be saved from a lifetime of crime. donald came out of the fire without the stain of smoke upon him. after the great race, as mr. norwood was in no hurry for the alice, he went on the long cruise with the fleet, in the sea foam. they coasted along the shore as far as portland, visiting the principal places on the seaboard. on the cruise down donald "coached" his friend, ned patterdale, in the art of sailing; and on the return he rendered the same service to rodman. both of them proved to be apt scholars; and after long practice, they were able to bring out the speed of their yachts, and stood a fair chance in a regatta. on the cruise, the yachts were racing all the time when under way, but the results were by no means uniform. when donald sailed the maud, she beat the skylark; but when rodman skippered her himself, the commodore outsailed him. the maud beat the sea foam, as a general rule; but one day robert montague sailed the latter, and the former was beaten. "don john, i don't know yet which is the fastest craft in the fleet," said commodore montague, as they were seated on manhegan island, looking down upon the fleet anchored below them. "i thought you did, bob," laughed donald. "no, i don't. i have come to the conclusion that you can sail a yacht better than i can, and that is the reason that you beat me in the maud, as you did in the sea foam." "no, no!" replied donald. "i am sure i can't sail a boat any better than you can." "i can outsail any boat in the fleet when you are ashore." "we can easily settle the matter, bob." "how?" "you shall sail the maud, and i will sail the skylark. if the difference is in the skippers, we shall come in about even. if the maud is the better sailer, you will beat me." "good! i'll do it." "you will do your best in the maud--won't you?" "certainly; and you will do the same in the skylark." "to be sure. we will sail around matinicus rock and back." the terms of the race were agreed upon, and the interest of the whole club was excited. the party went on board the fleet, and the two yachts were moored in line. at the firing of the gun on board the sea foam, they ran up their jibs and got a good start. the wind was west, a lively breeze, but not heavy. each yacht carried her large gaff-topsail and the balloon-jib. the course was about forty miles, the return from the rock being a beat dead to windward. robert and donald each did his best, and the maud came in twelve minutes ahead of the skylark. "i am satisfied now," said robert, when they met after the race. "i was satisfied before," laughed donald. "i was confident the maud was faster than the skylark or the sea foam." "i agree with you now; and i have more respect for myself than i had before, for i thought it was you, and not the maud, which had beaten me," added robert. "i have also a very high respect for the firm of ramsay & son." [illustration: the maud winning the race. page .] the members of the club enjoyed the excursion exceedingly; and on their return it was decided to repeat it the next year, if not before. the club-house on turtle head was finished when the fleet arrived at belfast; and during the rest of the vacation, the yachts remained in the bay. they had chowders and fries at the head, to which the ladies were invited; and donald made himself as agreeable as possible to miss nellie on these occasions. possibly her father and mother had some objections to this continued and increasing intimacy; if they had, they did not mention them. they were compelled to acknowledge, when they talked the matter over between themselves, that donald ramsay was an honest, intelligent, noble young man, with high aims and pure principles, and that these qualifications were infinitely preferable to wealth without them; and they tacitly permitted the affair to take its natural course, as i have no doubt it will. certainly the young people were very devoted to each other; and though they are too young to think of anything but friendship, it will end in a wedding. in the autumn, after the frame of the alice was all set up, barbara obtained a situation as a teacher in one of the public schools, and added her salary to the income of the boat-builder. the family lived well, and were happy in each other. after the boating season closed, the yacht club hired apartments, in which a library and reading-room were fitted up; and the members not only enjoyed the meetings every week, but they profited by their reading and their study. donald is still an honored and useful member, and people say that, by and by, when the country regains her mercantile marine, he will be a ship-builder, and not, as now, the young boat-builder. lee & shepard's list of juvenile publications. * * * * * oliver optic's books. each set in a neat box with illuminated titles. =army and navy stories.= a library for young and old, in volumes. mo. illustrated. per vol $ . the soldier boy. the sailor boy. the young lieutenant. the yankee middy. fighting joe. brave old salt. =famous "boat-club" series.= a library for young people. handsomely illustrated. six volumes, in neat box. per vol . the boat club; 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or, young america in france and switzerland. down the rhine; or, young america in germany. _second series._ up the baltic; or, young america in norway, sweden, and denmark. northern lands; or, young america in russia and prussia. cross and crescent; or, young america in turkey and greece. sunny shores; or, young america in italy and austria. vine and olive; or, young america in spain and portugal. isles of the sea; or, young america homeward bound. =riverdale stories.= twelve volumes. a new edition. profusely illustrated from new designs by billings. in neat box. per vol. little merchant. young voyagers. robinson crusoe, jr. dolly and i. uncle ben. birthday party. proud and lazy. careless kate. christmas gift. the picnic party. the gold thimble. the do-somethings. =riverdale story books.= six volumes, in neat box. cloth. per vol. little merchant. young voyagers. dolly and i. proud and lazy. careless kate. robinson crusoe, jr. =flora lee story books.= six volumes in neat box. cloth. per vol. christmas gift. uncle ben. birthday party. the picnic party. the gold thimble. the do-somethings. =great western series, the.= six volumes. illustrated. per vol. . going west; 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"mr. kellogg has made himself a great favorite with young people by the number and variety of adventures which he manages to pack into a book; and to the parents by the excellent precepts which he inculcates." lee & shepard's juvenile publications. * * * * * by sophie may. =little prudy's flyaway series.= by the author of "dotty dimple stories," and "little prudy stories." complete in six volumes. illustrated. per vol. little folks astray. prudy keeping house. aunt madge's story. little grandmother. little grandfather. miss thistledown. =little prudy stories.= by sophie may. complete. six volumes, handsomely illustrated, in a neat box. per vol. little prudy. little prudy's sister susy. little prudy's captain horace. little prudy's cousin grace. little prudy's story book. little prudy's dotty dimple. =dotty dimple stories.= by sophie may, author of little prudy. complete in six volumes. illustrated. per vol. dotty dimple at her grandmother's. dotty dimple at home. dotty dimple out west. dotty dimple at play. dotty dimple at school. dotty dimple's flyaway. =the quinnebassett girls.= mo. illustrated. . the doctor's daughter. mo. illustrated. . our helen. mo. illustrated. . the asbury twins. mo. illustrated. . =flaxie frizzle stories.= to be completed in six volumes. illustrated. per vol. flaxie frizzle. flaxie frizzle and doctor papa. little pitchers. =young dodge club, the.= by james de mille, author of the b. o. w. c. stories. complete in three vols. illustrated. per volume . among the brigands. the seven hills. the winged lion. =hunter's library, the.= volumes. illustrated. per volume . australian wanderers. the adventures of capt. spencer and his horse and dog in the wilds of australia. antonio in the wilds of africa. anecdotes of animals, with their habits, instincts, &c., &c. anecdotes of birds, fishes, reptiles, &c., their habits and instincts. a thousand miles' walk across south america, over the pampas and the andes. =little people of god,= and what the poets have said of them. by mrs. george l. austin. to. illustrated. . =frontier series, the.= five volumes. illustrated. per vol. . twelve nights in the hunters' camp. a thousand miles' walk across south america. the cabin on the prairie. planting the wilderness. the young pioneers of the northwest. =helping hand series.= by may mannering. complete in six vols. illustrated. per volume. . climbing the rope. billy grimes's favorite. the cruise of the dashaway. the little spaniard. salt-water dick. little maid of oxbow. an entirely new edition. =cast away in the cold.= an old man's story of a young man's adventures. by dr. isaac i. hayes. volume. illustrated. . =vacation story-books.= for boys and girls. finely illustrated from designs by hoppin and others. six volumes, square mo. in neat box. per volume worth not wealth. country life. the charm. karl keigler. walter seyton. holidays at chestnut hill. =winwood cliff stories.= by the rev. daniel wise, d.d., author of the "glen morris stories." to be completed in six volumes. per volume . winwood cliff; or, oscar, the sailor's son. ben blinker; or, maggie's golden motto, and what it did for her brother. a new volume in press. =young trail-hunters' series, the.= by samuel woodworth cozzens. mo. per vol. . young silver seekers, the; or, hal and ned in sonora. (in press.) crossing the quicksands; or, the veritable adventures of hal and ned upon the pacific slope. mo. illustrated. pp. . the young trail-hunters; or, the wild riders of the plains. mo. illustrated. pp. . =battles at home.= by mary g. darling. illustrated. mo. . =in the world.= by mary g. darling. illustrated. mo. . =golden hair.= a story of the pilgrims. by sir lascelles wraxhall, bart. mo. illustrated. . =snip and whip,= and some other boys. by elizabeth a. davis. mo. cloth. illustrated. . =sunnybank stories.= twelve volumes. compiled by rev. asa bullard, editor of the "well-spring." profusely illustrated. mo. bound in high colors, and put in a neat box. per volume uncle henry's stories. dog stories. stories for alice. my teacher's gem. the scholar's welcome. going to school. aunt lizzie's stories. mother's stories. grandpa's stories. the good scholar. the lighthouse. reward of merit. =sunnybank stories.= six volumes. compiled by rev. asa bullard. profusely illustrated. mo. bound in high colors, and put up in a neat box. per volume uncle henry's stories. dog stories. stories for alice. aunt lizzie's stories. mother's stories. grandpa's stories. =shady dell stories.= six volumes. compiled by rev. asa bullard, editor of the "well-spring." profusely illustrated. mo. bound in high colors, and put up in a neat box (to match the sunnybank stories). per volume my teacher's gem. the scholar's welcome. going to school. the good scholar. the lighthouse. reward of merit. =tone masters, the.= a musical series for the young. by the author of "the soprano," &c. mo. illustrated. per volume . mozart and mendelssohn. handel and haydn. bach and beethoven. =twilight stories.= by mrs. follen. twelve volumes. to. illustrated. per volume travellers' stories. true stories about dogs. made-up stories. peddler of dust sticks. when i was a girl. who speaks next? the talkative wig. what animals do and say. two festivals. conscience. piccolissima. little songs. =maidenhood series.= mo. illustrated. seven daughters. by miss a. m. douglas. . running to waste: the story of a tomboy. by geo. m. baker. . our helen. by sophie may. . that queer girl. by virginia f. townsend. . the asbury twins. by sophie may. . daisy travers; or, the girls of hive hall. by adelaide f. samuels. . =amateur drama series.= by geo. m. baker. volumes. illustrated. per vol. . amateur dramas. the mimic stage. the social stage. the drawing-room stage. the exhibition drama. handy dramas. =eminent statesmen.= the young american's library of eminent statesmen. uniform with the young american's library of famous generals. six volumes, handsomely illustrated, in neat box. 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(new edition.) per vol. . general washington. general taylor. general jackson. general lafayette. general marion. napoleon bonaparte. =springdale stories.= by mrs. s. b. c. samuels. six volumes. illustrated. per volume obeying the golden rule. the shipwrecked girl. nettie's trial. the smuggler's cave. under the sea. the burning prairie. =charley roberts series.= by miss louise m. thurston. to be completed in six volumes. per vol. . how charlie roberts became a man. how eva roberts gained her education. home in the west. children of amity court. =crusoe library.= an attractive series for young and old. six volumes. illustrated. in neat box. per vol. . robinson crusoe. arabian nights. arctic crusoe. young crusoe. prairie crusoe. willis the pilot. =dick and daisy series.= by miss adelaide f. samuels. four volumes. illustrated. per vol. adrift in the world; or, dick and daisy's early days. fighting the battle; or, dick and daisy's city life. saved from the street; or, dick and daisy's protégés. grandfather milly's luck; or, dick and daisy's reward. =dick travers abroad series.= by miss adelaide f. samuels. four volumes. illustrated. per vol. little cricket; or, dick travers in london. palm land; or, dick travers in the chagos islands. the lost tar; or, dick travers in africa. on the wave; or, dick travers aboard the happy jack. the turning of the tide; or, radcliffe rich and his patients. winning his spurs; or, henry morton's first trial. =girlhood series, the.= comprising six volumes, mo. illustrated. . an american girl abroad. by miss adeline trafton. the doctor's daughter. by sophie may. sallie williams, the mountain girl. by mrs. e. d. cheney. only girls. by virginia f. townsend. lottie eames; or, do your best, and leave the rest. rhoda thornton's girlhood. by mrs. mary e. pratt. by j. t. trowbridge. =his own master.= mo. cloth. illustrated. (in press.) . =bound in honor;= or, boys will be boys. mo. cloth. illustrated. . * * * * * miscellaneous. =alden series.= by joseph alden, d.d. vols. illustrated. per vol. the cardinal flower. the lost lamb. henry ashton. the light-hearted girl. =baby ballad series.= (in press.) three volumes. illustrated. to. per vol. . baby ballads. by uno. little songs. by mrs. follen. new songs for little people. by mrs. anderson. =beckoning series.= by paul cobden. to be completed in six volumes. illustrated. per vol. . who will win? going on a mission. the turning wheel. good luck. take a peep. (another in preparation.) =blue jacket series.= six vols. mo. illustrated. per vol. . swiss family robinson. willis the pilot. the prairie crusoe. gulliver's travels. the arctic crusoe. the young crusoe. =celesta stories, the.= by mrs. e. m. berry. mo. illustrated. per vol. . celesta. the crook straightened. crooked and straight. * * * * * transcriber's notes: obvious punctuation errors repaired. illustration, "linconville" changed to "lincolnville" (news from lincolnville) (page ) page , "too" changed to "took" (as he took) page , "arn't" changed to "aren't" (aren't you, don) page , "filled" changed to "filed" (rebuff, filed away) page , (between - ) illustration caption was cropped and page number is presumed. page , "happpened" changed to "happened" (he happened to) page , "hsmself" changed to "himself" (himself by his) page , "indentify" changed to "identify" (can identify the one) page , "well-feed" changed to "well-fed" (his well-fed lawyer) page , "manheigan" changed to "manhegan" (on manhegan island) page , "run" changed to "ran" (they ran up) advertising, the prices for: riverdale stories, riverdale story books, and flora lee story books were omitted in the original text. dick and daisy series: "protégés" changed to "protégés" (dick and daisy's protégés) yacht club series: "builders" changed to "builder" (young boat builder) produced from scans of public domain material produced by microsoft for their live search books site.) [illustration: it was exciting to bring the rowboat through the passage. the rover boys on treasure isle or _the strange cruise of the steam yacht_ by arthur m. winfield (edward stratemeyer) author of the rover boys at school, the rover boys on the ocean, the putnam hall series, etc. _illustrated_ new york grosset & dunlap publishers made in the united states of america books by arthur m. winfield (edward stratemeyer) the first rover boys series the rover boys at school the rover boys on the ocean the rover boys in the jungle the rover boys out west the rover boys on the great lakes the rover boys in the mountains the rover boys in camp the rover boys on land and sea the rover boys on the river the rover boys on the plains the rover boys in southern waters the rover boys on the farm the rover boys on treasure isle the rover boys at college the rover boys down east the rover boys in the air the rover boys in new york the rover boys in alaska the rover boys in business the rover boys on a tour the second rover boys series the rover boys at colby hall the putnam hall series the putnam hall cadets the putnam hall rivals the putnam hall champions the putnam hall rebellion the putnam hall encampment the putnam hall mystery mo. cloth. illustrated. grosset & dunlap, publishers, new york copyright, , by edward stratemeyer _the rover boys on treasure isle_ introduction. my dear boys: this is a complete tale in itself, but forms the thirteenth volume of the "rover boys series for young americans." this line of books was started some ten years ago with the publication of the first three volumes, "the rover boys at school," "the rover boys on the ocean" and "the rover boys in the jungle." at that time i thought to end the series with a fourth volume--provided the readers wanted another. but with the publication of "the rover boys out west," came a cry for "more!" and so i added "on the great lakes," "in the mountains," "in camp," "on land and sea," "on the river," "on the plains," "in southern waters" and "on the farm," where we last left our friends. for a number of years tom, dick and sam have attended a military academy, but now their school days at putnam hall are at an end, and we find them getting ready to go to college. but before leaving home for the higher seat of learning they take a remarkable cruise on a steam yacht, searching for an island upon which it is said a large treasure is hidden. they are accompanied on this trip by their father and a number of friends, and have several adventures somewhat out of the ordinary, and also a good bit of fun--for there is bound to be fun when tom rover is around. they lose themselves and lose their yacht, and once some of them come pretty close to losing their lives, but in the end--well, the story will tell the rest. i cannot close without again thanking my many friends for all the nice things they have said about the "rover boys" stories and the "putnam hall" stories. i trust the present volume will fulfill every fair expectation. affectionately and sincerely yours, edward stratemeyer contents chapter page i. bound for home ii. an important telegram iii. fun on the farm iv. a midnight search v. at the old mill vi. the story of a treasure vii. in which something is missing viii. the rover boys in new york ix. a chase on the bowery x. dick becomes a prisoner xi. aboard the steam yacht xii. something about firecrackers xiii. a wild automobile ride xiv. what a roman candle did xv. the sailing of the steam yacht xvi. a row on shipboard xvii. a mishap in the fog xviii. the new deck hand xix. treasure isle at last xx. the boys make a discovery xxi. scaring off the enemy xxii. prisoners in the forest xxiii. what wingate had to tell xxiv. a missing landmark xxv. the trail through the jungle xxvi. a dismaying discovery xxvii. what happened on the steam yacht xxviii. a new move of the enemy xxix. the hunt for the treasure xxx. homeward bound--conclusion the rover boys on treasure isle chapter i bound for home "hurry up, sam, unless you want to be left behind!" "i'm coming!" shouted sam rover, as he crossed the depot platform on the run. "where is tom?" "he went ahead, to get two good seats for us," answered dick rover. he looked around the crowd that had gathered to take the train. "hi, there, songbird, this way! come in this car, hans!" "say, aren't you fellows coming aboard?" came a voice from the nearest car, and a curly-topped head with a pair of laughing eyes appeared. "folks crowding in to beat the band! come on in if you want seats." "we'll be in directly," answered sam, and followed his brother dick to the car steps. here there was quite a jam, and the rover boys had all they could do to get into the car, followed by half a dozen of their school chums. but tom rover had managed to keep seats for all, and they sat "in a bunch," much to their satisfaction. then the train rolled out of the station, and the journey homeward was begun. the term at putnam hall military academy was at an end, and the school days of the three rover boys at that institution were now a thing of the past. each had graduated with honors, yet all were a trifle sad to think that there would be no going back to a place where they had made so many friends. "it's almost like giving up your home," dick had said, several times, while at the actual parting sam had had to do his best to keep back the tears which welled up in his eyes. even fun-loving tom had stopped a good deal of his whistling and had looked unusually sober. "we'll never have such good times as we've had at putnam hall," sam had said, but he was mistaken, as later events proved. the three rover boys did not wish to part from their many school chums, yet they were more than anxious to get home, and for this there was a very good reason. their father had told them that he had a very important communication to make to them--one regarding how the summer was to be spent. so far no arrangements had been made for the vacation, and the brothers were anxious to know "what was in the wind," as tom expressed it. "maybe we are to prepare for college," said dick. "perhaps we are to go on another trip to africa?" added sam. "or start on a hunt for the north pole," put in tom. "that would be just the thing for this hot weather." "i can tell you one thing," went on dick. "whatever father has on his mind is of a serious nature. it is no mere outing for pleasure." "i know that," answered sam. "i could see it by the look on his face." "well, we'll know all about it by this time to-morrow," said tom. "i hope it is some trip--i love to travel," and his brothers nodded their heads in approval. to those who have read any of the twelve previous volumes in this "rover boys series" the three brothers will need no special introduction. for the benefit of new readers allow me to state that dick was the oldest, fun-loving tom next, and sam the youngest. they were the sons of anderson rover, a widower and rich mine owner. the father was a great traveler, and for years the boys had made their home with their uncle, randolph rover, and their aunt martha, on a farm called valley brook, in the heart of new york state. from the farm, and while their father was in africa, the boys had been sent to putnam hall, as related in the first volume of this series, entitled, "the rover boys at school." at the hall they made a score of friends and several enemies, some of which will be introduced later. a term at school was followed by a trip on the ocean, and then one into the jungles of the dark continent in search of mr. rover, who had mysteriously disappeared. then the rover boys went out west and to the great lakes, and later spent a fine time hunting in the mountains. they likewise spent some time in camp with their fellow cadets, and during the summer vacation took a long trip on land and sea. then they returned home, and during another vacation sailed down the ohio river in a houseboat, spent some time on the plains, took an unexpected trip to southern waters, and then came back to the farm. on getting back home, as related in the twelfth volume of this series, called "the rover boys on the farm," the boys had imagined that adventures for them were a thing of the past. they were willing to take it easy, but this was not to be. some bad men, including a sharper named sid merrick, were responsible for the theft of some freight from the local railroad, and merrick, by a slick trick, obtained possession of some traction company bonds belonging to randolph rover. the rover boys managed to locate the freight thieves, but sid merrick got away from them, dropping a pocketbook containing the traction company bonds in his flight. this was at a time when dick, tom and sam had returned to putnam hall for their final term at that institution. at the hall they had made a bitter enemy of a big, stocky bully named tad sobber and of another lad named nick pell. tad sobber, to get even with the rovers for a fancied injury, sent to the latter a box containing a live, poisonous snake. the snake got away and hid in nick pell's desk and nick was bitten and for some time it was feared that he might die. he exposed tad sobber, and fearing arrest the bully ran away from the hall. later, much to their surprise, the rover boys learned that the bully was a ward and nephew of sid merrick, and when the sharper disappeared tad sobber went with him. "they are certainly a bad pair," said dick, but how bad the rovers were still to find out. with the boys on the train were john powell, better known as "songbird," because he had a habit of reciting newly made doggerel which he called poetry, hans mueller, a german youth who frequently got his english badly twisted, fred garrison, who had graduated with the rovers, and some others. "dick, you haven't told me yet what you intend to do this summer," remarked fred garrison, as the train rolled on. "because i don't know, fred," answered the elder rover. "my father has something in store, but i don't know what it is." "can't you guess?" "no." "i wish we could take another trip like that on the houseboat--it was certainly a dandy." "the best ever!" put in tom. "even if we did have trouble with lew flapp, dan baxter and some others." "speaking of dan baxter puts me in mind of something," came from songbird powell. "it has just leaked out that tad sobber sent a note to captain putnam in which tad blamed some of the cadets for his troubles, and said he was going to get square some day." "did he mention any names?" questioned sam. "yes." "mine?" "yes--and dick's and tom's, too." "it is just like sobber--to blame his troubles on somebody else," remarked dick. "i am not afraid of him," declared tom. "he had better keep his distance--unless he wants to get the worst of it. we used to put up with a whole lot from dan baxter before he reformed--i am not going to put up with as much from sobber." "tad certainly went off in bad company," said sam. "his uncle ought to be in prison this minute." "have the authorities heard anything of merrick?" asked songbird. "not a thing." "i dink me dot feller has skipped to europe alretty," vouchsafed hans mueller. "he vould peen afraid to stay py der united states in, yah!" and the german boy shook his head wisely. "personally i never want to set eyes on sobber again," said dick, with a shrug of his broad shoulders. "the idea of introducing that deadly snake into the school was the limit. why, half a dozen of us might have been bitten instead of only poor pell." "maybe he did it only for a joke," said larry colby, another of the cadets. "if he did, it was carrying a joke altogether too far--endangering one or more human lives. i don't believe in that sort of fun." "nor do i," came from several. "if he is in europe with his uncle perhaps i'll meet him there," said larry colby. "i am going to france and italy with my uncle and cousin. wish some of you fellows were going along," he added, wistfully. "i am going to the maine woods," said a lad named george granberry. "you can never guess who is going there, too." "who?" "william philander tubbs and mr. strong." "what, our own dude going to camp in the wilderness," cried tom. "oh, if i was only along wouldn't i give him some surprises!" "i'll have some fun--don't forget that!" replied george, with a grin. "but as mr. strong is going to be along, of course i'll have to be a little careful." "dear mr. strong!" murmured sam, with a sigh. "what a fine teacher he is, and how i hate to give him up!" "i envy your having him along," said dick. at that moment the train rolled into a station and larry and some of the others got off. "we leave you at the next station," said songbird, to the rovers. "when you find out what you are going to do this summer, write and let me know." "i certainly shall," answered dick. the three rover boys soon after found themselves alone. they had to make a change of cars, and some time later rolled into the station at oak run. "home again!" shouted tom, as he alighted on the depot platform. "yes, and there is uncle randolph waiting for us," added dick, as he hurried forward to meet his relative. "how do you do, uncle!" he cried. "i am well, richard," answered randolph rover, and then he shook hands with all three boys. "your--er--your father----" he began and hesitated. "father? what of him?" asked tom, in quick alarm, for he saw that his uncle was much disturbed. "isn't he with you?" "why, no!" answered the three, in a chorus. "he started for home last night," added dick. "took the train after the one you and aunt martha took." "but he didn't come home," said randolph rover. "didn't come home?" "no." "didn't he send any word?" questioned sam. "none that i received." "he said he was going straight home--would telephone from lockville for the carriage to meet the last train," said tom. "this is mighty queer." it was queer and for the moment the rover boys and their uncle stared blankly at one another. "something is wrong," declared dick, presently. "and i am going to make it my business to find out at once what it is." chapter ii an important telegram dick rover would not have been so much disturbed by his father's disappearance had it not been for one thing, which was that mr. rover, on leaving the closing exercises at putnam hall, had declared that he would take the last train home that night. this train got into oak run at one o'clock in the morning, when the station was closed and the platform usually deserted. "let us ask around and see if anybody was here when the train came in," suggested tom. they first appealed to mr. ricks, the station master, an old and crabbed individual, who disliked the boys for the jokes they had played on him in times past. he shook his head at once. "don't keep the station open that long," he grunted. "i was home an' in bed, an' i don't know anything about your father." "was anybody around the station, that you know of?" went on dick. "no." "did any telegram come in for our family?" "if it did i reckon jackson would send it over, or telephone." "let us ask jackson and make sure," said sam, and led the way to the telegraph office. the telegraph receiver was ticking away at a lively rate, and jackson, who had charge of the office, was taking down a message on a blank. "hullo!" cried the telegrapher, as he finished and looked up. "here is a message for mr. randolph rover hot off the wire. it won't take long to deliver it," and he handed it over. "it's paid for," he added. "but you'll have to sign for it," and mr. rover did so. eagerly all the rovers read the communication, which ran as follows: "am following man i want to catch if possible. may be away from home several days or a week. very important to see man--trip this summer depends upon it. "anderson rover." "wonder who the man can be?" mused dick, after reading the message twice. "he has something to do with this matter father was going to tell us about," returned sam. "it's certainly a mystery." "well, this relieves our anxiety," said randolph rover. "so long as i know nothing has happened, your father can stay away as long as he pleases." "but i am dying to know what it is all about," burst out tom, who was always impatient to get at the bottom of things. "uncle randolph, do you know what father has in mind to do this summer?" "he talks about taking a sea trip, but where to i don't know." "and he wants us to go along?" queried the youngest rover. "i believe so, samuel." "hurrah! i'd like a sea trip first-rate." "yes, but----" mr. rover lowered his voice. "he doesn't want anybody to know where to. it's some kind of a secret--very important, i imagine--something to do with a gold mine, or something of the sort. he did not give me any particulars." "he said he was going to let us know about it when we got home from the hall," said dick. "i hope he catches his man." "wonder who it can be?" came from tom. nobody could answer that question, and in a thoughtful mood the three rover boys followed their uncle to the carriage and got in. then the team was touched up and away they whirled, out of the village, across swift river, and in the direction of valley brook farm. it was a beautiful day in june and never had the country looked finer. as they swept along the well-kept road dick drew a deep breath of satisfaction. "this air makes a fellow feel new all over!" he declared. "i suppose you are going to plant and grow some wonderful things this summer, uncle randolph," said tom. his uncle had studied scientific farming for years, but had never made any tremendous success of it--in fact his experiments usually cost him considerably more than they brought in. "well--er--i am trying my hand this year on some mexican melons said to be very fine, thomas," was the reply. "mexican melons?" said the fun-loving tom, innocently. "that puts me in mind--when i was over to albany last i saw a pumpkin in a restaurant window eight feet high and at least ten feet across." "is it possible!" ejaculated randolph rover, gazing at his nephew incredulously. "sure thing. the pumpkin looked to be good, too. they had a lot of pumpkin pies set around it, just for an advertisement." "thomas, did you measure that pumpkin?" "no; why should i?" "then how do you know it was eight feet high and ten feet across?" "why, uncle randolph, i didn't say the pumpkin was eight feet high and ten feet across. i said i saw it in a restaurant window eight feet high and ten feet across," and tom drew down the corners of his mouth soberly. "oh, tom, that's the worst ever!" cried sam. "you ought to be made to walk home for that," added dick. "thomas! thomas! you are as bad as ever!" said mr. rover, with a sigh. "but i might have been on my guard. i know there are no pumpkins of that size." "uncle randolph, you'll have to forgive me," said tom, putting his hand affectionately on his relative's shoulder. "i really couldn't help it--i am just bubbling over to think that school days are over and i won't have to do any studying for several months to come." "i fancy we'll have to tie you down to keep you out of mischief." "you won't have to tie me down if i go on a sea trip with dad." "haven't you had sea trips enough--with being cast away in the middle of the pacific, and being wrecked in the gulf of mexico? it seems to me every time you and the others leave home something serious happens to you." "true--but we always come back right side up with care and all charges paid," answered the fun-loving rover airily. they soon made a turn in the road which brought them in sight of the big farmhouse, nestling comfortably in a group of stately trees. as they turned into the lane their aunt martha came to the front piazza and waved her hand. down in the roadway stood jack ness, the hired man, grinning broadly, and behind mrs. rover stood alexander pop, the colored helper, his mouth open from ear to ear. at once tom began to sing: "home again! home again! safe from putnam hall." and then he made a flying leap from the carriage, rushed up the steps and gave his aunt such a hug as made her gasp for breath. "oh, tom, you bear! do let up!" she cried. "now, there's a kiss for you, and there's another! how do you do, sam, and how are you, dick?" and she kissed them also. "i am glad you are back at last." she turned to her husband. "what of anderson, did you hear anything?" "yes, he will be back in a few days." "i'se jess too pleased fo' anything to see yo' boys back heah!" came from aleck pop. "it's dun been mighty lonely since yo' went away." "don't worry, aleck, we'll cheer you up," answered tom. "oh, i know dat, massa tom--yo'll turn dis place upside down in two days suah!" "why, aleck, you know i'd never do anything so rash," answered tom, meekly. "going to uncover some more freight thieves?" asked jack ness, as he took charge of the team and started for the barn. "i think dem boys had bettah cotch some of dem chicken thieves," put in aleck pop. "yo' don't seem to git holt ob dem nohow." "oh, never you mind about the chicken thieves," grumbled jack ness. "has somebody been stealing chickens again?" asked dick, remembering that they had suffered several times from such depredations. "yes, da has--took two chickens las' wednesday, foah on saturday, an' two on monday. jack he laid fo' 'em wid a shotgun, but he didn't cotch nobody." "i'll catch them yet, see if i don't," said the hired man. "perhaps a fox is doing it," suggested sam. "if so, we ought to go on a fox hunt. that would suit me first-rate." "no fox in this," answered jack ness. "i see the footprints of two men,--tramps, i reckon. if i catch sight of 'em i'll fill 'em full of shot and then have 'em locked up." chapter iii fun on the farm two days passed and the boys felt once more at home on the farm. the strain of the recent examinations and the closing exercises at school had gone and as sam declared, "they were once more themselves," and ready for anything that might turn up. in those two days came another telegram from mr. rover, sent from philadelphia, in which he stated that he had caught his man, but had lost him again. he added that he would be home probably on the following sunday. this message came in on monday, so the boys knew they would have to wait nearly a week before seeing their parent. "i am just dying to know what it is all about," said tom, and the others said practically the same. tom could not keep down his propensities for joking and nearly drove sarah, the cook, to distraction by putting some barn mice in the bread box in the pantry and by pouring ink over some small stones and then adding them to the coal she was using in the kitchen range. he also took a piece of old rubber bicycle tire and trimmed it up to resemble a snake and put it in jack ness' bed in the barn, thereby nearly scaring the hired man into a fit. ness ran out of the room in his night dress and raised such a yell that he aroused everybody in the house. he got his shotgun and blazed away at the supposed snake, thereby ruining a blanket, two sheets, and filling the mattress with shot. when he found out how he had been hoaxed he was the most foolish looking man to be imagined. "you just wait, master tom, i'll get square," he said. "who said i put a snake in your bed?" demanded tom. "i never did such a thing in my life." "no, but you put that old rubber in, and i know it," grumbled the hired man, and then went back to bed. tom also had his little joke on aleck pop. one evening he saw the colored man dressing up to go out and learned that he was going to call on a colored widow living at dexter's corners, a nearby village. "we can't allow this," said the fun-loving rover to his younger brother. "the next thing you know aleck will be getting married and leaving us." "what do you think of doing?" asked sam. "come on, and i'll show you." now, aleck was rather a good looking and well-formed darkey and he was proud of his shape. he had a fine black coat, with trousers to match, and a gorgeous colored vest. this suit tom was certain he would wear when calling on the widow. when in ithaca on his way home the fun-loving rover had purchased an imitation rabbit, made of thin rubber. this rabbit had a small rubber hose attached, and by blowing into the hose the rabbit could be blown up to life-size or larger. leading the way to aleck's room, tom got out the colored man's coat and placed the rubber rabbit in the middle of the back, between the cloth and the lining. it was put in flat and the hose was allowed to dangle down under the lining to within an inch of the split of the coat-tails, and at this point tom put a hole in the lining, so he could get at the end of the hose with ease. it was not long before aleck came in to dress. it was late and he was in a hurry, for he knew he had a rival, a man named jim johnson, and he did not want johnson to get to the widow's home ahead of him. he washed up and donned his clothing with rapidity, and never noticed that anything was wrong with the coat. "now, sam, you fix his necktie for him," whispered tom, who, with his younger brother, was lying in wait outside the house. "tell him it doesn't set just straight." sam understood, and as soon as aleck appeared he sauntered up side by side with tom. "hullo, aleck, going to see your best girl?" he said pleasantly. "i'se gwine to make a little call, dat's all." "he's after the widow taylor," put in tom. "he knows she's got ten thousand or so in the bank." "massa tom, you dun quit yo' foolin'," expostulated aleck. "if you are going to make a society call you want your necktie on straight," said sam. "it's a fine tie, but it's no good the way you have it tied. here, let me fix it," and he pulled the tie loose. "i did hab a lot ob trubble wid dat tie," agreed the colored man. "it's too far around," went on sam, and gave the tie a jerk, first one way and another. then he began to tie it, shoving aleck again as he did so. in the meantime tom had gotten behind the colored man and was blowing up the rubber rabbit. as the rubber expanded aleck's coat went up with it, until it looked as if the man was humpbacked. then tom fastened the hose, so the wind could not get out of it. next the youth brought out a bit of chalk and in big letters wrote on the black coat as follows: _i have got to_ hump _to catch the_ _widow._ "now your tie is something like," declared sam, after a wink from tom. "it outshines everything i ever saw." "i'se got to be a-going," answered aleck. "much obliged." "now, aleck, hump yourself and you'll get the widow sure--along with her fourteen children." "she ain't got but two children," returned the colored man, and hurried away. his appearance, with the hump on his back and the sign, caused both the rovers to burst out laughing. "come on, i've got to see the end of this," said tom, and led the way by a side path to the widow taylor's cottage. this was a short cut, but aleck would not take it, because of the briar bushes and the dust. as the boys were in their knockaround suits they did not mind this. the widow's cottage was a tumbled-down affair on a side street of dexter's corners. a stovepipe stuck out of a back window, and the front door lacked the lower hinge. in the front yard the weeds were several feet high. "i don't see why aleck wants to come and see such a person as this," observed sam. "she may be pretty, as colored widows go, but she is certainly lazy and shiftless." "yes, and she has more than two children and i know it. why, once i came past here and i saw her with at least seven or eight." when the boys came up they saw several colored children hurrying away from the house. as they did this the widow came to the door and called after them: "now, arabella, go to the cemetery, jest as i tole yo', an' stay thar!" "i ain't gwine to stay long," answered arabella. "you stay an hour or two," answered the widow. "to-morrow, i'll give yo' money fer lolly-pops." "what is she sending the children to the cemetery for?" asked tom, in a whisper. "maybe to keep 'em quiet," answered sam, with a grin. "must be wanting to keep them out of aleck's way." at that moment the figure of a tall, lanky colored man came down a side street. the man entered the widow's cottage and received a warm welcome. "glad to see you, mistah thomas. hopes yo' is feelin' fine this ebenin'," said the widow graciously. "i'se come fo' to make yo' an offah," said mr. thomas. "yo' said yo' would mahrry me soon as i had a job. well, i'se got de job now." "is it a steady job?" "yes, at de stone quarry--dribin' a stone wagon." "how much yo' gits a week, peter?" "twelve dollahs," was the proud answer. "den i closes wid you," said the widow, and allowed the suitor to embrace her. just then aleck came in sight. as he saw the couple through the open door he straightened up. "maybe yo' didn't look fo' me around, mrs. taylor," he said, stiffly. "oh, yes, i did, mistah pop," she said, sweetly. "but yo' see--i--dat is----" she stopped short. "wot's dat?" she cried. "wot?" "dat hump on yo' back?" "ain't no hump on my back," answered aleck. "suah da is." "he's got a sign on, too," put in peter thomas. "look wot it reads, 'i hab got to hump to cotch de widow.' hah! hah! hah! dot's a good one." "yo' needn't hump yo'self to cotch me," cried the widow, wrathfully. "i'se engaged to mistah thomas." and she smiled on the individual in question. crestfallen and bewildered, aleck felt of his back and took off his coat. he squeezed the rubber rabbit so hard that it exploded with a bang, scaring himself and the others. "dat's a trick on me!" roared the rover's man, and tore the rabbit from his coat. "dem boys did dat!" "i can't see yo' to-night, or any udder night, mistah pop," said the widow. "i'se engaged to mistah thomas." "den good-night," growled aleck, and turning on his heel he started for home. tom and sam saw that he was angry, yet they had to roar at the scene presented. they wondered what aleck would say when he got back to the farm. "we have got to square ourselves," said tom. "how are you going to do it?" "oh, we'll do it somehow." they took the short-cut, but so did aleck, and consequently all three soon met. "yo' played dat joke--yo' can't go fo' to deny it!" cried the colored man. "we are not going to deny it, aleck," said tom. "but it was no joke. we did it for your good." "huh!" "we certainly did," put in sam. "why, aleck, we can't bear to think of your getting married and leaving us." "huh!" "we want you to stay with us," said tom. "besides, that widow has a lot of children and is after your money." "she ain't got but two chillen. she had moah, but she dun told me all but two was in de seminary." "the seminary?" queried tom. then a light broke in on him. "you mean the cemetery." "persackly--de place da puts de dead folks." "well, they are in the cemetery right enough--but they are a long way from being dead." "wot yo' mean, tom?" "we saw her send five of them away this evening--she told 'em to go to the cemetery and stay there awhile." "wot! yo' is fooling dis chile!" "it is absolutely true," said sam. "i am quite sure she has seven children." "huh! if dat's de case dat thomas nigger can hab her," grumbled aleck, and walked on. "but i ain't takin' yo' word fo' dis," he added cautiously. "i'se gwine to make a few investigations to-morrow." "do so--and you'll thank us from the bottom of your heart," answered tom; and there the subject was dropped. it may be added here that later on aleck discovered that the widow had ten children and was head over heels in debt, and he was more than glad that the boys had played the trick on him, and that the other colored man had gained mrs. taylor's hand. chapter iv a midnight search that night was destined to be an eventful one on the rover farm. arriving home, sam and tom told of the fun they had had and dick laughed heartily. then all three of the boys went to bed. about midnight came a loud shouting from the barn, followed by the report of a shotgun. this was followed by a shriek from sarah, the cook, who was afraid that burglars had come to murder her. "what's that?" questioned dick, as he hopped out of bed. "that's jack ness' gun," answered tom. "something must be wrong at the barn." "chicken thieves again--i'll bet a new hat," said sam. by this time randolph rover and his wife were up and were lighting a lamp. without waiting for them, the boys slipped on some clothing and their shoes and ran downstairs. dick took with him a pistol and each of the others a baseball bat. "boys! boys! be careful!" shouted their uncle after them. "all right," returned dick, readily. he was the first outside, but sam and tom were close upon his heels. he heard jack ness running to the edge of a cornfield, shouting lustily. then came another report of the shotgun. "what is it, jack?" shouted dick. "who are you shooting at?" "i'm after two men," was the hired man's reply. "they jest run into the cornfield." "chicken thieves?" queried tom. "i guess so--anyway they was prowlin' around the hen house an' the barn. i called an' asked 'em what they wanted and they ran for dear life--so i knew they was up to no good." "they certainly must have been chicken thieves, or worse," was sam's comment. "really, this is getting to be too much," he added. "we ought to catch them and have them locked up." "i'm willing to go after them," answered tom, readily. "did you get a good look at the rascals?" asked dick. "not very good," answered jack ness. "they weren't boys, were they?" "no--they were men--both tall and heavy fellows." "did you ever see them before?" asked tom. "not that i can remember." while they were talking the party of four had run down to the edge of the cornfield. this spot was really a peach orchard, but the trees were still so small that the ground was being utilized that season for corn, planted in rows between the trees. the corn was not yet full grown, but it was high enough to conceal a man lying flat or crouching down. the sky was filled with stars and the old moon was beginning to show over the hills beyond the valley, so it was fairly light across the field. the boys kept their eyes on the corn and the peach trees, but failed to discover any persons moving among them. "my shotgun is empty--maybe i had better go back and load up," said the hired man. "yes, do it, but hurry up," answered dick. "i'll stay here on guard with the pistol." the hired man ran off toward the barn. hardly had he disappeared when sam gave a short cry and pointed into the field with his hand. "i saw somebody raise up just now and look around," he said. "he is out of sight now." "where?" came from dick and tom quickly. "over yonder--by the twisted peach tree." "i'll investigate," said dick. "you can come along if you want to. keep your eyes open for both men. we don't want either to get away if we can help it." the three lads spread out in something of a semi-circle and advanced slowly into the field, keeping their eyes and ears on the alert for anything out of the ordinary. thus they covered fifty yards, when tom found himself near one of the largest of the peach trees. as he passed this a form arose quickly from under a bough, caught him by the waist and threw him forcibly to the ground. "hi!" yelled tom. "let up!" and then he made a clutch for his assailant, catching him by the foot. but the man broke away and went crashing through the corn, calling on "shelley" to follow him. the yell from tom attracted the attention of dick and sam, and they turned to learn what had happened to their brother. as they did this a second man leaped up from the corn in front of them and started to run in the direction of the river. "stop!" called out dick. "stop, or i'll fire on you!" and then he discharged his pistol into the air as a warning. the man promptly dodged behind a row of peach trees, but kept on running as hard as ever. the rover boys were now thoroughly aroused, and all three started in pursuit of the two men. they saw the fellows leave the field and hurry down a lane leading to swift river. "i believe they are going to the river. maybe they have a boat," said tom. "i shouldn't wonder," answered dick. "i wish they would take to a boat," said sam. "we could follow them easily--in dan bailey's boat." "hi, where are you?" came a shout from behind, and they saw jack ness returning. "your uncle and aunt want you to be careful--they are afraid those villains will shoot you." "we'll be careful," answered tom. "but we are going to capture them if it can be done," he added, sturdily. the hired man had reloaded the shotgun and also brought some additional ammunition with him. he was nervous and the boys could readily see that he did not relish continuing the pursuit. "we can't do nothin' in the dark," he grumbled. "let us wait till morning." "no, i am going after them now," answered dick, decidedly. "so am i," added sam and tom. they were going forward as rapidly as the semi-darkness would permit. the ground was more or less uncertain, and once the youngest rover went into a mud hole, splashing the mud up into jack ness' face. "hi, stop that!" spluttered the hired man. "want to put my eye out?" "excuse me, jack, i didn't see the hole," answered sam. "it ain't safe to walk here in the dark--somebody might break a leg." "if you want to go back you can do so," put in dick. "give tom the shotgun." "oh--er--i'm goin' if you be," answered jack ness. he was ashamed to let them know how much of a coward he really was. it was quite a distance to swift river, which at this point ran among a number of stately willows. as the boys gained the water's edge they saw a boat putting out not a hundred feet away. "there they are!" cried dick. "stop!" yelled tom. "stop, unless you want to be shot!" "we'll do a little shooting ourselves if you are not careful!" came back in a harsh voice. "take care! take care!" cried jack ness, in terror, and ran to hide behind a handy tree. the two men in the boat were putting down the stream with all speed. the current, always strong, soon carried them around a bend and out of sight. it must be confessed that the boys were in a quandary. they did not wish to give up the chase, yet they realized that the escaping men might be desperate characters and ready to put up a hard fight if cornered. "jack, i think you had better run over to the ditwold house and tell them what is up," said dick, after a moment's thought. "tell ike and joe we are going to follow in dan bailey's boat." the ditwolds were neighboring farmers and ike and joe were strong young men ever ready to lend a hand in time of trouble. "all right," answered the hired man, and set off, first, however, turning his firearm over to tom. the three rover boys were well acquainted with the river, and had had more than one adventure on its swiftly-flowing waters, as my old readers know. they skirted a number of the willows and came to a small creek, where they found dan bailey's craft tied to a stake. but there were no oars, and they gazed at one another in dismay. "we might have known it," said dick, in disgust. "he always takes the oars up to the barn with him." the barn was a good distance off and none of the boys relished running that far for oars. more than this, they felt that by the time the oars were brought the other craft would be out of sight and hearing, and thus the trail of the midnight prowlers would be lost. "here is a bit of board," said sam, searching around. "let us use that for a paddle. the current will carry us almost as swiftly as if we were rowing. the main thing will be to keep out of the way of the rocks." "i wish those chaps would run on the rocks and smash their boat to bits," grumbled tom, who had gotten a stone in his loose shoe and was consequently limping. the boys shoved the rowboat from the creek to the river and leaped in. dick, being the largest and strongest, took the board and using it as a sweep, sent the craft well out where the current could catch it. down the stream went the boat, with sam in the middle and tom in the stern. there was no rudder, so they had to depend entirely upon dick, who stood up near the bow, peering ahead for rocks, of which the river boasted a great number. "those fellows must know this river," remarked sam, as he started to lace his shoes, there being nothing else just then to do. "they ought to--if they are the fellows who visited our henhouse before," answered tom. "dick, can you see them?" "no, but i know they must be ahead." "perhaps they went ashore--just to fool us." "they couldn't get ashore here very well--it is too rocky, you know that as well as i do. listen!" they listened, but the only sound that broke the stillness was the distant roar of humpback falls, where sam had once had such a thrilling adventure, as related in "the rover boys at school." even now, so long afterward, it made the youngest rover shiver to think of that happening. a minute later the boat came clear of the tree shadows and the boys saw a long stretch ahead of them, shimmering like silver in the moonbeams. sam, looking in the direction of the opposite shore, made out a rowboat moving thither. "there they are!" he cried. at once dick essayed to turn their own craft in that direction. but with only a bit of a board for a paddle, and with the current tearing along wildly, this was not easy. the rowboat was turned partly, but then scraped some rocks, and they were in dire peril of upsetting. "i see where they are going!" cried tom. "to the old henderson mill." "we'll have to land below that point," said his oldest brother. "if i try to get in there with only this board i'll hit the rocks sure." "they are taking chances, even with oars," was sam's comment. "see, they have struck some rocks!" he was right, and the rovers saw the boat ahead spin around and the two men leap to their feet in alarm. but then the craft steadied itself, and a moment later shot into the shadows of the trees beside the old flour mill. it was not until five minutes later that dick was able to guide their own rowboat to the shore upon which the mill was located. they hit several rocks, but at last came in where there was a sandy stretch. all leaped out, and the craft was hauled up to a point out of the current's reach. "now to get back to the mill as soon as possible, and corner those fellows if we can," said tom, and without delay the three rover boys started through the woods in the direction of the spot where the two men had landed. chapter v at the old mill the henderson mill was now largely so only in name. so far back as the rover boys could remember, it had been a tenantless structure going slowly to decay. the water wheel was gone, and so were the grinding stones, and the roof and sides were full of holes. henderson, the owner, had years ago fallen heir to a fortune, and had moved away, leaving the building at the mercy of the tramps who frequently stopped there. it was no easy matter to climb around or over the rocks which lay between the boys and the old mill, and the darkness under the thick trees was intense. they felt their way along slowly, and tom was careful to carry the shotgun with the barrel pointed downward, that there might be no accident. "more than likely those fellows have been putting up at the old mill," said dick. "they'll leave now--if they think we are coming," answered sam. "let us keep quiet," put in tom. "if they hear us talking they will surely skip out." after that but little was said. foot by foot they drew closer to the dilapidated structure, until it loomed up dimly before them. then dick motioned for the others to halt. with bated breath the boys listened. at first they heard little but the rushing of the water over the rocks. then came a sudden cracking of a rotten floor board, followed by an exclamation. "confound the luck! i've put my foot through the floor again," growled a man's voice. "shelley, why don't you light the lantern? do you want me to break my neck?" "if i light the lantern the rovers may come here," was the answer from the man called shelley. "oh, they went down the river--i saw them." "they may have turned in nearby." some more words followed, but spoken so low that the boys could not understand them. they heard a faint creaking of the flooring of the old mill, but that was all. "they are there, that's certain," whispered dick. "but i don't see how we are going to capture them in this darkness." "i wish we had a lantern," said the youngest rover. "we wouldn't dare to light it, sam," answered tom. "let us crawl up close to the building. maybe we can find out something more about the men. they may be some good-for-nothing fellows from the village." as there seemed nothing else to do, this advice was followed, and soon the boys were at one of the broken-out windows of the mill. they listened and looked inside, but saw and heard nothing. "they are not here," whispered sam, disappointedly. "they are not far off," answered his big brother confidently. "look!" came from tom. "a light!" he pointed through the window to the flooring inside. from between the loose boards shone several streaks of light. as the boys gazed the light vanished and all was as dark as before. "they are in the lower room, the one where the water-wheel used to be," whispered tom. "maybe that is where they have been hanging out." "come after me--but don't make any noise," said dick, cautiously. "if they have gone into the second room down there maybe we can make them prisoners!" "that's the idea!" cried sam. "just the thing!" "hush, sam, or you'll spoil all." scarcely daring to breathe, now that they knew the strange men were so close, the three rover boys walked to the open doorway of the old mill and went inside. dick led the way and crossed to where an enclosed stairs ran to the floor below. on tiptoes he went down, not trusting a step until he was sure of his footing. it was well he did this, for two of the steps were entirely rotted away, and he had to warn his brothers, otherwise one or another might have had a fall. standing in the wheel room of the old mill the boys saw another streak of light, coming from the room which dick had suggested. the door to this was closed, a bolt on the inner side holding it in place. there was another bolt on the outside, which dick remembered having seen on a previous visit. "we can lock them in if we wish," he whispered. "do it," answered his brothers promptly. the bolt was large and old-fashioned, and dick had considerable trouble in moving it into its socket. it made a rasping sound, but this was not noticed by the two men, who were conversing earnestly. "well, we made a mess of it," growled the man called shelley. "so we did. but i didn't think that hired man would wake up. neither of us made a bit of noise. he must be a light sleeper." "i only hope they think we were after chickens, cuffer. if they knew the truth----" the man named shelley broke off with a coarse laugh. "well, we got chickens the other night, didn't we?" and now the man called cuffer laughed also. "but say, this is getting serious," he went on presently. "merrick expects us to do this job for him and do it quick, and he won't like it at all when he finds out how we have missed it." "we can't do the impossible. those rovers are too wideawake for us." "they certainly were too wideawake for merrick in that traction company bond matter. he was a chump not to sell those bonds as soon as he got hold of them." "he didn't dare--he was afraid the market was being watched." "what does he want of those papers, anyway?" "i don't know exactly. but you know what he said--there would be a small fortune in it for us if we got 'em. he says he's got some papers--or a map i guess it is--but he wants these papers, too. he didn't dare show himself around here--you know the reason why." "sure--those rovers would recognize him, even if he tried to disguise himself." dick, tom and sam listened to this conversation with keenest interest and amazement. these men had mentioned the name of sid merrick, the rascal who had in the past tried so hard to harm them and who had up to the present time escaped the clutches of the law. evidently they were in league with merrick and under his directions. "we must capture those fellows by all means," whispered tom, excitedly. "if we do, maybe we can find out where merrick is." "yes, and tad sobber, too," added sam, who had not forgotten the poisonous snake episode at putnam hall. "they weren't after chickens--that was only a blind," said dick. "they want to get something from the house--some papers that merrick wants." "they must be valuable," said sam. "father has all sorts of valuable papers," went on tom. "bonds, deeds to mining properties, and such. but i thought he had the most of those in a safe deposit vault in the city." "so he has," answered dick. "maybe these fellows would be fooled even if they got into uncle randolph's house. they---- listen!" shelley and cuffer had begun to talk again. they mentioned a tramp steamer called the _josephine_, and shelley said she was now in port being repaired. then the conversation drifted to sporting matters, and cuffer told how he had lost a hundred dollars on a prize fight. "that's why i'm here," he added. "and i want some money the next time i see sid merrick." "he won't give us any unless we----" said shelley, and the boys did not hear the end of the sentence, for the speaker tried the door as he spoke, throwing the inner bolt back. of course with the outer bolt in place, the door refused to budge. the boys drew back, and tom raised the shotgun and dick his pistol. "the door is caught!" cried shelley, and pushed on it as hard as he could. "what!" exclaimed cuffer and leaped forward. he, too, tried to move the barrier. "this is a trick! somebody has bolted the door on the outside." "was there a bolt there?" "yes, a heavy one, too." "then somebody has trapped us!" "open that door!" sang out cuffer, before his companion could stop him. "we are not going to open that door," answered dick, in an equally loud voice. "we have got you fast and we intend to keep you so." "who are you?" "i am dick rover, and my two brothers are with me. we are well armed, and we'll shoot if you try to break that door down." "caught!" cried shelley in a rage, and then uttered several exclamations under his breath. "what are you going to do?" asked cuffer, after a moment of silence. "hold you prisoners until we can get help and then turn you over to the officers of the law." "we haven't done anything wrong." "that remains to be seen." "you haven't any right to lock us in here." "then we take the right," answered tom grimly. "let us smash the door down," came in a low tone from inside the room. "if you try it we'll surely fire," said dick, and cocked his pistol so the men might hear the click. tom did the same with the shotgun. "see here, you let us out and we'll make it all right with you," remarked shelley, after another pause. "we are not the bad fellows you take us to be. we were only going to play a joke, that's all." "i suppose you think sid merrick's doings are a joke, too," said sam, before he had time to think twice. "ha! what do you know of merrick?" ejaculated cuffer. "they must have been listening to our talk," he added, in a low tone to his companion. "yes, and if so, we are in a bad box," answered shelley. "i'd give a good deal to be out of here just now." "talk to them, while i take a look around," continued cuffer, struck by a sudden idea. shelley did as told, pleading with the three rovers to let him go and offering to pay fifty dollars for his liberty. he talked in a loud tone, to cover up what noise his companion might make. the boys listened, but refused to open the door until some sort of help should arrive, or until morning came. "sam, you go outside and see if jack and the ditwolds are anywhere around," said dick, and the youngest rover departed immediately. presently tom and dick heard cuffer give a cry of pain. "you've stepped on my sore toe!" howled the man. "phew! how it hurts!" the two men talked about the hurt toe for several minutes. then their voices suddenly ceased. tom and dick strained their ears, but could hear absolutely nothing. "they must be up to some trick," whispered the eldest rover. "hi, you, what are you doing?" he called out. there was no answer and the silence was just as ominous as before. the light in the inner room had gone out. "what are you doing?" repeated dick, and ran close to the door to listen. nothing but absolute silence followed. what to do next the two boys did not know. they waited for fully five minutes--then five more. presently they heard sam coming back. "i yelled for jack and the others, but i got no answer," said he. "what are the men doing?" "we don't know," answered tom. "we are afraid they are up to some trick." "a trick?" repeated sam. then he gave a gasp. "the room--isn't there a back door, leading out to the shed?" "i don't know," answered dick. "i'll run and see." sam was gone less than two minutes when they heard a cry, and then he pounded on the door they had so carefully guarded. "there is a back door and it is wide open. the men have gone!" was his dismaying announcement. chapter vi the story of a treasure it was a disheartening discovery, but the three rover boys did not stop to think it over. throwing open the bolted door, tom and dick joined sam, and in the darkness made their way to the rear of the room in which they had held cuffer and shelley prisoners. in a minute more they were outside, under the trees at the rear of the old mill. "which way did they go?" tom asked the question, but nobody could answer it. the moon had now gone under some clouds and it was so dark they could scarcely see ten feet in any direction. "perhaps they took to the river again," suggested sam. "it is not likely," answered his big brother. "but we can take a look." they ran around to where the men had landed. their boat was still in its place, tied to a tree. "listen!" cried sam. "somebody is shouting, and there is a light." "it is jack ness," said tom. the boys set up an answering shout, and soon a boat came up to the shore. it contained the hired man and the two ditwolds. they had a lantern with them and also an old-fashioned single-barrel shotgun. the situation was quickly explained, and then the party of six began a systematic search of the woods and the various roads in the vicinity of henderson's mill. this search lasted until morning, but nothing came of it. "we may as well give up," said dick, at last. "they have gotten away and that is all there is to it." the boys were completely tired out when they got home. their uncle and aunt were much worried over their prolonged absence and overjoyed to see them return unharmed. "i was so afraid one of you might get shot or something," said mrs. rover. "some of those chickens thieves are desperate characters." "those men were more than chicken thieves," answered dick. and he told his uncle and aunt of the conversation overheard at the old mill. "it is a great pity that they got away," said randolph rover. "what do you imagine they are after. uncle randolph?" questioned sam. "i do not know, excepting it may be some mining stocks or a deed to some property. perhaps your father will be able to explain it when he gets back." the authorities were notified, but they failed to apprehend the men. it was learned that the boat they had used had been stolen from a point near oak run, and the craft was returned to its owner. that they had used the old mill for a stopping place was evidenced by the remains of numerous meals found there. the boys made a careful search of the premises, but brought nothing to light which was of use to them. "i wish father was home--or we knew how to reach him by telephone, or with a telegram," remarked dick. "well, we can't reach him, so we'll have to be patient until he returns," answered sam. "by the way, i wonder if his going away had anything to do with what those men were up to?" "it might be so," returned dick, slowly. "both happenings are queer, to say the least." "i wish i knew what father has in mind to do," came from tom. "i hope we take some kind of a trip. i don't want to stick on the farm all summer." with nothing to do, the next two days passed slowly. the boys went fishing and swimming, and they also did some shooting at a target which they set up behind the barn, and whiled away some time at boxing and in gymnastic exercises. dick also spent an hour in penning a long letter to dora stanhope, who, as my old readers are well aware, was his dearest girl friend. dora and her mother lived not far from putnam hall, and dick and his brothers had become acquainted with her and her two cousins, nellie and grace laning, when they had first gone to school. the rover boys had on several occasions saved mrs. stanhope from serious trouble, and for this the widow was very grateful. she and her daughter had gone with them on the houseboat trip down the ohio and the mississippi, and mrs. laning and nellie and grace had likewise accompanied the party. it may be added here that tom and sam thought nellie and grace two of the nicest girls in the whole world, which indeed they were. on saturday morning the boys were contemplating a bicycle ride when sam, who chanced to look toward the road, set up a shout: "here comes father!" all gazed in the direction and saw mr. rover coming toward them in a rig he had hired at the depot. they ran to meet their parent and were soon shaking him by the hand. they saw that he looked travel-worn and tired. "i have been on the go ever since i left putnam hall," said anderson rover. "it was a most unexpected trip. i will tell you all about it as soon as i have rested a bit and had something to eat." "we have something to tell, too," answered dick. "but that can keep until later." inside of an hour mr. rover had been served with a good, hot breakfast and then he declared that he felt like a new man. he invited the whole family into the sitting room for a conference of importance. "i told you lads i had something on my mind," he said. "i did not want to speak of it while at the graduation exercises at the school because there was too much going on. now i am going to tell you everything and also tell you what i propose to do. but first i want to listen to what you have to tell me." it did not take the three boys long to relate the particulars of the pursuit of cuffer and shelley, and of what they had overheard at the old mill. anderson rover listened with close attention and did not seem surprised when they mentioned sid merrick's name. "that fits in, to a certain degree, with what i have to tell you," he said, when they had finished. "it is a strange story, and the only way for me to do, so that it will be perfectly clear to you, is to tell it from the beginning." "well, we're willing enough to listen," said dick, with a smile. "we've been on pins and needles ever since you said you had something important to tell," added tom, grinning. "well, to start, this concerns mrs. stanhope more than it concerns ourselves," began the father. "what!" ejaculated dick. he had not expected anything of this sort. "i knew you would be surprised, dick, and you'll be more surprised when i get through." "are the lanings in this?" questioned sam, thinking of grace. "they are in a certain sense--or will be if everything turns out successfully. when mr. stanhope died he left most of his property to mrs. stanhope and dora--the majority to dora--but a small share was left to the lanings, they being so closely related and such good friends." "but what is it all about?" asked tom, impatiently. "as i said before, i must start at the beginning, or perhaps you won't understand at all. as you know, mr. stanhope died some years ago. he was interested in various business enterprises, including a number of vessels which carried freight between the united states and the west indies. one of his partners in the freight-carrying business was a man named robertson and another was a silas merrick." "merrick!" cried sam. "yes, and this silas merrick was an older brother to sid merrick, the rascal who stole the bonds, and whom you heard mentioned by cuffer and shelley. let me say here that silas merrick is dead, and when he died he left all his property to his brother sidney and his sister. the sister is dead, too, and her property, so i understand, went to her son. tad sobber." "this is getting deep," said tom, his sunny face growing wrinkled. "it will soon get deeper, tom. during the time that the firm of stanhope, robertson & merrick were carrying freight from the west indies there was a fierce revolution in central america. some families of high rank were forced to flee, among them a nobleman named parmonelli, who left home carrying with him gold and diamonds worth many thousands of dollars. he managed to get on board one of the vessels owned by mr. stanhope's firm, and mr. stanhope was on the ship at the same time. the vessel was followed by revolutionists who were no better than pirates, and after a fierce fight the revolutionists shot parmonelli and carried off his fortune." "this is certainly getting deep," murmured sam. "parmonelli was not killed at once, but died two days after being shot down. he was very bitter against the revolutionists, and said they had no right to take his fortune from him--that it was his and did not belong to the state. as mr. stanhope had befriended him to the last he made a will, leaving the fortune to mr. stanhope if the same could be recovered." "and how much was it?" questioned dick. "i cannot say exactly--the will mentions six bags of gold and one bag of precious stones, all packed in several chests." "it's queer i never heard of this from dora," said dick. "she told me about the other money her father left." "mr. stanhope kept the matter to himself, and at his death told only mr. laning, for--as you know--mrs. stanhope was then in delicate health and it was deemed very unwise to excite her." "but what about the fortune--was it recovered?" asked tom. "no." "then the money has long since been spent," cried sam, in dismay. "no, sam, the money and the jewels, to the best of my knowledge and belief, have never been touched. when the revolutionists carried them off they said they were going straight back to central america with them. instead, however, they landed on an island of the west indies and there started to divide the fortune. this caused a bitter fight, in which several of the party were killed and wounded. then it was decided to hide the money and jewels in a cave on the island and make a division later. a place was selected and the gold and jewels placed under heavy rocks in a small cave. after that the party sailed away. when they got home, much to their surprise and dismay, they found their country in the hands once more of the government. they were captured and all but two were sentenced to be shot as traitors. the two were sent to prison and they were released less than a year ago. one was a spaniard named doranez and the other a spanish-american sailor named camel, but usually called bahama jack, because he has spent nearly all his life among the bahama islands." "did those two men go after the treasure when they got out of prison?" asked sam. "they wanted to, but they were poor and had forgotten the exact location of the island where the treasure was hidden. bahama jack was a happy-go-lucky sort of a sailor and he came to this country and worked for a while on a lumber schooner running from florida to boston. doranez also came to this country, but where he kept himself at first i do not know." "go on, dad, this is getting exciting," broke in tom, as his parent paused in his recital. "not long ago mrs. stanhope came to me for advice concerning this matter. mr. laning had told her everything, and she wanted to know if it would be worth while to organize an expedition to hunt for the treasure. i said i would look into the matter and ask her to give me what papers mr. stanhope had left in reference to the affair. i started to hunt up bahama jack and doranez. after a good deal of work i found the former and had several long talks with him." "did you get any news from him?" asked dick. "a little. he does not remember exactly where the island was located, but told much about its general appearance and what other islands were in that vicinity. but he also told me something else, which worried me a good deal. it was that sid merrick, as the heir of silas merrick, was also after the treasure." chapter vii in which something is missing "sid merrick after the treasure!" cried dick. "yes. he wants it both for himself and for his nephew, tad sobber. he claims that the revolutionists took it from a ship belonging in part to his brother and consequently he has as much right to it as has mrs. stanhope." "but that isn't so, is it?" asked sam. "no; the treasure, if it is found, belongs to mr. stanhope's estate absolutely--that is, to mrs. stanhope, dora and the lanings. the fact that silas merrick had an interest in the ship at the time of the stealing of the wealth cuts no figure at all." "what is sid merrick doing?" asked tom. "he has been working in secret, looking for bahama jack and the spaniard, doranez. i found out that he had one talk with bahama jack, but the sailor did not like merrick and told him very little. then i started to find doranez--he is the man i have been after during the past week. i found him and he promised to work with me if i would pay him for his trouble. but yesterday he sent me a note, stating he had changed his mind and was going to spain, to look up some of his relatives. so he is probably out of it from now on." "maybe he is going to look for the treasure on his own account," suggested randolph rover. "he cannot do that very well, for he has little or no money." "and what do you propose to do, father--go on a hunt for the treasure?" asked dick. "yes. from what papers i have on hand and the information gotten from bahama jack i think we stand a fair chance of locating that island and of finding the cave where the treasure is secreted. of course, there is a good deal of guess-work about it, but i am convinced the thing is worth trying." "and how are you going at it?" came from tom. "a friend of mine in philadelphia, a mr. dale, has a steam yacht which he is not going to use this summer, as he is going to europe. i have determined to charter that yacht and go on a cruise among the west indies. it will be a fine outing for the summer, even if we don't locate treasure isle, as mr. stanhope called the spot." "and you'll take us along?" asked tom, quickly. "if you want to go." "if we want to go? does a duck want to swim, or a dog want to scratch fleas? of course we want to go." "such a trip will suit me to a t," said sam. "and i hope with all my heart we locate that treasure," he added earnestly. "of course you'll take this bahama jack along," said dick. "yes, and i have promised him a big reward if the treasure is recovered," answered his father. "who else will be in the party?" at this question anderson rover's eyes began to sparkle. "i was going to keep it a secret, but perhaps i had better tell you. the steam yacht is a large one and can readily accommodate fifteen or twenty passengers. i have decided to ask mrs. stanhope to go and bring dora, and will also ask the lanings. then they will know exactly what is being done to recover the treasure. in addition, if you want to take some of your chums with you, as you did on that houseboat trip----" "hurrah, just the thing!" burst out sam. "let us take fred garrison by all means." "yes, and songbird powell and hans mueller," added tom. "they will help to make things lively." "can they go?" questioned dick. "we can telegraph and find out," answered tom. "i'll telegraph this afternoon," he added, always ready to do things on the rush. "we ought to get an answer to-night or to-morrow morning." "when do you want to start on the trip?" asked dick. "as soon as the party can be made up, and the steam yacht can be gotten in readiness. i have already instructed the captain to provision her for the trip." "then she has a captain and a crew?" "oh, yes, she carries ten men, including an engineer and his assistant." "that is certainly fine!" said dick, and he smiled as he thought of what a nice trip they would have with dora stanhope on board. dick was not "moonstruck," but he had a manly regard for dora that did him credit. after that anderson rover gave them many more details regarding the treasure, and his talks with bahama jack and of what he hoped to accomplish. he had a fair idea of the latitude and longitude of treasure isle, which, he had been told, was of coral formation, covered with palms and shaped somewhat like a horseshoe. "bahama jack says the treasure cave is about in the center of the inner curve of the island, but that you cannot sail close to it on account of the numerous reefs. you have to land on the island in a small boat, and that is why very few ships stop there. natives of that vicinity occasionally go there for fruit and for birds, but there is no regular village on the island." "if the island is shaped like a horseshoe we ought not to have great difficulty in locating it," said dick. "the trouble is, you cannot see the formation very well from the sea, dick. if one were in a balloon it would be different. you must remember that there are many hundreds of islands scattered in that part of our globe." "let's take a balloon along," suggested tom. "then we could go up and take a look around." "you couldn't look far enough, tom, and if you tried to sail in the balloon you'd probably drop into the ocean and be drowned. no, we'll have to do our searching from the steam yacht. but i have several maps and drawings which i think will aid us." "the things cuffer and shelley were after?" cried dick. "perhaps--if they are in league with sid merrick. merrick, of course, would like to get all the information possible." "i'd like to look at the maps and drawings." "so would i," added sam and tom. the idea of going on a treasure hunt filled them with great interest. "the maps and drawings i have are only copies," went on anderson rover. "the originals are in mrs. stanhope's possession." mr. rover turned to his brother. "you have them, randolph. will you please get them." "i have them?" queried randolph rover, in perplexity. as my old readers know, he was at times somewhat absent-minded. "why, yes, don't you remember my giving them to you? they were in a large yellow envelope. i think you placed them away with your traction company bonds." "why--er--so i did," stammered randolph rover. "but i--er--i don't quite remember what i did with them." he scratched his head. "i'll go and get my tin box." he left the sitting room, and after being gone fully ten minutes returned with a flat tin box, in which he kept some papers of value. "the envelope doesn't seem to be here," he said, turning over the contents of the box. "don't you remember it?" asked his brother, anxiously. "oh, yes, i remember it very well now. i saw it only a couple of days before i went to carwell with my bonds." "did you take that tin box to carwell?" asked tom. "yes." "was the envelope in it then?" "i--er--i really don't know, thomas. you see i was much upset, thinking my bonds were no good. perhaps the yellow envelope was in the box, under the bonds." "and did sid merrick have hold of the box?" demanded anderson rover. "he may have had. the box was on a side table, and he walked around the room and over to it several times." "then, unless you have the envelope now, sid merrick stole it," said anderson rover, somewhat bitterly. this announcement filled randolph rover with increased anxiety and as a result he looked over all his private papers and ransacked his safe and his desk from end to end. but the precious yellow envelope and its contents were not brought to light. "merrick must have gotten hold of that envelope at the time he stole the bonds," said dick. "maybe that is what made him trace up this story of the treasure." "that may be true, dick," answered his parent. randolph rover was greatly distressed over the disappearance of the maps and drawings and upbraided himself roundly for not having been more careful. "now that they are in this merrick's hands he may make use of them," he said dolefully. "undoubtedly he will," answered anderson rover. "if he has those papers and maps why did he send cuffer and shelley here?" asked tom. "most likely he thought he could get additional information." "it seems to me the best thing we can do is to get after that treasure without delay," said dick. "if we don't, merrick may form some kind of a party, locate the island, and steal the gold and jewels from under our very noses!" "oh, such things are not done in a day, dick," said his father, with a faint smile. "but i agree with you, the quicker we get after the treasure the better." after that a discussion lasting well after the dinner hour followed, and was only ended when mrs. rover fairly drove them into the dining room for the midday repast. it was resolved that the party to go in search of the treasure should be made up of anderson rover and his three sons, mrs. stanhope and dora, the lanings, and also fred garrison, songbird powell and hans mueller. during the afternoon a number of telegrams and letters were written, and the boys sent these off before nightfall. aleck pop was very much interested in such conversation as he had overheard, and as he had accompanied the boys to the jungles of africa and on the houseboat trip he was very anxious to be a member of the present party. "i don't see how yo' young gen'men is gwine to git along widout me," he said to sam. "don't yo' think you kin squeeze me aboadh somehow?" "aren't you afraid you'd get seasick, aleck?" asked sam. "i ain't afraid ob nuffin, if only yo'll take me along," answered the darkey earnestly. "i suppose the steam yacht has its cook." "dat might be, massa sam, but didn't i cook all right on dat houseboat?" "you certainly did." "might be as how i could gib dat cook on de yacht some p'ints as to wot yo' young gen'men like, ain't dat so?" "perhaps, aleck. if you wish, i'll speak to father about it." "tank yo' werry much, massa sam!" "but you must promise one thing," put in tom, who was listening to the talk. "wot is dat?" "you won't run off and marry the widow taylor when you get back." "huh! i'se done wid dat trash!" snorted aleck. "she kin mahrry dat thomas an' welcome. i don't want her or her chillun neither!" "all right, then, aleck, we'll see what we can do for you," said tom, and sam said the same. in the end it was agreed that aleck should accompany the party as a general helper, and this pleased the colored man very much. it was a lucky thing for the boys that aleck went along, as certain later events proved. chapter viii the rover boys in new york the more the rover boys talked about the treasure hunt the more enthusiastic they became, until, as tom expressed it, they were "simply boiling over with enthusiasm." "it will be a grand thing for the stanhopes and the lanings if we do locate that treasure," said sam. "mr. laning has some money, but i know he'd like more, so he wouldn't have to farm quite so hard." "and dick wants to get all he can for dora, i'm certain of that," said tom, with a merry glance at his elder brother. "how about you getting the laning share for nellie's benefit?" retorted dick, his face growing red. "i reckon the boot is as long as the shoe." as the rovers had plenty of money it was an easy matter to arrange for the expenses of the trip. mrs. stanhope wanted to pay a share, but anderson rover said she had better wait until the treasure was found. inside of three days word was received from all those who had been asked to participate in the search. mr. laning said that he could not leave his farm very well, but that his wife and two daughters would go. mrs. stanhope and dora said they would pack immediately. fred garrison was visiting hans mueller and the two sent a telegram as follows: "you couldn't hold us back if you tried. where shall we meet you?" "that's like fred," said dick. "i am awfully glad he is to be with us--and glad hans will come, too." the last telegram to come in was from songbird powell. the reply of the would-be poet of putnam hall was characteristic: "tell me where and i'll be there, on the run for lots of fun." "if that isn't songbird!" exclaimed sam, laughing, as he read the telegram. "had to talk in rhyme even over the telegraph wire!" it was finally decided that the whole party should meet in philadelphia about the fourth of july, which was now less than a week off. they should go directly to the steam yacht, and the voyage was to begin as soon as all arrangements were completed. "i wish to stop off at new york for a day," said anderson rover. "if you boys want to go with me you may do so." "that will suit me," answered dick, and his brothers said the same. it had been agreed that no outsiders should be told of the treasure hunt, so nothing was mentioned but a summer trip on a steam yacht. the day the rovers and aleck pop left the farm was a clear one, and all were in the best of spirits. the colored man drove to the depot with jack ness and the trunks and dress-suit cases, and all of the others went in the carryall, randolph rover driving and mrs. rover giving the boys final instructions about taking care of themselves. "i shall miss you very much," she said, with tears in her eyes. her lively nephews were as dear to her as if they were her own sons. "you'd better go along, aunt martha," said dick. "we'd like it first-rate," added sam. "it might help us to keep out of mischief," came from tom, with a bright smile. "no, i'll stay at home with your uncle, boys. but do take care of yourselves, and come home safe." "oh, there will be no danger in this trip," said dick, but he was mistaken--there was to be great peril and of an unusual kind. if the treasure hunters could have seen what was before them they would not have started off in such a confident frame of mind. the train was a little late, but presently it rolled into the station and the trunks and other baggage were hoisted aboard. then came the final embraces and the boys climbed up the steps, followed by their father and aleck. "hurrah, we are off at last!" cried tom, and waved his cap enthusiastically. the others did the same, and then the train started and oak run quickly faded from sight. as the boys settled down in their seats a lad came from another car and moved swiftly toward them. "songbird, by all that's lucky!" cried dick, and caught the other by the hand. "i thought you'd be on this train," answered songbird powell. "i got your wire last night that you would stop off at new york. i am going to stop, too--to see an uncle of mine on a little business." "then you'll travel with us to philadelphia?" queried sam. "sure." "good! tom was just saying he'd like some of the others along." "when i got your invitation i danced a jig of delight," went on songbird. "i just couldn't help it. then i sat down and wrote----" "a piece of poetry about it thirty-five stanzas long," finished tom. "no, tom, there are only six verses. you see i couldn't help it--i was so chuck full of enthusiasm. the poem begins like this: "'twas a peaceful, summer night, when all the stars were shining bright, there came a rap on our house door which made me leap from bed to floor. to me had come a telegram from my old chums, dick, tom and sam asking if i had a notion to sail with them upon the ocean. to skim along on waters blue----" "and then and there get seasick, too," finished tom. "don't forget to put in about the seasickness, songbird--it always goes with a voyage, you know." "seasick!" snorted the would-be poet. "who ever heard of seasickness in a poem? the next line is this: "and see so many sights quite new, to rest in quiet day by day and watch the fishes at their play." "that's the first verse. the second begins----" "save it, songbird, until we're on the yacht," interrupted sam. "we'll have more time to listen then." "all right," answered the would-be poet cheerfully. "i want to fix up some of the lines anyhow. i've got 'harm' to rhyme with 'storm' and it doesn't quite suit me." "never mind--a storm often does great harm," said dick. "you can easily fix it up by throwing out both words, you know." after that the talk drifted around to the matter of the treasure hunt and songbird was given some of the details, in which he became much interested. he declared that he thought the trip on the steam yacht would be even more interesting than the one on the houseboat had been. "we're after something definite this trip," he said. "we've got something to look forward to--especially if that sid merrick starts a rival hunt." "we want to get ahead of merrick," answered dick. "we want to locate treasure isle and get the gold and jewels before he knows what we are up to." "what's the name of the steam yacht?" "the _rainbow_." "that's a good name, for a rainbow is a sign of good promise," was songbird's comment. the party had to make one change of cars and had their dinner on the train. they arrived at the grand central depot at half past two o'clock and the rovers went to a nearby hotel, taking aleck with them, while songbird hurried off to transact his business with his uncle. mr. rover had to meet some men who were interested in his mining ventures in the far west, and so, after accommodations had been obtained, he hurried off, leaving the boys to their own devices. "let us take a stroll down broadway," suggested sam, to whom the sights of this busy thoroughfare were always interesting. the others were willing, and they passed through forty-second street to broadway and then turned southward. the street was filled with wagons, trucks and trolley cars, and the sidewalk appeared to "overflow with folks," as sam said. at one point a man was giving some sort of an exhibition in a store window and here the crowd was so great they had to walk out into the gutter to get past. "i can tell you one thing," remarked dick. "there is after all but one new york and no other city is like it." the boys walked slowly as far as union square and then sat down on one of the park benches to rest. nearly all the benches were filled with people and in idle curiosity dick began to scan the various types of men present, from bright, brisk clerks to fat and unshaved bummers, too lazy to work. "hullo!" dick uttered the exclamation so abruptly that sam and tom were startled. "what do you see?" queried both. "look there!" they gazed in the direction dick pointed out and on a distant bench saw a youth of about tom's age, but heavier-set, talking to a man who wore a rusty suit of brown and a peculiarly-shaped slouch hat. "why, that's tad sobber!" cried tom. "so it is," added sam. "who is that fellow with him?" "i don't know, although his figure looks somewhat familiar to me," answered dick. "what can tad be doing in new york?" questioned tom. "do you suppose he is down here with sid merrick?" "perhaps." "let's go over and see what he has to say for himself," suggested sam. "maybe he'll run away when he sees us." all of the boys were curious to know what the former bully of putnam hall might have to say for himself and they strode over to the bench upon which sobber and the man in brown were sitting. they came up behind the pair. "i can't give you any money, cuffer," they heard tad sobber say. "you'll have to wait till my uncle sid gets here." "when will he get to new york?" "to-morrow." "that fellow is cuffer, the man who ran away from us at the old mill!" cried dick. "let us catch him and hand him over to the police," returned tom. in his excitement he talked rather loudly and this attracted the attention of cuffer and tad sobber. "the rovers!" cried sobber, leaping to his feet in consternation. "how did they get down to new york?" "who did you say?" questioned cuffer, and then looking at the three youths his face blanched. "we must get away from here, and be quick about it!" he started to run and dick and sam went after him. the chase led to the lower end of the little park, and then cuffer crossed fourteenth street, and amid the crowd bound homeward for the day, pushed his way in the direction of the third avenue elevated railroad station. in the meantime tad sobber started to run in another direction. but before he had taken a dozen steps tom was on him and had him by the arm. "stop, sobber," he said shortly. "i won't! you let me go, tom rover." "i'll not let you go," answered tom, firmly. "and if you don't stand still i'll call a policeman and have you arrested." chapter ix a chase on the bowery tom's threat to have tad sobber arrested caused the former bully of the school to pause and turn pale. "you--er--you don't mean that," he faltered. "you can't have me arrested." "we'll see about that, sobber." "i haven't done anything wrong." "then why did you run away from putnam hall?" "i had a right to leave. captain putnam wasn't treating me fairly." "you ran away on account of that snake affair--you can't deny it." "humph!" "that snake nearly killed nick pell. he isn't over it yet, altogether." "bah! it wasn't the snake made nick sick. he wasn't feeling well some days before the snake bit him." "it was the snake and nothing else put him in bed," answered tom, warmly. "and that is not all. you are in league with your uncle, who robbed my uncle of those traction company bonds." "i--er--i don't know anything about that matter," answered sobber, hastily. "well, i know all about it. you were with your uncle when he got away from us, and when he dropped the pocketbook containing the bonds." "did you get the bonds back?" asked sobber, with sudden interest. it may be added here that sid merrick had gone back long after the chase to look for the pocketbook, but, of course, had been unable to get any trace of it. "we did." "my uncle didn't steal them. your uncle put them in his hands to sell," went on tad sobber, with sudden boldness. "it is all a cooked-up story about his running away with them. and it's a cooked-up story about his having anything to do with those freight thieves. my uncle is an honest man." "i know all about the freight affair, for i overheard him talking to some of the other thieves," answered tom. "where is your uncle now?" "do you think i'd be fool enough to tell you?" "perhaps you might--if i had you locked up." "my uncle is a good long way from new york." "i heard you tell that man your uncle would be in the city to-morrow." "i didn't say any such thing!" burst out sobber, but his manner showed that he was very much disturbed. "you did say it. where are you stopping?" "nowhere--i only got in a few hours ago." "did you come here to meet cuffer?" "what do you know about cuffer?" "i know your uncle hired him and a man named shelley to visit our farm and get some things belonging to my father." "why, you're crazy! my uncle hardly knows cuffer--and i never heard of a man named shelley." "i am not crazy, and you know i am speaking the truth," answered tom, calmly. "now you tell me where your uncle is or i'll have you arrested." "you'll not arrest me!" exclaimed tad sobber, and with a sudden movement he twisted himself free from tom's grasp. "you follow me and you'll get the worst of it!" he added, and darted across the park at top speed. [illustration: he twisted himself free from tom's grasp and ran.] tom made after the bully, but as luck would have it a nurse girl with a baby carriage got between them and before tom could clear himself of the carriage sobber was a good distance away. he turned to the eastward, down a side street where a large building was in the course of erection. he looked back and then skipped into the unfinished building. "he shan't catch me," he muttered to himself, and ran to the rear of the building, amid piles of bricks and concrete blocks. a number of workmen were present, but nobody noticed him. reaching the building tom peered inside, but saw nothing of the bully. he was about to go in when a warning cry reached him from overhead. "get back there, unless you want to be hurt!" tom looked up and saw a workman in the act of throwing down a mass of rubbish, broken bricks, sticks and old mortar. he leaped back and the stuff descended in front of him and raised a cloud of dust. "what do you want here, young man?" demanded the superintendent of the building as he came forward. "i am after a boy who just ran in here." "nobody here that i saw." "he just came in." "we don't allow skylarking around here. you make yourself scarce," and the superintendent waved tom away. "i want to have that fellow arrested--that is why he ran away from me." "oh, that's a different thing. go find him, if you can." the superintendent stepped aside and tom entered the building. but the delay had cost him dear, for in the meanwhile tad sobber had made good his escape by running back to the next street. tom looked around for over quarter of an hour and then gave up the chase. "it's too bad, but it can't be helped," he mused. "i may as well go back to the park and wait for dick and sam. i hope they caught that cuffer." while tom was talking to sobber the other rover boys had followed cuffer to the elevated railroad station. a train was just coming in and cuffer bounded up the steps two at a time, with the boys not far behind. "stop that man!" cried dick, to the crowd coming from the train. but before anybody would or could act, cuffer had slipped past the man at the ticket box and was trying to board one of the cars. dick essayed to follow, but the ticket box guard stopped him. "not to fast, young fellow. where's your ticket?" "i must catch that man--he is wanted by the police," answered dick. "that's an old dodge, but it don't work with me, see? you go back and get a ticket," said the gateman, firmly. "but he'll get away from me," pleaded the eldest rover. "if he does, it's not my fault. you can't pass here without a ticket." by this time the train was almost ready to start. but sam had procured tickets and he rushed up. "there are two tickets!" he cried. "come on, dick!" and he sprinted for the train. the guard was closing the platform gate, but they managed to squeeze through. the train was crowded with people going home from their day's work and in the jam they could see nothing of cuffer. "but he is on board," said dick. "i know it," returned his brother, "and we must find him. quick, you go to the front and i'll go to the rear. if you locate him, tell the trainman you want him arrested at the next station." without another word the brothers separated and each tried to work his way to an end of the train, which was composed of five cars. this was by no means easy, for the crowd was in no humor to be jostled or have its toes stepped upon. "look where you are going!" cried one stout man to sam. "stop pushing me!" and then as the youngest rover dodged out of his way he ran his ear into the big feather on a young lady clerk's immense hat. the girl glared at him and murmured something under her breath, which was far from complimentary. by the time he had reached the front end of the car half a dozen passengers were his enemies. dick had gone to the rear and as he entered the last car he saw cuffer crouching down in a seat near the door. the train was stopping at another station, and quick as a flash the fellow arose in the seat, shot between dick and a man with several bundles, and forced his way out on the platform. dick tried to follow, but was caught fast by several men. "here, don't be acting in such a rowdy fashion!" cried one man, in great irritation. "you knocked my bundle from my hand!" added another. "it's a shame the way some roughs act on these trains. the authorities ought to have them arrested," he went on in a loud voice. "what's the trouble in there?" demanded a policeman, who was on the station platform in the crowd. "this young fellow is too fresh," explained the man who had dropped his bundle. "i want to get off, that's all," said dick. "well, you behave yourself," growled the guardian of the peace, and dick was glad enough to get away with this reprimand. he saw cuffer running for the stairs and made after him as rapidly as the density of the crowd permitted. when dick gained the street once more the train bearing sam was again on its way downtown. cuffer was about a block away, running past cooper institute in the direction of the bowery. "i may as well keep up the chase and try to run him down," thought dick, but he wished his brother was with him. at this time of day the bowery, always a busy thoroughfare, was swarming with people, and the numerous "barkers" for the clothing stores, photograph establishments, and the like, were doing their best to make trade come to them. as dick hurried past one clothing establishment a short, stocky jew stepped in front of him. "von't you step inside, young chentleman? i sell you some gloding cheap as dirt." "i don't want any clothing," answered dick, briefly. "i vos mof next veek, und i sell you a suit for next to nodding," persisted the clothing dealer. "i don't want to buy anything," said dick, and tried to push past the man. the fellow caught him by the arm. "if you vill only look at dose peautiful suits vot i haf for twelf dollar----" the jew got no further, for with a strong push dick sent him staggering among the dummies in front of his store. he tried to recover his balance, but could not, and over he went, bringing down two of the dummies on top of him. "serves you right," flung back dick, as he ran on. "the next time you'll know enough to leave me alone." "isaac! moses! sthop dot young mans!" bawled the clothing dealer, as he scrambled to his feet. "he has ruined two peautiful dummies, mit fine suits on! sthop him!" "not to-day!" muttered dick, and dodged into the crowd. then, seeing that cuffer had crossed the street, he did the same, and continued the pursuit on that side. but to follow anybody long in a crowd on the bowery is not easy, and after six blocks had been passed dick came to a halt on a corner in bewilderment. he had seen cuffer last on that corner, but where the rascal had gone was a question. "want a paper?" asked an urchin close by. "evening papers!" "say, kid, did you see a man run past here just now?" asked dick. "sure i did." "where did he go?" "wot will yer give me if i tell yer?" asked the newsboy shrewdly. "five cents." "all right, hand over de nickel." "here it is," and dick showed the money in his hand. "now where was it?" "he went in de sunrise hotel, down dare. i watched him run in." "what kind of a hat did he have on?" "a soft hat wid a big knock in one side." "and you are sure he went in that hotel?" "cross me heart, mister. i watched him, cos he was out o' breath, an' i knowed he was up to som't'in'." "here is your money," answered dick, and passed the nickel over. then he walked to the hotel and paused on the sidewalk to look the place over before entering. chapter x dick becomes a prisoner the sunrise hotel had seen better days. it was a five-story brick building, blackened by age and had numerous small windows, down in front of which ran an iron fire escape. the lower floor was used as a drinking place, to one side of which ran a narrow stairs, leading to an office and a parlor above. looking in over the short doors of the drinking place, dick saw that cuffer was not there. he rightly surmised that the fellow had gone upstairs, to a room he was occupying. "perhaps that fellow shelley is with him," mused dick. "if so, i'd like to collar them both." several men were coming and going and nobody paid particular attention to the youth until he gained the dingy office, where two men were smoking and talking over the merits of some race horses. "what can i do for you?" asked one of the men abruptly, as dick looked around. "is a man named cuffer stopping here?" the hotel clerk shook his head. "perhaps i have the name wrong. i mean a man who came in a minute or two ago--fellow with a soft hat, knocked in on the side." "oh, that chap! yes, he's here--room eighteen, next floor," and the clerk pointed up the stairs, for the hotel had no elevator. dick walked up the stairs slowly, revolving in his mind what he should do if he met cuffer face to face. if he had the man arrested it might lead to legal complications, and the voyage in search of treasure isle might be delayed. it would be hard to prove that the rascal had done any actual wrong. reaching the upper hallway, dick looked at the dingy numbers on the still more dingy doors. eighteen proved to be at the rear, where it was so dark he could scarcely see. as the youth approached the door he heard a murmur of voices in the room beyond. he listened, and made out cuffer speaking, and then he recognized the voice of shelley. "and so i dusted out before i had a chance to get any money from sobber," cuffer was saying. "well, did the rovers catch the young fellow?" questioned shelley. "that i don't know. if he didn't know enough to run away he is a fool." "you say one of the rovers followed you from the train?" "yes, but i gave him the slip as soon as i reached the bowery," answered cuffer with a chuckle. "well, what are we to do next?" asked shelley, after a pause. "there is nothing to do but to wait until to-morrow, when merrick arrives." "have you any faith in this treasure hunt of his?" "i have so long as he pays the bills. i wouldn't put a cent of my own money in it." "has he got enough money to see the thing through?" "so he says. he met the captain of that tramp vessel somewhere and got him interested in the hunt by promising him a share of the find. he says as soon as he can get hold of a spaniard who knows the exact location of the island he'll set sail." "and take the spaniard along?" "of course. the spaniard was one of the chaps who originally took the treasure to the island." "well, where do we come in?" "he wants us along because he is afraid the fellows on the vessel will make a fight for the gold and jewels when they are found. some of those sailors are pretty bloodthirsty, you know. he says he is going to take at least four strong men whom he can trust." dick listened with keen interest to this talk, which revealed a great deal. sid merrick had made an arrangement to go on a voyage after the treasure! how soon he would start there was no telling, but probably as quickly as he could get ready. more than this, he expected to have with him the spaniard, doranez, the fellow who had said he was going to spain to visit his relatives. more than likely merrick and doranez were in league with each other and would do all in their power to keep the treasure out of the hands of the rightful owners. "if only tom and sam were here," thought dick. "or if only tom has captured tad sobber! this is getting lively, to say the least." the men were now speaking in a lower tone and he put his ear to the keyhole, to catch what they might say. then, of a sudden, the door opened and he found himself confronted by shelley. "thought i heard somebody in the hall!" cried that individual, and grabbed dick by the arm. "let go!" answered the youth and tried to break away. but sobber came to shelley's assistance, and between them the two men dragged the boy into the room and shut the door after him. dick struggled vigorously even when in the apartment until sobber caught up an empty water pitcher and flourished it over his head. "make another move and i'll knock you senseless with this!" he exclaimed and the look on his face showed he meant what he said. seeing his captors were too powerful for him, dick subsided and was forced into a chair in a corner. "been listening to all our talk, i suppose," said cuffer, uglily. he was angry to think that dick had been able to follow him after all. "i have," was the youth's bold reply. he felt nothing was to be gained by beating around the bush. "it's a nice business to be in!" "it is better than the business you are in." "i don't think so." "i do. you fellows are in league with sid merrick, and you know what sort he is." "see here," interrupted shelley. "now we have him in here, what are we going to do with him?" "you are going to let me out," said dick. "perhaps we are," said cuffer, and gave shelley a significant look. "let us see if he's got any papers with him," suggested shelley, and returned the look given to him by his companion. the look meant that they would go through dick's pockets and rob him. the men were thorough rascals and if the youth had anything worth taking they meant to have it. "you keep out of my pockets!" cried dick and started to rise from the chair in which he was sitting. instantly both men grabbed him, and while cuffer held him tightly from the rear, shelley caught up a towel and gagged him. then a bed sheet was used to tie dick inside of a closet in a corner of the room. "listen, i think somebody is coming!" cried cuffer, in sudden alarm. "keep the boy quiet!" answered shelley and ran to the hall door just as a knock sounded upon it. "what's the racket up here?" demanded the voice of the hotel clerk. "oh, we were only trying a vaudeville turn," answered shelley, coolly. "we have an engagement for next week." "well, stop that noise and don't break any of the furniture, or you'll pay for it," growled the clerk and went away. it chanced that actors occasionally stopped at the hotel and practised their parts. shelley knew of this, hence the excuse he gave for the noise made in rendering dick a prisoner. as soon as the clerk had retired cuffer and shelley both paid their attention to dick, and with great rapidity they went through his pockets, stripping him of his watch and chain, and twenty-four dollars and a quarter in money. they also took a small diamond scarf pin and a ring set with a valuable ruby. in one pocket cuffer found several letters and he likewise appropriated these. "not such a bad haul," was the thief's comment. of course, dick did not submit willingly, but with a gag in his mouth, and his hands and feet tied tightly, he could do but little. as soon as the men had taken his things from him, they shut the closet door upon him and locked it. a few minutes later all became quiet, showing that they had left the room. the closet was small and stuffy and in this warm weather made dick perspire freely. but without waiting to make certain that the men were really gone, he commenced to work upon his bonds and the gag in his mouth. it was no light task and it was a good quarter of an hour before he got one hand loose. then he freed his other hand and undid the troublesome gag, which had all but smothered him, and then unfastened his feet. he was still a prisoner in the closet, the door of which was an old-fashioned one and thick. but by bracing his feet against the back wall, dick got a firm hold and soon his shoulder on the barrier caused it to bend and creak. then the lock gave way and the door flew open with a bang. a glance around the room showed that the men had flown, and for good, for two valises which had stood in a corner were missing. dick leaped to the hall door, only to find it locked from the outside. "they must have gone that way," he reasoned, after a look out of the window, and then he rapped on the door loudly. it was several minutes before anybody answered his summons. then an ignorant looking chambermaid appeared. "phot does yez want?" she demanded, in a strong irish brogue. "i am locked in. let me out," answered dick. after some fumbling, the chambermaid found her key and unlocked the door. she gazed at dick in some surprise, for she saw that he was excited. "sure, i didn't know yez had that room," she said. "did you see the two men who had this room?" demanded the youth. "i did not." "they robbed me and ran away." "saints preserve us! robbed ye? of phat?" "of everything i had. sure you didn't see 'em?" "not since this marnin'." "well, they must have just gone out," said dick, and ran down the stairs and to the office. here he found the place deserted, the clerk having gone down to the dining room for his supper, and nobody else being on duty. the clerk listened to his story with small interest and shrugged his shoulders. "don't see what i can do," he said. "we ain't responsible for our guests. you had better go and see the police. i hope you catch them, for such rascals give hotels bad reputations." "do you know the men at all?" "no, never set eyes on 'em until a couple of days ago. then they came in, hired that room, and came and went to suit themselves. one was named brown and the other smith--at least that's the names on the register." "those were fake names. then you won't help me to catch them?" "i don't see what i can do," answered the clerk, calmly. "we are not to blame for this, you can see that for yourself." dick could see, and after a few words more, he left the hotel, feeling very depressed in spirits. he spent an hour in looking up and down the bowery for cuffer and shelley, but without success. then, as it was getting late, he returned to the hotel at which he and the rest of his family were putting up. chapter xi aboard the steam yacht mr. rover, as well as tom and sam, had come in, and all were anxious to hear what dick might have to report. they were filled with amazement at the story of the robbery. "i thought i'd wait about telling the police until i had heard what you had to say," said dick, to his father. "i am afraid in a big city like new york it won't do much good to tell the police," answered anderson rover. "however, we can report it to-morrow. but i think cuffer and shelley will keep in the shade until they see sid merrick and have a chance to get away," and in this surmise mr. rover was correct. the matter was reported to the police, and that was the end of it, so far as the authorities went, for they failed to apprehend the evildoers. mr. rover was much worried when he learned that merrick had fallen in with a captain of a tramp vessel who was ready to go on a hunt for the treasure. and he was still more worried when dick told him of the letters which had been abstracted from his coat pocket by the thieves. among them was one from mrs. stanhope mentioning the treasure hunt and how she would be on hand at philadelphia to board the steam yacht with dora and the lanings. "if cuffer and shelley turn that letter over to merrick it will give him some idea of our proposed trip," said mr. rover, "and more than likely he will strain every nerve to get ahead of us." "his vessel may not be able to sail as fast as our steam yacht," said tom. "that is true, tom, but he may get down among the west indies before we can locate treasure isle and then he'll have as good a chance as ourselves. moreover, if he should land on the isle at the time we did----" "there'd be a hot time, that's sure," said the fun-loving boy, with a grin. "do you think they'd fight?" asked sam. "yes, if they saw a chance of getting the best of us," answered his father. "i wish i had caught tad sobber," came from tom, regretfully. "that might have done some good, but i doubt it," said anderson rover. "from what i have learned of this sid merrick he is a man bound to do as he sees fit, regardless of those around him. when the freight thieves were captured he managed to get away, and he'll try to get away even if we catch tad, cuffer and shelley." "i guess he is a worse man than arnold baxter was," was dick's comment. he referred to an old enemy of the rovers, who had now reformed. "much worse than either mr. baxter or his son dan ever were," answered mr. rover. "if caught in a corner i think this merrick would be capable of any wicked thing." "what do you advise?" asked tom. "we will go to philadelphia as soon as possible and get the steam yacht ready for the trip. the best way to foil merrick and his crowd is to find the isle, get possession of the treasure, and get away before they know what we are doing," answered anderson rover. on the following day the party was rejoined by songbird, and then all journeyed to philadelphia, taking aleck pop with them. they found the _rainbow_ tied up to a dock along the delaware river, and went aboard. the master of the craft, captain barforth, was on hand to greet them, and he speedily made them feel at home. the captain was a big, good-natured man of about forty, and the boys knew they would like him the moment they saw him. "well, this is certainly a swell boat," said sam, after an inspection. "and as clean as a whistle." "puts me in mind of the deserted steam yacht we boarded in the gulf of mexico," answered dick, referring to a happening which has been related in detail in "the rover boys in southern waters." "wonder if we'll have as many adventures as we did on that boat," mused dick. "those were hot times, eh?" "we'll not lack for adventures if we come into contact with merrick and his gang," answered songbird, who had been told all the details of the adventures in new york. there were six single and four double staterooms aboard the steam yacht, so the rovers and their friends were not crowded for accommodations, since even a single room contained two berths, an upper and a lower. each room was done in white and gold, giving it a truly aristocratic appearance. there was a good deal of brass and nickel-plated work, and the metal shone like a mirror. "i declare it's most too good to use," said sam when on a tour of inspection. "this craft must have cost a sight of money." "it did," answered his father. "but the owner is a millionaire so he can well afford it." the boys were as much interested in the machinery as in anything, and they visited the engine room and became acquainted with frank norton, the head engineer. they learned that the engine was of the most modern type, and that the _rainbow_, in spite of her breadth of beam--she was rather wide--could make twenty to twenty-six knots an hour in an ordinary sea. "and we've got a licence to go where we please," added the head engineer proudly. now that they were aboard the steam yacht the rover boys were anxious to be sailing. but they were also anxious to greet their friends and they awaited the arrival of the others with interest. fred garrison and hans mueller came in together, the following noon, hans lugging a dress-suit case that was as big almost as a dog house. "here we are again!" sang out fred, dropping his baggage and shaking hands all around. "i declare it's like when we went on the houseboat trip." "maybe i ton't vos glad to drop dot leetle drunk alretty?" said hans, indicating his baggage. "he vos veigh most a don, i dink." "why didn't you let an expressman bring it?" asked dick. "not much!" declared the german youth shaking his head vigorously. "vonce i haf a pox mid a new hat in him, und i say to a poy, carry dot und i gif you den cents. vell, he is carrying dot yet, i dink, for i ton't see dot hat no more, nefer!" "well, you won't have to carry any more baggage for a long while to come," said mr. rover, with a smile, and then had aleck take the things below. when hans saw the elegant staterooms, and the main saloon of the steam yacht with its beautiful mirrors and rich carvings, his eyes bulged out like saucers. "mine cracious!" he gasped. "vos dis der poat we sail in, udder vos dis a poat pelonging to mr. vanderfellow, or some of dose udder millionaires?" "this is the boat," said tom, with a wink at the others. "of course it's rather plain, hans, but maybe you'll get used to it." "blain? vy, dom----" "there are only six kinds of baths aboard, cold, hot, soda, milk, mustard, and cream de fizz, but if you want any other kind all you've got to do is to ask the ship's carpenter about it." "six kinds of paths! vy i ton't vos----" "and then at meals the cook serves only five kinds of dessert--pie, fruit, iced-cabbage, vinegar sherbit, and hot lardalumpabus. of course i know you don't like pie and fruit and things like that, but you'll fall dead in love with the lardalumpabus," went on the fun-loving rover. "vot is dot lardapusalump ennahow?" queried hans, scratching his head gravely. "i ton't remember him." "why, it's a compote, with frizzled gizzardinus and pollylolly. it's delicious, served with cream and salt--but you want lots of salt, hans, lots of salt." "maybe i try him, i ton't know," answered the german youth, gravely. and then even tom had to turn away, to keep from roaring in hans' face. the rover boys went to the depot to meet the train which was to bring in the stanhopes and the lanings. there was a little delay, but it was soon over and they were shaking hands warmly all around. "it seems so delightful to go off on another trip!" said dora, to dick. "i know i am going to enjoy it very much!" "and i know i am going to enjoy it, too--with you along," answered dick, with a smile which spoke volumes. "mother is quite excited--thinking she is going on a treasure hunt," went on dora. "but i think a few days' rest on shipboard will quiet her nerves." "i hope for your sake, dora, our hunt proves successful," added dick, gallantly. "i have always wanted to go to the west indies," said nellie laning to tom. "i want to pick some ripe bananas and cocoanuts right from the trees." "yes, and ripe oranges," put in grace. "won't it be jolly?" she added, turning to sam. "too jolly for anything!" murmured sam, and then he gave grace's arm a little squeeze and led her through the crowd to where a carriage was in waiting. there were trunks to be looked after, but the checks for these were turned over to aleck, and the colored man saw to it that all the baggage was properly transferred to the steam yacht. it was with not a little pride that the boys took the stanhopes and the lanings aboard the _rainbow_, for, although they did not own the elegant craft it was something to even have her under charter. mr. rover met the newcomers at the gangplank and made them welcome. "oh, but isn't this just too lovely for anything!" cried dora, as she surveyed the double stateroom assigned to her and her mother. "and look at the fine bunch of roses on the stand!" she looked at dick. "this is some of your doings, isn't it?" "yes." "thank you very much! but you must have one," and the girl promptly pinned one of the largest in his buttonhole. "this is more than comfortable," said mrs. stanhope, with a sigh of satisfaction. and then she sank down in an easy chair to rest, for the long journey from cedarville had greatly fatigued her. in the meantime the other boys had taken the lanings to another double stateroom, equally luxurious. here a vase held a big bunch of carnations, the gift of tom and sam combined. nellie and grace and their mother were much pleased and said so. "tom, i could almost hug you for this!" cried nellie, in a low voice. "well, nobody is stopping you," he added promptly. "all right, i will--on your next birthday," cried nellie, not to be caught. "but really, i'm a thousand times obliged to you." "this is like a room in a fairies' palace!" exclaimed grace. "i know when i go to sleep i'll dream of fairies and rainbows, and pots of gold----" "the gold we want to unearth," broke in sam. "just dream where that is located and then tell us of it." "oh, you'll be sure to find that." "how do you know?" "oh, you never fail in anything," and grace gave him a sunny smile. "i don't know about that, grace. this is going to be no easy task." "oh, i know that, sam, but you'll win in the end, i know you will." "i trust we do--for your sake as much as for the others. you know if it is found a good share of the treasure goes to your mother." "yes, and that will be awfully nice." "maybe, if you get all that money, you won't notice poor me." "poor you? why, you'll have a great deal more than we'll have anyway. you are rich already." "well, if you get the money you won't forget me, will you?" persisted sam. "what a queer boy you are, sam! forget you! well, just try me with the money and see!" she added, and gave him one of her warmest smiles. then she danced off to look at the rest of the steam yacht, and the youngest rover followed her. chapter xii something about firecrackers all was in readiness for departure but one thing, and that was the most important of all. bahama bill had not put in an appearance and was not expected until the evening of the fourth of july. "we shall have to remain over the fourth after all," said anderson rover. "but i imagine that will suit you boys, for you can stay in the city and have some fun." it did suit all the young folks, and they immediately planned a fine automobile tour for the afternoon, hiring two autos large enough to accommodate all of the girls and boys. the morning was spent in and around the yacht, where tom and some of the others amused themselves by shooting off their pistols and some firecrackers. tom had purchased some things for the fourth the day previous and he had one package which he was careful to keep out of sight. "i am going to have a barrel of fun with the girls," he said to his brothers. "but don't tell anybody about it." "what is it?" asked his younger brother. "wait and see." it had been arranged that the whole party should have an early lunch, so that they might start on the automobile ride by one o'clock. aleck was in charge of the dining room of the yacht and he had spread himself in trimming it with red, white and blue streamers and small flags. "oh, how lovely!" cried dora, as she came in and sat down. "i declare, aleck, you deserve a great deal of credit." and she gave the colored man a smile which pleased him immensely. "where is tom?" asked mr. rover, after all the others were seated. "i ton't know," answered hans. "tidn't he know ve vos to eat a leetle early to-tay?" "he's coming," answered sam. just then tom came into the dining room holding something in his hand covered with a long paper bag. from under the bag smoke was curling. "in honor of the fourth of july!" cried the fun-loving rover and placed the object upright in the center of the long table. then he took off the bag with a flourish. there was revealed a big cannon cracker, fully a foot and a half high and several inches in diameter. the fuse was spluttering away at a great rate. "tom!" yelled mr. rover in alarm. "throw that thing out!" "we'll be blown to pieces!" yelled fred. "that's too big to shoot off indoors," added songbird, preparing to run. "ve peen knocked to bieces!" groaned hans, and slid under the table out of sight. the ladies shrieked and so did the girls. mrs. stanhope looked ready to faint, but tom whispered hastily into her ear and she recovered. mr. rover wanted to throw the cannon cracker through a window, but tom held him back. the long fuse continued to splutter and all watched it as if fascinated, and the girls put their hands to their ears in anticipation of a fearful explosion. then came a tiny flash, a strange clicking, and off flew the top of the cannon cracker, sending a shower of confetti of various colors in all directions. "oh!" shrieked the girls, and then everybody but hans set up a laugh. the german youth looked suspiciously out from under the table. "vot's der madder--did he go off?" he questioned. "yes, he did, hans," answered grace. "it was nothing but a cracker full of colored paper instead of powder." "is dot so?" hans got up and looked around. "vell, i neffer! looks like ve got a colored snowstorm alretty, hey?" and this caused a roar. it certainly did look like a "colored snowstorm," for the confetti was everywhere, on the table, on their heads and over their clothing. now it was over everybody was highly amused, even mrs. stanhope laughing heartily. as for aleck, he roared so loudly he could be heard a block up the docks. "dat's jess like massa tom!" he cried. "i suspicioned he'd be up to somet'ing afo' de day was up. yo' can't keep him down no mo' dan yo' kin keep a jack-rabbit from hoppin', no, sah!" "it certainly looked like the real thing," was mr. rover's comment. "had it been----" "i'd never have brought it in here," finished tom. "i'm sorry if i frightened anybody," he added, looking at mrs. stanhope and mrs. laning. "we'll forgive you, tom," answered mrs. stanhope, and mrs. laning said she would, provided he wouldn't scare them again that holiday. after that, the confetti on the table was cleared away and they ate their lunch amid a constant cracking of jokes and bright sayings. songbird woke up and recited some verses he said he had composed the night before, while lying awake in his berth. some of these ran in this fashion: "this is the day i love the best-- the day the small boy knows no rest,-- the day when all our banners soar, the day when all our cannons roar, the day when all are free from care, and shouts and music fill the air!" "good for songbird!" cried sam. "go on, please!" came from the girls, and the poet of putnam hall continued: "i love this land of liberty from mountains down to flowing sea, i love its cities and its plains, its valleys and its rocky chains, i'm glad to know that we are free, and so forever may we be!" "hurrah, songbird, you ought to have that set to music," cried dick. "maybe i will, some day," answered the would-be poet modestly. "i dink i make some boetry up, too," remarked hans, after several minutes of serious thought on his part. "chust you listen vonce!" and he began: "dis is der day ven crackers bust und fill der air mid bowder tust, und ven you shoots your bistol off, you make a smokes vot makes you cough. a rocket goes up in der sky-- der sthick vos hit you in der eye!" "three cheers for hans!" shouted tom, clapping the german lad on the back. "for real, first-class a, no. , first-chop poetry that can't be beat." and then as the others screamed with laughter tom went on: "a little boy, a can of powder, a scratch, a flash-- he's gone to chowder!" "oh, tom, what horrible poetry!" cried nellie, as she shivered. "well, i couldn't help it," he said. "i had to say something or--or bust! perhaps this will suit you better," and he continued: "a little boy, a great big gun, a father yelling on the run. the trigger falls, there is a roar. the father halts-- the danger's o'er." "tom, you're positively the worst boy ever!" said nellie, but the way she spoke told she meant just the opposite. "i tell you vot ve vos do, tom," suggested hans. "ve vos form a boetry association alretty, hey? songpirt can be der bresident." "what will you be, secretary?" asked fred. "no, i vos peen treasurer," answered hans. "hans wants the money," put in dick. "dot's it," answered the german youth calmly. "ven dem udder fellers makes up pad verses i vos fine dem a tollar, und ven i gits enough tollars i skip me to canada or mexigo, hey?" and he said this so comically everybody had to laugh. the automobiles had been ordered down to the dock and were already in waiting. each was in charge of a chauffeur, and soon the boys and girls went ashore and piled in. dick and dora, sam and grace, and fred got in the first turnout and the others in the second. "now do not go too far," said mrs. stanhope, "and be sure and keep on roads that are safe." "and do not stay out later than ten o'clock this evening," added mrs. laning. "oh, we'll be back safe and sound and on time," cried dick. "so don't worry about us." "those are both powerful machines," was mr. rover's comment. "be careful that you don't exceed the speed limits, or you may be arrested." "providing they catch us," answered tom, with a grin. it had been decided that they should go out into the country by the way of germantown, and soon they were bowling along in fine fashion over the smooth city pavement. here and there they met crowds shooting off pistols and firecrackers. "it is good we haven't horses," said sam. "this racket might cause them to run away." "that is where the automobilist has the advantage over a horse driver, sam," answered his big brother. "but i must say, some of the young fellows on the street are rather careless." scarcely had dick spoken when the big machine rounded a corner and speeded through a crowd of what were evidently factory hands. they were shooting off pistols and firecrackers and raised a great din. then one ugly looking young fellow lighted a firecracker and sent it toward the automobile. it landed directly in dora's lap. "oh!" screamed dora, and tried to draw away. as quick as a flash dick leaned forward and caught up the firecracker. as he threw it out of the automobile it exploded close by. "do that again, and i'll come back at you!" shouted the elder rover, and shook his fist at the fellow in the street. "dick, did it hurt you?" asked dora, anxiously. "oh, it burst my little finger a trifle, that's all," was the reply. the finger smarted quite some, but dick did not want to show it. "we ought to go back and punch his head," was sam's comment. "wonder if they'll try that game on the other auto," said fred, as he arose to look back. he saw the street rough throw a lighted firecracker at the other machine. it landed on the floor of the tonneau, but like a flash tom was after it. the fun-loving rover held it up, took aim, and sent it straight at the fellow who had first launched it. bang! went the firecracker, right close to the rough's left ear. he set up a howl of pain, for he had been burnt enough to make it smart well. "there, he's paid back," said fred, and then the two automobiles passed on, leaving the roughs in the distance. chapter xiii a wild automobile ride "this is glorious!" "it certainly could not be finer, dick." "some day, dora, i am going to take you for a long ride," went on dick. "i mean some day after we get home with that treasure," he added, in a lower tone, so that the chauffeur might not hear. "that's a long time off, dick." "perhaps not so long." "and what are you going to do after this hunt is over?" "go to college, i guess. it is not yet fully decided, for we don't know what college to go to." "i hope----" dora broke off short. "what, dora." "oh, i was just thinking. mamma thinks that i might go to college. if i went it would be nice if we went to two places that were near each other." "nice? it would be the best ever!" cried dick, enthusiastically. they were running along a country road a good many miles from philadelphia. all the noise of the city had been left behind and it was as calm and peaceful as one would wish. the second machine was only a short distance behind the first, and each was making not less than thirty miles per hour. "do you know, some day i am going to make a regular tour in an auto," remarked sam. "i am sure a fellow could have lots of fun." "you can have this machine any time you want to," said the chauffeur, who had taken greatly to the party. "we'll remember," answered dick, indifferently. he did not particularly fancy the fellow, for he was rather familiar and his breath smelt of liquor. twice he had talked of stopping at road houses, but dick had told him to go on, fearful that he might drink too much. a hill was before the automobiles, but both machines climbed it without an effort. from the top of the hill a fine view was to be obtained, and here a hotel had been located, and this displayed a sign which interested the boys and girls very much: ice cream. soda water. root beer. best candy. "let us stop for some ice-cream," suggested songbird. and he yelled to those in the automobile ahead. all of the girls loved ice-cream, so despite dick's anxiety over his chauffeur, a stop was made, and the boys and girls filed into the hotel for the treat. dick lingered behind to speak to both of the machine drivers, for he saw that the second man was of the same "thirsty" type as the other. "do you smoke?" he asked. "sure," was the reply from both. "then here is a quarter with which you can buy some cigars. and please remember, no drinking," he added, significantly. "can't a fellow have a drink if he wants it?" demanded the chauffeur of the first car. "not while you have my party out," was dick's reply. "well, a fellow gets thirsty, driving a car in this dust," grumbled the second chauffeur. "if you are thirsty there is plenty of water handy, and root beer and soda water, too. i meant liquor when i spoke." "oh, we'll keep straight enough, don't you worry," said the first chauffeur, and then both of them turned away to a side entrance of the hotel. dick was much worried, but he did not let the rest see it. he joined the crowd in the ice-cream pavillion attached to the hotel, and there they spent an hour, eating ice-cream, water ices and cake. then some of the lads went off and got several boxes of bonbons and chocolates to take along on the rest of the trip. when they went out to the two automobiles the chauffeurs were missing. a man was trimming a hedge nearby and dick asked him if he had seen the pair. "must be over to the barroom," said the gardener. "that hellig loves his liquor, and snall likes a glass, too." "was hellig the driver of this first car?" "yes, and snall ran the second." just then tom came up, having placed nellie in the second car. "what's the trouble, dick?" he questioned. "i am afraid both our men have gone off to drink. this man says they both love their liquor." "they do, and both of 'em have been locked up for reckless driving--but don't say i told you," said the gardener. "humph! this is serious," murmured tom. "i don't like to trust a chauffeur who drinks." "come with me," said his brother, in a low tone. "just wait for us," he shouted to the others, who were now in the two cars. he walked behind the ice-cream pavillion, tom at his side, and then the pair reached a side door, connecting with the hotel barroom. they looked in and at a small table saw the two chauffeurs drinking liquor from a bottle set before them. both were rather noisy and had evidently been imbibing freely. "i won't let no boy run me and tell me what i shall take," they heard hellig say thickly. "i'll drink what i please and when i please," answered snall. "let us have another, nat." "sure." "this is the worst ever!" murmured tom. "they are in no fit condition to run the cars. i wouldn't trust my neck with either of them." "and i am not going to trust the lives of the girls in their care," answered dick, firmly. "what are you going to do?" "i don't know yet. but one thing is settled--they shan't take us back." "i think i could run one car--if we didn't go too fast," suggested tom, who had run several machines at various times in his lively career. "i could run the other." "then let us do it, dick. those fellows don't own the cars, and we didn't hire from them, we hired from the owner of the garage. i guess we have a right to run them under the circumstances." the two boys walked back to the automobiles. all of the others were now anxious to know what was wrong and they had to give the particulars. "oh, dick, you must not let them run the cars!" cried grace, turning pale. "i'd rather have you and tom run them ten times over," declared dora. while the party was talking the two chauffeurs came from the hotel and walked unsteadily towards the automobiles. their faces were red and their eyes blinked unsteadily. "stop!" called dick, when they were some distance away, and the gardener and some guests of the hotel gathered around to see what was the matter. "what yer want?" growled hellig, thickly. "we are going to leave you both here and run the cars ourselves," answered dick, coldly. "you are not fit to run them." "what's the reason we ain't?" mumbled snall. he could hardly speak. "you've been drinking too much--that's the reason." "humph!" "we are going to run them machines an' don't you forgit it," mumbled hellig, and lurched forward. "don't you ride with those intoxicated fellows," said one of the hotel guests. "we don't intend to," answered dick. "all ready, tom?" he called out. "yes." "then go ahead. i'll catch up to you." "hi, you stop!" screamed snall, as one of the automobiles began to move off down the road. but tom paid no attention to him. running swiftly, dick reached the other car and hopped up to the chauffeur's seat. he had watched the driver operate the car and knew exactly what to do. he soon had the engine running and then he threw in the speed clutch just as hellig lurched up. "you mustn't run away with that machine!" he roared. "keep away!" cried sam, and leaning out of the car he gave the chauffeur a shove that sent him flat on his back in the dust of the road. then the car moved off. as those in the automobile looked back they saw hellig arise and shake his fist after them, and snall waved his arms wildly. "we'll hear from them again, i suppose," said sam. "and they'll hear from me," answered dick, "and the fellow who sent them out to run the cars for us will hear from me, too," he added. tom was quite a distance ahead, but they soon caught up to his car. by this time they were out of sight and hearing of the hotel, and going down the other side of the hill they had come up. "if you wish, you can take the lead," said the fun-loving rover to his older brother. "i don't know a thing about these roads." "we'll have to trust to luck and the signboards," returned dick. "it will be all right if only you don't get on some road that is impassible," put in fred. "and get stuck thirty miles from nowhere," added songbird. "you stick to dem roads vot haf stones on dem got," said hans wisely. "ton't you vos drust der car to der tirt roads, no!" "i shall follow hans' advice and stick to the good roads," said dick. "i think the signboards will help us to get back to philadelphia sooner or later." they sped down the hill and there found the road turned to the left and crossed a small stream. then they reached a corner with several signboards. "hurrah! that's the way to philly!" cried sam. "but it doesn't say how many miles," protested grace. "never mind, we are bound to get there before dark, and that is all we care," came from nellie. in the exhilaration of running the cars, dick and tom soon forgot about the trouble with the chauffeurs. it was great sport, and as soon as dick "got the hang of it," as he said, he let the speed out, notch by notch. his car ran a trifle more easily than did the other and before long he was a good half mile ahead of that run by tom. those in the rear shouted for him to slow down, but the wind prevented him from hearing their calls. "this is something like, isn't it?" said dick to dora, who was beside him. "oh, it is splendid!" she replied enthusiastically. "i feel as if i could go on riding forever!" "an auto certainly beats a team all to bits, if the road is good." they passed up another hill, and then through a patch of woods. then they made a sharp turn, and the car began to descend over a road that was filled with loose stones. "say, dick, you'd better slow up," cautioned sam, as the machine gave a quick lurch over a stone. "this road isn't as smooth as it was." "i know it." "i saw a road to our right," said grace. "perhaps we should have taken that." there was no time to say more, for the automobile was jouncing over the stones in too lively a manner. alarmed, dick, who had already shut off the power, applied the brake, but he was not used to this and he jammed it fast so it did not altogether prevent the car from advancing. "oh, we must stop!" screamed dora, a moment later. "look ahead!" dick did so, and his heart gave a leap of fear. below them the stony road was narrow, and on one side was a rocky gully and on the other some thick bushes. in the roadway was a farmer with a large farm wagon filled with lime. should they hit the turnout below somebody would surely be hurt and perhaps killed. chapter xiv what a roman candle did it was a time for quick action, and it was a lucky thing that dick rover had been in perilous positions before and knew enough not to lose his presence of mind. as the others in the automobile arose to leap out he called to them: "sit down! don't jump! i'll look out for things!" then, even as he spoke, dick turned the steering wheel and sent the big machine crashing into the bushes to one side of the roadway. he chose a spot that was comparatively level, and in five seconds they came to a halt just in front of half a dozen trees. "we must take care of tom's machine!" cried sam, and leaped over the back of the automobile. the machine had cut down the bushes, so the path was clear and he ran with might and main to the roadway. at the top of the hill was the second car, coming along at a good speed. "stop! stop!" he yelled, frantically, and waved his arms in the air. tom saw the movement and knew at once something was wrong. he threw off the power and applied the emergency brake and the automobile just passed sam and no more. "what's the matter?" came from everyone in the second car. "that's what's the matter," answered sam, pointing to the foot of the rocky hill. "that wagon--well, i declare!" the youngest rover stared and well he might, for the farmer's turnout with the load of lime had disappeared from view. the farmer had turned into a field at the bottom of the hill just as dick turned his car into the bushes. "i don't see anything," said nellie. and then sam had to explain and point out the situation of the first car. "i guess i can get down the hill well enough," said tom. "but this appears to be a poor road. we ought to try to find something better." all those in the second car got out and walked to that which was stalled in the bushes. they found dick and fred walking around the machine trying to learn if any damage had been done. "we might have kept right on," said sam, and explained why. "well, we are here, and now comes the problem of getting back on the road," said the eldest rover. "i don't think i can back very well in here." "better make a turn on the down grade," suggested sam. "we can cut down some of the big bushes that are in the way, and fill up some of the holes with stones." it was decided to do this, and all of the boys took off their coats and went to work. soon they had a fairly clear path, and after backing away a few feet from the trees, dick turned downward in a semi-circle, and got out once more on the road. this time he was mindful to use the brake with care, and consequently he gained the bottom of the stony hill without further mishap, and the second machine came after him. "there is that farmer," said songbird. "why not ask him about the roads?" "i will," said dick, and stalked into the field. "this ain't no good road to philadelphia," said the farmer, when questioned. "better go back up the hill and take the road on the right." "we can't get back very well." "then you had better go along this road an' take the first turn to the left and after that the next turn to the right. you'll have about three miles o' poor roads, but then you'll be all right, but the distance to the city is six miles longer." there was no help for it and they went on, over dirt roads which were anything but good. they had to go slowly, and tom kept the second car far to the rear, to escape the thick dust sent up by the leading machine. "this isn't so fine," declared dick, with a grimace at dora. "i am sorry we took that false turn at the top of the hill." "oh, we'll have to take the bitter with the sweet," answered the girl, lightly. "i shan't mind it if you don't, dora." "don't worry, dick, i am not minding it a bit. i am only glad we got rid of that intoxicated chauffeur. he might have gotten us into far more trouble than this." inside of an hour they found themselves on a good stone road and reached a signboard put up by the automobile association, telling the exact distance to philadelphia. this set them at ease mentally, and they started off at a speed of twenty miles an hour. tom wanted to "let her out," as he put it, but nellie demurred and so he kept to the rear as before. "but some day i am going to have a machine of my own," said he, "and it is going to do some speeding, i can tell you that." "yah, and der first dings you know, dom, you vos ub a dree odder you sphlit a rock insides owid," warned hans. "ven i ride so fast like dot i valk, i pet you!" it was dark long before the city was reached and they had to stop to light the lamps, and they also had to fix the batteries of the second car. fred, who was getting hungry, suggested they stop somewhere for something to eat, but the girls demurred. "wait until the ride is ended," said dora; "then we can take our time over supper." as night came on they saw fireworks displayed here and there and enjoyed the sights greatly. "i've got some fireworks on the yacht," said tom. "i reckon i'll be rather late setting them off." while they were yet three miles from the river they stopped at a drug store and there dick telephoned to the owner of the machines, explaining matters, and asking the man to send down to the dock for the cars. "he's pretty angry," said dick, as he leaped into the automobile again. "he says we had no right to run off with the cars." "well, he had no right to send us off with those awful chauffeurs," answered dora. "oh, i'm not afraid of anything he'll do," answered dick. nevertheless, he was a bit anxious as he reached the dock, and he lost no time in sending the girls to the yacht with songbird, and he asked his chum to send mr. rover ashore. a minute later a light runabout spun up and a tall, thin man, with a sour face, leaped out and strode up to the two machines. "who hired these machines, i want to know?" he demanded. "i did," answered dick boldly. "are you the manager of the garage?" "i am, and i want to know by what right you've been running the cars without the regular drivers?" "we wanted to get back to the city and the chauffeurs were in no condition to bring us back," put in tom. "what have you to do with it, young man?" "i drove one car and my brother here drove the other. we didn't hurt the machines and you ought to be glad we brought them back in good condition." "humph! you hadn't any license to run them." "we took the liberty of doing so," said dick. "if you want to get angry about it, i'll get angry myself. you had no right to place those cars in the hands of unreliable men. you risked our lives by so doing." "those men are reliable enough. one of them telephoned to me you had run away with the autos." "the folks at the dardell hotel will tell you how reliable they were. i warned them not to drink, but they did, and they were in no condition to run any automobile." "i don't allow just anybody to run my machines," stormed the man. "they are expensive pieces of property." "well, they are not worth as much as our necks, not by a good deal," said tom. "don't you get impudent, young fellow!" "he is not impudent," said dick. "your machines are all right--we didn't hurt them in the least. but i can tell you one thing," he proceeded earnestly. "we don't propose to pay for the hire of the chauffeurs." "that's the talk," broke in fred. "pay him for the use of the cars only." "you'll pay the whole bill!" growled the automobile owner. "not a cent more than the hire of the two cars," said tom. the man began to storm, and threatened to have them locked up for running the cars without a license. but in the end he accepted the money dick offered him. "maybe you haven't heard the end of this," he muttered. "if you make trouble, perhaps i'll do the same," answered dick, and then he and the others went aboard the yacht, where a late supper awaited them. mr. rover had heard of the unreliable chauffeurs and he was even more indignant than his sons. "i don't think that owner will show himself again," he said. "if he does i'll take care of him." the man was never heard of; and that ended the affair. "we had a splendid time anyway," declared grace, and the other girls agreed with her. tom had not forgotten about his fireworks, and after supper he invited the crowd to the deck and gave them quite an exhibition. "here, hans, you can set off this roman candle," he said, presently. "show the ladies how nicely you can do it. but take off your coat and roll up your shirt sleeve before you begin," he added, with a dig into sam's ribs, which meant, "watch for fun." quite innocently the german lad took off his coat and rolled his shirt sleeve up over his elbow. then he took the big roman candle and lit it. "now swing it around lively," cried tom, and hans began to describe little circles with the roman candle. soon the sparks began to pour forth, and not a few came down on the bare wrist and forearm. "ouch! ouch!" yelled hans, dancing around. "_ach du meine zeit!_ say, somepody sthop dot! i vos purn mineselluf ub alretty!" "swing it around quicker!" cried dick. "turn it in the shape of a figure eight!" suggested fred. "loop the loop with it," came from sam. around and around went the roman candle and then bang! out shot a ball, hitting one of the masts of the steam yacht. then bang! went another ball, hitting the top of the cabin. "hold it up straighter, hans!" said songbird. "don't shoot somebody." "if i hold him ub i burn mineselluf worser!" groaned the german youth. "here, you dake him, sam, i got enough." "no, no, hans, i won't deprive you of the pleasure of shooting it off," answered the youngest rover, and skipped out of the way. [illustration: hans was hopping around like a madman.] one after another the balls, red, white and blue, poured from the roman candle. it was a pretty sight, but hans' aim was more than bad, and one hit the bow and another the stern, while a third whizzed past dick's ear. in the meantime hans was hopping around like a madman, trying to keep the sparks from his skin. "throw it overboard!" cried mr. rover, who was enjoying the fun, but who was afraid somebody might get a fire ball in the face. "only a few more balls left," said tom. "hans, try to hit the top of the mast--don't point it downward." the german youth was too excited to listen to the advice. he continued to dance around. bang! went another ball and entered the cabin of the steam yacht. bang! came the final one and that too disappeared into the interior of the craft then the roman candle went out, and hans breathed a sigh of relief. "i vos glat dot is ofer," he said. "no more firevorks for me, not on your kollarbuttons, no!" "i hope they didn't do any damage in the cabin----" began mrs. stanhope anxiously, when there came a cry from aleck pop. "stop dat fire from comin' down!" yelled the colored man. "de hull cabin's in a blaze!" chapter xv the sailing of the steam yacht the announcement made by aleck pop filled all on board the steam yacht with consternation, and while hans still nursed his arm and wrist the other boys, with anderson rover and captain barforth, rushed down the companionway. a glance showed them what was the matter. one of the balls of fire had struck a curtain and ignited the flimsy material. the fire was now dropping down on some fireworks tom had left on a chair. just as they entered a pinwheel, lying flat, began to fizz, sending a shower of sparks across the other pieces. "quick! out with that stuff!" cried anderson rover and sent the pinwheel flying into a corner with his hand. then he stepped on it, putting out the fire. in the meantime, dick and sam pulled down the burning curtain and stamped on that. the others scattered the fireworks and saw to it that not a spark remained in the cabin. "a close call!" murmured captain barforth, when the excitement was over. "it is lucky we got down here so soon." "i was thinkin' de hull ship was gwine ter bust up!" said aleck, with a shiver. "dis chile knows jess how quick fireworks kin go off. i see a big combustication of dem one summer in a hotel where i was waiting. da had to call de fire department to put dem out an' da shot out moah dan a dozen winders, too!" "we had a similar trouble, when the yacht club had a celebration," said the captain. "a japanese lantern dropped on some rockets and set them off. the rockets flew in all directions and one struck a deck hand in the arm and he had to go to the hospital to be treated. we have had a lucky escape." the accident put a damper on more celebrating, and tom was requested to store away what remained of the fireworks. little did he dream of how useful those fireworks were to become in the future. early on the following morning bahama bill presented himself. the boys had been told how he looked, yet they had all they could do to keep from smiling when he presented himself. he was a short, thickset man, with broad shoulders, and legs which were very much bowed. he wore his reddish hair long and also sported a thick beard. he had a squint in one eye which, as sam said, "gave him the appearance of looking continually over his shoulder. when he talked his voice was an alternate squeak and rumble. "well, of all the odd fellows i ever met he is the limit," was tom's comment. "why, he'd do for a comic valentine!" "i almost had to laugh in his face," said sam. "even now i can't look at him without grinning." "he's a character," was dick's opinion. "you'll never get tired with that chap around," and in this surmise he was correct, for bahama bill was as full of sea yarns as some fish are full of bones, and he was willing to talk as long as anybody would listen to him. "very much pleased to know ye all," said he with a profound bow to the ladies. "ain't seen such a nice crowd since i sailed on the _mary elizabeth_, up the coast o' maine, jest fourteen years ago. at that time we had on board captain rigger's wife, his mother-in-law, his two sisters, his brother's wife, his aunt and----" "never mind the rigger family just now, camel," interrupted mr. rover. "what i want to know is, are you ready to sail?" "aye, aye! that i am, and i don't care if it's a trip for two months or two years. once when i sailed on the _sunflower_ the captain said we'd be out a month, and we struck a storm and drifted almost over to the coast o' africy. the water ran low, and----" "well, if you are ready to sail, we'll start without further delay," interrupted anderson rover, and gave the necessary orders to captain barforth. "good-bye to home!" cried dick, and took off his cap. "when we return may we have the treasure safely stowed away in the hold or the cabin!" "so say we all of us!" sang out tom. steam was already up and a cloud of smoke was pouring from the funnel of the steam yacht. the lines were cast off, and a few minutes later the vessel was on her voyage down the delaware river to the bay. "you are sure we have everything necessary for this trip?" asked mr. rover, of the captain. "yes, mr. rover; i even brought along some picks and shovels," answered the master of the steam yacht, and smiled faintly. he had little faith in the treasure hunt being successful, but he thought the trip down among the west indies would be well worth taking. it was a beautiful day, with just sufficient breeze blowing to cool the july air. while they were steaming down the river the girls and ladies, and some of the boys, sat on the forward deck taking in the various sights which presented themselves. there were numerous tugs and sailing craft, and now and then a big tramp steamer or regular liner, for philadelphia has a large commerce with the entire world. "it hardly seems possible that the treasure hunt has really begun," said dora to dick. "well, it won't actually begin until we are down about where treasure isle is located," was the reply. "we have quite a few days' sailing before that time comes." "i hope it remains clear, dick." "i am afraid it won't, dora; there are always more or less storms among the west indies." "i have heard they sometimes have terrible hurricanes," came from grace. "i read of one hurricane which flooded some small islands completely." "grace is trying to scare us!" cried nellie. "well, islands have been swept by hurricanes," said sam, coming to the rescue of his dearest girl friend. "but let us hope we escape all heavy storms." "a steam yacht is not as bad off as a sailing vessel," said dick. "if necessary, we can run away from a heavy storm. in a high wind it's a sailing ship that catches it." by nightfall they had passed out of delaware bay into the atlantic ocean, and then the course was changed to almost due south. as soon as they got out on the long swells the _rainbow_ commenced to toss and pitch considerably. "now you can sing a life on the ocean wave!" cried dick to songbird. "how does this suit you?" "elegant!" was the reply, and then the would-be poet began to warble: "i love the rolling ocean with all its strange commotion and all the washing wavelets that hit us on the side; i love to hear the dashing of the waves and see the splashing of the foam that churns around us as on we swiftly glide!" "gee christopher!" cried sam. "say, songbird, that rhyme is enough to make one dizzy!" "i dink dot boetry vos make me tizzy already," came from hans, as he sat down on a nearby chair, his face growing suddenly pale. "hullo, hans is sick!" cried tom. "hans, i thought you had better sea legs than that." "i vosn't sick at all, dom, only--vell, der ship looks like he vos going to dake a summersaults already kvick!" "you're seasick," said sam. "better go to your stateroom and lie down." "i ton't vos going to get seasick," protested the german youth. "think of hansy getting seasick!" cried fred. "that's the best yet!" and he laughed heartily. "shall i hold your head for you?" he asked, with a grin. "i guess it vos der fireworks yesterday done him," said hans weakly, and staggered off to the cabin. "that's kind of rough to twit him, fred," remarked dick. "oh, i only meant it in fun." "maybe you'll get seasick yourself." "not much! if i do, i have a remedy in my trunk, that i brought from home." "you'd better give the remedy to hans." "i will." fred went below and got the bottle of medicine from his dress-suit case. as he did this his own head began to swim around, much to his alarm. "here, hans, is a dose for you," he said, entering the stateroom, where the german youth was rolling around on the berth. "vot ist it for?" groaned the sufferer. "seasickness." "den gif it to me kvick! gif me apout two quarts!" "it says take a tablespoonful," said fred, reading the label with difficulty. "here you are." he administered the medicine, which hans took without a murmur, although it was very bitter. then he tried to take a dose himself, but his stomach suddenly "went back on him," and he let the bottle fall with a crash to the floor. "oh, my! you vos lose all dot goot medicine!" cried hans, in alarm. "i--i know it," groaned fred. "and i--er--i need it so much!" "vot, you seasick, too? ha, ha! dot's vot you gits for boking fun at me, yah!" and hans smiled in spite of his anguish. it was certainly poetic justice that fred should get seasick and that the malady should affect him far more seriously than it did hans. the medicine given to the german lad made him feel better in less than an hour, while poor fred suffered until noon of the next day. none of the other boys were affected. the ladies and the girls felt rather dizzy, and mrs. stanhope had to lie down until the next forenoon, but by the evening of the next day all were around as before, and then seasickness became a thing of the past. "can't tell nuthin' about that seasickness," said bahama bill, to tom, after hearing how ill fred was. "i remember onct i took a voyage to rio in south america. we had a cap'n as had sailed the sea for forty years an' a mate who had been across the ocean sixteen times. well, sir, sure as i'm here we struck some thick weather with the _johnny jackson_ tumblin' an' tossin' good, and the cap'n an' the mate took seasick an' was sick near the hull trip. then the second mate got down, an' the bosun, an' then the cook, an----" "the cabin boy----" suggested tom. "no, we didn't have any cabin boy. next----" "maybe the second fireman caught it." "no, this was a bark an' we didn't have no second fireman, nor fust, neither. next----" "maybe the cat, or don't cats get seasick?" "the cat. why, mate----" "i see some cats get sick, but that may not be seasick, even though you can see the sickness," went on tom, soberly. "i don't know as we had a cat on board. but as i was sayin', next----" "oh, i know what you are driving at, bill. next the steersman got down with the mumps, then you took the shingles, and another sailor got lumbago, while the third mate had to crawl around with a boil on his foot as large as a cabbage. i heard about that affair--read about it in the last monthly number of the gasman's gazette--how the ship had to sail itself for four weeks and how the wind blew it right into port and how not even a shoestring was lost overboard. it was really wonderful and i am thankful you reminded me of it." and then tom walked off, leaving bahama bill staring after him in dumb amazement. the old tar realized dimly that for once he had met his match at yarn spinning, and it was several days before he attempted to tell any more of his outrageous stories. chapter xvi a row on shipboard "do you know, i think we are going on the wildest kind of a goose chase," said tom, the next day, to his two brothers. "why?" questioned sam. "because we are depending, in large part, on what bahama bill has to tell, and he's the worst yarn spinner i ever ran across." "it's true that he is a yarn spinner," said dick, "but behind it all father says he tells a pretty straight story of how the treasure was stolen and secreted on treasure isle." "i want to see the island, and the treasure, too, before i'll believe one-quarter of what that sailor says," replied tom. "well, we'll soon know the truth of the matter," came from sam. "if this good weather continues we ought to get to where we are going inside of ten days. of course, if we are held up by fogs or storms it will take longer." the boys, and the girls, too, for the matter of that, were greatly interested in the elegant steam yacht, and they took great pleasure in visiting every part of the vessel from bow to stern. captain barforth did all in his power to make all on board the _rainbow_ feel at home and whenever the boys visited the engine room they were met with a smile from frank norton. but if they had friends on board there were also some persons they did not like. the first mate, whose name was asa carey, was a silent man who rarely had a pleasant word for anybody. he hated to have young folks around, and it was a mystery to the rovers why he should occupy a position on a pleasure craft. "he ought to be on a freight steamer," was dick's comment--"some boat where he wouldn't meet anybody but those working under him. i can't understand how the captain can bear him for his first assistant." "the owner of the steam yacht hired him," answered mr. rover. "i believe the captain does not like him any more than we do. but the mate does his duty faithfully, so the captain cannot find fault." another individual the boys did not like was bill bossermann, the assistant engineer. bossermann was a burly german, with the blackest of hair and a heavy black beard and beady black eyes. he had a coarse voice and manners that put one in mind of a bull. hans tried to get friendly with him, but soon gave it up. "he vos von of dem fellers vot knows it all," explained hans to his chums. "he makes some of dem, vot you call him--bolitical talks, yah. he dinks eferypotty should be so goot like eferypotty else, und chust so rich, too." "must be an anarchist," said tom. "he looks the part." "norton told me he was a first-class engineer," said dick, "but when i asked him if he was a good fellow he merely shrugged his shoulders in answer." one day the first mate was in command, the captain having gone below to study his charts and work out the ship's position. tom had brought a baseball to the deck and was having a catch with sam. the boys enjoyed the fun for quite a while and did not notice the mate near them. "can you throw it up over that rope?" asked sam, pointing to a stay over his head. "sure thing!" cried tom. "look out you don't throw it overboard." "i'll take care," answered the fun-loving rover, and launched the baseball high into the air. just then the steam yacht gave a lurch, the ball hit the mainmast, and down it bounced squarely upon asa carey's head, knocking the mate's cap over his eyes and sending him staggering backwards. "hi, hi! you young rascals!" roared the mate. "what do you mean by such conduct?" "excuse me," replied tom, humbly. "i didn't mean to hit you. it was an accident." "i think you did it on purpose, you young villain!" "it was an accident, mr. carey--and i'll thank you not to call me a rascal and a villain," went on tom rather warmly. "i'll call you what i please!" "no, you won't." "yes, i will. i am in command here, and i won't have you throwing baseballs at me." "i just told you it was an accident. if the yacht hadn't rolled just as i threw the ball it would not have hit you." "bah! i know boys, and you especially. you love to play tricks on everybody. but you can't play tricks on me." and as the mate spoke he stopped, picked up the rolling ball, and put it in his pocket. "are you going to keep that ball?" demanded sam. "i am." "it is our ball." "see here, mr. carey, we didn't mean to hit you, and we were only amusing ourselves catching," said tom. "we have hired this yacht and we have a right to do as we please on board so long as we don't interfere with the running of the vessel. i want you to give us our ball back." and tom stepped up and looked the mate squarely in the eyes. "what! you dare to dictate to me!" roared the mate, and raised his hand as if to strike tom. he thought the youth would retreat in fear, but tom never budged. "i am not trying to dictate, but i have rights as well as you. i want that ball." "you can't have it." "if you don't give it to me i shall report the matter to captain barforth." at this threat the mate glared at tom as if he wanted to eat the boy up. "if i give you the ball you'll be throwing it at me again," he growled. "i didn't throw it at you. but as for catching on the deck--i shall ask the captain if that is not allowable. i am quite sure it is, so long as we do no damage." "going to sneak behind the captain for protection, eh?" sneered asa carey. he did not like the outlook, for that very morning he had had some words with the commander of the steam yacht and had gotten the worst of it. "i want that ball." the mate glared at tom for a moment and then threw the ball to him. "all right, take your old ball," he muttered. "but you be mighty careful how you use it after this or you'll get into trouble," and with this the mate walked away. "are you going to speak to the captain?" asked sam, in a low tone. tom thought for a moment. "perhaps it will be better to let it go, sam. i don't want to stir up any more rows than are necessary. but after this i am going to keep my eye on that fellow." but if the lads did not mention it to the captain they told their brother and their chums of it, and a long discussion followed. "i noticed that the mate and the assistant engineer are quite thick," observed fred. "it seems they were friends before they came aboard." "and they are two of a kind," remarked dick. "i feel free to say i do not like them at all." it was growing warmer, and for the next few days the girls and the boys were content to take it easy under the awnings which had been spread over a portion of the deck. once the lads amused themselves by fishing with a net and bait, but were not very successful. in the evening they usually sang or played games, and often songbird would favor them with some of his poetry. for the most of the time mrs. stanhope and mrs. laning did fancywork. "captain says there is a storm coming up," announced sam, one evening. "oh, dear! i hope it doesn't get very rough!" cried mrs. stanhope. "i detest a heavy storm at sea." "well, mamma, we'll have to expect some storms," said dora. "oh, i shan't mind, if it doesn't thunder and lightning and blow too much." but this storm was not of the thunder and lightning variety, nor did it blow to any extent. it grew damp and foggy, and then a mist came down over the ocean, shutting out the view upon every side. at once the engine of the steam yacht was slowed down, and a double lookout was stationed at the bow, while the whistle was blown at regular intervals. "this isn't so pleasant," remarked songbird, as he and dick tramped along the deck in their raincoats. "ugh! what a nasty night it is!" "no poetry about this, is there, songbird?" returned dick, grimly. "hardly," said the poet, yet a few minutes later he began softly: "a dreadful fog came out of the sea, and made it as misty as it could be. the deck was wet, the air was damp----" "it was bad enough to give you a cramp!" finished up tom, who had come up. "beautiful weather for drying clothes or taking pictures," he went on. "by the way, i haven't used my new camera yet. i must get it out as soon as the sun shines again." "and i must get out my camera," said songbird. "i have a five by seven and i hope to take some very nice pictures when we get down among the islands." "how do ye like this sea fog?" asked a voice at the boys' rear, and bahama bill appeared, wrapped in an oilskin jacket. "it puts me in mind of a fog i onct struck off the coast o' lower californy. we was in it fer four days an' it was so thick ye could cut it with a cheese knife. why, sir, one day it got so thick the sailors went to the bow an' caught it in their hands, jess like that!" he made a grab at the air. "the captain had his little daughter aboard an' the gal went out on deck an' got lost an' we had to feel around in that fog nearly an hour afore we found her, an' then, sure as i'm a-standin' here, she was next to drowned an' had to be treated jess like she had been under water." "how long ago was that?" asked tom, poking the other boys in the ribs. "seven years ago, this very summer." "i thought so, bill, for that very summer i was at fort nosuch, in lower california. i remember that fog well. one of the walls of the fort had fallen down and the commander was afraid the desperadoes were going to attack him. so he had the soldiers go out, gather in the fog, and build another wall with it. it made a fine defence, in fact, it was simply out of sight," concluded the fun-loving rover. "say, you----" began bahama bill. "you--er--you--say, i can't say another word, i can't! the idee o' building a wall o' fog! why, say----" what the old tar wanted to say, or wanted them to say, will never be known, for at that instant came a loud cry from the bow. almost immediately came a crash, and the _rainbow_ quivered and backed. then came another crash, and the old sailor and the boys were hurled flat on the deck. chapter xvii a mishap in the fog "we have struck another vessel!" "we are sinking!" "how far are we from land?" these and other cries rang out through the heavy fog, as the two crashes came, followed, a few seconds later, by a third. captain barforth had left the steam yacht in charge of the first mate and was on the companionway going below. with two bounds he was on deck and running toward the bow at top speed. "what was it? have we a hole in the bow?" he questioned, of the frightened lookouts, who had been sent spinning across the slippery deck. "couldn't make out, captain--it was something black," said one lookout. "black and square-like." "i think it was a bit of old wreckage," said the other. "anyway, it wasn't another vessel, and it was too dark for a lumber raft." "is it out of sight?" it was, and though all strained their eyes they could not make out what had been struck, nor did they ever find out. from the deck the captain made his way below, followed by mr. rover, who was anxious to learn the extent of the injuries. in the meantime the ladies and girls had joined the boys on the deck, and the latter began to get out the life preservers. the most excited man on board was asa carey, and without waiting for orders from the captain, he ordered two of the small boats gotten ready to swing overboard. then he ran down to his stateroom, to get some of his possessions. "is we gwine to de bottom?" questioned aleck, as he appeared, clad in a pair of slippers and a blanket. "i don't know," answered fred. "i hope not." the boys had all they could do to keep the girls quiet, and grace was on the point of becoming hysterical, which was not to be wondered at, considering the tremendous excitement. "we cannot be so very far from one of the islands," said dick. "and if the worst comes to the worst we ought to be able to make shore in the small boats." "are there enough boats?" asked mrs. laning. "yes, the steam yacht is well equipped with them." the engine of the vessel had been stopped and the steam yacht lay like a log on the rolling waves. the shocks had caused some of the lights to go out, leaving the passengers in semi-darkness. "oh, dick, do you think we'll go down?" whispered dora, as she clung to his arm. "let us hope not, dora," he answered and caught her closer. "i'll stick to you, no matter what comes!" "yes! yes! i want you to do that! and stick to mamma, too!" "i will. but i don't think we'll go down just yet," he went on, after a long pause. "we seem to be standing still, that's all." they waited, and as they did so he held her trembling hands tightly in his own. in that minute of extreme peril they realized how very much they were to one another. at last, after what seemed to be hours, but was in reality less than five minutes, anderson rover appeared. "there is no immediate danger," said he. "we must have struck some sort of wreckage, or lumber float. there is a small hole in the bow, just above the water line, and several of the seams have been opened. captain barforth is having the hole closed up and has started up the donkey pump to keep the water low in the hold. he says he thinks we can make one of the nearby ports without great trouble." this news removed the tension under which all were suffering, and a little later the ladies and the girls retired to the cabin, and aleck stole back to his sleeping quarters. the boys went forward, to inspect the damage done, but in the darkness could see little. "it was an accident such as might happen to any vessel," said the captain, later. "the lookouts were evidently not to blame. there are many derelicts and bits of lumber rafts scattered throughout these waters and consequently traveling at night or in a fog is always more or less dangerous." "we shall have to put up somewhere for repairs, not so?" questioned anderson rover. "it would be best, mr. rover. of course we might be able to patch things ourselves, but, unless you are in a great hurry, i advise going into port and having it done. it will have to be done sooner or later anyway." "where do you advise putting in?" captain barforth thought for a moment. "i think we had better run over to nassau, which is less than sixty miles from here. nassau, as perhaps you know, is the capital city of the bahamas, and has quite some shipping and we'll stand a good chance there of getting the right ship's-carpenters to do the work." after some talk, it was decided to steer for nassau, and the course of the _rainbow_ was changed accordingly. they now ran with even greater caution than before, and a strong searchlight was turned on at the bow, the surplus power from the engine being used for that purpose. as my young readers may know, nassau is located on new providence island, about two hundred miles east of the lower coast of florida. it is under british rule and contains about fifteen thousand inhabitants. it is more or less of a health resort and is visited by many tourists, consequently there are several good hotels and many means of spending a few days there profitably. the run to nassau was made without further mishaps, and immediately on arriving the steam yacht was placed in the hands of some builders who promised to make the needed repairs without delay. the entire crew remained on board, as did aleck pop, but the rovers and their friends put up at a leading hotel for the time being. after the run on shipboard from philadelphia to the bahamas, the ladies and girls were glad enough to set foot again on land. after one day of quietness at the hotel the party went out carriage riding, and, of course, the boys went along. they saw not a few unusual sights, and were glad they had their cameras with them. "we'll have a dandy lot of pictures by the time we get home," said sam. "there is one picture i want more than any other," said tom. "one of nellie, i suppose," and sam winked. "oh, i've got that already," answered the fun-loving rover unabashed. "what's that you want?" asked songbird. "a picture of that treasure cave with us loading the treasure on the yacht." "now you are talking, tom!" cried his older brother. "we all want that. i am sorry we have been delayed here." "how long vos ve going to sthay here?" questioned hans. "the repairs will take the best part of a week, so the ship builders said." "ain't you afraid dot sid merrick got ahead of you?" "i don't know. he may be on his way now, or he may not have started yet from new york." "oh, i hope we don't meet merrick, or sobber either!" cried dora. on the outskirts of the town was a fine flower garden where roses of unusual beauty were grown. one day the girls and ladies visited this and dick and songbird went along. in the meantime tom and sam walked down to the docks, to see how the repairs to the _rainbow_ were progressing, and also to look at the vessels going out and coming in. "a vessel is due from new york," said tom. "i heard them talking about it at the hotel." "let us see if there is anybody on board we know," answered his brother. they walked to the spot where the people were to come in, and there learned that the steamer had sent its passengers ashore an hour before. a few were at the dock, taking care of some baggage which had been detained by the custom house officials. "well, i never!" exclaimed tom. "if there isn't peter slade! what can he be doing here?" peter slade had once been a pupil at putnam hall. he had been something of a bully, although not as bad as tad sobber. the boys had often played tricks on him and once peter had gotten so angry he had left the school and never come back. "let us go and speak to him," said sam. "maybe he won't speak, sam. he was awful angry at us when he left the hall." "if he doesn't want to speak he can do the other thing," said the youngest rover. "perhaps he'll be glad to meet somebody in this out-of-the-way place." they walked over to where peter slade stood and both spoke at once. the other lad was startled at first and then he scowled. "humph! you down here?" he said, shortly. "yes," answered tom, pleasantly enough. "did you just get in on the steamer?" "i don't know as that is any of your business, tom rover!" "it isn't, and if you don't want to speak civilly, slade, you haven't got to speak at all," said tom, and started to move away, followed by his brother. "say, did you meet tad sobber and his un----" and then peter slade stopped short in some confusion. "did we meet who?" demanded tom, wheeling around in some astonishment. "never mind," growled peter slade. "were they on the steamer?" asked sam. "i'm not saying anything about it." "look here, slade, if they were on the steamer we want to know it," came from tom. "really?" and the former bully of the hall put as much of a sneer as possible into the word. "we do, and you have got to tell us." "i don't see why." "you will if you are honest," said sam. "you know as well as i do that tad sobber's uncle is a rascal and ought to be in prison." "tad says it isn't so--that his uncle didn't take those bonds--that they were placed in his care to be sold at a profit, if possible." "when did tad tell you that?" "only a couple of days ago--i mean he told me, and that's enough." "then he told you while you were on the steamer," put in tom. "yes, if you must know." peter slade's face took on a cunning look. "i guess mr. merrick and tad will trim you good and proper soon." "what do you mean by that?" "oh, i know a thing or two." "did they tell you what had brought them down here?" "maybe they did." "who was with them?" "you had better ask them." "where are they?" "that's for you to find out." "see here, slade, this is no way to talk," went on tom earnestly. "if you know anything about sid merrick and his plans you had better tell us about them. if you don't i shall take it for granted that you are in league with that rascal and act accordingly." "yes, and that may mean arrest for you," added sam. peter slade was a coward at heart, and these suggestive words made him turn pale. "i am not in league with them," he cried hastily. "i met them on the steamer by accident. tad told me he and his uncle were going to get the best of you, but how he didn't say." "who was with them, come, out with it." "a spaniard named doranez." "doranez!" cried both the rover boys and looked suggestively at each other. "yes, do you know him?" "we know of him," answered tom slowly. "where did they go?" "i don't know exactly." "don't you know at all?" "they were going to look for some tramp steamer that was to be here. if they found her they were going to sail at once to some other island," answered peter slade. chapter xviii the new deck hand having said so much, peter slade seemed more inclined to talk, one reason being that he wanted to get at the bottom of the mystery which had brought tad sobber and his uncle to that part of the globe. tad had hinted of great wealth, and of getting the best of the rovers and some other people, but had not gone into any details. peter said he had come to nassau to join his mother, who was stopping there for her health. his father was coming on later, and then the family was going across the ocean. "i know there is something up between your crowd and the merrick crowd," said the youth. "you are both after something, ain't you?" "yes," answered tom. "what?" "i can't tell you that, slade. it's something quite valuable, though." "well, i guess sobber's uncle will get ahead of you." "perhaps so. what is the name of the tramp steamer he is looking for?" "the _josephine_." "was she to be here?" "they hoped she would be." "were they going to hire her?" asked sam. "i suppose so." "then merrick had money." "yes, he had some, and that spaniard had some, too." a little more conversation followed, and then the rover boys asked slade where he was going to stop, and said they might see him later. "this is mighty interesting," remarked tom, as he and his brother hurried to their hotel. "we must tell father of this without delay." but mr. rover could not be found until that evening, when the party came back from the visit to the flower gardens. he listened with deep interest to what was said, and then went off on a hunt for sid merrick and the tramp steamer _josephine_ without delay. nothing was discovered that night, but a little before noon of the day following they learned that a tramp steamer had appeared in the harbor, taken several persons on board, and then steamed away again. "can you tell me the name of that craft?" asked anderson rover of the man who gave him this information. "she was the _josephine_, sir, of charleston, captain sackwell." "was she loaded?" "i think not, sir." "how many persons got aboard?" "five or six." "one of them a young fellow?" "yes, sir, and one was a fellow who was very dark." mr. rover knew that doranez was very dark, and he rightfully surmised that the party had been made up of merrick, tad, doranez, cuffer and shelley. "this is certainly a serious turn of affairs," said he to his sons. "while we have been losing time in philadelphia and elsewhere, sid merrick has gone to work, gotten somebody to let him have this tramp steamer, and now, in company with doranez, is off to locate treasure isle and the treasure. it looks to me as if it might be a race between us after all." "yes, and the worst of it is that we are laid up for repairs," said dick, with almost a groan in his voice. "how long must we remain here?" asked sam. "can't they hurry the job somehow?" "let us offer 'em more money to hurry," suggested tom. the suggestion to offer more money was carried out, and the ship builders promised to have the _rainbow_ fit for sailing by the following afternoon. the paint on the new work would not be dry, but that would not matter. on the morning of the day they were to sail a man applied to captain barforth for a position. he said he had been a fireman on an ocean liner, but had lost three fingers in some machinery and been discharged. "i am hard up," he pleaded. "i'll work for almost anything." the captain was kind-hearted, and as the _rainbow_ could use another deck hand he told the man to bring his luggage aboard, which the fellow did. the newcomer's name was walt wingate, and he did his best to make friends with everybody on board. he had a low, musical voice, and was frequently whistling popular airs. "he's an odd one," said dick, after noticing the new deck hand several times. "he seems real nice and yet----" "you don't like him," finished sam. "that's it, sam." "neither do i, and i can't tell why." "well, he hasn't anything to do with us. if he's a good man i'm glad the captain gave him a job. it's tough luck to lose your fingers, especially if you must work for a living." by five o'clock the steam yacht had left the harbor of nassau and was standing out to sea once more. the course was again southward, around the western extremity of cuba. during the following days they passed numerous islands and keys, as they are called, but generally at such a distance that the shores could be seen but faintly. to make sure of what he was doing, anderson rover held several consultations with captain barforth, and bahama bill was closely questioned regarding the location of treasure isle. the old tar stuck to the story he had told so often, and went over numerous maps with the commander of the steam yacht. "he has the location pretty well fixed in his head--unless the whole thing is a fairy tale," was captain barforth's comment. while one of these talks was going on, dick, who was on deck, chanced to go below in a hurry. as he passed down the companionway he encountered walt wingate, who had been listening at the cabin doorway. "hullo, what do you want?" demanded dick, for the man's face had a guilty look on it. "why--er--my handkerchief blew down here and i came down to get it," answered the new deck hand, and pointed to the cloth in question sticking out of his pocket. "is that all?" "that's all, sir," answered wingate, and touching his cap he slouched off. then he turned back. "sorry if i disturbed anybody," he added. "oh, i suppose it is all right," returned dick, but he was by no means satisfied, although he could not tell exactly why. there was something about the new deck hand that did not "ring true." at first he thought to speak to his parent about the occurrence, but then concluded not to worry his father. knowing that it was now a race between the _rainbow_ and the _josephine_ for treasure isle, captain barforth crowded on all steam. the course of the steam yacht was fairly well laid out, but it contained many turns and twists, due to the many keys located in these waters. "we don't want to run on any hidden reef," said the master of the vessel. "if we do we may go down or be laid up for a long while for repairs. these waters are fairly well charted, but there is still a great deal to be learned about them. from time to time they have had earthquakes down here, and volcano eruptions, and the bottom is constantly shifting." on the second night out from nassau, sam, for some reason, could not sleep. he tumbled and tossed in his berth for two hours, and then, feeling that some fresh air might do him good, dressed in part and went on deck. it was not a very clear night, and but few stars shone in the firmament. in the darkness the lad walked first to one side of the steam yacht and then to the other. then he strolled toward the bow, to have a little chat with the lookout. as he walked along the side of the cabin he became aware of a figure leaning over the rail, gazing far down into the sea. by the man's general form he made the fellow out to be walt wingate. the deck hand had hold of something, although what it was sam could not tell. at first the youngest rover was going to call to the man and ask him what he was doing. but he remained silent, and stepped into the shadow of the cabin as wingate left the rail and crossed to the other side of the yacht. from under some coils of rope the deck hand brought forth something, lifted it over the rail and dropped it gently into the sea. then he leaned far over the rail as before, and this lasted two or three minutes. "he is certainly up to something out of the ordinary," thought sam. "i wonder if he is fishing? if he is, it seems to me it is a queer way to go at it." as wingate left the rail he walked directly to where the boy stood. when he discovered sam he started back as if confronted by a ghost. "oh--er--didn't know anybody was up," he stammered. "it was so hot in my stateroom i couldn't sleep," answered sam. "i came out to get the air." "it's almost as hot on deck as it is anywhere," said the deck hand, and his tone had little of cordiality in it. "i think i'll go forward and try it there." "yes, it's a little breezier at the bow, sir. by the way, did you--er--see me trying to catch some of those firefish just now?" "i saw you doing something, i didn't see what." "i thought i might get one, but they are all gone now," answered wingate, and slouched off, whistling in that peculiar manner of his. sam walked slowly to the bow. as he did this, wingate turned to look at him in a speculative way. "wonder if the young fool saw what i was up to?" he muttered. "if he did i'd better go slow. i don't want to get caught. they might treat me pretty roughly." the watch on deck was changed and wingate went below. asa carey was in command of the yacht and he, too, wanted to know why sam was up at such a late hour. the boy told him, but said nothing to the mate of wingate's strange actions. when sam turned in, dick wanted to know if he was sick. "no, only restless, dick," he replied. "by the way, i saw something strange," he continued, and he related the occurrence. "we must look into this, sam. it may mean nothing and it may mean a great deal," was the eldest rover boy's comment. the boys did not go on deck until after breakfast. then they walked to the starboard rail and stopped at the spot where sam had first discovered the deck hand. "i don't see anything," said dick, gazing over the rail. "perhaps he was fishing, after all. he may have thought--hullo!" "what is it, dick?" "some kind of a line down here--a wire, fastened to a hook!" "can you reach it?" "hardly. i might if you'll hold my legs, so i don't go overboard." "hadn't we better tell captain barforth of this first? the wire may belong there." "i don't know what for. but we can tell the captain. here he comes now." "good morning, boys," said the master of the steam yacht pleasantly. "what can you see over there?" "something we think unusual," said sam. "please take a look and tell us what it is." captain barforth did as requested. "that wire has no business there," he declared. "i don't know how it came there." "i can tell you how it got there, and i guess you'll find something like it on the other side," answered sam, and told what he had seen wingate do during the night. "humph, i'll investigate this," muttered the captain, and went off for a boathook. when he returned he caught the hook into the loop of the wire and tried to bring the end of the strand to the deck. he was unable to do it alone and had to get the boys to aid him. then all three ran the wire around a brace and gradually hauled it aboard. at the end was an iron chain, fastened into several loops, and also the anchor to one of the rowboats. chapter xix treasure isle at last "so this is the work of that new deck hand, eh?" cried captain barforth, grimly. "a fine piece of business to be in, i must say!" "let us see what is on the other side?" suggested dick. this was done, and they brought up another wire, to the end of which were attached two small anchors and some pieces of scrap steel from the tool room. "he put those overboard for drag anchors," explained the master of the steam yacht. "he did it to delay the _rainbow_." "yes, and that was done so the _josephine_ could get ahead of us," added dick. "in that case he must be in league with sid merrick," came from sam. "perhaps he met merrick at nassau and was hired for this work," said dick. "that is possible, dick. i'll have the truth out of him, if i have to put him in irons and on bread and water to do it," added captain barforth. he at once sent for walt wingate. the deck hand who went after the man came back five minutes later to report that the fellow could not be located. "he must be found!" cried captain barforth. "he can't skulk out of this!" a search was instituted, in which all of the boys, mr. rover and aleck joined. but though the steam yacht was searched from stem to stern, the missing deck hand was not located. some of the men even went down into the hold, but with no success. "do you think he jumped overboard?" asked fred. "he might, but it would be a foolish thing to do," answered the captain. "we are at least ten miles from any island." "he may have had a small boat," said songbird. "no, the small boats are all here. he is on this vessel, but where is the question." to stimulate them in their search, the captain offered a reward of ten dollars to any one of his crew who should bring wingate to light. but this brought no success, and for a very good reason, as we shall learn later. how much the drags had hampered the progress of the _rainbow_ there was no telling, but freed of them, the steam yacht made good time. all of the machinery was carefully inspected, including the propeller, to which some wire was found twisted. but this had thus far done no damage and was easily pulled out. "he is certainly in league with merrick and his crowd," said anderson rover, "and that being so, we must be on constant guard against him." the ladies and the girls were much alarmed to think that such a character as wingate might be roaming around the vessel in secret, and at night they locked every stateroom door with care. the boys and mr. rover were also on the alert, and some of them slept with loaded pistols near at hand. had wingate shown himself unexpectedly he might have met with a warm reception. "that feller's disappearance puts me in mind o' something that happened aboard the _nancy belden_, bound from the congo to new york, jest eight years ago this summer," said bahama bill, who had searched as hard as anybody for the missing man. "we had on board a lot o' wild animals fer a circus man, an' amongst 'em was an orang-outang, big an' fierce, i can tell you. well, this orang-outang got out o' his cage one night, an' in the mornin' he couldn't be found. we hunted an' hunted, an' the next night nobody wanted to go to sleep fer fear he'd wake up dead. the cap'n had his family aboard and the wife she was 'most scart stiff an' wouldn't hardly leave her room." "and did you find the orang-outang?" asked songbird, with interest. "we did an' we didn't. the fifth night after he was missing we heard a fearful noise right in a cage wot had a lion in it. we run to the place with shootin' irons an' spears and capstan bars, thinkin' the lion was loose. when we got there we found the orang-outang had twisted one o' the bars o' the cage loose an' got inside and disturbed mr. lion's best nap. mr. lion didn't like it, an' he gets up, and in about two minutes he makes mince meat o' the orang-outang. when we got there all we see was bits o' skin, an' the feet an' head o' the orang-outang, yes, sir. we was glad he was gone--especially the cap'n wife--but the circus men was mad to lose sech a valerable beast," concluded bahama bill. "that was a pretty good one," was tom's comment. "too good to be spoiled," and at this remark the others laughed. "vell, it's someding like ven dot snake got loose py putnam hall," was hans' comment. "dot vingate vos noddings put a snake, hey?" "you hit it that time, hans," answered dick. "a snake and of the worst kind." according to bahama bill's reckoning they were now less than two days' sailing from treasure isle, and all on board who were in the secret were filled with expectancy. so far nothing had been seen of the _josephine_, and they wondered if the tramp steamer was ahead of them, or if they had passed her in the darkness. "of course, she may have come by a different route," said captain barforth. "while we passed to the east and south of some of the little islands she may have gone to the north and west of them. one route would be about as good as the other." that night it grew foggy, and as a consequence they had to slow down, which filled the boys with vexation for, as tom declared, "they wanted to find that island and the treasure right away." "well, you'll have to be patient," said nellie. "aren't you anxious, nellie?" he asked. "oh, yes, tom; but i don't want to see anybody hurt, or the yacht sunk." twenty-four hours later the fog rolled away and on the following morning captain barforth announced they were in the locality where treasure isle was supposed to be located. the boys stationed themselves in various parts of the steam yacht, and dick and tom went aloft with a good pair of marine glasses. "i see an island!" cried tom, half an hour later. this announcement thrilled all on board, but an hour later it was discovered that the island was only a small affair and bahama bill promptly said it was not that for which they were seeking. "come aloft and look through the glass," said dick to the old tar, and bahama bill readily accepted the invitation. thus two hours more went by, and the course of the steam yacht was changed to a wide circle. "more land!" cried dick, presently. "what do you make of that?" he asked and handed the marine glasses to bahama bill. the old tar looked through the glasses for a long time and then put them down with much satisfaction. "that's the place, or i'll forfeit a month's wages," he said. "is it treasure isle?" burst out tom. "yes." "hurrah!" shouted tom, running down the ratlines to the deck. "we've found the island!" he shouted. "hurrah!" "where?" asked half a dozen at once. "over in that direction. you can't see it with the naked eye, but it's there just the same. hurrah!" and in his high spirits tom did a few steps of a fancy jig. without delay the bow of the steam yacht was pointed in the direction of the land that had been discovered, and after awhile all made it out, a mere speck on the blue water. but as they approached, the speck grew larger and larger, and they saw it was a beautiful tropical isle, with waving palms reaching down almost to the water's edge. "we can't land on this side," announced bahama bill. "the sea is too dangerous here. we'll have to sail around to the south shore and lay-to beyond the reef, and then take small boats to the inside of the horseshoe." again the course of the _rainbow_ was changed, and they skirted the eastern shore of the island, which was truly shaped like a horseshoe, with the opening on the south side. to the north, the east and the west were smaller islands and reefs, sticking out, "like horseshoe nails," as sam said. sailing was dangerous here, and they had to go slow and make frequent soundings, so that they did not reach the south side of treasure isle until almost nightfall. "the same old place!" murmured bahama bill. "an' we anchored right out here when we took that treasure ashore! i remember it as well as if it was yesterday!" and he nodded over and over again. "and where is the cave from here?" asked mr. rover, who was as anxious as anybody to locate the treasure. "you can't see it, because it's behind the trees an' rocks," replied the tar. the reef beyond the horseshoe was a dangerous one, with the sea dashing up many feet over it. there was only one break, less than thirty feet wide, so gaining entrance to the harbor would be no easy matter in a rowboat. "we had better wait until morning before we go ashore," said captain barforth. "even if we land we'll be able to do little in the darkness." "oh, don't wait!" pleaded tom. "why can't some of us go ashore?" put in sam, who was as impatient as his brother. "i'd like to go myself," added dick, "even if i had to stay ashore all night. remember, the _josephine_ is on the way here, and the sooner some of us get to land and locate that cave the better." "the _josephine_ isn't here yet," said fred. "no, but she may put in an appearance at any time," answered tom. "i believe in taking time by the forelock, as the saying is." the matter was talked over for a few minutes, and then it was decided to let tom, dick and sam go ashore in company with two sailors, who would then bring the rowboat back to the steam yacht. the boys were to take blankets and some provisions with them and spend the night on the island. "i don't think you'll find the cave without bahama bill's aid," said mr. rover. "but it will do no harm to look around. if this isle is like the rest of the west indies there will be little on it to hurt you. there are few wild animals down here, and no savages outside of some negroes who occasionally go on a spree and cut loose." the rowboat was soon ready, and the boys embarked, with the best wishes of those left behind. hans wanted to go very much, but was told he must wait until morning. bahama bill said he would rather sleep on shipboard any time than on shore. "a bunk for me," were his words. "it's better than under the trees or bushes. once i was ashore sleepin' an' a big snake crawled over my legs. i thought some cannibals were trying to tie me fast and jumped up. when i see the snake i run about three miles without stopping. a cozy bunk fer me every time, yes, sir!" it was exciting to bring the rowboat through the passage of the reef and once the boys thought they were going to ship a good deal of water. but the two men who were rowing knew their business and brought them into the horseshoe harbor without mishap. they helped the lads to land, on a small sandy strip close to some palms, and then started back to the steam yacht. "treasure isle at last!" cried dick, when they were left alone. "so far our quest has been successful. now to locate the cave and unearth that treasure!" "and may it prove to be worth all that has been said of it," added sam. chapter xx the boys make a discovery the boys had landed at a spot that was particularly inviting in appearance, and they stopped for several minutes to take in the natural beauty surrounding them. there were tall and stately palms, backed up by other trees, trailing vines of great length, and numerous gorgeous flowers. a sweet scent filled the air, and from the woods in the center of the isle came the song of tropical birds. "what a fine camping place!" murmured sam. "a fellow could spend several weeks here and have lots of fun, bathing and boating, and hunting birds, and fishing," and his brothers agreed with him. yet the beauty of treasure isle was soon forgotten in their anxiety to locate the cave. they had a general idea that it was in the center of the horseshoe curve, and that center was quite a distance from where they had been brought ashore. "the best we can do is to tramp along the water's edge," said dick. "then when we reach the center we can go inland." "we haven't over an hour," replied his youngest brother. "by that time it will be too dark to do much more. and we'll have to find some suitable place to camp for the night." "oh, we can camp anywhere," cried tom. "it's good enough--just for one night." they began to trudge along the edge of the horseshoe curve, over smooth sand. but this did not last, and presently they came to a muddy flat and went down to their ankles. dick was ahead and he cried to the others. "stop! it's not fit to walk here!" "why, it's like a bog!" declared sam, after testing it. "we'll have to go inland a distance," said tom. "come on," and he turned back and struck out for the palms and bushes beyond. it was then that the rover boys began to realize what was before them. scarcely had they penetrated the interior for fifty yards when they found themselves in a perfect network of trailing vines. then, after having pulled and cut their way through for fifty yards more, they came to a spot that was rocky and covered with a tangle of thorny bushes. "wow!" ejaculated tom, after scratching his hand and his leg. "this is something prime, i must confess!" "what i call hunting a treasure with a vengeance," added dick, dryly. "i move we go back," came from sam. "we seem to be stuck in more ways than one." "perhaps it is better traveling just beyond," declared dick. "i am not going to turn back just yet anyway." he took the lead, breaking down the thorny bushes as best he could, and sam and tom followed closely in his footsteps. it was rather dark among the bushes and almost before the three knew it they had fallen headlong into a hollow. "well, i never!" "this is coming down in a hurry!" "is this the treasure cave?" such were the exclamations of the three lads as they picked themselves up out of the dirt, which, fortunately for them, was soft and yielding. nobody had been hurt, for which they were thankful. the hollow was about fifty feet in diameter and half that depth in the center. on the opposite side were more bushes and rocks, and then a thicket of tall trees of a variety that was strange to them. "this is what i call hard work," observed tom, as they began to fight their way along again. "i don't know but what we would have done as well to have waited until morning." "don't croak, tom," said sam. "oh, i am not croaking, but this is no fun, let me tell you that." all of the boys were panting from their exertions, and soon they had to call a halt to get their breath. it was now growing dark rapidly, for in the tropics there is little of what we know as twilight. "we certainly can't do much more in this darkness," said dick at last. "i must confess i thought walking in the direction of the cave would be an easy matter." "well, what's to do next?" questioned sam, gazing around in perplexity. this was no easy question to answer. as if by magic darkness had settled all around them, shutting out the sight of objects less than a hundred yards away. to go forward was all but impossible, and whether or not they could get back to where they had come from was a serious problem. "if we can't get back we'll have to camp right here," said dick. but they did not want to stay in such a thicket and so they pushed on a little further, until they reached a slight rise of ground. then dick, who was in advance as before, uttered a cry of surprise: "a trail! i wonder where it leads to?" he was right, a well-defined trail or footpath lay before them, running between the brushwood and palms and around the rocks. it did not look as if it had been used lately, but it was tolerably clear of any growth. this was something the rover boys had not counted on, for bahama bill had never spoken of any trail in his descriptions of the isle. they gazed at the path with curiosity. tom was the first to speak. "shall we follow it?" he asked. "might as well," answered sam. "it's better than scratching yourself and tearing your clothing in those thorn bushes." the boys took to the trail and passed along for a distance of quarter of a mile or more. it wound in and out around the rocks and trees and had evidently been made by some natives bringing out wild fruits and the like from the forest. "it doesn't seem to be leading us to anywhere," was dick's comment. "i don't know whether to go on or not." nevertheless, they kept on, until they came to a sharp turn around a series of rocks. as they moved ahead they suddenly saw a glare of light cross the rocks and then disappear. "what was that?" asked sam, somewhat startled. "a light," answered dick. "i know. but where did it come from?" "it was like the flash of a bicycle gas lamp," said tom. "there are no bicycles on this trail," said dick. "i know that, too, dick. but it was like that kind of a lamp." just then the flash of light reappeared, and now they saw it came from a point on the trail ahead of them. they listened intently and heard somebody approaching. "several men are coming!" whispered dick. "not from our yacht?" said tom. "i don't think so." "can they be from the _josephine_?" asked sam. "that remains to be seen." "if they are from the _josephine_ what shall we do?" "i think the best thing we can do is to keep out of sight and watch them." "but they may locate the cave and take the treasure away," said tom. "we have got to run that risk--unless we want to fight them." "oh, if only we could get our crowd here to help us!" murmured sam. "we may be mistaken and they may be strangers to us. come, let us hide." losing no time, the three rover boys stepped into the bushes beside the trail. as they did so the other party came closer, and the lads saw that they carried not only an acetylene gas lamp, but also a ship's lantern and several other things. the party was made up of sid merrick, tad sobber, cuffer and shelley. "it's mighty rough walking here," they heard tad sobber complain. "i've got a thorn right through my shoe. wait till i pull it out, will you?" and he came to a halt not over ten yards from where the rover boys were hidden. "you didn't have to come, tad," said his uncle, somewhat harshly. "i told you to suit yourself." "oh, i want to see that treasure cave as well as you do," answered sobber. "i'd like to know if this is the right trail or not," came from shelley. "you ought to have brought that spaniard along, to make sure." "doranez is no good!" growled sid merrick, who was by no means in the best of humor. "he likes his bottle too well. if he would only keep sober it would be different." "why don't you take his liquor from him?" asked cuffer. "i'd do it quick enough if i was running this thing." "he says he won't tell us a thing more if we cut off his grog. he is getting mighty ugly." "maybe he wants to sell out to those rovers," suggested shelley. "he wouldn't dare to do that--i know too much about him," answered sid merrick. "no, it's because he wants too big a share of the treasure." "do you suppose the fellows on the steam yacht have landed here yet?" asked tad, as he prepared to go on. "i don't know. they are laying-to outside of the reef. i reckon they don't know anything of the landing on the other side of the island," answered his uncle. "come on, we haven't any time to waste if we want to head them off. i didn't dream they'd get here so quickly." "i guess that fellow wingate was no good," came from cuffer. "he didn't delay the steam yacht in the least." "maybe he got caught at his funny work," suggested shelley, hitting the nail directly on the head, as the reader already knows. casting the light of the acetylene gas lamp ahead of them, the party from the _josephine_ moved on, directly past the spot where the rovers were in hiding. the boys hardly dared to breathe for fear of discovery. they stood stock still until the others were all but out of sight. "this is interesting," murmured tom. "they must have landed on the other side of the island." "yes, and merrick hired that walt wingate to play us foul!" cried sam. "what shall we do next, dick?" he continued anxiously. "they act as if they expect to get that treasure to-night!" "i don't know what to do exactly," answered dick. "but one thing is certain--we must follow them up and prevent their getting hold of that treasure if we possibly can!" chapter xxi scaring off the enemy it was easy enough for dick to say they must follow up their enemies and prevent sid merrick and his party from gaining possession of the treasure, but how all this was to be accomplished was another matter. in the first place, the other party numbered four as against their three. more than this, those from the _josephine_ were heavily armed, while the rovers had brought with them nothing but a single pistol. "it's well enough to talk," whispered sam, after sid merrick and his crowd had passed on, "but if we tackle them in the open the chances are we'll get the worst of it." "we may get a chance at them in some other way," answered dick. "we have this advantage, we know where they are and they don't know we are on the isle." with cautious steps they stole after the merrick party, keeping them in sight by the waving rays of the lamp and lantern ahead, as they danced over the rocks and among the trees and bushes. they kept about a hundred feet to the rear. "i've got a plan," said tom, as the party ahead came to a halt to make sure of the trail. "can't we cut in somewhere and get ahead of them and then scare them back?" "let's try it!" exclaimed sam. "i am sure if we play ghosts, or something like that, we'll scare tad sobber out of his wits." "it's a risky thing to do," mused the eldest rover. "we might get caught at it." nevertheless, he was rather in favor of the plan, and when the merrick party stopped again, for cuffer to take a stone out of his shoe, they "cut into" the woods and pushed forward with all speed. it was hard work, but they were in deadly earnest, and did not let the vines and brushwood deter them. "now, the question is, how are we to scare them?" said dick, after they had regained the trail, well in advance of sid merrick and his followers. "let us play ghosts?" said sam. "we might black up and play niggers on the warpath, with big clubs," suggested tom. "and get shot down," interrupted dick. "no, i think the ghosts idea is as good as anything. quick, take off your coats and tie your handkerchiefs over your faces." the boys had on light-colored outing shirts, and these, with the handkerchiefs over their faces, made them look quite ghostlike in the gloom under the trees. "now, when the time comes groan," said tom. "ghosts always groan, you know." "and let us order them back," added sam. "but be sure to do it in very ghostlike tones," warned dick. "if our voices sound a bit natural they'll get suspicious at once. if they come for us, or shoot at us, drop behind the rocks and run into the woods." it must be confessed that the boys were doubtful of the success of their ruse. yet they felt they must do something to hold the treasure-seeking party in check, at least until morning. with the coming of daylight they could signal to the _rainbow_ and with the aid of those on the steam yacht probably rout the enemy. the rover boys advanced along the trail until they reached a spot they deemed favorable for their purpose. then dick gave his brothers a few more directions. presently they saw the rays of the gas lamp and the lantern in the distance. at once tom set up a deep groaning and sara and dick joined in. "what's that?" asked shelley, who was the first to hear the sounds. "sounds like somebody in distress," answered sid merrick. "thought you said there was nobody on this island?" came from cuffer. "didn't think there was. maybe it's some native who----" "look! look!" screamed tad sobber and pointed ahead with his hand. "what's that?" "what's what?" asked the men in concert. "there--that thing bobbing up and down over the rocks?" and tad sobber trembled as he spoke. this lonely walk through the darkness of the forest had somewhat unnerved him. "that's strange," muttered merrick. "it's groaning!" "it's a ghost!" screamed tad, and shrank back, as did cuffer and shelley. "a ghost?" repeated sid merrick. "nonsense! there are no such things as ghosts." "it cer--certainly looks like a--a ghost!" faltered cuffer. "it is a ghost!" said tad, his teeth beginning to chatter. "i--i ca--can hear it gro--groan! come on ba--ba--back!" and he began to retreat. "back with you!" came in solemn tones. "back with you!" "no white man must come here," said a second voice. "this is sacred ground!" "he who sets foot here dies!" came from a third voice. "this is the burial place of the great hupa-hupa! back, if you value your life!" and then followed a jabbering nobody could understand, and white arms were waved wildly in the air. this warning was too much for tad sobber, and without further ado he took to his heels and retreated down the trail whence he had come. cuffer followed him, and shelley also retreated several yards. "stop, you fools!" cried sid merrick. "those are no ghosts, i tell you. it's a trick of some kind." "i--i don't know about that," answered shelley. "don't you think it would be better to come here in the daylight? we--er--we can't find that cave in the dark anyway." "yes, we can--and i am going to do it, too," was merrick's answer. "that is a trick, i tell you." he raised his voice: "who are you?" he called out. "answer me truthfully, or i'll fire on you!" this threat alarmed the rover boys, for they saw that merrick was in earnest. "i guess our cake is dough," muttered tom. "wait, i think i can scare him back yet," said dick. "let me do the talking." "i say, who are you?" repeated merrick. "you needn't pretend to be ghosts, for i don't believe in them." "we are the owners of this isle," answered dick, in the heaviest tone he could assume. "we are ten strong, and we order you to go back to your ship at once." "the owners of this isle?" "yes." "i don't believe it." "you can do as you please about that. but if you come a yard further we'll fire at you." "humph! then you are armed?" "we are--and we know how to shoot, too." "what brought you here at such a time as this?" "we have a special reason for being here, as you may learn by to-morrow." "do you know anything of a treasure on this island?" went on sid merrick curiously. "we know something of it, yes. it belongs to the stanhope estate, provided it can be found." "it doesn't belong to the stanhopes at all--it belongs to me," cried merrick. "in a day or two the stanhopes are coming here to take possession," went on dick. "they will bring with them a number of their friends and uncover the treasure, which is now hidden in a secret place. as i and my brothers and cousins own this isle we are to have our share of what is uncovered. now we warn you again to go away. we are ten to your four, and we are all armed with shotguns and pistols, and we have the drop on you." "good for you, dick, pile it on," whispered tom. then he pulled sam by the arm. "come on, let us appear from behind another rock--they'll think we are two more of the brothers or cousins!" "you won't dare to shoot us," blustered merrick, but his voice had a trace of uncertainty in it. "won't we?" answered dick. "there is a warning for you!" and raising the pistol he carried he sent a shot over the heads of the other party. "they are shooting at us! we'll all be killed!" yelled tad sobber, who had come back during the conversation, and again he and cuffer took to their heels. "mind the warning!" called out dick, and dropped almost out of sight behind a rock. at that same moment tom and sam appeared from behind a rock far to the left. "mind that warning!" they cried. "remember, we are ten to four!" "there are two more of 'em," cried shelley. "confound the luck, what sort of a game is this anyway?" said sid merrick, much chagrined. "well, it is more than we expected," answered shelley. "i, for one, don't care to risk being shot down. i reckon they have the bulge on us, if there really are ten of 'em." "i've seen but five--the three ahead and the two over yonder." "there are two more!" answered shelley and pointed to another rock, to which sam and tom had just crawled. "that makes seven." "go back, i tell you," warned dick. "we'll give you just two minutes in which to make up your mind. if you don't go back we'll start to shoot!" "come on back!" cried tad, from a safe distance. "don't let them shoot you, uncle sid!" "we'll go back to our ship," called out sid merrick. "but remember, this thing isn't settled yet." "if you have any differences with the stanhopes you can settle with the folks on the steam yacht which has just arrived," answered dick, not knowing what else to say. the party under sid merrick began to retreat, and dick, tom and sam watched them with interest, until the lights faded in the distance. then tom did a jig in his delight. "that was easier than i expected," he said. "even if we didn't scare them playing ghost," added sam. "i wonder if they really thought we were ten in number?" "well, they thought we were seven anyway!" answered dick. "it was a clever ruse you two played." what to do next the rover boys did not know. it was impossible for any of them to calculate how far they were from the spot where they had landed or to determine the best way of getting back to horseshoe bay, as they had named the locality. "if we move around very much in this darkness we may become hopelessly lost in the forest," said dick. "maybe we had better stay right where we are until morning," suggested his youngest brother. "i'm agreeable to anything," were tom's words. "if we stay here we want to remain on guard," said dick. "merrick may take it into his head to come back." an hour later found the three rover boys encamped in a small opening to one side of the forest trail. they made beds for themselves of some soft brushwood, and it was decided that one should remain on guard while the other two slept. "each can take three hours of guard duty," said dick. "that will see us through the night nicely," and so it was arranged. chapter xxii prisoners in the forest dick was the first to go on guard and during the initial hour of his vigil practically nothing came to disturb him. he heard the occasional cry of the nightbirds and the booming of the surf on the reefs and the shore of the isle, and saw numerous fireflies flit to and fro, and that was all. "i don't believe they'll come back," he murmured to himself. "like as not they are afraid to advance on the trail and also afraid to trust themselves to this jungle in the darkness." dick had found some wild fruit growing close at hand and he began to sample this. but it was bitter, and he feared to eat much, thinking it might make him sick. then, to keep awake, for he felt sleepy because of his long tramp, he took out his knife and began to cut his initials on a stately palm growing beside the temporary camp. dick had just finished one letter and was starting the next when of a sudden he found himself taught from behind. his arms were pinned to his side, his pistol wrenched from his grasp, and a hand that was not overly clean was clapped over his mouth. "not a sound, rover, if you know when you are well off!" said a voice into his ear. despite this warning the lad would have yelled to his brothers, but he found this impossible. he had been attacked by merrick and shelley, and cuffer stood nearby, ready with a stick, to crack him over the head should he show fight. the attack had come in the dark, the gas lamp and the lantern having been extinguished when the party from the _josephine_ drew close. merrick had prepared himself for his nefarious work, and in a twinkling he had dick's hands bound behind him and had a gag placed in the youth's mouth. then he had the lad bound fast to a nearby tree. in the meantime tom and sam were sleeping soundly. the two brothers lay each with a hand close to the other, and with caution merrick and his party tied the two hands together. then they tied the lads' feet, so that they could not run. "what's the meaning of this?" cried tom, struggling to rise, as did sam. "it means you are prisoners!" cried tad sobber, who had had small part in the operations, but who was ready to do all the "crowing" possible. "prisoners!" gasped sam. "where is dick?" he added. "also a prisoner," said tad, with a chuckle. "you thought you had fooled us nicely, but i guess we have turned the tables on you." "i suspected you rovers," said sid merrick. "really!" answered tom, sarcastically. "you acted it!" "see here, don't you get funny, young man. please remember you are in our power." "and we'll do some shooting, if we have to," added tad, bombastically. "tad, i guess i can do the talking for this crowd," said his uncle. "you were afraid of the ghosts, tad," said sam. "you must have run about a mile!" and the youngest rover grinned in spite of the predicament he was in. "you shut up!" roared tad sobber, and exhibited some of the brutality that had made him so hated at putnam hall by raising his foot and kicking sam in the side. "stop!" cried the youngest rover, in pain. "what a brute you are!" "leave my brother alone!" came from tom. "a fine coward you are, to kick him when he is a prisoner! you wouldn't dare to try it if he was free." "i wouldn't, eh? i want you to understand i'm not afraid of anybody," blustered tad. "i am----" "tad, be quiet," cried his uncle. "i am fully capable of managing this affair. don't kick him again." "yes, but look here, uncle sid, they----" "i will take care of things," cried sid merrick, and so sharply that his nephew at once subsided. but on the sly he shook his fist at both tom and sam. "maybe we had better make sure that nobody else is around," suggested shelley, who had been merrick's best aide in the capture. "all right, look around if you want to," was merrick's reply. "i am pretty certain these boys are alone here--although more persons from the steam yacht may be ashore." they looked around, but, of course, found nobody else. then dick, tom and sam were tied in a row to three trees which were handy. merrick took possession of their single weapon. "i don't want you to hurt yourselves with it," he said, grimly. "merrick, this is a high-handed proceeding," said dick, when the gag was removed from his mouth. "no more so than was your statement of owning the isle," was the answer. "what are you going to do with us?" "nothing." "i must say i don't understand you." "what should i do with you? i don't enjoy your company. i am here solely to get that treasure, as you must know. i am going after that and leave you where you are." "bound to these trees?" "certainly." "supposing we can't get loose?" remonstrated tom. "we may starve to death!" "that will be your lookout. but i reckon you'll get loose sooner or later, although we've bound you pretty tight." "can i have a drink before you go?" asked sam, who was dry. "don't give 'em a drop, uncle sid!" cried tad. "they don't deserve it." "oh, they can have a drink," said sid merrick. "i'd give a drink even to a dog," he added, and passed around some water the boys had in a bottle. less than fifteen minutes later the three rover boys found themselves alone in the forest. the merrick party had lit their acetylene gas lamp and the lantern and struck out once more along the trail which they supposed would take them to the treasure cave. the boys heard them for a short distance, and then all became dark and silent around them. "well, now we are in a pickle and no mistake," remarked sam, with a long sigh. "that ghost business proved a boomerang," was tom's comment. "it's a pity we didn't dig out for the shore, signal to the steam yacht, and tell father and the others about what was going on." "there is no use crying over spilt milk," said dick. "the first thing to do is to get free." "yes, and that's real easy," sniffed tom. "i am bound up like a bale of hay to be shipped to the south pole!" "and the cord on my wrists is cutting right into the flesh," said sam. "if we were the heroes of a dime novel we'd shoo these ropes away in a jiffy," went on tom, with a grin his brothers could not see. "but being plain, everyday american boys i'm afraid we'll have to stay tied up until somebody comes to cut us loose." "oh, for a faithful dog!" sighed sam. "i saw a moving picture once in which a dog came and untied a girl who was fastened to a tree. i'd give as much as five dollars for that dog right now." "make it six and a half, sam, and i'll go half," answered tom. "well, this is no joke," declared dick, almost severely. "we must get free somehow--or they'll get that treasure and be off with it before father and the others have a chance to land. we've got to do something." they all agreed they "had to do something," but what that something was to be was not clear. they worked over their bonds until their wrists were cut and bleeding and then gave the task up. it was so dark they could see each other but dimly, and the darkness and quietness made them anything but lighthearted. "supposing some wild beast comes to chew us up," said sam, presently, after a silence that was positively painful. "we know there are no big beasts on these islands," answered dick. "don't worry yourself unnecessarily, sam. we've got troubles enough as it is." "the only beasts here are human beasts," said tom, "and their names are merrick, sobber, cuffer and shelley," and he said this so dryly his brothers had to laugh. slowly the night wore away, each hour dragging more than that which preceded it. two or three times the boys tried again to liberate themselves, but fared no better than before, indeed, dick fared worse, for he came close to spraining his left wrist. the pain for a while was intense and it was all he could do to keep from crying out. "i'd like to know what time it is," said sam, when the first streak of dawn began to show among the trees. "and i'd like to know if merrick has found the treasure cave," added dick. "it will soon be morning," came from tom, and he was right. the rising sun did not penetrate to where they stood, but it tipped the tops of the trees with gold and made it light enough for them to see each other quite plainly. the boys were glad that day had come at last, for being prisoners in the light was not half as bad as in the dark. each looked at the others rather curiously. "well, we are still here," said tom laconically. "yes, and liable to stay here," added sam. "i wonder if father is getting ready to land," said dick. "i suppose if he does he will come ashore where we did." "yes, but that is a good distance from here," was sam's comment. "wonder if it would do us any good to yell?" said tom. "and bring merrick and his gang down on us," said his younger brother. "no, thank you." "i don't believe they are around," said dick. "i am going to try my lungs." and he began to yell with all the power of his vocal organs. then tom and sam joined in, and they kept this up, off and on, for fully an hour. "i am not only dry but hungry," said tom. "wish i had that lunch we brought along." "tad sobber sneaked that away," said dick. "if ever there was a fellow with a heart of stone he's the chap. why, dan baxter in his worst days wasn't as bad as this young rascal." another hour went by and then dick uttered an exclamation: "listen!" "what did you hear?" asked his brothers. "i thought i heard somebody calling!" they strained their ears and from a great distance heard a cry, but what it was they could not make out. "let's call back," said dick. "it may do us harm," interposed sam. "we'll take the chance," said tom, and started a loud cry, in which all joined. they waited patiently for an answer to come back. but for several minutes there was absolute silence. then, to their surprise, a pistol shot sounded out. "hullo!" ejaculated dick. "something is up. i wonder what it is?" chapter xxiii what wingate had to tell after the departure of the rover boys from the steam yacht mr. rover and captain barforth held a consultation, and it was decided that the search for the treasure cave should begin in earnest at daybreak. "i do not think the boys will locate the cave in the coming darkness," said anderson rover. "but still it will do no harm to let them have a try at it." "mr. rover, do you suppose those on board the _josephine_ have landed yet?" asked fred, who was present. "there is no telling for certain, fred. but i should say not, since their steamer is nowhere in sight." "i hope they do not come for some days," said mrs. stanhope. "for if they do, and you meet, i feel sure there will be serious trouble." after that anderson rover had a long talk with bahama bill, and the old tar said he thought he could locate the cave without much trouble. "o' course, the isle has changed since i was here last," said he. "must have had a hurricane or something like that, to wash the beach and rake down some o' the trees. but i think i can find it as soon as i locate the trail leadin' that way. you know trails are great things. why, when i was sailing on the _jessie d._, from the south sea islands, we landed on a place where there was a trail running to a volcano. we took to it, and the first thing we know we went down into that ere volcano about a thousand feet. it made my hair stand on end, i can tell ye! four o' us went down, an' the others had to git ropes an' haul us up ag'in, an' it took half a day to do it." "vos you hurted much?" asked hans. "not a scratch, my hearty, only it broke my pipe, one my brother gave me afore i sailed, an' one i wouldn't have taken a month's pay for," concluded bahama bill. an hour later songbird, who was on the deck of the steam yacht, composing poetry in the darkness of the night, saw the old tar coming toward him. bahama bill was groaning deeply. "what's the matter?" asked the would-be poet. "oh, i'm a-burnin' up on my insides!" answered the old tar, and gave a deep groan. "i want a doctor, i do!" seeing bahama bill was really sick, songbird went to his assistance and called mr. rover. then captain barforth was consulted and he gave the man some medicine. "it's queer i took sick so quick," said bahama bill, an hour later, when he felt better. "what did you eat and drink?" asked anderson rover. "i ate a tongue sandwich--one o' them was handed around awhile ago. i put it in my bunk room when i got it and ate it on going to bed. it made me sick the minit i downed it." "i ate one of those sandwiches and it didn't hurt me," said fred. "yah, and i vos eat two of dem," put in hans. "da vos goot, doo!" and he smacked his lips. "perhaps you ate something earlier in the day that didn't agree with you," said captain barforth; and there the talk ended, and bahama bill retired once more. less than an hour later came a commotion on the steam yacht. two men were evidently fighting and the voice of bahama bill was heard. "i've caught ye!" he bellowed. "no, ye ain't goin' to git away nuther!" and then came a crash as some article of furniture was tipped over. a rush was made by mr. rover, the boys and several others, and to the astonishment of all bahama bill was discovered on the deck locked arm in arm with walt wingate, who was doing his best to break away. "wingate, you rascal!" shouted anderson rover, and caught the deck hand by the collar. "let me go!" yelled the fellow, and struggled to free himself. he held a pistol in one hand and this went off, but the bullet merely cut the air. then the weapon was taken from him. "so you are still on board, eh?" roared captain barforth, when he confronted the man. "what have you to say for yourself?" "i--er--i haven't done anything wrong," was wingate's stubborn reply. "oh, no, of course not!" "he came at me in my sleep," cried bahama bill. "he had something in a little white paper and he was trying to put it into my mouth when i woke up an' caught him. i think he was going to poison me!" and he leaped forward and caught the prisoner by the throat. "le--let up!" gasped the deck hand. "it--it's all a mis--mistake! i wasn't going to poi--poison anybody." "maybe he vos poison does sandwiches, doo," suggested hans. "i mean dose dot made bahama pill sick." "like as not he did," growled the old tar. "he's a bad one, he is!" and he shook the deck hand as a dog shakes a rat. "he is surely in league with sid merrick," said anderson rover. he faced walt wingate sternly. "do you dare deny it?" at first wingate did deny it, but when threatened with severe punishment unless he told the whole truth, he confessed. "i used to know sid merrick years ago," he said. "he used me for a tool, he did. when we met at nassau he told me what he wanted done and i agreed to do it, for some money he gave me and for more that he promised me." "and what did you agree to do?" asked anderson rover. "i agreed to get a job as a deck hand if i could and then, on the sly, cripple the yacht so she couldn't reach treasure isle as quick as the _josephine_--the steamer merrick is on. then i also promised to make bahama bill sick if possible, so he couldn't go ashore and show you where the cave was. i wasn't going to poison him. the stuff i used was given to me by merrick, who bought it at a drug store in nassau. he said it would make bahama bill sleepy--dopy, he called it." "did he tell you what the stuff was?" "no." "then it may be poison after all," said captain barforth. "you took a big risk in using it, not to say anything about the villainy of using anything." "oh, jest let me git at him, cap'n!" came from bahama bill, who was being held back by fred and songbird. "i'll show him wot i think o' sech a measly scoundrel!" and he shook his brawny fist at the prisoner. "i'm sorry now i had anything to do with merrick," went on walt wingate. "he always did lead me around by the nose." "well, he has led many others that way," answered anderson rover, remembering the freight robbers. "i am willing to do anything i can to make matters right," went on wingate. "o' course you are, now you're caught," sneered bahama bill. "can you tell us if the _josephine_ was coming to this spot?" asked captain barforth. "is this the south side of the isle?" "yes." "well, captain sackwell said he knew of a landing place on the north side of treasure isle, and he was bound for that spot." "the north side!" cried anderson rover. he looked at captain barforth. "can they have tricked us?" he asked. "i never heard o' any landing on that side," said bahama bill. "but then i never visited the place but onct, as i told ye afore." "did the spaniard doranez know of the landing on the north side?" questioned songbird. "so he told merrick," answered wingate. "he said he was the one to speak of the isle first, for he had visited it half a dozen times during his voyages among the west indies." "then they may be on the north side of the island now!" cried fred. after that walt wingate was questioned closely and he told all he knew about merrick and his plans. he was very humble, and insisted upon it that he had meant to do no more than put bahama bill into a sound sleep. "well, you are a dangerous character," said captain barforth. "for the present i am going to keep you a prisoner," and a few minutes later he had wingate handcuffed and placed under lock and key in a small storeroom. the deck hand did not like this, but he was thankful to escape a worse fate. anxious to know if the _josephine_ was anywhere in the vicinity of the isle, some of those on board the _rainbow_ ascended one of the masts and attempted to look across the land. but a hill shut off the view. "we'll have to wait until morning," said mr. rover, and was about to go down to the deck when something attracted his attention. it was a strange shaft of light shooting up from along the trees in the center of treasure isle. "a searchlight!" he cried. "somebody is on shore, and it must be merrick with his crowd." and this surmise was correct, as we already know. chapter xxiv a missing landmark the searchlight was watched with interest for fully quarter of an hour. it was, of course, visible only now and then, but from the shafts of light seen, those on the steam yacht were certain somebody was moving from the north side of the isle to the location of the treasure cave. "we ought to head them off, if possible," declared anderson rover. "should that be merrick's crowd and they meet my sons there will surely be trouble!" "let us go ashore without delay!" said songbird, who was sorry he had not accompanied the rover boys. "that's what i say!" added fred. "we can take plenty of lights." "i vos not von pit sleepy," declared hans. "i go kvick, of you said so, mr. rofer." "if yo' go, don't forgit aleck!" pleaded the colored man. "you shall go, aleck," answered mr. rover, who knew he could depend upon the colored man in any emergency. "i hope you find dick, and tom and sam," said dora. "it was foolish for them to go off alone." "and don't let merrick hurt anybody," pleaded nellie. it was quickly decided that the party to go ashore should be composed of mr. rover, bahama bill, aleck, and the three boys. nearly everybody went armed, and the party carried with them a small electric searchlight, run by a "pocket" battery, and two oil lanterns. they also took with them some provisions, and a pick, a shovel and a crowbar, for bahama bill said there might be some digging to do to get at the treasure. had it not been for the small searchlight it would have been next to impossible to find the opening through the reef during the night. but the light was all that was needed, and they came through with little more than a shower of spray touching them. bahama bill and mr. rover rowed the boat and soon brought the craft to a point where they disembarked without difficulty. "the boys did not land here," said anderson rover, after a look along the sandy shore for footprints. "but they must have come in somewhere around here." "let's call for them," suggested songbird, and this was done, but no reply came back. "they have started on the hunt for the cave, just as i supposed they would," said mr. rover. "den let us git aftah dem directly," said aleck. "i feels like i could tramp all night widout half tryin'!" tying up the rowboat, and shouldering their tools and provisions, they set off along the shore of horseshoe bay, just as the three rover boys had done. bahama bill led the way, with mr. rover beside him, carrying the electric light, which gave out fully as much light as did the acetylene gas lamp carried by merrick. "here are some footprints!" cried mr. rover, after a short distance had been covered. "dem was made by our boys!" cried aleck, after a minute examination. "i know dem shoes, fo' i has shined 'em many de time!" "if they walked in that direction they took the wrong course," was bahama bill's comment. "like as not they got turned around among the trees an' in the dark." "we must locate the party with that strong light we saw from the yacht," said mr. rover. "perhaps in doing that we'll come up to my sons." once on shore, the old tar said he remembered the locality well, and he did not hesitate in pushing forward, across the path taken by the three rover boys, and then to a trail which the rovers had missed. they had to climb a small hill, and here it was that bahama bill showed the first signs of perplexity. "queer!" he muttered, coming to a halt and gazing around. "mighty queer!" "what is queer?" questioned anderson rover. "this looks changed to me. when i was here afore there was a rock yonder, an' the crowd placed a mark on it fer a guide, as i told ye. ain't no rock there now!" and he scratched his head as if he was afraid he was not seeing aright. "when you were here was a good many years ago," said songbird. "the rock may have tumbled down the hill. let us look around." this advice was followed, and after a long hunt a rock was found in a hollow. it had a peculiar mark cut upon it. "that's it!" cried bahama bill, in delight. "i knew it must be around here somewhere. but what made that big rock tumble down?" "maybe somepody pushed him ofer," said hans. "four men couldn't budge that rock," declared fred. "i believe an earthquake must have done it," came from anderson rover, and suddenly his face grew grave. "i trust no earthquake has disturbed the treasure cave," he added. they pushed on, but scarcely had they covered a quarter of a mile when bahama bill called another halt. and well he might, for the trail they had been following came to an abrupt end in front of a pit several rods in diameter and twenty to thirty feet deep. the bottom of the pit was choked up with rocks, dead trees and brushwood. "what now?" asked mr. rover, and his tone betrayed his uneasiness. "this wasn't here afore," said the old tar, briefly. he was so "stumped" he could scarcely speak. "you are sure?" "dead certain." "then this isle has undoubtedly been visited by an earthquake within the last few years." "thet's it, mr. rover." "maybe the trail can be picked up on the other side of the hole," came from fred. "let us walk around." he and some of the others started to do so, but soon came to a place where walking became uncertain and dangerous. songbird went into one hole up to his waist and poor hans disappeared entirely. "hellup! hellup!" roared the german boy. "bull me owid, somepody!" aleck was close at hand, and reaching down into the hole he got hold of hans' hand. it was a hard pull, but presently anderson rover took hold, too, and between him and the colored man they got the german youth to the surface. hans' face and clothing were covered with dust and dirt and he was scratched in several places. "i dink i was goin' t'rough to chiny!" he said. "you pet my life i vos careful after dis vere i valk, yah!" "the earthquake seems to have left this part of the isle full of pits and holes," said mr. rover. "i hope my boys have managed to steer clear of the dangerous places." they soon found they had to turn back, and now bahama bill frankly declared that he was "all at sea," as he put it. "every landmark i knew has been swept away," he said. "all i can say is, the cave is in that direction," and he pointed with his hand. "but it may be buried out o' sight now," he added, dismally. there was nothing to do but to retrace their steps, and this they did as far as they were able. they had covered about half the distance when they saw a shaft of light shoot around the tree-tops near them. "there is that strange light!" cried songbird. "let us find out what it is!" added fred. they tried to follow the light and in doing this became hopelessly lost in the jungle. then one of the boys struck one of the oil lanterns on a rock and smashed it, thus doing away with that much of the illumination they carried. "we must be careful," said anderson rover. "we are making no progress so far as the treasure is concerned. we had better try to find our way back to the shore, and try to find my sons." and this was agreed to by all. but it was no easy matter to get back to the shore, and an hour later found them in a tangle of undergrowth. aleck was ahead, accompanied by fred and songbird. "hark! i heah something!" cried the colored man, presently. "somebody is calling!" cried songbird. "maybe it's dick and the others!" added fred. they called in return and then they fired off a pistol. there was a brief silence and then came the call once more. "come on, dis way!" yelled aleck, and plunged through the underbrush with the boys following. he continued to call and at last made out the voices of dick, tom and sam quite plainly. "i'se found de boys!" cried the colored man in delight. "i'se found de boys!" and he plunged on again until he gained the clearing where the three lads were tied to the trees. with his pocketknife he cut their bonds. "good for you, aleck!" cried dick. "i am more than glad to see you!" "and so am i," added sam and tom in a breath. then the others came up, and the rover boys had to tell their story, to which the members of the second party listened with the keenest of interest. chapter xxv the trail through the jungle "sid merrick is certainly in deadly earnest," was mr. rover's comment, after the boys had finished their tale. "he means to get hold of that treasure by hook or by crook, and he will stop at nothing to gain his end." "we want to go after him and his gang," said dick. "we ought not to lose a minute doing it." "can you walk, dick?" "i guess so, although being tied up made me rather stiff." "i see your wrist is bleeding." "yes, and i tried pretty hard to free myself." "and i tried, too," added sam. "but i couldn't budge a single knot." "we could not unknot the knots," added tom, who was bound to have his joke. it was now morning, for which all were thankful. the lights were put out, and the whole party partook of some of the provisions on hand. "i believe merrick would have left us to starve," said sam. "he is the greatest rascal i ever knew!" the rover boys pointed out the direction sid merrick and his party had taken. bahama bill said that trail was new to him, and if it led to the treasure cave he did not know it. "but i'll know the cave as soon as i see it--if it is still there," he added. "well, you won't see it if it isn't there," said dick, grimly. "that earthquake may have changed the whole face of that portion of the isle." the trail appeared to make a wide sweep to the westward, and led them over ground that was unusually rough. the trailing vines were everywhere and they had to brush away innumerable spider webs as they progressed. once songbird came upon some spiders larger than any he had yet seen and two crawled on his shoulder, causing him to yell in fright. "what's the matter?" asked dick. "spiders! two were just going to bite me, but i got rid of 'em!" "don't be afraid, songbird," came from tom. "why don't you study them and write a poem about them?" "a poem about spiders! ugh!" and songbird's face showed his disgust. "der spider vos a pusy little animal," observed hans. "he sphins his veb und attends strictly to business. i dink i make up some boetry apout him," and the german boy began: "der vos von leetle sphider vot lifed owid in der voot, he made himself a leetle veb und said dot it vos goot." "hurrah, for hans!" cried tom. "he's the true poet of spiderdom!" and then he added: "hans, we'll crown you poet laureate if you say so." "i ton't von no crown," answered hans, complacently. "i chust so vell vear mine cap alretty." as the party progressed the way become more uncertain, and at last they reached the edge of a swamp, beyond which was some kind of a cane-brake. they saw numerous footprints in the soft soil, and these led further still to the westward. "listen!" said dick, presently, and held up his hand. all did as requested and from a distance heard somebody calling to somebody else. then came a reply in sid merrick's voice. "merrick is talking to shelley," said dick. "they have lost the right trail, too." "hang the luck!" they heard shelley say. "no path at all?" "none," answered sid merrick. "there is no path here either--it's a regular jungle," came from cuffer, who was not far off. "i'm all stuck up with the thorns," put in tad sobber. "i think we were foolish to come to such a spot as this." "you can go back if you want to," answered his uncle, who was evidently out of patience. "nobody is keeping you." "i am not going back alone--i couldn't find the way," answered tad. "then don't growl." "i reckon we'll all have to go back and wait till that spaniard can show us the way," said shelley. "that's well enough to say, shelley. but supposing those rovers come here in the meantime?" "those boys?" "yes, and their father, and the others on that steam yacht," went on sid merrick earnestly. "they can't find the cave any quicker than we can--if wingate did as he promised." "but if he didn't? he's a good deal of a coward and perhaps he didn't have the nerve to dose bahama bill." more talk followed, but as the men were now moving in another direction the rovers and their companions made out little more of the conversation. "what shall we do, confront them?" asked sam of his parent. "not if they are going back to their ship," answered mr. rover. "we can watch them and see what they do." at the end of half an hour they saw that the merrick party had started for the north side of the isle. they waited in silence until all were well out of hearing. "i am glad we are rid of them--at least for the time being," said anderson rover. "now we can continue the treasure hunt in peace." "but dem fellers will be suah to come back," interposed aleck. "i know that, aleck, but they won't come back right away. evidently they are returning to their vessel to get that spaniard, doranez." "i'd like to have punched merrick's head for tying me up," growled tom. "it will be punishment enough for him if we get the treasure," answered mr. rover. "if we do." "you are not ready to give up yet, are you, tom?" "oh, no. but finding that treasure isn't going to be as easy as i thought." "we ought to be able to find some trace of the cave pretty soon--the isle is so small. if the isle was large it would be a different matter." they decided to advance, some of the party skirting the swamp in one direction and some in another. it was difficult work and they did not wonder that merrick and his party had given up in disgust. occasionally they had to wade in water up to their ankles and then climb through brushwood that was all but impassible. they tore their clothing more than once, and scratches were numerous. the sun had been shining brightly, but now, as if to add to their misery, it went under some heavy clouds, casting a deep gloom over the jungle. "we are goin' to have a storm," said bahama bill. "an' when it comes i reckon it will be a lively one. i remember onct, when i was on the island o' cuby, we got a hurricane that come putty nigh to sweepin' everything off the place. it took one tree up jest whar i was standin' an' carried it 'bout half a mile out into the ocean. thet tree struck the foremast o' a brig at anchor an' cut it off clean as a whistle. some o' the sailors thought the end o' the world was comin'." "they certainly do have some heavy hurricanes down here," remarked anderson rover. "but let us hope we'll escape all such, even though we get a wetting," he added, as he felt a few drops of rain. soon it was raining steadily, and when they reached a spot clear of trees they got soaked to the skin. but as it was very warm they did not mind this. "it's like taking a bath without troubling about undressing," said tom, and this remark caused a smile. they were now in a bunch once more, with bahama bill leading them. the old tar was looking sharply ahead and soon he gave a grunt of satisfaction. "what is it?" asked anderson rover eagerly. "i know where i am now," was the reply. "and unless that earthquake knocked it skyhigh thet cave ought to be right ahead o' us!" chapter xxvi a dismaying discovery the announcement that the treasure cave must be just ahead of them filled the entire party with renewed energy, and regardless of the rain, which was now coming down heavily, they pushed on behind bahama bill in a close bunch, each eager to be the first to behold the sought-for spot. [illustration: they pushed on behind bahama bill.] there was no longer any trail, and they had to pick their way over rough rocks and through brushwood and vines which were thick regardless of the fact that they had little or no rooting places. "i guess we've got to earn that treasure if we get it," said sam, as he paused to get his breath. "it certainly looks that way," answered dick, as he wiped the rain and perspiration from his face. "i wonder how much further we have to go?" that question was answered almost immediately, for bahama bill, turning the corner of several extra large rocks, came to a halt with a grunt of dissatisfaction. "well, what now?" questioned anderson rover. "it's gone!" "what, the cave?" asked several. "yes--she's gone, swallowed up, busted!" answered the old tar. "thet air earthquake done it an' no error," he went on. "it jest shook thet pile o' rock wot made the cave into a heap, and there's the heap." bahama bill pointed in front of him, where a large quantity of rocks lay in a scattered mass, many of them ten and twenty tons in weight. at one point was what he said had been the entrance to the cave, but this was completely blocked by the stones. "vot's der madder, can't ve get in?" queried hans, with a look of real concern on his honest face. "that doesn't look like it," answered fred. "too bad, and after coming so far for this treasure, too!" "we must get in there somehow!" cried dick. "why can't we blow up the rocks with dynamite," suggested tom. "we can--but it will take time," said his father. he turned to bahama bill. "about how far into the cave was the treasure placed?" "oh, at least a hundred feet--maybe two hundred." anderson rover heaved a deep sigh, which was echoed by his sons. to get down into that mass of rocks a distance of from one to two hundred feet would surely be a herculean task, if not an impossible one. and then, too, there was a question whether or not the treasure had not dropped down through some hole in the bottom of the cave after the earthquake. "i'll have to think this over," said anderson rover, after an examination of the rocks. "we'll have to try to locate the treasure and then see if we can raise enough dynamite to blow the rocks away. more than likely, if we undertake the task, it will take a long time--perhaps weeks and months." "what, as long as that?" cried sam, in dismay. "well, if the treasure is as valuable as reported it will be worth it," answered dick. "but in the meantime, what of sid merrick and his gang?" asked tom. "more than likely they will make us seven kinds of trouble and do their best to get the treasure away from us." "we shall have to protect ourselves as well as we can," said mr. rover. after that it rained so hard they were forced to seek shelter under a thick bunch of palms. the rain continued for half an hour longer and then the sun came out strongly, and the jungle became steaming hot. with bahama bill to guide them, they walked around what had been the top of the treasure cave. from some landmarks which had not been totally destroyed by the earthquake the old tar felt certain that there could be no mistake and that the treasure must be buried beneath them. "but how far down you'll have to go to reach it i can't tell," he added. "it's like them ile well diggers--sometimes they strike ile near the top o' the ground, an' then ag'in they have to bore putty deep down. it's my hope ye won't have to roll away more'n two or three rocks to git into the hole an' put your hands on the boxes with the gold and jewels." "if we only had to roll away two or three rocks i'd be for doing the rolling right now!" cried tom. "i'd like to see you roll a rock weighing ten or fifteen tons," observed songbird. "you'd want about twenty horses to even start it." now that the first disappointment was over, the rovers began to consider getting down into the cave from a purely practical point. they looked over all the big rocks with care, making a note of such as ought to be blasted away and of others that could be removed with the aid of a rope and pulleys. "let us see if we cannot gain the shore of the bay in a straight line from here," said mr. rover, after the examination of the ground had come to an end. "if we can it will make it so much easier to go back and forth from the steam yacht." they had a compass with them, and leaving the vicinity of the shattered cave, struck out in a direct line for horseshoe bay. much to their surprise they found an easy path, and came out on the sandy beach almost before they knew it. "well, i never!" cried dick. "if we had known of this before, what a lot of trouble we might have saved ourselves." "well, we know it now," answered tom. "and as we marked the path it will be an easy matter in the future to go back and forth from the cave to the bay." it took them some time to get their boat, and it was almost nightfall before they reached the steam yacht. it can readily be imagined that the stanhopes and lanings awaited their coming with interest. "what success, dick?" cried dora eagerly. "not so very much as yet," he answered, soberly, for he hated to disappoint the girl who was so dear to him. and then he told her of all that had happened. she shuddered when she found he had been a prisoner of sid merrick and his followers. "oh, dick, i am so thankful you escaped," she cried, with tears in her eyes. "you must not get into such a situation again! why, the whole treasure isn't worth it." "but i want to get that money and the jewels for you, dora." "yes, but i don't want money and jewels if--if you are--are going to get hurt," she answered, and her deep eyes looked him through and through. "i'll be careful after this--but we are going to get the treasure, sure thing," he added, stoutly. "i was afraid an earthquake might have played pranks with that cave," was captain barforth's comment. "an earthquake can shake down the top of a cave quicker than it can shake down anything else. it doesn't take much to do it." the captain said he had a fair quantity of powder on board, to be used in the cannon for saluting and signalling. if they wanted dynamite, however, he'd have to run over to one of the big islands for it. "and then we may have trouble getting it," he added. "we'd probably have to buy up the supply of some contractor who happened to have it on hand." "i don't like to think of leaving the island while merrick and his crowd are around," answered anderson rover. on the following morning mr. rover and captain barforth went ashore, taking dick, tom and sam along. the steam yacht was left in charge of asa carey, and the mate was told to remain close to the mouth of the reef and to send some of the others ashore armed if there came a signal of distress. "we have enemies on this isle," said captain barforth. "and they may try to do us harm." "i'll watch out," answered the mate, shortly. and then he turned away with a thoughtful look on his sour countenance. that there was something on his mind was evident. the small boat was brought ashore at the point where the path led directly to the sunken cave. although there was a lively breeze blowing, those landing did so without mishap. they had with them some tools for digging, and also a rock drill and some powder. "it will do no harm to blast one or two of the rocks and see what is underneath," said anderson rover. "we may possibly be lucky enough to find some entrance into the cave, although i must confess i doubt it." when they got to the vicinity of the shattered cave they found everything as they had left it. even a pick tom had forgotten remained undisturbed. "evidently the merrick crowd has not yet found its way here," said dick. "we shall have to be on our guard when we go to blasting," answered his parent. "for the noise may bring that rascal and his gang here in a hurry." and then all set to work with vigor to see if by some means they could not get down under the rocks and to the spot where the precious treasure had been deposited so many years before. chapter xxvii what happened on the steam yacht about an hour after the rovers and captain barforth had left the steam yacht dora came from the forward deck looking much disturbed. "what is the trouble?" asked her mother. "oh, not very much," she answered, for she did not wish to worry her parent. "where is fred?" "i think he is at the stern, fishing with hans and john." "i want to see them," continued dora, and hurried off. she found the three chums at the stern. they had been fishing for some time and several fish lay on the deck near them. "hullo, dora, want to try your luck?" asked fred, pleasantly. "i'll fix you a line--and fix lines for nellie and grace, too, if they want them." "i want to tell you boys something," said the girl, in almost a whisper, and not noticing what fred had proposed. "i--i am afraid something is going to happen." "what's that?" asked songbird, and all three youths looked at dora anxiously. "i was just up near the bow of the boat, and i overheard mr. carey, the mate, talking to mr. bossermann, the assistant engineer. you know i don't like those men a bit." "none of us do," said fred. "didn't ve haf a quarrel mid both of dem," added hans. "they were so in earnest that they did not notice me," continued dora. "i was going to walk away when i saw them, but then i overheard the name of walt wingate and i turned back to learn what they were saying about that bad man. it seems both the mate and the assistant engineer have been talking to wingate, and wingate has made them an offer." "does wingate want his liberty?" questioned fred. "yes, and he wants more--he wants the mate and the assistant engineer help him to defeat mr. rover's plan to get the treasure. he told mr. carey and mr. bossermann that if they would aid him he was sure sid merrick would reward them handsomely." "and what did carey and bossermann say to that?" asked songbird eagerly. "they said they'd like to talk it over with sid merrick." "the scoundrels!" vociferated fred. "talk it over with merrick! we ought to put 'em both in irons!" "i wanted to hear more, but they walked away and i was afraid to follow them," continued dora. "i thought i had better tell you and perhaps you'd know what to do. i didn't want to worry mother or my aunt." "we ought to let captain barforth know of this at once," said songbird. "chust vot i say," said hans. "der better der quicker." "how can you let him know?" "one of us might row ashore," said fred. "the others ought to stay behind to watch affairs." "i'll go ashore," said songbird promptly. "you'll have to have one of the sailors row you." "i know it. i can take hollbrook, he's a pretty decent sort of chap and i know he can row well." the fishing lines were wound up, and without delay songbird presented himself to asa carey. he and the others had agreed to say nothing to the mate about what dora had overheard. "mr. carey, i wish to go ashore," he said. "can i have hollbrook row me to the beach?" "go ashore?" growled the mate. "i didn't know anybody else was going." "well, i've just made up my mind to go. can hollbrook take me in one of the small boats?" "why didn't you go when captain barforth went?" "i didn't think of it then." "i don't know that i can spare hollbrook," grumbled the mate. he was eyeing songbird in a suspicious manner. "he doesn't seem to be doing anything just now." "say, who is running this vessel, you or i?" cried asa carey. "captain barforth is running her. but she is under charter to mr. rover, and mr. rover told me to use a small boat whenever i pleased," answered songbird sharply. "if you refuse to let me have a boat say so." "oh, i--er--i didn't say that," stammered the mate. "if you want to go do so. but i don't know if hollbrook can get you through the reef in safety or not." "i'll risk it," said songbird briefly and hurried below to prepare himself for the trip. fred and hans met him in his stateroom. "i think carey is suspicious," said songbird. "keep an eye on him, and if anything goes wrong shoot off the cannon or a gun. i'll do my best to find mr. rover and the captain and bring them back as quickly as possible." in a few minutes songbird and the sailor were over the side of the _rainbow_. hollbrook could pull a long, telling stroke, and under his guidance the craft soon shot through the opening in the reef and glided safely into the bay. "i am glad to put foot on shore," said the sailor, as he leaped out on the sand. "i want you to remain near the boat," said songbird. "i want to see the captain and it is possible we may want to get back to the steam yacht in a hurry." "oh! all right, sir." "while i am gone watch the _rainbow_ and if she should steam away any great distance call me." "why, i thought orders were for us to remain near the reef," cried hollbrook. "so they were, but mr. carey is in command now." leaving the sailor on the sand, songbird hurried up the path which the rovers and captain barforth had taken earlier in the day. he had covered less than half the distance to the shattered cave when he heard a shout from the beach. then, from the water, came the sound of a shotgun. "something is wrong already!" he gasped, as he stopped running. "i wonder what it can be?" he hesitated, not knowing whether to go forward or back. then he set up a yell on his own accord. "captain barforth! mr. rover! this way, quick!" he called at the top of his lungs. at first no answer came back, but presently he heard tom's shrill whistle, and then a cry from sam and dick. the three rover boys came down the path pell-mell, and their father and the captain were, not far behind them. "what's the trouble?" came simultaneously from dick and tom. sam would have asked the question too, but he was out of breath. "it's asa carey," answered songbird. and then, as the others came up, he told what dora had overheard. "and that shot we heard?" questioned captain barforth. "it told that there was trouble on board, but what i don't know." "let us get to the shore," said dick. he was thinking of dora and her mother and the lanings. as quickly as possible they dashed along to the sandy beach. hollbrook was still calling for songbird. "the yacht is steaming away!" he announced. "she is standing to the eastward." captain barforth gave a look and something like a groan escaped him. the _rainbow_ was a good mile away from where she had been stationed since reaching treasure isle. "can it be possible carey and bossermann are running away with the vessel?" asked sam. "that would be both mutiny and robbery," answered the captain. "i gave orders to carey to leave her where she was, unless a heavy blow threatened to send her in--then he was to stand off until the blow was over." "do you know what i think?" came from dick. "i think he is going to sail around to the other side of the isle. probably he has an idea of consulting with sid merrick. then, if merrick's offer suits him, he will do all he can to prevent us from getting the treasure." "you mean he and bossermann will throw in their fortunes with merrick?" asked mr. rover. "yes, and as many more on the steam yacht as carey can win over. i believe carey is a rascal and bossermann is no better." "yes, but they are only two against over a dozen?" said captain barforth. "no, three, for you must remember they have wingate with them," put in tom. "that is true." "can't we get to the yacht somehow?" asked sam. he was thinking of grace and the other girls, and wondering what would become of them in case there was a fight on board. "no, that is out of the question," answered mr. rover. "all we can do is to remain on the isle and wait developments. if they land we can fight them, but not before." chapter xxviii a new move of the enemy "something is up." it was fred who spoke, only a few minutes after songbird and the sailor in charge of the rowboat had left the side of the steam yacht. he addressed hans. "vot you vos see?" asked the german youth. "look!" hans looked and beheld walt wingate on the deck, in earnest conversation with the mate. the deck hand was not handcuffed as he had been a short while before, when tramping the forward deck for air, by captain barforth's permission. "carey must haf daken dem handguffs off," said the german youth. "i ton't like dot. maype dot vingate make troubles, hey?" the boys watched, and presently saw bossermann come up and join the pair. then bossermann went below to the engine room. shortly after this the yacht began to get up steam. "we're moving!" cried dora, as she came to the boys, accompanied by nellie and grace. "oh, what does it mean?" "i don't know," answered fred. "can't you find out, fred?" asked nellie. "i am sure the captain said nothing about sailing before he went ashore." "i'll find out--if the mate will tell me," answered fred. he walked over to where the mate stood, close to the wheelhouse, giving directions to the pilot of the _rainbow_. "mr. carey, where are we bound?" he asked, respectfully. "oh, just going to take a little sail around, to test the engine," was the apparent indifferent answer. "is the engine out of order?" "not exactly, but i thought it best to test the shaft. the assistant engineer thinks it is weak." this was apparently a fair-enough answer and fred bowed and walked away. then he went down the ladder leading to the engine room. he met frank norton coming up. there was a look of concern on the head engineer's honest face. "mr. norton, is there anything wrong with the engine or the shaft?" asked fred. "nothing the matter. why?" "mr. carey said there was, and he is taking a cruise around to test them--so he says." "i don't understand it, garrison. everything is o.k." "are you in charge now?" "no, this is my hour off. bossermann is in charge. by the way, i see powell went off after the others." "yes, and i wish the others were back," answered fred. he hesitated a moment. "mr. norton, i believe you have been with captain barforth a long time and that you and he are old chums." "that's right." "then i can trust you, can't i? it is something which concerns captain barforth and this vessel very much." "sure you can trust me." without hesitation, for he felt sure norton was both honest and reliable, fred told his story to the head engineer, who nodded many times during the recital. "i see it," whispered norton. "i suspected something was wrong. carey and bossermann are in some sort of a plot with this wingate, who came on board solely to aid that sid merrick. i believe carey is going off to meet merrick and see if he can make a deal with him." "that is what i think. how can we thwart him?" "better fire that gun, as a signal to those on shore, first of all. then we'll see what the mate has to say." fred needed no urging and soon he brought up a shotgun from the cabin and discharged it--the signal heard by songbird, as we already know. scarcely had this been accomplished when asa carey rushed down upon him from the pilot house. "hi! what did you do that for?" roared the mate, in sudden anger. "just for fun," answered fred, as coolly as he could, although his heart beat rapidly. "for fun?" "yes. haven't i a right to fire a gun if i want to?" "i reckon that was some sort of a signal for those on shore." "and supposing it was, what then, mr. carey?" fred put the question boldly and looked the mate squarely in the eyes as he spoke. "why--er--it's most unusual. there was no need of a signal." "i wanted them to know we were moving, that's all." "humph! there was no use of alarming them. we'll be back long before they want to come aboard again." "in that case i'll have nothing more to say." "don't you believe it?" "i'm bound to believe it, if you say so." "don't get impudent, young man!" "i am not impudent, and you needn't get impudent either!" cried fred, his anger rising. "you are in command here, but this boat is under charter and just now i represent the man who owns that charter. if you have got to cruise around to test the engine and shaft well and good, but if you are merely cruising around for the fun of it i say go back to where we came from--none of us want to do any cruising to-day." at this plain speech the mate grew purple in the face. he raised his hand as if to strike the youth, but just then aleck came on deck, carrying a pitcher of ice water in his hand. "stop dat! don't yo' go fo' to hit dat boy!" cried the colored man. "if yo' do i'll fling dis watah pitcher at yo' head!" "you shut up, you rascally nigger!" shouted the mate. "you have nothing to say here!" "i'se got somet'ing to say if yo' hit massa fred," answered aleck, and held the water pitcher as if ready to launch it at the mate's head. there was a moment of excitement and several crowded around, but then the mate waved the crowd away. "i shall report this to captain barforth as soon as he comes back," he said, and turning on his heel, he walked off. fred went down into the cabin, and aleck followed him. a few minutes later norton joined the youth and the others, who had gathered to talk the matter over. "we must be on the watch," said the chief engineer. "i am certain now that carey is up to some game." a long discussion followed, but nothing came of it. the steam yacht kept on its way and rounded the eastern point of treasure isle. then it stood to the north-westward. "i hope he knows his course," said norton, to the boys. "if he doesn't he stands a good chance of running us on some key or reef." if the boys were excited, the girls and ladies were more so. nobody knew exactly what to do, and each minute added to the general anxiety. at last the vessel rounded another point of the isle and came in sight of the sea beyond. there in the distance was a steamer at rest on the waves, and fred and hans felt certain she must be the _josephine_. the two vessels were soon close together. as the _rainbow_ came up to the other craft, walt wingate went to the rail and shouted something through a megaphone which the mate loaned him. immediately came back an answering cry, but the boys did not catch what was said. "this is going pretty far," said fred, to frank norton. "don't you think i ought to step in and stop it?" the chief engineer shrugged his shoulders. "carey is really in command and it might be called mutiny to do anything to stop him." "but supposing he allows wingate to go to that other ship?" "well, if wingate goes we'll be well rid of him." "of course that is true, but still----" fred did not finish for just then asa carey came up. "i am going to visit that other steamer," he said, to the chief engineer. "i shall take that man wingate along, and bossermann is going, too. you can remain right here until i get back." norton nodded, but said nothing. the mate looked at fred as if to say more, but then apparently changed his mind and hurried away. soon a small boat was over the side and this was manned by the mate, bossermann, wingate and a sailor named ulligan, a fellow noted for his laziness and untrustworthiness. without delay the small boat set out for the _josephine_. "i don't like this at all," said fred. "those fellows mean mischief as sure as you are born!" "i dink da vos hatch owid somedings mid dot merrick," said hans. "perhaps they are plotting to gain possession of this yacht," was dora's comment. "they may bring over a crowd to take possession and make us prisoners!" "if they try any game like that we'll fight," answered fred. "dat's right!" cried aleck. "we'll fight, an' fight mighty hard, too!" "if only the rovers were here," sighed dora. "i am sure they would know exactly what to do." "they may be having their own troubles on land," said mrs. stanhope. "sid merrick is a very bad man and will do all in his power to get that treasure in his possession." chapter xxix the hunt for the treasure with the _rainbow_ steaming away from horseshoe bay, the rovers and those with them on shore felt that a crisis had been reached. if it was true that carey, bossermann and wingate contemplated joining sid merrick there was no telling what the enemy might not accomplish next. "i have never liked carey," observed captain barforth. "but i did not imagine he would take matters in his own hands in this fashion. i did not think he had the backbone." "it's the thought of the treasure has done it," answered anderson rover. "many a man's head is turned because of gold." those on the shore watched the steam yacht round the eastern point of the isle. each heart sank as the vessel disappeared from view. "well, we can do nothing at present, but hope for the best," observed the captain. "we cannot think of chasing them in the rowboats." "we might tramp across the isle and see where they go to," suggested tom. "the _josephine_ must be over there somewhere." "yes, we can do that," answered mr. rover. "but it will be a rough journey." "i have a better idea," came from dick. "father has his spyglass with him. why not ascend that hill back of where the treasure cave is and then get up in the highest tree there? a fellow ought to be able to see all around from that height." "hurrah! just the thing!" exclaimed sam. he did not relish the long tramp through the thorn bushes and tangle of vines. dick's idea was acceptable to all, and they set off without further delay. they took the path leading to the shattered cave, and then mounted the small hill dick had mentioned. close to the top stood a large tree. "let me go up!" exclaimed tom, who could climb like a cat, and he started without delay. "look out that you don't break your neck!" cried his parent. "i'll be careful," answered the fun-loving youth. "this just suits me!" he added, enthusiastically. "can't i go, too?" asked sam. "if you are careful," answered mr. rover, and up went the lad, right on the heels of his brother. it was rather difficult work getting from limb to limb, for some were wide apart, but the vines, which used the tree as a trellis, aided them greatly. soon tom was close to the top and sam speedily joined him. then each took his turn at looking through the spyglass. "i see the _rainbow_!" cried tom. "she is headed for the north side of the isle." "yes, and yonder is another vessel," returned sam, as he pointed the glass in the direction. "that must be the _josephine_." and then the two youths shouted the news to those below. after that the boys watched the progress of the steam yacht with interest, keeping those below informed of all that was going on. they saw the _rainbow_ draw closer to the other vessel, and saw the small boat leave the steam yacht. "four men are rowing to the other vessel," announced tom. "we can't make out who they are." they saw the four men board the other vessel and disappear, presumably into the cabin. then came a wait of over half an hour. "this is getting tiresome," said tom. "you can go below if you want to," answered dick, who had come up, followed by songbird. tom descended to the ground and sam followed him. they had just done this when there came a cry from dick: "two boats are putting off from that other vessel! each of them is filled with men!" "are they coming ashore or going to my yacht?" demanded captain barforth. "they are heading for the yacht!" "they intend to capture the _rainbow_!" groaned mr. rover. "oh, if only we were on board!" in his anxiety to see what was being done, he climbed the tree and so did the captain. then the others came up, the tree being large and strong even at the top and capable of holding a good weight. "if those rascals try to take my vessel i'll have them all hung!" roared captain barforth, and trembled with rage. "oh, if only i was on board!" and he clenched his fists. "look! look!" ejaculated dick, who had the spyglass. "i think--yes, the _rainbow_ is moving!" "moving!" came from the others. "yes, and she is turning away from the other vessel and from those in the rowboats!" "let me see," said the captain and took the spyglass. "you are right, dick. the _rainbow_ is running away from them!" the news was true, the steam yacht was indeed running away from the _josephine_ and from those in the rowboats who had set out to take possession of her. it was a time of great excitement. "the rowboats are getting close to the _rainbow_," said tom, who had taken the glass. "the yacht doesn't seem to have much steam up." "perhaps the fires were banked when carey left," suggested the captain. "maybe they were put out, so the vessel couldn't move." the steam yacht was moving slowly and those in the two rowboats were making every effort to catch up to her. then the black smoke began to pour from the funnel of the _josephine_. "the other vessel is getting up steam," said mr. rover. "she may catch the _rainbow_ even if those in the rowboats do not." closer and closer to the steam yacht drew the two rowboats, until it looked as if the _rainbow_ would surely be boarded by the enemy. then of a sudden there came a cloud of smoke from the deck of the steam yacht, followed by a stream of sparks which went whizzing just over the rowboats. then followed more sparks, and balls of fire, red, white and blue. "what in the world are they doing?" murmured captain barforth. "they are shooting off something, but it is not a gun or a cannon," answered mr. rover. "hurrah! i know what it is!" cried tom. "good for fred and hans! those are my fireworks--those i had left from the fourth of july celebration. they are giving them a dose of rockets and roman candles!" this news was true, and as the rockets and roman candles hit the rowboats and the occupants the latter stopped rowing and then began to back water in confusion. soon the rowboats turned back and hastened to the side of the _josephine_. "that's what i call repelling boarders!" said captain barforth, grimly. "i only hope the fireworks hold out." "it is now to be a race between the _rainbow_ and that other craft," observed mr. rover, and he was right. inside of fifteen minutes both vessels were headed out to sea, and running at about the same rate of speed. soon the haze over the water hid both craft from view. "well, one thing is certain," said mr. rover. "our friends are alive to their danger and are going to do their best to get away from the enemy." "and another thing is that we are left marooned on this isle," said the captain. the party remained in the tree a while longer, and then, as there seemed nothing else to do, they descended to the ground. "well, we have one thing in our favor," was dick's comment. "sid merrick and his crowd must be on the _josephine_, or they wouldn't chase the _rainbow_, and that being so they can't interrupt our treasure hunt, at least for the present." "but if they capture our steam yacht how are we to get away from here, even if we do uncover the treasure?" said sam. "we'll get away somehow--and make it good and hot for them in the bargain," answered tom, and his father nodded in approval. with their thoughts on the _rainbow_ and those on board, the treasure hunters went back to the vicinity of the shattered cave. nobody felt much like working, yet to remain idle made the time hang heavily on their hands. "there is no use of our going to work in a haphazard fashion," were mr. rover's words. "we must first go over the ground carefully and plan out just what is best to do. otherwise a good portion of our energies will be wasted." this was sound advice and was followed out. they surveyed the whole vicinity with care, poking in among the rocks with long sticks, and turning over such as were loose and easily moved. "this looks as if it was going to be a long-winded job," was sam's comment, and he heaved a sigh. "i thought we'd come here, march into the cave, and put our hands right on the gold and diamonds!" dick was a short distance away, poking into a hole with a stick. the stick was over eight feet long, but the end did not appear to touch anything. "there is some kind of a hollow below here," he said to the others. "i think we ought to investigate and see how large it is." the others agreed with him, and all set to work to pull aside half a dozen rocks which were in the way. they had to use all their strength and even then the largest of the stones refused to budge. "let us get a small tree and use it for a pry," suggested mr. rover. they had an ax with them, and tom cut down the tree and trimmed it. then, resting the log on one stone, they inserted the end under the big rock and pressed down with all their might. "she's coming!" shouted sam, as the big stone commenced to move. "yes, and look at the opening underneath," added dick. "it must surely be part of the cave!" the sight of the big hole made all eager to know if it was really a portion of the shattered cave and they worked on the big rock with renewed energy. twice it slipped back on them, but then they got a new purchase and over it went and rolled out of the way. then all of the treasure hunters got on their hands and knees to gaze down into the hole. "it must be part of the cave," said mr. rover. "i'll climb down on the rope," said tom. "hurry up, i can't wait!" "you be careful, tom, or you'll get hurt," warned his father. but it must be confessed he was as eager as his son to learn whether or not they had discovered the treasure cave. tom went down, and dick and sam came after him. the bottom of the hole was rough. on one side was another opening, leading to what certainly looked like a cave of considerable extent. "drop down the lantern," called dick, and captain barforth did so. with the lantern lit dick crawled into the side opening and his brothers followed. "this is certainly a cave," said tom. "but whether it is the right one or not remains to be seen." "it must be a part of the original cave, tom," answered dick. "because it is in the spot covered by the other. but it may not be the part that contained the treasure." they crawled around, over the rough rocks and fallen dirt. it was a dangerous proceeding, for they did not know but what some stones might fall at any moment and crush them. suddenly tom and sam uttered the single exclamation: "look!" dick looked and then he, too, gave a cry. from under the edge of a rock they saw one end of a heavy wooden chest. a part of the side was split away and through the hole they saw a quantity of gold money! chapter xxx homeward bound--conclusion "the treasure!" the boys uttered the cry together and it thrilled those at the top of the opening as nothing else could have done. "what's that?" cried mr. rover. "we have found one of the chests," answered dick. "and it's full of gold pieces!" added sam and tom in a breath. "then this is the treasure cave after all," said captain barforth. "i must say you are in luck." "i'd like to go down and have a look," put in songbird eagerly. all wanted to look, and in the end they came down one after another by way of the rope. the rock on the chest was lifted away and the strong box was dragged forth into the light. sure enough, it was filled with gold, just as bahama bill had said it would be. "bahama bill said there were three chests," said mr. rover, after the excitement of finding so much wealth had somewhat subsided. "do you see anything of the other two?" "not yet--but they must be somewhere near," answered his oldest son. regardless of the danger of falling rocks, they commenced to dig around where the chest had been uncovered. they soon found a second chest, which contained more gold in leather bags, and also a quantity of jewelry and precious stones. then, when they were almost ready to give up work for the day, they discovered the third chest, smashed flat under two heavy rocks, with its contents of gold scattered in all directions. "we'll have to blow up those rocks to get all that gold," said sam. "don't do that," warned captain barforth. "if you do you may cave in the whole roof and then the gold may be gone forever." it was then decided to bring down the log and pry the rocks away, and late as it was this was done, and they scooped up the loose golden pieces and put them in their pockets. "it's a fine lot o' money," was the comment of hollbrook, the sailor. "wish some o' it was mine." "you shall be well paid for your work, hollbrook," answered mr. rover. "only stick by us and help us to get this to safety." "oh, i'll stick by you," was the ready answer. "i've got no use for such scoundrels as carey and bossermann. i'm only livin' one life, and i'll live that honest-like, god helpin' me." night was coming on when they got the treasure to the surface of the ground. they hunted around diligently until they were almost certain they had everything of value. each was exhausted from his labors, but all were happy. the rovers were particularly delighted. "this will make the lanings and the stanhopes independent for life," said dick, to his brothers. "and they deserve it," returned tom. "won't they be glad when they hear the news!" "remember one thing," said sam. "we haven't got the treasure from the isle yet, and we don't know how the _rainbow_ is faring. if those on the _josephine_ capture our steam yacht i don't know what we are going to do." "well, we won't give up the treasure, no matter what happens," said dick, stoutly. mr. rover calculated that the treasure was worth more than bahama bill had said. roughly estimated it would foot up to over a hundred thousand dollars, and this figure did not take in some jewelry of quaint design with precious stones which were new to the treasure hunters. "for all we know those stones may be worth another ten thousand or more," said dick. "i can tell you, it's a great find and no mistake!" it was decided to take the treasure down to the shore of horseshoe bay and there bury it directly behind the sandy beach. "and we'll leave everything here as near as possible as we found it," said anderson rover. "then, if sid merrick comes, he can look for the treasure to his heart's content," and he winked at his sons. "good!" cried tom. "i hope he breaks his back working to move the rocks." night had settled over treasure isle by the time the shore was reached with the treasure, which was carried in one of the chests and in several bundles and numerous pockets. men and boys were thoroughly fagged out, and they sat down under the trees to rest before starting to place their find underground again. "we might as well wait till morning," said tom. "i want to have a look at that gold and that jewelry by daylight." "we can wait," said his father. "so long as none of our enemies return to this isle we shall be safe." they ate what little provisions were left and washed down the scanty meal with what water was left in the bottles. so far they had been unable to find any springs on the isle. "i believe the want of fresh water is what keeps the natives away," was captain barforth's comment, and it is probable that his surmise was correct. "i see a light!" cried songbird, when they were on the point of retiring. "it is out on the water." he pointed, and soon all made out the lights of a vessel in the distance. then, as the craft came closer, they saw a rocket shoot up in the air, followed by a roman candle. "it's the _rainbow_!" shouted dick. "that must be some sort of signal for us!" "but where is the _josephine_?" asked tom. nobody knew, and just then nobody cared. captain barforth ran down to the water's edge and prepared to launch one of the small boats. "i am going out to my vessel," he said. "hollbrook, come along. if everything is all right, we'll send two rockets up or fire the cannon twice. then you had better bring the treasure on board without delay." this was agreed to, and in a moment more the captain and his man were afloat and rowing toward the opening of the reef with all their might. those left behind waited anxiously for what might follow. "the steam yacht may be in the hands of the enemy," said songbird, but he was mistaken, for quarter of an hour later up went two rockets into the air. then the searchlight struck the water, and those on shore saw a rowboat put off and head for land. "it's bahama bill and one of the sailors," cried tom, a little later. and then he raised his voice as the rowboat shot into the bay. "this way, bill, this way!" soon the rowboat struck the sand and bahama bill leaped out. his face was one broad smile. "so ye got the treasure after all, did ye!" he cried. "i'm powerful glad on it, yes, sir! now we'll fool that merrick crowd good!" "but what of them and of their vessel?" asked anderson rover anxiously. "broke down an' drifting out on the ocean," answered the old tar, and then he continued: "you know how they tried to board us--after carey, bossermann, that skunk o' a wingate, an' ulligan went to 'em. well, fust we kept 'em off with fireworks and with a shotgun. we didn't have much steam up, but frank norton--bless his heart--worked like a beaver, and the boys, fred and hans, helped him. i went to steer an' by good luck kept off the rocks an' reefs. they came after us pell-mell an' onct or twict we thought sure they had us, an' all o' us got pistols and cutlasses an' prepared to fight. the ladies an' the gals was most scared to death an' locked themselves in their staterooms. but we put some ile on the fire an' putty soon we had steam enough up to bust, an' then we walked right away from 'em. i reckon the captain o' the _josephine_ was mad, for he kept on a-followin' us and onct he got putty close ag'in. but then came some sort o' an explosion from the other boat, an' we see a cloud o' steam rushin' up from below, an' somebody jumped overboard. then the steam blew away an' the engine stopped, an' we went on--an' left them away out in the ocean, fifteen or twenty miles from here. we calkerlated they'd follow us soon as they could make repairs, so we came on at full speed, to take you on board." "is everybody safe?" asked dick. "yes. that dutch boy burnt himself ag'in with a rocket, but it ain't much an' he don't care, for he said the rocket hit a chap named sobber in the stomach and keeled him over." "good for hans!" cried sam. "that will give tad sobber something to remember him by!" as quickly as it could be done, the treasure was transferred to the two rowboats, and the entire party set out for the steam yacht. they were careful in going through the opening in the reef, for nobody wanted to see either boat swamped and its precious contents lost. the passage was made in safety, the searchlight aiding them. "back again!" cried dick, as he mounted to the deck. "oh, dick, are you safe?" cried dora, rushing to him. "yes, and we have the treasure!" he answered proudly. "oh, how glad i am everybody is safe!" put in nellie. "we are all glad," said mrs. stanhope. "the last forty-eight hours have been so full of peril!" of course everybody has to tell his or her story, and for a long time there was a perfect babel of voices. fred and hans related how the steam yacht had been rescued from the clutches of the enemy, and how frank norton had taken command and prevented anything in the shape of a mutiny. the ladies and girls told of how they had been scared and how they had locked them selves up in a stateroom, as bahama bill had said. then the rover boys had to tell all about the finding of the great treasure. "and just to think!" cried tom. "it is worth more than we at first supposed!" and in his glee he hugged both mrs. stanhope and mrs. laning, and then hugged nellie. nellie herself was so excited she never even noticed it. in the meantime, captain barforth was consulting with the chief engineer and learning some of the particulars of how the mate had acted and how the steam yacht had been chased by the tramp steamer. "i trust i did what was proper, captain barforth," said norton, anxiously. "i tried to use my best judgment. from what miss stanhope overheard of the talk between mr. carey and that scoundrel of a wingate i felt mr. carey was not the proper man to trust." "you did exactly right," said the captain, "and what has happened since proves it. if carey and bossermann try to kick up any fuss i'll tend to them." mr. rover was called into the consultation, and it was decided to leave the vicinity of treasure isle at once, before the _josephine_ should put in an appearance. it was a cloudy night, so they had to run with care and at reduced speed. they kept a constant lookout for the other vessel, but failed to sight her. "carey and bossermann, as well as ulligan, will have to remain on board of her," said captain barforth. "mr. rover wants to get back to philadelphia as soon as possible with the treasure, and she is under his charter. if they want to kick up a fuss later, why, they can do it, that's all." "homeward bound!" cried sam, enthusiastically. "and with the treasure safe on board!" added tom. "it seems almost too good to be true." "and the enemy left behind," put in dick. "i hope they go back and hunt for the stuff," he went on, with a grin. his wish was fulfilled, as they learned a long time later, through one of the sailors composing the crew of the _josephine_. the tramp steamer tried all of the next day to locate the steam yacht and then sid merrick ordered the craft back to treasure isle. here, merrick, tad sobber, carey, bossermann and several others worked for nearly a week trying to unearth the treasure, but, of course, without success. then they had a quarrel with the spaniard, doranez, who would not keep sober. they accused the man of taking them to the wrong place, and in the fight that followed three men were seriously wounded. then all went aboard the steamer and set sail for cuba. the very next day the _josephine_ was caught in a hurricane, one of the worst experienced in the west indies for many years. it drove the tramp steamer on the rocks, and before she could be gotten off several big holes were pounded into her and she went down. the sailor who told the story said he got away with four other sailors in a rowboat, and after a fearful experience lasting two days was picked up by a steamer bound for havana. he did not know what had become of the others on board and was of the opinion that the most of them, if not all, had been drowned. fortunately for those on the steam yacht, the _rainbow_ weathered the hurricane well. the craft did a lot of plunging and pitching, and the ladies and girls had to keep below, but that was all. after the hurricane the weather became unusually fine, and the trip back to philadelphia proved a pleasant one. arriving at the quaker city, mr. rover had the treasure deposited in a strong box of a local trust company, and later it was divided according to the terms of mr. stanhope's will. this put a goodly sum in the bank for dora and her mother, and also large amounts to the credit of mrs. laning and nellie and grace. the entire expenses of the trip were paid out of the treasure, and captain barforth and his men were not forgotten for their services. mrs. stanhope wanted to reward the boys, but not one would listen to this. "well, you are very kind," she said, to all of them. "if at any time you are in trouble, come to me. i shall not forget you." she, however, insisted upon presenting dick with a new watch and chain and diamond pin to replace those stolen from him by cuffer and shelley. "well, that winds up the treasure hunt," observed tom, as the whole party were on their way home. "now for the next move on the programme." "the next move is to go to school once more," said dick. and he was right, as we shall learn in the next volume of this series, to be entitled, "the rover boys at college; or, the right road and the wrong." in that volume we shall meet many of our old friends once more, and learn the details of a plot against fun-loving tom which had a most unlooked-for ending. we shall also meet dora and her cousins again, and see how they acted when their boy friends were in deep trouble. the home coming for the rover boys was full of pleasure. uncle randolph and aunt martha were at the depot to meet them, and the aunt gave each the warmest kind of a hug and kiss, while the uncle shook hands over and over again. nor were anderson rover and aleck forgotten. "back again, and glad of it," said tom, as he flung his cap into the air. "the west indies are all right, but give me valley brook farm every time." "so say we all of us," sung out dick and sam, and here we will once again bid our friends good-bye. the end. the tom swift series by victor appleton author of "the don sturdy series." * * * * * tom swift, known to millions of boys of this generation, is a bright ingenious youth whose inventions, discoveries and thrilling adventures are described in these spirited tales that tell of the wonderful advances in modern science. tom swift and his motor cycle tom swift and his motor boat tom swift and his airship tom swift and his submarine boat tom swift and his wireless message tom swift and his electric runabout tom swift among the diamond makers tom swift in the caves of ice tom swift and his sky racer tom swift and his electric rifle tom swift in the city of gold tom swift and his air glider tom swift in captivity tom swift and his wizard camera tom swift and his great searchlight tom swift and his giant cannon tom swift and his photo telephone tom swift and his aerial warship tom swift and his big tunnel tom swift in the land of wonders tom swift and his war tank tom swift and his air scout tom swift and his undersea search tom swift among the fire fighters tom swift and his electric locomotive tom swift and his flying boat tom swift and his great oil gusher tom swift and his chest of secrets tom swift and his airline express tom swift circling the globe tom swift and his talking pictures tom swift and his house on wheels tom swift and his big dirigible tom swift and his sky train tom swift and his giant magnet tom swift and his television detector * * * * * grosset & dunlap, publishers, new york the don sturdy series by victor appleton author of "the tom swift series" * * * * * every red-blooded boy will enjoy the thrilling adventures of don sturdy. in company with his uncles, one a big game hunter, the other a noted scientist, he travels far and wide--into the jungles of south america, across the sahara, deep into the african jungle, up where the alaskan volcanoes spout, down among the head hunters of borneo and many other places where there is danger and excitement. every boy who has known tom swift will at once become the boon companion of daring don sturdy. don sturdy on the desert of mystery don sturdy with the big snake hunters don sturdy in the tombs of gold don sturdy across the north pole don sturdy in the land of volcanoes don sturdy in the port of lost ships don sturdy among the gorillas don sturdy captured by head hunters don sturdy in lion land don sturdy in the land of giants don sturdy on the ocean bottom don sturdy in the temples of fear * * * * * grosset & dunlap, publishers, new york western stories for boys by james cody ferris * * * * * each volume complete in itself. * * * * * thrilling tales of the great west, told primarily for boys but which will be read by all who love mystery, rapid action, and adventures in the great open spaces. the manly boys, roy and teddy, are the sons of an old ranchman, the owner of many thousands of heads of cattle. the lads know how to ride, how to shoot, and how to take care of themselves under any and all circumstances. the cowboys of the x bar x ranch are real cowboys, on the job when required, but full of fun and daring--a bunch any reader will be delighted to know. the x bar x boys on the ranch the x bar x boys in thunder canyon the x bar x boys on whirlpool river the x bar x boys on big bison trail the x bar x boys at the round-up the x bar x boys at nugget camp the x bar x boys at rustler's gap the x bar x boys at grizzly pass the x bar x boys lost in the rockies the x bar x boys riding for life the x bar x boys in smoky valley * * * * * grosset & dunlap, _publishers_, new york the hardy boys series by franklin w. dixon * * * * * illustrated. every volume complete in itself * * * * * the hardy boys are sons of a celebrated american detective, and during vacations and their off time from school they help their father by hunting down clues themselves. the tower treasure--a dying criminal confessed that his loot had been secreted "in the tower." it remained for the hardy boys to clear up the mystery. the house on the cliff--mr. hardy started to investigate--and disappeared! an odd tale, with plenty of excitement. the secret of the old mill--counterfeit money was in circulation, and the limit was reached when mrs. hardy took some from a stranger. a tale full of thrills. the missing chums--two of the hardy boys' chums disappear and are almost rescued by their friends when all are captured. a thrilling story of adventure. hunting for hidden gold--in tracing some stolen gold the trail leads the boys to an abandoned mine, and there things start to happen. the shore road mystery--automobiles were disappearing most mysteriously from the shore road. it remained for the hardy boys to solve the mystery. the secret of the caves--when the boys reached the caves they came unexpectedly upon a queer old hermit. the mystery of cabin island--a story of queer adventures on a rockbound island. the great airport mystery--the hardy boys solve the mystery of the disappearance of some valuable mail. what happened at midnight--the boys follow a trail that ends in a strange and exciting situation. while the clock ticked--the hardy boys aid in vindicating a man who has been wrongly accused of a crime. footprints under the window--the smuggling of chinese into this country is the basis of this story in which the boys find thrills and excitement aplenty. * * * * * grosset & dunlap, publishers, new york ted scott flying stories by franklin w. dixon * * * * * illustrated. each volume complete in itself. * * * * * no subject has so thoroughly caught the imagination of young america as aviation. this series has been inspired by recent daring feats of the air, and is dedicated to lindbergh, byrd, chamberlin and other heroes of the skies. over the ocean to paris; _or, ted scott's daring long distance flight._ rescued in the clouds; _or, ted scott, hero of the air._ over the rockies with the air mail; _or, ted scott lost in the wilderness._ first stop honolulu; _or, ted scott over the pacific._ the search for the lost flyers; _or, ted scott over the west indies._ south of the rio grande; _or, ted scott on a secret mission._ across the pacific; _or, ted scott's hop to australia._ the lone eagle of the border; _or, ted scott and the diamond smugglers._ flying against time; _or, breaking the ocean to ocean record._ over the jungle trails; _or, ted scott and the missing explorers._ lost at the south pole; _or, ted scott in blizzard land._ through the air to alaska; or, ted scott's search in nugget valley. flying to the rescue; _or, ted scott and the big dirigible._ danger trails of the sky; _or, ted scott's great mountain climb._ following the sun shadow; _or, ted scott and the great eclipse._ battling the wind; _or, ted scott flying around cape horn._ * * * * * grosset & dunlap, publishers, new york hal keen mystery stories by hugh lloyd * * * * * boys! meet hal keen, that lanky, nonchalant, redheaded youth whose guiding star is the star that points to adventure, excitement and mystery. follow him in his hunts for clues and criminals. there are plenty of thrills and shivers in these stories to keep you on your toes. the smuggler's secret hal keen sets out to get to the bottom of a mystery that threatens the safety of a whole community. the mysterious arab mystery, excitement, murder in a scientist's camp in the jungles of africa, where hate, revenge, and suspicion lead to tragedy. the hermit of gordon's creek the disappearance of two airmail pilots leads to a mystery that centers about an abandoned mine and a strange old man. kidnapped in the jungle a hint of buried treasure in the ruins of an old french mission leads hal deep into the central american jungle. the copperhead trail mystery baffling and blood-curdling events center about the ranch where hal keen and his friends had gone in search of gold. the lonesome swamp mystery the lonely and mysterious swamp gave up its secret only after a series of terrifying events taxed hal's courage and ability. the clue at skeleton rocks in this new thriller hal keen finds mystery and adventure in and about a lonely lighthouse on skeleton rocks, off the maine coast. the doom of stark house mystery and terror in an old house in the wilderness above quebec where hal keen is the guest of a strange family. * * * * * grosset & dunlap, publishers, new york the aviation series by john prentice langley here is an intensely exciting series on a topic of world-wide interest--aviation. every day one hears of new stunts accomplished by pilots. with the passing of each year new records in altitude and long distance are made. in these stories amos green and his chum, danny cooper, accomplish all the thrilling deeds of the air that have been done before only by hardened veterans. moreover, backed by the mysterious "mr. carstairs" they succeed in doing stunts new to the history of aviation. you'll find them vastly exciting. trail blazers of the skies spanning the pacific masters the air-lanes the pathfinder's great flight air voyagers of the arctic desert hawks on the wing chasing the setting sun bridging the seven seas the staircase of the wind * * * * * grosset & dunlap, publishers, new york books by leo edwards * * * * * illustrated. every volume complete in itself. * * * * * hundreds of thousands of boys have laughed until their sides ached over the weird and wonderful adventures of jerry todd, poppy ott, trigger berg and their friends. mr. edwards' boy characters are all real. they do the things other boys like. pirates! mystery! detectives! adventure! ghosts! buried treasure! achievement! stories of boys making things, doing things, going places--always on the jump and always having fun. his stories are for boys and girls of all ages. the jerry todd books jerry todd and the whispering mummy jerry todd and the rose colored cat jerry todd and the oak island treasure jerry todd and the waltzing hen jerry todd and the talking frog jerry todd and the purring egg jerry todd in the whispering cave jerry todd, pirate jerry todd and the bob-tailed elephant jerry todd, editor-in-grief jerry todd, caveman the poppy ott books poppy ott and the stuttering parrot poppy ott and the seven league stilts poppy ott and the galloping snail poppy ott's pedigreed pickles poppy ott and the freckled goldfish poppy ott and the tittering totem poppy ott and the prancing pancake poppy ott hits the trail the trigger berg books trigger berg and the treasure tree trigger berg and mousetraps trigger berg and the sacred pig the tuffy bean books tuffy bean's puppy days tuffy bean's one ring circus tuffy bean at funny-bone farm tuffy bean and the lost fortune * * * * * grosset & dunlap, publishers, new york garry grayson football stories by elmer a. dawson * * * * * illustrated. each volume complete in itself. * * * * * garry grayson is a football fan, first, last, and all the time. but more than that, he is a wideawake american boy with a "gang" of chums almost as wideawake as himself. how garry organized the first football eleven his grammar school had, how he later played on the high school team, and what he did on the prep school gridiron and elsewhere, is told in a manner to please all readers and especially those interested in watching a rapid forward pass, a plucky tackle, or a hot run for a touchdown. good, clean football at its best--and in addition, rattling stories of mystery and schoolboy rivalries. garry grayson's hill street eleven; or, the football boys of lenox. garry grayson at lenox high; or, the champions of the football league. garry grayson's football rivals; or, the secret of the stolen signals. garry grayson showing his speed; or, a daring run on the gridiron. garry grayson at stanley prep; or, the football rivals of riverview. garry grayson's winning kick; or, battling for honor. garry grayson hitting the line; or, stanley prep on a new gridiron. garry grayson's winning touchdown; or, putting passmore tech on the map. garry grayson's double signals; or, vanquishing the football plotters. garry grayson's forward pass; or, winning in the final quarter. * * * * * grosset & dunlap, publishers, new york mrs. cliff's yacht [illustration: burke determined to get near enough to hail the dunkery beacon] mrs. cliff's yacht by frank r. stockton _illustrated by a. forestier_ new york charles scribner's sons copyright, , by charles scribner's sons norwood press j. s. cushing & co.--berwick & smith norwood mass. u.s.a. contents chapter page i. alone with her wealth ii. willy croup doesn't know iii. miss nancy shott iv. a launch into a new life v. a fur-trimmed overcoat and a silk hat vi. a temperance lark vii. mr. burke accepts a responsibility viii. mr. burke begins to make things move in plainton ix. a meeting of heirs x. the intellect of miss inchman xi. the arrival of the new dining-room xii. the thorpedyke sisters xiii. money hunger xiv. willy croup as a philanthropic diplomatist xv. miss nancy makes a call xvi. mr. burke makes a call xvii. mrs. cliff's yacht xviii. the dawn of the grove of the incas xix. the "summer shelter" xx. the synod xxi. a telegram from captain horn xxii. the "summer shelter" goes to sea xxiii. willy croup comes to the front xxiv. changes on the "summer shelter" xxv. a note for captain burke xxvi. "we'll stick to shirley!" xxvii. on board the "dunkery beacon" xxviii. the people on the "monterey" xxix. the "vittorio" from genoa xxx. the battle of the merchant ships xxxi. "she backed!" xxxii. a head on the water xxxiii. ° ' " n. lat. by ° ' " w. long. xxxiv. plainton, maine list of illustrations page burke determined to get near enough to hail the "dunkery beacon" _frontispiece_ the gentleman raised his hat and asked if mrs. cliff lived there mrs. cliff's invitation was discussed with lively appreciation there, fastened against the fore-mast, was a large piece of paper when shirley went on deck he was much pleased to see the "summer shelter" banker could not hold back he seized it and raised it to his shoulder willy sat and looked at him mrs. cliff's yacht chapter i alone with her wealth on a beautiful september afternoon in a handsome room of one of the grand, up-town hotels in new york sat mrs. cliff, widow and millionaire. widow of a village merchant, mistress of an unpretending house in the little town of plainton, maine, and, by strange vicissitudes of fortune, the possessor of great wealth, she was on her way from paris to the scene of that quiet domestic life to which for nearly thirty years she had been accustomed. she was alone in the hotel; her friends, captain horn and his wife edna, who had crossed the ocean with her, had stayed but a few days in new york and had left early that afternoon for niagara, and she was here by herself in the hotel, waiting until the hour should arrive when she would start on a night train for her home. her position was a peculiar one, altogether new to her. she was absolutely independent,--not only could she do what she pleased, but there was no one to tell her what it would be well for her to do, wise for her to do, or unwise. everything she could possibly want was within her reach, and there was no reason why she should not have everything she wanted. for many months she had been possessed of enormous wealth, but never until this moment had she felt herself the absolute, untrammelled possessor of it. until now captain horn, to whom she owed her gold, and the power it gave her, had been with her or had exercised an influence over her. until the time had come when he could avow the possession of his vast treasures, it had been impossible for her to make known her share in them, and even after everything had been settled, and they had all come home together in the finest state-rooms of a great ocean liner, she had still felt dependent upon the counsels and judgment of her friends. but now she was left absolutely free and independent, untrammelled, uncounselled, alone with her wealth. she rose and looked out of the window, and, as she gazed upon the crowd which swept up and down the beautiful avenue, she could not but smile as she thought that she, a plain new england countrywoman, with her gray hair brushed back from her brows, with hands a little hardened and roughened with many a year of household duties, which had been to her as much a pleasure as a labor, was in all probability richer than most of the people who sat in the fine carriages or strolled in their fashionable clothes along the sidewalk. "if i wanted to do it," she thought, "i could have one of those carriages with prancing horses and a driver in knee breeches, or i could buy that house opposite, with its great front steps, its balconies, and everything in it, but there is nobody on this earth who could tempt me to live there." "now," said mrs. cliff to herself, as she turned from the window and selected a fresh easy chair, and sank down into its luxurious depths, "there is nothing in this world so delightful as to go back rich to plainton. to be rich in paris or new york is nothing to me; it would simply mean that i should be a common person there as i used to be at home, and, for the matter of that, a little more common." as the good lady's thoughts wandered northward, and spread themselves from the railroad station at plainton all over the little town, she was filled with a great content and happiness to go to her old home with her new money. this was a joy beyond anything she had dreamed of as possible in this world. but it was the conjunction of the two which produced this delightful effect upon her mind. the money anywhere else, or plainton without it, would not have made mrs. cliff the happy woman that she was. it pleased her to let her mind wander over the incidents of her recent visit to her old home, the most unhappy visit she had ever made in all her life, but everything that was unpleasant then would help to make everything more delightful in the present home-coming. she thought of the mental chains and fetters she had worn when she went to plainton with plenty of money in her purse and a beautiful pair of california blankets in her handsome trunk; when she had been afraid to speak of the one or to show the other; when she had sat quietly and received charity from people whose houses and land, furniture, horses, and cows, she could have bought and given away without feeling their loss; when she had been publicly berated by nancy shott for spending money on luxuries which should have been used to pay her debts; when she had been afraid to put her money in the bank for fear it would act as a dynamite bomb and blow up the fortunes of her friends, and when she could find no refuge from the miseries brought upon her by the necessity of concealing her wealth except to go to bed and cover up her head so that she should not hear the knock of some inquiring neighbor upon her front door. then when she had made this background as dark and gloomy as it was possible to make it, she placed before it the glittering picture of her new existence in plainton. but this new life, bright as it now appeared to her, was not to be begun without careful thought and earnest consideration. ever since her portion of the golden treasure had been definitely assigned to her, the mind of mrs. cliff had been much occupied with plans for her future in her old home. it was not to be altogether a new life. all the friends she had in the world, excepting captain and mrs. horn, lived in plainton. she did not wish to lose these friends,--she did not wish to be obliged to make new ones. with simple-minded and honest willy croup, who had long lived with her and for her; with mrs. perley, the minister's wife; with all her old neighbors and friends, she wished to live as she had always lived, but, of course, with a difference. how to manage, arrange, and regulate that difference was the great problem in her mind. one thing she had determined upon: her money should not come between her and those who loved her and who were loved by her. no matter what she might do or what she might not do, she would not look down upon people simply because she was rich, and oh, the blessed thought which followed that! there would be nobody who could look down upon her because she was not rich! she did not intend to be a fine new woman; she did not intend to build a fine new house. she was going to be the same mrs. cliff that she used to be,--she was going to live in the same house. to be sure, she would add to it. she would have a new dining-room and a guest's chamber over it, and she would do a great many other things which were needed, but she would live in her old home where she and her husband had been so happy, and where she hoped he would look down from heaven and see her happy until the end of her days. as she thought of the things she intended to do, and of the manner in which she intended to do them, mrs. cliff rose and walked the floor. she felt as if she were a bird, a common-sized bird, perhaps, but with enormous wings which seemed to grow and grow the more she thought of them until they were able to carry her so far and so high that her mind lost its power of directing them. she determined to cease to think of the future, of what was going to be, and to let her mind rest and quiet itself with what really existed. here she was in a great city full of wonders and delights, of comforts, conveniences, luxuries, necessities, and all within her power. almost anything she could think of she might have; almost anything she wanted to do she might do. a feeling of potentiality seemed to swell and throb within her veins. she was possessed of an overpowering desire to do something now, this moment, to try the power of her wealth. near her on the richly papered wall was a little button. she could touch this and order--what should she order? a carriage and prancing pair to take her to drive? she did not wish to drive. a cab to take her to the shops, or an order to merchants to send her samples of their wares that here, in her own room, like a queen or a princess, she might choose what she wanted and think nothing of the cost? but no, she did not wish to buy anything. she had purchased in paris everything that she cared to carry to plainton. she went and stood by the electric button. she must touch it, and must have something! her gold must give her an instant proof that it could minister to her desires, but what should she ask for? her mind travelled over the whole field of the desirable, and yet not one salient object presented itself. there was absolutely nothing that she could think of that she wished to ask for at that moment. she was like a poor girl in a fairy tale to whom the good fairy comes and asks her to make one wish and it shall be granted, and who stands hesitating and trembling, not being able to decide what is the one great thing for which she should ask. so stood mrs. cliff. there was a fairy, a powerful fairy, in her service who could give her anything she desired, and with all her heart she wanted to want something that minute. what should she want? in her agitation she touched the bell. half frightened at what she had done, she stepped back and sat down. in a few minutes there was a knock, the door opened, a servant entered. "bring me a cup of tea," said mrs. cliff. chapter ii willy croup doesn't know the next afternoon as the train approached plainton, mrs. cliff found herself a great deal agitated as she thought of the platform at the station. who would be there,--how should she be met? with all her heart she hoped that there would not be anything like a formal reception, and yet this was not improbable. everybody knew she was coming; everybody knew by what train she would arrive. she had written to willy croup, and she was very sure that everybody knew everything that she had written. more than this, everybody knew that she was coming home rich. how rich they were not aware, because she had not gone into particulars on this subject, but they knew that the wealthy mrs. cliff would arrive at . that afternoon, and what were they going to do about it? when she had gone home before, all her friends and neighbors, and even distant acquaintances,--if such people were possible in such a little town,--had come to her house to bid her welcome, and many of them had met her at the station. but then they had come to meet a poor, shipwrecked widow, pitied by most of them and loved by many. even those who neither pitied nor loved her had a curiosity to see her, for she had been shipwrecked, and it was not known in plainton how people looked after they had been wrecked. but now the case was so different that mrs. cliff did not expect the same sort of greeting, and she greatly feared formality. if mr. perley should appear on the platform, surrounded by some of the leading members of his congregation, and should publicly take her by the hand and bid her "welcome home!" and if those who felt themselves entitled to do so, should come forward and shake hands with her, while others, who might feel that they belonged to a different station in life, should keep in the background and wait until she came to speak to them, she would be deeply hurt. after all, plainton and the people in it were dearer to her than anything else in the world, and it would be a great shock if she should meet formality where she looked for cordial love. she wanted to see mr. perley,--he was the first person she had seen when she came home before,--but now she hoped that he would not be there. she was very much afraid that he would make a stiff speech to her; and if he did that, she would know that there had been a great change, and that the friends she would meet were not the same friends she had left. she was almost afraid to look out of the window as the train slowed up at the station. the minds of the people of plainton had been greatly exercised about this home-coming of mrs. cliff. that afternoon it was probable that no other subject of importance was thought about or talked about in the town, and for some days before the whole matter had been so thoroughly considered and discussed that the good citizens, without really coming to any fixed and general decision upon the subject, had individually made up their minds that, no matter what might happen afterward, they would make no mistake upon this very important occasion which might subsequently have an influence upon their intercourse with their old, respected neighbor, now millionnaire. each one for himself, or herself, decided--some of them singly and some of them in groups--that as they did not know what sort of a woman mrs. cliff had become since the change in her circumstances, they would not place themselves in false positions. other people might go and meet her at the station, but they would stay at home and see what happened. even mr. perley thought it wise, under the circumstances, to do this. therefore it was, that when mrs. cliff stepped down upon the platform, she saw no one there but willy croup. if mrs. cliff was a little shocked and a good deal surprised to find no one to meet her but that simple-minded dependant and relative, her emotions were excited in a greater degree by the manner in which she was greeted by this old friend and companion. instead of rushing toward her with open arms,--for willy was an impulsive person and given to such emotional demonstrations,--miss croup came forward, extending a loosely filled black cotton glove. her large, light-blue eyes showed a wondering interest, and mrs. cliff felt that every portion of her visible attire was being carefully scanned. for a moment mrs. cliff hesitated, and then she took the hand of willy croup and shook it, but she did not speak. she had no command of words, at least for greeting. willy earnestly inquired after her health, and said how glad she was to see her, but mrs. cliff did not listen. she looked about her. for an instant she thought that possibly the train had come in ahead of time, but this, of course, was absurd--trains never did that. "willy," she said, her voice a little shaken, "has anything happened? is anybody sick?" "oh no!" said willy; "everybody is well, so far as i know. i guess you are wondering why there is nobody here to meet you, and i have been wondering at that too. they must have thought that you did not want to be bothered when you were attending to your baggage and things. is anybody with you?" "with me!" exclaimed mrs. cliff; "who could be with me?" "oh, i didn't know," replied the other; "i thought perhaps you might have a maidservant, or some of those black people you wrote about." mrs. cliff was on the point of telling willy she was a fool, but she refrained. "here is the baggage-man," said willy, "and he wants your checks." as mrs. cliff took the little pieces of brass from her purse and handed them to the man, willy looked on in amazement. "good gracious!" she exclaimed. "seven! i guess you had to pay for extra baggage. shall i get you a carriage, and where do you want to be driven to--to your own house or the hotel?" now mrs. cliff could not restrain herself. "what is the matter with you, willy? have you gone crazy?" she exclaimed. "of course i am going to my own house, and i do not want any carriage. did i ever need a carriage to take me such a short distance as that? tell the man to bring some one with him to carry the trunks upstairs, and then come on." "let me carry your bag," said willy, as the two walked away from the station at a much greater pace, it may be remarked, than willy was accustomed to walk. "no, you shall not carry my bag," said mrs. cliff, and not another word did she speak until she had entered the hallway of her home. then, closing the door behind her, and without looking around at any of the dear objects for a sight of which she had so long been yearning, she turned to her companion. "willy," she cried, "what does this mean? why do you treat me in this way when i come home after having been away so long, and having suffered so much? why do you greet me as if you took me for a tax collector? why do you stand there like a--a horrible clam?" willy hesitated. she looked up and she looked down. "things are so altered," she said, "and i didn't know--" "well, know now," said mrs. cliff, as she held out her arms. in a moment the two women were clasped in a tight embrace, kissing and sobbing. "how should i know?" said poor willy, as she was wiping her eyes. "chills went down me as i stood on that platform, wondering what sort of a grand lady you would look like when you got out of the car, with two servant women, most likely, and perhaps a butler, and trying to think what i should say." mrs. cliff laughed. "you were born addle-pated, and you can't help it. now, let us go through this house without wasting a minute!" willy gazed at her in amazement. "you're just the same as you always was!" she cried "indeed i am!" said mrs. cliff. "did you clean this dining-room yourself, willy? it looks as spick and span as if i had just left it." "indeed it does," was the proud reply, "and you couldn't find a speck of dust from the ceiling to the floor!" when mrs. cliff had been upstairs and downstairs, and in the front yard, the side yard, and the back yard, and when her happy eyes had rested upon all her dear possessions, she went into the kitchen. "now, willy," she said, "let us go to work and get supper, for i must say i am hungry." at this willy croup turned pale, her chin dropped, a horrible suspicion took possession of her. could it be possible that it was all a mistake, or that something dreadful had happened; that the riches which everybody had been talking about had never existed, or had disappeared? she might want to go to her old home; she might want to see her goods and chattels, but that she should want to help get supper--that was incomprehensible! at that moment the world looked very black to willy. if mrs. cliff had gone into the parlor, and had sat down in the best rocking-chair to rest herself, and had said to her, "please get supper as soon as you can," willy would have believed in everything, but now--! the grinding of heavy wheels was heard in front of the house, and willy turned quickly and looked out of the window. there was a wagon containing seven enormous trunks! since the days when plainton was a little hamlet, up to the present time, when it contained a hotel, a bank, a lyceum, and a weekly paper, no one had ever arrived within its limits with seven such trunks. instantly the blackness disappeared from before the mind of willy croup. "now, you tell the men where to carry them," she cried, "and i will get the supper in no time! betty handshall stayed here until this morning, but she went away after dinner, for she was afraid if she stayed she would be in the way, not knowing how much help you would bring with you." "i wonder if they are all crack-brained," thought mrs. cliff, as she went to the front door to attend to her baggage. that evening nearly all plainton came to see mrs. cliff. no matter how she returned,--as a purse-proud bondholder, as a lady of elegant wealth with her attendants, as an old friend suddenly grown jolly and prosperous,--it would be all right for her neighbors to go in and see her in the evening. there they might suit themselves to her new deportment whatever it might be, and there would be no danger of any of them getting into false positions, which would have been very likely indeed if they had gone to meet her at the station. her return to her own house gave her real friends a great deal of satisfaction, for some of them had feared she would not go there. it would have been difficult for them to know how to greet mrs. cliff at a hotel, even such an unpretentious one as that of plainton. all these friends found her the same warm-hearted, cordial woman that she had ever been. in fact, if there was any change at all in her, she was more cordial than they had yet known her. as in the case of willy croup, a cloud had risen before her. she had been beset by the sudden fear that her money already threatened to come between her and her old friends. "not if i can help it!" said mrs. cliff to herself, as fervently as if she had been vowing a vow to seek the holy grail; and she did help it. the good people forgot what they had expected to think about her, and only remembered what they had always thought of her. no matter what had happened, she was the same. but what had happened, and how it had happened, and all about it, up and down, to the right and the left, above and below, everybody wanted to know, and mrs. cliff, with sparkling eyes, was only too glad to tell them. she had been obliged to be so reserved when she had come home before, that she was all the more eager to be communicative now; and it was past midnight before the first of that eager and delighted company thought of going home. there was one question, however, which mrs. cliff successfully evaded, and that was--the amount of her wealth. she would not give even an approximate idea of the value of her share of the golden treasure. it was very soon plain to everybody that mrs. cliff was the same woman she used to be in regard to keeping to herself that which she did not wish to tell to others, and so everybody went away with imagination absolutely unfettered. chapter iii miss nancy shott the next morning mrs. cliff sat alone in her parlor with her mind earnestly fixed upon her own circumstances. out in the kitchen, willy croup was dashing about like a domestic fanatic, eager to get the morning's work done and everything put in order, that she might go upstairs with mrs. cliff, and witness the opening of those wonderful trunks. she was a happy woman, for she had a new dish-pan, which mrs. cliff had authorized her to buy that very morning, the holes in the bottom of the old one having been mended so often that she and mrs. cliff both believed that it would be very well to get a new one and rid themselves of further trouble. willy also had had the proud satisfaction of stopping at the carpenter shop on her way to buy the dish-pan, and order him to come and do whatever was necessary to the back-kitchen door. sometimes it had been the hinges and sometimes it had been the lock which had been out of order on that door for at least a year, and although they had been tinkering here and tinkering there, the door had never worked properly; and now mrs. cliff had said that it must be put in perfect order even if a new door and a new frame were required, and without any regard to what it might cost. this to willy was the dawn of a new era, and the thought of it excited her like wine. mrs. cliff's mind was not excited; it was disquieted. she had been thinking of her investments and of her deposits, all of which had been made under wise advice, and it had suddenly occurred to her to calculate how much richer she was to-day than she had been yesterday. when she appreciated the fact that the interest on her invested property had increased her wealth, since the previous morning, by some hundreds of dollars, it frightened her. she felt as if an irresistible flood of opulence was flowing in upon her, and she shuddered to think of the responsibility of directing it into its proper courses, and so preventing it from overwhelming her and sweeping her away. to-morrow there would be several hundred dollars more, and the next day more, and so on always, and what was she doing, or what had she planned to do, to give proper direction to these tidal waves of wealth? she had bought a new dish-pan and ordered a door repaired! to be sure, it was very soon to begin to think of the expenditure of her income, but it was a question which could not be postponed. the importance of it was increasing all the time. every five minutes she was two dollars richer. for a moment she wished herself back in paris or new york. there she might open some flood-gate which would give instant relief from the pressure of her affluence and allow her time to think; but what could she do in plainton? at least, how should she begin to do anything? she got up and walked about the room. she was becoming annoyed, and even a little angry. she resented this intrusion of her wealth upon her. she wanted to rest quietly for a time, to enjoy her home and friends, and not be obliged to think of anything which it was incumbent upon her to do. from the bottom of her heart she wished that her possessions had all been solid gold, or in some form in which they could not increase, expand, or change in any way until she gave them leave. then she would live for a week or two, as she used to live, without thought of increment or responsibilities, until she was ready to begin the life of a rich woman and to set in motion the currents of her exuberant income. but she could not change the state of affairs. the system of interest had been set in motion, and her income was flowing in upon her hour by hour, day by day, steadily and irresistibly, and her mind could not be at rest until she had done something--at least, planned something--which would not only prevent her from being overwhelmed and utterly discouraged, but which would enable her to float proudly, on this grand current of absolute power, over the material interests of the world. mrs. cliff was a woman of good sense. no matter how much money she might possess, she would have considered herself its unworthy possessor if she should spend any of it without proper value received. she might spend it foolishly, but she wanted the worth of her money. she would consider it a silly thing, for instance, to pay a thousand dollars for an india shawl, because few people wore india shawls, and she did not care for them; but if she had done so, she would have been greatly mortified if she found that she had paid too much, and that she might have bought as good a shawl for seven hundred and fifty dollars. since she had been in that room and thinking about these things, enough interest had come to her to enable her to buy a good silver watch for some deserving person. now, who was there to whom she could give a plain silver watch? willy croup would be glad to have it, but then it would be better to wait a few hours and give her a gold one. now it was that willy came into the room with a disappointed expression upon her countenance. "i was just coming in to tell you," she said, "that i was ready now to go up and help you open the trunks, but here comes that horrid miss shott, and dear knows how long she will stay!" nancy shott was the leading spinster of plainton. in companies where there were married ladies she was sometimes obliged to take a second place, but never among maidens, old or young. there were very few subjects upon which miss shott had not an opinion; and whatever this opinion might be, she considered it her first duty in life to express it. as a rule, the expression was more agreeable to her than to others. when mrs. cliff heard that miss shott was approaching, she instantly forgot her wealth and all her perplexities concerning it. miss shott had not called upon her the previous evening, but she had not expected her, nor did she expect her now. on her previous visit to plainton, mrs. cliff had been shamefully insulted by miss shott, who had accused her of extravagance, and, by implication, of dishonesty, and in return, the indignant widow had opened upon her such a volley of justifiable retaliation that miss shott, in great wrath, had retired from the house, followed, figuratively, by a small coin which she had brought as a present and which had been hurled after her. but mrs. cliff knew that her acrimonious neighbor could never be depended upon to do anything which might be expected of her, and she was not quite so much surprised as she was annoyed. of course, she had known she must meet nancy shott, and she had intended to do nothing which would recall to the mind of any one that she remembered the disagreeable incident referred to, but she had not expected that the meeting would be in private. she knew that nancy would do something decidedly unpleasant. if she had stayed away because she wanted a chance to re-open the previous quarrel, that would be bad enough; but if she had determined to drop all resentment and had come prepared to offer honey and sugar, and thus try to make a rich friend out of one she had considered as a poor enemy, that would be still more disagreeable. but by the time the visitor had entered the parlor, mrs. cliff had made up her mind to meet her as if nothing unpleasant had ever happened between them, and then to await the course of events. she was not at all pleased with the visit, but, notwithstanding this, she had great curiosity to know what miss shott had to say about the change in her circumstances. nancy shott was different from other people. she was capable of drawing the most astounding inferences and of coming to the most soul-irritating conclusions, even on subjects which could not be otherwise than pleasant to ordinary people. "how do you do?" said miss shott, offering her hand. "i am glad to see you back, mrs. cliff." mrs. cliff replied that she was quite well and was glad to be back. "you are not looking as hale as you did," said the visitor, as she seated herself; "you must have lost a good many pounds, but that was to be expected. from what i have heard, south america must be about as unhealthy a place as any part of the world, and then on top of that, living in paris with water to drink which, i am told, is enough to make anybody sick to look at it, is bound to have some sort of an effect upon a person." mrs. cliff smiled. she was used to this sort of talk from nancy shott. "i am better than i was two years ago," she said, "and the last time i was weighed i found that i had gained seven pounds." "well, there is no accounting for that," said her visitor, "except as we grow old we are bound to show it, and sometimes aging looks like bad health, and as to fat, that often comes as years go on, though as far as i am concerned, i think it is a great misfortune to have more to carry, as you get less and less able to carry it." mrs. cliff might have said that that sort of thing would not be likely to trouble miss shott, whose scantily furnished frame was sure to become thinner and thinner as she became older and weaker, but she merely smiled and waited to hear what would come next. "i do not want to worry you," said miss shott; "but several people that were here last night said you was not looking as they had hoped to see you look, and i will just say to you, if it is anything connected with your appetite, with a feeling of goneness in the mornings, you ought to buy a quassia cup and drink the full of it at least three times a day." miss shott knew that mrs. cliff absolutely detested the taste of quassia. mrs. cliff was not annoyed. she hoped that her visitor would soon get through with these prefatory remarks and begin to take the stand, whatever it might be, which she had come there that morning to take. "there has been sickness here since you last left," said miss shott, "and it has been where it was least to be expected, too. barney thompson's little boy, the second son, has had the diphtheria, and where he got it nobody knows, for it was vacation time, and he did not go to school, and there was no other diphtheria anywhere in all this town, and yet he had it and had it bad." "he did not die?" said mrs. cliff. "oh no, he got over it, and perhaps it was a bad case and perhaps it was not; but you may be sure i did not go near it, for i considered it my duty to keep away, and i did keep away, but the trouble is--" "and did none of the other children take it?" asked mrs. cliff. "no, they didn't. but the trouble is, that when diphtheria or anything like it comes up suddenly like this, without any reason that nobody can see, it is just as likely to come up again without any reason, and i am expecting to hear every day of another of them thompson children being stricken down; and i was very sorry indeed, mrs. cliff, to see, this very morning, willy croup coming out of barney thompson's house and to hear from her afterwards that she had been to order him to come here to put up a new kitchen door, which i do not suppose is absolutely needed, and even if it is, i am sure i would wait a good while before i would have barney thompson come into my house with diphtheria, that very minute, perhaps, in the throats of one or maybe more of his children; but of course, if people choose to trifle with their own lives, it is their own business." "it was not real diphtheria," said willy croup, who happened to be passing the open door at this moment; "it was only a bad sore throat, and the child was well in two days." "i suppose, of course," said miss shott, "that if the disease did get into this house, willy croup would be the first to take it, because she is such a spongy person that she takes almost anything that is in the air and is not wholesome; but then you would not want to lose her, and after a funeral in the house, no matter whose it may be, things is always gloomy for a long time afterwards, and nobody can feel easy if it was a catchin' disease that the person died of." mrs. cliff was naturally desirous to hear all the domestic news of the town, but she would have liked to have had something pleasant thrown in among the gloomy tidings of which miss shott had made herself the bearer, and so she made a little effort to turn the conversation. "i shall be glad to go about and see my old friends and neighbors," she said, "for i am interested in everything which has happened to them; but i suppose it will be some days before i can settle down and feel ready to go on in the old way. it seems to me as if i had been on the move ever since i left here, although, of course, i was not travelling all the time." "i suppose nobody has told you," said miss shott, "that edward darley has ploughed up that little pasture of his and planted it with young apple trees. now, it does seem to me that for a man like edward darley, who comes of a consumptive family, and who has been coughin' regularly, to my certain knowledge, for more than a year, to go and plant apple trees, which he can't expect to live to see bear fruit, is nothing more or less than a wicked waste of money, time, and labor. i suppose if i was to go and tell him so he would not like that, but i do not know as i ought to consider it. there are people in this world who'll never know anything if they're not told!" five other topics of the town, each of a doleful nature and each indicating an evident depravity in a citizen of plainton, were related by miss shott, and then she arose to go. "i hope you'll remember what i told you about thompson's children," she said, as she walked to the front door, "and if i was you, i'd have that kitchen fumigated after he has put the door in!" "there now!" said miss shott to herself, as she proudly walked down the street. "the widow cliff can't say i've done any toadying; and, no matter what she's got, and what she hasn't got, she can't say to herself that i consider her any better able to give me twenty-five cents than she was when she was here before; or that it makes any difference to me whether she has much or little!" chapter iv a launch into a new life it required the greater part of two days for mrs. cliff and willy to open the seven trunks, and properly display and dispose of the various articles and goods, astonishing in their variety and beauty, and absolutely amazing when the difference between the price paid for them and what they would have cost in new york was considered. during these fascinating operations it so happened that at one time or another nearly all of mrs. cliff's female friends dropped in, and all were wonderfully impressed by what they saw and what they heard; but although miss shott did not come there during the grand opening, it was not long before she knew the price and something of the general appearance of nearly everything that mrs. cliff had brought with her. among the contents of the trunks were a great many presents for mrs. cliff's friends, and whenever miss shott heard of one of these gifts, she made a remark to the effect that she had not a doubt in the world that the widow cliff knew better than to bring her a present, for she would not want the thing, whatever it was, whether a glass pitcher or a pin-cushion, flung back at her after the fashion that she had set herself at a time when everybody was trying their best to be kind to her. it was clearly a fact, that through the influence of the seven trunks mrs. cliff was becoming a very popular woman, and miss shott did not like it at all. she had never had any faith--at least she said so--in those lumps of gold found in a hole in some part of the world that nobody had ever heard of; and had not hesitated to say that fortunes founded on such wild-goose stories as these should not even be considered by people of good sense who worked for their living, or had incomes which they could depend on. but the dress goods, the ribbons, the gloves, the little clocks, the shoes, the parasols, the breast-pins, the portfolios of pictures, the jewelry, the rugs and table covers, and hundreds of other beautiful and foreign things, were a substantial evidence that mrs. cliff's money was not all moonshine. it was very pleasant for mrs. cliff to bring out her treasures to display them to her enthusiastic friends, and to arrange them in her house, and to behold the rapturous delight of willy croup from early morn until bed-time. but the seven empty trunks had been carried up into the garret, and now mrs. cliff set her mind to the solution of the question--how was she to begin her new life in her old home? it must be a new life, for to live as she had lived even in the days of her highest prosperity during her husband's life would be absurd and even wicked. with such an income she must endeavor as far as was possible to her to live in a manner worthy of it; but one thing she was determined upon--she would not alienate her friends by climbing to the top of her money and looking down upon them. none of them knew how high she would be if she were to perch herself on the very top of that money, but even if she climbed up a little way, they might still feel that they were very small in her sight. no, the money should always be kept in the background. it might be as high as the sky and as glorious as a sunset, but she would be on the ground with the people of plainton, and as far as was possible, they should all enjoy the fine weather together. she could not repress a feeling of pride, for she would be looked upon as one of the principal persons--if not the principal person--in plainton; but she could not believe that any real friend could possibly object to that. if her husband had lived and prospered, it was probable he would have been the principal man in plainton, the minister always excepted; but now there was no reason whatever why any one should object to her being a principal personage, and, in this case, she could not see why the minister's wife should be excepted. but plainton was to be her home; the plainton people were to be her friends. how should she set about using her money in such a way that she should not be driven forth to some large city to live as ordinary wealthy people live, in a fashion to which she was utterly unsuited, and which possessed for her no attractions whatever? of course, she had early determined to devote a large sum to charitable purposes, for she would have thought herself a very unworthy woman if her wealth had not benefited others than herself, but this was an easy matter to attend to. the amount she had set aside for charity was not permanently invested, and, through the advice of mr. perley, there would be no difficulty in devoting this to suitable objects. already she had confidentially spoken to her pastor on the subject, and had found him enthusiastic in his desire to help her in every possible way in her benevolent purposes. but who was there who could help her in regard to herself? who was there who could tell her how she ought to live so as to gain all the good that her money should give her, and yet not lose that which was to her the highest object of material existence,--a happy and prosperous life among her old friends in her native town? should she choose to elevate herself in the social circle by living as ordinary very rich people live, she could not hope to elevate her friends in that way, although she would be glad enough to do it in many cases, and there would be a gap between them which would surely grow wider and wider; and yet here was this money coming in upon her in a steady stream day by day, and how was she going to make herself happier with it? she must do that, or, she believed, it would be her duty to hand it over to somebody else who was better adapted by nature to use it. "if i did not take so much pleasure in things which cost so little and which are so easy for me to buy," said poor mrs. cliff to herself, "or if i did not have so much money, i am sure i should get on a great deal better." mrs. cliff's belief that she must not long delay in selecting some sort of station in life, and endeavoring to live up to it, was soon strengthened by willy croup. during the time of the trunk opening, and for some days afterwards, when all her leisure hours were occupied with the contemplation and consideration of her own presents, willy had been perfectly contented to let things go on in the old way, or any way, but now the incongruity of mrs. cliff's present mode of living, and the probable amount of her fortune, began to impress itself upon her. "it does seem to me," said she, "that it's a sin and a shame that you should be goin' about this house just as you used to do, helpin' me upstairs and downstairs, as if you couldn't afford to hire nobody. you ought to have a girl, and a good one, and for the matter of that, you might have two of 'em, i suppose. and even if it wasn't too much for you to be workin' about when there's no necessity for it, the people are beginnin' to talk, and that ought to be stopped." "what are they talking about?" asked mrs. cliff. "well, it's not everybody that's talkin'," returned willy, "and i guess that them that does gets their opinions from one quarter, but i've heard people say that it's pretty plain that all you got out of that gold mine you spent in buyin' the things you brought home in your trunks; for if you didn't, you wouldn't be livin' like this, helpin' to do your own housework and cookin'." in consequence of this conversation, a servant-of-all-work was employed; for mrs. cliff did not know what she would do with two women until she had made a change in her household arrangements; and with this as a beginning, our good widow determined to start out on her career as a rich woman who intended to enjoy herself in the fashion she liked best. she sent for mr. thompson, the carpenter, and consulted with him in regard to the proposed additions to her house, but when she had talked for a time, she became disheartened. she found that it would be necessary to dig a new cellar close to her present premises; that there would be stones, and gravel, and lime, and sand, and carts and horses, and men, and dirt; and that it would be some months before all the hammering, and the sawing, and the planing, and the plastering, and tinwork could be finished, and all this would be going on under her eye, and close to her ears during those first months in which she had proposed to be so happy in her home. she could not bear to give the word to dig, and pound, and saw. it was not like building a new house, for that would not be near her, and the hub-bub of its construction would not annoy her. so she determined she would not begin a new dining-room at present. she would wait a little while until she had had some good of her house as it was, and then she would feel better satisfied to live in the midst of pounding, banging, and all-pervading dust; but she would do something. she would have the fence which separated the sidewalk from her front yard newly painted. she had long wanted to have that done, but had not been able to afford it. but when mr. thompson went to look at the fence, he told her that it would be really a waste of money to paint it, for in many places it was old and decayed, and it would be much wiser to put up a new one and paint that. again mrs. cliff hesitated. if that fence had to be taken down, and the posts dug up, and new posts put in, and the flower-bed which ran along the inside of it destroyed, it would be just as well to wait until the other work began and have it all done at once; so she told mr. thompson he need not send a painter, for she would make the old fence do for a while. mrs. cliff sighed a little as the carpenter walked away, but there were other things to do. there was the pasture lot at the rear of her garden, and she could have a cow, and there was the little barn, and she could have a horse. the idea of the horse pleased her more than anything she had yet thought of in connection with her wealth. in her days of prosperity it had been her greatest pleasure to drive in her phaëton with her good brown horse, generally with willy croup by her side; to stop at shops or to make calls upon friends, and to make those little excursions into the surrounding country in which she and willy both delighted. they had sometimes gone a long distance and had taken their dinner with them, and willy was really very good in unharnessing the horse and watering him at a brook, and in giving him some oats. to return to these old joys was a delightful prospect, and mrs. cliff made inquiries about her horse, which had been sold in the town; but he was gone. he had been sold to a drover, and his whereabouts no one knew. so she went to mr. williams, the keeper of the hotel, who knew more about horses than anybody else, and consulted with him on the subject of a new steed. she told him just what she wanted: a gentle horse which she could drive herself, and one which willy could hold when she went into a house or a shop. now, it so happened that mr. williams had just such a horse, and when mrs. cliff had seen it, and when willy had come up to look at it, and when the matter had been talked about in all the aspects in which it presented itself to mrs. cliff's mind, she bought the animal, and it was taken to her stable, where andrew marks, a neighbor, was engaged to take care of it. the next morning mrs. cliff and willy took a drive a little way out of town, and they both agreed that this horse, which was gray, was a great deal better traveller than the old brown, and a much handsomer animal; but both of them also agreed that they did not believe that they would ever learn to love him as they had their old horse. still he was very easy to drive, and he went along so pleasantly, without needing the whip in the least, that mrs. cliff said to herself, that for the first time since her return she really felt herself a rich woman. "if everything," she thought, "should come to me as this horse came to me, how delightful my life would be! when i wanted him, i found him. i did not have to trouble myself in the least about the price; i simply paid it, and ordered him sent home. now, that sort of thing is what makes a person feel truly rich." when they had gone far enough, and had reached a wide place in the road, mrs. cliff turned and started back to plainton. but now the horse began to be a different kind of a horse. with his face towards his home, he set out to trot as fast as he could, and when mrs. cliff, not liking such a rapid pace, endeavored to pull him in, she found it very hard to do, and when she began to saw his mouth, thinking that would restrain his ardor, he ambled and capered, and mrs. cliff was obliged to let him resume his rapid gait. he was certainly a very hard-mouthed horse, going home, and mrs. cliff's arms ached, and willy croup's heart quaked, long before they reached the town. when they reached plainton, mrs. cliff began to be afraid that he would gallop through the streets, and she told willy that if he did, she must not scream, but must sit quietly, and she would endeavor to steer him clear of the vehicles and people. but although he did not gallop, the ardent gray seemed to travel faster after he entered the town, and mrs. cliff, who was getting very red in the face from her steady tugging at the reins, thought it wise not to attempt to go home, but to let her horse go straight to the hotel stables where he had lived. when mrs. cliff had declared to mr. williams that that horse would never suit her, that she would not be willing to drive it, and would not even think of going into a house and leaving willy croup to hold him, he was very much surprised, and said that he had not a gentler horse in his stable, and he did not believe there was one in the town. "all horses," said he, "want to go home, especially at dinner-time." "but the old brown did not," urged mrs. cliff. "that is the sort of horse i want." "some very old beast might please you better," said he; "but really, mrs. cliff, that is not the sort of horse you should have. he would die or break down in a little while, and then you would have to get another. what you should do is to have a good horse and a driver. you might get a two-seated carriage, either open or closed, and go anywhere and everywhere, and never think of the horse." that was not the thing she longed for; that would not bring back the happy days when she drove the brown through the verdant lanes. if she must have a driver, she might as well hire a cab and be driven about. but she told mr. williams to get her a suitable vehicle, and she would have andrew marks to drive her; and she and willy croup walked sadly home. as to the cow, she succeeded better. she bought a fairly good one, and willy undertook to milk her and to make butter. "now, what have i done so far?" said mrs. cliff, on the evening of the day when the cow came home. "i have a woman to cook, i have a new kitchen door, and i have a cow! i do not count the horse and the wagon, for if i do not drive, myself, i shall not feel that they are mine in the way that i want them to be." chapter v a fur-trimmed overcoat and a silk hat mrs. cliff now began to try very hard to live as she ought to live, without pretensions or snobbery, but in a style becoming, in some degree, her great fortune. there was one thing she determined to do immediately, and that was, to begin a series of hospitalities,--and it made her feel proud to think that she could do this and do it handsomely, and yet do it in the old home where everybody knew she had for years been obliged to practise the strictest economy. she gave a dinner to which she invited her most select friends. mr. and mrs. perley were there, and the misses thorpedyke, two maiden ladies who constituted the family of the highest social pretension of plainton. there were other people who were richer, but miss eleanor thorpedyke, now a lady of nearly seventy, and her sister barbara, some ten years younger, belonged to the very best family in that part of the country, and were truly the aristocrats of the place. but they had always been very friendly with mrs. cliff, and they were glad to come to her dinner. the other guests were all good people, and a dinner-party of more distinction could not have been collected in that town. but this dinner did not go off altogether smoothly. if the people had come merely to eat, they must have been abundantly satisfied, for everything was of the very best and well cooked, mrs. cliff and willy having seen to that; but there were certain roughnesses and hitches in the management of the dinner which disturbed mrs. cliff. in her travels and at the hotels where she had lived she had seen a great deal of good service, and she knew what it was. willy, who, being a relative, should really have come to the table, had decidedly declined to do so, and had taken upon herself the principal part of the waiting, assisted by the general servant and a small girl who had been called in. but the dining-room was very small, some of the chairs were but a little distance from the wall, and it was evident that willy had not a true appreciation of the fact that in recent years she had grown considerably rounder and plumper than she used to be; and it made mrs. cliff's blood run cold to see how she bumped the back of mr. perley's chair, as she thrust herself between it and the wall. the small girl had to be told almost everything that she must do, and the general servant, who did not like to wait on table, only came in when she was called and left immediately when she had done what she had been called for. when the guests had gone, mrs. cliff declared to willy that that was the last large dinner she would give in that house. "it was not a dinner which a woman of my means should offer to her friends." willy was amazed. "i don't see how it could have been better," said she, "unless you had champagne, and i know mr. perley wouldn't have liked that. everything on the table was just as good as it could be." but mrs. cliff shook her head. she knew that she had attempted something for which her present resources were insufficient. after this she invited people to dinner once or twice a week, but the company was always very small and suited to the resources of the house. "i will go on this way for a while," thought the good lady, "and after a time i will begin to spread out and do things in a different style." several times she drove over to harrington, a large town some five miles away, which contained a furniture factory, and there she purchased many articles which would be suitable for the house, always securing the best things for her purposes, but frequently regretting that certain beautiful and imposing pieces of furniture were entirely unsuited to the capacity of her rooms and hallways. but when her dining-room should be finished, and the room above it, she would have better opportunity of gratifying her taste for handsome wood in imposing designs. then it might be that harrington would not be able to give her anything good enough. her daily mail was now much larger than it ever had been before. business people sent her cards and circulars, and every now and then she received letters calling her attention to charities or pressing personal needs of the writers, but there were not very many of these; for although it was generally known that mrs. cliff had come into a fortune, her manner of living seemed also a matter of public knowledge. even the begging letters were couched in very moderate terms; but all these mrs. cliff took to mr. perley, and, by his advice, she paid attention to but very few of them. day by day mrs. cliff endeavored to so shape and direct her fortunes that they might make her happy in the only ways in which she could be happy, but her efforts to do so did not always gain for her the approval of her fellow townspeople. there were some who thought that a woman who professed to have command of money should do a good many things which mrs. cliff did not do, and there were others who did not hesitate to assert that a woman who lived as mrs. cliff should not do a great many things which she did do, among which things some people included the keeping of a horse and carriage. it was conceded, of course, that all this was mrs. cliff's own business. she had paid the money she had borrowed to go to south america; she had been very kind to some of the poor people of the town, and it was thought by some had been foolishly munificent to old mrs. bradley, who, from being a very poor person threatened with the loss of her home, was now an independent householder, and enjoyed an annuity sufficient to support her. more than that, mrs. cliff had been very generous in regard to the church music. it was not known exactly how much she had given towards this object, but there were those who said that she must have given her means a considerable strain when she made her contribution. that is, if the things were to be done which mr. perley talked about. when mrs. cliff heard what had been said upon this subject,--and willy croup was generally very well able to keep her informed in regard to what the people of the town said about her,--she thought that the gossips would have been a good deal astonished if they had known how much she had really given to the church, and that they would have been absolutely amazed if they knew how much mr. perley had received for general charities. and then she thought, with a tinge of sadness, how very much surprised mr. perley would have been if he had known how much more she was able to give away without feeling its loss. weeks passed on, the leaves turned red and yellow upon the trees, the evenings and mornings grew colder and colder, and mrs. cliff did everything she could towards the accomplishment of what now appeared to her in the light of a great duty in her life,--the proper expenditure of her income and appropriation of her great fortune. her labors were not becoming more cheerful. day after day she said to herself that she was not doing what she ought to do, and that it was full time that she should begin to do something better, but what that better thing was she could not make up her mind. even the improvements she contemplated were, after all, such mere trifles. it was a very cold morning in october when mrs. cliff went into her parlor and said to willy that there was one thing she could do,--she could have a rousing, comfortable fire without thinking whether wood was five, ten, or twenty dollars per cord. when willy found that mrs. cliff wanted to make herself comfortable before a fine blazing fire, she seemed in doubt. "i don't know about the safety of it," she said. "that chimney's in a pretty bad condition; the masons told us so years ago, and nothin' has ever been done to it! there have been fires in it, but they have been little ones; and if i was you, i wouldn't have too large a blaze in that fireplace until the chimney has been made all right!" mrs. cliff was annoyed. "well then, willy, i wish you would go for the mason immediately, and tell him to come here and repair the chimney. it's perfectly ridiculous that i can't have a fire in my own parlor when i am able to have a chimney as high and as big as bunker hill monument if i wanted it!" willy croup smiled. she did not believe that mrs. cliff really knew how much such a chimney would cost, but she said, "you have got to remember, you know, that we can't have the cuthberts here to dinner to-morrow if the masons come to work at that chimney. ten to one they will have to take the most part of it down, and we shall be in a general mess here for a week." mrs. cliff sat down with a sigh. "you need not mind to have the wood brought in," she said; "just give me a few sticks and some kindling, so that i can give things a little air of cheerfulness." as she sat before the gently blazing little fire, mrs. cliff felt that things needed an air of cheerfulness. she had that morning been making calculations, and, notwithstanding all she had bought, all she had done, and even including with the most generous margin all she had planned to do, her income was gaining upon her in a most discouraging way. "i am not fit for it," she said to herself. "i don't know how to live as i want to live, and i won't live as i don't want to live. the whole business is too big for me. i don't know how to manage it. i ought to give up my means to somebody who knows how to use them, and stay here myself with just enough money to make me happy." for the fortieth time she considered the question of laying all her troubles before mr. perley, but she knew her pastor. the great mass of her fortune would quickly be swallowed up in some grand missionary enterprise; and this would not suit mrs. cliff. no matter how much she was discouraged, no matter how difficult it was to see her way before her, no matter how great a load she felt her wealth to be, there was always before her a glimmering sense of grand possibilities. what they were she could not now see or understand, but she would not willingly give them up. [illustration: the gentleman raised his hat and asked if mrs. cliff lived there] she was an elderly woman, but she came of a long-lived family, all of whom had lived in good health until the end of their days, and if there was any grand, golden felicity which was possible to her, she felt that there was reason to believe she would live long to enjoy it when she wanted it. one morning as mrs. cliff sat thinking over these things, there was a knock at the front door, and, of course, willy croup ran to open it. no matter where she was, or no matter what she was doing, willy always went to the door if she could, because she had so great a desire to know who was there. this time it was a gentleman, a very fine gentleman, with a high silk hat and a handsome overcoat trimmed with fur--fur on the collar, fur on the sleeves, and fur down the front. willy had never seen such a coat. it was october and it was cool, but there was no man in plainton who would have worn such a coat as that so early in the season even if he had one. the gentleman had dark eyes and a very large mustache, and he carried a cane and wore rather bright tan-colored gloves. all these things willy observed in an instant, for she was very quick in taking notice of people's clothes and general appearance. the gentleman raised his hat and asked if mrs. cliff lived there. now willy thought he must be an extraordinary fine gentleman, for how should he know that she was not a servant, and in those parts gentlemen did not generally raise their hats to girls who opened front doors. the gentleman was admitted and was ushered into the parlor, where sat mrs. cliff. she was a little surprised at the sight of this visitor, who came in with his hat on, but who took it off and made her a low bow as soon as he saw her. but she thought she appreciated the situation, and she hardened her heart. a strange man, so finely dressed, and with such manners, must have come for money, and mrs. cliff had already learned to harden her heart towards strangers who solicited. but the hardness of her heart utterly disappeared in her amazement when this gentleman, having pulled off his right glove, advanced toward her, holding out his hand. "you don't remember me, mrs. cliff?" he said in a loud, clear voice. "no wonder, for i am a good deal changed, but it is not the same with you. you are the same as ever--i declare you are!" mrs. cliff took the proffered hand, and looked into the face of the speaker. there was something there which seemed familiar, but she had never known such a fine gentleman as this. she thought over the people whom she had seen in france and in california, but she could not recollect this face. "it's a mean thing to be puzzlin' you, mrs. cliff," said the stranger, with a cheery smile. "i'm george burke, seaman on the _castor_, where i saw more of you, mrs. cliff, than i've ever seen since; for though we have both been a good deal jumbled up since, we haven't been jumbled up together, so i don't wonder if you don't remember me, especially as i didn't wear clothes like these on the _castor_. not by any means, mrs. cliff!" "i remember you," she said, and she shook his hand warmly. "i remember you, and you had a mate named edward shirley." "yes, indeed!" said mr. burke, "and he's all right, and i'm all right, and how are you?" the overcoat with the fur trimmings came off, and, with the hat, the cane, and the gloves, was laid upon a chair, and burke and mrs. cliff sat down to talk over old times and old friends. chapter vi a temperance lark as mrs. cliff sat and talked with george burke, she forgot the calculations she had been making, she forgot her perplexities and her anxieties concerning the rapid inroads which her income was making upon her ability to dispose of it, in the recollection of the good-fellowships which the presence of her companion recalled. but mr. burke could give her no recent news of captain horn and edna, she having heard from them later than he had; and the only one of the people of the _castor_ of whom he could tell her was edward shirley, who had gone into business. he had bought a share in a shipyard, and, as he was a man who had a great idea about the lines of a vessel, and all that sort of thing, he had determined to put his money into that business. he was a long-headed fellow, and burke had no doubt but that he would soon hear of some fine craft coming from the yard of his old shipmate. "but how about yourself, mr. burke? i want to know what has happened to you, and what you intend doing, and how you chanced to be coming this way." "oh, i will tell you everything that has happened to me," said mr. burke, "and it won't take long; but first let me ask you something, mrs. cliff?" and as he spoke he quietly rose and shut the parlor door. "now then," said he, as he seated himself, "we have all been in the same box, or, i should say, in the same boxes of different kinds, and although i may not have the right to call myself a friend, i am just as friendly to you as if i was, and feel as if people who have been through what we have ought to stand by each other even after they've got through their hardest rubs. "now, mrs. cliff, has anything happened to you? have you had any set-backs? i know that this is a mighty queer world, and that even the richest people can often come down with a sudden thump just as if they had slipped on the ice." mrs. cliff smiled. "nothing has happened to me," she said. "i have had no set-backs, and i am just as rich to-day,--i should say a great deal richer, than i was on the day when captain horn made the division of the treasure. but i know very well why you thought something had happened to me. you did not expect to find me living in this little house." "no, by the lord harry, i didn't!" exclaimed burke, slapping his knee. "you must excuse me, mrs. cliff, for speaking out in that way, but really i never was so much surprised as when i came into your front yard. i thought i would find you in the finest house in the place until you could have a stately mansion built somewhere in the outskirts of the town, where there would be room enough for a park. but when i came to this house, i couldn't help thinking that perhaps some beastly bank had broke, and that your share of the golden business had been swept away. things like that do happen to women, you know, and i suppose they always will; but i am mighty glad to hear you are all right! "but, as you have asked me to tell you my story, i will make short work of it, and then i would like to hear what has happened to you, as much as you please to tell me about it. "now, when i got my money, mrs. cliff, which, when compared to what your share must have been, was like a dory to a three-mast schooner, but still quite enough for me, and, perhaps, more than enough if a public vote could be taken on the subject, i was in paris, a jolly place for a rich sailor, and i said to myself,-- "'now, mr. burke,' said i, for i might as well begin by using good manners, 'the general disposition of a sea-faring man with a lot of money is to go on a lark, or, perhaps, a good many larks, and so get rid of it and then ship again before the mast for fourteen dollars per month, or thereabouts.' "but i made up my mind right there on the spot that that sort of thing wouldn't suit me. the very idea of shipping again on a merchant vessel made the blood run cold inside of me, and i swore to myself that i wouldn't do it. "to be sure, i wouldn't give up all notion of a lark. a sailor with money,--and i don't believe there ever was an able-bodied seaman with more money than i had,--who doesn't lark, at least to some degree, has no right to call himself a whole-souled mariner; so i made up my mind to have one lark and then stop." mrs. cliff's countenance clouded. "i am sorry, mr. burke," said she, "that you thought it necessary to do that. i do hope you didn't go on one of those horrible--sprees, do they call them?" "oh no!" interrupted burke, "i didn't do anything of that kind. if i'd begun with a bottle, i'd have ended with nothing but a cork, and a badly burnt one at that. no ma'am! drinking isn't in my line. i don't take anything of that sort except at meals, and then only the best wine in genteel quantities. but i was bound to have one lark, and then i would stop and begin to live like a merchant-tailor, with no family nor poor relations." "but what did you do?" asked mrs. cliff. "if it was a lark without liquor, i want to hear about it." "it was a temperance lark, ma'am," said burke, "and this is what it was. "now, though i have been to sea ever since i was a boy, i never had command of any kind of craft, and it struck me that i would like to finish up my life on the ocean wave by taking command of a vessel. it is generally understood that riches will give you anything you want, and i said to myself that my riches should give me that. i didn't want a sailin' vessel. i was tired of sailin' vessels. i wanted a steamer, and when i commanded a steamer for a little while i would stop short and be a landsman for the rest of my life. "so i went up to brest, where i thought i might find some sort of steamer which might suit me, and in that harbor i did find an english steamer, which had discharged her cargo and was expectin' to sail again pretty much in ballast and brandy, so far as i could make out. i went to this vessel and i made an offer to her captain to charter her for an excursion of one week--that was all i wanted. "well, i'm not going to bother you, mrs. cliff, with all that was said and done about this little business, which seemed simple enough, but which wasn't. there are people in this world who think that if you have money you can buy anything you want, but such people might as well get ready to change their opinions if they ever expect to come into money." "that is true," said mrs. cliff; "every word of it is true, as i have found out for myself!" "well," continued burke, "there had to be a lot of telegraphin' to the owners in london and a general fuss with the officers of the port about papers, and all that, but i got the business through all right; for if money won't get you everything, it's a great help in making things slip along easy. and so one fine afternoon i found myself on board that steamer as commander for one week. "of course, i didn't want to give orders to the crew, but i intended to give my orders to the captain, and tell him what he was to do and what he was not to do for one week. he didn't like that very much, for he was inclined to bulldogism, but i paid him extra wages, and he agreed to knuckle under to me. "so i gave him orders to sail out of the harbor and straight to the island of ushant, some twenty-five miles to the west of northwest. "'there's no use going there,' said the captain,--his name was dork,--'there's nothing on that blasted bit of rock for you to see. there's no port i could run this steamer into.' "i had been studying out my business on the chart, and this little island just suited my idea, and though the name was 'ushant,' i said to him, 'you shall,' and i ordered him to sail to that island and lay to a mile or two to the westward; and as to the landing, he needn't talk about that until i mentioned it myself. "so when we got about a couple of miles to the west of ushant, we lay to. now i knew we were on the forty-eighth parallel of latitude, for i had looked that out on the chart, so i said to captain dork,-- "'now, sir!' says i, 'i want you to head your vessel, sir, due west, and then to steam straight ahead for a hundred miles, keepin' your vessel just as near as you can on that line of latitude.'" "i see!" said mrs. cliff, very much interested. "if he once got on that line of latitude and kept sailing west without turning one way or the other, he would be bound to keep on it." "that's exactly it!" said mr. burke. "'twas pretty near midnight when we started off to run along the forty-eighth parallel, but i kept my eyes on the man at the wheel and on the compass, and i let them know that that ship was under the command of an able-bodied seaman who knew what he was about, and if they skipped to one side of that line or to the other he would find it out in no time. "i went below once to take a nap, but, as i promised the fellow at the wheel ten shillings if he would keep her head due west, and told him he would be sure to wake me up if he didn't, i felt certain we wouldn't skip the line of latitude. "well, that steamer, which was called the _duke of dorchester_, and which was a vessel of not more than a thousand tons, wasn't much of a sailer, or perhaps they was saving coal, i don't know which, and, not knowing how much coal ought to be used, i kept my mouth shut on that point; but i had the log thrown a good deal, and i found that we never quite came up to ten knots an hour, and when we took an observation at noon the next day, we saw that we hadn't quite done the hundred miles; but a little before one o'clock we did it, and then i ordered the captain to stop the engine and lay to. "there was a brig about a mile away, and when she saw us layin' to, she put about and made for us, and when she was near enough she hailed to know if anything was the matter. she was a french brig, but captain dork understood her, and i told him to bid her 'good morning,' and to tell her that nothin' was the matter, but that we were just stoppin' to rest. i don't know what he did tell her, but she put about her helm and was off again on her own business. "'now,' said i to captain dork, 'i want you to back this steamer due east to the island of ushant.' "he looked at me and began to swear. he took me for a maniac,--a wild, crazy man, and told me the best thing i could do would be to go below and turn in, and he would take me back to my friends, if i had any. "i didn't want to tell him what i was up to, but i found i had to, and so i explained to him that i was a rich sailor takin' a lark, and the lark i wanted to take was, to sail on a parallel of latitude a hundred miles in a steamer, and then to back that steamer along that same parallel to the place where she started from. i didn't believe that there was ever a ship in the world that had done that, and bein' on a lark, i wanted to do it, and was willin' to pay for it; and if his engineers and his crew grumbled about backing the steamer for a hundred miles, he could explain to them how the matter stood, and tell them that bein' on a lark i was willin' to pay for all extra trouble i might put them to, and for any disturbances in their minds which might rise from sailin' a vessel in a way which didn't seem to be accordin' to the ordinary rules of navigation. "now, when captain dork knew that i was a rich sailor on a lark, he understood me, and he made no more objections, though he said he wouldn't have spent his money in that way; and when he told his crew and his engineers and men about the extra pay, they understood the matter, and they agreed to back her along the forty-eighth parallel just as nigh as they could until they lay to two miles west of ushant. "so back we went, and they kept her due east just as nigh as they could, and they seemed to take an interest in it, as if all of them wanted me to have as good a lark as i could for my money, and we didn't skip that parallel very much, although it wasn't an easy job, i can tell you, to keep her head due west and her stern due east, and steam backwards. they had to rig up the compass abaft the wheel, and do some other things that you wouldn't understand, madam, such as running a spar out to stern to take sight by." "i declare," said mrs. cliff, "that sort of sailing must have astonished any ship that saw it. did you meet any other vessels?" "oh yes," said burke. "after daybreak we fell in with a good many sail and some steamers, and most of them ran close and hailed us, but there wasn't any answer to give them, except that we were returning to port and didn't want no help; but some of the skippers of the smaller crafts were so full of curiosity that they stuck to us, and when we arrived off ushant, which wasn't until nearly dark the next day, the _duke of dorchester_ had a convoy of five sloops, two schooners, a brig, eight pilot boats, and four tugs." although mr. burke had said that he was going to make very short work with his story, it had already occupied a good deal of time, and he was not half through with it; but mrs. cliff listened with the greatest interest, and the rich sailor went on with his recital of adventures. "now, when i had finished scoring that forty-eighth parallel backward and forward for a hundred miles, i took out my purse and i paid that captain and all the crew what i promised to give them, and then we steamed back to brest, where i told him to drop anchor and make himself comfortable. "i stayed on board for a day and a night just to get my fill feeling i was in command of a steamer, before i gave up a sea-faring life forever. i threw up the rest of the week that i was entitled to and went ashore, and my lark was over. "i went to england and took passage for home, and i had a first-class state-room, and laid in a lot of good clothes before i started. i don't think i ever had greater comfort in my life than sittin' on deck, smokin' a good cigar, and watchin' the able-bodied seamen at their work. "i hope i'm not tiring you, madam, but i'm trying to cut things as short as i can. it's often said that a sailor is all at sea when he is on shore, but i was a country fellow before i was a sailor, and land doings come naturally to me when i fix my mind on them. "i'd made up my mind i was going to build my mother a house on cape cod, but when i got home i thought it better to buy her one already built, and that's what i did, and i stayed there with her a little while, but i didn't like it. i'd had a notion of having another house near my mother's, but i gave up that. there's too much sea about cape cod. "now, she liked it, for she's a regular sailor's mother, but i couldn't feel that i was really a rich fellow livin' ashore until i got out of hearin' of the ocean, and out of smellin' of salt and tar, so i made up my mind that i'd go inland and settle somewhere on a place of my own, where i might have command of some sort of farm. "i didn't know just exactly what i wanted, nor just exactly where i wanted to go, so i thought it best to look around a little and hold council with somebody or other. i couldn't hold council with my mother, because she wanted me to buy a ship and take command of her. and then i thought of captain horn, and goin' to ask him. but the captain is a great man--" "indeed he is!" exclaimed mrs. cliff. "we all know that!" "but he is off on his own business," continued burke, "and what sort of a princely concern he's got on hand i don't know. anyway, he wouldn't want me followin' him about and botherin' him, and so i thought of everybody i could, and at last it struck me that there wasn't anybody better than you, mrs. cliff, to give me the points i wanted, for i always liked you, mrs. cliff, and i consider you a woman of good sense down to the keel. and, as i heard you were livin' in sort of a country place, i thought you'd be the very person that i could come and talk to and get points. "i felt a hankerin', anyway, after some of the old people of the _castor_; for, after having had all that money divided among us, it made me feel as if we belonged to the same family. i suppose that was one reason why i felt a sort of drawing to you, you know. anyway, i knew where you lived, and i came right here, and arrived this morning. after i'd taken a room at the hotel, i asked for your house and came straight here." "and very glad am i to see you, mr. burke!" said mrs. cliff, speaking honestly from the bottom of her heart. she had not known burke very well, but she had always looked upon him as a fine, manly sailor; and now that he had come to her, she was conscious of the family feeling which he had spoken of, and she was very glad to see him. she saw that burke was very anxious to know why she was living in a plain fashion in this unpretentious house, but she found it would be very difficult to explain the matter to him. hers was not a straightforward tale, which she could simply sit and tell, and, moreover, although she liked burke and thought it probable that he was a man of a very good heart, she did not believe that he was capable of advising her in the perplexities which her wealth had thrown about her. still, she talked to him and told him what she thought she could make him properly understand, and so, from one point to another, she went on until she had given the ex-sailor a very good idea of the state of her mind in regard to what she was doing, and what she thought she ought to do. when mrs. cliff had finished speaking, burke thrust his hands into his pockets, leaned back in his chair, and looked at the ceiling of the room, the walls, and the floor. he wanted to say something, but he was not prepared to do so. his mind, still nautical, desired to take an observation and determine the latitude and longitude of mrs. cliff, but the skies were very much overcast. at this moment willy croup knocked at the parlor door, and when mrs. cliff went to her, she asked if the gentleman was going to stay to dinner. mrs. cliff was surprised. she had no idea it was so late, but she went back to mr. burke and urged him to stay to dinner. he consented instantly, declaring that this was the first time that anybody, not his mother, had asked him to dinner since he came into his fortune. when mrs. cliff had excused herself to give some directions about the meal, burke walked about the parlor, carefully examining everything in it. when he had finished his survey, he sat down and shook his head. "the trouble with her is," he said to himself, "that she's so dreadfully afraid of running ashore that she will never reach any port, that's what's the matter!" when mrs. cliff returned, she asked her visitor if he would like to see her house, and she showed him over it with great satisfaction, for she had filled every room with all the handsome and appropriate things she could get into it. burke noticed everything, and spoke with approbation of many things, but as he walked behind his hostess, he kept shaking his head. he went down to dinner, and was introduced to willy croup, who had been ordered to go and dress herself that she might appear at the meal. he shook hands with her very cordially, and then looked all around the little dining-room, taking in every feature of its furnishing and adornment. when he had finished, he would have been glad to shake his head again, but this would have been observed. when the dinner came on, however, mr. burke had no desire to shake his head. it was what might have been called a family dinner, but there was such a variety, such an abundance, everything was so admirably cooked, and the elderberry wine, which was produced in his honor, was so much more rich and fragrant to his taste than the wines he had had at hotels, that mr. burke was delighted. now he felt that in forming an opinion as to mrs. cliff's manner of living he had some grounds to stand upon. "what she wants," thought he, "is all the solid, sensible comfort her money can give her, and where she knows what she wants, she gets it; but the trouble seems to be that in most things she doesn't know what she wants!" when mr. burke that afternoon walked back to the hotel, wrapped in his fur-trimmed coat and carefully puffing a fine havana cigar, he had entirely forgotten his own plans and purposes in life, and was engrossed in those of mrs. cliff. chapter vii mr. burke accepts a responsibility willy croup was very much pleased with mr. burke, and she was glad that she had allowed herself to be persuaded to sit at table with such a fine gentleman. he treated her with extreme graciousness of manner, and it was quite plain to her that if he recognized her in her silk gown as the person who, in a calico dress, had opened the front door for him, he had determined to make her feel that he had not noticed the coincidence. he was a good deal younger than she was, but willy's childlike disposition had projected itself into her maturer years, and in some respects there was a greater sympathy, quickly perceived by both, between her and mr. burke than yet existed between him and mrs. cliff. after some of the amusing anecdotes which he told, the visitor looked first towards willy to see how she appreciated them; but it must not be supposed that he was not extremely attentive and deferential to his hostess. if willy had known what a brave, gallant, and daring sailor he was, she would have made a hero of him; but mrs. cliff had never said much about burke, and willy simply admired him as the best specimen of the urbane man of the world with whom she had yet met. the two women talked a good deal about their visitor that evening, and mrs. cliff said that she hoped he was not going to leave town very soon, for it was possible that she might be of help to him if he wanted to settle down in that part of the country. the next morning, soon after breakfast, when willy opened the front gate of the yard and stepped out upon the street with a small covered basket in her hand, she had gone but a very little distance when she met mr. burke, with his furs, his cane, and his silk hat. the latter was lifted very high as its owner saluted miss croup. willy, who was of a fair complexion, reddened somewhat as she shook hands with the gentleman, informed him, in answer to his questions, that mrs. cliff was very well, that she was very well; that the former was at home and would be glad to see him, and that she herself was going into the business part of the town to make some little purchases. she would have been better pleased if she had not been obliged to tell him where she was going, but she could not do otherwise when he said he supposed she was walking for the benefit of the fresh morning air. he added to her discomfiture by requesting to be allowed to walk with her, and by offering to carry her basket. this threw willy's mind into a good deal of a flutter. why could she not have met this handsomely dressed gentleman sometime when she was not going to the grocery store to buy such things as stove-blacking and borax? it seemed to her as if these commodities must suggest to the mind of any one rusty iron and obtrusive insects, and as articles altogether outside the pale of allusion in high-toned social intercourse. it also struck her as a little odd that a gentleman should propose to accompany a lady when she was going on domestic errands; but then this gentleman was different from any she had known, and there were many ways of the world with which she was not at all acquainted. mr. burke immediately began to speak of the visit of the day before. he had enjoyed seeing mrs. cliff again and he had never sat down to a better dinner. "yes," said willy, "she likes good eatin', and she knows what it is, and if she had a bigger dining-room she would often invite people to dinner, and i expect the house would be quite lively, as she seems more given to company than she used to be, and that's all right, considerin' she's better able to afford it." mr. burke took a deep satisfied breath. the opportunity had already come to him to speak his mind. "afford it!" said he. "i should think so! mrs. cliff must be very rich. she is worth, i should say--well, i don't know what to say, not knowing exactly and precisely what each person got when the grand division was made." willy's loyalty to mrs. cliff prompted her to put her in as good a light as possible before this man of the world, and her own self-esteem prompted her to show that, being a friend and relative of this rich lady, she was not ignorant of her affairs in life. "oh, she's rich!" said willy. "i can't say, of course, just how much she has, but i'm quite sure that she owns at least--" willy wished to put the amount of the fortune at one hundred thousand dollars, but she was a little afraid that this might be too much, and yet she did not wish to make the amount any smaller than could possibly be helped. so she thought of seventy-five, and then eighty, and finally remarked that mrs. cliff must be worth at least ninety thousand dollars. mr. burke looked up at the sky and wanted to whistle. "ninety thousand dollars!" he said to himself. "i know positively that it was at least four millions at the time of the division, and she says she's richer now than she was then, which is easy to be accounted for by the interest coming in. i see her game! she wants to keep shady about her big fortune because her neighbors would expect her to live up to it, and she knows it isn't in her to live up to it. now, i'm beginning to see through the fog." "it seems to me," said he, "that mrs. cliff ought to have a bigger dining-room." this remark pulled up the flood-gate to willy's accumulated sentiments on the subject, and they poured forth in a rushing stream. yes, indeed, mrs. cliff ought to have a bigger dining-room, and other rooms to the house, and there was the front fence, and no end of things she ought to have, and it was soon made clear to mr. burke that willy had been lying awake at night thinking, and thinking, and thinking about what mrs. cliff ought to have and what she did not have. she said she really and honestly believed that there was no reason at all why she did not have them, except that she did not want to seem to be setting herself up above her neighbors. in fact, mrs. cliff had told willy two or three times, when there had been a discussion about prices, that she was able to do anything she wanted, and if she could do that, why did she not do it? people were all talking about it, and they had talked and talked her fortune down until in some families it was not any more than ten thousand dollars. on and on talked willy, while mr. burke said scarcely a word, but he listened with the greatest attention. they had now walked on until they had reached the main street of the little town, gone through the business part where the shops were, and out into the suburbs. suddenly willy stopped. "oh dear!" she exclaimed, "i've gone too far! i was so interested in talking, that i didn't think." "i'm sorry," said mr. burke, "that i've taken you out of your way. can't i get you what you want and save you the trouble?" now willy was in another flutter. after the walk with the fur-trimmed coat, and the talk about dollars by thousands and tens of thousands, she could not come down to mention borax and blacking. "oh no, thank you!" said she, trying her best to think of some other errand than the one she had come upon. "i don't believe it's finished yet, and it's hardly worth while to stop. there was one of those big cushion covers that she brought from paris, that was to be filled with down, but i don't believe it's ready yet, and i needn't stop." mr. burke could not but think it a little odd that such a small basket should be brought for the purpose of carrying home a large down cushion, but he said nothing further on the subject. he had had a most gratifying conversation with this communicative and agreeable person, and his interest in mrs. cliff was greatly increased. when he neared the hotel, he took leave of his companion, saying that he would call in the afternoon; and willy, after she had looked back and was sure he was out of sight, slipped into the grocery store and got her borax and blacking. mr. burke called on mrs. cliff that afternoon, and the next morning, and two or three times the day after. they came to be very much interested in each other, and burke in his mind compared this elderly friend with his mother, and not to the advantage of the latter. burke's mother was a woman who would always have her own way, and wanted advice and counsel from no one, but mrs. cliff was a very different woman. she was so willing to listen to what burke said--and his remarks were nearly always on the subject of the proper expenditure of money--and appeared to attach so much importance to his opinions, that he began to feel that a certain responsibility, not at all an unpleasant one, was forcing itself upon him. he did not think that he should try to constitute himself her director, or even to assume the position of professional suggester, but in an amateur way he suggested, and she, without any idea of depending upon him for suggestions, found herself more and more inclined to accept them as he continued to offer them. she soon discovered that he was the only person in plainton who knew her real fortune, and this was a bond of sympathy and union between them, and she became aware that she had succeeded in impressing him with her desire to live upon her fortune in such a manner that it would not interfere with her friendships or associations, and her lifelong ideas of comfort and pleasure. the people of the town talked a great deal about the fine gentleman at the hotel, but they knew he was one of the people who had become rich in consequence of captain horn's discovery; and some of them, good friends of mrs. cliff, felt sorry that she had not profited to as great a degree by that division as this gentleman of opulent taste, who occupied two of the best rooms in the hotel, and obliged mr. williams to send to harrington, and even to boston, for provisions suitable to his epicurean tastes, and who drove around the country with a carriage and pair at least once a day. when burke was ready to make his suggestions, he thought he would begin in a mild fashion, and see how mrs. cliff would take them. "if i was in your place, madam," said he, "the first thing i would do would be to have a lot of servants. there's nothin' money can give a person that's better than plenty of people to do things. lots of them on hand all the time, like the crew of a ship." "but i couldn't do that, mr. burke," said she; "my house is too small. i haven't any place for servants to sleep. when i enlarge my house, of course, i may have more servants." "oh, i wouldn't wait for that," said he; "until then you could board them at the hotel." this suggestion was strongly backed by willy croup, and mrs. cliff took the matter to heart. she collected together a domestic establishment of as many servants as she thought her establishment could possibly provide with work, and, although she did not send them to be guests at the hotel, she obtained lodging for them at the house of a poor woman in the neighborhood. when she had done this, she felt that she had made a step in the direction of doing her duty by her money. mr. burke made another suggestion. "if i was you," said he, "i wouldn't wait for times or seasons, for in these days people build in winter the same as in summer. i would put up that addition just as soon as it could be done." mrs. cliff sighed. "i suppose that's what i should do," said she. "i feel that it is, but you know how i hate to begin it." "but you needn't hate it," said he. "there isn't the least reason in the world for any objection to it. i've a plan which will make it all clear sailin'. i've been thinkin' it out, and this is the way i've thought it." mrs. cliff listened with great attention. "now then," said burke, "next to you on the west is your own lot that you're going to put your new dining-room on. am i right there?" "yes," said mrs. cliff, "you are right there." "well, next to that is the little house inhabited by a family named barnard, i'm told, and next to that there's a large corner lot with an old house on it that's for sale. now then, if i was you, i'd buy that corner lot and clear away the old house, and i'd build my dining-room right there. i'd get a good architect and let him plan you a first-class, a number one, dining-room, with other rooms to it, above it and below it, and around it; with porticos, and piazzas, and little balconies to the second story, and everything that anybody might want attached to a first-class dining-room." mrs. cliff laughed. "but what good would it be to me away up there at the corner of the next street?" "the reason for putting it there," said burke, "is to get clear of all the noise and dirt of building, and the fuss and bother that you dislike so much. and then when it was all finished, and painted, and papered, and the carpets down, if you like, i'd have it moved right up here against your house just where you want it. when everything was in order, and you was ready, you could cut a door right through into the new dining-room, and there you'd be. they've got so in the way of slidin' buildings along on timbers now that they can travel about almost like the old stage coaches, and you needn't have your cellar dug until you're ready to clap your new dining-room right over it." mrs. cliff smiled, and willy listened with open eyes. "but how about the barnard family and their house?" said she. "oh, i'd buy them a lot somewhere else," said he, "and move their house. they wouldn't object if you paid them extra. what i'd have if i was in your place, mrs. cliff, would be a clear lot down to the next street, and i'd have a garden in it with flowers, and gravel walks, and greenhouses, and all that sort of thing." "all stretching itself out in the sunshine under the new dining-room windows!" cried willy croup, with sparkling eyes. mrs. cliff sat and considered, a cheerful glow in her veins. here, really, was an opportunity of stemming the current of her income without shocking any of her social instincts! chapter viii mr. burke begins to make things move in plainton it was not long before mr. burke began to be a very important personage in plainton. it was generally known that he intended to buy land and settle in the neighborhood, and as he was a rich man, evidently inclined to be liberal in his expenditures, this was a matter of great interest both in social and business circles. he often drove out to survey the surrounding country, but when he was perceived several times standing in front of an old house at the corner of the street near mrs. cliff's residence, it was supposed that he might have changed his mind in regard to a country place, and was thinking of building in the town. he was not long considered a stranger in the place. mrs. cliff frequently spoke of him as a valued friend, and there was reason to believe that in the various adventures and dangers of which they had heard, mr. burke had been of great service to their old friend and neighbor, and it was not unlikely that his influence had had a good deal to do with her receipt of a portion of the treasure discovered by the commander of the expedition. several persons had said more than once that they could not see why mrs. cliff should have had any claim upon this treasure, except, perhaps, to the extent of her losses. but if she had had a friend in camp,--and mr. burke was certainly a friend,--it was easy to understand why he would do the best he could, at a time when money was so plenty, for the benefit of one whom he knew to be a widow in straitened circumstances. so mr. burke was looked upon not only as a man of wealth and superior tastes in regard to food and personal comfort, but as a man of a liberal and generous disposition. furthermore, there was no pride about him. often on his return from his drives, his barouche and pair, which mr. williams had obtained in harrington for his guest's express benefit, would stop in front of mrs. cliff's modest residence; and two or three times he had taken that good lady and willy croup to drive with him. but mrs. cliff did not care very much for the barouche. she would have preferred a little phaëton and a horse which she could drive herself. as for her horse and the two-seated wagon, that was declared by most of the ladies of the town to be a piece of absolute extravagance. it was used almost exclusively by willy, who was known to deal with shops in the most distant part of the town in order that she might have an excuse, it was said, to order out that wagon and have andrew marks to drive her. of course they did not know how often mrs. cliff had said to herself that it was really not a waste of money to keep this horse, for willy was no longer young; and if she could save her any weary steps, she ought to do it, and at the same time relieve a little the congested state of her income. moreover, mr. burke was not of an unknown family. he was quite willing to talk about himself, especially to mr. williams, as they sat and smoked together in the evening, and he said a good deal about his father, who had owned two ships at nantucket, and who, according to his son, was one of the most influential citizens of the place. mr. williams had heard of the burkes of nantucket, and he did not think any the less of the one who was now his guest, because his father's ships had come to grief during his boyhood, and he had been obliged to give up a career on shore, which he would have liked, and go to sea, which he did not like. a brave spirit in poverty coupled with a liberal disposition in opulence was enough to place mr. burke on a very high plane in the opinions of the people of plainton. half a mile outside the town, upon a commanding eminence, there was a handsome house which belonged to a family named buskirk. these people were really not of plainton, although their post-office and railroad station were there. they were rich city people who came to this country place for the summer and autumn, and who had nothing to do with the town folks, except in a limited degree to deal with some of them. this family lived in great style, and their coachman and footman in knee breeches, their handsome horses with docked tails, the beautiful grounds about their house, a feebly shooting fountain on the front lawn, were a source of anxious disquietude in the mind of mrs. cliff. they were like the skeletons which were brought in at the feasts of the ancients. "if i should ever be obliged to live like the buskirks on the hill," the good lady would say to herself, "i would wish myself back to what i used to be, asking only that my debts be paid." even the buskirks took notice of mr. burke. in him they thought it possible they might have a neighbor. if he should buy a place and build a fine house somewhere in their vicinity, which they thought the only vicinity in which any one should build a fine house, it might be a very good thing, and would certainly not depreciate the value of their property. a wealthy bachelor might indeed be a more desirable neighbor than a large family. the buskirks had been called upon when they came to plainton a few years before by several families. of course, the clergyman, mr. perley, and his wife, paid them a visit, and the two misses thorpedyke hired a carriage and drove to the house, and, although they did not see the family, they left their cards. after some time these and other calls were returned, but in the most ceremonious manner, and there ended the social intercourse between the fine house on the hill and the town. as the buskirks drove to harrington to church, they did not care about the perleys, and although they seemed somewhat inclined to cultivate the thorpedykes, who were known to be of such an excellent old family, the thorpedykes did not reciprocate the feeling, and, having declined an invitation to tea, received no more. but now mr. buskirk, who had come up on saturday to spend sunday with his family, actually called on mr. burke at the hotel. the wealthy sailor was not at home, and the city gentleman left his card. when mr. burke showed this card to mrs. cliff, her face clouded. "are you going to return the visit?" said she. "oh yes!" answered burke. "some of these days i will drive up and look in on them. i expect they have got a fancy parlor, and i would like to sit in it a while and think of the days when i used to swab the deck. there's nothin' more elevatin', to my mind, than just that sort of thing. i do it sometime when i am eatin' my meals at the hotel, and the better i can bring to mind the bad coffee and hard tack, the better i like what's set before me." mrs. cliff sighed. she wished mr. buskirk had kept away from the hotel. as soon as mrs. cliff had consented to the erection of the new dining-room on the corner lot,--and she did not hesitate after mr. burke had explained to her how easy it would be to do the whole thing almost without her knowing anything about it, if she did not want to bother herself in the matter,--the enterprise was begun. burke, who was of an active mind, and who delighted in managing and directing, undertook to arrange everything. there was no agreement between mrs. cliff and himself that he should do this, but it pleased him so much to do it, and it pleased her so much to have him do it, that it was done as a thing which might be expected to happen naturally. sometimes she said he was giving her too much of his time, but he scorned such an idea. he had nothing to do, for he did not believe that he should buy a place for himself until spring, because he wanted to pick out a spot to live in when the leaves were coming out instead of when they were dropping off, and the best fun he knew of would be to have command of a big crew, and to keep them at work building mrs. cliff's dining-room. "i should be glad to have you attend to the contracts," said mrs. cliff, "and all i ask is, that while you don't waste anything,--for i think it is a sin to waste money no matter how much you may have,--that you will help me as much as you can to make me feel that i really am making use of my income." burke agreed to do all this, always under her advice, of course, and very soon he had his crew, and they were hard at work. he sent to harrington and employed an architect to make plans, and as soon as the general basis of these was agreed upon, the building was put in charge of a contractor, who, under mr. burke, began to collect material and workmen from all available quarters. "we've got to work sharp, for the new building must be moored alongside mrs. cliff's house before the first snowstorm." a lawyer of plainton undertook the purchase of the land and, as the payments were to be made in cash, and as there was no chaffering about prices, this business was soon concluded. as to the barnard family, mr. burke himself undertook negotiations with them. when he had told them of the handsome lot on another street, which would be given them in exchange, and how he would gently slide their house to the new location, and put it down on any part of the lot which they might choose, and guaranteed that it should be moved so gently that the clocks would not stop ticking, nor the tea or coffee spill out of their cups, if they chose to take their meals on board during the voyage; and as, furthermore, he promised a handsome sum to recompense them for the necessity of leaving behind their well, which he could not undertake to move, and for any minor inconveniences and losses, their consent to the change of location was soon obtained. four days after this burke started the barnard house on its travels. as soon as he had made his agreement with the family, he had brought a man down from harrington, whose business it was to move houses, and had put the job into his hands. he stipulated that at one o'clock p.m. on the day agreed upon the house was to begin to move, and he arranged with the mason to whom he had given the contract for preparing the cellar on the new lot, that he should begin operations at the same hour. he then offered a reward of two hundred dollars to be given to the mover if he got his house to its destination before the cellar was done, or to the mason if he finished the cellar before the house arrived. the barnards had an early dinner, which was cooked on a kerosene stove, their chimney having been taken down, but they had not finished washing the dishes when their house began to move. mrs. cliff and willy ran to bid them good-bye, and all the barnards, old and young, leaned out of a back window and shook hands. mr. burke had arranged a sort of gang-plank with a railing if any of them wanted to go on shore--that is, step on terra firma--during the voyage. but samuel rolands, the mover, heedful of his special prize, urged upon them not to get out any oftener than could be helped, because when they wished to use the gang-plank he would be obliged to stop. there were two boys in the family who were able to jump off and on whenever they pleased, but boys are boys, and very different from other people. houses had been moved in plainton before, but never had any inhabitants of the place beheld a building glide along upon its timber course with, speaking comparatively, the rapidity of this travelling home. most of the citizens of the place who had leisure, came at some time that afternoon to look at the moving house, and many of them walked by its side, talking to the barnards, who, as the sun was warm, stood at an open window, very much excited by the spirit of adventure, and quite willing to converse. over and over they assured their neighbors that they would never know they were moving if they did not see the trees and things slowly passing by them. as they crossed the street and passed between two houses on the opposite side, the inhabitants of these gathered at their windows, and the conversation was very lively with the barnards, as the house of the latter passed slowly by. all night that house moved on, and the young people of the village accompanied it until eleven o'clock, when the barnards went to bed. mr. burke divided his time between watching the moving house, at which all the men who could be employed in any way, and all the horses which could be conveniently attached to the windlasses, were working in watches of four hours each, in order to keep them fresh and vigorous,--and the lot where the new cellar was being constructed, where the masons continued their labors at night by the light of lanterns and a blazing bonfire fed with resinous pine. the excitement caused by these two scenes of activity was such that it is probable that few of the people of the town went to bed sooner than the barnard family. early the next morning the two barnard boys looked out of the window of their bedroom and saw beneath them the hastings' barnyard, with the hastings boy milking. they were so excited by this vision that they threw their shoes and stockings out at him, having no other missiles convenient, and for nearly half an hour he followed that house, trying to toss the articles back through the open window, while the cow stood waiting for the milking to be finished. on the evening of the third day after its departure from its original position, the barnard house arrived on the new lot, and, to the disgust of samuel rolands, he found the cellar entirely finished and ready for him to place the house upon it. but mr. burke, who had been quite sure that this would be the result of the competition, comforted him by telling him that as he had done his best, he too should have a prize equal to that given to the mason. this had been suggested by mrs. cliff, because, she said, that as they were both hard-working men with families, and although the house-mover was not a citizen of plainton, he had once lived there, she was very glad of this opportunity of helping them along. as soon as this important undertaking had been finished, mr. burke was able to give his sole attention to the new dining-room on the corner lot. he and the architect had worked hard upon the plans, and when they were finished they had been shown to mrs. cliff. she understood them in a general way, and was very glad to see that such ample provisions had been made in regard to closets, though she was not able to perceive with her mind's eye the exact dimensions of a room nineteen by twenty-seven, nor to appreciate the difference between a ceiling twelve feet high, and another which was nine. however, having told mr. burke and the architect what she wanted, and both of them having told her what she ought to have, she determined to leave the whole matter in their hands. this resolution was greatly approved by her sailor friend, for, as the object of the plan of construction was to relieve her of all annoyance consequent upon building operations, the more she left everything to those who delighted in the turmoil of construction, the better it would be for all. everything had been done in the plans to prevent interference with the neatness and comfort of mrs. cliff's present abode. the door of the new dining-room was so arranged that when it was moved up to the old house, it would exactly fit against a door in the latter which opened from a side hall upon a little porch. this porch being removed, the two doors would fit exactly to each other, and there would be none of the dust and noise consequent upon the cutting away of walls. so mrs. cliff and willy lived on in peace, comfort, and quiet in their old home, while on the corner lot there was hammering, and banging, and sawing all day. mr. burke would have had this work go on by night, but the contractor refused. his men would work extra hours in consideration of extra inducements, but good carpenter work, he declared, could not be done by lantern light. the people of plainton did not at all understand the operations on the corner lot. mr. burke did not tell them much about it, and the contractor was not willing to talk. he had some doubts in regard to the scheme, but as he was well paid, he would do his best. it had been mentioned that the new building was to be mrs. cliff's dining-room, but this idea soon faded out of the plainton mind, which was not adapted to grasp and hold it. consequently, as mr. burke had a great deal to do with the building, and as mrs. cliff did not appear to be concerned in it at all, it was generally believed that the gentleman at the hotel was putting up a house for himself on the corner lot. this knowledge was the only conclusion which would explain the fact that the house was built upon smooth horizontal timbers, and not upon a stone or brick foundation. a man who had been a sailor might fancy to build a house something as he would build a ship in a shipyard, and not attach it permanently to the earth. chapter ix a meeting of heirs while the building operations were going on at such a rapid rate on the corner lot, mrs. cliff tried to make herself as happy as possible in her own home. she liked having enough servants to do all the work, and relieve both her and willy. she liked to be able to drive out when she wanted to, or to invite a few of her friends to dinner or to tea, and to give them the very best the markets afforded of everything she thought they might like; but she was not a satisfied woman. it was true that mr. burke was doing all that he could with her money, and doing it well, she had not the slightest doubt; but, after all, a new dining-room was a matter of small importance. she had fears that even after it was all finished and paid for she would find that her income had gained upon her. as often as once a day the argument came to her that it would be wise for her to give away the bulk of her fortune in charity, and thus rid herself of the necessity for this depressing struggle between her desire to live as she wanted to live, and the obligations to herself under which her fortune placed her; but she could not consent to thus part with her great fortune. she would not turn her back upon her golden opportunities. as soon as she had so determined her life that the assertion of her riches would not interfere with her domestic and social affairs, she would be charitable enough, she would do good works upon a large scale; but she must first determine what she was to do for herself, and so let her charities begin at home. this undecided state of mind did not have a good effect upon her general appearance, and it was frequently remarked that her health was not what it used to be. miss nancy shott thought there was nothing to wonder at in this. mrs. cliff had never been accustomed to spend money, and it was easy to see, from the things she had bought abroad and put into that little house, that she had expended a good deal more than she could afford, and no wonder she was troubled, and no wonder she was looking thin and sick. other friends, however, did not entirely agree with miss shott. they thought their old friend was entirely too sensible a woman to waste a fortune, whether it had been large or small, which had come to her in so wonderful a manner; and they believed she had money enough to live on very comfortably. if this were not the case, she would never consent to keep a carriage almost for willy croup's sole use. they thought, perhaps, that the example and companionship of mr. burke might have had an effect upon her. it was as likely as not that she had borne part of the expense of moving the barnard house, so that there should be nothing between her and the new building. but this, as they said themselves, was mere surmise. mr. burke might fancy large grounds, and he was certainly able to have them if he wanted them. whatever people said and thought about mrs. cliff and her money, it was generally believed that she was in comfortable circumstances. still, it had to be admitted that she was getting on in years. now arose a very important question among the gossips of plainton: who was to be mrs. cliff's heir? everybody knew that mrs. cliff had but one blood relation living, and that was willy croup, and no one who had given any thought whatever to the subject believed that willy croup would be her heir. her husband had some distant relatives, but, as they had had nothing to do with mrs. cliff during the days of her adversity, it was not likely that she would now have anything to do with them. especially, as any money she had to leave did not come through her husband. but, although the simple-minded willy croup was a person who would not know how to take care of money if she had it, and although everybody knew that if mrs. cliff made a will she would never think of leaving her property to willy, still, everybody who thought or talked about the matter saw the appalling fact staring them in their faces--that if mrs. cliff died without a will, willy would inherit her possessions! the more it was considered, the more did this unpleasant contingency trouble the minds of certain of the female citizens of plainton. miss cushing, the principal dressmaker of the place, was greatly concerned upon this subject, and as her parlor, where she generally sat at her work, was a favorite resort of certain ladies, who sometimes had orders to give, and always had a great deal to say, it was natural that those good women who took most to heart mrs. cliff's heirless condition should think of miss cushing whenever they were inclined to talk upon the subject. miss shott dropped in there one day with a very doleful countenance. that very morning she had passed mrs. cliff's house on the other side of the way, and had seen that poor widow standing in her front yard with the most dejected and miserable countenance she had ever seen on a human being. "people might talk as much as they pleased about mrs. cliff being troubled because she had spent too much money, that all might be, or it might not be, but it was not the reason for that woman looking as if she was just ready to drop into a sick-bed. when people go to the most unhealthy regions in the whole world, and live in holes in the ground like hedgehogs, they cannot expect to come home without seeds of disease in their system, which are bound to come out. and that those seeds were now coming out in mrs. cliff no sensible person could look at her and deny." when miss cushing heard this, she felt more strongly convinced than ever of the importance of the subject upon which she and some of her friends had been talking. but she said nothing in regard to that subject to miss shott. what she had to say and what she had already said about the future of mrs. cliff's property, and what her particular friends had said, were matters which none of them wanted repeated, and when a citizen of plainton did not wish anything repeated, it was not told to miss shott. but after miss shott had gone, there came in mrs. ferguson, a widow lady, and shortly afterwards, miss inchman, a middle-aged spinster, accompanied by mrs. wells and mrs. archibald, these latter both worthy matrons of the town. mrs. archibald really came to talk to miss cushing about a winter dress, but during the subsequent conversation she made no reference to this errand. miss cushing was relating to mrs. ferguson what nancy had told her when the other ladies came in, but nancy shott had stopped in at each of their houses and had already given them the information. "nancy always makes out things a good deal worse than they are," said mrs. archibald, "but there's truth in what she says. mrs. cliff is failing; everybody can see that!" "of course they can," said miss cushing, "and i say that if she has any friends in plainton,--and everybody knows she has,--it's time for them to do something!" "the trouble is, what to do, and who is to do it," remarked mrs. ferguson. "what to do is easy enough," said miss cushing, "but who is to do it is another matter." "and what would you do?" asked mrs. wells. "if she feels she needs a doctor, she has sense enough to send for one without waiting until her friends speak about it." "the doctor is a different thing altogether!" said miss cushing. "if he comes and cures her, that's neither here nor there. it isn't the point! but the danger is, that, whether he comes or not, she is a woman well on in years, with a constitution breaking down under her,--that is as far as appearances go, for of course i can't say anything positive about it,--and she has nobody to inherit her money, and as far as anybody knows she has never made a will!" "oh, she has never made a will," said mrs. wells, "because my john is in the office, and if mrs. cliff had ever come there on such business, he would know about it." "but she ought to make a will," said miss cushing. "that's the long and short of it; and she ought to have a friend who would tell her so. that would be no more than a christian duty which any one of us would owe to another, if cases were changed." "i don't look upon mrs. cliff as such a very old woman," said miss inchman, "but i agree with you that this thing ought to be put before her. willy croup will never do it, and really if some one of us don't, i don't know who will." "there's mrs. perley," said mrs. archibald. "oh, she'd never do!" struck in miss cushing. "mrs. perley is too timid. she would throw it off on her husband, and if he talks to mrs. cliff about a will, her money will all go to the church or to some charity. i should say that one of us ought to take on herself this friendly duty. of course, it would not do to go to her and blurt out that we all thought she would not live very long, and that she ought to make her will; but conversation could be led to the matter, and when mrs. cliff got to consider her own case, i haven't a doubt but that she would be glad to have advice and help from an old friend." all agreed that this was a very correct view of the case, but not one of them volunteered to go and talk to mrs. cliff on the subject. this was not from timidity, nor from an unwillingness to meddle in other people's business, but from a desire on the part of each not to injure herself in mrs. cliff's eyes by any action which might indicate that she had a personal interest in the matter. miss cushing voiced the opinion of the company when she said: "when a person has no heirs, relatives ought to be considered first, but if there are none of these, or if they aren't suitable, then friends should come in. of course, i mean the oldest and best friends of the party without heirs." no remark immediately followed this, for each lady was thinking that she, probably more than any one else in plainton, had a claim upon mrs. cliff's attention if she were leaving her property to her friends, as she certainly ought to do. in years gone by mrs. cliff had been a very kind friend to miss cushing. she had loaned her money, and assisted her in various ways, and since her return to plainton she had put a great deal of work into miss cushing's hands. dress after dress for willy croup had been made, and material for others was still lying in the house; and mrs. cliff herself had ordered so much work, that at this moment miss cushing had two girls upstairs sewing diligently upon it. having experienced all this kindness, miss cushing felt that if mrs. cliff left any of her money to her friends, she would certainly remember her, and that right handsomely. if anybody spoke to mrs. cliff upon the subject, she would insist, and she thought she had a right to insist, that her name should be brought in prominently. mrs. ferguson had also well-defined opinions upon the subject. she had two daughters who were more than half grown, had learned all that they could be taught in plainton, and she was very anxious to send them away to school, where their natural talents could be properly cultivated. she felt that she owed a deep and solemn duty to these girls, and she had already talked to mrs. cliff about them. the latter had taken a great deal of interest in the matter, and although she had not said she would help mrs. ferguson to properly educate these girls, for she had not asked her help, she had taken so much interest in the matter that their mother had great hopes. and if this widow without any children felt inclined to assist the children of others during her life, how much more willing would she be likely to be to appropriate a portion of what she left behind her to such an object! mrs. wells and mrs. archibald had solid claims upon mrs. cliff. it was known that shortly after the death of her husband, when she found it difficult to make collections and was very much in need of money for immediate expenses, they had each made loans to her. it is true that even before she started for south america she had repaid these loans with full legal interest. but the two matrons could not forget that they had been kind to her, nor did they believe that mrs. cliff had forgotten what they had done, for the presents she had brought them from france were generally considered as being more beautiful and more valuable than those given to anybody else,--except the thorpedykes and the perleys. this indicated a very gratifying gratitude upon which the two ladies, each for herself, had every right to build very favorable hopes. miss inchman and mrs. cliff had been school-fellows, and when they were both grown young women there had been a good deal of doubt which one of them william cliff would marry. he made his choice, and susan inchman never showed by word or deed that she begrudged him to her friend, to whom she had always endeavored to show just as much kindly feeling as if there had been two william cliffs, and each of the young women had secured one of them. if mrs. cliff, now a widow with money enough to live well upon and keep a carriage, was making out her will, and was thinking of her friends in plainton, it would be impossible for her to forget one who was the oldest friend of all. so it is easy to see why she did not want to go to mrs. cliff and prejudice her against herself, by stating that she ought to make a will for the benefit of the old friends who had always loved and respected her. miss cushing now spoke. she knew what each member of the little company was thinking about, and she felt that it might as well be spoken of. "it does seem to me," said she, "and i never would have thought of it, if it hadn't been for the talk we had,--that we five are the persons that mrs. cliff would naturally mention in her will, not, perhaps, regarding any money she might have to leave--" "i don't see why!" interrupted mrs. ferguson. "well, that's neither here nor there," continued miss cushing. "money is money, and nobody knows what people will do with it when they die, and if she leaves anything to the church or to charity, it's her money! but i'm sure that mrs. cliff has too much hard sense to order her executors to sell all the beautiful rugs, and table-covers, and glass, and china, and the dear knows what besides is in her house at this moment! they wouldn't bring anything at a sale, and she would naturally think of leaving them to her friends. some might get more and some might get less, but we five in this room at this present moment are the old friends that mrs. cliff would naturally remember. and if any one of us ever sees fit to speak to her on the subject, we're the people who should be mentioned when the proper opportunity comes to make such mention." "you're forgetting willy croup," said mrs. wells. "no," answered miss cushing, a little sharply, "i don't forget her, but i'll have nothing to do with her. i don't suppose she'll be forgotten, but whatever is done for her or whatever is not done for her is not our business. it's my private opinion, however, that she's had a good deal already!" "well," said mrs. ferguson, "i suppose that what you say is all right,--at least i've no objections to any of it; but whoever's going to speak to her, it mustn't be me, because she knows i've daughters to educate, and she'd naturally think that if i spoke i was principally speaking for myself, and that would set her against me, which i wouldn't do for the world. and whatever other people may say, i believe she will have money to leave." miss cushing hesitated for a moment, and then spoke up boldly. "it's my opinion," said she, "that miss inchman is the proper person to speak to mrs. cliff on this important subject. she's known her all her life, from the time when they were little girls together, and when they were both grown she made sacrifices for her which none of the rest of us had the chance to make. "now, for miss inchman to go and open the subject in a gradual and friendly way would be the right and proper thing, no matter how you look at it, and it's my opinion that we who are now here should ask her to go and speak, not in our names perhaps, but out of good-will and kindness to us as well as to mrs. cliff." mrs. wells was a lady who was in the habit of saying things at the wrong time, and she now remarked, "we've forgotten the thorpedykes! you know, mrs. cliff--" miss cushing leaned forward, her face reddened. "bother the thorpedykes!" she exclaimed. "they're no more than acquaintances, and ought not to be spoken of at all. and as for mrs. perley, if any one's thinking of her, she's only been here four years, and that gives her no claim whatever, considering that we've been lifelong friends and neighbors of sarah cliff. "and now, in behalf of all of us, i ask you, miss inchman, will you speak to mrs. cliff?" miss inchman was rather a small woman, spare in figure, and she wore glasses, which seemed to be of a peculiar kind, for while they enabled her to see through them into surrounding space, they did not allow people who looked at her to see through them into her eyes. people often remarked that you could not tell the color of miss inchman's eyes when she had her spectacles on. thus it was that although her eyes were sometimes brighter than at other times, and this could be noticed through her spectacles, it was difficult to understand her expression and to discover whether she was angry or amused. now miss inchman's eyes behind her spectacles brightened very much as she looked from miss cushing to the other members of the little party who had constituted themselves the heirs of mrs. cliff. none of them could judge from her face what she was likely to say, but they all waited to hear what she would say. at this moment the door opened, and mrs. cliff entered the parlor. chapter x the intellect of miss inchman it was true that on that morning mrs. cliff had been standing in her front yard looking as her best friends would not have liked her to look. there was nothing physically the matter with her, but she was dissatisfied and somewhat disturbed in her mind. mr. burke was so busy nowadays that when he stopped in to see her it was only for a few minutes, and willy croup had developed a great facility in discovering things which ought to be attended to in various parts of the town, and of going to attend to them with andrew marks to drive her. not only did mrs. cliff feel that she was left more to herself than she liked, but she had the novel experience of not being able to find interesting occupation. she was was glad to have servants who could perform all the household duties, and could have done more if they had had a chance. still, it was unpleasant to feel that she herself could do so little to fill up her unoccupied moments. so she put on a shawl and went into her front yard, simply to walk about and get a little of the fresh air. but when she went out of the door, she stood still contemplating the front fence. here was a fence which had been an eyesore to her for two or three years! she believed she had money enough to fence in the whole state, and yet those shabby palings and posts must offend her eye every time she came out of her door! the flowers were nearly all dead now, and she would have had a new fence immediately, but mr. burke had dissuaded her, saying that when the new dining-room was brought over from the corner lot there would have to be a fence around the whole premises, and it would be better to have it all done at once. "there are so many things which i can afford just as well as not," she said to herself, "and which i cannot do!" and it was the unmistakable doleful expression upon her countenance, as she thought this, which was the foundation of miss shott's remarks to her neighbors on the subject of mrs. cliff's probable early demise. miss shott was passing on the other side of the street, and she was walking rapidly, but she could see more out of the corner of her eye than most people could see when they were looking straight before them at the same things. suddenly mrs. cliff determined that she must do something. she felt blue,--she wanted to talk to somebody. and, feeling thus, she naturally went into the house, put on her bonnet and her wrap, and walked down to see miss cushing. there was not anything in particular that she wanted to see her about, but there was work going on and she might talk about it; or, it might happen that she would be inclined to give some orders. she was always glad to do anything she could to help that hard-working and kind-hearted neighbor! when mrs. cliff entered the parlor of miss cushing, five women each gave a sudden start. the dressmaker was so thrown off her balance that she dropped her sewing on the floor, and rising, went forward to shake her visitor by the hand, a thing she was not in the habit of doing to anybody, because, as is well known to all the world, a person who is sewing for a livelihood cannot get up to shake hands with the friends and acquaintances who may happen in upon her. at this the other ladies rose and shook hands, and it might have been supposed that the new-comer had just returned from a long absence. then miss cushing gave mrs. cliff a chair, and they all sat down again. mrs. cliff looked about her with a smile. the sight of these old friends cheered her. all her blues were beginning to fade, as that color always fades in any kind of sunshine. "i'm glad to see so many of you together," she said. "it almost seems as if you were having some sort of meeting. what is it about,--can't i join in?" at this there was a momentary silence which threatened to become very embarrassing if it continued a few seconds more, and miss cushing was on the point of telling the greatest lie of her career, trusting that the other heirs would stand by her and support her in whatever statements she made, feeling as they must the absolute necessity of saying something instantly. but miss inchman spoke before any one else had a chance to do so. "you're right, mrs. cliff," said she, "we are considering something! we didn't come here on purpose to talk about it, but we happened in together, and so we thought we would talk it over. and we all came to the conclusion that it was something which ought to be mentioned to you, and i was asked to speak to you about it." four simultaneous gasps were now heard in that little parlor, and four chills ran down the backs of four self-constituted heirs. "i must say, susan," remarked mrs. cliff, with a good-humored smile, "if you want me to do anything, there's no need of being so wonderfully formal about it! if any one of you, or all of you together, for that matter, have anything to say to me, all you had to do was to come and say it." "they didn't seem to think that way," said miss inchman. "they all thought that what was to be said would come better from me because i'd known you so long, and we had grown up together." "it must be something out of the common," said mrs. cliff. "what in the world can it be? if you are to speak, susan, speak out at once! let's have it!" "that's just what i'm going to do," said miss inchman. if mrs. cliff had looked around at the four heirs who were sitting upright in their chairs, gazing in horror at miss inchman, she would have been startled, and, perhaps, frightened. but she did not see them. she was so much interested in what her old friend susan was saying, that she gave to her her whole attention. but now that their appointed spokeswoman had announced her intention of immediately declaring the object of the meeting, each one of them felt that this was no place for her! but, notwithstanding this feeling, not one of them moved to go. miss cushing, of course, had no excuse for leaving, for this was her own house; and although the others might have pleaded errands, a power stronger than their disposition to fly--stronger even than their fears of what mrs. cliff might say to them when she knew all--kept them in their seats. the spell of self-interest was upon them and held them fast. whatever was said and whatever was done they must be there! at this supreme moment they could not leave the room. they nerved themselves, they breathed hard, and listened! "you see, sarah," said miss inchman, "we must all die!" "that's no new discovery," answered mrs. cliff, and the remark seemed to her so odd that she looked around at the rest of the company to see how they took it; and she was thereupon impressed with the idea that some of them had not thought of this great truth of late, and that its sudden announcement had thrown them into a shocked solemnity. but the soul of miss cushing was more than shocked,--it was filled with fury! if there had been in that room at that instant a loaded gun pointed towards miss inchman, miss cushing would have pulled the trigger. this would have been wicked, she well knew, and contrary to her every principle, but never before had she been confronted by such treachery! "well," continued miss inchman, "as we must die, we ought to make ourselves ready for it in every way that we can. and we've been thinking--" at this moment the endurance of mrs. ferguson gave way. the pace and the strain were too great for her. each of the others had herself to think for, but she had not only herself, but two daughters. she gave a groan, her head fell back, her eyes closed, and with a considerable thump she slipped from her chair to the floor. instantly every one screamed and sprang towards her. "what in the world is the matter with her?" cried mrs. cliff, as she assisted the others to raise the head of the fainting woman and to loosen her dress. "oh, i suppose it's the thought of her late husband!" promptly replied miss inchman, who felt that it devolved on her to say something, and that quickly. mrs. cliff looked up in amazement. "and what has mr. ferguson to do with anything?" she asked. "oh, it's the new cemetery i was going to talk to you about," said miss inchman. "it has been spoken of a good deal since you went away, and we all thought that if you'd agree to go into it--" "go into it!" cried mrs. cliff, in horror. "i mean, join with the people who are in favor of it," said miss inchman. "i haven't time to explain,--she's coming to now, if you'll all let her alone! all i've time to say is, that those who had husbands in the old graveyard and might perhaps be inclined to move them and put up monuments, had the right to be first spoken to. although, of course, it's a subject which everybody doesn't care to speak about, and as for mrs. ferguson, it's no wonder, knowing her as we do, that she went off in this way when she knew what i was going to say, although, in fact, i wasn't in the least thinking of mr. ferguson!" the speaker had barely time to finish before the unfortunate lady who had fainted, opened her eyes, looked about her, and asked where she was. and now that she had revived, no further reference could be made to the unfortunate subject which had caused her to swoon. "i don't see," said mrs. cliff, as she stood outside with miss inchman, a few minutes later, "why mr. ferguson's removal--i'm sure it isn't necessary to make it if she doesn't want to--should trouble mrs. ferguson any more than the thought of mr. cliff's removal troubles me. i'm perfectly willing to do what i can for the new cemetery, and nobody need think i'm such a nervous hysterical person that i'm in danger of popping over if the subject is mentioned to me. so when you all are ready to have another meeting, i hope you will let me know!" when mrs. ferguson felt herself well enough to sit up and take a glass of water, with something stimulating in it, she was informed of the nature of the statements which had been finally made to mrs. cliff. "you know, of course," added miss cushing, still pale from unappeased rage, "that that susan inchman began as she did, just to spite us!" "it's just like her!" said mrs. archibald. "but i never could have believed that such a dried codfish of a woman could have so much intellect!" chapter xi the arrival of the new dining-room the little meeting at the house of miss cushing resulted in something very different from the anticipations of those ladies who had consulted together for the purpose of constituting themselves the heirs of mrs. cliff. that good lady being then very much in want of something to do was so pleased with the idea of a new cemetery that she entered into the scheme with great earnestness. she was particularly pleased with this opportunity of making good use of her money, because, having been asked by others to join them in this work, she was not obliged to pose as a self-appointed public benefactor. mrs. cliff worked so well in behalf of the new cemetery and subscribed so much money towards it, through mr. perley, that it was not many months before it became the successor to the little crowded graveyard near the centre of the town; and the remains of mr. cliff were removed to a handsome lot and overshadowed by a suitable monument. mrs. ferguson, however, in speaking with mrs. cliff upon the subject, was happy to have an opportunity of assuring her that she thought it much better to devote her slender means to the education of her daughters than to the removal of her late husband to a more eligible resting-place. "i'm sure he's done very well as he is for all these years," she said, "and if he could have a voice in the matter, i'm quite sure that he would prefer his daughters' education to his own removal." mrs. cliff did not wish to make any offer which might hurt mrs. ferguson's very sensitive feelings, but she said that she had no doubt that arrangements could be made by which mr. ferguson's transfer could be effected without interfering with any plans which might have been made for the benefit of his daughters; but, although this remark did not satisfy mrs. ferguson, she was glad of even this slight opportunity of bringing the subject of her daughters' education before the consideration of her friend. as to the other would-be heirs, they did not immediately turn upon miss inchman and rend her in revenge for the way in which she had tricked and frightened them, for there was no knowing what such a woman would do if she were exasperated, and not for the world would they have mrs. cliff find out the real subject of their discussion on that unlucky morning when she made herself decidedly one too many in miss cushing's parlor. consequently, all attempts at concerted action were dropped, and each for herself determined that mrs. cliff should know that she was a true friend, and to trust to the good lady's well-known gratitude and friendly feeling when the time should come for her to apportion her worldly goods among the dear ones she would leave behind her. there were certain articles in mrs. cliff's house for which each of her friends had a decided admiration, and remarks were often made which it was believed would render it impossible for mrs. cliff to make a mistake when she should be planning her will, and asking herself to whom she should give this, and to whom that? it was about a week after the events in miss cushing's parlor, that something occurred which sent a thrill through the souls of a good many people in plainton, affecting them more or less according to their degree of sensibility. willy croup, who had been driven about the town attending to various matters of business and pleasure, was informed by andrew marks, as she alighted about four o'clock in the afternoon at the house of an acquaintance, that he hoped she would not stop very long because he had some business of his own to attend to that afternoon, and he wanted to get the horse cared for and the cow milked as early as possible, so that he might lock up the barn and go away. to this willy answered that he need not wait for her, for she could easily walk home when she had finished her visit. but when she left the house, after a protracted call, she did not walk very far, for it so happened that mr. burke, who had found leisure that afternoon to take a drive in his barouche, came up behind her, and very naturally stopped and offered to take her home. willy, quite as naturally, accepted the polite proposition and seated herself in the barouche by the side of the fur-trimmed overcoat and the high silk hat. thus it was that the people of the town who were in the main street that afternoon, or who happened to be at doors or windows; that the very birds of the air, hopping about on trees or house-tops; that the horses, dogs, and cats; that even the insects, whose constitutions were strong enough to enable them to buzz about in the autumn sunlight, beheld the startling sight of willy croup and the fine gentleman at the hotel riding together, side by side, in broad daylight, through the most public street of the town. once before these two had been seen together out of doors, but then they had been walking, and almost any two people who knew each other and who might be walking in the same direction, could, without impropriety walk side by side and converse as they went; but now the incident was very different. it created a great impression, not all to the advantage of mr. burke, for, after the matter had been very thoroughly discussed, it was generally conceded that he must be no better than a fortune-hunter. otherwise, why should he be paying attention to willy croup, who, as everybody knew, was not a day under forty-five years old, and therefore at least ten years older than the gentleman at the hotel. in regard to the fortune which he was hunting, there was no difference of opinion; whatever mrs. cliff's fortune might be, this mr. burke wanted it. of course, he would not endeavor to gain his object by marrying the widow, for she was entirely too old for him; but if he married willy, her only relative, that would not be quite so bad as to age, and there could be no doubt that these two would ultimately come into mrs. cliff's fortune, which was probably more than had been generally supposed. she had always been very close-mouthed about her affairs, and there were some who said that even in her early days of widowhood she might have been more stingy than she was poor. she must have considerable property, or mr. burke would not be so anxious to get it. thus it happened that the eventful drive in the barouche had a very different effect upon the reputations of the three persons concerned. mr. burke was lowered from his position as a man of means enjoying his fortune, for even his building operations were probably undertaken for the purpose of settling himself in mrs. cliff's neighborhood, and so being able to marry willy as soon as possible. willy croup, although everybody spoke of her conduct as absolutely ridiculous and even shameful, rose in public estimation simply from the belief that she was about to marry a man who, whatever else he might be, was of imposing appearance and was likely to be rich. as to mrs. cliff, there could be no doubt that the general respect for her was on the increase. if she were rich enough to attract mr. burke to the town, she was probably rich enough to do a good many other things, and after all it might be that that new house at the corner was being built with her money. miss shott was very industrious and energetic in expressing her opinion of mr. burke. "there's a chambermaid at the hotel," she said, "who's told me a lot of things about him, and it's very plain to my mind that he isn't the gentleman that he makes himself out to be! his handkerchiefs and his hair-brush aren't the kind that go with fur overcoats and high hats, and she has often seen him stop in the hall downstairs and black his own boots! everybody knows he was a sailor, but as to his ever having commanded a vessel, i don't believe a word of it! but willy croup and that man needn't count on their schemes coming out all right, for sarah cliff isn't any older than i am, and she's just as likely to outlive them as she is to die before them!" the fact that nobody had ever said that burke had commanded a vessel, and that miss shott had started the belief that mrs. cliff was in a rapid decline, entirely escaped the attention of her hearers, so interested were they in the subject of the unworthiness of the fine gentleman at the hotel. winter had not yet really set in when george burke, who had perceived no reason to imagine that he had made a drop in public estimation, felt himself stirred by emotions of triumphant joy. the new building on the corner lot was on the point of completion! workmen and master-workmen, mechanics and laborers, had swarmed in, over, and about the new edifice in such numbers that sometimes they impeded each other. close upon the heels of the masons came the carpenters, and following them the plumbers and the plasterers; while the painters impatiently restrained themselves in order to give their predecessors time to get out of their way. the walls and ceilings were covered with the plaster which would dry the quickest, and the paper-hangers entered the rooms almost before the plasterers could take away their trowels and their lime-begrimed hats and coats. cleaners with their brooms and pails jostled the mechanics, as the latter left the various rooms, and everywhere strode mr. burke. he had made up his mind that the building must be ready to move into the instant it arrived at its final destination. it was a very different building from what mrs. cliff had proposed to herself when she decided to add a dining-room to her old house. it was so different indeed, that after having gone two or three times to look upon the piles of lumber and stone and the crowds of men, digging, and hammering, and sawing on the corner lot, she had decided to leave the whole matter in the hands of mr. burke, the architect, and the contractor. and when willy croup endeavored to explain to her what was going on, she always stopped her, saying that she would wait until it was done and then she would understand it. mr. burke too had urged her, especially as the building drew near to completion, not to bother herself in the least about it, but to give him the pleasure of presenting it to her entirely finished and ready for occupancy. so even the painting and paper-hanging had been left to a professional decorator, and mrs. cliff assured burke that she was perfectly willing to wait for the new dining-room until it was ready for her. this dining-room, large and architecturally handsome, was planned, as has been said, so that one of its doors should fit exactly against the side hall door of the little house, but the other door of the dining-room opened into a wide and elegant hall, at one end of which was a portico and spacious front steps. on the other side of this hall was a handsome drawing-room, and behind the drawing-room and opening into it, an alcove library with a broad piazza at one side of it. back of the dining-room was a spacious kitchen, with pantries, closets, scullery, and all necessary adjuncts. in the second and third stories of the edifice were large and beautiful bedrooms, small and neat bedrooms, bath-rooms, servants' rooms, trunk-rooms, and every kind of room that modern civilization demands. now that the building was finished, mr. burke almost regretted that he had not constructed it upon the top of a hill in order that he might have laid his smooth and slippery timbers from the eminence to the side of mrs. cliff's house, so that when all should be ready he could have knocked away the blocks which held the building, so that he could have launched it as if it had been a ship, and could have beheld it sliding gracefully and rapidly from its stocks into its appointed position. but as this would probably have resulted in razing mrs. cliff's old house to the level of the ground, he did not long regret that he had not been able to afford himself the pleasure of this grand spectacle. the night before the day on which the new building was to be moved, the lot next to mrs. cliff's house was covered by masons, laborers, and wagons hauling stones, and by breakfast-time the next morning the new cellar was completed. almost immediately the great timbers, which, polished and greased, had been waiting for several days, were put in their places, and the great steam engines and windlasses, which had been ready as long a time, were set in motion. and, as the house began to move upon its course, it almost missed a parting dab from the brush of a painter who was at work upon some final trimming. that afternoon, as mrs. cliff happened to be in her dining-room, she remarked to willy that it was getting dark very early, but she would not pull up the blind of the side window, because she would then look out on the new cellar, and she had promised mr. burke not to look at anything until he had told her to do so. willy, who had looked out of the side door at least fifty times that day, knew that the early darkness was caused by the shadows thrown by a large building slowly approaching from the west. when mrs. cliff came downstairs the next morning she was met by willy, very much excited, who told her that mr. burke wished to see her. "where is he?" said she. "at the dining-room door," answered willy, and as mrs. cliff turned towards the little room in which she had been accustomed to take her meals, willy seized her hand and led her into the side hall. there, in the open doorway, stood mr. burke, his high silk hat in one hand, and the other outstretched towards her. "welcome to your new dining-room, madam!" said he, as he took her hand and led her into the great room, which seemed to her, as she gazed in amazement about her, like a beautiful public hall. we will not follow mrs. cliff, willy, and the whole body of domestic servants, as they passed through the halls and rooms of that grand addition to mrs. cliff's little house. "carpets and furniture is all that you want, madam!" said burke, "and then you're at home!" when mrs. cliff had been upstairs and downstairs, and into every chamber, and when she had looked out of the window and had beheld hundreds of men at work upon the grounds and putting up fences; and when mr. burke had explained to her that the people at the back of the lot were beginning to erect a stable and carriage house,--for no dining-room such as she had was complete, he assured her, without handsome quarters for horses and carriages,--she left him and went downstairs by herself. as she stood by the great front door and looked up at the wide staircase, and into the lofty rooms upon each side, there came to her, rising above all sentiments of amazement, delight, and pride in her new possessions, a feeling of animated and inspiring encouragement. the mists of doubt and uncertainty, which had hung over her, began to clear away. this noble edifice must have cost grandly! and, for the first time, she began to feel that she might yet be equal to her fortune. chapter xii the thorpedyke sisters the new and grand addition to mrs. cliff's house, which had been so planned that the little house to which it had been joined appeared to be an architecturally harmonious adjunct to it, caused a far greater sensation in plainton than the erection of any of the public buildings therein. its journey from the corner lot was watched by hundreds of spectators, and now mrs. cliff, willy, and mr. burke spent day and evening in exhibiting and explaining this remarkable piece of building enterprise. mr. burke was very jolly. he took no credit to himself for the planning of the house, which, as he truthfully said, had been the work of an architect who had suggested what was proper and had been allowed to do it. but he did feel himself privileged to declare that if every crew building a house were commanded by a person of marine experience, things would move along a good deal more briskly than they generally did, and to this assertion he found no one to object. mrs. cliff was very happy in wandering over her new rooms, and in assuring herself that no matter how grand they might be when they were all furnished and fitted up, nothing had been done which would interfere with the dear old home which she had loved so long. it is true that one of the windows of the little dining-room was blocked up, but that window was not needed. mr. burke was not willing to give mrs. cliff more than a day or two for the contemplation of her new possessions, and urged upon her that while the chimneys were being erected and the heating apparatus was being put into the house, she ought to attend to the selection and purchase of the carpets, furniture, pictures, and everything which was needed in the new establishment. mrs. cliff thought this good advice, and proposed a trip to boston; but burke did not think that would do at all, and declared that new york was the only place where she could get everything she needed. willy, who was to accompany mrs. cliff, had been to boston, but had never visited new york, and she strongly urged the claims of the latter city, and an immediate journey to the metropolis was agreed upon. but when mrs. cliff considered the magnitude and difficulties of the work she was about to undertake, she wished for the counsel and advice of some one besides willy. this good little woman was energetic and enthusiastic, but she had had no experience in regard to the furnishing of a really good house. when, in her mind, she was running over the names of those who might be able and willing to go with her and assist her, mrs. cliff suddenly thought of the thorpedyke ladies, and there her mental category stopped as she announced to willy that she was going to ask these ladies to go with them to new york. willy thought well of this plan, but she had her doubts about miss barbara, who was so quiet, domestic, and unused to travel that she might be unwilling to cast herself into the din and whirl of the metropolis. but when she and mrs. cliff went to make a call upon the thorpedykes and put the question before them, she was very much surprised to find that, although the elder sister, after carefully considering the subject, announced her willingness to oblige mrs. cliff, miss barbara agreed to the plan with an alacrity which her visitors had never known her to exhibit before. as soon as the necessary preparations could be made, a party of five left plainton for new york, and a very well-assorted party it was! mr. burke, who guided and commanded the expedition, supplied the impelling energy; mrs. cliff had her check book with her; willy was ready with any amount of enthusiasm; and the past life of miss eleanor thorpedyke and her sister barbara had made them most excellent judges of what was appropriate for the worthy furnishing of a stately mansion. their youth and middle life had been spent near boston, in a fine old house which had been the home of their ancestors, and where they had been familiar with wealth, distinguished society, and noble hospitality. but when they had been left the sole representatives of their family, and when misfortune after misfortune had come down upon them and swept away their estates and nearly all of their income, they had retired to the little town of plainton where they happened to own a house. there, with nothing saved from the wreck of their prosperity but their family traditions, and some of the old furniture and pictures, they had settled down to spend in quiet the rest of their lives. for two weeks our party remained in new york, living at one of the best hotels, but spending nearly all their time in shops and streets. mrs. cliff was rapidly becoming a different woman from the old mrs. cliff of plainton. at the time she stepped inside of the addition to her house the change had begun, and now it showed itself more and more each day. she had seen more beautiful things in paris, but there she looked upon them with but little thought of purchasing. in new york whatever she saw and desired she made her own. the difference between a mere possessor of wealth and one who uses it became very apparent to her. not until now had she really known what it was to be a rich woman. not only did this consciousness of power swell her veins with a proud delight, but it warmed and invigorated all her better impulses. she had always been of a generous disposition, but now she felt an intense good-will toward her fellow-beings, and wished that other people could be as happy as she was. she thought of mrs. ferguson and remembered what she had said about her daughters. to be sure, mrs. ferguson was always trying to get people to do things for her, and mrs. cliff did not fancy that class of women, but now her wealth-warmed soul inclined her to overlook this prejudice, and she said to herself that when she got home she would make arrangements for those two girls to go to a good school; and, more than that, she would see to it that mr. ferguson was moved. it seemed to her just then that it would be a very cheerful thing to make other people happy. the taste and artistic judgment of the elder miss thorpedyke, which had been dormant for years, simply because there was nothing upon which they could exercise themselves, now awoke in their old vigor, and with mrs. cliff's good sense, reinforced by her experience gained in wandering among the treasures of paris, the results of the shopping expedition were eminently satisfactory. and, with the plan of the new building, which mr. burke carried always with him, everything which was likely to be needed in each room, hall, or stairway, was selected and purchased, and as fast as this was done, the things were shipped to plainton, where people were ready to put them where they belonged. willy croup was not always of service in the purchasing expeditions, for she liked everything that she saw, and no sooner was an article produced than she went into ecstasies over it; but as she had an intense desire to see everything which new york contained, she did not at all confine herself to the shops and bazaars. she went wherever she could and saw all that it was possible for her to see; but in the midst of the sights and attractions of the metropolis she was still willy croup. one afternoon as she and miss barbara were passing along one of the side streets on their return from an attempt to see how the poorer people lived, willy stopped in front of a blacksmith's shop where a man was shoeing a horse. "there!" she exclaimed, her eyes sparkling with delight, "that's the first thing i've seen that reminds me of home!" "it is nice, isn't it!" said gentle miss barbara. chapter xiii money hunger during the latter part of their sojourn in the city, willy went about a good deal with miss barbara because she thought this quiet, soft-spoken lady was not happy and did not take the interest in handsome and costly articles which was shown by her sister. she had been afraid that this noisy bustling place would be too much for miss barbara, and now she was sure she had been right. the younger miss thorpedyke was unhappy, and with reason. for some months a little house in boston which had been their principal source of income had not been rented. it needed repairs, and there was no money with which to repair it. the agent had written that some one might appear who would be willing to take it as it stood, but that this was doubtful, and the heart of miss barbara sank very low. she was the business woman of the family. she it was who had always balanced the income and the expenditures. this adjustment had now become very difficult indeed, and was only accomplished by adding a little debt to the weight on the income scale. she had said nothing to her sister about this sad change in their affairs because she hoped against hope that soon they might have a tenant, and she knew that her sister eleanor was a woman of such strict and punctilious honor that she would insist upon living upon plain bread, if their supply of ready money was insufficient to buy anything else. to see this sister insufficiently nourished was something which miss barbara could not endure, and so, sorely against her disposition and her conscience, she made some little debts; and these grew and grew until at last they weighed her down until she felt as if she must always look upon the earth and could never raise her head to the sky. and she was so plump, and so white, and gentle, and quiet, and peaceful looking that no one thought she had a care in the world until willy croup began to suspect in new york that something was the matter with her, but did not in the least attribute her friend's low spirits to the proper cause. when miss barbara had favored so willingly and promptly the invitation of mrs. cliff, she had done so because she saw in the new york visit a temporary abolition of expense, and a consequent opportunity to lay up a little money by which she might be able to satisfy for a time one of her creditors who was beginning to suspect that she was not able to pay his bill, and was therefore pressing her very hard. even while she had been in new york, this many-times rendered bill had been forwarded to her with an urgent request that it be settled. it was not strange, therefore, that a tear should sometimes come to the eye of miss barbara when she stood by the side of her sister and mrs. cliff and listened to them discussing the merits of some rich rugs or pieces of furniture, and when she reflected that the difference in price between two articles, one apparently as desirable as the other, which was discussed so lightly by mrs. cliff and eleanor, would pay that bill which was eating into her soul, and settle, moreover, every other claim against herself and her sister. but the tears were always wiped away very quickly, and neither mrs. cliff nor the elder miss thorpedyke ever noticed them. but although willy croup was not at all a woman of acute perceptions, she began to think that perhaps it was something more than the bustle and noise of new york which was troubling miss barbara. and once, when she saw her gazing with an earnest eager glare--and whoever would have thought of any sort of a glare in miss barbara's eyes--upon some bank-notes which mrs. cliff was paying out for a carved cabinet for which it was a little doubtful if a suitable place could be found, but which was bought because miss eleanor thought it would give an air of distinction in whatever room it might be placed, willy began to suspect the meaning of that unusual exhibition of emotion. "she's money hungry," she said to herself, "that's what's the matter with her!" willy had seen the signs of such hunger before, and she understood what they meant. that night willy lay in her bed, having the very unusual experience of thinking so much that she could not sleep. her room adjoined miss barbara's, and the door between them was partly open, for the latter lady was timid. perhaps it was because this door was not closed that willy was so wakeful and thoughtful, for there was a bright light in the other room, and she could not imagine why miss barbara should be sitting up so late. it was a proceeding entirely at variance with her usual habits. she was in some sort of trouble, it was easy to see that, but it would be a great deal better to go to sleep and try to forget it. so after a time willy rose, and, softly stepping over the thick carpet, looked into the other room. there was miss barbara in her day dress, sitting at a table, her arms upon the table, her head upon her arms, fast asleep. upon her pale face there were a great many tear marks, and willy knew that she must have cried herself to sleep. a paper was spread out near her. willy was sure that it would be a very mean and contemptible thing for her to go and look at that paper, and so, perhaps, find out what was troubling miss barbara, but, without the slightest hesitation, she did it. her bare feet made no sound upon the carpet, and as she had very good eyes, it was not necessary for her to approach close to the sleeper. it was a bill from william bullock, a grocer and provision dealer of plainton. it contained but one item,--'to bill rendered,' and at the bottom was a statement in mr. bullock's own handwriting to the effect that if the bill was not immediately paid he would be obliged to put it into the hands of a collector. willy turned and slipped back into her room. then, after sitting down upon her bed and getting up again, she stepped boldly to the door and knocked upon it. instantly she heard miss barbara start and push back her chair. "what are you doing up so late?" cried willy, cheerfully. "don't you feel well?" "oh, yes," replied the other, "i accidentally fell asleep while reading, but i will go to bed instantly." the mind of willy croup was a very small one and had room in it for but one idea at a time. for a good while she lay putting ideas into this mind, and then taking them out again. having given place to the conviction that the thorpedykes were in a very bad way indeed,--for if that bill should be collected, they would not have much left but themselves, and mr. bullock was a man who did collect when he said he would,--she was obliged to remove this conviction, which made her cry, in order to consider plans of relief; and while she was considering these plans, one at a time, she dropped asleep. the first thing she thought of when she opened her eyes in the morning was poor miss barbara in the next room, and that dreadful bill; and then, like a flash of lightning, she thought of a good thing to do for the thorpedykes. the project which now laid itself out, detail after detail, before her seemed so simple, so sensible, so absolutely wise and desirable in every way, that she got up, dressed herself with great rapidity, and went in to see mrs. cliff. that lady was still asleep, but willy awakened her, and sat on the side of the bed. "do you know what i think?" said willy. "how in the world should i!" said mrs. cliff. "is it after breakfast-time?" "no," said willy; "but it's this! what are you going to do in that big house, with all the bedrooms, parlor, library, and so forth? you say that you are going to have one room, and that i'm to have another, and that we'll go into the old house to feel at home whenever we want to; but i believe we'll be like a couple of flies in a barrel! you're going to furnish your new house with everything but people! you ought to have more people! you ought to have a family! that house will look funny without people! you can't ask mr. burke, because it would be too queer to have him come and live with us, and besides, he'll want a house of his own. why don't you ask the thorpedykes to come and live with us? their roof is dreadfully out of repairs. i know to my certain knowledge that they have to put tin wash-basins on every bed in the second story when it rains, on account of the holes in the shingles! if they had money to mend those holes, they'd mend them, but as they don't mend them, of course they haven't the money. and it strikes me that they aren't as well off as they used to be, and they'll have a hard time gettin' through this winter. now, there isn't any piece of furniture that you can put in your house that will give it 'such an air of distinction,' as miss eleanor calls it, as she herself will give it if you put her there! if you could persuade miss eleanor to come and sit in your parlor when you are having company to see you, it would set you up in plainton a good deal higher than any money can set you up." "they would never agree to anything of the kind," said mrs. cliff, "and you know it, willy!" "i don't believe it," said willy. "i believe they'd come! just see how willing they were to come here with you! i tell you, sarah, that the older and older those thorpedyke ladies get, the more timid they get, and the more unwilling to live by themselves! "if you make miss eleanor understand that it would be the greatest comfort and happiness to both of us if she would come and spend the winter with you, and so help you to get used to your great big new house; and more than that, if they'd bring with them some of their candle-sticks and pictures on ivory and that sort of thing, which everybody knows can't be bought for money, it would be the great accommodation to you and make your house look something like what you would like to have it. i believe that old-family lady would come and stay with you this winter, and think all the time that she was giving you something that you ought to have and which nobody in plainton could give you but herself. and as to miss barbara, she'd come along as quick as lightning!" "willy," said mrs. cliff, very earnestly, "have you any good reason to believe that the thorpedykes are in money trouble?" "yes, i have," said willy, "i'm positive of it, and what's more, it's only miss barbara who knows it!" mrs. cliff sat for some minutes without answering, and then she said, "willy, you do sometimes get into your head an idea that absolutely sparkles!" chapter xiv willy croup as a philanthropic diplomatist mrs. cliff was late to breakfast that day, and the reason was that thinking so much about what willy had said to her she had been very slow in dressing. as soon as she had a chance, mrs. cliff took willy aside and told her that she had determined to adopt her advice about the thorpedykes. "the more i think of the plan," she said, "the better i like it! but we must be very, very careful about what we do. if miss eleanor suspects that i invite them to come to my house because i think they are poor, she will turn into solid stone, and we will find we cannot move her an inch,--but i think i can manage it! when we go home, i will tell them how pleasant we found it for us all to be together, and speak of the loneliness of my new big house. if i can get miss eleanor to believe that she is doing me a favor, she may be willing to come; but on no account, willy, do you say a word to either of them about this plan. if you do, you will spoil everything, for that's your way, willy, and you know it!" willy promised faithfully that she would not interfere in the least; but although she was perfectly satisfied with this arrangement, she was not happy. how could she be happy knowing what she did about miss barbara? that poor lady was looking sadder than ever, and willy was very much afraid that she had had another letter from that horrid mr. bullock, with whom, she was delighted to think, mrs. cliff had never dealt. it would be some days yet before they would go home and make the new arrangement, and then there would be the bill and the collector, and all that horrid business, and if miss eleanor found out the condition of affairs,--and if the bill was not paid, she must find out,--she would never come to them. she would probably stay at home and live on bread! now, it so happened that willy had in her own possession more than enough money to pay that wretched bullock bill. mrs. cliff made her no regular allowance, but she had given her all the money that she might reasonably expect to spend in new york, and willy had spent but very little of it, for she found it the most difficult thing in the world to select what it was she wanted out of all the desirable things she saw. it would rejoice her heart to transfer this money to miss barbara; but how in the world could she do it? she first thought that she might offer to buy something that was in the thorpedyke house, but she knew this idea was absurd. then she thought of mentioning, in an off-hand way, that she would like to put some money out at interest, and thus, perhaps, induce miss barbara to propose a business transaction. but this would not do. even miss barbara would suspect some concealed motive. idea after idea came to her, but she could think of no satisfactory plan of getting that money into miss barbara's possession. she did not go out with the party that morning, but sat in her room trying in vain to solve this problem. at last she gave it up and determined to do what she wanted to do without any plan whatever. she went into miss barbara's room and placed upon the table, in the very spot where the bill had been lying, some bank-notes, considerably more than sufficient to pay the amount of the bill, which amount she well remembered. it would not do to leave just money enough, for that would excite suspicion. and so placing miss barbara's hair-brush upon the bank-notes, so that she would be sure not to overlook them, for she would not think of going down to luncheon without brushing her hair, willy retired to her own room, nearly closing the door, leaving only a little crack through which she might see if any servant entered the room before miss barbara came back. then willy set herself industriously to work hemming a pocket handkerchief. she could not do this very well, because she was not at all proficient in fine sewing, but she worked with great energy, waiting and listening for miss barbara's entrance. at last, after a long time, willy heard the outer door of the other room open, and glancing through the crack, she saw miss barbara enter. then she twisted herself around towards the window and began to sew savagely, with a skill much better adapted to the binding of carpets than to any sort of work upon cambric handkerchiefs. in a few minutes she heard a little exclamation in the next room, and then her door was opened suddenly, without the customary knock, and miss barbara marched in. her face was flushed. "willy croup," said she, "what is the meaning of that money on my table?" "money?" said willy, turning towards her with as innocent an expression as her burning cheeks and rapidly winking eyes would permit; "what do you mean by--money?" miss barbara stood silent for some moments while willy vainly endeavored to thread the point of her needle. "willy," said miss barbara, "did you come into my room last night, and look at the bill which was on my table?" now willy dropped her needle, thread, and handkerchief, and stood up. "yes, i did!" said she. miss barbara was now quite pale. "and you read the note which mr. bullock had put at the bottom of it?" "yes, i read it!" said willy. "and don't you know," said the other, "that to do such a thing was most--" "yes, i do!" interrupted willy. "i knew it then and i know it now, but i don't care any more now than i did then! i put it there because i wanted to! and if you'll take it, miss barbara, and pay it back to me any time when you feel like it,--and you can pay me interest at ten per cent if you want to, and that will make it all right, you know; and oh, miss barbara! i know all about that sort of bill, because they used to come when my father was alive. and if you'd only take it, you don't know how happy i would be!" at this she began to cry, and then miss barbara burst into tears, and the two sat down beside each other on a lounge and cried earnestly, hand in hand, for nearly ten minutes. "i'm so glad you'll take it!" said willy, when miss barbara went into her room, "and you may be just as sure as you're sure of anything that nobody but our two selves will ever know anything about it!" immediately after luncheon miss barbara went by herself to the post-office, and when she came back her sister said to her that new york must just be beginning to agree with her. "it is astonishing," said miss eleanor, "how long it takes some people to get used to a change, but it often happens that if one stays long enough in the new place, great benefit will be experienced, whereas, if the stay is short, there may be no good result whatever!" that afternoon mrs. cliff actually laughed at miss barbara--a thing she had never done before. they were in a large jewelry store where they were looking at clocks, and miss barbara, who had evinced a sudden interest in the beautiful things about her, called mrs. cliff's attention to a lovely necklace of pearls. "if i were you," said miss barbara, "i would buy something like that! i should not want to wear it, perhaps, but it would be so delightful to sit and look at it!" the idea of miss barbara thinking of buying necklaces of pearls! no wonder mrs. cliff laughed. when the party returned to plainton, mrs. cliff was amazed to find her new house almost completely furnished; and no time was lost in proposing the thorpedyke project, for mrs. cliff felt that it would be wise to make the proposition while the sense of companionship was still fresh upon them all. miss thorpedyke was very much surprised when the plan was proposed to her, but it produced a pleasant effect upon her. she had much enjoyed the company she had been in; she had always liked society, and lately had had very little of it, for no matter how good and lovable sisters may be, they are sometimes a little tiresome when they are sole companions. as to barbara, she trembled as she thought of mrs. cliff's offer: trembled with joy, which she could not repress; and trembled with fear that her sister might not accept it. but it was of no use for her to say anything,--and she said nothing. eleanor always decided such questions as these. after a day's consideration miss thorpedyke came to a conclusion, and she sent miss barbara with a message to mrs. cliff to the effect that as the winters were always lonely, and as it would be very pleasant for them all to be together, she would, if mrs. cliff thought it would be an advantage to her, come with her sister and live in some portion of the new building which mrs. cliff did not intend to be otherwise occupied, and that they would pay whatever board mrs. cliff thought reasonable and proper; but in order to do this, it would be necessary for them to rent their present home. they would offer this house fully furnished,--reserving the privilege of removing the most valuable heirlooms which it now contained, and, as soon as such an arrangement could be made, they would be willing to come to mrs. cliff and remain with her during the winter. when miss barbara had heard this decision her heart had fallen! she knew that it would be almost impossible to find a tenant who would take that house, especially for winter occupancy, and that even if a tenant could be found, the rent would be very little. and she knew, moreover, that having come to a decision eleanor could not be moved from it. she found mr. burke and willy with mrs. cliff, but as he knew all about the project and had taken great interest in it, she did not hesitate to tell her message before him. mrs. cliff was very much disappointed. "that ends the matter!" said she. "your house cannot be rented for the winter!" "i don't know about that!" exclaimed mr. burke. "by george! i'll take the house myself! i want a house,--i want just such a house; i want it furnished,--except i don't want to be responsible for old heirlooms, and i'm willing to pay a fair and reasonable rent for it; and i'm sure, although i never had the pleasure of being in it, it ought to bring rent enough to pay the board of any two ladies any winter, wherever they might be!" "but, mr. burke," miss barbara said, her voice shaking as she spoke, "i must tell you, that the roof is very much out of repair, and--" "oh, that doesn't matter at all!" said burke. "a tenant, if he's the right sort of tenant, is bound to put a house into repair to suit himself. i'll attend to the roof if it needs it, you may be sure of that! and if it doesn't need it, i'll leave it just as it is! that'll be all right, and you can tell your sister that you've found a tenant. i'm getting dreadfully tired of living at that hotel, and a house of my own is somethin' that i've never had before! but one thing i must ask of you, miss thorpedyke: don't say anything to your sister about tobacco smoke, and perhaps she will never think of it!" chapter xv miss nancy makes a call it was a day or two after the most satisfactory arrangement between the thorpedykes, mrs. cliff, and mr. burke had been concluded, and before it had been made public, that miss nancy shott came to call upon mrs. cliff. as she walked, stiff as a grenadier, and almost as tall, she passed by the new building without turning her head even to glance at it, and going directly up to the front door of the old house, she rang the bell. as mrs. cliff's domestic household were all engaged in the new part of the building, the bell was not heard, and after waiting nearly a minute, miss shott rang it again with such vigor that the door was soon opened by a maid, who informed her that mrs. cliff was not at home, but that miss croup was in. "very well," said miss shott, "i'll see her!" and, passing the servant, she entered the old parlor. the maid followed her. "there's no fire here," she said. "won't you please walk into the other part of the house, which is heated? miss croup is over there." "no!" said miss shott, seating herself upon the sofa. "this suits me very well, and willy croup can come to me here as well as anywhere else!" presently willy arrived, wishing very much that she also had been out. "do come over to the other parlor, miss shott!" said she. "there's no furnace heat here because mrs. cliff didn't want the old house altered, and we use this room so little that we haven't made a fire." "i thought you had the chimney put in order!" said miss shott, without moving from her seat. "doesn't it work right?" willy assured her visitor that the chimney was in good condition so far as she knew, and repeated her invitation to come into a warmer room, but to this miss shott paid no attention. "it's an old saying," said she, "that a bad chimney saves fuel!--i understand that you've all been to new york shopping?" "yes," said willy, laughing. "it was a kind of shopping, but that's not exactly what i'd call it!" and perceiving that miss shott intended to remain where she was, she took a seat. "well, of course," said miss shott, "everybody's got to act according to their own judgments and consciences! if i was going to buy winter things, i'd do what i could to help the business of my own town, and if i did happen to want anything i couldn't get here, i'd surely go to harrington, where the people might almost be called neighbors!" willy laughed outright. "oh, miss shott," she said, "you couldn't buy the things we bought, in harrington! i don't believe they could be found in boston!" "i was speaking about myself," said miss nancy. "i could find anything i wanted in harrington, and if my wants went ahead of what they had there, i should say that my wants were going too far and ought to be curbed! and so you took those poor old thorpedyke women with you. i expect they must be nearly fagged out. i don't see how the oldest one ever stood being dragged from store to store all over new york, as she must have been! she's a pretty old woman and can't be expected to stand even what another woman, younger than she is, but old enough, and excited by having money to spend, can stand! it's a wonder to me that you brought her back alive!" "miss eleanor came back a great deal better than she was when she left!" exclaimed willy, indignantly. "she'll tell you, if you ask her, that that visit to new york did her a great deal of good!" "no, she won't!" said miss shott, "for she don't speak to me. it's been two years since i had anything to do with her!" willy knew all about the quarrel between the thorpedyke ladies and nancy, and wished to change the subject. "don't you want to go and look at the new part of the house?" she said. "perhaps you'd like to see the things we've bought in new york, and it's cold here!" to this invitation and the subsequent remark miss shott paid no attention. she did not intend to give willy the pleasure of showing her over the house, and it was not at all necessary, for she had seen nearly everything in it. during the absence of mrs. cliff she had made many visits to the house, and, as she was acquainted with the woman who had been left in charge, she had examined every room, from ground to roof, and had scrutinized and criticised the carpets as they had been laid and the furniture as it had been put in place. she saw that willy was beginning to shiver a little, and was well satisfied that she should feel cold. it would help take the conceit out of her. as for herself, she wore a warm cloak and did not mind a cold room. "i'm told," she said, "that mrs. cliff's putting up a new stable. what was the matter with the old one?" "it wasn't big enough," said willy. "it holds two horses, don't it, and what could anybody want more than that, i'd like to know!" willy was now getting a little out of temper. "that's not enough for mrs. cliff," she said. "she's going to have a nice carriage and a pair of horses, and a regular coachman, not andrew marks!" "well!" said miss shott, and for a few moments she sat silent. then she spoke. "i suppose mrs. cliff's goin' to take boarders." "boarders!" cried willy. "what makes you say such a thing as that?" "if she isn't," said miss shott, "i don't see what she'll do with all the rooms in that new part of the house." "she's goin' to live in it," said willy. "that's what she's goin' to do with it!" "boarders are very uncertain," remarked miss shott, "and just as likely to be a loss as a profit. mr. williams tried it at the hotel summer after summer, and if he couldn't make anything, i don't see how mrs. cliff can expect to." "she doesn't expect to take boarders, and you know it!" said willy. miss shott folded her hands upon her lap. "it's goin' to be a dreadful hard winter. i never did see so many acorns and chestnuts, and there's more cedar berries on the trees than i've ever known in all my life! i expect there'll be awful distress among the poor, and when i say 'poor' i don't mean people that's likely to suffer for food and a night's lodging, but respectable people who have to work hard and calculate day and night how to make both ends meet. these're the folks that're goin' to suffer in body and mind this winter; and if people that's got more money than they know what to do with, and don't care to save up for old age and a rainy day, would think sometimes of their deserving neighbors who have to pinch and suffer when they're going round buyin' rugs that must have cost at least as much as twenty dollars apiece and which they don't need at all, there bein' carpet already on the floor, it would be more to their credit and benefit to their fellow-beings. but, of course, one person's conscience isn't another person's, and we've each got to judge for ourselves, and be judged afterwards!" now willy leaned forward in her chair, and her eyes glistened. as her body grew colder, so did her temper grow warmer. "if it's mrs. cliff you're thinkin' about, nancy shott," said she, "i'll just tell you that you're as wrong as you can be! there isn't a more generous and a kinder person in this whole town than mrs. cliff is, and she isn't only that way to-day, but she's always been so, whether she's had little or whether she's had much!" "what did she ever do, i'd like to know!" said miss nancy. "she's lined her own nest pretty well, but what's she ever done for anybody else--" "now, nancy shott," said willy, "you know she's been doin' for other people all her life whenever she could! she's done for you more than once, as i happen to know,--and she's done for other neighbors and friends. and, more than that, she's gone abroad to do good, and that's more than anybody else in this town's done, as i know of!" "she didn't go to south america to do good to anybody but herself," coolly remarked the visitor. "i'm not thinking of that!" said willy. "she went there on business, as everybody knows! but you remember well enough when she was in the city, and i was with her, when the dreadful cholera times came on! everybody said that there wasn't a person who worked harder and did more for the poor people who were brought to the hospital than sarah did. "she worked for them night and day; before they were dead and after they were dead! i did what i could, but it wasn't nothin' to what she did! both of us had been buyin' things, and makin' them up for ourselves, for cotton and linen goods was so cheap then. if it hadn't been for the troubles which came on, we'd had enough to last us for years! but sarah cliff isn't the kind of woman to keep things for herself when they're wanted by others, and when she had given everything that she had to those poor creatures at the hospitals, she took my things without as much as takin' the trouble to ask me, for in times like that she isn't the woman to hesitate when she thinks she's doin' what ought to be done, and at one time, in that hospital, there was eleven corpses in my night-gowns!" "horrible!" exclaimed miss shott, rising to her feet. "it would have killed me to think of such a thing as that!" "well, if it would have killed you," said willy, "there was another night-gown left." "if you're going to talk that way," said miss shott, "i might as well go. i supposed that when i came here i would at least have been treated civilly!" chapter xvi mr. burke makes a call mrs. cliff now began her life as a rich woman. the thorpedykes were established in the new building; her carriage and horses, with a coachman in plain livery, were seen upon the streets of plainton; she gave dinners and teas, and subscribed in a modestly open way to appropriate charities; she extended suitable aid to the members of mrs. ferguson's family, both living and departed; and the fact that she was willing to help in church work was made very plain by a remark of miss shott, who, upon a certain sunday morning at the conclusion of services, happened to stop in front of mrs. cliff, who was going out of the church. "oh," said miss shott, suddenly stepping very much to one side, "i wouldn't have got in your way if i'd remembered that it was you who pays the new choir!" mr. burke established himself in the thorpedyke house, which he immediately repaired from top to bottom; but although he frequently repeated to himself and to his acquaintances that he had now set up housekeeping in just the way that he had always wished for, with plenty of servants to do everything just as he wanted it done, he was not happy nevertheless. he felt the loss of the stirring occupation which had so delighted him, and his active mind continually looked right and left for something to do. he spoke with mrs. cliff in regard to the propriety of proposing to the thorpedykes that he should build an addition to their house, declaring that such an addition would make the old mansion ever so much more valuable, and as to the cost, he would arrange that so that they would never feel the payment of it. but this suggestion met with no encouragement, and poor burke was so hard put to it for something to occupy his mind that one day he asked mrs. cliff if she had entirely given up her idea of employing some of her fortune for the benefit of the native peruvians, stating that if she wanted an agent to go down there and to attend to that sort of thing, he believed he would be glad to go himself. but mrs. cliff did not intend to send anything to the native peruvians. according to the arrangements that captain horn had made for their benefit they would have as large a share of the incas' gold as they could possibly claim, and, therefore, she did not feel herself called upon to do anything. "if we had kept it all," she said, "that would have been a different thing!" in fact, mrs. cliff's conscience was now in a very easy and satisfied condition. she did not feel that she owed anything to her fellow-beings that she was not giving them, or that she owed anything to herself that she was not giving to herself. the expenses of building and of the improvements to her spacious grounds had been of so much assistance in removing the plethora of her income that she was greatly encouraged. she felt that she now had her fortune under control, and that she herself might be able to manage it for the future. already she was making her plans for the next year. many schemes she had for the worthy disposition of her wealth, and the more she thought of them and planned their details, the less inclined she felt to leave for an hour or two her spacious and sumptuous apartments in the new building and go back to her little former home where she might think of old times and relieve her mind from the weight of the novelty and the richness of her new dining-room and its adjuncts. often as she sat in her stately drawing-room she longed for her old friend edna, and wished that she and the captain might come and see how well she had used her share of the great fortune. but captain horn and his wife were far away. mrs. cliff had frequent letters from edna, which described their leisurely and delightful travels in the south and west. their minds and bodies had been so strained and tired by hard thinking and hard work that all they wanted now was an enjoyment of life and the world as restful and as tranquil as they could make it. after a time they would choose some happy spot, and make for themselves a home. three of the negroes, maka and cheditafa and mok, were with them, and the others had been left on a farm where they might study methods of american agriculture until the time should come when the captain should require their services on his estate. ralph was in boston, where, in spite of his independent ideas in regard to his education, he was preparing himself to enter harvard. "i know what the captain means when he speaks of settling down!" said burke when he heard of this. "he'll buy a cañon and two or three counties and live out there like a lord! and if he does that, i'll go out and see him. i want to see this inca money sprouting and flourishing a good deal more than it has done yet!" "what do you mean?" asked mrs. cliff. "don't you call this splendid house and everything in it a sign of sprouting and flourishing?" "oh, my dear madam," said burke, rising from his seat and walking the floor, "if you could have looked through the hole in the top of the mound and have seen under you cartloads and cartloads of pure gold, and had let your mind rest on what might have grown out of it, a house like this would have seemed like an acorn on an oak tree!" "and you think the captain will have the oak tree?" she asked. "yes," said burke; "i think he's the sort of man to want it, and if he wants it he'll have it!" there were days when the weather was very bad and time hung unusually heavy upon mr. burke's hands, when he thought it might be a good thing to get married. he had a house and money enough to keep a wife as well as any woman who would have him had any reason to expect. but there were two objections to this plan. in the first place, what would he do with his wife after he got tired of living in the thorpedyke house; and secondly, where could he find anybody he would like to marry? he had female acquaintances in plainton, but not one of them seemed to have the qualifications he would desire in a wife. willy croup was a good-natured and pleasant woman, and he always liked to talk to her, but she was too old for him. he might like to adopt her as a maiden aunt, but then that would not be practicable, for mrs. cliff would not be willing to give her up. at this time burke would have gone to make a visit to his mother, but there was also an objection to this. he would not have dared to present himself before her in his fur-trimmed overcoat and his high silk hat. she was a true sailor's mother, and she would have laughed him to scorn, and so habituated had he become to the dress of a fine gentleman that it would have seriously interfered with his personal satisfaction to put on the rough winter clothes in which his mother would expect to see him. the same reason prevented him from going to his old friend shirley. he knew very well that shirley did not wear a high silk hat and carry a cane, and he had a sufficient knowledge of human nature and of himself to know that if his present personal appearance were made the subject of ridicule, or even inordinate surprise, it would not afford him the same stimulating gratification which he now derived from it. fortunately the weather grew colder, and there was snow and excellent sleighing, and now burke sent for a fine double sleigh, and, with a fur cap, a great fur collar over his overcoat, fur gloves, and an enormous lap-robe of fur, he jingled and glided over the country in great delight, enjoying the sight of the fur-garbed coachman in front of him almost as much as the glittering snow and the crisp fresh air. he invited the ladies of the cliff mansion to accompany him in these sleigh-rides, but although the misses thorpedyke did not fancy such cold amusement, mrs. cliff and willy went with him a few times, and once willy accompanied him alone. this positively decided the opinion of plainton in regard to his reason for living in that town. but there were those who said that he might yet discover that his plans would not succeed. mrs. cliff now seemed to be in remarkably good health, and as it was not likely that mr. burke would actually propose marriage to willy until he saw some signs of failing in mrs. cliff, he might have to wait a long, long time; during which his intended victim would probably grow so wrinkled and old that even the most debased of fortune-hunters would refuse to have her. then, of course, the fine gentleman would find out that he had lost all the time he had spent scheming here in plainton. the buskirks were spending this winter in their country home, and one afternoon mr. burke thought he would drive up in his sleigh and make a call upon them. he had been there before, but had seen no one, and some weeks afterward mr. buskirk had dropped in at the hotel, but had not found him. this sort of visiting did not suit our friend burke, and he determined to go and see what a buskirk was really like. having jingled and pranced up to the front of the handsome mansion on the hill, and having been informed that the gentleman of the house was not at home, he asked for his lady, and, as she was in, he was ushered into a parlor. here, having thrown aside some of his superincumbent furs, george burke sat and looked about him. he had plenty of time for observation, for it was long before mrs. buskirk made her appearance. with the exception of mrs. cliff's house, with which he had had so much to do, burke had never before been inside a dwelling belonging to a very rich person, and the buskirk mansion interested him very much. although he was so little familiar with fine furniture, pictures, and bric-a-brac, he was a man of quick perceptions and good judgment, and it did not take him long to discover that the internal furnishings of the buskirk house were far inferior to those of the addition to mrs. cliff's old home. the room in which he sat was large and pretentious, but when it had been furnished there had been no lady of good family accustomed to the furnishings of wealth and culture, and with an artistic taste gained in travel at home and abroad, to superintend the selection of these pictures, this carpet, and the coverings of this furniture! he laughed within himself as he sat, his fur cape on his knees and his silk hat in his hand, and he was so elated and pleased with the knowledge of the superiority of mrs. cliff's home over this house of the proud city people who had so long looked down upon plainton, that he entirely forgot his intention of recalling, as he sat in the fine parlor of the buskirks, the olden times when he used to get up early in the morning and swab the deck. "these people ought to come down and see mrs. cliff's house," thought burke, "and i'll make them do it if i can!" when mrs. buskirk, a lady who had always found it necessary to place strong guards around her social position, made her appearance, she received her visitor with an attentive civility. she had been impressed by his appearance when she had seen him grandly careering in his barouche or his sleigh, and she was still more impressed as she saw him in her parlor with additional furs. she had heard he had been a sailor, but now as she talked to him, the belief grew upon her that he might yet make a very good sailor. he was courteous, entirely at his ease, and perhaps a little too bland, and mrs. buskirk thought that although her husband might like to sit and smoke with this well-dressed, sun-burned man, he was not a person very desirable for the society of herself and daughters. but she was willing to sit and talk to mr. burke, for she wanted to ask him some questions about mrs. cliff. she had heard about that lady's new house, or rather the improvement to her old one, and she had driven past it, and she did not altogether understand the state of affairs. she had known that mrs. cliff was a widow of a storekeeper of the town, and that she had come into possession of a portion of a treasure which had been discovered somewhere in the west indies or south america, but those portions of treasures which might be allotted to the widow of a storekeeper in a little country town were not likely to be very much, and mrs. buskirk was anxious to know something definite about mrs. cliff's present circumstances. burke felt a little embarrassed in regard to his answers. he knew that mrs. cliff was very anxious not to appear as a millionnaire in the midst of the friends and associations of her native town,--at least, that she did not desire to do so until her real financial position had been gradually understood and accepted. nothing she would dislike so much as to be regarded as the people in her social circle regarded the buskirks on the hill. so burke did not blaze out as he would have liked to do with a true and faithful statement of mrs. cliff's great wealth,--far in excess, he was very sure, of that of the fine lady with whom he was talking,--but he said everything he could in a modest way, or what seemed so to him, in regard to his friend's house and belongings. "but it seems to me," said mrs. buskirk, "that it's a very strange thing for any one to build a house, such as the one you describe, in such a neighborhood, when there are so many desirable locations on the outskirts of the town. the houses on the opposite side of the street are very small, some of them even mean; if i am not mistaken there is a little shop somewhere along there! i should consider that that sort of thing would spoil any house, no matter how good it might be in itself!" "oh, that makes no difference whatever!" said burke, with a wave of his hand, and delighted to remember a proposition he had made to mrs. cliff and which she had viewed with favor. "mrs. cliff will soon settle all that! she's going to buy that whole block opposite to her and make a park of it. she'll clear away all the houses and everything belonging to them, and she'll plant trees, and lay out lawns and driveways, and have a regular landscape gardener who'll superintend everything. and she's going to have the water brought in pipes which will end in some great rocks, which we'll have hauled from the woods, and from under these rocks a brook will flow and meander through the park. and there'll be flowers, and reeds, and rushes, and, very likely, a fountain with the spare water. "and that'll be a public park for the use of the whole town, and you can see for yourself, madam, that it'll be a grand thing to look out from mrs. cliff's windows on such a beautiful place! it will be fitted up and railed off very much after the style of her own grounds, so that the whole thing will be like a great estate right in the middle of the town. she's thinkin' of callin' the park 'the grove of the incas.' that sounds nice; don't you think so, madam?" "it sounds very well indeed," said mrs. buskirk. she had heard before of plans made by people who had suddenly come into possession of money. burke saw that he had not yet made the impression that he desired. he wanted, without actually saying so, to let this somewhat supercilious lady know that if the possession of money was a reason for social position,--and he knew of no other reason for the buskirks' position,--mrs. cliff would be aft, talking to the captain while the buskirks would be walking about by themselves amidship. but he did not know how to do this. he knew it would be no use to talk about horses and carriages, and all that sort of thing, for these the buskirks possessed, and their coachman wore top boots,--a thing mrs. cliff would never submit to. he was almost on the point of relinquishing his attempt to make mrs. buskirk call upon the widow of the storekeeper, when the lady helped him by asking in a casual way if mrs. cliff proposed living winter and summer in her new house. "no," said burke, "not in the summer. i hear plainton is pretty hot in the summer, and she'll go--" (oh, a radiant thought came to him!) "i expect she'll cruise about in her yacht during the warm weather." "her yacht!" exclaimed mrs. buskirk, for the first time exhibiting marks of actual interest. "has mrs. cliff a yacht?" "she's going to have one," said burke to himself, "and i'll put her up to it before i go home this day." "yes," he said aloud, "that is, she hasn't got it yet, but she's going to have it as soon as the season opens. i shall select it for her. i know all about yachts and every other kind of craft, and she'll have one of the very finest on this coast. she's a good sailor, mrs. cliff is, for i've cruised with her! and nothing will she enjoy better in hot weather than her noble yacht and the open sea!" now this did make an impression upon mrs. buskirk. a citizen of plainton who possessed a yacht was not to be disregarded. after this she was rather abstracted, and the conversation fell off. burke saw that it was time for him to go, and as he had now said all he cared to say, he was willing to do so. in parting with him mrs. buskirk was rather more gracious than when she received him. "i hope when you call again," she said, "that you may find my husband at home. i know he will be glad to see you!" as burke jingled and pranced away he grinned behind his great fur collar. "she'll call!" said he to himself. "she'll call on the yacht if she doesn't call on anything else!" chapter xvii mrs. cliff's yacht when the interview with mrs. buskirk was reported that afternoon to mrs. cliff, the good lady sat aghast. "i've decided about the park," she said, "and that is all very well. but what do you mean by a yacht? what could be more ridiculous than to talk about me and a yacht!" "ridiculous!" exclaimed burke. "it's nothing of the kind! the more i think of the idea, the better i like it, and if you'll think of it soberly, i believe you'll like it just as much as i do! in the first place, you've got to do something to keep your money from being dammed up and running all over everything. this house and furniture cleared away things for a time, but the whole business will be just as much clogged up as it was before if you don't look out. i don't want to give advice, but it does strike me that anybody as rich as you are oughtn't to feel that they could afford to sit still here in plainton, year in and year out, no matter how fine a house they might have! they ought to think of that great heap of gold in the mound and feel that it was their duty to get all the grand and glorious good out of it that they knew how!" "but it does seem to me," said mrs. cliff, "that a yacht would be an absolute extravagance and waste of money. and, you know, i have firmly determined i will not waste my money." "to call sittin' in a beautiful craft, on a rollin' sea, with a spankin' breeze, a waste of money, is something i can't get into my brain!" said mr. burke. "but you could do good with a yacht. you could take people out on cruises who would never get out if you didn't take them! and now i've an idea! it's just come to me. you might get a really big yacht. if i was you, i'd have a steam yacht, because you'd have more control over that than you'd have over a sailin'-vessel, and besides a person can get tired of sailin'-vessels, as i've found out myself. and then you might start a sort of summer shelter for poor people; not only very poor people, but respectable people, who never get a chance to sniff salt air. and you might spend part of the summer in giving such people what would be the same as country weeks, only you'd take them out to sea instead of shipping them inland to dawdle around farms. i tell you that's a splendid idea, and nobody's done it." day after day, the project of the yacht was discussed by mrs. cliff and burke, and she was beginning to view its benevolent features with a degree of favor when mrs. buskirk called. that lady's visit was prompted partly by a curiosity to see what sort of a woman was the widow of the plainton storekeeper who would cruise the next summer in her yacht; and partly by a feeling that to such a person a certain amount of respect was due even from a buskirk. but when she entered the house, passed through the great hall, and seated herself in the drawing-room, she saw more than she had expected to see. she saw a house immeasurably better fitted out and furnished than her own. she knew the value of the rugs which miss shott had declared must have cost at least twenty dollars each, and she felt, although she did not thoroughly appreciate, the difference in artistic merit between the pictures upon her walls and the masterly paintings which had been selected by the ladies thorpedyke for the drawing-room of mrs. cliff. the discovery startled her. she must talk to her husband about it as soon as he reached home. it was not only money, but a vast deal of money, and something more, which had done all this. she had asked for the ladies, knowing that mrs. cliff did not live alone, and all the ladies were at home. amid those surroundings, the elder miss thorpedyke, most carefully arrayed, made an impression upon mrs. buskirk very different from that she had produced on the occasion of their single former interview in the darkened little parlor of the thorpedyke house. mrs. cliff, in a costume quite simple, but as rich as her conscience would allow, felt within herself all the uplifting influence of her wealth, as she stepped forward to salute this lady who had always been so uplifted by her wealth. in the course of the conversation, the yacht was mentioned. the visitor would not go away without being authoritatively informed upon this subject. "oh yes," said mrs. cliff, promptly, "i shall have a yacht next summer. mr. burke will select one for me, and i know it will be a good one, for he thoroughly understands such matters." before she left, mrs. buskirk invited mrs. cliff, the misses thorpedyke, and miss croup to take luncheon with her quite informally on the following tuesday. she would have made it a dinner, but in that case her husband would have been at home, and it would have been necessary to invite mr. burke, and she was not yet quite sure about mr. burke. this invitation, which soon became known throughout the town, decided the position of mrs. cliff at plainton. when that lady and her family had gone, with her carriage and pair, to the mansion of the buskirks on the hill, and had there partaken of luncheon, very informally, in company with three of the most distinguished ladies of harrington, who had also been invited very informally; and when the news of the magnificent repast which had been served on the occasion, with flowers from the greenhouse nearly covering the table, with everything tied up with ribbons which could possibly be so decorated, and with a present for each guest ingeniously concealed under her napkin, floated down into the town, there was no woman in that place who could put her hand upon her heart and honestly declare that hereafter mrs. cliff could look up to anybody in plainton. this recognition, which soon became obvious to mrs. cliff, was a source of genuine gratification to that good lady. she had never been inclined to put herself above her neighbors on account of her fortune, and would have been extremely grieved if she had been convinced that her wealth would oblige her to assume a superior position but when that wealth gradually and easily, without creating any disturbance or commotion in her circle, raised her of itself, without any action on her part, to the peak of social eminence in her native place, her genuine satisfaction was not interfered with in the least degree by her conscience. her position had come to her, and she had assumed it as if she had been born to it. but whenever she thought of her preëminence,--and she did not think of it nearly so often as other people thought of it,--she determined that it should make no difference to her; and when next she gave a high tea,--not the grand repast to which she intended to invite the buskirks on the hill,--she invited miss cushing. now, there were people in plainton who did not invite the dressmaker to their table, but mrs. cliff had asked her when they were all poor together, and she would have her now again when they were not all poor together. as the winter went on, burke became more and more interested in mrs. cliff's yacht, and if he had not had this subject to talk about, and plan about, and to go at all hours to see mrs. cliff about, it is likely that he would have been absolutely obliged to leave plainton for want of occupation. but the idea of commanding a steam yacht was attraction enough to keep him where he could continually consider it. he assured mrs. cliff that it was not at all necessary to wait until pleasant weather before undertaking this great enterprise. as soon as the harbors were reasonably free of ice it would be well for him to go and look at yachts, and then when he found one which suited him, mrs. cliff could go and look at it, and if it suited her, it could be immediately put into commission. they could steam down into southern waters, and cruise about there. the spring up here in the north was more disagreeable than any other season of the year, and why should they not go and spend that season in the tranquil and beautiful waters of florida or the west indies? mrs. cliff had now fully determined to become the owner of a yacht, but she would not do so unless she saw her way clear to carry out the benevolent features of the plan which mr. burke had suggested. "what i want," said mrs. cliff, "is to have the whole thing understood! i am perfectly willing to spend some of the pleasant months sailing about the coast and feeling that i'm giving health and pleasure to poor and deserving people, especially children, but i am not willing to consider myself a rich woman who keeps an expensive yacht just for the pleasure of cruising around when she feels like it! but i do like the plan of giving country weeks at sea." "very good, madam," he said, "and we can fix that thing so that nobody can possibly make any mistake about it. what do you say to calling your yacht the _summer shelter_? we'll paint the name in white letters on the bows and stern, and nobody can take us for idle sea-loafers with more money than we know what to do with!" "i like that!" said mrs. cliff, her face brightening. "you may buy me a yacht as soon as you please, and we'll call her the _summer shelter_!" in consequence of this order, mr. burke departed from plainton the next day, and began a series of expeditions to the seaport towns on the atlantic coast in search of a steam yacht for sale. the winter grew colder, and the weather was very bad; there were heavy snows and drifts, and many hardships. there were cases of privations and suffering, and never did she hear of one of these cases that a thankful glow did not warm the heart of mrs. cliff as she thought that she was able to relieve it. but mrs. cliff knew, and if she had not known she would have soon found out, that it was often very difficult to relieve distress of body without causing distress of mind, but she and willy and the misses thorpedyke had known all phases of the evil which has its root in the want of money, and they always considered people's sensibilities when they held charitable councils. there was one case in which mrs. cliff felt that she must be very careful indeed. old nancy shott was not standing the winter well. she had a bad cold, and was confined to her bed, and one day miss inchman mentioned, during a call on mrs. cliff, that she did not believe the poor old thing was able to keep herself warm. she had been to see her, and the coverings on her bed were very insufficient she thought. the shotts never did keep a warm house, nor did they care to spend their money upon warm clothes; but although that sort of thing might do very well while they were in health and were constantly on the move, it did not do when they were sick in bed. when miss inchman had gone, mrs. cliff called willy. "where are we using those california blankets which i brought home with me?" she asked. "using them!" exclaimed willy. "we aren't using them anywhere! i'm sure nobody would think of using such blankets as those, except when some extra company might happen to come. it ought to be a long time before those blankets would have to go into the wash, and i've kept them covered up on the top shelf of the linen closet!" "well, i wish you would go and get them," said mrs. cliff, "and then wrap them up and take them to miss shott as a present from me." "take them to nancy shott!" cried willy. "i never heard of such a thing in my life! she's able to buy blankets, dozens of them if she wants them, and to take to her such blankets as the ones you brought from california,--why it takes my breath away to think of it!" "but you must take them to her," said mrs. cliff. "she may be stingy, but she is suffering, and i want her to have those blankets because they are the very best that i could possibly send her. you can get andrew marks to drive you there, but stop two or three doors from the house. she will think you are putting on airs if you drive up to the door. and i wish you would give her the blankets just as if it was a matter of course that anybody would send things to a sick person." "oh yes!" said willy. "as if you hadn't a pot of jelly to spare and so sent her these blankets fit for an emperor on his throne!" that very evening the reluctant willy took the blankets to miss shott, for mrs. cliff knew it was going to be a very cold night, and she wanted her to have them as soon as possible. when nancy shott beheld the heavy and beautiful fabrics of fine wool which willy spread out upon her bed in order that she might better examine them, the eyes of the poor old woman flashed with admiring delight. "well," said she, "sarah cliff has got a memory!" "what do you mean?" asked willy. "why, she remembers," said miss shott, "that i once joined in to give her a pair of blankets!" "good gracious!" exclaimed willy, and she was on the point of speaking her mind in regard to the salient points in the two transactions, but she refrained. the poor old thing was sick, and she must not say anything to excite her. "i suppose," said miss shott, after lifting a corner of a blanket and rubbing and pinching it, "that these are all wool!" then willy thought herself privileged to speak, and for some minutes she dilated on the merits of those superb blankets, the like of which were not to be found in the whole state, and, perhaps, not in any state east of the rocky mountains. "well," said miss shott, "you may tell her that i will not throw her present back at her as she once threw one back at me! and now that you're here, willy croup, i may as well say to you what i've intended to say to you the next time i saw you. and that is, that when i was at your house you told me an out and out falsehood,--i won't use any stronger word than that,--and how you could sleep after having done it i'm sure i don't know!" "falsehood!" cried willy. "what do you mean?" "you told me," said nancy, "that mrs. cliff wasn't goin' to take boarders,--and now look at those thorpedykes! not two days after you tried to deceive me they went there to board! and now what have you got to say to that?" willy had not a word to say. she sprang to her feet, she glared at the triumphant woman in the bed, and, turning, went downstairs. chapter xviii the dawn of the grove of the incas a man may have command of all the money necessary, and he may have plenty of knowledge and experience in regard to the various qualities of sea-going vessels, but even with these great advantages he may find it a very difficult thing to buy, ready to his hand, a suitable steam yacht. the truth of this statement was acknowledged by mr. burke after he had spent nearly a month in boston, new york, and various points between these cities, and, after advertising, inquiring, and investigating the subject in all possible ways, found nothing which he could recommend mrs. cliff to purchase. he wrote to her a great many letters during this period, all of which were interesting, although there were portions of many of them which she did not quite understand, being expressed in a somewhat technical fashion. burke liked to write letters. it was a novel experience for him to have time to write and something to write about. he had been better educated than the ordinary sailor, and his intelligence and habits of observation enabled him to supplement to a considerable extent what he had learned at school. his spelling and grammar were sometimes at fault, but his handwriting was extremely plain and distinct, and willy croup, who always read his letters, declared that it was much better to write plainly than to be always correct in other respects, for what was the good of proper spelling and grammar if people could not make out what was written? mrs. cliff was not at all disturbed by the delay in the purchase of a yacht; for, according to her idea, it would be a long time yet before it was pleasant to sail upon the sea, and if it was interesting to mr. burke to go from place to place and have interviews with ship-owners and sea-faring people, she was glad that she was able to give him an opportunity to do so. as for herself, she was in a pleasant state of feminine satisfaction. without any sort of presumption or even effort on her part she had attained a high and unquestioned position among her fellow-citizens, and her mind was not set upon maintaining that position by worthy and unoffensive methods of using her riches. she now had a definite purpose in life. if she could make herself happy and a great many other people happy, and only a few people envious or jealous, and, at the same time, feel that she was living and doing things as a person of good common sense and great wealth ought to live and do things, what more could be expected of her in this life? thus backed up by her conscience and her check-book, she sat, morning after morning, before a cheerful fire of hickory logs and outlined her career. this was in the parlor of her old house, which she now determined to use as an office or business-room. she could afford the warmest fire of the best seasoned wood; her chimney was in perfect order, and she was but fifty-five years old and in excellent health;--why should she not enjoy the exhilarating blaze, and plan for years of exhilarating occupation. soon after mr. burke left plainton mrs. cliff began work upon the new park. this she could do without his assistance, and it was work the mere contemplation of which delighted her. she had legal assistance in regard to the purchase of the grounds and buildings of the opposite block, and while this was in the hands of her lawyers, she was in daily consultation with an eminent landscape-constructor who had come to plainton for the purpose. he lodged at the hotel, and drew most beautiful plans of the proposed park. in the happy morning hours during which mrs. cliff's mind wandered over the beautiful drives, or stood upon the rustic bridges which crossed the stream dashing among its rocks and spreading itself out into placid pools; or when, mentally, she sat in the shade of the great trees and looked out upon the wide stretches of verdant lawn, relieved by the brilliant colors of the flower-beds, she often felt it was almost the same thing as if it were actually summer, and that she really saw the beautiful grass and flowers, heard the babbling of the stream, and felt the refreshing breezes which rustled the great limbs of the trees. she did not selfishly keep these pleasures to herself, but often on the stormy evenings, she and willy and the misses thorpedyke would go over the brilliantly colored plans of the incas' grove, admire what had been proposed, and suggest things which they thought would be desirable. miss thorpedyke, who had a vivid recollection of the gardens of luxemburg, spoke of many of their beautiful and classic features which she would recommend for the new park if it were not that they would cost so much money. all these were noted down with great care by mrs. cliff, and mentioned to the landscape-constructor the next day. thus at home, in church circles, in the society of the town, and in the mental contemplation of the charming landscape which in consequence of her own will and command would soon spread itself out before her windows, mrs. cliff was very happy. but among all her sources of enjoyment there was nothing, perhaps, which pleased her better than to think on a cold winter's night, when the piercing winds were roaring about the house, that poor old nancy shott was lying warm and comfortable under two of the finest blankets which ever came from californian looms. the great object of willy croup's thoughts at this time was not the park,--for she could not properly appreciate trees and grass in this shivery weather,--but the entertainment, the grand lunch, or the very high tea which was to be given to mrs. buskirk and daughters on the hill. this important event had been postponed because the sleighing had become rather bad and the buskirks had gone to the city. but as soon as they returned, willy hoped with all her heart that mrs. cliff would be able to show them what may be done in the line of hospitable entertainment by people who had not only money but something more. there had been a time when willy thought that when people wished to entertain there was nothing needed but money, but then she had not lived in the house with the misses thorpedyke, and had not heard them and mrs. cliff discuss such matters. the peace of mind of mrs. cliff was disturbed one day by the receipt of a letter from mr. burke, who wrote from new york and informed her that he had found a yacht which he believed would suit her, and he wished very much that she would come and look at it before he completed the purchase. mrs. cliff did not wish to go to new york and look at yachts. she had then under consideration the plan of a semicircular marble terrace which was to overlook one end of a shaded lakelet, which mr. humphreys, her professional adviser, assured her she could have just as well as not, by means of a dam, and she did not wish to interrupt this most interesting occupation. mr. humphreys had procured photographs of some of the romantic spots of the luxemburg, and mrs. cliff felt within herself the gladdening impulses of a good magician as she planned the imitation of all this classic beauty. besides, it was the middle of march, and cold, and not at all the season in which she would be able to properly appreciate the merits of a yacht. still, as mr. burke had found the vessel and wanted her to see it, and as there was a possibility, he had written, that delay might cause her to lose the opportunity of getting what she wanted, and as she was very desirous of pleasing him, she decided that she and willy would go to new york and look at the vessel. it would not take long, because, of course, mr. burke had already found out everything that was necessary in regard to its sea-going qualities, and a great many other things of which she would not be a judge. in fact, it was not necessary for her to go at all; but as she was to pay for it, mr. burke would be better satisfied if first she saw it. it was very pleasant to think that she could go away whenever she pleased and leave her house in the care of two such ladies as miss eleanor thorpedyke and her sister. chapter xix the "summer shelter" when mrs. cliff and willy, as well wrapped up in handsome furs as mr. burke himself, who accompanied them, left their new york hotel to drive over to brooklyn and examine the yacht which had been selected, willy's mind vainly endeavored to form within itself an image of the object of the expedition. she was so thoroughly an inland woman and had so little knowledge of matters connected with the sea, that when she first heard the mention of the yacht it had brought into her mind the idea of an asiatic animal, with long hair and used as a beast of burden, which she had read about in her school-books. but when she had discovered that the object in question was a vessel and not a bovine ruminant, her mind carried her no farther than to a pleasure boat with a sail to it. even mrs. cliff, who had travelled, had inadequate ideas concerning a steam yacht. she had seen the small steamers which ran upon the seine, and she had taken little trips upon them; and if she had given the subject careful consideration she might have thought that the yacht intended for the use of a private individual would be somewhat smaller than one of these. it would be difficult, therefore, to imagine the surprise and even amazement of mrs. cliff and willy croup when they beheld the vessel to which mr. burke conducted them. it was in fact a sea-going steamer of small comparative size, it is true, but of towering proportions when compared with the ideals in the minds of the two female citizens of plainton who had come, the one to view it and the other to buy it. "before we go on board," said mr. burke, as he proudly stood upon the pier, holding fast to his silk hat in the cold breeze which swept along the water front, "i want you to take a general look at her! i don't suppose you know anything about her lines and build, but i can tell you they're all right! but you can see for yourselves that she's likely to be a fine, solid, comfortable craft, and won't go pitchin' and tossin' around like the crafts that some people go to sea in!" "why, the name is on it!" cried willy. "_summer shelter!_ how did you happen to find one with that name, mr. burke?" "oh, i didn't!" said he. "she had another name, but i wanted you to see her just as she'd look if she really belonged to you,--so i had the other name painted out and this put on in good big white letters that can be seen for a long distance. if you don't buy her, mrs. cliff, of course i'll have the old name put back again. now what do you think of her, mrs. cliff, lookin' at her from this point of view?" the good lady stood silent. she gazed at the long high hull of the steamer, she looked up at the black smokestack, and at the masts which ran up so shapely and so far, and her soul rose higher than it had been uplifted even by the visions of the future grove of the incas. "i think it is absolutely splendid!" said she. "let us go in!" "on board, madam," said burke, gently correcting her. "this way to the gang-plank!" for nearly two hours mrs. cliff and willy wandered over the upper and lower decks of the yacht; examined its pretty little state-rooms; sat excitedly upon the sofas of its handsomely decorated saloon; examined the folding tables and all the other wonderful things which shut themselves up out of the way when they were not needed; tapped the keys of the piano; investigated the storerooms, lockers, and all the marine domestic conveniences, and forgot it was winter, forgot that the keen wind nearly blew their bonnets off as they walked the upper deck, and felt what a grand thing it would be to sail upon the sea upon such a noble vessel. to all this there was added in mrs. cliff's mind the proud feeling that it would be her own, and in it she could go wherever she pleased and come back again when it suited her. willy, who had never been to sea, was perfectly free to form an idea of an ocean voyage as delightful and charming as she pleased, and this she did with great enthusiasm. even had it been necessary that this perfectly lovely vessel should remain moored at the pier, it would have given joy to her soul to live in it, to sleep in one of those sweet little rooms, and to eat, and read, and sew in that beautiful saloon. "mr. burke," said mrs. cliff, "i don't believe you could find any vessel better suited to our purpose than this one, and i wish you would buy it!" "madam," said burke, "i'll do it immediately! and i tell you, madam, that this is a wonderful chance for this time of the year when yachts and pleasure crafts in this part of the world are generally laid up and can't be seen properly; and what's more, would have to be docked and overhauled generally before they would be ready for sea. but here is a yacht that's been cruising down south and in the west indies and has just come up here, and is all ready to go to sea again whenever you like it. if you don't mind going home by yourselves, i'll go to the office of the agent of the owner, and settle the business at once!" it would have been impossible for any purchase or any possession of palace, pyramid, or principality to make prouder the heart of mrs. cliff than did the consciousness that she was the owner of a fine sea vessel worked by steam. she acknowledged to herself that if she had been at home she could not have prevented herself from putting on those airs which she had been so anxious to avoid. but these would wear off very soon she knew, and so long as there was no one, except willy, to notice a possible change of manner, it did not matter. now that mrs. cliff and willy were in new york they both agreed that it would be well for them to attend to some shopping for which they had intended coming to the city later in the spring. it had been found that there were many things wanted to supplement the furnishing of the new house, and to the purchase of these the two ladies now devoted their mornings. but every afternoon, in company with mr. burke, they went on board the _summer shelter_ to see what he had been doing and to consult with him about what he was going to do. it was astonishing how many little things were needed to be done to a yacht just returned from a cruise, and how interesting all these things were to mrs. cliff and willy, considering that they knew so little about them. the engineer and fireman had not been discharged, but were acting as watchmen, and burke strongly recommended that they should be engaged immediately, because, as he said, if mrs. cliff were to let them go it would be difficult to get such men again. "it was a little expensive, to be sure, but when a yacht is not laid up," he said, "there should always be men aboard of her." and so the painting, and the cleaning, and the necessary fitting up went on, and mr. burke was very happy, and mrs. cliff was very proud, although the external manifestation of this feeling was gradually wearing off. "i don't want to give advice, madam," said burke one evening, as the little party sat together discussing nautical matters, "but if i was in your place, i wouldn't go back to plainton before i had taken a little trial trip on the yacht. it doesn't matter a bit about the weather! after we get out to sea it will be only a few days before we find we're in real spring weather and the warm water of the gulf stream. we can touch at savannah, and cruise along the florida coast, and then go over to the bahamas, and look around as long as we feel like! and when we get back here it will be beginning to be milder, and then you can go home and arrange for the voyages you're goin' to make in her during the summer!" mrs. cliff considered. this was a tempting proposition. and while she considered, willy sat and looked at her with glowing cheeks and half-open mouth. it would not have required one second for her to decide such a question. "you know," said mr. burke, "it wouldn't take me long to get her ready for sea. i could soon coal her and put her stores aboard, and as to a crew, i can get one in no time. we could leave port in a week just as well as not!" "let's go!" said willy, seizing the hand of her friend. "it need only be a little trip, just to see how it would all feel." mrs. cliff smiled. "very good," said she, "we'll take a little trial trip just as soon as you are ready, captain burke! that is, if you have not made any plans which will prevent you from accepting the position." "madam," said burke, springing to his feet and standing proudly before mrs. cliff, "i'd throw up the command of the finest liner on the atlantic to be captain of the _summer shelter_ for this summer! i see far more fun ahead in the cruises that you're going to make than in any voyage i've looked forward to yet; and when people have a chance to mix fun and charity as we're goin' to mix them, i say such people ought to call themselves lucky! this is wednesday! well now, madam, by next wednesday the _summer shelter_ will be all fitted out for the cruise, and she'll be ready to sail out of the harbor at whatever hour you name, for the tide won't make any difference to her!" "there is only one thing i don't like about the arrangement," said mrs. cliff, when the captain had left them, "and that is, that we will have to take this trip by ourselves. it seems a pity for three people to go sailing around in a big vessel like that with most of the state-rooms empty; but, of course, people are not prepared yet for country weeks at sea! and it will take some time to make my plans known in the proper quarters." "i don't suppose," said willy, "that there's anybody in plainton that we could send for on short notice. people there want so much time to get ready to do anything!" "but there is nobody in the town that i would care to take on a first voyage," said mrs. cliff. "you know, something might go wrong and we would have to come back, and if it is found necessary to do that, i don't want any plainton people on board!" "no indeed!" exclaimed willy, her mind involuntarily running towards nancy shott, to whom a voyage to the west indies would doubtless be of great service. "don't let's bother about anything of that kind! let's make the first trip by ourselves! i think that will be glorious!" chapter xx the synod as most of mrs. cliff's business in new york was now finished, and as she and willy were waiting there only for the yacht to be made ready for sea, she had a good deal of time on her hands. on the saturday following her decision to make a trial trip on the _summer shelter_, when returning from the daily visit to the yacht, mrs. cliff stopped in at a brooklyn church in which a synod was at that time convened. she had read of the proceedings of this body in the papers, and, as the deliberations concerned her own denomination, she thought she would be interested in them. willy, however, preferred to go on by herself to new york, as she had something to do there which she thought would be more to her taste than the proceedings of a synod. it was not long after she had been seated in the church that mrs. cliff began to regret that she had not attended some of the earlier meetings, for the questions debated were those in which she took an interest. after a time she saw near her mrs. arkwright, a lady who had visited mrs. perley some years before, and with whom she had then become acquainted. joining her, mrs. cliff found mrs. arkwright able to give her a great deal of information in regard to the members of the synod, and as the two sat and talked together in whispers, a desire arose in the mind of mrs. cliff that she and her wealth might in some way join in the work in which all these people were engaged. as her mind rested upon this subject, there came into it a plan which pleased her. here were all these delegates, many of them looking tired and pale, as if they had been hard-worked during the winter, and here was she, the mistress of the _summer shelter_, about to take a trip to warm and sunny regions with an almost empty vessel. as soon as the meeting adjourned, mrs. cliff, accompanied by mrs. arkwright, made her way to the front, where many of the members were standing together, and was introduced by her friend to several clergymen with whom mrs. arkwright was acquainted. as soon as possible mrs. cliff referred to the subject which was upon her mind, and informed the gentlemen with whom she had just been made acquainted, that if they thought well of it she would like to invite a party of such of the delegates who would care for such an excursion at this season, to accompany her on a short trip to the west indies. her vessel would easily accommodate twelve or fifteen of the gentlemen, and she would prefer to offer her invitation first to the clerical members of the synod. the reverend gentlemen to whom this offer was made were a little surprised by it, but they could not help considering it was a most generous and attractive proposition, and one of them undertook to convey the invitation to some of his brethren of the synod. [illustration: mrs. cliff's invitation was discussed with lively appreciation] although the synod had adjourned, many of the delegates remained for a considerable time, during which mrs. cliff's invitation was discussed with lively appreciation, some of the speakers informing her that if they could make the arrangements necessary for their pulpits and their families during a short absence, they would be delighted to accept her invitation. the synod would finally adjourn on the next tuesday, and she was promised that before that time she would be informed of the exact number of guests she might expect. the next morning when mr. burke appeared to accompany the ladies to the yacht, he found willy croup alone in their parlor. "do you know what's happened?" cried willy, springing towards him as he entered. "of course you don't, for mrs. cliff is going to give the first country week on the _summer shelter_ to a synod!" "to a what?" cried burke. "a synod," explained willy. "it's a congregation, i mean a meeting, mostly of ministers, come together to settle church matters. she invited the whole lot of them, but of course they all can't come,--for there are more than a hundred of them,--but there will be about a dozen who can sail with us next wednesday!" mr. burke's jaw dropped. "a dozen ministers!" he exclaimed. "sail with us! by george! miss croup, will you excuse me if i sit down?" "you know," said willy, "that the _summer shelter_ was bought for this sort of thing! that is, to do good to people who can't get that sort of good in other ways! and if mrs. cliff takes out poor children from the slums, and hard-working shopgirls, and seamstresses, why shouldn't she take hard-working ministers and give them some fresh air and pleasure?" "a dozen ministers!" groaned mr. burke. "i tell you, miss croup, i can't take them in!" "oh, there'll be room enough!" said willy, mistaking his meaning, "for mrs. cliff says that each of those little rooms will easily hold two!" "oh, it isn't that!" said burke, his eyes fixed steadfastly upon a chair near him as if it had been something to look at. "but twelve ministers coming down on me so sudden, rather takes me aback, miss croup!" "i don't wonder," said willy, "for i don't believe that a synod ever went out yachting before in a bunch!" mr. burke rose and looked out of the window. "miss croup," said he, "do you remember what i said about mixin' fun and charity in these cruises? well, i guess we'll have to take our charity straight this time!" but when mrs. cliff had come in and had talked with animation and enthusiasm in regard to her plan, the effects of the shock which mr. burke had received began to wear off. "all right, madam!" said he. "you're owner, and i'm captain, and i'll stand by you! and if you take it into your head to ship a dozen popes on the _summer shelter_, i'll take them where you want them to go to, and i'll bring them back safe. i suppose we'll have all sorts of customers on the yacht this season, and if we've got to get used to queer passengers, a synod will do very well to begin with! if you'll find out who's goin' and will write to them to be on hand tuesday night, i'll see that they're taken care of!" mrs. cliff's whole heart was now in the projected cruise of the _summer shelter_. when she had thought of it with only willy and herself as passengers, she could not help considering it was a great extravagance. now she was going to begin her series of sea-trips in a fashion far superior and more dignified than anything yet thought of. to be able to give such an invitation to a synod was something of which she might well be proud, and she was proud. chapter xxi a telegram from captain horn it was early tuesday morning, and mrs. cliff and willy having just finished their breakfast, were busily engaged in packing the two trunks they proposed taking with them, and the elder lady was stating that although she was perfectly willing to dress in the blue flannel suit which had been ordered, she was not willing to wear a white cap, although willy urged that this was the proper thing, as they had been told by the people where they had bought their yachting suits; and mrs. cliff was still insisting that, although it would do very well for willy to wear a white cap, she would wear a hood,--the same kind of a hood which she had worn on all her other voyages, which was more like a bonnet and more suitable to her on that account than any other kind of head covering, when mr. burke burst--actually burst--without knocking, into the room. his silk hat was on the back of his head, and he wore no overcoat. "mrs. cliff," he exclaimed, "i've just seen shirley! you remember shirley?" "indeed, i do," said mrs. cliff. "i remember him very well, and i always thought him to be a remarkably nice man! but where did you see him, and what in the world did he tell you to throw you into such a flurry?" "he said a lot to me!" replied burke. "and i'll try to make as straight a tale of it as i can! you see, about a week ago shirley got a telegraphic message from captain horn--" "captain horn!" exclaimed mrs. cliff. "where is he, and what did he say?" "he's in mexico," said burke; "and the telegram was as long as a letter--that's one advantage in not being obliged to think of what things cost,--and he told shirley a lot--" "how did they say they were?" asked mrs. cliff, eagerly. "or did he say anything about mrs. horn? are they well?" "oh, i expect they're all right," said burke; "but i don't think he treated that subject. it was all about that gold, and the part of it that was to go to peru! "when the business of dividing up the treasure was settled in london in the way we know all about, word was sent to the peruvian government to tell them what had happened, and to see what they said about it. and when they heard the news, they were a good deal more than satisfied,--as they ought to have been, i'm sure,--and they made no bones about the share we took. all they wanted was to have their part sent to them just as soon as could be, and i don't wonder at it; for all those south american countries are as poor as beggars, and if any one of them got a sum of money like that, it could buy up all the others, if it felt like spending the money in that way! "those peruvians were in such a hurry to get the treasure that they wouldn't agree to have the gold coined into money, or to be sent a part at a time, or to take drafts for it; but they wanted it just as it was as soon as they could get it, and, as it was their own, nobody could hinder them from doing what they pleased with it. shirley and i have made up our minds that most likely the present government thought that they wouldn't be in office when the money arrived if they didn't have it on hand in pretty short order; and, of course, if they got their fingers on that treasure, they could stay in power as long as they pleased. "it is hard to believe that any government could be such fools,--for they ordered it all shipped on an ordinary merchant vessel, an english steamer, the _dunkery beacon_, which was pretty nigh ready to sail for lima. now, any other government in this world would have sent a man-of-war for that gold, or some sort of an armed vessel to convoy it, but that wasn't the way with the peruvians! they wanted their money, and they wanted it by the first steamer which could be got ready to sail. they weren't going to wait until they got one of their cruisers over to england,--not they! "the quickest way, of course, would have been to ship it to aspinwall, and then take it by rail to panama, and from there ship it to lima, but i suppose they were afraid to do that. if that sort of freight had been carried overland, they couldn't have hindered people from finding out what it was, and pretty nearly everybody in central america would have turned train-robber. anyway, the agents over there got the _dunkery beacon_ to sail a little before her regular time. "now here comes the point! they actually shipped a hundred and sixty million dollars' worth of pure gold on a merchant steamer that was going on a regular voyage, and would actually touch at jamaica and rio janeiro on account of her other freight, instead of buying her outright, or sending her on the straightest cruise she could make for lima! just think of that! more than that, this business was so talked about by the peruvian agents, while they were trying to get the earliest steamer possible for it, that it was heard of in a good many more ports than one! "well, this steamer with all the gold on board sailed just as soon as it could; and the very next day our london bankers got a telegram from paris from the head of a detective bureau there to tell them that no less than three vessels were fitting out in the biggest kind of hurry to go after that slow merchant steamer with the millions on board!" mrs. cliff and willy uttered a simultaneous cry of horror. "do you mean they're pirates, and are going to steal the gold?" cried mrs. cliff. "of course they are!" continued burke. "and i don't wonder at it! why, i don't believe such a cargo of gold ever left a port since the beginning of the world! for such a thing as that is enough to tempt anybody with the smallest streak of rascal blood in him and who could get hold of a ship! "well, these three vessels were fitting out hard as they could,--two in france, at toulon and marseilles, and one in genoa; and although the detectives were almost positive what their business was, they were not sure that they could get proof enough to stop them. if the _dunkery beacon_ had been going on a straight voyage, even to rio janeiro, she might have got away from them, but, you see, she was goin' to touch at jamaica! "and now, now,--this very minute,--that slow old steamer and those three pirates are on the atlantic ocean together! why, it makes your blood creep to think of it!" "indeed it does! it's awful!" cried mrs. cliff. "and what are the london people going to do?" "they're not going to do anything so far as i know!" said burke. "if they could get through with the red-tape business necessary to send any sort of a cruiser or war-vessel after the _dunkery beacon_ to protect her,--and i'm not sure that they could do it at all,--it would be a precious long time before such a vessel would leave the english channel! but i don't think that they'll try anything of the sort; all i know is, that the london people sent a cable message to captain horn. i suppose that they thought he ought to know what was likely to happen, considerin' that he was the head man in the whole business!" "and what did the captain do?" cried mrs. cliff. "what could he do?" "i don't know," answered burke. "i expect he did everything that could be done in the way of sending messages; and among other things, he sent that telegram, about a thousand words more or less, to shirley. he might have telegraphed to me, perhaps, but he didn't know my address, as i was wandering around. but shirley, you know, is a fixture in his shipyard;--and so he sent it to him!" "i haven't a doubt," said mrs. cliff, "that he would have telegraphed to you if he had known where you were!" "i hope so," said burke. "and when he had told shirley all that had happened, he asked him to pull up stakes, and sail by the first steamer he could catch for jamaica. there was a chance that he might get there before the _dunkery beacon_ arrived, or while she was in port, and then he could tell everything to make her captain understand that he needn't be afraid to lose anything on account of his ship stopping in kingston harbor until arrangements could be made for his carrying his gold in safety to lima. captain horn didn't think that the pirates would try to do anything before the _dunkery beacon_ left kingston. they would just follow her until she got into the south atlantic, and then board her, most likely! "captain horn said that he was going to jamaica too, but as he didn't know how soon he would be able to sail from vera cruz, he wanted shirley to go ahead without losing a minute. and then shirley he telegraphed to me up at plainton,--thinking i was there and that i ought to know all about it, and the women at my house took so long forwarding it that i did not get it until yesterday evening, and then i rushed around to where shirley was staying, and got there just in time to catch him, for the next steamer to jamaica sailed early this morning. but he had plenty of time to tell me everything. "the minute he got the captain's telegram, he just dropped everything and started for new york. and i can tell you, mrs. cliff, i'd have done the same, for i don't know what i wouldn't do to get the chance to see captain horn again!" "and you wanted to go with mr. shirley?" said mrs. cliff, with an eager light in her eyes. "indeed i did!" said burke. "but, of course, i wouldn't think of such a thing as going off and leaving you here with that yacht on your hands, and no knowing what you would do with the people on board, and everything else! so i saw shirley off about seven o'clock this morning, and then i came to report to you." "that was too much to expect, mr. burke," said mrs. cliff, "but it was just like you, and i shall never forget it! but, now tell me one thing,--is mrs. horn going to jamaica with the captain?" "i don't know," said burke, "but, of course, she must be--he wouldn't leave her alone in mexico!" "of course she is!" cried mrs. cliff. "and mr. shirley will see them! and oh, mr. burke, why can't we see them? of all things in the world i want to see edna, and the captain too! and why can't we go straight to jamaica in the _summer shelter_ instead of going anywhere else? we may get there before they all leave; don't you think we could do that?" the eyes of captain burke fairly blazed. "do it!" he cried, springing to his feet. "i believe we can do it; at any rate we can try! the same to you, madam, i would do anything in the world to see captain horn, and nobody knows when we will have the chance! well, madam, it's all the plainest kind of sailing; we can get off at daylight to-morrow morning, and if that yacht sails as they told me she sails, i believe we may overhaul shirley, and, perhaps, we will get to kingston before any of them! and now i've got to bounce around, for there's a good deal to be done before night-fall!" "but what about the synod?" asked willy croup. "bless my soul!" exclaimed mr. burke, stopping suddenly on his way to the door. "i forgot the synod." mrs. cliff hesitated for a moment. "i don't think it need make any difference! it would be a great shame to disappoint all those good men; why couldn't we take them along all the same? their weight wouldn't make the yacht go any slower, would it, mr. burke?" "not a bit of it!" said he. "but they may not want to go so far. besides, if we find the captain at kingston, we mayn't feel like going back in a hurry. i'll tell you what we could do, mrs. cliff! we wouldn't lose any time worth speaking of if we touched at nassau,--that's in the bahamas, and a jolly place to go to. then we might discharge our cargo of ministers, and if you paid their board until the next steamer sailed for new york, and their passage home, i should think they would be just as well satisfied as if they came back with us!" mrs. cliff reflected. "that's true!" said she, presently. "i can explain the case to them, and i don't see why they should not be satisfied. and as for me, nobody could be more willing than i am to give pleasure to these ministers, but i don't believe that i could give up seeing edna and captain horn for the sake of any members of any synod!" "all right, madam!" cried the impatient burke. "you settle the matter with the parsons, and i haven't a doubt you can make it all right; and i'll be off! everything has got to be on board to-night. i'll come after you early this evening." with this he departed. when mr. burke had gone, mrs. cliff, very much excited by what she had heard and by the thought of what she was going to do, told willy that she could go on with the packing while she herself went over to the church in brooklyn and explained matters to the members of the synod who intended to go with her, and give them a chance to decide whether or not the plan proposed by mr. burke would suit them. she carried out this intention and drove to brooklyn in a carriage, but, having been delayed by many things which willy wanted to know about the packing, and having forgotten in what street the church was situated, she lost a good deal of time; and when she reached her destination she found that the synod had adjourned _sine die_. mrs. cliff sighed. it was a great pity to have taken so much trouble, especially when time was so precious, but she had done what she could. it would be impossible for her to find the members in their temporary places of abode, and the only thing she could do now was to tell them the change in her plans when they came on board that evening, and then, if they did not care to sail with her, they would have plenty of time to go on shore again. chapter xxii the "summer shelter" goes to sea mr. burke did not arrive to escort mrs. cliff and willy croup to the yacht until nearly nine o'clock in the evening. they had sent their baggage to the vessel in the afternoon, and had now been expecting him, with great impatience, for nearly an hour, but when mr. burke arrived, it was impossible to find fault with him, for he had been busy, he said, every minute of the day. he had made up a full crew; he had a good sailing-master, and the first mate who had been on the yacht before; everything that he could think of in the way of provisions and stores were on board, and there was nothing to prevent their getting out of the harbor early in the morning. when mrs. cliff stepped on board her yacht, the _summer shelter_, her first thought was directed towards her guests of the synod; and when the mate, mr. burdette, had advanced and been introduced to her, she asked him if any of the clergymen had yet appeared. "they're all aboard, madam," said he--"fourteen of them! they came aboard about seven o'clock, and they stayed in the saloon until about half-past nine, and one of them came to me and said that as they were very tired they thought they'd go to bed, thinking, most likely, as it was then so late you wouldn't come aboard until morning. so the steward showed them their state-rooms, and we had to get one more ready than we expected to, and they're now all fast asleep; but i suppose i could arouse some of them up if you want to see them!" mrs. cliff turned to burke with an expression of despair on her face. "what in the world shall i do?" said she. "i wanted to tell them all about it and let them decide, but it would be horrible to make any of them who didn't care to go to get up and dress and go out into this damp night air to look for a hotel!" "well," said burke, "all that's going ashore has got to go ashore to-night. we'll sail as soon as it is daylight! if i was you, mrs. cliff, i wouldn't bother about them. you invited them to go to the bahamas, and you're going to take them there, and you're going to send them back the best way you can, and i'm willing to bet a clipper ship against your yacht that they will be just as well satisfied to come back in a regular steamer as to come back in this! you might offer to send them over to savannah, and let them come up by rail,--they might like that for a change! the way the thing looks to me, madam, you're proposing to give them a good deal more than you promised." "well," said mrs. cliff, "one thing is certain! i'm not going to turn any of them out of their warm beds this night; and we might as well go to our rooms, for it must be a good deal after ten." when willy croup beheld her little state-room, she stood at the door and looked in at it with rapture. she had a beautiful chamber in mrs. cliff's new house, fully and elegantly furnished, but there was something about this little bit of a bedroom, with all its nautical conveniences, its hooks, and shelves, and racks, its dear little window, and its two pretty berths,--each just big enough and not a bit too big,--which charmed her as no room she had ever seen had charmed her. the _summer shelter_ must have started, mrs. cliff thought, before daylight the next morning, for when she was awakened by the motion of the engine it was not light enough to distinguish objects in the room. but she lay quietly in her berth, and let her proud thoughts mount high and spread wide. as far as the possession of wealth and the sense of power could elevate the soul of woman, it now elevated the soul of mrs. cliff. this was her own ship which was going out upon the ocean! this was her engine which was making everything shake and tremble! the great screw which was dashing the water at the stern and forcing the vessel through the waves belonged to her! everything--the smoke-stacks, the tall masts, the nautical instruments--was her property! the crew and stewards, the engineers, were all in her service! she was going to the beautiful island of the sunny tropics because she herself had chosen to go there! it was with great satisfaction, too, that she thought of the cost of all this. a great deal of money had been paid for that yacht, and it had relieved, as scarcely any other expenditure she would be likely to make could have relieved, the strain upon her mind occasioned by the pressure of her income. even after the building of her new apartments her money had been getting the better of her. now she felt that she was getting the better of her money. by the way the yacht rolled and, at the same time, pitched and tossed, mrs. cliff thought it likely that they must be out upon the open sea, or, at least, well down the outer bay. she liked the motion, and the feeling that her property, moving according to her will, was riding dominant over the waves of the sea, sent a genial glow through every vein. it was now quite light, and when mrs. cliff got up and looked out of her round window she could see, far away to the right, the towering lighthouses of sandy hook. about eight o'clock she dressed and went out on deck. she was proud of her good sailing qualities. as she went up the companion-way, holding firmly to the bright brass rail, she felt no more fear of falling than if she had been one of the crew. when she came out on the upper deck, she had scarcely time to look about her, when a man, whom at first sight she took for a stranger, came forward with outstretched hand. but in an instant she saw it was not a stranger,--it was captain burke, but not as she had ever seen him before. he was dressed in a complete suit of white duck with gold buttons, and he wore a white cap trimmed with gold,--an attire so different from his high silk hat and the furs that it was no wonder that at first she did not recognize their wearer. "why, captain burke," she cried, "i didn't know you!" "no wonder," said he; "this is a considerable change from my ordinary toggery, but it's the uniform of a captain of a yacht; you see that's different from what it would be if i commanded a merchant vessel, or a liner, or a man-of-war!" "it looks awfully cool for such weather," said she. "yes," said the captain, "but it's the proper thing; and yachts, you know, generally cruise around in warmish weather. however, we're getting south as fast as we can. i tell you, madam, this yacht is a good one! we've just cast the log, and she's doing better than fourteen knots an hour, and we haven't got full steam on, either! it seems funny, madam, for me to command a steamer, but i'll get used to it in no time. if it was a sailing-vessel, it wouldn't be anything out of the way, because i've studied navigation, and i know more about a ship than many a skipper, but a steam yacht is different! however, i've got men under me who know how to do what i order them to do, and if necessary they're ready to tell me what i ought to order!" "i don't believe there could be a better captain," said mrs. cliff, "and i do hope you won't take cold! and now i want to see the ministers as soon as they are ready. i think it will be well for me to receive them up here. i am not sure that i remember properly the names of all of them, but i shall not hesitate to ask them, and then i shall present each one of them to you: it will be a sort of a reception, you know! after that we can all go on pleasantly like one family. we will have to have a pretty big table in the saloon, but i suppose we can manage that!" "oh yes," said mr. burke; "and now i'll see the steward and tell him to let the parsons know that you're ready to receive them." about a quarter of an hour after this the steward appeared on deck, and approaching mrs. cliff and the captain, touched his hat. "come to report, sir," said he, "the ministers are all sea-sick! there ain't none of them wants to get out of their berths, but some of them want tea." mrs. cliff and the captain could not help laughing, although she declared it was not a laughing matter. "but it isn't surprising," said the captain; "it's pretty rough, and i suppose they're all thorough-bred landsmen. but they'll get over it before long, and when they come on deck it's likely it will be pleasanter weather. we're having a considerable blow just now, and it will be worse when we get farther out! so i should say that you and miss croup and myself had better have our breakfast." the steward was still standing by, and he touched his hat again, this time to mrs. cliff. "the other lady is very sea-sick! i heard her groaning fearfully as i passed her door." "oh, i must go down to willy," said mrs. cliff. "and, captain, you and i will have to breakfast together." as mrs. cliff opened the door of willy croup's state-room, a pale white face in the lower berth was turned towards her, and a weak and trembling voice said to her, "oh, sarah, you have come at last! is there any way of getting me out of this horrible little hole?" for two days mrs. cliff and captain burke breakfasted, dined, and supped by themselves. they had head-winds, and the sea was very rough, and although the yacht did not make the time that might have been expected of her in fair weather, she did very well, and burke was satisfied. the two stewards were kept very busy with the prostrate and dejected members of the synod, and mrs. cliff and the stewardess devoted their best efforts to the alleviation of the woes of willy, which they were glad to see were daily dwindling. they had rounded cape hatteras, the sea was smoother, the cold wind had gone down, and willy croup, warmly wrapped up, was sitting in a steamer chair on deck. the desire that she might suddenly be transferred to plainton or to heaven was gradually fading out of her mind, and the blue sky, the distant waves, and the thought of the approaching meal were exercising a somewhat pleasurable influence upon her dreamy feeling, when captain burke, who stood near with a telescope, announced that the steamer over there on the horizon line was heading south and that he had a notion she was the _antonina_, the vessel on which shirley had sailed. "i believed that we could overhaul her!" said he to mrs. cliff. "i didn't know much about her sailing qualities, but i had no reason to believe she has the speed of this yacht, and, as we're on the same course, i thought it likely we would sight her, and what's more, pass her. we'll change our course a little so that we will be closer to her when we pass." mrs. cliff, who had taken the glass, but could not see through it very well, returned it to the captain and remarked, "if we can go so much faster than she does, why can't we take mr. shirley on board when we catch up to her?" "i don't know about that," said burke. "to do that, both vessels would have to lay to and lose time, and she might not want to do it as she's a regular steamer, and carries the mail. and besides, if shirley's under orders,--that is, the same thing as orders,--to go straight to jamaica, i don't know that we have any right to take him off his steamer and carry him to nassau. of course, he might get to jamaica just as soon, and perhaps sooner, if he sailed with us, but we don't know it! we may be delayed in some way; there're lots of things that might happen, and anyway, i don't believe in interfering with orders, and i know shirley doesn't either. i believe he would want to keep on. besides, we don't really know yet that that's the _antonina_." a couple of hours, however, proved that captain burke's surmise had been correct, and it was not long before the two vessels were abreast of each other. the yacht had put on all steam and had proved herself capable of lively speed. as the two vessels approached within hailing distance, captain burke went up on the little bridge, with a speaking-trumpet, and it was not long before shirley was on the bridge of the other steamer, with another trumpet. to the roaring conversation which now took place, everybody on each vessel who was not too sick, who had no duties, or could be spared from them, listened with the most lively interest. a colloquy upon the lonely sea between two persons, one upon one vessel and the other upon another, must always be an incident of absorbing importance. very naturally shirley was amazed to find it was his friend burke who was roaring at him, and delighted when he was informed that the yacht was also on its way to jamaica to meet captain horn. after a quarter of an hour of high-sounding talk, during which shirley was informed of burke's intention to touch at nassau, the interview terminated; the _summer shelter_ shaping her course a little more to the south, by night-fall the _antonina_ had faded out of sight on the northeast horizon. "i shouldn't wonder," said captain burke at dinner, "if we got to jamaica before her anyway, although we're bound to lose time in the harbor at nassau." the company at the dinner-table was larger than it had yet been. five members of the synod had appeared on deck during the speaking-trumpet conversation, and feeling well enough to stay there, had been warmly greeted and congratulated by mrs. cliff. the idea of a formal reception had, of course, been given up, and there was no need of presenting these gentlemen to the captain, for he had previously visited all of his clerical passengers in their berths, and was thus qualified to present them to mrs. cliff as fast as they should make their appearance. at dinner-time two more came into the saloon, and the next morning at breakfast the delegation from the synod were all present, with the exception of two whose minds were not yet quite capable of properly appreciating the subject of nutrition. when at last the _summer shelter_ found herself in the smoother waters and the warmer air of the gulf stream, when the nautilus spread its gay-colored sail in the sunlight by the side of the yacht, when the porpoises flashed their shining black bodies out of the water and plunged in again as they raced with the swiftly moving vessel, when great flocks of flying-fish would rise into the air, skim high above the water, and then all fall back again with a patter as of big rain-drops, and the people on the deck of the _summer shelter_ took off their heavy wraps and unbuttoned their coats, it was a happy company which sailed with mrs. cliff among the beautiful isles of the west indies. chapter xxiii willy croup comes to the front the pleasant rays of the semi-tropical sun so warmed and subsequently melted the varied dispositions of the company on board the _summer shelter_ that in spite of their very different natures they became fused, as it were, into a happy party of friends. willy croup actually felt as if she were a young woman in a large party of gentlemen with no rivals. she was not young, but many of her youthful qualities still remained with her, and under the influence of her surroundings they all budded out and blossomed bravely. at the end of a day of fine weather there was not a clergyman on board who did not wish that miss croup belonged to his congregation. as for the members of the synod, there could be no doubt that they were thoroughly enjoying themselves. tired with the long winter's work, and rejoiced, almost amazed, to be so suddenly freed from the cold wintry weather of their homes, all of their spirits rose and most of their hearts were merry. there were but few gray heads among these clergymen, and the majority of them were under middle age. some of them had been almost strangers to each other when they came on board, but now there were no strangers on the _summer shelter_. some of them had crossed the atlantic, but not one had ever taken a coastwise voyage on a comparatively small vessel, and although the consequence of this new experience, their involuntary seclusion of the first days of the trip, and their consequent unconventional and irregular acceptance of mrs. cliff's hospitality, had caused a little stiffness in their demeanor at first, this speedily disappeared, hand in hand with the recollection of that most easily forgotten of human ills which had so rudely interfered with their good manners. as far as the resources of their portmanteaus would allow, these reverend clergymen dressed themselves simply and in semi-nautical costumes. some played quoits upon the upper deck, in which sport willy joined. others climbed up the shrouds, preferably on the inside,--this method of exercise, although very difficult, being considered safer in case of a sudden lurch of the vessel. and the many other sportive things they did, and the many pleasant anecdotes they told, nearly all relating to the discomfiture of clergymen under various embarrassing circumstances, caused captain burke to say to mrs. cliff that he had never imagined that parsons were such jolly fellows, and so far as he was concerned, he would be glad to take out another party of them. "but if we do," he said, "i think we'd better ship them on a tug and let them cruise around the lightship for two or three days. then when they hoisted a signal that they were all well on board, we could go out and take them off. in that way, you see, they'd really enjoy a cruise on the _summer shelter_." as the sun went down behind the distant coast of florida they were boarded by a negro pilot, and in the morning they awoke to find themselves fast to a pier of the city of nassau, lying white in the early daylight. the members of the synod had readily agreed to mrs. cliff's plan to leave them at nassau and let them return by a regular passenger steamer, and they all preferred to go by sea to savannah and then to their homes by rail. with expenses paid, none but the most unreasonable of men could have objected to such a plan. as captain burke announced that he would stop at nassau for a day to take in some fresh stores, especially of fruit and vegetables, and to give mrs. cliff and willy croup an opportunity to see the place, the _summer shelter_ was soon deserted. but in the evening, everybody returned on board, as the company wished to keep together as long as possible, and there would be plenty of time in the morning for the members of the synod to disembark and go to the hotel. very early in the morning captain burke was aroused by the entrance of the sailing-master, mr. portman, into his state-room. "'morning, sir," said mr. portman. "i want you to come out here and look at something!" perceiving by the manner and tones of the other that there was something important to be looked at, captain burke jumped up, quickly dressed himself, and went out on deck. there, fastened against the fore-mast, was a large piece of paper on which were written these words:-- "we don't intend to sail on a filibustering cruise. we know what it means when you take on arms in new york, and discharge your respectable passengers in nassau. we don't want nothing to do with your next lot of passengers, and don't intend to get into no scrapes. so good-bye! (signed) the crew." [illustration: there, fastened against the foremast, was a large piece of paper] "you don't mean to say," cried burke, "that the crew has deserted the vessel?" "that's what it is, sir," said mr. burdette, the first mate, who had just joined them. "the crew has cleared out to a man! mr. portman and i are left, the engineer's left and his assistant,--they belonged to the yacht and don't have much to do with the crew,--but the rest's all gone! deckhands, stewards, and even the cook. the stewardess must have gone too, for i haven't seen her." "what's the meaning of all this," shouted burke, his face getting very red. "when did they go, and why did they go?" "it's the second mate's watch, and he is off with them," said mr. burdette. "i expect he's at the bottom of it. he's a mighty wary fellow. just as like as not he spread the report that we were going on a filibustering expedition to cuba, and the ground for it, in my opinion, is those cases of arms you opened the other day!" "i think that is it, sir," said mr. portman. "you know there's a rising in cuba, and there was lots of talk about filibustering before we left. i expect the people thought that the ladies were going on shore the same as the parsons." burke was confounded. he knew not what to say or what to think, but seeing mrs. cliff appearing at the head of the companion-way, he thought it his first duty to go and report the state of affairs to her, which he did. that lady's astonishment and dismay were very great. "what are we going to do?" she asked. "and what do you mean by the cases of arms?" "i'm afraid that was a piece of folly on my part," said burke. "i didn't know we had arms on board!" "well, what we have don't amount to much," said burke. "but this was the way of it. after i heard the message from captain horn about the pirates, and everything, and as i didn't know exactly what sort of craft we would meet round about jamaica, i thought we would feel a good deal safer, especially on account of you and miss croup, if we had some firearms aboard. so i put in some repeating rifles and ammunition, and i paid for them out of my own pocket! such things always come in useful, and while i was commanding the vessel on which you were sailing, mrs. cliff, i didn't want to feel that i'd left anything undone which ought to be done. of course, there was no reason to suppose that we would ever have to use them, but i knew i would feel better if i had them. but there was one thing i needn't have done, and that was,--i needn't have opened them, which i did the other day in company with mr. burdette, because i hadn't had time before to examine them, and i wanted to see what they were. some of the crew must have noticed the guns, and as they couldn't think why we wanted them, unless we were going on a filibustering expedition, they got that notion into their heads and so cut the ship. it was easy enough to do it, for we were moored to a pier, and the second mate, whose watch they went away in, was most likely at the head of the whole business!" "but what are we going to do?" asked mrs. cliff. "i must get another crew just as soon as i can," said he, "and there isn't a minute to be lost! i was stretching a point when i agreed to stop over a day, but i thought we could afford that and reach kingston as soon as shirley does, but when he gets there with his message to the captain of the _dunkery beacon_, i want to be on hand. there's no knowing what will have to be done, or what will have to be said. i don't want shirley to think that he's got nobody to stand by him!" "indeed," said mrs. cliff, "we ought to lose no time, for captain horn may be there. it is a most dreadful misfortune to lose the crew this way! can't you find them again? can't you make them come back?" "if they don't want to be found," said burke, "it will take a good while to find them. but i'm going on shore this minute, and i wish you would be good enough to tell miss croup and the ministers how matters stand!" the news of the desertion of the crew when told by mrs. cliff to those of the passengers who had come on deck, and speedily communicated by these to their companions, created a great sensation. willy croup was so affected that she began to cry. "is there any danger?" she said; "and hadn't we better go on shore? suppose some other vessel wanted to come up to this wharf, and we had to move away,--there's nobody to move us! and suppose we were to get loose in some way, there's nobody to stop us!" "you are very practical, miss croup," remarked the reverend mr. hodgson, the youngest clergyman on board. "but i am sure you need not have the least fear. we are moored firm and fast, and i have no doubt captain burke will soon arrive with the necessary men to take you to jamaica." willy dried her eyes, and then she said, "there's another practical thing i'm thinking of,--there isn't any breakfast, and the cook's gone! but i believe we can arrange that. i could cook the breakfast myself if i had anybody to help me. i'll go speak to mrs. cliff." mrs. cliff was decidedly of the opinion that they all ought to have breakfast, and that she and willy could at least make coffee, and serve the passengers with bread and butter and preserved meats, but she remarked to mr. hodgson that perhaps the gentlemen would rather go to their hotels and get their breakfast. "no indeed," said mr. hodgson, a stout, sun-browned fellow, who looked more like a hunter than a clergyman. "we have been talking over the matter, and we are not going to desert you until the new men come. and as to breakfast, here are mr. litchfield and myself ready to serve as stewards, assistants, cooks, or in any culinary capacity. we both have camped out and are not green hands. so you must let us help you, and we shall consider it good fun." "it will be funny," said willy, "to see a minister cook! so let's go down to the kitchen. i know where it is, for i've been in it!" "i think, miss croup," said mr. litchfield, a tall young man with black hair and side whiskers, and a good deal of manner, "that you should say galley or caboose, now that we are all nautical together." "well, i can't cook nautical," said willy, "and i don't intend to try! but i guess you can eat the food if it isn't strictly naval." in a few minutes the volunteer cooks were all at work, and willy's familiarity with household affairs, even when exhibited under the present novel conditions, shone out brightly. she found some cold boiled potatoes, and soon set mr. hodgson to work frying them. mrs. cliff took the coffee in hand with all her ante-millionnaire skill, and willy skipped from one thing to another, as happy as most people are whose ability has suddenly forced them to the front. "oh, you ought to see the synod setting the table!" she cried, bursting into the galley. "they're getting things all wrong, but it doesn't matter, and they seem to be enjoying it. now then, mr. litchfield, i think you have cut all the bread that can possibly be eaten!" mr. burdette had gone on shore with the captain, and mr. portman considered it his duty to remain on deck, but the volunteer corps of cooks and stewards did their work with hearty good-will, and the breakfast would have been the most jolly meal that they had yet enjoyed together if it had not been for the uncertainty and uneasiness naturally occasioned by the desertion of the crew. it was after ten o'clock when captain burke and mr. burdette returned. "we're in a bad fix," said the former, approaching mrs. cliff, who, with all the passengers, had been standing together watching them come down the pier. "there was a steamer cleared from here the day before yesterday which was short-handed, and seems to have carried off all the available able seamen in the port. but i believe that is all stuff and nonsense! the real fact seems to be,--and mr. burdette and i've agreed on that point,--that the report has got out that we're filibusters, and nobody wants to ship with us! everything looks like it, you see. here we come from new york with a regular lot of passengers, but we've got arms on board, and we drop the passengers here and let them go home some other way, and we sail on, saying we're bound for jamaica--for cuba is a good deal nearer, you know. but the worst thing is this, and i'm bound to tell it so that you can all know how the case stands and take care of yourselves as you think best. there's reason to believe that if the government of this place has not already had its eye on us, it will have its eye on us before very long, and for my part i'd give a good deal of money to be able to get away before they do; but without a crew we can't do it!" mrs. cliff and burke now retired to consult. "madam," said he, "i'm bound to ask you as owner, what do you think we ought to do? if you take my advice, the first thing to be done is to get rid of the ministers. you can settle with them about their travelling and let them go to their hotels. then perhaps i can rake up a few loafers, landsmen, or anybody who can shovel coal or push on a capstan bar, and by offering them double wages get them to ship with us. once in jamaica, we shall be all right!" "but don't you think it will be dangerous," said mrs. cliff, "to go around offering extra pay in this way?" "that may be," he answered, "but what else is there to do?" at this moment mr. litchfield approached. "madam," said he, "we have been discussing the unfortunate circumstances in which you find yourself placed, and we now ask if you have made any plans in regard to your future action?" "the circumstances are truly unfortunate," replied mrs. cliff; "for we are anxious to get to jamaica as soon as possible on account of very important business, and i don't see how we are to do it. we have made no plans, except that we feel it will be well for you gentlemen to leave us and go to your hotel, where you can stay until the steamer will sail for savannah day after to-morrow. as for ourselves, we don't know what we are going to do. unless, indeed, some sort of a vessel may be starting for jamaica, and in that case we could leave the _summer shelter_ here and go on her." "no," said burke, "i thought of that and inquired. nothing will sail under a week, and in that time everybody we want to see may have left jamaica!" "will you excuse me for a few minutes?" said mr. litchfield, and with that he returned to his companions. "captain," said willy, "won't you come down and have your breakfast? i don't believe you have eaten a thing, and you look as if you needed it!" captain burke really did look as if he needed a good many things,--among others, a comb and a brush. his gold-trimmed cap was pushed on the back of his head; his white coat was unbuttoned, and the collar turned in; and his countenance was troubled by the belief that his want of prudence had brought mrs. cliff and her property into a very serious predicament. "thank you," said he, "but i can't eat. breakfast is the last thing i can think of just now!" now approached mr. litchfield, followed by all his clerical brethren. "madam," said he, "we have had a final consultation and have come to make a proposition to you and the captain. we do not feel that we would be the kind of men we would like to think we are, if, after all your kindness and great consideration, we should step on shore and continue the very delightful programme you have laid out for us, while you are left in doubt, perplexity, and perhaps danger, on your yacht. there are five of us who feel that they cannot join in the offer which i am about to make to you and the captain, but the rest of us wish most earnestly and heartily to offer you our services--if you think they are worth anything--to work this vessel to jamaica. it is but a trip of a few days i am told, and i have no doubt that we can return to new york from kingston almost as conveniently as we can from here. we can all write home and arrange for any contingencies which may arise on account of the delay in our return. in fact, it will not be difficult for most of us to consider this excursion as a part, or even the whole, of our annual vacation. those of us who can go with you are all able-bodied fellows, and if you say so, captain, we will turn in and go to work this moment. we have not any nautical experience, but we all have powers of observation, and so far as i am able to judge, i believe i can do most of the things i have seen done on this vessel by your common seamen, if that is what you call them!" mrs. cliff looked at captain burke, and he looked at her. "if it was a sailin'-vessel," he exclaimed, "i'd say she couldn't be worked by parsons, but a steamer's different! by george! madam, let's take them, and get away while we can!" chapter xxiv changes on the "summer shelter" when captain burke communicated to mr. portman and mr. burdette the news that nine of their passengers had offered to ship as a crew, the sailing-master and the first mate shook their heads. they did not believe that the vessel could be worked by parsons. "but there isn't anybody else!" exclaimed burke. "we've got to get away, and they're all able-bodied, and they have more sense than most landsmen we can ship. and besides, here are five experienced seamen on board, and i say, let's try the parsons." "all right," said mr. burdette. "if you're willing to risk it, i am." mr. portman also said he was willing, and the engineer and his assistant, who were getting very nervous, agreed to the plan as soon as they heard of it. captain burke shook himself, pulled his cap to the front of his head, arranged his coat properly and buttoned it up, and began to give orders. "now, then," said he, "all passengers going ashore, please step lively!" and while this lively stepping was going on, and during the leave-taking and rapid writing of notes to be sent to the homes of the clerical crew, he ordered mr. burdette to secure a pilot, attend to the clearance business, and make everything ready to cast off and get out of the harbor as soon as possible. when the five reverend gentlemen who had decided not to accompany the _summer shelter_ in her further voyaging had departed for the hotel, portmanteaus in hand, and amply furnished by mrs. cliff with funds for their return to their homes, the volunteer crew, most of them without coats or waistcoats, and all in a high picnic spirit, set to work with enthusiasm, doing more things than they knew how to do, and embarrassing mr. burdette a good deal by their over-willingness to make themselves useful. but this untrained alacrity was soon toned down, and early in the afternoon, the hawsers of the _summer shelter_ were cast off, and she steamed out of the eastern passage of the harbor. there were remarks made in the town after the departure of the yacht; but when the passengers who had been left behind, all clergymen of high repute, had related the facts of the case, and had made it understood that the yacht, whose filibustering purpose had been suspected by its former crew, was now manned by nine members of the synod recently convened in brooklyn, and under the personal direction of mrs. cliff, an elderly and charitable resident of plainton, maine, all distrust was dropped, and was succeeded in some instances by the hope that the yacht might not be wrecked before it reached jamaica. the pilot left the _summer shelter_; three of the clergymen shovelled coal; four of them served as deck hands; and two others ran around as assistant cooks and stewards; mr. portman and mr. burdette lent their hands to things which were not at all in their line of duty; mrs. cliff and willy pared the vegetables, and cooked without ever thinking of stopping to fan themselves; while captain burke flew around like half-a-dozen men, with a good word for everybody, and a hand to help wherever needed. it was truly a jolly voyage from nassau to kingston. the new crew was divided into messes, and mrs. cliff insisted that they should come to the table in the saloon, no matter how they looked or what they had been doing: on her vessel a coal-heaver off duty was as good as a captain,--while the clergymen good-humoredly endeavored to preserve the relative lowliness of their positions, each actuated by a zealous desire to show what a good deck hand or steward he could make when circumstances demanded it. working hard, laughing much, eating most heartily, and sleeping well, the busy and hilarious little party on board the _summer shelter_ steamed into the harbor of kingston, after a much shorter voyage than is generally made from nassau to that port. "if i could get a crew of jolly parsons," cried captain burke, "and could give them a month's training on board this yacht, i'd rather have them than any crew that could be got together from cape horn to the north pole!" "and by the time you had made able seamen of them," said mr. burdette, who was of a conventional turn of mind, "they'd all go back to their pulpits and preach!" "and preach better!" said mr. litchfield, who was standing by. "yes, sir, i believe they would all preach better!" when the anchor was dropped, not quite so promptly as it would have been done if the clerical crew had had any previous practice in this operation, mr. burke was about to give orders to lower a boat,--for he was anxious to get on shore as soon as possible,--when he perceived a large boat rowed by six men and with a man in the stern, rapidly approaching the yacht. if they were port officials, he thought, they were extremely prompt, but he soon saw that the man in the stern, who stood up and waved a handkerchief, was his old friend shirley. "he must have been watching for us," said captain burke to mrs. cliff, "and he put out from one of the wharves as soon as we hove in sight. shirley is a good fellow! you can trust to him to look out for his friends!" in a very short time the six powerful negro oarsmen had shirley's boat alongside, and in a few seconds after that, he stood upon the deck of the _summer shelter_. burke was about to spring forward to greet his old comrade, but he stepped back to give way to mrs. cliff, who seized the hand of shirley and bade him a most hearty welcome, although, had she met him by herself elsewhere, she would not have recognized him in the neat travelling suit which he now wore. shirley was delighted to meet burke and mrs. cliff, he expressed pleasure in making the acquaintance of miss croup, who, standing by mrs. cliff's side, was quickly introduced, and he looked with astonishment at the body of queer-looking men who were gathered on the deck, and who appeared to be the crew of the yacht. but he wasted no time in friendly greetings nor in asking questions, but quickly informed burke that they were all too late, and that the _dunkery beacon_ had sailed two days before. "and weren't you here to board her?" cried burke. "no," said shirley; "our steamer didn't arrive until last night!" burke and mrs. cliff looked at each other in dismay. tears began to come into willy croup's eyes, as they nearly always did when anything unusual suddenly happened, and all the members of the synod, together with mr. portman and mr. burdette, and even the two engineers, who had come up from below, pressed close around shirley, eager to hear what next should be said. everybody on board had been informed during the trip from nassau of the errand of the yacht, for mrs. cliff thought she would be treating those generous and kind-hearted clergymen very badly if she did not let them know the nature of the good work in which they were engaged. and so it had happened that everybody who had sailed from nassau on the yacht had hoped,--more than that, had even expected,--for the _dunkery beacon_ was known to be a very slow steamer,--to find her in the harbor of kingston taking on goods or perhaps coaling, and now all knew that even shirley had been too late. "this is dreadful!" exclaimed mrs. cliff, who was almost on the point of imitating willy in the matter of tears. "and they haven't any idea, of course, of the dangers which await them." "i don't see how they could know," said shirley, "for of course if they had known, they wouldn't have sailed!" "did you hear anything about her?" asked burke. "was she all right when she arrived?" "i have no doubt of that!" was the answer. "i made inquiries last night about the people who would most likely be consignees here, and this morning i went to a house on harbor street,--beaver & hughes. this house, in a way, is the jamaica agent of the owners. i got there before the office was open, but i didn't find out much. she delivered some cargo to them and had sailed on time!" "by george!" cried burke, "captain horn was right! they could hardly get a chance to safely interfere with her until she had sailed from kingston, and now i bet they are waiting for her outside the caribbees!" "that's just what i thought," said shirley; "but of course i didn't say anything to these people, and i soon found out they didn't know much except so far as their own business was concerned. it's pretty certain from what i have heard that she didn't find any letters here that would make her change her course or do anything out of the way,--but i did find something! while i was talking with one of the heads of the house, the mail from new york, which had come over in my steamer too late to be delivered the night before, was brought in, and one of the letters was a cable message from london to new york to be forwarded by mail to jamaica, and it was directed to 'captain hagar, of the _dunkery beacon_, care of beaver & hughes.' as i had been asking about the steamer, beaver or hughes, whichever it was, mentioned the message. i told him on the spot that i thought it was his duty to open it, for i was very sure it was on important business. he considered for a while, saying that perhaps the proper thing was to send it on after captain hagar by mail; but when he had thought about it a little he said perhaps he had better open it, and he did. the words were just these:-- "'on no account leave kingston harbor until further orders.--blackburn.' blackburn is the head owner." "what did you say then," asked mrs. cliff, very earnestly, "and what did he say?" "i didn't say anything about her being a treasure ship," replied shirley. "if it was not known in jamaica that she was carrying that gold, i wasn't going to tell it; for there are as many black-hearted scoundrels here as in any other part of the world! but i told the beaver & hughes people that i also had a message for captain hagar, and that a friend of mine was coming to kingston in a yacht, and that if he arrived soon i hadn't a doubt that we could overhaul the _dunkery beacon_, and give the captain my message and the one from london besides, and that we'd try to do it, for it was very important. but they didn't know me, and they said they would wait until my friend's yacht should arrive, and then they would see about sending the message to captain hagar. now, i've done enough talking, and we must do something!" "what do you think we ought to do?" asked burke. "well, i say," answered shirley, "if you have any passengers to put ashore here, put them ashore, and then let's go after the _dunkery beacon_ and deliver the message. a stern chase is a long chase, but if i'm to judge by the way this yacht caught up to the _antonina_ and passed her, i believe there's a good chance of overhauling the _dunkery beacon_ before the pirates get hold of her. then all she's got to do is to steam back to kingston." "but suppose the pirates come before she gets back," said mrs. cliff. "well, they won't fool with her if she is in company," replied shirley. "now, and what do you say?" he asked, addressing burke, but glancing around at the others. "i don't know how this ship's company is made up, or how long a stop you are thinking of making here, or anything about it! but you're the owner, mrs. cliff, and if you lend burke and me your yacht, i reckon he'll be ready enough to steam after the _dunkery beacon_ and deliver the messages. it's a thing which captain horn has set his heart upon, and it's a thing which ought to be done if it can be done, and this yacht, i believe, is the vessel that can do it!" during this speech mr. burke, generally so eager to speak and to act, had stood silent and troubled. he agreed with shirley that the thing to do was to go after the _dunkery beacon_ at the best speed the yacht could make. he did not believe that mrs. cliff would object to his sailing away with her yacht on this most important errand,--but he remembered that he had no crew. these parsons must be put off at kingston, and although he had had no doubt whatever that he could get a crew in this port, he had expected to have a week, and perhaps more, in which to do it. to collect in an hour or two a crew which he could trust with the knowledge which would most likely come to them in some way or other that the steamer they were chasing carried untold wealth, was hardly to be thought of. "as far as i am concerned," cried mrs. cliff, "my yacht may go after that steamer just as soon as she can be started away!" "and what do you say, burke?" exclaimed shirley. burke did not answer. he was trying to decide whether or not he and shirley, with burdette and portman, and the two engineers could work the yacht. but before he had even a chance to speak, mr. hodgson stepped forward and exclaimed:-- "i'll stick to the yacht until she has accomplished her business! i'd just as soon make my vacation a week longer as not. i can cut it off somewhere else. if you are thinking about your crew, captain, i want to say that so far as i am concerned, i am one volunteer!" "and i am another!" said mr. litchfield. "now that i know how absolutely essential it is that the _dunkery beacon_ should be overtaken, i would not for a moment even consider the surrender of my position upon this vessel, which i assure you, madam, i consider as an honor!" mr. shirley stared in amazement at the speaker. what sort of a seaman was this? his face and hands were dirty, but he had been shovelling coal; but such speech shirley had never heard from mariners' lips. the rest of the crew seemed very odd, and now he noticed for the first time that although many of them were in their shirt sleeves, nearly all wore black trousers. he could not understand it. "mr. litchfield, sir," said a large, heavy man with a nose burned very red, a travelling cap upon his head, and wearing a stiffly starched shirt which had once been white, no collar, and a waistcoat cut very straight in front, now opened, but intended to be buttoned up very high, "i believe mr. litchfield has voiced the sentiments of us all. as he was speaking, i looked from one brother to another, and i think i am right." "you are right!" cried every one of the sturdy fellows who had so recently stepped from synod to yacht. "i knew it!" exultingly exclaimed the speaker. "i felt it in my heart of hearts! madam, and captain, knowing what we do we are not the men to desert you when it is found necessary to continue the voyage for a little!" "and what would happen to us if we did leave the yacht?" said another. "we might simply have to remain at kingston until you returned. oh no, we wouldn't think of it!" "burke," said shirley, in a low tone, "who are these people?" "can't tell you now," said burke, his eyes glistening, "you might tumble overboard backwards if i did! gentlemen," he cried, turning to his crew, "you're a royal lot! and if any of you ever ask me to stand by you, i'll do it while there's breath in my body! and now, madam," said he, his doubt and perplexity gone and his face animated by the necessity of immediate action, "i can't now say anything about your kindness in lending us your yacht, but if you and miss croup want to go ashore, here is a boat alongside." "go ashore!" screamed mrs. cliff. "what are you talking about? if anybody stays on this yacht, i do! i wouldn't think of such a thing as going ashore!" "nor i!" cried willy. "what's got into your head, mr. burke,--do you intend to go without eating?" "ladies," cried burke, "you are truly trumps, and that's all i've got to say! and we'll get out of this harbor just as fast as we can!" "look here," cried shirley, running after burke to the captain's room; "i've got to go ashore again and get that cable message! we must have authority to turn that steamer back if we overhaul her, and i've got to have somebody to go with me. but before we do anything you must take time to tell me who these queer-looking customers are that you've got on board." burke shut the door of his room, and in as few words as possible he explained how some of the members of the recent synod happened to be acting as crew of the yacht. shirley was a quiet and rather a sedate man, but when he heard this tale, he dropped into a chair, leaned back, stretched out his legs, and laughed until his voice failed him. "oh, it's all funny enough," said burke, almost as merry as his friend, "but they're good ones, i can tell you that! you couldn't get together a better set of landsmen, and i tell you what i'll do. if you want anybody to go with you to certify that you are all right, i'll send a couple of parsons!" "just what i want!" cried shirley. burke quickly stepped out on deck, and calling the mate, "mr. burdette," he said, "i want you to detail the reverend charles attlebury and reverend mr. gillingham to go ashore with mr. shirley. tell them to put on their parson's toggery, long coats, high hats, and white cravats, and let each man take with him the address of his church on a card. they are to certify to mr. shirley. tell them to step round lively--we have no time to lose!" soon after the boat with shirley and the clergymen had pulled away from the yacht, two of the clerical crew came to mrs. cliff, and told her that they were very sorry indeed to say, that having consulted the sailing-master, and having been told by him that it was not at all probable that the yacht would be able to return to kingston in a week, they had been forced to the conclusion that they would not be able to offer her their services during the voyage she was about to make. important affairs at home would make it impossible for them to prolong their most delightful vacation, and as they had been informed that the _antonina_ would return to new york in a few days, it would be advisable for them to leave the yacht and take passage to new york in her. they felt, however, that this apparent desertion would be of less importance than it would have been if it had occurred in the port of nassau, because now the crew would have the assistance of mr. shirley, who was certainly worth more than both of them together. when burke heard this, he said to mrs. cliff that he was not sure but what the parsons were quite correct, and although everybody was sorry to lose two members of the party, it could not be helped, and all who had letters to send to new york went to work to scribble them as fast as they could. mrs. cliff also wrote a note to captain horn, informing him of the state of affairs, and of their reasons for not waiting for him, and this the departing clergymen undertook to leave with beaver & hughes, where captain horn would be sure to call. when shirley reached the counting-house of beaver & hughes, he found that it was a great advantage to be backed up by a pair of reverend clergymen, who had come to kingston in a handsome yacht. the message for captain hagar was delivered without hesitation, and the best wishes were expressed that they might be able to overtake the _dunkery beacon_. "her course will be south of tobago island," said mr. beaver, "and then if your yacht is the vessel you say it is, i should say you ought to overtake her before she gets very far down the coast. i don't know that captain hagar will turn back when he gets this message, having gone so far, but, of course, if it is important, i am glad there is a vessel here to take it to him." "what sort of a looking vessel is the _dunkery beacon_?" asked shirley. "she is about two thousand tons," said the other, "has two masts which do not rake much, and her funnel is painted black and white, the stripes running up and down. there are three steamers on the line, and all their funnels are painted that way." "we'll be apt to know her when we see her," said shirley, and with a hurried leave, he and his companions hastened back to the wharves. but on the way a thought struck shirley, and he determined to take time to go to the post-office. there might be something for him, and he had not thought of it before. there he found a telegraphic message addressed to him and sent from vera cruz to new york, and thence forwarded by mail. it was from captain horn, and was as long as an ordinary business note, and informed shirley that the captain expected to be in jamaica not long after this message reached kingston. there was no regular steamer which would reach there in good time, but he had chartered a steamer, the _monterey_, which was then being made ready for sea as rapidly as possible, and would probably clear for kingston in a few days. it urged shirley not to fail to keep the _dunkery beacon_ in port until he arrived. shirley stood speechless for some minutes after he had read this message. this telegram had come with him on the _antonina_ from new york! what a fool he had been not to think sooner of the post-office--but what difference would it have made? what could he have done that he had not done? if the captain sailed in a few days from the time he sent the message, he would be here very soon, for the distance between kingston and vera cruz was less than that from new york. the captain must have counted on shirley reaching jamaica very much sooner than he really did arrive. puzzled, annoyed, and disgusted with himself, shirley explained the message to his companions, and they all hastened back to the yacht. there a brief but very hurried consultation was held, in which nearly everybody joined. the question to be decided was, should they wait for captain horn? a great deal was said in a very short time, and in the midst of the confused opinions, mrs. cliff spoke out, loudly and clearly. "it is my opinion," said she, "that we should not stop. if fitting out a steamer is like fitting out anything else in this world that i know of, it is almost certain to take more time than people expect it to take. if captain horn telegraphed to us this minute, i believe he would tell us to go after that ship with the gold on board, just as fast as we can, and tell them to turn back." this speech was received with favor by all who heard it, and without a word in answer to mrs. cliff, captain burke told mr. burdette that they would clear for a cruise and get away just as soon as they could do it. when the yacht had been made ready to start, the two clergymen descended into the boat, which was waiting alongside, and the _summer shelter_ steamed out of the harbor of kingston, and headed away for tobago island. chapter xxv a note for captain burke notwithstanding the fact that the _summer shelter_ made very good time, that she had coaled at nassau, and was therefore ready for an extended cruise, it was impossible for any of those on board of her to conceal from themselves the very strong improbability of sighting the _dunkery beacon_ after she had got out upon the wide atlantic, and that she would pass the comparatively narrow channel south of tobago island before the yacht reached it, was almost a foregone conclusion. mr. burke assured mrs. cliff and his passengers that although their chase after the steamer might reasonably suggest a needle and a haystack, still, if the _dunkery beacon_ kept down the coast in as straight a line as she could for cape st. roque, and if the _summer shelter_ also kept the same line, and if the yacht steamed a great deal faster than the other vessel, it stood to reason that it could not be very long before the _summer shelter_ overhauled the _dunkery beacon_. but those who consulted with mr. portman were not so well encouraged as those who pinned their faith upon the captain. the sailing-master had very strong doubts about ever sighting the steamer that had sailed away two days before they left kingston. the ocean being so very large, and any steamer being so very small comparatively, if they did not pass her miles out of sight, and if they never caught up to her, he would not be in the least surprised. four days had passed since they left kingston, when burke and shirley stood together upon the deck, scanning the horizon with a glass. "don't you think it begins to look like a wild goose chase?" said the latter. burke thrust his hands into the pockets of his jacket. "yes," said he, "it does look like that! i did believe that we were going to overhaul her before she got outside the caribbees, but she must be a faster vessel than i thought she was." "i don't believe she's fast at all," said shirley. "she's had two days' start, and that's enough to spoil our business, i'm afraid!" "but we'll keep on," said burke. "we're not going to turn back until our coal bunkers tell us we've got to do it!" steamers they saw, sometimes two in an hour,--sailing-vessels were sighted, near by or far away;--schooners, ships, or brigs, and these were steaming and sailing this way and that, but never did they see a steamer with a single funnel painted black and white, with the stripes running up and down. it was very early next morning after the conversation between burke and shirley that the latter saw a long line of smoke just above the horizon which he thought might give him reason for looking out for the steamer of which they were in quest; but when he got his glass, and the masts appeared above the horizon, he saw that this vessel was heading eastward, perhaps a little northeast, and therefore was not likely to be the _dunkery beacon_. but in half an hour his glass showed him that there were stripes on the funnel of this steamer which ran up and down, and in a moment burke was called, and was soon at his side. "i believe that's the _dunkery_!" cried the captain, with the glass to his eye. "but she's on the wrong course! it won't take us long to overhaul her. we'll head the yacht a few points to the east. don't say anything to anybody,--we don't want to disappoint them." "oh, we can overhaul her," said shirley, who now had the glass, "for it isn't a stern chase by any means." in less than half an hour everybody on board the _summer shelter_ knew that the large steamer, which they could plainly see on the rolling waves to the south, must be the _dunkery beacon_, unless, indeed, they should find that this was one of her sister ships coming north. there was great excitement on board the yacht. the breakfast, which was in course of preparation, was almost entirely forgotten by those who had it in charge, and everybody who could possibly leave duty crowded to the rail, peering across the waves to the southward. it was not long before shirley, who had the best eyes on board, declared that he could read with his glass the name _dunkery beacon_ on the port bow. "that's not where we ought to see it," cried burke; "we ought to see it on the stern! but we've got her, boys!"--and then he remembered himself, and added,--"ladies; and now let's give three good cheers!" three rousing cheers were given by all on board with such good-will that they would have been heard on the other steamer had not the wind been pretty strong from the west. the _summer shelter_ gained upon the larger vessel, and burke now ran up signals for her to lay to, as he wished to speak with her. to these signals, however, the _dunkery_ paid no immediate attention, keeping steadily on, although altering her course towards the south-east. "what does that mean, mr. shirley?" asked mrs. cliff. "mr. burke wants her to stop, doesn't he?" "yes," said shirley, "that is what the signal is for." "but she doesn't stop!" said mrs. cliff. "do you think there is any chance of her not stopping at all?" "can't say, madam," he answered. "but she's got good reason for keeping on her way; a vessel with all that treasure on board could hardly be expected to lay to because a strange vessel that she knows nothing about asked her to shut off steam." "that seems to me very reasonable, indeed," said mr. litchfield, who was standing by. "but it would be very bad fortune, if, after all the trouble and anxiety you have had in overtaking this vessel, she should decline to stop and hear the news we have to tell." there was a strong breeze and a good deal of sea, but burke determined to get near enough to hail the _dunkery beacon_ and speak to her. so he got round on her weather quarter, and easily overtaking her, he brought the _summer shelter_ as near to the other vessel as he considered it safe to do. then he hailed her, "_dunkery beacon_, ahoy! is that captain hagar?" the wind was too strong for the captain of the other vessel to answer through his trumpet, but he signalled assent. then burke informed him that he wished him to lay to in order that he might send a boat on board; that he had very important orders to captain hagar from his owners, and that he had followed him from jamaica in order to deliver them. for some time there was no answer whatever to these loudly bellowed remarks, and the two vessels kept on side by side. "anyway," said burke to mr. burdette, "she can see that we're a lot faster than she is, and that she can't get away from us!" "it may be that she's afraid of us," said the mate, "and thinks we're one of the pirates." "that can't be," said burke, "for she doesn't know anything about the pirates! i'll hail her again, and tell her what we are, and what our business is. i think it won't be long before she lays to just to see what we want." sure enough, in less than fifteen minutes the _dunkery beacon_ signalled that she would lay to, and before long the two vessels, their engines stopped and their heads to the wind, lay rising and falling on the waves, and near enough to speak to each other. "now, then, what do you want?" shouted the captain of the _dunkery_. "i want to send a boat aboard with an important message from blackburn!" after a few minutes the answer came, "send a boat!" orders were given to lower one of the yacht's boats, and it was agreed that shirley ought to be the man to go over to the _dunkery beacon_. "who do you want to go with you?" asked burke. "nobody but the boat's crew," he answered. "i can explain things better by myself. captain hagar seems to be an obstinate fellow, and it won't be easy to turn him back on his course. but if i want anybody to stand by me and back me up in what i say, you might let some of the clergymen come over. he might believe them, and wouldn't me. but i'll talk to him first by myself." every member of the synod declared that he was perfectly willing to go to the other vessel if he should be needed, and mrs. cliff assured burke that if she could be of any good in making the captain of the _dunkery beacon_ understand that he ought to turn back, she would be perfectly willing to be rowed over to his vessel. "i don't think it will be necessary to put a lady into a boat on such a sea as this," said burke. "but when he hears what shirley has to tell him, that captain will most likely be glad enough to turn back." captain burke was afraid to trust any of his clerical crew to row a ship's boat on such a heavy sea, and although he would be perfectly willing to go himself as one of the oarsmen, he would not leave the yacht so long as mrs. cliff was on board; but mr. burdette, the sailing-master, and the assistant engineer volunteered as crew of the boat, while shirley himself pulled an oar. when the boat reached the _dunkery beacon_, shirley was soon on board, while the three men in the boat, holding to a line which had been thrown them, kept their little craft from bumping against the side of the big steamer by pushing her off with their oars. on board the _summer shelter_ everybody stood and gazed over the rail, staring at the other steamer as if they could hear with their eyes what was being said on board of her. after waiting about twenty minutes, a note was passed down to the men in the boat, who pushed off and rowed back with it to the _summer shelter_. the note, which captain burke opened and read as soon as he could lay hold of it, ran as follows: "to captain burke of the 'summer shelter': "it's my opinion that you're trying to play a beastly trick on me! it isn't like my owners to send a message to me off the coast of south america. if they wanted to send me a message, it would have been waiting for me at kingston. i don't know what sort of a trick you are trying to play on me, but you can't do it. i know my duties, and i'm going to keep on to my port. and what's more, i'm not going to send back the man you sent aboard of me. i'll take him with me to rio janeiro, and hand him over to the authorities. they'll know what to do with him, but i don't intend to send him back to report to you whatever he was sent aboard my vessel to find out. "i don't know how you came to think i had treasure on board, but it's none of your business anyway. you must think i'm a fool to turn back to kingston because you tell me to. anybody can write a telegram. so i'm going to get under way, and you can steam back to kingston, or wherever you came from. "captain hagar." captain burke had hardly finished reading this extraordinary letter when he heard a cry from the boat lying by the side of the yacht in which the three men were waiting, expecting to go back to the other vessel with an answer. "hello!" cried mr. burdette. "she's getting under way! that steamer's off!" and at this a shout arose from everybody on board the _summer shelter_. the propeller of the _dunkery beacon_ was stirring the water at her stern, and she was moving away, her bow turned southward. burke leaned over the rail, shouted to his men to get on board and haul up the boat, and then he gave orders to go ahead full speed. "what does all this mean?" cried mrs. cliff. "what's in that letter, mr. burke? are they running away with mr. shirley?" "that's what it looks like!" he cried. "but here's the letter. you can all read it for yourselves!" and with that he dashed away to take charge of his vessel. all now was wild excitement on board the _summer shelter_, but what was to be done or with what intention they were pursuing the _dunkery beacon_ and rapidly gaining upon her, no one could say, not even captain burke himself. the yacht was keeping on the weather quarter of the other vessel, and when she was near enough, he began again to yell at her through his speaking-trumpet, but no answer or signal came back, and everybody on board the larger vessel seemed to be attending to his duties as if nothing had happened, while mr. shirley was not visible. while the captain was roaring himself red in the face, both mrs. cliff and willy croup were crying, and the face of each clergyman showed great anxiety and trouble. presently mrs. cliff was approached by the reverend mr. arbuckle, the oldest of the members of the late synod who had shipped with her. "this is a most unfortunate and totally unexpected outcome of our expedition," said he. "if mr. shirley is taken to rio janeiro and charges made against him, his case may be very serious. but i cannot see what we are to do! don't you believe it would be well to call a consultation of those on board?" mrs. cliff wiped her eyes, and said they ought to consult. if anything could be done, it should be done immediately. captain burke put the yacht in charge of the mate, and came aft where five of the clergymen, the sailing-master, and mrs. cliff and willy were gathered together. "i'm willing to hold council," said he, "but at this minute i can't give any advice as to what ought to be done. the only thing i can say, is that i don't want to desert shirley. if i could do it, i would board that vessel and take him off, but i don't see my way clear to that just yet. i'm not owner of this yacht, but if mrs. cliff will give the word, i'll follow that steamer to rio janeiro, and if shirley is put on shore and charges made against him, i'll be there to stand by him!" "of course, we will not desert mr. shirley," cried mrs. cliff. "this yacht shall follow that vessel until we can take him on board again. i can't feel it in my heart, gentlemen, to say to you that i'm willing to turn back and take you home if you want to go. it may be very hard to keep you longer, but it will be a great deal harder if we are to let the captain of that ship take poor mr. shirley to rio janeiro and put him into prison, with nobody to say a word for him!" "madam," said mr. arbuckle, "i beg that you will not speak of the question of an immediate return on our account. this is in every way a most unfortunate affair, but we all see what ought to be done, what it is our duty to do, and we will do it! can you give me an idea, mr. portman, of the length of time it would probably require for us to reach rio janeiro?" "i think this yacht could get there in a week," said the sailing-master; "but if we're to keep company with that hulk over there, it will take us ten days. we may have trouble about coal, but if we have good winds like these, we can keep up with the _dunkery beacon_ with half steam and our sails." "mr. litchfield," said mrs. cliff, "the captain is up in the pilot house. i can't climb up there, but won't you go and tell him that i say that we must stand by mr. shirley no matter what happens, nor where we have to go to!" chapter xxvi "we'll stick to shirley!" when night began to fall, the _dunkery beacon_ was still keeping on her course,--a little too much to the eastward, mr. portman thought,--and the _summer shelter_ was still accompanying her almost abreast, and less than half a mile away. during the day it had been seldom that the glasses of the yacht had not been directed upon the deck of the larger vessel. several times mr. shirley had been seen on the main deck, and he had frequently waved his hat. it was encouraging to know that their friend was in good condition, but there were many hearts on board the _summer shelter_ which grew heavier and heavier as the night came on. burke and burdette stood together in the pilot house. "suppose she gets away from us in the night?" said the mate. "i don't intend to let her do it," replied his captain. "even if she douses every glim on board, i'll keep her in sight! it will be starlight, and i'm not afraid, with a vessel as easily managed as this yacht, to lie pretty close to her." "then there's another thing," said burdette. "you're thinking they may get rid of him?" asked burke. "yes," said the other, "i was thinking of that!" the captain did not reply immediately. "that came across my mind too," said he, "but it's all nonsense! in the first place, they haven't got any reason for wanting to get rid of him that way, and besides, they know that if they went into rio janeiro without shirley, we could make it very hot for them!" "but he's a queer one--that captain hagar!" said burdette. "what was he doing on that easterly course? i think he's a scaly customer, that's what i think!" "can't say anything about that," answered burke. "but one thing i know,--i'm going to stick to him like a thrasher to a whale!" very early the next morning mr. hodgson came aft where captain burke was standing with the sailing-master. "sir," said he, "i am a clergyman and a man of peace, but i declare, sir, that i do not think any one, no matter what his profession, should feel himself called upon to submit to the outrageous conduct of the captain of that vessel! is there no way in which we could approach her and make fast to her, and then boldly press our way on board in spite of objection or resistance, and by force, if it should be necessary, bring away mr. shirley, whose misfortune has made us all feel as if he were not only our friend, but our brother. then, sir, i should let that vessel go on to destruction, if she chooses to go." burke shook his head. "you may be sure if i considered it safe to run the two vessels together i would have been on board that craft long ago! but we couldn't do it,--certainly not with mrs. cliff on the yacht!" "no indeed!" added mr. portman. "nobody knows what damage they might do us. for my part, i haven't any faith in that vessel. i believe she's no better than a pirate herself!" "hold on!" exclaimed burke. "don't talk like that! it wouldn't do for the women to get any such notions into their heads!" "but it is in your head, isn't it, sir?" said mr. hodgson. "yes," said burke, "something of the sort. i don't mind saying that to you." "and i will also say to you," replied the young clergyman, "that we talked it over last night, and we all agreed that the actions of the _dunkery beacon_ are very suspicious. it does not seem at all unlikely that the great treasure she carries has been too much of a temptation for the captain, and that she is trying to get away with it." "of course, i don't know anything about that captain," said burke, "or what he is after, but i'm pretty sure that he won't dare to do anything to shirley as long as i keep him in sight. and now i'm going to bear down on him again to hail him!" the _summer shelter_ bore down upon the other steamer, and her captain hailed and hailed for half an hour, but no answer came from the _dunkery beacon_. willy croup was so troubled by what had happened, and even more by what was not happening,--for she could not see any good which might come out of this persistent following of the one vessel by the other,--that her nerves disordered and tangled themselves to such a degree that she was scarcely able to cook. but mrs. cliff kept up a strong heart. she felt that a great deal depended upon her. at any moment an emergency might arise when she would be called upon, as owner of the yacht, to decide what should be done. she hoped very earnestly that if the captain of the _dunkery beacon_ saw that the _summer shelter_ was determined to follow him wherever he went, and whatever he might do, he would at last get tired of being nagged in that way, and consent to give up mr. shirley. about eight o'clock in the morning, all belief in the minds of the men on board the yacht that the _dunkery beacon_ intended to sail to rio janeiro entirely disappeared, for that steamer changed her course to one considerably north of east. a little after that a steamer was seen on the horizon to the north, and she was bearing southward. in the course of half an hour it seemed as if this new steamer was not only likely to run across the course of the _dunkery beacon_, but was trying to do it. "captain," exclaimed mrs. cliff, grasping burke by the arm, "don't you think it looks very much as if that captain hagar was trying to run away with the treasure which has been entrusted to him?" "i didn't intend to say anything to you about that," he replied, "but it looks like it most decidedly!" "if that should be the case," said mrs. cliff, "don't you think mr. shirley's situation is very dangerous?" "nobody knows anything about that, madam," said he, "but until we get him back on this yacht, i'll stick to her!" burke could not make out the new-comer very well, but he knew her to be a mediterranean steamer. she was of moderate size, and making good headway. "i haven't the least bit of a doubt," said he to burdette, "that that's the pirate vessel from genoa!" "i shouldn't wonder if you're right!" said the mate, taking the glass. "i think i can see a lot of heads in her bow, and now i wonder what is going to happen next!" "that nobody knows," said burke, "but if i had shirley on board here, i'd steam away and let them have it out. we have done all we're called upon to do to keep those peruvian fools from losing that cargo of gold!" the strange vessel drew nearer and nearer to the _dunkery beacon_, and the two steamers, much to the amazement of the watchers on the yacht, now lay to and seemed prepared to hail each other. they did hail, and after a short time a boat was lowered from the stranger, and pulled to the _dunkery beacon_. there were but few men in the boat, although there were many heads on the decks from which they had come. "this beats me!" ejaculated burke. "they seem willing enough to lay to for her!" "it looks to me," said mr. burdette, "as if she wanted to be captured!" "i'd like to know," said the captain, "what's the meaning of that queer bit of blotched bunting that's been run up on the _dunkery_?" "can't tell," said the other, "but there's another one like it on the other steamer!" "my friends," said mr. arbuckle, standing in a group of his fellow-clergymen on the main deck, "it is my earnest opinion that those two ships are accomplices in a great crime." "if that be so," said another, "we are here in the position of utterly helpless witnesses. but we should not allow ourselves to look on this business from one point of view only. it may be that the intentions of that recently arrived vessel are perfectly honorable. she may bring later orders from the owners of the _dunkery beacon_, and bring them too with more authority than did mr. shirley, who, after all, was only a volunteer!" the yacht was lying to, and at this moment the lookout announced a sail on the starboard quarter. glancing in that direction, nearly everybody could see that another steamer, her hull well up in view, was coming down from the north. "by george!" cried burke, "most likely that's another of the pirates!" "and if it is," said his mate, "i think we'll have to trust to our heels!" burke answered quietly, "yes, we'll do that when we've got shirley on board, or when it's dead sure we can't get him!" the people from the mediterranean steamer did not remain on board the _dunkery beacon_ more than half an hour, and when they returned to their vessel, she immediately started her engines and began to move away. making a short circuit, she turned and steamed in the direction of the distant vessel approaching from the northward. "there," cried burke, "that steamer off there is another of the pirates, and these scoundrels here are going to meet her. they've got the whole thing cut and dried, and i'll bet my head that the _dunkery beacon_ will cruise around here until they're ready to come down and do what they please with her!" the actions of the treasure ship now seemed to indicate that mr. burke was correct in his surmises. she steamed away slowly towards the south, and then making a wide sweep, she steered northward, directing her course toward the yacht as if she would speak with it. chapter xxvii on board the "dunkery beacon" when edward shirley stepped on board the big steamer which he had so earnestly and anxiously followed from kingston, and was received by her captain, it did not take him long to form the opinion that captain hagar belonged to a disagreeable class of mariners. he was gruff, curt, and wanted to know in the shortest space of time why in the name of his satanic majesty he had been asked to lay to, and what message that yacht had for him. shirley asked for a private interview, and when they were in the captain's room he put the whole matter into as few words as possible, showed the cablegram from blackburn, and also exhibited his message from captain horn. the other scrutinized the papers very carefully, asked many questions, but made few remarks in regard to his own opinion or intentions. when he had heard all that shirley had to tell him, and had listened to some very earnest advice that he should immediately turn back to kingston, or at least run into georgetown, where he might safely lie in harbor until measures had been taken for the safe conveyance of the treasure to peru, the captain of the _dunkery beacon_ arose, and asking shirley to remain where he was until he should go and consult with his first mate, he went out, closing the door of the room behind him. during this absence he did not see the first mate, but he went to a room where there was pen, ink, and paper, and there he wrote a note to captain burke of the _summer shelter_, which note, as soon as he had signed it, he gave to the men in the small boat waiting alongside, telling them that it was from their mate who had come on board, and that he wanted an answer just as soon as possible. mr. burdette, mr. portman, and the assistant engineer having no reason whatever to suspect treachery under circumstances like these, immediately rowed back to the _summer shelter_. and, as we already know, it was not long before the _dunkery beacon_ was steaming away from the yacht. the moment that shirley, who was getting a little tired of waiting, felt the movement of the engines, he sprang to the door, but found it locked. now he began to kick, but in a very few moments the captain appeared. "you needn't make a row," said he. "nobody's going to hurt you. i have sent a note to your skipper, telling him i'm going to keep you on board a little while until i can consider this matter. my duty to my owners wouldn't allow me to be a-layin' to here--but i'll think over the business and do what i consider right. but i've got to keep on my course--i've got no right to lose time whether this is all a piece of foolin' or not." "there's no fooling about it," said shirley, warmly. "if you don't turn back you will be very likely to lose a good deal more than time. you may lose everything on board, and your lives too, for all you know." the captain laughed. "pirates!" said he. "what stuff! there are no pirates in these days!" and then he laughed again. "well, i can't talk any more now," said he, "but i'll keep your business in my mind, and settle it pretty soon. then you can go back and tell your people what i'll do. you had better go on deck and make yourself comfortable. if you'll take my advice, you won't do any talking. the people on this vessel don't know what she carries, and i don't want them to know! so if i see you talking to anybody, i'll consider that you want to make trouble--and i can tell you, if some of these people on board knew what was in them boxes in the hold, there would be the worst kind of trouble. you can bet your head on that! so you can go on and show yourself. your friends won't be worried about you--i've explained it all to them in my note!" when shirley went on deck he was very much pleased to see that the _summer shelter_ was not far away, and was steaming close after the larger vessel. he waved his hat, and then he turned to look about him. there seemed to be a good many men on the steamer, a very large crew, in fact; and after noticing the number of sailors who were at work not far away from him, shirley came to the conclusion that there were more reasons than one why he would not hold conversation with them. from their speech he thought that they must all be foreigners--french, or italians, he could scarcely tell which. it did not seem to him that these belonged to the class of seamen which a careful captain of a british merchantman would wish to ship when carrying a cargo of treasure to a distant land, but then all sorts of crews were picked up in english ports. her captain, in fact, surprised shirley more than did the seamen he had noticed. this captain must, of course, be an englishman, for the house of blackburn brothers would not be likely to trust one of their vessels, and such an important one, to the charge of any one but an englishman. but he had a somewhat foreign look about him. his eyes and hair were very black, and there was a certain peculiarity in his pronunciation that made shirley think at first that he might be a welshman. while shirley was considering these matters, the _summer shelter_ was rapidly gaining on the other steamer and was now alongside and within hailing distance, and burke was on the bridge with a trumpet in his hand. at this moment shirley was accosted by the captain. "i've got something to say to you," said he; "step in my room. perhaps we can give your friend an answer at once." [illustration: when shirley went on deck he was much pleased to see the summer shelter] shirley followed the other, the door was shut, and the captain of the _dunkery beacon_ began to tell how extremely injudicious it would be, in his opinion, to turn back, for if pirates really were following him,--although he did not believe a word of it,--he might run right into their teeth, whereas, by keeping on his course, he would most likely sail away from them, and when he reached rio janeiro, he could make arrangements there for some sort of a convoy, or whatever else was considered necessary. "i'll go and hail my skipper," said shirley, "if you'll let me have a speaking-trumpet." "no," said the other, "i don't want you to do that. i don't mind tellin' you that i don't trust you. i've got very heavy responsibility on me, and i don't know who you are no more than if you was a porpoise come a-bouncin' up out of the sea. i don't want you and your skipper holdin' no conversation with each other until i've got this matter settled to my satisfaction, and then i can put you on board your vessel, and go ahead on my course, or i can turn back, just whichever i make up my mind to do. but until i make up my mind, i don't want no reports made from this vessel to any other, and no matter what you say when you are hailin', how do i know what you mean, and what sort of signals you've agreed on between you?" shirley was obliged to accept the situation, and when burke had ceased to hail, he was allowed to go on deck. then, after waving his hat to the yacht,--which was now at a considerable distance, although within easy range of a glass,--shirley lighted his pipe, and walked up and down the deck. he saw a good many things to interest him; but he spoke to no one, and endeavored to assume the demeanor of one who was much interested in his own affairs, and very little in what was going on about him. but shirley noticed a great many things which made a deep impression upon him. the crew seemed to be composed of men not very well disciplined, but exceedingly talkative, and although shirley did not understand french, he was now pretty sure that all the conversation he heard was in that tongue. then, again, the men did not appear to be very well acquainted with the vessel--they frequently seemed to be looking for things, the position of which they should have known. he could not understand how men who had sailed on a vessel from southampton should show such a spirit of inquiry in regard to the internal arrangements of the steamer. a boatswain, who was giving the orders to a number of men, seemed more as if he were instructing a class in the nautical management of a vessel than in giving the ordinary everyday orders which might be expected on such a voyage as this. once he saw the captain come on deck with a book in his hand, apparently a log-book, and he showed it to one of the mates. these two stood turning over the leaves of the book as if they had never seen it before, and wanted to find something which they supposed to be in it. it was not long after this that shirley said to himself that he could not understand how such a vessel, with such a cargo, could have been sent out from southampton in charge of such a captain and such a crew as this. and then, almost immediately, the idea came to him in a flash that perhaps this was not the crew with which the _dunkery beacon_ had sailed! now he seemed to see the whole state of affairs as if it had been printed on paper. the _dunkery beacon_ had been captured by one of the pirates, probably not long after she got outside the caribbees, and that instead of trying to take the treasure on board their own vessel, the scoundrels had rid the _dunkery_ of her captain and crew, and had taken possession of the steamer and everything in it. this would explain her course when she was first sighted from the yacht. she was not going at all to rio janeiro--she was on her way across the atlantic. now everything that he had seen, and everything that he had heard, confirmed this new belief. of course the pirate captain did not wish to lay to when he was first hailed, and he probably did so at last simply because he found he need not be afraid of the yacht, and that he could not rid himself of her unless he stopped to see what she wanted. of course this fellow would not have him go back to the yacht and make a report. of course this crew did not understand how things were placed and stored on board the vessel, for they themselves had been on board of her but a very short time. the captain spoke english, but he was not an englishman. shirley saw plainer and plainer every second that the _dunkery beacon_ had been captured by pirates; that probably not a man of her former crew was on board, and that he was here a prisoner in the hands of these wretches--cut-throats for all he knew, and yet he did not reproach himself for having run into such a trap. he had done the proper thing, in a proper, orderly, and seamanlike way. he had had the most unexpected bad luck, but he did not in the least see any reason to blame himself. he saw, however, a great deal of reason to fear for himself, especially as the evening drew on. that black-headed villain of a captain did not want him on board, and while he might not care to toss him into the sea in view of a vessel which was fast enough to follow him wherever he might go, there was no reason why he should not do what he pleased, if, under cover of the night, he got away from that vessel. the fact that he was allowed to go where he pleased, and see what he pleased, gave much uneasiness to shirley. it looked to him as if they did not care what he might say, hear, or see, for the reason that it was not intended that he should have an opportunity of making reports of any sort. shirley had his supper to himself, and the captain showed him a bunk. "they can't do much talkin' to you," he said. "i had to sail ahead of time, and couldn't ship many englishmen." "you liar," thought shirley, "you didn't ship any!" shirley was a brave man, but as he lay awake in his bunk that night, cold shivers ran down his back many times. if violence were offered to him, of course he could not make any defence, but he was resolved that if an attack should be made upon him, there was one thing he would try to do. he had carefully noted the location of the companion-ways, and he had taken off only such clothes as would interfere with swimming. if he were attacked, he would make a bolt for the upper deck, and then overboard. if the yacht should be near enough to hear or see him, he might have a chance. if not, he would prefer the ocean to the _dunkery beacon_ and her crew. but the night passed on, and he was not molested. he did not know, down there below decks, that all night the _summer shelter_ kept so close to the _dunkery beacon_ that the people in charge of the latter cursed and swore dreadfully at times when the yacht, looking bigger and blacker by night than she did by day, rose on the waves in their wake, so near that it seemed as if a sudden squall might drive the two vessels together. but there was really no reason for any such fear. burke had vowed he would stick to shirley, and he also stuck to the wheel all night, with burdette or the sailing-master by his side. and there was not an hour when somebody, either a mariner or a clergyman, did not scan the deck of the _dunkery beacon_ with a marine glass. shirley was not allowed to go on deck until quite late the next morning, after burke had given up his desperate attempt to communicate with the _dunkery beacon_; and when he did come up, and had assured himself at a glance that the _summer shelter_ still hung upon the heels of the larger steamer, and had frantically waved his hat, the next thing he saw was the small mediterranean steamer which was rapidly coming down from the north, while the _dunkery beacon_ was steaming northeast. he also noticed that some men near him were running up a queer little flag or signal, colored irregularly red and yellow, and then he saw upon the approaching steamer a bit of bunting which seemed to resemble the one now floating from the _dunkery_. of course, under the circumstances, there was nothing for him to believe but that this approaching vessel was one of the pirate ships, and that she was coming down not to capture the _dunkery beacon_, but to join her. now matters were getting to be worse and worse, and as shirley glanced over at the yacht,--still hovering on the weather quarter of the _dunkery_, ready at any time to swoop down and hail her if there should be occasion,--he trembled for the fate of his friends. to be sure these two pirate vessels--for sure the dunkery beacon now belonged to that class--were nothing but merchantmen. there was no cannon on this steamer, and as the other was now near enough for him to see her decks as she rolled to windward, there was no reason to suppose that she carried guns. if these rascals wished to attack or capture a vessel, they must board her, but before they could do that they must catch her, and he knew well enough that there were few ordinary steamers which could overhaul the _summer shelter_. if it were not for his own most unfortunate position, the yacht could steam away in safety and leave these wretches to their own devices, but he did not believe that his old friend would desert him. more than that, there was no reason to suppose that the people on the _summer shelter_ knew that the _dunkery beacon_ was now manned by pirates, although it was likely that they would suspect the character of the new-comer. but shirley could only stand, and watch, and wait. once he thought that it might be well for him to jump overboard and strike out to the yacht. if he should be seen by his friends--and this he believed would happen--and if he should be picked up, his report would turn back into safer waters this peaceful pleasure vessel, with its two ladies and its seven clergymen. if he should be struck by a ball in the back of the head before he got out of gunshot of the _dunkery's_ crew, then his friends would most likely see him sink, the reason for their remaining in the vicinity of these pirates would be at an end, and they might steam northward as fast as they pleased. the strange vessel came on and on, and soon showed herself to be a steamer of about nine hundred tons, of a model with which shirley was not familiar, and a great many men on board. the _dunkery beacon_ lay to, and it was not long before this stranger had followed her example, and had lowered a boat. when three or four men from this boat had scrambled to the deck of the _dunkery beacon_, they were gladly welcomed by the black-headed fellow who had passed himself off as captain hagar, and a most animated conversation now took place. shirley could not understand anything that was said, and he had sense enough not to appear to be trying to do so; but no one paid any attention to him, nor seemed to care whether he knew what was going on or not. at first the manner of the speakers indicated that they were wildly congratulating each other, but very soon it was evident that the _summer shelter_ was the subject of their discourse. they all looked over at the yacht, some of them even shook their fists at her, and although shirley did not understand their language, he knew very well that curses, loud and savage, were pouring over the bulwarks in the direction of his friends and their yacht. then the subject of the conference changed. the fellows began to gaze northward, a glass was turned in that direction, the exclamations became more violent than before, and when shirley turned, he saw for the first time the other vessel which was coming down from the north. this was now far away, but she was heading south, and it could not be long before she would arrive on the scene. now shirley's heart sank about as far down as it would go. he had no doubt that this very vessel was another of the pirates. if she carried a gun, even if it were not a heavy one, he might as well bid good-bye to the _summer shelter_. the pirates would not allow her to go to any port to tell her tale. the noisy conference now broke up. the boat with its crew returned to the other vessel, which almost immediately started, turned, and steamed away to the north, in the direction of the approaching steamer. this settled the matter. she was off to join her pirate consort. now the _dunkery beacon_ started her engines, and steamed slowly in the direction of the yacht, as if she wished to hail her. shirley's heart rose a little. if there was to be a parley, perhaps the pirates had decided to warn the yacht to stop meddling, and to take herself away, and if, by any happy fortune, it should be decided to send him to his friends, he would implore them, with all his heart and soul, to take the advice without the loss of a second. chapter xxviii the people on the "monterey" the vessel which had last appeared upon the scene and which was now steaming down towards the _dunkery beacon_ and the _summer shelter_, while the small steamer from the mediterranean was making her way northward to meet her, was the _monterey_ of vera cruz, and carried captain philip horn and his wife edna. as soon as captain horn had heard of the danger which threatened the treasure which was on its way from london to the peruvian government,--treasure which had cost him such toil, anxiety, and suffering, and in the final just disposition of which he felt the deepest interest and even responsibility,--although, in fact, the care and charge of which had passed entirely out of his hands,--he determined not only to write to shirley to go to jamaica, but to go there himself without loss of time, believing from what he had heard that he could surely reach kingston before the arrival there of the _dunkery beacon_. but that steamer started before her time, and when he reached vera cruz, he found it impossible to leave immediately for his destination. and when at last he bought a steamer, and arrived at kingston, the _dunkery beacon_ and the yacht _summer shelter_ had both departed. but the captain found the letter from mrs. cliff, and while this explained a great deal, it also puzzled him greatly. his wife and mrs. cliff had corresponded with some regularity, but the latter had never mentioned the fact that she was the owner of a yacht. mrs. cliff had intended to tell edna all about this new piece of property, but when she looked at the matter from an outside point of view, it seemed to her such a ridiculous thing that she should own a yacht that she did not want to write anything about it until her plans were perfected, and she could tell just what she was going to do. but when she suddenly decided to sail for jamaica, her mind was so occupied with the plans of the moment that she had no time to write. therefore it was that captain and mrs. horn wondered greatly what in the name of common sense mrs. cliff was doing with a yacht. but they knew that shirley and burke were on board, and that they had sailed on the track of the _dunkery beacon_, hoping to overtake her and deliver the message which shirley carried. the captain decided that it was his duty to follow these two vessels down the coast of south america. the _monterey_ was a large steamer sailing in ballast, and of moderate speed, and the captain had with him--besides his wife and her maid--the three negro men whom he had brought up from south america and who were now his devoted personal attendants, and a good-sized crew. captain horn had little hope of overhauling the two steamers, for even the yacht, which he had heard was a fast-sailing vessel, had had twenty-four hours' start of him; but he had reason to hope that he might meet one or both of them on their return; for if the yacht should fail to overhaul the _dunkery beacon_, she would certainly turn back to kingston. edna was as enthusiastic and interested in this voyage as her husband. she sympathized in all his anxiety in regard to the safety of the treasure, but even stronger than this was her desire to see once more her dear friend, whom she had come to look upon almost as an elder sister. during each day the captain and his wife were almost constantly on deck, their glasses sweeping the south-eastern horizon, hoping for the sight of two steamers coming back to kingston. they saw vessels coming and going, but they were not the craft they looked for, and after they left the caribbean sea the sail became fewer and fewer. on the second day after they left tobago island they fell in with a small steamer apparently in distress, for she was working her way under sail and against head-winds towards the coast. when the captain spoke this steamer, he received a request to lower a boat and go on board of her. there he found an astonishing state of affairs. the steamer was from a french port, she carried no cargo, and she was commanded and manned by captain hagar and the crew of the english ship _dunkery beacon_. captain hagar's story was not a long one, and he told it as readily to captain horn as he would to any other friendly mariner who might have boarded him. he had left kingston with his vessel as he left it many times before, and the caribbees were not half a day behind him when he was hailed by a steamer,--the one he was now on, which had been following him for some time. he was told that this steamer carried a message from his owners, and without suspecting anything, he lay to, and a boat came to him from the other ship. this boat had in it a good many more men than was necessary, but he suspected no evil until half-a-dozen men were on his deck and half-a-dozen pistols were pointed at the heads of himself and those around him. then two more boats came over, more men boarded him, and without a struggle, or hardly a cross word,--as he expressed it,--the _dunkery beacon_ was in the hands of sea-robbers. captain hagar was a mild-mannered man, an excellent seaman, and of good common sense. he had before found orders waiting for him at jamaica, and had not thought it surprising that orders should now have been sent after him. he had firearms on board and might have defended himself to a certain extent, but he had suspected no evil, and when the pirates had boarded him it was useless to think of arms or defence. the men who had captured the _dunkery beacon_ made very short work of their business. they simply exchanged vessels. they commanded captain hagar and all his men to go over to the french steamer, while they all came on board the _dunkery beacon_, bringing with them whatever they cared for. captain hagar was told that he could work his new vessel to any port in the world which suited him best, and then the _dunkery beacon_ was headed southward and steamed away. when captain hagar's engineers attempted to start the engines of their vessel, they found it impossible to do so. several important pieces of the machinery had been taken out, hoisted on deck, and dropped overboard. whatever port they might make, they must make it under sail. a broken-hearted and dejected man was captain hagar. he had lost a vast treasure which had been entrusted to him, and he had not ceased to wonder why the pirates had not murdered him and all his crew, and thrown them overboard. he hoped that in time he and his men might reach georgetown, or some other port, but it would be slow and disheartening work under the circumstances. captain horn was also greatly cast down by the news he had received. with the least possible amount of trouble, the pirates had carried off, not only the treasure, but the ship which conveyed it, and now in all probability were far away with their booty. he could understand very well why they would not undertake such wholesale crime as the murder of all the people on the _dunkery_, for it is probable that there were men among them who could not be trusted even had the leaders been willing to undertake such useless bloodshed. if captain hagar and his men were set adrift on a steamer without machinery, it would be long before they could reach any port, and even if they should soon speak a vessel and report their misfortune, where was the policeman of the sea who would have authority to sail after the stolen vessel, or, if he had, would know on what course to follow her? captain horn gave up the treasure as lost. the _dunkery beacon_ was probably shaping her course for the coast of africa, and even if he had a swifter vessel and could overhaul her, what could he do? but now he almost forgot his trouble about the treasure, in his deep concern in the fate of mrs. cliff and her yacht. he had made up his mind that his friends on board that little vessel--he had very shadowy ideas as to what sort of a yacht it was--had embarked upon this cruise entirely for his sake. they knew that he took such a deep personal interest in the safety of the _dunkery beacon_; they knew that he had done everything possible to detain that vessel at jamaica, and that now, for his peace of mind, for the gratification of his feelings of honor,--no matter how exaggerated they might consider them,--they were following in a little pleasure craft a steamer which they supposed to be a peaceful merchantman, but which was in fact a pirate ship manned by miscreants without conscience. his plan was soon decided upon. he told captain hagar that he would take him and his men on his own vessel, and that he would carry them with him on his search for the yacht on which his friends had sailed. captain hagar agreed in part to this proposition. he would be glad to go with captain horn, for it was possible he might hear news of his lost vessel, but he did not wish to give up the french steamer. she was worth money, and if she could be got into port, he felt it his duty to get her there. so he left on board a crew sufficient to work her to georgetown, but with the majority of his crew came on board the _monterey_, and captain horn continued on his southern course. when on the following morning captain horn perceived far away to the south a steamer which captain hagar, standing by with a glass to his eye, declared to be none other than his old vessel, the _dunkery beacon_, and when, not long afterwards, he made out a smaller vessel, apparently keeping company with the _dunkery beacon_, with another steamer lying off to the eastward, he was absolutely amazed and confounded. he could not comprehend the state of affairs. what was the _dunkery beacon_ doing down south, when by this time she ought to be far away to the east, if she were running away with the treasure, and what were those two other vessels keeping so close to her? he could not imagine what they could be, unless, indeed, they were her pirate consorts. "if that's the case," thought captain horn, but saying no word to any one, "this is not a part of the sea for my wife to sail upon!" still he knew nothing, and he could decide upon nothing. he could not be sure that one of those vessels was not the yacht which had sailed from kingston with mrs. cliff, and burke, and shirley on board, and so the _monterey_ did not turn back, but steamed on slowly towards the distant steamers. chapter xxix the "vittorio" from genoa when captain horn on the _monterey_ perceived that one of the vessels he had sighted was steaming northward with the apparent intention of meeting him, his anxieties greatly increased. he could think of no righteous reason why that vessel should come to meet him. he had made out that this vessel with the two others had been lying to. why should it not wait for him if it wished to speak with him? the course of this stranger looked like mischief of some sort, and the captain could think of no other probable mischief than that which had been practised upon the _dunkery beacon_. the steamer which he now commanded carried a treasure far more valuable than that which lay in the hold of the _dunkery_, and if she had been a swifter vessel he would have turned and headed away for safety at the top of her speed. but he did not believe she could outsail the steamer which was now approaching, and safety by flight was not to be considered. there was another reason which determined him not to change his course. the observers on the _monterey_ had now decided that the small vessel to the westward of the _dunkery beacon_ was very like a yacht, and the captain thought that if there was to be trouble of any sort, he would like to be as near shirley and burke as possible. why that rapidly approaching steamer should desire to board him as the _dunkery beacon_ had been boarded he could not imagine, unless it was supposed that he carried part of the treasure, but he did not waste any time on conjectures. it was not likely that this steamer carried a cannon, and if she intended to attack the _monterey_, it must be by boarding her; probably by the same stratagem which had been practised before. but captain horn determined that no man upon any mission whatever should put his foot upon the deck of the _monterey_ if he could prevent it. since he had taken on board captain hagar and his men, he had an extraordinarily large crew, and on the number of his men he depended for defence, for it was impossible to arm them as well as the attacking party would probably be armed, if there should be an attacking party. captain horn now went to edna and told her of the approaching danger, and for the second time in his life he gave her a pistol and requested her to use it in any way she thought proper if the need should come. he asked her to stay for the present in the cabin with her maid, promising to come to her again very shortly. then he called all the available men together, and addressed them very briefly. it was not necessary to tell the crew of the _dunkery beacon_ what dangers might befall them if the pirates should come upon them a second time, and the men he had brought with him from vera cruz now knew all about the previous affair, and that it would probably be necessary for them to stand up boldly for their own defence. the captain told his men that the only thing to be done was to keep the fellows on that approaching steamer from boarding the _monterey_ whether they tried to do so by what might look like fair means or by foul means. all the firearms of every kind which could be collected were distributed around among those who it was thought could best use them, while the rest of the men were armed with belaying pins, handspikes, hatchets, axes, or anything with which a blow could be struck, and they were ranged along the bulwarks on each side of the ship from bow to stern. the other steamer was now near enough for her name, _vittorio_, to be read upon her bow. this and her build made the captain quite sure that she was from the mediterranean, and without doubt one of the pirates of whom he had heard. he could see heads all along her rail, and he thought it possible that she might not care to practise any trick upon him, but might intend a bold and undisguised attack. she had made no signal, she carried no colors or flag of any kind, and he thought it not unlikely that when she should be near enough, she would begin operations by a volley of rifle shots from her deck. to provide against this danger he made most of his men crouch down behind the bulwarks, and ordered all the others to be ready to screen themselves. a demand to lie to, and a sharp fusillade might be enough to insure the immediate submission of an ordinary merchantman, but captain horn did not consider the _monterey_ a vessel of this sort. he now ran down to edna, and was met by her at the cabin door. she had had ideas very like his own. "i shouldn't wonder if they would fire upon us," she said, her face very pale; "and i want you to remember that you are most likely the tallest man on board. no matter what happens, you must take care of yourself,--you must never forget that!" "i will take care of you," he said, with his arms about her, "and i will not forget myself. and now keep close, and watch sharply. i don't believe they can ever board us,--we're too many for them!" the instant the captain had gone, edna called maka and cheditafa, the two elderly negroes who were the devoted adherents of herself and her husband. "i want you to watch the captain all the time," she said. "if the people on that ship fire guns, you pull him back if he shows himself. if any one comes near him to harm him, use your hatchets; never let him out of your sight, follow him close, keep all danger from him." the negroes answered in the african tongue. they were too much excited to use english, but she knew what they meant, and trusted them. to mok, the other negro, she gave no orders. even now he could speak but little english, and he was in the party simply because her brother ralph--whose servant mok had been--had earnestly desired her to take care of him until he should want him again, for this coal-black and agile native of africa was not a creature who could be left to take care of himself. the _vittorio_, which was now not more than a quarter of a mile away, and which had slightly changed her course, so that she was apparently intending to pass the _monterey_, and continue northward contented with an observation of the larger vessel, was a very dangerous pirate ship, far more so than the one which had captured the _dunkery beacon_. she was not more dangerous because she was larger or swifter, or carried a more numerous or better-armed crew, but for the reason that she had on board a certain mr. banker who had once belonged to a famous band of desperadoes, called the "rackbirds," well-known along the pacific coast of south america. he had escaped destruction when the rest of his band were drowned in a raging torrent, and he had made himself extremely obnoxious and even dangerous to mrs. horn and to captain horn when they were in paris at a very critical time of their fortunes. this ex-rackbird banker had had but a very cloudy understanding of the state of affairs when he was endeavoring to blackmail mrs. horn, and making stupid charges against her husband. he knew that the three negroes he had met in paris in the service of mrs. horn had once been his own slaves, held not by any right of law, but by brutal force, and he knew that the people with whom they were then travelling must have been in some way connected with his old comrades, the rackbirds. he had made bold attempts to turn this scanty knowledge to his own benefit, but had mournfully failed. in the course of time, however, he had come to know everything. the news of captain horn's great discovery of treasure on the coast of peru had gone forth to the public, and banker's soul had writhed in disappointed rage as he thought that he and his fellows had lived and rioted like fools for months, and months, and months, but a short distance from all these vast hoards of gold. this knowledge almost maddened him as he brooded over it by night and by day. when he had been set free from the french prison to which his knavery had consigned him, banker gave himself up body and soul to the consideration of the treasure which captain horn had brought to france from peru. he considered it from every possible point of view, and when at last he heard of the final disposition which it had been determined to make of the gold, he considered it from the point of his own cupidity and innate rascality. he it was who devised the plan of sending out a swift steamer to overhaul the merchantman which was to carry the gold to peru, and who, after consultation with the many miscreants whom he was obliged to take into his confidence and to depend upon for assistance, decided that it would be well to fit out two ships, so that if one should fail in her errand, the other might succeed. the steamers from genoa and toulon were fitted out and manned under the direction of banker, but with the one which sailed from marseilles he had nothing to do. this expedition was organized by men who had quarrelled with him and his associates, and it was through the dissension of the opposing parties in this intended piracy that the detectives came to know of it. banker had sailed from genoa, but the toulon vessel had got ahead of him. it had sighted the _dunkery beacon_ before she reached kingston; it had cruised in the caribbean sea until she came sailing down towards tobago island; it had followed her out into the atlantic, and when the proper time came it had taken her--hull, engine, gold, and everything which belonged to her, except her captain and her crew, and had steamed away with her. banker did not command the _vittorio_, for he was not a seaman, but he commanded her captain, and through him everybody on board. he directed her course and her policy. he was her leading spirit and her blackest devil. it had been no part of banker's intentions to cruise about the south atlantic and search for a steamer with black and white stripes running up and down her funnel. his plan of action was to be the same as that of the other pirate, and the _vittorio_ therefore steamed for kingston as soon as she could manage to clear from genoa. his calculations were very good ones, but there was a flaw in them, for he did not know that the _dunkery beacon_ sailed three days before her regular time. consequently, the _vittorio_ was the last of the four steamers which reached jamaica on business connected with the incas' treasure. the _vittorio_ did not go into kingston harbor, but banker got himself put on shore and visited the town. there he not only discovered that the _dunkery beacon_ had sailed, that an american yacht had sailed after her, but that a steamer from vera cruz, commanded by captain horn, now well known as the discoverer of the wonderful treasure, had touched here, expecting to find the _dunkery beacon_ in port, and had then, scarcely twelve hours before, cleared for jamaica. the american yacht was a mystery to banker. it might be a pirate from the united states for all he knew, but he was very certain that captain horn had not left kingston for any reason except to accompany and protect the _dunkery beacon_. if a steamer commanded by this man, whom banker now hated more than he hated anybody else in the world, should fall in and keep company with the steamer which was conveying the treasure to peru, it might be a very hard piece of work for him or his partner in command of the vessel from toulon to get possession of that treasure, no matter what means they might employ, but all banker could do was to swear at his arch-enemy and his bad luck, and to get away south with all speed possible. if he could do nothing, he might hear of something. he would never give up until he was positive there was no chance for him. so he took the course that the _dunkery beacon_ must have taken, and sailed down the coast under full head of steam. when at last he discovered the flag of his private consort hoisted over the steamer which carried the golden prize, and had gone on board the _dunkery beacon_ and had heard everything, his satanic delight blazed high and wild. he cared nothing for the yacht which hung upon the heels of the captured steamer,--it would not be difficult to dispose of that vessel,--but his turbulent ecstasies were a little dampened by the discovery of a large steamer bearing down from the north. this he instantly suspected to be the _monterey_, which must have taken a more westerly course than that which he had followed, and which he had therefore passed without sighting. the ex-rackbird did not hesitate a moment as to what ought to be done. that everlastingly condemned meddler, horn, must never be allowed to put his oar into this business. if he were not content with the gold which he had for himself, he should curse the day that he had tried to keep other people from getting the gold that they wanted for themselves. no matter what had to be done, he must never reach the _dunkery beacon_--he must never know what had happened to her. here was a piece of work for the _vittorio_ to attend to without the loss of a minute. when banker gave orders to head for the approaching steamer he immediately began to make ready for an attack upon her, and, as this was to be a battle between merchant ships, neither of them provided with any of the ordinary engines of naval warfare, his plan was of a straightforward, old-fashioned kind. he would run his ship alongside the other; he would make fast, and then his men, each one with a cutlass and a pistol, should swarm over the side of the larger vessel and cut down and fire until the beastly hounds were all dead or on their knees. if he caught sight of captain horn,--and he was sure he would recognize him, for such a fellow would be sure to push himself forward no matter what was going on,--he would take his business into his own hands. he would give no signal, no warning. if they wanted to know what he came for, they would soon find out. before he left genoa he had thought that it was possible that he might make this sort of an attack upon the _dunkery beacon_, and he had therefore provided for it. he had shipped a number of grappling-irons with long chains attached which were run through ring-bolts on his deck. with these and other appliances for making fast to a vessel alongside, banker was sure he could stick to an enemy or a prize as long as he wanted to lie by her. everything was now made ready for the proposed attack, and all along the starboard side of the _vittorio_ mattresses were hung in order to break the force of the shock when the two vessels should come together. every man who could be spared was ordered on deck, and fully armed. the men who were to make fast to the other steamer were posted in their proper places, and the rest of his miscreants were given the very simple orders to get on board the _monterey_ the best way they could and as soon as they could, and to cut down or shoot every man they met without asking questions or saying a word. whether or not it would be necessary to dispose of all the crew which captain horn might have on board, banker had not determined. but of one thing he was certain: he would leave no one on board of her to work her to the nearest port and give news of what had happened. one mistake of that kind was enough to make, and his stupid partner, who had commanded the vessel from toulon, had made it. chapter xxx the battle of the merchant ships when the _vittorio_ showed that in veering away from the _monterey_ she had done so only in order to make a sweep around to the west, and when she had headed south and the mattresses lowered along her starboard side showed plainly to captain horn that she was about to attack him and how she was going to do it, his first thought was to embarrass her by reversing his course and steering this way and that, but he instantly dismissed this idea. the pirate vessel was smaller and faster than his own, and probably much more easily managed, and apart from the danger of a collision fatal to his ship, he would only protract the conflict by trying to elude her. he was so sure that he had men enough to beat down the scoundrels when they tried to board that he thought the quicker the fight began, the better. if only he had shirley and burke with him, he thought; but although they were not here, he had edna to fight for, and that made three men of himself. with most of his men crouching behind his port bulwarks, and others protected by deck houses, smokestack, and any other available devices against gunshots, captain horn awaited the coming of the pirate steamer, which was steaming towards him as if it intended to run him down. as she came near, the _vittorio_ slowed up, and the _monterey_ veered to starboard; but, notwithstanding this precaution and the fact that they sailed side by side for nearly a minute without touching, the two vessels came together with such force that the _monterey_, high out of water, rolled over as if a great wave had struck her. as she rolled back, grappling-irons were thrown over her rail, and cables and lines were made fast to every available place which could be reached by eager hands and active arms. some of the grappling-irons were immediately thrown off by the crew of the monterey, but the chains of others had been so tightened as the vessel rolled back to an even keel that it was impossible to move them. the _monterey's_ rail was considerably higher than that of the _vittorio_, and as none of the crew of the former vessel had shown themselves, no shots had yet been fired, but with the activity of apes the pirates tried to scramble over the side of the larger vessel. now followed a furious hand-to-hand combat. blows rained down on the heads and shoulders of the assailants, some of whom dropped back to the deck of their ship, while others drew their pistols and fired right and left at the heads and arms they saw over the rail of the _monterey_. the pirate leaders were amazed at the resistance they met with. they had not imagined that captain horn had so large a crew, or that it was a crew which would fight. but these pirates had their blood up, and not one of them had any thought of giving up their enterprise on account of this unexpected resistance. dozens of them at a time sprang upon the rail of their own vessel, and, with cutlass or pistol in one hand, endeavored to scramble up the side of the _monterey_; but although the few who succeeded in crossing her bulwarks soon fell beneath the blows and shots of her crew, the attack was vigorously kept up, especially by pistol shots. whenever there was a chance, a pirate hand would be raised above the rail of the _monterey_ and a revolver discharged upon her rail, and every few minutes there would be a rush to one point or another and a desperate fight upon the rail. the engines of both vessels had been stopped, and the screaming and roaring of the escaping steam gave additional horror to this fearful battle. not a word could be heard from any one, no matter how loudly it might be shouted. whatever firearms were possessed by the men on the _monterey_ were used with good effect, but in this respect they were vastly inferior to the enemy. when they had fired their pistols and their guns, some of them had no more ammunition, and others had no opportunity to reload. the men of the _vittorio_ had firearms in abundance and pockets full of cartridges. consequently it was not long before captain horn's men were obliged to rely upon their hatchets, their handspikes, their belaying-pins, and their numbers. banker was in a very furious state of mind. he had expected to board the _monterey_ without opposition, and now he had been fighting long and hard, and not a man of his crew was on board the other vessel. he had soon discovered that there were a great many men on board the _monterey_, but he believed that the real reason for the so far successful resistance was the fact that captain horn commanded them. several times he mounted the upper deck of the _vittorio_, and with a rifle in hand endeavored to get a chance to aim at the tall figure of which he now and then caught sight, and who he saw was directing everything that was going on. but every time he stood out with his rifle a pistol ball whizzed by him, and made him jump back. whoever fired at him was not a good shot, but banker did not wish to expose himself to any kind of a shot. once he got a chance of taking aim at the captain from behind the smokestack, but at that moment the captain stepped back hurriedly out of view, as if somebody had been pulling him by the coat, and a ball rang against the funnel high above his own head. it was plain he was watched, and would not expose himself. but that devil horn must be killed, and he swore between his grinding teeth that he himself would do it. his men, many of them with bloody heads, were still fighting, swearing, climbing, and firing. none of them had been killed except those who had gained the deck of the other vessel, but banker did not believe that they would be able to board the _monterey_ until its captain had been disposed of. if he could put a ball into that fellow, the fight would be over. banker now determined to lead a fresh attack instead of simply ordering one. if he could call to his men from the deck of the _monterey_, they would follow him. the _vittorio_ lay so that her bow was somewhat forward of that of the _monterey_, and as the rails at the bows of the two vessels were some distance apart, there was no fighting forward. the long boom of the fore-mast of the _vittorio_ stretched over her upper deck, and, crouching low, banker cut all the lines which secured it. then with a quick run he seized the long spar near its outer end, and thus swinging it out until it struck the shrouds, he found himself dangling over the forward deck of the _monterey_, upon which he quickly dropped. it so happened that the fight was now raging aft, and for a moment banker stood alone looking about him. he believed his rapid transit through the air had not been noticed. he would not call upon his men to follow as he had intended. without much fear of detection he would slip quietly behind the crew of the _monterey_, and take a shot at captain horn the moment he laid eyes on him. then he could shout out to his men to some purpose. banker moved on a few steps, not too cautiously, for he did not wish to provoke suspicion, when suddenly a hand was placed upon his chest. there was nobody in front of him, but there was the hand, and a very big one it was, and very black. like a flash banker turned, and beheld himself face to face with the man mok, the same chimpanzee-like negro who had been his slave, and with whom in the streets of paris he had once had a terrible struggle, which had resulted in his capture by the police and his imprisonment. here was that same black devil again, his arms about him as if they had been chain-cables on a windlass. banker had two pistols, but he had put them in his pockets when he made his swing upon the boom, and he had not yet drawn them, and now his arms were held so tightly to his sides that he could not get at his weapons. there was no one near. banker was wise enough not to call out or even to swear an oath, and mok had apparently relapsed into the condition of the speechless savage beast. with a wrench which might have torn an ordinary limb from its socket, banker freed his left arm, but a black hand had grasped it before he could reach his pistol. then there was a struggle--quick, hard, silent, and furious, as if two great cobras were writhing together, seeking each other's death. mok was not armed. banker could not use knife or pistol. they stumbled, they went down on their knees, they rose and fell together against the rail. instantly banker, with his left arm and the strength of his whole body, raised the negro to the rail and pushed him outward. the action was so sudden, the effort of the maddened pirate was so great, that mok could not resist it--he went over the side. but his hold upon banker did not relax even in the moment when he felt himself falling, and his weight was so great and the impetus was so tremendous that banker could not hold back, and followed him over the rail. still clutching each other tightly, the two disappeared with a splash into the sea. fears were beginning to steal into the valiant heart of captain horn. the pirates were so well armed, they kept up such a savage fire upon his decks, that although their shots were sent at random, several men had been killed, and others--he knew not how many--wounded, that he feared his crew, ordinary sailors and not accustomed to such savage work as this, might consider the contest too unequal, and so lose heart. if that should be the case, the affair would be finished. but there was still one means of defence on which he thought he might rely to drive off the scoundrels. the _monterey_ had been a cotton ship, and she was provided with hose by which steam could be thrown upon her cargo in case of fire, and captain hagar had undertaken to try to get this into condition to use upon the scoundrels who were endeavoring to board the vessel. by this time two heavy lines of hose had been rigged and attached to the boiler, and the other ends brought out on deck--one forward and the other amidships. [illustration: banker could not hold back] captain hagar was a quiet man, and in no way a fighter, but now he seemed imbued with a reckless courage; and without thinking of the danger of exposing himself to pistol or to rifle, he laid the nozzle of his hose over the rail and directed it down upon the deck below. as soon as the hot steam began to pour upon the astonished pirates there were yells and execrations, and when another scalding jet came in upon them over the forward bulwarks of the _monterey_, the confusion became greater on the pirate ship. it was at this moment, as edna, her face pale and her bright eyes fixed upon the upper deck of the _vittorio_, stood with a revolver in her hand at the window of her cabin, which was on deck, that her swedish maid, trembling so much that she could scarcely stand, approached her and gave her notice that she must quit her service. edna did not hear what she said. "are you there?" she cried. "look out--tell me if you can see captain horn!" the frightened girl, scarcely knowing what she did, rushed from the cabin to look for captain horn, not so much because her mistress wanted information of him as because she thought to throw herself upon his protection. she believed that the captain could do anything for anybody, and she ran madly along the deck on the other side from that on which the battle was raging, and meeting no one, did not stop until she had nearly reached the bow. then she stopped, looked about her, and in a moment was startled by hearing herself called by her name. there was no one near her; she looked up, she looked around. then again she heard her name, "sophee! sophee!" now it seemed to come from the water, and looking over the low rail she beheld a black head on the surface of the sea. its owner was swimming about, endeavoring to find something on which he could lay hold, and he had seen the white cap of the maid above the ship's side. sophia and mok were very good friends, for the latter had always been glad to wait upon her in every way possible, and now she forgot her own danger in her solicitude for the poor black man. "oh, mok! mok!" she cried, "can't you get out of the water? can i help you?" mok shouted out one of his few english words. "rope! rope!" he said. but sophia could see no rope except those which were fast to something, and in her terror she ran aft to call for assistance. there was now not so much noise and din. the steam was not escaping from the boilers of the _monterey_, for it was needed for the hose, and there were no more shots fired from the _vittorio_. the officers of the pirate ship were running here and there looking for banker, that they might ask for orders, while the men were crowding together behind every possible protection, and rushing below to escape the terrible streams of scalding steam. now that they could work in safety, the _monterey's_ men got their handspikes under the grappling-irons, and wrenched them from their holes, and leaning over the side they cut the ropes which held them to the pirate ship. the two vessels now swung apart, and captain horn was on the point of giving orders to start the engines and steam ahead, when the maid, sophia, seized him by the arm. "mrs. horn wants you," she said, "and mok's in the water!" "mok!" exclaimed the captain. "yes, here! here!" cried sophia, and running to the side, she pointed to where mok's black head and waving arms were still circling about on the surface of the sea. when a rope had been cast to mok, and he had been hauled up the side, the captain gave orders to start ahead, and rushed to the cabin where he had left edna; but it was not during that brief interval of thankfulness that he heard how she had recognized the rackbird, banker, on the pirate ship, and how she had fired at him every time he had shown himself. the _monterey_ started southward towards the point where they had last seen the yacht and the _dunkery beacon_, and the pirate ship, veering off to the south-east, steamed slowly away. the people on board of her were looking everywhere for banker, for without him they knew not what they ought to do, but if their leader ever came up from the great depth to which he had sunk with mok's black hands upon his throat, his comrades were not near the spot where, dead or alive, he floated to the surface. chapter xxxi "she backed!" when captain burke observed the _dunkery beacon_ steaming in his direction, and soon afterwards perceived a signal on this steamer to the effect that she wished to speak with the yacht, he began to hope that he was going to get out of his difficulties. the natural surmise was that as one of the pirates had gone to join another just arriving upon the scene, the _dunkery beacon_--the captain and crew of which must have turned traitors--was now coming to propose some arrangement, probably to give up shirley if the yacht would agree to go its way and cease its harassing interference. if this proposition should be made, burke and mrs. cliff, in conference, decided to accept it. they had done all they could, and would return to kingston to report to captain horn what they had done, and what they had discovered. but it was not long before the people on the yacht began to wonder very much at the conduct of the great steamer which was now rapidly approaching them, apparently under full head of steam. the yacht was lying to, her engines motionless, and the _dunkery beacon_ was coming ahead like a furious ram on a course, which, if not quickly changed, would cause her to strike the smaller vessel almost amidships. it became plainer and plainer every second that the dunkery did not intend to change her course, and that her object was to run down the yacht. why the _dunkery beacon_ should wish to ram the _summer shelter_ nobody on board the yacht considered for a moment, but every one, even willy croup, perceived the immediate necessity of getting out of the way. burke sprang to the wheel, and began to roar his orders in every direction. his object was to put the yacht around so that he could get out of the course of the _dunkery beacon_ and pass her in the opposite direction to which she was going, but nobody on board seemed to be sufficiently alive to the threatening situation, or to be alert enough to do what was ordered at the very instant of command; and burke, excited to the highest pitch, began to swear after a fashion entirely unknown to the two ladies and the members of the synod. his cursing and swearing was of such a cyclonic and all-pervading character that some of those on board shuddered almost as much on account of his language as for fear of the terrible crash which was impending. "this is dreadful!" said one of the clergymen, advancing as if he would mount to the pilot house. "stop!" said mr. arbuckle, excitedly placing his hand upon the shoulder of the other. "don't interfere at such a moment. the ship must be managed." in a very short time, although it seemed like long, weary minutes to the people on the yacht, her engines moved, her screw revolved, and she slowly moved around to leeward. if she could have done this half a minute sooner, she would have steamed out of the course of the _dunkery beacon_ so that that vessel must have passed her, but she did not do it soon enough. the large steamer came on at what seemed amazing speed, and would have struck the yacht a little abaft the bow had not burke, seeing that a collision could not be avoided, quickly reversed his helm. almost in the next second the two vessels came together, but it was the stem of the yacht which struck the larger steamer abaft the bow. the shock to the _summer shelter_ was terrific, and having but little headway at the moment of collision she was driven backward by the tremendous momentum of the larger vessel as if she had been a ball struck by a bat. every person on board was thrown down and hurled forward. mrs. cliff extended herself flat upon the deck, her arms outspread, and every clergyman was stretched out at full length or curled up against some obstacle. the engineer had been thrown among his levers and cranks, bruising himself badly about the head and shoulders, while his assistant and mr. hodgson, who were at work below, were jammed among the ashes of the furnace as if they were trying to stop the draught with their bodies. mr. burdette was on the forward deck, and if he had not tripped and fallen, would probably have been shot overboard; and the sailing-master was thrown against the smokestack with such violence that for a few moments he was insensible. burke, who was at the wheel, saw what was coming and tried to brace himself so that he should not be impaled upon one of the handles, but the shock was too much for him and he pitched forward with such force that he came near going over the wheel and out of the window of the pilot house. as soon as captain burke could recover himself he scrambled back to his position behind the wheel. he had been dazed and bruised, but his senses quickly came to him and he comprehended the present condition of affairs. the yacht had not only been forced violently backward, but had been veered around so that it now lay with its broadside towards the bow of the other steamer. in some way, either unwittingly by the engineer or by the violence of the shock, her engine had been stopped and she was without motion, except the slight pitching and rolling occasioned by the collision. the _dunkery beacon_ was not far away, and burke saw to his horror that she was again moving forward. she was coming slowly, but if she reached the yacht in the latter's present position, she would have weight and force enough to turn over the smaller vessel. immediately burke attempted to give the order to back the yacht. the instant performance of this order was the only chance of safety, but he had been thrown against the speaking-tube with such violence that he had jammed it and made it useless. if he pulled a bell the engineer might misunderstand. she must back! she could not pass the other vessel if she went ahead. he leaned out of the door of the pilot house and yelled downward to the engineer to back her; he yelled to somebody to tell the engineer to back her; he shouted until his shouts became screams, but nobody obeyed his orders, no one seemed to hear or to heed. but one person did hear. willy croup had been impelled out of the door of the saloon and had slid forward on her knees and elbows until she was nearly under the pilot house. at the sound of burke's voice, she looked up, she comprehended that orders were being given to which no attention was paid. the wild excitement of the shouting captain filled her with an excitement quite as wild. she heard the name of the engineer, she heard the order, and without taking time to rise to her feet, she made a bound in the direction of the engine room. thrusting her body half through the doorway she yelled to the engineer, who, scarcely conscious of where he was or what he was doing, was pushing himself away from among his bars and rods. "back her!" screamed willy, and without knowing what she said or did, she repeated this order over and over again in a roaring voice which no one would have supposed her capable of, and accompanied by all the oaths which at that moment were being hurled down from the pilot house. the engineer did not look up; he did not consider himself nor the situation. there was but one impression upon his mind made by the electric flash of the order backed by the following crash of oaths. instinctively he seized his lever, reversed the engine, and started the _summer shelter_ backward. slowly, very slowly, she moved. burke held his breath! but the great steamer was coming on slowly. her motion was increasing, but so was that of the yacht, and when, after some moments of almost paralyzing terror, during which willy croup continued to hurl her furious orders into the engine room, not knowing they had been obeyed, the two vessels drew near each other, the _dunkery beacon_ crossed the bow of the _summer shelter_ a very long biscuit-toss ahead. "miss croup," said mr. litchfield, his hand upon her shoulder, "that will do! the yacht is out of immediate danger." willy started up. her wild eyes were raised to the face of the young clergyman, the roar of her own invectives sounded in her ears. tears poured from her eyes. "mercy on me, mr. litchfield," she exclaimed, "what have i been saying?" "never mind now, miss croup," said he. "don't think of what you said. she backed!" chapter xxxii a head on the water with her engines in motion and her wheel in the hands of captain burke, the _summer shelter_ was in no danger of being run into by the _dunkery beacon_, for she was much the more easily managed vessel. as soon as they had recovered a moderate command of their senses, burdette and portman hurried below to find out what damage had been sustained by the yacht; but, although she must have been greatly strained and might be leaking through some open seams, the tough keelson of the well-built vessel, running her length like a stiff backbone, had received and distributed the shock, and although her bowsprit was shivered to pieces and her cut-water splintered, her sides were apparently uninjured. furniture, baggage, coils of rope, and everything movable had been pitched forward and heaped in disordered piles all over the vessel. a great part of the china had been broken. books, papers, and ornaments littered the floors, and even the coal was heaped up in the forward part of the bunkers. burke gave the wheel to burdette and came down, when mrs. cliff immediately rushed to him. she was not hurt, but had been dreadfully shaken in body and mind. "oh, what are we going to do?" she cried. "they are wretched murderers! will they keep on trying to sink us? can't we get away?" "we can get away whenever we please," said burke, his voice husky and cracked. "if it wasn't for shirley, i'd sail out of their sight in half an hour." "but we can't sail away and leave mr. shirley," said she. "we can't go away and leave him!" but little effort was made to get anything into order. bruised heads and shoulders were rubbed a little, and all on board seemed trying to get themselves ready for whatever would happen next. burke, followed by portman, ran to the cases containing the rifles, and taking them out, they distributed them, giving one to every man on board. some of the clergymen objected to receiving them, and expostulated earnestly and even piteously against connecting themselves with any bloodshed. "cannot we leave this scene of contention?" some of them said. "not with shirley on that steamer," said burke, and to this there was no reply. burke had no definite reason for thus arming his crew, but with such an enemy as the _dunkery beacon_ had proved herself to be, lying to a short distance away, two other vessels, probably pirates, in the vicinity, and the strong bond of shirley's detention holding the yacht where she was, he felt that he should be prepared for every possible emergency. but what to do he did not know. it would be of no use to hail the _dunkery_ and demand shirley. he had done that over and over again before that vessel had proved herself an open enemy. he stood with brows contracted, rifle in hand, and his eyes fixed on the big steamer ahead. the two other vessels he did not now consider, for they were still some miles away. willy croup was sitting on the floor of the saloon, sobbing and groaning, and mrs. cliff did not know what in the world was the matter with her. but mr. litchfield knew, and he knew also that it would be of no use to try to comfort her with any ordinary words of consolation. he was certain that she had not understood anything that she had said, not even, perhaps, the order to back the yacht, but the assertion of this would have made but little impression upon her agitated mind. but a thought struck him, and he hurried to burke and told him quickly what had happened. burke listened, and could not even now restrain a smile. "it's just like that dear willy croup," said he; "she's an angel!" "will you be willing," said mr. litchfield, "to come and tell her that your orders could not have been forcibly and quickly enough impressed upon the engineer's mind in any other way?" without answering, burke ran to where willy was still groaning. "miss croup," he exclaimed, "we owe our lives to you! if you hadn't sworn at the engineer, he never would have backed her in time, and we would all have been at the bottom of the sea!" mrs. cliff looked aghast, and willy sprang to her feet. "do you mean that, mr. burke?" she cried. "yes," said he, "in such desperate danger you had to do it. it's like a crack on the back when you're choking. you were the only person able to repeat my orders, and you were bound to do it!" "yes," said mr. litchfield, "and you saved the ship!" willy looked at him a few moments in silence, then wiping her eyes, she said, "well, you know more about managing a ship than i do, and i hope and trust i'll never be called upon to back one again!" burke and most of the other men now gathered on deck, watching the _dunkery beacon_. she was still lying to, blowing off steam, and there seemed to be a good deal of confusion on her deck. suddenly burke saw a black object in the water near her starboard quarter. gazing at it intently, his eyes began to glisten. in a few moments he exclaimed, "look there! it's shirley! he's swimming to the yacht!" now everybody on deck was straining his eyes over the water, and mrs. cliff and willy, who had heard burke's cry, stood with the others. "is it shirley, really?" exclaimed mrs. cliff. "are you sure that's his head in the water?" "yes," replied burke, "there's no mistake about it! he's taking his last chance and has slipped over the rail without nobody knowing it." "and can he swim so far?" gasped willy. "oh, he can do that," answered burke. "i'd steam up closer if i wasn't afraid of attracting attention. if they'd get sight of him they'd fire at him, but he can do it if he's let alone!" not a word was now said. scarcely a breath seemed to come or go. everybody was gazing steadfastly and rigidly at the swimmer, who with steady, powerful strokes was making a straight line over the gently rolling waves towards the yacht. although they did not so express it to themselves, the coming of that swimmer meant everything to the pale, expectant people on the _summer shelter_. if he should reach them, not only would he be saved, but they could steam away to peace and safety. on swam shirley, evenly and steadily, until he had nearly passed half the distance between the two vessels, when suddenly a knot of men were seen looking over the rail of the _dunkery_. then there was a commotion. then a man was seen standing up high, a gun in his hand. willy uttered a stifled scream, and mrs. cliff seized her companion by the arm with such force that her nails nearly entered the flesh, and almost in the same instant there rang out from the yacht the report of eight rifles. every man had fired at the fellow with the gun, even burdette in the pilot house. some of the balls had gone high up into the rigging, and some had rattled against the hull of the steamer, but the man with the gun disappeared in a flash. whether he had been hit or frightened, nobody knew. shirley, startled at this tremendous volley, turned a quick backward glance and then dived, but soon reappeared again, striking out as before for the yacht. "now, then," shouted burke, "keep your eyes on the rail of that steamer! if a man shows his head, fire at it!" if this action had been necessary, very few of the rifles in the hands of the members of the late synod would have been fired, for most of them did not know how to recharge their weapons. but there was no need even for burke to draw a bead on a pirate head, for now not a man could be seen on the _dunkery beacon_. they had evidently been so surprised and astounded by a volley of rifle shots from this pleasure yacht, which they had supposed to be as harmless as a floating log, that every man on deck had crouched behind the bulwarks. now burke gave orders to steam slowly forward, and for everybody to keep covered as much as possible; and when in a few minutes the yacht's engine stopped and shirley swam slowly around her stern, there was a rush to the other side of the deck, a life preserver was dropped to the swimmer, steps were let down, and the next minute shirley was on deck, burke's strong arm fairly lifting him in over the rail. in a few moments the deck of the yacht was the scene of wild and excited welcome and delight. each person on board felt as if a brother had suddenly been snatched from fearful danger and returned to their midst. "i can't tell you anything now," said shirley. "give me a dram, and let me get on some dry clothes! and now all of you go and attend to what you've got to do. don't bother about that steamer--she'll go down in half an hour! she's got a big hole stove in her bow!" with a cry of surprise burke turned and looked out at the _dunkery beacon_. even now she had keeled over to starboard so much that her deck was visible, and her head was already lower than her stern. "she'll sink," he cried, "with all that gold on board!" "yes," said shirley, turning with a weak smile as he made his way to the cabin, accompanied by mr. hodgson, "she'll go down with every bar of it!" there was great commotion now on the _dunkery beacon_. it was plain that the people on board of her had discovered that it was of no use to try to save the vessel, and they were lowering her boats. burke and his companions stood and watched for some minutes. "what shall we do!" exclaimed mr. arbuckle, approaching burke. "can we offer those unfortunate wretches any assistance?" "all we can do," said burke, "is to keep out of their way. i wouldn't trust one of them within pistol shot." now shirley reappeared on deck--he had had his dram, and had changed his clothes. "you're right," said he, "they're a set of pirates--every man of them! if we should take them on board, they'd cut all our throats. they've got boats enough, and the other pirates can pick them up. keep her off, burke; that's what i say!" there was no time now for explanations or for any story to be told, and burke gave orders that the yacht should be kept away from the sinking steamer and her boats. suddenly burdette, from the pilot house, sung out that there was a steamer astern, and the eyes which had been so steadfastly fixed upon the _dunkery beacon_ now turned in that direction. there they saw, less than a mile away, a large steamer coming down from the north. burke's impulse was to give orders to go ahead at full speed, but he hesitated, and raised his glass to his eye. then in a few moments he put down his glass, turned around, and shouted, "that's the _monterey_! the _monterey_! and captain horn!" chapter xxxiii ° ' " n. lat. by ° ' " w. long. the announcement of the approach of captain horn created a sensation upon the _summer shelter_ almost equal to that occasioned by any of the extraordinary incidents which had occurred upon that vessel. burke and shirley were wild with delight at the idea of meeting their old friend and commander. willy croup had never seen captain horn, but she had heard so much about him that she considered him in her mind as a being of the nature of a heathen deity who rained gold upon those of whom he approved, and utterly annihilated the unfortunates who incurred his displeasure. as for mrs. cliff, her delight in the thought of meeting captain horn, great as it was, was overshadowed by her almost frantic desire to clasp once more in her arms her dear friend edna. the clergymen had heard everything that the _summer shelter_ people could tell them about captain horn and his exploits, and each man of them was anxious to look into the face and shake the hand of the brave sailor, whom they had learned to look upon as a hero; and one or two of them thought that it might be proper, under the circumstances, to resume their clerical attire before the interview. but this proposition, when mentioned, was discountenanced. they were here as sailors to work the yacht, and they ought not to be ashamed to look like sailors. the yacht was now put about and got under headway, and slowly moved in the direction of the approaching steamer. when captain horn had finished the fight in which he was engaged with the _vittorio_, and had steamed down in the direction of the two other vessels in the vicinity, it was not long before he discovered that one of them was an american yacht. why it and the _dunkery beacon_ should be lying there together he could not even imagine, but he was quite sure that this must be the vessel owned by mrs. cliff, and commanded by his old shipmate, burke. when at last the _monterey_ and the _summer shelter_ were lying side by side within hailing distance, and captain horn had heard the stentorian voice of burke roaring through his trumpet, he determined that he and edna would go on board the yacht, for there were dead men and wounded men on his own vessel, and the condition of his deck was not such as he would wish to be seen by mrs. cliff and whatever ladies might be with her. when captain horn and his wife, with captain hagar, rowed by four men, reached the side of the _summer shelter_, they were received with greater honor and joy than had ever been accorded to an admiral and his suite. the meeting of the five friends was as full of excited affection as if they were not now standing in the midst of strange circumstances, and, perhaps, many dangers of which none of them understood but a part. captain horn seized the first opportunity which came to him to ask the question, "what's the matter with your yacht? you seem to have had a smash-up forward." "yes," said burke, "there's been a collision. those beastly hounds tried to run us down, but we caught her squarely on her bow." at this moment the conversation was interrupted by a shout from captain hagar, who had taken notice of nobody on the yacht, but stood looking over the water at his old ship. "what's the matter," he cried, "with the _dunkery beacon_? has she sprung a leak? are those the pirates still on board?" captain horn and the others quickly joined him. "sprung a leak!" cried shirley. "she's got a hole in her bow as big as a barrel. i've been on board of her, but i can't tell you about that now. there's no use to think of doing anything. those are bloody pirates that are lowering the boats, and we can't go near them. besides, you can see for yourself that that steamer is settling down by the head as fast as she can." captain horn was now almost as much excited as the unfortunate commander of the _dunkery beacon_. "where's that gold?" he cried. "where is it stowed?" "it is in the forward hold, with a lot of cargo on top of it!" groaned captain hagar. shirley now spoke again. "don't think about the gold!" he said. "i kept my eyes opened and my ears sharpened when i was on board, and although i didn't understand all their lingo, i knew what they were at. when they found there was no use pumping or trying to stop the leak, they tried to get at that gold, but they couldn't do it. the water was coming in right there, and the men would not rig up the tackle to move the cargo. they were all wild when i left." captain horn said no more, but stood with the others, gazing at the _dunkery beacon_. but captain hagar beat his hands upon the rail and declared over and over again that he would rather never have seen the ship again than to see her sink there before his eyes, with all that treasure on board. the yacht lay near enough to the _dunkery beacon_ for captain hagar to see plainly what was going on on his old ship, without the aid of a glass. with eyes glaring madly over the water, he stood leaning upon the rail, his face pale, his whole form shaking as if he had a chill. every one on the deck of the yacht gathered around him, but no one said anything. this was no time for asking questions, or making explanations. the men on the _dunkery beacon_ were hurrying to leave the vessel. one of the starboard boats was already in the water, with too many men in her. the vessel had keeled over so much that there seemed to be difficulty in lowering the boats on the port side. everybody seemed rushing to starboard, and two other boats were swinging out on their davits. every time the bow of the steamer rose and fell upon the swell it seemed to go down a little more and up a little less, and the deck was slanted so much that the men appeared to slide down to the starboard bulwarks. now the first boat pushed off from the sinking ship, and the two others, both crowded, were soon pulling after her. it was not difficult to divine their intentions. the three boats headed immediately for the northeast, where, less than two miles away, the _vittorio_ could be plainly seen. at this moment captain hagar gave a yell; he sprang back from the rail, and his eyes fell upon a rifle which had been laid on a bench by one of the clergymen. he seized it and raised it to his shoulder, but in an instant captain horn took hold of it, pointing it upward. "what are you going to do?" he said. "captain, you don't mean to fire at them?" "of course i mean it!" cried captain hagar. "we've got them in a bunch. we must follow them up and shoot them down like rats!" [illustration: he seized it and raised it to his shoulder] "we'll get up steam and run them down!" shouted burke. "we ought to sink them, one boat after another, the rascally pirates! they tried to sink us!" "no, no," said captain horn, taking the gun from captain hagar, "we can't do that. that's a little too cold-blooded. if they attack us, we'll fight them, but we can't take capital punishment into our own hands." now the excited thoughts of captain hagar took another turn. "lower a boat! lower a boat!" he cried. "let me be pulled to the _dunkery_! everything i own is on that ship, the pirates wouldn't let me take anything away. lower a boat! i can get into my cabin." shirley now stepped to the other side of captain hagar. "it's no use to think of that, captain," he said. "it would be regular suicide to go on board that vessel. those fellows were afraid to stay another minute. she'll go down before you know it. look at her bows now!" captain hagar said no more, and the little company on the deck of the yacht stood pale and silent, gazing out over the water at the _dunkery beacon_. willy croup was crying, and there were tears in the eyes of mrs. cliff and edna. in the heart of the latter was deep, deep pain, for she knew what her husband was feeling at that moment. she knew it had been the high aim of his sensitive and honorable soul that the gold for which he had labored so hard and dared so much should safely reach, in every case, those to whom it had been legally adjudged. if it should fail to reach them, where was the good of all that toil and suffering? he had in a measure taken upon himself the responsibility of the safe delivery of that treasure, and now here he was standing, and there was the treasure sinking before his eyes. as she stood close by him, edna seized her husband's hand and pressed it. he returned the pressure, but no word was said. now the _dunkery beacon_ rolled more heavily than she had done yet, and as she went down in the swell it seemed as if the water might easily flow over her forward bulwarks; and her bow came up with difficulty, as if it were sticking fast in the water. her masts and funnel were slanting far over to starboard, and when, after rising once more, she put her head again into the water, she dipped it in so deep that her rail went under and did not come up again. her stern seemed to rise in the air, and at the same time the sea appeared to lift itself up along her whole length. then with a dip forward of her funnel and masts, she suddenly went down out of sight, and the water churned, and foamed, and eddied about the place where she had been. the gold of the incas was on its way to the bottom of the unsounded sea. captain hagar sat down upon the deck and covered his face with his hands. no one said anything to him,--there was nothing to say. the first to speak was mrs. cliff. "captain horn," said she, her voice so shaken by her emotion that she scarcely spoke above a whisper, "we did everything we could, and this is what has come of it!" "everything!" exclaimed captain horn, suddenly turning towards her. "you have done far more than could be expected by mortals! and now," said he, turning to the little party, "don't let one of us grieve another minute for the sinking of that gold. if anybody has a right to grieve, it's captain hagar here. he's lost his ship, but many a good sailor has lost his ship and lived and died a happy man after it. and as to the cargo you carried, my mate," said he, "you would have done your duty by it just the same if it had been pig lead or gold; and when you have done your duty, there's the end of it!" captain hagar looked up, rose to his feet, and after gazing for a second in the face of captain horn, he took his extended hand. "you're a good one!" said he; "but you're bound to agree that it's tough. there's no getting around that. it's all-fired tough!" "burke," said captain horn, quickly, glancing up at the noon-day sun, "put her out there near the wreckage, and take an observation." it was shortly after this that mr. portman, the sailing-master, came aft and reported the position of the yacht to be eleven degrees, thirty minutes, nineteen seconds north latitude by fifty-six degrees, ten minutes, forty-nine seconds west longitude. "what's the idea," said burke to captain horn, "of steering right to the spot? do you think there'll ever be a chance of getting at it?" captain horn was marking the latitude and longitude in his note-book. "can't say what future ages may do in the way of deep-sea work," said he, "but i'd like to put a dot on my chart that will show where the gold went down." nothing could be more unprofitable for the shaken and disturbed, spirits of the people on the _summer shelter_ than to stand gazing at the few pieces of wood and the half-submerged hencoop which floated above the spot where the _dunkery beacon_ had gone down, or to look out at the three boats which the pirates were vigorously rowing towards the steamer in the distance, and this fact strongly impressed itself upon the practical mind of mrs. cliff. "captain horn," said she, "is there any reason why we should not go away?" "none in the world," said he, "and there's every reason why your vessel and mine should get under headway as soon as possible. where are you bound for now?" "wherever you say, captain," she answered. "this is my ship, and mr. burke is my captain, but we want you to take care of us, and you must tell us where we should go." "we'll talk it over," said he, and calling burke and captain hagar, a consultation was immediately held; and it did not take long to come to a decision when all concerned were of the same mind. it was decided to set sail immediately for kingston, for each vessel had coal enough, with the assistance of her sails, to reach that port. mrs. cliff insisted that edna should not go back to the _monterey_, and captain horn agreed to this plan, for he did not at all wish any womankind on the _monterey_ in her present condition. the yacht had been found to be perfectly seaworthy, and although a little water was coming in, her steam pump kept her easily disposed of it. edna accepted mrs. cliff's invitation, provided her husband would agree to remain on the yacht, and, somewhat to her surprise, he was perfectly willing to do this. the idea had come to him that the best thing for all parties, and especially for the comfort and relief of the mind of captain hagar, was to put him in command of a ship and give him something to think about other than the loss of his vessel. while they were talking over these matters, and making arrangements to send to the _monterey_ for edna's maid and some of her baggage, captain horn sought burke in his room. "i want to know," said he, "what sort of a crew you've got on board this yacht? one of them--a very intelligent-looking man, by the way, with black trousers on--came up to me just now and shook hands with me, and said he was ever so much pleased to make my acquaintance and hoped he would soon have some opportunities of conversation with me. that isn't the kind of seaman i'm accustomed to." burke laughed. "it's the jolliest high-toned, upper-ten crew that ever swabbed a deck or shoveled coal. they're all ministers." "ministers!" ejaculated captain horn, absolutely aghast. then burke told the story of the synod. captain horn sank into a chair, leaned back, and laughed until the tears ran down his cheeks. "i didn't suppose," he said presently, "that anything could make me laugh on a day like this, but the story of those synod gentlemen has done it! but, burke, there's no use of their serving as seamen any longer. let them put on their black clothes and be comfortable and happy. i've got a double crew on board the _monterey_, and can bring over just as many men as are needed to work this yacht. i'll go over myself and detail a crew, and then, when everything is made ready, i'll come on board here myself. and after that i want you to remember that i'm a passenger and haven't anything to do with the sailing of this ship. you're captain and must attend to your own vessel, and i'm going to make it my business to get acquainted with all these clergymen, and that lady i see with mrs. cliff. who is she?" "by george!" exclaimed burke, "she's the leading trump of the world! that's willy croup!" there was no time then to explain why willy was a leading trump, but captain horn afterwards heard the story of how she backed the ship, and he did not wonder at burke's opinion. when the _summer shelter_, accompanied by the _monterey_, had started northward, burke stood by shirley on the bridge. mr. burdette had a complete crew of able seamen under his command; there was a cook in the kitchen, and stewards in the saloons, and there was a carpenter with some men at work at a spare spar which was to be rigged as a bowsprit. "i'm mighty glad to lay her course for home," said burke, "for i've had enough of it as things are; but if things were not exactly as they are, i wouldn't have enough of it." "what do you mean?" said shirley. "i mean this," was the answer. "if this was my yacht, and there was no women on board, and no ministers, i would have put on a full head of steam, and i would have gone after those boats, and i would have run them down, one after another, and drowned every bloody pirate on board of them. it makes my blood boil to think of those scoundrels getting away after trying to run us down, and to shoot you!" "it would have served them right to run them down, you know," said shirley, "but you couldn't do it, and there's no use talking about it. it would have been a cold-blooded piece of business to run down a small boat with a heavy steamer, and i don't believe you would have been willing to do it yourself when you got close on to them! but the captain says if we get to kingston in good time, we may be able to get a cable message to london, and set the authorities at every likely port on the lookout for the _vittorio_." the voyage of the _summer shelter_ to kingston was uneventful, but in many respects a very pleasant one. there had been a great disappointment, there had been a great loss, and, to the spirits of some of the party, there had been a great shock, but every one now seemed determined to forget everything which had been unfortunate, and to remember only that they were all alive, all safe, all together, and all on their way home. the clergymen, relieved of their nautical duties, shone out brightly as good-humored and agreeable companions. their hardships and their dangers had made them so well acquainted with each other, and with everybody else on board, and they had found it so easy to become acquainted with captain and mrs. horn, and they all felt so much relieved from the load of anxiety which had been lifted from them, that they performed well their parts in making up one of the jolliest companies which ever sailed over the south atlantic. at kingston the _summer shelter_ and the _monterey_ were both left,--the former to be completely repaired and brought home by mr. portman, and the other to be coaled and sent back to vera cruz, with her officers and her crew,--and our whole party, including captain hagar, sailed in the next mail steamer for new york. chapter xxxiv plainton, maine it was late in the summer, and mrs. cliff dwelt happy and serene in her native town of plainton, maine. she had been there during the whole warm season, for plainton was a place to which people came to be cool and comfortable in summer-time, and if she left her home at all, it would not be in the months of foliage and flowers. it might well be believed by any one who would look out of one of the tall windows of her drawing-room that mrs. cliff did not need to leave home for the mere sake of rural beauty. on the other side of the street, where once stretched a block of poor little houses and shops, now lay a beautiful park, the grove of the incas. the zeal of mr. burke and the money of mrs. cliff had had a powerful influence upon the minds of the contractors and landscape-gardeners who had this great work in hand, and the park, which really covered a very large space in the village, now appeared from certain points of view to extend for miles, so artfully had been arranged its masses of obstructing foliage, and its open vistas of uninterrupted view. the surface of the ground, which had been a little rolling, had been made more unequal and diversified, and over all the little hills and dells, and upon the wide, smooth stretches there was a covering of bright green turf. it had been a season of genial rains, and there had been a special corps of workmen to attend to the grass of the new park. great trees were scattered here and there, and many people wondered when they saw them, but these trees, oaks and chestnuts, tall hickories and bright cheerful maples, had been growing where they stood since they were little saplings. the people of plainton had always been fond of trees, and they had them in their side yards, and in their back yards, and at the front of their houses; and when, within the limits of the new park, all these yards, and houses, and sheds, and fences had been cleared away, there stood the trees. hundreds of other trees, evergreens and deciduous, many of them of good size, had been brought from the adjacent country on great wheels, which had excited the amazement of the people in the town, and planted in the park. through the middle of the grounds ran a wide and turbulent brook, whirling around its rocks and spreading out into its deep and beautiful pools, and where once stood the widow casey's little house,--which was built on the side of a bank, so that the caseys went into the second story when they entered by the front,--now leaped a beautiful cataract over that very bank, scattering its spray upon the trunks of the two big chestnuts, one of which used to stand by the side of mrs. casey's house, and the other at the front. in the shade of the four great oak trees which had stood in william hamilton's back yard, and which he intended to cut down as soon as he had money enough to build a long cow-stable,--for it was his desire to go into the dairy business,--now spread a wide, transparent pool, half surrounded at its upper end by marble terraces, on the edges of which stood tall statues with their white reflections stretching far down into the depths beneath. here were marble benches, and steps down to the water, and sometimes the bright gleams of sunshine came flittering through the leaves, and sometimes the leaves themselves came fluttering down and floated on the surface of the pool. and when the young people had stood upon the terraces, or had sat together upon the wide marble steps, they could walk away, if they chose, through masses of evergreen shrubbery, whose quiet paths seemed to shut them out from the world. on a little hill which had once led up to parson's barn, but now ended quite abruptly in a little precipice with a broad railing on its edge and a summer-house a little back, one could sit and look out over the stretch of bright green lawns, between two clumps of hemlocks, and over a hedge which concealed the ground beyond, along the whole length of the vista made by becker street, which obligingly descended slightly from the edge of the park so that its houses were concealed by the hemlocks, and then out upon the country beyond, and to the beautiful hills against the sky; and such a one might well imagine, should he be a stranger, that all he saw was in the grove of the incas. upon all the outer edges of this park there were masses of shrubbery, or little lines of hedge, irregularly disposed, with bits of grass opening upon the street, and here and there a line of slender iron railing with a group of statuary back of it, and so the people when they walked that way scarcely knew when they entered the park, or when they left it. the home of mrs. cliff, itself, had seemed to her to be casting off its newness and ripening into the matured home. much of this was due to work which had been done upon the garden and surrounding grounds, but much more was due to the imperceptible influence of the misses thorpedyke. these ladies had not only taken with them to the house so many of the time-honored objects which they had saved from their old home, but they had brought to bear upon everything around them the courtly tastes of the olden time. willy croup had declared, as she stood in the hall gazing up at the staircase, that it often seemed to her, since she came back, as if her grandfather had been in the habit of coming down those stairs. "i never saw him," she said, "and i don't know what sort of stairs he used to come down, but there's something about all this which makes me think of things far back and grand, and i know from what i've heard of him that he would have liked to come down such stairs." mrs. horn and her husband had made a long visit to mrs. cliff, and they had departed early in the summer for a great property they had bought in the west, which included mountains, valleys, a cañon, and such far extending groves of golden fruit that edna already called the captain "the prince of orange." edna's brother, ralph, had also been in plainton. he had come there to see his sister and captain horn, and that splendid old woman, mrs. cliff, but soon after he reached the town it might well be supposed it was mr. burke whom he came to visit. this worthy mariner and builder still lived in plainton. his passion for an inland residence had again grown upon him, and he seemed to have given up all thoughts of the sea. he and ralph had royal times together, and if the boy had not felt that he must go with captain horn and his sister to view the wonders of the far west, he and burke would have concocted some grand expedition intended for some sort of an effect upon the civilization of the world. but although mrs. cliff, for many reasons, had no present desire to leave her home, she did not relinquish the enterprise for which the _summer shelter_ had been designed. when captain hagar had gone to london and had reported to his owners the details of his dire and disastrous misfortune, he had been made the subject of censure and severe criticism; but while no reason could be found why he should be legally punished for what had happened, he was made to understand that there was no ship for him in the gift of the house he had so long served. when mrs. cliff heard of this,--and she heard of it very soon, through captain horn,--she immediately offered captain hagar the command of the _summer shelter_, assuring him that her designs included cruises of charity in the north in summer and in tropical waters in the winter-time, and that of all men she knew of, he was the captain who should command her yacht. he was, indeed, admirably adapted to this service, for he was of a kind and gentle nature, and loved children, and he had such an observing mind that it frequently happened when he had looked over a new set of passengers, and had observed their physical tendencies, that he did not take a trip to sea at all, but cruised up the smooth quiet waters of the hudson. as soon as it could possibly be done, captain horn caused messages to be sent to many ports on the french and spanish coast and along the mediterranean, in order that if the _vittorio_ arrived in any of these harbors, her officers and men might be seized and held; but it was a long time before there was any news of the pirate ship, and then she was heard of at mogador, a port on the western coast of morocco, where she had been sold under very peculiar circumstances and for a very small price by the men who had come there in her, and who had departed north at different times on trading-vessels which were bound for marseilles and gibraltar. more definite information was received of the third of the pirate vessels which had been fitted out to capture the peruvians' treasure, for, as this vessel approached the west indies, she was overhauled by a spanish cruiser, who, finding her manned by a suspicious crew and well supplied with firearms, had seized her as a filibuster, and had taken her into a cuban port, where she still remained, with her crew in prison awaiting trial or a tardy release, in case it became inconvenient to detain them longer. the other pirate vessel, on which captain hagar and his men had been placed when they were forced to leave the _dunkery beacon_, finally reached georgetown, british guiana, where, after a long course of legal action, it was condemned and sold, and as much of the price as was left after costs had been paid, was handed over to the owners of the _dunkery beacon_. among the reasons which made mrs. cliff very glad to remain at plainton was one of paramount importance. she was now engaged in a great work which satisfied all her aspirations and desires to make herself able to worthily and conscientiously cope with her income. when, after the party on the _summer shelter_ had separated at new york, and the ex-members of the synod had gone to their homes, mrs. cliff and her party, which included shirley as well as captain horn and his wife, had reached plainton, their minds were greatly occupied with the subject of the loss of the peruvians' share of the incas' treasures. it was delightful for mrs. cliff and willy to reach again their charming home, and their friends were filled with a pleasure which they could scarcely express to see and enjoy the beauties and the comforts with which mrs. cliff had surrounded herself; but there was still upon them all the shadow of that great misfortune which had happened off the eastern coast of south america. news came to them of what had been said and done in london, and of what had been said and done, not only in peru, but in other states of south america in regard to the loss of the treasure, but nothing was said of done in any quarter which tended to invalidate their right to the share of the gold which had been adjudged to them. the portion of the treasure allotted to the peruvian government had been duly delivered to its agents, and it was the fault of those agents, acting under the feverish orders of their superiors, which had been the reason of its injudicious and hasty transportation and consequent loss. but although the ownership of the treasure which was now in the safe possession of those to whom it had been adjudged was not considered a matter to be questioned or discussed, mrs. cliff was not satisfied with the case as it stood, and her dissatisfaction rapidly spread to the other members of the party. it pained her to think that the native peruvians, those who might be considered the descendants of the incas, would now derive no benefit from the discovery of the treasure of their ancestors, and she announced her intention to devote a portion of her wealth to the interests and advantage of these natives. captain horn was much impressed with this idea, and agreed that if mrs. cliff would take the management of the enterprise into her own hands, he would contribute largely to any plan which she might adopt for the benefit of the peruvians. edna, who now held a large portion of the treasure in her own right, insisted upon being allowed to contribute her share to this object, and burke and shirley declared that they would become partners, according to their means, in the good work. there was, of course, a great deal of talk and discussion in regard to the best way of using the very large amount of money which had been contributed by the various members of the party, but before captain horn and his wife left plainton everything was arranged, and mrs. cliff found herself at the head of an important and well-endowed private mission to the native inhabitants of peru. she did not make immediately a definite plan of action, but her first steps in the direction of her great object showed that she was a woman well qualified to organize and carry on the great work in the cause of civilization and enlightenment which she had undertaken. she engaged the reverend mr. hodgson and the reverend mr. litchfield, both young men whose dispositions led them to prefer earnest work in new and foreign lands to the ordinary labors of a domestic parish, to go to peru to survey the scene of the proposed work, and to report what, in their opinion, ought to be done and how it should be undertaken. mrs. cliff, now in the very maturity of her mental and physical powers, felt that this great work was the most congenial task that she could possibly have undertaken, and her future life now seemed open before her in a series of worthy endeavors in which her conscientious feelings in regard to her responsibilities, and her desire to benefit her fellow-beings should be fully satisfied. as to her fellow-workers and those of her friends who thoroughly comprehended the nature of the case, there was a general belief that those inhabitants of peru who were rightfully entitled to the benefits of the discovered treasure, would, under her management and direction of the funds in her hands, receive far more good and advantage than they could possibly have expected had the treasure gone to the peruvian government. in fact, there were those who said that had the _dunkery beacon_ safely arrived in the port of callao, the whole of the continent of south america might have been disturbed and disrupted by the immense over-balance of wealth thrown into the treasury of one of its states. it is true that mrs. cliff's plans and purposes did not entirely pass without criticism. "it's all very well," said miss nancy shott to mrs. ferguson one morning when the latter had called upon her with a little basket of cake and preserves, "for mrs. cliff to be sending her money to the colored poor of south america, but a person who has lived as she has lived in days gone by ought to remember that there are poor people who are not colored, and who live a great deal nearer than south america." miss shott was at work as she said this, but she could always talk when she was working. she was busy packing the california blankets, which mrs. cliff had given her, in a box for the summer, putting pieces of camphor rolled up in paper between their folds. "if she wanted to find people to give money to, she needn't hire ministers to go out and hunt for them. there are plenty of them here, right under her nose, and if she doesn't see them, it's because she shuts her eyes wilfully, and won't look." "but it seems to me, miss shott," said mrs. ferguson, "that mrs. cliff has done ever so much for the people of plainton. for instance, there are those blankets. what perfectly splendid things they are,--so soft and light, and yet so thick and warm! they're all wool, every thread of them, i have no doubt." "all wool!" said miss shott. "of course they are, and that's the trouble with them. some of these days they'll have to be washed, and then they'll shrink up so short that i suppose i'll have to freeze either my chin or my toes. and as to her giving them to me, 'turn about's fair play.' i once joined in to give her a pair." "oh," said mrs. ferguson. mr. george burke was now the only member of our little party of friends who did not seem entirely satisfied with his condition and prospects. he made no complaints, but he was restless and discontented. he did not want to go to sea, for he vowed he had had enough of it, and he did not seem to find any satisfaction in a life on shore. he paid a visit to his mother, but he did not stay with her very long, for plainton seemed to suit him better. but when he returned to his house in that town, he soon left it to go and spend a few days with shirley. when he came back, mrs. cliff, who believed that his uneasy state of mind was the result of want of occupation and the monotonous life of a small town, advised him to go out west and visit captain horn. there was so much in that grand country to interest him and to occupy him, body and mind; but to this advice mr. burke stoutly objected. "i'm not going out there," he said. "i've seen enough of captain horn and his wife. to tell you the truth, mrs. cliff, that's what's the matter with me." "i don't understand you," said she. "it's simply this," said burke. "since i've seen so much of the captain and his wife, and the happiness they get out of each other, i've found out that the kind of happiness they've got is exactly the kind of happiness i want, and there isn't anything else--money, or land, or orange groves, or steamships--that can take the place of it." "in other words," said mrs. cliff, with a smile, "you want to get married." "you've hit it exactly," said he. "i want a wife. of course i don't expect to get exactly such a wife as captain horn has--they're about as scarce as buried treasure, i take it--but i want one who will suit me and who is suited to me. that's what i want, and i shall never be happy until i get her." "i should think it would be easy enough for you to get a wife, mr. burke," said mrs. cliff. "you are in the prime of life, you have plenty of money, and i don't believe it would be at all hard to find a good woman who would be glad to have you." "that's what my mother said," said he. "when i was there she bored me from morning until night by telling me i ought to get married, and mentioning girls on cape cod who would be glad to have me. but there isn't any girl on cape cod that i want. to get rid of them, i came away sooner than i intended." "well then," said mrs. cliff, "perhaps there is some one in particular that you would like to have." "that's it exactly," said burke, "there is some one in particular." "and do you mind telling me who it is?" she asked. "since you ask me, i don't mind a bit," said he. "it's miss croup." mrs. cliff started back astonished. "willy croup!" she exclaimed. "you amaze me! i don't think she would suit you." "i'd like to know why not?" he asked quickly. "in the first place," said she, "it's a long time since willy was a girl." "that's the kind i want," he answered. "i don't want to adopt a daughter. i want to marry a grown woman." "well," said mrs. cliff, "willy is certainly grown. but then, it doesn't seem to me that she would be adapted to a married life. i am sure she has made up her mind to live single, and she hasn't been accustomed to manage a house and conduct domestic affairs. she has always had some one to depend upon." "that's what i like," said he. "let her depend on me. and as to management, you needn't say anything to me about that, mrs. cliff. i saw her bouncing to the galley of the _summer shelter_, and if she manages other things as well as she managed the cooking business there, she'll suit me." "it seems so strange to me, mr. burke," said mrs. cliff, after a few moments' silence. "i never imagined that you would care for willy croup." mr. burke drew himself forward to the edge of the chair on which he was sitting, he put one hand on each of his outspread knees, and he leaned forward, with a very earnest and animated expression on his countenance. "now, look here, mrs. cliff," he said, "i want to say something to you. when i see a young woman, brought up in the very bosom of the sunday school, and on the quarter deck of respectability, and who never, perhaps, had a cross word said to her in all her life, or said one to anybody, judging from her appearance, and whose mind is more like a clean pocket-handkerchief in regard to hard words and rough language than anything i can think of;--when i see that young woman with a snow-white disposition that would naturally lead her to hymns whenever she wanted to raise her voice above common conversation,--when i see that young woman, i say, in a moment of life or death to her and every one about her, dash to the door of that engine room, and shout my orders down to that muddled engineer,--knowing i couldn't leave the wheel to give them myself,--ramming them into him as if with the point of a handspike, yelling out everything that i said, word for word, without picking or choosing, trusting in me that i knew what ought to be said in such a moment, and saying it after me, word for word, cursing, swearing, slamming down oaths on him just as i did, trusting in me all the time as to what words ought to be used, and just warming up that blasted engineer until sense enough came to him to make him put out his hand and back her,--then, mrs. cliff, i know that a woman who stands by me at a time like that will stand by me at any time, and that's the woman i want to stand by. and now, what have you got to say?" "all i have to say," answered mrs. cliff, who had been listening intently to mr. burke's extraordinary flow of words, "all i have to say is, if that's the way you think about her, you ought to speak to her." "madam," said burke, springing to his feet, "that suits me. i would have spoken to her before, but i had my doubts about what you'd think of it. but now that i see you're willing to sign the papers, what i want to know is, where will i be likely to find miss croup?" mrs. cliff laughed. "you are very prompt," said she, "and i think you will find willy in the little parlor. she was sewing there when i saw her last." in less than a minute mr. burke stood before willy croup in the little parlor. "miss croup," said he, "i want to ask you something." [illustration: willy sat and looked at him] "what is it?" said willy, letting her work drop in her lap. "miss croup," said he, "i heard you swear once, and i never heard anybody swear better, and with more conscience. you did that swearing for me, and now i want to ask you if you will be willing to swear for me again?" "no," said willy, her cheeks flushing as she spoke, "no, i won't! it was all very well for you to tell me that i didn't do anything wrong when i talked in that dreadful way to mr. maxwell, and for you to get the ministers to tell me that as i didn't understand what i was saying, of course there was no sin in it; but although i don't feel as badly about it as i did, i sometimes wake up in the night and fairly shiver when i think of the words i used that day. and i've made up my mind, no matter whether ships are to be sunk or what is to happen, i will never do that thing again, and i don't want you ever to expect it of me." "but, william croup," exclaimed mr. burke, forgetting in his excitement that the full form of her christian name was not likely to be masculine, "that isn't the way i want you to swear this time. what i want you to do is, to stand up alongside of me in front of a minister and swear you'll take me for your loving husband to love, honor, and protect, and all the rest of it, till death do us part. now, what do you say to that?" willy sat and looked at him. the flush went out of her cheeks, and then came again, but it was a different kind of a flush this time, and the brightness went out of her eyes, and another light, a softer and a different light, came into them. "oh! is that what you want?" she said, presently. "i wouldn't mind that." the end * * * * * novels and short stories by frank r. stockton charles scribner's sons, publishers, new york "of mr. stockton's stories what is there to say, but that they are an unmixed blessing and delight? he is surely one of the most inventive of talents, discovering not only a new kind in humor and fancy, but accumulating an inexhaustible wealth of details in each fresh achievement, the least of which would be riches from another hand."--w. d. howells, in _harper's magazine_. _just issued_ the adventures of captain horn mo, $ . a novel unlike any that has hitherto appeared from this popular writer's pen. it is a romance of the most adventurous kind, whose events, born of mr. stockton's imagination, are wholly extraordinary, and yet, through the author's ingenuity, appear altogether real. that captain horn's adventures are varied may be inferred from the fact that they extend from patagonia to maine and from san francisco to paris, and include the most remarkable episodes and marvelous experiences--all of which are woven together by the pleasing thread of a love-story, and brightened by the gleam of mr. stockton's fanciful humor. concerning mr. stockton's stories. "mr. stockton, more, perhaps, than any recent writer, has helped to define the peculiar virtues of the short story. he has shown how possible it is to use surprise as an effective element, and to make the turn of a story rather than the crisis of a plot account for everything. it may be said in general that mr. stockton does not rely often upon a sudden reversal at the end of a story to capture the reader, but gives him a whimsey or caprice to enjoy; while he works out the details in a succession of amusing turns."--_the atlantic monthly._ _new uniform edition of the following volumes:_ the watchmaker's wife and other stories. mo, $ . . "his stories are characterized by the oddity and drollery which distinguish mr. stockton's from that of the ordinary humorists."--_charleston news and courier._ the late mrs. null mo, $ . . "we can assure prospective readers that their only regret after finishing the book will be that never again can they hope for the pleasure of reading it for the first time."--_the critic._ rudder grange mo, paper, cents; cloth, $ . . "humor like this is perennial."--_washington post._ the rudder grangers abroad and other stories. mo, paper, cents; cloth, $ . . "it will be eagerly sought by all old friends of pomona and jonas and the other characters who have so delighted the numberless readers of 'rudder grange.'"--_the outlook._ the lady, or the tiger? and other stories. mo, paper, cents; cloth, $ . . "his unique stories always hit the mark. but 'the lady, or the tiger?' was a shaft condensed from the entire stocktonese."--_century magazine._ the christmas wreck and other stories. mo, paper, cents; cloth, $ . . "with the charm of a most delicate humor, his stories become irresistibly attractive."--_philadelphia times._ the beeman of orn and other fanciful tales. mo, $ . . 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"a very pretty story, tender, and full of gentle humor."--_philadelphia press._ [asterism] the set, nine volumes, mo, $ . . mr. stockton's books for the young "his books for boys and girls are classics."--_newark advertiser._ the clocks of rondaine, and other stories. with illustrations by blashfield, rogers, beard, and others. square vo, $ . . personally conducted. illustrated by pennell, parsons, and others. square vo, $ . . the story of viteau. illustrated by r. b. birch. mo, $ . . a jolly fellowship. with illustrations. mo, $ . . the floating prince and other fairy tales. illustrated. square vo, $ . . the ting-a-ling tales. illustrated. mo, $ . . roundabout rambles in lands of fact and fiction. illustrated. square vo, $ . . tales out of school. with nearly illustrations. square vo, $ . . _novels and short stories by frank r. stockton_ _in uniform style. illustrated by a. b. frost_ pomona's travels [illustration: jone and pomona.] a series of letters to the mistress of rudder grange from her former handmaiden. fully illustrated by a. b. frost. mo, $ . . "it forms one of the most delightful books mr. stockton has ever written. it is capital reading, and will more firmly establish mr. stockton in his place with bret harte among contemporary american writers. mr. frost's pictures are all admirable."--_new york times._ "it will be remembered that pomona married a certain jonas, a young man of eccentric ways and dry humor. they make a journey abroad, and their experiences are as enjoyable as those of the days at rudder grange. the book is capitally illustrated."--_boston transcript._ rudder grange with over illustrations by a. b. frost. mo, gilt top, $ . . "it is possible that there are readers and buyers of books who have yet to make the acquaintance of 'rudder grange.' if so, it is hard to tell whether they are objects of pity or envy--pity for having lost so much enjoyment, or envy for the pleasure that is still in store for them."--_philadelphia times._ "mr. frost's suggestive illustrations add greatly to the attractiveness of mr. stockton's famous story. he has caught the spirit of the book, and sketched its leading characters and scenes with rare humor."--_london literary world._ [asterism] _the above two books, handsomely bound in uniform style, with special cover designs by a. b. frost, gilt top, mo, in a box, $ . ._ [illustration: rudder grange.] charles scribner's sons - fifth avenue, new york none none version by al haines. the after house by mary roberts rinehart contents i i plan a voyage ii the painted ship iii i unclench my hands iv i receive a warning v a terrible night vi in the after house vii we find the axe viii the stewardess's story ix prisoners x "that's mutiny" xi the dead line xii the first mate talks xiii the white light xiv from the crow's nest xv a knocking in the hold xvi jones stumbles over something xvii the axe is gone xviii a bad combination xix i take the stand xx oleson's story xxi "a bad woman" xxii turner's story xxiii free again xxiv the thing xxv the sea again chapter i i plan a voyage by the bequest of an elder brother, i was left enough money to see me through a small college in ohio, and to secure me four years in a medical school in the east. why i chose medicine i hardly know. possibly the career of a surgeon attracted the adventurous element in me. perhaps, coming of a family of doctors, i merely followed the line of least resistance. it may be, indirectly but inevitably, that i might be on the yacht ella on that terrible night of august , more than a year ago. i got through somehow. i played quarterback on the football team, and made some money coaching. in summer i did whatever came to hand, from chartering a sail-boat at a summer resort and taking passengers, at so much a head, to checking up cucumbers in indiana for a western pickle house. i was practically alone. commencement left me with a diploma, a new dress-suit, an out-of-date medical library, a box of surgical instruments of the same date as the books, and an incipient case of typhoid fever. i was twenty-four, six feet tall, and forty inches around the chest. also, i had lived clean, and worked and played hard. i got over the fever finally, pretty much all bone and appetite; but--alive. thanks to the college, my hospital care had cost nothing. it was a good thing: i had just seven dollars in the world. the yacht ella lay in the river not far from my hospital windows. she was not a yacht when i first saw her, nor at any time, technically, unless i use the word in the broad sense of a pleasure-boat. she was a two-master, and, when i saw her first, as dirty and disreputable as are most coasting-vessels. her rejuvenation was the history of my convalescence. on the day she stood forth in her first coat of white paint, i exchanged my dressing-gown for clothing that, however loosely it hung, was still clothing. her new sails marked my promotion to beefsteak, her brass rails and awnings my first independent excursion up and down the corridor outside my door, and, incidentally, my return to a collar and tie. the river shipping appealed to me, to my imagination, clean washed by my illness and ready as a child's for new impressions: liners gliding down to the bay and the open sea; shrewish, scolding tugs; dirty but picturesque tramps. my enthusiasm amused the nurses, whose ideas of adventure consisted of little jaunts of exploration into the abdominal cavity, and whose aseptic minds revolted at the sight of dirty sails. one day i pointed out to one of them an old schooner, red and brown, with patched canvas spread, moving swiftly down the river before a stiff breeze. "look at her!" i exclaimed. "there goes adventure, mystery, romance! i should like to be sailing on her." "you would have to boil the drinking-water," she replied dryly. "and the ship is probably swarming with rats." "rats," i affirmed, "add to the local color. ships are their native habitat. only sinking ships don't have them." but her answer was to retort that rats carried bubonic plague, and to exit, carrying the sugar-bowl. i was ravenous, as are all convalescent typhoids, and one of the ways in which i eked out my still slender diet was by robbing the sugar-bowl at meals. that day, i think it was, the deck furniture was put out on the ella--numbers of white wicker chairs and tables, with bright cushions to match the awnings. i had a pair of ancient opera-glasses, as obsolete as my amputating knives, and, like them, a part of my heritage. by that time i felt a proprietary interest in the ella, and through my glasses, carefully focused with a pair of scissors, watched the arrangement of the deck furnishings. a girl was directing the men. i judged, from the poise with which she carried herself, that she was attractive--and knew it. how beautiful she was, and how well she knew it, i was to find out before long. mcwhirter to the contrary, she had nothing to do with my decision to sign as a sailor on the ella. one of the bright spots of that long hot summer was mcwhirter. we had graduated together in june, and in october he was to enter a hospital in buffalo as a resident. but he was as indigent as i, and from june to october is four months. "four months," he said to me. "even at two meals a day, boy, that's something over two hundred and forty. and i can eat four times a day, without a struggle! wouldn't you think one of these overworked-for-the-good-of-humanity dubs would take a vacation and give me a chance to hold down his practice?" nothing of the sort developing, mcwhirter went into a drug-store, and managed to pull through the summer with unimpaired cheerfulness, confiding to me that he secured his luncheons free at the soda counter. he came frequently to see me, bringing always a pocketful of chewing gum, which he assured me was excellent to allay the gnawings of hunger, and later, as my condition warranted it, small bags of gum-drops and other pharmacy confections. mcwhirter it was who got me my berth on the ella. it must have been about the th of july, for the ella sailed on the th. i was strong enough to leave the hospital, but not yet physically able for any prolonged exertion. mcwhirter, who was short and stout, had been alternately flirting with the nurse, as she moved in and out preparing my room for the night, and sizing me up through narrowed eyes. "no," he said, evidently following a private line of thought; "you don't belong behind a counter, leslie. i'm darned if i think you belong in the medical profession, either. the british army'd suit you." "the--what?" "you know--kipling idea--riding horseback, head of a column--undress uniform--colonel's wife making eyes at you--leading last hopes and all that." "the british army with kipling trimmings being out of the question, the original issue is still before us. i'll have to work, mac, and work like the devil, if i'm to feed myself." there being no answer to this, mcwhirter contented himself with eyeing me. "i'm thinking," i said, "of going to europe. the sea is calling me, mac." "so was the grave a month ago, but it didn't get you. don't be an ass, boy. how are you going to sea?" "before the mast." this apparently conveying no meaning to mcwhirter, i supplemented--"as a common sailor." he was indignant at first, offering me his room and a part of his small salary until i got my strength; then he became dubious; and finally, so well did i paint my picture of long, idle days on the ocean, of sweet, cool nights under the stars, with breezes that purred through the sails, rocking the ship to slumber--finally he waxed enthusiastic, and was even for giving up the pharmacy at once and sailing with me. he had been fitting out the storeroom of a sailing-yacht with drugs, he informed me, and doing it under the personal direction of the owner's wife. "i've made a hit with her," he confided. "since she's learned i'm a graduate m.d., she's letting me do the whole thing. i've made up some lotions to prevent sunburn, and that seasick prescription of old larimer's, and she thinks i'm the whole cheese. i'll suggest you as ship's doctor." "how many men in the crew?" "eight, i think, or ten. it's a small boat, and carries a small crew." "then they don't want a ship's doctor. if i go, i'll go as a sailor," i said firmly. "and i want your word, mac, not a word about me, except that i am honest." "you'll have to wash decks, probably." "i am filled with a wild longing to wash decks," i asserted, smiling at his disturbed face. "i should probably also have to polish brass. there's a great deal of brass on the boat." "how do you know that?" when i told him, he was much excited, and, although it was dark and the ella consisted of three lights, he insisted on the opera-glasses, and was persuaded he saw her. finally he put down the glasses and came over, to me. "perhaps you are right, leslie," he said soberly. "you don't want charity, any more than they want a ship's doctor. wherever you go and whatever you do, whether you're swabbing decks in your bare feet or polishing brass railings with an old sock, you're a man." he was more moved than i had ever seen him, and ate a gum-drop to cover his embarrassment. soon after that he took his departure, and the following day he telephoned to say that, if the sea was still calling me, he could get a note to the captain recommending me. i asked him to get the note. good old mac! the sea was calling me, true enough, but only dire necessity was driving me to ship before the mast--necessity and perhaps what, for want of a better name, we call destiny. for what is fate but inevitable law, inevitable consequence. the stirring of my blood, generations removed from a seafaring ancestor; my illness, not a cause, but a result; mcwhirter, filling prescriptions behind the glass screen of a pharmacy, and fitting out, in porcelain jars, the medicine-closet of the ella; turner and his wife, schwartz, the mulatto tom, singleton, and elsa lee; all thrown together, a hodge-podge of characters, motives, passions, and hereditary tendencies, through an inevitable law working together toward that terrible night of august , when hell seemed loose on a painted sea. chapter ii the painted ship the ella had been a coasting-vessel, carrying dressed lumber to south america, and on her return trip bringing a miscellaneous cargo--hides and wool, sugar from pernambuco, whatever offered. the firm of turner and sons owned the line of which the ella was one of the smallest vessels. the gradual elimination of sailing ships and the substitution of steamers in the coasting trade, left the ella, with others, out of commission. she was still seaworthy, rather fast, as such vessels go, and steady. marshall turner, the oldest son of old elias turner, the founder of the business, bought it in at a nominal sum, with the intention of using it as a private yacht. and, since it was a superstition of the house never to change the name of one of its vessels, the schooner ella, odorous of fresh lumber or raw rubber, as the case might be, dingy gray in color, with slovenly decks on which lines of seamen's clothing were generally hanging to dry, remained, in her metamorphosis, still the ella. marshall turner was a wealthy man, but he equipped his new pleasure-boat very modestly. as few changes as were possible were made. he increased the size of the forward house, adding quarters for the captain and the two mates, and thus kept the after house for himself and his friends. he fumigated the hold and the forecastle--a precaution that kept all the crew coughing for two days, and drove them out of the odor of formaldehyde to the deck to sleep. he installed an electric lighting and refrigerating plant, put a bath in the forecastle, to the bewilderment of the men, who were inclined to think it a reflection on their habits, and almost entirely rebuilt, inside, the old officers' quarters in the after house. the wheel, replaced by a new one, white and gilt, remained in its old position behind the after house, the steersman standing on a raised iron grating above the wash of the deck. thus from the chart-room, which had become a sort of lounge and card-room, through a small barred window it was possible to see the man at the wheel, who, in his turn, commanded a view of part of the chartroom, but not of the floor. the craft was schooner-rigged, carried three lifeboats and a collapsible raft, and was navigated by a captain, first and second mates, and a crew of six able-bodied sailors and one gaunt youth whose sole knowledge of navigation had been gained on an atlantic city catboat. her destination was vague--panama perhaps, possibly a south american port, depending on the weather and the whim of the owner. i do not recall that i performed the nautical rite of signing articles. armed with the note mcwhirter had secured for me, and with what i fondly hoped was the rolling gait of the seafaring man, i approached the captain--a bearded and florid individual. i had dressed the part--old trousers, a cap, and a sweater from which i had removed my college letter, mcwhirter, who had supervised my preparations, and who had accompanied me to the wharf, had suggested that i omit my morning shave. the result was, as i look back, a lean and cadaverous six-foot youth, with the hospital pallor still on him, his chin covered with a day's beard, his hair cropped short, and a cannibalistic gleam in his eyes. i remember that my wrists, thin and bony, annoyed me, and that the girl i had seen through the opera-glasses came on board, and stood off, detached and indifferent, but with her eyes on me, while the captain read my letter. when he finished, he held it out to me. "i've got my crew," he said curtly. "there isn't--i suppose there's no chance of your needing another hand?" "no." he turned away, then glanced back at the letter i was still holding, rather dazed. "you can leave your name and address with the mate over there. if anything turns up he'll let you know." my address! the hospital? i folded the useless letter and thrust it into my pocket. the captain had gone forward, and the girl with the cool eyes was leaning against the rail, watching me. "you are the man mr. mcwhirter has been looking after, aren't you?" "yes." i pulled off my cap, and, recollecting myself--"yes, miss." "you are not a sailor?" "i have had some experience--and i am willing." "you have been ill, haven't you?" "yes--miss." "could you polish brass, and things like that?" "i could try. my arms are strong enough. it is only when i walk--" but she did not let me finish. she left the rail abruptly, and disappeared down the companionway into the after house. i waited uncertainly. the captain saw me still loitering, and scowled. a procession of men with trunks jostled me; a colored man, evidently a butler, ordered me out of his way while he carried down into the cabin, with almost reverent care, a basket of wine. when the girl returned, she came to me, and stood for a moment, looking me over with cool, appraising eyes. i had been right about her appearance: she was charming--or no, hardly charming. she was too aloof for that. but she was beautiful, an irish type, with blue-gray eyes and almost black hair. the tilt of her head was haughty. later i came to know that her hauteur was indifference: but at first i was frankly afraid of her, afraid of her cool, mocking eyes and the upward thrust of her chin. "my brother-in-law is not here," she said after a moment, "but my sister is below in the cabin. she will speak to the captain about you. where are your things?" i glanced toward the hospital, where my few worldly possessions, including my dress clothes, my amputating set, and such of my books as i had not been able to sell, were awaiting disposition. "very near, miss," i said. "better bring them at once; we are sailing in the morning." she turned away as if to avoid my thanks, but stopped and came back. "we are taking you as a sort of extra man," she explained. "you will work with the crew, but it is possible that we will need you--do you know anything about butler's work?" i hesitated. if i said yes, and then failed-- "i could try." "i thought, from your appearance, perhaps you had done something of the sort." oh, shades of my medical forebears, who had bequeathed me, along with the library, what i had hoped was a professional manner! "the butler is a poor sailor. if he fails us, you will take his place." she gave a curt little nod of dismissal, and i went down the gangplank and along the wharf. i had secured what i went for; my summer was provided for, and i was still seven dollars to the good. i was exultant, but with my exultation was mixed a curious anger at mcwhirter, that he had advised me not to shave that morning. my preparation took little time. such of my wardrobe as was worth saving, mcwhirter took charge of. i sold the remainder of my books, and in a sailor's outfitting-shop i purchased boots and slickers--the sailors' oil skins. with my last money i bought a good revolver, second-hand, and cartridges. i was glad later that i had bought the revolver, and that i had taken with me the surgical instruments, antiquated as they were, which, in their mahogany case, had accompanied my grandfather through the civil war, and had done, as he was wont to chuckle, as much damage as a three-pounder. mcwhirter came to the wharf with me, and looked the ella over with eyes of proprietorship. "pretty snappy-looking boat," he said. "if the nigger gets sick, give him some of my seasick remedy. and take care of yourself, boy." he shook hands, his open face flushed with emotion. "darned shame to see you going like this. don't eat too much, and don't fall in love with any of the women. good-bye." he started away, and i turned toward the ship; but a moment later i heard him calling me. he came back, rather breathless. "up in my neighborhood," he panted, "they say turner is a devil. whatever happens, it's not your mix-in. better--better tuck your gun under your mattress and forget you've got it. you've got some disposition yourself." the ella sailed the following day at ten o'clock. she carried nineteen people, of whom five were the turners and their guests. the cabin was full of flowers and steamer-baskets. thirty-one days later she came into port again, a lifeboat covered with canvas trailing at her stern. chapter iii i unclench my hands from the first the captain disclaimed responsibility for me. i was housed in the forecastle, and ate with the men. there, however, my connection with the crew and the navigation of the ship ended. perhaps it was as well, although i resented it at first. i was weaker than i had thought, and dizzy at the mere thought of going aloft. as a matter of fact, i found myself a sort of deck-steward, given the responsibility of looking after the shuffle-board and other deck games, the steamer-rugs, the cards,--for they played bridge steadily,--and answerable to george williams, the colored butler, for the various liquors served on deck. the work was easy, and the situation rather amused me. after an effort or two to bully me, one of which resulted in my holding him over the rail until he turned gray with fright, williams treated me as an equal, which was gratifying. the weather was good, the food fair. i had no reason to repent my bargain. of the sailing qualities of the ella there could be no question. the crew, selected by captain richardson from the best men of the turner line, knew their business, and, especially after the williams incident, made me one of themselves. barring the odor of formaldehyde in the forecastle, which drove me to sleeping on deck for a night or two, everything was going smoothly, at least on the surface. smoothly as far as the crew was concerned. i was not so sure about the after house. as i have said, owing to the small size, of the vessel, and the fact that considerable of the space had been used for baths, there were, besides the family, only two guests, a mrs. johns, a divorcee, and a mr. vail. mrs. turner and miss lee shared the services of a maid, karen hansen, who, with a stewardess, henrietta sloane, occupied a double cabin. vail had a small room, as had turner, with a bath between which they used in common. mrs. turner's room was a large one, with its own bath, into which elsa lee's room also opened. mrs. johns had a room and bath. roughly, and not drawn to scale, the living quarters of the family were arranged like the diagram in chapter xix. i have said that things were not going smoothly in the after house. i felt it rather than, saw it. the women rose late--except miss lee, who was frequently about when i washed the deck. they chatted and laughed together, read, played bridge when the men were so inclined, and now and then, when their attention was drawn to it, looked at the sea. they were always exquisitely and carefully dressed, and i looked at them as i would at any other masterpieces of creative art, with nothing of covetousness in my admiration. the men were violently opposed types. turner, tall, heavy-shouldered, morose by habit, with a prominent nose and rapidly thinning hair, and with strong, pale blue eyes, congested from hard drinking; vail, shorter by three inches, dark, good-looking, with that dusky flush under the skin which shows good red blood, and as temperate as turner was dissipated. vail was strong, too. after i had held williams over the rail i turned to find him looking on, amused. and when the frightened darky had taken himself, muttering threats, to the galley, vail came over to me and ran his hand down my arm. "where did you get it?" he asked. "oh, i've always had some muscle," i said. "i'm in bad shape now; just getting over fever." "fever, eh? i thought it was jail. look here." he threw out his biceps for me to feel. it was a ball of iron under my fingers. the man was as strong as an ox. he smiled at my surprise, and, after looking to see that no one was in sight, offered to mix me a highball from a decanter and siphon on a table. i refused. it was his turn to be surprised. "i gave it up when i was in train--in the hospital," i corrected myself. "i find i don't miss it." he eyed me with some curiosity over his glass, and, sauntering away, left me to my work of folding rugs. but when i had finished, and was chalking the deck for shuffle-board, he joined me again, dropping his voice, for the women had come up by that time and were breakfasting on the lee side of the after house. "have you any idea, leslie, how much whiskey there is on board?" "williams has considerable, i believe. i don't think there is any in the forward house. the captain is a teetotaler." "i see. when these decanters go back, williams takes charge of them?" "yes. he locks them away." he dropped his voice still lower. "empty them, leslie," he said. "do you understand? throw what is left overboard. and, if you get a chance at williams's key, pitch a dozen or two quarts overboard." "and be put in irons!" "not necessarily. i think you understand me. i don't trust williams. in a week we could have this boat fairly dry." "there is a great deal of wine." he scowled. "damn williams, anyhow! his instructions were--but never mind about that. get rid of the whiskey." turner coming up the companionway at that moment, vail left me. i had understood him perfectly. it was common talk in the forecastle that turner was drinking hard, and that, in fact, the cruise had been arranged by his family in the hope that, away from his clubs; he would alter his habits--a fallacy, of course. taken away from his customary daily round, given idle days on a summer sea, and aided by williams, the butler, he was drinking his head off. early as it was, he was somewhat the worse for it that morning. he made directly for me. it was the first time he had noticed me, although it was the third day out. he stood in front of me, his red eyes flaming, and, although i am a tall man, he had an inch perhaps the advantage of me. "what's this about williams?" he demanded furiously. "what do you mean by a thing like that?" "he was bullying me. i didn't intend to drop him." the ship was rolling gently; he made a pass at me with a magazine he carried, and almost lost his balance. the women had risen, and were watching from the corner of the after house. i caught him and steadied him until he could clutch a chair. "you try any tricks like that again, and you'll go overboard," he stormed. "who are you, anyhow? not one of our men?" i saw the quick look between vail and mrs. turner, and saw her come forward. mrs. johns followed her, smiling. "marsh!" mrs. turner protested. "i told you about him--the man who had been ill." "oh, another of your friends!" he sneered, and looked from me to vail with his ugly smile. vail went rather pale and threw up his head quickly. the next moment mrs. johns had saved the situation with an irrelevant remark, and the incident was over. they were playing bridge, not without dispute, but at least without insult. but i had hard a glimpse beneath the surface of that luxurious cruise, one of many such in the next few days. that was on monday, the third day out. up to that time miss lee had not noticed me, except once, when she found me scrubbing the deck, to comment on a corner that she thought might be cleaner, and another time in the evening, when she and vail sat in chairs until late, when she had sent me below for a wrap. she looked past me rather than at me, gave me her orders quietly but briefly, and did not even take the trouble to ignore me. and yet, once or twice, i had found her eyes fixed on me with a cool, half-amused expression, as if she found something in my struggles to carry trays as if i had been accustomed to them, or to handle a mop as a mop should be handled and not like a hockey stick--something infinitely entertaining and not a little absurd. but that morning, after they had settled to bridge, she followed me to the rail, out of earshot i straightened and took off my cap, and she stood looking at me, unsmiling. "unclench your hands!" she said. "i beg your pardon!" i straightened out my fingers, conscious for the first time of my clenched fists, and even opened and closed them once or twice to prove their relaxation. "that's better. now--won't you try to remember that i am responsible for your being here, and be careful?" "then take me away from here and put me with the crew. i am stronger now. ask the captain to give me a man's work. this--this is a housemaid's occupation." "we prefer to have you here," she said coldly; and then, evidently repenting her manner: "we need a man here, leslie. better stay. are you comfortable in the forecastle?" "yes, miss lee." "and the food is all right?" "the cook says i am eating two men's rations." she turned to leave, smiling. it was the first time she had thrown even a fleeting smile my way, and it went to my head. "and williams? i am to submit to his insolence?" she stopped and turned, and the smile faded. "the next time," she said, "you are to drop him!" but during the remainder of the day she neither spoke to me nor looked, as far as i could tell, in my direction. she flirted openly with vail, rather, i thought, to the discomfort of mrs. johns, who had appropriated him to herself--sang to him in the cabin, and in the long hour before dinner, when the others were dressing, walked the deck with him, talking earnestly. they looked well together, and i believe he was in love with her. poor vail! turner had gone below, grimly good-humored, to dress for dinner; and i went aft to chat, as i often did, with the steersman. on this occasion it happened to be charlie jones. jones was not his name, so far as i know. it was some inordinately long and different german inheritance, and so, with the facility of the average crew, he had been called jones. he was a benevolent little man, highly religious, and something of a philosopher. and because i could understand german, and even essay it in a limited way, he was fond of me. "seta du dick," he said, and moved over so that i could sit on the grating on which he stood. "the sky is fine to-night. wunderschon!" "it always looks good to me," i observed, filling my pipe and passing my tobacco-bag to him. "i may have my doubts now and then on land, charlie; but here, between the sky and the sea, i'm a believer, right enough." "'in the beginning he created the heaven and the earth,'" said charlie reverently. we were silent for a time. the ship rolled easily; now and then she dipped her bowsprit with a soft swish of spray; a school of dolphins played astern, and the last of the land birds that had followed us out flew in circles around the masts. "sometimes," said charlie jones, "i think the good man should have left it the way it was after the flood just sky and water. what's the land, anyhow? noise and confusion, wickedness and crime, robbing the widow and the orphan, eat or be et." "well," i argued, "the sea's that way. what are those fish out there flying for, but to get out of the way of bigger fish?" charlie jones surveyed me over his pipe. "true enough, youngster," he said; "but the lord's given 'em wings to fly with. he ain't been so careful with the widow and the orphan." this statement being incontrovertible, i let the argument lapse, and sat quiet, luxuriating in the warmth, in the fresh breeze, in the feeling of bodily well-being that came with my returning strength. i got up and stretched, and my eyes fell on the small window of the chart-room. the door into the main cabin beyond was open. it was dark with the summer twilight, except for the four rose-shaded candles on the table, now laid for dinner. a curious effect it had--the white cloth and gleaming pink an island of cheer in a twilight sea; and to and from this rosy island, making short excursions, advancing, retreating, disappearing at times, the oval white ship that was williams's shirt bosom. charlie jones, bending to the right and raised to my own height by the grating on which he stood, looked over my shoulder. dinner was about to be served. the women had come out. the table-lamps threw their rosy glow over white necks and uncovered arms, and revealed, higher in the shadows, the faces of the men, smug, clean-shaven, assured, rather heavy. i had been the guest of honor on a steam-yacht a year or two before, after a game. there had been pink lights on the table, i remembered, and the place-cards at dinner the first night out had been caricatures of me in fighting trim. there had been a girl, too. for the three days of that week-end cruise i had been mad about her; before that first dinner, when i had known her two hours, i had kissed her hand and told her i loved her! vail and miss lee had left the others and come into the chart-room. as charlie jones and i looked, he bent over and kissed her hand. the sun had gone down. my pipe was empty, and from the galley, forward, came the odor of the forecastle supper. charlie was coughing, a racking paroxysm that shook his wiry body. he leaned over and caught my shoulder as i was moving away. "new paint and new canvas don't make a new ship," he said, choking back the cough. "she's still the old ella, the she-devil of the turner line. pink lights below, and not a rat in the hold! they left her before we sailed, boy. every rope was crawling with 'em." "the very rats instinctively had left it," i quoted. but charlie, clutching the wheel, was coughing again, and cursing breathlessly as he coughed. chapter iv i receive a warning the odor of formaldehyde in the forecastle having abated, permission for the crew to sleep on deck had been withdrawn. but the weather as we turned south had grown insufferably hot. the reek of the forecastle sickened me--the odor of fresh paint, hardly dry, of musty clothing and sweaty bodies. i asked singleton, the first mate, for permission to sleep on deck, and was refused. i went down, obediently enough, to be driven back with nausea. and so, watching my chance, i waited until the first mate, on watch, disappeared into the forward cabin to eat the night lunch always prepared by the cook and left there. then, with a blanket and pillow, i crawled into the starboard lifeboat, and settled myself for the night. the lookout saw me, but gave no sign. it was not a bad berth. as the ship listed, the stars seemed to sway above me, and my last recollection was of the great dipper, performing dignified gyrations in the sky. i was aroused by one of the two lookouts, a young fellow named burns. he was standing below, rapping on the side of the boat with his knuckles. i sat up and peered over at him, and was conscious for the first time that the weather had changed. a fine rain was falling; my hair and shirt were wet. "something doing in the chart-room," he said cautiously. "thought you might not want to miss it." he was in his bare feet, as was i. together we hurried to the after house. the steersman, in oilskins, was at his post, but was peering through the barred window into the chart-room, which was brilliantly lighted. he stepped aside somewhat to let us look in. the loud and furious voices which had guided us had quieted, but the situation had not relaxed. singleton, the first mate, and turner were sitting at a table littered with bottles and glasses, and standing over them, white with fury, was captain richardson. in the doorway to the main cabin, dressed in pajamas and a bathrobe, vail was watching the scene. "i told you last night, mr. turner," the captain said, banging the table with his fist, "i won't have you interfering with my officers, or with my ship. that man's on duty, and he's drunk." "your ship!" turner sneered thickly. "it's my ship, and i--i discharge you." he got to his feet, holding to the table. "mr. singleton--hic--from now on you're captain. captain singleton! how--how d'ye like it?" mr. vail came forward, the only cool one of the four. "don't be a fool, marsh," he protested. "come to bed. the captain's right." turner turned his pale-blue eyes on vail, and they were as full of danger as a snake's. "you go to hell!" he said. "singleton, you're the captain, d'ye hear? if rich--if richardson gets funny, put him--in irons." singleton stood up, with a sort of swagger. he wes less intoxicated than turner, but ugly enough. he faced the captain with a leer. "sorry, old fellow," he said, "but you heard what turner said!" the captain drew a deep breath. then, without any warning, he leaned across the table and shot out his clenched fist. it took the mate on the point of the chin, and he folded up in a heap on the floor. "good old boy!" muttered burns, beside me. "good old boy!" turner picked up a bottle from the table, and made the same incoordinate pass with it at the captain as he had at me the morning before with his magazine. the captain did not move. he was a big man, and he folded his arms with their hairy wrists across his chest. "mr. turner," he said, "while we are on the sea i am in command here. you know that well enough. you are drunk to-night; in the morning you will be sober; and i want you to remember what i am going to say. if you interfere again--with--me--or--my officers--i--shall--put--you--in--irons." he started for the after companionway, and burns and i hurried forward out of his way, burns to the lookout, i to make the round of the after house and bring up, safe from detection, by the wheel again. the mate was in a chair, looking sick and dazed, and turner and vail were confronting each other. "you know that is a lie," vail was saying. "she is faithful to you, as far as i know, although i'm damned if i know why." he turned to the mate roughly: "better get out in the air." once again i left my window to avoid discovery. the mate, walking slowly, made his way up the companionway to the rail. the man at the wheel reported in the forecastle, when he came down at the end of his watch, that singleton had seemed dazed, and had stood leaning against the rail for some time, occasionally cursing to himself; that the second mate had come on deck, and had sent him to bed; and that the captain was shut in his cabin with the light going. there was much discussion of the incident among the crew. sympathy was with the captain, and there was a general feeling that the end had not come. charlie jones, reading his bible on the edge of his bunk, voiced the general belief. "knowin' the turners, hull and mast," he said, "and having sailed with captain richardson off and on for ten years, the chances is good of our having a hell of a time. it ain't natural, anyhow, this voyage with no rats in the hold, and all the insects killed with this here formaldehyde, and ice-cream sent to the fo'c'sle on sundays!" but at first the thing seemed smoothed over. it is true that the captain did not speak to the first mate except when compelled to, and that turner and the captain ignored each other elaborately. the cruise went on without event. there was no attempt on turner's part to carry out his threat of the night before; nor did he, as the crew had prophesied, order the ella into the nearest port. he kept much to himself, spending whole days below, with williams carrying him highballs, always appearing at dinner, however, sodden of face but immaculately dressed, and eating little or nothing. a week went by in this fashion, luring us all to security. i was still lean but fairly strong again. vail, left to himself or to the women of the party, took to talking with me now and then. i thought he was uneasy. more than once he expressed a regret that he had taken the cruise, laying his discontent to the long inaction. but the real reason was turner's jealousy of him, the obsession of the dipsomaniac. i knew it, and vail knew that i knew. on the th we encountered bad weather, the first wind of the cruise. all hands were required for tacking, and i was stationed on the forecastle-head with one other man. williams, the butler, succumbed to the weather, and at five o'clock miss lee made her way forward through the driving rain, and asked me if i could take his place. "if the captain needs you, we can manage," she said. "we have henrietta and karen, the two maids. but mr. turner prefers a man to serve." i said that i was probably not so useful that i could not be spared, and that i would try. vail's suggestion had come back to me, and this was my chance to get williams's keys. miss lee having spoken to the captain, i was relieved from duty, and went aft with her. what with the plunging of the vessel and the slippery decks, she almost fell twice, and each time i caught her. the second time, she wrenched her ankle, and stood for a moment holding to the rail, while i waited beside her. she wore a heavy ulster of some rough material, and a small soft hat of the same material, pulled over her ears. her soft hair lay wet across her forehead. "how are you liking the sea, leslie?" she said, after she had tested her ankle and found the damage inconsiderable. "very much, miss lee." "do you intend to remain a--a sailor?" "i am not a sailor. i am a deck steward, and i am about to become a butler." "that was our agreement," she flashed at me. "certainly. and to know that i intend to fulfill it to the letter, i have only to show this." it had been one of mcwhirter's inspirations, on learning how i had been engaged, the small book called "the perfect butler." i took it from the pocket of my flannel shirt, under my oilskins, and held it out to her. "i have not got very far," i said humbly. "it's not inspiring reading. i've got the wine glasses straightened out, but it seems a lot of fuss about nothing. wine is wine, isn't it? what difference, after all, does a hollow stem or green glass make--" the rain was beating down on us. the "perfect butler" was weeping tears; as its chart of choice vintages was mixed with water. miss lee looked up, smiling, from the book. "you prefer 'a jug of wine,"' she said. "old omar had the right idea; only i imagine, literally, it was a skin of wine. they didn't have jugs, did they?" "you know the 'rubaiyat'?" she asked slowly. "i know the jug of wine and loaf of bread part," i admitted, irritated at the slip. "in my home city they're using it to advertise a particular sort of bread. you know--'a book of verses underneath the bough, a loaf of wiggin's home-made bread, and thou."' in spite of myself, in spite of the absurd verse, of the pouring rain, of the fact that i was shortly to place her dinner before her in the capacity of upper servant, i thrilled to the last two words. "'and thou,'" i repeated. she looked up at me, startled, and for a second our glances held. the next moment she was gone, and i was alone on a rain swept deck, cursing my folly. that night, in a white linen coat, i served dinner in the after house. the meal was unusually gay, rendered so by the pitching of the boat and the uncertainty of the dishes. in the general hilarity, my awkwardness went unnoticed. miss lee, sitting beside vail, devoted herself to him. mrs. johns, young and blonde, tried to interest turner, and, failing in that, took to watching me, to my discomfiture. mrs. turner, with apprehensive eyes on her husband, ate little and drank nothing. dinner over in the main cabin, they lounged into the chart-room--except mrs. johns, who, following them to the door, closed it behind them and came back. she held a lighted cigarette, and she stood just outside the zone of candlelight, watching me through narrowed eyes. "you got along very well to-night," she observed. "are you quite strong again?" "quite strong, mrs. johns." "you have never done this sort of thing before, have you?" "butler's work? no--but it is rather simple." "i thought perhaps you had," she said. "i seem to recall you, vaguely--that is, i seem to remember a crowd of people, and a noise--i dare say i did see you in a crowd somewhere. you know, you are rather an unforgettable type." i was nonplused as to how a butler would reply to such a statement, and took refuge in no reply at all. as it happened, none was needed. the ship gave a terrific roll at that moment, and i just saved the chartreuse as it was leaving the table. mrs. johns was holding to a chair. "well caught," she smiled, and, taking a fresh cigarette, she bent over a table-lamp and lighted it herself. all the time her eyes were on me, i felt that she was studying one over her cigarette, with something in view. "is it still raining?" "yes, mrs. johns." "will you get a wrap from karen and bring it to me on deck? i--i want air to-night." the forward companionway led down into the main cabin. she moved toward it, her pale green gown fading into the shadow. at the foot of the steps she turned and looked back at me. i had been stupid enough, but i knew then that she had something to say to me, something that she would not trust to the cabin walls. i got the wrap. she was sitting in a deck-chair when i found her, on the lee side of the after house, a position carefully chosen, with only the storeroom windows behind. i gave her the wrap, and she flung it over her without rising. "sit down, leslie," she said, pointing to the chair beside her. and, as i hesitated, "don't be silly, boy. else lee and her sister may be as blind as they like. you are not a sailor, or a butler, either. i don't care what you are: i'm not going to ask any questions. sit down; i have to talk to some one." i sat on the edge of the chair, somewhat uneasy, to tell the truth. the crew were about on a night like that, and at any moment elsa lee might avail herself of the dummy hand, as she sometimes did, and run up for a breath of air or a glimpse of the sea. "just now, mrs. johns;" i said, "i am one of the crew of the ella, and if i am seen here--" "oh, fudge!" she retorted impatiently. "my reputation isn't going to be hurt, and the man's never is. leslie, i am frightened--you know what i mean." "turner?" "yes." "you mean--with the captain?" "with any one who happens to be near. he is dangerous. it is vail now. he thinks mr. vail is in love with his wife. the fact is that vail--well, never mind about that. the point is this: this afternoon he had a dispute with williams, and knocked him down. the other women don't know it. vail told me. we have given out that williams is seasick. it will be vail next, and, if he puts a hand on him, vail will kill him; i know him." "we could stop this drinking." "and have him shoot up the ship! i have been thinking all evening, and only one thing occurs to me. we are five women and two men, and vail refuses to be alarmed. i want you to sleep in the after house. isn't there a storeroom where you could put a cot?" "yes," i agreed, "and i'll do it, of course, if you are uneasy, but i really think--" "never mind what you really think. i haven't slept for three nights, and i'm showing it." she made a motion to rise, and i helped her up. she was a tall woman, and before i knew it she had put both her hands on my shoulders. "you are a poor butler, and an indifferent sailor, i believe," she said, "but you are rather a dear. thank you." she left me, alternately uplifted and sheepish. but that night i took a blanket and a pillow into the storeroom, and spread my six feet of length along the greatest diameter of a four-by-seven pantry. and that night, also, between six and seven bells, with the storm subsided and only a moderate sea, schwartz, the second mate, went overboard--went without a cry, without a sound. singleton, relieving him at four o'clock, found his cap lying near starboard, just forward of the after house. the helmsman and the two men in the lookout reported no sound of a struggle. the lookout had seen the light of his cigar on the forecastle-head at six bells (three o'clock). at seven bells he had walked back to the helmsman and commented cheerfully on the break in the weather. that was the last seen of him. the alarm was raised when singleton went on watch at four o'clock. the ella was heaved to and the lee boat lowered. at the same time life-buoys were thrown out, and patent lights. but the early summer dawn revealed a calm ocean; and no sign of the missing mate. at ten o'clock the order was reluctantly given to go on. chapter v a terrible night with the disappearance of schwartz, the ella was short-handed: i believe captain richardson made an attempt to secure me to take the place of burns, now moved up into schwartz's position. but the attempt met with a surly refusal from turner. the crew was plainly nervous and irritable. sailors are simple-minded men, as a rule; their mental processes are elemental. they began to mutter that the devil-ship of the turner line was at her tricks again. that afternoon, going into the forecastle for some of my clothing, i found a curious group. gathered about the table were tom, the mulatto cook, a swede named oleson, adams, and burns of the crew. at the head of the table charlie jones was reading the service for the burial of the dead at sea. the men were standing, bareheaded. i took off my cap and stood, just inside the door, until the simple service was over. i was strongly moved. schwartz disappeared in the early morning of august . and now i come, not without misgiving, to the night of august . i am wondering if, after all, i have made clear the picture that is before my eyes: the languid cruise, the slight relaxation of discipline, due to the leisure of a pleasure voyage, the ella again rolling gently, with hardly a dash of spray to show that she was moving, the sun beating down on her white decks and white canvas, on the three women in summer attire, on unending-bridge, with its accompaniment of tall glasses filled with ice, on turner's morose face and vail's watchful one. in the forecastle, much gossip and not a little fear, and in the forward house, where captain richardson and singleton had their quarters, veiled hostility and sullen silence. august was tuesday, a hot august day, with only enough air going to keep our sails filled. at five o'clock i served afternoon tea, and shortly after i went to williams's cabin in the forward house to dress the wound in his head, a long cut, which was now healing. i passed the captain's cabin, and heard him quarreling with the first mate, who was replying, now and then, sullenly. only the tones of their voices reached me. when i had finished with williams, and was returning, the quarrel was still going on. their voices ceased as i passed the door, and there was a crash, as of a chair violently overturned. the next bit i heard. "put that down!" the captain roared. i listened, uncertain whether to break in or not. the next moment, singleton opened the door and saw me. i went on as if i had heard nothing. beyond that, the day was much as other days. turner ate no dinner that night. he was pale, and twitching; even with my small experience, i knew he was on the verge of delirium tremens. he did not play cards, and spent much of the evening wandering restlessly about on deck. mrs. turner retired early. mrs. johns played accompaniments for vail to sing to, in the chart-room, until something after eleven, when they, too, went to their rooms. it being impracticable for me to go to my quarters in the storeroom until the after house was settled, i went up on deck. miss lee had her arm through turner's and was talking to him. he seemed to be listening to her; but at last he stopped and freed his arm, not ungently. "that all sounds very well, elsa," he said, "but you don't know what you are talking about." "i know this." "i'm not a fool--or blind." he lurched down the companionway and into the cabin. i heard her draw a long breath; then she turned and saw me. "is that you, leslie?" "yes, miss lee." she came toward me, the train of her soft white gown over her arm, and the light from a lantern setting some jewels on her neck to glittering. "mrs. johns has told me where you are sleeping. you are very good to do it, although i think she is rather absurd." "i am glad to do anything i can." "i am sure of that. you are certain you are comfortable there?" "perfectly." "then--good-night. and thank you." unexpectedly she put out her hand, and i took it. it was the first time i had touched her, and it went to my head. i bent over her slim cold fingers and kissed them. she drew her breath in sharply in surprise, but as i dropped her hand our eyes met. "you should not have done that," she said coolly. "i am sorry." she left me utterly wretched. what a boor she must have thought me, to misconstrue her simple act of kindness! i loathed myself with a hatred that sent me groveling to my blanket in the pantry, and that kept me, once there, awake through all the early part of the summer night. i wakened with a sense of oppression, of smothering heat. i had struggled slowly back to consciousness, to realize that the door of the pantry was closed, and that i was stewing in the moist heat of the august night. i got up, clad in my shirt and trousers, and felt my way to the door. the storeroom and pantry of the after house had been built in during the rehabilitation of the boat, and consisted of a short passageway, with drawers for linens on either side, and beyond, lighted by a porthole, the small supply room in which i had been sleeping. along this passageway; then, i groped my way to the door at the end, opening into the main cabin near the chart-room door and across from mrs. turner's room. this door i had been in the habit of leaving open, for two purposes--ventilation, and in case i might be, as mrs. johns had feared, required in the night. the door was locked on the outside. i was a moment or two in grasping the fact. i shook it carefully to see if it had merely caught, and then, incredulous, i put my weight to it. it refused to yield. the silence outside was absolute. i felt my way back to the window. it was open, but was barred with iron, and, even without that, too small for my shoulders. i listened for the mate. it was still dark, and so not yet time for the watch to change. singleton would be on duty, and he rarely came aft. there was no sound of footsteps. i lit a match and examined the lock. it was a simple one, and as my idea now was to free myself without raising an alarm, i decided to unscrew it with my pocket-knife. i was still confused, but inclined to consider my imprisonment a jest, perhaps on the part of charlie jones, who tempered his religious fervor with a fondness for practical joking. i accordingly knelt in front of the lock and opened my knife. i was in darkness and working by touch. i had extracted one screw, and, with a growing sense of satisfaction, was putting it in my pocket before loosening a second, when a board on which i knelt moved under my knee, lifted, as if the other end, beyond the door, had been stepped on. there was no sound, no creak. merely that ominous lifting under my knee. there was some one just beyond the door. a moment later the pressure was released. with a growing horror of i know not what, i set to work at the second screw, trying to be noiseless, but with hands shaking with excitement. the screw fell out into my palm. in my haste i dropped my knife, and had to grope for it on the floor. it was then that a woman screamed--a low, sobbing cry, broken off almost before it began. i had got my knife by that time, and in desperation i threw myself against the door. it gave way, and i fell full length on the main cabin floor. i was still in darkness. the silence in the cabin was absolute. i could hear the steersman beyond the chart-room scratching a match. as i got up, six bells struck. it was three o'clock. vail's room was next to the pantry, and forward. i felt my way to it, and rapped. "vail," i called. "vail!" his door was open an inch or so. i went in and felt my way to his bunk. i could hear him breathing, a stertorous respiration like that of sleep, and yet unlike. the moment i touched him, the sound ceased, and did not commence again. i struck a match and bent over him. he had been almost cut to pieces with an axe. chapter vi in the after house the match burnt out, and i dropped it. i remember mechanically extinguishing the glowing end with my heel, and then straightening to such a sense of horror as i have never felt before or since. i groped for the door; i wanted air, space, the freedom from lurking death of the open deck. i had been sleeping with my revolver beside me on the pantry floor. somehow or other i got back there and found it. i made an attempt to find the switch for the cabin lights, and, failing, revolver in hand, i ran into the chart-room and up the after companionway. charlie jones was at the wheel, and by the light of a lantern i saw that he was bending to the right, peering in at the chartroom window. he turned when he heard me. "what's wrong?" he asked. "i heard a yell a minute ago. turner on the rampage?" he saw my revolver then, and, letting go the wheel, threw up both his hands. "turn that gun away, you fool!" i could hardly speak. i lowered the revolver and gasped: "call the captain! vail's been murdered! "good god!" he said. "who did it?" he had taken the wheel again, and was bringing the ship back to her course. i was turning sick and dizzy, and i clutched at the railing of the companionway. "i don't know. where's the captain?" "the mate's around." he raised his voice. "mr. singleton!" he called. there was no time to lose, i felt. my nausea had left me. i ran forward to where i could dimly see singleton looking in my direction. "singleton! quick!" i called. "bring your revolver." he stopped and peered in my direction. "who is it?" "leslie. come below, for god's sake!" he came slowly toward me, and in a dozen words i told him what had happened. i saw then that he had been drinking. he reeled against me, and seemed at a loss to know what to do. "get your revolver," i said, "and wake the captain." he disappeared into the forward house, to come back a moment later with a revolver. i had got a lantern in the mean time, and ran to the forward companionway which led into the main cabin. singleton followed me. "where's the captain?" i asked. "i didn't call him," singleton replied, and muttered something unintelligible under his breath. swinging the lantern ahead of me, i led the way down the companionway. something lay huddled at the foot. i had to step over it to get down. singleton stood above, on the steps. i stooped and held the lantern close, and we both saw that it was the captain, killed as vail had been. he was fully dressed except for his coat, and as he lay on his back, his cap had been placed over his mutilated face. i thought i heard something moving behind me in the cabin, and wheeled sharply, holding my revolver leveled. the idea had come to me that the crew had mutinied, and that every one in the after house had been killed. the idea made me frantic; i thought of the women, of elsa lee, and i was ready to kill. "where is the light switch?" i demanded of singleton, who was still on the companion steps, swaying. "i don't know," he said, and collapsed, sitting huddled just above the captain's body, with his face in his hands. i saw i need not look to him for help, and i succeeded in turning on the light in the swinging lamp in the center of the cabin. there was no sign of any struggle, and the cabin was empty. i went back to the captain's body, and threw a rug over it. then i reached over and shook singleton by the arm. "do something!" i raved. "call the crew. get somebody here, you drunken fool!" he rose and staggered up the companionway, and i ran to miss lee's door. it was closed and locked, as were all the others except vail's and the one i had broken open. i reached mr. turner's door last. it was locked, and i got no response to my knock. i remembered that his room and vail's connected through a bath, and, still holding my revolver leveled, i ran into vail's room again, this time turning on the light. a night light was burning in the bath-room, and the door beyond was unlocked. i flung it open and stepped in. turner was lying on his bed, fully dressed, and at first i thought he too had been murdered. but he was in a drunken stupor. he sat up, dazed, when i shook him by the arm. "mr. turner!" i cried. "try to rouse yourself, man! the captain has been murdered, and mr. vail!" he made an effort to sit up, swayed, and fell back again. his face was swollen and purplish, his eyes congested. he made an effort to speak, but failed to be intelligible. i had no time to waste. somewhere on the ella the murderer was loose. he must be found. i flung out of turner's cabin as the crew, gathered from the forecastle and from the decks, crowded down the forward companionway. i ran my eye over them. every man was there, singleton below by the captain's body, the crew, silent and horror-struck, grouped on the steps: clarke, mcnamara, burns, oleson, and adams. behind the crew, charlie jones had left the wheel and stood peering down, until sharply ordered back. williams, with a bandage on his head, and tom, the mulatto cook, were in the group. i stood, revolver in hand, staring at the men. among them, i felt sure, was the murderer. but which one? all were equally pale, equally terrified. "boys," i said, "mr. vail and your captain have been murdered. the murderer must be on the ship--one of ourselves." there was a murmur at that. "mr. singleton, i suggest that these men stay together in a body, and that no one be allowed to go below until all have been searched and all weapons taken from them." singleton had dropped into a chair, and sat with his face buried in his hands, his back to the captain's body. he looked up without moving, and his face was gray. "all right," he said. "do as you like. i'm sick." he looked sick. burns, who had taken schwartz's place as second mate, left the group and came toward me. "we'd better waken the women," he said. "if you'll tell them, leslie, i'll take the crew on deck and keep them there." singleton seemed dazed, and when burns spoke of taking the men on deck, he got up dizzily. "i'm going too," he muttered. "i'll go crazy if i stay down here with that." the rug had been drawn back to show the crew what had happened. i drew it reverently over the body again. after the men had gone, i knocked at mrs. turner's door. it was some time before she roused; when she answered, her voice was startled. "what is it?" "it's leslie, mrs. turner. will you come to the door?" "in a moment." she threw on a dressing-gown, and opened the door. "what is wrong?" i told her, as gently as i could. i thought she would faint; but she pulled herself together and looked past me into the cabin. "that is--?" "the captain, mrs. turner." "and mr. vail?" "in his cabin." "where is mr. turner?" "in his cabin, asleep." she looked at me strangely, and, leaving the door, went into her sister's room, next. i heard miss lee's low cry of horror, and almost immediately the two women came to the doorway. "have you seen mr. turner?" miss lee demanded. "just now." "has mrs. johns been told?" "not yet." she went herself to mrs. johns's cabin, and knocked. she got an immediate answer, and mrs. johns, partly dressed, opened the door. "what's the matter?" she demanded. "the whole crew is tramping outside my windows. i hope we haven't struck an iceberg." "adele, don't faint, please. something awful has happened." "turner! he has killed some one finally!" "hush, for heaven's sake! wilmer has been murdered, adele--and the captain." mrs. johns had less control than the other women. she stood for an instant, with a sort of horrible grin on her face. then she went down on the floor, full length, with a crash. elsa lee knelt beside her and slid a pillow under her head. "call the maids, leslie," she said quietly. "karen has something for this sort of thing. tell her to bring it quickly." i went the length of the cabin and into the chartroom. the maids' room was here, on the port-side, and thus aft of mrs. turner's and miss lee's rooms. it had one door only, and two small barred windows, one above each of the two bunks. i turned on the chart-room lights. at the top of the after companionway the crew had been assembled, and burns was haranguing them. i knocked at the maids' door, and, finding it unlocked, opened it an inch or so. "karen!" i called--and, receiving no answer: "mrs. sloane!" (the stewardess). i opened the door wide and glanced in. karen hansen, the maid, was on the floor, dead. the stewardess, in collapse from terror, was in her bunk, uninjured. chapter vii we find the axe i went to the after companionway and called up to the men to send the first mate down; but burns came instead. "singleton's sick," he explained. "he's up there in a corner, with oleson and mcnamara holding him." "burns," i said cautiously--"i've found another!" "god, not one of the women!" "one of the maids--karen." burns was a young fellow about my own age, and to this point he had stood up well. but he had been having a sort of flirtation with the girl, and i saw him go sick with horror. he wanted to see her, when he had got command of himself; but i would not let him enter the room. he stood outside, while i went in and carried out the stewardess, who was coming to and moaning. i took her forward, and told the three women there what i had found. mrs. johns was better, and i found them all huddled in her room. i put the stewardess on the bed, and locked the door into the next room. then, after examining the window, i gave elsa lee my revolver. "don't let any one in," i said. "i'll put a guard at the two companionways, and we'll let no one down. but keep the door locked also." she took the revolver from me, and examined it with the air of one familiar with firearms. then she looked up at me, her lips as white as her face. "we are relying on you, leslie," she said. and, at her words, the storm of self-contempt and bitterness that i had been holding in abeyance for the last half hour swept over me like a flood. i could have wept for fury. "why should you trust me?" i demanded. "i slept through the time when i was needed. and when i wakened and found myself locked in the storeroom, i waited to take the lock off instead of breaking down the door! i ought to jump overboard." "we are relying on you," she said again, simply; and i heard her fasten the door behind me as i went out. dawn was coming as i joined the crew, huddled around the wheel. there were nine men, counting singleton. but singleton hardly counted. he was in a state of profound mental and physical collapse. the ella was without an accredited officer, and, for lack of orders to the contrary, the helmsman--mcnamara now--was holding her to her course. burns had taken schwartz's place as second mate, but the situation was clearly beyond him. turner's condition was known and frankly discussed. it was clear that, for a time at least, we would have to get along without him. charlie jones, always an influence among the men, voiced the situation as we all stood together in the chill morning air: "what we want to do, boys," he said, "is to make for the nearest port. this here is a police matter." "and a hanging matter," someone else put in. "we've got to remember, boys, that this ain't like a crime on land. we've got the fellow that did it. he's on the boat all right." there was a stirring among the men, and some of them looked aft to where, guarded by the swede oleson, singleton was sitting, his head in his hands. "and, what's more," charlie jones went on, "i'm for putting leslie here in charge--for now, anyhow. that's agreeable to you, is it, burns?" "but i don't know anything about a ship," i objected. "i'm willing enough, but i'm not competent." i believe the thing had been discussed before i went up, for mcnamara spoke up from the wheel. "we'll manage that somehow or other, leslie," he said. "we want somebody to take charge, somebody with a head, that's all. and since you ain't, in a manner of speaking, been one of us, nobody's feelings can't be hurt. ain't that it, boys?" "that, and a matter of brains," said burns. "but singleton?" i glanced aft. "singleton is going in irons," was the reply i got. the light was stronger now, and i could see their faces. it was clear that the crew, or a majority of the crew, believed him guilty, and that, as far as singleton was concerned, my authority did not exist. "all right," i said. "i'll do the best i can. first of all, i want every man to give up his weapons. burns!" "aye, aye." "go over each man. leave them their pocket-knives; take everything else." the men lined up. the situation was tense, horrible, so that the miscellaneous articles from their pockets--knives, keys, plugs of chewing tobacco, and here and there, among the foreign ones, small combs for beard and mustache unexpectedly brought to light, caused a smile of pure reaction. two revolvers from oleson and mcnamara and one nicked razor from adams completed the list of weapons we found. the crew submitted willingly. they seemed relieved to have some one to direct them, and the alacrity with which they obeyed my orders showed how they were suffering under the strain of inaction. i went over to singleton and put my hand on his shoulder. "i'm sorry, mr. singleton," i said, "but i'll have to ask you for your revolver." without looking at me, he drew it from his hip pocket and held it out. i took it: it was loaded. "it's out of order," he said briefly. "if it had been working right, i wouldn't be here." i reached down and touched his wrist. his pulse was slow and rather faint, his hands cold. "is there anything i can do for you?" "yes," he snarled. "you can get me a belaying-pin and let me at those fools over there. turner did this, and you know it as well as i do!" i slid his revolver into my pocket, and went back to the men. counting williams and the cook and myself, there were nine of us. the cook i counted out, ordering him to go to the galley and prepare breakfast. the eight that were left i divided into two watches, burns taking one and i the other. on burns's watch were clarke, mcnamara, and williams; on mine, oleson, adams, and charlie jones. it was two bells, or five o'clock. burns struck the gong sharply as an indication that order, of a sort, had been restored. the rising sun was gleaming on the sails; the gray surface of the sea was ruffling under the morning breeze. from the galley a thin stream of smoke was rising. some of the horror of the night went with the darkness, but the thought of what waited in the cabin below was on us all. i suggested another attempt to rouse mr. turner, and burns and clarke went below. they came back in ten minutes, reporting no change in turner's condition. there was open grumbling among the men at the situation, but we were helpless. burns and i decided to go on as if turner were not on board, until he was in condition to take hold. we thought it best to bring up the bodies while all the crew was on duty, and then to take up the watches. i arranged to have one man constantly on guard in the after house--a difficult matter where all were under suspicion. burns suggested charlie jones as probably the most reliable, and i gave him the revolver i had taken from singleton. it was useless, but it made at least a show of authority. the rest of the crew, except oleson, on guard over the mate, was detailed to assist in carrying up the three bodies. williams was taken along to get sheets from the linen room. we brought the captain up first, laying him on a sheet on the deck and folding the edges over him. it was terrible work. even i, fresh from a medical college, grew nauseated over it. he was heavy. it was slow work, getting him up. vail we brought up in the sheets from his bunk. of the three, he was the most mutilated. the maid karen showed only one injury, a smashing blow on the head, probably from the head of the axe. for axe it had been, beyond a doubt. i put williams to work below to clear away every evidence of what had happened. he went down, ashy-faced, only to rush up again, refusing to stay alone. i sent clarke with him, and instructed charlie jones to keep them there until the cabin was in order. at three bells the cook brought coffee, and some of the men took it. i tried to swallow, but it choked me. burns had served as second mate on a sailing vessel, and thought he could take us back, at least into more traveled waters. we decided to head back to new york. i got the code book from the captain's cabin, and we agreed to run up the flag, union down, if any other vessel came in sight. i got the code word for "mutiny--need assistance," and i asked the mate if he would signal if a vessel came near enough. but he turned sullen and refused to answer. i find it hard to recap calmly the events of that morning: the three still and shrouded figures, prone on deck; the crew, bareheaded, standing around, eyeing each other stealthily, with panic ready to leap free and grip each of them by the throat; the grim determination, the reason for which i did not yet know, to put the first mate in irons; and, over all, the clear sunrise of an august morning on the ocean, rails and decks gleaming, an odor of coffee in the air, the joyous lift and splash of the bowsprit as the ella, headed back on her course, seemed to make for home like a nag for the stable. surely none of these men, some weeping, all grieving, could be the fiend who had committed the crimes. one by one, i looked in their faces--at burns, youngest member of the crew, a blue-eyed, sandy-haired scot; at clarke and adams and charlie jones, old in the service of the turner line; at mcnamara, a shrewd little irishman; at oleson the swede. and, in spite of myself, i could not help comparing them with the heavy-shouldered, sodden-faced man below in his cabin, the owner of the ship. one explanation came to me, and i leaped at it--the possibility of a stowaway hidden in the hold, some maniacal fugitive who had found in the little cargo boat's empty hull ample room to hide. the men, too, seized at the idea. one and all volunteered for what might prove to be a dangerous service. i chose charlie jones and clarke as being most familiar with the ship, and we went down into the hold. clarke carried a lantern. charlie jones held singleton's broken revolver. i carried a belaying pin. but, although we searched every foot of space, we found nothing. the formaldehyde with which turner had fumigated the ship clung here tenaciously, and, mixed with the odors of bilge water and the indescribable heavy smells left by tropical cargoes, made me dizzy and ill. we were stumbling along, clarke with the lantern, i next, and charlie jones behind, on our way to the ladder again, when i received a stunning blow on the back of the head. i turned dizzy, expecting nothing less than sudden death, when it developed that jones, having stumbled over a loose plank, had fallen forward, the revolver in his outstretched hand striking my head. he picked himself up sheepishly, and we went on. but so unnerved was i by this fresh shock that it was a moment or two before i could essay the ladder. burns was waiting at the hatchway, peering down. beside him on the deck lay a bloodstained axe. elsa lee, on hearing the story of henrietta sloane, had gone to the maids' cabin, and had found it where it had been flung into the berth of the stewardess. chapter viii the stewardess's story but, after all, the story of henrietta sloane only added to the mystery. she told it to me, sitting propped in a chair in mrs. johns's room, her face white, her lips dry and twitching. the crew were making such breakfast as they could on deck, and mr. turner was still in a stupor in his room across the main cabin. the four women, drawn together in their distress, were huddled in the center of the room, touching hands now and then, as if finding comfort in contact, and reassurance. "i went to bed early," said the stewardess; "about ten o'clock, i think. karen had not come down; i wakened when the watch changed. it was hot, and the window from our room to the deck was open. there is a curtain over it, to keep the helmsman from looking in--it is close to the wheel. the bell, striking every half-hour, does not waken me any more, although it did at first. it is just outside the window. but i heard the watch change. i heard eight bells struck, and the lookout man on the forecastle head call, 'all's well.' "i sat up and turned on the lights. karen had not come down, and i was alarmed. she had been--had been flirting a little with one of the sailors, and i had warned her that it would not do. she'd be found out and get into trouble. "the only way to reach our cabin was through the chart-room, and when i opened the door an inch or two, i saw why karen had not come down. mr. turner and mr. singleton were sitting there. they were--" she hesitated. "please go on," said mrs. turner. "they were drinking?" "yes, mrs. turner. and mr. vail was there, too. he was saying that the captain would come down and there would be more trouble. i shut the door and stood just inside, listening. mr. singleton said he hoped the captain would come--that he and mr. turner only wanted a chance to get at him." miss lee leaned forward and searched the stewardess's face with strained eyes. "you are sure that he mentioned mr. turner in that?" "that was exactly what he said, miss lee. the captain came down just then, and ordered mr. singleton on deck. i think he went, for i did not hear his voice again. i thought, from the sounds, that mr. vail and the captain were trying to get mr. turner to his room." mrs. johns had been sitting back, her eyes shut, holding a bottle of salts to her nose. now she looked up. "my dear woman," she said, "are you trying to tell us that we slept through all that?" "if you did not hear it, you must have slept," the stewardess persisted obstinately. "the door into the main cabin was closed. karen came down just after. she was frightened. she said the first mate was on deck, in a terrible humor; and that charlie jones, who was at the wheel, had appealed to burns not to leave him there--that trouble was coming. that must have been at half-past twelve. the bell struck as she put out the light. we both went to sleep then, until mrs. turner's ringing for karen roused us." "but i did not ring for karen." the woman stared at mrs. turner. "but the bell rang, mrs. turner. karen got up at once and, turning on the light, looked at the clock. 'what do you think of that?' she said. 'ten minutes to three, and i'd just got to sleep!' i growled about the light, and she put it out, after she had thrown on a wrapper. the room was dark when she opened the door. there was a little light in the chart-room, from the binnacle lantern. the door at the top of the companionway was always closed at night; the light came through the window near the wheel." she had kept up very well to this point, telling her story calmly and keeping her voice down. but when she reached the actual killing of the danish maid, she went to pieces. she took to shivering violently, and her pulse, under my fingers, was small and rapid. i mixed some aromatic spirits with water and gave it to her, and we waited until she could go on. for the first time, then, i realized that i was clad only in shirt and trousers, with a handkerchief around my head where the accident in the hold had left me with a nasty cut. my bare feet were thrust into down-at-the-heel slippers. i saw miss lee's eyes on me, and colored. "i had forgotten," i said uncomfortably. "i'll have time to find my coat while she is recovering. i have been so occupied--" "don't be a fool," mrs. johns said brusquely. "no one cares how you look. we only thank heaven you are alive to look after us. do you know what we have been doing, locked in down here? we have been--" "please, adele!" said elsa lee. and mrs. johns, shrugging her shoulders, went back to her salts. the rest of the story we got slowly. briefly, it was this. karen, having made her protest at being called at such an hour, had put on a wrapper and pinned up her hair. the light was on. the stewardess said she heard a curious chopping sound in the main cabin, followed by a fall, and called karen's attention to it. the maid, impatient and drowsy, had said it was probably mr. turner falling over something, and that she hoped she would not meet him. once or twice, when he had been drinking, he had made overtures to her, and she detested him. the sound outside ceased. it was about five minutes since the bell had rung, and karen yawned and sat down on the bed. "i'll let her ring again," she said. "if she gets in the habit of this sort of thing, i'm going to leave." the stewardess asked her to put out the light and let her sleep, and karen did so. the two women were in darkness, and the stewardess dozed, for a minute only. she was awakened by karen touching her on the shoulder and whispering close to her ear. "that beast is out there," she said. "i peered out, and i think he is sitting on the companion steps. you listen, and if he tries to stop me i'll call you." the stewardess was wide awake by that time. she thought perhaps the bell, instead of coming from mrs. turner's room, had come from the room adjoining turner's, where vail slept, and which had been originally designed for mrs. turner. she suggested turning on the light again and looking at the bell register; but karen objected. the stewardess sat up in her bed, which was the one under the small window opening on the deck aft. she could not see through the door directly, but a faint light came through the doorway as karen opened the door. the girl stood there, looking out. then suddenly she threw up her hands and screamed, and the next moment there was a blow struck. she staggered back a step or two, and fell into the room. the stewardess saw a white figure in the doorway as the girl fell. almost instantly something whizzed by her, striking the end of a pillow and bruising her arm. she must have fainted. when she recovered, faint daylight was coming into the room, and the body of the danish girl was lying as it had fallen. she tried to get up, and fainted again. that was her story, and it did not tell us much that we needed to know. she showed me her right arm, which was badly bruised and discolored at the shoulder. "what do you mean by a white figure?" "it looked white: it seemed to shine." "when i went to call you, mrs. sloane, the door to your room was closed." "i saw it closed!" she said positively. "i had forgotten that, but now i remember. the axe fell beside me, and i tried to scream, but i could not. i saw the door closed, very slowly and without a sound. then i fainted." the thing was quite possible. owing to the small size of the cabin, and to the fact that it must accommodate two bunks, the door opened out into the chart-room. probably the woman had fainted before i broke the lock of my door and fell into the main cabin. but a white figure! "karen exclaimed," miss lee said slowly, "that some one was sitting on the companion steps?" "yes, miss." "and she thought that it was mr. turner?" "yes." the stewardess looked quickly at mrs. turner, and averted her eyes. "it may have been all talk, miss, about his--about his bothering her. she was a great one to fancy that men were following her about." miss lee got up and came to the door where i was standing. "surely we need not be prisoners any longer!" she said in an undertone. "it is daylight. if i stay here i shall go crazy." "the murderer is still on the ship," i protested. "and just now the deck is--hardly a place for women. wait until this afternoon, miss lee. by that time i shall have arranged for a guard for you. although god knows, with every man under suspicion, where we will find any to trust." "you will arrange a guard!" "the men have asked me to take charge." "but--i don't understand. the first mate--" "--is a prisoner of the crew." "they accuse him!" "they have to accuse some one. there's a sort of hysteria among the men, and they've fixed on singleton. they won't hurt him, i'll see to that,--and it makes for order." she considered for a moment. i had time then to see the havoc the night had wrought in her. she was pale, with deep hollows around her eyes. her hands shook and her mouth drooped wearily. but, although her face was lined with grief, it was not the passionate sorrow of a loving girl. she had not loved vail, i said to myself. she had not loved vail! my heart beat faster. "will you allow me to leave this room for five minutes?" "if i may go with you, and if you will come back without protest." "you are arbitrary!" she said resentfully. "i only wish to speak to mr. turner." "then--if i may wait at the door." "i shall not go, under those conditions." "miss lee," i said desperately, "surely you must realize the state of affairs. we must trust no one--no one. every shadowy corner, every closed door, may hold death in its most terrible form." "you are right, of course. will you wait outside? i can dress and be ready in five minutes." i went into the main cabin, now bright with the morning sun, which streamed down the forward companionway. the door to vail's room across was open, and williams, working in nervous haste, was putting it in order. walking up and down, his shrewd eyes keenly alert, charlie jones was on guard, revolver in hand. he came over to me at once. "turner is moving, in there," he said, jerking his thumb toward the forward cabin. "what are you going to do? let a drunken sot like that give us orders, and bang us with a belaying pin when we don't please him?" "he is the owner. but one thing we can do, jones. we can keep him from more liquor. williams!" he came out, more dead than alive. "williams," i said sternly, "i give you an hour to get rid of every ounce of liquor on the ella. remember, not a bottle is to be saved." "but mistah turner--" "i'll answer to mr. turner. get it overboard before he gets around. and, williams!" "well?"--sullenly. "i'm going around after you, and if i find so much as a pint, i'll put you in that room you have just left, and lock you in." he turned even grayer, and went into the storeroom. a day later, and the crew would probably have resented what they saw that morning. but that day they only looked up apathetically from their gruesome work of sewing into bags of canvas the sheeted bodies on the deck, while a gray-faced negro in a white coat flung over the rail cases of fine wines, baskets and boxes full of bottles, dozen after dozen of brandies and liquors, all sinking beyond salvage in the blue atlantic. chapter ix prisoners my first thought had been for the women, and, unluckily, to save them a shock i had all evidences of the crime cleared away as quickly as possible. stains that might have been of invaluable service in determining the murderer were washed away almost before they were dry. i realized this now, too late. but the axe remained, and i felt that its handle probably contained a record for more skillful eyes than mine to read, prints that under the microscope would reveal the murderer's identity as clearly as a photograph. i sent for burns, who reported that he had locked the axe in the captain's cabin. he gave me the key, which i fastened to a string and hung around my neck under my shirt. he also reported that, as i had suggested, the crew had gone, two at a time, into the forecastle, and had brought up what they needed to stay on deck. the forecastle had been closed and locked in the presence of the crew, and the key given to burns, who fastened it to his watch-chain. the two hatchways leading to the hold had been fastened down also, and oleson, who was ship's carpenter, had nailed them fast. the crew had been instructed to stay aft of the wheel, except when on watch. thus the helmsman need not be alone. as i have said, the door at the top of the companion steps, near the wheel, was closed and locked, and entrance to the after house was to be gained only by the forward companion. it was the intention of burns and myself to keep watch here, amidships. burns had probably suffered more than any of us. whatever his relation to the hansen woman had been, he had been with her only three hours before her death, and she was wearing a ring of his, a silver rope tied in a sailor's knot, when she died. and burns had been fond of captain richardson, in a crew where respect rather than affection toward the chief officer was the rule. when burns gave me the key to the captain's room charlie jones had reached the other end of the long cabin, and was staring through into the chartroom. it was a time to trust no one, and i assured myself that jones was not looking before i thrust it into my shirt. "they're--all ready, leslie," burns said, his face working. "what are we going to do with them?" "we'll have to take them back." "but we can't do that. it's a two weeks' matter, and in this weather--" "we will take them back, burns," i said shortly, and he assented mechanically:-- "aye, aye, sir." just how it was to be done was a difficult thing to decide. miss lee had not appeared yet, and the three of us, jones, burns, and i, talked it over. jones suggested that we put them in one of the life boats, and nail over it a canvas and tarpaulin cover. "it ain't my own idea," he said modestly. "i seen it done once, on the argentina. it worked all right for a while, and after a week or so we lowered the jolly-boat and towed it astern." i shuddered; but the idea was a good one, and i asked burns to go up and get the boat ready. "we must let the women up this afternoon," i said, "and, if it is possible, try to keep them from learning where the bodies are. we can rope off a part of the deck for them, and ask them not to leave it." miss lee came out then, and burns went on deck. the girl was looking better. the exertion of dressing had brought back her color, and her lips, although firmly set, were not drawn. she stood just outside the door and drew a deep breath. "you must not keep us prisoners any longer, leslie," she said. "put a guard over us, if you must, but let us up in the air." "this afternoon, miss lee," i said. "this morning you are better below." she understood me, but she had no conception of the brutality of the crime, even then. "i am not a child. i wish to see them. i shall have to testify--" "you will not see them, miss lee." she stood twisting her handkerchief in her hands. she saw charlie jones pacing the length of the cabin, revolver in hand. from the chartroom came the sound of hammering, where the after companion door, already locked, was being additionally secured with strips of wood nailed across. "i understand," she said finally. "will you take me to karen's room?" i could see no reason for objecting; but so thorough was the panic that had infected us all that i would not allow her in until i had preceded her, and had searched in the clothes closet and under the two bunks. williams had not reached this room yet, and there was a pool of blood on the floor. she had a great deal of courage. she glanced at the stain, and looked away again quickly. "i--think i shall not come in. will you look at the bell register for me? what bell is registered?" "three." "three!" she said. "are you sure?" i looked again. "it is three." "then it was not my sister's bell that rang. it was mr. vail's!" "it must be a mistake. perhaps the wires--" "mrs. turner's room is number one. please go back and ask her to ring her bell, while i see how it registers." but i would not leave her there alone. i went with her to her sister's door, and together we returned to the maids' cabin. mrs. turner had rung as we requested, and her bell had registered "one." "he rang for help!" she cried, and broke down utterly. she dropped into a chair in the chart-room and cried softly, helplessly, while i stood by, unable to think of anything to do or say. i think now that it was the best thing she could have done, though at the time i was alarmed. i ventured, finally, to put my hand on her shoulder. "please!" i said. charlie jones came to the door of the chartroom, and retreated with instinctive good taste. she stopped crying after a time, and i knew the exact instant when she realized my touch. i felt her stiffen; without looking up, she drew away from my hand; and i stepped back, hurt and angry--the hurt for her, the anger that i could not remember that i was her hired servant. when she got up, she did not look at me, nor i at her--at least not consciously. but when, in those days, was i not looking at her, seeing her, even when my eyes were averted, feeling her presence before any ordinary sense told me she was near? the sound of her voice in the early mornings, when i was washing down the deck, had been enough to set my blood pounding in my ears. the last thing i saw at night, when i took myself to the storeroom to sleep, was her door across the main cabin; and in the morning, stumbling out with my pillow and blanket, i gave it a foolish little sign of greeting. what she would not see the men had seen, and, in their need, they had made me their leader. to her i was leslie, the common sailor. i registered a vow, that morning, that i would be the common sailor until the end of the voyage. "mr. turner is awake, i believe," i said stiffly. "very well." she turned back into the main cabin; but she paused at the storeroom door. "it is curious that you heard nothing," she said slowly. "you slept with this door open, didn't you?" "i was locked in." she stooped quickly and looked at the lock. "you broke it open?" "partly, at the last. i heard--" i stopped. i did not want to tell her what i had heard. but she knew. "you heard--karen, when she screamed?" "yes. i was aroused before that,--i do not know how,--and found i was locked in. i thought it might be a joke--forecastle hands are fond of joking, and they resented my being brought here to sleep. i took out some of the screws with my knife, and--then i broke the door." "you saw no one?" "it was dark; i saw and heard no one." "but, surely--the man at the wheel--" "hush," i warned her; "he is there. he heard something, but the helmsman cannot leave the wheel." she was stooping to the lock again. "you are sure it was locked?" "the bolt is still shot." i showed her. "then--where is the key?" "the key!" "certainly. find the key, and you will find the man who locked you in." "unless," i reminded her, "it flew out when i broke the lock." "in that case, it will be on the floor." but an exhaustive search of the cabin floor discovered no key. jones, seeing us searching, helped, his revolver in one hand and a lighted match in the other, handling both with an abandon of ease that threatened us alternately with fire and a bullet. but there was no key. "it stands to reason, miss," he said, when we had given up, "that, since the key isn't here, it isn't on the ship. that there key is a sort of red-hot give-away. no one is going to carry a thing like that around. either it's here in this cabin--which it isn't--or it's overboard." "very likely, jones. but i shall ask mr. turner to search the men." she went toward turner's door, and jones leaned over me, putting a hand on my arm. "she's right, boy," he said quickly. "don't let 'em know what you're after, but go through their pockets. and their shoes!" he called after me. "a key slips into a shoe mighty easy." but, after all, it was not necessary. the key was to be found, and very soon. chapter x "that's mutiny" exactly what occurred during elsa lee's visit to her brother-in-law's cabin i have never learned. he was sober, i know, and somewhat dazed, with no recollection whatever of the previous night, except a hazy idea that he had quarreled with richardson. jones and i waited outside. he suggested that we have prayers over the bodies when we placed them in the boat, and i agreed to read the burial service from the episcopal prayer book. the voices from turner's cabin came steadily, miss lee's low tones, turner's heavy bass only now and then. once i heard her give a startled exclamation, and both jones and i leaped to the door. but the next moment she was talking again quietly. ten minutes--fifteen--passed. i grew restless and took to wandering about the cabin. mrs. johns came to the door opposite, and asked to have tea sent down to the stewardess. i called the request up the companionway, unwilling to leave the cabin for a moment. when i came back, jones was standing at the door of vail's cabin, looking in. his face was pale. "look there!" he said hoarsely. "look at the bell. he must have tried to push the button!" i stared in. williams had put the cabin to rights, as nearly as he could. the soaked mattress was gone, and a clean linen sheet was spread over the bunk. poor vail's clothing, as he had taken it off the night before, hung on a mahogany stand beside the bed, and above, almost concealed by his coat, was the bell. jones's eyes were fixed on the darkish smear, over and around the bell, on the white paint. i measured the height of the bell from the bed. it was well above, and to one side--a smear rather than a print, too indeterminate to be of any value, sinister, cruel. "he didn't do that, charlie," i said. "he couldn't have got up to it after--that is the murderer's mark. he leaned there, one hand against the wall, to look down at his work. and, without knowing it, he pressed the button that roused the two women." he had not heard the story of henrietta sloane, and, as we waited, i told him. some of the tension was relaxing. he tried, in his argumentative german way, to drag me into a discussion as to the foreordination of a death that resulted from an accidental ringing of a bell. but my ears were alert for the voices near by, and soon miss lee opened the door. turner was sitting on his bunk. he had made an attempt to shave, and had cut his chin severely. he was in a dressing-gown, and was holding a handkerchief to his face; he peered at me over it with red-rimmed eyes. "this--this is horrible, leslie," he said. "i can hardly believe it." "it is true, mr. turner." he took the handkerchief away and looked to see if the bleeding had stopped. i believe he intended to impress us both with his coolness, but it was an unfortunate attempt. his lips, relieved of the pressure, were twitching; his nerveless fingers could hardly refold the handkerchief. "wh-why was i not--called at once?" he demanded. "i notified you. you were--you must have gone to sleep again." "i don't believe you called me. you're--lying, aren't you?" he got up, steadying himself by the wall, and swaying dizzily to the motion of the ship. "you shut me off down here, and then run things your own damned way." he turned on miss lee. "where's helen?" "in her room, marsh. she has one of her headaches. please don't disturb her." "where's williams?" he turned to me. "i can get him for you." "tell him to bring me a highball. my mouth's sticky." he ran his tongue over his dry lips. "and--take a message from me to richardson--" he stopped, startled. indeed, miss lee and i had both started. "to who's running the boat, anyhow? singleton?" "mr. singleton is a prisoner in the forward house," i said gravely. the effect of this was astonishing. he stared at us both, and, finding corroboration in miss lee's face, his own took on an instant expression of relief. he dropped to the side of the bed, and his color came slowly back. he even smiled--a crafty grin that was inexpressibly horrible. "singleton!" he said. "why do they--how do they know it was he?" "he had quarreled with the captain last night, and he was on duty at the time of the when the thing happened. the man at the wheel claims to have seen him in the chartroom just before, and there was other evidence, i believe. the lookout saw him forward, with something--possibly the axe. not decisive, of course, but enough to justify putting him in irons. somebody did it, and the murderer is on board, mr. turner." his grin had faded, but the crafty look in his pale-blue eyes remained. "the chart-room was dark. how could the steersman--" he checked himself abruptly, and looked at us both quickly. "where are--they?" he asked in a different tone. "on deck." "we can't keep them in this weather." "we must," i said. "we will have to get to the nearest port as quickly as we can, and surrender ourselves and the bodies. this thing will have to be sifted to the bottom, mr. turner. the innocent must not suffer for the guilty, and every one on the ship is under suspicion." he fell into a passion at that, insisting that the bodies be buried at once, asserting his ownership of the vessel as his authority, demanding to know what i, a forecastle hand, had to say about it, flinging up and down the small room, showering me with invective and threats, and shoving miss lee aside when she laid a calming hand on his arm. the cut on his chin was bleeding again, adding to his wild and sinister expression. he ended by demanding williams. i opened the door and called to charlie jones to send the butler, and stood by, waiting for the fresh explosion that was coming. williams shakily confessed that there was no whiskey on board. "where is it?" turner thundered. williams looked at me. he was in a state of inarticulate fright. "i ordered it overboard," i said. turner whirled on me, incredulity and rage in his face. "you!" i put the best face i could on the matter, and eyed him steadily. "there has been too much drinking on this ship," i said. "if you doubt it, go up and look at the three bodies on the deck." "what have you to do about it?" his eyes were narrowed; there was menace in every line of his face. "with schwartz gone, captain richardson dead, and singleton in irons, the crew had no officers. they asked me to take charge." "so! and you used your authority to meddle with what does not concern you the ship has an officer while i am on it. and there will be no mutiny." he flung into the main cabin, and made for the forward companionway. i stepped back to allow miss lee to precede me. she was standing, her back to the dressing-stand, facing the door. she looked at me and made a helpless gesture with her hands, as if the situation were beyond her. then i saw her look down. she took a quick step or two toward the door, and, stooping picked up some small object from almost under my foot. the incident would have passed without notice, had she not, in attempting to wrap it in her handkerchief, dropped it. i saw then that it was a key. "let me get it for you," i said. to my amazement, she put her foot over it. "please see what mr. turner is doing," she said. "it is the key to my jewel-case." "will you let me see it?" "no." "it is not the key to a jewel-case." "it does not concern you what it is." "it is the key to the storeroom door." "you are stronger than i am. you look the brute. you can knock me away and get it." i knew then, of course, that it was the storeroom key. but i could not take it by force. and so defiantly she faced me, so valiant was every line of her slight figure, that i was ashamed of my impulse to push her aside and take it. i loved her with every inch of my overgrown body, and i did the thing she knew i would do. i bowed and left the cabin. but i had no intention of losing the key. i could not take it by force, but she knew as well as i did what finding it there in turner's room meant. turner had locked me in. but i must be able to prove it--my wits against hers, and the advantage mine. i had the women under guard. i went up on deck. a curious spectacle revealed itself. turner, purple with anger, was haranguing the men, who stood amidships, huddled together, but grim and determined withal. burns, a little apart from the rest, was standing, sullen, his arms folded. as turner ceased, he took a step forward. "you are right, mr. turner," he said. "it's your ship, and it's up to you to say where she goes and how she goes, sir. but some one will hang for this, mr. turner,--some one that's on this deck now; and the bodies are going back with us--likewise the axe. there ain't going to be a mistake--the right man is going to swing." "that's mutiny!" "yes, sir," burns acknowledged, his face paling a little. "i guess you could call it that." turner swung on his heel and went below, where jones, relieved of guard duty by burns, reported him locked in his room, refusing admission to his wife and miss lee, both of whom had knocked on the door. the trouble with turner added to the general misery of the situation. burns got our position at noon with more or less exactness, and the general working of the ella went on well enough. but the situation was indescribable. men started if a penknife dropped, and swore if a sail flapped. the call of the boatswain's pipe rasped their ears, and the preparation for stowing the bodies in the jolly-boat left them unnerved and sick. some sort of a meal was cooked, but no one could eat; williams brought up, untasted, the luncheon he had carried down to the after house. at two o'clock all hands gathered amidships, and the bodies were carried forward to where the boat, lowered in its davits and braced, lay on the deck. it had been lined with canvas and tarpaulin, and a cover of similar material lay ready to be nailed in place. all the men were bareheaded. many were in tears. miss lee came forward with us, and it was from her prayer-book that i, too moved for self-consciousness, read the burial-service. "i am the resurrection and the life," i read huskily. the figures at my feet, in their canvas shrouds, rolled gently with the rocking of the ship; the sun beat down on the decks, on the bare heads of the men, on the gilt edges of the prayer-book, gleaming in the light, on the last of the land-birds, drooping in the heat on the main cross-trees. "... for man walketh in a vain shadow," i read, "and disquieteth himself in vain.... "o spare me a little, that i may recover my strength: before i go hence, and be no more seen." chapter xi the dead line mrs. johns and the stewardess came up late in the afternoon. we had railed off a part of the deck around the forward companionway for them, and none of the crew except the man on guard was allowed inside the ropes. after a consultation, finding the ship very short-handed, and unwilling with the night coming on to trust any of the men, burns and i decided to take over this duty ourselves, and, by stationing ourselves at the top of the companionway, to combine the duties of officer on watch and guard of the after house. to make the women doubly secure, we had oleson nail all the windows closed, although they were merely portholes. jones was no longer on guard below, and i had exchanged singleton's worthless revolver for my own serviceable one. mrs. johns, carefully dressed, surveyed the railed-off deck with raised eyebrows. "for--us?" she asked, looking at me. the men were gathered about the wheel aft, and were out of ear-shot. mrs. sloane had dropped into a steamer-chair, and was lying back with closed eyes. "yes, mrs. johns." "where have you put them?" i pointed to where the jolly-boat, on the port side of the ship, swung on its davits. "and the mate, mr. singleton?" "he is in the forward house." "what did you do with the--the weapon?" "why do you ask that?" "morbid curiosity," she said, with a lightness of tone that rang false to my ears. "and then--naturally, i should like to be sure that it is safely overboard, so it will not be"--she shivered--"used again." "it is not overboard, mrs. johns," i said gravely. "it is locked in a safe place, where it will remain until the police come to take it." "you are rather theatrical, aren't you?" she scoffed, and turned away. but a second later she came back to me, and put her hand on my arm. "tell me where it is," she begged. "you are making a mystery of it, and i detest mysteries." i saw under her mask of lightness then: she wanted desperately to know where the axe was. her eyes fell, under my gaze. "i am sorry. there is no mystery. it is simply locked away for safe-keeping." she bit her lip. "do you know what i think?" she said slowly. "i think you have hypnotized the crew, as you did me--at first. why has no one remembered that you were in the after house last night, that you found poor wilmer vail, that you raised the alarm, that you discovered the captain and karen? why should i not call the men here and remind them of all that?" "i do not believe you will. they know i was locked in the storeroom. the door--the lock--" "you could have locked yourself in." "you do not know what you are saying!" but i had angered her, and she went on cruelly:-- "who are you, anyhow? you are not a sailor. you came here and were taken on because you told a hard-luck story. how do we know that you came from a hospital? men just out of prison look as you did. do you know what we called you, the first two days out? we called you elsa's jail-bird and now, because you have dominated the crew, we are in your hands!" "do mrs. turner and miss lee think that?" "they feel as i do. this is a picked crew men the turner line has employed for years." "you are very brave, mrs. johns," i said. "if i were what you think i am, i would be a dangerous enemy." "i am not afraid of you." i thought fast. she was right. it had not occurred to me before, but it swept over me overwhelmingly. "you are leaving me only one thing to do," i said. "i shall surrender myself to the men at once." i took out my revolver and held it out to her. "this rope is a dead-line. the crew know, and you will have no trouble; but you must stand guard here until some one else is sent." she took the revolver without a word, and, somewhat dazed by this new turn of events, i went aft. the men were gathered there, and i surrendered myself. they listened in silence while i told them the situation. burns, who had been trying to sleep, sat up and stared at me incredulously. "it will leave you pretty short-handed, boys," i finished, "but you'd better fasten me up somewhere. but i want to be sure of one thing first: whatever happens, keep the guard for the women." "we'd like to talk it over, leslie," burns said, after a word with the others. i went forward a few feet, taking care to remain where they could see me, and very soon they called me. there had been a dispute, i believe. adams and mcnamara stood off from the others, their faces not unfriendly, but clearly differing from the decision. charlie jones, who, by reason of long service and a sort of pious control he had in the forecastle, was generally spokesman for the crew, took a step or two toward me. "we'll not do it, boy," he said. "we think we know a man when we see one, as well as having occasion to know that you're white all through. and we're not inclined to set the talk of women against what we think best to do. so you stick to your job, and we're back of you." in spite of myself, i choked up. i tried to tell them what their loyalty meant to me; but i could only hold out my hand, and, one by one, they came up and shook it solemnly. "we think," mcnamara said, when, last of all, he and adams came up, "that it would be best, lad, if we put down in the log-book all that has happened last night and to-day, and this just now, too. it's fresh in our minds now, and it will be something to go by." so burns and i got the log-book from the captain's cabin. the axe was there, where we had placed it earlier in the day, lying on the white cover of the bed. the room was untouched, as the dead man had left it--a collar on the stand, brushes put down hastily, a half-smoked cigar which had burned a long scar on the wood before it had gone out. we went out silently, burns carrying the book, i locking the door behind us. mrs. johns, sitting near the companionway with the revolver on her knee, looked up and eyed me coolly. "so they would not do it!" "i am sorry to disappoint you--they would not." she held up my revolver to me, and smiled cynically. "remember," she said, "i only said you were a possibility." "thank you; i shall remember." by unanimous consent, the task of putting down what had happened was given to me. i have a copy of the log-book before me now, the one that was used at the trial. the men read it through before they signed it. august thirteenth. this morning, between two-thirty and three o'clock, three murders were committed on the yacht ella. at the request of mrs. johns, one of the party on board, i had moved to the after house to sleep, putting my blanket and pillow in the storeroom and sleeping on the floor there. mrs. johns gave, as her reason, a fear of something going wrong, as there was trouble between mr. turner and the captain. i slept with a revolver beside me and with the door of the storeroom open. at some time shortly before three o'clock i wakened with a feeling of suffocation, and found that the door was closed and locked on the outside. i suspected a joke among the crew, and set to work with my pen-knife to unscrew the lock. when i had two screws out, a woman screamed, and i broke down the door. as the main cabin was dark, i saw no one and could not tell where the cry came from. i ran into mr. vail's cabin, next the storeroom, and called him. his door was standing open. i heard him breathing heavily. then the breathing stopped. i struck a match, and found him dead. his head had been crushed in with an axe, the left hand cut off, and there were gashes on the right shoulder and the abdomen. i knew the helmsman would be at the wheel, and ran up the after companionway to him and told him. then i ran forward and called the first mate, mr. singleton, who was on duty. he had been drinking. i asked him to call the captain, but he did not. he got his revolver, and we hurried down the forward companion. the body of the captain was lying at the foot of the steps, his head on the lowest stair. he had been killed like mr. vail. his cap had been placed over his face. the mate collapsed on the steps. i found the light switch and turned it on. there was no one in the cabin or in the chart-room. i ran to mr. turner's room, going through mr. vail's and through the bathroom. mr. turner was in bed, fully dressed. i could not rouse him. like the mate, he had been drinking. the mate had roused the crew, and they gathered in the chart-room. i told them what had happened, and that the murderer must be among us. i suggested that they stay together, and that they submit to being searched for weapons. they went on deck in a body, and i roused the women and told them. mrs. turner asked me to tell the two maids, who slept in a cabin off the chartroom. i found their door unlocked, and, receiving no answer, opened it. karen hansen, the lady's-maid, was on the floor, dead, with her skull crushed in. the stewardess, henrietta sloane, was fainting in her bunk. an axe had been hurled through the doorway as the hansen woman fell, and was found in the stewardess's bunk. dawn coming by that time, i suggested a guard at the two companionways, and this was done. the men were searched and all weapons taken from them. mr. singleton was under suspicion, it being known that he had threatened the captain's life, and oleson, a lookout, claiming to have seen him forward where the axe was kept. the crew insisted that singleton be put in irons. he made no objection, and we locked him in his own room in the forward house. owing to the loss of schwartz, the second mate, already recorded in this log-book (see entry for august ninth), the death of the captain, and the imprisonment of the first mate, the ship was left without officers. until mr. turner could make an arrangement, the crew nominated burns, one of themselves, as mate, and asked me to assume command. i protested that i knew nothing of navigation, but agreed on its being represented that, as i was not one of them, there could be ill feeling. the ship was searched, on the possibility of finding a stowaway in the hold. but nothing was found. i divided the men into two watches, burns taking one and i the other. we nailed up the after companionway, and forbade any member of the crew to enter the after house. the forecastle was also locked, the men bringing their belongings on deck. the stewardess recovered and told her story, which, in her own writing, will be added to this record. the bodies of the dead were brought on deck and sewed into canvas, and later, with appropriate services, placed in the jolly-boat, it being the intention, later on, to tow the boat behind us. mr. turner insisted that the bodies be buried at sea, and, on the crew opposing this, retired to his cabin, announcing that he considered the position of the men a mutiny. some feeling having arisen among the women of the party that i might know more of the crimes than was generally supposed, having been in the after house at the time they were committed, and having no references, i this afternoon voluntarily surrendered myself to burns, acting first mate. the men, however, refused to accept this surrender, only two, adams and mcnamara, favoring it. i expect to give myself up to the police at the nearest port, until the matter is thoroughly probed. the axe is locked in the captain's cabin. (signed) ralph leslie. john robert burns charles klineordlinger (jones) william mcnamara witnesses carl l. clarke joseph q. adams john oleson tom mackenzie obadiah williams chapter xii the first mate talks williams came up on deck late that afternoon, with a scared face, and announced that mr. turner had locked himself in his cabin, and was raving in delirium on the other side of the door. i sent burns down having decided, in view of mrs. johns's accusation, to keep away from the living quarters of the family. burns's report corroborated what williams had said. turner was in the grip of delirium tremens, and the ella was without owner or officers. turner refused to open either door for us. as well as we could make out, he was moving rapidly but almost noiselessly up and down the room, muttering to himself, now and then throwing himself on the bed, only to get up at once. he rang his bell a dozen times, and summoned williams, only, in reply to the butler's palpitating knock, to stand beyond the door and refuse to open it or to voice any request. the situation became so urgent that finally i was forced to go down, with no better success. mrs. turner dragged herself across, on the state of affairs being reported to her, and, after two or three abortive attempts, succeeded in getting a reply from him. "marsh!" she called. "i want to talk to you. let me in." "they'll get us," he said craftily. "us? who is with you?" "vail," he replied promptly. "he's here talking. he won't let me sleep." "tell him to give you the key and you will keep it for him so no one can get him," i prompted. i had had some experience with such cases in the hospital. she tried it without any particular hope, but it succeeded immediately. he pushed the key out under the door, and almost at once we heard him throw himself on the bed, as if satisfied that the problem of his security was solved. mrs. turner held the key out to me, but i would not take it. "give it to williams," i said. "you must understand, mrs. turner, that i cannot take it." she was a woman of few words, and after a glance at my determined face she turned to the butler. "you will have to look after mr. turner, williams. see that he is comfortable, and try to keep him in bed." williams put out a trembling hand, but, before he took the key, turner's voice rose petulantly on the other side of the door. "for god's sake, wilmer," he cried plaintively, "get out and let me sleep i haven't slept for a month." williams gave a whoop of fear, and ran out of the cabin, crying that the ship was haunted and that vail had come back. from that moment, i believe, the after house was the safest spot on the ship. to my knowledge, no member of the crew so much as passed it on the starboard side, where vail's and turner's cabins were situated. it was the one good turn the owner of the ella did us on that hideous return journey; for, during most of the sixteen days that it took us to get back, he lay in his cabin, alternating the wild frenzy of delirium tremens with quieter moments when he glared at us with crafty, murderous eyes, and picked incessantly at the bandages that tied him down. not an instant did he sleep, that we could discover; and always, day or night, vail was with him, and they were quarreling. the four women took care of him as best they could. for a time they gave him the bromides i prepared, taking my medical knowledge without question. in the horror of the situation, curiosity had no place, and class distinctions were forgotten. that great leveler, a common trouble, put henrietta sloane, the stewardess, and the women of the party at the same table in the after house, where none ate, and placed the responsibility for the ship, although, i was nominally in command, on the shoulders of all the men. and there sprang up among them a sort of esprit de corps, curious under the circumstances, and partly explained, perhaps, by the belief that in imprisoning singleton they had the murderer safely in hand. what they thought of turner's possible connection with the crime, i do not know. personally, i was convinced that turner was guilty. perhaps, lulled into a false security by the incarceration of the two men, we unconsciously relaxed our vigilance. but by the first night the crew were somewhat calmer. here and there a pipe was lighted, and a plug of tobacco went the rounds. the forecastle supper, served on deck, was eaten; and charlie jones, securing a permission that i thought it best to grant, went forward and painted a large black cross on the side of the jolly-boat, and below it the date, august , . the crew watched in respectful silence. the weather was in our favor, the wind on our quarter, a blue sky heaped with white cloud masses, with the sunset fringed with the deepest rose. the ella made no great way, but sailed easily. burns and i alternated at the forward companionway, and, although the men were divided into watches, the entire crew was on duty virtually all the time. i find, on consulting the book in which i recorded, beginning with that day, the incidents of the return voyage, that two things happened that evening. one was my interview with singleton; the other was my curious and depressing clash with elsa lee, on the deck that night. turner being quiet and burns on watch at the beginning of the second dog watch, six o'clock, i went forward to the room where singleton was imprisoned. burns gave me the key, and advised me to take a weapon. i did not, however, nor was it needed. the first mate was sitting on the edge of his bunk, in his attitude of the morning, his head in his hands. as i entered, he looked up and nodded. his color was still bad; he looked ill and nervous, as might have been expected after his condition the night before. "for god's sake, leslie," he said, "tell them to open the window. i'm choking!" he was right: the room was stifling. i opened the door behind me, and stood in the doorway, against a rush for freedom. but he did not move. he sank back into his dejected attitude. "will you eat some soup, if i send it?" he shook his head. "is there anything you care for?" "better let me starve; i'm gone, anyhow." "singleton," i said, "i wish you would tell me about last night. if you did it, we've got you. if you didn't, you'd better let me take your own account of what happened, while it's fresh in your mind. or, better still, write it yourself." he held out his right hand. i saw that it was shaking violently. "couldn't hold a pen," he said tersely. "wouldn't be believed, anyhow." the air being somewhat better, i closed and locked the door again, and, coming in, took out my notebook and pencil. he watched me craftily. "you can write it," he said, "if you'll give it to me to keep. i'm not going to put the rope around my own neck. if it's all right, my lawyers will use it. if it isn't--" he shrugged his shoulders. i had never liked the man, and his tacit acknowledgment that he might incriminate himself made me eye him with shuddering distaste. but i took down his story, and reproduce it here, minus the technicalities and profanity with which it was interlarded. briefly, singleton's watch began at midnight. the captain, who had been complaining of lumbago, had had the cook prepare him a mustard poultice, and had retired early. burns was on watch from eight to twelve, and, on coming into the forward house at a quarter after eleven o'clock to eat his night lunch, reported to singleton that the captain was in bed and that mr. turner had been asking for him. singleton, therefore, took his cap and went on deck. this was about twenty minutes after eleven. he had had a drink or two earlier in the evening, and he took another in his cabin when he got his cap. he found turner in the chart-house, playing solitaire and drinking. he was alone, and he asked singleton to join him. the first mate looked at his watch and accepted the invitation, but decided to look around the forward house to be sure the captain was asleep. he went on deck. he could hear burns and the lookout talking. the forward house was dark. he listened outside the captain's door, and heard him breathing heavily, as if asleep. he stood there for a moment. he had an uneasy feeling that some one was watching him. he thought of schwartz, and was uncomfortable. he did not feel the whiskey at all. he struck a light and looked around. there was no one in sight. he could hear charlie jones in the forecastle drumming on his banjo, and burns whistling the same tune as he went aft to strike the bell. (it was the duty of the officer on watch to strike the hour.) it was then half after eleven. as he passed the captain's door again, his foot struck something, and it fell to the floor. he was afraid the captain had been roused, and stood still until he heard him breathing regularly again. then he stooped down. his foot had struck an axe upright against the captain's door, and had knocked it down. the axe belonged on the outer wall of the forward house. it was a rule that it must not be removed from its place except in emergency, and the first mate carried it out and leaned it against the forward port corner of the after house when he went below. later, on his watch, he carried it forward and put it where it belonged. he found turner waiting on deck, and together they descended to the chart-room. he was none too clear as to what followed. they drank together. vail tried to get turner to bed, and failed. he believed that burns had called the captain. the captain had ordered him to the deck, and there had been a furious quarrel. he felt ill by that time, and, when he went on watch at midnight, burns was uncertain about leaving him. he was not intoxicated, he maintained, until after half-past one. he was able to strike the bell without difficulty, and spoke, each time he went aft, to charlie jones, who was at the wheel. after that, however, he suddenly felt strange. he thought he had been doped, and told the helmsman so. he asked jones to strike the bell for him, and, going up on the forecastle head, lay down on the boards and fell asleep. he did not waken until he heard six bells struck--three o'clock. and, before he had fully roused, i had called him. "then," i said, "when the lookout saw you with the axe, you were replacing it?" "yes." "the lookout says you were not on deck between two and three o'clock." "how does he know? i was asleep." "you had threatened to get the captain." "i had a revolver; i didn't need to use an axe." much as i disliked the man, i was inclined to believe his story, although i thought he was keeping something back. i leaned forward. "singleton," i said, "if you didn't do it, and i want to think you did not,--who did?" he shrugged his shoulders. "we have women aboard. we ought to know what precautions to take." "i wasn't the only man on deck that night. burns was about, and he had a quarrel with the hansen woman. jones was at the wheel, too. why don't you lock up jones?" "we are all under suspicion," i admitted. "but you had threatened the captain." "i never threatened the girl, or mr. vail." i had no answer to this, and we both fell silent. singleton was the first to speak:-- "how are you going to get back? the men can sail a course, but who is to lay it out? turner? no turner ever knew anything about a ship but what it made for him." "turner is sick. look here, singleton, you want to get back as much as we do, or more. wouldn't you be willing to lay a course, if you were taken out once a day? burns is doing it, but he doesn't pretend to know much about it, and--we have the bodies." but he turned ugly again, and refused to help unless he was given his freedom, and that i knew the crew would not agree to. "you'll be sick enough before you get back!" he snarled. chapter xiii the white light with the approach of night our vigilance was doubled. there was no thought of sleep among the crew, and, with the twilight, there was a distinct return of the terror of the morning. gathered around the wheel, the crew listened while jones read evening prayer. between the two houses, where the deck was roped off, miss lee was alone, pacing back and-forward, her head bent, her arms dropped listlessly. the wind had gone, and the sails hung loose over our heads. i stood by the port rail. although my back was toward miss lee, i was conscious of her every movement; and so i knew when she stooped under the rope and moved lightly toward the starboard rail. quick as she was, i was quicker. there was still light enough to see her face as she turned when i called to her: "miss lee you must not leave the rope." "must not?" "i am sorry to seem arbitrary. it is for your own safety." i was crossing the deck toward her as i spoke. i knew what she was going to do. i believe, when she saw my face, that she read my knowledge in it. she turned back from the rail and faced me. "surely i may go to the rail!" "it would be unwise, if for no other reason than discipline." "discipline! are you trying to discipline me?" "miss lee, you do not seem to understand," i said, as patiently as i could. "just now i am in charge of the ella. it does not matter how unfit i am--the fact remains. nor does it concern me that your brother-in-law owns the ship. i am in charge of it, and, god willing, there will be no more crimes on it. you will go back to the part of the deck that is reserved for you, or you will go below and stay there." she flushed with anger, and stood there with her head thrown back, eyeing me with a contempt that cut me to the quick. the next moment she wheeled and, raising her hand, flung toward the rail the key to the storeroom door. i caught her hand--too late. but fate was on my side, after all. as i stood, still gripping her wrist, the key fell ringing almost at my feet. it had struck one of the lower yard braces. i stooped, and, picking it up, pocketed it. she was dazed, i think. she made no effort to free her arm, but she put her other hand to her heart unexpectedly, and i saw that she was profoundly shocked. i led her, unprotesting, to a deck-chair, and put her down in it; and still she had not spoken: she lay back and closed her eyes. she was too strong to faint; she was superbly healthy. but she knew as well as i did what that key meant, and she had delivered it into my hands. as for me, i was driven hard that night; for, as i stood there looking down at her, she held out her hand to me, palm up. "please!" she said pleadingly. "what does it mean to you, leslie? we were kind to you, weren't we? when you were ill, we took you on, my sister and i, and now you hate us." "hate you!" "he didn't know what he was doing. he wasn't sane. no sane man kills--that way. he had a revolver, if he had wanted--please give me that key!" "some one will suffer. would you have the innocent suffer with the guilty?" "if they cannot prove it against any one--" "they may prove it against me." "you!" "i was in the after house," i said doggedly. "i was the one to raise an alarm and to find the bodies. you do not know anything about me. i am--'elsa's jail-bird'!" "who told you that?" "it does not matter--i know it. i told you the truth, miss elsa; i came here from the hospital. but i may have to fight for my life. against the turner money and influence, i have only--this key. shall i give it to you?" i held it out to her on the palm of my hand. it was melodramatic, probably; but i was very young, and by that time wildly in love with her. i thought, for a moment, that she would take it; but she only drew a deep breath and pushed my hand away. "keep it," she said. "i am ashamed." we were silent after that, she staring out over the rail at the deepening sky; and, looking at her as one looks at a star, i thought she had forgotten my presence, so long she sat silent. the voices of the men aft died away gradually, as, one by one, they rolled themselves in blankets on the deck, not to sleep, but to rest and watch. the lookout, in his lonely perch high above the deck, called down guardedly to ask for company, and one of the crew went up. when she turned to me again, it was to find my eyes fixed on her. "you say you have neither money nor influence. and yet, you are a gentleman." "i hope so." "you know what i mean"--impatiently. "you are not a common sailor." "i did not claim to be one." "you are quite determined we shall not know anything about you?" "there is nothing to know. i have given you my name, which is practically all i own in the world. i needed a chance to recover from an illness, and i was obliged to work. this offered the best opportunity to combine both." "you are not getting much chance--to rest," she said, with a sigh, and got up. i went with her to the companionway, and opened the door. she turned and looked at me. "good-night." "good-night, miss lee." "i--i feel very safe with you on guard," she said, and held out her hand. i took it in mine, with my heart leaping. it was as cold as ice. that night, at four bells, i mustered the crew as silently as possible around the jollyboat, and we lowered it into the water. the possibility of a dead calm had convinced me that the sooner it was done the better. we arranged to tow the boat astern, and charlie jones suggested a white light in its bow, so we could be sure at night that it had not broken loose. accordingly, we attached to the bow of the jolly-boat a tailed block with an endless fall riven through it, so as to be able to haul in and refill the lantern. five bells struck by the time we had arranged the towing-line. we dropped the jolly-boat astern and made fast the rope. it gave me a curious feeling, that small boat rising and falling behind us, with its dead crew, and its rocking light, and, on its side above the water-line, the black cross--a curious feeling of pursuit, as if, across the water, they in the boat were following us. and, perhaps because the light varied, sometimes it seemed to drop behind, as if wearying of the chase, and again, in great leaps, to be overtaking us, to be almost upon us. an open boat with a small white light and a black cross on the side. chapter xiv from the crow's nest the night passed without incident, except for one thing that we were unable to verify. at six bells, during the darkest hour of the night that precedes the early dawn of summer, adams, from the crow's-nest, called down, in a panic, that there was something crawling on all fours on the deck below him. burns, on watch at the companionway, ran forward with his revolver, and narrowly escaped being brained--adams at that moment flinging down a marlinespike that he had carried aloft with him. i heard the crash and joined burns, and together we went over the deck and, both houses. everything was quiet: the crew in various attitudes of exhausted sleep, their chests and dittybags around them; oleson at the wheel; and singleton in his jail-room, breathing heavily. adams's nerve was completely gone, and, being now thoroughly awake, i joined him in the crow's-nest. nothing could convince him that he had been the victim of a nervous hallucination. he stuck to his story firmly. "it was on the forecastle-head first," he maintained. "i saw it gleaming." "gleaming?" "sort of shining," he explained. "it came up over the rail, and at first it stood up tall, like a white post." "you didn't say before that it was white." "it was shining," he said slowly, trying to put his idea into words. "maybe not exactly white, but light-colored. it stood still for so long, i thought i must be mistaken--that it was a light on the rigging. then i got to thinking that there wasn't no place for a light to come from just there." that was true enough. "first it was as tall as a man, or taller maybe," he went on. "then it seemed about half that high and still in the same place. then it got lower still, and it took to crawling along on its belly. it was then i yelled." i looked down. the green starboard light threw a light over only a small part of the deck. the red light did no better. the masthead was possibly thirty feet above the hull, and served no illuminating purpose whatever. from the bridge forward the deck was practically dark. "you yelled, and then what happened?" his reply was vague--troubled. "i'm not sure," he said slowly. "it seemed to fade away. the white got smaller--went to nothing, like a cloud blown away in a gale. i flung the spike." i accepted the story with outward belief and a mental reservation. but i did not relish the idea of the spike adams had thrown lying below on deck. no more formidable weapon short of an axe, could be devised. i said as much. "i'm going down for it," i said; "if you're nervous, you'd better keep it by you. but don't drop it on everything that moves below. you almost got burns." i went down cautiously, and struck a match where adams had indicated the spike. it was not there. nor had burns picked it up. a splintered board showed where it had struck, and a smaller indentation where it had rebounded; but the marlinespike was gone, and burns had not seen it. we got a lantern and searched systematically, without result. burns turned to me a face ghastly in the oil light. "somebody has it," he said, "and there will be more murder! oh, my god, leslie!" "when you went back after the alarm, did you count the men?" "no; oleson said no one had come forward. they could not have passed without his seeing them. he has the binnacle lantern and two other lights." "and no one came from the after house?" "no one." eight bells rang out sharply. the watch changed. i took the revolver and burns's position at the companionway, while burns went aft. he lined up the men by the binnacle light, and went over them carefully. the marlinespike was not found; but he took from the cook a long meat-knife, and brought both negro and knife forward to me. the man was almost collapsing with terror. he maintained that he had taken the knife for self-protection, and we let him go with a warning. dawn brought me an hour's sleep, the first since my awakening in the storeroom. when i roused, jones at the wheel had thrown an extra blanket over me, for the morning was cool and a fine rain was falling. the men were scattered around in attitudes of dejection, one or two of them leaning over the rail, watching the jolly-boat, riding easily behind us. jones heard me moving, and turned. "your friend below must be pretty bad, sir," he said. "your lady-love has been asking for you. i wouldn't let them wake you." "my--what?" he waxed apologetic at once. "that's just my foolishness, leslie," he said. "no disrespect to the lady, i'm sure. if it ain't so, it ain't, and no harm done. if it is so, why, you needn't be ashamed, boy. 'the way of a man with a maid,' says the book." "you should have called me, jones," i said sharply. "and no nonsense of that sort with the men." he looked hurt, but made no reply beyond touching his cap. and, while i am mentioning that, i may speak of the changed attitude of the men toward me from the time they put me in charge. whether the deference was to the office rather than the man, or whether in placing me in authority they had merely expressed a general feeling that i was with them rather than of them, i do not know. i am inclined to think the former. the result, in any case, was the same. they deferred to me whenever possible, brought large and small issues alike to me, served me my food alone, against my protestations, and, while navigating the ship on their own responsibility, took care to come to me for authority for everything. before i went below that morning, i suggested that some of the spare canvas be used to erect a shelter on the after deck, and this was done. the rain by that time was driving steadily--a summer rain without wind. the men seemed glad to have occupation, and, from that time on, the tent which they erected over the hatchway aft of the wheel was their living and eating quarters. it added something to their comfort: i was not so certain that it added to their security. turner was violent that day. i found all four women awake and dressed, and mrs. turner, whose hour it was on duty, in a chair outside the door. the stewardess, her arm in a sling, was making tea over a spirit-lamp, and elsa was helping her. mrs. johns was stretched on a divan, and on the table lay a small revolver. clearly, elsa had told the incident of the key. i felt at once the atmosphere of antagonism. mrs. johns watched me coolly from under lowered eyelids. the stewardess openly scowled. and mrs. turner rose hastily, and glanced at mrs. johns, as if in doubt. elsa had her back to me, and was busy with the cups. "i'm afraid you've had a bad night," i said. "a very bad night," mrs. turner replied stiffly. "delirium?" "very marked. he has talked of a white figure--we cannot quite make it out. it seems to be wilmer--mr. vail." she had not opened the door, but stood, nervously twisting her fingers, before it. "the bromides had no effect?" she glanced helplessly at the others. "none," she said, after a moment. elsa lee wheeled suddenly and glanced scornfully at her sister. "why don't you tell him?" she demanded. "why don't you say you didn't give the bromides?" "why not?" mrs. johns raised herself on her elbow and looked at me. "why should we?" she asked. "how do we know what you are giving him? you are not friendly to him or to us. we know what you are trying to do--you are trying to save yourself, at any cost. you put a guard at the companionway. you rail off the deck for our safety. you drop the storeroom key in mr. turner's cabin, where elsa will find it, and will be obliged to acknowledge she found it, and then take it from her by force, so you can show it later on and save yourself!" elsa turned on her quickly. "i told you how he got it, adele. i tried to throw it--" "oh, if you intend to protect him!" "i am rather bewildered," i said slowly; "but, under the circumstances, i suppose you do not wish me to look after mr. turner?" "we think not"--from mrs. turner. "how will you manage alone?" mrs. johns got up and lounged to the table. she wore a long satin negligee of some sort, draped with lace. it lay around her on the floor in gleaming lines of soft beauty. her reddish hair was low on her neck, and she held a cigarette, negligently, in her teeth. all the women smoked, mrs. johns incessantly. she laid one hand lightly on the revolver, and flicked the ash from her cigarette with the other. "we have decided," she said insolently, "that, if the crew may establish a dead-line, so may we. our dead-line is the foot of the companionway. one of us will be on watch always. i am an excellent shot." "i do not doubt it." i faced her. "i am afraid you will suffer for air; otherwise, the arrangement is good. you relieve me of part of the responsibility for your safety. tom will bring your food to the steps and leave it there." "thank you." "with good luck, two weeks will see us in port; and then--" "in port! you are taking us back?" "why not?" she picked up the revolver and examined it absently. then she glanced at me, and shrugged her shoulders. "how can we know? perhaps this is a mutiny, and you are on your way to some god forsaken island. that's the usual thing among pirates, isn't it?" "i have no answer to that, mrs. johns," i said quietly, and turned to where elsa sat. "i shall not come back unless you send for me," i said. "but i want you to know that my one object in life from now on is to get you back safely to land; that your safety comes first, and that the vigilance on deck in your interest will not be relaxed." "fine words!" the stewardess muttered. the low mumbling from turner's room had persisted steadily. now it rose again in the sharp frenzy that had characterized it through the long night. "don't look at me like that, man!" he cried, and then "he's lost a hand! a hand!" mrs. turner went quickly into the cabin, and the sounds ceased. i looked at elsa, but she avoided my eyes. i turned heavily and went up the companionway. chapter xv a knocking in the hold it rained heavily all that day. late in the afternoon we got some wind, and all hands turned out to trim sail. action was a relief, and the weather suited our disheartened state better than had the pitiless august sun, the glaring white of deck and canvas, and the heat. the heavy drops splashed and broke on top of the jolly-boat, and, as the wind came up, it rode behind us like a live thing. our distress signal hung sodden, too wet to give more than a dejected response to the wind that tugged at it. late in the afternoon we sighted a large steamer, and when, as darkness came on, she showed no indication of changing her course, burns and i sent up a rocket and blew the fog horn steadily. she altered her course then and came towards us, and we ran up our code flags for immediate assistance; but she veered off shortly after, and went on her way. we made no further effort to attract her attention. burns thought her a passenger steamer for the bermudas, and, as her way was not ours, she could not have been of much assistance. one or two of the men were already showing signs of strain. oleson, the swede, developed a chill, followed by fever and a mild delirium, and adams complained of sore throat and nausea. oleson's illness was genuine enough. adams i suspected of malingering. he had told the men he would not go up to the crow's-nest again without a revolver, and this i would not permit. our original crew had numbered nine--with the cook and williams, eleven. but the two negroes were not seamen, and were frightened into a state bordering on collapse. of the men actually useful, there were left only five: clarke, mcnamara, charlie jones, burns, and myself; and i was a negligible quantity as regarded the working of the ship. with burns and myself on guard duty, the burden fell on clarke, mcnamara, and jones. a suggestion of mine that we release singleton was instantly vetoed by the men. it was arranged, finally, that clarke and mcnamara take alternate watches at the wheel, and jones be given the lookout for the night, to be relieved by either burns or myself. i watched the weather anxiously. we were too short-handed to manage any sort of a gale; and yet, the urgency of our return made it unwise to shorten canvas too much. it was as well, perhaps, that i had so much to distract my mind from the situation in the after house. the second of the series of curious incidents that complicated our return voyage occurred that night. i was on watch from eight bells midnight until four in the morning. jones was in the crow's-nest, mcnamara at the wheel. i was at the starboard forward corner of the after house, looking over the rail. i thought that i had seen the lights of a steamer. the rain had ceased, but the night was still very dark. i heard a sort of rapping from the forward house, and took a step toward it, listening. jones heard it, too, and called down to me, nervously, to see what was wrong. i called up to him, cautiously, to come down and take my place while i investigated. i thought it was singleton. when jones had taken up his position at the companionway, i went forward. the knocking continued, and i traced it to singleton's cabin. his window was open, being too small for danger, but barred across with strips of wood outside, like those in the after house. but he was at the door, hammering frantically. i called to him through the open window, but the only answer was renewed and louder pounding. i ran around to his door, and felt for the key, which i carried. "what is the matter?" i called. "who is it?" "leslie." "for god's sake, open the door!" i unlocked it and threw it open. he retreated before me, with his hands out, and huddled against the wall beside the window. i struck a match. his face was drawn and distorted, and he held his arm up as if to ward off a blow. i lighted the lamp, for there were no electric lights in the forward house, and stared at him, amazed. satisfied that i was really leslie, he had stooped, and was fumbling under the window. when he straightened, he held something out to me in the palm of his shaking hand. i saw, with surprise, that it was a tobacco-pouch. "well?" i demanded. "it was on the ledge," he said hoarsely. "i put it there myself. all the time i was pounding, i kept saying that, if it was still there, it was not true--i'd just fancied it. if the pouch was on the floor, i'd know." "know what?" "it was there," he said, looking over his shoulder. "it's been there three times, looking in--all in white, and grinning at me." "a man?" "it--it hasn't got any face." "how could it grin--at you if it hasn't any face?" i demanded impatiently. "pull yourself together and tell me what you saw." it was some time before he could tell a connected story, and, when he did, i was inclined to suspect that he had heard us talking the night before, had heard adams's description of the intruder on the forecastle-head, and that, what with drink and terror, he had fancied the rest. and yet, i was not so sure. "i was asleep, the first time," he said. "i don't know how long ago it was. i woke up cold, with the feeling that something was looking at me. i raised up in bed, and there was a thing at the window. it was looking in." "what sort of a thing?" "what i told you--white." "a white head?" "it wasn't a head. for god's sake, leslie! i can't tell you any more than that. i saw it. that's enough. i saw it three times." "it isn't enough for me," i said doggedly. "it hadn't any head or face, but it looked in! it's dark out there. how could you see?" for reply, he leaned over and, turning down the lamp, blew it out. we sat in the smoking darkness, and slowly, out of the thick night, the window outlined itself. i could see it distinctly. but how, white and faceless, had it stared in at the window, or reached through the bars, as singleton declared it had done, and waved a fingerless hand at us? he was in a state of mental and physical collapse, and begged so pitifully not to be left, that at last i told him i would take him with me, on his promise to remain in a chair until dawn, and to go back without demur. he sat near me, amidships, huddled down among the cushions of one of the wicker chairs, not sleeping, but staring straight out, motionless. with the first light of dawn burns relieved me, and i went forward with singleton. he dropped into his bunk, and was asleep almost immediately. then, inch by inch, i went over the deck for footprints, for any clue to what, under happier circumstances, i should have considered a ghastly hoax. but the deck was slippery and sodden, the rail dripping, and between the davits where the jolly-boat had swung was stretched a line with a shirt of burns's hung on it, absurdly enough, to dry. poor burns, promoted to the dignity of first mate, and trying to dress the part! oleson and adams made no attempt to work that day; indeed, oleson was not able. as i had promised, the breakfast for the after house was placed on the companion steps by tom, the cook, whence it was removed by mrs. sloane. i saw nothing of either elsa lee or mrs. johns. burns was inclined to resent the deadline the women had drawn below, and suggested that, since they were so anxious to take care of themselves, we give up guarding the after house and let them do it. we were short-handed enough, he urged, and, if they were going to take that attitude, let them manage. i did not argue, but my eyes traveled over the rail to where the jolly-boat rose to meet the fresh sea of the morning, and he colored. after that he made no comment. singleton awakened before noon, and ate his first meal since the murders. he looked better, and we had a long talk, i outside the window and he within. he held to his story of the night before, but was still vague as to just how the thing looked. of what it was he seemed to have no doubt. it was the specter of either the captain or vail; he excluded the woman, because she was shorter. as i stood outside, he measured on me the approximate height of the apparition--somewhere about five feet eight. he could see burns's shirt, he admitted, but the thing had been close to the window. i found myself convinced against my will, and that afternoon, alone, i made a second and more thorough examination of the forecastle and the hold. in the former i found nothing. having been closed for over twenty-four hours, it was stifling and full of odors. the crew, abandoning it in haste, had left it in disorder. i made a systematic search, beginning forward and working back. i prodded in and under bunks, and moved the clothing that hung on every hook and swung, to the undoing of my nerves, with every swell. much curious salvage i found under mattresses and beneath bunks: a rosary and a dozen filthy pictures under the same pillow; more than one bottle of whiskey; and even, where it had been dropped in the haste of flight, a bottle of cocaine. the bottle set me to thinking: had we a "coke" fiend on board, and, if we had, who was it? the examination of the hold led to one curious and not easily explained discovery. the ella was in gravel ballast, and my search there was difficult and nerve-racking. the creaking of the girders and floor-plates, the groaning overhead of the trestle-trees, and once an unexpected list that sent me careening, head first, against a ballast-tank, made my position distinctly disagreeable. and above all the incidental noises of a ship's hold was one that i could not place--a regular knocking, which kept time with the list of the boat. i located it at last, approximately, at one of the ballast ports, but there was nothing to be seen. the port had been carefully barred and calked over. the sound was not loud. down there among the other noises, i seemed to feel as well as hear it. i sent burns down, and he came up, puzzled. "it's outside," he said. "something cracking against her ribs." "you didn't notice it yesterday, did you?" "no; but yesterday we were not listening for noises." the knocking was on the port side. we went forward together, and, leaning well out, looked over the rail. the missing marlinespike was swinging there, banging against the hull with every roll of the ship. it was fastened by a rope lanyard to a large bolt below the rail, and fastened with what burns called a blackwall hitch--a sailor's knot. chapter xvi jones stumbles over something i find, from my journal, that the next seven days passed without marked incident. several times during that period we sighted vessels, all outward bound, and once we were within communicating distance of a steam cargo boat on her way to venezuela. she lay to and sent her first mate over to see what could be done. he was a slim little man with dark eyes and a small mustache above a cheerful mouth. he listened in silence to my story, and shuddered when i showed him the jolly-boat. but we were only a few days out by that time, and, after all, what could they do? he offered to spare us a hand, if it could be arranged; but, adams having recovered by that time, we decided to get along as we were. a strange sight we must have presented to the tidy little officer in his uniform and black tie: a haggard, unshaven lot of men, none too clean, all suffering from strain and lack of sleep, with nerves ready to snap; a white yacht, motionless, her sails drooping,--for not a breath of air moved,--with unpolished brasses and dirty decks; in charge of all, a tall youth, unshaven like the rest, and gaunt from sickness, who hardly knew a nautical phrase, who shook the little officer's hand with a ferocity of welcome that made him change color, and whose uniform consisted of a pair of dirty khaki trousers and a khaki shirt, open at the neck; and behind us, wallowing in the trough of the sea as the ella lay to, the jolly-boat, so miscalled, with its sinister cargo. the buenos aires went on, leaving us a bit cheered, perhaps, but none the better off, except that she verified our bearings. the after house had taken no notice of the incident. none of the women had appeared, nor did they make any inquiry of the cook when he carried down their dinner that night. as entirely as possible, during the week that had passed, they had kept to themselves. turner was better, i imagined; but, the few times when elsa lee appeared at the companion for a breath of air, i was off duty and missed her. i thought it was by design, and i was desperate for a sight of her. mrs. johns came on deck once or twice while i was there, but she chose to ignore me. the stewardess, however, was not so partisan, and, the day before we met the buenos aires, she spent a little time on deck, leaning against the rail and watching me with alert black eyes. "what are you going to do when you get to land, mr. captain leslie?" she asked. "are you going to put us all in prison?" "that's as may be," i evaded. she was a pretty little woman, plump and dark, and she slid her hand along the rail until it touched mine. whereon, i did the thing she was expecting, and put my fingers over hers. she flushed a little, and dimpled. "you are human, aren't you?" she asked archly. "i am not afraid of you." "no one is, i am sure." "silly! why, they are all afraid of you, down there." she jerked her head toward the after house. "they want to offer you something, but none of them will do it." "offer me something?" she came a little closer, so that her round shoulder touched mine. "why not? you need money, i take it. and that's the one thing they have--money." i began to understand her. "i see," i said slowly. "they want to bribe me." she shrugged her shoulders. "that is a nasty word. they might wish to buy--a key or two that you carry." "the storeroom key, of course. but what other?" she looked around--we were alone. a light breeze filled the sails and flicked the end of a scarf she wore against my face. "the key to the captain's cabin," she said, very low. that was what they wished to buy: the incriminating key to the storeroom, found on turner's floor, and access to the axe, with its telltale prints on the handle. the stewardess saw my face harden, and put her hand on my arm. "now i am afraid of you!" she cried: "when you look like that!" "mrs. sloane," i said, "i do not know that you were asked to do this--i think not. but if you were, say for me what i am willing to say for myself: i shall tell what i know, and there is not money enough in the world to prevent my telling it straight. the right man is going to be punished, and the key to the storeroom will be given to the police, and to no one else." "but--the other key?" "that is not in my keeping." "i do not believe you!" "i am sorry," i said shortly. "as a matter of fact, burns has that." by the look of triumph in her eyes i knew i had told her what she wanted to know. she went below soon after, and i warned burns that he would probably be approached in the same way. "not that i am afraid," i added. "but keep the little sloane woman at a distance. she's quite capable of mesmerizing you with her eyes and robbing you with her hands at the same time." "i'd rather you'd carry it," he said, "although i'm not afraid of the lady. it's not likely, after--" he did not finish, but he glanced aft toward the jollyboat. poor burns! i believe he had really cared for the danish girl. perhaps i was foolish, but i refused to take the key from him; i felt sure he could be trusted. the murders had been committed on the early morning of wednesday, the th. it was on the following tuesday that mrs. sloane and i had our little conversation on deck, and on wednesday we came up with the buenos aires. it was on friday, therefore, two days after the cargo steamer had slid over the edge of the ocean, and left us, motionless, a painted ship upon a painted sea, that the incident happened that completed the demoralization of the crew. for almost a week the lookouts had reported "all's well" in response to the striking of the ship's bell. the hysteria, as burns and i dubbed it, of the white figure had died away as the men's nerves grew less irritated. although we had found no absolute explanation of the marlinespike, an obvious one suggested itself. the men, although giving up their weapons without protest, had grumbled somewhat over being left without means of defense. it was entirely possible, we agreed, that the marlinespike had been so disposed, as some seaman's resort in time of need. the cook, taking down the dinner on friday evening, reported mr. turner up and about and partly dressed. the heat was frightful. all day we had had a following breeze, and it had been necessary to lengthen the towing-rope, dropping the jolly-boat well behind us. the men, saying little or nothing, dozed under their canvas; the helmsman drooped at the wheel. under our feet the boards sent up simmering heat waves, and the brasses were too hot to touch. at four o'clock elsa lee came on deck, and spoke to me for the first time in several days. she started when she saw me, and no wonder. in the frenzied caution of the day after the crimes, i had flung every razor overboard, and the result was as villainous a set of men as i have ever seen. "have you been ill again?" she asked. i put my hand to my chin. "not ill," i said; "merely unshaven." "but you are pale, and your eyes are sunk in your head." "we are very short-handed and--no one has slept much." "or eaten at all, i imagine," she said. "when do we get in?" "i can hardly say. with this wind, perhaps tuesday." "where?" "philadelphia." "you intend to turn the yacht over to the police?" "yes, miss lee." "every one on it?" "that is up to the police. they will probably not hold the women. you will be released, i imagine, on your own recognizance." "and--mr. turner?" "he will have to take his luck with the rest of us." she asked me no further questions, but switched at once to what had brought her on deck. "the cabin is unbearable," she said. "we are willing to take the risk of opening the after companion door." but i could not allow this, and i tried to explain my reasons. the crew were quartered there, for one; for the other, whether they were willing to take the risk or not, i would not open it without placing a guard there, and we had no one to spare for the duty. i suggested that they use the part of the deck reserved for them, where it was fairly cool under the awning; and, after a dispute below, they agreed to this. turner, very weak, came up the few steps slowly, but refused my proffered help. a little later, he called me from the rail and offered me a cigar. the change in him was startling. we took advantage of their being on deck to open the windows and air the after house. but all were securely locked and barred before they went below again. it was the first time they had all been on deck together since the night of the th. it was a different crowd of people that sat there, looking over the rail and speaking in monosyllables: no bridge, no glasses clinking with ice, no elaborate toilets and carefully dressed hair, no flash of jewels, no light laughter following one of poor vail's sallies. at ten o'clock they went below, but not until i had quietly located every member of the crew. i had the watch from eight to twelve that night, and at half after ten mrs. johns came on deck again. she did not speak to me, but dropped into a steamer-chair and yawned, stretching out her arms. by the light of the companion lantern, i saw that she had put on one of the loose negligees she affected for undress, and her arms were bare except for a fall of lace. at eight bells (midnight) burns took my place. charlie jones was at the wheel, and mcnamara in the crow's-nest. mrs. johns was dozing in her chair. the yacht was making perhaps four knots, and, far behind, the small white light of the jolly-boat showed where she rode. i slept heavily, and at eight bells i rolled off my blanket and prepared to relieve burns. i was stiff, weary, unrefreshed. the air was very still and we were hardly moving. i took a pail of water that stood near the rail, and, leaning far out, poured it over my head and shoulders. as i turned, dripping, jones, relieved of the wheel, touched me on the arm. "go back to sleep, boy," he said kindly. "we need you, and we're goin' to need you more when we get ashore. you've been talkin' in your sleep till you plumb scared me." but i was wide awake by that time, and he had had as little sleep as i had. i refused, and we went forward together, jones to get coffee, which stood all night on the galley stove. it was still dark. the dawn, even in the less than four weeks we had been out, came perceptibly later. at the port forward corner of the after house, jones stumbled over something, and gave a sharp exclamation. the next moment he was on his knees, lighting a match. burns lay there on his face, unconscious, and bleeding profusely from a cut on the back of his head--but not dead. chapter xvii the axe is gone my first thought was of the after house. jones, who had been fond of burns, was working over him, muttering to himself. i felt his heart, which was beating slowly but regularly, and, convinced that he was not dying, ran down into the after house. the cabin was empty: evidently the guard around the pearl handled revolver had been given up on the false promise of peace. all the lights were going, however, and the heat was suffocating. i ran to miss lee's door, and tried it. it was locked, but almost instantly she spoke from inside: "what is it?" "nothing much. can you come out?" she came a moment later, and i asked her to call into each cabin to see if every one was safe. the result was reassuring--no one had been disturbed; and i was put to it to account to miss lee for my anxiety without telling her what had happened. i made some sort of excuse, which i have forgotten, except that she evidently did not believe it. on deck, the men were gathered around burns. there were ominous faces among them, and mutterings of hatred and revenge; for burns had been popular--the best-liked man among them all. jones, wrought to the highest pitch, had even shed a few shamefaced tears, and was obliterating the humiliating memory by an extra brusqueness of manner. we carried the injured man aft, and with such implements as i had i cleaned and dressed the wound. it needed sewing, and it seemed best to do it before he regained consciousness. jones and adams went below to the forecastle, therefore, and brought up my amputating set, which contained, besides its knives, some curved needles and surgical silk, still in good condition. i opened the case, and before the knives, the long surgeon's knives which were in use before the scalpel superseded them, they fell back, muttering and amazed. i did not know that elsa lee also was watching until, having requested jones, who had been a sailmaker, to thread the needles, his trembling hands refused their duty. i looked up, searching the group for a competent assistant, and saw the girl. she had dressed, and the light from the lantern beside me on the deck threw into relief her white figure among the dark ones. she came forward as my eyes fell on her. "let me try," she said; and, kneeling by the lantern, in a moment she held out the threaded needle. her hand was quite steady. she made an able assistant, wiping clean the oozing edges of the wound so that i could see to clip the bleeding vessels, and working deftly with the silk and needles to keep me supplied. my old case yielded also a roll or so of bandage. by the time burns was attempting an incoordinate movement or two, the operation was over and the instruments put out of sight. his condition was good. the men carried him to the tent, where jones sat beside him, and the other men stood outside, uneasy and watchful, looking in. the operating-case, with its knives, came in for its share of scrutiny, and i felt that an explanation was due the men. to tell the truth, i had forgotten all about the case. perhaps i swaggered just a bit as i went over to wash my hands. it was my first opportunity, and i was young, and the girl was there. "i see you looking at my case, boys," i said. "perhaps i'm a little late explaining, but i guess after what you've seen you'll understand. the case belonged to my grandfather, who was a surgeon. he was in the war. that case was at gettysburg." "and because of your grandfather you brought it on shipboard!" clarke said nastily. "no. i'm a cub doctor myself. i'd been sick, and i needed the sea and a rest." they were not so impressed as i had expected--or perhaps they had known all along. sailors are a secretive lot. "i'm thinking we'll all be getting a rest soon," a voice said. "what are you going to do with them knives?" i had an inspiration. "i'm going to leave that to you men," i said. "you may throw them overboard, if you wish--but, if you do, take out the needles and the silk; we may need them." there followed a savage but restrained argument among the men. jones, from the tent, called out irritably:-- "don't be fools, you fellows. this happened while leslie was asleep. i'll swear he never moved after he lay down." the crew reached a decision shortly after that, and came to me in a body. "we think," oleson said, "that we'll lock them in the captain's cabin, with the axe." "very well," i said. "burns has the key around his neck." clarke, i think it was, went into the tent, and came out again directly. "there's no key around his neck," he said gruffly. "it may have slipped around under his back." "it isn't there at all." i ran into the tent, where jones, having exhausted the resources of the injured man's clothing, was searching among the blankets on which he lay. there was no key. i went out to the men again, bewildered. the dawn had come, a pink and rosy dawn that promised another stifling day. it revealed the disarray of the deck--the basins, the old mahogany amputating-case with its lock plate of bone, the stained and reddened towels; and it showed the brooding and overcast faces of the men. "isn't it there?" i asked. "our agreement was for me to carry the key to singleton's cabin and burns the captain's." miss lee, by the rail, came forward slowly, and looked up at me. "isn't it possible," she said, "that, knowing where the key was, some one wished to get it, and so--" she indicated the tent and burns. i knew then. how dull i had been, and stupid! the men caught her meaning, too, and we tramped heavily forward, the girl and i leading. the door into the captain's room was open, and the axe was gone from the bunk. the key, with the cord that burns had worn around his neck, was in the door, the string torn and pulled as if it had been jerked away from the unconscious man. later on we verified this by finding, on the back of burns's neck an abraded line two inches or so in length. it was a strong cord--the kind a sailor pins his faith to, and uses indiscriminately to hold his trousers or his knife. i ordered a rigid search of the deck, but the axe was gone. nor was it ever found. it had taken its bloody story many fathoms deep into the old atlantic, and hidden it, where many crimes have been hidden, in the ooze and slime of the sea-bottom. that day was memorable for more than the attack on burns. it marked a complete revolution in my idea of the earlier crimes, and of the criminal. two things influenced my change of mental attitude. the attack on burns was one. i did not believe that turner had strength enough to fell so vigorous a man, even with the capstan bar which we found lying near by. nor could he have jerked and broken the amberline. mrs. johns i eliminated for the same reason, of course. i could imagine her getting the key by subtlety, wheedling the impressionable young sailor into compliance. but force! the second reason was the stronger. singleton, the mate, had become a tractable and almost amiable prisoner. like turner, he was ugly only when he was drinking, and there was not even enough liquor on the ella to revive poor burns. he spent his days devising, with bits of wire, a ring puzzle that he intended should make his fortune. and i believe he contrived, finally, a clever enough bit of foolery. he was anxious to talk, and complained bitterly of loneliness, using every excuse to hold tom, the cook, when he carried him his meals. he had asked for a bible, too, and read it now and then. the morning of burns's injury, i visited singleton. the new outrage, coming at a time when they were slowly recovering confidence, had turned the men surly. the loss of the axe, the handle of which i had told them would, under skillful eyes, reveal the murderer as accurately as a photograph, was a serious blow. again arose the specter of the innocent suffering for the guilty. they went doggedly about their work, and wherever they gathered there was muttered talk of the white figure. there was grumbling, too, over their lack of weapons for defense. the cook was a ringleader of the malcontents. certain utensils were allowed him; but he was compelled at night to lock them in the galley, after either burns's inspection or mine, and to turn over the key to one of us. on the morning after the attack, therefore, tom, carrying singleton's breakfast to him, told him at length what had occurred in the night, and dilated on his lack of self-defense should an attack be directed toward him. singleton promptly offered to make him, out of wire, a key to the galley door, so that he could get what he wanted from it. the cook was to take an impression of the lock. in exchange, tom was to fetch him, from a hiding place which singleton designated in the forward house, a bottle of whiskey. the cook was a shrewd mulatto, and he let singleton make the key. it was after ten that morning when he brought it to me. i was trying to get the details of his injury from burns, at the time, in the tent. "i didn't see or hear anything, leslie," burns said feebly. "i don't even remember being hit. i felt there was some one behind me. that was all." "there had been nothing suspicious earlier in the night?" he lay thinking. he was still somewhat confused. "no--i think not. or--yes, i thought once i saw some one standing by the mainmast--behind it. it wasn't." "how long was mrs. johns on deck?" "not long." "did she ask you to do something for her?" pale as he was, he colored; but he eyed me honestly. "yes. don't ask me any more, leslie. it had nothing to do with this." "what did she ask you to do?" i persisted remorselessly. "i don't want to talk; my head aches." "very well. then i'll tell you what happened after i went off watch. no, i wasn't spying. i know the woman, that's all. she said you looked tired, and wouldn't it be all right if you sat down for a moment and talked to her." "no; she said she was nervous." "the same thing--only better. then she persisted in talking of the crime, and finally she said she would like to see the axe. it wouldn't do any harm. she, wouldn't touch it." he watched me uneasily. "she didn't either," he said. "i'll swear to that, leslie. she didn't go near the bunk. she covered her face with her hands, and leaned against the door. i thought she was going to faint." "against the door, of course! and got an impression of the key. the door opens in. she could take out the key, press it against a cake of wax or even a cake of soap in her hand, and slip it back into the lock again while you--what were you doing while she was doing all that?" "she dropped her salts. i picked them up." "exactly! well, the axe is gone." he started up on his elbow. "gone!" "thrown overboard, probably. it is not in the cabin." it was brutal, perhaps; but the situation was all of that. as burns fell back, colorless, tom, the cook, brought into the tent the wire key that singleton had made. that morning i took from inside of singleton's mattress a bunch of keys, a long steel file, and the leg of one of his chairs, carefully unscrewed and wrapped at the end with wire a formidable club. one of the keys opened singleton's door. that was on saturday. early monday morning we sighted land. chapter xviii a bad combination we picked up a pilot outside the lewes breakwater a man of few words. i told him only the outlines of our story, and i believe he half discredited me at first. god knows, i was not a creditable object. when i took him aft and showed him the jolly-boat, he realized, at last, that he was face to face with a great tragedy, and paid it the tribute of throwing away his cigar. he suggested our raising the yellow plague flag; and this we did, with a ready response from the quarantine officer. the quarantine officer came out in a power-boat, and mounted the ladder; and from that moment my command of the ella ceased. turner, immaculately dressed, pale, distinguished, member of the yacht club and partner in the turner line, met him at the rail, and conducted him, with a sort of chastened affability, to the cabin. exhausted from lack of sleep, terrified with what had gone by and what was yet to come, unshaven and unkempt, the men gathered on the forecastle-head and waited. the conference below lasted perhaps an hour. at the end of that time the quarantine officer came up and shouted a direction from below, as a result of which the jolly-boat was cut loose, and, towed by the tug, taken to the quarantine station. there was an argument, i believe, between turner and the officer, as to allowing us to proceed up the river without waiting for the police. turner prevailed, however, and, from the time we hoisted the yellow flag, we were on our way to the city, a tug panting beside us, urging the broad and comfortable lines of the old cargo boat to a semblance of speed. the quarantine officer, a dapper little man, remained on the boat, and busied himself officiously, getting the names of the men, peering at singleton through his barred window, and expressing disappointment at my lack of foresight in having the bloodstains cleared away. "every stain is a clue, my man, to the trained eye," he chirruped. "with an axe, too! what a brutal method! brutal! where is the axe?" "gone," i said patiently. "it was stolen out of the captain's cabin." he eyed me over his glasses. "that's very strange," he commented. "no stains, no axe! you fellows have been mighty careful to destroy the evidence, haven't you?" all that long day we made our deliberate progress up the river. the luggage from the after house was carried up on deck by adams and clarke, and stood waiting for the customhouse. turner, his hands behind him, paced the deck hour by hour, his heavy face colorless. his wife, dark, repressed, with a look of being always on guard, watched him furtively. mrs. johns, dressed in black, talked to the doctor; and, from the notes he made, i knew she was telling the story of the tragedy. and here, there, and everywhere, efficient, normal, and so lovely that it hurt me to look at her, was elsa. williams, the butler, had emerged from his chrysalis of fright, and was ostentatiously looking after the family's comfort. no clearer indication could have been given of the new status of affairs than his changed attitude toward me. he came up to me, early in the afternoon, and demanded that i wash down the deck before the women came up. i smiled down at him cheerfully. "williams," i said, "you are a coward--a mean, white-livered coward. you have skulked in the after house, behind women, when there was man's work to do. if i wash that deck, it will be with you as a mop." he blustered something about speaking to mr. turner and seeing that i did the work i was brought on board to do, and, seeing turner's eye on us, finished his speech with an ugly epithet. my nerves were strained to the utmost: lack of sleep and food had done their work. i was no longer in command of the ella; i was a common sailor, ready to vent my spleen through my fists. i knocked him down with my open hand. it was a barbarous and a reckless thing to do. he picked himself up and limped away, muttering. turner had watched the scene with his cold blue eyes, and the little doctor with his near-sighted ones. "a dangerous man, that!" said the doctor. "dangerous and intelligent," replied turner. "a bad combination!" it was late that night when the ella anchored in the river at philadelphia. we were not allowed to land. the police took charge of ship, crew, and passengers. the men slept heavily on deck, except burns, who developed a slight fever from his injury, and moved about restlessly. it seemed to me that the vigilance of the officers was exerted largely to prevent an escape from the vessel, and not sufficiently for the safety of those on board. i spoke of this, and a guard was placed at the companionway again. thus i saw elsa lee for the last time until the trial. she was dressed, as she had been in the afternoon, in a dark cloth suit of some sort, and i did not see her until i had spoken to the officer in charge. she turned, at my voice, and called me to join her where she stood. "we are back again, leslie." "yes, miss lee." "back to--what? to live the whole thing over again in a courtroom! if only we could go away, anywhere, and try to forget!" she had not expected any answer, and i had none ready. i was thinking--heaven help me--that there were things i would not forget if i could: the lift of her lashes as she looked, up at me; the few words we had had together, the day she had told me the deck was not clean; the night i had touched her hand with my lips. "we are to be released, i believe," she said, "on our own--some legal term; i forget it." "recognizance, probably." "yes. you do not know law as well as medicine?" "i am sorry--no; and i know very little medicine." "but you sewed up a wound!" "as a matter of fact," i admitted, "that was my initial performance, and it is badly done. it--it puckers." she turned on me a trifle impatiently. "why do you make such a secret of your identity?" she demanded. "is it a pose? or--have you a reason for concealing it?" "it is not a pose; and i have nothing to be ashamed of, unless poverty--" "of course not. what do you mean by poverty?" "the common garden variety sort. i have hardly a dollar in the world. as to my identity,--if it interests you at all, i graduated in medicine last june. i spent the last of the money that was to educate me in purchasing a dress suit to graduate in, and a supper by way of celebration. the dress suit helped me to my diploma. the supper gave me typhoid." "so that was it!" "not jail, you see." "and what are you going to do now?" i glanced around to where a police officer stood behind us watchfully. "now? why, now i go to jail in earnest." "you have been very good to us," she said wistfully. "we have all been strained and nervous. maybe you have not thought i noticed or--or appreciated what you were doing; but i have, always. you have given all of yourself for us. you have not slept or eaten. and now you are going to be imprisoned. it isn't just!" i tried to speak lightly, to reassure her. "don't be unhappy about that," i said. "a nice, safe jail, where one may sleep and eat, and eat and sleep--oh, i shall be very comfortable! and if you wish to make me exceedingly happy, you will see that they let me have a razor." but, to my surprise, she buried her face in her arms. i could not believe at first that she was crying. the policeman had wandered across to the other rail, and stood looking out at the city lights, his back to us. i put my hand out to touch her soft hair, then drew it back. i could not take advantage of her sympathy, of the hysterical excitement of that last night on the ella. i put my hands in my pockets, and held them there, clenched, lest, in spite of my will, i reach out to take her in my arms. chapter xix i take the stand and now i come, with some hesitation, to the trial. hesitation, because i relied on mcwhirter to keep a record. and mcwhirter, from his notes, appears to have been carried away at times by excitement, and either jotted down rows of unintelligible words, or waited until evening and made up his notes, like a woman's expense account, from a memory never noticeable for accuracy. at dawn, the morning after we anchored, charlie jones roused me, grinning. "friend of yours over the rail, leslie," he said. "wants to take you ashore!" i knew no one in philadelphia except the chap who had taken me yachting once, and i felt pretty certain that he would not associate leslie the football player with leslie the sailor on the ella. i went reluctantly to the rail, and looked down. below me, just visible in the river mist of the early morning, was a small boat from which two men were looking up. one was mcwhirter! "hello, old top," he cried. "or is it you behind that beard?" "it's i, all right, mac," i said, somewhat huskily. what with seeing him again, his kindly face behind its glasses, the cheerful faith in me which was his contribution to our friendship,--even the way he shook his own hand in default of mine,--my throat tightened. here, after all, was home and a friend. he looked up at the rail, and motioned to a rope that hung there. "get your stuff and come with us for breakfast," he said. "you look as if you hadn't eaten since you left." "i'm afraid i can't, mac." "they're not going to hold you, are they?" "for a day or so, yes." mac's reply to this was a violent resume of the ancestry and present lost condition of the philadelphia police, ending with a request that i jump over, and let them go to the place he had just designated as their abiding-place in eternity. on an officer lounging to the rail and looking down, however, he subsided into a low muttering. the story of how mcwhirter happened to be floating on the bosom of the delaware river before five o'clock in the morning was a long one--it was months before i got it in full. briefly, going home from the theater in new york the night before, he had bought an "extra" which had contained a brief account of the ella's return. he seems to have gone into a frenzy of excitement at once. he borrowed a small car,--one scornfully designated as a "road louse,"--and assembled in it, in wild confusion, one suit of clothes for me, his own and much too small, one hypodermic case, an armful of newspapers with red scare-heads, a bottle of brandy, a bottle of digitalis, one police card, and one excited young lawyer, of the same vintage in law that mac and i were in medicine. at the last moment, fearful that the police might not know who i was, he had flung in a scrapbook in which he had pasted--with a glue that was to make his fortune--records of my exploits on the football field! a dozen miles from philadelphia the little machine had turned over on a curve, knocking all the law and most of the enthusiasm out of walters, the legal gentleman, and smashing the brandy-bottle. mcwhirter had picked himself up, kicked viciously at the car, and, gathering up his impedimenta, had made the rest of the journey by foot and street-car. his wrath at finding me a prisoner was unbounded; his scorn at walters, the attorney, for not confounding the police with law enough to free me, was furious and contemptuous. he picked up the oars in sullen silence, and, leaning on them, called a loud and defiant farewell for the benefit of the officer. "all right," he said. "an hour or so won't make much difference. but you'll be free today, all right, all right. and don't let them bluff you, boy. if the police get funny, tackle them and throw 'em overboard, one by one. you can do it." he made an insulting gesture at the police, picked up his oars, and rowed away into the mist. but i was not free, that day, nor for many days. as i had expected, turner, his family, mrs. johns, and the stewardess were released, after examination. the rest of us were taken to jail. singleton as a suspect, the others to make sure of their presence at the trial. the murders took place on the morning of august . the grand jury met late in september, and found an indictment against singleton. the trial began on the th of november. the confinement was terrible. accustomed to regular exercise as i was, i suffered mentally and physically. i heard nothing from elsa lee, and i missed mcwhirter, who had got his hospital appointment, and who wrote me cheering letters on pages torn from order-books or on prescription-blanks. he was in boston. he got leave of absence for the trial, and, as i explained, the following notes are his, not mine. the case was tried in the united states court, before circuit judge willard and district judge mcdowell. the united states was represented by a district attorney and two assistant attorneys. singleton had retained a lawyer named goldstein, a clever young jew. i was called first, as having found the bodies. "your name?" "ralph leslie." "your age?" "twenty-four." "when and where were you born?" "november , , in columbus, ohio." "when did you ship on the yacht ella?" "on july ." "when did she sail?" "july ." "are you a sailor by occupation?" "no; i am a graduate of a medical college." "what were your duties on the ship?" "they were not well defined. i had been ill and was not strong. i was a sort of deck steward, i suppose. i also served a few meals in the cabin of the after house, when the butler was incapacitated." "where were you quartered?" "in the forecastle, with the crew, until a day or so before the murders. then i moved into the after house, and slept in a storeroom there." "why did you make the change?" "mrs. johns, a guest, asked me to do so. she said she was nervous." "who slept in the after house?" "mr. and mrs. turner, miss lee, mrs. johns, and mr. vail. the stewardess, mrs. sloane, and karen hansen, a maid, also slept there; but their room opened from the chartroom." a diagram of the after house was here submitted to the jury. for the benefit of the reader, i reproduce it roughly. i have made no attempt to do more than to indicate the relative positions of rooms and companionways. _____ forward |_____|compartment ___________________________|_____|______________________________ \ bath \ |_____| / / \___ ___\ |_____| /turner's/ mrs.\ \ /room_ __/ john's\ /____/ / room \ \ main cabin / / / \___ ___\ / /_ _/bath mrs. \ \ / vail's /room turner's \___ \ /________/ room \ \ / ______/linen \ \____\ /__/store/ bath \ \ \ /__ room / \ \ \ /___/____/ \__\ /general / miss \ \ /supplies/ lee's \ \ /________/ room \_______\______ _____/________/butler's \_maid's\ chart room / pantry \\ room used as library / bunk---\\ ___ \ and lounge____ / \_\__\__\_________|____|_/ bunk (wheel)|____| "state what happened on the night of august and early morning of august ." "i slept in the storeroom in the after house. as it was very hot, i always left the door open. the storeroom itself was a small room, lined with shelves, and reached by a passageway. the door was at the end of the passage. i wakened because of the heat, and found the door locked on the outside. i lit a match, and found i could unscrew the lock with my knife. i thought i had been locked in as a joke by the crew. while i was kneeling, some one passed outside the door." "how did you know that?" "i felt a board rise under my knee as if the other end had been trod on. shortly after, a woman screamed, and i burst open the door." "how long after you felt the board rise?" "perhaps a minute, possibly two." "go on." "just after, the ship's bell struck six--three o'clock. the main cabin was dark. there was a light in the chart-room, from the binnacle light. i felt my way to mr. vail's room. i heard him breathing. his door was open. i struck a match and looked at him. he had stopped breathing." "what was the state of his bunk?" "disordered--horrible. he was almost hacked to pieces." "go on." "i ran back and got my revolver. i thought there had been a mutiny-" "confine yourself to what you saw and did. the court is not interested in what you thought." "i am only trying to explain what i did. i ran back to the storeroom and got my revolver, and ran back through the chart-room to the after companion, which had a hood. i thought that if any one was lying in ambush, the hood would protect me until i could get to the deck. i told the helmsman what had happened, and ran forward. mr. singleton was on the forecastle-head. we went below together, and found the captain lying at the foot of the forward companion, also dead." "at this time, had you called the owner of the ship?" "no. i called him then. but i could not rouse him." "explain what you mean by that." "he had been drinking." there followed a furious wrangle over this point; but the prosecuting attorney succeeded in having question and answer stand. "what did you do next?" "the mate had called the crew. i wakened mrs. turner, miss lee, and mrs. johns, and then went to the chart-room to call the women there. the door was open an inch or so. i received no answer to my knock, and pulled it open. karen hansen, the maid, was dead on the floor, and the stewardess was in her bunk, in a state of collapse." "state where you found the axe with which the crimes were committed." "it was found in the stewardess's bunk." "where is this axe now?" "it was stolen from the captain's cabin, where it was locked for safe keeping, and presumably thrown overboard. at least, we didn't find it." "i see you are consulting a book to refresh your memory. what is this book?" "the ship's log." "how does it happen to be in your possession?" "the crew appointed me captain. as such, i kept the log-book. it contains a full account of the discovery of the bodies, witnessed by all the men." "is it in your writing?" "yes; it is in my writing." "you read it to the men, and they signed it?" "no; they read it themselves before they signed it." after a wrangle as to my having authority to make a record in the log-book, the prosecuting attorney succeeded in having the book admitted as evidence, and read to the jury the entry of august . having thus proved the crimes, i was excused, to be recalled later. the defense reserving its cross-examination, the doctor from the quarantine station was called next, and testified to the manner of death. his testimony was revolting, and bears in no way on the story, save in one particular--a curious uniformity in the mutilation of the bodies of vail and captain richardson--a sinister similarity that was infinitely shocking. in each case the forehead, the two arms, and the abdomen had received a frightful blow. in the case of the danish girl there was only one wound--the injury on the head. chapter xx oleson's story henrietta sloane was called next. "your name?" "henrietta sloane." "are you married?" "a widow." "when and where were you born?" "isle of man, december ." "how long have you lived in the united states?" "since i was two." "your position on the yacht ella?" "stewardess." "before that?" "on the baltic, between liverpool and new york. that was how i met mrs. turner." "where was your room on the yacht ella?" "off the chartroom." "will you indicate it on this diagram?" "it was there." (pointing.) the diagram was shown to the jury. "there are two bunks in this room. which was yours?" "the one at the side--the one opposite the door was karen's." "tell what happened on the night of august and morning of the th." "i went to bed early. karen hansen had not come down by midnight. when i opened the door, i saw why. mr. turner and mr. singleton were there, drinking." the defense objected to this but was overruled by the court. "mr. vail was trying to persuade the mate to go on deck, before the captain came down." "did they go?" "no." "what comment did mr. singleton make?" "he said he hoped the captain would come. he wanted a chance to get at him." "what happened after that?" "the captain came down and ordered the mate on deck. mr. vail and the captain got mr. turner to his room." "how do you know that?" "i opened my door." "what then?" "karen came down at . . we went to bed. at ten minutes to three the bell rang for karen. she got up and put on a wrapper and slippers. she was grumbling and i told her to put out the light and let me sleep. as she opened the door she screamed and fell back on the floor. something struck me on the shoulder, and i fainted. i learned later it was the axe." "did you hear any sound outside, before you opened the door?" "a curious chopping sound. i spoke of it to her. it came from the chart-room." "when the girl fell back into the room, did you see any one beyond her?" "i saw something--i couldn't say just what." "was what you saw a figure?" "i--i am not certain. it was light--almost white." "can you not describe it?" "i am afraid not--except that it seemed white." "how tall was it?" "i couldn't say." "as tall as the girl?" "just about, perhaps." "think of something that it resembled. this is important, mrs. sloane. you must make an effort." "i think it looked most like a fountain." even the jury laughed at this, and yet, after all, mrs. sloane was right--or nearly so! "that is curious. how did it resemble a fountain?" "perhaps i should have said a fountain in moonlight white, and misty, and--and flowing." "and yet, this curious-shaped object threw the axe at you, didn't it?" there was an objection to the form of this question, but the court overruled it. "i did not say it threw the axe. i did not see it thrown. i felt it." "did you know the first mate, singleton, before you met on the ella?" "yes, sir." "where?" "we were on the same vessel two years ago, the american, for bermuda." "were you friends?" "yes"--very low. "were you engaged to marry him at one time?" "yes." "why did you break it off?" "we differed about a good many things." after a long battle, the prosecuting attorney was allowed to show that, following the breaking off of her relations with singleton, she had been a witness against him in an assault-and-battery case, and had testified to his violence of temper. the dispute took so long that there was only time for her cross-examination. the effect of the evidence, so far, was distinctly bad for singleton. his attorney, a young and intelligent jew, cross-examined mrs. sloane. attorney for the defense: "did you ever write a letter to the defendant, mrs. sloane, threatening him if he did not marry you?" "i do not recall such a letter." "is this letter in your writing?" "i think so. yes." "mrs. sloane, you testify that you opened your door and saw mr. vail and the captain taking mr. turner to his room. is this correct?" "yes." "why did they take him? i mean, was he not able, apparently, to walk alone?" "he was able to walk. they walked beside him." "in your testimony, taken at the time and entered in the ship's log, you say you 'judged by the sounds.' here you say you 'opened the door and saw them.' which is correct?" "i saw them." "you say that mr. singleton said he wished to 'get at' the captain. are those his exact words?" "i do not recall his exact words." "perhaps i can refresh your mind. with the permission of the court, i shall read from the ship's log this woman's statement, recorded by the man who was in charge of the vessel, and therefore competent to make such record, and signed by the witness as having been read and approved by her:-- "'mr. singleton said that he hoped the captain would come, as he and mr. turner only wanted a chance to get at him.... there was a sound outside, and karen thought it was mr. turner falling over something, and said that she hoped she would not meet him. once or twice, when he had been drinking, he had made overtures to her, and she detested him.... she opened the door and came back into the room, touching me on the arm. "that beast is out there," she said, "sitting on the companion steps. if he tries to stop me, i'll call you."'" the reading made a profound impression. the prosecution, having succeeded in having the log admitted as evidence, had put a trump card in the hands of the defense. "what were the relations between mr. turner and the captain?" "i don't know what you mean." "were they friendly?" "no--not very." "did you overhear, on the night of august , a conversation between mr. turner and mr. vail?" "yes." "what was its nature?" "they were quarreling." "what did williams, the butler, give you to hide, that night?" "mr. turner's revolver." "what did he say when he gave it to you?" "he--said to throw it overboard or there would be trouble." "mrs. sloane, do you recognize these two garments?" he held up a man's dinner shirt and a white waistcoat. the stewardess, who had been calm enough, started and paled. "i cannot tell without examining them." (they were given to her, and she looked at them.) "yes, i have seen them." "what are they?" "a shirt and waistcoat of mr. turner's." "when did you see them last?" "i packed them in my trunk when we left the boat. they had been forgotten when the other trunks were packed." "had you washed them?" "no." "were they washed on shipboard?" "they look like it. they have not been ironed." "who gave them to you to pack in your trunk?" "mrs. johns." "what did you do with them on reaching new york?" "i left them in my trunk." "why did you not return them to mr. turner?" "i was ill, and forgot. i'd like to know what right you have going through a person's things--and taking what you want!" the stewardess was excused, the defense having scored perceptibly. it was clear what line the young jew intended to follow. oleson, the swede, was called next, and after the usual formalities:-- "where were you between midnight and a.m. on the morning of august ?" "in the crow's-nest of the ella." "state what you saw between midnight and one o'clock." "i saw mate singleton walking on the forecastle-head. every now and then he went to the rail. he seemed to be vomiting. it was too dark to see much. then he went aft along the port side of the house, and came forward again on the starboard side. he went to where the axe was kept." "where was that?" "near the starboard corner of the forward house. all the turner boats have an emergency box, with an axe and other tools, in easy reach. the officer on watch carried the key." "could you see what he was doing?" "no; but he was fumbling at the box. i heard him." "where did he go after that?" "he went aft." "you could not see him?" "i didn't look. i thought i saw something white moving below me, and i was watching it." "this white thing--what did it look like?" "like a dog, i should say. it moved about, and then disappeared." "how?" "i don't understand." "over the rail?" "oh--no, sir. it faded away." "had you ever heard talk among the men of the ella being a haunted ship?" "yes--but not until after i'd signed on her!" "was there some talk of this 'white thing'?" "yes." "before the murders?" "no, sir; not till after. i guess i saw it first." "what did the men say about it?" "they thought it scared mr. schwartz overboard. the ella's been unlucky as to crews. they call her a 'devil ship.'" "did you see mr. singleton on deck between two and three o'clock?" "no, sir." the cross-examination was very short:-- "what sort of night was it?" "very dark." "would the first mate, as officer on watch, be supposed to see that the emergency case you speak of was in order?" "yes, sir." "did the officer on watch remain on the forecastle-head?" "mr. schwartz did not; mr. singleton did, mostly except when he went back to strike the bells." "could mr. singleton have been on deck without you seeing him?" "yes, if he did not move around or smoke. i could see his pipe lighted." "did you see his pipe that night?" "no, sir." "if you were sick, would you be likely to smoke?" this question, i believe, was ruled out. "in case the wheel of the vessel were lashed for a short time, what would happen?" "depends on the weather. she'd be likely to come to or fall off considerable." "would the lookout know it?" "yes, sir." "how?" "the sails would show it, sir." that closed the proceedings for the day. the crowd seemed reluctant to disperse. turner's lawyers were in troubled consultation with him. singleton was markedly more cheerful, and i thought the prosecution looked perturbed and uneasy. i went back to jail that night, and dreamed of elsa--not as i had seen her that day, bending forward, watching every point of the evidence, but as i had seen her so often on the yacht, facing into the salt breeze as if she loved it, her hands in the pockets of her short white jacket, her hair blowing back from her forehead in damp, close-curling rings. chapter xxi "a bad woman" charlie jones was called first, on the second day of the trial. he gave his place of birth as pennsylvania, and his present shore address as a sailors' christian home in new york. he offered, without solicitation, the information that he had been twenty-eight years in the turner service, and could have been "up at the top," but preferred the forecastle, so that he could be an influence to the men. his rolling gait, twinkling blue eyes, and huge mustache, as well as the plug of tobacco which he sliced with a huge knife, put the crowd in good humor, and relieved somewhat the somberness of the proceedings. "where were you between midnight and a.m. on the morning of august ?" "at the wheel." "you did not leave the wheel during that time?" "yes, sir." "when was that?" "after they found the captain's body. i went to the forward companion and looked down." "is a helmsman permitted to leave his post?" "with the captain lying dead down in a pool of blood, i should think-" "never mind thinking. is he?" "no." "what did you do with the wheel when you left it?" "lashed it. there are two rope-ends, with loops, to lash it with. when i was on the sarah winters--" "stick to the question. did you see the mate, mr. singleton, during your watch?" "every half-hour from . to . . he struck the bells. after that he said he was sick. he thought he'd been poisoned. he said he was going forward to lie down, and for me to strike them." "who struck the bell at three o'clock?" "i did, sir." "when did you hear a woman scream?" "just before that." "what did you do?" "nothing. it was the hansen woman. i didn't like her. she was a bad woman. when i told her what she was, she laughed." "were you ever below in the after house?" "no, sir; not since the boat was fixed up." "what could you see through the window beside the wheel?" "it looked into the chart-room. if the light was on, i could see all but the floor." "between the hours of a.m. and a.m., did any one leave or enter the after house by the after companion?" "yes, sir. mr. singleton went down into the chart-room, and came back again in five or ten minutes." "at what time?" "at four bells--two o'clock." "no one else?" "no, sir; but i saw mr. turner--" "confine yourself to the question. what was mr. singleton's manner at the time you mention?" "he was excited. he brought up a bottle of whiskey from the chart-room table, and drank what was left in it. then he muttered something, and threw the empty bottle over the rail. he said he was still sick." the cross-examination confined itself to one detail of charlie jones's testimony. "did you, between midnight and a.m., see any one in the chart-room besides the mate?" "yes--mr. turner." "you say you cannot see into the chart-room from the wheel at night. how did you see him?" "he turned on the light. he seemed to be looking for something." "was he dressed?" "yes, sir." "can you describe what he wore?" "yes, sir. his coat was off. he had a white shirt and a white vest." "were the shirt and vest similar to these i show you?" "most of them things look alike to me. yes, sir." the defense had scored again. but it suffered at the hands of burns, the next witness. i believe the prosecution had intended to call turner at this time; but, after a whispered conference with turner's attorneys, they made a change. turner, indeed, was in no condition to go on the stand. he was pallid and twitching, and his face was covered with sweat. burns corroborated the testimony against singleton--his surly temper, his outbursts of rage, his threats against the captain. and he brought out a new point: that jones, the helmsman, had been afraid of singleton that night, and had asked not to be left alone at the wheel. during this examination the prosecution for the first time made clear their position: that the captain was murdered first; that vail interfered, and, pursued by singleton, took refuge in his bunk, where he was slaughtered; that the murderer, bending to inspect his horrid work, had unwittingly touched the bell that roused karen hansen, and, crouching in the chartroom with the axe, had struck her as she opened the door. the prosecution questioned burns about the axe and its disappearance. "who suggested that the axe be kept in the captain's cabin?" "leslie, acting as captain." "who had the key?" "i carried it on a strong line around my neck." "whose arrangement was that?" "leslie's. he had the key to mr. singleton's cabin, and i carried this one. we divided the responsibility." "did you ever give the key to any one?" "no, sir." "did it ever leave you?" "not until it was taken away." "when was that?" "on saturday morning, august , shortly before dawn." "tell what happened." "i was knocked down from behind, while i was standing at the port forward corner of the after house. the key was taken from me while i was unconscious." "did you ever see the white object that has been spoken of by the crew?" "no, sir. i searched the deck one night when adams, the lookout, raised an alarm. we found nothing except--" "go on." "he threw down a marlinespike at something moving in the bow. the spike disappeared. we couldn't find it, although we could see where it had struck the deck. afterwards we found a marlinespike hanging over the ship's side by a lanyard. it might have been the one we looked for." "explain 'lanyard."' "a cord--a sort of rope." "it could not have fallen over the side and hung there?" "it was fastened with a blackwell hitch." "show us what you mean." on cross-examination by singleton's attorney, burns was forced to relate the incident of the night before his injury--that mrs. johns had asked to see the axe, and he had shown it to her. he maintained stoutly that she had not been near the bunk, and that the axe was there when he locked the door. adams, called, testified to seeing a curious, misty-white object on the forecastle-head. it had seemed to come over the bow. the marlinespike he threw had had no lanyard. mrs. turner and miss lee escaped with a light examination. their evidence amounted to little, and was practically the same. they had retired early, and did not rouse until i called them. they remained in their rooms most of the time after that, and were busy caring for mr. turner, who had been ill. mrs. turner was good enough to say that i had made them as safe and as comfortable as possible. the number of witnesses to be examined, and the searching grilling to which most of them were subjected, would have dragged the case to interminable length, had it not been for the attitude of the judges, who discouraged quibbling and showed a desire to reach the truth with the least possible delay. one of the judges showed the wide and unbiased attitude of the court by a little speech after an especially venomous contest. "gentlemen," he said, "we are attempting to get to a solution of this thing. we are trying one man, it is true, but, in a certain sense, we are trying every member of the crew, every person who was on board the ship the night of the crime. we have a curious situation. the murderer is before us, either in the prisoner's dock or among the witnesses. let us get at the truth without bickering." mrs. johns was called, following miss lee. i watched her carefully on the stand. i had never fathomed mrs. johns, or her attitude toward the rest of the party. i had thought, at the beginning of the cruise, that vail and she were incipient lovers. but she had taken his death with a calmness that was close to indifference. there was something strange and inexplicable in her tigerish championship of turner--and it remains inexplicable even now. i have wondered since--was she in love with turner, or was she only a fiery partisan? i wonder! she testified with an insolent coolness that clearly irritated the prosecution--thinking over her replies, refusing to recall certain things, and eyeing the jury with long, slanting glances that set them, according to their type, either wriggling or ogling. the first questions were the usual ones. then: "do you recall the night of the st of july?" "can you be more specific?" "i refer to the night when captain richardson found the prisoner in the chart-room and ordered him on deck." "i recall that, yes." "where were you during the quarrel?" "i was behind mr. vail." "tell us about it, please." "it was an ordinary brawl. the captain knocked the mate down." "did you hear the mate threaten the captain?" "no. he went on deck, muttering; i did not hear what was said." "after the crimes, what did you do?" "we established a dead-line at the foot of the forward companion. the other was locked." "was there a guard at the top of the companion?" "yes; but we trusted no one." "where was mr. turner?" "ill, in his cabin." "how ill?" "very. he was delirious." "did you allow any one down?" "at first, leslie, a sort of cabin-boy and deck steward, who seemed to know something of medicine. afterward we would not allow him, either." "why?" "we did not trust him." "this leslie--why had you asked him to sleep in the storeroom?" "i--was afraid." "will you explain why you were afraid?" "fear is difficult to explain, isn't it? if one knows why one is afraid, one--er--generally isn't." "that's a bit subtle, i'm afraid. you were afraid, then, without knowing why?" "yes." "had you a revolver on board?'" "yes." "whose revolver was kept on the cabin table?" "mine. i always carry one." "always?" "yes." "then--have you one with you now?" "yes." "when you asked the sailor burns to let you see the axe, what did you give as a reason?" "the truth--curiosity." "then, having seen the axe, where did you go?" "below." "please explain the incident of the two articles mr. goldstein showed to the jury yesterday, the shirt and waistcoat." "that was very simple. mr. turner had been very ill. we took turns in caring for him. i spilled a bowl of broth over the garments that were shown, and rubbed them out in the bathroom. they were hung in the cabin used by mr. vail to dry, and i forgot them when we were packing." the attorney for the defense cross-examined her: "what color were the stains you speak of?" "darkish--red-brown." "what sort of broth did you spill?" "that's childish, isn't it? i don't recall." "you recall its color." "it was beef broth." "mrs. johns, on the night you visited the forward house and viewed the axe, did you visit it again?" "the axe, or the forward house?" "the house." she made one of her long pauses. finally:-- "yes." "when?" "between three and four o'clock." "who went with you?" "i went alone." "why did you go beyond the line that was railed off for your safety?" (sharply.) "because i wished to. i was able to take care of myself." "why did you visit the forward house?" "i was nervous and could not sleep. i thought no one safe while the axe was on the ship." "did you see the body of burns, the sailor, lying on the deck at that time?" "he might have been there; i did not see him." "are you saying that you went to the forward house to throw the axe overboard?" "yes--if i could get in." "did you know why the axe was being kept?" "because the murders had been committed with it." "had you heard of any finger-prints on the handle?" "no." "did it occur to you that you were interfering with justice in disposing of the axe?" "do you mean justice or law? they are not the same." "tell us about your visit to the forward house." "it was between two and three. i met no one. i had a bunch of keys from the trunks and from four doors in the after house. miss lee knew i intended to try to get rid of the axe. i did not need my keys. the door was open---wide open. i--i went in, and--" here, for the first time, mrs. johns's composure forsook her. she turned white, and her maid passed up to her a silver smelling-salts bottle. "what happened when you went in?" "it was dark. i stood just inside. then something rushed past me and out of the door, a something--i don't know what--a woman, i thought at first, in white." "if the room was dark, how could you tell it was white?" "there was a faint light--enough to see that. there was no noise--just a sort of swishing sound." "what did you do then?" "i waited a moment, and hurried back to the after house." "was the axe gone then?" "i do not know." "did you see the axe at that time?" "no." "did you touch it?" "i have never touched it, at that time or before." she could not be shaken in her testimony and was excused. she had borne her grilling exceedingly well, and, in spite of her flippancy, there was a ring of sincerity about the testimony that gave it weight. following her evidence, the testimony of tom, the cook, made things look bad for singleton, by connecting him with mrs. johns's intruder in the captain's room. he told of singleton's offer to make him a key to the galley with wire. it was clear that singleton had been a prisoner in name only, and this damaging statement was given weight when, on my recall later, i identified the bunch of keys, the file, and the club that i had taken from singleton's mattress. it was plain enough that, with singleton able to free himself as he wished, the attack on burns and the disappearance of the axe were easily enough accounted for. it would have been possible, also, to account for the white figure that had so alarmed the men, on the same hypothesis. cross-examination of tom by mr. goldstein, singleton's attorney, brought out one curious fact. he had made no dark soup or broth for the after house. turner had taken nothing during his illness but clam bouillon, made with milk, and the meals served to the four women had been very light. "they lived on toast and tea, mostly," he said. that completed the taking of evidence for the day. in spite of the struggles of the clever young jew, the weight of testimony was against singleton. but there were curious discrepancies. turner went on the stand the next morning. chapter xxii turner's story "your name?" "marshall benedict turner." "your residence?" "west th street, new york city." "your occupation?" "member of the firm of l. turner's sons, shipowners. in the coast trade." "do you own the yacht ella?" "yes." "do you recognize this chart?" "yes. it is the chart of the after house of the ella." "will you show where your room is on the drawing?" "here." "and mr. vail's?" "next, connecting through a bath-room." "where was mr. vail's bed on the chart?" "here, against the storeroom wall." "with your knowledge of the ship and its partitions, do you think that a crime could be committed, a crime of the violent nature of this one, without making a great deal of noise and being heard in the storeroom?" violent opposition developing to this question, it was changed in form and broken up. eventually, turner answered that the partitions were heavy and he thought it possible. "were the connecting doors between your room and mr. vail's generally locked at night?" "yes. not always." "were they locked on this particular night?" "i don't remember." "when did you see mr. vail last?" "at midnight, or about that. i--i was not well. he went with me to my room." "what were your relations with mr. vail?" "we were old friends." "did you hear any sound in mr. vail's cabin that night?" "none. but, as i say, i was--ill. i might not have noticed." "did you leave your cabin that night of august or early morning of the th?" "not that i remember." "the steersman has testified to seeing you, without your coat, in the chart-room, at two o'clock. were you there?" "i may have been--i think not." "why do you say you 'may have been--i think not'?" "i was ill. the next day i was delirious. i remember almost nothing of that time." "did you know the woman karen hansen?" "only as a maid in my wife's employ." "did you hear the crash when leslie broke down the door of the storeroom?" "no. i was in a sort of stupor." "did you know the prisoner before you employed him on the ella?" "yes; he had been in our employ several times." "what was his reputation--i mean, as a ship's officer?" "good." "do you recall the night of the st of july?" "quite well." "please tell what you know about it." "i had asked mr. singleton below to have a drink with me. captain richardson came below and ordered him on deck. they had words, and he knocked singleton down." "did you hear the mate threaten to 'get' the captain, then or later?" "he may have made some such threat." "is there a bell in your cabin connecting with the maids' cabin off the chart-room?" "no. my bell rang in the room back of the galley, where williams slept. the boat was small, and i left my man at home. williams looked after me." "where did the bell from mr. vail's room ring?" "in the maids' room. mr. vail's room was designed for mrs. turner. when we asked mrs. johns to go with us, mrs. turner gave vail her room. it was a question of baths." "did you ring any bell during the night?" "no." "knowing the relation of the bell above mr. vail's berth to the bed itself, do you think he could have reached it after his injury?" (slowly.) "after what the doctor has said, no; he would have had to raise himself and reach up." the cross-examination was brief but to the point: "what do you mean by 'ill'?" "that night i had been somewhat ill; the next day i was in bad shape." "did you know the woman karen hansen before your wife employed her?" "no." "a previous witness has said that the hansen woman, starting out of her room, saw you outside and retreated. were you outside the door at any time during that night?" "only before midnight." "you said you 'might have been' in the chart-room at two o'clock." "i have said i was ill. i might have done almost anything." "that is exactly what we are getting at, mr. turner. going back to the th of july, when you were not ill, did you have any words with the captain?" "we had a few. he was exceeding his authority." "do you recall what you said?" "i was indignant." "think again, mr. turner. if you cannot recall, some one else will." "i threatened to dismiss him and put the first mate in his place. i was angry, naturally." "and what did the captain reply?" "he made an absurd threat to put me in irons." "what were your relations after that?" "they were strained. we simply avoided each other." "just a few more questions, mr. turner, and i shall not detain you. do you carry a key to the emergency case in the forward house, the case that contained the axe?" like many of the questions, this was disputed hotly. it was finally allowed, and turner admitted the key. similar cases were carried on all the turner boats, and he had such a key on his ring. "did you ever see the white object that terrified the crew?" "never. sailors are particularly liable to such hysteria." "during your delirium, did you ever see such a figure?" "i do not recall any details of that part of my illness." "were you in favor of bringing the bodies back to port?" "i--yes, certainly." "do you recall going on deck the morning after the murders were discovered?" "vaguely." "what were the men doing at that time?" "i believe--really, i do not like to repeat so often that i was ill that day." "have you any recollection of what you said to the men at that time?" "none." "let me refresh your memory from the ship's log." (reading.) "'mr. turner insisted that the bodies be buried at sea, and, on the crew opposing this, retired to his cabin, announcing that he considered the attitude of the men a mutiny.'" "i recall being angry at the men--not much else. my position was rational enough, however. it was midsummer, and we had a long voyage before us." "i wish to read something else to you. the witness leslie testified to sleeping in the storeroom, at the request of mrs. johns". (reading), "'giving as her reason a fear of something going wrong, as there was trouble between mr. turner and the captain.'" whatever question mr. goldstein had been framing, he was not permitted to use this part of the record. the log was admissible only as a record on the spot, made by a competent person and witnessed by all concerned, of the actual occurrences on the ella. my record of mrs. johns's remark was ruled out; turner was not on trial. turner, pale and shaking, left the stand at two o'clock that day, and i was recalled. my earlier testimony had merely established the finding of the bodies. i was now to have a bad two hours. i was an important witness, probably the most important. i had heard the scream that had revealed the tragedy, and had been in the main cabin of the after house only a moment or so after the murderer. i had found the bodies, vail still living, and had been with the accused mate when he saw the captain prostrate at the foot of the forward companion. all of this, aided by skillful questions, i told as exactly as possible. i told of the mate's strange manner on finding the bodies; i related, to a breathless quiet, the placing of the bodies in the jolly-boat; and the reading of the burial service over them; i told of the little boat that followed us, like some avenging spirit, carrying by day a small american flag, union down, and at night a white light. i told of having to increase the length of the towing-line as the heat grew greater, and of a fear i had that the rope would separate, or that the mysterious hand that was the author of the misfortunes would cut the line. i told of the long nights without sleep, while, with our few available men, we tried to work the ella back to land; of guarding the after house; of a hundred false alarms that set our nerves quivering and our hearts leaping. and i made them feel, i think, the horror of a situation where each man suspected his neighbor, feared and loathed him, and yet stayed close by him because a known danger is better than an unknown horror. the record of my examination is particularly faulty, mcwhirter having allowed personal feeling to interfere with accuracy. here and there in the margins of his notebook i find unflattering allusions to the prosecuting attorney; and after one question, an impeachment of my motives, to which mac took violent exception, no answer at all is recorded, and in a furious scrawl is written: "the little whippersnapper! leslie could smash him between his thumb and finger!" i found another curious record--a leaf, torn out of the book, and evidently designed to be sent to me, but failing its destination, was as follows: "for heaven's sake, don't look at the girl so much! the newspaper men are on." but, to resume my examination. the first questions were not of particular interest. then: "did the prisoner know you had moved to the after house?" "i do not know. the forecastle hands knew." "tell what you know of the quarrel on july between captain richardson and the prisoner." "i saw it from a deck window." i described it in detail. "why did you move to the after house?" "at the request of mrs. johns. she said she was nervous." "what reason did she give?" "that mr. turner was in a dangerous mood; he had quarreled with the captain and was quarreling with mr. vail." "did you know the arrangement of rooms in the after house? how the people slept?" "in a general way." "what do you mean by that?" "i knew mr. vail's room and miss lee's." "did you know where the maids slept?" "yes." "you have testified that you were locked in. was the key kept in the lock?" "yes." "would whoever locked you in have had only to move the key from one side of the door to the other?" "yes." "was the key left in the lock when you were fastened in?" "no." "now, dr. leslie, we want you to tell us what the prisoner did that night when you told him what had happened." "i called to him to come below, for god's sake. he seemed dazed and at a loss to know what to do. i told him to get his revolver and call the captain. he went into the forward house and got his revolver, but he did not call the captain. we went below and stumbled over the captain's body." "what was the mate's condition?" "when we found the body?" "his general condition." "he was intoxicated. he collapsed on the steps when we found the captain. we both almost collapsed." "what was his mental condition?" "if you mean, was he frightened, we both were." "was he pale?" "i did not notice then. he was pale and looked ill later, when the crew had gathered." "about this key: was it ever found? the key to the storeroom?" "yes." "when?" "that same morning." "where? and by whom?" "miss lee found it on the floor in mr. turner's room." the prosecution was totally unprepared for this reply, and proceedings were delayed for a moment while the attorneys consulted. on the resumption of my examination, they made a desperate attempt to impeach my character as a witness, trying to show that i had sailed under false pretenses; that i was so feared in the after house that the women refused to allow me below, or to administer to mr. turner the remedies i prepared; and, finally, that i had surrendered myself to the crew as a suspect, of my own accord. against this the cross-examination threw all its weight. the prosecuting attorneys having dropped the question of the key, the shrewd young lawyer for the defense followed it up:-- "this key, dr. leslie, do you know where it is now?" "yes; i have it." "will you tell how it came into your possession?" "certainly. i picked it up on the deck, a night or so after the murders. miss lee had dropped it." i caught elsa lee's eye, and she gave me a warm glance of gratitude. "have you the key with you?" "yes." i produced it. "are you a football player, doctor?" "i was." "i thought i recalled you. i have seen you play several times. in spite of our friend the attorney for the commonwealth, i do not believe we will need to call character witnesses for you. did you see miss lee pick up the key to the storeroom in mr. turner's room?" "yes." "did it occur to you at the time that the key had any significance?" "i wondered how it got there." "you say you listened inside the locked door, and heard no sound, but felt a board rise up under your knee. a moment or two later, when you called the prisoner, he was intoxicated, and reeled. do you mean to tell us that a drunken man could have made his way in the darkness, through a cabin filled with chairs, tables, and a piano, in absolute silence?" the prosecuting attorney was on his feet in an instant, and the objection was sustained. i was next shown the keys, club, and file taken from singleton's mattress. "you have identified these objects as having been found concealed in the prisoner's mattress. do any of these keys fit the captain's cabin?" "no." "who saw the prisoner during the days he was locked in his cabin?" "i saw him occasionally. the cook saw him when he carried him his meals." "did you ever tell the prisoner where the axe was kept?" "no." "did the members of the crew know?" "i believe so. yes." "was the fact that burns carried the key to the captain's cabin a matter of general knowledge?" "no. the crew knew that burns and i carried the keys; they did not know which one each carried, unless--" "go on, please." "if any one had seen burns take mrs. johns forward and show her the axe, he would have known." "who were on deck at that time?" "all the crew were on deck, the forecastle being closed. in the crow's-nest was mcnamara; jones was at the wheel." "from the crow's-nest could the lookout have seen burns and mrs. johns going forward?" "no. the two houses were connected by an awning." "what could the helmsman see?" "nothing forward of the after house." the prosecution closed its case with me. the defense, having virtually conducted its case by cross-examination of the witnesses already called, contented itself with producing a few character witnesses, and "rested." goldstein made an eloquent plea of "no case," and asked the judge so to instruct the jury. this was refused, and the case went to the jury on the seventh day--a surprisingly short trial, considering the magnitude of the crimes. the jury disagreed. but, while they wrangled, mcwhirter and i were already on the right track. at the very hour that the jurymen were being discharged and steps taken for a retrial, we had the murderer locked in my room in a cheap lodging-house off chestnut street. chapter xxiii free again with the submission of the case to the jury, the witnesses were given their freedom. mcwhirter had taken a room for me for a day or two to give me time to look about; and, his own leave of absence from his hospital being for ten days, we had some time together. my situation was better than it had been in the summer. i had my strength again, although the long confinement had told on me. but my position was precarious enough. i had my pay from the ella, and nothing else. and mcwhirter, with a monthly stipend from his hospital of twenty-five dollars, was not much better off. my first evening of freedom we spent at the theater. we bought the best seats in the house, and we dressed for the occasion--being in the position of having nothing to wear between shabby everyday wear and evening clothes. "it is by way of celebration," mac said, as he put a dab of shoe-blacking over a hole in his sock; "you having been restored to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. that's the game, leslie--the pursuit of happiness." i was busy with a dress tie that i had washed and dried by pasting it on a mirror, an old trick of mine when funds ran low. i was trying to enter into mac's festive humor, but i had not reacted yet from the horrors of the past few months. "happiness!" i said scornfully. "do you call this happiness?" he put up the blacking, and, coming to me, stood eyeing me in the mirror as i arranged my necktie. "don't be bitter," he said. "happiness was my word. the good man was good to you when he made you. that ought to be a source of satisfaction. and as for the girl--" "what girl?" "if she could only see you now. why in thunder didn't you take those clothes on board? i wanted you to. couldn't a captain wear a dress suit on special occasions?" "mac," i said gravely, "if you will think a moment, you will remember that the only special occasions on the ella, after i took charge, were funerals. have you sat through seven days of horrors without realizing that?" mac had once gone to europe on a liner, and, having exhausted his funds, returned on a cattle-boat. "all the captains i ever knew," he said largely, "were a fussy lot--dressed to kill, and navigating the boat from the head of a dinner-table. but i suppose you know. i was only regretting that she hadn't seen you the way you're looking now. that's all. i suppose i may regret, without hurting your feelings!" he dropped all mention of elsa after that, for a long time. but i saw him looking at me, at intervals, during the evening, and sighing. he was still regretting! we enjoyed the theater, after all, with the pent-up enthusiasm of long months of work and strain. we laughed at the puerile fun, encored the prettiest of the girls, and swaggered in the lobby between acts, with cigarettes. there we ran across the one man i knew in philadelphia, and had supper after the play with three or four fellows who, on hearing my story, persisted in believing that i had sailed on the ella as a lark or to follow a girl. my simple statement that i had done it out of necessity met with roars of laughter and finally i let it go at that. it was after one when we got back to the lodging-house, being escorted there in a racing car by a riotous crowd that stood outside the door, as i fumbled for my key, and screeched in unison: "leslie! leslie! leslie! sic 'em!" before they drove away. the light in the dingy lodging-house parlor was burning full, but the hall was dark. i stopped inside and lighted a cigarette. "life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, mac!" i said. "i've got the first two, and the other can be had--for the pursuit." mac did not reply: he was staring into the parlor. elsa lee was standing by a table, looking at me. she was very nervous, and tried to explain her presence in a breath--with the result that she broke down utterly and had to stop. mac, his jovial face rather startled, was making for the stairs; but i sternly brought him back and presented him. whereon, being utterly confounded, he made the tactful remark that he would have to go and put out the milk-bottles: it was almost morning! she had been waiting since ten o'clock, she said. a taxicab, with her maid, was at the door. they were going back to new york in the morning, and things were terribly wrong. "wrong? you need not mind mr. mcwhirter. he is as anxious as i am to be helpful." "there are detectives watching marshall; we saw one to-day at the hotel. if the jury disagrees--and the lawyers think they will--they will arrest him." i thought it probable. there was nothing i could say. mcwhirter made an effort to reassure her. "it wouldn't be a hanging matter, anyhow," he said. "there's a lot against him, but hardly a jury in the country would hang a man for something he did, if he could prove he was delirious the next day." she paled at this dubious comfort, but it struck her sense of humor, too, for she threw me a fleeting smile. "i was to ask you to do something," she said. "none of us can, for we are being watched. i was probably followed here. the ella is still in the river, with only a watchman on board. we want you to go there to-night, if you can." "to the ella?" she was feeling in her pocketbook, and now she held out to me an envelope addressed in a sprawling hand to mr. turner at his hotel. "am i to open it?" "please." i unfolded a sheet of ruled note-paper of the most ordinary variety. it had been opened and laid flat, and on it, in black ink, was a crude drawing of the deck of the ella, as one would look down on it from aloft. here and there were small crosses in red ink, and, overlying it all from bow to stern, a red axe. around the border, not written, but printed in childish letters, were the words: "not yet. ha, ha." in a corner was a drawing of a gallows, or what passes in the everyday mind for a gallows, and in the opposite corner an open book. "you see," she said, "it was mailed downtown late this afternoon. the hotel got it at seven o'clock. marshall wanted to get a detective, but i thought of you. i knew--you knew the boat, and then--you had said--" "anything in all the world that i can do to help you, i will do," i said, looking at her. and the thing that i could not keep out of my eyes made her drop hers. "sweet little document!" said mcwhirter, looking over my shoulder. "sent by some one with a nice disposition. what do the crosses mark?" "the location of the bodies when found," i explained--"these three. this looks like the place where burns lay unconscious. that one near the rail i don't know about, nor this by the mainmast." "we thought they might mark places, clues, perhaps, that had been overlooked. the whole--the whole document is a taunt, isn't it? the scaffold, and the axe, and 'not yet'; a piece of bravado!" "right you are," said mcwhirter admiringly. "a little escape of glee from somebody who's laughing too soon. one-thirty--it will soon be the proper hour for something to happen on the ella, won't it? if that was sent by some member of the crew--and it looks like it; they are loose to-day--the quicker we follow it up, the better, if there's anything to follow." "we thought if you would go early in the morning, before any of them make an excuse to go back on board--" "we will go right away; but, please--don't build too much on this. it's a good possibility, that's all. will the watchman let us on board?" "we thought of that. here is a note to him from marshall, and--will you do us one more kindness?" "i will." "then--if you should find anything, bring it to us; to the police; later, if you must, but to us first." "when?" "in the morning. we will not leave until we hear from you." she held out her hand, first to mcwhirter, then to me. i kept it a little longer than i should have, perhaps, and she did not take it away. "it is such a comfort," she said, "to have you with us and not against us! for marshall didn't do it, leslie--i mean--it is hard for me to think of you as dr. leslie! he didn't do it. at first, we thought he might have, and he was delirious and could not reassure us. he swears he did not. i think, just at first, he was afraid he had done it; but he did not. i believe that, and you must." i believed her--i believed anything she said. i think that if she had chosen to say that i had wielded the murderer's axe on the ella, i should have gone to the gallows rather than gainsay her. from that night, i was the devil's advocate, if you like. i was determined to save marshall turner. she wished us to take her taxicab, dropping her at her hotel; and, reckless now of everything but being with her, i would have done so. but mcwhirter's discreet cough reminded me of the street-car level of our finances, and i made the excuse of putting on more suitable clothing. i stood in the street, bareheaded, watching her taxicab as it rattled down the street. mcwhirter touched me on the arm. "wake up!" he said. "we have work to do, my friend." we went upstairs together, cautiously, not to rouse the house. at the top, mac turned and patted me on the elbow, my shoulder being a foot or so above him. "good boy!" he said. "and if that shirtfront and tie didn't knock into eternal oblivion the deck-washing on the ella, i'll eat them!" chapter xxiv the thing i deserve no credit for the solution of the ella's mystery. i have a certain quality of force, perhaps, and i am not lacking in physical courage; but i have no finesse of intellect. mcwhirter, a foot shorter than i, round of face, jovial and stocky, has as much subtlety in his little finger as i have in my six feet and a fraction of body. all the way to the river, therefore, he was poring over the drawing. he named the paper at once. "ought to know it," he said, in reply to my surprise. "sold enough paper at the drugstore to qualify as a stationery engineer." he writhed as was his habit over his jokes, and then fell to work at the drawing again. "a book," he said, "and an axe, and a gibbet or gallows. b-a-g--that makes 'bag.' doesn't go far, does it? humorous duck, isn't he? any one who can write 'ha! ha!' under a gallows has real humor. g-a-b, b-a-g!" the ella still lay in the delaware, half a mile or so from her original moorings. she carried the usual riding-lights--a white one in the bow, another at the stern, and the two vertical red lights which showed her not under command. in reply to repeated signals, we were unable to rouse the watchman. i had brought an electric flash with me, and by its aid we found a rope ladder over the side, with a small boat at its foot. although the boat indicated the presence of the watchman on board, we made our way to the deck without challenge. here mcwhirter suggested that the situation might be disagreeable, were the man to waken and get at us with a gun. we stood by the top of the ladder, therefore, and made another effort to rouse him. "hey, watchman!" i called. and mcwhirter, in a deep bass, sang lustily: "watchman, what of the night?" neither of us made, any perceptible impression on the silence and gloom of the ella. mcwhirter grew less gay. the deserted decks of the ship, her tragic history, her isolation, the darkness, which my small flash seemed only to intensify, all had their effect on him. "it's got my goat," he admitted. "it smells like a tomb." "don't be an ass." "turn the light over the side, and see if we fastened that boat. we don't want to be left here indefinitely." "that's folly, mac," i said, but i obeyed him. "the watchman's boat is there, so we--" but he caught me suddenly by the arm and shook me. "my god!" he said. "what is that over there?" it was a moment before my eyes, after the flashlight, could discern anything in the darkness. mac was pointing forward. when i could see, mac was ready to laugh at himself. "i told you the place had my goat!" he said sheepishly. "i thought i saw something duck around the corner of that building; but i think it was a ray from a searchlight on one of those boats." "the watchman, probably," i said quietly. but my heart beat a little faster. "the watchman taking a look at us and gone for his gun." i thought rapidly. if mac had seen anything, i did not believe it was the watchman. but there should be a watchman on board--in the forward house, probably. i gave mac my revolver and put the light in my pocket. i might want both hands that night. i saw better without the flash, and, guided partly by the bow light, partly by my knowledge of the yacht, i led the way across the deck. the forward house was closed and locked, and no knocking produced any indication of life. the after house we found not only locked, but barred across with strips of wood nailed into place. the forecastle was likewise closed. it was a dead ship. no figure reappearing to alarm him, mac took the drawing out of his pocket and focused the flashlight on it. "this cross by the mainmast," he said "that would be where?" "right behind you, there." he walked to the mast, and examined carefully around its base. there was nothing there, and even now i do not know to what that cross alluded, unless poor schwartz--! "then this other one--forward, you call it, don't you? suppose we locate that." all expectation of the watchman having now died, we went forward on the port side to the approximate location of the cross. this being in the neighborhood where mac had thought he saw something move, we approached with extreme caution. but nothing more ominous was discovered than the port lifeboat, nothing more ghostly heard than the occasional creak with which it rocked in its davits. the lifeboat seemed to be indicated by the cross. it swung almost shoulder-high on mcwhirter. we looked under and around it, with a growing feeling that we had misread the significance of the crosses, or that the sinister record extended to a time before the "she devil" of the turner line was dressed in white and turned into a lady. i was feeling underneath the boat, with a sense of absurdity that mcwhirter put into words. "i only hope," he said, "that the watchman does not wake up now and see us. he'd be justified in filling us with lead, or putting us in straitjackets." but i had discovered something. "mac," i said, "some one has been at this boat within the last few minutes." "why?" "take your revolver and watch the deck. one of the barecas--" "what's that?" "one of the water-barrels has been upset, and the plug is out. it is leaking into the boat. it is leaking fast, and there's only a gallon or so in the bottom! give me the light." the contents of the boat revealed the truth of what i had said. the boat was in confusion. its cover had been thrown back, and tins of biscuit, bailers, boathooks and extra rowlocks were jumbled together in confusion. the barecas lay on its side, and its plug had been either knocked or drawn out. mcwhirter was for turning to inspect the boat; but i ordered him sternly to watch the deck. he was inclined to laugh at my caution, which he claimed was a quality in me he had not suspected. he lounged against the rail near me, and, in spite of his chaff, kept a keen enough lookout. the barecas of water were lashed amidships. in the bow and stern were small air-tight compartments, and in the stern was also a small locker from which the biscuit tins had been taken. i was about to abandon my search, when i saw something gleaming in the locker, and reached in and drew it out. it appeared to be an ordinary white sheet, but its presence there was curious. i turned the light on it. it was covered with dark-brown stains. even now the memory of that sheet turns me ill. i shook it out, and mac, at my exclamation, came to me. it was not a sheet at all, that is, not a whole one. it was a circular piece of white cloth, on which, in black, were curious marks--a six-pointed star predominating. there were others--a crescent, a crude attempt to draw what might be either a dog or a lamb, and a cross. from edge to edge it was smeared with blood. of what followed just after, both mcwhirter and i are vague. there seemed to be, simultaneously, a yell of fury from the rigging overhead, and the crash of a falling body on the deck near us. then we were closing with a kicking, biting, screaming thing, that bore me to the ground, extinguishing the little electric flash, and that, rising suddenly from under me, had mcwhirter in the air, and almost overboard before i caught him. so dazed were we by the onslaught that the thing--whatever it was--could have escaped, and left us none the wiser. but, although it eluded us in the darkness, it did not leave. it was there, whimpering to itself, searching for something--the sheet. as i steadied mac, it passed me. i caught at it. immediately the struggle began all over again. but this time we had the advantage, and kept it. after a battle that seemed to last all night, and that was actually fought all over that part of the deck, we held the creature subdued, and mac, getting a hand free, struck a match. it was charlie jones. that, after all, is the story. jones was a madman, a homicidal maniac of the worst type. always a madman, the homicidal element of his disease was recurrent and of a curious nature. he thought himself a priest of heaven, appointed to make ghastly sacrifices at certain signals from on high. the signals i am not sure of; he turned taciturn after his capture and would not talk. i am inclined to think that a shooting star, perhaps in a particular quarter of the heavens, was his signal. this is distinctly possible, and is made probable by the stars which he had painted with tar on his sacrificial robe. the story of the early morning of august will never be fully known; but much of it, in view of our knowledge, we were able to reconstruct. thus--jones ate his supper that night, a mild and well-disposed individual. during the afternoon before, he had read prayers for the soul of schwartz, in whose departure he may or may not have had a part. i am inclined to think not, jones construing his mission as being one to remove the wicked and the oppressor, and schwartz hardly coming under either classification. he was at the wheel from midnight until four in the morning on the night of the murders. at certain hours we believe that he went forward to the forecastle-head, and performed, clad in his priestly robe, such devotions as his disordered mind dictated. it is my idea that he looked, at these times, for a heavenly signal, either a meteor or some strange appearance of the heavens. it was known that he was a poor sleeper, and spent much time at night wandering around. on the night of the crimes it is probable that he performed his devotions early, and then got the signal. this is evidenced by singleton's finding the axe against the captain's door before midnight. he had evidently been disturbed. we believe that he intended to kill the captain and mr. turner, but made a mistake in the rooms. he clearly intended to kill the danish girl. several passages in his bible, marked with a red cross, showed his inflamed hatred of loose women; and he believed karen hansen to be of that type. he locked me in, slipping down from the wheel to do so, and pocketing the key. the night was fairly quiet. he could lash the wheel safely, and he had in his favor the fact that oleson, the lookout, was a slow-thinking swede who notoriously slept on his watch. he found the axe, not where he had left it, but back in the case. but the case was only closed, not locked--singleton's error. armed with the axe, jones slipped back to the wheel and waited. he had plenty of time. he had taken his robe from its hiding-place in the boat, and had it concealed near him with the axe. he was ready, but he was waiting for another signal. he got it at half-past two. he admitted the signal and the time, but concealed its nature--i think it was a shooting star. he killed vail first, believing it to be turner, and making with his axe, the four signs of the cross. then he went to the hansen girl's door. he did not know about the bell, and probably rang it by accident as he leaned over to listen if vail still breathed. the captain, in the mean time, had been watching singleton. he had forbidden his entering the after house; if he caught him disobeying, he meant to put him in irons. he was without shoes or coat, and he sat waiting on the after companion steps for developments. it was the captain, probably, whom karen hansen mistook for turner. later he went back to the forward companionway, either on his way back to his cabin, or still with an eye to singleton's movements. to the captain there must have appeared this grisly figure in flowing white, smeared with blood and armed with an axe. the sheet was worn over jones's head--a long, narrow slit serving him to see through, and two other slits freeing his arms. the captain was a brave man, but the apparition, gleaming in the almost complete darkness, had been on him before he could do more than throw up his hands. jones had not finished. he went back to the chart-room and possibly even went on deck and took a look at the wheel. then he went down again and killed the hansen woman. he was exceedingly cunning. he flung the axe into the room, and was up and at the wheel again, all within a few seconds. to tear off and fold up the sheet, to hide it under near-by cordage, to strike the ship's bell and light his pipe--all this was a matter of two or three minutes. i had only time to look at vail. when i got up to the wheel, jones was smoking quietly. i believe he tried to get singleton later, and failed. but he continued his devotions on the forward deck, visible when clad in his robe, invisible when he took it off. it was jones, of course, who attacked burns and secured the key to the captain's cabin; jones who threw the axe overboard after hearing the crew tell that on its handle were finger-prints to identify the murderer; jones who, while on guard in the after house below, had pushed the key to the storeroom under turner's door; jones who hung the marlinespike over the side, waiting perhaps for another chance at singleton; jones, in his devotional attire, who had frightened the crew into hysteria, and who, discovered by mrs. johns in the captain's cabin, had rushed by her, and out, with the axe. it is noticeable that he made no attempt to attack her. he killed only in obedience to his signal, and he had had no signal. perhaps the most curious thing, after the murderer was known, was the story of the people in the after house. it was months before i got that in full. the belief among the women was that turner, maddened by drink and unreasoning jealousy, had killed vail, and then, running amuck or discovered by the other victims, had killed them. this was borne out by turner's condition. his hands and parts of his clothing were blood-stained. their condition was pitiable. unable to speak for himself, he lay raving in his room, talking to vail and complaining of a white figure that bothered him. the key that elsa lee picked up was another clue, and in their attempt to get rid of it i had foiled them. mrs. johns, an old friend and, as i have said, an ardent partisan, undertook to get rid of the axe, with the result that we know. even turner's recovery brought little courage. he could only recall that he had gone into vail's room and tried to wake him, without result; that he did not know of the blood until the next day, or that vail was dead; and that he had a vague recollection of something white and ghostly that night--he was not sure where he had seen it. the failure of their attempt to get rid of the storeroom key was matched by their failure to smuggle turner's linen off the ship. singleton suspected turner, and, with the skillful and not over scrupulous aid of his lawyer, had succeeded in finding in mrs. sloane's trunk the incriminating pieces. as to the meaning of the keys, file, and club in singleton's mattress, i believe the explanation is simple enough. he saw against him a strong case. he had little money and no influence, while turner had both. i have every reason to believe that he hoped to make his escape before the ship anchored, and was frustrated by my discovery of the keys and by an extra bolt i put on his door and window. the murders on the schooner-yacht ella were solved. mcwhirter went back to his hospital, the day after our struggle, wearing a strip of plaster over the bridge of his nose and a new air of importance. the turners went to new york soon after, and i was alone. i tried to put elsa lee out of my thoughts, as she had gone out of my life, and, receiving the hoped-for hospital appointment at that time, i tried to make up by hard work for a happiness that i had not lost because it had never been mine. a curious thing has happened to me. i had thought this record finished, but perhaps-- turner's health is bad. he and his wife and miss lee are going to europe. he has asked me to go with him in my professional capacity! it is more than a year since i have seen her. the year has brought some changes. singleton is again a member of the turner forces, having signed a contract and a temperance pledge at the same sitting. jones is in a hospital for the insane, where in the daytime he is a cheery old tar with twinkling eyes and a huge mustache, and where now and then, on christmas and holidays, i send him a supply of tobacco. at night he sleeps in a room with opaque glass windows through which no heavenly signals can penetrate. he will not talk of his crimes,--not that he so regards them,--but now and then in the night he wraps the drapery of his couch about him and performs strange orisons in the little room that is his. and at such times an attendant watches outside his door. chapter xxv the sea again once more the swish of spray against the side of a ship, the tang of salt, the lift and fall of the rail against the sea-line on the horizon. and once more a girl, in white from neck to heel, facing into the wind as if she loved it, her crisp skirts flying, her hair blown back from her forehead in damp curls. and i am not washing down the deck. with all the poise of white flannels and a good cigar, i am lounging in a deck-chair, watching her. then-- "come here!" i say. "i am busy." "you are not busy. you are disgracefully idle." "why do you want me?" she comes closer, and looks down at me. she likes me to sit, so she may look superior and scornful, this being impossible when one looks up. when she has approached-- "just to show that i can order you about." "i shall go back!"--with raised chin. how i remember that raised chin, and how (whisper it) i used to fear it! "you cannot. i am holding the edge of your skirt." "ralph! and all the other passengers looking!" "then sit down--and, before you do, tuck that rug under my feet, will you?" "certainly not." "under my feet!" she does it, under protest, whereon i release her skirts. she is sulky, quite distinctly sulky. i slide my hand under the rug into her lap. she ignores it. "now," i say calmly, "we are even. and you might as well hold my hand. every one thinks you are." she brings her hands hastily from under her rug and puts them over her head. "i don't know what has got into you," she says coldly. "and why are we even?" "for the day you told me the deck was not clean." "it wasn't clean." "i think i am going to kiss you." "ralph!" "it is coming on. about the time that the bishop gets here, i shall lean over and--" she eyes me, and sees determination in my face. she changes color. "you wouldn't!" "wouldn't i!" she rises hastily, and stands looking down at me. i am quite sure at that moment that she detests me, and i rather like it. there are always times when we detest the people we love. "if you are going to be arbitrary just because you can--" "yes?" "marsh and the rest are in the smoking room. their sitting-room is empty." quite calmly, as if we are going below for a clean handkerchief or a veil or a cigarette, we stroll down the great staircase of the liner to the turners' sitting-room, and close the door. and--i kiss her. none [illustration: the blaze revealed a large mass of lumber rising and falling on the turbulent waters.--_frontispiece_] the rover boys on the great lakes or _the secret of the island cave_ by arthur m. winfield (edward stratemeyer) author of the rover boys at school, the rover boys on the ocean, the putnam hall series, etc. _illustrated_ introduction. my dear boys: this volume, "the rover boys on the great lakes," is a complete story in itself, but forms the fifth volume of the rover boys series for young americans. when first i started this series with "the rover boys at school," i had no idea of extending the line beyond three or four volumes. but the second book, "the rover boys on the ocean," immediately called for a third, "the rover boys in the jungle," and this finished, many boys wanted to know what would happen next, and so i must needs give them "the rover boys out west." still they were not satisfied; hence the volume now in your hands. so far we have followed the doings of dick, tom, and sam at dear old putnam hall, with many larks and sports; then out upon the broad atlantic in a daring chase which came pretty close to ending in sad disaster; next into the interior of africa on a quest of grave importance; and lastly out into the mountainous regions of the wild west, to locate a mining claim belonging to mr. anderson rover. in the present tale the scene is shifted to the great lakes. the three boys go on a pleasure tour and, while on lake erie, fall in with an old enemy, who concocts a scheme for kidnapping dick, who had fallen overboard from his yacht in a storm. this scheme leads to many adventures, the outcome of which will be found in the pages that follow. in placing this volume in my young readers hands i can but repeat what i have said before: that i am extremely grateful to all for the kind reception given the other rover boys stories. i sincerely trust the present tale meets with equal commendation. affectionately and sincerely yours, edward stratemeyer. _april_ , contents. introduction i. a storm on lake erie ii. the disappearance of dick iii. on a lumber raft iv. in the hands of the enemy v. the sailing of the "peacock" vi. hunting for dick vii. the escape of arnold baxter viii. on the lake again ix. caught in a trap x. the escape from the hold xi. gaining a point xii. a dinner of importance xiii. prisoners three xiv. dick makes his escape xv. what the lame man knew xvi. off for needle point island xvii. a cave and a snake xviii. coffee for three xix. an astonishing discovery xx. josiah crabtree's game xxi. tom brings one enemy to terms xxii. the secret of the island cave xxiii. the baxters are followed xxiv. an encounter in the dark xxv. beaching the "wellington" xxvi. crabtree joins the baxters xxvii. how tom was captured xxviii. the baxters talk it over xxix. dora stanhope appears xxx. home again--conclusion the rover boys on the great lakes. chapter i. a storm on lake erie. "dick, do you notice how the wind is freshening?" "yes, sam, i've been watching it for ten minutes. i think we are in for a storm." "exactly my idea, and i shouldn't be surprised if it proved a heavy one, too. how far are we from shore?" "not over three miles, to my reckoning." "perhaps we had better turn back," and sam rover, the youngest of the three rover brothers, shook his head doubtfully. "oh, i reckon we'll be safe enough," responded dick rover, who was several years older. "i know more about sailing a yacht than i did when we followed up the baxters on the atlantic ocean." "the poor baxters!" put in tom rover, who stood close by, also watching the wind, and the heavy clouds rolling up from the westward. "who ever supposed that they would be buried alive in that landslide on the mountain in colorado?" "it was a terrible fate," came, with a shudder, from dick rover. "but, nevertheless, i am glad we are rid of those rascals. they caused father and us trouble enough, goodness knows." "and they brought trouble enough to dora stanhope and her mother, too," observed sam. "by the way, dick, weren't dora and her mother going to take a trip on these lakes this summer?" "of course dora was," put in tom, with a sly wink. "if she wasn't, what do you suppose would bring dick here? he got a letter only last week--" "oh, stow it, tom!" cried the elder rover, his face growing red. "you wanted to take a trip on the great lakes as much as anybody--said you wouldn't like anything better, and told all the fellows at putnam hall so, too." "well, i don't know as i would like anything better," rattled on tom. "the _swallow_ seems to be a first-class craft, and i've no doubt but what we'll see lots to interest us in this trip from buffalo to lake superior." "when are the stanhopes coming out?" asked sam. "i can't say, exactly," replied dick. "i expect another letter from them when we reach cleveland. in the last letter dora said her mother was not feeling as well as before." "a trip on the lakes ought to do her good." "wonder if old josiah crabtree has been bothering her with his attentions?" came from tom. "gosh! how anxious he was to marry her and get hold of the money she is holding in trust for dora." "crabtree's term of imprisonment ran out only last week, tom. he couldn't annoy her while he was in jail." "he ought to have been given five years for the way he used them, and us. it's strange what an influence he had over mrs. stanhope." "he's something of a hypnotist, and she seems to be just the right kind of a subject for him. his coming from prison is one reason why dora wanted to get her mother away. she isn't going to let outsiders know of the trip, so old crabtree won't know where they are." "he'll find out, if he can," remarked sam. "he always was a nosy old chap." "if he tries any game on, i'll settle him in short order," came from dick, with determination. "we've put up with enough from him in the past, and i don't intend to give him any leeway in the future." "leeway?" burst out tom. "not a foot! not an inch! i haven't forgotten how he treated me when he was a teacher at putnam hall. i wonder that captain putnam didn't kick him out long before he was made to go." a sudden rush of wind cut the conversation short at this point, sending the _swallow_ bowling along merrily. the clouds were increasing rapidly, and dick ordered that all the sails be closely reefed. "we don't want to lose our mast," he observed. "we don't want to lose anything," answered sam. "for my part, i wish we were back in buffalo harbor." "oh! we'll run along all right," came from tom. "don't get scared before you are hurt." he looked at his watch. "half-past five! i didn't think it was so late." "it will be dark before long," said dick. "perhaps the blow will go down with the setting of the sun." "we'll never know when the sun sets--excepting by the almanac," murmured sam. "it's as black as ink already, over to the westward." to keep up his courage tom rover began to whistle, but soon the sound was drowned out by the high piping of the wind, as it tore over the deck and through the rigging of the _swallow_. they were certainly in for a storm, and a heavy one at that. it was the middle of july, and the rover boys had journeyed from valley brook, their country home, to buffalo, a week before, for a six-weeks' outing upon the great lakes previous to their returning to putnam hall for the fall and winter term. their thrilling adventures in colorado, as told in "the rover boys out west," had taxed them severely, and their father, mr. anderson rover, felt that they needed the recreation. at first he had wished them to remain at the farm, and so had their uncle randolph rover and their motherly aunt martha, but this had been voted "too slow" by the three brothers, and it was decided that they should go to buffalo, charter a small yacht, and do as they pleased until the opening of school. "only please keep out of danger," had been mr. rover's pleading words. "you have been in peril enough." and the boys had promised to do their best, little dreaming of the many adventures and dangers ahead. the boys knew very little about the lakes, and at the last moment had invited larry colby, an old schoolmate, to accompany them on the outing. larry had spent two summers on lake huron and lake superior, and knew both bodies of water fairly well. but the lad could not come on at once, and so had sent word that he would join the party at sandusky, some time later. larry's father was rich, so the expense of traveling counted for nothing. with the boys, however, went one individual with whom all our old readers are well acquainted. this was alexander pop, the colored man who had once been a waiter at putnam hall, and who was now a servant to the rovers in general and the three boys in particular. the boys had done much in the past for aleck, as they called him, and pop was so greatly attached to the youths that he was ready at all times to do anything they desired. "i dun lub dem rober boys, aint no ust ter talk," pop would say. "dem is de most up-to-date boys in de world, dat's wot, and da did dis yeah niggah a good turn wot he aint forgittin' in a hurry, too." what that good turn was has already been related in full in "the rover boys in the jungle." pop was now installed on board the _swallow_ as cook and general helper, a position he was well fitted to fill. the boys had laid out a grand trip, and one which certainly promised a good deal of pleasure. the first stop was to be at cleveland, and from that city they were to go to sandusky, and then up the lake and through the detroit river to detroit. here a short stay was to be made, and then the journey was to be resumed through lake st. clair and the st. clair river to lake huron. once on lake huron they expected to skirt the eastern coast of michigan, stopping whenever they pleased, and thus gradually make their way to whitefish bay and lake superior. what they would do when lake superior was reached would depend upon how much time was left for the outing. the _swallow_ was a well-built, sturdy craft, fifty feet long and correspondingly broad of beam. she had been constructed for a pleasure boat and had all of the latest improvements. she belonged to a rich man of buffalo, who had known the rovers for years. the rich man was now traveling in europe, and had been only too glad to charter the yacht for a period of six weeks. when the rover boys were through with her she was to be placed in charge of the rich man's boatman, who was to take her back to buffalo. the start on lake erie had been full of pleasure. the yacht had a good supply of provisions on board, and everybody was in the best of spirits. aleck pop had brought along his banjo, and on the first evening out had given them half a dozen plantation songs, for he was a good singer as well as player. on the day following the breeze had died away and they had all gone fishing, with fair success. this was the third day out, and since noon the wind had been blowing at a lively rate, helping them to make good time on their course toward cleveland. now the wind was blowing little short of a gale, and the sky was growing blacker each instant. "we are in for it, beyond a doubt," said dick, with a serious shake of his head. every inch of canvas had been taken in, yet the _swallow_ spun along before the wind rapidly, ever and anon dipping her bow deeply into the white-caps, which now showed themselves upon all sides. "here she comes!" burst out tom suddenly. "hold hard, everybody!" and then the storm burst upon them in all of its fury--a storm which lasted all night, and one which the rover boys never forgot. chapter ii. the disappearance of dick. "oh, my, but this is a corker!" it was tom who uttered the words, half an hour after he had cautioned everybody to hold fast. he was standing at the wheel, helping dick to make the _swallow_ keep her bow up to the waves, which rolled fiercely on every side of the craft. he cried out at the top of his lungs, yet his elder brother understood him with difficulty. "i wish we were out of it," returned dick. "did sam go below, as i ordered?" "yes." "what of aleck?" "he is in the galley, trying to keep his dishes from being smashed to bits. he is scared, i can tell you, and said he was sure we were going to the bottom." "if i was sure of the course i would steer for shore, tom. i'm afraid myself that this is going to be more than we bargained for." "pooh, dick! we've been in as bad a storm before, and you know it." "but not on lake erie. this lake has a reputation for turning out some nasty ones, that do tremendous damage. light up, will you?--or we may be smashing into some other boat before we know it." "i will, if you can hold the wheel alone." "i can get along for a few minutes. but it's enough to pull a fellow's arms out by the sockets," concluded dick. with extreme caution, for the deck was as wet and slippery as it was unsteady, tom made his way to the tiny cabin of the yacht. here he found sam lighting the ship's lanterns, four in number. "i thought you'd be wanting them," said the youngest rover. "is it letting up, do you think?" "no; if anything, it is growing worse." "don't you want me to help on deck? i hate to stay down here alone." "you can do nothing, sam. dick and i are tending the wheel, and there is nothing else to be done." "i might go on the lookout. you can't watch very well from the stern," added the youngest rover, who did not relish being kept back by his older brothers. "we can watch good enough. stay here--it's safer. if the yacht should swing around--great scott!" tom rover broke off short, and with good reason. a strange creaking and cracking sound had reached his ears, followed by a bump and a jar which nearly pitched him headlong. sam was thrown down on his back. "something is wrong!" burst out sam, as soon as he could speak. "we must have struck something." tom did not answer, for the reason that he was already on his way to the deck, with a lantern slung in the crook of his right elbow. sam followed with another lantern, leaving the remaining ones wildly swinging on the hooks in the cabin's ceiling. "help! help!" the cry came from out of the darkness, somewhere in the wake of the _swallow_; a cry cut partly short by the piping gale. with his heart thumping violently, tom leaped over the deck toward the wheel. "dick! what is the matter?" "help!" repeated the voice, but now further off than ever. then tom made a discovery which thrilled him with horror. the position at the wheel was vacant! dick was gone! "dick! dick! where are you!" he shouted hoarsely. "dick!" "help!" came more faintly. the cry was repeated several times, but nothing more reached tom's ears nor the hearing of his younger brother, who was now beside him, his round face as pale as death itself. "dick's overboard!" the words came from both, and each looked at the other in consternation. both held up their lanterns, the glasses of which were speedily covered with flying spray. the lanterns made a small semicircle of light at the stern, but dick was beyond that circle and could not be seen. "take the wheel--i'll get a life-preserver!" said tom, and ran for the article he had mentioned. "shall i try to turn the yacht around?" questioned his brother, as he, after several unsuccessful attempts, caught the spokes of the wheel, which was flying back and forth with every pitch of the craft. "no! no! we will be swamped if you do that. keep her up to the wind." regardless of the danger, tom flew across the deck to where there was a life-preserver, attached to a hundred feet of small, but strong, rope. once at the stern again, he threw the life-preserver as far out as possible. "catch the lifeline!" he shrieked. but if dick heard he gave no answer. "can't we fire a rocket?" said sam. "we ought to do something," he added, half desperately. lashing the end of the lifeline to the stern, tom ran down into the cabin and brought forth several rockets. with trembling hands he set off first one and then another. the blaze was a short one, yet it revealed to them a large mass of lumber rising and falling on the bosom of the turbulent waters. "a lumber raft. it is going to pieces in the storm." "did you see dick?" "i saw two persons on the lumber, but i don't know who they were. they looked more dead than alive." "oh, i hope dick isn't dead!" burst out sam, and the tears stood in his eyes as he spoke. "wot's dat you dun said?" came from out of the darkness. "dick's overboard," answered tom. "no!" a groan of genuine regret came from aleck pop. "how it dun happen?" "we must have struck a lumber raft and the shock knocked him over," answered sam. "oh, tom, what shall we do?" "i'll try another rocket, sam--i don't know of anything else." it took fully a minute to obtain another rocket, and some red fire as well. the red fire made quite an illumination, in spite of the storm. "i don't see nuffin," said pop. "nor i," added tom. "the raft has disappeared." as the light died out all set up a loud shout. but only the howling wind answered them. and now sam noticed that the lifeline was drifting idly at the stern, and there was nothing to do but to haul it in again. the hours which followed were full of agony to tom and sam, and the warm-hearted colored man was scarcely less affected. "what if dick is drowned?" whispered the youngest rover. "father will never forgive us for coming on this trip." "let us hope for the best," was his brother's answer. "dick has been in a tight fix before. he'll come out all right, if he has any show at all." "nobuddy kin lib in sech a storm as dis!" put in pop. "why, it's 'most as bad as dat dar hurricane we 'perienced in africa. jest see how it's beginnin' to rain." pop was right; so far the rain had held off for the most part, but now it came down steadily and soon turned into little short of a deluge. all were speedily soaked to the skin, but this was a discomfort to which, under the circumstances, no one paid attention. the _swallow_ heaved and pitched, and fearful that sam would be lost overboard, tom told him he had better go below again. "you can do nothing up here," he said. "if anything turns up, i'll call you." "but you must be careful," pleaded sam. "if i were you, i'd tie myself to the wheel," and this is what tom did. slowly the night wore away, and with the coming of morning the storm abated somewhat, although the waves still lashed angrily around the _swallow_. with the first streak of dawn all were on deck, watching anxiously for some sign of the lumber raft or of dick. "nothing in sight!" groaned sam, and he was right. the raft had disappeared completely, and all around them was a dreary waste of water, with a cloudy sky overhead. feeling that he must do something, aleck pop prepared a breakfast of broiled fish and hot coffee, but, when summoned to the repast, both of the rovers shook their heads. "i couldn't eat a mouthful," sighed sam. "it would choke me." "we must find dick first, aleck," said tom. "go ahead yourself and have breakfast. don't mind us." "'deed, i aint no hungrier dan youse is," replied the colored man soberly. "but youse had bettah drink sum ob dat coffee, or youse might cotch a chill." and he made each sip some of the beverage, bringing it on deck for that purpose. at half-past seven tom espied a cloud of smoke on the horizon. "i think it's a lake steamer," he said to his brother, and he proved to be right. it was a freighter known as the _captain rallow_, running between detroit and buffalo. soon the steamer came closer and they hailed her. "seen anything of a lumber wreck, with some men on it?" questioned tom eagerly. "haven't seen any wreck," was the answer, from the captain of the freighter. "whose raft was it?" "i don't know. the raft hit us in the darkness and a young man on our yacht was knocked overboard. we lit some red fire and saw two people on the raft, which seemed to be going to pieces." this news interested the owner of the freight steamer greatly, since he had a brother who was in the business of rafting lumber, and he asked tom to give him the particulars of the affair. "we can't give you any particulars. we were taken completely by surprise, and it was too dark to see much," said tom. nevertheless he and sam told what they could, to which the freight captain listened with close attention. "i'll keep my eye open for the raft," said the latter. "and if i see anything of your brother i'll certainly take him on board." "where are you bound?" "i am going to stop at cleveland first. then i go straight through to buffalo." a few words more passed, and then the captain of the freight steamer gave the signal to go ahead. the stopping of her engines had caused the steamer to drift quite close to the _swallow_, and as she swung around those on the yacht caught a good view of the freighter's stern deck. there were a small number of passengers on board, and as sam looked them over he gave a sudden start. "my gracious, can it be possible!" he gasped. "can what be possible, sam?" queried tom. "look! look!" "at what?" "at the passengers on the steamer. am i dreaming, or is that--he is gone!" and sam's face fell. "who are you talking about?" "arnold baxter! he was on the steamer, just as sure as i stand here. and we both thought him dead!" chapter iii. on a lumber raft. "you think you saw arnold baxter?" demanded tom. "yes, i saw arnold baxter, just as plain as day." "sam, you must be--" "no, i am not dreaming. it was arnold baxter, true enough. as soon as he saw i had spotted him he drew out of sight." "but we thought he was dead--buried under that landslide out in colorado." "we didn't find his body, and he isn't dead. why, i would never make a mistake in that rascal's face, never," and sam shook his head to emphasize his words. "was dan with him?" "i didn't see the son." "if it was really arnold baxter we ought to let the authorities know at once, so that they can arrest him for getting out of prison on that bogus pardon." "yes, and we ought to let father know, too, for you may be sure baxter will do all he can to get square with us for keeping the eclipse mining claim out of his grasp." "he can't do anything about that claim now. our claim is established by law, and he is nothing but an escaped jailbird. but i agree he may give us lots of trouble in other directions. i presume he would like to see us all hung for the way we got ahead of him and his tools." "if the steamer wasn't so far off we might hail her," continued sam, but this was now out of the question. both lads were very much disturbed, and with good reason. arnold baxter had been an enemy to mr. rover for years, and this meant a good deal when the desperate character of the man was taken into consideration. he was a well-educated fellow, but cruel and unprincipled to the last degree, and one who would hesitate at nothing in order to accomplish his purpose. "dat's de wust yet," was aleck pop's comment. "i was finkin' dat rascal was plumb dead, suah. and dan, too! suah yo' didn't see dat good-fo'-nuffin boy?" "no, i didn't see dan." "he must have been with his father when the landslide occurred," went on tom. "and if one escaped more than likely the other did, too. my, how i despise that chap! and have, ever since we had our first row with him at putnam hall." "i wonder what brought arnold baxter back to this section of the country? i shouldn't think he would dare to come back." "he always was daring to the last degree in some matters, just as he is cowardly in others. i would give something to know if dan is with him." "we might follow up the steamer, if it wasn't for poor dick." the boys talked the matter over for some time, and while doing this the sails of the _swallow_ were again hoisted, and they turned the yacht back to the vicinity where dick had gone overboard. and while tom and sam are looking for their elder brother, let us turn back and learn what really did become of dick. he was waiting for tom to come on deck with the lanterns when, of a sudden, something black and threatening loomed up out of the darkness to the starboard of the _swallow_. the mass was the better half of a monstrous lumber raft, which was rapidly going to pieces in the storm. the raft, or rather what was left of it, hit the _swallow_ a glancing blow, otherwise the sailing craft must have been stove in and sunk. the shock caught dick with one hand off the wheel, and, before he could catch hold again, the youth found himself flung heels into the air and over the _swallow's_ stern. down and down he went into the lake waters, until he thought he would never come up. the turn of affairs bewildered him, and he did not come fully to his senses until his head struck one of the timbers of the raft. he clutched the timber as a drowning man clutches the proverbial straw, and tried to draw himself to the surface of the lake, only to discover, to his horror, that there were timbers to both sides of him, cutting off his further progress upward. "must i be drowned like a rat in a trap!" was the agonizing thought which rushed through his brain, and then he pushed along from one timber to another until the last was reached and he came up, almost overcome and panting heavily for breath. "help! help!" he cried feebly, and presently heard his brothers answer him. then the lifeline was thrown, but it fell short and did him no good. by the red fire and the rockets he saw the position of the _swallow_, and saw his brothers, but was too weak to even signal to sam and tom. it was with an effort that he at last drew himself to the top of some of the lumber. this movement came none too soon, for a moment later one of the outside chains of the raft broke, and fully a third of what was left of the lumber was scattered in all directions. "hullo, bragin! is that you?" the cry came from out of the darkness and from the other end of the top lumber. "are you calling to me?" replied dick, in as loud a voice as he could muster. "is that you, bragin?" repeated the voice. "i am not bragin," answered dick. "where are you?" "here." and the unknown repeated the cry until dick located and joined him. he was a burly lumberman of forty, with a heavy black beard and an equally heavy voice. he gazed at the youth in astonishment. "hullo! where did you come from?" he demanded. "from the yacht this lumber raft just struck." "did the shock knock ye overboard?" "it did." "humph! i thought ye was bragin." "i came pretty close to being drowned, for i came up under the lumber." "well, we aint out o' the woods yet, young man. didn't see nuthin o' bragin, did ye?" "i've seen nobody but you." "then he must be down to the lake bottom by this time." "he was on the raft with you?" "yes. he and i left the tug to see to the chains when the storm came up." "where is the tug?" "the raft broke away from her at the fust blow. a fool of a greenhorn was a-managin' of the thing, an' this is the result. come here--it's safer." dick was perfectly willing to crawl closer to the burly lumberman, who was a good fellow, as could be seen by a glance. "we'll be all right, if this section o' the lumber keeps together," went on the lumberman. "there are four chains here, so it ought to hold." once safe, for the time being, dick began to wonder about the fate of the _swallow_. "did the yacht go down?" he asked anxiously. "i reckon not, young man. they burned red fire, you know. they wouldn't do that if there was much trouble aboard." "that is true." dick was silent for a moment. "i wish i could get back to her." "be thankful that ye aint at the bottom o' the lake. if we kin outride this storm we'll be safe enough, for the tug will be lookin' for the raft when it gits light." slowly the hours wore away, and in the meanwhile dick learned that the lumberman's name was luke peterson and that he was from the timberlands of michigan. "i used to be in the united states service on the lakes, hunting down smugglers between here and canada," said peterson. "but that was years ago." "do they do much smuggling?" asked dick. "more than most folks think," was the decided answer. the lumberman listened to dick's tale with interest. of course the story had to be short, and was frequently interrupted, as high waves would come along and almost sweep them into the lake. both lay flat, clutching at the lumber and at the huge chains which held it, and which had thus far refused to part, although the strain upon them were tremendous. it was about two o'clock in the morning when the storm, according to dick's calculation, reached its height. the waves literally drove over the raft from end to end, and it was all both he and luke peterson could do to keep on the timbers. "hold on tight, young man, if ye value your life!" roared the lumberman. "an' if the raft parts, stick to the fust timber ye lay hands on." peterson had scarcely spoken when the raft went up to the top of a mighty wave and then came down with a dull boom in the hollow below. the shock was terrific, and it was followed by loud reports as the chains they had been depending upon snapped, one after another. immediately the lumber loosened up and began to drift apart. "take care a' yerself!" shouted the lumberman, and hung fast to an extra long and heavy log. dick heard him, but could not answer for fear of getting his mouth full of water. the youth turned over and over, clutched at one log and missed it, missed a second and a third, and then touched a fourth, and clung with a deathlike grip that nothing could loosen. it was a soul-trying time, and one which poor dick never forgot. the storm roared all around him, mingled with the thumping and bumping, grinding and crashing, of the sticks of timber. once his left leg was caught between two sticks, and for the instant he was afraid the limb would be crushed. but then the pressure lessened and he drew the foot up in a hurry. the water washed into his face and over him, and he caught his breath with difficulty. each instant looked as if it might be his last. chapter iv. in the hands of the enemy. daylight found poor dick all but exhausted. he still held to the stick of lumber, but his hands were numb and without feeling, and his lower limbs were in the same condition. "i can't stand this much longer," was his dismal thought. "i've got to let go soon." he looked around him anxiously. all that met his eyes was the broad expanse of water, with here and there a solitary stick of lumber. he gazed about for luke peterson, but the lumberman was not in sight. "he must have been drowned," he thought. "heaven help me, or i'll go, too!" gradually the sky cleared of the clouds, and the hot july sun began to pour down with a glare on the water that was well-nigh blinding. as the waves went down he changed his position on the log, and this gave him temporary relief. soon the sun made his head ache, and he began to see strange visions. presently he put out his hand, thinking that tom was before him, and then went with a splash into the lake. almost unconscious of what he was doing, he caught the log again. but he was now too weak to pull himself up. "it's the end," he thought bitterly. then a cry came to him, a cry that seemed half real, half imaginary. "hullo, rover! is that you?" it was peterson who was calling. the lumberman had drifted up on another log, and as the two sticks bumped together he caught hold of the youth and assisted him to his former resting place. "i--i can't hold on any--any longer!" gasped dick. "try, lad, try! some kind of a boat is bound to appear, sooner or later." "i--i am nu--numb all over." "i suppose that's true--i'm numb myself. but don't ye give up." encouraged somewhat by peterson's words dick continued to hold on, and a few minutes later the lumberman gave a cheering cry: "a steamer! saved at last!" the lumberman was right; the freighter tom and sam had hailed was approaching, the castaways having been discovered by the aid of a marine glass. "a man and a boy," observed captain jasper to his mate. "the boy looks pretty well done for," returned the mate. "he must be the one that was thrown off the yacht." "more than likely." as speedily as possible the freight steamer drew closer, and a line was thrown to peterson. he turned to give one end to dick, and then made the discovery that the latter had fainted from exhaustion. "poor fellow!" he muttered, and caught the youth just as he was sliding into the lake. it was no easy task to get dick on board of the freight steamer. but it was accomplished at last, and, still unconscious, he was carried to a stateroom and made as comfortable as possible. peterson was but little the worse for the adventure, and his chief anxiety was for his friend bragin, of whom, so far, nothing had been heard. the coming of dick on board of the _captain rollow_ was viewed with much astonishment by two of the passengers on the freighter. these two persons were arnold baxter and his son dan. the two had quite recovered from the injuries received in the landslide in colorado, and it may be as well to state right here that they were bound east in order to carry out a new plot which the elder baxter had hatched up against the rovers. what that plot was will be disclosed as our story proceeds. "father, it is dick rover," cried dan baxter, after having seen the unconscious one brought on board. "hush, dan! i know it," whispered arnold baxter. "it's a pity he wasn't drowned in the lake." "i agree with you. but he isn't dead, and we'll have to keep out of sight for the rest of the trip." "humph! i am not afraid of him!" said the bully, for, as old readers know, dan had never been anything else. "that may be, but if he sees us he may--ahem--make much trouble for me." "on account of our doings in colorado? what can he prove? nothing." "perhaps he can. besides, dan, you must remember that the officers of new york state are still after me." "yes, i haven't forgotten that." "i wish now that i had put on that false wig and beard before we left detroit," went on arnold baxter. "but i hated to put them on before it was absolutely necessary--the weather is so warm." "can you put them on now?" "hardly, since all on board know my real looks. i will have to keep out of rover's sight." "i would like to know what he is doing out here." "on a pleasure trip, most likely." the talk went on for some time, and then dan approached one of the mates of the freighter, who had just come from the stateroom to which dick had been taken. "how is that young fellow getting on?" he asked carelessly. "he's in bad shape," was the answer. "do you think he'll die?" "hardly, but he is very weak and completely out of his mind. the hot sun, coming after the storm, must have affected his brain." "out of his mind? doesn't he recognize anybody?" "no, he talks nothing but lumber, and cries out to be pulled from the water. poor boy! it's too bad, isn't it?" "it is too bad," said dan baxter hypocritically. "do you know his name?" "no, but he's a brother to those boys who hailed us from the yacht a couple of hours ago. a lumber raft struck the yacht and the boy was knocked overboard and managed to cling to some timber." "is the man who was saved his friend?" "no, he was on the raft and the two are strangers;" and with this remark the mate of the freight steamer passed on. without delay dan told his father of what he had heard. arnold baxter was much pleased. "if he remains out of his mind we'll be safe enough," he said. "i presume they'll put him off at cleveland and send him to the hospital." "i wonder where that yacht is?" "oh, we have left her miles behind." "and how soon will we reach cleveland?" "inside of half an hour, so i heard one of the deck hands say." no more was said for the time being, but both father and son set to thinking deeply, and their thoughts ran very much in the same channel. just as the freight steamer was about to make the landing at cleveland, arnold baxter touched his son on the arm. "if they take dick rover ashore, let us go ashore too," he whispered. "i was thinking of that, dad," was dan's answer. "was you thinking, too, of getting him in our power?" "yes." "i don't see why we can't do it--if he is still unconscious." "it won't hurt to try. but we will have to work quick, for more than likely his brothers will follow us to this city," went on arnold baxter. the steamer had but little freight for cleveland, so the stop was only a short one. when poor dick was brought up on a cot, still unconscious, arnold baxter stepped forward. "i have determined to stop off at cleveland," he said to captain jasper. "if there is anything i can do for this poor fellow, i will do it willingly." "why, i thought you were going through to buffalo," returned the captain in surprise. "i was going through, but i've just remembered some business that must be attended to. i'll take the train for buffalo to-morrow. if you want me to see to it that this poor fellow is placed in the hospital, i'll do it." the offer appeared a good one, and relieved captain jasper's mind greatly. "you are kind, sir," he said. "it isn't everyone who would put himself to so much trouble." "i was wrecked myself once," smiled arnold baxter. "and i know how miserable i felt when nobody gave me a hand." "i suppose the authorities will take him until his brothers come in on that yacht." "there is no need to send him to a public institution. i will see to it that he gets to a first-class hotel," went on arnold baxter smoothly. there was a little more talk, and then dick was carried ashore and a coach was called. by this time the freight steamer was ready to leave, and a minute later she proceeded on her way. arnold baxter and dan looked around and saw only a few people at hand. in the crowd was luke peterson, who now came forward. "want any help?" asked the lumberman respectfully. "you might keep an eye open for that yacht," replied arnold baxter. "all right, sir. where are you going to take young rover?" "to the commercial hotel. i am well known there, and can easily get him a good room and the necessary medical attention." "then, if i see anything of the yacht, i'll send his brothers up to the hotel after him." "that's it," returned arnold baxter. he turned to the driver of the coach. "to the commercial hotel," he went on, in a loud voice. "and drive as easy as you can." dan was already in the coach, supporting poor dick in his arms. arnold baxter leaped in and banged the door shut. soon the coach was moving away from the water front and in the direction of the hotel which had been mentioned. "of course you are not going to the commercial hotel," observed dan, as soon as he felt safe to speak. "leave it all to me, my son," was arnold baxter's reply. "we got him away nicely, didn't we?" "yes, but--" "never mind the future, dan. how is he?" "dead as a stone, so far as knowing anything is concerned." "i trust he remains so, for a while at least." the coach rattled on, and presently came to a halt in front of the hotel which had been mentioned. "wait here until i get back," said arnold baxter to his son and to the coach driver, and then hurried inside of the building. instead of asking for a room he spent a few minutes in looking over a business directory. "it's too bad, but they haven't a single room vacant," he said, on coming back to the coach. "i've a good mind to take him to some private hospital, after all. do you know where dr. karley's place is?" he went on, turning to the coach driver. "yes." "then drive us to that place." again the coach went on. dr. karley's private sanitarium was on the outskirts of cleveland, and it took half an hour to reach it. it was an old-fashioned building surrounded by a high board fence. entering the grounds, arnold baxter ascended the piazza and rang the bell. a negro answered the summons, and ushered him into a dingy parlor. soon dr. karley, a dried-up, bald-headed, old man appeared. "and what can i do for you, sir?" he asked, in a squeaky voice. "just the man i wanted to meet," thought arnold baxter. he was a good reader of character, and saw that dr. karley would do almost anything for money. the doctor's sanitarium was of a "shady" character. among the inmates were two old men, put there by their relatives merely to get them out of the way, and an old lady who was said to be crazy by those who wished to get possession of her money. "i have a peculiar case on hand, doctor," said arnold baxter, after introducing himself as mr. arnold. "a young friend of mine has been almost drowned in the lake. i would like you to take charge of him for a day or two." "well, i--er--" "i will pay you well for your services," went on arnold baxter. "you have him with you?" "yes, in a coach outside. he was found drifting on a log and almost out of his head on account of exposure to the water and the hot sun. i think a few days of rest and medical attention will bring him around all right." the little old doctor bobbed his head. "i will go out and see him," he said. quarter of an hour later found dick in an upper room of the sanitarium, lying on a comfortable bed, and with dr. karley caring for him. in the meantime arnold baxter had gone out and paid the coach driver. "do you generally stand down by the docks?" he asked. "no, sir; my stand is uptown," was the reply. "i had just brought down a passenger when you hailed me. but i can go down for you, if you wish." "it will not be necessary. the doctor has a carriage, and i will hire that later on, when i see how the patient is making out." "all right, sir; then i'm off." as the coach passed out of sight arnold baxter chuckled to himself. "i reckon that was well done," he muttered. "i don't believe the rovers will find their brother very soon, if they ever find him!" chapter v. the sailing of the "peacock." "oh, my, what a bad dream i have had!" such were the words which dick uttered to himself when he came once again to the full possession of his senses. he gazed around him curiously. he was in a plainly furnished room, lying on the top of a bed covered with a rubber blanket, so that his wet clothing might not soil the linen beneath. his coat and shoes had been removed, likewise his collar and tie, but that was all. the shades of the two windows of the apartment were tightly drawn and a lamp on the table lit up the room but dimly, for it was now night. no one was present but the sufferer. "well, one thing is certain, i didn't drown, after all," he went on. then he tried to sit up, but fell back exhausted. he wondered where he was, and if tom and sam were near, and while he was wondering he fell into a light sleep which did a great deal toward restoring him to himself. when dick awoke he found dr. karley at hand, ready to give him some nourishing food. the doctor had just come from a long talk with arnold baxter, and it may as well be stated that the two men understood each other pretty thoroughly. "where am i?" he asked, in a fairly strong voice. "safe," said the old doctor soothingly. "here, take this. it will do you a whole lot of good." "are my brothers around?" "we'll talk later, after you are stronger." the old doctor would say no more. dick took the medicine offered, and did really feel stronger. then a light breakfast was brought in, of which he partook readily. the food gone, the doctor disappeared, locking the door after him, but so softly that dick was not aware of the fact until some time later. while dick was trying to get back his strength the baxters were not idle. arnold baxter had on his person all the money he possessed, a little over three thousand dollars. this had been saved from the wreck of his expedition to the west, and he was now resolved to spend every dollar of it, if necessary, in bringing the rovers to terms, as he put it. "i was going to new york state to get the youngest rover boy in my power," he said to dan, "but fate has thrown dick in our path, and so we will take him instead. once he is absolutely in our power, i am sure i can bring anderson rover to terms and make him turn the entire right to that eclipse mine over to my representatives." "it's a ticklish job," replied the son. "what of this doctor here? won't he suspect anything?" "i reckon the doctor is no better than he ought to be, dan. i think i see my way clear to doing as i please with him. a couple of hundred dollars will go a long way with fellows of his stripe." a conversation lasting half an hour followed, and dan promised to keep close watch while his father went away to the docks. arnold baxter was absent the best part of the morning, but came home with a face which showed he was well satisfied with what he had accomplished. "i fell in luck," he explained. "ran across a man i used to know years ago--gus langless--a sly old dog, up for anything with money in it. langless owns a small schooner, the _peacock_, and he says i can have her for a month, with the services of himself and his crew, for one thousand dollars--and nothing said about the job." "did you accept, dad?" "certainly--it was just what i wanted. langless is all right, and i told him i would double his money if he would stick by me to the finish, and he swore that he would." "and what is the next move?" "we'll take rover on board to-night, and then set sail direct for detroit and lake huron. langless knows an island in lake huron which will give us just the hiding place we want." "and after that?" "i'll send a letter to anderson rover which will sicken him to the heart and make him do just as i demand. he thinks the world of his oldest son." "good for you, dad! you've got a long head on your shoulders. and when are you going to let dick rover know he is in our power?" "not until we have him on the _peacock_, if i can prevent it. if he knew here, he might kick up a big row." "pooh! we could easily shut him up!" sniffed dan. now dick was in their custody he was impatient to browbeat the youth and taunt him with his helplessness. but arnold baxter would not listen to it, so the graceless son had to bide his time. the afternoon was an anxious one for both of the baxters, who were afraid that the rovers would find their way to dr. karley's place and thwart their carefully arranged plan. but no one put in an appearance, and by nightfall everything was in readiness for the departure. the doctor had loaned his private turnout, and for a "consideration," otherwise a bribe, had dosed poor dick into semi-unconsciousness, and had promised to say to all comers that the young man had got well and gone off in the company of two of his friends, a mr. arnold and a mr. daniels. when it came to transferring dick to the carriage, arnold baxter put on the false wig and beard which he had been carrying in his valise, thus transforming his appearance greatly. dan kept out of sight on the seat of the carriage, so that dick saw only his back in the gloom of the night. the son drove while arnold baxter held dick. it was no easy matter to find the location of the _peacock_, and equally difficult to get dick on board without observation. but captain langless had wisely sent his men to a neighboring saloon, so the coast was tolerably clear. once dick was in the cabin, arnold baxter left him in dan's charge and hurried back to the sanitarium with the turnout. in the meantime captain langless summoned his sailors and told them they would sail at early dawn--half-past four. locking the door of the cabin and putting the key in his pocket, dan baxter turned up the light and then looked at dick, who lay half propped up in a chair. "i guess i'll wake him up," he muttered, and going over to the helpless youth he pulled his nose vigorously. "oh!" groaned dick, and opened his eyes dreamily. then he caught sight of dan and stared as if he had seen a ghost. "dan baxter!" he said slowly. "can it be possible?" "yes, it's me," replied the bully, with small regard for grammar. "do you know that you are in my power, dick rover?" "i--i--thought you were dead," and dick closed his eyes again, for it was next to impossible for him to arouse himself. "i'm a long way from being dead," laughed dan harshly. "i reckon you'll die before i do." dick pulled himself together with a great effort. "then the landslide didn't catch you?" he questioned. "yes, it did, but it didn't kill me, nor my father neither. we are both here, and you are absolutely in our power." "is this the steamer that took me on board?" "no, this is a boat that is under my father's command." "i don't understand it at all." "reckon you will understand before we are done with you. you thought you could crow over us, but the crowing will be on the other side of the fence now." "what are you going to do with me?" "you'll find out soon enough." "where are my brothers?" "i don't know--and i don't care." "well, i am glad they are not in your power," returned dick, with something of a sigh of relief. "one of you is enough," growled dan. "and you won't tell me what boat this is?" "it is one under the command of my father." "are we sailing?" "not yet, but we will be in a few minutes." with an effort dick arose to his feet. but he was dizzy from the effects of the dose administered by the doctor, and immediately sank back again. baxter gave a brutal laugh. "now you see how it is," he observed. "you are absolutely in our power. how do you like the situation?" "how should i like it? a lamb among wolves would be as safe, to my way of thinking." "i don't know but what you are right. we intend to make a big thing out of you, dick rover." "how?" "i told you before you'd find out soon enough." "i presume you'll try to make my father ransom me, or something like that." "we'll about make him give up that mining claim." "you were going to make him give that up before." "well, we won't trip up this time. our plans are carefully laid." "you were always good at bragging, dan baxter." "don't insult me, dick rover." "i am telling the plain truth." with a sudden darkening of his face dan baxter strode forward. "dick rover, i hate you, always have hated you, and always will hate you. take that for your impudence." he struck out and slapped the helpless boy heavily upon the cheek. then, as dick sank back in the chair, he turned and left the cabin, closing and locking the door after him. at half-past four in the morning the _peacock_ got under way, and in less than an hour was far out upon the broad waters of lake erie. chapter vi. hunting for dick. "dick must be drowned." it was tom who spoke, addressing sam and aleck pop. for hours they had searched among the floating lumber for some sign of the missing one, and the only thing that had been found was dick's cap, caught in a crack of one of the timbers. "it's awful!" murmured sam. his face was white and he was ready to cry, for dick was very dear to him. "perhaps dat steamboat dun pick him up," suggested pop. he wanted to say something comforting. "i pray to heaven she did," murmured tom. "i suppose the best thing we can do now is to steer for cleveland." "yes, that's the only hope left," answered sam. "if he was floating around here we would surely have spotted him before this with the glass." the course was changed, and toward nightfall they came in sight of cleveland, and learned where they could tie up, at a spot close to where the steamer had made her landing. their first inquiries were at this point, and from a longshoreman they quickly learned that two persons had been picked up by the steamer, a big man and a young fellow. "it must be dick!" cried sam. "where did they take the young fellow?" questioned tom. "a man and a big boy came from the steamer and took charge of him," answered the longshoreman. "don't you know where they went?" "no; most likely to the hospital. the young fellow was in pretty bad shape. they got in a coach." "did the other man who was saved go along?" "no; he's all right, and is around here looking for you folks--so he told me. he--here he comes now." the longshoreman pointed to luke peterson, who had just appeared at the upper end of the dock. both sam and tom ran to meet him. "so you are dick rover's brothers," said peterson, as he shook hands. "glad to know you. yes, your brother is all right, although mighty tucked out by the exposure. he fell in with a couple o' friends on the steamer, and they took him up to the commercial hotel." as peterson was curious to know how dick was faring, he agreed to accompany sam and tom to the hotel, and all three boarded a handy street car for that purpose. "i wish to see my brother, dick rover," said tom to the clerk at the desk. "not stopping here, sir," was the reply, after the clerk had consulted the register. "i mean the young man who was hauled out of the lake and was brought here feeling rather sick." the clerk shook his head. "no such person here." sam and tom stared in astonishment, and then turned to the lumberman. "the friends who were with him said they were going to bring him here," said luke peterson. "and i promised to send you after 'em as soon as i spotted ye." "i don't understand--" began tom, and then turned swiftly to sam. "can this be some of arnold baxter's work?" "it may be. mr. peterson, how did the man who was with my brother look?" as well as he could luke peterson described arnold baxter, and also dan. tom gave a low whistle. "i'll wager poor dick has fallen into the hands of the enemy," he cried. "what enemy?" questioned the lumberman. in as few words as possible tom and sam explained the situation, concluding by saying they had discovered arnold baxter on the steamer. the story made luke peterson look very grave. "reckon we let your brother git into the wrong hands," he observed. "the question is, where did they take dick?" "that's so, where?" "evidently they didn't come here at all." "perhaps, if i could find that coach driver, i might learn somethin'." "that's so--let us find him by all means." but to find the driver was not easy, and by midnight the search was abandoned. much dejected, sam and tom returned to the _swallow_, and luke peterson accompanied them. peterson was also downhearted, having heard nothing of the tug which had been towing the lumber raft or of his friend bragin. "i'll notify the police in the morning," said tom, and did so. he also sent a telegram to his father, telling of what had happened. the police took up the case readily, but brought nothing new to light. "i'm going to interview every cabby in town," said tom, and proceeded to do so, accompanied by luke peterson and sam. at five o'clock in the afternoon they found the coach driver who had taken dick from the dock. "the man said they had no rooms vacant at the commercial hotel," said the coach driver. "so he had me drive the party to dr. karley's private sanitarium." "where is that?" "on the outskirts, about a mile and a half from here." "can you take us there now?" "sorry, but i've got a job in quarter of an hour." "we'll pay you double fare," put in sam. "get somebody else to take that other job." to this the coach driver readily agreed, but to make the arrangement took time, and it was six o'clock before they were on the way to dr. karley's place. when they reached the sanitarium they found the building dark, with the shutters on the ground floor tightly closed. dr. karley answered tom's summons in person. "yes, the parties were here," he said smoothly. "but i could not accommodate them, and so they went elsewhere." "elsewhere?" echoed tom. "exactly, sir." "but our coach driver says they got off here. he was the one who brought them." at this announcement the face of the physician changed color for an instant. but he quickly recovered himself. "well--er--they did get off here, as the sick young man wished to rest. when i said i couldn't accommodate them the older man went off and got another coach, and all three went off in that." "to where?" "i do not know, although i recommended the general hospital to them." "they did not go to any of the city institutions." "then perhaps they went to a hotel." "we have inquired at every hotel in town." the little old doctor shrugged his bony shoulders. "i am sorry, but i can give you no further information." "how was the sick young man when he was here?" "he didn't appear to be very sick. had he been bad i would have certainly done more for him." "and you haven't the least idea where they went to?" "i have not." "it's mighty strange," was tom's blunt comment. "do you know who the sick young man was?" "i haven't the slightest idea. i never ask questions unless they are necessary." "he was my brother, and those fellows who had him in charge are his enemies and up to no good." "indeed!" and dr. karley elevated his shaggy eyebrows in well-assumed surprise. "i am bound to find my brother, and if you know anything more you had better tell me," went on tom bluntly. the random shaft struck home, and the old doctor started back in dismay. "why--er--surely you do not--er--suspect me of--ahem--of anything wrong?" he stammered. "i want to get at the truth. which way did they go when they drove off?" "directly for town." "and when was this?" "inside of half an hour after they got here." "did they give any names?" "no. it was not necessary, since i could not take them in." "your place doesn't seem to be very crowded." at this the physician glared angrily at tom. "boy, it seems to me that you are growing impudent!" he cried. "i am not accustomed to being addressed in this fashion. i think i had better bid you good-night." the two were standing in the hallway, and now the doctor opened the door to signify that the interview was over. "all right, i'll go," muttered tom. "but i am going to get to the bottom of this affair, don't you forget that." and then he hurried out and rejoined sam and peterson at the coach. "he may be telling the truth," said the coach driver, on hearing what tom had to say. "but, all the same, i was driving around these streets for a good hour after i left here, and i saw no other rig with those men and your brother in it." "i am inclined to think the doctor is humbugging us," answered tom. "but the thing is to prove it." "perhaps you had better watch the place for a while," suggested the lumberman. "do you know anything of this doctor--what sort of a reputation he has?" asked sam of the driver. "his reputation is none of the best," was the answer. "he has been in court twice because of the people he treats." "then he wouldn't be above helping arnold baxter--if he was paid for it," said tom. all entered the coach and drove off around the nearest corner. then tom and sam got out and walked away, intending to come up at the rear of the sanitarium. presently a carriage appeared in view, driven by a man who, in the gloom, appeared strangely familiar, despite his false beard. "arnold baxter!" cried sam. "hi, there, whoa!" he ran toward the carriage and caught the horse by the bridle. tom followed, and the man, who was just returning from taking dick to the _peacock_, was brought to bay. chapter vii. the escape of arnold baxter. "arnold baxter, where is my brother dick?" demanded tom, as he reached the carriage and caught the evildoer by the arm. to say that arnold baxter was astonished would be to put it altogether too mildly. he was completely dumfounded. "you!" he said slowly, hardly knowing how to speak after he had caught his breath. "yes, you rascal. where is dick." "dick?" "yes, dick." "i know nothing of your brother. this is a--a complete surprise. i didn't know you were in cleveland." "perhaps not. but let me tell you that we know your game, and we are going to hand you over to the law." "never!" arnold baxter fairly hissed out the words. "let go of that horse"--the latter words to sam. "don't you do it!" cried tom, and then he caught arnold baxter by the leg. "come out of the carriage." a fierce struggle ensued, and, afraid that tom would get the worst of it, sam set up a loud shout for help. "you whelp! i'll fix you!" ejaculated arnold baxter, and catching up the whip, he struck at tom with the butt end. he caught the youth directly over the head, and tom went down as if shot. "let tom alone," screamed sam. "help! help!" "who is it?" came from a distance, and luke peterson hove into sight. "hullo! the man we are after." he made a dive for arnold baxter, but the latter was too quick for him, and leaped from the opposite side of the carriage to the ground. the horse now became frightened and set off on a run, directly for a lane behind dr. karley's institution. "tom, are you badly hurt?" questioned sam, but, even as he spoke, tom tried to stagger to his feet. seeing this, sam began a chase after baxter, with the lumberman beside him. arnold baxter was fleet of foot, and realizing what capture meant--a return to prison with his sentence to be served once more from the beginning--he ran as never before, straight for the dock where the _peacock_ lay. [illustration: the horse now became frightened and set off on a run.] his first thought was to board the schooner and set sail out into the lake, but a second thought convinced him that this would be unwise. "they will follow me on a tug or steamer, and the jig will be up in no time," he said to himself "i must find some hiding place." many of the docks were inclosed by high board fences, and coming to one of these, he leaped over and made his way to a huge pile of merchandise. here he crouched down and kept as quiet as a mouse. sam and peterson, followed by tom, traced him to the fence, but once on the opposite side, lost all track of the rascal. "he's gone," said tom, after running hither and thither on the dock. "he has given us the slip nicely." "he can't be far off," returned sam. "i believe he was bound for that doctor's sanitarium when we spotted him." "so do i, and i wouldn't wonder if poor dick is at the place, a prisoner." the matter was talked over for several minutes, and the two brothers decided to return to dr. karley's sanitarium. the lumberman said he would remain around the docks on the lookout for arnold baxter. "if you catch him i'll give you fifty dollars," said tom. "my father, i know, will pay the amount willingly." "i'll do my best," answered peterson. he was by no means rich and glad enough of a chance to make such a sum. besides this, the ways of the rover boys appeared to please him. when sam and tom returned to the doctor's place they found the coach driver still at hand, he having caught arnold baxter's horse at the entrance to the lane. "take him to the stable and ask the doctor if the rig is his," said tom, and the coach driver agreed. he was gone the best part of quarter of an hour. "the doctor says it is his horse and carriage, but he also says he didn't know the turnout was out," he announced, with a grin. "he's an oily one, he is!" "right you are, but he can't stuff us with his fairy tales," replied tom. "do you suppose there is a policeman handy?" "there is probably one somewhere around." "i wish you would hunt him up and bring him here." "what are you going to do?" "dare the lion in his den; eh, sam?" "right, tom! that doctor must know a good deal more than he is wiling to tell." the coach driver went off, and walking around to the front of the sanitarium the boys rang the bell sharply. there was no answer to the summons, and then tom gave the bell knob a jerk which nearly broke it off. a second-story window was thrown open with a bang. "i want you boys to go away!" came in angry tones. "and i want you to come down and let us in," retorted tom. "i won't let you in. i've told you all i know, and that is the end of it." "it's not the end of it, dr. karley. we want to know how you came to let arnold baxter have your horse and carriage." "i didn't know the horse and carriage were out of the stable. the man must have taken them on the sly." "it's not likely. open the door and let us in--it will be best for you." "ha, you threaten me!" "i've done more than that-i've sent for a policeman." at this announcement the old doctor grated his teeth savagely. he was much disturbed and knew not how to proceed. "i was a fool to go into this thing," he muttered. "it may lead to all sorts of trouble. i must get myself clear somehow." "are you going to let us in?" went on tom. "yes, i will let you in. but allow me to state that you are acting very foolishly," answered the doctor, and dropped the window. a few minutes later he appeared at the door, which he opened very gingerly. "you can come into the parlor," he said stiffly. "we'll remain right here," answered tom, afraid of some sort of a trap. "well, what do you want?" "i want to know where that young man, my brother, is." "the man who was with him said he was his nephew." "it was a falsehood. now where is my brother?" "honestly, i have not the slightest idea." "what was that man doing with your carriage?" "i repeat, young man, i did not know he had the carriage." the old doctor drew a long breath, wondering how soon an officer of the law would appear. "of course if anything is wrong i am perfectly willing to do all i can to set it right. my institution is above reproach, and i wish to keep it so." "are you willing to let me look through your place?" "so you think your brother is here?" "i do." "you are very forward. still, to convince you that you are mistaken, you are at liberty to go through my place from top to bottom. but you must not disturb any of the patients." "all right; let us go through. sam, you remain here, on the watch for that policeman." with bad grace dr. karley led the way and took tom through the sanitarium from top to bottom, even allowing him to peep into the rooms occupied by the "boarders," as the medical man called them. of course there was no trace of dick. "now i trust you are satisfied," said the doctor, when they were again at the front door. "i am not satisfied about that carriage affair," returned tom, as bluntly as ever. "well, i have told you the truth." at this moment the coach driver came in sight, accompanied by a policeman. "what's the trouble?" demanded the officer of the law. tom and sam told their tale, and then the doctor had his say, and the driver related what he knew. "certainly a queer mix-up," remarked the policeman. he turned to the rovers. "what do you want to do?" "i want to find my brother, who has disappeared," said tom. "you say you have searched through here?" "i have--after a fashion." "you can go through, if you wish," said the doctor to the officer. "i reckon my brother is gone," went on tom. "but this doctor helped the rascals who spirited him away." "i did absolutely nothing," cried dr. karley. "i am willing to aid you all i can. but i am innocent. i received no pay for giving the unfortunate young man some medicine to strengthen him, and my horse and carriage were taken without my knowledge." a long and bitter war of words followed, but in the end the doctor was left to himself. "we'll make no charge against him yet," said tom to the policeman. "but i wish you would keep an eye on the institution--in case that rascal puts in an appearance again." "i will," returned the officer. a little while later sam and tom set out to rejoin luke peterson. when they gained the dock they saw nobody. "he ought to be somewhere about," said the younger rover. they tramped about from place to place for fully an hour. presently they came close to where the _swallow_ lay. had they but known it, the _peacock_, with poor dick on board, lay but three blocks further away. "my gracious!" cried sam suddenly. he had seen a form stretched motionless across some lumber lying near. the form was that of luke peterson, and his cheek and temple were covered with blood. chapter viii. on the lake again. "peterson!" cried tom, in dismay. "can he be dead?" came from sam. then he bent over the lumberman. "no, he still lives. but he has been treated most shamefully." "this must be some more of arnold baxter's work." "or else the work of some footpad." both boys knelt over the prostrate form of the lumberman and did what they could to restore him to his senses. in this they were partly successful. "don't hit me again! please don't hit me!" the man moaned, over and over again. "you're safe," said tom. but peterson paid no attention, and only begged them not to hit him. "let us carry him to the _swallow_," suggested sam, and between them they did so. "wot's dis?" asked aleck pop, in astonishment. "he is our friend, and has been struck down," answered tom. "get some water in a basin, and a little liquor." when the colored man returned with the articles mentioned both boys washed the wounded man's head and bound it up with a towel. then tom administered a few spoonfuls of liquor. this seemed to give peterson some strength, but he did not fully recover for some hours. "follow the _peacock_," were his first rational words. "follow the schooner _peacock_." "the _peacock_?" repeated tom. "why should we follow her?" "your brother is on board." and having spoken thus, the lumberman sank again into semi-unconsciousness. "can he be telling the truth, or is he out of his head?" questioned sam. "i'm sure i don't know, sam." "perhaps we had better look around for the schooner he mentioned." "all right, i'll do so. you stay here with aleck." "hadn't i better go with you?" "no, i'll keep my eyes open," concluded tom, and hurried away. it was now dawn, and the early workers were just getting to their employment. soon tom met a couple of watchmen and hailed them. "i am looking for the schooner _peacock_," said he. "do you know anything of the craft?" "sure, an' that's gus langless' boat," said one of the watchmen. "she's lying at the end of bassoon's wharf, over yonder." "thank you," and tom started away. the wharf mentioned was a long one, and it took some time for the youth to reach the outer end. as he ran he saw a boat in the distance, moving away with all sails set. of course he could not make out her name, but he saw that she was schooner-rigged, and felt certain she must be the craft for which he was searching. at the end of the pier he met a dock hand, who had been resting in a nearby shed. "is that boat the _peacock_?" he asked. "yes, sir." "do you know anything of the people on board?" "i do not." "has she a cargo?" "i believe not." "you didn't see anybody going on her?" "hold up! yes, i did; a young fellow and a man." "was the young man in a feeble state?" "he seemed to be." "thank you." tom turned away with something of a groan. "dick must be on board of that craft, along with the baxters. oh, what luck we are having! now what ought i to do next?" his wisest move would have been to have informed the authorities, but tom was too much upset mentally to think of that. with all speed he returned to the _swallow_. "the _peacock_ has sailed!" he cried. "we must follow her!" "you are certain?" queried sam. "yes, i saw her in the distance. come, let us get after her before it is too late." as luke peterson was now doing fairly well, all of the others ran on deck, and soon the _swallow_ was in pursuit of the schooner. at first but little could be seen of the _peacock_, but when the sun came up they saw her plainly, heading toward the northwest. "we must keep her in sight," said tom. "yes, but supposing the baxters are on board, how can we capture them?" came from sam. "we are but three, or four at the most, counting peterson, while that craft must carry a crew of five or six." "we can hail some other boat to help us. the main thing is not to lose track of the rascals." the breeze was all that could be desired, and once the shore was left behind they kept the _peacock_ in sight with ease. but, try their best, they gained but little on the larger boat. as there was now nothing to do but to let the yacht do her best, tom left sam at the wheel and turned his attention to peterson. the lumberman was now able to sit up, although very weak. "i discovered arnold baxter and tracked him to the schooner's dock," he said. "his son came to the dock, and from what they said i am sure your brother is on the craft. then they discovered me, and the father struck me down with the butt of a pistol he carried. after that all was a blank until i found myself here." "you can be thankful you weren't killed." "i suppose so. i shall not rest until that villain is brought to justice. but what are ye up to now, lad?" "we are in pursuit of the _peacock_." "on the lake or up the river?" "on the lake." "can you keep her in sight?" "so far we seem to be holding our own." "good! i'd go on deck and help ye, but i feel kind o' strange-like in the legs." "better keep quiet for the present. we may need you later on." "got any firearms on board?" "yes, a gun and two pistols." "ye may want 'em afore ye git through with that crowd. they are bad ones." "we know them thoroughly, mr. peterson. we have been acquainted with them for years." and then tom told of how dan baxter had been the bully at putnam hall, and how he had run away to join his rascally father, and of how arnold baxter had been mr. rover's enemy since the days of early mining in the west. "o' course they are carrying off your brother fer a purpose," said the lumberman. "like as not they'll try to hit your father through him." "i presume that is the game." the morning wore away slowly, but as the sun mounted higher the breeze gradually died down. the _peacock_ was the first to feel the going down of the wind, and slowly, but surely, the _swallow_ crept closer to the schooner. but at last both vessels came to a standstill, about quarter of a mile apart. "now what's to do?" questioned sam dismally. "i reckon we can whistle for a breeze," returned his brother. "whistling won't do us any good. i've been wondering if we could not do some rowing in the small boat." "hurrah! just the thing!" there was a small rowboat stored away on board the _swallow_, and this was now brought forth, along with two pairs of oars. "gwine ter row ober, eh?" observed aleck pop. "racken you dun bettah been careful wot youse do." "we shall go armed," answered tom. the boys soon had the rowboat floating on the lake, and they leaped in, each with a pair of oars, and with a pistol stowed away in his pocket. from the start those on board of the _peacock_ had been afraid that the yacht was following them, and now they were certain of it. "two boys putting off in a rowboat," announced captain langless. "they are tom and sam rover," answered arnold baxter, after a brief survey through a marine glass. "how did they get to know enough to follow this craft?" "i'm sure i don't know. but those rover boys are slick, and always were." "what will you do when they come up?" "warn them off." "i've got an idea, dad," came from dan. "well?" "why not get out of sight and let captain langless invite them on board, to look for dick. then we can bag them and put them with dick." "by jove, that is a scheme!" exclaimed the rascally parent. "langless, will you do it? of course, we'll have to get out of sight until the proper moment arrives." "but if you bag 'em, what of those left on the _swallow_?" questioned the captain. "there is only one man, a negro. he doesn't amount to anything." "there may be more--one or two officers of the law." arnold baxter used his glass again. "i see nobody but the darky. if there were officers at hand, i am sure they would have come along in that rowboat." "i guess you are right about that." "if we capture the boys the darky won't dare to follow us alone, and it may be that we can capture him, too," went on arnold baxter. by this time the rowboat was drawing closer, and arnold baxter and dan stepped out of sight behind the forecastle of the schooner. a few additional words passed between captain langless and the baxters, and then the owner of the _peacock_ awaited the coming of our friends, who were now almost alongside, never suspecting the trap which was set for them. chapter ix. caught in a trap. "do you see anything of the baxters?" asked sam, when the rowboat was within a hundred feet of the schooner. "i thought i did before, but i don't see them now," answered tom. "rowboat, ahoy!" shouted captain langless. "what brings you?" "i reckon you know well enough," tom shouted back. "we are after dick rover." "dick rover? who is he?" "your prisoner." "our prisoner?" the owner of the _peacock_ put on a look of surprise. "really, you are talking in riddles." "i don't think so. where are arnold baxter and his son dan?" "don't know anybody by that name." "they went on board of your boat," put in sam. "you must be mistaken." captain langless turned to his mate. "find any stowaways on board?" "nary a one," was the mate's answer. "and just came up from the hold, too." this talk perplexed tom and sam not a little. was it possible luke peterson had made some mistake? "we have it on pretty good authority that the baxters are on board of your boat, and that dick rover is aboard, too," said sam. "it's all a riddle to me," answered captain langless. "we are not in the business of carrying prisoners. we are bound for sandusky for a cargo of flour." this talk completely nonplused the boys, and they held a whispered consultation. "i don't believe him," said sam. "no more do i. but what shall we do about it?" "i'm sure i don't know." "you can come on board and look around, if you wish," called out the owner of the schooner. "i want you to satisfy yourself that you are mistaken." "shall we go?" whispered tom. "it may be a trap?" "he seems honest enough." "supposing i go and you stay in the rowboat? then, if anything happens, you can call on aleck and peterson for help." so it was arranged, and in a minute more tom was climbing up the ladder which had been thrown over the _peacock's_ side. "is the other young fellow coming?" asked the captain, who did not fancy this move. "no." the captain scowled, but said no more. once on deck tom looked around him curiously, and then moved toward the companion way leading to the cabin. he felt instinctively that he was in a dangerous position. as he crossed the deck several ill-appearing sailors gazed at him curiously, but said nothing--being under strict orders from the captain to remain silent in the presence of the stranger. the cabin of the _peacock_ was a small affair, considering the general size of the schooner, and contained but little in the shape of furniture. dick had been removed long before, so the apartment was empty of human occupants when tom entered. "nobody here," he murmured, as he gazed around. "what foolishness to come, anyway! the baxters could easily hide on me, if they wanted to." he was about to leave the cabin when a form darkened the companion way, and arnold baxter appeared. "silence!" commanded the man, and pointed a pistol at tom's head. the sight of the rascal startled the youth and the look on baxter's face caused him to shiver. "so you are here, after all," he managed to say. "silence!" repeated arnold baxter, "unless you want to be shot." "where is my brother dick?" before arnold baxter could reply dan put in an appearance, carrying a pair of handcuffs. "now, we'll get square with you, tom rover," said the bully harshly. "what do you intend to do?" "make you a prisoner. hold out your hands." "and if i refuse?" "you won't refuse," put in arnold baxter, and, lowering his pistol, he leaped behind tom and caught him by the arms. at the same time dan attacked the lad in front and poor tom was soon handcuffed. then he was led out of the cabin by a rear way, a door was opened, and he was thrust into the blackness of the hold. but ere this was accomplished he let out one long, loud cry for help which reached sam's ears quite plainly. "hi! what are you doing to my brother?" ejaculated the younger rover. he had brought the rowboat close up alongside the schooner. "i don't know what's up," answered the mate of the _peacock_. "better come aboard and see." "he has fallen down the hatchway!" cried captain langless. "poor chap! he's hurt himself quite badly." and he disappeared, as if going to tom's assistance. if sam had been in a quandary before, he was doubly so now. had tom really fallen, or had he been attacked? "i can't leave him alone," he thought, and without further hesitation leaped up the side of the schooner with the agility of a cat. it was a fatal movement, for scarcely had he reached the deck when he was pounced upon by captain langless and held fast until arnold baxter appeared. "let me go!" cried sam, but his protest proved of no avail. a lively scuffle followed, but the lad was no match for the men, and in the end he found himself handcuffed and thrown into the hold beside tom. "tie the rowboat fast to the stern," ordered arnold baxter, and this was done. the going down of the wind was only temporary, and now a slight breeze sprang up. "we are in luck!" said the captain of the schooner. "we must keep away from the yacht," returned arnold baxter. soon the schooner's sails were filling and she continued on her course, dragging the small boat behind her. aleck pop saw the movement and grew much perplexed. "dat don't look right to me, nohow!" he muttered. "'pears lak da was bein' tuk along sumway!" aleck was not much of a sailor, but he had been out enough to know how to handle the yacht under ordinary circumstances, and now he did his best to follow the _peacock_. with the glass he watched eagerly for the reappearance of sam and tom, and his face became a study when fully half an hour passed and they failed to show themselves. "da is in trouble, suah!" he told himself. "now wot's dis yeah niggah to do?" he lashed the wheel fast and sought advice from luke peterson, who was feeling stronger every minute. the burly lumberman shook his head dubiously. "in trouble for certain," was his comment. "didn't hear any pistol shots, did ye?" "didn't heah nuffin, sah." "they wouldn't remain on board of that craft of their own free will." "don't specs da would, sah. de question is, sah: wot's to do?" and aleck scratched his woolly head thoughtfully. "i don't know, excepting to keep the schooner in sight, if possible, and see if something doesn't turn up. if you sight a steamer or a steam tug let me know, and i'll try to get help." so it was arranged, and aleck returned to the wheel. the _swallow_ was going along smoothly, and he did what he could to make the sails draw as much as possible. peterson now discovered the medicine chest of the yacht, and from this got another dose of liquor, which afforded him the temporary strength of which he was in so much need. the coming of night found the two vessels far out upon the waters of lake erie and nearly half a mile apart. peterson now came on deck, to keep an eye on things while aleck prepared supper. it promised to remain clear, but, as there would be no moon, peterson was afraid that they would lose sight of the _peacock_ in the gathering darkness. supper was soon served, the lumberman eating first, and then aleck cleared away the few dishes and tidied up generally. the colored man was much downcast. "fust it was dick, an' now it am de whole t'ree of 'em," he remarked. "i'se afraid dar is gwine ter be a bad endin' to dis yeah trip." "we will have to take what comes," answered peterson. "but i have taken a fancy to those boys, and i'll stick by you to the end." slowly the darkness of night settled over the waters of the lake, and with the going down of the sun the stars came forth, one after another. during the last few hours several sail had been seen at a distance, but none had come close enough to be hailed. "we are going to lose her in the darkness, after all," announced the lumberman, at about eight o'clock. "it's hard for me to see her, even now." half an hour later the _peacock_ disappeared in the gloom, and the chase, for the time being, came to an end. chapter x. the escape from the hold. "sam, is that you?" "yes." "we are trapped!" "it looks like it--or rather feels like it. i can't see a thing." "nor i. did you find out anything about dick?" "no." a groan came from the opposite end of the hold. "here i am. how in the world did you get here?" "dick, after all!" ejaculated tom, and there was a slight trace of joy in his tone. "are you o. k., old man?" "hardly. they dosed me with drugs until my mind is topsy-turvy." "i'm glad you are alive," came from sam. "where are you?" "here, lying on a couple of boxes. look out how you move about, or you may hurt yourselves." handcuffed as they were, tom and sam felt their way along through the dark hold until they reached their elder brother's side. they grasped his hands warmly. "i'm glad we are together again, even if we are prisoners," remarked tom, and this was his younger brother's sentiment, too. "how did you get here?" asked dick, and each told his story from beginning to end, and then the elder rover had to relate his own adventures. "i knew that old doctor wasn't telling the truth," burst out tom. "oh, but won't we have an account to settle with all of those chaps, if ever we get out of this scrape." "don't let us hurrah until we are out of the woods," added dick soberly. "we are in the hands of a desperate gang, to my way of reasoning." "the baxters are certainly bad enough." "and any boat captain who would go into this game with them is probably just as bad. whom did you leave on the yacht?" "aleck, and the lumberman who was on the raft with you." "i wonder if they will follow this schooner?" no one could answer this question, and for several minutes there was a silence. during that time they heard heavy footsteps cross and recross the deck, but that was all. presently the schooner began to rock slightly. "the wind is coming up," said tom. "we are moving ahead again." "that's bad for us--if the schooner manages to run away from the yacht," rejoined dick. soon the motion of the _peacock_ showed that the schooner was bowling along rapidly. they heard the creaking of tackle as additional sails were hoisted, and felt certain that the craft was making the best run at her command. the hold had not been opened up for a long time, consequently the air was foul as well as stifling from the heat. "i'd give something for some fresh air," said sam. "how is it with you, dick?" "i want fresh air and a drink of water. i am as dry as a bale of cotton." "haven't they given you anything since you came on board?" asked tom. "not a thing." "the inhuman wretches! oh, i wish i had dan baxter here--i'd punch his head good for him." "ditto the head of his rascally father," returned dick. "i would like to know just where they intend to take me--or rather all of us, now. they certainly can't expect to keep us on board this craft." "perhaps they'll ship us to canada." "hardly, since they couldn't land on the canadian shore without an inspection of the vessel." "they have some plan up their sleeve, that's certain." slowly the hours wore away, until all sounds on deck ceased, and they knew it must be well along in the night. still the schooner kept on her course. all of the boys had been working at their bonds, but without success. they wished they had a light, but neither sam nor tom had a match, and dick's pockets were entirely bare. tom and sam were likewise minus their pistols, arnold baxter having taken the weapons away before placing them in the hold. the night proved to be a truly horrible one for the boys, for the hold was overrun with rats, who became altogether too familiar. at first one of the pests ran over tom's legs. "a rat!" he cried. "hi, scat!" and the frisky rodent scampered off, but speedily returned, followed by several others. after that they had a lively time of it for half an hour, when the rats left them as suddenly as they had appeared. the storm, and their various adventures, had tired the boys out, and soon, in spite of the surroundings, one after another fell into a light doze. the sleep did all of them good, especially dick, who declared on awakening that he felt almost as well as ever. "only i'm as hungry as a bear," he added. "ditto myself," came from tom. "i move we try to break out of this dingy hole." "all right; but where shall we break to?" put in sam. "i can't see much more than i could last night." the matter was talked over, and presently they scattered, to feel along the ribbed walls of the hold. for a long time nobody felt anything of importance, but at last sam let out a soft cry: "i've found something of a door!" "good for you," answered tom. "can you open it?" "no, there seems to be a bar or something on the other side." the others rejoined the youngest rover, and made out the door quite plainly, for there was a broad crack at the top and at the side opposite the hinges. there was a bar, true enough. "if we had something that we could slip into that crack, we might move the bar," observed dick. "i slipped on a sheet of tin a while ago," said tom. "perhaps i can find that." his hunt was successful, and soon they had the tin in the crack under the bar. the latter gave way with ease, and then they pulled the door open. beyond was the passageway leading to the cabin. "now what's the next movement?" whispered sam. "let us try to arm ourselves first of all," answered dick. "then, if we are cornered again, we may be able to make some kind of favorable terms." he tiptoed his way into the cabin and found it deserted. on the table rested the remains of a breakfast served to several people, and he picked up half a loaf of bread and put it in the pocket of his jacket. several boiled eggs followed. on one of the walls of the cabin hung two old-fashioned swords and a brace of pistols. without hesitation he took all of the weapons and returned with them to his brothers. "here are pistols and swords, and something to eat," he said. "there seems to be nobody around, so you can come into the cabin, if you wish." all entered the compartment. both water and a little coffee were handy, and they made a hasty repast. while eating, tom hunted around the room and also looked into an adjoining stateroom. in the latter place he found a bunch of keys on a nail. "if only one of 'em fits these handcuffs," he murmured, and they tried the keys without delay. one did fit, and in a few seconds they were free of their fetters. "now 'lay on, macduff!'" quoted tom, as he swung aloft one of the swords. "we'll give them a warm reception, eh?" "we'll do nothing of the kind," replied dick hastily. "in this case silence is the better part of valor. we'll lay low until the time comes to make a move." "what, do you mean to go back to the hold?" asked sam. "we may as well, for the present. it is broad daylight now. perhaps we can escape at night." "do you suppose they took our rowboat along?" came from tom. "i shouldn't wonder. we can---- hist! somebody is coming!" dick was right; captain langless was descending the companion way. on tiptoes the three boys hurried to the door leading to the hold. as they flung it back they found themselves confronted by arnold baxter and dan. chapter xi. gaining a point. the sudden turn of affairs chagrined the rover boys greatly, and for the moment none of them knew what to say. arnold baxter and dan grinned at the trio sarcastically, and the bully was the first to break the silence. "didn't get away that time, did you?" he sneered. "ha! so they are here!" came from captain langless, who had just stepped into the cabin. "and without the handcuffs, too." "let us alone," cried tom hotly. "if you touch me again, i'll shoot somebody." and so speaking, he raised one of the pistols taken from the cabin wall. his aim was at dan, and the bully fell back with a cry of terror, for, as old readers know, dan was a coward at heart. "don't--don't shoot!" he faltered. "don't!" "my pistols!" burst out the captain of the _peacock_, in a rage. "hand those weapons over to me, do you hear?" he took several steps forward, when dick brought him to a halt by raising one of the swords. it was a dramatic scene, of intense interest to all concerned. arnold baxter gazed at the armed youths in alarm, and captain langless grated his teeth. "this is foolishness," said the owner of the schooner, after a painful pause. "if you try to fight you'll only get into worse trouble. we are, all told, ten to three, and the best thing you can do is to throw down those arms and submit." "we won't submit," came from sam, with a boldness which was astonishing in one of his years. his stirring adventures in africa and in the west accounted for much of this valor. "we are not going to remain on this vessel," said dick. "and if you try to detain us further somebody will get hurt." "you scamp!" fumed arnold baxter, and looked at the elder rover as if to annihilate him with a glance. but dick remained undaunted, and gradually arnold baxter fell back a few steps. it must be confessed that the rover boys felt far from comfortable. here were two of the enemy on one side and one on the other, cutting off their escape in both directions. more than this, captain langless now raised his voice, and presently several rough-looking sailors came rushing into the cabin. "leave the hold," cried the owner of the schooner to the baxters. "i reckon i know how to manage 'em." arnold baxter understood, and at once took his son by the arm. the pair had come down into the hold by means of a ladder lowered through the forward hatchway. now they ran for the ladder, mounted, and drew it up after them. then the hatch was closed down as before. in the meantime captain langless whispered to one of his sailors, and the tar ran to one of the staterooms and returned with an old-fashioned seven-shooter, fully a foot and a half long. "now get back there," ordered the owner of the schooner. "i won't have any more fooling." "if you shoot, so will i," said tom quickly. "and so will i," added sam. "we had better have no bloodshed," continued the captain, trying to control himself. "behave yourselves, and you'll be treated all right. kick up a muss, and it will go hard with you." "what do you intend to do with us?" questioned dick curiously. "you'll have to ask your friend arnold baxter about that." "he is no friend of ours!" cried tom. "he is our worst enemy--and you know it." "if you behave yourself i'll see to it that no harm befalls you," continued captain langless. "i'm sorry i mixed up in this affair, but now i am in it i'm going to see it through." "you are carrying us off against our will." the owner of the _peacock_ shrugged his shoulders. "you'll have to talk that over with baxter and his son." "you've been starving us." "we were just going to furnish you with breakfast and a small keg of water." "we don't want to stay in that foul-smelling hold," put in sam. "it is enough to make a fellow sick." "if you'll promise to behave yourselves, we may let you on deck part of the time." "you'd better," grumbled tom. he hardly knew what to say, and his brothers were in an equal quandary. "come, throw down your arms and we'll give you breakfast here in the cabin," continued captain langless. "you won't find me such a bad chap to deal with, when once you know me. you look like decent sort of fellows, and if you do the right thing i'll promise to see to it that the baxters do the square thing, too. we'll be better off on a friendly footing than otherwise." the owner of the _peacock_ spoke earnestly, and it must be admitted that he meant a large part of what he said. the manliness of the rover boys pleased him, and he could not help but contrast it with the cowardice of the bully, dan. perhaps, too, behind it all, he was a bit sick of the job he had undertaken. he knew that he had virtually helped to kidnap the boys, and, if caught, this would mean a long term of imprisonment. dick looked at his two brothers, wondering what they would have to say. he realized that, after all, they were in a hopeless minority and were bound to lose in a hand-to-hand struggle. "we may as well try them," he whispered. "if we fight, one of us may get killed." they talked among themselves for several minutes, and then dick turned to the captain. "we'll submit for the present," he said. "but, mind you, we expect to be treated like gentlemen." "and you will be treated as such," answered captain langless, glad that there would be no struggle. "come into the cabin and stack those weapons in the corner. they were never meant for anything but wall decorations," and he laughed somewhat nervously. the three lads entered the cabin and put down the weapons. they kept their eyes on the captain and his men, but there was no move to molest them. "you can go," said captain langless to the sailors. "and, wilson, send the cook here for orders." the sailors departed, and with something of a grim smile on his furrowed face the owner of the _peacock_ dropped into a seat near the companionway door. he had just started to speak again when there was a noise outside and arnold baxter appeared. "have you subdued the rascals?" he questioned hastily. "reckon i have," was the slow answer, "leas'wise, they have thrown down their weapons." "then why don't you handcuff them again, the rats!" "we are no rats, and i'll trouble you to be civil," returned dick firmly. "ha! i'll show you!" howled arnold baxter, and would have rushed at dick had not the captain interposed. "hold on, sir," were the words of the ship's owner. "we have called a truce. they have promised to behave themselves if we treat them squarely, and so there are to be no more back-bitings." "but--er--" arnold baxter was so astonished he could scarcely speak. "you are not going to put them in the hold?" "not for the present." "they will run away." "how can they, when we are out of sight of land?" "they ought to be chained down." "supposing you let me be the judge of that, mr. baxter. i promised to do certain things for you. if i do them, you'll have no cause to complain." "have you decided to take these boys' part?" ejaculated arnold baxter, turning pale. "i have made up my mind that treating them like beasts won't do any good." "they don't deserve it." "don't deserve what?" "to be well treated. they are--are--" "young gentlemen," finished tom. "the captain knows gentlemen when he sees them, even if you don't." "don't talk to me, tom rover." "i will talk whenever i please. i am not your slave." "but you are in my power, don't forget that." at this moment the cook of the schooner appeared. "what's wanted?" he asked of the captain. "bring some breakfast for these three young gentlemen," said captain langless. "some fresh coffee and bread and some fried eggs and potatoes." at this order arnold baxter stood fairly aghast. "you are going to let them dine here?" he gasped. "i am." "but--but you must be crazy. they will--er--think they are running the ship!" "no, they won't. leave them to me, and i'm sure we will get along all right. come, let us go on deck." "what! and leave them alone?" "i will send a man down to see that they don't get into mischief." "but i don't like this turn of affairs," stammered arnold baxter. he was half afraid the captain was going back on him. "it's all right; come," answered the owner of the _peacock_; and a moment later both men quitted the cabin. chapter xii. a dinner of importance. "the captain isn't such a bad fellow, after all," observed sam, when the three rovers were left to themselves. "he certainly isn't a brute," answered dick. "but about being bad, that's another story." "he's got an awfully shrewd face," put in tom. "but i'm mighty glad he turned old baxter down. that villain would ride over us roughshod." "i think, all told, we have gained a point," continued dick. "it's something to be treated decently, even if you are a prisoner. the question is, how long will we be caged up on board of the schooner?" "i would like to know if the _swallow_ is in sight," said tom. "wonder if i can't slip up the companion way and find out?" he arose from the seat into which he had dropped, but before he could gain the doorway a sailor appeared and waved him back. then the sailor took the seat the captain had occupied by the door. "are you sent to spy on us?" demanded tom, "i was sent to see that you didn't cut up any tricks," answered the tar. he was terribly crosseyed, but appeared to be rather good-natured. "you mustn't go on deck without the captain's permission." "can't we have any fresh air?" "you'll have to ask the captain about that he said i was to watch you while you had breakfast, and keep you and those other folks from quarreling." "what other folks, the baxters?" "yes." no more was said, and soon the cook appeared with a pot full of newly made coffee and a trayful of other things. the hasty lunch had been a scanty one, and it did not interfere with the boys' appetites for what was now set before them. "this is all right," observed sam, when he had almost finished eating. "we couldn't have a better meal on the _swallow_." he turned to the sailor. "is the yacht still in sight?" he spoke carelessly, but the tar knew how much he was interested and smiled suggestively. "no sail of any kind in sight." "where are we bound?" "you'll have to ask the captain about that." "do you mean to say you don't know?" the sailor nodded. "we follow orders, we do, and that's all," he observed, and then they could get nothing more out of him. the boys took their time, yet the meal was finished inside of half an hour. they were just getting up from the table when captain langless reappeared. "well, how did the breakfast suit?" he asked. "first-rate," returned dick. "now, if you don't mind, we would like to go on deck." "you may do so under one condition." "and that is----?" "that you will go below again when ordered by me." at this both tom and sam cut wry faces. "you are rather hard on us," said dick slowly. "on the contrary, i think i am treating you generously. the baxters wish to handcuff you and put you back into the hold." there was a pause, and then the boys agreed, if allowed to go on deck, to go below again whenever the captain wished. "but, remember, we are going to get away if we can," added dick. "all right, get away--if you can," rejoined captain langless. "if you go overboard you'll be in for a long swim, i can tell you that." it felt good to get into the bright sunshine once more, and the boys tumbled up to the deck without ceremony. as soon as they had quitted the cabin the captain put away the weapons at hand, locking them in a closet. as the sailor had said, no other craft was in sight, and on every hand stretched the calm waters of lake erie as far as eye could reach. the course was northwest, and dick rightfully guessed that they were heading for the detroit river. there was a stiff breeze blowing and, with every sail set, the _peacock_ was making rapid headway. it was not long before dan baxter came up to them. the bully's face was dark and threatening, yet he did not dare say much, for captain langless had given him warning that the prisoners must not be molested. "i suppose you think it a fine thing to be up here," he began. "it will be if we don't get too much of you." replied tom bluntly. "i suppose you would give a good deal to be on land." "not particularly. we enjoy sailing. if not, we wouldn't have been out in our yacht." "where were you bound?" "that was our business, baxter." "oh, if you don't want to tell me, you needn't," growled the bully, and walked away. "i'll wager he and his father have had a row with captain langless," observed dick. "otherwise he wouldn't be half so meek." "i wish we could win captain langless over to our side," put in sam suddenly, struck by the idea. "do you suppose it could be done if we paid him well?" "i'd hate to buy him off," said tom. "but it might be best," said dick slowly. "we don't know what the baxters may have in store for us." "it's pretty plain to me what they want to do. they are going to hold us prisoners until father signs off his rights to that mining claim." "and if father won't sign off?" "then they'll treat us pretty badly." "perhaps they'll kill us." "we can sound captain langless--it won't do any harm." "but you mustn't let the baxters get an inkling of what is up." for the present the captain was not in sight, having retired to the stern to consult arnold baxter upon several points. they remained on deck until noon, when the cook called them to dinner in the cabin. they found they were to dine with captain langless. "i asked the baxters to join us, but they declined," he observed, as they sat down. "now i am not so high-toned." "you mean you are not such a fool," returned dick. "for myself, i am glad they are staying away. my meal would be spoiled if i had to eat with them." "they are very bitter against you, that's certain," went on the owner of the schooner smoothly. "they want me to do all sorts of mean things. but i have declined. i am playing a game with them, but i want to do it as becomes a man." dick looked around, to see that no outsider was within earshot. "why do you play the game with them, captain langless?" he whispered. the owner of the schooner frowned. "well, one must make a living, if you want an answer," he returned shortly. "true, but you might make a living more honestly." "by helping us, for instance," added tom. "by helping you?" "yes, by helping us," resumed dick. "i must say, lads, i don't quite understand you." the captain looked at them sharply, as if anxious for either to proceed. "let us review the situation," continued the eldest of the rovers. "in the first place, we take it that you have been hired by the baxters to do a certain thing." "granted." "the baxters have promised to pay you for your work and for the use of your vessel." "granted again." "you are running on dangerous ground, and if you get tripped up it means a long term of imprisonment." "you are a clever fellow, rover, and your school training does you credit. however, i don't know as any of us expect to get tripped up." "no criminal does until he is caught." "there may be something in that. but i am willing to take my chances. as the old saying goes: 'nothing ventured, nothing gained.'" "but wouldn't you rather venture on the right side?" "you want me to come to terms; is that it?" "we do. we can make it worth your while, if you will help us and help bring the baxters to justice. do you know that arnold baxter is an escaped convict, who got out of a new york prison on a forged pardon?" "no, i know very little of the man." "he is a bad one, and his son is little better. standing in with them is a serious business. i don't know much about you, but you don't look like a man who is bad by choice." at this the captain of the _peacock_ let out a light laugh. "you talk as if you were a man of deep experience instead of a mere boy." "i have had some experience, especially with bad folks--not only in this country, but in africa, so that gives me an age not counted by years. to my mind it seems that a man ought to be more willing to make money honestly than dishonestly." a long silence followed this speech. "tell me what you have to offer," said the captain, and leaned back in his chair to listen. chapter xiii. prisoners three. it was easy to see that captain langless was "feeling his way," as the saying is, and dick felt that he must go slow or he might spoil everything. criminals are of all shades and degrees, and look at affairs in a different light from honest men. it is said that some would rather be dishonest than honest, and dick did not yet know how the owner of the _peacock_ stood on that point. "perhaps you had better tell us first what arnold baxter has offered you," said the elder rover, as he looked the owner of the schooner squarely in the eyes. "well, he has offered considerable, if his schemes go through." "and if they fail you get nothing." "i am a good loser--so i shan't complain." "supposing i was to offer you several hundred dollars if you saw us safe on shore." "how can you offer any money? you haven't got it with you, have you?" "no. but i could get the money, and what i promised to pay i would pay." "but several hundred dollars wouldn't be enough." "if you helped to bring the baxters to justice we might make it a thousand dollars," put in tom, who was now as anxious as dick to bring the captain to terms. at the mention of a thousand dollars the eyes of captain langless glistened. the sum was not large, but it was sufficient to interest him. he had already received three hundred dollars from arnold baxter, as a guarantee of good faith, so to speak, but there was no telling how much more he could expect from that individual. if he could obtain thirteen hundred dollars all told, and get out of the affair on the safe side, he might be doing well. "how would you pay this thousand dollars?" he asked. "our father would pay it. he is a fairly rich man, and anxious to see arnold baxter returned to prison." "to get the man out of his path?" "partly that, and partly to see justice done. come, what do you say?" before the captain could answer there came a call down the companion way. "two vessels in sight--a schooner and a steam tug," announced a sailor. "coming this way?" asked the master of the schooner. "aye, sir." captain langless arose at once. "i will have to ask you to step into the hold again," he said politely, but firmly. "i will talk over what you have offered later." he motioned to the passageway leading to the hold. sam was on the point of objecting, but dick silenced him with a look. "all right, we'll go," grumbled tom. "but i'm going to take the dessert with me," and he took up a bowl of rice pudding and a spoon. dick followed with a pitcher of water and a glass, at which the captain had to grin. as soon as they were in the hold the owner of the schooner bolted the door and fixed it so that it might not again be opened from the inside. "two ships in sight!" cried sam, when they were alone. "we ought to have made a dash for liberty." "it wouldn't have helped us," answered his oldest brother. "those vessels must be some distance away, and before they came up we would be down here, handcuffed, and in disgrace with the captain. if we treat him right, we may win him over and finish the baxters' game." sitting in the darkness they took their time about eating the rice pudding, and dick placed the water where it could be found when wanted. then they listened for the approach of the two vessels which the lookout had sighted. yet hour after hour went by and nothing of importance reached their ears. the vessels came up and passed them, and then the _peacock_ turned in for the mouth of the detroit river. soon the boys knew, by the steam whistles and other sounds, that the schooner was approaching some sort of harbor. a dreary evening and night followed. the _peacock_ came to a standstill, and they heard the sails come down and the anchors dropped. but nobody came to them, and they had to sink to rest supperless. they remained awake until after midnight, then dozed off one after another. when they awoke a surprise awaited them. the hold was lit up by the rays of a bright lantern hung on a hook near the door leading to the cabin passageway. below the lantern stood a tray filled with eatables, and near at hand was a bucket of fresh water and half a dozen newspapers and magazines. "by jinks, this is not so bad!" observed tom. "we are to have breakfast, that's certain." "and reading to occupy our spare time," added sam. dick, however, looked at the layout with a fallen face. "i don't like it," he said. "this looks too much as if the captain and the others meant to keep us here for some time." "i suppose that's so," came from tom, and then he, too, looked crestfallen. "well, let us make the best of it," said sam, and began to eat, and the others did the same. since time seemed no object they ate slowly, in the meantime reviewing the situation from every possible standpoint, but without arriving at any satisfactory conclusion. they had allowed their watches to run down, so there was no telling what time it was. but at last a faint streak of sunshine, coming through a seam in the deck, told that it must be near noon. yet no one came near them, and all was as silent, close at hand, as a tomb, although in the distance they heard an occasional steam whistle or other sound common to a great city. there was nothing in the hold by which to reach the hatchway, but, growing weary of waiting, tom dragged a box hither and asked dick and sam to stand upon it. then he climbed on their shoulders, to find his head directly against the beams of the deck. he pushed with all of his strength on the hatch, to find it battened down on the outside. "stumped!" he cried laconically, and leaped to the floor of the hold. "we are prisoners and no mistake." after this they went back to the door leading to the cabin. but this likewise could not be moved, and in the end they sat down a good deal discouraged. it was well toward night when they heard a noise at the door. as they leaped up, expecting to see the baxters or captain langless, the barrier opened and the cook of the schooner appeared, backed up by two of the sailors. the cook had another trayful of food, which he passed to dick in silence, taking the other tray in exchange. "where is captain langless?" asked tom. "can't come now," answered the cook. "then send the baxters here." "they can't come either." "have they gone ashore?" questioned dick. "i can't answer any questions," and the cook started to back out. "who is in charge? we must see somebody." "i am in charge," said a rough voice, and now the mate of the schooner thrust himself forward. "you had better be quiet until the cap'n gits back." "then he has gone ashore?" "yes, if you must know." "and the baxters with him." "yes, but all hands will be back soon." "are we in detroit harbor?" "yes." "then i'm for escaping!" shouted tom, and taking up the water pitcher he aimed it at the mate's head. the blow struck fairly, and the sailor went down, partly stunned. seeing the success of his move tom leaped for the passageway, and dick and sam followed their brother. chapter xiv. dick makes his escape. there are times when a movement made on the spur of the moment is more successful than one which is premeditated. the enemy is taken completely off guard and does not realize what is happening until it is over. it was so in the present instance. the mate of the _peacock_ was a tough customer and a heavy-built man, and the men behind him were also large, and none of the three had imagined that the boys would really undertake to combat them. as the mate went down tom leaped directly on top of him, thus holding him to the floor for the moment, and then struck out for the nearest man, hitting him in the chin. then dick came to his brother's aid with a blow that reached the sailor's ear, and he too fell back. but the third man had a second to think, and he retaliated by a blow which nearly lifted poor tom off his feet. but before he could strike out a second time, sam, with the nimbleness of a monkey, darted in and caught him by one leg. dick saw the movement, gave the sailor a shove, and the tar pitched headlong in the passageway. the opening was now tolerably clear, and away went the three boys for the cabin, gaining the compartment before any of the men could follow. the door to the companion way was open, and up the steps they flew with all the speed at their command. they heard the sailors yell at them and use language unfit to print, but paid no heed. their one thought was to put distance between themselves and those who wished to keep them prisoners. "stop! stop!" roared the mate. "stop, or it will be the worse for you!" "i guess we know what we are doing!" panted tom. "come on!" and he caught sam by the arm. the deck gained, they gave a hasty look around. the schooner was lying at anchor about a hundred yards from shore, at a short distance above the busy portion of the city. "there ought to be a small boat handy," said dick, leading the way to the stern. "we can't wait for a boat," answered sam. "let us swim for it. perhaps somebody will come and pick us up." and without further ado he leaped overboard. seeing this, his brothers did likewise, and all three struck out boldly for the nearest dock. it was a risky thing to do, with all their clothing on, but each was a good swimmer and the weather had made the water very warm. on they went, keeping as closely together as possible. "are you coming back?" furiously yelled the mate, as he reached the rail and shook his fist at them. to this none of the boys made reply. "if you don't come back i'll shoot at you," went on the man. "do you think he will shoot?" asked sam, in alarm. "no," answered dick. "we are too close to the city, and there are too many people who would hear the shot." "a boat is putting off from the shore," said tom, a second later. "it contains three persons." "captain langless and the baxters!" burst out dick. "dive, and swim as hard as you can down the stream." all promptly dove, and the weight of their clothing kept them under as long as they pleased to remain. when they came up they heard the mate yelling frantically to those in the boat, who did not at once comprehend the turn affairs had taken. [illustration: captain langless caught him by the hair] but when they saw the boys they began to row toward them with all swiftness. "we must recapture them," cried arnold baxter. "if they get away, our cake will be dough." "then row as hard as you can," replied captain langless. he was at one pair of oars while arnold baxter was at another. dan sat in the bow. slowly, but surely, the craft drew closer to the rover boys, until it was less than a hundred feet off. then it was seen that the lads had separated and were moving in three directions. dick had ordered this. "if we separate, they won't catch all of us," were his words. "and whoever escapes can inform the authorities." on pushed the boys, striving as never before to gain the shore before the rowboat should come up to them. the small craft headed first for tom, and presently it glided close to him. he promptly dove, but when he came up captain langless caught him by the hair. "it's no use, lad," said the captain firmly, and despite his struggles hauled him on board. "let me go!" roared tom and kicked out lively. but the captain continued to hold him down, while arnold baxter now headed the boat toward sam. sam was almost exhausted, for the weight of his wet garments was beginning to tell upon him. as the rowboat came closer he also thought to dive, but the effort almost cost him his life. he came up half unconscious, and only realized in a dim, uncertain way what was happening. but the capture of tom and his younger brother had taken time, and now those in the rowboat saw that dick was almost to shore. to take him, therefore, was out of the question. "we'll have to let him go," said captain langless. "the quicker the _peacock_ gets out of this the better." "yes, but if he gets away he'll make the ship no end of trouble," returned arnold baxter. "i've half a mind to fire at him," and he drew a pistol. "no! no! i won't have it," cried the captain sternly. "to the schooner, and the quicker the better." holding tom, he made the baxters turn the boat about and row to the _peacock_. the mate was waiting for him, and it did not take long to get on board. the mate wished to explain matters, but captain lawless would not listen. "another time, cadmus," he said sharply. "into the hold with them, and see they don't get away again. we must up sail and anchor without the loss of a minute. that boy who got away is going to make trouble for us." "aye, aye, sir!" said cadmus, and dragged the unfortunates away to the hatch. he dropped both down without ceremony, and then saw to it that hatch and door were tightly closed and made fast. in a few minutes the anchors were up and the sails hoisted, and the _peacock_ was steering straight up lake st. clair toward the st. clair river. to reach lake huron the schooner would have to cover a distance of seventy-five to eighty miles, and the captain wondered if this could be done ere the authorities got on their track. "once on lake huron we will be safe enough," he observed to arnold baxter. "i know the lake well, and know of half a dozen islands near the canadian shore where we will be safe in hiding." "but that boy may telegraph to st. clair or port huron, or some other point, and have the _peacock_ held up," answered arnold baxter. "we've got to run that risk," was the grim reply. "if we get caught, i'll have an account to settle with cadmus." a while later the mate and the sailors who had been with him were called into the cabin, so that captain langless might hear what they had to say. the mate told a long story of how the boys had broken open the door leading to the cabin, with a crowbar, obtained from he knew not where, and had fought them with the bar and with a club and a pistol. there had been a fierce struggle, but the lads had slipped away like eels. the sailors corroborated the mate's tale, and added that the boys had fought like demons. "i'll fix them for that," said arnold baxter, when he heard the account. "they'll find out who is master before i get through with them." but this did not suit captain langless, who had not forgotten his talk with the rovers at the dinner table. if it looked as if he was going to be cornered, he thought that a compromise with tom and sam would come in very handy. "you mustn't mistreat the boys," he said, when cadmus and the other sailors were gone. "it won't help your plot any, and it will only cause more trouble." "you seem to be taking the affair out of my hands," growled arnold baxter. "i know i am running a larger risk than you," answered the captain. "i own this craft, and if she is confiscated i'll be the loser." "but see what i have offered you." "yes, if we win out, as the saying goes. but things won't be so nice if we lose, will they?" "i don't intend to lose. i have a scheme on hand for getting to lake huron before to-morrow morning." "by what means?" "hire a large and swift tug to haul the _peacock_. we can make splendid time, considering that the schooner is without a cargo." "who is going to pay the towing bill?" "how much will it be?" "the kind of tug you want will cost about fifty dollars." "all right then, i'll pay the bill." the idea pleased the captain, and the bargain was struck then and there. half an hour later a tug was sighted and hailed, and the captain told a story of a "rush job" waiting for him at port huron. a bargain was struck for the towing, and soon a hawser was cast over to the schooner and the race for lake huron began. chapter xv. what the lame man knew. dick was not aware that his brothers had been captured until some hours after the sailing of the schooner. he headed for a part of the river where several small craft were moving about, and was just about to climb up the spiling of one of the docks when a lighter hit him and knocked him senseless. "we've struck a boy!" shouted a man on the lighter, and then rushed forward with a boathook. as soon as he caught sight of dick he fished the youth from the water and hurried ashore with him. the shock had not been a heavy one, but the lad was weak from swimming with his clothes on, and he lay like a log on the flooring of the dock. this alarmed the men from the lighter, and they hastily carried him to a nearby drug store and summoned a doctor. from the drug store he was removed to the hospital. when he was strong enough to go about his business he found it was night. yet he lost no time in making his way to the docks, on a search for his brothers. the search was, of course, useless, and much depressed in spirits he found himself, at sunrise, on the waterfront, seated on the stringpiece of one of the long piers. "they must have either been captured or drowned," he mused dismally. "and the _peacock_ is gone, too. what shall i do next?" it was far from an easy question to answer, and he sat motionless for the best part of half an hour, reviewing the situation. then he leaped up. "i must get the authorities to aid me," he thought. "i should have done this before." he walked along the docks until he came to a street leading to the nearest police station. he now realized that he was hungry, but resolved to postpone eating until he had put the authorities on the track of the evildoers. as he was turning a corner he almost ran into a colored man going in the opposite direction. the colored man stared at him, then let out a wild cry of delight. "massah dick, or is i dreamin'?" "aleck, by all that's wonderful! where did you come from?" "from de yacht, ob course, massah dick. but--but--dis knocks dis niggah, suah! i dun fink yo' was on dat udder ship." "i was on it, but i escaped yesterday, while the schooner lay in the river yonder." "an' where am tom and sam, sah?" "that i don't know. they left the vessel with me, but we became separated in the water." "perhaps da dun been cotched ag'in," and pop's face took on a sober look. "that is what i am afraid of." "didn't see nuffin ob 'em nowhere?" "no. i was hit by a lighter and knocked senseless." "whar's dat dar _peacock_?" "gone, too." "wot you spects to do?" "i was going to inform the authorities. we must find tom and sam." "dat's right, sah." "where is the _swallow_?" "tied up jest below heah, sah. dat dar luke peterson is a-sailin' ob her wid me." "good. perhaps he can help us in the search. he knows these waters well, so he told me." together the pair made their way to the police station, where they told their stories to the officer in charge. an alarm was at once sent out, and the river police were set to work to learn what had become of the _peacock_ and her crew. but all this took time, and it was past noon when word came in that the schooner had been seen moving up lake st. clair on the afternoon of the day before. then word was telegraphed to port huron to stop the craft, and on his own responsibility dick offered a reward of one hundred dollars for the capture of ship and master. but all this came too late. losing no time, captain langless had had his craft towed to a point fifteen miles beyond port huron, and had then let the tug go, and steered a course known only to those on board. the tug did not return to port huron until the next day, and its captain did not know how much the _peacock_ was wanted until twenty-four hours later. thus the schooner obtained a free and clear start of thirty-six hours over those who were in pursuit. "we are stumped," groaned dick, when word came back from port huron that the _peacock_ had passed that point long before. "that schooner now has the whole of lake huron before her, and there is no telling where she will go. perhaps the baxters will land in canada." "i don't think so," answered luke peterson. "american vessels coming in-shore are closely watched, you know, on account of the smuggling that is carried on." "then the smugglers between the united states and canada are still at work." "indeed they are, more so than the average american has any idea of. i used to be in the customs service, and i know." "where do you suppose captain langless will go to?" "ah, that's a question, rover. the lake is over two hundred miles long, and i've heard tell that there are over twenty-five hundred islands, large and small. that's a pretty good place for a ship to hide in, eh?" "and you reckon the _peacock_ will go into hiding?" "more than likely, while these baxters carry out their little game--that is, providing your brothers are on board--and i fancy they are. i can tell ye, i fancy they are a tough crowd all around." "well, one comfort, the _peacock_ won't get very far anywhere along shore without being spotted, for the police have sent the news to all principal places." "well, that's a good plan. now if we could only follow that schooner up--" "will you go with me in a hunt? i will willingly pay you for your services." "i will. but we ought to have a steam tug instead of a yacht." "i will charter one. i have already telegraphed to my father for the necessary funds," returned dick, and he told the truth. the long telegram had gone an hour before. he had also sent word to larry colby, telling of the turn of affairs. the telegram to mr. rover brought a characteristic reply, running as follows: "i send you the money you want. be careful and keep out of danger. will come on by the first train." the message to larry colby brought that student up to detroit on the first train from sandusky. "i know just the steam tug you want," said larry, when the situation was explained. "it is rum by old jack parsons, who knows my father well. i know he will do all he can for you, if he is paid for his time." larry colby undertook to hunt up the tug, which was named the _rocket_, and found her tied up at one of the city docks. he introduced dick, and before the hour was out a bargain was struck with jack parsons which was satisfactory all around. parsons knew luke peterson, and said he would be glad to have the lumberman along on the hunt. "he knows this lake as well as i do, and between us we ought to find the _peacock_, sooner or later," said parsons. he had heard about the raft disaster on lake erie, and was pleased to be able to inform peterson that his friend bragin was safe. the tug, however, which had been towing the raft, was laid up in buffalo for repairs. at first dick thought to remain in detroit until his father's arrival, but then he realized that it would be best for one of them to remain on shore while the other went on the hunt on the lake. "we will sail at once," he said to his companions, but this could not be, since aleck had not yet provided all of the necessary provisions for the trip. while the colored man was completing his arrangements a newsboy came to dick with a note, running as follows: "if you want news of the _peacock_, and will promise not to harm me, come with the boy to the old grain elevator. the boy knows the place." dick read the note with interest, and then showed it to peterson. "perhaps it's a trap," said the lumberman. "i wouldn't go alone, if i were you." "i will go," answered dick, "but i wish you would follow me up on the quiet," and so it was arranged. when dick reached the place mentioned he found it practically deserted. "who gave you that note?" he asked of the newsboy. "a man. here he comes, now." the newcomer proved to be a lame man, who had in former years been a sailor. he lived in a shanty behind the grain elevator, and he came to dick with difficulty. "come into my shanty and i'll tell you what i know," said the lame man. "i'll not hurt you, so don't be afraid," and he hobbled off again. waving his hand to peterson, who was in the distance, dick followed the lame man and sat down on a bench in front of the shanty, the odd individual seating himself on a stool opposite. "want to find captain gus langless, eh?" said the lame man, closing one eye suggestively. "yes." "i read of the case in the papers. he's a bad un, eh?" "what do you know of the case?" demanded dick impatiently. he realized that he had a decidedly queer individual with whom to deal. "know everything; yes, sir, everything. jock pelly don't keep his ears open for nothing, not me. an' i said to myself when i read the papers, 'jock, you've learned something of value--you must sell the news,' says i to myself." "but what do you know?" "gettin' to that, sir; gettin' there fast, too. did you offer a reward of a hundred dollars?" "yes." "who's going to pay that amount? it's a pile of money, a hundred dollars is." "it will be paid, you can be easy on that point." "well, supposin' a man is lame and can't go after those rascals? what does he git for puttin' somebody on the track?" "if you put me on the right track, i'll give you fifty dollars." "dead certain?" "yes. now where has the _peacock_ gone to?" "needle point island," was the abrupt answer. "go there, an' you'll find the _peacock_ and her crew, sure." chapter xvi. off for needle point island. "needle point island?" repeated dick. "exactly, sir--needle point island. most of the lake pilots know it." "how far is it from here?" "about sixty miles." "and how do you know the _peacock_ has gone there?" "overheard captain langless talking about it, yes, sir--overheard him talking to a man named baxter and a man named grimsby--he as used to be a smuggler. langless used to be in with grimsby, although few know o' that. they talked a lot, but that wouldn't interest you. but the fact that they are goin' to needle point island interests you, eh?" "when did you hear this talk?" "the morning you escaped from the schooner, accordin' to the newspaper." "where did you hear it?" "up on the other side of the elevator. the men came out of one o' the saloons to talk it over." a long conversation followed, and dick became more than half convinced that what jock pelly had to relate was true. the man described the baxters clearly, showing that he had really seen the pair, and also described captain langless' appearance on the morning in question. "i will follow up this clew," dick said, when ready to depart. jock pelly caught the youth by the arm. "hold on!" "what do you want now?" "my reward. don't i get that fifty dollars?" "you do, if i catch the captain and his schooner." "that aint fair--i ought to have the money now." "i must prove what you have told me first you may be all wrong in your suppositions." jock pelly's face fell. "'taint fair--i ought to have the money now. maybe you won't ever come back." "don't alarm yourself, my man. if the information is of real value, you'll get paid for it. here is something on account." dick slipped a five-dollar bill into the old man's hand, at which jock pelly's face relaxed. a few minutes later the elder rover had joined luke peterson and was telling the lumberman what he had heard. "needle point island!" exclaimed peterson. "yes, i know the spot years ago it was a great hanging-out place for smugglers. but our government cleaned out the nest." "then it is likely that this man told the truth?" "i don't know as captain langless could find a better hiding place. the island is in the shape of a five-leaf clover, and the bays are all surrounded with tall trees and bushes, so that a vessel could be hidden there without half trying. besides that, the island is a rough one, full of caves and openings, and that would just suit a crowd holding those boys prisoners." when the pair reached the _rocket_ a consultation was held, and it was decided to start for needle point island on the following morning. jack parsons said it would take from five to six hours to reach the locality. now that dick had received what he thought was definite information, he was anxious to go to the island that had been mentioned, consequently the night proved a long and sleepless one to him. he awaited further news from his father, but none came. but information did come which disturbed him not a little. he was speaking to larry before retiring, and from one thing to another the conversation drifted around to mrs. stanhope, the widow who lived near putnam hall, and her pretty daughter dora. as old readers know dick was tremendously interested in pretty dora, and had done much to keep her from harm. "before i came on, i heard that the stanhopes had started on a trip for the lakes," said larry. "they left cedarville secretly, and i got the news quite by accident from frank harrington, who happened to see them off." "i knew they were going, sooner or later," replied dick. "mrs. stanhope was rather ill, as you know, and needed a change of some sort." "i was wondering if she didn't want to get out of the way of josiah crabtree, who is just out of prison," continued larry. "oh, but wasn't he a slick one for getting around the widow--when he learned she was holding all that money in trust for dora." "he's something of a hypnotist, larry--that is why dora fears him. she is afraid he will hypnotize her mother into doing something she will be sorry for afterward." "do you really suppose he has so much influence as that?" "he has when mrs. stanhope is not feeling well. the stronger she is, the less he seems to affect her. by the way, have you heard from old crabtree since he was let out of jail?" "yes; some of us boys met him at ithaca one saturday. we started to have a little fun with him, asking him why he didn't come back to the hall and ask captain putnam for another position, and how he liked live crabs in his bed. but he flew in a rage and threatened to have us all arrested if we didn't clear out, so we had to drop it. but i'll tell you one thing, dick; i'll wager crabtree's up to no good." "oh! he might possibly turn over a new leaf." "not he; it isn't in him. he was always a sneak, like baxter, only a bit more high-toned, outwardly." "i am anxious to know if he is aware where the stanhopes have gone to?" "i think he could find out if he tried hard. they made a mistake that they didn't go traveling before he got out of jail." "they couldn't go, on account of mrs. stanhope's health. she had a relapse just about the time crabtree's term was up. but he had better not bother them again, or--" "or what, dick? will you get after him again?" "i will if i can, and i'll send him to jail for the rest of his life." the _rocket_ was to sail at six in the morning, and long before that time dick and larry, with the others, were on board. jack parsons reached the tug at the last moment, having had some private business which required his attention. the day was fair, with a stiff breeze blowing, which was good for the _peacock_, as dick observed, if she was still sailing the waters of the lake. jack parsons knew needle point island as well as did luke peterson, and the former said he had stopped at the place only a few months before. "i thought it was deserted," he said. "the old cave the smugglers used to use was tumbled in and overgrown with brush." the run to port huron occurred without incident, and a little while later the _rocket_ was steaming merrily over the clear waters of lake huron. had it not been for his anxiety concerning his two brothers, dick would have enjoyed the scene very much. the _rocket_ was a fine tug, and cut the water like a thing of life. she carried a crew of five, all young and active fellows. this made the party eight, all told, and as dick and his friends were armed and the tug boasted of several pistols, a gun, and a small cannon, those on board felt themselves able to cope with the enemy, no matter what occurred. "we can't get there any too soon for me," said dick to luke peterson. "there is no telling how cruelly sam and tom are being treated, now that they made the attempt to run away." "i hope your father doesn't give the rascals any money before we have a chance to catch them," returned the lumberman. "i think he will wait to hear from me, after he reads the letter i left for him at detroit. he is as down on the baxters as i am." "when we come in sight of the island we'll have to move with caution," went on the lumberman. "if we don't, captain langless may lay low and give us the slip in the dark." "are there any other islands close to needle point?" "a dozen of them, and some with just as good hiding places, too. that's why the smugglers used to hang out in that locality. they are ideal places for smugglers' caves and the like, i can tell ye that," and luke peterson nodded his head sagaciously. at noon parsons announced that they were within three miles of needle point island. dinner was ready, but it must be confessed that dick was almost too excited to eat. half a dozen vessels had thus far been sighted, but not one which looked like the _peacock_. he was finishing up a hasty repast when a cry came from the deck. "needle point island is in sight!" announced the lookout, and a moment later he added: "a schooner bearing away to the bay on the east end!" "it must be the _peacock_!" ejaculated dick, and rushed to the deck to learn the truth. chapter xvii. a cave and a snake. "now we are in for it, sam. they won't give us a second chance to escape." a groan was the answer, coming from out of the darkness of the hold of the _peacock_. sam was too much stunned and bruised to reply to the words from his brother. the two boys had been hustled on board of the schooner with scant ceremony, and now they found themselves bound and handcuffed, so that it was next to impossible for either of them to move. hour after hour had passed, yet nobody had come near them. "i reckon they are going to starve us to death for what we did," went on tom, after a long pause. "if only i had a drink of water," came at last from his younger brother. "my mouth is as dry as a chip, and i seem to have a regular fever." "make the best of it, sam," returned tom soothingly. "this state of things can't last forever. if they--oh!" the schooner had suddenly tacked in the strong wind, and the bowling over of the empty craft had caused tom to take a long roll. he struck up against his brother, and the pair went sliding to the end of the hold, to hit a jug of water which had been left there in the darkness. "hurrah, some water!" cried tom, as some of the fluid splashed over his hand. but, alas! how were they to get at what was left of the contents of the jug, with their hands tied behind them? but time was no object, and at last they solved the problem. at first tom backed up to the jug and held it, though clumsily, for sam to drink, and then the youngest rover did the same for his brother. the water was warm and somewhat stale, yet both could remember nothing which had ever tasted sweeter to them. they drank about half of what the jug contained, then set the rest carefully away for future use. the _peacock_ was bowling along at a speed of seven or eight knots an hour, and the creaking of the blocks attested the fact that captain langless was making every effort to reach his destination as soon as possible. once the boys heard somebody at the forward hatchway, and presently the hatch was lifted for a few inches. "hope you are enjoying yourselves down there," came in the sarcastic tones of dan baxter. to this they made no answer, and the hatch was closed as quickly as it had been opened. "the brute," muttered tom. "i'd give a good deal to be able to punch his nose!" "he evidently thinks himself on top to stay," came from sam, who had propped himself up against an empty cask. "oh, if only we knew what had become of dick!" he went on. "dick must have escaped. i don't see how it could be otherwise." "but if he did, why didn't he notify the authorities?" "the _peacock_ must have given the river police the slip; that's the only answer i can make, sam." "but they could have telegraphed to different points." "well, i can't make it out, and we'll have to take what comes." "where do you suppose we are bound?" "i haven't the least idea." hour after hour went by, and still nobody came to them. it did, indeed, look as if they were to be starved to death. but just as sam was almost fainting for the want of food, the door to the cabin passageway was flung open, and captain langless appeared with a lantern, followed by arnold baxter, who carried a tray containing a plate of bread and two bowls of beef stew. "hungry, i'll wager," said the captain laconically. all the pleasantness he had previously exhibited had vanished. "you ought to be ashamed of yourselves to let us starve so long," replied tom, who never hesitated to speak his mind. "hi! don't talk that way, or you shall have nothing," cried arnold baxter. "we are masters, and you must understand it so." the captain set down the lantern and released the right hand of each of the prisoners. then the tray was set upon an upturned box, and they were told to eat what they wanted, the captain and arnold baxter sitting down to watch them. there was no use to "stand upon then dignity," as tom afterward expressed it, so they fell to without protest, and it must be confessed that the stew was just what their stomachs, in that weakened state, needed. it did not take long to get away with the larger portion of the bread and all of what the bowls contained. "you can thank your stars that you got meal," said arnold baxter. "you don't deserve it." "according to you, i suppose we don't deserve anything but abuse," replied tom. "but, never mind, arnold baxter; remember the old saying, 'he laughs best who laughs last.'" "i'm not here to listen to your back talk," growled arnold baxter. "come, captain, let us be going," and he arose. "you've brought this treatment on yourselves," said the captain, with a shrewd look into the boys' faces. "i was of a mind to treat you kindly before. you know that." "come," insisted arnold baxter, and caught the captain by the arm. "don't waste words on them. there will be time enough to talk when we reach the island." and then the two walked off, closing and locking the passageway door after them. "the island?" repeated sam. "then they intend to take us to some lonely island, tom!" "i wouldn't be surprised. i've noticed by the shafts of light coming through the cracks overhead that we are sailing northward. we must be in lake huron by this time." "one satisfaction, they left our right hands free," continued the youngest rover. "and i must say that stew just touched the spot." again the hours drifted slowly by. the boys had really lost all track of time. they dozed off and did not awaken until some time later. whether they had slept through a night or not they did not know. presently they heard the sails being lowered and an anchor go overboard. then a boat put off from the _peacock_, and for a while all became silent. "we must be close to some landing," was tom's comment. "perhaps it's the island old baxter mentioned." another half hour slipped by. then the door to the cabin was opened, and both baxters, captain langless, and the mate of the schooner appeared. "get up," ordered the captain, and when they arose he saw to it that their lower limbs were released, but that their hands were bound more tightly behind them than ever. "we are going ashore," said arnold baxter, "remember we want no treachery nor any attempt to run away. if you try either, somebody will get shot." with this caution they were marched into the cabin and then on deck. at first the strong light blinded them, but soon they became accustomed to this, and made out a small bay just ahead, surrounded by cedar trees and various bushes. back of the trees was a hill, and off to the southward a rocky elevation ending in a needle-like point. it was this elevation which gave to the island the name of needle point. by the indians of days gone by the island was called arrow head. a rowboat was in waiting beside the _peacock_, and into this the prisoners were placed. the captain of the schooner and the baxters also went along, and soon the rowboat had passed over the waters of the little bay and grounded on a bit of shelving beach. "now we'll go ashore," said captain langless, and glad enough for the change, tom and sam leaped upon the beach. the others followed, and tying up the boat, the master of the _peacock_ led the way through the trees and brush to the hill previously mentioned. here there was a slight path, winding in and out among a series of rocks. "where are you going to take us?" said tom. "you'll find out soon enough," returned arnold baxter. "march." "supposing i refuse?" "we'll knock you down and drag you along," put in dan baxter, anxious to say something. "you had better come along quietly," said captain langless. "to kick will only make you worse off." the march was resumed, and now they dove straight into the interior of the island, which was about a mile and a half long and half as wide. at some points the path was choked with weeds and trailing vines, and they progressed with difficulty. it must be admitted that tom and sam were very uneasy. they had felt that the authorities might follow the _peacock_, but how would anybody ever discover them in such a lonely place as this? but there was no help for it, and on they went until captain langless called a sudden halt. they had gained a cliff running out from one end of the hill. the rocks arose in a sheer wall, thirty or more feet in height. at the base were a spring and a small pool of water. to the left of the spring was a cave-like opening, partly choked with brushwood. "here we are," said the captain. "watch them." he moved toward the opening and soon had a portion of the brushwood torn aside. then he lit a lantern he had brought along and disappeared into the opening. he had scarcely passed from view when he let out a yell of fright. "a snake! look out for him!" the words just reached the ears of sam and tom when the reptile appeared. he was all of five feet long and as thick as a man's wrist. "a snake!" screamed dan baxter, and took to his heels without waiting to see what the creature might do. arnold baxter was less frightened, and snatching a pistol from his pocket, he took hasty aim and fired. but his aim was poor, and the bullet flew wide of its mark. the snake was a dangerous one, and very much shot, and came straight for tom and sam. an instant later the savage reptile was coiling itself around the youngest rover's left leg! chapter xviii. coffee for three. the situation was one which demanded instant action. the snake was a dangerous one, and very much aroused, and it might at any instant do sam great harm. the poor boy was speechless and motionless, for the reptile had caught his eye and held him as by a spell. it was tom who acted. heedless of the danger, he leaped forward and aimed a kick at the snake's head. the reptile was caught fairly and squarely, and the head went down with an angry hiss. then tom stepped upon it, but the snake squirmed loose and uttered another hiss, louder than before. "take him off! take him off!" screamed sam, now recovering his voice. "don't let him bite me." he would have caught the snake himself, and so would tom, but the hands of both were still tied behind them. by this time captain langless emerged from the cave, pulling out a pistol as he did so. arnold baxter had not offered to fire a second shot. now, he was out of danger himself, he did not seem to care what became of the rovers. crack! crack! it was the captain's weapon which spoke up, and the two shots, fired in rapid succession, did their work thoroughly. the first took the snake in the neck and the second in the head, and in a twinkle the long, slippery body unwound itself from sam's leg and began to turn and twist on the ground. "good for you!" gasped sam, when able to speak again. "ugh! what an ugly thing!" and he retreated to the opposite side of the pool, along with tom. "he was a nasty one," replied captain langless, as he coolly proceeded to reload his pistol. "i might have killed him in the cave, only the light was bad." "is he--he dead?" came from behind some rocks, and dan showed a white face and trembling form. "yes, he's dead," answered arnold baxter. "i came pretty close to hitting him," he went on, bound to say something for himself. "i--i thought there was a whole nest of them," continued dan. "if i had known there was only one, i would have stood my ground." "of course--you always were brave," answered tom sarcastically. "see here, tom rover, i don't want any of your back talk," howled the bully, his face turning red. "come, don't quarrel now," said captain langless, so sternly that dan subsided on the instant. "the question is, are there any more snakes in that cave?" "send dan in to investigate," suggested sam, with just the faintest touch of his old-time light-heartedness. "me?" ejaculated the individual mentioned. "not me! i wouldn't go in there for a million dollars!" "perhaps we had better find some other cave," said arnold baxter. "you said there were several around here." "this is as good as any," answered captain langless. "if you are afraid, i'll go in myself," and turning, he disappeared once more into the opening, lantern in one hand and pistol in the other. he was gone the best part of quarter of an hour, and came back covered with dust and dirt. "the old spot is pretty well choked up with rubbish," he said. "but there isn't a sign of another snake around, nor of any wild beasts. come," and he motioned sam and tom to follow him. "i don't think it fair that you should leave us helpless," said tom. "at least untie our hands and let us each get a good stick." "so you can fight us, eh?" cried arnold baxter. "we are not such fools." "you have your pistols," put in sam. "and what could we do on a lonely island and without a boat?" "the lads are right--it's not fair to leave them helpless when there may be other danger at hand," interposed the captain. "if i unloosen you, will you promise not to run away?" "the promise would not amount to anything!" sniffed dan. "we won't run away for the present," said tom honestly. "but you can't expect me to remain a prisoner here--not if i can help myself." the candor of the youth compelled captain langless to laugh, and, taking out a knife, he cut the ropes which bound the lads' hands. "you won't need sticks, i am sure of it," he said. "come, i will lead, and you"--nodding to the baxters--"can bring up the rear." no more was said, and in a minute more all were inside of the cave, which proved to be fifteen feet wide, about as high, and at least two hundred feet long. at the lower end were a turn and a narrow passageway leading to the darkness beyond. the ceiling was rough, and the lantern cast long, dancing shadows over it as they advanced. sam could not help but shiver, and tom looked unusually sober. that the cave had once been used as a rendezvous of some sort was plainly evident. at the back was a rude fireplace, with a narrow slit in the rocks overhead, through which the smoke might ascend. here were several half-burned logs of wood, and two tumble-down boxes which had evidently done duty as benches. on a stick stuck in a crack of the wall hung an old overcoat, now ready to fall apart from decay. "rather unwholesome, i admit," said the captain, with a glance at the others. "but a roaring fire in yonder chimney-place will soon alter things. and when i've had one of the men bring some blankets and stores from the _peacock_, it will be fairly comfortable." "do you mean to keep us here?" demanded tom. "we do," answered arnold baxter. "and you can thank your stars that you have not been taken to a worse place." "it's a jolly shame. why don't you kill us off at once, and be done with it?" "because you are worth more to us alive than dead." "we won't live long if you keep us here," put in sam. "it's enough to give a fellow the ague." "we will start a fire without delay," said the captain, and then, turning to arnold baxter, he continued: "can you find the way back to the ship?" "i think i can," returned the other. "years ago i was used to tramping the gold regions of the west." "then you had better go and tell the mate to bring along that stuff i mentioned before i left. you can easily carry the stuff between you. i'll build the fire and, with the aid of your son, watch the two prisoners." so it was arranged, although arnold baxter did not fancy the task of carrying stuff to be used for the rovers' comfort. he left his pistol with dan, who kept it in his hand, ready to shoot should sam or tom make the slightest movement toward getting away. as captain langless had said, the fire made the cave far more comfortable, taking away the feeling of dampness and lighting up all the nooks and corners. from a distance the boys heard a faint falling of water, and were told that it came from a spring hidden at the rear passageway. it was a good hour before arnold baxter returned, lugging a fair-sized bundle, and followed by the mate of the _peacock_ with an even greater load. they had several blankets and a basket of provisions, and likewise a few cooking utensils. "evidently out for a stay," muttered tom, as he looked at the things. "they are for your use," was captain langless' grim reply. "after this i reckon you'll cook for yourselves." "do you expect us to remain in this cave night and day?" "you'll remain whenever things look suspicious outside." "then you'll let us go out otherwise?" "if you behave yourselves." it was not long before tom and sam were left in the cave alone. the mate of the schooner was placed at the entrance on guard, armed with the captain's own pistol. then captain langless and the baxters withdrew, talking earnestly. tom and sam could not catch the drift of the conversation, although they heard the words "by mail" and "we must get the cash" used several times. "they are bound to make money out of this affair, if they can," remarked tom, when he and sam were alone once more. "i've a good mind to knock that mate down and take the pistol from him," said sam. "and get shot for your pains? besides, if we took away the pistol and put him out of the fight, what next? we haven't any boat to get away in." "yes, but i don't intend to remain here a prisoner forever." "no more do i, but we can do nothing just now. let us see what kind of a meal we can make out of the provisions brought to us." the prospect of a meal brightened up both lads, and they set to work with a will, and soon had coffee made. there were bread and butter and some canned beef and beans, and they ate heartily. the mate sniffed the coffee, and remarked that it seemed good. "have a cup," said tom cheerily. "no funny work, boy," and cadmus looked at the boys suspiciously. "no break like that you tried on me before." "no, i won't run, honor bright," answered tom, and then the mate took the coffee and drank it with much satisfaction. as he set down the cup he gazed fixedly at both tom and sam for several seconds. then he drew himself up as if he had come to some mental decision. "i've got a plan to propose," he said slowly. "do you want to listen or not?" "what sort of a plan?" asked both. "a plan to get you out of the clutches of captain langless and those baxters," was the answer, which filled tom and sam with deep and sudden interest. chapter xix. an astonishing discovery. "are you willing to help us to get away?" cried sam. "under certain circumstances i am," replied the mate of the schooner. "captain langless didn't treat me square after you got away from me, and andy cadmus aint the tar to forget such a thing in a hurry." "what are your conditions?" asked tom. "the conditions are two in number. in the first place, if i help you, will you promise, in case the plan falls through, that you will not tell captain langless what i did, but let him believe that you got away on your own hook?" "we'll promise that readily enough," answered tom, and sam nodded. "in the second place, if i get you away from them and see you to a place of safety, will you promise to help clear me in case those others are brought to trial?" "we will," came from both. "is that all you want?" continued tom. "almost. but there is one other condition i forgot to mention." "i know what that is," said sam. "it's money." "correct, lad. it's money. i'm a poor man, and what little i have is on board the _peacock_. your father is rich. if i help you, it ought to be worth something to him." "how much?" asked tom cautiously. "well, say a couple of hundred dollars. i won't ask for too much." "you shall have the money," answered tom quickly, "on condition you will aid us in bringing the baxters to justice." "then it's a bargain," and andy cadmus drew another long breath. "now for the details of our plan." the mate sat down on a stone at the mouth of the cave and filled a pipe with tobacco, lit it, and fell to smoking thoughtfully. "the details ought to be simple enough," said tom. "when you go back to the _peacock_ you can take one of the small boats, stock her with provisions, and then go off in her. then we can join you." "it won't work, unless you have a fight with whoever happens to be on guard here--and that may mean trouble for you. i have a better scheme." "what's that?" "to-night, when i'm on watch, i'll stock one of the small boats and take her to shore and hide her in the bushes. then, when i'm on guard again here, we can all cut sticks and take to the little boat." "will you carry out the plan to-night?" asked sam. "if i can." so it was arranged, and then the three talked over the details. cadmus said it was a good tern miles to the nearest point of the mainland, but that he was certain he could steer almost a straight course thither. a couple of hours later one of the sailors from the _peacock_ came up, all out of breath, and told the mate to return to the schooner with all speed. "the cap'n wants ye," he said, but would not explain why. "what's the trouble?" asked tom, when the sailor was on guard, but the newcomer refused to talk about the affair further than to say that he guessed cadmus would not be back to do additional sentinel duty. "if that's the case, our plan to escape is knocked in the head," whispered sam, as he and tom withdrew to the fire. "was ever there luck before!" "i move we try to escape without further delay," returned tom. he was in a reckless mood. "shall we tackle the guard?" "let us try a bit of strategy," and then the pair held a whispered consultation lasting several minutes. returning to the mouth of the cave tom took up his position at one side and sam on the other. talking of things in general at first, they gradually put the sailor in good humor, and then turned on the subject of snakes. "that was a bad snake we killed," said tom. "i sincerely hope there are no more around the cave." "snakes are ugly things," said the sailor, shaking his head vigorously. "ever see a sea serpent?" questioned sam. "no. i reckon there aint none on the lakes, like there are in the ocean. i've got a cousin sails the pacific. he's seen serpents lots o' times--on the shores of them far-off islands." "i don't believe a sea serpent is half as bad as a land snake," continued sam. "why, that snake was enough to give a fellow the jim-jams, he was so long and slimy, and had such a bad look in his blazing eyes. he wound right around my leg and was just going to strike, when-- my gracious! look at that snake behind you!" worked up over what sam was relating, and totally unconscious of the trick being played upon him, the sailor leaped up and turned around. as he did this, tom came up behind him swiftly and pinioned his arms to his side. then sam rushed in and caught hold of the gun. "hi, stop!" roared the sailor. "let go! this aint fair nohow!" "keep still, if you don't want to be shot," answered tom. and he continued to hold the fellow, while sam gave the gun a dexterous twist and got it loose. then the youngest rover aimed the weapon at the sailor's head. "up with your hands," he said, as coolly as he could, although his heart was pumping like mad. tom released his hold, and fearful of being shot, the sailor raised his hands as commanded. then tom picked up the ropes still lying near and proceeded to bind the sailor's legs together. the fellow wished to yell for help, but tom's stern glance kept him silent. "now what shall we do with him?" asked sam. "carry him into the cave," replied his brother. "somebody else from the schooner is bound to come, sooner or later, and release him." "i don't want to go in with them snakes," said the tar. "leave me out here." "there are no more snakes in there," said tom. "we'll place you close to the fire, so you'll be comfortable and in no danger of either snakes or wild beasts." with this the boys lugged the sailor into the cave. they wasted no time, for there was no telling when some others of their enemies might put in an appearance. "now which way?" asked sam, when the pair were again outside. "i wonder how big this island is?" "big enough for us to hide on, i imagine, sam. let us go in the opposite direction to which we came." they skirted the cliff and then plunged into the woods beyond. as they progressed tom cautioned his brother to keep to the rocks as much as possible, in order that the trail might be hidden. it was still hot, and before long the exertion of climbing the rocks and picking their way through the dense underbrush told upon them. coming to the top of a small hill, they halted. "let us climb into yonder tree and rest," said sam. "perhaps we can see the _peacock_ from that point." this seemed a good idea, and they moved to the very top of the tallest tree to be found. a grand view lay spread before their gaze. close upon every side was the thickly wooded island, sloping gradually down to the lake, and beyond, as far as eye could reach, was the rolling water, sparkling brightly in the sunlight. to the northward tom discovered a bit of greenery, which he rightly took for another island. but what interested them most was the appearance of a ship riding at anchor to the westward, in one of the several bays previously mentioned. it was a sailing vessel of fair size, carrying a single mast. "that's not the _peacock_!" ejaculated sam. "you're right!" cried tom. "she's a stranger. hurrah! perhaps dick has followed us up, after all!" "anyway, we ought to find friends on that ship, tom. let us get to her as soon as possible." "i'm willing. but i must rest a bit, i'm so dead tired." "i wish we could get those on the strange ship to make the baxters and captain langless prisoners." "perhaps we can. but it will be a good deal to get out of the clutches of the enemy, even if we can't do any more." feeling much elated over the discovery of the strange vessel, the boys rested for quarter of an hour, and then, descending to the ground, struck out rapidly once more through the woods and underbrush. as they proceeded tom carried his pistol in his hand, in case some wild animal might start up in their path, but nothing of the sort came to view. as they came closer to the shore they found that the ground was wet and boggy, and they had to pick their way with care. once sam went into the soil up to his ankles, and dragged himself out only with great difficulty. then they made a detour, coming out on the beach some distance below where the strange ship was anchored. halting behind a convenient bush, they surveyed the ship with interest. on the deck they discovered a man and a lady. the lady was sitting in an easy-chair, and the man stood by, leaning on a railing. both were talking earnestly. "well i never!" came from tom. "sam, do you recognize those two people?" "i do," was the answer. "josiah crabtree and mrs. stanhope! how in the world did they get here?" [illustration: halting behind a convenient bush they surveyed the ship with interest.] chapter xx. josiah crabtree's game. for the moment the boys were practically dumfounded. josiah crabtree and mrs. stanhope in this out-of-the-way place? what could it mean? "they are arguing about something," said tom, after a long pause. "hear how earnestly old crabtree is talking to her?" "i wonder if dora is with them." "i don't see anything of her." "what shall we do?" "i don't know--excepting to remain hidden until we learn how the land lays." the boys considered the situation for a while, and then, by turning back into the woods, managed to come up at a point still closer to the ship, which rested at anchor close to the trunk of a fallen tree. here they could hear the most of what was being said, and could also obtain a fair look at the side of mrs. stanhope's face. josiah crabtree's back was turned to them. they noticed that mrs. stanhope's face wore a peculiar, drawn expression, like that of one who is walking in his sleep. "i'll wager he's been hypnotizing her again," whispered tom. "oh, what a rascal he is! just as bad as the baxters, every bit!" "i do not, cannot, understand it all," the lady was saying. "i thought dora and i were to take this trip alone." "it will all be clear to you in a few days, pet," returned the ex-school-teacher soothingly. he had lately gotten to calling the lady "pet," although that was not her real name. "where is my child now? i do not wish to remain on board without her." "she will be back soon; do not worry." "i thought the trip would do me much good," continued the lady, with a deep sigh. "but i am more feeble than ever, and i cannot think as clearly as i would wish." "it may be that this lake air is too strong for you, pet. to-morrow we will take a run ashore. the village of nestwood is close at hand, and i dare say i can find very good accommodations for you there." "will dora be with me?" "perhaps." "i do not wish to go ashore without her. she always said we would be safe on the boat." "and you are safe." "but she didn't want me to--that is, she didn't expect you to be along." "she has changed her mind about that, pet. i had a long talk with her and proved to her that she had been mistaken in me, and that i was not as black as painted." "but they put you in jail." "all a mistake, as i told you before. it was the work of those rascally rover boys." "i like that," muttered tom. "isn't he a peach, though, for smoothing matters over?" "he has hypnotized her, beyond a doubt," returned sam. "she would never believe him otherwise." "and what did dora say?" went on mrs. stanhope, after a pause, during which josiah crabtree took a turn up and down the deck. "she is perfectly willing that we should marry, but under one condition." "and what is that?" "i hardly dare to tell you--it is so peculiar. she doesn't wish to be present at the ceremony." "not present?" "no. she says it would not be right. that she very foolishly made a vow never to be present should you marry again, and that she must keep that vow. she feels her position keenly, but she won't break her vow." such a statement would have aroused any ordinary woman, but mrs. stanhope appeared to be completely in josiah crabtree's power, and all she did now was to draw a long sigh and then wipe away a tear which stole down her pallid face. "i do not think it right that i should marry without dora being present." "pooh! if the girl wishes to remain away, let her do so. she will soon come to her senses and be glad of the way matters have turned." "you do not know dora. she is very--very headstrong at times." "yes, i do know her, pet. she is headstrong, and greatly influenced by those rover boys--especially by dick rover, who seems to be--ahem--somewhat smitten with her." "dick always impressed me as being a good youth." "good? he is anything but that. why, if it wasn't for the rovers, i would now have the finest boarding school for boys on cayuga lake. they spoiled all the plans i ever made. but they shall do so no longer. they cross my path again at their peril!" "the tragic old fraud!" whispered tom. "i've a good mind to face him just where he stands." "go slow! we dun't know who is on board of that ship." "evidently friends to crabtree, or they wouldn't let him hypnotize dora's mother." "where can dora be?" "that remains to be found out." "i wonder where that ship hails from?" "one of the lake towns. she is an old vessel. there is the name--_wellington_. that sounds as if she might be a canadian." "perhaps crabtree got both of them into canada and then cast dora adrift." there was now a stir on the ship, and a fat old sailor came on deck. "how long you say we stay in dees island, hey?" he asked, in a strong french-canadian accent. "we will sail as soon as the sun goes down," answered josiah crabtree. "i no lak to stay here," went on the sailor, "you no pay for to stay here." "i will pay you for your full time," answered the ex-school-teacher smoothly. "do not worry on that account." "you go on de land, hey?" "i think not. we shall set sail for nestwood, as i told you before." "is dora at nestwood?" questioned mrs. stanhope. "i expect to meet her there. but she may not show up until after the wedding, my dear." "it is very, very strange," and mrs. stanhope sighed again. the fat old sailor now went below again, and after a few words more with mrs. stanhope josiah crabtree followed. "now is our chance!" whispered tom. "you stay here and i'll try to have a talk with mrs. stanhope in secret." so speaking, tom crawled out upon the fallen tree trunk until he could reach a rope hanging over the _wellington's_ side. then he drew himself up silently. "oh!" cried mrs. stanhope, on catching sight of him. "is it really you, tom rover?" "hush, mrs. stanhope! not so loud," he replied hastily. "i don't want to let josiah crabtree know i am here." "but where did you come from?" "from the island. it's a long story. i am here with sam." "it is very strange. but many things of late have been strange." "may i ask how you happen to be here?" "that, too, is a long story. i was to take a trip with dora, for the benefit of my health. but, on the way to the lakes dora disappeared and mr. crabtree turned up in her place--and he has been with me ever since." "he wants to marry you, doesn't he?" "yes, he has always wished that, as you know." "i wouldn't do it. he is after your money, and that is all. he is a fraud, and everybody knows it." mrs. stanhope passed her hand over her brow. tom's blunt words did much to counteract josiah crabtree's strange influence over her. "your words impress me deeply," she faltered. "dora talks that way, too. but--but--mr. crabtree, when he is with me, makes me think so differently." she tried to get up, then sank back in her seat. "and i am so weak physically!" "don't alarm yourself, mrs. stanhope. if you need a friend, i'll stand by you--and so will sam." "where is dick? you boys are always together." "i don't know where he is at present. we were carried off by the baxters, who are not far off." "the baxters! oh, i am afraid of those people--more afraid than i ever was of mr. crabtree." "they are certainly more daring, but no worse morally than crabtree." tom ran his hand through his curly hair in perplexity. "who is aboard of this boat?" "mr. crabtree and myself, two sailors, and one of the sailors' wives, who has been waiting on me." "not a very large crowd." "mr. crabtree said he did not wish too many along." "how long have you been here on the lake?" "several days. i did not wish to go, but, but----" "he has an influence over you?" "yes, a strange influence i cannot understand. oh, i am so wretched!" and the lady suddenly burst into tears. "don't, please don't!" said tom, all sympathy at once. "it's crabtree's work, and he shan't harm you. i'll see you safe back to dora and home." "will you?" she demanded eagerly. "i do not wish to marry unless dora is pleased. she said----" mrs. stanhope got no further, for at that instant josiah crabtree reappeared on deck. his astonishment at seeing tom can better be imagined than described. chapter xxi. tom brings one enemy to terms. "am i dreaming?" gasped the former school-teacher, when he could command his voice sufficiently to speak. "you might better be dreaming, josiah crabtree," replied tom, eying the man sharply. "this is a bad business you are engaged in." "where did you come from?" "none of your business." "don't be impertinent, young man." "then don't try to pry into my private affairs." "have you been following this boat?" questioned crabtree nervously. "never mind what i've been doing. i have found you out, and that appears to be a good job done." "found me out? what do you mean to insinuate by that?" "i mean that you are up to no good; that's what i mean, mr. josiah crabtree, a. m." "you are very, very----" "don't try to abuse me, it won't work. i want to know what you propose to do with mrs. stanhope." "that is my affair--or, rather, it is the affair of that lady and myself--and does not concern such a scamp as you." "oh, josiah! i do not think tom is a scamp," broke in mrs. stanhope, in a pleading voice. "he is a scamp, and worse, pet. allow me to deal with him alone." "so you thought to elope with mrs. stanhope," went on tom sarcastically. "to elope without dora being the wiser." "ha! what do you know of dora!" ejaculated the man, starting back in alarm. "i know a good deal." "has she--ahem! followed me?" "would that surprise you?" "it is--er--very extraordinary." crabtree cleared his throat. "i--that is--where is she now?" and he looked around. "i told you i wasn't answering questions. but you had better take my advice and go slow, or you'll soon find yourself in jail again." "you must have followed us in a boat. where is your craft?" "another question which i am not answering. do you surrender?" "surrender?" "that is what i said." "i--er--don't understand." "the case is very simple. you ran off with mrs. stanhope, influencing her against her will to accompany you. your game is to marry her so that you can get hold of the money she is holding in trust for dora----" "it is false!" "it is the plain truth. josiah crabtree, you are a trickster of the first water, but if i can prevent your trickery i am going to do it." tom turned to mrs. stanhope, who was now crying violently. "won't you go below and let me have it out with this man?" "oh, i trust there will be no violence!" she sobbed. "i shall teach this young upstart a lesson," fumed josiah crabtree. he saw that tom's coming had greatly lessened his influence over the lady. "please go below, mrs. stanhope, and don't worry about me," said tom. "yes, it will be best," added crabtree, and then the lady disappeared down the companion way, walking slowly, for she felt weaker than ever, because of the excitement. "now, sir, we will come to an understanding," said the former teacher of putnam hall, as he faced tom with a show of severe dignity. "very well, we will come to an understanding." "you have followed me to here." "granted." "you came in another boat with dora." "what if i did? do you suppose i would come with her alone?" went on tom, struck with a sudden idea. "do you mean to say you have--er--brought along any of the--ahem!--authorities?" and josiah crabtree glanced around nervously. "i am not alone--nor is dora where you can do her any harm." josiah crabtree's face became a trifle pale. "boy, what do you wish to do--ruin me?" "mr. crabtree, you are ruining yourself." "you were the means of putting me in jail before--you and your brothers." "you deserved it, didn't you?" "no." "i think you did. but that has nothing to do with the present situation. i want to know if you are willing to come to terms or not?" "what--er--terms do you want me to make?" "are you in control of this boat?' "i am." "then, in the first place, you must turn the control of the boat over to me." "and after that?" "you can remain on board, if you behave yourself, until we reach the mainland." "and what then?" "after that you can make your own terms with mrs. stanhope and dora." "but the authorities--" "mr. crabtree, for the sake of the stanhopes we wish to avoid all publicity," replied tom, playing his game as skillfully as possible. "i don't think they will want to bring you and themselves into court, if you will promise to leave them alone in the future." "who is with you here?" and crabtree looked ashore anxiously. "sam is close at hand." "and the others?" "never mind about the others. i hold a winning hand, but what that is i'll let time show. now, for the last time, are you willing to let me take charge or not?" "it is a very unusual proceeding." "say yes or no." "what shall i say? i do not wish any trouble." "then i am going to take charge. call up the two sailors who have been running this boat for you." with a dark look on his face josiah crabtree did as requested. at the same time tom beckoned to sam to come on the deck. the sailors were much astonished to see the two strangers. only the fat tar could speak english, and he translated what was said into french for his companion's benefit. it was with very bad grace that josiah crabtree told the sailor who commanded the _wellington_ that tom would now direct the movements of the vessel. "we have--er--decided to change our plans," said the former school-teacher. "what you lak to do den, hey?" demanded the fat sailor. "what is the nearest american town to here?" asked tom. "ze nearest place?" "yes." "buryport." "and how far is that from here?" "ten or eleven miles." "then we will sail for that place, and at once." at this crabtree looked surprised. "you are going to buryport at once? what about the others you said were with you?" "i will answer no questions." tom turned around and winked at sam, who had heard the previous conversation. "i guess they'll follow right enough, eh?" "sure," answered sam. "dick knows what he's doing, and so does that detective." "a detective!" groaned josiah crabtree. "has it come to this!" and he wrung his hands nervously. "mr. crabtree, i must ask you to step forward," went on tom. "i do not wish you to go below." "why?" "i do not wish you to worry mrs. stanhope," answered the youth. but what he was afraid of was that crabtree might take it into his head to arm himself and bring on further trouble. "as you please," answered the former teacher, with a shrug of his shoulders. "you seem to have matters well in hand." and he strode forward, biting his lip in vexation. he would have tried to escape to the island, only he was afraid no one would ever come to rescue him. while speaking, tom had taken the pains to display the pistol taken from the sailor at the cave. sam now took up a short iron bar lying near, and both boys showed that they meant to remain masters of the situation. the canadians noted this, but said nothing, for they felt something was wrong and they wished to get into no trouble. a few minutes later the anchor was brought up, the sails hoisted, and the _wellington_ stood away from needle point island. chapter xxii. the secret of the island cave. it is now time that we go back to the _rocket_ and see how dick and those with him were faring. at the announcement that a schooner looking like the _peacock_ was in sight he ran on deck with all speed, and caught up a glass belonging to the owner of the steam tug. "it's the _peacock_, sure," he cried. "see anything o' that captain langless or them baxters?" asked luke peterson. "i see somebody, but we are too far off to make out their faces." the order was passed to the engineer of the tug, and the speed of the craft was materially increased. but before they could come up to the schooner she disappeared around a headland of the island. "we must run out a bit," said captain parsons. "there is a nasty reef here, and if we aint careful we'll get aground." "where do you suppose the _peacock_ has gone?" asked dick. "into one of the bays, most likely." "can we follow her?" "of coarse. the tug doesn't draw any more water than the schooner, if as much." "perhaps we had better see how the land lays before we approach too close," suggested peterson. "they may be prepared to fight us off." "that is true," said dick. "perhaps we can slip into another bay close by." so it was arranged, and they sped on their way, passing the bay in which the _peacock_ lay. near the island was a quantity of driftwood, and they had just gotten out of sight of the bay when there was a sudden grinding and crashing sound on board of the tug, and the engineer shut off the steam power. "a breakdown!" exclaimed the captain, and so it proved. the screw had become entangled in the limb of a tree, and sufficient damage had been done to render the screw useless. this was indeed an unlooked-for accident, and dick wondered what they had best do. "we can't use the screw at all?" he asked of the engineer, after an examination. "not until i have had a chance to repair it." "and how long will the repairs take?" "can't tell till i get at work. maybe an hour or two, maybe half a day." this was dismaying information, and dick held a consultation with larry colby and luke. "i know what i'd do," said larry. "i'd have the captain of the tug land me at some point above here, and then i'd watch the _peacock_ from behind some bushes on shore." this was considered good advice, and dick agreed to act upon it. he spoke to parsons, and a small boat was put out, and dick, larry, and peterson were rowed to land. "now what will you do with the tug?" asked the eldest rover. "we'll haul her in to a safe spot," answered parsons. "i don't believe those repairs will take over a couple of hours. then we'll be at your service again." once on land dick led the way into the woods, moving in the direction of the bay where he had last seen the _peacock_. he was armed, and so were his companions, but they wished, if possible, to avoid all trouble. they had landed at a spot where the rocks were numerous and the ground uncertain, and they had not proceeded far when luke peterson called a halt. "we want to be careful here," he said. "this island is full of caves and pitfalls and, before you know it, you'll break a leg." "it is certainly an ideal hiding place," returned larry. "hi, dick! what's that?" "what's what?" "i thought i saw somebody in the brush yonder." dick shook his head. "i saw nothing." "neither did i," put in the lumberman. "who did it look like?" "perhaps i was mistaken and it was a bird flitting through the brush. come on." larry plunged ahead and dick followed. both had hardly taken a dozen steps when each gave a yell. "what's up now?" cried peterson, and came after them at a bound. then all tried to scramble back. it was too late. they had struck a tiny water-course between the rocks. and now the very bottom of it seemed to drop out, and they sank down and down into almost utter darkness. "we are lost!" spluttered dick, but it is doubtful if either of his companions heard him. for the minute after dick was so dazed and bewildered that he said nothing more. he clutched at rocks, dirt, and tree roots, but all gave way at his touch. at last he found himself flat on his back on a heap of dead leaves and moss. partly across him lay larry, while peterson was several feet away. around the three lay dirt and bushes and several good-sized stones. it was lucky the stones had not come down on top of them, otherwise one or another might have been killed. "gosh, what a tumble!" ejaculated peterson, when he could speak. "i told ye to be careful. this island is like a reg'lar honeycomb fer holes." "oh, my foot!" gasped larry, as he tried to get up. "that was a tumble and no mistake," said dick. "what's the matter with your foot, larry?" "i don't know, excepting i must have sprained my ankle," was the answer. "oh!" and larry gave a loud groan. forgetful of their situation, dick and the lumberman bent over larry and helped him to get off his shoe and sock. his ankle was beginning to swell and turn red, and he had sprained it beyond a doubt. the water was coming into the opening from the little stream overhead, and dick readily procured a hatful of the fluid and the ankle was bathed with this. after this it was bound up, and larry said it felt somewhat better. "but i can't walk very far on it," he continued, and then added, with a sorry smile, "i am laid up, just as the _rocket_ is!" "the question is, now we are down at the bottom of this hole, how are we going to get out?" said dick to peterson. "we'll have to get out some way," was the unsatisfactory response. "see, the water is coming in faster than ever." the lumberman was right, the water had been running in a tiny stream not larger than a child's wrist; now it was pouring in steadily like a cataract. soon the bottom of the hole had formed a pool several inches deep. "wait till it fills up and then swim out," suggested larry. "no, thanks," returned dick. "we might be drowned by that operation." the hole was irregular in shape, about ten feet in diameter and fully twenty feet deep. what had caused the sudden sinking was a mystery until it was solved by the water in the pool suddenly dropping away into another hole still deeper. then of a sudden the trio went down again, this time at an angle, to find themselves in a good-sized cave, where all was dark and uncertain. the tumble had wrenched larry's ankle still more, and the youth could not suppress his groans of pain. as soon as he was able peterson leaped up, struck a match, and lit some brushwood which happened to be near and which the water had not yet touched. by this light larry's ankle was again attended to and bound up in a couple of handkerchiefs. "if we keep on we'll get to the center of the earth," remarked dick, as he gazed around curiously. "where do you suppose we are now?" "in one of the island caves," answered peterson. "i told you the place was full of them. that's the reason the smugglers used to hold out here." "perhaps we'll come across some of their treasures." at this peterson shook his head. "not likely. when the last of the smugglers was arrested the government detectives searched the island thoroughly and gathered in all to be found." "i see. well, how are we to get out, now we are down here?" "we might climb back, rover, the way we came, but that is dangerous on account of the water. i rather think we'll do better to look for the regular opening to the cave, if there is any." the matter was talked over for several minutes, and it was decided that dick and peterson should investigate, while larry remained by the fire, keeping it as bright as possible and resting his sore ankle. at a short distance ahead the cave branched into two parts, and coming to the forks, dick took the right while peterson moved to the left. dick carried a torch, which he held overhead, and likewise a pistol, in case any snake or wild animal should attack him. the youth had not proceeded far before he came upon signs which showed that the cave at one time had been inhabited by human beings. first he espied a part of an old bag, then a weather-beaten sailor's cap, and soon after a rusty pistol, falling apart for the want of care. "this must have been a smugglers' retreat sure," he murmured to himself. "my, if i should stumble across a box of gold!" he hurried forward and presently reached a spot where the cave broadened out into a round chamber. here there were a rude table and several benches, all ready to fall apart from decay. with quick steps he approached the table, for he had seen something lying upon it--something which made him start and give a cry of wonder. in the center of the table was a heap of silver dollars, and beside this was a land map, drawn by hand. on the map lay a rusty dagger and a human skull! chapter xxiii. the baxters are followed. "well, i never!" dick gazed at the silver, the map, the daggers and the skull with mingled surprise and horror. how had those things come there, and what was the mystery concerning them? coming closer, he picked up several of the dollars and examined them. all were dated thirty to forty years back. then he picked up the dagger, a beautiful affair of polished steel with a curiously wrought handle of buckhorn. the skull he left untouched. the map was covered with dust, some of which he endeavored to blow away. beneath he saw that there were odd tracings of many kinds, and lettering's in a language which was strange to him. then his light began to go out and he shouted for peterson to join him. the sound echoed and re-echoed throughout the cavern, showing that the place was even more roomy than he had anticipated. he waited several minutes, then saw peterson's light. "what's up?" demanded the lumberman as he approached. "find anything important?" "i should say so," answered dick. "look there." peterson did so, then gave a cry of astonishment. "silver, lad, silver! and a skull!" "there is some story hidden in this affair," said dick soberly. "can you explain it?" "i cannot." peterson picked up the dagger. "that's a french weapon." "but the dollars are u. s. money." "right. it is a mystery and no error. how much money is there here?" the two counted the pile and found it footed up to two hundred and forty dollars. "not a fortune, but still a tidy sum," said peterson. to a man in his standing two hundred and forty dollars was quite an amount. "a fair share of it is yours," said dick. "let us investigate some more." the lumberman was willing, and lighting a fresh torch, they moved around the circular chamber. at one point they saw an opening leading into a second chamber. here were a number of boxes and casks, all covered with dust and dirt, the accumulation of years. prying open one of the boxes which was handy, they discovered that it contained canned vegetables. a second box contained dress goods, and a third some candles. a cask close at hand was marked "cognac." "this was a regular smugglers' hangout," said peterson. "those boxes must contain stuff of some value. rover, we have made a haul by coming here." "yes, but i am forgetting all about my brothers," added dick hastily. "let us leave this alone for the present. i guess it is safe enough." "no doubt, since it has rested undisturbed so many years." they left the storeroom, as it may properly be termed, and returned to the circular chamber. at first they could find no further opening, but then dick saw a thin shaft of light coming from a corner. here there was a flat rock which was easily pulled aside. a broad opening led upward to the outer world. "safe, so far as getting out is concerned," remarked peterson. "all told, i reckon we had quite a lucky tumble, after all." "if larry's ankle isn't too bad." they hurried back to where larry had been left, and found him still nursing his ankle, which had swollen to the size of his knee. he tried to stand upon it, but the pain was so great he was glad enough to sit down again. he listened in open-mouthed wonder to what dick had to tell. "a treasure cave!" he cried. "who would have dreamed of such a thing on lake huron!" now that larry could not move, the others were in a quandary as to what to do. dick was impatient to be after the _peacock_. "the folks on the schooner may take it into their heads to sail away, if they caught sight of the steam tug," he said. "and if they give us the slip i won't know where to look for them." "i guess i'll be safe if left alone," said larry. "i have water and the fire, and my pistol. you go ahead, and come back for me when it is convenient. only don't leave the island without me." "leave without you? not much!" answered dick. "you forget the treasure," put in peterson, with a laugh. "we are not going to let that slip." "that's so," said larry. "all right; i'll remain as the guardian of the treasure." and so it was arranged. it was no easy matter to gain the outer air once more, for the passageway was choked with dirt and brushwood which the wind had blown in. when they came into the open they found themselves close to the lake shore at a spot surrounded thickly with trees. "a fine cove for a smuggler to hide in," observed peterson. "no wonder they made this cave their rendezvous." "where is the bay in which the _peacock_ disappeared?" "to the westward, rover. come, i'll show the way." "be careful that we don't get into another trap." "i've got my eyes open," responded the lumberman. on they went once more, over the rocks and through a tangle of brushwood. it was now almost dark, and dick was beginning to think they would lose their way when peterson called a sudden halt. "here we are," he whispered and pointed ahead. there, through the trees, could be seen the waters of the tiny bay, and there lay the _peacock_ at anchor. only one man was on deck, a sailor dick had seen several times. otherwise the craft appeared deserted. "do you suppose the baxters and the others have gone ashore?" asked dick. "no telling yet, lad. let us watch out for a while." they sat down and watched until the darkness of night began to hide the _peacock_ from view. at last they saw arnold baxter come on deck, followed by dan. the two entered a rowboat and a sailor took them ashore. they had scarcely landed when captain langless appeared, coming along a pathway but a few yards from where dick and the lumberman were in hiding. at once a wordy war ensued between the baxters and the owner of the schooner. what it was about dick and peterson could not make out, although they realized that it concerned tom and sam. "your men are a set of doughheads," cried arnold baxter. "they are to be trusted with nothing." "never mind, we'll come out ahead anyway," retorted captain langless. "i reckon you've been tripped up yourself before this." "i warned you to be careful." "it wasn't my fault." "what's to do now?" put in dan baxter. "shall we stay on the island, dad?" "certainly," grumbled arnold baxter. "but i don't know exactly what to do," and the man scratched his head in perplexity. "let us go up to the cave." "that won't do you any good," growled captain langless. "i know what i am going to do." "what?" "i'm going to sail around the island and find out if any other boat is near. i don't want those boys to signal another boat." "a good idea," said arnold baxter. "but dan and i can remain on shore anyway." "just as you please," and captain langless shrugged his shoulders. the rowboat was still at the shore, and the captain returned to the _peacock_ with the member of his crew, leaving the baxters to themselves. dick nudged peterson in the side. "can it be possible that tom and sam have escaped?" he whispered. "it looks that way," answered the lumberman. "anyway, something is very much wrong or these rascals wouldn't fall out with each other." "hadn't we better watch the baxters?" "i think so. the _peacock_ will not go far, i'm pretty sure of that." the baxters now passed along the footpath leading to the cave in which tom and sam had been placed. noiselessly dick and peterson followed. as dick advanced he drew his pistol. quarter of a mile was covered and they were close to the cave, when arnold baxter suddenly halted. "dan, supposing captain langless doesn't come back," he exclaimed, loud enough for dick and his companion to hear. "doesn't come back!" ejaculated the bully. "why, he's got to come back." "no, he hasn't." "but i don't understand----" "you know well enough that the rovers tried to bribe the captain." "yes, but they ran away----" "perhaps it's only a bluff, dan. the boys may have been taken to another part of the island, from which langless can transfer them to the schooner later." "what, and desert us!" groaned the bully. "yes, and desert us. i think we were foolish to leave the _peacock_ without taking the captain or cadmus along. i won't trust any of them any longer." "well, what shall we do, dad; go back?" "it's too late now. the _peacock_ has gotten under way long ago." "well, let us try to get on the track of the two boys. perhaps we can follow them up from the cave. if all of the footsteps point this way we'll know the captain has been deceiving us." again the baxters moved on, and so did dick and peterson. the way was rough and made dan grumble a good deal. "we ought to have kept this game all in our own hands from the start," said the former bully of putnam hall. "we made a rank mistake to take captain langless into our confidence." "i won't care if only we make anderson rover pony up that money," answered the father. "i'm afraid the mine scheme will have to fall through." "what did you strike him for in cash?" "ten thousand dollars." "you ought to have made it fifty." "i wanted to get ten first and double that afterward. if i struck him too high first i was afraid he wouldn't try to meet me, but put the detectives on the track without delay." chapter xxiv. an encounter in the dark. a little while later the baxters reached the cave where tom and sam had been held prisoners. the sailor who had been left bound had long since been released, so the place was deserted. "look out for snakes," said dan. "we had better light torches." this was done, for it was now dark under the trees. hiding in a thicket, dick and peterson saw the baxters enter the cave. the pair remained inside for fully quarter of an hour, and came out looking much disappointed. with torches close to the ground they searched for sam and tom's trail. "here are footprints!" exclaimed arnold baxter, at last. "they are not made by men, either." "they must be the boys'," answered dan. "come on, let us follow." "it is very dark, dan. i'm afraid we'll have to wait until morning." nevertheless, the pair passed on, and again dick and peterson came behind. hardly three rods had been passed when dan baxter let out a cry as some small wild animal dashed across the trail. the bully turned to run, and discovered dick ere the latter could hide. "dick rover!" he gasped. "rover!" cried arnold baxter. "what are you talking about, dan?" "here is dick rover! and that lumber fellow is with him." "impossible! why, rover, where did you come from?" and arnold baxter came up, hardly believing his eyes. "we were following you, arnold baxter," answered dick quietly. "for what?" "to see what you were going to do next?" "have you found sam and tom?" questioned dan quickly. "dan, be still!" thundered his father. "you are always putting your foot into it." "i reckon you chaps are fairly caught," put in luke peterson. "caught?" came from both, in a breath. "yes, caught," said dick. "we did not follow you for nothing." "perhaps you are the ones who are caught," said arnold baxter, with a sickly smile. "hardly," and dick showed his pistol. "we are well armed, arnold baxter, and will stand no fooling." "we are armed, too--" began dan, but his parent stopped him. "of course you came to this island on a boat of some sort," went on the elder baxter. "how else could we come? the mainland is miles away." "where is your boat?" "not far off, and well manned, too," added dick. "we came not alone to capture you, but also the _peacock_ and all on board." at this announcement the faces of the baxters fell, and dan actually trembled. "where is your boat?" repeated arnold baxter. "as i just told you, not far off. the question is, will you submit quietly, or must i summon help?" "submit to what?" "submit to being taken to our boat." "you have no right to make me go to your boat." "i'll be hanged if i'll go," growled dan. "and you may be shot if you don't go," answered dick significantly. "i know you well, and i shall take no further chances with you. now will you go or not?" "i suppose, if we don't go, you'll bring some officers here to compel us to do as you wish." "exactly." "you may as well give in," said peterson. "this island is not large, and even if you try to run away you'll be found, sooner or later. the _peacock_ is probably already captured, and those on our boat will see that no other boat comes near here until we have you safe on board. the jig is up." "i won't give in!" cried arnold baxter. "come, dan!" he caught his son by the arm, and both turned and sped into the nearest brush. it was dark, the torches having died low, and before dick could shoot, even if he wished to do so, the pair of rascals were out of sight. "stop!" said dick to peterson, who was for following them up. "we can do nothing in the darkness. let them go. to-morrow is another day. let us return to the _rocket_ and take steps to capture the _peacock_." "yes, and we must get back to larry," said the lumberman. it was no easy matter to find their way back to the treasure cave, and they missed the direction half a dozen times. when they did get back it was so gloomy in the bushes that they had to call out to larry, in order to locate him. "gracious! i was afraid you would never come back," said the youth. "we've had quite an adventure," replied dick, and related the particulars. larry's ankle was somewhat better, and by leaning on both dick and peterson he managed to hobble along to where the _rocket's_ small boat had landed them. the steam tug was close at hand, and they were soon on board. "is the screw repaired?" was dick's first question. "not quite, but it will be inside of half an hour," answered jack parsons. "have you seen anything of the _peacock_? she is sailing around the island." "no, haven't seen any sail since you left. we--" a cry from the lookout interrupted the captain. "here comes the _peacock_!" the report was true, and all crowded forward to catch sight of the schooner in the darkness. the stars made it fairly light on the water and, as the schooner came up close to the steam tug, dick made out several figures on board. "ahoy, what tug is that?" came from the schooner. "the _rocket_" answered parsons. "what schooner is that?" to this there was no answer. "what are you doing here?" asked captain langless instead. "we are in trouble," returned parsons, after whispering with dick. "what's up?" "we've had a breakdown." "seen anybody from the island?" "why, we thought this island was deserted." "so it is." "come up closer and give us a lift." "can't, we are behind time now." then, without warning, a bengal light was lit on board of the schooner. a large reflector was placed behind the light, which was thus cast on the deck of the _rocket_. at once dick, peterson, and the others were exposed to the gaze of captain langless. "ha! i suspected as much!" roared the master of the schooner. "sheer off, wimble, or the game is up!" the helm of the _peacock_ was at once thrown over, and she began to move off. a stiff breeze caused her to make rapid progress. "stop!" cried dick. "stop, or we will fire on you!" he had scarcely spoken when the report of a pistol rang out and a bullet cut through the air over his head. "let that be a warning to you to leave us alone!" cried captain langless. then the schooner increased her speed, the flare from the bengal light died out, and soon the _peacock_ was lost to view in the darkness. chapter xxv. beaching the "wellington" "how is this for a turn of fortune?" remarked tom, as he and sam stood on the deck of the _wellington_ and watched the shore of needle point island fading from view in the distance. "it's all right, if only we can make those canadians obey us," replied the youngest of the rovers. "they don't seem to like matters much. they look dark and distrustful." "i don't think they'll make trouble, sam." "josiah crabtree seems thoroughly cowed." "don't trust him. he is worse than a snake in the grass and he hates us worse than poison." the two paced the deck thoughtfully. mrs. stanhope was still in the cabin, in the company of one of the sailors' wives, while the former teacher of putnam hall also kept out of sight. "this seems an old tub of a boat," went on tom, a few minutes later. "i wonder that crabtree didn't hire something better. she just crawls along, and no more." "probably he got the boat cheap. he always was the one to go in for cheap things." and in his surmise the lad was correct. it was not long before one of the canadians took hold of a hand-pump near the bow of the boat and began to pump the water out of the hold. "hullo, your old tub leaks, eh?" said tom. "yees, heem leak some," answered the fat canadian. "heem want some what-you-call-heem, tar; hey?" and he smiled broadly. "any danger of sinking?" at this the canadian shook his head. then he went to pumping at a faster rate than ever. "i believe he is afraid," said tom to sam. "she must leak fearfully, or he wouldn't pump up so much water." "well, the journey to the mainland won't last forever--that's one satisfaction, tom. i reckon the tub is good for that much of a run. i don't care what becomes of her after we are ashore." "nor i. she can sink if she wishes, with crabtree on board, too." "sink!" cried a voice behind them. "is there danger of the ship going down? i noticed that she was leaking yesterday." it was josiah crabtree who spoke. he had just come up and he was very pale. "i guess she'll keep up a few minutes longer," said tom soberly. "a few minutes! oh, dear! if we did sink what would become of us?" "why, if we did sink we'd sink, that's all." "i mean, if the ship sunk what would we do?" "you might wade ashore, if your legs are long enough." "but this is no joking matter, thomas. the lake is very deep out here." "then you had better find a life-preserver." josiah crabtree gave something of a groan and moved away. he did not know whether tom was poking fun at him or not. yet he did search for a preserver--and in doing that he was wiser than the boys had anticipated. presently the wind veered around and the yards came over with a bang. the _wellington_ gave a lurch, and there was a strange creaking and cracking far below the deck. the canadian pumped more madly than ever, and shouted to his companion in french. "is she leaking worse?" asked tom. the canadian nodded. then the _wellington_ gave another lurch, and tom noticed that her bow gave an odd little dip. "filling with water, i'll be bound," he muttered, and running to the hatch he sounded the well hole. there were sixteen inches of water below. soon it measured seventeen inches. "we've sprung a bad leak," he announced to sam. "it looks as if we might go to the bottom." "oh, tom, you don't mean it!" "yes, i do." "can't we turn back? the island isn't more than two miles off. it may be safer to go back than to keep on." "exactly my idea, sam. i'll speak to the canadian about it." the fat sailor was still pumping, but his face was full of despair. "de ship he go down," he gasped. "we drown in ze lake!" "better turn back to the island," returned tom. "and lose no time about it." "yees! yees! zat ees best. we turn heem back!" the canadian shouted to his companion, who was at the wheel, and then left the pump to attend to the sails. at once tom took his place at the pump, at the same time calling to sam to go down for mrs. stanhope. "tell her to come on deck," he said. "and find some life-preservers, if you can." "what of the rowboat?" "it's as rotten as the ship, sam. we'll have to swim for it, if this tub sinks." sam disappeared into the cabin and tom turned to the pumping. never had he worked so hard, and the perspiration poured down his face. soon mrs. stanhope appeared, her face full of fear. "oh, pray heaven we do not go down!" she murmured. "how far are we from land?" "we have turned back for the island," answered tom, hardly able to speak because of his exertions. "we are not much more than a mile away." "a mile! and how long will it take us to reach the island?" "about ten minutes, if the wind holds out." the _wellington_ was now groaning and creaking in every timber, as if she was aware that her last hour on the surface of the lake had come. she was, as tom had said, an old "tub," and should have been condemned years before. but the canadians were used to her and handled the craft as skillfully as possible. they, too, provided themselves with life-preservers and, when sam relieved his brother at the pump, tom did likewise. as she filled with water the ship moved more slowly until, despite the breeze, she seemed to merely crawl along. it was now growing dark and the island was not yet in sight. sounded again, the well hole showed twenty inches of water. at this the fat canadian gave a long sigh and disappeared into the forecastle, to obtain a trunk and some of his other belongings. sam had already brought on deck the things belonging to mrs. stanhope. at last the fat sailor uttered a welcome cry. "the island! the island!" "where?" questioned the others. the sailor pointed with his hand. he was right; land was just visible, and no more. then of a sudden came a crash and a shock which threw all of those on board headlong. "we have struck a rock!" yelled josiah crabtree. "we are going down!" and in his terror he leaped overboard and struck out wildly for the distant shore. sam was also ready, in a moment, to spring into the water, but tom held him back. the _wellington_ settled and swung around, and then sheered off the rock and went on her way. but it was plainly to be seen that she could float but a few minutes more at the most. "there is a sandy shore!" cried tom to the canadians. "better drive her straight in and beach her!" "good!" said the fat sailor, and spoke to his companion in french. then, as well as they were able, they brought the water-logged craft around to the wind. slowly she drifted in, her deck sinking with every forward move. then came a strong pull of wind which caught the sails squarely and drove them ahead. a grating and a slishing followed, and they ran up the muddy shore and came to a standstill in about three feet of water. "hurrah! saved!" shouted sam. "my, but that was a narrow escape!" "where is mr. crabtree?" asked mrs. stanhope anxiously. "oh, do not let him drown!" they looked around and saw him in the water not a hundred feet away, puffing and blowing like a porpoise. "save me!" he screamed, as soon as he saw their safety. "don't let me drown!" "you're all right," returned tom. "it's shallow here. see if you can't walk ashore." josiah crabtree continued his paddling, and presently put down his feet very gingerly. he could just touch the bottom. soon he was in a position to walk, and lost no time in getting out of the lake and coming up to the bow of the _wellington_. "oh, dear, this is dreadful!" he groaned, with a shiver. "throw out a plank that i may come onboard." "thought you were tired of the old tub," said tom dryly. "i thought she was surely going down, thomas. please throw out a plank, that's a good boy." the canadian got the longest plank at hand and, resting one end at the bow, allowed the other to fall ashore, in a few inches of mud and water. then josiah crabtree came up the plank on hands and knees, looking for all the world like a half-drowned rat. chapter xxvi. crabtree joins the baxters. "well, we are no better off than we were before," remarked sam, after josiah crabtree had disappeared in the direction of the cabin and the two boys had walked forward by themselves. "no, we are no better off, but we have succeeded in rescuing mrs. stanhope from old crabtree's clutches, and that is something." "true, but supposing we fall in the hands of the baxters and captain langless again?" "can't we hold them at bay, if they try to come on board this tub?" "perhaps. but we can't remain on board the _wellington_ forever." now that the danger was over the lads found that they were hungry, and called upon the sailors to bring out what food the craft afforded. they made a hearty meal, in which mrs. stanhope joined. josiah crabtree was not invited, and had to eat later on with the sailors and the one sailor's wife. "this wreck may throw us together for some time, crabtree," said tom, later on, when he and the former school-teacher were alone. "i want to warn you to behave yourself during that time." "i know my own business," was the stiff reply. "well, you keep your distance, or there will be trouble." "can i not speak to mrs. stanhope?" "when she speaks to you, yes. but you must not bother her with your attentions. and if you try your hypnotic nonsense we'll pitch you overboard," and so speaking, tom walked off again. josiah crabtree looked very black, nevertheless he took the youth's words to heart and only spoke to mrs. stanhope when it was necessary. by the time supper was over it was night and time to think of getting some rest. the boys took possession of one of the staterooms on board, and arranged that each should sleep five hours, tom taking the first watch. mrs. stanhope soon retired, and so did josiah crabtree and one of the canadians. tom found the fat canadian, the man to remain on deck, quite a sociable fellow, and asked him much about himself and how he had come to hire out with crabtree. he soon discovered that the canadians were honest to the last degree, and had gone in for the trip thinking all was above-board. "i soon see ze man haf von bad eye," said the canadian. "i tell menot i no like heem. now he has brought ruin on our ship." the canadian imagined that crabtree had hypnotized the sailing qualities of the _wellington_ as well as cast a spell over mrs. stanhope, and tom saw no reason, just then, for saying anything to the contrary. "you must watch crabtree," he said. "don't let him get you in his power. stick by me and my brother, and you will be all right," and the canadian promised. "but who vill pay for ze ship?" he questioned dolefully. "'tis all menot and myself haf in ze worl'!" and he shook his head in sorrow. "we will pay you well for whatever you do for us. the balance you must get out of crabtree." then tom gave the fat sailor a five-dollar bill, and from that moment the pair were warm friends. feeling that crabtree would not dare to do much as matters stood, tom did not take the trouble to arouse sam when he turned in, and the brothers slept soundly until some time after sunrise. "say, why didn't you wake me up?" asked sam in astonishment. "you didn't stay up all night, did you?" "not much!" answered tom, and spoke of the canadian, whose name was peglace. "well, what's to do?" "i must confess i don't know. i suppose the baxters and captain langless are on the search for us." "more than likely." "then we had better lay low until some vessel comes to rescue us." "i don't think very many ships come this way." "neither do i, but we won't despair. come, i'm hungry again," and they stirred around to get breakfast. an examination showed that the _wellington_ was hard and fast in the mud, and likely to remain exactly as she stood for an indefinite time. wading around in the water below, the canadians reported several planks broken and wrenched loose, and that immediate repairs seemed out of the question. "ze ship ees gone," said peglace sadly. "we air like zat man, what-you-call-heem, crusoe robinson, hey?" and he shook his head. "well, i hope we don't have to stay as long on this island as robinson crusoe remained on that other," remarked sam. "tom, i'm going for a walk on shore." "can i go with you?" put in josiah crabtree humbly. "i am tired of this ship's deck." "all right, come on." "i will remain with mrs. stanhope," said tom. "don't go too far, sam." sam and the former teacher of putnam hall were soon over the side. the boy came down the plank easily enough, but crabtree slipped and went into the water and mud up to his knees. "ugh! i am always unfortunate!" he spluttered. "however, since the weather is warm, i don't think i'll suffer much." at a short distance up the beach there was a headland, covered with tall trees. sam decided to make his way to this. "i'm going to climb the tallest of the trees and look around," he said. "you can go along, if you wish." "i will go, but i cannot climb the tree," answered crabtree. to get to the headland they had to make a detour around a marshy spot and then climb over a number of rough rocks. the exertion exhausted josiah crabtree, and he soon fell behind. reaching the headland, sam gazed around anxiously. he could see a long distance to the north and the west, but not a sail was in sight. "the _peacock_ ought to be somewhere around here," he told himself, and then, coming to a tall tree with low, drooping branches, he began to climb to the top. it was a difficult task, for the tree was a thickly wooded one and a veritable monarch of the forest. but he persevered, and at last gained the topmost branch. here the view of the island and its vicinity was much extended, and he could see not only the bay where the _peacock_ had been at anchor, but also several other harbors. "the _peacock_ is gone!" such were the first words which escaped him. "she must have left the island altogether!" with anxious eye he turned his gaze to the other harbors, and suddenly gave a start. "a steam tug! how lucky!" he had discovered the _rocket_, which was just getting up steam in order to follow the _peacock_; the screw being now repaired and ready for use. as fast as he could he descended to the ground, his one thought being to tell tom of his discovery, and to either get to the steam tug or to signal those on board, so that the tug might not leave the island without them. he had noticed the black smoke curling up from the stack, and knew that this betokened that steam was getting up. "sam rover!" the voice came from behind the rocks, like a bolt out of the clear sky. then dan baxter rushed forward, followed by his father. sam was taken off his guard, and before he could do anything the baxters had him by both arms and were holding him a prisoner. "let me go!" "not much!" came from arnold baxter. "where are your brothers--i mean," he added, in some confusion, "where is tom?" "find out for yourself, arnold baxter. let me go, i say!" and sam began to struggle. "daniel baxter, is it possible!" came in josiah crabtree's voice, and he emerged from the brushwood. "what an extraordinary meeting!" "i should say it was!" responded the bully. "where did you spring from?" "perhaps, daniel, i can ask the same question." "is tom rover with you?" "no, he is on a ship which is beached a short distance from here." "alone?" "no, with some canadians and--er--mrs. stanhope." "oh, i see! the same old game," growled the bully. "anybody else on the boat?" "no." "if that's the case we are in luck," came from arnold baxter. he gazed at crabtree sharply. "do you know where this lad came from?" "what do you mean?" "he and his brother tom escaped from us. we brought them here," "what! i thought they had followed me and mrs. stanhope." "hardly." arnold baxter proceeded to bind sam's arms behind him. "dan, take him to yonder tree and tie him fast." then he walked away to talk to josiah crabtree. the conversation which followed lasted for quarter of an hour. what was said sam could not make out. the boy wanted to get away, but was helpless, and now dan baxter took away the pistol with which he had provided himself. a little later the baxters and crabtree moved toward the wreck, leaving him bound to the tree, alone. chapter xxvii. how tom was captured. tom was pacing the deck of the wreck in thoughtful mood when, on looking up, he saw josiah crabtree coming back alone. "where is sam?" he called out. "samuel wishes you to join him at the headland," replied crabtree. "he thinks a boat is coming around the other side of the island." "did you see it?" "no, my eyesight is failing me and i had no spectacles along." "well, you can go back with me," said tom, to make sure that the former teacher should not bother mrs. stanhope during his absence from the _wellington_. "i calculated to go back," responded crabtree. telling mrs. stanhope that he would soon return, tom left the wreck and followed josiah crabtree around the marsh land and over the cocks. so long as crabtree was in front poor tom did not anticipate any treachery, consequently he was taken completely by surprise when the baxters fell upon him from behind and bore him to the ground. "don't!" he cried, and tried to rise. but dan baxter struck him a heavy blow with a club, and then pointed the pistol at his head, and he had to submit. when he was a prisoner josiah crabtree came back, his face beaming sarcastically. "the tables are turned once more, thomas," he said. "we are masters of the situation. how do you like the prospect?" "what have you done with sam?" "we have taken care of him," answered arnold baxter. "and we'll take good care of you after this, too." tom said no more, but his heart sank like a lump of lead in his breast. the talk of a ship being in sight must be a hoax, unless crabtree referred to the _peacock_. the baxters had a small bit of rope remaining, and with this they tied tom's hands behind him. then he was made to march to where sam was a prisoner. "what, tom! you too?" cried the youngest rover. and then he felt worse than ever, for he had hoped that his brother might come to his rescue. both boys were tied to the trees, but at some distance apart. then, without delay, the baxters and josiah crabtree hurried off toward the _wellington_. the baxters had heard that the boat was not much damaged, and thought that it might be possible to patch her up sufficiently to reach the mainland, and to do this ere dick rover and his party discovered them. for the _peacock_ and langless arnold baxter now cared but little. "she has left the bay," he said to dan, "and more than likely has abandoned us." the canadians were surprised to see josiah crabtree returning with two strangers, and mrs. stanhope uttered a shriek when confronted by the baxters. "i must be dreaming," she murmured, when she had recovered sufficiently to speak. "how came you here?" "we are not answering questions just now, madam," said arnold baxter. "we wish to patch up this boat if we can, and at once," and he called the canadians to him. as can be imagined, the sailors were dumfounded, especially when told that the rover boys would not be back, at least for the present. they shook their heads. "ze ship cannot be patched up," said peglace. "ze whole bottom ees ready to fall out." arnold baxter would not believe him, and armed with lanterns he and dan went below to make an examination. "what does this mean?" demanded mrs. stanhope of crabtree, when they were left alone. "what have you done with the rover boys?" "do not worry about them, my dear," said the former teacher soothingly. "all will come right in the end." then he began to look at her steadily, in an endeavor to bring her once more under his hypnotic influence. but, without waiting, she ran off and refused to confront him again. "follow me and i will leap into the lake," she cried, and fearful she would commit suicide, he let her alone. the examination below decks lasted nearly an hour, and was far from satisfactory to arnold baxter. he felt that the _wellington_ might be patched up, but the work would take at least several days, and there was no telling what would happen in the meantime. "dick rover and his party are sure to find us before that time," said dan. "i am afraid so, dan. but i know of nothing better to do than to remain here." "we might find the _peacock_ and make a new deal with captain langless." "langless is a weak-hearted fool, and i'll never trust him again. we would have done much better had we hired a small boat which we could ran alone." "but what shall we do, dad?" "i think we had best go into hiding in the interior of the island. we can take a store of provisions along from this boat." "shall we take the rovers with us?" "we may as well. we can't let them starve, and by holding them prisoners we may be able to make terms with dick rover and his friends." "that's an idea. i reckon dick will do a lot rather than see tom and sam suffer." "to be sure." "where do you suppose dick rover and his friends are now?" "somewhere around the island, although i have seen nothing of their boat." by noon the baxters had completed their plans and left the boat, carrying with them a load of provisions wrapped up in a sheet of canvas. they invited josiah crabtree to go with them, but that individual declined. "i cannot take mrs. stanhope along," he said, "and i will not desert the lady." "as you please," replied arnold baxter. "what are you going to do with tom and sam rover?" "take them with us. if you see anything of dick rover, don't say anything about us." "i don't wish to see dick rover," answered josiah crabtree nervously. "if the dick rover party leaves the island, we'll come back," put in dan. "in the meantime, if i was you, i'd lay low." soon the baxters were out of sight, and then josiah crabtree turned to have another talk with mrs. stanhope, in the meantime setting the canadians on guard, to watch for and hail any passing sail which might appear. in his wandering on the island arnold baxter had stumbled across a convenient cave near the headland where he had encountered sam rover, and thither father and son now made their way. the cave gained they put down their bundles, which included a quantity of rope, and then started for the headland to bring in tom and sam. the headland gained, a surprise awaited them. both boys had disappeared. chapter xxviii. the baxters talk it over, "tom, we are in a fix." "so it would seem, sam. who ever dreamed of running across the baxters in this fashion?" "we are in the hands of a trio of rascals now, for crabtree is as bad as the others." "perhaps, but he hasn't the nerve that arnold baxter has. what shall we do?" "try to get free." "i can't budge an inch. dan baxter took especial delight in tying me up." "i can move one hand and if--it is free! hurrah!" "can you get the other hand free?" "i can try. the rope--that's free, too. now for my legs." sam rover worked rapidly, and was soon as free as ever. then he ran over to where tom was tied up and liberated his brother. "now, what shall we do?" "i move we go after the people on that steam tug and get them to help us rescue mrs. stanhope." "that's a good idea, and the quicker we go the better." sam remembered very well in what direction he had seen the tug, and now set a straight course across the island to the cove. but the trail led over a hill and through a dense thicket, and long before the journey was half finished both lads were well-nigh exhausted. "we ought to have followed the shore around--we would have got there quicker," panted tom, as he fairly cut his way through the dense brush-wood. "i hope there are no wild animals here." "i doubt if there is anything very large on the island. if so, we would have seen it before this." so speaking, they pushed on once more. the woods passed, they came to a swamp filled with long grass. they hurried around this, and then into the forest skirting the lake shore. at last the cove came into sight. alas! the steam tug was nowhere to be seen. "she has gone!" groaned sam. "oh, what luck! "i can't see a sign of her anywhere?" returned tom. "she must have steamed away right after you came down the tree." "more than likely." much disappointed and utterly worn out, they cast themselves down in the shade to rest. as they rested they listened intently, but only the breeze through the trees and the soft lap-lap of the waves striking the rocks reached their ears. "i never thought a spot on our lakes could be so lonely," said sam at length. "why, it's as if we were in the middle of the pacific!" "i trust no harm befalls mrs. stanhope, sam. perhaps it is our duty to go back to her, in spite of the danger." "i was thinking of that, too. but we are only two boys against two men and a boy, and they are armed." "i think the canadians will prove our friends in a mix-up. they hate crabtree, for they half fancy he bewitched their boat." "we might go back on the sly and do some spying." "that is what i mean." but they were too tired to go back at once, and spent a good hour near the beach. close at hand was a tiny spring, and here they procured a drink of water and took a wash-up, after which they felt somewhat better. they were about to start on the return when tom suddenly plucked his brother by the sleeve. "somebody is coming," he whispered. "let us hide." they had scarcely time to get behind some brushwood when the baxters came into view, moving very slowly and gazing sharply around them. "i don't see a thing, dad," came from dan baxter in disgusted tones. "i don't believe they came this way." "they certainly didn't go back to that old boat," replied arnold baxter. "let us take a walk along the beach." "i am tired to death. let us rest first." so speaking, dan baxter threw himself on a grassy bank overlooking the lake, and arnold baxter followed. both were out of sorts and did a large amount of grumbling. the father lit a short briar-root pipe, while the son puffed away at a cigarette. "i'd give a hundred dollars if a boat would come along and take us to the mainland," observed the father. "i am sick and tired of this game all through." "so am i sick of it, dad. we made a mistake by ever coming east, it seems to me." "if i could get to the mainland i might make money out of it even so, dan. anderson rover may have sent that ten thousand dollars to bay city, after all. he thinks an awful lot of his sons, and won't want a hair of their head harmed." "so the money was to go to bay city. you didn't tell me that before." "i wanted to keep the matter secret." "who will receive it there?" "a man i can trust." "oh, pshaw! you needn't be so close-mouthed about it," growled the son, lighting a fresh cigarette. "well, the man's name is cowdrick--hiram cowdrick. he comes from colorado, and used to know the roebuck crowd." "i suppose old rover was to send the money in secret?" "certainly. i wrote him a long letter, telling him that if there was the least effort made to follow up the money on his part the lives of his sons should pay the forfeit." "that's the way to put it, dad. i shouldn't wonder if old rover sent the money on." "i'd soon find out, if i could get to shore. if i had the money the boys could rot here, for all i care." "thank you for nothing," muttered tom, under his breath. "just you wait till i have a chance to square accounts, that's all!" "hush!" whispered sam. "they must not discover us." and then tom became silent again. "josiah crabtree is in a fix, too," went on dan, with something of a laugh. "he don't seem to know what to do." "where is mrs. stanhope's daughter?" "i don't know. if crabtree marries mrs. stanhope, it will break dora all up." "well, that isn't our affair. but it is queer we should run together on this island. we can--what is that? a sail!" arnold baxter leaped to his feet, and so did dan. tom and sam also looked in the direction pointed out. there was a sail, true enough, far out on the lake. all watched it with interest and saw it gradually grow larger. evidently the craft was heading directly for the island. "she is coming this way, dad!" almost shouted dan. "it looks so to me," replied arnold baxter, with increasing interest. "and she isn't the _peacock_, either." "no, she's a strange ship--a sloop, by her rig." the baxters watched the coming sail eagerly, and it must be confessed that the rover boys were equally interested. "if the folks on that boat are honest, they will surely help us against the baxters," murmured sam. "just what i was thinking," replied his brother. at last the vessel was near enough to be signaled, and, running to a high rock overlooking the water, dan swung his hat and a handkerchief in the air. at first the signals were not seen, but at last came a voice through a speaking trumpet. "ahoy, there!" "ahoy!" shouted dan. "come here! come here!" "what's the trouble?" "we are wrecked. we want you to take us off." "wrecked?" "yes. will you take us off?" "certainly." slowly, but surely, the sloop drew nearer. she was a fair-sized craft, and carried a crew of three. the men seemed to be nice fellows, and not at all of the captain langless class. soon the sloop dropped anchor close in shore and the mainsail came down at the same time. chapter xxix. dora stanhope appears. "so you have been shipwrecked?" said the master of the sloop, a young man of apparently twenty-five, whose name was fairwell. "yes," answered baxter senior. "your own boat, or some large vessel?" "our own boat. we were out on a little cruise when we struck something in the dark and our craft went down almost immediately. fortunately we were not far from this shore, or we would have been drowned. where are you bound?" "nowhere in particular. how long have you been on the island?" "since night before last?" "all alone?" "yes." "had anything to eat?" "well--er--not much," stammered arnold baxter. "we found some wreckage with some bread and a few cans of sardines, but that is all." "then i reckon you won't go back on a square meal?" laughed fairwell. "indeed i won't!" put in dan, bound to say something. "we would like to get back to the mainland as soon as possible," went on arnold baxter. "i am from chicago, and must attend to some banking matters. my name is larson--henry larson of state street." "well, mr. larson, we'll get you to the main shore as soon as we can; that is, providing the lady who has hired this sloop is willing to go on without stopping here. i reckon this young man is your friend?" "he is my son. and you are--?" "randy fairwell, at your service, sir. it's too bad you were wrecked, but you can be thankful your life was spared. seen anybody around here since you've been ashore?" "not a soul." "nor any sail?" "nothing. it has been very, very lonesome," and arnold baxter shook his head hypocritically. tom and sam listened to this talk with keen interest. tom now nudged his brother. "this has gone far enough," he whispered. "those men seem all right and i'm sure will prove our friends. i'm going to show myself." "wait till the baxters go on board," replied sam. "otherwise they may take it into their heads to run away again." a few words more followed between those on the sloop and the baxters, and then the latter ran on the deck of the sloop by means of a plank thrown out for that purpose. then tom came forward, stick in hand, and sam followed. "hold those men!" he cried. "don't let them get away from you!" of course the men on the sloop were much astonished, both by the boys' sudden appearance and by the words which were spoken. "what's that?" called out randy fairwell. "those rover boys!" ejaculated arnold baxter, and his face turned white. "i said, hold those men!" repeated tom. "don't let them get away from you." "what for? who are you?" "those fellows are rascals, and the father is an escaped prison-bird," put in sam. "hold them or they will run, sure." "it's false," burst out dan baxter. "that fellow is crazy. i never saw him before." "i guess they are both crazy," put in arnold baxter, taking the cue from his son. "certainly i never set eyes on them before." "do not believe one word of what he says," said tom. "his name is not what he said, but arnold baxter, and he is the man who got out of a new york prison by means of a forged pardon. you must have read of that case in the newspapers last summer?" "i did read of it," answered randy fairwell. "but--but--" he was too bewildered to go on. "where did you young men come from?" "we were carried off in a schooner hired by these rascals and put in a cave on this island. we escaped only after a hard fight." "but why were you carried off?" asked one of the other men on board of the sloop. "these baxters wanted to get our father to pay them money for our safe return." "a kidnapping, eh?" "it's a--a fairy story, and these fellows must be stark mad!" cried arnold baxter. "i give you my word, gentlemen, i never set eyes on the chaps before. either they are escaped lunatics or else their lonely life here has turned their brains." for a moment there was a pause; sam and tom standing at the end of the plank, clubs in hand, and the baxters on the deck of the sloop, surrounded by the three men who had been sailing the craft. those of the sloop looked from one party to the other in bewilderment. "well, i must say i don't know whom to believe," said randy fairwell slowly. he turned to the boys. "who are you?" "tom rover, and this is my brother sam," answered the elder of the pair. "i never heard the name before," said arnold baxter loftily. "they don't appear to be very crazy," put in one of the men, whose name was ruff. "that's true, but they must be crazy or they wouldn't address my father and me in this fashion," said dan baxter. "they can talk all they please," retorted sam. "but if you let them escape, you will make a great mistake." "here is a fair suggestion," said tom. "take us all to the mainland and to the nearest police station. the authorities will soon straighten out this tangle." "that certainly seems fair," muttered randy fairwell. "i say these boys must be crazy," blustered arnold baxter. "if you take them on board, the chances are they'll try to murder us." "i don't want to sail with a couple of crazy fellows," put in dan, scowling darkly at the rovers. "we might keep a close watch on them," suggested ruff. "and keep a close watch on the baxters," added tom. at this moment the door of the tiny cabin of the sloop opened, and a girl came out, rubbing her eyes as if she had been taking a nap, which was a fact. she stared at the baxters like one in a dream, and then gave a sudden cry of alarm. "is it you!" "dora stanhope!" ejaculated tom and sam in a breath. then the girl started and turned her eyes ashore. "tom rover! and sam! where in the wide world did you come from?" the baxters fell back, almost overcome, and the father clutched the arm of his son savagely. "we've put our foot into it here," he muttered. "who would have supposed that she was on this boat?" came from the son. "do you know these folks, miss stanhope?" questioned randy fairwell. "yes, i know all of them." answered the girl, when she had somewhat recovered from her surprise. "of course she knows us," put in tom, "and she knows those rascals, too; don't you, dora?" "yes, tom. but how did you come here?" "it's a long tale, dora. but just now i want you to help me bring the baxters to justice. they are trying to make out that they are all right and that we are crazy." "crazy! the idea! indeed, mr. fairwell, these boys are not crazy. they are my best friends. they are tom and sam rover, and they are brothers to the dick rover i told you about." "and what of these fellows?" questioned the master of the sloop. "this man is an escaped prisoner, and this is his son, who is also wanted by the authorities, i believe." "trash and nonsense!" stormed arnold baxter, hardly knowing what to say. "this is simply a plot against us." he caught his son by the arm. "come, we had better be going, since we are not wanted here." he leaped upon the plank and dan came after him. "get back there!" roared tom, standing at the outer end of the plank. "another step and i'll crack your head open, arnold baxter!" and he swung his club in the air defiantly. "out of my way, or i will fire on you!" answered arnold baxter, and started to draw his pistol. "oh, don't!" screamed dora, and covered her face with her hands. "we want no shooting here--" began randy fairwell, and then stopped short in wonder. for reaching down, tom had suddenly given the end of the plank a wobble. before they could save themselves, the baxters, father and son, pitched with a loud splash into the lake. "good for you!" cried sam. "if only they don't try to shoot when they come up." there was a commotion in the water and mud lining the shore, and slowly the baxters appeared to view, covered with slime and weeds, and both empty-handed, for dan had not had time to draw his weapon, and that of the father lay somewhere on the bottom. "now do you surrender, or shall i do a little shooting?" said tom sternly, although he had no weapon. "don't shoot me, please don't!" howled dan, his last bit of courage deserting him. the father said nothing, but looked as if he would like to annihilate both of the rovers. randy fairwell turned quickly to dora stanhope. "you are certain these people are bad?" he said. "yes, yes; very bad!" answered dora, and continued: "you can believe all the rovers tell you concerning them." one end of the plank still rested on the sloop, and fairwell quickly placed the board in position again. by this time the baxters were crawling out of the lake. sam caught hold of dan while tom tackled the father. with a heavy boathook in his hand randy fairwell now ran ashore, followed by ruff. "you had better give up the fight," said fairwell to arnold baxter. "if you are in the right, you shall have justice done to you." "i will never give in!" growled arnold baxter savagely, and did his best to get away. seeing this, sam let dan go and started in to help tom. the struggle lasted several minutes, but fairwell put an end to it by catching arnold baxter from behind and holding him in a grasp of iron, and then the rascal was made a close prisoner by being bound with a rope. "now for dan!" cried tom, and turned around, to find that dan baxter had taken time by the forelock and disappeared. it was destined to be many a day before any of the rovers set eyes on him again. chapter xxx. home again--conclusion. "dan is gone!" "which way did he go?" "i don't know." "he ran up the shore, in that direction!" called out dora, pointing with her hand. leaving arnold baxter in the grasp of fairwell and ruff, tom and sam hurried off. but dan baxter had disappeared in a perfect wilderness of rocks and bushes and could not be located. "never mind," said tom; "let him go, if he wants to remain on this lonely spot." all were soon on board the sloop, and tom and sam told their tale, to which dora, as well as the others, listened with close attention. "then my mother is safe!" burst out the girl. "thank heaven for that!" "she was safe when last we saw her," said tom. "i guess the best thing we can do will be to get back to the wreck of the _wellington_ without delay." "yes! yes! take me to my mother at once. i have been hunting for her ever since she disappeared." "but how did you happen to come here?" "i found out that josiah crabtree had hired the _wellington_, and day before yesterday we ran across a steamboat which had sighted the schooner headed in this direction." "how did he get her away in the first place?" "we were stopping at a hotel in canada and i went out to do some necessary shopping. when i got back my mother was gone. she had received a bogus note, written i presume by crabtree, asking her to come to me at once, as i had been taken sick in one of the stores. i immediately hired a detective, mr. ruff here, and we tracked mr. crabtree to the lake." "good for you, dora,--a man couldn't have done better," cried sam so enthusiastically that dora had to blush. "but now i want to get to mother without further delay." "let us set sail at once, then," said tom. "the distance to the wreck is not over two miles." without delay the anchor was hoisted, the mainsail set, and the sloop left the shore. she was a trim-built craft, and under a good breeze her bow cut the shining waters of the lake like a knife. the only one on the boat who was not in good humor was arnold baxter. when he got the chance he called tom rover to him. "rover, what do you intend to do with me?" he asked. "we intend to hand you over to the authorities." "you are making a great mistake." "i'll risk that." "if you'll let me go i'll promise to turn over a new leaf, and, more than that, i'll help your father to make a pile of money out of that mine in colorado." "your promises are not worth the breath they are uttered in, arnold baxter. you belong in prison, and that is where you are going." at this baxter began to rave and utter words unfit to print. but tom soon stopped this. "keep a civil tongue in your head, or we'll gag you," he said, and then baxter relapsed into sullen silence. the breeze was favorable, and it was not long before the sloop rounded a point of the island and came in sight of the _wellington_. "let us surprise old crabtree," suggested sam. "we can keep out of his sight until the last moment." tom was willing, yet dora demurred, wishing to get to her mother as soon as possible. yet, as they drew closer, the girl stepped behind the cabin for a minute. "a ship!" cried peglace, who was on watch on deck. "a ship at last, and coming to shore!" he uttered the words in french, and they speedily brought to the deck his companion and his companion's fat wife. "a ship, sure enough," said the other canadian, while his wife shed tears of joy. josiah crabtree had just been interviewing mrs. stanhope in the cabin. he was trying again to hypnotize her, and she was trying to keep from under the spell. "a boat must be coming, by the cries," said the former teacher. "i will go to the deck and investigate." he ran up the companion way, and mrs. stanhope followed. the lady felt weak and utterly discouraged. "if i only had dora with me!" she murmured to herself. "did you speak?" asked crabtree, looking over his shoulder. "not to you," she answered coldly. soon crabtree was at the stern. the sloop came closer, and a rope was thrown to the _wellington_ and made fast by the canadians. the smaller craft drew so little water that she did not ground, even when lying at the larger ship's stern. "hullo!" began josiah crabtree, addressing randy fairwell. "this is most fortunate." "i see you are wrecked," returned fairwell calmly. "exactly, sir--a very unfortunate affair truly. will you rescue us?" "anybody else on board?" "yes, a lady to whom i am engaged to be married," and crabtree smiled blandly. "will you come on board?" "i guess i will," answered fairwell. "eh, mr. ruff?" "yes," answered the detective, and leaped on the deck of the wreck. by this time mrs. stanhope was on deck also, gazing curiously at those on the sloop. "i believe this is mr. josiah crabtree?" went on ruff coldly. "eh? why--er--you have the advantage of me!" stammered the former teacher of putnam hall, falling back in dismay. "are you josiah crabtree or not?" "i am; but--" "then consider yourself my prisoner, mr. crabtree." "your prisoner!" "that is what i said." "but why do you say i am arrested? who are you?" "you are arrested for plotting against the welfare of mrs. stanhope there and dora stanhope, her daughter; also for forging dora stanhope's name to a letter sent to the girl's mother." "it is false. i--i--oh!" josiah crabtree staggered back, for dora had run forward. in a second more mother and daughter were in each other's arms. an affecting scene followed. josiah crabtree turned a sickly green, and his knees smote together. "i--er--that is, we--the lady and myself--there is some mistake." he tried to go on, but failed utterly. "you fraud, you!" cried tom, and came forward, followed by sam. "now, josiah crabtree, we are on top, and we mean to stay there. mr. ruff, you had better handcuff him." "i will," returned the detective, and brought forth a pair of steel "nippers." "handcuff me!" groaned crabtree, "oh, the disgrace! no! no!" "you ought to have thought of the disgrace before," was ruff's comment, and the next minute the handcuffs were fast on the prisoner. a shout was now heard from one of the canadian sailors. he was pointing to the north of the island, where a steam tug had just hove into sight. the tug was coming on rapidly, and as she drew closer tom and sam made out a youth standing on the cabin top, eagerly waving his hand to them. "dick!" cried both of the rovers. "dick, by all that is wonderful!" it was indeed dick and the _rocket_, and soon the steam tug came up to the stern of the sloop and made fast. "tom and sam, and safe!" burst out dick, and then his eyes fell upon the stanhopes. "dora!" he shook hands and blushed deeply, and so did the girl. "why, i never expected this!" "none of us did," answered dora with a warm smile. "and your mother, too!" "it's like a fairy tale," put in tom, "and i guess it's going to end just as happily as fairy tales usually do." it took some time for each to tell his story. when it came to dick's turn, he said the steam tug had done her best to follow up captain langless and his schooner, but had failed because of the darkness. "she's now out of sight," he concluded, "and there is no telling where she is." "well, let him go," said tom. "we have arnold baxter, and he is the chief villain. i don't believe captain langless will ever bother us again." after a long conversation it was decided that all of the party should return to the mainland in the steam tug and the sloop, the latter to be towed by the former. dick remained on the sloop with the stanhopes, while josiah crabtree was placed in the company of his fellow-criminal, arnold baxter. with the party went the canadian who was married, and his wife, leaving the other canadian to look after the wreck until his partner should return with material with which the boat could be patched up. the run to the mainland was a pleasing one to the rovers, and also to larry and faithful aleck pop. the negro was on a broad grin over the safety of the brothers. "dem boys beat de nation," he said. "nebber gits into trouble so deep but wot da paddles out ag'in in short ordah; yes, sah!" during the trip it was decided by the stanhopes, on dick's advice, to prosecute josiah crabtree to the full extent of the law. mrs. stanhope demurred somewhat to this, but dora was firm, and when the case was brought to trial crabtree was sent to prison for two years. the first thing the rover boys did when on shore was to telegraph to their father, telling him of their safety. this telegram caught mr. rover just as he was about to arrange for sending the ten thousand dollars to arnold baxter. he was overjoyed at the glad tidings, and came on as far as detroit to meet the whole party. "my boys, how you must have suffered!" he said, as he shook one after another by the hand. "in the future you must be more careful!" arnold baxter wished to see anderson rover, hoping thereby to influence the latter in his behalf, but mr. rover refused to grant the interview, and on the day following arnold baxter was sent back to the prison in new york state, there to begin his long term of imprisonment all over again. there was much speculation concerning dan baxter, and when the rovers went back to the island on the steam tug,--to obtain what had been discovered in the cave,--they asked the canadian on the wreck if he had seen the youth. "yes, i see him," was the answer. "but he is gone now. he went off in a small boat that torched here yesterday." "it's just as well," said tom. "we didn't want to see the fellow starve here." but at the cave which dick and the others had discovered he changed his tune, for there were many signs that dan baxter had visited the locality. the money which had been lying on the dust-covered table was gone, likewise the map and the dagger. "we are out that much," said dick to larry and peterson. "the boxes and casks are not disturbed," replied the old lumberman. "he couldn't carry those," said larry. "perhaps he thinks to come back for these later." "then we'll fool him," replied dick. all of the goods were transferred to the steam tug and taken to detroit, where, after remaining unclaimed for some time, they were sold, the sale netting the rovers and their friends several thousand dollars. one odd-shaped box dick kept as a souvenir. it had been a money casket and was lined with brass. little did the youth dream of all the strange adventures into which that casket was to lead him and his brothers. what those adventures were will be told in another volume of this series to be entitled, "the rover boys in the mountains; or, a hunt for fun and fortune." the home-coming of the three boys was celebrated in grand style, not alone by the covers, but by many of their friends, who flocked in from far and near to see them. captain putnam was there, along with many of their old schoolfellows. "it's good to be home once more," said sam. "especially with so many friends around you," added tom. "and after escaping from so many perils," came from dick. and here let us leave them, wishing them well, both for the present and the future. the end. _the go-ahead series._ no moss; or, the career of a rolling stone by harry castlemon author of "the gun-boat series," "the rocky mountain series," etc. the john c. winston co. philadelphia chicago, toronto entered according to act of congress, in the year , by r. w. carroll & co., in the clerk's office of the district court of the united states, for the southern district of ohio. copyright, , by charles a. fosdick. contents. i. fire quarters ii. sam barton's harboring place iii. a new plan iv. tom in trouble v. atkins refuses duty vi. the governor's strategy vii. the governor storms the rebels viii. crossing the shoals ix. johnny harding's visitors x. a strange encounter xi. tom's splendid idea xii. how it resulted xiii. crusoe afloat again xiv. the phantom schooner xv. tom has another idea xvi. johnny is mistaken for an enemy xvii. the battle at the bridge xviii. the robbers are punished xix. the army and navy xx. a chapter of incidents xxi. conclusion no moss, or, the career of a rolling stone. chapter i. fire quarters. "four bells, sir!" reported the messenger-boy, to the officer who had charge of the deck of the storm king. "very good. quartermaster, make it so." the silvery tones of the little bell rang through the vessel, and immediately there began a great noise and hubbub on the berth-deck, which, but a moment before, had been so quiet and orderly. songs, shouts of laughter, and noises of every description, that can be made only by a lot of healthy boys just turned loose from their studies, arose through the hatchway, and presently the crew came tumbling up the ladder. the foremost held a guitar under his arm; the one that followed at his heels brought a checker-board; a third had a box of dominoes; and the boy who brought up the rear carried a single-stick in each hand, and went about challenging every one he met to a friendly trial of skill. some of the crew walked aft to converse with their officers; the boys with the checkers and dominoes seated themselves on deck to engage in quiet games; he of the single-sticks very soon found an antagonist; and the sailor with the guitar perched himself upon the heel of the bowsprit, and, after tuning his instrument, cleared his throat, preparatory to treating his companions to a song containing the information that he had at one time "sailed in the good ship bessie." the second dog-watch (the hours from six until eight in the evening) was a season of recreation with the students attached to the storm king, and they never failed to make the most of it. a first-class boy, or an ordinary seaman, could then walk up to the executive officer and challenge him to a contest with broadswords, without committing any breach of discipline; and the first lieutenant could talk sociably with his men, with no fear of being brought before the principal and reprimanded for unofficer-like conduct. the boys played, sang, ran races through the rigging, swung indian clubs and dumb-bells, and, of course, yelled all the while at the top of their lungs. the storm king had now been in possession of the principal of the academy about two months, and was every day growing in favor with the students. indeed, the addition of a navy to the academy bid fair to cause some radical changes in the programme of studies, for military honors were at a heavy discount, and all the students were working for positions on board the yacht. no one cared for the colonel's silver eagle now, but every body cast longing eyes toward the anchors he wore in his naval shoulder-straps. the little vessel had had at least one good effect. she had put ambition into the boys, elevated the standard of scholarship, and convinced such lazy fellows as martin, rich, and miller, that they must pay more attention to their books, or be left behind by every student in the academy. the yacht was in commission now: the stars and stripes floated from her peak, and strict naval discipline had been established. she mounted a "long tom" amid-ships, in the shape of a six-pounder pivot gun; and on the berth-deck was an ample supply of small arms, consisting of cutlasses, pikes, pistols, and muskets. the crew numbered twenty boys, including captain, lieutenants, masters, midshipmen, warrant and petty officers, and seamen. they were dressed in the uniform of the united states navy; and the first lieutenant, whose whole soul was wrapped up in his duties, had drilled them until they were as handy and expert as the crew of any man-of-war. the boys never grew tired of their work: they were passionately fond of this new branch of the service, and their efforts to perfect themselves in every department of their duties were amusing, and sometimes ridiculous. on one occasion, a frigate came into the harbor and anchored a short distance from the storm king. instantly the students were on the alert, for that was the time to learn something. captain steele ordered his executive to follow the man-of-war in striking the time of day; and this show of respect very soon attracted the attention of the commodore, who, in the afternoon, put off in his gig to visit the storm king, where he was piped over the side, and received with all the ceremony due his rank. the students obtained liberty, visited the vessel, talked with the old tars on the streets, and the result was soon apparent: the boat's crew began to pull the regular man-of-war stroke; the seamen took to wearing their caps on the back of their heads, hitched up their trowsers with their elbows, grumbled in the most approved sailor fashion when any thing went wrong with them, and, when they walked, they rolled from side to side like vessels in a gale of wind. they remembered all the sea-phrases they heard the old tars use, and never failed to bring them in on all proper occasions. it was certainly laughable to hear a fair-haired little fellow exclaim, "sink my tarry wig!" whenever he heard any thing that astonished him. the boatswain's mate of the yacht made friends with the boatswain of the frigate, put himself under instructions, and soon learned to use his whistle with wonderful skill, and to issue his commands in a voice which seemed to come all the way up from his boots. and then, when he gave an order, he would hasten obedience by such expressions as--"rouse a bit, there!" and "make a break, now, bullies!" in short, before the frigate left the harbor, the young sailors had made great improvement in all the minor branches of their profession, and often told one another that their rivals at the academy had a good deal to learn before they could make the crew of the yacht take back seats. harry green was still executive officer of the storm king. the court of inquiry, which he had requested in his report of the attack made on the yacht by the crusoe band, had been held, and the lieutenant came off with flying colors. the only particular in which he had failed to carry out the orders of his superior officer was in permitting the governor to escape: but that was something he could not prevent. sam, in his desperation, had jumped overboard before the students could get near enough to seize him; and harry had but little difficulty in proving, to the satisfaction of the court, that not only was it impossible to pick him up, but that the attempt to do so would have endangered the vessel and the lives of his crew. of course, when harry was cleared, his officers and men were cleared also, and allowed to retain their positions on board the yacht, much to the disappointment of their rivals, who wanted to man the vessel themselves. but, after all, the escape from disgrace had been a very narrow one--so much so, in fact, that the only thing that restrained the students from venting their spite upon the projector of the attack--tom newcombe--was the fear of a court-martial, and dismissal from the navy. they were all highly enraged at tom, and, one day, two of the seamen stopped him on the street, and told him that if he ever got another idea into his head about that yacht and attempted to carry it out, they would certainly duck him in the harbor. the interview took place in front of mr. newcombe's residence. tom wisely held his peace, and made no reply to the young sailors' threats until he was safe inside the gate, when he drawled out: "didn't i tell you that, if i did not own and sail that yacht, nobody should? well, i meant it. i've got another idea." the young tars, being well acquainted with tom, understood the meaning of this declaration, and hurried off to report the matter to the first lieutenant. harry listened with evident uneasiness, and, after taking a few turns across the deck, went ashore to consult captain steele. "if it was any body else in the world," said the executive, after he had told his story, "i should laugh at it; but, coming from the source it does, i know it is no laughing matter. newcombe has given us abundant proof that he is a reckless, bull-headed rascal, and, if he once gets an idea, he sticks to it, and one might as well talk to the wind as to attempt to reason with him. i can not imagine what new scheme he has got into his head, but i am satisfied that the yacht is in danger. what a pity it is that that boy does not spend the time he wastes in studying up plans for mischief, upon his books! he would soon be the best scholar of his age in the village." captain steele, as may be imagined, was not at all pleased with the information he had received. he was afraid of tom, and he did not hesitate to tell his lieutenant so. he could not, of course, determine where the threatened danger was coming from, but he was as firmly convinced as was the executive that trouble was brewing in some quarter. he could only order his subordinate to keep a bright lookout at all times, especially at night. "i'll do that," soliloquized harry, as he returned to his vessel, "and if tom newcombe comes around the upper end of this harbor with any more crusoe bands, he'll not escape as easily as he did before. i don't want to see him hurt, because his father gave us that vessel, but i'll teach him that i am tired of living in constant fear of having the yacht destroyed and my commission revoked." this incident happened about two weeks before the commencement of our story, and, during that time, an event occurred that caused considerable excitement in the village, and relieved the lieutenant of a great load of anxiety. it was the sudden and mysterious disappearance of the members of the crusoe band. tom newcombe went up to bed, one night, as usual, and, the next morning, he was gone; and so was his shot-gun, and fishing-tackle, and a good portion of his clothing. xury, jack spaniard, friday, and will atkins were also missing; and, what was more, nothing had ever been seen or heard of them since their departure. they had disappeared as completely as though they had never existed at all. the event had been a nine-days' wonder, but now nearly every one, except the students, had ceased to talk about it. their curiosity had been aroused, and they left no stone unturned in their efforts to find the means of satisfying it. they made inquiries of every body, guessed, wondered, and speculated, but all to no purpose; for even the talkative tom newcombe had left the village without giving any one so much as a hint of his intended movements. on the evening in question, some of the crew started the all-absorbing topic by saying, as they had probably done twenty times before, that they could not imagine what had become of tom, or what his object could have been in running away. as far as the object he had in view was concerned, harry also confessed ignorance; but said he believed tom had started with the crusoe band for the north pole. the boatswain was sure that he was on his way to south america; and one of the quartermasters thought his face was turned toward the rocky mountains. "now, fellows, i'll tell you all about it," said jackson, who, if he ever forgot the crusoe men, had only to look at his hand, which bore a long, ragged scar from the wound made by the bayonet that had been thrust through it: "in the first place, imagine the most impossible enterprise in the world--something that nobody but tom newcombe would ever think of attempting; in the second, make up your minds which is the most outlandish place on the globe; then put the two together, and you have the key to his last movement." "i wonder if he is the leader of the expedition!" said one of the midshipmen; "perhaps sam barton has turned up again." "impossible! he could not have lived two minutes in those waves." "well, we know one thing," said harry; "and that is, we are rid of our arch enemy, and the yacht is safe. but i would give something to know what his new idea was." "quartermaster, strike eight bells," said the officer of the deck. the movements that followed this order, showed how successful the lieutenant had been in his efforts to establish discipline among the noisy, fun-loving boys who composed his crew. scarcely had the bell been struck, when the desperate broadsword fight, that had been going on on the forecastle for the last quarter of an hour, was brought to a close; dumb-bells, indian clubs, and checkerboards quickly disappeared; the star-gazers came down out of the rigging; the quartermaster once more put his spy-glass under his arm, and began planking the deck; and quietness and order took the place of the confusion and noise that had reigned supreme a moment before. the hammocks were piped, the anchor watch set, the boatswain's whistle was heard again, followed by the injunction, "keep silence, fore and aft!" and the crew of the yacht was disposed of for the night. the officers went into the cabin, and those who were to stand watch that night soon turned in; while the others, never forgetting the rivals on shore who were working night and day to dislodge them, resumed their books. on the berth-deck the lights were turned down too low to admit of study, the rules forbade conversation, and the only thing the students could do was to tumble into their hammocks. "now, then," whispered the boatswain's mate, as he settled himself comfortably between the blankets, "i wonder if that lieutenant will allow us to sleep in peace to-night. he hasn't called us up to put out a fire for two weeks." among other things in which harry had drilled his men until they were almost perfect, was fire quarters; and he had rung so many alarms that the students began to call him the "fire lieutenant." of course he never took them away from their studies, but he had an uncomfortable habit of calling them up in the night. harry sometimes pored over his books until nearly twelve o'clock; and when every one, except himself and the officers and men on watch was asleep, he would come out of his cabin and ring the ship's bell as if his life depended upon it. the crew would tumble out of their hammocks and hurry to their stations, some manning the pump, and others getting out the hose and buckets, and all of them growling lustily to themselves, because they knew there was not a spark of fire on board the vessel. these false alarms, although annoying to the students, had the effect of making them thoroughly posted in their duties; and harry was satisfied, that if, by any accident, his little vessel should really catch on fire, the practice the crew had had would enable them to save her. he afterward had reason to congratulate himself that he had been so particular on this point. at one o'clock, every one on board the storm king, except the officers of the deck, quartermaster, and the two seamen who stood the anchor watch, was sound asleep. the night was very dark--so dark that the watch did not see a skiff which approached the vessel, propelled by slow, noiseless strokes. but the skiff was there, and, when it had been brought alongside the yacht, the bow-oarsman arose to his feet, and fastened into the fore-chains with a boat-hook, after which, a figure in the stern sheets placed his hands upon the rail, and drew himself up until he had obtained a view of the vessel's deck. he could not see much on account of the darkness, but his ears told him that the presence of himself and companions was unsuspected; and, having satisfied himself on this point, the visitor, whoever he was, clambered carefully over the rail, and a moment afterward was crouching on deck at the head of the ladder which led down into the forecastle. "what's that?" exclaimed one of the watch, suddenly interrupting the story he was relating to his companion. "i didn't hear any thing," replied the other. "well, i imagined i did. every dark night that i stand watch, i think of the crusoe band." "o, they're a hundred miles from here by this time--perhaps more. go on with your yarn." the young sailor listened a moment, but as the sound which had attracted his attention was not repeated, he resumed his story; whereupon, the figure at the hatchway arose to his feet, and stealthily descended the ladder. he was gone about five minutes, and then re-appeared, crawled noiselessly across the deck, and had just placed his hands upon the rail, when he was discovered by one of the watch. "hallo! boat--ship--i mean, man--ahoy!" shouted the young tar, evidently at a loss to determine how he ought to hail a stranger found on deck of his vessel, under such circumstances. both the watch made a rush for the mysterious visitor, who disappeared over the rail like a flash; and, by the time they reached the side, he was in his boat, which was moving off into the darkness. but he did not get away in time to escape recognition by the watch, both of whom stood for an instant as if petrified, and then called out, in amazement and alarm, "tom newcombe!" "where?" exclaimed jackson, the officer of the deck, hurrying forward. "in his boat there, sir, with half a dozen other fellows. he has been on board the vessel; we caught sight of him just as he was climbing over the rail." the officer was thunderstruck. the presence of their evil genius at that hour, and under such circumstances, boded no good to the yacht and her crew, and, for a moment, jackson stood holding fast to the rail, imagining all sorts of terrible things. he would not have been astonished if the waters of the harbor had suddenly opened to swallow up the vessel and her sleeping company. he even thought he felt the deck rise under his feet, and held his breath, expecting to hear an explosion, and to find himself struggling in the water amid the wreck of the storm king. but nothing of the kind happened: the yacht remained right side up; and if tom newcombe had placed a barrel of gunpowder in her, with a slow-match attached, intending to blow the vessel and her crew to atoms, there might yet be time to frustrate his designs. "quartermaster, spring that rattle!" shouted the officer, as if suddenly awaking out of a sound sleep--"smith and simmonds, lower away the jolly-boat." jackson ran below to report the matter to the first lieutenant; the sailors hurried off to execute their orders; and, before tom newcombe and his companions were out of sight of the yacht, they heard the rattle calling the crew to quarters. "wake up, sir," cried jackson, roughly shaking his superior officer by the shoulder--"tom newcombe!" the second lieutenant knew that the mention of that name would arouse the executive sooner than any thing else. "mercy on us!" exclaimed harry, "you don't say so! where is he?" "in his boat, now, and going down the harbor at the rate of ten knots an hour. he has been on board this yacht doing some mischief, of course, and i am expecting every instant to find myself going to the bottom. his pirate crew is with him." "the crusoe band!" harry almost gasped. "there are several fellows with him, and i don't know who else they can be." "call away the jolly-boat, and man her with an armed crew," said harry. "mr. richardson!" "here, sir," answered the midshipman, who had just come into the cabin with his boots in one hand, and his coat in the other. "take charge of the jolly-boat, pursue those fellows, and capture them, at all hazards, if they can be found. mr. jackson, stand by to get the vessel under way immediately." the second lieutenant sprang up the ladder, followed by the midshipman, and, a few moments afterward, harry heard the boat's crew scrambling over the side, and the boatswain's whistle calling the men to their stations. "am i doomed to live in constant fear of that fellow as long as i remain at the academy?" said the first lieutenant to himself. "what could he have wanted here? i'll have the yacht searched at once, and discover, if i can, what he has been up to." but the executive soon learned that it was not necessary to search the vessel to find out what tom newcombe had been doing, for, just at that moment, he was alarmed by the rapid tolling of the bell, and jackson burst into the cabin, pale and excited. "the yacht is on fire, sir!" said he. harry, too astonished to speak, hurried on deck, and, to his consternation, saw a dense smoke arising from the fore-hatchway. the students did not grumble now at being called to fire-quarters, for this was not a false alarm; the inside of the galley was a sheet of flames. chapter ii. sam barton's harboring place. tom newcombe seemed to possess, in a remarkable degree, the faculty of creating a disturbance wherever he went, and his re-appearance in the village was the signal for a general commotion. johnny harding came in for a share of the trouble, and was the hero of an adventure that gained him an enviable reputation in newport. in order that the reader may understand how it came about, we must go back and describe some events with which he is not acquainted. for two weeks after the spartan sailed with the fisher-boy on board, tom newcombe led a most miserable life. his father took especial care that every moment of his time, from eight in the morning until four in the afternoon, should be occupied with some business or another, and, in tom's estimation, this was the very worst punishment that could be inflicted upon him. in addition to that, the law against going outside the gate after dark was rigidly enforced; and thus tom was thrown upon his own resources for recreation. there were few boys in the village he cared to associate with now. he avoided the students, and johnny harding and his set, as he would a pestilence; but he was not always successful in his efforts to keep out of their way, for he had a good many errands to do about the village, and at almost every corner he met somebody he did not want to see. besides, johnny had taken up his position behind mr. henry's counter; and, although he had become a steady, well-behaved boy in other respects, he was as full of mischief as ever, and seemed to take unbounded delight in tormenting tom. mr. henry's store was but a short distance from the office; and as johnny was constantly running up and down the wharf on business, he met tom frequently, and never failed to make particular inquiries concerning the welfare of the young ruffians who had composed the crusoe band. "ah, _good_ morning, captain!" he would say, raising his hand to his cap with a military flourish, "how's the governor? and how does the society come on?" tom sometimes made an angry reply; but generally he would take to his heels, and as soon as possible get out of hearing of his tormentor. nine times in ten he did not better himself any; for, while he was running away from johnny, he would encounter some one else who had something to say about the yacht or the crusoe band. he was thus kept continually in hot water, and he knew that such would be his condition as long as he remained in the village. there was one way of escape, and that was to do as johnny harding had done, when he came home from the memorable expedition of the night-hawks. he saw his folly, acknowledged it, and resolved that his future life should make some amends for it. he held to this determination; and was now in a fair way to make a man of himself. tom, however, did not possess the moral courage to do this. he was one of those boys who are always in the right, and he did not believe that the troubles he had got into were the results of his own misdeeds. he laid the blame upon somebody else--principally upon his father, at whom he was highly enraged. he wanted to get out of the village, and he set his wits at work to conjure up some plan to induce the merchant to send him to sea, or permit him to make another contract with mr. hayes; but mr. newcombe thought the office was the best place for tom, and told him so in a manner so decided, that the boy knew that argument was useless. all this while he had been busy with his plan for the organization of a new secret society, but he was obliged to confess that, under the circumstances, it was not likely to amount to any thing. he needed the assistance of the old members of the crusoe band; but his father had ordered him to have nothing further to do with them, and, more than that, he took care to see that the order was obeyed. tom, knowing that he was closely watched, kept aloof from the ferry-boys, and when his work for the day was over, he found relief from his troubles by sailing about the bay in the mystery. one evening he extended his cruise around block island; and it was then an incident happened that brought about the events we have yet to describe. he was sailing around a high rocky promontory which formed the southern part of the island, his mind, as usual, busy with his new scheme, when he was aroused by hearing his name pronounced. he looked toward the shore, and was frightened nearly out of his senses when he discovered a boy, who bore a strong resemblance to sam barton, standing on a rock at the foot of the bluff, waving his hat to him. tom was not superstitious, but he believed, with every one else in newport, that the governor had deliberately put an end to his existence by jumping into the harbor on that stormy night, and his sudden appearance in that lonely spot was enough to startle him. "come ashore, muley; i want to talk to you." the voice certainly sounded like sam barton's, and tom, astonished and perplexed, brought the mystery up into the wind, and sat gazing at the bluffs as if he hardly knew whether or not it was safe to venture any nearer to it. "don't you know me, muley?" asked the boy on shore. "i'm sam barton." "why, you were drowned," returned tom. "drowned! not much, i wasn't. i ketched hold of a spar that happened to be in the water near me, an' here i am all right." tom, being now convinced that the boy on shore was really the long-lost governor of the crusoe band, filled away, and, when the mystery had approached within a few feet of the rock, sam said: "now, muley, you're close enough. i want to ask you one question before you come ashore. have you gone back on me?" "no, i haven't," replied tom, who had already told himself that the meeting with sam was most fortunate, and that, with his assistance, his new idea could be successfully carried out, "but i have a small account against you. you made me captain of the yacht, without my asking you for the position, and then refused to obey my orders, and broke me without one word of excuse or apology. i didn't like that very well, but as our expedition proved a failure, i don't care so much about it. what are you doing, governor? and how came you here?" "are you sure you won't tell any body in the village that you saw me?" demanded sam. "you see, i am afraid of bobby jennings and mr. grimes, an' i don't care about tellin' you too much till i know how fur you can be trusted." "i won't say a word to any body--honor bright," replied tom. "wall, then, come ashore, and let me get into your boat, an' i'll show you where i live." tom complied with the request; and the governor, after shaking him cordially by the hand, and compelling him to promise, over and over again, that he would keep every thing that passed between them a profound secret, seated himself at the helm, and turned the mystery's head down the shore. the wind was blowing briskly; and at the end of the promontory was a chain of sunken rocks, that extended a considerable distance below the foot of the island, and over which the waves dashed and foamed, throwing the spray higher than the mystery's mast-head. these rocks were quite as dangerous as they looked; for more than one vessel, in attempting to enter newport harbor during a gale, had gone to pieces there. they presented an insurmountable obstacle to the young navigators of the village, who had explored every little bay and inlet on the island, except those in the vicinity of "the shoals," as these rocks were called. the slightest breeze would there raise a sea that threatened destruction to any thing that came within its reach; and when the weather was calm, the rocks could be seen above the water in all directions, standing so close together that the bravest of the boys dared not risk their boats among them. tom knew the place well; and we can imagine his astonishment when he saw that sam was shaping his course as if he intended to pass between the rocks and the bluffs on the island. "keep out, governor!" he shouted, in alarm. "you'll smash us all to pieces if you go in there." "now, you just trust me, muley, an' i'll see that no harm don't come to you or your boat," replied sam, confidently. "i've got a safe harborin' place here, and this is the way to get to it." tom had seen the time that he would have positively refused to trust his fine boat among those rocks. he was naturally a very timid boy, and, although he had been accustomed to the water and to sail-boats from the time he was large enough to handle a tiller, a fresh breeze and a few waves always made him extremely nervous. but the events of the last few months had developed in him at least one quality which his companions had never supposed him to possess. he was getting to be a very reckless sort of fellow; and, although he clutched his seat and held his breath when the mystery dashed in among the waves off the point, he looked quite unconcerned. he was really frightened, however, and that was not to be wondered at. sam was attempting something that no one had ever had the courage to try before; and no doubt tom felt a good deal as did the mariners of old when approaching the terrible cape bojador, which they believed marked the boundaries of navigation. but the governor knew just what he was doing. he proved himself an excellent pilot, and in a few moments he rounded the point, and, entering a little bay where the water was comparatively quiet, he directed the boat's course toward what appeared to be a solid wall of rock. a nearer approach to it, revealed a narrow creek that led into the island. sam steered into it, skillfully avoiding the rocks on either side; and when the mystery's bow was run upon the sand, tom jumped ashore and looked about him. "well, muley, what do you think of me for a sailor?" asked sam, looking at his companion with a smile of triumph. "aint that something worth braggin' on? i wouldn't be afraid to take your father's biggest vessel through there." "but how would you get her out again?" asked tom. "you couldn't beat up against the wind, for the channel isn't wide enough." "of course not; i couldn't take the mystery out that way, much less a big ship. did you see them high rocks at the lower end of the shoals? well, when you want to go home, i shall take you right past them." "o, now, i won't go," drawled tom, looking at sam in great amazement. "i did notice them, and i know the waves must be ten or fifteen feet high there." "that's nothing. the channel runs close alongside them rocks, an' is wide an' deep enough to float a frigate. if you want to go home in your boat, that's your only chance." while this conversation was going on, tom had made a hurried examination of the governor's harboring-place, which was far ahead of the cave in the village, and must have been expressly intended to serve as a refuge for some person, who, like sam, thought it necessary to keep aloof from his fellow-men. the creek was simply an arm of the bay, which did not extend more than twenty yards into the land, where it formed a cove large enough to shelter half a dozen sail-boats. it was surrounded by precipitous cliffs, which hung threateningly over the water and whose sides were so thickly covered with bushes and trees that the rays of the sun could not penetrate through them. the entrance was effectually concealed by rocks which had fallen from the bluffs above, and a fleet might have coasted along the shore without discovering it. on one side of the cove was a little grass plat, which sloped gently down to the water's edge, and here sam had erected a rude cabin, which was furnished with a bed, fire-place, cooking utensils, and other articles of comfort and convenience. a skiff was drawn up on the bank in front of the cabin, a sail and a pair of oars rested against the eaves, and in a frying-pan, which stood on a bench beside the door, were several fish which sam had caught for his supper. "well, muley, what do you think of it?" asked the governor, when his visitor had examined every thing to his satisfaction. "i'm livin' crusoe life now, aint i? i'd like it a heap better than ferryin', if i only had something besides fish and water-melons to eat." "water-melons!" repeated tom: "where do you get them?" "o, i hooks 'em. there's plenty on the island, an' i was just goin' out after some when i saw you. i've got one left, an' it's in the spring, behind the cabin, coolin' off." "how did you get out without your boat?" asked tom, looking up at the overhanging cliffs. "you can't climb those rocks." "you couldn't, but i can, 'cause i know where the path is. you see, i am an old fox, an' i've got two holes to my burrow. if mr. grimes an' bobby jennings find out where i am, an' come here with a boat to ketch me, they'll see me goin' up them rocks like a goat; an' if they come down the path--which they aint no ways likely to do--i'll take to my boat. come with me now, muley, an' i'll show you something." tom followed the governor around the cabin, past the spring in which was the water-melon sam had spoken of, and which he said they would eat when they came down, and presently found himself standing at the foot of a narrow, winding fissure, that led to the top of the cliff. this was one of the holes to sam's "burrow"--the path of which he had spoken. it proved to be very steep and slippery, and, before they had accomplished half the distance to the summit, tom was obliged to sit down and recover his breath. the second time he stopped, he found before him a yawning chasm which extended across the path, and seemed to check their farther progress. "can you jump it, muley?" asked the governor. now, as the chasm was fully ten feet wide, and tom could see no chance for a running start, he thought this question entirely unnecessary. no boy who had any desire to live would have thought of attempting to jump it; for, if he missed his footing when he landed on the opposite side, he would fall about forty feet. that was what tom thought, and that was what he told the governor. "well, i have done it many a time," said sam, "an' i can do it again." as he spoke, he stepped to a tree beside the path, and began to unfasten a rope which led down from some place above--tom could not see where, for the bushes that covered the side of the cliff were too thick. grasping the rope with both hands, the governor stepped back a few feet, then ran swiftly to the brink, and, springing into the air, alighted safely on the other side of the chasm. [illustration: sam barton's harboring place.] "i don't like that way of getting over," said tom, looking down at the rocks beneath him; "that rope might break." "i'll risk that," was the reply. "it's strong enough to hold half a dozen fellers like us, an' it is made fast up there to a tree as big around as your body. ketch it, muley, an' come on." the governor let go the rope, which swung back to tom's side of the chasm, and the latter, with a good deal of trembling and hesitation, prepared to take his turn. he made two or three false starts--stepping back for a short run, as he had seen the governor do, and then suddenly stopping when he reached the brink of the chasm, and thought what would become of him if the rope should break loose from the tree above; but his fear of being laughed at was stronger than his dread of the rocks, and finally he drew in a long breath, and launched himself into the air. somewhat to his astonishment, he accomplished the feat very easily; and when he found himself safe on the opposite side, he straightened up and looked at the governor as if he had done something wonderful. sam fastened the rope to a bush, and once more led the way up the path, which grew steeper and more difficult the nearer they approached the summit. in some places the cliff was quite perpendicular, and the only way they could advance at all was by drawing themselves up by the bushes that grew out of the crevices of the rocks. they reached the top at last, however, and then sam stopped, and, pointing through the leaves, showed tom several men at work in a field, and a farm-house in the distance. "i hooks them fellers' water-melons," observed the governor. "what if they should discover us now, and come after us?" said tom. "let 'em come. they wouldn't find us, i reckon; an', even if they did, they couldn't ketch us, fur they couldn't get across that gully. but they don't dream of any body's livin' down here, in this dark hole. if they miss their water-melons, they lay the blame on some of the village boys." tom did not care to remain long on the cliff, for he was afraid that something might happen to direct the attention of the farmers toward him and his companion, and he had no desire to run a race with any body down that steep path. he might make a misstep, and that would be a calamity, for he would bring up among the rocks at the bottom of the chasm, and there would not be enough left of him to carry out his new idea by the time he got there. but, although it was quite as difficult and tedious a task to go down the cliff as to ascend it, no accident happened to them. they reached the chasm in safety, crossed it with the aid of the rope--this time without any hesitation on tom's part--and were soon stretched on the grass in front of the cabin, refreshing themselves with the water-melon. chapter iii. a new plan. tom was no less delighted than astonished at what he had seen in the governor's harboring place. the cove was so romantic, and it was so cool and pleasant down there among the rocks and trees! it was a famous place for reflection, and, as tom stretched himself out on the grass, and looked up at the bluffs above him, he told himself that he would be perfectly willing to pass the remainder of his existence there. what could be more glorious than the life of ease sam was leading? he had no business to bother him, no father to keep an eye on all his movements, and no merciless village boys to torment him; but he was free from all care and trouble, was his own master, and passed his time serenely in doing nothing. that was just the life that suited tom. if other boys were foolish enough to allow themselves to be shut up in an academy for ten months in the year, or were willing to drag out a miserable existence within the dingy walls of a store or office, that was their lookout, and not his. he would not do it for any body. he would leave the village before he was twenty-four hours older; and if he ever placed his foot inside its limits again, it would be because he could not help himself. "governor," said he, "you always were a lucky fellow. here you have been during the last two weeks, enjoying yourself to the utmost, and free to go and come when you please, while i have been cooped up in the village, scarcely daring to stir out of my father's sight, compelled to work like a slave for eight hours in the day, and have been badgered and tormented until i have sometimes wished that the earth would open and swallow up newport and everybody in it, myself included. you must be happy here." "well, i should be," replied the governor, "if i only had something good to eat, an' was sartin that bobby jennings an' mr. grimes would never trouble me." "you may make yourself easy on that score," said tom. "bob jennings is a thousand miles from here by this time. he has gone to china, and will not be back for three years." as tom said this he settled back on his elbow, and proceeded to give the governor a history of all that had happened in the village since the night the crusoe men made the attack on the storm king. he told how harry green had taken him and the rest of the band to the academy as prisoners of war; repeated what the principal had said to them; explained how bob had lost his boat, and found a friend in the man who had paid him the forty dollars in gold by mistake; and how he had obtained a berth on board the spartan, and gone to sea, leaving his mother well provided for. he wound up by dwelling with a good deal of emphasis upon the resolve he had made to pay off harry green for what he had done, and hinted, mysteriously, that the first lieutenant would live to regret that he had ever presumed to act contrary to the wishes of tom newcombe. sam could scarcely believe some portions of the story that related to bob jennings. he was sure that the fisher-boy had given one of the gold pieces for the go ahead no. ; and, even if he had not, the governor could not understand how a boy so hard pressed as bob had been--who had more than once been at a loss to know where his next meal was coming from--could resist the temptation to use a portion of the money, especially when he knew that the man who had paid it to him would never be the wiser for it. sam acknowledged to himself that the truth of the old adage he had so often heard bob repeat--that "honesty is the best policy"--had been fully exemplified. "now, that's what comes of bein' born lucky," said he, after he had thought the matter over. "that ar' bobby jennings is a gentleman, now, an' goes about holden' up his head like he was somebody; while i am a rascal an' an outlaw, not darin' to show my face outside this yere cove, an' livin' in constant fear of mr. grimes, an' the state's prison. this is a hard world, tommy." "o, now, have you just found it out?" drawled tom. "if you had seen as much trouble as i have, you would have come to that conclusion long ago. i heard harry green say, one day, that it was the very best world he ever saw, and that it could not possibly be any better. if i was as lucky as he is, i would say so too. he holds high positions among those spooneys at the academy, every body in the village speaks well of him, and he gets along through the world without the least difficulty; while i--just look at me! i won't stand it; now, that's all about it! i'll raise a breeze in that village one of these fine days, that will make the people there think they have never known any thing about tom newcombe." tom always worked himself into a passion when he talked about the wrongs he imagined the world had done him; and as he dwelt upon harry green's success--which he foolishly attributed to luck, instead of downright earnest labor--and drew a contrast between their stations in life, he got angrier with every sentence he uttered; and when he declared that he "wouldn't stand it," he jumped up and stamped his foot furiously upon the ground, to emphasize his words. "well, now, muley, i can't see the use of talkin' on that ar' way," said the governor. "the world has been mighty mean to us, but it might have used us a heap worse." "o, now, i can't see it!" drawled tom. "i'd like to know if i wasn't used just as badly as i could be when i lost that yacht?" "of course not. you might have been put in jail, like the rest of the fellers." "what fellows?" "why, friday, will atkins, an' all our crowd." "they are not in jail. they are ferrying on the harbor every day, and nobody troubles them. if you were to go back to the village, no one would say a word to you." the governor shut one eye, and looked at tom through, the half-closed lids of the other. "do you see any thing green about me?" he asked. "we stole the skiff--every body knows that--an' it wasn't no fault of our'n that bobby jennings got her agin. that's contrary to law, an' mr. grimes, bein' an officer, is bound to put us through for it. he thinks that by lettin' them fellers alone he will get me to go back to the village, and then he'll arrest the whole of us, an' pack us off to jail. but i'm too sharp fur him. he said i couldn't pull no wool over his eyes, an' he'll find that he can't pull none over mine, neither." "but i tell you that every body thinks you are drowned," said tom. "that's all mighty nice, but it don't fool governor barton. i just aint going back to newport, 'cause i know it aint safe. i jumped overboard from the yacht 'cause i didn't want to let mr. grimes get his hands on me, an' i'd be the biggest kind of a dunce to put myself in his way ag'in. but i say, muley, don't it beat all the world how them 'cademy swells got out of the hold that night?" "it doesn't beat me; i know all about it. you broke me, didn't you?" "i did; but i am sorry fur it now." "it is rather late in the day to make apologies, governor. if you had treated me like a gentleman, those students wouldn't have got out." "i don't understand you, muley." "well, i let them out. you understand me now, don't you?" sam, upon hearing this, started up from the ground and glared at tom so savagely that the latter began to be alarmed. "i couldn't help it, governor," said he. "it's my plan to get even with any fellow who imposes upon me. you played me a mean trick, and i paid you off in your own coin." "well, the thing is done now," said sam, settling back on his elbow, "an' it can't be undone. perhaps it was the best thing that could have happened to us, fur, since i have had time to think the matter over, i have come to the conclusion that our cruise would not have been a long one. that was a terrible storm, muley, an' the waves were uncommon high. i found that out the minute i got into 'em. i never expected to come out alive, an' i hadn't any more than touched the water, till i'd been willin' to give something nice to get back on board the yacht. but luck was on my side for once, an' throwed a spar in my way. where it come from i don't know; but it was there, an' it saved me. it drifted into the harbor, carryin' me with it; an' when i come to a place where i thought i could swim, i struck out for the wharf. it was then almost daylight, an', as i didn't care about bein' seen, i found a safe hidin'-place an' stayed there durin' the day, thinkin' an' layin' my plans. when night come, i stole this skiff an' started for the island. the next day i found this cove; an', seein' in a minute that it was just the place for me, i brought my boat around, an' i've been here ever since. i've made three visits to the village--that's the way i come to learn the channels--and i've got my bed, all my clothes, an' several other handy little articles i found layin' around. i wanted to see you an' find out what was goin' on, but i didn't dare to show myself, fur i didn't know but you had gone back on me. rats desert a sinkin' ship, you know, an' when a feller's in disgrace, everybody gets down on him. i'm glad to hear that the other fellers are all right, 'cause i've done a heap of thinkin' since i've been here. have you given up all idea of findin' crusoe's island?" "no, i haven't," replied tom. "i'd start to-morrow, if i could find any one to go with me. what have you been thinking about, governor?" "about gettin' away from here. i can't stay on this island much longer, 'cause it's too near the village; an' another thing, grub's scarce. i'm going over to newport this very night to see them fellers; an' if they'll stick to us, we'll see some fun yet. will you go?" "i will," answered tom, readily; "that is, if you will help me square yards with the principal of the academy." "i'll do it; there's my hand on it. i always knowed you were a brick, muley, an' now i'll tell you what i have been thinkin' about since we've been sittin' here. in the first place," continued the governor, helping himself to another slice of the water-melon, "i take it fur granted that friday, will atkins, xury, an' jack spaniard will go with us, an' help us carry out our idea. i know them fellers, an' i am sure they can be depended on. we'll start the crusoe band ag'in. i will be the head man, as i was before; an' if you'll promise, honor bright, not to try any tricks on us, we'll call you cap'n, an' we'll give you command of the vessel, when we get her." "all right," said tom, "i'll not play any tricks on you as long as you obey orders and behave yourselves; but if you get up a mutiny, and try to make me a foremast hand, as you did before, i'll knock the whole thing higher than a kite. you must bear two things in mind, governor: i know more about managing these matters than you do, and i am a better sailor. i was president of the gentlemen's club, and grand commander of the night-hawks. that runaway expedition from the academy, that made such a stir in the village, originated with me, and i carried it out successfully; and that's more than any other boy in newport could have done. i was second in command of the swallow during that cruise, and, if i had had one or two more friends, i would have been made master of her when the fellows put rich out. if i go with you, i must be captain of the vessel; and, more than that, you must promise, in the presence of the band, to stand by me, and see that my orders are obeyed to the very letter." "i'll agree to that, muley," said sam. "call me captain," interrupted tom; "i never did like that other name. the second thing you must remember is, that, if you and i are friends, the expedition will be successful; but, if you make an enemy of me, i'll ruin it in some way or another. let's hear the rest of your plan." "i can tell it in few words," replied sam: "if the fellers promise to go with us, we must find a vessel somewhere. we want a good one, fur there's no knowin' how many storms we may get into before we reach our island. i'd like to have that yacht, 'cause she's a good sea-boat, an' sails like lightnin'; but them 'cademy swells will always be on the watch now, an' when you see governor barton within reach of them bayonets ag'in, you'll see a weasel asleep. our best plan would be to take the sweepstakes. 'squire thompson leaves her in the harbor, with no one to watch her, an' it'll be the easiest thing in the world to board her, some dark night, an' make off with her. that part of the business don't trouble me none, but the grub does. i s'pose the few crackers we had on hand when we made the attack on the yacht are lost, or eat up; an' atkins said there was not much more'n twenty dollars in the treasury. that wouldn't be enough to buy grub fur us six fellers, even if we had it; but i know it's been fooled away fur peanuts an' candy long before this time. of course, we can't go to sea without something to eat, an' the only way we can get it is to hook it." "steal it!" drawled tom. "o, now, if that's the way you are going to get your supplies, you needn't ask me to help, for i won't do it." "mebbe you'll be willin' enough to eat the grub when we get it," returned sam. "that's a different matter. of course, i'll not starve if there's is any thing on board the vessel to eat, but i won't steal. where are you going to get your provisions?" "at mr. henry's store." "o, now, suppose you should be caught? that would kill the expedition at once. johnny harding sleeps in the store every night." "does he?" exclaimed the governor. "that's something i didn't calculate on; but i guess we aint much afraid of him. if we can only get inside the store without awaking him, we can manage him easy enough. i'll have a club, or something, an' the sight of it will keep him quiet while the other fellers are securin' the provisions." tom was amazed at the coolness with which the governor discussed this villainous plan for supplying the commissary of the crusoe band. he was hardly prepared for so desperate an undertaking, and yet, at the same time, he had determined upon the perpetration of an offense which was even more atrocious in the eyes of the law than the one sam had proposed. when it first entered his mind, he had been terrified at the bare thought of it; but he had pondered upon it so often, and had weighed so many schemes for its accomplishment, that the enormity of the crime had finally dwindled into insignificance. perhaps, if he had spent as much time in thinking about robbing mr. henry's store as he had about destroying the storm king, sam's proposition would not have startled him in the least. the fact was, tom had long been going down hill, in a moral point of view. like every one else who does not advance, he was retrograding. there is no such thing as standing still in this world. a boy grows better or worse every day of his life. the change may be so gradual as to escape the notice of those around him, but it is, nevertheless, surely going on. the truth of this had been fully illustrated in tom's case. from studying up schemes for mischief, which were simply intended to amuse himself and companions, he had come, by easy steps, to think seriously of attempting a crime, to revenge himself upon his father, the students, and the principal of the academy. he did not expect to accomplish it without being discovered; and he knew that, if he was captured, his punishment would be something more terrible than any thing he had yet experienced. but this thought did not deter him. he was resolved to carry out his new idea, if within the bounds of possibility, and to escape the consequences by running away from the village. "well, cap'n, what do you say?" asked the governor, after tom had sat gazing thoughtfully at the ground for several minutes. "we must have something to eat, an that's the only way i know of to get it." "you can do as you please," was the answer. "i shall not take any part in robbing the store; there is too much danger in it." "well, we can get along without your help. you can stand by and look on. you said something about gettin' even with them 'cademy swells, didn't you?" "yes, i did. i am going to burn that yacht." it was now sam's turn to be astonished. he started up and looked at his companion as if he hardly believed that he could be in earnest. "o, i mean it, governor," said tom, with a decided shake of his head. "now, if you will listen to me, cap'n', you will keep away from them 'cademy fellers. they think a heap of that little vessel, an' if they ketch you tryin' to burn her, they won't be no ways backward about givin' you a good drubbin'. besides, you'll have mr. grimes after you." "i have thought the matter over thoroughly, sam, and nothing you can say will turn me from my purpose. do you suppose that, after all that has happened, i am going to let those fellows enjoy quiet possession of the storm king? no, sir; i won't do it. she rightfully belongs to me, and if i can't have her, nobody shall. when i meet those sailors strutting about the village, showing off their new uniforms, and see harry green planking his quarter-deck with all the dignity of an admiral, i feel as if i'd like to sink the vessel and her crew in the deepest part of the ocean. if my father had given her to me, as he ought to have done, i should now be the happiest boy in the world; as it is, i am the most miserable. i don't expect you and the band to run any risks, governor. all i ask of you is to pull me alongside the yacht, and i'll do the rest. i'll slip on board with a bottle of coal-oil in my pocket, and if i can once get into the galley without being discovered, i'll finish her." the governor gazed at tom in silent wonder and admiration. the latter's plan for "squaring yards" with the principal was likely to involve him in considerable danger, and sam could not help acknowledging to himself that it was something he would not dare undertake. he had great respect for courage, and he believed that he had been sadly mistaken in tom. he began to stand in awe of him, too; for a boy who could conceive of such an exploit, and talk so calmly about it, after the experience he had already had with the students, might indeed prove a dangerous person to make an enemy of. the governor secretly determined to keep on the right side of tom. "well," said he, at length, "i promised that i would help you, an' i'll stick to it." "if you don't, i'll do the job alone," declared tom. "i'll board the yacht some night, and set fire to her, even if i know that the students will catch me in the very act. but it is getting dark, and i must go home." "come ag'in to-morrow afternoon, cap'n," said the governor. "i'll have the other fellers here then, an' we can talk the matter over." tom promised to be on hand; and after sam had piloted his boat out of the cove into still water, he filled away for home, feeling happier than he had done for many a day. we are so well acquainted with him, that it is scarcely necessary to say that he passed a sleepless night, and that during the following day he lived in a state of constant excitement. of course he was certain of success--he always was, in spite of his former experience--and of course he gave full sway to his imagination, and indulged in pleasing anticipations of the life of glorious ease upon which he was soon to enter. there would be no johnny harding to bother him (tom spent a good deal of time in trying to decide upon some plan to punish johnny before he left the village); no stern, unreasonable father to interfere with his grand ideas; no care or trouble of any description to mar his happiness; but his days would be passed in one continual round of enjoyment. every one who came in contact with him noticed that he was in wonderful spirits--not morose and sullen as he had lately been, but gay and active, and, for a wonder, industrious. this was enough to excite the suspicions of his father, who watched him more closely than ever, but could discover nothing wrong. tom remained at the office until four o'clock, and then went home. he kept the back streets, to avoid meeting any of his acquaintances, but, to his intense disgust, he ran against two of the crew of the storm king, in front of his father's house. they were the ones who threatened him with a bath in the harbor if he attempted to carry out any more of his plans against the yacht, and whom tom alarmed by declaring that he had another idea already. "o, now, i'd like to see you duck me in the harbor," drawled tom. "if you think you can scare me, you are very much mistaken. i'll astonish you, one of these days." "you had better be careful how you talk, captain," said one of the young tars, placing his hand on the gate as if he had half a mind to follow tom into the yard; "we are in no humor to listen to any threats." "now, haven't i told you a dozen times that i want you to quit calling me captain?" whined tom. "i've stood your insults just as long as i am going to. i've got a splendid idea." tom turned on his heel, and walked down the lawn toward the wharf where the mystery lay; and when he had hoisted the sails, he started for the island, to keep his appointment with sam barton. on the way he overtook and passed a yawl, in which were seated the four members of the crusoe band; and the significant manner in which they shook their heads at tom, satisfied him that the governor had talked the matter over with them, and that they were ready to join the expedition. he found sam on the rock where he had met him the day before; and when he had piloted the mystery into the cove, he conducted tom up the path that led to the summit of the bluff, and together they returned to the rock, to await the arrival of the other members of the band. they came at length, and in a few minutes the yawl was lying in the cove beside the mystery, and the crusoe men were seated on the grass in front of the cabin, talking over their plans. the arrangements for the cruise were speedily completed. it was unanimously agreed by the band that the only way to get their provisions was to rob mr. henry's store (to tom's great surprise, not the slightest objection was made to this proposition); that they should capture the sweepstakes, and assist tom in destroying the yacht; that sam should be chief of the band, tom captain of the vessel, and xury, in view of the skill he had exhibited in navigating the yacht down the harbor on that stormy night, should be first mate. it was further agreed that the members of the band should go back to the village, collect all the articles of the outfit, and, as soon as it grew dark, return to the island, where they would remain concealed until they were ready to start on their cruise. "you see," explained the governor, "when you five fellers run away, it'll be sure to raise a big fuss, and mebbe tommy's father will try to find him. but he'll never think of lookin' fur him so near the village; an' here we'll stay, as snug an' comfortable as bugs in a rug. the fuss will die out after awhile, an' then, some dark night, we'll pay our last visit to newport." this programme was duly carried out; and, while every body was wondering what had become of the runaways, and mr. newcombe was sending his tugs up and down the bay, in all directions, in the hope of hearing some tidings of the missing tom, he was safely sheltered in sam barton's retreat, enjoying a foretaste of crusoe life, happy in the society of the young vagabonds he had chosen for his companions, and never wasting a thought upon the home and friends he had deserted. chapter iv. tom in trouble. for the first time in a good many months, tom was willing to acknowledge that he was a happy boy. the life he led in sam barton's harboring-place exactly suited him. he had plenty to eat, no work to do, and nothing to trouble him. by virtue of his rank, he was exempt from all camp duty; and the only labor he had to perform during the day-time was to dispose of his meals when friday said they were ready. when he felt so inclined, he took part in the conversation, and discussed with the others the best methods of carrying out the plans they had determined upon; but he believed the position he held warranted the display of a little dignity on his part, and he generally kept aloof from all his companions, except the governor, and spent the most of his time in dozing and building air-castles. if the storm king had been destroyed, he would have been willing to pass the remainder of his days in the cove. that would save him the trouble and inconvenience of a long voyage at sea, which, reckless as he was, he was in no hurry to undertake. what if the sweepstakes should be caught out in a storm, like the one they had experienced the night they made the attack on the yacht? the captain did not like to think about this; but the question would now and then force itself upon him, and he finally determined that, if he found himself likely to get into trouble, he would shirk the responsibility by turning the command of the vessel over to his mate. on the evening of the fourteenth day after the crusoe men had taken up their abode in the cove, tom lay upon the grass, gazing into the water, and lazily fanning himself with his hat. the band had been employed, during the day, in enlarging the cabin, and tom had condescended to lend a very little assistance, and was now resting after his labors. a fire was burning brightly under the bluff, and, before it, supported upon sticks driven into the ground, were half a dozen fine fish, which, under the influence of the heat, were emitting an odor that would have tempted an epicure. a coffee-pot simmered and sputtered on a bed of coals that had been raked out on one side of the fire, and on the other stood friday, the cook, watching some potatoes that were roasting in the ashes. a short distance from the fire was the table, laid for supper. it was a little knoll, thickly covered with grass, which answered the purpose of a tablecloth. the most prominent object upon it was a huge piece of beech bark, which did duty as a bread-plate--only it was filled with crackers, instead of bread; and, judging by the quantity it contained, friday must have thought his companions would be very hungry after their day's work. around it were arranged the dishes with which each member of the band had been required to provide himself--a tin plate and cup, and also a spoon, knife, and fork. two more pieces of bark lay near the fire, waiting to receive the fish and potatoes. the outfit provided by the band for their former expedition, and which fell into the hands of the students when they recaptured their vessel, had been restored to the owners by the principal, and they had brought it to the island with them. will atkins was now engaged in stowing it away in the cabin, xury was arranging the beds, and jack spaniard was fixing up some brackets to receive the guns. the governor was off reconnoitering. he had issued orders prohibiting his men from going outside the cove in the day-time, but he himself ascended to the upper world at least once in every two or three hours, to see what was going on, and to satisfy himself that the farmer on whose land the cove was situated had seen nothing to arouse his suspicions. "now, then," said friday, "supper's ready. will atkins, go after the governor." "who made you an officer?" replied atkins. "go yourself." "now, look here," exclaimed tom, raising himself on his elbow, and looking indignantly at the cook, "by whose authority do you issue commands here? there are a captain and mate in this society now, and all orders must pass through them." "i forgot," said friday. "cap'n, will you tell somebody to call the governor?" "mr. mate," drawled tom, "be kind enough to send a man after the governor." "will atkins," said xury, "go up an' tell the governor that if he wants any grub he'd best be gettin' down here." the order came from the proper authority this time, and through the proper channels, and atkins could not refuse to obey. this style of passing orders had been introduced by tom, and was what he called the "man of war routine." he insisted that it was no more than right that all the officers should have something to do with whatever was going on; and, after a few objections from sam, who did not like to surrender any of his authority, he had carried his point. the governor was sharp enough to see, after a little reflection, that this rule, if strictly carried out, would establish him more firmly in his position than ever before. by allowing his officers to show their authority on all occasions, they would be kept good natured; and if any trouble arose in the band, he could depend upon their assistance and support. there were two among the crusoe men, however, who were not at all pleased with this state of affairs, and they were will atkins and jack spaniard. by carrying out tom's system they were made hewers of wood and drawers of water to their companions; and will atkins, who was a turbulent fellow, declared that he wouldn't stand it--that there would be a big fuss in the society some day, if the officers persisted in making a servant of him. he always obeyed orders, because he was afraid to refuse; but he growled about it like any old sailor. "i think this is a purty how-de-do," said he, sullenly, as he started off to obey the mate's command. "it's 'will atkins, do this!' 'will atkins, do that!' that lazy governor, an' muley, an' xury can set around an' do nothin'; but atkins can't have a minute's peace." "go on, and obey the order," said tom, sternly. "if i hear another word out of you, i'll report you to the governor." this thread silenced the dissatisfied member of the crusoe band. he knew, by experience, that the chief had a very unpleasant way of dealing with rebellious spirits, and fear of bodily harm kept him quiet. by the time friday had dished up his supper, atkins returned with the governor, who threw himself upon the grass at the head of the table, while his officers seated themselves on each side of him. he passed his cup to the cook to be filled with coffee, and, as he did so, he ran his eye over the table, and smiled with great satisfaction. "this is a heap better grub than i had while i lived here alone," said he. "friday, you know i am heavy on taters; why didn't you cook more of 'em?" "them's the last," was the answer. "then we must lay in a new supply," said sam. "we'll go up after dark, an' hook a bushel or so. i've been watchin' them fellers up there, fur the last half hour; an' i notice they have left a good many piles of taters in the field. it'll be the easiest thing in the world fur us to get as many as we want." the matter was settled without any further remarks. the governor's orders had thus far been received and obeyed without comment; and so small and uninteresting an enterprise as robbing a potato-patch was not worth talking about. the crusoe men had done such things so often that they thought no more of them than they did of going fishing. but this expedition was destined to be rather more exciting than any of a similar kind in which they had ever engaged; and if they had only known what was to happen before morning, and could have looked far enough into the future to see the long string of events that was to result from the governor's order, it is probable that they would one and all have refused duty. supper over, the crusoe men lounged on the grass, in front of the cabin, and talked of what they had done, and what they intended to do--all except friday, who busied himself in clearing the table, and washing the dishes. at sunset it was quite dark in the cove; but the governor knew there was still plenty of light on the cliffs above, and he waited nearly two hours more before he gave the signal for action. "i reckon we can be movin' now," said he, at length. "i don't s'pose there is any danger, but, of course, it will be well for us to keep our eyes an' ears open. if them fellers up there havn't found out by this time that there's something goin' on, it aint no fault of our'n; fur we've made mighty free with their fruit an' vegetables durin' the last few nights. cap'n, see that each man is provided with a sack to put the taters in." tom repeated the order to his mate, who went into the cabin, and presently returned with an armful of bags, which he distributed among the band. the chief then lighted his lantern, and, every thing being ready for the start, led the way toward the cliff, the ascent of which was regarded by the members of the band as the worst part of the undertaking. the fissure along which the path ran, was as dark as midnight; and the faint light which the governor's lantern threw out, afforded them but little assistance in finding their way. they had made the ascent so often, however, that they had become quite familiar with the path, and there was no danger of losing their way, or of falling over the rocks. they crossed the chasm by the rope bridge in safety, and finally reached the summit, where the governor extinguished his light, and stopped to reconnoiter. every thing was still, and sam was satisfied that the coast was clear, although he thought it best to give his men a few final instructions. "there don't seem to be nothin' wrong," said he, "but, bein' an old fox, i know it aint always best to put too much faith in appearances. we won't go straight to the field, 'cause there may be somebody on the watch, you know; an' if they see where we come from, they'll discover our hidin'-place, an' then we can bid good-by to all hopes of ever seein' our island. if they get after us, we'll scatter out an' hide from 'em--we can easy do that in the dark--an' when they're gone, we'll meet here. but remember, fellers, we aint comin' back without them taters." sam, who had by this time become well acquainted with the country about his hiding-place, once more placed himself at the head of his men, and led them down the shore for a quarter of a mile; and after passing through two or three fields, came up on the other side of the potato-patch. if the farmer was on the watch, this maneuver would lead him to believe that sam and his band had come from the village. the governor had no difficulty in finding the place where the farmer had left his potatoes, and after he had ordered two of the band to act as sentries, he set to work with the others to fill the bags. for a wonder tom labored as hard as the rest, and without once noticing how sadly he was soiling his hands and clothes. he was rendered extremely uneasy by the precautions the governor had taken to avoid capture, and he was anxious to get the work done as soon as possible. when his bag was filled, he tied it with a string he had brought with him for the purpose, and was making some desperate efforts to raise it to his shoulder, when an exclamation from one of the sentinels caused him to drop his burden as if it had been a coal of fire. "see there, fellers!" whispered xury. "look out, men!" chimed in will atkins. "i hear something." tom looked, but could see nothing. he knew there was danger near, however, and without waiting to see what quarter it was coming from, he jumped over his bag of potatoes, and drew a bee-line for the beach at a rate of speed that astonished himself. he had not made more than half a dozen steps, when an appalling yell rang out on the air, followed by the roar of a gun which sounded so loud that tom, in his terror, thought it must have been fired close to his ear. "halt there, you villain!" shouted a voice close behind the flying captain of the crusoe band. tom heard the order, and knew it was addressed to him, but he did not heed it. he ran faster than ever, the sound of rapidly pursuing footsteps lending him wings. but all his efforts were in vain. the footsteps grew louder, and presently tom felt a strong hand grasp his collar. a moment afterward he found himself lying flat on his back, with a heavy weight on his breast holding him down. chapter v. atkins refuses duty. tom newcombe had his first fight that night. he resisted the active young farmer who had seized him, to the best of his ability, although, for all the good it did him, he might as well have surrendered himself a prisoner at once. but the captain of the crusoe band had a great many reasons for not wishing to be taken prisoner. in the first place, he was pretty well known in that country, and he was afraid that the farmer might recognize in him the son of the richest man in newport; and, even if he did not, he would know that tom had come from the village, and he would, of course, take him back there in the morning. then what would become of him? what would his father do? and what would johnny harding, and the rest of the fellows, have to say about it? above all, what would become of the expedition, and the plan he had laid for destroying the storm king? his capture would put an end to all the bright dreams in which he had indulged during the past two weeks, and he would once more find himself an errand-boy in his father's office, deprived of every privilege, watched more closely than ever, and teased and tormented by his thoughtless acquaintances, who would never allow him a moment's peace. tom thought of all these things, and he was surprised at himself when he found that he was fighting for his liberty with a courage and determination he had never supposed himself to possess. he kicked and thrashed about at an astonishing rate, and finding that his efforts were wholly in vain, he tried to frighten his captor by threatening him with a terrible vengeance if he did not immediately release him. "what do you mean?" roared tom, striving desperately to unclasp the strong fingers that were holding fast to his collar. "let me up, or i'll give you cause to remember this night's work as long as you live. let me up, i say." "well, i swan!" exclaimed the farmer, peering down into tom's face, "i thought you made a poor fight for a man." then hearing footsteps behind him, he looked up, and called out to some one who was approaching--"i say, josh, they're only little brats of boys; they aint men at all. i wish i had a good apple-tree switch." "o, now, you wouldn't use it on me if you had one," drawled tom. "wouldn't! i'd like to know what's the reason?" "because you wouldn't dare do it. i always get even with any one who imposes on me, so you had better mind what you are about." "i don't want any insolence now, for i aint in just the mood to stand it. if you and your crowd are the same fellows who have been prowling around here for the last week, you have stolen more than twenty dollars worth of garden truck. get up here, you young robber!" the farmer jerked his prisoner roughly to his feet, and by this time josh came up. the arrival of re-enforcements, and the ease with which he was handled, convinced tom that further resistance was useless, and he began to beg lustily. "o, now, if you will let me go i'll never do it again," he pleaded. "o yes, we'll let you go," was the encouraging reply. "we'll lock you up till morning, and then take you over to the 'squire; that's what we'll do with you. catch hold of him, josh." his captor held fast to one arm, josh took hold of the other, and tom was marched off between them. of course he pulled back, and tried hard to escape; but the stalwart young farmers walked him along without the least difficulty. when they reached the house, they pulled him up the steps that led to the porch, and opening a door, ushered him into the kitchen, where tom found himself in the presence of the female portion of the farmer's family. "here's one of the rogues, mother," exclaimed josh. "sit down, and let's have a good look at you." if tom at that moment could have purchased his freedom by promising that he would give up his new idea, and leave the students in quiet possession of the storm king, he would have done it, gladly. he sank into the chair josh pointed out to him, and sat with his chin resting on his breast, and his eyes fastened on the floor, not daring to look up long enough to ascertain whether or not there was any one in the room with whom he was acquainted. he knew that half a dozen pairs of eyes were looking at him with curiosity; and he felt that if he had never before been utterly disgraced, he was now. no one spoke to him, and in a few minutes the silence became so oppressive that tom would have welcomed a thunderstorm, or an earthquake. he twisted about in his chair, whirled his cap in his hand, and gazed steadily at a crack in the floor, until he was relieved by the noise of feet on the porch, which was followed by the entrance of the farmer, with the rest of the party who had been guarding the potato-patch. then, for the first time, he mustered up courage enough to look around him. he noted two things--one was, that every person in the room was a stranger to him; and the other, that he had a companion in his misery, in the shape of his mate, who, unlike his superior officer, did not seem to be at all abashed at finding himself the center of so many eyes. he held his head up, and looked about him as if he felt quite at his ease. "well, we've got two of them," said the farmer, in a tone of great satisfaction, "and i guess we've frightened the others so badly that they'll let us alone in future. but how is this?" he added, glancing first at the rich man's son, and than at the ragged, bare-footed ferry-boy. "there must have been two parties of them." "no, there wasn't," said xury. "we all belong to one crowd." "what's your name?" continued the farmer, addressing himself to the captain of the crusoe band. "o, now, i'm tom--" "avast, there!" cried xury, so suddenly that he startled every one in the room. "his name is muley, mister--that's his name." "muley? muley what?" "muley nothin'--just muley. that's all the name he's got. my name is xury, an' that's all the name i've got." tom was astonished at the impudence of his mate. he had been on the point of revealing every thing, for, now that he was a prisoner, he could not see the use of further concealment. according to his way of thinking, the expedition had been nipped in the bud, his splendid idea could not be carried out, and if the farmer had questioned him closely, he would have told him all about the crusoe men and their hiding-place. it made no difference to tom that he had promised to keep these things secret. he was in trouble, and all he cared for was to get out of it. xury, however, was a very different sort of boy. he had promised never to reveal any of the secrets intrusted to his keeping, he had sealed the compact by shaking hands with his chief, and he would have endured almost any punishment before proving himself unworthy of the confidence of his fellows. besides, he did not believe that the affairs of the band were so very desperate. he knew that the governor would never desert him, and as long as he and tom remained on the island, there were some hopes that those of the band who had escaped would find means to effect their release. "of course i know that those are not your right names," said the farmer, at length, "but i am not particular about that, for when i take you to the village to-morrow, i can find out all about you. what did you intend to do with those potatoes?" "eat 'em," answered xury. "what else does a feller do with taters?" "have you eaten all the fruit and vegetables you have stolen during the last week?" "sartin." "well, i'll put you where you won't steal any more to-night. josh, you and bill take them down cellar and leave them there with the rats." "that don't scare me none," said xury. "i never saw no rats yet i was afraid of. what will you do with us in the mornin', mister?" "i intend to break up these midnight plundering expeditions, by making an example of you. i shall take you before 'squire thompson." "what do you reckon he'll do with us?" "he will put you in the house of refuge for three or four years, most likely, and i think that would be a good place for you. take them away, boys." josh lighted a candle and led the way into the cellar, followed by tom and his mate, bill bringing up the rear. while the young farmers were examining the windows and door, to make sure that their prisoners could not escape, tom took a hurried survey of his quarters, which he found to be cheerless in the extreme. three sides of the cellar were supplied with windows--narrow apertures, placed about as high as his head from the floor, and protected by stout iron bars which were set into the walls. on the fourth side was a heavy door, secured by a padlock. tom took these things in at a glance, and quite agreed with josh, when he said, "now, then, you young robbers, you are secure for the night." "and i would advise you to keep quiet, and not go to kicking up any fuss down here," chimed in bill. "if you feel like going to sleep, you can lie down on those boxes." josh and bill took their departure, and the crusoe men were left to their meditations, and to the companionship of the rats. tom heard them close and lock the door at the head of the stairs, and, groping his way to a box in one corner of the cellar, he sat down to think over his situation; while xury, whistling softly to himself, began an examination of the windows. this coolness and indifference amazed tom, who could not understand how a boy, with the prospect before him of serving out a term of years in the house of refuge, could take matters so easily. "o, now, quit that whistling," drawled tom, who found it hard work to keep back his tears. "what fur?" demanded xury. "there's no use of bein' down in the mouth, cap'n. scoldin' an' frettin' won't help us none." "did any body ever see so unlucky a boy as i am? other fellows get along through the world without any trouble, but something is always happening to bother me. to-morrow morning i shall be taken back to the village." "well, i sha'n't. i aint goin' back to newport till the governor says the word." "but those men up stairs will make you go," drawled tom. "they'll have to find me first, won't they? if they think they can keep a crusoe man in this cellar all night, they'll find out their mistake in the mornin'. they'll go to bed before long, an' then we'll see what we can do." as xury said this, he stretched himself out on the box beside his captain, and settling into a comfortable position, waited patiently for the farmer and his family to retire to rest. he expected to be free before morning; and, as his examination had satisfied him that he could not effect his escape without assistance, he was depending entirely upon the governor. had he known what was going on at that moment, a short distance from the house, he might not have had so much faith in the chief's ability to release him. sam, jack spaniard, friday, and will atkins, more fortunate than their fellows, succeeded in eluding their pursuers, and met on the bluff, above the cove, and sat down to rest after their long run, and to talk over the events of the night. the governor reported the capture of tom and his mate. he was but a short distance from them when they were overtaken, although he did not know who the unlucky ones were, until he met the band on the cliff. the crusoe men were dismayed when they learned the extent of their loss, and some of them were strongly in favor of abandoning their enterprise. will atkins, especially, was very much disheartened, and urged his companions to return to the village at once. "the jig is up now, fellers," said he, "an' i, fur one, am goin' home. tommy an' xury are captured, an' the first thing we know, we may be gobbled up, too. an' even if we aint, we four fellers can't rob mr. henry's store, an' take the sweepstakes besides." "now, atkins, who asked you fur any advice?" demanded the governor, angrily. "the expedition aint dead yet, even if two of us have fallen into the hands of the enemy. as soon as we get rested we'll go up to the house, an' if we can find out where the cap'n an' xury are, we'll help 'em." "i've run risks enough," returned the discontented member. "i just aint a goin' up to the house." "what's that you say?" exclaimed the chief, astonished and enraged to hear his authority thus set at defiance. "i say i sha'n't go up to the house," repeated atkins, decidedly; "an' i mean it." "why, you wouldn't have us to leave them two fellers without once tryin' to help 'em, would you?" "i don't care what you do. you can do as you please, an' so will i." "now, atkins, have you forgot them lessons i have given you? if you don't look out i'll have to larn you a few more. you're gettin' to be mighty sassy, lately." "you can't scare me none, governor, fur i aint alone like i used to be. i've got at least one good friend in the band. jack, you'll stand by me." "i will," replied jack spaniard, who arose from the rock where he had been sitting, and walked over to the side of the mutineer. "you see, governor," he added, "me an' atkins have got tired of doin' all the work. you never let us have things our way at all, an' we aint a goin' to stand it no longer. if you want to help the cap'n an' xury you can do it yourself." the governor listened to this speech in silence. he had been expecting a demonstration of this kind from atkins, but he was not prepared for so decided an opposition to his authority. atkins had long shown a disposition to make trouble in the band, and during the last three days he had been more disorderly than ever. the governor had often heard him grumbling to himself, and he had made up his mind to whip all the rebellious spirit out of him at the first good opportunity. that opportunity was now presented; but sam did not think it safe to attempt to carry out his resolve. atkins was backed up by jack spaniard, and with his aid, he was likely to prove more than a match for the redoubtable bully. if tom and his mate had been there to assist him, he could have crushed the rebellion in short order. "of all the mean things that have happened in the band since i got to be governor, this yere is the beat," said sam, after a moment's pause. "you two fellers promised, not more'n two weeks ago, to obey all orders, an' to stand by your friends, if they got into trouble; an' now you are goin' back on your word. there aint no honor about such fellers as you be. friday, whose side are you on?" "on your'n, governor; i don't think we shall ever see our island now, but i'll stick to you as long as any body does." "all right!" exclaimed the chief, immensely relieved. "jack spaniard, you're always been a good, law-abidin' man, an' if you'll come away from that feller, i won't say nothin' to you; i'll let you off easy. an' you, atkins, you've been spilin' fur a good drubbin', an' the only way you can escape it, is by sayin' that you'll tend to your duty, an' obey orders like a man had oughter do. let's hear from you." "i won't do duty," replied atkins, sullenly. jack spaniard hesitated a moment before he answered. he knew that those who had dared to oppose the governor, had thus far been brought to grief, and he was almost inclined to take him at his word, and leave atkins to fight his own battles. but he had been highly incensed by the new rules tom had introduced into the society, and, believing that he was as good as any body, he did not like to be obliged to act the part of a servant. more than that, the events of the night had dampened his ardor. he began to see that there were a multitude of risks to be run, and a good many obstacles to be overcome, before they could begin their intended cruise, and he thought it policy to abandon the enterprise before he found himself in serious trouble. "me an' atkins will stick together," said he. "very good," replied the chief; "an' you an' atkins may make up your minds to sup sorrow with the same spoon. i am governor of this band, an' i'll come out at the top of the heap yet; now you mark what i say. what are you goin' to do?" "we're goin' into the cove after our share of the outfit," replied will atkins. "when we get it, we're goin back to the village. come on, jack; we've wasted time enough in talkin'." the two mutineers began to descend the cliff, keeping their eyes fastened on the governor, and holding themselves in readiness to resist any attack; but, to friday's surprise, sam made no attempt to detain them. chapter vi. the governor's strategy. when atkins and his companion had disappeared down the path that led to the cove, sam placed his hands behind his back, and began pacing thoughtfully to and fro, while friday, dismayed and perplexed by this unlooked-for event, and utterly unable to discover any way out of the difficulty, stretched himself on the ground and waited for the chief to speak. the affairs of the band were certainly beginning to look desperate. with two of his best men in the hands of the enemy, two more setting his authority at defiance, and with only one companion upon whom to depend, what could the governor do? a less determined and persevering boy would have given up in despair; but sam, who, since the idea of leading crusoe life had been suggested to him, had thought and dreamed about nothing else, was not easily discouraged. he was resolved that he would not abandon the course of action which had been determined on by the band a few days before; but he could not carry it out unless assisted by the two mutineers, and, as they could not be coaxed to listen to reason, they must be compelled. he would punish them for their disobedience, and show them, once for all, that his authority could not be resisted with impunity. "friday," said he, "i'll never forget you fur this night's work. you've got the best name of any of us, an' so has will atkins. the friday the book tells about stuck to crusoe like a brother, an' atkins done nothin' but study up meanness an' mischief. our atkins is doin' the same thing; but he won't make nothin', no more'n the one he's named after did. he'll be glad enough to come to terms by mornin', now you see if he aint. we don't intend to let him an' jack spaniard go back to the village to blow on us, an' the first thing to be done is to fasten 'em in the cove, so that we can find 'em when we want 'em." "how are we goin' to do it?" asked friday. "we'll take down the bridge," replied the governor, with a chuckle, "an' then let's see 'em get out. they don't know the channels across the shoals, so, of course, they won't dare to try to sail out; an' after the bridge is gone, there's only one way they can get across the gully. i'll larn 'em how to get up a mutiny." the chief, after lighting his lantern, led the way down the path, and presently came to a halt on the brink of the chasm. atkins and jack spaniard having crossed it a few minutes before, the rope was on the opposite side, and friday could see no way to obtain possession of it. "i'll tell you how i am goin' to manage it," said the governor, in answer to an inquiring glance from his companion. "i told you there is one way to get across, even after the bridge is gone, didn't i? well, do you see this tree here? it leans over the gully, an' one of its limbs runs into the tree on the opposite side that the rope is made fast to." friday elevated his lantern and gazed up into the darkness, but could see nothing more than a dense canopy of leaves and branches hanging over the chasm. he shuddered at the thought of attempting to cross on so frail a bridge. "i wouldn't go up there fur nothin'," said he, "an' i wouldn't advise you to try it, either." "well, it aint the pleasantest job in the world," replied sam, carelessly, "but i know just where the limb is, an' i am sure i can cross on it. howsomever, i am free to confess, that if i could think of any other way to get the rope, i wouldn't try it." "if you can cross that way, what's the reason that will atkins an' jack spaniard can't do it too?" inquired friday. "'cause, after i get over an' come back, nobody will ever cross the gully that way again. we'll pull the limb down. now, you hold the lantern up high an' give me all the light you can. it's mighty dark up there, an' i don't care about missin' my hold an' fallin down on them rocks." the chief scrambled up the cliff to the tree of which he had spoken, and began to ascend it. he worked his way up with the agility of a squirrel, and presently disappeared from the view of his man below. when he came in sight again, he was on the limb that stretched out over the chasm, and which was bending and cracking beneath his weight in a manner that made friday extremely nervous. but sam resolutely held on his way, and finally swung himself safely into the branches of the tree on the opposite side. after securing the rope, he threw one end of it to friday, made the other fast to the limb on which he had crossed the gully, and a few moments afterward he slid down the bluff and seated himself on the ground beside his companion, to recover his breath. "i'll show them fellers what they are about," said he, wiping the big drops of perspiration from his face. "i'll larn 'em how to get up a mutiny, after promisin', honor bright, to obey all orders. now, if we've got muscle enough to break that limb, we are all right." "couldn't atkins make a bridge, by cuttin' down one of them trees?" asked friday. "no, he couldn't. the trees on that side won't fall across the gully, 'cause they all lean the other way. ketch hold, now, an' pull fur life." the governor and his man grasped the ropes, and, exerting all their strength, suddenly found themselves lying flat in the path. the limb, unable to resist the strain brought to bear upon it, parted with a noise like the report of a cannon, and fell crashing into the gully, carrying with it a perfect avalanche of rocks and earth which it detached from the opposite bluff. that bridge was destroyed, and there was no way of escape for the mutineers. the next thing was to untie the rope from the limb which lay at the bottom of the chasm. the only way it could be accomplished was for one of the crusoe men to go down into the gully, and this friday volunteered to do. accordingly, the end of the rope which they held in their hands was made fast to the nearest tree, and friday, after tying the lantern around his waist, descended out of sight. in a few minutes he re-appeared, climbing the rope, which was pulled up and hidden away in the bushes. "that job is done," said the chief, with a long breath of relief, "an' them two fellers are fastened up as tight as if they were in jail. i'll larn 'em how to get up a mutiny!" "but, governor, how will we get across?" asked friday. "easy enough. one of us will climb up an' make one end of the rope fast to this tree that leans over the gully, an' we'll swing back an' forth just as we did before. the next job we've got to do aint so easy. it's one i don't like; but, if i was a prisoner, i'd think it mighty mean of my men if they deserted me, an' i'm goin' to do to the cap'n an' xury just as i'd like to be done by." the governor and his man ascended to the top of the bluff, and bent their steps toward the farm-house, which was now shrouded in total darkness. the inmates had all retired to rest, happy in the belief that those of the band who had escaped had made the best of their way to the village, and that their potato-patch was safe for the rest of the night. but the crusoe men, apprehensive that the farmer might still be on the watch, were at first very cautious in their movements. they walked around the house several times without seeing any signs of the enemy, and, growing bolder by degrees, began to search the out-buildings, hoping that tom and his mate might be confined in one of them. but their efforts to ascertain the whereabouts of their unlucky companions were unrewarded, and, after half an hour's fruitless search, even sam began to get discouraged. "mebbe they have taken them to the village already," he whispered, leaning disconsolately against a corner of the house. "if they have, the expedition is up stump, easy enough, an' we can bid good-by to all hopes of ever seein' our island. what's that? didn't you hear some one call?" "i thought i did," replied friday, "but i wasn't sartin'." "i say, governor, are you deaf? look this way. here we are." the words seemed to come from the ground at their very feet; and the governor and friday heard them plainly enough this time. their attention was drawn to one of the cellar windows, and there they saw the two prisoners, with their faces pressed close against the bars. "what are you doin' down there?" asked friday, in an excited whisper. "are you locked up?" "i reckon," replied xury. "we wouldn't stay here if we wasn't, would we?" "o, now, yes, we're locked up," drawled tom, who, delighted as he was at seeing the chief, could not forget his lazy way of talking. "but you are going to let us out, are you not?" "sartin. that's what we come here fur, an' we'll do it if we have to burn the shantee." "you needn't go to all that trouble, governor," said xury. "do you see that door around there on the other side of the house?" sam walked around the building, and when he came back, he said that he had seen the door. "well," continued xury, "all you have got to do is to raise a rumpus out there, an' awaken the people up stairs." "humph!" sneered sam. "hold on till i get through, governor. of course, when they hear you, they'll come out an' foller you; an' when the men have all left the house, one of you can slip back an' cut down that door an' let us out. here's an ax to do it with," he added, passing the implement through the window to the chief. "that's a good idea, after all," said sam. "friday, you take the ax, an' i'll do the runnin'. i'll lead the fellers toward the beach, an' you stay here an' watch your chance to beat down that door. how many folks are there in the house, xury?" "ten altogether--six men an' boys, an' four women," was the reply. "i know, 'cause i counted 'em." "of course, the women will stay in the house," continued the governor, addressing himself to friday; "an' when they hear you cuttin' at the door, they'll be sartin to come out an' holler at you; but that needn't scare you. now, then, how shall we awaken the folks?" the chief had scarcely propounded this question, when it was answered in way he had not expected. a window above him was thrown open, a head appeared, and a voice called out, "well, i swan!" the governor and his man did not wait to hear what the farmer had to say next. the enemy were aroused, and an opportunity was given them to try the plan xury had suggested. friday, who well understood the part he was expected to perform, sprang around the house out of sight; while sam started across the field toward the beach. "stop there, you young rascal!" shouted the man in the window. "josh! bill! wake up, an' get out there! those robbers have come back again!" the window came down with a crush, and friday, who had by this time concealed himself behind a corn-crib, a short distance from the cellar door, heard a great commotion in the house. lights flashed from the windows, men and women run about calling to each other, and presently the door opened and josh and bill appeared. "there they are!" exclaimed one discovering sam, who was by this time well on his way across the field; "hurry up there, boys. he's got a long start, and is running like a scared turkey." these last words were addressed to the men in the house, who came out one after another, some without their hats, some bare-footed, others pulling on their coats as they ran, and all following after bill and josh, who were flying across the field in hot pursuit of the governor. friday, from his hiding-place, counted them as they sprang down the steps, and when the sixth man had left the house, and was out of sight in the darkness, he straightened up and prepared for action. he listened a moment to the shrill, excited voices of the women, and clutching his ax with a firm hold, he came out from behind the corn-crib and ran toward the house. a few rapid steps brought him to the cellar door, which he attacked furiously. the first blow he struck echoed through the cellar like a peal of thunder, alarming the women up stairs; and the second brought them to the porch, where they stood watching friday's operations in speechless amazement. the crusoe man, intent on releasing his companions, gave no heed to what was going on around him, until a chorus of angry screams arose from the porch; then he started and trembled a little, but was not frightened from his work. he redoubled his efforts, the door began to bend and groan, and was finally forced from its fastenings, and tom and his mate sprang out. then the screams arose in greater volume than before, and reached the ears of the farmer and his men, who abandoned the pursuit of the governor, and returned to the house with all possible speed. but they were too late; for, long before they arrived, tom and his companions had made good their escape. the shattered door, and the ax lying where friday had thrown it after effecting the release of the prisoners, were all that were left to remind the farmer of the crusoe band. chapter vii. the governor storms the rebels. "hip! hip! hurrah!" exclaimed tom newcombe, in an excited whisper, "i am free once more, and i'll have a chance yet to destroy that yacht. if the crew of the storm king only knew what is going to happen, they would be sorry that i escaped." "you can thank me for it," said sam. "an' me, too," chimed in xury. "i was the one who found the ax in the cellar an' studied up the plan the governor carried out." "i guess i had oughter have a little of the praise," observed friday. "it aint every feller who would have stood there an' cut down that door with all them women hollerin' at him." "we've all done well," said the chief, "all except will atkins an' jack spaniard, an' they are cowards an' traitors." the crusoe men were gathered on the bluff at the head of the path, sweating and panting, and congratulating themselves on the success of their undertaking. the governor, especially, regarded it as something well worth boasting of, and he was in excellent spirits. his society, although it had thus far failed to accomplish the object for which it was organized, had already made for itself a brilliant record. it had performed an exploit in the village that would be talked about and wondered at as long as the military academy should stand, or the present generation of boys exist. its members, acting under his instructions, had overpowered three times their number of students, captured their vessel, and would certainly have got out to sea with her but for the treachery of tom newcombe. but, great as was this achievement, it sank into insignificance when compared with the one they had just performed. the chief had succeeded in releasing the prisoners confined in the farm-house, and that, too, with the assistance of only one companion, and in the face of a mutiny that had, at one time, bid fair to break up the crusoe band. the governor assumed the lion's share of the honor of this exploit, and, as he thought, with good reason, for he had run all the risk. he had led the men away from the house, and given friday a chance to cut down the door. his affairs had looked desperate a little while before, but by his skill and determination he had succeeded in bringing some order out of the confusion, and the only thing that remained to be done was to punish the traitors, which was a matter he could attend to at his leisure. he believed that the rebellion had already died out, and that, when he descended into the cove, he would find the mutineers ready to accept any terms he might see fit to offer them. "what's become of atkins and jack spaniard?" asked tom, who seemed, for the first time, to notice the absence of those worthies. "i don't see them anywhere." "didn't i say that they were traitors and cowards?" replied the governor. "listen, now, an' i'll tell you all about it." sam then proceeded to give tom and his mate a glowing description of the mutiny, and, during the course of his narration, he artfully aroused their indignation by dwelling upon the meanness and cowardice displayed by atkins and jack spaniard in deserting the band at the very time their services were most needed, to assist in releasing the prisoners, and wound up by telling how he had secured possession of the rope and pulled down the limb, thus cutting off all chance of escape for the mutineers. tom and xury were highly enraged, especially the former, who denounced the faithless crusoe men in the strongest terms. he also took occasion to impress his auditors with the fact that the society could not long exist without the hearty co-operation of all its members, and that no punishment was too severe for one who could refuse to hasten to the relief of a comrade in distress. tom made a long speech on this subject, emphasizing his remarks by shaking his fists in the air, and stamping his feet on the ground, and all the while forgetting that, when questioned by the farmer in the house, he had been on the point of committing the very sin he was so loudly condemning. xury remembered the circumstance, but he did not think it worth speaking about. "i 'spose that, bein' an officer, i have a right to say something, haint i?" asked the mate, when tom had finished his speech. "well, i just want to tell you how i think them two fellers can be made to listen to reason. that farmer said he was goin' to take us over to the village in the mornin' an' have us put in--what kind of a house did he say that was, cap'n?" "the house of refuge," replied tom. "yes, that's it. he said he was goin' to put us in that house fur three or four years, an' that it would be the best place in the world fur us. now, can't we scare them two mutineers by tellin' 'em that if they don't do what's right we will give 'em up to the farmer, an' let him take 'em before the 'squire? that will bring 'em to terms, if any thing will." "but how can we give 'em up to the farmer without bein' ketched ourselves?" asked sam. "we can tie 'em hand an' foot, an' take 'em up to the house some night an' leave 'em on the porch, can't we? but, of course, we don't want to do it, governor, 'cause we can't get along without 'em. we only want to make them behave themselves like men had oughter do." "mebbe it would be well to have a hold of some kind on 'em," said the chief, after thinking the matter over, "'cause they're spunky fellers, an' can't be easy scared. but, after all, i aint afraid to say that they've come to their senses before this time. let's go down and see 'em." the governor once more lighted his lantern, and, after shouldering a bag of potatoes, which he had found as he came through the field, and which had doubtless been overlooked by the farmer, he led the way down the cliff to the chasm, where he stopped, astonished at the scene presented to his view. it was evident, from the appearance of things, that atkins and jack spainard were very far from being the humble, penitent fellows the governor had hoped to find them. they had discovered the trick that had been played upon them, and, being resolved that, if they could not get out of the cove, the governor should not come into it, they had fortified their side of the chasm by erecting a breastwork of bushes across the path. a fire burned brightly behind the breastwork, and beside it stood the two mutineers, engaged in stripping the branches from a couple of small trees they had just cut down. they ceased their work when they heard the chief and his men approaching, and, taking up their positions behind the breastwork, looked across the chasm at them as if waiting to hear what they had to say. "well, if there aint the cap'n an' xury!" exclaimed jack spaniard, who seemed greatly astonished to see the governor thus re-enforced. "how did you get away?" "me an' friday helped 'em, no thanks to you two cowards an' traitors," replied sam, angrily. "what's the meanin' of all this yere?" he added, surveying the war-like preparations with some uneasiness. "it means just this, governor," replied atkins; "we know what you are up to, an' we aint goin' to stand no more nonsense. we're goin' to fight it out." "then you haven't made up your minds to do duty, an' behave yourselves?" "no, we haint. we've got our share of the outfit, an' we're goin' home. we aint goin' to be servants fur nobody." "i reckon you won't go home in a hurry. we have got you fastened up in there, an' we can starve you to death if we feel like it." "you'll have a nice time doin' it, seein' that all the grub is on our side of the gully," said jack spaniard, with a laugh. "but you haint got us fastened up so tight as you think fur. do you see these poles?" he added, lifting the sapling upon which he had been at work when the governor came in sight; "well, when we get the branches all off, we're goin' to make a bridge with 'em." "not much you aint; we've got something to say about that. now, i'll give you five minutes to make up your minds whether or not you will come back into the band, an' behave yourselves like men had oughter do, or be delivered up to that farmer, who will take you before 'squire thompson, an' have you put in jail fur robbin' his potato-patch. let's hear from you. i am listenin' with all the ears i've got." the actions of the two mutineers afforded abundant proof that xury knew their weak side when he suggested that the chief should threaten them with the law. the name of 'squire thompson was a terror to evil-doers about the village, and atkins and his companion were very much afraid of him. they looked at each other, doubtfully, and held a council of war; while sam employed the interval in consulting with his men, and trying to decide upon some plan to capture the mutineers, should the result of their consultation be unfavorable to him. "we aint comin' back into the band," said atkins, at length, "an' we aint goin' to the village as prisoners, neither. we're goin' to fight it out." "all right," replied the governor, indifferently. "if you remember what the book says, you know that will atkins never made any thing by kicking up a fuss on robinson's island, an' you will come out of the little end of the horn, just as he did. look out for yourselves over there, now. come with me, fellers." the governor and his men moved up the cliffs, until a bend in the path concealed them from the view of the mutineers. they were gone so long that atkins and his companion began to wonder what had become of them; but at the end of a quarter of an hour, sam had completed his arrangements for an attack upon the stronghold of the rebels, and presently friday appeared with a rope tied around his waist, and began to ascend a tree that leaned over the chasm. "hold on, there!" exclaimed atkins, suddenly starting up from behind the breastwork. "you think you're smart, an' mebbe you are; but you can't put that bridge up under our very eyes. we've got a whole pile of rocks here, an' if you don't come down out of that tree to onct, we'll fire on you. jerusalem! what's that?" just as the mutineer had finished threatening friday, something whizzed through the air in unpleasant proximity to his head. it was a potato, thrown by the dextrous hand of the chief, and was followed by more missiles of the same sort, which whistled over the breastwork in a continuous shower. atkins dropped like a flash, and picking up a stone in each hand, cautiously raised his head to look for the enemy; but the instant the crown of his hat appeared above the breastwork, it became a mark for the watchful crusoe men, who sent the potatoes about his ears so thick and fast that atkins was glad to drop down again. "keep your eyes open, men," cried the governor, "an' fire at the first one who dares to show himself. atkins, when you get ready to surrender, just sing out. that's all you've got to do." the mutineers were as fairly captured as if they had been bound hand and foot. they could neither retreat nor defend themselves. a cracking and rustling among the branches above, told them that friday was engaged in putting up the bridge; and they knew that unless they could dislodge him they would soon be at closer quarters with the enemy. "i'll give you just a half a minute to get down out of that tree," exclaimed atkins. "we don't want to hurt you, but we aint goin' to let you put up that bridge," said jack spaniard. the rustling among the branches ceased for a moment, and friday peeped through the leaves at the mutineers, both of whom were lying flat on their backs behind the breastwork. seeing at a glance that he had nothing to fear from them, he went on with his work. atkins and his companion, finding that threats were unavailing, began to bestir themselves. they made loop-holes through the breastwork, but could not see their besiegers. sam had posted his men on the cliff, outside the circle of light made by the fire, and consequently they were invisible to the mutineers; while the latter had built their fort in the full glare of the fire-light, and every move they made could be distinctly seen. they could not even use the loop-holes after they made them; for the governor and his men were always on the watch, and threw their potatoes so swiftly and accurately that the rebels were obliged to keep themselves well sheltered. friday was still busy among the branches of the tree, and, when he had finished the work of putting up the bridge, he also opened fire. his shot was followed by another shower from the men posted on the cliff, who expended their ammunition without stint, sending the potatoes over and around the breastwork so thickly, that atkins and his companion were once more obliged to throw themselves flat upon the ground to escape being hit. suddenly the firing ceased, and a dark object came flying over the chasm into the fort. it was the governor, who, the moment he landed on his feet, began operations by pouncing upon the mutineers, throwing an arm around the neck of each, and holding them fast. how much he could have done toward conquering them it is hard to tell. the rebels were both determined fellows, and when they had sufficiently recovered from their astonishment to see that sam was alone, they began to struggle furiously. but help for the governor was near. when he let go the rope it swung back into the hands of xury, who was waiting to receive it, and he, too, came sailing over the breastwork, and dropped down upon jack spaniard, who had succeeded in freeing himself from the chief's grasp, and was rising to his feet. tom newcombe followed close behind, and friday brought up the rear. they came, one after the other, as rapidly as the rope could swing back and forth; and the rebels, finding themselves overpowered, began to beg for quarter. "avast, there!" cried sam, and friday's uplifted hand sank harmlessly to his side, instead of falling upon the unprotected face of the chief mutineer. "let 'em up. i'll answer for their good behavior now." the rebels were quite as much astonished at the governor's clemency as were the other members of the band. they arose slowly to their feet, and gazed about them with a bewildered, suspicious air, as if half expecting to receive a kick or blow from some unlooked-for source. atkins, in particular, scarcely knew what to make of it. he surveyed the chief from head to foot, as if he were hardly prepared to believe that he was the same old ruler of the crusoe band who had taught him so many lessons of obedience at their cave in the village. sam stood for a few moments enjoying his surprise, when he suddenly became aware that atkins's eyes were not fastened upon him, but that they appeared to be looking through him, at something on the other side of the chasm. a feeling of uneasiness crept over the chief, for he saw that the expression on the face of his man was changing from astonishment to alarm. "what is it?" he whispered, not daring to look around. atkins, in reply, slowly raised his hand until it was on a level with his shoulder, and pointed toward the bluff across the gully; and, at the same instant, the governor nearly jumped from the ground when he heard an ejaculation that had become familiar to him that night-- "well, i swan!" he faced about quickly, and caught just one glimpse of a dark figure which was gliding swiftly and noiselessly up the path. all the crusoe men saw it, and they were so astonished and dismayed by the unlooked-for interruption, that, for a moment, none of them could speak. tom newcombe was the first to recover the use of his tongue. "o, now, we're caught, easy enough," he drawled. "this kills the expedition, and we might as well surrender ourselves prisoners at once. i always was the unluckiest boy in the whole world." just at that moment sam barton was of the same opinion regarding himself. his exultation at the victory he had gained over the rebels, gave way to a feeling of intense excitement and alarm. his under jaw dropped down, and he stood looking across the chasm toward the place where the spy had disappeared, as if he had suddenly been deprived of the power of action. it was no wonder that he was alarmed. his hiding-place had been discovered, and, of course, that ruined everything. "jerusalem!" ejaculated will atkins, who, now that his mutiny had been brought to an end, was quite willing to swear allegiance to the crusoe band once more. "did you see him, governor?" "well, i swan!" exclaimed sam, unconsciously repeating the words the spy had used. "did i see him? have i got a pair of eyes? we're in a fix now, fellers. that ar' chap is another bobby jennings, an' if he gets away he'll ruin us, sure an' sartin." as the governor uttered these words they seemed to suggest a plan of operations. "foller him up, lads," he exclaimed, excitedly. "foller him up!" "o, now, how do we know that he is alone?" drawled tom. "perhaps the farmer and all his men are with him." "we've got to run that risk," replied xury, seizing the rope and jumping over the chasm. "we must ketch him if we can. it's our only chance." tom could not help acknowledging this, and, although he trembled a little when he thought of the danger he might be about to run into, he crossed the gully with the others, and followed close behind the governor as he dashed up the path in pursuit of the spy. chapter viii. crossing the shoals. "o now, i've seen some stirring times in my life, but i never before had so many adventures crowded into the short space of one night!" panted the captain of the crusoe band, as he followed the chief up the cliff. "i would give something handsome to know what is going to happen next!" tom had indeed enjoyed his full share of excitement since the sun went down. he had been captured by the philistines, and confined as a prisoner of war in the farm-house; he had taken an active part in storming the stronghold of the rebels; and was now toiling up the path in pursuit of a spy, who, if he escaped, would return with a force sufficient to surround and capture the crusoe band. nothing in his experience with the night-hawks could equal the adventures of this night, and they were by no means ended. he would have been astonished had he known that they were only just begun. if the events that were to happen during the next few hours could have been revealed to him, he might have been tempted to desert the band and return to his home. the derision of his acquaintances, and the extra office duties that would, no doubt, have been imposed upon him, would have been light punishment indeed, compared with what was in store for him. the race up the cliff was a short one. the crusoe men had a decided advantage of the fugitive, for they had traveled the path so often that they had but little difficulty in following it; while the spy's progress was delayed by the rocks and bushes, over which he stumbled in the dark, making noise sufficient to guide his enemies in the pursuit. "he aint fur off," whispered the governor, "an' he's alone, too. if there were any fellers with him we could hear 'em. hold on, up there! you can't escape, an' you'll fare a heap better if you surrender to onct." but the spy was evidently not one of the kind who surrender upon demand. he held steadily on his way, although his pursuers gained at every step, and when they had accomplished about half the distance to the summit, sam was near enough to the fugitive to seize him by the collar. "surrender now--no foolin'!" said he, in a very savage tone of voice. "we'll treat you like a man if you behave yourself." somewhat to the governor's surprise, the spy offered no resistance. the darkness was so intense that he could not see how many enemies he had to deal with, but, knowing that they were much too strong for him, he suffered himself to be led down the path to the chasm. the fire kindled by the mutineers was still burning brightly and by the aid of its light, the crusoe men were enabled to take a good survey of their prisoner. he was a sturdy, bare-footed boy, about tom's age, and might have been a second xury, so self-possessed was he. he looked at his captors, one after the other, as if taking their exact measure, and finally said: "well, i swan! if i had known that you were boys like myself, i wouldn't have been caught so easy. i'd like to know what you are doing down here?" "fellers, his name is jed," said xury, by way of introduction. "i know, 'cause i saw him up to the house, an' i heard his dad call him jed. he looked at me an' the cap'n mighty sassy then, but now he'll find out how it seems to be a prisoner." "is there any one with you?" asked tom. "no, i came alone," replied jed. "how did you find us?" "i saw the light of that fire shining above the cliff". upon hearing this the governor glared so savagely at the mutineers, that those worthies, fearing that he was about to abandon his pacific policy, retreated a step or two and began to look around for something with which to defend themselves. but the wound caused by the mutiny was nearly healed, and sam, after a moment's reflection, concluded that he could not afford to reopen it, or to stir up any new quarrels. he believed that he would soon have need of the services of all his men, and it was necessary to keep on good terms with them. "i have lived on this farm all my life," continued jed, "but i never knew before that there was a way to get down here." "well, there is," said xury; "an' some day, when you are a free man, you can go down by this path to the rocks below, an' find the best fishing grounds in newport harbor." "who's talkin' about fishin'?" interrupted the governor, whose brain was busy with more important matters. "what do you reckon your ole man will do with us if he ketches us?" "_if!_" repeated jed. "he is bound to ketch you. when i go home i shall bring him right down here." "but mebbe you won't go back to the house in a hurry," said sam. "well, then, father will know that something has happened to me, and he will begin searching the island. he'll find you, you may depend upon that; and, when he gets hold of you, he'll put you where you won't rob any more potato-patches. where do you fellows belong, anyhow? what are you staying here for, and what are you going to do with me?" the governor made no reply to these questions, for something his prisoner had said excited a serious train of reflections in his mind. the events of the last five minutes had sadly interfered with his arrangements. his harboring place was broken up now, and by daylight the island would be too hot to hold him. what should he do? that was a question he could not answer at once; he must have time to think it over. at a sign from him atkins and friday crossed the chasm; but, when he ordered jed to follow, he declined to move. "what shall i go over there for?" he demanded. "'cause it's our orders. we're goin' to keep you here for awhile." "well, i swan to man!" said jed. "if we should let you go, you might tell on us, you know. come, ketch hold of the rope an' go on." "well--no; i guess i won't go of my own free will. if you want me over there you must put me over." "all right," replied the governor, pulling out his knife and cutting off a piece of the rope; "we're just the fellers that can do it. come back here, men. now," he added, when atkins and friday had recrossed the chasm, "all hands pitch in, and tie him, hand and foot." the crusoe men knew, by jed's looks, that he was all muscle and pluck, and consequently they were not surprised at his stubborn resistance. they "pitched in" with alacrity, and one of them did something that sam had not calculated on--he "pitched out" again, directly. it was tom newcombe, who, the instant he laid his hand on the prisoner's collar, was seized around the body and thrown heavily on the rocks. he gathered himself up as quickly as possible, drew down the corners of his mouth, rubbed his elbow, and stood off at a safe distance and looked on. will atkins received a back-handed blow over his eye that caused him to see a million of stars; but, as he had more pluck than tom, and was anxious to restore himself to the governor's favor, he merely stopped long enough to say, "jerusalem!" and then "pitched in" harder than ever. of course; jed was conquered; but it was only after a protracted struggle. "now we're all right," exclaimed the governor, assisting his prisoner to his feet and pulling him toward the edge of the chasm, "an' i reckon you'll go over, won't you? atkins, you and friday go across ag'in an' stand by to ketch him. xury," he continued, when this order has been obeyed, "pass the rope under his arms an' make it fast, while me an' the cap'n hold him." jed, having by this time been fully convinced that it was idle to resist, submitted to the crusoe men, at the same time reminding them that the chasm was deep, and that a fall upon the rocks below might break his neck, and give sam and his band something more serious than the robbing of a potato-patch to answer for. "now, don't you be any ways oneasy," replied the governor. "you didn't harm my men while you had 'em pris'ners, an' i won't harm you, neither. are you fellers over there all ready? if you are, look out fur him, fur here he comes." jed's position just then was not a comfortable one. his hands were confined behind his back, his feet bound close together, and he was to be swung over the chasm as if he had been a sack of corn. the governor seized him by the hips, pulled him back until his feet were clear of the ground, and then let him go. he swung safely over the gully, and when he came within reach of atkins and friday, he was caught and held by one, while the other untied the rope. the crusoe men followed after, and when all had crossed, the governor ordered atkins and jack spaniard to put out the fire. as soon as this had been done, and the mutineers had collected the articles of the outfit, which they had intended to take back to the village with them, the governor lighted his lantern, and turned to the prisoner. "have you found out, by this time, that we can do just what we please with you?" he asked. "now, will you walk down to the cove, or shall we tote you?" "well, i guess i'd best walk, hadn't i?" replied jed, who was sharp enough to know that, however carefully he might be handled, he could not escape some severe bruises while being carried down that steep path. "yes. i reckon i'll walk." "all right; xury, untie his feet, and you an' the cap'n look out fur him, an' see that he don't fall down." the governor led the way to the cove, and, after the prisoner had been laid on one of the beds in the cabin, and the two mutineers had restored the outfit to its place, the crusoe men stretched themselves on the grass near the spring, to hold a council of war. by the aid of the lantern, which he had placed on the little knoll that served for the table, the chief scanned the faces of his companions, and saw that on every one of them were reflected the thoughts that had been busy in his own brain. all his men believed as he did--that a crisis in their affairs was at hand. tom newcombe, as usual, was the first to speak. "o, now, what's to be done?" he drawled. "if we keep this prisoner here his father will begin searching for him in the morning, and he will be certain to discover our hiding-place sooner or later. if we release him, he will go home and return immediately with help enough to capture us all." "well, that might not be as easy a job as you think fur," replied the governor. "if we are sharp, we can hold our own here against a dozen fellers, for a day or two. but we don't want to fight. we want to get away from here as easy as we can. atkins, what have you and jack spaniard got to say about it? are you waitin' fur a chance to get up another mutiny?" "no, governor, i aint," replied the chief conspirator, quickly. "i'll never do it again." "nor me, neither," said jack spaniard. "there's my hand on it--honor bright." "of course i can't put as much faith in you as i did before," said the chief, as he shook hands with the mutineers. "after a man has fooled me once, i never like to trust him any more till he proves that he is all right." "just tell us what you want done, governor," said atkins, "an' if we don't do it you needn't never believe us ag'in." "well, mebbe i shall have a chance to try you before mornin'. you've got to stick to us now or be taken before the 'squire. if you should go back to newport an' begin ferryin' ag'in, that farmer's boy would come across you some time, and then where would you be? we can't none of us go back to the village, an' we can't live here, neither, so we must start for our island at once--this very night. if we stay till mornin' that farmer an all his men will be down here lookin' fur jed; and if they once discover us, an' get us surrounded, we're done fur. cap'n, stand by to get that yawl under way, an' the rest of us turn to an' pack the outfit." the crusoe men obeyed these orders without making any comments upon them. they had often discussed this very move. they had talked about it bravely enough, and had even expressed their impatience at being obliged to remain so long inactive, but, now that the time had arrived, and they had heard the order given to break up their camp, more than half of them felt like backing out. they knew that they were about to encounter the real dangers that lay in their path, and which they had thus far viewed at a distance. the sweepstakes must be captured, the provisions secured, and they must assist tom in destroying the yacht. it was no wonder that they looked into the future with doubtful eyes. improbable as it may seem, the governor had the least to say of any one in the band, while tom was as jolly as a boy could be. he obeyed his orders promptly, shoving the yawl from the beach, and mooring her broadside to the bluff bank in front of the cabin, so that the cargo could be easily stowed away. after that he hoisted the sail, and was ready to lend assistance in packing up the outfit. he stepped gayly about his work, joking and laughing the while with his companions, who were astonished to see him in such spirits. "cap'n," said the governor, who had for some time remained silent, "don't you think that ar' little plan of your'n is just the least bit risky? if i was you, i'd let them 'cademy swells keep their vessel an' welcome." "you would!" exclaimed tom. "well, _i_ won't, now i tell you! what! give up the very thing i have lived for, and thought of, and dreamed about for so long? no, sir! that yacht has been the means of making me a vagabond, an outcast from home, and a wanderer upon the face of the earth, and she shall not stay above water any longer. if i can't enjoy her, nobody shall. i'll destroy the last vestige of her--i'll blot the academy navy out of existence. i'll abolish the offices of captain, lieutenant, master, and midshipman, and turn harry green and his crowd of spooneys back to the ranks, with as much ease as the principal could do it himself. i'll start a bonfire in the harbor that will serve us as a light-house, and show us our way out to sea. those fellows have teased and tormented me for months about that vessel, and now i am going to have my revenge. you will not go back on me, governor?" the crusoe men had paused in their work to listen to tom. his fiery words and determined air, not only served to convince them that he was thoroughly in earnest, and that he was resolved to carry out his plans if within the bounds of possibility, but they also had the effect of reviving the drooping spirits of the band. he spoke with such calmness and confidence, and seemed to be so utterly regardless of all the obstacles in his path, and so certain of success, that they could not help feeling encouraged. "no, sir, i'll not go back on you," said the chief, emphatically; and no one who heard him speak imagined that he had been racking his brain in the hope of hitting upon some excuse for declining to assist tom in destroying the yacht. "i said i'd stand by you, didn't i? i am a fellow who never breaks his promise." in a few minutes the outfit had been packed away in boxes, provided for the purpose, and the crusoe men began the work of stowing it in the yawl--all except tom newcombe, who, being fully occupied with his grand idea, was careful to see that nothing that could render it successful was neglected. the governor had made his first journey to the island in a skiff which he had stolen in the harbor, and it was in this skiff that tom intended to pay his visit to the storm king. she could be handled so much easier than the heavy yawl, that their chances for escape, in case of pursuit, would be increased. after bailing all the water out of her, and examining the rowlocks, tom brought out of the cabin two pairs of oars and a boat-hook, which he placed under the thwarts and tied fast, so that they could not be lost overboard while crossing the shoals; and next he produced, from some secret hiding-place, a suspicious-looking black bottle, which he put into his coat pocket. "what's that, cap'n?" asked the governor, who at that moment came up, carrying a box of crackers on one arm, and a bundle of blankets under the other. "it's coal-oil," replied tom, with a chuckle. "i am going to make sure work of that yacht, if i succeed in getting into the galley. i'll sprinkle the contents of this bottle over the wood-work, and on the pile of kindling which i shall find under the stove; then i'll touch a match to it, and--whew!" tom ended the sentence with a prolonged whistle, and by throwing his arms about his head, indicating, no doubt, the rapidity with which the flames would spread over the devoted vessel. "i have only one cause for uneasiness," said tom, to himself, when the governor had gone on to the yawl. "this skiff is painted white, and can be seen a long distance, dark as it is. if we are discovered before we reach the yacht, my splendid idea is up stump; but if i can once get on board, and make my way into the galley without being seen, i'll be all right. five minutes will do the work, and i won't care then if we are pursued. the fellows are all good oarsmen, and we can show that jolly-boat a clean pair of heels." "now, then," said the governor, picking up his lantern and peeping into every corner of the cabin, to make sure that nothing had been overlooked, "i reckon we're all ready. we're goin' to leave you here," he added, turning to the prisoner, who still lay bound and helpless on the floor. "well, i swan!" exclaimed jed. "aint you goin' to let me loose?" "not much. that would be a smart trick in us, wouldn't it, now?" "i'll do some good hollering the minute you go away." "all right. you will be discovered by your friends sometime durin' the day, most likely; but all the yellin' you can do won't help you none. the surf roars over the shoals loud enough to drown the report of a cannon. good-by, jed!" "i'll see you again," said the prisoner, who did not seem to be at all concerned. "i'll help take you before the 'squire yet--i swan to man if i won't." "you'll ketch us first, i reckon. come on, fellers." the crusoe men left the cabin and clambered into the yawl. the governor grasped the tiller, and the others picked up the oars and stood ready to push the boat from the bank. tom made the skiff's painter fast to a ring in the stern of the yawl, and seated himself beside the chief, who, seeing that every thing was ready for the start, gave the command to shove off; whereupon the crusoe men thrust their oars against the bank, and the yawl moved slowly toward the rocks at the entrance of the cove, dragging the skiff after her. as we have before remarked, the crusoe men were now about to brave the real dangers incident to their undertaking. one of them was close at hand, and it was the only one tom newcombe dreaded to encounter. it was the crossing of the shoals. he had made the passage once in the mystery, and it had tried his nerves severely; although the water was then comparatively quiet. he knew that it would be worse this time, for the wind, which had been steadily increasing since sunset, was blowing briskly, and the roar of the waves, as they dashed over the ledge that formed the shoals, could be plainly heard in the cove. "it is a capital sailing wind," said tom, with a great show of indifference. "don't i wish that yacht was in flames, and we were on board the sweepstakes, standing down the harbor under a full press of canvas? i tell you, fellows--" "jerusalem!" ejaculated will atkins. the yawl at that moment glided out from among the rocks that concealed the entrance to the cove, and the crusoe men found themselves on the edge of the shoals. they stood appalled at the sight before them. through the darkness could be seen the white waves, rolling in broken, angry masses across the ledge, and sending the spray high in air. at the further end of the shoals, and about two hundred yards distant, was a single pyramid of foam that rose above the other waves, and which seemed to be stationary. it was caused by the peculiar formation of the rocks beneath it, and was the governor's guide-post. it pointed out the channel that led across the shoals. the crusoe men took a hurried survey of the scene before them, and with one accord sprang to their feet. "governor," said friday, "i wouldn't go across there fur no money." "you can just turn around and go back," chimed in will atkins. "whenever we get tired of livin' we'll let you know. this boat couldn't stand them breakers two minutes." "much you know about it, i guess," returned the chief, angrily. "we want to go to the village, don't we, an' we want to take our outfit with us? well, then, how are we goin' to get there, i'd like to know, if we don't cross the shoals? set down! let no man move from his seat, or say a word. i've run the channel a dozen times, an' i can do it ag'in." sam did not think it best to tell his trembling crew that he had never attempted the passage in the face of such a breeze. although he spoke bravely enough, he was really frightened, and his hand trembled as it rested on the tiller. had there been any other way out of the cove, he would have been the last one to dare the fury of the waves; but he knew there was none, and, after he had succeeded in inducing his men to resume their seats, he drew in a long breath, shut his teeth hard against each other, and prepared for the work before him. he fastened his eyes on his guide-post, brought the yawl before the wind, let out the sheet, and the next moment the crusoe men found themselves flying through the breakers with almost railroad speed. in front of them, on each side, and behind, the water was white with foam; and, when they got out from the shelter of the bluffs on the island, they found that tom newcombe's "capital sailing wind" was something very much like a gale. the yawl rocked and plunged over the waves that leaped wildly around her, sometimes almost grazing the rocks as she flew along the channel. the crusoe men held their breath in suspense, and their eyes were directed anxiously toward the white pyramid which seemed to shut them off from the still water beyond. it looked threatening, they discovered as they approached it, and they trembled when the wave, subsiding for an instant, revealed to them the black, ragged crest of the rock which lay directly in their course, and toward which they were being driven with terrific force. it was here the worst danger was to be encountered. the channel ran close alongside this rock, to windward, and the governor knew that it would require the exercise of all his skill to take the yawl past it in safety. "xury," he exclaimed, yelling at the top of his voice, to make himself heard above the roar of the wind and waves, "stand by the sheet and be ready to haul in fur life when i give the word." by the time the mate had placed himself in a position to obey this order, the yawl had approached within a few yards of the ledge, and, to the no small astonishment and alarm of the crusoe men, the governor did not change her course an inch. suddenly her bow was buried beneath a pile of foam, and the next instant she was lifted on the crest of a tremendous billow, which carried her with redoubled speed toward the rock. this was too much for friday and jack spaniard, who uttered a simultaneous cry of terror, and jumped to their feet, while tom newcombe turned away his head and clutched his seat with a death-gripe, expecting every moment to see the sides of the boat smashed in, and to find himself struggling in the water. "set down!" thundered the governor. "haul in, xury!" for a few seconds two opposing forces were at work upon the yawl. the wind blew harder than ever, as if it sympathized with the crusoe men, and was doing its best to drive them out of reach of danger, while the waves came thicker and faster, and dashed their spray furiously into the faces of the yawl's crew, seemingly determined upon their destruction. so evenly balanced was the power of the two elements, that, for a time, it was a matter of uncertainty whether the wind would force them away from the rock, or the waves hurl them upon it; but the wind began to gain a little at last, the yawl glided slowly, inch by inch, around the ledge into still water, and tom, looking back, saw the pyramid of foam leaping higher than ever into the air, as if enraged at being cheated of its prey. "jerusalem!" ejaculated will atkins, gazing first at his companions, and then at the angry waves behind, as if he could hardly believe that they had passed them in safety. "_jerusalem_, i say! whew!" "well, i done it, didn't i?" exclaimed the governor, drawing a long breath of relief. "i thank my lucky stars that i'll never have to do it ag'in." it would have been hard work for any one to convince the crusoe men that they would ever again attempt the passage of the shoals. they told one another that they had seen quite enough of them, and that the dangers yet before them were insignificant, compared with those they had just encountered. but they did cross them a second time that night, and not a single boy in the band raised any objections to it. the governor now directed the yawl's course toward the head of the island, and, as she flew along, he revealed to his crew some of the plans he had determined upon. it was necessary, he said, that the work before them should be performed with as little delay as possible; consequently they would not take the yawl to the village with them, for she might be in their way. they would leave her at the head of the island, and stop for her when they came back. they would first secure possession of the sweepstakes, and moor her at the end of the pier; then they would visit mr. henry's store, help themselves to what provisions they needed, and after that assist the captain in carrying out his "splendid idea." tom listened attentively to all the governor had to say, and something he had not before thought of came into his mind. "governor," said he, "why do you leave my work till the last? don't you remember i told you that johnny harding sleeps in the store every night? suppose that while you are effecting an entrance you awaken him! he will give the alarm, and then, what will become of my idea?" "i'll risk that," replied the chief, confidently. "if we get inside the store he won't give no alarm. i know how to make him keep still. now, fellers," he added, turning the boat's head toward the island, "we'll stop here." he ran the yawl's bow upon the beach, and with the assistance of his men moored her securely to the rocks, after which he ordered the band into the skiff. will atkins and xury seated themselves at the oars, and in half an hour the skiff rounded the light-house pier, and moved up the harbor toward the place where the sweepstakes lay at her anchorage. chapter ix. johnny harding's visitors. about nine o'clock, in the same evening in which happened the events we have just described, johnny harding leaned idly over the counter in mr. henry's store, whistling softly to himself, and gazing through the open door at a vessel in the harbor, which was about to begin her voyage to the west indies. he looked as though he had been preparing for a game of fisticuffs with somebody, for his coat was off, his collar thrown open, and his sleeves were rolled up to his elbows. but there was no one in newport with whom johnny was likely to get into trouble, for he was one of those easy, good-natured boys who seldom have any differences with their fellows. he had worked hard all day, and this was the first leisure moment he had been allowed since morning. he had taken advantage of it to pull off his coat and enjoy the cool breeze of the evening. johnny, as we have before remarked, was now as steady, well-behaved a boy as could be found in the village. he had seen the time when he had thought it exceedingly "smart" to take part in some desperate scheme for mischief--like stealing 'squire thompson's horse and wagon, and presenting him with some of his own fruit and vegetables, for instance--but he had come to the conclusion that not only was that a poor way to enjoy one's self, but it was a sure method of gaining a very unenviable reputation. tom's runaway expedition had opened his eyes. a few of his companions congratulated him, and said that in bringing the swallow back to land, after rich had lost her in the ocean, he had performed an exploit to be proud of; but those whose opinions were worth any thing, shook their heads at him; and, although they did not have much to say about it, their actions indicated that they thought johnny might have been in better business than running away with a lot of lazy students. johnny began to think so too, and saw it was high time he turned over a new leaf, if he ever expected to be any body in the world. one thing that convinced him of this fact was, the manner in which mr. henry treated him. there was a vacancy in the store, and it had been promised to johnny, whose highest ambition was to become a business man. one morning he presented himself before the grocer, who was not a little surprised to see him. "ah, yes," said he, when johnny had made known his wants, "i'd like to have you here. i don't know any one in newport i would rather have for a clerk in my store, if i was only sure you could be trusted. but do you think you could put much faith in a boy who is continually running around of nights, and who is always in some kind of mischief? when i promised you the situation i had no idea you were a night-hawk, you know." johnny thrust his hands deep into his pockets, and walked thoughtfully out of the store. he had never taken that view of the case, but he could not keep seeing that the grocer was right. he was angry at himself when he thought how foolish he had been, and, consequently, when some of his friends called on him that night, to inquire why he had missed the last meeting of their new society, johnny answered them rather abruptly. "i won't have any thing more to do with it," said he. "why, harding, what's the matter?" "the matter is just this," replied johnny. "i can see, now, that i would have been a great deal better off in the world, if i had never had any thing to do with secret societies that were organized for nothing but mischief. experience is a hard school, fellows, but it is a thorough one and i'll never forget the lesson i have learned there. i am going to behave myself now." "well, this beats me, i never thought you would turn spooney." "say what you please, my mind is made up, and you can't turn me, any more than you can turn tom newcombe, when he has an idea. the society can get along without me." johnny was as good as his word, although it required the exercise of all his firmness to resist the pressure that was brought to bear upon him. the society found it uphill work to get along without him, for he held a high position in the organization, and was the only one in it who could study up a plan for mischief at two minutes notice. its members had often been sadly in need of the services of tom newcombe; and, now that johnny was gone, the exploits were hardly worth boasting of. they tried to induce him to come back. they coaxed, praised, and ridiculed him, but it was in vain. johnny had made up his mind after mature deliberation; he knew he was in the right, and for two months he held firmly to his purpose. one night, as he was coming home from school, he met mr. henry, who began to laugh the moment he came in sight of johnny. "is this true that i hear about you?" he asked, as the boy came up. "are you a spooney?" "i don't know, sir," was the reply. "if trying to behave myself makes me a spooney, i suppose i am one." "don't you find it hard work?" "sometimes. they bother a fellow so. but i don't care for that. i'm bound to stick to it." johnny moved off, and so did mr. henry, but when the latter had made a few steps, he stopped and looked back. "johnny," said he, "if you feel like walking around to-morrow, we'll talk the matter over." johnny did feel like "walking around," and he made his appearance at the store bright and early. it did not take long to arrange matters to his satisfaction, and he had now been in mr. henry's employ about two weeks, and he began to believe that he was in a fair way to redeem himself. mr. henry was of the same opinion. he had faith in johnny's good resolutions, and he never had occasion to regret that he had taken him into the store. johnny's employer stood at his desk putting away his books and papers, while the clerk leaned on the counter and watched the vessel in the harbor. at last mr. henry closed and locked his safe, and, turning to johnny, said: "i shall leave you to-night with a big responsibility." "how much is it, sir?" asked the clerk, who knew that the grocer had reference to the money in the safe. "seven thousand dollars," answered mr. henry. "the greater portion of it belongs to my brother, who has come down from boston to take up a note that falls due to-morrow. if he fails to pay it, his creditors will have something to say to me, for i indorsed the note. there are also two thousand dollars of my own money in the safe, with which i intend to pay some bills in the morning. if i lose it i am ruined. i shouldn't wonder if you had visitors to-night," added the grocer, as he picked up his hat and cane; "so keep your eyes open." "all right, sir," replied johnny. "i'll defend that safe against an army of burglars." mr. henry was jesting, and so was johnny; not about the money, or the trouble its loss would occasion, but about the robbers. there was certainly that amount in the safe, and it was equally certain that it was needed for just the purposes that mr. henry had indicated, but he was not in earnest when he told his clerk to look out for visitors. no one ever dreamed of such a thing as a burglary in newport. johnny had never heard of one, except through the papers, but this night was to add a new chapter to his experience. "seven thousand dollars!" said he to himself, as he walked out of the store, and began putting up the shutters. "that's a nice little sum of money. i wonder if i shall ever own as much! i should say not, unless i get a big increase on my present salary. people don't live long enough nowadays to grow rich on four dollars and a half a week. never mind, every dog has his day, and who knows but there is one coming for jack harding? what can i do for you this evening, gentlemen?" this question was addressed to a couple of rough-looking men, who just then entered the store. johnny tried to obtain a glimpse of their faces as he spoke to them, but he did not succeed, for their features were concealed by the collars of their pea-jackets, which were pulled up around their ears, and by their slouch hats, which were drawn down over their eyes. "a couple of sailors, with the ague," soliloquized the clerk, snatching up his hat and fanning himself vigorously, when he thought how near sweltering he would be if he was bundled up like that. the customers stood in the middle of the floor, looking about them with every expression of curiosity, like country fellows who had just come out of their native woods, while johnny leaned one elbow on the counter and waited for them to make known their wants. "where's the boss?" inquired one of them at length. "do you mean mr. henry? he has gone home." "will he be back to-night?" johnny replied that he would not. there was another long pause, during which the men gazed about the store, and appeared to be examining every article of merchandise in it, and finally one of them walked up to the counter, while his companion strolled toward the little office where johnny slept. he first looked at the clerk, as if trying to recognize an old acquaintance in him, and asked: "got any pipes?" "plenty of them, sir," was the prompt reply. "we have a fine assortment, that was just received from boston this morning." johnny thought he had by this time become well enough posted in his business to tell, by the appearance of his customers, what quality of goods they wanted. he thought this man was a common sailor, and he put out for his inspection a box of cheap clay pipes. the man took his hands out of his pockets to examine the pipes, and johnny saw that they were fair and white, looking very unlike the brown, toil-hardened hands of a sailor. "he must be a captain," thought the clerk. "if he is, he wants something better than a clay pipe. here are some genuine imported meerschaums, in the showcase, sir," said he. the customer was a long time making up his mind which he wanted. he looked first at the clay pipes, then at the meerschaums, weighed several of the latter in his hand, and finally he pulled out his pocket-book. then it took him some time longer to find a five cent piece; and when he had paid for one of the clay pipes he rested his hands on the counter, and looked up at the articles on the shelves, as if wondering if he did not want something else. johnny waited patiently for him to come to some conclusion on this point, and, at the same time, kept close watch of the other customer, whose movements were somewhat singular. he first produced a pipe from the pocket of his pea-jacket, and, walking around the end of the counter to the match-box, prepared to indulge in a smoke. johnny, out of the corner of his eye, saw that, while he was filling his pipe, his gaze wandered up the space behind the counter, until it rested on the safe, which he regarded long and earnestly. if johnny could have read the thoughts that were passing through his mind, they might have caused him some uneasiness; but, believing that the man had found an object of curiosity in the strong box, he felt disposed to laugh at him. "where could he have passed all his life, anyhow?" thought the clerk. "he never saw a fire-proof safe before. what would he say, i wonder, if he could look at the combination lock inside, that can't be opened, even by a man who understands it, in less than ten minutes!" after burning half a dozen matches, the customer got his pipe lighted to his satisfaction, and began walking about the store again. he glanced into the little office where johnny slept, went to the front door and gazed up and down the street, thence to the side door, which he opened, and looked out into the passage-way that ran between the store and mr. newcombe's elevator, and finally he examined the shutters that johnny had just put up. having completed the rounds of the store, he began to whistle, whereupon the man at the counter picked up his pocket-book and followed his companion, who walked out on the wharf. "does any body suppose they ever saw a grocery-store before?" said johnny, to himself, as he stood in the door and watched his customers until they disappeared in the darkness. "i've seen some green men in my time, but these carry off the palm. the one that bought the pipe is not a sailor, for, if he was, he would not have been so particular. he would have taken whatever was offered him, and paid double its value, if i had seen fit to demand it, and without a moment's hesitation. they are hard-looking fellows, anyhow." having thus expressed his opinion of his customers, johnny struck up a cheerful whistle, and resumed the work of putting up the shutters. when this had been done, he locked the door, and put out all the lamps except one, which he carried into his bed-room, and sat down to read until he should become sleepy. the book was so interesting that johnny forgot that he had worked hard all day and was very sleepy, and it was half-past ten o'clock before he knew it. finding that his eye-lids were growing heavy, he went the rounds of the store once more, tried all the doors and windows, to make sure that he had fastened them securely, and then tumbled into bed. he always slept the sleep of the healthy, and, on this particular evening, he slept so soundly that he did not hear what was going on at the side door, which opened into the passage-way. about midnight, however, he awoke with a start, and with a presentment that there was something wrong. he was not mistaken, for when his eyes were fairly open, he found that his bed-room was flooded with light. he was not alone, either; there were two persons in his room who had no business there. one was standing in the door-way, holding a sledge-hammer and an iron punch in one hand, and a short piece of rope in the other; and the one who stood at the head of his bed carried something the clerk did not like the looks of--a revolver, the muzzle of which was pointed straight at his head. a single glance was enough to establish the identity of these unwelcome visitors. they were his customers of the previous evening. "what are you doing in here?" exclaimed johnny, starting up on his elbow. "get out o' this!" "silence!" whispered the man with the revolver, seizing johnny by the shoulder and placing the muzzle of the weapon against his forehead. "if you utter another word you are a dead man." the bare thought of being awakened out of a sound sleep, to find a couple of burglars in one's bed-room, is enough to send a thrill through the strongest nerves; and johnny, although he was far from being a coward, was thoroughly frightened. he knew, however, that he was in no danger of bodily harm as long as he obeyed the robbers' injunction and kept quiet. they were not there to injure him--they were after the seven thousand dollars in the safe; and johnny was powerless to prevent them from taking it. "come in here and tie him, ned," said the man with the revolver. ned, after depositing his hammer and punch on the floor, advanced into the room, and almost before johnny could tell what had happened to him, he was lying on his face in the bed, with his arms fastened behind his back, his feet tied to the bed-post, and a towel bound tightly over his mouth. "now, then, my hearty, you're safe, and the best thing you can do is to keep perfectly still. we don't want to hurt you, but if you begin any fuss, we'll settle you in a hurry." so saying, the robbers left him, and began their work in the store. from the position in which he lay, the clerk could witness all their operations, and he could not help thinking that the burglars were very expert in their business. they moved quickly, but so noiselessly that johnny, if he had not seen them, would not have known that they were there. they first pulled the counter from its place, and wheeled the safe into the middle of the store; after which one of them laid a coil of rope upon the floor, and by their united efforts, the safe was tipped over on its back and placed upon it. their next move was to strip the blankets and quilts from johnny's bed, and wrap them around the safe, leaving a small opening in them directly over the lock. then one of the robbers picked up the punch, and held it close to the handle of the lock, and the other, with one swift blow of the sledge-hammer, drove its sharp point through the thin sheet of iron that formed the outside of the safe. into the hole thus made they poured a quantity of powder, adjusted a slow match, which one of them touched off with the cigar he had been tranquilly smoking all the while, and then the robbers, hastily closing the slide of the dark lantern, retreated outside the building to await the result. the clerk was sure they had gone out, for he heard the side door open and close very carefully. "they're going to blow the safe open," thought johnny, as he lay and watched the slow match, flashing and sparkling as the fire approached the powder. "i hope it will make an awful noise. where's mr. newcombe's night watchman, i wonder, that he didn't see these fellows come in here!" a single flash of light illuminated the store for an instant, and then came the report. it was not near as loud as johnny expected it would be, for it was deadened by the blankets and coil of rope; but it jarred the glassware behind the counter, and he hoped it might attract somebody's attention. for five minutes he lay listening and waiting, but the robbers did not return. could they have been frightened from their work? if that was the case, johnny wished that the person who had alarmed them would come in and release him, for his position was getting to be very uncomfortable. five minutes more elapsed, and then he heard the side door open, and stealthy footsteps enter the store. the lantern blazed up again, and johnny was astonished to see that the robbers had been reënforced. there were seven of them now. "a thousand dollars apiece for the rascals," said he, to himself. "that's a good deal for one night's work. mr. henry little imagined, when he told me that i should have visitors before morning, that his words would come true!" johnny brought his soliloquy to a close very suddenly, raised his head as high as he could from the bed, and gazed earnestly at the robbers' companions. he was certain that he had seen them before. he winked his eyes hard, and looked again. there could be no mistake about it. the new-comers were sam barton and his band of outlaws. he had believed that the governor was at the bottom of the harbor, but there he was, as lively and full of mischief as ever. johnny had never been more bewildered in his life. chapter x. a strange encounter. the last time we saw the crusoe men they were rowing up the harbor toward the place where the sweepstakes lay at her anchorage. they expected to secure possession of her without any difficulty, and to take her down the harbor, through the shipping that lay at the wharves, without attracting attention. 'squire thompson never left a watch on board the schooner, and it was not likely that any body's suspicions would be aroused by so common an occurrence as a vessel passing out of the harbor at midnight. this part of the undertaking did not trouble the governor, but his heart beat a trifle faster than usual whenever he thought of the provisions. the crusoe men pulled up the harbor as though they had a perfect right to be there. they did not attempt to move quietly, for that alone would have been sufficient to excite the curiosity of the watch on some of the vessels at the wharves, who might feel themselves called upon to follow their movements, and that, to say the least, would be very inconvenient. the governor did not want to answer any questions, and he knew that the only way to avoid suspicion was to go about his work boldly. he kept the skiff headed up the harbor until he passed the sweepstakes, which lay at her usual moorings. as he went by he examined the vessel closely, and was delighted to see that she was deserted. "fellers," said he, suddenly, "wouldn't we have been in a fix if 'squire thompson had taken it into his head this afternoon to go off on one of his fishing excursions? what would we have done? luck is on our side, howsomever, an' we are all right. the schooner is our'n, an' 'squire thompson has put his eyes on her for the last time. cap'n, you will take command, an' get the vessel down to the end of the pier as soon as possible. don't try to be too still while you are gettin' under way, fur, if you do, the fellers who see us will know that we are doin' something we haint got no business to do." as the governor said this he turned the skiff down the harbor again, and when they reached the schooner, friday made the painter fast, and the crusoe men clambered over the rail. tom was once more captain of a vessel. "mr. mate," said he, as soon as his feet touched the deck, "get under way immediately." "will atkins," said xury, "drop that skiff astern, an' the rest of us stand by to hist the canvas." tom was about to attempt something he had never had the courage to try before, and that was, to take a vessel down the harbor under sail. for a wonder, he had no misgivings. the wind, although strong, was fair, and as the captain thought it very probable that he might be called upon to navigate the schooner through some difficult places before their cruise was ended, he concluded that it was best to begin practicing at once. he lent a hand in hoisting the sails, and, when every thing was ready for the start, he sent xury to the wheel, and slipped the chain himself. he did not like the idea of starting on a long voyage without an anchor, but it would have been a quarter of an hour's work to raise it, and tom was anxious to leave the village with the least possible delay. as long as he remained there he was in danger. the mate did not labor under as many disadvantages now as he did when he piloted the yacht down the harbor on that stormy night. he did not have the gale to contend with, and he could see where he was going. he took the schooner through the shipping without the least difficulty, and rounded to at the end of the pier. tom superintended the execution of this maneuver himself, and, somewhat to his surprise, made an excellent landing. he brought the sweepstakes alongside the pier so gently, that the concussion would not have broken an egg-shell. that was something worth boasting of, and tom, encouraged at his success, began to believe that he was "cut out" expressly for a sea captain. "now comes the worst part of the business," said the governor, when tom had got out a head-line and made the schooner fast to the pier. "what are you goin' to do while we are gone, cap'n?" "i'll stay here and watch the vessel," replied tom. "i told you i wouldn't have a hand in stealing the provisions." "somebody must do it," said the chief. "we can't go to sea without grub." "but how are you going to get into the store?" "do you see this yere?" answered the governor, showing an auger he carried in his hand. "the door that opens into the alley that runs between the store an' your father's elevator is fastened with a hook. we'll bore two or three holes through the door, an' then i'll put in my hand an' lift up that hook. it's just as easy as fallin' off a log." "look out for my father's night watchman," said tom. "he's always got his eyes open, and if he catches you prowling about that passage-way he'll bring our cruise to an end in a hurry." the governor had thought of that watchman more than once, and he was afraid of him. he would have breathed a good deal easier had he known that there was no danger to be apprehended from him, and that two other obstacles had also been removed from his path. the watchman was at that moment lying behind the elevator, bound hand and foot; the door which led into the store from the passage-way had already been opened in precisely the same way that the governor intended to open it, and johnny harding was powerless to resist them, or to give the alarm. but the crusoe men did not know this, and more than one of them would have been glad of some excuse for declining to assist in so hazardous an enterprise. "now, fellers," said the chief, "if there are any cowards in this yere band, i want to know it before we go any farther. if there are any among you who aint willin' to promise to stand by me to the last, let them step out on one side, so that i can have a look at 'em." the governor paused, but none of the band moved. "i am glad to see that you are all brave men," continued sam. "if any one of you tries to shirk his duty when it comes to the pinch, we'll throw him over; he sha'n't go on this expedition. now let's make a break, fur the quicker we get to work the sooner we'll get done. friday, shoulder one of them handspikes an' stand by to use it on johnny harding if he makes a fuss." "and, friday," chimed in tom, "if you do hit him, hit him hard. that boy has nearly bothered the life out of me." the governor and his companions clambered over the rail and disappeared from the view of tom newcombe, who paced impatiently up and down the wharf, now and then stopping to survey his vessel, and wishing that he could look far enough into the future to see what part she was destined to play in the crusoe drama. if they were pursued, was she fleet enough to carry them out of harm's way? would she take them safely to their island, or would she be capsized and sunk before she got out of buzzard's bay? tom did not bother his head much about these questions, for he knew that the little schooner was staunch and swift, and, as he began to have great confidence in his abilities as a navigator and seaman, he was sure that he could bring her safely out of any danger that might befall her. on the subject of destroying the storm king, however, he debated long and earnestly. he began to see that there was danger in it. the students were alert and watchful, and if they caught him on board the vessel with matches and a bottle of coal-oil in his pocket, what would they do to him? tom trembled a little as he asked himself this question, but he never once thought of giving up his "splendid idea." he only wished that the work was done, and that he was well out to sea with the sweepstakes. meanwhile, the governor and his men moved cautiously along the wharf toward mr. henry's store. they walked around the elevator without seeing any signs of the watchman, and were about to enter the passage when sam, who was leading the way, suddenly stopped. "what was that noise?" he asked, turning to his companions. "didn't you hear something drop in the store?" "i heard it thunder," replied jack spaniard. "so did i," said xury. "that wasn't thunder," returned the chief. "it was some other kind of noise; an' i am sure it was in the store. mebbe harding is movin' around in there. you stay here, an' i'll go to the door an' listen." the crusoe men concealed themselves behind the elevator, and the governor moved up the passage-way, holding in his hand a bag which he had brought to carry away his share of the provisions, and which he also intended to use in conquering johnny harding, if the opportunity presented itself. if the clerk was awake, and should happen to come to the door, he would throw the bag over his head, and hold him fast until his men could come to his assistance. he approached the door very cautiously, and when he reached it, he stopped and looked at it in astonishment. a hole had been cut in it over the lock, and the door was ajar. sam thought he must be dreaming. he looked around him to make sure that no one was observing his movements, and then placed his hand against the door, which yielded to his touch. "well, now, if this yere don't beat all the world," said the governor to himself. "is there another crusoe band in the village, i wonder?" "look here, partner," whispered a voice close at his elbow, "this is our job. you're about a quarter of an hour too late." sam turned and saw a man, who was muffed up to the eyes, standing beside him. his heart fairly came up into his mouth. he was as frightened as a boy could be, and he would have yelled and taken to his heels, but he seemed to have lost all control over himself. he stood like one petrified. to save his life he could not utter a sound, neither could he move hand or foot. he was caught, he could see that plainly; and now would come the punishment. "how do you happen to know any thing about it?" whispered the man. "about what?" sam almost gasped, recovering the use of his tongue after a desperate effort. "about the money," was the reply. "we followed him all the way from boston." "follered who?" "why, mr. henry; the brother of the man who owns this store. he had five thousand dollars with him. we have done all the work, but, since you are here, i suppose we must divide with you." "divide what?" asked the governor, utterly unable to understand what the man was trying to get at, and astonished that he did not put a pair of hand-cuffs upon him at once. "o, divide what!" repeated the burglar, impatiently. "why, the money, of course--the five thousand dollars. what else did you come here for?" "me! i come here for grub, me an' my men. we don't know nothin' about no five thousand dollars." at this moment the other robber came up, and the first words he spoke indicated that he was not at all pleased to see sam. "we always have hard luck," said he. "this is the third time we've had to divide with fellows who didn't help us do the work. how many are there in your crowd?" "six," replied the governor. he had by this time partially recovered his wits, and began to understand the matter. there was money in the safe, these men had come after it, and, believing him to be a robber like themselves, they were grumbling because they were afraid they would be obliged to share the spoils with him. sam did not want the money, but he did want provisions; and he was convinced, now, that the burglars would not stand in his way. "there are five of us here, an' one more down to the boat," added the chief. "but he says he don't know any thing about the money," observed the robber, who had first spoken to sam. "he is here after something to eat. what are you going to do when you get your provisions?" "we're going to sea." "are you? have you got a vessel?" "sartinly, we have. how could we go to sea without a vessel?" "that's lucky. now i'll tell you what we'll do. we'll give you a thousand dollars, if you will take us with you." the governor caught his breath as if some one had suddenly dashed a bucket of ice-water over him. a thousand dollars! wasn't he in luck for once in his life? what a multitude of comforts and luxuries that would buy for the crusoe band! they could stop at some town during their cruise, and purchase every thing they needed to complete their outfit. "but, perhaps, you don't want to go where we are going," said sam. "we don't care where you are bound. so long as you are going to sea, that's enough for us. we want to get as far away from this place as possible. what do you say? we're in a hurry." "i say it is a bargain," replied the governor. "all right. we'll go in now and get our money, and you can help yourselves to the provisions. where are your partners? let's have a look at them." sam, almost beside himself with joy at this unexpected freak of fortune, hurried off to find his companions. in a few excited words he explained to them what had happened, and so astonished and bewildered were the crusoe men, that for a moment they had nothing to say. they had never heard of such a thing before, and some of them were afraid to trust the robbers. "mebbe they're just foolin' us," said jack spaniard; "an' when they get us into the store, they'll arrest the whole kit an' bilin' of us." "arrest us!" sneered sam. "they aint constables, i tell you; they're burglars. didn't they cut that hole through the door, an' don't they say that they're after the money that's in the safe? we don't want to lose the chance of makin' a thousand dollars if we can help it. just think of the grub an' things it will buy!" the governor had considerable difficulty in convincing his men that it was "all right," but he did succeed at last, and induced them to follow him to the door where he had left the robbers. the latter peered into their faces as they came up, and, after satisfying themselves that the coast was clear, led the way into the store. when the lantern was turned up, sam and his men looked at the burglars, and the burglars looked at them. the result of the examination appeared to be satisfactory on both sides, for the robbers resumed their work on the safe, while the crusoe men, now feeling perfectly at their ease, gazed about the store. they looked at the shattered safe, at johnny harding, who lay a prisoner on his bed, and watched with greedy eyes the packages of greenbacks which the burglars took from the strong box, and stowed away in a valise. "where's our thousand dollars?" asked the governor, at length. "if you want to go to sea with us, you had better pay us in advance." "now, don't you be in a hurry," was the gruff reply. "when you have taken us safely out of sight of newport, you shall have your money, and not before. you'd better get to work, there. we've wasted time enough already." this aroused the crusoe men, and they began to bestir themselves. they appropriated to their own use a pile of bags which xury found behind the counter, and, by the time the robbers had finished overhauling the contents of the safe, they had collected a large supply of provisions, consisting of hams, crackers, codfish, cheese, coffee, and sugar. johnny watched all their movements, and before he had quite made up his mind whether the scene transpiring before him was a dream or a reality, the robbers had finished their work and gone out, leaving the store in total darkness. chapter xi. tom's splendid idea. the crusoe men, congratulating themselves on their good fortune, and staggering under their heavy loads of provisions, hurried back to the schooner, and their appearance relieved the anxiety tom had begun to feel at their prolonged absence. he listened in amazement to the governor's description of the events that had transpired at the store, and looked at the robbers with curiosity. he could not help telling himself that he had seen the time that he would have been horrified at the thought of having such outlaws for shipmates, but now he did not feel the least tremor, and he regarded the fact as evidence that he was getting to be a very brave sort of fellow. "now, then," said the chief, when the provisions had been stowed away in the hold. "i s'pose you gentlemen don't care to stay in the village any longer than you can help, do you? well, there's a yawl at the end of the pier, an' you can get into it an' pull out into the bay. hold straight across fur the head of the island, an' before you get there we'll overtake you. we've got a little more business to do before we say good-by to newport." the robbers thought it best to follow sam's advice. they clambered down into the yawl, and the crusoe men took their seats in the skiff, and were about to shove off from the pier, when tom, upon putting his hand into his pocket to assure himself that his incendiary materials were safe, found, to his dismay, that he had forgotten something. "o, now, hold on, governor," he drawled. "how am i going to set fire to that yacht without any matches, i'd like to know!" "you're a purty feller, aint you?" exclaimed atkins, who had all along shown a distaste for the dangers that attended their preparations for the cruise. "we'll have to give up burnin' the sloop now, an' i am glad of it. there aint no kind o' sense in it, no how. it's runnin' a big risk fur nothing." "o, now, i want you to quit calling me a pretty fellow," whined tom, who, if he had possessed the courage, would have been glad to fight somebody. "i won't give up my splendid idea. there's just as much sense in it as there is in stealing provisions. i am provoked at myself for forgetting those matches. haven't you got some, governor?" "nary match," replied sam. "but i'll tell you what you can do, cap'n. you can run up to the store an' get some. you'll find plenty there, an' harding can't hinder you from takin' as many as you want." "but it is dark, isn't it? how can i find the matches without a light?" "them bugglars left their lantern on the counter. just turn the slide, an' you'll have light enough. hurry up, now, an' we'll wait here fur you." tom, whose thoughts were so completely wrapped up in his grand project that he did not stop to consider that it might prove to be a very disagreeable piece of business to go groping about the store in the dark, sprang out of the skiff and ran up the wharf. "i'll see johnny harding," said he to himself. "the governor said that those burglars left him tied and gagged, and so i can do what i please with him. perhaps i'll give him a punch or two, just to show him that i have not forgotten how badly he has treated me since i had that yacht built. i told him that i would get even with him some day." tom involuntarily increased his pace when he thought how pleasant a sight it would be to his eyes to see his tormentor bound hand and foot, and powerless to reply to his taunts, or to resist him if he concluded to punish him for what he had done, and when he reached the store he pushed the door open and entered without hesitation. he came to a stand-still, however, before he had fairly crossed the threshold, and his heart seemed to stop beating when his ear caught the sound of a light foot-step. tom was almost on the point of turning and running for his life, but the remembrance of his "splendid idea," which he was on the very eve of carrying into execution, restrained him. he listened, but the sound was not repeated, and, calling all his courage to his aid, he walked boldly across the store. as he passed his hands over the counter they came in contact with the lantern, which blazed up when he opened the slide. he turned the bull's eye toward every corner of the store, almost expecting to see somebody advancing upon him, and he drew a long breath of relief when he found that he was alone. having satisfied himself on this point, he glanced at the safe, emptied the contents of the match box into his pocket, and then started toward the office to look at johnny harding. as he approached the door, he was surprised to see that the bed was empty. there lay the rope with which johnny had been confined, and the towel that had been used as a gag, but johnny himself was nowhere to be seen. "this is very strange," thought tom. "i understood the governor to say that he was tied, hand and foot, to his bed." tom advanced one more step, which brought him just inside the door of the office. he regretted, an instant afterward, that he had taken that step, for, as he stood bending forward, holding the lantern aloft, and looking toward the bed to assure himself that johnny was really not there, a pair of strong arms were suddenly thrown around his neck, his heels flew up, and tom found himself prostrate on the floor. although johnny harding stood as much in fear of bodily harm as any body, he determined, in spite of the robbers' threats, that he would not remain a passive prisoner. even while the burglar was tying him, and his companion was holding the revolver to his head, the clerk's brain was busy with thoughts of escape. he was not foolish enough to imagine that he could cope with two grown men, even under the most favorable circumstances, but he hoped that he might find means to free himself, so that, as soon as the robbers left the store, he could procure assistance, and begin the pursuit without loss of time. when the burglars retreated outside the building to await the explosion, johnny struggled desperately with his bonds; and if his visitors had thought to look at him when they returned, they would have discovered that one of his hands was free. when they took their final departure, johnny removed the towel with his liberated hand, and, after ten minutes' hard work, he arose from the bed and began pulling on his clothes with all possible haste. "those fellows won't get very far away with that money; not if this clerk knows himself, and he thinks he does," said johnny to himself. "i'll raise the town in two minutes. and there's the governor again, as big as life and as ugly as ever. how did he get back? he is going to receive a thousand dollars for taking those villains out to sea, is he? not much! i'll have something to say about that." johnny had by this time got into his trowsers and boots; and catching up his hat, he ran out of the office just as the side door opened, admitting tom newcombe. believing that the burglars had returned, the clerk beat a hasty retreat, and it was the sound of his footsteps that had alarmed tom. johnny concealed himself behind the door of the office, and awaited the issue of events with fear and trembling. if the burglar discovered that he had succeeded in liberating himself, he would, of course, bind him again; and this time he would do his work so thoroughly that johnny would remain a prisoner until he was released. that would be about seven o'clock in the morning, for that was the hour at which mr. henry generally made his appearance--and by that time the burglars would be miles away with their booty. johnny knew when tom turned up the light, and emptied the match-box; and when he heard him approaching the office, his excitement and alarm increased. when tom stepped inside the door, a desperate plan for escape suddenly suggested itself to him. he would rush out of his concealment, throw the intruder down, and get out of the store before he could recover his feet. he was by no means certain that he could do this, but it was his only chance, and it was no sooner conceived than it was carried into execution. the captain of the crusoe band was prostrated with the greatest ease, and johnny, who had fallen to the floor with him, would have jumped up and taken to his heels without knowing who his visitor was, if tom had only kept quiet. but the latter, astonished at the suddenness of the attack, and recognizing his assailant, thought it was all over with him, and drawled out: "o, now, what are you doing, harding?" "tom newcombe!" exclaimed the clerk, in great amazement. "o, now, yes, it's i!" whined tom. "well, i declare!" said johnny, catching up the rope with which he had been confined a few minutes before, "wonders will never cease. i thought you were at the north pole by this time; but, if i had taken a second thought, i would have known that you were in some way mixed up in this business. how much of that money will fall to your share?" "o, now, what are you doing, i say?" roared tom; for johnny, while he was speaking, had crossed the captain's hands behind his back, and was passing the rope around them. "let me up!" "i can't see it, tom," was the reply. "you are a dangerous fellow, and i think it is my duty to secure you. i believe this night's work is the result of your having an idea." the captain of the crusoe band did not waste any more breath in words. he saw that the tables were likely to be turned on him, and that the boy he had come there to abuse and maltreat, was in a fair way to put it out of his power to carry his splendid scheme into execution. he must escape from him, or the expedition would fall through; and, more than that, he must make a prisoner of the clerk, or he would give the alarm. johnny thought that tom, although he had thus far kept himself in the back ground, was the cause of all the troubles that had befallen him that night--that he was the projector and manager of the robbery. it was undoubtedly another of his grand ideas. tom's past history warranted such a supposition. he had planned many a plundering expedition against orchards and melon patches; he had twice assisted in stealing a vessel; he was one of the acknowledged leaders of an organization of rogues; he had been growing worse and worse every day, for the last year of his life, and it was reasonable to suppose that he had, by this time, become bad enough to conceive of a burglary to replenish the treasury of the crusoe band. johnny determined to capture him, and learn all about the proposed movements of the robbers. he had made up his mind that the money must be recovered; and every item of information would be of value to him. this was the second fight tom had that night, and it was a lively one. during its progress, he gained a good idea of johnny's power of muscle, and johnny thought tom was a remarkably strong and active boy to be the coward he was. long wind, and the consciousness of being in the right, brought the clerk off with flying colors; and, after a five minutes' struggle, the captain of the crusoe band lay helpless on the bed, and johnny, with his hands in his pockets, stood looking at him. tom was almost beside himself with rage and alarm, but the victor was as cool as a cucumber. "tom," said he, as soon as he had recovered his breath, "did it never occur to you that you are getting low down in the world? what will your father say when he hears that you are running around with a lot of burglars? by gracious, old fellow, you're done for--you're gone up! where's that money?" "o, now, it's half way to the island," whined tom. "you'll let me go, won't you, johnny? i'll never do it again." "who's got the money?" demanded the clerk. "those two robbers. they got into a yawl and started off. the governor told them to wait for us at the head of the island. say, johnny, are you going to release me?" "where did you leave the governor and his crew?" "in a skiff, at the end of the pier. let me go, johnny, won't you? i'll never do it again, as long as i live." "how were you going to sea?" "in the sweepstakes. we captured her, and she is ready and waiting now. say, johnny, why don't you answer my question?" "where have you been during the last two weeks?" "on block island. we've got a harboring place there, near the shoals. o, now, johnny, come back here and release me." but the clerk was gone before the words were fairly out of tom's mouth. he had heard enough to satisfy him, and he believed that prompt action on his part was all that was needed to insure the capture of the robbers. "i'll run down to the vessels, in front of the elevator, and alarm the watch," soliloquized the clerk. "i'll ask one of the captains to send a boat's crew after the governor and his crowd, and then i'll raise men enough to handle the sweepstakes. i'll start for the island in her, and the robbers, thinking it's all right, will come on board, and the first thing they know they'll be prisoners, and i'll have possession of the seven thousand dollars. that's the way to work it." fully occupied with such thoughts as these, johnny pulled open the door and sprang out into the passage-way, where he came in violent contact with somebody. it was the governor, who, impatient at tom's delay, had come up to see what was the matter with him. "hello, here, cap'n!" he growled. "haint you got eyes that you can't see nothing? if you're all ready now, let's be off." the clerk, recognizing the voice, turned instantly and ran into the store, banging the door after him. he might have escaped by going out at the other end of the passage; but his first thought was of his prisoner. if he left the store, the governor would, of course, go in and release tom; and that was something johnny did not intend he should do. "a bird in the hand is worth a dozen in the bush," thought he. "it is my business to look out for tom, now that i have got him. the other robbers can be attended to at any time." sam barton was utterly confounded. he stood for a moment gazing stupidly at the door, and then turned toward his men, who had followed close at his heels, as if expecting some of them to suggest a way out of this new trouble. "what's the row now, governor?" whispered xury "what's the cap'n gone back fur?" "that wasn't the cap'n," replied sam. "it was harding; an' i'll bet a million dollars that he's got tommy a prisoner in there." "i just know he has," snarled will atkins. "that's the kind of luck we're havin' to-night. let's go away an' leave him. we can't do any thing fur him." "we can, too," replied the chief, angrily. "now, atkins, i don't want to hear any more out of you about desertin' a comrade in distress, fur i haint forgot that you are a mutineer. you're always growlin', an' i'm gettin' teetotally tired of listenin' to it. if you had any sense at all, you would know that we must get into this store fur two reasons. we're bound to capture harding ag'in, fur, if we don't, he'll come out the minute we are gone, an' raise a yell; an' we'll have the whole town after us in no time. an' we must get the cap'n out of there, 'cause we can't get along without him. is there any body else in the band who knows enough to take command of the vessel? do you, atkins?" "of course not. i never was to sea in my life." "well, then, what are you grumblin' about? none of us haint been to sea, except tommy. he's been miles an' miles out of sight of land; he is the only one among us who understands the winds an' currents, an' we must release him, or give up the expedition." as the governor said this he tried the door, but found it fastened. he stooped down and looked through the hole the burglars had cut over the lock, and by the light of the lantern, which was standing on the table in the office, he could see johnny with an uplifted poker, ready to strike the first hand that was put in to raise the hasp. the chief explained the state of affairs to his men, adding, that they must determine upon some plan to attack johnny in the rear, or to get him away from the door long enough for them to open it. "hold on a minute, governor!" exclaimed xury, suddenly; "i'll fix that. lend a hand here, friday." the mate ran off, followed by friday, and in a few minutes they returned, bringing a ladder which they had found behind the elevator, and which they began to raise against the side of the store. "do you see that winder up there?" asked xury. "well, give me one man an' we will go in there, an' come down the stairs. if harding pitches into us, you can open the door an' come in; an' if he stands by to defend the door, me an' my man will soon fix him." "that's a good idea," said the chief. "friday, you go with xury. jack spaniard, run down to the skiff an' bring up the oars. harding has got an iron poker, you know, an' you will need something to make you even with him. but mebbe the winder is fastened, xury." "i know it is, 'cause i've looked at it a hundred times before to-night. it is fastened with a stick; but the glass is broke, an' i can soon throw the stick down." the two crusoe men mounted the ladder, and by the time the window was raised jack spaniard returned with the oars, which sam passed up to the mate, saying: "don't be no ways backward about usin' 'em if you get a chance. punch him hard, fur he is a spunky feller." xury and his companion disappeared, and the governor waited impatiently for them to begin the attack. all these movements had been accomplished so quietly that johnny, wholly intent upon watching the door, had no suspicions of what was going on until he heard the crusoe men coming down the stairs behind him. before he could think of flight they rushed upon him, and, although he resisted manfully, he was speedily brought to terms by a savage thrust in the ribs from friday's oar, which made him double up like a jackknife; and, at the same moment, the governor and the rest of his men entered through the side door. in less time than it takes to tell it, tom and johnny changed places, and the former, boiling over with rage, would have been mean enough to revenge himself upon the helpless clerk if he had not been restrained by the chief. "hold on, cap'n," cried sam, catching tom's hand as it was about to descend, with savage force, upon the prisoner's face; "it aint fair to strike a man when he's down, an' we haint got no time to waste in nonsense, neither. now, harding, i reckon you'll stay there fur awhile. come on, fellers." the crusoe men hurried back to their skiff, and in a few minutes more were pulling up the harbor as if nothing had happened. friday sat in the bow with his boat-hook; will atkins and jack spaniard handled the oars; sam managed the helm; and tom thought over the events of the night, and enjoyed his anticipated triumph over the students. none of the band had any thing to say about his adventure with johnny harding; in fact, they soon forgot it, and thought only of the dangers attending the work they had yet to perform. the governor glanced at tom's face a good many times while they were moving up the harbor, and was surprised that he did not discover some signs of fear. but that sentiment had no place in tom's mind just then. he grew bolder and more reckless the nearer they approached to the storm king. he did not even tremble; his nerves were as firm as a rock, and his determination to attempt the destruction of the yacht was stronger than it had ever been before. "didn't i tell harry green, when he had me locked up in that state-room, that if he did not release me at once i would square yards with him some day?" said tom to himself. "i suppose he thinks i have forgotten all about it, but i'll show him that i never forget. the sight of that yacht in flames will amply repay me for all the misery she has caused me." in ten minutes after leaving the pier the crusoe men had arrived within sight of the storm king. the governor raised his hand, and atkins and jack spaniard became more cautious in their movements. they handled the oars so carefully, and sent the skiff along so quietly, that not a ripple was heard in the water. nearer and nearer the pirate crew approached the devoted vessel, holding themselves in readiness to seek safety in instant flight, should occasion require it, and presently friday fastened into the fore-chains with his boat-hook, and tom drew himself up and looked over the rail. he heard a few words of the story which one of the anchor-watch was relating to his companion, and could just discern the forms of the quartermaster and officer on watch, who paced the deck in blissful ignorance of the danger that menaced their vessel. tom drew his breath more rapidly than usual, as he crawled noiselessly over the rail and across the deck, and when he crouched at the head of the ladder and listened to that conversation between the anchor-watch, which we have already recorded, his heart thumped against his ribs with a noise that frightened him. but, fortunately for the captain of the crusoe band, the students believed him to be miles away at that moment, and, thinking that the noise that had attracted his attention was only imaginary, the young tar resumed his story, his companion settled into a comfortable position to listen, and tom slipped down into the galley. he was now in a dangerous situation. the ladder ran down between the galley and the forecastle, where slept half a dozen students, and if one of them should chance to awake while he was there his capture was certain. tom thought of this, but if there had been no one within a hundred miles of him, he could not have gone about his work with more deliberation. he first looked for the kindling, which he had told sam he should find under the stove. it was there, and the wood-box was filled also. he moved the wood-box under the shelves that supported the dishes, piled the kindling-wood around it, and then, pulling out his bottle, threw the coal-oil upon it and upon the shelves and bulkhead. it was but the work of a moment more to light a match and apply it to the kindling, and in an instant the wood was in a blaze. "i think these fellows will find out what sort of a boy i am now," chuckled the captain of the crusoe band, as he made his way up the ladder. "this is the grandest idea i ever had, and i have carried it out, too. there'll be nothing left of the storm king in fifteen minutes." "hallo! boat--ship--i mean, man ahoy!" came the hail, breaking in upon his reverie, and scattering all his courage to the winds in an instant. it was well for tom that he was close to the rail, for, had he been discovered a few seconds sooner, his retreat would have been cut off, and he would have fallen into the hands of the students, who, in their rage, might have treated him very roughly. hearing the footsteps of the watch close behind him, he threw himself headlong over the rail and landed on his hands and knees in the skiff, which, in a moment more, was flying down the harbor with the speed of the wind. he heard the anchor-watch pronounce his name. he knew when the officer of the deck came forward, and he would have been willing to give any thing he possessed could he have been in a position to see the lieutenant's face and hear what he had to say about it. he knew when the order was given to lower the jolly-boat, and distinctly heard the rattle calling the crew to quarters. on the whole, he was well satisfied with what he had done. he had caused a great commotion among the students and thoroughly alarmed them, even if the fire he had kindled in the galley failed to destroy the yacht. "you had better hurry up, governor," said tom, with a calmness that astonished his companions. "that jolly-boat will be after us almost immediately." "give way, strong," commanded the chief. "cap'n, there's my hand. i have put you down fur a coward more 'n once since i made your acquaintance, but i confess that i didn't know any thing about you." tom accepted the governor's hand, and proudly listened to the congratulations of the crusoe men. he laughed when he thought how nicely and easily he had accomplished his work, snapped his fingers in the air, and acted altogether like one demented. he listened for the sounds of pursuit, and presently heard the measured dip of oars behind. "the jolly-boat is coming, sam," said he. "and there goes the fire-alarm," he added, as the yacht's bell began tolling rapidly. "they can't save her, for there's too much coal-oil in the galley. now, men, listen to me. when we reach the vessel xury will go to the wheel; jack spaniard will make the skiff fast to the stern; friday will cast off the line; and atkins and the governor will shove off. be lively, now, for the sooner we get out of newport the better it will be for us." the crusoe men were well aware of that fact, and tom's orders being strictly carried out, the sweepstakes was got under way very speedily. but, just as the wind filled the sails, and she began to move through the water, xury discovered their pursuers. "stand by, governor," he exclaimed. "here comes them spooneys." sam looked over the stern and saw the jolly-boat swiftly approaching the schooner. chapter xii. how it resulted. when the crew of the storm king saw the flames coming out of the fore-hatchway, and learned from the anchor watch that tom newcombe had turned up again, and that he had been on board the yacht, to carry out that "splendid idea" of which he had spoken, their amazement and indignation knew no bounds; and there was not one among them who would not willingly have given up all his chances for promotion, if he could have had that boy within reach of his arm for one minute. and when midshipman richardson, flying down the harbor in the jolly-boat, heard the fire-bell ring, and, looking over his shoulder, saw the smoke ascending from his vessel, he placed his hand on the cutlass which hung at his side, and told himself that, if he could only get one finger on the collar of tom newcombe's jacket, he would capture him or perish in the attempt. if tom had only known it, he had, at last, succeeded in thoroughly arousing the students. they had thus far treated him much more leniently than he deserved--not out of any love for him, but because of their respect and affection for his father; but now they had one and all resolved that he had done damage enough. he need not try to save himself by flight, for he could not do it. they would hunt him high and low, and they would find him, too; and when they got their hands on him, they would see that he did not escape the consequences of his last act. of course the students never said all this, for they were so busy that they did not have time to say any thing; but they were as determined about it, and as certain of each other's assistance, as though they had talked the matter over, and already decided upon a general plan of action. the first lieutenant had never in his life been more astonished and alarmed. that his evil genius should reappear again so suddenly, when every body believed him to be miles away, and that he should have the audacity to board the vessel, and set fire to her under the very noses of the anchor-watch, when he knew that the chances were not one in ten that he could escape detection, was almost incredible. harry could not understand it. it showed what a reckless, vindictive fellow tom newcombe was, and how determined he was, too, when he once made up his mind to any thing. "you've reached the end of your rope, my hearty," were the first thoughts that passed through harry's mind. "you've got to lead crusoe life now, sure, for you can never return to this village." then he stamped his foot on the deck, and looking impatiently down the harbor in the direction the jolly-boat had gone, exclaimed, aloud: "o, what shall i do? that villain has tied my hands, and i can't even pursue him. richardson, if you know what you are about you will not let him escape you this time." having succeeded in working off a little of his surplus indignation, the lieutenant seemed, for the first time, to realize that the fire-bell was ringing in his ears, that his little vessel was being slowly consumed before his eyes, and that his men were looking to him for orders. he had stood inactive on his quarter-deck not more than a minute, and during that time the men had been filing up from below, bringing their hammocks, which they stowed away in the nettings with as much care and precision as though they had just been called up to their morning's duties, instead of midnight fire-quarters. as fast as they disposed of their beds, they sprang to their stations, and presently the first lieutenant saw before him twenty young tars, some at the pumps, others at the fire-buckets, ready to pass the water when the word was given, a couple with axes in their hands, the boatswain's mate holding the nozzle of the hose, and all awaiting his commands. not a boy moved, and not an eye was turned from the first lieutenant, although the smoke began to rise in greater volume from the hatchway, showing that the fire was making rapid progress. naval discipline had been strictly carried out, and harry felt ashamed of himself when he reflected that he was the only one on board who had shown any signs of excitement. "fire in the galley!" shouted the lieutenant. "break down on that pump! pass up the water! mr. jackson, close the main hatch, and every other opening except the door of the galley." the sailors jumped at the word. the boatswain's mate dived through the smoke with the hose; the buckets began to fly along the lines; the boys at the pump came down manfully; and soon a furious hissing and steaming below told the first lieutenant that the water was pouring into the galley. harry fumed inwardly because he could not go down and use a bucket with the others. but his place was on deck, where he could see all that was going on, and could be readily found by his officers, in case they had any thing important to report. "i'm an unlucky fellow," said he, pacing nervously back and forth, and unconsciously making use of tom newcombe's favorite expression. "first, i was captured by a crew of pirates, who tried their best to sink me; i came near having my commission revoked because their leader escaped; and now i am set on fire! what could have possessed that fellow to come back here? where has he been? what has he been doing? where is he now? what is the prospect, mr. jackson?" he added, turning to the second lieutenant, who at that moment came up, all begrimmed with smoke and dirt, and drenched with water. "it is not very flattering, sir," was the reply. "the wind comes strong down the fore-hatch, and fans the flame." "shut the galley, and knock a hole through the door for the hose," said harry, promptly. "if the fire continues to gain headway, we must cut into the deck to give the buckets a chance. what will become of us if we lose the vessel, jackson?" "we're not going to lose her, sir," replied the lieutenant; and harry was greatly encouraged to hear him speak so confidently. "she will capture tom newcombe and his band of freebooters for us yet." jackson ran off to obey the orders of his superior, and the first lieutenant stopped the buckets (for, of course they could not be used when the galley door was closed), and waited impatiently for the next report. up to this time he had been so engrossed with his work, that he could not have told whether he was alone in the harbor or not; but now he was reminded of the fact that there were vessels all around him, and found that the storm king had suddenly become an object of interest to their crews. a yawl came alongside, and half a dozen men, armed with axes and buckets, sprang over the rail. they were led by an old, gray-headed sea captain, who, the moment he touched the deck, demanded in a voice that could have been heard above the roar of a hurricane: "who's master of this craft?" "i am in command, sir," replied the first lieutenant. "you!" exclaimed the old sailor, looking first at harry's uniform, and then toward the galley, taking in at one swift glance all the preparations that had been made for putting out the fire. "well, what have you done, little marline-spike?" "i've stopped the draft, and am throwing water on the fire as fast as i can." "if you want any help say the word. i've got a boat's crew here. if you've no objections, i'll just step down and take a squint at things. perhaps a few suggestions from an old fellow who has had two vessels burned under him in mid-ocean wouldn't come amiss." "o, no, sir," replied harry, gratefully. "i shall be glad to listen to your advice. it won't do to let this fire get started in the harbor." "it would ruin me," replied the captain. "that's my vessel over there, and she is all i have in the world. if i lose her, i shall be high and dry aground." harry did not wonder that the old sailor felt uneasy. he was so nervous himself that he could not stand still, and he became appalled when he thought of the possible consequences of tom newcombe's attempt to carry out his "splendid idea." he had placed a million dollars' worth of property in jeopardy, and all to satisfy an unreasonable grudge against his father, the students, and the principal of the academy. if the fire he had kindled in the galley of the storm king should spread to the shipping in front of mr. newcombe's elevator, tom might be revenged in a way he had not thought of. he had promised to raise a breeze in the village, that would lead the people there to believe that they had never known any thing about him, and he had succeeded beyond his most sanguine expectations. the uneasiness was not confined to the crews of the vessels that were moored about the yacht--it began to spread through the town. mr. newcombe's night watchman, who had by this time been discovered and released, had found out that there was something unusual going on, and he was ringing the bell on the elevator, as if his life depended upon his arousing the village in the shortest possible space of time. then the alarm bells, and the big bell at the academy joined in, the fire engines rattled through the streets, men began to run about the wharves, and in a few minutes all newport was in commotion. some thought the town was on fire; but the flames had thus far been confined to the galley of the storm king, and, thanks to harry and his crew, they were likely to remain there. "what do you think of it, sir?" asked the first lieutenant, when the old sailor returned from the galley. "o, it's all right. i couldn't see much on account of the smoke; but there's no danger now if you keep the draft shut away from it." before harry could reply, another yawl dashed up alongside the yacht, and a second party of sailors clambered over the side, headed by a burly, red-whiskered man, who seemed to be in a terrible rage about something. "it beats the world what little sense some people have," said he, hurrying up to the old captain, who was standing beside harry. "the idea of giving a lot of little brats like these full charge of a vessel! i've had my eye on this craft ever since i've been in port. i've said a dozen times that she'd get us into trouble, sooner or later, and now my words are coming true. the whole harbor will be in a blaze in five minutes. peters," he added, turning to one of his men, "kick those young sea-monkeys out of the way, and put out that fire." harry overheard the order, and so did lieutenant jackson, who at that moment came up to report that the fire was being rapidly subdued. the former was willing to take advice and to receive assistance, but he was not the one to submit to any domineering, and he regarded the order as a most unwarrantable interference, and, if the red-whiskered sea captain had been of his own age, it is probable that he would have heard something. but the first lieutenant, angry as he was, did not forget the respect due to those older than himself. "captain," said he, mildly, "the galley is full of water, and there is no necessity--" "shut up!" was the polite rejoinder. "do you suppose that i am going to leave so dangerous a thing as fire to the management of a lot of little boys? go down there, peters." "mr. jackson, you will allow no one to interfere with you," said harry. "very good, sir," replied the lieutenant, who was in excellent fighting humor, like all the rest of the yacht's company. "i'll look for him." peters ran down the ladder to execute the orders of his captain. the first man he encountered was the boatswain's mate, who stood in front of the galley holding the nozzle through a hole in the door, and directing the stream of water upon the fire inside. "come, now, get out o' this!" roared peters, trying to push the young tar away from the door. "who are you? get out o' this yourself," replied the boatswain's mate. peters, seeing that the boy was not disposed to be driven away from his work, proceeded to carry out his orders to the very letter. his first move was to fasten with both hands into the collar of the mate's jacket and send him sprawling on the deck; his second, to throw open the door that led into the galley. as the apartment had been flooded with water, and the fire nearly drowned out, this did not endanger the little vessel as it would have done a few minutes before, but the mate was none the less angry. "well, douse my to'-gallant top-lights," he growled, "here's a go." "wheeler," shouted the second lieutenant, from the deck, "close that door at once." "no words, now," said peters, shaking his fist at jackson, "or you'll go overboard." "we'll see about that. stand by here, men!" the students swarmed around their officer, and peters began to believe that he had stirred up a hornets' nest. "i was sent down here to put out this fire," said he. "give me that nozzle." "i was sent down here for that same purpose," replied the boatswain's mate, "and i won't give up the hose. the fire is out, and now i am going to put you out." as he spoke he turned the nozzle full in the face of the intruder, an action which caused him to toss up his heels and measure his length on the wet deck. when he recovered his feet he thought no more of the fire, but made the best of his way up the ladder, followed by a stream of water from the hose. all these things happened in much less time than we have taken to describe them. it was probably not more than ten minutes from the time the first notes of the alarm were struck until the last spark of fire had been extinguished. in five minutes more the deck of the storm king had been cleared of the sailors, her anchor slipped, and she was standing down the harbor under a full press of canvas. as captain steele's military duties kept him ashore, harry was virtually the commander of the yacht, and, having authority to act in all emergencies like the present, he was not delayed in his operations by being obliged to ask instructions of his superior. he did just what he knew the captain or the principal would have done, had either of them been there--he started in hot pursuit of the incendiary, and was fully resolved to capture him before he returned. every thing seemed to indicate that there were stirring times ahead. sam barton, although he had but a small force at his command, was cunning and reckless, and harry was long-headed, fruitful in expedients, and determined. he was simply working to effect the capture of the young rogue who had tried to destroy his vessel, while the governor and his band were fighting for liberty. the contest promised to be an exciting one. "i have to report, sir, that the starboard watch is engaged in setting things to rights below, according to orders," said the second lieutenant, stepping up and saluting. "very good, sir," replied harry. then, dropping the officer, he inquired: "how does she look, jack?" "o, don't ask me. it makes me mad to think of it." "well," said harry, taking a good survey of his friend, who was as wet and begrimmed as a boy could be, "if she looks as bad as you do i don't want to see her." "she does, and worse. go down and look at her, harry, and then tell me if you think any punishment too severe for that fellow. but don't this night's work beat you?" "beat is no name for it; i am taken all aback. if any one had told me that tom newcombe was as reckless as he has shown himself to be, i should have laughed at him. what do you suppose he intends to do? where is he now?" "i wish i could tell you. we must hunt him up, and when we have captured him we can find out all we want to know." the second lieutenant went below to put on dry clothing, and harry walked forward to take a look at things. he found that ten minutes had made a great change in the appearance of his little vessel. the effects of the fire were visible on deck about the hatchway, and on the ladder that led below. the wood-work of the galley was charred and smoked; the furniture was scattered about over the floor and broken and battered; the stove was overturned; the water stood in little pools all over the floor, and, altogether, it presented so desolate an appearance that the lieutenant was sorry he had come down to look at it. "she isn't much like the neat little vessel of which i have been so proud," soliloquized harry, as he returned to the deck. "but i am thankful for one thing, and that is, her sailing qualities are not injured, and we can use them to bring that fellow to justice." then, turning to the officer of the deck, he instructed him to put two men on the forecastle with orders to keep a bright lookout for the jolly-boat, and also for a white skiff with a crew of half a dozen boys. meanwhile the jolly-boat flew down the harbor, propelled by two good oarsmen. midshipman richardson sat bolt upright in the stern sheets, examining each side of the harbor as well as he could through the darkness, and hoping it might be his good fortune to put "just one eye on that tom newcombe." he did not stop to consider that it was reported, by the anchor-watch, that tom was backed up by his old pirate crew, and that, if such was the case, he would have six desperate fellows to contend with. he cared nothing for the difference in numbers. he had but two companions, but he was sure that, having justice on his side, he could overcome all obstacles. "there's a boat right ahead, sir," said the bow oarsman. "i can hear it." "so can i," replied richardson. "give way, strong. remember, men, if we come up with tom newcombe i shall catch him and hold fast to him, and i want you to stand by to defend me with your cutlasses. do you understand?" "ay, ay, sir!" was the answer. "whatever we do must be done quickly," continued the young officer. "we can't hope to capture his whole crew, nor beat them in a fair fight. tom newcombe is the man we want, and, if i can once get my hands on him i can hold him, if you will keep the others off. bear in mind, men, that he set fire to our vessel." there was no danger that the young tars would forget that, for the strokes of the little bell continued to ring in their ears, and, as they passed along, they could hear the watch on board the vessel talking with each other and making inquiries about the fire. add to this the fact that they were trembling with anxiety for the safety of the yacht, and filled with apprehension lest tom's new plan should prove successful, and there was no fear but that his crime would be kept in remembrance. richardson went the entire length of the harbor without seeing any signs of the crusoe band. he could hear the boat just ahead of him, but he could not see it, for it was concealed from him by the darkness; neither could he gain on it an inch, although his crew worked at the oars until the perspiration ran in streams down their faces. at length, however, the jolly-boat reached the end of the pier, and the midshipman suddenly discovered something that filled him with excitement. it was a small schooner, which was slowly moving out into the harbor. at her stern was moored a white skiff. "there they are," whispered richardson. "give way strong." "hallo, here!" exclaimed a voice from the deck of the schooner. "boat ahoy!" the young officer made no reply. he grasped the tiller-ropes more firmly in his hands, and guided the jolly-boat under the stern of the schooner. chapter xiii. crusoe afloat again. the midshipman's desire to "get just one eye on that tom newcombe," was gratified now; for, as the jolly-boat rounded the stern of the schooner, and came alongside, he discovered the captain of the crusoe band leaning over the rail. "o, now, you had better keep off, if you don't want to get into trouble," he drawled. "all hands stand-by, to repel boarders." "way enough!" commanded richardson. "board with a loud cheer." "down with the 'cademy swells!" cried the governor, rushing frantically to the side, followed by his men. "pitch 'em overboard as fast as they come up!" but that was much easier said than done. the boat's crew whipped out their cutlasses, and when the chief saw the bright blades flashing before their eyes, he drew back, and wished for the spears he and his band had used during the attack on the yacht. the crusoe men all shrank away from the rail, for the actions of the students indicated that they were determined to board the schooner in spite of all opposition, and that they were quite as determined to use their weapons on the first one who came within their reach. a few flourishes of the cutlasses cleared the way for them, and before the governor could think twice, the young tars had gained a footing on the deck. "knock them down! throw them overboard!" exclaimed tom newcombe, retreating with all possible haste toward the forecastle, closely followed by the students. "o, now, keep your hands off, dave richardson, or i'll get even with you, some day." the midshipman, not in the least intimidated by the threat, held fast to tom's collar, which he had seized with a vice-like grasp, and dragged him toward the jolly-boat with one hand, while, in the other, he carried his cutlass, which he kept whistling through the air in a way that made the crusoe men give room with alacrity. close at his heels followed the boat's crew, ready to resist any attempt that might be made to rescue their captive. richardson hurried him across the deck, and the crusoe men, astonished at the audacity of their assailants, and afraid to trust themselves within reach of the gleaming cutlasses, stood in a group on the forecastle, not knowing what to do. tom struggled desperately for his freedom, sometimes planting his feet firmly on the deck, and pulling back with all his might; then trying to unclasp the strong fingers that were holding fast to his collar; but finding that his efforts were wholly in vain, he began to call lustily for assistance. "help! help!" he cried. "lend a hand, can't you? are you five fellows going to stand there and let three spooneys capture me?" these words aroused the governor, who now, for the first time, seemed to realize the fact that his crew outnumbered that of the enemy, two to one, and that it would be a cowardly piece of business to allow them to make a prisoner of one of his men, before his very eyes, and without a single effort on his part to rescue him. tom was the most valuable man in the band; and after assisting him through so many dangers, he could not afford to lose him now. "handspikes!" yelled the governor. "down with the 'cademy swells! knock 'em overboard!" the crusoe men rushed forward in a body, two of them armed with handspikes, two more with the oars that belonged to the skiff, and friday flourishing his favorite weapon, the boat-hook. the midshipman began to get excited and uneasy, but never wavered in his determination to take tom a prisoner to the storm king. "tumble into the boat, men," said he, hurriedly, "and stand by to catch this fellow." the oarsmen leaped over the rail, without stopping to look before them, and, to their no small amazement, found themselves struggling in the water. in the hurry and excitement of the attack, they had not thought of making the painter of the jolly-boat fast, and she had drifted astern of the schooner, which had all this while been in motion. but an unexpected bath in the harbor was no new thing to them, and they were quite as ready to carry on the fight in the water, as on the deck of the schooner. "pitch him over, sir," said simmonds, holding his cutlass in his teeth, and putting up his hands to receive the prisoner. "we'll catch him." "o, now, i'd just like to see you do it," drawled tom, seizing the rail with both hands and holding on with a death grip. "i won't stand no such treatment. let me alone, richardson!" if tom wanted to see himself thrown overboard, he was certainly accommodated; for the words were scarcely out of his mouth, when he flew through the air, and striking the water head-foremost, went down out of sight; and the midshipman, without waiting to see what had become of him, sprang over the rail, just in time to escape from the boat-hook, with which friday attempted to catch him by the collar. this movement created a great commotion among the crusoe men. they were astonished at the recklessness of the students, and feared that they were about to lose tom after all. like many others of their class, they had been accustomed to look upon a well-dressed, gentlemanly-appearing youth as an arrant coward. the term "spooney," which the night-hawks had used to designate a studious, well-behaved boy, meant, with sam and his crowd, a fellow who had neither strength nor courage; but they had learned that the word, as applied to the students, was not exactly correct. they had discovered that good clothes, strong muscles, and reckless bravery go together sometimes; and that the crew of the jolly-boat, although they were young gentlemen, were antagonists not to be despised. the governor stood for a moment, looking over the rail and watching the fight that was going on in the water--for tom still kept up a furious resistance--and then called out: "xury, go to the wheel an' throw the schooner up into the wind; an' the rest of us man the skiff. let go tommy's collar, spooney, or i'll chuck this handspike at you!" "help! help!" roared tom, who was being pulled through the water toward the jolly-boat. "release me at once, dave richardson! hit him, sam." the chief made a desperate effort to strike the young officer, but the latter was just out of reach. then sam raised the handspike, and was about to throw it at the midshipman, but lowered it again, when he took a second look, and saw that he was likely to hit one as the other. he hurried off to assist his men who were hauling the skiff alongside, and then began a most exciting contest for the possession of the prisoner. richardson's object was to escape with him, and the governor's to rescue him. the officer and one of his men held fast to tom, and simmonds, who was an excellent swimmer, struck out for the jolly-boat, hoping to return with her and pick up his companions before the crusoe band could man the skiff. the governor saw and understood the move, and resolved to defeat it. if the students succeeded in getting tom into their boat, sam's chances for recovering his man would be very slim indeed. "hurry, fellers!" he exclaimed, excitedly. "can't you see what them spooneys are up to? man the oars, will atkins an' jack spaniard," he added, as his crew sprang into the skiff, "an' give way fur dear life." just as the skiff was shoved off from the schooner, simmonds climbed into the jolly-boat, and catching up the oars, pulled swiftly to the assistance of his companions. he was nearer to them than the crusoe men, but atkins and jack spaniard were good oarsmen, and they came out ahead in the race. "keep away from here, spooney!" exclaimed friday, shaking his boat-hook at simmonds, as the skiff dashed up to the struggling captain of the crusoe band, "'taint safe to come no nearer." "now, then," cried the chief, seizing the midshipman by the collar, and plunging his head under the water, "i reckon you'll turn tommy loose, won't you?" the students, knowing that it was useless to contend longer against such heavy odds, released their prisoner, and dived out of sight to escape the savage blows which atkins and jack spaniard aimed at them with the oars. tom was dragged into the skiff by the governor, who ordered the band back to the schooner; and the midshipman, after being picked up by simmonds, took his seat in the stern of the jolly-boat, and directed her course up the harbor. he had made a gallant attack upon a superior force of the enemy, and had succeeded in capturing one of them; but he had got the worst of the fight in the end, his prisoner had been rescued, and now the only thing he could do was to report the state of affairs to his superior officer. "i am sorry that we are obliged to let them go," drawled tom, as he sprang upon the deck of the schooner, and saw the jolly-boat disappearing in the darkness. "i'd like to have them prisoners long enough to pay them for the ducking they gave me. friday, drop the skiff astern. fill away, xury, and hold for the head of the island. atkins, are you sailor enough to loose those gaff top-sails?" "i reckon," was the reply. "well, go aloft, then, and do it. governor, you and jack spaniard hoist the flying jib. we have need of all the rags we can spread, now." in a few minutes every inch of canvas the sweepstakes carried had been given to the breeze, and the little vessel boomed along over the waves at a terrific rate. the topmasts bent and cracked, the foam rolled away in great masses from under her bows, and now and then a fierce gust of wind would fill the sails, and the schooner would roll down until she seemed on the point of capsizing. her captain, no longer the coward he was when he accompanied mr. graves on the trial trip of the storm king, stood holding fast to the rail, and looking back toward the harbor. he knew that the fire-bells would soon arouse the town, that the news of the robbery and the destruction of the yacht would spread like wild-fire, and that the pursuit would not be long delayed. he wanted a good start in the race; and he would have spread all the canvas if the wind had been blowing a gale. "we've got a long voyage to make, you know, skipper," said the chief, "an' we must be careful of our vessel." "but when we are in danger we must get all that we can out of her," replied tom. "hold her to it, xury, don't luff an inch. if she can't stand this breeze, we've no business to go to sea in her. but i don't discover any signs of the fire yet, do you sam?" "no, i don't. mebbe them swells have put it out." "o, now, they haven't, either," drawled tom, who could not be persuaded to believe that his "splendid idea" had failed, after all the trouble and danger he had incurred to make it successful. "they couldn't put it out--there was too much coal-oil in the galley. she must be entirely consumed by this time; but, if i thought she wasn't, i should be tempted to go back and try it again." "there come them spooneys, cap'n," shouted xury, from his place at the wheel. tom looked toward the village, and could just distinguish the dim outlines of a vessel which was coming out of the harbor, and appeared to be following in the schooner's wake. the thought that it was the storm king had scarcely passed through his mind, when his mate continued: "we've wasted a heap of good time in helping you carry out your idea. you had oughter done your work well, while you were at it. that's the sloop you tried to burn." "o, now, you don't know what you are talking about," drawled tom. "i reckon i do. i can tell the storm king as fur as i can see her. friday, bust open the door of the cabin, an' bring up the 'squire's spy-glass." friday went forward after a handspike, and tom leaned his elbows on the rail and watched the approaching vessel. the thought that this last grand idea of his would share the fate of all his splendid schemes, had never once entered his head. he had been certain that it would prove successful--he did not see how it could be otherwise; but now he was convinced that it had failed, for he had examined the yacht so often and so closely, that he knew the exact shape of every sail and rope on her, and it did not require the aid of the 'squire's spy-glass to satisfy him that the vessel following in his wake was the one he had tried to destroy. he knew it was the storm king. no other sloop of that size about the village could sail so swiftly, or ride the waves so gracefully. even while he leaned over the rail, so filled with rage and disappointment that he could scarcely breathe, he could not help saying to himself, as he had done a hundred times before, that she was the prettiest object in the shape of a vessel that he had ever seen. and now to think that he must go away from newport, and leave her in the hands of his rival! he would never have another opportunity to try any of his splendid ideas on her; and while he was wandering about the world, a fugitive from justice, harry green would remain in the village, surrounded with friends, beloved and respected by all who knew him, and, worse than all, first lieutenant of the storm king. it was some time before the captain of the crusoe band could realize all this; but when he did, he was so nearly beside himself that he would not have cared a grain if the schooner had foundered at that moment, carrying all hands, himself included, to the bottom. "o, now, did any body in this world ever see or hear of so unlucky a boy as i am?" yelled tom, stamping his foot on the deck, and fairly trembling with anger. "i never can do any thing like other fellows, for something is forever happening to bother me. another of my grand ideas has ended in smoke! the yacht is above water yet. i wish she would capsize. go away with your spy-glass, friday. what do i want with a spy-glass, when i know it is the storm king?" "what did i tell you, cap'n?" said xury. "o, now, i want you to hush up!" shouted tom, placing his hands on the rail, and jumping up and down as if he were about to precipitate himself into the waves. "don't speak to me; don't any body dare speak to me. i am a desperate man; and if you don't look out, i'll--i'll--i've the greatest notion in the world to jump overboard." "there's the yawl, an' i can see them two bugglars standin' by it," said atkins. he addressed himself to the governor, not deeming it safe to speak to tom, who showed an alarming disposition to break things. he had caught up a handspike, and was swinging it around his head, glaring fiercely at his companions as if he had half a mind to strike one of them; but, thinking better of it, he turned and brought the handspike down upon the rail with such force that the little vessel fairly trembled under the blow. the governor stood off at a safe distance and looked at him, hoping that his rage would soon subside, and that he would give his attention to his duties. but tom continued to beat the rail with the handspike, now and then stopping to look at the yacht, which seemed to be rapidly falling behind. "be you gone clean crazy?" sam ventured to ask, at length. "no, i haven't!" shouted tom. "i wish i had about twenty good men; i would board that yacht and make sure work of her. i'd cut a hole through her bottom, and i'd stay by her and watch her until she had sunk completely out of sight. then i'd like to see harry green get her again." "we've got to stop here fur the yawl an' them bugglars," suggested the chief. "well, get a crew ready to man the skiff," said tom, throwing down the handspike after hitting the rail one more blow harder than all the rest. "you will take charge of the skiff, governor, and tow the yawl out to us. we'll make her fast alongside, and take the outfit aboard as we go along. tell those robbers that if they want to sail with us, they can get into the skiff. be in a hurry, now, for we haven't a single instant to lose." when the skiff had been hauled alongside, the schooner was thrown up into the wind, and sam and two of his men pulled for the island. although they used all possible haste, a good deal of precious time was consumed in towing out the yawl; and when she had been brought alongside, and the sweepstakes was ready to fill away again, the storm king was half way across the bay. during this time the schooner had made considerable lee-way, having drifted past the head of the island. this was something tom had not calculated upon; and, so busy was he in brooding over his disappointment, that he did not notice it, until it was too late to prevent it. it had been his intention to run down the north shore, where he could get the full benefit of the breeze; but he was afraid to attempt it now, for the yacht was rapidly approaching, and, if he rounded the head of the island again, he would, of course, be obliged to sail directly toward her. this was something he did not like to do, for he was already as close to the sloop and her angry crew as he cared to be. the only course left him was to follow the south shore, which he did; and in a few minutes he had left the yacht out of sight behind the island. "let that skiff go adrift," commanded the skipper, as soon as the schooner was fairly under-way. "we can't afford to have any dead weights dragging after us now. governor, turn to with the rest of the hands and pass up the outfit. as we are in something of a hurry," he added, turning to the robbers, "perhaps you gentlemen will lend us a hand." the "gentlemen" declared themselves willing to do any thing; and, with their assistance, the outfit was soon taken on board, and stowed away in the cabin; after which the yawl was also turned adrift, and the sweepstakes, with nothing to retard her progress, bounded merrily on her way. "hurrah for us, skipper!" cried the governor, joyfully, "we're off now. after three months hard work, we've got fairly started for our island. who cares for them spooneys in the yacht? we've got a swift vessel, an' we can show 'em a pretty pair of heels." the chief was as gay and jubilant as tom was vexed and disappointed. chapter xiv. the phantom schooner. the governor was now as certain that he would see crusoe's island as he was that he was at that moment standing on the deck of the sweepstakes. what was there to prevent it? the worst obstacles in his way, the only ones, in fact, of which he had stood in fear, had been overcome. the schooner had been captured, the provisions secured, he had assisted tom in his mad scheme for destroying the yacht, and made good his retreat, and now he was fairly out of the harbor with a swift vessel under his feet, propelled by a strong and favorable breeze, his pursuers a mile behind, and losing ground every moment. the prospect was certainly encouraging. the chief had told tom that the sweepstakes could show the yacht a pretty pair of heels, and no doubt, in a fair trial of speed, she would have done so, for she was a much larger vessel than the sloop, and carried nearly twice as much canvas. but the governor forgot that the race is not always to the swift, and that the yacht had a decided advantage in being handled by a captain who understood his business. harry green was an excellent sailor for a boy of his age, and he was backed up by a crew who had been his competitors at the examination, and consequently they were almost as well posted as he was, and quite competent to offer advice if he needed it, while tom had no one to consult, his men being as ignorant as himself. the first lieutenant knew what the sweepstakes could do in the way of sailing, and he was well aware of the fact that if he expected to capture the governor and his crew he must depend more upon strategy than upon the speed of his vessel. by the time the fight between the midshipman and the crusoe men was ended, the storm king had been got under way and was standing down the harbor. the first lieutenant, having just come out of the galley, was thoughtfully pacing his quarter-deck, where he was presently joined by jackson, who looked none the worse for his battle with the fire. of course the exciting events of the night came up for discussion. the young officers expressed unbounded astonishment at tom's audacity, and tried in vain to determine what new idea he had got into his head. they were completely in the dark, and there they remained until they picked up the jolly-boat and her crew, and midshipman richardson, drenched in body and exceedingly uncomfortable in mind, came aft to report the failure of his attempt to capture the incendiary. he told his story in a few words, adding a piece of information that increased harry's astonishment, and made him believe, with johnny harding, that wonders would never cease. "i saw mr. newcombe's night watchman on the wharf as i was coming back, sir," said richardson, "and from him i learned that mr. henry's safe has been blown open and robbed of seven thousand dollars. it was done by two strangers--professional burglars undoubtedly--and they were afterward joined by sam barton and his band of rascals, who carried off a quantity of provisions." "where was the watchman, that he did not give the alarm?" asked harry. "the robbers knocked him down, and bound and gagged him, before they went into the store," replied the midshipman. "they also made a prisoner of johnny harding, one of them holding a revolver to his head while the other tied him. but the funny part of the story is, that the governor is to receive a thousand dollars for taking the robbers to sea. sam and tom still have crusoe's island on the brain, according to my way of thinking, and are starting off to hunt it up." the first lieutenant was now satisfied of this fact himself. he dismissed the midshipman after listening to his story, and turned to consult with jackson. "i wish that tom had taken some other vessel," said he, after they had talked the matter over, "the sweepstakes runs like lightning, and if she was in charge of a sailor, i should never expect to see her. my only hope is that newcombe will commit some blunder. if he does, we've got him. he can't escape, for all the tugs in the harbor will be after him as soon as they can raise steam; but i wish it might be our good fortune to capture him, alone and unaided. if we catch the whole band we'll recover the money, you know. instruct the officer of the deck to have a bright lookout kept for the sweepstakes." scarcely had this order been issued, when one of the lookouts, who had learned the particulars of the fight from the boat's crew, came aft to report that a schooner, which looked very much like the sweepstakes, was standing across the bay toward the head of the island. the officer of the deck went forward to examine the vessel through his glass, and came back to harry with the information that the pirate was in plain sight. during the next quarter of an hour the first lieutenant stood on the forecastle, watching the movements of the schooner, and turning over in his mind various plans for her capture. when he saw her stop to pick up the yawl and the burglars, he called his crew to quarters, and made every preparation for boarding her. "if tom knows any thing," said he to jackson, "he will come back and go down on this side of the island; and if he tries that, we may be able to cut him off." "but he's not going to try it, sir," said the second lieutenant, who was watching the schooner through his glass. "he is standing down the other side." "is he?" exclaimed harry, eagerly; "so much the better. i was sure he could not take that vessel far, without making some mistake. we will go down on this side of the island and meet him. we shall reach the foot before he does, for he will have to go a long distance out of his way to avoid the shoals. if we can only catch him in the narrows, between the foot of the island and the main shore, he is our prize. we'll board him, and have a regular hand-to-hand fight with him." harry, highly elated at the prospect of a conflict with the pirates, held on his course until the schooner was out of sight behind the trees on the island, and then put the storm king before the wind, and stood down for the narrows. the crew all understood the meaning of this maneuver, and, although nothing was said to indicate the fact, harry knew that they were intensely excited. he was quite as badly off as the rest in this respect, and it required the exercise of all his self-control to maintain his dignity. the first lieutenant thought the island must have grown immensely since he last sailed around it. the mile that lay between him and the narrows seemed to have lengthened into five. the yacht appeared to him to be on her bad behavior also, but that was only harry's imagination, for she was doing splendidly, although she did not move more than half fast enough to suit her eager and impatient crew. the minutes flew by, and at last the storm king rounded the foot of the island. a half a dozen glasses were instantly brought into requisition, and to the immense relief of the crew, nothing could be seen of the schooner. the yacht flew along the edge of the shoals, and in ten minutes more entered the narrows and shaped her course toward the head of the island. "now, here's the place," said the first lieutenant. "if we meet him coming down we'll run up and board him before he can round to. where is he, i wonder?" the students were all on the watch, every eye being turned in the direction from which the pirate was expected to appear, and harry nearly jumped from the deck when one of the crew sang out: "sail, ho! straight ahead, and coming down like the wind." "it's the schooner!" exclaimed the lieutenant, in an excited voice. "i believe it is," replied harry, springing upon the rail to obtain a better view of the approaching craft. "now i know it is. station a man at the rattle, mr. jackson, and see that the crew are all in their places. i've got you now, tom newcombe!" "are you going to run him aboard, sir?" "i am, indeed, if i get the chance." "humph! he seems to forget that there are two desperate villains on board that vessel, and that they are armed with revolvers," muttered the second lieutenant, under his breath. "we'll have a chance now to see how it feels to face loaded weapons." jackson thought his superior was becoming very reckless, but that did not prevent him from hurrying off to execute his commands. he sent another man to the wheel; stationed a midshipman in the waist to pass the first lieutenant's orders; placed one of the crew at the rattle; and collected the boarders in a group on the forecastle. harry, from his perch on the rail, watched all that was going on, and, having seen the crew stationed to his satisfaction, he turned to look at the schooner. he found that if he had got tom newcombe, he was likely to lose him again, for the latter had kept his eyes open, and the moment he discovered the yacht he put his vessel about, and prepared to show harry her heels. the maneuver was so clumsily executed, however, that the storm king approached very near to her before she could fill away on her course again--so near that her bow was abreast of the schooner's waist, and only about ten feet from her. every thing had worked as harry thought it would if he met the pirate there, and he was sure of his prize. "hard a port," he shouted, so excited that he scarcely knew what he was about. "stand by, mr. jackson." "o, now, you had better mind what you are doing over there, harry green!" cried tom, from the deck of the schooner. "you'll get the worst of it if you run foul of us." "we're after you pirates," replied harry, "and we're bound to have you. you had better surrender at once." "surrender!" repeated the governor, "not much we won't. we aint them kind of fellers. we're goin' to fight as long as a plank of this yere vessel stays above water. mind that, spooneys." the actions of the pirate crew fully confirmed the words of their chief. they rushed to the starboard side of the deck, flourishing handspikes, oars, and boat-hooks, evidently determined to make a desperate struggle for their liberties, and among them harry could see the two burglars, one of whom was holding fast to the valise that contained mr. henry's money. the young tars saw the war-like preparations, and they saw the robbers, too, and knew that they were more to be feared than all the crusoe band. it was no boy's play to face revolvers in the hands of such characters, but not one of the crew would have hesitated an instant, had the order been given to board the schooner. they saw tom newcombe there, and they could not forget that he had tried to burn the storm king. they crouched behind the rail like so many tigers, ready for a spring, grasping their cutlasses, pikes, and muskets, and waiting for harry to lay the yacht alongside the pirate, when they would leap over the rail and capture every one of their enemies, or drive them into the bay. "port it is, sir," said the quartermaster, in response to harry's order. the yacht and the schooner were rushing through the water, side by side, like a couple of race horses on the home stretch, the pirate being about half a length ahead; but, when harry's order was obeyed, the storm king fell off and swung toward the schooner, and the first lieutenant expected every instant to see the two vessels come in contact. so certain was he that such would be the case, that he held fast to the shrouds, to avoid being knocked overboard by the shock, and had even opened his lips to shout: "boarders away!" when the sweepstakes drew rapidly ahead and bounded on her course, leaving the yacht still swinging around as if she were about to start down the narrows again. a murmur of disappointment and indignation arose from the young tars on the forecastle, who looked first at their officer, and then at the rapidly receding schooner, as if they did not quite understand how she had escaped. harry felt a good deal as did tom newcombe when he discovered the yacht coming out of the harbor, but he did not act as foolishly, by any means. he told the second lieutenant to come about and pursue the schooner, and then sprang down from the rail, saying: "did you ever see such luck? did i make any mistake, jackson?" "no, indeed. you handled the yacht all right, but see, the pirate has longer legs than we have. isn't she a trotter? she can run away from us, and not half try." "i believe she can," replied the first lieutenant, who felt considerably crest-fallen over his defeat, and did not care to say much. "we will keep as close as possible to tom, and be ready to take advantage of his next mistake. he'll be sure to make one presently." harry stood on his quarter-deck watching the pirate, and not more than ten minutes elapsed before he began to think that he knew what he was talking about when he predicted that her skipper would soon commit another blunder. both vessels had by this time passed the shoals--the sweepstakes being so far ahead that harry could but just make her out through the darkness; but, instead of holding up the harbor and keeping far enough away from the bluffs to feel the full force of the wind, tom rounded the shoals, and shaped the schooner's course toward the island. the first lieutenant was quite as much astonished as delighted at this apparent want of foresight on the part of the pirate captain, but he made no remark. he held on his way until the schooner was out of sight in the darkness, and then he tacked and ran toward the island. "what do you think, jackson," asked harry, whose spirits were now as exalted as they had before been depressed; "hasn't he run into a nice trap? we've got him this time." "yes, he's caught easy enough now. he has no chance for escape that i can see. the shoals are on one side of him, and we all know that he can't cross them; the island is in front of him, and i am quite sure he can't get over that; we are behind him, and if he tries to come out we can cut him off. he's caught, sir." harry was certain of it. he ordered the crew to their stations once more, and went forward with his glass to watch for the schooner. the storm king was headed toward the point where the shoals joined the island, and the first lieutenant was sure that when tom became alarmed, and tried to run out, he could not pass by on either side without being discovered and cut off. he could not imagine what made him go in there. if he was trying to dodge the yacht, he was certainly going about it in a very awkward manner. a few minutes more passed, and harry began to wonder why he did not see the schooner. she could not go much farther in that direction without being dashed upon the shoals, and tom must soon round to and come out, if he wished to save his vessel. the roar of the breakers grew louder and louder as the yacht approached them, and the waves dashed and foamed over the ledge, just as they had done when the crusoe men braved their fury two hours before. they were now getting quite as close to them as some of the students cared to go. even jackson became a little uneasy, and, although like all the rest of the crew, he kept a bright lookout for the sweepstakes, he now and then glanced anxiously toward the first lieutenant, who, perched upon the rail, was turning his glass in every direction, fully conscious of their dangerous proximity to the breakers, but more interested, just then, in the fate of the schooner than in any thing else. "look here, mr. jackson," he exclaimed suddenly, "tom had better come out of that. he'll be cast away as sure as he is a foot high." the second lieutenant thought it very probable that the storm king would be cast away also, if her commander did not mind what he was about; but, like a good officer, he said nothing. he knew that harry was a better sailor than he was--he must have been, or he would not have held a higher rank; that he was quite as deeply in love with the yacht as any of the crew, and that he would not willingly run her into any danger from which he could not extricate her. but still the breakers roared loudly and looked dangerous, and the second lieutenant wished the vessel well away from them. "what do you suppose tom newcombe is trying to do?" continued harry, excitedly. "no boy with his senses about him would take a vessel like the sweepstakes in there. anyhow, we have the satisfaction of knowing that if he isn't wrecked he can't get away from us. he is penned up, cornered, caught. what shall we do with him when we capture him? throw him overboard?" the yacht was still bounding toward the shoals with all the speed that stiff breeze could give her, and just as harry ceased speaking, the bluffs on the island loomed up through the darkness. the shore for two hundred yards was plainly visible, and anxious eyes examined it closely, but nothing could be seen of the schooner. the students were utterly bewildered. they looked at one another, then along the shore again, but not a sign of a sail could they discover. the pirate schooner had disappeared as completely as though she had never been in the harbor at all. "come about, mr. jackson," said harry, as calmly as though the long line of foaming, hissing breakers before him had been a mile away, instead of almost under the vessel's bows. his mind was so fully engrossed with the mysterious disappearance of the schooner, that he could think of nothing else. where could she have gone? was a question he asked himself more than once while the storm king was coming about. she could not have slipped by him, dark as it was, for there had been too many pairs of sharp eyes looking out for that. she could not have gone over the island, and she might as well have tried that as to attempt the passage of the shoals. she certainly had not been dashed in pieces on the rocks, for, in that case, he would have heard the noise of the collision and the cries of the crew, and, besides, he would have seen the wreck. harry did not know what to make of it. "wheeler," said he, turning to the boatswain's mate, who happened to be standing near him, "what do you think of this?" "well, sir," replied the young tar, touching his cap and hitching up his trowsers, "i was just wondering if it _was_ a schooner at all. she may be a small edition of the flying dutchman, sir." if harry had been superstitious he would have thought so too. the schooner's disappearance was so mysterious, so sudden, so unexpected! just at the moment when the crew of the storm king were waiting for the order to board her, she had vanished, and no one could tell where she had gone. the first lieutenant knew many an old sailor who, had he been on board the yacht at that moment, would have solemnly affirmed that they had been pursuing a phantom. chapter xv. tom has another idea. "yes, sir," repeated the governor of the crusoe band, in a tone of great satisfaction, "we're off fur our island at last. them spooneys will never trouble you any more, cap'n. you're safe from johnny harding, an' i'm safe from mr. grimes, bobby jennings, an' all the rest of 'em. hurrah fur us!" tom stood leaning over the schooner's rail, watching the storm king, which was rapidly fading from his view, and thinking, not of johnny harding, but of the failure of his grand idea. he would not have been greatly disappointed if he had known that he should never see crusoe's island. he had, of course, expected that when he should be comfortably settled in some remote corner of the world, far away from all the troubles and vexations that had made his life in newport so miserable, he would realize his idea of supreme felicity; but one element in his happiness was to be the satisfaction of knowing that he had carried out his threat, and "squared yards" with every body; that he had destroyed the storm king; that he had rendered the naval commission, in which harry green took so much pride and delight, perfectly useless to him, and that he had taken ample revenge upon his father and upon the principal of the military academy. with such thoughts as these to console him, tom imagined that he would be perfectly content to pass the remainder of his days on some desert island, even in the company of such uncongenial fellows as sam barton and his men; but now he knew that could not be. his splendid scheme had failed. the yacht was still right side up, as swift and as handsome as ever, and as sound as a dollar, in spite of the charred and smoked wood-work in her galley. that was enough to banish all tom's hopes of happiness. he could not enjoy a moment's peace of mind as long as the storm king remained above water. he was a disappointed boy--an unlucky, ill-used, and unappreciated boy, too--whose life must henceforth be a desert and a blank. no more sport, no more enjoyment for him, and all because of that one unkind act of his father's. this was the way the captain of the crusoe band reasoned with himself as he leaned over the rail, gazing through the darkness toward the spot where he had last seen the yacht, and that was the way he would have told his story to any stranger who he thought would sympathize with him; but if such sensible fellows as johnny harding, harry green, and bill steele had been consulted, they would have shown tom up in a different kind of light altogether. they would have cleared mr. newcombe, and placed all the blame right where it belonged--upon tom's own shoulders. they would have described the home and surroundings of this "boy of bad habits"--this "rolling stone"--who had gone from one thing to another in search of that which none of us find in this world--freedom from care and trouble--and would have proved that he ought to have been one of the happiest boys in newport. they would have told that his sole object in life had been to avoid every thing that looked like work, and to establish himself in some easy, pleasant business, that would run along smoothly, without the least exertion on his part. they would have described him as a boy utterly wanting in firmness of purpose, except when he got one of his grand ideas into his head, and then he was as unreasonable and obstinate as a mule. they would have said that his numerous failures had not taught him wisdom, but had made him more determined; that he would not listen to any one's advice, and that he clung with bull-dog tenacity to his favorite belief that "nobody could teach him." and they would have come, at last, to the inevitable consequences of such a life as tom had been leading, and told how he had been going down hill all this while, until he had at last got so low that no boy who had the least respect for himself could associate with him; that he was the leader of a band of rascals, the companion of burglars, a fugitive from justice, and one of the most miserable and despised of human beings. tom could not help acknowledging to himself that such was his condition, but he clung to the idea that it was not his fault. his father was responsible for it all. "if he had only given me that yacht, as he ought to have done," tom had said to himself twenty times that night, "things would have been very different. i could have paid him back his four hundred dollars in a week or two, and after that every cent i earned would have been clear profit. but now--just look at me! i won't stand no such treatment from any body, and that's all about it." "what's the row now, cap'n?" asked the governor. "o, i was thinking about that yacht," drawled tom. "and, talkin' about her, too," returned sam; "i heard what you said. this is a hard world, tommy, that's a fact. the lucky ones go up, an' the onlucky ones go down. life's nothing but luck, nohow." "well, if that's the case," whined tom, "what is the use of a fellow's exerting himself at all? if it is his lot to go ahead in the world, he will, and if it isn't, he won't, and all the working and planning he can do will not better his condition in the least." "exactly! sartinly! that's just my way of thinkin' to a dot; an' every thing goes to prove that i am right. now, me an' you were born to be poor--to go down hill; an' your father was born to be rich--to go up hill. haven't you tried hard to be somebody?" "o, now, yes i have!" "i know it. i never in my life saw a feller that tried harder, an' what's the reason you didn't succeed? 'cause you are onlucky. it aint your lot to go up hill. you might work an' scheme, an' try your level best, till you are as old as your grandfather, but it wouldn't do you no arthly good, whatsomever. now, just look at your father! he's one of the lucky ones. every thing he touches turns to money to onct. he needn't do no work if he don't want to. he can set back on his easy chair an' read his paper, an' the cash comes pourin' in so fast that he has to hire a man to take care of it. now, i ask, why is it? it's his lot; that's the reason, an' he aint no better'n i be, neither. things aint fixed right, nohow, 'cordin' to my way of thinkin'." tom was not overburdened with common sense, but he was not foolish enough to believe in sam barton's doctrine. he knew that it is the industrious, prudent, and persevering who go up hill, and the lazy and worthless who go down. he knew that his father had made many a long voyage as a common sailor, and a good many more as captain, and worked hard for years with hand and brain before he could "set back in his easy chair" and read his newspaper during business hours. but he was quite ready to agree with the governor when he said that "things were not fixed right" in this world. tom was quite sure they were fixed wrong. he had tried so hard, and had been so certain of success! if his plans had not all failed so miserably, he would have been a happy and prosperous trader, and the owner of the finest little sloop about the village, instead of a captain in the crusoe band. he could not see that he had made any mistakes in refusing to listen to the advice so often given him. the blame rested entirely with his father. tom was a very unhappy boy, and the only consolation he could find was in the thought that, by this nights work, he was severely punishing his father. mr. newcombe would, of course, hear all the particulars of the robbery, and of the attempted destruction of the yacht, and then he would regret that he had not paid more attention to his son's wishes. but it would be too late. the ill-used one would be miles at sea before morning, and he would never again return to newport as long as he lived. tom told himself that he was resolved upon that; but, after all, he did go back, and perhaps we shall see how he looked when he got there. all this while the schooner had been bounding along the south shore of the island, headed toward the narrows. xury was still at the wheel, tom and the governor were standing at the head of the companion-ladder, the rest of the crusoe men were gathered on the forecastle, and the robbers were leaning over the rail in the waist, looking down into the water, and conversing in low tones. the governor had been so busy since they came on board the schooner that he had scarcely spoken to them, but now he left tom (who had again fallen into one of his meditative moods) to scrape an acquaintance with them. the burglars were so deeply engrossed in discussing their affairs that they did not hear the sound of sam's footsteps, and he approached within a few feet of them without being discovered. so close was he to them, indeed, that he could catch every word of their conversation. he had not thought of playing the part of eaves-dropper, but he found that they were talking about the thousand dollars they had promised to pay the crusoe men for taking them to sea, and something that was said brought sam to a stand-still. "you were not in earnest when you made that offer, were you?" he heard one of the robbers ask. "yes, i was. i thought there were some men in the party, and that we could afford to pay them well for passage on board their vessel; but i see they are all boys, and we can give them the money or not, just as we please." "it would be a foolish piece of business to throw away a thousand dollars, after coming so far, and working so hard for it." "i know that, and i don't intend to do it. they seem to understand managing a vessel pretty well, and they may succeed in taking us to a place of safety. if they do, we'll step ashore and let them whistle for their money." "but won't they make a fuss?" "who cares if they do? haven't we both got revolvers?" "well, now, if this yere don't beat all the world," soliloquized the governor, who could scarcely believe that he had heard aright. he stood for a moment as motionless as if he had been nailed to the deck, looking the very picture of astonishment and alarm; then he shook his head threateningly, moved quietly across to the other side, and settled into a comfortable position, to think the matter over. since the robbers made him that offer, the thousand dollars had never once been out of his mind. in his eyes it was an immense fortune, and he would have been willing to do almost any thing in his power to obtain possession of it. he already regarded the money as his own, and he had laid his plans for the disposal of it. he would not trust it in the hands of the treasurer of the band, but would take charge of it himself. he would invest a portion of it in weapons, fishing-tackle, clothing, powder, shot, and other articles they needed to complete their outfit, and with the remainder he would purchase provisions. he had never dreamed that the burglars would refuse to live up to their promise, but he had heard enough of their conversation to satisfy him that they would bear watching. sam thought they were the meanest men he had ever heard of. "i won't give up the money," said the governor, striking his fist upon the rail to give emphasis to his words; "that's just all about it. they promised to give it to me if i would take them out to sea, and they sha'n't go off this vessel till i have it in my hands. if they won't stick to their bargain, like men had oughter do, i must find some way to make 'em. step this way a minute, skipper. what do you think them two bugglars are doin'?" he added, in a scarcely audible whisper, glancing toward his passengers, who were still leaning over the rail. "they're layin' their plans to swindle us out of our money!" "no!" exclaimed tom, who had also built his hopes high upon that thousand dollars, and could not bear the thought of losing it. "it's a fact. i heard them talkin' about it." "o, now, did any body ever hear of such luck?" drawled the captain, stamping his foot impatiently upon the deck, and twisting his mouth on one side as if he had half a mind to cry. "i don't see how i can stand another disappointment to-night. that money would have bought so many things we really need! what did they say, sam?" the governor repeated the conversation he had overheard as nearly as he could recall it, and when he had finished his story tom thrust his hands into his pockets and thoughtfully paced the deck. sam watched him closely, and when he saw the captain's face brighten up, and the scowl disappear from his forehead, his hopes rose again. "what is it, skipper?" he asked. "i've got another idea," replied tom, excitedly. "we want that money, don't we?" "of course we do, an' we're bound to have it, if we can get it. there ain't a single dollar in the treasury. i'd like to punish them fellers, too, fur bein' so mean as to think of cheatin' us." "well, we can do it," said tom, mysteriously. "sam," and here he approached the governor, and placed his lips close to his ear--"i can't see the use of being satisfied with a thousand dollars when we can just as well have more." "more!" echoed the governor; "more'n a thousand dollars?" "don't talk so loud. we've got just as much right to the money in the valise as those robbers have; don't you think so?" "i reckon i do. it don't belong to nary one of us." "well, let's take it." "what! all of it--the whole five thousand dollars?" "yes, every cent of it." the governor staggered back against the rail and looked at tom without speaking. he had, by this time, become well acquainted with the captain, and when the latter declared that he had another idea, sam was prepared to listen to something desperate, such as arming the band with the empty shot-guns, and demanding the passage money at their muzzles; but he had not dreamed that tom would think seriously of attempting to deprive the burglars of their ill-gotten gains. "if you want to punish them," continued the skipper, "i don't know any better way." "nor me, neither," returned sam. "but how can we do it? that's the question. we're only boys, an' they're men an' carry revolvers. i wish we had a few loads fur our guns." "just leave this thing to me, governor," replied tom. "i can think it over in half an hour, and then i'll let you know what i have decided to do. you had better tell the other fellows what has been going on, and ask them what they think of it." as tom said this he once more buried his hands in his pockets and began pacing the deck, and sam ran off to repeat to the rest of the band the conversation he had overheard between the burglars, and to tell them what he and the captain had determined upon. the crusoe men listened attentively, and it is hard to tell whether they were the more indignant at their passengers, or amazed at the audacity of their skipper. they spoke of the revolvers, and declared that, rather than face them, they would give up the thousand dollars. "o, we aint goin' to fight the bugglars," said sam, quickly. "tommy an' me aint so foolish as to believe that six boys are a match fur two men with loaded pistols in their pockets. we're goin' to fool 'em, somehow. we'll either get the revolvers away from 'em, or study up a plan to get hold of the valise, without puttin' ourselves in the way of the shootin' irons. the matter is in the cap'n's hands, an' he is thinkin' it over now. we'll larn them fellers a thing or two before we are done with 'em." the governor left his men to talk the matter over at their leisure, and walked toward the robbers, who had brought their consultation to a close, and seemed to be awaiting an opportunity to speak to him. "look here, boy," said one of them, as sam came up, "who are you, and where are you going?" "well, mister," replied the governor, "it's a long story, but, if you want to hear it, i reckon i can tell it to you." the passengers declared their willingness to listen, and sam proceeded to give them a complete history of the crusoe band from the day it was organized down to the time he met the robbers at mr. henry's store, describing their adventures in glowing language, and dwelling, with a good deal of pride, upon the exploits of this particular night. the men were no less astonished than every one else had been who had heard the story, and sam could see that they were uneasy, too. "so you really set fire to a vessel before you left the harbor, did you?" asked one. "sartin. we might as well have let it alone, howsomever, fur her crew put out the fire before it had a chance to do any damage, an' she is after us now. but that needn't scare you none, fur we are leavin' her behind fast." "that makes no difference," replied the robber. "if she can't catch you, there are plenty of other vessels that can do it. you'll have the whole town after you before long, and we are in danger as long as we remain with you. we want you to set us ashore at once." "how about our money?" asked sam. "what money?" "why, the thousand dollars you promised to pay us fur takin' you out to sea." "o, you haven't earned that yet. we told you that you should have it when you had carried us safely out of sight of newport. that's something you can't do, and so you need not expect to receive the money. we can't give it to you for nothing, you know." "well, if this yere aint the very meanest piece of business i ever heard of," muttered the governor, as he turned on his heel and left the robbers. "but they aint by no means so smart as they think they are. we'll larn 'em how to cheat us. what's the trouble now?" this question was addressed to the skipper, who was running about the deck in a high state of excitement, having just discovered the storm king coming up the narrows. although tom was very much interested in his plot against the robbers, he had not forgotten the responsibilities resting upon him, and he had kept a bright lookout for their pursuers. he knew the yacht had gone down the other side of the island, and he was well aware of the fact that he ran some risk of being cut off, but he had great confidence in the speed of his vessel, and held on his course, hoping to beat the sloop in the race, and to pass through the narrows before she came in sight. but in this he was disappointed. the storm king was directly in his path and coming toward him at a rate of speed that made the skipper of the pirate craft extremely nervous. "i say, tommy," cried sam, as soon as he had recovered from his surprise, "there's them spooneys again." "o, now, am i blind?" drawled the captain. "don't i see them as plainly as you do?" "but how does it come that they are in front of us? that's what i want to know. i thought they were a mile behind by this time. we can make up our minds for a fight now, sartin." "why, they are boys," exclaimed one of the robbers. "we have nothing to fear from them." "now, don't you fool yourself," replied the governor. "if they are boys, there's lots of 'em, and they've got muskets, pikes, an' cutlasses, an' they know how to use 'em, too. you'd better be gettin' them shootin' irons of your'n ready." for a few minutes there was a great commotion on the deck of the sweepstakes. the captain's orders were promptly obeyed, but the schooner came about very slowly, while the storm king continued to approach at the top of her speed, and the governor could see that harry was making preparations to come to close quarters. while the little vessels were rushing through the water, side by side, and so close together that an active boy could almost jump from one to the other, the excitement on board the sweepstakes was intense, and it was increased when the yacht began to fall off and swing toward the schooner. the crusoe men had no desire to face cold steel in the hands of twenty enraged students. "all hands repel boarders," shouted the captain of the pirate craft, flourishing his handspike about his head. "crowd her, xury. jack spaniard, get an ax and stand by to cut us loose if they try to lash the yacht fast to us." but we know that harry did not succeed in his attempt to lay his vessel alongside the pirate. her superior sailing qualities enabled her to escape, and by the time the yacht was ready to fill away in pursuit, she was almost out of sight in the darkness. there was no exultation on the part of the officers of the crusoe band, however. they had escaped from one danger, but they knew that there were others close at hand. it had been their desire to get into deep water with the least possible delay, but the yacht had sadly interfered with their plans. the sweepstakes was fairly blockaded. "i wish that sloop was at the bottom of the ocean," exclaimed tom. "if we don't look out, harry green will get the better of us yet." "don't you think we could run by her?" asked the governor, anxiously. "no, indeed. the schooner is very swift, but she couldn't do that. we must go back to our harboring-place. it isn't safe to go around the island again, for those tugs have raised steam by this time, and, whatever we do, we must keep away from them. perhaps if we run into the cove we can give harry green the slip. he will not know where we are, and if he goes off to hunt us up, we'll come out and start for our island again." the governor did not like this plan. the cove was too near the village to be a safe hiding-place now, and as soon as the events of the night became generally known the harbor would be covered with vessels and tugs. but he could see no other way of escape, and he finally went aft, and took his place at the wheel. the passengers stood in the waist, holding fast to the money, and watching all that was going on; but they had nothing to say until they heard the roar of the breakers, and discovered that the schooner was headed directly toward them. then they wanted to know where the captain was going, and what he intended to do, but the reply they received did not convey to them the desired information. tom could not forget that they had laid their plans to cheat the crusoe band, and he thought that men who could go back from their word, as these intended to do, were not worth noticing. "you will please attend to your own business," said he. "but this is our business, captain," protested one of the passengers. "we don't want to be wrecked." "well, if you are afraid, you can get out and go afoot," said tom. "i am master of this vessel, and if you will keep quiet, you will find out that i know what i am doing." but the robbers' actions indicated that they did not feel disposed to keep quiet. they looked at the shoals, whispered together for a moment, and then one of them thrust his hand into his pocket, and, approaching tom, said, savagely: "look here! we are not going in among those rocks. if you want to keep out of trouble--" just at that moment the sweepstakes dashed into the channel that ran between the shoals and the bluffs on the island, and the burglar forgot what he was about to say to tom, and thought only of self-preservation. they both rushed frantically to the side, and while one of them held fast to the rail with one hand, and to the valise with the other, his companion hurriedly divested himself of his pea-jacket, and kicked off his boots, in preparation for his battle with the waves, which he seemed to believe was not far distant. the governor was uneasy also. he had never before attempted to take so large a vessel as the sweepstakes through the channel, and he was by no means certain as to the result of his undertaking. but luck was still in his favor, and, after being tossed about on the angry waves for ten minutes--it seemed much longer to the trembling and excited crusoe men--the schooner glided swiftly between the rocks at the entrance of the cove, and ran her bowsprit among the bushes that grew on the bank in front of the cabin. and while harry green and his crew were wondering at her mysterious disappearance, and telling one another that they had been pursuing a phantom, she lay snug and safe in the cove, and none the worse for her rough passage across the shoals. "well, i done it, didn't i?" exclaimed the governor, triumphantly. "we're safe from harry green now, an' if it wasn't fur the fuss we had with them farmers, we could stay here fur a year, an' nobody would be the wiser fur it. i'll go an' see how jed is gettin' along." sam jumped ashore and ran toward the cabin, and tom, after he had seen the schooner made fast to the bank, turned to the robbers and asked: "what do you think of it now?" "we think we have seen quite enough of you crusoe men," was the reply. "we shall leave you. you can go your way and we'll go ours." "you'll talk to the governor before you go, won't you?" "the governor! what do we want to talk to him about?" "why, about that money--the thousand dollars, you know." "guess not," answered one of the robbers, with a laugh. "good-by, captain." "you are not gone yet," said tom, to himself. "if i know any thing you will be glad to come to terms before you are ten minutes older." he waited until the burglars were out of sight, and then, calling his crew about him, continued: "those fellows are trying to cheat us out of their passage money. they can't find their way out of the cove without a guide, and if they ask any information of you, send them to me or to the governor. if one of you says a word to them about that path, we'll tie you hand and foot, and leave you here on the island. we'll show them that we are quite as smart as they are." at this moment the governor came running from the cabin, breathless and excited, and, clambering over the rail, stormed up and down the deck, swinging his arms about his head like the shafts of a wind-mill. "fellers," he shouted, "we're done fur now. our cake's all dough. jed's gone!" "gone!" echoed all the crusoe men, in concert. "yes, gone--sloped--mizzled--cleared out--and i can't find hide nor hair of him. we'll have all them farmers down on us now." "well, i wonder if any living man ever heard of such luck!" drawled tom. "our jig is danced at last," snarled will atkins. "i knew all the whole time that we'd never see our island." there was great excitement among the crusoe men. chapter xvi. johnny is mistaken for an enemy. johnny harding was greatly discouraged by the result of his conflict with the crusoe men. his victory had been turned into defeat; and while he was lying on his bed, bound hand and foot, the burglars were making good their retreat from the village. every instant of time was precious; for, of course, the longer the pursuit was delayed, the more difficult would it become to effect the capture of the robbers. johnny struggled desperately for his freedom, and shouted for help until he was too hoarse to speak; but the governor's own hands had tied the rope with which he was confined, and the only person within hearing of his calls was the watchman, who was as powerless as the clerk himself. it seemed to johnny that he must have lain there three or four hours, although it was really not more than twenty minutes; and, during that time, the captain of the crusoe band had made his unsuccessful attempt to destroy the yacht. johnny heard the fire-bells, and wondered if a conflagration of the town was to be added to the excitements of the night. there was not much sleeping done in newport after the big bell at the military academy added its voice to the universal din. business men thought of their property on the wharf, and ran down to assure themselves of its safety. mr. newcombe and the grocer met in front of the elevator. the former stumbled over his watchman, who, strangely enough, had not been discovered by the crusoe men, and mr. henry, somewhat surprised that the bells had not alarmed johnny, pounded loudly upon the front door. "come in, whoever you are," cried the clerk. "get up, and open the door," replied the grocer. "don't you hear those bells? is every thing right in there?" "not by a long way, sir. i've had visitors. you will have to come in at the side door." johnny knew that mr. henry was astonished, for he heard him talking to himself as he entered the passage. when he reached the side-door, and saw the hole that had been cut through it, he knew what had been going on as well as if his clerk had explained the matter to him. he lighted one of the lamps, and after glancing at the safe, and at the papers that were scattered about over the floor, he entered the office to look at johnny. "i suppose they got it all?" said he, as he untied the ropes with which the prisoner was confined. "if they didn't it was their own fault. we are short about twenty-five dollars worth of provisions, also. tom newcombe and his pirate crew have turned up again, and have drawn on us for supplies." mr. henry's astonishment increased as his clerk hurriedly recounted his adventures. the latter took particular pains to describe to his employer the intended movements of the robbers, as he had learned them from the captain of the crusoe band, and, when he had finished his story, the grocer said he would ask mr. newcombe to send out his tugs. but johnny was too impatient to wait for the tugs. it would be half an hour before they were ready to start, and there was no knowing what the robbers might do in that time. the clerk wanted to find them, and keep as close to them as possible; and something might happen that would put it in his power to recover the money. he knew that the grocer did not blame him for any thing that had happened--he would have been a most unreasonable man indeed, had he done so--but still johnny felt that he was, to some extent, responsible for his employer's property, and that the only way to redeem himself, was to return the money to mr. henry with his own hands. he did not then decide upon any plan of action. his first hard work must be to find the robbers; and, when that had been done, he would be governed by circumstances. he left the grocer on the wharf talking to mr. newcombe, and ran to the end of the pier where he had seen a yawl moored the night before; but that was the one the robbers had taken at sam barton's suggestion, and it was then dancing about in the bay, having been turned adrift after serving the purpose of its villainous crew. "i want a skiff," said johnny, to himself, "and i could find plenty if i was only on the other side of the harbor. i'll have to swim over." johnny was a boy who never allowed himself to be daunted by any obstacles, and having made up his mind that he wanted a skiff, he was determined to secure one by some means or other. he was about to jump into the harbor and swim to the opposite side, when he happened to glance toward one of the vessels lying in front of the elevator, and saw a yawl moored at her stern. he could cross the harbor much more easily and quickly in a boat than by swimming, and he decided to borrow the yawl. "well, now, what do you want here?" demanded one of the watch, as johnny leaped over the rail, and began to cast off the boat's painter. "i want to use this yawl," replied the clerk. "i can't stop to explain, for i am in a great hurry." "avast there!" shouted the sailor. "if i get hold of you, i'll pitch you overboard." but the watch did not get hold of johnny, for by the time he reached the stern, the clerk was a boat's length from the vessel, and was sending the yawl rapidly across the harbor. he found a number of skiffs on the opposite side, and, selecting the one that suited him best, he hoisted the sail and filled away for the island. he had scarcely cleared the harbor when he discovered the sweepstakes; but knowing that his skiff was no match for her in sailing, and being perfectly well aware of the fact that, even if he should overtake her, he could not recover the money alone and unaided, he turned his boat's head toward the foot of the island. by this maneuver he would gain on the schooner nearly a mile and a half; and, when she came out of the narrows, he would follow her and keep her in sight until one of the tugs came up, when he would board her, and assist in securing the robbers. when he reached the foot of the island, the sweepstakes was not in sight; and while he was waiting for her, he saw the storm king dash up the narrows. johnny was astonished to see her there at that time of night, and he was greatly encouraged. it was plain to him that tom had been doing something to arouse the students, and the clerk was glad indeed that it was so. his only fear had been that the crusoe men would succeed in getting out of the harbor, and making good their escape before the tugs could get ready to start in pursuit; but now he was satisfied that the chase would soon be over. he was sure that the yacht would capture the pirate, and he wished that he was on board to assist the students; and, being ignorant of the fact that harry knew more about what had been going on than he did, he wanted to tell him that there were two desperate characters on board the schooner, that they had robbed mr. henry's store of seven thousand dollars, and that they were armed with revolvers. he stood up in his skiff, and shouted at the top of his voice, to attract the attention of the students; but they were too far off to hear him. then he filled away in pursuit of the yacht; but she ran away from him very easily, and finally disappeared in the darkness. "the robbers will be caught, anyhow," soliloquized johnny, "and it will make no great difference whether i am there or not. if the sweepstakes comes down the narrows, harry green will cut her off; and if she goes around the head of the island, she will run against some of the tugs. tom won't give up as long as he sees the least chance for escape, and if he finds that he is likely to be captured, he will desert his vessel and take to the woods. he can't go ashore with his schooner, on the main land, for the water is so shallow that, after his vessel grounded, he would have to swim about half a mile. tom is too lazy to do that, and besides, if he were to attempt it, he might be picked up by the jolly-boat. his only chance will be to land on block island, and perhaps he will go back to that harboring place he told me about. that's the very idea!" added johnny, excitedly, striking his knee with his clenched hand. "there is just where tom will go if he is cornered. he will think that because he has lived there a week without being discovered, he can do it again." as these thoughts passed through johnny's mind he came about and started for the island. when he reached it he drew the bow of his skiff upon the beach, and, clambering up the cliff, ran toward the shoals. little dreaming how near he was to the object of his search, he stopped within a few feet of the head of the path that led into the cove, and strained his eyes through the darkness, in the hope of discovering the storm king or the schooner. but they were nowhere to be seen, and he was about to start on again when his steps were arrested by a faint shout which seemed to come up from below. it was uttered by jed, who, since the departure of the crusoe band, had not ceased to call lustily for help. he had little hope, however, of bringing any one to his relief, for the roar of the breakers, although it would not have drowned the report of a cannon, as sam barton had declared, was still loud enough to render his being heard extremely doubtful. johnny listened, and presently the shout was repeated. "there's certainly somebody down there," said he to himself, "and he seems to be in distress, too. who knows but it may be one of the crusoe men? if it is, he is just the fellow i am looking for." as johnny said this he walked along the cliff as near the edge as he dared to go, in the hope of finding some way to descend into the cove; but he did not long continue his search, for, as he was passing a thicket of bushes, a man suddenly sprang up and seized him by the collar. "we've got you now, you young villain," said he, savagely, "and we'll take care to hold fast to you." the first thought that passed through johnny's mind was, that he had again fallen into the hands of the burglars; the second, that they could not manage him as easily as they had done before. he would fight as long as he was able to raise a finger. but the clerk did not have time to act on this resolution, for his assailant threw him down with as much ease as he had prostrated tom newcombe in the store, and caught him by the throat, and, at the same instant, a second man appeared, who quickly confined his hands behind his back, and gagged him by forcing a handkerchief into his mouth. his captors handled him very roughly, and johnny would have yelled with pain, but the gag and the strong grasp on his throat rendered it impossible for him to utter a sound. having satisfied themselves that their prisoner was securely tied, the men jerked him to his feet, and then johnny got his first good look at them, and was astonished to discover that they were not the burglars. they were two young farmers, whom he had often seen in the village--the same who had captured tom newcombe a few hours before. they were searching for jed, and when they saw johnny prowling about the cove, they hastened to secure him, believing him to be one of the crusoe men. the clerk knew there was a mistake somewhere, but the gag effectually prevented him from explaining matters. if he tried to free his hands, in order to remove the gag, the farmers would think he was endeavoring to escape, and they might treat him even more harshly than they had done before. the only thing he could do was to submit quietly, and make himself known to them at the first opportunity. "you young rascal!" said bill, shaking his fist in johnny's face. "we'll show you how to rob potato-patches and cut down cellar doors," said josh. "if you don't pay for this night's work, it will be because there is no law in the land." the farmers grasped his arms, and johnny walked submissively between them toward the house. he was satisfied, from what they had said, that the exciting events of the night had not been confined to the village. the people on the island had evidently come in for a share of the trouble, and johnny, who was blessed with more than an ordinary amount of curiosity, wondered what had been going on, and grew angrier every moment, because he could not speak to his captors. he thought of the time he was wasting, too, and wished josh and bill had been a thousand miles from there before they attempted his capture. johnny was astonished at the sensation he created when he was led into the house. every one present looked at him with curiosity, and wondered that so honest-looking a boy should belong to a band of young robbers. when he had taken the chair pointed out to him, josh stationed himself near the door to prevent his escape, and bill removed the gag. the rough treatment he had experienced had sadly ruffled his temper, and as soon as he was able to speak he looked fiercely at bill, and exclaimed: "i'd like to know what you are about!" "would! well, i can soon tell you," replied bill. "you are one of those fellows who robbed our potato-patches, aint you?" "do i look like a boy of that kind?" demanded johnny, indignantly. "i never saw your potato-patch, and i don't know that you have one." "now, just look a here," said bill, "what's the use of telling that?" "it's the truth," protested the prisoner. "my name is john harding, and i am clerk in mr. henry's grocery store, which has just been robbed of seven thousand dollars. i was in pursuit of the burglars when you caught me. i am not in the habit of telling lies," he added, more angrily than ever, noticing that the young farmers smiled derisively as they listened to his story. "all you have to do is to go back to the beach with me, and i will soon convince you that i am not trying to deceive you." "you want us to take you there, so that your friends can release you, i suppose," said josh. "we gagged you to prevent you from giving the alarm." "you need not have put yourselves to so much trouble, for i haven't a friend on the island. i came here alone. let me loose, can't you? i don't want to be confined here like a felon." the farmers had been so nicely outwitted by the crusoe men that they were very suspicious, and, believing that johnny's story had been invented for the occasion, they did not put the least faith in it. they had caught him prowling about in the vicinity of the potato-patch, and that, in their eyes, was evidence strong enough to condemn him. johnny said every thing he could to induce them to believe that he was really what he represented himself to be. he told how the burglars had effected an entrance into the store, described the operation of blowing open the safe, and even mentioned the fact of having heard somebody shouting for help while he was standing on the cliff. then the farmers, for the first time, became interested. "perhaps it's jed," said bill. "he is our brother," he added, in answer to an inquiring look from johnny. "he went out with us after the fellows who cut down the cellar door, and he hasn't come back yet. we had better go down there, for he may have fallen over the cliff." "you will take me with you, will you not?" inquired johnny. "no, i guess not; we don't think it would be safe. you see, the way you fellows got those two prisoners out of the cellar makes us think we can't be too careful of you. we'll leave you here, and for fear that you might escape, or be rescued while we are gone, we'll take you up stairs and tie you fast to something." johnny protested loudly against this arrangement, but his words fell upon deaf ears, and he was obliged to submit to his captors, who conducted him into the garret and bound him to the chimney, which came up through the middle of the floor. "there," said josh, "i'd like to see your friends find you now. you'll be likely to stay here until we come back, unless you can pull the chimney down, and i don't think you are strong enough to do that." johnny was astonished at the care exhibited by the farmers in providing for his safe-keeping, and it led him to the conclusion that tom and his band had been doing something desperate. he was impatient to learn the full particulars of the robbery of the potato-patch, and the rescue of the prisoners, but he was much more anxious to regain his liberty, and continue the pursuit of the burglars. he did not doubt that the students would capture them, and, as that would be a big feather in their caps, johnny wanted to assist in the work, in order that he also might enjoy the honors of the exploit. josh and bill were gone fully half an hour, and during every moment of that time johnny's impatience increased, until at last it seemed to him that he could not possibly endure his captivity an instant longer. of course he tried hard to free himself, but his captors, remembering the prisoners who had escaped from the cellar, had taken especial pains to make his bonds secure, and johnny finally abandoned his attempts in despair, and awaited his release with all the fortitude he could command. at last, to his immense relief, he heard footsteps on the porch, and after a few minutes' delay josh and bill came up the stairs, accompanied by jed. they all seemed to be very angry about something, and if johnny had known what jed had experienced at the hands of the crusoe men, he would not have been at all surprised thereat. when jed's eyes rested on the prisoner, his countenance fell, and he seemed to be very much disappointed. he took the candle from bill's hand, held it close to johnny's face, examined his clothing, and finally shook his head. "you'll know me the next time you see me, won't you?" asked johnny. "yes, and i would know you now, if i had ever seen you before. he don't belong to the crowd," he added, turning to his brothers. "i took a good look at every one of them, and i can't be mistaken. you had better let him go." "i think so too," said the prisoner. "it's lucky for you that you aint one of the robbers," continued jed, shaking his head in a threatening manner, "for i had made up my mind to give you a good drubbing. let's return to the cove and watch for them. perhaps they will come back." "do you mean the crusoe men?" asked johnny. "i know they will come back. they are blockaded, and they can't get out of the bay." josh and bill were quite ready to go back to the cove, but they were not willing to release their captive. they could not be made to believe that he was not in some way connected with those who had plundered their potato-patch, and johnny began to think them the most unreasonable men he had seen for many a day. there was jed, who had had some adventure with the crusoe men, and who repeatedly affirmed that he had never met johnny before, but still josh and bill would not be convinced. "you see," said the former, "it does not follow that you ain't one of the robbers because we did not see you with them. if you had nothing to do with what has been going on here for the last week, what were you sneaking around the farm for? that's what i want to know." "i wasn't sneaking around at all," replied johnny, impatiently. "i was going about my business openly and above board, and i didn't care who saw me. i was looking for the men who stole mr. henry's money." "now, that's a funny story, aint it? a boy like you wouldn't be in any hurry to put himself in the way of two robbers, armed with revolvers. we are going back to the cove, and we shall take you with us. the men folks are all out looking for jed, and we are too sharp to leave you long in the house with nobody but women to watch you." "wouldn't it be a good plan to obtain a little more assistance?" asked johnny. "if you will collect half a dozen men, you can capture every one of those fellows if they come back." "that's just what we intend to do," replied josh, "but i think we three can manage them, and watch you besides." "but you forget the robbers." josh smiled and shrugged his shoulders, intimating very plainly that he was not yet prepared to believe that the robbers existed, only in johnny's imagination. "if you will agree not to make any fuss we won't gag you," said he. that was something gained, and johnny readily gave the required promise. although his hands were still bound behind his back, his captors seemed to be very much afraid of him, and during the walk to the cove they kept a firm hold of his arms, and looked about them suspiciously, as if they every instant expected to be called upon to resist an attempt on the part of the crusoe men to rescue their prisoner. but johnny _was_ released; not by the governor and his band, however, but by the crew of the storm king, and josh and bill never once thought of offering any resistance to them. it did not take harry green long to come to some conclusion respecting the mysterious disappearance of the pirate vessel, and, after his conversation with the boatswain's mate, he astonished his second lieutenant with an order to call away a company of small-armed men. while the jolly-boat was being lowered, the plucky midshipman richardson, who commanded the company, reported for orders, and was instructed to go ashore and explore every nook and corner of the bluffs on that side of the island. he left the vessel as fully determined to effect the capture of tom newcombe as he had been before, and, when the party from the farm-house came up, he had stopped with his company on the cliffs above the cove to reconnoiter. when he heard them approaching, he ordered his men to conceal themselves. of course he was not sure that they were the ones he had been sent out to capture, but he argued, as did josh and bill in regard to johnny, that if they were honest people they would not be roaming about the island at that time of night. "halt!" shouted richardson, when the farmers, with their prisoner, had advanced fairly within his ambush. "close up around them, men, and punch the first one that tries to escape." bill and josh were so astonished that they did not think of flight or resistance until it was too late. the young tars arose from their concealments on all sides of them, and they suddenly found themselves surrounded by a wall of gleaming bayonets, every one of which was held so close to them that the least forward or backward movement on their part would have brought them in contact with the cold steel. "well, look here! i swan to man!" said jed, shrinking away from the bayonets in front of him, only to receive a slight prick from three or four behind. "i say, fellows," stammered bill, "you've made a mistake." "is that you, richardson?" asked johnny. "harding!" exclaimed the midshipman, excitedly, "and a prisoner, too. we've got the burglars. put your hands above your heads," he added, sternly, addressing himself to josh and bill; "quick, or you'll feel the points of those bayonets." "hold on, dave," cried johnny, when he saw that the bayonets were drawn back for a thrust. "these men are not the robbers." "they are not? how does it come, then, that you are a prisoner?" demanded the young officer. "untie my hands, somebody, and i'll tell you all about it." "see here, fellows," exclaimed jed, who seemed greatly annoyed by the close proximity of the muskets, "just turn them stickers the other way, will you?" none of the young tars, however, paid the least attention to his words, and, indeed, he might as well have spoken to the wind; but richardson heard the appeal, and, turning to johnny, inquired: "are you sure these men are all right?" "certainly i am," was the reply. "fall back!" commanded the midshipman. the wall of bayonets was removed, and jed was immensely relieved. the prisoner was quickly released, and in a few words told the story of his adventures. bill and josh were compelled to believe him now, and they apologized so freely that johnny readily forgave them. "i suppose it's all right," said the midshipman, "but, to tell the truth, i am disappointed. when i saw you a prisoner, harding, i was sure that these men were the ones we were looking for. if they had been, we could have captured them easily enough, couldn't we? now, what's to be done? i have ten good fellows with me, and if we can get tom newcombe and his band in as tight a place as we had you a minute ago, they won't stand much chance of escape." a council of war was held on the spot, and, after johnny had repeated the conversation he had had with tom newcombe in the store, richardson was satisfied that he knew what had become of the sweepstakes. he decided to go into the cove at once, and jed volunteered to act as guide. they would approach as close to the pirates as they could without giving the alarm, and then they would charge upon them and overpower them. the sailors would attack the robbers, and leave the crusoe men to the care of johnny and his three friends, all except tom newcombe, whom the midshipman regarded as his own especial property. when all the details of their plan had been discussed, richardson gave the signal to jed, who led the way down the path. chapter xvii. the battle at the bridge. the governor and his band were certainly in a predicament. a half dozen tugs were, by this time cruising about the bay in all directions; the storm king lay at the upper end of the shoals under the bluffs, her crew kept constantly at quarters, in readiness to board the sweepstakes if she came out; and a strong force, under command of the midshipman, was preparing to assault the pirates in their hiding-place. harry thought he had them surrounded; and there were few, indeed, among the crusoe men who did not believe that their voyage was at an end. it is true they had a way of escape from the cove that the students knew nothing about--by the channel that ran across the lower end of the shoals--but who among them could promise that they would not meet a tug there when they went out? even tom, who was generally expert at finding his way out of difficulties, believed it was all over with the crusoe band. he leaned against the rail and looked down into the water; the governor thoughtfully paced the deck, and the rest of the band stood in a group in the waist, watching the movements of their officers, and waiting impatiently for them to make known their plans. "come, skipper," said sam, at length, "why don't you wake up and talk to us?" "o now, what shall i say?" drawled tom. "i am the unluckiest boy in the whole world!" "we've heard that a thousand times," said the governor, impatiently. "we're all of us unlucky, for the matter of that. but what shall we do? are we goin' to give up?" "no, we are not. we have had a good many adventures to-night. i don't believe that any other boys of our age ever came safely out of as many scrapes as we have been into, and now we are not going to allow ourselves to be cornered, like rats in an oat-bin. we must leave here at once." "i say, governor," suddenly exclaimed one of the robbers, who had made the circuit of the cove without finding any way of egress, "how do you get out of this hole?" "we don't go out at all," replied the chief. "we stay in." "we do not intend to remain here any longer. we have wasted time enough with you, and now we are going off on our own hook." "well, then, why don't you go?" drawled the skipper "because we can't find any way out of the cove." "we don't want nothing more to do with you two fellers, whatsomever," said sam. "go off about your business." "now see here, boys, this thing has gone about far enough. we've had more than we want of this nonsense, and we'll teach you to give a civil answer to a civil question. we are going out, and one of you must show us the way," said the burglar; and, as he spoke, he came on board the schooner, and, striding up to sam, seized him by the collar. "let me be!" roared the chief. "will you guide us to the top of the cliff?" "will you pay us the thousand dollars you promised us for taking you out to sea?" whined tom. "if you go back from your word, you need not ask favors of us." "you have not taken us to sea yet." "that's because you haven't given us a chance. we can do it, and we will, too, if you will stay with us." "let go my collar, i say!" shouted sam. "answer my question first," replied the robber. "i don't know nothing about a way to the top of the cliff. stand by, here, fellers. hit him with a handspike, somebody." the crusoe men began to bustle about in a state of intense excitement, and the other burglar leaped over the rail to assist his companion. there was a lively prospect for a fight, and, no doubt, if tom newcombe had not interposed, the deck of the pirate vessel would have been the scene of a desperate conflict. the governor and his men were very much enraged at their passengers, and were fully determined that they should not leave the cove until they had kept their promise, in regard to the thousand dollars. sam was a very stubborn fellow, and the robber would have found it a much more difficult task than he had bargained for to force the secret of the path from him. "it's no use, mister," said he, doggedly. "you may shake me as much as you please, but i just ain't a goin' to tell you what you want to know till i see the color of that money. you promised to give it to us, an' we're bound to have it. punch him in the ribs with your boat-hook, friday." "o now, look here!" drawled the skipper. "i won't have any quarreling and fighting on a vessel i command. stand back, friday. put away that handspike, xury. if you are determined to leave us, i'll send a man to show you the way up the cliff." "no you won't, neither!" shouted sam, indignant at the proposition. "but if i do," continued tom, without noticing the interruption, "you won't gain any thing by it. on the contrary, you will find yourselves in ten times the danger you are in now; for the prisoner we had confined in that cabin has escaped, and of course he has alarmed every body on the island. we are going to sea again, immediately, and, if you will remain with us, and behave yourselves, we will take you to a place of safety. you ought to remember that we don't want to be captured any more than you do." "but you have got the whole village after you," said the burglar. "look here, mister, be you goin' to let go my collar?" asked sam. "it is by no means certain that every man in newport is after _us_," said tom. "don't you suppose there are some in pursuit of _you_? your best plan would be to remain with us; and, if we succeed in getting out of the bay, we will land you on some island, out of reach of the police officers and the telegraph. if we find our escape cut off, we will run our vessel ashore and take to the woods." the burglar seemed to be impressed with tom's arguments, for he released the governor, and turned to consult with his companion; while sam, who was utterly amazed at tom, led him off on one side and inquired: "hain't you made a nice mess of it now? do you intend to show them fellers the way up the cliff?" "of course i do." "well now, skipper," said the governor, doubling his fist, and shaking it in the air, "of all the mean things i ever knew you to do, this yere is the beat. have you forgot that we want to pay them for tryin' to cheat us?" "no, indeed," replied tom, emphatically. "i am bound to carry out my new idea, and you have seen enough of me to-night to know that i mean what i say. we will guide them up the path as far as the chasm, and leave them. we'll tell them that we had a bridge across there, but it is gone; and that they'll have to get over the best way they can. in the meantime i will turn the schooner around, and, when i am ready to sail, i'll send you word; and i'll wager my share of the thousand dollars that the robbers, rather than be left alone in the cove, will come with us." "humph!" grunted the chief. "you're trustin' a good deal to luck, 'pears to me. mebbe that plan will work, an' mebbe it won't. if we lose our passage-money, we can thank you for it." "what else can we do?" asked tom. "it's the only way i know of to avoid a fight." "well, captain," said the burglar, who had thus far done the most of the talking, and who answered to the name of sanders, "we've concluded that we had better go. you can send a man to show us up the path." "all right," replied tom. "you have acted very meanly toward us, and you may have the satisfaction of knowing that you take with you our best wishes for your speedy capture. governor, you and atkins guide them up the path, and the rest of us stand by to get the vessel under-way." sam thought that the skipper, in spite of his assertions to the contrary, had either given up all hopes of carrying his new idea into execution, or else, that the disappointment he had experienced in the failure of his plans against the yacht, had turned his brain. this new scheme of his for avoiding a fight with the robbers, the governor regarded as a sure method of throwing away their last chance for obtaining possession of the passage-money. if the burglars left the cove, the crusoe men would never see them again, and the only thing that would prevent them from so doing, was the difficulty of bridging the chasm; and that could be easily overcome. "good-by to them thousand dollars," growled the governor, as he lighted his lantern and led the way toward the path. "i'd a heap sooner have a fight with the bugglars, than let them off so easy. they can build a bridge in five minutes." there were other obstacles, however, besides the building of the bridge, that stood in the way of the robbers leaving the cove, that neither sam nor tom knew any thing about; but the former discovered them the instant he came in sight of the chasm. he stopped, astonished at the scene before him. when josh and bill went into the cove to release jed, they had built a bridge of saplings, by the aid of which the storming party was about to invade the governor's stronghold. midshipman richardson was half-way across the bridge, and johnny harding, who had armed himself with a heavy club, was preparing to follow the young officer as soon as he was safely over. behind johnny stood the young tars, leaning on their muskets, one of them holding a powerful dark lantern, which rendered objects in the vicinity of the bridge as plainly visible as though it had been broad daylight. the chief saw and comprehended, and a smile of exultation lighted up his face, but speedily gave way to an expression of alarm. there was some satisfaction in knowing that the robbers could not leave the cove, and that he and his band might yet have an opportunity to secure the valise and its contents; but there was little to be found in the knowledge of the fact that he was on the point of being attacked by a force that outnumbered his two to one. sam recognized the midshipman, and knew instinctively that something was going to happen. the fight in the harbor had taught him that the young officer was an unpleasant fellow to have about. "ah, mr. barton, we 're glad to see you," said richardson, when he had recovered from his surprise. "you are just the man we are looking for. you may consider yourself a prisoner--you and your villainous companions there. your harboring place is completely surrounded, and you will save yourselves trouble if you surrender at once." "jerusalem!" exclaimed will atkins, looking about him, as if seeking some avenue of escape. as he did so, his eyes rested on the pile of stones which he and jack spaniard had collected to defend their breastwork against the assaults of the governor, and a bright idea struck him. "sam," he whispered, "let's heave them rocks at him, an' drive him back, an' then throw down the bridge." the chief was prompt to act upon the suggestion. he and atkins sprang behind the breastwork, and, before the midshipman could make up his mind what they were going to do, the stones were flying about him in a perfect shower. it would have been utter folly to stand longer upon the bridge in that exposed position, and, without waiting for a second volley, the officer turned and took to his heels. "hurrah for governor barton and the crusoe men," shouted sam. "you needn't talk to us about surrenderin', 'cause we ain't them kind of fellers, as i told you once before to-night. chuck the bridge into the gully, atkins." if the chief imagined that he had disposed of the attacking party, he soon discovered his mistake. they were by no means defeated simply because their commanding officer had been driven from his position on the bridge. they had come there to capture the pirates, and they knew that two of them carried revolvers in their pockets. if the knowledge of that fact was not enough to turn them from their purpose, they were not likely to be frightened away by such missiles as sam and his man had discharged at them. they were sharp enough to know that the bridge was the key to the enemy's position, and that much depended upon their ability to prevent atkins from carrying out the governor's order. stones were plenty on their side of the chasm, and there was also nearly half a bushel of potatoes left of those sam had used against the mutineers. they were prompt to follow the example set them by the enemy, and, when will atkins ran forward to throw the bridge into the chasm, the order to halt, which he disregarded, was enforced by a volley of stones and potatoes that made the path in the vicinity of the bridge so uncomfortable that the crusoe man was glad to retreat. "go on," thundered the governor. "that bridge must come down." "well, you can throw it down yourself," retorted atkins "i ain't in no hurry to be hit by them taters an' rocks." "keep away from that bridge," said the midshipman. "harding, if you and your three friends will act as artillery-men, we'll charge across and capture those fellows--the crusoe men, i mean. of course we can't arrest the robbers unless we can take some advantage of them; but we can keep them in here until we can send word to mr. grimes, and i don't think they will dare use their revolvers on him. if they find that they are fairly cornered, they won't have the courage to resist an officer of the law." "but how can we keep them in?" asked bill. "easy enough. if they attempt to come across the bridge we'll pepper them with stones. if they return to their vessel, and go out the other way, we can't help it. that's harry green's business. simmonds," he added, "go down and report to the first lieutenant that we have found the pirates, that the robbers are with them, and that we are preparing to attack them." the midshipman was almost on the point of adding: "and tell him that he had better send for re-enforcements and keep a bright lookout for the sweepstakes, for she may try to run by him;" but he did not say it, for he knew that it was no part of his business to instruct his superior officer. harry was smart enough to attend to all such matters, and richardson was sure that he would neglect no precautions to insure the capture of all the schooner's crew. "now," continued the young officer, when simmonds had started off to obey the order, "open fire on them, and drive them into the bushes, so that they can't throw at us." although richardson spoke in a tone so low that the governor could not catch his words, he knew what he was saying, and saw the necessity of making some arrangements to offer a decided resistance to the advance of the students. "atkins," he whispered, "go down an' bring up the rest of the fellers. that bridge must come away from there, or them spooneys will be down on us like a hawk on a june bug." "suppose we point our revolvers at them," said sanders. "what good will that do? they ain't easy scared, an' they know you wouldn't dare to shoot them as well as you know it yourself. what i am afraid of is, that they will send off after more help. we must get out of here to onct, but we must throw that bridge down first, or they will catch us before we can get our vessel under-way." scarcely had sam ceased speaking when the artillery-men opened fire on him, and he and his companions were driven to the shelter of the bushes; but not until a potato, thrown by jed, his former prisoner, had smashed his lantern and extinguished the light. the bull's-eye of the dark lantern was turned full upon the place where he had taken refuge, and, although the artillery-men could not see him, they kept up a continuous shower of missiles, hoping to confine him so closely in his concealment that he could not return the fire. in this they thought they were successful, for not a single stone was thrown from sam barton's side of the chasm, and the midshipman, believing that he had retreated to his vessel, gave the order to advance, and led the way upon the bridge. the governor, however, had never once thought of retreating. he was still in a position to defend the cove, and, moreover, he had been re-enforced by tom newcombe and the rest of the band. while the fire from the artillery-men was the hottest, the crusoe men and their allies had been quietly collecting ammunition and patiently awaiting an opportunity to use it. the burglars worked as hard as the rest, and sanders, little dreaming how closely his movements were watched by all the members of the band, hid his valise in the bushes, and stood with his arms full of stones, ready to fire upon the young tars when they came in sight. this did not escape the notice of sam barton, who mentally resolved that, the instant the bridge was thrown into the chasm, he would catch up the valise and run for the vessel. he and his men were well enough acquainted with the path to travel it rapidly in the dark, and they might, perhaps, succeed in getting the sweepstakes under-way before the burglars could reach her. this plan he communicated in a whisper to tom, who declared himself strongly in favor of it, and watched his opportunity to reveal it to the other members of the band. the crusoe men were all intensely excited, and heartily enjoyed their anticipated triumph over the robbers. the governor and his companions, who dared not show so much as the tops of their hats above the bushes, could not see what was going on among the students, but they had a plain view of about half the bridge, and when the attacking party appeared they opened so hot a fire upon it that the advance was speedily checked, the column thrown into confusion, and the young tars, after expending all the ammunition they had brought with them, in the vain attempt to dislodge the enemy, retreated precipitately to the shelter of the trees on the opposite side of the chasm. "now's your time, governor," exclaimed sanders, who entered as heartily into the work, and was as much interested in what was going on, as though he had been a boy himself; "rush out and throw down the bridge." "well, now, if you are in such a hurry to see that bridge come down, you had better rush out there yourself," replied sam. "i can't see any sense in a feller's puttin' himself in the way of gettin' his head broke." "we whipped 'em, didn't we?" said xury. "o yes, we did, but what good will it do?" drawled the captain. "they'll keep on charging us as long as that bridge is there. all they want is to employ us here till daylight, and by that time we must be out of the bay, or we can just consider ourselves captured. i've got another idea," he added, suddenly. "mr. mate, send a man to the vessel after a rope." "will atkins," said xury, "go down and fetch up a rope." "will atkins! will atkins!" repeated the owner of that name, angrily. "it's always will atkins, if there is any thing to be done. aint there nobody in this band that can do nothing besides will atkins?" "go on, now, an' bring up that rope, an' quit your growlin'," commanded the governor, sternly. atkins sullenly started down the path, grumbling to himself as he went, and vowing vengeance against the officers of the band. the mutinous spirit in him was as strong as ever, and only awaited a favorable opportunity to break forth again in open opposition to the governor's authority. he spent a good deal of time in searching for the rope, and, before he returned to the chasm, the crusoe men had successfully resisted another attempt, on the part of the students, to charge across the bridge. "how are things in the village?" asked the governor, as atkins spitefully threw the rope down in front of tom. "did you see mr. henry?" "i hain't been near the village for two hours," replied the discontented member. "well, you might have been there and back two or three times, since you went away. i concluded you couldn't find a rope on board the vessel, and had gone over to mr. henry's store for one." some sharp words passed between the governor and his man, and while the conversation was going on, tom completed his arrangements for carrying out his new idea, which were very simple. he coiled the rope on the ground so that it would run out rapidly, and to one end of it fastened a heavy stone. "i understand it all, now," said the chief. "that bridge is bound to come down. be ready to run, fellers, the minute i grab the valise," he added, in a whisper. tom's first attempt to remove the bridge was successful. he threw the stone over it, hauled in on the rope, and in a moment more the saplings were lying at the bottom of the chasm. the yell of indignation which arose from the students, mingled with the triumphant shouts of the crusoe men. "that's the way to do it," cried sanders. "we are all right now. i say! hold on, there, boy!" he continued, in quite a different tone of voice, when he saw the governor, with the valise in his hand, disappear around the bend in the path, closely followed by his men. "what do you mean? stop, i tell you." the burglars looked as though they thought it was not all right with them after all. they stood for an instant irresolute, and then started in hot pursuit of the crusoe men, dashing recklessly down the slippery path, apparently all unconscious of the fact that a single misstep would precipitate them upon the rocks forty feet below. they reached the cove in safety, having made such good use of their time that, when the governor sprang over the schooner's rail, they were close at his heels. sam was astonished, and highly enraged, but accepted the situation as gracefully as he could. seeing that his plan for "getting even" with the robbers had failed, he placed the valise against the rail, and said, innocently: "there's your money, mister. cap'n, get under-way, to onct." sanders looked sharply at the governor. he had nothing to say, but he resolved that as long as he remained on board the sweepstakes, he would never for an instant release his hold upon the valise. he believed the chief had some designs upon it. "i reckon you'll stay with us now, won't you?" asked sam. "we must, i suppose," replied sanders. "what are you going to do? do you intend to cross the breakers again?" "sartin; there aint no other way to get out of the cove." the actions of the burglars very plainly indicated that they did not like the idea of again attempting the passage of the shoals; and sam himself would have been very glad indeed if there had been some less dangerous avenue of escape open to them. he could not forget the rock on the outer edge of the breakers, nor the risk he had run there a few hours before. every thing being ready for the start, he went to the wheel, the line with which the schooner was made fast to the bank was cast off, and she moved slowly out of the cove. the skipper stationed two men at the fore and main sheets, placed xury in the waist to pass orders, and then took his stand beside the governor. the latter would have stoutly denied that he felt the least nervousness or timidity, but his compressed lips and trembling hands told a different story. all the crusoe men were more or less alarmed, with the exception of the mate, who was as careless and indifferent as ever. nothing seemed to disturb him. he stood leaning against the rail, whistling a lively tune, his hands in his pockets, and his eyes fastened on the rock at the opposite side of the shoals. he never moved a muscle when a huge wave carried the schooner almost over the ledge, and, when the order was given to haul in the sheets, he repeated it with as much calmness as he would have exhibited had the sweepstakes been in smooth water, and running before a favorable breeze. the passage was safely accomplished, much to the relief of every one on board; and again the crusoe men told themselves that they had dared the fury of the shoals for the last time. where was the storm king all this while? she was still lying at the upper end of the breakers, waiting for the sweepstakes. her commander did not know there were two channels that led across the shoals. chapter xviii. the robbers are punished. to say that tom newcombe was delighted to find himself once more out of the cove and safely across the shoals, would but feebly express his feelings. he had never expected to see the bay again except as a prisoner. while he was in the cove and besieged by the students, he would willingly have disposed of his interest in the crusoe band, and freely surrendered his share of the passage money, if he could have wiped out the record of that night. he had not seen a single hour's peace since he joined sam barton's society. he had constantly been in some trouble or other. it would have been well enough with him, he thought, if the governor had not turned up again--tom had a great habit of laying the responsibility of his misdeeds upon other shoulders than his own--and he had more than once wished that the spar which had brought sam into the harbor had drifted the other way, and carried him out to sea, and that he had been picked up by some vessel and taken to china or some other remote quarter of the globe. in short, when the captain of the crusoe band found that his voyage was in danger of being brought to a speedy termination, he had been very hard on the governor, and had felt disposed to look on the dark side of things; but now that he was once more bounding over the waves of the bay before a fine breeze, and with not a tug or sailing vessel in sight, his spirits rose again. he was once more ready to believe that the expedition might prove successful. after bringing himself safely out of all the difficulties he had been in that night, it would be singular indeed if he could not find some way to overcome the obstacles yet before him. there was no immediate danger to be apprehended from the students. harry green had been outwitted, and with proper precautions their other pursuers might also be avoided. he sent xury to relieve the governor at the wheel, and ordered him to hold the schooner directly across the bay toward the main land. his plan was to run as close to the shore as the depth of the water would permit. it was dark in the shadow of the bluffs, and if there were any tugs between him and the entrance to the bay, he hoped to run by them unnoticed. now that the danger attending the crossing of the shoals was passed, the crusoe men could think about other matters. tom and the governor, after exulting over their escape, pondered upon the failure of their plan for obtaining possession of the valise, and atkins nursed his wrath against the officers of the band. the mutineer no longer desired the success of the expedition. all he cared for was to insure his own safety, and to be revenged upon the governor, tom, and xury. "we'll never see crusoe's island nohow," said he, to himself. "tommy aint sailor enough to take us through a bay twenty-five miles long, with tugs runnin' up an' down it all the time lookin' fur us. we're bound to be ketched sooner or later. but just s'pose we do find our island! what fun will i see livin' there? it'll be atkins, atkins, all the whole time. atkins will have to do every thing, and them lazy officers will sit around in the shade an' see me work. i aint a going to be a servant fur nobody, an' the best thing i can do is to leave the band. jack spaniard, come here." the governor was well enough acquainted with atkins to know that, after what had transpired at the bridge, it was best to keep a close watch over him. when he saw him standing sullen and alone on the forecastle, he knew that he was brooding over his wrongs, and, when jack spaniard joined him, sam was sure there was mischief brewing. he saw them engage in a whispered consultation, and, when he could stand it no longer, he walked up to them, and laid a hand upon the shoulder of each. "see here, my hearties," said he, "what's goin' on? it looks mighty suspicious to see your two heads so close together. be you studyin' up another mutiny? if you are, you can bear two things in mind: one is, that you will come out at the little end of the horn, just as you did before. the other, that you won't get off so easy, by no means." "we aint quite so foolish," replied atkins. "what could me an' jack do ag'in you four fellers? we were talkin' about that money, an' we've thought up a way to get it. mebbe it won't work, but there's no harm in tryin' it, you know." the governor listened attentively while atkins unfolded his plan, and said it contained some suggestions that were well worth listening to. the discontented member did not, however, tell all that he and his companion had been talking about. he kept back some things which, had he repeated them to the chief, would have brought him into trouble immediately. sam went aft to consult with tom, and presently the schooner's bow veered around until it pointed toward one of the numerous islands that lay near the middle of the bay. in reply to a question from sanders, tom said: "we're going to land. it isn't safe to continue our cruise at present, for it is nearly daylight. there is a creek on deer island, and we think it best to conceal ourselves there until night." the governor and his men kept a bright lookout while they were running across the bay toward the island, but none of their pursuers were in sight, and, after coasting along the shore for a short distance, the sweepstakes entered the creek of which tom had spoken. half an hour afterward she was snugly hidden in the bushes that grew in the water along the edge of the bank, and her crew were stretched out on the deck, sleeping soundly, after their night of excitement and adventure--all except will atkins, who had been ordered to keep awake and watch for the enemy. this was another injustice that the mutineer declared he would not submit to. wasn't he as sleepy as the others? and was there no one in the band except himself who could stand watch? because tom, sam, and xury were officers, was it any reason why they should shirk their share of the work? atkins could not see that it was, and he told himself that he was about to do something that would make ample amends for all he had endured at their hands. but keeping a lookout for their pursuers was not the only duty atkins was expected to perform. he had a difficult and dangerous task to accomplish, and one that he would rather had fallen to the lot of some other member of the band. while he paced up and down the deck he thought more of the passengers and their money than he did of the tugs that might at any moment come steaming up the creek. the robbers lay upon the forecastle, sanders with the valise under his head for a pillow, and both of them were snoring loudly. atkins was sure they were sound asleep, but he was too wary to ruin his plans by being in too great a hurry. he allowed an hour to pass before he made any attempt to secure the valise--that was the extra duty he was expected to perform--and then he went about his work very cautiously. with a step that would not have awakened a cricket, he crossed the deck and took his stand beside the rail, within easy reach of the robbers. after assuring himself that there was no sham about their sleep, he placed his foot against the valise and began pushing it from under sanders's head. slowly and cautiously was the movement executed, atkins scarcely daring to breathe the while, lest it should arouse the robber, and, at last, he had the satisfaction of seeing sanders's head roll down upon the deck. quick as a flash atkins's foot came back beside the other, and if the burglar had awakened then he would have seen him leaning over the rail, gazing into the bushes ahead of the vessel, and looking as innocent as a boy of that kind could look. but sanders was not aroused. wearied with his night's work, he still snored lustily, and atkins congratulated himself on having accomplished the most dangerous part of his undertaking. the next step was to arouse the band. he did not touch the valise again, but left it lying on the deck and crept to the place where the governor was sleeping. "sam," he whispered, "it's all right. i've got the money." "no!" exclaimed the governor, starting up and rubbing his eyes. "where is it?" "i left it layin' close to him, so that if he wakes up before we are ready to start he will think that his head rolled off of its own accord." "you're a brick," said the governor, approvingly. "this 'most makes me forget that you were a mutineer. call the other fellers an' we'll be off." atkins was on the point of obeying this order when, to the intense chagrin of both the crusoe men, sanders awoke with a start, and, raising himself on his elbow, looked about him. seeing the governor on his feet he inquired: "what's going on there?" "nothing," replied sam, "only i must take my turn standin' watch now." the robber raised a pair of very sleepy-looking eyes toward the clouds, remarked that it was pretty near daylight, and then, pulling the valise under his head, went off into the land of dreams again. "did you ever see such luck?" growled atkins. "the whole thing must be done over again." "well, you can do it, can't you?" asked sam. "i reckon i could, but i just aint a goin' to try. you told me to get the valise out from under his head an' call you, an' i done it. 'taint my fault that he woke up. if you want any thing more done you can do it yourself." "i guess i am as good a hand at that kind of business as you are," said the chief. "let's call up the other fellers, so that if i get the valise we can start to onct." the crusoe men were quietly aroused, but still remained stretched out on the deck, watching the governor, and ready to move when he gave the word. he approached the robber with more fear and trembling than he had ever before exhibited in the presence of the members of the band, for he could not help thinking of what would be done to him if the burglar should chance to awake and find him meddling with his pillow. sanders had had nothing to say when sam ran away with his valise in the cove, but he had looked very savage, and the governor did not care to be caught in the act of robbing him. he was a long time at his work, but finally the burglar's head rolled down on the deck again, and sam hastily picked up the valise and joined his companions. they followed him to the stern, let themselves silently down into the water, and swam after the governor, who, holding his prize above his head with one hand, struck out for the farthest shore with the other. they all cast frequent and anxious glances over their shoulders, and made their way through the water with all the speed they could command, expecting every instant to hear the bullets from the burglars' revolvers whistling about their ears. but nothing of the kind happened. sanders and his companion slept on, all unconscious of their loss, and the crusoe men crossed the creek in safety and disappeared among the bushes that lined the bank. tom newcombe's idea had been successfully carried out, and atkins was the one who had suggested the way. the governor and his band would perhaps have been astonished to know that, while they were revenging themselves upon the robbers, they were playing into the hands of one of their pursuers. but it turned out that such was the fact; and if johnny harding, who was at that moment standing on the deck of the storm king, disappointed and utterly disheartened, could have received intelligence of what had just transpired on the deck of the pirate vessel, he would have danced for joy. johnny was not one who made loud boasts of what he intended to do. he possessed quite as much courage as the majority of his fellows, but he did not deny that he was afraid of the robbers. he even confessed that if he should overtake them he would be at a loss to know how to recover the money. but there was no one in the crusoe band that he was afraid of, and if he had known that his employer's property was in possession of the governor, he would have been certain of success. "we're even with them fellers now," said the chief, as he and his men concealed themselves in a thicket of bushes, from which they could watch the schooner without being observed themselves. "we'll larn 'em how to swindle us. five thousand dollars! that's a heap of money, aint it, fellers?" (the crusoe men did not know how much money they had in their possession. sanders had told them that there were five thousand dollars in the safe, and they imagined that was the amount in the valise. had they known that it was more than seven thousand dollars, their excitement, which was already intense, would have known no bounds.) "i 'most wish we had let it be," continued the governor, who became frightened when he fully realized what he had done. "let's hide it somewhere." "what for?" demanded the skipper. "why, 'cause. we can't never use it all, an' s'pose we should be ketched." "o, now, we are not going to be caught," replied tom, impatiently. "the tugs will never come in here after us, for it is too near the village. every body will think that we have kept on out to sea. our prospects were never brighter than they are at this moment. i am just as certain that we shall see the island as i am that my clothes are wringing wet from my swim across the creek. we need a better outfit, and how are we going to get it with no funds in the treasury? we've got the money now, and we might as well use it. we have as much right to it as those robbers." "that's what i say," said atkins. "i am treasurer of the band, so i'll take charge of the cash. just pass the valise over this way, governor." "now, you hold your breath till i give you the valise, won't you?" said the chief. "if you are treasurer, i'm governor, an' i won't ask nobody to help me take care of this money. i'll just hang on to it myself." atkins had been in excellent spirits during the last few minutes, but now he resumed his usual scowl, and looked as sullen and ugly as ever. his under-jaw dropped down, and his face lengthened out wonderfully. he had plans of his own that he was awaiting a favorable opportunity to carry into execution, and the governor's determination to hold fast to the money sadly interfered with them. he looked at jack spaniard, and jack looked at him, and it was plain that neither of them were pleased with the arrangement. "aha!" exclaimed the governor, "i know what you fellers are winkin' an' blinkin about. do you diskiver any thing green in this yere eye? i can see through a ladder as fur as any body." "why, what's the row, governor?" asked jack spaniard, innocently. "there's something up--that's the row," replied sam, "an' you know it as well as i do. you'd best walk turkey from this time on, you two fellers, or i'll be down on you when you aint lookin' fur it." "i think this is a purty how-de-do," growled atkins. "what's the use of havin' any treasurer, if the governor is goin' to take charge of the cash?" "there aint no use at all in havin' one--not such a one as we've got. you've good cheek, atkins. you tried to ruin the expedition by gettin' up a mutiny, an' now you're thinkin' how to steal this money from us, you an' jack spaniard are, an' yet you have the imperdence to ask me to let you take charge of it. of all the things that have happened in the band since i got to be governor, this yere is the beat." the two mutineers listened to this speech in amazement and alarm. it was all true, especially that portion of it which related to the plan they had in view for making off with the valise; but how did it come that the governor knew any thing about it? they were quite sure that neither of them had spoken a word to him or to any body else on the subject, and they were equally certain that no one had overheard any conversation between them. they opened their eyes, puffed out their cheeks, and looked at the governor and at each other as if they could not understand the matter. "o, i knew you would deny it," said sam, "but you needn't, 'cause i am sartin it's so. we've wasted time enough in jawin' now, an', as we've got to stay here all day, we might as well go to sleep. xury, you can stand watch fur two hours. keep your eyes on the schooner, an' call us if you hear any fuss." the crusoe men had resorted to the expedient of deserting their vessel in order to get rid of the robbers. it was a part of atkins's plan. sanders, when he awoke and discovered that his money was gone, would, of course, begin an immediate pursuit of the crusoe band. he would not look for them in the vicinity of the vessel and on that side of the creek, but, believing that it would be their desire to get as far away with their plunder as the limits of the island would permit, he would most likely search the woods along the beach. the burglars could not go all over the island in one day's time, and there was little probability that they would discover the governor's hiding-place. he and his men would remain concealed in the bushes until dark, and then they would board their vessel and put out to sea, leaving the burglars, as they had intended to leave the crusoe men--whistling for their money. thus far the plan had worked smoothly, and the loyal members of the band were highly elated. the only question that troubled them was: might not the robbers, suspecting the trick that had been played upon them, watch the vessel and capture them as they went on board? that was something that time only could determine. never before had the governor laid his head on a pillow worth so much money. it was not an easy one, but sam had, of late, been accustomed to hard beds and hard pillows, and he slept soundly in spite of the new responsibilities resting upon him. the captain and friday also soon forgot their troubles, but there was no sleep for the mutineers. they sat gazing sullenly at the governor and at xury, who, if one might judge by his looks, had suddenly begun to sympathize with them in their rebellious mood. he appeared to be angry, and muttered something about being compelled to stand watch when he was so sleepy. he kept his eyes fastened upon the mutineers, who seemed to be rendered very uneasy by his scrutiny, and jack spaniard finally demanded: "did the governor tell you to watch us as well as the money?" "now, who told you that i was watching you?" asked xury. "there aint no law in this band that hinders me from looking at you, is there? but you needn't be so short with me. i never done nothing to you that i know of." "didn't you help the governor capture us?" "yes, an' i would do it agin. you broke your promise by desertin' me an' the cap'n while we were in trouble, an' if you had been in my place you would have done just as i did. but this case is different." atkins and jack spaniard began to prick up their ears. the hint contained in the mate's last words, slight as it was, led them to believe that he also was becoming dissatisfied and was ready to join with them against the governor. but they were in no hurry to commit themselves. "we don't understand you," said jack spaniard. "no, i reckon not," replied the mate, with a laugh. "you an' atkins were not layin' plans to steal this money, were you? i know you were, but i hain't got nothing to say ag'in it. if you will let me come in with you, mebbe the job can be done a good deal easier. the governor suspects you, an' you can't wink your eye without his knowin' all about it. but he thinks i am all right, an' i can get my hands on the money at any time. o, you need not be afraid to trust me," he added, earnestly, seeing that atkins and his companion exchanged significant glances, and in various other ways indicated that they were suspicious of him. "i know that we are bound to be captured if we stay on board the sweepstakes, an' i am goin' to desert her. but i don't want to go without any money, an', as i have as much right to the five thousand dollars as the governor has, i'm goin' to take it. i heard the cap'n say that we would stop at one of the elizabeth islands to take on a supply of water. if we do, i shall watch my chance, an' the first thing the governor knows i'll be missin', an' so will the money. if you want to go with me, all right; if you don't, you can stay behind an' be servants fur them two lazy officers. them's my sentiments." this was the beginning of a long conversation. atkins and jack spaniard would have been glad of xury's assistance, for they knew that they would be so closely watched that it would be an exceedingly difficult matter for them to secure possession of the valise, but the mate could pick it up at any time, and without exciting the governor's suspicions. they could not forget, however, that xury had exhibited a great deal of zeal during the attack on their breastworks. he had always been loyal to the chief, and they were surprised to hear him talk of deserting, and afraid to trust him. but he seemed to be thoroughly in earnest, and atkins finally acknowledged that he and jack spaniard had made up their minds to leave the band at the first good opportunity, and that they intended to take the money with them. they compelled xury to make all sorts of promises that he would never betray them, and the latter, to show that he meant all he said, agreed to do the dangerous part of the work himself. they could remain in the back-ground, and, if he was detected, he would take all the blame and all the consequences upon himself. by the time the details of their plan had been discussed xury thought his two hours had nearly expired, and he aroused the governor with a request that he would appoint his relief. tom newcombe, much to his disgust, was the one selected. he grumbled loudly--as all the crusoe men did when called upon to act contrary to their own wishes--but no one paid the least attention to him. the governor re-arranged his pillow, and was settling himself into a comfortable position to finish his nap, when an exclamation from xury brought him to a sitting posture. the sound of hurrying footsteps and angry voices was heard on the deck of the schooner. sanders had discovered that his money was gone. the crusoe men crouched lower in the bushes, and listened intently to catch the words of the robbers' conversation. they heard all that was said, and blessed their lucky stars that there was a wide creek between them and the enraged men. "don't they take on, though!" whispered the governor. "i wouldn't be on board the sweepstakes now fur nothing. we'd better do some good runnin' if they get after us, fur they're mad enough to use them revolvers." at this moment the attention of the crusoe men was drawn from the schooner by a sound that greatly increased their excitement--the measured dip of oars. they looked down the creek and saw the jolly-boat approaching. chapter xix. the army and navy. harry green was greatly encouraged by the report simmonds brought him concerning the state of affairs in the cove. the crusoe men were surrounded, and, although he and his crew might not be able to capture them, protected as they were by the burglars' revolvers, they could at least keep them in the cove until the arrival of re-enforcements. he sent simmonds back to the midshipman with a few orders, and after instructing the second lieutenant to have the jolly-boat called away, he ran down into his cabin and dashed off two short notes, containing, in a condensed form, the report he had just received from richardson. when packard, the third lieutenant, who was to go in charge of the boat, reported for orders, harry commanded him to proceed toward the village, and give one of the notes into the hands of the captain of the first tug met. if he met none of the tugs, he was to go on to newport and find mr. newcombe, or mr. henry, if either of them were there, and after that report to captain steele, and give him the second note. the young officer was not at all pleased with his orders. he would have been much better satisfied if harry had sent him ashore to take command of the storming party. he was afraid that if he left the yacht he would not see her again until the pursuit of the pirates was ended. captain steele might tell him to remain at the academy; or, if the principal sent out re-enforcements, he might be ordered to take command of his company (packard was captain of company c), and that was something he did not want to do. the military would join in the pursuit with alacrity, and make the most strenuous exertions to effect the capture of the crusoe men, and thus rob the navy of the honors now almost within its grasp. since the advent of the storm king, there had been a hot rivalry existing between the military and naval portions of the academy, and many a stormy debate had been held as to the relative merits of the two branches of the service. the military officers said that the navy would do well enough to convey transports of troops in time of war, and that was all it was good for. the hard fighting was always done on the land, and the victories that decided the war were gained by the soldiers. "sour grapes!" harry would always reply. "if i were in your places, i would not run down a thing, after trying my best to win it. you landlubbers burned gallons of midnight oil in preparing for the naval examination. i heard more than one among you say that he would rather be a midshipman than major of the battalion; and now, because you failed to gain any position on board the yacht, the navy is of no account. as for hard fighting--why, fellows, you must have forgotten your history, if you ever knew any thing about it. take the case of the bon homme richard, in her fight with the serapis! the action lasted three hours and a half, and, during that time, one hundred and fifty, out of the three hundred and twenty men who composed the crew of the richard, were killed and wounded. the loss on board the serapis was about the same. nearly one-half the men on board the two vessels fell in the fight, and that is something you never heard of in a modern land engagement. and, more than that, the fire of the enemy was not the only thing commodore jones had to contend with. the richard was in flames from the beginning. in the heat of the action she sprang a leak, and the master-at-arms, believing that she was about to sink, released a hundred british prisoners who were confined in the hold." "didn't he deserve to be pitched overboard?" asked jackson. "this thing can never be decided by argument, fellows," said major williams. "i wish something would turn up, so that we might have a chance to show ourselves." "so do i," answered harry. "we would soon convince you that the infantry of the newport academy is a slow coach compared with its navy." but for a long time that "something" did not "turn up," and the rival students despaired of ever having an opportunity to test their respective abilities. if tom newcombe had only been there to organize another runaway expedition; or if some discontented boy could be found to take his place! but no one thought of deserting the academy now that the grand commander was gone, and the students, determined to excel their opponents in every thing, devoted themselves to their studies. each side put forward its best scholars for the valedictory and other academic honors, and some of those who were the loudest in denouncing the navy, picked out the offices on board the yacht that they thought themselves competent to fill, and worked night and day to prepare for the examination. but now came tom newcombe and his band of outlaws, and gave them the very opportunity they had so long wished for. to the soldiers he did not come so much as an incendiary as a solution. they wanted to capture him simply to beat the navy. the reason why packard was in no hurry to go back to the academy was, because if he and his boat's crew were ordered to join their company, they would be obliged to work against their favorite branch of the service, and they wanted to assist it by every means in their power. when the jolly-boat had left the yacht, harry took his stand on the quarter-deck, and watched the shoals as closely as ever a cat watched a mouse. his crew was now reduced to seven men--a small force with which to board the sweepstakes, but still the first lieutenant wished she would come out. he knew that his note to captain steele would bring all the troops at the academy about the cove, and he was impatient to have the work done before they arrived. the captain would soon be on hand to take command of the vessel, and then, if the crusoe men were captured by the navy, the lion's share of the honors would fall upon the shoulders that wore the double anchors. captain steele was a great man at the academy already, and he did not need any more glory; but harry did. it might be a point in his favor at the next examination. he kept the yacht sailing back and forth, as close to the entrance to the channel as he dared to go, ready at an instant's warning to intercept the pirate captain; but he never came. somebody else came, however. it was the midshipman with his company of small-armed men. he had built a bridge in ten minutes after tom destroyed the other, and led his men at a reckless pace down the path into the cove, only to find it deserted. he met no desperate crusoe band, drawn up in battle array, to dispute his advance. there was the cabin they had occupied, and a few useless articles they had left scattered about, but nothing was to be seen of them or their vessel. "they are captured now," exclaimed the midshipman, joyfully. "they have put out to sea again, and i expect they are in harry green's clutches by this time." richardson frantically searched every nook and corner of the cove, to satisfy himself that the pirates had really abandoned their harboring place, and then returned with his men to the top of the cliff, and led them toward the yacht. the young tars went pell-mell down the bank, falling over rocks and logs, and scrambling through bushes, that made sad work with their new uniforms. they expected to find the crews of the two vessels engaged in a desperate fight; and fearing that harry, with his small force, might get the worst of the encounter, they were in a great hurry to reach the sloop. a minute's delay on their part might give the pirates time to beat off the boarding party and escape. breathless and excited, richardson halted on the bank, and there was the yacht, sailing tranquilly back and forth, and not another vessel in sight. "storm king, ahoy!" yelled the midshipman, utterly amazed, and wondering what sort of a craft the sweepstakes was, anyhow, that she could slip out of a narrow channel under the very noses of so many watchful students. "where is she, sir?" "whom do you mean?" asked the first lieutenant, beginning to feel uneasy at once. "the schooner. she has left the cove. didn't you see her when she went by you, sir?" harry understood from this that the sweepstakes had again escaped. she certainly had not run past him, as the midshipman had intimated; the crusoe men could not have taken her out of the cove and carried her across the island, and yet she had escaped. harry asked himself if he had ever seen her at all that night. he turned and gazed at the second lieutenant, who stood at his side looking the very picture of consternation and bewilderment. "i don't understand it, sir," said the latter. "neither do i," replied harry. "run alongside the bank and take those men on board." while the order was being obeyed, harry paced up and down the deck, racking his brain in the hope of finding some explanation for this second disappearance of the schooner; but the only conclusion he could come to was, that he had been outwitted in some mysterious way, and that tom newcombe, or whoever was the presiding genius of the crusoe band, possessed more brains than he had given him credit for. he saw now that the pirate captain knew what he was doing when he ran into the cove. "i will tell you what i think about it, harry," exclaimed johnny harding, who was the first to board the sloop. "the sweepstakes crossed the shoals farther down." "impossible!" cried the first lieutenant. "perhaps it is, but how, then, could she get out of the cove without your knowing something about it? from this time forward it will be hard work to make me believe that any thing is impossible. if a man had told you, an hour ago, that a boat could live on those shoals, you would have thought he was crazy, wouldn't you?" by this time the midshipman came up to report, and after harry had listened to his story, and held a short consultation with jackson, he admitted that johnny's idea concerning the manner of the schooner's escape was correct. he ordered the second lieutenant to fill away for the narrows, and once more the storm king went dashing over the waves in pursuit of the crusoe men. but there was little enthusiasm among her officers. a stern chase is always a long one, and they were following a vessel that could sail three feet to the yacht's two. the young sailors thought of the military, and looked anxious. when the yacht was fairly under way, an eager group gathered on the forecastle to listen to a smooth-tongued fellow who related to them the particulars of the fight at the bridge; and, on the quarter-deck, johnny harding entertained the officers with a recital of his adventures. when he finished his story, he was in his turn astonished at what they had to say of the attempt the captain of the crusoe band had made to destroy their vessel. "any sensible boy could have told that tom would come to something like this," said johnny, as he went below with the first lieutenant to look at the galley. "a fellow can't keep such company as he has been keeping for the last three months, without getting into serious trouble, sooner or later." the two friends talked about tom's probable future, until they were interrupted by the entrance of the officer of the deck, who informed harry that a tug was following them down the narrows, and that she had whistled three times--indicating a desire to communicate with the yacht. harry hurried on deck, gave jackson the necessary orders, and the storm king was thrown up into the wind to wait for the approaching vessel. "tug ahoy!" shouted the officer of the deck, when he heard the bell ring to "slow down." "storm king!" was the response. "that's captain steele," said harry. "i wish he had stayed away a little longer, for i don't like to give up the command without having accomplished any thing. man the side, mr. jackson." the young commander was received by the first lieutenant, the officer of the deck, and four side boys, each of the latter holding a lantern to light him on board. tom newcombe had greatly admired him when he was nothing more than an adjutant, and if he could have seen him when he stepped on board his vessel he would willingly have given every thing he possessed to have been in his place. no doubt the wide difference that existed between the captain and himself would have served to confirm him in the opinion he had long entertained--that this was a hard world, and he the unluckiest boy in it. tom was not the only one who would have been glad to stand in captain steele's boots. the students all envied him, and especially when they saw him in his naval uniform. he presented a fine appearance on horseback, at the head of the battalion, but he looked better with his jaunty-cap and the six stripes of gold lace and star he wore on his arms. then he had so much authority, and there were the privileges to which his double rank entitled him. he was allowed to decide certain questions of discipline without an appeal to the principal. he was at liberty to go on a cruise in the storm king twice each week, and he could select the days for the sport. if he wanted to visit newport at any time after study hours, all he had to do was to report to the principal that he was going; and, if he did not feel like walking, there was a horse always at his service. he and the major had a cosy little room of their own at the academy, nicely furnished, and plentifully supplied with books, and no one, not even the teachers, ever intruded there. the privileges and comforts that fell to his lot were highly prized by the students, and it was no wonder that they envied him, and declared that he should not hold the honors longer than the next examination. lieutenant green and major williams were his principal rivals. harry, like a good many others, cared nothing for the lieutenant-colonel's commission, but he did want to command the yacht, and the captain knew it and was afraid of him. when the young commander came on board his vessel he lifted his cap, saluting first the quarter-deck and then the officers; but, being too excited to maintain his dignity, he exclaimed, as he shook johnny warmly by the hand: "what does this mean, harry? you are not running away from the enemy?" the first lieutenant was not allowed an opportunity to reply, for he was immediately assailed on all sides. the tug was loaded with students (she had also brought back lieutenant packard and his boat's crew), and major williams and several other military officers had accompanied the captain on board the yacht. they were intensely excited and impatient, and nearly overwhelmed harry with their questions and their eager demands to be led to the hiding-place of the crusoe men without an instant's delay, and the babel that arose from the quarter-deck effectually drowned the lieutenant's voice when he attempted to reply. the soldiers did not hesitate to follow the example set them by their officers. they poured over the rail and engaged in loud conversation with the foremast hands, and, for a few seconds, the confusion and noise were enough to drive one distracted. harry tried in vain to make himself understood, and was finally obliged to fall back on his authority as commander of the vessel. he made a motion to jackson, who hurried off to the forecastle, and a moment afterward the boatswain's whistle was heard above the tumult, followed by the command: "hear there, fore and aft! keep silence, every body!" however much the impatient military might have been disposed to disregard a request, they could not refuse to yield obedience to an order when it came from the lawful master of the vessel. "now," said harry, when quiet had been restored, "ask your questions one at a time, and i will answer them if i can. in the first place, captain, i am not running away from the pirate; i am pursuing him. i thought i had cornered him in the cove, but he has got out, and how he did it is a mystery to me." "escaped!" exclaimed the major, in disgust. without noticing the interruption, harry went on to tell captain steele what he had done, and to describe to him the movements of the phantom schooner, which filled every body with astonishment. the major and his officers listened attentively to all that was said, and exchanged significant winks with one another. the chase after the pirates promised to be interesting, and to afford them full scope for the exercise of all the judgment and foresight they possessed, and if the skipper of the sweepstakes continued to show the skill he had thus far exhibited, he might succeed in getting safely on the sea in spite of all their efforts to capture him. they hoped to obtain some clue to his intended movements, but the officers of the yacht were as much in the dark as themselves. "i might have known better than to ask any information of you," said the major. "if you could put your finger on tom newcombe at this moment you wouldn't tell me." "indeed i would," replied harry, honestly. "if the crusoe men were simply runaway students, and were guilty of no more serious offense than deserting the academy, perhaps i should decline to give you any assistance in the way of advice or information. if they escaped, there would be no great harm done. but tom newcombe must not be allowed to remain at liberty after trying to burn our vessel, and if we don't catch him i hope you will. if you are smart enough to do it, you will simply be performing an act of justice, and you can claim the honors." "well, we'll be off," said the major. "if you want some help we'll make fast to you and tow you down the narrows." harry looked at the captain, but the latter had not yet assumed the command, and had nothing to say, so the lieutenant replied that he was much obliged for the offer of assistance, but, if it was all the same to the major, he would use his own motive power. "all right," said williams. "we wish you the best of luck, but that won't help you any; and so you might as well go back to the academy. you have had the 'pirates,' as you call them, twice within your grasp, and allowed them to escape. just let us put our eyes on them once! the next time you see us we'll have them prisoners." the major and his officers went on board the tug, which steamed down the narrows, and the storm king, as soon as the jolly-boat had been hoisted at the davits, followed after. the captain now intimated that he was ready to take command of the vessel, and harry assumed the duties of executive, while jackson modestly took his place with the other watch officers. they all heard what the major said, and laughed at it, but they were by no means in as good spirits as they pretended to be. they wished he and his men had stayed away a little longer. the navy had heavy odds to contend against, and some of the officers thought their rivals stood an excellent chance of snatching from their grasp the honors they had hoped to win by their cruise after the pirates. major williams was working for promotion, and he possessed a decided advantage over the captain, having a tug and two companies of infantry under his command. more than that, there was another tug in pursuit of the crusoe men, having on board the principal, mr. newcombe, mr. henry, two constables, and two more companies of infantry under spencer, the ranking captain. the commander of the storm king was not so much afraid of williams as he was of spencer. the former, if he found himself in need of advice, could consult only with his officers and the captain of the tug, while spencer's movements would be directed by the "brains" of the academy. "we must look to our laurels now," said captain steele. "have you any thing to propose? shall we go out to sea, or stay in the bay?" "let us remain here, by all means," replied the first lieutenant, who had talked the matter over with johnny. "my idea is, that we ought to begin a thorough search of these islands. tom isn't foolish enough to keep on out to sea now, for it is nearly daylight." the captain thought the suggestion a good one, and he proceeded to act upon it. deer island came first on the list, and, by the time the sun arose, he had sailed around it without discovering any signs of the crusoe band. "now comes the creek," said he. "mr. green, have the jolly-boat called away, and send mr. jackson aft." "i'd like to go with him, bill," said johnny. "you won't see any comfort if you do. the jolly-boat can't seat more than three fellows." "i don't care for comfort. if you will let jackson take me as far as the shore i will get out and walk." "go ahead, and i will tell him to call you when he gets ready to come back. while you are gone i'll run down and look at the other islands." in a few minutes the jolly-boat, with an armed crew at the oars, and johnny harding crouching in the bow, disappeared among the reeds and bushes that lined the banks of the creek, and captain steele, unwilling to waste an instant of time, filled away to continue his search among the lower islands. had he known all that was to happen in that creek before he saw his boat's crew again, he might not have been in so great a hurry to leave them. jackson and his men wondered why johnny had come ashore, and if they had asked him for a reason, the only one he could have offered was that he desired to be doing something. he believed that the crusoe men were concealed in some place where the sloop would not be likely to go, and, if he took a run about the interior of the island he might, perhaps, obtain some clue to their whereabouts. jackson set him ashore, and continued his voyage of discovery up the creek, and half an hour afterward came in sight of the tall, raking masts of the sweepstakes rising above the bushes. his first impulse was to make the best of his way back to his vessel and report the matter to the captain, but he knew that the storm king was a mile down the bay by that time, and before she could return to the creek the crusoe men might be a long distance from there. they were slippery fellows--they had three times succeeded in making their escape when jackson would have staked his chances of promotion on their capture--and now that he had found their vessel again, he did not want to lose sight of her. he peered through the bushes, but could see no signs of life about the schooner. perhaps her crew, believing themselves safe from pursuit, had gone to sleep; and, if that was the case, could he not board the vessel and secure them before they recovered their wits sufficiently to resist him? midshipman richardson had dared to attack them with a force no larger than the one now at his command, and had nearly succeeded in capturing tom newcombe, and that, too, when the pirates were wide-awake and ready for him. was he afraid to follow in the lead of an inferior officer--a boy scarcely more than half his size? jackson told himself that he was not, and that if he could once get his hands on tom's collar he would like to see him escape. "give way together," said he, in an excited whisper, "and stand by me, no matter what happens." a few swift, silent strokes carried them up the creek to the edge of the bushes that surrounded the sweepstakes, and then the oars were drawn in, and the crew forced the jolly-boat ahead by pulling at the bushes and reeds. when she came alongside the schooner the lieutenant drew himself up and looked over the rail. the deck was deserted; neither the robbers nor the crusoe men were in sight. "perhaps they are below," said jackson. "we will go on board and make a rush for the cabin. if they are down there, and we can shut the door on them, we'll have them safe enough." the boat's crew clambered over the rail and moved across the deck with noiseless steps. they had nearly reached the companion-way, and jackson was in the act of reaching out his hand to close the door, when, as if by magic, two figures appeared at the head of the ladder, and a brace of revolvers were leveled full at their heads. "don't move hand or foot," said a gruff voice. the students stood as if petrified. chapter xx. a chapter of incidents. while the robbers were lamenting the loss of their money, and vowing vengeance against the crusoe men, they had determined upon a course of action, which promised, before long, to turn sam barton's triumph into defeat. they saw through his plan very easily. they knew that it was not his intention to remain long away from his vessel. they would search the woods along the bank of the creek, and, if they failed to find him, they would conceal themselves, and when he returned on board the schooner at night, they would punish him and his men in a way they had not thought of. they would tie them hand and foot, and turn the sweepstakes adrift. the current of the creek would carry her out into the bay, where she would soon be discovered, and taken in charge by some of her pursuers. if sam had told the truth about his exploits, he might be deprived of his liberty for a year or two; and that, the robbers thought, would be ample revenge for the temporary loss of their money. when they saw the jolly-boat approaching, they concealed themselves behind the rail to observe her movements. the success of their plans now depended upon the course her commanding officer might see fit to pursue. if he came on board the schooner, so that they could capture him, and prevent him from returning to his friends with a report of the discovery he had made, every thing would be well with them; but if he went back to the bay after re-enforcements, their game was up. they waited impatiently for jackson to make up his mind what he would do. when they saw the jolly-boat coming toward the bushes, they hastily retreated to the cabin; and, just at the moment when the second lieutenant was congratulating himself on his success, they sprang up and compelled his surrender. "we are all right now," said sanders, in a tone of satisfaction. "keep perfectly quiet, and no harm shall be done you." as the burglar spoke he handed his revolver to his companion, pulled some pieces of rope from his pocket, and before the students had fairly recovered from their bewilderment, they were powerless to resist, even if they had been foolish enough to think of it. the robbers lifted them in their arms, carried them down the ladder into the cabin, thence into the hold, and laid them in a row as if they had been logs of wood. "we shall leave you here," said sanders, "while we go ashore and hunt up the crusoe men. you didn't see them while you were coming up the creek, did you?" jackson replied sullenly in the negative. "well, they are around somewhere, hidden away in the bushes. they stole our money." the second lieutenant, who was quite as much interested in the recovery of the seven thousand dollars as was johnny harding, suddenly became very talkative, and wanted to know all about it; but the robber only told him that sam and his men had, by some means, obtained possession of the valise while he was asleep; that he knew they were not far off, and that he would have the money in his hands again by that time the next morning, and be miles from there. "i never, in my life, was guilty of so stupid a piece of business before," said sanders, in disgust. "the idea of two grown men depending upon a lot of little boys to take them to a place of safety! we ought to lose the money, and be caught besides." "that's just my opinion," replied jackson, heartily. "if you don't look out some 'little boys' will get the better of you yet." the robber answered that he would risk that, and after closing and locking the door of the hold, he went ashore in the jolly-boat with his companion, to begin the pursuit of the governor and his band. meanwhile johnny harding was dashing frantically through the bushes, as uneasy as a fish out of water, and perspiring like a butcher. he had a vague idea that he was looking for the crusoe men and their allies, and that if they were hidden anywhere in that island, he would like to come upon them unobserved, and then go back to the bay after re-enforcements. he was still intensely excited, and perhaps did some queer things, such as looking up into the trees, as if he were hunting for squirrels, and carefully examining places where one of those little animals could scarcely have found concealment. but nothing rewarded his search, until he suddenly found himself standing upon the bank of the creek, and saw before him the jolly-boat lying where the robbers had left it, and the schooner made fast to the bushes a little way from the shore. quick as a flash johnny dropped behind a log, and cautiously raised his head to survey the scene. "now look here," said he, digging his fingers into his head to stir up his ideas, "something has been going on. where's jackson? that's the question. he's been around, for here is the jolly-boat. i must find out what this means--i am going on board that schooner. if the crusoe men are there, i can't get into any worse scrapes than i have already been in to-night; and if they are not, i'll take the sweepstakes down the creek. that will cut off all chance of escape for the pirates, unless they steal a boat from some of the farmers; and i don't think they will attempt that in broad daylight." johnny was highly elated with the idea of capturing the schooner. what a fine thing it would be for him if he, alone and unaided, could run her out into the bay, and give her up to captain steele! but, after all, he was in no hurry to attempt it. there might be danger in it, and johnny did not care to run any risks. he remained in his concealment until he had satisfied himself that the sweepstakes had either been abandoned, or else that her crew was sound asleep; and then he stepped into the jolly-boat, and pushed it from the bank. armed with the club he had picked up in the cove, he walked over the deck without discovering the enemy, and after a long and careful examination of the cabin from the head of the companion ladder, he mustered up courage enough to descend into it. he looked into the bunks, and under the table, but there was no one there. then he tried the door which led into the hold, and nearly jumped from the deck, when a voice from the inside inquired: "who's that?" the only thing that restrained johnny from taking to his heels, and making the best of his way to the shore, was the thought that he recognized the voice, and that it did not belong to either of the robbers, nor to any member of the crusoe band. even if it was an enemy in the hold, he had nothing to fear from him, for the door was locked; and, while on deck, he had noticed that all the hatches were fastened down. "who's there, i say?" repeated the voice. "harding," replied johnny. "have you any thing to say to him?" "talk of your good genius, and you are sure to receive a visit from him. yes, we've a good deal to say to you. come in and release us. we're prisoners." johnny stood for an instant looking at the door in blank amazement, and then began to bustle about the cabin. he did not stop to ask any questions, for he recognized jackson's voice now. after a few desperate but unsuccessful attempts to open the door, he seized a handspike, with which he speedily demolished the lock; then, picking up his club again, he cautiously opened the door, and saw the three prisoners lying in a row on the floor of the hold. "what in the name of wonder are you doing there?" asked johnny. "now, do you suppose we would stay here if we could help ourselves?" demanded jackson. "i say, harding, we've good news for you. sam barton's got your money." "no!" exclaimed johnny, bringing his club against the door with a force that threatened to drive it from its hinges. "how do you know?" "we heard it from the burglars, who are out now somewhere hunting up the crusoe men. i'd like to know how much longer you are going to stand there looking at us." johnny was so astonished and delighted by the intelligence he had just received, that he forgot all about the prisoners, until these words of jackson recalled him to his senses. while he was releasing them, the lieutenant repeated what the robber had told him, which made the clerk so excited that he could scarcely stand still. he was in a great hurry to return to the storm king now, and so were the students; and in two minutes after johnny had freed them from their bonds, hasty preparations were being made to get the schooner under-way. "there is no possible chance for any backset this time," said the lieutenant. "the sweepstakes is our prize. the pirates can't escape now, for there is no cove here with secret passage ways for them to take refuge in. what's the matter, phillips?" "sink my tarry wig!" exclaimed the young sailor. "just see there, sir!" jackson looked toward the opposite side of the creek, and who should he discover but tom newcombe, crawling along almost on his hands and knees, and making all haste to get into the bushes out of sight. in his hand he carried the valise containing the seven thousand dollars. jackson and his friends looked at him a moment, then at one another, and made a simultaneous rush for the jolly-boat; and johnny harding was in so great a hurry that he shoved the boat from the schooner, almost before the others had time to jump into her. "oars! let fall! give way together!" commanded the lieutenant, in a fever of excitement, as soon as the jolly-boat was clear of the bushes. "stand by to jump out, and give chase the instant we touch the bank." "i don't think we'll have to give chase at all," said johnny. "what's the reason he doesn't run, i wonder? he is standing there in the bushes looking at us. we're after you, tom newcombe!" "o, now, what do you want with me?" drawled the captain of the crusoe band. "we want you and that money, and we're bound to have you, too. it's all up with you now." "i can't see it. you had better keep off, for you will find me a desperate man." as the skipper spoke he raised a club and shook it threateningly at the boat's crew. tom's subsequent actions greatly surprised the lieutenant. instead of taking to his heels he removed his coat and hat, deliberately placed them upon the ground beside the valise, rolled up his sleeves, tested the strength of his club across his knee, and acted altogether as if he were preparing for a desperate encounter. he kept one eye on the jolly-boat all the while, and the moment she touched the bank, and johnny harding sprang out, he caught up the valise and disappeared in the bushes. "what do you suppose he means?" asked jackson. "was he trying to frighten us?" "if he was, he didn't succeed," replied johnny, hurriedly. "we've got him at last. tom never was much of a runner, and i'll agree to catch him in two minutes by the watch. and for a sixpence i'll insure his capture and the recovery of the money." the boat's crew dashed into the bushes in pursuit of the flying skipper, and before johnny's two minutes had expired they were almost within reach of him. a few steps more would have brought them near enough to seize him by the collar, when, to their amazement, tom suddenly dropped the valise, faced about, and advanced furiously upon johnny with uplifted bludgeon; at the same instant sam barton and his band of outlaws arose from the bushes on all sides of them and rushed forward, brandishing their clubs, and yelling like young savages. tom had led the boat's crew into an ambush. "rally by fours!" shouted the lieutenant, whipping out his cutlass, which was instantly knocked from his grasp by a vicious blow from a club in the hands of will atkins. [illustration: the ambush.] "down with the 'cademy swells!" yelled the governor. "rush in on 'em! drop that cheese-knife, spooney, or down comes this yere stick right on top of your cocoa-nut." the attack was too sudden and furious to be successfully resisted. the crusoe men rushed to close quarters with the students, the light cutlasses of the latter, which were intended more for show than use, were beaten from their hands, and in scarcely more than five minutes from the time the fight began, johnny and his friends were prisoners. this was certainly a big "backset," and one they had not dreamed of. "well, sir, we done it, didn't we?" panted the governor, leaning on his club, and gazing down at his captives. "that was a splendid idea of your'n, cap'n, an' we've carried it out, too. you see," he added, by way of explanation, "we've been watchin' you ever since you come into the creek. we saw the bugglars capture you sailors, an' we were glad they done it, 'cause it saved us the trouble of doin' it ourselves. we knew when harding went aboard the schooner, an' when we saw that you were goin' to get her under-way, we studied up a plan to bring you ashore. we couldn't think of losin' our vessel, you know--she's got to take us to our island yet--so we hid ourselves in the bushes an' sent the skipper out on the bank with orders to show himself to you. we knew that the sight of him an' the money would fetch you over here, if any thing would, an' we knew, too, that if you did come, we six fellers were men enough to whip you four in a fair fight. wasn't it purty well done?" the young tars thought it was, and wondered that they had not suspected something of the kind. they might have known that tom, in spite of all his hostile demonstrations, had no intention of fighting them single handed. he was not the boy to put himself in the way of bodily harm if he could avoid it, and, now that it was too late, they were surprised that they had been deceived by so shallow an artifice. the skipper's boldness had blinded them completely. it led them to believe that he had become separated from the rest of the crusoe men, and that he was alone, and that, realizing his helplessness, and knowing that he could not escape from so swift a runner as johnny harding, he had resorted to the desperate expedient of trying to frighten the boat's crew. if the idea of bringing them into an ambush originated with him, it was certainly something for him to be proud of. "what do you intend to do with us, sam?" asked johnny. "we're just goin' to keep you with us, that's all," replied the governor. "we aint quite foolish enough to let you go back to your friends, 'cause they would come up here an' take our vessel, an' we want to use her to-night. as soon as it comes dark we are goin' to start on our cruise ag'in, an' when we are safe from the storm king an' all the tugs, we'll set you ashore on some island an' leave you to find your way back to the village as best you can." the day was a long one to the crusoe men and their prisoners. they were tired, hungry, sleepy, and thirsty. the creek flowed by within a hundred yards of their concealment, but the governor had issued positive orders that no one should venture near it. who could tell but that some of the students were sneaking about the island, or that the robbers were concealed among the bushes on the opposite bank, watching for them? the members of the band grumbled, as usual, but submitted--after will atkins, who declared that he was going to have a drink of water whether the governor was willing or not, had been taken down and thoroughly shaken--and between sleeping and watching the long hours passed slowly away. the lower the sun sank into the western horizon the longer the hours seemed to grow; but night came at last, and when it had grown quite dark, the governor picked up the valise, and gave the order to start. "untie the prisoners' feet, fellers," said sam, "an' let them walk to the boat. when we get aboard the schooner we'll pitch into the grub an' water, and then we'll be ready to start. xury, you take charge of the jolly-boat." the governor and tom, the former holding fast to the valise, were first carried across. they examined the schooner very closely before going on board, but her deck was deserted, and there was no one in the cabin, hold, or galley. the governor drew a long breath of relief. "there's no arthly use in my sayin' that i aint afraid of them bugglars," said he, "'cause i am. i thought sure we'd find 'em stowed away somewhere about the schooner, but they're ashore lookin' fur us, an' we're all right. didn't we say that we'd larn 'em a thing or two before we were done with 'em? they're the biggest dunces i ever saw. if they had any sense at all they would know that we wouldn't desert our vessel fur good. how could we get to our island without her, i'd like to know! now, xury, go back with the jolly-boat an' bring two of the prisoners across." while the jolly-boat was gone sam and tom made heavy inroads on the crackers and cheese, and drank a good portion of the small supply of water they had taken on board at the cove, and which was intended to last until they reached the elizabeth islands. they were in excellent spirits, and talked and laughed over their meal, telling wonderful stories of what they intended to do when they reached their island, and not forgetting to say a word or two concerning the robbers and the trick they had played upon them. the jolly-boat came back in due time, with johnny and the lieutenant, who were pulled over the rail, conducted into the cabin, and tumbled into the bunks--not, however, until their feet had once more been securely bound. johnny, especially, was very roughly handled by tom newcombe, who said to him, as he pushed him about: "i knew i'd have a chance to square yards with you. you will learn, before i am done with you, that a man never makes any thing by imposing upon me. don't you think i should be serving you right if i were to give you a good thrashing?" johnny, who was sitting on one of the bunks, looked down at tom, and watched him while he tied his feet, but had nothing to say. "you tormented me almost to death while i was in the village," continued the skipper. "if you passed me fifty times a day, you always had some question to ask about the crusoe band." "well, that was because i felt an interest in the society, and wanted to know how the members were getting on," said johnny. "do you know what i intend to do with you? i shall keep you on board this vessel until we arrive within a few miles of our island. lie down there, now, and keep quiet." as tom said this he pushed johnny into the bunk and went out, leaving him to his meditations. if the captain of the pirate vessel could have his own way, the prisoner certainly had a dreary prospect before him. he felt a good deal as did bob jennings, when he lay on the sofa in the cabin of the storm king, and xury was taking her down the harbor in the face of the tempest. but his situation was worse than the fisher-boy's, for he was to be kept a prisoner until the voyage of the sweepstakes was nearly ended. there was no sport in being obliged to remain in that hot cabin bound hand and foot; and when he remembered that the night promised to be very dark; that a black cloud hung threateningly in the horizon, and hoarse mutterings of distant thunder had been heard all the afternoon; that the navigation of the bay was at all times dangerous, and especially during a high wind; that tom was scarcely sailor enough to handle a sail-boat in calm weather--when johnny thought of all these things, it may be imagined that he was not very well pleased with his situation. the only consolation he could find was in the hope that the sweepstakes might be speedily captured. in half an hour all the prisoners had been stowed away in the bunks, the crusoe men had satisfied their appetites, and the governor was ready to perform another duty that had been on his mind all the afternoon. it was something he did not like to do; but the well-being of the loyal members of the band demanded it. "will atkins," said he, "you an' jack spaniard take some grub an' water to the prisoners." "atkins! atkins!" repeated the mutineer. "can't nobody in this band do nothing except atkins?" "silence!" commanded the chief, sternly. "do as you are told, to onct, an' without any more growlin'. i've give you one lesson to-day, an' if you don't mind your eye, i'll give you another. mark you, now. don't untie their hands, but feed 'em yourselves, an' give 'em all they want, too." the discontented members, fearing to disobey, sullenly gathered up an armful of crackers, filled a cup with water, and went into the cabin. the governor watched them suspiciously until they disappeared, and then, turning to xury, said: "well, was i right or wrong?" "you were right," answered the mate. "they are just spilin' to get their hands on that money, an' i told 'em that i'd help 'em. we've made up a plan to steal the valise when we stop at the elizabeth islands fur water." "i knew i couldn't be fooled easy," said the chief, "but i wanted to be sure. i'll fix 'em for that." the skipper and friday did not understand this conversation, but the governor in a few words explained. he said that ever since tom's new idea was communicated to the band, he had been suspicious that atkins and jack spaniard were watching their chance to desert the vessel, and make off with the valise--he had seen it in their eyes. in order to satisfy himself on this point, he had commissioned the mate to pump them. xury had acted his part well, and having succeeded in making the mutineers believe that he was dissatisfied with the way the affairs of the band were conducted, they had taken him into their confidence. the evidence against them was now conclusive, and the governor thought it high time they were secured and deprived of their power for mischief. the other members of the band thought _so_, too. the captain, as usual, was very indignant, and would have made a lengthy speech on the subject, had he not been interrupted by the chief, who informed him that it was a time for action, not words. "let each of us get a rope," said sam, "an' we'll go into the cabin an' make prisoners of 'em. friday, you an' xury pitch into jack spaniard, an' me an the cap'n will take care of atkins. don't waste no time, now, for it ain't best to give them too much show." the governor led the way into the cabin, where the mutineers were busy feeding the prisoners. atkins was holding a cup of water to johnny's lips. he started and turned pale when he saw the angry looks of the chief, and the rope he carried in his hand, and instead of pouring the water into the prisoner's mouth, he spilled it all down his neck. "now, look at that!" said johnny. "aha!" exclaimed the governor, "your looks are enough to tell the whole story. didn't i say that i knew you an' jack spaniard were up to something?" that was enough for atkins, who, knowing that he was betrayed, dropped his cup and bounded toward the ladder; but the governor, being on the alert, clasped him in his arms, and with the assistance of tom newcombe, secured him very easily. friday and xury attacked jack spaniard, who, seeing his companion helpless, surrendered without any attempt to resist them. "this is some of your work," said atkins, glaring fiercely at the mate. "well, i reckon i know that, don't i?" coolly replied xury. "an' you promised, honor bright, that you wouldn't never say a word to any body, an' you shook hands on it." "all them things go for nothing when a feller's actin' the part of a spy. you went back on me an' the cap'n when we were in trouble, an' now we are even with you." "chuck 'em into the bunks, fellers," said the chief. "we haint got so many men as we had a little while ago, but them that's left are true an' law-abidin'. cap'n, we'll get under-way, now." when the new prisoners had been disposed of, tom led the way to the deck, and after half an hour's hard work, the sweepstakes was got clear of the bushes, the sails were hoisted, and the crusoe men and their captives were moving swiftly down the creek toward the bay. while the governor and tom were coiling down the ropes and clearing up the deck, the latter repeated what he had said to johnny harding; and after a few objections from sam, who did not want to be bothered long with the prisoners, it was decided that johnny ought to be punished, and that the best way to do it would be to put him ashore on some desert island in the middle of the ocean, and leave him to take his chances of finding his way back to newport. the captain could not rest easy until he had communicated this decision to johnny; so when every thing was made snug, and friday had been stationed on the forecastle to act as lookout, he ran down into the cabin. at the foot of the ladder, he came to a sudden stop, and stood with his neck stretched out, his mouth open, and his eyes almost starting from their sockets. in the middle of the cabin was a small hatchway, which led into a little store-room where 'squire thompson kept his nets and other fishing-tackle stored away, and that hatchway was open, and a pair of evil looking eyes, that belonged to sanders the burglar, were peering over the combings. the crusoe men were not rid of the robbers after all. chapter xxi. conclusion. had the eyes that were peering at him over the combings of the hatchway belonged to his father instead of sanders, tom could not have been more astounded. his first impulse was to run on deck and report the matter to the governor, but when he had taken a second thought he knew that would be of no use, for, before the crew could be collected, the burglars would have ample time to come out of the store-room, and if they once gained a footing on deck they would soon square accounts with the crusoe men. the skipper knew that sanders must be driven back again at once, and that he must do it. "you young rascal!" said the burglar, placing his hands against the hatch, which he had lifted with his head, "we're going to settle with you now. i wouldn't be in your boots for a shilling." scarcely were the words out of his mouth when an incident happened that confounded the robber and not a little astonished the prisoners, who lay in their bunks interested witnesses of what was going on. tom, seeing that sanders was preparing to ascend into the cabin, took a step forward, sprang into the air like an antelope and alighted with both feet on the hatch, which crashed down upon the burglar's head, knocking him back into the store-room. the captain's heels, at the same time, flew up very suddenly, and he sat down on the hatch, holding it in its place. so unexpected was the movement, and so suddenly was it executed, that it was completely successful. sanders was stretched at full length on the floor of the store-room, and before he could recover his feet, tom had thrown the bar over the hatch, and secured it with the padlock, which lay close at hand. there were eight prisoners on board the sweepstakes now. "well, captain," exclaimed johnny harding, "if you are a crusoe man, i must say that was well done. the burglars are safe, and if mr. henry was here, i know he would thank you." the skipper sat on the hatch a long time, listening to the movements of the robbers below, and thinking over what he had done, and finally recovered himself sufficiently to go on deck and report the matter. the governor could scarcely believe his ears. he complimented tom highly for his promptness and decision, declared that it beat any thing that had happened in the band since he became governor, and ran down into the cabin to satisfy himself that the captain had securely fastened the hatch. the robbers were storming about in their narrow prison like caged hyenas, calling upon tom to raise the hatch at once, or they would take a terrible revenge upon him when they got out. they threatened to sink the vessel, to set fire to her, to shoot their revolvers through the deck, and to do many other desperate things, but they did not succeed in bringing any response from the crusoe men. they were thinking about something else. they were asking themselves what they should do with the burglars, now that they had secured them. they could not keep them in their prison forever, and it would be dangerous to let them out. if they were confined during the voyage they would starve to death, and if the crusoe men raised the hatch to pass provisions and water down to them, the robbers might use their revolvers. sam could see no way out of this new difficulty, and he heartily wished sanders and his companion a hundred miles from there. but he could not waste time in thinking about them when business of more importance demanded his attention. after a careful examination of the prisoners' bonds he went on deck with the captain, and found that the schooner was on the point of entering the bay, and that she had left the creek just in time to escape being blockaded. the yacht was in plain sight. "there's them spooneys again, cap'n," said xury. "let them come," replied tom, indifferently. "show them our heels, mr. mate." in obedience to the order xury turned the sweepstakes down the bay, the sheets were let out, and then began a race which did not end in one hour, nor two, but continued all night, and was carried on in the face of a tempest, which, although by no means as terrible as the one the storm king had weathered on another memorable occasion, was still severe enough to test the sea-going qualities of the little vessels, and the skill and judgment of their respective commanders. the cloud that had been hanging in the horizon all the afternoon gradually overspread the sky, shutting out the light of the stars, and shrouding the bay in intense darkness; the lightning flashed, the peals of thunder were almost incessant, the wind blew a gale, and at midnight both pursuers and pursued wished themselves safe in some snug harbor, out of reach of the storm. captain steele and his executive knew the bay as well as they knew their latin grammars, and it made little difference to them whether it was midnight or noon, so long as the wind was fair and the sea smooth. if the first lieutenant had been in command of the yacht, she never would have been caught out in that gale. harry would have found a safe harbor in the creek, and remained there until the storm was over, but the captain thought he was as skillful a sailor as tom newcombe or any other member of the band, and when he saw the sweepstakes standing boldly out to sea he filled away in pursuit of her. the light canvas was taken in, every thing made snug on board, two trusty men sent to the wheel, and, under a close-reefed jib and mainsail, the yacht dashed over the waves after the pirate. the hatches were battened down, all hands kept on deck, and the young commander, in his pea-jacket and tarpaulin, and with his speaking trumpet in his hand, stood on the quarter-deck, alert and watchful. every flash of lightning revealed the sweepstakes laboring heavily, and making but poor headway under the management of her ignorant and unskillful crew. on board the schooner things looked desolate and discouraging. as the cloud arose and the fierce gusts of wind began to ruffle the waters of the bay, causing the sweepstakes to careen wildly under her heavy canvas, captain newcombe felt his courage gradually oozing out at the ends of his fingers. it was a fine thing to be master of a vessel in calm weather, but, when a storm was brewing, the case was different. "skipper,", said the chief, "hadn't we better be doin' something? i think it would be a good plan to take them jibs and top-sails in before they take themselves out." tom cast a frightened glance around him--at the sails, the foam-capped waves, the angry clouds, and in a weak voice declared that it was utterly impossible for him to manage the vessel any longer. "there isn't one man in a hundred who could endure what i have been through since last night," said he, dolefully. "a fellow can't keep up long with no sleep, and nothing but crackers and cheese to eat. i'm sick, sam, and you or xury will have to take command." "now look a here, cap'n," exclaimed the chief, who became alarmed at the prospect of being obliged to assume so much responsibility, "can't you stand it just fur to-night, or fur an hour or two?" "no, nor for a single minute," drawled tom. "i'm awful sick. i turn the command over to you. carry as much or as little sail as you please, and if any thing serious happens, call me. i'm done for." and sam thought he was, for he let go the rail and sank down in a heap upon the deck. "well, if this yere don't beat all the world," exclaimed the governor, in dismay, hurrying aft to consult with xury. "here's the cap'n clean pegged out, a storm comin' up, every rag spread, them spooneys close at our heels, an' only three of us left to make things safe, an' to defend the vessel if we are ketched. what's to be done? can you be cap'n?" "i reckon," replied the mate. "if you'll stand at the wheel, an' be ready to spill the sails when i give the word, me an' friday will take 'em in." "be lively about it," said the governor, glancing uneasily toward the yacht, which, being kept in better trim than the schooner, was riding the waves as gracefully as ever, and gaining rapidly. "them spooneys aint wastin' no time." in twenty minutes the top-sails and jibs had been taken in and stowed away, the fore and main-sails close reefed, and the sweepstakes began to make better weather of it, but the work had delayed her considerably, and, when the new captain took his place at the wheel again, the yacht was scarcely two hundred yards distant. during the remainder of the night she kept close behind the schooner, and sam, watching her movements as the lightning revealed them to him, and noting the skill with which she was handled, told himself more than once that he had been sadly mistaken in the opinions he had formed concerning the students. he had hailed the approach of the storm with delight, believing that the young tars, rather than face it, would turn and run for the village; but there they were, following close in his wake, and showing no disposition to abandon the chase. the governor did not like to see so much perseverance exhibited by the students. it showed that they were determined to capture him. and how fared it with the prisoners all this while, and how must they have felt, tossed about in their bunks as the schooner labored through the waves? they would have possessed wonderful courage, indeed, if they had not been thoroughly alarmed at their situation. they passed the long, dreary hours in listening to the roar of the wind, the washing of the waves against the sides of the vessel, the despairing cries and appeals that came from the store-room under the deck, the frantic blows that resounded on the hatch, as the robbers made desperate but ineffectual attempts to escape from their prison, and waiting, with all the fortitude they could command, to feel the schooner sinking under them, or to hear the crash that would tell them she had been driven ashore in the darkness. how they struggled to free themselves from their bonds, and how they shouted to attract the attention of the schooner's crew, adding their cries to those of the robbers, and promising, if they were released, to assist in navigating the vessel, and to make no attempt at escape--promises that would have been faithfully kept, if the governor had heard and listened to them. it was a night never to be forgotten. daylight came at last, and, when objects in the cabin could be discerned, johnny harding with difficulty rolled out of his bunk and hobbled to one of the windows in the stern, and looked out. the waves still ran high, but the storm had passed away, the sky was clear, and the gale had subsided into a capital sailing wind. the headlands at the entrance to buzzard's bay had just been passed, and the schooner was in deep water. close behind her, and in plain view, came the storm king, lying almost on her side, dipping her huge mainsail into the waves now and then, and dashing the spray furiously about her sharp bows. as johnny looked at her he saw a couple of young tars mount the ratlines, and a moment afterward the flying-jib was run up, and the gaff-topsail given to the wind. captain steele thought he had followed the pirate far enough, and was now going to bring matters to an issue. "hurrah for us!" shouted johnny, in high excitement. "hurrah for the navy, captain steele, harry green, and every body, except the crusoe men! tumble up, fellows! come to the window if you can, and you will see a sight that will do your hearts good. here's the yacht." "hurrah!" yelled the students, rolling recklessly out of the bunks, and landing on the deck in one confused heap. "well, now, look here! i say! what's the row?" demanded sam barton, who at that moment entered the cabin to see that his prisoners were safe. "hallo, governor," said johnny. "how do you feel this fine morning? how are xury and the captain? how are your mother and your father? how's your uncle, and all the rest of the barton family?" "eh?" exclaimed sam, who did not know what to make of this salutation. he looked suspiciously at johnny, and stepped back and raised the handspike with which he had taken the precaution to arm himself before leaving the deck. "it's little good that club would do you if my hands and feet were free," said johnny. "but come here, governor, and tell me if you have seen that nice little vessel out there." "o, is that what the fuss is about? yes, i see her, but i won't see her in an hour from now, and neither will you. i can carry as much sail in this sea as she can, an' i've got every rag histed." "i believe you," said jackson, from the corner where he had been thrown by a sudden lurch of the vessel. "o dear! sam, untie my hands, so that i can rub my head." the governor, who had also been stretched at full length on the floor of the cabin, arose to his feet with an angry exclamation, and disappeared in the hold; and when he came out his arms were filled with provisions. johnny and his companions looked at him with hungry eyes; but the governor, having no time to waste upon them, and thinking more of himself and men than of the comfort of his prisoners, hurried on deck, and seating himself beside friday, who was at the wheel, prepared to enjoy his breakfast and watch his enemies at the same time. we ought to say that tom was again master of the sweepstakes. his illness passed away with the storm, and he was now so far recovered that he was able to do full justice to the crackers and cheese. the crew of the storm king fared as well as if they had been at the academy. during the previous day, they spoke the principal's tug, which supplied them with an abundance of cooked rations. part of them, too, were in better trim than the crusoe men; for, when the storm began to abate, about three o'clock, the starboard watch had gone below, and enjoyed two hours refreshing sleep. when the crew had eaten breakfast, and the mess-tables had been cleared away, the port watch were ordered to stand by their hammocks. they obeyed, and went below, but did not stay there long. they were too excited to sleep. they returned to the deck again, one after the other, and the captain raised no objections to it. he was a boy himself; and he knew that he would not turn in, while the pirates were in plain sight, for any body. all that forenoon the chase continued. the yacht sailed better in a heavy sea than the schooner, and the crusoe men could not shake her off. she followed them like an avenging spirit; but, as the waves began to subside, the sweepstakes gradually drew away from her, and might again have succeeded in effecting her escape, had not two tugs, loaded with students, suddenly come into view from behind one of the neighboring islands, where they had been snugly sheltered during the storm. a cheer, which came faintly to the ears of the storm king's crew, arose from the tugs, as they changed their course and steamed toward the pirate. the young tars growled lustily, and looked toward the captain, who stood with his hands behind his back, dividing his attention between the tugs and the schooner. the army and navy were now fairly matched, and tom newcombe was to determine the winning party. if he kept on out to sea, the military would bear off the honors; but if he ran toward the nearest island, which was scarcely a quarter of a mile distant, he would be captured by the navy. if he had never been cornered before, he was now. there was not the smallest chance for escape. captain steele leveled his glass at the schooner, and could see that there was great excitement among her crew. they were gathered about the wheel, flourishing their arms wildly, some apparently advising one thing, and some another; but the matter was finally settled by the skipper, who took his place at the helm and turned the sweepstakes toward the island. it was plain to them all that their cruise was ended at last. their vessel had served them faithfully, but she could be of no further use to them now. they must run her ashore and take to the woods. the storm king still followed close at the heels of the flying schooner. she seemed to glance over the waves without touching them; but, fast as she went, the tugs, which were following a course at right angles with her own, gained rapidly, rolling the smoke in dense volumes from their chimneys, and lashing the water furiously with their wheels. for a time it seemed that they would cut the schooner off from the island altogether; but tom gradually changed his course as he approached them, and ran into a little bay in the island, just as the nearest tug, which was scarcely fifty yards distant, stopped and began to use her lead-line. "hold on, tom newcombe!" yelled the major, as the schooner dashed by the tug. "you're my prisoner. stop, i tell you! captain, why _don't_ you go on? can't you see that yacht coming?" "yes, i see her," replied the master of the tug, "and i know she will capture the schooner. but i can't help it, for i can't run my vessel without plenty of water. there's a bar across the mouth of that bay, and i can't pass it." at this moment spencer's tug came up, and stopped near the other; and, while the impatient young officers and their men were crowding about the captains, and urging them to go ahead, whether there was water enough to float the tugs or not, the storm king swept by like the wind. there was no noise or confusion on her deck. the young tars were all at their stations; a party of boarders, under the command of harry green, stood on the forecastle; captain steele, a little pale with excitement, but quite self-possessed and confident, was perched on the rail, holding fast to the shrouds, and as his vessel bounded past the tugs he lifted his cap to his discomfited rivals. five minutes afterward the yacht's canvas was lying on her deck; her bowsprit was lashed fast to the schooner's foremast; harry green's boarders had released johnny harding and the jolly-boat's crew, and made prisoners of friday and xury just as they were on the point of leaping overboard; johnny had secured the valise, snatched an empty pistol from a sailor, opened the hatchway that led into the store-room, and compelled the burglars to pass up their revolvers, threatening to shoot them on the spot if they did not instantly comply with his demands; and a small skiff, which captain steele had picked up the day before, to supply the place of the jolly-boat, was in hot pursuit of the governor and tom newcombe, who were tossing about in the waves, and swimming lustily for the shore. sam was overtaken and secured in spite of his desperate struggles; and, during the delay he occasioned, tom reached the beach and disappeared in the woods. he was the only one of the crusoe band who escaped. the next morning, about ten o'clock, johnny harding, flushed with triumph and excitement, burst into the store where mr. henry was busy at his desk, and, with the air of one who did not think he had done any thing very remarkable, placed the valise containing the seven thousand dollars upon the counter, pulled a pair of navy revolvers from his pockets and laid them beside the valise, and then, seeing that the store had not yet been swept out, seized a broom and went to work. he did not say a word, and neither did mr. henry, until he had counted the money, when he came out from behind the counter and shook hands with his clerk so cordially that johnny dropped the broom and raised one knee almost up to his chin. "i never expected to see it again," said the grocer. "how shall i ever repay you, johnny? what do you want?" "i want something good to eat, and about forty-eight hours' sleep," replied the clerk. mr. henry told him to go home and get it, and johnny started, but it was an hour before he got out of the store. it soon became known throughout the village that the yacht and two of the tugs had returned with the robbers and some of the crusoe men, and the people wanted to hear all the particulars. some questioned the students, others came into the store, and johnny could not get off until he had recounted his exploits. he concluded by telling how he had come by the revolvers, and said if no one had a better claim to them than he had, he would keep them to remember the robbers by. it was a long time before the events of that night ceased to be a topic of conversation. every body was astonished, especially at the daring and vindictive spirit exhibited by tom newcombe, and many were the conjectures indulged in as to what had become of him. the trial of the "pirates," as the villagers soon learned to call them, came off in due time, and sanders and his companion went to the state's prison, and the crusoe men to the house of refuge. people wondered what would have been done with tom if he had been there. and where was tom all this while? when the students left the island, after spending the afternoon and a portion of the night in searching for him, the captain of the crusoe band came out from a hollow log where he had been concealed, and sat down upon it, to think over the past, and speculate upon the future. he was his own master now; he could go and come when he pleased, and there was no one to trouble him even with advice. how he had longed for this freedom, and, now that he had got it, how little he enjoyed it. homeless, friendless, penniless, a feeling of desolation he had never before experienced came over him, and tom would have given the universe, had he possessed it, to be able to live over the last three months of his life. how dreary seemed the world, now that he was alone in it, and how he would have appreciated his home could he have gone back there. he was now a wanderer upon the face of the earth, and he continued his life as he had begun it, flying from one thing to another, and searching for something he never found--perfect immunity from care and trouble. his adventures would fill a volume, but with them we have nothing to do. it only remains for us to see whether or not he accomplished any thing in the world. thirty-five years have passed since the scenes we have attempted to describe in this story were enacted, and during that time some great changes have taken place in newport. from a thriving village it has grown into a city of respectable size, and boasts of a mayor and councilmen. of the boys of our acquaintance some have passed away and been forgotten, others have grown to manhood, and now occupy the positions in business and society once held by their fathers, and another generation of youth has sprung up to take the places of our heroes of thirty-five years ago. the military academy is now the pride of the city, and boasts of a respectable navy. the storm king, after many a pleasant cruise, gave way to three small schooners, which are now anchored in the rear of the academy grounds. the students of the present day are as proud of them as ever captain steele was of his yacht, and their rigging is as faultless, and they are in every respect as well kept as is the saucy revenue cutter, moored a little way from them. business in mr. newcombe's old office is still carried on, but under a new proprietor, and with a different staff of clerks. the huge machinery in the elevator is rumbling, and a vessel at the wharf is being relieved of her cargo of wheat. a group of gentlemen are standing near, watching the operation, and conversing. one of them is in his shirt-sleeves, his hands thrust deep into his pockets, and a pencil behind his ear. over a mass of thick, bushy whiskers peep forth a pair of eyes as sharp as those of a ferret and brim-full of fun and mischief that is johnny harding--councilman harding, with a fair prospect of becoming something more at the next election--a prosperous, hard-working business man, the owner of the largest grocery-store in the city, popular with every body, and as big a torment as ever. opposite to him stands another of our old acquaintances, a sailor on the face of him, although there is nothing about his dress to indicate his calling. his name is harry green, and he is the commander of the revenue cutter, lying at anchor near the academy squadron. at the examination following the famous cruise of the storm king, captain steele, much to his regret, was obliged to take a step backward and give place to harry, who assumed double honors--those of colonel of the battalion and captain of the yacht, both of which he held until he graduated. it was no easy task to lead a hundred smart, ambitious students, every one of whom cast longing eyes toward the shoulder-straps he wore, but harry was sensible enough to know that if any thing is worth having it is worth striving for, and he never wasted a minute, either in school or out. when he completed the course at the academy he obtained the appointment of third lieutenant in the revenue service, and slowly worked his way up to captain. he has experienced harder storms than those he weathered in the yacht, and on two occasions he led a party of boarders, when those who opposed him had something more formidable than boat-hooks and handspikes to fight with. he has smelt powder, heard the whistle of hostile bullets, and felt their force, too, but he says that he has seldom been more excited than he was when he stood on the storm king's rail as she was swinging toward tom newcombe's pirate vessel. harry often speaks of that cruise, and affirms that he shall never cease to be proud of the part he bore in it. the other gentleman of the group also answers to the title of captain, and no one could recognize in him the ragged, bare-footed fisher-boy of thirty-five years ago. but it is bob jennings, and he is to-day the proprietor of the office and elevator that formerly belonged to mr. newcombe. although he is not so large a ship-owner, he is wealthy, and his business is still increasing. the schooner discharging her cargo is named after his benefactor, j. m. evans, and the ship which is receiving it, and which is to take it to europe, is the go ahead. strangers think it an odd name for a vessel, but those who are acquainted with the history of her owner do not wonder at it. those who enter the office see over the captain's desk two mottoes in gilt letters, to the faithful observance of which he says he owes his success in life. we know that at one time bob lost faith in his first motto, but the experience of a life-time has convinced him that it can be depended upon. while captain jennings and his friends stood on the wharf conversing, a party of half a dozen students, all of them officers belonging to the academy squadron, came up. among them were the admiral, fleet captain, and the commanders of the vessels. the foremost, a boy about fifteen years of age, who carried in his hand a model of a full-rigged ship, with sails and ropes complete, wore an anchor and gold leaf in his shoulder-strap, and four stripes of gold lace and a star on each arm. he was bob jennings, junior, the second lieutenant of the zephyr. his brother george, two years younger, was the ranking midshipman on board the white cloud, the flag-ship, and the swiftest vessel in the squadron. the young officers appeared to be excited about something, for they were walking rapidly and talking very earnestly. "hallo!" exclaimed mr. harding, when the students had come within speaking distance. "what are you going to do with that ship, bob? do you intend to enter her at the next regatta to beat the white cloud?" "no, sir," replied the lieutenant. "i bought it to put on the mantle in my room. say, father, do you know there is a man in fishertown who hasn't had any thing to eat for two days?" "no," replied captain jennings, "i didn't know it. who is he?" "jack crosstree, that old fisherman." "he is a man-of-war's man, too," chimed in the midshipman, "and we're not going to stand by and see him suffer." "of course not," said mr. harding, with a merry twinkle in his eye, "you are old men-of-war's men yourselves, you know, and you must always be ready to assist a shipmate in distress." "that's our opinion exactly," said the admiral. "we're going up to the academy now to bring down a good dinner for him." "who is jack crosstree?" asked captain green, when the students had passed out of hearing. "no one around here knows much about him," replied the grocer. "he is a sea-faring man, and, if one might judge by his appearance, he has seen some hard times. he has been all over the world, spent the best part of his life in the navy, lost his leg during the war, and has settled down here in newport to pass the remainder of his days as a fisherman, but he doesn't seem to be making a paying business of it. suppose we go down and talk to him." jack crosstree, as he called himself, had been in newport about six months, and during that time he had shunned every body except the students, who paid frequent visits to his cabin to listen to his stories, when he happened to be in the humor to tell them, and to purchase specimens of his handiwork in the shape of models of yawls, jolly-boats, and full-rigged ships. he was a sullen and morose old fellow, too lazy to work, and had a great deal to say about the cruelty and injustice of the world. a few minutes walk brought the three friends to a dilapidated cabin on the beach, whose appearance and surroundings testified, in unmistakable language, to the poverty and shiftlessness of its occupant. a broken, leaky scow, that would have borne no comparison to bob jennings's old go ahead, was drawn up on the beach, a tattered sail leaned against the eaves, one side of the roof of the cabin was gone, and the door was so nearly off its hinges, that, when captain green rapped upon it with his cane, it fell down with a loud crash. "avast, there!" growled a hoarse voice, from the inside. "you've done it now, haven't you?" "beg pardon," said mr. harding; "but we had no idea that your door was in so shaky a condition, you know. why don't you get some hinges for it? and i believe, if you would put a few boards on that roof, you would sleep better of stormy nights." "ah, yes; it's all well enough for you to talk about boards and hinges--you, who, if you stand in need of such things, have only to go and buy them. but, with me, the case is different; although i've seen the time when i was better off than any of you. let the door alone, and go off about your business." mr. harding and his friends paid no attention to the ravings of the old fisherman. they raised the broken door and leaned it against the wall, and moved toward the corner from whence the voice proceeded. there, upon a miserable pallet, lay a gaunt and crippled form, partly concealed by a ragged blanket which was drawn over his head. captain green gently unclasped the withered fingers that were holding fast to it, and removed the blanket, revealing first a shock of gray, uncombed hair, and next a bronzed and weather-beaten face, on which the signs of a reckless and dissolute life were plainly visible. "go away, i tell you," cried the fisherman, striving to draw the blanket over his head again. "who asked you to come here? i know who you are, and i don't want any thing to do with you--i don't want to see you." something in the features, or the voice, must have struck captain green as being familiar, for he bent lower over the prostrate form, and when he straightened up, the face he turned toward his companions expressed the most intense amazement. "it is tom newcombe!" said he. "ay, it is tom newcombe--or, rather, all there is left of him--starving to death here in his native village, with no one, among all those who once pretended to be his friends, to lend him a helping hand. you can't assist me in my distress, but you can come here to torment me with your presence--to show me what _you_ are, and what _i might have been_. if i had only listened to the advice so often offered me, i might have been the equal of any of you," added the sailor, in a repentant frame of mind. "but it's too late now. why can't you go away and let me alone? i'll never trouble you, and i don't want you to bother me." he sank back upon the bed exhausted, and turned his face to the wall, while his visitors gazed down at him in silence. who could have told that there ever would have existed so great a difference between these four men, who were once boys together? three of them were beloved and respected by all who knew them, held positions of honor and trust, were cheerful, happy, and contented, and, better than all, could look back upon lives well spent; the other was a mere wreck of humanity, a feeble old man, when he ought to have been in his prime, living in that miserable hovel, friendless and alone, destitute of all comforts, dissatisfied with himself and every body, and reaping at last the reward of a dissipated, wasted existence. his bad habits had grown and strengthened, and prepared the way for others of a worse character, and now he did not possess the power, even if he had possessed the inclination, to shake them off. a man seldom if ever abandons his settled habits and modes of life at that age; and the helping hands that were extended to him, and the encouraging words he heard on every side, from the friends of his boyhood, could effect no change for the better in tom's condition. he is to-day a miserable, indolent, worthless being, subsisting principally upon the charity of captain jennings. his history is well known to the village boys, who see nothing in it that will induce them to follow in the footsteps of the rolling stone. the end. the john c. winston co.'s popular juveniles. jack hazard series. by j. t. trowbridge. jack hazard and his fortunes. the young surveyor. fast friends. doing his best. a chance for himself. lawrence's adventures. international bibles are known the world over for their clear print, scholarly helps and absolutely flexible bindings. they comprise every variety of readable type in every style of binding and include text bibles, reference bibles, teachers' bibles, testaments, psalms, illustrated bibles; also the "international" red letter testaments and red letter bibles with the prophetic types and prophecies relating to christ in the old testament printed in red, and the words of christ in the new testament printed in red; also christian workers' testament and christian workers' bible in which all subjects or the theme of salvation are indexed and marked in red. famous castlemon books. by harry castlemon gun-boat series. frank the young naturalist. frank on a gunboat. frank in the woods. frank on the lower mississippi. frank on a gunboat. frank before vicksburg. frank on the prairie. rocky mountain series. frank among the rancheros. frank in the mountains. frank at don carlos' ranch. sportsman's club series. the sportsman's club in the saddle. the sportsman's club afloat. the sportsman's club among the trappers. frank nelson series. snowed up. frank in the forecastle. the boy traders. boy trapper series. the buried treasure. the boy trapper. the mail-carrier. roughing it series. george in camp. george at the wheel. george at the fort. rod and gun series. don gordon's shooting box. the young wild fowlers. rod and gun club. go-ahead series. tom newcombe. go-ahead. no moss. forest and stream series. joe wayring. snagged and sunk. steel horse. war series. true to his colors. rodney the overseer. marcy the refugee. rodney the partisan. marcy the blockade-runner. [transcriber's notes: obvious printer's errors have been corrected, hyphenation has been standardised, all other inconsistencies are as in the original. the author's spelling has been maintained. missing pages numbers correspond to blank pages or moved illustrations. in the formulas, "power of" are in brackets { } and roots have been rendered as: square root: [v¯]; cubic root: [ v¯]; fifth root: [ v¯].] [illustration: the jack of a.d. _st. andrew of scotland._ _st. george of england._ _st. patrick of ireland._ the union jack.] the badminton library of sports and pastimes edited by his grace the duke of beaufort, k.g. assisted by alfred e. t. watson _yachting_ i. yachting by sir edward sullivan, bart. lord brassey, k.c.b., c. e. seth-smith, c.b., g. l. watson r. t. pritchett sir george leach, k.c.b., vice-president y.r.a. 'thalassa' the earl of pembroke and montgomery e. f. knight and rev. g. l. blake [illustration: yachts.] in two volumes--vol. i. _with illustrations by r. t. pritchett and from photographs_ london longmans, green, and co. _dedication to h.r.h. the prince of wales_ badminton: _may _. having received permission to dedicate these volumes, the badminton library of sports and pastimes, to his royal highness the prince of wales, i do so feeling that i am dedicating them to one of the best and keenest sportsmen of our time. i can say, from personal observation, that there is no man who can extricate himself from a bustling and pushing crowd of horsemen, when a fox breaks covert, more dexterously and quickly than his royal highness; and that when hounds run hard over a big country, no man can take a line of his own and live with them better. also, when the wind has been blowing hard, often have i seen his royal highness knocking over driven grouse and partridges and high-rocketing pheasants in first-rate workmanlike style. he is held to be a good yachtsman, and as commodore of the royal yacht squadron is looked up to by those who love that pleasant and exhilarating pastime. his encouragement of racing is well known, and his attendance at the university, public school, and other important matches testifies to his being, like most english gentlemen, fond of all manly sports. i consider it a great privilege to be allowed to dedicate these volumes to so eminent a sportsman as his royal highness the prince of wales, and i do so with sincere feelings of respect and esteem and loyal devotion. beaufort. [illustration: badminton.] preface a few lines only are necessary to explain the object with which these volumes are put forth. there is no modern encyclopædia to which the inexperienced man, who seeks guidance in the practice of the various british sports and pastimes, can turn for information. some books there are on hunting, some on racing, some on lawn tennis, some on fishing, and so on; but one library, or succession of volumes, which treats of the sports and pastimes indulged in by englishmen--and women--is wanting. the badminton library is offered to supply the want. of the imperfections which must be found in the execution of such a design we are conscious. experts often differ. but this we may say, that those who are seeking for knowledge on any of the subjects dealt with will find the results of many years' experience written by men who are in every case adepts at the sport or pastime of which they write. it is to point the way to success to those who are ignorant of the sciences they aspire to master, and who have no friend to help or coach them, that these volumes are written. * * * * * to those who have worked hard to place simply and clearly before the reader that which he will find within, the best thanks of the editor are due. that it has been no slight labour to supervise all that has been written, he must acknowledge; but it has been a labour of love, and very much lightened by the courtesy of the publisher, by the unflinching, indefatigable assistance of the sub-editor, and by the intelligent and able arrangement of each subject by the various writers, who are so thoroughly masters of the subjects of which they treat. the reward we all hope to reap is that our work may prove useful to this and future generations. the editor. contents of the first volume chapter page i. introduction _by sir edward sullivan, bart._ ii. ocean cruising _by lord brassey, k.c.b._ iii. corinthian deep-sea cruising _by c. e. seth-smith, c.b. (late commanding london brigade royal naval volunteers_) iv. the evolution of the modern racing yacht _by g. l. watson._ v. sliding keels and centreboards _by r. t. pritchett._ vi. recollections of schooner racing _by sir george leach, k.c.b., vice-president y.r.a._ vii. the racing rules and the rules of rating _by 'thalassa.'_ viii. yacht's sailing boats _by the earl of pembroke and montgomery._ ix. small yacht racing on the solent _by 'thalassa.'_ x. fitting out a fifty-tonner to go foreign. _by e. f. knight._ xi. baltic cruising _by e. f. knight._ xii. five-tonners and five-raters in the north _by g. l. blake._ xiii. yacht insurance _by g. l. blake._ index illustrations in the first volume (_reproduced by j. d. cooper and messrs. walker & boutall_) full-page illustrations artist to face page union jack _frontispiece_ 'britannia,' h.r.h. prince of wales _from a photograph by wm. u. kirk, of cowes_ 'varuna,' -rater _from a photograph by adamson, of rothesay_ 'dora,' -tonner " 'arrow'--lines _g. l. watson_ 'lethe'--keel _from a photograph_ saloon of 'thistle' " 'jullanar' _from a photograph by adamson, of rothesay_ midship sections _j. m. soper, m.i.n.a._ 'egeria' _r. t. pritchett_ 'egeria' and 'oimara' " 'seabelle' " racing flags, schooners, cutters, yawls, &c 'savourna,' -rater _from a photograph by adamson, of rothesay_ 'the babe,' - / -rater _from a photograph by symonds, of portsmouth_ 'dacia,' -rater " solent owners' racing colours start of small raters on the clyde _from a photograph by adamson, of rothesay_ 'wenonah,' - / -rater " 'red lancer,' -rater " commercial code of signals illustrations in text before the start (_vignette_) _title-page_ victoria cup, _r. t. pritchett_ 'sunbeam' (r.y.s), " 'sunbeam'--midship section _st. clare byrne, of liverpool_ 'sunbeam'--lines " 'cygnet,' cutter, --lines and midship section _g. l. watson_ 'problem,' --profile and deck plan _hunt's magazine_ 'varuna,' --profile _g. l. watson_ vanderdecken's tonnage cheater _hunt's magazine_ dog-legged sternpost _g. l. watson_ 'quiraing,' --immersed counter " 'britannia,' --cutwater " 'thistle,' --cutwater " diagram of length and displacement of -tonners _g. l. watson_ profiles of -tonners " sections showing decrease of breadth and increase of depth in -tonners under and rules " diagram of variation under different rules " diagram showing variation of dimensions, &c., with years; -raters; l. and s.a. rule. " profiles of -raters " midship sections of -raters " 'leopard,' --lines and midship section _linn ratsey, of cowes_ 'mosquito,' --lines and midship section _t. waterman_ 'lethe'--midship section _g. l. watson_ 'valkyrie'--profile " 'vigilant'--profile " 'britannia' cutter--general arrangement plan " s.s. 'merkara'--resistance curves " 'jullanar,' yawl, --midship section _e. h. bentall, esq._ 'jullanar,' yawl--lines " 'evolution,' --lines and midship section " 'meteor' (late 'thistle'), --lines and midship section _g. l. watson_ 'florinda,' yawl, --lines _camper & nicholson, of gosport_ 'kriemhilda,' --profile _michael ratsey, of cowes_ 'florinda,' yawl, --plans _camper & nicholson, of gosport_ 'florinda,' yawl, --midship section " h.m. brig 'lady nelson,' with three keels, _r. t. pritchett_ diagram of boat with one centreboard, " diagram of boat with three sliding keels, " diagrams showing use of three keels in 'laying to,' 'on a wind,' and scudding " 'cumberland,' with five sliding keels _from a model in possession of taylor family_ 'cumberland,' showing the five keels down " h.m. 'trial' cutter, --sheer draught _r. t. pritchett_ 'kestrel,' schooner, " 'pantomime,' schooner, --lines and midship section _michael ratsey, of cowes_ 'cambria,' beating 'dauntless' in (_from picture at r.t.y.c._) _r. t. pritchett_ 'dauntless,' schooner (n.y.y.c.), " 'cetonia,' schooner, --lines and midship section _michael ratsey, of cowes_ the start _from a photograph by debenham, of cowes_ chart of the royal southampton yacht club (brambles and lepe course) diagram of sail curves, -rating class _'thalassa'_ whales _r. t. pritchett_ the swoop of the gannet " 'black pearl's' cutter--midship section " main sheet on iron horse 'black pearl's' cutter--sail plan _richard perry & co._ s.s. 'aline's' cutter s.s. 'aline's' cutter--lines and midship section _earl of pembroke_ 'black pearl's' cutter--lines " the squall in loch scavaig, skye _r. t. pritchett_ 'excuse me' " self-unmoored " never 'moon' " there is no place like home " 'cock-a-whoop,' --lines and midship section _a. e. payne_ 'humming bird,' _a. e. payne, from a photograph by symonds_ 'quinque,' -rater; lt.-col. bucknill, r.e. _from a photograph by symonds, of portsmouth_ 'the babe,' --lines and midship section _a. e. payne_ 'mosquito,' , with roll foresail _j. m. soper_ 'doreen,' _from a photograph by debenham, of cowes_ 'cyane,' _from a private kodak_ 'windfall,' from a photograph by adamson, of rothesay 'faugh-a-ballagh,' --lines and midship section _a. e. payne_ diagrams showing improvements in fore sections of - / raters _j. m. soper_ diagrams showing improvements in aft sections of - / raters " design for -rater by j. m. soper, " design for a centreboard -rater by j. m. soper, " 'wee winn,' _from a photograph by debenham, of cowes_ 'wee winn'--lines _j. m. soper_ 'daisy,' --lines " chart of the royal southampton yacht club, 'brambles course' the drogue off the kullen head _r. t. pritchett_ danske fishing-boat and anchor " roskilde from the fiord " a danske craft " a good craft for the baltic " towing head to wind " a drogue " chart of the dublin, kingstown, and mersey course 'freda' _r. t. pritchett_ 'challenge,' " 'minerva,' --lines and midship section _fife of fairlie_ 'natica,' _from a photograph by adamson, of rothesay_ in the channel _r. t. pritchett_ chapter i [illustration: yachts.] introduction by sir edward sullivan, bart. [illustration: victoria cup. .] it is related that chrysippus, a cynic, killed himself in order that he might sooner enjoy the delights of paradise. philosophers do queer things sometimes. many who are not philosophers kill themselves in order to avoid the miseries of this world; but, as far as i know, this is the only case on record of a man killing himself from impatience to enjoy the pleasures of the next. ideas of paradise are exceedingly various. to the ancients paradise meant a _dolce far niente_ in the elysian fields; to the north american indians it means happy hunting grounds and plenty of fat buffalo. the scythians believed in a paradise of immortal drunkenness and drinking blood out of the skulls of their enemies, and the paradise that to-day influences the belief of one-fourth of the human race is contained in chapter x. of the koran. to madame de chevreuse it meant chatting with her friends in the next world. to one friend of mine it was galloping for ever over a grass country without gates. to another it meant driving four horses, with tim carter seated at his side. to some, i believe, paradise means yachting, and for my own part, i think a -ton schooner, a ten-knot breeze, and a summer sea hard to beat. whether yachting approaches one's conception of paradise or not, i think there are very few of us who, if they do not suffer from that hopeless affection the _mal de mer_, do not more or less enjoy a life on the ocean wave; it is so fresh and life-giving and so various. 'a home on the stormy deep' we won't say so much about. i have seen two or three storms at sea, but i have never found them pleasant; very much the contrary. there is grandeur, if you like, but there is also terror and horror. as black as night she turned to white, and cast against the cloud a snowy sheet as if each surge upturned a sailor's shroud. this is poetry; but it is true. you look to windward, and you look to leeward; you look ahead, and you look astern, and you feel that, if you are not already engulfed, you probably may be in the next minute. dr. johnson said the pleasure of going to sea was getting ashore again; certainly the pleasure of a storm is getting into smooth water again. the ideas of pleasure as connected with yachting vary as much as the ideas of paradise; to one it means steaming at full speed from one port to another; but this becomes monotonous. a friend of mine used to write a letter at cowes, address it to himself at guernsey, and then steam, hard all, to guernsey to get his letter. when he got it he would write to himself at plymouth, then steam away, hard all again, to get that, and so on; even in steaming you must have an object of some kind, you know. to another dowagering up and down the solent, lunching on board, and then hurrying back to dine and sleep ashore are pleasure; to another, sailing with the wind, or against the wind, or drifting when there is no wind, is the ideal of yachting. certainly that is mine. i have tried both. i have had a steamer and i have had sailing vessels, and if i lived to the age of the hyperboreans and owned several gold mines i should never keep a steamer for pleasure. in sailing, the interest never flags; the rigging, the sails, the anchors, the cables, the boats, the decks, all have their separate interest; every puff of wind, every catspaw, is a source of entertainment, and when the breeze comes, and, with everything drawing below and aloft, you tear along ten or twelve knots an hour, the sensation of pleasure is complete--if you are not sick. i can never allow that steaming, under any conditions, can give the same pleasure as sailing--nor a hundredth part of it. if you are in a hurry, steam by all means--steam, steam, steam, pile on the coal, blacken sea and sky with your filthy smoke, and get into your port; but that is the pleasure of locomotion, not of yachting. even as regards locomotion, there are occasions when a fine sailing vessel will go by a steamer as if she were standing still. years ago i sailed from plymouth to lisbon in four days, and from lisbon to cowes in four days, and passed all the steamers on the way! _atque haec olim meminisse juvabit._ these are the happy moments, like forty minutes across a grass country, that fond memory brings back to us, and which time's effacing fingers will never touch. can steam at its best afford such delight as this? no; of course not. but, although this is my opinion of the relative pleasure of sailing and steaming, it is not by any means the general one; the race of steam _versus_ canvas has been run, and alas! steam has won easily, hands down. i say alas! for i think that, from every point of view, yachting has suffered from the general employment of steam. one of the objects of the royal yacht squadron, when it was originally founded, was to encourage seamanship, and, as steam was supposed to destroy seamanship, steamers were not admitted into the club; and the royal yacht squadron was right. steam does destroy seamanship; a steamship hand is certainly not half a sailor. now more than half the tonnage of the club is in steamers. i think it is a pity, and they are such steamers too! tons, , tons, , tons. i do not see where they are to stop; but, i believe that in this, as in most things, we have run into excess. i cannot believe that the largest steam yacht afloat, with all the luxury and cost that upholsterers and cabinet-makers can devise, will ever give a man who is fond of the sea and seafaring matters a tithe of the gratification that a -ton sailing vessel will afford; one is a floating hotel, the other is a floating cottage. i prefer the cottage. the worry of maintaining discipline in a crew of forty or fifty men, amongst whom there is sure to be one or two black sheep, the smoke, the smell of oil, the vibration, the noise, even the monotony, destroy pleasure. personally, the game seems to me not worth the candle. thirty or forty years ago, yachting men with their sixty or hundred tonners went on year after year, fitting out, and cruising about the coast, as part of their yearly life. when their vessel was wearing out, they would sell her, and buy or build another; they seldom parted with her for any other reason. now a man builds a floating palace or hotel at a fabulous cost; but as a general rule in about two years he wants to sell her and to retire from yachting life. a sailing vessel and a steamer are different articles; you get attached to a sailing vessel as you do to anything animate, to your horse, or your dog; but i defy anyone to get attached to a smoky, oily steamer. there is an individuality about the sailing vessel; none about the steamer. when the seven wise men of greece delivered the oracular dictum that there were only two beautiful things in the world, women and roses, and only two good things, women and wine, they spoke according to their limited experience--they had never seen the new type of racing yacht under sail. of course the perfection of animate beauty is represented by women, but certainly inanimate nature can show nothing more beautiful than 'britannia,' 'navahoe,' 'valkyrie,' 'satanita,' their sails well filled, the sun shining on them, streaking along twelve or thirteen knots an hour, apparently without an effort, scarcely raising a ripple. and then a yacht is so exceedingly feminine in her ways. one day everything goes right with her--she will not only do all she is asked to do, but a great deal more than her greatest admirers ever thought she could do: the next day everything goes wrong with her--she will not do anything she is asked, and indeed will not do what her admirers know she can do without an effort. some women--i speak it with all respect--bear being 'squeezed' and 'pinched,' they almost seem to like it, at any rate they don't cry out; whereas others will cry out immediately and vigorously. so will yachts. the more you squeeze one vessel, the more you pinch her, the more she seems to enjoy it. squeeze another, pinch her into the wind, and she lies down and calls out at once. the difference between vessels in this respect is quite funny, and essentially feminine. curiously enough, extremes meet; that is to say, if the pendulum of taste or fashion goes very much over to one side, it is sure to go over just as far on the other. sailing yachts of , , tons have gone out of fashion, and leviathan steamers of , , , , tons have taken their place; but at the same time that a taste for immense steamers has driven moderate-sized sailing vessels out of the field, a taste for small boats, -raters, -raters, / -raters--i don't quite understand their rating--has sprung up, and promises almost to supplant the big steamers themselves. i believe the increasing popularity of these swallows of the seas--for turning, wheeling, skimming, doubling, as they do, i can compare them to nothing else--is a very good omen for yachting; they are expensive for their size and tonnage, certainly, but, after all, their cost may be counted in hundreds instead of tens of thousands. they have brought scientific boat sailing and racing within the reach of hundreds who cannot afford big racing yachts; and, moreover, the ladies join in these exciting contests, and of course very often win. in endurance, and courage, and nerve, and quickness, they are quite the equals of the other sex; and if they are occasionally a little too pertinacious, a little too eager to win, and don't always 'go about' exactly when the rules of the road require, what does it signify? who grudges them their little victory? a flight of these sea swallows skimming over the course at calshot castle, on a fine day with a good working breeze, is one of the prettiest sights in the world. independently of the health-giving and invigorating influences both to mind and body of a yachting life, it has advantages that in my opinion raise it above any other sport, if sport it is to be called. there is neither cruelty nor professionalism in yachting, except when certain foolish snobs in sheer wantonness shoot the too-confiding gulls that hover round the sterns of their yachts. there is no professional element in yachting, i repeat, not even in yacht racing, at least not enough to speak of, and it is an enormous advantage in its favour that it brings one into contact with what i believe is without doubt the best of our working population; for are not the toilers of the sea workers in the very fullest sense of the word? yacht sailors, as a rule, are sober, honest, obliging, good-tempered, original. during the many years i have yachted, i have had crews from north, east, west, and south, and i have almost without exception found them the same. a man must be hard to please indeed, if, after a three or four months' cruise, he does not part from his crew with regret, and with a sincere wish that they may meet again. amongst yachting skippers, i have come across some of the most honourable, trustworthy, honest men i have met in any class of life, men who know their duty, and are always willing and anxious to do it. the chief peculiarity of all the seafaring class that i have been brought into contact with is their entire freedom from vulgarity. they are obliging to the utmost of their power, but never cringing or vulgar. the winter half of their lives is spent in fishing-boats, or coasters, or sea voyages where they have to face dangers and hardships that must be experienced to be realised. as a rule, they are religious; and their preparations for the sabbath, their washings and soapings and brushings, show with what pleasure they welcome its recurrence. yacht minstrelsy, with its accordion, its songs of twenty verses, its never-ending choruses, its pathos, is a thing of itself. some day perhaps some albert chevalier will make it fashionable. such as they are, i know no class of englishmen superior, if any be equal, to the sailors who man our yachts. of course there are sharks, or at any rate dog-fish, in all waters; but where the good so immensely outnumber the bad, that man must be a fool indeed who gets into wrong hands. to say there is no vulgarity in yachting is not true; there is; but it is not amongst the men or among the skippers. and, after all, the vulgarity one sometimes sees amongst yacht-owners does not go for much; it amuses them and hurts nobody. if the amateur sailor wishes to be thought more of a sailor than the sailor born, he soon finds out his mistake, and when he gets into a good club subsides into his proper position. to those who are fond of the sea and of yachting, the yacht is the most 'homey' of residences; everything is cosy, and comfortable, and within reach; and the sensation of carrying your house and all its comforts about with you is unique. the internal economy of a yacht constitutes one of its greatest charms. your cook, with only a little stove for which a shore cook would scarcely find any use, will send you up an excellent dinner cooked to perfection for any number of guests; and the steward! who can describe the work of a yacht's steward? i doubt whether briareus with his hundred hands could do more than a steward does with two. at seven in the morning he is ashore for the milk, and the breakfast, and the letters, and the flowers; he valets half a dozen people, prepares half a dozen baths, brushes heaven knows how many clothes, gets the breakfast, makes the beds, cleans the plate, tidies the cabin, provides luncheon, five-o'clock tea, dinner, is always cheerful, obliging, painstaking, and more than repaid if occasionally he gets a _petit mot_ of compliment or congratulation. when he ever sleeps, or eats, i never can tell; and, far from grumbling at his work, he often resents the assistance of any shore-going servant. the introduction of steam launches has added very much to the pleasures of yachting, and to my mind has greatly lessened the advantages, if any, that steamers possess over sailing vessels. every vessel of tons and over can now carry a steam launch, big or small, at the davits, or on deck. you _sail_ from port to port, or loch to loch, in your sailing vessel, and when you have found snug anchorage, you 'out kettle' and puff away for as long as you like, enjoying the pleasure of exploring the rivers and creeks and neighbouring objects of interest. everywhere this is delightful, at plymouth, at dartmouth, at falmouth, the scilly isles, at st. malo, and perhaps especially in scotland. to my mind, the west coast of scotland is, _par excellence_, the happy cruising grounds of yachtsmen. i know of none like it--the number and variety of the lochs, the wild grandeur of some, the soft beauty of others, the mountains, the rocks, the islands, the solitude, the forests, the trees. oh! the oak and the ash, and the bonny ivy tree, they flourish best at home in the north countrie. the heather, especially the white, the ferns, the mosses, the wild flowers, the innumerable birds and fish, the occasional seals and whales, the wildness of the surroundings, all combine to give it a charm that is indescribable. i have seen on the coast of skye a whale, thirty or forty feet long, jump clean out of the water three or four times, like a salmon. anchored close under a cliff in loch hourn, and happening to look up, i met the wondering eyes of a hind craning over the edge of the cliffs, and staring right down on the yacht. go the world over, you will nowhere find so much varied beauty, above or below, on land or sea, as on the west coast of scotland. nobody can explore or appreciate the beauty of the scotch lochs without a 'kettle.' it spoils one's pleasure to keep a boat's crew pulling for eight or ten hours in a hot sun, and therefore, if you have no steam launch, many expeditions that promise much interest and pleasure are abandoned; but with your kettle and a man, or a man and a boy, you don't care how long you are out or how far you go. this to my mind is the most enjoyable combination of sails and steam--a comfortable sailing vessel, schooner or ketch for choice, to carry you from port to port, and a steam launch for exploration when you get there. the accommodation of a sailing vessel is, on a rough calculation, double the accommodation of a steamer of the same tonnage. the earl of wilton, commodore of the royal yacht squadron, had a schooner of tons, and after sailing in her many years he decided, as so many others have done, to give up sailing and take to steam. to obtain exactly the same accommodation that he had on board his -ton schooner, he had to build a steamer, the 'palatine,' of tons. of course in an iron steamer of tons the height between decks is very much greater than in a wooden schooner of tons. also the cabins are larger, but there are no more of them. i think many people have erroneous ideas of the cost of yachting. yacht _racing_, especially in the modern cutters of or tons, is very expensive. the wear and tear of spars and gear is incredible. i believe that in the yachting season of h.r.h. the prince of wales's vessel the 'britannia' sprang or carried away three masts; and some of his competitors were not more lucky. then racing wages are very heavy: _s._ per man when you lose, and _s._ when you win, with unlimited beef, and beer, &c., mount up when you have a great many hands, and the new type of racer, with booms feet long, requires an unlimited number; when you look at these boats racing, they seem actually swarming with men. in addition to _s._ or _s._ to each man, the skipper gets per cent. or per cent. of the value of the prize, or its equivalent. so that a modern racing yacht with a crew of men may, if successful, easily knock a hole in , _l._ for racing wages alone, to say nothing of cost of spars, and sails, and gear, &c. of course, in comparison with keeping a pack of hounds, or a deer forest, or a good grouse moor, or to pheasant preserving on a very large scale, the expense of yacht racing even at its worst is modest; but still in these days , _l._ or , _l._ is an item. but yachting for pleasure, yacht cruising in fact, is _not_ an expensive amusement. the wages of a - to a -ton cutter or schooner will vary from _l._ to _l._ a month at the outside, and the wear and tear, if the vessel and gear are in good order, is very moderate; and undoubtedly the living on board a yacht is infinitely cheaper than living ashore. thirty to forty pounds, or as much as fifty pounds, a week may easily go in hotel bills if there is a largish party. half the sum will keep a - or -ton yacht going, wages, wear and tear, food, &c., included, if you are afloat for three or four months. certainly for a party of four or five yachting is cheaper than travelling on the continent with a courier and going to first-class hotels. travelling on the continent under the best conditions often becomes a bore; the carriages are stuffy and dusty, the trains are late, the officials are uncivil or at least indifferent, the hotels are full, the kitchen is bad, and you come to the conclusion that you would be better at home. now, on board a yacht you are never stuffy or dusty, the accommodation is always good, everyone about you is always civil, anxious for your comfort, the kitchen is never bad, and you cannot come to the conclusion that you would be better at home, for you _are_ at home--the most cosy and comfortable of homes! the yachting season of will always be a memorable one. the victory of h.i.m. the german emperor's 'meteor' for the queen's cup at cowes; the victorious career of h.r.h. the prince of wales's 'britannia' and the 'valkyrie'; the series of international contests between the 'britannia' and 'navahoe,' with the unexpected victory of the latter over the cross-channel course; and, finally, the gallant attempt of lord dunraven to bring back the cup from america, make a total of yachting incidents, and indeed surprises, that will last for a very long time. the victory of the 'meteor' in the queen's cup was a surprise: it was more than a surprise when the 'navahoe' beat 'britannia' to cherbourg and back in a gale of wind. i don't know that it was a matter of surprise that the americans kept the cup; i think, indeed, it was almost a foregone conclusion. in yachting, as in everything else, possession is nine points of the law, and a vessel sailing in her own waters, with pilots accustomed to the local currents and atmospheric movements, will always have an advantage. whether the 'vigilant' is a better boat than the 'valkyrie,' whether she was better sailed, whether her centreboard had anything to do with her victory, i cannot say. but there is the result: that the 'vigilant' won by seven minutes, which, at the rate they were sailing, means about a mile. it would appear that the americans are still slightly ahead of us in designing yachts for speed, but they are not nearly as far ahead of us as they were forty years ago. i remember the first time the 'america' sailed at cowes in . i could not believe my eyes. it was blowing a stiff breeze, and whilst all the other schooners were laying over ten or twelve degrees, she was sailing perfectly upright, and going five knots to their four. it was a revelation--how does she do it? was in everybody's mouth. now we are much more on an equality. the 'navahoe,' a beautiful vessel, one of the best, comes to england and is worsted: the 'valkyrie,' a beautiful vessel, also one of the best, goes over to america and is worsted. the moral i think is 'race at home in your own waters.' i do not believe much in international contests of any kind, gravely doubting whether they do much to promote international amity. it is a familiar sight to see h.r.h. the prince of wales taking part in yacht racing, but was the first occasion, in an english yacht race at any rate, that the kaiser donned his flannels and joined personally in the contest. i suppose there is no monarch who is so dosed with ceremony and etiquette as the emperor of germany. what a relief, therefore, it must be to him to put aside the cares of monarchy for a whole week, and sit for hours in two or three inches of water, hauling away at the mainsheet as if his life depended on it, happy as the traditional king, if, when he has gone about, he finds he has gained six feet on his rival! but beyond all this--the heartiness, the equality, the good feeling, the absorbing interest that attends yacht racing and yacht cruising--there are some very interesting questions that suggest themselves in connection with the great increase of speed lately developed by the new type of racing yachts. there is no doubt whatever that whereas the pleasure fleet of england is progressing and improving every year, and is a subject of congratulation to everyone concerned with it--designers, builders, and sailors--the business fleet, the royal navy, is the very reverse: not only has it not improved, but it appears to have been going steadily the wrong road; and instead of being a joy to designers and sailors, it is confusion to the former, and something very like dismay to the latter. in james i.'s time the fleet was not held in very high estimation. it was said of it that 'first it went to gravesend, then to land's end, and then to no end,' and really that appears to be its condition now. whilst yachts are developing all the perfections of the sailing ship, our ironclads seem to be developing most of the imperfections of the steamship. whilst our yachts can do anything but speak, our ironclads can do anything but float. of course this is an exaggeration; but exaggeration is excusable at times, at least if we are to be guided by the debates in parliament. at any rate, it is no exaggeration to say they are very disappointing. if they go slow, they won't steer. if they go fast, they won't stop. if they collide in quite a friendly way, they go down. one sinks in twelve minutes, and the other with difficulty keeps afloat. in half a gale of wind, if the crew remain on deck, they are nearly drowned; if they go below, they are nearly asphyxiated. they have neither stability nor buoyancy. but this does not apply to english ironclads alone. french, german, italian, american, are all the same. some of these monsters are fitted with machinery as delicate and complicated as a watch that strikes the hours, and minutes, and seconds, tells the months, weeks, and days, the phases of the moon, &c. &c. some of them have no fewer than thirty to thirty-five different engines on board. if the vessel containing all this wonderful and elaborate machinery never left the thames or portsmouth harbour, all well and good, very likely the machinery would continue to work; but to send such a complex arrangement across the atlantic or the bay in winter seems to me contrary to common sense. the biggest ironclad afloat, a monster of , tons, in mid ocean is, after all, only as 'a flea on the mountain'; it is nothing; it is tossed about, and rolled about, and struck by the seas and washed by them, just as if it were a pilot boat of tons. it is certain that the concussion of the sea will throw many of these delicate bits of machinery out of gear: in the 'resolution' in a moderate gale the engine that supplied air below decks broke down; the blow that sank the unfortunate 'victoria' threw the steering apparatus out of gear, so that if she had not gone down she would not have steered; more recently still the water in the hydraulic steering apparatus in a ship off sheerness froze, so that she could not put to sea. if such accidents can happen in time of peace, when vessels are only manoeuvring, or going from port to port, what would happen if two , -ton ships rammed each other at full speed? is it not almost certain that the whole thirty-five engines would stop work? we have, i suppose, nearly reached the maximum of speed attainable by steam; have we nearly reached the maximum attainable by sails? by no means. when anacharsis the younger was asked which was the best ship, he said the ship that had arrived safe in port; but even the ancients were not always infallible. the 'resolution' did not prove she was the best ship by coming into port; on the contrary, she would have proved herself a much better ship if she had been able to continue her voyage. what we want in a man-of-war, as far as i understand the common-sense view of the question, is buoyancy, speed, handiness, and the power of keeping the seas for long periods. racing cutters of to tons are now built to sail at a speed that two years ago was not dreamt of. where a short time since the best of them used to take minutes to go about, they now go about in as many seconds. the racing vessels of the present day will reach thirteen or fourteen knots an hour, and sail ten knots on a wind; with hardly any wind at all they creep along eight knots. they do not appear to be able to go less than eight knots; double their size, and their speed would be immensely increased. now if thirteen and fourteen knots can be got out of a vessel of tons, and seventeen knots out of one double her size, what speed might you fairly expect to get out of a racing vessel of , tons? rather a startling suggestion certainly; but, if carefully examined, not without reason. we have nothing to guide us as to the probable speed of a racing vessel of that size. time allowance becomes lost in the immensity of the question. i see no reason why a vessel of , tons, built entirely for speed, should not, on several points of sailing, go as fast as any torpedo boat, certainly much faster than any ironclad. her speed, reaching in a strong breeze, would be terrific; and if 'britannia,' 'navahoe,' 'valkyrie,' 'vigilant,' and vessels of that class can sail ten knots on a wind, why should not she sail fifteen? she would have to be fore and aft rigged, with an immense spread of canvas, very high masts, and very long booms; single sticks would be nowhere; but iron sticks and iron booms can be built up of any length and any strength, and with wire rigging i see no limit to size. such a vessel amply provided with torpedoes of all descriptions, and all the modern diabolisms for destroying life, would be so dangerous a customer that no ironclad would attack her with impunity. of course there would occasionally be conditions under which she would be at a disadvantage with ironclads; but, on the other hand, there are many conditions under which ironclads, even the best of them, would be under enormous disadvantages with her. she could circumnavigate the globe without stopping. i believe her passages would be phenomenal, life on board would be bright and healthy, she would be seaworthy, able to keep the seas in all weathers, easily handled, no complicated machinery to fail you at the moment when you were most dependent on it; and then what a beauty she would be! why, a fleet of such vessels would be a sight for gods and men. we have sailing vessels of , and , tons, four-masted, square-rigged; they are built for carrying, not for speed, but even they make passages that to the merchant seaman of a hundred years ago would appear incredible. i probably shall not live to see the clumsy, unwieldy, complicated, unseaworthy machines called ironclads cast aside, wondered at by succeeding generations, as we now wonder at the models of antediluvian monsters at the crystal palace; but that such will be their fate i have no doubt whatever. for our battleships we have gone back to the times of knights in armour, when men were so loaded with iron that where they fell there they remained, on their backs or their stomachs, till their squires came to put them on their legs again. i am certain that neither the public, nor the naval authorities of the world, realise what an ironclad in time of war means--positively they will never be safe out of near reach of a coaling station. suppose--and this is tolerably certain to happen--that when they reach a coaling station they find no coal, or very possibly find it in the hands of the enemy. what are they to do? without coal to steam back again, or to reach another station, they will be as helpless as any derelict on the ocean: a balloon without gas, a locomotive without steam, a -ton gun without powder, would not be so useless as an ironclad without coal. but what has all this to do with yachting? it may be asked. well, it is the logical and practical result of the recent development of speed in sailing vessels. it positively becomes the question whether racing sails and racing hulls may not, in speed even, give results almost as satisfactory as steam, and in many other matters results far more favourable. of course the model of the racing yacht would have to be altered for the vessel of , tons. vessels must get their stability from beam and from the scientific adjustment of weights, not merely from depth of keel--the channel would not be deep enough for a vessel that drew twenty fathoms; but this change of design need not affect their speed or their stability very much. in the introduction to the badminton library volumes on yachting, a great deal might be expected about the national importance of the pastime as a nursery for sailors, a school for daring, and all that sort of thing. but i think all this 'jumps to the eyes'; those who run may read it. i have preferred to treat the question of yachting more as one of personal pleasure and amusement than of national policy; and besides, i am sure that i may safely leave the more serious aspects of the sport to the writers whose names are attached to the volumes. for myself, after yachting for nearly a quarter of a century, i can safely say that it has afforded me more unmixed pleasure than any other sport or amusement i have ever tried. everything about it has been a source of delight to me--the vessels, the skippers, the crews, the cruises. i do not think i have ever felt dull or bored on a yacht, and even now, in the evening of life, i would willingly contract to spend my remaining summers on board a -ton schooner. chapter ii ocean cruising by lord brassey, k.c.b. i fear that i can scarcely hope to contribute to the present volume of the admirable badminton series anything that is very new or original. although my voyages have extended over a long period, and have carried me into nearly every navigable sea, i have for the most part followed well-known tracks. the seamanship, as practised in the 'sunbeam,' has been in conformity with established rule; the navigation has been that of the master-ordinary. it would be hardly fair to fill the pages of a general treatise with autobiography. as an introduction, however, to the remarks which follow, my career as a yachtsman may be summarised in the most condensed form. voyages twelve voyages to the mediterranean; the furthest points reached being constantinople, and ; cyprus, ; egypt, . three circumnavigations of great britain. one circumnavigation of great britain and the shetland islands, in . two circumnavigations of ireland. cruises with the fleets during manoeuvres, in , , and . voyages to norway, in , , and . in the latter year mr. gladstone and his family were honoured and charming guests. voyages to holland, in and . round the world, - . india, straits settlements, borneo, macassar, australia, cape of good hope, - . england to calcutta, . two voyages to the west indies, and , the latter including visits to the chesapeake and washington. [illustration: 'sunbeam,' r.y.s. (lord brassey).] canada and the united states, . the baltic, . in the 'sunbeam' was lent to lord tennyson, for a short cruise in the channel. the owner deeply regrets that he was prevented by parliamentary duties from taking charge of his vessel with a passenger so illustrious on board. the distances covered in the course of the various cruises enumerated may be approximately given:-- _distances sailed: compiled from log books_ +-------------------------------------------------------------+ year | knots | year | knots | year | knots | year | knots +-----+-------+------+-------+-------+--------+-------+-------+ | | | , | | , | | , | | | , | | , | | , | , | | , | } | } | , | | , | } , | } , | , | | , | | , | | , | , | | , | | , | | , | , | | , | | , | | , | | | , | | , | | , | , | | , | | , | | , | | | , | | , | | , +-------------------------------------------------------------+ total, - , , knots. i turn from the voyages to the yachts in which they were performed, observing that no later possession filled its owner with more pride than was felt in the smart little -tonner which heads the list. +--------+--------------------+------------+---------+---------------------+ date | name of yacht | rig | tonnage | -- +--------+--------------------+------------+---------+---------------------+ - | spray of the ocean | cutter | | -- | cymba (winner of } | | | queen's cup in } " | { fife of fairlie's | the mersey, )} | { favourite - | albatross | | | -- - | meteor { auxiliary } | | { schooner } | -- - | muriel | cutter | { dan hatcher's | | | { favourite | eothen | s.s. | | - | sunbeam { auxiliary } | | { schooner } | -- - | norman | cutter | | dan hatcher | lorna | " | { camper and nicholson | | | { ( ) - | zarita | yawl | { fife of fairlie | | | { ( ) +--------+--------------------+------------+---------+---------------------+ _yachts hired_ | lillah | cutter | | -- | eulalie | " | | -- | livonia | schooner | | ratsey ( ) +--------+--------------------+------------+---------+---------------------+ the variety of craft in the foregoing list naturally affords opportunity for comparison. i shall be glad if such practical lessons as i have learned can be of service to my brother yachtsmen. and, first, as to the class of vessel suitable for ocean cruising. as might be expected, our home-keeping craft are generally too small for long voyages. rajah brooke did some memorable work in the 'royalist' schooner, tons; but a vessel of tons is not too large to keep the sea and to make a fair passage in all weathers, while giving space enough for privacy and comfort to the owner, his friends, and the crew. such vessels as the truly noble 'st. george,' tons, the 'valhalla,' , tons, and mr. vanderbilt's 'valiant,' of , tons (mr. st. clare byrne's latest production), cannot be discussed as examples of a type which can be repeated in ordinary practice. yachtsmen have been deterred from going to sufficient tonnage by considerations of expense. when providing a floating home of possibly many years, first cost is a less serious question than the annual outlay in maintaining and working. a cruise on the eastern seaboard of north america, where the business of coasting has been brought to the highest perfection, would materially alter the prevailing view as to the complements necessary for handling a schooner of the tonnage recommended. the coasting trade of the united states is carried on in large schooners, rigged with three to five masts. all the sails are fore and aft. in tacking, a couple of hands attend the headsheets, and these, with a man at the wheel, are sufficient to do the work of a watch, even in narrow channels, working short boards. the anchor is weighed and the large sails are hoisted by steam-power. the crews of the american fore-and-aft schooners scarcely exceed the proportion of one man to every hundred tons of cargo carried. for a three-masted schooner of tons, a crew of twelve working hands would be ample, even where the requirements of a yacht have to be provided for. in point of safety, comfort, speed in blowing weather, and general ability to keep the sea and make passages, the -ton schooner would offer most desirable advantages over schooner yachts of half the tonnage, although manned with the same number of hands. it is not within the scope of my present remarks to treat of naval architecture. the volumes will contain contributions from such able men as messrs. g. l. watson, who designed the 'britannia' and 'valkyrie,' and lewis herreshoff, whose 'navahoe' and 'vigilant' have recently attracted so much attention. i may, however, say that my personal experience leads me to admire the american models, in which broad beam and good sheer are always found. in , i had the opportunity of seeing the international race for the america cup, when the english cutter 'galatea' (lieut. henn, r.n.), with a sail-area of , feet, and tons of ballast, sailed against the american sloop 'puritan,' with , square feet of sail-area and tons of ballast. on this occasion, the advantages of great beam, combined with a shallow middle body and a deep keel, were conspicuously illustrated. the americans, while satisfied with their type, do not consider their sloops as seaworthy as our cutters. the development which seems desirable in our english building was indicated in a letter addressed to the 'times' from chicago in september :-- avoiding exaggerations on both sides, we may build up on the solid keel of an english cutter a hull not widely differing in form from that of the typical american sloop. it can be done, and pride and prejudice should not be suffered to bar the way of improvement. the yachtsmen of a past generation, led by mr. weld of lulworth, the owner of the famous 'alarm,' were not slow to learn a lesson from the contests with the 'america' in . we may improve our cutters, as we formerly improved our schooners, by adaptations and modifications, which need not be servile imitations of the fine sloops our champion vessels have encountered on the other side of the atlantic. after the lapse of seven years, we find ourselves, in , at the termination of a very remarkable year's yachting. the new construction has included h.r.h. the prince of wales's yacht, the 'britannia,' with feet beam, lord dunraven's 'valkyrie,' mr. clarke's 'satanita,' and the clyde champion 'calluna,' all conspicuous for development of beam, combined with the deep, fine keel which is our english substitute for the american centreboard. these vessels have proved doughty antagonists of the 'navahoe,' brought over by that spirited yacht-owner, mr. caryll, to challenge all comers in british waters. thus far as to sailing yachts. though the fashion of the hour has set strongly towards steam-propelled vessels, the beautiful white canvas, and the easy motion when under sail, will long retain their fascination for all pleasure voyaging. it is pleasant to be free from the thud of engines, the smell of oil, and the horrors of the inevitable coaling. owners who have no love for sailing, and to whom a yacht is essentially a means of conveyance from port to port and a floating home, do well to go for steam. the most efficient and cheapest steam yacht is one in which the masts are reduced to two signal-poles, on which jib-headed trysails may be set to prevent rolling. as to tonnage, the remarks already offered on the advantages of large size apply to steamers even more than to sailing yachts. when space must be given to machinery, boilers, and bunkers, the tonnage must be ample to give the required accommodation. the cost of building and manning, and the horse-power of the engines, do not increase in proportion to the increase of size. the building of steamers for the work of tramps has now been brought down to _l_. per ton. i would strongly urge yacht-owners contemplating ocean cruising to build vessels of not less than tons. let the fittings be as simple and inexpensive as possible, but let the tonnage be large enough to secure a powerful sea-boat, with coal endurance equal to , knots, at ten knots, capable of keeping up a fair speed against a stiff head wind, and habitable and secure in all weathers. deck-houses are a great amenity at sea, but the conventional yacht skipper loves a roomy deck, white as snow, truly a marvel of scrubbing. considerations of habitability at sea are totally disregarded by one who feels no need for an airy place of retirement for reading and writing. the owner, seeking to make life afloat pass pleasantly, will consider deck cabins indispensable. there remains a third and very important type for ocean cruising, that of the sailing yacht with auxiliary steam-power. the 'firefly,' owned by sir henry oglander, the pioneer in this class, suggested to the present writer a debased imitation in the 'meteor,' tons. about the same date somewhat similar vessels were brought out, amongst others by lord dufferin, whose earliest experiences under sail had been given to the world in 'letters from high latitudes.' all will remember the never-varying announcement by a not too cheering steward, on calling his owner, in response to the inquiry, 'how is the wind?' 'dead ahead, my lord, dead ahead!' [illustration: 'sunbeam'--midship section.] the 'sunbeam' was launched in ; following in her wake, the 'chazalie,' , 'czarina,' , and the 'lancashire witch,' , appeared in rapid succession. the 'lancashire witch' was bought by the admiralty for a surveying vessel, as being especially adapted to the requirements of that particular service. the 'st. george,' tons, launched , is an enlargement and improvement on her predecessors already named. she does credit to her owner, mr. wythes; the designer, mr. storey; and the builders, messrs. ramage. the 'sunbeam,' as the first of this class, has been a great success. she was designed by mr. st. clare byrne, m.i.n.a., as a composite three-masted topsail-yard screw schooner, constructed at birkenhead, and launched in . the following table gives the leading details:-- material of hull iron frame, teak skin length of hull feet, over all feet beam ft. in. depth of hold ft. in. displacement in tons tons draught ft. in. registered tonnage tons engines, compound by laird, of birkenhead horse-power nominal, or indicated stowage of coals in bunkers tons sail area , square yards weight of port anchor cwt. qr. " starboard anchor cwt. qr. lbs. size of cable on board - / inch } " new cable on shore - / " } bower cables stowage of water: fore tanks - / tons } after tanks " } total, tons reserve tanks - / " } lead ballast tons speed in fine weather knots average consumption of coal daily tons _dimensions of spars_ +--------------------------------+-------------+-------------------------+ -- | length | diam. +--------------------------------+-------------+-------------------------+ fore | ft. | in. foremast, from deck to masthead | - / | -- below deck | - / | -- total | | - / top and topgallant-mast | | fore-yard | - / | topsail-yard | - / | topgallant-yard | | fore-gaff | - / | fore-boom | - / | main | | mainmast from deck to masthead | | -- below deck | - / | -- total | - / | main-topmast | - / | - / main-gaff | - / | - / main-boom | - / | - / mizen | | mizenmast from deck to masthead | - / | -- below deck | - / | -- total | | - / mizen-topmast | - / | - / mizen-gaff | | mizen-boom | - / | - / +--------------------------------+-------------+-------------------------+ jibboom, length ft. in., diameter - / inches bowsprit " ft. in. " - / inches (outside knighthead) +------------------------------------------------------------------------+ it may be interesting to give some general account of the 'sunbeam's' performances at sea. in making the voyage round the world in - the total distances covered were , knots under sail and , knots under steam. the best run under steam alone was knots. the most successful continuous performance was on the passage from penang to galle, when , knots were steamed in a week, with a daily consumption of - / tons of coal. the best runs under sail, from noon to noon, were and knots respectively. the first was on the passage from honolulu to yokohama, sailing along the th parallel of north latitude, and between ° and ° ' east. the second was in the formosa channel. the highest speed ever attained under sail was knots, in a squall in the north pacific. on days the distance under sail alone has exceeded, and often considerably exceeded, knots. the best consecutive runs under sail only were:-- . week ending august , south atlantic, in the south-east trades, wind abeam, force , , knots. . week ending november , south pacific, south-east trades, wind aft, force , , knots. . four days, january to , north pacific, north-east trades, wind on the quarter, force to , , knots. the average speed in this case was . knots an hour. the following were the average speeds of the longer passages:-- +-------------------------+--------+--------+--------+-------+ | |days at | total |distance| daily | | ---- | sea |distance| under |average| | | | | steam | | +-------------------------+--------+--------+--------+-------+ | | | miles | miles | miles | | . cape verdes to rio | | , | | | | . valparaiso to yokohama| | , | , | | | . simonosaki to aden | | , | , | | +-------------------------+--------+--------+--------+-------+ on a later voyage to australia, the total distance covered was , knots, , under sail and , under steam. the runs under sail included thirty-nine days over knots, fifteen days over , seven days over , and three days over . the best day was knots. between port darwin and the cape the distance covered was , knots under steam, and , knots under sail. the average speed under steam and sail was exactly eight knots. in the fortnight, october to , , , knots, giving an average speed of nine knots an hour, were covered under sail alone, with winds of moderate strength. balloon canvas was freely used. on returning from the voyage just referred to, the boilers of the 'sunbeam' (which are still at work, after nineteen years' service) required such extensive repairs that it was recommended to remove them and to replace with new. hesitating to take this step, we went through two seasons under sail alone, the propeller being temporarily removed and the aperture closed. in a voyage was accomplished to the mediterranean under these conditions. making the passage from portsmouth to naples, in the month of february, we covered a total distance of , miles from port to port in ten days and four hours. the same good luck with the winds followed us in subsequent passages to messina, zante, patras, and brindisi, during which we steadily maintained the high average of ten knots. on the return voyage down the mediterranean, the results were very different. as this novel experiment in running an auxiliary steam yacht under sail alone may be of interest, a few further details may be added. the average rate of speed for the distance sailed through the water was approximately . knots. the total number of days at sea was . on days the winds were contrary. on days favourable winds were experienced. with much contrary wind and frequent calms the distances made good on the shortest route from port to port averaged miles per day. for the total distance of , miles from portsmouth to brindisi, touching at naples, messina, taormina, zante, and patras, with fresh and favourable breezes, the distances made good on the shortest route averaged miles per day. on the passage down the mediterranean, from brindisi to gibraltar, calling at palermo and cagliari, against persistent head winds, and with hours of calm, the distance made good from port to port was reduced to miles a day. homewards, from gibraltar, against a fresh portuguese trade, the distance made good rose to an average of miles through the water per day, the average rate of sailing being - / knots. from a position miles nearly due west of cape st. vincent to spithead, the 'sunbeam' covered the distance of miles in six days, being for the most part close-hauled. +------------------------------+---------+---------+---------+----------+------+ | total | | | | |distances|distances| time | fair | | port to | sailed |under way| winds | calms | port | | | | +------------------------------+---------+---------+---------+----------+------+ | miles | miles |days hrs.| days hrs.| hours portsmouth to naples | , | , | | | naples to brindisi (calling } | | | | at messina, taormina, zante,} | | | | and patras) } | | | | brindisi to palermo | | | | | palermo to cagliari | | | | -- | cagliari to gibraltar | | , | | | gibraltar to portsmouth | , | , | | | +------------------------------+---------+---------+---------+----------+------+ total | , | , | | | +------------------------------+---------+---------+---------+----------+------+ in the course of the voyage numerous gales of wind were experienced, viz.: on february , a severe mistral, on the passage from minorca towards naples; march , heavy gale from westward off stromboli; april and , gale from s.w. at the mouth of the adriatic; april , gale from s., off south coast of sardinia; april and , gale from w., off almeria. on the days of light winds and calms, balloon topmast staysails, a jib-topsail, and an extra large lower studsail, were found most valuable in maintaining the rate of sailing. in ordinary cruising i find that, as a general rule, one-third of the distance is covered under steam, and that upon the average we make passages at the rate of , miles a week. the consumption of coal is very moderate. for a voyage round the world, of , miles, the coal consumed was only tons. [illustration: 'sunbeam,' r.y.s. designed by st. clare byrne, .] if i were dealing with the question of rig, with the long experience gained on the 'sunbeam,' i should decidedly adopt the barque rig. in confirmation of this opinion, it may be interesting to note that when h.m. brig 'beagle' was under the command of captain fitzroy, r.n., for a lengthened service in the straits of magellan and the coasts of south america, the mizenmast was stuck through the skylight of the captain's cabin, an arrangement which, while of service to the ship, was not unnaturally a source of discomfort to the captain. in making passages in the trades, with light winds on the quarter and the usual swell, fore-and-aft sails are constantly lifting, while sails set on fixed yards keep asleep. they draw better, and there is no chafe. i have found great advantage from the use of large studding-sails, made of light duck. this material was highly esteemed when it was first brought out. in modern practice a combination of silk and hemp furnishes a greatly superior material for the huge spinnakers, of , square feet, carried by the 'navahoe' and 'valkyrie.' the new balloon sails can no longer be called canvas. they may more accurately be described as muslin. i will not attempt a recital of nautical adventures in the present chapter; but a few experiences may be briefly described. the worst passage i ever made was in the 'eothen,' s.s., tons, in , from queenstown to quebec, touching at st. john's, newfoundland. on august we put to sea deeply laden, with bunkers full, and tons of coal in bags on deck. in this condition we had ft. in. of freeboard. on the second day out we encountered a summer gale. shortly after it came on, we shipped a sea, which broke over the bow and filled us up to the rail. at the same time the engineer put his head above the engine-room hatch, and announced that, the bearings having become heated, he must stop the engines. for a short time we were in danger of falling off into the trough of the sea. it was a great relief when the engines once more slowly turned ahead. in the mid-atlantic, we encountered a cyclone, passing through the calm but ominous centre into a violent gale from the north-west, which lasted twenty-four hours. we were battened down and suffered considerable discomfort. fortunately, no heavy sea broke on board as we lay to under double-reefed main storm-trysail, the engines slowly turning ahead. two days later we encountered another sharp gale, in which the barometer fell to . °. happily it soon passed over. after this third gale we had a change of wind to the eastward, and, pushing on, with all sail set, we reached st. john's in thirteen days from queenstown, with four inches of water in the tanks, two tons of coal in the bunkers, the decks leaking in every seam, cabins in utter disarray, and a perfect wreck aloft and on deck. after leaving st. john's, where we had confidently hoped that the worst was over, we encountered a hurricane off cape race, which exceeded in violence anything that had been experienced in these waters for many years. we lay to for three days, and when the storm abated put into the french island st. pierre, almost exhausted. it was an unspeakable relief when we entered the st. lawrence. the lesson to be drawn from my voyage in the 'eothen' is obvious. it is a great mistake to attempt to cross the stormiest ocean in the world in a steam yacht of such small size. for ocean steaming much more tonnage and power are necessary. the heaviest gale ever experienced by the 'sunbeam' was off flamborough head, in . i embarked at middlesbrough on the evening of october , intending to sail for portsmouth at daybreak on the following morning; but, finding the wind from the south and the barometer depressed, our departure was deferred. at a.m. the barometer had fallen to . °, but as the wind had changed to w.n.w., and was off shore from a favourable quarter, i determined to proceed to sea. we were towed down the tees, and as we descended the river i conferred with the pilot as to what we might anticipate from the remarkable depression in the barometer. he was of opinion that a severe gale was at hand, that it would blow from the north-west, and that there was no reason for remaining in port. the tug was accordingly cast off at the mouth of the tees, and we made sail. foreseeing a storm, topmasts were housed, boats were secured on deck, and we kept under close-reefed canvas, setting the main and mizen jib-headed trysails, double-reefed foresail and forestay-sail, and reefed standing jib. as the day advanced no change took place in the weather. the wind blew strongly, but not with the force of a gale, and the sea was comparatively smooth. meanwhile the barometer continued to descend rapidly, and at p.m. had fallen to . °. as nothing had yet occurred to account for this depression, my sailing-master remarked that it must have been caused by the heavy showers of rain which had fallen in the course of the morning. i knew from former experiences that it was not the rain, but the coming storm, that was indicated by the barometer. it had needed some resolution to quit the mouth of the tees in the morning, and at mid-day, when we were off whitby, a still greater effort was required to resist the temptation to make for a harbour. no further incidents occurred until p.m., when we were nearing flamborough head. here we were at last overtaken by the long impending storm. looking back to the north-west, over the starboard quarter, we saw that the sea had suddenly been lashed into a mass of white foam. the hurricane was rushing forward with a velocity and a force which must have seemed terrible to the fleet of coasting vessels around us. before the gale struck the 'sunbeam' our canvas had been reduced to main and mizen trysails and reefed standing-jib; but even with the small spread of sail, and luffed up close to the wind, our powerful little vessel careened over to the fury of the blast until the lee-rail completely disappeared under water--an incident which had never previously occurred during all the extensive voyages we had undertaken. such was the force of the wind that a sailing vessel near us lost all her sails, and our large gig was stove in from the tremendous pressure of the gunwale against the davits. we took in the jib and the mizen-trysail, and, with our canvas reduced to a jib-headed main-trysail, were soon relieved of water on deck. for an hour and a half we lay-to on the starboard tack, standing in for the land below burlington bay. we were battened down, and felt ourselves secure from all risks except collision. the fury of the wind so filled the air with spoon-drift that we could not see a ship's length ahead, and in such crowded waters a collision was a far from impossible contingency. at p.m. we thought it prudent to wear, so as to gain an offing during the night, and gradually drew out of the line of traffic along the coast. at p.m. the extreme violence of the hurricane had abated, and we could see, through occasional openings in the mist, the masthead lights of several steamers standing, like ourselves, off the land for the night. at midnight the barometer was rising rapidly, and the wind gradually settled down into a clear hard gale, accompanied by a heavy sea, running down the coast from the north. at a.m. we carefully examined the dead reckoning, and, having fixed on an approximate position, we determined to bear away, steering to pass in mid-channel between the outer dowsing and the dudgeon, through a passage about ten miles in width. we were under easy sail; but, under the main-trysail, double-reefed foresail, staysail, fore-topsail, and reefed jib, we scudded at the rate of eleven knots. a constant look-out had been kept from aloft, and at a.m., having nearly run the distance down from our assumed position when we bore away to the north end of the outer dowsing, i established myself in the crosstrees until we should succeed in making something. after a short interval we saw broken water nearly ahead on the port bow. we at once hauled to the wind, steering to the south-west, and set the mizen-trysail. the lead showed a depth of three fathoms, and we were therefore assured that we had been standing too near to the outer dowsing. the indications afforded by the lead were confirmed by sights, somewhat roughly taken, and by the circumstance of our having shortly before passed through a fleet of trawlers evidently making for the spurn. in less than an hour after we had hauled to the wind we found ourselves in the track of several steamers. at p.m. we made the land near cromer, and at . we brought up in the yarmouth roads, thankful to have gained a secure shelter from the gale. in connection with this experience, it may be remarked that, as a general rule, our pleasure fleet is over-masted. we are advised in these matters by sailmakers, who look to the solent and its sheltered water as the normal condition with which yachtsmen have to deal. when we venture forth from that smooth and too-much frequented arm of the sea into open waters, our vessels have to pass a far more severe ordeal, and they do not always come out of it to our satisfaction. many are compelled to stay in harbour when a passage might have been made in a snugly rigged yacht. one of the longest gales experienced in the 'sunbeam' was on the passage from nassau to bermuda, in november . the gale struck us south of cape hatteras, on november , in latitude . ° n. the north-east wind gradually subsided, and we pushed on, under steam, for bermuda at knots. the head sea increased, but no change took place in the force or direction of the wind from p.m. on the th till a.m. on the th. meanwhile, the barometer had gradually fallen to . °, giving warning for a heavy gale, which commenced at north-by-east, and ended on november , at p.m., with the wind at north-west. we lay-to on the th, under treble-reefed foresail and double-reefed mainsail, shipping no water, but driving to the south-east at the rate of at least one knot an hour. on the th we decided to try the 'sunbeam' under treble-reefed foresail and mainsail, double-reefed fore-staysail and reefed mizen-trysail. with this increased spread of canvas we were able to make two knots an hour on the direct course to bermuda, and to keep sufficient steerage way to luff up to an ugly sea. the behaviour of the vessel elicited the unqualified approval of our most experienced hands. bad weather quickly brings out the qualities of seamen. our four best men relieved each other at the wheel, and it was due in no small degree to their skill that, in a gale lasting three days, no heavy sea broke on board. i need not say that all deck openings were secured, especially at night, by means of planks and canvas. our situation might perhaps excite sympathy, but we had no cause to complain. meals could not be served in the usual manner, but by placing every movable thing on the floor of the cabins and on the lee side, and by fixing ourselves against supports, or in a recumbent position, we were secured against any further effects of the force of gravity, and did our best to enjoy the novelty of the situation. on the th the wind veered to the north-west, and the weather rapidly improved. the sea turned gradually with the wind, but for many hours we met a heavy swell from the north-east. an acquaintance with the law of storms had proved invaluable on this occasion. there is no situation in which knowledge is more truly power, none in which, under a due sense of the providential care of heaven, it gives a nobler confidence to man, than at sea, amid the raging of a hurricane. mr. emerson has truly said, 'they can conquer who believe they can. the sailor loses fear as fast as he acquires command of sails, and spars, and steam. to the sailor's experience, every new circumstance suggests what he must do. the terrific chances which make the hours and minutes long to the mere passenger, he whiles away by incessant application of expedients and repairs. to him a leak, a hurricane, a waterspout, is so much work, and no more. courage is equality to the problem, in affairs, in science, in trade, in council, or in action. courage consists in the conviction that the agents with which you contend are not superior in strength, or resources, or spirit, to you.' as a specimen of a dirty night at sea, i give another extract from the log-book. during our voyage round the world in - , after leaving honolulu for japan, as we approached osima, on january , we were struck by a tremendous squall of wind and rain. we at once took in the flying square-sail, stowed the topgallant-sail and topsail, reefed the foresail and mizen, and set mainsail. at p.m., the wind still blowing a moderate gale, the mizen was double-reefed. we pursued our way through a confused sea, but without shipping any water. all seemed to be going well, when, at p.m., shortly after i had taken the wheel, a sudden squall heeled us over to the starboard side, where the gig was hung from the davits outboard. at the same time a long mountainous wave, rolling up from the leeward, struck the keel of the gig and lifted it up, unshipping the fore davit, and causing the boat to fall into the boiling sea, which threatened at every instant to dash it to pieces. we at once brought to. a brave fellow jumped into the boat and secured a tackle to the bows, and the gig was hoisted on board and secured on deck intact. it was a very seaman-like achievement. a heavy gale continued during the night, and at a.m., on the th, we met with another accident. the boatswain, a man of great skill and experience, was at the wheel, when a steep wave suddenly engulfed the jibboom, and the 'sunbeam,' gallantly springing up, as if to leap over instead of cleaving through the wave, carried away the spar at the cap. this brought down the topgallant-mast. the jibboom was a splendid oregon spar, feet long, projecting feet beyond the bowsprit. it was rigged with wire rope, and the martingale was sawn through with the greatest difficulty. the record of personal experiences must not be further prolonged. to the writer yachting has been to some extent part of a public life, mainly devoted to the maritime interests of the country. to conduct the navigation and pilotage of his vessel seemed fitting and even necessary, if the voyages undertaken were to be regarded in any sense as professional. there is something pleasant in any work which affords the opportunity for encountering and overcoming difficulties. it is satisfactory to make a headland or a light with precision after a long run across the ocean, diversified perhaps by a heavy gale. to be able to thread the channels of the west coast of scotland, the straits of magellan, the eastern archipelago, the labyrinths of the malawalle channel of north-east borneo, or the great barrier reef of australia, without a pilot is an accomplishment in which an amateur may perhaps take legitimate pleasure. to the yachtsman who truly loves the sea, it will never be satisfactory to remain ignorant of navigation. practice of the art is not a relaxation. it demands constant attention, and is an interruption to regular reading. it may imply a considerable amount of night-work. on the other hand, the owner who is a navigator can take his proper place as the commander of his own ship. all that goes on around him when at sea becomes more interesting. he is better able to appreciate the professional skill of others. the confidence which grows with experience cannot be expected in the beginning. the writer first took charge of navigation in , on a voyage up the baltic. it was a chequered experiment. in the great belt we ran ashore twice in one day. in making stockholm we had to appeal to a swedish frigate, which most kindly clewed up her sails, and answered our anxious enquiries by writing the course on a black-board. on the return voyage to england we struck the coast some sixty miles north of our reckoning. such a history does not repeat itself now. it is not in books or at the library table that the art of the seaman can be acquired. quickness of eye, nerve, promptitude of judgment, are the indispensable gifts, which must be gained by long and varied experience at sea. the seamanship required in a gale of wind on the open ocean, the seamanship displayed in sailing matches in over-sparred yachts, sailed mainly in smooth waters, and the seamanship called for in pilotage waters not previously visited, and especially at night, are different branches of a wide profession. there is a skill of a very high order in docking an atlantic liner at liverpool. there is a skill of a different but equally high order in knocking huge ironclads about in fleet-exercising at sea. there is a skill in bringing the channel steamers alongside the pier at dover. the skill of every description of nautical specialist will never be combined in one individual. there is some risk that the more careful the navigator, the less dashing the same man may be as a seaman. i must not conclude without some reference to the most attractive cruising grounds. to begin near home, the seine, the meuse, the coast of holland, the baltic, the coast of norway, the grand west coast of scotland, the east coast of england (a cruising ground too much neglected by yachtsmen), and the channel are all favourite haunts of mine. going further afield, in my own case nothing was more satisfactory than a voyage along the east coast of north america, in which every river was ascended to the head of the navigation for sea-going vessels. certain parts of the mediterranean offer a perfect cruising ground for the winter months. most suitable waters for yachting are those bounded by the straits of gibraltar on the west and the balearic islands on the north-east. here the mistral of the gulf of lyons is not felt. the spanish coast offers many places of shelter and many points of interest. in westerly winds keep to the eastward of cape de gata; in north-easterly winds to the westward. there is another charming cruising ground between corsica and the italian coast, as far north as spezia, and south down to civita vecchia. sicily is admirable for yachting. a weather shore can be always made upon its beautiful coasts. in the spring or autumn the archipelago and eastern side of the adriatic can be confidently recommended. in the winter months the west indies are a most perfect cruising ground. it will be well to make barbados the landfall, then run to trinidad, proceeding thence to grenada, and following on from island to island down to jamaica. the return voyage should be by havana, and thence to a port in the united states, and by an ocean liner home, or by the bahamas, bermuda and the azores to england. the pacific, japan and eastern archipelago will well repay those who can give the time required for such distant voyages. lastly, let no yachtsman speak contemptuously of the solent. it is no exaggeration to say that if the splendid natural breakwater of the isle of wight were removed, half the tonnage of yachts under the british flag would disappear. the solent offers a sufficient space of sheltered water for all but the very largest yachts to manoeuvre in conveniently. breezes are seldom wanting, and the shores of the wight are most pleasing. in this miniature ocean many have formed tastes for the sea which have led to more ambitious voyages. the estuary of the clyde merits equally high praise, but the puffs off bute are less gentle than those off the wight, and the racing partakes of a hard-weather character, with streaks of calm. in the preceding observations it has been assumed that i have been addressing readers who love the sea in all those varying phases which have given inspiration to some of the finest creations of poetic genius. the greeks were lovers of the sea. we have been reminded of their admirable descriptions by mr. froude, in a brilliant passage:-- the days pass, and our ship flies past upon her way. [greek: glaukon hyper oidma kyanochroa te kymatôn rhothia polia thalassas.] how perfect the description! how exactly in those eight words euripides draws the picture of the ocean; the long grey heaving swell, the darker steel-grey on the shadowed slope of the waves, and the foam on their breaking crests. our thoughts flow back as we gaze to the times long ago, when the earth belonged to other races, as it now belongs to us. the ocean is the same as it was. their eyes saw it as we see it. time writes no wrinkle on that azure brow. nor is the ocean alone the same. human nature is still vexed with the same problems, mocked with the same hopes, wandering after the same illusions. the sea affected the greeks as it affects us, and was equally dear to them. it was a greek who said: 'the sea washes off all the ills of men,' the 'stainless one,' as Æschylus called it, the eternally pure. the romans had in virgil a poet of the sea, who could attune his lyre to perfect harmony, alike with freshening or subsiding breeze:-- vela dabant læti et spumas salis ære ruebant. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ferunt ipsa æquora classem, Æquatæ spirant auræ, datur hora quieti. the sea has been the favoured theme of our english poets. there has been none in any language who has excelled our own byron:-- oft had he ridden on that wingèd wave, and loved its roughness for the speed it gave. for me, the sea was a dream in my earliest years. i have spent upon its waters some of the brightest, and, alas! some of the saddest of my days; and now, in the autumn of my life, the unforgotten past, and the aims and work of the present, are more than ever bound up with the sea. our hearts, our hopes, are all with thee; our hearts, our hopes, our prayers, our tears, our faith, triumphant o'er our fears, are all with thee--are all with thee. chapter iii corinthian deep-sea cruising by c. e. seth-smith, c.b.[ ] (late commanding london brigade royal naval volunteers) [footnote : i am deeply indebted to mr. d. w. marsden, late honorary secretary of the london corps royal naval artillery volunteers, for his assistance in the compilation of these notes.] the record of corinthian sailing would not be complete without some account of deep-sea voyages in yachts manned by amateur seamen. the cruises of corinthian yachtsmen are naturally chiefly confined to the estuaries of rivers and the seas immediately adjacent, and, as a rule, are within sight of the coast. considerations of time and expense are generally sufficient to impose these limits. that the dangers of the sea and the difficulty of navigation are no impediments is amply proved by the records of more extended voyages in craft of all sizes, made public from time to time. there are, however, certain other difficulties which, as a rule, stand in the way of corinthian seamen extending their experience of the sea still further. for an ocean voyage of any extent a craft of some size is necessary, and it must be manned by a crew of considerable number. amateur yachtsmen are scattered, and find it difficult to take their cruises together in any large numbers. the yacht-owner, who wished to man his yacht for an ocean voyage solely or mainly with corinthian seamen, would not find it easy to obtain a sufficient number to make up his complement. a movement was made some twenty years ago to develop and utilise for the national defence the seafaring instincts and tastes latent in many of our young countrymen, and until it was abandoned in [ ] provided a body of men, corinthian yachtsmen and others possessing seafaring capacities, and formed an exceptional reservoir on which yacht-owners could draw who desired to give opportunities of more extended seafaring to the amateur seaman. the more extended voyages of the schooner 'hornet' were undertaken to give a pleasurable holiday to the members of the corps and to increase their efficiency as naval volunteers. the 'hornet' was a powerful yacht of tons register and about tons thames measurement, she was feet on the water-line and nearly feet beam, and drew about feet of water in sea-going trim. she was built at cowes, and was rigged as a topsail-yard schooner, carrying in addition to her ordinary fore and aft sails a square foresail, a fore-topsail and topgallant-sail, and fore-topmast and lower studding-sails. [footnote : the late corps of royal naval artillery volunteers of london, liverpool, bristol and glasgow.] all her gear was fitted as far as possible in man-of-war fashion, and both on deck and below she was arranged as one of the small old-fashioned vessels of her majesty's service. a wardroom and four separate sleeping cabins for her officers were arranged aft, and a very large forecastle gave ample lower deck accommodation for some thirty-five or forty petty officers and men. the majority of the 'hornet's' voyages were restricted by the limited holidays of her amateur crew, but she was occasionally manned by crews not tied in such a degree by business engagements, and during the summers of , and sailed round the coast of ireland, visited the cattegat sound and danish islands, christiania and some other norwegian ports, the coasts of spain and portugal, and gibraltar, and made a short trip down the coast of morocco. the latter terminated in an exciting passage home from lisbon in stormy weather, during which the corinthians were for upwards of three weeks out of sight of land on a strictly limited scale of provisions, hove to in a gale of wind for some days, and driven into the vicinity of the azores. since the present chapter is concerned solely with corinthian yachting on the ocean, nothing need be said about the many short cruises round and about the english and french coasts and up and down the channel, during which the 'hornet's' ever-varying crew were gaining some practical knowledge of seamanship and testing their individual fitness for their voluntary duties. about the end of june the 'hornet' sailed from the thames, manned by thirty-five amateurs, mr. edward dodd, who was rated as boatswain, and the galley staff being the only professional seamen on board. mr. samuel brooks (recently thrice mayor of redhill) acted as chief petty officer, chief quartermaster and occasional watch-keeper, and mr. r. t. pritchett was borne on the books and drew rations as the 'staff officer,' the guide, philosopher and friend of the whole ship's company. the weather of the summer of is notorious, and the 'hornet's' first ocean cruise was a trying one for her corinthian crew, who experienced to the full the miseries of a month at sea in bad weather. from the day she left dartmouth in june to her arrival in the solent in july her log-book records no single fine day. the afternoon of friday, july (the ship having left queenstown july ) is the only day on which 'light airs and sunshine' are entered even for a few hours. nevertheless the crew expressed themselves as thoroughly delighted with the experiences of their month's cruise. some account of this trip appeared in the 'graphic' of october , , with illustrations by the staff officer, of which the principal represented 'stowing the foresail off the longships at midnight in a gale, june , .' on this occasion the 'hornet' was compelled by a heavy gale from the south-west to force a passage round the land's end, and make for the bristol channel, running up to the mumbles. as the author remarks, such weather on a dark night was a severe trial for the practical seamanship of gentlemen sailors, but they proved themselves equal to it, and were afterwards complimented on their efficiency by the admiral, sir william dowell, on arrival at queenstown. the following year-- --a much longer and most enjoyable cruise of six weeks was undertaken on which the captain, mr. c. e. seth-smith, was assisted by messrs. a. b. woodd and e. graham as lieutenants. the crew numbered twenty-five all told; mr. dodd again acted as boatswain, and mr. brooks as chief petty officer. the 'hornet' reached copenhagen on july , and after cruising among the lovely danish islands for some days, her officers and crew were hospitably entertained by the royal danish yacht club, then holding their annual regatta at svendborg. from denmark she passed to christiania, and on july the ship's company landed in norway and enjoyed a cariole trip of two days across the country to the falls of hönefos. after cruising for two or three days along the southern coasts and up the fjords the 'hornet' left norway and returned to england, arriving at greenhithe on august after a well-managed and most successful expedition. she was the largest vessel, manned entirely by amateur sailors, that had appeared in those seas. the account from which the above particulars are taken appeared in the 'illustrated london news' for february , , and was accompanied by illustrations from photographs by mr. henry denison pender, son of mr. (now sir john) pender, m.p., who was a member of the crew and an enthusiastic royal naval artillery volunteer, and whose lamented death soon after was the occasion of much grief to his many friends. the following year-- --a cruise of even more extended scope was undertaken. the 'hornet' left dover on may , and proceeded down channel to dartmouth under the command of mr. c. e. seth-smith, assisted by mr. a. b. woodd, mr. dodd again acting as boatswain and mr. brooks at his old post. at dartmouth all hands signed articles. on tuesday, may , the steam launch and boiler having been got on board, the 'hornet' left england for the south at a.m. and lost sight of the english coast at . a.m., prawl point being her point of departure. the weather on her passage out was on the whole favourable, and on tuesday, may , the burlings, fifty miles west of lisbon, was sighted, the ship's run from noon of the th to noon of the st having been knots. on june , after a period of light winds and calm, the ship being about miles west of gibraltar, it came on to blow from the eastward, and the square fore-topsail was got in for the first time since leaving dartmouth. on june , the wind increasing to a whole gale from the east with heavy sea, they stood in shore to south of cape spartel and lay to 'up and down' in spartel bay all night. next day, the weather moderating, the 'hornet' stood over to the spanish coast and sighted gibraltar rock at . p.m., for which she stood steadily in; but at midnight, being becalmed, she was towed in by the gig, and at . a.m. the anchor was dropped in six fathoms off the ragged staff in gibraltar bay, after a passage from dartmouth of thirteen days. the interval between june and was spent at gibraltar in necessary cleaning and repairs, in exploring the rock and its neighbourhood, and in giving and receiving hospitalities; and at noon on june a start was made for tangier, where the 'hornet' arrived at a.m. there she remained until the afternoon of june , when, the sights of the old moorish town having been seen and various oriental purchases made, the anchor was weighed for cadiz. at a.m. next day cadiz was sighted, a pilot taken on board, and at . a.m. the anchor was let go in cadiz bay. at cadiz a halt was made until june , employed by the ship's company in excursions to seville and jerez, and in seeing at cadiz the procession of corpus christi and a bull-fight, distinguished on this occasion by the bull-ring taking fire. at . on the th a start was made for lisbon. from cadiz to cape st. vincent was a beat to windward, until on the th they were becalmed off the cape. a breeze springing up in the afternoon, cape epischol was sighted, and at a.m. on the nd a pilot was taken on board for lisbon, and the 'hornet' sailed in with a light breeze by the south channel, and let go her anchor between belem and lisbon at p.m. the voyage home was destined to prove a much less agreeable experience. anchor was weighed at p.m. on june , wind blowing strong from the north-east, which continued next day with a heavy sea. standing out to sea some fifty miles, the 'hornet' was put on the port tack and sighted the burlings light at . p.m., when she was again put about for sea room. on the th the ship was under three-reefed mainsail, reefed foresail, staysail, and jib, and on the th she was hove to under three-reefed mainsail and reefed foresail to a strong north-east gale. the th, still hove to, the gale blowing furiously, with tremendous seas, the mainsail and fore-staysail were taken in, and the ship put under fore-trysail alone. on the th the gale appeared to be moderating, but at a.m. it was found that the rudder-head had started, the steering-wheel and gear had to be unshipped, and the tiller shipped, tended constantly by two helmsmen. a jib-headed trysail was set on the mainsail to ease the steering gear. on the th the mainsail was again set, and, the stores having been overhauled, everyone was put on rations, which were further reduced next day. the weakness of the rudder-head rendered the most careful steering necessary, which, during the rest of the voyage, threw more work on the experienced hands. on july she was again close hauled to a strong breeze from the north-east, which continued all day, the ship being under three-reefed mainsail and reefed foresail, and so continued through the whole of the th; but on the th the wind shifted to the north-west and moderated. all available sail was gradually made, and by noon of that day, the position having been verified by observation, under square foresail, topsail, and topmast stun'sails, topgallant-sail, and main topmast skysail, the course was set for home. next day the wind again shifted, and all hands were called in the morning watch to reduce sail. their misfortunes had not ended, for on july it was discovered that the fore-masthead was sprung, and the cap and crosstrees damaged. a lashing was, however, put round the heel of the fore-topmast, and the fore-masthead, and all the rigging and gear carefully overhauled and made good where possible. the rations, also, were still further reduced. however, on the th, having again got sights, the commander decided to bear up for the channel, and at . sighted ushant. a fair wind then sprang up, and the ship ran along gaily at an average of eight knots. on the th, and at . a.m., the english coast near plymouth was sighted, the start at . , portland at p.m., and the wight at . at a.m. next day the anchor was dropped in shanklin bay, but permission to land being refused by the customs authorities, sail was again set for ryde, where the 'hornet' arrived at . p.m., thus terminating an eventful cruise. although its unexpected prolongation had been rather trying for some of the ship's company, and their experience had been of a nature to try severely the physique and capacity of amateur sailors, they seem to have gone through it well. several other yachts, among which may be mentioned the 'titania,' belonging to the marquis of ailsa, the 'dawn,' to mr. klein, and 'diligent,' to mr. c. e. chadwick healey and mr. sydney hoare, have been manned by naval volunteers. it now only remains to add a few considerations on the advantages and disadvantages of corinthian crews for ocean-going yachts. first, then, as to expense: the owner does not save anything by shipping an amateur crew. it is true he pays no wages to his corinthian deck hands, but he must be prepared to incur a considerable outlay in alterations to the internal arrangements of the vessel, to buy new bedding and mess traps, and to provide a better class of ship's cooks and a more numerous galley staff. good temper will not prevail, nor can discipline be easily maintained, unless corinthian jack is well fed. if, as is sometimes the case, the amateur crew arrange to cater for themselves, the owner and captain must occasionally add to the luxuries of the lower deck mess. some expense is also unavoidable from the extra wear and tear arising from the want of skill of novices who have not yet learned to handle sails and gear with a view to their preservation. the safety and comfort of one's ship's company, too, is a double source of anxiety when some or the whole are not seafaring by profession. for it must not be forgotten even in the finest weather that there is no such thing as 'playing at sailors' when at sea. the risk involved is not appreciably increased by manning the vessel with amateurs, if the officer in command will take certain precautions; and this view was endorsed by the insurance companies, who in no instance increased the premium on the 'hornet.' the owner must insist on shipping a due proportion of old hands in each crew, and take care to train them as helmsmen and leadsmen. he should relieve the 'wheel' and 'look-out' as often as practicable. above all, he should be careful to shorten sail in good time, and always at dusk, until he can depend upon his crew. active and courageous as the amateur seaman invariably is, he has not the practice aloft of the professional, he cannot shorten sail so rapidly, nor does his knowledge of the lead of the ropes enable him to identify them so readily in the dark. the services of a good professional boatswain, with an enthusiastic love for his profession and a cheery sympathetic manner as an instructor, are absolutely essential for the proper working of a corinthian ship. a minute and careful observation of the barometer, and constant verifying of position by reckoning and by observation, are the duties of the officer rather than the crew. unless the yacht-owner be an enthusiastic navigator, delighting in his sextant and mathematical formulæ as well as a keen sailor-man, he had better not attempt this exacting if fascinating method of sailing his ship. on the other hand, the corinthian crew is a cheery one, well mannered and enthusiastic, grateful for any instruction which is given them, and happy in an exceptional and delightful holiday. as a corinthian crew is in general more numerous than one composed of professional sailors, when they have learnt their stations and become accustomed to the work, the vessel may be handled with that old-fashioned man-of-war smartness which is so attractive. in conclusion, the national aquatic instinct, fostered as it is by the healthy sea-breezy tone prevailing in so much of our boyhood's literature, can only be cultivated by the majority of us as corinthian seamen. love for shipping and boats is not necessarily love for the sea and seafaring. those who take to the sea as a profession are not always constant in their love. a voyage in a passenger ship, or even a trip as an honoured guest on board one of the floating batteries of her majesty's navy, quite satisfies the still keen boyish aspiration. it is only as one of the crew of a large yacht on a deep-sea voyage that the amateur can personally experience that 'life at sea' which has so fascinated his imagination. though i dare not advise all yacht-owners to man their ships with their friends, i should hail with pleasure an opportunity of sailing again with some of my old shipmates. chapter iv the evolution of the modern racing yacht by g. l. watson seven years ago the task of describing the form of racing yachts would have been a much simpler one than it is to-day. then even the cruising vessels were more or less under the influence of the old tonnage rule, or of its later modification, and big and little were pretty much of a type;--a model of, say, a 'forty,' representing with sufficient accuracy a 'ninety,' or a 'five,' if we supposed the scale changed; and the individual yachts in each class, while presenting differences to the eye of the amateur, were not to be distinguished apart by the general yachting public, except perhaps by the racing flag. under the present length and sail-area rule, the variety of type is enormous. broad, narrow, deep, and shallow; boats with centreboards and boats without; single boats and double boats; plain keel, fin keel, and bulb keel, have all their representatives, and each has had its successes. but few of these types could have been successful under the old tonnage rule, and few of them may be successful under rules yet to come. any history, therefore, of the development of the form of racing yachts would fail did it not take account of, and run parallel to, the history of the tonnage rule of the time. [illustration: 'britannia' _r.y.s. -rater. designed by g. l. watson, . winner of r. victoria gold cup, september ._] throughout the modern story of yachting the tonnage question has been the all-absorbing one. looking back, through the pages of those sporting papers and periodicals which forty years ago devoted a meagre portion of their space to yachting, one is struck by the same feature that shows prominently in the 'field' or 'yachtsman' of to-day. for one letter on any other subject, there are a dozen on the measurement question, and the writers handled their pens in much the same energetic way then as now, in abuse of rival theorists; but, more merciful than the moderns, spared us their elaborate formulæ. these controversies happily have served the useful purpose of preserving for the historian of to-day a good many facts which might otherwise have been lost; for our dear old friend 'hunt's magazine,' in his flowery youth, is fonder of treating us to an 'ode to the yachtsman's bride,' or a relation of 'how miss delany married an officer,' than to facts regarding measurement, or time allowances, and these are only to be picked up incidentally as it were from the correspondence of the quarrelsome gentlemen aforesaid. it is to be hoped that the yachting historian of the twentieth century may reap a like benefit from our controversialists of to-day, and that those mathematicians who now brandish their tonnage formulæ to the terror of all quietly disposed yachtsmen will find a reader in the searcher after facts of . yachting, then, may be said to have begun with this century; for although, as is shown elsewhere in these volumes, yachts are mentioned long before that date, it was hardly until the century opened, or indeed until after the crimean war, that yachting as a sport became fairly established in this country. the yachts of those days were round-headed things, of about three beams in length, in most cases innocent of metal ballast, and kept on their feet by gravel or by iron ore. what little racing there might have been was confined to scratch matches between the owners, and time allowance for tonnage was not thought of, though doubtless the tonnage rule as then used for the merchant shipping of the country was recognised as a useful measure for the purchase and sale of these vessels. racing became commoner; soon more than two yachts came together to try conclusions, and it was presently discovered by some astute yachtsman that a good big ship, other things being the same, was faster than a good little ship, and therefore, where their purses admitted of it, owners built yachts as large as could be handled. 'arrow,' tons; 'lulworth,' tons; 'alarm,' tons; and 'louisa,' tons, were the crack cutters on the solent about forty-five years ago, and, as may be well understood, little boats had a very poor chance with these giants, except perhaps in light and fluky weather. mr. holland-ackers called attention to this fact, and proposed a table of time allowances between large and smaller yachts based on the length of the course and the difference of size between the vessels. the measure of this size was the tonnage, as ascertained by the then tonnage law of the land, which had been in force since , or rather a slight modification of this rule, adapted to the peculiar form of yachts. in this, 'the old rule,' as it was called, only length of keel and breadth were taken into account, the depth being assumed as half the breadth. breadth was thus penalised twice over in the formula, and perhaps the most extraordinary fact in connection with this rule is, that it was in force for years before it seems to have occurred to our yacht-builders that a success was to be made by increasing those dimensions which were untaxed, or only moderately taxed, and reducing the beam which was taxed twice over. this is all the more remarkable, as builders of the mercantile marine seem to have caught this point much earlier, and were building vessels with enormously increased depth and reduced beam, though it is true the slowness of these ships did not invite imitation, as the american clipper ships, built under a fairer tonnage law, were rapidly sailing them off the seas. happily, in the law was changed for the present method of measurement by internal cubic capacity, and the genius of our shipbuilders, thus left unfettered, was equal to the task of regaining our supremacy on the ocean. but among the yachts the old {l - b × b × ( / b)}/ prevailed, and gradually builders discovered that, by increasing draft and amount of ballast, beam could be pared down, and a boat of nominally the same tonnage made longer and to carry more sail than her predecessor. lead ballast was slowly introduced, despite all sorts of adverse prophecies from old salts that it would strain the ship and would cause her to plunge so heavily as to go under; and presently, when some unknown genius first put lead outside, and from a timid hundredweight or two this increased to tons, the veterans gave the new type up altogether as past praying for, and left them to their well-merited fate. i have been unable to get any definite information as to the first application of outside ballasts, but in messrs. steele built the 'wave' for mr. john cross buchanan, and on this vessel a metal keel was fixed. there may, however, have been earlier instances of this in the south. but providence was on the side of the heavy lead keels, and each year yachts got longer, and deeper, and narrower, and had more and more lead outside, until there was none left inside at all, while they more and more nearly approached euclid's definition of a line as having length but no breadth. _a propos_ of these proportions, a good, and it may possibly be true, story is told of an enthusiastic cutter-man on the other side of the atlantic, who, intensely prejudiced against the fine broad ships of america, asked a friend here to buy, and have sent across to him, a typical british -ton cutter, stipulating only that she should be fast, and at least as narrow as anything of her class. the little craft was safely brought across and put in the water in new york bay, and after a trial sail the owner invited one or two friends to come off for a day's pleasuring in the new ship, with the object of showing the advantages of five feet of beam against ten. but, on coming alongside, the first to get out of the dinghy took hold of the runner, and taking a nice wide step, so as to get well into the centre of the boat, stepped clean into the water on the other side. but long before the advantage of substituting untaxed depth for the heavily taxed beam was discovered, and about mr. wanhill, of poole, introduced the raking sternpost, thus getting, on a given length of keel, a much longer water-line. but even this device was used in moderation, ° to ° being the utmost rake given, with the sternpost showing at the water-line, and such vessels as our modern cutaway fives, tens, twenties, or forties, with the keel a fourth of their over-all length, were as yet unthought of, though the direct inducement to build them was far stronger then than now. [illustration: 'cygnet' cutter, tons. built by wanhill, of poole, in .] [illustration: midship section.] i may cite an exception to this, however, in a vessel called the 'problem,' built at kirkcaldy about or , and described in 'hunt's magazine' of august . the 'problem' presented a similar profile to that of our fashionable fives or - / of three or four years back, the stem and sternpost sloping down and meeting in a point as in the 'lily,' - / -rater; 'natica,' -rater; and 'varuna,' -rater. but the vessel was built without any idea of racing, she having three masts, square-rigged on each mast, and whatever advantages she may have possessed seem to have escaped the notice of the regular yacht-builders. a much likelier idea was struck by 'vanderdecken,' in a letter to 'bell's life' in , where he proposes a 'tonnage cheater,' in which he had got the sternpost pretty nearly amidships, with the profile resembling in an exact degree that of our most modern small craft. but though, if properly designed otherwise, the proposed vessel would have been a certain success, the jump was too big a one for our yacht-builders, and 'vanderdecken's' idea lay on the shelf for many years. [illustration: 'varuna' _ -rater (capt. j. towers-clarke). designed by g. l. watson, ._] [illustration: 'problem,' .] [illustration: deck plan of 'problem'.] [illustration: profile of the 'varuna,' .] the evasion of length by this method, however, raised a terrible storm of discussion. 'bell's life' and 'hunt's magazine' were inundated with indignant letters on the subject, until, in , the royal london yacht club, followed by the royal thames, arranged to measure the length on deck, subtracting from this length the whole beam, instead of three-fifths of the beam, so as not to dis-class those vessels with excessive rake already built. this rule, under the name of the 'thames rule,' became the recognised method of measuring yachts, and, indeed, still remains the standard measurement for rates for buying, selling, and hiring. [illustration: vanderdecken's tonnage cheater.] slowly at first, but steadily, yachts became longer, narrower, and deeper; the crack yacht of one year being displaced the next by something with more length, less beam, and more ballast. here and there, it is true, an occasional vessel of exceptional excellence held her own for a year or two with the newer ones; but what looked for a little like high water was but the mark of an exceptional wave which in its turn was covered, and the true flood seen to be a bit away yet. to check the growing tendency towards length and depth at the expense of beam, the new thames yacht club, at a meeting on march , , adopted the following rule:-- the length shall be the distance from the fore part of the main stem to the after part of the main sternpost measured in a straight line along the deck. the breadth shall be the distance between the outsides of the outside planks or wales, measured where that distance is largest. the depth shall be the distance between the top of the covering board and the bottom of the keel at the middle point of the length. the product of the length, the breadth, and the depth, divided by , shall be taken as the tonnage of the yacht. but the influence of this rule was not far-reaching, and confined to the new thames club, and (in a slightly modified form) to the queenstown model yacht club; few yachts were built under it, and these were not conspicuously successful. nor was the reason of this very far to seek. the tax on depth induced builders to cut down freeboard, and, so far as might be, draft, while to make up for this latter deficiency the amidships draft was carried well forward and aft, and only little rake given to the post, with the result that the few boats built under this rule carried an extremely awkward sail-plan, and were abnormally slow in stays. the great general effect of the , or thames rule, has been described; but among its minor influences may be mentioned the inducement to have the utmost water-line length on a given deck or measurement length. one obvious manner of attaining this was by keeping the sternpost upright or nearly so; while the writer, in a little cutter called the 'peg woffington,' built for himself in , took a farther advantage of the rule by putting a ram bow on her, thus getting the water-line even longer than the measurement on deck. an additional interest attaches to this yacht as being the earliest sailing yacht, so far as i have been able to ascertain, which had all her ballast outside. [illustration: dog-legged sternpost.] in mr. james reid, of port glasgow, just then beginning to make his mark as a yacht designer, devised what was called the 'dog-legged' sternpost, fitting one in the -tonner 'merle.' this, as will be seen from the sketch, retained all the advantages of a raked sternpost, and yet gave as long a water-line length as the length on deck; but the device had but a short life, as in the spring of the yacht racing association, which had been formed the previous year, decreed that the length should be measured to the fore side of the rudder stock. this regulation, made so late in the building season, somewhat unjustly threw out three yachts built under the existing rule. unfortunately, a policy of procrastination seems to have haunted the yacht racing association since its inception, as in most instances where the building rules have been changed, these changes have been decided on so close to the coming season that builders have been unfairly pushed in the designing and getting ready new vessels. i would venture to suggest to that body, and this in the interests of yacht-owners quite as much as of builders, that no rule affecting the construction of racing yachts should be considered after the end of october. [illustration: immersed counter of 'quiraing,' .] in the fall of , in designing 'quiraing,' and with the same end in view, i got the water-line the same length as the length for measurement by immersing the counter as in the sketch. [illustration: 'dora' _ -rater, centreboard (r. g. allan, esq.) designed by g. l. watson, ._] in the yacht racing association recognised the right of builders to have the same length on load-water-line as that for which they were taxed on deck, and that without forcing them into adopting abnormal shapes, and therefore determined that the length should be measured on the load-water-line. though it was at once pointed out that this would lead to overhang, so strong was prejudice in favour of the old-fashioned straight stem, that no advantage was taken of this until the advent of the -ton 'buttercup' in , and in her the outreach was extremely moderate. indeed, it was impossible, with the deep, narrow style of yacht produced by the rule, to use overhang to excess, this device only becoming objectionable when used in combination with a flat, shallow section. 'buttercup' made a most excellent record; and though this was from causes quite apart from her clipper stem, yet she marks a stage as being the first cutter to reintroduce this adornment. 'buttercup' was the work of an amateur, mr. robert hewitt, and the following particulars of her may be of interest:-- _'buttercup,' launched from yard at barking, september _ l.w.l. ft. in. extreme beam ft. in. draught feet least freeboard ft. in. displacement tons lead " ship and gear " sail-area , feet first match, may , ; sailed starts in , won firsts, seconds; designed, owned, and sailed by robert hewitt, esq., r.t.y.c, now commodore. i may mention that the first design for the -ton 'vanduara' was drawn with a clipper or out-reaching stem; but i had not the heart to disfigure the boat (as i then considered i should be doing) by building her in this fashion. the rising generation of yachtsmen, however, is entirely reconciled to the clipper bow on a cutter-rigged yacht, and may eventually (though this seems improbable) look with complacency on such cutwaters as 'dora's' or 'britannia's.' about this date-- --builders were becoming more and more impressed with the value of a low centre of gravity got by outside lead, which, in combination with increased displacement, allowed of beam being reduced and length added almost indefinitely. indeed, mr. dixon kemp, probably the best authority on the subject in this country, declared somewhat later that there was no limit to this process of drawing out; and though i never could quite agree with him on that point, the beginning of the end was approaching, and yachts, more especially in the smaller classes, were getting most uncomfortably narrow. the older men, however, were naturally timid about the introduction of external ballast, and it was left to 'the boys,' with the happy audacity and confidence of youth, to design -tonners with -ton keels, which, perhaps fortunately, did not get beyond the length of paper. but fives, tens, and twenties were built with nearly all their lead outside, and did not from that fact tear themselves asunder. mr. james reid, of port glasgow, designer of the beautiful -tonner 'florence' and many other fast boats, closely followed by mr. john inglis, of pointhouse, and later by the writer, put all or nearly all of the ballast outside, and the practice in a few years became general. [illustration: 'britannia,' . 'thistle,' . sketch of cutwaters.] length and displacement went merrily on, as will be seen from the following tables and diagrams:-- _elements of -tonners ( and rules)_ +---------------+---------+---------+--------+---------+----------+--------+ description | diamond | vril | trident| olga | doris | oona +---------------+---------+---------+--------+---------+----------+--------+ length on | ft. | ft. | ft. | ft. | ft. | ft. load-line | in. | in. | | | in. | +---------------+---------+---------+--------+---------+----------+--------+ breadth | ft. | ft. | ft. | ft. | ft. | ft. extreme | - / in.| in. | | - / in.| in. | in. +---------------+---------+---------+--------+---------+----------+--------+ draught of | ft. | ft. | ft. | ft. | ft. | ft. water extreme| in. | in. | in. | in. | | +---------------+---------+---------+--------+---------+----------+--------+ displacement | . tons| . tons| . tons| . tons| . tons| . tons +---------------+---------+---------+--------+---------+----------+--------+ total | | | | | , | area of | sq. ft. | sq. ft. | sq. ft.| sq. ft. | | lower sail | | | | | | +---------------+---------+---------+--------+---------+----------+--------+ designer | w. baden| g. l. | w. e. | w. e. | g. l. | w. e. | powell | watson | paton | paton | watson | paton +---------------+---------+---------+--------+---------+----------+--------+ date when | | | | | | built | | | | | | +---------------+---------+---------+--------+---------+----------+--------+ [illustration: chart.] [illustration: profiles of -tonners.] [illustration: sections showing decrease of breadth and increase of depth in -tonners--under and rules.] in the autumn of it was thought a check might be put on this development by adopting a rule somewhat easier on beam than the existing one, and in it was determined that the tonnage should be reckoned in accordance with the formula:-- ((l + b){ } × b) / [illustration: diagram of variation under different rules.] the incidence of this rule is clearly enough shown by the diagram, where the possible dimensions for a -, -, -, and -tonner are plotted under both rules; the two curves crossing at a point where the vessel is about - / beams in length. below this point the new rule was easier on beam, and above it more severe; and it was thought that the extra beam admissible below the five-beam point would have induced builders to avail themselves of this quality; but beam, as we learn by the light of later years, was then altogether undervalued, and length was taken at any price, with the result that the adoption of extreme proportions was hastened rather than averted, till in a radical change in the rule was demanded, and in the autumn of that year a committee of the yacht racing association, after taking most exhaustive evidence from the various experts, decided on the adoption of a rule proposed by mr. dixon kemp, based solely on length (which was measured on the load-water-line) and on sail-area. in this rule, breadth, so sorely taxed by the rule, was left absolutely unfettered; depth as heretofore being also untaxed, so that infinite scope was left for experiment in the way of beam. simultaneously with this change, the use of the centreboard was permitted; and, as the pessimists declared, the road made clear for all manner of skimming dishes and consequent caprices. i ventured to point out at the time the possible dangers of unlimited beam, and proposed that the rule should be ((l +b) × sail-area) / constant; but this limitation was held to be unnecessary, as, indeed, it appeared to be for a year or two. with the exception of the 'thistle,' built immediately on the passing of the rule, and built probably more with a view to american racing than performance in home waters, builders were somewhat chary of availing themselves of the advantages of beam, and, in the larger classes at least, successive yachts, though getting broader, only 'slowly broadened down from precedent to precedent.' to mr. alfred payne, of southampton, is due the credit of showing what could be done with large beam and moderate displacement. in he built the 'humming bird,' - / -rater, for captain hughes; this boat was feet on water-line, . feet beam--that is, . beams in length--and was extremely successful against other and narrower boats, notably 'thief' and 'queen mab', of like rating and designed by the writer. _elements of -raters (length and sail area rule)_ +------------+--------+---------+------+-------+------+-----------+------+--------+ | | | | | |centreboard| | description | mohawk |deerhound|creole| thalia|varuna| cutter-- | lais |vendetta | | | | | | queen mab | | +------------+--------+---------+------+-------+------+-----------+------+--------+ length on } . | . | ft.| . | ft.| ft. | . | . load line } ft. | ft. | in.| ft. | | in. | ft. | ft. +------------+--------+---------+------+-------+------+-----------+------+--------+ breadth | . | ft. | ft.| . | ft.| ft. | | . extreme | ft. | in. | - / | ft. | in.| in. | ft.| ft. | | | in. | | | | | +------------+--------+---------+------+-------+------+-----------+------+--------+ draught of } . | ft. | ft.| ft.| ft.| ft. | | water } ft. | - / in.| | in.| in.| in. | -- | -- extreme | | | | | | | | +------------+--------+---------+------+-------+------+-----------+------+--------+ displacement| . | tons | | | | . | -- | -- | tons | | tons | tons | tons | tons | | +------------+--------+---------+------+-------+------+-----------+------+--------+ designer { c. p. | g. l. |g. l. |w. fife|g. l. | g. l. |w. fife| a. e. { clayton| watson |watson| jun. |watson| watson | jun. | payne +------------+--------+---------+------+-------+------+-----------+------+--------+ date when | | | | | | | | built | | | | | | | | +------------+--------+---------+------+-------+------+-----------+------+--------+ in 'iverna' was built, of practically the same length as, and of less beam than, 'thistle,' and no great advance was made until the present year ( ) in the adoption of beam in the larger classes; but the progress in this direction may be easily traced in the 'forty' and 'twenty' rating classes, where the growth of beam and decline in displacement are very well marked, as the table and diagram show. [illustration: diagram showing variation of dimensions, &c., with years. -raters. l. and s.a. rule.] [illustration: profiles of -raters.] will be remembered as having produced four notable boats on this side of the atlantic, and five in america; and in all nine due prominence is certainly given to beam, if, indeed, more breadth has not been taken, in some of these at least, than can be advantageously used. the dimensions of these boats, so far as they have been obtainable, will be of interest. [illustration: 'deerhound,' 'thalia,' 'varuna,' 'queen mab,' , c.b. midship sections of -raters.] how far under the present rating rule beam may yet be increased with advantage to speed is still matter for debate and experiment. personally i am inclined to think we have pretty nearly approached the limit. but of this much i am confident, that we have long ago exceeded the limit where beam improves a yacht as a comfortable sea-going craft, and that we should have a much more wholesome and useful vessel for all purposes, except possibly for international racing, with somewhat less beam and somewhat more displacement. the diagram given _ante_ may serve to give the reader an idea of the influence that the various tonnage or rating rules have had on the proportions and form of yachts. _british yachts, _ +-----------+------+-------+-----------+--------+-----+------+ | |length|breadth| y.r.a. |length | |y.r.a.| | name | on | ext. | sail |over all|draft|rating| | |l.w.l.| | area | | | | +-----------+------+-------+-----------+--------+-----+------+ | | feet | feet |square feet| feet | feet| | |satanita | . | . | , | . | . | . | |britannia | . | . | , | . | . | . | |valkyrie | . | . | , | . | . | . | |calluna | . | . | , | -- | . | . | +-----------+------+-------+-----------+--------+-----+------+ _american yachts, _ +------------------+------+-------+-----------+--------+-----+------+ | |length|breadth| y.r.a. |length | |y.r.a.| | name | on | ext. | sail |over all|draft|rating| | |l.w.l.| | area | | | | +------------------+------+-------+-----------+--------+-----+------+ | | feet | feet |square feet| feet | feet| | |navahoe, c.b. | . | . | , | | | . | |vigilant, c.b. | . | . | , | | . | | |colonia, k. | . | . | -- | | . | -- | |jubilee, c.b. and } . | . | -- | | . | -- | | fin } | | | | | | |pilgrim, k. | . | . | -- | | . | -- | +------------------+------+-------+-----------+--------+-----+------+ but an entirely false impression has been conveyed should it be understood that the only advance made in yacht designing was due to more or less ingenious methods of evading the existing measurement rule; and it will be sufficient if the fact has been impressed, that a designer is as unlikely to make a successful vessel if he ignores the measurement under which the yacht is to race as by failing to recognise those laws of nature which govern the stability of bodies in water and their resistance in passing through it. what has to be done by the yacht designer, besides getting the very utmost out of the tonnage rule, has never been more happily put than by lord dunraven in an article on international yachting, from which i venture to quote:-- how most successfully to drive a body through the water by the means of the motive power of the wind acting upon the sails, is the question that puzzles men and turns them grey-headed before nature should have thinned or whitened their locks. the designer has not merely to discover the form of solid body which, at various rates of speed, will excite the smallest degree of resistance in passing through the water, for the body is not solid, it is hollow. it must have buoyancy, and suitable accommodation for all the living and dead freight on board. it must possess stability, real and acquired; that is, natural by means of breadth, and artificial by means of ballast, if the expressions are allowable. it does not proceed on a level keel or at any uniform angle, but at angles varying at every moment, and the contour of the body must be adapted to these various angles. neither does the wind exert its force upon it from a fixed direction, nor propel it through water uniformly smooth or constantly rough. on the contrary, the propelling power strikes from various angles on the surface of the sails; and the sea, as we all know--and some of us to our cost--has a reprehensible habit of becoming, on the shortest notice, agitated in the most disagreeable manner. every point of sailing suggests an appropriate and different form of hull. the shape that is well adapted for one kind of weather is ill adapted for another sort; vessels that move as by magic in light airs may be of little use in a whole sail breeze; one that is by no means a flier in smooth water may be very hard to beat in a sea-way. in short, a vessel must be light enough to be driven easily by a moderate breeze, stiff enough to stand up to her canvas in a hard wind, shallow enough to be docked with ease and to run with speed. she must have depth enough to hold her up to windward, breadth enough to give her stability; she should be long enough to reach well, and short enough to turn well to windward; low in the water so as not to hold too much wind, with plenty of freeboard to keep the sea off her decks. the satisfaction of any one requirement necessitates something antagonistic to some other requirement equally clamorous for satisfaction. your vessel, to be perfect, must be light, of small displacement, and with the centre of gravity brought very low; she must also have large displacement, and the ballast must not be too low, in order that she may be easy in a sea-way; she must be broad, narrow, long, short, deep, shallow, tender, stiff. she must be self-contradictory in every part. a sailing ship is a bundle of compromises, and the cleverest constructor is he who, out of a mass of hostile parts, succeeds in creating the most harmonious whole. it is not strange that designers pass sleepless nights, and that anything like finality and perfection of type is impossible to conceive. no wonder that yacht designing is a pursuit of absorbing interest. it has been shown, then, how from the three beam yachts of fifty years ago, the proportions drew out, under the rule, to five, five and a half, and in some instances six beams in length, the 'evolution' reaching even . beams; and even more rapidly, under the length and sail-area rule, fell back to something like three again. but the proportions are about all that remain in common to the clippers of and and it will be interesting now to trace how form, mode of construction and equipment have developed, as well as proportions. prior to , what yachts there were afloat seem to have presented but little individuality of form, and showed, in common with the faster smugglers and fishing vessels of the day, a round barrel-like bottom, full round bow and fairly clean run, the buttock lines and after riband lines being generally fair and easy. these yachts were, one and all, built of timber, were ballasted with stones or gravel, the more advanced possibly with ore, while the sails and equipment were of a piece with the hull, the main rigging being of hemp, and no attempt being made after flatness in the sails. the original 'arrow,' of tons, built somewhere about by mr. joseph weld, seems to have been a fairly representative craft of that time, and raced with considerable success, even against much larger vessels than herself. this original 'arrow' was ft. - / in. long by ft. - / in. beam, with a depth of hold of ft. in.--that is, she had a proportion of length to breadth of . --not very much differing in proportion from our present cutters of : 'calluna,' the -raters 'lais' and 'vendetta,' being about . and . beams to length, and the american 'vigilant' about . . [illustration: midship section. 'leopard.' built by linn ratsey, cowes, isle of wight, . these lines are accurately reproduced from the original by his grandson, michael e. ratsey.] 'arrow' had the usual round barrel-like bottom, and, so far as can be learned, a round, short bow, the run being fair and easy, the small midship section lending itself pleasantly to this. [illustration: 'arrow' cutter _midship section_ _ tons. length on l.w.l., ' "; beam extreme, ' "; draught extreme, ' "._ [the original 'arrow,' tons, was built by mr joseph weld about . in she was bought by mr. thomas chamberlayne and rebuilt; but it was not until that her bow was lengthened and she appeared as shown above.]] racing with the 'arrow,' but without any very conspicuous success, was the cutter 'menai,' designed by that famous sportsman, mr. t. assheton-smith, and memorable from being the first vessel in which hollow lines were adopted. but little notice seems to have been taken of this very radical alteration in form, and although scott russell in elaborated a system of construction, based on hollow lines, and the famous 'mosquito,' built in , and 'tiara,' built by simons of renfrew in , all showed this feature strongly, it was not till the 'america' schooner appeared in that the old round bow was utterly condemned, and everyone went more or less crazy on the long hollow bow. meanwhile the original old 'arrow' was being sailed with fair success against craft much larger than herself, until in she was laid aside by her owner in favour of the first 'lulworth,' of tons, known for little else than that she was of the same name as the famous 'lulworth' of tons, also built by mr. weld in . meantime, mr. weld built the famous 'alarm' of tons in , and for a long time this enormous cutter was queen of the solent. but the old 'arrow' was to begin a second career. bought in from a dealer by mr. thomas chamberlayne for a few pounds, that gentleman had her replanked and some alterations made in the bow and run, indeed not very much more than the amidship frame seems to have been preserved. anyway the resuscitated vessel appeared again in , recommencing a career which has certainly been an extraordinary one. in 'mosquito' was built and fairly tackled the older ship, but the 'arrow' was not yet the boat she now is, or as represented in the plate, as it was not till , and until after the advent of the 'america,' that she appeared with her present long, hollow bow, having been pulled out some feet in the winter of , as indeed was pretty well everything else that aspired to be in the fashion. as is often the case, the pendulum swung too far the other way; bows were built on old boats, and new boats were designed with fore bodies, altogether out-heroding herod; and the 'america's' graceful, well-proportioned and moderately hollow bow was caricatured in some instances to a ridiculous extent. the 'america' showed also a decided departure in form of midship section, the bottom being much straighter than in our british-built craft, and the bilge higher and quicker--altogether a fine form for stability. the run, though somewhat short, was very fair, the buttock lines especially (as will be seen by the plate given in the second volume) showing beautifully easy curves. but the lesson hinted at by 'menai,' reiterated by 'mosquito' and 'tiara,' insisted upon by scott russell, but only brought home to us by the american schooner, was not the only one to be gleaned from that graceful vessel. previous to her advent, our british-made sails were most baggy productions, kept decently flat only by drenching the luffs with water, a process called 'skeating.' this defect could not altogether be laid at the door of our sailmakers, as they did fairly well, considering the material they had to work with; but flax canvas at that date was still made by hand and was little firmer in texture, if indeed as firm, as the unbleached merchant canvas of the present day. the 'america's' sails were of machine-spun cotton, and, farther, were laced to the booms as well as the gaffs and masts, the staysail also being laced to a boom. these flat sails certainly suited the easy form of the 'america'; but here again the reaction was too strong, and it is undoubtedly the fact that for some years afterwards sails were got too flat, at least, for many of the full-bodied boats that they were put over, and the want of flow of the older-fashioned loose-footed sails was sadly missed when there came to be any work off the wind. for some years then after (the year of 'america's' _début_ here), sails were probably flat enough for the forms they had to drive; and american sailmakers apparently arrived at this conclusion, as they first of all gave up lacing the head sails, and later cut those rounder and rounder, until now american head-sails are cut much fuller than our own, and their mainsails also somewhat fuller. but while the 'america' was undoubtedly the great epoch-making vessel in yacht designing, the cutter 'mosquito' possessed quite as many original features, and had she only come from abroad instead of being a home production, would have made a far greater stir than the schooner. [illustration: 'mosquito,' tons, .] the 'mosquito' was turned out by the thames iron works shipbuilding company. she was designed by that great original genius, tom waterman, who had already produced many successful merchant steamers and sailing ships: notably the steamer 'himalaya,' built originally for the peninsular and oriental company, but afterwards sold to her majesty's government for a troopship, and still a gem of the ocean and mother of the troopers. [illustration: midship section.] the 'mosquito,' besides presenting novelties in form, in the way of an easy and hollow bow, large displacement, well-raked post and deep heel, also upset all preconceived notions of what was yacht fashion, by being built of iron. great was the discussion over this departure; but, among many prophets of evil, a writer in 'hunt's magazine,' in , discussing wood _versus_ iron, predicts that 'the "mosquito" is likely to be well and hearty when the present wooden craft have gone to that "bourne from which no traveller returns."' this prediction has been exactly fulfilled, as 'mosquito,' after as long and brilliant a career as has fallen to any yacht, is now, or was a few years ago, doing good work as a pilot boat off barrow-in-furness. in , mr. william fife, of fairlie, in ayrshire, who, with his father before him, had for some years been turning out fast and weatherly boats, produced 'cymba,' a notable cutter. his father had made scotch-built yachts, well known by his 'gleam,' built in , though only fitted out for racing by sir robert gore booth in ; but 'cymba' was a marked improvement on this model, having a far longer and easier bow, larger displacement, considerable rake of post, and great drag aft. the dimensions of 'cymba' are appended, and it will be seen that she was just under four beams in length. _'cymba', built , by fife_ length of keel feet length between perpendiculars " breadth, extreme . " draft aft " forward . " mast from stem " length of mast " boom " bowsprit " lead outside tons lead in all to tons meanwhile in matters of equipment steady progress was being made. wire rope was rapidly ousting hemp for all standing rigging. sailmaking, in the hands of messrs. lapthorn and of charles ratsey, was rapidly becoming a science. machine-spun and woven flax canvas was in universal use, even cotton canvas was fitfully tried, and from the first strongly upheld by charles ratsey, of cowes; but prejudice was too strong as yet for this material, and flax held the day for many a year to come. it is gratifying that mr. ratsey should have lived to see his favourite material triumphant, and to have looked, as he might have done in , at the finest fleet of racing yachts the world has seen, clothed, from the prince of wales's majestic 'britannia' to the tiny half-rater, entirely with cotton. [illustration: 'lethe' _ tons, showing lead keel and construction. designed by g. l. watson. built by fay & co., ._] a considerable factor in modifying form was the gradual abolition of shifting ballast; this, though not yet actually illegal, was being more and more looked upon with disfavour, and as the use of outside lead increased, it was found that depth was a more than sufficient substitute for weather ballast, especially as beam was being squeezed down by the tonnage rule, and a long lever in this direction rendered impossible. timber was still the favourite material for building ('mosquito,' 'torpid,' and one or two others being the sole exceptions to this rule); but about a new system of construction was tried in which an iron framework was combined with a wooden skin or planking. this system came rapidly into vogue on the clyde, and was adopted by several firms there in the building of those beautiful creations, the china clipper ships. the annual race home with the season's teas was the subject of discussion in the great clyde shipyards, and i can well remember the highest ambition of every spirited lad in the drawing office was to live to design a china clipper. the suez canal closed for ever this avenue to fame. among the most successful builders of these ships were messrs. robert steele & co., of greenock, who had, so early as , built yachts for the excise and for various scotch owners. mr. william steele of that firm being an able designer of yachts as well as of ships, it was natural that this method of construction should be adopted by him in the building of 'nyanza,' 'oimara,' 'garrion,' and the majestic 'selene,' to-day one of the handsomest schooners afloat; while many of that firm's large steam yachts, notably the 'wanderer,' tons, the finest auxiliary yacht of her day, were built on this plan. dan hatcher of southampton carried out this system in building several vessels, commencing with a schooner, the 'bella donna,' of tons, in ; 'seabird,' tons, ; 'lizzie,' of tons, ; then, in one of his finest craft, 'muriel,' which he built for mr. bridson in ; and in the famous 'norman' he also adopted this construction. but, owing to the steel frame being considerably more expensive than timber, the composite build has never become popular until within the last few years, when the naturally weak shape of the modern yacht, the fact of all the lead being outside, and her enormous stability, have so increased the racking strains on the structure, that a merely wooden frame cannot be got to hold together without making the weight of the hull altogether prohibitive; and the composite racing yacht, for everything except very small vessels, seems likely to push all the others from the field. as illustrating this method of construction, a midship section is given of 'lethe,' -ton yawl, and one of the finest of our cruising yachts. the photograph shows the lead keel, the heaviest ever cast, and also the method of securing the same to the bottom of the ship. since 'mosquito' astonished the yachting world in , until to-day when 'navahoe' and other american racing yachts have been constructed of metal, iron and steel yachts have been more or less successful; but the difficulty of keeping a smooth and perfectly clean bottom is a considerable source of expense and worry, although the immense strength of the steel shell, and in a large yacht its lightness, will always be a set-off to the trouble of the uncoppered bottom. [illustration: 'lethe,' tons. built for s. c. watson, esq.--midship section.] in a lecture on 'progress in yachting and yacht-building,' which i delivered early in , in a fanciful specification of the yacht for the season , i required that the plating below water should be of manganese bronze. curiously enough, a few years later saw an attempt to combine the strength of steel and the smoothness, anti-fouling, and non-corrosive properties of copper, in the building of a torpedo-boat of this material; while this year the chosen defender of the america cup has been plated with a similar bronze on a steel frame, the builders claiming, and not without reason, that the additional smoothness of bottom gives her an advantage of five to seven minutes on a forty-mile course. but such a practice seems hardly likely to become general for ordinary racing yachts built for men with a normal depth of pocket, and whilst, as in the old mississippi steamboat days, it sometimes paid to burn hams, most of us have to try and get along with good coal. i was going to build the topsides, frames, and beams of my ideal vessel of aluminium, and the other day a small yacht has been built, on the continent, of this lightest of metals; but the present cost of this material, and, as yet, its unreliability, place it, for the present at least, outside the range of practical material for yacht-building. there seems more hope for some of the very beautiful and immensely strong alloys of aluminium, but they too are expensive, and also heavy. it may be some years before the complete realisation of my design is accomplished, and platinum is substituted for lead as ballast, though when syndicates of millionaires start yacht-building there seems very little limit to extravagance in construction. in nickel-steel there is promise of a very perfect material. this is an alloy of the ordinary siemens-martin steel with nickel, and called by the makers yolla metal. it can be made to comply with all the ordinary tests applied to ship steel, in the way of ductility under stress, and at the same time have a breaking strength of tons to the square inch as against for ordinary steel. this metal was used by mr. fife in for the frames and beams of the -rater 'dragon' (third), and although the few pounds of weight saved by no means accounted for the phenomenal success of this little ship, yet the gain was all in the right direction. wire standing rigging continued to improve in quality, and very rapidly pushed out the old hemp rigging. from being made at first of good charcoal iron wire, it is now manufactured of the very highest class of steel, of such perfect character that the breaking strength of each wire is equal to tons per square inch. used at first for standing rigging only, flexible wire rope takes the place of manilla or hemp for the runners, and runner tackles, topping lifts, bobstay falls, outhauls, topsail and jib-topsail halliards, and latterly even for throat and peak halliards. other details were also perfected. instead of the heavy and clumsy windlass, neat and light capstans are arranged of cast steel and gun metal, made so that the whole thing can be lifted away and stowed below while racing. right- and left-handed screws have superseded the old dead-eyes and lanyards, although these held their own desperately for many years. introduced first in the -tonner 'verve,' in , the chain-plates were torn up in an extra heavy squall; but this occurred from the great stability of the boat and the fastening having been insufficient; the rigging screws, however, were blamed for all the trouble, and were laid aside for ten years or thereabouts, until re-introduced in the -tonner 'doris.' now no racing boat is without them. attention was also given to the lightening of deck fittings, skylights, companions, and the like, these in the racing vessels being kept lower and flatter, and the scantling reduced perhaps rather farther than advisable, as one certainly thinks on getting a stream of water down the neck from a leaky skylight. bulwarks have been reduced so as to save weight and windage, until in the smaller yachts they have become a mere ledge or foothold, whilst even in the largest class the rail is less than a foot from the deck. below, fittings have been lightened correspondingly. cedar, yellow pine, and cretonnes or tapestries stretched on frames or light panels, take the place of the good solid oak and mahogany framing of the years gone by. indeed, in some of the classes under -rating, cabin fittings have been dispensed with altogether; although this is not altogether a novelty, as the marquis of ailsa, in 'bloodhound' (built ), and 'sleuthhound' (built ), had at first no fittings beyond a seat along each side. 'thistle' in was similarly arranged, nor had 'valkyrie' or 'vigilant' much more inside than a coat of paint when racing for the america cup; but these last are of course special cases, where everything was sacrificed so that the uttermost second of speed should be taken out of the yachts. in cruising yachts the cabins are infinitely more elegant and comfortable now than formerly. the good old birdseye maple panelling with rosewood mouldings and gilded 'egg and dart' cornice has given place to tasteful cabinet-work designed in many cases by high-class artists. the main cabin of the 'lethe,' designed by mr. t. l. watson, f.r.i.b.a., is a good example of this, and the 'thistle,' now called 'meteor,' the property of the german emperor, has since been very beautifully fitted up from designs by the same gentleman, the photographs reproduced here giving but an indication of the elegance and richness of the interior. [illustration: profile of 'valkyrie.' designed by g. l. watson.] [illustration: profile of 'vigilant.' designed by n. herreshoff.] one of the happiest combinations of lightness of structure with taste and comfort is in the prince of wales's 'britannia.' the fittings throughout are of polished yellow pine and mahogany, with tapestries and cretonnes above the polished wood dado, the effect being extremely bright, cosy, and unostentatious. [illustration: saloon of 'thistle' (now 'meteor').] to return to the story of the evolution of the modern racing yacht, no striking change in form was made for some little time after 'america's' advent, beyond, of course, the steady lengthening and deepening of the model. dan hatcher, with the 'glance' in , entered on the wonderful series of successes which culminated perhaps in 'norman,' . these were all reasonably long boats with nice bows, fine after ends, and of big mid-area and displacement, but beautifully fair and easy all over, and showing a slight but not inordinate hollow forward. in mr. fife, of fairlie, built the 'fiona,' and though clyde builders had already turned out successful yachts, it was 'fiona' that put the fame of scotch builders on a solid footing. this beautiful vessel was a cutter of tons, of great length in proportion to beam ( ft. in. × ft. in.) and of large displacement for those days ( tons); but she had singularly long, fair and easy lines, and, sailed in a masterly manner by john houston, of largs, more than held her own with the solent-built craft. however, beyond being exceptionally fair and easy, 'fiona' presented no striking novelty in form, nor did the big cutters 'kriemhilda,' 'vol-au-vent,' or 'formosa,' built by m. ratsey, of cowes, in , , and respectively, and it is an outsider and amateur yacht-builder that we have to thank for the daring departure in form that was made in 'jullanar.' [illustration: cutter yacht 'britannia'--general arrangement plan.] prior to but little was known of the laws governing the resistance to bodies moving through water. it is true that eighty years before this, towards the close of last century, colonel beaufoy had made an elaborate series of experiments in towing bodies through water, beginning first in one of the tanks of his father's brewhouse. these were elaborated in the greenland dock near london, and included the determination of the resistance of all manner of shapes, except unhappily shipshape ones, the nearest approach to these being double wedges, and double wedges with a straight amidship piece inserted. but while colonel beaufoy also made experiments for the determination of the value of surface friction on planes pulled through the water, no great importance seems to have been attached to these by shipbuilders in general, and the subject of surface friction was more or less lost sight of by them until again brought forward by maquorn rankine, first in a series of papers in the 'mechanic's magazine,' and more elaborately in his 'shipbuilding, theoretical and practical,' published in . in this rankine, basing his deductions on weisbach's experiments on the flow of water through pipes, concluded on mathematical principles that the entire resistance at moderate speeds of a fair and easy formed vessel was due to surface friction--i.e. the rubbing of the water against the sides and bottom of the ship. rankine showed also that at higher speeds the forming of waves was a material and ever-increasing element in the resistance. it is fully twenty years ago that the late mr. william froude began to give to the world the results of his experiments on the resistance of planes of different lengths, coated with various substances and towed at varying speeds through the water. these experiments were conducted under the most favourable conditions, and with the nicest regard for accuracy, and practically confirmed maquorn rankine's deductions, although it was found that rankine had somewhat overestimated the value attachable to surface friction, and had also overestimated the increase in frictional resistance, due to increased speed. still the great fact remained that practically the entire resistance to a fairly formed body, moving through water at moderate speeds, is due to friction and to friction alone. rankine's reasoning, early in the sixties, had been too subtle for those fathers of shipbuilding at that date engaged in the art. able, honest, practical men, most of them could have handled an adze, or maul, with the best of their workmen, and were more at home fairing a sheering batten, or directing a launch, than in analysing speed curves, or investigating strength calculations. but one or two of the younger and brighter minds in the profession, more especially those who had the advantage of rankine's direct tuition, felt that the old beliefs as to resistance presented such anomalous and unreconcilable results that they could not be founded on any true law of nature. john inglis, jun., then a mere boy, instituted in pointhouse shipyard rankine's method of estimating the resistance of ships, and for many years was alone in this mode of investigation. [illustration: resistance curves model of s.s. 'merkara.' speed in feet per minute resistance in lbs.] but with froude's experiments all doubt on the matter vanished. it was no longer a question of 'condemned mathematics.' froude had the happy knack of writing so that the proverbial schoolboy could understand him; and the schoolboy could see the value of resistance to motion through water weighed out as simply and accurately as a pound of currant bun. these experiments for the determination of the frictional resistance of water, published in , were supplemented presently by experiments on models of actual ships, and also by towing a full-size ship, the 'greyhound,' her resistance at various speeds being recorded by means of a dynamometer on board the 'active,' the vessel towing her. the results of the experiments on model and ship were set out in a curve, when it was found, after the necessary corrections were made, that both curves were of precisely similar character. a basis of comparison between model and ship was thus established, the measure of this being set forth in what is known as froude's law of comparison, which may thus be stated. the equivalent speed of a ship and the model it represents will vary as the square root of their lengths. thus, in the case of a ship feet long represented by a model feet long, the equivalent speed of the ship would be five times that of the model, and at these equivalent speeds would present similar phenomena connected with resistance as the model does. this fact enormously increased the knowledge of investigators, and it was belief in it that gave the writer absolute confidence in carrying out the design of the 'vanduara,' though he possessed experience in small boats only. mr. froude also split up the several elements of resistance to motion through the water into their component parts, assigning a value to each, and showing what was due to surface friction and eddy-making, and what to wave-making. scott russell had already argued for a given length of fore and after body for any given speed, and this was recognised by yacht-builders to some extent by their gradually lengthening out their vessels; but the disadvantages as well as the advantages of length could only be thoroughly realised on investigating froude's experiments. an example is given of such an experiment in the diagram, which shows the resistance curve of a model of the 'merkara,' built by messrs. denny bros., at dumbarton, where the several resistances are shown, each in its place. in this diagram the resistance due to surface friction is indicated by the dotted line, and the total resistance by the full line. up to a speed of feet per minute (for the model) the resistance is almost entirely due to skin friction, but after that the wave-making becomes more and more serious until at feet per minute the wave-making takes more power than the surface friction. while surface friction thus plays a very large part in the resistance of all vessels, and more especially in that of ocean-going steamers and ships, which from their large dimensions seldom attain serious wave-making speeds, yet undue importance may be placed upon friction, and, in the smaller yachts, especially, surface may be inordinately cut away. a notable example of this was the 'thistle,' built in to compete for the america cup; here the surface was so cut down that sufficient lateral plane was not left to hold her to windward, and although she sailed the water as fast as the american champion, the 'volunteer,' she drifted bodily to leeward. a short history of mr. froude's discoveries in resistance was advisable before touching on 'jullanar,' as this wonderful vessel, whether the result of intuition or of early and immediate appreciation of froude's investigations, was a remarkable example of the modern theories regarding naval architecture. the same year that 'jullanar' was built, i designed my first racing yacht, the -ton 'clotilde,' but whilst i had the advantage, through my friend mr. john inglis, jun., of specially early access to professor froude's investigations, i cut her away in a somewhat timid fashion, though sufficient for her at that time to be compared to a 'cart-wheel,' with the accompanying prediction that she might 'run on land, but would never sail in salt water.' meanwhile, with splendid audacity, and with no timid reverence for precedent, mr. bentall built the 'jullanar.' an essex plough and agricultural implement maker, mr. e. h. bentall had but little training in naval architecture, but from boyhood had been fond of yachting and of yacht modelling. he fancied he could do something in the way of improving the form of the existing racing yacht. after cutting several half-models, he got one that pleased him, and on a piece of his own property adjoining the blackwater river in essex, the famous yawl, afterwards to be known as 'jullanar,' was laid down. [illustration: 'jullanar' _ tons. built by e. h. bentall, esq., ._] great length was taken in proportion to beam, as length means capacity for speed, and beam in those days was doubly taxed. draft was untaxed, and was used boldly to obtain stability and weatherly qualities; but while such proportions would have been impossible with the ordinary form of forefoot and sternpost, as the boat would have been clogged up with wet surface, this was got over by cutting all deadwood clean away both forward and aft, in such daring fashion as was not attempted until 'thistle' was built, years afterward and i should not have essayed such a form of profile in her had not 'jullanar's' success given me a precedent. add to these features the fact that every line in the vessel was easy and fair, and the only wonder is that the famous yawl was not even more phenomenally successful than she was. [illustration: 'jullanar'--midship section.] mr. hunt, publisher of 'hunt's yachting magazine,' has kindly supplied the following measurements of the 'jullanar,' which were given to him by mr. bentall himself, when he would not let anyone else have them. coming therefore from the fountain-head they are accurate, and should be preserved as a register of detail. _'jullanar'[ ] tons, yawl_ ft. in. length over all depth of hold length on load-line beam extreme, one sixth of load-line " on water-line " on deck depth after under load-line " at forefoot load-line " at midship height of freeboard aft " " forward " " midships height of freeboard bulwarks rake of sternpost, upright distance the greatest transverse section is abaft centre of vessel at load-line distance of centre of gravity of displacement below water-line length of mainmast " deck to hounds " masthead diameter at deck length of main-topmast, fid to pin " main-boom diameter centre of main-boom length of main-gaff " bowsprit outboard " gaff topsail-yards, no. " " " no. " " " no. " mizzen-mast " deck to hounds " mizzen-boom " mizzen-yard [footnote : _vide_ 'arabian nights,' the 'princess jullanar of the sea.'] to my mind the genius, daring, and originality of mind of mr. bentall were even more fully displayed in the design of the unsuccessful 'evolution' than of the successful 'jullanar.' [illustration: 'jullanar,' yawl, tons, . designed by e. h. bentall, esq.] the 'evolution,' as her name implied, was the logical outcome of the then tonnage rule, and of the laws of resistance rediscovered, or at least popularised, by froude. it seems self-evident now that with a belief in these laws only one type of boat could be the result; but mr. froude alone had the courage of his opinions, and built the extraordinary -tonner which, if it did nothing else, scared the authorities into changing the tonnage rule. 'evolution' was by far the longest of the -tonners, her dimensions being ft. × ft. in.--indeed about the same water-line length as the twenties. to get moderate wet surface the ends were cut away; but as 'jullanar' already represented the utmost that could be done in that direction, while preserving a fair line of keel, this was cast aside in 'evolution,' and the profile was that of a true 'fin' boat. more than this, it was found after a trial sail or two that she was very deficient in stability when the lead slab forming the keel was recast in the form of a bulb on the bottom of the plate, the completed design simply forming one of our modern bulb fin keels, but of course, owing to the rule, with vastly less beam. 'evolution' was not a success because of her insufficient stability, but with the meagre data in possession of the designer as to the stability of boats of this class, it would have been marvellous had the difficulty been overcome in a first trial. to those able to see the beauties in a design, it matters less whether the ultimate outcome has been successful or not, and while to 'the general' nothing succeeds like success, a few have a kindly sympathy and hearty admiration for those who have laboured, that _we_ may enjoy the increase. many of the best and kindest thoughts and brightest ideas never reach fruition in this world, and so in the mechanical arts there is often more genius displayed in a failure than in a success, with this difference, that a mechanical idea seldom dies, but, 'blossoming in the dust' of one brain, is plucked and worn by another. 'evolution' lay dead for fifteen years. she has had a striking resurrection on both sides of the atlantic. [illustration: ft l.w.l. . ' d°. beam. . ' extr. beam. . draught . 'evolution,' october , , tons, y.r.a. designed by e. h. bentall, esq.] in the autumn of , as has been stated, the tonnage rule was changed to that of rating, the only taxed dimensions being length on water-line and sail-area. this change, though at once affecting dimensions, did not materially affect form, though even in the earlier boats designed under this rule more hollow was given to the sections, this being of course a necessity, as with the added beam abnormal displacement would otherwise have been the result. but displacement was not immediately cut down, and for a given length of load-water-line yachts had quite as much displacement as formerly; 'thistle,' -rating, and 'mohawk,' -rater, the only two large yachts built the first year for the new classification, both being wholesome big-bodied boats, with and tons displacement respectively. overhang naturally increased somewhat, as it was apparent that this could be more usefully adopted with a shallow-bodied boat than with a narrow one, it being evident that the natural way of forming the stem and counter was to follow the general buttock lines of the fore and after body. this overhang on the fairly deep boats built up till , so far from being objectionable, was a distinct advantage, as it gave a fine, easy, and at the same time lifting, bow in a sea, eased the bow riband lines when the boat lay down and was hard driven reaching, and carried the side fairly out aft in the long counter. [illustration: midship section profile of lines of 'meteor' (late 'thistle'). designed by g. l. watson, .] but beam was now steadily increasing, as untaxed dimensions are apt to do, while extreme draught also increased, and these two giving ample stability, displacement was more and more cut down. length still had to be got somehow, but length ran up wet surface, and in the 'classes' for every foot of length a considerable amount of sail-area had to be given, making, as it were, a direct and indirect tax thereon. with an ordinary form of profile, the longer yachts would have been clogged up with wet surface; so profiles first imitated 'jullanar' and then 'evolution,' while displacement was cut down to a minimum, to give an easily driven form, and stability got in another way, by lengthening the righting lever of the ballast, by giving immense draft of water, and in the smaller classes concentrating this ballast in the form of a bulb, as in the altered 'evolution.' with the shallow body, overhang has of course increased, the flat section carrying out naturally into overhangs forward and aft, which almost double the water-line length of the boat on deck. that such a type of boat sails fast for a given sail-area and water-line length is beyond dispute, but this exhausts almost all that can be said in its favour. for / -raters, -raters, and - / -raters, the type is perhaps suitable enough, as these are only used as day boats, and extended cruising was never contemplated in them. but from -up to -rating the type is nothing like so good as that of the boats built prior to . expensive to build, expensive to handle, without head-room, or indeed room of any kind inside, they would thrash themselves to pieces in any sea but for the admirable manner in which they have been put together. a season, or at most two, sees the end of their success as racers; then they must be broken up, or sold for a mere song, as they are quite useless for cruising. so strongly was this felt by the various yacht-builders and designers, that in the autumn of they, in response to the invitation of the yacht racing association, addressed a joint circular to that body, and, with i think exceptional abnegation of what looked to be their more immediate interests, pointed out the undesirability of the present type of yacht, in the following letter:-- langham hotel, london: october , . we (c. p. clayton, william fife, jun., charles nicholson, arthur e. payne, h. w. ridsdale, joseph soper, and g. l. watson) have met for the consideration of the questions put before us in the circular of the council of the yacht racing association, dated september , . we have considered that, besides the saving in time to the council and to ourselves, it would be more satisfactory for many reasons to have such a preliminary meeting for interchange of ideas on the important issues raised in this circular, and we trust that this course of action will be approved of by the council. we may state that we are practically unanimous in the opinions hereinafter expressed, the only exception being on the one point of taxing overhang, mr. ridsdale feeling that he could not go with the majority in this. we would, then, most respectfully submit to your council that as designers of racing yachts we have no desire whatever to interfere with the present rating rule. it has the merit of being the existing rule, and is a perfectly fair one for racing yachts together by, as indeed is any rule whatsoever, so far as designers are concerned, provided its conditions are clearly stated beforehand. but as naval architects, and, if we may be permitted to say so, as trustees for the yachting public, we think it our duty to point out any deteriorating tendency in a rule. we cannot help fearing that the present length and sail-area rule has such a tendency, and is leading, if it has not already led, to an unwholesome type of boat. we take it that the general yachting public require in a yacht: that she shall be safe in all conditions of wind and weather; that she shall combine the maximum of room on deck and below with the minimum of prime cost; and that she shall be driven as fast as may be with the least expenditure of labour--i.e. that she shall have a moderate and workable sail-area. therefore, as but few men can afford to build for racing, and for racing only, and as the racer of to-day is the cruiser of a few years hence, any rating rule should by its limitations encourage such a wholesome type of vessel. on the above assumptions we have based our advice, and it is for your council, as representing the general body of yachtsmen, to determine whether these assumptions are correct or not. we are all agreed, then, that the present length and sail-area rule is a most admirable one for the classification and regulation of time allowance of racing yachts. but we are also of opinion that the tendency of this rule is such as to induce a vessel of so large dimensions, relative to displacement and internal capacity (i.e. the useful living room on board the ship), that it is advisable to so alter or modify this rule that a type of vessel having more body may be evolved. we suggest that length and sail-area (as being the leading elements in speed) should be preserved in some form, but modified so as to make it the interest of builders to produce a bigger-bodied boat. the direct method of doing this would be to introduce displacement or register tonnage in some way as a divisor in the formula, but we foresee so many difficulties in the practical working of this that we are not prepared to advise it. by taxing breadth and draft or, alternatively, girth, and by reducing the tax on sail, we think this result may be arrived at indirectly. as to the precise value that each element should take in such a formula, we, at this stage, are not prepared to venture an opinion. [illustration: 'florinda,' yawl, tons. built by camper and nicholson, .] the above on the general principles of the rule. but we also feel that the details of measurement, &c., require revision. _on the hull._--the overhang, at least forward, should be taxed, as it may be carried to such an extent as to be a source of danger, but it need not be taxed excessively or to extinction. the l.w.l. should be marked forward and aft. should girth or draft be used in the formula in centreboard vessels, some proportion of the drop of board should be added, and a limit should be placed on the weight of the board. in the smaller classes, at least, the crews should be limited. [illustration: 'kriemhilda,' tons. built by ratsey, .] _on the sails._--the perpendicular of fore triangle should be measured from top of deck to where the line of luff of sail would cut mast. that the question of limiting the relative area of mainsail to total sail in the various classes be considered. mr. alexander richardson, of liverpool, was unable to be present at this meeting, but this note has been submitted to him, and receives his endorsation:-- the council of the yacht racing association, however, took the view that what the yacht-owning public want in a racing yacht is speed, and speed at any price, and on the yacht-builders clearly understanding this they withdrew their objections as having been made under a misunderstanding, but asked to be tied down to some extent, in a letter dated november , and in the following words:-- 'our opinions, as expressed in that letter of october , practically remain unaltered; but so far as we are able to interpret the wishes of yacht-owners, as stated in the public prints, and more especially as expressed by your chairman and the majority of your committee, we now take it that speed, and speed before other good qualities, is what is to be aimed at. 'we consequently withdraw any suggestions made in that letter, as having been made under a misapprehension as to your requirements. 'but while it may be determined to retain a length and sail-area rule, either in its present or in some slightly altered form, we would most respectfully suggest that, at least in the classes above -rating (if, indeed, a lower line should not be drawn), the tendency toward abnormal and un-shipshape form should be curbed in some way. the main direction in which we would propose such limitation in form would be in the outline of longitudinal section, and we would suggest that this should be bounded by a fair line, concave, or at least not convex, toward the water-line. that the sternpost should show, say, a quarter of an inch above the water-line aft, and the rudder be hung thereon. that overhang forward and aft should be restricted, as also the extreme forward position of mast; but as we deem it undesirable to absolutely prohibit any form, we would simply propose to tax such variations from this normal one so heavily as to make their adoption unprofitable.' the yacht racing association, however, thought it undesirable to limit form in any way, and beyond the adoption of the proposed method of measuring the fore triangle, and marking the l.w.l., the rule remained unaltered. [illustration: 'florinda,' yawl.] therefore saw new boats in the classes, fast, it is true, in fresh breezes, but undesirable from anything but a racing point of view. in the unclassed vessels above -rating things were not quite so bad, as with a practically unlimited sail-area a fair amount of body was required to carry it. besides, men who did not mind spending two or three thousand on a 'machine' hesitated before putting down ten or twelve. in america, however, where money is spent like water when the national honour is at stake, -foot machines were built on the off chance of their being successes; but it is gratifying alike to american and british yachtsmen that the cup should have been defended by such a wholesome type of vessel as 'vigilant' undoubtedly is. in a short chapter showing the evolution of the modern racing yacht, many links in the chain of descent must be left unnoticed. i have had to leave almost undescribed dan hatcher's wonderful fleet, beginning in 'glance' and 'muriel,' and culminating, perhaps, in 'norman'; nicholson's famous schooners and yawls ('florinda' was a standing miracle for years); michael ratsey's equally fine ships; richardson's grand cutters and clayton's clever 'length classers'; the work accomplished, and still being accomplished, by the famous william fifes, besides many others whose labours are more fully recorded in other parts of these volumes. but i think no one of all that band who have loved and worked for the sport of yacht racing cares for the type of ship which has been evolved by their own ingenuity and the present y.r.a. rule, and i am convinced that they would thankfully welcome any legislation which should protect the yachting public against the present extravagant, costly, and by no means seaworthy type of boat. [illustration: 'florinda'--midship section.] [illustration: h.m. brig 'lady nelson,'[ ] tons ( ), to australia. three keels, , - - .] [footnote : the first ship to discover that tasmania was an island.] chapter v sliding keels and centreboards by r. t. pritchett[ ] [footnote : the editor desires to express his acknowledgments to mr. pritchett for much energetic service kindly rendered during the preparation of these volumes.] [illustration: midship sections, dates, and tonnage of schooners, yawls, and cutters. _drawn to scale by j. m. soper, m.i.n.a._] centreboards have been so prominently before the yachting world of late that, endeavouring carefully to avoid the argumentative phases of the question, it may be well to notice certain points of their history which may be generally unknown. centreboards are essentially american in general adoption. their origin was the natural outcome of the shallow coasts and sand-banks of new york bay and the new jersey coast, where wild fowl flock, and the fowler finds happy hunting grounds. sportsmen originally sank boxes in the marshes; in the course of time these developed in length, and became 'scows' or floating blinds; then the corners forward were rounded off, to facilitate their being hauled up on a beach or bank. this mobility led to their passing into deeper water, the scows were developing into boats, and then came the practical germ of centreboards. to give stability to the box, a hand board was dropped through a well slot, as the simplest way of achieving the object, until they reached land or some other marsh. the board was not hinged or pivoted in any way, and when no longer required was pulled up and laid on the floor of the craft, ready for any emergency. these boards were first known as 'dagger boards,' and as they were likely to touch the sand unexpectedly, they were rounded off at the bottom, curving aft, so that notice was given, and before the hull touched the ground the boat could be put about into deeper water. this was the early form of american centreboard. on this side of the atlantic, it is to be noted, our forefathers were not so prejudiced against their introduction as many are inclined to assume. in a.d. lord percy had a boat built in boston, new england, with one long centreboard, and sent over here in order that he might try the new system in this country. in a boat was built at deptford with three centreboards or sliding keels. [illustration: built in boston for lord percy, , with one centreboard.] [illustration: built at deptford, , with three sliding keels.] the admiralty in a.d. had a revenue cutter called the 'trial,' built with three sliding keels. the report was most satisfactory, and a note on their application describes-- use of fore keel in tacking and laying to. use of keels on a wind, raised or depressed according as necessary to assist helm or gain the wind. use of after keel, in wearing or scudding in a gale of wind. keels hove up going over shoals or before the wind. [illustration: laying to.] [illustration: on a wind.] [illustration: scudding.] the admiralty soon after this proceeded to make a bold experiment, and built a -ton brig, the 'lady nelson,' with three sliding keels, designed to perform a voyage of discovery to new south wales. she was built in , and began her expedition of - - under the command of lieutenant james grant, r.n., when she first sailed round tasmania, at the same time as the 'flinders's' voyage to australia. a full account was published in . the whole report was favourable to the keels, and h.m. sloop 'cynthia' was built. private individuals also made experiments, and some cargo boats at teignmouth were fitted with them for river-work. about this time a very prominent personage in the yachting world was the commodore of the cumberland sailing society in the thames. commodore taylor had a yacht built with five sliding keels, the illustration here given being his from a photograph of the model now in possession of mr. richard taylor, his grandson. the original lines of this vessel have been presented to the royal thames yacht club, together with the pennants and ensigns flown by the commodore during his period of office, and are now carefully preserved in the club house in albemarle street; the cups are still retained in the family, by messrs. robert and richard taylor. early in the present century the sliding keels were pivoted ( ) here in england, by captain shuldham, r.n. [illustration: cumberland fleet: commodore taylor's 'cumberland,' with sliding keels.] [illustration: showing the five keels down, as on the wind.] in america centreboards became general, in fact almost universal, from scows to catboats, catboats to sloops, sloops to schooners and coasters. as regards their application to english modern racers, mr. jameson, who is always to the fore either in adopting improvements or sailing races, built 'irex' in with a centreboard; but after careful trials to thoroughly test its capabilities, it was discarded, the slot filled up, and 'irex' became the crack of the season without it. 'dora,' -tonner, by mr. g. l. watson, was a success with a centreboard. in 'queen mab,' -rater, designed also by watson, had a centreboard, and at first sailed with it in the thames; but after dover it was not used. still 'queen mab' became the 'queen of the -raters' for the year . recent yacht-building in america offers some interesting data. mr. edward burgess, a very successful designer, planned a keel boat, 'gossoon,' which was a great success in , and many was the close tussle between her and fife of fairlie's 'minerva,' built in . after the death of edward burgess, 'nat' herreshoff produced a keel boat, 'the gloriana,' with new ideas of form and bow, and she acquitted herself well ( ). in he followed on with the 'wasp,' keel boat, and in two cup defenders were designed and built by messrs. herreshoffs of rhode island, the 'vigilant,' centreboard, and 'colonia,' keel boat. the 'vigilant' was victorious in the best races, and afterwards won the race for the america cup; nevertheless 'colonia,' the keel boat, was the designer's favourite. the battle of centreboard _v._ keel will doubtless be continued. among the cup defenders, general paine, one of the most scientific and earnest yachtsmen in america, decided to throw aside all conventionality, and to have advanced science carried out in a real racing machine 'up to date.' full details are not obtainable, but they are understood to be: canoe hull, canoe bow, hull drawing feet. fin keel of feet with bulb, through both of which drops centreboard; a small centreboard forward like commodore stevens's 'black maria' sloop, and the rudder slung on a small fin. it is a matter of general regret that the gear of the boat gave way during the trials. the aluminium blocks were not strong enough, and the jaws of the gaff were carried away. general paine may, however, be expected to try again. the general feeling on this side among the very best authorities on the subject is certainly that a keel racing cutter can be designed and built to compete with any centreboard vessel, and the victory of 'vigilant' in the late races has not yet convinced that excellent sportsman and practical yachtsman the owner of 'valkyrie' that nothing but a centreboard can win the america cup. one thing must be remembered: it is neither centreboard nor keel _per se_ that makes a perfect racer; it is the happy combination and balance of quantities that get the much-coveted 'gun' at the finish. it is curious that in the very early days of sliding keels a patent for a design should have been taken out, not by a practical sailor or naval architect, but by a london coach-builder. in , lionel luken, who followed that trade, wrote a pamphlet upon the 'invention, principle, and construction of insubmergible boats'; such boats were to be protected by bands of cork round the gunwales, to be made buoyant by using air compartments, especially at bow and stern, and 'to be ballasted with or by an iron keel.' apparently after much trouble luken found an opportunity of testing his idea, and the first iron-keel boat at bamborough head saved lives from shipwreck. [illustration: h.m. 'trial', cutter--sheer draught. designed by captain schanks, .] [illustration: 'kestrel,' tons (earl of yarborough, commodore r.y.s.), .] chapter vi recollections of schooner racing by lt.-col. sir george leach, k.c.b., vice-president y.r.a. schooner racing has unfortunately for the present become a thing of the past; but the prominent position it at one time occupied makes it desirable to refer to the subject in any publication relating to yacht racing, for the purpose of reviving recollections of the times when races between the 'two-stickers,' or in which they took part, were considered a leading feature of the regattas of all the principal yacht clubs. the decadence of schooner racing was primarily due to the more extensive use of steam; wealthy men preferred steam yachts, in which they had better accommodation and could move with certainty from port to port, to sailing yachts, in which the accommodation was less spacious and the powers of locomotion were dependent on the winds and tides. but to the true lover of the world of waters the pleasures of steaming do not bear comparison with the pleasures of sailing. another reason for schooners going out of fashion was no doubt due to the improvement of the speed of the cutters and yawls. formerly schooners could compete with success in races open to all rigs, for though their powers of turning to windward were inferior to those of the single-stickers, their reaching powers, with the wind free, were generally superior, so that in mixed races they had always a fair chance of carrying off the prize. no schooner has yet been produced which could compete successfully with the cutters of the present day, even with the benefit of the large allowance of two-fifths of her tonnage made under the rules of the yacht racing association for difference of rig. the last schooner of note which appeared under racing colours--the 'amphitrite'--brought out in tiptop condition by her owner, with an able skipper in command, though she had some success, was not on a par with the best of the racing cutters of her day. again, the building of large yachts for racing purposes has declined for some years past, owing to the great increase in the expense both of building and maintaining them, and because yachting men found that as much, if not more, pleasure was to be obtained in racing small vessels, in the handling of which they could take a large share, than in larger vessels which, as a rule, were sailed wholly by their skippers. under all these circumstances, it is not surprising that schooner racing should, for the present, have passed away; though it is by no means impossible that it may hereafter be revived, especially if further experience shall show that the very large cutters which have been brought out this year, with sail-areas of over , square feet--about a quarter of an acre--are too large for the sometimes turbulent winds and waters round our coasts. in the early times of schooner racing the yachts were, as a rule, vessels of comparatively large tonnage, with raking masts, standing bowsprits, and jibbooms; and the old salts had then a conviction on their minds that sails with a good belly in them were the right thing. in the american schooner yacht 'america' appeared in our waters. as compared with our yachts she was remarkable for two things. she had a much longer and finer bow than was usually given by our designers, 'a cod's head and mackerel's tail' being the principle which in those days appears to have been accepted; and, secondly, her sails were made to stand much flatter than ours, so much so that it was remarked that when by the wind close-hauled her sails were barely visible if seen edge on. one peculiarity in the 'america's' sails was that the foot of the mainsail, instead of being fixed to the boom only at the tack and clue, its two ends, was laced to the boom along its whole length, which tended to make the sail stand flatter. this improvement was quickly adopted by our schooners, but it was many a day before it was taken to by the cutters, the impression being that cutters would not sail with laced mainsails, and that a certain amount of curve in the foot was necessary 'to let the wind out.' now, however, cutters as well as schooners have laced mainsails, with appreciable improvement in their weatherly qualities. the royal yacht squadron arranged a race without time allowances round the isle of wight for a _l._ cup, the 'america' being one of the competitors, which included both cutters and schooners. the 'america' quickly showed her superiority over our schooners, being more weatherly and going more smoothly through the water, and she won the cup, but would not have done so if the conditions of the race had been enforced, as she did not go round the nab light, thus gaining a considerable advantage; but she was treated generously and not disqualified. she would also probably have been beaten by the cutters 'alarm,' 'arrow,' and 'volante' if the two first had not been put out of the race by the 'arrow' running aground in sandown bay, the 'alarm' going to her assistance, and the 'volante' by the carrying away of her bowsprit in a collision with the 'freak.' all these cutters were well known to be much faster than the 'aurora,' which came in only eight minutes after the 'america.' the cup thus won by the 'america' was presented by her owners to the new york yacht club as a perpetual challenge cup to be sailed for by yachts of all nations, and is known as the 'america cup.' it has since been competed for by several english yachts, the 'cambria' and 'livonia' schooners, the 'genesta,' 'galatea,' and 'thistle' cutters, and lastly--up to the time of writing--by the cutter 'valkyrie,' owned by lord dunraven. the conditions under which the cup is held, however, appear to unduly favour the holders, and do not commend themselves to yachtsmen on this side of the atlantic. we were not slow to learn and take advantage of the lessons taught us by the 'america.' in the following year the 'alarm' cutter, tons, owned by the veteran yachtsman mr. joseph weld, of lulworth castle, was lengthened, given a longer bow, and converted into a schooner of tons; and for some years, with jack nicholls at the helm, was the fastest schooner in the fleet. in the 'wildfire,' of tons, owned by sir percy shelley, was brought out as a schooner with a running bowsprit and head-sails like those of a cutter, in substitution for the usual standing bowsprit and jibboom of a schooner. she was the first racing schooner so rigged. the alteration of the head-sails greatly improved her weatherly qualities, and she was raced with success by captain john herbert against both cutters and schooners. [illustration: 'pantomime,' (formerly colonel markham's schooner). designed and built by m. e. ratsey, cowes, isle of wight. length for tonnage, ft. in.; breadth for tonnage ft. in.; tonnage t.m. .] no further material improvement was made in the schooner rig until , when camper and nicholson, of gosport, built the 'aline,' tons, for mr. charles thellusson. up to this time it had been usual to give the masts of schooners a considerable rake aft with the idea that it made their sails more lifting, but the 'aline' came out with masts nearly upright like the masts of a cutter and quickly dispelled the illusion. she also, like the 'wildfire,' had a running bowsprit. in the hands of her able and experienced owner the 'aline' proved a great success, and, with variations in model, was the type on which all the best schooners which followed her were based. although several other schooners were built to beat her, notably the 'evadne,' tons, by the same builders, for mr. john richardson in , she remained up to the most successful schooner afloat. in that year two new schooners, which were destined afterwards to make their mark in the yacht-racing world and to wrest some of the laurels from the 'aline,' made their _début_ in the royal yacht squadron race for her majesty's cup at cowes: the 'egeria,' tons, built by wanhill, of poole, for mr. john mulholland (now lord dunleath), and the 'pantomime,' tons, built by michael ratsey of cowes for lieut.-colonel markham. the 'witchcraft,' tons, built by white of cowes for mr. thomas broadwood, also came out this year, and with the 'alarm,' which had passed into the hands of mr. george duppa, again commissioned, and a fleet of racing schooners made up of such vessels as 'aline,' tons; 'evadne,' ; 'titania,' ; 'albertine,' ; 'galatea,' ; 'viking,' ; 'gloriana,' ; 'circe,' ; 'fleur-de-lys,' ; 'iolanthe,' ; 'intrigue,' ; 'madcap,' ; 'fiery cross,' , and 'reverie,' , it probably would not be wrong to date the approach to the zenith of schooner racing from this period. the races this year were chiefly of the mixed order, that is to say, races which included yachts of all rigs, schooners, cutters and yawls. the principal schooner race of the season was that for the queen's cup at cowes, for which the entries were the 'aline,' tons; 'aquiline,' ; 'albertine,' ; 'egeria,' ; 'galatea,' ; 'pantomime,' ; 'titania,' ; and 'viking,' . there was a strong north-westerly wind, which gave them a reach to the eastward, and a close haul with some turning to windward when going west, over the usual queen's cup course, round the nab lightship and a mark-boat off lymington. the 'egeria' proved a very smart vessel on all points of sailing, coming in neck and neck with the 'aline,' and winning the cup in her maiden race. two days afterwards, she again beat all the schooners in a race round the isle of wight. in the following year the racing season opened early, with a memorable contest from the nore to dover, under the auspices of the royal thames yacht club. there was a large entry--six schooners, nine cutters, the 'new moon,' lugger, , and the 'xantha,' yawl, --seventeen in all. the schooners were 'evadne,' ; 'blue bell,' ; 'egeria,' ; 'gloriana,' ; 'iolanthe,' ; and 'fleur-de-lys,' . the 'blue bell' was a new vessel built by camper and nicholson for mr. edwards. among the cutters was the 'lulworth,' , formerly owned by mr. weld, but then recently purchased by mr. george duppa. the other cutters ranged from tons to , and included many of the cracks of the day. a hard e.s.e. wind was blowing, which, with a lee-going tide, kicked up such a sea as is not often seen in the thames channels. those who sailed in the race will remember it. the 'xantha' snugly canvassed though with a jib-headed topsail aloft, went away from all the other vessels in the beat to windward, but the 'sphinx' and 'christabel,' though much smaller, sailed remarkably well against the heavy head sea. the 'lulworth,' from which much had been expected, proved too tender for so strong a wind, and when off the prince's lightship was put out of the race by starting her chain-plates, with considerable risk of her mast going over the side. the race between the schooners was a good one, but the new vessel, 'blue bell,' did not come up to expectation. the 'egeria' was soon in front of all but 'gloriana,' and eventually passed her just before they reached the north sandhead lightship. when it was rounded sheets were eased off, the troubles ended, and it was an easy reach along the edge of the goodwin sands, in which the power and weight of the schooners quickly began to appear by their overhauling the smaller cutters, the 'egeria' being carried by the send of a heavy sea past the leading cutter, the 'christabel,' not more than a few hundred yards from the winning line. 'xantha' finished min. before any other vessel, 'egeria' being second, thus establishing her reputation as one of the fastest of the schooners. only seven out of the seventeen were timed, several having either come to grief or given up. fortunately the tide was sufficiently high to let the yachts into dock. 'egeria' got pooped by a heavy sea when running in under small canvas, luckily without any unpleasant consequences beyond a ducking for all in the after part of the ship. [illustration: 'egeria' _ tons. j. mulholland, esq. (lord dunleath), ._] 'blue bell' raced again in the schooner match of the royal thames yacht club, and was beaten by the 'gloriana' and 'circe.' but in the r.y.s. race round the isle of wight she was successful against both 'egeria' and 'pantomime.' a little later, however, she raced against, and was beaten by, the 'aline' at ryde. it was not until that anything noteworthy occurred in schooner racing. in that year the 'cambria,' tons, was added to the schooner fleet. she was built by michael ratsey of cowes for mr. james ashbury, and was destined to obtain some celebrity, not only in our own waters, but also from winning the race across the atlantic with the 'dauntless,' american schooner, belonging to mr. gordon bennett, and from being the first to challenge and compete, though unsuccessfully, for the 'america cup.' she made her first appearance in the matches of the royal thames, new thames, and royal london yacht clubs, but was beaten by both 'egeria' and 'gloriana.' the contests between the 'cambria' and the 'egeria' during the time the former was owned by mr. ashbury were frequent, and keenly contested. they met in most of the principal races, with varying results, but on striking a balance the 'egeria' appears to have been the victor. mr. charles thellusson sold the celebrated 'aline' to sir richard sutton, and brought out the 'guinevere,' tons, which was built for him by camper and nicholson of gosport. there was good racing in the solent among the schooners, in which 'guinevere,' 'aline,' 'cambria,' 'egeria,' and 'pantomime' took part. 'cambria' proved herself to be a fast and powerful vessel, especially in strong winds, and sailed about level with the 'aline.' 'egeria' also sailed well, but there was little opportunity of estimating the qualities of 'guinevere,' as she was only entered for one race. two of the races were across the channel, one from ryde to cherbourg, the other back to ryde. the latter was not completed until long after dark, and the night will be remembered as one of the dirtiest in which a race was ever sailed; a hard, squally wind, intense darkness, and blinding rain made the sailing anything but agreeable. 'cambria' won, beating the 'aline' by min., but it was not until after their arrival that they were aware they had been in the darkness such close competitors. a challenge was given this year by mr. baldwin, of new york, on behalf of the american schooner 'sappho,' tons, which was promptly taken up by the schooners 'aline,' tons, and 'cambria,' tons, and the cutters 'oimara,' tons, and 'condor,' tons, and a race was arranged round the isle of wight under the direction of the royal yacht squadron. it took place in august, after the cowes week. the yachts were started to the eastward at a.m. before a light north-westerly breeze. in the run and reach to the bembridge ledge buoy all the english vessels were ahead of the 'sappho' except the 'oimara.' just after rounding the buoy 'sappho' carried away her martingale, and a little further on the 'oimara' carried away her big topsail-yard. it was now a beat to st. catherine's against tide, and 'oimara' soon passed 'sappho.' at hr. mins., when 'sappho' was going about under ventnor cliffs, she carried away her jibboom, which destroyed any winning chance she might otherwise have had. after rounding st. catherine's the yachts were all able to lay their course for the needles, which were rounded in the following order:--'oimara,' 'condor,' 'cambria,' 'aline,' and 'sappho.' in the run back to cowes against an ebb tide the two schooners got ahead of the cutters, the order of arrival being 'cambria,' hrs. mins. secs.; then the 'aline,' 'oimara,' and 'condor,' the last being mins. behind the leader. the 'sappho' did not get in until nearly an hour and a half after the leader. the breaking of the 'sappho's' jibboom was unfortunate, but before the accident it was made tolerably clear that in a light wind the english vessels had the heels of her, both with the wind free and sailing close hauled. in count e. batthyany brought out the 'flying cloud,' tons, which in his hands proved to be one of the fastest of the smaller class of schooners. the old 'alarm' was also again in commission, and with such a fleet of schooners as 'guinevere,' ; 'alarm,' ; 'witchcraft,' ; 'aline,' ; 'pleiad,' ; 'cambria,' ; 'egeria,' ; 'pantomime,' ; 'siesta,' ; 'gloriana,' ; 'flying cloud,' ; 'amy,' ; and others, the racing could not fail to be keen and interesting. one race deserves special notice, because an american schooner, the 'dauntless,' tons, the property of mr. gordon bennett, was one of the competitors. the emperor napoleon, desirous of encouraging aquatic sports, gave two prizes to be sailed for by yachts of all nations from cherbourg round the nab lightship and back, a distance of miles. a third prize, open to french yachts only, was also given. the entries were: 'dauntless,' , mr. gordon bennett; 'guinevere,' , mr. charles thellusson; 'shark,' , the duke of rutland; 'egeria,' , mr. j. mulholland; 'mystère,' , count de sesmaisons; 'diane,' , mons. bescoit champy. bar accidents, the race for the first two prizes lay between the 'dauntless,' 'guinevere,' and 'egeria.' the yachts were started at p.m. on august . the weather was fine and bright, with a northerly -knot breeze, which enabled them to lay their course close hauled for the nab. every stitch of canvas that would draw was set, the 'dauntless' putting up a jib-topsail of a size which made those carried by the other yachts pale into insignificance. the jib-topsail having been long known as the 'topmast breaker,' it was felt that if there came a puff the 'dauntless' would have a good chance of losing hers, and this soon afterwards happened, topmast, jib-topsail, and gaff-topsail all going over the side. the wreck, however, was very smartly cleared away, and a jury-foretopmast rigged with a small gaff-topsail upon it. a large balloon jib was also set, as well as a larger main-topmast staysail. the 'dauntless' had edged a good bit up to windward, and she was right in doing so, for when the isle of wight was sighted about o'clock it was broad on the weather bows of 'guinevere' and 'egeria.' the position of the yachts at this time was, 'guinevere' leading by about - / mile, 'egeria' second, with 'dauntless' on her weather quarter and a little astern; the others from two to three miles behind. the 'egeria,' having to luff, did not go so fast through the water, and the 'dauntless,' closing up upon her, the two yachts rapidly approached each other, and then occurred one of the most interesting incidents of the race. the 'dauntless' tried to pass the 'egeria' to windward, but the latter luffed to prevent her doing so, and it became a neck-and-neck race between them. in a short time it was evident that 'egeria' was sailing a little closer to the wind, and slowly drawing ahead of her powerful rival; and in the course of an hour she was well clear, and had the 'dauntless' under her lee, dropping astern fast. the sea was smooth, which was no doubt much in favour of the smaller vessel. the 'guinevere,' sailing splendidly, considerably increased her lead during this little by-play, and was rapidly nearing the nab lightship, which she ultimately rounded without a tack, thus gaining a considerable advantage, especially as she carried the last of the ebb tide until she was clear of the island. the 'egeria' and 'dauntless' were not so fortunate; the wind fell lighter and headed them, so that they had to make several tacks before they could round, and all but the 'guinevere' met the flood tide against them after rounding the nab. the times taken by a french steamer were as follows: 'guinevere,' hrs. mins.; 'egeria,' hrs. mins.; 'dauntless,' hrs. mins.; 'diane,' hrs. mins.; 'mystère,' hrs. mins. after rounding, sheets were eased well off to the port side, but about a.m. the wind came out from the north-east, and a gybe had to be made, and square-sails and square-topsails were set. when morning broke 'guinevere' was out of sight of the other yachts; 'dauntless' and 'egeria' nearly abeam, the former about a mile and a half further to the eastward, 'diane' and 'mystère' a long way astern. 'dauntless' and 'egeria' had apparently run very evenly all through the night, and continued to do so to the end. the times of arrival at cherbourg were: 'guinevere,' hrs. min.; 'egeria,' hrs. mins.; 'dauntless,' hrs. mins.; 'diane,' hrs. mins.; 'mystère,' hrs. mins. 'guinevere' won the emperor's cup, a beautiful work of art; the 'egeria' the second prize and gold medal; and the 'diane' the prize for french yachts. those who had seen the 'dauntless' in dock at cowes were impressed with the idea that, from her small body, she would run and reach fast, but that she would not go to windward with our schooners. it was a surprise, therefore, that in the run back from the nab she did not outpace the 'egeria,' a vessel of so much smaller tonnage. the loss of the fore-topmast of the 'dauntless' was to be regretted, but probably it did not affect the issue of the race, and as these two were never much more than a mile apart, and there was an average -knot breeze, the race was a fair test of their respective merits in smooth water. the successes of the 'egeria' led to her being classed as a sort of standard or test vessel, and, taken all round, she was probably the fastest schooner we had, although in strong winds she was often overpowered by her larger rivals. year after year vessels were built to beat her, but, kept up as she was in the best racing condition and well sailed by her skipper, john woods, she proved, even to the end of her racing days, no easy nut to crack. a memorable race from the nore to dover at the beginning of the season of showed how good she was even in heavy weather. it was the channel match of the royal thames yacht club, a mixed race with fifteen entries, embracing some of the best vessels of the day, and including the schooners 'cambria,' tons; 'pleiad,' tons; 'gwendolin,' ; 'egeria,' ; 'gloriana,' ; and 'flying cloud,' . the 'gwendolin' was a new and very handsome vessel, built by camper and nicholson for major ewing, her characteristic being considerably greater depth than any of her predecessors. the nore to dover course is one in which strong winds and heavy short seas may occasionally be looked for; and those who are in the habit of crossing the channel know what a sea in it can be like. on this occasion there was a strong westerly to south-westerly wind, so that it was running and reaching to the north sandhead light, and from there a dead beat along the outside edge of the goodwin sands against a very heavy head sea. all were diving their bowsprits deeply into the seas, and taking in green water over their bows. the 'pleiad' split the foot of her staysail and lowered it to reef; while this was being done she was struck by a sea, and two men were carried overboard. by great good luck one of them was washed on board again near the counter and saved, but the other poor fellow was never seen afterwards, although the 'pleiad' remained about the spot for upwards of an hour. it was supposed that he was struck by one of the staysail sheet blocks and went to the bottom at once. the 'cambria' was overdone with canvas, but was unable to reef, owing to something having gone wrong with her peak-halliard blocks. the 'egeria,' which had wisely started with a reefed mainsail, also reefed her foresail and staysail, and went faster for it, riding over the waves in a style which astonished some old salts who were sailing in her. 'cambria' passed 'egeria' in dover bay, but could not save her time. seven only out of the fifteen starters crossed the winning line, in the following order: 'cambria,' 'oimara,' 'egeria,' 'julia,' 'rose of devon,' 'gwendolin,' and 'fiona.' 'egeria' won the first prize, taking her time from the 'cambria,' and 'julia' the second prize, taking her time from 'oimara.' the sea was exceptionally heavy off the south foreland, and the casualties were numerous, seven bowsprits having been either broken short off or sprung, including those of 'oimara,' 'egeria,' 'rose of devon,' and 'fiona.' 'egeria,' when staying to go off round the mark-boat, was met by a very big comber which reared her nearly on end, and it was doubtful for some seconds whether she would pay off or miss stays with some risk of being carried against the pier-head. all agreed that the day had been one of the heaviest in their experience. two of the american schooners, the 'dauntless' and 'sappho,' were in our waters during the early part of the season, and in order to do honour to them, and to give them an opportunity of testing their speed against some of the fastest of our english schooners, as well as to encourage friendly competition between english and american yachts, h.r.h. the prince of wales liberally offered a cup to be sailed for by english and american schooners of tons and upwards, on terms and conditions to be arranged by the royal yacht squadron. the sailing committee of the squadron decided that it should be a challenge cup, not to become the property of any yacht-owner unless won by him three times, though not necessarily with the same vessel. the course was to be from cowes round the shambles lightship off portland, and thence round the south side of the isle of wight and the nab lightship, back to cowes, about miles. the first race was fixed for june , but as it did not suit the convenience of the owners of either the 'sappho' or 'dauntless' to remain for it, the race was postponed until the cowes week, and was sailed on august . 'guinevere,' tons; 'shark,' ; 'pleiad,' ; 'gwendolin,' ; and 'egeria,' , were entered. they were started at o'clock in the afternoon in a nice topsail breeze with the wind w.s.w., which made the race a dead beat all the way to the shambles. there was some pretty turning to windward down to the needles; but, as the chronicler of the day remarked, the race soon resolved itself into contests between 'guinevere' and 'egeria,' and between 'pleiad' and 'gwendolin'; 'shark,' which had not adopted the running bowsprit, being left far astern. 'guinevere' passed the needles first, with 'egeria' close in her wake, 'gwendolin' and 'pleiad' being about min. behind in the order named. outside the needles there was a jump of a sea, and the two leaders drew still further away from their competitors. the night was fine, with a clear sky, and so far the breeze held true and strong. the shambles lightship was rounded by the 'guinevere' at . , with 'egeria' close up to her, then 'pleiad,' 'gwendolin,' and 'shark.' after this it was a run of forty miles to st. catherine's point, and as the tide had just turned to the eastward a speedy passage home was anticipated. but oh, the glorious uncertainties of yachting! the wind fell, and 'guinevere' did not pass st. catherine's until o'clock the next morning, about three-quarters of a mile ahead of 'egeria,' and from four to five miles ahead of 'pleiad' and 'gwendolin.' off st. catherine's they met the ebb tide, and as the wind was light and dead aft the progress to the nab was slow. with varying luck in wooing the gentle breezes, these two rounded the nab lightship together about half-past o'clock; 'pleiad' and 'gwendolin,' bringing up a much stronger breeze, were rapidly overhauling them. after rounding, it became a close haul, and 'guinevere' and 'egeria' still had the wind very light while the others were rejoicing in a breeze, and at the noman the 'pleiad' was not more than a mile astern. this state of things, trying to the patience of the leaders, exhilarating and enjoyable to the others, continued until they were off ryde, when, welcome sight! a breeze from the southward was seen curling the surface of the water. all hands were immediately at work trimming the sails for the new wind, which carried the yachts past osborne and through cowes roads at a spanking pace; the stately 'guinevere' leading, the beautiful 'egeria' closely following her, and the fine schooners 'pleiad' and 'gwendolin' coming in soon after them. the official timing was 'guinevere,' hr. mins. sec.; 'egeria,' hr. mins. secs.; 'pleiad,' hr. mins. secs.; 'gwendolin,' hr. mins. secs. 'egeria' was thus by time the first winner of the prince of wales challenge cup. it was a curious coincidence in so long a race that 'guinevere' and 'egeria' rounded all the principal points--needles, shambles, nab, and winning flag-boat--almost together. the schooners continued well to hold their own against the cutters and yawls in the regattas of the season. the records of this year would be incomplete without some account of the races of the 'cambria' with the american schooner yachts. after much correspondence a series of three races were arranged to take place in may between the 'cambria' and the 'sappho,' then owned by mr. douglas, without time allowance. the first race was to be a beat of sixty miles to windward, and it was sailed on may . the yachts were towed out to the nab, and as the wind, a light breeze, was then south-east, they were instructed to sail sixty miles to windward on that course, which would bring them to a point in mid-channel about twenty-eight miles south of beachy head. they were started at . , and when round the owers worked eastward, not very far off the sussex shore, 'sappho' quickly showing herself to be the faster vessel. off brighton she was about two miles ahead of her opponent, and when they tacked to the southward off newhaven, she had considerably increased her lead. as they stood off, the wind freshened and went round to the west of south, and with eased sheets they were able to fetch the terminal point where the steamer ought to have been; but, by an unfortunate mistake, it was not in position. the 'sappho' covered the point about . p.m., full five miles ahead of the 'cambria,' and won the race, having, it was computed, sailed about miles in the ten hours. the second race was on may . it was agreed by the umpires and referee, with the consent of the owners, that the course, on this occasion, should be to a fixed point, provided one could be obtained not more than two points off the direction from which the wind was blowing, so as to give a beat to windward. the morning broke with a strong w.s.w. wind, and every prospect of its increasing to a gale, as it had done the previous day. the yachts had two reefs in their mainsails, and other sails snugged down to correspond. here was 'cambria's' chance, a strong wind and heavy sea; but unfortunately when the signal to start was made she refused to go, on the ground that the fixed point decided on cherbourg breakwater--was more than two points off the direction of the wind. the umpires and referee were, however, of opinion that cherbourg breakwater, when fixed upon, complied with the conditions, and, moreover, that it would have been impossible in such weather to bring up a steamer out at sea, so after notice to mr. ashbury the 'sappho' was allowed to sail over the course, and the second race was given in her favour. the third race was sailed over a triangular course, from the nab round a steamer about eight miles off st. catherine's, thence eastwardly to another steamer and home to the nab, about sixty miles in all. it was a beat along the island shore to the first mark, and in the short turnings with a light wind the 'cambria' got rather the better of her rival, but the 'sappho' by good handling managed to round the steamer a few minutes ahead of her. they then had the wind free, but it died away almost entirely; the 'sappho,' however, managed to scrape round the second steamer, and completed the race about o'clock in the evening, thus winning all the three races. the 'cambria,' a long way astern, signalled to the steamer to come and tow her in. the 'sappho' had been altered in various ways since she sailed the match round the island in , and was obviously a very much improved vessel, the 'cambria' being no match for her except in short turnings to windward. on july the 'cambria' and the 'dauntless' started for a race across the atlantic to new york. the 'cambria' took the northern passage, going as far north as latitude °; the 'dauntless' a more southerly and a straighter course. the 'cambria' passed the sandy hook lightship a few hours before the 'dauntless,' and won the race, an account of which, with a chart of the courses sailed, will be found in the 'field' of august and , . the 'dauntless' unfortunately lost two men, who were swept off the jibboom when endeavouring to take in the flying jib, and this delayed her for some hours. such a race was obviously but a poor test of the relative speed of the two yachts, as throughout they were sailing under different conditions, and it was curious under these circumstances that they should have reached their destination so nearly together. [illustration: mr. ashbury's 'cambria,' tons, beating 'dauntless,' tons, race.] the race for the america cup, in which the 'cambria' took part, was sailed on monday, august , in new york harbour. she had seventeen competitors, all the best schooners of the new york yacht club, of sizes varying from down to tons, n.y.y.c. measurement; the 'cambria' being rated at tons. the course was through the narrows, round sandy hook lightship, and return. the race was not a satisfactory one, as in the narrow waters she was much hampered by other vessels, with one of which she came into collision, carrying away a fore-port shroud and fore-topmast backstay, and springing the port arm of her fore-crosstrees. later on she also carried away her fore-topmast, losing all chance of even a good place. the race was won by the 'magic,' a small schooner of tons, the 'cambria' being eighth, and the cup therefore remained in the possession of the new york yacht club. even if nothing had gone wrong with the 'cambria,' pitted as she was against seventeen other vessels, her chance of winning the cup would necessarily have been small. in mr. ashbury, who was determined to have another try for the america cup, brought out the 'livonia' schooner, of tons. she was built for him by michael ratsey of cowes, with the express object of challenging for the cup. she made her first appearance in the three thames river matches, one of which she won, but was beaten in the other two by the 'egeria,' and does not seem to have won again during the season. she, however, sailed a very close and interesting match with the 'aline' for the prince of wales cup, the 'egeria,' the holder of the cup not competing, owing to a misunderstanding. the race was started under way at p.m. on friday, august . the wind was strong from the north-west, with an ebb tide, and smooth water inside the needles. each had whole lower sails set, but no topsails. 'livonia' was a little to windward of the 'aline,' and if the wind held it would be a beat all the way to the shambles lightship. soon after the start both set jib-headed main-topsails, but 'livonia,' obviously the more tender of the two, was rather overdone with canvas, and in the squalls had plenty of water in her lee scuppers. they passed out through the needles passage together, 'livonia' leading by about a cable's length. outside there was more wind, with a good deal of sea, which did not seem to suit the 'livonia,' for the 'aline' slowly but steadily gained, and tried to pass her to windward, but this was denied. after a quarter of an hour's jockeying the 'aline' suddenly eased her sheets a trifle, put her helm up, and shot through the other's lee. off darleston they took in topsails and housed topmasts. they had a roughish time of it in st. alban's race, 'aline' going the more easily through the seas. the shambles light was weathered by 'aline' at . , and by 'livonia' a minute afterwards. 'gybe oh! up topsails and square-sails,' was then the order of the day, and with the young flood tide in their favour they made quick tracks homewards. about seven o'clock the 'aline' carried away her square-sail-yard, which might have seriously damaged her chance of winning, but fortunately for her the wind about the same time became so much more northerly that 'livonia' had to take in her square-sail also. off darleston the wind backed to the old quarter n.w. by w., and 'livonia' at once got up her square-sail again and gradually lessened the distance, previously about half a mile, between herself and the 'aline.' they rounded st. catherine's at ten o'clock, the 'aline' being then about half a mile astern. when round, they came again upon even terms, as 'livonia' had to luff and to lower her square-sail. the wind continued strong, and in the reach to the nab they tore along at great speed. nearing the nab both prepared for the beat back to cowes, and took in fore-topsails and main-topmast staysails; 'aline' also took in her main topsail. 'livonia' passed the nab at o'clock, mins. ahead of the 'aline,' when sheets were hauled taut in all round for the beat to windward. 'aline' was rather the quicker in stays, and, as she kept gaining little, by little she was close up to 'livonia' by the time they had reached the stourbridge shoal. 'aline' continued to work the island shore by short boards, but 'livonia' made one or two longer tacks over to the north shore, and when they again neared each other off osborne, 'aline' just cleared her rival to windward, immediately went round, and planted herself on her opponent's weather-bow. this was fatal to 'livonia's' chance, even of the honour of coming in first, for 'aline' had her pinned and never let her go in the few more tacks which were made before they crossed the winning line, 'aline' at . a.m., and 'livonia' a minute and a half later. it was a remarkably closely contested and fast-sailed race, the wind being strong, and the tide favourable both ways. the time occupied was - / hrs., and the length of course was miles; but as it was a beat all the way to the shambles, and again from the nab to cowes, the distance actually sailed was considerably greater, and the average speed over the bottom could not have been less than knots an hour, which was exceptionally fast. the performance of 'livonia,' however, was disappointing, as it was considered that, being so much the larger vessel, and built expressly for speed, she ought in such a wind and sea to have easily given the 'aline' a fair and square beating all round. her defeat by the 'aline' led to the insertion of the following amusing couplet in 'punch':-- oh! 'livonia,' i wouldn't own yer now i've seen the grand 'aline.' though a more beamy vessel than the 'aline,' she had comparatively small displacement, and did not carry her canvas so well. the result of the race did not augur favourably for her success in america, and there was little chance of her winning the america cup unless she could be given more canvas, with an increased weight of ballast placed lower down to enable her to carry it. soon after the race for the prince of wales cup, the 'livonia' went to new york to compete for the cup, and had a very boisterous passage across the atlantic, but proved a first-rate sea-boat, and arrived safely without material damage. subsequently to the race by the 'cambria' in against seventeen american schooners, the new york yacht club, owing to representations made by the surviving donor of the cup, had decided that, in accordance with the intention of the deed of gift, only one vessel should in future matches compete against the challenger; but they reserved the power to select the defender of the cup on the morning of the race, according to the state of the weather, a light-weather vessel for a light day, a more powerful vessel if the wind was strong. this was so manifestly giving an undue advantage to the holders of the cup that it was surprising such good sportsmen as the americans should not have seen the one-sidedness of the reservation. after some not very satisfactory correspondence with the new york yacht club, it was ultimately arranged that there should be five matches, the club naming four yachts from which to select the defender of the cup in each match; namely, the 'sappho' and 'dauntless,' keel boats, and the 'palmer' and 'columbia,' centreboard schooners. [illustration: 'dauntless,' n.y.y.c, tons, ] the first match was sailed on monday, october , over what was known as the new york yacht club course, from the head of the narrows round the s.w. spit buoy and sandy hook lightship, and return, about miles. the wind being very light from the n.w., the club selected the 'columbia,' a light-weather centreboarder, as 'livonia's' opponent. the tide had just begun to ebb when the yachts were started at . . there were not so many steamers or other vessels out as on the occasion when the 'cambria' raced. it was a run nearly all the way to the lightship, and in the light airs the 'columbia,' drawing little water with her centreboard up, slipped away from the 'livonia' and rounded the lightship about mins. ahead of her. there they came on a wind, and it was a beat as far as the spit buoy, about - / miles. 'columbia' both weathered and fore-reached 'livonia,' and at the spit buoy led by mins. after rounding the buoy the wind became abeam and freshened for a short time, but died away again in the narrows. the 'columbia' completed and won the race about o'clock, beating 'livonia' by mins. the second race was on the following wednesday, oct. , and the 'columbia' was again selected to defend the cup. there was a good breeze from the w.n.w., and the course was intended to be miles to leeward from sandy hook lightship, and return; but the committee, contemplating a change of wind, decided to send the steamer, which was to mark the turning point, miles e.n.e. instead of e.s.e., with the result that there was no beating to windward either going or returning. there was also a misunderstanding as to the way in which the turning mark was to be rounded. the point was not referred to in the sailing instructions, but as the usual practice in american waters was to leave the turning marks on the starboard hand, and this had been done in rounding sandy hook lightship in the previous race, no doubt was felt on board the 'livonia' that the same course was to be followed. the owner of the 'columbia,' however, more wary, put the question to the committee, and was informed in reply that he might round as he pleased; but this instruction was not given to the 'livonia,' and in consequence 'livonia' gybed, and 'columbia' stayed round the steamer, the latter gaining thereby a considerable advantage. in the broad reach out the 'livonia' gained a little and rounded the steamer nearly mins. ahead of 'columbia,' but from the fact that the former rounded to leeward, and the latter to windward, 'columbia' quickly became the leading vessel. after rounding they were nearly close hauled, and in consequence felt the wind more, and all flying kites were taken in. on the way home they were struck by a squall, 'columbia' had to lower her foresail, and 'livonia' was a good deal pressed; but it soon passed over, and they were able to hold their reach without a tack back to the starting line, 'columbia' arriving at hrs. mins., mins. ahead of 'livonia.' mr. ashbury protested against the race being given in favour of 'columbia' on the ground that she had rounded the steamer on the wrong side, but the committee disallowed the protest. the third race was sailed on friday, october , over the new york yacht club course. the wind was fresh from w.s.w., blowing pretty straight up the narrows. the committee had some difficulty in selecting their representative vessel. the 'dauntless' had been named, but mr. gordon bennett declined to sail owing to some mishap which had befallen her. the 'palmer' and 'sappho' were also disabled, and the 'columbia' had started the hounds of her foremast; the committee were therefore considering whether the 'livonia' should be allowed a sail over alone, when mr. osgood, rather than that such should be the case, said he would again start the 'columbia,' but it was not until half-past one that the vessels were ready and given the signal to go. at this time the wind was strong, and they were able to lay their course close hauled through the narrows. the 'livonia' rounded the s. w. spit buoy mins. before the 'columbia,' and then stood away with freed sheets for the lightship, which was tacked round at hrs. mins. secs., about the same distance separating the two vessels. coming back, something went wrong with 'columbia's' steering-wheel, the clew of her main-topmast staysail, foresheet, and her fore-gaff topsail split, and shortly after she lowered her mainsail and gave up, the 'livonia' finishing the race alone at hrs. mins., her first win. the fourth match was against the 'sappho,' miles to windward from sandy hook lightship, and return. the wind was fresh from s.s.e. the yachts were started at twelve o'clock, and 'sappho' beat the 'livonia' as easily as she had done the 'cambria' in our waters in , rounding the turning point mins. ahead of her, and rather increasing her lead in the run home, eventually winning by over half an hour. the fifth and last match was again against the 'sappho,' over the inside course. there was a good topsail breeze from the s.w. which gave them a reach through the narrows to the s.w. spit buoy, and a run from there to the lightship. 'livonia' got the start of the big vessel, and at one time was about half a mile ahead, but the 'sappho' was not long in overhauling her, and rounded the lightship mins. ahead. in the beat back to the spit buoy, and in the reach from there home, the 'sappho' continued to gain, and ended the race mins. ahead of 'livonia.' the result of the matches was, therefore, that the america cup remained in the possession of the new york yacht club. this was the last occasion on which an english schooner competed for the cup, though there have since been several contests for it by english cutters. there was another good race for the prince of wales's cup the next year, , in which the following yachts took part: the 'livonia,' tons; 'aline,' ; 'gwendolin,' ; and 'egeria,' , schooners, and the 'dauntless,' yawl, tons. they were started at o'clock, with a good topsail breeze from the w.s.w., and an ebb tide. the 'gwendolin' had been altered and fined at both ends, and was much improved this year. she and 'egeria' were first off, and they made a close race of it out to the needles. there was a pretty little bit of sailing between them off newtown; both were standing in to the island shore, 'gwendolin' to windward, 'egeria' a little ahead. the latter hailed for water, and was so much more nimble in coming round, that she managed to get on 'gwendolin's' weather before she had gathered way, and gave her such a complete blanketing as left her almost in irons. this left 'egeria' the lead, and she was first to pass through the needles, with the others not far astern. all but 'aline' and 'dauntless' held on towards swanage; these two stood off from the land on the other tack, but lost a good deal by doing so, as the wind chopped round to the southward, enabling all to lay their course easily for the shambles. 'gwendolin' passed 'egeria' off darleston head, and 'livonia' did the same in the lumpy water off st. alban's. as they neared the shambles the wind went further round to s.s.e., and sheets were eased well off. 'gwendolin' luffed round the lightship at hrs. mins., closely followed by 'livonia' at hrs. mins., 'egeria' hrs. mins., 'aline' hrs. mins., and 'dauntless' hrs. mins. it then became a close haul for st. catherine's, but as the breeze kept steadily increasing in strength and the ebb tide was pretty well done, the yachts travelled fast through the water. the 'aline' collared the 'egeria' before they reached the needles, but all were surprised at the speed of the smaller ship in such a breeze and sea. the night closed in very dark, and the wind continued to freshen, backing round again when the yachts were crossing scratchell's bay to the west of south, which admitted of the sheets being eased considerably. off st. catherine's they were caught in a heavy squall, and 'egeria' lost her main-topmast, and of course supposed that her chances of the race were gone; but she kept on, and as after rounding the point the wind became more aft, the wreckage was got in and secured. 'livonia' in the run to the nab had got a good lead of 'gwendolin' and 'aline,' but when within about two miles of the nab she also came to grief like the 'egeria,' her main-topmast going, and in its fall damaging the gaff. she hauled round the nab at hrs. mins., and it was then a reach to cowes with a beam wind so strong that she made very rapid progress, notwithstanding her crippled state. the night was so dark that the yachts could not see each other, but 'gwendolin' was supposed to have passed 'livonia' off ryde. the times of arrival were: 'gwendolin,' hrs. mins. secs.; 'livonia,' hrs. mins.; 'aline,' hrs. mins.; 'egeria,' hrs. mins.; and 'dauntless,' hr. mins. in the morning it was reported that 'gwendolin' had run down the mark-boat, and was thereby disqualified, and that as 'egeria' had saved her time from 'livonia' and 'aline,' she was again the winner of the cup. major ewing, however, represented that, as the lesser of two evils, he had run down the mark-boat in order to avoid a gig which was bringing ladies and others out from the squadron ball to the american yacht 'sappho.' the squadron considered that under the circumstances the 'gwendolin' ought not to be disqualified, and major ewing accordingly became the third holder of the cup. the race was sailed in even a shorter time than that of the previous year; but this was to be expected, as the conditions were quite as favourable as to tide and strength of wind, with less turning to windward, so that the yachts had not to sail over so long a distance. the 'egeria' won the queen's cup at cowes, but in the races of the royal victoria yacht club the schooners found a strong opponent in the 'corisande,' yawl, tons, built by michael ratsey of cowes, for mr. john richardson, which beat them in the races both for the commodore's and the vice-commodore's cups. in those days it was the practice to class schooners and yawls together simply from the fact that both had two masts, and without reference to their relative sailing powers. in order to give the yawl as large a mainsail as possible, the mizen was placed at the extreme end of the counter, the yawl became in fact a cutter with a short boom, and like the cutter was superior to the schooner in going to windward and running, though not in reaching with the wind abeam. in another yawl appeared which was also destined to prove a thorn in the side of the schooners, namely the 'florinda,' tons, built by camper and nicholson for mr. lessop. she was a very successful vessel, and a worthy rival of the 'corisande,' and subsequently of mr. rowley's 'latona,' tons, and other fast yawls. these yawls took many prizes from the schooners in the schooner and yawl races, as well as in the mixed matches. the 'kriemhilda' cutter, tons, built by michael ratsey and brought out by count batthyany in the latter part of last season, also made her mark this year, beating the old 'arrow.' she was the first material advance both in size and speed in the cutter class, and with the improved yawls made it hot work for the schooners in the mixed races. [illustration: 'egeria' _ tons. (f. mulholland, esq.) built by wanhill, _. 'oimara' _ tons. _.] in the schooner racing the contests were very keen, but the most successful vessels were the 'egeria,' , and 'pantomime,' . the latter had passed into the hands of mr. f. starkey, and with captain john herbert at the helm was hard to beat. the race this year round the shambles for the prince of wales's challenge cup was practically a match between the 'morna,' , and 'egeria,' tons. the 'shark,' , was also entered, but had no chance. the 'morna' was built in the early part of the year by camper and nicholson for mr. w. houldsworth, and was intended, as the americans say, to 'lick creation,' but though a very fine vessel she did not turn out a success as a racer. they were started at a.m. on august , the weather being all that could be desired for pleasant sailing, fine and bright with a nice topsail breeze from the westward. 'egeria' kept ahead of the 'morna' in the beat to the needles, which she passed at o'clock, with 'morna' about a quarter of a mile astern. outside the wind was fresher from the s.w., with a gentle swell. here was a chance for the big vessel, but she did not improve her position, and when they cross-tacked off darleston head she was some two miles to the bad, with 'shark' about a mile astern of her. as they progressed the wind fell lighter, and when within a short distance of the shambles they were enveloped in a fog. beating to windward in a fog was not an easy or a pleasant task; however, all managed without much difficulty to pick up the lightship, which was rounded by 'egeria' about . , when she received the welcome news that she was the first vessel; 'morna' rounded about a quarter of an hour, and 'shark' half an hour, after. shortly afterwards the fog lifted a little and the competitors were able to make out their respective positions, but it soon returned and they were again lost to sight. the wind being aft and very light, little progress was made, and at o'clock, when about six miles from st. catherine's, the tide again turned to the westward. it now became very doubtful whether the progress over the ground was ahead or astern, so the hand-lead was dropped to the bottom, and quickly showed that it was time to anchor, and kedges were accordingly let go. the full moon, bright and clear, had, as the sailors expressed it, squandered the fog; the night was beautifully fine and the sea smooth as glass. all quietly turned in to await events, leaving a trusty watch on deck. at o'clock a.m. the tide began to flow and kedges were hauled in, but there was scarcely a breath of air, and drift, drift was all that could be done. however, about o'clock a light breeze came out from the n.e., which 'egeria,' being most to the eastward, was the first to feel, and so considerably increased her lead. the nab was rounded by the 'egeria' at a little past a.m. and by the 'morna' at . , 'shark' a long way astern. from the nab to cowes the wind continued very light and variable, with the sun scorchingly hot, but with a strong tide in their favour they reached and were timed at cowes: 'egeria,' hrs. mins. secs., and 'morna,' hr., the former becoming for the second time the holder of the cup. in three new schooners of heavy metal appeared upon the scene--the 'cetonia,' tons, built by michael ratsey for mr. william turner; the 'corinne,' , by the same builder, for mr. nicholas wood; and the 'seabelle,' , built by john harvey at wivenhoe for mr. harry taylor. they were all fast vessels, and with such a splendid fleet of schooners as 'morna,' tons; 'modwena,' ; 'aline,' ; 'cetonia,' ; 'gwendolin,' ; 'corinne,' ; 'egeria,' ; 'pantomime,' ; and 'seabelle,' , besides others, schooner racing continued at its zenith. 'guinevere' was not raced this year. it would be difficult to say with certainty which was the fastest vessel without a much more critical examination and record of their respective merits than it is the object of this chapter to give; but, on the whole, probably the 'cetonia' would have been considered to have carried off the palm. challenge cups are not popular with english yachtsmen, and some satisfaction was felt when the 'egeria' won the prince of wales's challenge cup for the third time, thus making it the absolute property of her owner, mr. j. mulholland, m.p. the race had an interest of its own, from the fact that for the first time an american yacht, the 'enchantress,' tons, the property of mr. lubat, competed for it. mr. fish, the well-known american yacht-builder, had been brought over to superintend the preparation of the yacht for the contest. the entries were 'enchantress,' 'egeria,' and 'shark.' the cowes week this year was characterised by blustering winds and rain. the 'egeria' had sailed for the town cup on the wednesday, and as the weather was bad, and she had got everything soaked, the race was postponed by consent from thursday until friday, the th, to give her a chance of drying her sails. the morning broke with a strong s.w. wind, and as 'egeria's' skipper knew well what he was to expect in the channel, he reefed mainsail and bowsprit, and housed topmasts. although the 'enchantress' had to allow the 'egeria' a lot of time, being more than double her tonnage, it was felt on board the latter that, if the 'enchantress' got round the shambles first, she would in all probability reach clean away and save her time: therefore that 'egeria's' chance was to beat her adversary in the turn to windward, and so if possible increase the time she would have to receive from the shambles home. the race was to be started at a.m., and 'egeria' was early under way, prepared, with such a wind, which kept increasing every minute, for a hard fight. to the great satisfaction of those on board 'egeria,' the 'enchantress' was observed soon after coming down with a cloud of canvas over her. 'hurrah!' was the word; 'something must go before long!' 'egeria' gained five minutes at the start, and as in coming round after the first board on the calshot shore her opponent got in irons, she gained full another five minutes. they had not made many tacks before the man who was looking out on 'egeria's' lee side cried, 'there goes "enchantress's" jibboom!' which made 'egeria's' crew feel that, although the weather was getting more stormy and dull, their prospects had considerably brightened. without her jibboom 'enchantress' was no match for 'egeria' in the beat to windward, and when the latter was well outside the needles, and had passed the shingles buoy, 'enchantress' had hardly reached hurst castle. just before she got opposite yarmouth, 'egeria's' second jib was blown clean out of the bolt-rope. this will give some idea of the strength of the wind, which made the sea outside exceedingly heavy. 'egeria' was standing in for christchurch bay with the view of smoothing the water, when she observed that the 'enchantress' was put before the wind, and turned back for cowes, having carried away her forestay. her competitor being placed _hors de combat_, 'egeria' was immediately put under snug canvas, and sailed easily until she rounded the shambles lightship at o'clock. the run and reach home to cowes round the island were comparatively easy sailing, and she showed her blue light passing the squadron castle at hrs. mins., thus winning the cup for the third time. [illustration: 'seabelle' _ tons. (m. f. taylor, esq.) built by harvey, ._] a race was sailed at the beginning of the season of between the two schooners 'egeria' and 'seabelle,' in a stronger wind than had probably ever been experienced in a race on the thames. it blew a gale from the s.w.; the ground tackle which had been put down in the lower hope for the yachts to start from would not hold them. 'egeria' dropped her anchor, and 'seabelle' got under canvas; the others all drifted, got up head-sails and sailed away, and the steamer carrying the committee of the royal london yacht club, which gave the prize, did not make its appearance. what was to be done? 'seabelle' sailed close by the 'egeria,' and asked mr. mulholland if he would start under way. the reply was, 'yes, but stay round the mouse instead of gybing.' 'egeria' had previously got both her topmasts on deck, and all hands were at once at work getting up the sails, two reefs in the mainsail, reefed foresail, reefed staysail, and small jib. 'seabelle' was also under reduced canvas, and had her fore-topmast on deck, main-topmast being only housed. the start was a very even and fair one. soon afterwards the club steamer was observed in the distance, but she had little chance of catching the racers before they reached the mouse. they tore away before the wind without attempting to set any additional sail, and as they stayed round the mouse got in sheets for the beat back, 'egeria' with a lead of about mins. 'seabelle' was a trifle the quicker in rounding, but she could not prevent 'egeria' getting on her weather, and it was a case of tack and tack for at least twenty tacks, 'seabelle' doing all she knew by feints and otherwise to shake off her rival, and 'egeria' doing her best to get sufficiently ahead to properly smother 'seabelle,' which she eventually succeeded in doing, and then reached away from her, increasing her lead little by little every tack. presently the wind southerned, and they were able to start sheets for a long reach to the lower hope, through which they had another beat, but were able to lay their course up gravesend reach, crossing the winning line, 'egeria' at hrs. mins. secs., and 'seabelle' at hrs. mins. secs. 'egeria,' having to allow 'seabelle' about five minutes, saved her time by a minute and a half, and won the _l._ prize, a very beautifully designed silver salver. the 'egeria' had been altered and given more stability in the early part of the year, without which she might not have won in so strong a wind against so good and powerful a vessel as the 'seabelle.' in the 'phantom,' tons, was built for mr. arthur wilkinson, from designs by mr. weymouth. she was a handsome, roomy vessel, and was entered for a few races in and , but as a racer was not a success. mr. c. thellusson also brought out the 'boadicea,' tons, this year. she was built by camper and nicholson, but was intended for a cruiser rather than a racer, though she raced occasionally. one of the races in which she sailed was the memorable one from torquay round the eddystone and return, when the weather was so tempestuous and the seas so steep and heavy, that even 'boadicea' and 'latona' were compelled to run for shelter under the start headland, and it was some hours before they were able to continue the race. 'boadicea' beat the 'latona' by two hours. their competitors, unable to face the weather, were disabled, or retired very soon after they got round the start and fairly into the channel. the following year-- --the 'miranda,' tons, was built by harvey, of wivenhoe, for mr. g. e. lampson, and with lemon cranfield in charge proved one of the fastest and most weatherly of the schooner fleet. her specialities were that she had large displacement, with a fine run aft, a considerable weight of ballast in proportion to her tonnage, and the mainmast placed far forward, so as to increase the size of her mainsail, and make her as near an approach to a cutter as practicable. she was raced for several seasons, and frequently competed both in the schooner and mixed races, with varying results. in the schooner 'fiona,' tons, was built for mr. e. boutcher, the owner of the famous cutter of the same name; and the following year the 'waterwitch,' tons, was commissioned by mr. e. baring, afterwards lord revelstoke. both were by the same builders, camper and nicholson. they did not race for long, but sufficiently to show that they were powerful and fast vessels, though they did not make any great reputation in the racing world. schooner racing began to decline in the early eighties, and indeed the building and racing of all large yachts rapidly fell off, for the reason given in the early part of this chapter. but a race took place in which is worthy of record. [illustration: racing flags. schooners, cutters, yawls, 's, 's, 's.] in commemoration of her majesty's jubilee, the royal yacht squadron gave large prizes to be raced for by schooners, cutters, and yawls. the match was open to all yachts above tons, english and foreign, but no foreign yachts entered. the prizes were _l._ for the first vessel within her time allowance, _l._ for the second vessel of a different rig within her time, and _l._ for the winning vessel of the third rig. the course was from cowes round the nab lightship, cherbourg breakwater, and the eddystone lighthouse, returning to cowes round the south side of the isle of wight and the nab light, a distance of about miles. the entries were:-- schooners rating owner enchantress general owen williams aline h.r.h. the prince of wales cetonia sir edward guinness egeria mr. john mulholland cutters irex mr. john jameson lorna mr. s. hope morley genesta sir richard sutton moina captain bainbridge, r.n. sleuthhound lord francis cecil arethusa mr. stuart lane yawls atlantis --- mr. l. m. ames dauntless (ketch) mr. f. l. popham anemone mr. e. liddell viking --- earl of caledon the ratings are those of the yachts under the new length and sail-area rule of measurement, which is altogether different to the old tonnage rule. the time allowances settled by the royal yacht squadron were as follows:-- h. m. s. irex lorna genesta enchantress sleuthhound cetonia aline moina egeria arethusa dauntless viking anemone [illustration: 'cetonia,' tons (now belonging to lord iveagh; ). designed and built ( ) by m. e. ratsey, cowes, isle of wight.] the yachts were started at o'clock on the morning of august before a light w.s.w. breeze, making it a run to the nab, which the cutters rounded about hrs. after the start, some mins. ahead of the schooners. the day being beautifully fine and the sea smooth, the sail across the channel close hauled on the starboard tack was very enjoyable. the east end of cherbourg breakwater was rounded by the 'irex' at . , just at dinner-time, with 'genesta' and 'lorna' only a few minutes astern. then followed 'egeria' at . with 'cetonia' in close attendance, and 'moina' and 'aline' respectively and mins. behind. the 'irex,' as soon as she passed the west end of the breakwater, stood away close hauled for the english coast, and the other cutters followed her lead; but 'egeria' and 'cetonia' tacked to the westward along the french coast with the view of getting an easier tide when working to the westward, and it was not until about p.m. that they started off to cross the channel. the yachts had a nice breeze all night, and in the morning 'irex' struck the english coast somewhere to the west of portland. 'egeria' found herself about - / mile to windward and nearly abeam of 'cetonia,' both heading a good deal further to the westward. unfortunately 'egeria' had to bear down upon 'cetonia' to request sir edward guinness to allow his steamer 'ceto,' which was accompanying the race, to take one of the former's passengers, who had broken his arm by a fall, back to cowes, which he very kindly did. this delayed 'egeria' fully an hour, and more than lost her the advantage she had gained, but she picked it up again during the day. the weather throughout was fine and bright, but the wind very paltry. the yachts were widely scattered, and as there was a good deal of haze it was difficult to make each other out. 'irex' did not get round the eddystone until about p.m., 'egeria' and 'cetonia' about . , and the other two schooners some time afterwards. the next day the wind continued light, but the 'irex' being lucky with the wind, managed to save the tide round all the headlands, and reached cowes at hrs. mins., nearly hrs. before any other vessel. 'egeria' and 'cetonia' made an exceedingly close race of it the whole day, never being as much as a gunshot apart. the wind had headed them when off the isle of wight, and several tacks had to be made after they passed dunnose. the 'egeria,' when making her last board off on the port tack to round the nab, found she could not quite weather 'cetonia,' and had to bear away under her stern. 'cetonia' was also obliged to tack, and when they again crossed was in the same predicament, which put 'egeria' round the nab a minute or two before her. the 'aline,' which had not been seen by the others for some time, had stood more out to sea, got a better wind, and, to the surprise of the others, rounded the nab only a short distance astern of them. the run to cowes was an exciting one, as they were all very evenly matched, but 'egeria' managed to keep the pride of place and crossed the winning line at . a.m., min. ahead of the 'cetonia' and mins. ahead of the 'aline.' the 'enchantress' arrived about hrs. later. it was a curious sight to see the three schooners come in so close together after so long a race, and the fact of 'egeria' and 'cetonia' rounding the three principal points, cherbourg breakwater, the eddystone, and the nab, almost together was also remarkable. 'egeria' of course thought she had won the schooner prize, but to the surprise of her owner he was told that the 'dauntless' ketch had been classed with the schooners, and that, as she arrived at hrs. mins. within her time, she had been awarded the prize for the schooner rig. it was pointed out to the sailing committee that no intimation had been given that the 'dauntless' was to sail as a schooner, that the race was sailed under the rules of the yacht racing association, and that a recent decision had been given by the council of that association, that ketches were to be classed as yawls; but the sailing committee adhered to their decision, and declined to refer the question to the association. the 'last of the schooners' was the 'amphitrite,' tons, by camper and nicholson, brought out in by colonel macgregor, but by that time schooner racing had practically ceased, and she only sailed in mixed races. her performances in these, however, were so good that competent judges believed that, had schooner racing been in vogue, she would have been one of the fastest of the class. it may probably be considered that on the whole the 'egeria' was the most successful of the schooners. she made her _début_ in in the race for the queen's cup at cowes, beating the 'aline,' the crack of the day, and her last race was sailed in . she has had a longer career than any other schooner, won seven queen's cups at cowes, and about other cups and prizes, each of which has an interesting story of its own. the writer sailed in many of the races described, and of these the accounts are chiefly from personal recollection; but he must not conclude without recognising the admirable descriptions of the races published in the 'field,' which has done so much to encourage and improve yacht racing. chapter vii the racing rules and the rules of rating by 'thalassa' part i. the racing rules we race yachts in home waters under the rules of the yacht racing association. for a long time yacht racing was conducted without any central authority or court of appeal, and the difficulties which arose in consequence enabled a few racing owners to start the association ('for the promotion of the interests of yacht racing,'--general rule ) in the year ; since which it has gradually and surely increased its authority until, at the present time, it is acknowledged by clubs and owners alike as the ruler of the sport, owing much to the energy and ability of mr. dixon kemp, the secretary of the association, and to the solid work done by many of the older councillors, among whom should be specially mentioned the marquis of exeter, sir george lampson, bart., sir william forwood, sir george leach, k.c.b., major frank willan, colonel fitzroy clayton, major percy hewitt, mr. e. r. tatchell, mr. f. cox, mr. a. manning, and, last but not least, captain j. w. hughes, who, with prince batthyany strattmann, took a most active part in starting the association. the qualification for the association embraces 'the owners of racing yachts, and such other gentlemen interested in yacht racing as the council may elect'; ... 'also the representatives appointed by recognised yacht clubs' (general rule ). it is astonishing to find, by an examination of the list of members, how few racing owners belong to the association and how many old cruisers and steam-whistlers show their active interest in the sport of yacht racing by paying two guineas a year to support the court of appeal. we touch our caps to them for doing so--but pray them to allow the men actually engaged in the sport to settle the details as far as possible. indeed, it would appear desirable that the council should be mainly composed of racing owners, and that each class of racing yacht should be represented, say, by two councillors. thus--two for racing cruisers of the 'columbine' type, two for the large class of racers, two for each y.r.a. class, and two for each of the 'minima' classes ( and / -raters), or in all. the other six members of the council might with advantage be selected from the appointed representatives of the yacht clubs (general rule ). at present the council is practically a self-elected body, general rule stating that 'vacancies occurring between the annual meetings _shall_ be filled by the council.' evidently the word 'shall' should be replaced by _may_. four councillors retire annually by rotation (general rule ), but are eligible for re-election, and changes seldom occur from this cause, except through compulsory retirement due to non-attendance for an entire year. quite right; when you have a good man keep him if you can; but the self-election clause is wrong in principle, and quite unnecessary in a council beginning each year with members. general rule describes the procedure for electing councillors. general rules and refer to the annual general and special general meetings, and no. to the annual subscription--which is two guineas. general rule should form part of the measurement rules. it refers to the payment of measurement fees, and their non-payment is mingled in a most curious manner with the non-payment of subscriptions to the y.r.a., on which latter point there is a penalty in rule . so far as measurement fees are concerned all owners should be on the same footing. the general rules are of course only binding on the members of the association. [illustration: the start.] general rule , concerning the meetings of the council, is vague, and might well have another rule, to be spoken of presently, incorporated with it. general rule describes the duties of the council which are tantamount to the objects of the association, and might with advantage be mentioned in rule . the measurement of yachts for racing and the issue of certificates of rating should be added to the rule, as now being duties which are governed by the council. general rule describes the procedure necessary for effecting any alterations in the rules (general or racing), a two-thirds majority of the council, and, subsequently, of a general meeting, or of a general vote, being necessary for any _amendment or addition_ to the rules. a member may, however, persevere in a proposal, although the council report unfavourably upon it; in which case it is brought before a general meeting, or a general vote, and then requires a favourable majority of three-quarters to pass it into law. this rule is perhaps too stringent in its conservative tendencies, a two-thirds majority being ample under any circumstances. when such a majority is obtained in face of the council's opposition the case must be very strong. nothing of the kind has ever occurred; but in certain alterations, recommended by the council, failed to obtain the requisite two-thirds majority at the annual general meeting. _the rules for the guidance of the council_ have never been passed by a general meeting, although some of them (like no. ) are important. all of them should be incorporated with the general rules. these unauthorised rules are:-- no. , that the council may be assembled by the president, or by a vice-president, or by a requisition of three councillors addressed to the secretary. no. , that five shall be a quorum. no. refers to the chairman; and no. to the minute book of the proceedings. no. , that a quorum of three may be assembled at any time and notice, to settle questions on the measurement of yachts. no. regulates the procedure on general rule , last paragraph, the election of councillors. no. regulates the procedure on general rule , first paragraph, the election of members of the association. _the racing rules_ there are thirty-two 'sailing rules' under which yacht racing in british waters is conducted. many of these rules have nothing to do with 'sailing,' but refer to the measurements for rating, entries, sailing committees' work ashore, and cognate matters; the rules and paragraphs of rules connected with any one subject being dotted about in the most bewildering manner, and the whole forming a general hotch-potch, no great credit to the yachting fathers. the rules, being numerous and complex, must always be difficult to follow; but this difficulty is increased tenfold by unmethodical arrangement, and by the absence of any code whereby the law-making decisions of the council can be discovered and kept in view by racing owners, by 'sailing' committees, and by the council itself. the rules have been examined and explained with much ability by mr. dixon kemp, in his book on 'yacht and boat sailing,' chapter viii. being devoted to the subject. every racing owner should possess this book: it is, therefore, unnecessary to repeat the treatment of the rules therein contained. nor is a criticism of the rules necessary, as this has been done by the present writer in a series of articles published in that excellent paper 'the yachtsman,' on april , and may , , , and , ; which back numbers can be obtained for a few pence by applying to the publisher, strand, london. moreover, a summary of the rules was given in the almanac for the solent racing, published by king & co., southampton, in , and will probably be repeated in succeeding years. an attempt will therefore be made in these pages to treat the racing rules in a different manner, by an examination and description of the duties of each important actor in connection with a yacht race. _duties of a designer_ the principal object and duty of a designer is to build yachts capable of winning prizes fairly. he must, therefore, study every peculiarity and custom of the sport, the average climate during the racing season, and, above all, he must study the rule of rating and measurement (rule ), to be examined at the end of this chapter. other rules must not escape his attention; for instance, the designer of mr. carrol's yacht, when building in america for races in british waters, would note that by rule shifting keels may only be moved by manual power, and, consequently, that if any hydraulic appliance be used, anything in the nature of an accumulator would be contrary to the spirit of the rule, and would be matter for protest. the same remark applies to working and hoisting the sails (rule ). a designer must note that, by rule , yachts over -rating must be fitted below deck as yachts, including two wooden transverse bulkheads. also that, by rule , yachts of to -rating must carry on deck a boat not less than feet by - / feet, and yachts of -rating, or more, a boat not less than feet by - / feet. designers must also consider rule , which defines 'cruising trim'--especially clause , which prohibits the placing of 'sails or other gear' 'in the main cabin' of yachts which race in this trim; and clauses and , concerning the anchors and chains, and boats. _private match_ a yacht race can only be said to occur when the competitors have carefully prepared for it, and when it is under the direction of some competent nautical authority. in arranging a private match, it is therefore important to appoint both a race officer and a referee, the latter having the power to decide any dispute or to refer the same to the y.r.a., should he think fit to do so. _club and open matches_ private matches are less frequent than of yore, and modern racing is generally for prizes given by yacht clubs or by town regattas. _duties of a yacht club_ the object of a yacht club is usually defined somewhat as follows:-- r.s.y.c.--the encouragement of yacht sailing in the southampton water and solent. r.p.c.y.c.--to encourage amateur yacht racing in the solent. c.y.c.--to encourage the racing of yachts in the small classes y.r.a. b.s.c.--to promote the interests of amateur boat-sailing. the executives of such clubs should keep these objects in view by choosing flag officers who are keen sportsmen and patrons of yachting; by appointing sailing committees well versed in details; by raising funds for the prizes; and, generally, by constantly endeavouring to further the yachting interests of the club members. unfortunately the development of a yacht club only too frequently produces a dual government, the house being governed by a committee mainly consisting of habitués who are not yachtsmen, and the yachting by a sailing committee. _duties of a sailing committee_ the first duty of a sailing committee is to perfect itself. each member should study, and be well acquainted with, the racing rules. the chairman should be a good business man, and well versed in the intricacies and dodges of yacht racing. if one of the flag officers fulfil these conditions, so much the better. the chairman should be elected by the committee, not by the club. the committee should discover the amount of cash available for racing, the average cost of a regatta, and consequently the balance which can be devoted to prizes. other clubs whose regattas are held at the same period of the season should be addressed, and dates arranged to suit both clubs and owners. the committee is then in a position to settle its programme, which should be done as early in the year as possible, in order that owners may prepare their yachts' programmes for the season. a summary of the club programme should then be published or advertised; and this should be strictly adhered to, if possible. a clause is frequently inserted stating that the committee reserves the right to alter the programme; but it should be remembered that no change in the conditions of a race can be made after an entry has been received, because, by rule , y.r.a., the yacht is then 'entitled to a prize of not less than half the value of the first prize offered for competition,' if she 'sail over the course' under the conditions. the advertisement may conveniently take the following form: the ... yacht club will hold a regatta on the ... day of ... . at .... _race i._--fee .... prizes £.., £.., £.., for yachts exceeding ..., and not exceeding ...r. _race ii._--fee .... prizes £.., £.., for yachts exceeding ..., and not exceeding ... r. and so on. open to yachts owned by members of recognised yacht clubs. entries close at noon on the ... of ... .. for full programme apply to the club secretary. this summary is sufficient. it is better to insert a short notice twice than a long notice once. the full programme should be drawn up with much care, and everything mentioned, thus avoiding numerous inquiries and much correspondence. _the programme_ should state the matters already mentioned in the summary, and, in addition, the time of start for each race; the method of starting; the course of each race; the starting line; the finishing line (rule ); time limit (if any) for finishing race or shortening course; the exact length of each course in sea miles and decimals, for time allowance (if any); and the regulations special to the club or town regatta (rule . also rec. of appendix). some good sportsmen on the solent hope soon to see a code of regulations universally adopted for the solent classes, in which event it will only be necessary to state on the programme or the race card that the y.r.a. rules and the solent class regulations will be observed. the regulations might deal with the following matters:-- the sailing-over rule; the conditions on which second or third prizes (if any) will be awarded; the payment of entrance fees; the certificate of rating (rule ); the declaration at entry (rule ); the declaration at end of race (rule ); the deposit (if any) on a protest (rule ); the owner; the helmsman; rig allowances (if any). (rec. of appendix.) _the race card_ can only be drawn up at the last moment, after the entries have closed. it is similar to the programme, but contains the names of the yachts which have entered, their colours, their recall numerals, and sometimes the names of their owners (rule ). it also generally contains the names of the flag officers, and the names of the race officers for the day. _duties of the secretary_ as the date of a regatta approaches, entries will be received, and the secretary should acquaint the sailing committee of any irregularity (rule ). he should also discover if the sailing committee wishes to 'refuse any entry.' an entry by telegram should finish thus: _written entry follows_; and this should be made in strict accordance with rule , y.r.a. the entry (when filled in) and the declaration amount to nearly words, which cost an owner _s._ _d._ if sent entirely by telegram. it was never intended that an entry by telegram should relieve an owner from making the declaration. the secretary must see that the race cards are printed promptly as soon as the entries are closed, and one should be sent to each yacht in accordance with rule , y.r.a., which states that 'written or printed instructions as to the conditions of the race, the course to be sailed, marks, &c., shall be supplied at the time of entry, or as soon after as possible, to every yacht entered for a race.' the secretary must see that recall numerals, 'white on a black ground, and the figures not less than ft. in. in height,' are placed conveniently for use by the race officers (rule ); also that the white peter, the blue peter (rule ), the commercial code flags b, c, d, f, and so on (rule ), and the means and trained labour for hoisting them promptly are similarly provided. he must also have a care that the gun, or guns, and the ammunition are in good order and position, and properly manned, in order that rules and may be complied with. he must see that the two inner marks for the alignment of the starting line are correctly fixed, and that the outer mark is moored as nearly as practicable in the same alignment. he must take measures for having the mark-boats (if any) correctly moored, in good time. he should see that the race officers are provided with a chronograph, a book of the y.r.a. rules, a race card, a chart showing the courses, a coloured diagram showing the racing colours of each competing yacht, and a description of each yacht giving any peculiarity by which she may be identified, such as the colour of the hull, the rig, the shape of the bow or stern, &c. he should provide lanterns for use at the winning line in the event of a finish after sunset. after the racing he should endeavour to obtain the declarations from the owners (or their representatives) on board the winning yachts (rule ). during these stirring times a secretary must not rely on receiving any assistance; on the contrary, everyone expects help from him; and should anything go wrong his broad shoulders must carry the blame. yet there are some men who do all this and much more a dozen times in a season, and toil year by year 'for the good of the club,' and 'the fun of the thing,' as honorary secretaries. _the duties of race officers_ it is customary, and a good plan, for the sailing committee to appoint two race officers for each day of a regatta (rule ). if the services of a flag officer, or of an active member of the sailing committee, can be obtained, well and good; but anyone, whether a member of the club or not, may be appointed. a race officer should be at his post _at least_ half an hour before the first race begins (rule ). this gives him only fifteen minutes to see that things are 'shipshape' before flag b is hoisted (rule ). during this time he must decide whether the regatta or any race must be postponed on account of bad weather, in which case letter n is hoisted over the flag denoting the race or races so postponed (rule ). he should discover from the secretary that the marks are all correctly moored, the flags and guns ready, and everything in order. it is a great convenience to sailing masters to have a _time gun_ fired half an hour before the start for the first race; but this should not be done unless it be mentioned on the race card. the race officer should time this gun to the fraction of a second, and start all the races in strict accordance therewith. the officer should also make himself acquainted with the racing colours (rule ), and, if possible, with any peculiarities in the appearance of the yachts which are about to compete, in order that they may be easily identified at the start. as the time for hoisting flag b (race ) approaches, the officer should warn the man at the signal halliards, who will hoist the flag, _furled_, at the peak, and the instant the officer gives the time signal the flag should be 'broken out' by a sharp jerk on the halliard. as the time for _first gun_ approaches, the blue peter is hoisted similarly by another halliard, and is 'broken out' the instant the officer gives the time signal; the gun is fired simultaneously, and should it miss fire the blue peter is the signal. the 'preparative flag' is also lowered. the yachts in the race are under the rules at first gun (rule ). the only apparent exception being that a _paid_ hand may join or leave a yacht before the 'signal to start' (rule ), but not afterwards. n.b.--corinthians may join or leave a yacht at any time during a race. the race officer should recall any yacht at the start which breaks any racing rule, such as being towed or propelled by any means other than her sails, after first gun (rule ). the 'member of a recognised yacht club' (rule ) must be on board at _first_ gun, and so with all the other racing rules. one of the race officers must very carefully watch the alignment as the starting time (_precisely_ five minutes after first gun) approaches, and the other officer should watch the chronograph and shout the word 'fire' at the fraction of a second. 'should the gun miss fire the simultaneous lowering of the blue peter is the signal to start' (rule ). the officer attending to the starting line should carefully note whether 'any part of the hull, spars, or other equipment' (rule ) of any of the yachts 'be on or across the line _before_ the signal to start is made.' if so, the recall numerals of such boats should be at once displayed, and kept displayed until they return and recross the line or give up the race (rule ). the second race is started in the same way, the preparative flag c being hoisted when the starting gun for the first race is fired. sometimes there is an interval of time between these actions; but there is no difficulty in starting races every fifteen minutes in strict accordance with the rules, if the officers know their duties and the signalmen are well trained. the work of starting shows the necessity of appointing _two_ race officers; and, subsequently, during the racing it enables at least one officer to be always on duty. the officers should watch the racing as much as possible, and should they see or learn that any yacht has broken any rule, they should disqualify her whether she be protested against or not (rule ). 'should it be necessary during a race to shorten the course' (rule ), the officers will order 'the signal flag denoting the race' (or races) to be 'hoisted under the white peter; or, in case of fog or darkness, two guns' to be 'fired,' to show that the race is to finish with the round about to be completed, 'or at such mark as the sailing committee or officer of the day may appoint.' in practice, the sailing committee never interferes with the race officers. of course the time allowance, if any, is adjusted to the altered distance (rule ). if there be more than one round in a course, each yacht should be timed at the end of each round; but there is no rule to this effect. the time at the end of a round or race is taken when any part of a yacht's hull or equipment _first_ cuts the line. when the competing yachts pass the race officer, he should also notice whether any of them 'show an ensign conspicuously in the main rigging' (rule ), this being the preparative signal of a protest; and consequently, the race officers must be prepared to receive such protest 'within two hours of the arrival of the protesting yacht,' but they cannot decide it. this rests with the sailing committee. race officers must also be prepared to receive from a yacht, or yachts, a claim for a resailed race under the 'man overboard' rule (rule ), which states that competing yachts 'shall use their utmost endeavours to render assistance in case of a man falling overboard from a competing yacht; and if it should appear that any yacht was thereby prevented from winning the race, the committee shall have power to order it to be resailed between any yacht or yachts so prevented, and the actual winner.' by the wording of the rule the race officers can only report the matter to the committee, and cannot settle it themselves. nevertheless, they have the power to 'award the prizes' (rule ) in the absence of any such claim, or protest; but this is seldom done in practice, because owners rarely send their declaration (in accordance with rule ) to the secretary of the club until it is demanded. _see_ duties of owners. practically, therefore, race officers can only declare the probable winners; and in some clubs, where the same yachts race frequently, this is done at the termination of the racing, by hoisting the colours of the apparent winners under the signal flags denoting their races. _duties of owners_ the principal duty of a racing owner is to see that everything in connection with the racing of his yacht is done in a perfectly fair and honourable manner. an owner who breaks or infringes any racing rule flagrantly 'may be disqualified by the council, for such time as the council may think fit, from sailing his yacht in any race held under the rules of the y.r.a.' (rule ). when a yacht is officially measured, the owner should be on board, or have an experienced racing friend on board to represent him. he should note the position of the inside ballast, ship's stores, unbent sails, and other gear, entering same in his note-book. he should see that the crew is properly placed, viz. 'amidships' (council's instructions to official measurer, march , ), as, by a resolution passed december , , a yacht (rule , december ) must now be marked by the owner, such marks being clear above the water surface in smooth water in 'racing trim,' which evidently means with crew and all weights (live or dead) carried in a race on board. the taxable length will in future be officially measured to the 'outer edges' of said marks, a length somewhat greater than the yacht's l.w.l. an owner should take the greatest care to see for himself that his yacht's taxable length is never increased, and that any alteration to her ballast trim, sanctioned by a recent addition to rule , is never made after p.m. of the day previous to a race. as regards the sail-area, an owner should hand the sailmaker's certificate to the official measurer and give him every assistance in measuring the yacht's spars, &c.; and, subsequently, should any alteration be made to the sails or spars affecting the yacht's rating, the owner should at once inform the secretary y.r.a. in writing, and return the certificate if required (rule ). in short, an owner is held responsible for the rating of his yacht being absolutely correct. his next duty is to enter her properly for any race he may wish to compete in. 'entries shall be made ... _at least_ forty-eight hours previous to noon of the race day'--twenty-four hours being added for a sunday. clubs have asserted the right to close entries at a longer interval. owners must therefore note these times for closing the entries, and act accordingly (rule ). post entries are not provided for in the y.r.a. rules, and must therefore be considered irregular, whether sanctioned by the other competitors or not. the long declaration given in the rule is a nuisance, and should be cut out, as there is no reason for mentioning one rule more than another on this declaration. so long, however, as the y.r.a thinks it necessary, it must be enforced, and owners should help the clubs to do so by carrying it out. as before stated, an entry by telegram (_sent off_ before the hour of closing entries) should be followed at once by this written declaration. an owner should know that if a race be postponed or resailed all the yachts _entered_ may start; but the entry is closed to other yachts (rule ). [illustration: royal southampton yacht club. "brambles and lepe course."] an owner must belong to some 'recognised yacht club' or his entry is void. a hired yacht cannot be entered for any race under y.r.a. rules (rule ). an owner cannot enter two yachts to compete for one prize, but he can enter one yacht for two simultaneous races (rule ). an owner who has entered his yacht for a prize may sail over the course for half the value of the prize should no other competitor start (rule ), and should the race officer not postpone the race for bad weather (rule ). the owner (or a member of a recognised yacht club, to represent him) must be on board during a race, and after the race he should sign a declaration that the yacht has been sailed in strict conformity with the y.r.a. rules and with the conditions on the programme (rule ), and forward same to the race officer at once, or to the secretary if later. an owner (or his representative) should see that his yacht is supplied in good time with the written or printed instructions for a race (rule ). should an owner (or his representative) decide to protest against a competitor, or otherwise (removal of a mark, for instance), the protest-flag should be displayed at the proper time, and the protest in writing lodged without delay. certain time-limits are given in rule . an owner having flown a protest flag should continue the protest, as it is often unfair to other competitors to withdraw it. moreover, it may be fairly argued that an owner who observes an infringement of the rules by a competitor, and does not protest as ordered in rule , himself breaks the rules by such omission, and subjects himself to disqualification by the sailing committee. if there were more protests there would soon be far less necessity for them. _duties of a sailing master_ a skipper is responsible to the owner, his employer, for the correctness of the yacht's rating, as shown on her certificate; he must also see that she is properly prepared for each race, and properly raced; thus:-- he should not start unless the owner or a qualified representative is on board (rule ). he should have the yacht's colours carried properly (rule ). he should carefully study the written or printed instructions and follow them in every detail (rule ). at the start he should look out for his recall numeral (rule ). he should prevent any paid hand joining or leaving the yacht after the signal to start (rule ). he should be careful to comply with the ballast rule, and see that the dead-weight is not altered after p.m. of the day previous to a race (rule ). he should see that boats and life-buoys are carried in accordance with rule . he should be specially careful not to infringe any sailing rule between the guns at the start (rule ). if late at the start, he should know that the yacht is not disqualified (council y.r.a., ). a good skipper will know rules to by heart. by rule :-- (_a_) _a yacht going free keeps clear of a yacht close hauled._ (_b_) _a yacht close hauled port keeps clear of a yacht close hauled starboard._ (_c_) _when going free on opposite tacks the yacht with wind on port keeps clear._ (_d_) _when going free on same tack the windward yacht keeps clear._ (_e_) _a yacht with wind aft keeps clear of all others._ by (_b_) a yacht on port tack can be disqualified: first, if she strike or be struck by a yacht on starboard tack; secondly, if the latter luff, tack, or bear away to avoid being struck. when yachts which overlap are rounding a mark or passing an obstruction, the outside yacht must give room to and keep clear of the inside yachts (rules and ). when yachts approach an obstruction close-hauled, and the leeward yacht cannot tack and clear the windward yacht, the helmsman of the former should 'hail for water' when required, and the two yachts must then tack together (rule ). an overtaking yacht must keep clear of an overtaken yacht, which may luff, but must not bear away out of her course to obstruct the passage on her leeward side (rule ). 'a yacht running ashore or foul of a vessel or other obstruction may use her own anchors, boats, warps, &c., to get off,' but must take them on board again, and must receive no assistance except from the crew of a vessel fouled (rule ). a yacht which touches a mark or competitor, or which wrongfully causes another yacht to do so, forfeits all claim to the prize (rule ). a yacht must be propelled by her sails alone after first gun (except as stated in rule ). she may anchor, but not slip. she must not make fast to buoys, &c. she must not send an anchor out in a boat (except as stated in rule ). any sounding must be done with lead and line alone (rules , , and ). yachts racing at night must carry lights by board of trade rules (rule ). when accidents occur, competing yachts must help to save life (rule ). a skipper should also remember that, 'should a flagrant breach of the racing rules be proved' against him, 'he may be disqualified by the council,' for any stated period, 'from sailing in any race held under the y.r.a. rules' (rule ). _duties of the official measurer_ an official measurer should be prepared to measure a yacht promptly at short notice. consequently no person should accept the post whose time is much engaged in other business or pursuits. the measurement of a racing-yacht's _sails_ is left very much in the hands of the sailmakers. the only check usually applied is the measurement of the spars on which the sails are set. the secretary of the y.r.a. is then able to check the accuracy of the sailmaker's measurements as recorded on a 'sailmaker's certificate,' which is guarded afterwards by the secretary, y.r.a. for instance, to check a cutter's mainsail, the boom and gaff are measured. it would occupy too much space to describe the whole of the sail measurements, which are detailed on six or seven pages of the y.r.a. book of rules--under rule . let it suffice to say that the actual area of each sail abaft a mast is found, and that the head-sail tax is obtained by the measurement of the fore-triangle; which will be done in as follows:-- 'the perpendicular will be taken from the deck at the foreside of the mast to where the line of the luff of the foremost head-sail when extended cuts such perpendicular, and the base will be taken from foreside of mast to where the line of luff of foremost head-sail cuts the bowsprit, other spar, or hull' (general meeting, y.r.a., december , ). the instructions to the measurer issued by direction of the council on may , , are, briefly, as follows:-- he must not measure a yacht in which he is interested as owner, designer, builder, or otherwise. the taxable length must be obtained at slack water by measuring the l.o.a. on deck, and deducting the o.h. at stem and stern, found by hanging a lead-line from the bow and taffrail and measuring its distances from the outer edges of the owner's marks on the stem and stern. he must ascertain that the yacht is in correct racing trim, and the crew amidships (mid over-all length) when measuring these overhangs. sails, spinnaker gear, tackles, &c., may be put amidships at this time. he should note and record the position of any movable ballast. each measurement should be taken twice, and recorded twice in the book, and a third time if there be material disagreement. the mean should be adopted. [this is wrong mathematically. the 'mean adopted' should be that of the observations which agree, the one with a 'material disagreement' being cancelled.] * * * * * by a new rule passed on december , , 'owners are required to mark the rating length of their yachts at the bow and stern, which marks shall at all times be clear above the surface of the water when the yacht is lying in smooth water in her usual racing trim,' i.e. with crew amidships. see previous instructions. the following matters connected with measurements are contained in rule , and should be remembered:-- notches cut away from the fair-line of the stem or stern post are not allowed for when the rating length is measured. the segmental area bounded by the bent yard of a lug or other sail, and its chord, is included in the sail-area. if the length of the spinnaker boom when shipped in its place square to the keel, and measured from its outer end to the fore-and-aft line of the mast, be greater than the base of the yacht's fore-triangle, it is substituted therefor in calculating the taxed area of head-sails. the perpendicular for same triangle has already been referred to. * * * * * a measurer should send his measurements to the secretary, y.r.a., by the first post in order that the owner may receive his yacht's certificate of rating as soon as possible. * * * * * at present the regulations on measurements are divided, some being placed in rule , and some in the printed instructions to measurers. it would be far better to combine them into one appendix, which measurers, builders, designers, and owners alike could then refer to, and note precisely how matters should be arranged. rule should simply describe the rule for rating racing yachts and the y.r.a. certificate of rating. the remarks on the y.r.a. rules end here, but the writer has been requested to include in this chapter a short examination of the various rating rules of different nationalities. part ii. the rating rules _extract from letter to the field in ._--'with shame i confess that the problems and calculations, the combinations of straight and crooked lines, with large and small numerals and latin and greek letters, the mathematical contortions and algebraic hieroglyphics ... are meaningless to my uncultured eyes. they are fascinating; i admire their beauty, and can well understand that inventing rules for rating must be a most charming pursuit for intellectual yachtsmen.... 'dunraven.' an attempt will be made to treat the subject as simply as possible, so that anyone who knows a little arithmetic may follow it. the following 'hieroglyphics' will be used:-- b. beam d. draught f. freeboard g. girth l. length l.o.a. length over all l.o.m. length between official marks l.w.l. length on w.l. m. area of immersed mid-section m.s. mid section r. rating, whether y.r.a., or corrected length, or other s. sail area t. tonnage u.y.f. union des yachts français w. weight of yacht complete in english tons dead weight same as her displacement w.l. water level y.r.a. yacht racing association if the subject of rating were treated historically, it would be necessary to begin with the old tonnage rules; but we live in the present, and the more important of the existing rules will therefore be examined first. the old tonnage rules will more conveniently be described at the end of the chapter, with existing tonnage rules. england and america have used rating rules for some years, and france determined to do the same in october . the efficiency of a sailing yacht can be calculated very similarly to that of a steam yacht, the sails being the motor in one, the engines in the other. but we know that the efficiency of a steamer should vary directly as her indicated horse-power, and inversely as her displacement. the same idea should apply to sailing yachts. it is, in fact, almost impossible to rate a sailing yacht satisfactorily without taking into account both her sail-area and her displacement--or something very closely allied with the latter. a length and sail-area rule proposed by mr. dixon kemp in was adopted in for second-class racing, and in this alternative rule was adopted as the sole rule. it is-- english r = l × s ÷ , (i.) this important step was taken after a careful and exhaustive inquiry conducted by a special committee appointed by the council, y.r.a., and presided over by sir william forwood. the committee took the evidence of our most noted yacht architects, and finally reported in favour of rule (i), and of the present classification (except - / rating, which was afterwards added by the council). the report met with general approval; the y.r.a. put its seal upon it, and gave it a tenure of seven years; subject, however, to general rule , by which any change at any time can be made by the requisite majorities. the tonnage time scale in use before was altered to agree with the new rating, which cannot be said to represent anything but what it really is--viz. the product of a yacht's taxable length and her sail-area. the classification and the divisor do not alter the rule one iota. they are purely arbitrary, as was very clearly stated in an excellent letter by mr. g. b. thompson, published in the 'field' of december , . he said very truly that the -rating class is in reality the , class, and the -rating class is the , class. if the divisor , be altered alone, the result is precisely the same as altering the rating itself in like ratio, and in the same direction. thus (r. × divisor) and (l. × s.) must each equal , in the -r. class, and must each equal , in the -r. class, and so on. in short, the y.r.a. rule may be regarded thuswise:--in each class l. × s. = a constant, for boats at the top of the class. by a recent decision in general meeting, y.r.a., december , , l. will in future be measured between the outer edges of the official marks, which must be affixed by the owner and always show clear above w.l. when a yacht lies in smooth water in racing trim. l., therefore, is no longer l.w.l., but l.o.m. (length by owner's marks), rather longer than l.w.l. by rule , y.r.a., in calculating a yacht's r., a fraction of or exceeding . counts as . in classes exceeding r.; but in classes exceeding . r. and not exceeding r., a fraction less than . counts as . ; and in classes not exceeding . r. fractions from . to . inclusive count for their value. example: 'dacia's' certificate, june , recorded s. = . and l. = . and r. = . . but her s. × l. ÷ , = . and . is 'a fraction smaller than . '; consequently, by the wording of rule , her r. = . , and she was over-rating; but the secretary, y.r.a., when questioned, stated that the 'y.r.a. only recognises two places of decimals,' and words to this effect were added to rule at the general meeting february , . _the time allowance_ the time scale for differences of r. under rule . was based on the conception that a racing yacht's 'capability for speed varies as the fifth root of the rating,' the argument leading to this being that-- speed varies as [v¯]l ( ) and that sail varies as l[v¯]b ( ) and by the rating rule, r varies as s × l it therefore follows from ( ) that r varies as l{ }[v¯]b and, assuming that b varies as l ( ) it follows that r varies as l{ }[v¯]l or l{ / } therefore ... l varies as r{ / } hence, by ( ), speed varies as [v¯]r{ / } or [ v¯]r.--q.e.d. the y.r.a. time scale therefore rests not only on the two assumptions ( ) and ( ) mentioned in the book, but on the further assumption ( ), which we know to be incorrect. however, the th root of r. gives a time scale which is found to act fairly well in practice, and this being so, the theory of the time curve is a matter of minor importance. at first ( and ) the adoption of the unrestricted rule met with some opposition, especially in the small classes, where a few of the most experienced yachtsmen advocated restrictions in l.w.l. or l.o.a., and in mainsail area. but the majority determined, and rightly, to give the rule free scope; and the results on the whole have been highly satisfactory, fine seaworthy vessels, driven by a small sail-area at great speed, having been produced in the large classes. the evolution in the small classes has been more rapid, and in some rather undesirable types were prize-winners, and yachtsmen who wished to protect themselves against similar vessels in the large classes induced the y.r.a. to appoint a special committee to consider whether the unrestricted and unaltered rule should be continued beyond the seven-years period, terminating in . this committee, under the presidency of sir george lampson, obtained the opinions of our leading designers, as was done in , and the designers themselves met in conference twice, and jointly addressed two letters to the rule committee in which they finally recommended the adoption of the seawanhaka rule for rating racing yachts and a classification of corrected lengths suitable for our existing racing fleet; also other details, the most important being a proposal to tax overhang above the w.l. and cut away keels below it. the rule committee adopted the recommendation as to change of rating rule, but proposed a modification whereby the british rating and time scale could be retained. when this report was brought before the council it was upset, some of the committee themselves voting against their own report. but the action of the council has since been justified by the production of several splendid specimens of yacht architecture to race under the y.r.a. rule of rating. the elements of the fastest types which have developed in small yachts under the rule can be studied in the tables given in the chapter on racing in the solent classes. one of our ablest designers has consistently advocated the introduction of a tax on beam into the formula. he did so in , and again in , when he proposed to tax draught also. unfortunately the mathematics of the rule make it difficult, if not impossible, to do so, because the blow on l. is lessened when it is shared by other quantities. thus by mr. watson's modification of the rating rule, proposed in october , viz. english r = ( l + b + d) × s ÷ {constant, say , } (ii.) 'doreen' is of smaller rating, although both longer and more beamy than 'decima.' they are of the same rating for racing by the y.r.a. rule. mr. watson's formula would therefore encourage even greater length of hull than the y.r.a. rule. no such difficulty is encountered by the introduction of such taxes into the seawanhaka rule, where the plus sign replaces the multiplying sign used by us. this rule was adopted by the american yacht club of its name in , the form being american r = (l + [v¯]s) ÷ (iii.) the new york yacht club has raced for a number of years under a similar rule for time allowance,[ ] viz. american r = ( l + [v¯]s) ÷ (iv.) and just as the y.r.a. rule can take the form l × s = constant in any class, so these rules can take the forms l + [v¯]s = constant, in any class iii. l + [v¯]s = constant, in any class iv. it then becomes evident that any sacrifice of s. to obtain greater l. under rule iv. is only half as effective as the same process under rule iii. conversely, any sacrifice of l. to obtain more s. is twice as effective under rule iv. as under rule iii. [footnote : but not for classification, which latter has been simply the length of hull on water-line. hence, yachts built for the same class have varied much in their sail-area; 'vigilant' and 'valkyrie' for instance.] again, as comparisons between l. and s. must be brought to some common measure, the y.r.a. form ... l. × s. = constant in any class, may be read l. × [v¯]s. × [v¯]s. = constant, and it then becomes clear that any sacrifice of s. to get l. is twice as effective as in rule iii., and four times as effective as in rule iv.; and conversely, that any sacrifice of l. to get more s. is half as effective as in rule iii., and one-fourth as effective as in rule iv. the author of the y.r.a. rule has pointed out that it can be converted into the american form of 'corrected length,' thus:-- american r = [ v¯]l × s (v.) see his second edition of 'yacht architecture.' the sail curve is precisely the same as that from the y.r.a. rule. an examination of this form of the y.r.a. rule is interesting. by cubing v. and comparing it with i., it will be seen that six thousand times the english rating equals the cube of the american rating derived from formula v. [illustration: diagram of sail curves, showing the relation of sail to l.w.l. in the y.r.a., new york, and seawanhaka rules. -rating class.] when english and american rules are examined diagraphically, the sail-curves take three positions that differ considerably in their steepness--the y.r.a. rule giving a curve nearest to the horizontal which indicates r. = s. ÷ constant, proposed by mr. richardson in (or r. = [v¯]s ÷ constant if expressed in american measure; or r. = s. [v¯]s divided by a constant if expressed in english measure); and the new york rule taking a position nearest to the vertical denoting r. = l., under which the solent length classes used to sail. the seawanhaka rule gives an intermediate curve--perhaps the 'happy medium.' the curves have been plotted for yachts of -rating by our rule, and the following table gives the actual numbers:-- +---------------------------------------------------------------------+ | | sail-area allowed to | | +------------------------+------------------+-----------------+ |l.w.l. | -raters, y.r.a. rule | . corrected l.| corrected l. | | | | seawanhaka rule | new york rule | +-------+------------------------+------------------+-----------------+ | ft. | ft. | ft. | ft. | | | | | | | | , | , | -- | | | , | , | , | | | , | , | -- | | | , | , | , | | | , | , | -- | | | , | , | , | | | , | , | -- | +-------+------------------------+------------------+-----------------+ _the turning-point of maximum efficiency, or best length_ each l. and s. rule for rating racing yachts must have a turning-point, or best length, in each class for winning prizes in a given climate. it depends far more upon the average wind-pressure during the racing season than on any assumed connection between l. and [v¯]s. it will vary on different days, and for different seasons, and for different localities. the average wind-force is stronger on the solent than on the clyde, and stronger at rothesay than at sandy hook. but type is another matter. type is governed by the racing rule, and differences of climate have very little effect upon it. the best proportional length also varies in different classes, the water being rougher and the wind harder, comparatively speaking, on small than on large yachts, thus causing the former to develope l. and sacrifice s. to the utmost. under the tonnage rules it is true that the small yachts carried the larger comparative sail-plan, but this was due to other causes, such as their greater comparative draught and ballast. the _best length_ under l. and s. rules also varies with the rating rule, those rules having sail-curves nearest to the line r. = s. developing the greatest length, and those having sail-curves nearest to the line r. = l. developing the greatest sail. still another factor governs the _best length_ in any class, viz. lightness of construction; and this depends on four other factors: cost, design, workmanship, and strength of materials. we are therefore met by quite a crowd of considerations when endeavouring to determine _best length_; but in comparing the rating rules we can eliminate many of them by making a few assumptions and reasoning therefrom. _first_, assume that a new boat is built with the lightest possible hull consistent with strength, and of the best possible design for the -r. class , and that her l.= ft., therefore s= , . (see preceding table.) _second_, assume that a longer boat and a shorter boat equally well built and designed are tried and are beaten, and that ft. is then acknowledged to be _best length_ for -ratings in our climate. _third_, assume that the class is converted in into one rated at . american r., 'queen mab' being thereby placed at the top of the class by the seawanhaka rule without alteration. the -ft. yacht, however, must clip to , , or off her s. as a -rater. but the shorter boat, say a 'queen mab' ft. l.w.l., which we assumed to fail when racing under our rule, could now _add_ ft. and sail against the crack -footer with an advantage of no less than sq. ft. of canvas. evidently, the best length under our rule being , the best length under the american rule is something less; how much less being only determined by trial, and depending on the numerous factors before mentioned. moreover, an arbitrary limit of l.w.l. is thus shown to be less necessary under the american rule than under ours; and with l. so greatly developed in our racers at the present time, it may be that we have already gone beyond the best length for the american rule, especially in the small classes. this was carefully pointed out by the present writer in two letters to 'land and water,' october and , . mr. r. e. froude also stated the case very clearly in the 'field,' december , ; but it is very difficult to convince the defenders of the y.r.a. rule that any other rule is superior. mr. dixon kemp, in his excellent work on 'yacht architecture,' says (p. , nd edition) in comparing rules i., iii., iv.: 'of these rules, that of the y.r.a. admits of the employment of the greatest length for any given rating'; and the length referred to was evidently _best length_ in a given climate. the seawanhaka rule is therefore superior to ours if excessive length be feared; and being a plus formula, it lends itself readily to the adoption of any desired tax on other linear dimensions. for instance, mr. watson's proposal (ii.) might be put into the plus form, thus:-- american r = ( l + b + d + [v¯]s) ÷ . (vi.) this shows the value of a plus rule over a multiplying rule and the value is not lost when a plus rule is converted into an english rating rule by cubing the former and dividing by a constant. thus, the recent rule committee proposed to convert the seawanhaka rule into an english rating rule by cubing it and dividing by , , the result being: english r = (l + [v¯]s){ } ÷ constant, say , (vii.) the variable within brackets in vi. can be cubed and divided by a constant in a similar manner. but the cubic forms of the 'plus' rules are clumsy, and seem difficult to those who cannot compute by logarithms. no real advantage is gained by adhering to the english rating and time scale and classification. in fact, the american time scale is simpler. if, therefore, a 'plus form' of rating be ever adopted, it would be much better to adopt 'corrected length' as the rating, together with the american time scale. the classification could, of course, be chosen in such a manner that our own racing yachts would be at the top of the classes without any important alterations. another rule was proposed in a leading article of the 'field' on october , . it is:-- english r = l{ }[v¯]s ÷ constant, say , (viii.) it gives a sail-curve nearly parallel to the one produced by the new york rule, and may almost be regarded as that rule dressed in y.r.a. uniform; but the advantages of a plus rule are lost, whereas in the conversion of the seawanhaka rule proposed by the y.r.a. committee they are retained. similarly, the y.r.a. rule--varying as [ v¯]l.s. (see v.), or as [ v¯]l. × [v¯]s. × [v¯]s.--may be considered as equivalent to the plus formula l. + [v¯]s. ÷ constant, and the english and american rules may therefore be regarded to vary as follows: in linear measure new york as l + [v¯]s seawanhaka as l + [v¯]s y.r.a. as l + [v¯]s mr. herreshoff has recently proposed a rule of rating based on l. [v¯] s., which is an area, but the cube root of tonnage is placed in the divisor; and this being linear, it converts the rating into linear measure, an area divided by a line being a line. the result being linear, it is translatable into american rating and time allowance. mr. herreshoff's proposed rule is:-- american r = ( l [v¯]s / [ v¯]t ) ÷ constant, say (ix.) a critique on this rule by the editor of the 'field,' december , , suggests that the cube root of t. should be taken, as there are cubic feet in a registered ton. this is unnecessary. so long as s. is superficial, and t. cubic, the [v¯]s. and the [ v¯]t. will be linear; and a constant can be selected which will convert the quotient resulting from the rule into corrected feet or inches, or metres, as required for the linear rating adopted. mr. herreshoff's rule when tested is not encouraging; 'doreen's' length so corrected being - / per cent. smaller than 'decima's.' the rule evidently does not encourage that compactness of hull-dimension which mr. watson considers desirable. it also appears to put a premium on abnormal freeboard, so as to increase t. by means of a large body over the water-level. this was pointed out by the editor of the 'field,' december , , and an improved rule suggested in which displacement was used as a divisor in place of tonnage. w. the total weight of yacht in english tons dead weight is of course her displacement, and the rule proposed may be written:-- english r = ( l{ }s / [ v¯]w ) ÷ , (x.) so far as l. and s. are concerned this rule would produce a similar sail-curve to the y.r.a. rule (see diagram); but the divisor would encourage a large powerful hull, and the rule would therefore produce a shorter type with more sail than now exists in english racers. the practical difficulty of discovering w., either by measurement or by some system of weighing the yacht complete, has to be considered in connection with this rule. the most important point to be noted about these rules (ix. and x.) is the fact that mr. herreshoff and mr. dixon kemp proposed them--showing that two of the leading experts consider it necessary to encourage greater displacement by means of the rating rules. the question, therefore, arises whether the desired result cannot be effected in a less objectionable manner; and it appears to the writer that dividing the present y.r.a. rule by some area proportional to that of the immersed mid-section would have the desired effect, and would avoid the difficulties already mentioned. the actual area of m.s. cannot be found without encroaching on the secrets of a yacht's design; but m. the area of immersed mid-section can be easily found if measured internally, and the y.r.a. rule may take the form:-- american r = ls ÷ constant (say ) (xi.) -- m l.s. being cubic, and the variable divisor m. being superficial, the quotient is linear, and a constant divisor can be chosen which will convert the result into american rating, which is expressed in 'corrected' feet. the general tendencies of the y.r.a. rule would be modified by the introduction of m. as proposed in xi., a large immersed m.s. being encouraged, without the necessity of employing a deep narrow body, as may be seen on the following table, where 'bedouin' figures out very well owing to her large but not deep immersed m.s. the author claims with some confidence that this modified rule presents the best solution of the problem yet suggested. but there is really no problem requiring solution at present. so long as yachts like 'britannia' and 'satanita' are built for racing under the y.r.a. existing rule of rating, grumblers will not command an audience. in the event, however, of yachts like 'pilgrim' or 'jubilee' winning in our waters a change of some sort will be required. the measurement of m. can be easily done in a few minutes, with yacht afloat, as described on p. of the 'field,' january , . the seawanhaka rule (iii.) can be treated similarly, the divisor being thereby avoided. it becomes american r = l + [v¯]s - [v¯] m (xii.) the action of these rules may be seen from the table on p. ; column headed xi. giving the rating under the modified y.r.a. rule, and column headed xii. giving the rating under the modified seawanhaka rule. each result is in 'corrected length.' the dimensions in above were obtained from the drawings in dixon kemp's 'yacht architecture,' nd ed., except 'decima's' and 'doreen's,' which were kindly given by their designers. it will be found on trial that m. is approximately equal to the mean value of s and l{ } in successful yachts. _the new french rule_ on november , , it was announced in the 'field' that the union des yachts français had decided to adopt a hull-and sail-area rating, it being considered by the 'active element in french yacht racing' that 'the type ... produced by the french length and girth rule is inferior to the type produced by the british and american rules ... british yachts having defeated those of france, although handicapped by the french rule of rating.' the conclusion was scarcely a logical sequence from the premisses. it should have been that french racing yachts were not the correct evolution of the french rule of rating. but we are now concerned with the new french rule (proposed by m. godinet) in which sail is an important factor. +---------------+-------+-------+--------+--------+--------+-------+ | name of yacht | l | s | [v¯]s | m | xi. | xii. | +---------------+-------+-------+--------+--------+--------+-------+ | genesta | . | , | . | . | . | . | | volunteer | . | , | . | . | . | . | +---------------+-------+-------+--------+--------+--------+-------+ | chiquita | . | , | . | . | . | . | | ghost | . | , | . | . | . | . | | minerva | . | , | . | . | . | . | +---------------+-------+-------+--------+--------+--------+-------+ | dis | . | , | . | . | . | . | | decima | . | , | . | . | . | . | | doreen | . | , | . | . | . | . | +---------------+-------+-------+--------+--------+--------+-------+ | oread | . | , | . | . | . | . | | quinque | . | | . | . | . | . | | valentine | . | | . | . | . | . | | bedouin | . | , | . | . | . | . | +---------------+-------+-------+--------+--------+--------+-------+ | madcap | . | | . | . | . | . | | lady nan | . | | . | . | . | . | | dolphin | . | | . | . | . | . | +---------------+-------+-------+--------+--------+--------+-------+ in its simplest form, it is:-- english r = ( l - g) g[v¯]s ÷ (xiii.) g. being the greatest girth from top of deck planking port, round keel to ditto starboard, plus extreme beam. each of the three factors l. g. [v¯]s. being linear (metric measure) the result is given in cubic form, and is converted into english rating by the divisor selected, and the y.r.a. time scale has been adopted by the union des yachts français. the editor of the 'field' considers that 'the rule is calculated to produce a poor kind of vessel for match sailing or anything else'; but it is hazardous to prophesy the evolution of any rule, more especially one which taxes l., b., d., bilge, and s. no doubt the tax on d. is doubtful policy, and it seems very unnecessary when we consider the small depth of water in many french harbours, which is the most efficient check on d. it is possible to conceive for large yachts, and in the small classes d. gives grip and power to windward, and seaworthiness. a careful analysis of the rule by the writer leads him to believe that the conclusion arrived at by the editor of the 'field' is correct. it certainly appears that the rule has a sail-curve nearly as steep as the new york rule, which has been abandoned because it encouraged such large sail-plans. for this reason, therefore, if for no other, the new french rule seems to be inferior to the y.r.a. and the seawanhaka rules. a good letter on the subject of girth, by one of our leading designers, was published in the 'yachtsman,' september , . on the whole, english yachtsmen would probably feel very disinclined to adopt the new french rule for british yacht-racing. * * * * * this concludes the examination of the more important national rules in which sail-area and some hull dimension or dimensions are combined in the formula for the rating, whether the result be cubic, linear, or otherwise. we therefore now pass to the simple sail-area rule proposed by mr. richardson in , viz. r = s ÷ (xiv.)a the rating so obtained being neither cubic nor linear, but superficial, difficulties as regards time scale arose, and neither mr. richardson nor the council appeared to notice that the rule could easily be made linear by putting it in the form american r = [v¯]s (xiv.)b when american rating and time scale could have been adopted. also that it might have been rendered english r = s [v¯]s ÷ constant (xiv.)c which is the cubic form, suitable for the y.r.a. rating and time allowance. the graphic result in the sail-diagram is the same in each case, viz. a horizontal line for any given class, the limit for each class being one of sail-area alone. it was not adopted because the council considered that the type evolved from it would be one of excessive length and small displacement; and our experience with the y.r.a. rule, which approaches it more nearly than any other hull- and sail-area rule, has shown that this estimate was correct. * * * * * we will now examine a few of the rules which rate yachts entirely by hull-measurement. the simplest of the kind is the pure length rule, used for some years on the solent for racing small yachts up to ft. of l. _see_ chapter on solent racing. american r = l (xv.) a some trouble was taken in to produce a special time scale for this formula. it was quite unnecessary, because the time scale for tonnage (see xviii.) then in use could have been employed, (xv.) a being modified to r = l{ } ÷ constant (xv.) b and by adjusting the constant this form of the length rule can be adapted to the time scale of _any_ cubic rule. thus, the divisor , adapts it to the y.r.a. time scale for _rating_. the type resulting from the length rule was, of course, a very fast and powerful boat for its l., carrying an enormous sail-spread--somewhat costly to build and race. our grandfathers raced their yachts under the old tonnage rule, tonnage r = l × b × h ÷ (xvi.) h. being depth of hull to deck beam, and l. being measured in various ways at different times. after it was taken on deck from stem-head to sternpost, and certain deductions made for rake. eventually the thames rule, (l - b) × b × / b ÷ or b{ }(l - b) ÷ (xvii.) _the rating rules and proposals_ +-----+-------+------------------------------+---------------------+-------------+ | | no. | name of rule or proposal | rule or proposal | examples | | date| in +------------------------------+---------------------+------+------+ | | text | cubic rules | variable÷constant |decima|doreen| +-----+-------+------------------------------+---------------------+------+------+ | ?| i. |y.r.a. rule (dixon kemp) | ls ÷ , | . | . | +-----+-------+------------------------------+---------------------+------+------+ | | ii. |ditto modified (watson) |( l+ b÷d)s ÷ , | . | . | +-----+-------+------------------------------+---------------------+------+------+ | | viii. |new york modified (dixon kemp)|l{ } [v¯]s ÷ , | . | . | +-----+-------+------------------------------+---------------------+------+------+ | | x. |y.r.a. modified (dixon kemp) |(l{ }s)/[ v¯]w÷ , | . | ? | +-----+-------+------------------------------+---------------------+------+------+ | | vii. {seawanhaka modified }(l+ [v¯]s){ }÷ , | . | . | | | {y.r.a. committee's rule } | | | +-----+-------+------------------------------+---------------------+------+------+ | | xiii. |u.y.f. rule (godinet) |g( l-g) [v¯]s ÷ | . | . | +-----+-------+------------------------------+---------------------+------+------+ | ?| xix. |old french rule |g{ }( l-b) ÷ | . | . | +-----+-------+------------------------------+---------------------+------+------+ | ?| xvi. |old english tonnage rule |l b h ÷ | ? | . | +-----+-------+------------------------------+---------------------+------+------+ | -| xvii. |thames tonnage rule |b{ }(l-b) ÷ | . | ? | | | | | | | | +-----+-------+------------------------------+---------------------+------+------+ | -| xviii.|y.r.a. tonnage rule |b(l+b){ } ÷ , | . | . | | +-------+------------------------------+---------------------+------+------+ | | xiv. c|richardson's rule, cubic form |s [v¯]s ÷ , | . | . | | +-------+------------------------------+---------------------+------+------+ | | xv. b |length rule, cubic form |l{ } ÷ , | . | . | +-----+-------+------------------------------+---------------------+------+------+ +-----+-------+------------------------------+---------------------+-------------+ | | no. | name of rule or proposal | rule or proposal | examples | | date| in +------------------------------+---------------------+------+------+ | | text | linear rules | variable ÷ constant |decima|doreen| +-----+-------+------------------------------+---------------------+------+------+ | ?| iii. |seawanhaka rule | l+ [v¯]s ÷ | . | . | +-----+-------+------------------------------+---------------------+------+------+ | ?| iv. |new york rule | l+ [v¯]s ÷ | . | . | +-----+-------+------------------------------+---------------------+------+------+ | ?| v. |y.r.a. rule (dixon kemp) | [ v¯]ls ÷ | . | . | +-----+-------+------------------------------+---------------------+------+------+ | | xi. |y.r.a. modified (thalassa) | ls/m ÷ | . | . | +-----+-------+------------------------------+---------------------+------+------+ | | xii. |seawanhaka ditto (thalassa) | l+ [v¯]s-[v¯] m÷ | . | . | +-----+-------+------------------------------+---------------------+------+------+ | | ix. |herreshoff's new rule | l [v¯]s / [ v¯]t÷ | . | . | +-----+-------+------------------------------+---------------------+------+------+ | | vi. |watson's rule, linear form | l+ b+d+[v¯]s ÷ . | . | . | +-----+-------+------------------------------+---------------------+------+------+ | ?- | xv. a |length rule | l ÷ | . | . | +-----+-------+------------------------------+---------------------+------+------+ | | xiv. b|richardson's rule, linear form| [v¯]s ÷ | . | . | +-----+-------+------------------------------+---------------------+------+------+ _the following dimensions were used in the examples_ +--------+-------+------+------+------+------+-----+----+------+------+ | ---- | l | l{ } | s |[v¯]s | b | d | g | m |w tons| +--------+-------+------+------+------+------+-----+----+------+------+ | decima | . | | | . | . | . | | . | . | | doreen | . | | | . | . | . | | . | ? | +--------+-------+------+------+------+------+-----+----+------+------+ n.b.--g is only approximately correct. it is measured in the french way was evolved and adopted by the y.r.a. in . and in it was decided to measure l. on the water-line. in the y.r.a. altered the rule to english t = b(l + b){ } ÷ (xviii.) the type evolved, as might have been anticipated, had a long, narrow, heavily ballasted, deep-bodied, wall-sided hull, possessing little beauty, small _initial_ stability, and no great speed, considering the sail-area employed to drive it. there was little scope for improvement, and the energies of our best designers were directed to producing yachts which carried large sail-plans on narrow hulls, their l.w.l. often approaching and sometimes exceeding six beams. nevertheless, this ' rule,' as it is often called, governed first-class racing in british waters from to . another hull-measurement rule is the one used for some time in france, and often called the 'girth rule.' in its simplest form, it was:-- french t = g{ }( l - b) ÷ (xix.) g., the girth, is taken as in rule xiii. the rule taxes draught heavily, and does not appear to have given satisfaction, or it would not have been changed last october to no. xiii. many other hull-measurement rules might be mentioned; in fact, a short time ago the yachting press was full of such proposals; but those who make them must be aware of the general feeling among sportsmen in england, france, and america, viz. that sail-area should be taxed in the formula for rating. any lengthy discussion on rules which do not conform with this opinion is, therefore, a waste of time and energy, and the hull rules just described have been noticed principally on account of their historical interest. * * * * * the rules are numbered consecutively in the order in which they have been examined; the tonnage rules last, although some of them are the most ancient. but it may be convenient for the student to have them grouped somewhat differently and this has been done in the tables on pp. , , which also afford an opportunity to compare two yachts of similar hull-dimensions, but differing in regard to their length and sail-area, except that the product is equal. 'doreen' and 'decima' make an excellent pair for such a comparison, being each -rating by the y.r.a. rule, and of nearly the same beam, draught, girth, and depth of hull, but differing in length and sail-area. the tendencies of those rules which aim at encouraging larger body, like mr. herreshoff's, or larger immersed body, like x., xi., and xii., are shown in the tables on pp. and , and the student is invited to work out some examples for himself to test their action, as the new york committee has reported in favour of some such modification of existing rules. chapter viii yacht's sailing boats by the earl of pembroke and montgomery 'why in the world do not yachting people make more use of their sailing boats?' i have often thought, while gazing on a bright breezy morning at some great steam yacht, capable of carrying one or more fine sailing boats, and presently observing her owners and their guests, all arrayed in faultless yachting costume, departing for the shore in their steam launch to spend their time pottering about some dull and dirty little seaport town, when they might, some or all of them, be enjoying the most glorious sail, with who knows what possibilities in the way of fishing thrown in. even landing and putting off to the ship become a pleasure when they are done under sail instead of steam or oars. i have had many an interesting and exhilarating day's sailing which has been made up entirely of trips between the yacht and the shore with passengers, luggage, provisions, telegrams, and what not. yet, though in these days large yachts may be numbered by the hundred, and many of them carry fine sailing boats, i can count on the fingers of one hand the vessels i happen to have met which both carry and habitually use a sailing boat for the purposes of cruising, landing, and fishing. it is really very curious; and i can only account for it by supposing that many people who go to sea in large yachts do not know how much amusement there is to be got out of such a boat, and the ease and nicety with which she can be handled. for when there is any wind at all a sailing cutter can land anywhere where it is safe to take a steam launch, and with a little practice it is as easy to take her alongside a ship's ladder as a six-oared gig. and when a yacht is on a cruise, moving daily from port to port, a sailing cutter takes considerably less time to get ready than a steam launch. anywhere on the coast she can generally be carried in the davits with her mast stepped and rigged, so that there is nothing to do but to lower the ballast into her and loose the sails, and she is ready to start. of course there are places and days when the steam launch is of use and the sailing boat is not; but they are not so numerous as one might suppose. one year when, after a severe illness, i spent all the spring and early summer cruising in the mediterranean, and the autumn on the coast of scotland, i thought it advisable to take a steam launch as well as my sailing cutter. i found that at the end of this long cruise i had used her just three times. i have never carried one since. it is not advisable on vessels of less than tons (yacht measurement) to carry two such heavy boats. they are not safe in the davits on an ocean voyage, and two of them carried inboard completely block the deck amidships; but a yacht of tons or more can perfectly carry both, if a steam launch is considered necessary. as for the fun to be got out of her, a good sailing boat simply doubles the pleasure of yachting. it combines the amusement of small yacht sailing with all the advantages and comforts of a large vessel to sail in from port to port. when the anchor goes down, and fires are banked or put out, your fun begins rather than ends. in less than half an hour you are off in your cutter, to sail, to fish, or to explore; perhaps, when you are tired of sailing, to land in some snug, inviting cove, and to feel the fascination of a ramble in strange and beautiful ground; to sit on the hillside and watch the sun go down in glory, and to make your way back to the ship as the rosy light dies out and the purple hills grow black. and the next day, let us suppose, is a fine one. sea and sky are of a rapturous blue, and a pleasant summer breeze is blowing in from the sea. the great yachting question of the morning, 'what shall we do to-day?' is scarcely debated at breakfast at all. it is pre-eminently a day for sailing. the cutter is got ready at once, and you beat out towards the open water. in all probability there are fish to be caught, for you noted a quantity of birds fishing off the mouth of the bay when you steamed in yesterday--but you really hardly care whether there are fish or not, it is so good simply to be alive and sailing the sea on such a day. the sun warms you through in your shirt sleeves, the steady breeze is balmy to feel, and though it is the coast of scotland you are vaguely reminded of coral islands and trade winds. [illustration: whales.] as you work out to seaward it becomes evident that you are in a fishy sea, for the foolish confidential little guillemots and razorbills (he that shooteth such knoweth not how to live nor the nature and object of things) are squeaking and croaking and ducking under water all round. and lo! close ahead appear two whales, not mere black fish (whatever they may be), but great fellows looking feet long on a moderately calm computation, spouting and showing their black backs at intervals. you go as close to them as they will let you and watch with breathless fascination their oily movements so full of lazy strength and sensuous enjoyment; and you call them bottle-noses or finbacks or rorquals according to your individual taste and fancy; for the scientific classification of whales is in an extraordinarily imperfect state, and even the encyclopædia, that settler of disputes and averter of quarrels that no yacht should ever be without, will give you but little assistance. but you must tear yourself away from the whales, for half a mile to windward there you sight a cloud of birds fishing furiously, the gannets swooping and soaring, and then suddenly shutting their wings and dropping in quick succession, pop, pop, pop, like bullets into the sea; and a dense mass of gulls flying and swimming, screaming and squattering, and flapping their wings on the surface of the water. how a gull ever gets a living is a wonder; he seems so dainty and hesitating and afraid to commit himself. a gannet will soar, plunge, dive under water, and swallow half a dozen little fish while a gull is apparently making up his mind whether it is worth while to risk wetting his feet. as soon as your boat will fetch, you go about and stand straight for the birds, overhauling meanwhile the 'whiffing' or 'railing' lines that are towing astern, to make sure that there is nothing foul, and that there is no seaweed on your silvery spinners. you are all keen, but not too sanguine, for there is never a certainty of catching fish like this. sometimes you may sail backwards and forwards till you are sick of it through a mob of feeding seabirds, trying every sort of bait and never getting a ghost of a bite. either it is herring that they are after, or else it is that the unknown big fish who are hunting up the small fry to the birds from below will not take a bait. you are close now, and there is a noise not unlike that of the parrot-house in the zoological gardens. mackerel is what you hope for; gurnard you will put up with; pollack will not be caught in any numbers so far from the shore. you shake your sails to reduce your pace, and then, filling them again, stand straight in amongst the screaming gulls, and as they reluctantly rise from the water and the little guillemots squatter away and dive, you get a rapid vision of fish shooting about near the top of the water and little tiny silver things rippling its surface and hopping feebly above. a moment more and the lines tauten: 'mackerel it is, by jingo!' and as soon as the lines are out again and no one feels another bite, round goes the boat again, and back through the school. so you go on, sometimes catching them slowly and singly, sometimes two at once as fast as the lines can be got out, until you have several dozen in the bottom of the boat. all of a sudden the fish cease to bite and the birds fly away. they gather again into a new cluster half a mile off, and away you go for it as fast as you can sail, and begin catching fish once more. once more the fish stop biting, and the birds move off, and you can see no more of them fishing except a very few a long way to windward. it seems a sin to go home on such a day, and it is too early to try for pollack with so bright a sun. but your chart shows you a fishing-bank close to, and you have got a few herrings for bait; so you make for this place, and get the exact spot by the relative bearings of points and islands, and drop your anchor in twenty fathoms. hardly are the lines down before it becomes evident that you are in the right place. whiting, haddock, and gurnard come up with rapidity, varied by an occasional cod, skate, or bream. you have caught quite a lot before the dog-fish set in. then it is all over. first comes one, then another, and then nothing else. in vain you despatch them with knives and throw their bleeding corpses back into the sea to terrify the rest. dogfish have no nerves that you can work upon in this way. the sight and smell of their murdered relations and friends only whet their appetites and make them the more greedy. you give it up in despair, haul your anchor up, and get under sail once more. it is now late in the afternoon. the day has changed for the worse--weather changes quick in these latitudes--and looks rather wild and windy, with promise of more to come before long. but your port is to leeward, so you need not be anxious, and you make up your minds to fish for pollack round the headlands and the islands at the mouth of the bay; for just before sundown is the best time of all, especially if it is about half flood. you take a reef down in both sails to make the boat slower and easier to handle, for you do not want to have to devote all your attention to keeping her right side up when you are fishing for pollack close in to the rocks. the tack is triced up so as to let the steerer see under it; a crutch is shipped on each side of the boat, and a couple of oars are cleared and made ready for instant use if required. one man stands up in the bows to look out for rocks, and also to attend to the peak halliards when called upon; two others handle the lines on which a red or a white india-rubber sand-eel has been substituted for the spinners; while the steerer takes tiller in one hand and mainsheet in the other, and concentrates all his faculties on regulating the pace of the boat, and going as near as he can to the rocks without incurring shipwreck or fouling the lines. [illustration: the swoop of the gannet.] in this order you coast slowly along about twenty yards from the steep cliffs, running out occasionally to avoid reefs and shoal places, the steerer keeping the speed to something under three knots an hour by slacking the mainsheet and spilling the sail when the wind is abeam, and hauling it right in when it is aft, occasionally dropping the peak as well. every now and then, generally off a point, you catch a fish, and when you do you go about to see if there are more in the same place. but fish seem scarce, and the sport is rather slow until you sail through a narrow channel between two islands. then in a moment there is a heavy fish on each line, and no sooner are they hauled on board and the lines thrown out again than the same thing happens. you have struck fish at last in earnest. while the hooks are being disengaged up goes the peak, and you stand back close-hauled through the narrow channel. backwards and forwards you go, again and again, with varying luck. now you haul in two at a time, now you give a groan of dismay as a monster gets off as you are in the act of swinging him in. sometimes the boat will not go fast enough to make the fish bite, and there is agony of mind; sometimes it _will_ go too fast. but on the whole the fishing is fast and furious, and you are all wild with excitement; and then--snap goes a snooding with a particularly big fish, and you must fish with one line till the other is refitted. the wind heads the boat off standing back through the channel this time; the centreboard hits a rock and bumps up into its case; there is no harm done, but alas! the remaining line gets foul of the rock before it can be shortened up, and snaps above the lead, and there is nothing for it but to stand off until the tackle is repaired; the steersman, who has to look on, grinding his teeth with impatience as the precious moments slip away. but, though minutes seem hours, you are soon at work again, and by the time that darkness brings the sport to an end you have caught some four dozen fine pollack, the larger ones lb. or lb. apiece. and you sail home full of that sense of physical well-being and mental contentment that comes of a long day spent in pure air, healthy enjoyment, and freedom from care. and, somehow, it is not on days like these that one looks back with the keenest sense of having wasted time. or imagine a morning of quite another sort. the sky is gloomy; the sun is quite invisible; it is raining occasionally, and a strong searching wind is blowing. the seas are running up in magnificent white masses on the islands outside the mouth of the loch. it is too cold to sit on deck; indeed it seems cold everywhere on board. it is impossible to do anything with the yacht, for you want to go south, and it is evidently blowing a gale outside from the south-west. it is the sort of day on which, if you had no boat, and there was nothing to do on shore, you would sit shivering most of the time below, trying to read, thinking what a miserable business yachting is in bad weather, and feeling ill from defective circulation. but if you have a good boat such a day has positive charms. you and your boating pal look in each other's eyes and say, almost in a breath, 'let's beat out round the islands and see what the sea is like.' indeed you almost persuade yourselves that it is a duty to do so with a view to the possibility of getting away to-morrow. so your boat is hauled alongside, and a little extra ballast is put in, and you and your mate get your oilskins, and, dropping into her, double reef your mainsail and foresail, and shove off. and by the time you have got your sheets trimmed, your halliards coiled away, and everything made snug, you are already as warm as any reasonable men can wish to be. it is a long leg and a short one out of the harbour, and you get a heavy puff now and again from over the high land that brings your lee-rail level with the water, and makes you luff in a hurry. three or four tacks bring you to the headlands of the bay, and as you stand out from under the weather-shore you begin to feel the real wind and sea. there is plenty of both, and you have to do all you know with tiller and sheet to negotiate the big seas that roll up on the weather-bow and to keep the lee-gunwale out of the water at the same time. it is just a little more than you can manage. a couple of steep combers that you have to luff up to knock all the way out of the boat and make her stagger; the next sea throws her head off the wind, while at the same time a heavy puff forces her lee-side under water. you put the helm down, but she has had no time to gather much way, and is slow coming to; you are forced to let go the sheet, but she has taken a good drop on board before she comes up, and there are more big seas coming. 'it won't do,' you say to your mate; 'we must have another reef in.' so you drop your peak, and wear, and run back under the shelter of the point, and take your third reef down. then you stand out and try again; and it is wonderful what a difference the reduction of canvas has made. she stands well up, and rides beautifully over the big seas, hardly shipping a cupful of water as she rears up and lets them pass under her. it is an art, if a simple one, steering a boat to windward in a big sea. you have to put her almost straight at the worst seas, and yet you must never let her lose way, or she will fall off broadside to the sea, and perhaps be too 'sick' to come to again in time to prevent a vicious wave from breaking on board or capsizing her. and there are few things more exhilarating. every big sea successfully surmounted is a triumph in itself, and the winning of ground to windward foot by foot against wind and sea feels like an arduous but steadily victorious struggle against a sturdy foe. and now you find you can weather the island, and, choosing a 'smooth,' go about for the last time. if the seas breaking on it looked fine from the yacht nearly three miles off, they look awe-inspiring now close under your lee with their roar thundering in your ears. now you are no longer riding head first over the seas, but running free at a slashing pace, sheet in hand, watching the sea narrowly over your shoulder, ready to luff instantly if some specially dangerous monster should make it necessary. and when you are well clear of the rocks you bear up and run before it--most glorious and exulting sensation of all. the big seas come hissing and growling up in pursuit, and lift up her stern on high, and the boat seems positively to fly as she tears down their steep faces. you have to use all your strength at the tiller to keep her straight, and your mate keeps the peak halliards in hand and lowers the peak now and again to ease your task and avert a possible broach to. in less than half an hour you are back on board the yacht; a little wet, maybe, but tingling with exhilaration, and warmed through for the rest of the day. these are but two typical sails out of many that might be sketched, for the variations of weather and sea and coast are nearly endless, and the yachtsman who is a persistent boat-sailer will find his memory stocked with glowing recollections of rapturous sails and fascinating explorations wherever his yacht has taken him--in breezy english waters, and on the wild west coasts of scotland and ireland; in greece and italy, and many a pleasant land in the mediterranean sea; perhaps even the coral islands of the south pacific, and the wooded bays of far new zealand. of course there is a reverse side to the picture--days when storms make sailing too dangerous to be quite pleasant, and more often, days when want of wind makes it almost intolerably tiresome. to row, or be rowed in, a heavy boat halfway across the bay of naples by night is certainly an experience in tediousness. though even such an ordeal as that is not quite without its compensations. but i feel it is rash of me to say so. like so many things material and other in the world we live in, every boat is necessarily a compromise between inconsistent objects. in building a boat you must compromise somewhere between speed and stability, weatherliness and the advantages of light draught. and in the case of a yacht's boat freedom of choice in design is limited by some special considerations. she must not be too heavy to carry in the davits; she must not exceed a certain length, say feet; she must not be too broad in the beam to be carried inboard; and her draught of water must be somewhat shallow for the sake of convenience in landing. subject to these conditions, stability is, i am sure, the object that should principally be aimed at in the construction of a yacht's boat. the ever-present and the most serious danger of boat-sailing is that of being overpowered by weather: that is to say, of being overtaken by a wind so strong that the boat will not carry any canvas sufficient to work her without instantly capsizing or filling with water. and a very ordinary gale of wind, such as occurs on our coasts once at least in most months of the year, will be enough for this, and will, especially if combined with sea, so overpower any open boat, of a size that can be carried on a yacht, that is exposed to its full strength, that she will be unable to show any canvas to it except just to scud before it. i am aware that this statement will be felt a little startling, perhaps even by some sailors; but i have tried a good many experiments in sailing boats in rough weather, and i am sure it is true of any boat that the yacht-owner is likely to carry. builders of yachts' sailing boats are not, somehow, usually very successful in making boats 'stiff.' they will not make them flat enough in the floor, or, if they do, do not make it the right shape. their idea, generally, is to build a boat that will beat boats of a similar class in regattas, and sail fast on a fine day in the smooth waters of a harbour; and if you allow them their own way, they will generally provide you with a crank boat, over-masted and over-canvassed, that may sail very fast in a light wind and smooth water, but which will be overpowered at once in a fresh breeze and a choppy sea. and some day, even perhaps after you have done your best to make her more seaworthy by lightening her mast and cutting down her canvas, you may have the mortification of seeing a fishing-boat no larger than your own craft making a good passage and standing up like a stake under her close-reefed sail, whilst you are unable to show a rag to the wind without being at once overpowered. and remember that you cannot make an open boat stiff by the simple process of loading her with ballast, as even some sailors vainly suppose. beyond the amount which brings her to her best sailing trim in a good breeze, and which experience of the boat will teach you, additional ballast hardly makes her appreciably stiffer, and does make her very appreciably slower. make stability, then, your primary object, and impress on your builder that he must not sacrifice it to speed; and that, as it is out of the question to obtain it by means of a lead or iron keel, the weight of such a thing in the case of a large boat being quite prohibitory (not to speak of inconvenience in landing), he must make her flat in the floor and give her plenty of beam. with the same object in mind, her spread of canvas should be moderate but sufficient, and her masts and spars no heavier than is really necessary. these are generally quite needlessly stout. if the mast is strong enough to capsize the boat without breaking, it is as strong as it need be; anything beyond this merely means additional topweight, decreasing the stability of the boat, and doing no service. a very light mast, if properly stayed by a couple of wire shrouds on each side, will stand an immense strain. it is a disputable question whether such a boat should be a lifeboat. the air-tight compartments, usually made of copper, certainly add to her weight, and, some say, make her less stiff. on the other hand, it is pleasant to feel that your boat is unsinkable, and that if you knock a hole through her bottom with a rock, or ship an unlucky sea, she will not go down. but if you decide, as i should do, on a lifeboat, be sure that she really is one, and that her air-tight compartments are large enough to float her with ballast and crew on board. a -ft. cutter, such as is built by white of cowes, will carry more than half a ton of ballast and half a dozen people quite comfortably when she is full of water. but i have seen small steam-launches, nominally lifeboats, that would undoubtedly, with their engines and boilers on board, sink like stones if they were filled with water. wooden air-tight compartments are lighter than copper tanks, but they are apt to warp and become leaky. twenty-two years ago, in new zealand, i had a lifeboat sailing-cutter sent out to me by long sea that i had had built for me in england. as soon as she arrived i took a friend out for a sail on a rough day and filled her with water, just to show him her marvellous properties. the result was ignominious. the water-tight (!) compartments filled, and we drifted helplessly home, thanking the fates that we had nothing but water ballast on board. the shape of the stern is another point on which opinions may reasonably differ. there is much to be said in favour of a boat being sharp at both ends. a sharp stern is undoubtedly safer when running through broken water or before a heavy sea, and when a boat 'squats' in running before a strong wind it does not drag dead water behind it, and makes a cleaner wake. but unless increased length can be given to the boat it diminishes stiffness. the square-sterned boat carries her bearings farther aft, and so, if both are of the same length, the square-sterned boat, other things being equal, will be the stiffest of the two. but if you decide for a square stern let the boat have a fine run aft, and let the square surface of the stern be small and well up out of the water. any sort of a counter is an abomination, dangerous to a boat in a sea-way. she should have a good side; that is, a high side above water. it adds to her stability, as well as making her much drier. if her side is rather low, washboards fixed along the top of the gunwale will be found advantageous in rough weather. she should be higher out of water at both ends than amidships, and the line of her rail should describe a graceful curve from bow to stern. a boat that looks quite level from end to end is generally a poor sea-boat, and, if her bottom corresponds with her top, a bad steerer besides. i think she should certainly have a centreboard. several of the smartest yachts' cutters use instead a half-moon-shaped keel of galvanised iron, clamped on to the keel of the boat. i cannot see that this contrivance, which makes a boat useless for anything but deep-water sailing, has any advantages of its own over a centreboard, and its disadvantages are serious. it makes it impossible to beach the boat, or to attempt any landing-place when the water may be shallow, and whenever the boat runs aground or hits a rock, as she is sure to do sometimes when fishing or exploring, it is nearly certain to get broken or bent; and whenever it is left behind, a boat of this kind will cease to be very weatherly, and may even miss stays. moreover, it must be rather an awkward thing to put on and take off when the boat is in the davits. [illustration: 'black pearl's' cutter, midship section.] a wooden false keel of more graduated shape, deep in the middle and tapering to nothing at the ends, is a better contrivance, but it is open to some of the same objections about landing, in a minor degree. it is hardly necessary at the present day to combat the prejudice against centreboards. but for many years there was a curious dislike and distrust of them among british boat-sailers and builders. they were excluded altogether from most regattas; and not one in twenty of the boats that would have been vastly improved by them were ever fitted with them. they were regarded, for some mysterious reason, as unseaworthy, unsportsmanlike, and unfair; and when the average boating man found his craft beaten out of sight in going to windward by a centreboard boat, he considered the discovery that she had a centreboard a satisfactory explanation of his defeat, and seldom drew the further conclusion that a centreboard was an excellent thing. and yet, after nearly twenty-five years' experience of them, i have never been able to discover what the objections to them are. the case of the centreboard is said to get in the way; but unless you want to load your whole boat with very bulky cargo, i am unable to conceive what it can get in the way of. and the merits of a centreboard are many and obvious. it enables you to combine the advantages of deep and shallow draught. you can run your boat up on a beach, and be holding your own to windward against a deep-keeled yacht ten minutes afterwards. it makes the most ordinary boat weatherly, smart, and handy to steer. it gives you timely warning of shallow water, and the only result of its touching the bottom or striking a rock is to send it up into its case. i have never had my centreboard either bent or broken by such contact. but it is well to have it lowered on a chain or wire rather than on an iron shank, with a joint or two near the handle, as in most of white's boats. because when the centreboard hits the bottom and is forced up into the case, these joints will double up inside the case, and the solid part of the shank be driven through the top of it; which would be unpleasant for anyone who happened to be sitting there. a centreboard, except in so far as its weight makes ballast, does not make a boat stiffer, as the uninitiated often suppose, but in the case of a broad, shallow boat, rather the reverse, as it prevents her from being blown away to leeward. and in a boat such as is being here considered, it should not be too heavy for one man to haul up. it should be made of a thin sheet of galvanised iron. as regards her rig, nothing is really so handy and capable as the cutter, or, to speak more accurately, the sloop rig; consisting of mainsail and foresail, as ordinary working canvas. i prefer the sloop rig of a single foresail on a short iron bumpkin, to the end of which the forestay is attached, to the cutter rig of staysail and jib with a regular bowsprit; for a bowsprit is an awkward thing in rounding to and coming alongside a ship, under all sorts of conditions of wind and tide, and a second head-sail gives you more gear to attend to when you are single-handed. and on a boat of this size a single foresail is not too large to be easily handled. what makes this rig so suitable for the peculiar and varied purposes of a yacht's boat is, that, with mainsheet and peak halliards kept in hand, it gives such absolute control over the pace and direction of the boat at a moment's notice. in whiffing round the rocks after pollack, for instance, in a flawy wind, by lowering and raising the peak, and easing off and hauling in the mainsheet, it is easy to maintain a perfectly level pace of two or three knots. in a squall, or in going alongside a ship or a landing-place, the peak can be dropped and the boat eased or checked at once without becoming unsailable. this constitutes, in my opinion, a very important advantage over the standing lugsail, of which, of course, the peak cannot be lowered. a downhaul should be attached to the end of the gaff, as the peak will not always drop when the wind is pressing the sail against the topping lift. [illustration: mainsheet on iron horse.] the foresheets should lead aft and be made fast round cleats or pins within reach of the steersman for convenience when sailing single-handed; the mainsheet should travel on an iron horse across the stern; but care should be taken that the shackle, a, that attaches the block to the horse, should be of a size and shape that will not jam when the block hangs down loosely, and perhaps takes a turn, as it may in going about. one squally day this year, the writer, who had always wondered how people could be so foolish as to get drowned through their mainsheets being foul, found himself, after going about, with the lower block of his mainsheet twisted and jammed under the horse, at such an angle that the sheet would not run: while, to make the mischief complete, the tiller was jammed by the block as well, so that he could neither luff nor ease the sheet. [illustration: sail-plan, 'black pearl's' cutter.] a jackyard topsail that requires no topmast can be set, and a spinnaker will be found very useful for running in light weather. a bowsprit can also be run out and a jib set; but this will probably be found to upset the balance of sail on the centreboard, and make her carry lee-helm, in which case it will be of no use. if a standing lugsail is preferred, the peak should be cut high, and the long yard should be as light as is consistent with the necessary strength. i can see no advantage over the cutter mainsail, except that the halliards are rather simpler. old sailors and fishermen will tell you that a boat with a yard is always stiffer than one with a gaff. with a dipping lug, such as fishermen use, or a balance lug, this seems not improbable, as in these rigs a considerable part of the yard and sail is to windward or in front of the mast; but with a standing lugsail, which, if it has a boom, is practically identical in shape with a cutter's mainsail, it is hard to believe that there is much in it--the peak halliards can hardly make much difference. a balance lug, however excellent for racing or for fine-weather sailing in protected waters, is unsuited for the varied purposes of a yacht's cutter, and the rough experiences to which she will be exposed. for it is not possible either to lower the peak, or to trice up the tack, or to brail up the sail by means of the topping-lift, and in a squall it is not unlikely to jam against the mast and refuse to come down. though the yawl may not be quite so handy as the cutter-rig in the matter of instantaneous control of pace and direction--for there is the mizzen as well as the mainsail to think about--it has certain special and important advantages of its own. when it is necessary to shorten sail, to strike the mizzen is equivalent to taking a reef in the mainsail without any of the difficulty and delay involved in that operation; or you can lower the mainsail and reef it at leisure whilst you sail under foresail and mizzen. to lower the mainsail of a cutter in order to reef it involves losing way and falling off to leeward. moreover, whether the sail be up or down, it is much easier to take reefs down on the main-boom of a yawl, which is well inside the boat, than on that of a cutter, which is right out over the stern. to haul down and secure the earing on the main-boom of a cutter when she is plunging in a sea-way and burying her rail with the force of the wind is a difficult and even dangerous operation, which is not unlikely to end, if you are not careful, in your finding yourself in the sea and your boat careering gaily away without you. the tiller of a yawl must be shaped or placed so that the mizzen-mast does not get in its way; there are several ways of contriving this. a yoke with lines does not give sufficient power, unless so large as to be inconvenient. [illustration: 'aline's' cutter (colonel gamble).] the amount of ballast required will depend somewhat on the shape of the boat, but about cwt. will probably be found to be about the right amount for a -ft. boat with three or four men on board under ordinary circumstances. when there is a very strong wind and fewer hands on board, an extra cwt. or cwt. may be added. but much extra ballast makes a boat slow--much more so, oddly enough, than the same amount of weight in people--without adding very much to her stability. blocks of lead about / cwt. each make the best ballast. these should be cast so as to fit two long boxes along the floor on each side of the keel in the centre of the boat. but it is well to have some of the ballast in the form of shot-bags weighing about lbs. each, which can be placed further aft and shifted about as required. water ballast is unsatisfactory. its bulk is not the only objection. its specific gravity is so small that it will not make a boat stiff, and so even a boat that has no water-tight compartments will be safer in a strong wind with lead or iron ballast. a lifeboat that will float / ton of lead or iron is, of course, much more so. i give here dimensions, drawings, and diagrams of two typical yachts' sailing boats, well suited for knocking about in all sorts of weather, one belonging to the writer, the other to colonel gamble of the 'aline.' the former, the 'black pearl's' cutter, is a -ft. lifeboat, with copper air-tanks, built by messrs. fay & co., from a design of t. soper's, with a centreboard, and sloop-rigged. she has a high side, and a good deal of shear, while her forefoot is somewhat cut away. she is fairly fast, and weatherly, fairly stiff, and a beautiful sea-boat. she carries usually cwt. of ballast, occasionally as much as cwt. [illustration: s.s. 'aline's' lifeboat (colonel gamble, c.b.)] colonel gamble's boat is a -ft. lifeboat, with wooden air-tight compartments, of the lamb & white pattern, built by hansen & sons. she has no centreboard, but a -in. wooden false keel, deepest in the middle, and tapering to nothing at the ends, is screwed on to her keel. she carries a standing lug mainsail, and a foresail. the peak of her lugsail is cut very high, and her mast, yard, and boom are very light and workmanlike. her side and ends are less high out of the water, and she is in every way a smaller boat than the 'black pearl's' cutter, and probably less of a boat in a sea-way: but she can sail round the latter in a light wind, and in a strong one is very nearly as fast, and stands up like a stake. the reader will please to notice the flatness of her floor in the drawing of her midship section on p. . she has been, i believe, very successful in races against boats of her class, showing that speed and stability are not quite so incompatible as they are sometimes supposed to be. she carries usually about cwt. of ballast in shot-bags, and when full of water will float in. clear of the sea, with that ballast and four men on board. 'black pearl's' cutter | 'aline's' cutter ft. in. | ft. in. length | length beam | beam depth amidships from | depth inside gunwale to outside | depth of keel from outside garboard - / | garboard - / depth of keel from outside | depth of additional false of garboard - / | keel draught of water with | draught of water with cwt. of ballast and | cwt. of ballast and crew - / | crew draught with centreboard | ditto with false keel down | added | | _sail plan_ | | length of mast from | step to hounds | _sail plan_ ditto from step to | masthead | length of mast length of main-boom | length of main-boom length of gaff | length of yard it does not come within the scope of this chapter to give a full and elementary manual of the art of boat-sailing. descriptions of the thousand and one things belonging to a yacht and the sailing of her, a glossary of nautical terms and their meaning, and a full account of the art of sailing are given in another portion of this work. the leading principles of boat-sailing are the same as those for sailing a larger vessel. the gear of a boat, as far as it goes, is identical, and the knots, bends, and hitches that are most used are common to both. i need not, therefore, describe them, nor waste space by repetition in giving such elementary directions as that a boat should be luffed in a squall, or in explaining what is meant by 'gybing' a boat or 'putting her about.' but there are some things in the art of sailing that have a special application to open boats, so perhaps i may be allowed, even at the cost of an occasional repetition of what has been said elsewhere, to give a few hints and directions, based upon practical experience, as to the handling of a boat, together with some of the simple rules that experience has taught me are the most important to remember, even though some of these may seem to be of a very elementary character. [illustration: earl of pembroke's 'black pearl's' cutter.] the yachtsman who is inexperienced, or much out of practice in the management of a boat, had far better take a sailor or a couple of sailors with him. by observing what they do he will learn or remember how to do things properly, and the tiro will pick up in a day or two, from watching an expert, many things that he would take long to learn for himself. indeed, i think that in dangerous weather it is always as well to have a seaman on board. he will be unnecessary, probably, if nothing happens--that is to say, if nothing carries away or gets jammed; but it is just on such days that things do happen, and it is in such emergencies that the difference between a sailor and an ordinary amateur becomes widest. a good sailor has some resource for almost everything that can happen, and if one thing will not do he tries something else. even if the amateur is as quick to know what should be done, he is usually far slower and more clumsy in the doing of it. suppose, to take a very simple instance, the peak halliards carry away. how many amateurs are there who could make a long splice and re-reeve them with reasonable expedition? in a tumble of a sea, with a lee shore imminent, the mere reeving of them, if no splice is required, will very likely bother him considerably. still no one will ever be a passable boat-sailer, or will ever enjoy boat-sailing as it can be enjoyed, until he learns to dispense with professional assistance and to manage his boat single-handed if necessary. so, when he has learnt with his eyes, as far as a man can, how things should be done, other than steering and giving orders, let him go out alone or with an amateur like himself and learn his business. let him choose a fine day and sail away if possible out of sight of the most powerful glasses on his ship, and then deliberately and of set purpose practise everything essential that is comprised in the art of boat-sailing. he will instantly discover that between knowing how things are done and doing them there is an extraordinary difference, and he will find himself curiously awkward in doing what he has seen his men do a hundred times. he will make acquaintance with the malign tendency of all ropes to get foul of each other, and the strange law that whenever you are trying to put something right on a boat something else always goes wrong. when he first tries to reef his sails--he will do it at anchor if he is wise--he will find that the foretack is horribly inconvenient to get at, and that the foresail will keep running up the stay and muffling his head, while the main-boom seems to be possessed by a devil and tries to push him overboard whichever side of it he gets. when he gets under way again he finds that he has got the anchor-line foul of the foresheets, and while he is clearing these and re-reeving them through their fairleads, a puff of wind knocks the boat nearly flat and sends him scrambling aft to the tiller and the mainsheet. he will bruise his shins and bark his knuckles all manner of ways--he hardly knows how; he will get hot and blown, and go near to tumbling overboard in the violence of his exertions; he will do things and he will forget to do things that it will make him blush in bed to remember afterwards. but let him not feel too deeply humiliated. for even experienced sailors will make the most monstrous blunders in a boat when they are strange to her, and to boatwork; and he will find that his awkwardness seems to vanish miraculously after a few lessons, and it will not be long before he has the satisfaction of feeling that he can handle his boat as well as any man on the ship. it is foolish to go far, and especially far to leeward, when there is every appearance of bad weather coming on, and a low glass. you may do it many times with impunity, but some day you are sure to get caught, and the consequences may be serious. remember that you are always liable to meet with an amount of wind that your boat will not be able to bear under the shortest canvas that you can work her with. many people do not realise this; and indeed it requires some powers of imagination, when a boat is standing stiffly up under her full canvas in a good breeze, to realise that in a few hours, or even minutes, there may come an amount of wind which will make it impossible to keep her lee-rail out of the water even with close-reefed sails and sheets flying loose. but a few rough and unpleasant experiences will soon convince the young boat-sailer of the fact, and teach him that a boat has no business to be out in a gale of wind, and that when he is caught in one the thing to do, if it is possible, is to gain shelter at once. if he sails much he will come across plenty of bad weather without courting it, and when he does he will probably meet it with more coolness and confidence if he is free from the depressing sensation that the scrape into which he has got himself, and perhaps others as well, is entirely due to his own wanton folly. it is always best, if possible, to reef down and make everything snug before the squall or storm comes upon you; but you cannot be continually reefing down for every threatening cloud, so this is not always practicable. when the wind has become too strong for the sail you are carrying, you will have to act according to circumstances. it is not always wise to attempt to reef at once. there may not be sea-room enough to lower down the sails to reef them, and to attempt to reef a cutter's mainsail in a squall when she is nearly overpowered by wind is extremely dangerous. for the sheet must be hauled right in, and cannot be eased while the earing is being made fast. it is better under such circumstances to lower your peak altogether, taking up any slack in the topping-lift so as to support the boom. this will ease the boat immensely, and gives you a capital leg-of-mutton sail. possibly this will be a sufficient reduction, and you may stand on under this canvas until you get shelter, or sea-room to reef in, or there comes a lull in the squall. if it is not, and the boat is still overpowered, haul down the foresail as well and double reef it, and when it is set again you can, if you have then got sea-room, take down the reefs in your mainsail, keeping the peak down all the time. there are generally three reefs in a cutter's mainsail. if when these are taken down you have still too much canvas, let the throat run down, and lash the jaws of the gaff down to the boom. it is well to have a line of reef points running from the throat of the mainsail to the cringle of the third reef on the after-leach to make this arrangement snug. it is then called a balance reef. most boats will stand rather more wind when it is on the beam than they will when they are close hauled. for while they do not feel it quite so hard, it is easier to keep good way on, and you can spill the sails by slacking the sheets as much as you like without fear of losing it. so that in smooth water you will be as safe in a blow with the wind abeam as you are when sailing close to it and luffing up into the puffs. but a beam sea is the most dangerous sea of all, and when it is heavy you must always be ready either to luff up towards it, or to keep right away before it, as may be best. but if you do the former be careful not to have too much way on, or you will run your boat's nose right into the sea. if your course gives you a dangerous beam sea the best plan is to keep your luff until your port is well to leeward, and then up helm and run for it. in running before a strong wind and a dangerous sea do not attempt to carry much sail. it is a common belief among the inexperienced, founded upon nautical literature absorbed in youth, and even amongst some who ought to know better, that you must carry plenty of sail in order to run away from the sea and avoid being pooped. but, in the first place, you cannot run away from the sea, which travels more than twice as fast as any boat can sail, and a press of canvas which buries the boat's stern as it drags her through the water increases the danger of being pooped. moreover, it makes her harder to steer, and increases the much greater risks of broaching to or running the boat under water in those desperate rushes on the steep front of the big seas, which are at once the danger and the delight of running before a wind. so far from its being desirable to emulate the pace of the sea, the sooner the wave passes the boat, and the shorter, therefore, these rushes are, the less is the danger. i learned this once by experience. many years ago, on the coast of new zealand, i was caught out at sea by a gale of wind in a -ft. sailing dinghy, and had to run home before it in a short, dangerous, rapidly rising sea. the little boat tore before the wind under a reefed mainsail and jib, running her nose and stern alternately level with the water, until it became evident that we should be swamped in a few minutes. i ordered the man who was with me to haul down the sail. the moment he did so the little boat, which was sharp at both ends and was steered with an oar, began to ride the seas like a duck, and we ran home before the gale with ease and safety under a bare stick and a fragment of head-sail. a boat with a sharp stern, steered with an oar, has a great advantage under such circumstances. for the rudder is sometimes right out of the water and useless; and though the water of a great wave does not really move forward with the wave as it appears to do, the breaking top of it does, and when the rudder is in this water, which is going faster than the boat, it is useless for the moment. it is well to have a place for a crutch in the gunwale far aft, so that an oar can be used to steer with if necessary. there is generally less wind under the shelter or lee of the land. but this is not always the case, and the most experienced seaman cannot always foretell whether this will be so or not. sometimes the wind seems to belong to the land, and there may be little or none of it out at sea. under high land--cliffs or mountains--you may lose the wind altogether; you may find it blowing in occasional baffling puffs of great violence and uncertain direction, or you may find it blowing much harder, not in puffs merely but altogether. it is not an uncommon experience, especially in the mediterranean, to run down a coast before a fresh breeze, and to find a perfect tornado blowing when you turn a corner and luff up under the land. this is one of nature's paradoxes--one of the undoubted facts that one occasionally meets which seem opposed to all reason and probability. i do not know how far it has ever been scientifically explained. some places where there is high land seem to brew their own wind. loch scavaig, in skye, under the coolin hills, is an instance of this. it may be fine and almost calm outside, but as you sail into its gloomy waters you may find a perfect tempest blowing in or out. it staggers one to think what it must be like in a real gale of wind. in carlingford lough, ireland, last autumn, when there was but a fine-weather breeze blowing outside, the puffs off the mountain on the south of the lough took the form of a succession of regular waterspouts, any one of which would have twisted the mast out of the boat or capsized her if it had struck her. we kept as far to leeward as we could, and most of them died away before they crossed our track, but they felt very uncanny. speaking generally, high land is always dangerous for boat-sailing, as well as trying to the temper. on a day when there is nothing but a fine-weather breeze elsewhere, under high land you are liable to get puffs as violent while they last as a gale of wind. it is as though the hills bottled up and concentrated the wind, so that when it is let loose it comes with double force; and these puffs are specially dangerous to a boat apart from their force: first, because the angle at which they will strike is so uncertain, and secondly, because, coming from above and striking downwards, a boat does not relieve the pressure on her sails by heeling over as she does when the wind blows horizontally along the water. this is the reason why you will probably find that the squalls that go nearest capsizing your boat are not those that you have seen tearing towards you turning the water into smoke as they come, violent as these may be, but those which you have hardly seen a sign of on the water at all, and which strike the sails with a downward blow straight from the mountain side. the sound of raasay, outside portree harbour, when a westerly wind is blowing over the tremendous cliffs of skye, is a fine place for the study of these phenomena. when the wind is blowing up or down a channel with high land on either hand, the fiercest puffs will be near the sides which seem to concentrate the wind, and the safest place will be the middle of the channel. one day, in loch scavaig, beating out of that inferno of furious winds against the usual succession of tearing puffs, with double-reefed sails and all passengers down in the bottom of the boat, i stood rather far over one tack under the high mountain on the west side. just as i was preparing to go about a furious blast struck the boat like a cannon-shot. i thrust the helm down, letting fly the mainsheet. the foresheet fortunately carried away of itself, but for a few seconds a volume of water poured over the rail, and i thought we should go over or fill. a minute later, as we were standing off on the other tack, setting things to rights and pruning our ruffled plumes, my coxswain, a most excellent boat-sailer but a man of a somewhat sardonic humour, remarked grimly, 'i should think that would be a lesson to you in future not to stand over too far under high land.' it has been. here follow a few of the things which it is well to remember when boat-sailing, whether you are acting as captain or crew, or both in one. as soon as your sails are set and properly trimmed, coil away the ends of all your halliards, topping-lift, &c., in the bottom of the boat, capsizing the coil after you have made it so that the part of the rope that has to go up first becomes uppermost, and so will not get foul when the halliards are let go. see that all your blocks are clear. a reef pendant (earing) getting drawn into the mainsheet block, or a bit of bunting or spunyarn into the block of the peak halliards, may easily cause an accident. [illustration: the squall in loch scavaig, skye.] see that boathooks, oars, and crutches are all ready for use if required. never make fast your sheets in any way that can possibly jam, or that a single pull will not set free. the same is advisable with your halliards also. always see that your mainsheet is clear, and that it cannot get foul of anything in running out. the most favoured lady passenger should not be allowed to put her feet on it. when you have passengers on board in dangerous, squally weather, try to get them to sit down in the bottom of the boat. it adds greatly to stability, besides getting them out of the way. but if there is much water in the boat already, they may require some persuasion. always carry an anchor or grapple and a line to attach to it, and see that both are ready for instant use if you are likely to want them. the anchor for a -ft. boat should weigh about lbs. if it is heavier it will tax your wind severely to get it up quickly in deep water. [illustration: 'excuse me.'] always carry a knife. a sheath-knife is best: there is no difficulty about opening it when fingers are cold, and it will not shut on them when you are using it. always carry a pocket-compass in case of fog. in what is called a temperate climate always carry oilskins and a sou'wester. always carry some spare rope, particularly odds and ends of small rope; you may always want it for something. your spinnaker gear will probably do at a pinch to replace a broken halliard or sheet. when you are exploring and have ladies on board, do not forget to take a landing-board. always carry some water and biscuits when you may be out many hours. always have the centreboard down in coming alongside a ship. the boat will answer her helm better and steer more accurately with the centreboard down, as the wind and sea cannot push her about on the surface. if it is ever necessary to leave your boat untended, take great care that she can neither damage herself nor get adrift when the tide rises. nothing will make you feel so intolerably foolish as to come back and find your boat damaged or gone, perhaps still in sight bobbing away without you. the writer was once left stranded on a small island in the hauraki gulf, new zealand, owing to his man having considered a round stone a suitable object to make a boat fast to. [illustration: self-unmoored.] keep out of the way of steamers and big ships when you can, even when by the rule of the road it is their business to keep out of yours. they will probably expect you to keep clear of them, and, when in narrow waters, are justified in doing so. [illustration: never 'moon.'] finally, never 'moon,' or think about such things as politics, philosophy, or people, when boat-sailing. frivolous conversation on subjects unconnected with the boat or the weather should be sternly discouraged in any but the most familiar waters and the finest of weather. distraction is a real danger in boat-sailing, and is probably the commonest cause of fatal accidents. the attention of the boat-sailer should always be concentrated on his business. he has plenty to attend to and think about. he must always have an eye on his sails, and at the same time must keep watching the wind on the water before it reaches him, and the general appearance of the weather. and in spite of these preoccupations he should be continually noting the features of the coast. if he is leaving a place to which he is going to return, he should be constantly taking note of the relative bearings of rocks and headlands by which to remember the proper channel when he comes back, not forgetting that the state of the tide will be different, and carefully observing, therefore, if the tide is low, the position of rocks and shoals that may be submerged on his return, or if it is near high water, the bearing of places which his chart tells him will have to be avoided when the tide is out. in short, it is an engrossing occupation, permitting of no distraction, except perhaps fish, and even _then_ one man must continue to give his attention almost entirely to the boat. there is a time for all things, and the man who wants to talk or to read his book in the boat has no business there. shelley used to read, it is true, and he was an ardent boat-sailer. but shelley's case is a bad one to quote as an example, for his boat-sailing came to an unlucky end, and we shall never know now how much or how little that little volume of poetry had to do with it. i have said a good deal in these pages of the dangers of boat-sailing. it has been necessary to insist upon them, because the price of safety in boat-sailing is eternal vigilance and a little knowledge. the careless man may drown himself any day, and there is no saying what mess the complete duffer may not get into. but given the habit of carefulness, which soon becomes instinctive and unconscious, together with a little experience, and a moderate amount of prudence as regards weather, and boat-sailing is certainly not a dangerous sport as sports go. [illustration: there is no place like home.] chapter ix small yacht racing on the solent by 'thalassa' as lord's is to the cricketer, st. andrews to the golfer, newmarket to the lover of the turf, so is the solent to the yachtsman--the solent in its largest sense, not the west channel only, but the whole of the waters inside the wight, bounded by fifty miles of shore line, and covering an area of over fifty square sea miles. the west channel, twelve miles long, is nearly twenty-four square miles; the east channel, eight miles long, is equal in area; and southampton water, six miles long, covers three square miles. nearly all of it is navigable to yachts, the brambles being the only midwater shoal which interferes with small vessels of moderate draught. the water of the solent is clear as crystal, the air healthy as switzerland, the scenery nearly as beautiful; here are watering places with mirth and music; cities with docks and shipping; men of war and men of peace; clubs and hotels; piers, slips, jetties, and hards; building and repairing sheds; yacht designers and agents; skippers and 'hands'; sail, flag, and rope makers; yachts' ironmongers and purveyors, &c. &c. &c., which etceteras include several snug anchorages and small harbours for those who wish to escape from the general hubbub during the yachting and excursion season. and the whole of this within a two hours' journey of london! curiously enough, the advantages of the solent for yachting have only been fully appreciated during the past few years. it is true that the royal yacht squadron was started early in the century, and the royal southern and royal victoria yacht clubs early in the forties; but yachting on the solent as we know it now was not dreamt of, and the thames held for many years the leading position as the centre of this essentially english sport. many things have combined to drive yachts from the thames. manure, marmalade, cement, gas, and other manufactories now line its banks; the barking outfall fouls its waters, and an enormous steamer and barge traffic obstructs them. no wonder the yachtsmen deserted the thames. but this is not all; a new sport has been born--the racing of small yachts, for which the thames is peculiarly unsuited. steam yachting has caused this development of small yacht racing. men who would otherwise have built or purchased large sailing yachts now prefer steam, and, although they may themselves race but little in any craft, their action has destroyed our fleet of large sailing yachts, and with it the market for outclassed racers of any considerable size. moreover, the very perfection to which racing has been brought tells in the same direction, because few men can afford to build large racers year by year to replace those which are outclassed. yacht clubs have increased both in numbers and wealth, and the executives find that racing brings grist to the mill and repays the cost and the trouble. this especially applies to small yacht races, the prizes for which are not a severe tax on a club's exchequer, and can therefore be given more frequently. owners were not slow to avail themselves of the sport offered, which on trial proved to possess many advantages over large yacht racing. in small craft an owner is more his own master, and frequently steers and sails his own boat. corinthian hands can form all or a large portion of the crew; ladies can take an active part; the sport is less costly and better fun than with large craft; there are more races; fouls and accidents are less dangerous; and people can get home to dinner. in short, the advantages are so numerous and real that one marvels at any men preferring to act as passengers on board their own yachts in the more ancient sport. even this adjective belongs really to the boats, as prehistoric men no doubt owned and raced canoes for ages prior to the existence of larger vessels. but we as moderns are concerned with the nineteenth century, during which sailing boats have certainly raced frequently on the solent. the square stem and stern boat used by the itchen ferrymen for fishing in southampton water and the e. and w. channels is still a favourite type, and during the seventies became almost a class for small yacht racing, inside lead ballast, moulded, being first introduced, then lead keels, until in heavy lead keels, with fore and aft overhang, became the fashion with racing owners, and the solent 'length classes' were introduced to the yachting world; feet, feet, and feet l.w.l. being the top limits of each class. a scale of time allowance for length was made by the y.r.a., and the boats developed into great 'brutes' which were efficient sail-carriers if nothing else, the final outcome being over square feet of canvas to each foot of l.w.l., whereas a modern rater in the small classes is driven almost as effectively with square feet per foot of similar hull length. there being no limit to sail in the length classes, it was not a difficult matter to outbuild the crack boat of the year every winter. each succeeding boat had longer overhang, greater beam, draught, and displacement than her predecessor, and consequently won, being a larger boat and carrying more sail. the table of solent racers prior to , appended to this chapter, gives some details of interest. a few races were given every year for what was termed the -ft. class ('sorella,' 'whimbrel,' &c.), also for itchen punts and for fishermen's boats; and, early in the eighties, races under various conditions were provided for small yachts by the royal southampton and royal portsmouth corinthian yacht clubs, under the energetic direction of their respective honorary secretaries, mr. wolff and the late mr. mccheane. these clubs may fairly claim to have started that small yacht racing on the solent which now employs so many hands in building boats in the winter and sailing them in the summer, and affords so many people a healthy pastime for their leisure hours. the rest of the solent clubs were not long in following suit, first one then another giving races for small yachts, until in 'the squadron' so far forgot the distich: nothing less than t must ever race with _our_ burgee, as to permit two 'extra' races for - and - / -raters, the prizes having been subscribed for 'privately' by some sporting members of this distinguished club. the same recurred in and , but it is impossible to feel overwhelmed with gratitude, as the manner of granting the concession was too like that of an old lady introduced sorely against her will to people and things she deems _infra dig_. on the other hand, the royal victoria, or the 'red squadron,' as its friends delight to call it, has since taken to the sport with becoming enthusiasm, the committee being said to possess more knowledge of the requirements of yacht racing than the y.r.a. itself. this has produced some strange realities which the racing owner may see for himself at ryde, in the shape of drums, time-post and semaphores galore, together with a -guinea cup and other remarkable 'gold cups in waiting,' if he step ashore and can make friends with the good-natured secretary. the club gave several special days in and for matches in the solent classes, and the royal albert did the same at southsea, in addition to similar races at their annual regatta--a two days' affair. the royal london and the royal southern yacht clubs followed suit. in short, these elderly dames of the solent are acting in a very proper spirit by adopting and assisting to support the offspring of their younger relatives, requiring them simply to belong to something 'royal _or_ recognised'--a peculiar distinction somewhat rough on the former word. one caution to the unwary. some of the senior clubs are very proud of their ordnance, but racing boats of _modern_ construction should give them a clear berth, or the concussion may cause damage. one of the cracks had to proceed to the builder's for repair soon after a race at which that great artillerist the hall porter of the royal london yacht club shook cowes to its foundations. certain it is that some racing boats are now built far too light for safety if caught in a gale on the open sea. returning to the clubs, the table at the end of the chapter gives some prominent facts at a glance, so it will not be necessary to repeat them. an aspirant to fame in any of the small classes should belong to the royal southampton yacht club. it has plenty of members, of vitality, and 'go.' its house is good and comfortable, with a fair cuisine and attendance, and its position is excellent for the racing sailor-man. the fees are not heavy,[ ] and the sport is good. [footnote : this club has raised its fees this year ( ), finding it impossible to exist on the income derived from nearly seven hundred members, whereas formerly it lived joyously on half the amount.] the beginner will do well to make the acquaintance of the leading members of the committee, for their sound advice and local knowledge may be of service to him; but he may be cautioned not to disturb them after the racing with written memoranda about rounding buoys; the soul of man is not to be worried by such frivolities when absorbed in the worship of crab, tap, or nap in the cosy cabin of the committee-boat--and this applies with more or less force to all sailing committees and club secretaries. some shrug the shoulder and vent an expletive, the more pious sigh deeply and glance to the zenith, while many impose a heavy fine on that enemy of peace and quiet who dares to protest against a breach of the regulations. an exception, however, is said to prove a rule; and the committee of the castle yacht club administers the law with strictness, and perhaps severity. if this policy were general, many of the difficulties connected with yacht racing would disappear, as a large percentage is due to irregularities which sailing committees might easily correct, instead of scanning them with a blind eye at the telescope end. real sportsmen like rules to be strictly observed and administered, and the discipline enforced at the calshot racing has, if possible, increased the popularity of the club which was started in by some eccentric enthusiasts who considered that small yacht racing required further encouragement. at that date the idea was not so preposterous as it now appears; but whether this and other clubs assisted materially in the production of modern racing, or were themselves the products, is a problem for the macaulay of sport to solve in the dim future, when he writes on the pursuit of pleasure in the nineteenth century. the adoption of the present y.r.a. rating rule in the winter of practically killed the 'length' classes; for, although the solent clubs continued to support them for another year, no more 'lengthers' were built, and, the existing boats gradually dropping out, the racing with 'footers' collapsed. * * * * * the year was a turning point in small yacht racing on the solent, as elsewhere. there was much diversity of opinion as to the suitability of the new rule for small yachts. mr. clayton declared in january that - / -raters would soon be or feet long. mr. dixon kemp, on the other hand, so late as , when the sixth edition of his book was published, gave 'the lengths of water-line ... possible in the classes ... as follows':-- raters, to feet, their developments being feet " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " " - / " " " " " " " " " " " " this forecast erred in the three smallest classes, where prophetic utterances, if only for six months, are extremely hazardous. the fact gives additional piquancy to small yacht racing. the solent clubs most interested in this racing began the year with a conference on january at southampton, and another on february at portsmouth, when it was finally agreed to recommend:-- i. the continuation of length class racing for the season of . ii. the adoption of two new classes of square-sterned boats to race under the new rule, viz.-- _(a)_ - / -raters not exceeding feet l.w.l. _(b)_ - / " " " " " in both classes an overhang limit of foot and a mainsail limit of per cent. of the total sail-area. special racing, two new boats were built for class (_a_), miss cox's 'madcap' and colonel bucknill's 'thalassa' (see table). they were well matched, the rig being the same, viz. sloop with a small topsail of about square feet. they were capital 'day boats,' with roomy wells, and fairly good performers in a sea-way. at first 'madcap' proved the faster, but towards the end of the season 'thalassa' won most prizes, and captured the class medal of the r.s.y.c. mr. campbell's 'merrythought' was the only new boat in class (_b_), but she failed to beat 'tootsie' (afterwards named 'minnow'), which belonged to mr. payne, and was altered to fit the class. on the whole, the racing in the new classes was somewhat disappointing, owing to the small number of competitors and of races. see the following table, which also includes the races for the 'solent classes' in and , and shows the great development of the sport during the past five years. the actual races only are recorded, as clubs deserve but little credit for offering prizes hedged in by such conditions that owners will not compete for them. _races in the solent classes_ +----------------------+--------------------------------------------------------+ | || || | +----------------------+------------++----------------++------------------------| yacht clubs and | ' - / || | | - / || | | - / | | | sailing clubs | | ' - / || | | | || | | | | / | | | | |tot.|| | | |tot.|| | | | | |tot.| +----------------------+------------++----------------++------------------------| royal yacht squadron | | | || | | | || | | | | | | royal london | | | || | | | || | | | | | | royal southern | | | || | | | || | | | | | | royal victoria | | | || | | | || | | | | | | royal albert | | | || | | | || | | | | | | royal southampton | | | || | | | || | | | | | | solent yacht club | | | || | | | || | | | | | | royal portsmouth | | | || | | | || | | | | | | corinthian | | | || | | | || | | | | | | castle yacht club | (started) || | | | || | | | | | | island sailing club | --| --| --|| --| --| --| --|| | | | | | | minima sailing club | --| --| --|| --| --| --| --|| | | | | | | bembridge sailing club| --| --| --|| --| --| --| --|| | | | | | | +----------------------+------------++----------------++------------------------+ totals | | | || | | | || | | | | | | +----------------------+--------------------------------------------------------+ class racing, . early in , delegates from several of the solent clubs met at the house of the royal southampton, to settle the difficult question of the classes of small racing yachts to be encouraged on the solent, it having become clear that racing under a rating of length alone was played out. the y.r.a. recommended that -, -, and - / -rating, by the new formula l. × s.a. ÷ , , should be encouraged as the small classes, but the scotch and irish clubs favoured - and -raters as better suiting their -tonners, which had been produced under the rule, and were about -rating. after a lively correspondence in the 'field,' in which the editor steered a middle course between the southern buoys and the northern shallows, the conference at southampton decided to adopt the classes recommended by the y.r.a., and there has been no cause to regret this decision. -, -, and - / -raters consequently became known as the 'solent classes,' and the limits on s.a. in mainsail and on l.o.a. were quashed, no objection being raised by vested interests. _the -raters, ._ the class racing this year mainly consisted of a duel between mr. clarke's new , the 'dis,' and mr. arabin's - / -rater, the 'lollypop,' built for cruising, but a very fast and capable boat (see table opposite). the lengthers 'verena' and 'frolic,' each about -rating, tried their luck on a few occasions, but they were soon proved to be outclassed under the rating rule. 'little nell,' 'raven,' 'ina,' and 'jenny wren' also competed. 'dis' finished the season with the excellent figure of merit . , and 'lollypop' with . . this figure of merit is found by the formula proposed by colonel f. j. smith, r.e., in , viz.: m = p ÷ (n + [v¯]n + ) where m is the figure of merit n is the number of starts p is the number of first prizes, all referring to class races only. colonel smith subsequently elaborated the formula by allowing points for sails over, and for second prizes when three boats started; but it is practically impossible to get such records with accuracy, and the resulting order of merit is the same whichever figure of merit be adopted. hence it is best to employ the simplest formula in which first prizes alone count, as in the one just given, which will be adopted in these pages. further details of the -rater racing will be found in a tabulated form on p. of 'land and water,' oct. , . _the -raters, ._ mr. l. m. ames attempted to start the -rating class by building 'fair geraldine' (see table of dimensions), but the class received but little encouragement from the clubs this year, and there were very few purely class races. the 'flutterby,' -rater, designed by her owner, mr. fred. hughes, mr. farmer's 'chittywee,' and mr. newton-robinson's 'rose' were the only competitors available. _the - / -raters, ._ mr. waller's 'lady nan,' mr. manning's 'ada,' and the late mr. sidney watson's 'chipmunk' were the new boats in this class, the first named being a great success at a moderate cost, the usual oak timbers, bent ash frames, and pine planking being used in her construction. her lines are given in mr. dixon kemp's 'yacht architecture,' second edition. 'madcap,' her chief opponent, had been slightly lengthened during the winter, and a counter added; thus improved, she was able to turn the tables on 'thalassa' (see following table). _racing records, ._ +-------------------------------------------------------------------+ | | | prizes | figure | | | starts |-------+-------+-------| of | | | | first | other | total | merit | |-------------------------+--------+-------+-------+-------+--------| | _ -rating class_ | | | | | | | | | | | | | |dis | | | | | | |lollypop | | | | | | | | | | | | | |_ - / -rating class_ | | | | | | | | | | | | | |lady nan | | | | | | |madcap | | | | | | |tottie | | | | | | |thalassa | | | | | | |fairy | | | | | | |minnow | | | | | | +-------------------------------------------------------------------+ the feature this year was the birth of the heavy lead fin-keel. mr. payne tried it in 'lady nan,' and captain hughes had a similar keel placed on 'fairy,' thereby improving both her speed and power. another excitement was caused by mr. simpson very gamely sailing his 'tottie' ( . feet beam) round from the thames, so as to try the solent - / -raters. 'tottie' was designed by mr. g. l. watson for a special class, feet l.w.l. and s.a. she won easily in this class on the thames, but only scored on the solent in light weather, and soon found it expedient to return to her muddy headquarters. 'minnow' also won a few prizes in light weather by means of her time allowance; but 'chipmunk' starts, 'ada' , 'titu' , and 'cormorant' start, failed to score for their figure of merit. the season's racing was good, and the class evidently established itself in public favour. the castle club, then at hamble, gave a number of races for the class, and several members of the club agreed to build - / -raters for the coming season. for the results see the record table for (p. ). class racing, _the -raters, ._ the owner of 'lollypop' being encouraged by her performances in , commissioned mr. arthur payne to design a racing -rater; whence it came about that the swift and handsome 'decima' was launched from the belvidere yard in the following spring. she was a few inches shorter than 'dis,' but in every other respect a more powerful boat--more beam, draught, and displacement, also a larger mainsail. the 'drina' was built at cowes about the same time, but she was designed simply as a -ft. l.w.l. day boat, and her owner, prince batthyany strattmann, only decided to race her when she was already in frame. the lead keel was then dropped . foot and the sail increased , to , square feet. unfortunately for 'drina' it was a windy summer. mr. ratsey tuned up his fine square-sterned yacht 'dolly varden' with a lovely suit of sails. captain montagu lengthened 'lil' and converted her into the -rater 'nety'; and mr. clarke brought out 'dis' from her padlocked abode and did all that he could to make her win--but in this he was disappointed, though when beaten he stuck to the fight as only a true sportsman can. towards the end of the season the attention of clydesiders was drawn to 'decima's' long string of successes, and the sporting owners of the old 'doris' and the new 'yvonne' sailed them round to do battle in the solent lists. _racing records, ._ +-------------------------------------------------------------------+ | | | prizes | figure | | | starts |-------+-------+-------| of | | | | first | other | total | merit | |-------------------------+--------+-------+-------+-------+--------| | _ -rating class_ | | | | | | | | | | | | | |decima | | | | | | |yvonne | | | | | | |doris | | | | | | |dis | | | | | | | | | | | | | | _ -rating class_ | | | | | | | | | | | | | |lollypop | | | | | | |thief | | | | | | |thalassa | | | | | | |fair geraldine | | | | | | |cock-a-whoop | | | | | | |blue bell | | | | | | | | | | | | | |_ - / -rating class_ | | | | | | | | | | | | | |humming bird | | | | | | |queen mab | | | | | | |cosette | | | | | | |g.g. | | | | | | |nadador | | | | | | |madcap | | | | | | |thalassa | | | | | | |thief | | | | | | +-------------------------------------------------------------------+ 'yvonne,' designed by the famous son of fife, was narrower and shorter than 'decima,' and had square feet more sail, which placed her in the van in light weather. but 'decima' beat her five times in eight starts, and beat 'doris' eleven times in fourteen starts. the results for the season are given in the record table. it was a red-letter year for the 's on the solent, nothing like it having occurred either before or since. _the -raters, ._ energy in one class is often accompanied by stagnation in another, and the 's were certainly slow enough during to satisfy the most exacting puritan. [illustration: 'cock-a-whoop,' - / -rater. designed by a. e. payne, m.i.n.a., .] the clubs did their duty, as fifteen races were given to the class on the solent. 'lollypop,' cut down to a , was the most successful boat. next came 'thief' (of which boat more anon); then 'thalassa,' 'fair geraldine,' 'cock-a-whoop,' 'blue bell,' 'gleam,' 'ada,' 'dorothy,' and 'tar baby' made up the motley crowd--the four last-named scoring a 'duck' for their figure of merit. 'gleam,' however, caused a little excitement by capsizing in one race, pitching her owner, mr. clayton, with several of his friends, into the sweet waters of southampton, from which they were fortunately rescued with much promptitude by the blue gig carried on board her majesty's letter-bag boat, which was steaming past at the time of the accident. the class was nothing more nor less than a harbour of refuge for outclassed boats; and, as the yachts differed in their ratings, the race officers were ever busy calculating their time allowances, and growling inwardly at 'those confounded decimals.' 'fair geraldine' was the only boat built for the class, but, curiously enough, when she tried conclusions at the end of the season she found herself 'between the devil and the deep sea,' the - / -rater 'cock-a-whoop,' with extra sail to qualify for the class, beating her in light weather on september , and the cruiser 'lollypop' beating her in a breeze on the st. the broad results of the racing can be seen in the table of records for . _the - / -raters, ._ now began small yacht-racing in earnest, and a determined attempt was made to lower mr. payne's colours. mrs. schenley, the earl of dunraven, and mr. t. b. c. west all joined the class, all cared but little what it cost to win, all sailed their boats well, all engaged good crews, and all went to mr. g. l. watson for the designs. he gave them enlarged 'totties' (one with a c.b.), excellent boats in their way, but distinctly inferior to the type developing on the solent under the motto, 'payne and pleasure.' such a boat was 'humming bird,' often called the 'hummer,' nearly feet longer than 'lady nan,' and about inches longer on w.l. than her watsonite competitors, but with little o.h. at either end. the fin-keel became more pronounced, the m.s. and scantling were further reduced, and the lug sloop rig was adopted--a combination which made her wonderfully fast on all points of sailing in any but light winds. she was sailed faultlessly by her owner, captain j. w. hughes, and made the excellent m. of at the end of the season (see table of records). another boat of the year deserves mention--the -ft. c.b. sloop built and designed by stephens of southampton. she was purchased by mr. garrett of plunging boat fame, and named the 'g.g.' she had feet beam, and did best on courses where she could avoid a tide by sailing over the shallows. 'thalassa' was raced in the class during june and july, after which she raised her r. and joined the 's. she had been lengthened feet aft during the winter, and greatly improved thereby, her speed now being equal to 'madcap' and 'lady nan' (see record table for , p. ). [illustration: 'humming bird,' payne, .] 'heathen chinee,' a yawl of peculiar design, and 'minnow' and 'chipmunk' raced on a few occasions, but failed to win any first prizes. solent sailoresses. this year was noticeable for the activity of ladies on the solent. miss cox continued to race 'madcap'; her sister, mrs. rudston-read, purchased 'lady nan,' and raced her under the new name 'nadador'; mrs. schenley raced her new - / 'thief'; mrs. sidney watson, miss harvey (now mrs. a. heygate), and the misses hughes occasionally steered in the races, and the daughters of 'thalassa' helped to work their father's boat, and sometimes steered her. late in the season--in the series of matches, 'ladies up,' between 'cosette' and 'queen mab'--the earl got two 'daughters of the sea' to help him, and miss harvey steered the 'queen' for mr. west. it really looked as if ladies were about to take an active part in solent racing; but next year, although races for ladies were specially provided in the programme of the castle club, some owners objected, and this form of sport received a somewhat rude and unexpected check from which it has never quite recovered. two sailing clubs were started on the solent in --the island sailing club at west cowes, and a branch of the minima sailing club at hamble. the former club arose during the winter of , and mr. barrow, its present hon. secretary, states that it was 'the outcome of much boat-sailing talk in cowes and in the "field" ... on the superior charms and advantages of open-boat sailing'; but, 'like many season fashions, open boating soon found its level, and the i.s.c. has had an uphill fight to get open boats together for racing.'... 'the influence of small raters seems to have been too much for the open craft, and though the club has offered very good prizes and a -guinea challenge cup, ... yet the open-boat racing has been so poorly supported that most probably next year' ( ) 'the racing will be entirely confined to small raters, which have given much sport during the past season' ( ). the first 'commodore, the late general baring, taking much interest in the club, bought land adjoining the customs watch, and built thereon the present small but very convenient club house, with its slipway, &c., where it has since passed a ... busy existence, holding in the season its fortnightly races, which have been well supported by - / -, -, and / -raters.'[ ] [footnote : the above was penned at the end of , and applies to that year. in the programme was enlarged by including races on alternating days for the -raters and for handicaps with boats up to -rating, not being class racers. a few races were given in to - / -raters.--[greek: theta].] the minima sailing club was established in the same year, : st. to encourage the building, improvement, and sailing of small boats, and to promote seamanship and sport amongst amateur boat-sailers. nd. to arrange cruises and races both on the coast and inland waters. rd. to give to members who may wish to visit a coast, river, or lake which is new to them, facilities for obtaining information as to harbourage, boatmen, housing of boats, carriage of boats, and other local matters. th. to form branches or out-stations, and to affiliate local clubs as such, or otherwise. this club has adopted the motto 'per mare per terram,' very appropriate for an institution which encourages the transport of boats by rail. commodore hallowes is an admiral, and settles disputes admirably. to him and to mr. herbert ridsdale, the hon. secretary for the solent, the success of the club in these waters is principally due. unfortunately for the solent, mr. ridsdale departed for fresh seas and outlets new in . a little club-house was erected in on the hamble river-bank, opposite warsash village, and the races now start and finish at this point, everything being done by miniature flags, &c., in strict accord with the y.r.a. rules--altogether a nice little club, well managed, and possessing an excellent general programme which deserves to succeed. the castle club also jumped ahead with a fair breeze in , and a convenient house was built close to calshot castle, permission having been obtained from the admiralty and war office after much negotiation. ladies are encouraged to join the club. a room is set apart for them, and the near relatives of members can join on specially easy terms. this, a somewhat novel experiment, has succeeded admirably, and many ladies now attend the races and take a lively interest in the club. tea at the club-house has become an afternoon function on race-days. intoxicating liquors are not sold, but the housekeeper can generally put a square meal before a hungry mariner. the race officers have a tower-room to themselves. the starting gun--a heavy double-barrelled -bore--gives as excellent a report in its way as mr. parsons, the courteous correspondent for the 'field'--sharp, clear, distinct, and never a hang fire or a doubtful meaning. * * * * * we now pass to another year, but adhere to our present subject, because in the bembridge sailing club first attracted notice by its energy under the diligent direction of its hon. secretary, mr. blair onslow cochrane, to whom we are indebted for the following characteristic account, which begins by claiming that-- ... the bembridge sailing club was started in under the name of the isle of wight corinthian sailing club, changed in to the present name in order to avoid confusion with the isle of wight corinthian yacht club (ryde) since defunct.... many men of moderate means, but fond of boat-racing, thought a club whose leading features were:-- st. racing in boats of uniform pattern. nd. racing in boats of small y.r.a. rating ( and under) ... would be a success, and in order to keep down expense and to suit the harbour, draught was limited to feet. the first feature, which consisted of club boats, sloop-rigged, with rolling jibs and mainsails so as to reef easily, has been very popular; races in this class, both single-handed and otherwise, taking place almost daily. the subscription to these boats being only _l._, a member is enabled to have a summer's racing and cruising for this small sum, and can, if he be a fair hand in a boat, win good prizes. the boats are as nearly as possible equal, and, lots being drawn for them before racing, the best man wins as a rule. these boats are moored just under the club-house, and amusing incidents frequently occur. a well-known man from the emerald isle, who is a keen and successful yacht-sailer, was the cause of a hearty laugh. getting into a club boat, he set the mainsail, and, after letting go the moorings, he jumped aft to the helm, but unfortunately for him the hook of the mooring chain caught in the bobstay and held the boat fast. advice was freely showered upon him from the club-house. 'haul your port jib sheet aft.' 'push the boom over.' 'roll up the jib.' 'steady your helm.' 'get your hair cut,' &c., &c., amid roars of laughter; but it was a good ten minutes before he found out what was wrong, the boat sheering wildly all the time! races are also held in which each helmsman has to set sail, pick up moorings, &c. &c. the classes under y.r.a., -raters and / -raters, also afford great sport, but resulted in the development of a very expensive type of boat, the natural consequence of the ascendency of the 'almighty dollar'; but these boats are exceedingly capable and safe. in the racing was only stopped one day on account of weather, and that summer was peculiarly stormy. these small yachts afford an admirable school ... which will do more for the real sport of yacht-racing than anything else. a man who can sail a - or a / -rater will never be out of place in a larger ship, or become a mere passenger, for he won't race a small boat unless he loves the sport. at bembridge the club has a slipway and cradle, and members can haul up their boats at any time, either for repairs or drying, at no cost. this is a great boon to a small boat-owner. there are generally about forty races each season, of from to knot course. the starting is by semaphore, and recalls are effected by blowing a fog-horn to attract attention and then exposing the boat's racing flag painted on zinc ... thus doing away with cards and enabling post entries. the harbour, capable of much improvement, is in the hands of a ... company.... there are two good boat-builders, a good sail-maker, and a ship-chandler. tides run very slack, and the railway station, telegraph office, steamboat pier, and first-class hotel are all within fifty yards. classes for - / -raters and deep draught -raters have now ( ) been started, and will race outside.... further details concerning this excellent and flourishing club will be found in table on p. . class racing, may be described in the words fives and two-point fives. 'dis' and 'decima' were sold and went away, the -r. class collapsed, and the ones and halves were only talked about, not built. the -rating class was thoroughly started this year, and a boat which devoured the cakes for two seasons was launched in the - / -rating class. _racing records, ._ +-------------------------------------------------------------------+ | | | prizes | figure | | | starts |-------+-------+-------| of | | | | first | other | total | merit | |-------------------------+--------+-------+-------+-------+--------| | _ -rating class_ | | | | | | | | | | | | | |glycera | | | | | | |alwida | | | | | | |archee | | | | | | |valentine | | | | | | |quinque | | | | | | |fair geraldine | | | | | | | | | | | | | |_ - / -rating class_ | | | | | | | | | | | | | |the babe | | | | | | |humming bird | | | | | | |dolphin | | | | | | |cock-a-whoop | | | | | | |thalassa | | | | | | |mliss | | | | | | |troublesome | | | | | | +-------------------------------------------------------------------+ lord dunraven became commodore of the castle club in the spring. he was already an avowed champion for and a generous supporter of small yacht racing, and during the winter--to be precise, on november , --he wrote an epoch-marking letter to the 'field' which produced good fruit. in it he said:-- may i add a word about the small classes on the solent? your remarks in your issue of the th inst. were, i think, rather unfair upon the 's. roughly speaking, i suppose the cost of a is about three-fifths more than the cost of a ; a costs nearly two-thirds more than a , and a would come to about double the expense of a - / . the proportional initial expense diminishes according to size; but the converse is the case in respect of working expenses. the crew of a - / can sail a , but double the crew of a will be found in a , and a will require another couple of hands and a pilot in addition to the crew of a . the 's and 's appear to be the cheapest classes. nothing can be more delightful than a - / . it is the perfection of racing of its kind; but the absence of any accommodation below is a serious drawback under certain circumstances, especially to persons living at a distance. in a you can change clothes, boil a kettle, and, on a pinch, sleep. _the -raters, ._ lord dunraven's boat 'alwida' and mr. p. perceval's boat 'glycera' were designed by payne and built at southampton; col. bucknill's 'quinque' was designed by her owner and built at hamble in a very substantial manner by luke & co. [illustration: 'quinque,' -rater. (lt.-col. bucknill, r.e.).] two new boats were designed by mr. g. l. watson--the 'valentine' for mrs. schenley, and the 'archee' for mr. mcnish. the elements of all these boats will be found in the table for -raters, and detailed drawings of 'valentine' are given in the sixth edition of dixon kemp's 'yacht architecture.' 'archee,' the more capable of the two watsonites, was built at wivenhoe. she was beaten on the solent when she first tried conclusions, but her sail-plan was improved and cwt. of lead transferred from inside to out, after which she made some good matches with 'glycera' and 'alwida.' she scored four firsts for fourteen starts in the solent, and three more firsts in four ex-solent races. her speed probably astonished her designer as much as other people, and this surprise, combined with the success of the - / -rater c.b. boats on the clyde in , may account for the best watsonite in the large classes belonging to this reviled type. (see mr. watson's evidence before the y.r.a. committee, .) but we live to learn. mr. mcnish deserves some credit in this matter, as he thoroughly believed in the centreboard when others (including the designer he employed) were sceptical. at the end of the season mr. payne's boats again headed the list, as will be seen in the table of records (p. ). they were built lighter, they drew more water, and they were sailed better than the other boats in the class; / -inch mahogany planking was employed, but they leaked freely at the garboards, and their floors had to be strengthened. 'fair geraldine' only scored one third prize in thirteen starts. _the - / -raters, ._ this may be termed 'babe's' year, as a boat of that name built for mr. w. a. beauclerk from a design by mr. payne won fifteen firsts in twenty-seven starts on the solent. she was not the longest boat in the class, but had a foot more than 'hummer.' she had fairly good depth and displacement, and in some respects was like her principal rival--especially in the faultless manner in which she was sailed and prepared for every race. her owner a good helmsman and keen sportsman, her skipper first-rate in every way, she came out of the builder's yard as smooth as a bottle, and after two years' racing everything about her was in the same high-class racing condition. the 'dolphin,' designed by mr. clayton, proved to be fast and capable. in addition, she had the germs of a new type in her--viz. the overhanging end to evade the measurement of length, which has since developed such startling proportions. drawings of this boat are given in 'yacht architecture.' it is difficult to point to any defect in her lines or general design. 'camilla' and 'janetta,' - / feet, and 'mliss,' feet, were designed by mr. payne, 'mliss' only doing well. she belonged to miss cox, whose sister, mrs. rudston-read, had the 'troublesome' built at fay's, from a design by mr. soper--a somewhat ugly boat with a counter and flare bow. she was fast in light weather, and won the challenge plate given by mr. george schenley to the castle yacht club. [illustration: 'the babe,' - / -rater. designed by a. e. payne, .] 'cock-a-whoop,' built in for captain hughes's two sons, from a design by mr. payne, was raced, as already stated, in the -rater class at first, but in she was rearranged to fit the . class, in which she raced. [illustration: 'savourna' _ -rater. (h. l. mulholland, esq.) designed by a. e. payne, _.] two of the narrow boats, 'cosette' and 'thief,' did not fit out for the solent racing, and the third, 'queen mab,' did not succeed in winning a single first prize in six starts. the same remark applies to 'camilla' with nineteen starts, to 'janetta' with ten starts, and to 'g.g.' with five starts. four boats, two being new boats by payne, and one a 'last year's boat' by watson, failed to score a single point for their figure of merit! these boats are consequently omitted in the table of records, but full particulars of the racing can be found in a table published october , in 'land and water.' we now pass to , which will be remembered as the / -raters' year. class racing, the -raters 'dis' and 'decima' raced in a few matches on the solent; but it was tame work, the old story being constantly retold. in the end, however, 'decima' was found to be over her rating and had to disgorge her prizes. hence the final results are only misleading, and are not entered in the record table on p. . _the -raters, ._ 'valentine' was replaced by the 'windfall,' and 'glycera,' by the 'savourna,' the two new boats being designed by mr. payne and built by the new firm of summers & payne, which like a phoenix had risen from the ashes of a disastrous fire at the belvidere yards of a. r. payne & sons and black & co. (late hatcher & co.). mr. summers, having command of capital, bought up both these firms, took mr. arthur payne into partnership, erected labour-saving machinery, rebuilt the premises in a very substantial manner, and brought a good business capacity to bear upon the whole concern. in the two new -raters the fin-keel, the lug, and the general arrangements on the 'babe' and 'hummer' were carried into the larger class with complete success. mr. langrishe joined the class with a new boat, the 'iernia,' built at gosport and designed by the son of fife. she differed from mr. payne's boats in possessing considerable overhang, in a flare bow, and a long counter. her hull was somewhat similar to 'valentine,' and she was rigged as a lug sloop like 'savourna.' 'windfall,' however, sported the divided skirt in front of the mast. _racing records, ._ +-------------------------------------------------------------------+ | | | prizes | figure | | | starts |-------+-------+-------| of | | | | first | other | total | merit | |-------------------------+--------+-------+-------+-------+--------| | _ -rating class_ | | | | | | | | | | | | | |windfall | | | | | | |savourna | | | | | | |alwida | | | | | | |iernia | | | | | | | | | | | | | |_ - / -rating class_ | | | | | | | | | | | | | |the babe | | | | | | |avadavat | | | | | | |fiera | | | | | | |janetta | | | | | | | | | | | | | | _ / -rating class_ | | | | | | | | | | | | | |spruce | | | | | | |tiny | | | | | | |narua | | | | | | |bairn | | | | | | |dee dee | | | | | | |jeanie | | | | | | +-------------------------------------------------------------------+ 'katherine,' a new , built, designed, and sailed by mr. black (who had retired from business), was a capable boat of l.w.l., with a straight stem and a pretty counter; but she failed to score. 'quinque' had been altered during the winter, but was not improved. 'alwida' was not changed until in august the lug was adopted, when the same was done for 'quinque.' their sailing was improved, but not enough to win. [illustration: the 'babe' _ - / -rater. designed by a. e. payne, ._] the racing proved the superiority of mr. payne's designs, which now and for the third year headed this class. see table of records, which shows that 'windfall' and 'savourna' competed in no less than forty class matches. this was due to the senior yacht clubs like the squadron, royal london, royal victoria, and royal albert giving extra match days for the solent classes. coincident with this fashion of giving numerous races there arose in some quarters a desire to do it economically, one club being specially noticeable. for instance, at its annual regatta, , the second prize was not awarded to lord dunraven, as only three boats started, although the prize was given to the club by another owner and several rather heavy entrance fees had been collected. in fact, the club cleared _l._ _s._ by the race. this, and other cases of the kind, may cheer those who tremble at the cost of giving races, and may even point a way whereby less wealthy clubs may 'turn an honest penny.' _the - / -raters, ._ 'humming bird,' 'mliss,' 'dolphin,' and 'camilla' did not race, 'hummer' eventually going to ireland and 'camilla' to the east coast, 'mliss' and 'dolphin' to plymouth. the new boat 'fiera' was designed for miss cox by mr. payne, who also turned out the 'avadavat,' feet l.w.l., for mr. wilson hoare. mr. e. n. harvey had the 'undine' built at cowes from a design by mr. clayton, and sir g. pearce the 'squirrel,' designed by stone. 'janetta' was raced again. not one of them could touch the 'babe,' which seemed to go faster than ever now that her principal antagonist, the 'hummer,' was out of the way. the record for the season will be found in the table, and 'babe's' figure of merit-- --obtained by thirty-six first prizes in forty-five starts, was a wonderful performance. _the / -raters, ._ just as the - / -raters had been the outcome of an agreement among some members of the castle club to build and start the class in , so the / -rating class in was produced by a similar agreement among certain enthusiastic boat-sailers of the bembridge sailing club. mr. payne was consulted, and quite a fleet of these little ships was built in the belvidere yards during the winter of - --viz. 'narua,' 'eileen,' 'otokesan,' 'dee dee,' 'idono,' 'ladybird,' 'kittiwake.' these were all capital little boats--miniature yachts, in fact--with rather heavy lead keels of the fin type, and with good displacement--some or cwt.--about three-quarters of it being ballast. two more of similar type--viz. 'tiny' and 'dancing girl'--were built at hamble from designs by mr. herbert ridsdale, and the 'coquette' was built at gosport from a design by mr. c. nicholson. a boat designed by fife, the 'jeanie,' had a counter . feet long. their l.w.l. usually varied from - / to feet. the 'mosquito,' designed by mr. soper, was built of cedar; the others were planked with mahogany, and all were good specimens of the modern art of boat-building. most of the sail-plans consisted of a large lug and a spitfire jib secured to a roller which could be revolved on the forestay as an axle by means of cords led aft to the well of the boat. thus the sail could be reefed by rolling it up like a blind. this was the invention of captain du bowlay. it is very convenient, especially for single-handed sailing. by a further contrivance, the roller can be carried on the end of an iron or steel arm pivoted in a goose-neck secured to the front of the mast and worked by guys from the well; in which event the forestay is rigged in front of the roller. thus the jib can be reefed or unreefed, or set at an angle, and converted into a spinnaker in a few seconds. (see illustration on opposite page). these little craft are wonderful sea-boats, and created quite a furore of enthusiastic excitement throughout the season, several ladies taking an active interest in the sport, and some of them steering their own boats in the roughest weather. but they were not destined to have all the fun to themselves. in the middle of the season a spruce young gentleman arrived from the metropolitan waters with a contrivance termed a 'canoe yawl'--a shallow, light, buoyant thing having little or no ballast except the crew, who sat in a canvas-bag arrangement to be emptied as occasion required on rough days. the craft was as easily upset as righted; but the crew combined the acrobat with the water-rat, and showed great skill in keeping the little ship right side up. [illustration: 'mosquito,' with roll foresail. designed by soper, .] the 'torpedo,' another device of the kind, and owned by mr. stewart, came from oxford. the owners of the solent half-raters were not too well pleased to see some of the prizes going into the lockers of these canoe yawls, and a fine string of letters appeared in the 'field'; but the excitement moderated when it was found that the raters usually scored honours. one other type was tried--the c.b. dinghy. 'bairn,' however, was the only example in this class. many of the clubs limited the crew of half-raters to two hands. this did not suit the 'bairn' type, which requires three or four hands to windward as 'ballast' in the usual solent weather. it is impossible to give a summary of the racing in this class, because it is very imperfectly reported in the sporting press, and the club secretaries do not invariably retain correct records even of the starters and winners. 'kittiwake' was generally considered the best boat of the year; but several others ran her close. the only boats recorded in the 'yacht-racing calendar' are 'tiny,' 'narua,' 'bairn,' and 'jeanie,' and for these the figures are given in our table of records. 'spruce's' record includes her solent races only. she won numerous prizes in other waters. class racing, began, so to speak, with a conference of club delegates under the hospitable roof of the royal southampton yacht club, on the last saturday in february. an amicable meeting agreed to encourage as many open races as possible by withdrawing the restriction that owners and helmsmen should be members of the clubs.[ ] it was also decided that the classes 'not exceeding / -rating,' and 'exceeding / -rating but not exceeding -rating,' should be added to 'the solent classes,' and be supported by the yacht and sailing clubs on the solent. dates for match days were agreed to, and the meeting separated. [footnote : the royal portsmouth corinthian yacht club, however, still continues to give races only to those owners who are members of the club; and the royal southampton adheres to the condition that the yachts in the small classes shall be steered by members of the club.] the result was satisfactory, as better sport in the small classes was seen on the solent in than in any previous year. _racing records, ._ +-------------------------------------------------------+ | | | prizes | | | |starts|-----------------|figure of| | | |first|other|total| merit | |--------------------+------+-----+-----+-----+---------| |_ -rating class_ | | | | | | | | | | | | | | dacia | | | | | | | cyane | | | | | | | windfall | | | | | | | | | | | | | |_ - / -rating class_| | | | | | | | | | | | | | gareth | | | | | | | faugh-a-ballagh | | | | | | | polynia | | | | | | | papoose | | | | | | | hoopoo | | | | | | | cockatoo | | | | | | | molly | | | | | | | stork | | | | | | | bud | | | | | | | | | | | | | |_ -rating class_ | | | | | | | | | | | | | | doushka | | | | | | | nansheen | | | | | | | pup | | | | | | | rogue | | | | | | | mahatma | ? | | | | ? | | barbet | ? | | | | ? | | | | | | | | |_ / -rating class_ | | | | | | | | | | | | | | no complete records| | | | | | +-------------------------------------------------------+ _the -raters, ._ an attempt to revive the -r. class was made by mr. j. gretton, jun., who built the 'doreen' from a design by mr. w. fife, jun. she forms a startling exponent of the modern racer. her mainsail, a lug, contains , square feet of canvas by y.r.a. measurement, her total s.a. being , , her l.w.l. feet, and her l.o.a. . feet (see table for -raters). a fine, seaworthy craft, fast in a breeze, but not so good in light winds owing to the absence of a sky-scraper. she has the divided skirt forward, but the forestay is taken through the deck some distance inside the stem-head, this having an o.h. of . feet. this arrangement was used for a similar reason on the cutter yacht 'margaret,' tons, illustrated in the 'field,' . [illustration: 'doreen,' (j. gretton, jun., esq.). designed by fife, .] the present owner of 'dis,' mr. sparks, came forward very pluckily to battle for some of the class prizes on the solent and the south coast, and scored on a few occasions in light weather; in a heeling breeze, however, 'doreen' romped away from him. [illustration: 'dacia' _ -rater (earl of dudley). designed by c. nicholson, jun., ._] although the 's form one of the 'solent classes,' they do not flourish. if men built to the class they would get plenty of racing, as in , but lord dunraven's letter, already quoted on p. , gives ample reasons for the - and the -raters being preferred. _the -raters, ._ this may be termed 'dacia's' year, when a young and comparatively unknown designer succeeded in lowering the colours of mr. payne where others had so signally failed. [illustration: lord dunraven's 'cyane,' .] 'dacia' was built at gosport for mr. r. h. langrishe from a design by mr. c. nicholson (jun.). for her dimensions, &c., see table for -raters (p. ). she carries her sail well, but is probably built too light. in the middle of the racing season she had to lay up for a time and have a new stem fitted, presumably because the bow was straining. she carries a _deep_ fin-keel, which draws about . feet. it is coppered. her o.h. both fore and aft is extreme, and her sailing length is thereby considerably increased when sailing even at moderate speeds. but her success must also be due to a well-considered design as a whole, because her strongest point is clawing to windward, which she does in a marvellous way, blow high blow low, and her great length cannot assist her much on this point of sailing. she cost no more than other boats of the same rating, but when the earl of dudley took a fancy to her, mr. langrishe sold her early in the season for 'four figures,' it is said; and she was worth it, for it is better to have one successful than two unsuccessful racers. early in september she raced a rubber of matches against the clyde crack 'natica,' tor bay being selected as the 'neutral water.' the stakes were heavy, and she won two out of the three races, being steered to victory by her designer.[ ] during the season lord dudley generally steered her himself, but her designer steered at tor bay. [footnote : she subsequently lost the match on a protest, which was referred for settlement to the council y.r.a.] [illustration: 'windfall,' -rater. designed by a. e. payne, .] the 'cyane,' about the same l.w.l. as the 'dacia,' was built from a design by mr. payne for the earl of dunraven, who, as commodore of the castle club, and one of the first supporters of -raters, takes a great interest in the class. 'cyane' started well before 'dacia' and 'windfall' were launched, but afterwards only succeeded in beating 'dacia' once. she was laid up in the middle of the season. 'squall,' a sister , built for mr. a. f. s. crawford, was not so fast, and failed to win pride of place in any race on the solent. 'windfall,' with her new owner, mr. gubbins, at the helm, did better against 'dacia' than any other yacht on the solent, but she left for the emerald isle early in the season. 'savourna' was also raced by her owner, the hon. h. l. mulholland, m.p., before going to ireland, but she did not succeed so well as when mr. perceval had her, or it may be that 'windfall' went better than in . 'quinque' had been lengthened during the winter, and was greatly improved thereby, but she failed to score until in july her keel was lowered, after which she beat 'dacia' twice in light weather, and won twelve prizes before the end of the season. the full history of 'quinque' during her four years' racing is most instructive to the student on account of her numerous alterations, each of which afforded more trustworthy information on some special point than it is possible to obtain from the examination of new boats, however successful they may be; but the story is too long for these pages.[ ] [footnote : for further information and drawings of 'quinque,' see the _yachtsman_ of july and october , .] the records of the solent racing are entered in the table, wherein it will be found that 'dacia' made the excellent figure of merit , in spite of first two prizes lost by minor infractions of the rules, before lord dudley raced her. _the - / -raters, ._ this year was full of surprises in the - / -rating class, as indeed in all the small classes. these were mainly due to two gentlemen, mr. nat herreshoff of rhode island, u.s., and mr. c. nicholson (jun.) of gosport, g.b. the success of their boats was largely owing to their long overhangs, producing a sailing length greatly in excess of the length measured for their rating. [illustration: 'faugh-a-ballagh,' - / -rater, .] mr. herreshoff also took full advantage of the power given by the bulb-keel to give great stability to a boat of very small displacement. he was therefore content to apply long overhangs to boats of moderate l.w.l. as compared with the english boats in the same class. mr. nicholson, however, placed his long overhangs on boats of long l.w.l., and used fin-keels. complete success crowned both these types. unfortunately the 'gareth' never met 'wenonah,' and the crack - / of the year is therefore still a matter of doubt. 'wenonah's' elements, so far as known, are added to this list of boats, in order to facilitate comparison. she never raced on the solent. she is sloop-rigged, with a very short gaff, and a fore-triangle, about the same as 'faugh-a-ballagh.' [illustration: old fashion.] [illustration: 'quinque.'] [illustration: 'cyane.'] [illustration: 'dacia.'] 'gareth' is feet longer on the l.w.l., but . foot shorter than 'wenonah' in l.o.a. she is, therefore, a fairer boat than 'wenonah,' a greater percentage of her length being taxed for rating. it is an insult to the intelligence of a designer to suppose that any portion of the hull is useless. consequently we must assume that all the . feet of l.o.a. in 'wenonah' is useful, and, as the sailing length was that which the y.r.a. intended to tax for rating in , the 'wenonah' cannot be regarded as a 'short boat.' [illustration: old fashion.] [illustration: 'lady nan.'] [illustration: 'dolphin.'] [illustration: 'molly.'] [illustration: 'dacia.'] the ability of a designer is legitimately employed in evading a measurement rule as far as possible, as did mr. edward hammond bentall in designing 'jullanar' in , but the experience that is found at the council table of the y.r.a. should checkmate such evasions of the spirit in which their rules are framed. 'gareth' is not so excessive in type as 'molly' and 'stork' by the same designer, which came out earlier in the season and won a good many prizes before mr. payne's boats of the 'cockatoo' type were launched. when this occurred, 'molly's' keel was recast and lowered, after which she was less successful in any weather. mr. payne built a number of - / -raters for this year's racing; three of them--the 'papoose,' 'polynia,' and 'cockatoo'--have a canoe-shaped m.s., and fin-keels which taper upwards--not quite bulb-keels, but nearly so. the lead was also shaped like half a dumb-bell in longitudinal elevation. they were beamy boats of small displacement and great stability, and beat the rest of the fleet easily in a heeling breeze until 'gareth' appeared. in light weather they were generally beaten by 'hoopoo,' 'mynah,' 'faugh-a-ballagh,' 'molly,' and 'stork.' 'faugh-a-ballagh' perhaps possessed the highest _average_ speed of any boat in the class, and seemed to go very much like the 'babe,' which is high praise. at the end of the season her string of flags was the longest, but this is often rather deceptive--especially when better boats are launched late, and when contests are occasionally selected for winning flags rather than the highest class honours. 'hoopoo' was well raced; but the owner picked his weather, occasionally refusing to start in a strong wind when he thought he 'hadn't a chance.' no doubt this is correct if the 'yachtsman's' medal be the object sought for; but few men possess the strength of mind to stand out with their boat at the starting line, crew eager for the fray, and everything all-a-taut-oh. [illustration: design for -rater by j. m. soper, .] 'mynah,' another fast boat, was well sailed by her owner, lieutenant f. elwes, of the th light infantry, whenever he could escape from the duties of camp life, inspections, and summer manoeuvres. 'bud,' designed by mr. soper for the earl of desart, did nothing so long as she stuck to her heavy c.b. made of gun-metal. when it was discarded, and a triangular lead keel fitted, she went better and led the fleet at the finish on two occasions when the weather suited her. 'calva,' a new boat by mr. payne, also 'modwen' and 'walrus' by other designers, were failures as prize-winners on the solent. there were no less than races for - / -raters _on the solent_ in , and the records of the best boats are given in the table, 'gareth' leading with a figure of merit, . _the -raters, ._ this class had a half-hearted existence in and , when mr. t. ratsey's 'pup' (see table) won most of the races, easily defeating the yachts' cutters of about the same rating, and generally succeeding in giving the time allowance to the / -raters in the few mixed races open to her. the club conference, already described, having in added this class to the 'solent classes,' a good programme and a full entry resulted. 'pup' still competed, and went well in light weather. she is one of the 'bairn' or c.b. dinghy type, with plenty of beam and little ballast, depending upon her crew for much of her stability. a good type, and much less costly than the modern -rater, as, for example, the crack 'doushka,' built by payne for mr. perceval. this boat is probably like 'cockatoo' in type. she stands up to her canvas well, and claws to windward in a wonderful way. the harder it blows the better she goes, but she fails in light weather. 'nansheen,' another fast boat designed by the son of fife for mr. burrowes, is a good sample of the 'weighted centreboard' type. she was built in ireland by doyle, and is a fine specimen of sound work. the c.b. is supported by a wire rope on a drum, worked by worm and wheel so that it is always supported in any position without keying, and can rise if it strike the ground with force. the 'rogue' was another good boat, designed by mr. ridsdale for mr. r. vogan. at first she failed in windward work, but a bulb-keel was put upon her which quite cured the defect, and she then won plenty of prizes, her racing with 'nansheen' being close and exciting. [illustration: design for a centreboard -rater by j. m. soper, .] 'mahatma,' designed by her owner mr. flemmich, also went well. she now belongs to the ladies fanny and blanche stanhope. the 'argula,' built at gosport from a design by mr. c. nicholson, was a fast boat, but proved to be over rating. she was similar to the - / -rater 'molly' in general arrangement and appearance. 'barbet' was a good boat designed by mr. payne for mr. wilson hoare. all these boats have the fashionable rig, ratsey's lug, and a small--very small--foresail. dr. hughes, of east cowes, however, re-introduced the split lug in his -rater 'cariad,' and she went well when this severe handicap is allowed for. the 'kitten,' built by mr. sibbick for the hon. w. ruthven, won a few second prizes; but 'oretta' and 'minuet,' built at cowes for mr. lancaster owen and his son, were not so successful, and the other boats which occasionally started--viz. 'query,' 'anaconda,' 'dorothy,' and 'tramp'--failed to score. nearly twenty -raters competed during the season--pretty good for the first year of a class, and indicative that the class is popular. a -rater is, or ought to be, a good wholesome boat, costing but little more than a / -rater, either to build or maintain. most of the clubs limit the crew to three hands--an excellent rule--to prevent the introduction of a racing canoe with the malays' system of ballasting.[ ] [footnote : this (and other limits of crew for the classes of -rating and under) has since been embodied in the y.r.a. rules.] the racing in the -rater class is not fully reported in the sporting press, and the records given in our table have been obtained from the owners. _the / -raters, ._ this class suffered from the attention bestowed on the -raters. 'kittiwake' had been sold to h.r.h. prince henry of prussia, and 'eileen,' 'jeanie,' 'bairn,' 'narua,' 'spruce,' and 'torpedo' dropped out of the racing from one cause or another. 'coquette,' 'dancing girl,' 'tiny,' 'dee dee,' 'mosquito,' and 'ladybird' continued, however, to race on the solent, thus forming an 'exhibition of old masters' and young mistresses, only one having changed hands during the winter, and miss sutton replaced her with the 'pique,' a new boat by mr. payne. the late mr. sidney watson also purchased a new boat from mr. payne, and called her the 'lilliput.' she was the last boat he ever sailed in. he much enjoyed racing her, and not infrequently led the little fleet. his sudden death in the prime of life was a great shock to all his numerous friends on the solent. english men and women are born lovers of sport, and attached to the tools they employ: the huntsman to his horse and hounds, the shooter to his dogs and guns, the turfman to his thoroughbred, and the sailing man to his yacht. a real devotion may exist for inanimate pieces of wood and metal. especially is there poetry, and plenty of it, in a boat--that dancing, playful, wilful thing that only obeys the skilful hand. ask any old crab-catcher. yet racing seems to blunt the feeling. many owners part with their boats and crews at the end of every season, and allow themselves no time really to care for any one of them. rather late in the season a new boat appeared designed by mr. herreshoff. she belonged to miss w. sutton, and was named very appropriately 'wee winn.' she and her owner certainly did win, in even a more decisive manner than 'wenonah' on the clyde. there was no mistake about it. the boat showed a clean pair of heels to the rest of the class in every sort of weather. she is a long boat, the true length being concealed in an excessive overhang-- . l.w.l., . l.o.a., m.s. like a canoe, small displacement, bulb-keel cwt., draught under ft. an approximate representation of her lines is given on p. , and the illustration on opposite page gives an idea of her appearance when racing. towards the end of the season mr. soper of fay's designed and built a fast boat, 'the daisy,' of somewhat similar type; about the same l.o.a., but longer l.w.l., and having more beam, depth, draught, and a heavier bulb-keel than 'wee winn.' they only met twice, and 'daisy' was beaten; but she got away from the rest easily enough, and these two boats are certainly the fastest / -raters on the solent at the present time.[ ] [footnote : the 'daisy' was exhibited at the royal aquarium in , and sold to some gentleman in the antipodes; so that her keel, instead of her stern, is now pointing at the solent / -raters.] [illustration: miss sutton's 'wee winn,' / rater. designed by herreshoft, .] class racing, the racing on the solent (apart from the large classes) during the season of will be principally remembered by the advent of the -rater class. it was not adopted at the conference of clubs held at the club house of the r.p.c.y.c, in february as one of the solent classes, which remained at / -raters, -raters, - / -raters, -raters, and -raters; but the -rater class being practically defunct on the solent during this year, the clubs were enabled to offer a capital programme to the -raters, for which class the earl of dunraven built the 'deirdre' (l. . , s. , ) from a design by mr. g. l. watson, the earl of dudley built the 'vigorna' (l. . , s. , ) at gosport from a design by mr. c. nicholson (jun.), and mr. f. c. hill built the 'dragon iii.' (l. . , s. , ) from a design by mr. fife (jun.); mr. e. jessop also purchased mr. hill's 'dragon ii.' (l. . , s. , ), and raced her on the solent for the first half of the season under the new name of 'molly.' the 'maladetta' (l. , s. , ), designed by her owner, mr. j. e. mcgildowny, also competed in a few races in august, but without much success. the most extreme boat, lord dudley's, proved a complete failure as a racing machine. in type she was similar to the 'pilgrim,' built in america for the cup competition. 'deirdre' was also a highly developed machine, but she was beaten by 'dragon iii.,' the more moderate design. however, both she and 'dragon iii.' generally found no difficulty in defeating 'molly,' and on several occasions during the season 'deirdre' was able to win the principal prize, as will be seen in the table on p. . [illustration: 'wee winn,' / -rater. designed by herreshoff for miss sutton, .] [illustration: 'daisy.' designed by j. m. soper, .] _the -raters, ._ 'red lancer's' record of first prizes in starts is exceedingly good. the start for the squadron race on aug. is not counted against her, as the first prize should have been awarded to her. she always won easily in light weather, and it required half a gale for 'dacia' to get in front of her. before 'red lancer's' arrival, at the end of july, 'dacia' scored by far the best of the solent trio, the other two boats ('quinque' and 'fleur-de-lis') being a good match _inter se_. 'valentine' was sailed capitally, and made a good fight for a place in light weather; but she never won first honours, and was as clearly outclassed as she was in when she competed against 'alwida,' 'glycera,' 'quinque,' and 'archee.' _racing records for ._ +--------------------------------------------------------+ | | | prizes | | | |starts|-----------------|figure of| | | |first|other|total| merit | |---------------------+------+-----+-----+-----+---------| |_ -rating class_ | | | | | | | | | | | | | |dragon iii | | | | | | |deirdre | | | | | | |molly (dragon ii.) | | | | | | | | | | | | | |_ -rating class_ | | | | | | | | | | | | | |red lancer | | | | | | |dacia | | | | | | |fleur-de-lis (squall)| | | | | | |quinque | | | | | | |valentine | | | | | | | | | | | | | |_ - / -rating class_ | | | | | | | | | | | | | |meueen | | | | | . | |gareth | | | | | . | |elf | | | | | . | |manx cat (polynia) | | | | | . | |papoose | | | | | . | |kismet | | | | | . | |faugh-a-ballagh | | | | | . | |gavotte | | | | | . | | | | | | | | |_ -rating class_ | | | | | | | | | | | | | |morwena | | | | | . | |sacharissa | | | | | . | |scud | | | | | . | |tipcat | | | | | . | |tartar | | | | | . | |wolfhound | | | | | . | |whisper | | | | | . | |doushka | | | | | . | |hark holla | | | | | . | |whoo whoop | | | | | . | |kitten | | | | | . | |roulette | | | | | . | |javelin | | | | | . | |fantasy | | | | | . | | | | | | | | |_ / -rating class_ | | | | | | | | | | | | | |wee winn | | | | | . | |coquette | | | | | . | |koodoo | | | | | . | |ragamuffin | | | | | . | |pique | | | | | . | |mosquito | | | | | . | |queen bee | | | | | . | |ladybird | | | | | . | |humming-top | | | | | . | |spruce | | | | | . | |lady grizel | | | | | . | |idono | | | | | . | +--------------------------------------------------------+ _the - / -raters, ._ the racing in this class soon became principally interesting in the duel for first honours between the gosport boat 'gareth,' owned by mr. henderson, and frequently sailed by mr. collingwood hughes, and the herreshoff boat 'meueen,' owned and sailed by mr. hardie jackson, who did so well with 'faugh-a-ballagh' in . 'meueen' was fully 'up to date' except her rig, which was sloop with a gaff-mainsail. this, however, she soon discarded for the more fashionable rig in the small classes, and she always made a fine race with 'gareth,' except in the hardest weather. even in strong winds and heavy seas she did well after her lead was increased. she has great overhang, like 'wenonah' and 'wee winn'; but there is nothing excessive in beam or in shallowness of body. her elements are not at present obtainable, except l.w.l. . feet, and sail-area square feet. 'gareth' raced this year on a length for rating of . , and a sail-area of square feet, which together produced a rating of . , and she had to allow time for the excess of rating over . , in accordance with rule , y.r.a., as revised in . the 'elf,' a new boat built at gosport for mr. dudley ward from a design by mr. c. nicholson (jun.), was rather too advanced in type. she did fairly well at first, but fell off as the other boats were gradually tuned up to their maxima of efficiency. her figure of merit was . , 'gareth's' being . , and 'meueen' heading the class with . . 'kismet,' another new boat, built and designed by payne for miss cox, proved to be a disappointment, as the record table indicates. mr. gurtside tipping, r.n., purchased 'polynia' during the winter of , and raced her in ' under the new name 'manx cat.' she did very well until her keel and attached rudder were removed and replaced by a fin with bulb and a 'disconnected' rudder. this made her very hard on the helm, and she rarely scored afterwards. mr. paul ralli stuck to his good boat 'papoose,' and tried to invade the -rater class with her; but this was frustrated mainly by the clubs promptly adopting conditions to stop this form of inter-class racing. the 'faugh-a-ballagh' started in races and scored one first prize; as did 'gavotte,' which started times on the solent. 'undine' started twice, 'fiera' and 'cassowary' seven times, but no prizes came to the lockers of these three boats. it is questionable whether this class will retain its popularity. the - / -rater is decidedly an expensive boat; the first cost and maintenance being nearly as much as a -rater, and the comfort very much less. moreover, it is severely pressed by the class below of -rating, which is becoming very popular, and deservedly so. a -rater can be built complete for to guineas, whereas some of the new - / -raters cost nearly _l._; and a -rater can be built for _l._, although it is stated that some of them cost _l._ _the -raters, ._ it has been very difficult to draw up a record of the class racing in the two smaller classes, because many of the sailing clubs and some of the yacht clubs do not send full reports of their numerous matches to the press. the winners only are mentioned in some reports, but it is necessary to know the number of starts for each boat if her figure of merit is to be calculated. the figures given in the table of winners in the y. r. calendar are not trustworthy; first, because the owners often make mistakes in sending in their returns; and, secondly, because some of the results are taken from mixed races, not class races, and some from races outside the solent. the record table is compiled from the reports of the regattas given in the y. r. calendar, and in the 'yachtsman.' two of the portsmouth match days were omitted, and the winners only were mentioned on one of the royal albert days, one of the victoria days, and on the squadron day. there may, therefore, be a small decimal error in the figure of merit of a few of the boats, but the order of merit may be regarded to be correct as it stands in the table. the best -rater was the yankee boat 'morwena' with the high m. of . . she is similar to the other herreshoff boats in the small classes, and has been well sailed. 'sacharissa' came next with the excellent m. of . . she was sailed faultlessly by mr. p. perceval (jun.), and was the best boat turned out by payne in . 'scud' came third with an m. of . . she is one of the wide and shallow type, answering well to her name when going over rather than through the water. 'tipcat' went well; also 'tartar' and 'wolfhound.' 'whisper' was not seen often enough to judge of her merits accurately, but the old crack 'doushka' went as well as ever when mr. perceval brought her out at the end of the season. 'fantasy,' a novelty built at hamble for mr. randal vogan from his own design, went far better than anyone expected. she has a ram bow, long counter, and fin-bulb keel, with narrow beam and sides that tumble home above the water-line. she often scored second honours. 'mahatma,' 'viva,' 'cariad,' 'rogue,' 'vlekendor,' 'leading article' did not race often on the solent, and did not score any first prizes. 'roulette,' 'dona,' and 'rogue' did most of their racing on the thames, which has been tabulated by mr. winser, and published in the 'field' of november , . _the / -raters, ._ the smallest class suffered from the extreme popularity of the -rater class, and it often occurred that only two or three / -raters started in a race. 'wee winn' again proved herself to be the champion boat in the class, but she only competed about a dozen times. she made the fine m. of . . 'coquette,' which was raced hard all the season, also did remarkably well, and made a fine figure of merit, . . 'koodoo' and 'ragamuffin,' which came out late, also did well. 'sagamore,' 'nautilus,' 'tiny,' 'vega,' 'khistie,' 'coral,' and 'haha' raced occasionally, but failed to score first honours. * * * * * when this chapter was begun the writer feared that designers would refuse to give any information about successful boats, but the tables have been filled in by many of them in a most liberal manner; and the author begs to tender them his thanks, and he hopes those of his readers, for so doing. the elements thus recorded are hull-dimensions, but the sail-dimensions are often equally interesting and instructive. these are given on the certificates and are public property; but they become more valuable for comparison when collected in a tabular form. the table has therefore been made. at present the lugsail, invented by mr. tom ratsey of cowes, reigns supreme in the small classes, 'doreen' leading the list with a mainsail about , sq. ft. in area. nevertheless, we find 'wee winn' beating the other / -raters with a cutter mainsail; but all our experience points to the belief that she would go still better with a lug. the table deserves careful study, and it will be seen that the proportion of head-sail to total s.a. has steadily decreased, until in some boats it has almost reached the vanishing point, and 'coquette' came out with all her sail in the lug. this tendency is bad, and will be still further encouraged if the actual area of head-sail be measured as proposed by the council of the y.r.a.[ ] [footnote : the resolution to measure the actual area of head-sails in yachts of -rating and under, as proposed by the council, was lost at the general meeting of the association held december , .] * * * * * here ends the summary of the solent racing under the y.r.a. rule of rating. the type of boat which was produced up to the end of is excellent, being dry, seaworthy, fast, and easily driven with small sails; but it is easy to see that the most recent developments are not equally satisfactory. in the words of the 'field,' october , :--'it seems that all which is good has been got out of the present rating rule, and there is nothing more to be derived from it but an increase of speed, with a possible decrease of weight, internal space, and sail-spread.' this sums up the much-debated rule question in a single sentence. what the next period will bring depends greatly, perhaps entirely, upon some small mathematical sign in the form for the rule of rating. for instance, the american rules use a sign indicating addition where we use one indicating multiplication, the consequence being that the former is a more adjustable rule than ours--more easily controlled by coefficients. but it is not necessary to enter into these matters now, as they are specially treated in chapter vii. the racing man on the solent or the clyde cares more for the sport than the science involved in questions of displacement, length, and what not; and we may rest assured that whatever the council of the y.r.a. do, or leave undone, the sport will proceed in the same enthusiastic manner. there cannot be the smallest doubt that an immense advantage to yachting would be gained if england, france, and america raced under the same rule of rating and a similar classification; and if an international conference were invited to meet in london the thing would be done without much difficulty. the table of clubs on p. shows that , _l._ in cash and _l._ in cups, plate, &c. were won on the solent in , or a total of , _l._ this does not include the prizes won at the town regattas--cowes, southampton, lymington, yarmouth, totland bay, ryde, and portsmouth. good prizes are offered to the raters at several of these regattas, probably increasing the above total to nearly , _l._[ ] [footnote : these amounts were all larger in .] _table of rig, dimensions, &c._ +-------------------------+---------+-------------+------+------+-----------+------------+-----------------+------------------------------------------------+ | | | | | | sail | areas | spars | lines | | name of yacht | rig | date |rating|l.w.l.+-----+-----+------+-----+-----+-----+-----+------+------+------+------+------+------+------+ | | | | | |total| main| head | top |boom |gaff |yard | luff | a | b | c | d | i | j | +--------+----------------+---------+-------------+------+------+-----+-----+------+-----+-----+-----+-----+------+------+------+------+------+------+------+ | - |yvonne | cutter | | . | . | , | | | | . | . | -- | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | | raters|doreen | lugger |july , | . | . | , | , | | -- | . | -- | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | +--------+----------------+---------+-------------+------+------+-----+-----+------+-----+-----+-----+-----+------+------+------+------+------+------+------+ | |alwida | cutter | may , | . | . | , | | | -- | . | . | -- | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | | |glycera | cutter | may , | . | . | | | | -- | . | . | -- | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | | |archee | cutter |aug. , | . | . | | | | -- | . | . | -- | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | | |quinque | cutter | may , | . | . | | | | -- | . | . | -- | ? | . | . | . | . | . | . | | - |windfall |lug. cut.| may , | . | . | | | | -- | . | -- | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | | raters|savourna |lug. slp.|june , | . | . | | | | -- | . | -- | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | | |iernia |lug. slp.|june , | . | . | | | | -- | . | -- | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | | |cyane |lug. slp.|june , | . | . | | | | -- | . | -- | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | | |quinque |lug. slp.|july , | . | . | | | | -- | . | -- | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | | |dacia |lug. slp.|june , | . | . | | | | -- | . | -- | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | +--------+----------------+---------+-------------+------+------+-----+-----+------+-----+-----+-----+-----+------+------+------+------+------+------+------+ | |thalassa | sloop | | . | . | | | | | . | . | -- | ? | . | ? | . | . | . | . | | |thalassa | sloop | may , | . | . | | | | -- | . | . | -- | ? | . | . | . | . | . | . | | |humming bird |lug. slp.|july , | . | . | | | | -- | . | -- | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | | |mliss | sloop | may , | . | . | | | | -- | . | . | -- | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | | |cock-a-whoop |lug. slp.|june , | . | . | | | | -- | . | -- | . | ? | . | . | . | . | . | . | | |babe |lug. slp.| and | . | . | | | | -- | . | -- | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | | | | {june , | . | . | } { } | | | | | | | | | { . | | |fiera |lug. slp.{ | | | } { } -- | . | -- | . | . | . | . | . | . | . { | | | | {june , | . | . | } { } | | | | | | | | | { . | | - / - |avadavat |lug. slp.|june , | . | . | | | | -- | . | -- | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | | raters |janetta |lug. slp.|aug. , | . | . | | | | -- | . | -- | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | | |molly |lug. slp.| | . | . | | | | -- | . | -- | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | | |stork |lug. slp.| | . | . | | | | -- | . | -- | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | | |faugh-a-ballagh |lug. slp.| may , | . | . | | | | -- | . | -- | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | | |cockatoo |lug. slp.|june , | . | . | | | | -- | . | -- | . | . | . | . | . | ? | . | . | | |papoose |lug. slp.|june , | . | . | | | | -- | . | -- | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | | |polynia |lug. slp.|july | . | . | | | | -- | . | -- | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | | |gareth |lug. slp.|july , | . | . | | | | -- | . | -- | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | | |wenonah | sloop | aug. , | . | . | | | | -- | . | . | -- | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | . | . | +--------+----------------+---------+-------------+------+------+-----+-----+------+-----+-----+-----+-----+------+------+------+------+------+------+------+ | | | { | . | . | | } | | | | | | | | | | | | | |pup |lug. slp.{ | | | | } | -- | . | -- | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | | | | {july | . | . | | } | | | | | | | | | | | | | |rogue |lug. slp.|aug. , | . | . | | | | -- | . | -- | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | | - |barbet |lug. slp.|aug. , | . | . | | | | -- | . | -- | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | | raters|doushka |lug. slp.|june , | . | . | | | | -- | ? | -- | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | | |nansheen |lug. slp.| may , | . | . | | | | -- | . | -- | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | | |mahatma |lug. slp.|apr. , | . | . | | | | -- | . | -- | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | +--------+----------------+---------+-------------+------+------+-----+-----+------+-----+-----+-----+-----+------+------+------+------+------+------+------+ | |coquette |lug. slp.| may , | . | . | | | -- | -- | . | -- | . | . | . | . | . | . | -- | -- | | |dee dee |lug. slp.|july , | . | . | | | | -- | . | -- | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | | |jeanie |lug. slp.|june , | . | . | | | | -- | ? | -- | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | | |spruce | yawl |aug. , | . | . | | | -- | -- | ? | . | -- | . | . | . | . | . | -- | -- | | / - |eileen |lug. slp.| may , | . | . | | |(mizz.| . )| . | . | | . | . | . | . | . |mizzen| -- | | raters|narua |lug. slp.| may , | . | . | | | | -- | . | -- | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | | | | { | | | | } | -- | . | -- | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | | |dancing girl |lug. slp.{ | . | . | | } | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | {july , | | | | } | -- | . | -- | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | | |daisy |lug. slp.| aug. | . | . | | | | -- | . | -- | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | ? | | |wee winn | sloop |july , | . | . | | | | -- | . | . | -- | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | +--------+----------------+---------+-------------+------+------+-----+-----+------+-----+-----+-----+-----+------+------+------+------+------+------+------+ some of these town regattas are managed in a most remarkable manner, the fireworks at night being perhaps the most important matter for consideration in the eyes of the committee. a year or two back, the raters at cowes were started in a line with the committee vessel, with no outside limit! on the day of the race it was a lee shore; consequently lord dunraven, mr. perceval, and one or two others who were wider awake than the rest, started in the dim distance, well to windward, and romped down full and bye to the first mark. at lymington the -raters are started from a line at the river-mouth from a little boat, by a little man, with a little gun and a big flag, and the finish is right up the river, in a narrow place thronged with small boats, with probably a four-oared race in progress. after an accident has taken place and a few people are drowned, this may be altered. at totland bay in there was a handicap for which two very unequal boats had entered. the sailing committee could not agree about the handicap; some bright genius therefore proposed that the difference of time between the boats at the end of the first round should be multiplied by for the handicap on the three rounds, and it is said that this was actually done! and so on. these regattas are very good fun, if only because the unexpected usually occurs. the men who have made the solent racing what it is must now be mentioned:-- mr. wolff, the hon. sec. of the r.s.y.c., and the late mr. mccheane, hon. sec. of the r.p.c.y.c., have already been alluded to. colonel bucknill, hon. sec. of the castle yacht club; mr. blair onslow cochrane, hon. sec. of the bembridge sailing club; mr. barrow, hon. sec. of the island sailing club; mr. herbert ridsdale, hon. sec. of the hamble branch of the minima sailing club, have in like manner worked hard and very successfully in the cause. so also have many of the flag officers in the various clubs, and especially should be mentioned mr. frederick cox, who for years has been a persevering patron of the sport--both in the solent length classes and afterwards in the present solent classes (y.r.a. rating). mr. cox's sons and daughters have raced a number of yachts: 'lil,' 'verena,' 'madcap,' 'merrythought,' 'kitten,' 'ethel,' 'mliss,' 'troublesome,' 'fiera,' 'mosquito,' all under the protecting wing of the head centre, typified by the steamer 'zinaida.' mr. cox is commodore of the royal southampton, rear commodore (or is it rear admiral now?) of the royal london, and rear commodore of the castle yacht clubs. he is also a member of the council y.r.a. [illustration: solent owners' racing colours.] captain hughes and his family of sons and daughters have followed the sport for a long time in the same enthusiastic way, and have raced the following boats: 'lil,' 'fairy,' 'jenny wren,' 'madcap,' 'flutterby,' 'humming bird,' 'cock-a-whoop,' and 'cockatoo.' captain hughes was most active in starting the castle yacht club, and for a short time was the hon. sec. in addition to the above, the chief patrons and promoters of the sport during the past few years have been the marquis of exeter, the marquis of ailsa, the earl of dunraven, the earl of desart, the earl of dudley, the late mr. sidney watson, colonel the hon. h. g. l. crichton, captain the hon. j. m. yorke, colonel f. dugmore, captain j. r. f. fullerton, r.n., admiral the hon. victor montagu, r.n., mr. w. h. forster, mr. r. s. hankinson, mr. p. perceval, jun., mr. george schenley, the hon. g. colville, captain cecil drummond, captain du boulay, captain davenport, mr. wilson hoare, r.n., mr. granville keele, admiral hallowes, r.n., mr. paul ralli, mr. w. a. beauclerk, mr. a. d. clarke, mr. h. r. langrishe, captain c. e. haynes, r.e., lieut.-colonel moreton, mr. f. l. popham, mr. e. f. quilter, mr. w. s. nicholson, mr. j. p. ranwell, mr. l. m. ames, captain r. alexander, mr. g. f. flemmich, mr. h. l. hewitt, mr. a. manning, mr. r. vogan, and a number more, whose names would fill a page. the ladies who have taken an active part in the racing should also be mentioned, as their presence has done much to make the sport popular and fashionable. prominent among them are ladies fanny and blanche stanhope, mrs. sidney watson, mrs. schenley and her sisters the misses hughes, mrs. rudston-read and her sister miss cox, mrs. h. duff-gordon and her sister miss hammersley, mrs. arthur heygate, mrs. blair onslow cochrane, the misses sutton, and colonel bucknill's daughters. oilskins and sou'-westers are really very becoming, and if this fact were generally known, the ranks of the ladies might gain recruits, and this word leads to the next division of our subject:-- hints to the novice if a beginner wish to learn the art of small-yacht racing he cannot do better than start with a second-hand -rater, costing say from _l._ to _l._ such a boat if new would cost from _l._ to _l._ the next step is to hire a good lad (sixteen or seventeen years old) for the crew, wages from _s._ to _s._ a week, and some racing money, say _s._ for a first, and _s._ _d._ for a second or third prize. no prize, no racing money. the lad will ask for a suit of clothes, and if he seem likely to suit, the suit may be given on the distinct understanding that, should he leave the job voluntarily or on account of misbehaviour, the clothes will be kept by the owner. the clothes are part of the equipment of the yacht, and belong to the owner, who should see that they are worn on board, and not kept entirely for shore service. nothing looks worse than a ramshackle, untidy fellow on a smart little yacht. racing boats and crews should be as smart at the starting line as guns and gunners on parade. the young owner must then settle how much racing he can manage, and on what days it will be most convenient. 'thalassa's' almanac, published by king & co., high street, southampton, may be consulted with advantage, as an attempt is made therein to give the whole of the club programmes for the season, so far as they are known by the secretaries at the beginning of the year. it will be found that saturdays are practically secured by the royal southampton and the royal portsmouth clubs; mondays by the royal london and the castle clubs; wednesdays by the royal albert yacht club and the island sailing club; thursdays are chosen by the royal victoria yacht club, and fridays by the solent yacht club and the minima sailing club. examine the almanac again, note which of the clubs give 'open' races and which 'club' races; and then it will be easy to settle which clubs are most convenient, and to take the necessary steps for being entered as a candidate. the next point to settle is the best headquarters for the little ship, and this depends on so many personal considerations that advice is impossible. remember, however, that a -rater requires a sheltered anchorage, and that moorings keep mud off the decks, and save time and bother. the best anchorages for _small_ boats are: ( ) the itchen river, at or above the floating bridge; ( ) the hamble river, at or above the salterns; ( ) calshot, up the creek; ( ) portsmouth harbour, especially up haslar creek; ( ) bembridge harbour; ( ) wooton creek; ( ) cowes, above the ferry; ( ) beaulieu river, inside the coastguard station; ( ) newtown river; ( ) yarmouth, the harbour; ( ) lymington river; ( ) keyhaven. do _not_ anchor for the night, or moor so small a boat as a -rater off the pier at southampton, off hythe, at calshot (except up the creek), in cowes harbour (except up the river), off ryde, off southsea, in yarmouth roads, or in totland bay. if you do so, you will wake some stormy morning to find her more or less damaged, and possibly wrecked. the boy will have very strong opinions concerning the best place for moorings. don't listen to him. fix on the place that suits yourself and your friends best. next decide where you will go for the everlasting scrub, paint up, and frequent repairs. if on the itchen, there are fay & co., summers & payne, and field close to the floating bridge to choose from. if on the medina, either white, ratsey, or sibbick. if on the hamble, there are luke & co. if in portsmouth harbour, camper & nicholson at gosport, or reid on the portsmouth basin. if sails give out, repairs can be quickly done at reasonable charges by beaton of bugle street, southampton; but new sails for racing should be obtained from ratsey at cowes or lapthorn at gosport. the next step to take is very interesting. collect your lady friends, and ask each of them to design a racing flag; paint each design full size, and examine them simultaneously from a distance, say one cable at least, as a flag should be easily distinguished at this distance in any weather. two colours are generally sufficient. black, or some dark colour, with white or yellow; also red, with white or yellow. if three colours be used, separate the red from the dark colours by white or yellow. employ strong contrasts. remember that a simple design shows best and costs least. also that a flag with horizontal seams flies better than any other, except one with no seams at all. however small the boat, the racing flag should never be less than inches wide by - / inches high. the winning flags may be smaller, say or inches square, for a / - or a -rater. the following dimensions may be regarded as 'suitable sizes' (see rule , y.r.a.) for the racing flags in the 'solent classes':-- height width / -raters and -raters inches by inches - / -raters " " " -raters " " " -raters " " " having settled on the size and pattern of flag, proceed to mr. wolff, high street, southampton, and order two or three, and (say) a dozen of the smaller size to hoist as winning flags. make a solemn vow to win a dozen flags in the season, and if you fail the first year, stick to your colours and try again. the boat must now be prepared for the racing; all ropes and gear carefully examined, her top sides and bottom carefully rubbed down, painted, and varnished, until everything is as fit as a fiddle, and the bottom smooth as a bottle. next buy a copy of the y.r.a. rules, dixon kemp's book on 'yacht and boat sailing,' and king's 'channel pilot.' study each carefully, especially chapter viii. of kemp's book. more than half the difficulties and troubles connected with the sport are due to ignorance of the rules.[ ] in every other sport such ignorance is regarded with the contempt it deserves, but in yacht and boat racing the rules are somewhat complex and difficult--all the more reason for learning them carefully. [footnote : see chapter on the racing rules and rules of rating.] every racing owner should enter his yacht strictly in accordance with rule , y.r.a., and it saves trouble if an owner has a card with the declaration at entry, his personal address, and the yacht's racing flag printed upon it. care should be taken to post this 'entry' so that the club secretary receives it in proper time. do not rely on the hours' clause, but examine the club programme, as the entries are not unfrequently closed earlier. the day before the race give the most distinct instructions to crew as to the time and place of meeting on the morrow, and keep the appointment punctually. provide yourself with a chronograph, and it may help you to win prizes by means of good starts. get to the starting line half an hour before your start if you can, and get a card of the races if one has not already reached you through the post. read it carefully, and, should anything appear to be doubtful, have it cleared up by the race officer, or by the club secretary. if other races start before you, do not get in the way of the starting boats. note when the ten minutes preparatory flag for your own race is hoisted; you will then be the better prepared to start your chronograph at the first gun. see rule . after first gun, stand off and on _near_ the starting line. remember that you are now 'under the rules.' have rule by heart, and understand each clause of it. during the last half-minute before the second or starting gun, manoeuvre for the place you wish to secure, be there at the flash of gun, and if possible just to windward, or just ahead of your most dangerous antagonist. if you think you are over the line at gunfire, keep a sharp look out for your recall numeral (rule ), and directly it is displayed return, and cross the line; but keep clear of other competitors in doing so. after the start do not go in for a luffing match or allow yourself to be luffed by a yacht you do not fear. stick to the boat you fear most. remember rule in rounding the marks. if the weather be light, keep your weather eye open for every cat's-paw, and do not lose an inch during the whole race by careless steering. be careful when you come to the run to put spinnaker up on the best side; and, if you run by the lee, shift it over at once without parleying with the boy. after the finish, if you win, sign the declaration (rule , y.r.a.) and send it ashore as soon as possible. if you have any cause for protest against another yacht, or should any protest be lodged against your own yacht, go ashore at once and see the matter through. after the race it has been customary for the second yacht to cheer the winner--like shaking hands after a boxing match--but this old custom is now dying out. never permit your crew to bandy remarks with the hands on other yachts, either during a race or after it. if your boat wins, lower the racing flag, and hoist the club burgee with your winning flag one fathom below it. if she do not win, sail home with the racing flag still flying, this being the label of your boat's _raison d'être_. never accept a prize unless you feel that every rule and regulation has been properly followed; see that your opponents follow them too; cut those men who do not race honourably, and show them up if you can. keep a log, and enter upon it everything of interest concerning the boat and the racing. every little change of gear should be carefully noted; the position of crew when the boat goes best, and every detail which may help to point the way to any improvement, either in the boat herself or in the type which she represents. such a log enables you to draw up an accurate record at the end of the season, and is valuable in later years as a reminder of past pleasures and adventures. [illustration: royal southampton yacht club est. . "brambles course." f. s. weller.] at the end of the first or second season you may decide to have a larger boat and crew. if so, consider carefully whether you will not skip the - / rating class and start a -rater. two paid hands are required with a - / , and a can be managed with the same crew if corinthian help be obtainable. the maintenance of a - / is not much smaller than that of a , and the latter is a little ship in which you can sleep with comfort and cook a meal. a modern is tons thames measurement, and can go anywhere when properly built, like the 'windfall,' 'quinque,' and 'savourna.' as lord dunraven truly said, 'the 's and the 's are the cheapest classes'; and to these i would add the 's. the / -, - / -, and -raters are the dearest classes. many men may, like yourself, be wishing to go a class higher, and you may therefore pick up a good boat at a low price towards the end of the racing season. if not, you must build; and the great question then arises, who to go to? the most successful designers on the solent in the - / and the -rater classes are mr. arthur payne and mr. charles nicholson; but mr. g. l. watson and mr. willie fife were equally invincible on the clyde, until the appearance in of mr. herreshoff's - / 'wenonah.' mr. c. p. clayton and mr. a. richardson are also designers of great ability, while mr. g. m. soper and mr. herbert ridsdale have produced some fast boats for the orders they have received. whomsoever you select, have your boat built under his very eye. if a scotch designer, build in scotland; if a solent designer, build there. moreover, look after the boat yourself when she is building, and learn the tricks of the trade--if you can. insist upon having your boat fitted out at least a fortnight before the first race, as a new boat often requires no end of doctoring before her best trim is discovered. her new sails also require to be carefully stretched, in suitable weather; and finally she should be officially measured before she races. for these several reasons it is necessary to specify date of completion in the contract, and to have a clause whereby the builder can be heavily fined week by week for non-fulfilment--such fines being deducted from the final payment. there should also be a clause empowering the owner to complete the work in the builder's yard himself in the event of the builder, from any cause whatever, being unable to carry out the contract. an arbitration clause in the event of a disagreement is very desirable. insure the yacht against fire to the full amount of the work done as it proceeds. a -rater, complete with sails, properly 'found' in every way, should not cost more than l., including the designer's fee, and a modern - / rater should not cost more than _l._ they cost less than _l._ in - and - . the difference is due to higher pay per hour for labour, the societies now refusing to permit piecework, also to more expensive materials, higher finish, and greater length of hull. as for the crew, the owner of a may consider himself fortunate if he can secure the services of a good man as skipper for _s._ a week, clothes (about _l._ worth), _s._ racing money for a first prize, and _s._ for a second or a third prize. it is a mistake to give racing money for losing. at present it is only done by a few wealthy and thoughtless owners, who will soon ruin the sport unless the majority combine to put a stop to their extravagance. losing money is legitimate enough in the large racers, where the yachts make long passages by night and day in all weathers from regatta to regatta. by such crews the losing money is earned, but the crews of small solent racers, who sleep comfortably at home in their beds, and often have little or nothing to do between the races, should not get it. it costs from _l._ to _l._ to maintain and race a - or a - / rater for the twenty weeks of the season, from which may be deducted the value of the prizes won, less entrance fees and racing money. this sum covers a crew of two paid hands, and the owner of a must enlist two or three corinthians to help at each race. unfortunately, there is a lamentable deficiency of these mariners on the solent. details of yacht clubs and sailing clubs on the solent +------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | | | royal | royal | royal | royal | royal | | royal | | | | | | | ---- | royal | london | southern| victoria | albert | southampton | solent | portsmouth | castle | bembridge | island | minima | totals | | | yacht | yacht | yacht | yacht | yacht | yacht | yacht | corinthian | yacht | sailing | sailing | sailing | | | | squadron | club | club | club | club | club | club | yacht club | club | club | club | club | | |------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | established | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | head-quarters | cowes | cowes | sthmptn | ryde | sthsea | sthmptn | yrmth | prtsmth | calshot | bmbrdg | cowes | hamble | | | entrance fee | £ | ... | g. | g. | g. | g. | g. | g. | £ | g. | g. | / g. | | | ann. subscription | £ | { g. | { g. | g. | g. | { - / g. | g. | g. | £ | g. | g. | / g. | | | | | { g. | { g. | | | { g. | | | | | | | | | . | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | no. of members | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | prizes, cash, won | £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | £ , | | cups, value " | £ | ... | £ | £ | £ | medals | £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | £ | | races } | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | sailed } -r. &c.| | | | | | | ... | ... | ... | ... | ... | ... | | | " -r. | | | | | | | ... | | ... | ... | ... | ... | | | " -r. | ... | ... | | ... | ... | | ... | ... | | ... | ... | ... | | | " -r. | | ... | ... | | ... | | ... | ... | | ... | ... | ... | | | " -r. | | | | | | | | | | ... | ... | ... | | | " - / -r. | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | " -r. | ... | | | | | | | | | | | | | | " / -r. | ... | | | | | | | | | | | | | | yachts' cutters | ... | ... | | ... | ... | ... | ... | | | ... | ... | ... | | | handicaps sailed | | | | | | | | | | ... | ... | | | | other races " | ... | ... | ... | ... | ... | ... | ... | ... | ... | | | | | | total races " | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | race days | | | | | | | | | | | | | | +------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------+ some solent racers, prior to +--------------+------------------------+----+-----+------+-----------+------+-----+-----+------+------+-------+------+ | | | | | | | o.h. | | | | | | | | |rig | yacht | owner and designer | r. | s.a.|l.w.l.|-----+-----|l.o.a.| b. | d. |drght.|displ.|ballast| when | | | | | | | |fwrd.| aft | | | | | tons | tons | built| +----|---------+------------------------+----+-----+------+-----+-----+------+-----+-----+------+------+-------+------+ | | | -footers | | | | s. | fairy |{capt. j. w. hughes }| . | | . | ? | ? | ? | . | . | ? | ? | ? | | | | |{stockham }| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | c. | bird-o' |{mr. h. l. popham }| ? | ? | | ? | ? | ? | . | . | ? | ? | ? | | | | freedom |{feltham }| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | s. | tootsie |{m. a. e. payne }| . | ? | . | . | . | ? | . | . | . | . | . | | | | (minnow)|{payne }| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | c. | minima |{mr. st. j. arabin }| . | , | . | ? | ? | . | . | . | . | . | . | | | | |{payne }| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | c. | volador |{lt. a. h. oliver, r.n.}| ? | , | | . | | . | . | . | . | . | . | | | |{clayton }| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | c. | scylla |{mr. l. ergremont }| ? | ? | | ? | ? | ? | . | . | ? | ? | ? | | | |{luke }| | | | | | | | | | | | | +----+---------+------------------------+----+-----+------+-----+-----+------+-----+-----+------+------+-------+------+ | | | -footers | | | | c. | frolic |{mr. e. bridges webb }| . | , | | ? | ? | ? | . | ? | ? | ? | ? | | | | |{hatcher }| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | c. | lil |{mr. f. cox }| . | , | | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | | | | |{clayton }| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | c. | verena |{mr. r. h. cox }| . | , | | . | . | . | . | ? | . | . | . | | | | |{clayton }| | | | | | | | | | | | | +----+---------+------------------------+----+-----+------+-----+-----+------+-----+-----+------+------+-------+------+ | | | -footers | | | | c. | bonina |{mr. a. o. baylay }| . | , | | ? | ? | | . | . | . | . | . | | | | |{dixon kemp }| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | c. | keepsake|{mr. h. w. forster }| . | , | | . | . | . | . | ? | . | . | . | | | | |{clayton }| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | c. | eclipse |{mr. a. manning }| . | , | | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | | | | |{clayton }| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | c. | curtsey |{mr. h. w. forster }| . | , | | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | | | | |{clayton }| | | | | | | | | | | | | +----+---------+------------------------+----+-----+------+-----+-----+------+-----+-----+------+------+-------+------+ -raters, - +----+---------+------------------------+----+-----+------+-----------+------+-----+-----+------+------+-------+------+ | | | | | | | o.h. | | | | | | | | |rig | yacht | owner and designer | r. | s.a.|l.w.l.|-----+-----|l.o.a.| b. | d. |drght.|displ.|ballast| when | | | | | | | |fwrd.| aft | | | | | tons | tons | built| +----+---------+------------------------+----+-----+------+-----+-----+------+-----+-----+------+------+-------+------+ | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | c. | dolly |{mr. t. w. ratsey }| . | , | . | . | . | | . | . | . | | . | | | | varden |{ j. s. white }| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | c. | frolic |{mr. bridges webb }| . | , | . | ? | ? | ? | . | ? | ? | ? | ? | | | | |{ hatcher }| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | c. | doris |{messrs. r. & b. allan }| . | , | . | ? | | ? | . | . | ? | ? | ? | | | | |{ watson }| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | c. | jenny |{mr. r. e. froude }| . | , | . | ? | ? | ? | . | . | ? | ? | ? | | | | wren |{ owner }| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | c. | verena |{mr. r. h. cox }| . | , | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | | | | |{ clayton }| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | c. | wanderer|{mr. j. lee barber }| . | , | . | ? | ? | ? | . | . | ? | ? | ? | | | | |{ brighton }| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | c. | lollipop|{mr. arabin }| . | , | . | . | . | . | . | . | ? | . | ? | | | | |{ payne }| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | c. | dis |{mr. a. d. clarke }| . | , | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | | | | | |{ soper }| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | c. | decima |{mr. arabin }| . | , | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | ? | | | | |{ payne }| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | c. | yvonne |{mr. p. donaldson }| . | , | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | | | | |{ fife }| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | c. | drina |{prince b. strattmann }| . | , | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | | | | |{ dixon kemp }| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |{admiral the hon. }| | | | | | | | | | | | | | c. | nety |{victor montagu, r.n. }| . | , | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | ? | | | | (lil) |{ clayton | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |l.c.| doreen |{mr. j. gretton }| . | , | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | | | | | | |{ fife }| | | | | | | | | | | | | +----+---------+------------------------+----+-----+------+-----+-----+------+-----+-----+------+------+-------+------+ -raters, - +---------------+------------------------+----+-----+------+-----------+------+-----+-----+------+------+-------+------+ | | | | | | | o.h. | | | | | | | | |rig | yacht | owner and designer | r. | s.a.|l.w.l.|-----+-----|l.o.a.| b. | d. |drght.|displ.|ballast| when | | | | | | | |fwrd.| aft | | | | | tons | tons | built| +----|----------+------------------------+----+-----+------+-----+-----+------+-----+-----+------+------+-------+------+ | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | c. |chittywee |{mr. h. farmer }| . | , | . | ? | ? | ? | . | ? | ? | ? | ? | | | | |{ ash }| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | c. | fair |{mr. l. m. ames }| . | , | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | | | |geraldine |{ clayton }| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | c. |flutterby |{mr. f. hughes }| . | | . | ? | ? | ? | . | . | ? | ? | ? | | | | |{ owner }| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | c. |lollipop |{mr. perceval }| . | , | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | ? | ? | | | | |{ payne }| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | c. | alwida |{earl of dunraven }| . | , | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | ? | | | | |{ payne }| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | s. | glycera |{mr. perceval }| . | | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | ? | | | | |{ payne }| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | c. | quinque |{col. bucknill }| . | | . | . | ? | ? | . | . | . | . | . | | | | |{ owner }| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |l.s.| ditto | ditto | . | | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |l.s.| ditto | ditto | . | | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | c. | archee |{mr. j. mcnish }| . | | . | . | . | . | . | . |{ . } | . | . | | | | (c.b.) |{ watson }| | | | | | | | |{ . } | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | c. |valentine |{mrs. schenley }| . | | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | ? | | | | |{ watson }| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |l.c.| windfall |{mrs. schenley }| . | | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | ? | ? | | | | |{ payne }| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |l.s.| savourna |{mr. perceval }| . | | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | ? | ? | | | | |{ payne }| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | c. |katherine |{mr. w. a. black }| . | | . | ? | ? | ? | . | ? | . | ? | . | | | | |{ owner }| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |l.s.| iernia |{mr. h. r. langrishe }| . | | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | | | | |{ fife }| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |l.s.| cyane |{earl of dunraven }| . | | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | ? | ? | | | | |{ payne }| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |l.s.| dacia |{mr. h. r. langrishe }| . | | . | . | . | . | . | ? | . | ? | ? | | | | |{ nicholson }| | | | | | | | | | | | | +----+----------+------------------------+----+-----+------+-----+-----+------+-----+-----+------+------+-------+------+ - / -raters, - +----+-----------+---------------------------+----+-----+------+-----------+------+-----+-----+------+------+-------+------+ | | | | | | | o.h. | | | | | | | | |rig | yacht | owner and designer | r. | s.a.|l.w.l.|-----+-----|l.o.a.| b. | d. |drght.|displ.|ballast| when | | | | | | | |fwrd.| aft | | | | | tons | tons | built| +----+-----------+---------------------------+----+-----+------+-----+-----+------+-----+-----+------+------+-------+------+ | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | l. | heathen |{mr. w. a. beauclerk }| . | | . | ? | ? | ? | . | . | ? | ? | ? | | | | chinee |{ mackenzie }| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | c. | bird-o'- |{mr. h. s. popham }| | | . | | | ? | . | . | ? | ? | altd. | | | | freedom |{ feltham }| . | | | ? | ? | | | | | | | | | | |{ }| | | . | | | | . | . | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | s. | fairy |{captain j. w. hughes }| . | | . | ? | ? | ? | . | . | ? | ? | altd. | | | | |{ pickett }| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | s. | thalassa |{col. bucknill }| . | | . | ? | ? | ? | . | . | . | ? | ? | | | | |{ payne }| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | s. | madcap |{miss cox }| . | | . | ? | ? | ? | . | . | | | | | | | |{ clayton }| | | | | | | | | . | . | . | | | | |{ }| . | | . | . | . | . | . | . | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | s. | ada |{mr. a. manning }| . | | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | ? | ? | | | | |{ owner }| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | c. | chipmunk |{mr. sidney c. watson }| . | | . | | | | . | . | | . | . | | | | |{ luke }| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | s. | lady nan |{mr. w. waller }| . | | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | ? | | | | |{ payne }| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | c. | trixy |{mr. g. sibbick }| . | | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | | | | |{ ratsey }| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | s. | tottie |{mr. simpson }| . | | . | . | . | . | . | . | ? | ? | ? | | | | |{ watson }| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | l. |queen mab |{mrs. j. b. c. west }| . | | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | ? | | | | |{ watson }| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | l. | thief |{mrs. g. a. schenley }| . | | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | ? | | | | |{ watson }| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | l. | cosette, |{earl of dunraven }| . | | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | ? | | | | c.b. |{ watson }| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | l. | g.g. |{capt. g. w. garrett }| . | | . | . | . | . | . | . | { .} | . | . | | | | |{ stevens }| | | | | | | | | { .} | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | l. | humming |{capt. j. w. hughes }| . | | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | ? | ? | | | | bird |{ payne }| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | l. | cock-a- |{lt. f. & mr. a. c. hughes}| . | | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | ? | ? | | | | whoop |{ payne }| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | l. | babe |{mr. w. a. beauclerk }| . | | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | ? | ? | | | | |{ payne }| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | c. | camilla |{mr. g. keele }| . | | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | ? | ? | | | | |{ payne }| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | l. | janetta |{mr. newton robinson }| . | | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | ? | ? | | | | |{ payne }| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | l. | mliss |{mrs. r. read & miss cox} | . | | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | ? | ? | | | | |{ payne }| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | l. | dolphin |{mr. a. c. kennedy }| . | | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | ? | | | | |{ clayton }| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | l. |troublesome|{mrs. rudston read }| . | | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | | | | | |{ soper }| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | l. | avadavat |{mr. wilson hoare }| . | | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | ? | ? | | | | |{ payne }| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | l. | fiera |{miss cox }| . | | . | ? | ? | ? | . | . | . | ? | altd. | | | | |{ payne }| . | | . | . | . | . | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | l. | squirrel |{sir w. g. pearce }| . | | . | ? | ? | ? | . | ? | ? | ? | ? | | | | |{ stone }| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | l. | undine |{mr. e. n. harvey }| . | | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | | | | |{ clayton }| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | l. | calva |{mr. f. b. jameson }| . | | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | ? | ? | | | | |{ payne }| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | l. | cockatoo |{lt. f. and mr. a. c. }| . | | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | ? | ? | | | | |{ hughes }| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |{ payne }| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | l. | hoopoo |{capt. britten, r.n., & }| . | | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | ? | ? | | | | |{ the hon. g. colville }| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |{ payne }| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | l. | papoose |{mr. paul ralli }| . | | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | ? | ? | | | | |{ payne }| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | l. | polynia |{mr. w. s. armitage }| . | | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | ? | ? | | | | |{ payne }| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | l. | faugh-a- |{mr. a. hardie jackson }| . | | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | ? | ? | | | | ballagh |{ payne }| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | l. | mynah |{lieut. f. elwes }| . | | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | ? | ? | | | | |{ payne }| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | l. | molly |{mr. jessop }| . | | . | . | . | . | . | ? | . | . | . | | | | |{ nicholson }| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | l. | stork, |{capt. s. y. h. davenport }| . | | . | . | . | . | . | ? |{ . } | . | . | | | | c.b. |{ nicholson }| | | | | | | | |{ ? } | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | l. | gareth |{mr. henderson }| . | | . | . | . | . | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | | | | |{ nicholson }| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | l. | bud |{earl of desart }| . | | . | . | . | . | . | ? | . | . | . | | | | |{ soper }| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | l. | modwen |{mr. c. mac iver }| . | | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | | | | |{ livingstone }| | | | | | | | | | | | | |----+-----------+---------------------------+----+-----+------+-----+-----+------+-----+-----+------+------+-------+------+ | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | s. | wenonah |{mr. h. allan }| . | | . | ? | ? | . | . | . | . | ? | ? | | | | |{ herreshoff }| | | | | | | | | | | | | +----+-----------+---------------------------+----+-----+------+-----+-----+------+-----+-----+------+------+-------+------+ -raters, - +----+-----------+---------------------------+----+-----+------+-----------+------+-----+-----+------+------+-------+------+ | | | | | | | o.h. | | | | | | | | |rig | yacht | owner and designer | r. | s.a.|l.w.l.|-----+-----|l.o.a.| b. | d. |drght.|displ.|ballast| when | | | | | | | |fwrd.| aft | | | | | cwt. | cwt. | built| +----+-----------+---------------------------+----+-----+------+-----+-----+------+-----+-----+------+------+-------+------+ | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |l.s.| pup (c.b.)|{mr. t. w. ratsey }| . | | . | . | . | . | . | . | { . }| | . | | | | |{ clayton }| | | | | | | | | { . }| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | -- | unit |{mr. g. f. flemmich }| . | | . | ? | ? | ? | . | . | ? | ? | ? | | | | |{ owner }| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | -- | cobweb |{mr. b. o. cochrane }| . | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | . | . | ? | ? | ? | | | | |{ ? designer }| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | split| cariad |{dr. p. w. hughes }| . | | . | ? | ? | . | . | . | ? | ? | ? | | | l. | |{ sibbick }| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |l.s.| barbet |{mr. wilson hoare }| . | | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | ? | ? | | | | |{ payne }| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |l.s.| argula |{mr. h. r. langrishe }| over rating | ? | ? | ? | . | ? | . | | | | | | |{ and e. k. b. tighe }| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |{ nicholson }| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |l.s.| nansheen |{mr. t. c. burrowes }| . | | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | | | | | | (c.b.) |{ fife }| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |l.s.| rogue |{mr. r. vogan }| . | | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | | | | | |(bulb keel)|{ ridsdale }| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |l.s.| doushka |{mr. p. perceval }| . | | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | ? | ? | | | | |{ payne }| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | -- | mahatma |{mr. g. f. flemmich }| . | | . | . | . | . | . | . | ? | ? | ? | | | | |{ owner }| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | +----+-----------+---------------------------+----+-----+------+-----+-----+------+-----+-----+------+------+-------+------+ / -raters, - +----+-----------+---------------------------+----+-----+------+-----------+------+-----+-----+------+------+-------+------+ | | | | | | | o.h. | | | | | | | | |rig | yacht | owner and designer | r. | s.a.|l.w.l.|-----+-----|l.o.a.| b. | d. |drght.|displ.|ballast| when | | | | | | | |fwrd.| aft | | | | | cwt. | cwt. | built| +----+-----------+---------------------------+----+-----+------+-----+-----+------+-----+-----+------+------+-------+------+ | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |l.s.| tiny |{mr. vogan }| . | | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | | | | | | |{ ridsdale }| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |l.s.| bairn |{mr. e. f. quilter }| . | | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | | | | | | |{ clayton }| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |l.s.| coquette |{mr. e. jessop }| . | | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | | | | | | |{ nicholson }| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |l.s.| eileen |{miss sutton }| . | | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | ? | ? | | | | |{ payne }| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |l.s.| jeanie |{mr. cochrane }| . | | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | | | | | | |{ fife }| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |l.s.| narua |{mr. perceval }| . | | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | ? | ? | | | | |{ payne }| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |l.s.| dancing |{mr. hewitt }| . | | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | | | | | | girl |{ ridsdale }| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |l.s.| kittiwake |{lt. l. c. elwes }| . | | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | ? | ? | | | | |{ payne }| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |l.s.| dee dee |{mr. paul ralli }| . | | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | ? | ? | | | | |{ payne }| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |l.s.| mosquito |{mr. rudston read }| . | | . | . | . | . | . | ? | . | | | | | | |{ soper }| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |l.s.| ladybird |{miss hammersley }| . | | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | ? | ? | | | | |{ payne }| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | l. | spruce |{mr. brand }| . | | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | ? | nil | | |ywl.| |{ t. l. smith }| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |ywl.| torpedo |{mr. stewart }| . | | . | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | ? | | | | |{ ? }| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |l.s.| daisy |{mr. soper }| . | | . | . | . | . | . | ? | . | | | | | | |{ soper }| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | s. | wee winn |{miss w. sutton }| . | | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | | | | | | |{ herreshoff }| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |l.s.| lilliput |{the late mr. s. watson }| . | | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | ? | ? | | | | |{ payne }| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |l.s.| pique |{miss sutton }| . | | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | ? | ? | | | | |{ payne }| | | | | | | | | | | | | +----+-----------+---------------------------+----+-----+------+-----+-----+------+-----+-----+------+------+-------+------+ chapter x fitting out a fifty-tonner to go foreign by e. f. knight there is no reason why ocean cruising should be confined to those who are fortunate enough to possess big steam yachts, or schooners of considerable tonnage. a good -tonner, or even a smaller craft, is probably as safe under any circumstances as the larger vessel; she can go where the latter cannot, and in many ways gives her owner better sport. when a man really fond of the sea--and he must be so to undertake the task--sets to work to fit out a -tonner for a lengthy voyage, to the south atlantic for example, his method must necessarily be somewhat different from that of the owner of the large yacht. he has to rely a good deal on his own wits, for much of the work of preparation is quite out of the line of his shipwright and of the ordinary nautical tradesmen with whom he has to deal. he is not likely to employ one of the regular ocean-going skippers, who would of course know exactly what was required, and the yachtsman making ready for his first expedition of this nature is sure to do some things wrong; but he will gradually pick up many wrinkles to help him on another occasion. such a voyage must to a great extent be an amateur business, by which i mean one to be undertaken only by a pleasure sailor of experience, accompanied by friends of like tastes; for i can imagine nothing so remote from an amusement as for a novice to sail away on a vessel of this size with a purely professional skipper and crew on whom he has to implicitly rely. he is completely at the mercy of his servants; hands who are well enough when carrying their employer about in home waters and on short foreign cruises are apt, unless they are exceptional men indeed, to take advantage of his ignorance and helplessness in many ways when the vessel is thousands of miles from home and on coasts where--and they are thoroughly well aware of this--he cannot discharge them, since it would be impossible satisfactorily to replace them. to travel in such a fashion would be productive of so much annoyance and anxiety as to sicken one for ever of the sea. with a larger vessel it is of course a different matter; a first-class skipper is engaged, the crew is carefully picked, all is properly ordered, and a discipline not altogether feasible on the small craft is maintained; and yet i have heard it whispered that discord and trouble are not always absent even from the big vessel on a lengthened cruise. there is no man i would rather have at sea with me than the honest british yachting tar of the right sort; but it is difficult to get him to ship for a long voyage on a small craft, and as a rule one has to put up with an inferior article. the owner of our roaming -tonner therefore, if he wish to enjoy any comfort and have an easy mind, must know sufficient to be entirely independent of his crew; and if he is not his own skipper--which he ought to be--he should at any rate be entered on the ship's papers as captain, and every man on board should sign articles under him. should the skipper choose to leave the vessel, the owner must be capable of taking his place. the men must be made to understand that their employer can do without them; that, in case of their attempting any nonsense, he is quite prepared to put all hands on shore and ship a crew of any sort of foreigners in any port if necessary; if he cannot do this, he had far better stay on shore, or only cruise in home waters. but when once the owner has attained this absolute independence, he will find there is no more fascinating pursuit than that of navigating his little vessel across the seas from country to country, to whatsoever corner of the world he may fancy to betake himself. it is important that our cruiser should be so rigged and fitted out generally as to be capable of being handled by as small a crew as possible. every trick of tackle, purchase, and what not that can economise labour should be taken advantage of, and it is astonishing how few men can then work a vessel. one does not do everything in recognised yachting fashion when making ocean runs; there is comparatively little work to do, and the large crew that is required on the channel cruise is not necessary on the long voyage. for several good reasons the owner should keep his crew as small as is compatible with the safety of the vessel. crowding is thus avoided, a matter of moment when one is sailing the tropical seas; for there the confinement of several men on a small yacht is unhealthy for them, despite all arrangements that may be made for their comfort. when the mouths are few, it will be easier to carry a sufficiency of supplies, and the question of water, more especially, will not be so difficult to deal with; it will moreover be a much less troublesome business to get one's complement of men made up in a foreign port in the event of desertion or dismissal. it must be remembered that the owner is very likely to have a few disturbances and to get rid of some of his men in the course of such a cruise. it would be strange if it were otherwise. it is a monotonous life for the hands cooped up in the small vessel. if they have no other reason for becoming discontented, they will do so merely because they have too much to eat and too little to do; there will be dissensions; each man will reveal what bad qualities he may possess; there may be that fearful thing a sea lawyer on board, but he should not be permitted to stay long. this period of trouble, however, will probably be only of short duration--else such a cruise would be a purgatory; the worthless are weeded out, others are shipped; and it is a man's own fault if he has not soon gathered around him a compact if miscellaneous crew, willing, cheery, ready to go anywhere he may choose to take them. it is my opinion that there should not be a single yacht sailor on board the foreign-cruising -tonner. it is difficult, as i have said, to get the right ones, and it will be bad for the owner if he fall in with the wrong ones--men who have been spoilt by foolish employers, for instance; a numerous class, i fear. we all know them. smart-looking fellows enough may-be, but shirkers of honest work, they prefer to ship on show yachts belonging to owners who like to exhibit themselves and their vessels in the fashionable yachting ports each season, but who are not sailors in any sense of the word, and have no real love of the sport, following it only for the swagger of the thing. men who have served such owners would prove a great nuisance on an ocean cruise, and would not be likely to go far. i have heard such hands grumbling on a friend's yacht because they were to pass one night at sea instead of in some port where they happened to have friends. they look to frequent tips from the 'governor's' visitors, and to other less legitimate perquisites; these they cannot get in mid-atlantic, so it is not the place for them. hands from fishing-boats, sailing barges, and small coasters are the best men for the foreign cruiser of small tonnage. among these one is not likely to come across spoilt and pampered mariners, and they are accustomed to roughing it, and to the shifts of short-handed craft. but were i undertaking a lengthened tropical voyage, i think i should ship my english crew simply for the run over to my first west indian or south american port, and there engage a negro crew. these blacks are excellent fore-and-aft sailors, easy to manage, and always happy and ready for any amount of hard work if kindly but firmly treated; while they are, of course, far better fitted than white men to withstand the debilitating influence of sultry climates, an influence which, as everyone knows, has caused the ruin of many a good british sailor, driving hitherto sober men to injure their health by excess whenever they get shore leave. and now for our vessel, of what sort should she be? she must, of course, be of fair beam. we are beginning to believe in beam again, and are returning to the wisdom of our ancestors, recognising the fact that beam is not incompatible with speed, whilst it is indispensable for comfort both on deck and below on an ocean cruise. i remember, when we sailed away in the 'falcon' to south america twelve years ago, yachting men shook their heads at our beam; i was assured that i should never get more than six knots an hour out of such a tubby craft, more especially as she was snugly sparred and could fly so little canvas. she had a length of feet to a beam of feet. as it turned out, we often got nine knots out of her, and made one voyage of , nautical miles in ten days, the current, it must be said, being favourable to us on this occasion. but the proportionate beaminess of the 'falcon' is not necessary for the bigger craft, and the beam of our -tonner should be about a quarter of her length. when choosing my vessel i should prefer, for other reasons than economy, to buy an old one that had been well cared for to building or purchasing a new one. tropical climates soon develop defects in wood, and though it may be impossible to detect any flaws or signs of early decay in a new vessel, the timber of which she is constructed may have been put in sappy, and she may be ready to break out into dry rot on the slightest provocation. tough old human beings who have weathered the ailments of youth are not likely to fall into consumption, and so it is with the ship. if she has knocked about for years and shown no symptoms of decay, then she has proved herself to have been put together of the right stuff, and she will remain sound in her good old age. if one came across some old teak vessel, such as my 'alerte' was, a quarter of a century old, constructed by a good builder in the strong, honest fashion of those days, not put together in a hurry, but leisurely; with not a plank in her that was not well seasoned and selected, and that had not been lying in the builder's loft for a year before it was used, and with timbers and deadwood stouter than are employed now, and if, after careful examination, she proved from stem to stern, from deck to keel, as sound as when she was put on the stocks, even in those treacherous and usually ill-ventilated corners inside the counter, then that vessel is the one to be possessed of by the man who would go foreign; for she can be more safely trusted than many a brand-new craft, scamped, pleasing to the eye, but of unsound constitution, like some fair pulmonary with the germs of disease latent in her bones. the 'alerte' was a vessel of this good old sort--i say was, for after i had left her, this yawl, which properly cared for would have completed her century of cruising, was lost by a piece of wicked negligence off the west indian island of trinidad, and is now lying at the bottom in one hundred fathoms of water. a yawl is the favourite rig for the cruising -tonner; personally, i should prefer a ketch, the easiest vessel afloat to handle. a -ton ketch requires a very small crew indeed; a couple of men on deck can tackle any job that turns up. but a yawl is nearly as handy as the ketch. two of us used to knock about for days at a time on the 'alerte' in the south atlantic, and she was a -ton yawl, with somewhat heavy spars. we never had any difficulty with her; but when we were short-handed, we used to employ 'un-yachty' methods. we could only hoist our mainsail by using our mast-winch, which we also employed for hauling out the reefing tackle when shortening sail. there are many little dodges that soon occur to a sailor, and i have no doubt that if one man who knew what he was about were left alone in mid ocean on such a vessel, he would have little difficulty in taking her into port. there should, of course, be a good supply of sails on board, not omitting a stout storm trysail and a handy spinnaker. the latter should have a boom short enough to pass under the forestay when topped up, so that it has not to be unshipped for a gybe. such a spinnaker will be more effective than a big one on an ocean cruise. it can be carried when the wind is strong and the sea high--an important matter; for how often one has seen a fore-and-after, that has been rolling gunwales under when running under mainsail and head-sail alone, skim along steadily with dry decks as soon as the little spinnaker is put on her to balance the other canvas? when we left england with the 'alerte,' we had with us her racing spinnaker only. we soon discovered we had made a mistake. short-handed as we were, we often refrained from using it when it would have been of service; for the unshipping of its mighty boom was a heavy bit of work. then we had a small boom made, and used the balloon-foresail as the working spinnaker. one man could handle this, and it was seldom allowed to lie idle when the breeze was aft. it is better thus to provide oneself with a sail that can serve both as balloon-foresail and spinnaker, according to how the wind may be, than to encumber oneself with a large square-sail, such as yachts were wont to carry, and such as one still sees on revenue cutters.[ ] but there is a square-sail of another sort that should be found in the sail-locker of every little foreign cruiser; this is the small stout storm square-sail, a sail which would be seldom used, it is true, but which, on certain occasions, would prove of inestimable advantage. [footnote : the 'navahoe,' before returning to america, ordered a square-sail from tilley, of southampton.] with the 'falcon' we once ran on before a favourable gale till the gale became a hurricane--a river plate pampero--and then the sea was dangerously high, so that we were unable to do what should have been done hours before; that is, bring her up into the wind and heave to. not daring to attempt this now, we had to make the best of the position, and run on under trysail and storm jib. the steering was a most difficult and anxious matter; there was considerable danger of broaching to, and our lives depended upon the watchful skill of the helmsman. the trysail had no boom, and was ever violently gybing, while so low was the body of the sail that it lost the wind when we were in the trough of those great seas. now that was the very time when we needed the little storm square-sail. under that snug bit of canvas the vessel would have steered with far greater ease and safety; there would have been no risk of a gybe; the tendency to broach to would have been much lessened, and a topsail of this sort, moreover, is, like a jib, a lifting sail, and helps to keep a vessel afloat. hoisted well up, as it should be, right under the forestay, it is high enough to catch the wind between the seas. if the owner does not carry a storm square-sail, he should have a boom to his trysail. when the yachtsman, having purchased his -tonner, begins to fit her out for the ocean cruise, he is certain to discover that he will have to make considerable alterations in the arrangement of her ballast. the vessel that hitherto has been cruising in home waters only is sure to have a great deal more ballast in her than is necessary or advisable for his purpose. in the first place, when on a long voyage, he is not going to crack on as if he were racing for a cup. he will most probably have reduced his vessel's spars before starting, and has no ambition, when he is on the ocean for weeks at a stretch, to carry the huge spread of canvas under which his craft was wont to stagger in the solent. the ocean rover, who loves blue water for its own sake, is a quiet plodding sort of person, in no extreme hurry to reach his port. he wishes to be as comfortable and free from anxiety as possible, and, like the master of an east indiaman of the olden time, is more likely than not to make things snug each sunset and take in his kites--the big topsail for example--as he does not approve of the watch below having to be summoned on deck at each squall. so our foreign cruiser, snugly sparred and moderately canvased, need not be nearly so stiff as when she used to fly up and down the channel, straining and quivering as if acutely jealous lest any other craft should outstrip her; and she can now be relieved of a considerable portion of her ballast. it is of such importance that the -tonner should be light and buoyant, so that she may leap over the atlantic storm waves and not plunge into their curling crests, that i think the less ballast one can do with the better. i lay stress on this, because i know that the usual wiseacres and others, who frequent the shipwright's yard to proffer all manner of advice to the yachtsman while he is preparing for his voyage, will shake their heads if he speaks of lightening his craft to the extent i should advocate, and warn him that a perilous crankiness will be the result. there is, of course, a limit to this lightening process which must not be overstepped; but that limit--at any rate so far as my practice is concerned--does not, as a rule, find favour in the eyes of the forementioned advisers. if the vessel be ballasted with lead when she comes into one's possession, the weight can be reduced to the exact amount that is required by selling a sufficient quantity of the lead and substituting the same bulk of iron, the specific gravity of one metal to the other being roughly as to . a spare chain, spare anchors, and any iron implements not liable to be damaged by damp, can with advantage be employed as ballast in this way, but must, of course, be stowed so that they can be got at without difficulty. whilst adjusting the ballast it is necessary to remember that, unlike the coasting yacht, the ocean cruiser will have to be laden with a considerable quantity of water and other stores--probably some six tons weight of these. the question of what boats should be carried on the ocean-going -tonner is one to be considered carefully. the ordinary yacht's gig, that does very well to land passengers in channel ports, is not adapted for our purpose; she would be cumbersome, occupying too much room on deck, and, most probably, would not be a sufficiently good sea-boat. a shorter dinghy of lifeboat shape, with plenty of sheer and a pointed stern, will be found much more serviceable, especially if one has to effect a landing on small oceanic islands or at other exposed spots where access is rendered difficult by heavy surf. the boat should be beamy and rather shallow; for if she is too deep she is likely, while lying on deck, to get very much in the way of the main boom, which will have to be topped up to an awkward height to clear her; or, worse still, she may even make it impossible for the main boom to be swung sufficiently forward when the vessel is running before the wind--a terrible nuisance on which it is unnecessary to dilate. i believe one of the principal reasons why the revenue cutters carry their large square-sails is that they could not otherwise get any speed out of them before a fair wind, to such an extent do their boats cramp the boom and prevent the easing off of the mainsheet. in my opinion one cannot do better than carry a medium-sized berthon collapsible in addition to one's big dinghy. a berthon occupies very little room, and is so easily dropped into the water and hoisted on board again that she is sure to be used on many occasions when one would not take the trouble to put the heavier boat out. i was once shipmate with a delightful berthon which had an iron centreboard and a balance lugsail. we gave her plenty of work in every port, creek, or river we entered; for she sailed admirably, and was one of the handiest little craft possible. she contributed a great deal to our enjoyment of the cruise. a few remarks on that most important subject, the commissariat, may not be amiss. when fitting an ocean-going -tonner for the first time, one asks oneself with considerable misgiving how it will be possible to find room for all the necessary stores. i remember coming down to the 'falcon' one morning, when we were getting her ready for her south atlantic voyage, to find the quay, alongside which she lay, covered with barrels, sacks, cases, &c., the provisions for five men for nine months, which i had ordered from london. i stood aghast before this mighty mass, the bulk of which appeared to exceed by far the capacity of my vessel's hold; but it is wonderful what an amount of stowage room there is in the lockers and corners of a beamy vessel; however much is put into her, there seems to be place for more. i was much relieved in my mind to get my tons of stores snugly stowed out of sight, and all below the water-line too, so serving as good ballast. on the 'alerte' we found no difficulty in carrying nearly a year's supply of provisions for thirteen hands. as for water, extra tanks will have to be fitted up in all convenient places. on the 'alerte' we had a gallon tank under the saloon table, while the cabin fireplace was removed and a large tank was built into the space thus gained. we carried gallons in all, which ought to suffice for the longest run one is likely to make, allowing for calms in the doldrums and unforeseen delays. all the drinking water should be in tanks below. to carry any weight of water in casks on deck is a mistake for various reasons; but of course it is well to have some breakers on deck to hold any rain-water that may be caught on the voyage. it is my firm opinion that one should carry plenty of good salt meat when bound on a long cruise, and rely as little as possible on tinned provisions. the temperature is very high on small vessels in the tropics, and this does undoubtedly in time set up some sort of chemical change in tinned meat--a change which, though it may not be perceptible to the senses, can be productive of much ill health. the salt meat should be of the right sort too. it is not advisable to go, as i myself once did, to even the best of butchers in a seaport town and have fresh meat salted down. this is excellent at first, but it will not keep long on the small vessel. it is far better to procure the older, much-travelled, well-tested salt meat, less tasty though it be. the good firms of purveyors empty the cask, examine each piece of beef, and repickle it, before sending it on board; such beef will keep through the longest voyage and in any climate. it is certain that no sort of food will remain sweet and wholesome so long on a small as on a big craft. it is amongst other things essential to have the supply of biscuit divided into a number of hermetically sealed tins. the best made bread locker will not prevent maggots, weevils, and other loathsome insects from swarming among the biscuit as soon as the -tonner reaches the tropics, and the better the quality of the biscuit the more rapid and complete will be the spoiling of it. it must not be forgotten that tinned ship's bread can only be procured in england, so a sufficient supply must be laid in before one sails. this brings me to another point. it is not only advisable to take from england all the biscuit wanted, but also, if possible, all the tinned meats and suchlike stores. if more be needed in the course of the voyage, it should be sent out from england and transshipped. in the ports of the west indies, of the indian ocean, or indeed on any tropical coast, though one may come across honest ship-chandlers--i have frequently been lucky enough to do so myself--it will be found that, even with them, prices are apt to be exorbitant; while their goods are often of inferior quality, or, when of good brands, old and damaged. with the dishonest ship-chandlers, who are not rare, one is likely to have still worse experiences. were i again to fit out a yacht for a lengthy cruise, i should take everything of this sort with me, or make arrangements with a good english firm to send me out relays of supplies to certain places at which it was my intention to call. i should only rely on the ports for fresh meat, vegetables, fruit and suchlike perishable commodities. neither should one go to the ship-chandler of the foreign harbour for rope, blocks, canvas, or boatswain's necessaries of any description. provision should be carefully made against running short of these; plenty and to spare should be taken from home. on an english -ton yacht it is usual to carry on all the cooking in the forecastle; but when the vessel is on tropical seas it is very uncomfortable for the hands forward to have a fire burning for the greater part of the day in their close quarters. on the 'alerte' the fire was only lit once a day in order to cook the dinner, a large spirit stove being employed for the preparation of breakfast and tea, to boil water, and so forth. a good spirit stove is indispensable on our -tonner. on the 'falcon' we used even to cook our dinner with one. spirits-of-wine is among the few things that can always be got of satisfactory quality and at moderate cost in every foreign port. i have never found difficulty in procuring this in any part of the world, and as a rule considerably cheaper than methylated spirits in england. i have always preferred a spirit to a paraffin stove. i have never come across a sea cook yet who could deal satisfactorily with the latter. the lampblack is apt to make a terrible mess of the pots and pans and everything else, including the sea cook. i know that, if the lamp is properly trimmed and the stove is carefully looked after, this should not happen. but somehow or other it generally does happen; consequently paraffin is not suitable fuel for the sea-going stove, and the cleanly alcohol, though a little more expensive, is far better for the purpose. on plenty of smart west indian and other foreign sloops and schooners of about the size of our -tonners, it is customary to do all the cooking on deck; and i do not see why this method should not be adopted on our small ocean-going yacht when she is at sea in fine weather or lying at anchor. a tiny temporary galley or fireplace--very 'un-yachty,' it must be confessed--might be fitted up on deck forward, and if the cook be a west indian negro of the right sort, he will probably be found as clever as an indian 'bobbachee' on the march at turning out a capital meal without the aid of cumbersome stove or oven--and that, too, without making any mess whatever, so that the skipper need feel no anxiety for his spotless deck and sails. [illustration: the drogue, off the kullen head.] chapter xi baltic cruising by e. f. knight a few english sailing yachts visit the baltic every year, but that wind-swept sea can scarcely be termed one of the favourite cruising grounds of our pleasure fleet. this is not altogether strange; for the voyage is a long and rough one round the skaw into the squally cattegat; chilly gales and choppy seas in many summers form the rule rather than the exception among the danish islands, and the principal seaports of the inland sea are singularly dull and uninteresting. nevertheless--and the reader will soon understand that what i am about to say is in no wise inconsistent with my opening sentence--i am confident that the yachtsman who undertakes a summer's cruise on the baltic in a _small_ vessel will afterwards remember it as one of his very pleasantest experiences. this is a sea which is often coldly repelling to the cursory traveller, but it is strangely fascinating to him who takes the trouble to explore it, and the charm of it increases with further knowledge. how interesting, to begin with, is the voyage out! for, with the small vessel i am speaking of, the yachtsman does not double the stormy skaw, but sails in and out along all the winding coasts that were the cradle of our race, the lands of the frisians, saxons, jutes, angles, and danes. having waited for a slant in one of our eastern ports--harwich, for example--he crosses the north sea to a dutch harbour, follows the shores of the zuider zee, picks his way up the narrow channels that divide the sandy frisian islands from the mainland, enters the river eider, and passes up the ship canal to kiel. and that port once reached, what possibilities of glorious cruising are before him! he has now left behind the discoloured waves of the north sea, and his keel is cleaving water so limpid that every stone and weed is visible fathoms beneath. he can sail up narrow sounds between park-like glades and forests of pines and magnificent oaks and beeches; or up long winding fiords which take him beyond the coast belt of forest and pasture, and past the undulating corn lands, into the very heart of the cimbrian peninsula, where the desolate moorlands of the ahl, grand in their northern savagery, spread far on either side of the sinuous creek. there is the long slie, a succession of lakes and narrows that leads to old schleswig; there are the deep inlets of flensborg, apenrade, veile, and many-islanded liim; ise fiord, perhaps the fairest of all, with its promontories of noble forest; the lovely sounds of svendborg and the little belt; and a score of other straits and lochs that make this in many respects the finest cruising ground in europe. i do not know where else, when the sun shines out between the rain squalls, the sea appears so blue, the grass and the foliage seem so green and luxuriant, as in this land of denmark. it is pleasant to sail, as one often does, suddenly out of the choppy windy open baltic into the shelter of these narrows, where the great trees dip their branches into the smooth water, where one comes upon scene after scene of tender and restful beauty, and where the traveller knows, too, that whenever he may choose to land, at some trim village or opposite some snug old farmhouse, he is sure of a welcome from the kindly people. then, if the yachtsman wishes for more open water, he can sail out of the fiord mouth and steer for one of the many delightful little islands that stud the baltic. remote many of them are, set in the middle of that treacherous sea, inhabited by a few primitive fishermen. the advent of a stranger is rare in the extreme. i spent two summers in these waters, and found that no british yacht had ever come before to most of the fiords and islets i explored. for it happens that nearly all the charms i speak of are lost to him who sails these waters in a big vessel. it is a coasting voyage in a small craft i am advocating here. of the fiords that penetrate the cimbrian peninsula and the larger islands, only a few are available for a yacht of deep draught, and in order to visit some of the most beautiful of the inland waters one's vessel should not draw more than two feet. again, though harbours that will admit coasters of even light tonnage are far apart on much of the iron-bound coast of the baltic, there are to be found everywhere, at short intervals, little artificial havens that have been built for the accommodation of the craft of the herring fishermen; while the only shelter afforded by many of the islets consists of similar havens, frequented solely by the fishing and ferry boats. at the entrance of most of these miniature harbours there is a depth of about four feet of water at high tide. now bad weather springs up frequently and with wonderful suddenness in the baltic, and a dangerous sea soon rises on those shallow waters. it is therefore of great advantage to have a boat of so light a draught as to be able to run for refuge into any of these little havens. such a craft has nearly always a snug port not far under her lee while coasting here; whereas a larger craft can find no harbour for many leagues, and has to make the best she can of it on the open sea. the shallow boat is the safest for such a cruise, besides being the only one with which the most interesting inlets and islets can be visited. she must be small, but at the same time she must be as good a sea-boat as is possible for her size; for she is not likely to escape bad weather altogether on the baltic. [illustration: danske fishing-boat and anchor.] to some it may appear foolhardy to go so far on a small yacht like the one i am speaking of; but as a matter of fact it will be found that it is nearly always the cautious sailor and not the reckless one who succeeds in sailing his little vessel to distant shores. the imprudent and thoughtless man soon encounters such experiences, soon gets into such scrapes, on attempting a foreign cruise as will keep him for the future in the home waters he happens to know something about. a voyage from england to the uttermost ends of the baltic does not necessitate any really long runs for a yacht of small draught, and it is seldom that one need remain out at sea at night. it is well that it is so; for these are surely the most wind-vexed waters of europe; violent north-westers rise in the most unexpected manner, and the stillest of summer mornings will as likely as not be succeeded by a howling wintry afternoon. it behoves the skipper of the small yacht to watch his weather very carefully in this treacherous region. whenever a run of some distance is before him, from isle to isle, or along some portion of the coast where the havens of refuge are rare, he must patiently wait for a slant, and the advice of the aneroid in the cabin must be implicitly followed. it is this last precaution that makes what otherwise would certainly be a dangerous cruise for a small craft an amusement less risky than are the majority of sports. it ought to be unnecessary to repeat such trite admonition as this; but in my experience it is the skipper of the small vessel who pays the least attention to his glass; and in all cases that have come under my notice when small yachts that have started to cross the north sea or the channel, or to make some other run of a dozen hours or so, have come to grief in any way in consequence of having encountered weather dangerously heavy for them, it is for the one reason that the skipper, possibly an excellent sailor in other respects, has neglected his aneroid. one may indeed make occasional runs in this blind fashion, trusting to the appearance of the sky alone, and yet no harm come of it; but on the sort of baltic cruise i am describing there will, of course, be a number of such short runs; short, but quite long enough to make disaster a probability sooner or later if proper precautions be not taken, and it may be found that the pitcher has gone to the well once too often. the life of the man who undertakes long coasting voyages in small craft depends more on his knowledge of the use of the barometer, and on his close observation of it, than it does on his good seamanship. a man i know had his dinghy carried away, and nearly lost his little yacht and his life, on a run from ryde to havre. the longshore wiseacres shook their heads when they heard of it, and spoke of the foolhardiness of sailing across channel in so tiny a vessel. in this i maintain the wiseacres were wrong; the foolhardiness lay in the skipper's blinking at the heavens to windward and lee, and putting absolute faith in their deceptive appearance, while he entirely omitted to see what the glass was doing before he tripped his anchor. it is possible to practically insure for oneself fine weather, or at any rate the absence of dangerously bad weather, for a run of say a day and night, provided one have the patience to wait for it. [illustration: roskilde from the fiord.] i cannot recall an instance of having experienced really bad weather when my reading of the barometer had told me that it would be fine; but i have seen the weather-wisdom of many an old sea-dog at fault. in the baltic the fishermen fail signally to read the signs of their own skies, as the following incident will show. i had sailed into a fishing-haven on zeeland called gillelie. i found a fête in progress which had detained the fishermen who would otherwise have sailed on that day to the distant island of anholt for the autumn herring fishery. 'but we will all be off to-morrow,' said one to me. 'i do not think any of you will sail to-morrow or the day after; it will be blowing a gale of wind from the north-west,' i remarked, for my glass had been falling in most ominous fashion for some days. but my friends thought they knew better. 'you are a stranger here,' said they; 'we fishing-folk know the signs of the sky in our country. the wind is south-west, and it will remain fine. the barometer is not to be trusted in the baltic.' well, at midnight the wind had shifted to north-west, and was howling through the bending pines; by dawn the gale had burst upon us, for two days it blew a very hurricane, and there was much loss of life and shipping on the cattegat. had it not been for the fête the fishermen would have put to sea, and few would ever have been seen again. i converted the fishermen of gillelie to a belief in the barometer, and i believe that they forthwith applied to the danish government for one of those glasses which it supplies to seaports for the public use. having given my reasons for recommending a small vessel of light draught for baltic cruising, i will now explain what i consider that vessel should be like. i am about to preach rank heresy, but i should certainly act up to my preaching were i ever again to make preparations for a similar voyage. the craft that last carried me about those seas was an old teak p. & o. lifeboat, feet in length, which had been decked, rigged as a ketch, provided with six inches of false keel, and so converted into a yacht of three tons register. a boat something like this one appears to me to be the best adapted for the purpose in question--a boat with pointed stern and considerable sheer, such as my lifeboat was, and such, too, as are the herring fishing boats of the cattegat. her beam should be about one-quarter of her length, her draught should not exceed ft. in., and she should have less ballast by a good deal than is generally put into a boat of her tonnage; for she must be comfortable when in rough water, be light and lively, and leap over the steep seas of the baltic instead of driving herself through them. my old lifeboat was the best sea-boat of her size i have ever come across. once i was caught with her in a north-wester in the gulf of heligoland, and had to run to cuxhaven before a really heavy sea. that little boat acquitted herself in a way that astonished us; presenting as she did a sharp stern to the steep following seas, she showed no tendency to broach to, but steered with beautiful ease, rising like a duck to every roller. why more of our little cruisers are not constructed with these lifeboat sterns i could never understand. anyone who has run before a high breaking sea in both styles of craft will appreciate the enormous difference between the behaviour of the long-countered vessel and the one with the pointed stern. the latter is undoubtedly the boat for comfort and safety in a sea-way. [illustration: a danske craft.] in such a boat as i am describing one could sail, single-handed, if one was so minded, to finland or to the furthest depths of the gulf of bothnia, and run less risk than one would in most vessels four times her size. we have now got a good sea-boat almost as safe as a lifeboat--but the next question is, how will she sail? a double-ended craft like the one i am speaking of will run or reach as well as anything of her size; but, being of such light draught, though she will turn to windward well enough, maybe, in smooth water, she will be a very slow boat, making scarcely any headway, but considerable leeway, when she encounters the tumbling waters of the zuider zee or baltic on a breezy day. this, of course, must be remedied by some means; for we cannot always have fair winds and smooth waters. and now i am coming to my greatest heresy--i would not make a hole in the bottom of my boat and pass the orthodox centreboard through it; but i should sling on either side of her the heterodox leeboard. in this country we are not accustomed to see leeboards on pleasure craft, and they are considered to be ugly. in holland, where they also know something about small yachts, elegant polished oak brass-bound leeboards are invariably attached to the brightly polished little oaken vessel. one soon comes to consider a leeboard as an ornament. the appearance of a long double-ended boat is distinctly improved by these wing-like appendages. finding that my lifeboat was so unsatisfactory on a wind, i got a dutch shipwright at harlingen to fit two shapely oaken leeboards upon her, which suited her well, for she herself was of polished teak. i remember that when her leeboards were once temporarily removed we felt quite ashamed of her, so lank and naked did she appear in our eyes. but the leeboards were still more useful than they were beautiful. when i put out with them into the choppy zuider zee i was astounded at the success of my plan. the vessel turned to windward as she had never done before, and i soon came to the conclusion that i had almost arrived at the ideal of a shallow-water cruiser. leeboards have many undoubted advantages over centreboards. to make a long hole through the bottom of a boat cannot but weaken her. the trunk of a centreboard is ever in the way in a small cabin. in rough water a centreboard must strain a boat more than a leeboard does. on a little vessel like the one in question the leeboards are not cumbersome, but can be readily unshipped and stowed on deck or below when there is a leading wind, or when one is hove-to in bad weather, or rolling about at anchor. and, most important of all, if the boat runs ashore, the leeboards will come gently up, whereas a centre-plate may become jammed, and so bend or break. a leeboard never refuses to be hauled up or dropped down. [illustration: a good craft for the baltic.] in many of the shallow baltic fiords one is apt to run ashore pretty frequently, and sometimes on rough ground that would subject a boat to severe strain unless the centreboard were pulled up very smartly. again, some portions of these fiords in summer present the appearance of green fields, so thickly are they overgrown with weeds whose branches float on the surface of the brackish water. it is impossible to bring a centreboard boat into this tangle. the weeds gather round the plate, choke the trunk, and cannot be cleared in many cases until the boat has been hauled up on dry land. but leeboards can be lifted and cleared in a moment, and the boat provided with them can sail over meadows of aquatic growth that would effectually bar the approach of the orthodox yacht. to reach the inland _brednings_ or 'broads' of the baltic, far larger and as fair as those of norfolk, one must often pass through these weedy passages, and this is not one of the least of my reasons for advocating the leeboard. i should like to see leeboards more employed in this country. i remember as a small boy coming into possession of my first boat, some old ship's dinghy. i put sails in her, but, to my disgust, not a bit would she turn to windward. i tried to fix a false keel on her, but my appliances were few, and i was unsuccessful. now, had i known of the simple expedient of the leeboard, limited as was my carpentering skill, i should have had no trouble in making my boat tack. the pleasure of sailing was thus denied to me for several years afterwards, and all through my ignorance of the leeboard. there must be plenty of boys at the present time in similar plight, in parts of the far west for instance, where, as i discovered the other day, the very name of leeboard is unknown. in an hour or so anyone can convert almost anything that will float into something that will sail by means of leeboards; and this is a fact well worth knowing when one finds oneself in some wild corner of the earth and wishes to extemporise a sailing-craft. i have done something of the sort on more than one occasion. once i was living by the shores of a lake in florida. i started at short notice for a fortnight's cruise inside the keys that line the coast of the gulf of mexico above tampa. nothing else being procurable, i borrowed one of the canoes of the country, a flat-bottomed punt with no more lines than a horse-trough. i manufactured a sail, and one leeboard which i could throw over from one side to the other according to the tack i was on; and away i went with rod and gun down the shallow passes, up winding bayous and across broad lakes; a delightful little cruise; and my strange craft, to the astonishment of the crackers, sailed like a witch. it was the very coast for a leeboard; for the channels between the keys and the mainland are often very shallow--so shallow, indeed, that when the tempestuous north wind blew and the rising waves poured into my vessel, so that she would soon have filled and settled to the bottom, i was sometimes enabled to lighten her, and so save her, by stepping overboard; and then i would walk ahead of her, painter in hand, and tow her against wind and sea until the weather moderated--a manoeuvre that can be recommended under such circumstances. [illustration: towing head to wind.] to return to our little baltic cruiser--i have only given the broad features of what i consider to be the most fitting craft. as for the details of rig, cabin arrangements, and so forth, each man knows best what he requires. but were i having such a boat made ready for myself, she should be built of oak. her sides and leeboard should not be painted, but be varnished and kept brightly polished after the dutch fashion--boiled oil and rosin is the mixture for the purpose. she should have a small well. there should be the usual hatch on the cabin-roof to slide back and facilitate entrance to the cabin; but, instead of the usual cabin-doors, i should have a water-tight bulkhead between the well and cabin, with only a small square opening at the top, which could be closed with a sliding shutter when necessary. the cabin would then be kept snug and dry. it is, of course, the right thing for the skipper of a small vessel to run for a port when bad weather is coming on; but this cannot always be done, and it is by far the wiser policy to remain on the open sea and make the best of it than to rush blindly before the gale towards a harbour whose dangers and difficulties are unknown to one. i remember once being with some men who, because the sea was rather ugly, were very anxious to run into a most dangerous river mouth, to the almost certain perdition of our vessel. this was the suggestion of panic, but they called it prudence. some small vessels, even though they be rather shallow, like the one i am speaking of, can claw off a lee shore in pretty heavy weather. unless one have the misfortune to be embayed, there is generally one tack on which the boat can keep off the land--despite the leeway--well snugged down, with as little head-sail as possible on her, and forging slowly ahead all the time. but on such occasions there must be a good man at the tiller. mr. ----, the most skilful sailor of small craft we have ever had, who used to knock about single-handed in all sorts of weather, and who, it will be remembered, at last died alone of heart-disease on his vessel in mid-channel--a fitting death for such a man--made it a rule to beat to sea instead of running for a port on the appearance of bad weather. he proved what can be done with a tiny yacht properly handled. but then he was a consummate seaman--so much so, indeed, that those who knew him affirm that no other man than he could have performed some of his exploits. a little vessel may be blown away from the land, or have plenty of sea-room to leeward when the storm attacks her. then it is not so difficult to know and to do the right thing. if the craft be such as i am imagining her to be, she should be able to ride out almost any weather with drogue out, and possibly a bit of trysail or mizzen set, sheeted well amidships. every small yacht should be provided with one of these drogues or sea-anchors when a long cruise is to be undertaken. i have never seen one employed; but i was in the habit of carrying one, which consisted of an iron ring some feet broad, to which was bent a stout canvas bag with a pointed end. a bridle was attached to the ring by which it could be made fast to a -fathom grass-rope. a very good drogue, which serves as a breakwater as well, can be extemporised with a spar. if one side of a small strong jib be bent on the spar, and a weight be attached to the lower corner of the jib, this ought to form a very efficient drag. [illustration: sketch.] to sum up--for cruising on the charming inland waters of the baltic, and for getting about from one part of that sea to another, the most fitting craft is, i believe, such a one as i have sketched out, sharp-sterned, with ample freeboard, with good sheer, of shallow draught, lightly ballasted, and provided with leeboards. with a boat constructed on these lines, a man who neglects not his aneroid should be able to make a very delightful voyage along the coasts of our viking ancestors, and very much further from home, too, if he wishes it; while she would also be found a capital craft for sailing about the mouth of the thames, the norfolk broads, and dutch waters. but at cowes they might stare at her with the eye of prejudice. chapter xii five-tonners and five-raters in the north by g. l. blake a few years ago a great sportsman, whose privilege it had been to take an active part in nearly every form of sport known to the british isles, was asked which of them all he thought should be placed at the head of the list as being most conducive to make its follower manly, and at the same time least open to the criticism of those who are always inclined to find fault with their neighbours' methods of employing their spare time. there was some little hesitation before he gave an answer, but at length he expressed an opinion that yachting excelled all others. to enumerate a few of his reasons will not be out of place here. the first and foremost was the utter absence of any possibility of cruelty, as calls could only be made on inanimate materials and the yachtsmen themselves. then it was quite out of the question for a man to be a thorough yachtsman without courage and endurance being brought into play. quickness of action, or the ability to think and act at the same time, was also a necessity in yachting, as it was in most other sports; but it was an absolute one here, because the elements were an unknown force, and sudden contingencies, not to be equalled in intensity or severity by any possible emergency ashore, had frequently to be faced. this quality--quickness of resource--was, of all others, the characteristic of the sailor. two more points were added, which certainly tend to place yachting, and yacht racing especially, in the fore rank of sports. the first was that yacht racing and cruising are carried on by those who enter upon them, not in any way as a business, but solely for the love of the sea. the prizes, such as they are, when bestowed in money are so small in comparison with the outlay and cost in building and sailing a racing crack, that in most of the recognised classes they only go a very little way towards lessening the general expenditure, whilst as for betting on the races, such a thing was rare in the extreme. the last argument was that 'unfair sailing' was a thing almost, if not quite, unknown, and if there was an argument in favour of extra money for yachts' crews on racing days, it was that it helped to encourage all hands to do their utmost to make their vessels, let the look-out be ever so bad, come in and win. to one desirous not only of enjoying the sport, but also of really understanding every detail connected with it, from splicing, knotting, sail-making, varnishing, painting, cleaning brasswork, setting, taking in, reefing or shifting sail, to steering a clean full-and-bye against a head-sea, or learning to make himself comfortable on the smallest possible fit-out, an old yachtsman's advice is, the smaller the boat chosen to begin with the better; and after a quarter of a century's experience of small yachts in all weathers, seas, and climates, he believes the vessel of about feet in length, with a moderate beam and draught of water, is the smallest capable of keeping the sea with any degree of comfort and safety. there are no more suitable yachts of the size referred to than those built under the old thames rule of measurement, or the late rule of the yacht racing association, to sail in the class for yachts of tons and under. a restriction might be added to the exclusion of such yachts as were the extreme outcome of the rule; but as only three were built--one designed by mr. g. l. watson and the late mr. payton's two vessels, both of which were lost--there is no need for the limitation; and on looking back into the eighties it will be found that the -ton class in the south and the - / -ton class in the north altogether monopolised the true plank-on-edge model entirely for themselves. though the extreme types under the old rule were long, narrow, and deep, they were fine weatherly little sea-boats to the practised hand, but as a school for the tiro, except in racing, too heavily sparred and too narrow. the main point in favour of the -ton yacht built under the old rule--for the -rater of to-day is almost as large as the former -tonner, and requires quite as many, if not more, hands to work her on a racing day with her present lugsail rig--is that she is easily worked with one good hand, can be raced with three, or easily with four; and those whose early practical yachting experience was gained as small yacht sailors and yacht-owners will agree in this, that their happiest hours were spent in the boat that required fewest paid hands, or when their ship was of such a size that they were able to put to sea single-handed, or perhaps in company with a friend who could make himself useful. there are many who will say that a -ton or even a -ton yacht is too small to stand out to sea in; but when a yacht is of such a size that she requires more hands than one to work her there will be little or nothing learned, whereas, if the yacht is just a little too much for one man to handle, the owner is bound to do his portion of work each day, and what he does not know will soon be taught him by his man, so that he may enjoy his fair share of rest and not have to be called up in the middle of his watch below. besides, if the cost is a consideration, a -ton yacht can be built for just half the price of a -tonner, and the keeping it up is very much smaller in proportion. it is not quite twenty years since the racing yachts of tons were formed into a class, and prizes awarded them. the clyde yachtsmen were the first to appreciate the value and capabilities of the little ships for affording good all-round sport, and the small expenditure entailed at that date in building them was a consideration in their favour. it has been a favourite class ever since. in dublin bay small yacht racing is far from a novelty, but it is only within the last few years that boats have been built to the class adopted in the seventies, viz., for 'yachts of tons and under,' time allowance having previously been used to bring the small fry together. at that time liverpool had two pet classes, the -ton and -ton, and such small yachts as were located on the sloyne entered in the latter class. it was about the middle of the summer of that the writer's attention was first drawn to small racing yachts under tons, and the way in which they could face almost all weathers. it had been, as it is at the present day, the custom to decry and run down racing yachts as unfit to be made into cruisers. 'the scantlings were light,' 'the framework was weak,' 'the plank, especially at the garboards and towards the run under the counter, may have been dubbed down to almost the thickness of brown paper.' this latter process was often resorted to some twenty-five years ago, so that ballast in the form of lead sheeting might be padded on to the keel and garboards. more than one large yacht at that period had been so treated that she was supposed to have not much more than half-an-inch planking at her two lowest strakes. 'i would not buy an old racing yacht if i were you.' such were the comments and never-ceasing advice dinned into the ear; 'besides, they are fearfully wet in a sea-way, and most uncomfortable,' and, therefore, at that time the writer's vessel was a strong, able, high free-boarded schooner of tons. in that year there could not have been a dozen yachts, taking our coasts round, which were being raced as -tonners, but there were classes made up of yachts of tons and under, which took in some stray - and -tonners, and here and there a casual - or -tonner. one of the best of these -ton yachts (and this is including all the scotch and south-country boats) was a little vessel built in for mr. w. a. tomlinson, by mr. dickenson, of birkenhead, the well-known builder and designer of the principal pioneer liverpool -tonners. unfortunately her dimensions cannot be correctly stated, but she was about feet between stem and sternpost on deck, some ft. in. in beam, and had a draught of feet or a little more--that is, she was as nearly as possible the size of the -tonner of a five or six years' later date. the occasion on which the 'wyvern' came under the writer's special notice was one long to be remembered on account of the anxiety created among the little yacht's admirers at kingstown, owing to the severity of the gale that blew after she had left that port for liverpool. there had been a regatta in dublin bay, where, as is usual, all the small boats of the st. george's channel had collected to do battle. the 'wyvern' had come over from the mersey, and having won, her owner (at that time mr. colin napier, of liverpool) had left her in the hands of his two men, that he might hurry back to his business by steamer. the men were ordered to make the best of their way to birkenhead, as the yacht had been entered for a local regatta the same week. they started early on a wednesday, but unfortunately ran aground on the rocks at the end of the eastern breakwater on which the lighthouse is built. for the greater part of the day the boat was standing high and dry some feet above the low-water mark, but she sustained no damage, was floated off at the return of the tide, and left at once for her destination. the hour of her departure was about three or four o'clock in the afternoon. three yachts left the harbour in company with her, bound for the same port, all three being at least -tonners. as the barometer had been falling ever since the morning, and there was every indication of bad weather, the skipper in charge of the 'wyvern' was repeatedly advised to postpone his start till the following day, or till a change in the weather should take place; but it was to no purpose, since he was very anxious to reach the mersey as soon as possible. [illustration: dublin, kingstown and mersey _f. s. weller_.] towards p.m. the north-westerly breeze, which had been blowing since noon, increased considerably, so much so, that first one and then the other of the larger yachts gave up and turned tail before it might become too late, the last to say good-bye being the largest of the three. this yacht, a well-known hard-weather vessel of over tons measurement, after trying to signal a last advice to the little 'wyvern' to return, put her helm down (though she was well past the kish lightship), and made herself snug for the dusting she was in for on the journey back to kingstown. on shore, at both club-houses, the greatest alarm was being felt not only for the 'wyvern's' safety, but also for the welfare of her three larger sisters, and the anxiety on the 'wyvern's' account increased still more when her three companions put in their appearance again at their moorings. during the evening and through the night the wind increased to a whole gale, and the meteorological report next morning proved anything but pleasant reading, whilst among the old salts and those best acquainted with the capabilities of small yachts little hope was felt of ever seeing the 'wyvern' again. on the evening of the next day the writer left kingstown for liverpool in his yacht, and fell in with the mersey -tonners making the best of their way down river. the nearest yacht hailed informed him that the 'wyvern' had arrived all safe, and had made a very fast passage across to the sloyne. a few days after, meeting the skipper, a full account of the trip was given, and there was no limit to the eulogies he had to bestow on the yacht. during the night the sea had increased the further they sailed from under the lee of the land, but for all that the only time any seas were shipped was when off holyhead. twice only had they to free the yacht of water, and on those occasions very little had gone into the cabin. the 'wyvern' was not a yacht of large displacement; she inclined, indeed, rather the other way. those who have seen the 'naiad' or 'pastime' hauled up out of water (two of dickenson's old crack -tonners which now frequent the south coast ports) will have a better idea than any words can give of the 'wyvern's' style of model and midship section. built for length on deck, there was no necessity for shortening up the water-line, and her sternpost had no very great rake. her buttock lines were as easy and fair as could be, giving her a slightly hollowed entrance with a nice clean run aft. her extreme draught was not much over feet, and her keel ran almost straight from the heel of the sternpost to the foot of the stem--that is, with very little if any rocker (or rounding) to it. dickenson had a very admirable method of finishing off the after end of his yachts, and their counters were all light, and neatly put on. the 'wyvern's' counter was particularly so. she was flush-decked save a large cockpit, which opened into the cabin, and which was surrounded by a -inch combing. this was the only weak or vulnerable part about her; for if a really heavy lump of water had filled it, there was nothing to prevent the cabin being swamped. her fittings below were of the simplest description, though very comfortable. the sofas on each side of the saloon formed lockers and berths, and beyond these a pantry and a fitting for a lavatory, which was forward on the starboard side, with the usual two square lockers at the after ends of the sofas, were all the furniture of any consequence she contained. she had wood floors, iron not having come into fashion at that time, and carried the greater part of her ballast inside to the tune of tons of lead and cwt. of iron. her outside ballast consisted of a -cwt. lead keel, which was considered in those days a very heavy keel for so small a yacht. she was one of the first small yachts of tons or under that was fitted with a flush deck and ordinary skylight, and in every way she looked the picture of smartness. when she was first built her principal antagonists about her own size were the 'adèle,' a small -ton yacht also by dickenson, the 'pet,' tons, built at douglas, isle of man, in , and a very fast -tonner, the 'barracouta,' built by bishop in , for mr. j. m. hannay. she was altered in into a yawl in order to race in the -ton class, which was at that time just beginning to be popular. among the most celebrated of the early -tonners were three yachts, the 'pearl,' 'torment,' and 'arrow.' of the three, the 'pearl' and 'torment' were the best known, and are still held in loving memory by many a yachting enthusiast. the 'torment,' owned by that well-known yachtsman the late secretary to the royal irish yacht club, was raced from the day of her birth, some time about the year , and was always a leader of the van. her racing career lasted not much less than twenty years, and it was only the lead keels and the deep bodies given to the later yachts that brought it to a close. it is when looking back on such good old warriors as the 'torment' and the 'mosquito,' among the larger racers, that lovers of the sport whose incomes are limited must agree that the old days were good indeed. it was not necessary then to be the fortunate possessor of a new vessel each season to enable the lover of yacht racing to win prizes and keep well in with the flyers of the year. when an old boat appeared to be not quite up to the mark, or lacking in the requisite turn of speed, little was done to make her beat some new comer beyond a few alterations, which as a rule took the form of doctoring up one or other of her ends, or, perhaps, lengthening her out amidships. the most remarkable example of how a yacht's racing life could be made to outlive many competitors and leave her a winner to the last, by effecting alteration after alteration on her hull, was that of the old 'arrow,' which belonged to mr. tankerville chamberlayne. alas! the days when an alteration was quite sufficient to keep a yacht successful have long since passed away, and from the present outlook seem as if they will never again return. the 'pearl,' like the 'torment,' was a hard nut to crack for all the new aspirants to fame which were built to beat her, and she kept her position as the fastest of the 'mosquito' fleet for an untold number of years. she hailed from fairlie, that birthplace of hundreds of fast, powerful winners, so dear to the hearts of all scotch yachtsmen, and so well known in almost, every corner of the globe. she was owned and built by mr. fife early in the sixties, and after ending her racing career in the clyde has found her way over to france, where she is as much appreciated as she was in the height of her day in scotch waters, and has kept up her reputation of being a difficult boat to beat. her dimensions were: length, feet; beam, feet; and draught, feet. there were many yachts built to beat her, among them being the -tonners 'hilda' and 'viola,' designed, owned, and built by mr. inglis. this well-known yachtsman also launched a very pretty schooner of tons called the 'cordelia,' now, unhappily, lying at the bottom of the sea. she, like his other two ventures, was designed to race in the -ton class, and also to put the wee 'pearl's' nose out of joint. they were all three big boats, fully decked, and veritable ships when compared with the 'pearl.' they drew a foot or two more water, had big midship sections, and were in every way larger and more powerful yachts. their success, however, was only partial, and it was a question whether, after all, the old boat did not in the long run hold her own. the 'arrow's' reputation was only of short duration in comparison with the 'torment' and 'pearl,' but she was a remarkably small boat, and very like them in the main features of her design. she was got out originally to play a part very different from that in which she proved herself so successful, having been built and launched for a fishing-boat to trawl in the thames; but her speed, like that of the liverpool -tonner 'wonderful,' showed up so conspicuously when sailing in company with other fast boats that she was forthwith bought, turned into a yacht, and made to fly a racing burgee. as may be supposed, both the 'torment' and 'arrow,' as well as the 'pearl,' were only half-decked boats with waterways round them. in the year , mr. stowe, of shoreham, built the 'diamond' to the design of her owner, mr. w. baden-powell. she won some few races under his flag, but the chief reason of her name appearing in these pages is that she was, if the writer is not very much mistaken, the first of all the yachts of tons and under in the south of england to go from port to port and race, her owner and his friends living on board. the 'diamond' was a decided advance on the boats of her tonnage stationed between the thames and southampton; yet she looked small indeed when moored alongside the yachts of a year or two later date. her length was feet, with a beam of feet, and an extreme draught of ft. in. she ran her fore and aft lines right fair to her taffrail, and had a long counter, part of which was submerged when she was down to her load-water-line. with such a small draught of water her height under the deck was necessarily low; she had however a high fixed coach roof, which helped her out of that difficulty to a certain extent. the cabin was roomy and made up four berths, but her weak point, like that of the 'wyvern,' was her immense cockpit, which was almost as capacious as her cabin. in the late mr. charles weguelin illustrated in a prophetical manner what were to be the dimensions and proportion of length to beam of the yacht of the future. the 'alouette' was a -tonner, ft. in. in length from stem to sternpost on deck, ft. in. in beam, and with an extreme draught of feet. she was built from mr. weguelin's design by robertson, of ipswich, but was not a great beauty to look at out of the water. her body was long and full, and her displacement naturally large, though nothing like that given to vessels constructed on similar dimensions during the ensuing decade. her chief antagonists were yachts of quite an opposite design, beamy, and of no great draught, besides being of a greater tonnage, such as the 'virago,' tons, 'rayonette,' tons, and 'zephyr,' tons. against these the 'alouette' was very successful, but her course was run as a successful racer when the season of ushered in one of the late mr. dan hatcher's most triumphant achievements. mr. weguelin was so satisfied with what his -tonner had done that he set to work, and in placed the design of a -tonner in the late mr. ratsey's hands, who launched from his yard the 'christine,' the counterpart of the 'alouette,' only twice her size; that is, by doubling all the dimensions of the -tonner, the 'christine,' a -tonner, was the result. the 'christine,' however, did not fulfil the expectations of her designer, and though her length approached as nearly as possible to that of the -tonners of her date, still she could do nothing with them. before saying farewell to the 'alouette,' it is as well to remember that, notwithstanding her small amount of beam, she was a grand sea-boat. on one occasion she sailed from southampton to algiers and made a very good passage, considering that she had to face some very heavy weather on her journey. it has become the custom to run down the seaworthiness of the yachts built under the old rule, but the number of examples that could be produced, if time and space permitted, of what the old -tonner would go through, and that at her ease and without any fuss, would more than astonish many who now, in the faith they bestow on the boat with three beams to her length, forget the comfort and safety in which they were carried about by the old boats of five to six beams to their length. the 'alouette' was wrecked at algiers in . she broke adrift from her moorings during a gale of wind, and was smashed up into matchwood. nothing was saved from her. the season of was one especially to be remembered among those interested in the now established -ton class, as it witnessed the advent of three grand additions to the greatly increased fleet sailing in that class. each yacht was from the well-thought-out drawing of a master-hand, and each was the representative of the three several schools of yacht-design, the 'freda' being the work of the late mr. dan hatcher of belvidere, northam, near southampton; the 'camellia' the offspring of mr. william fife, jun., of fairlie, on the clyde; while the 'vril' was built from the design of mr. g. l. watson, of glasgow. the 'vril' holds the right of precedence in that she was not only designed, but built and sailed, by her three owners, messrs. g. l. watson, john lawrence and j. b. hilliard, who, assisted by two carpenters, put her together in the messrs. henderson's yard at partick, glasgow. she was a fine, round-bodied little vessel, with a large sectional area and great sail-carrying powers. she had less waste surface for friction and skin resistance in proportion to her size than many a yacht of a much smaller tonnage. in several ways she might be said to have been a novelty, as she was the first yacht that was fitted with a heavy lead keel consisting of the whole of her ballast. her counter was short and tucked up with a knuckle on the quarter. she had no bulkheads, and her fittings were only such as were absolutely necessary; still very little goes a long way towards making a small yacht comfortable, and her head-room under her deck made her 'tween decks look like a palace. she was about the last yacht that was supplied with the fore and aft studding-sail (or stu'n's'l, as it is called) known as the 'ringtail'; but it was seldom, if ever, called into use. for small yachts such wind scrapers are more trouble than they are worth, to say nothing of the room the extra spars take up. the 'vril's' record was remarkably good, and though the three friends, assisted by an amateur or two, were her only crew during her first season--for her owners would not have a paid hand on board--she won a full quantum of first prizes, and with the clever boats she had for rivals praise must be meted out not only to the little yacht herself, but to those who sailed her for the smart manner in which she was handled. the 'camellia' and 'vril' were, with the exception of their draught, almost identical in their dimensions, the 'vril' being ft. in. long and the 'camellia' feet. their respective beams were the same, ft. in., and they drew, the 'vril' feet and 'camellia' about feet of water. the 'vril' at the end of her third season was sold and turned into a fast cruiser. her fittings, as they are now, are very elaborate and are well illustrated and explained in the seventh edition of that handy and serviceable book, 'a manual of yacht- and boat-sailing.' she has been laid up for some time at mr. robertson's yard at sandbank in the holy loch, where her proximity to many new yachts makes the signs of the sere and yellow-leaf stage of her existence, which is creeping upon her, very apparent. but there is life in the old boat yet, and her owner has in the 'vril' a fine, able, comfortable little cruiser. it is now some six years since the writer had the pleasure of seeing the 'camellia.' she had just been sold to a gentleman to go to stranraer, where she is at the present time. she was hauled up on fairlie beach in charge of the late mr. boag, and was awaiting a suitable tide for being launched. the 'camellia,' though of like dimensions to the 'vril,' was altogether different in form, and to those acquainted with the fairlie type was as pretty an example of what the messrs. fife were in the habit of turning out at that period as it was possible to select. she and her sister ship the 'clio' were both built from the same drawing, and were the first boats in which mr. william fife, jun., whose name is now a household word among men interested in yachting matters, played the conspicuous part of designer. the 'camellia' was a smaller-bodied boat altogether, more compact than either the 'vril' or 'freda,' with a powerful entrance and fine run, and ribbands as fair as they could be. messrs. craig and lawson, for whom she was built, possessed in her a little sea-boat capable of being driven in all weathers, and the harder it blew the more she seemed to like it. with less bilge and somewhat higher floor than 'vril,' she was fitted, like her predecessor the 'pearl,' with simply a half-deck and waterways, and was strengthened by a strong beam running across her to which the pump was attached. of course in smooth water it was a great advantage being able to work the yacht from below, but in anything like very heavy weather she carried hatches for covering in the open space. both the 'vril' and 'freda' were fitted with topmasts, but giving the 'camellia' the same fitting was only an afterthought, for when she was launched, like the 'clio,' she was supplied with a polemast. three or four years after her appearance she was decked in and provided with a very neat coach roof, or booby hatch, but her head-room below in her cabin could not have been more than feet. she makes a very good cruiser now, and from the grand work put into her, as into all yachts which hail from the great fairlie yard, her sides looked when last seen as fresh and as smooth as on the day when she first saw the water. [illustration: 'freda.'] the 'freda' is (for she is still hale, strong, and fit to show her tail to many a vessel of her size on cruising terms) a fine able boat, some ft. in. on the l.w.l., with a beam of ft. - / in. and draught of water ft. in. she is, like all the belvidere yachts of those days, a boat of large displacement with a grand midship section, with hatcher's well-known entrance, and a rather lighter quarter than usual. her sternpost has very little rake in it; in fact, excessive rake of sternpost was a rarity during the seventies, and her keel was only slightly rockered. most of her ballast, about tons cwt., was carried inside, and the lead on her keel was under tons. she was built for mr. freake, her planking being altogether of mahogany. all the wood, dead woods, ribs, and planking were got out in mr. hatcher's yard and then taken to mr. freake's estate, where she was put together and finished off. as a model yacht she is a perfect picture both above and below water, as well as on deck and in the cabin. with a flush deck and a small water-tight cockpit, after the fashion of the -tonners, and a neat skylight, the 'freda' looks all over fit to go, and equal to all emergencies. she has proved herself quite as much at home when cutting her way through a head sea as when smooth water and dry decks have been the rule. she was the home of her racing crew, and mr. beavor webb, who sailed her during her racing career, and afterwards bought her from mr. freake, could spin many a yarn of the little boat's great weatherly capabilities. no three yachts were more unlike each other, and after all the 'freda' had done down south, and the 'vril' and 'camellia's' successes in the clyde, so much attention was attracted to them that at last a series of matches was arranged to take place between them off holyhead the following season of . the place was well chosen, as in bringing the several matches off on the coast of holyhead island there was no chance of favouritism, since the locality was strange to all concerned, and the yachts had to prove their worth in a sea quite different from that to which any of them had been accustomed. it is not too much to say that, owing to the distance that had to be covered before the three yachts could reach holyhead, and the fame of their doings in the yacht-racing world, no more interesting racing has since taken place, either in america or in our own home waters, than the matches that were sailed off by these little opponents. the arrangement was that 'freda' should sail 'camellia' and 'vril' separately, and the yacht that pulled off two out of each three races was to be declared the winner. the weather for some days prior to and during the race week was anything but inviting, and the manner in which the yachts worked their way to their port showed at once what kind of stuff they were. the 'vril' was unfortunate, for owing to some gross carelessness the men who brought the yacht round from the clyde allowed her mainsail to get damaged to such an extent that during the trials it could scarcely be made to stand. the stakes were for _l_. a side. the first match between 'freda' and 'vril' took place on may , . the courses on each occasion were arranged by messrs. g. l. watson and dixon kemp. on the first day the course lay from the new harbour across a line between the -ton yacht 'challenge' and a buoy, round the end of the breakwater westward, rounding a flag-boat outside the inner end of the breakwater, thence eastward three miles round the bolivar buoy; thence to a mark-boat off the old pier, twice round, finishing between the 'challenge' and the starting buoy, miles. there could not have been a finer trial than these three matches afforded. the wind on the th was light from e.s.e., shifting to the eastward, accompanied by rain, whilst on the second day it veered round between s.w. and n.w., and brought up with it the usual sea that most yachtsmen frequenting st. george's channel know so well and hate so cordially. space will not permit a full account of the races to be given here, but should details be required, they will be found most faithfully recorded in an article in 'hunt's magazine' for the year , which has greatly assisted the writer in refreshing his memory, or in the 'field' newspaper that was published on the saturday following the races. the first match was the 'vril's.' she was the first over the line, and though the 'freda' very soon after passed her to leeward, she soon regained her original position, and gradually so increased her lead that at the end of the first round she was min. secs. ahead of her rival. the two little flyers had donned for the occasion all plain lower sail with working topsails aloft. on the run out for the breakwater the second time spinnakers were set, when the 'vril' was unfortunate enough to carry away the goose-neck of her spinnaker boom. this was followed by the boom slipping into the water and at once snapping in two. her crew smartly cleared the wreck, the outer end of the boom was lashed to the weather rigging, and the spinnaker set once more. those familiar with such matters will readily understand how well things must have been done on board the scotch yacht, when it is said that seconds were all that the 'freda' made out of the mishap. before reaching the bolivar buoy, the 'vril' had more than made up her lost ground; and though on the journey home the 'freda' gained a little, she was decidedly beaten, as she came in nearly minutes astern of the 'vril,' the times being--'vril,' hrs. mins. secs., and 'freda,' hrs. mins. secs. [illustration: 'challenge,' tons, .] the second match on the following day was sailed in about as dirty weather as it was possible for the concentrated energy of the elements to provide, and the result was that 'freda' turned the tables on 'vril' and beat her by about the same amount of time. the start was made at . a.m., and this time the 'freda' got away first. both yachts were reefed down, the 'freda' showing a single-reefed mainsail and foresail with the third jib, while the 'vril' carried a whole foresail with a double-reefed mainsail and second jib. the 'vril' also started with her topmast housed. outside the breakwater the little boats had to face a bad wind-against-tide sea, and quite a third part of the trip was made under water. for the run to the bolivar buoy the 'freda' set her spinnaker with a paddy's reef in it, which gave her a tremendous lead, because, though her extra length told, still the 'vril' had no spinnaker boom on board, having left it ashore, and could therefore only boom out her balloon foresail. on the thrash to windward, however, the 'vril' gained twelve seconds on her antagonist, so that the first round finished 'freda,' hr. mins. secs.; 'vril,' hr. mins. for the second round, the 'vril' sent her topmast on end and set a topsail, but her mainsail had been so badly treated before the races began that it was found impossible to make it stand properly, and the remarkable thing is that the little yacht worked as well as she did under the trying circumstances. the 'freda' kept to the sail she started with. the sea smoothed down considerably during the second round, which made the sailing somewhat easier. with the exception of a slight miscalculation in distance on the part of the 'vril,' and a consequent extra board on the beat up for the harbour buoy, nothing of any importance took place, and the two yachts came in, 'freda' first at hrs. mins. secs., followed by 'vril,' mins. secs. after her. the interest occasioned by the third day's sailing was extraordinary. all over the country an eagerness was displayed for news of the match almost equal to that seen on a derby day. the wind was at about the same force, and blowing from the same quarter as on the previous day, with the addition of a harder feel in it. both yachts, therefore, set the same amount of sail and had their topmasts housed. at the time of the start, which was made at a.m., the sea was breaking over the lighthouse, and made the journey look anything but inviting. both yachts, keeping a sharp look out on each other, were too keen on crossing the line, and had to return and make a fresh start, which they did side by side. there were not seconds between them when they jibbed round the first mark, the 'vril' leading, and the difference was further shortened by seconds at the bolivar buoy, this run having been made under boomed-out balloon foresails. the time between the yachts might have been lessened still more had not the 'freda' been obliged to busy herself about her boom, which came adrift. from the bolivar buoy home the little vessels danced it merrily to the tune of 'blow, breezes blow.' the 'freda,' before she made a fresh start, had placed herself seconds ahead of her rival, but going out again, the 'vril,' owing to the 'freda's' not being able to make use of her balloon foresail, passed her before they had rounded the first mark-boat, only to be repassed on the running-reach to the bolivar. the 'freda's' best point of sailing brought her to the bolivar min. secs. ahead, and though for the last time the 'vril' showed her superior power in beating to windward, the 'freda' had made up her mind to walk off with the dollars, and win she did by a few seconds over the minute. considering the sea that was running, and the amount of broken water that was throwing itself about, this last race is one to be long remembered and handed down in the annals of small-yacht racing; and now and hereafter, when racing and cruising men feel a tendency arising in them to croak and speak ill of the little yachts that were built under the old rule of measurement, let them call to mind their mighty deeds, their racing and their voyages under circumstances and in weather that would frighten many a -tonner into harbour and to her moorings. the fourth day ushered in a new competitor, and the 'freda' had to cross the line with the 'camellia,' which she did five minutes after the second gun. the wind and weather had changed during the night, an unfortunate circumstance for the 'camellia,' a hard-weather boat. the wind was unsettled, hung about between n. and n.e., and was at times very shy. the 'freda' at first, not being able to hold the wind that the 'camellia' did, lost ground considerably in the beat up to the bolivar buoy, and the latter had reached on her so cleverly that the 'freda' was fully a minute astern on rounding for the run into the harbour. the 'freda' here had the pull over the fairlie clipper, for she was provided with two spinnakers, while the 'camellia' had but one, and as a shift had to be made (since they had left the bolivar with spinnakers set on the bowsprit end) before setting off for the second round, the 'camellia' was left in the lurch, her one spinnaker having to be taken in and boomed out. standing out again, the 'camellia' tried her best to pass the 'freda' to windward, but to no purpose, as the 'freda' was always ready for her each time the attempt was made, and at the bolivar the 'freda' was first round by seconds. coming into the harbour, the 'freda,' again at her best, kept increasing her lead, and finally won by min. secs. hunt's correspondent writes: 'this was a closely sailed race, in which the english boat owed much of, if not all, her success to smart handling.' the fifth day's race was sailed under something like the 'vril' and 'freda' weather. the wind had hardened up and freshened during the early morning, and kept increasing as the day went on. both yachts started with housed topmasts, single-reefed mainsails, and no. jibs, the 'freda' running up and booming out her balloon foresail as she crossed the line. during the first round the 'freda' showed herself the better boat when on a reach as well as in beating to windward in the teeth of the heavy, solid sea which was running. she, however, was only min. secs. ahead at the mark-boat. on the second round the boats were literally more under water than above; they were simply smothered in their efforts to windward, and had the 'camellia' not been so persistently squeezed in order to make her look up closer to the wind than her rival, she might have gained more than she did. as it was, what she gained on one point she lost on the other, and allowed the 'freda' to come in a winner by min. secs. on the sixth and last day the umpires were obliged to alter the course owing to the heavy sea running outside the breakwater. there had been no lull during the night, and with the northerly gale blowing it was thought too dangerous a matter to allow the small yachts to face the hazards of a lee shore. the mark-boat outside was therefore brought within the breakwater, the other was left in its place off the old harbour, and the course made nine miles, or three times round the two marks, which lay now in more or less smooth water. the start was made at . a.m. under double-reefed mainsails and small jibs, 'freda' having sent her topmast on deck. the 'camellia' got away seconds ahead of the 'freda' owing to the latter not having heard the gun, and increased her lead till she came to the mark-boat. her lead, however, did not last long, for in the beat to the next mark she missed stays and allowed the 'freda' so to gain upon her that by the time the mark was rounded the 'freda' had put herself min. secs. ahead. the yachts had quite as much as they could do, the next time they had to haul their wind, to stagger under their small canvas, as the wind blew harder than ever and with more real venom in it. the 'freda' finished the nine miles in hr. mins.--quick work taking everything into consideration--but the 'camellia,' having again missed stays, up helm and made for her anchorage. this last match exhibited the powers of the two yachts in a different way, perhaps, and under conditions other than any met with in the previous races. if the third and fifth matches showed what fine sea-boats these small -tonners were, and how capable, handy, and powerful, when driven in a big, broken, heavy sea, the sixth day's racing proved that they could stand up to their canvas and bear pressing when many a much larger yacht would have had to be close-reefed. no apology need be offered for introducing these six matches into this work, because not only do they form a good precedent in the manner in which all the arrangements and the choice of fighting ground were made, but it is impossible in any other way to discover how one stay-at-home small yacht compares with another at a distance, unless they are brought right away from their respective localities and allowed to fight it out in open water unfamiliar to both. before bidding adieu to the above three little beauties, it may not be amiss to add that the 'freda' was sailed on all six occasions by mr. beavor webb with a professional crew, the 'camellia' was in the hands of tom dudley, of southampton fame, and the 'vril' piloted by one of her owners, mr. hilliard. each year now introduces new aspirants to the blue ribbon fame of the well-established -ton class, and though few methods, if any, had been resorted to up to this time for the purpose of cheating the tonnage rule, which then took the length on deck between stem and sternpost as its measure, instead of the length along the l.w.l., still the year saw a notable tonnage-cheater launched from the cheshire side of the mersey in the formidable -tonner 'lorelei,' designed by mr. wynne eyton, her owner, and built by messrs. buckley & sherlock. the 'lorelei' was a yacht worked out purely and simply on the wave-line theory, as defined by mr. colin archer, of christiania, and her counter was partly submerged, not only to enable the lines of her after body to be carried out fair, but at the same time, without adding to her tonnage, to give her a foot and a half more length on the l.w.l., since she was ft. in., whether the measurement was taken on deck or along the l.w.l. her beam was feet, and she drew ft. in. like the 'vril,' her ballast, tons in all, was on her keel, and her sail area square feet, or square feet less than that of the 'freda.' the displacement of both these yachts was almost identically the same; yet the 'freda' would have had a very hard struggle to keep within sight of the 'lorelei' on an ordinary -ton yacht course. frequently the 'lorelei' very nearly beat her -tonner competitors on even terms, and was always fit and ready to save her time. in the smaller class, such as she would race in at kingstown or liverpool, there was not one boat that she could not beat. mr. richardson designed for the messrs. anderson, who used to own hatcher's old crack the 'queen,' -tonner, a -tonner called the 'urchin.' she was intended to beat the 'lorelei,' but she never could do anything when sailing against her. the 'lorelei' carried rather a deep bilge, and her keel was well rockered. after mr. wynne eyton parted with her, she went up to the clyde, where she has done little or no racing, but has proved herself a first-class little cruiser. her fittings below, when she was in the height of her racing career, were very good and rather unique. she had no bulkhead, but was entirely open fore and aft. she was flush-decked, and her main cabin was partly divided off by a double set of rails made of -inch planks, which formed an open, but double, partition to hold all her kites and other sails. this open sail locker or pen stretched right across from side to side, and was about feet deep. it formed a good roomy receptacle for the sails, kept the weight amidships, and sails well aired. something of the same kind of fitting has been applied to one or two -tonners, the open gratings in their case being carried right up to the deck on the starboard side, leaving the door and pantry in its usual place. the upper half of the grating facing the main cabin was on hinges, and could be removed altogether to allow of sails being taken out or replaced quickly, as, for instance, on a racing day. as regards tonnage cheaters, the chief method employed for walking through the 'length on deck' rule was that of bending up the sternpost. the first yacht built with a knuckle in her sternpost came from messrs. buckley & sherlock's yard at tranmere, on the mersey, and belonged to the sloyne. she was a -tonner, and with the others, which followed after her, very soon brought the authorities' attention to the rule, which was promptly altered to the l.w.l. measurement. those who wish to know more about the 'lorelei' will find a very good description of her, with drawings, as they will also of the 'freda,' in the third edition of mr. dixon kemp's work on 'yacht and boat sailing.' in and two yachts were turned out which perhaps did more fighting as first-class -ton racers, and lasted throughout a greater number of seasons at the top of the tree, than any others had done since the days of the 'torment' and 'pearl.' the 'cyprus' and 'nora,' the one designed and built by mr. william fife, jun., the other parented on mr. george watson, were as distinct types in their way as were the 'vril' and the 'camellia' three years before. they were, besides, equally interesting, if not more so, since in them the practised eye could see how wonderfully the fife and watson designs had respectively developed and improved. the 'nora,' built in for those keen racing yachtsmen of the clyde, the messrs. allan, with ft. in. length on deck, ft. in. beam, and a rather deeper draught, was a veritable ship in comparison with her predecessor. more cut away forward and with greater rake of sternpost, big body and large sail-area, long counter and straight stem, nothing could touch her in light winds. the only antagonist that gave her any trouble was the 'cyprus,' built the previous year. this yacht, designed to sail under either measurement, length on deck, or l.w.l., was exactly feet when measured along the one, and . when measured along the other. her beam was ft. in., draught ft in., with a displacement barely equal to that of the -tonners, which between the years and gave so much sport and became so popular. she was one of the smartest of the small fry fairlie had ever turned out. certainly few would gainsay the fact that the 'cyprus' was by far the prettiest of her class at that date afloat, and at the same time looked a racer all over. out of the water she was a perfect study to the lover of gentle curves and fine lines, and as sweet a model as any connoisseur would wish to feast his eye on. without a straight line up or down, diagonal or horizontal, to be found about her, to all appearance, looking at her from a beam view, she presented a longer and finer entrance than had up to that time been given to any of the fairlie small yachts. such an increase had been meted out to her that at first sight it was difficult to free the mind of the impression that she must be a regular diver. an end-on view, however, soon dispelled all misgivings on that score, for her vertical sections showed a round floaty bow of extraordinary power. with a low freeboard of ft. in. at the waist, and a grand midship section, there was no wall-sidedness about the 'cyprus,' whilst her run was fine and clean, and her buttock lines beautifully easy. perhaps the prettiest features about the little yacht were her shear and the sit of her counter. this latter was light and long, and had a spring upwards towards the taffrail, rather after the fashion of a duck desirous of keeping her tail dry, though the yacht was a little more moderate as regards the height necessary for so carrying her appendage. the 'cyprus' was kept in the family during her career in the clyde, and was very successful during those seasons that her racing flag was seen at her topmast head, being always piloted by that prince of helmsmen, her designer and owner. in the winter of this yacht became the property of the writer, when she began a most successful career of a more all-round character than she had up to that time undergone, and it is principally from the practical experience derived from racing and cruising in her that he has been enabled to form his ideas and recommend the -ton yacht of ordinary dimensions as the best size and class of vessel for an inexperienced yachtsman to ship himself aboard as owner, captain, and hand. when the 'cyprus' came into his possession her fittings below were practically _nil_. like the 'vril' in her early days, she had only such contrivances as were absolutely essential for one living on board during a time bounded by hours rather than weeks or months. he was therefore obliged to make a few alterations below, such as turning her sofas into lockers, having iron bed-frames fitted in the cabin on hooks so as to be easily removable, and a box made to stand in between the after-provision sideboards and under the ladder to hold a bucket, washing basin, and lavatory conveniences. on deck the fittings were almost perfect. the jib, throat, and peak halliards led below through brass fairleads let into the deck a few inches on either side of the mast. the forestay, instead of coming down through the stem-head along the deck, and being purchased up to the bits, was led through the stem close under the deck and set up by tackles to the mast. in place of the regular tackles to the bowsprit shrouds, two sets of selvagee strops were used, the one short and the other long. the long strops were doubled round the forearm of the belaying rail on each side, abreast of the rigging, and the standing part of the bowsprit shroud shackled on and set up with galvanised rigging screws. the short strop was employed whenever the bowsprit was reefed in. it was found strong and neat, and much better altogether than the old plan of tackles, which formed the original fitting. the 'cyprus' was not entirely flush-decked--that is, she had a low very neat-looking 'booby hatch,' which fitted on a combing some three inches high. the combing ran from about two feet abaft the mast to within a couple of feet of the rudder-head. the after part enclosed a small water-tight lead-lined cockpit, then a foot of deck, ahead of which came the hatch, containing the after sliding hatch into the cabin and a low skylight. the width between the combings was ft. in. a transparent compass and binnacle fitted into the deck space ahead of the cockpit, and this was lighted by a lamp below in the cabin. this arrangement was excellent, as it prevented any of the troubles which so often arise in small yachts from the lights being washed out. at sea the boat was stowed below in the cabin, and as the hatch was very simple and easy to adjust, it was always taken off for the boat to be lowered down into its place. another point in favour of this hatch was that on fine sunny days it could be removed and the yacht kept well-aired and sweet. a narrow strip of india-rubber, doubled, was nailed round, close up to the combing, and this proved a thoroughly effective method for keeping the hatch tight and preventing any water from coming into the cabin. the 'cyprus' was a particularly handy boat. as the writer had to take her round to plymouth from scotland, he invited an old friend, and with the help of a boy of seventeen years of age out of one of the plymouth trawlers, left the clyde for kingstown, the port of call, after enjoying a few days' cruising about by way of letting everything shake into its place. it was a tuesday morning when the start was made from lamlash, in arran, and the 'camellia,' which was on her way to stranraer, left about half an hour before. the wind was n.w. and came down off the hills in strong squalls; but the water was smooth, and under all plain sail the little vessel simply flew along. after leaving ailsa craig astern, the sea began to show signs of getting up, and about p.m., before reaching corsewall point, it had begun to take such liberties, and make such encroachments on deck whenever a big curler chose to break over aft, sometimes to the depth of three inches to four inches, that it was thought advisable to heave her to and shorten sail. about p.m. the helm was put down and the foresail hauled to windward, whilst a reef was taken in the mainsail, no. jib set, and our ship made snug. it was a treat to see how well the yacht lay to, and it is impossible to describe the feeling of confidence it inspired, for not a drop of water was shipped, and she rode like a duck the whole time, coming up and falling off as each sea passed under her. from the time the foresheet was let draw to the time she dropped anchor in kingstown harbour all went well, the only incident being the writer's coming on deck at a.m. to find that the boy, who was on watch, had mistaken the morne mountains to the north of dundalk bay for the south of ireland, on the strength of which he had given up steering by compass, and was taking a course into dundalk, which would have soon led to a disastrous end. the compass, though a spirit one, was rather sluggish, and his idea of safety was steering by the land. wednesday night was spent at kingstown, and with the first of the ebb the 'cyprus' was again on her way with gaff-topsail set over all. light flukey airs from the southward and westward helped the yacht along during the greater part of the forenoon, but these were eaten up by the sun as the day wore on, and gradually died out altogether, leaving us to drift along till the tide began to make, when, being in easy soundings on the edge of the arklow bank, the anchor was let go, and the yacht brought up to await the beginning of the ebb or the wooing of a breeze. the next morning--friday--there was no wind of any kind; but the tides run strong on the east coast of ireland, and a whole ebb meant many miles to the good. the time during this drifting was well employed in having a thorough clean down, in opening up the cabin, airing the bedding, and improving the stowage of the general cargo shipped on board, consisting of sails, luggage, provisions, and numerous other necessary items. in the afternoon the yacht was again brought to an anchor, and remained so till saturday, about a.m., when a breeze springing up from the southward, her head was pointed towards the welsh coast. travelling was very slow, for the wind was very light, and not at all true. two short boards were made on reaching the other side, and about a.m. on sunday the yacht was laying up on the port tack for the smalls. the wind had now some westing in it, but not sufficient to let a course be laid for the longships; and as long rollers were coming in from the south-west, it was settled to go well away to windward in order to make land's end in one tack and obtain a clear offing. the smalls was left behind about p.m., and at p.m. the whole face of the sky was beginning to look so threatening, and the clouds to drive past at such a rate from the southward, while the quiet rollers had already begun to break up and require such extra attention, that at p.m. the 'cyprus' was hove to, and made ready for a dirty night. the mainsail was taken off her and trysail set, the topmast housed and bowsprit reefed in, the second jib shifted for a spitfire, and the foresail double-reefed. two hours later, the wind having sprung up into something near akin to a gale, and the yacht dancing with a light heart and by no means wet deck away out to sea, everyone on board was glad that she was under snug canvas and that time had been taken by the forelock. she could not have been more comfortable or cozy had she been a sea-going rocking-chair. on going about, the first land sighted was cape cornwall, but the wind, having had its say, again went down, till the yacht was left with just sufficient to keep her going, but not enough to make her steady, or prevent her knocking about in the choppy sea that remained. about noon, however, a breeze sprang up, and the seven stones lightship was passed close to about o'clock on tuesday morning. towards a.m. the wind had veered round to the n.w., coming off the land in strong puffs; sail was made once more, and with fairly smooth water all the way the yacht lay herself down to her work, and finally brought to off the hoe at p.m. the same night. the lesson learnt during this cruise was a useful one--viz. that if sail is attended to in time, a -ton yacht is fit to face almost any weather, provided she has sea-room. during the whole trip round the crew were never without hot water when they required it, so easy was the yacht's motion to those below, even during the most disagreeable part of the journey; and no water went below even when it lay thick on deck, as, for instance, off stranraer, and once or twice before sail was taken off her when near the smalls. the 'cyprus' was raced, whenever an opportunity presented itself, in the then a, b, and c classes, and in every case the racing was against yachts larger than herself. any amount of channel groping had to be undertaken, both from one english port to another, as well as between the french coast and england, ocean racing being quite as much in her line as the 'meteor's.' her best performances took place in strong breezes, and it was a sight worth seeing to watch the wonderful manner in which she could drive through a head-sea. at bembridge regatta the 'cyprus' sailed the course round the nab on a day when the -ft. class of yachts ( -tonners in reality) begged to have their course, which was identically the same, altered. no matter on what point of sailing she was engaged (and she is only given in these pages as a very fair type of the -tonner built to sail under the old y.r.a. rule), blow high or blow low, a lady might have handled her tiller without experiencing any of that muscular arm exercise so common in boats built under the length and sail-area rule, or even the slightest inconvenience. the 'cyprus' was sent out to toronto on board an allan liner from london, and became an ornament to lake ontario, where she is at the present time. between the years and four -tonners were built from the designs of one of the most rising young naval architects the clyde has ever produced--mr. payton. the first of this team was the 'trident,' which, though not by any means a successful racer, was a fine able boat and moderately fast. she is mentioned here on account of her having made a long ocean voyage to the south of france. she was altogether bigger and a much heavier boat than the 'nora' or 'cyprus,' but could be worked just as easily. five frenchmen, however, were employed to take her south. her behaviour under a very trying state of the weather, while crossing the bay of biscay, was highly spoken of, and the men who went in her declared their faith in her to such an extent as to be quite willing to take her out to the cape. the 'olga' was mr. payton's next attempt at a flyer. she was feet long, with a beam of . feet, and had a great draught of water. she was a very large-bodied boat, was built on the most advanced scientific principles, and, what is more to the point, was a complete success; but she was a most unfortunate yacht. with a very wide keel her midships section was anything but shapely, and ran down almost in a straight line from her bilge, which was very low and square, to the bottom of the lead. at the royal irish yacht club regatta, mr. power's steam yacht ran into her and sank her in kingstown harbour, but she was brought up and floated again, mr. power having bought her as she lay under water. the 'olga' after this mishap won her full share of races, and ended her first season flying winning flags, of which were firsts. mr. g. b. thompson bought her during the winter, and the following season won four first prizes with her; but before the season was half over she was again unlucky, and on june was once more run into and sent to the bottom, whilst in the mersey. she was fished out, and put up for auction, but who bought her or what became of her is not generally known. the third yacht of tons was the 'luath.' she, however, was not such a phenomenon as the 'olga,' and after the 'olga's' short but brilliant existence, what was expected of her did not come off. she was, as may be supposed, very much like the 'olga' in looks and of about the same dimensions, though of rather larger displacement. the last of the four was the 'oona.' her melancholy end is still fresh in the memory of many a small-yacht sailor. she was built in at wivenhoe, in messrs. harvey & co.'s yard, for mr. plunket, of belfast, and was an extreme example of what could be designed under the old y.r.a. rule. her length was ft. in. on the l.w.l., her beam ft. in., and draught feet, but her chief characteristic was her marvellous body, which displaced tons, both displacement and sail-area of , square feet and more being greater than many racing -tonners, and the latter over , square feet more than 'freda' or 'nora's' sail-spread. what she might have done as a prize-winner it is impossible to say, for she never reached her station. coming from the eastward, she put into southampton to effect some small repairs, and after remaining there a few days, on may , with her owner mr. payton, her designer, and a crew of three men on board, left for belfast. it appeared that shortly after passing dublin bay--for she did not put into kingstown, as might have been expected--her owner must have intended to make the best of his way up channel, but, unhappily, terrible weather set in about the night of the th, and the general opinion was that, from some weakness in or lack of roping, the trysail was burst up, and that becoming unmanageable, or through her crew having been swept overboard, the yacht was driven on to the sands off malahide and so became a wreck. her hull was washed up without its lead keel and its fastenings or the iron floors; in fact, the whole of her keel and lower garboards had gone. mr. payton's name will always be associated more especially with the -tonner 'currytush.' she was a more brilliant success than even the 'olga'; but the old -tonners do not come within the scope of this paper. the last of the race of -tonners, if the 'oona' be left out, is the 'doris,' one of mr. watson's greatest successes in small-yacht design. she was built in for the messrs. allan, who had owned and sailed the little 'nora' so pluckily and so well. her length is . feet on the load-water-line, beam . feet, and draught about feet, or a little more. the 'doris,' like the 'oona,' is an extreme representative of the old rule. her displacement is very large, but there is far more shape and comeliness about her body plan than was to be found in any of mr. payton's designs. she has proved herself a clever boat in all weathers, and in light winds particularly so. her chief rival, had she not been lost, would have been the 'oona,' for there was no other -tonner afloat capable of tackling her, and her principal racing was against boats of a larger tonnage. she could always save her time on the crack -tonners of her day, such as the 'uleerin,' 'queen mab,' and 'malissa,' and the only matches of any interest that she was mixed up in were three that came off between her and mr. froude's -tonner 'jenny wren.' this yacht, designed by her owner, and built at messrs. simpson & dennison's yard at dartmouth, was made double-skinned for the sake of lightness. she, like the 'doris,' was a large, big-bodied boat, but her form did not give that idea of power with which a look at the 'doris' at once inspired the observer. both the 'doris' and 'jenny wren' are cut away forward, and carry the curve of the keel up to the water-line, finishing at the deck-line in a fiddle-head. the 'jenny wren' had shown herself remarkably fast in light winds and smooth water, and on certain days could leave the length classes to follow her up. bad weather, however, was her weak point, and even in strong breezes and smooth water she did not always appear to be sailing at her best. at plymouth, then, when the 'doris' and 'jenny wren' met, everything depended on certain conditions what kind of a fight the latter would make. as the 'doris' beat her, there is every reason to believe that it was either blowing hard or that the wind was shy and there was a certain amount of roll outside the breakwater. [illustration: good start of small raters in the clyde.] since the measurement rule was altered, the 'doris' has been improved by being spread out and given more beam. she still races, but cannot do much against the -raters, the class to which she now belongs, and has lately been sold to spend the rest of her days as a cruiser. should she race in the future, it will be in the many clyde handicap cruising races. with such bodies and draught there was no lack of head-room in the cabins of the latter day 'plank on edge' 'lead mines,' but the want of beam made the accommodation not exactly as grateful as it might have been had there been a little more elbow-room. the alteration in the 'doris' has given her the requisite amount of beam, and she ought to make a very comfortable fast and able boat for cruising purposes. the y.r.a. rule and its -raters in the year the yacht racing association brought in a new rule for yacht measurement, or, more properly speaking, for rating yachts to be used in racing. there is no other reason why a rule for rating should be required at all, as under the old rule, or any true capacity measurement, a naval architect or yacht designer would be sure to produce a good, serviceable vessel for cruising purposes, and according as the owner's requirements might be speed, accommodation, or light draught, so the several dimensions and design would be arranged to suit. with regard to this rule of rating by 'length and sail-area,' and the boats which are the result of it, there appear to be many and diverse opinions; and prior to noticing any particular yacht built under it, it will be as well to look at all its points before declaring for or against it. experience declares them to be good sea-boats, in that they rarely ship solid water, and they are very fast when sailing on a wind. their spoon and fiddle-headed bows would help to throw the water off, while their mast being stepped almost in the eyes of the yacht, would make them eat up into the wind, because it permits of most of the driving power being concentrated in one big sail. their sailmaker's bill is a small item, on account of the tendency to keep the sail-area down. for instance, the 'archee,' mr. lepper's -rater, of belfast, with a length of . feet, a beam of . feet, and a draught of nearly ft. in., a length on deck of . feet, the tonnage of which, by the last rule, would have been a little over - / tons, has a sail-area of square feet against the , square feet of the 'doris' -tonner. they are bigger boats than the old -tonners, but then they have so much more beam. the 'cyprus' was the same length as two-thirds of the -raters that have been built, but she had only ft. in. beam against the raters' feet to feet. they have very little gear with the lugsail rig, and the decks are always clear. they can lay to, but it is on the same principle as that of a una boat, and they would not remain on one tack all the time but for the little jib they carry, while they forge ahead at a great speed, and cannot be stopped unless a man is left at the helm to look after it. if properly trimmed the rater can be steered by the lightest hand when beating to windward and close hauled, and she is remarkably quick in stays. experience, however, shows that, though the rater rarely ships a sea, still, when she does put her nose in the water, it becomes a general question on board her whether she will ever bring it out again. this is not altogether enjoyable, and such sensations were never experienced in boats built under the old rule. the one large lugsail, too, and little jib form a most unhandy rig. experience has also proved that, with regard to the two factors, sail-area and length, the tendency is to make the body of as small displacement as possible, taking the length into account, so that with the small area of canvas employed there may be very little weight to propel. thus, though the early raters were big-bodied and roomy boats, with good head-room below, the boats built lately are inferior in those qualities, and those which will be put on the stocks in the future will be merely big canoes with bulb-keels. experience prefers for channel seas a boat that can be driven through the water when necessity compels without any sense of danger, and that, if allowed to do so, will ride over the waves when no object is to be gained by making a short cut through. a yacht of four beams to her length or more will do this far more comfortably and with less commotion and fuss than one of three beams or less to her length. experience furthermore says that, though the lugsail requires very little gear, and can be hoisted with a certain amount of ease, yet if sail has to be shortened, or the lugsail to be taken in hurriedly, it requires more than three men to do it smartly; at no time is the job an easy one, but if any sea is running, or the weather squally, three men have as much as they can do to handle it. this is never the case with the gaff-mainsail. in a -tonner a man and a boy could have shortened sail easily, and though the sail-area was great, one man and the owner could always sail her from port to port. money may be saved through a small sailmaker's bill, but it must go out in wages to the crew and extra hands. it is a good point to have very little gear about, but the 'wenonah' and 'wee winn' both prove that a gaff-mainsail is quite as suitable as the lug and a better all-round sail. _experientia docet_ that the rater, though she can lay to, cannot be hove to and have her way stopped. and the risk with her is, that in a sudden rush, caused by her aftersail filling, she may bury herself by jumping right into a head-sea--a most dangerous performance when the weather is so bad and the seas so high that travelling can only be carried on at peril. again, experience tells a tale that raters are not all so very tender on the helm even when sailing on their best point, and are what would be called in horsey phraseology very hard-mouthed; and that whilst off the wind they are like star-gazers, all over the place, and ready to rush anywhere and everywhere rather than straight ahead or where the helmsmen want them to go. some of the small yachts built latterly under the old rule had a similar inclination, but it was generally at a time when they were being very heavily pressed, carrying too much sail, or when badly trimmed. of the two kinds of overhang forward, the spoon-shaped bow, which mr. g. l. watson has given his new boats, is the best, because it adds flotation as well as length on the l.w.l. when the yacht is sailing down to her bearings, and fairs all her longitudinal curves. the fiddle-headed bow may be thought by some to look prettier, but it is not so effective, unless it helps by its flam, or flare out (which some new yachts with this kind of bow do not have), to keep the decks clear of water. the overhang bow means an extra top weight, which has to be provided for and counteracted when the calculation is being made for the ballasting; but, on the other hand, it gives enlarged deck-room. it also saves having a long outboard spar in the shape of a bowsprit, and so does away with any need of reefing. this is really only a small matter after all, since even with a rough sea there is never very much difficulty in reefing in the bowsprit providing it is properly fitted. years ago in american waters there was scarcely a sloop built that had not an aberdeen stem or fiddle-headed bow, but for some years they were discarded, and it is only lately they have been brought into fashion again. no american would give up anything that he had pinned his faith to unless he saw some real advantage to be gained by so doing. it is quite easy to understand why americans should come back to the old stem now, for their waters like it, and it helps to cheat the rating for length. the main design so common in the rating classes is perfect when regarded from two points of view only. the long, very gentle curve that runs up from the heel of the sternpost to the stem-head, and the excessive rake of the sternpost itself, allow of no more outside deadwood than is absolutely necessary to keep the yacht together, hang the rudder, and fix the lead keel on, so that whatever surface there may be to cause friction is doing its duty--that is, is caused by the skin or planking. the form thus given has its drawbacks; this experience has shown us and they are far more prominent and, therefore, serious when met with in the smaller raters than when seen in a - or -rater. the second point is the quickness with which yachts of this new design 'stay' and 'get away.' this is a more practical benefit to large yachts than to small ones; for vessels like the 'doris' or the old 'solent,' -ft. and -ft. classes, could all stay and move off quite quickly enough, although they might not have manifested a desire to spin round twice when not stopped on their wild career, which is a marked peculiarity with the modern mosquitos. in the large classes a few years ago it was a common thing to make use of the time occupied in going about to take in or shake out a reef when circumstances demanded it; at the present day the skipper or sailing-master has to keep his wits about him, otherwise he may find his beauty turning round and looking him in the face; for the large rater can whip round like a top. now, in regard to the courses round great britain, two-thirds are what may be called reaching courses--that is, there is more running and reaching to be done than there is beating to windward--and though the distance to be sailed over in tacks may be only a third of the whole course, still the tacks that have to be taken will make the distance almost as long as two-thirds of the whole course itself; hence comes the advantage of having a yacht that will travel the distance quickly on a wind. nevertheless it seems foolish to place the eggs all in one basket, and as it is an absolutely useless accomplishment for a yacht to be able to go round two or three times to the once putting down of the helm, the question may be asked whether she would not be equally quick and a better racing, to say nothing of a cruising, yacht if she were not quite so much cut away forward, or, better still, if her sternpost were not quite so much raked; and could not this be done without materially affecting the speed? if the idea is to give the yacht a great hold of the water by a deep draught, then it is easy to understand that the present fin-shaped keel is necessary; but mr. herreshoff has given practical proof that such a shaped keel or such excessive draught is by no means necessary to make a boat weatherly or a successful prize-winner. with a straighter sternpost a certain length of horizontal keel might be required to keep the centre of lateral resistance in the best place, but that again would only be following mr. herreshoff at a near distance, and would make the boats run and reach better and under a steadier helm, whilst a very imperceptible difference would be found in their rate of travelling to windward. the two herreshoff boats that have been sent over to england have certainly shown their tails to our smartest raters in the two rating classes, viz. the - / and / . both the 'wenonah' and 'wee winn' are fitted with bulb-keels, which run their length horizontally to their l.w.l., and they are good on all points of sailing as well as remarkably quick in stays. these two boats are rigged with regular gaff-mainsails too, so that notwithstanding the craze for lugsails, they are not essential to make a boat sail past the winning marks first. to the cruising yachtsman who lives on board his little vessel, with such an alteration or improvement as the one referred to above there would be the comfort and satisfaction, when hauled alongside the pier of a tidal harbour, of knowing, after the yacht had begun to take the ground, that he had not to sit up all night watching her, or waiting till her bow started to lift before he could turn in to his bunk, because his yacht would take the ground on a more even keel. it is no child's play looking after a fin-keeled yacht taking the ground, and the very greatest of care and most subtle precautions have to be used to avoid a fall over on the side. [illustration: 'wenonah' _ - / -rater (mr. h. allen). designed by nat. herreshoff, ._] in designing a small yacht there are matters that have to be considered which scarcely affect larger vessels except when comparing them, again, with larger vessels still. one of these points almost makes it worth while looking back at the reasons why certain types of small yachts have become so prominent and so much sought after and believed in. the great american designer, mr. herreshoff, and our own clever yacht architects here, are taking the canoe of the savage as their model; and as this is the case, it may be interesting to see how, starting from the canoe, all yachts have taken their form (no matter how deep or beamy they may have been), and perhaps, too, by so doing, it will be easier to discern and arrive at the kind of form best suited to meet special requirements, apart from the trammels of the rules, measurements, or ratings such as are or have been laid down for yachtsmen and yacht-owners by the royal thames, the yacht racing association, the american and french yacht clubs, or other societies and authorities. the canoe of the south seas or the kyak of the greenlander could not have been better chosen, had they been worked out on the most scientific principles, for the work they have to do. the shape is that best adapted for speed, lightness (which means light displacement), and, under certain conditions, for sea-going qualities. those conditions are, of course, smooth water or big ocean rollers, which seldom if ever break, and a propulsion easy, strong, and yet not exaggerated, longitudinal and not transverse in its tendency (as in propulsion by sail). now if this model be taken, which invariably possesses a u-shaped section, there will be no great difficulty in understanding the whys and wherefores of the several transformations it has undergone. if it is desired that a small boat should keep the sea, the nearer she approaches to the canoe form, as far as is compatible with the limited requirements, the better able will she be to cope with the difficulties which she ought, under the circumstances, to be ready to encounter. hence it is that those men who make great ocean voyages, as, for instance, across the atlantic, in boats about feet or thereabouts, always have their boats built as round and floaty in form as it is possible to design them, taking into account that they must be decked, have sufficient depth of hold to allow of stowage for provision and water, which act as the greater part of the ballast, with the addition of just sufficient room for lying down at full length under deck covering: ft. in. to feet is the outside depth under the deck of any of these diminutive ocean cruisers. the entrance given to such boats is always full and buoyant, though not bluff. rarely do they have a vertical stem, but one rather rounded up, with a slight overhang. the after-body is generally whale-shaped, with the sternpost at a somewhat less angle than the stem. both stem and stern-posts have this inclination given them, not with the idea of making them quick in stays, but rather for the purpose of meeting and throwing off head or following seas, and adding buoyancy to both ends. the main principle in these boats is to obtain buoyancy and speed, while great sail-carrying power for driving at abnormal speeds does not so much as receive a thought. this is why it so seldom occurs that any of these little vessels fail in reaching their destination. they go over the seas and not through them, owing to lack of weight and want of power. their worst experiences during their long, uninteresting, and perilous voyages generally begin on nearing our shores and the chops of the channel, where the seas begin to assume a broken, short, uneven, or at the best a deep ridge and furrow, shape. these boats may be considered the first remove from the early canoe form. the general requirements, however, in a yacht are speed, accommodation, sail-carrying power, and weight. this latter property means, in other words, the ability to drive through a sea which, from its wall-sidedness, makes it an impracticable barrier to get over. when a vessel has not the weight or power to meet such a sea, as a rule, it spells disaster, or, to say the least, very disagreeable consequences; whereas if she can climb a part of the way up and then send her nose through the top, all is sure to end well. accommodation is very near akin to weight, for it is impossible to have a roomy boat without weight being concerned in it as a factor of some consequence. accommodation in a yacht of feet length and feet to feet beam means that there should be a height between the cabin floor and the deck beams of ft. in. to ft. in. at least, and this will demand a big-bodied boat of rather large displacement, otherwise the deepening in the water of the original u shape. such a boat will require a large sail-spread to propel her. supposing, however, that such height between decks is not required--that is to say, the boat is to be only partially decked with a large open cockpit--in that case the designer can, if he chooses, give the boat very much less displacement, which, in its turn, will require less driving power. the tendency, as it has been shown, of the length and sail-area rule is to provide just such a small displacement yacht, and accordingly a large yacht will some day be launched without any accommodation whatever. sail-carrying power is almost entirely a matter of displacement, for it is only a large-bodied boat that will have buoyancy sufficient to carry a great weight of ballast, and the deeper that ballast is placed, the more leverage will there be to counter-balance the sail, and hence the greater may be the sail-spread. under the new system of deep plates, with the whole of the ballast bolted on at the bottom of the plate in the shape of a cigar or whitehead torpedo, it is impossible to say how much area of sail could not be given to a boat of a certain length, beam, and depth of hull, and the only questionable difficulty that would come in the way would be the weight of the mast and spars necessary to carry the sail. for instance, take the three principal methods of stowing ballast, inboard, outboard, as in the ordinary keel, and the plate with a bulb. the dimensions of the boat to be supplied with sails are, length feet, beam feet, draught to bottom of wooden keel feet. if the ballast is stowed inboard (lead ballast is presumed in all the cases), and the displacement permits, the sail-area may be square feet. if the ballast is taken out and moulded in a keel, the sail-area may be increased to close upon square feet. should the lead be taken out and a plate some feet or feet deep be fitted, with the lead in the form of a bulb fixed at the bottom, the weight of the spars and the sails would be the only obstacle to the great increase of canvas that might be spread. suppose, again, another hull be employed for experiments, having the length the same, but the beam increased to make up for the smaller depth of body below l.w.l. of feet, the new hull may have the same displacement, and therefore the power to support the same weight of ballast as the last example. if this hull were supplied with a plate feet or feet deep, with the same bulb of lead, she would carry a still greater amount of sail; but with such a shallow boat there would be no accommodation. speed, that element in design which everybody cries after, whether they be practical scientific yachting men (and there is one thing great britain can boast of in her yacht designers, professional or amateur, and that is, they are all, without exception, first-rate helmsmen and seamen), or only graduating in the first principles of yacht-racing, is dependent on many conditions. in the first place, it forbids the presence of all superfluous deadwood, so that the outside surface presented to the water may be all of a useful description (that is, by being part of the planking or skin, or only as much deadwood as is necessary for the strength of the vessel), and the friction caused thereby may be reduced to a minimum. with a hull of large displacement there must naturally be very much greater surface friction than in one of smaller body, and therefore the question will arise--will not the smaller yacht be the faster of the two? this involves still deeper sifting, because sometimes the smaller yacht will beat the one built on the same length and beam, though she may be very much larger. before we can choose which of the two kinds of boat will be the better to have for a successful racer, a second great condition has to be looked into and satisfactorily settled. this is nothing less than what kind of waters the yacht will have to race or cruise in. the question of the element water is one very frequently forgotten and lost sight of by those buying yachts, especially second-hand ones; and the purchaser, who perhaps buys a most successful small vessel in the south, is astonished to find that when he has tried her against the local scotch cracks, her performances prove of a very poor description in comparison, and disappointment is the consequence. water may be in the eyes of some all the same, wherever it may be, and so it is round our coasts in its smooth state; but when it is set in motion there are scarcely two of our great yachting stations alike, while the seas in our three channels all vary in form. at the mouth of the english channel the seas, as soon as the 'chops' are left astern, become regular, are long and deep, and more or less easy for a small yacht to negotiate; that is, she has room to work in and out of them, and at the same time avoid receiving a comber aboard as passenger. as she sails farther up and the channel narrows, the seas become more of the deep ridge and furrow order, steep, narrow, and difficult to sail over, whilst each sea will contain its full weight of water. on nearing calais the seas have less water in them, but are very short and steep; the consequence is they are more inclined to break. in the north sea the sea disturbance takes another and larger form, and sailing north becomes still larger, and, of course, wider and deeper, till the northern ocean is opened out. st. george's channel is very much like the english channel, except that between port patrick in scotland and the irish coast the waves are more regular than between calais and dover, where currents and banks tend to make dangerous cross seas. so it is found that off plymouth and falmouth and outside dartmouth there is often an ocean swell running, especially after there has been a south-westerly gale. the solent, again, is different from the clyde in its sea disturbance, and when acted upon by a south-easterly gale the seas off spithead, owing to the shallowness of its water, have not nearly so much weight of water in them as those of the scotch estuary when worked up by a northerly or southerly breeze. the liverpool and london rivers are very much alike, though perhaps of the two the liverpool has the greater sea disturbance, owing to the strength of its tides, which at some seasons are very rapid. to large yachts of tons and over the difference in character of the seas just spoken of is not a matter of great importance. what a large yacht may treat as a mere ripple to a -tonner may be a 'nasty sea'; and as these pages are dealing with the smaller craft of about feet length, the sea disturbance must be regarded as it affects them. on rivers and inland waters the waves, as a rule, have not much weight in them, and there is no reason why the small yacht should not be able to go through the waves she is unable to rise over. yachts of large displacement are more likely to do that at better speed than a small vessel of the same beam and length, because they have more weight. where ocean rollers are concerned, or a heavy swell, while there is wind both types may be equal; but when the wind is shy and light, then the yacht of large displacement will walk past her small rival. it would be noticed that the heavy displacement vessel would forge ahead apparently moved by no other force than the 'send' of her weight as she lazily pitches to the movement of each succeeding wave. the courses for small yachts where such conditions are met with are plymouth, dartmouth, and queenstown, and some parts of the clyde and st. george's channel to a very much lessened degree. then, if a thought be cast across the atlantic and a look be taken at the characteristics of the waters of long island sound, that favourite haunt of all american racing and cruising yachtsmen, as on our own inland waters, the seas that much disturb the small fry are, it will be observed, scarcely noticeable to the large schooners and cutters of which so much is heard. the principal form in america laid down for all yachts used to be a long flat floor with very small displacement, great beam with a centreboard--the immense beam giving great initial stability. large as well as small yachts were built to this design, and much used to be heard about their remarkable speed. a few years ago, however, two or three small yachts, amongst them the little 'delvin' -tonner, built by mr. w. fife, jun., were sent over, all of fairly large displacement. these, without exception, put the extinguisher on all the american small yachts, by beating them time after time. the reason of it was that the english-built yachts could drive through what broken water or sea disturbance they met with, while the 'skim-dishes' could do little against it. since those days the americans have very materially altered their model, and both large and small yachts have been given more power; _vide_ the examples brought out to compete with our yachts for the 'america cup,' and those to which the 'minerva' has so lately shown her tail. where, therefore, great speed is required, and there is no limitation to sail-carrying power, a large displacement vessel is the best type to choose. some small-yacht racing men do not like to be always remaining in their home waters, but prefer to go round to the regattas at other ports, and try their luck against the small yachts that gather at these meetings. they live on board, and sail their yachts round the coast. to such the large bodied boat is a regular frigate. the head-room is good, no lack of space is wanted for a comfortable lie down, and the owner and two friends, with racing sails and all other yacht paraphernalia, can stow away in the main cabin as cosily as can be. [illustration: 'minerva,' tons. designed by w. fife, .] during the last six years yacht designers have been spending their time in perfecting a vessel to be rated by length and sail-area alone. boats of large displacement and moderate length, with good sail-spread, limited so that the boats might be rated under their several classes, gradually, but surely, gave place to boats of greater length, smaller bodies, and a smaller sail-spread. it does not appear, from the opinions of many who have published their views, that there is at the present time any particular desire to have good accommodation in racing yachts. the owners of the greater number of the -raters do not live in them, and the owners of the -raters have been so accustomed to great head-room in their vessels, that now, when, instead of having feet to feet, they still find they can walk about in the cabins, no complaints are heard; but with the lessons that mr. herreshoff has been teaching, there is every reason to believe that we may live to see a -rater launched with about to feet depth of body under water, and then perhaps there may come a reaction, and a return may be made to a moderately large displacement. up to the present time the -raters have been kept fairly large, and owing to their beam, as far as internal accommodation is concerned, have room enough and to spare; but the raters of were not nearly of such large displacement as the boats of two years before, and they are wonderful to look at outside. the fin-keel requires great depth if it is to be of any real use, and it is in this particular point that small yachts suffer. if a -rater is to sail in all waters, and go the round of the coast regattas, then her draught should be limited; of course, if the sole intention of the owner is that his yacht is never to race in any other locality than his own home waters, then, if the home waters be the clyde, or windermere, or kingstown, there is no reason why depth should not be unlimited. on the other hand, should the yacht be intended for a sea-going vessel, then a heavy draught of water is not altogether desirable. there are times when a -tonner or rater may be overtaken by bad weather while making a passage, and when a comfortable harbour under the lee would be a most acceptable refuge to make for. there are scores of snug little places round the coast where a small craft could lie peacefully enough, provided her draught of water allowed her to make use of any one of them. the average depth of water at these bays or harbours is about feet at low-water spring tides. hence no yacht or rater of feet or under should have a draught of more than feet. the writer remembers only too well an occasion when, after leaving campbeltown, in cantyre, for a northern port in ireland, a north-westerly gale sprang up, bringing with it rain and a sea fog. the distance across from the mull is not more than a few miles, but when his yacht made the land it was blowing so hard he had to run for the nearest shelter. alas! when he sighted the little tidal harbour he was steering for, it was low water, and his yacht, which drew feet in., could not enter. he had to lie at two anchors outside in the roads with some half-a-dozen coasters, expecting, with every shift of the wind, that the anchorage might become one on a lee shore. the 'humming bird,' in , left the solent for queenstown. she is a - / -rater. after leaving land's end the weather, which had been more or less fine, changed, and the sea getting up, it was decided to take her into st. ives harbour. she unfortunately drew more than feet; the consequence was, though only feet on the water-line, she was compelled to take her chance and drop anchor in the bay outside, because there was only feet of water in the harbour. none know the value of a moderate draught of water better than those who have cruised or raced afar from home, and groped their way into all kinds of out-of-the-way bays and harbours in small craft. the yachtsman who builds for racing only, possesses the means, and is ready to launch a new yacht to his name every other year, should (if he be a sensible man and proposes to himself to sell the yachts he has no further use for) think of the requirements of the market and his ability to sell. soon the yacht mart will be flooded with a number of cast-off -and - / -raters, all with a draught of water which would limit their sale to only a few places. there are many living at the present moment who will remember the time when even the large yachts of to tons were never given more than feet draught. this was done to enable them to enter tidal harbours, the greater number of which only have a depth of feet at high-water neeps. but there is another argument in favour of not having too great a draught of water, and that is, it is not an element of speed, beyond helping the sail power; and the existence of yachts like the old 'fiery cross,' which only drew feet and was a most successful winner, and of the herreshoff boats, which do not draw so much as the english-built raters and are the cracks of the day, points the lesson that it is well to put a limit where a limit may be altogether an advantage. great care is necessary in apportioning out beam, no matter whether the yacht is to be of large or small displacement; great beam in the case of a yacht of small displacement is only suitable for waters such as long island sound, or long rolling seas, and is useless in heavy broken water like that met with in our channels; because it is a difficult matter, without weight, to drive through the seas. when great beam is given to a yacht of large displacement, she may be able to fight her way through the water, but it will not be at the greatest speed for the given length, since it was proved by the old solent -ft. and -ft. classes that when beating through a head sea a yacht of the same length, but of small beam, such as the 'currytush' and the late lord francis cecil's little -tonner 'chittywee,' were able to travel faster through the water whenever it was a hard thrash to windward. the general opinion of those competent to judge is, that - / to - / beams to the length on l.w.l. is about the most advantageous proportion, some going even so far as to assert that three beams may be given; but, in dealing with small yachts, -raters and -tonners, as this chapter does, the writer believes that four beams to length is a good proportion to meet all kinds of weather with; and if feet be the length ft. in. the beam, and ft. in. the draught, such proportions will be found to give quite sufficient scope to any designer in order that a remarkably fast weatherly little ship may be the result of his calculations. the height between the decks with a large displacement would give ft. in. to feet head-room. nothing has been said about the sail-area, which should not be taxed. the element sail-area appears to be the stumbling-block in the present rating rule. it is limited, and the consequence is the cart is put before the horse, and the hull is built to the sail-spread. thus the hull is being minimised to carry the small area allotted to certain lengths. there have been so many raters built since the present rule came in that it would take too much space to mention them all with their several points, but there is this fact to notice, which backs up what has been said before, that south-country designed boats seem to do well in their own waters, while those brought out in the clyde fare best there. when clyde -raters have gone south, they have performed badly--though the 'red lancer' in proved the exception to the rule--and the solent raters that have found their way up north have made but a poor show. mr. arthur payne is the king of draughtsmen on the solent, and his yachts, with those designed by mr. clayton, also a prince among naval architects, have all had their turn at winning prizes when they have been properly sailed. mr. payne's designs mostly favour a fair amount of displacement, and 'alwida,' built by him for lord dunraven in , is a very fine example of the kind of craft he can produce. the workmanship is fit to compare with the very neatest cabinet work. the following year the beam was increased by some inches, the length underwent a drawing out, and at the same time the body was tucked up to decrease the displacement. the next movement, if it is possible to judge by the - / -raters, will be to follow in the steps of mr. herreshoff--who speaks for himself in other chapters. the 'cyane,' another of mr. payne's -raters and an improvement on the 'alwida,' has few fittings below, but there is great height between decks, and if she were changed into a cruiser, she has enough room to make her everything that can be desired, without greatly decreasing her speed. to describe all the -raters sent out to do battle by those northern champions, messrs. fife and g. l. watson, would be equally out of place here. their boats are too well known all over the world both for speed and beauty of design, and if there is a point peculiar to either of them that marks their vessels and makes their meetings interesting and exciting, it is that while mr. watson's are extra smart in topsail breezes, messrs. fife's yachts are specially good in strong winds. [illustration: 'red lancer' _ tons t.m., -rater (capt. sharman-crawford). designed by fife of fairlie, ._] in mentioning these well-known names, it would be impossible to forget a name which will always be linked with the year --viz. mr. j. h. nicholson, jun., of the firm of messrs. nicholson & sons, gosport, the successful designer of the -rater 'dacia' and the - / -rater 'gareth.' his boats are unique, and though they partake of the canoe form, still it is the shape adopted by mr. nicholson for his keel, and the design itself, which brought his name so prominently forward during the season of as one of the most successful designers in england. the -rater 'dacia,' which he designed and built in for mr. h. r. langrishe, and which now belongs to lord dudley, proved herself far superior in all weathers to the yachts of her rating in the south. most of the raters were designed with a square stern above water, whatever their shape might have been below; but the 'dacia' is counter-sterned, and carries her ribbands fair from stem to taffrail, as far as can be judged from a long-distance view when she was hauled up. whatever her length may be on the l.w.l., it must with a large crew aboard be so considerably increased as to almost make her another boat. at all events, she is a fine specimen of the advanced type of rater, and is good in all weathers. the 'natica' and 'red lancer,' -raters by mr. watson and mr. fife, jun., must not be passed over unmentioned. both these yachts belong to belfast, which is at present the home of -rater racing. in the clyde, where -tonners and -raters were once the fashionable classes, there is now not a single representative. the 'red lancer' is a fin-keel shaped vessel with great angle of sternpost, from the heel of which to the stem-head the line is run in a very easy curve. she has a very long counter, more than a third of which is submerged; but she is very pretty as a design, and though not of large displacement, is very roomy both on deck and below. she was originally fitted with a centreboard, but as it was not considered of any material benefit to her, this was taken out and the hole in the keel filled up with lead. the 'natica' has a spoon bow, and is one of mr. watson's prettiest models as far as the modern racer can be termed pretty. she has been very successful in the north, and as great curiosity was felt regarding her capabilities when compared with the south-country boats, she sailed round, and met the 'dacia' at torquay regatta, where the best of three matches were won by 'dacia.' it would have been better, perhaps, had the matches taken place off holyhead--_vide_ the case of the 'vril,' 'camellia,' and 'freda'; however, there is no reason to disparage them as not giving a true indication of the respective merits of both yachts. so many races come off, both on the solent and on the clyde, in numerical comparison with what took place a few years ago, that the owners of small yachts rarely care now to go far away from home on the chance of obtaining sport when it lies comfortably to hand; but it is a thing to be encouraged, and when yachts have proved themselves champions in any particular waters, a trysting place should be chosen for the little winners to meet and try conclusions. this would also make yachtsmen anxious to possess not merely a racing machine, but a boat capable of going from port to port with a certain amount of comfort to her crew. [illustration: 'natica.' designed by g. l. watson, .] practical hints _buying_ in choosing a yacht there is, as with most other occupations, a right and a wrong way of going about it. first of all, the size has to be determined upon; but this can soon be done by referring to the length of the purse out of which the funds for keeping the yacht in commission are to be supplied. yachts are very much like houses, and it is quite possible to buy a yacht or a house for such an insignificantly small outlay that to all unconcerned in the bargain it will appear a ridiculously cheap purchase. but this might not really be the case, because, though the original outlay may have been small, if a large number of servants or hands are required to keep either the one or the other up, it would be dear at any price should money not be forthcoming to meet the annual expenditure. it is, therefore, necessary, before making a purchase, to look ahead at the probable annual cost. at a rough estimate it may be laid down that each extra hand required (this does not refer to those necessary on racing days) will cost at least _l._ per season. a skipper may for his wages, clothes, &c., make a hole in any sum from _l._ to _l._ per annum. in a -tonner, or a yacht of feet and under, provided she has a gaff-mainsail and not a lugsail, one hand will be quite crew sufficient, with the owner, to take her about. the writer worked a -tonner with one hand for two seasons without finding her too heavy, but the addition of a boy made all the difference in the comfort. the cost of sails, gear, and the many small items of equipment which have to be renewed from time to time, cannot or should not be treated as if such casual expenses could only come about in some dim vista of futurity; for where in the case of sails _l._ might see the fortunate owner of a racing in possession of a brand-new suit, the man with a would find that sum barely sufficient to supply his yacht with a new mainsail and topsail. in making a purchase, it is as well if it be possible to find out what kind of a yachtsman the owner of the yacht for sale is--that is, if he is a man who has made yachts and yachting his sole hobby, and has therefore been in the habit of keeping his vessels in the best condition. it makes all the difference whether you purchase from such a man, or from one who, having extracted all the good out of his yacht's gear and sails, has placed her in the market rather than go to the expense of giving her a new fit-out. in the case of a -tonner the difference in price between the purchase money of vessels owned by the two men might be from _l._ to _l._ or _l._; but then in the case of the one there will only be one expense, viz.--that of the purchase money, whereas with the other it might be difficult to say how much might be required as outlay before the yacht could be made ready for sea. the clyde and southampton are the best and most likely places to find yachts for sale which have been well kept up and cared for. buying from a thorough yachtsman who is known to spare no expense on his yacht will mean an absence of all bitterness and wrath, whereas in making the purchase from the skinflint, until a small fortune has been paid away the new owner will find that he has no satisfaction. in buying a small yacht, in fact any yacht, unless the purchaser has met with a vessel that combines all his requirements, it is always the wisest plan for him to spend as little as possible the first season on his new purchase--of course it is taken for granted that her sails and gear are in thoroughly good order--in altering any of her fittings to suit his own private fads; for if he changes his mind about his yacht's points, or sees a vessel he may like better, he should remember that he must not expect to get his money back again when wanting to sell. by the end of the first season, he will most likely have found out whether he will keep the yacht, and therefore whether she really suits him, when he can do what he likes to her. it must be borne in mind, too, that the inside fittings of a yacht's cabin form the most expensive part of her hull; and alterations below always mean a goodly expenditure. avoid all yachts which are either coated outside or filled in at the garboards inside with cement, as water will leak in between the cement and skin, and rot must ensue. _fitting out._ in fitting out, two very important points have to be thought of--viz., if the yacht is not coppered, what is the best paint to coat her with, and what is the best method of treating the decks? with regard to the first question, there are two paints which the writer has never yet seen used in the yachting world, except on his own boat, and which can be highly recommended. one is the black priming varnish used on iron ships, and especially in the navy. he gave this, some years ago on the clyde, four months' good trial. it was used on a boat kept out for winter work which lay in a little harbour well-known for its fouling propensities. at the end of the four months there was absolutely no growth or sign of weed of any kind. where it is to be obtained he is unable to say, as the coat of paint that was put on his boat was given him by a naval officer. the other paint is called after the inventor, 'harvey's patent.' the writer's experience of this is as follows:--a friend sent him a tin to try, and to give his opinion upon. accordingly his boat, which had been lying up portsmouth harbour some six months at her moorings, was brought down to priddy's hard and hauled up. she had, though coated with a very well-known patent, from to feet of weed floating astern of her at the time, which had to be removed. after being thoroughly cleaned, left to dry for a few days, and having her paint burnt off, a coat of priming was given, followed by two coats of the harvey. the boat was then launched and towed back to her moorings, where she was left for over months. at the end of that time she was hauled up, prior to being put into commission; and there was no sign of grass or weed; slime, with an almost imperceptible shell-fish growth, being all that was visible on her bottom. the boat was seen by a good many naval and other men during the time she was at her moorings, and they remarked on the quality of the paint. one great point about the harvey must be mentioned, and that is, it dries very quickly when put on. it is a good thing to warm it before using, as it is apt to get hard and soak up the oil; but it soon softens, and after being properly mixed works well. before touching the decks, the spars and blocks will always require to have the old varnish of the past season scraped off them, and will have then to be re-varnished. in scraping the spars care should be taken that the knife, scraper, or glass be drawn with, and not against, the grain of the wood. the scraping will always be achieved with greater facility if the spar or block in hand is slightly damped, and the scraper or knife-blade employed has its edge turned over a little. this latter is done by drawing the side of the edge along the back of a knife or steel tool. after scraping, the whole spar should be rubbed down with sand-paper, prior to its receiving a coat of varnish. the brushes employed should be either well-used ones, or, if new, ought to be well soaked in water prior to use, as this will prevent the bristles falling out during the process of varnishing. nothing is so provoking as to have to be continually picking out bristles from the varnish; of course, what holds good about varnishing holds good in the matter of painting. when using copal varnish, it is as well to pour out only as much as may be wanted for the time being into an old tin or jar, because it very soon hardens on exposure to the air, and then becomes useless. for the same reason the varnish bottle or can should never be left uncorked. two coats of varnish thinly laid on ought to suffice at the beginning of the season, and a third coat may be given as the season progresses. with regard to the decks. everything depends on the state of the decks themselves and how they are laid. if they are made of wide planking, which is rarely, if ever, the case when the workmanship is that of a yacht-builder, they should be painted; if, however, the decks are laid with narrow planking fined off with the deck curves at the bow and stern, then, notwithstanding the beauty of white decks, it is better to varnish them. varnishing keeps them hard, and saves many a heart pang when the little yacht is visited by a friend with nails in his boots or a lady in small heels. if the decks be worn at all, a coat of varnish is a capital thing. after trying decks varnished and unvarnished, experience confesses that the joys of beholding a white, spotless deck in a small yacht are more than outweighed by the sorrow and annoyance of seeing deep nail-marks imprinted on it. as decks, when cared for, are always varnished when a yacht is laid up for the winter, this varnish has necessarily to be removed prior to a start on a season's yachting. the best method by which this can be carried out is as follows:--black ashes, sooji mooji, or one of the many preparations of caustic potash, should be procured from a ship-chandler, and mixed in an iron bucket with warm water in the proportion of one-third black ashes to two-thirds water, according to the strength required. as soon as the sun has set the mixture must be poured over the deck, which must be left well covered with it till an hour before sunrise. the mixture, which will have dried during the night, must now be treated with hot water and well rubbed into the varnish, and fresh buckets of water must be kept applied till every particle of the mixture with the varnish has been cleared off and out of the deck planking. if the mixture is applied or allowed to remain on the deck while the sun is up, it will be certain to eat into and burn it. there are two or three ways of laying decks. one is to have the planks nailed down to the beams, the nails countersunk, and the holes filled up with wood plugs to hide the nail-heads. this is generally done by men who have not had much to do with yacht-building. the common method employed is to drive the nails diagonally through the edge of the plank into the beam. nails let in horizontally and driven into the next plank, two or three cotton threads having been placed between, keep the two planks in position. each plank is similarly treated, and when all the planks have been fitted and jammed together, marine glue is poured into the seams. as soon as the glue has set and hardened the decks are planed, and finished off. the third method is not so pretty perhaps, but is believed from practical experience to be the best. the planks are mortised together, varnished, and then brought tight up. the whole deck is often built and made ready to fit before it is put into position, so that when it is laid on the beams, all that is required is to nail it down into its place. the writer has had experience with the second kind of deck mentioned here in nearly all of his yachts, and of the third method of laying decks in the 'cyprus.' she was about five years old when he bought her, and that is a good age for a racing -tonner's decks to last sound and without a leaky spot to be found anywhere. her decks were certainly kept varnished, for the simple reason stated above, that visitors might be always welcome, no matter what description of foot-gear had been supplied to them by their bootmakers. it is not an uncommon practice to have a yacht recoppered, though her copper may be in good condition and even new. when such a proposition is made, which is not infrequently done by skippers wishing to play into the yacht-builder's hands, and thinking more of their own pockets than their master's interests, the yachtsman must remember that every time his yacht is coppered her skin is made more porous, and she herself heavier in the water, since the planking will naturally sodden with greater rapidity. if the incipient yachtsman has bought the hull and spars of a yacht that is only partially built or finished off, a few more hints must be added, which will give him food for reflection, and may prove of service. when a yacht likely to suit has been heard of, nothing being known of the owner, the next thing should be to try to discover whether she is sound or possesses any weak places. the purchaser should overhaul her outside just below the channels, and examine if the yacht has been frequently caulked between the seams of the planking, or if there are any signs of weeps of any kind about that part or elsewhere. the weeps will be shown most likely by a rusty discolouration. if the yacht is coppered, wrinkles must be looked for under the channels, runners, and about the bilge. they will show if the yacht has been strained at all. a knife should next be taken, and the point driven into the planking about the water-line, where it joins the sternpost and stem, and then along the two lower garboard strakes, especially if cement has been used to fill in between the keel and planking, to discover if there is any sign of dry rot, sap rot, &c. inside, under the cabin floor, the timbers, deadwoods, and the garboard strakes if the yacht be coppered, should be tested in the same way. if the yacht has iron floors, these should be carefully examined for galvanic action or decay. the heads of the bolts which go through the lead keel should be scraped to see whether they are made of iron, metal composition, or copper. if they are iron or steel, most likely they will require to be renewed, because galvanic action is very soon set up between the lead and steel. outside, copper shows wear and tear more quickly near the stem and sternpost and along the water-line. in the cabin itself the deck ceiling should be examined for weeps and leaks, especially about the bits forward and near the mast, also wherever a bolt-head is visible. on deck, a look round the covering board will discover whether it has been often recaulked, by the seam being extra wide. the heat of a stove below is frequently the cause of the deck forward leaking. the deck seams should not be wider there than at any other part. all the spars should be examined, and if there are no transverse cracks, longitudinal ones may be held of no consequence. the weak parts of the mast are generally to be found between the yoke and cap, where the eyes of the rigging rest. rot is often found there, and strains are met with up the masthead. the boom shows its weakness at the outer end by small cracks, and the bowsprit by the gammon iron and stem-head. if the above rough survey proves all correct, attention must be given next to the rigging, sails, and gear. wear in the wire rigging is shown by its being rusty, the strands stretched, or by the broken threads of a strand appearing here and there. if the jib, throat, peak halliards, and mainsheet are new, or have seen the work of one season only, they will not require much overhauling. with the other running rigging the strands should be untwisted, just enough to see whether the heart of the rope is fresh and not rotten. the blocks ought to be of a light colour without cracks in them, and iron strapped inside. the sails will not show either mildew marks or discolouration if they are in good condition. the chain and anchors to be in good order should not be rusty, but clean and well galvanised. they should be looked at to discover whether they have ever been regalvanised. this will be noticed by the links presenting a rough, uneven surface, where there was rust or decay before the repetition of the process of galvanising. sometimes at fitting-out time an owner finds that he has to provide his yacht with a new anchor. it may help him, therefore, in his choice if the writer gives his experience in the matter of ground tackle or mud-hooks. there are a number of patents in the market, the most patronised of which are trotman's, martin's, smith's, and thomas & nicholson's. all these have many good points, with a weak one here and there to keep the competition in anchor designing open to improvement. trotman's anchor has movable arms and stock, stows away well, and is a fine holding anchor when once it bites; but it is often very slow at catching hold, and this is dangerous when the anchorage happens to be close and crowded, as, for instance, is frequently the case at kingstown, cowes, &c., during regatta time. if the anchor does not catch at once on such occasions the yacht may drift some distance before she is brought up, and with little room this operation is performed, more often than not, by collision with some vessel astern. the martin anchor and the smith both work on a different principle from any of the others, in that their arms move together so as to allow both flukes to act at the same time. of the two the smith, which has no stock, is preferable for yacht work. the martin has a stock which is fixed on the same plane with the arms. both anchors catch quickly and hold well as long as the bottom is not rocky or very uneven, when they are apt to get tilted over and lose any hold they may have at first obtained. their worst failing is that of coming home under the following conditions. if the yacht yaws about, owing to strong tides, winds, or boisterous weather, the flukes of the anchor are prone, when working in their holes, to make them so large that they gradually meet each other and finally become one big hole; the anchor then invariably trips, comes home, and the yacht drags. on the other hand, the smith and martin anchors stow away better than any others, and when on deck lie flat and compact. the smith anchor makes a capital kedge. its holding power is so great that it is not necessary to carry one of anything like the weight that would be required were any other patent anchor employed. the great point in favour of smith's over that of martin's anchor is that, should it foul a mooring or warp, it can be easily tripped. the tripping is done by letting the bight of a bowline slip down the chain and anchor till it reaches the arms, and then hauling on it. the best of the patents, however, is an anchor that was brought out some years ago by messrs. thomas & nicholson, of southampton and gosport. it can be stowed away in a very small space, since the arms are removable. it is a quick catcher, and is, at the same time, very powerful and trustworthy. the arms stand out at the most effective angle for insuring strength of grip, while the shank is long, and, though light and neat-looking--it is flat-sided--has sufficient weight and substance in it to stand any ordinary crucial test. the flukes from their shape appear somewhat longer in proportion to their width than the usual patterns; but this arises from the sides being slightly bent back, with the object of making the fluke more penetrating, which it certainly is. the old fisherman's anchor with a movable stock is, after all, as good an anchor as any yachtsman need want. it is not a patent, and is accordingly very much less expensive. should necessity ever compel the making of a small anchor, then the two great points which it must possess are, length of shank (because greater will be the leverage), and the placing of the arms so that they do not make a less angle with the stock than, say, °. after a long practical experience with almost every kind of anchor, the writer believes that two good, old-pattern fisherman's anchors, with movable stocks (the movable stock was a mr. rogers' patent), are all that any yacht need require or her mud-hooks; but if it is thought fit to have patent anchors, then either a couple of thomas & nicholson's anchors, or one of these and a smith, ought to form the yacht's complement. all being satisfactory, if the yacht is a -rater the first thing to be done will be to have the lugsail altered into a gaff-mainsail for handiness sake. this will be only a small expense, since the great peak of the lugsail will allow of its head being squared. very little if anything need be taken off the head of a high-peaked lugsail when the gaff employed is hinged on to the jaws, as such a gaff can be peaked with far greater ease and to a much greater extent than when fitted in the ordinary. the writer has employed the following method for fitting up the interior accommodation of a -ton yacht, and he can highly recommend it as most convenient, and at the same time handy to clear out either on a racing day or when about to lay the yacht up:--all woodwork, such as lockers or fore-and-aft boards (used for turning the sofas into lockers), should be fixed in their places by hooks, or at any rate by screws. nothing should be a fixture except the two sofa-seats in the main cabin, the one forward of the mast, and the two sideboards fitted aft at each end of the sofas. if the yacht has to race, these sideboards should be made self-contained, and to shape, so that they may fit into their places and be kept there by hooks or catches. there should be only a curtain forward between the forecastle and main cabin, and instead of a regular solid bulkhead aft, gratings should take its place, with one wide grating as a door. this will keep the store room aft ventilated. if there is sufficient length to permit of transverse gratings about inches apart and feet high by the mast, as before explained when describing the 'lorelei,' by all means let these form one of the fittings to hold the sail bags. in the locker astern of the after bulkhead gratings, the skin should be protected by battens - / to inches wide and from to inches apart. this will keep whatever is stowed there dry from any little weep or leakage that may occur in the planking. there should be no ceiling either in the main or fore cabin, and if battens are thought necessary to prevent damp getting to the beds when left folded up in the bed-frames, then three, or at the outside four, some or inches apart, should be screwed up just in the position where the shoulders of a sitter would be likely to rest against them. four or five may be fitted up on each side of the forecastle. the upper batten should be higher up than the top one in the main cabin, as it may be useful for screwing hooks into. the writer, however, prefers in the main cabin, instead of any battens, clean pieces of duck, or, what is better still, willesden cloth (waterproof), made to hang loosely from hooks, reaching down to the sofas, and cut to the shape of the after sideboards, holes being sewn in to allow the iron hooks which carry the bed-frames to come through. this fitting always lightens up the cabin, and is easily taken down and scrubbed. for beds, the iron frames supplied to all yachts' forecastles for the men, with canvas bottoms to them, are far the best and most comfortable. they take up less room than a hammock, and stow away nicely against the cabin's side when not in use. with these frames the writer has used quilted mattresses, the heads of which have ticking covers large enough to hold a pillow, and the whole is sewn on to strong american or waterproof cloth, which forms a covering when the bed and its blankets are rolled up and have to be stowed away. in the forecastle, a movable pantry may be screwed up against the battens on the port side (the bed will be on the starboard side). this should be an open case with three shelves and two drawers underneath. the upper shelf must be divided off to take the three sizes--dinner, soup, and small plates. between the plates, outside the divisions, there can be uprights on which to thread double egg-cups. on the lower shelf there should be holes cut to carry tumblers, and between the tumblers slots for wineglasses. the bottom shelf is for cups and saucers. one of the drawers ought to be lined with green baize to hold silver plate and knives. if the sideboards aft are fixtures, a tin case made to the shape of the yacht's side, to rest on the part of the sideboard on which the lid hinges, and reaching up to the deck, is a capital fitting to have. the inside should be arranged in partitions to hold tea, coffee, sugar, biscuit, and other square canisters, also dutch square spirit bottles. the door may be double, or if single, should open from the bottom and trice up to a hook overhead, so that it may not in any way hinder the opening of the sideboard lid at the same time. two or three movable shelves placed right in the eyes of the yacht forward make useful stowage room for a man to keep his clothes, as there they stand less chance of getting wet. between the sideboards aft a removable box ought to be fixed with screws, of sufficient depth to hold an iron bucket, washing basin, and all the conveniences of a lavatory. this will be directly under the cabin hatch, and from to inches abaft it. the lid should leave a few inches space clear to receive it when opened back. curtains made of duck or willesden cloth, to hang down loose over the sideboards at each side to the depth of inches, and hung from hooks in the deck above, will be found useful for keeping all stray splashes, that may fall inboard, from going on the sideboard lids, and thence among the dry goods and provisions stowed away in them. at the back of the lavatory box will be the after-grating and locker, and standing out from the grating, about inches to a foot square, and to inches deep from the deck, there should be a cupboard, painted white inside, or, better still, lined with copper silver-plated to reflect the light, and a transparent spirit compass should then be fitted to hang through the deck above it. the brass rim for carrying the gimbles and binnacle lid outside must be screwed down to the deck on doubled india-rubber to prevent leakage. the cupboard door must have ventilating holes in it at the top and bottom, and a square hole to hold the lamp should be cut in the door between the upper and lower ventilators. on the opposite side from that on which the tin case is fixed, and coming out from the grating the same distance as the compass box, two bookshelves can be fitted, which will prove most useful. on deck, the fittings and leads that are mentioned in the description of the 'cyprus' cannot be improved upon, except that rigging screws are neater, and give less trouble than dead-eyes and lanyards, which have to be continually set up. lanyards, however, give more life to a mast, though it may appear almost imperceptible, and by so doing ought to render it less liable to be carried away. the sliding lid of the companion hatch should padlock on to a transverse partition between the combings, and it is a good plan to have this partition on hinges, so that at night, when the hatch-cover is drawn over, the partition may lie on the deck and so leave an aperture for ventilation. the windows of the skylight will be all the better for being fixtures and should not open; if ventilation be required, the whole skylight can be taken off; this will prevent the leakage so common with hinged windows. a mainsheet horse and traveller with two quarter leading blocks are better than a double block shackled on to an eyebolt amidships, because a more direct up and down strain can be obtained when the boom is well in. in any yacht of feet in length or under, the wisest plan to adopt with regard to a forehatch is to do away with it and only have a large screw deadlight; if a small deadlight be preferred, then it ought to be placed about to inches ahead of the bits, and a copper cowl, to screw into the deadlight frame, should form part of the fittings, for use when the yacht is laid up, in order to let air into and so ventilate the cabin. it is certainly a great advantage to have the spinnaker ready in the forecastle for sending up through a hatch, but as this is the only good reason why a hatch should be thought requisite in a small yacht, and since it is a fruitful source of leakage and danger, especially when, as is sometimes the case, the lid has not been fastened down and a sea sweeps it off the deck, it is better to abolish the fitting altogether. a small rail ahead of the mast, bolted through the deck and stayed to the mast below (in order to take off all weight from the deck and beams), and a rail abreast of the lee and weather rigging, should form all that is required for belaying halliards, purchases, tacks, &c. in most of the - and - / -raters the halliard for the lugsail is led below the deck, and the purchase is worked by taking turns round a small mast-winch in the cabin. it is a great advantage to have a clear deck free from ropes, and it would be a saving of labour to have all a cutter's purchases led below to a winch. for a small yacht it is as well to have the jib, throat, and peak halliards of four-strand manilla rope, but wire topsail halliards are a very decided improvement on hemp or manilla. wire has little or no stretch in it, and a topsail halliard is the last rope a seaman cares to disturb after it has once been belayed, it may be to lower and take in the sail. all purchases ought to be made of european hemp-rope, with the exception of that attached to the copper rod bobstay. all headsheets should lead aft and belay on cleats bolted on to the combing of the cockpit. it is becoming the custom to have all the bowsprit fittings fixtures. a steel or copper rod from the stem to the cranze iron at the bowsprit end serves as a bobstay, which, with the shrouds, are screwed up with rigging screws. no such thing as reefing, or bringing the useless outside weight of the spar inboard, is thought of by many racing men now-a-days. fiddle-headed and spoon bows have introduced this fashion, but to feet of a - / -inch spar is no trifle to have bobbing into seas, and making the boat uneasy, when half the length, or less, would be quite sufficient to carry all the jib that can be set. no bowsprit belonging to a straight-stemmed cutter should be a fixture, and the best and neatest fitting for the bobstay is a rod with a steel wire purchase at the end. the shrouds should be in two lengths of wire shackled together, as in topmast backstays, and, leading through the bulwark, should screw up to bolts in the deck especially formed to take a horizontal strain. selvagee strops can be used for setting up the intermediate lengths. if the eyes of the rigging are covered with leather which has not been painted, then the bight of each eye ought to be left standing in a shallow dish of oil. the leather will thus soak itself, and the oiling will preserve it from perishing. in sending up rigging it must always be remembered that the lengths of the port and starboard rigging are arranged so as to allow of the starboard fore rigging being placed into position first, then that to port, the starboard backstay rigging going up next, followed by that to port, after which the eye of the forestay will go over the masthead and will rest on the throat halliard eyebolt in the masthead. all block-hooks should be moused. a mousing is made by taking two or three turns of spunyarn round the neck and lip of the hook followed by a cross turn or two to finish off. this prevents the hook from becoming disengaged. in some yachts double topmasts and double forestays are used. the former are only fitted where the yacht carries two sizes of jib-topsail, one for reaching and the other for beating to windward. whilst one is up, the other can be hooked on, so that no time need be lost in setting. a medium-sized sail, however, capable of being used for reaching or beating, is all that is really required. the shifting of two jib-topsails entails the presence for some time of one man at least forward on the bowsprit end, and the less the men are forward of the mast the better, if it is desired to get the best work out of a small yacht, and the yacht herself is in proper trim. there is more to be said, however, in favour of double forestays, since they allow of a foresail being sent up whilst another is already set and drawing, and the work is done inboard, while the difference between a working and a balloon foresail is far greater than in that of two jib-topsails. the writer has never used double forestays, but he believes so thoroughly in the foresail, as a sail, that he has always carried three--a working, reaching, and a balloon. he has the luff of each foresail fitted with loops at regular intervals, after the manner of gaiter lacings, otherwise called 'lacing on the bight.' these are made either of light wire or small roping. the upper loop reaches down to the next below it, so that the loop below may be passed through, and so on, till the tack is reached. when setting a foresail the upper loop is passed over the forestay before the lower one is threaded through it, and so on with all the loops in turn. the tack has a single part, which, after it has been passed through the lowest loop, is made fast to the tack-downhaul. when shifting foresails, the sail is lowered, tack let go, and the lacing comes away by itself; then the new sail can be hooked on to the halliards and laced to the forestay as quickly as it can be hauled up. when the sea is smooth there may be no necessity for unlacing the working foresail should the shift have to be made from that sail, especially if it has soon to be called into use again. the above method will be found far superior to that of hanks, which are always getting out of order and not infrequently refuse to do their duty altogether. in mentioning the shifting of sails, there is one point to which nothing like sufficient attention is paid, and that is to the lead of sheets. many a good jib has been destroyed and pulled out of shape through a bad lead, and more than one race has been lost through the bad lead of a reaching or balloon foresail sheet. when jibs or foresails are changed, the greatest care should be taken to see that the leads told off for their sheets are really fair--that is, that the pull on the sheet does not favour the foot more than the leach of the sail, or _vice versâ_. in the case of a balloon-foresail its sheet leads outside the lee rigging and belays somewhere aft. the man attending the sheet should take it as far aft as a direct strain will permit, and not belay it to the first cleat that comes to hand; otherwise the sail will simply prove a windbag taking the yacht to leeward rather than ahead. there is a fitting which must not be passed over that is now almost universally adopted on large yachts, but is equally important on small ones--that is, an iron horse at the main-boom end for the mainsail outhaul to travel on. it was originally invented by that most skilful helmsman mr. w. adams, of greenock, to obviate a difficulty so common in square stern boats with booms stretching to _n_ length over the transom. he fitted the boom of his little racing boat with a horse, which came from the boom end to within easy reach for unhooking the clew of the sail, and so saved the trouble of having to use a dinghy for the purpose. the idea was soon taken up by clyde yachtsmen, for it was found so much easier to get the mainsail out on the boom than with the traveller working on the boom itself. whilst on a subject connected with mainsails, the writer can recommend for the gaff and head of the mainsail, instead of the ordinary long rope lacing commonly in use, separate stops or seizings to each eyelet-hole. the seizing can be done in half the time it takes to properly lace the head of the sail to the spar; it looks quite as well and does its work better. for fastening the luff of the mainsail to the mast-hoops, instead of seizings he has used hanks, and has found them very handy and neat. the hanks used are riveted on to the mast-hoops. he has now had them in constant use for over twelve years, and has never had occasion to find any fault whatever with them. in one yacht he kept two mainsails in use for cruising and racing, and thus preserved the racing mainsail in good condition for a considerably longer period than would otherwise have been the case, and with the fittings just named the shift of sails was a small matter. topsails, perhaps, are the sails which require renewing more frequently than any other, as they get out of shape so quickly if very much is demanded from them. for a small yacht, if she carries a topmast, three topsails are a sufficient outfit. they should be a jibheader, a gaff, and a balloon or jackyarder. one yard ought to serve for both the gaff and jackyard topsail, and these sails should be made the same length on the head. this will save having to carry about a deckload of timber. outfit it is frequently a question of great moment, what kind and what amount of outfit it is necessary to take away on a summer's cruise, and the writer finds it a great convenience to keep a list of everything that goes to form not only his sea kit, but stores and necessaries as well. such a list prevents one from forgetting small necessaries. a small air-tight 'uniform tin case' and a painted seaman's bag are the best equipment for carrying clothes. the lists are as follows:-- first list: the kit the tin case holds-- a dress suit and shoes a shore-going suit linen shirts collars white ties gloves ink, blotting paper, paper and envelopes mr. lloyd's euxesis as may be seen, the tin box only contains the shore-going outfit. the euxesis mentioned is for those who shave, as with it there is no need of hot water to perform the operation. in the bag should be-- flannel shirts pairs of flannel pygamas / doz. pairs of socks, pairs of which should be thick pairs of thick warm stockings pair of warm slippers pairs of common blue india-rubber solid shoes pair of brown leather shoes blue guernseys, hand knit bath towels and / doz. others sponge bag dressing case suit of thick pilot cloth old pair of thick blue trousers large thick square comforter common serge suit pair of mittens pair of tanned leather boots for comfort in a small yacht it is impossible to do with less. of course it may be thought foolish taking the tin case stocked as it is, but experience has taught that even in the wildest and most out-of-the-way spots occasions arise when all pleasure is spoiled by not having the evening change of kit at hand. second list: groceries, etc. matches / doz. boxes of floats for oil lamp / doz. boxes of night-lights lbs. of candles to the lb. and bedroom candlesticks doz. tins of unsweetened tinned milk lb. of tea / doz. coffee and milk in tins / doz. tins of chocolate and milk plate powder varnish for yellow leather shoes corkscrew sardine-box opener -lb. tin of marmalade pepper mustard jar of salt doz. tins of sardines tins of herring à la sardines lb. captain's biscuits doz. packages of jelly powder doz. tinned soups soap, bar of common brown soap, bar of scented wicks for stoves plate, clothes, and boot brushes chamois leathers. cheese, butter, bread, / loaf per diem per man third list: yacht necessaries marlinespike pricker mop and twiddlers hatchet heavy hammer small hammer screw-driver gimlet bradawl pincers brass screws copper nails brass hooks tin of black paint tin of harvey's anti-fouling paint tin of copal varnish spare shackles, clip hooks, hooks and thimbles -lb. lead and line can of methylated spirits can of mineral oil can of colza oil _lamp_ showing red, white, or green, as required riding light binnacle and light small-sized patent log fathoms of kaia grass warp tail -in. block spare blocks with hooks or thimbles canvas bucket, medium size iron bucket brass holders for oil glass lamp, and to hold tumbler if required for flowers thick common cups and saucers / doz. tumblers / doz. wineglasses sodawater tumblers / doz. enamel plates / doz. enamel soup plates enamel slop basins enamel flat dishes enamel double vegetable dish deep dish for stews, &c. tablespoons table forks table knives / doz. small forks / doz. dessert spoons / doz. teaspoons / doz. small knives fish knife and fork kitchen knives and forks kitchen table- and teaspoons binocular glasses parallel rulers compasses isle of man almanac charts: irish sea, west scotland, english channel, &c. books of sailing directions channel pilot flags: club burgee, pilot jack, and ensign. the pilot jack is useful in case a pilot be required, and the ensign to hoist upside down in case of distress, or in the rigging as a protest when racing fishing tackle medicine:-- brandy friar's balsam lint bottle of condy's fluid carlsbad salts [illustration: commercial code of signals. _code signal._ _when used as the code signal this pennant is to be hoisted under the ensign._] such lists as are given above should be kept in a small book labelled 'fitting-out necessaries,' because they save much time at that season, and all alterations in them that experience dictates should be noted before or at the period of laying the yacht up. _racing._ the yacht, let it be supposed, is fitted out. she has a racing outfit, and was the crack boat of the past season. there is a smart young fellow engaged to look after her, and the only thing that remains to be settled now is the question--shall i give myself up to racing or shall i cruise this year? if it is to be racing, here are two or three words of advice well worth noting. the first is, never pinch the yacht when sailing on a wind. always keep a clean full and bye--_i.e._ the yacht must be headed, as near as she will go, to the point whence the wind is blowing, but the sails must be kept well full. then the yacht will travel. do not, because some other yachts seem to be lying closer to the wind, try to make the little vessel head in the same direction, if she will not do so without her sails shaking. many races are lost through this form of bad sailing. the next point to be noted is, 'mind your jibsheet.' no sheet requires such tender handling. the foresheet can be left to a tiro. all he has to do when on a wind is to take and harden in all he can, and belay. the mainsheet can also be hauled in pretty close; but when that is all done, the sailing-master must not think that he can go any closer to the wind by treating his jibsheet after the same simple fashion; for if he does he will find himself very much at fault, as it will take all the life out of the yacht, and the jib will make her bury her head in the seas. he will only stop his ship. the best plan to adopt is to get the sheet in before the yacht's head is pointed as close as it will go to the wind, and then check out inch by inch till the luff of the sail near the tack has a slight inclination to lift. at first, it is somewhat astonishing to see how much jibsheet a vessel will stand when close hauled. pinning in the sheet tends to stop the boat, whilst, on the other hand, giving her as much as she can stand will make her fairly jump ahead. the helmsman who knows his duties ought to keep an eye open for this, and watch, in the excitement of going about or hauling round a buoy, that the poor jibsheet is not pinned in or unfairly treated. another piece of advice is about that other jib and yachtsman's friend, called the spinnaker. of the two jibs, this latter suffers most at the hands of the racing sailing-master. when he sees his antagonist carrying his spinnaker with the boom right forward on the bow, only too frequently does he leave his up with the boom in the same position, too fearful lest, should he take his in, or shift it to the bowsprit end, the other yacht may steal an advantage over him. the writer has seen more than one race lost through this hanging on to the boomed-out spinnaker too long. it is a safe and wise plan to take the sail in as soon as the wind obliges the boom to be pointed forward at an angle very much under a right angle to the beam. some years ago this was brought before the writer's notice in a clear, unmistakable way. he happened to be on the breakwater at plymouth on a regatta day, when the yachts were making the harbour. they were running with the wind right aft and their booms squared off. as each yacht neared the breakwater, the wind came round gradually on the beam, and one by one the spinnaker-booms were allowed to go right over the bow to an acute angle with the bowsprit. the spinnakers were certainly all kept full, but as each yacht's after-guy was checked, she gradually ceased to travel and almost stopped dead. her spinnaker bellied against the topmast stay and forestay, and formed at once a backsail, if anything. those on board a yacht do not notice the faults of the moment so quickly as those looking on, and only when the race is over does the sailing-master regret that he has not acted differently. frequently since then has the writer, having taken note of what he saw, managed to make up a considerable amount of time by having the courage to take in his spinnaker as soon as it refused to stand without the boom going well forward. if the balloon-foresail jib and jib-topsails sheets are ready belayed, so that the sails may take the weight of the wind as soon as the spinnaker is taken in, there will be no fear whatever of the yacht losing ground, but rather she will spring into life, and most likely leave her antagonists behind. the method adopted by american yachtsmen for setting the spinnaker has many points in its favour. instead of bringing the tack close in to the mast, the sail is taken outside the forestay and the tack downhaul belayed on the opposite side to which the sail is set. by setting the sail in this way the back draught from it goes into the jib-topsail and balloon-jib, so keeping them full and drawing. the spinnaker boom can also be allowed to range further forward on the bow than under our system. in hoisting the spinnaker it will be found a great saving of labour to send it up in stops ready for breaking out when the pull at the outhaul is taken. it can be stopped up before the race begins. when running before the wind, it is no uncommon sight to see all hands sent aft, and as many as possible on the counter. now there is a vast amount of 'follow my leader' in this practice. because one crack yacht does well under this trim, therefore others are supposed to steer and sail better with the weight aft too, so that when witnessing a number of yachts sailing before the wind with spinnaker set, frequently yacht after yacht may be seen struggling along with her taffrail about level with the water, and the whole counter being sucked back by the wave raised in the yacht's run. some yachts are bad to steer when running; this is, to say the least of it, a fault or gross peculiarity in their design, for there is no use in the helm unless it is answered, and to help to keep boats steady all available weight is fleeted aft. these must, therefore, bear the penalty and lose ground on this particular point of sailing; but there are others with fine runs, which require no weight aft, and placing weight there causes the counter to go into the water and lie flat on it. these would steer equally well with the weight forward of the helmsman, and instead of being kept back by the drag put upon them, would leave their heavy-quartered rivals away in the rear. 'keep the counter as much as possible out of water' is a maxim to be laid to heart by all, on all points of sailing. of course, in yachts designed to have part of the counter immersed, the maxim applies only to that part above water. a fine run is a most valuable form for a vessel large or small, especially when sailing on any point with the wind abaft the beam; and the man who is wise will do his best to keep it fine, in order that the water may be left clean and without so much as a ripple. before naming good cruising grounds and touching on cruising, just a word must be said about dinghies. a dinghy is a big piece of furniture for a small yacht, and at times becomes almost a white elephant, especially if the yacht has to make passages or go foreign. the writer has no hesitation in recommending the berthon dinghy as the most useful, compact, and stow-awayable of any at present in use. after having had practical experience of nearly all sizes of mr. berthon's boats, from the -ft. launch supplied to the navy down to the small -ft. dinghy, the size found to be most useful is the boat of feet in length. a boat of feet which he has, and which has been in use for fifteen years in all parts of the world, is a most clever little contrivance. she has carried on many occasions two big men with a portmanteau and other baggage, and when sitting on the bottom boards is hard to capsize--in fact, she has never turned turtle as yet. she is very easy to pull and light to carry, but is a little too small to ask a lady to take passage in. the odd foot, however, makes a great difference. a -ft. boat was the lifeboat complement of the 'cyprus,' and this is the largest size of any real value to a small yacht, as the larger boats take too long to open out, and when in the water, unless well filled up and almost brought down to the gunwale, are too light to pull against a head wind. the -ft. boat is sometimes difficult to move when it is blowing very hard from the quarter to which it is desired to go, but this occurs seldom, and she is opened out so easily that there may be a question whether a -ft. boat might not be, after all, the best to have. the boats will stand any amount of sea, and they travel under sail or oar propulsion, when not too much pressed, very dry and easily. should the canvas happen to get cut, the best stitch with which to sew up the wound is that known as the 'cobbler's.' an awl is required to make the holes for the stitches and a couple of ends similar to those used by a cobbler. this stitch is not so likely to tear the canvas, and brings it closer together than the sailmaker's stitch called 'herring-boning,' which is no use at all for making a water-tight mend. the outer skin may want a coat of paint once a year, and if so, the paint should be mixed up with boiled oil; then, when it is put on, the canvas will remain flexible and will not harden up and crack. mr. berthon supplies a special paint for his boats, but it is not always procurable, and any paint mixed with boiled oil will serve the purpose. _cruising._ fitted out with an old -tonner, or a yacht about the size already recommended, the whole world lies before the cruising yachtsman. she can easily be shipped on board a steamer, and can, for the sum of _l._ to _l._ or less, be launched off new york, whence there is nothing to hinder a most enjoyable cruise on the lakes (which can be reached by canal) or in the vicinity of long island, and along the coast. racing can be done in the american waters should it so please the voyageur, and a hearty welcome will be met with wherever he goes. there is great scope for cruising and racing in australia and new zealand (as set forth at length in another chapter); but the expenses of shipping and taking out the yacht will not be much less than _l._ sydney harbour and port phillip are both great yachting centres, while the coast of new zealand is a complete network of bays, inland seas, and natural harbours. the mediterranean is a much puffed-up yachtsman's cruising ground, but during the best time of year, which is winter, it is as nasty and treacherous an expanse of water as it is possible to meet with in any part of the world. in the summer the great drawback there is lack of wind during the daytime, and calms prevail most days of the week. among the islands of the grecian archipelago, however, and off the coast of asia minor, a breeze is always certain to spring up after sunset. there is no difficulty in reaching the mediterranean, as a yacht drawing to feet can go through france by canal without any trouble, or else she can sail round. five-tonners, it must be remembered, are serviceable for an ocean cruise should it be necessary, as has already been shown in two cases. there are cruising grounds on the west coast of scotland which may well make yachtsmen in england envious, and some lovely harbours and rivers along the south coast of england, which would delight the heart of many a clyde yachtsman, whilst ireland, on her west and south coasts, has very beautiful and well-sheltered bays. to a yachtsman who lives in the south, and to whom time is an object, the best plan to adopt, if a scotch cruise be on the cards, is either to put the yacht on a truck and send her up to gourock, or ship a second hand for the trip and let the men sail her round. of the two ways, the latter is much to be preferred, since it will cost less money, and the yacht will not be so likely to get knocked about. if time permitted, the owner might meet the yacht at kingstown, near dublin. this is always a good starting point, as he can make for campbeltown, in cantyre, stay a night there, and go on to gourock bay, near greenock, which he should make his base of operations, and where he should pick up a mooring if possible rather than drop his own anchor. if st. george's channel is to be the cruising ground, then kingstown, belfast (bangor bay), or the sloyne (liverpool) are the best ports to start from. between belfast and kingstown the yachtsman will find loch strangford (although it has strong tides), ardglass, and carlingford lough, with little howth, all places worth peeping into; and a run over to the isle of man will well repay any time taken up in a visit. the best ports in the island are ramsey and douglas, and of the two ramsey is to be preferred, because the yacht can always lie at anchor, and it is well sheltered from all winds with any westing in them; but douglas ought not to be left out on that account, and the yacht, when there, should be sailed up the harbour, where she will have to take the ground. it is a first-rate place to clean a yacht's copper, as there is something in the mud which is very conducive to brightening up the metal. peel can be seen by crossing the island. castletown, also, is a very quaint old town, and coaches run regularly between it and douglas. anyone visiting the isle of man ought to read sir walter scott's novel 'peveril of the peak,' for the main portion of the story lies at peel and castletown. if interest is taken in iron and smelting works, from douglas to barrow is about miles; but as the roughest sea in the channel is met with on a line between mougold head (between douglas and ramsey) and liverpool, where the north and south currents meet, perhaps it will be as well, unless the weather be favourable, to keep clear of that part of the english coast. kingstown itself is the finest artificial harbour in the world, and to anyone anchoring there for the first time there will be found plenty to occupy at least a week. the clubs are most hospitably inclined, and dublin being so near makes it a very pleasant spot to frequent. for the south of ireland, queenstown must be the centre from which to work. there are good fishing and lovely bays all round the coast westward, and nothing can equal bantry bay, with glengariff, which are practically land-locked. the shannon and west are in no way inferior to the south coast, and there are many nooks and anchorages, too numerous to mention here, where a yacht such as the one described can very comfortably lie, fearless of ocean billows. now and then seals are to be met with on the west coast, and care should be taken to avoid rowing into any of the numerous caves, which abound round that coast, and are frequented by them, when the tide is on the rise and at three-quarters flood; more than one shooting party has been caught in a trap through the egress having been blocked up. the north coast is a wild one; but there, again, port rush and londonderry are very safe, and port rush is an especially snug little harbour. care should be taken to work rathlin island sound with the tide, whichever way it is wished to sail, as the tide rush there is very strong. between rathlin and belfast are bays, each of which has its small tidal harbour, and, if the weather is threatening, the distances between them are so short that opportunities can be snatched for going from one to the other. larne itself is a fine harbour. coming from the north to the south of england, a yacht of ft. and ft. in. draught can be taken by train and launched with the greatest ease in southampton dock, and southampton being so near london makes it the rendezvous of many cruising yachts. a good cruise from there is to run across to havre (rouen is easily reached by train from havre, and well worth a visit), thence to cherbourg, thence through the alderney race, between cape la hogue and the back of sark, to guernsey. at guernsey the yacht's copper should be cleaned, if necessary. it is the best harbour in the english channel for scrubbing the bottom, as there is good mud and a capital supply of running water close and handy at low water. from guernsey, weather permitting, with the aid of a fisherman or pilot, the yacht can be taken across to sark one day and to herm another. sark is one of the loveliest and most picturesque islands on our coasts. any trip to jersey ought to be made by steamer, as it is an abominable harbour for a yacht, the rise and fall of the tide being over feet. the next sea run may be to falmouth, thence to fowey, polperro (this port had better not be entered except by dinghy, but it is a very quaint little fishing village and not much frequented except by trawlers), looe (this is an open anchorage), and plymouth. all these places have beautiful rivers, with the exception of polperro, and the fal and tamar are both navigable at high water some considerable distance up. leaving plymouth, the yacht might very well touch at the mouth of the yalme, and the dinghy be rowed up the river. salcomb and dartmouth should not be left out, and both have rivers, the heads of which should be seen. dartmouth is a well-known yachting station, and its club is very prettily situated, so that the members have a full view of the anchorage. the tide there is strong, and two anchors will prove better than one. torbay comes next in order, working back to southampton, with brixham and torquay; both so often described that it would be wasting space to add anything to what has already been said. the only gauntlets to be run are west bay, which can be very troublesome at times, and the race off portland bill, which can generally be avoided by hugging the shore of the bill. weymouth, again, requires no words of encomium. it is as well to anchor off portland or go right up weymouth harbour, where the yacht will have to take the ground. from weymouth to swanage is an afternoon's sail, but it is scarcely worth while going into the bay, unless the weather is boisterous from the west or south-west, when the yacht will find a very good berth free from the turmoil of the elements. there is a race off st. alban's head, which can always be avoided by keeping well out a couple of miles. when swanage has been left behind, the course should be steered for the needles. once inside the solent, yarmouth in the isle of wight, and lymington on the hampshire coast, cowes, ryde, bembridge, and portsmouth all open up ports and land, not only different in scenery from any that is visible in the north, but spots and localities interesting on account of the history attached to them. the dutch coast with its canals, norway with its fiords, and sweden with its canal running from christiania to stockholm, all merit a description did these pages permit, and are well worth the time taken up in a summer cruise; but whichever way the yacht's head may be turned, or whatever seas may be chosen to be cruised over, the following few hints may prove serviceable. in cruising along an unknown coast, it is always well to keep a good look out for buoys or boats at anchor inshore. it may be a great help in cheating tides. for instance if the yacht is struggling against a strong tide, an inshore eddy may be discovered from the way the boats are lying, and so, by making use of it, a long journey may be shortened and time saved. barges and coasters, especially small ones, should be watched. they, in ninety-nine cases out of a hundred, know the tides, currents, and eddies thoroughly, and the best course to be steered from one point to another. if a short cut can be taken, the coaster is sure to know it, and he can be followed through narrow channels with the greatest safety. a coaster rarely draws less than feet when full up with cargo, or a barge less than to feet. when sailing along the bight of a bay, with the wind off the shore and close-hauled, because in the bight itself the wind may come off a point or so free, the yacht's sheets should not therefore be checked, but she should be still kept a clean full and bye; for, as the further point of the bay is reached, the wind will be sure to head and come off the land, and instead of being able to round the head close in shore, most likely the yacht will have to be kept away, and much valuable time and distance lost. when passing high land, with the wind off the shore, care should be exercised should a gully, valley, or ravine open out, for fear a sudden squall may take the yacht aback, and a topsail and topmast be sent flying. the wind is very much influenced by the lay of the land, not only in the matter of the direction in which it blows, but also the power of its gusts. regard should always be paid, on entering land-locked waters from the open sea, to the force of the wind. many open-sea sailors, from being accustomed to a fair amount of wave disturbance whenever the wind has any strength in it, are misled when sailing in enclosed lochs by the smoothness of the water, and so, misjudging the force of the wind, are apt to carry on longer than is desirable, to the danger of spars. when cruising in the vicinity of yachts racing, the yacht should be kept well out of the way to leeward; and if by chance she happens to find herself to windward of an approaching racing yacht, her head should be turned in whatever direction will seem the best for not taking the wind out of the racer's sails. when coming to in unknown or any other roads or anchorage, the prevailing wind should not be forgotten, and the spot chosen for letting go the killick should be one from which a speedy retreat can be made should necessity compel. an outside berth in a close-crowded anchorage is therefore always the safest, though, perhaps, not always the most agreeable. the writer hopes that these few wrinkles may prove as serviceable to the readers of these pages as they have been from time to time to himself. it must be remembered that, when the yachtsman is caught out in a breeze of wind and is obliged to take in a couple of reefs in the mainsail, house his topmast, and shift his jibs, it does not necessarily mean the presence of 'great guns.' it takes very little wind to raise a sea in the channels round our coasts, and to make the small yachtsman sniff a hurricane. in order, therefore, to become accurate about the force of the wind or sea, the writer recommends the 'meteorological notes,' supplied (at _s._ per annum) by mr. scott from the meteorological office, london, as being most useful for the purpose, and most interesting for reference. his principle is to have the papers sent to his home address, where they remain till the yacht's return to lay up. then the log or note-book is brought out, notes of the dates on which he relieved his bark and had been more severely knocked about than usual are referred back to, and a very fair idea as to the true local weather is obtained. a knowledge of wind and weather is soon acquired thus. [illustration: in the channel.] chapter xiii yacht insurance by g. l. blake a book on yachting would not be complete without a few words relating to yacht insurance. there are hundreds of owners who never think of taking out a marine policy on their boats, simply because they do not know how easy it is; twenty-five years ago indeed only a few insured because it was not generally understood that lloyd's agents were willing to underwrite their names against all yachting risks. all yachts should be insured, and therefore the writer will endeavour to explain some of the special clauses contained under a yachting policy. the ordinary form for a marine policy, printed and supplied by government prior to august , is in the main only suitable for merchant shipping; hence clauses have to be added to make that form of service in the case of yachts. thus the time and dates between which the policy is to hold good must be stated, after which should come what may be called the-- no. yachting clause, taking in the following conditions under which lloyd's hold themselves liable. it runs thus:-- in port and at sea, in docks and graving docks, and on ways, gridirons, and pontoons, and / or on the mud, and / or hard, at all times, in all places, and on all occasions, services and trades whatsoever and wheresoever, under steam or sail, with leave to sail with or without pilots, to tow and assist vessels or craft in all situations, and to be towed, and to go trial trips. including all risks and accidents arising from navigation by steam or otherwise. to include the risk of launching. no. yachting clause should allow the yacht to 'touch and stay at any ports or places whatsoever and wheresoever, and for any and all purposes.' the no. yachting clause makes the liability cover the hulls, spars, sails, materials, fittings, boats (including launch, steam or otherwise, if any), &c. the no. yachting clause is a promise to return a certain sum for every fifteen consecutive days cancelled, and for every fifteen consecutive days laid up dismantling, overhauling, repairing, altering, or fitting out. no. the collision clause. no. the twenty-pound clause. no. the prevention clause, no. . no. the prevention clause, no. . with regard to the main clauses of the original government form, it will be specially noticed that not one makes it necessary for the owner or skipper, or whoever may be in charge of the yacht, to be the holder of a board of trade certificate. then, after enumerating all the perils from which a vessel may run the risk of total loss, the form finishes up by stating that where only partial damage takes place, the underwriters are ready to pay an average for the repair of such damage at the rate of per cent. that is to say, supposing a -tonner is insured at _l._ and she splits her mainsail and carries away her mast, which in its fall smashes up the boat, the policy will cover up to _l._ of the average value only, and the difference between that and the true value will become a loss to the insurer. this is known as the average clause. to enable the insurer to claim on a partial loss to the full amount of that loss the twenty-pound clause is added, and for this in all policies over the value of _l._ a small extra premium has to be paid. this clause is decidedly in favour of the man who insures a large yacht, but is of little use to the owner of a small craft. in the first place, it leaves the underwriters liable only for losses above the value of _l._ and nothing under. it must be remembered that the general casualties on board a cruising yacht, _when cruising only_, are the carrying away of a bowsprit or topmast, the splitting of a topsail or spinnaker jib, and the whole lot would have to come to grief in a -tonner, for instance, before the owner would find his bill for damages sufficiently large to present to the underwriters for payment. with a -ton yacht it would be otherwise, as a topmast and topsail would alone run into _l._; so it follows that the larger the yacht the more advantageous will be the addition of the twenty-pound clause, since the less will be the difficulty to make out a claim for a sum above that amount. in a small -ton yacht for which the policy need not exceed _l._, the addition of this clause naturally lies in favour of the underwriters, for it is next to impossible for the yacht to receive such damage as will necessitate the outlay of _l._ to put her all to rights again. that is, such a catastrophe as must happen to oblige such an expenditure does not occur to one small yacht in a thousand, unless it brings with it at the same time very nearly, if not altogether, total loss. some agents, however, are willing to lower the twenty and make the clause ten pounds, but of course this risk will mean again a slight extra payment. it is better for the small yacht-owner to pay for a ten-pound clause than have an extra clause which will be of no practical use to him. the no. yachting clause contains some very useful matter. a few years ago, for example, a -tonner left by the tide high and dry on the mud at one of our west of england ports, with a leg at each side to support her (her copper required cleaning), fell over and was considerably damaged. on the owner, who had insured his yacht at the beginning of the season, claiming for the damage she had sustained, the claim was disallowed, and after the powers that be had been invoked, the case was given against the owner, the accident not having taken place on the high seas. the form under which the -tonner was insured could not have contained the no. yachting clause, otherwise the claim would have been in favour of the owner. all contingencies of that kind are met under this clause. the no. yachting clause allows the yacht to voyage to any part of the world and over any seas. the no. and no. clauses explain themselves. the collision clause is a very necessary addition to all marine policies. in case of a collision with another vessel, although the yacht may be in fault, the underwriters are liable under the clause to pay up to three-fourths of the value of the policy towards the repairs of the damaged vessel or the general repairs. the writer has a policy before him for , _l._ with the collision clause inserted. let it be supposed that the yacht for which this policy was taken out has run into another vessel, which has received damage to the amount of _l._, then the underwriters are responsible up to the amount of _l._ collisions with piers or the removal of obstructions do not come under this clause, and if thought worth insuring against, have to be freed by what has been termed in this notice no. , or the prevention clause no. . this clause enables the insurer to claim for the fourth quarter over and above the three quarters for which the underwriters are liable under the collision clause. it will enable him to hand over the business and cost of raising and removing from a fairway, for example, any vessel that he may have sunk through collision with his yacht, or repair any piers that may have been damaged through contact with the boat. few, however, have this clause inserted in their policies, as so small a risk can safely be borne by an owner. no. , or the prevention clause no. , only concerns yachtsmen who race their vessels. its correct title is 'the racing clause.' this wipes out those few words from the policy that free the underwriters from all liability in the twenty-pound clause, and makes them responsible for total or other loss, should such take place, while the yacht is in the act of racing; for no simple policy or ordinary form provides against '_racing risks_.' the above remarks refer to policies of insurance on yachts of all sizes; the following will be interesting to the owners of small craft, as giving the average premiums that should be paid under the several conditions named. for a _l._ policy covering five months, two guineas per cent. this policy should include the twenty-pound and collision clauses. the protection clause to cover five months should be added for the payment of per cent. extra. the racing protection clause covering a similar length of time should be inserted at the rate of per cent. extra. a laying-up policy freeing the owner of all risks during the winter months should cost _s._ _d._ or about that sum, for a policy worth _l._ this policy will cover risks from fire, falling over, and all such accidents as may take place whilst a yacht is hauled up in a yard or elsewhere. a laying-up policy to cover the winter months ought to be obtained at the rate of _s._ _d._ to _s._ for a like policy of _l._ this policy will cover all risks that may be incurred by a yacht laid up, dismantled, and left at her moorings, such as from fire, dragging ashore, being run into, &c. of course insurances differ as to the amount of premium to be paid according to the age of the yacht, her size, and the amount of the policy. thus for a _l._ policy on an old worn-out -tonner, to cover summer sailing risks, as much as per cent. has been paid, while for a _l._ policy for an old but well-kept-up yacht of a similar tonnage, _s._ has been the premium covering the five summer months. in conclusion, it may be as well to mention that on no account is it a wise plan for the yacht-owner to insure his vessel for a less amount than her full value, including gear, furniture, such valuables as he keeps on board, stores, &c. there are times when, a yacht having suffered partial disablement, the underwriters may propose a composition, owing to there having been no fixed expense incurred in carrying out the repairs. should a certain sum be agreed upon, and the owner happen to have only insured for a portion of the yacht's true value, whatever ratio that portion bears to the actual value, as laid down by him to the agents, will be deducted from the sum given as compensation. for instance, a friend of the writer insured his small yacht for _l._, her true value as given in by him at the time to lloyd's agent being _l._ during the season, owing to a heavy gale of wind, she dragged her anchor, and, no one being on board, was picked up out at sea by a fishing-boat and towed back a derelict. the owner agreed to accept _l._ in compensation for the expenses incurred; but he was astonished when the amount handed over to him only proved to be _l._ on going into the matter, he was told that he had undertaken a fifth part of the risk on the yacht himself, in that he had insured for _l._, the yacht's real worth being _l._, and therefore he would have to bear a fifth part of the expense; and since he had agreed that _l._ was sufficient compensation, so the underwriters could only be liable to the amount of _l._ the case was brought into court and judgment given in favour of the underwriters. the yachting clauses described above are inserted on the usual marine policy form, and the yacht insurer cannot do better than have the clauses as given in this chapter inserted in any policy form he may accept. attempts have been made from time to time to launch a mutual yacht insurance company, by which yachtsmen would be able to undertake their own risks by mutual co-operation and without reference to lloyd's; but there are points, where a system of mutual insurance may benefit householders, who may be said to be localised, which would create difficulties almost sufficient to prevent any general mutual yacht insurance from covering its expenses. the changes that occur in yacht-ownership are very many and frequent, and it must be often the case, that when a yacht-owner ceases to be such, any interest he may have had in a mutual insurance company would have to cease too. such changes rarely take place among the members of a mutual house insurance company, and it thrives accordingly; but the constant shift of ownership, which may be seen annually by anyone who will take the trouble to study the 'yacht list,' would surely prove a serious drawback to a mutual yacht insurance company. in localities like the clyde, however, where a yacht is almost as great a necessity as the possession of a stone frigate (house ashore), there seems no reason why mutual insurance among the local yacht-owners should not do well and prove a most successful undertaking; but then great judgment would have to be exercised as to the kind of risks such a company should incur, and many would have to be excluded, which lloyd's agents up to the present time have been very willing to accept, such as the insurance of all yachts whose crews do not live on board while in commission, and the like. if the above remarks prove of use as well as interesting to yacht-owners, it must in justice be said that the writer is much indebted for the kindly help given him by his friend mr. york, the secretary of the royal clyde yacht club, when compiling the information given. index to the first volume accommodation in a yacht defined, 'active,' used by froude in experimenting on the resistance of ships through water, 'ada' ( - / -rater), , ; ( -rater), adams, w., of greenock, his iron horse for yachts, 'adèle' ( -tonner), admiralty, the, build the cutter 'trial' ( ) and the brig 'lady nelson' ( ) with three sliding keels, adriatic, the, yachting in, advertisements and cards of races, , Æschylus, quoted, ahl, the moorlands of, ailsa, marquis of, owner of 'titania,' , 'alarm' ( tons), , , , , ; ( tons), 'albatross' ( -tonner), 'albertine' ( tons), alderney race, 'alerte' (e. f. knight's), yawl, , , ; commissariat, ; cooking on board, algiers, wreck of the 'alouette' at, 'aline' ( tons), construction, ; successes, , , , ; race against the 'livonia' for the prince of wales's cup in , ; and , ; , ; her lifeboat, ; dimensions and sail-plan of cutter, allan, messrs., owners of the 'nora' ( -tonner), ; and of the 'doris' ( -tonner), almanac for the solent racing, king & co.'s, summary of racing rules in, 'alouette' ( -tonner), dimensions of, ; wreck, aluminium, as a material for yacht-building, 'alwida' ( -rater), , , , america, adoption of centreboards in, , , ; centreboard v. keel, 'america,' american schooner, her début in english waters, ; characteristics of her build, ; sails, ; epoch-making vessel in yacht-designing, ; in the race round the isle of wight for the royal yacht squadron _l._ cup, america cup, ; first competition for, ; holders unduly favoured, ; the race, ; the race, america, north, the eastern seaboard of, ; schooners and crews employed in the coasting trade, ; as a cruising ground, american pre-eminence in yacht-building, ames, l. m., owner of the 'atlantis,' , 'amphitrite,' schooner, , 'amy' ( tons), anchors, yacht, , - 'anemone,' yawl, e. liddell's, aneroid, the, - , anholt, island of, apenrade, 'aquiline' ( tons), arabin, mr., 'archee' ( -rater), , , archer, colin, of christiania, ardglass, 'arethusa,' stuart lane's cutter, 'arrow,' the original, ; her dimensions, ; bought and altered by t. chamberlayne, ; , , , ashbury, james, has the 'cambria' built, ; refuses the second race against 'sappho,' ; brings out the 'livonia' schooner, ; ashes, black, for removing varnish, asia minor, cruising off the coast of, assheton-smith, t., characteristics of his cutter 'menai,' 'atlantis,' l. m. ames's yawl, 'aurora,' in the race round the isle of wight for the royal yacht squadron _l._ cup, australia, voyage to, time occupied by 'sunbeam' under sail and steam, ; racing and cruising on the coast of, 'avadavat' ( - / -rater), , average clause, insurance, azores, the, , 'babe,' the ( - / -rater), , - baden-powell, w., his designs for the 'diamond' ( -tonner), - ; bags for clothes on a voyage, bahamas, the, bainbridge, captain, r.n., 'bairn' ( - / -rater), , baldwin, mr., of new york, balearic islands, ballast, gradual abolition of shifting, ; for a yacht's sailing boat, , , ; for yachts, , baltic, cruising in the, , ; interest and pleasure of, ; the voyage from england, ; character of the coast scenery, ; the coast of denmark and its people, ; coasting in a small craft, ; bad weather, , ; shallow craft advocated, ; consulting the aneroid, ; fishermen, ; character of vessel for cruising in, ; old p. & o. lifeboat, , ; use of leeboards, ; advantage of leeboards over centreboards, , ; boats suited for, ; running for a port in a storm, ; use of the drogue, bangor bay, belfast, bantry bay, barbados, 'barbet' ( -rater), baring, e. (afterwards lord revelstoke), baring, general, barking outfall, barometers, - 'barracouta' ( -tonner, ), ; yawl ( -tonner, ), barrow, mr., hon. sec. island sailing club, barrow-in-furness, , batthyany, count e., brings out the 'flying cloud,' ; and the 'kriemhilda,' ; (prince) his share in starting the y.r.a., ; his 'drina,' 'beagle,' h.m. brig, rig of, beam, appreciation of the value of, , beauclerk, w. a., beaufoy, colonel, his experiments in towing bodies through water, 'bedouin,' , beds, yacht, belfast, , 'bella donna' ( tons), 'bell's life,' cited, , belvidere yard, the, bembridge, bembridge regatta, bembridge sailing club, , , bennett, gordon, , , bentall, e. h., builder of the 'jullanar,' ; and of the 'evolution,' bermuda, berthon collapsible boat, the, berthon dinghy, the, berthon's paint, biscuits, ship's, bishop, mr., builder of the 'barracouta,' black & co. (late hatcher & co.), black ashes for removing varnish, 'black maria' (american sloop), black, mr., 'black pearl,' cutter of, midship section of, ; sail-plan, ; description of, ; dimensions, &c., black priming varnish, blackwater river, essex, blake, g. l., on -tonners and -raters in the north, _et seq._; owner of the 'cyprus' ( -tonner), ; on yacht insurance, _et seq._ 'bloodhound' ( ), built without fittings, 'blue bell' ( tons), , ; ( -rater), , 'boadicea' ( tons), boag, mr., board of trade certificates, boats, yacht's, _et seq._; booth, sir robert gore, boston, new england, centreboard building at, in , boutcher, e. (owner of the 'fiona'), brassey, lord, on ocean cruising, _et seq._; his voyages, ; distances sailed, ; vessels in which he voyaged, ; on american models, ; on steam versus sailing yachts, ; on sailing yachts with auxiliary steam power, ; record of voyages made by 'sunbeam' under sail, steam, and sail and steam, - ; calculation of time under sail and under steam in ordinary cruising, ; on the question of rig, ; his personal experience of yachting, - ; on the 'eothen' from queenstown to quebec, ; on the 'sunbeam' in a storm off flamborough head, - ; on the overmasting of the pleasure fleet, ; in a long gale on the 'sunbeam' from nassau to bermuda, ; a dirty night on board the 'sunbeam' between honolulu and japan, ; on the pleasures of navigating a yacht, ; his first navigation charge, ; on seamanship, ; on pleasant cruising grounds, , ; on the love of the sea, bridson, mr., bristol channel, 'britannia,' h.r.h. the prince of wales's ( . y.r.a. rating), loss of three masts by, ; victorious career, ; rate of speed, ; , , ; sketch of her cutwater, ; dimensions, ; ; fittings, ; plan of general arrangement, ; british sailors, character of, brixham, broadwood, thomas, his 'witchcraft' ( tons), bronze, manganese, for plating purposes, brooke, rajah, his 'royalist' (schooner, tons), brooks, samuel, r.n.a.v., , brushes for varnishing, buchanan, john cross, his 'wave' fixed with a metal keel, buckley & sherlock, builders of the 'lorelei' ( -tonner), , bucknill, colonel, designs the 'thalassa,' ; and 'quinque,' 'bud' ( - / -rater), burgess, edward, american boatbuilder, designs a keel-boat, burlings light, , bute, 'buttercup' ( ), character of build, ; her excellent record, buying a yacht, advice concerning, ; probable annual cost, ; expense of crew, ; cost of sails, gear, &c., ; best men to buy of, ; places to buy at, ; caution in early days of ownership, byrne, st. clare. _see_ st. clare byrne byron, quoted, on the sea, cadiz, calais, character of the sea near, caledon, earl of, 'calluna,' the clyde champion, ; her dimensions, , calshot, racing at, 'cambria,' schooner, and the america cup, ; wins the race across the atlantic in , , ; , , , ; her races against the 'sappho,' ; eighth for the america cup in , ; 'camellia' ( -tonner), ; dimensions, ; matches with 'freda,' - ; 'camilla' ( - / -rater), , , campbeltown, cantyre, , camper & nicholson, messrs., of gosport, ; build the 'aline,' ; the 'blue bell,' ; ; the 'gwendolin,' ; , , , , canoe of the south seas, the, cape de gata, cape la hogue, cape st. vincent, cape spartel, cape verdes to rio, from, time occupied by 'sunbeam,' capstans, improvement in, card, the race, carlingford lough, ireland, ; phenomena of the wind in, ; as a cruising ground, carroll, r. p. owner of the 'navahoe,' , castle yacht club, , , , , , , castletown, isle of man, cattegat, the, , , caustic potash for removing varnish, cecil, the late lord francis, owner of the 'chittywee' ( -tonner), , cedar fittings, centreboards, origin of, ; american, ; dagger boards, ; early form, ; lord percy's boat in , ; at deptford, ; general adoption of, in america, ; application to english racers, ; battle of centreboard _v._ keel, ; to a cutter, - , 'cetonia' ( tons), , , 'challenge' ( -tonner), chamberlayne, tankerville, owner of 'arrow' ( -tonner), chamberlayne, thomas, buys and alters the original 'arrow' ( tons), champy, bescoit, his 'diane' ( tons), channel, english, as a cruising ground, 'chazalie,' china clipper ships, the, 'chipmunk' ( - / -rater), , , 'chiquita,' 'chittywee' ( -tonner), , christiania, , 'christabel,' 'christine' ( -tonner), cimbrian peninsula, , 'circe' ( tons), , civita vecchia, clarke, mr., owner of the 'satanita,' , , clayton, colonel fitzroy, clayton, c. p., , , , , , , , 'clio' ( -tonner), 'clotilde' ( -tonner), g. l. watson's first racing yacht, club and open matches, clyde, estuary of the, yachting in, ; the china clipper ships, ; yacht-builders, ; wind-force, ; early appreciation of small racing craft, ; sea disturbance at, ; -raters, ; racing in the, , cochrane, blair onslow, hon. sec. bembridge sailing club, 'cockatoo' ( - / -rater), 'cock-a-whoop' ( - / -rater), diagram of her lines, ; , , ; ( -rater), , , collapsible boat, berthon, collision clause, insurance, 'colonia' (american keel boat), , 'columbia,' american centreboard schooner, beats the 'livonia' in the first match for the race for the america cup in , ; and in the second, ; breaks down in the third, 'columbine' type of racing cruisers, commissariat for foreign cruises, , 'condor' ( tons), cooking on a yacht, , coolin hills, skye, 'coquette,' 'cordelia' ( -ton schooner), 'corinne' ( tons), corinthian deep-sea cruising, ; difficulties in the way of amateurs undertaking long voyages, ; voyages of the 'hornet,' ; cruise of the 'hornet' in , ; in and , ; expense of amateur crew, ; precautions in handling crew at sea, ; privileges of, at regattas, 'corisande' (yawl), wins the commodore and vice-commodore cups of the royal victoria yacht club in , 'cormorant' ( - / -rater), corsica, 'cosette' ( - / -rater), , , cost, annual, of a yacht, , cowes, , , , , , , , , , , , , , cox, f., cox, miss, , , , craig, mr., part owner of the 'camellia' ( -tonner), cranfield, lemon, skipper of the 'miranda,' crawford, a. f. s., his 'squall' ( -rater), 'creole' ( -rater), her dimensions, - cruiser, a sailing, of , tons, speculative career of, , cruising grounds, , , - cruising, precautions to be observed on unknown coasts, , cumberland sailing society in the thames, 'cumberland,' commodore taylor's, with five sliding keels, 'currytush' ( -tonner), , cutters, modern racing, , cuxhaven, 'cyane' ( -rater), , , , 'cygnet' ( tons), plan of, 'cymba' (queen's cup winner, ), ; her dimensions, 'cynthia' (h.m. sloop), 'cyprus' ( -tonner), dimensions and lines of, ; fittings, , ; her voyage from scotland to plymouth, - ; racing performances, , ; on lake ontario, ; compared with -raters, ; , , 'czarina,' 'dacia' ( -rater), her certificate, ; , , , , , dagger-boards, 'dancing girl,' danish islands, danske fishing-boat, dartmouth, , , , , ; sea disturbance at, , 'dauntless' ( tons), loses the race across the atlantic, in , ; , ; third in the race for the emperor napoleon iii.'s cup, ; , , , , ; in the race for the prince of wales's cup in , 'dauntless' (ketch), wins the first prize in the royal yacht squadron jubilee race, 'dawn,' the, 'decima' ( -rater), , , , , , , , , , deck-houses, 'dee dee' ( / -rater), , 'deerhound' ( -rater), her dimensions, - 'delvin' ( -tonner), denmark, ; pleasant cruising coasts of, denny brothers, messrs., of dumbarton, deptford, centreboards built at, in , designer, duties of a, 'diamond' ( -tonner), tables and diagrams showing length and displacement, - ; , 'diane' ( tons), , dickenson, mr., of birkenhead, builder of the 'wyvern' ( -tonner), , ; of the 'naiad' and 'pastime' ( -tonners), ; of the 'adèle' ( -tonner), 'diligent,' dinghies, , , 'dis' ( -rater), , , , , , , , dodd, edward, r.n.a.v., dogfish, 'dog-legged' sternpost, 'dolly varden,' ratsey's, 'dolphin' ( - / -rater), , , , 'dora,' g. l. watson's centreboard, , 'doreen' ( -rater), , , , , , , , , 'doris' ( -tonner), tables and diagrams showing length and displacement, - ; , ; her dimensions, ; her matches with 'jenny wren,' , , 'dorothy' ( -rater), douglas, isle of man, douglas, mr., 'doushka' ( -rater), dowell, admiral sir william, 'dragon' ( -rater), 'drina' ( -rater), drogues, use of, , du bowlay, captain, dublin bay, small yacht racing in, , dudley, lord, owner of the 'dacia' ( -rater), , , , dudley, tom, sails the 'camellia' in her matches with 'freda,' dufferin, lord, his adoption of sailing yachts with auxiliary steam power, dunraven, earl of, his efforts to bring back the cup from america, ; his 'valkyrie,' ; on international yachting, , ; on the rating rules, ; , , , , ; owner of the 'alwida,' duppa, george, , eastern archipelago, the, as a cruising ground, edwards, mr., 'egeria' ( tons), ; wins the queen's cup at cowes in , ; second in r.t.y.c. race from the nore to dover in , ; , , ; second in the race for the emperor napoleon iii.'s cup, ; classed as a standard or test vessel, ; wins the channel match of the r.t.y.c, , ; wins the prince of wales's challenge cup, ; beats the 'livonia,' in the thames, ; in the race for the prince of wales's cup in , ; in , ; and in , ; wins the queen's cup at cowes, ; , , ; her race against the 'seabelle' in , ; in the race of the jubilee year, ; the most successful of the schooners, 'eileen' ( / -rater), emerson, quoted, 'enchantress,' american yacht, enters for the prince of wales's cup in , , england, east coast of, as a cruising ground, england, south coast of, as a cruising ground, english channel, the sea in the, entries, 'eothen' ( tons), ; lord brassey's experience of a storm on board, from queenstown to quebec, 'eulalie' ( tons), euripides, on the ocean, 'evadne' ( tons), , 'evolution' ( tons), her broad beam, ; the largest of the -tonners, ; cause of her failure, ; diagram, ; ewing, major, his 'gwendolin' ( tons), ; , exeter, marquis of, eyton, wynne, designer and owner of 'lorelei' ( -tonner), , 'fair geraldine' ( -rater), , , , , , 'fairy' ( - / -rater), fal river, 'falcon' (e. f. knight's), her voyage to south america, ; in a hurricane, ; commissariat, ; cooking on board, falmouth, ; sea disturbance at, ; farmer, mr., 'faugh-a-ballagh' ( - / -rater), , fay & co., builders of the 'black pearl's' cutter, 'field,' cited, ; on the rating rules, ; - , , , , , 'fiera' ( - / -rater), , 'fiery cross' ( tons), , fife, messrs. william, of fairlie, yacht builders and designers, , ; the 'cymba' ( ), ; their use of nickel steel in the 'dragon' ( ), ; the 'fiona,' ; , ; the 'minerva,' ; , , ; the 'pearl' ( -tonner), ; 'camellia' and the 'clio,' , ; 'cyprus' ( -tonner), ; the 'delvin,' ; their -raters, ; the 'red lancer' ( -rater), fifty-tonners, fitting out, to go foreign, ; selection and discipline of the crew, ; rig and fit out, ; small crew advised, ; dealing with dissensions on board, ; best men for foreign cruisers of small tonnage, ; negro crews, ; choice of vessel, ; yawl rig, ; sails, ; spinnaker, ; storm square-sail, , ; ballast, , ; boats, , ; commissariat, ; water, ; salt meat, ; biscuits, ; tinned meats, ; dealing with ship-chandlers, ; cooking, ; spirit stoves, ; paraffin stoves, fin-keels, 'fiona' ( tons), establishes the fame of scotch yacht-builders, ; , fiords, norwegian, 'firefly,' fish, mr., fisherman's anchor, the, fishing, sea, - fitting out a yacht, ; paint to be used, ; scraping and revarnishing, ; best method of treating the decks, ; removing varnish, ; laying decks, ; recoppering, ; finding out weak places, , ; overhauling the rigging, ; the anchor, - ; the interior accommodation, - ; beds, ; movable pantry, ; deadlights, ; ropes and sails, - ; foresails, ; lead of sheets, ; mainsails, ; the iron horse, ; topsails, . _see_ also fifty-tonners fitzroy, captain, r.n., commander of 'beagle,' five-raters in the north. _see_ five-tonners, &c. five-raters, the y.r.a. rule of measurement, ; sail-area and length, , ; best boats for channel seas, ; 'hard-mouthed,' ; overhang forward, ; fiddle-head and overhang bow, ; main design, ; 'staying' and 'getting away,' ; reaching courses, ; sternpost, fin and bulb keels, , ; the herreshoff boats the 'wenonah' and 'wee winn,' ; lugsails, ; canoe models, ; ocean travelling, ; general requirements in a yacht, ; weight, ; accommodation, ; sail-carrying power, ; dimensions of yacht to be supplied with sails, ; speed, ; question of kind of waters small yachts will race in, , ; principal form in america for all yachts, ; large displacement, , ; the fin-keel, ; suitable harbours, ; value of a moderate draught of water, ; beam, , ; sail-area, ; clyde boats, ; solent raters, ; messrs. fife and g. l. watson's yachts, ; j. h. nicholson's designs, ; the 'natica' and 'red lancer,' ; buying, - ; fitting out, - ; altering the lugsail, ; interior accommodation, - ; outfit, - ; racing, - ; cruising, - five-tonners (and five-raters) in the north, ; yachts built under the thames rule of measurement and the rule of the y.r.a., ; cost of building and keeping up, ; classed and prizes awarded, ; prejudice against, ; voyage of the 'wyvern' from kingstown to liverpool, ; the 'pearl,' 'torment,' and 'arrow,' ; 'diamond,' ; 'alouette,' , ; 'vril,' , ; 'camellia,' , ; 'freda,' - ; matches between three last-named off holyhead island, - ; cheating the tonnage rule, ; 'lorelei,' ; 'urchin,' ; chief method employed for walking through the 'length on deck rule,' ; 'nora,' ; 'cyprus,' - ; 'trident,' ; 'olga,' ; 'luath,' ; 'oona,' ; 'doris,' , ; 'jenny wren,' , ; 'delvin,' ; buying, - ; crew sufficient for, ; cost of sails, gear, &c., ; men and places to buy of and at, ; fitting out, - ; interior accommodation, - ; outfit, - ; racing, - ; cruising, - flags, flamborough head, - flensborg, 'fleur-de-lys' ( tons), floating blinds, 'florinda,' yawl, diagrams of lines, ; plans, ; midship section, , 'flutterby' ( -rater), 'flying cloud' ( tons), , forecastle pantry, the, foreign cruises in vessels of small tonnage. _see_ fifty-tonners 'formosa,' cutter, formosa channel, 'sunbeam's' performance under sail in, forwood, sir william, , fowey, 'freak,' cutter, freake, mr., first owner of the 'freda' ( -tonner), 'freda' ( -tonner), , ; dimensions, ; matches with 'vril,' - ; matches with 'camellia,' - french rating rules, , , , frisian islands, 'frolic' ( -rater), froude, mr., quoted, on the ocean, froude, r. e., on the rating rules, ; owner and designer of 'jenny wren' ( -tonner), froude, william, his experiments on the resistance of planes through water, , ; his law of comparison, , , , 'g.g.' ( - / -rater), , 'galatea,' cutter, in the international race for the america cup, ; , gamble, colonel, his lifeboat to the 'aline,' - gannets, 'gareth' ( - / -rater), , , garret, mr., his 'g.g.' ( - / -rater), , 'garrion,' 'genesta,' and the america cup, , , german emperor william, his 'meteor,' , ; his yacht racing, 'ghost,' gibraltar, , girth rating rule, gladstone, w. e., his cruise in the 'sunbeam,' 'glance,' , 'gleam,' 'gleam' ( -rater), glengariff, 'gloriana' ( tons), , , , , , 'glycera' ( -rater), , , godinet, m., his new rating rule, 'gossoon' (american keel boat), gourock, graham, e., r.n.a.v., grant, lieutenant james, r.n., 'graphic,' quoted, on the voyage of the 'hornet' in , gravesend reach, grecian archipelago, greeks, the, as lovers of the sea, greenland dock, near london, colonel beaufoy's experiments in the, grenada, gretton, j., jun., , 'greyhound,' used in experimenting on the resistance of ships through water, groceries, &c., for yachting, gubbins, mr., success of his 'windfall' against the 'dacia,' guernsey, 'guinevere' ( tons), , , ; wins the emperor napoleon iii.'s cup, ; , guinness, sir edward, , gulf of bothnia, gulf of heligoland, gulf of lyons, gulf of mexico, gulls, 'gwendolin' ( tons), , , , , hallowes, commodore, admiral of the minima sailing club, hannay, j. m., owner of the 'barracouta,' hansen & sons, builders of the 'aline's' lifeboat, harbours suitable for small yachts, harlingen, harvey & co., wivenhoe, builders of the 'oona' ( -tonner), harvey, e. n., harvey, john, of wivenhoe, , harvey, miss (afterwards mrs. a. heygate), 'harvey's patent' paint, , harwich to the baltic, cruise from, , hatcher & co. (now black & co.), hatcher, dan, of southampton, ; adopts the composite method of construction in several vessels, ; , ; builder of the 'freda,' , hauraki gulf, new zealand, havana, havre, healey, c. e. chadwick, 'heathen chinee,' yawl, henderson, messrs., of partick, henn, lieutenant, r.n., races his 'galatea' against the 'puritan' for the america cup in , herbert, captain john, his success with the 'wildfire' ( tons), ; and the 'pantomime' ( tons), herm, herreshoff, mr., on rating rules, , , herreshoff, messrs. (of rhode island), design and build their 'vigilant' (centreboard) and 'colonia' (keel boat), herreshoff, n. g., designer of the 'navahoe' and 'vigilant,' , ; his 'gloriana' and 'wasp,' keel boats, ; , ; 'wee winn,' and the 'wenonah,' ; takes his model for small yachts from the canoe, hewitt, major percy, hewitt, robert, designer of the 'buttercup' ( ), heygate, mrs. a., 'hilda' ( -tonner), hilliard, j. b., part owner and designer of the 'vril,' ; sails her in her matches with 'freda,' 'himalaya,' troopship, hired yachts, hoare, sydney, hoare, wilson, his 'avadavat,' holland, coast of, as a cruising ground, , ; use of leeboards in, holland-ackers, mr., initiates the system of time allowances, home versus international racing, hönefos, falls of, honolulu to yokohama, the 'sunbeam's' performances under sail from, 'hoopoo' ( - / -rater), 'hornet,' build and gear of the, ; cruise in , ; in , ; in , - ; expense of and precautions concerning crew, , houldsworth, w., his 'morna' not successful as a racer, houston, john, of largs, skipper of the 'fiona,' howth, hughes, captain j. w., , ; tries the heavy lead fin-keel, ; , hughes, fred, hughes, the misses, hull-measurement rating rules, , 'humming bird' ( - / -rater), her build, ; , , , , , , hunt, mr., the publisher of 'hunt's yachting magazine,' 'hunt's magazine,' cited, , , , , , hydraulic steering apparatus, 'idono' ( / -rater), 'iernia' ( -rater), 'illustrated london news,' quoted on the cruise of the 'hornet' in , 'ina' ( -rater), inglis, john, of pointhouse, in favour of outside ballast, inglis, john, jun., institutes in pointhouse shipyard rankine's method of estimating the resistance of ships, ; inglis, mr., designer, builder, and owner of the 'hilda' and 'viola' ( -tonners), ; his -ton schooner, insurance of yachts, ; ordinary form for a marine policy, ; clauses under a yachting policy, - ; board of trade certificates, ; average clause, ; twenty-pound clause, , ; no. clause, , ; no. clause, , ; nos. and clauses, , ; collision clause (no. ), ; prevention clauses (nos. and ), ; racing clause, , ; laying-up policies, ; premiums, ; insuring for full amount, ; mutual co-operation, international race for the america cup ( ), international versus home racing, 'intrigue' ( tons), 'iolanthe' ( tons), ireland, ; north coast of, as a cruising ground, ; south coast, , ; west coast, , 'irex' (centreboard), mr. jameson's, , iron, introduced into the construction of ships, ise fiord, island sailing club, , isle of man, isle of wight, as a cruising ground, , italy, coast of, as a cruising ground, itchen ferrymen, ; punts, iveagh, lord, 'iverna,' jamaica, james i., condition of the fleet in his time, jameson, john, result of his trial of the 'irex' as a centreboard, ; 'janetta' ( - / -rater), , , japan, coasts of, yachting round, 'jeanie' ( / -rater), , , 'jenny wren' ( -tonner), ; matches with 'doris,' , jersey, johnson, dr., quoted, on the sea, 'jubilee,' american yacht, her dimensions, ; 'julia,' 'jullanar' ( tons), e. h. bentall's yawl, ; principles on which laid down, ; measurements, ; diagram, ; 'katherine' ( -rater), keels, sliding, admiralty adoption of, in , ; the 'lady nelson' and 'cynthia,' ; commodore taylor's yacht, ; recent american keel-boats, ; general paine's 'up to date' racer, ; luken's pamphlet on, ; iron, to a yacht's cutter, kemp, dixon, on the length of yachts, ; proposes a new rule regarding tonnage, ; secretary to the y.r.a., ; on the rules of racing, ; on rating rules, , , ; , , ; his 'yacht and boat sailing,' 'kestrel' ( tons), ketches ( -ton), kiel, kingstown, small yacht racing at, , , kirkcaldy, kit, the, for yachting, 'kittiwake' ( / -rater), , klein, mr., owner of 'dawn,' knight, e. f., on fitting out a -tonner to go foreign, _et seq._; on baltic cruising, _et seq._ knives, sailors', 'kriemhilda,' cutter, , , kyak, the greenlander's, 'lady nan' ( - / -rater), , , , 'lady nelson' (h.m. brig, ), the first ship to discover tasmania to be an island, ; her three sliding keels, 'ladybird' ( / -rater), laird, mr., of birkenhead, constructor of the compound engines of the 'sunbeam,' 'lais' ( -rater), her dimensions, - , lamb & white, their wooden air-tight compartments, lampson, g. e., specialities of his 'miranda' ( tons), lampson, sir george, bart., 'lancashire witch,' 'land and water' on rating rules, ; , lane, stuart, langrishe, mr., , ; first owner of 'dacia' ( -tonner), lapthorn, messrs., sailmakers, larne, 'latona,' yawl, , lawrence, john, part owner and designer of the 'vril,' lawson, mr., part owner of the 'camellia' ( -tonner), laying-up policies, leach, sir george, k.c.b., on schooner racing, _et seq._, lead ballast, introduction of, leeboards, - length and sail-area, rating by, length and sail-area rule, 'leopard' ( ), lines of the, lepper, mr., of belfast, his -rater 'archee,' lessop, mr., 'lethe' ( -ton yawl), midship section, , ; fittings of main cabin, 'letters from high latitudes,' quoted, liddell, e., lifeboats, lights, yachts', when racing at night, liim, the, 'lil' (afterwards 'nety'), 'lillah' ( tons), 'lily' ( - / -rater), lisbon, , little belt, the, 'little nell' ( -rater), liverpool, 'livonia' ( tons), schooner, , ; brought out by mr. ashbury, ; beaten in the thames by the 'egeria,' ; her race against the 'aline' for the prince of wales's cup in , ; loses the first two matches of the race for the america cup in , ; wins the third, ; loses the fourth, ; and the fifth, ; in the race for the prince of wales's cup in , 'lizzie' ( tons), lloyd's and insurance, , loch hourn, loch scavaig, skye, phenomenal squalls in, , 'lollypop' ( -rater), , , ; ( -rater), , , londonderry, long island sound, sea disturbance at, ; ; as a cruising ground, looe, 'lorelei' ( -tonner), dimensions of, ; fittings, ; lorna ( tons), , lough strangford, 'louisa,' 'luath' ( -tonner), lubat, mr., luken, lionel (coach-builder), his pamphlet on insubmergible boats, 'lulworth' ( tons), , , lymington, hants, mccheane, mr., hon. sec. royal portsmouth corinthian yacht club, macgregor, colonel, mcnish, mr., , 'madcap' ( - / -rater), , , , 'madcap' ( tons), , 'magic' ( tons), wins the america cup in , 'mahatma' ( -rater), 'malissa' ( -tonner), 'man overboard' rule, manning, a., , 'margaret' ( tons), marine insurance policy forms, , markham, lieut.-col., marsden, d. w., late hon. sec. of london corps royal naval artillery volunteers, _note_ martin anchor, matches, private, ; club and open, measurements, rules concerning, - measurers, official, duties of, - 'mechanic's magazine,' cited, medicines, mediterranean, the, as a cruising ground, ; phenomenal squalls in, , 'menai,' first vessel in which hollow lines were adopted, , 'merkara,' diagram of the resistance curves of the model of the, 'merle' ( -tonner), fitted with a 'dog-legged' sternpost, 'merrythought' ( - / -rater), 'meteor' ( tons), her victory for the queen's cup at cowes, ; , ; fittings, ; diagram of profile of lines, 'meteorological notes,' scott's, meuse, the, as a cruising ground, 'minerva' ( tons), fife of fairlie's, , , , minima sailing club, , ; objects of, 'minnow' ( - / -rater), , , , 'miranda' ( tons), specialities in her build, 'mliss' ( - / -rater), , , 'modwena' ( tons), 'mohawk' ( -rater), dimensions, - ; 'moina' ( -rater), 'molly' ( - / -rater) montagu, captain, morley, s. hope, 'morna' ( tons), , morocco, coast of, 'mosquito' ( tons), system of construction, - ; built of iron, - ; , , mousing, mulholland, hon. h. l., m.p., mulholland, john, m.p. (afterwards lord dunleath), , , 'muriel' ( tons), , , mutual yacht insurance company, attempts to launch, , 'mystère' ( tons), , nab lightship, the, , , - , - , , , , , , 'nadador' ('lady nan'), - / -rater, , 'naiad' ( -tonner), 'nansheen' ( -rater), napier, colin, owner of the 'wyvern,' napoleon iii., his encouragement of yachting, 'narna' ( / -rater), , , nassau to bermuda, from, the 'sunbeam' in a gale, 'natica' ( -rater), , , 'navahoe' ( . y.r.a. rating), american yacht, beats the 'britannia' over the cross-channel course, ; worsted in english waters, ; rate of speed, ; , ; spinnakers, ; dimensions, ; ; _note_ negro crews, 'nety' ( -rater), new jersey, coast of, 'new moon' ( tons), lugger, new thames yacht club, rule adopted by, in , for measurement, new york bay, , , , new york yacht club, , ; alter the conditions for the america cup, , ; rating rules, new zealand, racing and cruising on the coast of, , newton-robinson, mr., nicholls, jack, skipper of the 'alarm,' nicholson & sons, of gosport, , nicholson, charles, , , nicholson, j. h., designer of the 'dacia' ( -rater) and of the 'gareth' ( - / -rater), nicholson, mr., jun., , 'nora' ( -tonner), dimensions of, 'norman' ( tons), , , , , north pacific, north sea, the, ; sea disturbance in, norway, coast of, as a cruising ground, , , 'nyanza,' ocean cruising, precautions requisite for, _et seq._ officers, race. _see_ race officers oglander, sir henry, owner of the 'firefly,' 'oimara' ( tons), ; in the race round the isle of wight in , ; and the race from the nore to dover in , old tonnage rating rule, 'olga' ( tonner), dimensions, - ; career of, , 'oona' ( -tonner), dimensions of, - , ; melancholy end of, 'oread,' osgood, mr., success of his centreboard schooner 'columbia' against the 'livonia' for the america cup, - 'otokesan' ( / -rater), outfit for a yacht, ; clothes bags, ; the kit, ; groceries, &c., ; yacht necessaries, , owners of yachts, duties of, in races, ; disqualification for breach of racing rules, ; protests, pacific, the, yachting in, paine, general, his 'up to date' centreboard, paint for yachts, , ; berthon's, 'palatine' (steam yacht), 'palmer,' american centreboard schooner, , 'pantomime' ( tons), - , , 'papoose' ( - / -rater), 'paradise,' ancient and modern notions of, , paraffin stoves, parsons, mr., passengers in sailing boats, 'pastime' ( -tonner), payne, a. e., builds the 'humming bird,' ; the 'vendetta,' ; circular to y.r.a., ; 'tootsie,' ; tries the heavy lead fin-keel in 'lady nan,' ; designs 'decima,' ; effort in to lower his colours, ; his boats again head the list, ; 'mliss,' ; two new five-raters, ; 'fiera,' ; 'avadavat,' ; half-raters, ; 'cyane,' , ; 'alwida,' payton, w. e., his designs for the 'trident' ( ), 'olga' ( ), and 'oona' ( ), - ; owner of the 'oona,' ; designer of the 'luath,' ; perishes in the 'oona,' ; his -tonner 'currytush,' pearce, sir g., 'pearl' ( -tonner), ; dimensions, peel, isle of man, 'peg woffington,' g. l. watson's little cutter, characteristics of, pembroke and montgomery, earl of, on yacht's sailing boats, _et seq._ penang to galle, from, time occupied by 'sunbeam,' pender, henry denison, r.n.v., peninsular and oriental company build the 'himalaya,' perceval, p., his 'glycera' ( -rater), ; percy, lord, centreboard boat built for him at boston, u.s., in , 'pet' ( -tonner), 'phantom' ( tons), 'pilgrim' (american yacht), her dimensions, , platinum as ballast, pleasure fleet of england, progress of the, 'pleiad,' , - plunket, mr., of belfast, plymouth, ; sea disturbance at, ; , policies, insurance, laying up, polperro, 'polynia' ( - / -rater), popham, f. l., port darwin to the cape, from, time occupied by 'sunbeam' under sail and steam, port patrick, port phillip, port rush, portland bill, portsmouth to brindisi, from, time occupied by 'sunbeam' to, ; to naples, 'sunbeam's' performance under sail, portsmouth, conference of solent clubs at, in , , portsmouth harbour, portugal, coast of, post entries, potash, caustic, for removing varnish, powell, w. baden. _see_ baden-powell power, mr., owner of the 'olga' ( -tonner), premiums in insurance, prevention clauses, insurance, , priddy's hard, prince of wales's cup, race for, in , ; in , ; in , ; becomes the absolute property of mr. j. mulholland, in , pritchett, r. t., staff officer of the 'hornet,' ; on sliding keels and centreboards, _et seq._ private matches, 'problem,' built at kirkcaldy in the early fifties, plan of, programmes, race, , protection clauses, insurance, protests, , , 'punch,' quoted, 'pup' ( -rater), pure length rating rule, 'puritan' (american sloop), in the international race for the america cup, 'queen' ( -tonner), queen's cup, cowes, , 'queen mab' (centreboard cutter), ; dimensions, - ; ; 'queen of the -raters' for , , ; ; ( - / -rater), , , , queenstown, , ; sea disturbance at, , queenstown model yacht club, 'quinque' ( -rater), , , , , 'quiraing,' plan of her immersed counter, race officers, duties of, - racing, advice upon, ; the jibsheet, ; the spinnaker, ; weight aft, ; insurance clauses, , racing rules, summary of, in king & co.'s almanac for the solent racing, . _see_ y.r.a. racing yachts, evolution of the modern, _et seq._ ramsey, isle of man, rankine, maquorn, his papers on surface friction, rathlin island sound, rating-cheaters, rating rules and proposals, tables of, , . _see_ y.r.a. rating supersedes tonnage rule, ratsey, charles, advocates cotton sails, ratsey, linn, yacht-builder, ratsey, michael, , , , , , ; builds the 'livonia' schooner, ; the 'corisande,' ; the 'cetonia,' , ratsey, mr., 'raven' ( -rater), 'rayonette' ( -tonner), reaching courses, 'red lancer' ( -rater), , reid, james, of port glasgow, devises the 'dog-legged' sternpost, ; designs the 'florence,' 'resolution,' h.m.s., accident to, 'reverie' ( tons), richardson, alexander, of liverpool, , richardson, john, his 'evadne' ( tons), ; and 'corisande' ( tons), richardson, mr., on rating rules, , richardson, mr., designer of the 'urchin' ( -tonner), ridsdale, h. w., , , robertson, mr., of ipswich, builder of the 'alouette' ( -tonner), robertson, mr., of sandbank, holy loch, rogers's movable anchor stock, 'rogue' ( -rater), romans, the, as lovers of the sea, 'rose' ( -rater), 'rose of devon,' in the race from the nore to dover, of , roskilde, from the fiord, rothesay, wind-force at, rouen, rowley, mr., royal albert yacht club, , , royal clyde yacht club, royal danish yacht club, royal irish yacht club regatta, royal london yacht club, rule arranged for measurement in , ; , , , , royal navy, condition of the, , royal naval artillery volunteers of london, liverpool, bristol, and glasgow, _note_ royal portsmouth corinthian yacht club, , , royal southampton yacht club, ; its excellence, ; , royal southern yacht club, , , royal thames yacht club, rule adopted by, for measurement in , ; possessors of commodore taylor's pennants and ensigns, ; open the season, ; the channel match of , ; royal victoria yacht club, , , , royal yacht squadron, one of its original objects to encourage seamanship, ; arrange a race without time allowances round the isle of wight, ; the races arranged for the jubilee year, ; dates from early in the century, ; , 'royalist,' rudston read, mrs., , russell, scott, his system of construction, , ; on speed, rutland, duke of, ryde, , , , , ryde to havre, from, sail-area, ; rating rule, sailing boats, a yacht's, pleasures and advantages of, ; two typical sails, - ; best build, ; stability, ; the lifeboat question, ; copper and wooden air-tight compartments, ; shape of stern, ; counter and side, ; centreboard, - ; wooden false keel, ; sloop rig, - ; yawl rig, ; tiller, ; ballast, ; earl of pembroke's 'black pearl's' cutter, , , , ; description of colonel gamble's 'aline' lifeboat, - ; handling and management, ; professional assistance, ; handling single-handed, ; in rough weather, ; reefing, ; balance reefs, ; in a beam sea, ; running before a strong wind and a dangerous sea, ; steering, ; in wind squalls under the lee of the land, ; things worth remembering in handling, - ; mooring, ; never 'moon,' sail-carrying power defined, sailing committees, duties of, ; making of programmes, , ; form of race advertisements, ; solent class regulations, ; the race card, ; dealing with protests, sailing masters, duties of, - sailing rules. _see_ y.r.a. sailing yachts with auxiliary steam power, sails, character of british-made, previous to , st. clare byrne, mr., m.i.n.a., his 'valiant,' ; designer of the 'sunbeam,' 'st. george' ( tons), st. george's channel, character of the sea in, , st. ives harbour, st. malo, salcomb, salt meat for foreign cruises, sandy hook, wind-force at, 'sappho' (american schooner), , , ; her races against the 'cambria,' ; , ; beats the 'livonia' in the fourth match of the race for the america cup in , , sark, 'satanita' ( . -rating, y.r.a.), ; dimensions, ; 'savourna' ( -rater), , , schanks, captain, designer of the 'trial' revenue cutter, , schenley, george, schenley, mrs., , , schooner racing, reasons for the decadence of, , ; large tonnage of yachts in early times, schooners, inability to compete with cutters, ; new method of rigging, in , scilly isles, scotland to plymouth, from, voyage of 'cyprus,' - scotland, west coast of, , ; as a cruising ground, , scott's 'meteorological notes,' scows, or floating blinds, , 'seabelle' ( tons), ; her race against the 'egeria' in , 'seabird' ( tons), sea-fishing, - seamanship, secretary, club, duties of, at regattas, secretary, y.r.a., checking a sailmaker's measurements, seine, the, as a cruising ground, 'selene,' sesmaisons, count de, seth-smith, c. e., c.b., r.n.a.v., on corinthian deep-sea cruising, _et seq._; captain of the 'hornet' in and , sewanhaka yacht club, on the rating rules, , , , , shanklin bay, shannon, the, as a cruising ground, 'shark' ( tons), , , shelley, sir percy, 'shipbuilding, theoretical and practical,' cited, ship-chandlers, home and foreign, shuldham, captain, r.n., pivots sliding keels ( ), sicily, yachting round, siemens-martin steel, 'siesta' ( tons), simonosaki to aden, from, time occupied by 'sunbeam,' simons, of renfrew, simpson & dennison, of dartmouth, builders of 'doris' ( -tonner), simpson, mr., success of his 'tottie' on the thames, skaw, the, , skippers, yacht, skye, , , 'sleuthhound' ( -rater), built without fittings, , sliding keels and centreboards, - slie, the, sloyne, the, , , smith, colonel f. j., r.e., his merit-formula, smith's anchor, , solent, the, as a cruising ground, ; crack cutters of forty-five years ago, ; wind-force on, ; small yacht racing on the, _et seq._; attractive features, ; advantages for yachting, ; 'length classes' introduced, , ; their collapse, ; classes, ; ( -raters), in , ; , ; sea disturbance in, ; racing in, solent yacht club, sooji mooji, for removing varnish, soper, j. m., ; designer of the 'black pearl's' cutter, , 'sorella,' sound of raasay, phenomenal squalls in, south atlantic, , , , south pacific, southampton, conference of solent clubs at, in , , southampton water, , southsea, spain, coast of, as a cruising ground, , sparks, mr., spartel bay, spezia, 'sphinx,' spirit stoves, spithead, sea disturbance at, 'spray of the ocean' (cutter), 'spruce' ( / -rater), , 'squirrel,' sir g. pearce's, starkey, f., start, the, at races, , steam launches, as adjuncts to sailing yachts, ; , steam versus sail yachting, - , steam yachts, cost of building and manning, steamship hands, steele, messrs., build the 'wave' with a metal keel, ; steele, william, designs the 'nyanza,' 'oimara,' 'garrion,' and 'selene,' stephens, mr., of southampton, sternpost, the raking, introduced, ; 'dog-legged,' stevens, commodore, his 'black maria,' stewart, mr., stone, mr., designer of the 'squirrel,' storey, mr., designer of the 'st. george,' 'stork' ( - / -rater), storms, law of, stoves for cooking, stowe, mr., of shoreham, builder of the 'diamond' ( -tonner), straits of gibraltar, studding-sails, duck, suez canal, the, closes the era of china clipper ships, sullivan, sir edward, bart., on yachting, _et seq._ summers, mr., summers & payne, 'sunbeam,' ; date of launch, ; designer, ; details of construction, ; dimensions of spars, ; performances at sea, ; best run under steam, ; most successful continuous performance, ; best runs under sail, ; average speeds of longer passages, ; boilers, ; cruises in the mediterranean, ; table of distances, times, and winds, ; in a storm off flamborough head, - ; in a long gale from nassau to bermuda, ; in a dirty night between honolulu and japan, sutton, sir richard, , svendborg, , swanage, , sweden as a cruising ground, sydney harbour, tamar river, tangier, tanks, water, 'tar baby' ( -rater), tasmania, discovered to be an island, _note_, tatchell, e. r., taylor, commodore, of the cumberland sailing society, his yacht 'cumberland' with five sliding keels, taylor, harry, taylor, richard, , taylor, robert, teignmouth, cargo boats fitted with sliding keels at, tennyson, lord, his cruise in the 'sunbeam,' 'thalassa,' on racing rules and the rules of rating, _et seq._; on small yacht racing in the solent, _et seq._ 'thalassa' ( - / -rater), , , , , , 'thalia' ( tons), her dimensions, - thames, for many years the centre of yachting, thames iron works shipbuilding company, build the 'mosquito' ( ), 'thames rule' of , the recognised method of measuring yachts, ; minor influences, ; , thellusson, charles, , , , 'thief,' , , , , 'thistle' (of ), sketch of her cutwater, ; her advantages of beam, ; built without fittings, ; her displacement, ; competes for the america cup, 'thistle' (of ), disadvantage of the sacrifice of surface in the, , thomas & nicholson, messrs., of southampton and gosport, characteristics of their anchor, , thompson, g. b., on the rating rules, ; owner of the 'olga' ( -tonner), 'tiara' (of ), system of construction, , tilley, of southampton, _note_ time allowance, ; rules concerning, - timing yachts at races, tinned meats, , 'tiny' ( / -rater), , , 'titania' ( tons), the marquis of ailsa's, , 'titu' ( - / -rater), tomlinson, w. a., his -ton yacht 'wyvern,' tonnage-cheaters, , tonnage rule, all-absorbing question of, in modern yachting, ; changed to that of rating, 'tootsie' (afterwards 'minnow'), mr. payne's, torbay, 'torment' ( -tonner), , 'torpedo,' mr. stewart's, 'torpid,' torquay, , torquay regatta, 'tottie' ( - / -rater), 'trial' (admiralty revenue cutter), ; sheer draught of, 'trident' ( -tonner), tables and diagrams showing length and displacement, - ; a handy boat, trinidad, trotman's anchor, 'troublesome' ( - / -rater), , turner, william, turning-point of maximum efficiency, or best length, twenty-pound clause, insurance, , 'ulerin' ( -tonner), 'undine' ( - / -rater), union des yachts français, its new rating rule, , 'valentine' ( -rater), , , , 'valhalla' ( , tons), 'valiant' ( , tons), 'valkyrie,' lord dunraven's, victorious career of, ; her defeat in american waters, , ; ; development of beam in, ; spinnakers, ; dimensions, ; minus fittings when racing for the america cup, ; profile, ; the question of superiority of centreboard, ; unduly handicapped by american conditions, ; sail-area, _note_ valparaiso to yokohama, from, time occupied by 'sunbeam,' vanderbilt, mr., his 'valiant,' 'vanderdecken's' tonnage-cheater, ; design, 'vanduara' ( tons), first design for, ; g. l. watson's belief in carrying it out, varnishing, , 'varuna' ( -rater), diagram of profile, ; dimensions, - veile, 'vendetta' ( -rater), dimensions, - ; beam, 'verena' ( -rater), 'verve' ( -tonner), 'victoria' (h.m.s.), loss of, 'vigilant,' american yacht, defeats the 'valkyrie' of lord dunraven, , ; dimensions, , ; minus fittings when racing for the america cup, ; profile, ; a wholesome type of vessel, ; her designers, ; sail area, _note_ 'viking' ( tons), , 'viola' ( -tonner), 'virago' ( -tonner), virgil, quoted, on the sea, 'volante,' loses her bowsprit by collision while racing against the 'america,' 'vol-au-vent,' cutter, of , 'volunteer,' american yacht, compared with the 'thistle' of , ; 'vril' ( -tonner), dimensions, - , ; designed by g. l. watson, ; turned into a fast cruiser, ; matches with 'freda,' - wages, racing, of a yacht's crew, wales, h.r.h. prince of, accidents to his yacht 'britannia' in , ; victorious career of his vessel, ; h.r.h. a familiar sight in yacht-racing, , , ; offers a cup for -tonners in , ; waller, mr., 'wanderer' ( tons), steam yacht, method of construction, wanhill, mr., of poole, introduces the raking sternpost, ; builds the 'egeria,' warsash village, 'wasp' (american keel boat), water ballast, ; for foreign cruisers, waterman, tom, designer of the 'mosquito' ( tons), ; and of the troopship 'himalaya,' 'waterwitch' ( tons), watson, g. l., designer of the 'britannia' and 'valkyrie,' ; on the evolution of the modern racing yacht, _et seq._; elements of his -tonners 'vril' and 'doris,' - ; and of his -raters 'deerhound,' 'creole,' 'varuna,' and 'queen mab,' , , ; builds 'dora' and 'queen mab' with centreboard, ; on rating rules, , , ; his 'tottie' ( - / -rater), ; his - / -raters, ; -raters, , , , , ; part owner and designer of the 'vril,' ; designer of the 'doris,' ; his spoon-shaped bow, ; designer of the 'natica' ( -rater), watson, s. c., owner of the 'lethe' ( tons), watson, sidney, owner of the 'chipmunk' ( - / -rater), watson, mrs. sidney, watson, t. l., f.r.i.b.a., 'wave,' john cross buchanan's, fitted with a metal keel, webb, beavor, owner of the 'freda' ( -tonner), ; sails her in her matches with 'camellia' and 'vril,' 'wee winn,' rig of, ; bulb keel, weguelin, charles, designer of the 'alouette' ( -tonner), weisbach's experiments on the flow of water through pipes, weld, joseph, , , , , 'wenonah,' rig of, ; bulb keel, west indian negro crews, , west indies as a cruising ground, ; ports of the, , west, t. b. c., , weymouth, weymouth, mr., designer of the 'phantom' ( tons), whales, 'whimbrel,' white, mr., boatbuilder, of cowes, , , 'wildfire' ( tons), her rigging, wilkinson, arthur, owner of the 'phantom' ( tons), willan, major frank (y.r.a.), williams, general owen, owner of the 'enchantress' wilton, earl of, his steam yacht 'palatine,' 'windfall' ( -rater), , , , , wire rope, , 'witchcraft' ( tons), , wivenhoe, , , wolff, mr., hon. sec. royal southampton yacht club, 'wonderful' ( -tonner), wood, nicholas, owner of the 'corinne' ( tons), woodd, a. b., r.n.a.v., woods, john, skipper of the 'egeria,' wythes, mr., owner of the 'st. george,' 'wyvern' ( -tonner), her voyage from kingstown to liverpool, , ; build and dimensions, , 'xantha' ( tons), yawl, ; wins the r.t.y.c. race from the nore to dover in , 'yacht and boat sailing,' dixon kemp's, on the rules of racing, , , 'yacht architecture,' dixon kemp's, quoted, ; on racing rules, ; on rating rules, , yacht-building, american pre-eminence in, yacht club, object and duties of a, yacht, internal economy of a, ; minstrelsy, ; sailors, ; and their wages, ; necessaries, list of, yacht racing association, the, procrastination of, ; their new rule regarding tonnage, ; their circular to yacht-builders and designers in , ; , ; the object of its foundation, ; secretary and councillors, ; qualifications of membership, ; election of councillors, ; measurement fees and subscriptions, , ; alterations in rules, ; rules for the guidance of the council, ; racing rules, ; duties of a designer, ; private matches, ; club and open matches, ; duties of a yacht club, ; duties of a sailing committee, ; duties of a club secretary, ; duties of race officers, ; duties of owners, ; duties of a sailing master, ; duties of an official measurer, ; rating rules, ; length and sail-area rule, ; the time allowance, ; turning point of maximum efficiency, ; the new french rule, ; sail-area rule, ; the pure length rule, ; tables of rating rules and proposals, , ; girth rating rule, ; , , , , ; rule for -tonners and under, ; for -raters, ; rating by length and sail-area, , , yacht racing, expense of, yacht racing, small, development of, ; profitable to clubs, yachting, compared economically with continental travelling, ; began with this century, ; reasons for its pre-eminence as a manly sport, ; clauses concerning insurance, - yachts, little individuality of form previous to , ; equipment subsequent to that date, ; variety of type under present length and sail-area rule, ; advantages of racing in small, 'yachtsman,' cited, ; on the rules of racing, ; on girth, ; _note_ yachtsmen, qualities of, yalme, the, yarborough, earl of, yarmouth, isle of wight, yawls, yolla metal, york, mr., secretary of the royal clyde yacht club, 'yvonne' ( -rater), 'zarita' ( tons), 'zephyr' ( -tonner), zuider zee, cruising in the, , end of the first volume printed by spottiswoode and co., new-street square london the badminton library of sports and pastimes edited by his grace the duke of beaufort, k.g. assisted by alfred e. t. watson _yachting_ ii. [illustration: old flags.] yachting by r. t. pritchett the marquis of dufferin and ava, k.p. james mcferran rev. g. l. blake, t. b. middleton edward walter castle and robert castle g. christopher davies, lewis herreshoff the earl of onslow, g.c.m.g., h. horn sir george leach, k.c.b., vice-president y.r.a. [illustration: yachts.] in two volumes--vol. ii. _with illustrations by r. t. pritchett and from photographs_ london longmans, green, and co. _all rights reserved_ contents of the second volume chapter page i. royal yachts and english yacht clubs _by r. t. pritchett, marquis of dufferin and ava, k.p., james mcferran, and rev. g. l. blake._ ii. scottish clubs _by r. t. pritchett and rev. g. l. blake._ iii. irish clubs _by r. t. pritchett, rev. g. l. blake, and t. b. middleton._ iv. the thames clubs and windermere _by edward walter castle, robert castle, and r. t. pritchett._ v. yachting on the norfolk broads _by g. christopher davies._ vi. yachting in america _by lewis herreshoff._ vii. yachting in new zealand _by the earl of onslow, g.c.m.g._ viii. foreign and colonial yachting _by r. t. pritchett and rev. g. l. blake._ ix. some famous races _by r. t. pritchett._ x. racing in a -rater in _by r. t. pritchett._ xi. yacht racing in _by h. horn._ xii. the american yachting season of _by lewis herreshoff._ xiii. the america cup races, _by sir george leach, k.c.b., vice-president y.r.a._ appendix: the 'giralda' index illustrations in the second volume (_reproduced by j. d. cooper and messrs. walker & boutall_) full-page illustrations artist to face page old flags _r. t. pritchett_ _frontispiece_ her majesty the queen going to scotland " the royal yacht 'victoria and albert,' " 'pearl,' 'falcon,' and 'waterwitch' " 'mystery' winning the cup presented by r.y.s. to r.t.y.c. " 'corsair,' r.y.s., winning the queen's cup at cowes, " yacht club burgees _club card_ 'irex' _from a photograph by adamson_ 'yarana' " 'arrow,' royal cinque ports yacht club, _r. t. pritchett_ 'reverie' _from a photograph_ northern yacht club cruising off garroch head, _from a painting by hutcheson_ royal northern yacht club, rothesay _from a photograph by secretary_ the start for ardrishaig cup _from a photograph by adamson_ 'marjorie' " " 'may' " " 'thistle' " " 'lenore' " " 'verve' " " yacht club flags 'erycina' _from a photograph by adamson_ royal irish yacht club cup, kingstown, _from a picture by admiral beechy_ mermaids of dublin bay sailing club start of -tonners, r.t.y.c., from greenwich, _r. t. pritchett_ 'decima' _from a photograph by symonds_ 'gimcrack' _r. t. pritchett_ model room of new york yacht club _from a photograph sent by secretary n.y.y.c._ 'black maria,' sloop, beating 'america,' schooner, in test race, new york, _sent by mr. stevens of hoboken, new york_ international race, ; 'galatea' passing sandy hook lightship _photograph sent by lieutenant w. henn, r.n._ 'volunteer' _from a photograph sent by general paine, n.y.y.c._ 'valkyrie' _from a photograph by adamson_ 'yseult' " " 'iverna' and 'meteor,' dead heat in the clyde, july , " " 'queen mab' " " 'samoena' " " illustrations in text artist page varuna, vendetta, and lais (_vignette_) _title-page_ dutch yacht. (_from drawing by vandervelde, dated _) _r. t. pritchett_ 'een bezan jagt,' " lines of cutter, _from stalkart's 'naval architecture'_ yacht stern, " cowes castle. (_from drawing by loutherburg_) _r. t. pritchett_ seal of royal yacht club, cowes _r.y.s._ 'pearl,' r.y.s. _r. t. pritchett_ 'dolphin,' r.y.s. " 'esmeralda,' r.y.s. " 'de emmetje,' lugger " 'new moon,' r.y.s. " chart of the royal yacht squadron--(queen's course) 'the lady hermione' _from working drawings lent by marquis of dufferin_ 'the lady hermione,' deck plan " 'the lady hermione,' fittings " 'foam,' r.v.s. 'in high latitudes' view from the royal western yacht club, plymouth _r. t. pritchett_ chart of the royal western yacht club. plymouth course _club card_ chart of the royal victoria yacht club course _club card_ international gold cup. royal victoria yacht club. won by 'britannia' _r.v.y. club_ first race of the mersey yacht club, june , _r. t. pritchett_ 'queen of the ocean,' r.m.y.c., saving emigrants from 'ocean monarch' " chart of the royal mersey yacht club courses _from club card_ chart of the royal portsmouth corinthian yacht club courses " 'madge,' --lines and midship section _g. l. watson_ 'neptune,' cutter, --lines and midship section _w. fife_ 'reverie,' --lines and midship section _j. m. soper_ northern yacht club seal _from secretary r.n.y. club_ chart of the royal northern yacht club courses _club card_ royal northern flags _from secretary r.n.y.c._ 'gleam,' --lines and midship section _fife of fairlie_ chart of the royal clyde yacht club courses _from secretary_ 'clara'--midship section _w. fife_ chart of the royal forth yacht club courses _club card_ yachts of cork water club, _r. t. pritchett_ chart of the royal cork yacht club _club card_ cork water club putting out to sea, _r. t. pritchett_ chart of the royal st. george's yacht club courses outward bound _honourable artists of the 'iris'_ 'iris'--section " 'iris'--section showing permanent legs " the bailey, dublin bay " 'graphic' artists at work during the gale of october , " her majesty's mails " storm without, calm within " kingstown, dublin bay " ringsend, dublin " monkstown, dublin bay " ireland's eye " 'king's fisher,' _r. t. pritchett_ commodore thomas taylor, of the cumberland fleet, _from a family portrait in possession of robert taylor, esq._ 'king's fisher,' --lines _original lines_ 'king's fisher,' --midship section " 'button,' " first 'cumberland,' --midship section " first 'cumberland,' --lines " second cumberland, --lines and midship section " yacht of cumberland fleet, _r. t. pritchett_ circular of cumberland fleet, officers' badge, r.t.y.c. _r. t. pritchett_ 'mystery' passing 'blue belle,' " 'phantom,' r.t.y.c., " 'cygnet,' " 'dis,' --lines and midship section _j. m. soper_ 'tottie,' royal corinthian yacht club _photograph_ upper thames sailing club and club house, bourne end, bucks _r. t. pritchett_ upper thames steam yacht 'cintra' _photograph_ 'feeling it' off the ferry (_from a photograph by brunskill, of windermere_) a fair start. royal windermere yacht club " limit angle of counter _club book_ smart breeze for racing windermere _brunskill, of windermere_ chart of the royal windermere yacht club course _club card_ fair wind round the buoy _brunskill, of windermere_ calm weather " the 'greyhound' _r. t. pritchett_ the fisher's home, the broads " regatta time " wroxham pleasure craft " wroxham broad " smooth-water bowsprit " river waveney craft " 'greyhound'--midship section _g. c. davies_ 'greyhound'--lines of " 'castanet' _r. t. pritchett_ hull of the 'castanet' " 'mystery' thames boat ('foreign' boat) " a start " in the gloaming " birds of a feather " commodore stevens, founder of the new york yacht club _photo sent by mr. stevens, of hoboken, u.s.a._ r.y.s. cup won by the 'america,' 'trouble'-- , midship section _herreshoff_ 'maria,' sloop, --midship section " 'wave,' --midship section " 'onkahya,' --midship section " 'america,' , n.y.y.c. _r. t. pritchett_ 'america'--lines and midship section _hunt's magazine_ 'shadow,' _photo, stebbins, boston_ 'shadow,' --lines and midship section _herreshoff_ midship section of american yachts " 'gracie'--sail plan " 'gracie,' --lines and midship section " 'puritan,' , n.y.y.c. _photo, gubalman, new york_ 'gossoon,' keel boat, _photo, stebbins, boston_ 'gloriana,' " 'wasp,' " fin-keel and bulb _herreshoff_ 'consuelo,' cat-yawl " herreshoff catamaran " newport (centreboard) cat-boat " 'constellation,' , n.y.y.c. _photo, stebbins, boston_ the ubiquitous cat-boat _r. t. pritchett_ frascati and pierhead at havre " chart of havre regatta courses _club card_ harbour at havre _r. t. pritchett_ chart of nice regatta courses _club card_ lateen yachts, bombay club, _r. t. pritchett_ chart of the royal bombay yacht club sailing course _bombay card_ fitted races at bermuda, _r. t. pritchett_ bermuda rig " dutch ice boat of present time " 'waterwitch' v. 'galatea,' start of race for , guineas " 'corsair' v. 'talisman' race ( ), running down channel _r. t. pritchett, from a picture by condy_ 'corsair' v. 'talisman' race ( ), the return " 'corsair,' --lines and midship section _michael ratsey, of cowes_ 'brilliant' and 'ariel' race, _r. t. pritchett_ going aloft " diagrams showing old and new styles in aft sections of -raters _j. m. soper_ diagrams showing recent styles in fore sections of -raters _j. m. soper_ 'irex'--midship section _a. richardson_ 'irex'--lines _designed by alexander richardson_ 'corsair'--general arrangements plans _a. e. payne_ 'corsair'--midship section " lashing the emperor's racing flag _r. t. pritchett_ our masthead man " 'all aft, my sonnies!' " 'another pull at the mainsheet, my lads!' " close hauled " real business " torquay " chart of channel racing westward a close finish, 'queen mab' and 'corsair' _r. t. pritchett_ 'iverna,' _designed by alexander richardson_ 'iverna'--lines and midship section " " chart of the thames, harwich and cinque ports courses _f. s. weller_ 'calluna' _from a kodak photograph_ chart of the royal ulster yacht club, belfast courses _from club card_ chart of the royal irish yacht club, dublin bay courses " 'navahoe,' n.y.y.c. _from a kodak_ chart of the royal southampton yacht club, warner and lymington course _club card_ chart of the royal albert yacht club, southsea course " chart of the torbay regatta course " 'satanita' _from a kodak_ chart of the start bay yacht club, dartmouth, course _club card_ chart of the royal dart yacht club, kingswear, courses " 'dragon iii.' _from a kodak_ chart of the new york yacht club. regatta course _n.y.y. club sec._ 'vigilant,' cup defender _from a photograph by stebbins, boston, mass._ 'valkyrie' _adamson, of rothesay_ chapter i royal yachts and english yacht clubs royal yachts by r. t. pritchett the innate love of the english for everything connected with seafaring, roving and adventure, burst prominently forth in the time of queen elizabeth, when drake and raleigh showed what could be done in small craft in 'ocean cruising,' and, with early corinthian crews from devon and the brave west, sallied forth and straightway laid the foundation of our navy, and our present numerous fleet of yachts. in an early designer, one phineas pett, built a yacht for henry of wales; and to him the navy was much indebted for general improvement in line and build throughout the early part of the stuart dynasty. at the restoration we begin in earnest the history of yachting, and find king charles ii. taking most enthusiastically to yacht building and even racing. that mine of wealth for the details of every-day life, that minute recorder of modes and fashions, samuel pepys, esq., f.r.s., secretary to the admiralty, first brings to our notice the aquatic taste of his majesty. in his delightful 'diary' we find:-- _july , ._--found the king gone this morning by of the clock to see a dutch pleasure boat below bridge, where he dines and my lord with him. in a further notice we find his majesty winning the first yacht race in the thames, over the course of the r.t.y. club, greenwich to gravesend and back--a wager of one hundred guineas. _january , - ._--lord's day. to the globe to dinner, then to commissioner pett, to his lodgings there, which he hath for the present while he is building the king's yacht, which will be a very pretty thing and much beyond the dutchman's. _january ._--the king hath been this afternoon to deptford to see the yacht that commissioner pett is building, which will be very pretty, as also that his brother christopher pett (son of phineas pett) at woolwich is making. [illustration: dutch yacht. from drawing by vandervelde dated .] _november ._--on board the yacht, which indeed is one of the finest things that ever i saw, for neatness and room in so small a vessel. _may , ._--to deptford and took barge and were overtaken by the king in his barge, he having been down the river in his yacht this day for pleasure to try it; and i hear commissioner pett's do prove better than the dutchman, and that his brother did build at woolwich. _october , ._--between charles ii. and his brother the duke of york for guineas. sailing match from greenwich to gravesend and back. the king won. _july , ._--lord sandwich in yacht to boulogne in foul weather. _september, ._--by water to woolwich, on my way saw the yacht lately built by our virtuosoes. my lord brunkard and others, with the help of commissioner pett also, set out from greenwich with the little dutch 'bezan' to try for mastery; and before they got to woolwich the dutch beat them half a mile. and i hear this afternoon that in coming home it got above three miles, which all our people were glad of. _july , ._--sir william petty's vessel, which he hath built on two keeles, a model whereof built for the king he showed me, hath this month won a wager of _l._ in sailing between dublin & holyhead with the ... pacquett boat. the best ship or vessel the king hath there, and he offers to lay with any vessel in the world. [illustration: 'een bezan jagt,' .] it is about thirty tons in burden, and carries men with good commodation, as much more as any ship of her burden also as any vessel of this figure shall carry more men. she carries guns of about tons weight. in coming back from holyhead they started together, and this vessel came to dublin by at night and the pacquett boat not before eight the next morning.[ ] [footnote : sloane mss., brit. mus., and model sent to, and deposited by, petty in wadham college.] _september , ._--lord's day. to church to gravesend in the 'bezan' yacht, and then to anchor for all night--and with much pleasure at last to sleep--having very good lodging upon cushions in the cabbin. [illustration: cutter, tons, from stalkart's 'naval architecture,' .] _october , ._--lord's day. embarked on board the 'bezan.' ... after supper on board the 'bezan,' then to cards for a while and so to sleep; but lord! the mirth it caused me to be waked in the night by the snoring around me. .--macaulay in his 'history' mentions a yacht. caermarthen's eldest son--bold and volatile, fond of the sea, and living much among sailors--had a small yacht of marvellous speed. .--peter the great is known to have added to the advancement of sailing and building yachts during his visit to this country. - .--the water club of the harbour of cork was established, to be held once every spring tide in april to the last in september, inclusive. the details of this doyen club will be found in its proper place, p. _et seq._ [illustration: yacht stern, .] amidst all the voluminous mss. of the admiralty secured and appropriated by samuel pepys, it is unfortunate that no sketch or drawing of the royal yacht of charles ii. is to be found. search is vain among the papers at cambridge, where most of the diarist's gleanings are preserved. we must, therefore, start with existing royal yachts, beginning with that built for king george iii. in , and now lying in portsmouth harbour. the royal yacht 'royal george' was laid down at deptford, may , designed by sir henry peake, surveyor of the navy, and she was launched at deptford in july, . her dimensions were as follow: ft. in. length between perpendiculars " keel for tonnage - / breadth, extreme " for tonnage depth of hold burden in tons, tons. the 'royal george' was used on her majesty's accession, ; she was rigged as a ship, and was remarkable for excellent sailing qualities. the captain appointed was lord adolphus fitzclarence, g.c.b., &c. the 'royal george' was laid up in portsmouth harbour, in charge of the master and only fitted out when specially required for royal service. the lieutenants, mates, assistant-surgeon, and crew were stationed on board a -gun brig, h.m.s. 'pantaloon,' attached to the royal yacht as tender. this vessel was employed in looking after fishermen, carrying mails, and on other services that might be required. 'esmeralda,' cutter, under command of the second master, was also attached to the royal yacht as tender. on november , , a new steam yacht, 'victoria and albert,' was laid down at pembroke dockyard, and on april next year she was launched. she was designed by sir william symonds, surveyor of the navy. construction: diagonal principle, dantzic oak without, horizontal planking of italian larch. this yacht, it may here be stated, was subsequently, when a new 'victoria and albert' was built, known as the 'osborne.' _dimensions_ ft. in. length extreme length beam over paddle-boxes speed . knots, and commissioned at blackwall, july , . in , it is to be noted, it was ordered that the royal yacht should carry the royal standard at the main, the admiralty flag at the fore, and the union jack at the mizzen, which order remains in force at the present time. in this year, it should perhaps be added, the queen stayed at osborne house, and in the following year the estate was purchased from lady isabella blatchford by her majesty. the steam yacht 'fairy' (screw) was built at this period. [illustration: her majesty the queen going to scotland.] ft. in. length beam burden, tons. speed, . knots, and carrying tons of coal. the paddle steam yacht 'elfin' appeared in . it was built at chatham, from the design of mr. oliver lang, of mahogany and on the diagonal principle. ft. in. length over all length beam over boxes burden in tons, tons. speed, knots. draught, ft. in. h.p. nominal . indicated h.p. amongst interesting details which should here be recorded, it may be remarked that in august of this year her majesty in the royal yacht visited cork, and the cove was henceforth called queenstown. as regards the speed and capacity of the 'victoria and albert,' her capabilities for long cruises were tested in . leaving plymouth sound june , . , she arrived in the tagus off belem, june , . . distance miles in hrs. mins. average speed - / knots. tried at a measured mile with anthracite and merthyr coal mixed, three years afterwards, her average speed was knots. a new yacht, under the temporary name of the 'windsor castle,' was started at pembroke in february , but a few weeks later its progress was suspended to facilitate work for the baltic and black sea fleets. on january , , the 'new' 'victoria and albert' was launched and christened, and the name of the old yacht (built ) changed to 'osborne.' the new 'victoria and albert' was designed by oliver lang, master shipwright at pembroke yard. ft. in. length figure-head to stern " between perpendiculars beam outside paddle boxes burden in tons , tonnage breadth of wales diameter of paddle-wheel h. p. engines' power nominal indicated , miles knots speed . . july . . her majesty's first cruise in the new yacht took place on july , and next day she steamed round the isle of wight in hrs. mins. the 'victoria and albert' proved an excellent sea-boat. in a heavy gale soon afterwards four line-of-battle ships drove; but captain denman reported of the new royal yacht, 'splendid sea-boat, and rode out the gale with extraordinary ease, not pitching at all, or bringing the smallest jerk on the cable.' as for speed, she was tried from cork to madeira, and returned from the island, , miles, at an average rate of . knots. cork to portsmouth, miles, hrs. mins., average . knots, is also noted. the new yacht 'alberta' (paddle steamer) was built in . ft. in. extreme length extreme breadth over paddle-boxes burden in tons, . coal stowage, tons. speed, knots. all the fittings of the royal yachts are as simple as possible, but the perfect quality of material is not to be surpassed. the appointments on these vessels are as follows: the commander, three years; lieutenants, two years. one promoted at end of each year. names of all officers to be submitted to the queen. [illustration: the royal yacht 'victoria and albert,' . (_first cruise_, .)] the 'victoria and albert' always lies off cowes during the queen's residence at osborne in the summer. during the winter, when the queen is at osborne, she is in portsmouth harbour. the 'alberta' always brings the queen from gosport to cowes, and _vice versâ_, and, as a rule, members of any royal family. the 'elfin' runs regularly with messengers, bringing despatches as may be from time to time required; the whole fleet is under the command of admiral fullerton, a.d.c., who is always on board any of the yachts in which the queen may embark. the 'osborne' brings the prince of wales across to cowes in the summer, when the prince and princess and family live on board, remaining generally for about three weeks. the 'osborne' is an independent command, being the prince's royal yacht. the grandest view of the royal yachts is obtained when her majesty inspects a fleet at spithead. on these occasions the 'victoria and albert,' with the queen and royal family, the lords of the admiralty in attendance on board, is preceded by the trinity yacht 'irene,' the 'alberta' being on the starboard, and the 'elfin' on the port quarter. next come the admiralty yacht 'enchantress,' and the lords and commons,--generally in troopships such as the 'himalaya,'--others according to precedence. the stately five-knot approach of these vessels is always very impressive, and forms a nautical pageant well worthy of the queen of england and empress of india, who has bestowed such munificent patronage on the various yacht clubs of her realms, having presented since the accession no fewer than seventy-two valuable challenge cups to be sailed for by all classes, besides the annual cups to the r.y.s. since . the details of these will be recorded later on. the royal yacht squadron the present club-house of the royal yacht squadron is of no modern date, but a continuance of cowes castle, a fort built in the time of henry viii. for the protection of the medina river, which runs south and forms a fine harbour for laying-up yachts of all sizes and classes, with building yards on either side; and a very busy scene it presents during the fitting-out season. the castle was continued as a fort, and on the death of the last governor, the marquis of anglesey, who was a very great patron of yachting small and great, the marquis conyngham took a lease of the property from the crown and passed it on in to the royal yacht squadron, which was established in , as the seal shows. in a meeting of the then club was held at the thatched house tavern, st. james's street, lord grantham in the chair, supported by lords ashbrook, belmore, buckingham, cawdor, craven, deerhurst, fitzharris, kirkwall, nugent, ponsonby, thomond, uxbridge, sirs w. curtis, j. hippesley, g. thomas, godfrey webster, colonels sheddon and wheatley, &c. when new life was infused into the association, and from that time the squadron has held the proud position of being the first yacht club in the world, with the much-envied privilege and distinction of flying the white ensign. [illustration: cowes castle, from drawing by loutherburg.] after , the r.y.s. met for some years at the medina hotel, east cowes, and later on the gloucester hotel, at west cowes, was taken for the club-house, close to the fort and castle, whither, as just remarked, they moved in . it was at once rebuilt and enlarged. the situation is beautiful, backed by large elm-trees. the platform commands a grand view--towards the motherbank, ryde, and the forts to the eastward, with calshot castle, portdown hill, and southampton water to the northward, and, away to the westward, lymington. [illustration: seal of royal yacht club, cowes.] two of the old guns, formerly in the fort, have been happily preserved, and are now placed in the grounds which have recently been added to the castle property on the west side, towards egypt. _the history of the royal cups_ the first royal cup was presented by his majesty king william iv., , to be competed for by yachts belonging to members of the squadron; and the gift was continued during his majesty's reign. the table appended furnishes details. +------+----------+------+------+----------------+ | year | yacht | rig | tons | owner | +----- +----------+------+------+----------------+ | | alarm |cutter| | jos. weld | | | alarm | " | | jos. weld | | | alarm | " | | jos. weld | | | -- | -- | -- | -- | | | harriet | " | | g. w. heneage | | | columbine| " | | j. smith-barry | | | breeze | " | | james lyons | | | amulet | " | | j. mecklam | | | alarm | " | | joseph weld | +------+----------+------+------+----------------+ at a meeting of the royal yacht squadron in , it was moved and seconded: 'that the commodore be requested to seek an interview or audience with her majesty, with a view to the continuance of the royal cup to be presented to the yacht club at cowes.' the request was graciously accorded. the list of cups presented by her majesty is given on p. . on the occasion of the emperor and empress of the french visiting osborne, and landing in osborne bay in , the royal yacht squadron boats formed an escort round the royal barge. [illustration: 'pearl,' the 'falcon' _ tons_ (_earl of yarborough_), 'waterwitch.' _off spithead with the royal yacht squadron on their voyage to cherbourg_, .] the squadron has always been characterised by the large and powerful class of vessels composing it; and the oil picture now hanging in the dining-room at the castle, painted by w. huggins, , shows the leading craft of that date, with the commodore's yacht in the centre. this is the 'falcon,' tons, full ship rigged, carrying eleven guns on the broadside. the 'pearl,' tons, belonging to the marquis of anglesey, is coming up on the left side, dipping her gaff-topsail to the commodore, who is under topsails with top-gallant sails loose; in the distance is a yacht, 'pantaloon,' belonging to the duke of portland, brig rigged, with her topsail aback; a large schooner and several cutters are included. an engraving of this picture is lettered thus: 'the right honourable lord yarborough's yacht "falcon," of tons, off spithead with the royal squadron, on their voyage to cherbourg. painted by w. huggins, marine painter to his majesty, and published by him at leadenhall street. january , . this was a grand period in the club's history for large yachts. these included the 'pearl' and 'alarm' cutters, and the schooners 'dolphin' ( tons), 'xarifa,' 'kestrel,' and 'esmeralda.' a picture of this schooner, by condy, is still in the possession of lord llangattock of the hendre. then came the 'arrow' cutter of 'chamberlayne' fame, with the well-known parti-coloured streak. she won and won until she was requested not to enter, which was hardly reasonable, as the enthusiastic owner improved her year by year, and kept well ahead of his day. [illustration: 'pearl,' r.y.s., tons (marquis of anglesey). launched .] in the royal yacht squadron gave a cup to be sailed for by the royal thames yacht club at cowes. a very good picture of the race was painted by condy of plymouth. at that time the -tonners were the representative craft in the thames, and 'mystery,' 'blue bell,' 'phantom,' 'cygnet,' and 'gnome' were generally to the fore. when the thames matches were sailed there were invariably some representatives from the royal yacht squadron to attend the racing, and everyone looked out for the white ensign. the 'pearl,' belonging to the marquis of anglesey, always ran up alongside the club steamer, and dipped her ensign as her owner waved his glazed hat, standing by the gunwale of his grand craft. in those days there certainly was intense enthusiasm about the -tonners, and great was the enjoyment they afforded the visitors. [illustration: 'dolphin,' r.y.s., tons, . (g. h. ackers, esq.)] in the royal yacht squadron gave a cup to be sailed for, and it was won by the 'america' schooner, belonging to commodore j. c. stevens, of the new york club. in america it is always called the queen's cup, and in england the 'america' cup, but it is really the royal yacht squadron cup. the americans have held it ever since. [illustration: 'esmeralda,' r.y.s., .] [illustration: the 'mystery' winning the cup presented by r.y.s. to be sailed for by yachts of r.t.y. club. (_august _.)] luggers as yachts were common. in lord harborough had a large lugger, the 'emmetje,' of tons, of which he was so proud that he entered ramsgate harbour flying the coach whip of the royal navy, until the officer of the coastguard came on board and hauled it down. some thirty years afterwards came a revival when lord willoughby de eresby brought out in his celebrated lugger the 'new moon.' she was larger than lord harborough's-- tons, ft. long, ft. in. beam, constructed at hastings. her highest speed was attained on long reach, and was shown on the occasion of her racing back to harwich. in a fine breeze she went away from the other yachts, going or knots; but ill fate awaited her; she had to make two boards to fetch the cork lightship and the bell buoy. that was her destruction; the time taken to dip the enormous lugs in going about allowed the others, who had been nearly hull down, to overhaul her, so necessary is it to have a craft that comes round like a top with canvas easily handled. [illustration: 'de emmetje,' lugger, tons, (lord harborough).] the jubilee of the yacht club was celebrated at cowes in , and another notable event took place on the occasion of the queen's jubilee, june , . a procession of the royal yacht squadron manoeuvred in two columns, canvas and steam, finishing up with a signal from the commodore: 'steam ahead full speed.' a drawing of this spectacle, by sir oswald brierley, is at the castle, cowes. [illustration: 'new moon,' r.y.s., tons, (lord willoughby de eresby).] the fastest yachts in the royal yacht squadron are shown, of course, in the list of queen's cup winners, which forms a befitting annual history. yachting in early days, however, was real yachting in its truest sense, cruising about, that is to say, for the sake of peace and rest; the vessels were generally schooners of considerable tonnage for sea cruising. we have no longer 'alarm,' tons, 'aurora borealis,' tons; but the faithful 'egeria,' tons, belonging to mr. mulholland, now lord dunleath, is still with us. in - there were only two steam yachts in the squadron, which was averse to the new comers; but by degrees a fine schooner class with auxiliary steam was introduced, including, of well-known boats, 'sunbeam,'[ ] ; 'czarina,' ; 'wanderer' and 'lancashire witch,' . new members from to added , tons to the fleet, principally steamers up to , tons and more. [footnote : described by lord brassey, in his chapter on ocean cruising, vol. i.] [illustration: 'corsair,' r.y.s., winning the queen's cup at cowes, . _ -rater_ (_admiral the hon. victor montagu_).] the squadron at the time of writing is composed of members, and the fleet consists of vessels, as follows: steam yachts, steam schooners, schooners, cutters, yawls, vessels, making , total tonnage. the minimum tonnage is tons register for sailing vessels, and tons net for steamers (rule, may ). the queen's cups are sailed for by yachts belonging to members of the royal yacht squadron only, but other prizes are given during the squadron week, generally the first week in august. _names and dates of yachts owned by h.r.h. the prince of wales_ +----+------------+----------+---------+ |date| name | rig | tonnage | |----+------------+----------+---------+ | | dagmar | cutter | | | | alexandra | " | | | | princess | " | | | | zenobia | s.-steam | | | | hildegarde | schooner | | | | formosa | cutter | | | | aline | schooner | | | | britannia | cutter | | +----+------------+----------+---------+ beside several steam launches and sailing boats. the german emperor, who became a member in , in that year brought over the 'meteor,' _née_ 'thistle,' to compete for the queen's cup, and evinced the greatest enthusiasm, sailing in her for the prize, august . the 'meteor' finished first, but the 'corsair,' tons, rear-admiral victor montague, r.n., came up with a smart breeze, saved her time, and won. much interest was also taken in the presence of a -tonner, designed by mr. g. l. watson for prince henry of prussia, and steered by the prince, who seemed thoroughly to enjoy it, and remained all day at the tiller--a sort of thing the british public fully appreciate. unfortunately the wind was not true. the queen has always graciously encouraged yachting in every way. the list of challenge cups presented by her majesty will amply confirm the assertion. _list of yacht clubs to which the queen has occasionally given regatta cups_ royal yacht squadron (cowes) every year since , annually dublin yacht club royal st. george's club , , , , , , royal thames club , , , , royal victoria (ryde) club , , , royal southern club , , , royal irish club , , , , , royal cork club , , , , , royal yorkshire club royal mersey club , , , , royal western (plymouth) club , , , , royal northern club , , , royal west of ireland club , , royal cornwall , royal alfred yacht club , , royal albert club , royal cinque ports club , royal clyde club , , royal ulster club , royal harwich club royal london club royal dorset club royal portsmouth corinthian club royal forth club _cups given by the queen to clubs not royal_ canada yacht club upper thames sailing clubs (challenge cup) [illustration: royal yacht squadron. queen's course.] the majority of members of the squadron own, and chiefly use, large yachts, but not a few of them are practical seamen. one prominent member, lord dufferin, is specially notable as a keen devotee of single-handed sailing, and is the owner of a famous boat, 'the lady hermione.' the editor has thought this an appropriate place to insert a description of the pastime kindly contributed by his lordship, followed by an account of his well-known boat. single-handed sailing by the marquis of dufferin and ava the wind blows fair, the vessel feels the pressure of the rising breeze, and, swiftest of a thousand keels, she leaps to the careering seas. the following description of 'the lady hermione' has been written by my friend mr. mcferran, who is a much better sailor than myself; but, as the editor has asked me to prefix a few observations of my own on single-handed boat sailing, i have great pleasure in recommending to the attention of the readers of the badminton library that exceptionally pleasant form of sea adventure. probably the proudest moment of the life of anyone who loves the sea, not even excepting the analogous epoch of his marriage morning, is the one in which he weighs anchor for the first time on board his own vessel. it is true that from the first hour he could call her his own his existence has been a dream of delight, unless perhaps for the passing cloud cast by the shadow of the cheque he has been required to draw for her payment. as soon as she has come into his possession, her ungainly naked bulk, as she lies upon the mud, assumes divine proportions; and as by slow degrees her 'toilette' proceeds, her decks whiten, her masts assume a golden hue and clothe themselves with sail and rigging, his happiness becomes unspeakable. if he is animated by the proper spirit, he has at once set himself to learn navigation; he has plunged deep into the 'sailor's manual'; and, to the amazement of his female relations, he is to be seen busily employed in tying and untying knots on short pieces of rope. but his principal preoccupation is the fitting of his cabins. the mystery of the ship's practical garniture he leaves to his master, as being beyond the utmost effort of his intellect, though he has a certain satisfaction in knowing that he possesses a pretty accurate knowledge of the way in which the framework of the vessel has been put together. at last everything is reported ready. he gives the order to weigh anchor, and, as if by a magical impulse, he finds that the being upon whom he has lavished so much affection has become a thing of life, has spread her wings, and is carrying him into the unknown. he paces the deck with telescope under his arm, in the proud consciousness that he is absolute master of her movements, and that with a wave of his hand he can direct her to the golden islands of the west or to the fabled homes of calypso and the cyclops, according as his fancy may suggest. no emperor or autocrat has ever been so conscious of his own majesty. but soon a most unwelcome and humiliating conviction damps his exaltation. he discovers that for all practical purposes of command and government he is more incompetent than his own cabin-boy or the cook's mate: that the real ruler of the ship's movements and destiny is his 'master,' whom his crew call the 'captain'; and that the only orders he can issue with a certainty that they are not open to criticism are those he gives for his breakfast and his dinner, if indeed he is in a position to partake of either. officially he is gratified with the ambiguous title of 'owner,' while he is painfully conscious that his real social status is that of a mere passenger, and that this unwelcome servitude has every likelihood of enduring during his whole career as a yachtsman. he may indeed, as a man of education, or perhaps of scientific attainments, become in course of time a better navigator than many of the splendid rough and ready sailormen who command the ships of our squadron; but, unless he has been able to spend more time on board than their multifarious occupations allow most owners of yachts to devote to seafaring, he must know that it is idle for him to pretend to compete either in seamanship or experience with the man whom he employs to sail his vessel for him. in short, he remains an amateur to the end of the chapter, and, if he is sensible and honest, is always ready to acknowledge himself the disciple of the professional sailor. but in single-handed boat sailing this humiliating sense of dependence and inferiority disappears. for the first time in his life, no matter how frequent may have been his cruises on bigger vessels, he finds himself the _bona fide_ master of his own ship, with that delightful sense of unlimited responsibility and co-extensive omnipotence which is the acme of human enjoyment. the smallness of his craft does not in the slightest degree diminish the sense of his importance and dignity; indeed, there is no reason why it should. all the problems which task the intelligence and knowledge of the captain of a thousand-tonner during the various contingencies of its nautical manoeuvres have to be dealt with by him with equal promptness and precision. anchored in a hot tideway and amongst a crowd of other shipping, he has perhaps a more difficult job to execute in avoiding disaster when getting under way or picking up his moorings than often confronts under similar circumstances the leviathans of the deep; and his honour is equally engaged in avoiding the slightest graze or sixpence worth of injury either to himself or his neighbours as would be the case were a court-martial or a lawsuit and , _l_. damages involved in the misadventure. the same pleasurable sentiments stimulate his faculties when encountering the heavy weather which waits him outside; for, though the seas he encounters may not be quite so large as atlantic rollers, nor break so dangerously as in the pentland firth, they are sufficiently formidable in proportion to the size of his craft to require extremely careful steering, and probably an immediate reduction of canvas under conditions of some difficulty. nor are even misfortunes when they occur, as occur they must, utterly devoid of some countervailing joys. he has neglected to keep his lead going when approaching land; he has misread the perverse mysteries of the tides, and his vessel and his heart stop simultaneously as her keel ploughs into a sandbank. the situation is undoubtedly depressing, but at least there is no one on board on this and on similar occasions to eye him with contemptuous superiority or utter the aggravating, 'i told you so.' nay, if he is in luck, the silent sea and sky are the only witnesses of his shame, and even the sense of this soon becomes lost and buried in the ecstacy of applying the various devices necessary to free his vessel from her imprisonment. he launches his berthon boat, and lays out an anchor in a frenzy of delightful excitement; he puts into motion his tackles, his gipsy winches, and all the mechanical appliances with which his ingenuity has furnished his beloved; and when at last, with staysail sheet a-weather, she sidles into deep water, though, as in the case of lancelot, 'his honour rooted in dishonour stood,' the tragic origin of his present trial quickly fades into oblivion, and during after years he only recalls to his mind, or relates with pride to his friends, the later incidents of the drama. another happiness attending his pursuit is that he is always learning something new. every day, and every hour of the day, the elements of each successive problem with which he has to deal are perpetually changing. as titian said of painting, seamanship is an art whose horizon is always extending; and what can be more agreeable than to be constantly learning something new in a pursuit one loves? i have heard it sometimes objected that single-handed boat-sailing is dangerous. well, all sport is dangerous. people have been killed at golf, at football, and at cricket; nor is sitting in an easy-chair exempt from risk; but during an experience of five and twenty years, though laying no claim to much skill as a mariner, i have never had a serious accident, though occasionally a strong tide may have swept me whither i had not the least intention of going; nor have i ever done more than _l._ worth of damage either to my own vessel or my neighbour's. the principal thing one must be careful about is not to fall overboard, and in moving about the ship one should never leave go one holdfast till one's hand is on another. it is also advisable not to expose one's head to a crack from the boom as one is belaying the jib and staysail sheets in tacking, for it might very well knock one senseless. in conclusion, i would submit that to anyone wearied with the business, the pleasures, the politics, or the ordinary worries of life, there is no such harbour of refuge and repose as single-handed sailing. when your whole thoughts are intent on the management of your vessel, and the pulling of the right instead of the wrong string, it is impossible to think either of your breakdown in your maiden speech in the house of commons, of your tailor's bills, or of the young lady who has jilted you. on the other hand, nature, in all her beauty and majesty, reasserts her supremacy, and claims you for her own, soothing your irritated nerves, and pouring balm over your lacerated feelings. the complicated mysteries of existence reassume their primæval simplicity, while the freshness and triumphant joyousness of early youth return upon you as you sweep in a dream past the magic headlands and islands of the ionian sea or glide along the southern coast of your native land, with its sweet english homes, its little red brick villages and homesteads nestling in repose amid the soft outlines of the dear and familiar landscape. the loveliness of earth, sea, and sky takes possession of your soul, and your heart returns thanks for the gift of so much exquisite enjoyment in the pursuit of an amusement as manly as it is innocent. n.b.--single-handed sailing need not preclude the presence of a lady passenger. on the contrary, she will be found very useful on occasion, whether in starting the sheets, in taking a spell at the wheel (for they are all familiar with the art of despotic guidance), in keeping a sharp look-out, in making tea, or in taking her part in a desultory conversation. 'the lady hermione,' single-handed sailing yawl by james mcferran in the course of two summers passed on the shores of the gulf of naples the writer had frequent opportunities of becoming acquainted with the details of the construction, fittings, and equipment of a very remarkable little yacht, whose white canvas for a couple of seasons was constantly to be seen on that unrivalled sheet of water between the months of june and october. he has thought that a description of the vessel in question may prove interesting, not only to such of the readers of these volumes as are devoted to the art of single-handed sailing--that most delightful, manly, and invigorating of all sports--but also to the general body of yachtsmen who, during the summer and autumn months, fill, in ever-increasing numbers, our various yachting ports with the most perfect specimens of the shipwright's craft that the world can produce. 'the lady hermione,' as the vessel whose qualities and characteristics it is proposed to describe is called, is the property of her majesty's ambassador at paris, his excellency the marquis of dufferin and ava. his lordship, as is well known, has from very early days been a keen yachtsman, and though for some time past he has had no opportunities of indulging in his favourite pastime in large yachts, he has long been devoted to sailing in vessels in which he comprises in his own person the hierarchy of owner, master, and crew. during the last fifteen years, in whatever part of the world he may have been, provided sailing were possible, he has never been without a little ship specially constructed for this form of amusement. in each succeeding vessel some new invention or arrangement for her safer, easier, and more efficient handling has suggested itself, and been worked out under the owner's direct supervision. in the present boat the development of the single-handed sailing yacht seems at last to have reached perfection, and it would hardly be possible for the most inventive mind to suggest an improvement in her. [illustration: fig. .--'the lady hermione.'] 'the lady hermione' is a yawl-rigged yacht (fig. ), built by forrest & son, of wivenhoe, to the order of her owner. she is ft. in. long between perpendiculars, ft. in. in depth, has a beam of ft. in., and a registered tonnage of four tons. she is built with mild-steel frames, galvanised so as to resist the corrosive action of sea-water--a mode of construction which has recently been adopted for torpedo-boats--and is sheathed with east indian teak and coppered. a novel feature in the hull of so small a boat is its division into water-tight compartments by transverse and longitudinal bulkheads, composed of galvanised steel plates riveted to the steel frames. these bulkheads form a large forward compartment, two compartments on each side of the cabin, and a compartment at the stern, thus rendering the vessel water-tight as long as they remain intact. on the deck, forward and aft, are hatchways which give entrance to the bow and stern compartments respectively. the hatches to these openings, which are kept constantly closed at sea, are fastened down with strong gun-metal screws fitted with butterfly nuts, the screws being fastened to the deck and made to fold down on it with joint when not in use. the coamings of the hatchways, as well as the inner edges of the hatches themselves, are lined with india-rubber, so as to render the covers perfectly water-tight. access to the side compartments is obtained by means of manholes opening from the cabin, and covered with steel plates screwed into the bulkhead. in the event of the yacht's shipping any water, it is removed by a pump leading through the deck near to the cockpit and within easy reach of the steersman's hand. the cover of the pump works on a hinge, and lies flush with the deck when closed. the pump-handle is made to ship and unship at will, and is in the form of a lever, which renders the operation of pumping more easy than in the ordinary form of pump usually employed in small boats (c, figs. and ). 'the lady hermione' is ballasted with lead, the greater portion of which is carried outside in the form of a keel, which weighs about two tons. on trial, it was found that the little craft was too quick on her helm--a quality which, however useful in racing vessels, is undesirable in a single-handed boat, where the operation of getting aft the sheets when going about naturally requires somewhat more time than it does when the crew is composed of more than one hand. in order to remedy this defect a deep oak keel has been fixed outside the lead keel, and has to a considerable extent answered its purpose. it has also added immensely to the boat's stiffness; and it is blowing very hard indeed when a reef requires to be taken down. in fact, owing to her deep build and her heavy outside keels, 'the lady hermione' is virtually uncapsizable, while her water-tight compartments render her unsinkable. it is impossible to overrate the value of these two elements of safety in a boat which is always worked by one person and is taken out in all weathers. stepping on board 'the lady hermione,' the visitor, however much he is accustomed to yachts, is struck by the number and apparent complication of the contrivances which meet his eye (fig. ), the interior of the vessel looking, as a witty naval officer once observed on being shown over her, 'something like the inside of a clock'; but, after a few explanations, the usefulness and practical efficiency of the various devices become evident. the principle which has been adhered to throughout in the rigging and fittings is, that all operations connected with the handling and management of the boat shall be performed by one person without the application of any considerable physical force. it has also been laid down as a _sine quâ non_ that everything shall work perfectly in all weathers and under all conditions of wind and sea. the result of the owner's ingenuity is, that the sails can be hoisted and lowered, the sheets attended to, the anchor let go and weighed, and the tiller fixed and kept fixed in any desired position, without the necessity of the one person, who composes the crew leaving the cockpit. the arrangements for carrying out these objects will now be described in detail. [illustration: fig. .--'the lady hermione.' deck plan.] the first contrivance which claims attention is that for keeping the rudder fixed at any desired angle (figs. and a). in his account of his cruise in the yawl 'rob roy' the late mr. macgregor says that he had never seen any really satisfactory method of accomplishing this object; but the difficulty has been solved by lord dufferin, who, indeed, has had fitted in many of his previous boats an apparatus similar to that in the present one. on the deck aft, about a couple of feet in advance of the rudder-head, are fitted two brass stanchions. these support a brass bar which on its lower side is indented with notches similar to the teeth of a saw, and of a depth of about half an inch (a, fig. ). on the tiller there is fitted a brass tube or cylinder made so as to slide backwards and forwards within a limit of some eight or ten inches, and bearing on its upper surface a triangular fin of brass (a, fig. ). when it is desired to fix the tiller in any particular position, the cylinder is instantaneously slipped back until the fin catches one of the notches of the bar, and the tiller is thus securely fixed. the tiller is unlocked by simply flicking forward the cylinder with the hand, the locking and unlocking being done in a second. the toothed brass bar, it may be mentioned, is curved so that the fin may fit into any desired notch, no matter at what an angle it may be desired to fix the rudder (a, fig. ). the cockpit of the yacht being somewhat small, it was found that when there was a lady passenger on board the movement of the tiller interfered with her comfort, and, in order to obviate this difficulty, a steering-wheel has recently been fixed on the top of the cabin immediately in front of where the helmsman stands (fig. ). when the wheel is used a short tiller is employed, with steel tackles leading from it through pulleys and fair-leads to the wheel itself. the axis of the wheel carries a brass cap fitted with a screw, by half a turn of which the steering apparatus can be locked or unlocked, and the helm fixed in any position. if it is desired at any time to substitute steering with the tiller for steering with the wheel, the process is very simple. a brass handle of the requisite length, and bearing a cylinder and fin as above described, is screwed on to the short tiller, and the tiller ropes are cast off, the whole operation being performed in a few seconds. the wheel, the stand for which slides into brass grooves on the cabin top, can also be unshipped and stowed out of the way in a very short time. [illustration: fittings of 'the lady hermione.'] we now proceed to examine the gear for letting go the anchor, which, though difficult to describe, will readily be understood from the drawing (fig. ). the anchor, a martin's patent, when stowed, rests upon two crescent-shaped supports, which project from the bulwarks just forward of the main rigging (a, a', fig. ). these supports are fixed to a bar or tumbler lying close to the inside of the bulwark, and arranged so as to turn on its axis (b, fig. ; and c, fig. ). fixed to the tumbler inboard there is a small bar which fits into a socket attached to the covering board. on the socket is a trigger (c, fig. , and d, fig. ) from which a line leads along the inside of the bulwarks to within easy reach of the cockpit (d, fig. ). by pulling this line the socket is made to revolve, so as to release the arm; the weight of the anchor forces the tumbler to turn on its axis, bringing down with it the crescent-shaped supports, and the anchor falls into the sea. this operation having been completed, it will probably be thought that now at last the crew must leave his point of vantage, and go forward to stopper and bit his cable. but no; we have not by any means yet reached the limits of ingenuity displayed in this extraordinary little ship. the chain cable runs out through a hawse-pipe in the bow, and across the hawse-hole a strong steel plate or compressor, with a notch cut in it to fit the links of the cable, runs in grooves. by pulling a line which leads to the cockpit this compressor is drawn over the hawse-hole, and the cable is thus effectually snubbed. when the anchor has to be got up, or it is required to let out more chain, the compressor can be drawn back by another line which also leads to the cockpit. these two contrivances for letting go and stopping the anchor, together with the apparatus for weighing it without leaving the cockpit, which will now be dealt with, get rid of that fruitful source of discomfort in boats manned by one hand--namely, the necessity of the solitary mariner's having to go forward to deal with his ground tackle at a time when perhaps he has other pressing calls on his attention in connection with the management of his vessel. equally as ingenious as the means of letting go the anchor is the machinery employed for weighing it. the windlass used is an ordinary yacht's windlass, except that on its outer end on its starboard side it carries a cogged wheel (fig. ). close alongside the windlass there rises from the deck a spindle cut with an endless screw (a, fig. ), the threads of which take the teeth of the cogged wheel. this spindle runs through the deck, and has at its lower extremity a cogged wheel (b, fig. ), fitting into another cogged wheel attached to a shaft, which runs aft on bearings in the ceiling of the cabin to the cockpit (c, fig. ). at the cockpit end it is furnished with a large wheel (d, fig. , and fig. ), on turning which the motion is communicated through the shaft and a system of cog-wheels (figs. and ), to the archimedian screw rising up through the deck forward, and this screw in its turn revolves the windlass, and the anchor comes merrily home. the slack of the chain, as it comes in, drops perpendicularly through the hawse-pipe to the chain-locker below, and requires no attention or handling. the machinery for getting the anchor possesses great power, and, even when the anchor has a tight hold of the bottom, the wheel in the cockpit can be turned almost with one finger. the wheel is made to ship and unship, and when not in use is hung up to the side of the cabin. as a general rule, especially when weighing in a crowded harbour, the anchor is simply hove up close to the hawse-hole until open water has been gained, the ropes carefully coiled down, and everything made snug and shipshape. the vessel is then laid to, or the helm fixed so as to keep her on her course, as circumstances may determine, and the crew goes forward to do the one thing he cannot perform from aft, the catting and fishing of his anchor. suspended from the head of the mainmast is a tackle of the kind known to seamen as a 'spanish burton,' with a long iron hook attached to its lower block. in fishing the anchor this burton is first overhauled, and, leaning over the bow, the operator fixes the hook in a ring let into the shank of the anchor at a point where the anchor exactly balances itself when suspended horizontally. he then passes the various parts of the fall of the tackle through an eye at the end of a fish-davit--similar in shape to the boat-davits used in large ships--which stands up from the deck close to the bulwarks, a little forward of the supports for the anchor already mentioned (a, fig. ). by pulling on the hauling part of the burton the anchor is raised close to the end of the davit, and the davit, by an ingeniously arranged spring, on a lever at its base (b, fig. ), being pressed with the foot, can be swung round until the anchor is suspended immediately above its resting-place, into which it is then lowered, the crescent-shaped supports already referred to having been previously placed in position, and the trigger locked. here it rests in perfect security, and is ready to be let go by pulling on the line attached to the trigger. on the port side a second anchor is carried, an admiralty pattern, weighing about fifty pounds, and secured in precisely the same way as the starboard or working anchor, though in weighing it the windlass is used with an ordinary ratchet, as the windlass barrel on the port side is not connected with the shaft previously described. it may here be mentioned that the starboard barrel of the windlass can also be used in the ordinary way, as the spindle with the endless screw already mentioned is made with a joint, so that it can be disconnected from the cogged wheel and laid down flat on deck out of the way whenever necessary (c, fig. ; and d, fig. ). we now pass on to what is the most important thing in all single-handed sailing boats, the arrangement of the halliards and sheets in such a manner that all operations connected with making and shortening sail can be performed from the cockpit. in 'the lady hermione' this essential principle has been carried out to its fullest extent. at the foot of the mainmast on each side is a brass fair-lead fitted with ten or twelve sheaves (figs. and ). through these sheaves all the halliards (except, of course, those connected with the mizzen) are rove, and then led aft over the top of the cabin to within a few inches of the cockpit (fig. ). here they are belayed to a large belaying-pin rack which crosses the cabin top in front of the steersman and within easy reach of his hand (fig. ). the frame of this rack is pierced with horizontal holes for the ropes to pass through, after which they are belayed to the pins, while the falls are allowed to drop down on to the cabin floor, where they are snugly coiled away in a box with a number of compartments which has been made to receive them. the object of passing the halliards through holes in the belaying-pin rack is to afford a straight pull when getting up sail, and to prevent the ropes from flying away out of the steersman's reach when they are let go. 'the lady hermione' is, or rather was originally, fitted with all the running rigging that would be employed in the largest-sized yacht, and this will give some idea of the number of ropes that have to be dealt with by one person:--main and peak halliards, two topping-lifts, tack tackle and tack tricing line, topsail tack, sheets, halliards, and clew line, jib and staysail halliards, and jib and staysail down-hauls. as originally rigged, main, peak, and jib purchases were employed for getting the mainsail and jib well up, but the introduction of the gipsy winches mentioned in the next paragraph rendered these ropes unnecessary, and they have consequently been dispensed with. the system employed, however, has always worked without the slightest hitch, and enables whoever may be sailing the boat to attend to all the halliards without leaving the helm. on the belaying-pin rack each pin has the name of the rope for which it is intended engraved on a small brass plate, so that no confusion can arise as to what part of the gear it may at any time be desired to deal with; though, after a little practice, whoever is sailing the boat knows the lead of each rope by instinct. at the foot of the mizzen-mast fair-leads, similar to those near the mainmast, bring the gear of the mizzen to within reach of the cockpit. the jib and staysail sheets also lead aft, through bull's-eye fair-leads fixed inside the bulwarks, and are belayed to cleats screwed on to the coamings of the cockpit. even in a boat of the size now under description, it will be understood that the hoisting of the sails and the getting aft of the head-sheets in a strong breeze would tax the strength of an ordinary person; but, still carrying out the principle of doing everything with the least possible exertion, small gipsy winches of a peculiar pattern are largely employed, and form a very remarkable feature in the fittings of the vessel (figs. and ). these winches are all made so as to be easily shipped and unshipped at will, as they slide into brass grooves affixed to the deck, and are worked with ratchet handles, to which are attached strong steel springs in order to insure the ratchets always biting in the cogs. altogether, there are ten gipsy winches on board, two on the deck on each side of the cockpit, two on the cabin top just forward of the belaying-pin rack, and two on the deck in front of the mainmast. the two on each side of the cockpit are used for the head-sheets. the sheets, led aft as previously described, are given a couple of turns round the barrel of the winch, and then belayed to their cleats. in getting them in after going about, they are first hauled hand-taut, then the ratchet handle is worked until they are as tight as may be desired, after which they are belayed. these operations are performed in a very few seconds, and the power of the winches is so great that the sheets are got in flatter than would be possible by any other means. the four winches on the cabin top are employed in the same manner for the main and peak halliards, or for the topsail tack, sheet and halliards, as may be required. the two forward of the mast are used for any purpose for which it may be required to use a purchase. the winches have all worked admirably from the time they were first fitted; they are not in the least in the way, and the simplicity of their operation and the extraordinary power which can be developed from them would scarcely be credited by anyone who has not seen them in actual use. the jib and staysail sheets were at first fitted with tackles; but the introduction of the winches has rendered tackles unnecessary. for the same reason, the main, peak and jib purchases, which were fitted when the little vessel was first prepared for sea, have been dispensed with, as the winches give all the power that can be desired. forward of, and attached to, the mainmast a long hawser is kept constantly stowed, to be used as a tow-rope in case towing by a steam-launch or tug should be necessary, as sometimes happens in a calm. this hawser is bulky and unwieldy to handle when wet, and it is understood that on the first opportunity there is to be substituted for it a light steel-wire hawser wound on a miniature but sufficiently strong drum, carried forward, in the same manner that steel hawsers are disposed of on the decks of large vessels. having now completed the description of the main features of the vessel, a word or two may be said about her minor fittings, which are also worthy of notice. in most single-handed boats the helmsman is constantly bothered by his head-sheets, especially when there is a strong breeze, getting foul of something, thus necessitating his going forward to clear them. in 'the lady hermione' this inconvenience is entirely obviated by brass guards placed over all the projections upon which it is possible for a rope to catch. in this way the fair-leads in the bow, the windlass and the gipsy winches forward, are all protected, so that it is impossible for a rope to get foul anywhere. in order to harmonise with the rest of the metal-work, the screws by which the rigging is set up are all of gun-metal, instead of the galvanised iron usually employed for the purpose. round the entire gunwale there runs a steel-wire ridge-rope, supported on brass stanchions, so that anyone moving about the deck in heavy weather may have something to hold on by. in front of the mast there is a ladder made of steel-wire rope with wooden steps, leading from the deck to the crosstrees, which is very convenient in case anything has to be done aloft. this ladder is set up to the deck with brass screws, similar to those used for the rigging. on the top of the cabin, in front of the steersman and between the gipsy winches, is a lifeboat liquid-compass fitted with a binnacle, the compass, like almost every fitting on board, being made to ship and unship, so as to be stowed out of the way when not in use (figs. and ). as the little vessel when abroad was frequently sailed in the winter months, when, even in the mediterranean, it is somewhat bitterly cold, a brass charcoal stove or chafing-dish of the kind used in turkey, and there called a 'mangal,' is fitted at the bottom of the cockpit. it is covered with a brass grating, which forms a floor for the helmsman to stand on; and the heat from below keeps him comfortably warm, even in the coldest weather. another provision against the weather is a large umbrella for the use of any lady passenger when sailing under a strong sun. when in use the handle is fitted into a socket on the coaming of the hatchway, the socket being fitted with a universal joint, so that the umbrella may be adjusted in any desired position. there are two sockets, one on either side of the cockpit, in order that the umbrella may be carried on whichever side is most convenient (fig. ). on either side of the gunwale aft is fitted a brass crutch for supporting the main boom when the vessel is at anchor (fig. ). at sea the clutches also serve the purpose of receiving the topsail-yard, one end of which is stowed in a crutch, while the other is made fast with a tying to the outside of the main rigging, thus getting rid of the inconvenience of having such a long spar on deck. a very important fitting is a hatch by which the cockpit can be completely covered in in heavy weather. the hatch is made in sections hinged together, its two halves being also hinged to the back of the seats in the cockpit on either side. when unfolded and fixed in position it covers the entire cockpit, with the exception of a small circular opening left for the steersman, and the vessel is rendered almost as water-tight as a corked bottle. this small circular opening can also be closed, if necessary, by a wooden-hinged cover made for the purpose. most of the running rigging is of white cotton rope, which looks exceedingly smart and has answered its purpose fairly well; but it has not the durability of manilla, and when wet it has a great tendency to kink. the cabin is very plainly fitted up, and is without berths or seats, its only furniture being some racks and cupboards used for stowing away a few necessary articles. when anyone sleeps on board, a mattress is spread on the floor and forms a very comfortable bed. [illustration: lord dufferin's 'foam,' r.y.s. 'in high latitudes,' .] in the cabin there is carried, folded up, a -ft. berthon dinghy, which can be expanded and launched in a few minutes. this does away with the necessity of towing a dinghy, while there is not room to carry one on deck. in conclusion, it may be said that 'the lady hermione' presents a very smart appearance and is an extraordinarily good sea-boat. the writer has frequently seen her out in the gulf of naples in weather which even the largest native craft would not venture to face. she is also admirably sailed by her owner, and it is a great pleasure to watch her being handled by him under sail, everything being done with great method and system and in a highly seamanlike style. her cruising ground has now been transferred to the stormier regions of the english channel; and two summers ago she was sailed to trouville, where she remained for some time, running back to the solent in october in half a gale of wind, during which she behaved admirably, and made better weather than many large vessels could have done. this paper has run to a greater length than the writer at first intended; but he trusts he will be forgiven in consideration of his having made known to his fellow-yachtsmen the existence of what is really a most unique and wonderful little craft. a model of her hull was included in messrs. forrest & son's exhibit in the late naval exhibition at chelsea, and it is to be regretted that the vessel herself, or, at all events, an accurate model showing her rigging and all her fittings, was not on view also, for she would not have been by any means the least attractive of the many nautical objects of interest contained in the collection in question, which has done so much to make the british public acquainted with the maritime history and greatness of their country. [illustration: view from the royal western yacht club, plymouth.] royal western yacht club, plymouth. no wonder plymouth was early in the field with yachting, in view of the tempting facilities for every variety of aquatic pastime which nature has there provided in the midst of lovely scenery, with shelter close at hand in case of sudden change of weather; in fact, the whole atmosphere is nautical with mighty precedents, for is not this the west-country long famed for mariners with stirring historical associations? who can walk on the hoe without thinking of drake, of armada fame, and the stout hearts that gathered round him in the hour of need for the defence of england against an overwhelming force? plymouth is a delightfully picturesque spot. on the s.-w. is the seat of the earl of mount edgcumbe, where the timber is specially fine on the hills which afford shelter from the prevalent s.-w. wind, and blow it truly can on occasions, not infrequently at the regatta time, when it is least wanted, now that the small raters are in such force. still it is surprising what weather some of these little fellows make of it as they round the breakwater. the present club-house of the royal western yacht club is situated at the west end of the hoe. the view from the club-house is extremely fine. on the right the wooded heights of mount edgcumbe, with the hamoaze beneath, a little to the right, also drake's island and the starting point for yacht and trawler racing; due south the great breakwater, and in clear weather the new eddystone lighthouse. bearing to the left beyond the breakwater is the well-known 'mewstone' and familiar 'shag rock,' whilst inside lie a variety of craft. any foreign men-of-war visiting plymouth generally bring up at this spot, and the training brigs 'seaflower,' 'pilot,' and 'martin' give quite an idea of old days in the british navy, imparting much life to the whole sea view, for the lads are always getting under way, or loosing sails, going out or coming in. on still to the left is a range of high hills running out to the start point and prawle point, and just beyond the hoe to the eastward is the catwater, where yachts get a snug berth clear of the entrance to the inner harbour full of trawlers and every possible variety of hookers, fishing craft, &c. [illustration: royal western yacht club plymouth.] the royal western yacht club was established in , and was at that time known as the port of plymouth royal clarence regatta club; in it became the royal western yacht club. h.r.h. the duke of sussex consented to become patron and h.r.h. the duchess of kent patroness, eight presidents were appointed, one of whom, sir t. d. acland, is still living in devonshire. the vice-presidents, twenty-one in number, were all men of high position and great influence. a most interesting list of the yachts in , giving the names of the boats, is still in the possession of the club. unfortunately there is not space to print this in full, valuable as it would be as a record; still certain points must be noted. there were yachts in the list: of these were clinker-built, like the 'harriet' cutter of cowes, tons, belonging to sir b. r. graham, bart., a very handsome craft carrying a crew of eleven hands. ten were carvel-built, not classified. this was the period of general introduction of carvel surfaces. sir t. d. acland's yacht 'lady st. kilda' was the largest schooner and largest yacht belonging to the royal western yacht club. her complement of hands was eleven. another point worthy of attention is the proportion of rigs adopted: out of vessels, were cutters, schooners, yawls, no rig given. the regattas were held at first on the anniversary of the coronation of his majesty george iv., and the members were to be distinguished by a uniform worn on the day of the regatta, and at such other times as they might think proper. undress: short blue jacket with round collar, single-breasted--six buttons in front, and three on each cuff. white or blue kerseymere waistcoat, with six buttons. white trousers. blue and white shirt. full dress: blue coat, with buttons on breast and cuffs. white kerseymere waistcoat. white shirt, black handkerchief, white trousers. the president, the vice-presidents, and the stewards were to have three buttons on a slash cuff, and to wear blue pantaloons. the regatta takes place about september , when there is generally a great meeting. about four hundred members and one hundred yachts belong to the club. the royal navy contributes innumerable classes of craft to compete in the racing, whilst the trawlers and fishing vessels all come in for the sports, producing one of the most picturesque gatherings to be seen anywhere. the secretary is capt. h. holditch, who has kindly furnished the information here given. the royal victoria yacht club, ryde the r.v.y.c., established in , made a strong start, as the foundation stone of the present house was laid by h.r.h. the prince consort in march . it is well placed close to the end of ryde pier, having a commanding view of very wide range from its windows. the club has always been noted for its encouragement of yacht racing, and has endeavoured to bring about international contests. in a gold challenge cup was instituted, value guineas, subscribed for by the members, and the famous race for the trophy in between h.r.h. the prince of wales's 'britannia' and mr. carroll's 'navahoe' will be found described in the account of the sport which took place in that memorable year. the r.v.y. club at ryde is often called the red squadron, in contradistinction to the r.y.s. with the white ensign. in the club started regattas for the small classes which were then becoming so prominent. these have been warmly taken up and attended with great success. [illustration: royal victoria yacht club.] [illustration: international gold cup, royal victoria yacht club, . won by 'britannia.'] there is yet another challenge cup in the hands of the committee, value guineas. as yet it has not been sailed for, but it is decided that the course is to be in the open channel, not less than miles, such as ryde, round plymouth breakwater, cherbourg breakwater, and back to ryde for the finish. the cup was presented by mr. t. b. c. west, of 'wendur' and 'queen mab' fame. probably the length of the course has deterred competition; at least, a well-known skipper, captain john nichols, who sailed 'alarm,' 'mosquito,' and 'cygnet,' always says that 'nine hours at the tiller is quite enough to do it properly'; and his experience spreads over many years and many a tough tussle for mastery. mr. fife of fairlie declares that the 'cuckoo,' tons, never showed her real capability until 'captain john' sailed her. the royal victoria yacht club has recently added a very large room fronting the sea, and acquired a 'look-out' at the end of the pier, which seems almost like sitting in an armchair at spithead. the small raters have a good friend in the secretary, mr. percy thellusson, who dearly loves them, without neglecting in any way the interests of the larger craft. an eccentric finish to a yacht race occurred in connection with this club, in the contest for ryde town purse, august , , and other prizes for smaller classes. there was a nice breeze from the eastward at a.m., and like a flight of swans the yachts were away together. at p.m., when off the peel bank, not a breath of wind was there to help them. the committee decided to run up signal to shorten course and conclude at the first round. no sooner was this done and carried out than a brave westerly breeze sprang up and brought in about fifteen of the craft, all classes together, both great and small, all with feathered bows. the whole of the starters returned together within about ten minutes. the uncertainty of the turf is proverbial, but the uncertainty of the sea is no less remarkable. [illustration: 'princess royal,' steamer 'leda,' 'seagull,' 'hebe,' 'phoebe.' first race of mersey yacht club, june , .] [illustration: 'queen of the ocean,' r.m.y.c., commodore littledale, saving emigrants from 'ocean monarch,' august , .] the royal mersey yacht club this club, which was established in , originally had its headquarters at liverpool, the first commodore having been dr. grinwood, whose brother is now the only original member left. about the club quarters were moved to a large house in birkenhead, close to the river, on the banks of which a pavilion has been constructed, as well as a large slip and two gridirons. during the whole time the club has only had two honorary secretaries, the past and the present. to the late secretary, mr. henry melling, we are indebted for the two illustrations (p. ); he drew and published them himself, much to his credit, as valuable data showing the rig of the time. the annual regatta is generally held at the latter end of june, the great drawback to liverpool yachting being the tides and the bar, to diminish which great efforts are being made by dredging on an enormous scale. was the jubilee regatta. this was a great success. 'britannia,' 'satanita,' 'iverna,' took part in the races, which were accompanied by the club steamer, carrying the commodore, col. gamble, c.b., and the hon. secretary, captain james gladstone. [illustration: royal mersey yacht club.] [illustration: yacht club burgees.] the first illustration is most interesting as bearing the names of the yachts which sailed in the first match of the club, monday, june , . the bowlines on the luff of the gaff topsails should be particularly noticed as a feature of this period. the bowline is also shown in the drawing of the 'cygnet,' tons, in a following chapter on thames clubs. the second outline represents the 'queen of the ocean' yacht, commodore littledale, r.m.y.c., going to the rescue of the 'ocean monarch,' emigrant ship, on fire in abergele bay, north wales, thursday, august , . the royal portsmouth corinthian yacht club by g. l. blake what the clyde is to scotland, and kingstown and queenstown are to ireland, that the solent and southampton water (which constitute the waters more or less shut off from the channel by the isle of wight) are to the south of england. it is no matter of wonderment, then, that attempts should have been made from time to time, and dating back some generations, to form clubs which would have for their express purpose the encouragement of seamanship, and the racing and building of yachts. to many old yachtsmen the 'ups and downs' of some of these societies which are still in existence form a history of no small interest; while the rise, doings, and fall of those now defunct ought to teach many valuable and important lessons to the officers and committees that are working hard for the prosperity and welfare of present day yacht clubs. the club which above all others has tended to encourage the proficiency of amateur salts, so that they have become capable of manning, piloting, and steering their own or their friends' vessels to glory, is the royal portsmouth corinthian yacht club. instituted at a time when small-yacht sailing and amateur seamanship had little or no patronage from the big clubs, and when no ruling spirit appeared willing to come forward to help them on to any great degree, when the annual local regattas of the itchen ferry, ryde, and cowes town, southampton, and a few other seaside resorts, were the only opportunities afforded for sport and racing among the small fry, perhaps no club deserves more notice among those south of london than the one in question. its birth took place at a meeting held on saturday, may , , in the committee-room of the prince of wales club, high street, portsmouth, under the patronage of the late admiral ryder, r.n., and general h.s.h. prince edward of saxe-weimar, at that time the commander-in-chief and governor of portsmouth, rear-admiral the honourable f. a. c. foley, r.n., and major-general sir f. fitz-wygram, with captain garrett, r.a., in the chair. a provisional committee was elected, among whom were messrs. w. gilman, c. johnson, thomas and charles mccheane, f. ruck, r.e., w. c. storey, w. v. dickenson, th regiment, j. bewicke, th regiment, colonel savory, admiral hallowes, commander britten, r.n., h.m.s. 'st. vincent,' captains sutton, r. kennedy, rasch, the reverends c. p. grant, vicar of portsmouth, and j. f. brown, r.c. military chaplain. general prince edward of saxe-weimar, captain garrett and captain sutton were the first officers appointed to serve as commodore, vice- and rear-commodores, and messrs. gilman and c. mccheane with captain kennedy undertook other duties. among the yachts owned at that period by the young club, the best known were the 'vega,' tons, belonging to captain garrett; mr. gilman's little 'zephyr,' tons (for many seasons one of the fastest of the old -ton class); and the 'zoe,' one of the most successful -ft. boats on the solent, which was fortunate in being owned and piloted by one of the best amateur helmsmen and sailormen in the south of england--the late mr. c. johnson, of gosport. [illustration: royal portsmouth corinthian yacht club.] at the third meeting the yacht racing association rules were adopted, while the fourth settled that very much vext and troublesome question as to what constitutes 'a yachting amateur,' and accordingly drew out the rule that 'no person shall be considered an amateur who has been at any time engaged in the navigation or sailing of a yacht for pay,' the wording of which has since been altered to the following: 'an amateur is a gentleman who has never received pay for sailing in a fore-and-aft vessel, officers of the royal navy and mercantile marine excepted.' at the same meeting mr. c. mccheane undertook the sole duties of honorary secretary in place of captain kennedy. on june , , the first regatta of the newly formed club was held, when five events were pulled off under the most favourable auspices. so successful was this first attempt at bringing the local boats together, that the next regatta, which was similar in its classes, brought out no fewer than eight entries in the race for the service boats of her majesty's ships, all of which were steered by naval members of the club, with the one exception of the 'wren,' which, it is interesting to chronicle, was steered by miss foley, daughter of the admiral commanding the portsmouth steam reserve. she was the first lady member, and one of the first ladies--if indeed there was one before her--to pilot home the winning yacht in a race. now that so many ladies enter into the sport of yacht racing and come out as famous helmswomen, the position held by miss foley is one to be proud of. in the fourth race mr. baden-powell's old boat, the 'diamond,' tons, at this time owned by messrs. sutton, put in an appearance as a -ft. boat; and in the fifth race mr. j. h. baillie's -ft. boat 'kate,' the earliest of mr. beavor webb's outputs, entered. [illustration: midship section. 'madge,' tons. designed by g. l. watson, .] besides periodical regattas, the club was able to take in hand a good many matches, which were made up whenever a sufficient number of racing yachts to create sport happened to be lying off southsea or about the port, and good prizes were always forthcoming, for, as is the case in the royal alfred yacht club of kingstown, all money was devoted at this time to racing purposes. the match held on the th of august, , is a very fair example of what these extemporaneous races were like. it was for yachts of tons and under. the entries included: 'madge,' tons, mr. j. coats; 'louise,' tons; 'euterpe,' tons, mr. bayley; 'freda,' tons, mr. freke; 'maggie,' tons, mr. taylor; 'viola,' tons, mr. kelly; 'sayonara,' tons, mr. g. w. richardson. by the end of the first season the club had advanced to such a strong position in the eyes of yachting men and in the public estimation, that her majesty was pleased to accede to the request of the commodore, prince edward of saxe-weimar, to have it made a royal club, and accordingly commanded that from may , , the club should be styled the royal portsmouth corinthian yacht club. except perhaps in the cases of the royal cork, the royal yacht squadron and royal highland, no yachting club has ever been known to grow so rapidly into popularity as to obtain the royal warrant within the space of less than six months. the season of began on april with a yacht tonnage of , tons and members belonging to the club. the year was an important one in its annals, for some of the best known of yachtsmen became members of the community. captain garrett gave up the vice-commodoreship, and was succeeded by captain f. sutton, late th hussars, whilst admiral byng undertook the office vacated by captain sutton. the greater number of those who had up to this time joined the royal portsmouth corinthian yacht club were yachting members, and lived in all parts of the united kingdom. the opening regatta was held on the glorious th of june, so dear to eton and other memories. it witnessed the entry, in the race for yachts of to tons, of that favourite old -ton clipper the 'vanessa,' and the old fairlie -tonner 'santry.' the courses this year finished between a mark-boat and the southsea pier. at the third regatta another famous old ship threw down the glove to the 'gadfly' and mr. arthur glennie's 'sonata,' viz. the -ton 'satanella.' on august , by the special command of her majesty, the club had the honour of holding its annual royal regatta in osborne bay. the entries were large for all the items of the programme, no fewer than twelve boats starting in a class for ft. and under, and thirty-one for the race for centreboarders. in this last race the prince of wales sailed his little crack 'belle lurette,' and won the second prize. in the race for yachts of tons and upwards the 'samoena,' 'annasona,' and 'sleuthhound' started. it may be stated here, that on the day of the regatta the club had names on its list of members, the greater number of whom claimed some pretensions to being yachtsmen. this was a rapid increase of in less than four months, and distinctly proved that the club was already satisfactorily filling the much-desired need on the solent, and it was most gratifying to those who had given their time and their energy towards the success of the venture that nothing but praise poured in from all quarters, because of the perfect organisation with which all regattas, matches, and general arrangements were carried out. perhaps it is not too much to say here that the club owed much at this period of its existence to its honorary secretary, the late mr. charles mccheane, whose unflagging zeal and well-known gift of organisation helped to a very considerable extent to bring about the prestige which it was beginning to enjoy. one great feature of the season of was the addition of a rule allowing any boat that had been hired by a member for a space of over three months to enter for the club races, in order to give every encouragement to the sport of yacht-racing. many have been the times that such a rule has been begged for by yachtsmen, especially tiros at the game; but the yacht racing association, and, in fact, all royal yacht clubs with the exception of the royal portsmouth corinthian, have placed a veto on any proposition which included in any way its introduction. with the royal portsmouth corinthian the rule proved in the early days of the club a great success, but latterly, as yacht tonnage was added to the club and members became provided with their own ships, the rule gradually died out, till at last it has disappeared altogether from the book of rules and regulations. the year was notable chiefly for the introduction of a new class in the regatta programmes, viz. that for -tonners. four of these little vessels did battle in all kinds of weather and proved most successfully how much power and what fine sea-going qualities can be obtained by length and depth with almost a minimum of beam. mr. wynne eyton and mr. quilter designed and raced the composite built 'mascotte,' mr. a. w. courtney the 'naiad,' the late lord francis cecil the 'chittywee,' and lord ailsa and mr. baden-powell the 'snarley yow.' of these the 'chittywee' was the best all-round boat, though the 'mascotte' gave her all she could do to beat her. in the small length classes, the -ft. 'kate,' which had become the property of the honorary secretary during the winter of , came to the fore in a remarkable manner, saving her time when necessary, and giving all comers a fair beating. the next year, however, witnessed her total defeat by mr. popham's little 'bird of freedom,' a boat that is still to the fore. the annual royal regatta of was held as before at osborne bay, and proved a complete success, and the club could now boast of a patronage second only to that of the royal yacht squadron. the programme on august , the day of the regatta, exhibited a great advance on those of the two previous years, as the classes ranged more after the fashionable formulæ, viz. for yachts of tons and under, and over , and over tons. the race for -ton yachts fell through, but was afterwards sailed on august , when the 'annasona,' 'tara,' 'sleuthhound,' 'phryne,' and 'silver star' crossed the line, and 'tara' and 'silver star' (their first appearance under the flag of the royal portsmouth club) came in first and second. among the twenties, which showed up for the first time, were the 'freda' and two well-known old warriors from st. george's channel, the 'quickstep' and 'challenge.' in the race for -tonners the 'ulidia,' designed by mr. w. fife, jun., was the new addition to the club, and she fought it out with the 'buttercup,' this latter favourite being thoroughly beaten on all points of sailing. during the year of the prosperity of the club was decidedly on the increase. in the first place, during the winter, the premises in the high street, portsmouth, which had up to this time formed the prince of wales's club house, had been bought, altered and improved to suit the club's requirements. as it stands now, it is one of the most comfortable club-houses in the south of england. the club also opened on southsea beach a station house of its own, which has telephonic communications with the house in high street, and all parts of the towns of portsmouth and southampton. it consists of a railed-off space, sufficient to allow of a fair frontage, besides room for the flagstaff, guns, and all such necessary fittings. the building is a very comfortable cabin, with all modern conveniences. the telephonic communication with southampton is of the greatest possible service, as most of the small raters make the itchen and its precincts their home. on june in this year, the custom (which has now died out) of having an opening cruise under the club officers was originated. nothing can make up for the teaching which manoeuvring under sail affords, and it is a great pity more of such cruises do not take place, and that at regular intervals. the officers of the club had remained the same up to this year, when admiral byng gave up the rear-commodoreship in favour of mr. j. r. west. one of the great features of the season was the recognition of the foot classes, which became so popular during the following four years. the first and second regattas introduced races for boats or yachts of feet and feet on the load water-line. in the latter class the 'eclipse' and 'keepsake' were competitors, the 'eclipse' being the better of the two boats; and in the former the 'daphne,' 'wave,' and 'lil' were the three to race, the 'lil' being the principal winner. the annual royal regatta, owing to the sad bereavement that had visited the court, took place by royal command off bembridge, instead of in osborne bay as heretofore. no fewer than fourteen items constituted the programme, of which the most interesting was the ten-ton match between the 'ulidia' and 'ulerin,' representatives of messrs. fife and watson, the great scotch yacht designers. on august a fine match was brought off, and the amateurs' powers put to the test, when 'a corinthian plate,' a very handsome piece of silver work, weighing ozs., was sailed for by the 'genesta,' 'marguerite,' and 'irex.' perhaps the most sporting matches that have been sailed under the red burgee with crown, star, and half-moon in centre, were three that sprang out of a race for yachts of tons and under, and took place at the last regatta of the season. on this occasion the 'enriqueta,' -ton (cutter that was, but at this time a) yawl, snatched, by some few seconds on time allowance, first honours from the old 'quickstep.' on the monday following the regatta a friendly match was sailed between the two vessels, ending with the same result as on the saturday. two matches were then arranged to be sailed on the next and following days, the conditions of which were that amateurs alone were to man one yacht, while professionals were to take charge of the other. no pilot was to be allowed, and the prize was to be _l._ from each amateur should the professionals win, and a sixpenny pipe from each professional should the amateurs be successful. lots to be drawn for the choice of yacht in the first race, yachts to be exchanged for the second. the result of the lots on the tuesday gave the amateurs the choice of ships, and they took the 'enriqueta.' the course was across an imaginary line from the signal station flagstaff to the mark-boat, round the spit buoy, warner lightship and east sturbridge buoy, leaving all on the starboard hand, thence round the spit buoy and mark-boat on port hand, to finish between the mark-boat on port hand and signal station. twice round, miles. [illustration: 'irex' _ tons_ (_john jameson, esq._) _designed by alex. richardson_, .] the wind was light from the south-east. the professionals in the 'quickstep' were the first over the line, but it was before the gun fired, and they had to recross it. this was not taken advantage of by the 'enriqueta,' for the yacht, just as the gun fired, was, for some unaccountable reason, kept in irons quite two minutes by her helmsman. the 'enriqueta' was steered by her owner and major urquhart. the 'quickstep' won by mins. secs. on the following day the conditions were identical, except that the yachts were exchanged. the tide, wind, and weather were the same as on the tuesday. both yachts crossed the line at the same time. 'enriqueta' held the weather berth, and, hugging the mark-boat, went about at once; but 'quickstep,' by a very pretty piece of steering on the part of mr. maxwell heron, was put about and brought on 'enriqueta's' weather. 'enriqueta' got away again under 'quickstep's' lee, owing to the latter having her sails too closely pinned in. this error was fortunately rectified, and the 'quickstep,' with sheets slightly checked, at once sprang ahead and forereached on the yawl, but not sufficiently to prevent the 'enriqueta,' when off southsea castle, from going about and crossing 'quickstep's' bow, a proceeding which, had it not been for the fine helmsmanship displayed, must have ended in a collision. when the yawl tacked the next time, however, the 'quickstep' was to windward once more, and led round the warner lightship by mins. the mark-boat was rounded at the end of the first round by the 'quickstep' mins. secs. ahead of the 'enriqueta.' on the second round the wind fell light, shifting and flukey, and, except that the 'quickstep' won, offered no very interesting points of sailing worth noting. such matches as the foregoing are worth repeating; for it is when acting in competition with men who make fore-and-aft sailing their business that amateurs find out the value of their seafaring knowledge, and can accordingly gauge their strength and learn to amend their weak points. in the first regatta--and regattas now took place once a fortnight regularly--was memorable for the maiden races of the 'elma' among the service boats, and the 'syren' in the -ft. class. the 'elma' had been an open whale-shaped admiral's barge. she was rigged with dipping lugs, and manned by sub-lieutenants from h.m.s. 'excellent.' the writer had the privilege of seeing her work her way to bembridge late in the season, and the smart manner in which the boat was handled, and the lugs lowered, dipped, and hoisted, was one of the prettiest sights of the season. the second regatta witnessed the _début_ of the two latest additions to the -ft. class--the 'curtsey' and 'yum yum.' the 'curtsey' proved herself the best boat of her year. it was during this year that the new a, b, c classes were, for the first time, given a prominent place in the regatta programmes. these severally were supposed to include the full-blown racer, the out-of-date racer, and the ordinary cruiser. the idea was to try to create a method by which all yacht-owners might have an opportunity of joining in yacht racing. the system proved only a partial success, and the real gainers by the innovation, if there were any, were the sailmakers, who were kept employed, owing to many an 'old box' requiring spinnakers and other light muslin quite foreign to their original sail-plan. the fourth regatta of the season took place away from the port, and off the new watering-place, lee-on-solent. the principal course started from over an imaginary line lying between the committee vessel and a flagstaff at lee-on-solent, round the north-east and east middle buoy, the west middle buoy, round the bramble buoys, omitting the thorn, calshot lightship, and hill head buoy, to pass between the committee vessel and shore, leaving all marks on the starboard hand; three times round. on july , the first club match round the isle of wight took place. it was open to all yachts of tons and upwards in the b and c classes. two of fairlie's old clippers came out in new feathers for this race, the 'neptune' and 'fiona'; and the former not only in this, but in many another thrash round a course during this and the following seasons, kept well in the van and showed that age had in no way been detrimental to her speed. the royal regatta was again held off bembridge on august , when for the -tonners' prize the 'queen mab,' and in the -ton class the pretty 'cyprus,' showed their wonderful weatherly qualities. the day is one that will long be remembered by those who took part in the trips round the nab. the course, for all the classes from tons and upwards, was from an imaginary line between the committee boat and h.m.s. 'speedy,' round the warner lightship, the dean tail buoy and nab lightship, leaving all to starboard, to finish between the committee vessel on the port hand and the 'speedy'; twice round. the weather was boisterous, with half a gale of wind blowing from the southward and westward. there was a nasty cross sea off the nab, which frightened more than one hardy salt from making a start, and the owners of the -ft. yachts did their best to have their course shortened. the only accident, which might have turned out disastrous, was the capsizing of the 'elma,' when making a board off the nab lightship. she was, however, righted, bailed out, and one by one all her crew got on board. [illustration: midship section. 'neptune,' cutter, tons. built by fife, .] the next year ( ) exhibited a still further advance in the well-being of the club. the number of regattas during the season was increased from eight to ten, exclusive of matches and the annual royal regatta, which this year took place at stokes bay. numerous new and old yachts were added to the club tonnage, for the b and c classes began to fill, and many a forgotten old heroine was made to come out and don her long-left-off racing suits. of those which thus appeared all spick and span were the 'may,' tons; 'foxhound,' tons; 'veronica,' tons; 'terpsichore,' tons; 'leander' and 'nadejola,' twenties; and 'naiad' and 'lily,' old mersey tens. of the new yachts the 'hyacinth' was the fruit of the new classification, as she was designed and built by mr. arthur payne, to race in the b class. this was the last year that any yachts were built to the -ft. and -ft. classes, the 'verena,' ft., and the 'minima,' and 'volador,' ft., being the last that were laid down on the stocks. the number of members up to this date had been steadily on the increase, so that by the end of the year the list had reached over . since the club had started in , over regattas and matches had been held, and more than , _l._ given in prizes--a past history such as few, if any, of the older clubs can show. in the yacht racing association rating rule came into force, and though some races were provided for the -ft. class, still the main racing was among the a, b, and c and rater classes. the 'thalassa' and 'stella' were the first representatives of the - / -raters, the 'sybil,' tons, and 'mary,' tons, coming out to wrest the prizes from the 'hyacinth.' the next year it was found quite impossible to suit all owners so as to fill every event on a programme. this was owing to there still being a tonnage class, a, b and c, the new rating and the length classes. the consequence was that only seven regattas came off during the season, exclusive of the royal regatta, which was again held at bembridge. during the season of , the question of shifting keels was brought before the club committee, and a hard fight was made to have them abolished. there was the same curious assortment of classes as in the preceding year, because the rating rule had not as yet taken hold of the yacht-racing public. by so great had become the popularity of the club and the demand for membership that it was decided to raise the annual subscription to _l._ _s._, with an entrance fee of _l._ _s._ for non-yacht-owners, and _l._ _s._ for yacht-owners. the rating classes had now come into full swing, and the season started with a match for -raters, unique, in that it brought together no fewer than five newly launched competitors, viz.: the 'chiqueta,' 'dragon,' 'ghost,' 'siola,' and 'velzie.' by the third regatta eight - / -raters were ready for the fray, seven of which were new boats that season--'cock-a-whoop,' 'cosette,' 'humming bird,' 'madcap,' 'nadador,' 'heathen chinee,' and 'musume.' among the -raters were the old -ton flyer 'doris,' now swelled out to meet the more modern school, 'fantan,' 'dis,' 'decima,' and 'ethel.' the new 'blue belle,' 'tar baby,' and sometimes the 'thief,' formed the -rating class. the event of the season was the handicap race for the cup given by the queen, which took place on august . it was open to yachts of tons and over, and started. the course chosen lay to the eastward, from an imaginary line between the flagstaff on the spit fort, and the committee boat, round the nab lightship, west buoy of the middle and committee vessel, leaving all on the starboard hand, to finish between the committee vessel and the spit buoy. there was a strong south-westerly breeze blowing all day, which suited the large yachts well, and some of the finest sailing of the year was witnessed by those who were fortunate enough to follow the race. nothing of note occurred during the period of the club's history. the match which took place on august , for yachts rated at tons and over, was the most successful of the season, for it brought together all the large cracks of the year, viz. the 'iverna,' , 'thistle,' , 'valkyrie,' , and 'yarana,' . the -rater class proved a very full one, the leading yacht architects sending out as representatives of their skill the 'valentine,' 'glycera,' 'quinque,' 'alwida,' 'archee,' and 'fair geraldine.' the - / -rater class received as new additions the 'troublesome,' 'babe,' 'janetta,' 'dolphin,' 'camilla,' and 'g.g.' a class, however, which gave a fund of amusement, and was allowed a place in the club's programmes for the first time this year, was the / -rater. no fewer than ten little boats formed its racing fleet, and were always ready to cross the line whenever a prize and race were offered them. in these mosquitoes had a champion cup presented to them by mr. blair cochrane, and eleven started at the third regatta of the season for this trophy, which was won by the little 'kittiwake,' the 'coquette' coming in second. another new class, for -raters, was started this year, but only four competitors composed it, among them being the 'kelpie,' 'samoena,' and 'unit.' the royal regatta was held at wootton creek on august , and the annual race round the island was perhaps the best race of the season. it will be seen that, after the rating rule came into force, racing among old cast-offs found no further favour in the eyes of the community, and as an example of the modern programme, the following on the next page, which is that of the royal regatta, is a very good specimen. of the sailing committee, which has done so much good work, there are names that have appeared on its list as serving members almost from the time a sailing committee was first formed. capt. sutton, the honoured vice-commodore, and mr. gilman, the hon. treasurer, deserve first mention, as they have been office-holders from the foundation of the club, and mr. gilman's name appears in the earliest committee list. admiral hallowes and major bulkeley are next in order of seniority. capt. hayes, r.n., messrs. crampton and a. h. glennie (the latter is the present rear-commodore) follow in order, while capt. nottage, messrs. flemmich, laity, walford, and wildy bring up the rear. the membership of a sailing committee of such a club as the royal portsmouth corinthian is no sinecure, and a man must be a keen yachtsman who will undertake the duties entailed. [illustration: 'yarana' (now 'maid marion'). _ tons._ _designed by g. l. watson_, .] royal portsmouth corinthian yacht club . _commodore_--general h.s.h. prince edward of saxe-weimar, g.c.b. _vice-commodore_--captain f. sutton ('gadfly,' tons). _rear-commodore_--j. r. west, esq. ('goshawk,' tons). the annual regatta _under the patronage of their royal highnesses_ the prince and princess of wales will take place (weather permitting) off wootton creek, _on saturday, august th._ first race--yachts of -rating. prize, cup value sixty guineas, presented by a. h. glennie, esq. helmsman, value _l._ _s._ entrance fee, _l._ second race--handicap--yachts of -rating and upwards. first, value _l._ } } prizes presented by a. h. glennie, esq. second, value _l._ } entrance fee, _s._ helmsman, value _l._ _s._, presented by f. c. hill, esq. third race--handicap--yachts under -rating. first prize, value _l._, presented by julian senior, esq. second prize, value _l._ entrance fee, _s._ fourth race--yachts of -rating. first prize, value _l._, presented by s. m. richards, esq. second prize, value _l._, presented by lt.-col. a. d. macgregor. entrance fee, _s._ fifth race--yachts over - / , but not exceeding -rating. first prize, a silver cup, presented by captain a. k. wilson r.n., v.c., c.b., and officers h.m.s. 'vernon.' second prize, value _l._ _s._, presented by w. a. beauclerk, esq. entrance fee, _s._ sixth race--yachts not exceeding - / -rating. first prize, the 'fernie' cup, value _l._ _s._ (presented by mrs. fernie in memory of the late robertson fernie, esq.) second prize, value _l._ _s._, presented by the vice-commodore, captain f. sutton. entrance fee, _s._ _d._ seventh race--yachts of -rating. first prize, value _l._ _s._, presented by rear-admiral hallowes. second prize, value _l._ _s._, presented by colonel f. j. smith, r.e. entrance fee, _s._ eighth race--yachts of / -rating, belonging to any recognised yacht club. first, value _l._ _ s._ prizes presented by paul a. ralli, esq. second, value _l._ _s._ entrance fee, _s._ ninth race--service yachts. first prize, value _l._ _ s._, presented by a. g. wildy, esq. second prize, value _l._ _s._ entrance fee, _s._ all yachts must belong to the club, eighth and ninth races excepted. yachts in all the races must be steered by amateur members of any recognised yacht club. the races will be sailed according to y.r.a. rules. exceptions, time of entry, _two_ to compete or no race; _four_, or no second prize. _the second and third races will be handicapped by the committee without appeal._ that the naval officers who are honorary members have been valued friends to the club goes without saying. nothing could exceed the interest that has been taken in the club's welfare by the commodore, h.s.h. general prince edward of saxe-weimar, especially whilst in command at portsmouth. neither must the club's mainstay, the honorary secretary, mr. john main, be forgotten. almost from the beginning mr. main had acted as under-secretary to the then honorary secretary, mr. c. mccheane, and it is not too much to say that when acting in that capacity he was the kedge anchor to the club, and frequently on occasions was called upon to play the part of best bower. when mr. mccheane resigned his office on july , , after an interregnum of three months, during which captain haldane was made acting secretary, mr. main was chosen unanimously to fill the vacant office, and not only those connected with the club, but all who have had to hold communication with him, know how well its arduous duties have been performed. it is to this gentleman that the writer is indebted for help in compiling this notice. with a commodious house, a signal station to keep up, and prizes to be provided (nearly , _l._ have been given to be sailed for up to ), the expenses, it is needless to say, are great and tax the funds considerably. money, however, is always forthcoming through the liberality displayed by many of the members. among those who have come forward to help the club with gifts of cups and prizemoney are the following gentlemen, whose names are rarely absent from any notice or list calling for an extra supply towards the prize fund: captain sutton, vice-commodore; mr. j. r. west, late rear-commodore; mr. a. h. glennie, rear-commodore; and messrs. julian senior, s. richards, and b. paget. mrs. robertson fernie makes an annual present of a purse in memory of her late husband, who was always a contributor up to the time of his death. the club has certainly done more for amateur seamanship than any other inside the isle of wight; it was the first to start a system of fortnightly regattas, and has always been chosen by outside clubs to time the arrivals of their ocean races to the port of portsmouth. the usual annual regatta was held last year, , somewhat unfortunately, during the squadron week at cowes, whither the big cutters of the season had attracted so many lovers of yacht racing as well as general sight-seers. a very varied programme was provided, including all classes from the -tonner to the / -rater, in all about five different races. the first was a handicap for yachts exceeding -rating, the course being from between the committee-vessel and the spit fort, round the n.e. middle buoy, warner lightship, and boyne buoy, all marks to be left on the port hand. this afforded a great opportunity for the spectators on southsea beach to see the racing thoroughly well, as the competitors had to accomplish three rounds, making about a -mile course. the object of handicaps is to get sport amongst craft of varied tonnage, class, and build, by giving time allowance. in the present case the largest vessel was 'mabel,' late 'irex,' -rating; the smallest,'marigold,' -rating; 'mabel' allowing 'marigold' minutes. six started. a good race ensued, as the following time of the finish will corroborate:--'columbine,' winner, hrs. mins. secs.; 'castanet,' nd prize, hrs. mins. secs.; 'creole,' rd prize, hrs. mins. secs.; 'mabel,' hrs. mins. secs. +---------+------+------+----------+-----------------+ | yacht | rig |rating| handicap | owner | +---------+------+------+----------+-----------------+ |mabel |cutter| | scratch |mr. muir | |creole | " | | minutes|lieut.-col. bagot| |columbine| yawl | | " |mr. w. b. paget | |castanet |cutter| | " |mr. w. r. cookson| |hyacinth | yawl | | " |mr. t. c. garth | |marigold |cutter| | " |mr. w. r. martin | +---------+------+------+----------+-----------------+ the -raters were represented by 'dragon,' 'deirdré,' and 'molly.' the - / -raters brought together were in number eight--'elf,' 'gareth,' 'gavotte,' 'kismet,' 'meneen,' 'papoose,' 'faugh-a-ballagh,' and 'undine.' this race was for the fernie cup, value guineas, won by 'kismet,' miss mabel cox. four -raters started over a -mile course, and the / -raters finished a very successful regatta by having a match over an -mile course; the 'mosquito,' belonging to admiral hallowes, beating the 'coquette' by half a minute. royal cinque ports yacht club, dover established _commodore_: h.r.h. duke of connaught, k.g. _vice-commodore_: earl of pembroke the leading feature in the regatta of the royal cinque ports yacht club is the race to boulogne and back, which really is the channel match of the season; and in the year , which was remarkable for hard winds and even gales on racing days, such as that when the weymouth, as well as other regattas, was hopelessly stopped, the grandest race of the series was sailed june . the following fine fleet started:-- +-----------+-------+-----------+---------+---------------------+ | yacht |tonnage|description| builder | owner | +-----------+-------+-----------+---------+---------------------+ |australia | | schooner | inman |w. w. hughes, esq. | |phantom | | " | hoad |a. o. wilkinson, esq.| |corinne | | " | ratsey |n. wood, esq. | |sea belle | | " | harvey |h. taylor, esq. | |miranda | | " | harvey |g. c. lampson, esq. | |lufra | | yawl | ratsey |j. houldsworth, esq. | |florinda | | " |nicholson|w. jessop, esq. | |jullanar | | " | bentall |a. d. macleay, esq. | |vol au vent| | cutter | ratsey |col. markham | +-----------+-------+-----------+---------+---------------------+ with a very hard e.n.e. wind blowing all reefed mainsails and jibheaders, was a great season for carrying away spars, and june added its share. the arrival time round boulogne mark-boat is worth recording. [illustration: 'arrow,' royal cinque ports yacht club. _ tons_ (_tankerville chamberlayne, esq._). _june , _.] h. m. s. phantom australia corinne lufra miranda florinda sea belle jullanar vol au vent the e.n.e. was now a little before their beam; with flattened sheets they all began to dive a little more than on the voyage out. at last, some five miles or so after rounding the boulogne mark-boat, the leading schooner, 'phantom,' took a dive that was too much for her bowsprit, which snapped off short. poor 'phantom,' in the prime of life, leading grandly and full of promise! after this there were no more accidents. the 'australia' had the lead, and finished, winning the _l._ prize, and establishing a record, hrs. mins. secs. for the course, which has not been beaten up to the present. the other racers came in as follows:-- h. m. s. australia corinne florinda phantom miranda jullanar sea belle lufra vol au vent another good race over the same course, on june , , was won by 'latona,' tons, built by j. white; a. b. rowley, esq.; duration of race, hrs. mins. secs. started . a.m., arrived at dover hrs. min. secs. [illustration: 'reverie,' -rater. built for a. d. clarke, esq., , by messrs. fay. designed by j. m. soper.] [illustration: 'reverie.' _ -rater, by fay & co. designed by j. m. soper, . hauled up at fay's yard._] on july , , the 'wendur,' yawl, -rating, tons, built by and belonging to thos. b. c. west, esq., ran this time very close, starting a.m., arrived at dover hrs. mins. secs. duration of race, hrs. mins. secs., being seconds longer than 'latona.' a race on tuesday, june , , was a very remarkable one, and showed what a -tonner is capable of in bad weather and hard wind in the channel, which is not the smoothest water in a strong north-easter. the finish was as follows:-- arrived at dover h. m. s. lethe, yawl queen mab, cutter (winner, _l._) iverna, cutter thalia, cutter ( nd prize, _l._) creole, cutter varuna, dismasted duration of race, hrs. mins. secs. wind north-east, strong and squally. chapter ii scottish clubs the royal northern yacht club, rothesay by r. t. pritchett the clyde is, and always has been, the great yachting nursery and centre of the north. the very mention of the name arouses all who have pleasurable recollections of the great waters which lead up to the narrow clutha, whence emerged those monsters of the deep, 'lucanias,' and other triumphs of modern science. as recently as the steamer 'industry,' built by fife of fairlie in , was lying in the mud at haulbowline, after running some sixty years between greenock and glasgow. yacht-building has always been vigorously carried on in the great estuary for three generations. the fifes of fairlie have designed and built grand vessels there, though the flat shore presents immense difficulties, which are greatly added to by the present increase of draught and lead ballast in yachts of all classes. [illustration: . northern yacht club seal.] the royal northern yacht club is installed at that delightful spot, rothesay, noted for its fine bay; and though clyde weather is known to yachting men as being somewhat impulsive and petulant, whipping out spars, destructive to balloon canvas unless the skipper is very weatherwise indeed, still for real sailing the clyde affords some of the best courses in the world and the grandest sport from -footers to -tonners. [illustration: royal northern yacht club, rothesay.] the royal northern club had a very interesting origin. it dates from , when it was founded by some gentlemen in the north of ireland and west of scotland who were devotees of yachting. a few years later the club was separated into two branches, an irish and scotch division, as will be perceived by the flags given here in illustration. one has the shamrock wreath, the other the thistles, each division having its own committee and officials. _original members_, a.d. no. . thomas pottinger (admiral ) . john turnley . j. e. matthews . r. kennedy . robert thomson (first secretary) , and admiral, . gordon thomson . g. matthews . henry j. mccracken . edward s. ruthven . thos. ch. stewart corry . george russell , , . mccrackens, junrs. . j. smyth, helensburgh (for many years commodore of r.n.y.c.) . j. carrick, greenock . robert langtry . robert christian, sligo . claudius armstrong, dublin . robert f. gordon . edward forbes orson, balyreggan house, stranraer . john kennedy, cuttra the records of the scotch division prior to were unfortunately destroyed by an accident some years ago. the minute-book of the irish division has, however, survived. from it we find that at a meeting of gentlemen interested in the foundation of the northern yacht club, held at belfast on november , , it was resolved 'that the establishment of a yacht club is a highly desirable object.' a committee was accordingly appointed to that end, mr. robert thomson being requested to act as secretary, and at a general meeting held april , , mr. john allan of glasgow accepted the post of secretary for the clyde. at a general meeting at belfast may , , the secretary was instructed to write to mr. allan, to consult with the scotch members and fix with them the place of rendezvous for the first general meeting of the boats of the club. the date arranged was the first monday in june, and the irish members declared that they were ready to meet the scotch members 'in any part of the clyde' on that day. the club was known as the northern yacht club. there is no record in the minute-book of the burgee adopted, but in an old picture, now in the club-house at rothesay, the yachts are shown cruising off garroch head, in the clyde, with red ensigns, the burgee also red, with the letters n.y.c. in white. the present secretary has courteously sent a photograph of this picture, also of the flags, as an historical contribution. the first prizes offered were for pulling (rowing) matches to take place in ireland. the marquis of donegall was the first president of the club, and mr. thos. pottinger, admiral for . [illustration: royal northern flags.] the full dress of the club consisted of a blue coat with crimson silk lining, with 'marall's' vest, white or black pantaloons or breeches, and silk stockings to correspond. members who appeared at the dinners of the club without this dress were fined s. at a general meeting held at greenock, on august , , mr. james hamilton, of holmhead, was appointed admiral for the ensuing year. in may , at belfast, the yachts were divided into three classes:-- st class over tons register nd " " " " rd " under " " the first regatta took place at belfast, june , , , and on june pulling races were rowed by members and their friends. on june the yachts were to sail together 'in a fleet,' and 'manoeuvre under the directions of the admiral.' this is quite an echo of the cork water club. a proposal of the scottish members to separate the club into two distinct branches was agreed to on may , . it was probably after this date that each division had a distinguishing burgee; from an old print of these flags now in the club-house at rothesay, the irish division seems to have flown a red burgee with a harp, the scottish division being distinguished by a lion in white. h.m. king william iv. became patron of the club in september , and from that time it was known as the royal northern yacht club. in the yachts of the club were arranged in classes as under:-- st class over tons register nd " " tons and under tons rd " " " " " " th " " " " " " th " " " " " " th " under tons a two days' regatta was held at belfast in . the different classes just described were started at an interval of half an hour between each, beginning at . a.m., the prize for each class being ten sovereigns. on the second day a very important event took place, the race for the belfast cup, value _l._, a time race for all sizes. eight vessels to start, or no race. entry _l._; the second yacht to save her stake. it is to be regretted that the details of this race cannot be given. on may , , at a meeting held of the few remaining members of the irish division, it was resolved to dissolve that half of the club and hand over any funds (they amounted to _l._ _s._ _d._) to the secretary of the scottish division. [illustration: northern yacht club cruising off garroch head, . (_from a painting by hutcheson at r.n.y. club, rothesay._)] it is unfortunate that the records of the scottish division and of the royal northern club, after the dissolution and prior to , have been lost. it had prospered much. the clyde was developing rapidly and with great energy, as is shown by their four days' regatta in , the first day at helensburgh, the second at greenock, the third at dunoon, the fourth at largs, which is without doubt one of the most enthusiastic of yachting stations. it would be well to record here the cracks of the clyde in . the 'gleam' (see illustration on next page), falcon, 'nymph' and 'clarence,' were very leading craft. tartar tons a. morris sylph " j. crooks dream " a. ranken gleam (fife)[ ] " h. gore booth clarence " r. sinclair amethyst " j. smith wave " t. c. buchanan emma " jas. bogle falcon " jas. kerr nymph " h. f. campbell [footnote : the first celebrated cutter by fife of fairlie was 'lamlash,' .] clyde yachting was now firmly established; largs, gourock, greenock, dunoon, helensburgh, rothesay, were the stations most frequented, and each successive season brings them forward more prominently, with well-sustained reputation. the present club-house at rothesay was built in , and the royal northern yacht club regattas are naturally always now held at that place, started from the commodore's yacht which is moored off craigmore for that purpose. a chart of the course is given, showing the whole set of different distances. the prominent feature of this club is that it has from a very early period of its history had a club yacht, which is open to hire by members for periods not exceeding a fortnight, and fine vessels they have from time to time chosen. the first was the well-known 'orion,' then came 'mosquito,' a grand iron boat built in , designed by waterman, and now a pilot boat doing good work. 'Ã�olus' came next. in the club had their present vessel, the 'ailsa,' tons, built by fife of fairlie; and who better could have been chosen? it has already been mentioned that mr. john allan, of glasgow, was the first secretary for the clyde, . mr. e. f. donald is the present secretary. [illustration: midship section. 'gleam,' designed and built by fife of fairlie, .] there is no doubt that, if variety be really charming, very charming weather can be found in the clyde waters, even within the six-hour limit: dead calm, zephyr, good sailing breeze, rain squalls, white squalls, and the rest. [illustration: royal northern yacht club, rothesay.] royal clyde yacht club by g. l. blake the history of the royal clyde yacht club affords one more proof of the old belief that slow and steady progress is the most enduring. it is now nearly forty years since the following very modest announcement, under the heading 'clyde model yacht club,' appeared in the 'glasgow herald,' of august , :-- a number of gentlemen connected with yachting propose to form a club under the above designation, with the view of furthering a greater amount of emulation amongst the proprietors of small yachts. it is proposed to take in yachts under tons only, being the smallest acknowledged by the royal northern yacht club, and to have an annual regatta, to be held in rotation at the various watering-places along the coast. in answer to this call a meeting was held shortly after at the globe hotel, glasgow, on which occasion about thirty-one gentlemen entered their names on the club's list as members. messrs. jas. gilchrist, archibald kennedy, richard ferguson, jas. mum, j. gibson, jas. spencer, jas. sutherland, and w. kennedy were chosen to form the first committee and draw up a code of rules, mr. w. kennedy acting as secretary and treasurer. at a general meeting held the following month, september, the late mr. jas. smith, of jordan hill, was elected first commodore, and mr. tom holdsworth vice-commodore, and before the end of the year the little club boasted some fifty members. [illustration: royal clyde yacht club hunter's quay. est. .] on january , , the admiralty warrant was granted, allowing the club to fly the blue ensign with their burgee: blue with a red lion on a yellow shield in centre. measuring officers were told off, who had to deal with the old thames rule of measurement, excepting in the method of taking the length, the club rule being that 'the length must be taken from outside of the stem to the outside of the sternpost at half the depth of each from the load water-line.' a curious provision was made, too, with regard to racing flags. the club had a series of flags numbered from to , and each yacht was provided with a number according to priority of entry for a race, but this kindly thoughtfulness on the part of the ruling powers did not continue beyond a couple of seasons, and members had to provide racing flags for themselves, as they have done ever since. though an opening and other cruises had been held, together with a small meeting at largs, the first great event of the clyde model yacht club took place on august , , off helensburgh, when four items made up the programme, and captain small, messrs. james rowan, james gilchrist, robert hart, dan buchanon and thomas falconer did duty as the sailing committee. the commodore's yacht 'wave' was moored off the baths for the occasion, and the course chosen was from the commodore round the shoal buoy--thence round a flag boat moored off ardmore point and back round the commodore's yacht, leaving all on the port hand; twice round for the first and second races, and once round for the third and fourth. the first race was for yachts of tons and under, and for this the 'fairy queen,' tons, mr. grant, junior; 'armada,' - / tons, mr. dickie; 'bella,' tons, mr. walker; and 'maud,' tons, mr. st. clair byrne, sailed, and finished in the order given. in the second face for yachts of tons and under, the 'pearl,' - / tons, mr. ferguson; 'maria,' tons, mr. r. lyall; 'leda,' tons, mr. alexander finlay; 'comet,' tons, mr. steven; and 'clutha,' tons, mr. spencer, entered, the three first coming in as named. the third race, for yachts of tons and under, brought four competitors together--the 'francis,' - / tons, mr. miller; 'lily,' - / tons, mr. ure; 'echo,' - / tons, mr. sutherland; and the 'banshee,' tons, mr. taylor. the 'francis' won, followed home in the order as above. the fourth item was for boats of ft. over all, a class which, though developed almost out of recognition, has always remained a firm favourite. it may here be noted that an attempt made at the close of the season to introduce the american 'sail area' rule of measurement signally failed. between the years and little of importance took place. during the first symptoms of a break out from bounds was exhibited, and prizes were given for a race for yachts of tons and under, besides one for yachts of tons and under. a stipulation was made with regard to the latter race--viz. that each yacht was to be manned by one hand only, a dangerous though sporting condition which had previously brought disaster and proved fatal in irish waters, and has never been permitted since. both races filled, mr. fulton's 'glide,' tons, won the first, and mr. mciver's 'brenda,' tons, the second. with this divergence from the original scheme on which the club was founded the society threw off its old name and came out under the more independent title of the clyde yacht club. to celebrate this era the annual regatta was lengthened out to a two days' programme, and the 'lesbia,' , cutter; 'reverie,' , schooner; 'kilmeny,' , cutter, and 'dawn,' yawl, met to do battle with the -ton 'torch,' the crack of the year. besides the annual regatta, at which yachts from all parts of the kingdom were invited to compete, the corinthian regatta of the club must not be lost sight of or hidden away behind the lustre of the great event of the season. it had formed part of each season's programme of events for some years, and had been the means of cultivating a true taste for amateur seamanship. many a member can look back to his first corinthian race as the beginning of his practical experience in yacht racing. the races at these regattas have been mostly handicaps, and two or three are always open to yachts in cruising trim. the only conditions of the regatta are that 'yachts may carry their ordinary paid hands, but no extra paid hands, and must be steered by members of a yacht club.' it is always pleasant to meet with names which are as well known as the club to which they belong, to whom their club owes much, and whose pride and interests are centred in its prosperity. it was in that two such members' names were added to the official list--the late mr. j. a. lockett as rear-commodore and mr. william york as treasurer. both these gentlemen have for the last thirty years been busily engaged in furthering the welfare of the club, the one in his capacity as secretary or treasurer, or both, the other in several offices, but principally as one of the house committee. when the year closed the clyde yacht club's first racing decade, the club was well under way and able to hold its own with any existing yacht-racing community, both as a provider of sport and for the attractions offered to the lovers of yachts and yachting, when with their friends they were brought together on the waters of the 'bonny clyde.' this was noticeable in , but it became much more so in , when the well-known clippers 'mosquito,' tons; 'glance,' tons; 'fiona,' tons; and the 'vindex,' tons, came round to the firth to sail under the clyde club's auspices. though opening and closing cruises had always been in vogue since the foundation of the club, it was left for the tenth year to start the long series of these expeditions, which last from a thursday to the monday morning following, and, with the combined attractions of racing, cruising and social gatherings, have proved such pleasant features in each season's yachting. the list of members had now reached over , while the yacht tonnage had risen to , gross, comprising yachts of to tons. among these were included the three most successful yachts of the year in the united kingdom, and, to the praise of the clyde shores it may be said, all built and designed by mr. w. fife of fairlie--the 'fiona' in the st, the 'kilmeny' in the nd, and the 'torch' in the rd class. the season of would have passed without note or comment had it not been that the club founded an annual corinthian match, in which two paid hands were to be allowed for yachts of tons and over, and one paid hand to all the smaller yachts. the helmsman was to be an amateur, and no _shot-bag or shifting ballast_ of any kind was to be permitted. besides proving that the club possessed amateur seamen capable of handling a racing yacht of any size, the fact that that unseaworthy equipment shifting ballast, which had been in use in the clyde foot classes and in most racing yachts during the early fifties, was to be abolished, at all events in this race, was a move in the right direction. is a year of real historical importance, for it not only gives the date when the -, -, and -ton classes became generally acknowledged, but it brings credit to the clyde yacht club where credit is due, as being the founder of these classes, which held sway for so many years. a year later the club was the first to introduce the smaller class of tons as a standing dish in its regatta programmes, and to the clyde yacht club belongs the honour of being the first in the field to recognise that this diminutive class of flyers was well worthy on its own merits of being encouraged. [illustration: the start for ardrishaig cup.] channel matches had been long ere this time a matter of annual interest with some of the clubs in the south of england, as well as the royal alfred yacht club at kingstown, and royal northern in scotland; but the sport of channel racing and open-sea work had either not been thought of, or had met with no favour, for the first channel match held in connection with the clyde club did not take place till . the race came off after the regatta held that year at barrow and before the clyde regattas, the course being from barrow to the clyde, so that the yachts about to visit and race in the firth might find it worth their while to put on a spurt and make the best of their way to their destination. no better course could be chosen for trying a vessel on all points of sailing, to say nothing of her sea-going powers, including as it does the passage between the isle of man and the mull of galloway. for this race the 'enid,' tons; 'livonia,' ; 'glance,' ; and 'coralie,' , started, all yachts at that date as racers. the 'glance' saved her time and carried off the trophy. if opened up channel groping under racing trim, 'progress' must truly be held the motto for . not only was the club made a royal club, and allowed the privilege of placing a crown over the lion's head in the burgee crest, but early in the spring of this year the royal clyde opened to its members the house which mr. hunter, of hafton, had built for them at hunter's quay adjoining the hotel. of course with a settled headquarters, hunter's quay became the future rendezvous for all club fixtures, such as opening and closing cruises, regattas, matches and the like; and as the opening cruise this year may be considered the first general meeting of members afloat off the new house, it will not be amiss to give a short description of it. the meeting took place on thursday, may , and began at p.m. with a lunch at the club-house, after which at p.m. the yachts weighed anchor under the commodore, and sailed under his orders till the signal was made from the flagship for them to make the best of their way to rothesay. on arrival there, those who were not required on board their vessels to stow sails and clear up for the night took their dinghies ashore, or were taken in their gigs, for a stroll through the old town. in the meantime on board the yachts, as soon as the decks had been cleared up and ropes coiled down in their places, the galley fires were lighted, so that by p.m. the men had had their tea, and the cooks and stewards were ready with goodly repasts awaiting the coming on board again of the hungry masters and their friends. dinner over, the pleasures of the evening began with what is known as 'ship-visiting'--that is, the yacht-owner starts off, and either rows himself and friends in his dinghy, or is rowed in correct form, to some friend's yacht where he may remain, or, after a short visit, proceed, taking with him his host and as many of his friends as he can pack away in the gig's stern-sheets, to some other yacht, and so on _ad infinitum_. to row himself is much the better plan, since it means independence of the crew (which perhaps may consist only of one hand), and avoidance of a troubled conscience, that the man or men are being kept up and prevented from turning in. the following morning only a few burgees were visible, most of the yachts having donned their silken racing flags, for an early start had to be made in a handicap race to be sailed _viâ_ the garroch head (the most south-westerly extremity of the isle of bute) to tignabruich. more than half the yachts were started in this race, for which four cups were provided as prizes. the contingent of small non-racers made tignabruich by way of the kyles of bute, as did also some of the larger sailing yachts, which preferred calm and untroubled travelling to a dusting round the garroch head. the gathering at the head of the kyles is, if anything, more enjoyable than that spent at rothesay. the anchorage is more land-locked, and therefore less liable to disturbance from winds or sweeping seas, and ship-visiting can be carried on without any fear of a ducking or other unpleasantness. on the saturday morning, the members of the club and their friends breakfasted together at . at the royal hotel, when the prizes were presented to the winners; after which a few returned to their yachts, got under way, and dispersed with the object of extending their cruise, while those left behind remained to enjoy the beautiful scenery and walks with which the locality abounds, and on sunday attend church parade on board lord glasgow's yacht. [illustration: 'marjorie.' _blue, with white cross. tons_ (_j. coats, jun., esq._). _built by steele & co._, .] beyond the adoption by the club of the royal alfred yacht club rules and regulations, nothing of any moment worth chronicling took place till , in which year the purchase was completed by the club of the whole of the grounds and buildings, including the hotel and club-house, and early in the members enjoyed the privilege of not only having a club-house, but also an establishment worked on the principle of a private hotel, where they could provide themselves and their families or friends with comfortable quarters on very reasonable club terms. in this matter the royal clyde yacht club is specially fortunate, as also in one other, viz. the magnificent scenic setting by which their possession is surrounded. nothing can equal the holy loch for beauty and charm of colour, on a summer's evening, particularly about sunset, or an early winter's morning, with its sunrise lowering and accompanied by ever-changing tints lending their enchantments to the rugged grandeur of the hills which bound it. this, with the distant view up the clyde, obtained from the club-house windows or frontage, is not to be surpassed in any country in the world. at the opening of the season of , and the close of the second decade, the club numbered no fewer than members, with a fleet of yachts computed at , and as the club regatta now occupied two days, the three clyde clubs--viz. the royal clyde, the royal northern, and the four-year-old mudhook yacht club--considered it necessary to work together for the furtherance of sport, and held their first meeting to arrange a suitable date for celebrating a 'clyde week.' a change was also made this season in the several courses at the regattas, a change which had been for some time considered desirable, and which turned out a welcome improvement. the new courses were as follows: for first-class yachts, from hunter's quay to toward buoy, thence to skelmorlie buoy, thence to the powder vessel's buoy, and thence to hunter's quay, leaving all on the port hand; twice round, distance miles. the second-class course lay from hunter's quay to skelmorlie buoy, thence to the powder vessel's buoy, and thence to hunter's quay, leaving all on the port hand; twice round, distance miles. the third-class course was from hunter's quay to a flagboat moored in inverkip bay, thence to the powder vessel's buoy and back to hunter's quay; twice round, distance miles. the fourth-class course was from hunter's quay to the inverkip flagboat, and back to hunter's quay; twice round, distance miles. the fifth-class course lay from hunter's quay to a flagboat moored off dunoon pier, thence to a flagboat moored off kilcreggan and back to hunter's quay; twice round, distance miles. another new feature this season was the introduction of the yacht racing association's scale of time allowances, based originally on that drawn up for the royal alfred yacht club by their late secretary, mr. james a. lyle. this scale had been in general use by the r.a.y.c. for many years. in , not only the club, but all those who had partaken of its hospitality, had to lament their loss in the death of mr. samuel king, one of the most kind and genial of its members. this year was remarkable for the entry in the race for first-class yachts on the second day of the regatta. five yachts crossed the line for the _l_. prize, not one of which was less than tons measurement, viz., the 'lufra,' tons, yawl; 'jullanar,' yawl, tons; 'condor,' tons; 'cythera,' cutter, tons; and 'formosa,' cutter, tons. from that day to this there has never been such a meeting of so many first-class large racing yachts, showing so great a tonnage. it may be said also of the useful little -ton class, at this time at its zenith of popularity, that the entries this season were the largest that have ever been known. no fewer than eight of these mosquitoes, including mr. york's pretty little -ton yawl 'rocket,' came to the fore on all the great occasions provided for their sport. [illustration: 'may' _ tons_ (_w. chrystal, esq., vice-com. royal clyde_). _built by steele & co._, .] during the years , , and , there was a satisfactory increase in the number of members, and a consequent augmentation of the club funds. the annual amount given away at this period in prizes had reached something over _l._ the entries at the regattas during the seasons of and were splendid in the -ton class; no fewer than seven -tonners and the -tonner 'maggie' crossed the line in , and in the same number, less the 'maggie,' did likewise. a new class of - / -tonners was started in with seven yachts to its name, and in still another class had to be catered for, consisting of - / -tonners. the entries, too, this year, in the first class must not be forgotten; for in these days of fashionable small yacht racing it almost reads like a fairy tale when it is said that, out of nine entries, seven yachts were of tons and over, the other two being about tons each. if the above two years are notable in the annals of the club, in the following year, , its prosperity was evinced in a marked degree by the addition to its possessions of a club yacht; and as there are only one or two clubs which provide such a luxury for their members, it may not be amiss to give a short account of the _modus operandi_ employed in connection with it. among the to members of the club there were many who did not care to keep yachts of their own, but enjoyed an occasional cruise. it was in answer to a proposition made by one of these gentlemen that funds were procured by means of shares, which were bought by individual members, and by the club itself. in this way the necessary amount of purchase money was speedily collected, and a committee was told off to superintend the choice, purchase, and fitting out of a yacht, with all arrangements connected with manning, and the carrying out of the regulations in regard to hire, &c. the yacht thus secured by the club was the 'alcyone,' -ton cutter, which had been built by mr. d. hatcher, and had proved herself no mean performer in the -ton class. she is a good wholesome vessel, and a fast and able sea-boat. her accommodation is excellent, and includes berths for five passengers at least. there is capital headroom between decks, and any amount of space for stowage of baggage, &c. the 'alcyone' is manned by a captain and four hands, and when a member hires the yacht he has no expenses whatever to provide for beyond the hire and the keep of himself and friends while on board. four rules were framed by the committee in charge, as being necessary for the working of the scheme, viz: first.--the limit of time for hire is days. second.--the cost of hire is _l._ _s._ per diem, including cruet stores. third.--the club is to keep a supply of liquors on board, to be supplied at a small profit. fourth.--hirers are bound, if called upon, to deliver up the yacht in the holy loch, or at any other anchorage inside the cumbrae head. if it is desired to keep the yacht for a month, then it must be done by two members joining together in the hire, the one putting his name down for the first fortnight, and the other for the second. the cost of hire may seem at first sight somewhat heavy, but the 'alcyone' is kept up like a private yacht, and no money has been spared to provide every possible contrivance which might be conducive to comfort. the success of the venture is proved by the fact that she has rarely been disengaged or unlet for more than a day or two during any one season since her purchase. another sign of prosperity was the institution of an annual club ball, which is held at the st. andrews hall, glasgow, during the winter months, and acknowledged to be one of the principal balls of the year and one of the great events of the winter season. the next year-- --showed a still further advancement in the club's popularity, for it was the chosen recipient of a queen's cup. this prize was sailed for on july , during the 'clyde week,' in a race for all yachts over tons, and no fewer than eleven yachts started. [illustration: 'thistle' _winning the queen's cup in the clyde._] if, however, has been rendered famous for being a queen's cup year, will be noted for the success of its closing cruise, and the sport it provided. this season surpassed itself in the number of entries for the closing cruise handicap, and never have so many yachts come forward to race for the handsome cups, the gifts of members of the club, as on this occasion. in the first match for yachts over tons, ten entered, including five over tons, three -tonners, and two of tons. it was the race for -tonners, however, that gave real character to the meeting, and there can be no mistake in saying that no other club in the kingdom has ever had to start so many as nine - and two -tonners in one race, all clever fast yachts, and no third or fourth rate cruisers, as will be seen from their names: 'clara,' 'lenore,' 'amathea,' 'louise,' 'sayonara,' 'irene,' 'thyra,' 'maggie,' 'calypso,' 'rival,' and 'gem.' in the race for -tonners seven started, among them the old 'helen' schooner, tons, a yacht which saw more hard sailing than perhaps any other belonging to the club. she was built at cowes, and was one of halliday's pretty creations, a few of which are still to be met with. in she was unfortunately driven on the rocks off hafton in the holy loch, during a severe gale, and was soon smashed into matchwood. for the prize in the -ton class three put in an appearance, all the fastest racing yachts of the year. [illustration: 'clara,' tons, midship section.] the courses for yachts of tons and upwards were altered in ; instead of rounding the powder buoy a mark buoy anchored off kilcreggan became the furthest point. in the club forwarded a challenge to the new york yacht club, in the name of mr. jas. bell, and this ended in the yacht 'thistle,' now known as the 'meteor' and owned by h.i.m. the german emperor, being built, and sent across the atlantic, to contend for the cup won by the 'america.' the 'thistle' and 'volunteer' matches were the consequence, and they are so well known that it would be superfluous here to furnish an account of them; suffice it to say that, though the scotch yacht did not win the great event, her performances with the 'volunteer' not only taught british yachtsmen many a lesson, but afforded not a few hints to their american rivals. at the beginning of , the end of the club's third decade, the finances of the club consisted of a capital of , _l._, and the amount at this time annually expended on yacht racing was _l._, exclusive of gifts of money made by individual members. during the ten years the numbers on the list of members fluctuated from to : in this particular year only names appeared on the list. with regard to the number of yachts sailing under the club flag, there had been the same variation, for though always between and , this year the yachts numbered only , or fewer than the previous year, the gross tonnage amounting to , tons. during the winter of many matters were discussed which brought forth fruit in the season of , and made that year more important than it otherwise would have been. first of all, the club had to regret the loss of their commodore, lord glasgow, who, after acting for over a quarter of a century in that office, was compelled to give up the appointment owing to failing health. mr. john clark was elected to take his place, and messrs. jas. bell and h. lamont became vice- and rear-commodores. mr. york, to whom the writer is much indebted for assistance given him in compiling this notice, held the office of secretary and treasurer, which he had so ably filled for over twenty years. during the winter the club had acquired three boats, of ft. length on the load water-line, for the benefit of those members who wished to go out for a day's sail; the three boats being made, as far as the designer, builder, and sailmaker were concerned, as nearly equal in merits as it was possible for them to be, in order that they might show good sport when taken out racing together. prizes for a race for these boats have since been regularly given at the regattas, to encourage members to take them out match sailing. in this way they have proved very useful in initiating many a tiro into the secrets and mysteries of yacht racing. [illustration: 'lenore' _fife of fairlie_, .] this year, too, witnessed another change in yacht measurement. the yacht racing association had formulated and passed a rule of measurement by length and sail area, the length to be taken along the load water-line. this rule was adopted by the club, and at the regattas all yachts were rated according to it, with the exception of the - / -tonners; these, as they happened to be the class of the year, were allowed to race under the old rule for which they were built. as many as six of these little vessels made the clyde their headquarters and sailed at the regattas. through the club's agency, it must not be forgotten, telegraphic communication was opened up between hunter's quay, glasgow, and the outer world. the club provided an office and guaranteed the sum required by the post office authorities, and by so doing conferred a benefit not only on themselves but on the whole surrounding neighbourhood. early in the club was engaged in determining the several classes under which yachts built to the 'rating rule,' as it was called, should sail. for this purpose, messrs. r. wylie and j. b. hilliard, the two well-known representative clyde yachtsmen, were chosen delegates to consult with the other leading yacht clubs in the north regarding the adjustment of a classification for the smaller yachts and sailing boats racing on the clyde, and full powers were given them to carry out any decision that might be arrived at. those adopted were the , and rating classes with two length classes, one of ft. on the water-line and ft. over all, with a sail area limited to ft.; the mainsail or lugsail not to exceed . of the total sail area; the other class to be for boats ft. on the water-line. the -rating class was chosen that it might form one in which the -tonners of the preceding year would be able to enter, as they ranged over and under as raters. at the time these changes were taking place a rule was introduced that there were to be no 'restrictions on the use of centreboards.' the great feature of this year's regatta was the 'queen's cup,' the second presented to the club within five years, an event of which the members may justly be proud. in the interim between the corinthian and annual regattas a channel match round arran was inaugurated, for yachts not exceeding tons thames measurement and belonging to any recognised yacht club, for _l._, given in two prizes of _l._ and _l._, and presented by two members of the club. the course lay from hunter's quay down the firth, through the kyles of bute, down kilbrennan sound between arran and cantyre, rounding pladda island, and home by any route. the yachts were to be _bona fide_ cruisers, and only jib-topsails were prohibited. no restrictions were made as to crew or helmsman. no fewer than eight small yachts sailed in the race, and it proved a far greater success than was at first expected. if this is to be known as the second queen's cup year, it will also have to be remembered for the terrible fire and loss of the club-house and hotel on july , nothing of which was saved, with the exception of some furniture, one or two models, and a few odds and ends. a club could be called upon to face no greater calamity, especially at a time when the season is at its height. craigend villa, within a short distance of the old house, was promptly rented as a makeshift for a year, and fitted up to meet all immediate necessities, while steps were taken at once to make arrangements for the building of a new house on the old site. to forward this the sum of , _l._ was voted, which with another , _l._ did not cover all the expenses. at the present moment there does not exist a more beautiful or conveniently arranged yacht club-house in the kingdom. [illustration: 'verve' _ -footer_ (_robert wylie, esq._)] notwithstanding the liberal sums devoted by the club to match sailing, there have always been at each regatta meeting a plentiful supply of cups and purses forthcoming to swell the list of prizes, the gifts of individual members. to enumerate all the donors would be out of place here, but it is impossible to overlook such names as bell, buchanon, clark, coates, falconer, ferguson, forrester, lockett, ure, wylie, and york, names which will ever be linked with the club's successful past. the year was remarkable principally for the number of -raters belonging to members, and entered for races in that class. it seemed like a resuscitation of the old -tonner days. on the other hand, the clyde, the home of the -tonner, had not a single -rater to its name, and a -rating class had to be formed to take in the irish contingent, which with mr. inglis's little 'darthula' raced for the prizes provided for them. the - / -rater class made its entry in the club programmes, and started with a small fleet of seven yachts, including four belonging to the royal ulster yacht club; but in this class became the fashionable class of the year, and the club of itself could boast of no fewer than eight of these small fry. the fleet belonging to the club in the year numbered yachts, mostly of very small tonnage. by the number had risen to only, but then the gross tonnage was very much greater, viz. , tons. in there were yachts, including a few screw steamers. in the year , names appeared on the club yacht list, i.e. five fewer than in , but the total tonnage on the other hand amounted to , tons. the last half-decade, however, has quite eclipsed all preceding years, for the yachts now flying the royal clyde yacht club burgee number , which represent a gross tonnage of no less than , tons. last year not far short of , _l._ was given in prizes. the club at the present time numbers members, which will be seen to be an increase of over within the last five years. it is a pleasure seldom accorded to writers of club histories to have to record such an exceptional advance, and in bidding farewell to the society, it may be firmly hoped and prophesied that long ere the close of its fourth decade the r.c.y.c. will have increased its list of members to over four figures and its yachts and yacht-tonnage in proportion. the royal forth yacht club by r. t. pritchett the forth club was established in under the name of the 'granton yacht club,' and received permission from the queen to assume the title of 'royal forth' in . the flag of the club is the blue ensign of her majesty's fleet, with a gold crown and maltese cross. the club is now well supported, having as patron the duke of buccleuch, k.t. sir donald currie, k.c.m.g., is commodore, backed by a very influential staff. the hon. secretary is mr. bruce fenwick. the number of members amounts to nearly , , with a total tonnage of about , ; but the firth of forth has serious disadvantages as a yachting centre, being favoured neither by nature nor circumstances as is the firth of clyde, which absorbs all yachting interests. mr. t. b. c. west, who carried off the queen's cup at the regatta in with his well-known -rater 'queen mab,' presented a challenge cup of guineas, to be sailed for annually in the month of june. that, however, was not sufficient inducement to get a large entry. the fact is there are so many regattas now that the tendency is to concentration, and consequently outlying stations suffer. the royal forth yacht club had a match in june , at the beginning of their water sports, from hartlepool to granton, for a prize of _l._ the starters were the creole cutter -rater lieut.-col. bagot. daydream yawl - " mr. james shepherd. [illustration: royal forth yacht club courses.] the wind was very light at the start, which took place at . a.m. on thursday, june . later on light airs from east-north-east helped them; but off the farne islands--without any notice or disturbed appearance in the sky--a tremendous squall struck 'creole'; she, however, behaved splendidly, and was specially well handled. by saturday morning the weather had moderated and they got the mainsail on her and ran up past inch keith, getting the gun at . a.m. from the 'iolanthe.' the larger vessel, the yawl of -rating, had her troubles too, and finally got into the tyne on saturday morning, under storm canvas. on the last day of the racing--june --there was a match for yachts belonging to the royal forth yacht club, for the t. b. c. west challenge cup, the entries confined to members of the club. five yachts entered for the race, over a course of forty miles. the tonnage was very small, and the handicap one of large range; it will be noted that 'ida,' at scratch, allowed 'lintie' hr. mins. secs. +---------------+--------+-------------------+-----------------------+ | | | | | | yacht rig | rating | handicap | owners | |---------------+--------+-------------------+-----------------------| | | | | | | ida cutter | | scratch | messrs. park & wilson | | nora " | | m. s. | dr. w. s. armitage | | uranus " | . | m. s. | mr. f. a. robertson | | glance " | . | m. s. | mr. w. a. bell | | lintie lug | -- | hr. m. s. | mr. g. w. mitchell | +---------------+--------+-------------------+-----------------------+ the start took place at . a.m., with a nice breeze from the north-west. 'lintie' led off, but 'nora' soon took up the running and led all the way home, finishing at granton:-- h. m. s. nora (winner) ida uranus glance lintie this will give some idea of the application of time allowance. the royal eastern, established , is a small scottish club whose existence may be noted; but yachting does not flourish much on the east coast. chapter iii irish clubs the royal cork yacht club by r. t. pritchett the ancestral origin of this club, which has its station at queenstown, was the water club of the harbour of cork, established in . it is therefore the _doyen par excellence_, and its rules and orders as carried out in its early days are original and entertaining. a few of the rules may be quoted: i. ordered that the water club be held once every spring tide, from the first spring tide in april to the last in september inclusive. ii. that no admiral do bring more than two dishes of meat for the entertainment of the club. iii. resolved that no admiral presume to bring more than two dozen of wine to his treat, for it has always been deemed a breach of the ancient rules and constitutions of the club, except when my lords the judges are invited. v. ordered that the secretary do prepare an union flag, with the royal irish harp and crown on a green field in the centre. ordered that the water club flag be hoisted on club days early in the morning on the castle of haulbowline. ix. ordered that no long tail wigs, large sleeves or ruffles be worn by any member at the club. ordered that when any of the fleet join the admiral, if they have not guns to salute they are to give three cheers, which are to be returned by the admiral, and one cheer to be returned by the captain so saluting. xiii. resolved that twenty-five be the whole number of the members that this club may consist of. xiv. resolved that such members of the club or others as shall talk of sailing after dinner be fined a bumper. xx. ordered that the knight of the island for the time being do suffer no person or persons whatsoever to go into the club room, unless brought by a member, or by an order of five members at the least, under their hands, on pain of being cashiered. xxi. that the admiral singly, or any three captains whom he shall appoint, do decide all controversies and disputes that may arise in the club, and any captain that shall refuse to abide by such decision is to be expelled. n.b. this order to extend to the chaplain, or any other inferior officer. _april , ._--ordered that for the future, unless the company exceed the number of fifteen, no man be allowed more than one bottle to his share, and a peremptory. [what a 'peremptory' was remains a mystery.] _old members_, lord inchiquin hon. james o'bryen charles o'neal henry mitchell rich. bullen, chaplain john rogers _new members_, * thomas newenham morough o'bryen george connor rich. longfield james nash william hodder * philip lavallin john newenham walter fitzsimonds * samuel hoare william hays michael parker * abraham devonshere john bullen * robert rogers * james devonshere john walcot thomas parsons henry puxly robert newenham, sec. .--members whose names are marked thus * subsequently died or left the club; the following were elected in their room, and are added in ms. in the old copy:-- edward roche edmund roche richard dunscombe john atkins john baldwin robert baldwin sampson stawell [illustration: yachts of cork water club, . from an old picture at the r.c.y.c., queenstown.] _sailing orders for the water club fleet_, the fleet to rendezvous at spithead on club days by the first quarter ebb, any boat not being in sight by the time the admiral is abreast of the castle in spike island, to forfeit a british half-crown for gunpowder for the fleet. when the admiral hoists his foresail half up, it is for the fleet to have a peak upon their anchor, and when the foresail is hoisted up and a gun fired, the whole fleet is to weigh. _observe_ that if the admiral wants to speak with any of the fleet he will make the following signals. if with the vice-admiral he will hoist a white flag at the end of the gaff or derrick, and fire two guns. if with any private captain he will hoist a pendant at his derrick, and fire as many guns as the captain is distanced from him and from the same side. when he would have the fleet come to an anchor, he will show double dutch colours at the end of his gaff and fire a gun. when the admiral will have the whole fleet to chase he will hoist dutch colours under his flag, and fire a gun from each quarter; if a single boat he will hoist a pendant and fire as many guns from the side as a boat is distanced from him. when he would have the chase given over, he will haul in his flag and fire a gun. some storm seems suddenly to have burst upon the gay fleet, for after the year there is a long vacuum in the records. the club journal sets forth, however, that on july , , the marquis of thomond, lord kingsale, the fitzgeralds, the penroses, the newenhams, the drurys, and others, styled therein 'original members,' met, and agreed to revive the old water club; but there is no reason to suppose that the club was set afloat in its ancient splendour, and the attention of the members would appear to have been chiefly directed to the useful purpose of exciting competition among the fishing and rowing boats in the harbour, to which they gave annual prizes. [illustration: royal cork yacht club queenstown.] towards the end of the year , the yachting spirit of both sexes in cork harbour declined, and the water club was but feebly kept up; indeed, lords thomond and kingsale, messrs. savage, french, cooper penrose, thomas roland, john marragh, william harrington, john roche, with a few others, were its sole representatives; and the club as a body at this period may be almost said to have become extinct, as no meetings were held, or proceedings recorded. but the next year a party of youngsters, higher up the river, took possession of the vacant territory, and in a little fleet was again seen in the harbour. this society, originating in a picnic club, having its rendezvous at monkstown, and consisting of small craft, did not assume the title of the cork harbour club, but contented itself with the more humble appellation of the 'little monkstown club.' from these small beginnings, however, the present royal cork yacht club had its immediate origin, in , when thomas hewitt, caulfield beamish, and a few other enterprising individuals of the monkstown club, supported by the patriotic proprietor of 'footy,' john smith-barry, and the greater part of the old water club members then living, met and resolved to revive and re-establish it on a solid and permanent basis. the new arrangements were judiciously made, and the club, re-established under the title of the cork yacht club, rose rapidly to eminence. the water club is ably and favourably noticed in the 'tour through ireland.' (london. printed for j. roberts, in warwick lane, .) [illustration: yacht club flags. _the dates show when the clubs were established._] [illustration: cork water club putting out to sea, .] i shall now acquaint your lordships with a ceremony they have at cork. it is somewhat like that of the doge of venice wedding the sea. a set of worthy gentlemen who have formed themselves into a body, which they call the 'water club,' proceed a few leagues out to sea once a year, in a number of little vessels, which for painting and gilding exceed the king's yacht at greenwich and deptford. their admiral, who is elected annually, and hoists his flag on board his little vessel, leads the van and receives the honours of the flag. the rest of the fleet fall in their proper stations and keep their line in the same manner as the king's ships. this fleet is attended with a prodigious number of boats, which, with their colours flying, drums beating, and trumpets sounding, forms one of the most agreeable and splendid sights your lordships can conceive. the union with harp and crown in the centre on a green field, was granted by the lords of the admiralty to william, earl of inchiquin, for the cork harbour yacht club, in . the present club-house is delightfully situated at queenstown; though old association clings rather to haulbowline, with its quaint history. the old pictures in the club-rooms of the water club yachts are valuable as showing what the craft were in those days. age has sombred them down so much that many details are unfortunately lost. we are indebted to major h. h. newman, the hon. secretary, for his assistance, and also to major lysaght, who kindly photographed these paintings. the clubs at kingstown, dublin co. kingstown harbour, so admirably adapted for sailing, has long been a favourite spot with yachtsmen. formerly kingstown was a small creek called dunleary, but king george iv. embarked there on september , , and promised a grant for a new harbour, which was finished in at a cost of , _l._ this harbour encloses a clear sheet of water acres in extent, of depth from ft. to ft. at low water, with a rise of ft. or ft. it affords good holding ground and shelter from all winds, and, being a harbour of refuge, there are no harbour fees. as a yachting station, in addition to being a safe anchorage, it has the advantage of enabling a yacht to get in or out to the open sea in a few minutes at any tide. the east pier is a mile long, and forms one of the most perfect marine promenades in the world. yachting took root here when the st. george's yacht club was established in , though perhaps it should more strictly be dated from as it was in the latter year it obtained its admiralty warrant. it has now become royal, with her majesty the queen as patroness; lord dunleath (formerly john mulholland, esq.,) vice-commodore. a remarkably fine class of yachts is brought together in this club, and when the regatta is held kingstown harbour presents one of the finest aquatic spectacles in the world, embracing yachts and sailing boats of all classes. the 'mermaids' and the 'water wags,' which give annually great sport in the bay, are described in a following chapter. the royal irish club has its club-house in a fine and convenient situation; established as it was in , there will soon be two yachting jubilee regattas in dublin bay. july is the month when aquatic revelry is in full swing. many is the hard race sailed from the harbour round the kish, and many the spar carried away when the high-spirited corinthians have been cracking on. the royal ulster meets at bangor, co. down, having the marquis of dufferin as commodore; lord dunleath as vice-commodore; captain sharman-crawford, of 'red lancer' fame, as rear-commodore. [illustration: 'erycina' _ tons_ (_f. b. jameson. esq., r. st. george's yacht club_). _built by fife_, .] [illustration: royal st george's yacht club, dublin bay.] royal alfred yacht club by g. l. blake no sporting society in the whole of the three kingdoms has done more to encourage seamanship than that which has its station in dublin bay, and has been known for so many years past as the royal alfred yacht club. worked on a basis somewhat different from that of most clubs, whose object is the encouragement of amateur sailing, this community sprang into being on march , , at a meeting held in gilbert's hotel, westland row, dublin, under the chairmanship of that fine practical yachtsman the late mr. william cooper, so well known to all patrons of the sport by his valuable works on the pastime he loved so well, written under the pseudonym 'vanderdecken.' [illustration: 'oimara' _ tons_ 'flying could' _ tons_ 'iona' _ tons_ 'fiona' _ tons_ 'arethusa' _ tons_ 'flag boat' 'pantomine' _ tons_ 'gwendoline' _ tons_ 'garrion' _royal irish yacht club cup, kingstown, july , _ (_from a picture by admiral beechy_).] 'smartness' might have been the motto of the newly launched club, for within a few weeks of the above date the irish model yacht club--thus it was christened while yet on the ways--had taken on board all the essentials necessary for a lengthened and prosperous voyage. acker's signals were its code, and words of wisdom in the form of club rules had been duly got out and printed. a captain of the fleet, secretary, and treasurer, backed up by a very able committee of thirteen, constituted the 'powers that be'; and under their auspices, on may , the yachts of the club made their début in company in ireland's bay of naples. it was during the following year that one of those rules was framed which proved for so many years such a notable club feature. it ran as follows: 'every saturday shall be a fleet day unless there be notice to the contrary, and all yachts on the station, under a fine of _s._, shall be bound to join the fleet at a given hour, unless a satisfactory reason for the yacht's absence be given to the sailing committee. no yacht is to join unless the owner, or a member of a yacht club, be on board.' of course this regulation has had to be rescinded in order to allow of club matches taking place, and the cruises in company have become less frequent; but it is impossible to estimate the value to seamanship of fleet sailing, because there is no method by which the sailor can more readily attain to the complete command of his vessel, and make her answer to his bidding. sailing as he will be on such occasions in company with yachts of various sizes, sail-carrying power and speed, the yachtsman who can keep station will have learnt not only to have a confidence in himself and his vessel, but also how to vary her degrees of sailing from the reeling off of knots to an up and down log line. in the club was practically reorganised. a new book of amended rules and regulations was printed, and a book of signals produced and compiled by mr. jas. a. lyle, who had been appointed honorary secretary. among these new rules was this very useful and simple one: 'each owner is to lodge with the secretary a duplicate of his racing flag, and this flag is to be carried on board the commodore's yacht of the day, to facilitate signalling and avoidance of mistakes.' towards the end of the season lord otho fitzgerald, who had up to this time acted as captain of the fleet, gave up the office, and till it was eventually done away with, a challenge cup was instituted, open to all yachts of tons (the largest size among the racing fleet) and under, to be sailed for annually. it was ruled that in future the holder of this cup should fill the office of captain of the fleet for the ensuing year. so far the club matches had been few and somewhat irregular. three classes had been formed, consisting of yachts of and not exceeding tons, of and not over , and of others under tons. this year, however, was started the annual series of racing matches, which have for over thirty years been so popular with the racing fraternity of st. george's channel and the clyde; and each season's programme has only undergone such alterations as have been necessitated by the increased tonnage of the competing yachts, or as may further racing according to the fashionable sizes of the yachts of the period. about this date, too, it was found necessary to obviate the difficulty which was being felt with regard to manning and sailing yachts, owing to the number of large yachts, which already flew the club burgee; the original rule, that permitted members only to be employed, was therefore stretched, in order to admit of any member of a royal yacht club, who had paid his subscription, or any gentleman amateur not a seafaring man, being entered as a racing hand. in the club advanced another step safely, and emerging from its chrysalis stage of a model yacht club, butterflied it in public as the prince alfred yacht club, keeping the same objects in view as hitherto, viz., the encouragement of match sailing and the acquisition of practical knowledge amongst its members of how to steer and handle their own vessels, especially while sailing. commodores were appointed in place of a captain of the fleet, to carry on the more extended duties of the club; and messrs. putland, scovell, and bolton, whose names are household words throughout the yachting world, were the first officers to hold the appointments. no fewer than five classes had now to be created to take in the racing fleet; the class for yachts of tons and over included all the big ones, that for tons and under was open to the small fry. two years later ( ) the duke of edinburgh identified himself more closely than heretofore with the club that bore his name, by becoming its patron, and presenting a cup to be sailed for; and it was during this season that prizes were instituted, in the shape of gold pins bearing the club burgee, to especially encourage the art of helmsmanship. is also worthy of being remembered as having witnessed the introduction of the annual kingstown and holyhead matches, with which, since that time, the racing programme of the season has nearly always started. the standing rule which specially distinguishes this club is that all money received shall go towards racing expenses and prize funds. the consequence follows that, limited though the club is to members (there were in ), it is able to provide good prizes for all classes, and can show more sport for its money than many another richer club which is hampered with a house. the proof of the pudding is in the eating, and the success of this homeless club, as many have called it, should read a really useful lesson to the committees of all young yachting or other sporting communities, not to be too anxious about bricks and mortar or entering on the responsibilities of housekeeping. in another new feature, which at once became popular and is so to the present day, was started by mr. g. b. thompson. this was a series of matches to be held each year for yachts manned by amateurs only; and it is in some of these races, which have taken place during the past quarter of a century, that the capabilities of the members have prominently appeared as first-class able seamen. this season, however, will always be remembered for the race that was sailed on june by the nd class yachts--viz. those over and under tons, in which the rd class yachts were allowed to enter at tons. the 'xema,' ; 'vampire,' (rated at ); 'echo,' yawl, ; 'secret,' ; 'kilmeny,' ; 'wavecrest,' yawl, ; and 'amberwitch,' yawl, tons, started. three paid hands were allowed to each yacht. the course lay from kingstown harbour, round the north bar buoy, kish lightship, and the hauling buoy in kingstown harbour--twice round, to start from moorings. though the weather was anything but satisfactory, all the morning had been fine, and there had been scarcely any wind, so that light muslin, in the shape of large topsails, balloon foresails, and big no. jibs, was donned by all the competitors, at all events for the reach out to the bar buoy. the old 'bat' was the first to get away, but she was soon overhauled by the 'echo,' the rest following in line abreast. as the day grew on, the wind, from being shifty and all over the place, gradually settled down from the eastward, and the 'wavecrest' being the first to feel the true wind, she very naturally made use of it, and went through her vessels as if they had been at anchor. she was not allowed, however, to have the game all to herself for many moments, as the 'amberwitch' and 'xema' were soon on her track, while the 'kilmeny' and 'vampire' indulged in a luffing match, and almost allowed the 'secret' and 'echo,' which were doing rearguard, to overtake them. the buoy was rounded in the order given above, and as the wind had been increasing rapidly the crews were now called on to show their smartness in handing in the wind persuaders and substituting second jibs and working foresails for the close-haul out to the kish. those who know what the face of the waters is like off the kish bank when a hard easterly wind has set in will have some idea of the kind of business that was being transacted on this occasion, on the outward journey. soon it became evident that topsails were altogether out of place, and those who had shifted ballooners for small square-headers had to take them in again and house their topmasts. the 'xema' alone held on, though it could easily be seen that her topsail was not helping her at all. she had quite trouble enough too, as it turned out, without having useless top-hamper aloft, for her weather bowsprit shrouds began to show such signs of distress that it became necessary for her to hand in her head-sail and set a small jib. the 'amberwitch' was heeling and toeing it to such an extent that, by sagging away to leeward, it became quite clear she was by no means having things her own way. the 'xema,' on the other hand, notwithstanding her sail-plan, coming up under the 'kilmeny's' lee, was forereaching well on her, when a further trouble overtook her in the parting of the main outhaul, and the traveller coming in as far as the reef battens--there were no outhaul horses in --left the mainsail in a bag, a misfortune which was at once taken advantage of by the 'kilmeny,' who promptly gave her the go-by. the 'vampire' had quite as much as she liked with the broken sea she had to drive through, but it would have rejoiced the heart of the late mr. dan hatcher, her builder, had he seen the way in which his little vessel stepped it out to windward and held her own with her larger sisters. the kish was passed by the 'kilmeny' as leader of the van, and she was followed by the 'xema,' 'amberwitch,' 'echo,' and little 'bat' in the order named. now that they had rounded the lightship topmasts were sent on end again by all, with the exception of the 'echo,' whose crosstrees had come to grief; square-headers were once more seen aloft, and sheets were checked well off for the run to the harbour. on nearing the piers the wind lightened as quickly as it had got up; it left the leading yachts almost becalmed, and only just able to gybe round the mark. starting away again for the second round, the 'xema' made use of the lack of wind to set up her headgear and secure her bowsprit shroud, but she had barely set things to rights before the wind came on with double vigour. it was a reach this time out to the kish, and weight naturally telling, 'kilmeny' was outpaced by the 'xema,' which led round the lightship, followed closely by the 'amberwitch,' 'kilmeny,' 'echo,' and 'vampire,' with 'wavecrest' to bring up the rear. the 'secret' had got into difficulties about a mile from the lightship by her bowsprit snapping off close at the gammon iron, and with the sea that was running its crew had their work cut out for them in clearing the wreckage and sending out a jury spar. with the rest of the fleet it was a case once more of up topmasts and topsails for the run home, and a most exciting race was being sailed by the 'xema' and 'amberwitch' for the first place (the latter had to allow 'xema' mins. secs., as she was a -ton yawl), when the wind, drawing off the shore as before on nearing their destination, brought it to an end. the sheets had accordingly to be hardened in, and a board to be made into scotsman's bay to get the benefit of the young flood, which was running in shore. a couple of short tacks now brought the 'xema' clear out on the weather of the 'amberwitch' and 'kilmeny,' so that, gaining inch by inch, she managed to win at last. nothing could have exceeded the smart manner in which the shifting of sails and the work aloft was carried out on board all the yachts. in , the honorary secretary, mr. lyle, to whom the club will ever be indebted for the care and interest he has shown in furthering its welfare, gave a tankard as a prize for a one-handed race, the conditions of which were: 'only one man, and he a member of the club, shall be on board, and all others must leave before any canvas is set or station taken.' flying starts had not yet come into fashion, and therefore buoys had to be picked up. no fewer than ten yachts started for this race, five of which were over , and three over tons. the 'queen,' tons, was the winner, but the season will be best known by the introduction of the celebrated champion cups, which have ever since shared the honours with the corinthian matches in the club programmes. to secure the necessary funds for providing these luxuries, members were permitted to commute their annual subscriptions by the payment down of _l._ by this means the greater portion of the handsome pieces of plate, for which so many flyers of their day have competed, were obtained. the duke of edinburgh, who, as already remarked, had been patron, assumed in the duties of commodore, a post he is still holding; the club had become royal in the previous winter. the limit in the number of members was increased from to , and the club burgee also underwent a change. up to this date the club had sailed under no fewer than four different burgees. the original flag consisted of a red anchor on a blue field, but this only enjoyed a short life, as the anchor was changed into an irish crown before the first season was over. in , the flag appeared with a white ground, a blue cross with four points at the intersection of the cross forming the design, and in the field was changed again from white to red, with the new device of a yellow foul anchor. now for the last time the device was altered from the ordinary foul anchor to that of a foul patent trotman under an imperial crown. the patent improved anchor represents the club's leading position as a corinthian yacht racing society. besides five champion cups of the several values of _l._, _l._, _l._, _l._, and _l._, one in fact for each class, the duke of edinburgh presented a _l._ cup. a gale of wind sprang up during the race for this prize, which was won by mr. george putland in the 'enid.' she was the only one of all the yachts that crossed the line--flying starts were instituted this year--to finish the course, and it was the rounding of the kish lightship in this race by the 'enid' that admiral beechy took as the subject of one of his most celebrated sea pictures. the 'egeria,' schooner, was disabled very early in the race by the carrying away of the iron strop round her boom. during the season of the club was presented with the first of the three queen's cups of which it has been a recipient. matches during the summer alternated each saturday with cruises in fleet under one of the club officers, with regard to which one great point should be noticed, viz., that it has been the custom to sail only one match as a rule on each of the racing saturdays. there are many other clubs which would do well to follow this example, as it is not infrequently next to impossible with some clubs for outport members and yacht-owners, when wishing to join in corinthian matches, to obtain competent hands. was the last year in which single-handed racing received club support. a single-handed match had been sailed each season since their inauguration by mr. lyle, mr. alec richardson winning twice (in and ) in the 'naiad,' -tonner; but the sad loss of mr. o'connell, one of the most popular and sporting members of the club, together with his yacht, and the narrow escape from foundering of another, emphasised the advisability to stop such races for the future. the race in which this disaster occurred took place on june . the day was a peculiar one. a double-handed match had been sailed during the fore- and early afternoon, when a nice s.e. breeze favoured the competitors, which had one and all carried large topsails aloft. this race was finished, however, in a heavy downpour of rain, and was won by the vice-commodore, mr. george thompson, in the 'madcap,' tons. after the race was over the rain came down in such torrents that there was some hesitation about allowing the single-handed match to start, though there was no appearance of any heavy weather setting in. this fact, and there being no sea to speak of, settled the question, and accordingly the 'petrel,' tons, mr. w. g. jamieson; 'mocassin,' , mr. corrigan; 'madcap,' , the vice-commodore; 'torment,' , mr. miller; and 'peri,' tons, mr. o'connell, most of them with reefed mainsails, made a start at hrs. mins. in the order named. the weather soon afterwards became very thick, and nothing was seen of the yachts till hrs. mins., when the 'petrel' was discovered making for home. a number of yachts were out all the afternoon, and some of them on coming into harbour had passed the word that things were not going on as sweetly as they might outside. the wind had shifted to the s.w., and a considerable sea was running, increased or rather broken by the flood-tide. the 'mocassin,' who had given up, corroborated the statement that was flying about, and soon after the 'heroine,' -ton cutter, arrived with her topmast gone, followed by the 'whirlwind' yawl, with the loss of her gig washed away from her davits. the danger was now clearly apparent, and a tug was immediately sent out to look for the yachts, as it was feared the small ones would be unable to beat up against the sea and make their port. the 'pleione,' schooner, had fortunately fallen in with the 'madcap,' and put a hand on board her just in the nick of time, for she had shipped a heavy cargo of water below owing to her fore hatch having been washed overboard, and her head-sheets had gone. the 'torment' ran for howth, whence she was helped back to her moorings by a friendly tug, which was sent later on to her assistance. the 'pleione,' however, reported that the unfortunate 'peri' had been pooped, and that she had immediately foundered, taking with her her plucky crew. the schooner had sailed on and about the spot for some time, hoping against hope to recover some memento of the catastrophe to carry back to kingstown, and the tug was also employed in cruising round the locality, but to no purpose, as nothing was seen after she went down of either the 'peri' or her owner. though it is now more than ten years since this sorrowful occurrence, the name of mr. d. o'connell, beloved by all who knew him as a keen sportsman and a most genial friend, still remains green in the memory of irish yachtsmen. useful as the single-handed matches were for bringing out a display of seamanship, confidence and independence, it was as well under the circumstances that at this time they should end; but it seems a pity that the two-handed matches should have received their death-blow as well. the extra hand means all the difference between danger and safety. of the work carried out by the club perhaps the programme for gives as fair a sample as it is possible to choose, taking one year with another. the list of matches was as follows:-- nos. and . matches to and from douglas, isle of man. no. . match for yachts not exceeding tons. no. champion cup, with _l._ added. no. . match for yachts not exceeding tons. corinthian race. _l._ helmsman _l._, with tankards for the crew. no. . for yachts not exceeding tons. no. champion cup; with _l._ added. no. . open to all yachts. corinthian race, _l._ helmsman _l._, and tankards for crew. no. . for all yachts not exceeding tons; _l._ given by mr. macartney. no. . match open to all yachts. no. champion cup, _l._ added; two helmsmen's prizes of _l._ each. no. . for all yachts not exceeding tons; st prize _l._, nd prize _l._, given by mr. fulton. helmsman _l._ no. . for all yachts not exceeding tons. nd champion cup, with _l._ added. no. . for all yachts not exceeding tons. th champion cup, with _l._ added. one more race, which was promoted this year, must not be forgotten, as it would prove a very advantageous item in all yacht-club programmes, viz. a swimming match in clothes. the conditions were as follows: 'each member must wear woollen socks, a pair of slippers, shoes or boots, woollen or canvas trousers, a flannel shirt, with a guernsey or yachting jacket; the distance to be covered yards.' in the corinthian matches it may be noticed that the club not only gives the customary helmsman's prize, and that a good one, but each member of the winning crew receives a tankard with the yacht's complement or the club burgee engraved on it, a principle again worthy of adoption by all corinthian yacht clubs in races where no paid hands are permitted. at this period the club had the fine total of yachts to a list of fewer than members; and to show how admirably everything was carried on to the furtherance of sport, prizes were given to the amount of _l._ out of an income of _l._, the club expenditure being more than covered by _l._ these statistics are of interest as showing what can be done by a club when not fettered by club premises. the entry in the season of for the no. champion cup is worthy of a notice here, since no fewer than seven of the large cracks of the year put in an appearance--'fiona,' tons; 'cuckoo,' ; 'neva,' ; 'speranza,' yawl, ; 'latona,' yawl, ; 'egeria,' schooner, ; and 'gwendolin,' schooner, tons; and as an example of a r.a.y.c. corinthian match, that which took place on july , , for 'twenty tonners' will long be remembered, not so much for its record of spar-breaking, as for the seamanlike way in which difficulties were overcome. the description of the race is here given almost in the words of an account for which the writer is indebted to mr. james drury, who was himself an active witness on the occasion. the weather was far from favourable owing to a strong gale during the previous night having raised a nasty tumbling sea on the banks, while the wind, though moderate in the early part of the afternoon, at times blew in fierce squalls, rendering it necessary to reduce canvas at awkward moments. the entries were:-- 'hinda' tons mr. g. b. thompson. 'sheilah' " mr. pascoe french. 'challenge' " mr. fred thompson. 'sunshine' " mr. d. macivor. prizes: owner, _l._; helmsman, _l._; crew, tankards. course no. ( miles), no paid hands allowed. though the number of competitors was smaller than usual, the quality was extremely good, all four being well known as about the best of their class. a nice southerly breeze was blowing, making it an easy reach to the south bar buoy, and the tide was just beginning to flow to the northward. the 'hinda' was the first away, steered by her owner, followed close astern by the 'sunshine,' which had won so many prizes in , with mr. henry dudgeon at her helm. 'sheilah' was third, with the late mr. pascoe french as pilot, and last, though only some seconds behind the leader, came the 'challenge,' with a crew who had come over from liverpool in her or by steamer, and comprised the cream of the mersey and cheshire yacht clubs, among them mr. richardson, her designer, who now handled the lines. the 'hinda' and 'sunshine' each carried a crew of eight hands all told, while the 'sheilah' and 'challenge' had a complement each of ten hands, including the helmsman. all the yachts had whole lower canvas and jibheaded topsails set, except the 'sheilah,' who had a small square header aloft, and 'sunshine,' who had prudently reefed her mainsail and foresail, although they still looked big enough for a even thus reduced. the 'sheilah' soon showed her speed off the wind, as, going through 'sunshine's' lee like a dart, she led the fleet and placed herself some seconds ahead of any other by the time she had made the first turning point, where it was 'gybe ho,' and she increased this lead to - / minutes at the rosebeg, the others having played at luffing and thus impeded each other. sheets were now hardened in for a close haul to the north and south burford buoys, and 'sheilah' soon found her topsail too much for her in the jumpy sea; but unfortunately it had been set with the tack to leeward, and was not therefore handy for shifting, while, worse than this, her big no. jib was pulling her head off, and with a single sheet only it was more than her foremast hands could manage to get it properly aft. the 'challenge' held a beautiful wind, and getting clear of the other two, weathered fast on 'sheilah,' though she did not headreach on her. mr. french, wishing to shift his topsail, went about on the port tack before he could weather the south burford, but meeting the 'challenge' on the starboard tack, and fearing he would not be able to clear her, stayed under her lee, with the effect of being dead covered for four or five minutes, when the first bitter puff that came clear of the after leach of 'challenge's' mainsail whipped 'sheilah's' topmast over her side. she was immediately hove about, and her crew set to work to clear away the wreck, messrs. drury and dunne running aloft and casting off the topsail lacing; but before they could get the sail down or the rigging secured, it was found necessary to go about again in order to pass the mark on the proper hand, and four or five minutes banging about of the wreck to leeward laced everything up into such a horrible state of confusion that it took the crew all they knew to get the topsail below, the broken mast on deck, and the rigging secured. the 'challenge' in the meantime, capitally sailed and handled, crept away steadily, and the 'hinda' drew up on the 'sheilah,' while the 'sunshine' still kept the rear, not seeming to like the rough water. at hrs. mins. secs. the 'challenge' stayed round the buoy in kingstown harbour, followed by the 'sheilah' hrs. mins. secs., having her tricolour flag flying from her crosstree. the 'hinda' rounded at hrs. mins. secs., and the 'sunshine' at hrs. mins. secs. the wind was now much more westerly, and the squalls stronger. the 'sheilah' set her balloon foresail for the reach out, in hopes of lessening the distance between her and the leader, and certainly gained a little. after the gybe mr. french determined to shift his jib, especially as the starboard whisker had begun to buckle, and for this purpose gybed back and ran in under howth--a great loss of time, for when the boom came over again the 'hinda' was ahead. the 'sunshine,' after reaching rosebeg, carried away her mast bodily, some ft. from the deck, and the whole top-hamper fell overboard, leaving her helpless, and in anything but a pleasant predicament with so heavy a sea running, and the rocks of howth under her lee. however, several yachts and a tug went off to her assistance, and after drifting round the bailey, the tug got hold of her and brought her back, a sad wreck, to kingstown harbour. meanwhile the squalls were becoming sharper, and the sea heavier and more broken, threatening destruction to bowsprits and bobstays, as the little vessels wallowed in the trough. the 'sheilah,' showing her power, drew up abreast and close to the 'hinda' between the burfords, and all hands were admiring the way she was carrying her canvas, having her jib-topsail still aloft, and going like a bird, when crash! away went her mast, just under the hounds, leaving her quite as helpless as the 'sunshine,' but in clearer and more open water. no one was hurt, and the 'sheilah' at once triced up her tack, lowered her foresail, and hove to alongside her disabled consort in order to give help if required. her crew employed themselves, while waiting, in hauling down a reef. this 'challenge' perceived, and having matters quite safe, she at once followed suit, and made all snug for the thrash home of four miles; a happy matter for her, as her mast was badly sprung and might have gone at any moment. by the time the reefs were down, the 'whirlwind,' -ton yawl, belonging to mr. j. townsend, had hastened to the assistance of her disabled little sister, and sending a warp to her, took her in tow. the 'challenge,' on resuming her course, was well ahead, and eventually the race ended by her rounding the flagships at hrs. mins. secs., winning the prize for her owner, the helmsman's prize for mr. alec richardson, and tankards for her crew, who deserved them well for their pluck in coming from liverpool and for the way they sailed and handled their vessel. in addition to other damages, it was discovered on reaching the harbour that the 'sheilah's' mast, with the rigging and all, had settled down inches, having badly torn the wood of the mast, while 'challenge's' mast was also reported 'queer' aloft. the no. corinthian match, which took place in , would also give subject for much interesting reading and reflection did space permit, for smarter seamanship or a more exciting finish could not have been seen anywhere, not even in the bonny clyde. it is only right to say that the members of this little club spare no energy or pains in order to become efficient racing yachtsmen; and to go out on a dirty afternoon to practise under difficulties shifting sail, reefing down, sending up and housing topmast, reefing in bowsprit and seamanship in general, is one of the means that have been before now employed to bring about the state of perfection which is exhibited by its leading hands, and for which the club is and always has been so famous. at the beginning of the eighties the courses underwent some slight alterations, and as these hold good at the present day it may be found useful information if they are given here. no. course.--from outside kingstown harbour to the south bar buoy, thence to rosebeg bank buoy, the kish lightship, to a flagship moored off the east pier end; three times round-- miles. no. course.--the same as no. ; only twice round-- miles. no. course.--kingstown harbour to south bar buoy, thence to rosebeg bank buoy, north burford buoy, south burford buoy, to flagship moored off the east pier end; twice round-- miles. no. course.--same as no. , only once round, thence to south bar buoy and the flagship off the pier-- miles. no. course.--kingstown to south bar buoy, thence to a flagboat moored two miles s.e. half-e., and to the flagship; twice round-- miles. of the various new classes that have sprung up within the last ten years, perhaps that in which the -tonners 'rival,' 'duchess,' 'senta,' 'currytush,' and 'mimmie' are chiefly prominent has given about the most sport. of these little ships, the 'currytush,' one of the late mr. payton's greatest successes, could not only show her tail to the flyers of her class wherever she presented herself, but she gave the solent -ft. class a good dressing in a thrash to windward against a nasty head sea and in a hard blow. the small class for yachts of seven or six tons and under has always been a great favourite in dublin bay, but for two or three years a regular -ton class held sway, and the season of witnessed its dying kick in the coming together of the 'shona,' 'luath,' 'delvin,' and 'doris.' the 'luath' and 'doris' were new this season. the -ft. and -ft. open-boat classes, however, both have run these very fine in public favour, especially the latter. the rule of measurement adopted, and the conditions of sailing, are as follows:-- the extreme draft is not to exceed one-sixth of the load-water-line. the counter, if any, is not to exceed one-sixth of load-water-line, nor is the rabbit, where it intersects the afterside of the sternpost, to come nearer the surface of the water than in. the overhang of the bow, if any, is not to exceed one-sixth of the load-water-line. any excess of overhang beyond these limits must be added to the length of the load-water-line, and the result taken for class and time-allowance. the whole overhang of any counter, whose rabbit, where it crosses the afterside of the sternpost, is less than in. above the surface of the water, must be added to the length of the load-water-line, and the result taken as the length for class and time-allowance. the crew, including helmsman, is not to exceed one man for every ft. or fraction of ft. one of these may be a paid hand. centreboard boats are allowed to compete, but the plates are never to be lowered beyond the limit of one-sixth of their load-water-line and must be kept down at a fixed draught during the whole race. (if the latter part of this rule has been altered, it is only lately that the alteration has been made.) the royal alfred yacht club is still houseless, and keeps to its original purpose of devoting all its available funds to the encouragement of match-sailing. it has lost within the last few years the valuable assistance of its late secretary, mr. james a. lyle, who might almost be said to have fathered the club from its earliest infancy; but with a foundation so ably laid, a working team of thoroughly practical seamen to officer and steady the helm (and to whom i am greatly indebted for the help given me in compiling this paper), the members have every reason to be proud of the position their association holds as a representative racing yacht club. "graphic cruisers" of dublin bay _notes by the hon. skipper_ a lovely night, a gentle breeze, a glassy, heaving ebb, all sail set, the boat coaxingly pulling at her moorings, her port and starboard eyes bright and glistening, her punts (choked with artists' sketchings, gear, and a gun-case or two) safe at the davits; her deck rather littered with gladstones and canvas bags; a murmuring sound from below, accompanied by a light clatter of coffee cups: on deck are only 'billy' (our cook), 'jack,' the 'boy' (general fag and washer-up), and the 'skipper' (one of the party selected by ballot for the cruise). the buoy is overboard, 'jack' hauls the stays'l to windward, billy lowers the chain silently through the hawse, the 'iris' gently glides from among the surrounding boats, and is off for a week or two, heavily laden with an artistic, musical, medical, legal, and other 'crew' seeking relaxation, and a recovery from that dyspepsia which sooner or later overtakes every hard worker in this so-called temperate climate. [illustration: outward bound.] in this boat the passengers are converted into 'crew'; all must work, all obey the lawful commands of the skipper for the time being, though perchance he may not be the best sailor; and although some of the members are crack yachtsmen, all loyally avoid offering nautical advice _unasked_. each is allotted some particular duty. one is medical officer, another is second in command, and the most onerous task is that accepted by the 'steward.' he is generously assisted by the advice of such of the crew as have had experience, and has 'billy' and 'the boy' to carry out his behests; neither of the latter appearing much on deck, for the boat is worked in easy watches by the 'crew.' it would almost appear that some insidious apology should prelude a description of such a homely and slow craft as that selected for this occasion; but, as she fills a space in the different classes of yachts, and has proved an unspeakable comfort for the purposes intended, these, and the means adopted, may have an interest for many who enjoy quiet pursuits. the crew was a typical one. there were several artists, several ardent naturalists, and a photographer (a lawyer, who could prove to demonstration that a photographer _might_ also be an artist), and all practised music. the cruise was limited to dublin bay and a few harbours north and south. some of the most beautiful spots, from an artist's point of view, cannot be reached in a deep boat, and so our draught was limited to less than ft. in., a condition complied with by the 'iris.' she is ft. long over all, with a beam of ft. in., diagonally built of mahogany, with a metal keel, as well as internal ballast cast to fit her. her mid-transverse section shows a rather barrelled bottom, but her form forward and aft is such that she rolls very little; and, for this reason, and also from the fact that her saloon table is not far from the plane of her centre of rolling motion, the swinging apparatus of the dining-table has been removed, and it is now a satisfactory fixture. as it was intended to frequent shallow waters and dry harbours like howth, lambay, rush, skerries, wicklow, &c., provision had to be made for taking the ground comfortably. it is not possible to do this with 'legs.' there is always a doubt on the mind of the responsible officer as to which side she is likely to cant, and whilst on one side of the boat there may be good hard sandy ground, on the other may be a patch of soft mud, into which the leg may gently subside if she unfortunately happen to cant in that direction. again, the time when the tide will leave her may be some hours hence, and a weary waiting ensues, perhaps after a stiff passage, when all hands long to 'turn in.' of course, when you have a paid crew, they do the waiting; but a paid crew in this cruise would in great measure defeat the main object of the expedition. [illustration: section of 'iris.'] to obviate the necessity for 'legs,' a simple and efficient substitute is shown in the transverse section. two deep bilge pieces feet long are bolted to broad stringers above the timbers, and extend fore and aft some feet longer than the bilge pieces, thus distributing the strain over a large portion of the boat. they are wide at the skin, and taper downwards. the bolts are inserted diagonally, and the bilge pieces are shod with keel bands; they are modelled on the outsides, but the inner faces are flat and _almost_ parallel, being further apart aft than forward by one inch, for reasons that need not here be mentioned. such a contrivance helps to improve the leeway of so shallow a boat, although not proportionately to the area immersed. it is objectionable on grounds set forth by kemp and others, as offering a larger surface for friction than is the coefficient for the lateral gain; but it is a great comfort when you have to take the ground and wish to have dinner with ease of mind (a necessity with a dyspeptic), and a joyful exchange for the sloppy, and lumbering, and inconvenient and unsteady 'legs.' [illustration: section of 'iris,' showing permanent legs.] the boat is 'ketch' rigged--probably the safest of all rigs, and certainly the simplest and least laborious to be worked by few hands; indeed, this boat has been worked to windward in a narrow tideway, single-handed, over and over again. this comfortable rig was determined upon after many experiments. the boat was originally schooner-rigged, with sails by lapthorn; but she would not wear, at least quickly enough for safety, in narrow waters and crooked channels, especially in strong winds. this difficulty in 'wearing' is common to many good-sized boats. quite recently i saw a revenue cutter charging away towards a bank with several hands at the tiller, and the main sheet eased off without affecting her mad career until the officer scandalised her mainsail; then she slowly yielded the point, and just cleared the bank by tearing up the sand and mud, leaving a yellow track behind her. again, during the recent racing season, the pilot-boat (about sixty tons) started from kingstown harbour for her cruising ground. the old pilot at the helm sucked his pipe with confident air as she slipped; you could almost imagine his saying, 'this old boat and i are old chums; i know her. see how, with one finger on the tiller, i make her gracefully fall off to avoid that group of yachts ahead!' suddenly the smile disappears; the pipe is chucked from his mouth. she won't fall off! she is charging bang into the yachts! the old man's legs are toughened out, and both hands grasp the tiller, as a shout from the man forward, who is hauling the jib to windward, calls the attention of the other pilots aboard, and one who grasps the situation rushes to the peak-halliards and scandalises the mainsail; then she tears away showing her copper as she fills, while skippers around fire a volley of muttered blanks at the 'old tub' as she makes for the harbour's mouth. but with the ketch-rig the helmsman of the 'iris,' by manipulating the mizzen-sheet, threads her in safety to or from the wind along a shallow tortuous gut left by the fallen tide. remember she is ft. by ft. in., and with _a draught of less than ft. in._ her ability to take the ground upright is a source of gratification to the artistic members of her crew; neither flowing nor ebbing tide, nor a shift of wind, makes it necessary to alter the positions of the sketching-seats, easels are a convenience that may be comfortably indulged in, and then the operations of the steward are not disturbed. but there is another great advantage in being able to take the ground in this manner when you have to stop in harbours that are nearly half dry at low water--an advantage having a large element of safety, and best illustrated by a case in point, an incident in our recent cruise. we had spent the night on the beach at ireland's eye, an island north of howth, rich in geological, archæological, and botanic interest. on one side a shingle and a silver strand, a ruined abbey, and a charming view. on the other, wild and romantic cliffs, thousands of sea birds, a smuggler's cave, a seal cave, and a very remarkable profile rock. here in the summer you may see a lord justice picnicking with his family, a bankruptcy judge, a gallant and skilful yachtsman, prowling after rabbits, a churchill gazing at profile rock and smoking like a furnace, an academician describing the hermit's cell, a citizen from dublin dining with his friends, an excursion of the dublin sketching club working in platoons, and, should lovely harmony startle the night air, perhaps some members of an opera company have come down by the last train after the performance to breathe the fresh air and sleep aboard the 'iris.' [illustration: the bailey, dublin bay.] well, as i said, we spent the night at ireland's eye, and in the morning found the barometer dropping rapidly far away at the harbour on the mainland. the coastguards had hoisted the one point downwards, indicating a gale from the south'ard. we were in perfect shelter, but as we had arranged to help the tennis club entertainment that afternoon by playing some stringed instruments, we hoisted sail and made for howth harbour, coming to anchor in nice time to escape the preliminary bursts of the truthfully predicted 'blow.' the wind blew off shore, and so there was no send or swell in the harbour. we were free to anchor in very shallow water, careless whether we were left high and dry or not, and herein lay our safety, not from wind nor wave, but from vessels rushing for shelter into the small and crowded portion of the harbour where the water is deep, and also from craft dragging. last year, during a gale off shore, eleven boats of different sizes, one an iron steamer, dragged into a corner of the harbour and crunched one another into matchwood. there was no '_sea_,' only a disordered and irregular 'chop.' the 'iris,' drawing only a few feet of water and anchored within an inch or two of the bottom, could not be approached by any dragging or sailing boat of greater draught; long before reaching her they would be fast aground. [illustration: 'graphic' artists at work during the gale of october , .] in the evening, after our labours for our friends ashore had been satisfactorily completed, we pulled aboard fairly dry, and in a few moments were seated at dinner, the boat perfectly upright and immovable, with about ft. in. of water around us. the lamps gave a rich glow of colour and glitter to our table, all the more comfortable from the contrast with the sudden cold without and the howling and moaning of the gale. after coffee we lounged on deck, well wrapped up, to enjoy a cigar and observe the storm. the lighthouse lamps burned brilliantly, and the anchor lights of the craft in harbour flickered and struggled for a feeble existence, their movements showing that over there at any rate there was rolling and uneasiness. here, our steadiness was enjoyable, as was also our dry deck, due to our bulwarks of over ft. high. suddenly above the breakwater appeared a black pyramid, growing bigger every moment; then another, then many. they were fishing-vessels beating for the harbour for shelter, but they slowly disappeared one by one; they had gone about on the other tack; we might shortly expect them in. soon there struggled in the narrow mouth the shadow of a close-reefed trawler of sixty tons or so. why does she stop? is she on the rocks at the light? no, she has missed stays; there is not room to do more than drift astern, and she disappears in the darkness. and in less than half an hour she will try again, for the harbour has a difficult entrance. a few minutes afterwards there rushes in a more fortunate vessel; then comes another, and another--each in turn makes straight for us, but we smoke quietly; we know they cannot approach. still they are near enough to enable us to hear, above the fighting winds, the shrill cries of the men to 'let draw,' or 'hold on, pat,' the rattling of blocks, the vicious flap of the canvas and shock of the heavy boom as each vessel goes about, and soon the rattling of cables as anchors are dropped, followed by such silence as the gale permits, while the men seek some rest after a heavy battle with nature. in the meantime the occupants of the other boats at anchor have had serious moments; dangerously near came some of the fishing vessels, and even when anchors had been let go anxious eyes blinkingly peered against the salt, blinding wind to see if the trawlers' anchors held, and that the boats were not drifting down upon them with inevitable result. skippers also watched their own holding gear with some concern; for if one of these crafts dragged, she would be broken up against the breakwater, and should she be fortunate enough to ground she would be down at the ebb, but, especially if she were a racer, she would not rise again with the next flow. here we leave them and go below to our comparatively calm and safe berths, knowing that even should it calm down by morning we shall see tired and worn faces around us, and that we, thanks to our substitute for 'legs,' shall have slept in ease and peace, and awakened refreshed in body and in mind. in order to get headroom there is 'trunk' 'rise' on the deck, as shown on the cross-section drawing, in. high (in one place higher) and some ft. long, leaving a conveniently wide gangway on the deck at either side; this rise has a number of dead lights at the sides, as well as skylights above; and during its infancy the boat was severely criticised. she was called the 'tramcar,' and had other more opprobrious compliments paid her. as to her speed, there were sundry allusions to crabs and their propensities for walking backwards. it was therefore excusable, taking into account the windage due to the superstructures and high bulwarks, and to the general form of the boat and also to the bilge pieces, if we had very humble notions as to the speed of the 'iris'; and although we all believed in 'the craft you sail in,' it was with some amazement that we found her unexpectedly fast in reaching, and therefore fast with the wind aft. this particularly struck us one morning when we saw a fine racing-cruiser rounding the bailey. the wind was fresh and free; someone said, 'here comes charlie. watch how he will swoop past us in his triumph.' but charlie didn't triumph, neither did he swoop; we watched carefully until we saw that _charlie was going astern!_--a fact that surprised us as much as it did charlie. [illustration: her majesty's mails.] again, many said that a boat with such a high freeboard and so little draught would not claw off a lee-shore in a bad sea; but as she was designed for artist's work chiefly in local waters, where there is protection every four or five miles, it was not intended that she should be submitted to heavy weather. we always had a lurking suspicion that she would not do very well in a seaway, but here we were again agreeably surprised; for, seizing a favourable opportunity, we brought her round the nose of howth (as nasty a spot as anyone could wish in dirty weather), and there we put her through her facings, with the result that we found her an able vessel, safe to stay even when much knocked about, and when we purposely allowed her to make a stern board, with the aid of the mizzen, we could put her head in which direction we chose. several steamers passed us during the trials, and these were shipping tons of water, while we did not take a cupful. around the boat, six inches below the covering board, is a very wide 'rubbing-piece,' a ribband of 'thumb' moulding, whose form will be understood by reference to the cross-section drawing. this projects some inches from the side of the boat, and the effect of this small bead in throwing off seas is most remarkable. often have we watched green lumps of water lapping up her sides with a rush that threatened to bring them over the bulwarks in the next instant, especially at her bows, but on reaching this 'stroke' the whole mass seemed diverted outward, and to drop back into the sea. true it is that action and reaction are equal and opposite, and the momentum of the wave must have been communicated to the boat in some way (likely to be detrimental to her speed and affecting her leeway), but we were unable to realise practically any injurious effect to at all balance the pleasure of a dry boat. such, indeed, is the general success of the boat as a quiet, safe cruiser, that it is intended to have a new one designed by some crack authority with better lines, built of steel, with the important existing features adhered to, but doubtless with much improvement in the speed. as to the rigging, the stays'l carries a boom and the sheet travels on a 'horse,' the jibsheets run aft, and the mizzen-sheet is made fast to a cleat on the under side of the mizzen-boom; thus the helmsman can put her about single-handed if he please. in smooth water he puts the helm down, and, when she fills on the other tack, shifts the jib. in a short sea, if she is likely to lose way in stays, he puts the helm down, slips a loop over it, then hauls on the mizzen-sheet till the sail is fore and aft, when she goes about with certainty. he then shifts jib; he does not take the sheet from the cleat, but simply hauls on the fall; consequently the sail does not require adjustment when the vessel fills. in smooth water, such as the broads or windermere, or the liffey estuary, no particular tactics are needed in going about, but in the frequently troubled water of dublin bay these matters are noteworthy when we remember that she is feet long, has a beam of ft. in., and draws only ft. in. of water. [illustration: storm without, calm within.] [illustration: kingstown, dublin bay.] _report of the hon. medical officer_ in one of the steamers of which i had medical charge it was a common saying that all that was medicinally required by the crew and passengers was a weekly dose of 'one pint of sulphur wash and oz. bilge nails,' and that teeth might be drawn by the 'key of the kelson.' no such drastic treatment should be required on a yachting cruise, but a few medicines and surgical appliances should always be on board, and the sanitary condition of the boat should be rigorously and minutely inspected, not only before starting, but daily during the cruise, be it long or short. to begin with, before stores or passengers come aboard i have the carpet or other covering taken up and some of the flooring lifted along the entire length of the boat, and i carefully see that no fragments of food, animal or vegetable, have accidentally got about the ballast, that no pieces of paper, however small, nor sawdust, nor shavings, nor 'matter out of its proper place' of any kind whatever, is left below the flooring. i personally see that the limbers are cleared, and that a copious flush of water redolent of calcium chloride or 'sanitas' is poured in forward and pumped out of the well aft. next, i inspect the sail lockers, and if there be any musty smell, i have the sails, &c., removed on deck and hung up to thoroughly dry; in the meantime the locker beams and ceiling are washed over with a solution of chloride of lime and thoroughly aired. the steward's store lockers and cooking utensils are carefully examined, a solution of potassic permanganate being freely used; the mattresses are turned over and searched for the slightest mouldiness, and, if any be detected, are sent ashore to be taken asunder and stoved; the lockers under the berths are aired, and the indian matting with which the bunks are lined taken down and examined, and, should there be any mustiness, which will surely be the case if it has not been kept dry, i condemn it and get fresh--fortunately it is a cheap material. the w.c.'s are of the underline type and consequently require rigorous examination, as that kind is subject to leakage, and they should always be provided with simple means for tightening up the joints, and so devised that all the strains due to pumping, &c., are self-contained. there should also be an automatic supply of a strong solution of permanganate of potash every time the w.c. pump is used. besides this, however, i always make the boy pour in a pint of strong permanganate solution night and morning, and with a good air-draught, secured by having the door made so that there are several inches above and below between it and its frame, i have never had the slightest reason to doubt the efficiency of the apparatus as a sanitary appliance. earth-closets are a delusion; you cannot get earth, nor even sand, when on a cruise, and there are other serious objections. carpets should be examined for mould in the interstices of the material, and should any be detected, however slight, the carpets should be taken ashore--they cannot be properly treated in a small boat. in short, fungoid life of any kind must be stamped out, and it is to be observed that yachts of every kind, and especially small ones, are peculiarly subject to this kind of parasite, for it frequently happens that boats are not inhabited, or only partially so, for some weeks, or even months. without fires in the cabins, or other means adopted to withstand the moist air inseparable from the conditions, then it is that the microscopic fungoid plants flourish. anon, fires are lighted, the air becomes dried, people move about, currents of air sweep through the cabins, and the spores, invisible to the naked eye, are wafted in myriads about the saloon, sleeping-cabins, and galley, until they come to rest on some moist place, there to propagate again if not checked. fortunately, when the moist place happens to be the mucous membrane of our nostrils, the spores betray their presence, for the motion produced by the impact due to such shape and weight and composition produce the sensations which we term 'a musty smell.' i have frequently noticed objectionable odours of this class about many fine yachts, and most small ones, but they are never absent from short-voyage cross-channel steamers; these almost invariably reek with them to such an extent that often strong, good sailors feel ill before the vessel leaves the wharf. with such precautions as i have outlined, almost any boat may be made 'sweet.' accidents of a serious nature involving surgical aid seldom occur in yachts; and if the cruise be a short one, a couple of needles, a scalpel, a forceps for extracting splinters, a stronger one for fish-hooks, a thermometer, and a long strip, two inches wide, of india-rubber sticking-plaster rolled up in an air-tight tin-box, will enable one to meet any case likely to arise. and for medicine i carry a mild aperient, magnesia cit., in bottles with air-tight covers, a supply of compound zymine (a most valuable ferment), and burroughs's pocket-case. phosphates i administer by selecting the food of the person under treatment. and i see that there is an abundant supply of fruits on board. often i have noticed individuals in a yachting party come aboard for a cruise of a few weeks, all life and gaiety, and next day be quite depressed by the reaction from the excitement and novelty of the change. such a person requires a little immediate treatment, or several days may elapse before he or she will be fit to enjoy the pleasures of the situation. it is necessary that there should be agreeable amusements to occupy the minds of the party, when lamps are lighted and all assembled in the saloon; and the function of providing these in some measure falls within the doctor's duty. the food should be carefully considered by the medical officer. when a party of very young men embark on a yachting excursion they seldom pay much attention to the quality of this necessary fuel; quantity appears to be with them the important consideration. but when the party consists mainly of men who have already embarked upon the responsibilities of life, men whose brain power is severely taxed, the _cuisine_ must be such that, although they be not persons who 'live to eat,' they can regard the table as an additional attraction to the company surrounding it. one of the most important elements towards the smooth working of the whole party is the presence of a lady, wife or mother or daughter of a member; her advent has a humanizing influence on the male members, however diverging their temperaments may be. if she be an artist or a musician (every lady should be a musician in its best sense) and does not object to smoking--if she be an artist she _won't_--in a properly ventilated, not draughty, cabin, her presence will be still more appreciated; and whether she be ashore or afloat, the fact that a gentlewoman is a member of the party helps to give a peaceful restful glamour to the whole cruise. these remarks are intended to apply chiefly to small vessels. in large steamers, transatlantic or others, the duties of the medical officer are rather directed to restoring people when they have become ill. on a yachting cruise his great aim should be to keep people well. _notes by the hon. steward_ when i first accepted this post i felt rather inclined to resign at once, for when the party came on board i was saluted with what were intended to be facetious orders. it was nothing but, 'steward! take care of this ammunition.' 'steward! let me have some soap and hot water; get my bag down from deck and let me have a brandy and soda, and, look here! be quick about it, like a good fellow.' but having often benefited by the efforts of predecessors, i endured the good-natured badinage, which died off after the first day. my first duty was to see that the cooking appliances, cutlery, and table furniture were in good serviceable condition; and i found that 'billy' had the entire service present on parade. the stove was a cast-iron one, a 'fortress,' smith & wellstood, of glasgow. it is a remarkable success. though perhaps a little large for a small boat, as a great piece of the trunk deck was removable in fine weather, and the galley was otherwise well ventilated in cold, the heat was never objected to--at any rate 'billy' never mentioned it. catering for a cruise lasting a day or two, however large the party, does not call for any special remark, as it is easily done; but a cruise of more than four or five days in a yacht of limited accommodation involves some forethought as regards a _menu_ offering a sufficient and agreeable variety. if you can calculate on making harbour periodically, arrangements may be made to have provisions sent from town to the railway station, to be called for. but in that case you are tied to call, and this fixity of programme is objected to by 'graphics.' it follows that the provisions for the whole cruise must be carried. now, as regards meats, flies are great enemies to the satisfactory hanging of meat in a boat. it is surprising the number one comes across on a coasting trip. i have often met three or four bees or wasps far away from shore, and big bluebottles turn up in the galley, unexpected and unwelcome guests. one of these is sufficient to make several joints of meat very objectionable in forty-eight hours. a perfect corrective for this state of things is a co_{ } box--that is, a box like a refrigerator, fairly air-tight, and with a communication from a small steel cylinder of compressed carbonic-acid gas; this gas is in a liquid state, and a little is allowed to expand into the box occasionally. so long as there is carbonic-acid gas in the box, the lamb, or mutton, or beef, or other food, will not be troubled with insect life, larvæ or otherwise. if it be desired to cool the contents of the box, a good gush of the liquid gas is admitted. as it expands into the gaseous state it absorbs heat, and a temperature of - º c. has thus been produced. the carbonic acid used is a by-product, hitherto wasted, from the fermenting tuns of breweries. it is now collected and pumped into steel cylinders. i am informed that before long it will be sold for _d._ per pound liquid: at present the price is _d._ in dublin. in practice we do not use so low a temperature as that above mentioned, which would blister some hands, and leaves a hoar frost over the contents of the box. we simply fill the box with gas at ordinary temperature, taking advantage only of its antiseptic properties. we have kept lobsters under a little pressure for six months. at the end of that time they had not parted with the delicate flavour of fresh lobster, and were totally unlike the tinned lobster one buys, which, with nearly all the tinned meats i know of, will keep you from starvation, and that is all that can be said in their behalf. the prolonged high temperature to which they must be subjected in order to kill the bacillic spores practically destroys the best qualities of the natural juices. some of the tinned vegetables are good and nutritious. apples, french peas, french beans, pineapples, sweet corn, potatoes, pears, peaches, and tomatoes, arranged in order of merit as i have found them, are invaluable in a boat; but before using them examine the tins inside, especially those containing acid fruits. if the tins display a beautiful crystalline pattern inside, the contents should be dropped into cold water and rinsed for a few minutes before using. in any case the peas and beans and apples should invariably be rinsed in an abundant supply of cold water, and the fluid contents of the tins thrown away. it often surprises me that the makers of tins for 'canning' purposes do not invariably use those that are enamelled or 'glazed' inside; then there would be no fear of metallic oxides. at present, for what reason i will not state positively, the soups sold in tins do not agree with people. the flavours and the different kinds certainly afford variety enough, and would be unspeakably convenient aboard; but any experimenter, who has not a stomach like an ostrich, will find that if he uses these for a few days he will be ill. i make the statement without qualification. you cannot make any kind of soup in an ordinary way that will keep in bottle. the 'extracts of meat' do not contain any nourishing property; in fact, if you take any two animals, human or otherwise, feed one on water only, and the other on 'extracts of meat' only, the latter will be _sure_ to die first (proven). as a consequence of all this we find it desirable to make our soups aboard, and for that purpose carry meats, &c., in the carbonic-acid box i have described. [illustration: ringsend, dublin.] [illustration: monkstown, dublin bay.] but the 'extracts of meat' _are_ of great use in making rich and delicious gravies. they may not be very economical, but that cannot be perfectly studied in a boat, and it is possible to dress up the not too stewed contents of the stewpot, after the soup has been poured off, with a few capers, a little salt, a suspicion of pepper, and a thickened gravy made of 'extract of beef,' just thick enough to make a coating around each piece of meat--call it 'stewed beef,' or a more elaborate name if you like--and you will find that not only will none of it be left, but also no one will suspect it to be the remains of the soup at table a quarter of an hour before. the fish we have had meantime, it goes without saying, considering we are in dublin bay, is abundant and delicious. i do not know why dublin bay herrings should have such a delicate and inimitable flavour. the fish are much smaller than the scotch herrings and are beautifully marked, and require only a drop or two of harvey's sauce (lazenby's) to bring out the proper flavour--they are of course grilled. [illustration: ireland's eye.] with the small stores i have found it economical and convenient to set aside portions for each day. thus, if the cruise is to be for ten days, i wrap up ten portions of cheese, for example, in air-tight paper, and there is not a moment's loss of time when cheese is required for dinner. butter for each day is similarly kept in jars; that which is over after each day is not wasted. bread is kept in glazed earthen crocks with covers; salt in glazed earthenware jars; tea and coffee in bottles with air-tight screw covers; everything that can be put into an air-tight case is so protected, and each case has a particular fitting in a particular locker, so that no time is lost looking for it, no room is wasted, and if the boat gives a lurch or two nothing falls about nor is spilled. in a coasting cruise you can always send a boat ashore for plenty of fresh vegetables; but, except fish, eggs, and crustacea, you cannot get any other good provisions at any provincial place of call. 'billy,' our cook, had been to sea on a coaster, where he filled a similar berth. his ideas of the perfection of cooking took the direction of 'plum duff,' of course taking especial care that most of the plums were at one end, the end the skipper would be sure to select. we had no 'plum duff' in the 'iris,' but billy's training was of such use that little instruction was needed to enable him to make a very respectable orange pudding, and to deftly and lightly make a paste suitable as a cover for any baked dish. in utilising food that is always at hand in a cruising boat, as crabs, scollops, oysters, &c., few can excel a sailor cook after he has been carefully shown how to dress them; and to this end it is necessary that the hon. steward should be able to perform each operation himself. it is not sufficient to have a cookery book aboard; as a general rule some little petty detail is omitted, it may be a quantity, or a matter of _modus operandi_, which perplexes the operator at the critical moment and makes the dish a solemn doubt. on the other hand, if the hon. steward selects such recipes as he thinks will be useful from some good cookery books, and practically tests them ashore, he will be able to find out the weak points and amend them, and will have the gratification to know that the crew is not doing violence to itself by tasting his dishes in commiseration for his feelings. in small craft it too often, indeed nearly always, happens, that the feeding department is very crudely dealt with, and the material aliment itself is adequately described by the half-raw, half-boiled, stale, tough, naked generic term of 'grub.' 'water wags' and 'mermaids' of dublin bay by thomas b. middleton kingstown is the headquarters of the royal alfred yacht club, the royal irish yacht club, the royal st. george yacht club, and several minor sailing clubs, including the water wags. the pleasantest part of a coast to reside on is, perhaps, that which has a sandy beach shelving gently down into deep water. along such a beach in fine weather boating, bathing, and fishing are easy and enjoyable occupations; the wavelets ripple, making soft music with the pebbles, and the little skiff lies half in the water waiting to be stepped into and pushed off. but such halcyon weather cannot always be counted on in this climate. the waves are not always ripples; they quickly turn first to breakers and then to a heavy surf, that surges up to the highest water mark if the weather becomes at all broken or the wind comes in from the sea, and consequently the boatman must be prepared to deal with such a change when it occurs, and overcome the many difficulties then presented. [illustration: mermaids of dublin bay sailing club. water-wag dublin bay. _all matches sailed under rules of the water-wag club_] first, the boat cannot be left anchored in the open, as she will surely be lost or damaged in a gale. she must therefore be able 'to take the ground handsomely'; that is, she cannot have a deep keel, for her bottom must be broad and flat; and, secondly, she cannot have any weight of ballast in her, as it would fatally strain her when she stranded, and make her too heavy to draw out of the reach of the waves. now, a boat with no keel and no ballast makes, as everyone knows, a bad sailor; in fact, she will only run dead before the wind like a duck's feather on the water: so a little keel of in. or in. is generally used, and the boat ballasted with sandbags filled on the beach, or stones, which are emptied or thrown overboard before landing again. this plan has the objections of being very laborious and making the boat very heavy to launch. if she ships two or three seas in the operation she becomes hopelessly submerged, and the advantages gained are very slight, as such a boat will scarcely sail closer to the wind than a broad reach--even then making considerable leeway and being very slow and uncertain in stays. it was to improve on this state of affairs on the beach of this description that is to be found at shankill, in the county of dublin, that the 'water wag' was evolved from a norwegian _pram_, into which a boiler-plate was fitted for a centreboard as an experiment. this novel craft was called the 'cemiostama.' she was built in the year , and was a great success; she sailed like a witch, carried a large sail with ease without any ballast save the iron-plate, worked well to windward without making any leeway, spun round like a top when the tiller was put down, and when the boiler-plate was raised she ran in on the surf, floated in a few inches of water, and eventually sat on the strand on her flat bottom. the plate (which weighed nearly cwt.) was then lifted out of her, and she became as light to haul up as an ordinary shore skiff. it was accordingly decided to build seven or eight centreboard double-ended -ft. punts with great beam ( ft. in.), full lines, and a flat floor. the ft. was chosen as the best size that two persons could haul up without help, a larger boat being too heavy for two, and consequently liable to damage by being left in the surf while help was being obtained; and the round stern was to divide the surf when the forepart stranded, and prevent it jumping into the boat as it does in the case of a square stern. in order that these boats might have an occasional race between themselves, to preserve the type and to save the expense of outbuilding and the trouble of handicapping and time allowance, it was further arranged that all the boats should be built on the same lines, and the canvas limited to a cruising amount. this was accordingly done, and they proved themselves to be such good seaboats, and so generally useful for two or three amateurs to amuse themselves along the shore in, that 'the water wag association' was started in , to further develope and preserve the principles of the class. though it was started by boys, several older wags joined, and as the boat was never designed for speed, the racing was not originally intended to be hard-down serious sport, but more a sort of friendly sail round a course in boats all alike, and that consequently should be all together; but of course skill in working would bring one to the front and make her harder to catch. hence the rollicking title 'water wag,' and the institution of a king and queen, bishops, knights, and rooks, to manage the affairs of the club, their chief duties being to get up as much fun and as many jolly water excursions as possible. the first two or three seasons saw this idea carried out with great success; but gradually the racing grew more keen and serious, until it eventually became the sole object for which the boats assembled, so much so that it is now nothing but racing from early in april till late in september. the water wags' own races are held round kingstown harbour (the head quarters having migrated there when the generation which formed the shankill corinthian sailing club grew up and disintegrated over the world); others are got up for them by the dublin bay sailing club in scotchman's bay, outside the harbour, and there are races at the local regattas at kingstown, dalkey bray, greystones, wicklow, clontarf, howth, and malahide; so that since the class was started they have had nearly competitions. they have greatly increased in numbers, and have become quite a local type of small boats in kingstown, as they work in and out through the yachts and shipping, and are very handy to take four or five persons in to listen to the bands from the water. they are not confined to kingstown harbour, however, as they have sent representatives to the river plate, hong kong, the persian gulf, australia, and many foreign ports. their principle has been largely adopted in the b division of the dublin bay sailing club, which consists of -ft. boats, called 'mermaids,' which are practically large water wags, being entirely open, with -feet beam, fitted with centreboard and carrying no ballast. these have a limited racing sail-area of feet, but they are not further confined as to shape, and some have the rounded stern and some the square. they are very fast, lively boats, requiring a crew of three or four nimble hands, principally to be employed in shifting ballast, and they give a great deal of sport, as many as twelve or fourteen starting in a race every saturday afternoon. the 'water wag' costs complete between _l._ and _l._, a silk racing lug from lapthorn and ratsey alone coming to _l._ _s._ mcallister, of dumbarton, built most of them; but atkinson, of bullock, co. dublin, and doyle, of kingstown, have built many more. in handling, the skipper--especially if he is a tiro at the art--must be very careful, as sq. ft. of canvas, and a -ft. mast in a -ft. boat, without ballast, require attention and caution if there are any puffs knocking round; so that the mainsheet must never be made fast, no matter how fine and calm the weather is; the halliards should also run very free, and the oars should always be carried, in case it becomes judicious to lower the sail in a squall. but a little practice will enable the skipper to sail his boat without danger during weather that any small open boat can be out in; and it is really marvellous what weather and seas the water wags have gone through. sailing out of sight of help in any small open boat is to be deprecated, and no exception to this rule is to be made with water wags, as they unquestionably run a risk of filling in unskilful hands; but, in that event, the absence of ballast is an advantage, for they do not go to the bottom as a ballasted boat will, but will actually support their crew if no attempt is made to climb up on them. a lug of sq. ft. is ample to begin with; and for most days when not racing, and for single-handed sailing, a reef should be taken in, or two kegs of water-ballast carried, unless on a very fine day. the following sailing regulations are carefully enforced during racing:-- only the boats of members shall compete in the races, and as it is one of the fundamental principles of the water wags that the boats shall be similar in every respect save sail-plan, it shall be in the power of the officer of the day to disqualify any boat that, in his opinion, is trying to gain an unfair advantage by infringing the above principle. each boat shall not carry more than three or less than two persons during a race, all of whom shall be amateurs, and shall be steered by either a member or a lady. and no money shall be awarded to a boat for a walk-over, but she may fly a flag therefor. each boat shall carry on all proceedings of the water wags, all her platforms, floorings, thwarts, and stern sheets, also a pair of oars not less than ft. long, with spurs or rowlocks for same; also, either one solid cork ring-shaped life-buoy, not less than in. in external diameter, and capable of floating for three hours lbs. of iron suspended therefrom, or two smaller ones of the same material and shape, which shall each float for the same time lbs. of iron; or they may substitute a cork life-belt that will float lbs. for three hours for each of the small life-buoys, providing each life-belt is worn the entire time the boat is afloat. before taking a prize the owner of the boat shall declare to the party awarding it that the spirit of this rule has been carried out. and it shall also be the duty of every other competitor to protest against a boat without a life-buoy. the life-buoys shall rest unattached to anything in the boat, with nothing over or resting on them, so that they will immediately float out in the event of a capsize. all persons on board who cannot swim yards are requested to _wear_ life-jackets. the following are the limitations of a 'water wag' -footer: length over all, ft.; beam, ft. in.; depth and lines, that of model a. centreboard to be of iron and pivoted at forward end of casing. length shall not exceed ft. when hauled up flush with top of casing, no portion shall project below keel. immersed surface below keel shall not exceed - / sq. ft. thickness at any point shall not exceed / of an inch. keel outside garboard strake, inclusive of thickness of keelband, if any, shall not exceed in depth - / in. keelband of iron, brass, or copper, not to exceed in thickness / in. stem and stern post.--moulded depth of, to be clear of hood by not less than in. kedge not to exceed lbs. no metal cable allowed. no ballast of any description save water. mast not to exceed over all ft., measured from top of keel to truck, and not to be stepped above keel more than in. fore and aft sails not to exceed sq. ft. in area. spinnaker not to exceed sq. ft. in area, and is only to be used before the wind, and in no case as a jib. a full-sized tracing of the builder's moulds can be obtained by sending _s._ to the society for employment of women kildare street, dublin. [illustration: 'king's fisher,' .] [illustration: commodore thomas taylor, of the cumberland fleet, .] chapter iv the thames clubs and windermere the royal thames yacht club by edward walter castle and robert castle in the year was founded the 'cumberland fleet,' and as the royal thames yacht club is its lineal descendant, the latter may with all justice claim the title of the 'mother of yacht-racing,' at least in great britain. the year was a most important epoch in thames yachting, and we think the lines and drawing of our first cup-winning yacht should be given here. the 'king's fisher,' as the sketch shows, was clinker built. her owner, commodore thomas taylor of the cumberland fleet, was so thoroughly the practical founder of yacht racing on the thames that his statue should be placed on the thames embankment--with a bronze plaque of his yacht and the cups he won--and if times are too bad to go that length, a medallion portrait plaque could go on the temple embankment arch, for the 'king's fisher' was built close by. her dimensions, as shown in her lines, were, length ft., beam ft. the cumberland fleet, or, as it is often called, the cumberland sailing society, was founded under the following circumstances. [illustration: the 'king's fisher,' , midship section.] in the year of grace the first rowing regatta that was ever held in england took place upon the thames--on june . previously to this, however, a meeting of 'several very respectable gentlemen, proprietors of sailing vessels and pleasure boats on the river,'[ ] held their annual meeting at battersea, and resolved that on the regatta day they would draw up in a line opposite ranelagh gardens, so as not to be in the way of the competing rowing boats. on july of the same year an advertisement appears in the 'advertiser,' that his royal highness henry frederick, duke of cumberland (a brother of george iii., and an admiral in the british navy) was about to give a silver cup[ ] to be sailed for on july . the advertisement is as follows:-- a silver cup, the gift of his royal highness the duke of cumberland, is to be sailed for on tuesday, the th instant, from westminster bridge to putney bridge and back, by pleasure sailing boats, from two to five tons burthen, and constantly lying above london bridge. any gentleman inclined to enter his boat may be informed of particulars by applying to mr. roberts, boat-builder, lambeth, any time before saturday noon next. [footnote : _public advertiser_, june , .] [footnote : the cup of was destroyed in a fire. _morning herald_, june , .] [illustration: lines of the 'king's fisher,' of the cumberland fleet, . commodore thomas taylor's yacht. winner of silver cup, .] on account of the weather, however, the race was postponed until july , when it came off with great success, and the 'aurora,' owned by a mr. parkes, described as 'late of ludgate hill,' won the cup. the second boat in was named the 'fly,' but who owned her the newspapers of the day forgot to mention. from 'the morning post'[ ] we get the information that only those boats 'which were never let out to hire' would be allowed to enter, and also that 'the gentlemen, about or in number, who sail for the prize have come to a resolution to be dressed in aquatic uniforms.' this seems to prove that the club had already been formed before the match, and was probably an outcome of the club at battersea mentioned above. we also find from the old newspapers that the owners (who, by the way, were always styled 'captain') had to steer their respective vessels, and in the case of this first match were allowed two assistants; so it would seem that what nowadays are called 'corinthian rules' were in the early period of yacht-racing a _sine quâ non_. [footnote : _morning post_, july , .] [illustration: button, .] there were very solemn ceremonies attending all these early races. the duke embarked on board his state barge from one of the stairs, and the royal standard was immediately hoisted at the bow. another barge was in company with a band of music, and they then proceeded to the place of starting. the racing boats were anchored in line, with their sails furled; their places having beforehand been determined by lot. each vessel, when racing, carried at her gaff a white flag with a red st. george's cross upon it, and with one, two, three, or more blue balls, according to her position at starting. the captains were stationed in wherries, and on the arrival of the duke's barge were by signal ordered on board their respective vessels. then, on the firing of a gun, the race was started. time allowance was an unknown quantity in those primitive days, and the boat which succeeded in passing the winning-post first claimed the cup. the victorious captain was then taken on board the commodore's barge, and with great ceremony introduced to his royal highness. in the meantime the duke's butler had filled the cup with claret and handed it to his royal highness, who thereupon drank the health of the winner, and then presented him with the cup. the captain then drank to the duke and duchess, with three cheers; the whole ceremony having been performed amidst the strains of martial music, salvos of artillery, and the huzzas of the crowd upon the river and its banks. the fleet then proceeded up the stream to smith's tea gardens, which lay where the gasworks now are, on the surrey side of vauxhall bridge, and dined together. the duke himself was very often present at these festive gatherings, and later on in the evening they all visited vauxhall gardens and made a night of it. the first commodore of the club was a mr. smith, who, we believe, was the proprietor of smith's tea gardens, and he probably held the office until . that year the commodore's broad pennant was changed from red to blue, and the club dined at the royal oak, vauxhall, which seems to show a change of officers. anyhow, the following year, , mr. thomas taylor was commodore, as is shown by the cup he won,[ ] and he held that office until the year , when he gave up yachting. the cumberland fleet had the white ensign, but without the st. george's cross in the fly, and their burgee was a white one, with an equal armed red cross on it; i.e. the cross did not come out to the point of the flag. at the royal thames club house they have several relics of the ancient fleet; there is the chairman's ivory gavel with the inscription 'cumberland fleet,' which is still used at every annual meeting; there are also (besides some curious prints and pictures) a cap of one of the rowers of the commodore's barge, and a club button, though it is not known whether it belonged to one of the rowers or to a member of the club. the cumberland course originally was, as we have already shown, from westminster bridge to putney and back, but in it was altered to blackfriars bridge, putney, and back. later on, the winning-post was at smith's tea gardens, by that time called cumberland gardens. [footnote : this cup is in the possession of the taylor family, as are those won in and .] the fleet evidently used to sail together and manoeuvre as well as race, for in , in honour of his majesty's birthday, 'they went up the river with colours flying and music playing'; and in a set of signals were printed (a copy of which may be seen framed at the royal thames club house) whereby the commodore could manoeuvre the sailing boats like a fleet of men-o' war; indeed there is a print extant, dated , wherein the fleet are being so manoeuvred off sheerness. [illustration: first 'cumberland,' , midship section.] the first private match, under the auspices of the club, seems to have come off, between two of the sailing boats, on april , , but no mention is made of their names. some of the expressions used in the newspapers about the different matches are very curious; in one paper it is called 'fluviatic and fresh water frolics,' and in another 'thamesian pleasantry,' and again, 'water-racing galloways,' but the best of the lot is in the 'morning post'[ ] of , where the race is described as 'a fluviatic cavalcade.' [footnote : _morning post_, july , .] [illustration: lines of commodore taylor's yacht, first 'cumberland,' of cumberland fleet (thames), . winner of gold cup, .] the yachts belonging to the cumberland fleet did not confine themselves to river sailing, for in one of the papers of it is stated that the 'hawke' had been cruising about the channel, and had been chased into calais by an american privateer. the duke of cumberland gave a silver cup each year, of the value of twenty guineas; but in , when the seventh became due, a silver-gilt cup of the value of fifty guineas was presented to the club by his royal highness. this was to be sailed for by the boats that had won the former prizes, and the advertisement goes on to say, 'the members of the society do hereby, with the permission of his royal highness, challenge and invite all gentlemen, proprietors of pleasure sailing boats, within the british dominions, to join with them in the contention.'[ ] the first attempt at this race on june failed for want of wind, and the match had to be re-sailed on july , when the cup was won by the 'cumberland,' belonging to commodore taylor. this race, the first open match ever sailed, seems to have caused a good deal of excitement, and the river and its banks were densely crowded. the papers of the day speak of the many thousands present, of all sorts, 'from the peerless "perdita" to the princess "ran."'[ ] [footnote : _morning chronicle_, may , .] [footnote : _morning herald_, june , .] for some unexplained reason, was the last year that the duke gave a cup to the 'fleet.'[ ] he certainly remained its patron up to his death in , but he ceased to take any personal interest in the affairs of the club. this cup was won by the 'caroline,'[ ] belonging to captain coffin, and seems to have had a curious history, as in it was discovered in a pawnshop at san francisco, and, it is said, was bought and raced for by some yacht club in america. on august , , the first below-bridge match of the cumberland fleet took place. it was between the 'caroline,' captain coffin, and the 'eagle,' captain grubb, for a wager of _l._: the course being from cuckolds point to the lower hope, and back again. the 'caroline' won easily. [footnote : there is a print of the start for the match at the r.t.y.c.] [footnote : _times_, august , .] [illustration: lines of commodore taylor's yacht, second 'cumberland,' launched february , .] the years to have no matches recorded against the club. on august , , the commodore's boat the 'cumberland' went badly ashore on the rocks off margate.[ ] she must, however, have been afterwards saved, as she was commodore's boat at the match of . a new era opened to the 'cumberland fleet' in the year .[ ] jonathan tyars became proprietor of vauxhall gardens, and to celebrate the jubilee of the gardens (which had been open just fifty years), and also the new management, he gave an annual silver cup and cover, to be sailed for by the cumberland fleet, and a wherry to be rowed for by the watermen on the thames. [footnote : _public advertiser_, august , .] [footnote : _morning post_, july , .] [illustration: yacht of cumberland fleet, .] the one thing curious about this match is that the 'prince of wales' sailing boat was advertised for sale, and it goes on to say, 'which no doubt will have the best chance to win the jubilee silver cup which will be sailed for on the th inst.' she won that cup! the proprietors of vauxhall gardens continued giving an annual cup to the club until the year , when the last prize offered by them was sailed for on august , and won by the 'st. george,' tons, captain james gunston. the ceremonies attached to the giving of the vauxhall cup differed but slightly from those attending the duke of cumberland's prize. the race started, as before, from blackfriars bridge and sailed round a boat stationed near putney bridge and back past a boat moored off vauxhall stairs, next door to cumberland gardens. the gardens in the evening were magnificently illuminated; a wonderful transparency of the sailing match was on show, and the former prize cups won by the club were arranged on pedestals in front of it. there are many incidents connected with the cumberland fleet during all these years. the 'morning chronicle'[ ] says: 'there was an attempt of foul play against the "prince of wales," the winning vessel of , by other boats getting in her way, but she got all clear by a liberal use of handspikes.' in the match on july was ordered by the club to be re-sailed august , on account of some mistakes in the sailing directions made by the competing yachts; this was eventually won by the 'nancy,' captain dore, but the 'blue dragon' was disqualified for booming out her jib. [footnote : _morning chronicle_, july , .] there must have been some form of admiralty warrant extant in those days, as we find that the members of the club are requested (in an advertisement) to meet at the crown and anchor tavern in the strand, and it goes on to say,[ ] 'the gentlemen who enter their boats are to attend at the same time to draw lots for situation at starting; and are hereby informed that they are expected either to produce their licence from the admiralty, or other proofs of being owners of the vessels they intend to sail.' [footnote : _public advertiser_, june , .] in ,[ ] commodore taylor, with a party of friends, started in the 'cumberland' for bordeaux, but we have found no reference to his having arrived there. this year there was a dreadful accident at the race for the vauxhall cup, by the bursting of a cannon at cumberland gardens, at the moment that the 'mercury,' captain astley, was winning; by this two persons lost their lives. this is also the first year in which a second prize was given, viz. a silver goblet. the year was kept as a septennial one, and a handsome silver-gilt cup was presented to be raced for; the club thereupon challenged the world. [footnote : _star_, june , .] [illustration: circular of cumberland fleet, .] on july , , the 'cumberland,' commodore taylor, and the 'eclipse,' captain astley, had a match for a turtle, which the commodore won, and the members of the club had a turtle feast on the strength of it. in the proprietors of vauxhall put a wonderful car upon the river, on the match day. it was drawn by tritons and was moved by invisible oars. it contained, besides bands of music, father thames attended by his river gods; and for several years this appeared, but with different devices. a curious light is let in by the newspapers of [ ] on the way they managed matters when racing. the 'mercury,' which was the leading boat, somehow got foul of the 'vixen'; whereupon the captain of the 'vixen' cut away the rigging of the 'mercury' with a cutlass and fairly well dismantled her, another boat, the 'mermaid,' winning the cup. we have failed entirely to find any sort of protest against such high-handed proceedings. there was another cup presented to the club besides the vauxhall one in ; it was given by the proprietor of cumberland gardens. a match for a wager of forty guineas took place on august , ,[ ] between the 'mercury' and the 'providence,' from the gun wharf at blackwall round the nore light and back; this was won easily by the 'mercury,' which did the distance in hrs. mins., beating the 'providence' by twenty miles. [footnote : _times_, july , .] [footnote : _star_, august , .] the year was again kept as a septennial one, or, as the papers prefer to call it, a 'jubilee,' and there is in existence a print of the 'cumberland,' captain byrne, winning the cup. mr. e. smith, owner of the 'atalanta,' which won the vauxhall cup in , presented the same year a cup to be raced for, and it was won by the 'mercury,' captain astley. another septennial (or jubilee) cup was given by the proprietors of vauxhall gardens in , and this fell to the 'bellissima,' owned by captain farebrother. this year the contractors for the state lottery gave a cup to be raced for on the thames, and all the boats entered for it belonged to the cumberland fleet. a new public garden was started in , called the minor vauxhall, and mr. sheppard, its proprietor, gave a silver cup to be sailed for on the river. the first two attempts failed to come off, but at the third and final one the 'st. george,' captain gunston, won the prize. the last cup given by the proprietors of vauxhall gardens, in , was won by the 'st. george,' and the same year mr. sheppard (who had changed the name of his gardens to 'the new ranelagh') again gave a cup, which was won by the 'sally,' belonging to captain hammond. the proprietor of the new ranelagh gardens also gave cups in the years and , and although the club is not mentioned in connection with them, none but vessels belonging to the cumberland fleet were entered. on july , , the club gave two cups, by subscription, to be raced for from blackwall to gravesend and back, which were won respectively by the 'mercury' and the 'vixen.' as the years roll on the newspapers get rather confused about the sailing matches, and the name of the old club very rarely occurs, although we have seen an account book where the subscription of one guinea is mentioned as having been paid to the secretary of the cumberland fleet, in the year . the years , , and have no sailing matches recorded against them, but these, with to , are the only ones in which we have failed to find a race of some sort or other. after commodore taylor's retirement it is believed that mr. edward nettlefold was elected in his place, but there is, great confusion on the subject, for in he is called commodore of the 'london yacht club,' which in another number of the same paper is called the 'new cumberland fleet.' most probably there had been some dissensions among the members of the club, but whatever had happened, there is no getting over the fact that in the year the cumberland fleet had a below-bridge race, and that it was under the direction of commodore edward nettlefold. the year is a most important one in the history of the club. on july there was a race for a silver cup in honour of the king's coronation,[ ] and the newspapers[ ] go on to say:-- the 'favourite' steam packet, soon after ten o'clock, came down from the tower. this boat was elegantly decorated, and was crowded with ladies. the gentlemen of the 'old cumberland fleet' were on board, under the direction of their respected commodore, edward nettlefold, esquire, under whose direction the match took place. [footnote : george iv.] [footnote : _morning advertiser_, july , ; _sporting magazine_, july, ; _morning chronicle_, july , ; _globe_, july , ; _public ledger_, july , .] the cup was won by the 'venus,' belonging to captain george keen. in the 'public ledger' of july , , is the following advertisement:-- _his majesty's coronation_ the subscribers and members of the old cumberland fleet will dine together at the ship tavern, water lane, tower street, this day at four o'clock precisely to celebrate the coronation of his most gracious majesty king george iv.; when the superb silver cup, sailed for in honour of that event, on thursday last, from blackwall to coal house point, below gravesend and back, by gentlemen's pleasure vessels, will be presented to captain george keen, the winner of the prize; and to arrange the articles for the sailing match to take place on wednesday afternoon, the th instant, and to start at three o'clock from blackfriars bridge, and sail to putney and back to cumberland gardens, under the especial patronage of the proprietors of the royal gardens, vauxhall.' at this dinner the club must have decided to change their name, as appears from the following extract from a vauxhall programme of july , , announcing the match 'given by his majesty's coronation sailing society, entered into for celebrating annually the coronation, and formed by new subscribers and members of the old cumberland fleet'; the last three words being printed right across the page in large type. they also changed their flag, adopting a white one with a crown in the upper corner next the staff, with the letters 'g.r. iv.' underneath, and the words 'coronation fleet' in the fly. this flag had a crimson border all round, with lettering of the same colour. [illustration: officers' badge, r.t.y.c.] this match of july , , is a very important one, as, owing to a dispute over the prize, the present royal thames yacht club was formed. the facts are as follows:--in the race the 'st. george,' captain brocklebank, came in first, and the 'spitfire,' captain bettsworth, was the second boat. captain bettsworth, however, protested against the 'st. george' being given the prize, for the following reasons:--'that the "st. george" during the match was steered by two persons, which was contrary to the sailing articles signed by all the competitors previously to starting. the articles alluded to state that "the vessels must be sailed by their respective owners, or by any person they may think proper to appoint." the appellant states the breach of articles to have been committed between blackfriars and waterloo bridges.'[ ] on august the club met to consider the question at the ship tavern, water lane; and after capt. bettsworth had produced witnesses and the matter had been argued out, it was determined by ballot, and by a majority of one, that the race should be re-sailed on monday, august . on august , however, a protest was sent to the commodore, signed by seven members of the club (none of whom, by the way, had a boat in the match), asking him to call another meeting of the society, to either confirm or rescind the vote on august , and mentioning the fact that captain brocklebank had not been present at the ballot. on august another meeting was held, at the ship tavern, of the captains and owners of the pleasure boats that had been in the race of july ; they resolved to send in a protest to commodore nettlefold, in which they stated 'that if such resolution be rescinded, we have unanimously determined never to enter any of our boats for any cup to be given on any future occasion by the "coronation" fleet,' as they considered the merits of the question had been fully and fairly discussed. this protest was signed by eight of the captains who sailed in the match. on august a further meeting of the club was held, and the resolution of the th instant rescinded, in spite of the protest, the cup being handed over to captain brocklebank as the victor. on this decision the captains held another conference (probably on the evening of august ), decided to form a new club, and to call a special meeting on the question. on august , , at the white horse tavern, friday street, it was decided to form such new club, and to call it the 'thames yacht club.' most of the old members of the 'cumberland' fleet are supposed to have joined it. the 'coronation' fleet went on with varying fortunes until the year , when it seems to have fallen into abeyance; but it was revived again in with a great flourish of trumpets, only to be absolutely dissolved on january , , at a meeting of the club, held at the british coffee house, charing cross; and that very same year their commodore, lord henry cholmondeley, was racing as an ordinary member of the thames yacht club. so that those members of the 'coronation' fleet who did not join in were finally absorbed in the thames yacht club in . since that period the life of the club has flowed along pretty evenly, with a few ups and downs, like the noble river from which it takes its name. the first match of the thames yacht club was held on september , , for a cup valued at guineas, when ten boats entered. they sailed the old course from blackfriars bridge, and finished at cumberland gardens; but in this case, for want of wind, the match had to be re-sailed on the th, when the cup was won by the 'spitfire,' mr. t. bettsworth. the following year they had an above- and a below-bridge match, and this was regularly continued until , after which the above-bridge match was given up. the 'don giovanni,' owned by mr. j. m. davey, won cups in and ; she was considered the crack boat of her day, and there is a song in existence which ends as follows:-- now toast the don giovanni's crew, who bear the prize away, and may they always sail as well as they have sail'd to-day! then fill each glass with sparkling wine, and bumpers let them be, and drink to captain davey's health--his health with three times three: for the cup is won, the match is done, and settl'd is the rub; let mirth abound, and glee go round. in this--the thames yacht club. [footnote : _globe_, august , .] in a -guinea cup was given to be raced for, from blackwall to gravesend and back, to celebrate the event of his royal highness the duke of clarence becoming patron of the thames yacht club. this was won by the 'lady louisa,' belonging to mr. t. smith. the following year there was a split off from the club, caused by their refusal to give prizes for very small boats, so the seceders formed the clarence yacht club, which existed for several years. on august , , two cups were given to be raced for below bridge, in honour of the duke of clarence coming to the throne as william iv. the yachts sailed in two classes, the first of which was won by the 'matchless,' tons, mr. j. hyatt; and the second by the 'brilliant,' tons, mr. w. bucknall. on october of the same year, at a meeting of the club, it was resolved 'that the uniform button should be altered from t.y.c. to r.t.y.c.'; in other words, they had become the 'royal thames yacht club.' this year the fleet of the club consisted of forty-three vessels. [illustration: lord alfred paget's 'mystery' passing 'blue belle' may , .] the burgee of the thames yacht club was probably a red one, with the letters t.y.c., as we find that on february , , a red burgee was agreed to having the letters r.t.y.c. under a crown. there were two cups given by the club, on september , , to celebrate the coronation of their majesties william iv. and his queen. the first was won by the 'lady louisa,' and the second by the 'water witch.' in december a white burgee was adopted with a crown and the letters r.t.y.c. in red; and on february , , an admiralty warrant was granted to the club authorising their vessels to carry a white ensign without a red cross, but with the union-jack in the upper corner, and bearing in the fly a crown over the letters r.t.y.c. in red. william iv. died on june , , and on july of the same year her majesty queen victoria became patroness of the club. the following year special prizes were given in honour of the queen's coronation, and there is in possession of the club a portrait of commodore harrison holding the cup in his hand. in a challenge cup of the value of guineas was given, to be won twice consecutively by the same yacht, without reference to ownership. it was eventually secured by the 'secret,' mr. j. w. smith, on june , . the admiralty took away the white ensign from the royal thames yacht club in (as well as from several other clubs that had the right of flying it), and only allowed the royal yacht squadron to continue its use. in july of the same year, however, the admiralty granted to the royal thames a blue ensign with a crown in the fly. on june , , a cup of the value of _l._ was presented by earl fitzhardinge, and the yachts had to be manned, steered, and handled by members of the club only. the 'belvidere,' tons; the 'prima donna,' tons; the 'phantom,' tons; and the 'widgeon,' tons, were entered, the cup being won by the 'belvidere,' belonging to vice-commodore lord alfred paget. in the year the admiralty granted to the club a further warrant, dated july , giving them the plain 'blue ensign of her majesty's fleet,' and of this they still enjoy the use. time allowance first appears in the matches of the royal thames on june , , in a race from erith to the nore and back, when half a minute per ton for difference of tonnage was allowed. july , , the queen for the first time gave a cup to be raced for by the club, the course being from erith, round the nore and back; it was won by the 'cygnet,' tons, owned by mr. h. lambton, m.p. the club established an annual schooner match, which was held regularly for several years, the first having been on june , . in the club had yachts in its fleet, but in they had reached to vessels; at the present date they are some strong. in the 'marina,' on rounding the nore lightship, ran into the club steamer, the 'prince of wales,' damaging herself considerably, and had to be towed back. as she was leading vessel at the time, and it was the fault of the steamer getting in the way, she received a special prize. on may , , the first nore to dover race of the club took place, although they had one or two matches to harwich and the isle of wight before that date. at the beginning of there was another split in the royal thames, and those who left established the 'new thames yacht club,' which is still in existence. the same year the club was again honoured by the presentation of a queen's cup, which was raced for from gravesend to the mouse and back. in his royal highness the prince of wales became commodore, and for the first time in the history of the club a rear-commodore was elected, mr. thomas brassey. queen's cups have also been given to the club in , , and ; but in the year , on the occasion of her majesty's jubilee, the club, to mark that event, gave a special prize of , guineas in an ocean match round great britain, the winning-post being at dover. this was won by the 'genesta,' belonging to sir richard sutton, bart. [illustration: start of -tonners, royal thames yacht club, from greenwich, .] [illustration: 'phantom,' tons, r.t.y.c., .] [illustration: 'cygnet,' tons, built by wanhill, . winner of queen's cup, r.y.s., ; of queen's cup, r.t.y.c., .] such, in bare outline, is a rough history of the oldest yacht racing club in existence. it is epitomised from a larger work on the same subject, which has been our labour of love for some years, and we hope that the book will be published to the world at some future time. royal corinthian yacht club, erith by r. t. pritchett perhaps one of the most sporting clubs on the thames or elsewhere is the royal corinthian yacht club, which has its headquarters at erith. this, the original corinthian club, was formed in may ; but several other clubs have since been started at various ports, and have copied the title with the affix of the place to which they belong. during the first year some members were enrolled, but the number rapidly increased, and the club has now close upon members, and possesses a valuable freehold club-house standing in an acre of ground on the banks of the thames at erith. the house includes a large club-room, nearly feet long, a committee room, and a bunk-room for the use of members wishing to sleep there. underneath are extensive stores, with twenty large sail lockers, each capable of holding the gear of a -tonner. these are let to members at s. per annum. there is room in the grounds for any number of the smaller fry which are not too heavy to be hauled over the wall, and they have a good snug berth here for the winter. the classification of the yachts for racing purposes does not extend to anything exceeding -rating, and for this size of vessel only one paid hand is allowed. the remainder of the crew, including the helmsman, must be members of the club. in the first year or so of the club's existence the racing was mostly confined to the smaller classes, and the -ton 'arrow,' at that time head of her class, was a frequent competitor. about this period the 'adèle' and the 'ada' were in the thames. these gave way in turn to the 'virago,' tons, 'may,' tons, and the 'alouette' and 'freda,' each tons. the -ton 'zephyr' then came up into the river, and had some hard tussles to save her time from the smaller vessels; and major lenon's 'l'erie,' tons, also competed occasionally with success. in the larger class 'dudu,' 'torch,' 'ildegonda,' 'surge,' 'aveyron,' 'sweetheart,' 'dione,' and 'nadejda,' gave some good racing, and one memorable day, when all the above but 'ildegonda' and 'torch' sailed a race in a gale of wind, in company with the yawl 'dryad,' nearly every yacht in the race had some mishap to gear, 'dryad' and 'dione' being dismasted. from to the racing was kept alive by the -ton class, the meeting of the 'lily,' 'florence,' 'merle,' 'mildred,' 'chip,' 'preciosa,' 'juliet,' 'elaine,' and 'robinson' being looked forward to with eagerness by the amateur crews. 'florence' was the pick of this bunch, but the arrival of the 'maharanee,' and then of the celebrated 'buttercup,' soon altered the state of affairs. 'buttercup' swept the board for some time until mr. w. cory brought 'ulidia' into the club, and she in turn scored off 'buttercup.' this virtually closed the -ton racing in the thames. in some excitement was caused by the starting of the -ton class on the thames, and as no paid hands were allowed in these little vessels, the corinthians were in request in club matches. the 'muriel' was brought over from ireland by the messrs. fox, and had for competitors the 'maramah,' 'mascotte,' 'naida,' 'primrose,' 'venilia,' and 'snarley yow,' of which the latter was probably the fastest. the excitement culminated in a race for a _l._ cup, subscribed for by several enthusiastic members, and sailed for under the auspices of the corinthian yachting club on june , , 'muriel' winning the cup after a splendid finish with 'snarley yow.' the next year saw the advent of 'chittywee,' who spread-eagled the old fleet, and was in turn knocked out by the redoubtable 'currytush.' this killed the -ton class in the thames, and for some time class racing was at a discount. the corinthian yacht club, however, by arranging a system of handicaps and other races to suit the vessels belonging to the club, nearly always succeeded in getting good entries for its matches, an annual handicap race from erith to ramsgate, open to all yachts in the club, being still one of the most popular events of the season. the -rating class has not been patronised for some time in the thames, but 'decima,' 'fan tan,' 'dis,' and 'corona' have had some good racing between and in the -rating matches. the entries in the numerous handicap matches have included the above four yachts and such vessels as 'gardenia,' 'neaira,' 'terpsichore,' 'norman,' 'mimosa,' 'wenonah,' 'cyclone,' 'ildegonda,' 'oenanthe,' 'nadejda,' 'alpha beta.' [illustration: lines and midship section of the 'dis,' -rater, built for a. d. clarke, esq., . designed by j. m. soper.] in an attempt was made by the club to encourage a class of small cruising yachts by limiting the length and sail-area, and seven or eight were built from the designs of messrs. g. l. watson, fife, dixon kemp, j. t. howard, douglas stone, a. e. payne, a. watkins, and others. this class, known as the thames -foot class, has since then furnished extremely close racing, and it is worthy of note that the first boat built, the 'tottie,' designed by mr. watson, successfully held her own for five seasons. the season of , however, showed that the 'eva,' designed and built by mr. stone, of erith, was quite as good as, if not better than, 'tottie,' her new owner, mr. wyllie, sailing her in first-class form. much of the 'tottie's' success must be put down to her extremely skilful handling by the brothers simpson, who rank among the best amateurs of the day. while the -foot class has undoubtedly been a most popular one in the thames, it is unfortunately the fact that the original idea of encouraging a good useful cruising boat was not fulfilled, the ingenuity of the designers being too much for the few restrictions imposed. we believe that three of the original boats which were not so successful in racing are now being used as cruisers, but the faster or deep-keeled boats are hardly of the type that would be chosen for this purpose. [illustration: 'decima' _a. e. payne_, .] the names of the -footers are 'tottie,' 'eva,' 'diskos,' 'haze,' 'dorothy,' 'fancy,' 'mehalah,' 'genie,' 'magnolia,' 'saivnara,' 'march hare,' 'narwhal,' 'nyleptha,' and 'macnab.' [illustration: 'tottie,' royal corinthian yacht club, -ft. class.] during the last two or three years prizes have been offered for - / -raters, but the class has not as yet taken any hold on the thames men, the only entries having been 'camilla' and 'cock-a-whoop.' this club now offers a challenge cup for -raters, viz. the cup won by the -ton 'muriel,' and presented to the club by captain h. c. fox. the club received the admiralty warrant to fly the blue ensign in , and in her majesty the queen was graciously pleased to command that the club should be called the royal corinthian yacht club. the present officers of the club are: robert hewett, esq., commodore, and rear-commodore of royal thames, and of 'buttercup' celebrity; j. weston clayton, esq., vice-commodore; frank c. capel, esq., rear-commodore; h. neville custance, esq., hon. treasurer; and t. g. f. winser, esq., secretary. in order to extend the usefulness of the club to its members, the committee last year secured a club-room at burnham on the crouch, a most charming piece of water for small craft. with the greatly improved state of the thames at erith, however, it is probable that most of the yachts will come back to the headquarters of the club as of old. it is many years since fish were caught at erith, but of late they have returned, and the thames is now in as good condition as could be desired. this river and its estuary form a perfect cruising ground for the amateur yachtsman, and with a snug anchorage and comfortable quarters at the end of a cruise, such as the royal corinthian yacht club affords, he must be a glutton who is not satisfied. the number of yachts belonging to the club is , ranging from to tons. royal london yacht club the royal london was established in , and takes the lead in the victorian period. it began its career in may as the arundel yacht club, when the majority of the yachts were probably kept on the foreshore at the foot of arundel street, strand. its flag at that time was a red field, white border, and white letters. in the name was changed to the london yacht club, and the flag adopted was a white field with a blue cross, the union in the upper corner, a gold star in the lower. in the star was changed for the city arms, on receipt of a grant of this privilege from the corporation of the city of london. was an important year in its history. the club received the patronage of queen adelaide, whereby it became royal (a privilege not so easily obtained in those days), and also the recognition of the admiralty by which the possession of an admiralty warrant was secured to its members. in early days the races were sailed above bridge, with an occasional bold venture as far down the river as erith or gravesend; but, finding by experience that no serious dangers existed in such then comparatively unknown waters, the above-bridge races were in a few years abandoned, and the time-honoured course from erith round the nore and back adopted. after many years, owing to the increase in the size of the yachts, and in both the number and size of the vessels navigating the thames, another change was made. the royal london always showed energy where yachting progress was concerned, and was the first to adopt flying starts on the thames. a small class raced thus may , , and it may be noted that the club was one of the first clubs in the united kingdom, if not actually the first, to adopt the y.r.a. rules, october , . the office of admiral was filled by the election of h.r.h. the duke of york to that post. a striking illustration, not only of the progress of the club, but also of the development of yachting, is shown in the following table:-- +------+------------------+-------------------+-----------------+ | year | number of yachts | aggregate tonnage | average tonnage | +------+------------------+-------------------+-----------------+ | | | | | | | | , | | +------+------------------+-------------------+-----------------+ on the social side its advance has been equally striking. after wandering about for many years, in rooms were engaged at the caledonian hotel, adelphi. in the prosperity of the club justified the opening of a branch club-house at cowes, and three years later the london headquarters were moved to their present position in savile row. these changes were attended by the most satisfactory results. the numbers, instead of fluctuating between and as they had done for a series of years, at once began to increase, and now there are over names on the books. the yachts have increased correspondingly. the london sailing club, hammersmith the london sailing club is a vigorous and practical association which has to be specially commended for two features lately introduced. the first of these was an exhibition in its rooms of -rater half-models, scale inch to the foot, each to carry a centre-plate--the design to show shear plan, body plan, and half-breadth plan. each design was accompanied by a sealed envelope containing the designer's name. these envelopes were not opened until after the designs and models had been judged, and the prizes, three in number, awarded by mr. dixon kemp. the whole arrangements were most satisfactorily carried out. the exhibition opened february , , the models remaining on view until march . these models, from the hands of professionals as well as amateurs, were in some cases very beautiful. the first prize was awarded to mr. david weir, of partick. the second ran mr. weir very close indeed, and when the envelope was opened the name of j. m. soper was discovered, a name associated with many leading solent small raters. the awarding of prizes is always a responsibility, but with mr. dixon kemp's experience and scientific knowledge he had little difficulty. the second feature referred to was the reading of papers by leading authorities on practical subjects connected with construction and sailing. the first paper, on centreboards, was read by mr. dixon kemp, and illustrated with diagrams on the blackboard, and a discussion opened by mr. warrington baden-powell, of canoe fame, followed. the reading of these papers has a good influence in bringing members and their friends together. for special subjects experts and specialists are invited, and much valuable information is often afforded. about it as a club there is nothing very particular to be said. it is popular with its members, and very successfully carries out the objects of the foundation. the upper thames sailing clubs [illustration: upper thames sailing club and club-house, bourne end, bucks, .] in the year the queen graciously extended her patronage to the small raters, now so much in vogue, inland and on the coast, by presenting a -guinea challenge cup, to be annually sailed for by the upper thames sailing clubs during the bourne end week, when the upper thames club hold their fresh-water festival opposite the club-house which was constructed in at bourne end, bucks. the spot is well selected, and affords a commanding view of the long clear reach in which the matches are sailed over a course of nine miles. the duke of connaught is their president, the commodore, colonel fitzroy clayton, a practical enthusiast of great experience, one day thrashing a -rater through bad weather inland, and the day after perhaps hauling on to the mainsheet of one of our big racers out in the open, equally enjoying both. the secretary is most practical and does much to assist the club with his large fleet of divers kind, from norwegian punt and american sneakie built by himself, to his steam launch 'leopard.' he has yet another craft of considerable interest, a dutch yacht, a perfect marvel of the hollander's handicraft and beauty of finish; she was built in friesland about , and is as sound now as when first launched. the challenge cup, which is in the form of a bold flagon, pilgrim bottle shape, height in., weight oz., was first sailed for at bourne end on jubilee day, june , , by the following clubs, thames, thames valley, upper thames, tamesis, thames united, and oxford university. the morning of the st was bright with a strong sailing breeze. the race was set for . , and soon after noon all the crews were carefully overhauling their gear and studying the barometer. the weather suggested then having to reef down at the last minute. it must be remembered that the river is not wide at bourne end, and that it was a flying start. ten boats were under weigh, all trying and manoeuvring for position, and yet all was done without a foul or a protest; the handling was admirable, it was really a sight to see. a little water might have been shipped, but that was soon baled out, and the curious acrobatic performances of the shifting ballast, stretching out to windward, was also a prominent feature. [illustration: upper thames steam yacht 'cintra.'] the 'challenge,' . -rater, o.u.s.c., led at first for three or four rounds, 'mona,' . , close up, 'mirage,' . , going well and looking very handsome. at the finish there was capital racing. in the last round but one 'mona,' . , leading, caught a hard gust and took in a reef in a very workmanlike way to make sure of saving her mast. it was admirably done and elicited great praise, as she came in running neck and neck with 'challenge,' . -rater, both on different gybes, 'challenge' with her little spinnaker on the port hand and 'mona,' . , on the starboard. the spinnaker must be the same size as the jibs in these races. the secretary had handed over his steam launch 'leopard' to captain bell of the thames conservancy, whilst he and the commodore sailed the 'kitten,' which came in fourth. the six-day festival of the six thames sailing clubs, so happily and pleasantly blended, promises well for small-rater sport in the future. the royal windermere yacht club the beautiful lake district is provided with an excellent yacht club, well organised, with workmanlike system and detail; and, as a fresh-water club, it is here described after the thames associations. it was founded in and possesses a royal warrant dated . the headquarters are at bowness, adjoining the old england hotel, and consist of club-house, reading-rooms, billiard and committee room, and boat landings; and the club has a very hospitable arrangement, like the bombay club, by which gentlemen not residing within ten miles of bowness, on being proposed and seconded by two members, can be admitted as temporary members, for a week, fortnight, or month, for a moderate fee. the sailing committee request owners to see that professional crews of yachts engaged in races wear white or blue jerseys, yachting or man-of-war caps, or straw hats. the ensign is red with crown in fly. the leading feature of the royal windermere lake yacht club is well shown in the illustration on p. , as, out of comparatively few members, fourteen are at the starting line, a proportion very seldom met with in any club, and certainly suggesting great unanimity and good feeling. the beautiful surroundings of the lake constitute a great charm, though crews in racing craft have not much time to admire picturesque landscape. [illustration: 'feeling it' off the ferry.] the windermere club takes precautions to ensure as much as possible real, well-contested races, and like the 'water wags' at dublin has definite club measurements, thus:-- (_a_) length of yacht on load-water-line, from fore side of stern to after side of rudder post, shall not exceed ft., and the total length from fore side of stern to extreme end of counter shall not exceed ft. in., and no part of stern above or below water shall or sternpost below water shall project beyond the -ft. gauge. a yacht shall be considered to be on her load-line when she lies adrift from her moorings in smooth water, without crew, with all sails set and racing gear on board. [illustration: royal windermere yacht club. a fair start.] (_b_) beam (extreme outside measurement) shall not be less than ft. in. without beading or moulding. (_c_) the draught of water shall not exceed ft. in. when the yacht is on her load-water-line. (_d_) the yacht shall show at least one-quarter of an inch of her rudder-post clear of the water when on her load-water-line. (_e_) no part of the counter shall intersect a triangle or the produced perpendicular thereof shown on p. . base ft. in. on load-water-line produced perpendicular ft. in. from water. (_f_) the length of mast from deck to trunk or end of pole shall not exceed ft. in. bowsprit from fore side of mast to extreme end shall not exceed ft. in length. the boom from aft side of mast to the end shall not exceed ft. in. and the gaff (measured parallel to the boom) shall not exceed ft. in. in length. it shall, however, be optional to have a boom feet in length from aft side of mast to the end, provided that the gaff does not exceed ft. in length. topsail yard shall not exceed ft. in. in length. [illustration: limit angle of counter.] (_g_) hoist of mainsail from thimble to thimble feet. (_h_) from deck to pin of jib halliard sheave or pin of block shall not exceed ft. in. (_i_) mast from deck to pin of topsail sheave shall not exceed feet inches. [illustration: smart breeze for racing, windermere.] (_j_) no yacht shall have less than cwt. of ballast, and no ballast shall be carried inside of yacht. [illustration: royal windermere yacht club, bowness.] [illustration: fair wind round the buoy.] these restrictions certainly tend to uniformity and good sport. the yachts have to be constructed with _natural frames_, spaced not more than two feet apart with steamed timbers, between with single pine, larch, oak, pitch pine, american elm, english elm, bay wood or teak planking, and decks. iron floors are allowed, but no iron or steel frames. [illustration: calm weather.] the size of racing flag at the main peak during a match to be ft. in. by ft. in. fore and aft sails--namely, mainsail jib and topsail only, and no square sails or other sails set as square sails--must be used at club matches. no footsticks or jackyards are allowed to gaff topsails; no booming out of the sails is permitted even by hand, except by sheets hauled aft of the fairleader. every yacht sailing in a race must carry at least two life buoys ready for immediate use. the general and sailing rules published by the royal windermere yacht club are practical and ably drawn up. as will be seen by the chart, bowness is situated about a little north of the half length of the lake. the ben holme flag boat opposite, at the north end, is the waterhead flag buoy, and at the south end of the lake is the town head buoy. the club course is from the ferry round a flag buoy off town head at the south extremity of the lake and back to the ben holme flag boat, opposite bowness. the distance is miles. the waterhead course is from waterhead, n. extremity of the lake, round flag buoy, off ben holme (bowness), thence round flag buoy in lowood bay, thence round flag buoy in pull wyke bay, thence round waterhead flag buoy, sailing the same course again and turning off waterhead. the natural formation of the surrounding district explains the special necessity for the two life buoys ready for immediate use, as squalls and stormy weather are characteristics of the lake district, although the regattas are sailed in the finest season, during the month of july. the secretary, lieut.-col. arthur l. reade, has courteously furnished details of this interesting inland club. the photographs of the 'beauties of the lake' of windermere are by mr. bronskill, of bowness. chapter v yachting on the norfolk broads by g. christopher davies the sailing of small yachts and boats is vigorously indulged in upon the rivers and lakes of norfolk and suffolk, in what is popularly known as the broad district. there is, indeed, every temptation to the sport in this favoured region. no _mal de mer_ can haunt its smooth waters; there is no tossing about in exposed anchorages, but instead the mooring by grassy banks odorous with flowers. gales lose their terrors and zephyrs gain additional charm on these placid and sinuous waterways and toy lakes. yet there is room enough and to spare for all the evolutions the boat-sailer delights in, and the exploring cruises dear to the owners of small yachts, while life on sailing houseboats is sufficiently tempting to the laziest lotus-eater. the adventurous can make adventure, the explorer can lose himself in mazy reed-beds, the lounger can lounge with the minimum of trouble, the young can picnic in the most luxurious fashion, ladies can 'yacht' in the most ladylike way, and complexions will not pale (what is so piteous as a seasick woman?) upon these favoured streams. even the sturdiest sea cruiser acknowledges the charm of the quiet gliding between their verdant banks, and the quiet sleep dependent upon neither watch nor riding light. no one enjoys a sail at sea in fair summer weather more than i do; but upon the many occasions upon which the sea has been rougher than i approved of, i have said in my haste: 'what a fool i must be to desert the safety and surety of the broads for this, which is neither safe nor sure!' at the same time it is only fair to say that, after a quick and pleasant passage to some foreign port, i have also said: 'better one such sail than many on the broads.' my boating life has been spent in a vacillation between the quiet pleasures of the broads and the excitement of the sea; and i have made many attempts to procure craft in which to enjoy either at will. this is a difficult matter, inasmuch as the draught necessary for able work at sea is too great for the rivers. [illustration: the 'greyhound.'] although many thousands know well the district of the broads, yet to the bulk of people it is still a _terra incognita_. it is therefore necessary to give at least a brief description of the _locus in quo_. taking one's stand at great yarmouth, with one's back to the sea and facing inland, one sees--or could in truth see if one ascended the lofty nelson monument--first the narrow and busy harbour which conveys the waters of all the rivers to the sea, then a great tidal lake known as breydon water, four or five miles long. from this one can ascend by vessel the greater river yare, which for twenty miles of broad and sinuous course threads the marshes to norwich. on the right is the bure, commonly called the north river, which twists and turns for twenty-seven miles to wroxham, and is navigable further yet to coltishall and aylsham. tributary to this river are the ant and the thurne, giving access to the largest of the broads. southward of breydon is the deep and clear waveney, with beccles twenty-three miles from the sea at yarmouth, and a short cut to the sea by oulton broad and lowestoft. [illustration: the fisher's home, the broads.] broadenings of these waterways at many points have become, by the growth of reeds and accumulations of soil, lakes or broads, more or less separate from the rivers, but in most cases having navigable access to them. the characteristic of the district is its extreme flatness and the consequent slight fall of the river-beds, the current being mainly tidal, with not much difference of level at that. yet this flatness is not monotonous; for, in addition to the ever-varying and ever-pleasing cloudscapes seen to best advantage in flat regions, there are beauties on the marshes and river borders of no common order. the luxuriant growth of reeds around the lakes gives the feeling of utter seclusion from the madding crowd. the gay hues of flowering plants, altering with sunshine and shadow of clouds on the wind-swept marsh, the deep shades of groves, the clear and winding rivers, the dark-brown and high-peaked sails of the wherries with their graceful curve of leach, and the white sails of the yachts scattered here and there, now reflected in a glassy reach, and again seeming to thread the verdant marshes where no water is visible from one's standpoint; the kestrel hovering over the 'rand,' a jay hunting a reed-bed for nests and eggs, waterfowl of many kinds, the splash of fish in a quiet bay, a heron by a lilied dyke, and innumerable noticeable incidents of bird and insect life, make the hours too short which are spent on these singular waterways. in order to fully understand the peculiarities of the craft navigating the broads and rivers both for trade and pleasure it is desirable to appreciate the necessities of the district; and for this purpose it would be well to step on board some kind of craft on which one can be independent of hotels as well as railways. for it is quite clear that journeys by rail cannot show one the life of the broads. it is singular what a difference the point of view makes. thus there are reaches where the rail and river run near each other. from the rail there is nothing to see but a flat marsh and a winding river. but from a boat on the river the view assumes an altogether different aspect. if one pleases, the tall and swaying reeds, brown topped and feathery, may bound the scene, hide the rail, and provide one with the loneliness of nought but water and sky--a veritable solitude; or from a higher standpoint the eye may travel with a keen interest over the reed-beds and the brilliant-hued marsh, past windmill and dwarf tree to the undulating and wooded higher lands which are the shores of the marsh. for choice for a mere cruising holiday, i would take, if middle-aged, a real norfolk wherry converted into a roomy houseboat as presently to be described. the norfolk wherry is a craft quite unlike those of any other district, and eminently suited to the shallow and somewhat narrow waters of its birthplace. the limit of suitability seems to have been reached by perfection, since of late years no alteration whatever has taken place in the design of the wherry or its sail. as it is the aboriginal craft, so to say, of these waters, and its graceful sail forms a constant object of interest upon the waterways, it merits the pride of place in a description of norfolk craft. it has greater interest also in that it is suitable for cruising in other waters, notably in those of holland and friesland, where mr. doughty found that a norfolk wherry was even more suitable for dutch waters than the dutch vessels, so far as pleasure purposes go.[ ] [footnote : see _friesland meres in a norfolk wherry_.] the draught of an unladen wherry is from ft. in. to ft. in., with a beam of ft. and a length of ft. it has a short hollow bow, with the greatest beam well forward and a fine run aft. it has only a few inches outside keel, yet in fairly smooth water it lies remarkably close to the wind, going fast through the water all the time. the mast is stepped ft. in. from the stem, and is a splendid spar of spruce fir or pitch pine ft. deck to hounds, without any stay other than a forestay, and supports a single sail of the following dimensions: luff, ft.; foot, ft.; head, ft.; and leach, ft. in. there is no boom, and the gaff has a high peak. the sail is hoisted by a single halliard set up by a winch on the mast. a drawing and lines of a wherry accompany an article by myself which was published in the 'field' of march , , to which the reader who may be interested can refer. the mast swings in a tabernacle, and the heel is weighted with lead and iron to the extent of - / ton, and is so well balanced that a boy can lower and raise it. it will be seen that the rig has the extreme of simplicity to recommend it. one man can sail a -ton wherry, although he generally has the assistance of his wife or a mate. when within a few yards of a fixed bridge the sail is rapidly lowered, the forestay tackle cast off and windlass unhitched from the mast, and down comes the mast as gently as possible; the wherry shoots through the bridge, and up go mast and sail the other side. the mainsheet works on a horse on the cabin-top in front of the steersman, and with his back against the tiller he controls the great craft with ease. the stern is pointed, and the rudder is no less than ft. in breadth. of course the tonnage of the craft varies; the above measurements are those of a medium-sized one. a cabin about ft. long in front of the small steering-well accommodates the crew, and there is a long hold, reaching to the mast and protected by movable hatches, for the cargo. a few years ago some ingenious person hit upon the idea of converting a trading wherry into a pleasure one by raising and permanently fixing the hatches, placing windows at the sides (there is no bulwark, and but a narrow plankway between the edge and the cabin sides), dividing the roomy interior into saloon and bedrooms, and so producing a commodious and comfortable sailing houseboat, which has become exceedingly popular. there are numbers of them about now, and they are always in demand for hire by parties visiting the broads. the large sail carries a sort of flounce laced on to the bottom of it called a bonnet, and the removal of this is equivalent to lowering a topsail. the trading wherries carry no ballast when empty of cargo, but the pleasure wherries have a sufficient quantity of scrap iron. they move in the lightest of airs, and in strong winds are marvellously stiff. they will tack in channels no wider than their own length, but in narrow waters they are helped round by the man giving the bows a set off each bank with a 'quant' or long pole (latin _contus_); they are capable of high speeds, and the easy way in which they get about the narrow and shallow waters is surprising. occasionally they essay the sea passage from yarmouth to lowestoft, instead of going round by the rivers, and even race at sea; but it cannot be doubted that in doing so they go beyond the margin of safety. although mr. doughty successfully towed a wherry behind a steam tug from yarmouth to stavoren, another wherry essaying the same feat was lost. the low, long, flat hull cannot stand rough water, and the heavy mast with its weighted heel is a dangerous lever in the wrong position. [illustration: regatta time.] many yachts have been built after the plan of the wherry, but with yacht-like hulls above water. at first the simple wherry rig was retained, but soon there came a boom to the sail, and then a bowsprit and jib, additions which, no doubt, make the vessel faster, but mean more help in handling--two men instead of one, and so on. these barges, as they are called, have increased greatly in number during the last few years. the other day i counted no fewer than twelve lying moored on oulton broad, where five years ago one such would have attracted attention. the immense influx of visitors to the broads is, of course, responsible for this increase. the latest of these barges, the 'waveney,' is no less than ft. long, but it is believed that there is considerable difficulty in getting her about. the barge yacht is more seaworthy than the wherry, and one--the 'ianthe'--has twice crossed the north sea to holland for cruising in dutch waterways. she was fortunately favoured with fine weather, and it would, no doubt, be needful to make as sure as possible that the weather was set fair for a day or two before venturing. the draught is but ft. or less, and the heavy pole mast is set far forward, while there is an open well, so it would not be the best kind of craft for bad weather. still, for modest sails out of the harbour, for dutch waters, and for norfolk rivers, these barges possess every advantage, while they are most comfortable to live upon. the barges look smarter than the wherries, inasmuch as they have white sails instead of brown or black, and yacht-like decks and fittings; but i must say that for pure river cruising i prefer the plain wherry. it is more picturesque in appearance, and, size for size, easier to handle, although, no doubt, the latest types of barges are faster. taking one's departure from wroxham, one finds a narrow river crowded with boats. only a few years ago the arrival of a single yacht at wroxham was an event. now both banks of the river are lined with wharves, yachts, and boats, and boat-builders' sheds are springing up on every side. a striking tribute to the favour in which the broads are held is the boat-letting establishment of mr. loynes, who at the first fishery exhibition exhibited models of small open centreboard boats, to be converted at night into sleeping cabins by most ingeniously contrived awnings. in consequence of this he desires, and very properly, to divide with the writer the honour of first drawing the public attention to these favourite cruising grounds. from the small beginning he then made he has come to own many yachts, large ( tons) and small ( or tons), mostly built by himself, capable of navigating the shallowest of the broads, comfortably fitted with all essentials of comfort, and attended by most civil and capable men. he is now introducing his boats to the friesland meres, and it is probable that many of his norfolk customers will follow him to that larger lake-land. his vessels are mostly centreboard and of light draught, the latter, by the way, being of more vital necessity than ever. the tourist steamers which now rush up and down the bure draw down the soft mud from the sides and deposit it in the channel, so decreasing the depth. a few days before writing this i had a -ton cutter towed up from yarmouth to wroxham, for the purpose of laying up, by a steam-launch. by taking out ballast her draught was reduced to ft. in., yet she grounded at least twenty times in the upper reaches, right in the middle of the channel. [illustration: wroxham pleasure craft.] the river below wroxham is very narrow and very sinuous; its banks lined with groves of trees which intercept the wind. the lofty peak of our wherry's sail holds the air over the bushes, and we keep slowly moving along, while smaller boats are either becalmed or, catching sudden puffs, lay over at alarming angles. it is a saturday evening, and very many little yachts, from the open lugsail sailing boat on which a high-roofed cabin-top has been placed to the - or -ton yachts of smarter build, are making their way down to more open waters for the happy and healthy week end, most blessed to the person whose occupations are sedentary. a mile or two of charming river reaches brings us to wroxham broad--a lovely sheet of water surrounded by an inner circle of tall green and feathery topped reeds and an outer circle of bushes and trees. it is entered by a narrow gateway from the river, and boating is freely permitted, subject to certain wise regulations which are as much to the interest of the public as to that of the riparian owners. the reeds have a golden belt where the rise and fall of the water has left its yellow mark, shining brightly in the westering sun. in the smooth patches under the lee of the reeds one may see the sparkle of bait flying out from pursuing pike or perch, and in the still bays the coots and water-hens dive and splash. across and across the broad skim the white sails of boats and canoes making the most of the dying breeze, and the wavelets sink to ripples, and the ripples are shot with streaks and patches of cloud-reflecting calm. we leave this, the most beautiful and deepest of the broads, to make the most of the evening air down the river. on the occasion of the annual regatta there is a prodigious water frolic at wroxham, which is attended by perhaps a hundred sailing craft of all kinds, and much merriment results. gliding quietly down stream we pass on the left hoveton broads, great and little--nurseries of wildfowl and kept strictly private, with chains across the entrance; on the right salhouse broads, great and little, on which boating is permitted under protest; and further still on the right woodbastwick broad, also strictly private. hoveton little broad is a breeding-place of the black-headed gull, which nest here in great numbers. so by wood and mere and sighing reed we pass with many a twist and turn until we reach the hostelry of horning ferry. here, as night draws on, many vessels arrive. strolling along the bank we can note what is after all the great fun of broad yachting--the camping and living on board a floating house, however small. the big wherries and barges are of course floating houseboats, comparatively luxurious; but at the other extreme here are three or four open boats covered in with canvas tents or awnings luminous with the lamps within, and with myriads of dazzled night insects pattering against the shining canvas. the evening meal is being discussed, then there is the clatter of washing-up, the cleaning of knives by thrusting them into the soft bank, the washing of plates with tufts of paper, and the general tidying-up which is part of the fun to young men, but which ceases to possess any charm to older ones. these rivers are capital places for the man fond of single-handed sailing. one well-known and elderly amateur sails a lugsail boat alone, but at a proper distance behind him comes his man in another single-handed boat. the latter pitches his master's tent and relieves him of household troubles, and retires to his own boat tent when not wanted. this is really a capital arrangement. [illustration: wroxham broad.] when the stars come out, the herons settle in the shallow pools; the wild duck fly from the sheltered decoys and preserved sanctuaries to more open feeding-grounds; a shot rings out on the august night from some reed-hidden gunner who has been patiently awaiting the evening flight. in contrast come the notes of a piano and song from a barge; along the bank is a row of lights from cosy cabins; the inn is thronged with boat-sailers eagerly discussing their common sport; then the last cheery good-nights, and silence falls over the lone marsh and winding river. in the morning there is the splash of swimmers, blankets and bedding are put out to air on the cabin-tops, spirit and paraffin stoves mingle their scent with that of frying bacon and the wild thyme on the banks. about ten o'clock the little yachts spread their sails to the freshening breeze, and off they go. if we have ladies on board, they will probably wish to go to horning church in the morning, and can then sail in the afternoon with a clear conscience--a compromise approved by the strictest sabbatarian, who finds in the peace and quiet of norfolk waters an assurance that neither the wind nor he is a sinner in the gentle movement. after lunch the wind has freshened so that we take our bonnet off (off the sail, that is) and smaller vessels reef. the wind, too, is ahead, and we have to tack a great deal as we continue our course down stream. still the river course is so tortuous that every reach is not a head one; sometimes, indeed, we can lay one reach on one tack and the next reach on the other tack. it is pretty to watch the yachts shooting from side to side of the river (which widens as we proceed); they lay over, with the water bubbling over the lee deck and the foot of the great balloon jib deep in the water. the long bowsprit sweeps over the grass of the margin as the helm is let go; the boat shoots up into the wind, is upright with fluttering jib for a moment, then off she goes on the other tack to repeat the manoeuvre at the opposite shore. if the mainsheet is well handled the mainsail never shakes. as it loses the wind on one side it catches it on the other, the jib being kept slightly aback until the boat's head is well off the wind. it is no joke to handle the jibsheets of an - or -ton boat. in spite of soft cotton rope being employed, the chafe will try the horniest hand. in sailing the jib is worked to every puff, eased off or drawn in at every variation in direction or strength of wind. the man in charge watches the wind pressing down the grasses and reeds and darkening the water in advance, and trims his sheet to every puff or lull. if he does not, why, the boat is not sailing her best--that is all. the mainsheet man, too, is almost as particular. when there are hands enough to work the sheets no one thinks of making a sheet fast. the bends of the river are too frequent for that. again, there is almost always another yacht ahead or astern, and you strive to overtake the one or sail away from the other, so that every day's sail is more or less of a race. in passing or meeting other craft the rules of the road are well observed, and the steering is usually so excellent that a space of six inches is considered an ample margin of distance from the other vessel. these narrow rivers soon develop considerable skill in this direction, and accidents do not often happen. the least rare is that of misjudging the rate at which a wherry is coming, and getting athwart her bows while tacking; but a direct collision is averted, and the yacht's bowsprit or mainsheet is the only thing which suffers. [illustration: smooth-water bowsprit.] on the right we pass ranworth broad, a fine lake in two sections, the larger of which is now in process of being closed to the tourist; on the left the mouth of the narrow river ant, which, after twisting like an eel for some five miles, opens into the navigable but shallow barton broad, of considerable size. there is a bridge over the ant so narrow that the larger kind of vessels cannot get through. the tract of marsh widens out and the view broadens. on our right is a mile-long channel leading to south walsham broad, part of which is navigable and part private. as an instance of how vibrations of movement are carried along water, a gentleman residing at south walsham tells me that when the water near the staith is covered with a thin veneer of ice he can tell when a wherry entered the mouth of south walsham dyke from the river, a mile and a half away, by the ice rippling and cracking. passing the ruins of st. benedict's abbey on the left, we presently come to the mouth of the river thurne, up which we sail for a few miles to potter heigham bridge, where in company with several barges and yachts we moor, with the intention of visiting hickling broad and horsey mere on the morrow. the night falls dark and lowering, with flashes of summer lightning in the south lighting up the great distance of flat and treeless marsh; but no rain falls, and a quiet night and sound sleep bring us to the dewy morn of another glorious summer day. most of the larger yachts and pleasure wherries have centreboard sailing dinghies, and it is more convenient to take ours through the narrow arch where the tide-impelled current sweeps upward to diffuse itself over the terminal lakes, twenty-five miles from the sea by river, three miles by land. here, save in the tourist-crowded month of august, may be found true solitude. the river runs through far-reaching marshes, a branch leads through a wilderness of water and tall reeds, the brown tops of the latter trembling against the clouds from our low point of view. water, reeds, clouds; a kestrel hovering overhead, our boat gliding on clear, shallow water over trailing weeds and shoals of startled rudd; then the wider channel of heigham sounds, and at last the expanse of hickling broad. four hundred acres it is said to be, but the reedy margins absorb a great part of this. still, there is water enough to make the scene imposing, and the first thought of a boating-man is--what a splendid place for sailing! but looking down through the clear water one sees that the bottom is almost within reach of one's arm, and even in the channels there is only sufficient water for a wherry. it is obvious, therefore, that the shallow centreboard boat is the only type fit for hickling. it maybe useful to mention that a recent judicial decision gives as the law that the public have the rights of navigation and passage over hickling broad, but that those of fishing and shooting are vested in the riparian owners. not far from hickling, and connected with it by heigham sounds and a narrow dyke, is horsey mere, so near the sea that the sea-water at times wells into it in the shape of salt springs. at the entrance of the mere a small cruising yacht is lying, the men having gone ashore for a walk over the sand dunes to the sea. the mooring rope is fast to a deck scrub thrust into the bank, and a heifer, having found out the roughness of the scrub, is leisurely rubbing herself all over and most thoroughly against the bristles. a wherry sweeping down the dyke with peak lowered leaves us but scant room to pass as we sail back to heigham sounds. from potter heigham we sail in the wherry down the thurne, into the bure, and so on to acle bridge, where the mast has to be lowered. from acle to yarmouth the sail is not so interesting. the tide runs strongly and the banks are shoal. this part of the passage is undertaken of necessity, and not for pleasure. at yarmouth we enter breydon water, where the greater space and depth of channel brings us into contact with larger yachts. still, it is yachting in miniature, and the man accustomed to cowes must think it rather ridiculous of us to call our small craft yachts. i much prefer the old and truly descriptive term of pleasure boats. when the broad sailor comes to breydon he feels that, comparatively speaking, he is in the open sea, and a beat across it with a smart breeze against tide means wet plankways and an exciting sail. at the top of breydon to the left is the entrance of the river waveney, so shallow and dangerous as to be avoided. the river yare, to the right, is wide and deep, and gives good sailing ground up by reedham to cantley, where the chief river regattas are held, and higher still to norwich. from reedham a narrow and straight canal, called haddiscoe cut, leads into the waveney at a point above its shallows and a fixed bridge. the bridges on the yare and the upper waveney from haddiscoe to beccles are railway bridges, opening save when a red flag or lamp denotes the arrival of a train. the scenery on both rivers seaward of reedham is flat and uninteresting, and it is above reedham, on the yare, and st. olave's, on the waveney, that the beauty of the landscape adds interest to the sailing. as one proceeds up the waveney and through the narrow dyke which connects the mid-waveney with oulton broad, lake lothing, and the sea at lowestoft, one meets great numbers of yachts and sailing boats, and we may now dwell more closely upon the characteristics of these. the old term in existence before the more ambitious title of yacht was _pleasure boat_. this was applied to the decked sailing boats we now call yachts, and is perpetuated in the sign of the pleasure-boat inn, hickling. a favourite type, of which but few examples exist, was the lateener, first, i believe, consisting of two lateen-shaped sails, but afterwards of a lateen-shaped foresail and a gaff-mizen. the foresail was set upon a short mast right in the bows and raking well forward, and the yard was often twice the length of the vessel. such a rig was very close-winded, and handy enough to handle once the sail was up; but the long yard was a great nuisance in raising and lowering the sail, and the reefing had to be done along the long yard instead of the short boom. the boats also were dangerous in running before the wind, being apt to run under head first. this may have been partly owing to the short and full bow which was deemed necessary to support the weight of the mast and sail, and which at high speed created a great hollow in the water. possibly a lateen-rigged, sharper-bowed boat would even now be found to be a very fast and handy type for our rivers. the balance lug so much in vogue is but a lateen sail with the fore-angle cut off. i only know of two lateeners of late on our waters--the 'ariel' of beccles, a boat of about tons, and the 'black maria' of barton broad. the owner of the latter died recently, and it is possible the yacht is not now in commission; but she looked picturesque threading the narrow and sinuous reaches of the ant on her way to and from barton broad. [illustration: river waveney craft.] a light-displacement boat is a necessity upon norfolk waters. it is not only that the depth is small and that the draught of a boat should not exceed ft. in. if she is to get about comfortably, but the water displaced by her movement has but little room to disperse in the narrower channels. it is sufficient to watch the light-displacement sailing wherry going fast through the water with scarcely a ripple, and making but slight difference in the level of the water at the grassy margins, and then to see a heavy-displacement steam wherry going not so fast, yet piling up the water in front of her, filling and emptying the dykes and runlets as she passes, to understand that the one thing essential for speed is light displacement. again, in a heavy-displacement craft of my own which is sometimes brought upon the rivers, whenever the waterway is constricted she moves slowly and the river craft gain upon her. when the channel suddenly broadens she seems to leap forward and away in a striking manner. many yachts have come to try their speed with the norfolk boats, but generally having greater displacement have come off second-best, although possibly better craft in more open waters. the old type is a flat-bottomed boat with a deep keel spiked on to it; the angle between the keel and the hull is filled in with more or less graceful curves, but the principle is the same in the most successful of the modern racing yachts, as it was in the older craft: a beamy, flat hull and a comparatively deep keel. practically there is no change in the midship sections other than that which more skilled workmanship and more artistic design have evolved. the principle is only the same, however, so far as the midship section is concerned. great advances, or at all events alterations, have gradually been made in the longitudinal design of the boats. quick turning has always been a necessity with the yachts of the broads, and this has been attained by the help of three peculiarities--a keel short for the length of the boat, a rudder so large as to be in reality a movable keel or leeboard, and an enormous jib, which is the only head-sail. the size of the jib is also influenced by the fact that it has to balance the equally enormous mainsail. in order partly to carry as much sail as is required for these smooth waters the mast is always well forward, and with a large mainsail and boom projecting far over the counter great head-sail is a necessity. the old measurement of racing craft used simply to be length on the 'ram' or keel, which as long as all boats were of the same type in other respects was fair enough. but a boat, say, ft. over all would have a counter of ft. or ft. in.; practically half her length would be counter. i do not think this great counter was altogether the result of an attempt to cheat the tonnage measurement, although no doubt this may have had some influence. it was more the result of circumstances; the yacht with a short keel, well forward, and great rudder, turned more quickly than a boat of similar size with longer keel and smaller rudder. about half this great counter was permanently immersed, and when a boat laid over, almost the whole of it came into bearing. it was popularly supposed that the broad, flat counter peculiar to the old boats bore the weight of the boom; the yachts, though very quick and handy, carried tremendous weather helm and were very hard to steer, sometimes taking the strength of two men to prevent them shooting into the wind. when the helm is let go, the little vessel shoots so quickly into the wind that she might be put about on the other tack by backing the jib, without further touch of the tiller. in fact, so powerful is the great overhang of mainsail and jib in controlling the balance pivoted on the short keel that i have many times tacked a -ton boat up a narrow reach without touching the tiller at all, simply by manipulating the sheets, and this, too, while sailing single-handed. this was by way of experiment only. the usual way of sailing a -ton, or, for the matter of that, a -ton yacht single-handed, is while going to windward to make the mainsheet fast, steer with your back, and work the jibsheet with your hands. reaching or going free you work the mainsheet and jibsheet alternately as best you can. all the boats have large open wells, the jibsheets lead aft through a couple of blocks shackled to the clew of the sail, with the standing part fast to eyes on each plankway, and leading blocks further aft. thus there is just sufficient purchase to enable a strong man to control the jibsheet of a -ton boat. in sailing these boats there is no making the jibsheet fast if you wish to get the best speed out of the vessel. they are trimmed to an inch, and every bend of the river means a careful and anxious adjustment of the jibsheet. the same remarks apply to the mainsheet, and where two or three equally capable amateurs are engaged in sailing there will be keen differences of opinion as to the proper quantity of sheet to be allowed out, and hot arguments as to the advisability of an inch more or less, when to the man accustomed to sailing in more open water the difference would appear immaterial. in tacking, the stern of the boat swings upon the pivot of the forefoot, and it frequently happens that in sailing close to the bank of the river before putting about, although the bowsprit bends the grasses, and the stem is clear of the bank, yet the counter cannons against the bank or shaves the mud. whether it was found that advantage was taken of the keel measurement to get larger boats by means of immersed counters, or whether it was simply to give more scope to designers, is a matter of controversy; but it was ordained that half the length of the counter had to be added to the length of keel to form the factor of length, the rest of the measurement being according to the thames rule. this rule of measurement prevailed for many years without any particular alteration in the type of boat supervening. then, and only recently, length on the load-water-line was taken, and presently the y.r.a. rules of measurement and rating were adopted. the effect of the alteration has been to lengthen the keel, and perhaps to round up the forefoot a little. it has been suggested that it would be as easy to attain the quick turning by rounding the forefoot and having the greatest draught aft as it is by the present method of keeping the draught well forward and shortening the keel; but there is this objection--the shores next the banks are frequently shoal and muddy. when the boat swings round on her deep forefoot, if that is free from mud the lighter draught stern is sure to follow; but when a light draught forefoot is still free from the mud, the deeper draught stern swings on to it and is caught, and the boat's head pays off to leeward before she releases herself. experience goes to show that in the larger classes the boat with much drag aft is not suitable for these shallow-margined rivers, and that to succeed in racing it is necessary to be able to perform the feat of waltzing a boat round and round in little more than her own extreme length, as the writer has done by way of experiment. a boat which will only handle when she has steerage way does not stand much chance. [illustration: 'greyhound,' midship section.] the yachts used generally to be built by that rule-of-thumb method, the result of long and slow experience, which has often proved more sure than the experiments of science; but of late years two boat-builders have studied intelligently the principles of design, and have applied them with great success to the building of the most successful craft yet seen upon these waters. these two are mr. brighton of yarmouth, and mr. mollett of brundall. the former has confined his attention to the larger class of craft in use here, and the latter to the smaller vessels. first of mr. brighton's boats to attract attention was the -tonner 'trixie,' then the -tonner 'wanderer,' and then the -tonner 'greyhound,' all in their time the best boats of their class, although run hard by those of other designers. the 'trixie' is a boat ft. in. over all, ft. in. stem to sternpost, ft. on the water-line, ft. in. beam, and ft. in. draught of water; boom ft., gaff ft., bowsprit outboard ft. she carried about tons of lead ballast. the 'greyhound' was designed by william brighton, but built by workmen of the owner, mr. john hall, of yarmouth. in design she is undoubtedly the best produced by brighton, and therefore the best boat of her size on the rivers. proportionately to size, she is a better boat than the 'wanderer.' since she was built, in , she has won first prizes and second, in addition to several challenge cups, and is also a good little boat at sea, thinking nothing of making the 'outside' passage direct from lowestoft to dover in fair weather. the design we give is traced from the moulds off which the yacht was built. the dimensions are as follows:-- length l.w.l. . feet " over all . " beam feet inches overhang forward . feet " aft . " rudder-head from taffrail . " draught amidships . " lead on keel tons no inside ballast. for sea-work her rating is . tons. boom . feet gaff . " foresail . square feet topsail . " " mainsail . " " ----- . " " [illustration: lines of the 'greyhound,' , norfolk broads yacht.] for river-work she spreads , sq. ft. sail-area, and her rating is about . . the boat is built entirely without caulking, with not a single butt in deck or hull. the keel is memel oak; skin of yellow pine - / inch; sawn timbers inches square, with steamed timbers - / inch square. she is in every respect beautifully finished, and some of her success may be attributable to the excellence of her workmanship. the designer has refused us any dimensions of the 'wanderer,' but we believe that practically she is an enlarged edition of the 'greyhound.' she has been run close, if not excelled, by the 'corona,' a boat designed for both sea and river, and fairly good on each. she has greater draught and more rise of floor, with greater displacement. at first she was fitted with a centreboard, which, however, was found as useless as it generally is in a boat of comparatively deep draught. its province is in shoal boats. i tried a centreboard in the -tonner 'swan,' but discarded it after one season. none of the racing yachts over tons have centreboards, and experience has shown that on these waters the centreboard is only of use for the smaller and flatter boats. it is true that loynes, the boat-letter, has many yachts up to about tons fitted with centreboards, but then his vessels are designed to navigate the shallowest broads, and centreboards are a necessity in his case. he is, by the way, an adept at fitting centreboards with various devices to facilitate handling them, and his cranks and automatic brakes and other mechanical contrivances are most ingenious and effective. the 'corona' was designed and built by peed of oulton, who had built several fast-sailing boats. she is supposed to be a better boat in rough water than the 'wanderer,' running her close also in the river reaches at cantley, where the regattas are frequently held. she is also a comfortable cruising boat, having two cabins with good accommodation. her chief measurements are:-- length over all feet " w. l. feet inches beam " draught " ballast tons mr. mollett's boats have chiefly been of the open and half-decked class. his first great success was the 'cigarette,' a centreboard lugsail boat, which won a great number of prizes and was a perfect witch in going to windward. he followed this up by several similar boats, all fairly successful and betraying advances in cleverness of design and experiments upon well-thought-out principles. in mr. mollett startled the boating fraternity by producing a kind of double-hulled boat called the 'gossip,' which, to use his own words, is 'curious though fast.' her deck appearance is that of an oblong raft, and the section of her hull is that of a flattened w. there is no actual division between the hulls, but a hollow runs along the middle so that when the boat is on an even keel the top of the hollow is upon the water-line. when she heels over the windward hull is raised more or less out of the water, and the vessel sails on the support of the leeward portion, the windward portion acting as a kind of outrigger or windward ballast. the buttock lines are, roughly speaking, segments of a circle of long radius with only the middle and lower part of the segment immersed. she had no keel, but a centreboard dropping between the hulls, and a deep rudder. her dimensions are: length over all, ft.; length on l.w.l., - / ft.; beam, - / ft.; depth, - / ft.; draught of hull, in.; draught with plate down, - / ft.; area of sail in foresail and lug mainsail, ft. [illustration: 'castanet.'] the 'gossip' was extremely fast running and when sailed full, and won several races. her mode of going to windward looked peculiar, as she was sailed broad full and rattled from side to side of the river at a rare pace, so that although neither sailing so close as the other competing craft nor shooting so far in stays, being so light, yet she would often make a point to windward quicker than any of them by reason of her speed; and, after all, as mollett says, the object is to get to windward as quickly as possible, no matter how you do it. the 'gossip' had, however, one grave defect. she would turn turtle with astonishing suddenness. her vanishing point was soon reached. she had to be sailed with the utmost skill and caution, and it is only by good luck that she has not yet drowned anyone. the only time i sailed in her, being unaware of this peculiarity, i as nearly as possible had her over in a sudden puff; which, as i had my children on board, might have been a serious matter. her owner tells me that she has capsized five times, and has very frequently been on the verge of capsizing. a design of this remarkable craft, and an interesting article upon her by mr. mollett, appears in the 'field' of january , . mollett took the centreboard out and substituted a fixed keel with cwt. of lead on it, which he was sanguine enough to say rendered the boat practically uncapsizable. she has, however, capsized several times since then. he afterwards removed the keel and returned to the centreboard, with which he thought the boat was faster and handier. since then a succeeding owner has reverted to a sort of heavy fin-keel, but the boat has not done so well in racing as formerly. her canvas is, however, worn and stretched, which may have something to do with it. we hope, for the sake of her owner and his companions, that she will disappear somehow or another before any fatal accident results from her use. noticing how cleanly our flat counters leave the water, mollett thought--what is the use of having a sharp bow to divide the water? why not have a double-sterned boat, and let the bow slide over the water instead of through it? something of this idea was present in the building of the 'gossip,' but in the 'castanet,' lately built for mr. russell colman, the idea has had full sway. there is a broad, flat, spoon bow, differing very slightly on deck from the stern, and not differing at all on the water-line, so that it is practically immaterial which end is selected to go first. there are the same segments of large circles for buttock lines. the load-water-line is ft. in., and on deck ft., the overhang being very nearly equal at each end. the beam is ft., and the extreme draught of the short fixed keel, which is spiked to the bottom of the spoon, is ft. in., with cwt. of lead. the latter is disposed at the bottom of the keel in a triangular bulb. if you take an ordinary tablespoon and press it into a soft substance at different inclinations, the water-lines which it will mark are much the same. the principle is the same in the 'castanet.' the water-lines lengthen and narrow as she heels over, and the length at which she is measured when upright is considerably exceeded at both ends. the spoon comparison is only to a certain extent applicable, as one end of a spoon is smaller than the other, while in the case of the 'castanet' both ends are large ends. there is no deadwood except what is necessary for the keel, and the rudder is a projecting one. mollett's theory is that it is better to cut away every inch of deadwood which is not absolutely necessary for preventing leeway. he finds the boats so constructed sail faster in every way. as to whether a fin-keel or a weighted centreboard is the better, he has not yet made up his mind. [illustration: hull of the 'castanet.'] the 'castanet,' although beaten in her first race by the 'gladys,' a boat of conventional design, has subsequently proved herself the fastest of her class. when sailing fast she lifts herself out of the water forward and slides very easily over it, although her flat bow makes a noisy brabble of the surface water, which is, however, not detrimental to her speed. of course she would not do in rough water, but in smooth she is stiff, fast, and remarkably handy. in spite of her square ends, which are but little narrower than the rest of the boat, she is, owing to excellence of workmanship, rather a handsome boat than otherwise. it is not likely that another 'gossip' will be built, but the 'castanet' is a taking precedent which may be followed up with advantage. there are other designers and builders of fast boats, which have, however, nothing peculiar in build or rig to justify especial notice. they are simply well-designed boats of light displacement and large sail-area, very fast and very handy. there are two boating clubs in existence which provide regattas for the encouragement of sailing. the senior and more select club is the norfolk and suffolk yacht club, which professedly holds races for the -and -tonners--the 'large yachts' of the norfolk rivers. it has a club-house at lowestoft which is a great convenience to yachtsmen using the harbour, but as a river club it has not much vitality. the junior club is the yare sailing club, which welcomes all amateurs as members who can pay a _s._ subscription. it professedly encourages the sailing of open and half-decked boats, and the smaller class of yachts of tons or thereabouts. it has a large number of members, most of them keen boat-sailers, and its regattas are well attended and the races numerously and keenly contested. the classes in the norfolk and suffolk club are: not exceeding -rating, exceeding and under -rating, and exceeding -rating; and those in the yare sailing club as follows:--class i.--exceeding -rating and not exceeding -rating. class ii.--exceeding -rating and not exceeding -rating. class iii.--not exceeding -rating. any 'foreign' boats (all persons not natives of norfolk are foreigners) which can sail in these classes are welcome, and any wrinkle they can teach will be quickly taken up. the 'mystery,' a thames open boat, is almost the only strange boat which has succeeded in showing the way to the local racers, and i think she would not be second to either 'castanet' or 'gladys.' it would be most interesting to see a match between the well-known thames 'ruby' and our y.s.c. boats. regattas are held at various points on the river, and there are, in addition, local regattas unconnected with clubs. [illustration: 'mystery,' thames boat ('foreign' boat).] once a year there is what is called an ocean match--that is, a match from lowestoft to harwich--on the saturday before the regatta of the royal harwich yacht club. this is looked upon as a great adventure by the river boats, which tackle the sea under the cloud of canvas which is enough on the rivers. the trip to harwich and back, and the excitement of bringing up in wide water, after the safety of a grassy margin, furnish food for many tales for the rest of the year. the _crux_ of the thing is the passage round the bleak orfordness, where the tidal race raises a cruel sea if there is any wind; the great mainsails with their long booms cannot easily be reefed under way. one necessary rule upon these rivers sometimes causes trouble to strangers who are unaware of it. in the narrow reaches it is almost impossible to pass a boat to leeward, so if the overtaking boat can but get a few inches of her bowsprit overlapping to windward of the slower boat, the latter must give way and let the other pass to windward of her. visitors often get nervous when they see a wherry bearing down upon them, but there is no occasion for them to do so. if the boat-sailer observes the rule of the road, he may be sure that the wherryman will do so. the latter are a very civil and obliging class of men, taking a keen interest in the doings of smaller craft and yachts. it is usual, however, for the yachtsman to remember that he is on pleasure bent and the wherryman on business, and he therefore gives way sometimes when not compelled to do so, to save the wherryman from having to put his craft about. in return the wherryman will often, when tacking, keep his craft shooting in stays to let a yacht beat past him. the wherries are so long and take up so much of the river when beating to windward that it is often very difficult to pass them at all unless they make this concession. the rowing boats which are hired by inexperienced people in great numbers at oulton broad are great sources of danger. the occupants generally go the wrong side of a sailing boat, and it is a wonder that accidents do not more often occur. another source of difficulty are the anglers, who are very fond of mooring off the windward bank (where there is a quiet 'lee') well out in the channel, and perhaps at a 'scant' corner--that is, where the next reach being to windward the sailing vessels hug the corner as closely as possible in order to get a good shoot into the next reach and so save a tack. it does not do, however, to hug the corner too closely, as if it is at all shallow the way of the boat is deadened, though she may not actually touch the mud. the 'putty,' as the black soft mud of the river bottom is locally termed, plays an important part in sailing on norfolk rivers. it serves sometimes to help a vessel to windward. thus a wherry might not be able to hug the weather shore or to lay close enough to sail along the middle of a reach, but if she drops to the leeward shore the pressure of water between her bows and the mud will 'shoulder' her off and stop her leeway, so that she can drag round a corner and save a tack. some of the wherrymen will say that they could not put their craft aground if they would while sailing sideways along the mud. the deeper-draught yachts do not reap this advantage to any extent. one of the things which make a yachtsman ask if life is worth living is to run hard on the putty. he gets out his quants and shoves; but the poles sink deep into the mud, and require more force to withdraw them than to drive them in. those who know the river best seem to me to get oftenest aground, because they cut it too fine, and if their calculations are out by an inch or two they stick fast. the desperate struggles to get free are more amusing to other people than to the chief actors in the scene. how blessed is the sight under such circumstances of a friendly steam-launch! i remember well one heart-breaking experience of my own in a -ton yacht which i was sailing single-handed. i got aground in the bure at yarmouth in the awful place known as the north end, and with a falling tide. i got off at last, after exerting myself until my heart beat frantically, my mouth was parched, and my eyes dim; then seizing a bottle i supposed to contain beer, i tossed half a tumblerful down my throat ere i found it was _vinegar_! a good half of oulton broad is taken up by yachts lying at their moorings, which are buoys at a sufficient distance apart to give the boats room to swing. there appears to be some doubt as to what authority has the right to interfere, and so nothing is done; but a better plan would be to have proper mooring-places along the shore where yachts might moor in tier, a small charge being made for the privilege. below oulton broad is lake lothing, a tidal lake communicating with lowestoft harbour. a lock gives access to it. lowestoft harbour is a most convenient one, easily entered at all states of the tide. a large basin is reserved for the use of yachts during the summer months, and from its easy facilities for a day's sail at sea or a run up the broads in the dinghy or steam-launch it is yearly becoming more popular with yachtsmen. leaving oulton broad and re-entering the waveney, we find deep water right up to beccles, which some sea-going trading vessels use as their port; but in the upper reaches the river is very narrow. it is, however, extremely pretty. almost the last of the lateeners--the old 'ariel'--hails from beccles. on every whit monday there are great goings-on at oulton. there is for one thing a regatta, and the broad is literally crowded with boats; and for another it is the smacksman's yearly holiday, and he is very much in evidence both ashore and afloat. it is, however, but fair to say that the disgraceful scenes of drunkenness and fighting which formerly characterised whit monday are not so marked. the smacks' crews are now so well looked after by mission-ships afloat and salvation armies ashore that a most gratifying improvement has taken place in their manners and customs. [illustration: a start.] on a sunday morning it is interesting to stroll round by the fish wharves in lowestoft and listen to the outdoor services and services on smacks, and note the intense earnestness animating the rough-looking seamen who are the speakers, and the respect with which they are listened to even by well-known rowdies. we leave oulton broad in company with several barges, and it is a race between us to get to cantley, on the yare, in time for a regatta of the yare sailing club. our wherry is gradually left behind by all the barges, but they have to wait at herringfleet bridge on account of a train, and as we come up just as the bridge is opened we are again on even terms with them, and are third out of six as the procession files along the narrow haddiscoe cut. at reedham we meet the contingent of trading wherries which have started from yarmouth with the flood, and several yachts on their way to cantley, so that as we pass the picturesque village of reedham and turn to windward up the broad reaches of the yare the scene is a very animated one. at cantley it is difficult to find a mooring-place, and the northward bank is lined with yachts for half a mile. after the regatta we can sail up a most interesting part of the river, by the pretty ferries of buckenham, coldham hall, and surlingham, exploring rockland and surlingham broads in the dinghy, and so on up to norwich, just below which city the riverside scenery is most beautiful. the rapidly increasing popularity of the broads has given a great impetus to the trade of boat-letting, and the agencies are too numerous to mention. it may be useful, however, to say that, just as loynes has made wroxham a well-known starting point, so bullen, of oulton broad, has done the same by the latter water. he owns or has the command of a large number of yachts and barges, some of which are suitable for holland. at norwich messrs. hart & son, of thorpe, have a similar agency, and the fishing-tackle makers and secretaries of yacht and sailing clubs keep lists of yachts to let. an advertisement in the 'eastern daily press' will elicit replies. also, if any reader of this article chooses to write to me at norwich, stating what kind of craft he wants, _and enclosing a stamp_, i will forward the letter to a suitable yacht agent. i will not, however, undertake to reply to any letter, because in one or two of my boys' books i promised to do so, and the consequence is i get a recurring crop of letters from boys in many parts of the world, which are excessively inconvenient to a busy man, although it would be unkind not to reply to them. to sum up, the rivers of norfolk and suffolk, with oulton, wroxham, barton, and hickling broads, are most excellent cruising grounds for small yachts and sailing boats; and as for racing, i really think that 'foreign' boats, if their owners would remember that light displacement and a gigantic spread of canvas are essentials, would have an excellent chance of lowering the pride of the local men. the power of quick turning is, of course, a _sine quâ non_. [illustration: in the gloaming.] practically the chief interest of the broads to visitors lies in their cruising advantages rather than the yacht racing to be obtained or seen; and it may serve a useful purpose to go more into detail as to the nature and cost of the craft to be hired for cruising, and to give itineraries of short cruises. while yachts can be hired at norwich, wroxham, yarmouth, and oulton broad, the business is more scientifically carried on at wroxham and oulton than elsewhere, and the convenience of visitors more thoroughly consulted by the persons already named as catering for the public there. the class of craft is also rather different. at oulton there are for comfort the usual barges and wherries, and for fast sailing the usual four to ten tonners of the smart type already described. at wroxham a fleet has been built consisting of vessels chiefly designed for ease of handling and comfort of camping and cruising, without any pretensions to racing speed. they are also of shallower draught than the oulton boats, and have as a rule centreboards instead of the deep fixed keels of the others. it is, therefore, a matter of individual taste, and further comparisons would be invidious and perhaps unjust. with the deeper yachts it is customary to explore the shallower broads in the jolly, while the smaller centreboards can be taken there. those who chiefly love the science of sailing will prefer one sort, and those who delight most in exploring every lilied pool and in camping will prefer the other. it is unfortunate, perhaps, to have to mention names in a book not intended to advertise persons whom it will probably survive, and it may seem unjust to other meritorious traders in the same line; but in the interest of the reader it has to be admitted that bullen of oulton and loynes of wroxham have taken too prominent a part in the exploration of the broads for us to shirk mentioning them, any more than we can avoid naming the chief builders and designers. none of loynes' craft draw more than ft. in., and they range from twenty-three tons downwards. the largest will sleep four ladies and four gentlemen. the cost of hire is from _l._ to _l._ _s._ per week, according to the season, the height of the season being july and august. the hire includes two men, who are boarded by the hirers. this boarding of the men is rather a nuisance, but it is so much the custom that attempts to make the men board themselves, paying them increased wages, do not answer on the rivers. the -ton boats will sleep three, and the hire per week with attendant is _l._ _s._, and without an attendant _l._ _s._ all household necessaries are supplied, and visitors need only bring rugs, towels, and provisions. at oulton, bullen has a number of craft, ranging from a large pleasure wherry accommodating twelve persons, and let at _l._ per week, to the typical - and -tonners. he has also several of the barge yachts, now so fashionable. one of them, the 'ianthe,' has been twice to holland, crossing the north sea with safety, notwithstanding the shallow draught and large sail, with heavy mast set well forward. bullen says that, for gentlemen who wish to get plenty of sailing, his -tonners are the best, but for ladies who require comfort and real pleasure the barge yachts or wherries are preferable. a fortnight is required to do all the rivers and broads properly, although much may be done in a week if the winds and weather are favourable. with only a week to spare, it would be best to stick to the north river, or bure. thus, if starting from oulton, norwich, or yarmouth, sail straight away to wroxham, say two days' journey; on the third day back to horning and up the coast to barton broad; fourth and fifth days up the thurne to potter heigham, and do hickling and horsey mere; sixth and seventh back to the starting point. much depends, however, whether the object of the cruise is to loiter about and fish, or to sail and cover the ground. in the latter case the following is an itinerary i have carried out in a week. [illustration: birds of a feather.] starting from wroxham, yarmouth can be reached the first day; second day up the yare to norwich; third day norwich to oulton broad; fourth day up the waveney to beccles; fifth day beccles to yarmouth; sixth day yarmouth to potter heigham; seventh day do hickling broad in the morning, and sail up to wroxham in the evening. a dead calm, or a combination of head wind and adverse tide, might, however, upset the plan by a day. it would be well, therefore, to stipulate in the hire that the yacht might be left short of its destination, to be taken back by the man. most people will take fishing tackle with them on a cruise on the broads, but i hope everybody will leave their guns at home. the incessant popping away with shot-guns and pea-rifles is quite useless in results, very annoying to riparian owners, and very dangerous to the public. a camera is a much better weapon. few districts offer better or more artistic subjects for the photographer's skill. a dark room is provided upon some of the pleasure wherries, and the tripod is almost as common an object on the marshes as the windmills. [illustration: commodore stevens, founder of the new york yacht club, .] chapter vi yachting in america by lewis herreshoff the degree of leisure and wealth, so essential to the development of yachting, was not realised by the citizens of the american seaboard until nearly one-third of this century had passed, and even then only a mere handful of nautically inclined sportsmen could spare time from the stern duties of country settling and fortune-hunting to follow in any measure their tastes in seeking pleasure on the alluring waters that flowed at their very feet. it must not be supposed, however, that our ancestors took absolutely no pleasure in sailing; they had their pirogues and other small craft which were kept ostensibly for trade, but which served the double purpose of affording gain and pleasure. in the traditions of my ancestry i learn of a small boat kept by one who used her to visit an island farm, whence he brought produce; and another would sail down the bay (narragansett) for the love of it, but largely to meet and pilot up the tortuous channel his returning vessels from their coastwise trade. no people were ever more advantageously situated for yachting, as to frequency of harbours and tempting conditions of water and weather, than are the dwellers on the eastern seaboard of north america. true that the season for yachting is from may to november only in the more northerly portions (north of hampton roads); but if a genuine yachtsman takes in five months of his beloved sport, it will be found that the remaining seven will be none too long to talk over the exploits of the past season, and prepare and plan for the coming. [illustration: r.y.s. cup, won by the 'america,' .] as the character of water and weather that surround a locality has a direct bearing and influence on the form and rig of yacht, it is thought that a short sketch of the coast and its surrounding waters will be of interest. the shores of maine, as well as those of the british provinces, present one of the most interesting fields for yachting that can be found in the whole continent of north america. the deeply indented coastline and numerous outlying islands afford endless variety in scenery as well as in the surface of the water. choice may be had between sheltered bays and the open sea. the atmosphere during the first half of the yachting season is somewhat obscured by fogs, but after july the air is clear and bracing, with pleasant breezes from the sea during the day, and land winds during the night from north-west. tidal currents are swift and the change of level is large, particularly on the shores of the provinces, ranging from ft. or ft. at portland to far more as one sails eastward, whilst in the bay of fundy the rise and fall often reach ft. moving southerly, good yachting ground will be found from cape anne to cape cod; the waters thus included are fairly smooth in summer with harbours available every few miles, the shores being fully occupied by summer resorts where the visitors are, as a rule, yacht-owners, or deeply interested in aquatic sports. in fact, this locality, embracing massachusetts and cape cod bays, with their many inlets and harbours (the chief being boston harbour), is the scene of more yacht racing and boat racing than any other sheet of water in america, as evidence of which some of the open regattas often start no fewer than yachts and boats varying from ft. to ft. in length. the winds off the coast of massachusetts are moderate, twelve to fifteen miles an hour, easterly in the early part of the season, and south-west during the summer, with north-west in the autumn. tidal currents are moderately strong, with range of level from ft. to ft., fogs are infrequent and short in duration. after rounding cape cod, nantucket sound is entered, a large semi-enclosed sheet of water full of sand shoals, amongst which the tide rushes to and fro with great speed, and whilst it is always traversed by yachts and trading vessels, it cannot be said to be strictly a favourable yachting ground, although sail-boats of shoal draught may be seen sailing for pleasure or fishing, which pastimes are enjoyed by the visitors that flock to the island of nantucket and the adjacent mainland during the summer season. fogs are very dense and frequent during nearly, the whole of the yachting season; the winds are more fresh than in massachusetts bay, and usually are from south to south-west, except in autumn when north or north-west may be expected. from the foregoing we sail directly into martha's vineyard sound, where strong winds and tidal currents are found, with fewer obstructions in way of shoals than in nantucket sound. on the right of martha's vineyard sound lie the elizabeth islands, some of which are picturesque. the nearest one to the mainland at wood's holl, called naushon, is owned by several of the forbes family, who for many years have been--and still are--most interested and intelligent patrons of yachting; and in one of the most beautiful little harbours on the north side of naushon may be seen their fleet of yachts, lying at the safest of anchorages, often a dozen, some sailing vessels, and others steam. through many of the passages between the elizabeth islands access may be had to buzzard's bay, whose shores are everywhere dotted with the houses of summer dwellers, singly and in small villages; so it goes without saying that yachting; or more correctly boating, is the chief pastime, and no more agreeable field can be found for it, save perhaps the adjoining bay of narragansett, which without doubt is the paradise of yachtsmen. the winds of buzzard's bay are fresh, even strong, and seeing that its expanse is unbroken by islands, it is often rough--perhaps too rough for pleasure-sailing in boats of the size usually seen; but in narragansett bay, though the winds are fresh its waters are not so rough, as its many islands prevent in a great measure the formation of waves uncomfortably large. here, as in buzzard's bay, the tidal currents are moderate and change of level from ft. to ft.; fogs are less frequent than in buzzard's bay, and are never long in duration. in the ocean, directly south from the mouth of narragansett bay, lies the most favoured spot on the entire coast for yacht racing, and for the last forty-five years it has been the scene of the most interesting races held away from the racing grounds at the approach to new york bay; but for the best results of racing no place on the coast is equal to it, its winds are fresh and constant, its tidal currents are moderate and regular in their time and direction, so that little advantage can be had by one familiar with the locality over those who are not. few 'flukey' days can be remembered off newport, and year after year the races there are becoming more and more important, as the waters in new york harbour and its approaches become crowded, and as yachtsmen seek more open water than exists in the vicinity of new york. twenty miles west of narragansett bay, long island sound is entered; it is a glorious expanse of water, more than one hundred miles long and having an average width of fifteen miles; it is a thoroughfare for an enormous traffic, and in the season yachting and boating are most successfully and agreeably followed. its tidal currents are generally moderate; in a few places they are swift; fogs are infrequent. south of long island, and protected from the sea by a narrow spit of sand, are several shallow bays on which boating is largely followed; proximity to new york makes this shore sought for as a summer resort, and as boating is the only thing to be done in way of pastime, it is small wonder that so many boats are to be seen. the harbour of new york with its approaches, and surrounding waters of the east and hudson rivers, are all splendid ground for sailing; but, seeing that traffic has so taken possession of nearly every available spot, yachting is forced into the more distant waters of the lower bay, and those parts of the hudson less frequented by trading vessels. that part of the sea east and south of the sandy hook lightship is a famous racing ground, and is destined to become even more so as competing yachts find the crowded waters of even the lower bay unsuitable for a just comparison of the speed of their vessels. the sea-coast of new jersey, like that of long island, has many inlets leading to sheltered, shallow bays, where may be seen numberless small yachts and sail-boats from ft. in length downward to the most unpretentious cat-boat. delaware bay and river are well adapted for yachting, but few large yachts are to be seen there, the dwellers in that section being content with boats and small sloop yachts. chesapeake bay is a noble stretch of water that is almost unknown to the yachtsman. its advantages are many, and in the near future it is to be hoped that the inhabitants along its shores will avail themselves of so fortunate an opportunity for sailing with more agreeable conditions than exist anywhere south of new york bay. fogs are rare and tidal currents slight, except when induced by a constant high wind either up or down the bay; the rise and fall also from purely tidal causes are very small. hampton roads and tributary waters are all well adapted for yachting and boating, but all their reputation as a yachting centre has yet to be made. for boats or small yachts there exists an inland watercourse through the canal of the dismal swamp from hampton roads to the chain of sounds that skirt the sea-coast of the carolinas, the waters of which are for the most part shallow, but well suited for small sailing craft, and more particularly for small steam yachts drawing less than ft. of water. albemarle, the most southerly of these sounds, is broad and deep, and well adapted for the navigation of yachts of the largest tonnage. access to the ocean may be had at hatteras inlet, or still farther south for smaller vessels at morehead city, where the navigator must take to the open sea if he would continue his voyage still farther to the south. more than miles of open ocean must be passed before charleston, south carolina, is reached, which port is well suited for small yachts and sail-boats, many of both classes being already in use as purely pleasure craft. southward from charleston is good ground for sail-boats and small steam yachts, numerous islands forming protected channels through which one may pass as far south as savannah in georgia. at brunswick, in the same state, is a bay with a large area of protected water formed by the shelter of islands in which yachts of modest size thrive, but apart from convenience for shooting and fishing little use is made of any craft unless by the more venturesome tourists from the northern states. florida is more the home of the steam yacht than of the sailing craft; you may ascend st. john's river for a distance of miles in a steam yacht; at a few places where this beautiful stream swells into a lake boating may be pursued with no small degree of satisfaction. in the bay of st. augustine one finds many small yachts and a very agreeable place to sail them, a yacht club, and many evidences of civilisation in the way of opportunities for sport and pleasure-seeking. there is also in florida an extended system of inland navigation, which at present is but partly developed; soon, however, the entire length from north to south may be traversed in a vessel of moderate draught. of course steam-yachting in such situations is by far the most satisfactory. the gulf coast in general does not present a very favourable field for yachting except under steam; in summer it is too hot, and in winter the winds are not steady nor well suited to the taste of the average yachtsman. there is a deal of semi-protected water along the shores of mississippi and louisiana, and also some at widely separated bays in texas, so that, with a few exceptions, yachting has not been established; at new orleans, however, there is a yacht club that has for its field some of the large inland lakes where yachts of moderate size can be used with satisfaction. the pacific coast is not well designed for yachting on account of the extreme infrequency of harbours, and the generally rough sea found off the coast from puget's sound as far south as point conception. puget's sound is said to be a most favourable place for all marine sports, fishing and shooting as well as yachting; it is surely large enough, and also there is no lack of depth of water, but some time must elapse before the dwellers along its shores will find sufficient time and money to indulge in any pastime. the bay of san francisco is well adapted for yachting with vessels of moderate size, the winds are mostly from seaward and are strong, even more so in summer than in winter. there is a yacht club in san francisco with a large membership and a goodly number of yachts, but most of their sailing is done inside. the scarcity of coal, and consequent large cost, seems to hinder the introduction of steam yachts, but a large number of naphtha launches are used with evident satisfaction. south of point conception the conditions are far more favourable for yachting than in the north; but the want of good harbours, well distributed, will always serve as a block to the sport. it is true that, owing to the wonderfully quiet waters, a shelter is not essential, for a gale of dangerous force is a rarity from a direction that would render anchorage unsafe; but it is the unceasing swell of the ocean that renders landing difficult, and makes felt the absence of a harbour over at least two-thirds of the coast from santa barbara to san diego. santa barbara channel is a charming expanse of water which in summer is admirably calculated to afford great pleasure to the lover of yachting. fogs are rare, winds steady and moderate in force from s.s.w.; but in winter there is such an entire absence of wind that sailing is wholly impracticable. on the islands that form the southerly limit of santa barbara channel may be found several pretty harbours with most interesting surroundings in scenery, as well as fine fishing and shooting. forty miles eastward of the santa barbara islands lies the beautiful island of santa katalina, where there is a fine harbour for small yachts; and as this island is somewhat removed from the influences of the ocean it may become, in the near future, a favourite centre for all aquatic sports. san pedro, the port of los angeles, has what passes for a harbour, in which may be seen a few yachts and smaller pleasure craft, the embryo squadron of the los angeles yacht club. san diego boasts of the finest harbour in south california, and, taken in connection with the neighbouring islands, it is truly a very attractive spot for yachting, which, as yet, has not made much advancement; but by the recent organisation of a yacht club it is hoped that the sport will become well established, and afford pleasure to the many tourists who flock to that blessed climate, where sun and air invite one to spend one's days in comfort and in love with all nature. it will be years, however, before yachting on the pacific coast will have reached anything like the proportion that it has assumed in the east. it will be easily seen that the atlantic coast of the united states and british provinces offers the greatest facilities for both boating and yachting. in almost every situation there can be found large areas of sheltered and semi-sheltered water specially suitable for small yachts and boats; and it is at once seen that all these expanses of protected water are easily accessible from the open ocean, where those disposed and properly provided may find as large a range of sailing or cruising as their fancy or means will admit. the very favourable distribution of wind, the infrequency of fogs, and the rarity of storms during the yachting season, all combine to make the conditions for general yachting as advantageous as possible--in fact, nothing more perfect could be found even if we search the world over. from june to the middle of september only one storm of any importance may be expected; it is from the north-east, lasting two days, and occurs about august . about the middle of september a gale from the south-east is expected, but it is short in duration, not over eight hours, and if other storms come from the east or north-east, they are always foretold two or more days in advance by the weather bureau, prompt notice of them being published in every daily paper in the section threatened; north-east, east, north-west storms are always heralded by the same office; the south-east storms are the only ones that come unforetold. thunderstorms and sudden squalls are becoming more and more infrequent on the northern and middle atlantic coast. it is thought that the settling of the country, with its network of railways and telephonic wires, exerts a dispersing influence on all local electrical storms; but, be that as it may, they are now little felt where once they were of almost daily occurrence in the height of summer. the generally quiet character of the water available for yachting, and the prevailing pleasant weather with moderate winds, combined to influence the form and rig of boats and yachts in use for the first half of this century, and if one carefully examines the situation, it will be found that the style of pleasure craft chiefly in vogue was well adapted to the requirements of the then yachtsman; but as years passed, new influences were at work and new requirements sought for, so that to-day the build and rig of boats and yachts used by our ancestry seem likely to disappear, save perhaps in certain localities where the shoal draught must be considered, as along the south shore of long island, the coast of new jersey, and in much of the waters of the southern states. in illustration of the effect that winds and waters have on the form and rig of yachts, one need only compare the yachts in england with those in america. the conditions of weather and sea are as different in the two countries as are their vessels; but it must also be admitted that the rules of time allowance arranged to equalise yachts of different size in racing has also had large influence in separating so widely the form of yachts in the two countries, a difference which, under the newest order of rules and intercourse, is rapidly disappearing. the history of yachting in america begins with the brilliant career of the stevens brothers, notably the elder of the three, john c., whose life and labour seem to have been devoted to the development of the best type of vessel for pleasure. he may justly be called the father of yachting. the stevenses lived in hoboken, and in the early years of this century to cross the hudson to new york by the established ferry boat was slow and uncertain, so naturally the stevens brothers had each his own boat, and crossed the river by his own skill, either by sail or oar. through ferrying themselves over the river, they became very skilful in the management of boats, and the love and talent thus awakened were held by them all their lives. the first craft of any importance owned by john c. stevens was 'diver,' built in , but of her there exists no record, save the fact of her being ft. long. he built 'trouble,' in ; she was a pirogue, a style of vessel much in vogue in those days, ft. long, two masts, one in the extreme bow, the other a little aft of amidships, with no bowsprit or jib. her mid-section is here shown; she was wide and flat, with a round, full bow, and was said to be very fast for that class of craft; she has the honour of being the first yacht in america, and without doubt was a comfortable seaworthy vessel, but was soon put aside by her progressive master, who in the following fifteen years built and owned several craft of various sizes and rig. [illustration: a pirogue built about . mast stepped close to bow. length on w.l. ft. 'trouble,' midship section.] it seems to have been a passion of mr. stevens to experiment. indeed, this striving for something better was the key-note of his life, and a boon to yachting, since the science of naval architecture made very rapid progress during his career; for he died having carried the form of vessels from their rude model in early times to the vastly improved 'maria,' which famous yacht stands as a monument to his skill and determination to improve. one of the fancies of mr. stevens was a catamaran, or a boat with two hulls. she was built in and named 'double trouble.' the sides of the hulls toward the centre were parallel. but the old 'trouble' beat her easily, and she was laid aside to make room for something new and better. in mr. stevens built the schooner 'wave'; she was ft. water-line and proved to be fast. she visited boston in and , and beat all yachts she found there. [illustration: 'maria,' sloop, , midship section.] 'wave' was sold to the united states government in , and used in the revenue marine service. her section is here given. about this same date other yachts began to appear. the schooner 'dream' was built in new york by webb & allen; her length was ft. over all, and she was a well-known yacht, until , when she was lost near bridgeport, connecticut. the schooner 'sylph' was built in boston in by wetmore & holbrook, for john p. cushing, and finally sold to r. b. forbes. after he sold 'wave,' mr. stevens brought out 'onkahya,' a schooner, in ; her tonnage was , length on water-line ft. [illustration: built by bell & brown . foot houston st east river, length on w.l. ft. 'wave,' midship section.] 'onkahya' was a departure from other craft in many respects, some of which may be seen in her mid-section here shown. her keel was of iron, which gave her unusual stability, and her bow was long and fine to a degree. she was but a moderate success as a racer, but was a very good cruiser, having made a voyage to the west indies. she was sold to the united states government in . after five years' service under the revenue marine flag, 'onkahya' was lost on the caicos reefs, west indies. mr. stevens next appeared on board 'gimcrack,' a schooner built in june, , by william capes, of hoboken, and designed by george steers. she was about ft. extreme length, and ft. on water-line, ft. in. beam, ft. in. deep, and drew - / ft. of water. her chief peculiarity was a sort of fixed centreboard of heavy plate-iron--in short, like the fin-keel of to-day, only without being loaded with lead at the lower edge. this fin was ft. wide, and ft. or ft. long. [illustration: 'onkahya,' midship section.] 'gimcrack' was not wholly satisfactory to her owner, but served for three years; several years later she was broken up at oyster bay, long island. no model or drawings of her now exist. the little cabin of 'gimcrack' has the honour of being the birthplace of the new york yacht club, an organisation that has done vastly more than anything else to foster a love of yachting, and to promote progress in naval architecture. on its roll is entered the name of every noted yachtsman in america, and every important yacht has at one time or another been the property of one or more of its members. the story of the formation of the new york yacht club is best told by reading the minutes of the first important meeting, and as it has such a direct bearing on the progress of yachting, it is here given in full:-- minutes of the new york yacht club on board of the 'gimcrack,' off the battery (new york harbour), july , , . p.m. according to previous notice, the following gentlemen assembled for the purpose of organising a yacht club, viz.: john c. stevens, hamilton wilkes, william edgar, john c. jay, george l. schuyler, louis a. depaw, george b. rollins, james m. waterbury, james rogers, and on motion it was resolved to form a yacht club. on motion it was resolved that the title of the club be the new york yacht club. on motion it was resolved that the gentlemen present be the original members of the club. on motion it was resolved that john c. stevens be the commodore of the club. on motion it was resolved that a committee of five be appointed by the commodore to report rules and regulations for the government of the club. the following gentlemen were appointed, viz.: john c. stevens, george l. schuyler, john c. jay, hamilton wilkes, and captain rogers. on motion it was resolved that the club make a cruise to newport, rhode island, under command of the commodore. the following yachts were represented at this meeting, viz.: 'gimcrack,' john c. stevens; 'spray,' hamilton wilkes; 'cygnet,' william edgar; 'la coquille,' john c. jay; 'dream,' george l. schuyler; 'mist,' louis a. depaw; 'minna,' george b. rollins; 'adda,' captain rogers. after appointing friday, august , at a.m., the time for sailing on the cruise, the meeting adjourned. john c. jay, recording secretary. the new york yacht club soon showed vitality, energy, and power, as the following reports of the first matches will clearly show what amateur and corinthian crews could do in those days. 'none but members to sail and handle their yachts' was the rule, and commodore stevens's big sloop 'maria,' a winner in , was tons. [illustration: 'gimcrack.' _mr. j. stevens_, .] first amateur corinthian regatta of the new york yacht club october , for a cup subscribed for by members of the new york yacht club. none but members to sail and handle their yachts. the allowance of time on this occasion was reduced to seconds per ton custom house measurement. the course was from a stake boat (the 'gimcrack') anchored off the club house, elysian fields; thence to and around a stake boat anchored off fort washington point; thence to and around a stake boat anchored in the narrows (off fort hamilton), turning it from the eastward and return to the place of starting. whole distance miles. second amateur corinthian regatta of the new york yacht club october , _over the new york yacht club course_ by a resolution passed at the second general meeting, july , , it was decided by members, not yacht-owners, that on the second tuesday in october, a regatta should take place for a prize made by their subscription, the yachts to be manned and sailed exclusively by members, allowing each boat 'yacht' a pilot. the following gentlemen were appointed a committee to regulate the regatta, with full power to postpone if the weather should prove unfavourable. edward ceuter. lewis m. rutherfurd. nathaniel p. hossack. _october , ._--_corinthian regatta of new york yacht club--club course entries and record of the regatta_ +--------+-----------+------------------+-------+--------+--------+--------+-------+-------+ | | | | | | s. | l. | s.w. | house | | rig | name | owner |tonnage| start | island | island | spit | stake | | | | | | | | | | boat | +--------+-----------+------------------+-------+--------+--------+--------+-------+-------+ |schooner|gimcrack |john c. stevens | | . . | . . | -- | -- | -- | | " |dream |george l. schuyler| | . . | -- | -- | -- | -- | | " |spray |hamilton wilkes | | . . | . . | . . | -- | . . | | " |cygnet |john r. snydam | | . . | . . | . . | -- | -- | | sloop |una |j. m. waterbury | | . . | . . | . . | . . | . . | |schooner|siren |w. e. miller | | . . | . . | . . | . . | . . | | " |cornelia |william edgar | | . . | . . | -- | -- | -- | +--------+-----------+------------------+-------+--------+--------+--------+-------+-------+ 'the dream,' 'gimcrack,' 'cygnet,' and 'cornelia' did not finish. the 'una' won the prize--a silver cup. wind fresh from the west during the race. _october , ._--_corinthian regatta of new york yacht club--club course entries and record of the regatta_ +--------+-----------+------------------+-------+--------+--------+--------+-------+-------+ | | | | | |fort wa-| | | actual| | rig | name | owner |tonnage| start |shington| narrow |finish | time | | | | | | |point | | | | +--------+-----------+------------------+-------+--------+--------+--------+-------+-------+ | sloop |_maria_ |john c. stevens | | . . | . . | . . | . . | . . | | " |lancet |george b. rollins | | . . | . . | -- | . . | . . | |schooner|_siren_ |w. e. miller | | . . | . . | . . | . . | . . | | " |cygnet |d. l. snydam | | . . | . . | . . | . . | . . | | " |spray |hamilton wilkes | | . . | . . | . . | . . | . . | | " |la coquille|john c. jay | | . . | . . | . . | . . | . . | +--------+-----------+------------------+-------+--------+--------+--------+-------+-------+ this was 'maria's' first race. the tide at starting was at the last of the flood, tide turning ebb at m. wind strong from s.w. the 'maria' won, beating the 'siren.' { george l. schuyler. sailing committee { andrew foster, jun. { william e. laight. [illustration: model room of new york yacht club. (_from photograph sent by j. v. s. oddie._)] the formation of the new york yacht club was followed by a rapid augmentation of the yachting fleet, and general interest seemed to be suddenly awakened in the sport. the attention of designers and builders became centred on pleasure craft, so that in the first five years of the life of the club several new builders and designers came into public notice. foremost among them was george steers, who showed marked ability in designing; indeed, it is not too much to say that his ideas in naval architecture and construction were a guide in the art for many years. some of his best known yachts of this period were 'la coquille,' schooner, , length ft. in.; 'cygnet,' schooner, ft. in., ; 'cornelia,' schooner, , length over all ft.; 'gimcrack,' before mentioned. in winde & clinckard, of new york, built 'coquette,' schooner, length ft.; she made the passage from boston to new york in hrs., and returned in hrs. 'brenda,' schooner, was turned out by the same builders in ; she was ft. over all. she visited bermuda in may , and on the th of that month sailed there a match with 'pearl,' beating her secs., this being the first international race found in any american record. the schooner 'spray,' was built by brown & bell, of new york, in ; her length was ft. in. over all. commodore stevens contented himself with 'gimcrack' for three years, during which time he was evidently accumulating strength for a great stroke in yachting, which in the autumn of culminated in his last and by far the most famous yacht, the sloop 'maria,' the largest pleasure craft of her class ever built in this or any country. george steers assisted the commodore in designing, and during the winter of and she was built by william capes in hoboken. sloop 'maria' was originally ft. long on water-line, she had the full round entrance and gradually tapering after body, a style popularly known as the 'cod head and mackerel tail,' a form that prevailed generally in all vessels up to about this date. after two years commodore stevens became tired of the full round bow of 'maria,' and in she was lengthened forward, so that she became ft. on water-line, and ft. on deck. 'maria' was such a departure from accepted rules, and became so well known in all yachting circles, that a full description of her is deemed worthy of record in these pages. her beam was ft. in., ft. in. depth of hold, ft. in., draught of water at stern, and in. forward. she had two centreboards, a small one near the stern to aid in steering, and the large board ft. long in the usual position; this main board was of iron and lead, weighing over seven tons. when first launched 'maria's' centreboard was not pivoted, but worked in a vertical line, both ends being dropped to the same depth. the great weight of this board was partly balanced by two large spiral springs, one at either end, which were extended when the board was lowered. length of mast ft., ft. in. in diameter at deck, and ft. in. at hounds; it was a hollow spar, being bored out, for the first ft. having a hole in. in diameter; for the next ft. in., and above that the bore was in. her main boom was ft. long, ft. in. in diameter and ft. in. at the slings; it was built up with staves like a barrel, inside it was a system of truss-work with long tension-rods reaching nearly to the ends. length of main gaff ft., with a diameter of ft. in. her bowsprit had an extreme length of ft., with a diameter of ft.; it entered the hull of the yacht below deck, leaving the deck space above all free and clear; there was also a jibboom which materially lengthened the bowsprit, so that the point where the jib-stay was attached was ft. from the mast. area of mainsail, , sq. ft.; the cloths of this were placed parallel to the boom, the bighting running fore and aft instead of vertically as usual. it was thought by the commodore and his brothers robert and edward, who were equally interested with him in the ownership of the yacht, that a sail thus constructed offered less opposition to the passage of wind than a sail made in the usual style; but the plan was open to objections, so that it never became popular. her jib presented , ft. of surface, leach ft.; its foot, ft.; foot of mainsail, ft.; hoist, ft.; head, ft.; and leach, ft. 'maria' had a working topsail, but it was rarely set. [illustration: 'black maria,' sloop, beating 'america,' schooner, in test race, new york, . _ tons._ _built ._ (_commodore stevens, n.y.y.c._) (_contributed by e. a. stevens, of hoboken, u.s.a._)] commodore stevens with his famous craft took part in many races and matches during the first six years of 'maria's' life; she usually beat all her competitors, the few failures she suffered being attributable to the failure of one or other of some new devices in her rigging or fittings; for her owners were for ever trying something new in way of experiment. at one time the ballast of 'maria' was disposed in a layer on the outside of her planking, the lead being about in. thick at the rabbit and tapering to a half-inch about half-way out to the turn of the bilge. 'maria' had several test matches with the schooner 'america,' just before that vessel departed on her eventful voyage to england in ; 'maria' usually beat the schooner easily, particularly in smooth sea and moderate wind. it is related of 'maria' that on one day when conditions favoured her she sailed three times completely around 'america' in a comparatively short distance, which performance forms the subject of a spirited picture here given. after the death of commodore stevens, and when 'maria' was the property of his brother edward, the yacht was lengthened about ft. or ft., and finally rigged as a schooner. she was then sold and used in the fruit trade, making voyages to the coast of honduras; but in october , as she was bound to new york with a load of cocoa-nuts, a storm overtook her when in the vicinity of hatteras, in which she succumbed, and vessel and crew were never more heard of. james waterbury was also a prominent yachtsman in those early days. the sloop 'una' was built for him in by george steers, ft. long, lengthened in to ft., and again in to ft. in.; tonnage, . the sloop 'julia' was built for mr. waterbury in by george steers, and designed by nelson spratt; her length was ft. in. extreme, and ft. on water-line. this wonderful vessel seems to have sprung into existence by chance; her designer was a quiet, obscure man, whose ideas of naval architecture appear to have been far in advance of his time. [illustration: 'america,' tons, (commodore stevens, n.y.y.c.)] 'julia' was one of the handsomest yachts of her day, and the fastest when proper allowance for difference of size was made. it is true that 'maria' nearly always beat her, but in those days the system of allowance favoured the larger vessel, which error exists in allowance tables in use at present. the sloop 'rebecca' was built in by william tooker, a brother-in-law of george steers, for j. g. van pelt. her length over all was ft., ft. on water-line, ft. in. beam, ft. in. deep, ft. in. draught, . sq. ft. of sail spread, tonnage . . the schooner 'america,' the most famous yacht of her day, was built by george steers and w. h. brown, designed and superintended by george steers, launched may , , for john c. stevens, hamilton wilkes, george l. schuyler, james hamilton, j. beekman finlay, and edward a. stevens, brother of commodore stevens. the 'america' was ft. long on deck, ft. water-line, ft. in. beam, ft. in. depth of hold, ft. in. draught; her mainmast was ft. long, ft. in. foremast, her main topmast was ft. in. long, no foretopmast, ft. main boom, no fore boom, ft. main gaff, ft. fore gaff, ft. bowsprit outboard, tonnage. after 'america' finished her brilliant career in england in august , she was sold there to lord de blaquiere and remained in foreign waters for ten years; she then fell into the hands of the southern confederacy, and when the u.s.s. 'ottawa' visited florida in 'america' was found sunk in st. john's river. she was raised, pumped out, and sent to port royal, thence to annapolis, maryland, where she remained in government service for several years, and was finally sold to general b. f. butler. she still remains in yachting service as staunch as ever, and by no means the least handsome nor slowest of the national pleasure fleet; in fact, she is to day a monument to the skill of her designer and excellent thoroughness of her builder. the racing of the 'america' in england years ago has without doubt had more influence, directly and indirectly, on the yachting world than the performance of any other yacht, and both countries concerned owe to her designer and owners a debt of gratitude that will remain uncancelled for generations; for it has been the means of bringing the two yachting nations together in many friendly contests, resulting not only in marked modifications in the form and rig of the yachts of both countries, but the social intercourse begun so many years ago has continued and increased greatly to the benefit of yachting, and has led to a more complete union of all interested in the promotion of close international relations. [illustration: lines and midship section of the 'america,' launched may , .] in robert and isaac fish (brothers) established themselves in new york as builders and designers of yachts and other vessels. on the death of isaac, 'bob fish' continued the business and turned out many well-known yachts, sloops at first and later schooners. his yachts were generally successful as racers, and next to steers his designs were thought to be best; but whilst his yachts were fast and usually successful in other respects, their form was not destined to live, for the system of shoal draught and wide beam is now obsolete, except in waters where the conditions require special features. fish showed no tendency to change the model then in vogue, his last yacht being just like the earlier in form and in general proportions. mr. fish had great skill in 'tuning up' a yacht for racing, and many craft owe their success to his ability. a few of the best-known yachts by mr. fish were, sloop 'newburg,' ; sloop 'undine,' sloop 'gertrude,' ; 'victoria,' --this last became a blockade-runner in , was captured, sold, and afterwards wrecked. sloop 'eva,' , afterwards a schooner, was capsized and lost on charleston bar. 'meteor,' schooner, , a large and fine vessel, was lost the same year on cape bonne, whilst cruising in the mediterranean. schooners 'wanderer' and 'enchantress' were both very successful vessels, and fast in their day. in mr. fish remodelled 'sappho,' giving her wholly new lines and changing essentially her proportions, vastly improving the sailing qualities of the yacht, as was afterward proved by her successes in foreign waters as a racer. another designer and builder of about this period was d. d. mallory, of noank, connecticut; he brought out many fast and otherwise successful sloops, but it can be said of him, as of robert fish, that his tendencies in designing were not in a direction toward improvement; the same wide, flat, shoal-draught vessels were adhered to from first to last. some of mallory's best-known yachts were 'mystic,' , 'richmond,' , 'mallory,' , 'haswell,' , 'plover,' , 'zouave,' . in the herreshoffs began yacht building and designing in bristol, rhode island. they had inherited tendencies toward everything connected with marine affairs, and having been born and bred on the shore of narragansett bay, their attention was early turned to boating, and later to yachting. from the outset the herreshoffs departed from old forms, and struck out for something better than the 'skimming-dish,' as the popular model was truly but irreverently called. some of the best known yachts built in bristol were 'kelpie,' , 'qui vive,' , 'clytie,' , 'sadie,' , 'orion,' , the schooners 'ianthe,' 'triton,' 'faustine,' and a great number of smaller craft of either sloop or cat rig. [illustration: 'shadow,' .] in mr. n. g. herreshoff, the younger of the two brothers connected in yacht-building, and the designer, brought out the 'shadow,' ft. over all, a sloop whose fame is still fresh in the mind of every yachtsman in america. she has won more races than any american yacht, and even to-day can give the best of the new yachts a very hard pull. the 'shadow' has the honour of being the first yacht built on what was afterwards known as the 'compromise model'; that is, a design that combines the beam of the american with the depth of the english yacht. from her earliest performance 'shadow' showed speed and admirable qualities, but strangely enough, her form was not reproduced nor copied for nearly fifteen years, which may be accounted for in a measure by her designer having deserted the yachting field and turned his attention to steam engineering and to the designing of steam yachts. mr. herreshoff, however, did not wholly abandon his interest in sailing vessels, and occasionally put forth a sailing yacht, or more properly boat, one of which, the cat-boat 'gleam,' was very famous for speed both in native and english waters. [illustration: lines and midship section of the 'shadow,' designed by n. herreshoff, .] another well-known cat was 'alice,' ; she took twelve first prizes out of eleven starts during her first year, in one race there having been two prizes offered. during the ten years from to , covering the period of the war of the rebellion, yachting interests were at a low ebb, and comparatively few pleasure vessels of any kind were built. a change presently came over the fancy of yachtsmen, which was shown by a feeling against large sloops, mostly on account of their being difficult in management. the long boom is always an element of danger and inconvenience, so that during the period alluded to many of the old sloops were rigged into schooners, and toward the latter part of the decade schooners became more successful and popular on account of their ease in handling, and their being far better adapted for ocean cruising, which at that time became more and more general with the owners of pleasure craft. the coming of 'cambria' in , and later of 'livonia,' seemed to act as a stimulant in the construction of schooners, and many were built and found to be very satisfactory and successful. a list of the best known and most successful schooners that existed about and would include:--'phantom,' tons; 'maggie,' tons; 'sylvie,' tons; 'tidal wave,' tons; 'madeleine,' tons; 'rambler,' tons; 'idler,' tons; 'dauntless,' tons; 'magic,' tons; 'fleetwing,' tons; 'palmer,' tons; 'alice,' tons; 'fleur de lys,' tons; 'eva,' tons; 'restless,' tons; 'josephine,' tons; 'calypso,' tons; 'widgeon,' tons; 'halcyon,' tons; 'tarolenta,' tons; 'alarm,' tons; 'vesta,' tons; 'wanderer,' tons; 'columbia,' tons; 'sappho,' tons; 'enchantress,' tons; 'mohawk,' launched in june, , tons; 'ambassadress,' , tons; 'intrepid,' , tons; 'grayling,' , ft. long, tons, designed by philip elsworth, remodelled by burgess in ; 'montauk,' elsworth designer, , tons; 'sea fox,' , designed and owned by a. cass canfield, tons. [illustration: midship sections.] some very fast sloops appeared after , but in less number than before that date. the following list covers those that were best known and noted for speed:--the 'mannersing,' built by david kirby, rye, new york, launched june , , ft. over all, ft. in. length on water-line, ft. beam, ft. in. deep, and ft. draught, centreboard, tons; she was very fast, won three races out of five, was later owned in new bedford, where she was wrecked. the 'mallory,' built by d. d. mallory, , ft. over all, ft. length on water-line, ft. beam, ft. deep, ft. draught, a very handsome and fast vessel, tons; she was lost at sea on a voyage from havanna to new york, no survivors. the 'annie,' built by albertson brothers, philadelphia, designed by robert fish, , ft. over all, ft. in. length on water-line, ft. beam, ft. in. deep, ft. in. draught, centreboard. 'annie' was first owned by mr. anson livingston, who was the best amateur yachtsman of that day; he sailed 'annie' in five races and won them all; she was finally shipped to california on the deck of the vessel 'three brothers,' and is now doing very satisfactory duty in the bay of san francisco. 'addie,' v. sloop, built by david kirby for william voorhis, , ft. in. over all, ft. length on water-line and ft. beam, ft. in. deep, ft. in. draught, centreboard; she was but fairly fast, and underwent many changes. 'coming,' sloop, centreboard, designed by r. fish, , ft. over all, ft. length on water-line, ft. in. beam, ft. in. deep, ft. draught, - / tons; she was not at first fast, but later, when owned in boston, she developed very good speed, and won several races. [illustration: sail plan of 'gracie.'] 'gracie,' launched july , was modelled and built by a. polhemus at nyack, new york. her dimensions were then ft. in. over all, ft. in. water-line, ft. in. beam, ft. in. depth of hold, and ft. draught, centreboard lengthened ft. aft in . in she was lengthened to ft. in. over all, ft. water-line, ft. in. beam, ft. in. depth of hold, and ft. in. draught. in she was again rebuilt and altered by david cool at city island, and lengthened to about ft. over all, with same water-line, a beam of ft. in., ft. depth of hold, and ft. in. draught. her mast was ft. over all, topmast ft., boom ft., gaff ft., whole length of bowsprit, of which ft. is outboard. that was the dimension she had when she sailed with the 'bedouin,' the 'puritan,' and 'priscilla.' she was again altered in , giving her tons inside ballast, the rest on the keel. when she was launched her tonnage, old measurement, was - / ; to-day it is - / . [illustration: lines and midship section of 'gracie,' new york yacht club, launched july .] such are the changes made in old yachts now-a-days. a new one every year is all the fashion; no alteration of originals, but new lines entirely. the following were notable yachts:-- the sloop 'madeleine,' built by david kirby, rye, new york, and launched march, , designed by j. voorhis. length over all ft., ft. length on water-line, ft. beam, and ft. in. deep, ft. in. draught. in her original form she was a failure, but in was changed to a schooner. after alterations to her design of hull in and again in , she became a fast yacht, and was chosen to defend the 'america' cup against the 'countess of dufferin' in . the cutter 'vindex,' built by reanyson and archibald in chester, pennsylvania, in , designed jointly by a. cary smith and her owner, robert center. she is the first iron yacht built in this country, being a new departure in design as well as rig, though not famous for speed, and was not a racer; still she was an excellent vessel for cruising, and was particularly comfortable in beating to windward in strong weather. 'vindex' was ft. overall, ft. length on water-line, ft. in. beam, ft. in. deep, ft. in. draught, keel, tons. the sloop 'vixen,' centreboard, built by albertson bros., of philadelphia, for anson livingston, designed by r. fish, , length overall ft., ft. length on water-line, ft. in. beam, ft. deep, ft. in. draught, tons. sailed thirty-seven races in the new york yacht club, and won eighteen first prizes. the sloop 'fanny,' built by d. o. richmond, in mystic, connecticut, . length over all ft., ft. length on water-line, ft. in. beam, ft. in. deep, ft. draught, centreboard, tons. she sailed twenty-six races in the new york yacht club, and won ten prizes. sloop 'arrow,' built by david kerby for daniel edgar, , ft. in. over all, ft. in. length on water-line, ft. in. beam, ft. in. deep, ft. in. draught, - / tons. her career was short and creditable under the flag of the new york yacht club, she having, in her first year, entered five races and won four prizes. sloop 'mischief,' designed by a. cary smith, built by the harlan hollingsworth co., of wilmington, delaware, of iron, ; ft. in. over all, ft. length on water-line, ft. in. beam, ft. in deep, ft. in. draught, - / tons. 'mischief' was chosen to defend the 'america' cup against 'atalanta' in ; she has sailed twenty-six races and won eleven prizes. the sloop 'pocahontas' was built by david kirby for a syndicate. launched in , she was ft. in. she was intended to defend the 'america' cup against 'atalanta,' but was badly beaten by 'mischief' and 'gracie,' and was retired, bearing the well-deserved sobriquet 'pokey.' the sloop 'priscilla' was built of iron by the harlan hollingsworth co., wilmington, delaware, and designed by a. cary smith for james g. bennett and william douglas, with a view to defend the 'america' cup against 'genesta,' but the trial races showed 'puritan' to be the best yacht, . she was sold in to a. cass canfield, who did all in his power to bring her into racing form, but improvements in designing set her hopelessly astern. 'priscilla' was ft. in. over all, ft. in. length on water-line, ft. in. beam, ft. in. deep, ft. draught, centreboard. she was rigged into a schooner in , but as a racer has never made a creditable record. the sloop 'atlantic' was built by j. f. mumm at bay ridge, long island, designed by philip elsworth for latham a. fish and others. she was built to defend the 'america' cup against 'galatea,' but in the trial races she was beaten by both 'puritan' and 'mayflower,' and was retired. in she was sold, and changed into a schooner. length over all ft., ft. in. length on water-line, ft. in. beam, ft. in. deep, ft. draught, centreboard, - / tons. amongst designers of this period a. cary smith, whose name is mentioned above, stands unquestionably first in new york; his boats were and are to-day favourites amongst yachtsmen. it may be said of him that he displayed good sense in designing, and whilst his productions have not been famous as racers, still they are by no means the last to return; and when we consider qualities of staunchness, trustworthiness of working in stress of weather, and all except the extreme of speed, his yachts have not been excelled. in late years, beside yacht designing, mr. smith has taken up the modelling of fast screw and side-wheel steamers for special passenger coastwise traffic, in which line his skill has proved pre-eminent; vessels of his design are to-day the fastest afloat, and, like his other work, are marked by evidence of perfect understanding of the requirements; in short, he builds for the special use demanded, and therefore his labours are followed by success. he first came before the public in , when he jointly with robert center designed the iron cutter 'vindex,' at chester, pennsylvania. then he built the schooner 'prospero,' and it was said that he laid down the lines from paper draughts without having a model, which was at that time a great fad. then he designed and built the 'norna' and 'intrepid,' 'mina,' 'iroquois,' and 'zampa'; he has now designed and is superintending the building of two schooners, two ferry-boats, and one 'sound' steamer. he is also a fine marine artist, and has painted many noted yachts: the 'sappho' for commodore douglas, and 'dauntless' for commodore bennett, the 'wanderer,' 'columbia,' the 'vindex,'and many other celebrated yachts. about twenty years after the organisation of the new york yacht club, the brooklyn yacht club was formed, and, soon following it, the atlantic yacht club appeared. the new clubs were composed of men who owned generally a smaller class of yachts than that in the older club, but their members were interested and active, and races were held in early summer and in autumn, as well as a cruise to newport in midsummer. [illustration: international race, . 'galatea' (lieut. w. henn, r.n.) passing sandy hook lightship.] the desire for club formation was prevalent in boston about the same time that the brooklyn and atlantic were started. the boston club was a promising institution, and called together a very respectable fleet of yachts; races and cruises were held, and much discussion on, and comparison of, designs were indulged in, to the decided advantage of the style of rig and general management of pleasure craft both in cruising and racing. early in the ' 's there appeared a sudden disposition to form yachting clubs wherever a handful of boats could be found with owners living near each other. club after club was started, many of which were short-lived, but in a little time the discordant elements were separated, and in all the clubs that now exist can be found a healthy social spirit, and a true disposition to advance the cause of yachting by the encouragement of corinthian races and cruises. with the organisation of the seawanhaka yacht club of new york, and the eastern yacht club in boston, the circle of really important clubs seems to be filled; but it is to-day easy to find as many as twenty-five or thirty clubs scattered from maine to florida, whose influence and example offer encouragement to the promotion of social intercourse and yacht designing. about the year there began to arise amongst yachtsmen a feeling of uneasiness in respect of the design of yachts then in vogue, and for so many years in successful use. it was the natural sequence of the gradual change that was being wrought in the surroundings of the class that seek pastimes, and with increase of leisure and wealth there came a desire for more seaworthy vessels; cruising had then become a settled thing, and a winter's cruise in southern waters was no unusual event. the ever-increasing communication with england, and consequent friendly intercourse, led directly to a desire on the part of many american yachtsmen to adopt a design--if not an exact copy--something more after the style of the english yacht. the sad accident to the 'mohawk' also had its influence in unsettling our faith in the wide, flat model, and in , when the 'madge' came in amongst us and showed what speed and weatherly qualities were present in the english design, and when also the cutter 'clara' drove home and clinched the work the 'madge' had begun, there then set in a regular _furore_ amongst american designers and yachtsmen for something that was different from the then accepted forms of hull and styles of rig. in , when it became necessary to defend the 'america' cup against 'genesta,' it dawned on the yachting fraternity that a stroke must be made or the much-prized trophy would return to its native shores. [illustration: 'puritan,' (general paine, n.y.y.c.)] as usually happens in a country of progressive and intelligent people, the need calls forth its own means of cure, and edward burgess came to the front with a solution of the difficulty. the new designer created nothing newer than a refinement of what existed in the sloop 'shadow,' built fourteen years before; but his clever combination of what is best in english and american designs gave us in the 'puritan' a vessel of which a designer might well be proud. the nation was satisfied with her performance, and grateful to her promulgator. the success of the cutter 'puritan' at once placed mr. burgess in advance of all american designers, and at the same time her form and rig were pronounced to be entirely successful, and from that moment the compromise model, as it was called, became established on what has proved most firm foundation; for it has not only revolutionised designing in america, but has had a very marked influence on the form of yachts in england, to their evident improvement--at least, it is natural to conclude that the best of two widely divergent results in yacht designing would lie in a middle position between the two. in burgess brought out the cutter 'mayflower' to meet 'galatea,' but the former yacht had small need of her superiority over 'puritan,' for 'mayflower' easily beat her opponent, and again the cup renewed its length of days on this side of the ocean. in a most determined and well-planned movement was made by scottish yachtsmen against the 'america' cup. it was beyond question the most hard-fought battle in yachting that had occurred up to that date, but the hastily built 'volunteer,' also designed by mr. burgess, proved again that it was no easy task to carry off the cup that had then been fully naturalised by a residence in this land of thirty-six years. the much-coveted cup now enjoyed a season of comparative rest, and year after year the new design became stronger and more securely established in the good opinion of american as well as english yachtsmen. the old question of centreboard _v._ keel still vexed the minds of those interested, and without doubt it will be long insoluble; but seeing that both have inalienable advantages, both types of construction will be used so long as a demand for yachts for varying conditions shall exist. let it be admitted, however, that the newest design of keel yachts have their form below water so shaped as to very nearly resemble a centreboard, and the best shape of centreboard yachts have lateral resistance enough to do fairly good work to windward with their board drawn up; so in this particular, as in the general form of the hull, the best practice lies in combining both devices. it must also be freely admitted that for the pure comfort and pleasure of sailing, for an appreciation of the inspiriting motion, as well as for the comfort of increased deck and cabin room, nothing yet has exceeded the form of yacht now falling into disuse; and for the pleasure of sailing on the usually smooth waters of our sheltered bays, and wafted by the moderate breezes that are most frequently found, nothing can surpass for pure enjoyment the cat-boat of middle size, say about ft. in length. in , the lovers of racing pinned their faith to the -foot class, and burgess's fame rose higher and higher. he became the idol of his countrymen; a gift of , dollars indicated in some measure the regard of his admiring friends, and really he deserved it: he was gentle and unassuming in manner, always courteous, and interested not only in his favourite profession, for unlike many gifted men he had more than one side. his love for and knowledge of natural history were scarcely less remarkable than his skill in the pursuit to which he devoted all his time during the last four years of his life. mr. burgess was for many years secretary of the natural history association of boston, and resigned that position only when forced by pressure of business, consequent on the supervision of construction and fitting out of the many yachts that he yearly put forth. the appended list and dimensions of some of the best known and most successful of mr. edward burgess's yachts is interesting as showing the change in chief proportions of the several yachts as compared with craft of the older design. [illustration: 'volunteer' (_from photograph sent by general paine, n.y.y.c._) .] at this time the minds of our yachtsmen were sorely fretted by the performance of the cutter 'minerva' from scotland. she laid all low who dared to wrestle with her, and not until the concentrated strength of our great designer was invoked could she be beaten. even then the 'gossoon' could not always outstrip her, but the newly developed skill that she set in motion did not rest with the beating of 'minerva,' and to-day she would have no chance. great strides were made in , placing on an even footing the famous -foot class with yachts of ft. superior length. +------------------+-------+-------+-------+-------+------+------+ | | over | | | | | | | | all | w.l. | beam |draught| tons | date | +------------------+-------+-------+-------+-------+------+------+ | |ft. in.|ft. in.|ft. in.|ft. in.| | | |schooners:-- | | | | | | | | sachem, c.b. | | | | | -- | | | marguerite, c.b. | | | | | | | | quickstep, c.b. | | | | | | | |cutters:-- | | | | | | | | volunteer, c.b. | | | | | -- | | | mayflower, c.b. | | | | | -- | | | puritan, c.b. | | | | | -- | | | harpoon, c.b. | | | | | -- | | | oweene, k. | | | | | | | | gossoon, k. | | | | | -- | | | hawk, c.b. | | | | | | | | titania, c.b. | | | | | -- | | +------------------+-------+-------+-------+-------+------+------+ c.b. centreboard. k. keel boats. w.l. water-line. the year of was famous in bringing to a climax the development of the new idea; several new designers of merit appeared, notably mr. william gardiner of new york. his 'lyris' was a marvel of speed, and in her class she was well nigh invincible. , indeed, opened with every nerve at the highest tension. one incident was the return of mr. n. g. herreshoff to the field of sail-yacht designing from which he had retired nineteen years before. to add to the interest and excitement, several designers contributed their skill in forming the famous class of -footers that rendered that season long remembered in yachting annals. burgess had four, and fife of scotland, general paine of boston, herreshoff of bristol, and j. r. maxwell of new york, each sent one yacht to the lists; so the new fleet represented, not only well-tried skill, but the work of several who were new in the field. no one of the fleet of racers attracted so much interest and discussion as the cutter 'gloriana,' keel, the herreshoff production; she was a decided departure from accepted forms, and destined to create a revolution in the science of naval architecture. criticism was poured upon 'gloriana' from every side--a very few thought she might sail moderately fast, but the majority who expressed their minds all united in declaring that nothing but abject failure could follow such an act of boldness as her model appeared to all but her designer, and perhaps her owner, mr. e. d. morgan. [illustration: 'gossoon,' keel boat, . designed by e. burgess.] mr. herreshoff, however, had built a small craft in the autumn of which was on much the same lines as 'gloriana,' except that the latter was a more complete representative of the new system; the trial boat of the previous autumn showed qualities in sailing and handling that gave the designer of 'gloriana' courage to proceed with a craft that called forth general condemnation before she was launched, a feeling which was quickly changed to astonishment and approval as soon as she was tried against other members of her class. the feature of 'gloriana' that marked her amongst all other yachts of that season was her abnormal overhang, showing a length over all of ft. to that on water of ft. in. this unusual degree of overhang gave an opportunity for the elongation of the body of the yacht, the fulness of the bilge being extended quite to the extreme point of the bow and stern. [illustration: 'gloriana,' . designed by herreshoff.] the lines of 'gloriana's' entrance seemed almost bluff; but owing to the flare of that portion of the hull where contact is first made with the water, she appeared to roll it underneath her in a manner that disposed of the displacement more easily than by the nearly vertical sides of the usual wedge-shaped bow; at least if one could judge from the very slight and superficial character of the 'fuss' made around her bow, and also by the diminished effect of the wave under the lee bow to turn the yacht to windward (shown by her very easy helm), the inference is clear that this form of entrance does its work with less expended power than the old form. another most advantageous result of the elongation of the body of 'gloriana' is the fact that when she plunges into rough water the part of the hull immersed by pitching presents lines that are just as long and easy as those shown when the yacht is sailing in smooth water. this feature of 'gloriana's' performance gives her a higher rate of speed when compared with yachts of old type at times and conditions when the speed of all the old formed yachts suffer a marked diminution. besides the fact of a gain in speed with a given power, this form affords an increase of space below as well as on deck, and if the vastly increased buoyancy be considered, enabling the yacht to carry greater spread of sail and carry it well, it will be seen what a really important improvement was demonstrated in 'gloriana.' she sailed during her maiden season eight races and took eight first prizes--a clean record--and with the exception of one race all were sailed with her largest club topsail set. had she met with fairly rough water, as occurred on one of the races, her superior sailing qualities would have stood forth in even stronger contrast. the yachting season of was clouded by the death of mr. burgess, which happened soon after the close of the june races, the result of which he never knew, as the defeat of his 'syanara' and 'mineola' was never told him. by his death, yachting received a blow from which it may not quickly recover; he enjoyed to the utmost the regard and gratitude of the public, the measure of which was shown by the voluntary creation of a fund for the education of his children. as was predicted, the season of was not as exciting as the previous year; the -foot class received a new member in the cutter 'wasp,' from the herreshoff hand; she was an advance on 'gloriana'--the same ideas more fully developed--the changes being in part suggested by or taken from the design of a new type of boat afterwards called 'fin-keel,' the first of which craft was launched and tried in the autumn of ; but of this more will be said later. 'wasp' found as opponents her sister 'gloriana,' now passed from the hands of her original owner and from good management, and the reformed 'beatrix,' a centreboard cutter of , now worked by the adams brothers, two of the most acute yachtsmen in the country, who so improved the 'harpoon,' as they renamed her, that for a time it was thought 'wasp' would be out-sailed; but except in the goelet cup race off newport, when 'wasp's' skipper made a capital blunder, the herreshoff flyer made a record but little less clean than that of 'gloriana' in . 'gloriana' took third place to the 'harpoon's' second, the result of poor handling, and in a degree to the constantly prevailing light winds in which all the races were sailed, light club topsails being carried in every instance. [illustration: 'wasp,' . herreshoff's design.] a novel and interesting feature of the yachting season of was the 'fin-keel' boat, a production of n. g. herreshoff. it will be seen from the cut below that some of the peculiarities of the 'gloriana' form are embodied in this singular craft--namely, the long overhang and the rounded elongation of the bilge to the extreme limits of the bow and stern. the chief characteristic, however, is the fin, or in effect a fixed centreboard carrying a weight of lead on its lower edge sufficient to give the craft stability enough to balance the rigging and press of wind in the sails. the most successful fin-keel boats have a length on water equal to three-and-a-half beams, and as the section of the hull is round or nearly so, stability is gained in a manner already explained. [illustration: fin-keel and bulb.] the first of this style of craft was built and launched in the autumn of , and was called 'dilemma'; she had a very moderate-sized rig, the jib-stay being secured to the extreme point of the bow, but with this she easily beat the old style of cat-boat, and showed, besides unusual speed, many other desirable qualities. in the fin-keel boat was generally introduced, three or four sailing in boston waters, while new york, the lakes, and buzzard's bay claimed one each to two in their home waters of narragansett bay. [illustration: 'consuelo,' cat-yawl.] the 'wenona' and 'wee winn,' the first in the north and the latter in the south of england, showed our friends on the other side of the sea what their racing qualities were, which are soon told by referring to their record. out of twenty starts made by 'wenona' she won first, second, and third prizes, and her sister in the south was even more fortunate, winning first and second prizes out of twenty-one starts. the fin-keel type at home was almost as successful, except when brought into competition with a centreboard boat of sloop rig, ft. length on water-line, called 'alpha.' she was built and designed by the projector of the fin-keels, and was the chief member of a large -foot class that was fully exploited in boston during the season of , where the 'alpha' won in every race she entered. the value of the fin-keel type in adding to the resources of yachting is limited; the type does not contribute anything of living value to yachting, it serves only as a means to show that old types can easily be beaten, but that it takes a 'machine' to do it. fin-keels are, it is true, very pleasant to sail in, and they work beautifully, but the design is probably limited in size to - or -ft. water-line in length, for above that size the fin becomes a very troublesome adjunct in its handling and adjustment. when the boat is afloat the fin is not objectionable, but in taking the bottom by accident, or in hauling it out, it makes the boat most troublesome to handle. larger fin-keel boats have been projected, and one of ft. length on water-line has just been built, but their success from a general view-point is highly questionable. mr. n. g. herreshoff, in , introduced a very useful rig, which was first tested to his complete satisfaction on 'consuelo.' these boats are styled 'cat-yawl,' and since their introduction the type has become very popular, and most deservedly so, as for ordinary sailing, and particularly cruising, the rig offers many important advantages. in reefing the mainsail is accessible, and the absence of the long boom of the cat-boat is readily appreciated. the rig of the cat-yawl has been applied successfully to all designs of yacht, deep and moderate beam as well as the shallow broad type, and always with increasing satisfaction. the rig, however, seems to be confined to boats not over ft. length on water-line, as, the mainmast being placed so near the bow, it is impossible to stay it, and too large a mast unstayed is not desirable in a cruising boat. [illustration: herreshoff catamaran.] the proportions between the mainsail and jigger as recommended by the projector is in the former to in the latter--that is, the dimensions of the jigger should be exactly one-half those of the mainsail. mr. herreshoff is also responsible for another marine curiosity that appeared in . this was a catamaran or double-hulled boat--intended to be handled by one man. this boat differs from its kinsfolk of the southern ocean, the point of widest departure being that the hulls are connected by flexible means, so that each hull can adjust itself to the surface of the water it moves in. the means employed in forming this flexible union were through the agency of a complex system of ball-and-socket joints which had range of motion enough, so that one hull might be riding a wave, whilst its sister would be in the depths of a hollow. a small tray-shaped car for passengers, and the mast and rigging, were supported between and above the hulls by a system of truss-work with adjustible tension rods of iron. these catamarans carried a mainsail and jib, and in smooth water made wonderful speed; miles an hour has been attained under favourable conditions. this aquatic marvel was not destined to become popular; the boats required special skill in their management, and were best calculated for an afternoon's sail in smooth, sheltered water. the absence of anything like cabin accommodations was also against their use, but cruising has been successfully accomplished in them through the use of a tent to make shelter, covering the car, and of sufficient height for one to stand under it. [illustration: newport (centreboard) cat-boat.] the respect of all dwellers on the shore is due to the cat-boat. she is distinctly american, and whilst her use may be more and more circumscribed, still the old cat will live and continue to fill a place that no other rig could do. but the cat-boat in the usual acceptation means something more than its simple rig; it stands for a shallow, wide boat, with one mast crowded into the extreme bow, and a boom reaching far over the stern, as in the cut on p. . the 'cat' is seen on our seaboard from maine to florida, but per cent. of all yachting and boating is done north of the capes of the delaware. in this connection it is not out of place to speak of our very large fleet of small yachts and of boats for sailing and cruising which from their size may not properly be called yachts. the number of these craft is legion, they swarm in every northern port, and in a few places in the south are frequently met; their rig is always of the sloop for the larger, and for the smaller--say below -ft. water-line--the cat-rig is in preponderance. the value of this 'mosquito fleet' as a school for yachting cannot be over-estimated. the fancy for cruising in small sloops or cat-boats has increased greatly of late, and as the type of craft for this work improves it will become a very general pastime. it is not here intended to cast too deep a slur on the cat-boats; seeing that the wind and weather are so generally moderate and dependable on our coast, cruising can safely be done in a cat of moderate rig. even in heavy weather, if properly handled, a cat is sure to come in to port with flying colours, as the writer can attest by his own experience. there are several other types of boats seen on the atlantic coast of the united states and british provinces; they vary in design of hull as well as in the rig, and are adapted to the work required and the surrounding condition of weather and water. they are mostly modifications of the old pirogue, and as a rule are more used in trade or some occupation than for pleasure. since yacht and boat racing began, there have been many different plans suggested for measurement, and for allowance between contending craft of different length. the same questions still agitate the mind of the yachtsman, and doubtless will for all time; but if the subject be wisely considered, it will be found that that system of measurement that conduces to the best form of hull and moderate-sized sail-spread is to be preferred. it is mainly owing to the differing systems of measurement that the english and american designs are so widely separated; extreme depth with a minimum breadth in the first, and broad, shallow vessels in the latter. it must be said, however, that sailing conditions had quite as much influence in dividing the types as measurement, but in the new compromise design all differences are happily united, and, be the water rough or smooth, the weather light or heavy, the new types will answer all requirements of speed or seaworthiness. the present idea of measurement that embraces sail-area and length is without question a very sensible one--surely, indeed, the best yet devised--but the tables of allowance cannot make just equality between vessels of widely different size, nor do they make just allowance between yachts of varying size in or under all conditions of wind. a system of measurement that will conduce to the construction of vessels of normal design and rig, and a table of allowance that will equalise yachts in any force of wind and condition of sea, are desiderata most devoutly wished for by all who are interested in the development of the yacht, and especially in racing. the sail of a yacht is such an essential factor in its performance that some words respecting makers of duck and of the sails themselves are not out of place. the quality of duck as to evenness of the spinning and weaving of the component yarns, and also the equality in the staple itself, are both factors of the utmost importance when the ultimate 'set' of the sail is considered. these inequalities in material, in conjunction with the personal differences of the men employed in sewing, all combine to make the set of the sail a very unknown quantity, and the differences can be removed only by the utmost care in making duck and in selection of sewers. a wholly satisfactory setting sail is a very rare sight on an american yacht, mainly on account of the uncertain characteristics of the duck, and only within the last year, as a result of the highly commendable efforts of mr. adrian wilson, of the firm of wilson & silsby, sailmakers of boston, has duck been produced that can stand comparison with that made in england for the exclusive use of lapthorn. the thanks of all earnest yachtsmen are due to mr. wilson for his interest and untiring labours in inducing the makers of yarn and weavers of duck to produce an article that will meet the difficult requirements of a racing sail. wilson & silsby of boston and john sawyer & co. of new york are considered the best sailmakers in america; but many others enjoy a good reputation: and now that really good duck can be obtained, it is hoped that better setting sails will be more easily obtained than heretofore. [illustration: 'constellation,' , new york club. designed by e. burgess.] many of our yachtsmen possess skill in designing, and are also fully capable of supervising and directing the construction of a yacht as well as her rigging and fitting out; and when that is done they can take the helm, and under their guidance their craft will be as well handled as by the best professional skipper. prominent among these skilled yachtsmen in new york is mr. e. d. morgan, commodore of the new york yacht club, who in the height of his yachting career owned a whole harbour full of yachts, ranging from an ocean-cruising steamer to a naphtha launch in machine-propelled craft, and from a first-class schooner yacht to a cat-yawl amongst the sailing vessels. others but a degree less devoted and skilful are messrs. j. r. maxwell, a. cass canfield, l. a. fish, archibald rogers; and, in boston, general charles j. paine, mr. c. h. w. foster, com. j. mal. forbes, messrs. george c. adams, c. f. adams, jun., bayard thayer, charles a. prince, john bryant, henry bryant, gordon dexter. the chief designers in new york are messrs. winteringham, gardiner, and a. c. smith; whilst in boston, messrs. stuart & binney and waterhouse & chesebro are amongst the best known; but many others scattered along our seaboard have designed and built most creditable yachts, and occasionally a craft is turned out that rivals the productions of the best and most experienced designers. yachting on the waters of the british possessions in north america has developed rapidly, and, fostered by the formation of clubs, and the establishment of regular seasons for racing and cruising, there is no doubt that the improvement of design and rig will progress satisfactorily. the seaboard of the british provinces is well adapted for cruising and racing, and due advantage is taken of all yachting facilities on the coast as well as on the great lakes, and to a considerable extent on the st. lawrence river. in glancing over the yachting situation in the united states there is every reason to feel satisfied with what has been accomplished; all improvements in design and rig have been eagerly adopted by our yachtsmen, and if we have drawn from the english in some points, they have been fully repaid by gleanings from american practice. yachting is appreciated in other localities than on the seaboard, with its bays and rivers; the great lakes have a small fleet of pleasure vessels, and on some of the smaller lakes, as minnietonka in minnesota, racing is carried to a degree of perfection wholly unsurpassed by the owners' salt-water friends. during the season of international matches, in - , the public interest awakened was extreme; reports of the racing were read with interest from maine to california. when there is no international work on hand, the chief yachting event of the year is the cruise of the new york yacht club. following the lead of 'gimcrack,' in , the cruise always takes place during the first week in august, embracing also a part or whole of the second. starting from a port on the sound easily accessible from the city of new york, the squadron makes its way eastward, stopping at several of the principal places of resort along the sound. of late years it has been the custom to race from port to port, regular entries being made and prizes awarded. at every port along its course the new york yacht squadron receives large augmentations of both sailing and steam yachts, so that at last, when the fleet anchors in the harbour of new london, it is an armada of pleasure craft laden with pleasure-seeking yachtsmen, all in accord to make this demonstration the brightest and gayest event of the season. the entrance of the squadron into narragansett bay is one of the most beautiful of all imaginable marine pictures; the ranks are then complete, often numbering vessels, by steam and sail. every available craft is pressed into service by the dwellers of newport and vicinity to go out to meet the arriving yachts; steamers laden with passengers, tugs, trading schooners with their decks black with unusual freight, the ubiquitous cat-boat, all assemble in waiting off the lightship at brenton's reef to welcome the approaching fleet that is already coming into view off point judith. the yacht squadron is escorted to the beautiful harbour of newport by the motley fleet in attendance, and anchors there with a flutter of canvas and the booming of cannon. [illustration: the ubiquitous cat-boat.] at evening the fleet is illuminated with coloured lights, the steam yachts contribute electric glare, forming a scene worth many miles of journeying to witness. then follow races in the open sea outside newport, after which the cruise is continued to new bedford, and edgartown on martha's vineyard island; more racing, and then a cruise around cape cod to boston, where more racing and much festivity is enjoyed, after which the squadron disbands, most of the yachts return to newport, whilst others cruise to mount desert island and beyond. about the middle of august it is usual to have more racing off newport under the auspices of the atlantic and seawanhaka clubs, and this usually closes the season for racing; a few matches, however, are generally expected in the autumn, but by the middle of october nearly all the yachts go out of commission. winter cruising to florida and the west indies usually begins soon after christmas, returning early in april, whereby the rigours of our northern winter are avoided. as a rule, the american yachtsman is not inclined to racing to an extent that would afford the best information and knowledge as to the design and rig of his craft. at times, however, when under the stimulus of rivalry of designers, as occurred in , or particularly when there is an international contest on hand, our marine phalanx stand forth in battle array, sacrifice no end of personal effort, and stake willingly their bottom dollar. _'america' cup competitions_ +------------+-------------------+---------+-----+-------+ | year | name | w.l. |beam |draught| | | | length | | | +------------+-------------------+---------+-----+-------+ | | | ft. | ft. | ft. | | { magic | . | . | . | |august { cambria | . | . | . | | | | | | | | { sappho | . | . | . | | { columbia | . | . | . | |october { livonia | . | . | . | | | | | | | | { madeleine | . | . | . | |august { countess dufferin | . | . | . | | | | | | | | { mischief | . | . | . | |nov. { atalanta | . | . | . | | | | | | | | { genesta | . | . | . | |sept. { puritan | . - / | . | . | | | | | | | | { galatea | . | . | . | |sept. { mayflower | . | . | . | | | | | | | | { thistle | . | . | . | |sept. { volunteer | . | . | . | | | | | | | |october { vigilant | . | . | . | | { valkyrie | . | . | . | +------------+-------------------+---------+-----+-------+ it is the earnest wish of every american yachtsman to encourage frequent and friendly intercourse with his english cousins who are working for the true interest and advancement of yacht designing. the breadth of the interlying ocean and the disparity between the winds and water of the two countries should make no barrier to closer relations, to the end that the noble science of naval architecture and its most useful teachings may find in the progress of yachting a fit subject to bind more and more closely two nations of one blood, one language, and one desire--to attain to that which is highest and best even in sports and pastimes. the valuable assistance of mr. niels olsen, superintendent of the new york yacht club, and of mr. e. a. stevens, of hoboken, nephew of commodore j. c. stevens, is hereby gratefully recognised. but for them my work would have been difficult, and in many respects impossible. steam yachting in america the rapid development of the steam engine as a motive power, and its widely distributed application, soon attracted the attention of the lovers of nautical sports, and before the year the all-conquering engine began to be used for the propulsion of pleasure craft. the invasion of fields of sport by the engine did not then recommend, nor has it since recommended, itself to the hearts of true yachtsmen; all that is so attractive in yachting seems to vanish as soon as the element of uncertainty is eliminated: all the poetry of motion, all the sense of freedom from disagreeable surroundings, as well as all interest in winds and water--all are sunk when the sail is changed for the engine as a propelling force. the steam yacht should be considered chiefly in the light of a very agreeable mode of locomotion, and as such it is unquestionably a very desirable adjunct to our resources, filling as it does a place that would be wholly impossible for sailing craft, when the uncertain character of winds and water is considered. the first idea of steam yachting in america was realised in the famous cruise of the 'north star,' a side-wheel steamship of , - / tons, built for mr. cornelius vanderbilt in . she was the most handsomely appointed vessel of her day, and sailed temporarily under the flag of the new york yacht club, which fixed her identity as a yacht, although she was built for merchant service. the 'north star,' brigantine rig, was built by jeremiah simonson, of green point, long island. length over all, ft., ft. beam, ft. in. depth, ft. draught. she was fitted with two vertical beam engines, cylinders in. diameter by ft. stroke; two boilers, ft. diameter by ft. long; paddle-wheels, ft. in diameter. she was broken up at cold spring, long island, in . the aspinwalls were the first promoters of real steam yachting, and as early as the 'firefly' was launched by smith & dimon, of new york, for messrs. w. h. aspinwall and j. l. aspinwall. her length was ft. in. over all, ft. beam, ft. in. hold, ft. in. draught, engines built by the morgan iron works, oscillating cylinders by in., locomotive boiler, paddle-wheels ft. in. diameter, size of paddles by in. she was sold to the united states government for duty on the coast survey service-- - / tons. 'clarita,' built for leonard w. jerome by lawrence faulkes williams, ; length over all, ft.; ft. in. water-line, ft. beam, ft. depth, draught ft. in., - / tons. engine by novelty iron works, cylinders by in., diameter of screw ft. in. sold to pacific mail steamship company, and is now doing towing duty on the kennebec river, maine. the 'ocean wave' was built for mr. r. t. loper by reany & naeafy, of philadelphia, in , iron. she was ft. over all, ft. beam, ft. depth, cylinders each by in., nominal horse-power. the police department of philadelphia bought her. 'day-dream,' composite construction, built by the continental iron works, green point, long island, for w. h. aspinwall, . length over all, ft.; length on water-line, ft.; beam, ft.; depth of hold, ft.; draught of water, ft. her engine was built by the delamater works of new york, vertical condensing, cylinders each by in., one boiler ft. long, diameter of screw ft. in., with ft. pitch. she was sold to the united states government for postal service in the gulf of mexico, and is now at new orleans. the 'day-dream' was really the first successful steam yacht, and set the type of pleasure craft for many years; in fact, it is but a few years ago that the style called 'deck-house' yachts went out of use, and they are at present almost entirely superseded by the deeper-hulled, flush-deck yachts. during the early seventies the steam launch, or open yacht, rapidly multiplied in numbers and seemed to fill a demand for afternoon sailing in the sheltered waters of our seaports, and as preparatory to something better they did good service. the open steam-launch as then used was from to ft. long, and to ft. wide, usually with vertical engines, and used a pipe condenser and boiler of upright form, generally of tubular construction. after the open launch came the small yacht, having a small cabin enclosed mostly by glass with a standing room aft. this very popular form is still much used, and answers a widely sought demand for day sailing or short cruising; the boats are usually about to ft. long, and from to ft. wide. this style of small yacht had no deck room that was available for real use, but the standing room with an awning over it with adjacent cabin made a very serviceable craft, in which cruising could be done from may until october on our coast with perfect safety. in those days miles an hour was thought fast enough for anybody, but in a few years, when the engine and boiler were both more perfected, more speed was demanded, so that the type in question attained to or miles an hour, which in some cases has been pushed to , whilst the speed of the open launch which at first was but to miles an hour, reached, under the stimulus of popular desire and better motive power, to and even miles an hour in quiet smooth water. about the flush-deck yacht became more popular, and most deservedly so, as the style is superior in all essential points to the old deck-house form. it is true that the cabin of the older form is pleasanter, being lighter and more airy, but the strength of construction gained by the flush deck, its broad expanse of deck everywhere available for sitting and promenading, all these points of advantage give the present form decidedly the first place in the estimation of all lovers of steam yachting. since , steam yachting has increased with prodigious rapidity, and, particularly since the introduction of naphtha as a factor in motive power, our waters fairly swarm with craft propelled by a machine. in about the year a club was formed for steam-yacht owners only, called the american yacht club, and for several years it offered prizes to be run for in long island sound; but steam-yacht racing did not become popular, principally because of the danger of forcing machinery to its utmost limit of safety, and also the difficulty of classifying yachts of different size and power of engine. for the most part the devotees of steam yachting are drawn from the general public without special regard of the situation of their home, as a yacht can be kept on the seaboard or on the lakes, whilst the owner may live far from the sight and sound of the sea; the restless spirit of our countrymen prompts them to embark into every scheme of pleasure-making, as well as business enterprise. naturally, however, by far the greater number of steam-yacht owners have their homes on or very near some navigable water, upon which they pursue their favourite sport as a pastime only, or in connection with the daily engagements of business life. many men of large means and wide business interests who may be seen daily on wall street or in other centres of trade in new york have homes on the head waters of long island sound, or on the lower stretches of the hudson, whence they daily run to the city of new york in a steam yacht, which, after landing its luxurious owner, waits until his day is done in the city, and bears him again to a home of comfort and quiet retreat. yachts used chiefly for such purposes are always fast; when the speed falls below miles an hour, their owners fret and fume, and wonder why she is not doing as well as she might. steam yachts having abnormally high speed are occasionally seen in a large yachting fleet. there are always a few men, who, from a love of seeing their names in print and their movements and those of their yacht recorded in the newspapers of the day, find that by tearing up the waters of our bays and harbours with yachts which show a speed of miles an hour, their fondest hope is realised; for every eye follows them, and every reporter wastes his pencil in recording the performances of the speedy craft. it is their delight on regatta days to dart about amongst the fleet of yachts and craft of the lookers-on, and astonish everybody by some new flight of speed or some skilful evolution. i am happy to record, however, that the number of these flyers is small, and becoming less: such speeds are attained only by great danger to life and limb of those in charge of the machine, and an entire loss of comfort from the violent vibration of the vessel; for she must be built as light and carry as powerful machinery as possible, to give the results desired by these morbid lovers of notoriety, who are no more yachtsmen than is the man who takes a balloon trip so as to be seen by the crowd. it must be admitted that comfort and pleasure can be, and doubtless are, found on many steam yachts; for instance, a yacht of ft. water-line, by ft. beam, with a well-kept flush-deck, a comfortable deck-house forward, a large awning spread over all, the deck set out with persian rugs, tables, and comfortable rattan chairs, and a number of congenial friends present, who are not tired of life and each other--i think no one will deny that pleasure in the highest degree could be realised with such surroundings. our prevailing pleasant weather during the yachting season, and the uniformly sheltered character of our waters, have had their effect on the form and construction of steam yachts as well as those by sail. nearly per cent. of all steam yachts in america are built expressly for bay, harbour, and river work, and when it is necessary to make any extended trip, as for instance to the coast of maine, they usually creep close along shore, moving cautiously from port to port. we can, however, boast of a few deep-sea craft, as fine and seaworthy as any pleasure vessels in the world, such as those owned by the late jay gould, mr. w. w. astor, the vanderbilts, and few others. the general dimensions of many steam yachts are ruled by the probability of their taking the passage through the erie canal, the locks of which are ft. long and ft. wide, and admit a vessel drawing ft. of water. there is a marked advantage in taking the erie canal to reach the great lakes; with a vessel of proper size the passage of the canal is safe and easy, whilst the trip around by the gulf and river of st. lawrence is very long and surrounded by difficulties, although the voyage will richly repay one for taking it, as it affords greater variety in sea and landscape than any other possible in america. steam yachting on the great lakes is also increasing rapidly, and in the harbours of the large cities, as buffalo, cleveland, toledo, detroit, milwaukee, and chicago, many steam pleasure craft may be seen, usually of a length of ft. or less, so as to make their way to the salt water by the canal. as in the case of sailing yachts, per cent. of steam craft are to be found north of the capes of the delaware, but their numbers are increasing south of that point more rapidly than their sailing sisters. the gulf and tributary waters as yet show very few pleasure craft of either sort, and the pacific coast, on account of the high cost of fuel, is not the scene of steam yachting to any considerable extent. in the bay of san francisco, however, are a large number of naphtha launches that find very favourable water in that shallow sea. there is far less variety of form and rig among steam yachts than in any other pleasure craft. the accepted form at present is a flush-deck vessel with pole masts, triple-expansion engine, and some modification of the old belville boiler, a form that has many varieties, none of which are satisfactory in more than a few points. they are generally safe from explosion, but very short-lived, and difficult to manage. the compound engine was introduced into yachting craft about the year , and its success was as marked as in all other branches of marine construction. the triple-expansion engine was first used in with increased success over its ancestor, the compound, and in the quadruple engine was put into a few yachts; but it may be questioned if it possesses any advantages over the triple for the general uses of yachting. the use of high-expansion engines not only results in a marked economy of fuel, but, through a wide distribution of power and strain, far greater durability is attained, as well as greater freedom from vibration, which often imparts discomfort to the passengers, and injury to the hull of the yacht. with regard to the designing and construction of steam yachts, it seems to be the aim of every designer and builder to try his hand at this branch of naval architecture, and, as might naturally be expected, the resultant vessel is too often an example of semi-successful work of the novice, clumsy in form, construction, and machinery, rude in design and ill fitted to its duty. nearly all the deep-sea pleasure craft are built on the delaware, and as a rule are staunch, seaworthy vessels with good speed, and generally satisfactory performance in all situations. the herreshoff co., of rhode island, have passed no. in steam vessels, the larger number of which are small launches, a good proportion small cabin yachts, and the rest of the every-day class of along-shore craft which satisfy the desires of nearly all who find pleasure on our coast in steam yachts. the herreshoff co. turns out the fastest vessels of their class, and for general qualities are the best examples of careful designing and construction as applied to both hull and machinery. they have the advantage of building every member of a yacht, hull, engines, and boiler, so the result is more harmonious, and in the main is more conducive to speed and that condition, called 'well balanced,' which is so desirable in all steam vessels. during the last five years naphtha engines, as applied to launches, have been greatly improved, so that their use has become immensely popular. they vary in size from to ft. in length, with speed from to miles an hour; in a measure they have displaced small steam launches as tenders for yachts, and in many places where no great degree of skill is required to run them; in fact, the ease of running and little time required to start a launch are the chief reasons of their popularity, in spite of the fact that they are noisy and malodorous. the use of the steam yacht will, without doubt, continue to increase more rapidly than the sailing craft, but there is not the least probability that the latter will be superseded. in so large a community of sea-loving people there will always be a few whose good taste and love of true sport will guide them toward the sail as a means of motion, and the forces of nature as motive power; but happy is he on whom fortune smiles to the extent of enabling him to keep both a steam and sailing yacht, for times do come when to reach an objective point is highly desirable, and at other times nothing can give so much pleasure as the quiet and peaceful sensation that is found only in a sailing craft. there is room then for every yacht, both steam and sail; each contributes to the pleasure of its owner, and each deserves our best efforts to develop and make perfect that which contributes so largely to our resources of enjoyment and healthful pastime. chapter vii yachting in new zealand by the earl of onslow, g.c.m.g., &c. as has already been said, there exists every facility in our australasian colonies both for cruising and racing. these colonial waters are indeed the only ones in the world where yachting can be enjoyed among our fellow-countrymen on summer seas and in a temperate climate during that portion of the year when yachts are laid up in the mud in england and yachtsmen shiver in the bitter winds, the fogs and frosts of northern europe. the travelling yachtsman may either take out his yacht with him, if she be large enough, or if this be deemed to involve too great trouble and expense, he will find but little difficulty in making arrangements to hire a comfortable craft at the antipodes. the southern coast of australia, though it possesses many beautiful harbours, is washed by the great rollers of the pacific, coming up through the 'roaring forties' without anything to break their force, straight from antarctic regions, to dash themselves in mile-long breakers against the australian coast. yachting is therefore better confined to the sheltered harbours, and specially to those which have been selected for the sites of the capital cities of adelaide, melbourne and sydney. no more lovely sea exists in the world on which to cruise than that part of the eastern coast of the australian continent, sheltered as it is from ocean storms by the great barrier reef, extending for miles from rockhampton to cape york, along the queensland coast. numberless coral islands, the roosting places of countless torres straits pigeons that spend the hours of daylight feeding on the mainland, afford abundant sport for the gunner. these pigeons are quick-flying black-and-white birds about the size of the blue rock; they twist and turn in their flight with great rapidity, and tax the gunner's quickness of eye and hand not less than the best blue rocks from the pigeon-cotes of mr. hammond. unfortunately this long stretch of calm blue water is beset with perils from coral reefs so numerous that the traveller is lost in admiration at the skill of captain cook as well as at the good fortune which enabled him, in complete ignorance of the dangers now carefully marked on our charts, to escape with but one mishap. among the apt terms which he applied in all his nomenclature only one, cape tribulation, bears witness to the risks which he ran. still, an enterprising yachtsman, choosing the time of year when the monsoon, blowing softly on these confines of its influence, is in the favourable direction, may start from any of the ports touched by vessels of the british india steamship company, and, by careful study of the chart coupled with information obtained from local mariners, may enjoy without great risk a prolonged cruise amid tropical scenery and vegetation as far south even as brisbane. it is to new zealand, however, that the yachtsman will turn as the paradise of his sport--abounding in harbours, offering every variety of climate from semi-tropical auckland to the equable temperature of cook's strait, and on to the colder harbours of stewart's island--he will find as great variety in scenery as in climate. but let him not imagine that after cruising in australian waters he may trust himself to the tender mercies of the tasman sea, or cross to new zealand in a small yacht. no more terrible sea exists in either hemisphere. once arrived in the harbour of auckland, however, the potentialities which lie before the amateur navigator are boundless. as he passes down the coast from the lighthouse on cape maria van diemen, he will see the entrance to the singular harbour of whangaroa, where masses of limestone rock lay piled one above another, dominated by the cupola-shaped dome of mount st. paul. either this or the historically more interesting bay of islands may be visited in a yacht from auckland. the bay of islands is one of the most beautiful yachting bays in the colony. it has a width of ten miles at the entrance, and is divided in two by a peninsula, while, with the exception of the onslow pinnacle rock, which has feet on it at low water, it is devoid of all dangers. here is the scene of the earliest settlement of the colony. in this bay the fleets of whalers, who trafficked in dried and tattooed human heads, and who had dealings of all kinds with the maories (not always the most reputable), conducted a lucrative business, which has now ceased entirely. here the first missionaries established themselves, and here was signed the treaty with the natives which brought the islands under the sovereignty of the queen, a sovereignty which was not to remain undisputed, save after many bloody contests, and after a loss of life and treasure which still burdens the new zealander with a load of war taxation, happily not imposed on his neighbour of the australian continent. in this bay many days may profitably be spent in studying the interesting maori tribes who dwell on its shores, and of whom none have stood more loyally by the english settlers than those who fought under tamati waka nene. every sort of provision may be obtained in the bay from the once flourishing town of russell, while a sufficiently good cheap coal may be procured at opua. it is around the harbour of auckland, in the hauraki gulf, and the firth of thames, however, that the perfection of yachting may be enjoyed. as the traveller approaches the earlier capital of new zealand he will observe how the aptly named great and little barrier islands protect the gulf from the heavy seas of the pacific, and as the steamer wends its way through the islands that dot the gulf and opens up the land-locked firth of thames on one side and the waitemata harbour on the other, he will realise the advantages afforded by the situation of auckland. two comfortable and well-managed clubs exercise the proverbial hospitality of colonists to properly accredited arrivals from england. in addition to which the auckland yacht club is an association from which all information as to both cruising and racing will readily be obtained. the history of yachting in new zealand is of but recent date; for, although for many years races have taken place and regattas been held annually, the competitors were rather the cutters, schooners, and scows that did the coasting trade of the colony before the union steamship company inaugurated their line of well-found, fast and regular coasting steamers to and from every port of new zealand. these were assisted by the boats and crews of her majesty's ships, whose presence was, and still is, ardently in request on regatta days. the era of pleasure yachts dates from the last eight or ten years, and the auckland yacht club now occupies, in the number of yachts belonging to the squadron, the first place among the australasian colonies. the club has one hundred members and the register of yachts exceeds sixty, which does not by any means exhaust the number of vessels used solely as pleasure-boats in the harbour. colonial yachts, like the great majority of colonial incomes, are not large, and nearly all the boats used are built locally. shipbuilding is a trade extensively carried on at auckland. during the year , when the prosperity of that part of the colony was at its highest, not less than forty vessels were built, their aggregate tonnage being , . a few steam yachts, such as the 'sunbeam,' the 'st. george,' and the r.y.s. schooner 'blanche' with auxiliary screw, used by sir james fergusson when governor of the colony, have cruised in new zealand waters; but a vessel of tons burden is considered among the tritons of colonial pleasure craft. the 'thetis,' a small yacht of or tons, was built on the clyde, and was brought out by five gentlemen, her owners, to the antipodes. perhaps the most interesting yacht now sailing in new zealand waters is the 'mascotte,' both on account of the circumstances under which she was built, as well as for the remarkable success which has attended her during her sailing career. in the year a strike in the shipping trade broke out in australia, and after a few days was extended to other trades connected with shipping, finally spreading to new zealand. during the enforced idleness of certain shipbuilding hands at lyttelton, the port of christchurch, some of the men bethought themselves of laying down the lines of a yacht for themselves. the 'mascotte,' commenced under these circumstances, was found, when finished, to be an exceptionally fast sailer. within eighteen months of her completion she was manned and sailed by her owners in six regattas, netting for them _l._, besides numerous smaller prizes in club races--not a bad outcome of work which, at the time, was doubtless done with no little amount of grumbling, because no wages were coming in weekly on account of it. the result, however, has been a very considerable falling off in the entries for the races last year. for the champion cup at lyttelton only the 'tarifa,' rated , the 'mima,' , and the 'maritana,' , put in an appearance. the first class championship race for _l._ at wellington, the capital, was among those secured by the 'mascotte.' it is, however, in the cruising opportunities to be found in new zealand that readers of the badminton library will be chiefly interested. taking auckland as headquarters, it may safely be asserted that throughout the season the yachtsman may lie in a different creek, harbour, or estuary every night that he is out. he may coast up the north shore till he reaches waiwera, where he will find an excellent hotel. he can bathe in a large and luxurious hot swimming bath, formed from the thermal springs rising close to the sea, or he may go on to the beautiful island of kawau, once the property of sir george grey, which has been so graphically described by mr. froude in 'oceana.' he may lie in the harbour of bon accord, which indents the island a mile and a half, and affords shelter in all weathers. on landing he will find planted by the erstwhile owner of kawau every sort of tree, shrub, and rare plant that will live either at madeira or the cape. he will see the wallaby from australia, deer, sheep, and wild goats. the beautiful pohutukawa, or christmas-tree, covered at christmas-tide with scarlet blossom, feathering down to the clear blue sea till its lowest branches are covered by the rising tide, so that oysters cluster on them with all the appearance of being the natural fruit. in the rocky depths of the clear water great lazy stingarees may be seen floating along with the tide, like sheets of brown paper flapping idly from side to side in the tide race. a perfectly appointed english country gentleman's house fronts the harbour. its lawn and park-like slopes are timbered with the forest trees of europe. the opossum of australia may be seen nimbly springing from the boughs of an english oak to those of the silver tree of south africa, the whole being a combination of the flora and fauna of all continents, bewildering to the brain of the naturalist. as the total population of the island is thirty-two, and consists of the family and dependents of the owner, visitors, unless they wish to run the risk of abusing hospitality which is always cordially accorded, must bring a sufficiency of provisions with them. the little barrier island, though possessing no harbour, has several yachting anchorages. it is uninhabited, and is chiefly interesting from the fact that it is the last remaining stronghold of many rare species of new zealand birds. this is attributable in some degree to its distance from the mainland. the bee has not found its way across to little barrier, and the honey-eating birds, driven away from elsewhere by the stings of bees seeking a common food, have made this island their last habitat. it is greatly to be hoped that the new zealand government will complete the pending negotiations for its purchase from the natives, so that it may be made into a national park for the preservation of these unique ornithological specimens. great barrier island is larger than the isle of wight, being miles long. it is about eight miles eastward of the little barrier, and possesses in port fitzroy one of the finest harbours in new zealand. yachts enter by a channel - / mile wide, pass under a remarkable rock resembling the duke of wellington's head, and come to governor's pass, a narrow channel, feet across, which opens out into an inner harbour three miles in length and more than half a mile wide, surrounded on all sides by high mountains which give complete security from every wind. the harbour is full of fish of every kind, from the little new zealand herring to the flat stingaree resembling an enormous skate with a formidable spiked tail. unless the fisherman cuts this off before he proceeds to deal with the fish, he may find one blow from it compel him to seek for several weeks an asylum in the auckland hospital. if the yachtsman has on board a seine net, he may realise something of the miraculous draught of fishes mentioned in the bible. let him also bring his rifle, for the island is swarming with wild goats, and if he can steel his heart against the piercing and humanlike screams to which they give utterance when wounded, he may, by getting up to the highest ground and stalking them down the mountain-sides, secure more than he will find it possible to get back to his yacht, be he never so impervious to powerful odours. he will, moreover, earn the gratitude of the settlers by so doing, for the goats eat not a little of that pasture which would more profitably be utilised in affording sustenance to the domestic sheep of the island farmers. many years ago selwyn island, at the entrance to the harbour, was stocked with the large silver-grey rabbit, and a good day's shooting may still be had among them, though the skins are no longer of the great value they were when first acclimatised. having explored the creeks of the waitemata, which open into the harbour of auckland to the north, the yachtsman may proceed to cruise in the southern waters of the hauraki gulf. on his way he may run in for a few hours to one of the maori villages, where he will find some very well-to-do natives, owners of valuable property close to auckland, but who still practise all the old-fashioned maori customs of cooking and manufacture. he will be interested, too, in the long war canoe with its carved prow, one of the few now remaining in new zealand. all the islands between the mouth of the gulf and the firth of thames are interesting. the most remarkable in appearance is rangitoto, guarding the entrance to the auckland harbour. in shape it is a perfect cone. the mountain is an extinct volcano, rising to a height of feet, and presents a precisely similar appearance from whatever aspect it is regarded. the summit of the mountain is composed of masses of scoria, but there is no fresh water on the island. rangitoto is connected by a sandy neck, a quarter of a mile long, dry at high water, with motu tapu, the sacred island. whatever odour of sanctity may have attached to it in earlier days, it is now the island most profaned by the feet of auckland yachtsmen. herds of deer scamper across its grassy slopes, and afford excellent stalking to the hospitable owner and his guests. no one who takes care to keep on the shores of the island and refrain from disturbing the deer is likely to be forbidden to shoot a few rabbits. from some of the higher points round the coast he may espy the acclimatised emus stalking over the hills; the pheasants feeding round the edges of the patches of woodland, and the flocks of turkeys, once tame, but which now require the persuasion of the fowling-piece before they can be brought to table. from the thames the yacht may be taken round to the harbour of tauranga; this is a quiet and comfortable little town, the harbour land-locked by an island running down to meet a sandy spit. from this spit rises the mawayanui rock, ft. in height, conspicuous for miles, both from the land and sea sides of the harbour. the entrance is tortuous, narrow in places, and liable to gusts and eddies when the wind is blowing from the sea, but of considerable capacity inside. tauranga is close to the scene of a conflict between the maories and english troops, in which the th regiment lost more officers than did any regiment at waterloo. it is the best harbour whence to visit the volcano of white island, and is the nearest also to the maori settlements, the hot lakes and springs of the interior of the north island. white island is sixty miles off, and the steam blowing off the crater to a height varying from , to , feet is clearly visible in fine weather. this island is well worth a visit, though great care must be exercised in landing, for the whole island is so hot that walking is not pleasant, while the clouds of sulphurous steam blowing to leeward are suffocating. it is about three miles in circumference, having in the centre a crater about a hundred yards in circumference, surrounded by steam geysers, which make a roaring, deafening noise, like a hundred engines massed in one engine-room. although there is no vegetation on the island, the base of the crater gives the appearance of a well-watered meadow in spring. this effect is produced by the bed of crystallised sulphur traversed by the streams from the several geysers. myriads of sea birds, chiefly gannets, circle round the island, and the remarkable tuatara lizards may be seen crawling on the hot rocks. there is no harbour in the island, but there is shelter between the principal islet and a little islet half a mile to south-east. yachting on the west coast of the north island of new zealand is less agreeable; there is no convenient centre from which to start on many cruises, and between the harbours are long distances of usually stormy sea. once inside the kaipara harbour a large expanse of rather uninteresting water is available, but the rivers which flow into it are wide and picturesque, afford excellent wildfowl shooting, and are the home of the trade in kauri timber. the huge logs are cut up by sawmills with giant circular saws. the trunks of the kauri trees may be seen floating down the rivers from the forests above till they are caught, as they pass the various mills, by baulks stretched at an angle across the stream to intercept their progress. in the same way, once you get across the bar of the hokianga river, many days may be spent in the land of oranges and lemons. travelling to the southern end of the north island to the harbour of port nicholson, we come to wellington, the capital, where the port nicholson yacht club have their headquarters. an annual regatta is held here in january. the harbour, though magnificent for steamers or vessels of large tonnage, is subject to the gales and sudden squalls which blow through cook's strait as through a blast pipe, and therefore not always to be trusted. not a few sad accidents have happened to small craft sailing on the waters of the harbour. most enjoyable excursions may be made from wellington to the sounds on the northern shores of the south island, but great care should be exercised in crossing cook's strait, though the distance to the first sound is but a few miles. the winds are local, and almost invariably north-west or south-east. yachts running through the straits should, therefore, be on the look out for a rapid change from the south-east to north-east, or from north-west to south-west, as they open out either entrance. queen charlotte and the pelorus are the most picturesque of these sounds. they resemble somewhat the fiords of norway, and though they have not the grandeur of the sounds on the west coast of this island, they are remarkable for the soft green contour of their slopes and the striking contrast between sky, shore, and sea which they present in clear weather. picton, at the head of queen charlotte sound, is picturesquely situated, with a good wharf. like those in the south, the sounds are so deep ( to fathoms) that, except in the coves, of which, fortunately, there is no lack, vessels have difficulty in finding an anchorage. like the harbour of wellington across the strait, these sounds are liable to many gusts from the mountain gullies, and care should be exercised whenever it is known to be blowing hard outside. pelorus sound has even more coves and bays than queen charlotte sound, and no inconsiderable time is necessary to explore the whole of it. there is abundance of both wood and fresh water; in every part excellent fishing with the line may be had. most of the catch will be new to english fishermen. rock cod, blue cod, schnapper, the giant hapuka, a sort of cod, and the game kahawai, which will run like a salmon, are the best from a gastronomical and sporting point of view. enough has been caught by a single line in a day to feed the whole crew of a man-of-war. every sort of necessary provision is obtainable both at havelock and picton, at the heads of the respective sounds. from the northern sounds every traveller will wish to proceed through the remarkable french pass to nelson in blind bay. this bay is singularly free from gales and storms. often, while a hurricane is tearing and raging through cook's strait, calm weather will be found to prevail without disturbance in blind bay. the harbour of nelson is formed by a very remarkable bank - / miles in length, covered with huge boulders and forming a natural breakwater to the harbour. there are one or two gaps in the bank at high water where boats and very small vessels may pass over, but the tide runs with such force that it is not advisable to attempt it. the entrance is not more than yards wide, and lies between the bold pinnacle of the arrow rock and the barrel beacon at the edge of the boulder bank. the entrance is easily effected on the flood, but the tides run very strong in and out of the narrow entrance. the climate of nelson is perhaps the most perfect in all new zealand, and the scenery of the bay, with its blue waters and background of snow-covered mountains in winter and early spring, excels anything that can be seen on the riviera, while the climate closely resembles that of the french littoral of the mediterranean; the only unpleasantness being the waimea wind, felt in early spring down the valley of the waimea, but it is neither so continuous nor so unpleasant as the mistral of the riviera. very pleasant expeditions may be made to motueka and collingwood, on the opposite shores of the bay. the californian quail exists in great abundance on these shores; so much so that the little steamers plying weekly bring sackloads of the birds to nelson, where they are preserved whole in tins for export. the yachtsman should spend a sufficient length of time in exploring the indentations of the northern coast of the south island, for next to that of the surroundings of auckland he is likely to meet with the best weather for his pursuits to be found in new zealand. if he then wishes completely to exhaust the opportunities which the colony affords him, he may, choosing a fine day and favourable barometric indications, venture on the ocean to the southward. let him, however, avoid the west coast, where the harbours are few and far between, and where those that exist are rendered difficult of access, save where great expense (as at westport and greymouth) has been incurred by the local authorities to erect breakwaters and dredge the bars. it is noteworthy that the harbours on the west coast of both islands, where they are also the estuaries of rivers, have dangerous shifting sand-bars, while those on the east coast are comparatively free from this objection. if the yacht be taken down the east coast to lyttelton, the traveller will pass in full view of the grand range of snow-covered mountains, the kaikouras. with a north-easterly wind the sea does not get up to any extent, but if it should change to south there is convenient shelter for small craft at kaikoura. the harbour of lyttelton is an indentation of considerable depth and width in banks peninsula, which, rising from the flat plains of canterbury to a height of some , feet, juts out into the ocean and extends twenty miles from the mainland with an average width of sixteen miles. this peninsula affords plenty of facilities for yachting. lyttelton has a yacht club, and is connected by eight miles of railway with christchurch, a town that has always borne the reputation of resembling those of the old country more closely than any other in new zealand. inside the harbour are many pleasant anchorages for yachts, especially quail island and ripa island; also governor's bay, a favourite holiday resort of the people of christchurch. it should be borne in mind that with a north-easterly wind a heavy swell comes rolling up the harbour, but a secure inner harbour of acres has been formed by moles of rubble, where there is perfect safely for vessels of every kind. there are many pleasant cruises to be made from lyttelton to the various bays and harbours in the peninsula, such as to port leny and to pigeon bay, formerly a favourite station for whaling vessels; but the most interesting as well as the most beautiful is the harbour of the old french settlement of akaroa. this harbour penetrates the peninsula to a distance of eight miles. the town of akaroa is the centre of a fine pastoral district, most picturesquely situated on the slopes of green hills turned into fertile gardens. the french language is no longer to be heard in the streets, but the green 'persiennes' and the white fronts of the older houses bear witness to the nationality of their builders. lucky it was for the anglo-new zealander of to-day that captain hobson, lieutenant-governor at auckland in , was both of hospitable intent and impressed with the necessity of 'pegging out claims' for the future of the english race. lucky, too, that captain lavand, on his way to prepare for a shipload of french colonists, stayed to enjoy captain hobson's hospitality in auckland, while the latter, having ascertained his guest's intentions, had time to despatch h.m.'s brig 'britomart' with all possible speed to akaroa, so that when the gallant frenchman arrived he found the smart sailors of the 'britomart' sitting at the foot of a recently erected flagstaff admiring a union jack flying from the top; by virtue of which they claimed the south island of new zealand for queen victoria in the same manner as captain hobson had recently done in the case of the north island. these same french emigrants, stopping at st. helena on their way out, visited the tomb of napoleon, and piously preserved sprays cut from the weeping willows that surrounded it. from these sprays, planted and cherished on their arrival at akaroa, sprang all the beautiful willows which grow with such rapidity, thrive so remarkably, and are so conspicuous a feature throughout new zealand. in december of every year a regatta is held at akaroa, and yachts from all parts of new zealand, as well as boats' crews of one of h.m.'s ships, come to take part in it. the yachting grounds proper of new zealand may be said to be completed by the exploration of the peninsula below christchurch, and yet the most remarkable waters of the colony remain unvisited. these are the sounds of the south-western extremity of the island. to get to them, however, many miles of open ocean must be sailed over. rarely does the wind blow from the east, and hard threshing against the wind is the usual condition of sailing from the 'bluff' to the sounds. when they are reached, the giant mountains which hedge them in on every side shut out from some, for days and weeks together, the least puff of wind to fill the sails of the yacht; while the deep gullies running down the sides of the mountains in others admit sudden and violent gusts of wind full of danger to the small sailing craft. there are interesting places to be visited on the way, such as the harbours of timaru and oamaru, where man at vast labour and expense has wrested from the violence of the ocean a small space of calm water in the long straight coast line, well named the ninety-mile beach, on which the rollers break and roar with ceaseless monotony; or the beautiful harbour of port chalmers, leading to dunedin, the scotch capital of otago. the uninviting looking harbour of the bluff, where the traveller may touch the most southerly lamppost in the world, lies opposite to stewart's island, and is separated from it by foveaux strait, one of the most extensive oyster beds in the world. there are several fine harbours in stewart island, especially the spacious port of paterson's inlet, full of coves and bays. yachts bent on visiting the sounds should be warned that a strong current consequent on the quantity of water pouring down from the mountain torrents is usually found to oppose the entrance of a yacht into each sound, and that it is very rarely that the wind blows strong enough to bring yachts in. generally speaking, within a mile of the entrance a dead calm with heavy swell will be found, rendering it both difficult and dangerous to make the entrance. once inside the depth is so great that, except where a river runs in at the head, there is little chance of anchorage, and the vessel must be made fast by tying her to a tree. there is land communication with one sound (milford) alone, and that only by a foot track. one or two men manage to eke out a hermit's existence in certain of the sounds, but are chiefly dependent on the periodical visits of the government steamer; otherwise the only living things on the land are the wingless kiwis and kakapos, and an occasional seal lying upon the rocks. probably no one visiting new zealand will care to omit a trip to these sounds; but let the yachtsman leave his vessel snugly berthed in the harbour of lyttelton or port chalmers, and pin his faith to the screws of the union steamship company's well-found vessels, rather than to the sails of his own craft. for a yachting expedition to new zealand the month of january, february, march, or april should be chosen. during these months in the northern parts of the colony and on the coast a n.e. sea breeze sets in daily about ten in the morning, and dying away at sunset is succeeded by a westerly or land wind. the yachtsman may generally reckon on these winds; but if the land wind should not set in towards evening the sea breeze may increase to a gale, when he can remain safe at his anchorage till it has blown itself out--a proceeding which generally occupies not more than twenty-four hours. these gales occur on an average but once in six weeks, and should be looked for when the moon changes or comes to the full. i have already spoken of the winds of cook's strait; those likely to be met with between it and banks peninsula will be chiefly north-easterly and light in summer. southerly and south-easterly gales, known as 'southerly busters,' often last three days, and bring cold rain and dirty weather. very strong, hot north-westers blow across the canterbury plains to banks peninsula, and are particularly drying and unpleasant. their approach can generally be foretold by a remarkable clearness of the atmosphere, and an arch of cloud over the southern alps, showing blue sky between the cloud and the snow peaks. the climate in the central and southern parts of the colony is remarkably like that of great britain, with more wind and more sunshine, while the northern part resembles that of the shores of europe washed by the mediterranean. indeed, if one takes the map of new zealand and turns it upside down, imagining the two islands joined together at cook's strait, its general similarity in outline and configuration to italy will at once become apparent. the southern alps, the spencer mountains, and the ruahine mountains, like the alps and apennines in italy, form the head and backbone of the country. the rich plains of otago and canterbury answer to those of lombardy and the campagna, while the palms and fern-trees of auckland wave against a sky as blue as that of naples. the coast is more indented, the harbours more spacious than those of the mediterranean; the islands in the north are more numerous, and though the winds blow stronger and the sea runs higher when gales come on, the weather is far less treacherous than that of the mediterranean, and gives better warning of its approach. for those who wish to enjoy two summers without a winter, to see some of the most remarkable natural phenomena of the world, and the most interesting and most developed savage race with which englishmen have come in contact; to explore fresh waters; to find an ample supply of good provisions, suited to european requirements; to live among fellow-countrymen who will assuredly give a hearty and hospitable welcome, and to realise something of the extent, the variety and the vastness of the queen's empire, i can suggest no better nor more enjoyable cruise during the english winter months than one round the beautiful islands of antipodean britain. chapter viii foreign and colonial yachting france by r. t. pritchett [illustration: frascati and pierhead at havre.] the year will be memorable in the history of french yachting as the date of the beginning of a thorough organisation for the encouragement of what in france is called 'navigation de plaisir,' a term which will soon contract to our simpler word 'yachting.' the french have long, however, had a taste for the sport. for half a century at least havre has been _en fête_ in the month of july with a great deal of rowing and sailing, encouraged by crowds on the quays of the port, whence they could enjoy the sport much more than if they were afloat. all this is due to the energy and encouragement of the société des régates au havre, under the patronage of the minister of marine and the city of havre. [illustration: havre regatta chart. havre.] in the year the regatta was first conducted in a business-like manner. a yachting tribunal was instituted in paris to make rules and arrange the details of racing. the society, styled 'union des yachts français,' rue boissy d'anglas, paris, was very heartily taken up by all the best men in france, and absorbed the other clubs. the president is contre-amiral baron lagé; vice-presidents, m. e. pérignon, baron arthur de rothschild, comte alain de guébriant, and m. henri menier, with a council of twenty-eight, and a tremendous administration of commissions or committees for everything. the list of members amounts to , and their yacht list comprises over vessels of sorts and sizes. [illustration: harbour at havre.] [illustration: nice regatta chart.] after havre, nice ranks as a french yachting centre. the regatta is always held about the th to th of march--a time of the year when we are generally experiencing a kind of weather which totally removes any idea of yachting from our minds. the union des yachts français patronise this _fête nautique_, which is sometimes assisted by english yachts that are in the mediterranean; for instance, lord dunraven's 'valkyrie' has been amongst them, and lieut. w. henn's 'galatea,' he being a member of the club nautique, quai masséna, nice, a club founded in , with rather more than one hundred members. at the present time several english gentlemen belong to it. their 'siège' is no. rue st. françois de paula à nice. these foreign yacht races do not offer any inducements to our finer and larger craft, as few of the competitors are over tons. the city of nice gives good prizes, as under:-- _above tons_ francs st prize for yachts above tons, } 'city of nice' } , and gold medal nd prize for yachts above tons, } 'city of nice' } , and silver medal rd prize for yachts above tons, } 'société des bains de monaco' } , and silver medal _under tons_ st prize for yachts under tons, } 'monte carlo' } , and gold medal nd prize for yachts under tons, } 'monte carlo' } and silver medal rd prize for yachts under tons, } 'monte carlo' } and bronze medal the courses are very short--about - / miles in the triangle once round; and in the race from nice to the flagboat off monaco the course there and back is only about miles. the whole arrangements are carried out according to the rules and regulations of the u.y.f., which have given great satisfaction at nice as well as at havre. it was at nice that the idea of a race for steam yachts was first carried out. two vessels entered, and only two; and as the nd prize and medal was _l._, they both had something to try for. the two were the 'eros,' tons, baron a. rothschild, and 'francisca.' the 'eros' won the first prize, _l._ and medal. [illustration: 'valkyrie,' no. . _ tons_ (_commendatore florio, nice yacht club_).] germany his majesty the emperor william having bought the english yacht 'thistle,' tons, and prince henry of prussia having built a new -rater, the 'irene,' designed by g. l. watson (as also a small rater, the 'niny,' from arthur e. payne), the idea of an imperial german yacht club naturally arose, and in one was established at kiel, a place admirably adapted for the purpose. the whole matter was taken up so heartily along the coast that there are at the present time more than members belonging to the club. of course the number of yachts is not in proportion as yet, but this will gradually develope, and in the meantime it is very pleasant to know that the 'thistle' has become the mother of such a club. sweden the swedish club, established , is very strong, having five yachting stations--stockholm, goteborg, norrköping, malmö, and ornskoldsirk--the members owning vessels of good tonnage, schooners, screw steamers, cutters and yawls, numbering over . canada by g. l. blake yachting in canada dates back as a pastime almost to the first days of its colonisation. halifax, toronto, and quebec can boast of yacht clubs which were formed long before the seventies, one of the oldest, if not the oldest, being the royal canadian yacht club at toronto, which was started as far back as the year , and now has a fleet of forty yachts and more. on lake ontario, a superb sheet of water some miles long by in breadth, with a depth in places of over fathoms, and well adapted for either cruising or racing, the sport has been cultivated as a science for many years, so much so in fact that, in , a leading authority on such matters wrote, 'yachting is fast becoming the national pastime of canada.' in there were yachting stations at toronto, coburg, kingston, hamilton,--the club at hamilton was made a royal club in --belleville, and other ports on the confines of the lake, where numerous regattas have been held each season; but, as the prosperity of colonial yachting entirely depends on the state of trade, these small communities have seen many ups and downs. during lord dufferin's tenure of office as governor of canada a great impetus was given to things maritime, and the author of 'letters from high latitudes,' who owned and sailed a small -tonner at the time, lent a very able helping hand to all that concerned yachting in canadian waters. yachts of all descriptions are to be found there, from the small skimdish of a 'sharpie,' with its enormous centreboard and cloud of canvas, to the stately schooner of tons and over. in there were only one or two vessels of english design or build on ontario (which is practically the chief yachting centre), of which the best known was the little 'rivet,' tons, that had been built at glasgow and was brought out in frame some years before. at the present time, however, anyone visiting ontario would see many old scotch and english favourites cruising about; more than one of our smartest - and -tonners are now registered on canadian books, while most of our principal yacht designers have representatives of their skill flying racing flags and built to the canadian tonnage rule. as there is communication with the ocean by canal and river _viâ_ montreal, quebec and the st. lawrence, besides through canal with new york, yachts from outports are not infrequent visitors, and they take part from time to time in the several local regattas. the lake, as might be expected, is often troubled by severe squalls, which now and then, if of long continuance, create a very heavy sea disturbance. luckily, this does not occur very often, though moderately greasy weather sometimes has its advantages in giving tone and colour to the enjoyments of open sea navigation. of the principal canadian outports, halifax and quebec are the oldest and most sporting. the royal nova scotia yacht club, which was established in , and is stationed at halifax, is one of the leading clubs in the dominion; that at quebec dates back over twenty years; and the st. lawrence club, at montreal, with its fleet of eighty yachts, some five years. at halifax there used to be a very sporting club, called the royal halifax yacht club, which would hold precedence of the r.n.s.y.c., as one of the oldest societies of the kind in canada, did it exist as such, but it is believed to have been blended into the latter club and to have assumed its new name. canada is rich in all the necessaries that are called into play in ship-and yacht-building, the woods she provides for the purpose being some of the finest in the world. nothing can come up to her timbers, such as the spruce, yellow and red pine varieties, either for length, evenness of grain, or freedom from knots, and it is to canada that we in england are so deeply indebted for most of the timber used in our shipbuilding yards. australia in australia yachting has had, and in some places still has, a hard fight to assert itself against the exciting sport of horse-racing. the oldest yachting community is that stationed at sydney, new south wales, where the two leading clubs date back to the years and , viz. the royal sydney yacht squadron, and the prince alfred yacht club. yacht-racing, however, was carried on long before those years, and perhaps owing to the fine piece of water, some twelve square miles in area, enclosed within port jackson heads, which lends itself to aquatic pursuits, yachting here has taken greater hold of the inhabitants than at any other place in the southern ocean. no finer boat sailers exist anywhere than at sydney. there are a goodly number of yachts connected with the port, and no money or care has been spared to keep the sydney fleet up to date. both messrs. g. l. watson and w. fife, jun., to say nothing of other well-known designers, have from time to time given a helping hand towards furthering this end. the classes, however, which give the most sport, and which can draw together , or more onlookers during a racing day, are those that include the open boats. these are altogether a speciality of sydney. the limits of the three principal classes are--for the first class.-- ft. length, with not less than ft. beam, and ft. depth. second class.-- ft. length, with not less than . ft. beam, and in. depth. third class.-- ft. length, with not less than ft. beam, and in. depth. these boats are all centreboarders. when in australia the writer was shown the 'victor' as the finest example at that time of the large class. she was ft. long, had ft. beam, and a depth of ft. a description of her was given in 'hunt's yachting magazine' some years ago. she was built of colonial cedar, and of / -in. planking. her frames were of bent elm, the sternpost and knees of tea-tree, while her keel was of tallow-wood. her draught aft was in., and forward in., with the crew of sixteen men on board. she carried a racing centreboard of / -inch plating, ft. long, and ft. deep, with a double drop, allowing the plate when lowered to hang with its length horizontal to the keel. for ordinary occasions the racing centreboard was unshipped, and a smaller one substituted in its place. no dead ballast is allowed in these boats, and two air-tight or cork cushions are carried under the thwarts, because no boat is permitted to start for a race unless she possesses sufficient buoyancy to keep afloat should she happen to turn turtle or capsize. the 'victor' was fitted, like all the boats of her class, with stringers running fore and aft, about two feet from the gunwale, which allowed the crew to sit double-banked, the outside contingent on the weather gunwale, with their feet under the stringer, the inside on the stringer itself. when shifting from the starboard to the port tack, or _vice versâ_, both outside and inside men go over at the same time, the inside men becoming outside, and the outside of the previous tack becoming inside. the 'mantura' and 'craigielee' are also fine specimens of the -feet class. photographs of these two boats under way are hung in the billiard-room of the royal clyde yacht club house. the wood these boats are planked with is fine, hard, durable stuff; and lends itself, when finished off, to the formation of a beautifully smooth surface, which readily takes a good polish. this colonial cedar is used for deck-fittings, &c., and takes the place of mahogany with us. new south wales is certainly very bountiful to yacht-builders in its supply of timber for all purposes connected with their trade, though new zealand has to supply the pine-wood for yachts' decks. for floors three native woods are employed--honeysuckle, white mahogany, and tea-tree--while iron bark, so well known for its value in the building of whalers, is excellent for knees and suchlike. all these woods offer strong, naturally grown shapes, and forks of the most acute angles. spotted gum is generally employed for bent timbers; another wood is found in the tallow-tree, which is very suitable for keels, owing to its hard yet oily nature. from its position the harbour suffers from uncertain winds, but should there be a clear sky and a hard north-easter there need be no fear that the racing will not prove of the very best. the regatta course forms an obtuse-angled triangle, and as a short stretch has to be taken across the mouth of the harbour, it not infrequently happens that a very uncomfortable sea has to be negotiated before the second buoy can be rounded for the run home. hobson's bay is a much larger tract of water, being close upon ninety miles in circumference. it is not, however, navigable in all parts owing to extensive shoals. these, though very much in the way of navigation, help to form a kind of breakwater to the anchorages off sandridge and williamstown, which are open to southerly and south-westerly winds, and would accordingly, but for them, be often swept by very heavy seas. the principal yacht club is the royal yacht club of victoria, established at melbourne; but there are numerous small yacht and boat clubs scattered about the colony at various towns, such as sandhurst, bendigo and ballarat, where there are lagoons or lakes varying in size from three to many miles in circumference. the albert park yacht club, at melbourne, is a good type of one of these inland institutions. the yachts or boats employed on the albert and ballarat lagoons range from feet to feet over all, they have great beam, and because the depth of water is as a rule shallow, have rarely over feet to feet draught. good sport is obtained out of them, and races are continually taking place. at geelong, which is a fine natural harbour about forty miles from melbourne, and off the open anchorages of st. kilda and brighton, yachts are moored during the season, and at these places are to be found any number of yachting enthusiasts. the club course is a very good one for trying the respective merits of competing yachts, and many an exciting race has been sailed over it. intercolonial regattas have been held, which have proved great successes, and for these, owners of yachts of tons and under think nothing of working their way from port to port over an expanse of a thousand miles or so of ocean. the yachts built in the colony are framed and planked with the wood of the red gum-tree, which is, in fact, the only wood the colony produces that is of any real value for the yacht-builder's use. it takes the place of larch or pitch-pine with us. both adelaide, in south australia, and auckland, in new zealand, possess yacht clubs, and are the homes of many keen lovers of yacht racing. the royal south australian yacht squadron, at the former place, has been in existence for almost a quarter of a century. the new zealand yachtsmen can boast of possessing in their midst perhaps the finest woods in the world, and nothing can beat the kauri pine for decks, though in england and other countries it is generally known only for the excellent masts and spars that can be got out of it. a scotch builder once reported that he found it very apt to twist and warp; but most likely the wood had been cut badly, for that is not the general opinion regarding it in the colonies, where it is almost invariably employed for decks. new zealand, however, has been treated at length in the preceding chapter. bombay, etc. at bombay, malta and hong kong regular annual regattas are held, besides numerous matches and races during the yachting seasons. british built or designed yachts, to say nothing of those produced by local talent, are to be met with in all three ports. at malta and bombay very flourishing royal yacht clubs exist. [illustration: lateen yachts, bombay club, .] the yachts at malta are principally cutter or bermuda rigged vessels, and range from -tonners downward. the royal bombay yacht club possesses a house beautifully situated near the apollo bunda, or main pier, and the yacht anchorage is within hail of the club lawn. about two dozen or more yachts make use of it, among them being steamers and vessels of every method of fore-and-aft rig. two or three are british built, and among these is the easily recognised little -tonner 'senta,' so well known in kingstown during the palmy racing days of the -tonner class. one of the latest additions to the fleet is a small clyde-built yacht something under tons, with the fashionable fiddle-headed bow. this boat the writer saw under way. there were a number of dhows, large enough to carry three or four such yachts inboard, making up harbour with a fine sailing breeze just a point abaft the beam, which placed them on one of their best points of sailing. they appeared to be slipping through the smooth water at a high speed, leaving it as clean as if it had never been disturbed, and everything was in their favour for making a quick passage. the little clyde boat had been knocking about the harbour and was well astern of the dhows, when she was hove round and made to stand on after them. favoured with the same wind, gradually she began to draw up to them, and bit by bit overhauled and passed each one, leaving them in a manner which made me doubt very much whether the rate of speed with which dhows are so often credited can really be so great. the dhow-rigged racing yachts make very good reckonings. they have considerable draught forward, with a small draught aft, and the foremast (the masts rake forward) has its step almost over where the largest body and the greatest draught happens to be. these yachts, like all vessels of a similar rig and build, are never tacked, but are always gybed, and naturally in a triangular course they lose much time when racing against cutters and schooners. [illustration: royal bombay yacht club. . sailing course.] the rules of the yacht racing association, with the measurements, regulations, and time allowances, have been adopted by most of, if not all, the clubs mentioned in the australias and elsewhere, and nothing can equal the cordial reception accorded to all lovers of yachting who visit their colonial cousins. it is only to be desired that, as in rowing and cricket, so in yachting, a systematic and frequent interchange of friendly contests may soon be inaugurated between them and their mother-country which shall eventuate in a general enlightenment all round on things pertaining to yachting. bermuda by r. t. pritchett the bermudian's hobby is going to windward, and to be really happy he must have a semicircular fin or plate on his keel like that described by lord pembroke. bermuda has a royal yacht club which gives prizes and holds regattas at hamilton. there is also a dinghy club, of which the princess louise is lady patroness. lord and lady brassey each presented a challenge cup when they visited hamilton in in the 'sunbeam.' one class here deserves special notice. 'fitted races' are the chief joy of the true bermudian. the owner apparently gives up his boat to the fiendish devices of his 'pilot,' as the nigger boatman is called, who gets the biggest mast, spars and sails he can find, often a -foot mast in a -foot boat, and a - or -foot boom topping up with a huge square-sail as big as a ship's maintop-gallant-sail. he then collects all the other niggers he can find, dresses them in striped jerseys and caps, puts them up to windward, over a ton and a half of shifting ballast, serves out a lot of rum all round, and off they go, generally with the head of the mainsail lashed (no halliard) to the masthead, so that she must carry her whole sail all through the race or swamp. the present writer's experience is confined to many good dustings in that admirable craft the 'diamond,' with her very able skipper burgess, coloured gentleman (_bien culotté_), both of which were lent to lady brassey by admiral sir edmund commerell. she was built of cedar, and her lines and midship section are given in dixon kemp's 'boat-sailing.' [illustration: fitted races at bermuda, .] _dimensions of average bermudian boat of tons_ length ft. mast ft. boom ft. bowsprit ft. spinnaker boom ft. general rule, greatest girth + length = height of mast and hoist. mr. charles ricardo, secretary of upper thames sailing club, who sailed with the owner of the 'cara,' a -foot boarder, kindly furnishes the following description of a fitted race. the morning of the race it blew hard, and we sailed out to the leeward mark-boat half under water, the 'cara' having only about in. freeboard, and on board there were six hands, a big spinnaker boom, and some two dozen so-called sandbags for shifting. these had been apparently filled with mud, not sand, and as they rapidly got soaked, we looked more like navvies fresh from a clay-pit than boat sailers. there are many gradations of dirt and various degrees of saturation from salt water, but this combination is unapproachable. we caught a line from the mark-boat and shifted jib, owner going out on the bowsprit for this function, and getting a couple of green seas well in the small of his back--it didn't matter. we were well soaked already, so more or less was quite immaterial to us. we were hanging on to the stake-boat some time, waiting for the other craft to arrive, with nothing particular to do but bale out and try to dodge the things kicking about in the bottom of the boat. i had no shoes on, and there was one baler. i thought i had put it into a locker three times, and was watching the wretched thing edge out again and prepare to fall on my toes, sharp edge down of course, when the owner sung out lustily, 'boat bearing down to hang on!' she was a regular bermudian with 'fitted' gear, enormous spars, and her big sail up, a crew of coloured gentlemen crowded up to windward, and foaming through it like a tugboat after a homeward-bounder. she had to gybe under our stern and run lip alongside the mark-boat, and--swish, over came the boom again; swish, went the end of it into the water. she heeled over tremendously, and did not seem to right, as she ought to have done. we guessed at once what had happened: her ballast was to leeward--those mud bags--it had not been shifted in time as she came round, and of course kept her on her beam ends; she gradually settled down and sank in about four minutes. the water was full of yelling niggers, who mostly swam for us; there seemed to be some hundred of them--anyway they yelled like it. they nearly swamped us scrambling in; finally we got rid of them on to the mark-boat, and very glad we were, as a few dozen damp niggers all asking at the same time for drinks are not much fun in a small boat with a bit of a sea on. at the time it was not enjoyable; still it is an episode in yachting experiences which grows more pleasant to refer to as it looms astern and becomes ancient history. when one starts for a day's sport, it is weak to allow a trifling incident like this to mar the even tenor of its way, and at bermuda one dries so soon. a great deal of dinghy racing is done at st. george's, and it will be well to notice here the peculiarity of these boats and their gear. the normal dimensions of the dinghy are as follows:-- length ft. beam ft. in. draught ft. mast ft. to ft. boom ft. bowsprit ft. dinghies are fearfully and wonderfully made things, with their plate on as in the big boats, the sails lashed up and set in. five lunatics come next in the prescription; these embark very gingerly indeed--quite a bit of fancy work--while some one holds on to the mast from the top of the wharf to prevent accident, and when they think they are ready and balanced they are shoved off. directly she feels the wind over she goes, and four hands stretch out to windward as far as possible, the fifth being busy baling, which is a most important feature of dinghy sailing. a very exciting amusement it is. as long as the boats can be kept right side up they do go a tremendous pace. waiting about before the race and gybing are the most exciting and dangerous times, as three dinghies have been known to capsize in one race before starting. bathing costume is considered the correct thing, and is well adapted to the climate; it is also desirable in this sport to be able to swim, as there is no room in the boats for such superfluities as life-belts. the 'diamond' was a very fine boat, and splendid in a wind; as the mainsail represents the usual mainsail and jackyarder all in one, the whole sail-area forms the desirable equilateral triangle a little aft to send her up to the wind. [illustration: bermuda rig.] the fitting of the boom is different from any other rig, as it passes on one side beyond the mast; a tail block hauls the boom right aft, and counteracted by the mainsheet gives a very flat sail indeed; great results are obtained, all the advantages of a standing lug on a large scale being secured, while the tension can be increased and the canvas made flatter. space cannot be afforded for her lines, midship section and sail-plan, good as they are, still 'diamond' is decidedly a good cedar-built representative craft:-- length on water-line ft. beam ft. . in. draught ft. in. the extravagances of bermudian water frolics have been given here as very extreme instances of yachting enjoyments; still bermuda is a splendid place for sailing. you can leave the island on a friday for new york, arriving on monday; leave new york on tuesday, and in a week more be back in the old country. [illustration: dutch ice boat of present time.] chapter ix some famous races by r. t. pritchett [illustration: 'waterwitch,' tons (earl of belfast) and 'galatea,' tons. the start for a race for , guineas, september , .] in former days, matches were made between yachts as between horses on the turf, and the stakes were often heavy, but such events are now almost unknown; the increase in the number of craft has divided the attention of the public, and the performance of each vessel is so well known that there are no dark sea-horses to bring out as a surprise. the records of bygone matches are, however, far from easy to obtain, if, indeed, they are obtainable. newspapers were formerly less numerous than they are at present, nor did there apparently exist much thirst for information and minute detail on the part of the public. accounts remain, however, of some few of the most important matches. one for a thousand guineas, august , , sailed between the duke of richmond and sir alexander smith, the course being from brighton to beachy head and back, has been already mentioned, but from this date much search has yielded scanty results. the war must have interfered greatly with the sport, for there is a long lapse of time when yachting scarcely came at all under the notice of the press. the royal yacht squadron's fine class of schooners and vessels of large tonnage, however, created and revived rivalry. on september , , a great race for one thousand guineas took place between 'waterwitch,' brig, tons, belonging to the earl of belfast, and 'galatea,' schooner, tons; in this race mr. charles ratsey sailed, and he is now hale and hearty in cowes. the course was from the nab lightship, round the eddystone lighthouse, and back. the start took place at a.m., on the monday morning, when the weather was fine, wind tolerably fresh from south and west. the first day, in the afternoon, the wind fell light, almost a calm at p.m., the yachts being then only off dunnose, isle of wight. the schooner at this time was two miles to windward. on tuesday, at p.m., the two yachts were off berry head, torbay, the schooner 'galatea' still to windward. about this time, as the breeze freshened, she had the misfortune to carry away her jibboom, and got too close under bolthead by the start, thereby losing her tide. they rounded the eddystone nearly together; from which point, both running large, the brig gradually drew away from the schooner, and finally reached the nab lightship at p.m. on wednesday, september , 'galatea' coming in at . p.m. the course was about miles, and the time occupied hours. the race, in august , also round the eddystone, in an easterly gale, between 'corsair,' tons, and 'talisman,' tons, is justly celebrated. 'corsair' won by min. secs. two pictures of this race were painted by condy, of plymouth. running down channel 'corsair' is represented with a mizzen, which mr. charles ratsey informed the writer was stuck in at the last minute and was carried away turning to windward; she is therefore shown without one on her return. [illustration: 'corsair' and 'talisman' race round eddystone, august , 'corsair' winning.] there was talk of a race between the marquis of anglesey's 'pearl' and mr. j. weld's 'alarm' for a thousand guineas, but it never came off; in fact, the marquis never raced her from the time 'pearl' was built in to the year of his death, . the 'mosquito,' with captain john nichols at the tiller, once came out on his weather, and the marquis very politely dipped his ensign to the yacht that weathered him for the first time in all his years of cruising. the 'arrow' and 'mosquito' once finished a fine race, which was a marvellously close thing between them, 'arrow,' hrs. mins. secs., 'mosquito,' hrs. mins. secs.! [illustration: 'talisman,' tons, and 'corsair,' tons, race, .] a very good account is handed to us of how yachtsmen more than half a century since--in --enjoyed a real rough day's sailing on the thames. a cup had been subscribed for of the value of fifty guineas, and all the cracks of the day entered for it:-- tons matchless vixen lady louisa fairy daisy venus rob roy brilliant donna del lago ariel [illustration: lines and midship section of 'corsair,' built by m. ratsey, cowes, . length for tonnage, ft. in.; breadth, ft. in.; tonnage, - / .] [illustration: 'yseult' _ -rater_ (_p. donaldson, esq._) _designed by fife_, .] the race was from greenwich to gravesend and back, and it certainly was not lacking in interest. the sport began early. 'matchless' carried away her boom, running into 'lady louisa's' quarter; 'lady louisa's' bowsprit caught 'rob roy's' backstay, and she followed 'matchless' ashore, dragging 'lady louisa' after her. at this time 'daisy' was leading. soon after 'brilliant' became first and 'ariel' second boat. in erith reach on the return 'venus' was waterlogged. 'donna del lago' carried away her bowsprit; 'vixen' carried away outhaul, and when she got into erith roads 'vixen's' mast went by the board. finally 'brilliant' won by minute from 'ariel,' who was second. they were both reefed down to the balance-reef, as shown in the illustration taken from an old print. balance-reefs are seldom seen nowadays, although they are occasionally carried by fishing craft. [illustration: 'brilliant' and 'ariel' race, .] there was one day's racing in which should be handed down as a remarkable instance of what the new boats can do in a stress of weather. it was largs regatta, july , when the largs men witnessed and took part in the kind of sport they so dearly love; they are severe critics, but give honour where honour is due, especially to weatherly craft and good seamanship. the wind was from the east, freshening up towards the time for the start. unfortunately 'meteor' and 'iverna' were not competing, the former having damaged her gaff. the forties were there, four in number--'queen mab,' 'corsair,' 'varuna,' and 'white slave'--the 'mohican' was flagship, in line with a flag on largs pier. it was a truly wild morning, white squalls being frequent and severe. the firth was all spoondrift; 'queen mab' and 'varuna' had housed topmasts, one reef down, 'corsair' topmast on end. under knockhill the squalls were tremendously heavy, very patchy and local. off skelmorlie the racers got the true east wind hard, and found the flagboat dragging her anchor. they rounded, however: 'queen mab' was timed hrs. mins. secs., 'varuna,' hrs. mins. secs. coming over towards largs they got into a lull, when 'corsair' set her gaff-topsail, 'mab' and 'varuna' getting topmasts on end; the latter set her topsail, the former did not. soon a mighty rush of wind burst down from between tomont end and largs. at the 'knock' again there was a kind of vacuum-cum-mäelström. soon after, in a wilder phase of clyde weather, 'mab' and 'varuna' were caught by a fierce squall and laid down to it. 'corsair,' unfortunately, was the victim of a squall spout, which carried away her mast close to the board--such was the strain that something must have gone. the 'white slave,' belonging to mr. f. w. l. popham, was at this time off the knock; she took in her topsail, and nearing 'corsair' further reduced her canvas, lowering her mainsail to assist her. ultimately 'corsair' was towed by duncan, of 'madge' fame. skelmorlie mark was rounded at hrs. mins. secs. by 'queen mab,' at hrs. mins. secs. by 'varuna.' after this all was flying spoondrift and canvas reduced to two sails--the wind harder than ever. smoking bows were the order of the day, clouds of spray soaked the mainsails nearly to the peak, gaffs were like rainbows in curve, all hands were warily standing by to lower foresail or meet the next emergency. 'queen mab' finished in hr. mins. secs., 'varuna' hr. mins. secs. parker sailed 'queen mab,' gould 'varuna,' sycamore 'corsair.' it was indeed a hard blow, and a fine display of yacht handling and good seamanship under most trying circumstances; the 'yseult,' -tonner, lost her bowsprit, and everybody lost something. all credit to the skippers, who never lost their heads. [illustration: 'iverna' (j. jameson, esq.) and 'meteor' (h.i.m. the emperor of germany). _dead heat in the clyde, july , ._] the ' -rater' match seemed to be the joy of largs, especially on this occasion, when the weather enabled the crews to show what the irish boats could do. so much damage had been done that three only were left to start: 'red lancer,' col. crawford, 'savourna,' mr. h. l. mulholland, and 'windfall,' mr. gubbins. they seemed to revel in the storm; 'blow high, blow low,' was all the same to them. more would have started had they not been unhappily crippled in one way or the other, but those that did were nearly blown out of the water. the maxim of 'batten down' was in every case emphasised. after a tremendous experience of what the clyde can do to encourage real seamanship and fearless daring 'savourna' came in at hrs. mins., and 'red lancer,' hrs. mins. secs; 'red lancer' taking st prize, 'savourna' nd prize. largs regatta in will long be remembered; it was no flat racing, but real steeplechasing in the clyde. also leaves us a dead heat between the two champions of the season, the 'iverna' and the 'meteor.' this occurred at the royal clyde club, july , ; wind w.n.w., a fine breeze, both carrying jibheaders at the finish, as shown in the illustration. 'iverna' led by seconds-- hrs. mins. secs., allowing 'meteor' seconds; 'meteor' finished at hrs. mins. secs. dead heat. this was sailed off, july , in the wemyss bay programme, and resulted in a very fine race, topmasts struck, first reef down in mainsail--real going, both vessels made the most of and thoroughly well handled. mr. william jameson and o'neil were on 'iverna,' and gomes was at the tiller of 'meteor.' it was a grand exhibition of yacht-racing, and finished, 'iverna,' hrs. mins. secs., 'meteor,' hrs. mins. secs. chapter x racing in a -rater in by r. t. pritchett most of the races described in these volumes are from the standpoint of the looker-on ashore, or else on board some vessel which was not competing; the present chapter describes a race from that point of vantage, the deck of the winning yacht. [illustration: going aloft.] cowes in the early morn is not generally known to visitors. the 'wood and brass work'--a term better known on board than on shore--is now in full swing, for this admirable function must be completed by eight bells. if cleanliness be next to godliness, surely yachts have very much to commend them, with their spotless decks, bleached runners, and immaculate canvas. in leaving the pontoon for the offing, the various craft increase in size as the water deepens. first the small raters are passed, / -, -, - / -raters, 'wee winn,' 'polynia,' 'hoopoo,' and 'kitten'--described by 'thalassa' in his solent chapter. passing the tens and twenties the french yachts are reached, for of late years the burgee of the french club is often seen at cowes, and the american flag is more frequent than of yore. the guard-ship now looms. the royal yacht, 'victoria and albert,' is at her buoy, the royal yacht squadron nobly represented. eight bells now strike. immediately the morning flutter of bunting flies to the mastheads, where all the burgees should arrive simultaneously, taking the time from the flagship--but they do not, unfortunately. (n.b.--racing flags can be lashed before eight bells, as they have no halliards.) by this time we see the just astern of a yawl and ahead of a frenchman. 'queen mab' is basking and glistening in the bright morning sunshine, in perfect repose, yet rather fretting to be off, for with her colour she knows what is coming. having come alongside very carefully, without touching the varnish, we are soon on board, and find all in motion. the business of the day has begun, the preliminary functions are completed, such as sending the gig away with the superfluous gear of squeegees, mops, oars. the -ft. dinghy is already lashed over the skylight, with the stem wedged up to the coaming abaft of the companion. the tyers are off the mainsail, and it is soon on the hoist. the crew are going aloft, to string down on the throat halliards; gradually the peak rises, well up, about °, and with the modern lacing down to the boom the sail soon becomes fairly set. next, the gaff topsail. in america, in the 'puritan' and other racers, photography shows that they start with two, jibheader and jackyarder or club foresail, so called from the club or yard at the foot. in the 'vigilant,' the jackyarder was set most cleverly over the jibheaded topsail when running back in the final race. in joining a racer there is nothing so comfortable for host and guest too as being on board in good time. with a flying start it is very important to be under way to the minute, especially in light winds and with a tide running, such as the swill in cowes roads generally is, whether spring or otherwise. it is no joke for a boatman to catch a racer once under way, even without her head sails, in the offing, to say nothing of the anathemas of the owner, and the skipper's suppressed comments. soon comes the welcome of the owner of 'queen mab,' col. t. b. c. west, well known in the yachting world in connection with that grand yawl 'wendur,' tons, t.m., built in , his famous -rater 'queen mab' in the clyde, and now the 'queen mab' of . the forties are a very prominent class and justly so; they emphasise the sport of class racing over handicaps. about this time the racing flags of other craft are a subject of intense interest, and the crew are immensely keen. should an old adversary not be getting under way, the why and wherefore will be at once discussed; this generally brings out prominently any hand of the 'sea lawyer' class, if the owner has unfortunately shipped one. the head sails have now been set, and we are curvetting and pirouetting about waiting for preparatory gun. there is no doubt that wonderful skill is shown in the handling of the various craft. a dexterity and firmness are apparent which could never be secured with the american system of adjusted time: thus if 'vigilant' were four minutes late at the start, that time would be deducted from the winner at the finish. now comes the full excitement of the start. 'first gun, sir; fifteen minutes to go!' is the word, and for the next eighteen minutes all is extra wariness, sometimes fourteen yachts under way, manoeuvring, and keenly watching each other. 'blue peter, sir, five minutes!' is next heard. the owner, watch in hand, by the skipper, records the fleeting moments as they pass, calling out the minutes: at length it comes to min., secs., secs., secs., secs. 'how much, sir?' 'ten seconds'; then 'let her go!' and she goes--with her cranse iron over the line directly after the gun. everyone now turns attention to the recall numbers. are there any? there has been such a thing as three over the line out of four starters, so great is the eagerness for a lead. [illustration: old style.] [illustration: new style.] [illustration: 'reverie,' .] [illustration: 'corsair,' .] [illustration: 'queen mab,' .] [illustration: 'doreen,' .] among the larger classes everyone looks out for mr. jameson being first over line, with o'neil at the tiller, famed for his special gift for quick starting and weather berths. a good start is a grand beginning. so long as one is leading no explanation is required why the good ship is not showing her best form, or how it is that she is not in her right trim. by this time the fleet is getting sorted; with a good sailing breeze the large craft draw out ahead in many cases, and it is well to do so; the large cutters are started, say, a quarter of an hour ahead, and the forties together. in the forties were very strongly represented, 'thalia,' 'reverie,' 'queen mab,' 'corsair,' 'creole,' 'varuna,' 'white slave.' this gave most interesting sport, far preferable to handicapping, which is only adopted to bring vessels of different tonnage together. a curious instance of this occurred at cowes, when 'irex,' 'genesta,' and 'lorna' all came in together within five minutes, and having brought up, stowed canvas and dined, it was discovered that 'sleuthhound' was coming in, almost saving her time allowance of about min. it is certainly most uninteresting to the spectators on shore to see the first fine craft come in close together, and returning from afternoon tea to perhaps discover that the real winner is just sailing in round the flagboat and getting the gun. [illustration: 'irex,' midship section.] by this time the 'sun is over the foreyard' and all are settling down for a fine race. sailing in a race affords excellent opportunity for noticing the other competing craft and admiring the goodly company assembled around. the big cutters are leading, and some of the forties astern. that 'queen mab' will hold her own with the best is a point upon which we feel happily confident, her racing flags being proof of her capacity--thirty-six is the number she showed at the end of the season. this yacht, as mentioned elsewhere, was built with a centreboard, but instead of a huge partition in the centre of the saloon, the board came under the main companion, and was quite unnoticeable. as with mr. jameson's 'irex,' 'mab's' centreboard was discarded, and each became the crack of her respective season. 'varuna,' also a new boat this year, designed by mr. g. l. watson with a watson bow, as in 'mab,' was a beautiful craft, really perhaps the designer's favourite. these bows, with those in 'corsair' and others, elicited sighs and groans from the old school of yachting men; for what with the schooner bow, the viking bow, the inverted roman nose bow, the bottle-nose bow, the fife bow, and the canoe bow, one's idea of what a bow should be became somewhat confused. however, overhang forward carries the day up to tons. 'corsair,' -rater, designed by mr. arthur payne of southampton, was a grand boat, with less beam than 'mab,' beautiful counter, long boom, very workmanlike all round. she was built for that enthusiastic yachtsman, admiral the hon. victor montagu, a dear lover of all good english sports. 'thalia' was a fine craft, by fife of fairlie, a splendid sea boat. many is the good race mr. inglis has sailed in her, with carter, who sailed 'britannia,' , at the tiller. [illustration: 'irex,' built for john jameson, esq., . length b.p. ' "; length l.w.l. ' "; beam extreme ' ". tonnage r.t.y.c. rule . tons; tonnage register . tons; y.r.a. rating tons.] [illustration: longitudinal elevation.] [illustration: cabin plan. corsair (admiral the hon. victor montagu), -rater, . designed by arthur e. payne.] we live in an age of rather rapid development; becomes ancient history in , still it seems sad that when one has a good vessel like 'thalia,' she should so soon be outclassed. fashion always runs to extremes; now that fashion has attacked yachting, the belle of one season is extinguished in the next. 'sic tempora et naves mutantur.' in old days enthusiastic yacht-owners lengthened their pets, almost rebuilt them sometimes, as in the cases of 'alarm' and 'arrow'; the associations were retained and duly cherished. [illustration: 'corsair,' midship section.] we have started, it should have been said, for the australian cup, value _l._, presented by mr. gibson miller for yachts exceeding tons and not exceeding tons. the second prize, _l._, is given by the royal squadron. the westerly wind turned out very light, and without a good sailing breeze racing becomes peaceful repose. much interest, however, is felt in the performance of 'irene,' -rater, designed by mr. g. l. watson for prince henry of prussia, who was at the tiller all day, heart and soul in it, longing for a breeze, and probably keeping up the old superstition by giving an unintentional whistle for one; but still it would not come. at hrs. min. secs. 'queen mab' came in the winner, 'thalia' taking second prize. for real racing a true wind, such as we had in the race for prizes given by the royal southampton yacht club, august , is indispensable. this was a small but sporting muster. 'iverna' and 'meteor' were sent away at . a.m., 'iverna' crossing the line to a second. the forties, 'corsair,' 'queen mab,' and 'thalia,' were despatched half an hour later at a.m., to a perfect start and a whole-sail westerly breeze, 'mab' crossing two seconds after the blue peter was hauled down. the gun missed fire. we hailed the committee boat, 'are we all right?' when the pleasant echo returned, 'all right, go on,' and away we went. [illustration: lashing the emperor's racing flag.] [illustration: our masthead man.] it was a fine reach down southampton water, the three close together in single file. passing calshot lightship we hauled our wind and stood over for cowes, feeling the westerly breeze which came sweeping up from the needles; below egypt we went about and took our jumps merrily--a nasty sea, if the sea can be nasty; our working topsail relieved her somewhat--for 'corsair' and 'thalia' were carrying jackyarders. it was a grand beat down to lymington; the rain was heavy, but after a few hard squalls the sun came out and the lymington mark-boat was rounded, 'queen mab' hrs. mins. secs., 'corsair' hrs. mins. secs., 'thalia' hrs. mins. secs. as the mark-boat was neared all were astir. 'get your gear on your spinnaker boom, my lads, and top him as soon as you can. will you take the time, sir, of "meteor" and "iverna" rounding?' before this our masthead man george had gone aloft by an acrobatic performance which is always interesting to the beholder: on the port tack with the port foot on a hoop, and the starboard foot on the sail, as indicated in the illustration. george was a good compact cheery hand, and must have been born for this particular function. by this time we are round. [illustration: 'all aft, my sonnies!'] [illustration: 'another pull at the mainsheet, my lads!'] [illustration: close hauled.] 'down spinnaker boom,' and now every thread draws and the whole sail is pulling hard. 'all aft, my sonnies!' and the skipper parker seems to smile upon his pet. at this time bread and cheese and beer are served out, and form a very pleasant pendant to 'all aft' except the look-out, who took his mid-day in solitude by the unfilled foresail. a splendid dead run from the lymington mark back to cowes now takes place. see! 'corsair's' spinnaker is here suddenly taken in, sycamore, her skipper, having discovered that her mast was sprung, and he therefore went into cowes. this was a great disappointment to us, and must have been to admiral victor montagu, who so dearly loves racing, especially in a true wind. we were now cracking on for the warner, our enjoyment only once disturbed by a hail from the look-out, 'boat right under bow, sir,' and in the same breath, 'only a photogger, sir,' and on we sped. rounding the warner 'thalia' carried away her throat halliards, but soon continued the race. rounding mark-boats and lightships is thrilling work, and beautifully it is done on 'queen mab.' it is delightful to see the judgment and decision, and how cheerily the hands haul on to the mainsheet; truly this is sport and excitement not easily beaten. 'queen mab' bends gracefully to it, and well it suits her; we are hissing through it. it is generally supposed that racing yachts are regularly gralloched and cleared out below; it is so in america and was done to 'navahoe' in her races; but it is not so here. everything is in its place, and when the head of the steward appears at the companion with the welcome words, 'lunch, sir!' we find that all is well--but look out for the swinging table: touch that and there will be a ghastly crash. the -rater has the owner's cabin and the lady's cabin, with a very comfortable one for a guest, to say nothing of accommodation for sea bachelors who do not require shore luxury. the ladies' conning tower is generally the top step of the companion, but in the 'seabelle' mrs. taylor had an armchair swung like a gimbal compass, in which she knitted comfortably at whatever angle the yacht might be in a seaway. after lunch we are close-hauled lying for calshot castle, hissing through it with a pleasant swish of spray, ever and anon making some of the hands duck their heads as they lie up to windward. many is the dry remark and cheery yarn that one hears under these circumstances; not many words but much to the purpose, old recollections are revived, and there is always something to be learnt. [illustration: real business.] each hand is on the look-out in calm weather, scouring the horizon for a wandering catspaw, or in bad weather, watching the other craft to see how they take it. to note the skipper's face is a study; his eye on every leach and every sheet, keen and ready for any emergency, entirely absorbed in 'her' and how she is going and how he can best cosset her. such was the impression left of ben parker at the tiller of 'queen mab.' he had done good work in mr. hill's 'dragons' of the 's. his first command was the 'ulidia,' fife's -tonner, after having sailed for some years under tom diaper and o'neil, and his channel race from dover in will never be forgotten. it was a merry close haul back from the warner to southampton water. as the wind was drawing down the river we had a beat up to the committee-boat, which was reached, 'queen mab' hrs. mins. secs., winner, _l._ and silver medal; 'thalia,' hrs. mins., second prize _l._ 'thalia,' built by fife of fairlie, had a rare good crew, and mr. i. a. inglis has sailed many a famous race in her with his skipper, carter, whose season of in h.r.h. the prince of wales's 'britannia' speaks for itself. we get the 'gun,' that great joy at the end of a good race. 'down foresail,' and round she comes. the cheering is over, so now to clear up. unlash the dinghy, get back the cutter and gear, and fill in the declaration, which has to be sent in by every owner or his representative immediately after a race is won. it runs thus: _y.r.a. declaration that rules have been observed_ i hereby declare that . . . . . . . . yacht whilst sailing in the . . . . . . . race this day has strictly observed the sailing rules and regulations. date . . . . . . signed . . . . . . . the gig is by this time alongside, and it must have been delightful to the owner as he stepped into her and left the side of the victorious 'queen mab,' to look up and see five winning flags flying, representing five first prizes in five starts in one week. it is not the purpose of this chapter to record all 'queen mab's' victories, but it may be noted that she won the _l._ prize given by the royal dorset yacht club in august of this year-- . the club was founded in , and holds forth many inducements to yacht-owners to visit weymouth. for small raters it is admirably adapted, as the esplanade is of immense length, and the short courses can be seen from one end to the other. [illustration: torquay.] at dartmouth also 'queen mab' had two fine races, in a hard wind round the skerries. the first, august , was very good, but the second, august , was better, though only one round, at the end of which we found the flagboat bottom up. 'queen mab' won first prize on both days. at plymouth, in the following week, continuing the 'westward ho' procession, 'mab' sailed over, with double-reef mainsail no. and jib, no foresail, 'thalia' and 'corsair' not caring to start. outside the breakwater it was very grand, and outside rame head grander still, as the rollers came in after a hours' gale. the pilot admired 'mab' immensely, she made such good weather of it. the gale was great sport for us, and it was surprising to see how the small boats thrashed through it. 'dis' carried away her bowsprit, and there was much harmless wreckage of gear. one lesson might be learnt, that with the short bowsprit produced by the overhang forward there is much strain taken off that very important spar. plymouth often gets a hard blow about this time, which is the more to be regretted from the extraordinary variety of boats and classes, from the 'britannia' class down to the rowing matches of the bum-boat women. devonport and the navy training brigs and colleges all join the water frolic, and great is the disappointment when the weather is unfavourable. [illustration: 'queen mab' _ -rater_ (_t. b. c. west, esq._) _designed by g. l. watson_, .] [illustration: channel racing westward.] [illustration: a close finish, 'queen mab' and 'corsair,' r.t.y.c., may, .] chapter xi yacht racing in by h. horn an exceptional year, alike in regard to weather and sport, for not within living memory has there been so fine a spring, summer and autumn, and there is no previous record of such a sequence of eventful and stirring racing. it is highly gratifying that sport so truly national in character as yacht racing enlisted more general interest during the past season than has ever previously been the case; in fact, it can further be said that the doings of the 'britannia,' 'valkyrie,' 'satanita,' 'calluna,' 'navahoe,' and 'iverna' arrested world-wide attention. lord dunraven's commission, given in the fall of , for a new 'valkyrie' of about double the rating of his first cutter of that name, heralded a revival of big-cutter racing, and later on yachting enthusiasts were almost delirious with joy when authentic announcements were made that the prince of wales had given orders for a sister ship to the 'valkyrie,' and that a big cutter was to be built at southampton for mr. a. d. clarke, and one on the clyde for a syndicate of scotch yachtsmen. mr. g. l. watson had a free hand in designing the 'valkyrie' and 'britannia,' which were built side by side at partick by messrs. henderson, and parenthetically it may be said they fitted out, moored together, and kept singularly close company in all their matches. the 'satanita,' which was designed by mr. j. soper to sail on a -feet water-line, was built by fay & co., while mr. w. fife, junr. was responsible for the 'calluna's' model, and the vessel was built by messrs. j. & a. inglis of pointhouse, glasgow, in an incredibly short space of time. although very certain that the 'iverna' would be quite outbuilt by the new ships, mr. john jameson determined to bring her out, and 'iverna's' well-tried antagonist, the 'meteor,' was under orders to join the fleet later on. just before the advent of the new year, lord dunraven's challenge for the new 'valkyrie' to sail a series of races for the america cup was accepted by the new york yacht club, and about the same time came a notification from mr. carroll, a prominent american yachtsman, that he was having a sloop (the 'navahoe') built by messrs. herreshoff, with which he intended to challenge for the royal victoria gold cup, and also make an attempt to win back the cape may and brenton reef cups. the year was thus launched auspiciously enough in respect to big ship racing, and prospects were reassuring in regard to sport in all the other classes except the tens. there was a fining down however in number of the -rating division compared to , and regrets were general that the sale of the 'queen mab' had led to her expatriation. but admiral montagu was replacing the absentee 'corsair' with the 'vendetta,' a fin-bulb and balance-rudder craft, with a beam of about feet, and mr. john gretton, jun., who did not get much fun out of the -rater 'doreen,' had determined on having a from a fife design, the outcome being the 'lais.' 'varuna' was being fitted out again by capt. towers-clark, and the 'thalia,' which had passed into the possession of judge boyd, was to be raced, but not to go all round the coast. the second class was thus virtually made up of 'vendetta,' 'varuna,' and 'lais,' which verily proved a militant trio, and their owners had plenty of racing, and no end of exciting and eventful sport. with the new 'dragon'--the third of that name fife's had built for mr. f. c. hill--lord dunraven's 'deirdré,' by 'valkyrie's' designer, and the 'vigorna,' by nicholson--which lord dudley intended to take the place of the -rater 'dacia'--there was promise of keen competition for the -rating prizes; but it was not in the best interests of sport that a joint arrangement was made that this class would not be raced outside the isle of wight--at least from the beginning of the season, until the western meetings came on in the fall. the 'zinita,' a new by fife, had things pretty much her own way on the clyde, and it was a pity that she did not meet the new boats which starred in southern waters. 'idalia'--the first 'dragon'--was the 'zinita's' most formidable opponent on the clyde, and the 'molly'--'dragon' the second--after a good spell of solent racing, went north, but found the 'zinita' as bad to beat as she did the 'dragon' and the 'deirdré.' there were no new boats in the -rating class, and racing in this division was confined to the clyde, where the 'dora,' 'ptarmigan,' 'maida,' 'phantom' and 'woodcock' had some good sport. the -raters, which were a feature in the clyde and irish regatta programmes in , had gone out of fashion, and -feet 'lengthers' were the reigning favourites with small shipmen on the clyde, mr. robt. wylie's 'vida,' a watson design, being the crack in a fleet of eight. the solent -rating class could not boast of a new boat, and the 'dacia,' although she headed the list of prize-winners in the south, did not sail up to her form. the 'red lancer,' which went all round the coast, was the pride of the season of the fives, and she was equal to taking down 'dacia' pretty easily. the 'fleur-de-lis' and 'quinque' also frequently lowered 'dacia's' colours, and honours were about easy with the trio at the end of the season. in the - / -rating class the 'meneen,' a herreshoff boat, had a better average than the over-year nicholson boat, 'gareth,' and in the -rating class the 'morwena'--another herreshoff--was the principal winner. it cannot be said that the branch of the sport known as handicap sailing flourished during the season, though there were some keen and interesting battles with the ex-racers. the most successful vessels in this division were the 'creole,' 'castanet,' 'columbine,' 'mabel' and 'samoena.' the big-cutter contests were of such exceptional interest that a review of the season would not be complete without a history of all the races sailed, and the opportunity is embraced of embodying many unreported incidents in the subjoined _résumé_ of the first-class racing. [illustration: 'samoena' _ tons._ _built for john jameson, esq., by inman_, .] there was a thoroughly representative assemblage of yachtsmen afloat the first day the big cutters had racing flags lashed up, and it may be said that never during the half-century the royal thames has been an institution has a more critical company, collectively, been present at a river match of the premier metropolitan club. a white haze was hanging about the lower thames on the morning of thursday, may , and when the 'valkyrie,' 'britannia,' 'calluna' and 'iverna' were ready to answer the starting gun, a breeze from the west-north-west of balloon topsail strength was blowing. the quartet began the race at . , and went reaching down the lower hope, with flowing sheets and carrying a swirl of ebb-tide with them. 'valkyrie' had made a clever start, and keeping to the essex side was first to square away in sea reach, and get spinnaker set to port. 'britannia' had been edged off to the heart of the fairway, but about thames haven she was drawn in across 'valkyrie's' wake, and straightened on a down-river course directly she had angled the latter's wind. 'valkyrie's' first racing burst was satisfactory, inasmuch as she kept pride of place for about miles, albeit she never held more than a clear length's lead of 'britannia.' about a couple of miles below southend the wind had a hank off the sands, and, with square canvas gathered and sheets trimmed in a little, 'britannia' raced up broad on the weather beam of 'valkyrie,' while wide away 'calluna' was booming along with a rally of wind aft, and for a few minutes certainly led the fleet. on an easy reach 'britannia' gave evidence that she had the foot of the sister ship, yet it was a marvellously close race, the prince of wales's cutter drawing by the wind round the mouse at . with about three lengths lead of 'valkyrie,' while the 'calluna' was only min. secs. and 'iverna' mins. secs. astern of the leader. with a beat back over a lee tide in perspective the lead round the lightship was an immense advantage, and, in order to keep weather gauge, 'britannia' was kept shooting so long that 'valkyrie' had no chance of a successful hug, and it would have been suicidal for her to have turned about in the body of the tide. the alternative was sailing hard to get the wind clear to leeward; but when 'valkyrie' came round outside the edge of the tide rift, 'britannia,' drawing a foot less water, was able to cast about dead in the wind's eye of her rival. a grand breeze squeezing trial went on right up sea reach, 'valkyrie,' although the quicker of the pair in stays, getting now and again a staggering weather bower. it was a racing treat, however, and, despite the duel, the 'calluna' and 'iverna' were getting a hollow beating. the breeze freshened with the flood, and from off shellhaven 'britannia,' which was a bare hundred yards to windward of 'valkyrie,' was, on starboard, pointing clear of the blyth, and did not therefore follow her rival on an inshore cast. after passing the lower hope point, sheets were checked, jib topsails and balloon staysails were set, and, with a puffy breeze broad off the essex side, they went straight up the fairway pushing on a big bow wave. 'britannia' going thus free was dropping 'valkyrie' a trifle, yet the race looked open until 'valkyrie's' bowsprit snapped short off close to the stem head. she was eased in to the weather shore, and her topmast saved in a wonderful way, and eventually she followed 'britannia' home. 'calluna' had split her big jib across the diagonal seam in sea reach, but got another set, and looked likely--consequent on 'valkyrie's' mishap--to gain second honours. an attempt, however, to pass inside the ovens ended by 'calluna' sticking deep in the mud, and 'iverna' got home soon enough to save her time on 'valkyrie.' this, the first race, was a fair trial to leeward and to windward, and it showed 'britannia' and 'valkyrie' to be wonderfully evenly matched, while 'calluna's' _début_ was disappointing. [illustration: 'iverna,' . (john jameson, esq.)] [illustration: lines and midship section of 'iverna.' dimensions, &c.: length (on l.w.l.), . ft.; beam, extreme, ft.; depth, . ft.; tonnage, registered, . tons; tonnage, y. m. tons; y.r.a. rating, tons. designed by alexander richardson for john jameson, esq.] the valedictory match on the river on may proved the best racing test, and furnished the most stirring sport of the trio. 'valkyrie' was ready to join in, and the fleet was similarly constituted to the opening day. the race was under the royal london burgee, and was sailed in gloomy weather and a smart north-east breeze. a sensation was served up before the contest proper had been started, and directly after the heavily freighted official steamer had got down to the lower hope, through 'calluna's' mast breaking off short as a jersey cabbage-stalk. with her whole canvas pile carrying away over the side it was feared some of the crew might be entangled; but luckily everything went clear and no one was hurt. it was . before the commodore started the race, and at the time the hope was full of trading craft. a bulky hopper barred 'britannia's' way, and both 'valkyrie' and 'iverna' had to be shoved up in the wind; and while the two last named were hovering, 'britannia' stood away for the kent side into the full scour of the ebb, and came off on the starboard tack in weather berth. 'valkyrie' had to short tack at the top of sea reach to clear her wind, and as a long leg could be made, 'britannia' reached away with the lead, 'valkyrie,' half a dozen lengths astern, pointing high for her weather quarter. the wind was puffy and both dropped 'iverna,' but the two leaders were sailing a grand race, and made a long stretch as far as the east river middle without breaking port tack. hereabout, however, the wind suddenly shortened on them from the eastward, and the 'valkyrie' most unluckily was thrown dead under the lee of 'britannia.' with the tide soaking them bodily to windward, they both fetched under the nore sand, which had to be stood from for water, and by short turnings they then made a fine race to the nore lightship. here they got in deep water, and after a short hitch and a rap-full stretch to clear had failed, 'valkyrie' went in for short boards of about twenty seconds, and ended by being given lee helm directly she was full. this meant that 'britannia,' being slower in stays, had not got sheets in before she wanted to go about again, and she would to a certainty have been weathered by 'valkyrie,' before getting as far on as the west oaze, had not the prince of wales's cutter been treated to longer boards. 'britannia' then got away and weathered the mouse, after as fine a display of short tacking as has ever been seen on the river, with a lead of seconds, and the duel had let 'iverna' get within minutes of the leader. they ran back against the tide with spinnakers to port; but it was dead running, and 'valkyrie,' edging in to the maplins, got through into first place above the admiralty mile. the wind then came off shore, and 'britannia' at once began to luff in. 'valkyrie' was determined to keep her weather wind clear, the pair had a match up to southend, and on keeping away both touched the ground, the 'britannia' bumping three times hard on the north head of leigh sand. the prince of wales's cutter, however, keeping wide, slipped past 'valkyrie' about the chapman, drew to, and came fair ahead. the pair kept up a grand race on the essex side of the river, but 'iverna,' greatly favoured by the wind and her opponents' jockeying, had got within a couple of minutes of the leaders when off holehaven. spinnakers were carried through the hope, and a grand race finished with a free reach from coalhouse point home, 'britannia' beating 'valkyrie' by seconds; but 'iverna' won the prize by time. [illustration: thames, harwich, and cinque ports courses.] a very fine open-water match was that of the royal thames club on june from the nore round the back of the goodwins to dover. the usual tale of five of the national rig and the schooner 'amphitrite' made up the entry, and all mustered at the rendezvous. it was a cheerless morning, the sky being heavy and of slaty hue, whilst a brisk north-easter blew cold off the water. the schooner had a yard-topsail set, 'calluna' her no. jackyarder, and the 'britannia,' 'valkyrie,' 'satanita,' and 'iverna' their jibheaders. reef-tackles were ready to pull earings down, but the breeze veered to the east north-east and did not harden. they had a beat to the tongue with a swinging weather tide, 'britannia' made a capital start, and twice crossed ahead of 'valkyrie'; but exactly half an hour after the start, off the 'west oaze,' 'britannia' found her sister marching clear ahead. 'calluna' had been in tilbury dock since her inglorious performance at harwich; she was there lightened of tons of dead weight, and the syndicate ship was very much livelier, and infinitely more able at breeze squeezing; while the turnings were too short for 'satanita' to be cutting a dash. 'britannia' jumped up on 'valkyrie' every time the long leg on port came, and at the entrance of the alexandra channel 'valkyrie,' on the bearing tack, had to come about under the lee bow, the prince of wales's cutter thus becoming 'bell wether.' 'valkyrie' stayed for 'britannia,' which was however on port, but the former was clear enough ahead before getting abreast of the beacons on the girdler. the two leading boats worked shorter tacks than the rest down the alexandra to the southern pitch of the shingles, and they were consequently getting picked up a little by 'calluna' and 'satanita.' after a long leg on port, the last tack was made for weathering distance of the tongue lightship, and on passing this mark after a beat of miles with a weather tide, the 'valkyrie' led 'britannia' mins., 'calluna' mins. secs., 'satanita' mins. secs., and 'iverna' mins. secs. it may be said that the distance was covered by the leader in hrs. mins. after allowing for a sweep of fair tide they had a broad reach off to the north sandhead, and although 'britannia' raced up on 'valkyrie,' she stopped directly she began to yaw about on the leader's quarter sea, and was half a minute astern at the north goodwin lightship. 'satanita's' was a remarkable piece of sailing, as according to the 'distance table' it is - / miles from the tongue lightship to the north sandhead, and she was timed officially as taking just over one hour to do the distance; it should be added that the tide was running about two knots, and setting under the weather quarter, whilst it is worthy of note that between the marks 'satanita' had two luffs with 'calluna' and shifted her jibheaded topsail for a jackyarder. in a run to the east goodwin main booms were carried to starboard, and 'britannia,' running the nearer to the sands, was placed to cover 'valkyrie,' when an inevitable gybe came off at the east goodwin. 'valkyrie' came over all standing just after passing the lightship, and unluckily for her the parts of the mainsheet got under the counter. 'britannia' was also gybed in a hurry, and, covering her opponent, she slipped past into pride of place, while 'valkyrie' was unable to pull her boom in and luff; oddly enough, however, 'britannia' was in the same mess as her sister, and it was some time ere both had mainsheets running free through the blocks. with the north sea tide swinging along hot, a fine head of speed was kept up, and about the calliper head-sails were taking well and spinnakers were got in. although the wind was quarterly from the southsand lightship home, 'britannia' made but a very trifling gain on 'valkyrie,' and, according to official clocking, crossed the line with a lead of secs., and, having secs. to allow, thus won with secs. to spare--a remarkable finish of a grand race. 'satanita' was mins. secs. astern of the leader, 'calluna' mins. secs., and 'iverna' mins. secs. a smart easterly wind on the morning of the cross channel match from dover to boulogne very naturally gave rise to anticipations that the time record for the course would be broken. the breeze came unsteady, however, and put a veto on the accomplishment of a fast journey either way, whilst a serious collision at the start, in which the 'valkyrie,' 'britannia,' and 'vendetta' were involved, had the effect of utterly spoiling the race. a fleet of eight responded to the starting gun--namely, 'britannia,' 'valkyrie,' 'calluna,' 'iverna,' 'mabel,' 'lais,' 'vendetta,' and 'varuna'--and they ran in close flight for the line before a north-east wind, with booms to starboard and having a gybe to make immediately after crossing. 'vendetta' got away first and was reaching off on her course when 'valkyrie's' bowsprit end took the on the port quarter and forced her round until she filled on the starboard tack, her topmast being carried away as she was slewing. there was not much room between the outer flagboat and the port side of 'valkyrie,' but 'britannia's' helm was drawn down--after gybing--to give her a chance of finding a passage. she fouled the mark, however, and through 'valkyrie's' way being deadened when she fouled 'vendetta,' 'britannia' had the alternative of steadying her helm and giving 'valkyrie' a sliding blow, or of keeping it a little a-lee and crashing right through the . the 'britannia's' helm was eased, and she put her bowsprit inside 'valkyrie's' rigging, while 'vendetta,' after getting her bowsprit broken off by 'britannia,' got some of the gear foul and dropped alongside the prince of wales's vessel, with her counter up about level with the big cutter's main rigging, and the stem even with the taffrail. the three vessels, locked together, sidled away towards shore, 'britannia,' listing to the wind, pressed her mainsail on to 'vendetta's' port crosstree, and the sail split up from boom to gaff. the trio laid thus entangled for ten minutes, but meantime 'valkyrie's' crew had chopped away at 'britannia's' bowsprit and headgear; eventually the spar broke, and then the three vessels at once got clear. meanwhile 'calluna' and 'iverna' had been racing away for the french coast with a fine leading wind, and twelve minutes after they had crossed the line 'valkyrie' started in pursuit. the wind was shy and very puffy after getting inside grisnez, and 'valkyrie' picked up six minutes on 'calluna,' which had beaten 'iverna' only mins. secs. in going across, and 'varuna,' the leading , by mins. 'calluna' hung on to her jackyard topsail in a wonderful way, as some of the puffs laid her over until the lee decks were full. 'valkyrie' passed 'iverna,' but 'calluna' well kept her lead, the wind easting enough for all to fetch clean full home. 'calluna' beat 'valkyrie' by mins. secs., 'iverna' by mins. secs., and 'lais,' the first of the 's, by mins. secs. [illustration: 'calluna,' -rater (peter donaldson, esq.)] there was a full muster of the heavy-weight cutters at the royal southern rendezvous, the club having a first-class match on june , the second day of its 'jubilee' regatta. 'satanita's' light blue banner was carried nearer the water-level than in her previous racing essays, owing to the lower mast having been clipped feet, and additional lead had been put on her keel. 'britannia' had made good the damage sustained at dover, and with 'valkyrie,' 'calluna,' and 'iverna' the fleet was brought up to normal strength. it was a lovely morning, glorified by fervent sunshine, and softened by a gauzy haze, but a southerly chill was not strong enough to 'carry' the smoke of the starting gun, and the surface of the solent looked smooth as burnished steel. with flying airs filling jackyard topsails, they started the race, and ere going half a mile 'calluna' got aground on the calshot spit. 'valkyrie' was lucky to strike the first of a gathering breeze, and went reaching fast from the fleet down the west channel. she afterwards gave a fine display by the wind, and showed matchless form on a dead run. 'valkyrie' eventually beat 'britannia' by mins. secs., and 'satanita' by mins. secs., 'calluna' and 'iverna' both being miles astern. 'valkyrie's' was a good performance, but she was distinctly lucky in getting the first of the wind, and she likewise was kindly treated subsequently by dame fortune. rather singularly the jubilee regatta of the royal southern club was followed by the jubilee of the royal mersey; but the latter meeting, on june , did not open under such exhilarating influences as the solent gathering, particulars having just come to hand of the 'victoria' disaster in the mediterranean, while the weather was dismally dull, and a tearing north-north-west wind blowing. consequent on the prevailing stiff breeze an alternative course--three times round the formby--had been plotted off overnight--probably not, however, from any tender consideration whether the racing vessels could cross the bar safely, the anxiety more likely being in regard to the committee-boat and her freight. the inside course was named on the day, but, in spite of foresight and precaution, the racing was disappointing. the 'valkyrie,' which had come round from cowes with her mainsail an underdeck passenger, could not get the sail bent owing to the rain and wind; then 'calluna' got her anchor foul, and being minutes late, did not start. 'britannia' alone was near the line when the blue peter came down, yet she lost min. secs., while 'satanita' came mins. later, and 'iverna' a minute after 'satanita.' there was wind enough to warrant second earings being hardened down, all topmasts were housed, and with the tide flying to windward the ground was sidled over very fast. the start meant victory--barring accidents--in beating out of the narrow mersey channel, and although 'satanita' worked right up under 'britannia,' she was kept safely pinned. there was a short jump of sea, and the two new ships were giving a free display of the fore body, smashing the tidal combers into blinding clouds of sea dust. 'satanita' had a rare drilling from 'britannia,' and although she also ran the faster, she could not get through in such a limited stretch of water. thus the game was played to the end, it being a flog out from new brighton to the formby, and a run back each round. had the 'satanita' got her opponent's start, she would probably have beaten the prince of wales's cutter fully mins., as in such a breeze she was clearly the faster to windward. 'iverna' was very soon done with, and at the finish 'britannia' finished mins. secs. before 'satanita.' the royal northern regatta opened on july with a piping breeze strong enough for slab reefs to be pulled down; before noon, however, jackyard topsails were wanted, and calms and partial breezes made tiresome work afterward, flukes being as plentiful as motes in a sunbeam. the 'calluna' put in an appearance, and when viewed broadside on her big sail-plan gave her quite an over-hatted look. 'satanita,' 'britannia,' 'valkyrie,' and 'iverna' all made their number, and the match commenced in a rush of wind, 'satanita' clearing out of rothesay bay faster than any steamboat ever left it--perhaps a madder burst of reaching was never seen. the southampton boat was at the head of affairs for some time, but after some fluking 'valkyrie' led. at the end of the second round, however, 'satanita,' through a sheer slice of luck, got mins. ahead of 'britannia,' and as it was then . and clock calm in the clyde, it was thought the match would be stopped. the committee, however, wanted the distance done, and 'britannia,' being the faster in light airs, got home late in the evening min. secs, before 'satanita,' 'valkyrie,' which was nearly mins. astern of the latter at the end of the first round, getting in min. secs, after, and saving her time for second prize. the 'calluna's' wide wings did not seem to help her as they should have done in flaws and catspaws. the mudhookers opened the ball on july at hunter's quay, and a very capital sailing programme was put forward by the exclusive 'forty' which constitute the club, the leading event being a prize value _l._ for big cutters. with 'britannia' and 'calluna' disabled, the affair virtually resolved itself into a match between 'valkyrie' and 'satanita,' although the 'iverna' was a starter. it was imperative that the helmsmen should be amateurs, and mr. w. g. jameson shipped for the day as timoneer of 'satanita,' lord dunraven having mr. george watson to relieve him on 'valkyrie.' starting with a free sheet in a smart breeze, 'satanita' went away so fast that 'valkyrie' looked likely to have a stern chase; but the wind got baffling, in beating up the firth from ascog 'valkyrie' worked up, and off dunoon, in standing off on port, she had to come round under the lee bow of her rival. a wind-jamming trial then followed, and 'satanita' either sidled away and dropped down on 'valkyrie,' or the latter ate up under her rival, as the end of 'satanita's' gaff hooked 'valkyrie's' topmast shrouds, and lord dunraven's cutter was towed along for some minutes. after getting clear, it was thought 'valkyrie's' topmast was slightly sprung, and there were cross protests at the finish of the round. a desperately close race was sailed on the second turn round the course, and 'satanita,' which was only secs. ahead at the finish, got beaten on time by 'valkyrie.' 'iverna' finished secs. after the leader. amateur helmsmen were in request for the big ships on clyde corinthian club day, when the 'britannia,' 'valkyrie,' 'satanita,' and 'iverna' responded to the starting gun. the weather was very uncertain, the breezes being so light that only one round of the course could be sailed. 'valkyrie' was the lucky ship as she rounded the kilcreggan flagboat, two and a half miles from the commodore, last boat. standing off in the firth, along the edge of a flaw, whilst her opponents were lying becalmed, she tacked into a breezy lane, and, passing 'iverna,' 'satanita,' and 'britannia' in turn, carried her way up to the line, getting the winning gun secs. before 'britannia' struggled through, and mins. secs. in advance of 'satanita.' the 'valkyrie' was steered by her owner, the 'britannia' by mr. w. g. jameson, and the 'satanita' by mr. r. ure. a more unfavourable racing day than that which opened the royal club regatta has never been experienced even on the unutterably fluky firth. sudden spurts of wind, calms, a very long spell of what was quite a deluge of rain, deafening thunder, blinding lightning and depressing gloom, made up the sample of weather vouchsafed to the competitors during the time that the 'sport' was progressing. the big cutters mustered in full force, and had a light easterly breeze, which gave a reach down the clyde. just before the start, 'britannia' on the port tack, with the wind pretty broad abeam, made 'calluna,' which had run down from the eastward with boom over the port side, come round; and this was deemed cause for 'calluna' to pursue a protest, on the ground that a breach of the rules of the road had been committed. 'valkyrie,' too, made a mark of 'britannia,' the latter getting the stem, and sustaining damage to the port bulwarks aft and the taffrail. after an unsatisfactory start, 'britannia' and 'satanita' went round the ascog mark together, but just as the latter was stepping out in style, and apparently in first place, her bobstay pendant burst and the bowsprit broke off short to the stem-head. topsails had been shifted, as there was a prospect of a strong breeze, but the outcome was a tempest without a rattle of wind. 'britannia' sailed in fine form, and simply lost her opponents directly 'satanita's' accident had put that boat out of the way. it was a wretchedly poor time, however, and, thanks to not a little good fortune, 'britannia' beat 'valkyrie' by mins. secs., and 'calluna' by mins. secs., while 'iverna' gave up. protests were lodged against 'britannia' on behalf of both 'calluna' and 'valkyrie.' the 'calluna's' objection was considered, and about midnight the sailing committee decided to disqualify the 'britannia,' only one witness, be it said, from the last-named vessel having been called. there was really not a semblance of racing on the second day of the royal clyde regatta, which was the valedictory fixture in the so-called 'clyde fortnight.' flying chills and draughts out of every 'airt,' with long spells of calm, kept the vessels hanging about the lower part of the firth until the shadows were well slanting eastward. an evening breeze helped 'valkyrie' home, but it took her nearly seven hours and a half to cover one half the course, and she finished mins. secs. before the 'calluna,' hr. mins. secs. before 'britannia,' and about hrs. mins. before 'satanita,' the last named taking hrs. to cover miles. inspiriting racing marked the opening of the irish fixtures at bangor, and the royal ulster regatta attracted all the big cutters. the wind was fresh from the north-north-east, slab reefs were down in mainsails and sharp-headed topsails set. a thrilling and eventful contest followed a perfectly judged start, and 'britannia,' 'satanita,' and 'valkyrie' formed first flight in a plain sail round the lough as far as the south briggs flagboat, where the last named lost her place through one of her hands getting knocked overboard in a gybe. at the same mark in the second round 'britannia' got the inside turn, when the main boom had to come over; but 'satanita' at once began to luff, and with mainsheet blocks together on both they went heading out in the lough. foot by foot 'satanita' came up, off ballyholme bay she had ranged broad on the weather-beam of her rival, and was thus able to claim room at the home flagboat, which she luffed round with secs. lead, and jay then kept her shooting almost as long as she would to keep weather berth. 'britannia' unluckily got her mainsheet jammed, and as she could not in consequence be sprung to the wind--at once--so high as 'satanita,' she dropped under the lee quarter, and got a severe blanketing all the way up the lough. the pair sailed an exciting match round the rest of the course, and 'satanita' travelling like a shooting star reached home winner with secs. in hand. it may be said that the feat was accomplished in one third of the course, - / miles, and that she beat 'britannia' mins. secs. in that distance, which was a very high tribute indeed to 'satanita's' speed. 'calluna' finished mins. secs. after the winner. 'valkyrie' never regained any of the time lost in picking up the hand who got overboard. [illustration: royal ulster yacht club belfast.] the breeze steadied down during the dark hours, and the 'valkyrie' had a day just to her liking. 'iverna's' well-known racing banner was missed for the first time in the season, owing to her rudder-head being twisted. spectators were treated to a magnificent light-weather match between the 'valkyrie' and 'britannia.' the former took the lead directly after the flash of the starting gun, but she did not seem to ghost along in the usual peerless style. 'britannia' was with difficulty kept pinned under the lee; in fact, it was evident that 'valkyrie' could not allow her opponent a cross-tacking chance, or her quarry would certainly have slipped her. the breezes were paltry and patchy, with plenty of white water spots about, and the course was shortened to the extent of one third the distance, 'valkyrie' eventually crawling home winner about three lengths ahead of 'britannia,' although there was min. secs. difference between them in time. 'calluna's' big sail-plan availed her little, and 'satanita' never once really woke up in the prevailing zephyrs. 'calluna' finished mins. secs. astern of 'valkyrie,' and 'satanita' struggled in against the tide mins. secs. after 'calluna.' there was a piping breeze from the westward on the opening day of the royal irish regatta, and a stirring struggle with 'satanita,' 'britannia,' and 'calluna' for her majesty's cup was accordingly anticipated. 'calluna' risked a whole mainsail, but 'britannia' and 'satanita' had the baby reef in and all set jibheaded topsails. perfect judgment was shown on the 'satanita' and 'britannia' in manoeuvring for the start, but 'satanita's' skipper scored first honours as he gave his ship a wipe away at the nick of time, and she reached through the line, fairly foaming a length ahead of the prince of wales's cutter, 'calluna' being about a hundred yards astern. they went along the wind at a tearing pace to the muglins mark, jib-topsails being cracked on, and on going to the kish the wind was brought on the quarter, a nasty roll tried spars and gear, and an ugly gybe came on before making the lightship. at this mark 'satanita' had given a startling illustration of her speed with a free sheet, as she led the 'britannia' mins. secs., with 'calluna' only secs. astern of the latter. a very fast piece of close reaching was done between the kish and the rosebeg, then came a dead peg across the bay. 'britannia' tried hard to get 'satanita' into short tacking, and the latter, having to turn about more often than suited her, found 'britannia' settling up, enabling 'calluna' to profit by the game her opponents were playing. in a hard squall the second round commenced, and through a backing of the wind they had a run with spinnakers to the kish. a gybe had to be made, and it was a heavy one. 'satanita' and 'britannia' got their booms over all right, but 'calluna's' came in a hurry, and while the boom-end was buried deep in the water, the inner part came with a surge against the runner and broke off, the outer half of the spar launching in board and lying square across the deck. luckily no one was hurt, which was simply a miracle. the 'satanita' and 'britannia' sailed a desperate race during the rest of the round, and this time the former had the better of her rival beating across the bay. in going free to the kish on the last turn, 'satanita' sailed in peerless form, and had a lead of mins. secs. at the lightship. in a close reach to the rosebeg, 'satanita' lost a few seconds, and then followed a splendid race tack and tack home. 'britannia' was the better on this point, but 'satanita' kept her under the lee and weathered the line with a lead of mins. secs., winning the royal trophy and scoring a brilliant victory with secs. to spare. the royal irish regatta finished on thursday, july , in changeable weather and baffling breezes. with 'calluna' crippled, the 'satanita' and 'britannia' had a match for the club prize, and not at all unexpectedly 'britannia' was winner. she scored by no means a bloodless victory, and her crew had a scare when 'satanita' struck into a breeze about half water between the muglins and kish, and went streaking past like a flash of greased lightning. 'satanita' was pluckily sailed, but had not wind enough to wake her up and, when the match was stopped at the end of the second round, 'britannia' had a lead of mins. secs. [illustration: royal irish yacht club. dublin bay.] [illustration: 'navahoe,' -rater: n.y.y. club (royal phelps carroll, esq.)] most auspicious was the opening of the cowes racing week in regard to wind and weather, there being every indication of the morning breeze of monday freshening when the stream bent westward, and of lasting sunshine and a clear atmosphere. the match was under the royal london burgee, and the club had adopted a new course of which it may be said that a better could not have been marked off inside the isle of wight. the big cutter entry included the 'valkyrie,' 'britannia,' 'satanita,' 'calluna,' 'iverna,' and the gold cup challenger 'navahoe,' and there was general rejoicing on the morning of the day that the american would be certain to get a trustworthy test of speed in her first racing essay. curiosity to see how she would acquit herself under the circumstances ran high. the match commenced with a free reach to the eastward on the back of a fair tide, and the wind followed and gave a run, but it came in streaks and the fleet were all together at the warner, the 'valkyrie' being leader, with 'navahoe' secs. astern. a nice breeze was found to windward, and in turning in to the noman 'valkyrie' worked away from the yankee and then went for 'britannia,' which, with 'satanita,' stood away for the north shore. 'valkyrie' was then left with 'navahoe,' and the latter along ryde sands and on to the motherbank got more wind and a slacker tide, inside 'valkyrie,' and forereached so much the faster that on coming off she crossed comfortably ahead of lord dunraven's cutter. 'navahoe' performed this feat 'on her uppers,' while 'valkyrie' was stiff as a tree, perhaps through having less wind than there was to leeward. the breezes continued to be served out partially in strength and direction, and 'britannia,' 'satanita,' and 'calluna' were having a bad time in working the north shore down. 'valkyrie' picked up 'navahoe' in beating on to calshot, and went round that mark with just a clear lead. the breeze was unsteady and puffy in reaching to lepe, but for the most part sheets were checked, and 'navahoe's' big sail-plan dragged her by to windward of 'valkyrie,' and she was first round lepe buoy, but she made a wide sweep in the gybe and 'valkyrie' ran on to the fore. with a leading wind 'navahoe' slipped through to leeward into first place before getting to cowes, and thence they squared away. 'valkyrie' was not raced with the same spirit as 'britannia' was on the first run eastward, or the 'navahoe' would have been luffed out into spithead; the latter was, in fact, allowed to keep the even tenour of her way, and she rounded the warner with secs. lead of 'valkyrie,' 'britannia' having run up on both, while 'satanita' had taken the american in nearly mins. with a weather tide and truer and fresher breeze, they had a fair test to windward, and a couple of boards sufficed for 'valkyrie' and 'britannia' to weather the american. 'valkyrie' was sailed to bother 'britannia,' while the 'navahoe' was fairly let run loose. had the sister ships been simply sailing boat against boat, they could not have carried on a keener duel. 'britannia' beat 'valkyrie,' but instead of having a substantial lead at calshot lightship, she was only just to windward of 'valkyrie,' and but min. secs. ahead of 'navahoe.' in reaching to lepe, 'britannia' and 'valkyrie' gained in distance on the american, but nothing in time, owing to the rushing lee-tide. there was a smart breeze to blow them home against the boiling stream, and the 'navahoe's' big sail-plan helped her. both 'britannia' and 'valkyrie,' however, kept to the fore, and 'britannia' finished winner of a hard race, secs. ahead of 'valkyrie,' min. secs. of 'navahoe,' mins. secs. of 'satanita,' and mins. secs. of 'calluna.' it may be said that 'satanita' gained mins. secs. and 'calluna' mins. secs. on the 'navahoe' in sailing the second round; the pair picked up on 'britannia' and 'valkyrie' simply owing to the suicidal tactics adopted in racing the sister ships. a breeze was wanting on the opening morning of the royal yacht squadron regatta to put animation in the scene afloat, still in the flood of sunshine it was a brilliant spectacle. there was a galaxy of private yachts, and quite a fleet of fighting ships of various nationalities riding on the solent dressed in bunting, the german emperor's new 'hohenzollern' looming up a very triton amongst the host, through which the racing fleet had presently to thread their way eastward. the starters for her majesty's cup were the 'meteor,' 'britannia,' 'valkyrie,' 'viking,' _née_ 'wendur,' and 'mohawk.' an alteration in the course had been made by substituting the bullock patch buoy for the nab, and with thoughtful consideration for the length of leg of the modern craft, the three-fathom north bramble channel was left out. a dreadfully slow run was made eastward, the - / miles from cowes to the eastern limit of the course taking about - / hours to cover. the breezes came in puffs out of every cloud, but mostly from the north or north-west, and in this sort of weather it was absolutely humiliating that the aspirant for america cup honours should be led round the lee mark by the seven-season-old 'meteor.' with a better and fairly true breeze westerly 'valkyrie' and 'britannia' on a close reach in to the noman passed the emperor's cutter, and, from mark to mark eight miles, 'valkyrie' beat 'meteor' exactly mins. after fetching well up to cowes, they turned through the roads, and then got a northerly slant in the west channel; a flying weather-tide settled them bodily to windward, and at lymington mark 'valkyrie,' which had gone in grand form to windward, was mins. ahead of 'britannia' and mins. secs. of 'meteor,' the time allowance of the last named having thus run out by secs. the wind was breezing up, and they ran through a roaring ebb tide at a fair speed, the modern boats pushing out a tremendous bow wave. the 'meteor' unquestionably had a stronger following breeze than the two leaders, and with about - / ft. less draught than 'valkyrie,' she could be edged inside the tide rift on the north shore, the result being that she gained secs. on 'valkyrie,' yet with an allowance of mins. secs. she thus lost by secs. on the question being raised that 'valkyrie' had not followed the track marked on the official chart furnished, it was admitted that she had left the nab on the wrong hand, and the sailing committee disqualified her and declared the 'meteor' winner of her majesty's cup. it may be said that the 'wendur' after rounding lymington mark attempted to set her spinnaker, but lost the sail, which was picked up by a pilot boat. worse still, the boom was let drop in the water, and on it breaking two of the crew were badly hurt. wednesday, august , was chosen by the royal yacht squadron for the match for the meteor challenge shield presented by the german emperor, the course being from cowes round the isle of wight (outside nab), thence round the shambles lightship and back through the needles passage to cowes, a distance of miles. according to the conditions four yachts were to start or no race, but out of an entry of six only 'britannia' and 'satanita' went for the trophy. the start, which was fixed for seven o'clock, was delayed an hour owing to the card and sailing directions differing. at o'clock, when 'britannia' and 'satanita' got away, the 'valkyrie's' crew, which had made a show of getting the vessel ready, had proceeded as far as hoisting a jib in stops and lashing up the fighting colours, the vessel subsequently lying listless at anchor all day. a charmingly bright clear morning with a bonny breeze from the north-west sent the two ships scudding out in hot haste to the eastward. spinnakers were on and jackyard topsails, and at the nab 'britannia' had run out a lead of mins. coming on a reach the east stream was faced, and 'satanita,' doing a wonderful stretch of sailing, had almost drawn level with her rival, when the wind came ahead and gave a beat of about forty miles to the shambles. in order to shun the tide the island shore was worked, but 'satanita' got too close and bumped hard several times on atherfield ledge. in working on a nasty short jump of sea was trying the vessels, and off swanage the breeze came in such hard puffs that big topsails were got down. 'britannia' worked away from her rival, and after a pretty considerable amount of pile-driving got round the shambles at o'clock with a lead of mins. they had to face a west tide, and as the evening closed in the wind almost entirely failed. in the west channel it was mere tide-work, and at . 'britannia' drove across the line winner, 'satanita' at the time being barely discernible astern. it was an uninteresting match, but a hard one for ships and crews, and in the heavy plunging which went on between the needles and st. albans 'britannia' sprung her mast. thursday morning opened with a fine singing breeze from the west-south-west, and the match for the cowes town cup gave promise of stirring sport. 'britannia's' absence, owing to her mast being sprung, was generally regretted; but 'navahoe,' 'valkyrie,' 'satanita,' and 'calluna' appeared under fighting flags. all had a single reef in mainsails, and 'valkyrie's' topmast was struck, the rest keeping theirs on end. they were sent first to the westward, and had a clean reach to the first mark, a capitally judged start being made. 'satanita,' nearest the hampshire shore, was first on the line, with 'valkyrie' overlapping the western quarter, and 'calluna' and 'navahoe' broad to windward. laying down to the hard breeze, 'satanita' was given the weight of it, and went smoking away, while 'navahoe' in weather berth was getting comparatively very lightly sailed. a hard breeze, however, caught the yankee, making her curl up to an ugly angle, and as she went off her helm, 'calluna's' crew were getting scared that she would either drop down flat on them or make a wild shoot into their ship. a heavier slam than the first put the 'navahoe' fairly out of control, and she went down on her side and wallowed helplessly in a smother of foam, until a gripe up to the wind relieved her and she came upright, when particular care was taken not to fill on her again. the weight of the wind had burst the mainsail at the clew, and, after getting the sail off the vessel ran away up southampton water, international rivalry thus coming to a summary end for the day. owing to the strong wind and flood tide, the mark-boat had driven about a mile eastward, so it was soon reached down to, and 'satanita' was first round, then 'valkyrie' and 'calluna.' it was a broad reach to the warner, and cracking on a jibheaded topsail 'satanita' was ploughing along at an astounding speed; in fact, she was doing - / knots when crossing the admiralty mile. with a jibheader on, the leader was leaving 'valkyrie,' which had lost 'calluna's' close company through the latter, when careening to a squall, fouling the jibboom of the steam yacht 'cleopatra,' the cutter getting mainsail split and gaff broken. 'satanita' stayed round the warner at . , min. secs. before 'valkyrie,' and the former had the benefit of a reach back as far as cowes. heavy squalls came off the island, and 'satanita' had lee decks full, 'valkyrie' by comparison standing up manfully. owing to the flagboat drifting, they went round lepe buoy, and having to nip to fetch, 'valkyrie' gained a trifle. coming back free, 'satanita' was driven along with jibheader, and she held a lead of - / mins. at the warner. the homeward track could be laid clean full, and the wind coming off with canvas-splitting force, 'satanita's' lee decks were washing like a porpoise's back, but she was travelling at a tremendous speed and would have gone much faster and on a more even keel had the topmast been struck. it was a wonderful display of fast sailing on her part, as she finished mins. secs. before 'valkyrie,' and covered the distance, miles, allowing for the drifted flagboat at lepe, in hrs. mins. secs., thus averaging a little over - / knots. an exceedingly brilliant wind-up of an eventful regatta was made at cowes on friday, august , when the royal yacht squadron prize was sailed round the warner-lepe course. the competitors were 'satanita,' 'valkyrie,' 'calluna,' and 'navahoe,' and they started on a short beat down the west channel in a rising breeze from the west-south-west, jibheaded topsails being set over whole mainsails. in the first board 'navahoe' was weathered by each of her rivals, the yankee being kept hovering in the wind, instead of being made to feel the weight of it, the previous day's experience perhaps being the cause. a heavy squall with sheets of rain passed over before the western mark-boat was weathered, and they drove back to cowes with spinnakers, all but the yankee being run on the wrong gybe. from a run they came to a free reach off osborne, and went streaking out at a great pace to the warner, all except 'satanita' cracking on jackyarders, but 'valkyrie' shifted back to jibheader off the sandhead buoy. the latter kept pride of place going east, but in coming back clean full the wind came off the island in savage puffs and 'satanita' was racing up. a regular flame of wind struck off above the peel, and 'satanita' went by the windward into first place, leaving 'valkyrie' fairly stuck up. 'navahoe' and 'calluna' hung on to big topsails too long, the yankee continuing whipper-in and falling down flat on her side in the hardest of the gushes. 'satanita,' too, crabbed up badly, but did not heel to such an angle as 'navahoe,' and was always lively and manageable in the puffs; she also got up a higher head of speed the fresher the wind piped. on the second round it was harder driving between 'satanita' and 'valkyrie' than with 'calluna' and 'navahoe,' and after the free reach to the warner the first named was mins. secs. ahead or secs. short of her allowance. it was just a clean reach from the noman to cowes, and some of the puffs came off the island with the rush of a white squall. 'satanita' was knocked down flatter than 'valkyrie,' but she did not steady her speed, and finished a splendidly fought and most exciting race with mins. secs. lead of 'valkyrie,' 'satanita' winning with secs. to spare. 'calluna' was mins. secs. astern of the winner, and 'navahoe' mins. secs. [illustration: royal southampton yacht club. . "warner and lymington course".] ill fortune has of late haunted each annual saturday fixture of the royal southampton club, and that of august , instead of attracting the fleet of heavy weights, was reduced to a match between the 'navahoe' and 'calluna.' the 'britannia' had her new mast in, but was not ready, 'satanita' was getting a strengthening band shrunk on her masthead, and 'valkyrie,' which had come across from cowes to southampton water, did not start, fearing there would be too much wind for her sprung main-boom. a north-wester came shooting down southampton water fresh enough for 'navahoe's' small reef to be pulled down, 'calluna,' however, had whole mainsail and both jibheaders. the scotch clipper was unluckily sailed through the line too soon, and the 'navahoe' got two minutes start; but 'calluna' bringing quite a rattle of wind, nearly nailed her rival at calshot spit. the breeze got light in the west channel and came bare, while the tide had to be stemmed. 'navahoe' kept sailing into the first of the wind, and, getting a fine lift near the lymington mark, led by mins. 'calluna' was sailed without heart or judgment in the run up the west channel, and so on to the warner. she might well have carried her jackyard topsail going west, and certainly wanted it, coming back with sheets off. 'calluna' was gybed in cowes roads for some reason; and while her opponent was running clean with boom the other side, the scotch boat was 'by the lee.' 'navahoe' at length was first to shift her big topsail, and had mins. lead at the time, but when 'calluna' did go to work sail shifting, it took her crew eighteen minutes to get down the jibheaded topsail and replace it with jackyarder. in the beat from the warner up past browndown there were some flukes lying under the north shore which might have been picked up for the seeking, and 'calluna's' poor attempt at match sailing ended by 'navahoe' weathering the line off netley with a lead of mins. secs. the racing fleet mustered in force on the royal albert station, and cruisers swarmed thick as bees to do honour to the last of the solent racing fixtures. a light gauzy haze in the early morning of monday, august , did not bode well for sport, but an air came just before the starting hour for the albert cup, and stretched out the fighting flags of 'britannia,' 'navahoe,' 'calluna,' and 'satanita.' a south-east breeze of about weight enough for small jib-topsails to be carried with profit to windward was drawing in against the last of the east-going stream, when an eventful race commenced with 'satanita's' bowsprit end showing first across the line; the others were close at hand, and a pretty start was made. [illustration: royal albert yacht club. southsea. .] the wind freshened at night after weymouth regatta, and on sunday morning there was an ugly sea off the bill. the yachts which made the passage to torquay had a coarse time, some of them ran back, others did not leave the dorset port, the consequence being that there was a poor muster in torbay. the 'satanita,' 'navahoe,' 'britannia,' and 'calluna' were ready to answer the starting gun on monday morning when the wind was piping loud from the westward. all had a reef in mainsails, and topmasts were housed when anchors were broken out, but 'satanita's' was very unwisely got on end, and she subsequently set a jibheader. 'satanita,' over-eager, sailed the line too soon, and her opponents had been racing for the off mark nearly mins. before she followed them across. with the wind quarterly, she soon smoked out to the first flagboat, where 'navahoe' was leader and 'calluna' second. then came a beat in a little head jump, and the full drift of the wind was felt. 'navahoe's' performance in beating to brixham was far and away her worst display, as she simply crabbed on her uppers and sidled away, while 'satanita,' crippled as she was with jibheader, was--truth to tell--not shaping a whit better, and seemed to be simply wallowing in dead water. off brixham, 'satanita' had another set back, through one of her extra hands slipping overboard, but a very smart job was made in picking the man up. 'satanita' was punished with jibheader again on the second round, and 'britannia,' 'calluna,' and 'navahoe' were waltzing away from her. on the third round the sail was pulled down and the spar housed, but it was too late in the day to pick up the first flight. 'satanita,' however, began to tramp away, and in addition to reaching her rivals beat the lot going to windward. the wind fairly whistled off shore as they reached on for goodrington, but 'calluna' and 'navahoe' did not lower staysails as on the second round. the 'britannia's' jib, however, burst, and 'navahoe' shifted hers. the latter was in the way of a regular canvas splitter as she kept away round the goodrington mark, and falling down flat she swept the mark-boat with her mainsail, but continued the match. at the end of the third round 'navahoe' was mins. astern of 'britannia,' and mins. of 'calluna,' while 'satanita' had gained mins. on the yankee in miles. the 'navahoe's' mainsail was found to be damaged at the clew, and to be giving out at the reef lacing, and just as 'satanita' was collaring her off the imperial she drew to the wind and gave up. on the last round 'satanita' gained min. secs. on 'britannia,' the latter finishing an easy winner mins. secs. ahead of 'calluna,' and mins. secs. of 'satanita.' [illustration: torbay regatta race chart torquay.] the wind hardened during the dark hours, and was blowing a moderate gale from the south-west at sunrise. it had veered westerly and moderated a little an hour before the start, and the 'britannia,' 'calluna,' and 'satanita' housed topmasts, got first reef in mainsails, and set third jibs in anticipation of a dusting. 'navahoe' could not start, owing to her damaged mainsail; but had she joined in there is no reason to suppose that she would have shaped better than on the previous day, as the wind was about the same in strength and direction, and the course almost identical. 'britannia' and 'satanita' made a grand start, but with the wind abaft the beam the latter cleared out at once from under her rival's lee, and gave a really phenomenal display of speed going to the flagboat outside hope's nose, covering the distance in mins. secs. she was at the mark in the thick of a passing squall, and when the tiller was put down to bring her by the wind it broke off close into the rudder-head, jay, who always steers from the lee side, being just saved from going overboard. the mishap was alike annoying to crew and spectators as the vessel would, without doubt, have established a record over the torbay course. the 'britannia' and 'calluna' then had a match, and, curious to state, 'calluna' in the hard wind which prevailed during the first, second, and third rounds, fairly beat 'britannia' on each turn while sailing with a free sheet, the advantage gained by the latter being on the beat between the sea mark and brixham. on the last round the wind took off a little and 'britannia' made an all-round gain, eventually beating her antagonist by mins. secs. [illustration: 'satanita,' -rater (a. d. clarke, esq.)] in contrast to the tearing pipe-up at torquay, variable breezes, flaws, catspaws, and calms prevailed in start bay when the royal dart matches were decided. owing to the death of the duke of coburg the 'britannia' did not start, but 'navahoe' was under racing colours again, and she was opposed by 'calluna' and 'satanita,' mr. crocker, of new york, having arrived just in time to sail the american. all light kites were set, and 'satanita' led the race on a reach to the skerries buoy, at which mark 'navahoe' was whipper-in. 'calluna,' through luffing out to cover 'satanita,' let 'navahoe' through into second place, and the latter ran up close to the leader. the breeze got so soft that they could hardly gain on the tide, and getting a flaw first on one quarter and then on the other positions kept changing, till at the last mark 'satanita' was just clear ahead of 'calluna'; the tide, however, hooked the latter and set her on to the mark-boat, and she at once gave up. 'satanita' and 'navahoe' reached along in a trickling air with all light kites set, and 'satanita' finished the first round with a lead of min. secs. both got in the doldrums near the start mark, but taking a chill 'navahoe' got away with a long lead. 'satanita,' however, brought enough wind to drag her by to windward, and give her a good lead at the east mark. 'satanita' was lucky enough to get a new wind first, which kept pretty true and steady afterward, and she eventually beat 'navahoe' in a fluky race by mins. secs. the rising start bay club, to its credit be it said, catered for the big ships, and in return secured the entry of the familiar quartet. after a breathless morning an opportune breeze from the south-east travelled in from sea and put a little life into the start. the 'satanita,' however, had just before drove on to the outer flagboat and she was then kept lying with staysail to windward. 'navahoe' crossed the line first, and in a soft breeze went clean full and by for the torcross flagboat, 'britannia' and 'calluna' being sailed finer. 'satanita,' when told by the committee to 'go on,' crossed the line mins. secs. after 'navahoe,' and getting a better breeze than the leaders she gained about mins. on 'navahoe.' the last named went stealing along in the gentle breeze and finished the first round seconds before 'britannia.' the breeze freshened and they came on a taut bowline, and after 'navahoe' had tried her best to wind 'britannia,' the latter squeezed through her lee and in the next board crossed ahead, while 'satanita' closed up. after a run from the west to east mark, they had a broad reach home in a fine breeze, 'britannia' keeping bell-wether. 'navahoe' held second place in the beat to torcross, but 'satanita' went past in going down wind for the next mark. it was a curious finish, as after reaching in fairly foaming, the wind cut off within a quarter of a mile of the winning line, and 'britannia' came upright. she then got a cyclonic cooler, which filled the lower sails one way and the topsail the other. 'britannia's' long lead looked likely to be wiped out, as the 'satanita,' 'navahoe,' and 'calluna' were meanwhile tearing in foaming. they in turn got stuck up, however, in the same vortex, and 'britannia' was logged winner with a lead of mins. secs. of 'satanita,' mins. secs. of 'navahoe,' and mins. secs. of 'calluna.' 'satanita's' was a remarkably fine performance in such weather; but, after all, she had a bootless journey, the 'navahoe' taking second prize. [illustration: start bay yacht club dartmouth. times round.] the 'navahoe' did not go further west than dartmouth, but gave topsail-sheet for cowes to get her wings clipped and a thorough brush up before the gold cup and other challenge cup matches with 'britannia.' had the matches for the royal victoria gold cup been set for decision earlier in the season, and the challenger and defender not previously gauged their speed, deeper and wider interest would very naturally have been taken in the contests. as matters stood, the result appeared a foregone conclusion, yet many were warned by the 'navahoe's' admirers that a little clipping and other alterations would be found to have wrought an improvement both in stability and speed, and that she would make a closer fight than was generally anticipated. the club arrangements for the first match of the series, on wednesday, sept. , appeared to be as perfect as possible, and excitement ran high on the morning of the day. there was a great crowd on ryde pier, and the official steamer which embarked ticket-holders at southampton, cowes, ryde, and southsea carried a large and critical company. [illustration: royal dart yacht club. kingswear.] friday was appointed for the final match over the long victoria course, and it turned out a very coarse time, the wind coming in tearing squalls and the rain in sheets. 'navahoe's' mainsail gave out at the eyelet lacings, and the second reef was got down, the start meanwhile being delayed. the american, however, eventually brought up, and mr. jameson, who was acting for the prince of wales on the 'britannia,' declined, under the circumstances, to take advantage of a 'sail over,' it being mutually agreed subsequently to race on monday. monday opened with a rattling breeze from the eastward, but it had toned down at o'clock, and was then a typical time to test the rivals under lower canvas with mainsails single reefed. as usual with the wind out there was a tumble of sea off spithead. they started to the eastward at . , and had a beat to the nab, 'britannia' having the best of it, as she was broad to windward at the flash of the gun. the west tide was going, and a long stretch was made across spithead, 'britannia' giving her rival a blistering for a time. she was too far ahead off the warner to be spilling 'navahoe's' head-sail, and, smashing through the short sea in peerless style, beat the american mins. secs.--or a minute a mile--turning to the nab. spinnakers irish-reefed and hoisted to masthead were set after they had reached on to the spit mark, and a gybe was made off lee, the western flag being tacked round, and here 'britannia' led by mins. secs. 'navahoe' after rounding appeared to be starved for wind, while 'britannia' was getting rammed along. soon the jibsheets of the american ran out, and the sail had to be secured, sheets rove, and the sail reset, 'britannia' meanwhile having hopped a long distance away; and she weathered the home flagboat and finished the first round with a lead of mins. secs. the nab was turned to in a lighter breeze and smoother water, and 'navahoe,' getting a northerly slant when off the elbow buoy of the dean, made a long leg out, while 'britannia' had been pegging away at short turnings. the latter, however, weathered the lightship holding a lead of mins. secs., and she only added secs. in going free to the western mark. the wind having backed to the eastward, they could lay clean for home, and with a fair tide the ground was covered very fast. 'britannia's' masthead had gone aft, and the heel of her housed topmast was sticking out so far that it had torn the staysail just inside the tabling, and the sail split up from foot to head just before she crossed the line victorious in her defence of the royal victoria gold cup. the 'britannia' finished at hrs. mins. secs., and 'navahoe' at hrs. mins. secs. after having finished the deciding match for the royal victoria gold cup, conqueror and conquered sailed away westward and rode the night out at anchor in cowes roads. tuesday, sept. , was fixed for the race for the brenton reef cup, and it turned out a bright crisp morning, with a fine singing breeze easterly, and, gauged by the loom on the seascape, it appeared probable the wind would prevail from that quarter. according to conditions the course was from off the needles rocks round cherbourg breakwater, passing in at the west end and out at the east, and returning to the needles, the distance being computed at miles. the antagonists were towed away after breakfast to the rendezvous, and going down the west channel a reef was put in mainsails, no. jibs hoisted in stops, and flying jibs stowed at bowsprit ends, while jibheaded topsails were set after the last pull had been taken at purchases. the owner of the 'navahoe's' wish that mins. be allowed for crossing the line and the difference corrected at the finish of the match was acceded to, and about . the official steamer was in position, mr. r. grant, secretary of the royal yacht squadron, being officer in charge. the imaginary starting line was formed by bringing the three needles rocks in one, and at noon the blue peter was lowered and the match commenced. 'britannia' reached across the line at hrs. min. secs. p.m., the 'navahoe' at hrs. mins. secs., the prince of wales's cutter thus having - / secs. to allow at the finish. sheets were trimmed for a beam wind, and with flying jibs and balloon staysails set they went racing fast across the down-coming ebb. there was a nasty ground swell, and on getting clear from under the lee of the land the full weight of the wind was felt, the sea getting crested and heavy. jibheaders were handed, flying jibs lowered, and working staysails set, and travelling upwards of twelve knots there was plenty of drift knocking about. 'britannia' continued to keep 'navahoe' astern, and two hours after the start miles had been logged. the wind kept true and they continued to sail a punishing race, the vessels labouring a good deal in the lumpy sea, and yawing in all directions. keeping up an even speed of about twelve knots, they made the breakwater about four and a half hours after the start, and up to this time 'britannia' had kept her lead. when about five miles off, 'navahoe' was let come up sharp across the leader's wake, and, making a shoot afterward off her helm, she looked like coming in to her opponent. 'britannia' dropped back after being thus covered up, and then came into her rival's wake, and they raced on into the comparative smoothing under the land, with 'navahoe' holding a few lengths lead. topmasts were housed, and they passed into the breakwater ready for the two-miles beat through cherbourg roads. this was at o'clock, and 'navahoe' had a lead of secs. 'britannia' drew to close round the buoy, 'navahoe' found her opponent beating out broad on her weather, and in the first board 'britannia' held a clear lead. in the last tack 'britannia' stood on until she could spoil her opponent, and it took 'navahoe' a few minutes to recover the winding. 'britannia' headed out of the eastern end with about mins. lead, and on getting in the open the ebb was still going west. it was a clean fetch back, but the wind was heavier and the sea steeper than on coming over. when night closed in they were about half-way across channel, the vessels then getting fearfully punished. they raced together, however, in a wonderful way, 'britannia' keeping the lead, with 'navahoe' about yards astern, the latter running wildly about, pointing one minute wide of the leader's weather quarter and anon for the lee side. foresails had with difficulty been lowered when the vessels were about two miles off the breakwater, but with the wind more moderate, when they were about five miles off st. catherine's they were reset. the flood tide was streaming hard, but 'britannia' on closing in to the needles was hauled up a bit for fear the wind should draw off the land, while 'navahoe' was sailed hard along and closed on the leader. as the club steamer could not be anchored in the fairway outside the needles, she was brought into alum bay and moored, and according to official timing 'britannia' showed 'on' with the needles light at hrs. mins. secs. p.m., the 'navahoe' at hrs. mins. secs., 'britannia' thus being winner on corrected time by - / secs. mr. carroll protested that the judge's steamer was not in position, and that the difference between the vessels at the finish was not so much as secs. a meeting of the royal yacht squadron sailing committee was called, and it was decided to adjudge 'navahoe' winner. it need hardly be said that this ruling was thought hard on 'britannia' after such a grand race, and no explanation of the finding was forthcoming. it was understood that the owner of the 'navahoe' would not agree to the match being re-sailed. it was arranged to sail for the cape may cup on friday, sept. , under precisely similar conditions to those which governed the brenton reef cup, and over the same course. in order to obviate any difficulty about timing in the dark, it was agreed that the start and finish should be from alum bay, and col. j. sterling undertook the duties of starter and time-keeper. seven o'clock was named for a beginning, but the vessels could not move out of cowes roads until . , owing to a dense fog choking up the west channel. on getting down to alum bay a further wait had to be made, owing to a glass calm prevailing, and it was not until . that the preparatory flag was broken out. there was a soft westerly breeze at the time, which gave a short beat out to the needles. fine generalship was displayed on 'britannia,' which was intentionally sailed through the line before the gun, and 'navahoe' was allowed the honour of showing the way. 'britannia' followed secs. later, and on meeting 'navahoe' standing off on port tack put her round, and presently stayed dead in her wind. 'navahoe' got a terrible shake-off, and was - / mins. astern at the needles. they then had a close reach off into the channel, and with the light breeze narrowing only slow progress was made. an hour and a half after the start 'britannia' held a lead of about a mile, and at o'clock she was judged to be three miles ahead. at o'clock there was not a breath of wind, the vessels laid in a perfect calm for about two hours, and it was reckoned that 'britannia' was then about twenty miles off the wight. at . a north-east breeze gathered in, 'britannia' ran away with it, and in the pitchy darkness 'navahoe' could not be made out. the breeze kept up, and the spinnaker was carried on 'britannia' until cape barfleur lights were made out right ahead. owing to an alteration in the character of the lights not being noticed on the chart for a time, it was thought 'britannia' was too far to the westward, the spinnaker was then got off, and the vessel hauled up a little. the western end was made in the grey of the morning, and on entering at . 'britannia' was holding about three miles lead, but 'navahoe' was closing up fast. the wind was drawing through cherbourg roads, a few boards were made to get weathering distance of the east end, and 'britannia' was going out at the one end while 'navahoe' was about entering at the other, the distance between them being a trifle over two miles. the breeze, which came from the northward by east, was growing, and jib topsails were pulled down when about ten miles off. 'britannia' was sailed to keep her opponent fair in her wake, and she might have been made fetch christchurch head, but durleston was the landfall, and the leader tacked off the dorset headland at . , 'navahoe' following at . . it was a beat hence home with a weather tide, and 'britannia' at this game made a terrible exhibition of her opponent, weathering the line winner of the cape may cup with a lead of mins. secs. the official timing was, 'britannia' hrs. mins. secs. p.m., 'navahoe' hr. mins. secs. p.m. it may be said that 'britannia's' sail-area in the gold cup, brenton reef, and cape may races was , square feet, and the 'navahoe's' , square feet, the latter having been clipped to the extent of feet. in summing up this review it may be said there is little reason to doubt that the 'britannia' was the best all round vessel of the fleet; the 'valkyrie' was a trifle the quicker in stays and in light breezes, the better vessel to windward, or even on a long close reach, and also in a dead run. in hard winds and plain sailing the 'satanita's' ft. greater length on the load-line gave her the mastery over the prince of wales's cutter, but on any point and in any weather 'britannia' was equal to lowering the 'calluna's' colours. the 'britannia' and 'navahoe' were desperately close matched whenever the latter could get a broad reach or run and keep the lee rail out of water, but the prince of wales's cutter was immeasurably her superior on the all-important point--going to windward. perfect handling contributed not a little to 'britannia's' success, and, sailed as she was by john carter and mr. w. g. jameson, it is certain nothing was given away or lost. she had a peerless record in her class--namely, prizes in starts; the gross value of the prizes won, including challenge cups, being in round numbers , _l._ it must have been highly gratifying to the 'valkyrie's' designer that the vessel excelled in the very weather and sailing points desired--namely, going to windward and dead running. her trials with 'britannia' showed how wonderfully evenly matched the vessels were in moderate weather, and artistic handling was always conspicuous whenever lord dunraven's cutter was under a racing flag. 'valkyrie' made her mark in the short season she had in home waters, her record being prizes in starts, her winnings amounting to _l._ the 'satanita' was a particularly unlucky boat, and on the clyde her ill fortune passed into a proverb. after breaking the spell with a victory in belfast lough, she, however, scored several notable victories, and it was a great feat to win two events at a royal yacht squadron regatta. her fastest reaching display was no doubt in the nore to dover race, but for a short burst the speed she attained in going from the new pier, torquay, to the flagboat outside hope's nose has perhaps never been equalled by anything of yacht kind. 'satanita' was not such a handy boat to get round marks or herring-bone through a crowded roadstead as 'britannia' and 'valkyrie,' but jay is deserving of the highest praise for the able way he sailed his charge. 'satanita's' winnings included a queen's cup and the albert cup, and in starts she won prizes, value _l._ the 'calluna' was a disappointing boat; indeed, her designer got into a way at last of calling her 'my unlucky boat,' for which expression there was all-sufficient reason. the best of 'calluna' perhaps remains to be got out of her, yet she went by fits and starts in a wonderful way, but could rarely maintain her form to a finish. she had very strong opposition in 'britannia,' 'valkyrie,' and 'satanita,' but likely enough she would have been an all-round better boat, and perhaps a real flier, with - / ft. less beam and - / ft. more load-water length. her skipper, a. hogarth, is exceptionally smart in handling a small craft; 'calluna' was his first charge of the heavy-weight line, and she certainly was not the sort of craft to serve an apprenticeship in. the clyde cutter managed to win prizes in starts, but it was only on two occasions that she sailed home in the van. to small details in a racing vessel's outfit the americans give much more consideration than british yachtsmen think necessary. many a wrinkle might have been picked up, however, in making a careful study of the 'navahoe's' outfit, and there is no doubt that much of the gear and ironwork in english yachts is too heavy. 'navahoe's' failing was want of stability, and this was found out on the other side before she set out from home. her iron skin was not in her favour, and we, on this side, have yet to learn that a vessel can be properly laid on a wind when steered with a wheel. the 'navahoe' started times and won prizes. including the brenton reef challenge cup, her gross winnings amounted to _l._ the record of broken masts and other spars in connection with first-class vessels was a remarkable one. it is likely that poor quality wood brought about the majority of the breakages; in fact, last season's spars were a rank bad lot. the case was different in 'thistle's' year, that vessel having a really splendid lot of sticks. it may be said that the 'britannia' had no fewer than three masts in her forty-three racing essays, one topmast, two bowsprits, and one gaff; 'calluna' two masts, one main boom, and one gaff; 'valkyrie' one mast, one topmast, one boom, and one bowsprit; and 'satanita' one bowsprit and one boom. referring to the -rating class, it was feared at the outset of the season that neither 'lais' nor 'vendetta' was any improvement on the over-year 'varuna.' the last named had quite a triumphal march at the outset, winning four class matches right off. it was at lowestoft that 'lais' first gave 'varuna' a taste of her quality, as she beat the latter by mins. secs. in moderate weather. 'lais' was afterwards victorious at dover, southampton (r. southern), largs regatta, royal western of scotland, mudhook, royal ulster, royal irish, royal alfred, royal yacht squadron (australian cup), royal victoria. altogether she made up a string of prizes in starts, and the gross value of her winnings was _l._ 'varuna' gained first honours in the royal london match (thames), brightlingsea regatta, royal harwich (both days), royal mersey (both days), royal clyde, royal ulster, royal cornwall (s.o.), royal southampton ( ), royal albert ( ), royal dart, and royal western, her winning total being prizes in starts, value _l._ the 'vendetta' won her maiden race, and only one more (r. southern), before leaving the channel. she was an improved boat when she joined in on the clyde and won round the royal northern course, and she was subsequently to the fore in the clyde corinthian regatta, royal clyde, royal irish, royal london (cowes), royal yacht squadron, royal dorset and torbay ( ). in all she gained flags in , and the value of her prizes amounted to _l._ the 'thalia' only carried judge boyd's colours ten times, and won six prizes, value _l._ the 'dragon iii.' was crack of the -rating class, and she had a very brilliant record--namely, prizes, value _l._, in starts. the 'dragon' did not go through the season without a little doctoring, her formidable opponent, the 'deirdré,' being found very hard to beat after being shortened about in. on the water-line, and getting square feet more sail-area; so 'dragon' was altered in like manner, and 'deirdré' had again to take second place. the new 'vigorna' was a failure, and 'dragon' and 'deirdré' were too good for the 'molly' ('dragon ii.'). the 'zinita' would perhaps have proved equal to tackling the 'dragon iii.' by the wind, but mr. hill's boat would certainly have been able to score heavily with checked sheets. 'deirdré's' record was prizes in starts, and the 'zinita's' in starts. the 'phantom' was the crack of the tens, with prizes in starts; and the -rater 'red lancer' in going round the coast managed to win flags in racing essays. [illustration: mr. hill's 'dragon iii,' -rater.] this review would not be complete without some reference to sails, and it may be said that those made by the joint firms of laphorn and ratsey were really wonderful and perfect specimens of the art. still, 'valkyrie's' canvas elicited the greatest praise in america, and especially from general paine, who said her suit 'fitted like a glove; the most perfect canvas he had ever seen in america.' the quality of the material and workmanship was strikingly evident in 'britannia's' mainsail, which lasted a season through, and after all the fagging and rough work it had, it kept its shape to the end of the season. the 'valkyrie' had a mainsail made of sea island cotton for the america cup matches, but most people would vote flax good enough after seeing such a sail as 'britannia's.' the 'satanita,' 'calluna,' and 'valkyrie's' mainsails stood equally well as 'britannia's,' and those of the -raters 'lais' and 'vendetta' could not have been better. the twenties were quite as well done by; but the plan of giving the last-named class wide cloths in a measure spoils the beauty of the sails. the patent jibs introduced by t. ratsey were very pretty sails, but they seemed liable to go across the diagonal seam in a gusty wind. chapter xii the american yachting season of by lewis herreshoff the yachting season of was inaugurated by the laying of 'navahoe's' keel in the autumn of , at the construction shops of the herreshoff company, in bristol, r.i. interest was soon centred in her, for it was clear that she was intended for some unusual service, and when her owner mr. r. p. carroll, announced his programme for the season of , of going to england to try for the american cups there, and to take part in what racing he might, there was an astonishing awakening of enthusiasm on both sides of the atlantic, which culminated in the international contest off new york in october , that being without question the most exciting and interesting series of races ever witnessed. early in december the challenge from lord dunraven was finally settled and adjusted, creating a patriotic ardour in all english and american yachtsmen. almost simultaneously the 'valkyrie,' 'britannia,' 'calluna,' and 'satanita' in england, and 'colonia,' 'vigilant,' 'jubilee,' and 'pilgrim' in america, were begun, the last three english yachts being expressly intended to defend the american and other trophies against the attack of 'navahoe,' as well as more fully to test the value of 'valkyrie,' on which rested the herculean task of returning the america cup to its native shores. the early months of were spent by the yachting circles of both england and america in discussions on and comparisons of the merits of their favourite design and construction, rig and so forth. all attempts by the designers and builders to keep their work secret were utterly futile, for all essential information as to dimensions and chief characteristics found their way into the newspapers, giving zest to the public interest and discomfiture to the builders, who set seals on the mouths of their workmen and watchmen, and blocked every door and window where the prying public might steal a view of the coming wonder; but seals and watchmen could not evade the desire to know what was to be the form and outline of the 'defenders,' as the american yachts were popularly called. the table on p. gives important information concerning the five american yachts of , to which is added 'valkyrie,' her dimensions being important for comparison with the american vessels. 'navahoe' was built under restrictions that precluded all expectations of attaining the highest speed; she was intended for a cruiser which in the event of necessity could be rigged and sailed so as to make a good show with yachts then in existence. her performance in english waters, although disappointing, was but little below the anticipations of those who knew her and understood the value of her opponents, whose lines were not drawn when 'navahoe' was begun. the yachts 'navahoe,' 'colonia,' and 'vigilant' are all after the type of 'gloriana' and 'wasp,' but differing widely in some points, the first and last being centreboard vessels, and 'colonia' a keel, but of not sufficient lateral plane, rendering her windward work faulty. 'vigilant' represents perhaps more nearly than the others the so-called american type; she combines a broad beam with good depth, and with her centreboard down draws about ft. +---------+---------------+----------------+-------------+--------+------+----+--------+------+-----------+ | cutter | owner | designer | builders | length |l.w.l.|beam| draught| sail-|sail-makers| | | | | |over all| | | | area | | +---------+---------------+----------------+-------------+--------+------+----+--------+------+-----------+ | | | | | ft. | ft. | ft.|ft. ins.| ft. | | | | | | | | | | | | | |navahoe {r. p. carroll, | n. g. {herreshoff } | -- | { | -- {wilson and | | {n.y. | herreshoff {manufacturing} | | { | {silsby | | | | {co. } | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |colonia {arch. rogers } " | " | | . | | | , | " | | {and others, } | | | | | | | | | {n.y. } | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |vigilant {e. d. morgan } " | " | | . | { | , {wilson and | | {and others, } | | | | { | {griffen, | | {n.y. } | | | | | | {n.y. | | | | | | | | | | | | |valkyrie |lord dunraven | geo. l. watson| henderson | . | . | -- | | -- | ratsey | | | | | | | | | | | | |jubilee {chas. j. paine,} j. b. paine {lawley corp.,} | . | { | , {wilson and | | {boston } {boston } | | { | {silsby | | | | | | | | | | | | |pilgrim {bayard thayer } stewart and |pussey and } | . | | | , | " | | {and others, } binney |jones } | | | | | | | {boston } | | | | | | | | +---------+---------------+----------------+-------------+--------+------+----+--------+------+-----------+ the chief characteristic of her construction is the employment of tobin bronze for her plating (save the upper row of plates, which are of steel), and her centreboard, also of bronze, is made of two plates set apart with ribs between, the space of - / in. being filled with cement; the structure weighing , lbs., and being operated from the cabin by means of differential lifts, capable of raising tons. 'jubilee' is of unusual design and construction; her body is wide and shallow, with a fin attachment carrying about tons of lead at a depth of ft. below the water's surface, and to increase the lateral plane she has a centreboard that works through the fin and its bulb of lead, exposing surface enough to ensure most excellent windward work, dropping about or ft. below the bulb. 'pilgrim' is an out-and-out fin-keel yacht, the largest vessel of that type ever built. like 'jubilee,' she is broad and shallow of body, the fin being of a separate construction, and this with its bulb of tons weight was attached to the vessel in new york, the hull having been built in wilmington on the delaware. she carried her bulb ft. below water, which gave her good stability and power to hold her course when sailing to windward; but with her, as in some measure with 'jubilee,' they did not represent any authorised, well-tested type of yacht, and though their performances were interesting and highly instructive, they did not fill the mind of the true yachtsman with glowing satisfaction, seeing that the work that was in hand was one of national importance and required designs of equally high character. the middle of july found all four yachts in sailing, if not racing, trim; their owners scrupulously avoided contact with each other; each claimed unheard-of speed and other noble qualities; and each felt that his craft was that on which would rest the honour of defending the america cup. it was soon found that the booms of 'colonia' and 'vigilant' were not satisfactory; they were not stiff enough to hold the sail where it should be to ensure a flat set, and when swung off their weight was found to list the yacht too much, both of which difficulties were to be expected in spars of their length and diameter ( ft. long by in.). hollow booms of different construction were tried. those where the spar was sawed lengthwise and the core dug out, then glued and trenailed together, were found to be the best. booms of highly elaborate construction made for 'colonia' and 'vigilant' were tried and found unsuitable. they were built up of long staves, having double skins which were well glued and fastened, and weighed less than half the solid spar; they were in. at slings, in. at after, and in. at forward ends, but they evidently were lacking in material enough to endure the tension on one side and the compression on the other, and were condemned after a short trial. in the first regatta of the n.y.y.c. cruise on august , 'colonia' and 'vigilant' met; it was at the head of long island sound, triangular course. there came a puff of wind a moment after starting, and before the defenders sailed a mile 'vigilant' broke down and withdrew, leaving 'colonia' without an opponent, as 'jubilee' and 'pilgrim' did not join the fleet until later. the race for the goelet cups off newport on august was famous for first bringing together all four of the 'defenders,' and infamous in the annals of yachting for being the most disappointing occasion that was ever remembered. calms varied by light baffling breezes, generally from the east; mists mitigated by clearing moments, which finally settled into a hopeless calm and densest of fogs. 'colonia' came drifting home nearly fifteen hours from the start, with 'vigilant' and 'jubilee' an hour or two behind. 'pilgrim' had long before withdrawn. the course was from brenton's reef light-vessel to that at the entrance to vineyard sound, thence a short leg to the light-vessel at the entrance of buzzard's bay, and thence to the point of starting--about thirty-six miles. the only fact disclosed by this race was that 'jubilee' was as good as 'vigilant' in beating out to the vineyard light, and that 'vigilant' was faster than 'jubilee' in reaching, for the latter was caught and passed by 'vigilant' a few moments before the wind wholly disappeared. [illustration: new york yacht club. . regatta course.] during the continuation of the cruise there were several tests of speed in going from port to port, in which 'vigilant' showed herself to be the fastest. [illustration: 'vigilant,' cup defender.] the races for the astor cups off newport were in the main unsatisfactory as real tests of speed and desirable qualities, but in all it was more and more assured that 'vigilant' was the best, and also that 'pilgrim' was far from fulfilling the expectations of those responsible for her. the august races ended without affording any definite information as to the comparative value of the 'defenders,' but there was a growing opinion that 'vigilant' was best, with 'colonia' and 'jubilee' about even, and 'pilgrim' well astern; this classification, however, was from inference rather than any absolute test. 'jubilee' and 'pilgrim' went to boston to prepare for the final trial, to take place off new york in a series of races beginning september . it was decided by the owners of 'pilgrim' to give her more power; lead was added to her bulb, spars lengthened, and sail-spread increased. 'jubilee' underwent only minor alterations, whilst 'colonia' and 'vigilant' tried to improve the set of their sails (a hopeless task) and otherwise prepared for the all-important final race. in the first of the trial series 'colonia' and 'vigilant' were about even, the boston boats being disabled by damage to their gear. the second and third races were victories for 'vigilant,' the last race being sailed in a fine wind and fairly rough sea. those who wanted to see an actual test of qualities were again bitterly disappointed, for the boston boats did not show as they might have done had their rigging and spars remained intact; but in the case of 'pilgrim' it was clear that her increased sail-spread and consequent augmentation of weights below and aloft imposed too severe strains on her hull and rigging, so that structural weakness became alarmingly evident before the close of the race, when she was at once put out of commission, since which she has been sold, and will appear next as a harbour steamer for passengers. the choice of 'vigilant' to defend the cup was a wise one--in fact, the committee could decide nothing else, for it was clear that 'colonia' could not do good work to windward, through lack of lateral resistance; and 'jubilee,' although unquestionably a very fast yacht--in some instances the equal of 'vigilant'--was rigged with such untrustworthy material that she could not be depended upon to enter so important a struggle as the defence of the america cup. after the trial races and consequent choice of 'vigilant' as defender, public attention was centred on the coming of 'valkyrie.' day after day passed and yet no news of her; at last anxiety was felt for her safety, seeing that she had not been positively reported since her sailing. but, after a thirty days' voyage, she appeared at sunrise off sandy hook, none the worse for her stormy passage. 'valkyrie' was quickly put in racing trim, and on the arrival of lord dunraven all the final arrangements for the contest were settled and both yachts prepared for the struggle, the last act being the docking of them to make their wetted surfaces as smooth and repellent of water as possible. the america cup races were set to begin on october and four following alternate days, the first, third, and last to be knots from the lightship off sandy hook and return in a course parallel with the wind; the second and fourth races to be triangular, knots on each leg, to start from the same point, and to have one leg to windward; all races to be started from a single gun, and to be sailed in a limit of six hours. [illustration: earl of dunraven's 'valkyrie.'] as the day approached the excitement became intense; yachtsmen and sportsmen flocked to new york from all parts of the country. betting ran in favour of 'vigilant' ( to ), some bets being taken at large odds against 'valkyrie's' not being able to win a single race in the series. _first race, october , _ +---------+-----+--------+--------+--------+---------+ | -- |start| turn | finish |elapsed |corrected| +---------+-----+--------+--------+--------+---------+ | |h. m.|h. m. s.|h. m. s.|h. m. s.|h. m. s. | |vigilant | | | | | | |valkyrie | | | | | | +---------+-----+--------+--------+--------+---------+ 'vigilant' wins by mins. secs. _second race, october , _ +---------+-----+--------+--------+--------+--------+---------+ | |start| first | second | finish |elapsed |corrected| | -- | | mark | mark | | | | +---------+-----+--------+--------+--------+--------+---------+ | |h. m.|h. m. s.|h. m. s.|h. m. s.|h. m. s.|h. m. s. | |vigilant | | | | | | | |valkyrie | | | | | | | +---------+-----+--------+--------+--------+--------+---------+ 'vigilant' beat 'valkyrie' on first leg mins. secs., on second mins. secs., and on third mins. secs. 'vigilant' won by mins. secs. _third race, october , _ +---------+-----+--------+--------+--------+---------+ | -- |start| turn | finish |elapsed |corrected| +---------+-----+--------+--------+--------+---------+ | |h. m.|h. m. s.|h. m. s.|h. m. s.|h. m. s. | |vigilant | | | | | | |valkyrie | | | | | | +---------+-----+--------+--------+--------+---------+ to windward 'valkyrie' gained min. secs. off the wind 'vigilant' gained mins. secs. 'vigilant' won by secs. every steamer, tugboat, or anything propelled by an engine within miles of the scene of the contest was pressed into service; and the fleet by sail and steam started for new york, bearing eager, interested men who had laid aside every business or social engagement to witness what was felt to be the greatest yachting event the world had ever known. the th came. the bay and surrounding waters were alive with craft loaded with excited spectators, but all were doomed to the bitterest disappointment. it was a perfectly exasperating day--light winds varied by calms; and spectators saw the nation's hope absolutely forsaken by the treacherous breeze, whilst her opponent sailed away with favouring flaws until the american was hopelessly distanced. the time limit was reached before two-thirds of the course were covered, and yachtsmen as well as spectators returned utterly disgusted. the abortive race of the th afforded not the slightest clue to the comparative value of the contending yachts, so on the th the prospects of the coming race were as uncertain as ever. the day was again disheartening; a waning westerly wind gave no promise of a good race; the attendance was still large, but there was a decided falling off in numbers from the first day. the yachts were sent off east by south at a six or seven mile pace, the 'vigilant' slowly gaining; but when about half-way to the outer mark 'vigilant' took a start and rapidly drew away from 'valkyrie,' so that when within three miles of the mark she was one and a quarter mile in the lead. here a soft spot in the wind occurred, and 'valkyrie' drew on the brass-bottomed boat; but at that moment the wind shifted more southerly, blowing over the quarter rail of the yachts, and 'vigilant' again drew away from her pursuer, turning nearly a mile and a half in advance. the wind having changed in direction there was no windward work, the yachts returning two or three points free, and maintaining the same relative distance at the close as at the outer mark. the race of the th, although a decided victory for the american, was not generally considered as a satisfactory test of sailing qualities; the wind was unsteady in force and direction, and to some extent fluky, but in the opinion of those who were competent to judge, the 'luck' was rather more on the side of the 'valkyrie' than the 'vigilant,' the english, however, stoutly declaring the reverse. the real value of the two yachts in windward work was still unknown, and although 'vigilant' had scored by a good margin one race, still the result was then quite uncertain. october opened with a fair promise of wind; the interest was still deep and the attendance large; the course was triangular, ten miles each side. the first leg was to windward; the yachts started about equal as to time and position. at first 'valkyrie' seemed to lead--that is, she outfooted the american; but the latter was slowly edging up toward the wind, and later, when a good weather position was gained by 'vigilant,' her skipper gave her more power, and with the increasing wind she rapidly left her opponent astern, rounding the first mark well in the lead. the next leg was a broad run, and all that witnessed it unite in declaring that yachts never made such time in a race before. they flew; but 'vigilant' flew the faster, and nearly doubled the handsome lead that she had obtained on the rounding of the first mark. the home leg was with a freshening free wind two points forward of beam. it was made without incident, save that 'vigilant' had to favour her bowsprit that was sprung on the windward stretch, her jib-topsail was lowered, and head-sails eased in regard for the weakened spar. on the home stretch 'vigilant' still further widened the distance between her and the english yacht, and made a most decided point in her favour. the race was a fine one, but it seemed to seal the fate of 'valkyrie'; still with native pluck her undaunted owner made ready for the next race. by a most masterful stroke a new mainsail was bent, and more lead given the cutter, so that she lost fifteen seconds of time allowance from the american. october th proved another disappointing day. light breezes and calms ruled; the beat of fifteen miles resulted in no decisive difference in the sailing of the yachts, for when the time-limit was reached the yachts were far from home, with the american yacht leading. on the th a gale was reported as working up the coast, and great hopes were entertained of a fresh wind for the fifth start. many thought that the american yacht would beat her opponent more easily in a strong wind and rough sea, but they were disappointed, as the sequel proved. when october dawned an easterly gale was blowing up; early in the morning the wind began to pipe and the sea to roughen, and by the time of starting the wind had set in strong and steadily from the east. after some delay caused by an accident to the rigging of 'valkyrie,' that was speedily repaired on board, the two yachts shot away for a fifteen-mile thresh to windward, the 'valkyrie' at the south end of the line, and 'vigilant' at the north end--a fair start. at first 'vigilant' outfooted 'valkyrie' and held nearly or quite as well to the wind; but when the windward work was about half finished the wind drew more from the south of east, it soon began to increase in good earnest, and from that moment 'valkyrie' got further away from 'vigilant,' and turned the outer mark nearly two minutes ahead. on starting, the yachts had each a reef down, 'vigilant' a whole reef, 'valkyrie' a half reef in her mainsail, each her working topsail set, with usual head-sails. after the mark was turned it became apparent that if 'vigilant' were to win she must work, and, as it proved, no lack of energy was displayed on either yacht. the reef was turned out of 'vigilant's' mainsail, and her no. club topsail set over it. the storm that had been threatening all day now began to increase, the wind rose rapidly and the sea became very rough. 'vigilant' gained noticeably on her opponent, and passed her when about half-way to the home point. the contest was now most exciting; the rigging of both yachts was strained to the last degree. soon after the 'valkyrie' was passed by 'vigilant,' her spinnaker, that was torn in setting, became disabled by splitting; another but smaller one was set in its place, but that also soon gave way to the ever-increasing force of the wind. the last three miles of the race were a mad rush for the 'vigilant'; she carried all the sail that could be spread, and it seemed that an inch more of canvas would carry everything by the board. she gained more quickly than ever on her crippled follower, and crossed a close winner in the midst of the most exciting scene that yachting annals have ever recorded. it is hard to say if the 'vigilant' would have won had 'valkyrie' not lost her light sails; but if the latter claims that her race was thus lost, 'vigilant,' with equal sense of right, can claim that a maladjustment of her centreboard lost her at least five minutes on the beat out. closely following the termination of the races both yachts were put into winter quarters, and owners as well as crews took breath, enjoying a well-earned rest. it is not possible at this early moment to draw any absolutely settled conclusions as to the merits or demerits of the contesting yachts. fortunately lord dunraven decided to leave 'valkyrie' in the states for a continuation of the contest in , when if the races that are now hoped for occur, and all the yachts take part that now promise to do so, it will be a far more useful and interesting contest than was afforded by the races of . a few points that are worth considering force themselves on the close observer of the international races of . october is one of the worst periods of the whole year for racing, at least during the first half of the month; the winds then are light and inconstant in force and direction, and calms are of longer duration than at any period during the yachting season. from august until september is without doubt the most favourable time for racing, and when another international contest is contemplated, it is to be hoped that the races will be set at least three weeks earlier than those of . this international sport awakens such a widespread interest, serving, as it were, as a great national school in yachting and racing, that it is to be hoped as much facility as possible may be afforded the public for witnessing them; therefore, let all international races be held in new york waters, where they were in , as that point is more accessible than any other to those interested. we in america must establish some school for the training of skippers and crews; there is not to-day a professional skipper in the country, nor a crew that is capable of sailing a yacht against the english. the best school possible is actual racing, and when we present to our yachtsmen a racing list as long as that published in england, then we can hope to have captains and men fit to hold their own. the english may learn of the americans how to design a yacht that will bear pushing to extreme speeds without making such a disturbance in the water as did 'valkyrie.' they can also take lessons in staying the mast and masthead, and in proportioning the sizes of spars and standing rigging more closely to the labour assigned them. the americans may learn of the english how to make canvas that will stand where it is desired; and when it is made they can also learn of them how to make sails and how to set them; and in general to copy the management of their yachts when racing, that when we meet the english in international races we may be able to rig and sail our yachts in such manner that an expert would be able to say whether any advantage on either side was due to design, or if not to that factor alone, to place the cause of advantage where it belongs, so that the lesson set by such races may be of some benefit to those who have the improvement of yacht-designing and sailing near their hearts. the long-mooted question of keel _v._ centreboard still remains unanswered, and in fact it never can be determined as a general rule. in close windward work there seems little or no difference between the keel and centreboard as to speed; the latter has some advantage when sailing free by raising the board, thus lessening the wetted surface of the yacht. the great and undeniable superiority of the centreboard lies in the fact that a yacht possessing it can essentially reduce her draught of water so as to work in depths that would be wholly impossible for the keel vessel. it would seem, therefore, that the advantage gained in the use of the centreboard is mainly not one of sailing qualities, but one of desirability for use in certain locations where shallow water prevails. the interest exhibited in the international races by those who were able to be present has already been mentioned, but it yet remains to notice the astonishing degree of excitement as to the result of the races evinced by the public at large. from maine to california, and from michigan to florida, news of the struggle was eagerly awaited, and in all the cities, towns, and even villages the exact position of the yachts was exposed on a bulletin board, the news being sent by telegraph every five or ten minutes, or more often if the change of position of the yachts demanded it. in some of the larger cities where the interest was most intense such crowds collected in front of the bulletin boards that traffic had to be suspended; in new york city the stock-board was deserted, and business generally was at a standstill. chapter xiii the america cup races, [ ] by sir george leach, k.c.b. [footnote : though the subject is so ably treated by mr. herreshoff in the previous chapter, the editors, recognising the extraordinary importance of these races, have thought well to include a detailed description of events kindly furnished by a prominent english yachtsman.] on october th, the opening day of the races, the first thing to strike the observer was the extraordinary number and diversity of craft attracted by the spectacle. near the sandy hook lightship we find the racers were under way, with whole mainsails and jackyarders set. 'vigilant' looks a bigger ship than 'valkyrie,' with a more numerous crew, and four battens in the leach of her mainsail and three in her staysail. the two vessels were easily distinguished one from the other, 'vigilant' being painted white above her bright yellow tobin bronze, 'valkyrie' black with gilt line. the starting-line was between the commodore's steam yacht 'may,' the new york club's flagship, and sandy hook lightship. there was no tide. the wind was a little east of north, and the course miles to leeward round a mark and back. 'vigilant' allowed 'valkyrie' min. secs. the first gun was at . a.m., the start gun mins. after. just prior to the start the yachts set their head-sails. 'vigilant' sent up a large bowsprit spinnaker, a very favourite sail in american waters, and 'valkyrie' a large jib-topsail. the crowd was immense, excursion steamers, tugs, yachts; and at the start came the horrible screech of steam whistles, customary on these occasions, but dreadful all the same. spinnakers were at once run up on the starboard side, but the wind was so light that, in spite of the enormous sail-areas, little progress was made. by noon the sky was clear and the sun came out, but at . there was a marked change. the wind shifted, and a light air came from s.w. 'vigilant' took in her bowsprit spinnaker a little too soon, for 'valkyrie,' holding on somewhat longer, ran up, and passing to windward so effectually blanketed 'vigilant' that she lost steerage way for some ten minutes. during this time 'valkyrie' crept up to the s.w. wind, and was going on her way rejoicing. the s.w. wind held true; it became a close haul to the mark, which 'valkyrie' rounded at hrs. mins. secs. the miles took hrs. mins. 'vigilant' rounded at hrs. mins. secs., twenty-five minutes after 'valkyrie,' whose performance created great disappointment to english sympathisers. at . the committee stopped the race--if race it could be called. the excitement on shore as well as afloat was intense. upwards of steamers of various kinds accompanied the race, all crowded with spectators, and some of them got terribly in the way at the start of the race, the police-boat warning them off, and 'valkyrie' holding up from her deck, in large letters, 'keep further off.' on the whole, the course was fairly kept, and there was certainly no intention to injure 'valkyrie's' chance--quite the contrary. i am happy to say the spirit of _fair_ play appeared to animate all; the anxiety of the captains of the steamers to show their friends as much as possible was really the sole cause of trespass. this day's race was another example of the frequency with which races to windward and leeward and return fail in their object, especially in early october in these waters, when the wind is more fluky and lighter than at any other time of the year. if the s.w. wind had piped up a little, it would have been a reach both ways. on the whole, triangular races are best courses. on the second day, october , after rain in the early morning, it became fine and bright as the new york club's steamer left no. pier at . . not quite so many steamers appeared, although there were probably over , many large excursion ones, and yachts. one yacht stood prominently out, and was conspicuous for her taut brig rig and large tonnage, , --a grand vessel, the 'valiant,' designed by st. clare byrne for mr. vanderbilt, and built at liverpool. there was also a large yacht of the 'chazalie' type; and i may also mention commodore morgan's steam yacht 'may,' designed by mr. g. l. watson. the wind, w. by s., was still very light, with a gentle swell from the southward. course, miles to leeward, round mark, and return. the start at . was admirable. 'valkyrie,' beautifully handled, out-manoeuvred 'vigilant,' and crossed the line to windward about secs. ahead. spinnakers were at once hauled out on the starboard side, both setting balloon jib-topsails and lowering foresails. bowsprit spinnakers are more correctly to be termed balloon jib-topsails, the difference being that the balloon jib-topsail is hanked on the stay. 'vigilant' drew ahead, and at . was a quarter of a mile in front. 'vigilant,' a quarter of a mile to the eastward, got a streak of wind and increased her lead, her balloon jib-topsail drawing well. at . 'vigilant' was nearly a mile ahead; she tacked round the mark hr. mins. secs., 'valkyrie' following at . , when she was bothered by a small steamer. the miles took - / hrs. to accomplish, but on the return there was no beating to windward, a close haul with jib-topsails set. the windward work was again frustrated by shift of wind. it was a plain sail home, and h. m. s. 'vigilant' crossed the line 'valkyrie' " " after deducting time allowance, the english boat lost by mins. secs. one of the members of the committee took the velocity of the wind at different periods of the race, as follows:-- velocity h. m. per hour . . it will be well to remember that here velocity does not indicate strength as we feel it at home. as lord dunraven particularly noticed, the dryness of the wind reduces the pressure, which the moisture of our climate so materially increases. the result of the race seemed to show that the two yachts were fairly matched, so that if one got a slice of luck the other was not likely to recover without a slice too, or a good streak. the course was better kept; but, although the race was not affected by it, the 'valkyrie' was favoured by the wash of steamers on the return from the mark-boat. on the third day, october , everything promised well; the weather was all that could be desired to test the relative merits of the two racers; the morning bright, with a good topsail breeze, and the white crests on the wavelets gave hopes of great sport. the club steamer left the pier at a.m.; but on our arrival at sandy hook no breeze was there. the steamers were fewer in number; i had, however, no difficulty after the start in counting fifty, besides yachts under canvas. going down the river we passed one very striking object, the well-known gigantic and magnificent statue of liberty, which stands on a small island. i must say i never saw anything finer, either in conception or execution. the wind was from the s.w., the course triangular, round marks placed by steamers with a large red ball hoisted, the steamers remaining near to indicate their positions, which were so stationed as to make each side of the triangle ten miles. both yachts carried jackyarders and jib-topsails. the start took place at . , after some pretty manoeuvring as usual, 'valkyrie' getting the weather berth, and a little ahead. about . the wind increased, with a little jump of sea, and both went round on the port tack; here 'vigilant's' power began to tell. 'vigilant' bore round the first mark at hr. mins., and 'valkyrie' mins. secs. later. a broad reach on starboard followed, 'vigilant' setting her balloon jib-topsail very smartly. soon after this 'vigilant' sprung her bowsprit and took in her jib-topsail. the second mark was rounded by 'vigilant' at hrs. min., 'valkyrie' at hrs. mins. secs. now came the last ten-mile reach on the port tack to the finish. the wind piped up still stronger; but 'vigilant,' though carrying only a small jib-topsail, still increased her lead, finishing a winner at hrs. mins. secs., 'valkyrie' coming in mins. secs. after her. after deducting time allowance she lost the race by mins. secs. the wind velocities were as follows:-- at the start miles per hour " first mark " " " second mark " " " finish " " on the fourth day, october , the start was delayed, the competitors hoping for wind, but it was made at . . course, south by west to windward and back. 'valkyrie,' there is no doubt, was always beautifully handled, and it would be wrong not to recognise the ability cranfield has shown throughout, whether in manoeuvring for the line or in sailing 'valkyrie' during the races in waters far from home. to these he is not a stranger, having had some experience with sir richard sutton in the 'genesta' ( ) when sailing against 'puritan.' this race, october , could not be finished within the prescribed time, six hours, and therefore the tugs took the competitors in tow, homeward bound. on the fifth day, october , the course was to windward and leeward. this was the great day, and included many most exciting episodes. 'valkyrie' had altered her trim, but news had arrived of a hard blow in the south, and in heavy weather what could she do against the more powerful boat, the 'vigilant'? the weather was overcast and cloudy, wind s.e., blowing moderately at sandy hook lightship. when 'valkyrie' was below the narrows her mainsail was lowered, one of the throat-halliard blocks had to be repaired, and it was . before she neared the starting point. the course, due east, was given from the steam yacht 'may.' signals now came from 'vigilant,' 'time wanted for repairs.' her centreboard was jammed, but finally it was lowered about eleven feet. at . the blue peter was run up on the flagship. the two were under the same canvas, each with jibheader over single-reef mainsails, foresail, and jib. at . came the preparatory gun, and then began some of the prettiest manoeuvring ever seen in these waters as the two big cutters chased each other like a couple of kittens for the weather berth. 'valkyrie' passed the line up to windward hrs. mins. secs., 'vigilant' to leeward secs. later. it was a long tack, some six miles, towards long island, 'valkyrie' carrying her canvas decidedly the better of the two; to-day she was notably stiff--in fact, at no time has she ever been tender. she pointed as high as 'vigilant,' and held her weather berth easily. the latter was heeling over much at hr. mins. 'valkyrie' was on her weather bow. 'vigilant's' jibsheet got adrift. the wind was now stronger, and they were getting a head sea, which did not suit 'vigilant's' beam and bow. this long tack lasted an hour, and at . 'valkyrie' led by three-eighths of a mile. as they neared the outer mark the time was h. m. s. 'valkyrie' 'vigilant' in the beat to windward of fifteen miles 'valkyrie' gained min. sec. spinnakers were now on both, the wind increasing, and at . 'valkyrie's' biggest balloon jib-topsail went up. 'vigilant' had some trouble forward with hers, and a hand was smartly sent down the topmast stay before the sail could be sent up in stops. at . it broke up and revealed that favourite sail in america a balloon jib-topsail, and a rare good puller it is. some very smart work was now done on board 'vigilant' on the run. the reef in the mainsail was shaken out by a hand slung from the masthead in the bight of a gaut-line, and hauled along the boom by an outhaul as he cast off the stops. next a hand was out on the gaff. this led to hoisting the second club topsail over the jibheader left standing to leeward, and just before the club topsail went up she ran through 'valkyrie's' lee. 'valkyrie's' white spinnaker burst. it was most smartly taken in, and the light one set. this split before it was belayed, from head to foot, right down, and 'valkyrie's' chance had now gone. a large jib-topsail was set on her, but was of no use against the sail area of 'vigilant.' some ten minutes more and h. m. s. 'vigilant' finished and won 'valkyrie' losing by secs. corrected time. m. s. to windward 'valkyrie' led by to leeward 'vigilant' led by on this day the course was kept very clear. the wind increased at the finish, but the fact that 'vigilant' carried full mainsail, second club topsail, balloon jib-topsail, and large spinnaker, shows that it was not blowing the gale described by some journalists. after the finish in the lower bay the wind piped up, the sea got up, and all raced hard for home. it was a splendid race, nobly sailed, and both yachts admirably handled. there always must be some luck, but it was most untimely for 'valkyrie's' spinnakers to burst. the question at once suggests itself, should they not be sent up in stops? 'valkyrie's' mast was sprung and worse, and that prevented her getting more canvas put on her. when one yacht gains to windward and the other to leeward they must be well matched; in england we consider that windward work should take precedence of running free. for english waters 'valkyrie' is a most successful and beautiful craft, and for american waters, with light winds and long reaching, 'vigilant' has proved a great success. certainly this last race was the grandest ever sailed for the america cup, and we may be proud of our representative. the , feet of sail-area in 'vigilant,' and extra crew, gave her a decided advantage, and the centreboard was supposed to be a gain to windward; but that good sportsman lord dunraven is not disheartened in any way, neither is he won over to centreboard yachts. appendix the 'giralda' it chances that while these volumes were being prepared, a steam yacht of a remarkable character was being built, and it seems desirable to include a few words about this vessel, for the reason that she is, perhaps, the most perfect boat ever constructed for a private gentleman. reference is made to the magnificent twin-screw steam yacht 'giralda,' the property of mr. harry mccalmont of cheveley park, newmarket. 'giralda' gives evidence of the perfection to which vessels of this type are now being brought. she is about , tons yacht measurement, and her principal dimensions are: length between perpendiculars, feet; breadth moulded, feet; depth moulded, feet. she is built with thirteen water-tight bulkheads of siemens-martin's steel to lloyd's highest class, and so constructed as to be readily converted into a light-armed cruiser or despatch vessel for admiralty requirements. a notable point will be her speed of twenty knots, to develop which she is fitted with twin-screw machinery and five boilers, three of which are double-ended, and two single-ended, with sixteen furnaces, all adapted for forced draught. the machinery consists of two independent and separate sets of triple-expansion direct-acting surface-condensing engines, one set to each screw propeller, and will indicate with forced draught , horse-power, or with natural draught , horse-power. the bunker capacity is tons of coal, and the fresh-water tanks are ample for admiralty requirements; in addition to which she is fitted with fresh-water condenser capable of producing , gallons per diem. the yacht is also fitted with large ice-house and refrigerating chamber. one of the special features in the 'giralda' is that the saloons--consisting of smoking-room, boudoir, or library, spacious dining saloon and drawing-room--are all on the main deck, where there are also situated lavatories for cabins and crew, three galleys, and ample pantry and service spaces. owner's sleeping accommodation is below, fore and abaft the machinery space, having intercommunication on the main deck through the house. the officers and crew are berthed forward, and the servants' quarters are aft. it is almost unnecessary to add that the cabin accommodation has had the most special attention, both in respect of arrangement and fittings, and the greatest care has been taken throughout for ventilating, heating, and insulation where necessary. a large bridge or shade deck extends along about feet of the vessel, on which, forward, is the bridge, and also the chart and wheel houses. the boats are housed on this deck, and there is steam hoisting gear for steam launch and larger boats. the yacht is lighted throughout by electricity, there being over incandescent lamps. in addition to these, there are fitted two regulation-size search lights, and groups of electric lights for each mast. there are two separate and independent engines and dynamos, connected with large accumulators of sufficient capacity to supply the whole of the lamps for many hours without re-charging. mr. mccalmont has himself taken the very greatest personal interest in the arrangement of all details, which have been carried out by messrs. cox & king, of suffolk street, pall mall, london, under the direction of professor elgar, the designer of the well-known fairfield shipbuilding and engineering co., of govan, glasgow by whom the yacht is being built. index to the second volume abergele bay, north wales, rescue of emigrant ship, accidents on board yachts, ackers, g. h., owner of 'dolphin,' r.y.s., , acland, sir t. d., president of r. western y.c., ; his 'lady st. kilda,' , 'ada,' adams, c. f., boston y.c., adams, g. c., boston y.c., 'adda,' captain rogers's, 'addie,' american sloop, adelaide, australia, adelaide, queen, patroness of r. london y.c., 'adèle,' admiralty, warrant to members of cumberland fleet, ; to r.t.y.c., , 'Ã�olus' (r.n.y.c. yacht), 'ailsa' ( tons), ailsa, lord, owner of 'snarley yow,' akaroa, n.z., 'alarm' ( tons), r.y.s., winner of royal cup in , , , , , , 'alarm' ( tons), american schooner, 'alarm' ( tons), , albemarle sound (u.s.), albert park yacht club, melbourne, 'alberta,' royal yacht, , dimensions, ; duties, albertson brothers, boat-builders, philadelphia, , 'alcyone' ( tons), cutter, r. clyde y. c., ; crew and terms of hire, 'alexandra' ( tons), prince of wales's, 'alice,' american cat-boat, 'aline' ( tons), prince of wales's, allan, john, of glasgow (sec. r.n.y.c., ), , 'alouette' ( tons), 'alpha' ( -footer), 'alpha beta,' 'alwida' ( -rater), amateur, an, definition of, 'amathea,' 'ambassadress' ( tons), 'amberwitch' ( tons), yawl, , america cup, really r.y.s. cup, ; held by the americans since , ; movement against by scottish yachtsmen, ; competitions for, from to , ; arrangements for , ; description of that year's contest, - 'america,' commodore j. c. stevens's schooner, wins the cup of the r.y.s. in , ; ( tons), beaten by 'maria' in test matches, ; design and build, , ; career, ; influence on the yachting world, ; lines and midship section, america, north, eastern seaboard of, , american yachting, schooners favoured, ; -footer class, ; 'fin-keel' boat, ; cat-yawl, ; measurement and time allowance, ; duck and sails, ; cruise of n.y.y. squadron, ; winter cruising to florida and the west indies, ; steam yachting, ; open steam launch, ; in , inaugurated by 'navahoe,' ; merits of the 'defenders,' ; three races for the america cup, - american yacht club, formed for steam-yacht owners, 'amethyst' ( tons), 'amphitrite,' schooner, , in r.t.y.c. race of june , 'amulet' ( tons), r.y.s., wins royal cup in , anglesey, marquis of, , , , 'annasona' ( tons), , anne, cape, 'annie,' anson livingston's sloop, ; her success, ant, river, , , 'archee' ( -rater), 'ariel' ( tons), , 'ariel' ( tons), of beccles, a lateener, , 'armada' ( - / tons), armitage, dr. w. s., owner of 'nora,' armstrong, claudius, of dublin (r.n.y.c., ), arran, 'arrow' ( tons), 'arrow,' american sloop, 'arrow,' cutter, t. chamberlayne's, arundel yacht club. _see_ royal london yacht club ashbrook, lord, r.y.s. , aspinwall, w. h. and j. l., first promoters of steam yachting in america, astley, captain, owner of 'mercury,' , astor, w. w., 'atalanta,' competes for america cup in , , 'atalanta,' cumberland fleet, winner of vauxhall cup in , atkins, j., cork water club, atkinson, mr., boat-builder, of bullock, co. dublin, 'atlantic,' american sloop, atlantic yacht club, auckland yacht club, auckland, n.z., , 'aurora borealis' ( tons), 'aurora,' cumberland fleet, wins the first match of club ( ), australia, ; southern coast of, ; yachting in, ; clubs at sydney, ; the 'victor,' ; native woods for yacht-building, - ; hobson's bay, ; royal yacht club of victoria, ; albert park y.c., melbourne, ; geelong, ; royal south australian y.s., ; adoption of y.r.a. rules, 'australia' ( tons), wins the race in from dover to boulogne and back, 'aveyron,' aylsham, 'babe' ( - / -rater), baden-powell, mr., owner of the 'diamond,' ; of the 'snarley yow,' baden-powell, warrington, bagot, lieut.-col., owner of 'creole,' - bailey, the, dublin bay, , baillie, j. h., owner of the 'kate,' baldwin, john (c.w.c.), baldwin, robert (c.w.c.), banks peninsula, n.z., , banshee ( tons), barrier islands, n.z., barrow to the clyde, matches from, barton broad, , , 'bat,' , bay of islands, n.z., bay, st. augustine, florida, bayley, mr., owner of the 'euterpe,' beamish, caulfield (cork water club), 'beatrix,' american centreboard. _see_ 'harpoon' beccles, , , 'bedouin,' american yacht, beechy, admiral, his picture of the 'enid,' belfast, earl of, owner of 'waterwitch' ( ), belfast, regatta of r.n.y.c. at, in , ; two days' regatta of same in , ; race for cup of r.n.y.c., bell, captain, of the thames conservancy, bell, james (vice-commodore r. clyde y.c.), , bell, w. a., owner of 'glance,' 'bella' ( tons), 'belle lurette,' the prince of wales's, belleville, canada, 'bellissima,' captain farebrother's, wins the jubilee cup in , belmore, lord, r.y.s., , 'belvidere,' the ( tons), r.t.y.c., , lord alfred paget's, bennett, james g., part owner of 'priscilla,' ; owner of 'dauntless,' bentall, mr., builder of 'jullanar,' bermuda, international yacht race in , ; yachting at, ; clubs, ; 'fitted races,' ; dimensions of average -tonners, ; mr. ricardo's experience of a 'fitted race,' ; dinghy racing, - ; sailing advantages, bettsworth, captain, owner of 'spitfire,' , , bewicke, j., r.p.c.y.c., 'bezan jagt' ( ), dutch, 'bird of freedom,' mr. popham's, 'black maria,' of barton broad, blake, g. l., on the royal portsmouth corinthian yacht club, _et seq._; on the royal clyde yacht club, _et seq._; on royal alfred yacht club, _et seq._; on yachting in canada, _et seq._ 'blanche' (r.y.s.), blatchford, lady isabella, sells osborne house to the queen, blind bay, n.z., 'blue bell' ( -tonner), 'blue belle' ( -rater), 'blue dragon,' cumberland fleet, , bluff, harbour of the, n.z., bogle, james, bolton, mr. (commodore r.a.y.c.), bombay, yachting at, ; r.b.y.c. house, ; yachts, ; dhows, ; adoption of y.r.a. rules, ; sailing course, , bon accord, kawau, n.z., booth, h. gore, boston harbour, boston yacht club, bourne end, bucks, bowness, windermere lake, , boyd, judge, owner of 'thalia,' , brassey, lord, , _note_; first rear-commodore of the r.t.y.c., , brassey, lady, 'breeze' ( tons), 'brenda' ( tons), 'brenda,' american schooner, beats the 'pearl' in , brenton reef cup, race for, between 'britannia' and 'navahoe,' breydon water, , brierley, sir oswald, his drawing of the procession of the royal yacht squadron, brighton, mr., boat-builder of yarmouth, his craft for the norfolk broads, _et seq._ 'brilliant' ( tons), w. bucknall's, r.t.y.c., , , , 'britannia' ( tons), the prince of wales's, ; match with 'navahoe' for the gold cup of the royal victoria y.c., ; at the jubilee regatta of the r. mersey y.c., , ; in , ; wins r.t.y.c. race may , , ; in race of may , - ; wins r.t.y.c. race of june , ; in match from dover to boulogne, ; in match of royal southern of june , ; wins royal mersey match on june , ; wins royal northern of july , ; in clyde corinthian club match, ; in the royal clyde regatta, ; in the royal ulster regatta, ; in the royal irish regatta, ; in royal london match at cowes, ; in r.y.s. regatta, ; wins 'meteor' challenge shield, ; in royal albert match, august , ; in torbay regatta, ; wins start bay club match, ; beats 'navahoe' for royal victoria gold cup, ; loses brenton reef cup, ; wins match for cape may cup, ; sail-area in the three matches, ; best all-round vessel, ; record for the season, ; mainsail, ; intended to defeat 'navahoe,' british india steamship company, 'britomart' (h.m.s. brig), britten, commander r.n., r.p.c.y.c., brocklebank, captain, owner of 'st. george,' , bronskill, mr., of bowness, brooklyn yacht club, class of yachts, brown & bell, boat-builders, new york, brown, j. f., r.p.c.y.c., brown, w. h., boat-builder, brundall, norfolk, brunkard, lord, brunswick, georgia, bryant, henry, boston y.c., bryant, john, boston y.c., buccleuch, duke of, patron of royal forth yacht club, buchanan, t. c., buchanon, dan (r. cl. y.c.), buckenham, buckingham, lord, r.y.s., , bulkeley, major, r.p.c.y.c., bullen, john (cork water club, ), bullen, mr., of oulton broad, ; his craft, and their terms of hire, bullen, richard (chaplain cork water club, ), bure, river (or north river), , , , , burgess, the coloured skipper of 'diamond,' burgess, edward, american boat-builder, ; designer of 'puritan,' ; 'mayflower,' ; the 'volunteer,' ; growth of fame, ; love for natural history, ; successful yachts, ; -footer class, ; his death, ; 'constellation,' , burnham on the crouch, burroughs's pocket-case for yacht voyages, butler, general b. f., buys 'america,' 'buttercup' ( tons), , byng, admiral, rear-commodore r.p.c.y.c., , byrne, captain, his 'cumberland' wins jubilee cup of cumberland fleet in , byrne, st. clare, designer of 'valiant' ( , tons), buzzard's bay, caicos reefs, west indies, 'calluna,' in , ; in r.t.y.c. race, may , , ; breaks a mast in race of may , ; in r.t.y.c. race, june , ; race from dover to boulogne, ; in match of royal southern, june , ; match of royal mersey, june , ; match of royal northern, july , ; in royal clyde regatta, ; royal ulster regatta, ; royal irish regatta, ; in royal london match at cowes, ; race for cowes town cup, ; for r.y.s. prize, aug. , ; royal southampton match, aug. , ; royal albert match, aug. , ; torbay regatta, ; royal dart match, ; start bay club match, ; a disappointing boat, ; record for the season, ; mainsail, ; intended to defeat the 'navahoe,' 'calypso,' 'calypso' ( tons), american schooner, 'cambria,' ; competes for america cup, camera, the, 'camilla' ( - / -rater), , campbell, h. f., canal of the dismal swamp (u.s.), canfield, a. cass, designer and owner of 'sea fox,' ; attempts on 'priscilla,' ; member of n.y.y.c., canned provisions, canterbury, new zealand, cantley, on the yare, , , , cape maria van diemen, cape may cup, race for, between 'britannia' and 'navahoe,' cape tribulation, cape york, queensland, capel, frank c., rear-commodore of r.c.y.c., erith, capes, william, boat-builder, hoboken, ; builder of commodore stevens's 'maria,' 'cara' ( -foot boarder), in 'fitted race,' carolinas, the (u.s.), 'caroline,' cumberland flt., carpets on board yachts, , carrick, j., of greenock (r.n.y.c., ), carroll, royal phelps, owner of 'navahoe,' ; challenges for victoria cup and cape may and brenton reef cups, ; his programme for , , carter, john, skipper of 'britannia,' , , 'castanet,' mollett's description of russell colman's, - 'castanet' ( -rater), w. r. cookson's, , castle, e. w. and r., on the thames clubs and windermere, _et seq._ catamaran introduced by n. g. herreshoff in , catwater, plymouth, cat-yawls, introduced in , ; characteristics, , cawdor, lord, r.y.s., , cecil, lord francis, owner of 'chittywee,' 'cemiostama,' the, center, edward, n.y.y.c., center, robert, owner and joint designer of 'vindex,' , centreboard _v._ keel, question of, , 'challenge' ( tons), , - 'challenge,' the ( . -rater), channel matches, , charles ii., his enthusiasm for yacht-building, ; wins first yacht race on the thames, ; beats duke of york in a sailing match from greenwich to gravesend and back, charleston, south carolina, chesapeake bay, 'chip' ( tons), 'chiqueta' ( -rater), 'chittywee' ( tons), , , cholmondeley, lord henry, commodore of the coronation sailing society, , christchurch, new zealand, , christian, robert, of sligo (r.n.y.c., ), 'cigarette' (centreboard lugsail boat), 'cintra,' upper thames steam yacht, 'clara' ( tons), ; her influence in changing the design of american yachts, clarence ( tons), clarence, duke of (afterwards william iv.), becomes patron of r.t.y.c., clarence yacht club, an offshoot of the r.t.y.c., 'clarita,' american steam yacht, , clark, john, commodore of r. clyde y.c., clarke, a. d., , , clayton, colonel fitzroy, commodore of the upper thames sailing club, clayton, j. weston, vice-commodore of the r.c.y.c., erith, clontarf, club nautique, nice, 'clutha' ( tons), , clyde, the, yachting nursery of the north, ; development of yachting on, ; crack yachts in , ; yachting stations, ; weather on, ; match from barrow to, ; opening meeting in of the r.c.y.c., , ; beauty of holy loch, ; celebration of a 'clyde week' by the clubs, ; new courses of the r.c.y.c., , ; small raters in , clyde corinthian yacht club match, , clyde model yacht club. _see_ royal clyde yacht club clyde yacht club. _see_ royal clyde yacht club 'clytie,' american yacht ( ), coats, j., owner of 'madge,' cochrane, blair, presents a champion cup to the r.p.c.y.c. for / -raters, 'cock-a-whoop' ( - / -rater), , coffin, captain, owner of 'caroline,' collingwood (n.z.), colman, russell, his 'castanet,' 'colonia,' , ; characteristics, ; dimensions, ; unsatisfactory boom, ; in first regatta of the n.y.y.c. cruise of , ; for goelet cups, coltishall, 'columbia' ( tons), american schooner, , , 'columbine' ( tons), winner of royal cup in , 'columbine' ( -rater), ; ( ), 'comet' ( tons), 'coming,' american sloop ( ), commerell, admiral sir e., 'condor' ( tons), condy, mr., of plymouth, his pictures of 'esmeralda,' ; and of the match between 'corsair' and 'talisman,' connaught, duke of, , connor, george, cork water club, , consort, prince, lays foundation stone of royal victoria yacht club house, ryde, march , 'constellation,' n.y.y.c., , 'consuelo,' american cat-yawl, characteristics, conyngham, marquis, transfers lease of cowes castle to r.y.s., cook, captain, cook's strait, new zealand, , , , cooks, yacht-sailor, cookson, w. r., owner of 'castanet,' cool, david, boat-builder, city island (u.s.), cooper, w. (r.a.y.c.), 'coquette' ( / -rater), , 'coquette,' american schooner, 'coralie' ( tons), 'corinne' ( tons), , corinthian matches of r.a.y.c., ; of r. clyde y.c., , cork water club established, cork yacht club. _see_ royal cork yacht club 'cornelia' ( tons), , 'corona' ( -rater), , , coronation sailing society, origin of, ; dissolved, corry, thomas charles stewart (r.n.y.c., ), 'corsair,' admiral montagu's, , - , , 'corsair' ( tons, ), ; midship section and lines, ; ( -rater), , cory, w., his 'buttercup,' 'cosette' ( - / -rater), 'countess dufferin,' , courtney, a. w., his 'naiad,' cove of cork, cowes, cowes castle, club-house of r.y.s., cox, miss mabel, owner of 'kismet,' cox and king, messrs., 'craigielee,' craigmore, crampton, mr., r.p.c.y.c., cranfield, skipper of 'valkyrie' in america cup races of , craven, lord, r.y.s., , crawford, colonel, owner of 'red lancer,' 'creole' ( -rater), , , , crooks, j., 'cuckoo,' , 'cumberland,' commodore taylor's, , ; wins duke of cumberland's cup in , ; the second, lines of, ; captain byrne's, wins jubilee cup of cumberland fleet in , cumberland fleet, founded in , , ; button, ; ceremonies of early races, ; ensign, ; first courses, ; first private match, ; first below-bridge match, ; the vauxhall cup, ; second prize, ; circular of fleet in , ; dissensions, ; race in honour of coronation of george iv., ; change of name and flag, ; match of , cumberland gardens, , , ; proprietor presents a cup to cumberland fleet in , cumberland, henry frederick, duke of, gives a cup in for sailing boats on the thames, , , ; his gifts to cumberland fleet, currie, sir donald, commodore royal forth y.c., 'currytush' ( -tonner), , curtis, sir w., r.y.s., , 'curtsey' ( feet), cushing, john p., his 'sylph,' custance, h. neville, hon. treas. of r.c.y.c., erith, 'cyclone,' 'cygnet' ( tons), r.t.y.c., , 'cygnet' ( tons), , , , 'cygnet,' american yacht, , , 'cyprus' ( tons), 'cythera' ( tons), cutter, 'czarina,' steam yacht, , 'dacia' ( -rater), , 'dagmar' ( tons), prince of wales's, 'daisy' ( tons), dalkey bray, 'daphne' ( feet), dartmouth, 'dauntless' ( tons), american schooner, , davey, j. m., owner of 'don giovanni,' r.t.y.c. , davies, g. christopher, on yachting on norfolk broads, _et seq._ 'day dream,' american steam 'day dream' ( -rater), yawl, ; yacht, , 'dawn,' yawl, de blaquiere, lord, purchases the 'america,' 'decima' ( -rater), , deerhurst, lord, r.y.s. , 'deirdré' ( -rater), , , , , delaware bay, delaware river, 'delvin' ( -tonner), denman, captain of 'victoria and albert,' , depaw, louis a., n.y.y.c., ; his 'mist,' devonshere, abraham, cork water club, , devonshere, james, cork water club, , dexter, gordon, boston yacht club, dhows, at bombay, 'diamond' ( tons), 'diamond' (bermuda), in a 'fitted race,' , diaper, tom, dickenson, w. v., r.p.c.y.c., dickie, mr., his 'armada,' 'dilemma,' the first fin-keel yacht, dinghy club, bermuda, ; racing at st. george's, - ; kind of craft, - 'dione,' 'dis' ( -rater), , , , 'diskos' ( -footer), 'diver' ( ), john c. stevens's, 'dolphin' ( tons), , 'dolphin' ( - / -rater), 'don giovanni,' r.t.y.c., , ; song on, donald, e. f. (sec. r.n.y.a.), donaldson, peter, owner of 'calluna,' donegall, marquis of (first president r.n.y.c.), 'donna del lago' ( tons), 'dora' ( -rater), , dore, captain, cumberland fleet, 'doreen' ( ), , 'doris,' , 'dorothy' ( -footer), 'double trouble,' john c. stevens's, doughty, mr., on friesland meres in a norfolk wherry, - douglas, commodore, , doyle, mr., boat-builder, of kingstown, 'dragon' ( -rater), , , , 'dragons' of the 's, drake, francis, , drake's island, 'dream' ( tons), 'dream,' george l. schuyler's, , , drury, james, his description of no. corinthian match, r.a.y.c., _et seq._ 'dryad,' yawl, dublin bay, , , , , dublin bay sailing club, , 'duchess' ( -tonner), dudley, lord, his 'vigorna,' dudgeon, henry, r.a.y.c., 'dudu,' dufferin, lord, his description of single-handed boat-sailing, ; his 'lady hermione,' - ; 'foam,' ; commodore of r. ulster y.c., ; impetus given by him to maritime affairs when gov.-gen. of canada, duncan (of 'madge' fame), dunedin, n.z., dunleary (now kingstown), dunleath, lord (formerly h. l. mulholland), his 'egeria,' ; vice-commodore of r. st. george's y.c., ; r. ulster y.c., ; his 'savourna,' dunne, mr. (r.a.y.c.), dunoon, dunraven, lord, his 'valkyrie' at nice, ; effect on big-cutter racing of his commission for a second, ; challenges for america cup, ; his 'deirdré,' ; america cup challenge adjusted, ; 'valkyrie' to remain in u.s. till , ; notices effect on pressure of dryness of wind, ; adverse to centreboards, dunscombe, richard (cork water club), dutch yacht of , illustration, 'eagle,' in match with 'caroline,' earth closets on yachts, east river, eastern yacht club, boston, 'echo' ( - / tons), 'echo' ( tons), yawl, , 'eclipse,' in match with 'cumberland' , 'eclipse' ( feet), edgar, daniel, owner of american sloop 'arrow,' edgar, william, n.y.y.c., , edgartown, martha's vineyard island (u.s.), edinburgh, duke of (patron of r.a.y.c.), ; becomes commodore, 'egeria,' schooner, , , 'elaine' ( tons), 'elf' ( - / -rater), 'elfin' (paddle steam yacht), h.m.'s, , elgar, professor, yacht designer, elizabeth islands, elizabeth, queen, 'elma,' service boat, ; capsized off the nab, elsworth, philip, yacht designer, , 'emma' ( tons), 'emmetje, de' ( tons), 'enchantress,' admiralty boat, 'enchantress,' amer. schooner, , 'enid' ( tons), 'enriqueta' ( tons), her matches with the 'quickstep,' , eresby, lord willoughby de, r.y.s., , , erie canal, erith, the thames at, 'eros' ( tons) st. yacht, 'esmeralda,' r.y.s., , 'esmeralda,' cutter, tender to 'royal george,' 'ethel' ( -rater), 'euterpe' ( tons), 'eva' ( -rater), , 'eva' ( -footer), 'eva' ( tons), american schooner, , 'excellent,' h.m.s., extracts of meat, eyton, wynne, part owner of 'mascotte,' 'fair geraldine' ( -rater), fairfield shipbuilding and engineering co., govan, glasgow, builders of 'giralda,' 'fairy,' h.m. s.s. yacht, 'fairy' ( tons), 'fairy queen' ( tons), 'falcon' ( tons), 'falcon' ( tons), r.y.s., , falconer, t. (r. clyde y.c.), famous races, ; match in , ; match between 'waterwitch' and 'galatea,' in , ; in between 'corsair' and 'talisman,' ; between 'arrow' and 'mosquito,' ; match on the thames in , ; match at largs regatta, in , 'fancy' ( -footer), 'fanny' ( tons), american sloop, dimensions, 'fantan' ( -rater), , farebrother, captain, cumberland fleet, his 'bellissima' wins jubilee cup in , farne islands, 'faugh-a-ballagh' ( - / -rater), 'faustine,' american schooner, 'favourite,' st. packet, , fay & co., messrs., , fenwick, bruce (hon. sec. r.f.y.c.), ferguson, richard (r. clyde y. c.), , fergusson, sir james (formerly governor of n.z.), fernie, mrs. robertson, 'field,' the (march , ), on norfolk wherries, ; (jan. , ) on the norfolk 'gossip,' fife, mr., of fairlie, on captain john nichols, ; his old clippers 'neptune' and 'fiona,' ; 'kilmeny' and 'torch,' ; sends a footer to the yachting lists in , fife, w., jun., designer of 'ulidia,' , ; supports australian yachting, ; his 'thalia,' ; designer of the 'calluna,' fife, messrs., of fairlie, their status as clyde yacht-builders, ; their cutter 'lamlash,' ; thames -foot class, fin-keel boats, n. g. herreshoff's, ; objections to, finlay, alex., his 'leda,' finlay, j. beekman, part owner of 'america,' 'fiona,' , , , 'firefly,' firth of thames (n.z.), , , fish, 'bob,' yacht designer and builder, ; 'tuning up' racing yachts, ; best-known yachts, ; sloops 'annie,' ; 'coming,' ; and 'vixen,' fish, latham a., n.y.y.c., fish, robert and isaac, yacht-builders, new york, fishing on the norfolk broads, 'fitted races,' - fitzclarence, lord adolphus, captain of 'royal george,' fitzgerald, lord otho, fitzhardinge, earl, gives a cup in to the r.t.y.c., fitzharris, lord, r.y.s., fitzsimons, walter, cork water club, , fitz-wygram, major-general sir f., r.p.c.y.c., fleet sailing, 'fleetwing' ( tons), flemmich, mr., r.p.c.y.c., 'fleur-de-lis' ( -rater), 'fleur de lys' ( tons), american schooner, 'florence' ( tons), , florida, 'florinda' ( tons), , 'foam,' r.y.s., , foley, miss, owner of 'wren,' foley, rear-admiral the hon. f. a. c., r.p.c.y.c., food for yachting, forbes, com. j. mal., boston y.c., forbes, r. b., forbes family (maine, u.s.), 'foreign' boats in norfolk waters, , 'formosa' ( tons), prince of wales's, , forrest & son, wivenhoe, builders of 'the lady hermione,' ; their model of her hull, fortress stove, forty-rater, a, racing in, in , _et seq._ foster, a., jun., n.y.y.c., foster, c. h. w., boston y.c., foveaux strait (n.z.), fox, captain h. c., r.c.y.c., erith, 'foxhound' ( tons), france, yachting in, ; havre, , ; société des régates, ; union des yachts français, ; club nautique, nice, 'francis' ( - / tons), 'francisca,' steam yacht, 'freda' ( tons), 'freda' ( tons), , freke, mr., owner of the 'freda,' french, mr. (cork water club), french, pascoe, owner of 'sheilah,' , , 'friesland meres in a norfolk wherry,' doughty's, froude, mr., his 'oceana,' fullerton, admiral, fulton, mr. (r.a.y.c.), , fundy, bay of, fungoid growths in yachts, 'gadfly,' 'galatea,' lieut. w. henn's, ; beaten by 'mayflower' in race for america cup, , ; dimensions, 'galatea' ( tons), schooner, , gamble, col., c.b., commodore of r.m.y.c., 'gardenia,' gardiner, william, designer of 'lyris' ( ), , 'gareth' ( - / -rater), , garrett, captain, r.a., st vice-com. r.p.c.y.c., , garroch head, clyde, , garth, t. c., owner of 'hyacinth,' 'gavotte' ( - / -rater), geelong, yachting at, 'gem,' 'genesta,' sir richard sutton's, ; wins -guinea prize of r.t.y.c. in , , , , , 'genie' ( -footer), george iii., his yacht, george iv., establishes kingstown harbour, ; cumberland fleet race on his coronation, german emperor william ii., r.y.s., sails his 'meteor' (late 'thistle') for the queen's cup in , , ; stimulus given to yachting in germany by him, germany, yachting in, 'gertrude,' american sloop ( ), 'g.g.' ( - / -rater), 'ghost' ( -rater), gibson, j., r. clyde y.c., gilchrist, james, r. clyde y.c., , gilman, mr., r.p.c.y.c., , 'gimcrack,' john c. stevens's, , , , 'giralda' ( , tons), , gladstone, captain james, hon. sec. r.m.y.c., 'gladys,' 'glance' ( tons), r. clyde y.c., , 'glance' ( . -rater), r. forth y.c., 'glasgow herald' quoted, glasgow, lord, r. cl. r.c., 'gleam,' american cat-boat, 'gleam' (fife of fairlie's), ; lines and midship section, glennie, a. h., rear-commodore r.p.c.y.c., , 'glide' ( tons), 'gloriana,' characteristics of, - ; successes, - 'glycera' ( -rater), 'gnome' ( -tonner), r.t.y.c., , gomes, skipper of the 'meteor' in the wemyss bay regatta of july , , gordon, robert f., r.n.y.c., , 'gossip,' , 'gossoon,' american cutter, , goteborg, sweden, gould, jay, gould, skipper of 'varuna,' gourock, governor's bay, lyttelton, n.z., governor's pass, great barrier island, n.z., 'gracie,' american yacht ( ), sail-plan, ; dimensions, ; lines and mid-section, ; beats 'pocahontas,' graham, sir b. r., bart., owner of 'harriet,' r.w.y.c., grant, mr., jun., his 'fairy queen,' grant, r., sec. r.y.s., grant, c. p., r.p.c.y.c., grantham, lord, r.y.s., granton yacht club. _see_ royal forth yacht club 'graphic cruisers' of dublin bay, ; notes by the hon. skipper, _et seq._; preliminaries of a cruise, ; the crew, , ; description of the 'iris,' - , , ; at ireland's eye, ; the sketching club at work, , ; craft making for howth harbour, ; the 'tramcar' distances 'charlie,' ; sanitary and medical precautions, _et seq._; the steward's duties, _et seq._ 'grayling' ( tons), great barrier reef, australia, greenock, gretton, john, jun., his 'lais,' grey, sir george, his island of kawau, n.z., 'greyhound' ( -tonner), ; lines, ; dimensions, greymouth, n.z., greystones, grinwood, dr., first commodore of the r.m.y.c., grubb, captain, owner of 'eagle,' gubbins, mr., owner of 'windfall,' guébriant, comte alain de, gulf coast, gunston, captain, owner of 'st. george,' , 'gwendolin' ( tons), haddiscoe cut, , , 'halcyon' ( tons), american schooner, haldane, capt., r.p.c.y.c., halifax, canada, , hall, john, of yarmouth, owner of 'greyhound,' halliday, mr., his 'helen,' hallowes, admiral, r.p.c.y.c., , , hamilton, bermuda, hamilton, canada, hamilton, james, of holmhead (r.n.y.c. ), , hamoaze, the, hampton roads (u.s.), harborough, lord, owner of the 'de emmetje,' , harlan hollingsworth co., boat-builders, wilmington, delaware, 'harpoon,' american cutter, , 'harriet' ( tons), r.y.s., , 'harriet' ( tons), r.w.y.c., , harrington, william, cork water club, harrison, commodore r.t.y.c., , hart, robert, r. clyde y.c., hart & son, of thorpe, boat-letters, harvey, builder of 'sea belle' and 'miranda,' harwich, 'haswell,' american yacht, hatcher, dan, boat-builder, , hatteras, cape, hatteras inlet (u.s.), haulbowline, ireland, , hauraki gulf, n.z., , havelock, n.z., havre, as a yachting centre, ; chart of regatta course, ; société des régates, 'hawk,' american cutter, 'hawke,' cumberland fleet, chased into calais by an american privateer, hayes, capt. r.n., r.p.c.y.c., hays, william, cork water club, , 'haze' ( -footer), 'heathen chinee' ( - / -rater), 'hebe,' r.m.y.c., , heigham sounds, 'helen' ( tons), loss of, helensburgh, ; races of the r. clyde y.c. at, in , henderson, messrs., of partick, builders of 'valkyrie' and 'britannia,' , heneage, g. w., owner of 'harriet,' r.y.s., , henn, lieut. w., his 'galatea,' henry, prince, of prussia, his interest in yachting, ; 'irene,' , 'heroine' ( -ton), cutter, heron, maxwell, r.p.c.y.c., herreshoff, lewis, on yachting in america, _et seq._; on the american yachting season of , _et seq._ herreshoff, n. g., designs and builds the 'shadow,' ; cat-boat 'gleam,' ; returns to sail-yacht designing, ; designs 'gloriana,' ; the 'wasp,' ; 'fin-keel' boat, ; cat-yawl, ; catamaran, ; 'navahoe,' 'colonia,' and 'vigilant,' herreshoffs, messrs., boat-builders, bristol, rhode island, , , , , herrings, dublin bay, hewett, robert, commodore r.c.y.c., erith, hewitt, thomas, cork water club, hickling broad, - , , 'hildegarde' ( tons), prince of wales's, hill, f. c., his 'dragon,' hilliard, j. b., r. clyde y.c., 'himalaya,' troopship, 'hinda' ( tons), - hippesley, sir j., r.y.s. , hoad, builder of 'phantom,' hoare, samuel, cork water club, , hoboken (u.s.), hobson, captain, secures the south island, n.z., in , for the british, hobson's bay, australia, hodder, william, cork water club, , hoe, the, plymouth, hogarth, a., skipper of 'calluna,' hokianga river (n.z.), holditch, captain h., sec. r.w.y.c., holdsworth, tom, vice-commodore r. clyde y.c., holy loch, , honduras, hong kong, , horn, h., on yacht racing in , _et seq._ horning ferry, , , horsey mere, , , hossack, n. p., n.y.y.c., houldsworth, j., owner of 'lufra,' houseboats, sailing, hoveton broads, howard, j. t., designer, howth, , , , , hudson river, , huggins, w., marine painter, his picture of the leading craft of the r.y.s. of , hughes, w. w., owner of 'australia,' , 'humming bird' ( - / -rater), hunter, mr., of hafton, hunter's quay, club-house of r. clyde y.c. at, 'hunt's yachting magazine' on the 'victor,' 'hyacinth' ( -rater), , hyatt, j., owner of 'matchless,' r.t.y.c., , 'ianthe,' amer. schooner, 'ianthe,' norfolk barge, , 'ida' ( -rater), cutter, 'idalia' ( -rater), 'idler' ( tons), american schooner, 'ildegonda,' , imperial german yacht club, inchiquin, lord, cork water club, , 'industry,' steamer, inglis, i. a., owner of 'darthula,' ; 'thalia,' , inglis, j. and a., glasgow, builders of 'calluna,' inman, mr., builder of 'australia,' 'intrepid,' american yacht, , 'iolanthe,' ireland's eye, , 'irene' ( -rater), prince henry of prussia's, , , 'irene,' trinity yacht, 'irex,' , , 'iris,' the, description of, - , , ; alias the 'tramcar,' ; typical sanitation of, _et seq._; the hon. steward's duties on board, _et seq._ irish model yacht club. _see_ royal alfred yacht club irish yacht clubs:--royal york, - ; clubs at kingstown, - ; royal alfred, - ; 'graphic' cruisers of dublin bay, - ; water wags and mermaids, - 'iroquois,' american yacht, 'iverna,' cutter, , , ; her match with the 'meteor,' ; in r.s.y.c. race of august , , , ; r.t.y.c. race, may , , , ; wins race of may , - ; her lines, ; in r.t.y.c. race, june , ; race from dover to boulogne, ; matches of royal southern, june , ; royal mersey, june , ; royal northern, july , ; hunter's quay, july , ; clyde corinthian club, ; royal clyde regatta, ; royal london match at cowes, jameson, john, designer of 'iverna,' jameson, w. g., , , , , , 'janetta' ( - / -rater), jay, john c, n.y.y.c., ; his 'la coquille,' jerome, leonard w., owner of 'clarita,' , jessop, w., owner of 'florinda,' johnson, c., r.p.c.y.c., 'josephine' ( tons), american schooner, 'jubilee,' american yacht, , ; dimensions, ; characteristics, ; in the race for the goelet cups, 'julia,' j. m. waterbury's sloop, , ; midship section, 'juliet' ( tons), 'jullanar' (yawl), , , kaikoura (n.z.), kaipara harbour (n.z.), 'kate' ( feet), kauri timber for yachts, , kawau, island of (n.z.), keen, captain george, cumberland fleet, , 'keepsake' ( feet), kelly, mr., owner of 'viola,' 'kelpie,' american yacht, 'kelpie' ( -rater), kemp, dixon, , kennedy, a., r. clyde y.c., kennedy, captain r., hon. sec. r.p.c.y.c., , kennedy, john, r.n.y.c., kennedy, r., r.n.y.c., kennedy, w., r. clyde y.c., kent, duchess of, patroness of r.w.y.c., , kerr, james, 'kestrel,' schooner, , kiel, yachting at, 'kilmeny' ( tons), , , - king, samuel, r.c.y.c., 'king's fisher,' commodore taylor's, drawing of, ; lines, , kingsale, lord, c.w.c., kingston, canada, kingstown (dublin co.), clubs at, , , kirby, david, boat-builder, rye, new york, - kirkwall, lord, r.y.s., , 'kismet' ( - / -rater), wins fernie cup of r.p.c.y.c., 'kitten,' upper thames sailing club, 'kittiwake' ( / -rater), wins the champion cup of r.p.c.y.c. in , 'la coquille' ( tons), , , ladies on board yachts, 'lady hermione,' lord dufferin's, , ; rig and dimensions, plan, sail and fittings, - 'lady louisa' ( tons), r.t.y.c., , , 'lady st. kilda,' , sir t. d. acland's, lagé, contre-amiral baron, president of union des yachts français, laight, w. e., n.y.y.c., 'lais' ( -rater), ; in race from dover to boulogne, ; record for the season, laity, mr., r.p.c.y.c., lake lothing, , lake ontario, canada, , lambton, h., m.p., owner of 'cygnet,' r.y.t.c. , 'lamlash' (cutter), lamont, h., rear-commodore r. clyde y.c., lampson, g. c., owner of 'miranda,' 'lancashire witch,' steam yacht, , 'lancet' ( tons), lang, oliver, designer of h.m.'s 'elfin' and 'victoria and albert,' langtry, r., r.n.y.c., , lapthorn, messrs., , , , largs, , ; regatta, racing in , lateeners, , 'latona' (yawl), wins race from dover to boulogne and back in , ; lavallin, philip, cork water club, , lavand, captain, lawley corporation, boston, builders of 'jubilee,' leach, sir george, on america cup races of , _et seq._ 'leander' ( tons), 'leda' ( tons), r. cl. y.c., 'leda,' r.m.y.c., , lee-on-solent, lenon, major, his 'l'erie,' 'lenore,' 'leopard,' steam launch, upper thames sailing club, , 'l'erie' ( tons), 'lesbia' ( tons), cutter, 'lethe' (yawl), liffey estuary, the, 'lil' ( feet), 'lily' ( - / tons), 'lily' ( tons), , little barrier island (n.z.), littledale, com. r.m.y.c., , liverpool, yachting at, livingston, anson, owner of 'annie,' 'livonia' ( tons), , , llangattock, lord, lockett, j. a., rear-commodore r. clyde y.c., london sailing club, hammersmith, long island sound, , longfield, richard, cork water club, , loper, r. t., owner of 'ocean wave,' 'lorna,' los angeles yacht club, louise, princess, lady patroness of bermuda dinghy club, 'louise' ( tons), , louisiana, loutherburg, artist, his drawing of cowes castle, lowestoft, , , loynes, mr., of wroxham, , , , 'luath' ( -tonner), 'lucanias,' 'lufra,' yawl, , , lyall, r., his 'maria,' lyle, james a., hon. sec. r.a.y.c., , ; his prize for a one-handed race, lyons, james, owner of the 'breeze,' r.y.s., , 'lyris,' designed by w. gardiner ( ), lysaght, major, lyttelton (n.z.), , , 'mabel,' late 'irex' ( -rater), , , mcallister, mr., dumbarton, mccalmont, harry, owner of 'giralda,' , macartney, mr., r.a.y.c., mccheane, charles, hon. sec. r.p.c.y.c., , , , mccheane, t., r.p.c.y.c., mccracken, henry j. (r.n.y.c. ), mcferran, james, his description of 'the lady hermione,' , _et seq._ macgregor, 'rob roy,' mciver, mr., his 'brenda,' macivor, d., owner of 'sunshine,' macleay, a. d., owner of 'jullanar,' 'macnab' ( -footer), 'madcap' ( - / -rater), 'madcap' ( tons), 'madeleine' ( tons), american schooner, , , 'madge' ( tons), 'madge,' influence of, on american yacht design, 'maggie' ( tons), , , 'maggie' ( tons), american schooner, 'magic' ( tons), american schooner, ; midship section, ; dimensions, 'magnolia' ( -footer), 'maharanee' ( tons), 'maida' ( -rater), , main, john, r.p.c.y.c., maine (u.s.), malahide, 'mallory,' american yacht ( ), , mallory, d. d., yacht designer, noank, connecticut, , malta, 'march hare' ( -footer), 'maria' ( tons), r. lyall's, 'maria,' commodore stevens's sloop, n.y.y.c., ; dimensions, ; characteristics, ; matches with the 'america,' ; lost off cape hatteras, 'mannersing,' 'mantura' ( -footer), 'marguerite,' 'maritana' ( tons), 'mascotte,' 'matchless,' maxwell, j. r., 'may,' , 'mayflower,' , , 'mehalah' ( -footer), 'meneen,' , 'mercury,' , , 'merle' ( tons), mermaids of dublin bay, , 'meteor,' german emperor's yacht, , , , , 'mildred' ( tons), 'mima' ( tons), 'mimmie' ( tons), 'mimosa,' 'mina,' 'mineola,' 'minerva,' , 'minna,' minor vauxhall gardens, 'mirage' ( . ), 'miranda,' , 'mischief,' , , 'mist,' 'mohawk' ( tons), , , 'mohican,' mollett, mr., of brundall, , - 'mona' (. ), montagu, hon. victor, , , , 'montauk' ( tons), morgan, e. d., , , , morris, a., 'morwena' ( -rater), , 'mosquito' ( / -rater), 'mosquito' ( tons), 'mosquito,' r. northern y.c., , , , motueka (n.z.), mount desert island (u.s.), mount edgcumbe, mudhook yacht club, ; regatta of , muir, mr., owner of 'mabel,' mulholland, h. l. _see_ dunleath mum, james, r. clyde y.c., mumm, j. f., boat-builder, bay ridge, long island, 'muriel' ( tons), , 'musume' ( - / -rater), 'mystery' ( tons), r.t.y.c., , 'mystery,' the (thames open boat), 'mystic,' american yacht ( ), 'nadador' ( - / -rater), 'nadejda,' 'naiad' ( -tonner), 'naiad' ( tons), 'naida' ( tons), 'nancy' ( ), nantucket sound, , narragansett bay, , , , , 'narwhal' ( -footer), nash, james, c.w.c., naushon island, maine, 'navahoe,' r. p. carroll's, ; matches, - ; sail-area in the three matches, ; record for the season, ; interest in her production, ; characteristics, ; dimensions, 'neaira,' , nelson (n.z.), 'neptune' ( tons), , nettlefold, edward, commodore of cumberland fleet, - 'neva' ( tons), new bedford (u.s.), new jersey, , new london (u.s.), 'new moon' ( tons), , new orleans, new south wales, timber of, new thames yacht club, an offshoot of the r.t.y.c., new york, ; bay, new york yacht club. ; birthplace, ; minutes, ; early regattas, , ; first international race, ; 'maria,' - ; 'america,' ; annual cruise, ; cruise of , ; goelet cups, ; map of course, ; astor cups, new zealand, yachting in, ; variety of climate, , ; auckland, ; bay of islands, ; auckland yacht club, ; colonial yachts, ; the 'mascotte,' ; cruises in, _et seq._; little and great barrier islands, , ; fish, , ; goats and rabbits, ; firth of thames, ; rangitoto, ; the sacred island, ; tauranga, ; west coast of the north island, ; wellington, ; queen charlotte and pelorus sounds, , ; nelson harbour, ; north coast of south island, ; lyttelton harbour, ; old french settlement of akaroa, ; the sounds, , ; months suitable for yachting, ; winds, ; timber, 'newburg,' american sloop, newenham, john, cork water club, , newenham, r., c.w.c., newenham, t., c.w.c., newman, major h. h., nice, as a yachting centre, ; chart of regatta course, ; races and prizes, nichols, captain john, on long courses, ; skipper of 'mosquito,' nicholson, mr., builder of 'florinda,' 'niny,' 'nora' ( -rater), norfolk and suffolk yacht club, : rating classes, norfolk broads, yachting on, ; scenery, ; craft for navigating, ; the 'ianthe,' , ; river below wroxham, ; wroxham broad, ; hoveton broads, ; houseboats, ; at horning, ; steering on a tortuous river, ; ranworth broad, ; barton and south walsham broads, ; movement along water, ; river thurne, ; hickling broad, ; horsey mere, ; the bure, ; acle to yarmouth, ; breydon water, ; the river waveney, ; the yare, ; haddicoe cut, ; reedham and st. olave's, ; pleasure boats, ; the lateener, ; the 'ariel' and the 'black maria,' ; types of boats, ; old measurement of racing craft, ; sailing single-handed, ; alteration in rule of measurement, ; craft built by mr. brighton of yarmouth and mr. mollett of brundall, - ; boats built by mr. peed of oulton, ; mr. mollett's 'gossip,' - ; his 'castanet,' - ; clubs, ; the thames 'mystery,' ; rule for passing in narrow reaches, ; rowing boats and anglers, ; 'putty,' , ; oulton broad and lake lothing, ; lowestoft harbour, ; oulton, ; cantley on the yare, ; norwich, ; boat-letting agencies, ; bullen, of oulton broad, , ; hart & son, of thorpe, ; an offer of assistance in hiring yachts, ; best cruising grounds, , ; wroxham and oulton as yachting centres, ; loynes's and bullen's craft and terms of hire, ; time required to do the rivers and broads, ; fishing and photography, norfolk wherries, 'norman,' 'norna,' american yacht, norrköping, sweden, north america, british, north island (n.z.), 'north star,' american steam yacht, ; dimensions, norwegian prams, norwich, , , , , nottage, capt., r.p.c.y.c., nugent, lord, r.y.s., , 'nyleptha' ( -footer), 'nymph' ( tons), oamaru harbour (n.z.), o'bryen, hon. james, cork water club, , o'bryen, morough, cork water club, , 'ocean monarch,' emigrant ship, rescued by 'queen of the ocean,' , , 'ocean wave,' american steam yacht, , o'connell, d., loss of, in the 'peri,' , 'oenanthe,' olsen, niels, n.y.y.c., o'neal, charles, cork water club, , o'neil, mr., , , 'onkahya,' john c. stevens's, ; loss, onslow, earl of, on yachting in new zealand, _et seq._ onslow pinnacle rock, bay of islands (n.z.), orfordness, sea disturbance off, 'orion,' american yacht, 'orion,' r. northern y.c., ornskoldskirk, sweden, orson, edward forbes, of stranraer, r. northern y.c., , 'osborne' (formerly the 'victoria and albert'), , otago (n.z.), , 'ottawa,' u.s.s., oulton broad, , , , - 'oweene,' american cutter, oxford university sailing club, , oyster bay, long island, pacific coast, paget, b., r.p.c.y.c., paget, lord alfred, vice-commodore r.t.y.c., his 'mystery' and the 'blue belle,' may , , ; 'belvidere' wins the _l._ cup in , paget, w. b., owner of the 'columbine,' paine, general, boston y.c., his -footer, , ; as a yachtsman, ; on the canvas of the 'valkyrie,' ; owner of 'jubilee,' paine, j. b., designer of 'jubilee,' 'palmer' ( tons), 'pantaloon,' h.m.s., tender to 'royal george,' 'pantaloon,' r.y.s., , 'papoose' ( - / -rater), park, mr., part owner of 'ida,' parker, ben, skipper, , parker, michael, cork water club, , parkes, mr., owner of 'aurora,' cumberland fleet, parsons, thomas, cork water club, , paterson's inlet (n.z.), payne, arthur, designer of the 'hyacinth,' ; the 'niny,' ; and 'corsair,' payton, mr., builder of 'currytush,' peake, sir henry, designer of 'royal george,' , 'pearl' ( - / tons), 'pearl' ( tons), r.y.s., , , , , peed, mr., of oulton, builder of 'corona,' pelorus sound (n.z.), , pelt, j. g. van, owner of 'rebecca,' pembroke, earl of, royal cinque ports yacht club, penrose, cooper, cork water club, pepys, samuel, quoted, - 'peri' ( tons), , pérignon, m. e., vice-president u. des y.f., persian gulf, the, peter the great, 'petrel' ( tons), pett, christopher, pett, commissioner, builds a yacht for charles ii, , pett, phineas, builds a yacht for henry of wales in , , petty, sir william, his two-keeled vessel, 'phantom,' r.t.y.c., , 'phantom' ( -rater), , 'phantom' ( tons), american schooner, 'phantom' ( tons), 'phoebe,' r.m.y.c., , 'phryne' ( tons), picton, queen charlotte sound (n.z.), pigeon bay (n.z.), 'pilgrim,' american yacht, , ; dimensions, ; characteristics, ; race for goelet cups, ; 'pilot,' h.m.s., training brig, 'pleione,' schooner, 'plover,' american yacht, plymouth, 'pocahontas,' amer. sloop, polhemus, a., boat-builder, nyack, new york, ponsonby, lord, r.y.s., popham, f. w. l., owner of 'white slave,' popham, mr., owner of 'bird of freedom,' port chalmers (n.z.), port fitzroy, great barrier island (n.z.), port leny (n.z.), port nicholson (n.z.), portland, duke of, owner of 'pantaloon,' r.y.s., , potter heigham, , , pottinger, thomas, admiral r.n.y.c., , , prams, norwegian, 'preciosa' ( tons), preservation of food on yacht voyages, 'prima donna' ( tons), r.t.y.c., , 'primrose' ( tons), prince alfred yacht club, sydney, prince, c. a., boston y.c., 'prince of wales,' cumberland fleet, , , 'princess' ( tons), prince of wales's, 'princess royal,' steamer, r.m.y.c., , 'priscilla,' amer. yacht, , pritchett, r. t., on royal yachts and english yacht clubs, _et seq._; on royal forth yacht club, ; on royal northern yacht club, rothesay, _et seq._; on royal cork yacht club, _et seq._; on royal corinthian yacht club, erith, _et seq._; on foreign and colonial yachting, _et seq._; on yachting at bermuda, ; on famous races, ; on racing in a -rater in , 'providence,' cumberland fleet, , 'ptarmigan' ( -rater), puget's sound, 'puritan,' general paine's, , , , , , , pussey & jones, builders of 'pilgrim,' putland, george, commodore r. alfred y.c., , puxly, henry, cork water club, , quail island, lyttelton (n.z.), quebec, , , queen, her majesty the, purchases osborne house, ; first cruise in the 'victoria and albert,' ; patronage of yacht clubs, , ; patroness of the royal st. george's yacht club, kingstown, ; of the r.t.y.c., , 'queen' ( tons), queen charlotte sound (n.z.), , 'queen mab,' , , , , , , , , , , , - , 'queen of the ocean,' r.m.y.c., , queensland, coast of, queenstown, 'qui vive,' american yacht, 'quickstep,' amer. schooner, 'quickstep' ( tons), ; her matches with the 'enriqueta,' , quilter, mr., part owner of the 'mascotte,' 'quinque' ( -rater), , racing in a -rater in , a detailed description, _et seq._ raleigh, walter, 'rambler' ( tons), rangitoto (n.z.), ranken, a., ranworth broad, rasch, captain, r.p.c.y.c., ratsey, charles, boat-builder, , , , , , reade, lieut.-col. arthur l., secretary of the royal windermere lake yacht club, reany & naeafy, builders of 'ocean wave,' reanyson & archibald, boat-builders, chester, pennsylvania, 'rebecca,' j. g. van pelt's, 'red lancer' ( -rater), , , , reedham, , , 'restless' ( tons), american schooner, 'reverie' ( -rater), , lines, ; , 'reverie' ( tons), clyde y.c., cutter, ricardo, charles, secretary of upper thames sailing club, his account of a 'fitted race,' , richards, s., r.p.c.y.c., richardson, alex., owner of the 'naiad,' ; designer of 'challenge,' , richardson, g. w., owner of the 'sayonara,' 'richmond,' american yacht ( ), richmond, d. o., boat-builder, mystic, connecticut, richmond, duke of ( ), 'rival,' 'rival' ( -tonner), 'rivet' ( tons), 'rob roy' ( tons), 'rob roy,' mr. macgregor's, robertson, f. a., owner of 'uranus,' 'robinson' ( tons), roche, edmund, cork water club, roche, john (c.w.c.), 'rocket' ( tons), yawl, rockland, on the yare, rogers, archibald, n.y.y.c., ; part owner of 'colonia,' rogers, james, n.y.y.c., ; his 'adda,' rogers, john (c.w.c., ), rogers, robert (c.w.c., ), roland, thomas (c.w.c.), rollins, george b., n.y.y.c., ; his 'minna,' rothesay, the royal northern yacht club at, ; r.n.y.c. club-house, rothschild, baron a. de, rowan, j. (r. clyde y.c.), rowley, a. b., owner of the 'latona,' royal albert yacht club: queen's cups received, ; corinthian matches, ; number of yachts and members, ; entry in for the no. champion cup, ; description of a corinthian match in , _et seq._; corinthian match in , ; alterations in courses, ; -tonners and -tonners, ; rule of measurement and conditions of sailing, ; houseless, ; the regatta of , royal alfred yacht club, kingstown, queen's cups received, ; its channel matches, ; origin of, ; first named irish model yacht club, ; rule on fleet sailing, ; reorganisation, ; rule on racing flags, ; challenge cup instituted, ; club matches, ; named prince a.y.c., ; commodores appointed, ; duke of edinburgh patron, ; prizes, ; amateur matches, ; race for nd and rd class yachts in , - ; mr. lyle's prize for a one-handed race, ; introduction of champion cups, ; duke of edinburgh commodore in , ; a 'royal' club, ; increase of members, ; burgee, ; 'enid' wins duke of edinburgh's gold cup, ; presented with a queen's cup, ; fatalities in single-handed racing in , and stoppage of same, , ; matches in , , ; swimming match in clothes, ; headquarters, royal bermuda yacht club, royal bombay yacht club, royal canadian yacht club, royal cinque ports yacht club, queen's cups received, ; estab. , ; regatta, royal clyde yacht club: queen's cups received, ; instituted as clyde model yacht club, ; original members, ; ensign and burgee, ; chart of course, ; measurement rule and racing flags, ; meeting in , ; american 'sail-area' measurement, ; called clyde yacht club, ; annual regatta, ; corinthian regatta, ; opening and closing cruises, ; members and yachts in , ; foundation of annual corinthian match in , ; founder of -, -, -, and -ton classes, ; channel matches, ; made a 'royal' club in , ; new club-house at hunter's quay, ; opening meeting of , ; adoption of royal alfred y.c. rules, ; club-house, ; members and tonnage in , ; a 'clyde week,' ; new courses, , ; y.r.a.'s system of time allowances, ; entries of large racing yachts in , ; entries and prizes in - , ; purchase of 'alcyone,' ; terms of that yacht's hire, ; recipient of queen's cup in , ; closing cruise of , ; alteration of courses, ; challenges new york yacht club, ; 'thistle' and 'volunteer' matches, ; finances, ; resignation of lord glasgow, ; officials, ; acquisition of three boats, ; adoption of y.r.a. length and sail-area rule, ; classes under 'rating rule,' ; second queen's cup, ; match round arran, ; loss of club-house by fire, ; renting of craigend villa, ; cups and money prizes, ; small raters in , ; present fleet, ; present members, ; regatta of , royal corinthian yacht club, erith (the original corinthian club), ; premises, ; classification of yachts, ; racing, ; -ton class, ; -ton class, ; -foot class, ; - / -raters, ; officers in , royal cork yacht club: queen's cups received, ; origin, ; water club of harbour of cork, ; early rules, ; members of and , ; sailing orders for water club fleet, , ; decadence from till , ; chart of course for -raters, ; institution of little monkstown club, ; re-establishment of water club under title of cork yacht club, ; club-house and its pictures at queenstown, royal cornwall club, royal dart club matches, royal dorset club, weymouth, receive a queen's cup in , ; founded in , royal eastern yacht club, royal forth yacht club, establishment of, ; present officials, ; members, ; match from hartlepool to granton in , ; the queen's cup, ; chart of courses, ; match for t.b.c. west challenge cup, 'royal george,' royal yacht, dimensions, ; used on occasion of the queen's accession, royal halifax yacht club, royal harwich y.c., , royal irish yacht club: queen's cups received, ; established , ; regatta of , ; map of the course, royal london yacht club, ; established , ; flag, ; adopt flying starts, ; development of yachting, ; regatta of , royal mersey yacht club: queen's cups received, ; established , ; moved from liverpool to birkenhead, ; first race, ; plan of course, ; jubilee regatta, ; regatta of , royal northern yacht club: queen's cups received, ; home at rothesay, ; chart of clyde course, ; origin of, ; original members, ; irish and scotch divisions, , ; burgee, , ; full dress of members, ; classing of yachts in and , ; first regatta at belfast, ; william iv. patron, ; two days' regatta at belfast in , ; dissolution of irish division in , ; club-house, ; yachts, ; present secretary, ; channel matches, ; regatta , royal nova scotia y.c., royal portsmouth corinthian yacht club, ; instituted , ; first officers, ; map of course, ; definition of amateur, ; first regatta, ; matches, ; popularity, ; season of , ; increase of membership, ; introduction of -tonners, ; regatta of , ; prosperity in , ; opening cruise, ; foot classes, ; a, b, c classes, ; increase in number of regattas, ; shifting keels, ; rating classes, ; / -raters, ; programme for , ; service to amateur seamanship, ; the regatta of , royal st. george's yacht club, kingstown: queen's cups received, ; established , ; chart of course, royal south australian yacht squadron, adelaide, royal southampton yacht club, ; the regatta of , ; map of the warner and lymington course, royal southern yacht club: queen's cups received, ; jubilee regatta of , royal sydney yacht sq., royal thames club, , , - ; matches of , - royal ulster yacht club: queen's cups received, ; - / -raters, ; headquarters, ; regatta of , ; map of the course, royal victoria yacht club, ryde, , - royal west of ireland club, queen's cups, royal western yacht club, plymouth, , - royal windermere lake yacht club, founded , ; leading feature, ; precautions to insure good racing, ; map of course, royal yacht club of victoria, australia, royal yacht squadron: club-house, ; established , ; position in yachting world, ; new club-house, ; seal, ; reception of emperor and empress of the french, ; class of vessels, ; cup to r.t.y.c. in , ; cup of taken by 'america,' ; jubilee ( ), ; in queen's jubilee year, ; queen's cup winners, ; averse to steam yachts, ; fleet, , ; queen's course, ; regatta of , royal yorkshire club, 'ruby' (thames boat), ruck, f., r.e., r.p.c.y.c., russell, george (r.n.y.c., ), rutherford, l. m., n.y.y.c., ruthven, edward s., r.n.y.c., , ryder, admiral, r.p.c.y.c., 'sachem,' amer. schooner, 'sadie,' amer. yacht ( ), st. augustine, bay of (u.s.), 'st. george,' st. yacht, , 'st. george,' coronation sailing society dispute regarding the match of , 'st. george' ( tons), cumberland fleet, , st. george's, bermuda, dinghy racing at, - st. john's river (florida), ; 'america' found sunk in, st. kilda, australia, st. lawrence club, montreal, st. lawrence river, canada, st. olave's, on the waveney, 'saivnara' ( -footer), salhouse broads, 'samoena,' , , san francisco, bay of, sandwich, lord, sandy hook lightship, sanitary precautions on yachts, - 'sanitas' for yacht sanitation, santa barbara, santa katalina, 'santry' ( tons), 'sappho,' american schooner, , , , 'satanella' ( tons), 'satanita,' in jubilee regatta of r. mersey y.c., , ; designer and builder, ; r.t.y.c. race june , , ; the royal southern, june , ; royal mersey, june , ; royal northern, july , ; at hunter's quay, july , ; in clyde corinthian club match, ; royal clyde regatta, ; royal ulster regatta, ; royal irish regatta, ; royal london match, ; the meteor challenge shield, ; wins cowes town cup, ; and r.y.s. prize on aug. , ; wins royal albert match, aug. , ; torbay regatta, ; royal dart match, ; start bay club match, ; points superior to 'britannia,' ; record for season, ; mainsail, ; versus 'navahoe,' savage, mr., cork water club, savannah (georgia), 'savourna,' , savoy, colonel, r.p.c.y.c., sawyer, john, & co., sailmakers, new york, saxe-weimar, prince edward of, com., r.p.c.y.c., , , 'sayonara' ( tons), , schuyler, george l., n.y.y.c., ; his 'dream,' , ; part owner of 'america,' scovell, mr., r.a.y.c., 'sea fox' ( tons), american schooner, 'seabelle' ( tons), , , 'seaflower,' h.m. brig, 'seagull,' r.m.y.c., , seawanhaka yacht club, new york, 'secret,' r.t.y.c., 'secret' ( tons), , selwyn island (n.z.), senior, julian, r.p.c.y.c., 'senta' ( -tonner), , 'shadow,' american sloop, built on 'compromise model,' ; lines, shankill (co. dublin), shankill corinthian sailing club, sharman-crawford, captain, rear-commodore r. ulster y.c., sharpies, canadian, sheddon, col., r.y.s. , 'sheilah' ( tons), - shepherd, j., his 'daydream,' sheppard, mr., starts the minor vauxhall gardens, ; gives cups to cumberland fleet, , 'shona' ( -tonner), signals, j. a. lyle's book of, 'silver star' ( tons), simonson, jeremiah, builder of 'north star,' simpson, messrs., sinclair, r., 'siola' ( -rater), 'siren' ( tons), 'sleuthhound' ( tons), , , small, captain, r.c.y.c., smith, a. cary, joint designer of 'vindex,' , ; designer of 'mischief,' ; 'priscilla,' ; position as a designer, , ; marine artist, smith & dimon, boat-builders, new york, smith & wellstood, glasgow, smith-barry, john, cork water club, , smith, e., cumberland fleet, smith, james (first commodore r. clyde y.c.), , smith, j. w., owner of 'secret,' r.t.y.c., , smith, mr., first commodore of cumberland fleet, smith, sir alex. ( ), smith, t., r.t.y.c., smyth, j., of helensburgh, com. r. northern y.c., 'snarley yow' ( tons), , snydam, d. l., joint owner of 'cygnet,' snydam, john r., joint owner of 'cygnet,' société des régates au havre, 'sonata,' arthur glennie's, soper, j. m., boat designer, , , , south california, south walsham broad, south walsham dyke, 'speedy,' h.m.s., spencer, j., r. clyde y.c., 'speranza' ( tons), yawl, 'spitfire,' cumberland fleet, dispute in match of , ; wins first match of r.t.y.c., spratt, nelson, designer of 'julia,' 'spray' ( tons), , , stalkart's 'naval architecture,' design from, start bay yacht club regatta, , ; map of course, stawell, sampson, cork water club, steam yachting in america: the 'north star,' , ; 'firefly,' 'clarita,' 'ocean wave,' and 'day dream,' ; open steam launch, ; flush-deck yacht, , ; deep-sea craft, ; engines, ; naphtha engines, steers, george, designer of 'gimcrack,' ; ability, ; share in designing the 'maria,' ; 'una' and 'julia,' ; 'america,' 'stella' ( - / -rater), sterling, colonel j., steven, mr., his 'comet,' stevens, commodore john c., n.y.y.c., his schooner 'america' wins r.y.s. cup in , , ; founder of n.y.y.c., ; his 'diver,' ; 'trouble' and 'double trouble,' ; 'wave' and 'onkahya,' ; 'maria' and 'gimcrack,' , - stevens, edward, part owner of 'maria,' , stevens, edward a., part owner of 'america,' , stevens, robert, part owner of 'maria,' steward, duties of an honorary, on a yacht, _et seq._ stewart and binney, designers of 'pilgrim,' stewart's island (n.z.), , stockholm, stone, douglas, yacht designer, ; builder of 'eva,' story, w. c., r.p.c.y.c., stoves for yachts, 'sunbeam,' lord brassey's steam yacht, , 'sunshine' ( tons), - 'surge,' surlingham broads, sussex, duke of, patron of royal western y.c., , sutherland, james (r. clyde y.c.), ; his 'echo,' sutton, captain, first rear- and vice-commodore r.p.c.y.c., , , , sutton, messrs., owners of the 'diamond,' sutton, sir richard, owner of 'genesta,' 'swan' ( -tonner), sweden, yachting in, swedish yachting club, 'sweetheart,' 'syanara,' american yacht ( ), 'sybil' ( tons), sycamore, skipper of 'corsair,' , 'sylph' ( tons), r.n.y.c., 'sylph,' american schooner, 'sylvie' ( tons), american schooner, symonds, sir w., designer of the old 'victoria and albert,' 'syren' ( feet), 'talisman' ( tons), tamesis sailing club, 'tar baby' ( -rater), 'tara' ( tons), 'tarifa' ( -rater), 'tarolenta' ( tons), american schooner, 'tartar' ( tons), tauranga harbour (n.z.), taylor, commodore thomas, cumberland fleet, , ; his clinker-built 'king's fisher,' - ; founder of thames yacht-racing, , ; his 'cumberland,' - , ; wins the match against 'eclipse' in , ; retirement, taylor, mr., , , taylor, mrs., 'terpsichore' ( tons), , texas, 'thalassa' ( - / -rater), 'thalia,' , , , , , , , , thames, the: the year an important epoch for yachting, ; first rowing regatta, ; introduction of -foot class, ; improved state at erith, ; match , thames, harwich, and cinque ports courses, map of, thames sailing club, thames united sailing club, thames valley sailing club, thames yacht club. _see_ royal thames yacht club thayer, bayard, boston y.c., , thellusson, percy, secretary r.v.y.c., ryde, 'thetis,' 'thief' ( -rater), 'thistle' (afterwards 'meteor'), , , , thomas, sir g., r.y.s. , thomond, marquis of, cork water club, , thompson, f., owner of 'challenge,' thompson, g. b., r.a.y.c., , , thomson, gordon, r.n.y.c., , thomson, robert, r.n.y.c. (sec. , admiral ), 'three brothers,' thurne, river, , , , 'thyra,' 'tidal wave' ( tons), timaru harbour (n.z.), 'times' (august , ) cited, ; (july , ), tinned fruits and vegetables, 'titania,' american cutter, tooker, william, builder of 'rebecca,' torbay regatta, , ; race chart, 'torch' ( tons), , , 'torment' ( tons), , toronto, , torres straits, 'tottie' ( -footer), , towers-clark, captain, owner of 'varuna,' townsend, j., owner of 'whirlwind,' 'triton,' amer. schooner, 'trixie' ( -tonner), 'trouble,' j. c. stevens's, 'troublesome' ( - / -rater), turnley, j., r.n.y.c., , tyars, jonathan, proprietor of vauxhall gardens, ; presents cumberland fleet with a cup, 'ulerin' ( tons), 'ulidia' ( tons), , , , 'una,' sloop, n.y.y.c., ; lengthened, 'undine' ( - / -rater), 'undine,' american sloop ( ), union des yachts français, union steamship co., , 'unit' ( -rater), upper thames sailing club, club-house at bourne end, ; challenge cup, 'uranus' ( . -rater), cutter, ure, mr., his 'lily,' ure, r., urquhart, major, uxbridge, lord, r.y.s., , 'valentine' ( -rater), 'valiant' ( , tons), 'valkyrie' ( tons), 'valkyrie,' lord dunraven's, , , ; in races in , - ; compared with 'britannia,' ; record for the season, ; canvas, ; dimensions, ; in american waters, ; matches against 'vigilant,' - , - 'vampire' ( tons), - vanderbilt, cornelius, owner of 'north star,' ; 'valiant,' vanderbilts, the, 'vanessa' ( tons), 'varuna,' , , , , , , vauxhall cup, cumberland fleet, , vauxhall gardens, proprietors place a wonderful car on the thames in , ; cups given by them to the cumberland fleet, 'vega' ( tons), velocity of wind, difference in the effect of, in english and american waters, 'velzie' ( -rater), 'vendetta' ( -rater), , 'venelia' ( tons), 'venus,' cumberland fleet, 'venus' ( tons), 'verena' ( feet), 'veronica' ( tons), 'vesta' ( tons), american schooner, 'victor,' 'victoria,' american sloop ( ), blockade-runner, victoria, australia, 'victoria and albert,' , , ; new yacht, , 'vida' ( -footer), , 'vigilant,' , , , ; characteristics, ; dimensions, ; boom, ; in first regatta of n.y.y.c., cruise of , ; goelet cups, ; pitted against 'valkyrie,' ; wins three matches, - , - 'vigorna' ( -rater), , 'viking,' 'vindex' ( tons), 'vindex' ( tons), first iron yacht built in america, , 'viola' ( tons), 'virago' ( tons), 'vixen,' cumberland fleet, in a race in , ; wins a club cup in , 'vixen' ( tons), , 'vixen' ( tons), american sloop, dimensions, 'vol au vent' ( tons), , 'volador' ( feet), 'volunteer,' , voorhis, j., designer of the 'madeleine,' voorhis, william, owner of 'addie,' waimea (n.z.), waitemata (n.z.), , waiwera (n.z.), walcot, john, cork water club, , wales, prince of, names and dates of yachts owned by him, ; his 'britannia' competes with 'navahoe,' for gold challenge cup of r.v.y.c., ; his 'belle lurette,' ; commodore of r.t.y.c., ; enthusiasm evoked by 'britannia,' walford, mr., r.p.c.y.c., walker, mr., his 'bella,' 'wanderer' ( -tonner), , 'wanderer' ( tons), american schooner, , , 'wanderer,' steam yacht, wanhill, mr., 'wasp' ( -footer), , water wag association, institution of the, 'water wags' and mermaids of dublin bay, - 'water witch,' r.t.y.c., waterbury, j. m., n.y.y.c., , , , waterhouse & chesebro, waterman, mr., designer of 'mosquito,' 'waterwitch' ( tons), brig, earl of belfast's, watkins, a., yacht designer, watson, g. l., designer, , , , , , , , , , , , 'wave' ( tons), , 'wave' ( feet), 'wave,' john c. stevens's, 'wavecrest' ( tons), yawl, , 'waveney' (norfolk barge), , waveney, river, , , webb & allen, messrs., american boat-builders, webb, beavor, builder of 'kate,' 'wee winn,' fin-keel boat, weir, david, of partick, his -rater half-model, weld, joseph, owner of 'alarm,' r.y.s., , , wellington (n.z.), first class championship yacht race at, , , welshe, sir g., r.y.s., , 'wendur' ( tons), , , 'wenona,' fin-keel boat, , west, j. r., r.p.c.y.c., , west, t. b. c., , , , westport (n.z.), wetmore & holbrook, weymouth, whangaroa (n.z.), wheatley, col., r.y.s. , wherries, norfolk, 'whirlwind' ( -ton), yawl, white island (n.z.), white, j., builder of 'latona,' 'white slave,' , , wicklow, 'widgeon' ( tons), r.t.y.c., 'widgeon' ( tons), american schooner, wildy, a. g., r.p.c.y.c., wilkes, hamilton, n.y.y.c., ; his 'spray,' , ; part owner of 'america,' wilkinson, a. o., owner of 'phantom,' , william iv., gives a cup to r.y.s., ; patron of the r.n.y.c., ; of the r.t.y.c., ; death of, williams, lawrence faulkes, wilson, adrian, his improvements in duck and yarn, wilson, mr., part owner of 'ida,' wilson & griffen, sailmakers, wilson & silsby, sailmakers, boston (u.s.), , , winde & clinckard, boat-builders, new york, 'windfall,' 'windsor castle,' , winsor, t. g. f., hon. sec. r.c.y.c., erith, winteringham, mr., yacht-designer, new york, wood, n., his 'corinne,' woodbastwick broad, 'woodcock' ( -rater), 'wren,' miss foley's, wroxham, , , , , , , wroxham broad, , , wylie, robert, , , 'xarifa,' schooner, , 'xema' ( tons), - y.r.a. rule of measurement by length and sail-area, yacht racing in , ; decline in - and -raters, ; -raters, ; -raters, ; -footers, ; -raters, ; - / -raters, ; -raters, ; review of big-cutter contests, - ; records of -raters, ; of -raters, 'yarana' ( tons), yare, river, , , , , yare sailing club, ; rating classes, ; regatta, yarmouth, , , , , , , , york, duke of, admiral of the royal london y.c., york, duke of, loses a sailing match to charles ii., , york, william (treasurer r. clyde y.c.), , , 'yseult' ( -tonner), 'yum-yum' ( feet), 'zampa,' american yacht, 'zenobia' ( tons), prince of wales's, 'zephyr,' , 'zinita' ( -rater), ; record for the season , 'zoe,' c. johnson's, 'zouave,' american yacht, zymine, compound, for yacht voyages, _spottiswoode & co. printers, new-street square, london._ [illustration: the boys hawking on the broad.] the swan and her crew, _or the adventures of_ three young naturalists and sportsmen _on the broads and rivers of norfolk_. by g. christopher davies, author of "mountain, meadow, and mere;" "rambles and adventures of our school field club;" "angling idylls;" etc., etc. second edition. _with numerous illustrations._ london: frederick warne and co., bedford street, strand. new york:--scribner, welford and armstrong. london: r. clay, sons, and taylor, printers, bread street hill, queen victoria street. preface. a preface is like the bow of an actor when he comes on the stage, or like the hand-shaking of two friends when they meet--the prelude to the entertainment, or the friendly conversation. i suppose, therefore, i must follow the fashion, and say, "how d'ye do?" in this way. i hope the answer will be, "quite well, thank you, and much the better for seeing you." in a book of similar character to this one, which i published a short time ago, i offered to reply to any questions which any of my young readers, who wished for further information upon any of the subjects mentioned in that book, might put to me, by means of letters addressed to me, to the care of the publishers. i then had the pleasure of answering many such letters, and i now repeat the offer to the readers of this book. i am indebted to my friend mr. william whitwell, of oxford, who is, like myself, a lover of boys, for the chapter on the "life of a fern." contents. page chapter i. greeting.--the broad district.--hickling broad.--felling a tree.--dodging the swallows.--shooting the crossbills.--the boat-house. chapter ii. stuffing the crossbills.--the proposed yacht.--an impaled woodcock. chapter iii. a momentous decision. chapter iv. digging for pupæ.--dick carleton.--metamorphoses of butterfly. chapter v. building the yacht.--the launch.--great crested grebe's nest.--a floating coot's nest.--golden crested wrens.-- their migration.--the flight of a heron. chapter vi. mr. meredith.--"whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might."--a botanical lecture.--the goat moth.--blowing up a tree.--an astonished cow.--caterpillars in the wood. chapter vii. a trial sail.--preparing for a cruise.--charging a reed bed.--an explosion of birds.--the first adventure.-- orange-tip butterfly.--no salt.--how salt is obtained. chapter viii. an eerie night.--a ghostly apparition.--the barn owl.--a will-o'-the-wisp.--the ruff and reeve.--snaring ruffs.--a nest.--wroxham broad.--mud-boards and leaping-pole.--wild duck's nest in a tree. chapter ix. chameleon.--light-coloured eggs.--sitting birds have no scent.--forget-me-nots.--trespassing.--the owner.--a chase.--capture.--pintail duck.--drumming of snipe.--swallow-tail butterfly.--a perilous adventure. chapter x. moonlight.--instinct and reason.--death's head moth.-- bittern.--water-rail.--quail.--golden plover.--hen-harrier and weasel.--preserving bird-skins. chapter xi. to the rescue.--a long-tailed tit's nest.--a shower of feathers. chapter xii. yarmouth.--the "rows."--a stiff breeze.--an exciting sail.--sparrow-hawk's nest.--a nasty fall.--long-eared owl.--partridge.--sandpiper. chapter xiii. a grizzly bear.--gossamers.--strike only on the box. chapter xiv. oulton broad.--lateeners.--lowestoft.--ringed plover's nest.--oyster-catcher.--shore-fishing.--a perilous sail. chapter xv. animals which never die.--a wonderful tip to his tail.-- thunderstorm.--swan's nest.--bearded tit.--reed-wrens and cuckoo. chapter xvi. old school-fellows.--tom-tit's nest in boot.--nuthatch.-- wryneck.--ant-hill.--marsh-tit.--a comical fix. chapter xvii. the boat-race.--winning.--mr. marston.--nightingale and nest.--the noise of the nightingales. chapter xviii. a queer umbrella.--visit to scoulton gullery.--driving tandem.--running away.--black-headed gulls.--collecting the eggs.--carp.--wood argus butterfly.--scarlet pimpernel.--grasshopper warbler.--chiff-chaff.--gall-fly.-- robins' pincushions. chapter xix. back again.--taken in tow.--bobbing for eels.--glow-worms.-- home.--urticating caterpillars. chapter xx. golden oriole.--landrail.--house-martins in trouble.-- siskin.--peacock and red admiral butterflies.--winchat's nest.--bitten by a viper.--viper and snake.--slow-worm. chapter xxi. fishing.--jimmy's dodge.--bream-fishing.--good sport.-- fecundity of fish.--balance float.--fish-hatching.--edith rose.--a night sail. chapter xxii. calling for landrails.--landrail shamming death.-- yellow-under-wing moth and wasp.--dragon-fly and butterfly.--stink-horn fungus.--sundew. chapter xxiii. setting night-lines.--an encounter with poachers. chapter xxiv. water insects.--aquaria. chapter xxv. making a fern case.--ferns.--harvest mouse.--mole.-- ladybird.--grasses. chapter xxvi. the life of a fern. chapter xxvii. on the "war-path."--rabbit-shooting.--flapper-shooting.-- duck-shooting.--wood-pigeons.--life in an oak-tree.-- burying-beetles.--lace-wing fly.--stag-beetle.--hair-worm. chapter xxviii. purple emperor.--his taste for carrion.--woodpecker.-- blue and small copper butterflies.--buff-tip moth.--moths at ivy.--strange-looking caterpillars. chapter xxix. how to attract perch.--perch-fishing.--pike.--good sport.--plaster casts.--model eggs. chapter xxx. eel-fishing.--setting the nets.--elvers.--the merivale float. chapter xxxi. hawking. chapter xxxii. heron-hawking.--great bustard.--stock-dove in rabbit-hole.--"dowe" dogs.--search for bustard's egg. chapter xxxiii. water-hen swallowed by pike.--casting-net.--trapping water-hen for bait.--a monster pike. chapter xxxiv. fishing on stilts.--a capsize.--wild-fowl shooting.-- a flare-up. chapter xxxv. punt-shooting on breydon.--a narrow escape. chapter xxxvi. drifted to sea.--a perilous position.--rescue. chapter xxxvii. the broad frozen.--skating.--fish frozen in ice.--birds frozen to the ice.--ice ships. chapter xxxviii. the thaw.--cromer.--prehistoric remains. chapter xxxix. the boys' note book. chapter xl. the regatta.--the "waterlog's" victory. chapter xli. the conclusion. list of illustrations. page the boys hawking on the broad _front._ crossbill woodcock metamorphoses of butterfly the park in summer white hawthorn butterfly building the boat a yarmouth yawl the common coot common wren and egg heron orange-tip butterfly the barn-owl and egg wild duck roach chameleon redbreast and egg yacht common snipe swallow-tail butterfly moonlight scene death's-head moth bittern water-rail african bush quail nest of golden plover hen-harrier weasel long-tailed tit and egg sparrow-hawk long-eared owl common partridge egg of common partridge common sandpiper lateen sail ringed plover oyster-catcher swan's nest swan cuckoo and egg tom-tit and egg nuthatch wryneck working ant and portion of ant-hill egg of wryneck marsh-tit and egg pair-oared boat mr. marston's house nightingale nightingale's nest common gull young gulls covered with down carp chiff-chaff oak-gall fly glow-worm oriole nest of american species of oriole landrail or corncrake house-martin siskin peacock butterfly, chrysalis, and caterpillar red admiral butterfly winchat and egg viper common ringed snake slow-worm bream angling trout dragon-fly metamorphoses of flesh-fly water-beetle pupa and compound eye of dragon-fly larva of gnat. escape of gnat from its pupa-case metamorphoses of plumed gnat pupa-case, larva, and fly of caddis-worm minnow smooth newt metamorphoses of newt water-fleas and animalculÆ in drop of water as seen under the microscope fresh-water aquarium metamorphoses of frog sea-water aquarium wall spleenwort forked spleenwort green spleenwort oak fern fructification of ferns wall rue, jersey fern, marsh fern harvest mouse and nest mole ladybird and its stages fern spores scaly spleenwort or "rusty back" wilson's filmy-fern, tunbridge filmy-fern wild rabbits wood-pigeon suspended leaf tents lace-winged fly stag-horned prionus and diamond beetle green woodpecker blue butterfly the haunt of the purple emperor perch and gudgeon pike eels apparatus used in hawking common heron great bustard doves wild duck shooting mole cricket common lizard osprey great crested grebe white ants' nest, ants, etc. hedgehog honey buzzard the swan and her crew. chapter i. greeting.--the broad district.--hickling broad.-- felling a tree.--dodging the swallows.-- shooting the crossbills.--the boat-house. with the same feeling of pleasure which one experiences when one writes to an old friend, i commence to write this new book, which i hope will be read by many a boy friend. it is very pleasant to an author to feel that he has a large circle of acquaintances whom he has never seen, and who know him only through his books. it should be his aim and endeavour to extend that circle of friends, and to increase the good feeling which they bear towards him. therefore, my dear boys, i hope that after reading this book which i now submit to your approval, you will conceive as affectionate a regard for me as i have for you. this is a story of sport and adventure, natural history and science, and the movers in it are three boys just like yourselves; and that you may understand the better what they did, i shall first describe the scene of their exploits. it is the eastern part of norfolk, and no better place could be found as a field for the doings of three enterprising young naturalists and sportsmen. it is known as the "broad district," and it consists almost entirely of lake, river, and marsh. if we take yarmouth on the sea-coast as the starting-point, and look inland, we shall see first of all a large tidal lake known as breydon water. from this radiate three rivers going north-west, west, and south-west. the chief of them is the yare, which winds for thirty miles inward to the old city of norwich. on our right is the river bure, or north river, which after a very long and winding course leaves the marsh, and enters a richly-wooded country. to the south is the waveney, a clear and beautiful stream, which flows past beccles and bungay, two towns in suffolk. all these rivers are slow of current, wide and navigable not only for yachts, but for vessels of large burden, such as wherries, billy-boys, and small steamers. the banks of the rivers are fringed with tall reeds, and they flow through miles of level marsh, where, as far as the eye can reach, there is nothing to be seen but the white sails of the yachts and the dark sails of the wherries, and occasional windmills which are used for pumping the water out of the drains into the rivers. in order to deepen the channel of the river for the purposes of navigation, the embankments have been raised so high that the surface of the water is much above the level of the drains which carry the water off the surrounding marshes, and so the water has to be pumped into the river out of the drains by means of pumps set in action by windmills. here and there amid the wide extent of marsh are large lakes or lagoons, which are locally termed "broads." these are very numerous and many of them very large. most of them are connected with one or other of the rivers. those on the yare, are surlingham and rockland broads; on the bure, or connected with it by long dykes, are filby and ormesby broads, walsham, ranworth, hoveton, wroxham, barton, martham and hickling broads, and heigham sounds. all these broads are full of fish, large pike and perch, and shoals of enormous bream. they are all very shallow, and are surrounded by dense aquatic vegetation, reeds, rushes, flags and bulrushes, and these are the haunts of many rare birds, and swarm with wild-fowl. the great characteristic of this part of the county is its utter loneliness and wildness, both qualities which are of especial interest to the sportsman and naturalist. as it is also the most eastern county of england, it is the first to receive many of the rarer migrants on their passage to our shores, and more rare birds are caught there each year than in any other part of our "tight little island." it is on the shores of hickling broad, and on a bright december day, the first of the christmas holidays, that our story opens. a tall large-limbed boy, about sixteen years of age, yellow-haired, and blue-eyed, stands with his hands in his pockets, looking over the waste of waters on which the wavelets are dancing before a fresh breeze. his name is frank merivale, and he appears deep in thought. the broad waters he is gazing over are lonely and deserted save for occasional flights of wild-fowl, a marshman slowly pulling his boat across, and a wherry (as a norfolk sailing barge is called) beating to windward along the broad, making very slow tacks to and fro, the reason of which would not be apparent to one who did not know the broad. why does she not take long stretches which would take her more swiftly on her course? the reason is this, the broad is not more than three feet deep all over, save for a narrow channel in the middle, which is marked out by posts at long intervals, and if the wherry forsook this channel she would run aground. the norfolk wherries are of very peculiar build and graceful appearance. they are long, low, and shallow, rather flat-bottomed, but fine and sharp in the stem and stern, which gives them a good hold of the water. they have one mast, stepped well forward and weighted at the foot so that it can be lowered to pass under bridges, and be easily raised again. this mast supports one immense sail, tanned black or red-brown. they sail wonderfully fast, even rivalling the yachts in their speed, and they can go very close to the wind. they are generally worked by two men, who live and sleep in the little cabin astern. we left frank merivale very much absorbed in thought. all at once a happy thought seemed to strike him, for he started from his reverie, and began to execute a step something between a walk and a war-dance. a clump of rushes put an untimely end to this by tripping him up, and causing him to measure his length upon the ground. with philosophical composure he picked himself up, and walked off, whistling merrily, towards a fir copse which stood upon the crest of a rising, lying above. we should say that while the flat marsh stretches between hickling broad and the sea, to the westward and inland the country is diversified with woods, and slight elevations forming a very pretty sylvan district. reaching the fir-wood frank entered it, and after looking about for a little time, he fixed upon a tall slender young larch-tree. he walked round and round it, and examined it critically, finally lying down on his back at its foot, and, with his eye close to its stem, glanced up it to see if it were perfectly straight. satisfied on this point, he took out a large clasp-knife, and marked the trunk with a huge cross. then he crossed the hedge and took his way through a large park, until he came to a paddock and pleasant house nestling among some large lime-trees, and surrounded by croquet lawns and well-kept gardens. it was an old house, built with many wings and projections and in many styles of architecture, the most prominent of which was a heavily-timbered elizabethan style. around the two principal sides of the house ran a wooden veranda, which in summer was luxuriantly hung with roses. this was frank merivale's home, and vaulting over the gate which separated the paddock from the lawn, he went into the house. coming down the broad staircase into the hall, he met his two sisters; the eldest, a girl of thirteen, was like her brother, blue eyed and yellow-haired, with a face full of fun and mischief. her name was mary. the younger sister bore the same strong family likeness and was barely eleven. "well, merry mary merivale," said frank, "is the pater in?" "yes, frank, he is in the library." "that's all right; and where are you going?" "we are going to dig pupæ for you," answered mary. "then you are a good little woman," replied frank, catching her round the waist, and giving her a kiss. "have you got a mat to kneel upon, so as not to catch cold?" "yes, we have got a mat and a trowel, in this basket, and we mean to get you a lot of moths. don't we, florrie?" "yes, ever so many." frank went along the passage, and entered the library. mr. merivale was seated at the table writing. he was a pale and studious-looking man, with a very kind and genial expression of face. he owned a small estate on the shores of the broad, and was a deep thinker and scholarly writer, writing books which were intended chiefly for college libraries. he looked up as his son entered, and said,-- "well, frank, what is it?" "please father, my birthday is next week." "i had not forgotten it, my boy." "well, sir, i suppose you are going to give me a present of some sort as usual, and i thought, if you don't mind, that i should like to choose my present this time for myself." "if you choose wisely, you shall have what you wish, frank." "well, sir, all that i want is that you should let me have one of the straight young larches by the broad. i want to cut it down at once that it may season by the spring." "it is rather a strange birthday present, frank, but you may have it, in addition to the one your mother and i were about to get you, which was morris's _british birds_." "oh, father, i am so glad. that is just the book i have been wanting." mr. merivale did not ask his son what the larch-tree was for. he thought that if frank wished him to know he would have told him at once. he had a most perfect trust in his children, and he delighted to let them see that he had this trust in them. hence it was their pride to deserve the confidence placed in them, and a happier family was not to be found in all norfolk. mr. merivale supposed his son had good reasons for not making him a confidant in the matter of the larch-tree, so forbore to ask him. frank quickly made his way to the outbuildings, where he obtained a couple of axes and a long rope. laden with these he set off along a thickly-hedged lane until he came to a cottage, set far back in an old-fashioned garden. here lived jimmy brett, his great friend, a boy about the same age as himself, who lived with his grandmother, mrs. brett, in this quiet little cottage. as frank went up the garden walk he saw jimmy perched on a ladder, engaged in painting a long board, a foot wide, which he had fixed up the whole length of the front of the cottage, just below the bed-room window. "what on earth is that for, jimmy?" cried frank, in astonishment. jimmy turned round, revealing himself as a slight, pale-faced lad, with an eager and intelligent countenance, and replied-- "well, you see, the swallows build in such great numbers in these wide old-fashioned eaves that they are rather a nuisance, and grandmother does not like the mess they make of the door-steps and windows below, so i thought if i put a board all the way along beneath their nests it would do away with the nuisance." "that is a clever idea, jimmy; but do you not think that the swallows will build _below_ the board next year. they will think you put it there just on purpose for them." "i never thought of that, frank," replied jimmy, looking rather blank; "but now you mention it i think it is likely enough they will;" and by way of parenthesis i may say that next spring the swallows and house-martins did build under the new board in great numbers, and so frustrated jimmy's plan altogether. "what are you going to do with those axes and that rope, frank?" "come and see; but first finish your painting, while i go in and see the grandmother." as the two boys walked off to the fir-copse, frank told his friend that he meant to cut down the tree, but he would not tell him what it was that he wanted it for, and jimmy's curiosity was provoked to a great degree. when they reached the wood they proceeded to the tree which frank had marked, and jimmy was sent up to fasten the rope to the top of it. then while frank took off his coat and applied the axe vigorously to the bottom of the tree, making the chips fly in all directions, jimmy took the other end of the rope over the fence, and kept a steady pull upon it. at last the tree began to creak and groan, and then fell over with a crash. jimmy then took the other axe, and the two began to lop off the branches. this was a long job, and when it was finished they were very warm and tired, and sat down to rest for a while on the fallen tree. a clicking and cracking sound in the wood about them now became audible to their quick ears. it might have been heard before had it not been drowned by the noise of the axes. they looked up, and to their great delight they saw a small flock of birds larger than a green linnet, and with plumage of red, brown, and yellow. they were flitting about the fir-trees, cutting off the fir-cones with their bills, and then holding them on the branches with their claws, and cracking them, and picking out the seeds, producing at the same time the noise which had attracted the attention of the boys. "what are they?" exclaimed jimmy; "their beaks are hooked, and cross each other. i never saw birds like them before." "they are crossbills, as sure as we are here!" said frank, excitedly. "run to the boat-house as quick as you can, while i watch them, and bring the gun." brett sped off like a deer, while frank followed the movements of the strange birds with interest. jimmy returned with the gun, and quite out of breath. "now," said frank, "from the difference in colour there are evidently males and females here, and we must get one of each; and we must do it without disturbing the others, as if we don't frighten them they may stay here and breed." they watched for some time before they could get the desired chance, and then two birds flew, toying with each other, to some distance from the rest. they were evidently male and female. frank put the gun to his shoulder, a report rang through the wood, and both the crossbills, for such they were, fell dead to the ground. frank might have shot many more, but he was a thorough naturalist, and, as such, he disliked the idea of indiscriminate and useless slaughter. he had procured specimens sufficient, and he humanely let the others go. "now, jimmy, we have got a prize. crossbills are not seen every day. let us go to the boat-house and skin them, and read something about them in our books." the boat-house, which belonged to mr. merivale, stood at the edge of a little bay of the broad. it was a large, substantial structure, projecting out into the water, and having a large room above, approached by a staircase. this had been appropriated by frank as his "den," and here it was that he and his friend transacted all their private business, held their natural history meetings, skinned and stuffed birds, and kept their collection of birds' eggs and butterflies. chapter ii. stuffing the crossbills.--the proposed yacht.--an impaled woodcock. frank led the way up stairs, and unlocking the door they entered the room, and piling up some brushwood in the grate they lit it, and soon had a roaring fire. the room now presented a very cheerful appearance. a large window at one end looked out over the glittering broad. the room itself was plainly furnished with a few deal chairs and a table, and at one side of it was an old-fashioned bureau, in the drawers of which the boys' natural history collections were stored. around the room were several shelves, on which were some very creditably stuffed birds, flower-pots filled with mould and covered with gauze bent over cane arches, the use of which will presently appear, and a good number of books on natural history, chiefly of a cheap and popular kind. frank got out a box containing knife-blades of various sizes fastened into handles of wood, two pairs of scissors, pliers, and other tools useful or necessary for skinning or stuffing birds; while jimmy brett took down a book on birds, and turned to the account of the crossbill; and as frank was busy at one end of the table skinning the birds, jimmy at the other end kept up a running commentary on his book for the benefit of his friend, in the following manner:-- "there is a lot about crossbills here, frank. they are rare, but they have been found at different times and in different months of the year in many parts of the kingdom. they vary greatly in size as well as in colour, according to age, sex, and the time of the year. they are yellow, red, green, or brown at different times, so if it were not for their cross bills it would be rather hard to distinguish them. there are two pictures of them here; one has a rose-coloured back and red-brown wings, and the other has a green back and brown wings. the beaks curve and cross each other, and appear to be particularly suited for breaking open the cones of fir-trees and picking out the seeds, and they will cut open apples and other fruit to get at the pips. they come generally in the winter, but often stay until the spring, and then they may breed here, although it is very seldom that their nests are found. they breed in norway and sweden, and nest very early in the year, and their nest seems to be like a missel thrush's, and is placed in fir-trees. their eggs are white with just a touch of blue or green, and spotted with brown spots." [illustration: crossbill.] "there, that is all that seems to be worth noticing, but we have got a prize worth having. i am afraid they will not stop and breed. there are not enough pine woods about, and they appear to be fond of going from place to place, so that it is not likely they will be here in the spring." while he talked, frank quickly and skilfully skinned and cleaned the birds, and then he painted the inside of the skins with a solution of corrosive sublimate dissolved in spirits of wine, which is a most excellent preservative and much more cleanly to handle than arsenical soap. then he loosely stuffed them with cotton-wool, smoothed the feathers, and placed them on a shelf to dry. "now, frank," said jimmy plaintively, "what _are_ you going to do with that young larch-tree? i have been very patient all this time, so you may as well tell me now." "well, jimmy, i have thought of a grand idea. you are the inventive genius of us two, and i usually carry things out; but i have invented something now which we must both help to carry out. what do you think of having a yacht, jimmy--a large yacht, so that we could sail all over the broad, and down the rivers, and all over the country, and fish and birdnest, and naturalize, and shoot wildfowl to our hearts' content? what do you think of that, my boy?" "it would be an awfully jolly thing, no doubt; but as far as hickling broad goes, it is too shallow for any yacht. why, except in the channel, it is not more than four feet deep in any part, large as it is; and parts of it are only two feet deep, so that if we had a yacht we should stick fast directly. besides, how are we to get a yacht?" "make one." "how? it will be impossible." "we could not make a yacht of the usual shape, and if we could, it would not suit our purposes. what i propose is that we should build a double yacht. just listen while i explain, and don't interrupt. we will make two long pontoons, pointed at both ends, and connect the two by cross-pieces, on which we can lay a deck and build a small, low cabin. such a boat would not draw more than a foot of water, and to make her sail to windward we should have a drop keel or centre board, which we could let down or draw up according to the depth of the water. then i think a lug sail and mizen would suit her best. we will build her ourselves. and inch deal is cheap enough, so it cannot cost so much. i have saved my pocket-money to buy a lot of books, but i can do without them for a time"---- "i have a couple of sovereigns," eagerly interrupted jimmy. "that is right; then we can do it swimmingly. we will build her in old bell's yard, and he will lend us what tools we have not got." jimmy warmly welcomed the idea, and, getting out some paper and pencils, they began to draw plans and estimates of cost with great enthusiasm. "and now," said frank, "we will go and see bell and ask him what he thinks of it." bell was a very eccentric old man, who lived on the shores of a small and winding creek, which ran up from the broad. by trade he was a tailor, but he united to this the very different occupation of a boat-builder, and filled up his spare time with fishing and shooting wildfowl. he was a close observer of the habits of beasts, birds, and fishes, and was a great favourite with the boys, whose visits he liked and encouraged. stepping into the boat that lay moored in the boat-house, the two boys rowed across a bend of the broad and up the creek to his cottage. the old man was at work in his yard, repairing the bottom of a boat, while his old wife might be seen at the window of the house putting the finishing-touches to the sunday coat of some village beau. "good morning, bell; it is a fine day." "good morning, young master. yes, it is a fine day, but it will be finer to-morrow. yon robin sings higher in the poplar this afternoon than he did this morning, and that is a sure sign that finer weather is coming." "i never knew that before," said frank. "no, you have not lived so long in the world as i have," replied bell; "but i am glad you have come, for i have a very strange sight to show you. look here." he went into the cottage, and returned, bringing with him a dry and withered branch, one end of which had been torn and slit, probably by the wind, so that it was a sharp and jagged spike. on the end of this was impaled a fine woodcock, dead of course, and with the sharp piece of wood imbedded in its breast. "poor thing, how did it get into that fix?" jimmy exclaimed. "well, sir, you see it was in this way. the birds, as you know, are now coming from abroad--i can hear great flocks of them at night sometimes as they fly overhead calling to one another--and last night you know was pitch dark, so that this woodcock, coming over at a great speed, flew against this sharp branch in the dark and spiked itself. when i got up this morning i saw it in that oak-tree, and i sent my boy up to cut off the branch, and knowing you would like to have it, i kept it, just as it was." "we are very much obliged to you, bell, and we will mount it and stuff it, just as it is. it will be an interesting thing to add to our museum, won't it, jimmy?" "i have often heard of birds flying against the telegraph wires and being killed in the dark, and of their dashing against windows, either attracted by the light, or not seeing the glass, but i have not heard of anything so curious as this. one cannot help feeling sorry for the poor bird. after a long and tiring journey, and expecting to find all its troubles over, to meet with a sad end like this!" [illustration: woodcock.] the boys then unfolded their plan to bell. anything out of the common was sure to interest him, and hence, though he was not so sanguine of success as the boys were, yet he thought it might be done, and offered to help them as much as he could, and to let them use his yard. "there is nothing like making a beginning," said frank, who was quick and impetuous in action, and he took off his coat and set to work vigorously to clear a space close by the water's edge, where the keel of a yacht might be laid, while jimmy went through their calculations of cost with bell. chapter iii. a momentous decision. when frank went home one of the servants told him that his father particularly wished to see him in the library as soon as he came in. he went into the library, and found his father and mother both there and looking rather serious. "sit down, frank," said his father. "we have something to say to you about which we wish you to think carefully before you decide. sir richard carleton has been here. he is not only a neighbour but a friend of mine, although as i do not go out much we seldom meet each other. he is a widower with one son, a boy about your age. do you know him?" "very slightly, sir." "well, this son of his, dick carleton, is very delicate; he has grown very tall and beyond his strength, and the doctor says he must not be sent to a public school. now at home he has no boy companions, and he is moping himself to death. sir richard says he takes no interest in anything; he won't ride or work, and if he goes on like this it will end in a serious illness. what his father wants to do is to arouse in him some interest in his life, and to awake him out of the deadly apathy he is in at present. sir richard knows your healthy outdoor mode of life, and your fondness for natural history and sport, and he thinks you might, if you chose, be the means of making his boy take some interest in the same sort of thing, and if you did so you would in all probability save his son's life. now what he proposes is this: that you should leave the grammar school at norwich, and that his son and you should be placed under the tuition of our rector until it is time to go to college. your education would be as well attended to as at norwich, and your mother and i could have no objection to the arrangement, but we wish you to decide for yourself." frank's decision was made at once. the life at the grammar school was very jolly, with its cricket and football and the rowing matches on the river, but if this new arrangement were carried out there would be far better opportunities of building and sailing the projected yacht, and of sporting and naturalizing on the broads and rivers, so he at once answered-- "i shall be very willing to try it, sir; but jimmy brett must be included in the arrangement. i could not desert him, and he would be miserable without me at school. it would never do to separate us now, father." "well, but do you think his grandmother can afford it? it will be more expensive than being at the grammar school." "then i tell you what, father and mother: the rector must only charge jimmy the same as the grammar school, and you must make up the difference to him, and i will do with less pocket-money." "you shall not make that sacrifice, darling," said mrs. merivale; "we will put that all right, and i will go and see mrs. brett in the morning." and so the matter was finally arranged, and that the boys might become well acquainted with each other, dick carleton was invited to stay at mr. merivale's. but before he comes we will just go back a few hours and follow merry mary merivale, as her brother called her, and her younger sister florrie, on their search for pupæ. chapter iv. digging for pupæ.--dick carleton.--metamorphoses of butterfly. about two miles further inland from mr. merivale's and in the midst of a fine and well-wooded country, was sir richard carleton's house. around it was a park with larger timber trees than were to be found in the rest of the countryside. mary and florence merivale had fixed on this spot as the scene of their labours in the cause of science, as represented by the collections of their brother and jimmy brett. leaving the path, they trespassed boldly in search of suitable trees for their purpose. frank had told them that the vicinity of houses was the best, because moths, in all probability attracted by the lights, laid their eggs on trees and shrubs near houses. so the two girls went up as near the large house as they thought they might venture without being seen, and commenced their search. a tall youth strolling languidly down a path through the woods saw two kneeling figures in red cloaks at the foot of a large willow-tree, and their movements aroused his curiosity, and while he stands looking at them let us say what manner of boy dick carleton is. he is very tall and thin, but he has a figure that only wants filling out to be handsome. he has a very beautiful face and head, and curly brown hair. his large dark eyes and pale complexion make him look more delicate than he really is, but he is afflicted with a listless melancholy that shows itself in every movement. it was this melancholy which had aroused his father's fears, and it was plain that if it were not checked in time grave results might follow. he stood for some time looking at the two girls, wishing to ask what they were doing, but too shy to do so. at last mary caught sight of him, and rising, she said-- "i hope we are not trespassing?" "you are trespassing, but it does not matter," replied dick, taking off his hat. "but may i ask what you are doing?" "we are digging for pupæ," answered mary. "and what are pupæ?" "don't you know?" asked mary in surprise. "no." "why they come into moths. the moth lays its egg, the eggs turn into caterpillars, which feed on leaves and trees, and then turn into these things," and she then showed him five or six large red cylindrical objects which she had in her basket. "when the spring comes these will turn into moths." "how wonderful," said dick. "i did not know that before; but if the caterpillars feed on leaves, how is it that you dig those from the ground?" "the caterpillars of some moths go into the earth before they change into the pupæ state. i do not know why: i suppose they think it safer." "where did you learn all this?" said dick, his eyes lighting up with a new life and interest at this first glimpse of what was to him a new and strange world. "from my brother frank and jimmy brett. they are making collections, and we are helping them as much as we can. my brother is frank merivale, and i am mary merivale." "and my name is carleton; but please tell me more about these things. will they turn into white butterflies?" "they won't turn into butterflies at all, but into moths, great ugly things with thick bodies; only frank and jimmy like them." [illustration: metamorphoses of butterfly.] "i should like to find some if you will show me how to dig for them. i suppose if i keep them they will turn into moths some time." [illustration: the park in summer.] "yes; put them into a flower-pot full of mould and keep it rather damp, and put something over so that the moths sha'n't fly away, and in the spring they will come out; but it is prettiest to see butterflies come out. they split open the chrysalis at the back of its neck and creep out, but their wings are all shrivelled up to nothing, and they climb up the side of the box, and then their wings spread out, and get so large and beautiful! i could find you plenty of the chrysalides of the white butterflies by your greenhouses, but if you want moths, take this trowel and dig around the other side of this tree about three inches from it and three inches deep. they do not breed on all trees; we have tried five to-day and found nothing, but at this one we have got twelve." more amused and interested than he had ever been before, dick knelt down and began to dig. very soon he found a large chrysalis, and, encouraged by this success, he dug more vigorously, and very soon he had found five, while the girls had increased their spoils to sixteen. "now, miss merivale, will you come to the greenhouses and show me how to get some butterfly chrysalides? i shall be very glad if you will, and i should like to introduce you to my father, and i will ask him to ask your brother here, then he could tell me more about these things." [illustration: white hawthorn butterfly.] mary hesitated, but florrie said, "oh, do go, mary;" so she consented, and they walked up through the gardens, and mary showed dick where to look for the chrysalides of the common white butterfly, which are to be found through the winter attached by a silken thread to the sheltered sides of walls, and under the coping of greenhouses and buildings near the gardens where the caterpillars have fed on the lettuces and cabbages. sir richard carleton was in one of the conservatories, and seeing him, dick cried out-- "father, these red things will turn into moths, and these greenish-white ones into butterflies." "yes, dick, i know they will." "but you never told me so before, father." "well, my boy, i never thought it would interest you, but i am very glad it does interest you. this is mary merivale, i think. how do you do, my dears? come into the library all of you, and i will show you some books on butterflies." they went into the house and had some tea and cake, and turned over the pages of a book on entomology with coloured plates, which had lain dusty and forgotten on the shelves until now, and mary and her sister pointed out to dick moths and butterflies which their brother and jimmy had in their collection. sir richard saw with delight that the right chord had been touched in his son's mind, and he no longer doubted the success of the experiment he had urged mr. merivale to try. the time slipped rapidly away, and when it was high time to go, mary and florrie were driven home by sir richard's groom, charmed with their visit, and full of praises of sir richard and his son. dick carleton was eager to know more of entomology, and set to work at once to read about it with an energy he had never displayed for anything before, and the father wrote off to his booksellers to order a newer and more reliable book upon the science than the one he possessed, to be given to dick. chapter v. building the yacht.--the launch.--great crested grebe's nest.-- a floating coot's nest.--golden crested wrens.-- their migration.--the flight of a heron. when dick carleton arrived at mr. merivale's to commence the visit which was to initiate the friendship of the boys, frank and jimmy were at the boat-house; and as soon as dick had been welcomed by mr. and mrs. merivale, mary took him off to the boat-house to introduce him to frank and jimmy, and see that he was shown their collections. when they opened the door they saw the two boys busy at the table, with sheets of paper and drawing instruments before them. dick felt and looked rather shy and nervous, but frank's hearty greeting put him at his ease. mary proceeded to do the honour of the place, and walked dick about from side to side of the room to show him their butterflies and birds' eggs, stuffed birds, and the other natural history curiosities which the boys had collected, while they were followed by frank and jimmy, who smiled at her eagerness. they had a very fair collection of eggs, including most of the common kinds, but their collection of butterflies was not so good, as neither frank nor jimmy cared so much for entomology as they did for ornithology. "what are all these plans and drawings for?" said mary, pointing to the litter on the table. "shall we tell her jimmy?" said frank. "yes, why not? she will know some time, so she may as well know now. besides, she can help us to make the sails, you know. we sha'n't do the sewing so well as the wood-work." so the great project of the yacht was explained. mary danced about the room in glee, and already fancied herself sailing about the broad. dick said-- "if it can be done, it would be the nicest thing one could think of." "it shall be done," said frank decisively, and dick looked up at him with admiring envy, and replied-- "then i will help you all i can, and go shares with you in the expense." "you are a brick," said frank; "come and look at our plans, and see if you can make any suggestions." later on, when frank and jimmy were left alone, frank said-- "he'll do, jimmy." jimmy said, "yes," but looked mournful. "what's the matter, jimmy?" "two are company, but three are none; and you may like him better than me." frank's hand descended heavily on his friend's shoulder, and he shook him roughly. "don't be a fool, jimmy," was all that he said, but in spite of the rude speech and the rough action, jimmy saw a meaning beyond, and was quite satisfied. his face grew bright again, and from that time forward a warm friendship existed between the three boys, and was never broken or disturbed by any twinge of jealousy. [illustration: building the boat.] they lost no time in commencing to build the boat. the first thing to be done was to make two long pontoons or floats, on which to erect the superstructure of the yacht. this was a comparatively easy matter. they made two long wooden boxes of the following sizes and dimensions. each box was twenty-four feet long, four feet wide in the middle portion and tapering off at each end to a fine point, and two feet six inches deep. it was made of one-inch deal, and strongly supported and fastened together by ribs and cross-pieces of wood in the interior. the seams were caulked with tow and a mixture of red and white lead, and then covered or protected by slips of wood nailed along them. these two pontoons were then laid on the ground side by side with a space of three feet six inches between their centres. they were then joined together by strong pieces of wood fastened the whole way across, every two feet. on the top of these again, a flooring of planks was laid, and neatly finished off round the edges with a bulwark of rope stretched on iron uprights. on this was erected a cabin three feet six inches in height, nine feet long and seven feet wide. this was fitted with a door at the aft end, and a row of little windows along each side. inside were two low broad seats, which were also intended to serve as beds when occasion should require. each pontoon was fitted with a rudder and a helm, and these were connected by a cross-piece of wood, so that both rudders were worked at once. on this cross-piece were two iron loops, that the steersman, holding on by them, might have greater power over the helm. each pontoon had a strong keel about two inches deep to protect its bottom from injury. such a keel was not sufficient to enable the boat to sail to windward, so two drop-keels or centre-boards were added, each about seven feet long and two feet six inches deep. these were fixed in a line along the centre two-thirds of the boat, and worked on strong pivots at their foremost corners, so that by means of chains attached to their aft corners and passing through holes in the deck they could be let down to any required depth, or hauled up in the space between the pontoons. these were intended to give the yacht a greater hold on the water when beating to windward. the main-mast was stepped close to the bows. its lower part was weighted with lead and iron, and was so arranged that if it were requisite to pass under low bridges, the mast could be lowered and raised with great facility, working on a fulcrum three feet six inches from the deck. there was no bowsprit, but the fore-stay was made fast to the cross-piece connecting the bows. the mizen-mast was attached to a cross-piece at the stern, and the mizen-sail was worked by a sheet rove through a block at the end of a fixed boom. the main-sail was a lug-sail with a large boom, and did not require to be dipped every time a tack was made. the above is a description of the yacht when completed, but it must not be supposed that it was made straight off with no labour. on the contrary, it took an immensity of time and labour before it was completed. the three boys worked at it manfully, frank taking the lead and doing the major portion of the work. indeed, they would have given it up many times had it not been for his pluck and determination. unforeseen difficulties fast presented themselves, and cost them no little thought to overcome. when they had got the two pontoons and the flooring done, they fell short of cash, and for two or three days they went about very disconsolately, until dick informed them that his father's gardener was about to demolish a summer-house in the garden, and that they might have the wood. this enabled them to make the cabin, and by dint of keeping their eyes open, and picking up every scrap of wood or iron, and every nail or screw which they came across, they got along pretty well until frank's quarter-day came, and he received his allowance of pocket-money. mr. merivale, who of course soon found out what they were after, laughingly said that they went about with such greedy eyes, and looked so suspiciously at everything, that he was afraid they might take a fancy to some part of him, as being useful for some part of their boat. [illustration: a yarmouth yawl.] at last they had everything ready but the sails, and then they had an unexpected stroke of good luck. dick discovered in an old lumber loft, a complete set of sails belonging to a yawl-rigged yacht which was formerly the property of his grandfather. these his father willingly gave to him. although so old they were strong, and they were speedily converted into sails for the yacht. then the yacht was painted white, and a small flat-bottomed punt with pointed bows was made to accompany her, and all was ready for launching. by this time the land was green with spring, and the boys had commenced their studies with mr. meredith the rector,--a clever, sensible welshman, just the man to attract and manage three such boys as ours. saturday, being a holiday, was fixed for the launching, and the boys were at bell's yard by six o'clock in the morning, getting everything in readiness for the great event, and excited with the thought of a long day's sail in a yacht of their own making. it was a warm, bright morning. the hedges were shining with a most brilliant green, and clothed in places with the creamy white of the hawthorn blossoms. the broad lay still and placid in the sunlight, and the pairing water-birds swam in and out of its reed-fringed margin, and from one to another of its dense 'ronds,' or islands of reeds. "there is not a breath of wind," said frank, wetting his finger, and holding it up, to feel if possible by the increased coldness on one side or another, from which quarter the wind was blowing. "i think there's a slight air from the south," he said. "yes," replied bell, "it will blow from the south or west to-day, if it blows at all, and i think from the look of those little fleecy clouds, that there will be a breeze before long." "well, i am sure the ancient mariner never longed for a breeze as much as we do now to try our beautiful boat with," said frank; "but by the way, what shall we call her? we have never thought of a name for her." dick replied: "call her the _swan_, because like the swan on 'sweet st. mary's lake,' she will float _double_." "bravo! that is not bad. we will call her the _swan_ then; but come, let us launch her." they set to work with a will, and, aided by bell, they quickly had her on the water. jumping on board, they felt the delight of being on board their own handiwork. they pushed the yacht along the narrow channel, which was barely wide enough for it, until they came to its outlet into the broad, and then they found their progress barred. a little promontory of rushes ran out across the dyke, and on the end of this promontory was a coot's nest containing eight eggs. it was necessary to cut away the promontory before the boat could pass into the open broad. they were loath to destroy the nest, so they carefully moved it from its position; and as it was very large and substantial, they allowed it to float, thinking the old bird would come and fix it herself. then with beating hearts they hoisted their sails. frank went to the helm, jimmy took the main-sail sheet, and dick the mizen sheet, while bell sat on the cabin and whistled for a wind. "i am sure the leaves of the trees are rustling a little bit," said dick. "and i think i see a ripple on the water," said jimmy. frank looked back and saw that they were already fifty yards from the shore, and that they were rapidly increasing the distance. "why, look! she sails fast, without any wind at all," he said; but then they became sensible that there was a slight zephyr from the south, which increased as they got out more into the open water. a ripple arose on the water, and the yacht sailed faster. a cheer broke from the boys as they saw their efforts were crowned with success. the breeze increased, and they sped along more quickly, passing over acres of shallow water that sparkled as clear as glass over the bright yellow gravel. immense shoals of bream and perch, and many large pike, darted away from them as they sailed on, and the _swan_ slipped as softly through the water as they could desire. they went the whole length of the broad, and then frank cried out-- "stand by, we are going about; haul in her sheet;" and putting the helm over, the yacht swung round like a top, and went across on the port tack up the broad. they put about again across to the reed bed, and after one more tack they came within hail of the boat-house, where they could see mary and florrie waiting for them, and waving their handkerchiefs. frank took his "line" steadily, and ran her up in the wind's eye within ten yards of the boat-house; and dick took the punt ashore for the two girls, who were loud in their expressions of delight and amazement. with this addition to their party they cruised about the broad for some hours, learning how to handle their craft, and gaining confidence in her. towards noon it came on to blow very hard, and they landed mary and florrie, and set to work to enjoy themselves the more thoroughly as the breeze grew stronger. the boat behaved admirably. she was as steady as a rock, heeling over but very slightly even when the breeze blew strong on her beam. she came about well, and if she hung fire or was in danger of missing stays they had only to haul on the mizen-sheet, and her head went round "in a jiffy." she drew little more than a foot of water, so could, when her keels were drawn up, pass over the shallowest part of the broad in safety. "i say, this is fine," said jimmy, rubbing his hands. frank said nothing, but his kindling eye and satisfied look showed how thoroughly he enjoyed it all. while making a long tack across the broad, they ran across a straggling bed of rushes at a shallow portion. they offered but little resistance to their passage, but as they charged through them, frank cried out-- "i say, we passed over a great crested grebe's nest. i saw the eggs roll out into the water;" and he ran the boat into the wind and let her drift back stern foremost to the spot where the nest had been. "it was only a lump of rotting weed, all broken and dirty," said dick. "that's what all grebe's nests look like," answered frank; "they cover them with reeds when they leave them, so that no one can see the eggs, and few would think there were any there. here's the place, drive the boat-hook in and hold the boat steady while i get up the eggs. there were five, but two are broken. what a pity! we don't want any for our collection, and the birds look so pretty on the broad, that it is a shame to disturb them, but we must take them now i suppose. let's go back and see how the coot's nest is getting on." they sailed back some way, and then to their great surprise, they saw the coot's nest floating across the broad, and the old bird swimming round it, and evidently very much puzzled to know what to do. "let us tack near her and watch," said jimmy. so they sailed round at a distance and watched the poor bird, which followed its boat-like nest as it drifted before the wind. at length the boys were pleased to see the bird make an effort to get on the nest, and so strongly built was it that it bore her weight well. there she sat, and sailed before the wind at a fair pace. "did you ever see the like of that before?" "no," answered bell, "but i warrant you that the eggs must have been hard set, and near to being hatched, or she would never have done that." "she deserves to hatch them, at any rate. had we better fix the nest or leave it alone?" "better leave it alone; i think she will stick to it if it does not sink below her." [illustration: the common coot.] on monday evening the boys sailed about the broad in search of the floating coot's nest, and found it among the reeds at the north end of the broad, and from the broken egg-shells in it they had no doubt but that the coot had hatched her young ones in safety, as she deserved to do. after landing bell they ran the yacht into a 'rond' of reeds, and proceeded to eat their dinner, which they had brought with them, and very happy and comfortable they were. the sun shone brightly, the warm wind rustled through the reeds and flags, the sky and the water were blue, their boat was a success, and they sat and talked of cruises, and planned expeditions, and were as merry and jolly as any boys need desire to be. while they were talking, half-a-dozen tiny little gold-crested wrens alighted on the cordage of the mast. they seemed very tame and tired, and descended to the deck to eat some crumbs which were thrown to them. [illustration: common wren and egg.] "what pretty little things they are, with their fiery yellow heads," said frank. "to think a tiny bird like that could make a long migration! these birds have only just arrived, that's clear." "do gold crests migrate?" asked jimmy. "yes, they go south for the winter, and come back again in the spring. i don't know how far they go, but they have been taken some distance from land. more probably, however, these have been blown from the coast, for i don't think they cross the sea as a rule." as they returned homeward, the boys in running round a point of reeds, came upon a heron, which scuttled away in great haste, and in a very undignified manner. it seemed at first as if they should catch him, as they followed him so closely, but as he got fairly away, he rose in the air and distanced them. "how slowly he flaps his wings," said dick. "how many times a minute do you think he flaps them?" asked jimmy. [illustration: heron.] "just about forty, at the outside," replied dick. "well, do you count, while i time you," and jimmy took out his watch and marked the time, while dick counted one, two, three, &c. when he had counted jimmy said-- "stop, the minute is up. aren't you astonished?" "i am, and no mistake. how deceptive his flight is, and just fancy at what a pace must the wings of the smaller birds go!" they brought the yacht to anchor in front of the boat-house, and went home to relate the adventures of their voyage. chapter vi. mr. meredith.--"whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might."--a botanical lecture.--the goat moth.--blowing up a tree.-- an astonished cow.--caterpillars in the wood. on the morrow, after morning service, the three boys (dick having been invited to spend the day with frank) were walking from church and talking upon the sermon which mr. meredith had just preached to them. it was a beautiful morning--one of those days on which it is a treat to live. the sun shone from a sky which was brilliant in its blue and white, the waters of the lake sparkled diamond-like under the stirring influence of a warm westerly wind. the scent of the honeysuckle and the roses in the cottage gardens filled the air with pleasant incense, and from every tall tree-top a thrush or blackbird sang his merriest. "that wasn't a bad motto which meredith took for his text: 'whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might,'" said frank. "i think it is a motto you endeavour to carry out, frank," answered jimmy. "well, i think if a fellow does that he can't be far wrong," replied frank; "but here is the parson himself." a tall, broad-shouldered man came quickly up and said to them: "well, boys, i hope you are applying my sermon to yourselves." "we should be glad to do so if we were quite sure about the application, mr. meredith," replied frank. "ah, you young rascal, you could not have been attending; but seriously, what i meant was this: you boys, and especially master frank, are very prone to take up a thing with all your might when once you begin. now that is very right and proper. whatever you do you should do your best to do well; but what i want you particularly to understand is that before taking up a thing, you should first of all think well and decide whether it is the right thing to do, and it is not until that question is settled that it becomes right to throw your whole heart into it. now the immediate application of this is this: you are going head over heels into the study of natural history, and you are making collections as fast as you can. now it won't take you long to decide that natural history is a very right and proper thing for you to take up, and therefore you may study it with all your might, and, i doubt not, to the praise and glory of god; but be very careful about the collecting part of the business. don't let your zeal carry you too far. don't let collecting be your sole aim and object, or you will become very low types of naturalists. let it be only secondary and subservient to observation. let your aim be to preserve rather than to destroy. remember that god gave life to his creatures that they might enjoy it, as well as fulfil their missions and propagate their species. therefore if you come across a rare bird, do not kill it unnecessarily; if you can observe its living motions it will interest you more and do you more good than will the possession of its stuffed body when dead." "i quite understand what you mean, sir," replied frank; "and it is only what my father has often told me before. we will try to follow our pursuits in moderation." "just so; then, as you have heard me so patiently, i will trouble you with another application of my sermon. do what you are doing _well_. don't let your observation be too cursory. don't be jacks of all trades and masters of none. this district is teeming with bird, insect, and animal life. you boys have peculiar opportunities for learning and discovering all that is rare and interesting. you are sharp, young, and active, and nothing can escape you. now is the time for you to store up facts which will always be valuable. buy yourselves notebooks; put down everything in writing which seems to you to be strange and noteworthy, and don't trust to your memories. but above all, take up some one branch of study and stick to it. it is well for you to know a little of everything, but it is better for you to know a great deal of one thing. therefore i should advise each of you to take up a line that suits him and to pay particular attention to it. thus you, frank, may take up ornithology; you, dick, should go in for entomology; and jimmy, why should you not take up botany?" the boys quite concurred in the justice of his observations, but jimmy said: "there is nothing i should like better than to know something of botany, but there seems so much to learn that i am almost afraid to begin." "oh, nonsense," exclaimed mr. meredith; "let me give you a first lesson in it now. i suppose you know the names of all the most common flowers; but just look at their beauty. see how this hedge-bank is yellow with primroses, and yonder you see the faint blue of the violets peeping from their bed of dark-green leaves, and here is the white blossom of a strawberry, which i pluck to show you of what a flower consists. first there is the root, through which it draws its nourishment from the earth. then there is the stem, and on the top of that is this green outer whorl or circle of leaves, which is called the calyx. within the calyx is the corolla, which is formed of petals, which in this case are of a beautiful white. the corolla is the part in which the colour and beauty of a flower generally resides. within the corolla are the stamens, and within the stamens are the pistils. the stamens and the pistils are the organs of reproduction, and the yellow dust or pollen which you see on most flowers is the medium by which the seeds are fertilized. now this flower which i have just plucked is the wood-sorrel. notice its threefold emerald-green leaf and the delicate white flower with the purple veins. it is pretty, is it not? see, if i strike it roughly, it shrinks and folds up something like a sensitive plant. it is a capital weather-glass. at the approach of rain both its flowers and leaves close up, and even if a cloud passes over the sun the flowers will close a little; and, finally, its leaves taste of a pleasant acid. there, you will have had enough of my lecture for the present, but i should like to tell you more about flowers some other time." the boys were both pleased and interested with what he had told them, and expressed their thanks accordingly; and then mr. meredith left them and went home to dinner. "i say, he is a brick of a fellow," said jimmy; "if all parsons were like that man everybody else in the world would have a better time of it." they went into the boat-house and sat at the open window looking over the sparkling broad. frank said: "i tell you what we must do. we must get meredith to give us part of our holiday at the end of may or beginning of june, and we will take a cruise over all the rivers and broads of norfolk and suffolk. we could do it nicely in three weeks and scour every inch of the country in that time. what do you say? i will undertake to get my father's consent and mrs. brett's. what will sir richard say, dick?" "if you go, frank, i am sure he will let me go; he has every confidence in you, and that you will keep us all out of mischief." "i will try. then it is agreed that we go." "most certainly. frank will go in for birds'-nesting, dick will catch butterflies and moths, and i must try to do something in the way of botany." "and now it is time to go in; but before we go i just want to say that there is an old willow-tree down by the broad which father thinks is an eyesore. i think that it is a likely tree in which to find the caterpillars of the goat-moth, which you know live on the wood of a willow, and eat long tunnels and galleries in it. what do you say to blowing the tree up with gunpowder?--it is only good for firewood, and perhaps we may find some caterpillars. shall we get up early in the morning, bore a big hole into the heart of the tree, and fill it with gunpowder, set a train to it, and blow the whole affair up?" such a proposal was sure to meet with consent, and at seven o'clock the next morning the boys were down at the tree, boring a large hole into it. the caterpillar of the great goat-moth feeds upon the wood of timber trees, notably oak, willow, and poplar. he is a smooth, ugly fellow of a red and yellow colour, with black feet and claws. he makes extensive galleries through the heart of a tree, eating and swallowing all that he gnaws away from the wood in his onward passage. during the summer he eats his way slowly through the tree, making numerous and winding galleries; but during the autumn and winter he takes a siesta, first casing himself in a strong covering made of chips of wood and the silk which he weaves. the next summer he renews his work, and so he lives and grows for the space of three years, and then turns into the pupæ state, and emerges about july a dark brown but not unlovely moth, which lives for a few weeks and then lays its eggs and dies. the boring was completed and was rammed full of coarse powder, and the mouth of the hole plugged up with a piece of wood. through this plug a small hole was bored, and through this a long hollow straw made into a fuse was inserted. setting fire to this, they retired to some distance to await the issue of their experiment. there was unfortunately a cow in the same meadow, and this cow was very much interested in their movements; so when they left the tree the cow approached, its curiosity the more aroused by the smoke rising from the burning fuse. "now there is an instance of unreasoning curiosity which animals possess. that cow will poke her nose into that tree, and get blown up for her pains if we don't stop her. let's shy stones at her." but stones in that marshy meadow were not easy to procure, so they tore up clods of earth and threw them at the cow. she scampered away, but went to the other side of the tree and again approached it. the boys dared not go any nearer to the old willow, because they momentarily expected the explosion, and they were in a great fright lest the cow should suffer damage. just then, with a loud report and much smoke the powder exploded. they threw themselves down to avoid any errant fragments, and the cow scampered off unhurt, but exceedingly astonished and frightened, jumped the ditch which separated the meadow from the next one, and finally landed herself in another ditch, from which she had to be drawn with ropes and a vast deal of trouble by some of the neighbours. the first thought of the boys was to see after the cow, and when they saw she was in a fair way of being pulled out, they returned to their tree, and found it split and torn to pieces and thrown about in all directions. it was quite a chance whether they found any caterpillars in the tree or not, and, to tell the truth, they hardly expected to be successful in their search. what was their delight then to find, that not only were there caterpillars there, but a great number of them. three or four they found dead and mangled by the force of the explosion, but the many perforations in the wood showed that there were many more caterpillars there. with the aid of a saw and axe they dug out several caterpillars not yet full grown, and also several pupæ which they knew would be out in two months' time. they carried some large pieces of the wood up to the boat-house for living caterpillars to feed on, and reinserted the pupæ in their wooden chambers, where they were safely kept until their appearance in july. the caterpillars of the white butterflies which dick had collected under mary's instructions had some time since come out, and it was a very pretty sight to see the chrysalis split at the head and the insect creep out with its wings all wet and crumpled, and then to watch them gradually expand to their full size and dry and harden, until the perfect insect was ready for flight, when with a few flaps of its wings, as if to try them, it would launch into the sunshine with a strong swift flight. chapter vii. a trial sail.--preparing for a cruise.--charging a reed bed.-- an explosion of birds.--the first adventure.-- orange-tip butterfly.--no salt.--how salt is obtained. the project of the cruise was not allowed to drop. the more the boys thought about it the more they determined to take it. the first thing to do was to obtain the consent of their elders. mr. merivale had no great objection to it. sir richard carleton was so pleased with the rapid improvement in the health and spirits of his son that he would have consented to anything he proposed. indeed, he was so anxious to help the boys in all their undertakings, that he would have spoilt them too much had it not been for the advice of mr. merivale, who said to him-- "don't let the boys think they can have anything they like for the asking, or you will spoil their independence of character. depend upon it they will find far more delight in making things for themselves than in having them bought for them, and it will do them more good." sir richard saw the wisdom of this advice, but he insisted upon giving them a book on botany; and one day when the boys went into the boat-house they saw on the shelves a nicely bound copy of ann pratt's _flowering plants of great britain_ in six volumes. this was a great acquisition to them, and jimmy, in the fulness of his delight, got upon the table with a volume under each arm, and executed a war-dance of exultation. the consent of the ladies was far harder to obtain. mrs. brett said she would see what mrs. merivale said; and mrs. merivale was afraid that it would not be safe, and for some days she hung back, and would not say "yes" or "no," although frank pleaded hard with her. his mother was very much afraid of the water. she did not like to see yachts heeling over as if they were going to be upset, and she thought the boys were not old enough to manage a yacht by themselves. frank at last persuaded her to take a sail in the _swan_, and see for herself how safe it was, and a day was fixed when everyone should have a sail on the broad, and try the capacities both of the yacht and of the boys as sailors. when the day arrived, however, frank put them off, saying it was not convenient. mr. merivale smiled as he guessed the reason. it was blowing a stiff breeze, and sailing on such a day would not reassure a timid woman. the next day, however, was fine, and came with a gentle breeze, just rippling the surface of the water, and with a confident air, frank got his party on board. the sail was quite a success. the yacht glided about on an even keel, and frank, who was at the helm, carefully avoided any abrupt motion in tacking or gybing. "you see it is quite safe, mother," said he. "yes, my dear, i suppose it is, and i suppose you must go, as you have set your heart upon it; but how can you possibly think of sleeping in that small cabin?" "one of us will sleep at each side, and the third will sleep in a hammock stretched across the middle." "but you will be suffocated, dear." "have no fear, mother, we will see to the ventilation." so they obtained permission to go, and, as time was an object, they set to work with great vigour to prepare for their voyage. they made a hammock out of an old sail. their beds were formed of cushions placed on the bunks on either side of the cabin. to prevent the necessity of tucking in their bedclothes they adopted a well-known dodge of yachtsmen; which is to double the sheets and blankets, and sew the sides and bottoms together, so as to form a bag into which they could creep. they took fishing-tackle with them, and also their old muzzle loader. dick took his butterfly net, jimmy a quantity of newspapers in which to dry plants, and frank an opera-glass, with which to watch the movements of birds at a distance. frank also took care to see to the eating department, and with his mother's help he got a very fair stock of provisions on board. the day at length arrived for their departure. it was the monday in the last week of may. at eight o'clock in the morning they bade farewell to mary and florrie, who had come to see them off, hoisted their sails, and away they went before a light breeze from the northward. a cheer broke from them as they found themselves fairly afloat, and the boat-house grow smaller in the distance behind them, and the waving handkerchiefs of the two girls could be seen no longer. it was a beautiful morning, and their spirits were high. holidays, sport, and adventure lay before them, a stout boat under them. there were no three happier boys in the world. they sailed slowly through the narrow outlet of hickling broad into whiteslea pool, and through another narrow passage into heigham sounds. a dyke called the old meadow dyke ran from the broad on the left into horsey mere; and frank proposed making a detour along this and exploring horsey mere, but the other boys were too anxious to get on. it was too near home to begin to explore. in the middle of heigham sounds, which is a good sized sheet of water, was a large bed of reeds, such as is locally called a 'rond.' "let us go slap-dash into that. we shall be sure to find some nests," said frank. "all right," said both jimmy and dick. so frank put the helm up, and the yacht drove on before the wind, surging through the rustling reeds, which bowed and bent before her, until she came to a standstill well into the heart of the rond. "down with the sails," said frank, and the halyards were let go and the sails came down with a run. as the yacht crashed into the rond there was quite an explosion of birds from it. water-hens, coots, and marsh-tits flew out on both sides, and from the centre of it rose a little duck with a bright, chestnut-coloured head and neck. "that is a teal," said frank, "we shall find her nest here, so look carefully." they jumped into the shallow water, having first taken off their shoes and stockings, and began to hunt about for nests. they speedily found several coots' and water-hens' nests, and also a dab-chick's; but they wanted none of these, and continued their search for the teal's nest. at last-- "here it is," said dick delightedly, and sure enough there the nest was, in a small bush which grew in the very centre of the rond, where the soil was pretty firm. the nest was large and thickly lined with feathers, and it contained twelve cream-coloured eggs. they took six of them, and then, satisfied with their spoil, they went back to their yacht, and tried to push her off again. but this was no easy task. they pushed and pushed, until they were exhausted, and the only effect their pushing seemed to have was to push their own legs deeper into the mud. the yacht refused to be moved. "well, this is a pretty go, to be wrecked at the very beginning of our cruise! we have run her almost high and dry. how they will laugh at us at home!" said jimmy. "they sha'n't have the chance of doing that. we will get her off somehow or other. we ought to have gone to leeward of the rond, and run her up in the wind's eye into it, and then we could have backed her off with the sails," said frank. "live and learn," said dick. "i vote we strip and go overboard again and try to lift her off. we can get the oars from the boat, and use them as levers." this was undoubtedly the best thing to do, and although the water was not over warm, they took off their clothes and worked and pushed away, until they made the mud around the yacht as soft as a pudding, and themselves as black as negroes. then the yacht moved a little, and putting forth all their strength they shoved her back into deeper water. not waiting to dress themselves, they ran the sails up and steered away for the kendal dyke at the south-east end of the broad. they meant to stay at the mouth of the broad to bathe and dress. there was no one to see them, so it did not matter. as they neared the mouth of the dyke, to their great dismay a yacht with several people on board came out of it. the people stared in blank astonishment at the strange double-bodied yacht and her still stranger crew. jimmy and dick dived at once into the cabin. frank could not leave the helm, and yet could not stay where he was; so without further thought he plunged into the water at the stern of the yacht, and, holding on by the rudder, he contrived to keep her on her course until jimmy reappeared with something thrown over him, and took hold of the tiller. when they came to an anchorage in a secluded spot among the reeds, they bathed and dressed. "well," said dick, "if we go on having adventures at this rate, we shall have plenty to tell when we get home." "i like adventures, but these are not the sort i like," said jimmy. "well, never mind, better luck next time," said frank, soothingly. sailing through kendal dyke, which in places was so narrow that the _swan_ brushed the reeds on both sides as she passed through, they reached the hundred stream, and, turning to the south-westward, they sailed, with no further adventure, until they came to heigham bridge, where they had to lower their masts in order to get through. while frank and jimmy did this, dick took his butterfly net, and went after an orange-tip butterfly, which he saw flying past. this butterfly is one of the first which makes its appearance in the spring, and it is one of the prettiest. it looks as if a bunch of red and white rose petals had taken to themselves wings and fled. it is a small butterfly, having an orange-red tip on the ends of its forewings. the male only has this ornament. the female has only a greyish black tip. the under surface of the wings of this pretty insect is no less beautiful than the upper. it is white, with bright green marblings, or what appear as bright green to the naked eye. when looked at through the microscope it will be found that the green appearance is caused by the mixture of black and bright-yellow scales. (i suppose that most of my boy readers will know that the dust which is so easily rubbed off a butterfly's wings is in reality a coating of scales arranged one over the other like feathers and of very exquisite shapes.) the caterpillar of the orange-tip is green, with a white stripe on each side, and the chrysalis is very peculiar in shape, tooth-like, and pointed at both ends. [illustration: orange-tip butterfly.] dick was a long time away; and when he came back, flushed with exercise, he had no less than eight orange-tips in his net, which he proceeded to kill and set there and then. they sailed on very slowly, for the breeze had fallen, until they came to the thurne mouth, and then they turned up the bure until they came to st. benedict's abbey, the ruins of which stand on the northern bank of the river. here they determined to camp for the night, and accordingly ran their boat into a marshy creek, and made her fast to the reeds. they were much amused at the remarks of the people whom they passed, whether on the bank or on board the wherries and yachts. the like of the _swan_ had never before been seen on norfolk waters. she was a _rara avis in terris_ and excited any amount of appreciatory and depreciatory comment. after making the boat snug and comfortable, the boys proceeded to cook their dinner. they brought out from the lockers some cold beef and ham, and boiled the potatoes in a small tin saucepan over the spirit-lamp. the meal was soon ready, and they sat down to it with most excellent appetites. "where have you put the salt, frank?" asked dick. "the salt?" replied frank, thoughtfully. "yes, the salt." "well, let me see. dear me, we must have forgotten it." "but frank, how can you--how can anybody eat beef without salt?" said jimmy reproachfully. "never mind, we will get some to-morrow," said frank, looking guilty. "there are no shops about here, and there are no salt-mines in the marsh," said jimmy, who refused to be comforted. "talking about salt-mines, have you ever been down one?" said frank, who was eager to turn the subject. "no; have you?" "yes, and a jolly sort of place it is." "then tell us all about it as a punishment." "it was at northwich, in cheshire, last year, when i was on a visit to my uncle. we drove over one day to look at the mines. they get an enormous quantity of salt from that district, and it is of two kinds, the white table salt and that dark lumpy salt they put in fields for cattle. they get the white salt from brine-pits, which are full of salt water. the water is pumped up and put into basins until it evaporates, and the white salt is left behind. there must be big holes in the earth filled with salt water, for as it is pumped away the surface of the earth caves in, and the houses lean against each other in a very tumble-down sort of fashion. the brown or rock-salt is dug out of mines, and we went down one of these. my cousin and i went down in a tub hardly large enough to hold us, and a workman clung to the rope above our heads. the shaft was dirty, narrow, and crooked, and we bumped finely against the sides. i didn't like it at all, i assure you; and when we cleared the shaft and hung suspended over a vast cavern, at the bottom of which were some dim lights, i felt rather in a funk. the man below reached up to us with a long pole, and pulled us away from the end of the shaft for fear of falling stones, and then we were lowered to the ground, and stepped out of the bucket and looked about us. we were in a very large cave, the roof of which was supported by immense square pillars of the salt rock. it was brown, of course, but it was quite translucent, and the light gleamed from it very prettily. our guide lit a piece of magnesium-wire, and i never saw anything so magnificent in my life. the whole place seemed set with precious stones, and the dirty, half-naked men, leaning on their tools, looked as picturesque as you could well imagine. then one of the men had finished boring a blast hole, and we waited while he filled it with powder and fired a shot. we all huddled in one corner of the cave, and then there was such a roar and smoke! the rock under our feet heaved and shook, and pieces of rock and stone flew about far too near for my liking." "i never knew how salt was got before," said dick. "nor i," said jimmy; "and as frank has told us so well we will forgive him for forgetting the salt." chapter viii. an eerie night.--a ghostly apparition.--the barn owl.-- a will-o'-the wisp.--the ruff and reeve.--snaring ruffs.-- a nest.--wroxham broad.--mud-boards and leaping-pole.-- wild duck's nest in a tree. as the night fell the wind rose and moaned dismally over the marsh, and black clouds covered the sky, so that the night promised to be dirtier than usual at this time of the year. lonely marshes stretched far and wide, with nothing to break their wild monotony save the ghostlike ruins of the abbey in the foreground. it was not a pleasant night for the boys to spend out for the first time alone, and an eerie sort of feeling crept over them in spite of their efforts to appear at ease. at length dick said-- "i feel as if wild beasts were prowling about on the watch for us, and that if we went to sleep we should be eaten up alive." "so do i," admitted frank; "but i suppose it will wear away in time. but what is that?" he exclaimed, in a startled tone, as an unearthly cry sounded among the ruins of the abbey, and a white shape was dimly seen gliding between the broken windows. the boys gazed in breathless silence at this apparition. the cause of their alarm, however, was made plain to them, as a white owl came forth on noiseless wings, and fluttered stealthily over the marsh. they laughed heartily at their fright, but their laugh sounded forced and unnatural. it was so weird and lonely outside, that they went into the cabin and lit the lamp, and strove to make a cheerful supper. then they undressed and tried to make themselves comfortable for the night. frank took the hammock, and dick and jimmy the berths at each side. they left the lamp burning dimly for company's sake, but they could not go to sleep. the water lapping against the planks of the yacht and amid the stems of the reeds, the wind sighing over the waste fen, and the strange cries of the night-birds--the call of the water-hen, the hoarse bark of the coot, the cackle of wild ducks, and the host of other noises which they could not account for, kept them awake and on the _qui vive_. "what's that?" said dick, after they had been quiet for some time. [illustration: the barn owl and egg.] a noise like a clap of thunder was to be heard, repeated at regular intervals, and growing louder, as if approaching them. they rushed on deck to see what was the cause of it, and were relieved to find that it was only a belated wherry beating up to windward, her canvas flapping each time she put about on a fresh tack. the men on board of her shouted "good night" as they passed, and after this the boys felt more comfortable, and again courted sleep. they were just dropping off, when "patter, patter," went something on deck. some one, or some thing had boarded them, and frank went out to see what it was. a coot had come aboard to see if there might be anything eatable there, and she flew away as frank appeared. he looked about ere he went down again, and to his astonishment he saw a spot of light dancing about on the marshes in a place where he thought no human being could be at this hour. "i say, dick and jimmy, here is a will-o'-the-wisp dancing about on the marshes." they came quickly on deck, and watched the strange light, which now and then disappeared, and then again became visible. it now shone bright, and then faint, and an uncertain glimmer beneath it showed that it hovered over the water as well as over the marsh. "there is no such thing as _ignis fatuus_ nowadays," said jimmy, "so what can it be?" "i vote we go and see," said frank. "you will only get bogged if you do. it is dangerous enough to walk on the marsh in the daylight, and almost impossible by night." "it strikes me there is a narrow channel, or dyke, leading from the river, which may lead to where that light is. i saw a line of water about twenty yards off. we passed it as we were about to anchor. let us take the boat and go up it, if you wish to see what it is," said jimmy. his suggestion was approved of, and they dressed and stepped into the punt, and after a little while they found the dyke and pushed their way along it. they moved cautiously and with little noise, and at last emerged upon a small open piece of water, and as they did so, the light gleamed for a moment and went out. they peered eagerly through the gloom, but could see nothing. all was silent and still, and very uncanny. "it is no good staying here," said frank; "let us go back and try to sleep, or we shall not be fit to be seen to-morrow when we meet the others at wroxham." so they rowed back, wondering what the cause of the light had been. they tumbled into their berths again and got just an hour's broken sleep before the dawn effectually aroused them. it was very early, but they had no choice but to rise and get something to eat. the morning was bright and cloudless, the lark sang merrily in the sky, waterfowl swam on the quiet stretches of the river in peaceful security, the freshness and charm which always accompanies the early dawn of day in the country had its natural effect upon them; and their spirits, which had been somewhat depressed by the uncomfortable night which they had passed, rose again to their natural height. dick now suggested that they should again explore the windings of the creek, and try to find out the cause of the mysterious light which had so puzzled them the night before. they accordingly rowed up the lane of water as they had done the previous night, until they came to the piece of open water. just as they were about to emerge from the narrow opening in the belt of reeds which surrounded it, frank checked the motion of the boat by clutching hold of the reeds, and warned his companions to be silent. looking in the direction in which he pointed, they saw the most curious bird they had ever seen, or were ever likely to see. on a little hillock on the edge of the reeds was a bird with a body like a thrush, but with long legs. it had a long beak, staring eyes, brown tufts of feathers on each side of its head, and a large flesh-coloured ruff of feathers round its neck. "i know what that is; it is a ruff," said jimmy. "yes, yes, but be quiet and watch it." they drew back behind the green fringe of reeds and watched the movements of the ruff, for such it was. its movements were as strange as itself. it pranced up and down on the little hillock and fluttered its wings, and uttered a defiant cry. it seemed as if it were particularly desirous of attention from one spot in the marsh, for towards that spot its glances and movements were directed. looking more eagerly towards this spot the boys saw a smaller bird, with no ruff around her neck, and clad in sober brown. this was a female, or reeve, and the male was showing himself off before her and trying to attract her attention, while she, with the tantalising nature of her sex, appeared to be quite unconscious of his blandishments, and went on composedly picking up her breakfast from the insects and worms in the marsh. presently another ruff appeared on the scene, and, joining his rival on the little hillock, he commenced to emulate his performances, and the two danced a war-dance in the most amusing fashion, to the great delight of the three observers. the natural consequence of this rivalry soon followed, and the two ruffs began to fight in good earnest, laying hold of each other with their bills, and striking with their wings. the one drove the other to the bottom of the hill, and was apparently master of the field; but instead of returning to his post on the top, he flew away, leaving his adversary fluttering vainly, and evidently fast by the leg. then the rushes on the other side of the open space were pushed aside, and a man in a rude boat made his appearance, and proceeded to seize the ruff and kill it. "the mystery of the light is explained," said frank. "hallo! you there, what are you doing that for?" the man started and looked round, answering surlily, "what's that to you?" "oh, don't get into a wax. we only want to know for information's sake. what will you sell that ruff for?" "two shillings, sir," replied the man, in a much more civil tone. "well, here you are. are there many ruffs about here?" "no, sir, i have not seen any for the last two years until this spring. they used to be common enough when i was a lad, and i have taken a score in one morning with these snares. i have seen more than a dozen together on one hill, and twice as many reeves around looking on. those were fine times for us fowlers, those were." the boys asked to be allowed to look at his snares. they were made of horsehair, and were set in this fashion:--a length of hair with a running noose at each end was fixed by the middle into the slit of a peg, which was then driven into the ground. a number of these were set round the base of the hill with the nooses projecting about an inch above the surface of the herbage, and as the birds were driven off the hill they were caught by them. it was necessary, the man said, to keep a strict watch on the snares, for the birds sometimes broke away, or the rats and weasels, of which there are plenty in the marshes, would be beforehand with the fowler and seize the captured birds. "i suppose you were setting your snares last night?" "ay, sir," replied the man, laughing; "i heard you coming after me, so i put my light out. i did not know what sort of men you might be, and they make believe to preserve these marshes now, and it is hard work for us to get a living." "don't you think there may be a ruff's nest somewhere about?" said jimmy. "i found one this morning with four eggs in it, but they are hard sat." "never mind that, we can blow them, if you will show us where it is." "get out of the boat, then, and come into this rond; but mind how you walk. put your foot on the roots of the reeds, or you will go up to your middle in mud directly." the nest was made of coarse grass, and was placed in a clump of sedges. it contained four eggs of an olive-green colour, spotted with brown. as the man said that if they did not take them he should, and sell them for what they would fetch, the boys felt no hesitation in plundering the nest of all its contents, giving the man a gratuity of a shilling for showing the nest to them. this commercial transaction completed, they returned to their yacht and made a second breakfast. they had arranged to meet their elders at wroxham bridge at twelve o'clock, and spend the rest of the day sailing and pic-nicking on the broad, so about ten o'clock they started. the breeze was light, as it generally is in the summer; and as for a portion of the way they had to beat to windward in a rather narrow channel, it took them some time to reach wroxham. they found that the _swan_ was not so handy in tacking as a single-hulled yacht would have been, and they had to use the mizen to swing her round each time they put about. their progress was, therefore, slower than they had calculated upon, and they did not reach wroxham until . . their way was past ranworth broad and the two hovetons, besides some smaller broads, all connected with the river by dykes, half hidden by tall reeds, and looking deliciously lonely, and inviting exploration. although they were so close they could see nothing of the broads' surface, and their existence was only made manifest to them by the white sails of yachts which were now and then to be seen gliding hither and thither through forests of reeds. sir richard, mr. and mrs. merivale, mrs. brett, mary and florrie, were all waiting for them on the staithe by the bridge, and hailed their appearance with joy. "well, boys, we thought you were lost," said mr. merivale. "no fear, father," answered frank; "the _swan_ sails grandly, and we have had no end of fun." "and how did you sleep last night? wasn't it very lonely?" said his mother. the boys unanimously affirmed that it had been most awfully jolly, and that they had been most comfortable. whilst the party were embarking, frank went to the village carpenter's and got a stout leaping-pole with a block of wood at the end, so that it might not sink into the mud when they were jumping the ditches. he also obtained a pair of mud boards to put on his feet when walking over soft ground. these were pieces of wood a foot long by eighteen inches wide, with rope loops to slip over the feet. he expected to find them useful while bird-nesting on the marshes. they sailed at a good pace down the river, and then, while mary was asking where the broad was, frank put the helm over, and they sailed through a narrow channel, on either side of which the reeds were seven feet high, and while the question was still on mary's lips, they were gliding over the fine expanse of water which is known as wroxham broad. they had a very pleasant afternoon, and as the breeze was steady and the yacht behaved herself very well, the two elder ladies lost much of the nervousness with which they had regarded the boys' expedition. dick was much impressed with the loveliness of the broad. on the one side the woods came down to the water's edge, and on the other the wide marsh stretched away miles on miles, with its waving reed beds, tracts of white cotton-grasses, and many-coloured marsh grasses, which varied in sheen and tint as the wind waved them or the cloud-shadows passed over them. here and there a gleam of white showed where the river or a broad lay, but for the most part the whereabouts of water was only shown by the brown sails of the wherries, or the snow-white sails of the yachts, which glided and tacked about in a manner that seemed most mysterious, seeing that there was no water visible for them to float on. at one end of wroxham broad is a labyrinth of dykes and pools, between wooded islands and ferny banks. the boys took the two girls in the punt through this charming maze, and they pushed their way through the large floating leaves of the water-lily, and the more pointed leaves of the arrowhead, gathering the many-coloured flowers which nestled amid the luxuriant growth of plant-life that fringed the water, stooping to avoid the trailing branches of the trees, and enjoying themselves mightily in exploring. "is that a crow's nest in yonder tree?" said jimmy. "i expect so, and there is the bird on, but her head does not look like a crow's. hit the trunk with the oar," said frank. [illustration: wild duck.] as the blow vibrated through the tree, the sitting bird flew off, and what do you think it proved to be? a _wild-duck_! the boys were astounded. they had heard of ducks building in hollow trees, and at some distance from water, but to build a nest on the top of a high tree seemed incredible, so frank said he would climb up and see the eggs, but-- "let me go," said dick, "i have never climbed a tall tree, and it looks an easy one, although it is tall, for there are plenty of branches." "oh, please take care, dick," said mary. "oh, he will be all right. you never tell me to take care, young woman," said frank, laughing, while mary blushed. dick was soon up the tree, showing skill worthy of a practised climber, and rather to the surprise of his companions. "it is a duck's nest in an old crow's nest, and there are ten eggs in," shouted dick from his lofty perch. "bring two of them down then. we will write on them where they were found. i wonder how the old birds get the young ones down to the water? they can't fly for a long time after being hatched, and they must take to the water soon, or they will die." the question which frank put has never been satisfactorily answered. the young ones must either perch on their mother's back, and hold on whilst they are being transported to their native element, or the old bird must seize them in her bill, like a cat does her kittens. when the others left, the boys sailed down stream again by the light of the red sunset, and as night stole over the marshes, they anchored by horning ferry, and so tired were they that they fell asleep the moment they laid themselves down, forgetting their fears of the night before. they turned in at ten, and none of them awoke until eight the next morning. before breakfast frank and jimmy spent some time in teaching dick how to swim, and found him an apt pupil. chapter ix. chameleon.--light coloured eggs.--sitting birds have no scent.-- forget-me-nots.--trespassing.--the owner.--a chase.--capture.-- pintail duck.--drumming of snipe.--swallow-tail butterfly.-- a perilous adventure. the young voyagers had by this time discovered that sailing about in the manner they were doing gave them tremendous appetites, and on this particular morning they found they had run short of bread and butter, so jimmy was despatched to the little shop at horning to procure some. after breakfast they were lounging on deck waiting for a breeze. dick was sprawling on the roof of the cabin basking in the sun. frank was fishing for roach in the clear slow stream, and jimmy was perusing the newspaper in which the provisions had been wrapped. it was a still, lovely morning. white clouds sailed quickly across the blue sky, but there was no breeze to move the marsh grasses and reeds, or to ripple the placid stream. a lark sang merrily far above them, filling the air with melody. small birds chirped in the sedges, and the water-hens and white-headed coots sailed busily to and fro. [illustration: roach.] jimmy looked up from his paper just as frank pulled in a good sized roach, and said,-- "do either of you know how the chameleon changes its colour?" upon receiving an answer in the negative he read as follows from the paper in his hand:-- "m. paul bert has laid before the french academy a _résumé_ of the observations of himself and others on the colour-changes of the chameleon. they appear to be due to change of place of certain coloured corpuscles. when they bury themselves under the skin, they form an opaque background to the cerulescent layer, and when they distribute themselves in superficial ramifications, they either leave the skin to show its yellow hue, or give it green and black tints. the movements of the colour corpuscles are directed by two orders of nerves, one causing their descending, and the other their ascending, motions. in a state of extreme excitation the corpuscles hide below the skin, and do so in sleep, anæsthesia, or death. the nerves which cause the corpuscles to go under the skin have the greatest analogy to vaso-constrictor nerves. they follow the mixed nerves of the limbs, and the great sympathetic of the neck, and do not cross in the spinal marrow. the nerves which bring the corpuscles upwards resemble in like manner the vaso-dilator nerves. luminous rays belonging to the blue-violet part of the spectrum act directly on the contractile matter of the corpuscles, and cause them to move towards the surface of the skin." [illustration: chameleon.] "now, can you tell me the plain english of that?" "read it again, jimmy," said frank. jimmy did so. "well, i am no wiser. read it again more slowly." jimmy did so again. "i give it up," said frank. "what a thing it is to be a scientific man!" "i take it," said dick, rolling himself along the cabin roof towards them, "that it means that different coloured rays of light have corresponding effects upon coloured atoms in the skin of the chameleon. the rays of light will be affected by the colour of the place where the chameleon is, and the chameleon will be affected by the changed colour of the rays of light, so that if the beast were on a green lawn his colour would be green, and if on a brown tree-trunk his colour would be brown." "that is my idea," said jimmy; "but what is the good of using such stilted language, when the same thing might have been said in simple english?" "i wonder why that water-hen keeps dodging about us in such a fussy manner," said frank. "i don't," replied dick, "for there is her nest not a yard from our bows." the mooring rope had parted the reeds, and discovered her nest, and dick, on going to the bows had seen it. it contained twelve eggs, one of which was so light in colour as to be almost white, and one so small that it was only half the size of the others. dick asked if it were because it was laid last, and if the pale one was so for a similar reason. frank replied,-- "it may be so in this case, but it does not always happen so. last year i tried an experiment with a robin's nest. i took out an egg each day, as it was laid, and still the bird went on laying until i let her lay her proper number, five. she laid fifteen eggs altogether, but they were all the same colour and size. so i expect that it is only an accident when the eggs are like these." "bell told me the other day that sitting birds have no scent," said dick. "is that true?" "i am not quite sure, but i am inclined to think that they have not so strong a scent as at other times. this same robin which i have just been telling you about built in a hedge-bank close by a house, and cats were always prowling about, and i have seen puss walk right above the nest while the old bird was on. if birds would only have the sense to shut their eyes, we would often pass them over, but it is easy to see them with their eyes twinkling like diamonds." "how pretty that clump of forget-me-nots is on the opposite bank! they seem to smile at you with their blue eyes," said dick, who was keenly alive to all that was beautiful. "but what is that flower a little lower down, right in the water, with thick juicy stems and blue flowers. is that a forget-me-not?" "no, it is a brooklime, but it is one of the speedwells. there are more than a dozen sorts of speedwells, but the forget-me-not is the prettiest. another name for the forget-me-not is water-scorpion, but it is too ugly a name for so pretty a plant," said jimmy, full of his recent learning. [illustration: redbreast and egg.] "here comes a breeze at last," cried frank, as their blue flag fluttered, and the reeds in the surrounding marsh bent their heads together and sighed. "shall we explore ranworth broad?" "yes, but let us take hoveton great broad first, and then we can go to ranworth as we come back," answered jimmy. so they hoisted sail, and glided up stream with a freshening breeze, while swallows dipped in the river and whirled about them as they passed. while they were sailing steadily along with a breeze on their starboard beam, the flag became fouled in the block through which the halyard of the mainmast was rove, and jimmy was sent up to put matters right. he clambered up the mast as nimbly as a monkey, and shook loose the flag from its ignominious position. when he had finished this he looked about him, and from his greater height he could see much further than his companions, whose view was limited by the tall reeds which shut in almost every portion of the rivers and broads. the boys did not know that they were near any of the latter, but jimmy saw on their left hand a sheet of water sparkling in the sun and studded with many reedy islands. he cried out,-- "there is such a jolly broad to leeward! it looks so quiet and still, and there are no end of water-fowl swimming about in it. a little further on i can see a channel leading to it just wide enough for our yacht. what do you say to paying it a visit?" his friends had not the least objection. its being unknown to them was an additional reason for their including it in their voyage of discovery. jimmy said he should stay on his lofty perch for a time and take the bearings of the country, but as they neared the entrance to the broad and turned off before going down the narrow channel, the boom swung further out, and the jerk dislodged jimmy, who was only saved from falling by clutching at the shrouds, down which he came with a run. they surged along through the dyke with the reeds brushing their bulwarks, and tossing and swaying in the eddies which followed their wake, and after several twistings and windings they emerged upon the broad. at the entrance to it was a pole with a notice-board upon it, which stated that the broad belonged to mr. ----, and that any persons found trespassing upon it would be prosecuted. "hallo! do you see that?" said dick. "yes, i see it," replied frank, "but we could not turn back in that narrow channel, and now that we are on the broad we may as well sail about a bit. what a number of water-fowl there are!" "i know mr. ---- by sight," said jimmy. "he has a big blue yacht." the little lake was so picturesque with its islands and "ronds" and broad floating lily-leaves, that the boys sailed about for some time before they thought of leaving it, and when they turned their faces again towards the river, what was their surprise to see a large yacht creeping along the connecting canal between them and the river. the reeds hid the body of the yacht from them, but its sails betokened that it was one of considerable size. the boys wondered who it could be who had thought of paying the sequestered little broad a visit, never for a moment thinking of the owner, when the yacht shot out into the open water, and lo! it was a '_big blue yacht_.' [illustration: yacht.] "it is mr. ----," said jimmy. "now we shall get into a row for trespassing," said dick. "they have got to catch us first. if we can only dodge them, and get on to the river again, we can show them a clean pair of heels," said frank, taking a pull at the sheet and trying to creep up to windward of the dyke. the blue yacht, however, stood by so as to meet them, and frank saw, by the way she went through the water, even when her sails were hauled almost flat, that she could beat the swan in sailing to windward. a gentleman stood up in the strange yacht and called out,-- "bear, up alongside, you young rascals, and give me your names and addresses. i shall summon you for trespassing." "not if i know it," said frank, bringing the _swan_ sharply round on her heel, and scudding away before the wind, followed by the other in full chase. "now, jimmy and dick, stand by the sheets, and when we get opposite the bottom of that long island, we will bring her sharp round the other side, and then they can't get across and meet us, and then we'll cut and run for the dyke." they executed this manoeuvre very neatly, but the other was too quick for them, and instead of following them round the island, they turned back and made for the mouth of the dyke to intercept them, and at a much better angle of the wind than that at which the _swan_ had to sail. "we shall come into collision," said jimmy, as he took a hearty pull at the mizen sheet. "we cannot both get through the dyke." "never mind. we'll cram her at it. stand by with the boat-hook to push the blue 'un off, dick!" but as dick stood ready with the boat-hook to push off, a man stood in the other yacht with his boat-hook to pull them in, and as dick pushed, his adversary pulled. the two boats ran alongside for a few yards, and then were jammed together at the mouth of the creek, and mr. ---- stepped on board. "now what is the meaning of this?" he exclaimed angrily. "we came into the broad out of curiosity, sir," said frank; "and we could not see the notice-board until we were in the broad, and then we thought we might as well take a turn round before going out, but we are sorry you have caught us." "oh, are you really! well, i want to preserve the broad for wild-fowl, so i don't like it to be disturbed; but where did you get this strange boat built?" "we built it ourselves," answered the boys,--and then in reply to the inquiries, they told him all about it, and their object, and by the time all was explained to him they found that he was a very jolly sort of fellow, and he found that they were very pleasant, unaffected lads, and the end of it was that they lunched with him on board his yacht, and had full permission to go on the broad whenever they liked. frank's attention was arrested by a pretty, light grey duck swimming about in the centre of the broad. "is that a pintail duck?" he inquired of mr. ----. "yes, and the only one on the broad, i am sorry to say. its mate has been killed, and my man found the deserted nest with four eggs in it, among the reeds on the other side of the broad. if he has not taken it you may have it." his man had not taken it, and in a few minutes the boys were the possessors of the eggs of this rare duck. the nest and eggs were of the usual duck type, and did not correspond in any degree with the extreme prettiness of the duck, which, with its mottled grey back and red-brown head and neck, is as fair to look at as it is good to eat. the yachts were disengaged from their position without any damage, and the boys took leave of their entertainer with a cheer, and made for the river again. "i hope all our adventures will end as nicely as that one," said dick. the wish was echoed by the others; but that very day they had an adventure which startled them considerably, and might have had very serious and fatal consequences. but of this anon. presently dick said,--"i have noticed whenever we see a mud-bank that it is almost sure to be perforated by a number of small holes. what is the reason of that?" "oh, that is done by the snipes, when boring in search of food. woodcocks will do it as well, and the woodcock's upper bill is so long and flexible that it can twist and turn it about in the mud with the greatest ease," answered frank, who was always ready with an answer on ornithological subjects. by and by dick was observed to be looking all about with a very puzzled and curious air, peeping into the cabin, and scrutinizing the deck and the banks with the utmost attention. "what is the matter, dick?" said jimmy at length. "what on earth is that buzzing noise? it seems to be close to us, and i can't find out the cause of it. i did not like to ask before--it seemed so simple. is it a big bee, or wasp, or what?" frank and jimmy laughed heartily, and the former said,-- "look up in the air, dick." dick did so, and saw a bird which he knew to be a snipe, hovering somewhat after the manner of a kestrel, or windhover, as the country people sometimes call it. it was evident now that the noise came from it, but how was it produced, and why? frank could not answer either of these questions. it was a habit of the snipes in breeding time to rise and 'drum' in that way. [illustration: common snipe.] "no doubt he does it for a lark, and no doubt he thinks he does it as well as a lark, but no one seems to be sure how the noise is produced. the general opinion seems to be that it is caused by a vibration of the tail-feathers." "look!" cried dick excitedly, diving into the cabin for his butterfly net. over the marsh there fluttered one of the grandest of english butterflies, the swallow-tail. large in size, being about four inches across the wings, which are of a pale creamy-yellow, barred and margined with blue and black, velvety in its appearance, and with a well-defined 'tail' to each of its under wings, above which is a red spot, the swallow-tail butterfly is one of the most beautiful of all butterflies. it is rare save in its head-quarters, which are the fens of norfolk and cambridge, and is justly considered a prize by a young collector. frank immediately ran the yacht ashore, and dick jumped out and rushed at the gorgeous insect with his net. alas! he struck too wildly and missed it, and it rose in the air and flew far away, leaving dick lamenting. frank laughed and said,-- "ah, you went at it too rashly. you should have given it him with more of the _suaviter in modo_ and less of the _fortiter in re_. here comes another. let me have a try!" [illustration: swallow-tail butterfly.] dick yielded up possession of the net to him, and he advanced slowly and cautiously to where the swallow-tail was sunning himself on an early tuft of meadow-sweet, which the warm weather had tempted to bloom earlier than usual, and to perfume the air with its strong fragrance on the last day of may. frank's approach had too much of the _suaviter in modo_, for the butterfly flew away long before he reached it. frank forgot all about the _suaviter in modo_ then. he dashed after it at the top of his speed, making frantic dashes at it with his net, and jumping over soft ground, with utter disregard to all dangerous places. he followed it for some distance, and then he suddenly disappeared, and to their dismay they heard him shouting loudly for help. "he has got into a bog-hole," said jimmy, "come along as fast as you can." they ran with breathless speed to where he had disappeared, and so deceptive are distances on flat surfaces, that they were surprised to see how far he had gone. when they reached him they saw him up to his waist in the soft bog, whose bright vivid green would have shown its danger had he not been too eager in his pursuit of the butterfly to notice it. he was rapidly sinking deeper into the mud, which held him fast with cruel tenacity, and sucked him further into its horrid embrace the more he struggled to get out of it. he had taken a big jump right into the very middle of it, and he was too far from them to reach their hands. his face was pale, but he was cool and collected. "all right," he said, "don't be frightened. i've got the butterfly, and if you will do what i tell you, i will soon get out of this fix. dick, do you run to the yacht and get a rope, and you, jimmy, get some reeds, and pitch them to me to put under my arms, and keep me from sinking further into this fearful mess." dick sped off like an arrow, and jimmy tore up a bundle of reeds and threw them to his friend, who had now sunk up to his shoulders, and as the reeds broke beneath his weight he sunk deeper still. "i hope dick won't be long, or it will be all up with me, jimmy," he said, and brave as he was, he could not keep his lips from quivering. jimmy was in an agony of excitement. he took off his coat, and threw one end of it to frank, but he could not reach him. then he did what even raised a smile on frank's face, imminent as was his danger. he took off his trousers and threw one leg to frank, retaining the other in his hand. pulling hard at this improvised rope, he held frank up until dick came tearing up with the rope trailing behind him. "thank god!" said frank, and jimmy then knew by his fervent tone how great he knew the danger had been. clinging to the rope, he was hauled out by his companions, and so tightly did the mud hold him, that it took all their strength to drag him out. they walked slowly and quietly back to the yacht, and frank changed his clothes, and lay down and was very quiet for some time, and they none of them recovered their usual spirits for some time after this occurrence. the butterfly was set, and ever afterwards kept apart in dick's collection as a memento of this time. before they went home again they had got several specimens of this handsome butterfly, and still better, they discovered numbers of the bright green caterpillars and chrysalides on the meadow-sweet and wild carrot, which grew in the marsh, and so were able to breed several fine specimens, enough for their own collection and for exchange. chapter x. moonlight.--instinct and reason.--death's head moth.-- bittern.--water-rail.--quail.--golden plover.-- hen-harrier and weasel.--preserving bird-skins. they anchored that night just inside hoveton great broad. the moon rose large and round, and lake and marsh slept still in her mellow light. the boys sat on deck watching the reflection of the moon in the water, and listening to the cries of the night-birds around them and the splash of the fish in the shallow margins. dick said,-- "is it not wonderful that the butterfly knows on which plant she is to lay her eggs? how does the swallow-tail know that she must lay them on the wild carrot or on the meadow-sweet; the death's-head moth on the potato; and the white butterfly on the cabbage? how is it that they select these plants, seeing that it is all strange and new to them? it is very wonderful!" "yes," said jimmy, "and it cannot be reason, because they can have no facts to reason from, so it must be instinct." "well, i don't like talking anything like cant, and you won't accuse me of that if i say that it seems to me that instinct is a personal prompting and direction of god to the lower animals for their good, and i don't believe we think of that enough," said dick. [illustration: moonlight scene.] frank replied,--"you are right, dick, and while man has only reason, animals have instinct and reason too. at least i believe that the larger kind of animals have some share of reason. i have never told you about our colley bitch. last year she had pups, and she was very much annoyed by a cat which would go prowling about the building where the bitch was kept; so the bitch took the opportunity of one day killing the cat. now the cat had just had kittens, and all were drowned but one. when the mother was killed, its kitten cried most piteously, and had to be fed with milk by the servants. the bitch had not known that the cat had kittens, until she heard the kitten scream, and then she showed as plainly as possible that she was sorry for what she had done, and took the kitten to her own young ones, and seemed quite fond of it. whenever it was taken away she would go for it and take it back again, and the kitten grew up with the pups, and was inseparable from them. now i call that reason on the part of the bitch, and the desire to make amends for the injury she had done--but hark! what is that?" a low booming sound not unlike the lowing of a bull, but more continued, resounded through the marsh and then ceased. again the strange note was heard, and the boys looked at one another. "what can it be?" said jimmy, as the noise again quivered on the moonlit air. [illustration: death's-head moth.] "i know," said frank, "it is a bittern. if we can only find its nest we shall be lucky. it does not often breed in england now, although it is often shot here in winter. let us listen where the sound comes from." they listened intently, and after an interval the sound was again repeated. they believed that it came from a reed-covered promontory which ran out into the broad on its eastern shore. "let us take the punt and go over," said frank; so they rowed in the direction of the sound. they rowed round the promontory, and penetrated it as far as they could, and all was still and silent, and they discovered nothing. early the next morning they renewed their search, and while they were crashing through the very middle of the reed bed, the bittern rose with a hoarse cry, and flew away with a dull, heavy flight. and there, as good luck would have it, was its nest, a large structure of sticks, reeds and rushes, and in it were four eggs, large, round, and pale brown in colour. it was not in human nature (or at least in boy nature) to resist taking all the eggs. [illustration: bittern.] the bittern is a singular bird both in shape and habits. take a heron and shorten its legs, neck, and beak, and thicken it generally, and then deepen its plumage to a partridge-like brown, and you will have a pretty good idea of the bittern. at one time it was common enough in england, but the spread of cultivation, the drainage of the marshes, and the pursuit of the collector have rendered it rare; and while at some seasons it is pretty common all over the country where there are places fit for its breeding-ground, in other years scarcely a specimen can be seen, and its nest is now but rarely found. its curious note has often puzzled the country people. it has been said to put its head under water or into a hollow reed, and then to blow, and so make a noise something like that produced by the famous blowing stone in the vale of the white horse. the fact, however, appears to be that the noise is produced in the usual manner, and morris says that the bittern "commonly booms when soaring high in the air with a spiral flight." when suddenly surprised, its flight is more like that of a carrion crow when shot at in the air. if wounded, the bittern can defend itself remarkably well, turning itself on its back, and fighting with beak and claws. it cannot run well among the reeds, so when surprised it takes refuge in flight, although it is not by any means a good flier; and as the reeds grow too closely together for it to use its wings among them, it clambers up them with its feet, until it can make play with its wings. it is essentially nocturnal in its habits, hiding close among the reeds and flags by day. leaving hoveton broad, the boys sailed quietly down the river to ranworth broad, without adventure. they turned from the river along the dyke which led to the broad, and with their usual enterprise they tried to take a short cut through a thin corner of reeds growing in about two feet of water, which alone divided them from the broad. they stuck fast, of course; but their usual good fortune attended them, and turned their misfortune into a source of profit. a bird like a landrail, but smaller, flew from a thick clump of vegetation near them. "hallo, that is not a corn-crake, is it?" said dick. "no, but it is a water-crake, or water-rail rather, and i expect its nest is in that clump," said frank, and his shoes and stockings were off in a moment, and he was wading to the place whence the bird had flown. "yes, here it is, and there are eight eggs in it, very like a landrail's, but much lighter in colour and a little smaller. i say, if we hadn't seen the bird fly away we should never have found the nest, it is so carefully hidden. i shall take four eggs. they are not sat upon, and she will lay some more until she makes up her full number, so it is not a robbery." the water-rail is one of the shyest of water-birds. it creeps among the herbage like a rat, and is very difficult to put to flight. when it does fly, its legs hang down as if it had not strength to hold them up, and it flies but slowly, yet during the winter time it migrates long distances. the boys spent but little time on the broad, for they were anxious to get further away from home; so, as there was a strong breeze from the west, they ran before it as far as acle, where they had to lower their mast in order to pass under the old grey stone bridge. [illustration: water-rail.] leaving the yacht moored by the hermitage staithe, they walked to filby and ormesby broads, an immense straggling sheet of water with many arms about three miles from the river. they hired a boat, and rowed about for some time, seeing plenty of wild-fowl, but meeting with no adventure worth recording. the broad is connected with the river by a long dyke called by the euphonious name of muck fleet, but it is not navigable, being so filled with mud and weeds. the growing obstruction of this dyke is an illustration of the process which is going on all over the broad district day by day. formerly a much larger portion of it must have been water, but as the reeds grew they decayed, and the rotten matter formed soil. this process was repeated year after year and is going on now. the reeds extend each year and form fresh soil each winter, and so the parts which were always very shallow become filled up, and the extent of marsh increases; and then, as the extent of marsh increases, it is drained and becomes firm, and then is finally cultivated, and waving corn-fields take the place of what was once a lake, and then a marsh, and instead of pike and wild-fowl there are partridges and pheasants. on the way back to filby the boys took it into their heads to have a game of 'follow my leader.' frank was chosen as leader, and he led them straight across-country, scorning roads and paths, and choosing the hardest leaps over dykes and fences. across a meadow frank saw a very stiff thorn fence on the other side of which was a stubble-field. collecting all his strength, he made a rush at it, but failing to clear it, his foot caught near the top, and he fell headlong into the next field. dick followed his leader with commendable imitation, and sprawled on the top of him; but jimmy could only breast the hedge, and sat down on the spot whence he had taken his spring. dick was up again in a moment, but frank remained kneeling on the ground with something between his hands. [illustration: african bush quail.] "what is it, frank?" said dick. "a bird. i fell upon it. it was on its nest, and i have smashed three of the eggs, but there are five left." jimmy joined them, and asked what kind of a bird it was. it was a bird of about eight inches in length, grey in colour, plump, and with a shape which reminded them of the guinea-fowl. they looked at the poor trembling bird, and at its eggs, and came to the conclusion that it was a quail, a supposition which turned out to be right. quails, though rare generally, were very common that year in norfolk and suffolk, and many nests were found, two more by the boys themselves. the nest is simply a collection of dry grass in a hollow in the ground. morris says of the quail:-- "quails migrate north and south in spring and autumn, and vast numbers are taken by bird-catchers. as many as one hundred thousand are said to have been taken in one day in the kingdom of naples. three thousand dozen are reported to have been purchased in one year by the london dealers alone. they migrate in flocks, and the males are said to precede the females. they are believed to travel at night. they arrive here at the end of april or beginning of may, and depart again early in september. not being strong on the wing, yet obliged to cross the sea to seek a warmer climate in the winter, thousands are picked up by the shores on their arrival in an exhausted state; many are drowned on the passage, and some are frequently captured on board of vessels met with _in transitu_." i have seen them in poulterers' shops kept in large cages, until they are wanted for the table, and they seemed to be quite unconcerned at their captivity, feeding away busily. frank said, "what shall we do with the bird? i've broken her wing, but i don't think she's much hurt anywhere else." "here's some thin twine," said dick. "let us tie the bone to a splint of wood with it, and the wing may heal." they carried the suggestion out with great care, and the quail, on being allowed to go, ran away with a drooping wing, but otherwise little the worse. "i suppose we must take all the eggs," said frank, "for she will not come back to her nest now, as it is all wet with squashed egg." "those are not lapwings flying above us, are they?" said dick. "no, they are golden plovers. they are not half so pretty as the lapwings. they have no crest, and are much plainer in plumage, and they have more black on them. look out for their nests in this marshy spot." "here is one," said dick. [illustration: nest of golden plover.] "no, that is only a lapwing's, and in a very clever place too; the nest is made, or rather the eggs are placed on the top of a mud-hill, so that when the water rises the eggs will be kept dry." "here is a golden plover's, then," said jimmy, pointing to a depression in the ground, in which were four eggs of the usual plover type, about the same size as the lapwing's, but more blunt in outline, and lighter in ground colour. "yes, those are they. take two of them." it must not be supposed that i mention all the nests and eggs the boys found in their rambles. space forbids me to notice more than those which are rare or unusual. for the nest of one rare or uncommon bird they found a dozen of the commoner sorts, for they were very quick observers. the wind had fallen, and the water was as smooth as glass. while prowling about the margin, "seeking what they might devour," dick stooped to pick a flower which grew by the water-side, and saw the head of a large eel protruding from the mud on the bank, about two or three feet below the surface. he called his companions' attention to it, and on looking more closely they saw at intervals the heads of several more, which poked two or three inches out of the mud. if the water had not been so still and clear, they would not have been able to see them. "what are they in that peculiar position for?" said dick. "oh, it is a habit of theirs. they are taking it easy, and watching for any little nice morsel to float by them. when the evening comes they will come out altogether. i will show you how to sniggle them." "do what?" said dick. "wait and see, old man." they went back to the hermitage, and frank borrowed a stocking-needle from a woman at the house. he next got some fishing-line from the yacht and whipped one end of it to the needle from the eye to the middle. he next got a long pea-stick from the garden, and dug up some lob-worms, and then went to the mud-bank where the eels were. frank baited his tackle by running the head of the needle quite up into the head of the worm, letting the point come out about the middle. then he lightly stuck the point of the needle into the end of the stick, and with the stick in one hand and the loose line in the other, he went quietly to the side, and selecting an eel, he presented the worm to its nose. the eel opened its mouth and took the worm in. frank gently pulled the stick away and slackened the line, and the eel swallowed the worm head first. when it had disappeared down the eel's throat, frank struck, and the needle, of course, stuck across the eel's gullet. frank kept a steady hold upon him, and drew him out of his fastness inch by inch, until he was clear of the mud, and then he lifted him out of the water. it was a fine eel of two pounds in weight. "why, what grand fun that is!" said dick. "let me try," and so enthusiastically did he set to work, that in an hour's time he had got eight large eels. they now went on board to make their fourth meal that day, it being then half-past four o'clock. afterwards they all wrote their letters home. the next morning about nine o'clock they hoisted sail, and started, intending to reach yarmouth that day. a strong breeze, almost amounting to a gale, blew from the west, and they were obliged to take in reefs in both the main-sail and the mizen, and then they spun along at a very good rate, the water foaming at their bows and surging in their wake. above them and to the eastward the sky was blue and without a cloud, but in the west a huge black cloud was slowly rising. against its gloom, the sunlit marsh, the windmills, and the white sails of the yachts stood out brilliantly clear, and a number of gulls which were flying over the marsh shone out dazzlingly white against it. "what bird is that? it is a hawk no doubt, but it looks so blue in this light," said jimmy, pointing over the marsh to where a large hawk was flying in circles uttering screams, and every now and then swooping to the ground. frank got out his glass and took a long look at it. "it must be a hen-harrier," he said. "i can see it quite clearly. it seems to be very angry with something on the ground. run the yacht up in the wind, jimmy, and let us watch it." "there is another harrier flying to join it as swift as the wind. it is larger and browner, and must be the female," said frank, describing their movements as he saw them through the glass. [illustration: hen-harrier.] the second comer swooped down to the ground and rose with some long struggling object in its talons which seemed to be a weasel or stoat. frank then through his glass distinctly saw the weasel seize the hawk by the throat, and the hawk, screaming wildly, rose high into the air--"towering," as a sportsman would say--until it was almost a speck, and its mate accompanied it, circling round it, and also uttering savage screams. then the hawk and weasel fell through the air, turning over and over, and came plump upon the marsh. the boys landed and went to the spot, while the other hawk slowly circled far out of sight. on reaching the spot they found the hawk dead, and the weasel still alive but stunned. it was soon despatched, and they examined the beautiful hawk which had fallen a victim to its bravery. the weasel's jaws were stained with egg-juice, and not far off they found the hen-harrier's nest which the weasel had been rifling when the hawk attacked it. the nest was built on the ground, and was something like a coot's nest, large and strong in structure. it contained four bluish eggs, two of which were broken. [illustration: weasel.] "i tell you what, frank," said jimmy, "we must stuff the hawk and weasel, and mount them just as they appeared in the air. it will make a grand group. i am sorry for the hawk, but it is a lucky find for us and our museum nevertheless." in the meantime they skinned the hawk and weasel, and simply stuffed their skins with cotton-wool and laid them by in the locker. it is not necessary to stuff birds in their natural attitude to preserve them for a cabinet. they may be loosely stuffed with cotton-wool and laid side by side in drawers and labelled, just like eggs, and if at any time afterwards it is desired to set them up in life-like positions, the skins can be softened by letting them lie for a few days in a damp place. they sailed at a great rate down to yarmouth, and brought up just outside a row of wherries which were moored to the quay. chapter xi. to the rescue.--a long-tailed tit's nest.--a shower of feathers. when they had made all snug, they set out for a walk through the town, and as the quay-side was not so pleasant as the open country, they determined not to sleep on board the yacht this night, but to sleep at an hotel. they therefore went to one by the beach and engaged beds. they then ordered and ate an uncommonly good dinner, at the close of which the waiter intimated to them that he had never seen any young gentlemen before who had such good appetites. after a due amount of rest they set out for a stroll. presently they met a boy with a nest in his hand, which was evidently that of a long-tailed tit. they watched the boy join a gang of other boys, and after some conversation they took a number of tiny white eggs out of the nest, and arranged them on the ground in a row. "by jove, they are going to play 'hookey smash' with them. what heathens!" said frank. the boy who had brought the eggs now took a stick and made a shot at one of the eggs, and smash it went. another boy took a stick and prepared to have his turn. "i say, i can't stand this," said frank. "let us make a rush and rescue the eggs," and suiting the action to the word, he ran forward, and with a well-applied shove of his foot to the inviting target which a stooping boy presented to him, he sent him rolling into the gutter. jimmy picked up the nest and eggs, and then the three found themselves like horatius and his two companions when they kept the bridge against lars porsena and his host, "facing fearful odds" in the shape of a dozen yelling street-boys. frank was a big lad for his age, and he stood in such an excellent boxing position, his blue eyes gleaming with such a berserker rage, and jimmy and dick backed him so manfully, that their opponents quailed, and dared not attack them save with foul language, of which they had a plentiful supply at command. seeing that their enemies deemed discretion the better part of valour, our three heroes linked themselves arm in arm, and marched home with their heads very high in air, and with a conscious feeling of superiority. "what are you laughing at, dick?" said frank. "at the cool way in which you robbed those fellows of their eggs. you had no right to do so. they _will_ wonder why you did it." "let them wonder. i was so savage at their spoiling those beautiful eggs in such a brutal manner. at the same time i acknowledge that it wasn't my business, no more than if it were their own ha'pence they were smashing, but all the same i feel that we have done a very meritorious action." they now found themselves at the quay-side, and they stopped there some time, being much struck by the scene which presented itself to them as they gazed out over breydon water. the tide was flowing in rapidly, and breydon was one vast lake, at the further end of which, five miles away, the rivers waveney and yare joined it, and, at the end near yarmouth, the bure, down which they had just sailed. the breeze had risen to a gale, and as it met the incoming tide it raised a sharp popply sea. the sun was setting red and splendid over the far end behind a mass of black fiery-edged cloud, through rents in which the brilliant light fell upon the tossing waste of waters, and tipped each wave-crest with crimson. above the cloud the sky was of a delicate pale green, in which floated cloudlets or bars of gold, which were scarcely more ethereal-looking than the birds which breasted the gale with wavering flight. out of the sunset light there came a gallant array of vessels making for the shelter of yarmouth. dark-sailed wherries with their peaks lowered and their sails half mast high, and yachts with every possible reef taken in, all dashing along at a great pace, notwithstanding the opposing tide, and each with a white lump of foam at its bows. the parallel rows of posts which marked the sailing course stood out gaunt and grim, like warders of the sunset gates, and the whole scene was wild and impressive. it so moved dick, that when they got back to their hotel he sat down, and tried his hand at making some verses descriptive of it. they are not good enough to quote, but frank and jimmy both thought them very good, only they were not impartial critics. as they were sitting in the coffee-room that evening, jimmy said that he should like to see how many feathers the long-tailed tit's nest contained. it looked a regular hatful, and he wondered how the tiny bird could have had the patience to collect so many. so he drew a small table aside, and sat himself down at it with the nest before him, and then set to work to count the feathers, putting them in a pile at his right side as he did so. dick joined him, and the two worked away for a long time at the monotonous task of counting. the feathers as they were piled up loosely on the table formed a big feather-heap. frank grew tired of watching them, and a wicked idea entered his head. the window near which they sat encountered the whole force of the wind. frank lounged up to it, and, under cover of a question, undid the latch. "how many are there?" he asked. "we have counted , , and there are about more. we shall soon finish." "shall you, indeed," said frank, as he opened the window. the wind rushed in, and catching the light feathers scattered them all over the room, which was full of people, some reading, some eating, and some enjoying a nightcap of toddy. the feathers stuck everywhere--on the food, in the glasses, sticking on hair and clothes, and tickling noses, and causing universal consternation. [illustration: long-tailed tit and egg.] "here's a pretty kettle of fish!" said jimmy, looking up in dismay. "how could you, frank?" but frank had vanished out of the window laughing incontinently, and dick and jimmy were left alone to bear the storm of expostulations and reproaches with which they were favoured by the company, who thought the whole affair was premeditated. chapter xii. yarmouth.--the "rows".--a stiff breeze.--an exciting sail.-- sparrow-hawk's nest.--a nasty fall.--long-eared owl.-- partridge.--sandpiper. yarmouth is a queer old semi-dutch town, and is often compared in shape to a gridiron, the bars of that article corresponding to the "rows" which are such a peculiar feature of yarmouth. these rows stretching across from the quay-side to the principal street are very narrow, yet contain the houses and shops of a great portion of the population. many are only wide enough for foot passengers but along others, carts of a peculiar construction can pass. these carts are very long and narrow, and have only two wheels, and a stranger seeing them for the first time would wonder what they were for. below breydon water the river narrows very much, and flows past numerous fish-wharves and quays to the sea. the tide rises up this narrow neck with great force, and were it not for the safety-valve which is afforded by the vast expanse of breydon water, where the tide can expand and waste its force, it would rush on and flood the low-lying marshes for miles up the river. the boys had resolved to start on their voyage up breydon water at ten o'clock in the morning, when the tide would be making and would help them on their way, but when they had staggered down to their boat in the teeth of a fierce north-wester, and saw breydon white with foam, torn off short snappy waves caused by the meeting of wind and tide, they were rather dismayed, and held a council of war as to what should be done. not a sail could be seen on the wide expanse of breydon water. the sky was of a hard and pitiless blue, and clearly foretold a continuance of the gale. "shall we venture or not?" said frank. "what do you feel inclined to do yourself?" asked jimmy. "well, i don't think there is any great risk. we will take every reef in, and the tide will be in our favour. it will be a good trial for the yacht too. if we can get to the top of breydon against this gale we shall have every reason to be satisfied with her. i am game to try." "so am i," said jimmy. "then if you are, i am," said dick. "that's right. then do you make all snug on board, while i run back to the town. i have something to buy," and off he went. in a short time he returned with a small life-belt in his hand. "here, this is for you, dick. jimmy and i swim so well that there is no danger for us, but you cannot swim so very far yet, so you had better wear this in case of a capsize, though i don't expect one. now, are you ready?" "yes." "then, jimmy, do you take the main-sheet, and you, dick, take the mizen-sheet, and i will cast off." the sails were hoisted, and everything made taut and trim. frank undid the moorings, and jumped on board, seizing the tiller just as the yacht's head turned from the shore, and she heeled over before the wind. no sooner was she free from the quay than she seemed to be at the opposite side of the river, at such a pace did the wind impel her. although her raft-like frame gave her so much stability, yet she heeled over until her deck to leeward was in the water. she came back on the opposite tack with the speed of a racehorse. frank said,-- "i say, she fairly seems to run away from us. quick, loose the sheet, jimmy! here's a squall!" and the yacht ran up into the wind, and her sails fluttered as frank kept her so until the gust had passed. they were soon out in the open water of breydon, and were able to take longer tacks. this gave them some ease, but they found that the _swan_ was not a "dry" boat. her lowness and flat shape caused her to "ship" the short curling seas. they, of course, passed over her deck harmlessly, but nevertheless they made her wet and uncomfortable. as long, however, as she was safe and sailed well, the boys did not mind this at all, and they stuck to their work bravely, handling their yacht with great skill and courage. large portions of breydon are dry at low tide, and are there called "muds," or "flats." on these muds flocks of sea-fowl congregate. "these are capital places in the winter for wild-fowl shooting," said frank, "we must have a day's sport here in the next hard frost. bell will come with us, and show us some good fun, i am sure." "my father has a big swivel duck-gun somewhere about. if that will be of any use i will look it up," said dick. "of course it will be of use, old man. just the thing we want. haul in her sheet, jimmy. we can sail a point nearer to the wind, if we choose. i say, this is fine! what muffs we were to think that there was any danger, or that the yacht could not do it. see how well she behaves! but there, i am putting her too full, and she was very nearly capsized. the man at the wheel must not speak, so don't talk to me." "this may be fine fun for you, frank, but my hands have nearly all the skin taken off them by the rope. it is jolly hard work holding on to this, i can tell you," said jimmy, who, indeed, had got his work cut out for him. "same here," said dick; "i don't care how soon it is over, for my hands are awfully flayed. i wish we could make the sheet fast." "ah, you must not do that, or we shall be upset at the next gust," said frank. after an hour and a half of very exciting sailing, they had sailed the five miles of breydon water, and ran into the smoother current of the waveney. here, also, they got the wind more aslant, and skimmed along at a great pace with very little labour. in this way, they sailed some fifteen miles, and at length came to anchor in a sheltered spot under a wood-crowned bank not far from beccles. after making all snug and eating their dinner, the most natural thing to do was to explore the wood near them. they left the yacht, and crossing a meadow they entered the wood. it was a thick fir-plantation and promised well for nests. "what is that one?" said jimmy, pointing to a nest in a tall fir-tree. "is it a crow's, or an old wood-pigeon's, or a hawk's? who will go up and see?" "i will," said frank, and up he went hand over hand among the thick boughs. as he neared the top, he was obliged to proceed more cautiously, for the branches were thin, and the tree swayed in the wind. all doubts as to the kind of nest were speedily dissolved, for with a cry of rage, a sparrow-hawk came dashing up, and flew in circles around the tree, screaming angrily, and making fierce attacks at the invader of its home. frank, nothing daunted, continued his upward way, and soon was able to see into the nest. "there are four young ones," he cried. [illustration: sparrow-hawk.] "what a pity," said jimmy. "if they had only been eggs! look sharp and come down, frank, you are swinging about so much that it does not seem safe up there." but frank answered nothing, and remained on his perch. "what is the matter, frank?" "i am thinking about something." "a tree-top is a funny place to think. here is the other hawk coming to pay you a visit, and it is the female. she will be more savage than the other, and may attack you." "no fear," said frank, but at that moment both hawks made a sudden onslaught upon him, and the female struck him so savagely, that she tore a big gash in his cheek. he was so startled at this unexpected and hostile measure that he lost his hold and fell. when dick and jimmy saw their leader crashing through the branches, and turning over and over as he fell, they could not repress a shriek, and closed their eyes to shut out the horrible accident that must happen. they waited in fearful suspense for the expected thud, but not hearing it, they ventured to look up again, and saw frank lying on a thickly spreading branch not far below the nest. he was lying quite still, but clutching hold of the boughs with his hands. both dick and jimmy flew to the tree, and commenced to climb it. with a speed that seemed wonderful to them afterwards they reached frank. "are you hurt, old man?" "not at all, only all the wind is knocked out of me. i shall be all right in a minute. i say, if my mater saw that tumble, she would not let me go out alone any more, would she? that hawk was a plucky bird. i am going up to the nest again." "what for? i should think you have had enough of hawks' nests for a long time." "yes, but i want to take two of the young ones. two of them are much larger than the others, so they must be females. now i'll tell you what struck me before the bird knocked me off my perch. suppose we take these young hawks, and train them up in the way they should go--that is, let us use them for hawking." "it is a good idea and no mistake--but can we do that?" "easily," answered frank, gathering himself together, and resuming his ascent. "what a cool fellow he is," said dick to jimmy. "he does not seem to know what danger is." "he does not choose to show it, if he does. but let us go up and help him with the hawks." the young hawks were fully fledged and nearly ready to fly. they were fierce enough now, but frank said he would undertake to tame them, and fit them for hawking before the winter, if the other boys would help him. the idea of reviving that famous old sport was a very fascinating one, and they determined to do their best to carry it out, with what result will afterwards be seen. in the meantime it was a difficult matter to dispose of the birds. they tied strings to their legs, and kept them in the cabin, feeding them, and taking as much care of them as if they were babies, until they came to norwich, when they sent them to bell, who took care of them until their return. after taking the hawks to the boat, the boys went back to the wood and separated, so that they might cover more ground. suddenly peals of laughter were heard coming from the corner of the wood. frank, pushing aside the branches to get a clearer view, was surprised to see dick staring at a thick scotch fir, holding his sides, and laughing until the tears ran down his cheeks. frank hastened up to him to see where the fun was. dick could only point, for he was too far gone for speech. frank looked in the direction he pointed, and immediately burst into a fit of laughter far more uproarious than dick's. jimmy, running up as fast as he could, saw both his friends laughing and capering like mad. "what on earth is the matter? have you both gone crazy?" they pointed to the scotch fir. jimmy looked, and immediately fell a roaring with laughter as hard as the others. [illustration: long-eared owl.] this is the explanation. on a horizontal bough of the tree were seated six young long-eared owls. they were fully fledged, but unable to fly, and according to their custom they had left their nest and were perched together on this branch waiting for their parents to feed them. they looked most extremely absurd and ridiculous as they sat, each on one foot swaying to and fro after their manner on the bough, and gravely winking their large brown eyes at the intruders. it is impossible to give any idea of the comicality of the scene any more than it is possible to give a true description in words of the grotesque gestures of a clown. of this owl morris says,-- "it is readily tamed, and affords much amusement by the many grotesque attitudes it assumes, to which its ears and eyes give piquancy. it may often be detected that a small orifice is left through which it is peeping when its eyes would seem to be shut, and it has the singular faculty of being able to close one eye while the other is not shut, so that it may appear wide awake on one side while apparently asleep on the other, or if asleep, may be so literally with one eye open. the ears are raised by excitement; at other times they are depressed." [illustration: common partridge.] on its head this owl has two tufts of feathers which look like donkey's ears, and give it its name. it is common in many parts of england, and frequents thick fir-woods, where it builds in old nests of crows and hawks, or even squirrels, which it lines with wool, and in which it lays two or three round white eggs. jimmy sadly wanted to take one of the young ones home, but the hawks were as much as they could manage in the yacht, and after all, the owl would be of no use to them, and it might die, so they reluctantly left the birds on their perch to snore in peace. [illustration: egg of common partridge.] "what is that partridge calling for?" said frank. "i can't think," answered jimmy. "it seems to come from the top of that haystack, but that is a very unlikely place for a partridge in the breeding season." "i will go up and see," said dick, "if you will give me a back." they soon lifted him up, and as they did so, a french or red-legged partridge flew off. "here is her nest with ten eggs in it," cried dick, "what an extraordinary spot for a nest." and so it was, but not altogether singular, for the partridge has been known to build in a hollow tree, and in other unlikely situations. leaving the wood, they proceeded up a small stream which empties itself into the waveney. as they advanced, a sandpiper took short flights in front of them. it was presently joined by another, and the two seemed so uneasy, that the boys concluded that their nest could not be far off. they therefore set to work to examine every likely spot with great care. dick was the one who found it, in fact he very nearly trod upon it. four cream-coloured eggs with brown spots, very much pointed and very large for the size of the bird, lay in a hollow in a gravelly bank, upon a few pieces of dry grass and leaves, the birds' apology for a nest. the sandpipers flew over head, uttering their cry of "weet, weet, weet," with great anxiety, and they looked so pretty, that the boys felt sorry for them, and only took two of their eggs. the summer snipe, as this bird is also called, is well known to everyone who wanders by the side of streams or lakes. its white stomach contrasts so prettily with its dusky back, and it walks so merrily about the water-edge, trotting over the lily leaves, and taking short flights before the angler, that it is one of my favourite birds, the kingfisher and the water-ouzel being the other two. jimmy had gone off up a small ravine thickly covered with underwood, in search of a fern or two which he expected to find there. he had not been gone long before they heard him give a loud shout, and turning towards the spot, they saw a woodcock float out of a covert with that owl-like flight which it sometimes affect. "here is its nest," shouted jimmy. this news was sufficient to make the boys rush at once to the place where jimmy stood. on the ground under a holly-bush was the nest, with four eggs in it, of a dirty yellowish white, spotted with pale brown. [illustration: common sandpiper.] "well," said frank, "i think we have had an uncommonly good day." "so do i," replied jimmy, "and i feel uncommonly hungry. don't you?" "it seems to me that we do nothing but eat," observed dick. "i should like to go to bed soon. i am tired, and my ribs ache from my tumble," said frank. chapter xiii. a grizzly bear.--gossamers.--strike only on the box. after frank's cuts and bruises were plastered up, the boys turned into their berths and were soon fast asleep. now the hawks had been placed in a corner at the foot of jimmy's berth, and crouched together quiet and sullen. the foot of jimmy's bed was only about six inches from them, and as he turned and twisted in his sleep, he pushed his foot out of the bottom of the bed, exposing his toes within tempting reach of the young hawks' talons. the natural consequence followed. one of the birds seeing this capital chance of avenging himself on his enemies, seized fast hold of jimmy's big toe with his sharp beak. jimmy jumped up with a loud yell, and hitting his forehead against the roof of the cabin fell down again on the floor. frank, hearing a noise, started up not more than half awake, and fell out of his hammock on to the top of jimmy, whom he seized by the throat. dick awoke from a dream of arctic exploration, and cried out,-- "is that a grizzly bear?" "grizzly bear!" said jimmy, whom frank had released. "something ten times worse than a bear has seized my toe and bitten it off, or nearly so, and then i hit my head against the roof, and frank half choked me. i think it is a great deal too bad." "you must have been dreaming, jimmy," said frank; "there is nothing here that could bite your toe." "but i can feel that it is bleeding!" answered jimmy, in a very injured tone of voice. at that moment a noise in the corner of his berth attracted their attention. "oh, it must have been the hawks!" said dick, and he and frank went off into fits of laughter, which only grew more boisterous as jimmy proceeded to light a candle, and bind his toe up with a piece of sticking-plaster, grumbling all the time, and casting savage glances at the offending birds. the light was put out, and they once more went to bed, jimmy taking care to tuck his feet well under him. every now and then a smothered burst of laughter from the other berths told him that his friends were still enjoying the joke, and then, as his toe began to pain him less, his sense of the ludicrous overcame his sense of outraged dignity, and just as dick and frank were dropping off to sleep, they were again startled by a peal of laughter from jimmy. "oh dear!" said frank, "you will be the death of us, jimmy. have you only now discovered the joke?" "oh, don't make me laugh any more. my sides are aching so," said dick. once more composed, they went to sleep, and awoke early in the morning to find that the gale had spent itself, and that a soft air from the south blew warmly over the land. the sun shone his brightest, and the birds sang their merriest. they had a bathe in the clear river water, and dressed leisurely on the top of their cabin, while the sun, which had not risen very long, threw their shadows, gigantic in size, over the green meadows, which were covered with silvery gossamers--and then they were witnesses of a curious phenomenon. their shadows had halos of light around them, extending about eighteen inches from each figure, all around it. the strong light from behind them, shining on the wet and gleaming gossamers, was no doubt the cause of this singular appearance. the same sight has been seen when the grass was wet with dew. "the fields are quite silvery with the gossamer," said dick. "is it not pretty!" "yes, what a number of spiders there must be to cause such an appearance," answered frank. "it always puzzles me how those spiders move about--and how is it that on some mornings they appear in such immense quantities, while on the next morning, perhaps, not one will be seen?" "i think they are always there," replied dick, "but they are only visible when the dew is falling heavily, and wetting them so that they become visible. in the clear air, too, the sun will dry them so that we shall not be able to see them; but they will be there all the same. let us gather a bunch of rushes with a lot of them on and examine them." he did so, and they saw great numbers of tiny spiders gliding about their tiny webs. by and by, as they watched them, the little spiders shot out long silvery threads, which floated out to leeward, and then the spiders let go their hold and launched themselves into the air, and were borne away by the faint south wind. "oh, so that is the secret of their wandering, is it? don't you wish you could send a long floating thread from your stomach, jimmy, and sail away over the marshes? it would be as good as having wings." "don't be so absurd, frank." a wherry was being pushed up the stream by its two stalwart boatmen, by the process known in norfolk as quanting. the men placed their long poles or quants into the river at the bow of the wherry, and, placing their shoulders against them, walked to the stern, propelling the boat along with their feet. by this laborious method, when the wind fails them, do the wherrymen work their craft to their destination. as they passed the yacht, one of them cried out-- "we have got no matches, guv'nor. can you give us some?" "certainly," replied frank; and diving into the cabin, he returned with a handful. these he handed to the wherryman, who thanked him and passed on. the man stopped quanting and tried to strike a match by rubbing it on the sole of his shoe. it failed to ignite, and he threw it down. another met with the same fate, and another also. then he tried striking them on wood, then on iron, then on his rough jacket, but all to no purpose, and they could see him trying one after another, and throwing them down with every symptom of disgust. "why, frank, those matches strike only on the box," said dick. "i know that," replied frank, laughing quietly. "oh, that's too bad. fancy the fellow's disgust!" they sailed up to the pretty little town of beccles, where they took in provisions, and frank bought some more sticking-plaster in case of any further accident. they then had a good dinner at the principal inn, and afterwards called upon a friend, who took them over the large printing-works near the town, where many books published in london are printed. they began with the compositors' room, where, with marvellous rapidity, the workmen were selecting the letters from their respective boxes in the case of type, and arranging them in their proper order. the extraordinary illegibility of some of the mss. from which the compositors were reading with apparent ease astonished our boys, who could make nothing of them. they then paid a visit to the reader, who has the wearisome and eye-tiring task of reading over and correcting the proofs. when the proofs have been corrected and the "revise" submitted to the author, and his corrections made, the process of stereotyping comes in. the sheet of type is covered with a layer of plaster-of-paris, which takes a perfect impression of the words on the sheet of type. from this plaster-of-paris cast another cast is taken in metal, and this forms the stereotype plate from which the book is printed. the type, which is very valuable, can then be distributed to its proper places, and used again. the stereotype plates are always kept stored in stacks, like bottles in a wine-bin. jimmy, being of a mechanical turn of mind, was very much interested in the stereotyping process, and more particularly in the account they received of the way in which many daily papers are printed. the impression is in the first instance taken by means of a soft wet paper of sufficient thickness. this is dried, and the molten metal is poured upon it, and takes a perfect impression, without in any way spoiling the paper mould, or "matrix," which can be used again, while a plaster one cannot. jimmy asked to be shown some wooden blocks from which wood engravings are printed, and the boys examined them curiously. they received an invitation to spend the evening at their friend's house, and after returning to the boat to feed the hawks with some "lights" bought at a butcher's shop, they had a very pleasant evening, and slept that night on shore. chapter xiv. oulton broad.--lateeners.--lowestoft.--ringed-plover's nest.-- oyster-catcher.--shore fishing.--a perilous sail. [illustration: lateen sail.] they sailed quietly down the river again, and excited much attention from the many yachts they met. they turned off along oulton dyke, and on to oulton broad. the lake was full of craft of all rigs and sizes. there had been a regatta there the day before, and the major part of the yachts still remained. there was a stately schooner, moving with dignity; a smart cutter, heeling well over, but dashing along at a great pace; a heavy lugger; and, most graceful of all, the lateeners. these are a class of boats peculiar to the norfolk waters and to the mediterranean. the shape of them will be familiar to all who have ever looked at a picture of the bay of naples. they carry immense yards, the yard of a boat thirty feet long being about sixty feet in length. such a yard, of course, carries a very large sail. in addition to this large sail they have a fore and aft mizen astern. they sail wonderfully close to the wind, but in running before it they sometimes take it into their heads to duck under, because the weight of the sail is all thrown on the fore-part of the boat, and sometimes proves too much for it. a boat which attracted our boys' attention was a lugger, with her sails crossed by strips of bamboo, so that they looked something like venetian blinds. these made the sails stand very flat and firm, and the boat so rigged seemed to sail very fast. the sun-lit waters of the broad, covered as they were with rapidly-moving yachts, whose white sails contrasted with the blue water and sky and the green fringe of tall reeds which encircled the lake, presented a very pretty spectacle, and one that called forth the admiration of our young yachtsmen. as they threaded their way through the numerous vessels, they saw that they themselves were an object of curiosity, and as sound travels far on the water, and people seldom think of that when they speak on it, the boys overheard many comments upon themselves. those upon their boat were sometimes not flattering, but those upon their skill in handling her upon that crowded water were very appreciative, and at length frank said, with something like a blush-- "look here, this is getting too warm. i vote we moor her, and go to lowestoft to have a dip in the sea." the others agreed to this, and having moored the yacht in a safe place, they took their departure. at the lower end of oulton broad is a lock, by which vessels can be raised or lowered, as the case may be, to or from lake lothing, a tidal piece of water, communicating with the sea through lowestoft harbour. a brigantine collier was in the lock when our boys came up, and they stood and watched it come through, going out upon a floating raft of wood, so as to see it better entering the broad. "why, look at her bows. they are carved all over like an old-fashioned mantel-piece." as it came through the lock, it knocked against their raft, and threatened their safety, so seizing hold of the chains that hung over its bows, they climbed on board and entered into a conversation with her skipper. he told them that his ship was years old, and he considered her still stronger than many a ship of more recent build. he had on board some beautiful little dogs of the spanish breed, pure white and curly-haired, with sharp noses, and bright black eyes. dick insisted on buying one. "we cannot have it on board with the hawks," said frank. "but i shall send it home by the carrier from lowestoft," answered dick. [illustration: ringed-plover.] they walked along the shores of lake lothing to lowestoft, and went and had a bathe. then they walked along the cliffs towards pakefield, and while crossing a sandy spot dick discovered a ringed plover's nest. there were three eggs, cream-coloured, and blotched with brown. they were simply laid in a hole in the sand. they saw the old birds running along the shore before the wind, as is their habit, and looking very pretty with their grey beaks, and white stomachs, and black collars. on the shore they also saw some oyster catchers, with their plumage nearly all black, except a white belt, and white bars on their wings; and also a pair of redshanks, with their long red legs and bills, and french grey plumage; but although their nests are common enough in suffolk (in which county our boys now were), they failed to find their eggs. the redshanks nest on the ground in marshy places, and lay eggs of a great family likeness to those of other birds which lay in similar positions. on the shore men and boys were fishing in the following manner:-- they had long lines with a number of hooks on at regular intervals, which were baited with mussels. one end of the line was pegged into the sand; the other was heavily weighted with lead. they had a throwing-stick with a slit at one end. into this slit the line next the weight was introduced. with the aid of the stick the line was thrown out a considerable distance. after being allowed to rest some time it was hauled in, and the fish taken off. in this way they caught flat-fish and small codlings, and some of them had accumulated a large heap of fish. [illustration: oyster-catcher.] two boatmen came up to the boys, and asked them if they would like a sail. "we'll take you for an hour for sixpence each." "well, it's reasonable enough," said frank; "i vote we go." so they stepped on board and were soon tacking merrily about, a mile or two from land. "did you ever see two uglier fellows than our boatmen?" said dick in a whisper to frank. "no--but what are they staring at that steamer so hard for?" a large yacht was making direct for lowestoft harbour. "i say," said frank, "is not that steamer standing too close in shore? there is a bank of sand somewhere about there. i remember seeing remains of a wreck there not long ago." "hush! hold your tongue," answered the steersman. "what do you mean, sir? if she goes on in that course she'll strike." the man looked savagely at him, and replied, "look here, young man, if she strikes there will be no harm done. the sea is too smooth, and we shall be the first on the spot to help them off, and we shall get a good long sum of money for salvage. if you hold your tongue and say nothing you shall go shares. if you don't, i'll crack your head for you, so mind you don't give her any signal." "you unfeeling fellow!" said frank. "shout, jimmy and dick, with all your might. i will settle this blackguard." jimmy and dick obeyed and waved their hats to the advancing yacht. the man at the helm could not let go the tiller, but his mate made the sheet fast, and rose to strike frank. frank seized the stretcher from the bottom of the boat and raised it in the air. "touch me, if you dare!" he said. the brute struck at him, enraged at the prospect of losing so large a sum of money as his share of the salvage would amount to. frank avoided the blow, and with all the strength of his lithe young body, brought the stretcher down on the fellow's skull. he dropped to the bottom of the boat, and lay there as still as a log. "now we are three to one," he said to the steersman, "so you must do as we tell you." the man was a coward at heart, though a bully by nature, so he dared make no objection. meanwhile the yacht sheered off, but not soon enough to avoid just touching the end of the shoal, and getting a bump, which threw the people on her deck down, and gave them a fright. they passed on without so much as shouting "thank you." they now steered for the shore, frank retaining the stretcher in his hand, in case of an attack. the man whom he had stunned soon came to himself, and growled and swore horribly, but dared not do more. when they landed frank said, "now you are a pair of blackguards, and i shall not pay you anything;" and followed by his companions he turned away. before he had gone many steps, however, he turned back and said, while he pitched them half-a-crown: "there, that's for plaster!" chapter xv. animals which never die.--a wonderful tip to his tail.-- thunderstorm.--swan's nest.--bearded tit.--reed-wrens and cuckoo. the next day they sailed down the waveney, until they came to haddiscoe, and then, instead of continuing down to breydon water, they went along the new cut, a wide channel which unites the waveney with the yare, joining the latter at reedham. they found the channel of the yare very much broader than the bure or the waveney; and as they had a favourable breeze for the greater part of the way, and there was plenty of room to tack in the reaches where it was against them, they made rapid progress. as they sailed quietly along, dick lay on the roof of the cabin reading a number of _science gossip_ which they had bought at lowestoft. presently he cried out,-- "do you know that there are animals which never die?" the others laughed at the idea, but dick proceeded to read out as follows:-- "will the reader be astonished to hear that there are exceptions to the universal law of death, that there are animals, or at any rate portions of animals, which are practically immortal. such, however, is really the case. i allude to a species of the genera nais and syllis, marine worms of no special interest to the ordinary observer, but those who have watched their habits closely, tell us of the almost extraordinary power of spontaneous division which they enjoy. self-division, as a means of propagation, is common enough among the lower members of both animal and vegetable kingdoms, but the particular kind to which i refer now, is, i believe, peculiar to these singular worms. at certain periods the posterior portion of the body begins to alter its shape materially, it swells and grows larger, and the transverse segments become more strongly marked. at the last joint, at the point where it joins the first segment of the body, a true head is formed, furnished with antennæ, jaws, and whatever else goes to make a marine worm "perfect after its kind," and forthwith the whole drops off, a complete animal, capable of maintaining a separate existence. whether the process goes on for ever--that is to say, throughout all generations--of course, no one can tell; but if it does--and there is no reason to suppose the contrary--then it is self-evident that the posterior portion of one of these worms is, as i observed before, practically never dying. it is simply fitted every now and then with a new head! in fact, the tail of the first syllis ever formed, provided it has had the good luck to escape external accident, must still be in existence--a truly venerable animal, and without controversy the 'oldest inhabitant' of the seas." "it strikes me," said frank, "that that animal would be something like the irishman's stocking, which he had worn for a score of years. it had been re-footed and re-legged several times, yet he always asserted that it was the original stocking, although there was not a particle of the old stuff in it." "what a wonderful tip to his tail some animal has got then, if that is true," said jimmy. i cannot say whether the statement of the writer in _science gossip_ is strictly accurate, for who can decide when doctors disagree; but it seems plain enough that the process of generation by sub-division is far nearer the longed-for perpetual life, than anybody has been able to get to the coveted solution of the problem of perpetual motion. "do you know that the water we are sailing on is higher than the marshes around us?" said frank. "yes, and all those windmills are to pump the water up from the drains. they look very funny twirling away all by themselves." early in the day they reached a public-house surrounded by a little grove of trees, which gave an agreeable variety to the landscape. this was coldham hall, and as the sky was clouding over and the wind sighing fitfully through the reeds and the trees, and there was every symptom of a violent storm, the boys decided to remain there until the morrow, and then sail up to norwich. during the afternoon they amused themselves by fishing for eels, which were biting very freely. the heavens grew black, and the thunder muttered at intervals, but the storm held off until the evening, and then as it was getting dark it came on most violently. the rain came down in torrents. the lightning lit up the marsh for miles most vividly, and each flash was succeeded by an intenser blackness, while the bellowing of the thunder made the very earth shake. the boys stood at the door of the inn, gazing at the storm and awe-struck by its mighty power. "i don't like the idea of sleeping on the river to-night," said jimmy. "the landlord has a bedroom vacant, and i vote we sleep here instead of going on board." the others willingly consented, and dick and jimmy had a double-bedded room between them, while frank slept in a small attic. as the night wore on the storm passed away, but its mutterings could still be heard. jimmy did not like thunder, and felt very nervous while it was about, as many otherwise brave people will. he could not for the life of him go to sleep, and lay tossing about in a most uncomfortable state for half the night, while dick was slumbering peacefully. jimmy could stand it no longer, and got out of bed with the intention of arousing dick, and getting him to talk to him. he stole across the room, and by the faint starlight which came from the sky, which had partially cleared after the storm, he saw that dick had kicked all the bed-clothes off, and lay very deep in slumber. he touched him lightly on the foot to awake him gently. to his amazement dick lifted his leg and began to wave it slowly backwards in the air, at the same time whistling softly. jimmy was so struck with the oddity of this procedure in a sleeping man that he burst into a peal of laughter. even this did not wake dick; and jimmy, having now something to occupy his mind, went back to bed and laughed himself to sleep. when he detailed the incident to the others in the morning they would not believe him, but said that he must have been dreaming. [illustration: swan's nest.] the morning broke sunny and with a wonderful freshness in the air, which put the boys into the highest spirits. they sailed a little way up the river to surlingham broad, which they wished to explore. they sailed past the main entrance to the broad, thinking there was a wider passage further on. finding they were mistaken, they attempted to take the punt through a narrow and sinuous dyke which appeared to lead into the broad. they pushed their way along this for some distance until it became so narrow and shallow that they could scarcely get on. just then they came round a corner of reeds, and to their dismay found that they had come suddenly upon a swan's nest. the female swan was sitting upon a huge pile of sticks placed on a small reedy island. round this island the male swan was swimming in a very stately fashion, and when he saw the boys coming so near his beloved, he swam towards them, with his wings and tail raised and set out in a way that unmistakably told them he meant war. they hastily pushed back, but the punt stuck in the mud, and frank had to take an oar and keep the swan at bay with it, while the others pushed the punt off and back again. [illustration: swan.] "pray, look sharp," said frank, "i cannot keep him at bay much longer without my hurting him or his hurting me." "we're doing our best," said jimmy, and missing his footing as he spoke he fell into the mud and water. "that's no help," said frank, giving the swan a sharp poke with the oar. jimmy scrambled into the boat, and the swan, satisfied that they were in full retreat, gave up the pursuit. they went back to the yacht, where jimmy changed his clothes, and then went on to the broad by the proper channel. their object in visiting this broad was to find the nest of the bearded tit, which bell had told them bred there in great numbers. this beautiful little bird is now becoming very rare. its home is among the reed-beds of norfolk and suffolk, but it has been so shot down wholesale by bird-stuffers, and its eggs collected for sale, that it has become exceedingly rare. it is a very pretty bird, having a long tail, fawn-coloured back, and white belly, but its distinguishing feature is that it has a pair of moustaches in the shape of black tufts of feathers depending from either side of its mouth. very properly, too, it is only the males which have this appearance. in norfolk it is called the reed pheasant. it is very interesting to see a flock of them flitting about the reeds. like all the tit family, they are very lively, jerking up and down the reed-stems in all sorts of positions, and as often as not with their heads down and their tails up. apart from the open water of the broad, there were numerous channels among the reeds which latter rose to the height of seven or eight feet above the water. along these channels the boys made their way, listening attentively to the chirping of the birds, which they could hear but not see. by keeping very still they could at length distinguish two or three of the birds they sought, flitting about the reeds, and by the aid of their glass they could perceive the birds with great distinctness. the movements of one bird led them to its nest, and pushing their way with some difficulty they were fortunate enough to find it. it was built of dry stems of grass and sedges, and was placed about a foot from the ground (or water, for it was a compound of both), in the midst of a thick clump of reeds. it contained five eggs as large as those of a great tit, pinkish-white in colour, spotted and streaked with reddish brown, something like those of a yellow-hammer. while they were debating how many of the eggs they should take, frank saw a tit fly from a tuft of reeds a few yards off, and on going there they found another nest with four eggs in it. this was lucky, for it enabled them to take two eggs from each nest without feeling any compunction. [illustration: cuckoo and egg.] they found several of the beautiful purse-like nests of the reed wrens attached midway up the tall reed-stems. in one of them there was a young cuckoo, the sole occupant of the nest. what had become of the little reed-wrens was plainly to be seen by the bodies which strewed the ground beneath. the poor little fledglings had been ousted from their home by the broad-backed cuckoo. i suppose we ought not to call him cruel, because it is the instinct of self-preservation which makes him behave so badly. if the young birds, the legitimate owners of the nest, had been allowed to remain, the old birds could not have fed them all, and the young cuckoo must have starved. the boys watched the nest for some time to see the old birds feed it, and they were greatly delighted to see the way in which the reed-wrens managed it. _they perched on the young cuckoo's back_ while they placed the food in its broad mouth. it was the only standing room there was, for the cuckoo more than covered the whole of the nest. "who wouldn't be a naturalist!" said frank, "when he can see such things as that?" dick replied, "i did not know that life could possibly be so jolly, until i learnt something of natural history. i do wonder that so few fellows take to it. i suppose it is because books make it appear so dry. books don't seem to me to go into the _sport_ of the thing. they only show you the surface of it, and not the life. i will try to write a book some day when--" and he hesitated. "when you get more conceited, eh, dick?" said frank laughingly. then they sailed up to bramerton, and when they brought up at the wood's-end public-house they found a number of old school-fellows there, and the racing four-oar belonging to the school club. chapter xvi. old school fellows.--tom-tit's nest in boot.--nuthatch.-- wryneck.--ant-hill.--marsh-tit.--a comical fix. as the _swan_ was brought up to her moorings at the staithe the boys who were assembled on the green before the front of the house rushed down to inspect the strange boat and then to claim acquaintanceship with frank and jimmy. they were their old school-fellows, and were glad to see their old companions again. they swarmed over the yacht, criticising her, and asking questions about her and the cruise of the boys. marston, a great big fellow, dived into the cabin exclaiming, "what a jolly little box!" and sat down on a berth to see how it felt. no sooner, however, had he sat down than he jumped up and out on deck, as quickly as a jack in a box does when the spring is touched, at the same time uttering a howl of pain. "what is the matter?" said frank. "i do not know," answered marston, poking his head into the cabin again to see what was there, while he rubbed his back disconsolately. the fact of the matter was that he had sat down in the corner where the hawks were, and they, seeing an inviting bit of bare flesh between the waistband of his breeches and his jersey, had saluted him with a _one_, _two_, of very remarkable poignancy. jimmy's delight at this incident was unbounded. he felt now that he was amply repaid for the damage to his own big toe. when the general laugh at this incident had subsided, marston said:-- "i say, frank, we are going to row a race with the norwich rowing club. a four-oared race; it comes off the day after to-morrow; and most unfortunately our no. has sprained his wrist and cannot row, and we did not know what to do. we have no other man big enough to take his place who is in condition. we were discussing the matter as you came up. now, you are a good rower; will you row for us?" frank was pleased at the invitation, especially as it was backed up by the others most cordially; but he said-- "i have not rowed for so long a time that i am quite out of condition." "oh, nonsense, you look in perfect condition. if you have been out for a week's yachting you must be in capital condition. do row, or we shall lose the race to a certainty." "you had better row, frank," said both jim and dick together, but he still hesitated. "come, dick," said jim, "let us go and birds'-nest in the wood while frank listens to the voice of the charmer." so off they went, leaving frank and the others to settle the question between them. behind the inn there rose a steep wood-crowned bank, and it was to this that the two boys directed their steps. on their way they passed a skittle-alley, and dick said to the man in charge-- "can you show us any birds' nests?" "yes, i can show you one in a very rum place. look into that old pair of boots hanging against the wall." they did so, and to their surprise a tom-tit flew out, and upon closer inspection they found its nest in one of the boots, and in the nest twelve tiny white eggs. "these are master's marsh-boots, but when he found that the birds had begun to build in them, he gave orders that no one was to touch them until the birds had hatched off their young ones." [illustration: tom-tit and egg.] tom-tits have a knack of building their nests in strange places. inside a pillar letter-box, where letters were being tossed every day; in a hole in a door-post, which was closed when the door was shut, so that the birds were shut up during the night; in the pocket of a gardener's coat hanging on a nail. such are the places in which master tom-tit sometimes builds his nest. even more curious, however, was a nest i read of which was built by a fly-catcher in the spring of a bell, which vibrated twenty times a day when the bell was rung. when they reached the wood, dick's attention was attracted by the movements of a bird with a slaty blue back and fawn-coloured belly, which was flitting about the trunk of a large beech-tree. "what bird is that, jimmy?" he asked. "it is a nuthatch. let us watch it, and perhaps we may see its nest." [illustration: nuthatch.] after a little while they saw it disappear into a hole in a neighbouring tree. going up to this, they found that it was its nest, and that it was made after a fashion peculiar to these pretty birds. the nest was built in a hole in a tree, but the hole being larger than was required by the birds, they had built up the entrance with mud, like that which forms a swallow's nest, leaving an aperture only just large enough for the old birds to get in and out. dick got on jimmy's shoulders, and broke away a piece of mud, so that he could get his hand in. "there are five eggs, white with brown spots, and i have caught the old bird on." "let her go, and take two of the eggs; i know frank hasn't got any." dick did so, and then moistening the piece of mud which he had removed, in a little pool which was near, he fixed it very neatly in its proper place again. proceeding a little further, they saw a bird about as big as a nuthatch, but very different in appearance. it had a curiously mottled and brown-lined back. every now and then it descended to the ground, and flew back again to a hole in a decayed poplar, varying the journey with wanderings up and down the trunk of that and adjacent trees. as it did so, it stretched forth its head and twisted its neck about in a very peculiar fashion. [illustration: wryneck.] "that can be nothing else but a wryneck," said jimmy, noticing its movement. "its nest must be in that hole; but what is it picking from the ground?" [illustration: working ant and portion of ant-hill.] underneath a large fir-tree was a big conical heap of straw and leaves. upon examination it was found to be swarming with large chestnut-coloured ants. it was a nest of the wood-ant, and thousands of the tiny creatures were busy dragging straws and sticks to build up the nest, or grains of wheat or other food. it was a grand feast for the wryneck, which had been picking up the ants' eggs, and carrying them to its young ones. the boys stood for some time looking at the busy heap, until from looking at the whole together they came to selecting particular ants and speculating on their destination, for every ant had a purpose in going and coming. one about a foot from the hill was tugging a piece of straw which was evidently too large for him to pull along unassisted, so he left it, and presently returned with a companion, and the two together managed to take the straw along capitally. dick was much struck with this incident, which looked more like reason than instinct. and he would have stayed longer watching the ants, had not jimmy been in a hurry to climb up to the wryneck's nest, and he could not do without dick's help, who had to give him a back. when he got up he very nearly came down again, so startled was he to hear a loud hissing in the hole like that of a snake. the wryneck flew off, and as there could not be a bird and a snake together in the hole, he concluded that the bird had made the noise with intention to frighten him, and he boldly put his hand into the hole and popped his fingers into the gaping mouths of some young wrynecks. he nevertheless felt carefully about, in hope of finding an addled egg, and he was not disappointed. there were two addled eggs, which he brought down in safety. they were pure white, about the size of a swift's. [illustration: egg of wryneck.] they now came to something in dick's line. on a tall nettle-top sat a small tortoiseshell butterfly opening and shutting its wings with the fanning motion peculiar to its tribe. the rays of sunlight falling through the foliage of the trees overhead lit up the beauty of its red and black wings. dick had not his net with him, so taking off his cap, he made after the butterfly, which launched into strong flight, and sailed away out of the wood and over the meadows with dick in hot pursuit. jimmy went on rambling through the wood, and presently saw a small tree which divided into two branches about a dozen feet from the ground. at this fork of the tree it was split some distance down, and, in this split, some moss betokened a nest of some kind. jimmy threw a stone up, and as it clattered against the tree, a bird like a tom-tit, but with a black head, flew out. jimmy watched it as it fluttered about the branches of the tree a few yards off, and soon came to the conclusion that it was a marsh-tit, and that its eggs were worth having. [illustration: marsh tit and egg.] he accordingly climbed up the tree, and found that he could not reach the nest, which was too far down in the slit. by dint, however, of sitting on one of the forks, and pushing with all his might at the other, he succeeded in opening the crack wide enough for him to insert his hand and reach the nest. it contained eight eggs, white spotted with red. he took four of them, and sitting in the fork of the tree, he blew them and put them in his box. then he thought of descending, and attempted to jump to the ground. to his astonishment he found himself brought up sharp, and then he saw that his trousers had caught in the slit, and that a large portion of the slack of them behind was firmly wedged in; and there he hung with his legs dangling in the air with ludicrous helplessness. he tried to haul himself up again, but he was in such an awkward position that he could not do it. he tried to open the crack with his hands, but with the weight of his body on the one side instead of in the middle, this could not be done. in despair he let go with his hands, in the hope that his trousers would tear and that he would fall to the ground; but they were too stout for that, and he only narrowly escaped turning topsy turvy and hanging in a worse position. then he fell to laughing vigorously at the comical scrape he had got into. he did not laugh long, however, for he was very uncomfortable, and kick and struggle as he would, he could not get free. then he felt more inclined to cry than he ever had done in his life before. it was so very humiliating to be hung up there like a cockchafer at the end of a pin. when he found he could not get down by himself he began to shout for help. "dick, dick, dick!" but no dick came. the fact was that dick who had been unsuccessful in his chase after the butterfly, had returned to the spot from whence he started, and then not seeing jimmy about, he concluded that he had gone back to the others--and all the time jimmy was still up in the tree shouting lustily. dick heard an inarticulate shouting, but never for one moment imagined it came from jimmy. when, however, he saw that jimmy was not with the others, he thought of the shouting; and they all went in search of the missing one, and when they found him they went into such fits of laughter that for some time no one could help him. "oh dear, jimmy, you will be the death of me! this is worse than the big toe affair," said frank. "i say," said jimmy, "don't tell anyone at home about this, there's a good fellow." "all right, i won't." frank had agreed to row in the race, and while jimmy and dick sailed the yacht up to norwich, he went for a racing spin in the four-oar, and found that he was in much better condition than he had thought. when they reached norwich they found some letters awaiting them. frank after reading his, said,-- "hallo, master dick, you never said that you were going to send that dog you bought at mutford to my sister mary." "didn't i?" answered dick blushing. "no, of course you didn't. well, here is a message for you from her; she says, 'tell dick that i am very much obliged to him for the pretty little dog. he is a sweet little dear, but he soon got into a scrape. he went into the laundry and ate up the blue-bag, flannel and all, and he isn't a bit the worse, although florrie says she is sure his white coat will turn blue.'" chapter xvii. the boat-race.--winning.--mr. marston.--nightingale and nest.-- the noise of the nightingales. the next morning frank had another row in the four-oar, and in the afternoon they practised starts. the boat went very well indeed, notwithstanding the importation of new blood into it at the last hour. the day of the race came, a beautiful summer day with a gentle breeze, and the glare of the sun subdued by light clouds. the race was at three o'clock, and a goodly company had assembled at whitlingham to witness it. the course was from below postwick grove to whitlingham, a distance of two miles, the latter part of which was a long straight course, where for nearly a mile the boats could be seen by all the spectators. "how do you feel, old man?" said jimmy to frank as he was in the boat-house dressing. "oh, all right; we mean to win." "i don't know that you will though. i have seen the other crew rowing past on their way to the course. they have got such a splendid long stroke and swing so evenly." "yes, they row well," said marston, who was the stroke of frank's boat, "but they have not got enough of 'go' in them. they take it too easily, and so don't get a good grip of the water; and i think they have over-trained. still we shall have a hard job to beat them, but we all mean to try. now look here, you fellows. this is what i mean to do. we will put on a spurt at first, and get ahead of them, and then settle down into a steady stroke." this was very good advice, for it is a well-known fact that boys row with all the more _esprit_ if they can only get a start at the beginning. they are not so good at rowing a 'waiting' race as men are, but if they can but get ahead at first they always have a very good chance against men who are much stronger than themselves. dick and jimmy went to their yacht, and as the wind, although light, was dead aft, they sailed down to whitlingham before the racing-boats arrived there. there was a goodly number of spectators on the fair green meadow which lies between the river and the wood, for the race had excited some interest. the gay dresses of the ladies made the scene very lively and pretty. dick gallantly made it known that the yacht, which they had moored by the winning-post, was at the service of the ladies, and his offer was taken advantage of, and the _swan's_ deck was soon crowded with the fair sex. the norwich boat was the first to appear on the scene. on they came with a long swinging stroke on their way to the starting-point. nothing could be prettier to look at than their style of going. the crew rowed a long stroke which had every appearance of strength. they bent to and fro with the regularity of machines. the oars were pulled well home to the breast, the wrists dropped, and the oars feathered cleverly; the arms shot out, quickly followed by the body until the breast came well between the wide-open knees, but there was just one fault noticeable. the oars were put too gingerly into the water. there was no 'grip.' the men looked as if their boat were too light for them, and they were afraid of making her roll by too great an exertion of force. the men, too, looked pale and over-trained. a few minutes after they had passed, the boys came by with a quick, lively stroke, such a quick dash in it, and a firm grip of the water at the commencement of the stroke, that promised to do them good service. they did not go nearly so smoothly as their opponents; nor was this to be wondered at, seeing the change which had been effected so late in the day. dick and jimmy ran down the bank of the river to the starting-point, accompanied by many more. and now the boats were side by side, waiting for the signal to start. as the wind was light there was not much drifting, and a few strokes of the oars of bow and stroke kept them in position. frank settled himself well on his seat, and waited for the word. the starter said, "i shall ask if you are ready and then say go!" "now mind," said marston, "one short stroke to get her away, and then row with all your might to get her ahead." "are you ready?" frank grasped his oar firmly, and drew in his breath. "_go!_" the oars flashed in the water, and then it seemed to frank as if the other crew were fast drawing away from them. he clenched his teeth and threw all his power into the stroke, pulling with every muscle of his body from his scalp to his toes. the river was white with the foam churned by the oars. there seemed to be a deafening noise of rushing water and rattle of oars in the rowlocks. marston's jersey had been hung on a nail, and this had caused a projection in it at the back of the neck. on this frank fixed his eyes, neither looking to right or left of him for fear he should make the boat roll and lose time. then out of the corner of his eye he saw that he was opposite number two in the rival boat, and he knew that they were gaining. another dozen strokes and they were clear. then marston eased a bit, and the boys got into a little better time. their coxswain tried to take the water of the other boat, and thus nearly caused a foul at the bend in the river, but marston shook his head at him and he steered his own course. frank had now lost his nervousness, and felt pretty comfortable and able to take a little notice of what was passing on the banks, where a small crowd was running at the top of its speed abreast of them; a noise which had been humming in his ears resolving itself into the eager shouts of the partisans of the rival crews. dick was well in advance, saying, "well rowed, number three; splendidly rowed, frank;" and jimmy was a little way behind him shouting as excitedly. frank for a time fell into the error of thinking that he was doing the real work of the boat, and began to row somewhat too violently, when a warning voice from the bank cried out--"steady, steady number three!" and that recalled him to himself. they were now in the straight reach, and in sight of the winning-post, and their opponents were steadily gaining on them. "why doesn't marston quicken?" thought frank impatiently; but his stroke knew what he was about, and he kept on steadily until the boats were level once more. frank's hands were becoming numbed, for he was so afraid of slipping his oar that he grasped it more firmly than was needful. his wind was going too, and his tongue seemed swollen and clove to the roof of his mouth. he ventured a side glance at number three in the other boat, and was relieved to find that he seemed in quite as bad a plight as himself. an unlucky swan got in the way, and frank struck it violently with his oar, and very nearly caught a crab in consequence. a sudden puff of wind blew somebody's hat off, and frank smiled as he saw it float past and knew that it was dick's. the oars flashed with increasing quickness, the shouts on the bank grew louder, and still the long slim boats swept over the water side by side, their opponents drawing slightly ahead. [illustration: pair-oared boat.] "now!" gasped marston; and frank knew that the time for the final spurt had come, and if the stroke had been quick before it was doubly so now. frank felt that each stroke must be his last, but he struggled on; and just as he felt faint (for his want of training had told) and he lost sight of the other boat in a mist, he heard the sound of a pistol and knew that the winning post was reached. "who's won?" he managed to ask. "we have, by half a length," answered the coxswain. [illustration: mr. marston's house.] they drew close up to the bank amid the cheers of the people, and they staggered ashore; and frank went away a little distance and leaned against a tree with his face to the wind, trying to regain his breath again. who does not know the agony of thus fighting for breath after a severe struggle! even the excitement of victory does not atone at the moment for the penalty of over-exertion. dick and jimmy fanned him with their hats--or rather dick used his handkerchief, for his hat had gone to the bottom by this time. as soon as he had got his wind back frank turned to the others, and was at once seized by his companions and raised on their shoulders, and then carried in triumph to a carriage where some ladies sat. a tall clergyman approached, and he said,-- "you rowed splendidly, number three; wonderful, considering, as i am told, you had no training for the race. i hope you will be none the worse for it. will you have some champagne?" [illustration: nightingale.] frank could not resist a mighty draught of the cool wine, although it is anything but a good thing to take at such a time. an orange is the best thing,--it slakes the thirst, and does no injury to the stomach. the clergyman turned out to be marston's father, and his mother and sisters were in the carriage. they invited our three boys to dine with them that evening; and after the yacht had been taken to her moorings near the railway bridge, the boys walked a mile out of the town to mr. marston's house, and there spent a very pleasant evening. after dinner they played croquet, and once, when it was frank's turn to play it was found that he was totally oblivious of the game, and had his eyes fixed on an elegant brown bird which was flitting about the shrubs in the garden. "now then, frank," said marston, "it is your turn." frank played and then asked, "is not that bird a nightingale?" "yes, her nest is at the bottom of that bush. watch how she goes to it." [illustration: nightingale's nest.] the bird hopped about in a promiscuous sort of way, just as if there were no nest there, and then, when she got near it, she hopped upon it in quite an accidental manner. "she knows that we know her nest is there, because we look at it every day, but she always pretends she is only there by accident." frank went to look at the nest. it was untidy in make, built of straw and twigs, and lined with leaves. it contained five olive-brown eggs which were near to hatching. "you must not take any of these, mr. merivale," said miss marston. "no, i do not wish to do so," said frank, but his looks so belied his words that they all laughed at him. "there are two more nests about the grounds," said marston, "and i have some eggs in the house which you can have." frank thanked him, and asked if there were any more nightingales about. "there are so many about that many times i cannot go to sleep for the noise they make." "noise!" said his sister reproachfully. "yes, when it is dinned into one's ears so much, any singing becomes noisy." frank thought his friend was joking, but about ten o'clock they were strolling about the grounds in the bright moonlight, and then they heard nightingales singing all round them. the boys thought they had never heard such sweet sounds. first the song would commence with an intensely sweet, low, single note or pipe. then would follow a strong clear flood of melody which was entrancing in its richness. then the bird would cease, and in a few seconds another bird would answer from a little distance. then the first one would reply, and a third would take up the strain from a different quarter. the moonlight silence of the night, the ravishing strains of bird music which made the grove vocal, and the heavy fragrance of the flowers which floated on the dewy air, made the evening most perfect and beautiful. chapter xviii. a queer umbrella.--visit to scoulton gullery.--driving tandem.-- running away.--black-headed gulls.--collecting the eggs.--carp.-- wood argus butterfly.--scarlet pimpernel.--grasshopper warbler.-- chiff-chaff.--gall-fly.--robins' pincushions. the boys slept at the royal hotel that night, and to their surprise found sir richard's groom there. he had brought the brougham to town for repairs, and had orders to wait until it was finished, which would not be until the next day but one. in the meantime his two ponies were in the stables with nothing to do. here was a good opportunity for a long drive. frank at once suggested that they should drive to scoulton and see the breeding-place of the black-headed gulls. this was agreed to without hesitation. then frank said that as he had a pair of horses they might as well drive tandem, and he undertook to drive. mason, the groom, objected to this, because he was afraid that master frank could not drive well enough; but frank was positive that he could, although he had never driven tandem before. he said he knew the theory, and he was certain the practice was easy. at last it was agreed that the horses should be harnessed tandem, and that if frank could not manage them he was to give the reins up to mason. "why do the black-headed gulls breed at hingham, which is an inland place? i always thought they bred by the sea," said dick. "the black-headed gulls don't. every year as the breeding season approaches, they leave the sea and go to certain lakes or rivers, where from 'time immemorial' they have bred. scoulton mere near hingham is one of these places, and they breed there in countless numbers, going there in march and leaving in july or august. it is a sight worth seeing, i can assure you. there are not many places in england now where they breed in such numbers as they do at scoulton," answered frank. "what a curious instinct it is which leads them there. and how funny that for half a year they should live on salt food by the sea, and then for the other half on fresh-water food," said dick. frank and jimmy were standing in the archway of the royal hotel the next morning wondering where dick was. it was raining heavily, and they had had to put off starting to hingham. presently dick was seen running up the walk with his coat collar turned up, evidently pretty well drenched. under his arm however he had a very nice-looking umbrella. "oh, dick," said frank as he joined them, "whatever have you been buying an umbrella for, and why, having bought one, do you not put it up when it rains?" "i believe every person i passed all the way from the top of st. giles's street would have liked to ask me that question. they plainly thought that i was a fool," dick answered rather crossly. "well, no wonder. why didn't you put it up?" "it is not an umbrella at all, but a butterfly-net;" and he unfolded the supposed umbrella and opened it out into a good-sized butterfly-net. "i did not much like to be seen carrying a great butterfly-net through the town, so i thought this a good dodge to save appearances, and lo and behold it serves me this trick the first time i carry it." "well, it could not help the rain, dick," said frank laughing. these umbrella-nets are capital things, although they are useless in a shower. the reader may easily make one for himself in this way: get an old umbrella-stick and place the catch which holds the umbrella open, lower down, so as to increase the diameter of your net; then get two slips of strong crinoline steel, make the ends red hot, and bend them with a pliers into little loops. then fasten one end of each to the top of the stick with a piece of wire, and the other ends to the sliding ferrule. when this ferrule is pushed up to the catch the steels form a circle, to which the net can be attached. slip the ferrule back, and the net can be rolled up round the stick just like an ordinary umbrella, and a case put over it. a very handy and useful net is thus formed, and one which is very portable. if you do not care to make it, it may be bought from a dealer for a small sum, but i should advise every boy to make himself all the things he can. he will thus not only save his money to buy those things which he cannot make, but he will (which is far more important) learn how to turn his hand to useful purposes, and encourage habits of self-reliance which will be very useful to him in after life. in addition to this, one gets far more pleasure from using a thing one has made oneself, than one which has been bought. about twelve o'clock the rain cleared away and they decided to start. so the horses were harnessed in a dog-cart belonging to the inn, which also supplied them with the tandem harness, and the turn-out, which looked very creditable, was brought to the front of the inn, and the boys took their seats. frank and dick sat in front, and jimmy and the groom behind. frank felt nervous as he took hold of the reins, but pretended to feel quite at his ease. to his astonishment their steeds started off very quietly; and as the streets were very clear of traffic, they got out of the town without any accident. as soon, however, as they got into the open roads the leader evinced a strong desire to look about him, and presently his movements grew so erratic that dick said he was sure he would turn round and look at them before long. frank resented this imputation on his skill in driving by giving the leader a cut with the whip, whereupon he attempted to bolt, and it was as much as frank could do to hold him in. then sometimes he would hang back, so that the traces were loose, and the wheeler did all the pulling; and then he would start forward and nearly break the traces. after this sort of thing had gone on for some two or three miles, the wheeler, which had been going very steadily, began to imitate the bad example of his leader; and frank and his companions began to wish they had let tandem-driving alone. they came to a turnpike gate and, on frank attempting to pull in the horses in order to pay the toll, he found that they were beyond his control, and after cannoning rather severely against the gate-post, they fairly bolted, and tore away at a great pace along the road, which was fortunately pretty straight and free from vehicles. "sit still," said frank, "don't jump out, or you will come to grief. as long as there is nothing in the way they shall go as fast as they like. they will get tired of it sooner than i shall." away they went like the wind, the dog-cart bounding over the ruts and small stones in the roadway so that the boys had to hold on as tightly as they could. a large waggon now appeared in sight, and they rapidly came up with it. frank tried to turn his horses a little, but they had the bits in their teeth and would not swerve out of their course. the waggoner, seeing the state of affairs, promptly drew his horses and waggon close up to the side of the road in time for the runaways to pass them safely, but the wheels were within an inch of coming into collision. on they went until they came to a rise in the road, and here the horses, seeing that a long hill stretched before them, began to draw in. "now," said frank, "you have come at this pace so far for your own satisfaction, you shall go to the top of the hill at the same pace for mine." and he lashed them up and made them gallop right to the top of the hill, which was half a mile long, and then they were glad enough to be pulled up. "you will have no more trouble with them now, sir," said mason, and he was right. the horses went as steadily as possible the rest of the way, and frank's opinion of himself as a driver, which had been going down, again rose. their way led through a fine and well-wooded country; and after the rain, the trees, the long stretches of corn-fields, and the meadows, shone out with their brightest emerald; and in the shady parts, where the sun had not dried up the rain-drops, it seemed as if a sheeny silk mantle had been cast over the fields. about two o'clock they reached scoulton mere, which lay by the road side, separated from it by a belt of trees. a keeper was entering the gate into the wood as they drove up, and frank at once called out to him, and asked if they might go and see the gulls' nests. "oh yes, sir, i am going to collect the eggs now, and you can come with me. bring your horses in here. there is a shed where we can put them up." "hurrah, we are in luck!" said frank to his companions. they drove into the woodland glade over the softest moss and between great masses of rhododendrons which were still in flower. leaving the horses in charge of mason, they accompanied the keeper to the pool. it was about eighty acres in extent with a large island in the centre. as they reached the banks the air became filled with a thundering noise of wings, and as white as a snowstorm with the numbers of gulls which rose in the air at their approach. "oh, there are thousands and thousands of them!" said dick in amazement. "and if you look, there are as many on the water as in the air," answered the keeper. floating with the peculiar lightness which distinguishes the gull tribe, the birds seemed to occupy almost every yard of water. "you spoke of collecting the eggs," said dick to the keeper; "what do you do with them?" "oh, we sell them for eating. they are as good as plovers' eggs. i can get one shilling and sixpence or two shillings a score here for them, and the men who buy them of me get a good profit in norwich market." "how many eggs do you get?" "oh, that depends upon whether it is a good year or a bad one. in a good year we take , eggs or more. this year we have had one take already of , in one day, and i expect to get about , to-day. you see my men are collecting already. we only take the first laying of each bird if we can help it, but nests are so close together that it is hard to remember which we have taken and which we have not. if you would like to come on the hearth, as we call the island in the middle, you can do so, but you must put these mud boards on your feet, for it is very soft and dangerous walking." [illustration: common gull.] they crossed to the island in a heavy tub of a boat, and were surprised to see the number of eggs and nests. the nests were not more than one yard apart, built on the ground like water-hens', but not so cup-shaped. the number of eggs seemed to be about three in each nest, and their colour was generally olive brown, blotched and spotted with darker brown, but there was a very great variety in their colour. some were very light, some were very dark, and others were all blue like a heron's egg. the business of collecting the eggs went on very quietly and expeditiously, but the boys were almost made dizzy with the constant swooping of the gulls about their heads, and almost deafened by their cries. one part of the marshy island was so soft that no one could walk upon it, and the gulls which bred there never had their nests disturbed except by the rats and weasels, which naturally abound in such places. [illustration: young gulls covered with down.] the black-headed gull derives its name from the black patch on its head, which, however only appears during the breeding season. "when do the gulls arrive?" the boys asked. "well, sir, a lot of them come in march and stay for a day or two, as if to see that everything is right; and then they go away, and in a few days afterwards the whole of them come and begin to lay directly. there was some very stormy weather in march this year and they were late in coming, or most of the eggs would have been hatched by now." "and when do they leave?" "in july and august they begin to go away, and leave in the night; and by the end of august very few are left." "one would think that this small lake would scarcely afford sufficient food for them," said jimmy. "oh they scour the country around, sir. they follow the plough and spread over the fields like rooks. they catch moths and other insects. they eat mice, and if a young bird (not their own) came in the way they would make a meal of it." they bought a score of the eggs for the purpose of exchange, and then rowed round the pool watching the wonderful scene. there were plenty of other birds beside gulls there. coots, water-hens, water-rails, grebes and dabchicks were in plenty. [illustration: carp.] "i should think that there cannot be many fish here where the gulls would eat up all the spawn," said frank; but as he spoke dick pointed out the backs of a couple of immense carp which were basking on the top of the water, and a little further on they saw the body of a huge eel, and they were told by the keeper that there were any number of eels there. they were invited by the keeper to take tea at his cottage, and they had some of the gulls' eggs boiled, and very good they were. after tea they went for a birds'-nesting ramble through the wood. "oh, look here!" said jimmy; "when we came this afternoon all this place was covered with the scarlet pimpernel, and now there is not one to be seen. they have all closed up." "yes," answered the keeper, "they always do that about four o'clock, and all day long when the day is dull. we call them wink-a-peep, and sometimes shepherd's weather-glass." "how different to these dingy meadow brown butterflies which are fluttering all about us. i have seen them fly on the most damp and cheerless of days, when not another butterfly could be seen. i like them, although they are so dingy and ugly, because they are so hardy and homely." "what butterfly is that?" said jimmy, pointing to one that flitted past. dick's net was ready in a moment, and off he went in chase. bringing back his prize, they examined it and pronounced it to be the speckled wood butterfly or wood argus. it is a common insect nearly everywhere. it has wings of a deep-brown spotted with buff, and on the wings are pure white eyes with glossy black circles around them. it may be seen in every woodland glade, and is not at all shy. "hush!" said frank; "is that a shrew-mouse or a grasshopper which is making that chirruping noise?" "it is neither, sir," replied the keeper; "it is a bird, and there it is creeping about the bottom of that hedge like a mouse." "oh, i know what it is, it is a grasshopper warbler. let us look for its nest." they searched for quite a quarter of an hour before they found it. it was placed on the ground in the middle of a tuft of grass and at the foot of a bush. it was cup-shaped, made of grass and moss, and contained six eggs which were pinkish-white in colour, spotted all over with reddish-brown. the note of this little bird seems to be of a ventriloquial character like that of the landrail or corncrake. i have searched many a time in the exact spot where the sound appeared to come from, and then perhaps discovered that the bird was on the other side of the lane. jimmy next found a nest on the ground. it was arched over like a wren's, and was very beautifully constructed out of moss, hair, and feathers. it contained five round white eggs spotted with red. in order to identify it more positively as that of the chiff-chaff, which they suspected it was, they watched for some time, and saw the bird, a little pale-brown thing, creep up to it and enter it. i would particularly impress on my boy readers the necessity of thoroughly identifying the nest and eggs which they find. it is often impossible to tell accurately without seeing the old bird, and as the value of a collection depends upon the accuracy of its named specimens, no trouble should be spared in ensuring thorough identification. this remark applies to collections of every kind. "what is worth doing at all is worth doing well." [illustration: chiff-chaff.] the keeper said, pointing to some red, hairy masses on a bramble bush, "we call these robins' pincushions; can you tell me what causes them?" "oh yes," said dick, "they are galls caused by a little grub which afterwards turns into a fly." "they are very pretty things to be caused by a dirty little grub," said jimmy; "and pray what causes this cuckoo-spit?" pointing to one of the little lumps of water foam which are so common on plants and grasses in the summer. dick said they were caused by the larvæ of a fly like the galls, but as they were puzzled to know how it produced this casing of spit, when they got back to norwich they went into the library and found, in a number of _science gossip_, the following information about it:-- "the larvæ, as soon as it is hatched commences operations on some juicy stem or leaf, no matter what, so it be sappy enough; thrusts in its long proboscis; pumps up the sap; blows it off in small bubbles through a pipe in its tail, and so speedily constructs for itself a cool, moist, translucent home. by and by the sap dries up, and the insect changes its form and becomes winged." [illustration: oak-gall-fly.] it was now getting dusk, and the gulls were flying low over the meadows, hawking about like swallows. the boys went to see what they were catching, and saw that they were feeding on the ghost-moths which were hovering over the grass-tops with that vibrating and ghost-like flight which is so peculiar to them. every country boy must know the ghost-moths which, large and small, white and yellow, hover over the hay-fields in the month of june. their size alone makes them conspicuous, and they have a weird look as they flit about in the warm, still twilight. dick got several for his collection, and then it was time to be returning; and after making due acknowledgment to the friendly keeper they drove back through the quiet night, while nightingales sang around them, and the great red moon rose over the eastern woods, and quenched the pale light of the stars. the horses went well together, and they had no trouble with them; and when they got back to the hotel they went to bed, declaring they had spent a very jolly day. chapter xix. back again.--taken in tow.--bobbing for eels.--glow-worms.-- home.--urticating caterpillars. it will be seen that our boys had great capacities for enjoying themselves, and so oblivious had they been of the flight of time, that they had only left themselves two days in which to get home, for they felt bound not to ask for any extension of their holiday. two days was a very short time to sail all the way down the yare and up the bure again; and to add to their dilemma, the wind had settled in the east, and blew light and fitfully all day until five or six, when it would drop. they could have gone back by road and left the yacht to be sent after them, but this would have been _infra dig._, and was not to be thought of while the chance remained of reaching home in a legitimate way. so they started, and with infinite labour and much tacking and clever sailing, they succeeded in reaching brundall, about six miles down the river, by the middle of the day. "this won't do," said frank. "here comes a steam-wherry. i wonder if they will take us in tow." the wherry was hailed, and for a small consideration her crew consented to tow them to yarmouth. their sails were accordingly lowered, and a rope was made fast to the wherry; and in a few minutes' time they were being pulled along at a good pace by their great, black, ugly friend. "now we can enjoy our _otium cum dignitate_," said dick, throwing himself at full length on the roof of the cabin with the furled mainsail as a pillow; "and however light the breeze is to-morrow, it will take us home in time; so i shall write a note home and post it at yarmouth." between the waving reed-beds, through the long miles of marsh, acres of which were white with the silky globes of the cotton-grasses, by whirling wind-mills and groups of red and white cattle browsing on the reclaimed marshes, past sailing wherries that surged along before the light breeze with a lazy motion, past white-sailed yachts with gay-coloured pennants at their mast-heads and laughter-loving pleasure parties on board, underneath a bright blue sky streaked with filmy cloudlets and dotted with uprising larks, over a stream that murmured and rippled with a summer gladness, they clove their steady way. with every nerve instinct with healthy life, and hearts which had the great gift of understanding and appreciating the true and the beautiful around them, what wonder if they felt as happy as they could wish to feel, and were full of contentment with the pleasant time it was their lot to pass. they crossed breydon water under widely different circumstances to those in which they first crossed it. then it was wild and stormy; now it was fair and placid. they reached yarmouth about five, and as the wind still held they turned up the bure with the flowing tide, and sailed on and on in that quiet peaceful evening, with lessening speed as the wind fell, until at last they barely crept through the water. even when there was not a breath of air perceptible to the upheld hand, and the surface of the river was as smooth as glass, and the reeds were silent from their whispering, yet a magic wind seemed to fill their large sails, and still they crept on with a dream-like motion. at last that motion ceased, but then they were so close to acle bridge that they set to work and poled the yacht along with the quants, and in another half hour they were moored by the staithe. it was then half-past nine o'clock, but still very light; and there was a whiteness in the sky to the north-east, which told them the sun was not very far over the horizon, and that at midnight it would be but little darker than it was then. after they had had supper frank said, "do you remember those men whom we saw near norwich, who sat in small boats all the night long, and with a line in each hand, bobbed for eels?" "yes; what of them?" "why should we not bob for eels to-night? i don't feel inclined to go to bed." "very well," said jimmy; "but can we get the worsted?" "i will go and ask for some at the hermitage." "what do you want worsted for?" said dick. "to catch the eels with; but wait a bit and you shall see. bring the lantern and come with me." frank marched up to the house and knocked, and when the door was opened by a woman, said, "please can you let us have a hank of worsted? i will give you double its value." the woman looked at him in surprise, and he repeated his question. then she went indoors, and reappeared with a hank of worsted in her hand. this she threw out to them with a frightened look, and slammed the door in their faces. "wait, my good woman, we have not paid you," said frank. but there was no answer. "we seem to have frightened her," said dick. frank put a shilling under the door, and they went away laughing heartily. their next proceeding was to look about the damp grass and pick up the lob-worms, which were about in great numbers. when they had each collected a large number they returned to the yacht, and by frank's directions threaded the worms on to the worsted, lengthways, with the needle they had used for sniggling. in this way they made three large bunches of worm-covered worsted. these bunches they weighted with a stone, and tied strong lengths of cord to them. "now," said frank, "we can begin to bob. this is the way, dick:--let the bunch sink to the bottom and then keep the line taut. let it lie there for some time, and when you feel some sharp quick tugs, it is the eels biting at it. then haul it quietly on board and shake the eels off. there, i can feel them on my line now." "and i at mine," said jimmy. "and i too," said dick. "then wait five minutes, and haul on board." at the end of five minutes they each hauled their lines quietly on board, and on frank's were no less than six eels, their teeth entangled in the worsted. on jimmy's there were two, and on dick's three. they shook the eels on to the deck. jimmy's two at once wriggled themselves off back into the water, and frank and dick had hard work to keep theirs from doing the same, until jimmy got out the bucket they used for washing the deck, and in this they safely deposited their captives. "this is not bad fun," said dick, as he brought up three more eels, one of them a large one. "no, is it?" answered jimmy, as he followed dick's example. so they went on laughing and talking and pulling in eels until two o'clock in the morning, when their bucket was so full of eels that it would not hold any more. "now it is time to turn in," said frank; "take up the bucket, jimmy, and put it by the foremast with something over it to keep the eels from crawling out, while i do up the lines." jimmy took up the bucket, and was walking aft with it, when his foot slipped on an eel that had made its escape, and was wriggling about the deck. in an instant, jimmy, the bucket, and the eels all went into the water. jimmy rose to the surface and swam to the yacht, and climbed on board, with the bucket still in his hands, but all the eels had of course disappeared. "what an extraordinary thing!" spluttered jimmy, as he rose to the surface. "very," said frank, as soon as he could speak for laughing; "but hadn't you better dive after the eels?" "do you mind my losing them, frank?" said jimmy, rather ruefully. "not at all, old man. we don't want the eels, and a good laugh is better for us." while they were undressing, dick was peering through one of the side lights and at length said, "i suppose it is impossible for any one to have been smoking here lately, yet there are two or three things which are like cigar-ends gleaming on the bank. is it possible that they are glow-worms?" "yes, of course they are," said jimmy; "i will go and get them;" and presently he came back with the little, soft, brown things, which shed a circle of phosphorescent light for two or three inches around them. "put them into that empty jar with some grass, and we will take them home with us." [illustration: glow-worm.] the glow-worm is the wingless female of a winged beetle. the male has a dim light, but nothing to be compared to that of his wife. the light issues from the three last segments of her body, and is of a bright yellow in colour. in general she shines from ten to twelve o'clock, but often much later, as on this occasion. why such a brown, ugly little beetle should have such a beautiful light i do not know. perhaps it is to guide the male to her. this beetle with the wonderful light has plebeian tastes, for she eats the flesh of snails, and, unlike our gallic neighbours, she does not wait for the snails' decease first. the morning soon shone brightly, and again the fair east wind blew; "the sun was warm; and the wind was cool," and the _swan_ spread her white wings to the favouring breeze and glided between the narrowing banks, where the meadow-sweet in full luxuriance waved its cloudy clusters, the forget-me-not gleamed in turquoise blue, the tall iris or white flag reared its flowers of gold over its green sword-shaped leaves, and the modest ragged-robin showed its thin red petals amid the dew-wet grass. through heigham sounds and into hickling broad, and there at the farther end was a group of people, waving their handkerchiefs in greeting. "there they are," said frank; "give them three cheers;" and a "hip! hip! hurrah!" rang over the water with a hearty good will. mr. and mrs. merivale, sir richard carleton, and mary, were all there to meet them. frank brought the yacht up to her moorings in his best manner, and in a few minutes they were ashore. "dick," said sir richard, "i can scarcely believe my eyes. i am delighted." there was some cause for his surprise. dick was as brown as a berry. his form was upright and full of vigour, and his handsome face was bright with the smile of health. a greater contrast to the pale-faced delicate boy, who some months before had aroused his father's anxiety, could not well be seen. "i am glad you have enjoyed yourself, dear," said mrs. merivale to frank, "but i have been very anxious about you, and it has seemed a long time." frank laughed merrily, as he put his arm round his mother, and kissed her with all a lover's devotion. "you are like martha, mother, who troubled herself about many things. but where is florrie?" "oh," said mary, "she can't leave her room. she got a little black hairy caterpillar for you, and it has stung her. at least she has a rash all over her, and nasty little red lumps, and she suffers so much." "that must be a mistake, mary, about the caterpillar," said frank. "no, it is not, frank," said dick; "i was reading the other day about urticating caterpillars. the caterpillars of some moths will affect some people like that." "we have the creature in a glass, and you can see it, and try it, if you like, frank," said mary. chapter xx. golden oriole.--landrail.--house-martins in trouble.--siskin.-- peacock and red admiral butterflies.--winchat's nest.-- bitten by a viper.--viper and snake.--slow-worm. "frank," said mary at breakfast the next morning, "i have seen the most beautiful bird about the orchard and the wood next to it. it is about as big as a thrush, and is a bright yellow all over, except the wings, which are black. what can it be?" "by jove," said frank, "there is only one bird that is like that; but it is so very rare that very few specimens have been seen in this country, and that is the golden oriole. come and show me where it was at once, before i go to mr. meredith's." [illustration: oriole.] mary was nothing loath, and they hastily finished their breakfast and went out together. scarcely had they got to the orchard when the gardener came towards them with a gun in one hand, and a dead oriole in the other. "i thought you would like to have him to stuff, master frank," said the man, and frank took the bird and thanked him, and when they turned away frank said, "i am awfully sorry this has happened, mary. the idea of shooting a rare bird like this at the breeding season. it must have been nesting here, and in a few weeks perhaps, there would have been a brood of young ones about. let us go into the wood and look for its nest." in a short time they saw its mate flying about from tree to tree, calling piteously; and after a little hunting frank found a nest, which was like a missel thrush's, and placed in the fork of an oak branch. it contained four eggs, white in colour, covered with claret-coloured spots. frank did not touch it, hoping that the remaining bird would sit and hatch the eggs; but she soon deserted it and left the neighbourhood, most probably to be shot, and the boys then took the eggs to add to their collection. [illustration: nest of american species of oriole.] with the same vigour which characterised their out-door sports, the boys betook themselves again to their books. in mr. meredith's study at the rectory the three boys sat busily engaged in making latin verse, an exercise which suited dick far better than it did the others. their brown faces and their hands, hacked and roughened as only boys' hands can become, were in great contrast to their studious occupations. mr. meredith looked at them with keen interest, and resolved that he would do all in his power to turn out of his workshop (as he called it) three good specimens of god's handiwork and his own, and as far as in him lay he kept his vow. saturday was a whole holiday, and as the boys met at the boat-house to be ready for anything which might turn up, bell came to them and said, that while cutting the hay in a small meadow which he rented, he had come upon a landrail or corncrake, sitting on her eggs, and so close did she sit that he had cut off her head with his scythe. the boys went to see the nest and found eleven eggs in it, like those of the water-rail but larger. they were hard sat, which accounted for the old bird remaining on her nest until the last; but the boys knew how to blow hard-sat eggs, and took possession of them. [illustration: landrail or corncrake.] passing by mrs. brett's cottage they saw the old lady beckoning to them. when they went to her she explained that she wanted them to aid her swallows. a pair of house-martins were flying about their nest in the eaves, uttering cries of distress. "what is the matter? have the sparrows taken possession of it?" said frank. "no, dear, but it seems breaking away from the wall. there are young ones in it, and i suppose the old birds did not make it strong enough to hold their weight. i am afraid it will fall down every minute." [illustration: house-martin.] the boys undertook to put matters right, and with the aid of a ladder they climbed up to the nest, and with a hammer and nails they nailed up the nest in a broad piece of flannel. while they were engaged in doing this, the martins ceased their cries, as if they knew that a friendly act was being done for them; and when the boys left the nest the birds returned to it, and by their busy twitterings and short excited flights seemed to wish to express their gratitude. leaving the cottage, they went for a long aimless ramble through the fields and woods, trespassing with impunity, for they were well known everywhere, and visiting every hedgerow and copse on the look-out for nests. [illustration: siskin.] they came to a field round which there were hedges unusually high and thick for norfolk, which is a county of trim hedges and clean farming. almost the first nest they came to was that of a siskin. the old birds to which it belonged were hopping about the hedge. they were pretty lemon-coloured birds with a black patch on their heads and black on their wings. the boys watched them for some time, in order to make sure that they were indeed the siskin, for they are so very rare, especially during the breeding season, that very few nests have been found. "well, there can be no doubt about that," said frank. "they are siskins sure enough. what a very lucky find! now let us have a look at the nest." both nest and eggs were like those of a goldfinch, but the latter were much smaller than a goldfinch's eggs. the eggs were hard sat, but they took three of them and blew them safely; and as they were still doubting the reality of their good luck, when they went home they consulted their books, and mr. meredith, and all came to the conclusion that there could be no mistake about the birds. [illustration: chrysalis. peacock butterfly. caterpillar.] they found many more nests in that hedge. most of them had young ones, for the season was now very far advanced. dick soon found something after his own heart, and this was a large bed of nettles. every stem was covered with large, black, hairy caterpillars. these were the caterpillars of the peacock butterfly,--that splendid insect, which with its crimson and black, and the gorgeous peacock eyes which adorn its wings, is so conspicuous an object in the country in the summer. it is a great pleasure to me to see it as it sits on its favourite perch, the top of a nettle or a bramble, and opens and shuts its wings with the fanning motion peculiar to its tribe. dick marked this spot, and in a short time he came to gather the gilded chrysalides which on every plant shone brightly in the sunshine. these he gathered and put in a safe place, and during the summer it was a great pleasure to him to watch the outcoming of these resplendent insects. just before they were ready to emerge, the colours of their wings could be seen through the thin case which covered them, and with this warning he was often able to catch the insect at the instant of their appearance. not long afterwards he found a colony of the caterpillars of the red admiral butterfly, a large black insect with crimson bands round its wings, and the under surface marbled with the most delicate tracery of brown and grey. as far as size and beauty go, these two butterflies may be said to be the gems of the entomologist's cabinet. they are common enough in the south, and the young entomologist may look forward to catching or breeding them his first year. [illustration: red admiral butterfly.] the afternoon was exceedingly hot, and the sun blazed from a cloudless sky, and birds'-nesting and butterfly-hunting was tiring work. the scent of the hay made the air fragrant, and the sharp whisk of the scythes of the mowers in those meadows which were not yet cut, was the only sound which disturbed the evening stillness. crossing one of the commons which are to be met with everywhere in the enclosed districts of norfolk, they saw a little brown bird fly out of a hole in a low hedge bank. very cleverly hidden there, in a hole covered with a clump of primrose flowers, was a winchat's nest. it contained five blue eggs spotted with rusty red at the large end. taking two of these they went on their way, and presently entered a thick and tangled wood, where the underwood was so close that they could with difficulty make their way through it. the brambles and briars were breast high, and the ground was ankle deep in half rotten leaves of the previous year. in a bush through which jimmy was trying to force his way he saw a nest, which he took to be a thrush's or blackbird's. he put in his hand just to see if there were any eggs in, and to his surprise he felt something cold and slimy. before he could withdraw his hand he felt a sharp blow and a prick on his finger, and he drew back with a cry of dismay as he saw a viper uncoiling itself from the nest and wriggle down to the ground, where it was soon lost in the thick vegetation. frank and dick hurried up to him, and he held out his finger, in which were two small blue punctures. [illustration: winchat and egg.] "an adder has bitten me," he said, with blanched cheeks. frank at once whipped out his penknife, and seizing jimmy's hand, he made a deep cross cut over the bites, and as the blood began to flow, he put the finger to his mouth and tried to suck the poison out with all the force of his strong young lungs, only just waiting to say to dick-- "go at once to the village and get a bottle of olive-oil at the chemist's, and come back to the cottage at the edge of the wood. be as quick as you can." dick burst out of the wood and set off for the village, which was a mile away as the crow flies. as straight as an arrow and as fleet as a deer, dick sped on his friendly errand, and in six minutes he had reached the chemist's. the chemist gave him what he asked for, saying, that if rubbed in before the fire it was the best remedy. "are snake-bites fatal?" said dick. "no, sir, not in england, unless the person bitten is very delicate; but they are very painful, and i should advise you to be quick back." [illustration: viper.] dick was off again at the top of his speed, and reached the cottage a quarter of an hour after he had left frank and jimmy. "well done, dick!" said frank; "but go outside and face the wind a bit. you are dead beat." jimmy was pale, but collected. his arm had swelled up to a great size already, and was very painful. frank held his hand as near the fire as he could bear it, and rubbed the olive-oil in for half an hour; and then dick and frank walked him home between them. mrs. brett was naturally much alarmed, but frank soothed her fears, and jimmy was put to bed. "thank you, frank," he said, "i am awfully much obliged to you." "then prove it by going quietly to sleep if you can. you will be all right in a day or two." "how did you know about the olive-oil being a cure, frank?" "i was reading about it not a week ago, and as we were walking along this afternoon i was, strange to say, thinking about it, and imagining that i was bitten and curing myself, like one does make up pictures and rehearse scenes to oneself, when one has nothing better to do. it was a very strange coincidence."[ ] [ ] the best remedy for viper-bite is the injection of ammonia into the veins. [illustration: common ringed snake.] frank went home with dick, and they took a short cut through the copse. dick was looking about him very suspiciously, seeing the coils of an adder in every twisted root. suddenly his eye caught sight of a snake lying across the path. "there is another viper!" he exclaimed. "no, it is only a snake," said frank, coolly stooping down and taking the snake in his hand, while it coiled about his arm. dick looked horrified. "won't it bite?" he said. "no, dick. don't you know the difference between a snake and a viper? then i'll tell you. the viper is ash-brown in colour. its neck is narrower and its head broader in proportion. the viper has a couple of fangs, or long hollow teeth, which lie flat along the back of its mouth, but when it is angry it opens its mouth, erects its teeth and strikes with them. they are hollow, and down through the tubes the poison comes from a bag at their roots. the snake has no such teeth, and it is harmless, for it cannot sting, as many country people think it can, with its long forked tongue which it is now shooting out. then the snake lays eggs. i dare say if we were to dig in the manure-heaps in the farm-yard, we should find a lot of white eggs covered with a tough, soft skin and joined together with a sort of glue. the viper's eggs are hatched inside it, and the young ones are born alive." "i have read that the young ones of the viper will run down their parent's throat when alarmed for safety. is that true?" "it seems so strange that i can scarcely think it to be true, but so many respectable people say they have seen it that one does not like to say that it is not so; and it is, of course, difficult to prove a negative. i suppose the question will be settled some day." the snake frank held in his hand was a large and handsome one. it was olive-grey in colour, with rows of black spots on its back and sides, and greenish-yellow beneath, tinged with black. the snake changes its skin just like a caterpillar, but the skin preserves the shape of the snake, and is a very pretty object. often have i seen a sunny corner in a quiet wood covered with many of these cast-off skins all glittering in the sunlight; and they are so very like real snakes as easily to deceive the casual observer. during the winter both vipers and snakes hybernate in holes, or under tree-roots, and require no food. the slow-worm or blind-worm is often mistaken for the snake. it is about twelve inches long, with a smooth skin, and is dull brown in colour. it possesses a curious faculty of parting with its tail when it chooses. if it is seized by the hand or otherwise annoyed, the tail separates from the body and commences a series of war-dances on its own account. while you are occupied in observing this, the body quietly and expeditiously moves away out of danger. snakes and vipers live on frogs, small birds, &c., when they can catch them. the slow-worm lives almost entirely upon the white garden-slug. [illustration: slow-worm.] jimmy's arm and side were very much swollen and inflamed, and it was quite a week before he was free from pain. the doctor said that if the olive-oil had not been used he would have suffered very much more from the bite, and the consequences might have been serious, for jimmy had not a strong constitution. he was very careful after that of putting his hand into a bird's nest without getting a look into it first. chapter xxi. fishing.--jimmy's dodge.--bream-fishing.--good sport.-- fecundity of fish.--balance float.--fish-hatching.-- edith rose.--a night sail. it must not be supposed that the boys neglected that most fascinating of all sports, fishing. they fished in the broads and rivers whenever they had an opportunity. pike, perch, bream, and eels--all were fish that came to their net; and now that birds' nesting was over they devoted some special days to the pursuit of the gentle art. some years ago, and at the time of my story, the broads were as full as they could be of coarse fish, especially pike; but by the indiscriminate use of the net and the destruction of spawning fish, the poachers have so thinned the water of pike and perch, that the proprietors are preserving them, and the public are agitating for a close time at certain seasons of the year, so as to protect the breeding fish. even at the present time, however, the bream is so abundant as to afford plenty of sport to every fisher, however poor he may be. in shape this fish is something like a pair of bellows and it is commonly met with from one to five pounds in weight. it swarms in vast shoals and when it is in the mood for biting, you may catch as many as you like--and more sometimes, for the bream is not a nice fish to handle; it is covered with thick glutinous slime, which sticks to and dries on the hands and clothes. bream-fishers provide themselves with a cloth, with which to handle the fish and wipe off the slime. one morning frank, while dressing at his open window, looked at the broad and was surprised to see it dotted with round, bright coloured objects. "what can they be?" he said to himself in surprise. "they cannot be trimmers. they look like bladders, but who would paint bladders red, blue, green, and yellow? i am going to see." he dressed rapidly and ran towards the water. standing on the margin was jimmy, his hands in his pockets and a self-satisfied smile on his face. "what have you been doing jimmy?" said frank. "oh! i thought you would be astonished. i bought the whole stock of one of those fellows who sell india-rubber balloons, and i thought i would have a great haul of fish; so i fastened a line and hook to each balloon and set them floating before the wind. don't you think it a grand dodge?" "well, you are a funny fellow. i call it a poaching trick, of which you ought to be ashamed, master jimmy but i suppose you are not. i expect these balloons will burst directly a big fish pulls them a little under the water. there goes one now; i saw it disappear,--and there's another, with a pop you can hear at this distance." [illustration: bream.] jimmy began to look rather blue, and said, "hadn't we better go off after them in a boat, or we shall lose all our lines? all we had are fastened to them." "oh, you sinner! you don't mean to say that you have used our joint-stock lines?" "yes, i have." "then we had better go out at once." they got into the punt and rowed off after the toy balloons, which were floating swiftly before the breeze. the first they came up to had a small perch on. the next burst just as they reached it, and they saw the glimmer of a big fish in the water. there were twenty balloons set on the water, and it took them a long hour's work before they could recover all that were to be recovered. out of twenty they only brought in ten. the rest had burst, and the lines were lost. of the ten which they recovered five had small perch on, which were not worth having. so jimmy's grand scheme turned out a failure, as so many grand schemes do. the others chaffed him very much about it, as a punishment for losing the lines, and for doing anything on his own hook without consulting the others. after a wet week in july it was resolved to have a good day's bream fishing. the broad itself was more adapted for perch and pike, for it had a clear gravel bottom; and the river was always considered the best for bream, because its bottom was more muddy, and bream like soft muddy ground. the boys collected an immense quantity of worms, and taking on board a bag of grains for ground-bait, they sailed one friday evening down to ranworth and selected a likely spot in the river on the outside of a curve. they proceeded to bait the place well with grains and worms, and then went to sleep, with a comfortable certainty of sport on the morrow. the white morning dawned and made visible a grey dappled sky, the silent marsh and the smooth river, off which the mists were slowly creeping. small circles marked where the small fish were rising, but all about where the ground-bait had been put the water was as still as death. the fish were at the bottom, picking up the last crumbs and greedily wishing for more. frank was the first to rise. "now then, you lazy fellows, it is time to begin. there is a soft south wind and the fish are waiting. we will just run along the bank to have a dip away from our fishing-ground, and then we will begin." after their bathe their rods were soon put together. dick fished with paste made of new bread and coloured with vermilion. jimmy had some wasp grubs, and frank used worms. they tossed up for stations, and dick was posted at the bows, jimmy, amidships, and frank at the stern. the hooks were baited, and the floats were soon floating quietly down the stream. frank had a float which gave him a longer swim than his companions. it was made as follows. the stem of the float was of quill (two joined together) eight inches long, and was thrust through a small round cork which was fixed in the middle of it. the upper end of the float was weighted with shots, so that it lay flat on the water. the weight at the hook end was so placed, that when a bite took place the float sprang upright and remained so, this calling attention to the fact of a bite at a great distance. frank was thus able to let his float swim down the river much farther than he could have done with an ordinary one, because he could distinguish a bite farther off. before the floats had completed their first swim, dick cried "i have a bite." "so have i," said frank. "and so have i," added jimmy. "how absurd," said frank, as they were all engaged with a fish at the same time. all three fishes were too large to land without a landing-net, and dick held frank's rod while he helped to land jimmy's fish, and then jimmy helped to land the others. the fishes were as nearly as possible three pounds each, great slab-sided things, which gave a few vigorous rushes and then succumbed quietly to the angler. and so the sport went on. at every swim one or the other of them had a bite, and as they did not choose to lose time by using the cloth to every fish, they were soon covered with the slime off them, which dried on their white flannels and made them in a pretty mess. "in what immense numbers these fish must breed," said dick. [illustration: angling.] "yes," answered frank, "fish of this kind lay more eggs than those of the more bold and rapacious kind, such as the perch and pike. i have read that , eggs have been counted in the spawn of a big carp. you see that so many of the young are destroyed by other fish that this is a necessary provision of nature. i once saw the artificial breeding of trout by a way which i have never told you of, and it was most interesting. it was in cheshire, where some gentlemen had preserved a trout-stream and wished to keep up the stock. into the large stream a small rivulet ran down a cleft in the bank like a small ravine, and in this cleft they had built their sheds. the trout-spawn was placed in troughs which had bottoms made of glass rods side by side, close enough together to prevent the eggs falling through, but wide enough to let the water pass through freely. over these troughs a continual stream of water was directed. the eggs were pale yellow in colour when alive, but if one of them became addled or dead it turned white, and it was then picked off by means of a glass tube, up which it was sucked by the force of capillary attraction without disturbing the other eggs. by and by you could see a little dot in the eggs. this got larger and larger until the covering burst, and the fish came out, with a little transparent bag bigger than themselves attached to their stomachs. they ate nothing until this dried up, and they lived upon what they absorbed out of it. when the fish were about an inch long they were put into small pools up the brook, where they were watched very carefully by the keeper, who set traps for rats and herons. then as they got bigger they were put into larger pools, and finally into the river." [illustration: trout.] "i did not know that water-rats ate fish," said jimmy. "no, water-rats don't, although many people think they do. they live only on vegetable food, and it is a pity to kill them; but the common rat, which is as often seen by the river side as the other, will eat fish, or whatever it can get." it would be tedious to recount the capture of every fish, since one was so like another. the sport far exceeded their expectations, or anything they had previously experienced; and before six o'clock in the evening they had caught over three hundred fishes, big and little, the largest about five pounds in weight. the total weight was about twelve stone. norfolk bream fishers will know that i am not exaggerating. "i am thoroughly tired of this," said dick at length; "this is not sport, it is butchery, especially as we do not know what to do with them now we have caught them, except to give them to some farmer for manure." "no," said frank; "that is why i do not care much for bream fishing, or any sport where one cannot use the things one kills; but we will give the best of these fish to old matthew cox and his wife, who have nothing but the parish allowance to live on. i dare say they will be glad enough of them." cox, who was a poor old man scarce able to keep body and soul together, was glad indeed to have them, but their number puzzled him, until mrs. brett suggested that he should pickle them, and gave him some vinegar for the purpose. contrary to frank's expectation, the wind had not risen, but towards the afternoon died away, and with the exception of a shower, so summerlike that the gnats danced between the rain-drops, the day had been very fine and calm. when the boys left off fishing the water was as calm as at five o'clock in the morning, and there was not the slightest chance of their reaching home that night. this was awkward, as the next day was sunday, and they had no change of raiment with them. they made the best of it, sending a note home by post to explain their absence. in the morning there was a debate as to whether they should go to church or not. "let us go," said frank. "no one will know us, so it does not matter what we have on." so to church they went, in their dirty white flannels. it was their intention to sit near the door and try to escape observation, but they found the back seats of the little church full of children, and a churchwarden ushered them all the way up the church to the front pew, which they took. just before the service began, a lady and gentleman, and a young lady who was apparently their daughter, came into the large square pew in which our boys sat, whereupon the tanned cheeks of our heroes blushed vehemently. the young lady sat opposite frank, and every now and then gazed at him curiously. when frank mustered up courage to look back at her, he thought he knew the face, and as the sermon advanced he recollected that it was that of a friend of his sister mary's, who had once stayed at his father's house. when they left the church he went up to her, and taking off his cap, said, "i beg your pardon, but are you not miss rose?" "yes, mr. merivale, but i thought you would not have remembered me. papa, this is mary merivale's brother." mr. rose looked rather curiously at frank and his friends, and frank at once answered the unspoken question by saying, "we are yachting, sir, and we are windbound, without any change of clothes. we should have been ashamed to come to church if we had thought we should meet anyone we knew." "i am very glad to have met you. you and your friends must come and dine with me," was mr. rose's reply. so, in spite of their slimy-covered clothes and fishy smell, they were welcomed, and had a pleasant day. edith rose was so very pretty and nice, that frank began to think dick was not quite such a goose for being spoons on his sister, as he had previously thought him. about ten they returned to the yacht, and found that the wind had risen, and was blowing tolerably hard. as they were anxious to get back in time to be with mr. meredith on monday morning, they resolved to sit up until twelve o'clock and then start homeward. the night was starlight, and light enough for them to see their way on the water; and as the hands on their watches pointed to twelve they hoisted sail and glided away through the grey stillness of the night, beneath the starlit blue of the midnight sky, with no sound audible save the hissing of the water curling against their bows, the flapping of the sails as they tacked, and the occasional cry of a bird in the reeds; and about five o'clock they arrived home, and turned in on board the yacht for a couple of hours' sleep before breakfast. chapter xxii. calling for landrails.--landrail shamming death.-- yellow under-wing moth and wasp.--dragon-fly and butterfly.-- stink-horn fungus.--sundew. on a stile under the shade of a chestnut frank sat, calling for landrails. every now and then he rubbed an instrument on his thigh, which made a noise so like the cry of the corncrake that one could not have distinguished it. this instrument was very simple, and he had made it himself. it was a piece of hard wood, with a stock to it like the letter _y_. between the prongs of the _y_ was a wooden wheel, with its circumference cut into cogs. a slip of wood was screwed to the stock, and pressed against the cogs. when the wheel was turned by being pressed against the leg, a grating noise was produced, which answered the purpose admirably. frank sat with his gun upon his lap and called away most patiently, but not hurriedly. a landrail was answering him from the further side of the field, and was approaching nearer. at last, just as its note seemed further off, he caught sight of its long neck and head peering above the grass, which, although it was only the aftermath, had grown a good height. frank gave another creak, and the bird ran on a few yards nearer. frank raised his gun to his shoulder and took aim, and as the bird took fright and began to run away a report rang through the summer stillness. the corncrake ran on with one wing trailing. the distance had been too great, or frank would not have done so little damage. just as it seemed that the bird would get away, dick and jimmy appeared over the opposite hedge. the corncrake seeing them, immediately fell down and lay apparently dead. they picked it up and brought it to frank, who laid it on the ground by his side, and went on with his calling, while the others lay on the grass and talked. a heap of hay had been left by the side of the hedge, and dick lazily stirred it with his foot. a large yellow under-winged moth (a moth with grey upper-wings and bright yellow under-wings bordered with black and very common in our hay-fields) arose, and dick ran after it with his hat. another entomologist, however, was before him. a wasp pounced upon the moth, and the two fell fluttering to the ground, and dick caught them both, and afterwards mounted them in the attitude in which he caught them. "it was a pity to kill the wasp," said jimmy. "it was doing just the same as frank here. i dare say that corncrake would like to see him killed." [illustration: dragon-fly.] "it is the law of nature," said frank; "and see, there is a dragon-fly following the wasp's example." a large dragon-fly had seized a white butterfly, and then as it flew in the air, it was depriving it of its wings, which fell fluttering to the ground. jimmy happening to cast his eyes upon the corncrake, saw it cautiously lift its head, then gather itself together, looking about, and evidently preparing for flight. "look, frank," he said, "the corncrake was only shamming death!" the corncrake was on its legs and running away by this time, but frank fired and killed it. "i would have let it go for its cunning," he said, "but it would only die with a broken wing. it could not live the winter here, and of course it could not migrate. i have known the water-hen sham death in the same way, and many insects do it. i wonder if that is instinct or reason. how does it know that if it seems dead you will not touch it, and therefore it may get an opportunity to escape?" "it is very wonderful," said jimmy; "but you will get no more birds to-day after two shots. they will be too wary. come with me, and i will show you something equally wonderful." "what is it?" "i will not tell you. wait and see." they followed him to the shrubbery of mr. meredith's garden, and he led them to a laurel-bush, and pointed out to them an upright fungus, creamy white in colour, but not by any means handsome. dick and frank bent forward to examine it, when suddenly they clasped their noses between their fingers, and ran away, followed by jimmy exulting. "how terrible," said dick, blowing his nose. "that is the vilest smell i have ever smelt," said frank, doing likewise. "what is it?" "the common stink-horn fungus," answered jimmy; "i thought you would like to see it." "we might have liked to see it, but not to smell it. have not you a nose, jimmy?" "yes; but i wanted you to share my pleasure." "it was uncommonly kind of you, i must say." mr. meredith came up smiling and said, "now, if you will come with me, i will show you a plant much more interesting, and a plant which is like dick, in that it catches flies." in a small marsh near the end of the garden were some plants of the sundew. it is some years since i gathered one, and i have not one before me to describe, so i quote from a little book called _old english wild flowers_:-- "of all the interesting plants which grow on marsh-lands, the most singular is the sundew. those who have never seen its white blossoms growing, can form but little idea of its singular appearance. round the root it has a circle of leaves, and each leaf has a number of red hairs tipped with pellucid glands which exude a clear liquid, giving the leaves a dew-besprinkled appearance as it glistens in the sunshine. these have proved a fatal trap to numbers of insects. the foliage and stem are much tinted with crimson, and the plant is small." chapter xxiii. setting night-lines.--an encounter with poachers. old cox met frank one day, and said to him in his broad norfolk, which would be unintelligible to you were i to render it faithfully,-- "i wish you would give me some more fish, mr. merivale. you catch plenty, and if you would give me some that you doesn't want, i would take them to norwich market and sell them. i sorely want to buy a pair of blankets for the old woman and me afore the winter comes." "well, cox, you shall have all we catch and don't want," said frank; and when he saw his friends he said,-- "let us make a mighty night-line, and set it like the long lines the cromer fishermen set for cods, and lay it in the broad for eels, and give all we catch to cox. two or three nights' haul will set him up for the winter." so they made a long night-line. they bought a quarter of a mile of stout cord, and at distances of a yard from each other they fastened eel-hooks by means of short lengths of fine water-cord. cox himself got them the worms, and then one fine night they rowed the punt to the middle of the broad, and set the night-line in the deep water of the channel. "well," said dick, "this is the longest and most wearisome job i have ever done, and old cox ought to be infinitely obliged to us. we have been two hours and a half setting this line." early in the morning they went out, and took up the night-line, but to their great surprise they found but very few eels on it, and plenty of bream, which they did not want. they were much disappointed at this, and went to bell, and asked him the reason, for there were plenty of eels in the broad. "where did you set the line?" he asked. "in the deep water of the channel." "then that is just the place where you ought not to have set it. at night the eels make for the shallow water to feed, and if the grass is wet they will even wriggle out among it. i have seen them myself many a time. you must set your line along the edge where the water is about a foot or two feet deep, and you will have as many eels as you can carry." they tried again, and set the line as bell had directed them, and the next morning they began to haul it in. the first hook came up bare. so did the second, and the third. as they hauled in the line their faces looked very blank, for every hook was bare. "we are not the first," said frank savagely, "some other fellows have been here before us, and have taken up the line, and robbed it. they must have watched us laying it. now i'll tell you what we will do. we will set it again to-night, and watch in the yacht, and if we see any fellows touching it we will give them a drubbing. are you game?" "yes," answered both dick and jimmy readily, "we are." so the third time they set the line, and then as soon as it got dark they crept quietly on board the yacht. they had set the line within yards of the _swan_, and as there was a glitter on the water from the reflection of the stars, they could see if anyone approached it. "what shall we do if they do touch it?" said dick. "how shall we get at them?" "i did intend to take the boat, and row after them," answered frank; "but see, we are to windward of them, and there is a good breeze, so that if we let the yacht drift towards them until they take the alarm, and then run the sails up, we shall overtake them." "and what shall we do then?" said jimmy, who was becoming a little nervous. "run them down--the water is not deep enough to drown them--and take away their boat if we can, and then make them come and beg our pardon before we give it up to them. if they attempt to board us, knock them over again." frank spoke decidedly and hotly, for he was much put out at the theft of the fish. his family had so befriended the poor people around, that it was very ungrateful of some of them to rob their line. his spirits rose, too, with a force he could not resist, at the thought of a midnight engagement, and the chance of outwitting those who had thought to outwit him. dick and jimmy were ready to follow their dux at any instant, and anywhere. "they won't come till about midnight," said frank, "so we may as well take a little sleep." about two o'clock they were broad awake, and lying flat on the deck of the yacht, peering into the darkness in the direction of the night-line. "hush," said dick; "i heard a noise like that of oars." they listened, and sure enough they heard the noise of oars splashing in the water, and grating in the rowlocks. "here they are," whispered frank. "we shall soon be in the thick of it." dick had been trembling for some time in his nervousness, and he thought somewhat bitterly, "what is the matter with me? am i a coward?" and he felt ashamed at the thought. it was not cowardice, however, but pure nervousness, and the moment he heard the sound of the approaching voices his nervousness departed, and he felt as cool and collected as frank. a black patch soon became visible on the water, and they could just distinguish the outline of the boat. a splash in the water told them that the mooring stone had been thrown out, and that the robbers were at work. frank quietly slipped his mooring, and the yacht drifted quickly towards the men. they were soon near enough to see that there were two men in the boat, and they heard one of them say in a startled tone,-- "i say, jack, that yacht's adrift." "is there any one on board, did you see?" said the other. "no, i don't think so." "yes, there is though. pull up that stone and row off as fast as you can," answered his companion. "up with the sail!" shouted frank, as he flew to the helm. dick and jimmy threw themselves on the halyard, and the great sail rose with surprising quickness against the dark night. the men in the boat were now pulling away at the top of their speed, but with the wind dead aft the yacht bore swiftly down upon them. the water was only about two feet deep, and began to shallow. the yacht's centre boards were up, but still she could not go much further, and they could tell that they were continually touching the mud. "they will escape us," said dick. "no, there is a deep bay just where they are rowing," said jimmy. as the water deepened the yacht started forwards, and in another minute they were on the runaways. crash went their bows against the boat: she was at once capsized, and her occupants were struggling in the water. one of them scrambled on board the _swan_, and rushed aft with an oar upraised to strike, but frank laid the helm over as he put the yacht about, and the boom struck the fellow on the head and knocked him overboard. meanwhile dick had with the boat-hook tried to catch hold of the boat. in this he failed, but he got hold of something far more important, and that was a large fine-mesh net, which the poachers had no doubt intended to use after robbing the night-line. with such nets the damage done to fishing is enormous. shoals of fishes as small as minnows, and useless for anything except manure, are massacred with them, and it is by the constant use of such nets that the fishing on the broads falls now so far short of what it used to be. night-lines set for eels are not poaching or destructive. the quantity of eels is so great, that, as long as the young ones are spared, either night-lines or nets of the proper kind may be used. the yacht swept on, leaving the men up to their waists in the water, and swearing horribly. frank felt a wild impulse to return and fight them, for he was of a fighting blood, such as a soldier should have, but he thought, "if we go back there are sure to be some hard blows, and i have no right to take dick or jimmy into a scrimmage and perhaps get them severely hurt, for they are not so strong as i am," so he refrained, and they sailed back to the boat-house, and waited until the dawn. their adversaries dared not attack them, but went off out of sight and hearing. in the morning they took up the line, and were well-rewarded for their previous trouble. the eels they took pretty well loaded the donkey-cart which old cox had borrowed, and he took them to norwich and made a good profit out of them. having amused themselves once with the night-lines the boys did not care to use them again, for it was _infra dig._ to catch fish for profit. however the profits were good to other people, so they gave the line to old cox, and told him that he must get some one to set it, and go shares with him. the next day frank walked down to the village public-house and stuck up the following notice in the bar,-- "if the person to whom the nets i have belong, will call at my house and claim them, he shall have the nets and a good thrashing." frank was five feet eleven inches high, and well built in addition, and he had always a look on his face which said "i mean what i say;" and the nets were never claimed. chapter xxiv. water insects.--aquaria. one july afternoon the boys had been fishing, and to seek some shade and coolness while eating their lunch, they had driven the yacht into a quiet pool among the reeds, which almost met over them. the water below them was very clear and still, and as it was only about two feet deep they could see the bottom quite plainly, and they soon found that it was well worth a close inspection. the pool was teeming with insect life. the surface of the water was covered with tiny whirligig beetles, which were skimming about in mazy, coruscating evolutions. "those whirligig beetles," said dick, "have their eyes made with two faces--one to look down into the water, and the other to look into the sky." "what a lot you have learnt about insects, dick, in the course of a few months," said frank. [illustration: metamorphoses of flesh-fly.] "it is a grand study," said dick enthusiastically; "and i have worked my best at it. when one goes hard at a thing it is astonishing how soon one picks up a lot of knowledge about it. i have read over and over again about the common insects, or those that are the most noticeable." "well, tell us about all those insects we see now." [illustration: water-beetle.] "look at those long-legged narrow-bodied flies which are sliding along over the surface. these are called water-measurers. that oval beetle which is swimming on its back, and using two legs like oars, is the water boatman. it fastens on to the head of small fish, and soon kills them. it lives in the water, but if put on land it can fly. look at that brute crawling over the mud, with its lobster-like head. it has sharp claws and a hollow snout. it lies in wait for its victims, and when it seizes them it sucks the juice out of them with its beak. it looks only of a dull brown now, but when its wings are expanded its body is of a blood red colour, and its tail is forked. it sometimes comes out for a fly at night." "and what is the fearfully ugly thing climbing up that reed-stem just out of the water?" [illustration: pupa of dragon-fly.] [illustration: compound eye of dragon-fly (section).] "oh, that is the larva of the dragon-fly. the fly is about to come out of the case. just watch it for a while." [illustration: larva of gnat.] [illustration: escape of gnat from its pupa-case.] the larva of the dragon-fly is one of the ugliest of creatures. it has a long light-brown body and six legs. it has a fierce wide mouth and projecting eyes. attached to its head are two claws, which with a pincer-like movement, catch up anything eatable and pass it to the mouth. in its larva and pupa state it has just the same appearance, and when it is about to change into a perfect dragon-fly it climbs up out of the water and emerges out of its case, just like the butterfly, and sails away a perfect and gorgeous insect, leaving its case a transparent brown shell, still clinging to the reed or grass-stem on which it contracted its last change. "bother the gnats!" said jimmy brushing some off his face. "there is nothing interesting about them." "oh yes, there is," said dick. "they lay their eggs on the surface of the water, making a raft of them, and the larvæ escape through the bottom of each egg into the water; and i have read that it is a very pretty sight to watch the perfect insect coming out." [illustration: metamorphoses of plumed gnat.] "i would prefer their staying down below; they bite me," answered jimmy. crawling along the bottom were numbers of caddis-worms in tube-like cases made of sticks and stones. inside these cases are the plump white grubs which turn into flies. "where the bottom is gravelly these caddis-worms make their cases of little stones," said frank. "yes, and i read the other day that an experiment had been tried by some one, who took some out of their nests and put them into an aquarium with some finely-broken glass of different colours, and the caddis-worms made their cases of this broken coloured glass, and very pretty they looked." "their own bodies must supply the glue which fastens the pieces of gravel or glass together?" "yes, it does." as the fish were biting very badly the boys left the broad early and went for a stroll. while passing through the village they saw a sale of stock going on in the open space round which the houses were ranged. they stopped to look on. the goods which were being sold were the stock in trade of a chemist, and among them were three large glass bowls, such as are used for aquaria. these were put up by the auctioneer in one lot, but there was no bid for them. they were articles not in request in that rural district. [illustration: pupa-case, larva, and fly of caddis-worm.] "will no one make me a bid? everything is to be sold without reservation," cried the auctioneer. "five shillings," said frank. "going at five shillings!--going! going!--gone!"--and the lot was knocked down to frank. "what are you going to do with them?" asked jimmy. "make them into aquaria, of course. don't you see they are just the thing. the idea came into my head as soon as i saw them." "then we can put some water insects in," said dick. the glass reservoirs were placed on a shelf in the boat-house, and the next morning before breakfast they were fitted up. they got a quantity of fine gravel and sand, and thoroughly washed it in water, so as to cleanse it from all mud and impurity. this was placed to the depth of a couple of inches in each vessel, and a rock-work of worn flints was built upon it. water was poured in to within a few inches of the top, and pieces of anacharis were planted in the gravel, their roots kept down by the stones. in a day or two the water had got clear, and the plants had taken root, and the boys proceeded to stock the aquaria. the small brook near afforded minnows and sticklebacks in plenty. in a stagnant pool they got some newts and water-insects. from the broad they obtained a few small perch, roach, and bream, and an eel about six inches long. they at first put these all together without any attempt at sorting them, and then the following consequences ensued. the water-boatmen fastened on the heads of the small fish and speedily killed them, and ate them up. the sticklebacks made themselves at home at once, and proved very pugnacious, fighting each other, dashing at a stick or finger, if put into the water, but, worst of all, annoying the minnows. each male stickleback took up a position of his own, and resented any approach to within a few inches of it. with his glaring green eyes, and scarlet breast, he would wage war against any intruder; and when an unsuspecting minnow came within his ken he would sidle up to it, till within striking distance, then dash at it, and strike it with his snout in the stomach. the perch swallowed the minnows, and when they had vanished, attempted to swallow the sticklebacks, but the spines of the latter stuck in the perches' gullets and choked them. the eel, too, would writhe and poke through the gravel and stir it up, displacing the weeds and doing a lot of mischief. [illustration: minnow.] this led to a general reconstruction of the aquaria. the perch were taken out and restored to the broad, together with the eel. the roach, bream, and minnows, were put into two of the aquaria by themselves, and the sticklebacks and water-insects into the other. many a fight took place among the sticklebacks and the water-boatmen, in which sometimes the one and sometimes the other came off victorious. [illustration: smooth newt.] the boys then got some caddis-worms, pulled them from their cases, and put them into a glass vessel filled with water, and having at the bottom some glass of different colours broken into small pieces. in a short time the caddis-worms had made themselves new, parti-coloured cases of glass, which were quite transparent, and through which the white bodies of the grubs could be plainly seen. frank put these in among the minnows one day, and it was amusing to see the fish darting at the caddis-worms, thinking they would be soft, succulent morsels, and to watch their evident astonishment at being foiled by the hard cases. this suggested an idea to frank which he afterwards carried out. none of the sticklebacks kept by the boys built nests or bred, so that they missed seeing a very pretty and interesting sight. "fishes building nests!" i hear some of my readers exclaiming. yes, sticklebacks do build nests, and in the number for january of _science gossip_ is an interesting account of this habit, which i take the liberty of quoting. when i have observed any fact in natural history myself, i describe it in my own words; but when i take it from the observation of others, it is fairer to them to use their own words, and far better in the interests of truth:-- "two pair of sticklebacks were procured about the middle of april,--the males having already put on their spring dress of scarlet and green, and the females being full of spawn. [illustration: metamorphoses of newt.] "after a few days a small hole was observed in the sand near a large stone. to this hole one of the males was paying the most assiduous and extraordinary attention. he was poising himself at an angle of forty-five degrees or thereabouts; he commenced a tremendous motion of his whole body, making the sand a pivot, and at the same time beating the water with his fins. this motion increased regularly in rapidity for a minute or so, when it ceased abruptly, and the fish darted off, either in pursuit of some trespasser whom he chastised (the females not even being exempt), or to obtain materials to increase his nest. these consisted of pieces of stick or moss, which being saturated with water, were of such gravity as to prevent their rising. he deposited these with great care, leaving a perfectly round hole in the middle, and then having procured a mouthful of sand, laid it over the looser materials to cement them together. "when completed, the nest resembled a flattened haycock. "for about a week after this completion it seemed deserted. but one morning it was found that some eggs had been laid. these for the size of the fish are very large, being about the size of a middling-sized shot. they hatched in about from ten days to a fortnight,--the young fish remaining in the nest until the yolk-bag was absorbed, when, being large enough to look after themselves, they went their way. the parent who had so tenderly guarded them took no further heed of them, and himself died--such being the case in both instances which came under notice, both parents sickening and dying from the effects of spawning and watching, or perhaps from the aquarium not being fitted for their recovery." [illustration: water-fleas.] [illustration: animalculÆ in drop of water, as seen under the microscope.] those who keep aquaria in an intelligent manner and study the habits of the creatures they imprison, will find it both interesting work, and a never-failing source of amusement. it is very little trouble. when the water is put in, and the plants begin to grow, the water need not be changed. the oxygen produced by the plants will keep the water pure, and will supply it with air. [illustration: fresh-water aquarium.] the green confervoid growth which rapidly forms on the sides of the aquarium must not be all wiped off, for it assists greatly in keeping the water pure and healthy. tie a piece of sponge to a stick, and with this you can wipe it off from that side where it obstructs the view, without disturbing the rest of the aquarium. if you have no cover, and dust accumulates on the surface of the water, it may easily be removed by means of a piece of paper laid on the surface of the water for a few minutes. the dust will adhere to this, and be taken away with it when it is removed. the confervoid growth is best kept down by the common water-snail, several of which should be kept in the aquarium. you must of course feed the fish occasionally with worms, insects, and bread; but give them very little at a time, or you will foul the water and render it muddy, and the fish will sicken and die. keep these few hints in mind, and you will have no trouble in managing your aquarium. [illustration: metamorphoses of frog.] from aquaria to flowers is a sudden transition, but a bunch of violets has just been held to my nose to smell, and their sweet fragrance has borne me in thought from my study, where i am burning the midnight oil, to the green woods and fields of my boyhood, and then a sudden review of events which have happened since in my life, makes me more thankful than ever that that boyhood was, as far as natural history is concerned, a prototype to the boys of whom i am now writing, and makes me wish to urge the more strongly upon you the almost boundless advantages which follow the study to all. you will of course clearly see that my aim in writing this book is not merely to amuse, but to teach you some of the wonders which lie ready for you to explore, and the delight of seeking and discovering those wonders. i do not, however, want to moralize, because if i do you will skip my moralising, so i will pull up in time and get on with my story. [illustration: sea-water aquarium.] chapter xxv. making a fern case.--ferns.--harvest mouse.-- mole.--ladybird.--grasses. [illustration: wall spleenwort.] from ten till four the boys were engaged with mr. meredith, but they had a holiday on saturday, and by rising early they could gain so many of the fairest and most beautiful hours of the day that lessons seemed but an interval between a long morning and a long afternoon. they thus made plenty of time for their numerous occupations. [illustration: forked spleenwort.] mary said to jimmy one day, "will you make me a fern-case? frank has so many things to do. i have been promised a lot of ferns from devonshire. a friend of mine will send them to me by post, and i should so like to have a nice little fernery for my bedroom window." [illustration: green spleenwort.] jimmy gladly promised to make one for her, and dick, who would have liked to have had the commission himself, volunteered to help him. they first of all made a strong deal box, about two feet six inches long, and one foot six inches broad, and six inches deep. this was lined carefully with sheet lead, which was to make it perfectly water-tight. they then made a wooden framework, with a pointed roof, to fit on the top of it. this they glazed with ordinary window-glass, and painted all the wood-work black. it was now ready for the soil. first they put a layer, about two inches deep, of broken sandstone, in order to ensure perfect drainage, and mixed with this were some lumps of charcoal to keep it pure. then they filled up the box with earth, mixed in the proportions following:--one-third part of garden mould, one-third part of sand, and one-third part of peaty earth, with an admixture of dead leaves. in the centre of the rockery they built up a framework of curiously water-worn flints, and then they carried the affair in triumph to mary's room, where they planted the ferns she had received from her friend--glossy, whole-leaved hart's-tongues, delicate, black-stemmed maiden-hair, ladder-like polypodies and blechnums, feathery lady-ferns, light green and branching oak-ferns, and many another species, which, notwithstanding their removal from the devonshire lanes, grew and flourished in mary's fern-case, and soon became a sight most pleasant to the eye. [illustration: oak fern.] [illustration: fructification of ferns. . asplenium. . scolopendrium. . cystopteris. . blechnum. . hymenophyllum. . pteris. . adiantum. . trichomanes. . woodsia.] to anyone fond of ferns nothing can be more interesting than a fern-case. nearly all ferns grow well in them, if they are properly attended to. whenever the soil becomes dry on the surface, they should be well watered, and this should not be done too often, or it will encourage the growth of mould. the moisture will evaporate and condense on the side of the glass, and run down again to the earth, so that there is very little waste. the plants thus create an atmosphere of their own, and will thrive in it wonderfully. [illustration: wall rue. jersey fern. marsh fern.] one day it was so intensely hot that it was impossible to do anything but lie in the shade. the boys had bathed twice, and the deck planks of the yacht were so burning hot that they could with difficulty stand upon them. they sought a shady corner of the paddock, and there underneath a tall hedge and the shade of an oak they lay, and talked, and read. frank was teasing dick with a piece of grass, and to escape him, dick got up and sat on a rail in the hedge which separated them from the next field, which was a corn-field. this quietly gave way, and dick rolled into the next field, and lay among the corn quite happy and contented. suddenly he called out-- "come and look at this nest in the corn-stalks! it can't be a bird's. what is it?" frank and jimmy went through the gap and examined it. [illustration: harvest mouse and nest.] "it is the nest of a harvest mouse," said frank, "and there are half a dozen naked little mice inside." the harvest mouse is the smallest of british animals. unlike its relatives, it builds its nest in the stalks of grass or corn at a little distance from the ground. the nest is globular in shape, made of woven grass, and has a small entrance like that of a wren's. [illustration: mole.] "and here is a mole-trap," said jimmy, "with a mole in it. what smooth glossy fur it has! it will set whichever way you rub it." "yes; and don't you see the use of that. it can run backwards or forwards along its narrow burrows with the greatest ease. it could not do that if the fur had a right and a wrong way." "can it see?" asked jimmy, pointing to the tiny black specks which represented its eyes. "oh yes. not very well, i dare say; but well enough for its own purposes. it can run along its passages at a great speed, as people have found out by putting straws at intervals along them, and then startling the mole at one end and watching the straws as they were thrown down." during the autumn and winter the mole resides in a fortress, often at short distances from the burrow where it nests. this fortress is always placed in a position of safety, and is of a most complex construction. it is a hillock, containing two or three tiers of galleries with connecting passages, and from the central chamber it has passages, or rows, extending in different directions. [illustration: ladybird and its stages.] the boys returned to their couches in the long grass in the shade, and frank was soon too sleepy to tease, but lay on the broad of his back, looking up at the blue sky through the interstices of the oak branches. dick was studying the movements of a ladybird with red back and black spots, which was crawling up a grass-stem, and wondering how such a pretty creature could eat a green juicy aphis, as it has a habit of doing. jimmy was turning over the pages of his book, and looking out the plates of flowers, and comparing them with some he had gathered. he was rather bewildered and somewhat discouraged at the immensity of the study he had undertaken. no sooner did he learn the name of a flower than it was driven from his head by that of another, and having attempted to do too much in the beginning, he had got into a pretty state of confusion. he had given up the idea of keeping pace with naming all the beautiful flowers he had found. he gathered and dried them, and left to the winter evenings the task of arranging and naming them. "i say," called out frank, "around my face there are at least seven different kinds of grasses. can you name them, jimmy?--and how many different kinds of grasses are there?" "i can name nothing," said jimmy dolefully, "but i will look it up in my book and tell you. here it is, but their name seems legion. you must look at them for yourself. the plates are very beautiful, but the quaking grass, of which there is any quantity just by your head, is the prettiest." "they seem as pretty as ferns," said frank. "i must learn something more about them." a day or two after this mr. meredith said to them, when they had assembled at his house in the morning: "now, boys, from something a little bird has whispered to me, i think you stand in need of a little punishment, and i therefore mean to give you a lesson. you are by far too desultory in your study of natural history. you attempt to do too much, and so you only obtain a superficial knowledge, instead of the thorough and practical one you ought to have. you are trying to reach a goal before you have fairly started from the toe-line. i allude more especially now to botanical matters, because i know most about them, and that is all i can help you in. therefore you will be kind enough to translate into latin this essay which i have written on the life of a fern." "that is anything but a punishment, sir," said frank, laughing. the boys set to work with great zest at their novel lesson. i set the english of it out in the next chapter, and i particularly request my young readers to read every word of it. chapter xxvi. the life of a fern.[ ] [ ] for this chapter i am indebted to my friend mr. william whitwell, of oxford. one of the most marvellous of "the fairy tales of science" has now to engage our attention for a time. the growth and fertilization of the seeds--more properly called spores--of ferns, present phenomena of remarkable singularity and interest. growth is advisedly named first, as in the present instance it really does occur before fertilization, which is not the primary event in the life-history of a fern. but a few words must be devoted to the preliminary question: what is a fern? the vegetable kingdom is divided into two great provinces, allotted respectively to the flowering and the flowerless tribes. the flowering plants have several distinct and visible organs for the formation and fertilization of their seed, to each of which is assigned a special and necessary office. in the flowerless section, on the contrary, there are none of these visibly separate agencies in reproduction, and what are usually termed the seeds do not show any parts representative of the developed product. in the true seeds, which belong to flowering plants alone, are contained the rudiments of a stem, leaves, and root, but in the spores of the flowerless plants nothing of the kind is found. the spores, again, are microscopic, while the smallest of true seeds can be not only seen but easily picked up. you have, doubtless, met with the peculiar fungus called a puff-ball, and amused yourselves by watching the little clouds of impalpable dust which are shaken from it on the slightest motion. those fine clouds, not nearly so visible as a film of candle smoke, are composed of innumerable spores, and such are the representatives of seeds in every member of the great section of the flowerless plants. now it is peculiar to ferns, that the cases in which these spores are enclosed grow directly from the veins of what is usually called the leaf, but is more correctly termed the frond, and always appear upon the back or at the margin. ferns, then, are flowerless plants which bear their spores in cases growing upon the back or margin of the leaves. in order that the phenomena of growth and fertilization in ferns may be clearly understood, it is necessary to refer to the process as taking place in flowering plants. the tulip is most appropriate for an illustration, inasmuch as its various parts will be recognised with ease. at the bottom of the blossom is a thick green oval body called the ovary, which afterwards becomes the seed-vessel. at the top, this narrows into a short column, surmounted by a three-cleft knob. between the ovary and the gorgeously painted flower-leaves are six curious organs, termed stamens, consisting each of a long and rather slender stalk, and a head formed somewhat like a hammer. if the green oval ovary in the centre is cut in two, it will be found divided into three chambers, in one or another of which, not usually in all, will be seen a row of little knobs or buttons attached to the partition in the middle. these little buttons are ovules, or seed-germs, and the special office of the ovary is to produce these germs, and to contain them until their full development and complete ripening into seeds. but if the knobs are left just as they are, unfertilized, they can never become seeds, and the plant will fail to reproduce its kind. turn we now to the stamens. each of their hammer-like heads has two chambers, full of beautiful little grains which are called the pollen. each grain is tastefully and delicately marked, and holds a transparent watery fluid, in which a number of extremely small solid particles are floating. what is required for the fertilization of the seed-germs is--that this fluid should be conveyed to and taken up by them. but they are in the centre of the thick green ovary--this in the chambers of the stamens! a simple arrangement brings all about. at a certain time we may see the black heads of the stamens covered with a fine flour, which adheres to whatever touches them. this flour is made up solely of pollen-grains, escaping in unimaginable numbers from the chambers where they are produced. at the same time the knob which crowns the seed-vessel puts forth a thick and gummy ooze. the stamens are just long enough for their heads to rise a little above this knob, upon which the pollen, when escaping as i have stated, falls in great quantity, and is there held fast. each grain then begins to swell, and to sprout (as the rev. j. g. wood has it) something like potatoes in a cellar. all the sprouts, however, pierce the knob, and push downwards until they reach the seed-germs underneath. each sprout is a tube of extreme minuteness, and when it reaches a germ, attaches itself thereto, and, through the channel so formed, the fluid is drawn out of the pollen-grain and absorbed by the embryo seed. fertilization is thus effected, and the growth and development of the germ proceeds until it becomes a seed fully able, when planted, to reproduce a tulip. [illustration: fern spores.] in ferns, the spores ripen and are ready for dispersion and partial growth without any process of the kind. but, in truth, fertilization is as necessary to the continuance of ferns as to the perpetuation of other plants. the main difference lies in this: that the means of fertilization, and the real germs of new plants, are produced from the spores after they begin to grow. when a spore falls upon a proper place for its development, a portion of the outer membrane begins to swell, and a tongue-shaped projection is formed, which becomes a sort of root. the one chamber of the spore gradually subdivides, and becomes two, four, and so on, until for the simple spore we have a tiny leaf-like expansion, now known as the _prothallium_, or representative of a leaf. further than this the spore alone has no power to go, and the prothallium is not truly the germ of the future plant. true germs, needing fertilization, are produced upon it, and also the means whereby they can be fertilized. these can be distinguished only by use of the higher microscopic powers. if a portion of the prothallium is examined, it will be found studded with little bladders, containing round semi-transparent bodies of a greenish hue. there may also be seen, though in fewer numbers, pellucid cells of an entirely different character, consisting apparently only of a fine membrane, forming an angular chamber, shaped in some instances like a lantern of extreme delicacy and elegance. from the top of this chamber a funnel-like shaft descends to a little germ which is situated at the bottom. this germ is the real original of the future plant, and the round bodies in their little cells, just before described, are the means whereby it is to be fertilized and receive energy to develope into the perfect fern. but how can the needful contact between the germs and the fertilizing bodies be brought about? observation and experiment supply a strange answer to this question. the round bodies in the tiny bladders acquire a spiral or shell-like form when they become mature. if a drop of water is then placed in contact with the bladders, their contents will suddenly escape, retaining for a moment the coiled appearance, but quickly lengthening and partially unrolling. by means of hairs with which they are furnished, and which at once commence a ceaseless jerking motion, they forthwith launch out into the water, and conduct themselves therein more like creatures endowed with conscious life than mere organs of a settled and sedate member of the vegetable kingdom. these bodies, drawing near the germ-cells in the course of their travels through the, to them, vast ocean of the water-drop, have been seen arrested in their progress and passing down the funnel-shafts to the germs below--so fulfilling the purpose for which they were designed and their curious swimming powers were given. the germs, so fertilized, become the underground stems of which i have yet to speak, putting forth roots and producing the tender, rolled-up buds which finally expand into the fronds whose grace and beauty we so much admire. these germs, appearing on the prothallium or leaf-like expansion of the spore, are the true representatives of seeds, and the swimming bodies correspond to the pollen or fertilizing dust of flowers. thus we see that germs and means of fertilization are produced in the fern as truly as in higher plants, and that the simple agency whereby the one may reach and exert the needful action upon the other, is the _dew-drop_ resting on the prothallium from which they are developed. without the dew-drop or the rain-drop as a means of communication both must perish with their mission unfulfilled. this is, perhaps, one of the most singular instances ever to be found, of the mutual dependency of created things, or, to give different expression to the same idea, of the mode in which each link of the great network of existence is connected with every other. returning to the fern, whose "strange eventful history" we have traced so far,--the germ enlarges and becomes what is usually called the root, but is really an underground stem. the true roots are the little fibres--often black and wiry, looking more dead than alive--which descend from this. the stem may be of two kinds--long, thin, and creeping, as in the common polypody, or short, stout, and upright, as in the common male fern. at intervals along the creeping stem, or arranged more or less regularly around the crown of the erect stem, little buds appear, which eventually form the fronds which are the really conspicuous portion of the plant, and whose aspect is familiar to us all. the buds present a character of great interest and singularity. instead of being simply folded together, as leaves generally are,--in all but two of our british kinds the fronds are rolled up after the fashion of a crosier or shepherd's crook. in divided fronds, the sections are rolled up first, and singly, and then the whole are rolled up again, as if forming but a single piece. the aspect of some of these young fronds--in the common bracken, for instance--with their many divisions all partially unrolled, is often highly curious. but in this i am proceeding too far. the first crop of fronds, even in those kinds which when mature are most deeply cut, are usually very simple in form--almost or wholly undivided. this fact is often a source of great confusion to beginners. i well remember two perplexities of the kind in which i was involved during the earlier season of my attention to this subject. growing upon a rock by the roadside, i found a small fern, more exquisitely beautiful than any i had seen before. i gathered and preserved it, but for many months was wholly puzzled as to its nature. fancies arose that i was the happy discoverer of a new species,--and what if professor lindley or sir william hooker were to name it after me--asplenium, or polystichum, or something else, meredithii? that would be better than a peerage. these were but fancies, and i was well pleased when further experience--for books helped me not at all--showed that it was a young plant of the common lady-fern. it was divided once only--into simple leaflets--while the fully-developed frond of the matured plant is one of the most highly subdivided our islands can produce. when i began collecting ferns, i had not seen a specimen of the rare holly-fern, and it was pardonable in me on finding some fronds which evidently belonged to the shield fern genus, and were divided into spiny leaflets only, to refer them to this species and tell a friend that i had made a great discovery. but on going to the same plant a year later, my mistake was made plain, as the new fronds were much more divided, and showed the plant to be of the common kind, the prickly shield-fern. on the rocky sides of little welsh and highland rivers, in glens where the sunlight seldom enters, complete series of this fern in all its stages--from the tiny simple leaf to the deeply-cut and boldly-outlined frond of nearly three feet in length--may easily be obtained, and will beautifully illustrate its varied and increasingly-divided forms. some fronds of course, as those of the graceful hart's-tongue, are undivided even at maturity, except in occasional instances in which, like creatures endowed with more sentient life, they become erratic, and show a disposition to pass beyond the ordinary limitations. curious examples of tendency to a greater than even their proper large amount of subdivision are occasionally shown in specimens of the lady-fern, which become forked at the extremities not only of the fronds but of the leaflets also. the manner in which the fronds divide into lobes, segments, leaflets, and so on, is of course largely dependent upon the character of the veining, which differs widely from that of the flowering plants. in these, the veins are either netted or parallel, but in ferns they are forked, each branch again forking, and so on outward to the margin. this is only partially true of the scale-fern, and not true at all of the adder's-tongue; but it is the case with all other of our native kinds. [illustration: scaly spleenwort or "rusty back."] passing now to the production of the spores, and so completing the cycle of a fern's existence,--these appear in cases which spring in some instances from leafless veins or central ribs, but mostly from the veins as they usually occur, and at the back or, in the bristle-fern and filmy-ferns, at the margin of the fronds. the cases grow in clusters which are termed sori, each of which is generally protected by a covering, though in the genus of the polypodies this is entirely absent, the clusters being fully exposed to the diversities of wind and weather. in the protected kinds, the cover assumes various forms. the filmy-ferns have it as a tiny cup, enclosing the spore-cases. in the bladder-fern it is like a fairy helmet. the shield-ferns, as their name implies, produce it as a little shield, fastened by its centre. in the buckler-ferns it is kidney-shaped, in the spleenworts long and narrow, and so on. some kinds can scarcely be credited with the formation of a real cover, but their sori are protected by the turned-down margins of the fronds. in a few sorts, separate fronds are provided for the production of the spores, and these mostly differ in shape from the ordinary or barren fronds. the spore-cases are generally almost microscopic, flask-like in shape, and encircled by an elastic ring of peculiar structure, which passes either from top to bottom like a parallel of longitude, or round the sides like the equator round the earth. the exact nature of this band,--whether its elasticity be due to the mechanical arrangement of its cells, which are narrower on the inner than on the outer side, and apparently filled with solid matter, or to a quality of its substance,--i am unable to determine. [illustration: wilson's filmy-fern.] [illustration: tunbridge filmy-fern.] when the spores are fully ripe, and ready for dispersion, the band, which has hitherto been bent around them, springs open with great suddenness and force, tearing the enclosing membrane and casting them forth upon the breeze, to undergo in their turn all the changes we have traced, or, as must be the case with multitudes, such are the countless numbers in which they are produced, to perish, humanly speaking, with all the beautiful possibilities of their nature for ever lost. the botanist is led away from care, not merely into holes and corners-- "brimful dykes and marshes dank"-- but to glorious vales and to mountain tops, where fresh health-laden breezes play around him, and he can delight in scenes of grandeur and loveliness to a degree which only a true lover of nature knows. a poet i have read gave sweet expression to thoughts and feelings which i have often shared, when he wrote thus:-- "oh! god be praised for a home begirt with beauty rare, a perfect home, where gentle thoughts are trained 'mid scenes so fair; "and where (god grant it so) the heart that loves a beauteous view, the while it grows in truth and taste may grow in goodness too. "for 'tis my creed that part to part so clingeth in the soul, that whatsoe'er doth better one, that bettereth the whole. "and whoso readeth nature's book, widespread throughout the earth, will something add unto his love of wisdom and of worth." happy are those who can find relief from the worry and turmoil of business in the observation and study of the myriad forms of life which flourish upon the earth, or whose record is laid up within its rocks. but blessed is he who, from the contemplation of objects so varied, wonderful, and beautiful, can with a full heart look upward to a god reconciled in christ, and in reverential and loving worship exclaim, "my _father_ made them all!" chapter xxvii. on the "war-path."--rabbit-shooting.--flapper-shooting.-- duck-shooting.--wood-pigeons.--life in an oak-tree.-- burying-beetles.--lace-wing fly.--stag-beetle.--hair-worm. it was a curious sight to see the boys on the "war-path." frank generally led the way, with his eyes fixed on the hedge or tree-tops. jimmy followed closely at his heels, and dick brought up the rear. as their eyes were generally too much occupied in looking out for objects of interest, to take care of their feet, they lifted the latter up from the ground with an action like that of a thorough-bred colt, so as to avoid any obstacles in their path. while going along one day in this style, frank said, "i tell you what we have nearly forgotten, and that is to go flapper-shooting." flappers are young ducks only just able to fly, and in july it is great fun following them along the side of a dyke, the short flights of the young ones making them easy shots for a beginner. "let us go to-morrow," said jimmy. "you two shoot, and i will look on," said dick, who cared very little for shooting. dick was not by any means an enthusiastic gunner, as the following anecdote will show. he had taken the gun, saying that he was going to shoot rabbits by the home copse, a wood which belonged to mr. merivale. in a convenient spot the boys had fixed a hurdle close by a hedge-bank, and twined some brushwood through the bars. between this and the hedge they used to take their seat, and watch for the rabbits coming out of their burrows in the evening. on a warm july evening dick went to this spot alone, with a parting injunction from frank not to shoot at the young ones, but to pick out the old bucks. frank was busy with something or other, and jimmy was away at norwich. when frank had finished what he was about he went in search of dick. when he came to the edge of the field at the foot of which lay the wood, he saw numbers of rabbits skipping about close by dick's shelter, and after waiting for some time he grew impatient, and wondered why dick did not fire. [illustration: wild rabbits.] "he must have fallen asleep," he thought; and so with infinite care and cunning he crawled down the hedge-side, and came upon dick from behind. "dick, why don't you shoot?" he said in a whisper. "hush!" said dick, "they look so pretty, i don't like to disturb them. look at the young ones frisking about." "give me the gun," said frank. dick passed it to him through the hedge, and frank, taking aim at two fine rabbits which happened to be in a line, shot them dead. "i have had more pleasure in watching them than you have had in shooting them, frank," said dick. it must not be thought that dick was mawkishly sentimental, but he had not the organ of destructiveness that frank had, and it was, as he said, quite as much sport to him to see and watch birds and animals as to shoot them. therefore, when the others went flapper-shooting their order of going ranged in this wise:-- frank, armed with his double-barrelled muzzle-loader (for breech-loaders had not yet come into general use), took one side of the dyke, and jimmy, with a single-barrel he had bought second-hand, took the other side, while dick took the punt along the dyke ready to act the part of a retriever. it was one of those still, hot days when the distant woods lie brooding in a blue haze. the labours of the breeding-season over, the birds were resting silently, and there was no sound but the monotonous hum of insect-life. on the wide marshes all objects were distorted by the quivering of the evaporating moisture, and the long straight dykes and drains gleamed back defiantly at the sun. frank and jimmy trudged valiantly through the rustling flags and reeds by the water-side, and dick pulled the punt along a little behind them. "shooting is no fun this weather," said frank, stopping to wipe the perspiration from his brow. just then a wild-duck rose from the reeds, followed by half-a-dozen young ones. they rose on frank's side of the dyke, so it was his turn to shoot. he dropped his hat and handkerchief and fired, but in his hurry he missed with the first barrel, and jimmy, fearing they might escape, let off his big single, and one of the young ducks fell to the ground with a flop which told how fat he was. frank winged another with his second barrel, and it fell into the water, where it was despatched by a third shot from jimmy, who had hastily loaded. the old duck flew far away, but the young ones only flew short distances, and then settled on the dyke and hid in the reeds, one here and another there; and then for an hour or so they had good sport beating about the dykes, and flushing them one by one until they had disposed of the whole brood. "there," said frank, as he handed the last of them to dick in the punt, "it is too hot to shoot any more to-day. we have done enough to be able to say that we have been flapper-shooting, and that is all i care for this hot weather." "i am glad you are leaving off;" said dick, "that villanous saltpetre smoke hangs in the air so that one can see nothing." "then let us have a bathe, and leave the ducks until the winter-time," said jimmy. "yes, but we won't leave them quite yet. we must shoot them when they come to the corn-fields in august." [illustration: wood-pigeon.] and as we are now writing about wild-duck shooting we will just advance a short time in our story, and take a glance at the boys shooting wild ducks when the fields are yellow with harvest. frank and jimmy are perched in an oak-tree, which after many years of wrestling with the winds and storms, has assumed a very quaint and picturesque shape. its mighty stem is riven and has great hollows in it, and its low, wide spreading branches shade more of the field than the norfolk farmer likes. it stands in a hedge which separates the corn-field, where the stems are bowing with the weight of the ears and are ready for the scythe, from a meadow which slopes down to the marsh and the broad. frank and jimmy both have their guns, and dick has been sent to the other side of the field with an old pistol, which he has been charged to let off. "cock your gun, dick is raising his pistol," said frank. a puff of smoke from out the shadow of the hedge, and a few seconds after, a report, show that dick has fulfilled his mission; and as the report reaches them, first come a number of wild-pigeons, which fly past with whistling wings. jimmy fires and brings one to the ground. frank has reserved his fire, and wisely, for with slow and heavy flight come four wild ducks right towards the tree. frank gets two of them in a line and fires his first barrel. two of them fall, and with his second barrel he wings another, which jimmy despatches. [illustration: suspended leaf-tents.] "come back to the tree, dick," shouted frank, and dick came back. "now if we wait here a little while, the wild-pigeons will come back, and some more ducks may come from the marsh." and so, having loaded their guns, they laid them in a hollow and made themselves comfortable, and began to chat. "did you ever notice how much insect-life there is in an oak-tree?" said dick. "just watch this branch while i tap it." he struck the branch as he spoke, and immediately there fell from it scores of caterpillars, which let themselves fall by a silken thread, and descended, some nearly to the ground, others only a little distance. "i was reading the other day," said dick, "of the immense quantity of moths which lay their eggs on the oak. there are caterpillars which build little houses of bark to live in. others roll up the leaves and so make tents for themselves. others eat the surface of the leaves, and so leave white tracks on their march. others, when they are frightened, will put themselves into such queer postures: they will stretch themselves out as stiff as a twig, holding on by one end only, and you would think they were twigs; and these, when they walk, loop themselves up. they don't crawl like other caterpillars, but have feet only at each end, and so they loop up their bodies in the middle till they form the letter omega, and then stretch out their heads again and bring up their tails with another loop. and then there are cannibal caterpillars, which eat other caterpillars. look at these little spots of bright green. see, if i make them fly, they are seen to be pretty little moths with green wings. they are called the green oak-moth." "an oak-tree seems to be a regular city," said frank. "look at this marvellously beautiful fly, with lace-like wings," said jimmy. "what is that?" "that is a lace-wing fly," answered dick. "just put your nose as close as you can to it and smell it." jimmy did so, and said,-- "why it is nearly as bad as a stink-horn fungus." no more ducks came back that day, but three more wood-pigeons fell victims to their love of corn, and the boys descended, by and by, and walked home. as they were sitting on a stile, dick pointed to the carcase of a mole which lay on the path, and to two little black beetles with yellow bands on their wing-cases, which were crawling over it. "i think those are burying beetles. let us watch them. they lay their eggs in dead bodies of beasts or birds and then bury them, and the grub of the beetle lives on the carcase in its babyhood." they lay down on the ground by the beetles, watching them. the process of egg-laying by the female was just about being completed, and the two soon buried themselves in the earth beneath the carcase, and presently appeared at one side with a little mound of earth which they had excavated from under it. this process was repeated again and again, and very slowly the mole began to sink into the ground. the boys watched it for nearly an hour, and in that time the mole was about half-buried. one observer once kept four of these beetles in a place where he could observe them, and supplied them with carcases of small animals and birds, and in twelve days they had buried no less than fifty! [illustration: lace-winged fly. (manner of depositing eggs.)] "have you ever seen those huge stag-beetles with long horny mandibles like stag's horns?" said frank. "yes," replied dick, "i caught one yesterday, and looked up all about it in my books. its caterpillar takes four years to arrive at maturity, and it burrows in the wood of oak and willow trees. i showed the beetle i caught to our housekeeper, and she nearly went into hysterics over it. i tried to make her take it into her hand, and she said she would not have done so for 'worlds untold.'" [illustration: stag-horned prionus and diamond beetle.] frank stooped down to wash his hands in a small pool of water by the road-side, and he cried-- "i say, do look here. here is a living horsehair. look at it swimming about. it ties itself into ever so many knots in a minute, and unties them again. is it a hair-worm?" "yes, i have no doubt it is," said jimmy. "do you know that i expect that the common notion of eels being bred from horsehairs has arisen from country people seeing these long worms, and thinking they were horsehairs just come to life." the hair-worm in the first stage of its existence passes its life in the body of some tiny animal or insect. although it lives afterwards in the water, yet it will, if put into a dry and hot place, dry up to nothing as it were; and then after a long exposure to the heat, if it is put into water again, it will swell out and resume its old proportions, and, live seeming none the worse for being baked. chapter xxviii. purple emperor.--his taste for carrion.--wood-pecker.-- blue and small copper butterflies.--buff-tip moth.-- moths at ivy.--strange-looking caterpillars. one hot august day frank and his faithful follower jimmy were strolling arm-in-arm along the lanes to call for dick. presently they came upon him engaged in no very pleasant occupation. holding his nose with one hand, with the other he was drawing along a dead dog by means of a long bramble twisted round it. the dog was highly odoriferous, and frank and jimmy kept at a distance while they asked him what he was doing that for. "i saw a purple emperor butterfly flying round the top of one of the oaks in the park. it is impossible to catch it with a net, but i have read that these butterflies have a taste for carrion, and will come down to it; so i just fished about until i found this dead dog, which i mean to lay under the tree as a bait." "are you sure it was a purple emperor? they are very rare here," said frank. "oh yes, i saw the purple of its wings shining in the sun, and it was so large, and it flew about the tops of the oaks, and then flew higher still out of sight." the purple emperor is looked upon as the king of english butterflies. it is a large insect, with wings of dark purple bordered with white, which vary in colour like the material known as shot silk, and in the sunlight gleam most beautifully. the males only have this splendid purple gloss on their wings. the females, though larger in size, have wings of a dull brown. the purple emperor takes its station at the top of the tallest oak and rarely descends to earth. the female is more stay-at-home than the male, and is very rarely caught. the insect would be far oftener seen than caught if it were not for its habit of alighting upon carrion, and collectors take advantage of this low taste, and lie in wait for it, and catch it in the act. the caterpillar is a plump creature, with a tail running to a point, and a pair of horns or tentacles on its head. it is bright green in colour, striped with yellow down each side, and it feeds upon the willow. in the south of england this butterfly is not uncommon, but as you go north it becomes rarer. frank and jimmy accompanied dick to the park where the oak-trees were, keeping at a respectable distance to windward of him. the carcase was deposited beneath the tree where dick had seen the purple emperor, and they sat down behind another tree to wait the course of events. two hours passed away without any sign of the butterfly, but time was no object with the boys, who found it pleasant enough to lie on the cool grass in the shadow of the oaks, and listen to the murmur of woodland sounds. squirrels and rabbits played about them, and birds fluttered in the trees overhead. the cushat uttered her sleepy moan, and then woke up and flew away on lazy wing to the corn-fields, whence came the sound of the sharpening of scythes. the rattle of the woodpecker tapping the hollow trees was the loudest sound which disturbed the silent, broiling afternoon. the three friends were stretched on the ground talking quietly, and half disposed to doze, every now and then casting glances at the dead dog. suddenly down a lane of sunlight there fluttered a shimmering purple thing which settled on the carcase, and stayed there, opening and shutting its wings, and sending scintillations of purple light through the green shadows. "there it is!" said dick excitedly, and he got hold of his net. "don't be in a hurry, dick; wait until it feels secure and gorges itself a bit," said frank. dick listened to his sound counsel, and waited as patiently as he could for a few minutes, and then he raised his net, and with a single leap reached the spot where the carcase lay, and brought the net down over dog and butterfly together. [illustration: green woodpecker.] "i have got it!" he exclaimed. "that's right; and you have got a lot of maggots in your net as well, and stirred up the stench most tremendously. make haste and kill the butterfly and come away, or you will catch a fever," said jimmy. [illustration: blue butterfly.] the gorgeous insect having been secured in dick's collecting box, they went off in search of other prey. on a common just beside the wood they found abundance of the beautiful blue butterflies, which shone like flakes of summer sky, and also the small copper butterfly, which rivals the most brightly burnished copper in its sheen. these were playing about in the greatest abundance, the small coppers settling on a blue flower, or a blue butterfly on a red flower, forming most artistic contrasts of colour. [illustration: the haunt of the purple emperor.] from its throne on the top of a tall nettle, where it sat fanning the air with its black, crimson-barred wings, dick captured a magnificent red admiral, and shortly after another of the same species. gorgeous as the upper surface of the wings of this butterfly is, the under side is quite as beautiful in a quieter way, with its delicate tracery of brown and grey. while dick was setting the butterfly in his box, frank leaned against the trunk of an oak-tree, and as he did so he caught sight of a moth which was resting upon it. it was a large thick-bodied moth, and dick on being appealed to said it must be a buff-tip moth, from the large patches of pale buff colour at the ends of its wings. frank said,-- "i should not have seen that moth if my face had not almost touched it. its colour suits the tree-trunk so admirably that it looks just like a piece of the rough bark. i suppose it knows that, and rests on the oak-tree for safety." "yes," said dick; "i have read that many moths and butterflies are so like the substances on which they rest by day, that they can scarcely be distinguished from them, and of course there must be a meaning in it. the lappet-moth looks exactly like two or three oak-leaves stuck together, and its wings are folded in a peculiar manner, so as to keep up the delusion. there are caterpillars too which can stiffen themselves and stand out on end, so as to look like sticks." "it is the same with birds'-eggs," said frank. "those which are laid on the ground without any attempt at concealment are of such a colour that you can hardly see them. for instance, take a partridge or pheasant. how like their eggs are in colour to the dead leaves of the ditch where they nest. the same with the lapwings, and all the plover tribe. coots and water-hens' eggs are so like their nests, that at a little distance you cannot tell whether there are eggs in or not." "i wonder," said dick, "if birds take any pleasure in the prettiness of their eggs. if so (and i don't see why they shouldn't), there is a reason why birds which build in bushes and branches of trees should have pretty coloured eggs, as they have, and why birds which build in dark holes should have white or light-coloured eggs, otherwise they would not see them at all." "that is a very ingenious theory, dick, and it may have something of truth in it," answered frank. that night was a still, warm night, and the moths were out in abundance. as soon as it became dark they all went out with a dark lantern to hunt them, and they were very successful. as they were returning home they passed by an old wall covered with huge masses of ivy. dick going close to it said, "do look here. there are hundreds of tiny sparkles. what can they be? why, they are the eyes of moths. the ivy is covered with the moths, feeding on the flowers. look how their eyes gleam." and truly it was a marvellous sight. when they turned the light of their lantern on them they saw that the moths were busy with a curious silent activity, flying from flower to flower, sipping their sweets. "there are so many that i hardly know how to set about catching them," said dick. "many of these must be rare and many common." "sweep the face of the ivy all over with your net as rapidly as you can, and keep them in your net until we get home, and then we can kill and pick out all that you want," counselled frank. dick followed his advice, and with a dozen rapid sweeps of his net he seemed to have filled it. closing the net by turning the gauze over the ring, they walked quickly back to the boat-house, and carefully closing the door and window, they opened the net and let them all out into the room, and then caught them singly. in a couple of hours they found that they had secured about fifty specimens, comprising twenty different species. during the summer a strange creature which fed on the potato plants had much frightened the country people, who thought it a sign of a coming plague. it was a large caterpillar, of a lemon-yellow colour, with seven slanting violet stripes on each side and a horn on its tail. the people in the neighbourhood of hickling, knowing that frank and his companions were fond of collecting such things, brought some to them, and by this means they became possessed of more than thirty specimens. they were the larvæ of the death's-head moth, the largest of all our british moths. it is remarkable not only for its size, but for two other things, each of which is very curious. on its thorax it has a perfect delineation in white of a skull, or death's head, with a pair of cross-bones below it. in addition to this singular mark, it--and it alone of all our moths and butterflies--has the power of making a squeaking noise, which it does when it is touched or annoyed. how it makes this noise no one seems to know. at least there are so many conflicting opinions that the matter may be said to be still in doubt. the boys fed the larvæ on potato-leaves put in a box in which there was placed about six inches of earth. when the larvæ had finished their eating, they dived into this earth and turned into the pupæ state. in the autumn the perfect moths came out, but only about half of the number reached the final stage. the others died in the pupæ state. however, dick had plenty of specimens for his cabinet and for exchange. chapter xxix. how to attract perch.--perch-fishing.--pike.--good sport.-- plaster casts.--model eggs. "i say," said frank, "you remember when the minnows ran at the caddis-worms in their transparent cases, but could not eat them?" "yes." "and you know what shoals of perch there are about the broad, and how difficult it is to drop upon them, because the water is so shallow and clear?" "yes." "then what would you say to putting a quantity of minnows in glass bottles, and sinking them in the broad, in a good place, for two or three days? i think a lot of perch would collect together and prowl about trying to get at them, and then we could go and catch any quantity of them, live baiting with minnows." this project was agreed to unanimously, and after a day or two, the boys were busily engaged in collecting wide glass bottles, or wide-mouthed jars, and in fishing for minnows, of which they got a considerable number by diverting the current of a brook, and baling the water out of a pool in it. they had managed to obtain about a dozen large glass bottles or jars. they filled these with water and put a number of minnows in each, and then corked them up, making holes through the corks to admit fresh water and air to the prisoners. these bottles and jars were conveyed to a spot where perch were in the habit of congregating,--near an island of reeds, where the water was about five feet deep, with a fine gravelly bottom such as perch delight in. the large shoals of perch which roamed about the broad were very often to be met with here, and it was a favourite fishing place of the boys. one friday night they took the yacht to this spot and moored her there in a convenient position, sinking the bottles and jars from six to twelve feet distance from her, so as just to be within easy reach of their rods. leaving the yacht there they rowed back in the punt. the yacht was pleasanter to fish from than a small boat, and they took her there overnight to avoid making a disturbance in the morning. on the saturday morning they rowed to the spot in the punt, armed with their rods and bait-cans filled with minnows. getting quietly on board the yacht, so as to avoid any concussion of the water, they peered into the clear depths. two of the jars were easily to be seen, and round each of them was a circle of perch, or rather several circles, for next to the jar were some very large ones with their noses placed against the glass. behind these large perch were others, in circles of gradually lessening size, until they came to the very small ones, which were there, not so much attracted by the minnows as hanging on of necessity to the tails of their elders. the boys laughed quietly to each other at the success of their experiment. they had certainly succeeded in drawing the fish together. dick was the first ready. he had baited his hook with a live minnow, the hook being run through the skin of its back near the back-fin. as the minnow sank through the water, and before the float touched the surface, there was a general rush of the perch up towards it. dick pulled his bait out of the way of some small ones which were rushing at it, and then the largest of the shoal, a patriarch of about four pounds in weight, came hurtling at it, dashing the others to right and left of him. the poor minnow made a futile attempt to escape the wide open jaws, but it was of no use, and they closed upon it and the hook together. dick struck and hooked the perch, which immediately made a spirited rush straight away. on being hooked it had blown the minnow out of its mouth, and it was eagerly snapped up by another perch. dick's perch fought very gamely, and frank and jimmy forbore to put their lines in until it was secured, for fear of fouling. after a very sharp struggle dick drew the perch within reach of a landing-net, which frank slipped under it and lifted it out. it was a beauty, in splendid condition, its black bars being strongly marked across its golden scales. [illustration: perch and gudgeon.] frank and jimmy now put their lines in, while dick was rebaiting. in less time than you can say "jack robinson" they each had a fish on, both of them good ones. and now the sport was fast and furious. as fast as they put in they had a bite, the perch even following their struggling companions to the top of the water as they were being drawn out. the very large ones soon grew wary, but the smaller ones, fellows of about half to three-quarters of a pound, seemed not to have the slightest shyness, and rushed to their fate with the greatest eagerness. the floats lay for a very short time on the water before they went under with that quick dash which characterizes a perch's bite. "here's a gudgeon in the bait-can," said jimmy. "i will put it on my hook and try for a big one. it may be tempting." he did so and threw it in. immediately the float went under water with such swiftness that he knew he had hold of a big one and he struck, to find his rod bending double and his line running rapidly off the reel with the rush of a large fish. "you have got a big one," said frank. "let him have line." jimmy did so, until the line was nearly off the reel, and then he was compelled to give him the butt. the line stood the strain, and the fish was turned and came back slowly and sullenly, while jimmy wound in his line. the fish allowed himself to be drawn up close to the yacht, and they saw it was a large pike, and then it went off again. this time the rush was not so long or strong, and after two or three rushes of lessening power, the pike was drawn within reach. frank unscrewed the net and fixed the gaff-head on the stick, hooked mr. pike through, and hauled him in. it weighed nine pounds. jimmy was proud of having conquered it with a light rod and line not very well adapted for pike-fishing. [illustration: pike.] towards noon the wind began to rise, and as the clearness of the water was then destroyed by the ripple, the big perch lost their caution in consequence. the small ones now left off biting, possibly beginning to see that it was not a profitable occupation. presently the sport altogether grew slack, and as it was then three o'clock, and the boys had been too busy to eat anything, they left off for lunch. after lunch frank said,-- "i am sated with slaughter; and as there is such a nice breeze, let us sail about the broad." "frank would give up anything for sailing," said dick laughing, as he put away his tackle. i forget how many fish they really got that day, but i know that both number and weight were very great indeed. they took up the jars and bottles the next morning when the water was clear and still, and released the prisoners which had done them such good service. it was worth while preserving a memento of a four-pound perch, and as it was a pity to spoil it for eating by skinning, it was resolved to make a plaster-cast of it, and this was done in the following manner:-- they bought some plaster-of-paris and mixed it with water until it became a thin paste. this they poured into a box, and when it began to set they laid the fish on its side in it, so that exactly one half of it was covered by the plaster. the fish had first been well oiled, so that the scales should not adhere to the mould. when the plaster was set and hard the fish was taken carefully out. several holes about an inch deep were then bored in the plaster round the imprint of the fish. the plaster-cast was then well oiled, the fish laid in it, and more plaster poured in, until the fish was covered. when this in its turn had become hard it was taken off, and both sides of the fish were now represented in the mould. the holes which had been bored in the first mould, now had corresponding projections in the second mould. this was to insure accuracy of fit when the pieces were put together for the final cast. a hole was then bored through one side of the mould. the interior of it was well oiled, the pieces fitted together, and liquid plaster poured in through the hole. in a couple of hours the moulds were separated, and a perfect cast of the fish was the result. this mary painted in water-colour to imitate the natural fish, and the final result was very creditable to all concerned. while upon the subject of plaster casts, i must mention an occupation which the boys resorted to in the winter-time. their collection of birds' eggs was almost as perfect as they could hope to make it for many years to come, but at frank's suggestion they added to it, for additional perfection, a representation of the egg of every british bird. they made these eggs of plaster and coloured them very carefully, and varnished them with white of egg. these artificial eggs could not have been distinguished from real ones as they lay in the cabinet, but each egg was marked with a label, signifying that it was only a model. i recommend this plan to all students of ornithology. chapter xxx. eel-fishing.--setting the nets.--elvers.--the merivale float. one autumn day, when the ground was red with fallen leaves and the landscape was sodden with wet, the boys were busy in the boat-house with some of their numerous occupations, when the conversation turned upon eels and eel-fishing,--how that eels bred in the sea, and in the spring myriads of tiny eels came up the rivers; when the river was wide, ascending it in two columns, one by each bank, so thick together that you might scoop them out in bucketfuls,--and how, when they met with any obstruction, such as a weir or flood-gate, they will wriggle themselves over it; and it often happens that where it is dry they stick fast to it, and their companions make their way over them, and leave them to perish. in the autumn, too, the eels migrate to the sea in vast numbers, and are caught by means of nets placed across the river. jimmy said,-- "i say, frank, do you remember all those eel-nets we saw by horning? they will be in full work now. i vote we sail down next friday night and see them in operation." "very well," said frank, "i don't think we could do better. we will get a half-holiday on friday, so as to be there in good time." friday was wet and stormy, and the boys consulted as to the advisability of going. frank said,-- "let us go, as we have fixed to go. it may clear up, and if it does not, it doesn't much matter. we are used to getting wet, and it won't hurt us." the others agreed; so taking in all the reefs in their sails, they started across the broad, while the wind howled, and the rain beat with blinding force against their faces. the sky was murky with driving masses of black cloud, and the lake was lashed into angry waves. "this is a nice sort of day for a pleasure excursion," said dick, as he placed his hat more firmly upon his head and turned his back to the wind. "yes," said frank. "do you go into the cabin. i can manage the tiller and mizen, and jimmy will take his turn at the main-sheet, and then you can have a spell by and by." "oh no, i am not going to shirk it," replied dick. they struggled across the broad, and into the hundred stream, and before very long they reached its junction with the bure, and brought up under the lee of a sort of rough cabin which was built there. there was a bare spot among the reeds and there, upon a wooden framework, hung the eel-nets, which two or three men were busy putting in order. when the yacht was made snug, frank went up to them and said,-- "we have come, hoping you will let us see how the eel-nets are worked; but i am afraid we have chosen a very bad night." "no, you have come the very best night you could have picked, sir," answered one of the men. "there is no moon, and the water is rising. the eels always run more freely when the night is dark and stormy." "oh, then we are in luck's way after all," said frank to his companions. "we shall be setting the nets directly, sir, and you had better come with us in your punt." "all right, we will." the eel-nets were like huge bags, large at one end, and narrowing rapidly. the mesh at the large end was about two inches in diameter, but it quickly lessened until it was so small that a minnow could not have got through it. the mouth of the net was made sufficiently wide to stretch across the river, and, in order to keep the body of it distended, wooden hoops were placed at intervals down it. to each hoop inside the net was attached an inner circle of net, which narrowed to a small opening, like the principle on which some mouse-traps are constructed, so that the eels having passed through the narrow inlet could not find the way back again. the end portion of the net, comprising the last four hoops, is made in a separate piece or pocket, and is only fastened to the net when it is fishing. the juncture is marked with a rope and buoy. the men now fastened a heavy chain along one half of the lower side of the mouth of the net. this was the side which was to lie along the bottom of the river, and the chain was to keep it down. the net was now taken on board the boat, and the men rowed a little way down the river, followed by the crew of the _swan_. the net was put out so that the base rested on the bottom. heavy weights were fixed at the two bottom corners of the net, and the two top corners were tied to posts fixed by the side of the river. the men now sounded with a pole, to see that the chain lay across along the bottom. while they did so the boat heeled over so much that dick said,-- "another inch and the stream would be over the gunwale, and those fellows would be pitched into the net and drowned." the net was now pulled out far down the river, and the pocket tied on, and then it was left to itself. "don't the wherries ever do any damage to the nets?" asked jimmy. "sometimes, sir; but they know where they are set, and they takes care where they put their quants if they be quanting; and if they be sailing they pass over the nets without doing them any harm." after this they set another net lower down, and then they returned to the hut, and, sitting by the peat fire, they had some hot tea, and waited for an hour, knowing that the eels were rushing down stream, and into the nets. the wind howled dismally over the marshes, and the rain hissed on the water. "it's lonesome work, sir," said one of the men to frank, who had drawn nearer the fire with a shudder. "yes; does it pay?" "pretty well at times, sir. this is what we should call a very fine night for our work, as the eels run so much better than they do on a calm night. it will make some pounds difference to us." "what do you do with the eels?" "some we sells at norwich and yarmouth, but the most part goes to london or birmingham. the black country men are very fond of a nice rich eel; but come, sir, it is time to take up the first net now." they went down the black river again, until they came to the buoy which marked the pocket, or "cod," as it is technically termed, of the net. this was hauled up and detached from the rest of the net. it was very heavy and full of eels, which were wriggling about in a black slimy mass. they put the mouth of the cod over a basket which was smaller at the top than at the bottom, so that the eels could not crawl out, and poured them into it. there were about thirty pounds weight of eels, the major part being about a pound weight each, but some were two or three pounds in weight. the cod was then tied on to the net again and lowered, and the next net was visited in the same way, and found to contain about the same quantity of eels. the nets were first laid about seven o'clock, and first taken up about eight, and at intervals of an hour through the night the nets were visited, and about the same quantity of eels taken from them each time. this lasted up to half-past one o'clock, and then there was a great falling off. "they have pretty well stopped coming down now, sir. we can leave the nets and go and have some sleep. the nets will hold all the eels which will get into them by the morning." "did you ever meet with any accident while eel-fishing?" asked dick. "i have only seen one, sir; but that was a bad one. it was the year before last, and my mate had had a drop too much, and he overbalanced himself and fell overboard into the net, and the stream carried him down it before i could catch hold of him. there was no one to help me, and before i could get the heavy net ashore he was dead. it was a fearful thing, and i have thought of it many a time since. i used to be fond of a glass myself at that time, but i have never touched a drop since." "did you ever see the little eels coming up the river in the spring?" asked jimmy, to change the subject. "oh, you mean the elvers. ay, and more's the pity! the people catch tons of them to feed the pigs with. if they would let them alone, they would be worth a good many pounds to some one in the autumn," answered the man. [illustration: eels.] "if the eels breed in the sea, frank," said dick, "what do the eels do which cannot get to the sea,--those which live in ponds?" "make the best of it, i suppose, like sensible beings," answered frank. "do you often have such a good night as this?" asked jimmy. "no, not very often. you see, we want so many things together--wind, rain, rising water, and no moon." after the morning dawned the nets were taken up for the day. besides eels they contained a quantity of miscellaneous matter, such as a dead dog, sticks, weeds, old boots, a bottle or two, and various other refuse which the stream had brought down. the eels had been put overnight in the well of the boat, and now the men proceeded to sort them, separating the big ones (for which they received a larger price) from the small ones. in order to do this they constantly dipped their hands in sand, for the eels were slippery customers. the rain had ceased, but the day was dull and dreary, and the _swan_ sailed home early, her crew satisfied with the glimpse they had had of how eels were caught for profit. in the afternoon they sailed about the broad in order to try a new float which frank had invented for pike-fishing. they had been accustomed to trail their spinning baits after the yacht as they sailed about, but the wake left by the yacht generally disturbed the fish, so that they had to let out a very long line before they could catch anything, and the line then became fouled in the weeds. now frank had invented a float which did away with this drawback. you may have noticed how, when towing a boat with the tow-rope fastened a few feet from the bows, she will sheer out from you. it occurred to frank to adapt the same principle to a float, so he cut a piece of deal a quarter of an inch thick, eight inches long, and four wide, pointed at both ends. to one side of this he attached a keel four inches deep, leaded along the bottom. this side was painted green, and the other white. to a point about one-third of the way from one end of this float was attached a rough line. to the other was fastened a shorter length of line with a spinning trace attached. when this float was laid in the water with the keel side undermost, and set in motion, it sheered out, and as the yacht sailed along and the reel line was payed out, the float swam along in a parallel course with the yacht, and as far out as they chose to let out line. it then passed over undisturbed water, and a great change was soon observed in the increased number of pike taken by the help of this float. they christened it the "merivale float," and they were so pleased with its success as to have a dim idea of taking out a patent for it. chapter xxxi. hawking. the training of the hawks was a source of great amusement to the boys. they obtained stonehenge's _british rural sports_ from sir richard carleton's library, and studied the article on hawking. they found a sparrow-hawk was called a short-winged hawk, because its wings do not reach so far as the end of its tail, while a kestrel is a long-winged hawk, its wings reaching as far as the end of its tail. as a general rule, long-winged hawks are much better than short-winged ones for hawking purposes, but the sparrow-hawk is braver and better than the kestrel. their hawks being from the nest, and not caught by a trap, were _eyasses_. before they could fly they were _branchers_, and being reared at liberty they were _hack-hawks_. the training of a hawk is called its _reclaiming_, fig. _a_ and _b_, when it sleeps it _jouks_, its prey is its _quarry_, when it strikes it is said to _bind_. when it soars and then descends upon its quarry it _swoops_, when it flies straight after it it _rakes_. it is sent off by a _whistle_, and brought back by a _lure_. these are only a few of the technical terms peculiar to hawking. the hood, fig. and , which one sees so conspicuously on the heads of hawks in pictures of the sport in the olden time is not necessary in the case of the short-winged hawks, and the great object was to make the hawks as tame as possible. this the boys accomplished by continually handling them and being with them, especially at feeding-time. around each foot of the bird they tied a soft strap of leather to correspond to a _jesse_, fig. _a b_. to these were attached some little bells _e e_, which they took off some children's toys. the jesses had also a loop _b_, to which was fastened when required a _leash_, fig. , or long cord, which prevented the birds from flying away while training. they had perches with cross-bars made for the hawks, and set up at one end of the boat-house, and underneath it a tray containing a quantity of sand and a bowl of water. in a couple of months the hawks were quite tame, and then the boys proceeded to train them for sport. every time they were fed the meat was attached to a lure, fig. , which was a lump of cork with a bunch of cock's feathers attached to it. this was thrown up into the air at gradually increasing distances, and at the same time one of the boys, having the hawk ready perched on his wrist (which was protected by strong gloves such as hedgers and ditchers use), let her loose with a shrill whistle, and she was allowed to fly the length of her leash and seize the lure and the food. in a remarkably short time the birds would not only fly to the lure with alacrity, but wait until the boys came up and took them away again. when they had attained this pitch of perfection the rest was easy, and the leash was dispensed with. then a dead bird or rabbit was fixed to the lure, and at last, one fine october day, it was resolved to try the hawks at real game. [illustration: apparatus used in hawking.] "what shall we try them at first?" said dick. "i was thinking that the best way would be to take the yacht and coast about the reeds, and try them first at the water-hens and coots. i am so afraid of someone shooting them if we take them into the meadows. if we cannot manage them with the yacht on the water, we will take them on the drained marshes," answered frank. "i hope they will not disappoint us," said jimmy, "for they have given us a great deal of trouble to train." "they have had very little to eat this morning, so i think they will fly at anything we show them, but it will be a sell if we lose them the very first try." there was just a light breeze on the broad, which enabled them to sail quietly about. frank took the helm, for sailing was to him the greatest of all enjoyments, and dick and jimmy stood in the bows, dick with a hawk on his wrist, ready to be flown as soon as they caught sight of anything worth flying at. frank steered the _swan_ so that she just brushed along the reeds, which were brown and dry, and had thinned fast under the keen october breezes. "there is a water-hen in the reeds, just before us," said jimmy. "drive the yacht a little further in." frank did so, and the water-hen flew out over the broad, her legs dipping in the water. "let her have a little law," cried frank. "now then!" with a loud whistle dick let the hawk slip. she rose rapidly in the air, over the water-hen, and then swooped. the water-hen instantly dived. the disappointed hawk curved up again, just touching the surface of the water with her breast. she rose about twenty feet in the air and swooped around in small circles, her head turning this side and that, watching for her quarry. the course of the water-hen under water was marked by a line of bubbles, and frank kept close behind her, letting the wind out of his sails in order not to overtake her and so cause her to double back. soon she rose again to the surface, but ere the hawk, quick as she was, could reach her, she had dived again. in this manner, the water-hen rising to the surface to breathe and the hawk swooping unsuccessfully, they ran across the broad to a reed-bed, where the pursued bird remained under water so long that they knew she was holding on to the weed by her claws, with only her beak above water, as is the habit of these birds. after a little searching about they saw her yellow beak protruding above a mass of weeds. seeing that she was discovered, she flew up uttering a despairing croak. down came the sparrow-hawk with lightning swiftness, and struck her in the air, and they both fell into the reeds. the boys forced their way to them and the hawk allowed dick to approach and take her in his hand. he cut off the head of the water-hen, and gave it to her to eat in the cabin, while they brought the other hawk for the next flight. "well," said frank, "that was as successful a flight as we could desire. there goes a water-rail. let the hawk go." with a sharp scream the hawk dashed off in pursuit of it, and without troubling itself to soar, it struck the water-rail, and, bearing it away in its talons, it flew off to a dyke where a wherry was moored, her crew having gone ashore, and perched on the top of the mast, where it began to pick at and tear the bird. "what's to be done now?" said jimmy. "we must try the lure," answered frank, and taking it up he whistled and threw it in the air. the hawk dropped the water-rail and flew down to the lure and suffered herself to be taken. as a reward, she was allowed to have its head, and the other hawk was again taken out. "there is a coot swimming along yonder. let her fly at it," cried jimmy. as the hawk launched into the air, however, a sandpiper flew out from among the reeds, and the hawk instantly followed it. it was a very pretty sight to see the twistings and turnings of the two birds as they dashed across the broad with equal speed. frank took a pull at the sheet so as to catch the wind, and followed them as fast as he could. the hawk had risen above the sandpiper, and was about to swoop down upon it, when the latter, to the surprise of the boys, dashed into the water and dived. "only fancy a bird with no webs to its feet diving," said frank. the sandpiper remained under water some time, and when it arose, which it did with great apparent ease, the sail of the yacht hid it from the hawk's sight, and it flew away unmolested. as they sailed along on the look-out for other prey, the hawk hung in the air above them, and followed, or, as it is technically called, "waited on," them in the most beautiful manner. the birds on the broad now seemed to be aware that a hawk was about, and kept close to the shelter of the reeds, so that the broad seemed quite deserted. at last, however, a coot swam out, and the hawk made a feint at it but did not strike it, and the coot swam coolly away. "why the hawk is a coward," said jimmy. "no, she is only cautious. you see, if she were to strike it on the water it would dive, and as it is a strong bird it would carry her under. that is the difficulty we shall meet with if we hawk on the water," said frank, "and if we go on the land someone is sure to shoot the hawks." they called the hawk in by means of the lure, and sailed up a dyke, meaning to land and try the marshes and the low drained ground in their vicinity. they landed, and, dick taking one hawk and frank the other, they proceeded along a narrow drain in the hope of flushing some more water-hens. "quick," cried frank, "and crouch down behind these reeds. i can see a couple of wild-ducks coming towards us." they threw themselves on the ground, and soon the whirring of wings in the air told them that the ducks were coming straight towards them. on they came, within ten feet of the ground, and when they perceived the boys they turned off at a tangent with a loud quack. both hawks were let go, and rising well in the air, one of them made a swoop on the hindmost duck and struck it, but did not lay hold. the duck swerved under the blow, but held on its course. then while the one hawk mounted, the other, in its turn, swooped and struck the duck, so that it fell nearly to the ground. the boys ran along after the hawks and their quarry, and shouted to encourage the former. then both hawks made a simultaneous swoop, and struck the duck to the ground. as the hawks were taken from the duck, they showed some impatience and signs of anger, so frank said,-- "i say, they have done enough for to-day. we had better feed them, and tie them up." they accordingly gave them the head of the duck and the entrails of all the birds they had killed, and put them in the cabin, and then commenced to fish for pike. in the course of the day they caught seven, none of them over six pounds in weight; and then, when the western sky was agleam with the pink and green of sunset, they ran the yacht into the reeds while they put up their tackle. the wind had fallen to the faintest of zephyrs, which was only indicated by sudden shoots of light across the broad. the air was still, with a mellow october stillness, and flocks of starlings were wheeling in the air with unbroken regularity of rank and file, now on edge and nearly invisible; and then broadside on, and seeming as if suddenly nearer; and then settling in the reeds, where during the night they roost in vast numbers. the boys stood there talking until the gloaming was spreading rapidly over the broad, and then they made preparations for going. they had not secured the hawks, and the cabin-door had swung open. "there goes one of our hawks," cried jimmy, as it floated out with a triumphant scream over the marsh. "quick! get out the lure!" said frank. but the lure was not needed. a twittering commenced among the reeds, and grew louder and more clamorous; and soon, with a noise like thunder, a crowd of starlings rose from their resting-places, and after a preliminary circle in the air they closed upon the hawk and began to mob her, screaming the while most vociferously. the hawk struck three of them down in succession, but her assailants were too many for her, and she turned tail and flew back to the yacht, where she allowed frank to capture her, while the starlings whirled away and settled in the reeds once more. as they sailed back, frank said,-- "now that our hawks are trained so beautifully we shall have good sport with them." but he was doomed to be disappointed. two days after they took them into the open country, and a rabbit darting out of a tuft of grass, they flew one of the hawks at it. it struck the rabbit, and clung to it while it ran into its burrow, and the noble bird was killed by the shock. the boys were very much grieved at this, and resolved not to fly the other hawk at four-footed game. while they were crossing sir richard carleton's land they flushed a solitary partridge, which appeared to have been wounded, and flew slowly. it had doubtless been left behind by its more active companions. they let the hawk fly, and it followed the partridge around the corner of a plantation. the report of a gun followed, and, running up, they found their worst apprehensions realized. the hawk had been shot dead by one of two gentlemen, who, with a couple of dogs, were out shooting. they were guests of sir richard's, and when they found the hawk was a tame one they were very profuse in their apologies. the boys did not care to make very civil replies, but walked quietly and sadly away. their cup of bitterness was for the time full. "so ends our hawking," said frank as they separated. "yes; this is the unluckiest day we have had yet," answered jimmy. chapter xxxii. heron-hawking.--great bustard.--stock-dove in rabbit-hole.-- "dowe" dogs.--search for bustards' eggs. the boys were to see a little more hawking. one of the gentlemen who shot their hawk was kind enough to give them an invitation to spend a few days at his house near thetford, with the promise that he would show them some hawking carried on in the good old fashion, and with splendid hawks brought from iceland. a neighbour of his cultivated hawking, and spared no expense in the noble pastime. the boys debated some time whether they should accept this invitation or not. frank was still sore about the loss of his hawks, and hardly cared to see others more successful than himself, but dick said,-- "don't be selfish, frank. when you see the sport you will forget all about our loss; and besides, the invitation is meant kindly, and we ought not to refuse it out of pique." frank saw the wisdom of this, and so one fine november day they found themselves in company with their host, walking across the immense tract of common, or warren, which lies between thetford and brandon. they were on their way to "the meet." on a knoll where a single fir-tree raised its red stem in the wintry sunlight were assembled a number of ladies and gentlemen, some on horseback, and some on foot. two men came up bearing square frames, on which were the hawks, large falcons, which had been brought at great expense from holland and iceland. they were hooded, and the hoods were gaily decorated with tassels and feathers. "what are they going to fly the hawks at?" asked dick. "they won't waste the energy of such magnificent birds as those on rabbits and plovers, and i see nothing else about." "they expect some herons will pass over on their way from their feeding-grounds to the heronry," said frank. [illustration: common heron.] presently the company moved forwards, as a speck on the distant horizon told of the probable approach of their quarry. as it came nearer it proved to be a heron, and its flight was directed straight towards them, and at no great distance from the ground. when the advancing bird came within one hundred yards of the group, it seemed to think there might be some danger awaiting it, and it swerved aside continuing its course so as to pass them on one side. two of the hawks were unhooded, and the noble birds, catching sight of their quarry, launched into the air in pursuit of it. when the heron saw the hawks it uttered a cry, and immediately rose in the air and soared to a great height. the meaning of this was apparent when the hawks, instead of attacking it on a level with themselves, circled up with great swiftness, and tried to rise above the heron, so that they might swoop down upon it. the heron rose with outstretched neck, and wings which moved with great swiftness, in spite of their size; but the hawks still soared and soared in wide circles, and the party below rode and ran keeping as nearly as possible under the birds. the hawks had now risen above the heron, but still they went on circling higher and higher, until they were mere specks in the sky. then they suddenly grew large as they swooped down, and the heron gave another cry, and half turned on his back as they struck him almost simultaneously, and hawks and heron fluttered down a struggling mass to the ground. the hawks were taken off and hooded, and after a short interval another heron came in sight, and the other two hawks were flown at it. when the sport was over, frank got hold of one of the warreners who had come to see it and asked him if he had ever seen any great bustards about the warren, or the adjacent fens. "oh, ay, sir, when i was a lad many and many a one have i seen, but now i have not seen one for more than three years. they be almost killed out of the land now. one is to be seen every two or three years, but it is always shot or trapped." "what sort of a bird is a great bustard?" asked dick. "it is a game bird as large as a full-sized turkey, and far better eating. there used to be droves of them on the fens and the warrens, but they were shot and trapped right and left. i mind when i was a boy i have seen as many as twenty together on a warren, and then the warreners used to set a battery of guns, and have a long string fastened to all the triggers. maybe the string was half a mile long, and then the men at work on the warrens, or the marshes, had orders to pull the string when they saw the bustards within reach of the guns. they used to stalk them by walking on the off-side of a horse, and, keeping it between them and the bustards, walk round and round until they came within shot." the warrener was a very intelligent man, and he told them much about the habits of this noble bird, which is now nearly extinct in england. "have you ever found its nest?" asked jimmy. "yes, when i was a lad i found two or three. the eggs were good eating, so we took them, and as they were big eggs and laid on the ground, it was easy enough to find their nests if you knew where to look." "i suppose you haven't got any of their eggs now?" said frank. "no, sir, i haven't; but i have a notion that two or three years ago i saw two or three of their eggs in a cottage somewhere over yonder." [illustration: great bustard.] he pointed to the western sky, but to the boys' eyes no cottages were visible; and upon their asking him for further information, he told them that beyond a ridge of trees which crested a warren were some half-dozen cottages, and he thought it was in one of those that he had seen bustards' eggs, but he was not at all sure. "what is the meaning of this?" asked dick, pointing to the mouth of a rabbit-hole which was barred in with sticks like a cage. inside the sticks were the feathers and part of the skeleton of a stock-dove. the warrener replied,-- "the doves breed in the rabbit-holes, and we warreners keep a 'dowe' dog, which will tell us at once what holes have nests in them; and then, when the young ones are almost ready to fly, we fasten them in the burrow with sticks, just like that, and the old ones feed the young ones through the bars, and when the young ones are fit to eat we kill them. i suppose the man who fastened that burrow in forgot where it was, or the young one died before it was worth eating." [illustration: doves.] the boys now had to go back with their host, who, by the way, made them so comfortable that they forgave him for shooting their hawk. the next day found the boys approaching the cottages where the warrener told them the bustards' eggs might be found. "now," said frank, as they stopped under the lee of the wood, "let us have a consultation. how had we better go to work? if we show them that we have come specially for the eggs they will ask too great a price for them. i vote we go and ask for a drink of water, and then praise the children, if any, and so get into conversation; and then ask in an incidental way about the bustards." this seemed the proper way of going to work, so they appointed frank spokesman, and then marched up to the nearest cottage. a woman opened the door to them, and peeping in, they saw behind her half-a-dozen children, all young. "can you give us a drink of water, ma'am?" said frank, in his politest tone. "oh yes, sir," answered the woman with a curtsey. "won't you step indoors. but wouldn't you like a cup of milk better than water?" "thank you, very much," replied frank. "but what nice little children you have got," and he patted one on the head. "lovely," said jimmy enthusiastically, and picking out the cleanest he kissed it. "well, sir," answered the woman with a smile, "they be as healthy as most, and as fine i dare say, but they are a great deal of trouble." "ah, i have no doubt they are," replied frank sympathizingly; and as he spoke his eyes were wandering about, looking at the ornaments on the chimney-piece to see if any eggs were there; but nothing of the kind was to be seen. "this is a fine open country, ma'am." "it is that, sir," she said. "and plenty of rabbits and plovers about." "there are that, sir." "have you ever seen any bustards about?" "no, i have heard tell of them, but it was before my time." "and i suppose you have never seen any nests or eggs?" "no, sir, never; but my little boy has some throstle's eggs, if so be as you would like to have them." "no, thank you," said frank; and thanking her for the milk, and bestowing a small coin on one of the children, the boys made their exit. "it is your turn to do the next kissing, dick," said jimmy. "all right," replied dick cheerfully. the cottages lay at some little distance apart, and they visited them all in turn, but with the like ill success. then, as they were thinking of giving it up as a bad job, they espied another small cottage in a little hollow, by a well. "let us try this, for the last one," said frank. "very well," said jimmy "but pray, don't ask for any more to drink. i have the best intentions in the world, but i really cannot find room for any more." beside the cottage was a silvery-haired old man, mending a broken paling. frank went straight at it this time. "good morning." "good morning, sir," replied the man, touching his hat. "have you ever seen any bustards' eggs?" "yes, sir, i have two in the house. would you like to see them?" "we should." "then step in, sirs. i can give 'ee a glass of good nettle beer." jimmy groaned inwardly at the mention of the beer, but the sight of the eggs upheld him. "here they be, sir," said the old man, taking down two brown eggs with rusty spots on them, off the chimney-piece. "i took them myself out of the nest in yon fen when i was a lad." "will you sell them?" "ay, sure. it be a wonder how they come not to be broken, for i have taken no particular heed of them." "what will you take for them?" "what you likes to give, sir." "i would rather you would fix your own price." "well, then, if you give me a shilling, i shall be fain." "no, no, they are worth more than a shilling. we cannot afford to give you what you would get in london for them, and it is only fair to tell you so, but we will give you half-a-crown apiece for them." "i shall be very glad to have that much for them, sir, if you think they are worth it to you." so the bargain was concluded, and the boys became the happy possessors of these rare eggs. i have just been reading, in the _field_ a very interesting account of the appearance of a great bustard in norfolk. a gentleman there was told by one of his men that he had seen a "wonderful cur'us bird like a pelican," in a wild part of the fen. the gentleman at once went to look at it, and being a naturalist, he was much delighted to find that it was a bustard, and observation through a telescope told him that it was a cock bird. he gave strict orders that it was not to be shot, and that any prowling gunner found on his land was to be consigned without ceremony to the bottom of the nearest dyke. then he sent for well-known naturalists from cambridge and elsewhere, to come and watch the motions of the bird. it was feeding in a lonely part of the fen, in a patch of cole seed, and, each man being armed with a telescope of some sort or other, they had good views of it, both flying and walking. the news soon spread among the naturalists of the county, and one of them, who had some tame bustards in confinement, generously offered to give one of them to be let loose to pair with the wild cock. a female bustard was accordingly turned out into the fen as near to the wild bird as they dared to venture without frightening him away, and after a short time, they had the pleasure of seeing the two walking about together. in a day or two more the hen was found dead in a dyke. her wings having been clipped she could not fly far enough. another female was procured, but while seeking for an opportunity of turning it out where the wild one could see it, the wild one flew away. it was heard of afterwards in a different part of the county, and it does not appear yet to have been killed, and the landowners have given orders that it shall not be destroyed. i am looking forward with interest for further accounts of it. chapter xxxiii. water-hen swallowed by pike.--casting net.-- trapping water-hen for bait.--a monster pike. frank and jimmy were punting through one of the reedy pools adjoining the broad, shooting wild-fowl, and had not been very successful, so they were disposed to shoot coots and water-hens, as well as ducks. they saw a water-hen swimming across a small pool into which they had just pushed their way, and jimmy raised his gun to fire at it, but before he could pull the trigger there was an immense splash and swirl in the water, and the water-hen disappeared down the jaws of an immense pike. the boys stared in amazement. "that fellow must have been forty pounds in weight at the least," said frank, as soon as he had recovered himself. "let us row home at once and get our tackle, and fish for him." they rowed quickly back, and upon reaching the boat-house they found that dick was there, and had just put the finishing touch to a casting net which they had been occupied in making for some time. "bravo! that is capital!" said frank. "we can now catch some bait with it." before casting the net into the water they practised some time with it, for it is very difficult to throw a casting-net properly. after a little practice the boys were able to throw the net so that it described something like a circle on the ground, and then they took it to the shallow parts of the broad, and in a dozen throws they obtained a quantity of small roach and bream, as well as some large ones. putting some of the roach into a bait-can, they rowed to the pool where the big pike lay, and first of all tried him with a live bait. but the float was undisturbed, save by the movements of the bait. then they tried trolling with a dead gorge-bait, then spinning, and then a spoon, but with the like ill success. "i tell you what," said frank, at length, "a big fish like that requires something out of the common to induce him to bite. let us put a big bream on, and try and tempt him by size." so they put a bream a pound and a half in weight on the gorge-hook, and worked the heavy bait up and down every part of the pool, but still without success, and the autumn night came on and put a stop to their fishing. "we must catch him somehow," said frank. "let us set trimmers for him," suggested jimmy in despair. "no, no; we will catch him by fair means if we can." the big pike, the biggest which they had ever seen, occupied their thoughts all that evening. as frank was dressing the next morning a happy thought occurred to him, and when he met his friends after breakfast he said,-- "i have got an idea how we may catch that pike. you remember how he took the water-hen under? he decidedly prefers flesh to fish. what do you say to catching a water-hen and baiting our hook with it?" "the very thing," said jimmy. "but how are we to catch the water-hen?" asked dick. "i don't quite know. we must get it alive, you see." they talked it over, but could not hit upon any plan of capturing one alive, so at luncheon-time they went to bell, and asked him if he could help them. "well, sirs, the water-hens come to my back garden to feed with the hens and sparrows. if you could lay some sort of a trap for them like a riddle-trap for sparrows it would be an easy matter to entice one into it." "the very thing," said jimmy. "we will put the casting-net round a wooden hoop and prop it up on a stick, and put bread-crumbs under it." so the casting-net was called into requisition, and a trap was constructed, and set in bell's back yard, which was close to a dyke leading to the broad. the boys hid themselves in an outhouse, having a long string fastened to the stick which supported the net at an angle of forty degrees. first the hens came under it and then the sparrows, and the two began to eat up all the bread put there. at last a water-hen was seen swimming across the dyke, and with slow and cautious steps creeping up the bank towards the net. frank took the end of the string in his hand, and peeped cautiously through a chink in the door while the others looked through a little window. the water-hen fed for some time on the outskirts of the throng of hens and sparrows, and at last ventured within the circle of the net. "now," said dick. "no, wait until it is further under," said jimmy. frank waited until the bird was fairly under the net, and then pulled the string. the trap descended upon three hens, half-a-dozen sparrows, and the water-hen. "hurrah!" cried the boys, rushing out. it was a matter of some difficulty to secure the bird they wanted from among the struggling mass of hens and sparrows, but they did so at last without hurting any of the others, and at once pinioned it by cutting off its wing feathers. the next morning as soon as it was light they rowed to the place where the big pike lay. everything was very still and quiet, and shrouded in a light grey mist, as they pushed their way along a narrow channel to the pool. they had brought with them their strongest rod and their stoutest line, and they carefully tried every knot and fastening of their tackle before commencing to fish. the next most important thing was to bait the water-hen or arm her with hooks properly. this was done by tying a number of hooks lightly to her with thread, and ruffling the feathers so as to conceal them. "poor thing," said dick, as frank took up the rod and swung her into the pool. by keeping a slight pull on the line the bird was induced to turn in the opposite direction, and to swim towards the middle of the pool. "another minute or two will show if our plan is successful," said frank, "and if not, the bird shall be let loose." "i don't feel much faith in it now," said jimmy. when the bird reached the centre of the pool she dived. "oh dear, i did not expect that," said frank. "what shall we do now?" "she must come up again presently. the pool is twelve feet deep, and she cannot cling to the bottom." "i felt her give such a pull just now. she is struggling hard to escape," said frank, who was still letting out line. two or three minutes passed away, and still the bird did not make her appearance. "pull in the line a bit, frank." frank did so, and said,-- "she must be clinging to the bottom. i cannot move her," and he pulled a little harder. "i say," he cried, "i felt such a sharp tug. i do believe the big pike has got hold of her." "nonsense!" said the others. "but it isn't nonsense," said frank, and he held the rod bent so that they could see the top twitching violently. "it is the pike!" frank exclaimed excitedly, and he immediately let the line run loose, so that the pike might have room to gorge his prey. "he must have seized the water-hen as she dived," said dick. "yes, and won't we give him plenty of time to gorge. i don't want to miss him now we have got such a chance," said frank. and in spite of their impatience they gave the pike half-an-hour to swallow the bird, and then, at the end of that time, there were sundry twitchings of the point of the rod, and the line was taken out by jerks of a foot or two at a time. "he is moving about," said jimmy. "it is time to strike." frank raised his rod amid a hush of expectation. as the line tightened he struck lightly, and immediately the rod bent double with a mighty rush from the pike as he went straight across the little pool, which was about thirty yards in diameter. after this first rush the pike began to swim slowly about, keeping deep down and never showing himself. round and round and across the pool he swam, now resting for a few minutes like a log, and from a twitching of the line apparently giving angry shakes of his head. frank kept a steady, even strain upon him, and as the space was so circumscribed there was no danger of a breakage by any sudden rush. this sort of thing went on for half-an-hour, the line slowly cutting through the still, dark water; and jimmy and dick urged frank to pull harder, and make the fish show himself. but frank was too wise to give way, and he still kept on in a steady, cautious fashion. "if we go on much longer we shall be late for mr. meredith," said dick. "never mind," replied frank, "he will forgive us on such an occasion as this." "here he comes," shouted frank, as he wound in his line. the pike came rolling up to the surface a few yards from the boat, and they caught sight of him. his proportions were gigantic, and his fierce eyes glared savagely at them. he gave a flounder on the top of the water, then sank down again into the depths. "what a monster!" in a few minutes the pike came up again, and this time more on his side, and plainly much exhausted. three times more did he thus rise and sink again, and each time he seemed more helpless. the fourth time he remained on the surface lying on his side. dick got hold of the gaff and held it in the water with outstretched arm, while frank slowly drew the conquered giant towards it. dick put the gaff under him and sharply drove it into his side, and then jimmy and he uniting their forces, hauled the pike into the punt, almost upsetting it in their eagerness, and then threw themselves on the fish to prevent it flopping out again. they rowed home in great triumph, and on weighing the pike it was found to be ¼ lbs. in weight, and the largest which had been caught in hickling broad for many years. the time it took to land it from the time it was struck was fifty-five minutes. chapter xxxiv. fishing on stilts.--a capsize.--wild-fowl-shooting.-- a flare-up. december was ushered in with a week of storm and wet, and as the boys were shut out from outdoor pursuits they had more leisure for indoor studies; and one day a bright idea occurred to jimmy, by the carrying out of which he said he could fish the broad without the trouble of rowing a boat. so on a saturday afternoon, when the clouds had broken, and the rain ceased, and the still water reflected the pale blue of the december sky, frank and dick sat at the boat-house window watching jimmy put his plan into execution. he had turned a couple of leaping-poles into stilts. his feet rested upon foot-rests, but were not fastened to them, so that if he fell into the water his feet would be free and he could keep himself right-end uppermost; but the crutches of the stilts which came up under his arms were lightly tied around his shoulders, to leave his arms at liberty to use a rod. and now, having been fairly started by the aid of his friends, he was stalking along like a huge heron in about five feet of water, and was spinning for pike, casting his bait to right and left of him and oftentimes behind him,--for his movements were rather uncertain and erratic; and as making a cast disturbed his equilibrium, he was obliged to execute a sort of waltz-step to recover himself. frank and dick were in ecstasies of laughter at his involuntary antics. "he will never catch any fish in that way," observed dick. in a little while, however, they saw his rod bend double, and it was evident that a good-sized pike had seized his bait. then jimmy made a stumble, and a violent effort to recover himself, and in so doing turned his back to the pike, which resented the insult by making a savage rush, pulling jimmy backwards. there was a violent sort of war-dance on jimmy's part, during which one of the stilts seemed to be pointing upwards, and then jimmy, with a last wild flourish of a stilt in the air, descended from his lofty height and disappeared beneath the waters of the broad. frank and dick hastened, as fast as their laughter would allow them, to the punt, and rowed to meet jimmy, who was half wading half swimming towards them, the two long stilts trailing behind him from his shoulders, and his rod following mr. pike on a different course. "swim after your rod, jimmy," cried frank. "whoo, hoo! it is so cold," spluttered jimmy. he scrambled into the punt, and, just staying to recover the rod, and with it a pike of about six pounds in weight, they rowed back, and jimmy ran home to change. frank afterwards said to jimmy,-- "that stilt dodge of yours is a capital idea. you see you caught a pike directly with it. won't you try it again?" "no, thank you," said jimmy, "once ducked, twice shy." after a few days' fine weather a hard frost and deep snow set in. a stiff breeze prevented the broad from being frozen over, and swept the snow into drifts wherever there was anything to arrest its progress. when the snow had ceased, the wind and frost still continued, and wild-fowl in large numbers visited the broad. dick did not care sufficiently about the shooting to make him willing to face the cold; but jimmy and frank had capital sport among the wild-ducks. they killed the greatest number when the ducks took their morning or evening flight across a reedy spit of land which ran out into the broad. here the boys had sunk a large cask in the earth, and when they were both hidden in this, packed in with dry straw and a retriever with them, they were warm and comfortable. the whistle of wings cleaving the air, or a cry of wild-fowl in the starlit silence of the night, would arouse them, and, with their heads peering over the top of the cask, they had their guns in readiness to salute the dark objects passing over with a shower of shot. in the morning the retriever searched for and picked up the dead birds, and the young gunners finished off the wounded. for four successive nights they enjoyed good sport in this manner, and then it was put an end to by a singular accident. frank lit a match to see what time it was, and a lighted splinter fell among the dry straw, which instantly blazed up. "look out for the powder!" shouted frank; and he and jimmy and the dog scrambled out of the cask pell-mell, tumbling over each other in their eagerness to be away from the dangerous proximity of the fire. frank had the powder-flask in his pocket, and fortunately no fire came near it. the boys too escaped without injury, except that their hair was pretty well singed by the rapid rise of the flame. the retriever was so frightened that he turned tail and bolted, never stopping until he reached his kennel. "this is a pretty go," exclaimed jimmy, as with their guns under their arms they watched the tall, roaring column of flame and smoke which ascended from the burning tub. "the people all about will wonder what it is. what a pity we have nothing to hold water in, so that we could try and put it out! the tub has caught, and will be burnt up." the sound of oars was now audible across the water, and presently dick's voice shouted,-- "what's the matter? are you all right?" and a boat was run ashore, and dick and mary, well wrapped up, stepped out. dick had been spending the evening at mr. merivale's, and just as he was leaving the house, the bright tongue of flame on the opposite side of the broad alarmed him, and mary insisted upon coming with him to see what mischief her brother had been perpetrating. they rowed back, followed by the fitful glare of the fire, which shone in their eddying wake, amid the clamour of wild-fowl startled into flight by the unusual apparition. then as mary was silently admiring the strange weird scene, there was a blinding flash, followed by two loud reports, which made her start and scream, and then two splashes in the water, as two ducks out of a number which had been passing over the boats fell to the aim of frank and jimmy. chapter xxxv. punt-shooting on breydon.--a narrow escape. the christmas holidays had commenced for the boys. frank had a consultation with bell, which ended in bell's borrowing a duck-shooting punt from a neighbour, and dick's looking up the big duck-gun from his father's lumber-room. the punt was a flat-bottomed one, pointed at both ends and covered fore and aft, so as to form two watertight compartments. in the bows was a rest for the gun to lie upon. as the gun took a pound of shot at a load, frank was rather nervous about firing it off, for the recoil, if not broken by mechanical appliances, would have dislocated his shoulder. so he bought some india-rubber door-springs, and with them constructed an apparatus to take off the recoil of the gun, and, lest it should by any chance hit his shoulder, he got mary to make a stout cushion, which he fixed to the butt. reports came that breydon water was swarming with wild-fowl, so, taking bell with them as a guide and instructor, and with the shooting-punt in tow instead of their own, they set sail for yarmouth, and sailing up breydon water they moored the yacht by the berney arms, a public-house situate where the yare debouches into breydon. as the night fell they could see and hear wild-fowl of various kinds flying to and settling on the muds. dick preferred staying on board the yacht, for his frame was not yet so inured to winter cold as it had been to summer heat, and the other two, with bell, set out in the punt about eight o'clock. they rowed down breydon water with the last of the ebb, and then floated and paddled up again as the tide rose. bell crouched in the stern and worked the two short paddles by which the punt was propelled when approaching the birds. frank lay in the bows, with the big gun in position in front of him, and jimmy cuddled up in the middle, armed with frank's light double-barrel, ready to knock over any of the wounded birds which might try to escape. the night was rather light with the brightness from the stars, which shone resplendently from the deep, dark blue, and in the east the moon lifted a faint curved horn above the trees. "there are a lot of birds on that mud-bank; i can hear them quite plainly," whispered frank to bell. "hush! don't you speak or fire until i whistle, and then pull the trigger; but have the gun ready covering the birds. they are too scattered now. wait until the tide rises a little higher, and covers most part of the bank, and then they will huddle together, when you will kill twice as many." they waited for a quarter of an hour, gradually drawing nearer the birds, which were now collected together on a large dark patch on the mud which was still uncovered by the rippling waves. frank had his eye on them, the gun covering them and his finger on the trigger, waiting breathlessly for the signal. a low whistle sounded behind him. a sudden silence took the place of the chattering and gobbling sounds which had before proceeded from the birds. frank pressed the trigger. the mighty gun flashed forth its deadly contents with a tremendous roar, and frank found himself hurled back upon jimmy. he had incautiously put his shoulder to the gun. he was not hurt, however, for the cushion had saved his shoulder. the birds which were unhurt swept away with a great clamour, but the mud was covered with dead and dying. two of the winged ones were swimming away, when jimmy fired and killed them. they landed on the mud, taking care to put on the mud-boards. they picked up the dead ones, and had many a lively chase after the wounded ones on the mud and in the shallow water. they recovered five-and-twenty birds. half of them were wild-ducks, and the rest dunlins and other shore birds. [illustration: wild duck shooting.] they passed on up breydon, but they could not get another shot of such magnitude. another punt was on the water, and the noise of its firing and oars disturbed the birds, so that they were difficult to approach. they got, however, two more long shots, and killed six ducks at one and three at another. the tide had now covered most of the flats, and the birds had either left the water or were floating on the surface, and could not easily be seen because of the waves. bell then said he knew of a spot where the mud had been artificially raised, so as to form a sort of island, for the express purpose of enticing the wild-fowl to gather on it as the tide rose. he therefore paddled them towards it. some clouds had obscured much of the starlight, and the night was darker. frank became aware of one dark patch on the water in front of them, and another to the left. he thought they were both flocks of birds, and selected the left hand one, as being the nearer. he covered it with his gun, and waited somewhat impatiently for bell to give the signal. "surely we are near enough;" he thought, when jimmy crept up behind him and whispered, "bell says that is another punt, they must be making for the mud we are, that patch in front." "by jove," exclaimed frank, "i was aiming at the boat, and about to fire. perhaps they are aiming at us." "don't shoot," cried out bell to the other boat, and frank immediately twisted his gun around and fired at the birds which rose from the mud-bank. "i say, you there!" cried out a man in the other boat, "that was a narrow escape for you. i was on the point of firing at you. you should give me half the birds you shot then." "all right, you shall have them, if you will help to pick them up," sang out frank. only a dozen, half of them dunlins, were secured and divided. "that was a danger in punt-shooting which i hadn't foreseen," said frank to the stranger. "it was a close shave for you as well as for us. will you come on board our yacht and have some supper?" the stranger assented, and proved to be a sporting lawyer from yarmouth, and a very pleasant fellow. chapter xxxvi. drifted to sea.--a perilous position.--rescue. the next day bell went off to yarmouth to sell some of the fowl in the market, and unfortunately got fuddled, so that when the evening came he was unable to accompany the shooters. frank and jimmy resolved to go out by themselves. making a mistake as to the time of the tide, they found themselves carried swiftly down breydon water on a tide which had yet four hours to ebb. the night was clear, cold, and starlit, with a stinging north-easter sweeping over the broad water, and whisking the snow on the land into fantastic drifts. the new moon had not yet risen, but every star was blazing brightly, and glimmering reflections shone in the water. as they listened they found that the night was full of strange noises, of quackings and whistlings, and that the air was cleft by the sweep of wings. it was a night of nights for a wild-fowl shooter, and the boys resolved to stop at yarmouth until the tide turned. as they neared the twinkling lights of the town a flock of wild geese took wing, out of shot, and made for the estuary. "oh, do let us follow them, they are sure to alight before they reach the bar," said frank. "very well; but we must take care not to drift out to sea." "there is no danger of that, we can always run ashore." so they passed by the quays and fish-wharves, and one by one the lights opened out, and passed behind them, resolving themselves into a cluster in the distance. ghostly vessels lifted their tall spars against the sky, the water became more 'lumpy,' and prudence suggested that they should turn back; but the love of sport urged them on, and triumphed. further still: yet the geese were nowhere to be seen, and not very far off was the white water on the bar. they were fast drifting out to sea, and thought it time to turn. they did so, but could make no headway against the wind and tide, and the shores were so white with surf that it would have been folly to have attempted to land. "i say, frank, we've done it now," said jimmy, as they drifted nearer and nearer to the bar. "don't be alarmed: we are all right," said frank,--but privately he thought they were in a very awkward fix. all the outward-bound vessels, which, had it been earlier, might have picked them up, had left at the commencement of the ebb. the punt was now in the midst of the rougher waves which broke over the banks of sand at the mouth of the estuary, and they were expecting every moment to be swamped, when frank uttered a cry of joy, and seizing the paddle, made for a black spot which was dancing about in the foam. it was a buoy, and jimmy seized the 'painter,' and stood up. as they neared it, a wave bore them on its summit within reach. jimmy succeeded in slipping the rope through the ring on the top of the buoy, and in another moment they had swung under its lee. they were now safe from drifting farther out to sea, but in imminent danger of being swamped, and the time seemed very long while waiting for the tide to turn. the curling waves continually broke over them, and had it not been for the decked portions of the punt they would have been sunk by the first two or three duckings. as it was, they were kept hard at work baling with a tin scoop belonging to the punt, and fending off from the buoy. forwards and backwards, up and down and sideways, they were tossed. a great black wall of water, with a thin crest through which the glimmer of a star could occasionally be seen, would come surging along, making their hearts sink with apprehension, and then would sometimes break and die away close by, sometimes dash them against the buoy, and sometimes with a side chop nearly fill the punt. there was a dash of excitement about it all which made it not absolutely unpleasant, as long as the sky remained clear and they could see the stars, which seemed to laugh at their puny battle with the elements. but by and by the stars began to disappear in the direction of the wind, and finally were blotted out over the whole heavens by a huge pall of cloud, and the darkness became awfully oppressive. the wind dropped, and its roar subsided into a low moaning sound. they felt the cold intensely as the snow came down quickly and silently, covering them with a white coating. a black cormorant suddenly appeared hovering over them, to be driven away with the paddle, and they could hear the swoop of gulls about them. "we are not quite food for the birds yet; but i can't stand this much longer," said jimmy, his teeth chattering with the cold. "hold up, old man. the tide will turn in half an hour." there was the sound of a sudden snap. the rope had parted, and a receding wave bore them away, leaving a rapidly widening distance between them and the buoy. "keep her head to the waves," said frank, "or we shall be upset." at this critical moment the sky cleared in one patch, and against it they saw the outlines of the dark, square sails of a schooner. the boys hailed her long and loud, and in answer came the hoarse cry, "where away?" "here, on your weather bow. fling us a rope!" in a few minutes they and their punt were safe on board, and in another hour they were in an hotel at yarmouth, dressed in borrowed suits of clothes, and enjoying a hot supper. after this, and when their own clothes were dried by the kitchen fire, they walked back to the berney arms by road, reached the yacht about three o'clock in the morning, to the great relief of dick, who had been very anxious at their protracted absence. the next day they sailed down to yarmouth in the _swan_, picked up the punt, and went up the bure with sheets eased out and a following wind. chapter xxxvii. the bread frozen.--skating.--fish frozen in ice.-- birds frozen to the ice.--ice-ships. it was dark when they sailed up the dyke leading to the broad, and the wind had fallen, so that their progress was slow. as they moved out of the dyke, where there was a gentle current, into the open broad, there was a sound of crashing and splintering at their bows, and the way of the yacht was stopped. jimmy and dick rushed out of the cabin, where they had been preparing supper, and said to frank, who was at the helm,-- "what is the matter?" "why the broad is frozen over, and we can't get any further." "can't we break a passage through?" said dick. "we might, but it would be a pity to spoil so much ice for skating. let us stay here until the morning, and then we can walk across for our skates. the yacht will be as safe here as by the boat-house." they were already sufficiently wedged in by the ice to be able to dispense with the lowering of their anchor, and after supper--(which by the way consisted of, first broiled bacon, next tinned salmon, then some gooseberry-jam, followed by cheese, and finally a tin of american preserved strawberries, which they had bought at yarmouth, the whole washed down by coffee and beer)--they turned in for a snooze. the silence of the night was broken by continual sharp, tinkling noises. it was some little time before they discovered that these arose from the ice crystals as they formed along the surface of the water, shooting out in long needles and crossing each other, until every inch of the water was covered. in the morning the ice was strong enough to bear their weight, although it bent in long waves beneath them as they hurried over it. the frost continued. the ice was smooth, and black, and hard, and perfectly free from snow. early and late, the boys sped lightly over it on their skates, enjoying to the full this most invigorating and healthy exercise. frank and jimmy practised threes and eights and the spread-eagle, and the other now old-fashioned figures, with great assiduity; and dick, having soon mastered the inside edge, tumbled about most indefatigably in his efforts to master the outside edge. the frost continued with unabated severity, and soon the ice was two feet thick, and the shallower portions of the broad were frozen to the bottom. one day dick was skating at a good pace before the wind, when something beneath his feet in the transparent ice attracted his attention, and in his haste to stop he came down very heavily. he shouted to frank and jimmy to come up, and when they did so, he pointed to the ice at his feet. midway in the water, where it was about two feet deep, was a shoal of a dozen perch, most of them good sized ones, frozen into the ice in various attitudes, betokening their last struggle to escape. the reason of their being so caught was explained by the fact that they were in a slight depression surrounded by shallower and weedy water, which had frozen so as to shut them in, and give them no means of escape before the water in which they swam became solid. "that fellow is fully two pounds weight. i wonder if they are dead," said frank. "of course they must be," answered jimmy; "they cannot be frozen stiff like that and live." "i am not so sure about that," observed dick; "caterpillars have been known to be frozen quite stiff, and to all appearance lifeless, yet they revive when they are warmed." "well," said frank, "i tell you what we will do. we will dig them out, and put them into water in the house, and give them a chance." they did so, and five of the perch, including the biggest and the smallest, came to life, and were subsequently restored to the broad. one day a rapid thaw set in, and the ice was covered with a thin layer of water. during the night, however, the wind suddenly changed, and this layer of water froze so quickly, that it held fast by the feet many water-fowl which had been resting on the ice. when the boys went down to the ice in the morning, they saw here and there a dead or dying water-hen or coot thus made captive, and surrounded by a group of the hooded crows, those grey-backed crows which in the winter-time are so common in norfolk, and the rapacious birds were attacking and eating the poor held-fast water-fowl. the crowning achievement of the winter was this: they broke the _swan_ free, and got her on to the ice; then they supported her on some runners, like large skate irons, made by the village blacksmith, and put on ordinary skates on each rudder to get steerage power, and so constructed with great ease an ice-ship after the fashion of those used in some parts of canada. with this they sped over the ice at a far quicker rate than they had ever sailed upon the water, and they could steer her tolerably close to the wind. this amusement superseded the skating until the ice melted away, and the _swan_ once more floated on the water and sailed in her legitimate manner. chapter xxxviii. the thaw.--cromer.--prehistoric remains. the thaw was accompanied by torrents of rain for more than a week. at the end of that time the boys were sitting in the boat-house making up their note-book, when mr. meredith entered and said to them,-- "will you drive with me to cromer? i hear that a large portion of the cliff has fallen away and exposed a bed containing the bones and remains of prehistoric elephants and other mammalia, and all the geologists of the country are going there. i thought we might as well see these wonderful relics of the past. what do you say?" "we should like it above all things," said frank for the others; and mr. merivale's horses were forthwith harnessed to the waggonette, and they started. the rain had ceased, and a cold, white sun shone out of a white space in the leaden sky. the town of cromer is the easternmost part of england, and it is built on the summit of a gravel-hill, which the sidelong sweeping tides eat away little by little and year by year. it is said that the church of old cromer lies buried under the sea half a mile from the present shore. immediately in front of the village the cliff is plated and faced with flints and protected by breakwaters, but on either side the soft earth is loosened by the frosts and rains, and undermined by the tidal currents, which, running nearly north and south, sweep the débris away instead of piling it at the foot of the cliff. putting the horses up at the principal inn, they walked to the cliff below the lighthouse, where a portion of the high cliff had slid into the sea. in one place a recent storm had swept the fallen mass of gravel away and exposed at the bottom a portion of the "forest bed." here three or four gentlemen, presumably geologists, were freely engaged in poking and digging. one man was tugging hard at a huge bone which projected out of the cliff; another was carefully unveiling the stump of a fossil tree. here and there were the stumps of trees--oaks and firs, and others, with their spreading roots intact, just as ages ago they had stood and flourished; and between these ancient stumps were the bones and the teeth of elephant, hippopotamus, and rhinoceros, deer of ten different sorts, bears, tigers, and many another animal, the like, or the prototype of which, are now found in tropical regions alone. the boys were very much struck with the sight of these remains of the animals which lived before the flood, and as they wandered about, finding here a tooth and there a bone, and then the stem of a strange tree, they amused themselves by reconstructing in imagination the luxuriant woods teeming with savage monsters which once stood on a level with the shore, and speculating upon the causes which led to the piling up of the gravel strata which now cover them to such a depth. "are these animal deposits peculiar to cromer, mr. meredith?" asked dick. "no. you can scarcely dig anywhere in norfolk in similar deposits without coming upon these remains; this is the case in holland and belgium also, so that there is positive evidence that the german ocean is of comparatively recent origin, the two countries having once been connected by a great plain, a portion of which is now covered with water. from the bottom of the sea the fishermen often dredge up bones and fragments of trees similar to those in the base of this cliff." the short winter day soon drew on to dusk, and they strolled on to the pier to see the sun set in the sea on this the east coast of england. the land so juts out, and to the northward the water so bites into the land, that not only does the sun rise from the sea, but it also sets in it. the surf-crested waves which broke heavily against the black breakwater were red and lurid with the sunset light, and in fantastic masses, flooded with red and orange, the clouds gathering about the descending sun. and then, as the strange glare faded away and the grey dusk settled over the chafing sea, a white light shot out from the lighthouse tower, and traced a gleaming pathway over sea, pier, houses, and woods, as it revolved with steady purpose. chapter xxxix. the boys' note-book. a note-book was incidentally mentioned in the last chapter. properly speaking, it should have been mentioned long before. on the table in the boat-house lay a large folio manuscript book, in which the boys noted down whatever, in their reading or observation, struck them as noticeable or worth remembering, or of which they wished to be reminded at some future time, when they should have leisure to look up what they wished to know concerning the matter noted. before therefore i close this "strange eventful history," i shall quote a few pages at random out of their note-book, just to show how it was kept up. in the left-hand margin of each sheet the date of the entry was written opposite each note, and each jotting was signed by the one making it. so that the book ran after this fashion:-- "they have a novel mode of netting shore birds at lynn. they have long nets stretched on poles about six feet high, on the sands towards dusk, one line below high water mark and the other upon the ridge."--f. m. "all grain-eating birds feed their young on insects--as a matter of course because there is no grain in the spring--so they make up for the damage they may do to the grain. i shall write a letter to this effect to the secretary of the sparrow club here. the fellows in that club are as proud of their sparrow heads as a red indian of his scalps."--f. m. [illustration: mole cricket.] "crickets are the thirstiest of all thirsty creatures." "mem. how do flies walk with their heads downwards, and how do they buzz?"--r. c. "caught a lizard in the garden to-day, and when i touched it, its tail dropped off. curious habit some reptiles have of parting with their tails. it is done to divert attention from the body, which makes its escape."--j. b. "our keeper set some trimmers on our little lake in the park last night, and this morning he found on one of them a great crested grebe which had swallowed the bait, and on the other an eel of four pounds weight with a kitten in its inside."--r. c. "frank's head has a permanent set to one side, from always looking into the hedges for nests. i noticed it in church."--j. b. "you'll get a licking, young 'un."--frank. [illustration: common lizard.] "bell says that he has seen an osprey resting on one of the posts in hickling broad, and it was so gorged after a meal of fish that he rowed quite close to it."--f. m. "i saw a squirrel eating some toad-stools which grew at the foot of a tree near sir richard's house. i thought they fed only on nuts."--j. brett. "they say that hedgehogs will go into an orchard and roll themselves on the fallen fruit, so that it sticks to their spines, and then they walk off with it. should like to see them do it, and i wonder how they get it off again."--j. b. [illustration: osprey.] [illustration: crested grebe.] "saw a robin kill a sparrow in fair fight this morning, and it afterwards _ate_ a portion of him! also saw two rooks fighting like anything, and a third perched on a branch just above them, as if to see fair play."--f. m. [illustration: . nest of white ant. . suspended wasp's nest. . common wasp. . demoiselle dragon-fly. , . soldiers of white ant. . hornet. . worker of white ant. . wood ant. . red ant.] "what a curious instinct it is which leads moths and butterflies, while you are killing them, to lay their eggs. it is their last will and testament!" [illustration: hedgehog.] [illustration: honey-buzzard.] "i found a brood of caterpillars on a hawthorn-bush; they were the caterpillars of the small oak-eggar. they make a silken nest in the branches, and they come out to feed and go in to sleep. there were at the least five hundred of them. the moth, i see, is a small, dingy brown thing, with white spots on the wings."--r. c. "bell's son took a hornet's nest the other day. he was stung by one of them, and was ill for some days, the inflammation was so bad. bell says that hornets are much rarer now than they used to be, and a good thing too. "while going to take a wasp's nest to-day, we disturbed a large hawk-like bird, which had been digging it up and apparently eating the grubs. the wasps were flying all about it and settling on it, but it did not seem to mind them. upon looking at our books we have decided that the bird was the honey-buzzard, one of the short-winged hawks."--f. m. chapter xl. a regatta.--the "waterlog's" victory. the waters of the broad once more blazed beneath the summer sun. the _swan_ lay at anchor in a reedy bay, and the three boys were sitting on deck, busily engaged in discussing some project which seemed to interest them very much. for some years past a large yacht had been a prominent object on the norfolk and suffolk waters, not on account of her speed or her beauty, but because of her great ugliness of form, and her exceeding slowness of sailing. cram on as much sail as you could, and yet the clumsiest wherry could beat her in sailing. her owner entered her for many a race, and she was invariably so badly beaten that she became a laughing-stock. her name was the _waterlily_, but she was facetiously christened and universally called the "waterlog." her end was tragic. one time when the waters were very high after great floods, her owner sailed her into a small broad, and, not taking her off in time, the waters fell, and there was not depth enough to float her out, and she became fixed in a trap, out of which she could not be removed. she was offered for sale, but no one would buy her; so her owner, in a fit of disgust, first dismantled her and then set fire to her, and so she perished. her nickname survived her, however, and, to the great indignation of the boys, descended upon the _swan_, whose stiff and stately motion and peculiar appearance had made her the mark for it. they were now holding an "indignation meeting" upon the subject, and a way had just been mooted by which they hoped to sustain the dignity of their boat. "wroxham regatta is on the th of next month," said frank, "and there is a race open to all classes of yachts except the winners of the previous races. those will clear off the crack ships, and i don't think we need fear any of the others. i vote we enter the _swan_ for it, and show them how she can sail. the prize is a very handsome cup." "do you really think she will have any chance, frank?" asked jimmy. "not with her present rig; but we will add a big top-sail to both main-sail and mizen. her double shape will enable her to stand any amount of sail, and if we have a good side wind and plenty of it we shall stand a very good chance." so it was decided that the yacht should be entered for the race, and they set to work to prepare two immense yards and top-sails, and to practise sailing the yacht with them up. mary merivale and edith rose were invited to be on board during the race; the elders were to be present on board a friend's yacht to witness the regatta. the day of the regatta arrived, and a strong north-wester was raising mimic waves on the broad. the boys had taken the yacht overnight to wroxham, and in the morning they met mary and edith at wroxham bridge, and took them on board. "is it not dreadfully windy?" asked edith rose, as the wind blew her curls back from her pretty face. "it is just what we want, miss rose," answered frank. "wouldn't it be safer if we were not to be on board during the race? i am afraid you are going to be too venturesome. i heard you were going to put some more sails up, and i am sure these are large enough," said edith. "pray don't desert us now," said frank, so piteously, that edith made no more objection for fear of vexing him. over the fence of tall reeds which now separated them from the broad they could see scores of white sails and gay pennants, and it was evident that there was a large assemblage. "why, frank," said mary, "i declare you are quite nervous; i can feel your arm tremble." frank indignantly repelled the accusation, but jimmy, who was sitting on the roof of the cabin kicking his heels, said:-- "i am awfully, miserably nervous, and i believe we are going to make a tremendous mull of it, and we've done all we can to make ourselves conspicuous." they had entered the yacht, out of a spirit of bravado, under the name of "the waterlog," and they had painted the name on slips of stout paper, and tacked it over the legitimate name of their yacht. "nonsense!" was frank's somewhat angry commentary on jimmy's speech. they now entered the broad, which presented a lively scene. yachts of all rigs and sizes were skimming about, with gunwales under, to the stiff breeze. when the signal for the first race was given, those yachts not engaged in it came to an anchor, and the _swan_, on whom all eyes were turned, took up her station next to the yacht in which were mr. merivale and his friends. the wind continued to freshen and grow more gusty, so that of those yachts which started with their top-sails, two had them carried away in the first round, and the others had to take them down, and the yacht which won had a single reef in her huge main-sail. there were three races before the open race for which the _swan_ was entered under her assumed name. i have not space to dwell upon the incidents of these, nor to dilate upon the glorious life and movement of the broad, with its crowd of white sails, and its waves sparkling in the sunlight. three of the best yachts were, through being winners in the races, prohibited from sailing in the open race, but there were nevertheless a sufficient number of entries on the card of the races to make our boys dubious as to the result of their somewhat bold experiment. there were six named as to start. two were lateeners, one a schooner, two cutters, and the sixth was the "waterlog." the course was three times round the lake, outside of certain mark-boats; and, as the wind blew, the yachts would catch it abeam for two-thirds the course, dead aft for a sixth, and dead ahead for the remainder. as frank said, it was a wind in every respect suitable for the raft-like _swan_. the race excited a great amount of interest. the _swan_ was now well known to all the yachtsmen, and her change of name provoked curiosity and interest, and as the signal came for the yachts to take their station all eyes were upon the "waterlog" (as we will call her during the race). as the boys ran up her sails and sailed away to the starting-point, a decided manifestation of admiration arose as the great top-sails slowly ascended under the strenuous efforts of dick and jimmy. as they fluttered in the wind, mary threw all her little weight on to the halyard to assist in hauling them tight and flat. mary and edith took up their places in the bows, where they were out of the way, as there is no jib in a lugger rig. "now, dick," whispered frank, "if any accident _should_ happen--although it isn't likely--do you see to mary, and i'll take edith." "all right, old man." the yachts started from slip anchors, with the canvas set; and at the flash of the starting-gun, sheets were hauled in, and the six yachts which came to the starting-point bounded away almost simultaneously, the white water flashing away from their bows, and boiling and eddying in their wake. the wind was now blowing very fresh indeed, the other yachts were not only gunwales under, but the water swept all over the leeward half of their decks, and even the "waterlog," in spite of the width of her beam and double shape, had her leeward pontoon completely submerged. on they surged, the two girls clinging to the forestay, heedless of wet feet, and breathless with the swift excitement: frank firmly grasping the tiller, his teeth set and his blue eyes gleaming; dick at the main-sheet, and jimmy standing on the counter with the mizen-sheet in his grasp, both watching their captain, to be instant at his commands. the first round was quickly over, and then the position of the competing yachts was this:--the schooner was ahead, then at a little distance came the "waterlog," and close behind her the rest of the yachts in a body. as they passed mr. merivale he cried out, "well done, boys! you'll get a good place." next they passed a small boat, in which they saw bell, who shouted,--"haul in your sheets a bit more,--your top-sails will hold more wind." frank saw the wisdom of this advice, and as he followed it, the "waterlog" shot forward and gained a little upon the schooner. "if the wind were to freshen a little we should come in second," said frank. but as they commenced the third round the wind dropped most unexpectedly. the schooner in front rose nearer the perpendicular and her speed increased; the "waterlog" fell back, and a large lateener behind fast overhauled her. "how dreadfully annoying," said frank; and he hated that lateener with a very vigorous hate. they passed bell's boat again, and the old man shouted-- "look out, master frank, a squall will be on you in a minute." the sudden lull was but the precursor of a tremendously violent gust. as the yachts were beating up to round the last mark-boat before getting a straight run in to the goal, the boys saw the trees on the land bow their heads with a sudden jerk, and then the squall was upon them. it did not affect them so much when they were close hauled, but as the leading schooner rounded the boat and presented her broadside to the wind there was a great crash, and her cloud of white canvas descended upon the water. her foremast had broken close by the deck, and in falling had snapped the remaining mast half way up, and she lay like a log on the water. the lateener, close upon her heels, heeled over so much, that she began to fill through the hatchway, and to save her from an upset her sheets were let go, and with her sails wildly fluttering she drifted on to the disabled wreck. all this was the work of a few seconds, but there was time for frank to unloose the halyards of the top-sails, which were purposely made fast just in front of him, and to give a warning shout of "heads!" and then, to the great alarm of the girls, the sails came clattering down to leeward, and they rounded the boat in safety, though cannoning violently against the wreck as they did so. and now they were _first_! the cutter next behind them, in shooting up into the wind to save herself, lost way, and was no longer a dangerous enemy, and although the other yachts rounded the boat, yet they were far astern, and the victory of the "waterlog" was secure. at a word from frank the two girls, one on each side, stripped off the assumed name, and let the papers float away on the wind, and, amid vociferous cheering and clapping of hands and waving of handkerchiefs, the _swan_ shot past the winning-post, and so gained the prize. although gained partly by accident it was a great triumph for the boys, and the girls were quite as proud and delighted as they were. "you are a dear good boy, and i'll give you a kiss," said merry mary merivale to her brother, "although you would rather have one from somebody else than from me, i know." "i say, molly, i wish you'd get her to give me one." "you will have to wait a very long time for that, mr. frank." "if you would give dick one, she would give me one." "that's all you know about it, sir," said mary, making him a saucy curtsey. chapter xli. the conclusion. now this chronicle of the doings of my three boys must come to an end. i have grown very fond of them, and i hope you have too. we will take a big jump from the doings recorded in the last chapter, and look in upon them at a time fraught with importance to each of them. their pleasant school with mr. meredith is broken up. frank and dick are going to college, and jimmy is about to be articled to a norwich solicitor. they will always remain the best of friends, but still the new times will never again be like the old. new interests, new companions, new ambitions, all will leave their mark and have their influence, although this i am sure of, that the memory of this glorious partnership of three will always remain green and fresh with them, and have the greatest of all influences on their future lives. mr. meredith had invited all three of them to dinner, and when mrs. meredith had retired the conversation grew more personal and confidential. they looked upon mr. meredith as an intimate friend and counsellor, as well as a tutor and schoolmaster, and they told him their plans and hopes, just as if he were one of themselves. presently a silence fell upon the table. frank looked at dick, and dick looked at frank, and jimmy kicked him under the table, and at last frank cleared his throat with a preparatory "ahem" and said,-- "i am not good at making speeches, mr. meredith, but we wish to express how very much obliged we have been to you for the kindness and the--in fact the--the--well, what we mean to say is--that you are a brick of a good fellow, sir." "what an awful muddle you have made of it, frank," said dick, in a reproachful whisper, and jimmy launched a vicious kick at him under the table. there was a twinkle in mr. meredith's eye as he drank off his wine, which was partly due to mirth, and partly to a deeper feeling. he said,-- "i know what you mean, frank, and in return i may say, that i am both glad and sorry that the hour has come for us to part for a time. i am sorry, because i have much enjoyed your companionship for the last three years, and i believe you have done me as much good as i have done you. i am glad, because you have become such fine young fellows, and i have had a hand in the making of you, and you must do us all credit. jimmy will make a good lawyer, i think; and he must remember that the law is an honourable profession, and that lawyers take the place of the knights of old; they must do all they can to succour the widows and fatherless, and never allow themselves to be made instruments of oppression. i will give jimmy just one piece of advice: go straight, and never attempt to finesse. i believe that this clever finessing, and attempting to outdo other lawyers in cleverness, has been the cause of the moral ruin of many an able lawyer. dick, i am sorry to say, will have no need to be of any occupation, but he must try to get plenty of voluntary work, nevertheless, for no man's life can be noble unless he does some of the world's work. and frank, what are you going to be?" "i don't know yet, sir," replied frank, "i should like to be a soldier, if i could be sure of active service pretty often." "i wish you would be a soldier in a purer army, my boy. we want some more men of your strength and energy to fight the devil with. we want men who will not only do what they have to do with all their might, but who have plenty of might to use." "i haven't the gift of the gab, sir," said frank modestly. "that would come with practice and study, and, 'out of the fulness of the heart the mouth speaketh.' but come, we must not leave mrs. meredith so long alone on this your last night here." so they went into the drawing-room and had a quietly pleasant evening. when they left, they walked together down by the broad, talking of many things. it was bright moonlight, and the _swan_ lay still and distinct on the water. it was warm, being in the middle of summer, and it was not late; and as they stood looking at the boat which they had built, and which had served them so well, they saw mary and edith rose, who was staying with her, coming towards them, and mr. and mrs. merivale not far behind. "good night," said jimmy, "i shall see you both in the morning;" and off he went. "poor jimmy," said frank, "he does not like both of us going away, and he to be left behind alone." the two girls joined them, and frank and edith walked off together, and dick and mary did the same in another direction. "mary," said dick, "mr. meredith said that i ought to do some work in the world." "so you ought, dick," she replied; "both frank and jimmy are going to be busy, and i did so hope you would do something too." "i mean to do something," he replied, with a quiet smile, "but i shall not tell you what it is yet. but if i do something which will show that i am of some use in the world, and not a mere drone, will you marry me?" it was not light enough to see if she blushed, but i am sure she did so very sweetly. what she said, very naively, was this:-- "i thought you would ask me some time, dick, but i did not want you to _quite_ ask me until you came from college. we are only boy and girl, you know." "i am quite satisfied, mary," he said, in that quiet, gentle voice of his which made you like him so much,--and so a compact was made, which both of them faithfully kept. frank had not dared to say half so much to edith; but the next morning, when he was saying good bye to them all, and it came to her turn, he looked her steadily in the face as she took his hand, and, moved by a sudden impulse, she put up her face to be kissed as mary had done, and as he gravely kissed her, he said in a low tone, designed for her ear alone,-- "i am going to do my very best, edith, and what i do will be for your sake." these were sweet words to the little maiden; but frank received by the next morning's post a little testament from her, with these words written on the fly-leaf-- "not altogether for my sake, frank," and the half rebuke was of great service to frank. and so, god be with them! the end. london: r. clay, sons, and taylor, printers, bread street hill, queen victoria street. * * * * * transcriber's notes: italics are indicated by _underscores_. small caps are indicated by all caps. archaic spelling, and variations in hyphenation, punctuation, and use of accents appear as in the original. several words appear both with and without hyphenation. end-of-line hyphenations in the original are rejoined here. obvious typographical errors have been changed. page : added comma ("yes, frank, he is) page : "loth" to "loath" (were loath to destroy) page : added full stop (the owner.--) page : added opening quote mark ("what a thing) page : comma to full stop (said dick. "is that) page : added comma (mr. ----," said jimmy) page : italicized "swan" (found that the _swan_) page : added full stop (fir-tree.) page : capitalized "is" ("is it a crow's) page : "affect" to "affects" (it sometimes affects) page : removed opening quote mark (on the ground) page : added full stop (sixty feet in length.) page : removed comma (to or from lake) page : added comma (said frank, "is not) page : added comma (external accident,) page : added comma (frank's boat, "but) page : full stop to comma (i was a fool,") page : added opening quote mark ("well, sir, a lot) page : added full stop (about the birds.) page : added comma ("so have i," said frank.) page : added comma (law of nature,") page : removed closing quote mark (_wild flowers_:--) page : single to double opening quote mark ("up with the) page : removed closing quote mark (its last change) page : greek character to "omega" (the letter omega,) page : "heron.--hawking." to "heron-hawking." (chapter heading) page : added closing quote mark (tempt him by size.") page : "perfectlv" to "perfectly" (perfectly free from snow.) page : "fastastic" to "fantastic" (in fantastic masses,) page : added closing quote mark (last will and testament!") the cruise of the frolic, by w.h.g. kingston. ________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ the cruise of the frolic, by w.h.g. kingston. preface. by barnaby brine, esq, rn. the "cruise of the `frolic'" has already met with so many marks of favour, that it is hoped it will be welcomed not the less warmly in its new and more attractive form. the yachting world especially received the narrative of my adventures in good part; two or three, however, among whom was the o'wiggins, insisted that i had caricatured them, and talked of demanding satisfaction at the point of the sword, or the muzzle of a pistol. i assured them then, as i do now, that on the word of an officer and a gentleman, i had not the slightest intention of wounding the feelings of any human being; and i entreated their pardon, if in shooting at a venture i had hit an object at which i had not taken aim. i can only say, that i hope my readers may experience as much pleasure in perusing my adventures, as i had in writing them, and, i may add, again feel, in looking over the pages which recall so many of the amusing scenes and incidents of my yachting days--a pleasure which will, i feel sure, be shared by my companions in the adventures i have described. no one with any yachting experience will venture to say that the tale is improbable, although it may be confessed that when an author takes pen in hand, he is apt to throw an air of romance over events which, if told in a matter-of-fact manner, would be received as veracious history; and such is the plea which i have to offer for the truth of the following narrative of my yachting experience many summers ago. chapter one. a yachtsman's lament--the "frolic," and the frolickers. what yachtsman can ever forget the beautiful scene cowes road presented on a regatta morning in the palmy days of the club, when the broad pennant of its noble commodore flew at the masthead of his gallant little ship, the "falcon," and numberless beautiful craft, of all rigs and sizes, with the white ensign of st. george at their peaks, and the red cross and crown in their snowy burgees aloft, willingly followed the orders of their honoured leader? then, from far and near, assembled yachts and pleasure-boats, of all degrees, loaded with eager passengers to witness the regatta; and no puffing, blowing, smoking, rattling steamers came to create discord on the ocean, and to interfere with the time-honoured monopoly of the wind in propelling vessels across the watery plain. small thanks to the man whose impertinently-inquisitive brain could not let the lid of his tea-kettle move up and down at its pleasure without wanting to know the cause of the phenomenon! smaller to him who insisted on boiling salt water on the realms of old neptune! stern enemy to the romance and poetry of a life on the ocean! could you not be content to make carriages go along at the rate of forty miles an hour over the hard land, without sending your noisy, impudent demagogues of machines to plough up the waves of the sea, which have already quite enough to do when their lawful agitator thinks fit to exert his influence? it was a work of no slight difficulty and risk to cruise in and out among the innumerable craft at anchor, and dodging about under sail just when the yachts were preparing to start. i doubt whether many of your "turn-a-head and back her" mariners, with their chimney-sweep faces, would possess seamanship enough to perform the feat without fouling each other every instant. but i must not go on harping on the smoke-jacks. back, memory! back, to those glorious yachting days. of the regatta i am treating. while afloat, all was movement, gaiety, and excitement; there was not less animation on shore. the awning of the club-house shaded crowds of gay visitors; and on the broad esplanade in front of it were drawn up the carriages-and-four of the noble house of holmes, and those of barrington and simeon, with blood-red hands emblazoned on their crests; while, in like style, some might by chance come over from appuldercombe, and others of equal rank from the east and the west end of the island; and thus, what with booths of gingerbread and bands of music, scarcely standing-room was to be found on the quays during the day, while every hotel and lodging was overflowing at night. and then the ball! what lofty rank, what a galaxy of beauty, was to be seen there! and the fireworks! what a splutter, what a galaxy of bright stars they afforded! alas, alas! how have they faded! how have they gone out! the pride of cowes has departed, its monopoly is no more, its regattas and its balls are both equalled, if not surpassed, by its younger rivals! "tempora mutantur et nos mutamur in illis." i am now about to speak of times when that change had already commenced, and the fleets of the ryde, the thames, the western, the irish, and other clubs dotted the ocean. the first day of a cowes regatta broke fair and lovely, then down came the rain in torrents to disappoint the hopes of the pleasure-seekers, like the clouds which at every turn beset our path in life; but again, as they do happily in our mortal course, the clouds passed away, and the sun shone forth bright, warm, and cheering; a light air sprang up from the westward, and the whole scene on shore and afloat looked animated, joyous, and beautiful. while the rain-drops were still hanging on the trees, a large party of ladies and gentlemen collected on the yacht club slip, by the side of which were two gigs, their fine, manly crews, with their oars in the air, ready to receive them. three or four servants followed, laden with cloaks and plaids, to guard against a repetition of the shower; and several white baskets, of no mean proportions, showed that delicacies were provided from the shore which might not be found afloat. never was a merrier set of people collected together. cheerful voices and shouts of laughter emanated from them on all sides. "who's for the first boat?" sung out ned hearty, the owner of the "frolic." ned had tried shooting, hunting, and every other amusement which the brain of man has invented to kill time; and he was now trying yachting, which he seemed to enjoy amazingly, though practically he knew very little about it; but i never met a man, green from the shore, so 'cute in taking in the details of marine affairs. in a week he could box the compass, knew the names of all the sails and most of the ropes of his craft, and had a slight notion of steering, though i'll wager he never touched a tiller in his life before. "i say, old fellow," he continued, turning to me--i had joined him the day before, and had taken up my quarters on board for a spell--"do you take charge of the first gig, and see some of the ladies safe on board. send her back, though, for the two boats won't hold us all, and the cardiffs and lorimer have not come down yet." "very well: i can stow four ladies and three gentlemen," i answered, stepping into the boat, and offering my hand to miss seaton, who was considered the belle of the party by most of the men: at all events, she was the most sought after, for she was that lovable thing, an heiress. she took her seat, and looked up with her soft blue eyes to see who was next coming. "we'll go in the first! we'll go in the first?" exclaimed the two miss rattlers, in one breath; and forthwith, without ceremony, they jumped into the boat, disdaining my proffered aid. fanny rattler, the eldest, was dark, with fine flashing eyes and a _petite_ figure; but susan was the girl for fun. she had not the slightest pretension to beauty, of which she was well aware; but she did not seem to care a pin about it: and such a tongue for going as she had in her head! and what funny things it said!--the wonder was it had not worn out long ago. "who'll come next?" i asked. "come, miss may sandon, will you?" she nodded, and gave her delicate little hand into my rough paw. she was one of three sisters who were about to embark. they were all fair, and very pretty, with elegant figures, and hair with a slight touch of auburn, and yet they were not, wonderful as it may seem, alike in feature. this made them more attractive, and there was no mistaking one for the other. the three gentlemen who presented themselves were harry loring, a fine, good-looking fellow, a barrister by profession, but briefless, and the younger son of sir john and lady loring. he was a devoted admirer of miss seaton. the next was sir francis futtock, a post-captain, and a right honest old fellow. "here, i must go, to act propriety among you youngsters," he said, as he stepped into the boat. the third, will bubble, the owner of a small yacht called the "froth," laid up that year for want, as he confessed, of quicksilver to float her. will, like many a man of less wisdom, had been, i suspect, indulging in railway speculations, and if he had not actually burnt his fingers, he had found his capital safely locked up in lines which don't pay a dividend. "shove off!" was the word; and i, seizing the yoke-lines, away we went towards the "frolic." "i say, sir francis, take care they behave properly,--don't discredit the craft," sung out her owner. "no flirtations, remember, till we get on board--all start fair." "hear that, young ladies," said sir francis, looking, however, at miss seaton, whereat a _soupcon_ of rosy tint came into her fair cheek, and her bright eyes glanced at her own delicate feet, while henry loring tried to look nohow, and succeeded badly. "i vote for a mutiny against such restrictions," cried miss susan rattler. "i've no idea of such a thing. come, sir francis, let you and me set the example." the gallant officer, who had only seen the fair susan two or three times before, stared a little, and laughingly reminded her that he, as a naval man, should be the last to disobey the orders of the commander-in-chief. "though faith, madam," he added, "the temptation to do so is very great." "there, you've begun already with a compliment, sir francis," answered miss susan, laughing; "i must think of something to say to you in return." she had not time, however, before the whole party were put in terror of their lives by a large schooner-yacht, which, without rhyme or reason, stood towards the mouth of the harbour, merely for the sake of standing out again, and very nearly ran us down, as she went about just at the moment she should not. we did not particularly bless the master, who stood at the helm with white kid gloves on his hands, one of which touched the tiller, the other held a cambric handkerchief to his nose, the scent of which bubble declared he could smell as we passed to leeward. two minutes more took us alongside the "frolic." she was a fine cutter of between ninety and a hundred tons; in every respect what a yacht should be, though not a racer; for ned hearty liked his ease and his fun too much to pull his vessel to pieces at the very time he most wanted to use her. she did not belong to the cowes squadron; but ryde owned her, and ryde was proud of her, and the red burgee of the royal victoria yacht club flew at her masthead. the water was perfectly smooth, so the ladies stepped on board without any difficulty. the gentlemen were busily engaged in arranging the cloaks and cushions for the ladies, while the other boats were coming off. in the next came, under charge of captain carstairs, who was yachting regularly with hearty, mrs sandon, and two more of her fair daughters. mamma was a very amiable gentlewoman, and had been a brunette in her youth, not wanting in prettiness, probably. then came a mrs skyscraper, a widow, pretty, youngish--that is to say, not much beyond thirty--and with a good jointure at her own disposal; and a very tall young lady, miss mary masthead by name, a regular jolly girl, though, who bid fair to rival the rattlers. then there was master henry flareup perched in the bows, a precocious young gentleman, waiting for his commission, and addicted to smoking; not a bad boy in the main, however, and full of good nature. hearty himself came off last with what might be considered the aristocracy of the party--lady and miss cardiff, lord lorimer, and the honourable mrs topgallant; and with them was young sandon, an oxonian, and going into a cavalry regiment. her ladyship was one of those persons who look well and act well, and against whom no one can say a word; while clara cardiff was a general favourite with all sensible men, and even the women liked her; she talked a great deal, but never said a silly thing, and, what is more, never uttered an unkind one. she was so incredulous, too, that she never believed a bit of scandal, and (consequently, or rather, for such would not in all cases be the _sequitur_) at all events she never repeated one. she was not exactly pretty, but she had a pair of eyes, regular sparklers, which committed a great deal of mischief, though she did not intend it; her figure was _petite_ and perfect for her height, and she was full of life and animation. mrs topgallant was proud of her high descent, and a despiser of all those who had wealth, the advantages arising from which they would not allow her to enjoy. it was whispered that her liege lord was hard up in the world--not a very rare circumstance now-a-days. i almost forgot lord lorimer. he was a young man--a very good fellow--slightly afraid of being caught, perhaps, and consequently very likely to be so. the miss sandons, in their quiet way, set their caps at him; jane seaton looked as if she wished he would pay her more attention; and mrs skyscraper thought his title very pretty; but the rattler girls knew that he was a cut above them; and clara cardiff treated him with the same indifference that she did the rest of the men. such was the party assembled on board the "frolic." i have not yet described the "frolic," which, as it turned out, was to be my home--and a very pleasant home, too, for many a month on the ocean wave; and yet she was well worthy of a description. she had the first requisite for a good sea-boat--great breadth of beam, with sharp bows, and a straightish stem. her bulwarks were of a comfortable height, and she was painted black outside; her copper, of its native hue, was varnished so as to shine like a looking-glass. some people would have thought her deck rather too much encumbered with the skylights; but i am fond of air; provided there are ample means of battening them down in case of a heavy sea breaking on board, they are to be commended. a thorough draught can thus always be obtained by having the foremost and aftermost skylights open at the same time; in a warm climate, an absolute necessity. besides her main cabin, she had five good-sized sleeping-cabins, a cabin for the master and chief mate, store-rooms, and pantries; a large fore cuddy for the men; and soyer himself would not have despised the kitchen range. i might expatiate on the rosewood fittings of her cabin, on the purity of her decks, on the whiteness of her canvas and ropes, on the bright polish of the brass belaying-pins, stanchions, davits, and guns, and on the tiller with the head of a sea-fowl exquisitely carved; but, suffice it to say, that, even to the most fastidious taste, she was perfect in all her details. before hearty came down i had engaged a crew for him, and as soon as he arrived on board, i mustered them aft in naval fashion. they were, truly, a fine-looking set of fellows, as they stood hat in hand, dressed in plain blue frocks and trousers, the ordinary costume of yachtsmen, with the name of "frolic" in gold letters on the black ribbon which went round their low-crowned hats. the name of the master was snow. he was a thorough sea-dog, who had spent the best part of his life in smuggling, but not finding it answer of late, had grown virtuous, and given up the trade. he was clean and neat in his person; and as he appeared in his gold-laced cap, and yacht-buttons on his jacket, he looked every inch the officer. odd enough, the name of one of the other men was sleet, so carstairs chose to dub the rest, hail, ice, frost, rain, mist, thaw, and so on; while one of the boys always went by the name of drizzle. hearty had brought down his own man, but was very soon obliged to send him on shore again; for john, though an excellent groom, proved a very bad sailor. among other disqualifications, he was invariably sick, and could never learn to keep his legs. the first day we got under weigh, he caught hold of the swing table, and sent all the plates and dishes flying from it. after breakfast he hove overboard half a dozen silver forks and spoons when shaking the tablecloth; and as he went to windward, of course all the crumbs and egg-tops came flying over the deck. indeed, it were endless to mention all the inexcusable atrocities poor john committed. on his retiring on sick leave, we shipped a sea-steward to serve in his stead, who, having been regularly brought up on board yachts, proved himself admirable in his department; but a more impudent rascal to all strangers whom he thought not likely to know his master, i never met. who can fail to look with pleasure at the mouth of the medina on a fine summer's day, filled as the roadstead is with numerous fine yachts, as well fitted to contend with the waves and tempests in a voyage round the world as the largest ship afloat! the scenery itself is beautiful--a charming combination of wood and water. on one side, to the east, norris castle, with its ivy-crowned turrets and waving forest; on the other, the church-spire peeping amid the trees; and the pretty collection of villas climbing the heights, and extending along the shore from the club-house and castle to egypt point, with the fine wild downs beyond. on the opposite coast, the wooded and fertile shores of hampshire; the lordly tower of eaglehurst, amid its verdant groves; and calshot castle on its sandy beach, at the mouth of the southampton water; while far away to the east are seen, rising from the ocean, the lofty masts and spars of the ships-of-war at spithead, and the buildings in the higher parts of ryde; altogether forming a picture perfect and unrivalled in its kind. osborne--fit abode of her majesty of england-- has now sprung up, and added both dignity and beauty to the scene. chapter two. treats of the regatta and dinner on board the "frolic." "what shall we do? which way shall we go?" was the cry from all hands. "accompany the yachts to the eastward, and haul our wind in time to be back before the flood makes," was will bubble's suggestion, and it was approved of and acted on. we watched the yachts starting, and a very pretty sight it was; but i have not the slightest recollection of their names, except that they are mostly those which have sailed before at ryde. it is the _tout ensemble_ of a regatta which makes up the interest; the white sails moving about, the number of craft dressed out with gay colours, the bands of music, the cheers as the winners pass the starting vessel, the eagerness of the men in the boats pulling about with orders, the firing of guns, the crowd on shore, the noise and bustle; and yet no dust, nor heat, nor odours disagreeable as at horse-races, where abominations innumerable take away half the pleasure of the spectacle. a gun was fired for the yachts to take their stations and prepare; a quarter of an hour flew by--another was heard loud booming along the water, and up went the white folds of canvas like magic--mainsail, gaff-topsail, foresail, and jib altogether. a hand ran aloft to make fast the gaff-topsail-sheet the moment the throat was up, and while they were still swaying away on the peak. every man exerts himself to the utmost--what muscular power and activity is displayed! there is not one on board who is not as eager for victory as the owner. what a crowd of canvas each tiny hull supports. what a head to the gaff-topsail, as long as that of the mainsail itself! and then the jib, well may it be called a balloon; it looks as if it could lift the vessel out of the water and carry her bodily along; it can only be set when she is going free; another is stopped along the bowsprit ready to hoist as she hauls close up to beat back. huzza! away glide the beautiful beings--they look as if they had life in them; altogether, not two seconds' difference in setting their sails--a magnificent start! this beats the turf hollow: no slashing and cutting the flanks of the unfortunate horses, no training of the still more miserable jockeys; after all of which, you see a flash of yellow, or green, or blue jackets, and in a few minutes every thing is over, and you hear that some horse has won, and some thousands have slipped out of the hands of one set of fools into those of another set, who, if wiser, are perhaps not more respectable. now, consider what science is required to plan a fast yacht, what knowledge to build her, to cut and fashion her canvas-- to rig her. what skill and hardihood in master and crew to sail her. what fine manly qualities are drawn out by the life they lead. again i say, huzza for yachting! away glided the "frolic" from her moorings, as the racing-yachts, accompanied with a crowd of others, ran dead before the wind to the eastward through cowes roads. the whole channel appeared covered with a wide spread of canvas, as we saw them stem on with their mainsails over on one side, and their immense square-sails boomed out on the other. everybody on board was pleased, some uttered loud exclamations of delight, even the miss sandons smiled. they never expressed their pleasure by any more extravagant method; in fact, they were not given to admiration, however willing to receive it. i wish two persons to be noted more particularly than the rest--our hero and heroine, at least for the present; for what is a story, however true, without them? they were to be seen at the after-part of the vessel--the one, the fair jane seaton, sitting on a pile of cushions, and leaning against the side, while harry loring, the other, reclined on a wrap-rascal at her feet, employed in looking up into her bright blue eyes, as she unconsciously pulled to pieces a flower he had taken out of his button-hole and given her. "wouldn't it be delightful to take a cruise to the antipodes?" he asked. "yes," she answered. "just as we are now," he added, "with such a heaven above me." he looked meaningly into her blue eyes. sweet jane blushed, as well she might. what more in the same style he said i don't know, for as she bent her head down, and he put his face into her blue hood, not a word reached me. by the by, all the ladies wore blue silk hoods, formed after the model of the front of a bathing-machine, and they were considered admirable contrivances to help a quiet flirtation, as in the present instance, besides aiding in preserving the complexion. hearty was rather bothered, i fancied. he liked to be making love to somebody, he declared, and jane seaton appeared to be a girl so much to his taste, that, as he confessed, he felt rather spooney on her, and had almost made up his mind to try his luck. foolish jane! here was ten thousand a year ready to throw himself at your feet instead of the penniless youth who had so easily placed himself there. how you would have kicked had you known the truth! "i say, hearty, can't you find something for all these young people to do to keep them out of mischief?" sung out sir francis. "remember the proverb about idleness. i tremble for the consequences." "fie, fie!" said mrs skyscraper. "fie, fie!" echoed mrs topgallant; "i'm ashamed of you." "we'll try what can be done, sir francis," answered hearty. "can you, bubble, devise something?" "i have it," replied will. "tablecloths, napkins, towels, and all sorts of household linen came on board yesterday at portsmouth unhemmed, so i laid in a supply of needles and thread this morning on purpose for the present emergency." the rogue had put sir francis up to making the observation he had done. in a few minutes a number of rolls of various sorts of linen were brought on deck. some of the damsels protested that they had no needles, and couldn't work and wouldn't work, till sir francis slyly suggested that it was a trial to see who would make the most notable wife; and without another objection being offered, all the fair hands were employed in sewing away at a great rate, the gentlemen, meantime, holding their parasols to shade them from the sun. carstairs was the only exception. he slyly went forward, and, taking out pencil and paper, made a capital sketch of the various groups, under which he wrote, "all for love," and headed, "distressed needlewomen;" much to the scandal of those who saw it. the ladies, old and young, soon got tired of doing any thing, and the announcement that dinner would be ready as soon as the company were, was received with evident signs of satisfaction. hearty was a sensible fellow, and determined to get rid of all bad london habits, so we dined early on board; and then when we got back to port in the evening, we used generally to repair to the house of one or other of the guests, and enjoy a meal called by some a glorious tea, by others a yachting tea--in fact, it was something like the supper of our ancestors, with tea and coffee. it mattered, therefore, nothing to us whether we got back at eight, nine, or ten; no one waited dinner for us; indeed, hearty never would undertake to get back in time. i should advise all yachting people to follow the good example thus set them. by general acclamation it was determined that we should dine on deck; and sir francis, bubble, and some of the more nautical gentlemen, set to work to rig tables, which we accomplished in a very satisfactory manner, and never was a better feast set before a more hungry party of ladies and gentlemen. champagne was the favourite beverage; and certainly hearty did not stint his friends in it, though there was no lack of less refined liquors. sir francis, of course, proposed the health of ned hearty; "and may there soon be a mrs hearty to steady the helm of the frolic!" were the last words of his speech. ned got up to return thanks. he looked at jane seaton, but she had the front of her bathing-machine turned toward harry loring, so did not see him. he made a long oration, and concluded by observing,-- "how can there be any difficulty in following the advice my gallant friend, sir francis futtock, has given me, when i see myself surrounded by so many angelic creatures, any of whom a prince might be proud to make his bride?" loud shouts of applause from the gentlemen--odd looks and doubtful smiles from the chaperones--blushes deep from the young ladies--each one of whom, who was not already in love, thought she should like to become mrs hearty, provided lord lorimer did not ask her to become lady lorimer; while henry flareup was discovered squeezing the hand of miss mary masthead. "oh that i were a prince, then!" whispered loring into miss seaton's blue shade. thus passed on the day. if there was not much real wit, there was a great deal of hearty laughter; and stores of health and good spirits were laid in for the future. loring sang some capital songs, carstairs spouted, and bubble floated about, throwing in a word whenever he saw any one silent, or looking as if about to become dull; while young flareup, who was anxious to do his best, laughed loudly, for want of any other talent to amuse the company. as the vessels came to haul their wind in order to save the tide back to cowes, it was curious to observe how they appeared to vanish. one could scarcely tell what had become of the immense crowd we had just before seen astern of us. scattered far and wide in every direction, there seemed not to be one-quarter of the number which were before to be seen. we got back soon after eight o'clock, every one assuring hearty that they had spent a most delightful day. chapter three. a voyage--the mariners' return. "i say, old fellows, don't you find this rather slow?" exclaimed hearty, as one morning carstairs, bubble, and i sat at breakfast with him on board the "frolic." "what say you to a cruise to the westward, over to the coast of france and the channel islands, just for ten days or a fortnight or so?" "agreed, agreed, agreed!" we all answered. "well, then, to-morrow or next day we sail," said hearty. "but how can you, carstairs, tear yourself away from your pretty widow? bubble, you don't mean to say that you can leave sweet may sandon without a sigh?" "a little absence will try the widow; it will teach her to miss me, and she will value me more when i return," was carstairs' answer. "but you, bubble, what do you say?" for he did not answer. will was guilty of blushing, for i saw the rosy hue appearing even through his sunburnt countenance, though the others did not. "that is the best thing we can do," he answered, with a loud laugh. "hurrah for the broad seas, and a rover's free life!" "i thought so--i thought there was nothing in it," said hearty. "happy dog!--you never fall in love; you never care for any one." "ah, no: i laugh, sing, and am merry!" exclaimed bubble. "it's all very well for you fellows with your five or ten thousand a year to fall in love; you have hope to live on, if nothing else--no insurmountable obstacles; but for poverty-stricken wretches, like me and a dozen more i could name, it can only bring misery: yet i don't complain of poverty-- no cares, no responsibilities; if one has only one's self to look after, it matters little; but should one unhappily meet with some being who to one's eye is lovely, towards whom one's heart yearns unconsciously, and one longs to make her one's own, then one begins to feel what poverty really is--then the galling yoke presses on one's neck. can you then be surprised that i, and such as i, throw care away, and become the light frivolous wretches we seem? hearty, my dear fellow, don't you squander your money, or you will repent it!" bubble spoke with a feeling for which few would have given him credit. he directly afterwards, however, broke into his usual loud laugh, adding,-- "don't say that i have been moralising, or i may be suspected of incipient insanity." "will bubble has made out a clear case that he cannot be in love, for no one accuses him of being overburdened with the gifts of fortune," i observed; for i saw that he was more in earnest than he would have wished to be supposed. "but do you, hearty, wish to desert miss seaton, and leave the stage clear for loring?" "oh, i never enter the lists with a man who can sing," answered hearty. "those imitators of orpheus have the same winning way about them which their great master possessed. but, at the same time, i'll bet ten to one that the fair jane never becomes mrs loring. i had a little confab the other day with madame la mere, and faith, she's about as fierce a she-dragon as ever guarded an enchanted princess from the attempts of knights-errant to rescue her." "i'll take your bet, and for once stake love against lucre!" exclaimed bubble, and the bet was booked. but enough of this. we bade our friends farewell; and, in spite of all their attempts to detain us, we laid in a stock of provisions to last us for a month, and with a fine breeze from the northward, actually found our way through the needles just as the sun was tinging the topmost pinnacles of those weather-worn rocks. as soon as we were through the passage, we kept away, and shaped a course for havre de grace. the wind shifted round soon afterwards to the westward, and i shall not forget the pure refreshing saltness of the breeze which filled our nostrils, and added strength and vigour to our limbs. what a breakfast we ate afterwards! there seemed no end to it. our caterer had done well to lay in a store of comestibles. our perfect happiness lasted till nearly noon, and then the wind increased and the sea got up in a not unusual manner. we went below to take luncheon, and we set to in first-rate style, as if there was no such thing as the centre of gravity to be disturbed. carstairs began to look a little queer. "`thus far into the bowels of the earth have we marched on without impediment,' shakespeare, hum"--he began. he was going to give us the whole speech, but instead, he exclaimed, "o ye gods and little fishes!" and bolted up on deck. hearty, the joyous and free, followed. they declared that they felt as if the cook had mixed ipecacuanha in the sausages they had eaten for breakfast. bubble laughed, lighted a cigar, and sat on the companion-hatch with one leg resting on the deck, the other carelessly dangling down, with the independence of a king on his throne, pitying them. oh, how they envied him; how they almost hated him, as cigar after cigar disappeared, and still there he sat without a sign of discomposure! at dark we made the havre light, and an hour afterwards, and an hour afterwards, the tide being high, we ran in and dropped our anchor in smooth water. wonderful was the change which quietude worked on all hands! "supper, supper!" was the cry. even will and i did justice to it, though we had had a quiet little dinner by ourselves in the midst of our friends' agony, off pickled salmon and roast duck, with a gooseberry tart and a bottle of champagne. next morning we sailed with the wind back again to the north-east, and, notwithstanding the little inconveniences we had suffered on the passage across, we stood to the westward, and heroically determined to run through the race of alderney, to pay a visit to jersey. there was a nice breeze, and i must say we were glad there was no more of it, as we ran through the passage between alderney and the french coast. the water seemed possessed; it tumbled and leaped and twisted and danced in a most extraordinary and unnatural manner; and several seas toppled right down on our decks, and we could not help fancying that some huge fish had jumped on board. however, with a fair wind and a strong tide we were soon through it, nor was there danger of any sort; but from the specimen we had we could judge what it would be in a strongish gale. the wind had got round to the southward of west, and before we had managed to weather cape gronez the tide turned against us. cape gronez is the north-west point of jersey, and bears a strong similarity to the nose of louis philippe, as his portrait used to be represented in "punch." we had an opportunity of judging of it, for, for upwards of an hour did we beat between it and those enticing rocks called very properly the paternosters, for if a ship once strikes on them, it is to be hoped that the crew, being roman catholics, will, if they have time, say their paternosters before they go to the bottom. at last it came on very thick, we ran back and anchored in a most romantic little cove called bouley bay, where we remained all night, hoping the wind would not shift to the northward, and send us on shore. i should advise all timid yachtsmen to keep clear of jersey, for what with the rapid tides, and rocks innumerable, it is a very ticklish locality. the next morning we got under way at daybreak, and brought up off elizabeth castle, which guards the entrance of the harbour of st. heliers. i have not time to describe jersey. i can only recommend all who have not seen it, and wish to enjoy some very beautiful scenery, to go there. two days more saw us crossing to torbay, which we reached on the morning of the regatta. had an artist been employed to carve the cliffs on which torbay is situated, he could scarcely have made them more picturesque, or added tints more suitable, except perhaps that they are a little more red than one might wish. however, it is a very beautiful place, and admirably adapted for a regatta. the bay before the town was crowded with yachts, and i counted no less than fourteen large schooners, among which i remember the "brilliant," which, however, should be called a ship, "gypsy queen," "dolphin," "louisa," and a vast number of cutters, a large proportion of which were gayly dressed up with flags. the course is round the bay, so that the yachts are in sight the whole time--an advantage possessed by few other places. the "heroine," "cygnet," and "cynthia," sailed, but the race was not a good one, as the "heroine," driven to windward by her antagonist, ran her bowsprit into one of the mark boats, and another of them, the "cynthia," making a mistake, did not go round her at all. notwithstanding this, the sight was as beautiful of its kind as i ever saw. there was a ball at night, to which we went, and we flattered ourselves that four dancing bachelors were not unwelcome. we met a number of acquaintances. hearty lost his heart for the tenth time since he left london. the gentle giant, as the miss rattlers called carstairs, looked out for a charmer, but could find none to surpass mrs skyscraper. bubble laughed with all but sighed with none, though hearty accused him of flirtations innumerable; and i never chronicle my own deeds, however fond i may be of noting those of my friends. however, if we did not break hearts, we passed a very pleasant evening. hearty invited everybody he knew to come on board the next morning, and we went as far as dartmouth, and a beautiful sail back we had by moonlight, to the great delight of the romantic portion of the guests. they were a very quiet set of ladies and gentlemen, and more than one sigh was heaved when they had gone on shore for our fast friends at cowes. we were present at the plymouth regatta, and were going to several other places, when, one day after dinner, hearty thus gave utterance to his thoughts. we were about a quarter of the way across channel on our passage to the french coast, with a stiffish breeze from the westward, and a chopping sea:-- "it seems to me arrant folly that we four bachelors should keep turning up the salt water all the summer, and boxing about from place to place which we don't care to visit, when there are a number of fair ladies at cowes who are undoubtedly pining for our return." "my own idea," exclaimed carstairs. "your argument is unanswerable," said bubble. i nodded. "all agreed--then we'll up stick for the wight," said hearty joyfully. "the wind's fair. we shall be there some time to-morrow. hillo, jack! beg the master to step below." this was said to a lad who waited at table and assisted the steward. old snow, the master, soon made his appearance. he had been a yachtsman for many years, and previously, if his yarns were to be believed, a smuggler of no mean renown. he was a short man, rather fat, for good living had not been thrown away on him, and very neat and clean in his person, as became the master of a yacht. "we want to get back to cowes, snow," said hearty. "yes, sir," answered the skipper, well accustomed to sudden changes in the plans of his yachting masters. "how soon can we get there?" asked hearty. "if we keeps away at once, and this here wind holds, early to-morrow; but, if it falls light, not till the afternoon, maybe; and, if it chops round to the eastward, not till next morning," replied snow. "by all means keep away at once, and get there as fast as you can," said hearty; and the master disappeared from the cabin. directly afterwards we heard him call the hands aft to case off the main-sheet, the square-sail and gaff-topsail were set, and, by the comparatively easy motion, we felt that we were running off before the wind. not a little did it contribute to our comfort in concluding our dinner. the next day, at noon, saw us safely anchored in cowes roads. "there's mr hearty and the gentle giant, i declare," exclaimed the melodious voice of miss susan rattler, from out of a shrubbery, as my two friends were pacing along on the road towards egypt, to call on lady cardiff. "oh, the dear men! you don't say so, susan!" replied her sister. bubble and i were close under them, a little in advance, so they did not see us, though we could not avoid hearing what was said. "yes, it's them, i vow; we must attack them about the pic-nic forthwith," said susan. "don't mention jane seaton, or poor ned will be too much out of spirits to do any thing," observed her sister. "trust me to manage all descriptions of he-animals," replied rattler minima. "ah, how d'ye do?--how d'ye do? welcome, rovers, welcome!" she exclaimed, waving her handkerchief as they approached. "lovely ladies, we once more live in your presence," began hearty. "`oh that i were a glove upon that hand!'" shouted carstairs. "oh, don't, you'll make us blush!" screamed susan, from over the bushes. "but seriously, we're so glad you're come, because now we can have the pic-nic to netley you promised us." "i like frankness--when shall it be?" said hearty. "to-morrow, by all means,--never delay a good thing." "`if 'twere done, 'twere well 'twere done quickly,'" observed the captain. "that's what shakespeare says about a beef-steak," cried susan. "but i say then, it's settled--how nice!" "what? that we are to have beef-steaks?" asked hearty. "they are very nice when one's hungry." "no, i mean that we are to have a pic-nic to-morrow," said the fair rattler. "that depends whether those we invite are willing to join it," observed hearty. "`i can summon spirits from the vasty deep; but will they come, cousin?'" exclaimed carstairs. "oh, yes, in these parts, often," cried rattler maxima; "the revenue officers constantly find them, i know." "capital--capital!" ejaculated hearty. "you must bring that out again on board the `frolic.' you deserve a pic-nic for it; it's so original. you must consider this only as a rehearsal." "how kind--then it's all settled!" exclaimed both young ladies in a breath. "there's mary masthead, i know, is dying to go, and so is mrs topgallant, and i dare say, if captain carstairs presses mrs skyscraper, she'll go, and the sandons and cardiffs, and all our set; i don't think any will refuse." "well, then, we've no time to lose," we exclaimed, and off we set to beat up for recruits. we were not, however, without our disappointments. lady cardiff could not go, and without a correct chaperone she could not let her daughter be of the party--the thing was utterly impossible, dreadfully incorrect, and altogether unheard of. mrs skyscraper was a great deal too young, and being a widow had herself to look after. if mrs topgallant would go, she would see about it; so we tried next to find the lady in question, but she had gone to carisbrooke castle, and would not be back till late. mrs sandon was next visited, but she had a cold; and if lady cardiff would not let her daughter go without a chaperone, neither could she. we by chance met mrs seaton with the fair jane, looking very beautiful, but mamma never went on the water if she could help it. she could not come to the island without doing so; but once safe there, she would not set her foot in a boat till she had to go away again. sooth to say, that was not surprising; the good dame was unsuited by her figure for locomotion. every thing depended on mrs topgallant; never was she in so much request. the gentlemen being able to come without chaperones, more readily promised to be present. we fell in with sir francis futtock, lord lorimer, harry loring, and young flareup, and a young oxonian, who had lately taken orders, and created a great sensation among the more sensitive portion of his audience by his exquisite preaching, and the unction by which he privately recommended auricular confession and penance. the rev frederick fairfax was a pink-faced young man, and had naturally a round, good-natured countenance, but by dint of shaving his whiskers, elongating his face, and wearing a white cravat without gills, and a stand-up collar to his coat, he contrived to present a no bad imitation of a jesuit priest. the miss rattlers called him the paragon puseyite, or the pp, which they said would stand as well for parish priest. how hearty came to invite him i don't know, for he detested the silly clique to whom the youth had attached himself. we had just left the young gentleman when we met the two merry little miss masons. at first they could not possibly go, because they had no chaperone; but when they heard that the rev frederick was to be of the party, all their scruples vanished. with such a pastor they might go anywhere. they had only lately been bitten, but had ever since diligently applied themselves to the study of the "tracts of the times;" and though not a word did they understand of those works (which was not surprising by the by), they perceived that the rev fred's voice was very melodious, that he chanted to admiration, and looked so pious that they could not be wrong in following his advice. at last the hearts of all were made glad by the appearance of mrs topgallant, who, without much persuasion, undertook to chaperone as many young ladies as were committed to her charge. chapter four. a pic-nic, and its consequences. the morning came at last, fine as the palpitating hearts of expectant damsels could desire, and calm enough to please the most timid chaperone; so calm, indeed, that it was a question whether any craft with canvas alone to depend on could move from her moorings with a chance of going anywhere except to hurst or the nab; but, as few of our lady friends had any nautical knowledge, that in no way disconcerted them, and they would not have believed us had we assured them that there was too little wind for the excursion. by noon, however, a few cats'-paws appeared on the lake-like surface of the water, and soon after the deck of the "frolic" once more began to rejoice in the presence of many of the former frolickers. they found it easy enough to come on board, but to collect all hands and get under way was a very different thing. the miss sandons and jane seaton, who came escorted by loring, on finding no chaperone, thought they ought to go on shore again, as neither mrs topgallant nor mrs skyscraper had come; but sir francis kept them discussing the point till carstairs had time to dive below, and presently returned with a norman cap on his head, a shawl over his shoulders, and a boat-cloak as a petticoat. "there," he exclaimed, crossing his arms before him, and putting his head on one side, sentimentally, "i'm as good a duenna as mrs topgallant, or any other lady of your acquaintance." all laughed and forgot to go. "come, my dear girls, sit down and behave yourselves; no flirting with that naval officer, if you please," he continued, imitating the honourable dame. "you, mr loring, and you, mr henry flareup, go forward and smoke your cigars. i can't allow such nasty practices here." flareup had, as usual, lighted his weed, and was sending the smoke into the face of may sandon. the roars of laughter were not few as the real mrs topgallant, with miss mary masthead, approached, and the norman cap with the good-natured face of the wearer was seen looking over the side affectionately down upon them. the rev fred and the miss masons next arrived, and lastly mrs skyscraper, miss cardiff, lord lorimer, and hearty. "now, remember, mr hearty, we must get back before dark; it is on that condition alone that i have consented to chaperone these young ladies," said mrs topgallant, as we were about to get under way. "and i, also," exclaimed pretty mrs skyscraper. "oh, we don't allow you to be a chaperone," said carstairs; "you are far too young and too engaging," he whispered; and the gentle giant actually blushed as he said so; luckily miss susan rattler did not hear him. "and mamma made me promise to be back at eight," cried jane seaton. "and so did ours!" echoed the three miss sandons. "you know we could not have come at all unless we were certain of being at home in proper time!" exclaimed the two miss masons; "could we, mr fairfax?" the pet bowed and smiled. he was meditating on the life of st. euphemia, of rhodes, and did not hear the question. "remember, ladies, that time and tide wait for no man," answered hearty. "even such fair goddesses as honour the `frolic' by their presence this day cannot govern the winds and waves, however much they may every thing else. therefore all i can promise is, to do my best to follow the wishes of your amiable mammas, and of yourselves." "and of mine, if you please, mr hearty," put in mrs topgallant. "certainly, my dear madam, i considered you among the goddesses of whom i was speaking," answered hearty, with a flourish of his broad-brimmed beaver, which, with the compliment, completely won the honourable lady's heart. the anchor was at last weighed, and it being fortunately slack tide, with a light air from the south-east, we were able to fetch calshot castle. most of my readers probably know the southampton water, and may picture us to themselves as we floated up the stream with the round, solid, stilton-cheese-like-looking castle of calshot, at the end of a sandy spit, and the lordly tower of eaglehurst, rising among the trees visible over it on the one hand, and the mouth of the hamble river on the other, while, as far as the eye can reach on either hand, are seen verdant groves, with the roofs and chimneys of numerous villas peeping from among them. about three-quarters of the way up, on the right hand, at a short distance only from the water, stand the picturesque ruins of netley abbey. the jolly monks of old--and i respect them for it--always selected the most beautiful sites in the neighbourhood for their habitations, and in fixing on that for netley, they did not depart from their rule. several chambers remain; and the walls which surround an inner court are entire, with fine arched windows, the tracery work complete, looking into it. we brought up off it, and the boats were instantly lowered to convey the passengers on shore. in getting into one of them, loring nearly went overboard, and a shriek of terror from jane seaton would have published her secret, had not everybody known it before. at last the hampers and the people reached the beach in safety; and now began the difficulties of the chaperone. she was like a shepherd with a wild flock of sheep and no dog; they would stray in every direction out of her sight. some had brought sketch-books, and perched themselves about, far apart, to take views of the ruins; others preferred what they called exploring; and jane and loring vanished no one knew where. the gentle giant, who drew very well, was called on by the miss rattlers and several other ladies to fill up the pages of their books; and hearty was running about talking to everybody and ordering every thing; while bubble was exerting himself to do the same, and to take sketches into the bargain, though all his friends observed that there was a want of his usual vivacity. the rattler girls quizzed him unmercifully, till they brought him back to the semblance, at all events, of his former self. the servants had been employed in laying the cloth under the shade of a tree which had sprung up in the courtyard, and thither hearty's voice now summoned us. how can pen of mine do justice to the cold collation which was spread before our rejoicing eyes! i can only say that the party did it, and amply too. "are we all here?" exclaimed the master of the revels. "no, by bacchus! two are wanting--miss seaton and mr loring--where are they?" "good gracious! where can they be?" screamed the honourable mrs topgallant. "what can have become of them?" cried mrs skyscraper. "they probably did not hear you call, and i dare say they are not far off," suggested miss cardiff, always anxious to find a good excuse for her acquaintance. "i should not wonder but what they have eloped," observed miss susan rattler. "what fun!" said miss mary masthead; "we haven't had such a thing for a long time." "how shocking!" ejaculated the miss masons in a breath, and looked at the rev frederick. "i'll wager i find the truants," said bubble, about to go; but he was saved the trouble, for at that moment they appeared; the fair jane looking very confused--harry loring remarkably happy. "we've all been talking about you two," blurted out hearty. "no scandal though, so sit down and enable us to recover our appetites, for our anxiety nearly took them away. now tell us, what have you been doing?" poor jane did not know which way to look, nor what to say; and it never occurred to hearty that his question might possibly confuse her. loring, however, came to the rescue. "admiring the architecture, exploring everywhere, and examining every thing, which no one else appears to have done, or the dinner-bell would not have been answered so speedily. and now, old fellow, i'll drink a glass of champagne with you." this would not blind us, however. every one saw what he had been about, and no small blame to him either. of course, no one further hinted at the subject. after dinner we again wandered about the ruins, and the shades of evening surprised us while still there, to the great horror of mrs topgallant, and not a little to that of the miss masons, who had been so earnestly listening to a discourse of the rev frederick on the importance of reviving monasteries, that they did not observe the sun set. "hillo, ladies and gentlemen! we ought to be on board again," sung out hearty, from the top of a high wall to which he had climbed. "there is no time to be lost, if we would not displease our mammas." a good deal of time, however, was lost in collecting the scattered sheep, and in carrying down the baskets to the boats, which the servants had neglected to do. when we did at length reach the spot at which we had landed, a bank of mud was alone to be seen, and one of the men brought us the pleasing intelligence that the nearest place at which we could possibly embark was about a mile down the river. "we here have a convincing proof that time and tide wait for no one," cried bubble; "or the latter would certainly have remained up for the convenience of so many charming young ladies." "shocking!" exclaimed mrs topgallant. "what will our mammas say?" ejaculated all the fair damsels. "that it's very improper," said the chaperone-general. "it can't be helped now; so if we do not intend to spend the night on the beach, we had better keep moving," observed one of the gentlemen. henry flareup expressed his opinion that the dismay their non-arrival would cause would be jolly fun, and the miss rattlers were in ecstasies of delight at the _contretemps_. however, no one grumbled very much, and at last we reached the boats. a new difficulty then arose. they barely floated with the crews in them, but with passengers on board they would be aground. the men had to get out, and, as it was, the only approach to them was over wet mud of a soft nature, yet no persuasions would induce the ladies to be carried to them. mrs topgallant would not hear of such a thing, and boldly led the van through the mud. the young ladies followed, nearly losing their shoes, and most effectually draggling (i believe it is a proper word) their gowns. hearty counted them off to see, as he said, that none were missing; and then began the work of getting the boats afloat, one or two of the ladies, not accustomed to yachting, being dreadfully alarmed at seeing the men jump overboard, to lift them along. huzza! off we went at last, and pulled towards the "frolic." "let's get back as fast as we can, snow," exclaimed hearty, as soon as he stepped on deck. "beg pardon, sir, it won't be very fast, though," answered the master. "why, how is that?" asked hearty; "an hour and a half will do it, won't it?" "bless your heart, no, sir," said old snow, almost laughing at the idea. "it's just dead low water, so the flood will make up for the best part of the next six hours, and after that, if there doesn't come more wind than we has now, we shan't make no great way." "but let us at all events get up our anchor and try to do something," urged hearty, whose ideas of navigation were not especially distinct at the time. "if we does, sir, we shall drive up to southampton, or maybe, to redbridge, for there ain't an hair in all the 'eavens," was the encouraging answer given by the master. i never saw a more perfect calm. a candle was lighted on deck, and the flame went straight up as if in a room. if we had been in a tropical climate we should have looked out for a hurricane. here nothing so exciting was to be apprehended. the conversation with the master was not overheard by any of the ladies, and hearty thought it was as well to say nothing about it, but to leave them to suppose that we were on our way back to cowes. "it is much too dark to distinguish the shore, and as none of them ever think of looking at the sails, they will not discover that we are still at anchor," he observed; and so it proved, as we shall presently see. the after-cabin had been devoted to the use of the fairer portion of the guests, and when they got there and found the muddy condition of their dresses, there was a general cry for hot water to wash them. luckily the cook's coppers could supply a good quantity, and two tubs were sent aft, in which, as was afterwards reported--for we were not allowed to be spectators of the process--the honourable mrs topgallant and her _protegees_ were busily employed in rinsing their skirts, though it was not quite so easy a matter to dry them. tea and coffee were next served up in the main cabin, and cakes and muffins and toast in profusion were produced, and as carstairs quietly observed, "never were washerwomen more happy." there was only one thing wanting, we had not sufficient milk; and that there might be no scarcity in future, it was proposed to send the steward on shore with henry flareup to swap him for a cow to be kept on board instead. he was fixed on as the victim, as it was considered that he had been making too much love to one of the miss sandons, conduct altogether unbecoming one of his tender years. "we have passed a very pleasant evening, mr hearty, i can assure you," said the chaperone; "and as i suppose we shall soon be there, we had better get ready to go on shore." "we shall have time for a dance first; we have had the deck cleared, and the musicians are ready," replied hearty; "may i have the honour of opening the ball with you, mrs topgallant?" "oh, i don't know what to say to such a thing--i'm afraid it will be very incorrect; and at all events you must excuse me, mr hearty, i shall have quite enough to do to look after my charges." and as mrs topgallant said this, she glanced round at the assembled young ladies. "a dance, a dance, by all means!" exclaimed the miss rattlers; "what capital fun." a dance was therefore agreed on, and we went on deck, which we found illuminated with all the lanterns and spare lamps which could be found on board; and even candles without any shade were stuck on the taffrail, and the boom was topped up, so as to be completely out of the way. we owed the arrangements to bubble, carstairs, and the master, who had been busily employed while the rest were below at tea. an exclamation of delight burst from the lips of the young ladies; the musicians struck up a polka, and in another minute all hands were footing it away as gayly as in any ball-room, and with far more merriment and freedom. ye gentlemen and ladies who stay at home at ease, ah, little do ye think upon the fun there's on the seas! how we did dance! no one tired. even mrs topgallant got up and took a turn with the gentle giant, and very nearly went overboard, by the by. we had no hot lamps, no suffocating perfumed atmosphere, to oppress us, as in a london ball-room. the clear sky was our ceiling, the cool water was around us. every gentleman had danced with every lady, except that loring had taken more than his share with miss seaton, before we thought of giving in. "well, i wonder we don't get there!" on a sudden exclaimed mrs topgallant, as if something new had struck her. there was a general laugh, set, i am sorry to say, by sir francis futtock. "why, my dear madam, we have not begun to go yet." "not begun to go!" cried the miss masons. "what will be said of us?" "not begun to go!" groaned the rev fred. "what will my flock do without me?" "why, i thought we had been moving all the time. we have passed a number of objects which i should have taken for ghosts, if i believed in such things," said mrs topgallant. "those were vessels going up with the tide, my dear madam, to southampton, where we should have gone also," observed sir francis. just then a tall dark object came out of the gloom, and glided by us at a little distance. it certainly had what one might suppose the appearance of a spirit wandering over the face of the waters. "cutter, ahoy! what cutter is that?" hailed a voice from the stranger. "it's one of them revenue chaps," said snow. "the `frolic' yacht; edward hearty, esq, owner!" answered the old man; "and be hanged to you," he muttered. "`i'll call thee king--father, royal dane. oh, answer me!'" continued carstairs. "he'll not answer you--so avast spouting, and let's have another turn at dancing!" exclaimed hearty, interrupting the would-be actor, and dragging him, to the side of mrs skyscraper, who did not refuse his request to dance another quadrille. thus at it again we went, to the no small amusement of a number of spectators, whose voices could be heard round us. their boats were just dimly visible, though, from the bright lights on our deck, we could not see the human beings on board them. at last the rippling sound against our bows ceasing, gave notice that the tide had slackened, and that we might venture on lifting anchor. a light air also sprang up from the eastward, and slowly we began to move on our right course. some of the un-nauticals, however, forgot that with an ebb tide and an easterly wind there was not much chance of our reaching cowes in a hurry. a thick fog also began to rise from the calm water; and after the dancing, for fear of their catching cold, cloaks and coats, plaids and shawls, were in great requisition among the young ladies. mrs topgallant insisted that they would all be laid up, and that they must go below till they got into cowes harbour. "she was excessively angry," she said, "with mr hearty for keeping them out in this way; and as for sir francis futtock, a captain in her majesty's navy, she was, indeed, surprised that such a thing could happen while he was on board." "but, my dear madam," urged sir francis, in his defence, "you know that accidents will happen in the best-regulated families. nobody asked my advice, and i could not venture to volunteer it, or i might have foretold what has happened. however, come down below, and i trust no harm will ensue." after some persuasion, the good lady was induced to go below, and to rest herself on a sofa in one of the sleeping-cabins, the door of which harry flareup quietly locked, at a hint from hearty, who then told the young ladies that, as cerberus was chained, they might now do exactly what they liked. i must do them the justice to say that they behaved very well. there was abundance of laughter, however, especially when miss susan rattler appeared habited in a large box-coat belonging to captain carstairs. it had certainly nothing yachtish about it. it was of a whitey-brown hue, with great horn buttons and vast pockets. it was thoroughly roadish, it smelt of the road, its appearance was of the road. it reminded one of the days of four-in-hand coaches; and many a tale it could doubtless tell of newmarket; of races run, of bets booked. not content with wearing the coat, susan was persuaded to try a cigar. she puffed away manfully for some time. "you look a very jemmy young gent, indeed you do," observed the gentle giant, looking up at her as he sat at her feet. "what would your mamma say if she saw you?" "what an odious custom you men have of smoking," cried hearty, pretending not to see who was the culprit. "in the presence of ladies, too," exclaimed loring, really ignorant of the state of the case. poor susan saw that she was laughed at, and, beginning probably at the same time to feel a little sick from the fumes of the tobacco, she was not sorry of an excuse for throwing carstairs' best havana into the water. as the fog settled over us rather heavily, not only were the more delicate part of the company wrapped up in cloaks and shawls, but we got up the blankets and counterpanes from the cabins, and swaddled them up completely in them, while the gentlemen threw themselves along at their feet, partly in a fit of romantic gallantry, and partly, it is just possible, to assist in keeping themselves warm. carstairs recited shakespeare all night long, and loring sang some capital songs. by this time we had got down to calshot; and, as the tide was now setting down pretty strong, we appeared to be going along at a good rate. "how soon shall we be in, captain?" asked one of the miss masons of the skipper, who was at the helm. "that depends, miss, whether a breeze comes before we get down to yarmouth or hurst; because, if we keep on, we shan't be far off either one or the other, before the tide turns," was the unsatisfactory answer. "keep on, by all means, snow," exclaimed hearty, who had not heard all that was said; "i promised to do my best to get in, and we must keep at it." so tideward we went; the little wind there had been dropping altogether. presently we heard a hail. "what cutter is that?" "the `frolic.'" "please, sir, we were sent out to look for you, to bring mrs topgallant and miss masons, and some other ladies, on shore." there was a great deal of talk, but hearty had determined that no one should leave the yacht. mrs topgallant was below, and could not be disturbed; besides, the other young ladies could not be left without a chaperone. the miss masons wanted to go in company with their pastor, but it would not exactly do to be out in a boat alone with the rev fred. as that gentleman was afraid of catching cold, he was at the time safe below, and knew nothing of what was taking place, so the boat was sent off without a freight. hearty vowed that he would fire on any other boat which came near us to carry off any of his guests. thus the night wore on. it would be impossible to record all the witty things which were said, all the funny things which were done, and all the laughter which was laughed. all i can say is, that the ladies and gentlemen were about as unlike as possible to what they would have been in town during the season. hour after hour passed rapidly away, and not a little surprised were they when the bright streaks of dawn appeared in the eastern sky, and egypt point was seen a long way off in the same direction, while the vessel was found to be turning round and round without any steerage-way. now it was very wrong and very improper, and i don't mean for a moment to defend our conduct, though, by the by, the fault was all hearty's; but it was not till half-past eleven of the next day that the party set foot once more upon the shore. never was there a merrier pic-nic; and, what is more, in spite of wet feet and damp fogs, no one was a bit the worse for it. looking in at the post-office, i found a letter summoning me immediately to london. sending a note to hearty, to tell him of my departure, i set off forthwith, and reached the modern babylon that same night. how black and dull and dingy it looked; how hot it felt; how smoky it smelt! i was never celebrated for being a good man of business; but on the present occasion i worked with a will, and it was wonderful with what rapidity i got through the matter in hand, and once more turned my back on the mighty metropolis. chapter five. true love runs anything but smooth--being a melancholy subject, i cut it short. the day after my return i met harry loring. alas, how changed was the once joyous expression of his countenance! "my dear fellow, what is the matter?" i asked. "what, don't you know?" he exclaimed. "i thought all the world did, and laughed at me. false, fickle, heartless flirting!" "what is all this about?" i asked. "i deeply regret, i feel--" "oh, of course you do," he replied, interrupting me petulantly. "i'll tell you how it was. she had accepted me, as you may have guessed, and i made sure that there would be no difficulties, as she has plenty of money, though i have little enough; but when there is sufficient on one side, what more can be required? at last one day she said, `i wish, mr loring, you would speak to mamma' (she had always called me harry before). `of course i will,' said i, thinking it was a hint to fix the day; but after i left her, my mind misgave me. well, my dear fellow, as i dare say you know, that same having to speak to papa or mamma is the most confoundedly disagreeable thing of all the disagreeables in life, when one hasn't got a good rent-roll to show. at least, after all the billing and cooing, and the romance and sentiment of love, it is such a worldly, matter-of-fact, pounds-shillings-and-pence affair, that it is enough to disgust a fellow. however, i nerved myself up for the encounter, and was ushered into the presence of the old dragon." "you shouldn't speak of your intended mother-in-law in that way," i observed, interrupting him. "my intended--; but you shall hear," he continued. "`well, sir, i understand that you have favoured my daughter with an offer,' she began. i didn't like the tone of her voice nor the look of her green eye,-- they meant mischief. `i have had the happiness of being accepted by'--`stay, stay!' she exclaimed, interrupting me. `my daughter would not think of accepting you without asking my leave; and i, as a mother, must first know what fortune you can settle on her.' `every thing she has got or ever will have,' i replied, as fast as i could utter the words. `my father and mother are excellent people, and they have kindly offered us a house, and'--`is that it, mr loring? and you have nothing--absolutely nothing?' shrieked out the old woman. oh, how i hated her! `then, sir, i beg you will clearly understand, that from this moment all communication between you and my daughter ceases for ever. i could not have believed that any gentleman would have been guilty of such impertinence. what! a man without a penny to think of marrying my daughter, with her beauty and her fortune! there, sir, you have got my answer; i hope you understand it. go, sir; go!' i did go, without uttering another word, though i gave her a look which ought to have confounded her; and here you see me a miserable, heartbroken man. i have been in vain trying to get a glimpse of jane, to ask her if it was by her will that i am thus discarded, and if so, to whistle her down the wind; but i have dreadful suspicions that it was a plot between them to get rid of me, and if so, i have had a happy escape." i have an idea that his last suspicion was right. poor fellow, i pitied him. it struck me as a piece of arrant folly on the part of the mother, that a nice, gentlemanly, good-looking fellow should be sent to the right-about simply because he was poor, when the young lady had ample fortune for them both. "look here!" exclaimed loring, bitterly; "is it not enough to make a man turn sick with grief and pain as he looks round and sees those he once knew as blooming, nice girls growing into crusty old maids, because their parents chose to insist on an establishment and settlement for them equal to what they themselves enjoy, instead of remembering the altered circumstances of the times? not one man in ten has a fortune; and if the talents and energy of the rising generation are not to be considered as such, hymen may blow out his torch and cut his stick, and the fair maidens of england will have to sing for ever and a day, `nobody coming to marry me, nobody coming to woo.'" i laughed, though i felt the truth of what he said. "but are you certain that you are disinterested? were you in no way biassed in your love by her supposed-fortune?" i asked. "on my word, i was not. i never thought of the tin," was the answer. "then," i replied, "i must say that you are a very ill-used gentleman." chapter six. how to kill time--the o'wiggins--england's bulwarks--jack mizen and the "fun"--her fair crew--naval heroes and nautical heroines. i had promised to yacht during the summer with hearty; and as he paid me the compliment of saying that he could not do without me, notwithstanding several other invitations i had received, i felt myself in honour bound to rejoin the "frolic." i had no disinclination to so doing, though i own at times we led rather a more rollicking life than altogether suited my taste. accordingly, i once more took up my berth aboard the "frolic." hearty was growing somewhat tired of the style of life he was leading. he wanted more variety, more excitement. indeed, floating about inside the isle of wight with parties of ladies on board is all very well in its way to kill time, but unless one of the fair creatures happens to be the only girl he ever loved, or, at all events, the only girl he loves just then, or the girl he loves best, he very soon wearies of the amusement, if he is worth any thing, and longs for the wide ocean, and a mixture of storms with sunshine and smooth water. i found the party on board the "frolic" increased by the addition of two. the most worthy of note was tom porpoise, a thorough seaman, and as good a fellow as ever stepped. he had entered into an arrangement with hearty to act as captain of the yacht; for though snow was a very good sailing-master, he was nothing of a navigator, and hearty was now contemplating a trip to really distant lands. porpoise was a lieutenant in the navy of some years' standing; he had seen a great deal of service, and was considered a good officer. he sang a good song, told a good story, and was always in good spirits and good humour. he had been in the syrian war, in china, on the coast of africa, and in south america; indeed, wherever there had been any fighting, or work of any sort to be done, there has dashing tom porpoise been found. he had a good appetite, and, as old snow used to say, his victuals did him good. porpoise was fat; there was no denying the fact, nor was he ashamed of it. his height was suited to the dimensions of a small craft, and then, having stated that his face was red, not from intemperance, but from sun and spray, i think that i have sufficiently described our most excellent chum. the other addition of note was ycleped gregory groggs. how hearty came to ask him on board i do not know. it could scarcely have been for his companionable qualities, nor for his general knowledge and information; for i had seldom met a more simple-minded creature--one who had seen less of the world, or knew less of its wicked ways. it was his first trip to sea, and he afforded us no little amusement by his surprise at every thing he beheld, and every thing which occurred. he had a tolerably strong inside; so, as we had fine weather, he fortunately for us and for himself, was seldom sea-sick. our friend groggs was a native of an inland county, from which he had never before stirred, when, having come into some little property, he was seized with a strong desire to see the world. he had been reading some book or other which had given him most extraordinary principles; and one of his ideas was, that people should marry others of a different nation, as the only way of securing peace throughout the world. he informed us that he should early put his principles into practice, and that, should he find some damsel to suit his taste in france, he should without fail wed her. we bantered him unmercifully on the subject; but, as is the case with many other people with one idea, that was not easily knocked out of his head. hearty, having fallen in with him on a visit to his part of the country, invited him, should he ever come to the sea-side, to visit the "frolic." by a wonderful chance, groggs did find his way on board the yacht, as she one day had gone up to southampton, and once on board, finding himself very comfortable, he exhibited no inclination to leave her. he therein showed his taste; and hearty, though at first he would have dispensed with his company, at last got accustomed to him, and would have been almost sorry to part with him. so much for groggs. we lay at anchor off cowes. several other vessels lay there also, mostly schooners--a rig which has lately much come into fashion. "what shall we do next?" exclaimed hearty, as we sat at table after dinner over our biscuits and wine. "what shall we do next?" said carstairs, repeating hearty's question; "why, i vote we go on deck and smoke a cigar." we had not time to execute the important proposal before the steward put his head into the cabin and announced a boat alongside. "who is it?" asked hearty. "mr o'wiggins, of the `popple' schooner, sir," answered the steward. "she brought up while you were at dinner, sir." "oh, ask him down below," said our host, throwing himself back in his chair with a resigned look, which said, more than words, "what a bore!" before the steward could reach the deck, o'wiggins was heard descending the companion-ladder. he was a tall, broadly-built man, with a strongly marked hibernian countenance. hearty did not think it necessary to rise to receive his guest, but o'wiggins, no way disconcerted, threw himself into a vacant chair. "ah, hearty, my boy! faith, i'm glad to find any one i know in this dull place," he exclaimed, stretching out his legs, and glancing round at the rest of us, as he helped himself from a decanter towards which hearty pointed. "we are not likely to be here long, but we are undecided what next to do," returned hearty. "och, then, i'll tell you what to do, my boy," said o'wiggins. "just look in at the regattas to the westward, and then run over to cherbourg. i've just come across from there, and all the world of france is talking of the grand naval review they are to have of a fleet, in comparison to which that of perfidious albion is as a collection of newcastle colliers. there'll be rare fun of one sort or another, depend on it; and, for my part, i wouldn't miss it on any account. what say your friends to the idea? i haven't had the pleasure of meeting them before, i think?" "i beg your pardon," said hearty; "i forgot to introduce them." and he did so in due form; at which o'wiggins seemed mightily pleased, and directly afterwards began addressing us familiarly by our patronymics, as if we were old friends. in fact, in a wonderfully short space of time he made himself perfectly at home. the proposal of the cherbourg expedition pleased us all; and it was finally agreed that we would go there. we could not help being amused with o'wiggins, in spite of the cool impudence of his manner. he told some capital stories, in which he always played a prominent part; and though we might have found some difficulty in believing them, they were not on that account the less entertaining. meantime coffee and cigars made their appearance. o'wiggins showed a determination to smoke below, and hearty could not insist on his going on deck: so we sat and sat on; porpoise enjoying the fun, and groggs listening with opening eyes to all the wonders related by our irish visitor, for whom he had evidently conceived a vast amount of admiration. at a late hour o'wiggins looked at his watch, and finding that his boat was alongside, he at length took his departure. we were present at most of the regattas to the westward, but as they differed but little from their predecessors for many years past, i need not describe them. no place equals plymouth for a regatta, either on account of the beauty of the surrounding scenery, or in affording a good view of the course from the shore. by the by, it was some little satisfaction to look at the two new forts run up on either side of the entrance to the harbour, as well as at the one with tremendously heavy metal between the citadel and devonport, not to speak of the screw guardships, which may steam out and take up a position wherever required. i can never forget the superb appearance of that mammoth of two-deckers, the "albion," with her ninety guns, and a tonnage greater than most three-deckers. it is said that she could not fight her lower-deck guns in a heavy sea; but one is so accustomed to hear the ignorant or unjust abuse and the falsehood levied at her talented builder, that one may be excused from crediting such an assertion. she is acknowledged to be fast; and, from looking at her, i should say that she has all the qualifications of a fighting ship, and a great power of stowage. what more can be required? [note.] if she is not perfect, it is what must be said of all human fabrics. if sir william symonds had never done more than get rid of those sea-coffins, the ten-gun brigs, and introduce a class of small craft superior to any before known in the service, the navy would have cause to be deeply indebted to him. he has enemies; but in the service i have generally found officers willing and anxious to acknowledge his merits. there is no little satisfaction in cruising about plymouth sound. i suspect that now our neighbours would not be so ready to attempt to surprise the place and to burn its arsenal, as they one fine night thought of doing some few years back. people in general are so accustomed to believe our sacred coasts impregnable, that they could not comprehend that such an enterprise was possible. yet i can assure my readers that not only was it possible, practicable, in contemplation, and that every preparation was made, but that we were perfectly helpless, and that they would indubitably have succeeded in doing all they intended. neither plymouth nor portsmouth were half fortified; and such fortifications as existed were not half garrisoned, while we could not have collected a fleet sufficient to have defended either one or the other. providentially the differences were adjusted in time, and the french had not the excuse of inflicting that long-enduring vengeance which they have a not unnatural desire to gratify. when they have thrashed us, and not till then, shall we be cordial friends; and, though electric wires and railroads keep up a constant communication, may that day be long distant! we had brought up just inside drake's island, which, as all who know plymouth are aware, is at the entrance of hamoaze. we were just getting under way, and were all on deck, when a cutter-yacht passed us, standing out of the harbour. our glasses were levelled at her to see who she carried, for bonnet-ribbons and shawls were fluttering in the breeze. "what cutter is that?" asked porpoise. "there's a remarkably pretty girl on board of her." "that must be--yes, i'm certain of it--that must be the `fun;' and, by jove, there's jolly jack mizen himself at the helm!" ejaculated hearty, with for him unusual animation. he waved his cap as the rest of us did, for porpoise and i knew mizen. mizen waved his in return, and shouted out,-- "come and take a cruise with us. we'll expect you on board to lunch." "ay, ay!" shouted hearty, for there was no time for a longer answer before the yacht shot by us. we had soon sail made on the "frolic," and were standing after the "fun" towards the westernmost and broadest entrance to the sound. it was a lovely day, without a cloud in the sky, and a fine steady breeze; such a day as, from its rarity, one knows how to value in england. yachts of all sizes and many rigs were cruising about in the sound. largest of all was the "brilliant," a three-masted square-topsail schooner, of nearly tons, belonging to mr ackers, the highly-esteemed commodore of the royal victoria yacht club; and as for the smallest, there were some with the burgee of a club flying, of scarcely ten tons. we, meantime, were standing after the "fun." her owner, jack mizen, had once been in the navy; but before he had risen above the exalted rank of a midshipman he had come into a moderate independence, and not being of an aspiring disposition, he had quitted the service, with the intention of living on shore and enjoying himself. he, after a few years, however, got tired of doing nothing, so he bought a yacht and went afloat, and, as he used to say,-- "fool that i am! i have to pay for sailing about in a small craft, not knowing where to go or what to do, when, if i had stuck to the service, i might have got paid for sailing in a large ship, and have been told where to go and what to do. never leave a profession in a huff; you'll repent it once, and that will be to the end of your days, if you do." such was jack mizen. he was a jolly, good-natured fellow. he sang a good song, told a good story, and everybody liked him. he had seven ladies on board, two of whom we judged to be chaperones; the other five were young, and, if not pretty, were full of smiles and laughter. the "fun" was much smaller than the "frolic," so we easily kept way with her, and ran round the eddystone and hove-to, while the racing-vessels came round also. we four bachelors then went on board the "fun," and were welcomed not only by her owner, but by the many bright eyes she contained. there were already four or five gentlemen on board, but they had not done much to make themselves agreeable, so nearly all the work had fallen on mizen. we gladly came to his assistance: poor groggs, also, afforded them much amusement, but it was at his own expense--not the first person in a like position--unknown to himself. they were all talking about cherbourg, and had insisted on mizen's taken them over there. he, of course, was delighted. the main cabin was to be devoted to them. fortunately, however, one chaperone and two damsels could not go, so the rest might continue to rough it for a few nights. we had a large luncheon and much small talk. i mustn't describe the ladies, lest they should be offended. if i was to say that one of the chaperones was fat, and another tall, all the fat and tall elderly ladies on the water that day would consider i intended to represent them. however, there can be no risk in saying that the eldest, dame was mrs mizen, an aunt of the owner of the "fun," and chaperone-general to the party. the very pretty girl was laura mizen, her daughter, and the other married lady was mrs rullock, wife of commander rullock, rn, and who had also two unmarried daughters under her wing. of the other young ladies, one was fanny farlie, a rival in beauty, certainly, of laura mizen--it was difficult to say which was the prettiest--and another was her cousin, susan simms, who read novels, played on the piano, was devoted to the polka, and kept tame rabbits. it was perceptible to us, before we had been long on board, that mizen affected fanny, while miss mizen at once, with some effect, set her cap at hearty. she did not intend to do so, but she could not help it. she was not thinking of his fortune nor of his position, nor did she wish to become mistress of the "frolic." of the gentlemen, one was in the navy, lieutenant piper, an old messmate of mizen's, and mr simon simms, the brother of susan, who had an office in the dockyard, smoked cigars, and was very nautical in his propensities. there was a fat old gentleman and a thin major clay, of a foot regiment; but i have not space to describe all the party. they will re-appear in their proper places. we ate and drank, and were very merry, and sailed about all day, most of us hoping to meet again at cherbourg. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ note. well we may say _tempera mutantus_. a pygmy ram would send her to the bottom in a few minutes.--editor. chapter seven. yacht squadrons on a cruise--o'wiggins's "popple"--arrival in cherbourg--the peace congress and the french channel fleet--lionising on shore--groggs lost--his first love--an irate parent. a crowd of yachts might have been seen one fine morning becalmed outside the needles. we were among them. we had sailed from cowes the previous evening, but had been unable to get further, from the light winds and calms which had prevailed. at last a breeze from the northward sprang up, and we went gayly along. it was a beautiful sight, and no one could fail to be in good spirits as we spoke the various vessels on board which we had acquaintances. the "popple" was among them, but having started first, was ahead till we came up with her, much to her owner's disgust. o'wiggins entertained the idea (very common not only to yachtsmen, but to masters of vessels and seaman in general, and a very happy one it is) that his vessel was the fastest, the most beautiful, and the best sea-boat going. "ah, hearty, old fellow, how are you?" he hailed. "you've brought a nice breeze with you. we haven't had a breath of it till this minute; we shall now stand on in company." as he spoke, we observed his master trimming sails with the greatest care, for he saw that we were already shooting past him at a great rate. we laughed, for we knew that the "popple" was a regular slow coach, as ugly as she was slow. she had once, i believe, been a cutter of the old build, with a high bow, and she was then lengthened, and had a new stern stuck on to her, and was rigged as a schooner. as a cutter she had been considered fast; but her new canvas was too much for her, and she could not manage to wag with it. her copper was painted of a bright red, and she had altogether a very peculiar and unmistakable appearance. we saw o'wiggins walking his deck with very impatient gestures as we shot past him. he could not make it out; something must be the matter with the "popple;" she was out of trim; it was the master's fault, but what was wrong was more than he could discover. his philosophy, if he had any, was sorely tried as yacht after yacht passed him, and more than all, when every one on board laughed at him. the fact was, that poor o'wiggins had done so many things to make himself ridiculous, that every one considered him a fair subject to exercise their merriment on. it was night before we made the lights on the french coast. first the barfleur lights and cape la hogue to the south were seen, then those of pilee and querqueville, and lastly the breakwater and harbour lights, and we soon after ran in by the south entrance, and anchored among the crowd of vessels of all sizes already in the harbour. one by one the yachts came, and last, though not least, the "popple" appeared, and brought up near us. o'wiggins instantly came on board to explain why the "popple" had not got in first; but all we could make out was, that she had not sailed as fast as she could because she had not. we did not go on shore that night. we had amusement enough, as we walked the deck with our cigars in our mouths, in watching the lights on shore and afloat, and the vessels as they came gliding noiselessly in, like dark spirits, and took up their berths wherever they could find room, and in listening to the hails from the ships-of-war, and those from the yachts' boats, as they pulled about trying to find their respective craft. we amused ourselves by marking the contrasts between the voices of the two nations--the sharp shrill cry of the french, and the deep bass of john bull. a good deal of sea tumbled into the bay during the night, in consequence of the fresh northerly breeze, and many an appetite was put _hors de combat_ in consequence. poor groggs, we heard him groaning as he lay in his berth, "oh, why was i tempted to cross the sea to come to this outlandish place, for the sake of watching a few french ships moving about, which, i dare say, after all don't differ much from as many english ones?" he exclaimed, between the paroxysms of his agony, "oh dear! oh dear! it's the last time i'll come yachting, that it is!" poor gregory!--he was not the only one ill that night, i take it; and i am sure hearty pardoned his not very grateful observations. we were early on deck, to inhale the fresh breeze, after the somewhat close air of the cabin; then indeed a splendid sight met our view. in the first place, floating in the bay were nine line-of-battle ships, in splendid fighting order, their dark batteries frowning down upon us; and, drawn up in another line, were a number of large war-steamers, besides many other steamers, both british and french; and lastly, and no unpleasing sight, there were some seventy or eighty yachts; it was impossible to count them--schooners, cutters, and yawls, besides some merchantmen and innumerable small craft of every description, all so mingled together that it appeared as if they would never get free of each other again. to the south was the town, with its masses of houses and churches, and its mercantile docks in front. on the west, the naval arsenal and docks, the pride of france and frenchmen, and which so many had come to see. on the other side were the shores of the harbour, stretching out to pilee island, and not far from the town a scarped hill looking down on it, with a fine view obtainable from the top, while to the north, outside all, was the famous digue, or breakwater, which the french assert eclipses that of plymouth, as the big sea-serpent does a common conger-eel. it was begun by louis fourteenth, and almost completed during the reign of louis philippe; during which period it was one night nearly washed away, while some hundred unfortunate workmen engaged on it were in the morning not to be found! but their place being supplied, the works were continued. the first day nothing of public importance took place. yachts came gliding in from all quarters, and steamers, if with less grace, at all events with more noise, bustle, and smoke, paddled up the harbour, with their cargoes of felicity-hunting human beings, very sick and very full of regrets at their folly at having left _terra firma_ to cross the unstable element. among other english craft, the "fun" came in with jack mizen and a large party on board. we quickly pulled alongside to welcome our friends. the ladies had proved better sailors than most of the gentlemen; and though good mrs mizen, the chaperone of the party, had been a little put out, and still looked rather yellow about the lower extremity of the face, the young ladies, who had been cruising all the summer, and tumbling about in all sorts of weather, had borne the passage remarkably well, and were as frisky and full of laughter as their dear sex are apt to be when they have every thing their own way. we, of course, as in duty bound, undertook to escort them on shore to show them the lions of the place. as the president was not expected till the evening, there was nothing particular to be done, so we had full time to walk about and to lionise to our heart's content. hearty took especial charge of laura mizen, while the owner of the "fun" kept fanny farlie under his arm, and looked unutterable things into her bonnet every now and then, while susan simms fell to my share; for porpoise made it a point of conscience, i believe, always to watch over the welfare of the chaperone. it was one of his many good points. remember, in forming a party of pleasure, never fail to secure a man who likes to make himself agreeable to the chaperone, or you will inevitably make some promising youth miserable, and bore the old lady into the bargain. groggs was the only man not paired. it was a pity the miss rullocks had not come; no blame to them, but their pa would not let them. mizen had brought no other gentlemen, as he had to give up all the after-part of his craft to his fair passengers, in order to make them comfortable. the two gigs carried the party properly apportioned between each, and in fine style we dashed up under the eyes of thousands of admiring spectators to the landing-place at the entrance of the inner basin, now filled with a number of yachts, which had got in there for shelter. the hotel was, of course, full; so the ladies resolved to live on board the yacht while they remained. our first visit was to the dockyard, through which we were conducted by a gendarme. we were particularly struck by the large proportion of anchors, of which, as mizen observed, he supposed there was a considerable expenditure in the french fleet. the vast inner basins, yet incomplete, look like huge pits, as if excavated to discover some hidden city. there are lines of heavy batteries seaward, which would doubtlessly much inconvenience an approaching fleet; but as their shot would not reach a blockading squadron, they could not prevent an enemy's fleet from shutting up theirs inside the breakwater, while it remained fine, supposing such a squadron ready to convoy over a fleet of troop-ships to the opposite shore; and were it to come on to blow, they might be welcome to put to sea as fast as they like, and a pleasant sail to them across channel. we went into a church where mass was being performed, and had to pay a sou each for our seats; the faithful who do not like paying must kneel on the ground, which is kept in the most holy state of filth, in order not to tempt them to economise. our next visit was to the museum. its attractions were not great, with the exception of some large pictures of naval combats, drawn by artists of merit, undoubted by the citizens of cherbourg, but who, nevertheless, had not read "james's naval history" to any good purpose; for, by some extraordinary oversight, the english were invariably getting tremendously thrashed (without their knowing it), and the french fleet were, with colours flying, proudly victorious. perhaps our histories differ; for certain battles, which we consider of importance, were not even in any way represented. trafalgar, st. vincent, the nile, were totally ignored. porpoise said that, to show his gratitude for the attention we received, he should present them with a correct painting of the first-named battle. "they'll alter the buntin', if you do, and hoist the french over the english," observed hearty. "though they may suspect that they cannot deceive the present generation, they hope to give their descendants an idea that they were everywhere victorious. they will boast of their glory, even at the risk of being convicted of fibbing by their posterity." "they know pretty well that the easy credulity of their countrymen will allow them to go any length, in direct opposition to truth, without fear of contradiction," replied porpoise. "why, the greater the scrape nap. or any of his generals got into, the more glowing and grandiloquent was their despatch. depend on it that humbug has vast influence in the world, and the french knowing it--small blame to them--they make use of it wherever it suits their purpose." after we had shown all the sights to be seen to our fair companions, we were walking through the somewhat crowded streets, on our return to the boats, when by some chance we got separated from each other. we, however, managed to find our way to the rendezvous, with the exception of groggs, who was not forthcoming. as he was guiltless of speaking a word of any other language than his mother-tongue, we could not leave him to find his way by himself on board, and accordingly porpoise and i, handing our charges into the boat, hurried off in search of him. we agreed not to be absent more than a quarter of an hour, and away we started, taking different routes among the crowds of women with high butterfly muslin caps, and bearded soldiers with worsted epaulettes, and sailors totally unlike english, notwithstanding all the pains they had taken to imitate them. we agreed that this dissimilarity arose much from the different mould in which the men are cast, and the utter impossibility of a french tailor cutting a seaman's jacket and trousers correctly. they all wore braces, and though they tried to swagger a little in imitation of the english seaman's roll, they had in appearance a very slight similarity to their intended originals. in despair of finding groggs among such a collection of idlers, i was wending my way back, when i was attracted by a crowd in front of the shop of a marchand d'eau de cologne, and above the din of shrill voices i heard one which, by its unmistakable accents, i recognised as that of our lost companion. at the same time, porpoise appearing some way up the street, i beckoned him towards me, and together we worked our way through the grinning crowd. in the shop was a damsel with considerable pretensions to beauty, before whom, on his knees, appeared groggs, fervently clasping her hand, while with no less fervour, and much more gesticulation, his hair was grasped by a little man, the father, we found, of the damsel, and whose dress and highly-curled locks at once betrayed the peruquier, or the hair-artist, as he would probably have styled himself. "but i tell you, old gentleman, my intentions are most honourable towards the lady!" exclaimed groggs, trying to save his head from being scalped entirely. "i tell you, sir, i have rarely seen so much beauty and excellence combined; and, if she is not displeased with my attentions, i don't see why you or any other man should interfere." "je suis son pere, je vous dis, et je ne permets pas de libertes avec ma fille!" cried the irate frenchman, giving another tug at his unlucky locks. groggs now caught sight of us, and appealed to us to save him. as we advanced, the young lady disengaged herself from his hand and ran behind the counter, the peruquier withdrew his clutches, and groggs rushed forward to meet us. the frenchman gazed at us with a fierce look of inquiry; but the uniform porpoise wore on the occasion, and my yachting costume, gained us some respect, i suppose. "what in the name of wonder is all this about?" i exclaimed, looking at groggs; and then turning to the frenchman i observed, in my best french and blandest tone, "that our arrival was fortunate, as i hoped instantly to appease his wrath, and put every thing on a pleasing footing." groggs then, in a few words, gave us his eventful history since he parted from us. he had been attracted by the words "eau de cologne" in the _affiche_ over the door, and being anxious to show how well he could make a purchase by himself, he had entered. instantly struck all of a heap (as he said) by the beauty and elegant costume of the lady, forgetting all about the eau de cologne, he endeavoured to address her. what was his delight to discover that she could speak some english! forgetful of the quick passing of time, he stayed on, till the father, hearing a stranger talking to his daughter in a tongue he could not understand, made his appearance. it was at the moment that groggs, grown bold, had seized her hand to vow eternal constancy. the lady was not unmoved, though somewhat amused, and not offended. it was probably not the first time her hand had been so taken, she nothing loath; of which fact her most respectable sire was doubtlessly cognisant. to pacify the irate barber, we interpreted the protestations of his honourable intentions which groggs was pouring out. the daughter, mademoiselle eulalie sophie de marabout, ably seconded our endeavours, by assuring her papa that the gentleman had behaved in the most respectful manner, nor uttered a word to offend her modest ears. at length we succeeded not only in appeasing the wrath of the _artiste_, but in propitiating him to such a degree that, assuring us that he felt convinced we were most honourable gentlemen, he invited us all to a _soiree_ in his rooms over the shop that evening. eulalie, with sweet smiles, seconded the invitation. groggs was delighted; and we, provided we could manage it, consented to avail ourselves of the respectable gentleman's kindness. we now hurried off groggs, for the ladies were all this time waiting in the boats; not before, however, he had whispered to eulalie that nothing should prevent him, at all events, from renewing the acquaintance thus somewhat inauspiciously begun. it was impossible to refrain from telling the story when we got on board; and had groggs's admiration for eulalie been proof against all the raillery and banter with which he was assailed, it would have been powerful indeed. the ladies did not openly allude to his adventure, but they said enough to show him that they knew all about it, as he could not help discovering from an occasional reference made to international matrimonial alliances, and the advantages to be derived from them. we returned on board just in time to get under way at a signal from our respective commodores, when the yachts of the various squadrons sailed in line outside the breakwater, under the command of the earl of wilton, who acted as admiral of the fleet. we formed in two columns, and performed a number of evolutions--we flattered ourselves, in the most creditable manner--and then we re-entered the harbour, and, running down the french line in gallant style, took up our stations again according to signal. our hearts swelled with pride, and we felt very grand indeed, only wishing that each of our little craft were seventy-four or one hundred and twenty gun ships, and that the french fleet were what they were. o'wiggins's yacht was the only one continually out of line, or somewhere where she ought not to have been. this was owing partly to his imagining that he knew more about the matter than the commodore or any one else, and partly to the bad sailing of his craft. mizen invited us four bachelors to spend the evening on board the "fun," and the attractions of our fair friends proved stronger than those held out by mademoiselle eulalie. there was an addition to our party in the person of o'wiggins, who invited himself on board, and served as an assistant laughing-stock to poor groggs. there was, consequently, a bond of union between the two--similar to that of two donkeys in a cart, both being lashed with the same whip. in the course of the evening o'wiggins heard of groggs's adventure, and, clapping him on his shoulder, assured him that he would take care it should not be his fault if he lost the lady. we had all day been waiting in expectation of the arrival of the president, every craft being decked out with flags, and every gun loaded to do him honour. at the hour he was expected, enthusiasm was at its height; but as time drew on, it waxed colder and colder. people had come from far and wide to see a sight which was not to be seen; they had expended their time and money, and had a right to complain. complain, therefore, they did, ashore and afloat; and had it at that time been put to the vote whether he should longer remain president, i fear he would instantly have been shorn of his honours. at last the bright luminary of day sank behind the dockyard, the commodores of the english craft fired the sunset gun, the flags were hauled down, and night came on. we had begun to fancy that the president's carriage must have broken down or been upset, or that he was not coming at all, when a gun was heard, and then another, followed by such a flashing and blazing and banging of artillery and muskets and crackers and rockets that we could have no doubt that the great man had indeed arrived. thus ended our first day at cherbourg. chapter eight. gay scene in cherbourg harbour--the o'wiggins again--aquatic visiting--a disciple of st. impudentia--how to banquet uninvited--the ball--visit of the president to the fleet--a few remarks on affairs in general. by the time the world was up and had breakfasted, on friday, the harbour of cherbourg presented a very gay appearance. the water was covered with hulls of vessels, and on the decks of the vessels were crowds of gay people, and above them a forest of tall masts, surmounted by flags innumerable, showing all the hues of the rainbow, while in every direction were dashing and splashing boats of every description, men-of-war's boats and shore-boats; and faster moving than all, yachts' boats, which, like comets, seemed to be flying about in eccentric orbits, without any particular reason, and for no definite purpose. o'wiggins made his appearance on board the "frolic," foaming with rage and indignation at not having been invited to the grand banquet to be given that day to the president. "neither have i, nor mizen, nor any other of the owners of yachts, except the commodores and a few noblemen." "faith, but that's no reason at all, at all, why i shouldn't!" exclaimed our hibernian friend, drawing himself up; "and, what's more, i intend to go, in spite of their neglect." we laughed, as usual, at his unexampled conceit; but fancying that he was joking, we thought no more about the matter. he soon took his departure, carrying off groggs, who had conceived a high respect for him. o'wiggins had promised to conduct him to the feet of the fair eulalie, which was an additional temptation to the poor man. never, perhaps, was there so much paying and receiving of visits as there was in the course of the day. the yachtsmen paid visits to each other, and then to the men-of-war; and to do the french officers justice, they treated us with the very greatest attention. i must say that all the french naval officers i have met are as gentlemanly a set of fellows as i know: they are highly scientific, and as brave as any men one could wish to meet. it appeared as if all the inhabitants and visitors of cherbourg were on the water also paying visits; and a report having got abroad that the owners of the english yachts were happy to show their vessels to all comers, we were all day long surrounded by visitors. the general joke was to send them all off to o'wiggins's craft, the "popple." her cabins were, certainly, very gaudily and attractively furnished. it was hinted to the townspeople that he was a very important person, and that he would be highly offended if his vessel was not the first honoured by their presence. o'wiggins was at first highly flattered with the attention paid him, and had actually prepared luncheon for the first-comers; but he soon discovered that he had more guests than he could accommodate, and in a little time he was almost overwhelmed with visitors, who, for hours after, crowded his cabins, without a possibility of his getting free of them. among others, while groggs was on board, came the fair eulalie and her respectable sire, habited in the costume of the national guard, and looking very military and dignified. groggs hurriedly advanced to receive the lovely maid; her surprise equalled his delight; when o'wiggins stepped out from an inner cabin. there was a mutual start and a look of recognition, and eulalie sank back, almost fainting, into the arms paternal, open to receive her, while, with a look which would have annihilated any man but o'wiggins, she exclaimed the single word, "_perfide_!" m. de marabout, with paternal solicitude, endeavoured to remove his daughter to the fresh air of the deck, but she recovered without that assistance, and exhibited signs unmistakable of a wish to abstract one or both of the eyes of the o'wiggins from his head. "what means all this, my dear sir?" inquired groggs, with a somewhat faltering voice, for suspicions most unpleasant were beginning to take possession of his imagination. "ask the lady," replied o'wiggins, looking out for a mode to secure his retreat. the lady saw that he was cowed, which, of course, gave her courage; so, releasing herself from her father, she sprang towards him. the skylight hatchway was the only available outlet; so he sprang on the table, and from thence was endeavouring to leap on deck, when she caught him by the leg. he struggled hard, for expose himself to her fury he dared not, and he did not like to summon his people to his assistance. at last he was obliged to do so; when as the seamen, with shouts of laughter, were hauling him up, off came his shoe and a piece of his trousers; and he was spirited away and stowed safely in the forepeak before the irate damsel could gain the deck, where she instantly hastened in the hopes of catching him. of the distracted and astounded groggs, eulalie took no further notice, and having in vain sought for the object of her fierce anger, whom she supposed to have escaped in a boat to the shore, she and her father and friends took their departure, and groggs saw his beloved no more. how o'wiggins had thus mortally offended the damsel remains a secret; for, communicative as he was on most subjects, he took very good care on this matter not to enlighten any of us. when o'wiggins discovered that eulalie was in reality gone, he retired to his cabin to compose himself, and to change his tattered garments for a magnificent uniform of some corps of fencibles, or militia, or yeomanry, of which he professed to be colonel; the said uniform being added to and improved according to his own taste and design, till it rivalled in magnificence that of a hungarian field-marshal, or a city lieutenant's. we had been giving the ladies a pull about the harbour, and were passing the "popple," when her owner made his appearance on deck. the previous account, it must be understood, we received afterwards from groggs, who recounted it with a simple pathos worthy of a despairing lover. on his head o'wiggins wore a huge cocked-hat, surmounted by a magnificent plume of feathers, which, waving in the wind, had a truly martial and imposing appearance, while the glittering bullion which profusely covered his dress could not fail of attracting the notice of all beholders. with the air of a monarch he stepped into his gig, which was alongside, manned by a grinning crew, and seizing the yoke-lines he directed her head up the harbour. he was too much engrossed by his own new-fledged dignity to observe us, so we followed him at a respectful distance, to watch his movements. the boats of all descriptions made way for him as he advanced, and the men-of-war's boats saluted, every one taking him for a foreign prince, or an ambassador, or a field-marshal, at least. at length he reached the quay, and with a truly princely air he stepped on shore, taking off his plumed hat, and bowing to the admiring and wondering crowds who stood there to welcome him. a space was instantly cleared to allow full scope for the wave of his cocked-hat, and as he advanced the crowd made way, bowing to him as he progressed. in execrable french he signified his wish to know the way to the mayor's hotel, where the banquet was to be held; and an officious official instantly thereon, perceiving the gestures of the great unknown, stepped forward, and profoundly bowing, advanced before him. "some dreadful mistake has doubtlessly occurred, and by an oversight which no one but i can remedy, no one has been deputed to conduct the prince to the banquet. for the honour of my country i'll tell a lie." so thought the patriotic official, as he observed, in an obsequious tone, "i have been deputed, mon prince, by monsieur the mayor, who deeply regrets that his multifarious duties prevent him from coming in person to conduct you to the banqueting-hall, where the great president of the great french republic will have the satisfaction of meeting you." "i am highly pleased at the mayor's attention," answered o'wiggins, with an additional flourish of his hat, and wondering all the time whom he could be taken for, that he might the better act his part. "a prince, at all events, i am, and that's something," he thought; so he walked on, smiling and bowing as before. of all nations in the world, the french are certainly the greatest admirers of a uniform, and the most easily humbugged by any one who will flatter their vanity; and certainly republicans are the greatest worshippers of titles. on walked the great o'wiggins, admired equally by the vieux moustache of the imperial guard, by the peasant-girl, with her high balloon starched cap, by the dapper grisette, by real soldiers of the line, by shopkeeping national guards, by citizen gentlemen and ladies in plain clothes, and the queer-shaped seamen and boatmen, of whom i have before spoken. his step was firm and confident as he approached the hall, and, as he got near, he saw with dismay that the guests arriving in crowds before him were admitted by tickets. this we also observed, and fully expected to have seen him turned back, shorn of his honours, amid the shouts of the populace. but the knowing doorkeeper, equally knowing as the officious official, who now, with a glance of pride, announced him, could not dream of insulting a prince by asking him for his ticket, and only bowed the lower as he advanced, he bestowing on them in return some of his most gracious nods. the act was accomplished. he was safe in the banqueting-hall; but still there might be a turn in the tide of his affairs; some one who knew him might possibly ask how he had managed to get there, and the mayor might request his absence. but o'wiggins was too true a disciple of st. impudentia thus to lose the ground he had gained. having begun with blusters and bold confidence, he now called in meek humility and modest bashfulness, with an abundant supply of blarney. stowing away his cocked-hat in a safe corner, he retired among a crowd of betinselled officials, and earnestly entered into conversation with them, expatiating largely on his satisfaction at the sight he had that day witnessed, assuring his hearers that in turkey, russia, or america, or any other of the many countries he had visited, he had never seen any thing to equal the magnificence he had beheld in this important part of _la belle_ france. he endeavoured also to bend down, so as to hide his diminished head among the crowd, and thus, as he had calculated, more wisely than a well-known wise man we have heard of, he passed undetected. dinner being announced as served, he found himself, much against his will, forced upwards close to the english naval officers and yacht commodores; but by a still further exertion of humility he contrived to take a seat a few persons off from those who knew him, and might put awkward questions. the french, however, could not fail to admire the admirable modesty of the foreign prince, and the liberals set it down to the score of his respect for republican institutions, while the royalists fancied that he was afraid of presuming on his rank before his republican host. from the information i could gain, and from his own account afterwards, his impudence carried him through the affair with flying colours, for no one detected him, though many wondered who he was; and even some who were acquainted with him by sight, failed to recognise the o'wiggins in the gayly-decked _militaire_ before them. having seen him enter the hall, we returned on board the "fun," to give an account of what had happened to our fair friends; and of course we did not fail of making a good story of the affair, and surmising that o'wiggins would be discovered and compelled to strip off his feathers. after dinner we prepared to go to the ball, to which the ladies wisely would not venture. poor groggs was very downcast at the events of the morning, and with the discovery that he could never hope to make the fair eulalie mrs groggs. as we were going on shore we met o'wiggins pulling off in his gig with four highly-bedecked officers of national guards, whom he had invited to visit the yacht. he had selected them for the gayness of their uniforms, which he fancied betokened their exalted rank. they had discovered that he was not a prince, but still were under the impression that he was at least a mi lord anglais, imbued with liberal principles. he nodded condescendingly to us as he passed. "i'm going to show my craft to these officers whom i brought from the banquet, and i'll be back soon at the ball," he exclaimed, with a look of triumph. it is understood--for i cannot vouch for the truth of the statement-- that he made the officers very drunk, and then, changing his gay uniform for his usual yacht dress-coat, he made his appearance at the ball, where he boasted of the polite manner in which the president had asked him to the banquet, quoting all the speeches which had been made, and many other particulars, so that no one doubted that he was there. the ball-room was crowded to suffocation, and dancing was out of the question. i looked at the president with interest. the last time i had seen him was in a london ball-room, and at supper i had sat opposite to him and his cousin, the very image of their uncle. at that time, neither had more influence in the world than i or any other humble person. they were little lions, because they had the blood in their veins of the most extraordinary man our times has known; but any indian from the east, with a jewelled turban, created more interest. now i beheld the same man the head of a nation--the observed of all observers--dispensing his courtesies with a truly regal air. one could not help feeling that there must be more of his uncle's spirit in the man than one was before inclined to suppose. a considerable number of ladies' dresses and men's coats were torn, and purses and handkerchiefs abstracted from pockets, and the ball terminated. i have not given a very lucid description of it; but a crush in england is so very like a crush in france, that my readers who have endured one may easily picture the other. mrs mizen and her charges were anxious to sail to get back to plymouth for sunday, but we induced them to stop till the afternoon, by promising them to accompany them, that they might see the president visit the fleet, which it was understood he was to do on saturday. the day was lovely, and every craft afloat, from the big "valmy" to the smallest yacht, did her best to look gay, and to add to the brilliancy of the scene. the piers were crowded with people, and so were the decks of the vessels and boats and barges laden with passengers which were moving in every direction. it was amusing to watch the numerous parties on board the steamers at their meals: those forward indulging in bread and cheese and sausages, and vin ordinaire or beer; the more aristocratic aft in chicken-pies, hams, champagne, and claret, in which beverages they drank prosperity to the republic and long life to the president, though they would as readily have toasted a king or an emperor. it was a day of excitement. the first thing in the morning there was a pulling-match, but who was the winner i am unable to say. then the president paid a visit to the dockyard, and from that time every one was on the tiptoe of expectation to catch a glimpse of him as he pulled off to the ships-of-war he purposed visiting. at length he appeared in a state-barge of blue and white and gold, and prow and stern raised and carved richly, which floated as proudly as that of any lord mayor of london, from whittington downward; for not altogether dissimilar was she in appearance. she pulled twenty-four oars, and a captain stood by the coxswain to con her. under a canopy of purple cloth, the colour reminding one of imperial dignity, sat the president of the republic, a tricolour flag waving in the bow from a lofty flagstaff, speaking, however, loudly of republicanism. as his galley shot out of the dockyard, there burst forth from the mouth of every cannon on board the ships and in every fort on shore, roars most tremendous, flashes of flame, and clouds of smoke. never had i before heard such a wild, terrific uproar; crash followed crash, till it appeared that every soul afloat or on shore must be annihilated. thundering away went the guns, every ship firing every gun she had as fast as she could, and every fort doing the same. bang--crash, crash, crash. the ladies stopped their ears, and looked as if they wished themselves well out of it. it appeared as if a fierce battle were raging, while the ships and the batteries and the shore were shrouded by a dense mass of smoke. on a sudden the firing ceased, the smoke blew away, revealing once more the masts and rigging of the ships-of-war, now crowded with men in the act of laying out on the yards. the crews cheered, and the bands of all the ships struck up martial music, which floated joyfully over the water, and one could not help fancying that something very important was taking place. in reality, it was only a _coup d'etat_--prince napoleon was trying to supplant prince de joinville in the affections of the seamen of france. it is said that he made himself very popular, and gained golden opinions from all classes of men. his first visit was to the "friedland," the flag-ship of admiral deschenes, then to the "valmy," and next to "minerve," the gunnery-ship, on the same plan as our "excellent." here some practice took place, but i cannot say that the firing was any thing out of the way good. having inspected his own ships, he paid a visit to lord wilton's beautiful schooner, the "zarifa," and afterwards to the "enchantress," lord cardigan's yacht, both perfect vessels of their kind. we yachtsmen had, indeed, reason to feel not a little proud of the display made by our peaceable crafts on the occasion. we went on board several of the french ships, and were much struck with their beauty, cleanliness, and order, while every improvement which science has suggested has been introduced on board them. we were not particularly prepossessed in favour of the french seamen, either on shore or on board. there was a roughness in their manner which savoured somewhat of national dislike, fostered for sinister purposes, to be pleasant; or, if it was put on in imitation of the manners of our own honest jack tars, all i can say is, that it was a very bad imitation indeed, and about as unlike the truth as when they attempt to represent the english national character on the stage. from the french officers all who visited their ships received the very greatest attention and courtesy. we sailed that afternoon, as soon as the spectacle was over, in company with the "fun." i cannot, therefore, describe the ball, with its overpowering heat and crush, which took place that evening, nor the sham-fight, when the boats of the squadron attacked the steamer "descartes," nor the evolutions of the fleet, nor the awful expenditure of gunpowder from the ships, sufficient to make the economical hearts of the men of manchester sink dismayed within their bosoms. o friends! think you this expenditure of gunpowder and noise breathes the spirit of peace? o merchants, manufacturers, and calculators well versed in addition and subtraction, is it not worth while to employ some portion of our own income, even a large portion maybe, to insure old england against any freak our volatile neighbours may take into their heads? but i have done with public affairs. the "frolic" and the "fun" danced gayly together over the starlit ocean towards plymouth, wind and tide favouring us. the voices of our fair friends, as they sang in concert some delicious airs, sounded across the water most sweetly to our ears. what a contrast to the loud roar of the cannon in the morning, and the glare and bustle of cherbourg harbour, did that quiet evening present! we arrived safely in plymouth at an early hour next day. i am happy to say that, not long after, i received cards with silver ties from my friends mr and mrs jack mizen; but i am somewhat anticipating events. i think it right, however, to announce to the spinster world that groggs, porpoise, and bubble are still bachelors. chapter nine. preparations for a long cruise--hearty confesses to a soft impeachment-- the o'wiggins and his passengers--how we got rid of them. hearty had long projected a voyage up the mediterranean, and invited carstairs, and bubble, and me to join him. groggs, as may be supposed, had become a bore, unbearable; and, as soon as we arrived at plymouth, had been sent back to cultivate his paternal acres and describe the wonders he had seen during his nautical career. while porpoise was attending to the refitting of the yacht, bubble and i were busily engaged in laying in stores of comestibles, and drinkables, and burnables and smokables, of all sorts. food for the mind, as well as for the body, was not forgotten; but hearty would not allow a pack of cards or dice on board. it was a fancy of his, he said, that he did not much mind being peculiar. "if a set of men with heads on their shoulders and brains in their heads cannot amuse themselves, unless by the aid of means invented for the use of idiots, and fit only for the half-witted, i would rather dispense with their society," he used to observe. we had, however, chess and draughts, though he was no great admirer of either game, especially of the latter. "however," as he said, "though those games kill time which i think it would be wise of men if they tried to keep alive, as they, at all events, won't let a fellow's mind go to sleep, we may as well have them." we exerted all our ingenuity and thought in laying in every thing which could possibly be required for a long voyage; and seldom has a yacht, i suspect, been better found in this respect. seldom, also, have five jolly bachelors been brought together more ready to enjoy themselves. three is generally considered the best number to form a travelling party, and certainly on shore no party should exceed that number, unless there is some stronger bond of union than mere pleasure or convenience. seldom when more men unite do they fail to separate before the end of the journey. for a yacht voyage, however, the case is different. in the first place, there is more discipline. the owner, if he is a man of judgment, assumes a certain amount of mild authority; acts as captain over every one on board, and keeps order. should a dispute arise, he instantly reconciles the disputants, and takes care himself never to dispute with any one. hearty was just the man for the occasion. "now, my dear fellows," said he to all the party on giving us the invitation, "the first thing we have to do is to sign articles to preserve good fellowship, and to do our best to make each other happy. i don't want to top the officer over my guests; but all i want you to promise me is, that if there arises any difference, you will allow me at once to be umpire. if i differ with any one, the rest must act the part of judge and jury." we, of course, were all too happy to agree to so reasonable a proposal, and so the matter was settled. with respect also to the numbers on board, in reality only hearty and carstairs were idlers; porpoise was officially master; bubble had originally fitted out the yacht, and acted as caterer; while i had undertaken to keep my watch, and aid will in his duties. we had with us guns and ammunition, and fishing-rods and nets, and camera-lucidas, and sketch-books; and musical instruments, flutes, a violin, a guitar, and accordion. we had even some scientific apparatus; nor had we forgotten a good supply of writing materials. the truth was that bubble and i had some claim to be authors. will had written a good deal: indeed, his prolific pen had often supplied him with the means of paying his tailor's bill; while i had more than once appeared in print. we agreed, therefore, not to interfere with one another in our literary compositions. while he took one department, i was to take the other. at last we were all ready for sea. mizen came out in the "fun" to see us off, with fanny farlie, miss mizen, mr and mrs rullock, and susan simms on board, as well as several of our friends, and we struck up, as the yachts at length parted, with our voices and all the musical instruments we could bring into action, "the girls we leave behind us." hearty heaved a sigh as he was looking through his glass at the fast-receding "fun." "what's the matter?" i asked. "yes, she is a sweet girl!" he ejaculated, not answering me, however. i spoke again. "laura mizen, to be sure," he replied. "who else? she's unlike all the rest of our yachting set away at ryde there. they are all young ladies, cast in the same mould, differing only in paint, outside show; one may be blue and the other red, another yellow, though i don't think you often find them of any primitive colour; generally they are of secondary, or mixed colours, as the artists say. one again wishes to be thought fast, and another sentimental, another philanthropic or religious, and another literary. i don't know which of the pretenders i dislike the most. the fast young ladies are the most difficult to deal with. they do such impudent things, both to one and of one. if they knew how some of the fast men speak of them in return, it would make them wince not a little, i suspect, if they have not rattled away from all delicacy themselves. oh, give me a right honest, good girl, who does not dream of being any thing but herself; who is a dutiful daughter, and is ready to be a loving, obedient wife of an honest man, and the affectionate mother of some fine hearty children, whom she may bring up with a knowledge of the object for which they were sent into the world." "well said, my dear fellow," i answered, warmly; for i seriously responded to his sentiments, though, it must be confessed, they were very different to the style which had been usual on board the "frolic." "why did you not ask her, though?" i continued. "because i was a fool," he answered. "those rattler girls, masons and sandons, and that miss mary masthead, and others of her stamp, were running in my head, and i couldn't believe that laura mizen was in reality superior to them. i used to talk the same nonsense to her that i rattled into their willing ears; and it is only now that i have thought over the replies she made, and many things she lately said to me, and that i have discovered the vast difference there is between her and the rest." "well, 'bout ship, and propose," said i; "though sorry to lose the cruise, your happiness shall be the first consideration." "oh, no, no! that will never do," he answered. "i doubt if she will have me now. when we come back next summer i will find her out, and if she appears to receive me favourably, i will propose. now she thinks me only a harum-scarum rattler. it would never do." i could say nothing to this. i truly believed that though hearty's fortune would weigh with most girls, it would but little with her; and i could only hope that in the mean time she would not bestow her affections on any one else. just as we got outside the breakwater we sighted a schooner, standing in for the sound, which we had no difficulty in making out to be the "popple." as soon as she discovered us, she bore down on us, signalising away as rapidly as possible. "what are they saying?" asked hearty, as he saw the bunting run up to her masthead. "heave-to, i want to speak to you," i answered, turning over the leaves of the signal-book. "shall we?" asked porpoise. "oh, by all means," replied hearty. "o'wiggins may have something of importance to communicate." "down with the helm; let fly the jib-sheet; haul the foresail to windward," sung out porpoise, and the cutter lay bobbing her head gracefully to the sea, while the schooner approached her. still they continued running up and down the bunting on board the "popple." i had some difficulty in making out what they intended to say. "ladies aboard--trust to gallantry," i continued to interpret, as i made out the words by reference to the book. "what can they wish to say?" exclaimed hearty. "they wish to lay an embargo on us of some sort, and begin by complimenting us on our gallantry," observed bubble. "by the pricking of my thumbs, something evil this way comes," exclaimed carstairs. "as i am a living gentleman, there are petticoats on board. who has been acting the part of a perfidious wretch, and breaking tender vows? an avenging nemesis is in his wake in the person of mrs skyscraper, or the rattler girls, or mary masthead. even at this distance i can make them out." so it was, as the schooner approached, the very dames carstairs had named were seen on board. we had observed, as we went down the sound, a large schooner beating up from the westward. there had been discussions as to what she was. our glasses had now once more been turned towards her, when we discovered her to be the "sea eagle." seeing our bunting going up and down so rapidly, sir charles drummore, her owner, curious to know what we were talking about, stood towards us. the "popple" hove-to to windward of us, and a boat being lowered, o'wiggins pulled on board. "my dear fellow, i'm so glad we've overtaken you," he began. "your friend, mrs skyscraper, and those young ladies with her, were so anxious to have another cruise on board the `frolic' before the summer is over, that i consented to bring them down here, as i made sure that you would be delighted to see them!" never did hearty's face assume a more puzzled and vexed expression. "heaven defend me from them!" he exclaimed. "tell them that we've got the yellow-fever--or the plague, or the cholera, or the measles, or the whooping-cough, or any thing dreadful you can think of; make every excuse--or no excuse; the thing is impossible, not to be thought of for a moment: they can't come. we are bound foreign, say to the north pole, or the west indies, or the coast of africa, or the south pacific, or to the antipodes. they don't want to go there, at all events, i suppose." "but if you don't take them, what am i to do with them?" exclaimed o'wiggins. "i'm bound down channel, and if they don't worry me out of house and home, they'll drive me overboard with the very clatter of their tongues." a bright thought struck hearty. just then the "sea eagle" came up, and hove-to on our quarter. "much obliged to you for your kind intentions towards us, but, instead, just hand them over to drummore," said he, rubbing his hands. "if any man can manage so delicate an affair, you can, o'wiggins, without wishing to pay you an undue compliment." sir charles drummore was a baronet, one of our yachting acquaintances, and had lately purchased the "sea eagle." a worthy old fellow, though he had the character of being somewhat of a busybody. he certainly looked more in his place in his club than on board his yacht. "well, i'll try it," answered the o'wiggins, who was himself easily won by the very bait he offered so liberally to others. "trust me, i'll do it if mortal man can. i'll weave a piteous tale of peerless damsels in distress, and all that sort of thing. thank you for the hint; it will take, depend on it." "well, be quick about it," we exclaimed, "or drummore will be topping his boom, and you will miss your chance." thereon o'wiggins tumbled into his boat, and pulled aboard the "sea eagle." what story he told-- what arguments he used--we never heard; but very shortly we had the satisfaction of seeing the misses rattler and mary masthead, with their skittish chaperone, mrs skyscraper, transferred to the deck of the "sea eagle." we strongly suspected that the prim baronet had not the slightest conception as to who formed the component parts of the company with whom he was to be favoured. he bowed rather stiffly as he received them and their bandboxes on deck; but he was in for it; his gallantry would not allow him to send them back to the "popple," and he had, therefore, only to wish sincerely for a fair breeze, that he might land them as speedily as possible at ryde. the o'wiggins waved his cap with an extra amount of vehemence, and putting up his helm, and easing off his sheets, stood away for falmouth. we, at the same time, shaped a course down channel, mightily glad that we were free of all fast young ladies and flirting widows. "o'er the glad waters of the dark blue sea, our thoughts as boundless, and our souls as free, far as the breeze can bear, the billows foam, survey our empire, and behold our home!" spouted carstairs, pointing to the wide atlantic which rolled before us. "the sea, the sea, the open sea!-- the wide, the blue, the ever free; without a mark, without a bound, it runneth the earth's wide region round! i'm on the sea-- i am where i would ever be: with the blue above, and the blue below, and silence wheresoe'er i go," chimed in hearty, whose quotations and sketches were always from authors of more modern date. "you'll sing different songs to those, gentlemen, if it comes on to blow a gale of wind while we are crossing the bay," said porpoise, laughing. "the sea always puts me in mind of a woman, very delightful when she's calm and smiling, but very much the contrary when a gale is blowing. i've knocked about all my life at sea, and have got pretty tired of storms, which i don't like a bit better than when i first went afloat." "never fear for us," answered hearty. "i never was in a storm in my life, and i want to see how the `frolic' will behave." "as to that, i dare say she will behave well enough," said porpoise. "there's no craft like a cutter for lying-to, or for beating off a lee-shore; or working through a narrow channel, for that matter, though a man-of-war's man says it. we have the credit of preferring our own square-rigged vessels to all others, and not knowing how to handle a fore-and-after." "come what may, we'll trust to you to do the best which can be done under any chances which may occur," said hearty. "and now here comes ladle to summon us to dinner." to dinner we went, and a good one we ate, and many a good one after it. many a joke was uttered, many a story told, and many a song was sung. in truth, the days slipped away more rapidly even than on shore. "well, after all, i can't say that there is much romance in a sea-life," exclaimed carstairs, stretching out his legs, as he leaned back in an arm-chair on deck, and allowed the smoke of his fragrant havana to rise curling over his upturned countenance, for there was very little wind at the time, and from what there was we were running away. "i can't quite agree with you on that point: there is romance enough at sea, as well as everywhere else, if people only know how to look for it," observed will bubble, who had been scribbling away most assiduously all the morning in a large note-book which he kept carefully closed from vulgar eyes! "oh, i know, of course, `books in the running brooks, sermons in stones, and good in every thing,'" answered carstairs, who was seldom at a loss for a quotation from shakespeare. "but i mean, who ever meets a good, exciting, romantic adventure with pirate-smugglers, savages, or some thing of that sort? perhaps you, bubble, have got something of that sort in your book there which you will give us, but then it will be only fiction: i want a stern reality. the world has grown too matter-of-fact to keep a fellow awake." "i'll own to the soft impeachment," answered bubble, laughing. "but my story's real; i've been merely putting some notes into form for our amusement, and i hope all hands will be duly grateful." we all thanked bubble for his promise. "i cannot agree with you, in any way, as to there being no romance in a sea-life," said i. "only last year i took part in a very pretty little bit of romance, which would have made the fortune of any paper into which it had been allowed to find its way; but for the sake of the actors we kept the affair a profound secret, or you would certainly have heard of it." "let's have it all out now," exclaimed hearty; "we won't peach: we'll be as tight as the `frolic' herself." "i wouldn't trust you in the club," said i. "but, out here, i don't think it will go beyond the bulwarks, so you shall hear my story." while the rest of our party sat round, and drew, or netted, or smoked, i gave an account of the incident to which i alluded. as it is an important introduction to our subsequent adventures, it is, i feel, well worthy of a chapter to itself. chapter ten. why a bachelor took to yachting--the rival suitors--a doubtful character. awakened one morning towards the close of the last london season by the postman's rap, my friend harcourt found, on reading his letters, that he had become the owner of the "amethyst" cutter, and a member of the royal yacht club. possessing an independent fortune, a large circle of acquaintance, several stanch friends, and few enemies, he ought to have been a happy man--but he was not. the fact is, he did not know what to do with himself. he had travelled not only over the continent, but had visited the three other quarters of the globe. he had gone through several london seasons, and run the rounds of innumerable country-houses where there were marriageable daughters, but had neither fallen in love, nor been drawn into a proposal. in truth, he believed with his friends that he was not a marrying man. he had become heartily sick of dusty roads, passage-steamers, hot rooms, dissipation, and manoeuvring mammas, when i, who had of old been his messmate, recommended him to try yachting for the summer. "what, go to sea for pleasure?" he exclaimed, in a tone of contempt. "you surely cannot suggest such a folly. i had enough of it when i was a poor young middy, and obliged to buffet the rude winds and waves; but--" "well; think about it," were the last words i uttered as i left him. he _did_ think about it, and thought, too, perhaps, he might like it. he was not a novice, for he had for some years of his existence served his country in the exalted capacity of a midshipman; but on succeeding, by the death of an elder brother and an uncle, to some few thousands a year, he magnanimously determined, by the advice of his lady mother, not to stand in the way of the promotion of any of his brother-officers, and retired from the career of glory he was following. i cannot say that the thoughts of leaving his profession gave him much regret, particularly as being too old to return to school, and too ignorant of latin and greek to think of the university, he was henceforth to be his own master. if now and then he acknowledged to himself that he might have been a happier man with a pursuit in life, i cannot say--i am not moralising. so much for his past life. after i left him he meditated on the subject i had suggested, he told me; and the next time we met, we talked it over, and as i was going down to portsmouth, he gave me _carte blanche_ to buy a vessel for him, there not being time to build one. this letter communicated the result of my search. having made himself master of this and a few other bits of information, he turned round, as was his custom after reading his letters, to sleep off the weariness of body and mind with which he had lately been afflicted, but as he lay dozing on his luxurious couch, visions of the "amethyst," flitted across his brain. a light, graceful craft, as she probably was, with a broad spread of white canvas, gliding like some lovely spirit over the blue ocean. "who shall sail with me," he thought. "brine, of course. where shall we go? when shall we start? what adventures shall we probably encounter? how shall i again like to find myself on the surface of the fickle sea?" the case, however, from the then and the now was widely different. then he was a midshipman in a cockpit, at the beck and order of a dozen or twenty masters. now he was to enjoy a command independent of the admiralty and their sealed orders, admirals, or senior captains. his own will, and the winds and tides, the only powers he was to obey. "by jove! there is something worth living for," he exclaimed, as he jumped out of bed. "i'll forswear london forthwith. i'll hurry off from its scheming and heartlessness, its emptiness and frivolity. i'll go afloat at once. brine is right. he's a capital fellow. it was a bright idea. i'll try first how i like channel cruising. i can always come on shore if it bores me. if i find it pleasant, i'll buy a larger craft next year. i'll go up the straits, perhaps out to visit my friend brooke at borneo, and round the world." he bathed, breakfasted, drove to his tailor's, looked in at the carlton and the conservative, fulfilled a dinner engagement, and in the evening went to three parties, at all of which places he astonished his acquaintances by the exuberance of his spirits. "the fact is," he answered to their inquiries as by what wonderful means the sudden change had been wrought, "i've broken my trammels. i'm off. a few days hence and london shall know me no more. to be plain, i'm going to turn marine monster, don a monkey-jacket, cultivate a beard, wear a tarpaulin hat, smoke cigars, and put my hands in my pockets. we shall meet again at cowes, torquay, plymouth, or one of the other salt water places. till then, _au revoir_." as he was entering lady l--'s door, who should he meet coming out but his old friend o'malley, whom he had not seen for ages! he knew that his regiment had just come back from india, so he was not very much surprised. he took his arm and returned into the rooms with him. now, o'malley was an excellent fellow, agreeable, accomplished, and possessed of a fund of good spirits, which nothing could ruffle. he was, indeed, a good specimen of an irish gentleman. he sang a good song, told a good story, and made friends wherever he went. such was just the man under every circumstance for a _compagnon de voyage_. he hesitated not a moment in inviting him, and, to his infinite satisfaction, he at once accepted the offer. a week after he had become the owner of the "amethyst," o'malley and he were seated in a southampton railroad carriage, on their way to cowes, where she was fitting out under my inspection. in the division opposite to them sat a little man whom they at once perceived to belong to the genus snob. he had a comical little face of his own, lighted by a pair of round eyes, with a meaningless expression, fat cheeks, a somewhat large open mouth, and a pug nose with large nostrils. "beg pardon, sir," he observed to o'malley, on whose countenance he saw a smile playing, which encouraged him. "hope i don't interrupt the perusal of your paper? ah, no--concluded--topped off with births, deaths, marriages, and advertisements. see mine there soon. don't mean an advertisement, nor my birth, ha, ha! too old a bird for that; nor death, you may suppose; i mean t'other--eh, you twig? coming the tender, wooing, and wedding--hope soon to fix the day:"--suddenly he turned round to harcourt--"reading the `daily'?--ah, no, the `times,' i see.-- any news, sir?" they did look at him with astonishment, but, at the same time, were so amused that, of course, they humoured the little man. harcourt, therefore, unfroze, and smiling, offered him the paper. "oh dear! many thanks, didn't want it," he answered; "can't read in a railroad, afraid to interrupt you before you'd finished. going down to the sea, i suppose?--so am i. abroad, perhaps?--i'm not. got a yacht?--national amusement. sail about the wight?--pretty scenery, smooth water, i'm told. young lady, fond of boating--sure way to win her heart. come it strong--squeeze her hand, can't get away. eh, see i'm up to a trick or two." in this absurdly vulgar style he ran on, while they stared, wondering who he could be. finding that, they said nothing, he began again. "fond of yachting, gentlemen?" "i believe so," answered harcourt. "so am i.--got a yacht?" he asked. harcourt nodded. "what's her name?" harcourt told him. "mine's the `dido.' pretty name, isn't it? short and sweet. dido was queen of sheba, you know--ran away with ulysses, the trojan hero, and then killed herself with an adder because he wouldn't marry her. learned all that when i was at school. she's at southampton, but i belong to the club. only twenty-five tons--little, but good. not a clipper i own--stanch and steady, that's my motto. warwick ribbons has always a welcome for his friends. that's me, at your service. christened warwick from the great guy. rough it now and then. you won't mind that. eggs and bacon, and a plain chop, but weeds and liquor _ad lib_. brother yachtsmen, you know. bond of union." they winced a little. "shall meet often, i hope, as my father used to say each time he passed the bottle. david ribbons was his name. good man. merchant in the city. cut up well. left me and brother barnabas a mint of money. barnabas sticks to trade. i've cut it. made a lucky spec, in railroads, and am flaring up a bit. here we are at the end of our journey," he exclaimed, as the train stopped at southampton. "we shall meet again on board the `dido.' remember me. warwick ribbons, you know--good-by good-by." and before they were aware of his friendly intentions, he had grasped them both warmly by the hand. "i must see after my goods--my trunks, i mean." so saying, he set off to overtake the porter, who was wheeling away his traps. harcourt never felt more inclined to give way to a hearty fit of laughter, and o'malley indulged himself to his heart's content. in an hour after this they were steaming down the southampton water on their way to cowes. just as they got clear of the pier they again beheld their friend, warwick ribbons, on the deck of a remarkably ugly little red-bottomed cutter, which they had no doubt was the "dido." he recognised them, apparently, for, holding on by the rigging, he jumped on the gunwale, waving his hat vehemently to draw their attention and that of the other passengers to himself and his craft, but of course they did not consider it necessary to acknowledge his salute. this vexed him, for he turned round and kicked a dirty-looking boy, which also served to let everybody know that he was master of the "dido." the boy uttered a howl and ran forward, little ribbons followed him round and round the deck, repeating the dose as long as they could see him. i was the first person they met on landing at cowes, and harcourt, having introduced o'malley to me, we repaired to the "amethyst," lying off white's yard. we pulled round her twice, to examine her thoroughly before we went on board. he was not disappointed in her, for though smaller than he could have wished--she measured sixty tons--she was a perfect model of symmetry and beauty. she was also so well fitted within that she had accommodation equal to many vessels of nearly twice her size. three days more passed, and the "amethyst" was stored, provisioned, and reported ready for sea. harcourt's spirits rose to an elevation he had not experienced for years, as, on one of the most beautiful mornings of that beautiful season, his craft, with a light wind from the southward, glided out of cowes harbour. "what a wonderful effect has the pure fresh air, after the smoke and heat of london!" exclaimed o'malley. "let me once inhale the real salt breeze, and i shall commit a thousand unthought-of vagaries, and so will you, let me tell you; you'll be no more like yourself, the man about town, than the `amethyst' to a coal-barge, or choose any other simile you may prefer." we had now got clear of the harbour, so i ordered the vessel to be hove-to, that, consulting the winds and tides, we might determine the best course to take. "where shall we go, then?" asked harcourt. "the flood has just done. see, that american ship has begun to swing, so we have the whole ebb to get to the westward." "we'll take a short trip to spread our wings and try their strength," i answered. "what say you to a run through the needles down to weymouth? we shall be back in time for dinner to-morrow." we all three had an engagement for the next day to dine with harcourt's friends, the granvilles, one of the few families of his acquaintance who had yet come down. "as you like it; but hang these dinner engagements in the yachting season," exclaimed o'malley. "i hope you put in a proviso that, should the winds drive us, we were at liberty to run over to cherbourg, or down to plymouth, or do as we pleased." "no," he answered; "the fact is, i scarcely thought the vessel would be ready so soon, and we are bound to do our best to return." "and i see no great hardship in being obliged to eat a good dinner in the company of such nice girls as the miss granvilles seem to be," i put in. "well, then, that's settled," harcourt exclaimed. "we've no time to lose, however, though we have a soldier's wind. up with the helm--let draw the foresail--keep her away, griffiths." and the sails of the little craft filling, she glided gracefully through the water, shooting past egypt point, notwithstanding the light air, at the rate of some six knots an hour. gradually as the sun rose the breeze freshened. gracefully she heeled over to it. the water bubbled and hissed round her bows, and faster and faster she walked along. "she's got it in her, sir, depend on't," said griffiths, as he eyed the gaff-topsail with a knowing look. "there won't be many who can catch her, i'll answer. i was speaking yesterday to my brother-in-law, whose cousin was her master last summer, from the time she was launched, and he gave her a first-rate character--such a sea-boat, sir, as weatherly and dry as a duck. they were one whole day hove-to in the chops of the channel without shipping a drop of water, while a big ship, beating up past them, had her decks washed fore and aft." griffiths' satisfactory praise of the craft was cut short by the announcement of breakfast, and, with keen appetites, we descended to discuss as luxurious a meal as three bachelors ever sat down to. tea, coffee, chocolate, hot rolls, eggs, pickled salmon, lamb chops, kaplines, and orange marmalade, were some of the ingredients. then came some capital cigars, on which harcourt and o'malley had chosen a committee of connoisseurs at the garrick to sit before they selected them. "we bachelors lead a merry life, and few that are married lead better," sang o'malley, as he lighted his first havana. "on my word you're right," chimed in harcourt. "now i should like any one to point me out three more happy fellows than we are and ought to be. what folly it would be for either of us to think of turning benedict!" "faith, an officer in a marching regiment, with only his pay to live on had better not bring his thoughts into practice, at all events," observed o'malley. "such has been the conclusion to which i have always arrived after having fallen in love with half the lovely girls i have met in my life; and, as ill luck would have it, somehow or other if they have been heiresses, i could not help thinking that it might be their money which attracted me more than their pretty selves, and i have invariably run off without proposing. i once actually went down to marry a girl with a large fortune, whose friends said she was dying for me, but unfortunately she had a pretty little cousin staying with her, a perfect hebe in form and face, and, on my life, i could not help making love to her instead of the right lady, who, of course, discarded me, as i deserved, on the spot." as we opened scratchell's bay to the south of the needles, o'malley, who had never been there before, was delighted with the view. "the pointed chalk rocks of the needles running like a broken wall into the sea, the lofty white cliff presenting a daring front to the storms of the west, the protector, as it were, of the soft and fertile lands within; the smooth downs above, with their watchful lighthouse, the party-coloured cliffs of alum bay, and hurst castle and its attendant towers, invading the waters at the end of the yellow sandbank. come, that description will do for the next tourist who wanders this way," he exclaimed. "ah, now we are really at sea," he continued; "don't you discover the difference of the land wind and the cool, salt, exhilarating breeze which has just filled our sails, both by feel, taste, smell? at last i begin to get rid of the fogs of london which have hitherto been hanging about me." as the sun rose the wind freshened, and we had a beautiful run to weymouth. we brought up in the bay near a fine cutter, which we remarked particularly, as there were very few other yachts there at the time. manning the gig, we pulled on shore to pass away the time till dinner, and as none of us had ever been there before, we took a turn to the end of the esplanade to view that once favourite residence of royalty. as we were walking back we met a man in yachting costume, who, looking hard at o'malley, came up and shook him warmly by the hand. i also knew his face, but could not recollect where i had seen him, and so it appeared had harcourt. slipping his arm through that of o'malley, who introduced him as mr miles sandgate, he turned back with us. he seemed a jovial, hail-fellow-well-met sort of character, not refined, but very amusing; so, without further thought, as we were about to embark, harcourt asked him on board to dine with us. he at once accepted the invitation, and as we passed the yacht we had admired, we found that she belonged to him. i remarked that she had no yacht burgee flying, and he did not speak of belonging to any club. he might, to be sure, have lately bought her, and not had time to be elected. but then, again, he had evidently been constantly at sea, and was, as far as i had an opportunity of judging, a very good seaman. the dinner passed off very pleasantly. harcourt's cook proved that he was a first-rate nautical _chef_. our new acquaintance made himself highly amusing by his anecdotes of various people, and his adventures by sea and land in every part of the globe. there was, however, a recklessness in his manner, and at times a certain assumption and bravado, which i did not altogether like. after we had despatched our coffee, and a number of cigars, he took his leave, inviting us on board the "rover," the name of his yacht; but we declined, on the plea of wishing to get under way again that evening. in fact, we had agreed to return at once to cowes to be in time for our dinner at the granvilles'. "oh, then you must breakfast with me to-morrow morning, for i am bound for the same place, and shall keep you company," he observed, with a laugh; "though i have no doubt that the `amethyst' is a fast craft, yet i am so much larger that you must not be offended at my considering it probable that i shall be able to keep up with you." on this harcourt could not, in compliment to o'malley, help asking him to remain longer with us, and he sending a message on board his vessel, both yachts got under way together. perhaps he perceived a certain want of cordiality in harcourt's manner towards him, as he was evidently a keen observer of other men; for at all events he did his utmost to ingratiate himself with him, and during the second half of his stay on board he had entirely got rid of the manner which annoyed him, appearing completely a man of the world, well read, and conversant with good society. at the same time he did not hint to what profession he had belonged, nor what had taken him to the different places of which he spoke. in fact, we could not help feeling that there was a certain mystery about him which he did not choose to disclose. at a late hour he hailed his own vessel, and his boat took him on board her. the wind was so light, that, till the tide turned to the eastward, we made but little progress; but the moon was up, and the air soft and balmy, and most unwillingly we turned in before we got through the needles. as soon as our visitor had left us, o'malley told us that he had met him many years before in india, at the house of a relation, he believed, of sandgate's; that this relation had nursed him most kindly through a severe illness with which he had been attacked, and that he had, on his recovery, travelled with sandgate through the country. he met him once or twice after that, and he then disappeared from india, nor had he seen him again, till he encountered him in london soon after his return. he believed that he had been connected with the opium trade, and suspected that he had actually commanded an opium clipper in his more youthful days, though he fancied he had engaged in the pursuit for the sake of the excitement and danger it afforded, as he appeared superior to the general run of men employed in it. the next morning, the tide having made against us, we brought up off yarmouth, when we went on board the "rover," to breakfast, and a very sumptuous entertainment mr sandgate gave us, with some cigars, which beat any thing i had ever tasted. the cabin we went into was handsomely fitted up; but he did not go through the usual ceremony of showing us over the vessel. it was late in the afternoon when the two vessels anchored in cowes harbour. soon after we brought up we saw the "dido" come into the harbour, and just as we were going on shore, mr ribbons himself, in full nautical costume, pulled alongside. he insisted on coming on board, and taxed harcourt's hospitality considerably before we could get rid of him. hearing me mention the granvilles, he very coolly asked us to introduce him. "why, you see," he added, "there's an acquaintance of mine, i find, staying with them whom i should like to meet." we all, of course, positively declined the honour he intended us. "probably if you send a note to your friend he may do as you wish," i observed. "i am not on sufficiently intimate terms with the family." "oh! why you see it's a lady--a young lady, you know--and i can't exactly ask her." "i regret, but it is impossible, my dear sir," i answered. "you must excuse us, or we shall be late for dinner;" and leaving him biting his thumbs with doubt and vexation, we pulled on shore. the party at the granvilles' was excessively pleasant. the miss granvilles were pretty, nice girls, and they had a friend staying with them, who struck me as being one of the most lovely creatures i had ever seen. she had dark hair and eyes, with an alabaster complexion, a figure slight and elegant, and features purely classical; the expression of her countenance was intelligent and sweet in the extreme, but a shade of melancholy occasionally passed over it, which she in vain endeavoured to conceal. harcourt at once became deeply interested in her, though he could learn little more about her than that her name was emily manners, and that she was staying with some friends at ryde, the bosleys, he understood. who they were he could not tell, for he had never heard their names before. she sang very delightfully; and some more people coming in, we even accomplished a polka. during the evening, while he was speaking to her, he overheard o'malley, in his usually amusing way, describing our rencontre with mr warwick ribbons, and he was surprised, when she heard his name, to see her start and look evidently annoyed, though she afterwards could not help smiling as he continued drawing his picture. "and, do you know, miss granville," he added, "he wanted us to bring him here, declaring that some mutual and very dear friend of his and yours was staying, with you." "absurd! who can the man be?" said miss granville. "miss manners is the only friend staying with us, and i am sure she cannot know such a person, if your description of him is correct. do you, emily, dear?" to my astonishment, miss manners blushed, and answered, "i am acquainted with a mr ribbons; that is to say, he is a friend of mr bosley's; but i must disclaim any intimacy with him, and i trust that he did not assume otherwise." o'malley saw that he had made a mistake, and with good tact took pains to show that he fully believed little ribbons had imposed on us, before he quietly dropped the subject, and branched off into some other amusing story. the granvilles and their fair friend promised to take a cruise in the "amethyst" on the following day, but as the weather proved not very favourable, harcourt put off their visit till the day after. he thus also gained an excuse for passing a greater part of it in their society. as we walked down to the esplanade in front of the club-house to look at the yacht, which they had expressed a wish to see, we encountered no less a person than warwick ribbons himself. he passed us several times without venturing to speak; but at last, mustering courage, he walked up to miss manners and addressed her-- "good morning, miss emily. happy to see you here. couldn't tell where you'd run to, till old bosley told me. been looking for you in every place along the coast. venture back to ryde in the `dido'? come, now, you never yet have been on board, and i got her on purpose"--he was, i verily believe, going to say "for you," but he lost confidence, and finished with a smirking giggle--"to take young ladies out, you know." harcourt felt inclined to throw the little abomination into the water. "thank you," said miss manners; "i prefer returning by the steamer." "oh, dear, now that is--but i'm going to see your guardian, miss, and may i take a letter to him just to say you're well?" asked mr ribbons; "he'll not be pleased if i don't." "i prefer writing by the post," answered emily, now really becoming annoyed at his pertinacity. "you won't come and take a sail with me, then?" he continued; "you and your friends, i mean." she shook her head and bowed. "well, then, if you won't, i'm off," he exclaimed, with a look of reproach, and, striking his forehead, he turned round and tumbled into his boat. we watched him on board his vessel, and the first thing he did was to set to and beat his boy; he then dived down below and returned with a swimming belt, or rather jacket, on, which he immediately began to fill with air, till he looked like a balloon or a chinese tumbler. the "dido," then got under way; but her crew were apparently drunk, for she first very nearly ran right on to the quay, and then foul of a boat which was conveying a band of musicians across the river. a most amusing scene ensued, ribbons abused the musicians, who had nothing at all to do with it, and they retorted on him, trying to fend off the vessel with their trombones, trumpets, and cornopeans. at one time they seemed inclined to jump on board and take forcible possession of the "dido," but they thought better of it, and when they got clear they put forth such a discordant blast of derision, finishing like a peal of laughter, that all the spectators on shore could not help joining them, and i wonder the little man ever had courage again to set his foot in cowes. we were still on the quay when sandgate came on shore and passed us; as he did so, he nodded to us, and i observed him looking very hard at miss manners. he soon after, without much ceremony, joined us, and managed quietly to enter into conversation with all the ladies. after some time, however, i perceived that he devoted his attention almost exclusively to emily. he was just the sort of fellow to attract many women, and i suspect that harcourt felt a twinge of jealousy attacking him, and regretted that o'malley had ever introduced him; at the same time i trusted that emily would perceive that want of innate refinement which i had discovered at once; but then, i thought, women have have not the same means of judging of men which men have of each other. he did not, however, speak of his vessel, nor offer to take out any of the party. i shall pass over the next two or three days which we spent in the neighbourhood, each day taking the granvilles and their friends on the water; and so agreeable did we find that way of passing our time that none of us felt any inclination to go further. it was, if i remember rightly, on the th of july that we went to spithead to see those four magnificent ships, the "queen," "vengeance," "st. vincent," and "howe," riding at anchor there. though the morning was calm, a light breeze sprung up just as we got under way, and we arrived in time to see her majesty and prince albert come out of portsmouth harbour in their yacht steamer, and cruise round the ships. we hove-to just to the southward of the "howe," so as to have a good view of all the ships in line, and it was a beautiful and enlivening sight, as they all manned yards and saluted one after the other. from every ship, also, gay flags floated, in long lines from each masthead to the bowsprit and boom-ends, the bands played joyous tunes, and then arose those heart-stirring cheers such as british seamen alone can give. the ladies were delighted-- indeed, who could not be so at the proud spectacle? on our way back to cowes we were to land miss manners, who, most unwillingly on her part, i believe, was obliged to return to her guardian. we accordingly hove-to off the pier, and all the party landed to conduct her to mr bosley's house. after taking a turn to the end of the pier, as we were beginning our journey along its almost interminable length, we on a sudden found ourselves confronted by two most incongruous personages walking arm-in-arm--warwick ribbons and miles sandgate. the latter, the instant he saw us, withdrew his arm from that of his companion, and in his usual unembarrassed manner, advanced towards us, putting out his hand to o'malley and me, and bowing to the ladies. he, as usual, placed himself at the side of emily, who had harcourt's arm, and certainly did his best to draw off her attention from him. little ribbons tried, also, to come up and speak to her, but either his courage or his impudence could not overcome the cold, low bow she gave him. by the by, she had bestowed one of a similar nature on sandgate. after some time, however, he ranged up outside of harcourt, for he had no shadow of excuse to speak to either mrs granville or her daughters. "ah, miss emily," he exclaimed in a smirking way, "you said you would prefer returning here in a steamer to a yacht, and now you've come in one after all." emily did not know what to answer to his impudence, so harcourt relieved her by answering-- "miss manners selected a larger vessel, and had, also, the society of her friends." "in that case, i might have claimed the honour for my vessel, which is larger than either," observed mr sandgate, with a tone in which i detected a sneer lurking under a pretended laugh. "ah, but then i'm an old friend," interposed the little man; "ain't i, miss emily?--known you ever since you was a little girl, though you do now and then pretend not to remember it." "hang the fellow's impudence!" harcourt was on the point of exclaiming, and perhaps might have said something of the sort, when his attention was called off by another actor in the drama. he was a corpulent, consequential-looking gentleman, with a vulgar expression of countenance, dressed in a broad-brimmed straw hat and shooting-coat, with trousers of a huge plaid pattern, and he had an umbrella under his arm though there was not a cloud in the sky. he was, in fact, just the person i might have supposed as the friend of little ribbons, who, as soon as he espied him, with great glee ran on to meet him. poor emily, at the same time, pronounced the words, "my guardian, mr bosley," in a tone which showed little pleasure at the _rencontre_, and instantly withdrew her arm from harcourt's. she was evidently anxious to prevent a meeting between the parties, for she turned round to the miss granvilles and begged them not to come any further, and then holding out her hand to harcourt, thanked him for the pleasant excursions he had afforded her. she was too late, however, for mr bosley advancing, bowed awkwardly to the miss granvilles, and then addressing emily, said,-- "ay, little missie, a long holiday you've been taking with your friends; but i shan't let you play truant again, i can tell you. i've heard all about your doings from my friend warwick here--so come along, come along;" and seizing her arm, without more ceremony he walked her off, while mr ribbons smirked and chuckled at the thoughts of having her now in his power, as he fancied. miles sandgate, at the same time, bowing to the ladies, and nodding to us in a familiar way which verged upon cool impudence, followed their steps. we all felt excessively annoyed at the scene; but far more regretted that so charming a girl should be in the power of such a coarse barbarian as mr bosley appeared. on our passage back to cowes, miss granville told me all she knew of miss manners. she was the daughter of a colonel manners, who had gone out on some mining speculation or other, to one of the south american states, but it was believed that the ship which was conveying him to england had foundered, with all hands, at sea. he had left his daughter emily under the charge of a mr eastway, a merchant of high standing, and a very gentlemanly man. mr eastway, who was the only person cognisant of colonel manners' plans, died suddenly, and mr bosley, his partner, took charge of her and the little property invested in his house for her support. she had been at the same school with the miss granvilles, who there formed a friendship for her which had rather increased than abated after they grew up. this was the amount of the information i could extract from them. she never complained of her guardian to them; but she was as well able as they were to observe his excessive vulgarity, though there was probably under it a kindliness of feeling which in some degree compensated for it. harcourt certainly did his best to conceal the feelings with which he could not help acknowledging to himself she had inspired him, and was much pleased at hearing the granvilles say that they intended writing to her to propose joining her at ryde on the day of the regatta. chapter eleven. a lady spirited away--the chase--the consequences. in the mean time harcourt made daily trips to ryde, and promenaded the pier from one end to the other, and through every street of the town, in the hope of meeting miss manners, but in vain. he met ribbons frequently, but of course he could not inquire after her from him, and consequently avoided him. sandgate he encountered several times; but he had conceived such an antipathy to the man, as well as a suspicion of his character, that, as o'malley was not with us, he did not think it necessary to recognise him. harcourt felt all the time that he was not treating o'malley and me fairly in keeping about the island, and therefore promised to start on a long cruise directly after the regatta. the first day of the regatta was cold, and blowing fresh, so none of the ladies went. it was the schooner-match round the island, when the little "bianca" carried off the cup from her huge competitors, though she came in last, so much time being allowed for the difference of tonnage. the next day of the regatta the weather was most propitious, and we had the pleasure of meeting miss manners on the end of the pier with mr bosley, who saved harcourt from inviting him, by telling us that "if we would give him a hundred pounds for every minute he was in that gimcrack-looking boat, he wouldn't come. let him have a steady-going steamer, which didn't care for winds and tides." he made no objection to emily's accompanying us; though little ribbons coming up just as she was stepping into the boat, reproached her for not visiting the "dido" instead. the sight was beautiful in the extreme; for, independent of the racing-vessels, hundreds of other yachts were sailing about in every direction. the course also being round the nab light, and a similar light-vessel moored at the mouth of the southampton water, the racing-yachts were the whole time in sight of ryde. the royal victoria yacht club-house was decorated with banners, and from a battery in front of it were fired the necessary signals and salutes, while several yachts anchored off the pier-head were also gayly-decked with flags. in the afternoon the queen came from osborne on board the "fairy," amid the animated scene, and made several wide circles; passing close to the pier, and as she glided by, each vessel saluted with their guns or lowered their flags. the whole day the "dido" had most perseveringly endeavoured to follow us, and several times we saw her nearly run foul of other vessels. at last, as she passed the "fairy," ribbons, in a fit of enthusiastic loyalty, i suppose, loaded his gun to the muzzle, and discharged it directly at the steamer, the lighted wadding almost falling on board, while the recoil of the gun upset the little man, who was looking with dismay at the effect of his achievement. he was not hurt, however, for he picked himself up, and managed to fire another wadding on board the "amethyst." the last we saw of him that day, he was hard and fast on a mud-bank half-way between ryde and cowes. sandgate's vessel was also cruising about, and passed us several times, though at a respectful distance; but i saw that his telescope was directed each time towards miss manners. on a sudden it struck me that griffiths might possibly know something of the man, and i accordingly asked him, in a mere casual way, if he had ever seen him before he came on board us? "why, yes, sir, i have seen him more than once," he answered. "maybe he don't recollect me, though we've gone through some wild scenes together." "how is that?" i asked, with surprise. "why, you see, sir, i've done something in the free-trade line myself, i own, and he's lent me a hand at it." "what! you don't mean to say that mr sandgate is a smuggler?" i asked. "yes, i do, sir, though, and many's the rich crop he's run in that ere craft of his." "impossible! why she's a yacht," i replied. "no, sir, she's only a private vessel at the best, and if she was a yacht, she's not the only one as--. howsomdever, i won't say any thing again yachts. it's the lookout of the other members of the club that they don't smuggle, and more's the shame of them who does." "but i thought that smugglers were so bound together that they would never speak against each other," i observed. "so they are, sir; and though that mr sandgate has no reason to expect any favour from me, for reasons he well knows, i wouldn't speak to anybody else of him as i do but to you, or my master, because i don't think he's fit company for such as you, sir, and that's the truth." thinking over what griffiths had told me, i determined in future to be on my guard against sandgate. i, however, did not repeat what i had heard to any one except harcourt. in the afternoon we returned to cowes, leaving miss manners with the granvilles. harcourt having promised to pay some friends a visit at torquay, the next morning we got under way, and, though the winds were light, we got there on the following day. taking all points into consideration, i think torquay and its surrounding scenery is the most beautiful part of england. our stay was short, for harcourt was anxious to get back to cowes, as he had found metal more attractive than even devonshire could afford. we reached cowes late in the day, and after dinner went to the granvilles', for we were now on sufficiently intimate terms to do so. i missed emily from their circle, and inquired if she was still staying with them. "i am sorry to say that she left us suddenly yesterday evening," answered miss granville. "it was almost dark when a letter arrived from her guardian. it stated that he had gone over to portsmouth on business connected with her affairs, and that when there he was taken dangerously ill; that something had transpired which he could alone communicate to her, and he entreated her to come to him without a moment's delay. the bearer of the letter was mr miles sandgate, who, it appeared, had met mr bosley at portsmouth, and volunteered to carry it, and to escort miss manners back. emily immediately prepared for her departure, though she hesitated about accepting mr sandgate's offer. we also sent down to the quay to learn if there was any steamer going to portsmouth that evening, but the last for the day had already left. mr sandgate on this requested emily would allow his vessel to convey her, observing, in the most courteous way, that he saw the difficulties of the case, and would himself remain at cowes till his vessel returned, saying, at the same time, that he thought he might be of service in escorting her to the hotel where mr bosley was lying ill. mamma herself would have gone with her, but she was unwell, and we girls should not much have mended the matter. mr sandgate all the time stood by, acknowledging that he himself was perplexed, and would do any thing she wished; till at last i bethought me of sending our housekeeper, who was very ready to do her best to serve emily, and to this plan, as mr sandgate is a friend of yours as well as of mr bosley's, emily had no further hesitation in agreeing. we walked with her down to the quay, and saw her safely on board." "and have you heard to-day from her?" i asked in a tone of anxiety i could not conceal. "no," answered miss granville; "we thought she would have written." "good heavens! and has she trusted herself with that man?" exclaimed harcourt. miss granville stared. "what do you mean?" she asked. "that i have very serious suspicions of his character," answered harcourt. "i wish that she had taken any other means of getting to portsmouth: not that i for a moment suspect he would not safely convey her there, but i am unwilling that she should--that any lady, a friend of yours, should have even been on board that vessel." "you surprise me!" exclaimed miss granville, now beginning to be really alarmed; and i volunteered to run over to portsmouth at once, to inquire for mr bosley, but she had not heard the name of the hotel where he was staying. "that shall not stop me," replied harcourt. "i will inquire at all of them till i learn." she smiled at his eagerness, though, when he told her all he had heard of sandgate, she saw that he had reason for his annoyance at what had occurred. we were engaged in paying our adieus, when the house-bell rang, and directly afterwards mr warwick ribbons was announced. astonishment was depicted on the countenances of all present, at the appearance of this most unexpected visitor, and all wondered what could have brought him there again. he had, by the by, already called in the morning to beg miss manners and her friends would take a sail in the "dido," but hearing that she was no longer there, had gone away. he gazed about the room, his round eyes blinking with the bright light after having come out of darkness, and, with a flourish of his hat, he bowed to the ladies. "beg pardon," he said, in a nervous tone; "but i've come to ask where miss manners is." "she has gone to see her guardian, mr bosley, who has been taken seriously ill at portsmouth," answered mrs granville. "no, she ain't, ma'am," he exclaimed, throwing his hat down on the ground with vehemence; "mr bosley isn't ill, and isn't at portsmouth, and miss manners isn't with him, for i'm just come from ryde, and there i saw him as well as ever he was in his life, and he begged that i would come and ask what has become of her. your servants this morning told me that she wasn't here, so i made sure that she'd gone back to ryde, and started off to look after her." we were now seriously alarmed at what we had heard, as were the rest of the party in a less degree. nothing more could we elicit from mr ribbons, though miss granville convinced him that the account she gave of miss manners's departure was true, and it appeared too certain that she had been carried off for some reason or other by miles sandgate. i could have staked my existence that she had been as much deceived by him as were her friends. i need not attempt to describe what were harcourt's feelings on finding that his worst suspicions were more than realised. she was in sandgate's power, and his vessel was large enough for him to carry her to any distant part of the world. a bold and accomplished seaman as he was, he would not hesitate, of course, to run across the atlantic, and with the start of upwards of twenty-four hours which he had, it would be impossible to hope to overtake him, even if we could sail at once; but without a good supply of water and provisions, it would be madness to attempt to follow him. this, however, as soon as by possibility we could, we determined to do. ribbons wanted to come also, but we recommended him to employ his vessel in a different direction to ours; and while i was busy in collecting provisions and stores, harcourt made inquiries among all the boatmen and revenue people to learn any thing about the "rover," and what course she had steered on leaving cowes. the wind, it appeared, had been from the eastward, and as the tide was ebbing, she must have gone to the westward, and could not have got round by the nab. at first he could learn nothing about her; but after some time he met a man who had watched her getting under way, and, after she had stood across as if turning up towards portsmouth, had seen her, or a vessel exactly like her, keep away and run past cowes, in the direction he supposed. one of the revenue-men, who had been on duty in the guard-boat, had boarded her, and her people said they were bound for cherbourg. harcourt found, also, that her character was suspected, and that a revenue-cutter was on the watch for her. this circumstance, he conjectured, if he could fall in with the cutter, would give him the best chance of learning the course she had steered. i believe that he ought to have called in the aid of the law, but of that he did not think; as soon as he found that he could gain no further information about the "rover," he came to assist us in getting the "amethyst" ready for sea. we also shipped six additional hands, and some cutlasses and pistols, for we felt certain that, should we fall in with sandgate at sea, he would resist an attempt to rescue emily from his power. by twelve o'clock at night our preparations were completed, and we determined, in the first place, to run across to cherbourg, on the bare possibility of his having gone there, to complete his own supplies for a long voyage. at the same time, we dispatched little ribbons in the "dido," to look into every port along the coast, and to wait for us at penzance. miss granville, with much judgment, undertook to send to every place to the eastward, and to let mr bosley know, that he might take the proper measures to search for the daring scoundrel. i need not say that harcourt was in a perfect fever of excitement, and we were little less calm, particularly o'malley, whose indignation at sandgate's conduct knew no bounds, especially as he had acknowledged him as an acquaintance, and introduced him to harcourt. little ribbons showed that there was something good beneath the mass of absurdity, vanity, and vulgarity which enveloped him, by the eagerness with which he undertook the task we had assigned him; although he must have been pretty well convinced that he had no chance of winning the hand of the young lady, and we verily believed that, should he fall in with sandgate, he would attack him, even with the fearful odds he would have against him. the weather was clear, and the stars and moon shone bright from the sky, as, with a fine fresh breeze from the eastward, and an ebb tide, we got under way and ran through the needles. we then hauled up, and shaped a course for cherbourg, for we had no other clew by which to steer than the vague report that the "rover" had gone there. we thought also that sandgate would very probably have selected that place, as being the nearest french port to the english coast, and one into which he might at all times run, and from which he might as easily escape. for the sake of his victim he would probably go there, in the hopes that she might agree to the object, whatever it might be, which had induced him to venture on the atrocious exploit of carrying her off. we had understood that she was an almost portionless girl, so that her fortune could not have been the temptation: in fact, we were completely in the dark, and it was a subject too delicate and painful to discuss. the wind held fair, and at daybreak we were running across the channel at the rate of eight knots an hour. just before sunrise, when the horizon is often the clearest, i went aloft to discover if any vessels coming from the direction we were steering for were in sight, to give me any information for the chase, but not a sail was visible anywhere ahead of us, though several were seen off island. for the next three or four hours not a cutter was seen, though many square-rigged vessels were standing down channel. almost worn out with mental and physical exertion, harcourt threw himself into his berth, while i took charge of the deck, and promised to have him called should there be any vessel in sight either like the chase or from which we might gain any information about her. he had not been asleep an hour, when he heard a hail, and jumping on deck, just as o'malley was coming to call him, he found that we were hove-to close to a revenue-cutter, and that i had ordered a boat to be lowered ready to go on board her. he jumped in with me, and in another minute we were on the deck of the cutter. her commander was excessively courteous, and ready to do every thing we might propose to overhaul the "rover." from him i found that the information i had gained about sandgate was correct; and he told us that, according to his orders, he had followed the "rover" at a distance, so as not to excite suspicion, and that he had seen her yesterday afternoon enter cherbourg harbour, where, supposing she would remain for some time, he had again stood off during the night. "then to a certainty she is still there!" exclaimed harcourt, in a tone which somewhat surprised the officer. the plan he instantly formed was to run in directly it was dusk, while the cutter remained in the offing, and to get alongside the "rover" before sandgate could have time to carry miss manners on shore. we thus should not lose much time, for the wind had fallen considerably, and we could scarcely expect to reach the mouth of the harbour before dark. the best formed plans are, however, liable to failure, particularly at sea; and as we got well in with the land, just put off point querqueville, it fell almost calm. there was still, however, a light air at times, which sent the cutter through the water, so that by degrees we drew in with the shore. we must have been for some time visible from the heights before it grew dark. the flood-tide was now sweeping us up to the eastward, and before we could get through the western passage we were carried past the breakwater. the large fires lighted by the workmen engaged on that stupendous work dazzled our eyes so much, that we were almost prevented from seeing the entrance, and they totally disabled us from watching the western passage. at last, however, the wind freshened up, and we ran inside the breakwater. the moon had by this time risen, and we could see across that fine sheet of water, which, in extent and the shelter it affords to a fleet, rivals plymouth sound. harcourt's impatience was excessive. we did not anchor; but as there was a light wind we kept cruising about among the men-of-war and large steamers lying there, in the hopes of finding the "rover" brought up among them. in vain, however, did we search; she was nowhere to be seen. at last we determined to go on shore, and endeavour to learn whether the "rover" had been there at all. pulling up between two fine stone piers, we landed at the end of the inner harbour, and repaired at once to the house of monsieur m--, who obligingly assisted us in making the inquiries i desired. after some time we met a person who asserted that he had observed the "rover" at anchor that very evening. "even with this light you can see her from the end of the pier," he observed; "come, i will show you where she is." we hurried to the spot, but the space where she had been was vacant. that she had not entered the inner harbour, monsieur m--was certain, as she could not have come without his knowledge. baffled, but still determined to continue the pursuit, we returned on board; and i was convinced that we had been seen from the shore before dark, and that sandgate, suspecting we had come in quest of him, had slipped out by the western entrance while we were still outside the breakwater. on making inquiries among other vessels anchored near where the "rover" had lain, we found that, as we suspected, a vessel answering her description had got under way at the very time we supposed, and had stood off to the westward. after holding another consultation, we came to the conclusion that sandgate would certainly avoid the open sea, and keep along the french coast, and we thought it probable would make for jersey or guernsey. at all events, thither we determined to run. again we were under sail, and by the time we got clear of the harbour the wind had shifted round to the westward of north, and as the ebb had then made, we suspected sandgate would take advantage of the tide, and run through the race of alderney. we calculated, however, that by the time we could reach it, we should have the full force of that rapid current in our favour, whereas he would only have the commencement of it. no one on board turned in, for the weather was too threatening, the passage we were about to attempt too dangerous, and the time too exciting, to allow us to think of sleep. as we brought the bright light of cape la hogue a little before the larboard beam, the wind increased considerably, and we began to feel the short, broken sea of the race. every moment it increased; rapidly the water rose and fell in white-topped pyramids, leaping high above our bulwarks, and threatening to tumble on board and overwhelm us with its weight. the hatches were battened down and every thing well secured on deck; and well it was so, for sea after sea came leaping over the side, now on the quarter, then over the bows, and now again amidships. it was impossible to say where it would strike the vessel, for not the best steering could avoid it; yet on we flew with the fast rising breeze, rolling and pitching and tumbling, the water foaming and roaring, and literally drenching us with spray even when we avoided the heavier seas. the moon, too, which shone forth on the wild tumult of waters, rather increased the awfulness of the scene, by exhibiting to us the dangers which surrounded us on every side; yet so clear were the lights, both of la hogue on the left and the casquets on the right, that we had no difficulty in steering our course. the dark outline of the small island of sark at last appeared in sight on the starboard beam, and in order to avoid the wild shoal of the dirouilles rocks, towards which the early flood sets, we hauled up more to the westward. still urged onward by the terrific force of the tide, we continued plunging through the mad waters, till daybreak showed us the island of jersey right ahead, and guernsey on our weather beam. so strong was the current, however, that we had drifted considerably to the east, and in the grey light of the morning, not a cable's length from us, appeared the dark heads of the dirouilles, while on the starboard hand the sea, in masses of foam, was breaking over the equally terrific rocks of the paternosters. the wind had now got so far to the westward, and the tide set so strong against us, that finding we were drifting bodily to leeward, we ran close in-shore, and dropped our anchor in a romantic little cove called bouley bay, on the north-east coast of jersey. there was a narrow sandy beach, on which a few boats were drawn up, and a narrow ravine leading down to it, while on either side lofty cliffs towered high above our heads. on the side of the ravine was situated a small hotel, the master of which came off to us as soon as he saw us standing into the bay. to the first question i put to him, as to whether he had seen any vessel off the coast that morning, he told us that at break of day he had been to the top of the cliffs, and had observed a cutter standing between the paternosters and the land, and that he thought it probable she would be able to double cape grosnez before the tide made against her, in which case she would have little difficulty in getting round to st. helier's, if she happened to be bound there. "if she is, we shall catch her to a certainty," exclaimed o'malley; and he forthwith volunteered to go across the island to try what he could do; and i proposed accompanying him, as i thought i might be of assistance in getting hold of sandgate. of course harcourt gladly assented to our offer, although he determined himself to remain in the vessel. i have not described harcourt's feelings all this time;--his hopes and fears, his eager excitement, as he thought the "rover" was within his reach--his dread lest his emily should have suffered injury or alarm-- they were too intense for utterance. as soon as the "amethyst" had made sail, o'malley and i started away across the little island as fast as our legs could carry us. we should have hired horses or a carriage, but none were to be procured at the quiet little spot where we landed, so we resolved to trust to our own feet, of which we had by no means lost the use, as the way we made them move over the ground gave full evidence. as soon as we reached st. helier's, we hurried down to the pier, when, to our infinite satisfaction, we beheld the "rover" at anchor in the outer roads. we immediately hurried off to the authorities to give information, and to procure assistance to rescue miss manners. on our way we suddenly came upon the villain of whom we were in search,--sandgate himself. something made him turn round, and he caught sight of us. without a moment's hesitation he darted off towards the quay, where a boat was in waiting, and jumping into her, pulled towards the cutter. he had every reason to fear, we learned; for on his appearance in the morning he had been narrowly watched by the revenue officers, who suspected that some smuggling business had attracted him to the island. such in fact was the case, as he had gone there to settle with his agents, and to procure certain stores before he commenced the long voyage he contemplated, little thinking that we should so soon have been able to track him thither. before we had been able to engage a boat he had got on board, and the "rover" was under way for the westward. i have an idea that some of the boatmen were in league with him. at all events, they seemed to think that it was their business to impede us as much as possible, and to do their best to help the hunted fox to escape. such a feeling is very general among that class. the more eagerness and impatience we exhibited, the more difficulties they threw in our way; and it was not till the "rover" was well clear of the harbour, and pursuit hopeless, that we could obtain a boat. we got one at last, and jumping into it, asked the men to pull away out of the harbour. much to their vexation and to our satisfaction, we in a short time caught sight of our friend's cutter. she had just got off elizabeth castle, which stands on a rocky point, isolated at high water from the mainland. she hove-to, and in a few minutes we jumped on board, and gave harcourt the information we had obtained on shore, and pointed out in the distance a sail which we had little doubt was the "rover." harcourt then told us that after we had started overland, he had remained two hours at anchor, and then shipping an old pilot, in a welsh wig, who only spoke jersey french--the oddest _patois_ he ever heard--he got under way for st. helier's. the "amethyst" beat along that rocky and lofty coast, inside the paternosters, till she rounded cape grosnez--which, as she had had a fresh breeze, she had done without much difficulty. she was then kept away, passing the rugged and threatening rocks of the corbiere, rounding which with a flowing sheet, she was headed in among an archipelago of hidden dangers towards the town of st. helier's. as they were passing the corbiere, harcourt observed a cutter standing away to the westward, as if she had come out of st. aubin's bay. he pointed her out to griffiths, but she was too far off to distinguish what she was, and he was unwilling to make chase till we had ascertained whether sandgate had been there. he accordingly stood on, eager to receive our report. our first act was to tumble the pilot into the shore-boat, and make chase after the cutter harcourt had before observed. she had a very long start, but we trusted to the chances the winds and tides might afford us to come up with her--yet we could not but see that she had many more in her favour to aid her escape. there were, however, still some hours of daylight, and as long as we could keep her in sight, we need not despair. from the course she was steering, as much to the westward as she could lay up with the wind as it then stood, we felt certain that our worst suspicions would be realised, and that sandgate fully intended to run across to america, or to some other distant land. never had the "amethyst" before carried such a press of sail as she now staggered under; but little would it have availed us had the wind, which came in uncertain currents, not shifted round to the northward, while the "rover" still had the breeze as before. it continued, however, increasing till we could no longer bear our gaff-topsail, and so much had we overhauled the chase, that, at sundown, we were within two miles of her. now came the most critical time; as before the moon rose it would scarcely be possible to keep her in sight, and sandgate would not fail to profit by the darkness if he could, to effect his escape--he, also, having the wind exactly as we had it, now sailed as fast as we did. so exciting had become the chase, even to those least interested in it, that every man kept the deck, and with so many well-practised eyes, argus-like, fixed on her, any movement she made would scarcely escape us. the sky was clear, and the stars shone bright, but the wind whistled shrilly, and the foam flew over us, as the little craft, heeling over on her gunwale, plunged and tore through the foaming and tumbling waves. thus passed hour after hour. if the "rover" hauled up, so did we; if she kept away, the movement was instantly seen and followed by us, though all the time, as o'malley observed, he could not, for the life of him, make out any thing but a dark shadow with a scarcely defined form stalking like an uneasy ghost before us; as to know what she was about, it passed his comprehension how we discovered it. that she was, however, increasing her distance we became at length aware, by the difficulty we experienced in seeing her, and at last the shadowy form faded into air. every one on board uttered an exclamation of disappointment, and some swore deeply, if not loudly. "can no one make her out?" harcourt asked. the seamen peered through the darkness. "there she is on the weather-bow," sung out one. "i think i see her right ahead still," said another. "no: i'm blowed if that ain't her on the lee-bow there," was the exclamation of a third. one thing only was certain, she was not to be seen. we determined, however, to keep the same course we had been before steering, and as the moon would rise shortly, we trusted again to sight her. the intervening hour was one of great anxiety; and when, at last, the crescent moon, rising from her watery bed, shed her light upon the ocean, we looked eagerly for the chase. right ahead there appeared a sail, but what she was it was impossible to say; she might be the "rover," or she might be a perfect stranger. on still we steered due west, for, although we felt that our chance of overtaking sandgate was slight indeed, yet our only hope remained in keeping a steady course. thus we continued all night; and the moment the first streaks of light appeared in the sky, harcourt was at the masthead eagerly looking out for the chase. far as the eye could reach, not a sail was to be seen; there was no sign of land, nothing was visible but the grey sky and the lead-coloured water. still harcourt remained at his post, for he dared not acknowledge to himself that emily was lost to him for ever. in vain he strained his eyes, till the sun rose and cast his beams along the ocean. a white object glistened for a moment ahead; it might have been the wing of a sea-fowl, but as he watched, there it remained, and he felt certain that it was the head of a cutter's mainsail. taking the bearings of the sail, he descended on deck, and, as a last hope, steered towards it, sending a hand on the cross-trees to watch her movements. the wind fortunately, as it proved to us, was variable, and thus we again neared the chase. as we rose her hull, griffiths pronounced her to be of the size of the "rover," if not the "rover" herself. "well, we'll do our best to overhaul her," i exclaimed; "set the gaff-topsail. the craft must bear it." and, pressed to her utmost, the little "amethyst" tore through the foaming waves. thus we went on the whole day, till towards the evening the chase again ran us completely out of sight. the wind, also, was falling away, and at sundown there was almost a complete calm. still the vessel had steerage-way, so we kept the same course as before. at length i threw myself on a sofa in the cabin. i know not how long i had slept, when i was awoke by feeling the yacht once more springing livelily through the water. i jumped on deck without awaking o'malley, who was on the opposite sofa. the morning was just breaking, and, by the faint light of the early dawn, i perceived a large dark object floating at some distance ahead of us. "what is that?" i exclaimed to griffiths, who had charge of the deck. "a dismasted ship, sir," was the answer. "i have seen her for some time, and as she lay almost in our course, i steered for her, as i thought as how you'd like to overhaul her, sir." "you did well," i answered. "rouse all hands, and see a boat clear for boarding her. but what is that away there just beyond the wreck? by heavens, it's the `rover,' and becalmed too. grant the wind may not reach her!" awoke by hearing the people called, harcourt and o'malley were by my side. i pointed out the wreck and the cutter to them. "well," exclaimed o'malley, "the big ship there may still float, but the breeze which has been sending us along, may at last reach the sails of the `rover;' so i propose we make sure of her first." to our joy, however, we found that the wind, instead of reaching her, was gradually falling away, and by the time we were up with the wreck, the sea was as calm as a sheet of glass. we were in hopes also that keeping, as we had done, the wreck between us and the "rover," we might have escaped observation, and in the grey light of morning we might come upon her unawares. there were several people on board the ship, who cheered as they saw assistance at hand; and reason they had to be glad, for from the clear streams of water which gushed from her sides, they had evidently great labour to keep her afloat. no time was to be lost, the gig was soon in the water, and harcourt, o'malley, and i, with eight men fully armed, pulled towards the "rover," while old griffiths, the master, boarded the ship in the other boat. my friend's heart beat quick as we neared the cutter. she was the "rover," there was no doubt, but whether sandgate would attempt to defend his vessel was the question. a moment more would solve it. we dashed alongside; the men, stowed away in the bottom of the boat, sprang up, and before the crew of the "rover" had time to defend themselves, we were on board. except the man at the helm and the look-out forward, the watch on deck were all asleep, and those two, as it afterwards appeared, were glad to see us approach. the noise awoke sandgate, who, springing on deck, found himself confronted by o'malley and me, while half his crew were in the power of my people, and the fore-hatch was battened over the rest. a pistol he had seized in his hurry was in his hand; he pointed it at my breast, but it missed fire; on finding which, he dashed it down on the deck, and before we could seize him, retreated forward, where some of his crew rallied round him. with fear and hope alternately racking his bosom, harcourt hurried below. he pronounced his own name; the old nurse opened the door of the main cabin--a fair girl was on her knees at prayer. she sprang up, and seeing him, forgetful of all else, fell weeping in his arms. i shall pass over all she told him, except that sandgate had behaved most respectfully to her, informing her, however, that he should take her to the united states, where she must consent to marry him, and that, on their return to england, he would put her in possession of a large fortune, to which by some means he had discovered she was heiress, and which had induced him to run off with her. it was, i afterwards learned, his last stake, as the reduction of duties no longer enabled him to make a profit by smuggling; and as he had no other means of supporting his extravagant habits, he was a ruined man. sandgate's people seemed resolved to stand by him, but not to proceed to extremities, or to offer any opposition to our carrying off miss manners and her attendant. he evidently was doing all he could to induce them to support him; and i believe, had he possessed the power, he would, without the slightest compunction, have hove us all over board, and carried off his prize in spite of us. as it was, he could do nothing but gnash his teeth and scowl at us with unutterable hatred. handing the young lady and the old nurse into the boat, we pulled away from the "rover." of course, we should have wished to have secured sandgate; but as we had come away without any legal authority to attempt so doing, we saw that it would be wiser to allow him to escape. we should probably have overpowered him and his lawless crew, but then the females might have been hurt in the scuffle, and we were too glad to recover them uninjured to think at the moment of the calls of justice. what was our surprise, as harcourt handed her on to the deck of the yacht, to see her rush forward into the arms of an old gentleman who stood by the companion-hatch. "my own emily!" he exclaimed, as he held her to his heart. it was colonel manners. "my father!" burst from her lips. a young lady was reclining on the hatch near him; she rose as she saw emily, and they threw themselves on each other's neck. "my sister!" they both exclaimed, and tears of joy started to their eyes. there were several other strangers on board, who, by griffiths' exertions, had been removed from the wreck. our boats were busily employed in removing the others, for there was no time to lose, as the ship was settling fast in the water. all the people being placed in safety, we proceeded to remove the articles of greatest value and smallest bulk on board the two vessels, which became then very much loaded, when, a breeze springing up, another sail hove in sight: she bore down towards us, and, in a short time, the little fat figure of mr warwick ribbons graced the deck of the "amethyst." his delight at seeing emily in safety was excessive, but, though he looked sentimental, he said nothing; and, when he heard that the colonel was alive, and that there was another sister in the case, his face elongated considerably. from motives of charity, i hurried him, with several of the passengers and part of the cargo, on board the "dido," and the three vessels made sail together for falmouth. just as we were leaving the ship, a deep groan issued from her hold, and, her head inclining towards the water, she slowly glided down into the depths of the ocean. landing all our passengers at falmouth, except the colonel and his daughters, we had a quick run to cowes. colonel manners established his claim to his property. o'malley had made such good use of his time during the voyage, that he won the heart and hand of julia manners; while, as may be suspected, emily owned, that if harcourt loved her, their affection was reciprocal; and the same day saw them joined respectively together in holy matrimony. such was the result of my friend harcourt's summer cruise, and i think you will all agree that the narrative is not altogether unworthy of the name of a romance. the last time i saw little ribbons he was on board the "dido," which lay high and dry on the mud off ryde, and i afterwards heard that he married a miss bosley, who, i conclude, was a daughter of old bosley's. "and what became of the rascal sandgate?" exclaimed hearty; "by neptune! i should like to come up with the fellow, and to lay my craft alongside his till i had blown her out of the water. fancy a scoundrel in the nineteenth century venturing to run off with a young lady!" we laughed at his vehemence. hearty always spoke under a generous impulse. "oh, it's not the first case of the sort i have heard of," said carstairs; "more than one has occurred within the last few years in ireland; but i agree with hearty, that i should like to catch mr sandgate, for the sake of giving him a good thrashing. though i hadn't the pleasure of knowing miss manners, every man of honour should take a satisfaction in punishing such a scoundrel." bubble and porpoise responded heartily to the sentiment, and so strong a hold did the account take of the minds of all the party, that we talked ourselves into the idea that it would be our lot to fall in with sandgate, and to inflict the punishment he had before escaped. "will bubble had taken an active part in fitting out the yacht, and in selecting most of the crew; he consequently was on rather more intimate terms with them than the rest of us; not that it was the intimacy which breeds contempt, but he took a kindly interest in their welfare, and used to talk to them about their families, and the past incidents of their lives. indeed, under a superficial coating of frivolity and egotism, i discovered that bubble possessed a warm and generous heart,--fully alive to the calls of humanity. i do not mean to say that the coating was not objectionable; he would have been by far a superior character without it. indeed, perhaps all i ought to say is, that he was capable of better things than those in which he too generally employed his time. he returned aft one day from a visit forward, and told us he had discovered that several of the men were first-rate yarn-spinners. the master," said he, "seems a capital hand; but old sleet beats all the others hollow. if it would not be subversive of all discipline, i wish you would come forward and hear them in the forecastle as one caps the other's tale with something more wonderful still." "i don't think that would quite do," said hearty; "if we could catch them on deck spinning their yarns, it would be very well. but, at all events, i will invite snow, into the cabin and consult him." according to hearty's proposal, he invited snow down. "mr snow," said hearty, "we hear that some of the people forward are not bad hands at spinning yarns, and, if you could manage it, we should be glad to hear them, but it would never do to send for them aft for the purpose." "you are right, sir, they would become tongue-tied to a certainty," answered snow; "just let me alone, and i will manage to catch some of them in the humour. several of them have been engaged, one time or another, in the free-trade, and have some curious things to tell about it." "but i thought smuggling had been knocked on the head long ago," observed hearty. "oh, no, sir! of late years a very considerable blow has been struck against it; but even now some people find inducements to follow it," answered the master. "i found it out to be a bad trade many years ago, and very few of those i know who still carry it on do more than live, and live very badly too; some of them spending many a month out of the year in prison, and that is not where an honest man would wish to be." however, i have undertaken to chronicle the adventures of the "frolic," and of those who dwelt on board her, so that i must not devote too much of our time to the yarns, funs, witticisms, and anecdotes and good sayings with which we banished any thing like tedium during our voyage. no blue devils could stand for an instant such powerful exorcisms. it was not, however, till some time after this that we benefited by snow's inquiries among the crew. chapter twelve. the "frolic" in a gale, in which the frolickers see no fun--a sail in sight--her fate--an unexpected increase to the crew--bubble shows that he can think and feel--intelligence obtained. "what sort of weather are we going to have, snow?" asked hearty, as we came on deck after dinner one afternoon, when the cutter was somewhere about the middle of the bay of biscay. "dirty, sir, dirty!" was the unenlivening answer, as the old master looked with one eye to windward, which just then was the south-west. in that direction thick clouds were gathering rapidly together, and hurrying headlong towards us, like, as carstairs observed, "a band of fierce barbarians, rushing like a torrent down upon the plain." the sea grew darker and darker in hue, and then flakes of foam, white as the driven snow, blew off from the hitherto smooth surface of the ocean. the sea rose higher and higher, and the cutter, close-hauled, began to pitch into, them with an uneasy motion, subversive of the entire internal economy of landsmen. "the sooner we get the canvas off her the better, now, sir," said snow to porpoise, who had come on deck after calculating our exact position on the charts. "as soon as you like," was the answer. "we shall have to heave-to, i suspect; but that little matters, as we have plenty of sea-room out here, and she may dance away for a fortnight with the helm a-lee, and come to no harm." the topmast was struck; the jib was taken in, and a storm-jib set; the foresail was handed, and the mainsail meantime was closely reefed. relieved for a time, she breasted the seas more easily; but the wind had not yet reached its strength. before nightfall down came the gale upon us with all its fury; the cutter heeled over to it as she dashed wildly through the waves. "the sooner we get the mainsail altogether off her the better, sir," said snow. this was accordingly done, and the trysail was set instead, and the helm lashed a-lee. "there; we are as snug and comfortable as possible," exclaimed porpoise, as the operation was completed. "now all hands may turn in and go to sleep till the gale is over." the landsmen looked rather blue. "very funny notion this of comfort!" exclaimed carstairs, who had the worst sea-going inside of any of the party. "oh, oh, oh! is it far from the shore?" "couldn't get there, sir, if any one was to offer ten thousand guineas," said snow. "we are better as we are, sir, out here--by very far." the cutter, which in cowes harbour people spoke of as a fine large craft, now looked and felt very like a mere cockle-shell, as she pitched and tumbled about amid the mighty waves of the atlantic. "don't you feel very small, carstairs?" exclaimed hearty, as he sat convulsively grasping the sides of the sofa in the cabin. "yes, faith, i do," answered the gentle giant, who lay stretched out opposite to him. "never felt so very little since i was a baby in long-clothes. i say, porpoise, i thought you told me that the bay of biscay was always smooth at this time of the year." "so it should be," replied our fat captain. "no rule without an exception though; but never mind, it will soon roll itself quiet; and then the cutter will do her best to make up for lost time." the person evidently most at his ease was will bubble. blow high or blow low, it seemed all the same to him; he sang and whistled away as happily as ever. "oh, oh, oh! you jolly dog, don't mock us in our misery!" exclaimed carstairs with a groan. "on no account," answered will, with a demure look. "i'll betake myself to the dock, and smoke my weed in quiet." on deck he went, and seated himself on the companion-hatch, where he held on by a becket secured for the purpose; but as to smoking a cigar, that was next to an impossibility, for the wind almost blew the leaves into a flame. i was glad to go on deck, also; for the skylights being battened down made the cabin somewhat close. the cutter rode like a wild fowl over the heavy seas, which, like dark walls crested with foam, came rolling up as if they would ingulf her. just as one with threatening aspect approached her, she would lift her bows with a spring, and anon it would be found that she had sidled up to the top of it. it was a wild scene--to a landsman it must have appeared particularly so. the dark, heavy clouds close overhead; the leaden seas, not jumping and leaping as in shallow waters, but rising and falling, with majestic deliberation, in mountain masses, forming deep valleys and lofty ridges, from the summits of which, high above our heads, the foam was blown off in sheets of snowy whiteness with a hissing sound, interrupted by the loud flop of the seas as they dashed together. we were not the only floating thing within the compass of vision. far away i could see to windward, as the cutter rose to the top of a sea, the canvas of a craft as we were hove-to. she was a small schooner, and though we undoubtedly were as unsteady as she was, it seemed impossible, from the way she was tumbling about, that any thing could hold together on board her. i had rejoined the party in the cabin, when an exclamation from bubble called us all on deck. "the schooner has bore up, and is running down directly for us!" he exclaimed. so it was; and in hot haste she seemed indeed. "something is the matter on board that craft," said porpoise, who had been looking at her through his glass. "yes, she has a signal of distress flying." "the lord have mercy on the hapless people on board, then!" said i. "small is the help we or any one else can afford them." "if we don't look out, she'll be aboard us, sir," sung out snow. "to my mind, she's sprung a leak, and the people aboard are afraid she'll go down." "stand by to make sail on the cutter; and put the helm up," cried porpoise. "we must not let her play us that trick, at all events." on came the little schooner, directly down for us, staggering away under a close-reefed fore-topsail, the seas rolling up astern, and threatening every instant to wash completely over her. how could her crew expect that we could aid them? still it was evidently their only hope of being saved--remote as was the prospect. they might expect to be able to heave-to again under our lee, and to send a boat aboard us. the danger was that in their terror they might run us down, when the destruction of both of us was certain. we stood all ready to keep the cutter away, dangerous as was the operation--still it was the least perilous of two alternatives. we were, as may be supposed, attentively watching every movement of the schooner; so close had she come that we could see the hapless people on board stretching out their arms, as if imploring that aid which we had no power to afford them. on a sudden they threw up their hands; a huge sea came roaring up astern of them; they looked round at it--we could fancy that we almost saw their terror-stricken countenances, and heard their cry of despair. down it came, thundering on her deck; the schooner made one plunge into the yawning gulf before her. will she rise to the next sea? "where is she?" escaped us all. with a groan of horror we replied to our own question--"she's gone!" down, down she went before our very eyes--her signal of distress fluttering amid the seething foam, the last of her we saw. perhaps her sudden destruction was the means of our preservation. some dark objects were still left floating amid the foam; they were human beings struggling for life; the sea tossed them madly about--now they were together, now they were separated wide asunder. two were washed close to us; we could see the despairing countenance of one poor fellow; his staring eye-balls; his arms outstretched as he strove to reach us. in vain; his strength was unequal to the struggle; the sea again washed him away, and he sunk before our sight. his companion still strove on; a sea dashed towards us; down it came on our deck. "hold on, hold on, my lads!" sung out porpoise. it was well that all followed the warning, or had we not, most certainly we should have been washed overboard. the lively cutter, however, soon rose again to the top of the sea, shaking herself like a duck after a dive beneath the surface. as i looked around to ascertain that all hands were safe, i saw a stranger clinging to the shrouds. i with others rushed to haul him in, and it was with no little satisfaction that we found that we had been the means of rescuing one of the crew of the foundered schooner from a watery grave. the poor fellow was so exhausted that he could neither speak nor stand, so we carried him below, and stripping off his wet clothes, put him between a couple of warm blankets. by rubbing his body gently, and pouring down a few drops of hot brandy and water, he was soon recovered. he seemed very grateful for what had been done for him, and his sorrow was intensely severe when he heard that no one else of the schooner's crew had been saved. "ay, it's more than such a fellow as i deserve!" he remarked. i was much struck by his frank and intelligent manners, when having got on a suit of dry clothes, he was asked by hearty into the cabin, to give an account of the catastrophe which had just occurred. "you see, gentlemen," said he, "the schooner was a levant trader. her homeward-bound cargoes were chiefly figs, currants, raisins, and such-like fruit. a better sea-boat never swam. i shipped aboard her at smyrna last year, and had made two voyages in her before this here event occurred. we were again homeward-bound, and had made fine weather of it till we were somewhere abreast of cape finisterre, when we fell in with some baddish weather, in which our boats and caboose were washed away; and besides this, we received other damage to hull and rigging. we were too much knocked about to hope to cross the bay in safety, so we put into corunna to refit. the schooner leaked a little, though we thought nothing of it, and as we could not get at the leak, as soon as we had got the craft somewhat to rights, we again put to sea. we had been out three days when this gale sprang up, and the master thought it better to heave the vessel to, that she might ride it out. the working of the craft very soon made the leak increase; all hands went to the pumps, but the water gained on us, and as a last chance the master determined to run down to you, in the hopes that before the schooner went down, some of us might be able to get aboard you. you saw what happened. oh, gentlemen! may you never witness the scene on board that vessel, as we all looked into each other's faces, and felt that every hope was gone! it was sad to see the poor master, as he stood there on the deck of the sinking craft, thinking of his wife and seven or eight little ones at home whom he was never to see again, and whom he knew would have to struggle in poverty with the hard world! he was a good, kind man; and to think of me being saved,--a wild, careless chap, without any one to care for him, who cares for nobody, and who has done many a wild, lawless deed in his life, and who, maybe, will do many another! i can't make it out; it passes my notion of things." will bubble had been listening attentively to the latter part of the young seaman's account of himself. he walked up to him with an expression of feeling i did not expect to see, seemingly forgetful that any one else was present, and took his hand: "god in his mercy preserved you for better things, that you might repent of your follies and vices, and serve him in future. oh, on your knees offer up your heartfelt thanks to him for all he has done for you!" hearty and carstairs opened their eyes with astonishment as they heard will speaking. "why, bubble, what have?" began hearty. "i have been thinking," was the answer; "i had time while you fellows lay sick; and i bethought me how very easily this little cockle-shell might go down and take up its abode among the deposits of this adamite age,"--will was somewhat of a geologist,--"and how very little we all were prepared to enter a pure state of existence." "that's true, sir," said the seaman, not quite understanding, however, bubble's remarks; "that's just what i thought before the schooner sank. i am grateful to god, sir; but, howsomdever, i feel that i am a very bad, good-for-nothing chap." "try to be better, my friend; you'll have help from above if you ask for it," said bubble, resuming his seat. "why, where did you get all that from?" asked carstairs, languidly; "i didn't expect to hear you preach, old fellow." "i got it from my bible," answered bubble. "i'm very sure that's the only book of sailing directions likely to put a fellow on a right course, and to keep him there, so i hope in future to steer mine by it; but i don't wish to be preaching. it's not my vocation, and a harum-scarum, careless fellow as i am is not fitted for it; only all i ask of those present is to think--to think of their past lives; how they have employed their time--whether in the way for which they were sent into the world to employ it, in doing all the good to their fellow-creatures they can; or in selfish gratification; and to think of the future, that future without an end--to think if they are fitted for it--for its pure joys--its never-ending study of god's works; to think whether they have any claim to enter into realms of glory--of happiness." will sprang on deck as he ceased speaking. he had evidently worked himself up to utter these sentiments, so different to any we should have conceived him to have possessed. i never saw a party of gentlemen more astonished, if not disconcerted. had not tom martin, the young seaman just saved, been present, i do not know what might have been said. still the truth, the justice, the importance of what bubble had said, struck us all, though perhaps we thought him just a little touched in the upper story, to venture on thus giving expression to his feelings. while tom martin had been giving an account of himself, i had been watching his countenance, and it struck me that i had seen him somewhere before. "you've been a yachtsman, i think," i observed; "i have known your face, i am sure." "yes, sir," said he, frankly; "and, if i mistake not, i know yours. i used to meet you at cowes last year; but the craft i belonged to i can't say was a yacht, though its owner called her one. i'm sure you gentlemen won't take advantage of any thing i say against me, and so i'll tell you all about the matter. the craft i speak of was the `rover' cutter, belonging to mr miles sandgate. i first shipped aboard her about three years ago; he gave high pay, and let us carry on aboard pretty much as we liked, when not engaged in his business. an old chum of mine, a man called ned holden, who was, i may say, born and bred a smuggler, first got me to join; there wasn't a dodge to do the revenue which ned wasn't up to, and he thought no more harm of smuggling than of eating his dinner. i didn't inquire how the `rover' was employed; she belonged to a gentleman who paid well, and that's all i asked, though i might have suspected something. she had just come from foreign parts, and the people who had then been in her talked of all sorts of curious things they had done. smuggling was just nothing to what she'd been about. mr sandgate seemed to have tried his hand at every thing. he had been out in the china seas, running opium among the long pigged-tailed gentlemen of that country. more than once he had some hot fighting with the government revenue-vessels, and several times he was engaged with the pirates, who swarm, they say, in those seas. i did not hear whether he made money out there, but after a time he got tired of the work, and shaped a course for england. on his way, after leaving the cape of good hope, he fell in with a craft, which he attacked and took. she was laden with goods of all sorts fitted for the markets in africa, and intended to be exchanged for slaves. besides them she had the irons, and all the other fittings for a slaver. such vessels sail without a protection from any government. after he had taken every thing he wanted, he hove the rest overboard, and then told the crew that he gave them their liberty, and that they might make the best of their way back to the parts from whence they came. with the goods he had thus obtained he stood for the slave-coast; he had acquaintance there, as everywhere else; indeed it would be difficult to say in what part of the world he would not find himself at home. he was not long in fitting the `rover' inside into a regular slave-vessel, but outside she looked as honest and harmless as any yacht. he ran up the gaboon, or one of those rivers on the slave-coast--i forget which exactly--where lived a certain don lopez mendoza, the greatest slave-dealer in those parts; besides which, as i heard say, it would be difficult to find anywhere a bigger villain. well, he and mr sandgate were hand-in-glove, and one would have done any thing for each other. they were fairly matched, you may depend on it; however that might be, the don took all the goods mr sandgate brought him, and asked no questions, and filled his vessel in return with a lot of prime slaves and water, and farina enough to carry them across to havana. as soon as he got them on board he was out of the river again, and, loosening his jib, away he went with some two hundred human souls stowed under hatches, in a craft fit to carry only thirty or forty in comfort. she had a quick run across, and escaped all the ships-of-war looking after slavers. mr sandgate there sold the blacks for a good round sum, and thought he had done a very clever thing. however, he does not seem to be a man to keep money, though he is ready enough to do many an odd thing to get it. he gave his crew a handsome share of the profits; he and they went ashore at the havana, and spent it as fast as they had made it, just in the old buccaneering style i've heard tell of, in all sorts of wild games and devilry, till i rather fancy the dons were glad to be rid of them. when their money was nearly all gone, they went aboard again and made sail. i don't mean to say but what i suppose mr sandgate had some left. he had also armed the cutter, and stored and provisioned her completely for a voyage round the world. "once more he stood across for the african coast. he had heard, it appears, that one of those store-ships i was speaking of, which supply slavers with goods and provisions, and irons and stores, was to be met with in a certain latitude. he fell in with her, and, without asking her leave or saying a word, he ran her alongside, and, before her people had time to stand to their arms, he had mastered every one of them. he never ill-treated any one, but he just clapped them in irons till he had rifled the vessel, and then, leaving them a somewhat scant supply of provisions and water, he, as before, told them that they were at liberty to make the best of their way home again. "some men would, perhaps, have gone back to the coast, taken in a cargo of slaves, and returned to the havana or the brazils, but our gentleman was rather too cautious to run any such risk. he knew that he had made enemies, who would try to prove him a pirate, with or without law; so he just goes off the gaboon, and sends in a note to his friend don lopez, to say that he had got a rich cargo for him, which he should have for so many dollars, two thousand or more below its value. the don, in return, despatched two or three small craft with the sum agreed on aboard, and all being found right and fair, the exchange was quickly made, and mr sandgate once more shaped a course for england. as you may suppose, every one was sworn to secrecy aboard; but, bless you, the sort of chaps he had got for a crew didn't much care for an oath; and besides, as it was that they mightn't say any thing out of the ship, they didn't mind talking about it to me and others who afterwards joined her. he brought home a good round sum of money; but he took it into his head to go up to london, and what with gambling and such-like ways, he soon managed to get rid of most of it. he had got tired, it seems, of having his neck constantly in a noose, so he took to the quieter occupation of smuggling. he didn't do it in the common way like the people along the coast, but in a first-rate style, like a gentleman. he had some relatives or other, rich silk merchants in london, and he undertook to supply them with goods to any amount, free of duty. there was nothing new in the plan, for it was an old dodge of this house, by which they had made most of their money. you would be surprised, gentlemen, to hear of the number of people employed in the business, and who well knew it was against the laws. first, there were the agents in france to buy the goods, and to have them packed in small bales fit for running; then they had to ship them; next there were the cutters and other craft to bring them over, and the people to assist at their landing; and the carters with their light carts to bring them up to london; and the clerks in the warehouse in london, many of whom knew full well that not a penny of duty had ever been paid on the goods; and the shop people too, who knew full well the same thing, as they could not otherwise have got their articles so cheap. it's a true saying, that one rascal makes many; and so it was in this case." much to the same effect tom told us about sandgate; but as with several of the points the readers are already acquainted, i need not repeat them. tom frankly acknowledged that he was on board the "rover" when sandgate attempted to carry off miss manners; but he seemed to be little aware of the enormity of the offence. he said that he fancied the young lady had come of her own free will, as sandgate had made the crew believe a tale to that effect. "but what became of him after that?" i asked, eagerly. "did he return to the coast of africa, and turn pirate again?" "no, sir," answered martin. "he had several plans of the sort though, i believe; but at last we stood for the rock of gibraltar, and ran through the straits into the mediterranean. we could not make out what mr sandgate was about. we touched at two or three places on the african coast, and he had some communication with the moors. to my mind, he scarcely knew himself what he would be at. he spoke and acted very often like a person out of his wits. sometimes we would be steering for a place, and our course would be suddenly altered, and we would go back to the port from whence we came. however, by degrees we got higher and higher up the mediterranean. we did not touch at malta, but stood on till we got among the greek islands: there he seemed quite at home, and was constantly having people aboard whom he treated as old friends. still we did nothing to make the vessel pay her way, and that was very unlike mr sandgate's custom. after a time we ran on to smyrna: we thought that we were going to take in a cargo of figs and raisins, and to return home. one day, however, a fine greek polacca-brig stood into the harbour, and mr sandgate, after examining her narrowly, went on board her. on his return, calling us together, he said that as he was going to sell the cutter, he should no longer have any need of our services; and that as he was very well pleased with the way we had more than once stuck by him, he would therefore add five pounds to the wages of each man. we all cheered him, and thought him a very fine fellow; and so i believe he would have been had he known what common honesty means. the `rover' was sold next day, and we all had to bundle on shore and look out for fresh berths. when we were there i heard some curious stories about that polacca-brig; and all i can say is, that if i had been aboard a merchantman and sighted her, i shouldn't have been comfortable till we got clear of her again. whether mr sandgate went away in her or not i cannot say for certain; all i know is, that the polacca-brig left smyrna in a few days. the crew of the `rover' joined different vessels, and though i was very often on shore, i saw no more of him. the rest of my story you know, gentlemen. i shipped on board the schooner which you lately saw go down." "very extraordinary story altogether," exclaimed hearty, as soon as tom martin had left the cabin, highly pleased with his treatment. "if you had not been able to corroborate some of it, brine, i certainly should not have felt inclined to believe it." "i know the circumstance of one quite as extraordinary," said porpoise. "some day i will tell it you if you wish it. i should not be surprised when we get up the straits if we hear more of mr sandgate and his doings. he is evidently a gentleman not addicted to be idle, though, clever as he is, he will some day be getting his neck into a halter." "i should think it was well fitted for one by this time," added carstairs; "but i say, porpoise, let us have your story at once; there's nothing like the present time for a good thing when it can be got, and we want something amusing to drive away all the bitter blue-devilish feelings which this confounded tumblefication of a sea has kicked up in our insides." "you shall have it, with all my heart, and without delay," added porpoise. "all i have first to say is, that as i was present during many of the scenes, and as descriptions of the others were given me, strange as the account may appear, it is as true as every thing we have just heard about that fellow sandgate. i could almost have fancied that he and the hero of my story were one and the same person." our curiosity being not a little excited by this prelude, in spite of the rolling and pitching of the vessel, seldom has a more attentive audience been collected, as our jovial companion began his story. chapter thirteen. lieutenant porpoise's story--the black slaver--the spanish maiden--the deserter's dream--the flight. the british cruiser. "keep a bright look-out, collins, and let me be called if any thing like a sail appears in sight," said captain staunton, as he was quitting the quarter-deck of his majesty's brig "sylph," which he had the honour to command. she was then stationed on the coast of africa. some years have passed by, it must be remembered, since the time to which i now allude. "ay, ay, sir," answered the first lieutenant, who was the officer addressed. "with so many sharp eyes on board it shall be hard if we miss seeing him, should he venture to approach the coast, and if we see him, harder still if he escape us." captain staunton descended to his cabin, and feverish and ill from long watching and the effects of the pestiferous climate, he threw himself into his cot, and endeavoured to snatch a few hours' repose, to better prepare himself for the fresh exertions he expected to be called on to make. but sleep, which kindly so seldom neglects to visit the seaman's eyelids, when wooed even amid the raging tempest, refused for some time to come at his call. "i would sacrifice many a year's pay to catch that fellow," he continued, as he soliloquised half aloud. "the monstrous villain! while he lives i feel that the stain yet remains on the cloth he once disgraced. we will yet show him that the honour of the service cannot be insulted with impunity, although he dares our vengeance by venturing among us when he knows every vessel on the station is on the watch for him. and yet i once regarded that man as a friend; i loved him almost as a brother, for i thought his heart beat with the most noble sentiments. i thought him capable of the like deeds; but all the time he must have been a most accomplished hypocrite, though still he has one good quality, he is brave, or perhaps, it may be, he possesses rather physical insensibility to danger and utter recklessness of all consequences. he started fairly in life, and at one time gave good promise of rising in his profession. i knew him to be wild and irreligious; but i fancied his faults arose from thoughtlessness and high spirit, and i hoped that experience of their ill effects and a good example would cure them; but i now see that vice, from an ill-regulated education, was deeply rooted in him, and, alas! has that good example which might have saved him always been set him? i fear not. ah! if those in command could foresee the dreadful results of their own acts, of their careless expressions, they would keep a better watch over themselves, and often shudder with horror at the crime and misery they have caused." with a prayer to heaven to enable him to avoid the faults of which he felt with pain that he had himself too often been guilty, the commander of the brig fell asleep. the officer of the watch, meantime, continued his walk on the quarter-deck, his thoughts taking a turn very similar to those of his chief, for they had often together discussed the subject, and the same train of ideas were naturally suggested by the same circumstance, as he also had known the person of whom the captain was thinking. the "sylph" was at this time some miles off the african coast, which, although not seen from the deck, was faintly distinguishable from the masthead; it appeared like a long blue line drawn on the ocean with a slight haze hanging over it, scarcely to be perceived by unpractised eyes. the part visible was about the mouth of the pongos river, a well-known slave depot, the favourite resort of the spanish south american slavers. the surface of the ocean was smooth, although occasionally ruffled by a light breeze, which, coming from seaward, served to cool the brows of the crew, and restore some vigour to their exhausted limbs; yet there was the usual swell, which seldom leaves the bosom of the atlantic to perfect tranquillity. it came in from the west, slowly and silently, making the vessel roll from side to side like a drunken man. though she was not, it must be understood, at anchor, she had not a stitch of canvas spread which would have contributed, had there been any wind, to steady her. all her sails were closely furled, but her studding-sail booms were at their yard-arms, their gear was rove, and the studding-sails themselves were on deck, ready to set in a moment. the boats, too, were clear to hoist out in an instant, and there, was every sign on deck that the now apparently listless crew would, at first sound of the boatswain's whistle, spring into life and activity, and that the now bare tracery of spars and rigging would, the second after, be covered with a broad sheet of snowy canvas. the "sylph" had been about a year on the coast. when she left england, her officers and crew were a particularly fine, healthy set of men, and the whole of them could scarcely, in the course of their lives, have mustered a month's illness among them. since they came to their present station, the second lieutenant and second master had died, as had two midshipmen and thirteen of the crew, and nearly all the remainder had, more or less, suffered, few retaining any traces of their former ruddy and healthy appearance. they had, however, to be sure, before being well acclimated, or having learned the necessary precautions to take against illness, been exposed to a good deal of hard service in boats up the rivers, where were sown the seeds of the disease which afterwards proved so fatal among them. fresh officers and men had been appointed to fill the places of those who had died, and the brig was now again the same model of discipline and beauty which she had before been. when captain staunton joined the brig, he is reported to have called the men aft, and to have made them a speech much to this effect:-- "now, my men, that you may not have any long discussions as to the character of your new commander, i wish to let you clearly understand that i never overlook drunkenness, or any other crime whatever, either in my officers or men. i shall not say whether i like flogging or not, but while it is awarded by the articles of war, i shall inflict it. remember, however, i would much rather reward than punish. the men who do their duty well and cheerfully, i will advance as far as i have the power. i wish this to be a happy ship, and it will be your own faults if you do not make it so. now pipe down." the men agreed, as they sat in knots together after they had knocked off work for the day, that they liked the cut of their new skipper's jib, and that his speech, though short, was good, and had no rigmarole in it. he afterwards invited his officers to dine with him, and in the course of conversation impressed on their minds that he considered gross language and swearing not only ungentlemanly, but wicked, and that he was certain the men did not obey at all the more readily for having it applied to them; that the men would follow the example they set them; that their influence depended on their doing their duty, and that if they did it the men would do theirs. "drunkenness," he observed, "is by some considered a very venial offence, but as the lives of all on board, as the discipline of the ship depends on the judgment of those in command, however much i shall regret the necessity, i shall break any officer who is guilty of it." as captain staunton himself practised what he preached, and set an example of all the high qualities which adorn his noble profession, the necessity he would have deplored never occurred; punishment was very rare, and the "sylph" _was_ a happy ship. having made this digression, we will return to the time when the "sylph" lay on the waste of waters, rolling her polished sides in the shining ocean, while the drops of spray which they threw off sparkled like diamonds in the rays of the burning sun. had it not been for the light breeze we spoke of, the heat would have been intolerable on deck, for there was not the usual shade from the sails to shelter the seamen from the fury of the burning orb; but all were far too eager for the appearance of a vessel they were looking for to think of the inconvenience. three days before, an english homeward-bound merchantman had spoken them, and brought them the information that a large slaver was every moment expected in the river; a very fast-sailing schooner, which had already once before escaped them by the daring and good seamanship of her commander, who was supposed to be an englishman. thus much the crew knew, and they added their own comments, believing him to be a character similar to the famed vanderdecken, or, at all events, in league with the prince of terror, davy jones. they had already been two days thus watching, after having ascertained, by sending the boats up the river, that the slaver was not there. captain staunton, knowing the man with whom he had to deal, was aware that his only chance of capturing him was by extreme caution. he had therefore furled all the sails of the brig in the way we have described, that she might not be discovered by the slaver till the fellow had got close up to her, and he then hoped to be able, without a long chase, to bring her to action. each night, as soon as it grew dusk, the "sylph" made sail and stood in-shore, in order better to watch the coast, and before daylight she was again at her former post. it has been asserted that the african cruisers have allowed the slavers to get into port, and have not attempted to capture them till they have got their slaves on board, in order either to gain the head-money, or to make more sure of their condemnation; but if this was ever done, captain staunton was not the person to do so; he knew, moreover, that the man who commanded the slaver he was in search of would not yield her up without a struggle, and, for the sake of saving many lives which must otherwise inevitably be sacrificed, he was anxious to bring her to action before she got her slaves on board. the officer of the watch continued pacing the deck with his spy-glass under his arm, every now and then hailing the masthead to keep the lookouts on the alert, but the same answer was each time given. "nothing in sight, sir." thus the day wore on. towards the evening the breeze, which had since the morning been sluggish, increased considerably; but as the current which is to be found in nearly every part of the ocean set in an opposite direction to it, the brig did not materially alter her position. a fresh hand had just relieved the look-out at the masthead at eight bells in the afternoon watch. his eyes, from not being fatigued, were sharper than his predecessor's, and he had scarcely glanced round the horizon, when he hailed the deck with words which roused everybody up-- "a sail in sight!" "where away?" asked the officer of the watch. the brig's head was now tending on shore. "right over the starboard quarter, sir," was the answer. "call the captain, mr wildgrave," said the second lieutenant, who had charge of the deck, to the midshipman of the watch. "which way is she standing?" asked the officer. "directly down for us, sir," was the answer. in five seconds the captain himself was on deck, and the remainder of the officers soon after appeared. the first lieutenant went aloft with his glass, and on his return pronounced the stranger to be a large square-rigged vessel, but whether a man-of-war, a slaver, or an honest trader, it was difficult to say, though he was inclined to suppose her belonging to either of the two former classes, from the broad spread of canvas she showed. on she came towards them, probably ignorant of their vicinity, as, stripped as they were, they would not be perceived by her till long after she was seen by them. "what do you now make her out to be, mr collins?" inquired the commander of the first lieutenant, who had again returned, after a second trip to the masthead. "a large schooner, at all events, sir; and if i mistake not, she is the `espanto.'" "pipe all hands on deck, then, for we shall soon be discovered, and must make sail in chase." the men were in a moment at their stations, and in silence waited the orders of their commander. still the stranger came on, her sails slowly rising, as it were, from out of the ocean. she was now clearly seen from the deck of the "sylph." apparently there was a very bad lookout kept on board her, or else she was not the vessel they supposed, as otherwise the british cruiser must before this have been perceived by her. captain staunton and his officers stood watching her with almost breathless anxiety, with their glasses constantly at their eyes, ready to observe the first indication of any alteration in her course. nearer and nearer she approached, with studding-sails alow and aloft, on either side. suddenly they were observed to be taken in, and the vessel's course was altered to the southward. "aloft there, and make sail!" shouted the commander, in a quick tone. the men, with alacrity, sprang up the rigging; the sails were let fall, the tacks were sheeted home, and in a minute the "sylph," under a spread of canvas, was standing on a bowline in chase of the stranger. the spanish maiden. we must now shift our scene to a different part of the world, and to a period much antecedent to that of which we have hitherto been speaking. the spot to which we allude is on the eastern coast of south america, in the northern part of that vast territory colonised by the inhabitants of spain. there is a beautiful bay, or rather gulf, surrounded by lofty and picturesque cliffs, with deep ravines running up between them and several _haciendas_, or large farm-houses, on the surrounding ground, generally picturesquely situated, with a view of the sea in the distance. several vessels lay at anchor, proudly pre-eminent among which was a frigate, from whose peak the ensign of great britain floated in the breeze. some way inland was a mansion of considerable size, though only one story, surrounded with deep verandas--the style of architecture general in the country. it stood at the head of a ravine, towards which the windows of its principal rooms opened, so that the inhabitants enjoyed a fine view of cliffs and rocks, and trees of every form and hue, between which a sparkling torrent found its way to the ocean, which was seen beyond the shipping in the harbour. in a room within the house, a beautiful girl was seated close to the window, but she looked not on the scene without. her eyes were turned downwards, for at her feet knelt a youth; his glance met hers; and there was a wildness in his look, an expression of pain on his brow, which seemed to demand her pity. he was dressed in the british uniform, the single epaulet on his shoulder betokening that he held the rank of lieutenant; but his complexion was swarthy in the extreme, and his tongue spoke with facility the language of spain. "hear me, beloved one!" he exclaimed, passionately pressing her hand to his lips. "my ship sails hence in a few days, but i cannot tear myself from you. for your sake i will quit my profession, my country, and the thing men call honour, and will run the risk of death, if i am retaken,--all--all for your sake. do you love me, dearest one?" the girl smiled faintly, and her eyes filled with tears. he again pressed her hand to his lips. "yes, yes; i feel that i am blessed, indeed," he continued in the same tone. "but you must conceal me, beloved one. my life is in your hands. there will be a strict search made for me in every direction when i am missed. you will hear vile tales invented to induce those who might be sheltering me to give me up, but believe them not. will you promise to be my preserver, my guardian angel, my idol, and i will live but to show my gratitude?" where is the woman's heart which could resist such an appeal? the maiden's doubts and hesitations were gradually disappearing. "but we have seen little of each other, senor. your love for a poor girl like me cannot be so strong as for my sake to make you give up all men hold most dear. the sacrifice is surely not worth the price. i do not even know your name." "call me juan, then," he answered. "but if my fiery, ardent love meets no return, i will quit you; though, perchance, to suffer death. on board yonder accursed ship i cannot live. i am hated there; and hate in return." "oh, no, senor! i will not expose you to such danger," answered the maiden. "i have heard sad stories of that ship. even yesterday, it is said, one of the officers murdered another, and that the murderer has fled into the country." the young man started and turned pale, but instantly recovering himself, he looked up affectionately into her countenance. "but do you believe the tale?" he asked. "i cannot but believe, senor," she answered; "one of our slaves saw the murdered man on the beach where he fell, and the dagger sticking in his bosom." "but how can you suppose from that circumstance that an englishman did the deed." "because the dagger was such as the young officers wear," answered the girl; "and they were seen walking together." "know you the name, then, of the supposed murderer?" he asked. "i could not pronounce it if i did," she said. "it matters not--but believe not the tale--at all events, you would not believe me guilty of such a deed?" "oh, heavens, certainly not!" she replied, casting a glance which told plainly the secret of her heart. he saw that the victory was gained, and clasping her to his bosom, he urged her to form a plan for his concealment. "no one saw me approach the house," he observed, "so you will not be suspected; yet hasten, for should i now be observed, our difficulties would be increased." where woman's wit is sharpened by love, she finds no difficulties in serving him she loves. in a short time the stranger was concealed within the roof of the mansion, where she might, without exciting suspicion, constantly communicate with him. juanetta, having thus obeyed the impulse of her heart, returned to her seat near the window to meditate on the act she had performed, and the responsible office she had undertaken. "yet who is the stranger to whom i have given my heart?" she thought; "he loves me, surely, or he would not tell me so; and i love him--he is so handsome, so eloquent--he narrates adventures so surprising--he has done such daring deeds. it is strange, too, that he should seek to leave the ship, and that another officer should have committed a murder--oh, horrible! what fierce, bad men those on board must be, except my juan!" poor girl! she was young, loving, and ignorant of the wickedness in the world, or she would have suspected even him. her meditations were interrupted by the appearance of her father, accompanied by the alcalde, and two officers in british uniforms. they were conversing earnestly as they passed the widow, and they thus did not observe her. "there can be no doubt of it, senor," observed the alcalde to one of the english officers: "the murder must have been committed by him--his flight proves it." "where can he have concealed himself?" said the officer. "i would give a high reward to whoever discovers him, for such a crime must not go unpunished." "he must still be wandering about near the coast, for without a horse-- and i cannot learn that any person has supplied him with one--he cannot have escaped into the interior. the scouts also i sent out bring no intelligence of him." on hearing these words juanetta turned pale, for dreadful suspicions crossed her mind; but she had vowed to protect the stranger, and she felt the necessity of appearing calm. she had scarcely time to compose herself before her father and his guests entered the apartment. refreshments were ordered, and as she was obliged to busy herself in performing the duties of a hostess, her agitation was not observed. during the repast she listened eagerly to gain further information, but what she heard only served to increase her doubts and fears. at length her father, telling her that he would soon return, took his departure with his guests. unhappy juanetta! she dared not believe what yet her reason told her was too true. left alone, she burst into tears. they afforded some relief to her aching heart, and when calmness had again returned, she hastened to the place where she had concealed her dangerous guest. as she went, she resolved to tell him that she would see him no more, yet to assure him that her promise given, he was safe while under her father's roof. she thought she would confess all that had passed to her father, and trusting to his generosity, entreat him to aid her in favouring the escape of the suspected criminal. fortunate for her had she been firm in her resolve. alas! that passion should too often triumph over the dictates of reason! yet who can fathom the deep well of a woman's heart? surely not she herself, while it remains free from the rubbish, the wickedness, the knowledge of the world, those things which choke it up and foul its pure waters. juan lay sleeping on the hard floor, yet so lightly, that he started the moment she slowly raised the trap-door which opened into the chamber, and grasping a pistol on which his hand had rested, he sprang to his feet. when he saw who was his visitor, his glance became less fierce, but still he did not quit his hold of his weapon. he was about to speak, but she, placing her finger to her mouth, signified to him to be silent till she had carefully closed the place of ingress. "i have come, senor, to bid you prepare for instant flight." she spoke in a low tone, and her voice faltered. "you cannot remain here in safety, for i have heard dreadful stories, and i feel sure you will be sought for here. they cannot be true; i know they cannot; but yet i wish they had not been spoken." "should all the world desert me, my juanetta will still believe me true," exclaimed the young man as he approached her and knelt at her feet. "do not credit those tales, dearest; they are told by my foes and tyrants to destroy me; but my vengeance will yet alight on their heads. yet what care i what they they say or do while you, sweet angel, are my protector?" he took the maiden's hand, and she did not withdraw it. he pressed her hand to his lips, and his imploring glance met her eyes, already suffused with tears. she smiled, for she could not believe him false; that youth with his gallant air and bold look; crime cannot be an inhabitant of a figure so noble, she thought. an arch-traitor was within the garrison, and the deceiver was victorious over the simple maiden. she dared not remain long in his company, lest her absence might betray her guest. to one person alone did she confide her secret, a black slave who had attended her from a child, and loved her faithfully. her word was his law, and mauro promised that no harm should befall the stranger. his own conceptions of right and wrong were not very clear, nor did he make very minute inquiries as to the truth of the story his mistress told him. he believed that the englishman had been ill-treated, and had avenged himself, and he was acute enough to discover that his young mistress loved the handsome stranger. he therefore considered it his duty to please her to the utmost of his power. the deserter's dream. left again alone, juan's weary limbs sank once more beneath the power of sleep; but though the frame was still, the mind refused to be at rest. he dreamed that he was again a boy, young, innocent, and happy; but yet all the time a consciousness of the bitter truth mocked the vain illusion, like some dark phantom hovering over him; he felt and knew that the dream was false, still it seemed vivid and clear like the reality. he thought that he lay at the feet of his fond and gentle mother, while his proud father smiled at his youthful gambols. it was in a princely hall, decked with all the luxury wealth can supply; other children were there, but he was the eldest and best beloved, the inheritor of almost boundless riches--of title and power. he had early learned his own importance; foolish nurses had not been slow to give him the baneful lesson; and while his parents believed him to be all their hearts could wish, the noxious seeds were already taking root. years rolled on; he had gained knowledge at school, and beneath the care of his tutor, but, as regards self-government or religious feelings, he was still less educated than the poorest peasant on his father's broad domains. at last the truth had burst on his father's mind. his son was passionate, headstrong, self-willed, and, worse, deceitful. every means of reclaiming him had been tried in vain, and he had determined to send him to sea under a strict captain, who promised to curb, if not to break, his spirit, if severity could influence him. young hernan stood before his father, while his mother sat overpowered with grief. the carriage was waiting which was to convey him to portsmouth. he was unmoved, for filial affection had been swallowed up by selfishness, and he fancied that he was about to lead a life of freedom and independence. he had yet to learn what a man-of-war was like. his mother pressed him to her heart, and his father strove to bless him as he turned to quit the room, for he was still his son. the carriage rolled off, and in a few hours he was on board the ship which was to be his home and school for three long years. he learned many a lesson, it is true, but the great one came too late for him to profit by it. the first three years of his naval career passed by, and many a wild act had he committed, such as had often brought him under the censure of his superiors. that he was unreformed his father felt too surely convinced, and he was accordingly again sent to sea. he was no longer a boy, and the irregularities of that age had grown into the vices of manhood. yet among his equals he had friends, and, knowing their value, he took care to cultivate them. the most intimate was edward staunton, his superior in age by two years--one whose generous spirit, believing that he had discovered noble qualities in his companion, longed to win him back to virtue. together they paced the deck in the midnight watch, and spoke of their future prospects, till even hernan believed that he had resolved to amend. there are calm and often happy moments in a sailor's life, when all the dangers of their floating home, except the watch on deck, are wrapped in sleep; and then many a youth pours into his attentive shipmate's ears the tale of his love, his hopes and fears, and pictures the beauty of the girl he has left behind--the lady of his heart, with whom he fondly fancies he shall some day wed. such a tale did staunton tell; and hernan listened carelessly at first, but afterwards with interest, as the ardent lover, delighting in the picture he was conjuring up, described the surpassing beauty of his mistress. "then you must introduce me to your lovely blanche, and let me judge whether she is as fair as you paint her," said hernan to his companion; and staunton, guileless himself, promised to gratify his wish. "i shall not allow you to break your word, remember," added hernan. "never fear," answered staunton, laughing. "but see what a sudden change has come over the sky while we have been speaking! we shall have a reef in the topsails before many minutes are out." it was true. when they began their watch the sky was studded with a million stars, the dark sea was calm, and a gentle breeze filled the sails of the noble frigate. now wild clouds were coursing each other across the arch of heaven, the light foam flew over the ocean, and the ship heeled over to the rising blast. scarcely had he spoken, when the voice of the officer of the watch roused his sleeping men with the order to furl the topgallant-sails quickly, followed by that to take a reef in the topsails. hernan's duty had led him aloft. he was careless in keeping a firm hold. the ship gave a sudden lurch, and he found himself struggling in the wild waters. he could swim, but the fall had numbed his limbs, and the ship flew past him. despair was seizing him, when he heard the cry which arose from the deck of "a man overboard?" echoed by a hundred voices. he was sinking beneath the waves, when he felt a friendly hand grasping his arm, and once more he rose to the surface of the water, and the voice of edward staunton cheered him to fresh exertions. he saw, too, the bright light of the life-buoy, which floated at a short distance only from them. it was a fearful thing, though, to be left thus alone on that stormy sea, for the dim outline of the frigate was scarcely visible, and she might be unable to fetch again, while the light continued burning, the spot where they were. for his sake, staunton had thus risked his life. with great exertions staunton dragged him to the life-buoy, and hanging on to it, they anxiously watched the approach of the frigate. "the boat has been swamped, and we shall be left to perish miserably here," exclaimed hernan. "curses on my fate!" "no," cried staunton; "hark, i hear the shouts of the people in the boat pulling towards us. the frigate must have gone far to leeward before she could be hove-to to lower one." again the shouts were heard, and a dark object emerged from the obscurity which surrounded them. in a few minutes they were on board, and scarcely was the boat hoisted in than down came the tempest with tenfold fury, and vain would then have been any attempt to save him had he still been struggling in the waves. he was profuse in his professions of gratitude to staunton, and he thought himself sincere. the frigate returned home, her crew were paid off, and staunton and his friend received their promotion. "and now, staunton, you must keep to your word, and introduce me to your beautiful friend, miss blanche d'aubigne," said hernan, after they had been some time on shore, and had met by chance in london. "gladly," answered edward; "i have told her all about you, and she will be most glad to see you." so they went together to the village where the fair girl resided; it was at no great distance from the country-seat of sir hernan daggerfeldt, the father of edward's friend. staunton had won his promotion by his own exertions; and another step, his commander's rank, was to be gained before he could hope to make blanche his bride. such was the decree of her father, who had given an unwilling consent to their union, and he felt that he had no right to murmur at the decision. a short stay on shore was all he could hope to enjoy, before he must again go afloat for two or three more weary years; but she was still very young, and he confided in her truth and love. this hernan knew; he was surprised and delighted when first introduced to miss d'aubigne, for her beauty far surpassed his expectations. he thought her far more lovely than any one he had ever met, when, with artless simplicity, she received him as the friend of her betrothed. edward went to sea, and hernan took up his abode at his father's seat. every week his visits to the village of darlington grew more frequent, and blanche unsuspectingly received him with pleasure, while her father, who knew his prospects, welcomed him cordially. hernan knew that blanche looked on him as a friend of her intended husband, and he at first thought not of inquiring into his own feelings regarding her. soon, however, a fierce passion sprang up in addition to the simple admiration he at first had felt. indeed, he scarcely attempted to conceal it; but she was too pure-minded and unsuspecting to perceive the existence of the feelings she had inspired. thus matters went on till even she could no longer deceive herself as to hernan's real feelings. horrified at the discovery, she refused to see him more, and hernan saw that he must make a bold stroke or lose her forever. he called falsehood and treachery to his aid. he went to her father; he spoke of his own ardent love, of his future wealth, of the position he could offer; then he continued to express his regret that edward, his friend, was unworthy of her, that he had expressed his anxiety to break off the connection, but was unwilling to wound her feelings by doing so abruptly, and therefore intended to write, when he had reached his station, to free her from her engagement. mr d'aubigne listened, and believed what he wished to be true; but blanche was long incredulous, and refused to credit the tale of her intended's disloyalty. at last, however, the cruel letter came; it was enclosed in one to hernan. it spoke of the impolicy of early engagements, of the misery of married poverty, of the difficulty of governing the affections, and of the danger of wedding when love has begun to decay. hernan watched the effect of the letter, and congratulated himself on its success; still blanche disbelieved her senses, but dared not utter her suspicions. hernan knew, too, that it was so, yet he trusted in the versatility of his talents to bring his schemes to a successful issue. her father's influence was exerted in his favour, and blanche was told that she must discard her former lover from her heart. she had loved too truly, however, to obey the command, and she determined not to wed another till she had heard from his own lips that he was indeed changed. hernan daggerfeldt knelt at the feet of blanche d'aubigne. he had seized her hand, and was pressing it with rapture to his lips, while she in vain endeavoured to withdraw it. "rise, sir, rise," she said; "you wrong me--you wrong him who is away-- your friend, the preserver of your life. while he lives, i am his, and his alone!" "i do not wrong him," he answered. "his nature is fickle, and if he no longer loves you, will not woman's pride teach you to forget him?" "i know not that he no longer loves me," she replied. "did not his letter convince you?" he asked. "that letter! no, sir," she replied, rising proudly from her seat, and a smile of unwonted bitterness curling her lip. "that letter was a forgery." "on my sacred word, on my soul, it was not!" he cried, vehemently. "it is you who wrong me and my devoted love. be mine, and let me enjoy the only heaven i seek. if i speak not the truth, may the powers above strike me this moment dead at your feet?" blanche shuddered at his words. at that instant a dark form seemed to rise up between them, and to gaze with threatening aspect at hernan, while it shielded blanche from him. soon it assumed the form of edward staunton, and beckoning hernan to follow, slowly receded from the room. even the deceiver trembled, and daring not to disobey, followed the phantom. it led him through dark chambers, beneath roaring waterfalls, along dizzy heights, whence the sea-birds could scarce be seen in the depths below, on the wild shore, where the fierce waves dashed with terrific fury, while the tempest raged, and the lightnings flashed around his head, and then with a derisive shriek which sounded high above the furious turmoil, disappeared amid the boiling ocean. "such, traitor, shall be thy fate!" were the words it spoke. again hernan dreamed that blanche had promised to be his,--a prize bought at the cost of further perjury. edward for long had been unheard of; he was still a rover in far-off climes. mr d'aubigne was satisfied and rejoiced at the thoughts of finding a wealthy husband for his daughter. hernan was with his intended bride when a messenger arrived, breathless with haste, to summon him to the deathbed of his parent. he hurried thither to listen to a tale the old man falteringly whispered into his ear; it was enough to freeze up the current in his veins. a stigma was on his birth, and instant precautions were necessary, or the fatal secret would be discovered which would consign him to poverty and disgrace. "you are my child," said the proud baronet, "yet for long my wife had borne me none; at length one came into the world and died. you took its place, and my wife believed you to be her own offspring. the change was ill-managed, and the deceit is discovered by one who is my enemy, and will be yours. i fancied that no one knew it, till some years ago he came and convinced me that he was aware of the truth. he then told me that should you be worthy to succeed to my rank and fortune, the secret should die with him; but if not, my first lawful child, whom he insisted on educating under his own inspection, should be declared to have his rights. though the terms seemed hard, i was obliged to yield to his demands, and have ever since been his slave. by his orders you were sent to sea, and will be compelled shortly again to go; and by his orders i have made you acquainted with the dreadful tale i have now told you. i know him well, and you too must become his slave. he will probably insist on your again going to sea, and you must obey him, or rue the consequences." scarcely stopping to close his father's eyes, who died shortly after this disclosure, hernan hurried off to endeavour to propitiate the arbitrator of his destiny. the old man was inflexible. he insisted on his forthwith returning to sea, and refused to sanction his marriage with blanche. hernan had good cause to suspect that his character was seen through; he dared not disobey. his appointment to the frigate soon arrived, and framing an excuse to blanche, he prepared for his departure. blanche received the account without any regret, for though she was prepared to obey her father, she did not love hernan, as he well knew. her heart was still with one whom she had been told was false to her. the frigate on board which hernan daggerfeldt was the junior lieutenant sailed for the coast of south america. hernan felt that he was no favourite with his brother-officers; his fierce temper and overbearing manner was one cause, while his constant scoffs at religion and honour was another. when off rio, they fell in with a frigate carrying despatches to england. it was a dead calm, and a boat from her was sent on board them to learn intelligence from home. two officers were in the boat; one was staunton. hernan in vain endeavoured to avoid him. staunton had a thousand questions to ask, which hernan might be able to answer respecting his beloved blanche. was she well? had she received his letters?--none of hers had reached him. hernan made the most plausible answers he could invent. they spoke in the presence of two of his brother-officers, and one of them, an old friend of staunton's, knew the truth. accordingly, drawing him aside, he told him at once that he believed hernan had been speaking falsehoods. staunton's indignation knew no bounds, and he taxed hernan with his duplicity and falsehood, though the sanctity of the quarter-deck prevented him from proceeding to extremities. hernan defended himself from the accusation, though he felt that he was discovered, and he determined to revenge himself on the man who had unmasked him to staunton. he, however, bided his time; but he suspected that by some means or other more of his secrets might be known to his shipmate. the frigate had been for some time on the coast of america, when, receiving some damage in a heavy gale, she put into the harbour of--to refit. she lay there for some time, and the officers were constantly, when duty allowed, on shore. it was a dark night, when hernan, accompanied by young selwyn, the friend of staunton, was returning, after an excursion into the country, on board. they had left their horses at the town, and were walking along the beach on foot; young selwyn thoughtlessly alluded to staunton and blanche d'aubigne, and while he spoke the spirit of a demon entered into hernan daggerfeldt's heart. a sharp cry awoke the stillness of night--a deed had been done no power on earth could recall. he fled he knew not whither; vipers seemed twining round his heart; burning coals were raining on his head, and while heavy weights were clogging his limbs, a thousand fierce bloodhounds urged him to fly. he awoke, the perspiration standing in large drops on his brow, while he gasped for breath; yet there he still lay in the loft where juanetta had concealed him. was all that had occurred an empty dream, or was it the re-acting of a dreadful reality? the flight. the following morning juan, or rather hernan daggerfeldt, was awoke by the entrance of senor ribiera's black slave, with a basket of provisions. "why does not your mistress come to me herself?" inquired hernan, who dreaded being abandoned by the only human being in whom he could trust. "donna juanetta is with her father, and till he goes out she cannot come to see you," answered the slave. "he is a stern man, and were he to discover that you are here without his leave, and that his daughter loved you, he would kill you without ceremony. ah, senor! you do not know what these spanish gentlemen are capable of." "well, you must take care that he does not discover i am here till that cursed ship in the harbour has sailed away; and now listen to me--what is your name, though?" "mauro, at your service, senor," said the slave. "there, mauro--there is a piece of gold. you shall have a larger piece by and by. it will go towards buying your freedom." "my freedom!" muttered the african. "what does that mean?--ah, yes, i know. it would be of no value to me now. had it come when i was yet young, and could have returned to those i loved across the ocean, i should have prized it. now they are all dead, and those i love best are in this house. my mistress told me to do your bidding. what is it you require of me, senor?" "first, i wish you to procure me a suit of spanish clothes, fit for a gentleman to appear in, and then you must take this uniform, coat, and hat, and as soon as it is dark, carry them down to the seashore, and place them as if the waves had thrown them there. they will certainly be discovered, and it will appear that i have been drowned, and then no further search will be made after me." "a very good idea, senor," said mauro, rubbing his hands with pleasure, for he was delighted to be employed in a scheme by which those in authority, whom he looked upon as oppressors, might be deceived. such is the feeling of slaves in general. while her father took his siesta, juanetta visited her prisoner, and hernan employed the time in endeavouring to convince her of his love for her, and his innocence of the crime of which he was suspected. in both he succeeded too well. in the evening mauro returned with the suit of clothes he had purchased; and hernan having exchanged them for his own, pierced the latter with his sword, and deliberately drawing blood from his arm, soaked them in it. mauro, who well understood what he was to do, wrapped them up in a bundle, and as soon as it was dark carried them off. we will pass over several days, during which daggerfeldt remained concealed without any one in the house suspecting that he was in the garret. at last one morning mauro came in rubbing his hands with delight. "you are free, senor, you are free!" he exclaimed; "the big ship with the many guns is even now sailing out of the harbour, and all you have got to do now is to come down to beg senor ribiera's pardon for living so long in his house without his leave, and to marry his daughter." "curses go with her!" ejaculated hernan, fiercely. "i will still wreak my vengeance on some of those who sail on board her. but tell me, mauro, did your lady say i might venture into her father's presence?" "not exactly, senor, and perhaps it might be as well to prepare the old gentleman for your appearance, as he yet believes, like the rest of the world, that you are food for the sharks." "then, my good mauro, go and urge her to come here to concert the best way to release me. i pant once more to stretch my limbs on the open shore, and to breathe the pure air of heaven." some time elapsed after the slave had gone to fulfil his mission before juanetta appeared. she then came with a sad countenance and tears in her eyes. "oh, senor!" she said, "the ship has sailed, and i hoped that the news would have made us both happy; but, alas! when i told my father what i had done, and how i had preserved your life from those tyrants, he stormed and raved, and declared that i had behaved very wickedly, and that he would deliver you up to the authorities. fortunately i did not tell him that you were still here; but, as mauro had cautioned me, i led him to suppose that you had made your escape up the country." "that was a happy idea of yours, my juanetta," said daggerfeldt. "your father must in some way be gained to our wishes. you are his only child, and he is enormously rich, you say--plenty of gold stored up in bars in his house. stay, i must think over the subject. sit down by me, and i will unfold my plans." he was silent for some time, and then he continued, while juanetta, who was incapable of fathoming the depths of his deceit, listened to him without suspicion. "now, juanetta, dear, you must not be startled by the plan i am going to propose. from what you tell me, your father is prejudiced against me, and will not willingly give his consent to our marriage, so we must marry first, and ask his forgiveness afterwards. he will then, i have no doubt, pardon us, and give us as much gold as we may require. now, as i have no money, and no priest will marry us without, we must contrive to borrow some of his. we can return it afterwards, you know. i propose, therefore, that you show me some night where he keeps his gold, and then i will take a little of it, as much as we may require, and then we will fly together to the nearest place where we can find a priest to unite us. shall we not do so, dearest? the plan may seem to you dangerous and wrong, but let no fears alarm you. we will afterwards explain our motives, and the old man will forgive you." poor juanetta, had she known this world and the wickedness in it, would have flown with horror from the betrayer; but she was ignorant of its evil ways--she listened and hesitated. no arguments which sophistry could invent were left untried. the deceiver was victorious. that night the keys of the old man's money-chests were stolen from beneath his pillow. the following morning he found them where he had placed them, and, unsuspecting, did not think of counting his hoarded gold. his daughter dared not again speak to him of the stranger she had preserved. he believed that he had long ago escaped into the interior, and forbore to make further inquiries about him. daggerfeldt was no longer an inhabitant of his house. a foreign merchant, of considerable wealth at command, had arrived, it was said, from the interior, and had taken up his abode in the town. he had become the purchaser of a large schooner, which was taking in a cargo of goods for the african coast. don manuel ribiera, on hearing this, invited the stranger to his house, for he himself was a dealer in slaves, and wished to make some arrangements respecting the return cargo. on the unexpected appearance of the stranger, donna juanetta started; but her presence of mind quickly returned, for she felt the importance of discretion. her father observed her momentary confusion, and apologised to his guest, attributing it to her being unaccustomed to receive strangers. soon afterwards, some business called senor ribiera from the room, and juanetta was left alone with their guest. "oh, juan, how could you venture here?" she exclaimed to the pretended merchant, who was no other than daggerfeldt. "my father will discover you, and your ruin and mine must follow." "no fear, dearest. he is blinded by the prospect of profit," answered hernan. "he has, too, scarcely seen me before, and then only in uniform. it was also necessary to run some risks to gain our ends. i have made all the necessary arrangements, and this night you are to be mine. the cost, however, has been considerable, and we must borrow a little more from your father's money-chests to pay the priest who is to unite us." daggerfeldt had scarcely arranged his plans with his credulous dupe when senor ribiera returned. as may be supposed, he was induced to arrange a plan to dispose of his slaves on his return on terms highly advantageous to the old slave-dealer; and after being entertained magnificently, he was conducted to his sleeping apartment. instead of retiring to rest, daggerfeldt employed himself in loading his pistols and listening attentively for the arrival of some one apparently, but not a sound disturbed the silence of the night. at last, losing patience, he opened his door, and was met by juanetta. the poor girl was pale and trembling. "here are the keys," she said; "but, oh, senor, i do not like this work--surely it is very wicked!" "pretty fool," he answered, abruptly, "it is too late to recede now. there is nothing to alarm you. wait in this room till i return." saying this, he was about to leave her, when footsteps were heard approaching the house. he listened attentively. "it is right," he observed; "those are some people i have engaged to assist us in our flight." just then some men sprang into the room through the open window. poor juanetta uttered a cry of terror, but it was instantly silenced by daggerfeldt, who ordered two of the men to take charge of her while the rest followed him to the chamber of don ribiera. the unhappy girl listened, horror-struck and bewildered. there was a cry and a groan, and soon afterwards daggerfeldt returned, accompanied by the men carrying several heavy chests between them. "onward," said the traitor, "and you, my fair lady, must accompany us. the ship is waiting to bear us to far-off lands, where you may become my bride." the next morning, the new slave schooner was seen in the offing, and when people went to the house of don ribiera, he was found dead in his bed, his money-chests were gone, and his daughter had fled, while his slaves were only just awaking from a heavy sleep, for which none of them could account. mauro, too, had disappeared, and all the watch-dogs were dead. chapter fourteen. the black slaver (continued)--the chase--the slaver--the capture--the escape--the pursuit. the chase. we left her britannic majesty's brig "sylph" in chase of a strange sail on the coast of africa. the wind was from the westward, and she was standing on a bowline to the southward, with the coast clearly seen broad on the lee-beam. captain staunton ordered every expedient he could think of to be tried to increase the speed of his vessel, for the stranger was evidently a very fast sailer, though it was at first difficult to say whether or not she was increasing her distance from them. at all events, the british crew soon saw that it would be hopeless to expect to come up with the stranger before dark, for the sun was just sinking below the horizon, and the thick mists were already rising over the wooded shore, and yet they appeared to be no nearer to her than they were when they first made sail in chase. it was a magnificent sailing breeze, just sufficient for both vessels to carry their topgallant-sails and royals without fear of springing their spars, and the sea was perfectly smooth, merely rippled over by the playful wind. indeed, as the two vessels glided proudly along over the calm waters, they appeared rather to be engaged in some friendly race than anxious to lead each other to destruction. all the officers of the "sylph" were on deck with their glasses constantly at their eyes, as the last rays of the sun tinged the royals of the chase, and so clearly was every spar and rope defined through that pure atmosphere, that it was difficult to believe that she was not within range of their guns. captain staunton and his first lieutenant walked together on the weather-side of the deck. "do you think she is the `espanto,' mr collins?" asked the captain. "i have no doubt about it, sir," answered the officer addressed. "i watched her narrowly when we chased her off loanda the last time she was on the coast, and i pulled round her several times when she lay in the harbour of st. jago da cuba, just a year and a half ago." "she has had a long run of iniquity," said the captain; "two years our cruisers have been on the look-out for her, and have never yet been able to overhaul her." "that daggerfeldt must be a desperate villain, if report speaks true," observed the lieutenant; "i think, sir, you seemed to say you once knew him." "i did, to my cost," answered captain staunton; "that man's life has been a tissue of treachery and deceit from his earliest days. he once disgraced our noble service. he murdered a shipmate and ran from his ship on the coast of america. it was reported for some time that he was dead, by his clothes having been found torn and bloody on the shore, and his family, fortunately for them, believed the story. it was, however, afterwards discovered that he had been sheltered by a spanish girl, and, in gratitude for his preservation, he carried her off, robbed her father of all his wealth, and either frightened him to death or smothered him. the unhappy girl has, it is said, ever since sailed with him, and it is to be hoped she is not aware of the enormity of his guilt. pirate and slaver, he has committed every atrocity human nature is capable of." "a very perfect scoundrel, in truth, sir," answered mr collins. "it was said, too, i remember, that he was going to marry a very beautiful girl in england. what an escape for her!" "no, he was not going to marry her!" exclaimed the captain, with unusual vehemence. "her father, perhaps, wished it, but she would never have consented. collins, you are my friend, and i will tell you the truth. that lady, blanche d'aubigne, was engaged to me, and never would have broken her faith to me while she believed me alive. by a series of forgeries, daggerfeldt endeavoured to persuade her that i was false to her, though she would not believe him. on my return home she is to become my wife. we were to have married directly i got my promotion, but i was so immediately sent out here that i was able to spend but one day in her society. i wished to have secured her a pension in case this delightful climate should knock me on the head, but she would not hear of it. poor girl, i have left her what little fortune i possess, collins; i could not do less. those who live on shore at ease can't say we enjoy too much of the pleasures of home, or don't earn the queen's biscuit. bless her majesty!" "i don't know that, sir. there are, i hear, though i never fell in with any of them, a set of lying traitors at home, who say we are no better than pirates, and want to do away with the navy altogether. if they were to succeed in their roguish projects, there would be an end of old england altogether, say i." "they never will succeed, collins, depend upon that. there is still too much sense left in the country; but if her majesty's government were to employ her cruisers in any other part of the world than on this pestiferous coast, the cause of humanity would benefit by the change. for every prize we capture, ten escape, and our being here scarcely raises the price of slaves in the cuban and brazilian markets five dollars a head; while the spaniards and portuguese, notwithstanding their treaties, do all they can to favour the traffic. do we gain on the chase, do you think, collins?" "not a foot, i fear, sir," answered the lieutenant. "that brig is a fast craft, and though i don't believe, as some of the people do, that the skipper has signed a contract with davy jones, she is rightly called by them the `black slaver.'" "if the breeze freshens, we may overhaul her, but if not, she may double on us in the dark, and again get away," observed the captain. "take care a bright look-out is kept for'ard." "ay, ay, sir," answered the lieutenant, repeating the order and adjusting his night-glass; "she hasn't altered her course, at all events." by this time daylight had totally disappeared, although a pale crescent moon in the clear sky afforded light sufficient for objects to be distinguished at some distance. few of the officers turned in, but the watch below were ordered to their hammocks to recruit their strength for the services they might be required to perform on the morrow, as captain staunton had determined, should the wind fail, to attack the chase in his boats. when the enemy is well-armed and determined, this a very dangerous operation, and in the present instance there could be no doubt that he who commanded the "black slaver" would not yield without a desperate resistance. lookouts were stationed at the mastheads as well as forward, and every eye was employed in endeavouring to keep her in sight--no easy task with the increasing darkness--for a light mist was gradually filling the atmosphere, and the moon itself was sinking into the ocean. the breeze, however, appeared to be increasing; the brig felt its force, and heeled gracefully over to it as the water bubbled and frothed against her bows. "what are the odds we don't catch her after all?" said young wildgrave to his messmate; "i hate these long chases, when one never comes up with the enemy." "so do i," answered his companion. "but to tell you the truth, i have a presentiment that we shall come up with her this time, and bring her to action too. she has escaped us twice before, and the third time will, i think, be fatal to her. by-the-by, where is she though?" "fore-yard, there!" sang out the first lieutenant, "can you see the chase?" "i did a moment ago, sir;--no, sir, i can see her nowhere." a similar answer was returned from the other lookouts. she was nowhere visible. the slaver. the "black slaver" well deserved her name. her hull was black, without the usual relief of a coloured ribbon; her masts and spars were of the same ebon hue, her cargo was black, and surely her decks were dark as the darkest night. she was a very large vessel, certainly upwards of three hundred tons, and also heavily armed with a long brass gun amidships, and ten long nines in battery, besides small brass swivel-guns mounted on her quarter, to aid in defending her against an attack in boats. her crew was composed of every nation under the sun, for crime makes all men brothers, but brothers who, cainlike, were ready any moment to imbrue their hands in each other's blood; and their costume was as varied as their language--a mixture of that of many nations. a mongrel spanish, however, was the language in which all orders were issued, as being that spoken by the greater number of the people. she was a very beautiful and powerful vessel, and all the arrangements on board betokened strict attention to nautical discipline. for more than two years she had run her evil career with undeserved success, and her captain and owner was reputed to be a wealthy man, already in possession of several estates in cuba. slaving was his most profitable and safe occupation, mixed up with a little piracy, as occasion offered, without fear of detection. several slavers had unaccountably disappeared, which had certainly not been taken by english cruisers, and others had returned to the coast complaining that they had been robbed of their slaves by a large armed schooner, which had put on board a few bales of coloured cottons, with an order to them to go back and take in a fresh cargo of human beings. the "espanto" was more than suspected of being the culprit; but she was always so disguised that it was difficult to bring the accusation home to her, while they themselves being illegally employed, could obtain no redress in a court of law. she had for some time been cruising, as usual, in the hopes of picking up a cargo without taking the trouble of looking into the coast for it, when, weary of waiting, and being short of water and provisions, the captain determined to run the risk of procuring one by the usual method. from the ruse practised by the "sylph," she was not seen by his lookouts till he was nearly close up to her. he was in no way alarmed, however, for he recognised the british man-of-war, and knowing the respective rate of sailing of the two vessels, felt certain, if the wind held, to be able to walk away from her. to make certain what she was, he had stood on some time after he had first seen her, a circumstance which had, as we mentioned, somewhat surprised captain staunton and his officers. having ascertained that the sail inside of him was the "sylph," he hauled his wind, and making all sail, before an hour of the first watch had passed, aided by the darkness, he had completely run her out of sight. when he stood in he had been making for the pongos river; but being prevented from getting in there, he determined to run for the coanza river, some forty miles further to the south, before daybreak, and as the mouth is narrow, and entirely concealed by trees, he had many chances in his favour of remaining concealed there while the british man-of-war passed by. a slave-agent, also, of his resided in the neighbourhood, who would be able to supply him at the shortest notice, and at moderate prices, with a cargo of his fellow-beings. at this rendezvous he knew there would be a look-out for him, and that there were pilots ready to assist him in entering the river. "square the yards and keep her away, antonio," he sung out to his first mate, a ferocious-looking mulatto, who was conning the vessel. "we are just abreast of--point, and diogo, if he has his eyes open, ought to see us." the helm was kept up, the yards were squared, and the vessel stood stem on towards the shore. before long the dark line of a tree-fringed coast was visible, when she was again brought to the wind; her lower sails were furled, and she was hove-to under her topsails. "we must make a signal, or the lazy blacks will never find us out, senor captain," observed antonio to his chief. "yes, we must run the risk: we shall not be in before daylight if we do not, and the enemy will scarcely distinguish from what direction the report of the gun comes. be smart about it though." a gun from the lee quarter was accordingly discharged, the dull echoes from which were heard rebounding along the shore, and directly afterwards a blue-light was fired, the bright flame giving a spectre-like appearance to the slaver and her evil-doing crew. they might well have been taken for one of those phantom barks said to cruise about the ocean either to warn mariners of coming danger or to lure them to destruction. soon afterwards a small light was seen to burst out, as it seemed, from the dark line, and to glide slowly over the water towards them. gradually it increased, and as it approached nearer, it was seen to proceed from a fire burning in the bow of a large canoe pulled by a dozen black fellows. when it came alongside, two of them scrambled on board, and recognising the captain, welcomed him to the coast. their language was a curious mixture of spanish, portuguese, english, and african. "ah, senor captain, berry glad you et espanto, come esta nocha, viento es favoravel, for run up de river diogo--me vos on the look-out you, sabe." having thus delivered himself, the chief pilot went aft to the helm with much the same air as one of his european brethren, habited in flushing coat and tarpaulin hat, although the only garment he boasted was a blue shirt, secured at the waist by a piece of spun-yarn, and a red handkerchief bound round his head. "up with the helm, then square away the yards!" sung out the captain, and the vessel, under the direction of the negro, was standing dead on to the apparently unbroken line of dark shore. it required great confidence in the honesty and knowledge of the pilot for the crew not to believe that he was running the schooner on shore, for such a thing had been more than once before done. "remember," whispered antonio, as he passed him, "if the vessel touches, my pistol sends a ball through your head." "no tien duvida, senor, contremestre," answered quacko, quite unmoved by the threat, as being one to which he was well accustomed. "viento favoravel, rio fundo. have de anchor pronto to let go." the bowsprit of the schooner was now almost among the mangrove bushes. "stivordo!" sung out the pilot. a yellow line of sand was seen over her quarter. this seemed to spring up from the sea on either side, like dark, shapeless phantoms, eager to destroy the slaver's crew, the spirits of those their cruelty had sent from this world. taller and taller they grew, for so calmly did the vessel glide on, that she appeared not to move, yet the broad open sea was completely shut out from the view of those on board; a narrow dark line, in which the reflection of a star was here and there visible, was the only water seen as still, on the schooner moved. "bombordo!" sung out the pilot. the helm was put to port, and the schooner glided into another passage, her yards, as they were squared away or braced up to meet the alterations in her course, almost brushing the branches of the lofty trees. for some minutes more she ran on, till the stream grew suddenly wider, and a little bay, formed by a bend of the shore, appeared on the starboard hand, into which she glided. the anchor was let go, the topsails were furled, and so entirely was she concealed by the overhanging boughs, that a boat might have passed down the centre of the stream without seeing her. at dawn the next morning a busy scene was going on on board and round the slaver. her crew, aided by a number of negroes, were employed in setting up her rigging and fitting slave-decks, while several canoes were assisting her boats in bringing water and provisions alongside. thus they were employed without cessation for two days. there was no play, it was all hard, earnest work. it is a pity they were not labouring in a good cause instead of a bad one. in the mean time the king of --, as he was called, in reality the principal slave-dealer and greatest rogue in the district, was collecting the negroes who had been kidnapped by him or his allies, from whom he had bought them in the neighbouring provinces--some as they were quietly fishing in their canoes on the coast, others as they were seated beneath the shade of the palm-tree in their native forest, or were coming from the far interior with a load of oil or ivory, to sell to the nearest trader--untutored savages, who perhaps had never before seen the face of a white man, or the blue dancing ocean. it is no wonder that they paint the devil white, and believe the sea is the passage to his realms. eight hundred human beings were thus collected to be conveyed in that fell bark to the far west, there to wear out their lives in hopeless slavery. the greater part of the fourth day was spent in receiving half the number on board, and stowing them below. this operation was performed by men whose especial trade it is. the unhappy wretches are compelled to sit down with their legs bent under them, so closely packed that they cover but little more space than the length of their feet, between-decks, little more than a yard high; and thus they remain, bolted down to the decks, the whole voyage, a few only being allowed to come up at a time to be aired, while the smallest quantity of water possible is afforded them to quench their burning thirst. the capture. the work for the day was nearly concluded, and the captain of the slaver was walking by himself beneath the awning spread over the after-part of the deck, when he observed a canoe suddenly dart out of the main stream into the bay where the schooner lay concealed. it was soon alongside, when a black jumped on board. "senor capitan, you must be pronto," he said. "big man-of-war come, big canoe, mucho hombres, come up river." "ah, have they found me out?" muttered the captain to himself. "i'll give them a warm reception if they do come. very well, queebo," he said aloud, "now pull back and watch them narrowly. take care they don't see you, and come and report their movements to me." at a signal all the crew were summoned on board, the awning was handed, boarding-nettings were triced up, the guns were double-shotted and run out, and a thick screen of boughs was carried across the part of the bay so as still further to conceal the schooner from the eye of any stranger. two guns were also sent on shore and planted in battery, so as to command the entrance of the bay. every other precaution was likewise taken to avoid discovery; all fires were extinguished, and the blacks were ordered to remove from the neighbourhood. by the time these arrangements had been made, the scout returned to give notice that two boats had entered the river, and were exploring one of the numerous passages of the stream. the captain on this ordered the scout to remain on board, lest he might betray their whereabouts to the enemy. he had no wish to destroy the boats, as so doing would not benefit him; concealment, not fighting, was his object. when night, however, came on, he sent out the scout to gain further intelligence. scarcely had the man gone, when he returned, and noiselessly stepped on deck. "hist, senor, hist!" he whispered. "they are close at hand, little dreaming we are near them." "whereabouts?" inquired the captain. "on the other side of the long island which divides the middle from the southern stream," was the substance of the reply. "we'll attack them then, and either kill or make them all prisoners. they may be useful as hostages," muttered the captain, and calling antonio to him, he ordered him to man two boats with the most trustworthy of their people, and carefully to muffle the oars. this done, both boats left the schooner, under his command, in the direction indicated by the scout. they pulled across the channel to a thickly-wooded island indicated by the scout. the negro landed, and in a few minutes came back. "dere dey are, senor," he whispered; "you may kill all fast asleep; berry good time now; no make noise." on hearing this, the slavers, all of whom were armed to the teeth, advanced cautiously across the island, by a path with which queebo seemed well acquainted. the black pointed between the trees, and there was seen the head of a man, fast asleep in the stern-sheets of a boat. just then a light rustling noise was heard, and a figure was seen advancing close up to where the slavers were crouching down, ready for the command of their officer to fire. he advanced slowly, looking out for the very path apparently by which they had gained the spot. he reached within almost an arm's length of the captain. the impulse was irresistible; and before the stranger was aware any one was near him, he was felled to the ground, and a handkerchief was passed over his mouth, so that he could not utter a cry for help. two other men, who were doing duty as sentinels on shore, were in like manner surprised and gagged, without uttering a sound to alarm the rest. the slavers then advanced close up to the nearest boat, and pouring a volley from their deadly trabucos into her, killed or wounded nearly all her crew. a larger boat was moored at some little distance farther on, and her people being aroused by the firing, they at once shoved off into the stream, which the survivors of the other also succeeded in doing. they then opened a fire on the slavers, but sheltered as they were among the trees, it was ineffectual. the contest was kept up for some time; but reduced in strength as the crews of the boats were, they were at last obliged to retreat, while the slavers returned with their prisoners to the schooner. as the slavers' boats were left on the other side of the island, which extended for more than a mile towards the sea, they were unable to follow their retreating enemy had they been so inclined; but in fact they did not relish the thought of coming in actual contact with british seamen, as they had good reason in believing the enemy to be, although weakened and dispirited by defeat. when the prisoners, who had not uttered a word, were handed up on deck, the captain ordered lights to be brought, for he had no longer any fear of being discovered. one evidently, by his uniform, was an officer; the other two were seamen. the captain paced the deck in the interval before lights were brought, grinding his teeth and clinching his fists with rage, as he muttered to himself,-- "he shall die--he wears that hated uniform: it reminds me of what i once was. oh, this hell within me! blood must quench its fire." a seaman now brought aft a lantern; its glare fell as well on the features of the prisoner as on that of the slave captain. both started. "staunton!" ejaculated the latter. "daggerfeldt!" exclaimed the prisoner. "you know me, then?" said the captain of the slaver, bitterly; "it will avail you little, though. i had wished it had been another man; but no matter--you must take your chance." the slaver's crew were now thronging aft. "well, meos amigos," he continued, in a fierce tone, "what is to be done with these spies? you are the judges, and must decide the case." "enforca-los--hang them, hang them--at least the officer. the other two may possibly enter, and they may be of service: we want good seamen to work the vessel, and these english generally are so." "you hear what your fate is to be," said daggerfeldt, turning to captain staunton. "you had better prepare for it. you may have some at home to regret your loss. if you have any messages, i will take care to transmit them. it is the only favour i can do you." while he spoke, a bitter sneer curled his lip, and his voice assumed a taunting tone, which he could not repress. the gallant officer, proud in his consciousness of virtue, confronted the villain boldly. "i would receive no favour, even my life, from one whose very name is a disgrace to humanity. even if the message i were to send was conveyed correctly, it would be polluted by the bearer. it would be little satisfaction for my friends to know that i was murdered in an african creek by the hands of a rascally slaver." while staunton was uttering these words, which he did in very bitterness of spirit, for, knowing the character of the wretch with whom he had to deal, he had not the remotest hope of saving either his own life or that of his people, the rage of daggerfeldt was rising till it surpassed his control. "silence!" he thundered, "or i will brain you on the spot!" but staunton stood unmoved. "madman, would you thus repay me for the life i saved?" he asked, calmly. "a curse on you for having saved it," answered the pirate, fiercely, returning his sword, which he had half drawn from its scabbard. "my hand, however, shall not do the deed. here, antonio diogo, here are the spies who wish to interfere in our trade, and would send us all to prison, or to the gallows, if they could catch us." "the end of a rope and a dance on nothing for the officer, say i," answered the mulatto mate. "see what his followers will do; speak to them in their own lingo, captain, and ask them whether they choose to walk overboard or join us." while he was speaking, some of the crew brought aft the two british seamen, with their hands lashed behind them. others, headed by antonio, immediately seized captain staunton, and led him to the gangway, one of the men running aloft to reeve a rope through the studding-sail sheet-block on the main-yard. staunton well knew what the preparations meant, but he trembled not; his whole anxiety was for the boats' crews he had led in the expedition which had ended so unfortunately, and for the two poor fellows whose lives, he feared, were about also to be sacrificed by the miscreants. the british seamen watched what was going forward, and by the convulsive workings of their features, and the exertions they were making to free their arms, were evidently longing to strike a blow to rescue him. daggerfeldt was better able to confront them than he had been to face staunton. "you are seamen belonging to a man-of-war outside this river, and you came here to interfere with our affairs?" "you've hit it to an affigraphy, my bo'," answered one of the men, glad, at all events, to get the use of his tongue. "we belongs to her majesty's brig `sylph,' and we came into this here cursed hole to take you or any other slaver we could fall in with; and now you knows what i am, i'll just tell you what you are--a runaway scoundrel of a piccarooning villain, whom no honest man would consort with, or even speak to, for that matter, except to give him a bit of his mind; and if you're not drowned, or blown up sky high, you'll be hung, as you deserve, as sure as you're as big a rascal as ever breathed. now, put that in your pipe, my bo', and smoke it." while he was thus running on, to the evident satisfaction of his shipmate, who, indifferent to their danger, seemed mightily to enjoy the joke, daggerfeldt in vain endeavoured to stop him. "silence!" he shouted, "or you go overboard this moment!" "you must bawl louder than that, my bo', if you wants to frighten jack hopkins, let me tell you," answered the undaunted seaman. "what is it you want of us? come, out with it; some villainy, i'll warrant." the captain of the slaver ground his teeth with fury, but he dared not kill the man who was bearding him, for he could not explain to his crew the nature of the offence, a very venial one in their eyes, and he wanted some good seamen. "i overlook your insolence," he answered, restraining his passion. "my crew are your judges. you have been convicted of endeavouring to capture us, and they give you your choice of joining us, or of going overboard; the dark stream alongside swarms with alligators. that fate is too good for your captain: he is to be hung." "why, what a cursed idiot you must be to suppose we'd ship with such a pretty set of scoundrels as you and your men are," answered jack hopkins, with a laugh. "i speak for myself and for bob short, too. it's all right, bob, i suppose?" he said, turning to his companion. "there's no use shilly-shallying with these blackguards." "ay, ay; i'm ready for what you are," replied bob short, who had gained his name from the succinctness of his observations apparently, rather than from his stature, for he was six feet high, while the name by which jack hopkins was generally known on board was peter palaver, from his inveterate habits of loquacity. "well, then, look ye here, mr daggerfeldt, i knowed you many years ago for an ill-begotten spawn of you knows what, and i knows you now for the biggest scoundrel unhung, so you must just take the compliments i've got to give you. now for the matter of dying, i'd rather die with a brave, noble fellow like our skipper than live in company with a man who has murdered his messmate, has seduced the girl who sheltered him from justice, and would now hang the man who saved his life. your favours! i'll have none on 'em." the fierce pirate and slaver stood abashed before the wild outbreak of the bold sailor, but quickly recovering himself, livid and trembling with rage, he shouted out to his crew-- "heave these fools of englishmen overboard; they know more of our secrets than they ought, and will not join us. send this talking fellow first." "if it comes to that, i can find my tongue too, let me tell you," exclaimed bob short; "you're a murderous, rascally, thieving--" "heave them both together," shouted daggerfeldt. "stay," said antonio, who was refined in his cruelty; "let them have the pleasure of seeing their captain hang first, since they are so fond of him. he well knows what their fate will be, and perhaps he would rather they went overboard than joined us." "do as you like, but let it be done quickly," answered daggerfeldt. "i'm sick of this work, and we must be preparing to get out of the river, or their friends will be sending in here to look for us." hopkins and short did not understand a word of this conversation, and finding themselves brought close up to where their captain stood engaged in his devotions, and preparing like a brave man for inevitable death, they believed that they were to share his fate. "well, i'm blowed if that ain't more than i expected of the beggars," whispered jack hopkins to his companion; "they're going to do the thing that's right after all, and launch us in our last cruise in the same way as the captain." "jack, can you pray?" asked bob short. "why, for the matter of that i was never much of a hand at it," answered jack; "but when i was a youngster i was taught to thank god for all his mercies, and i do so still. why do you ask?" "i was thinking as how as the skipper is taking a spell at it, whether we might ask him just to put in a word for us. he knows more about it, and a captain of a man-of-war must have a greater chance of being attended to than one of us, you see, jack." poor bob could never thus have exerted himself had he not felt that he should only have a few words more to speak in this life. jack looked at him in surprise. "i'll ask him, bob, i'll ask him; but you know as how the parson says, in the country we are going to all men are equal, and so i suppose we ought to pray for ourselves." "but we are still in this world, jack," argued the other; "captain staunton is still our captain, and we are before the mast." he spoke loud, and captain staunton had apparently overheard the conversation, for he smiled and looked towards them. he had been offering up a prayer to the throne on high for mercy for the failings of the two honest fellows, whose ignorance it was now too late to enlighten. antonio was a pious catholic, and, villain as he was, he was unwilling not to give the chance of a quiet passage into the other world to his victims. "what are you about there?" shouted daggerfeldt; "is this work never to end?" "the men are praying, senor, before they slip their cables for eternity," answered antonio. "is there an eternity?" muttered the pirate, and shuddered. on captain staunton's turning his head, on which the light from the lantern fell strongly, antonio believed it was the signal that he was prepared,--"hoist away!" he shouted, in spanish; but at that instant a light female form rushed forth from the cabin, and seizing the whip, held it forcibly down with one hand while she disengaged the noose from the captain's neck. "oh, juan! have you not murders enough on your head already that you must commit another in cold blood?" she exclaimed, turning to daggerfeldt, "and that other on one who saved your life at the risk of his own. i knew him--before all my misery began, and recognised him at once. if you persist, i leave you; you know me well, i fear not to die; antonio, you dare not disobey me. unreeve that rope, and leave me to settle with our captain regarding these men." the slaver's crew stood sulky and with frowning aspect around her, yet they in no way interrupted her proceedings, while daggerfeldt stood a silent spectator in the after-part of the vessel. "unreeve that rope! again i say," she exclaimed, stamping on the deck with her foot. the order was obeyed without the captain's interference. "your lives are safe for the present," she said, addressing the englishmen. "i know that man's humour, and he dares not now contradict me. i am the only thing who yet clings to him, the only one he thinks who loves him, the only being in whom he can place his trust; that explains my power." she spoke hurriedly and low, so that staunton alone could hear her, and there was scorn in her tone. "cast those men loose," she continued, turning to the crew, while with her own hands she undid the cords which lashed staunton's arms, and as she did so she whispered, "keep together, and edge towards the arms-chest. there are those on board who will aid me if any attempt is made to injure you." saying this she approached the captain of the slaver; she touched his arm: "juan," she said, in a softened tone, totally different from that in which she had hitherto spoken; "i am wayward, and have my fancies. i felt certain that your death would immediately follow that of those men. i was asleep in my cabin, and dreamed that you were struggling in the waves, and they, seizing hold of you, were about to drag you down with them." daggerfeldt looked down at her as she stood in a supplicating attitude before him. "you are fanciful, juanetta; but you love me, girl." "have i not proved it?" she answered in a tone of sadness; "you will save the lives of these men?" "i tell you i will. we will carry them in chains to cuba, and there sell them as slaves." "you must let them go free here," she answered. "impossible, juanetta; do you wish to betray me?" he asked, fiercely. "go to your cabin. the men shall not be hurt, and they will be better off than the blacks on board." she was silent, and then retired to her cabin, speaking on her way a word to a negro who stood near the entrance. "mauro," she said, "watch those men, and if you observe any signs of treachery, let me know." the black signified that he comprehended her wishes, and would obey them. the escape. captain staunton and his companions were not allowed to remain long at liberty; for as soon as the lady had retired, at a sign from daggerfeldt, the slaver's crew again attempted to lash their arms behind them, not, however, without some resistance on the part of hopkins and short. the most zealous in this work was the negro mauro, who contrived, as he was passing a rope round captain staunton's arm, to whisper in his ear, "make no resistance, senor, it is useless. you have friends near you. tell your followers to keep quiet. they can do themselves no good." staunton accordingly told his men to follow his example, when they quietly submitted to their fate. before this, he had contemplated the possibility of their being able to succeed in getting arms from the arms-chest, and either selling their lives dearly, or jumping overboard and attempting to reach the shore. in most slavers the lower deck is devoted entirely to the slaves and the provisions, the men sleeping under a topgallant-forecastle, or sometimes on the open deck, and the captain and mates under the poop deck. there was, therefore, no spare place in which to confine the prisoners, and they were accordingly told to take up their quarters under an awning stretched between two guns in the waist. this was better accommodation than they could have expected, for not only were they sheltered partially from the dew, but were screened from the observation of the crew, and were not subject to the suffocating heat of the between-decks. a night may, however, be more agreeably spent than on a hard plank, up an african river, with a prospect of being sent to feed the alligators in the morning, and the certainty of a long separation from one's friends and country, not to speak of the nine hundred and ninety-nine chances out of a thousand of one's losing one's health, if not one's life, by the insatiable yellow-fever. the reflections of captain staunton were most bitter. he thought not of himself, but of her he had loved so long and faithfully; she would believe him dead, and he knew how poignant would be her grief. he felt sure that she would not be faithless to his memory, but months, even years, might pass before he might escape, or have the means of informing her of his existence. while these ideas were passing through his mind, it was impossible to sleep. there were, too, the midnight noises of the african clime: the croaking of frogs, the chirrup of birds, the howl of wild beasts, the cries, if not of fish, of innumerable amphibious animals of flesh and fowl, and, more than all, the groans and moans of the unhappy beings confined in their noisome sepulchre below; all combined to make a concert sounding as might the distant echoes of pandemonium. at length, however, towards the morning, nature gave way, and he forgot himself and his unfortunates in slumber. it had not lasted many minutes when he was aroused by a hand placed on his shoulder, while a soft hush was whispered in his ear. at the same time he felt that there was a knife employed in cutting the ropes which bound his arms. something told him that the person performing this office was a friend, so he did not attempt to speak, but quietly waited to learn what, he was next expected to do. again the voice whispered in his ear,-- "arouse your companions, if possible, but beware that they do not speak aloud; caution them in their ear as i did you--their heads are near where yours lies." the voice which spoke, from its silvery tones, staunton felt certain was that of a female, as was the hand which loosened his bonds. without hesitation, therefore, he did as he was desired, and putting his mouth down to hopkins's ear, he ordered him on his life not to utter a word. jack was awake in a moment, and alive to the state of affairs. they had more difficulty in arousing bob short, who uttered several very treacherous groans and grunts before he was quite awake, though he fortunately did not speak. had captain staunton been aware that a sentry was actually posted outside the screen, he would have trembled for their safety. fortunately the man was fast asleep, reclining against the bulwarks--a fact ascertained by jack hopkins, who poked his head from under the screen to ascertain how the coast lay. not a sound was heard to give notice that any of the crew were stirring on deck. staunton, feeling that his best course was to trust implicitly to his unseen guide, waited till he received directions how to proceed. he soon felt himself pulled gently by the arm towards the nearest port, which was sufficiently raised to enable him to pass through it. on putting his head out, he perceived through the obscurity a canoe with a single person in it, hanging on alongside the schooner. his guide dropped noiselessly into it, and took her place in the stern; staunton cautiously followed, and seating himself in the afterthwart, found a paddle put into his hands; jack and bob required no one to tell them what to do, but quickly also took their places in the boat. as soon as they were seated, the man who was first in the canoe shoved her off gently from the side of the schooner; and while the guide directed their course, began to paddle off rapidly towards the centre of the stream. so dexterously did he apply his oar, that not a splash was heard, though the canoe darted quickly along through the ink-like current without leaving even a ripple in her wake. not a word was uttered by any of the party; every one seemed to be aware of the importance of silence, and even peter palaver forebore to cut a joke, which he felt very much inclined to do, as he found himself increasing his distance from the black slaver. the pursuit. the canoe held her silent course down the dark and mirror-like stream towards the sea. not a breath of wind moved the leaves of the lofty palm-trees which towered above their heads, casting their tall shadows on the calm waters below, while here and there a star was seen piercing as it were through the thick canopy of branches; the air was hot and oppressive, and a noxious exhalation rose from the muddy banks, whence the tide had run off. now and then a lazy alligator would run his long snout above the surface of the stream, like some water demon, and again glide noiselessly back into his slimy couch. "tell your people to take to their paddles and ply them well," said the guide, in a louder tone than had hitherto been used. staunton was now certain that it was juanetta's voice--that of the lady who had preserved his life. "we are still some distance from the sea, in reaching which is our only chance of safety; for if we are overtaken--and the moment our flight is discovered, we shall be pursued--our death is certain." the instant bob and jack had leave to use their paddles they plied them most vigorously, and the canoe, which had hitherto glided, now sprang, as it were, through the water, throwing up sparkling bubbles on either side of her sharp bows. "pull on, my brave men," she exclaimed to herself, more than to the seamen, "every thing depends on our speed. the tide is still making out, and if we can clear the mouth of the river before the flood sets in all will be well." she spoke in spanish, a language staunton understood well. her eye was meantime turning in every direction as her hand skilfully guided the boat. "there are scouts about who might attempt to stop us if they suspected we were fugitives. i have, however, the pass-word, and can without difficulty mislead them if we encounter any. your own people, too, may be in the river looking out for the schooner." "i think not," answered staunton. "we had lost one of our boats, and as i am believed dead, my successor (poor fellow, how he will be disappointed!) will, if he acts wisely, not attempt to capture the `espanto' except with the `sylph' herself." "the greater necessity, then, for our getting out to sea. it is already dawn. observe the red glare bursting through the mist in the eastern sky, just through the vista of palm-trees up that long reach. we shall soon have no longer the friendly darkness to conceal us." as she was speaking a large canoe was seen gliding calmly up the stream, close in with the bank. the people in her hailed in the negro language, and the man who was first in the canoe promptly answered in the same. "ask them if they have seen the english man-of-war," said juanetta. the negroes answered that she was still riding at anchor off the mouth of the river. "we shall thus be safe if we can reach the open sea," she observed; "but we have still some miles to row before we can get clear of the treacherous woods which surround us; and perhaps when our flight is discovered, our pursuers may take one of the other channels, and we may find our egress stopped at the very mouth of the stream. this suspense is dreadful." "we may yet strike a blow for you, and for our own liberty, senora," answered staunton. "it was fortunate the obscurity prevented the people in the canoe from discovering us." "that matters little. no one would venture to stop me but that man, that demon rather in human disguise, daggerfeldt, as you call him," she replied, bitterly, pronouncing the name as one to which she was unaccustomed. "ah, senor; love--ardent, blind, mad love--can be turned to the most deadly hatred. criminal, lost as i have been, i feel that there is a step further into iniquity, and that step i have refused to take. the scales have fallen from my eyes, and i have seen the enormity of my wickedness, and have discovered the foulness of my wrongs. from his own lips the dreadful information came. in the same breath he acknowledged that he had murdered my father and deceived me. as he slept he told the dreadful tale; the sight of you conjured up the past to his memory; other murders he talked of, and treachery of all sorts attempted. he mocked, too, at me, and at my credulity. i learned also that he still contemplated your destruction as well as mine. i who had preserved his life, who had sacrificed my happiness here and hereafter for his sake, was to be cast off for another lady fairer and younger, so it seemed to me, but i could not understand all his words, for sometimes he spoke in his native language, sometimes in spanish. enough was heard to decide me. i had long contemplated quitting him. i knew that it was wrong remaining, but had not strength before to tear asunder my bonds, till the feeling that i might rescue you, and make some slight reparation to heaven for my wickedness, gave me strength to undertake the enterprise. there, senor, you know the reason of your liberation; my trusty mauro, who has ever been faithful, provided the means." she spoke in a hurried tone, and her sentences were broken, as if she hesitated to speak of her disgrace and misery, but yet was urged on by an irresistible impulse. even while she was speaking her eye was on the alert, and her hand continued skilfully to guide the canoe. the stars had gradually disappeared, sinking as it were into a bed of thick leaden-coloured mist, which overspread the narrow arch overhead, while in the east a red glow appeared which melted away as the pale daylight slowly filled the air. it was day, but there was no joyousness in animated nature, or elasticity in the atmosphere, as at that time in other regions. a sombre hue tinted the trees, the water, and the sky; even the chattering of innumerable parrots, and the cries of those caricatures of men, many thousands of obscene monkeys, appeared rather to mock at than to welcome the return of the world to life. the canoe flew rapidly on. suddenly juanetta lifted her paddle from the water; her ears were keenly employed. "hark!" she said, "cease rowing; there is the sound of oars in the water. ah! it is as i thought. there is a boat endeavouring to cut us off by taking another channel; she is still astern of us though, but we must not slack our exertions." captain staunton redoubled his efforts, as did his men on his telling them they were pursued. after the story he had heard, he was now doubly anxious to rescue the unfortunate girl from the power of the miscreant daggerfeldt. they now entered a broader reach of the river below the fork, where the channel which juanetta supposed their pursuers had taken united with the one they were following. they had got some way down it when staunton observed a large boat emerging from behind the woody screen. juanetta judged from his eye that he had caught sight of the boat. "is it as i thought?" she asked, calmly. staunton told her that he could distinguish a boat, evidently pursuing them, but whether she belonged to his ship or to the slaver, he could not judge. "we must not stay to examine; if we were mistaken we should be lost," she observed; "but we have the means of defending ourselves--see, i had fire-arms placed in the bottom of the canoe, and here are powder-horns under the seat. mauro has carefully loaded them, and if they attempt to stop us we must use them." on they pulled, straining every nerve to the utmost, but the canoe was heavily laden, and the boat gained on them. staunton trusted that their pursuers might be his own people, but his hope vanished when one of them rose; there was a wreath of smoke, a sharp report, and a bullet flew over their heads and splintered the branch of a tree which grew at the end of a point they were just then doubling. "aim lower next time, my bo', if you wish to wing us," shouted jack hopkins, who saw no use in longer keeping silence. "ah!" exclaimed juanetta, "the blue sea--we may yet escape." as she spoke, another shot better aimed took effect on the quarter of the canoe, but did no further injury. it showed, however, that there were good marksmen in the boat intent on mischief, and that they were perilously near already. for some time they were again shut out from their pursuers, but as the latter doubled the last point, they had, too evidently, gained on them. "if any one again rises to fire, you must take also to your arms, senor," said juanetta, a shudder passing through her frame; "and if it is he, kill him--kill him without remorse. he has shown none. that rifle at your feet was his--it was always true to its aim." she had scarcely ceased speaking, when a figure stood up in the boat. it seemed to have the likeness of daggerfeldt. staunton seized the rifle to fire--he was too late. ere he had drawn the trigger, a flash was seen, and juanetta, with a wild shriek, fell forward into the canoe. staunton fired; the man who had sent the fatal shot stood unharmed, but the oar of one fell from his grasp, and got entangled with those of the others. this would have enabled the canoe to recover her lost ground, had not mauro, on seeing his beloved mistress fall, thrown up his paddle, exclaiming that he wished to die with her. "she may yet be saved if you exert yourself," cried staunton, in spanish; "row--for your life row; i will attend to your mistress." urged by the officer's commanding tone, the negro again resumed his paddle. staunton, still guiding the canoe, raised juanetta, and placed her back in the stern-sheets--she scarcely breathed. the ball had apparently entered her neck, though no blood was to be seen. he suspected the worst, but dared not utter his fears lest mauro should again give way to his grief. several other shots were fired at them from the boat, which was rapidly gaining on them. they were close on the bar, in another moment they would be in clear water. the slaver crew shouted fiercely; again a volley was fired, the balls from which went through and through the sides of the slight canoe, without wounding any one, but making holes for the water to rush in. one more volley would sink them, when a loud cheerful shout rung in their ears, and two boats with the british ensign trailing from the stern were seen pulling rapidly towards them. jack hopkins and bob short answered the hail; the pirates, too, saw the boats, they ceased rowing, and then pulling round, retraced their course up the river. the canoe, with the rapid current, flew over the bar, and had barely time to get alongside the barge of the "sylph," when she was full up to the thwarts. we need not say that his crew welcomed captain staunton's return in safety with shouts of joy, after they had believed him dead. with the strong current then setting out of the river it was found hopeless to follow the slaver's boat. they were soon alongside the brig. poor juanetta was carried carefully to the captain's cabin, watched earnestly by mauro. the surgeon examined her wound. "her hours are numbered," he said. "no art of mine can save her." the action. calm and treacherously beautiful as was the morning on which captain staunton regained his ship, scarcely had she got under way to stand in closer to the mouth of the river, in order to watch more narrowly for the schooner, should she attempt to run out, than a dark cloud was seen rising over the land. it appeared on a sudden, and extended rapidly, till it spread over the whole eastern sky. "i fear that it will not do with the weather we have in prospect to send the boats up the river again to retrieve our defeat, mr collins," said captain staunton, pointing to the threatening sky. "i think not, sir, with you," answered the lieutenant; "in fact, if i may advise, the sooner we shorten sail the better, or we may have it down upon us before we are prepared." "you are right, mr collins; shorten sail as soon as you please," said the captain. "all hands shorten sail," was sung along the decks. "aloft there"--"lay out"--"be smart about it"--"in with every thing"--"let fly"--"haul down"--"brail up"--"be smart, it will be down upon us thick and strong, in a moment"--"up with the helm"--"look out there aloft"--"be smart, my lads." such were the different orders issued, and exclamations uttered in succession by the officers. a moment before, the sea was smooth as glass, and the brig had scarcely steerage-way. now the loud roaring of the angry blast was heard, and the flapping of the yet unfolded canvas against the masts; the ocean was a sheet of white foam, and the sky a canopy of inky hue. away the brig flew before it, leaving the land astern, her sails were closely furled, and she remained unharmed, not a spar was sprung, not a rope carried away, not a sail injured. thus she flew on under bare poles till the squall subsided as quickly as it had arisen, and sail was again made to recover the ground they had lost. land was still visible, blue and indistinct, but many fears were naturally entertained lest the slaver, which had already given them so much trouble, should have got out of the river with her living cargo, and by keeping either way along shore, have escaped them. for some minutes the wind entirely failed, and curses loud and deep were uttered at their ill luck, when, as if to rebuke them for their discontent, the fine fresh sea-breeze set in, and, with a flowing sheet, carried them gayly along. every eye was employed in looking out for the slaver, for they could not suppose she would have lost the opportunity of getting out during their absence. they were not kept long in suspense. "a sail on the starboard bow," cried the look-out from the masthead. "what is she like?" asked the first lieutenant. "a schooner, sir. the slaver, sir, as we chased afore," answered the seaman, his anxiety that she should be so making him fancy he could not be mistaken. "the fellow must have sharp eyes indeed to know her at this distance," muttered the lieutenant to himself with a smile; "however, i suppose he's right. we must not, though, be chasing the wrong craft while the enemy is escaping. which way is she standing?" he asked. "to the southward, sir, with every stitch of canvas she can carry," was the answer. the officer made the proper official report to the captain. "we must be after her at all events," said captain staunton. "haul up, mr collins, in chase. send mr stevenson away in the barge to watch the mouth of the river." the brig was forthwith brought to the wind, the barge in a very short space of time was launched and manned with a stout crew well-armed and provisioned, and she shoved off to perform her duty, while the "sylph" followed the strange sail. the man-of-war had evidently an advantage over the stranger, for while the sea-breeze in the offing blew fresh and steady, in-shore it was light and variable. on perceiving this, captain staunton kept his brig still nearer to the wind, and ran down, close-hauled, along the coast, thus keeping the strength of the wind, and coming up hand over hand with the stranger, who lay at times almost becalmed under the land. the breeze, however, before they came abreast of her reached her also, and away she flew like a startled hare just aroused from sleep. "fire a gun to bring her to," exclaimed the captain; "she shall have no reason to mistake our intentions." the british ensign was run up, and a gun was discharged, but to no effect. two others followed, which only caused her to make more sail; and by her luffing closer up to the wind, she apparently hoped to weather on them, and cross their bows. she was a large schooner, and by the way sail was made on her, probably strongly-handed, so that there could be little doubt that she was the vessel for which they were in search. "send a shot into the fellow," exclaimed the captain; "that will prove we are in earnest, and make him show his colours." the shot clearly hit the schooner, although the range was somewhat long, but it did slight damage. it had the effect though of making him show his ensign, and the stripes and stars of the united states streamed out to the breeze. "those are not the fellow's colours, i'll swear," said mr collins, as he looked through his glass. "another shot will teach him we are not to be humbugged." "give it him, collins, and see if you can knock away any of his spars," said the captain. "we must follow that fellow round the world till we bring him to action, and take or sink him. he'll not heave-to for us, depend upon that." "not if daggerfeldt is the captain," answered the first lieutenant. "i think she is his schooner; but he is so continually altering her appearance that it is difficult to be quite certain." "though i was some hours on board of her, as i reached her in the dark, and left her before it was light, i cannot be certain," observed captain staunton, as he took a turn on the quarter-deck with his officer. "by the by, there is that poor girl's black attendant; he will know the vessel at all events. tell him to come up and give us his opinion." the lieutenant went into the captain's cabin, and soon after returned, observing,-- "he will not quit his mistress, sir; and the surgeon tells me he has sat by her side without stirring, watching every movement of her lips as a mother does her only child. as no one on board can speak his language but you, sir, we cannot make him understand why he is wanted on deck." "oh, i forgot that: i will speak to him myself," answered the captain. "keep firing at the chase till she heaves-to, and then see that she does not play us any trick. daggerfeldt is up to every thing." captain staunton descended to his cabin. juanetta lay on the sofa, a sheet thrown over her limbs, her countenance of a corpse-like hue, but by the slight movements of her lips she still breathed. the black hung over her, applying a handkerchief to her brow to wipe away the cold damps gathering there. her features, though slightly sunk, as seen in the subdued light of the cabin, seemed like those of some beautiful statue rather than of a living being. the surgeon stood at the head of the couch, endeavouring to stop the haemorrhage from the wound. "i dare not probe for the ball," he whispered, as if the dying girl could understand him; "it would only add to her torture, and i cannot prolong her life." "and this is thy handiwork, daggerfeldt--another victim of thy unholy passions," muttered the captain, as he gazed at her for a moment. "poor girl, we will avenge thee!" he had considerable difficulty in persuading mauro to quit his mistress; but at length the faithful black allowed himself to be led on deck. he looked round, at first bewildered, as if unconscious where he was; but when his eye fell on the schooner, it brightened up, as if meeting an object with which it was familiar, and a fierce expression took possession of his countenance. "es ella, es ella, senor!" he exclaimed, vehemently. "it is she, it is she--fire, fire--kill him, kill him, he has slain my mistress!" a gun was just then discharged, the shot struck the quarter of the schooner, and the white splinters were seen flying from it. on seeing this he shouted with savage joy, clapped his hands, and spat in the direction of the slaver, exhibiting every other sign he could think of, of hatred and rage. having thus given way to his feelings, the recollection of his mistress returned, and with a groan of anguish he rushed down below. the two vessels had been gradually drawing closer to each other, in consequence of the schooner luffing up to endeavour to cross the bows of the brig, and if she could, to get to windward of her, the only chance she had of escaping. the eyes of the officers were fixed on her to watch her movements. "she's about--all right!" shouted the captain. "give her a broadside while she is in stays, and knock away some of her spars. fire high, my lads, so as not to hurt her hull." the brig discharged her whole larboard battery, and the fore-topmast of the schooner was seen tumbling below. "by jingo, we've dished him!" exclaimed jack hopkins, to his chum, bob short; "and i'm blowed, bob, if it wasn't my shot did that ere for him. i never lost sight of it till it struck." "maybe," answered bob; "hard to prove, though." the schooner had sufficient way on her to bring her round before the topmast fell, and she was now brought into a position partially to rake the brig, though at the distance the two vessels were from each other, the aim was very uncertain. that daggerfeldt had determined to fight his vessel was now evident, for the flag of the united states being hauled down, that of spain was run up in its stead, and at the same moment a broadside was let fly from the schooner. the shot came whizzing over and about the brig, but one only struck her, carrying away the side of a port, a splinter from which slightly wounded bob short in the leg. "ough!" exclaimed bob, quietly binding his handkerchief round the limb without quitting his post, "they're uncivil blackguards." "never mind, bob," said jack hopkins, "we'll soon have an opportunity of giving them something in return. see, by jingo, we've shot away his forestay! we'll have his foremast down in a jiffy. huzza, my boys, let's try what we can do!" whether jack's gun was well aimed it is difficult to say, but at all events the shot from the brig told with considerable effect on the rigging of the schooner. the brig did not altogether escape from the fire of the enemy, who worked his guns rapidly; but whenever a brace was shot away it was quickly again rove, so that she was always kept well under command. the loss of her fore-topmast made the escape of the schooner hopeless, unless she could equally cripple her pursuer; but that she had not contrived to do, and accordingly, as the two vessels drew closer together, the fire from each took more effect. daggerfeldt, to do him justice, did all a seaman could do, and in a very short space of time the wreck of his topmast was cleared away, and he was preparing to get up a new one in its place. the sea was perfectly smooth, and the wind gradually fell till there was scarcely enough to blow away the smoke from the guns of the combatants, which in thick curling wreaths surrounded them, till at intervals only could the adjacent land and the ocean be seen. although daggerfeldt could scarcely have hoped to succeed either in escaping or coming off the victor, he still refused to haul down his colours, even when the "sylph," shooting past ahead of him, poured in her whole broadside, sweeping his decks, and killing and wounding several of his people. dreadful were the shrieks which arose from the poor affrighted wretches confined below, although none of them were injured. the "sylph" then wore round, and, passing under her stern, gave her another broadside, and then luffing up, ran her alongside--the grappling-irons were hove on board, and she was secured in a deadly embrace. the miserable blacks, believing that every moment was to be their last, again uttered loud cries of horror; but the slaver's crew, some of whom fought with halters round their necks, still refused to yield, and, with cutlass in hand, seemed prepared to defend their vessel to the last, as the british seamen, led on by their captain, leaped upon the decks. staunton endeavoured to single out daggerfeldt, but he could nowhere distinguish him; and after a severe struggle, in which several of the spaniards were killed, he fought his way aft, and hauled down the colours. at that instant a female form, with a white robe thrown around her, was seen standing on the deck of the brig; the crew of the slaver also saw her, and, believing her to be a spirit of another world, fancied she had come to warn them of their fate. the energies of many were paralysed, and some threw down their arms and begged for quarter. a loud, piercing shriek was heard. "i am avenged, i am avenged!" she cried, and sank upon the deck. it was juanetta. mauro, who had followed her from the cabin, threw himself by her side, and wrung his hands in despair. they raised up her head, and the surgeon felt her pulse. she had ceased to breathe. no further resistance was offered by the crew of the slaver. eight hundred human beings--men, women, and children--were found stowed below, wedged so closely together, that none could move without disturbing his neighbour. some had actually died from sheer fright at the noise of the cannonading. instant search was made for daggerfeldt; he was nowhere to be found, and the crew either could not or would not give any information respecting him. the prize was carried safely to sierra leone, where she was condemned; the slaves were liberated, and became colonists; and captain staunton, and his officers and crew, got a handsome share of prize-money. the "sylph" was in the following month recalled home, and a few weeks afterward the papers announced the marriage of captain staunton, rn, to miss blanche d'aubigne. chapter fifteen. corunna--oporto--pull up the douro--notice of the siege of oporto-- line-of-battle ship. porpoise's story lasted out the gale. we were not sorry to see the conclusion of the latter, though it left old ocean in a very uncomfortable state for some time. a downright heavy gale is undoubtedly a very fine thing to witness--at least the effects are--and every man would wish to see one once in his life; but having experienced what it can do, and how it makes the ocean look and human beings feel, a wise man will be satisfied, at all events if he is to fall in with it in a small cutter in the bay of biscay when that once is over. i've had to go through a good many in the course of my nautical career; and though i've often heard sung with much gusto-- "one night it blew a hurricane, the sea was mountains rolling, when barney buntline turned his quid, and cried to billy bowline: "`here's a south-wester coming, billy; don't you hear it roar now? lord help 'em, how i pities those unhappy folks ashore now! "`while you and i upon the deck are comfortably lying, my eyes! what tiles and chimney-tops about their heads are flying!'" i mustn't quote more of the old song; for my own part i like a steady breeze and a smooth sea, when plates and dishes will stay quietly on the table, and a person may walk the deck without any undue exertion of the muscles of the leg. the gale had driven us somewhat into the bay, and finding it would cause us little delay to look into corunna, we determined to go there. the entrance to the harbour is very easy--a fine tall lighthouse on the south clearly making it. we brought up off the town, which is situated along the circular shore of a bay something like weymouth. after paying our respects to the consul, we mounted a troop of steeds offered us for hire, and galloped off to inspect the chief scenes of the engagement between the english and the french, when the former retreated under sir john moore. on our return we visited his tomb, situated on the ramparts on the sea side of the town; the tomb is surrounded with cannon, with their muzzles downward--a fit monument to the hero who sleeps beneath. carstairs did not fail to repeat with due effect-- "not a sound was heard; not a funeral note." they are truly magnificent lines, rarely equalled. some, however, of a like character appeared lately on havelock, which are very much to my taste. but where am i driving to with my poetry and criticism? we got on board the same night, and made sail by daybreak the next morning. we looked into the deep and picturesque gulf of vigo, and thought the town a very nasty one, in spite of its imposing castle on the top of a hill. had we come from the south we might have formed a different opinion of the place. we hove-to off oporto, and should have gone in, but though exempt from harbour-dues, we found that the pilotage would be heavy, and that we might have some difficulty in getting out again over the bar which has formed across the mouth of the douro. the city stands on a granite hill on the north side of the river, and about three miles from the sea. fortunately for us, while we were hove-to there, the steamer from england came in sight, and we were able to obtain a passage on shore in the boats which brought off the mail bags. hearty, bubble, and i formed the party; carstairs and porpoise remained to take care of the ship. away we pulled with the glee of schoolboys on a holiday excursion; the boat was large, but of the roughest description--with the stem and stern alike--probably not changed since the earliest days of the portuguese monarchy; she was double-banked, pulling twelve oars at least. the men mostly wore red caps, with a coloured sash round their waists, and had shoeless feet; some had huge wooden slippers, almost big enough to go to sea in. many of them were fine-looking fellows, but they were very unlike english sailors, and oh! how they did jabber. to those who understood them their observations might have been very sensible, but to our ears their voices sounded like the chattering of a huge family of monkeys in their native woods. the view before us consisted of the blue shining sea, a large whitewashed and yellow-washed village to the north, called st. joao da foz, with a lighthouse on a hill at one end of it, a line of black rocks and white breakers before us, and to the south a yellow beach with cliffs and pine-trees beyond, and a convent, and a few of the higher standing houses and churches of oporto in the distance. when we got near the white foam-topped rollers, all the jabbering ceased, our crew bent to their oars like men worthy of descendants of albuquerque's gallant crew; and the boat now backed for an instant, now dashing on, we were in smooth water close under the walls of a no very formidable-looking fortress. a little farther on we landed at a stone slip, at the before-mentioned village, among fishwomen, and porters, and boatmen, and soldiers, and custom-house guards, and boys, all talking away most vociferously. as we had no luggage to carry, we were allowed to look about us. what we should have done i scarcely know, had not bubble, who never failed to find acquaintance in every place, recognised an english gentleman who had come down to the river to embark for the city. bubble's friend was invaluable to us; he first invited us to go up the river in his boat, and pointed out numerous spots of interest on the way. the boat was a curious affair; it had a flat bottom and sides, and narrowed to a rising point forward. the greater part was covered with a wooden awning painted green, and supported by wooden stanchions; and the seats run fore and aft round the sides; it had yellow curtains to keep out the sun or rain; the crew, three in number, stood up with their faces to the bow, pressing against the oars; two stood on a deck forward, and one, who occasionally brought his oar in a line with the keel, rowed aft. dressed in red caps with red sashes, and mostly in white or blue-striped garments, they had a picturesque appearance. although the civil war which overthrew despotism, and planted the present line on the throne, had occurred so long before, our new friend spoke of it with as much interest as if it had but lately been concluded. such an occurrence, indeed, was the great event in the lives of a generation. on the south side of the entrance of the river is a long sandbank; on the north side is the castle of foz, or the mouth. this castle was built by the pedroites, and it was literally the key on which depended the success of the enterprise. had it been taken, the communication with the sea and oporto would have been cut off, and the liberals would have been starved out. for the greater portion of the time occupied by the struggle, dom pedro's followers held little more than the city of oporto and a line of country on the north bank of the douro scarcely a mile wide, leading from the city to the sea. they held the lighthouse at the north point of the village; but a few hundred yards beyond was a mound on which the miguelites erected a strong battery. not a spot along the whole line but what was the scene of some desperate encounter; and most certainly the portuguese constitutionalists of all ranks, from the highest to the lowest, fought as bravely as men could fight in the noblest of causes. heaven favoured the right, and in spite of apparently overwhelming hosts opposed to them, of disease and gaunt famine, they won their cause, and the mother of the present enlightened king of portugal ascended the throne. but i am writing the cruise of the "frolic," and not a history of portugal. still i must dot down a few of our friend's anecdotes. while the north side of the river was held by the constitutionalists, the south was in the hands of the miguelites, and the two parties used to amuse themselves by firing at each other across the stream, so that it was dangerous to pass along the lower road by daylight. on one occasion, the miguelites, wishing to attack the castle, brought a number of casks to the end of the spit of sand at the entrance of the river, and erected a battery on it, but they forgot to fill the casks with sand or earth; when morning broke there was a formidable battery directly under the walls of the castle. some unfortunate troops were placed in it to work the guns; all went very well till the guns of the castle began to play on it, and then a few shots sent the entire fabric to the four winds of heaven, and either killed the soldiers placed in it, or drove them flying hurry-skurry across the sand, where many more were picked off by the rifles of the constitutionalists. what could be more unpleasant than having on a hot day to run along a heavy shingly beach, with a number of sharpshooters taking deliberate aim at one's corpus? happy would he be who could find a deep hole into which to roll himself out of harm's way. the banks of the douro are picturesque from the very entrance. on either side are broken cliffs; on the south covered with pine-groves, on the north with yellow, white, and pick houses and churches, and orange-groves. on the south we passed the remains of the old convent of st. antonio, where once the jovial monks feasted and sang and prayed, well supplied with the spoils of the sea. here pious fishermen used to stop and ask a blessing on their labours, on their way down the river, and on their return they failed not to offer the choice of their spoil to the worthy friars. the gardens of the convent were profusely ornamented with statues of curious device, and flowers, and vases, and orange-trees, and grottoes, and temples; all now swept away by the scythe of war--the convent walls now forming part of a manufactory. the monks have disappeared from portugal, and few people regret them less than the portuguese. at best they were drones; and, if we are to credit one-quarter of the tales told of them, they continued to do no little amount of evil in their generation. on the same side of the river, but much higher up, where the douro forces its way between two lofty cliffs, on the summit of the southern one, stands the once very celebrated convent of the sierra. from beneath its walls the duke of wellington led his army across the river into oporto, and drove marshal soult out of the city. this convent, and its surrounding garden, was the only spot held by the pedroites, and most heroically held it was, against the whole army of the usurper miguel, led by his best generals. day after day, and night after night, were his legions led to the attack, and as often were they repulsed by the half-starved defenders of its earth-formed ramparts. we may speak with pride of the siege of kars and of lucknow, and of many another event in the late war; but i hold that they do not eclipse the gallant defence of the portuguese constitutionalists of the sierra convent. below the convent the two banks of the river are now joined by a handsome iron suspension-bridge, which superseded one long existing formed of boats. the city stands below this point, rising on the converse steep sides of a granite hill, and with its numerous church-steeples, its tinted-walled houses, its bright red roofs interspersed with the polished green of orange-trees in its gardens, is a very picturesque city. along its quays are arranged vessels of various sizes, chiefly portuguese or brazilians, those of other nations anchoring on the other side, in the stream, to be away from the temptations of the wine-shops. on the south side is a bay with gently sloping shores; and here are found the long, low, narrow lodges in which are stowed the casks of port wine, which has perhaps made portugal and the portuguese more generally known to englishmen of all classes than would have been done by the historical associations connected with that beautiful country. as bubble's friend was on his way to visit his wine-pipes, he took us first to villa nova, the place i have been speaking of. one lodge he showed us contained three thousand pipes, ranged in long lines, two and three pipes one above another, which, at fifty pounds a pipe, represents a capital of one hundred and fifty thousand pounds. some of the english houses are said to have two or three times that quantity; but of course the young wine is not of the value i have mentioned. the port wine is grown on the banks of the douro, in a district commencing about fifty miles above the city. it is made in the autumn, and remains in large vats on the farms till the spring, when it is put into casks, and brought down in flat-bottomed boats to the lodges at villa nova. here it is racked and lotted to get rid of impurities, and has brandy put to it to keep it. our friend assured us that port wine will not keep for any length of time without brandy; the experiment has been tried over and over again. the only way to make it keep for a short time is to rack it constantly; but then it becomes spiritless, vapid, and colourless. to one conclusion we came, that port wine in the lodge at villa nova and port wine out of decanter at an english dinner-table are very different things; for port wine racked and lotted for the english market, and kept some years in a temperate cellar, is undoubtedly vastly superior to the juice of the grape before it is so prepared. having satisfied our curiosity, with our friend as guide, we crossed the river to oporto. we landed at a gateway in the brown old wall of the city, which runs along the river and up the hill to the east and west, surmounted by high, pointed battlements of a very moorish appearance, though the moors did not plant their conquering standard so far north as oporto. passing along a very narrow, cool, dirty, and somewhat odoriferous street, we entered a wide, well-paved one, called the rua nova. in the middle of it congregate the merchants every afternoon, at the exchange hour, to transact their public business. at the end of the street is a fine stone building, called the factory house, a sort of club belonging to the english, who become members by election. high above the end of the street, on a hill covered with houses, rises the old cathedral of oporto. we found our way to it along some narrow, twisting streets, with oriental-looking shops on either side--tinmen and goldsmiths and shoemakers and stationers--a line of each sort together. the cathedral, as well as all the churches we saw at oporto, were rather curious than elegant. for the greater part of our walk we were continually ascending along tolerably well-paved and clean streets, with stone houses and wide, projecting balconies, some with stone, others with iron balustrades. we passed through a street called the street of flowers; the chief shops in it were those of jewellers, who showed us some very beautiful filigree work in gold--brooches and ear-rings and rings. we next found ourselves in a square at the bottom of two hills, with wide streets running up each of them, and a church at their higher ends. one has a curious arabesque tower, of great height, which we saw a long way out at sea, called the torre dos clerigos. going up still higher we reached a large parade ground, with barracks at one end, and near them a granite-fronted church, called the lappa, where, in an urn, is preserved the heart of the heroic dom pedro--the grandfather of the present king of portugal. oporto is full of gardens, which make the city spread over a wide extent of ground. we were agreeably surprised with its bright, clean, cheerful look. built on a succession of granite hills, which afford admirable materials for the construction of its edifices, it has a substantial comfortable look. it is also tolerably well drained, and wayfarers are not much offended with either bad sights or smells. the variety of the costume of the inhabitants gives it a lively look; for although gentlemen and ladies have taken to french fashions, the townspeople still generally wear the graceful black mantilla, or coloured or white handkerchief over their heads, while the peasantry appear with broad-brimmed hats and cloth jackets, gay-coloured petticoats, and a profusion of gold ear-rings and chains. there are beggars, but they are not very importunate, and the smallest copper coin seemed to satisfy them. our friend told us that he has seen a portuguese gentleman, wanting a copper, take his snuff-box and present it to a beggar, who would take a pinch with the air of a noble, and shower a thousand blessings on the head of the donor in return. "the truth is, that the portuguese as a nation are the kindest people i have ever met," observed our friend. "they think charitably and act charitably, and do not despise each other; they are kindly affectionate one to another. a good government and a reformed church would make them a very happy people." our walk through the city was a hurried one, as we wished to be on board again before dark. we passed near a large palace, with some ugly visages garnishing the front. here dom pedro lived, and here marshal soult's dinner had been prepared, when the duke of wellington entered the city and ate it up. we found a boat ready to carry us down the river, which we reached by a steep, winding road. our friend kindly insisted on accompanying us. at foz a catria was prepared by our friend's directions to put us on board the yacht. oh, how refreshing to our olfactory senses, after the hot air of the streets, was the fresh sea-breeze as we reached the mouth of the river, and once more floated on the blue atlantic! the sun descended beneath the far western wave in a blaze of glory, such as i have seldom seen equalled in any latitude; the glow lit up the lappa church, the clerigos tower, and the sierra convent in the distance, suffusing a rich glow over the whole landscape. all sail was set, but we made little way through the water; a calm succeeded, and then the hot night-wind came off the land in fitful gusts, smelling of parched earth and dry leaves. having stood off the land sufficiently to clear every danger, we kept our course. the night was somewhat dark, and we had all turned in, leaving the mate in charge of the watch. i know not what it was made me restless and inclined to turn out, and breathe the fresher air on deck; probably i was heated with the long and exciting excursion of the day. as i put my head up the companion-hatch, sailor-fashion, i turned my eyes towards every point of the compass. did they deceive me? "hallo, sleet, what's that?" i exclaimed. "port the helm; hard aport, or we shall be run into." what was the look-out about? where were sleet's eyes? all, i suspect, were asleep. there, directly ahead of us, like some huge phantom of a disordered dream, came gliding on a line-of-battle ship, her tall masts and wide-spreading canvas towering up into the sky--a dark pyramid high above our heads; our destruction seemed inevitable. with a hail which horror made sound more like a shriek of despair, i summoned all hands on deck. happily, the man at the helm of the yacht obeyed my orders at the moment, and the agile little craft slipped out of the way as the huge monster glided by, her side almost touching our taffrail, and her lower studding-sail booms just passing over our peak--so it seemed; our topmast, i know, had a narrow squeak for it. "what ship's that?" shouted porpoise, springing on deck. "her britannic majesty's ship `megatherium,'" so the name sounded. "then let a better lookout be kept aboard her britannic majesty's ship `megatherium' in future, or the duke of blow-you-up will have to report to the lords commissioners of the admiralty," replied porpoise, through the speaking-trumpet. "i hauled in the duke just to frighten them a bit," he added; "they wouldn't care for the plain mister. the chances are that some of the lookouts had their eyes shut, and the officer of the watch had gone to freshen his nip a bit. no one dreams of danger on a fine night like this, and if a few small fishing-boats had been run down, no one would have heard any thing about it; there would be just a cry and a shriek from the drowning people, and all would be over. there's more danger of being run down on a calm night like this than in a gale of wind, when everybody has his eyes open." "what cutter is that?" hailed some on board the ship, through a speaking-trumpet, before porpoise had done speaking. "bow-wow-wow! i leave you to guess," he answered. by this time the vessels were so far apart that a hail could scarcely be distinguished, and so we separated. i only hope those who deserved a reprimand got it, and that any of my brother-officers, or other sea-going men who read these pages, will take the hint, and have as bright a lookout kept in fine weather as in foul. chapter sixteen. cintra--the tagus--lisbon--cadiz--gibraltar--sandgate again--old friends--news of my heroine. two days after our narrow escape, as the rising sun shed his bright rays over the world of waters, we again made the land a little to the northward of the rock of lisbon. we could see with our glasses the vast convent and palace of mafra, built by that debauched devotee, don john v. he had a notion, not uncommon at the present day, that, by rearing edifices of brick and mortar, he might thus create for himself a few stepping-stones towards heaven. the building shows a front of seven hundred feet at least towards the sea, with a lofty portico in the centre, and is capable of quartering all the troops in the kingdom. when monks dwelt there they must have had ample space for exercise. soon afterwards we came under the rocky heights of cintra. they surround a perfect oasis, rising from the arid plains about lisbon. every one knows cintra on account of its convention, not over creditable to its executors; its convent cut out of the rock, and lined with cork to keep the old monks warm; and its palace, built by the talented and eccentric beckford, now a mass of ruins. we just got a glimpse through a break in the rocks of its cork, orange, and citron groves, surrounded with sweet-scented shrubs. passing the bay of cascaes, a fresh breeze carried us by the white circular bugio fort, standing on a rock at the mouth of the tagus, and with a fair tide we ascended the river. in our company were a number of craft of all sorts, carrying flags of all nations. iron-moulded and weather-stained indiamen, and brazilian ships surrounded by boats full of people, who had come out to welcome relations and friends after a long absence; men-of-war, with their polished sides and snowy, wide-spreading canvas; heavily laden and heavy-looking english merchant-brigs, more esteemed for capacity than for speed, like london aldermen; tub-shaped, yellow-sided dutchmen, laden with cargoes more formidable in appearance than in reality. instead of being bomb-shells or round-shot, proving, on nearer inspection, to be dutch cheeses, to be dreaded only by those of weak digestion. contrasted with the heavy-looking foreign vessels were the portuguese rascas, employed chiefly in the coasting trade, with their graceful, high-pointed, lateen sails, sharp bows, and rounded decks, and the native schooners or hiates, with hulls not destitute of beauty, but rigged with masts raking at different angles, and gaffs peaked at unequal heights. there were also numberless sloops, and schooners, and boats of various sorts, the most curious being the lisbon fishing-boat, shaped like a bean-pod, curving up at stem and stern, with a short rounded deck at either end, and a single high lateen sail. a pilot whom we received on board off the bugio fort took us close to the white tower of belem, and its gothic church at the western end of lisbon, and brought us to an anchor among a crowd of other vessels off blackhorse square. lisbon rising on several hills from the waters of the wide-flowing tagus--here many miles across--is noted as a very picturesque city; its white buildings glittering in the sun, crowned by the dark frowning castle, and surrounded by suburbs intermixed with gardens filled with richly-tinted orange-trees and flowers of many hues. gold and silver streets are handsome streets; and there are some fine palaces, and the opera house is a respectable edifice, and has, moreover, a very good opera; but, though improved of late years, we were told, in cleanliness, it is still a very dirty city, and the lower orders have a marked inferiority to those we saw at oporto. they are a darker, smaller race, with much moorish blood in their veins, without any mixture of the nobler gothic stream from which the inhabitants of the north have sprung. they are the fellows who have gained for the portuguese the character of being assassins and robbers, which certainly those in the north do not deserve. however, a strong government, liberal institutions, and a street police have pretty well put a stop to such proceedings even there. the best account i have ever read of lisbon and its people, as they were before the french revolution changed affairs not a little in most of the countries of europe, is to be found in beckford's "visit to the convents of alcobaca and batalha," and in his "tour to italy and portugal." there is a rich, racy humour in his descriptions, which has seldom been surpassed. at one of the convents a dance is proposed for the entertainment of the illustrious strangers, and while a few act as musicians, the greater number of the oleaginous, obese monks tuck up their frocks, and begin sliding and whirling and gliding about with as much gusto as a number of school-girls at play. but we must be off to sea again. we lionised lisbon, and paid a visit to cintra, but as no adventure occurred worthy of note to any of our party, i will not enter into details. once more the "frolic" breasted the waves of the atlantic, her course being for fair cadiz. on the third day after leaving the tagus, we dropped our anchor off that bright, smiling city. its flat-roofed houses give it somewhat of an eastern look, but it is far cleaner than any eastern city. the houses are built after the moorish fashion, and very like the residences excavated at pompeii. the colouring of the outside is more in accordance with the taste of the luxurious romans in the days of their degeneracy, than with that of the ancient greeks, which made them satisfied with softer hues; while the interior, on the other hand, is as cool and simple as the purest taste can make it. no sooner had we furled sails than all hands were eager to go on shore, to have a glimpse at the often talked of mantilla-wearing, fair, flirting, fascinating gaditanas. the gig was lowered, and on shore we went. we were not disappointed in the appearance of cadiz. the streets are narrow, that the sun of that torrid clime may not penetrate into them, and those only who have lived in a southern latitude can appreciate the luxury of having a cool, shady road in which to walk. verandas in front of every window reach nearly half-way overhead; they are closely barred, and sometimes glazed, so that no impertinent eye can penetrate their recesses. these verandas are full of flowers, and overhung with ivy or other luxuriant creepers. the fronts of the houses are ornamented with various colours, as red, blue, yellow, green, and other tints; while the separation between each house and each floor is marked by lines of red, thus giving the whole street a singularly bright and cheerful appearance. the gateway is the pride of a cadiz house. many we passed were very handsome. it was pleasant to look through them into the interior, where the column-surrounded patios with cool, sparkling fountains in their centres, and shrubs and flowers of every hue, were indeed most refreshing to the senses. every house is a square, with one or more patios in the centre, their only roof the bright blue sky. into this court of columns all the rooms of the house open. shade and coolness are the great things sought for in that clime. we wandered up and down the narrow streets till we began to wish that some one would take compassion on us and ask us in; but nobody did, and our only satisfaction was the belief that we created a mighty sensation in the bosoms of numberless lovely damsels whose bright eyes we saw flashing at us through the thickly-barred jalouses. "ah, my good fellows, but you did not see their small noses, thick lips, and swarthy skins," observed that unsentimental fellow, bubble, thus cruelly depriving us of the only consolation we enjoyed. the fact was that at that early hour of the day no one goes abroad who can stay at home, except, as the spaniards say, dogs and englishmen, putting the canine tribe before the biped. fatigue drove us into a cafe, where we took some refreshment, and in the evening we were somewhat repaid by watching the crowds of bewitching damsels and gay cavaliers, who sauntered forth to enjoy the cool air, and each other's conversation. cadiz is joined to the mainland by a narrow strip of sand, deprived of which it would be an island. opposite to it, across the bay, is port st. mary's, the port of xeres, where the sherry wine is embarked. the next day we visited that place to taste some of its celebrated wines. we were much captivated with some deliciously dry mansanilla, inferior as it is in flavour, however, to the still more valuable amontillado. but interesting as was our visit to cadiz to ourselves, attractive as were its far-famed dames, and delicious as were its wines, my readers will undoubtedly rather hear some of the more stirring events of our cruise. away, away, once more we went, bounding over the blue ocean. we were, however, destined not to find ourselves so soon inside the mediterranean as we expected. a dead calm came on, and for many hours we lay sweltering under a sun not much less fierce than that of the tropics. it was very tantalising to remain thus almost in sight of the entrance of that classic sea we all wished to behold, and yet not be able to get there. once within the influence of that strange current which from age to age has unweariedly flowed into that mighty basin, and yet never has filled it, we should have advanced with sufficient rapidity. another whole day tried our patience, and hearty had begun to declare that, after all, he thought the mediterranean could not be worth visiting, when, on the morning of the third day, a breeze sprung up, and the cutter began to slip through the water towards the straits. the chief strength of the current is in the centre, far out of reach of shot and shell from the shore on either side. i mention this because many people have a notion that the fortress of gibraltar defends the entrance to the straits. the fact is, that the narrowest part is seven and a quarter miles wide; but that narrowest part we passed through at a distance of fifteen miles from gibraltar, before we reached it. we did not, indeed, see the rock before we had passed the narrows. the distance from the rock to ceuta, opposite to it on the african coast, is twelve miles. gibraltar is formed by a tongue of land three miles long and one broad, with a sandbank joining it to the main, and terminating with a high promontory. no one ever expected to make it defend the straits, even before steamers were introduced. the heaviest guns are turned towards spain; at the same time the sea-side is made inaccessible by scarping. below the rock is a belt of level land, on which the modern town is built. the rock has the form of a lofty ridge with three elevations on it, one at each end, and one in the centre. that in the centre is the highest, and has the flagstaff planted on it. when we landed, we went through the wonderful galleries excavated in the rock. these excavations have been going on since the time of the moors, who, i believe, made by far the largest number of them. they were wonderful fellows, those moors. i have always felt a vast respect for them when i have beheld their remains in the south of spain. the reason of their success is, that they were always in earnest in whatever they undertook. however, i don't want to talk here about the moors. gibraltar is a very curious place, and well worth a visit; with its excavated galleries, its heavy guns, its outward fortifications, its zig-zag roads, its towers and batteries, its narrow streets, its crowded houses, its ragged rocks, and its troops of monkeys, the only specimens of the family of simia, which reside, i believe, in a wild state in europe. gibraltar, in reality, from its geological formation, belongs rather to africa than to europe, it being evidently cut off from the african mountains, and having no connection with those of europe. it is a question for naturalists to solve how the monkeys came there--i don't pretend to do so. we brought up in gibraltar bay, where the yacht lay very comfortably, and so do now our men-of-war. should, however, a war break out with spain, they would find the place too hot to hold them, as the bay is completely commanded by the spanish coast, where batteries could speedily be erected, nor could the rock afford the ships any protection. now i have talked enough about gibraltar; i'll however just describe it, like a big tadpole caught by the tail as it was darting away towards africa. we spent some pleasant days there, and were very hospitably treated by some military friends in the garrison. malta, the isles of greece, and the levant, was our destination. i did not fail to make inquiries respecting sandgate; and, curious enough, i fell in with a merchant who had in his youth fought in the greek war of independence. he told me that a youth of that name, and who in every way answered sandgate's description, had come out from england and joined the patriot forces. he was a brave, dashing fellow, but most troublesome from his unwillingness to submit to any of the necessary restraints of discipline, and utterly unprincipled. he had, however, plenty of talent, and managed to ingratiate himself with some of the greek chiefs, though the more respectable, as did the english philhellenes, stood aloof from him. "the truth is," said my friend, "many of those greek chiefs had been notorious pirates themselves, and i have no doubt sandgate learned his trade from them." "i suspect very strongly that the man you describe and sandgate are one and the same person," i remarked. "it is curious that i should so soon have gained a clew to him." the next day i again met my friend. "i have some further account of sandgate to give you," said he, taking me by the button; "he'll give some little trouble before his career is closed, i suspect. my smyrna correspondent is here, and he tells me that he knew of sandgate's being there, and of his selling his yacht. he served with me in the war, and knew him also: consequently, when he made his appearance he kept his eye upon him. he traced him on board a vessel, in which he went to one of the greek islands. from thence he crossed to a smaller island owned by a chief who had once been a notorious pirate, and was strongly suspected of still following the same trade in a more quiet way. there he lost sight of him; but several piracies had been committed during the spring by a craft which it was suspected had been fitted out in the island in question." "we certainly have in a most unexpected way discovered a clew to mr sandgate's whereabouts and course of life," i remarked. "it would almost read like a romance were it to be put into print." "oh, we have had many heroes of that description from time to time in the mediterranean," replied my friend. "there was that fellow delano, who was hung at malta a few years back, he was an englishman--or a yankee, i believe rather. how many piracies he had committed i do not know before he was found out, but at last he tried to scuttle a brig, which did not go down as he thought she had, so happily his intended victims escaped and informed against him. he was captured by a man-of-war's boat's crew, and he and his followers were carried in chains to malta. then there was a very daring fellow, a greek, zappa by name, who commanded a brig, and on one occasion attacked an austrian man-of-war which he believed had treasure on board, and took her. then there has been no end of greek pirates of high or low degree. gentlemanly cut-throats, princes and counts with fleets under their command, down to the disreputable owners of small boats which lie in wait behind headlands to rob unwary merchantmen who cannot defend themselves. oh! the mediterranean has reason to be proud of the achievements of its mariners from the times of the pious aeneas down to the present day." from all i heard of sandgate, indeed, i felt more and more thankful that miss manners had so fortunately escaped from his power. nothing worthy of note occurred to us during our very pleasant stay at gibraltar. the day before we had arranged to leave the place, who should we fall in with but jack piper, a lieutenant in the navy, and a friend and old messmate of tom mizen's. "why, i thought we had left you at plymouth!" i exclaimed as i wrung his hand. "so you did," he answered; "but i had been ordered to come out here and to join my ship. you know old rullock, mizen's uncle. he had just before commissioned the `zebra' brig, for this station, and as she was the first vessel to sail, i got a passage in her. we had a fast run, and they only put me on shore here yesterday while she has gone to malta. we had mrs and miss mizen on board, and mrs mizen's niece, miss susan simms" (jack, i knew, rather affected miss susan, and he looked very conscious as he mentioned her name). "very nice girl," he continued; "so kind of her, too, to come out just at an hour's notice to take care of her cousin, miss rullock, you know. you haven't heard, perhaps, that they are rather alarmed about miss laura. caught a cold, somewhat ugly symptoms. think her consumptive, so it was judged best to bring her out to spend a winter at malta, and as her uncle was coming, the opportunity was a good one." "ah! this news will be matter of interest to hearty," thought i. "we shall now see whether his feelings for miss mizen had any root, or whether he was affected by a mere passing fancy." "poor girl! i am sorry to hear of her illness," said i aloud. "malta is as good a place as she could come to, and i hope the change will do her good. we shall see her there, i dare say. have you any commands for the ladies?" "say i hope that my ship will be there before long," answered piper, absolutely blushing through the well-bronzed hue of his cheek. he had been appointed as first lieutenant of the "thunder," sloop-of-war. she was expected at the rock every day. jack piper was not very dissimilar in appearance and manner to porpoise, and he was the same sort of good-natured, frank, open-hearted fellow--just the man to do a gallant, noble action, and not to say a word about it, simply because it would not occur to him that it was any thing out of the way. there are plenty of such men in the service, and england may be proud of them. on quitting piper i went on board the yacht, where we had agreed to assemble in the evening, to be ready for a start by daybreak. should hearty not have heard of the "zebra's" touching at the rock, i resolved to say nothing about the matter. if he really was in love with miss mizen, i might chance to spoil him as a companion, and if he did not care about her, there was no harm done. chapter seventeen. a suspicious sail--an expected visit from an uninvited stranger--we prepare to receive him. the rock of gibraltar was fading from our sight in the far distance, as the sun in a blaze of glory went down into his ocean bed between the pillars of hercules. the yacht lay in a dead calm, her canvas idly flapping for want of more useful employment, while every spar and rope was reflected in the mirror-like surface of the watery expanse; yet she was not immovable, for the current which runs in at the mouth of the mediterranean was sending her on at the rate of some knots an hour, over the ground pretty well in her direct course. we sat on deck and smoked our cigars, and spun many a yarn, and told many an adventure of bygone days. it was with difficulty that we could persuade ourselves to turn in, so enjoyable was the cool sea atmosphere after the burnt-up, baked, oveny air of the old rock. the next morning, when we came on deck, although there had not been an air in all the heavens, as snow informed us, we had sunk gibraltar completely beneath the sea. that day passed much like the previous one. now and then a light breeze from the westward filled the cutter's sails, and made her step through the water at a speed which must have astonished some of the ancient fish, which looked up at her from out of their caverned homes beneath the waves. as the day wore on we made out, away to the westward, the mastheads of a brig. as we gradually rose them it appeared that she was a polacca-rigged brig, probably a greek laden with corn, bound out of the straits, perhaps to supply the insatiable maw of old england with food. we had just made this discovery when we were summoned to dinner. to people who have nothing to do, any small thing affords subject of interest. i remember a story of two noblemen, shut up at a country inn on a rainy day, betting large sums on the speed of two small flies running over a pane of glass, and of others equally wise, staking larger amounts than many a naval and military officer receives in his life-time, on two spots of rain, the bet being a drawn one by the drops uniting. when we returned on deck after dinner no change had taken place. the canvas of the cutter gave every now and then an idle flap, while the sails of the greek brig seemed very much in the same humour. we, however, were so far better off than the stranger, because the current was sweeping us, slowly indeed, but still in the direction we wanted to go, while it was carrying her away from it. still we appeared by some mysterious influence to near each other. it was not, however, for some time that we discovered that her crew were towing her ahead, and that she had also long sweeps out, which probably sent her through the water two or three knots an hour. "i thought those greek seamen were idle dogs, who would not think of taking so much trouble as these fellows appear to do, even to save their lives." "oh, there's little enough to be said in their favour," replied porpoise. "these fellows want to get through the straits, as they fancy they shall find a fair wind outside, so they take a little trouble now in the hopes of perfect idleness by and by." odd as it may seem, i could not help fancying that there was something strange about that brig, yet what it was of course i could not tell. "well, i shall always think favourably of the industry of greeks, after watching those fellows," said carstairs. the strange brig kept creeping up closer and closer to us; still, except an occasional glance which we took of her, as being the only object in sight, she appeared in no way to excite the interest of my messmates. i, however, as i remarked, clearly remember to have had a strange feeling of doubt and mistrust as i looked at her. it is impossible to account for similar sensations, experienced frequently by people on various occasions; had she been a rakish-looking, low, black schooner, with a wide spread of canvas, met with in the latitude of the west indies, i might very naturally have guessed her to be a pirate or slaver; but the brig in sight was a harmless, honest-looking trader, and still i could not help frequently during the day looking at her, very much as i should have done had she been of the character of the craft i had described. "bubble!" exclaimed hearty, "you know that you have promised us a tale of your own composition, and you have very frequently been missed from the deck and found pen in hand in the cabin, covering sundry sheets of paper, and when we have been wrapped in slumber you have been supposed to have sat up continuing your work. come, man, have compassion on our curiosity, and give us the result of your lucubrations." "oh, no! spare my blushes," answered will, with a comic sentimental look: "i don't aim at the world-wide celebrity of an author: i am content to please a select circle of friends like yourselves. who would read a story published under the signature of will bubble? no! i say, let me float on adown the quiet stream of insignificance. the post of safety is a humble station--hum!" "over-modesty, over-modesty, will," answered hearty. "pluck up courage, man; you will do well if you try." the best of the joke was, that the rogue, as i well know, had for many a year past been dabbling in literature, and often had i enjoyed a quiet laugh when reading an article from his pen. "well, perhaps some day i'll try," said he, demurely. "hillo! what can the fellow be wanting?" exclaimed porpoise, interrupting our talking (i won't call it conversation). we all turned our eyes in the direction in which he was looking. the brig had lowered a boat, which with rapid strokes was pulling towards us. "she seems to have a good many hands in her," he added, holding his glass to his eye. "i don't quite like the look of her." "nor do i either, i confess," said i. "there are some craft in this sea not altogether honest, we must remember, though they are generally met with higher up towards the levant." "what ought we to do, then?" asked hearty. "just serve out the cutlasses and pistols, and cast the guns loose," said porpoise. "tell the people to keep an eye on the strangers, and if more than two or three attempt to come on board, to tumble them into their boat again. there's not the slightest danger if we put on a bold front, but if we are caught napping, i would not be answerable for the consequences." chapter eighteen. the stranger comes on board--the greek chief--a white squall--what has become of the brig?--the suspicious stranger again--preparations for a fight. the advice porpoise gave seemed so rational that although it might have gone somewhat against the grain with so thorough a john bull as hearty to put himself in a posture of defence before he was attacked, snow was summoned aft to superintend the distribution of the contents of the arm-chest. the men buckled on their cutlasses with looks of no small glee, snapping the locks of their pistols to try them before loading, as they eyed the advancing boat. "there's no fear, gentlemen, but what they'd give an account of twice the number of chaps as are aboard that craft, if they ever come to close quarters," said snow, approvingly casting his eye over the crew. i could not help thinking the same, for a finer set of broad-shouldered, wide-chested fellows i never saw, as they stood around us with their necks bare, and the sleeves of their blue shirts tucked up above the elbows, handling their weapons with the fond look which a child bestows on a newly-given toy. "go forward again, my men, and keep on the opposite side to which the boat comes," said porpoise. "just stand about as if you did not suspect there was any thing wrong; very likely there may not be, you know, and perhaps the greek has lost his reckoning, and is sending aboard us only to ask his whereabouts." "a craft like that wouldn't send away a boat with twelve men in her, or more, to ask such a question," observed snow to old sleet; "i know better nor that." "you may well say so," answered the old man. "i've heard of such rum tricks being played, that i always like to be prepared for squalls." i must say that after the strange misgivings i had experienced in the early part of the day, when the polacca-brig first hove in sight, i was well satisfied to see the yacht put in a perfect state of defence. it was more than possible that the stranger might after all be an honest trader, and that her crew might be not a little surprised to find an english yacht with so formidable an appearance. still again, i have always seen the wisdom of not despising an antagonist, and of being as prepared as circumstances will allow for any emergency. the boat, a heavy launch, was meantime advancing towards us. i examined her narrowly with my glass; she had what looked very like a gun mounted in the bows, though a capote, or piece of dark canvas, was thrown over it. she pulled twelve oars, beside which three or four other people sat in the stern-sheets. i observed porpoise, who had been, as may be supposed, attentively watching the boat, go up to the foremost gun, and draw the shot. "carpenter," said he, to chips, "bring me up a shovel of old nails and bits of iron." the articles in question were soon brought to him, and he proceeded forthwith to load the gun with them up to the muzzle. "sleet," said he, "you have charge of this gun; if our friends there show fight, and i give the word, slap this mouthful right in among them; it will soon bring them to reason, i guess." "ay, ay, sir," answered the old man, slapping the breech of his gun with a quiet smile, "i'll make her speak, depend on't." thus prepared, we awaited the arrival of the suspicious-looking strangers. had there been any wind, we might easily have prevented their coming on board by running out of their way, but as it was we could not help ourselves without fighting. in a few minutes more they pulled alongside, rather awkwardly; however, we did not order them to keep off, as it was agreed it would not be wise to show any suspicion of them. they were all dressed in the greek costume; one of the men who sat in the stern-sheets, a full-bearded fellow, with a capote thrown over his shoulders and a fez on his head, stood up in the boat, and in broken english asked to come on board. "oh! let him," said hearty, who began to fancy we had been over-cautious. "there can't possibly be any harm." the side was accordingly manned, and our friend with the capote, followed by two less ill-looking fellows, stepped unceremoniously on board. "i speak to de captain," said the stranger, in a blunt tone. "i am the captain, at your service," answered porpoise, standing before him, and preventing his farther advance on deck. "oh! i come to know where you come from," said the greek stranger, casting his eyes furtively round the deck, as if to discover the state of defence in which we might be. the look of our sturdy fellows, with their cutlasses by their sides, might possibly have surprised him, and at all events he must have seen that there was little chance of surprising us. "we come from england," answered porpoise, bluntly. "a civil question requires a civil answer, but i don't know by what right you ask it." "where you bound for?" continued the greek, not noticing the last remark it seemed. "malta, alexandria, smyrna, and a few other places up the levant," said porpoise. "ah! will you take letter for me? you do me great favour," said the greek, putting his hand in his bosom. while the greek was speaking, i had been eyeing him narrowly from the after-part of the vessel, where i had placed myself. most of my readers have heard of the famed vanderdecken, the terrible flying dutchman, who in his phantom ship goes cruising about to the southward of the cape of good hope, sailing right into the eye of the heaviest gale. when he falls in with a vessel, he comes aboard, and requests a packet he presents may be taken on shore. just such another as vanderdecken did our present visitor appear, except that the dutchman is habited in a somewhat different costume to the greek, in broad-brimmed hat, big-buttoned waistcoat, and wide breeches. by the way porpoise looked at him, i had a notion some such idea was passing through his mind. perhaps he suspected that the gentleman had a pistol instead of a letter inside the folds of his vest. the boat's crew meantime sat scowling at us, and surveying the vessel with a no friendly look; i guessed, indeed, that nothing would have given them greater pleasure than to have been able to jump on board, and to cut all our throats. "we shall be happy to take your letter or any commands on shore," answered porpoise, putting his hand in his pocket in imitation of the greek. the stranger furtively eyed the movement of his hand, as much as to say, "why, have you got a pistol there likewise?" however, withdrawing his own hand from his bosom, he exclaimed, "ah! i have by some omission left my letter on board." the man spoke with as downright an english pronunciation as i ever heard in my life. pretty well for a greek, thought i, stepping forward to examine his features more narrowly. i had had my suspicions from the time he stepped on board; so, it appeared, had tom newton. there could be very little doubt about the matter; the man who stood before us in the guise of a greek, was no other than the _ci-devant_ pirate--slaver-- smuggler, the outlaw miles sandgate. i thought his keen eye glanced at my countenance for a moment, as if he recognised me; but so completely did he maintain his self-possession, that he did not exhibit the slightest sign of fear or hesitation. he bit his lips though, as if he found that he had betrayed himself by speaking english too fluently, and he instantly fell back into his former mode of expression. porpoise had either not remarked his slip of the tongue, or thought it best not to comment on it. "i go send letter aboard," he continued, stepping back a pace as if to be ready to spring into his boat. his crew in the mean time had begun to vociferate something i could not understand. he replied to them in the same language, and i have no doubt it was to tell them that their enterprise was fruitless, and that it was not quite so easy to catch the crew of an english yacht napping as they might have supposed. he still hesitated to take his departure. some plan or other was passing through his fertile, ever-active brain. perhaps he did not suspect that i had recognised him. however, whatever might have been his intentions, he was summoned hurriedly into the boat by his crew. he turned hastily round and cast his eye to the northward, so did i and porpoise. there, rising out of the water as it were, was a small white cloud, which, as we looked, every instant increased in size. "you'd better shorten sail, or you'll repent it," exclaimed the seeming greek, as he leaped into his boat. the crew pulled lustily away in the direction of their own vessel. nothing comes on so rapidly and gives so little time for preparation as does a white squall in the mediterranean. porpoise, taking the advice offered, gave the necessary orders. all hands rushed to the halliards and downhauls, but before a rope could be let go the squall was upon us. a drill of white foam came rushing towards the cutter, driven on by some irresistible power, which at the same time curled up the whole hitherto calm and shining sea into rolling, breaking waves. our eyes were almost blinded with the salt mist which dashed over us. terrific was the blow we received. the cutter having no steerage-way offered a dead resistance to it. over she went as does a stately tree, its stem cut through by the woodman's deadly axe and saw. "hold on! hold on for your lives!" sung out porpoise. there was good reason. i thought she would never rise again. the water rose up her decks. we began to look at boats and spars as the only hope of safety. then shrouds and stays and bolts gave way, and the stout mast cracked off at the deck with a loud crash; and the little craft rising on an even keel floated in safety, but presented a forlorn wreck compared to the gay and gallant trim in which she had lately appeared. not a moment was to be lost in ascertaining whether the cutter had received any vital damage, and in endeavouring to put her to rights. everybody was busily engaged in the work. hearty and our landsmen friends took the matter very coolly. "just sing out where you want us to lend a hand, and we are four men," cried hearty, pulling and hauling away with a will, while we were getting in the wreck of our mast and spars. the drag of the rigging astern brought the vessel up into the wind's eye, and then she lay pitching and bobbing away into the short seas, sending the spray flying over us like a regular shower-bath, and surrounding us with a mist impervious to the sight. it was heavy work, and as part of the bulwarks had been knocked away there was no little danger of being washed overboard. where, however, all labour with a will, the hardest task is soon performed; and no fellows could have worked harder than did our crew of yachtsmen. before, however, the craft was in any way put to rights, the squall and its effects on the sea had completely passed away, but night coming down had shrouded us in total darkness. no one had thought of the greek brig or her boat, and now not a glimpse of either was to be perceived. what had become of her? had the boat with the rascal sandgate been swamped? had the brig been caught by the squall and gone down? such had been the fate of many a craft in the mediterranean. when we had got the yacht somewhat to rights we made inquiries among the men, but no one had observed her. old sleet, it was said, had watched the boat pulling away for her even during the hurly-burly of the squall. i therefore called him up to examine him more particularly. "when we was on our beam-ends, and i thought we was over for good, still i couldn't help keeping my eye on the boat," said the old man; "i can't say as how i liked the look of that ere curious chap the greek captain who came aboard us, and as for his crew, a bigger set of cut-throats i never saw. well, thinks i to myself, if the boat goes to the bottom, and all her people goes in her, there's no great harm done: but if she floats and gains the brig, they may just come back when we are not prepared for them, and try to knock us all on the head; but, says i to myself, there's no use talking about it, for the gentlemen won't believe such a thing possible, and i shall only get laughed at for my pains." i was very much inclined to agree with the old man, that if our greek friend had escaped drowning, and could discover our whereabout, he would be apt to try his hand at playing us some scurvy trick; but i said nothing to this effect. i, however, resolved to speak to porpoise, so that we might be prepared to resist any attack he might attempt to make on us. porpoise was rather inclined to laugh at my fears. "my belief is that the fellow went to the bottom," he replied. "serve him right, too, if he is the rascal you suppose him; or if he got aboard his ship he saw enough of us to know that we should prove rather a tough morsel, should he attempt to swallow us." a council of war having been called, it was resolved that we should try to get back to gibraltar as fast as we could. to effect this, however, it would be necessary to rig jury-masts, and this could not very well be done till daylight. we proposed turning the cutter into a schooner or lugger, and happily, as we had saved most of our spars and canvas, we expected to have no great difficulty in getting sufficient sail on her to navigate with ease the poor little closely-shorn craft. i have often had in my naval career to pass through nights of toil and anxiety, and this gave every promise of being one of that character. in a few hours we had gathered in all our ruffled feathers, or, in other words, our masts and spars and sails and rigging; and having stowed them along the decks as best we could, there we lay floating helplessly like a log on the water. not having discarded my suspicions of the polacca-brig, notwithstanding my fatigue i felt no inclination to go to sleep. i now was left in charge of the deck while porpoise and the rest of my messmates turned in, all standing. i walked the deck for some time, ever and anon turning my gaze upward to the dark blue vault of heaven glittering with a thousand stars, each but a centre of some mighty system, each more complex and marvellous, probably, than our own. i thought of the all-potent being who made them as well as all the wondrous specimens of animal life which dwell on this globe we call our own, and my heart swelled with gratitude to him who had preserved me and my shipmates from the danger to which we had been exposed. my spirit, as i thought, seemed to take its flight through the calm atmosphere, and to wander far far away among those distant spheres. how long it was away i know not. i was not conscious of the existence of my body on the surface of the globe. a splash aroused me from my reveries. it was caused by a fish leaping out of its liquid home to avoid some monster of the deep wishing to make a supper off it. it called me back to earth and things earthly. my first impulse was to cast my eye round the horizon. it was rather a circumscribed one at that hour of darkness. once i made the full circuit and could see nothing. i took a few more turns on deck, and again i swept my eye round the watery circle more slowly than before. as i reached the south-eastern point of the heavens i was certain i saw a dark object. i rubbed my eyes. the sails of a vessel appeared before me, rising up like a thin dark pencil-line against the sky. i wetted my fingers and held up my hand. the cold struck it on that side. whatever she might be she was well to windward of us. i took the night-glass, which hung on brackets just inside the companion-hatch. she was still too far off to enable me to make out what she was. i had not, however, forgotten my suspicions of the polacca. the stranger was evidently approaching us. if she was the greek, her crew would scarcely resist the temptation of attempting to plunder us. still i felt that my suspicions were almost absurd, and i did not like to arouse my friends without some better grounds for my fears. i, however, felt it would be wise not to run the risk of being taken altogether unprepared. i therefore went up alongside old snow--so we called him, though he was young enough to be old sleet's son. i was not long in waking him up to the proper pitch of caution by narrating a variety of stories about pirates and slavers and savages, and such like gentry, with a due admixture of instances where people from carelessness were caught napping and lost their lives. "now," said i, "let us get these spars cleared away enough to work the guns. the watch on deck will do it without rousing the rest. we'll have a supply up of round-shot and ammunition. the people have not restored their pistols and cutlasses to the arm-chest. send a couple of hands to collect them all ready, and then if yonder stranger proves to be the polacca, and wishes to taste our quality, we'll let her have her will, and show her what we are made of." i spoke thus confidently that there might be no risk of taking any of the pluck out of the people. i cannot say, however, that i at all liked the notion of a brush with the well-manned and probably well-armed polacca-brig in our present dismantled condition, however little i might have feared her at close quarters had we been all to rights. i watched the approach of the stranger, therefore, with no little anxiety. she was evidently bearing right down upon us, though, as there was but little wind, her progress was slow. the hours of the night wore on. i was leaning against the wreck of the mast which lay fore and aft along the deck, and at length i fell asleep. i do not know how long i had slept when i heard porpoise's voice close to me. "hillo, brine! what in the name of wonder is that away there to windward?" he exclaimed. "the polacca-brig, there's no doubt about it," i answered, as i beheld a vessel like a dark phantom stealing up towards us. i then explained to him the preparations i had made in case the brig should really be of the piratical character we suspected, and at the same time inclined to attack us. this relieved his mind not a little. my belief, however, was that the greek might not have seen us. she might, of course, have calculated our whereabouts. perhaps even now she might not see us. perhaps, also, as porpoise suggested, if the boat was swamped in the squall, the rest of the crew would probably cruise about to look for their companions. he agreed with me, therefore, that we need not yet rouse up hearty and our other two friends. by the by, in consequence of all the delays we must endure, i was doubly glad that we had not told hearty of miss mizen's expedition to malta. it would have made him undergo them with much less than his usual philosophy, i suspect. "i doubt if even now the brig sees us," said i as i watched her through the night-glass. so low down in the water as we were, she was very likely to miss us. "see, she is passing us," exclaimed porpoise, after we had watched her for some time. "it is just as well she should miss us, for in our present state we could not exactly do ourselves justice." "perhaps after all our friends may be very well disposed, and in no way inclined to do us any harm," said i, not that i could in reality divest myself of the idea that the polacca was commanded by sandgate, and that he would have delighted to do us all the mischief in his power. with daylight, however, i don't think i should fear him, even now, i thought to myself. it still wanted nearly an hour to sunrise, and daylight in that clime does not come very long before the glorious luminary of day rushes up from his ocean bed. we hoped by that time that the brig would have pretty well run us out of sight. still neither porpoise nor i felt inclined to go below again. we intended, indeed, to rouse out all hands to get up the jury-masts the moment we had light to work by. we, however, were not so clear of danger as we fancied. the brig had got about a mile to leeward of us, when we saw her brace up her yards, and, close-hauled, she stood back so as soon to fetch us. there was no longer any time to spare. "rouse up all hands fore and aft," sung out porpoise, with a stentorian voice. in a minute every one was on deck busily employed in casting loose the guns, in priming pistols, and buckling on cutlasses. "if the fellow will but come to close quarters, we have no reason to fear him," exclaimed our gallant skipper, surveying his crew with no little pride. "i only wish we may have a brush with him," added hearty; "it would tell well in the club; only i wish we had our mast standing." i cannot say that i participated altogether in the satisfaction of my friends. the brig, if she did attack us, i knew, we must find an ugly customer, and the pirates could only venture to do so with the full intention of sending every one of us, with the yacht into the bargain, to the bottom, on the principle that dead men tell no tales. the greek was not long in showing us his intentions. no sooner had he got us within range of his guns, than brailing up his courses and lowering his topsails, he opened his fire upon our almost helpless craft. happily for us his gunnery was very bad, and he evidently had a fancy for long bowls, and a wholesome dread of coming to close quarters with us. our people went cheerily to their guns, not a bit afraid of our big enemy. "only just do ye come on, ye confounded scoundrels, and we'll just give ye a taste of what we are made of," sung out tom hall, a broad-shouldered fellow, standing six feet high or more in his stockings, as he shook his cutlass in an attitude of defiance at the enemy; and no one was better able to give an account of them than he would have been when the day's work was over. will bubble threw off his coat, fastened a silk handkerchief round his waist and another round his head, and worked away at his little gun in fine style. carstairs did the same in a more deliberate manner, whistling the fag end of a hunting song. if we had possessed guns four times the size of ours, i verily believe, crippled as were, we should very soon have sent our antagonists to the bottom, instead of running the risk of going there ourselves. finding his shot fall short or wide of us, he ran on a little way, and then tacking, stood closer up to us. chapter nineteen. the engagement--our desperate condition--a friend in sight--our enemy flies--malta. by this time the first faint streaks of early dawn had appeared in the sky; but in that latitude the sun does not take long to get above the horizon, and daylight was on us almost as soon as the brig had again got us within range of her guns. two or three shots struck our hull, and at the same time the enemy opened a fire of musketry on us; but the pirates did not prove themselves better marksmen with their small-arms than they had hitherto done with their heavier guns. "oh, i wish the rascals would but attempt to run us aboard!" exclaimed hearty. "to think of their impudence in daring to knock holes in the side of my yacht!" "there spoke a true briton," observed bubble as he once more ran out his gun. "he does not think any thing of being shot at; but the idea of having his property injured, or his home invaded, rouses all his anger. here goes though; i'll see if we can't pay them off in their own coin, with some change in our favour." will was a capital marksman, and as cool as a cucumber, which was more than most of our men were, though not one was wanting in pluck. he pulled the trigger, and as i watched to see the effects of his fire, i saw two men fall on the pirate's deck, while some white splinters flying from the mainmast showed us that the shot had, as well, done some damage to the vessel herself. "hurra! bravo, bubble!" i shouted, and the crew echoed my cry, which, rising in full chorus, must have reached the ears of our enemy, and showed them that we were not likely to prove as easy a prey as they might have fancied. "another such a shot as that, and i believe they will up helm and be off," i exclaimed. "i'll do my best," answered bubble, fanning himself with his broad-brimmed hat, for the weather was very hot, and he had been making, for him, somewhat unusual exertions. will now trained his gun with great care: a great deal depended on a fortunate shot. "if we could but bring down one of his masts, or make a hole through his sides, we should win the day even now," he exclaimed, kneeling down to aim with more deliberation; "a ten-pound note to the man who wounds a mast, or sends a shot between wind and water." as he afterwards acknowledged, the ten pounds was truly a widow's mite with him, for he hadn't another such sum in his locker to back it. "i'll make it twenty," cried hearty, who really seemed to enjoy the excitement of the adventure; "come, let us see who will win it." "i have," cried bubble, jumping up and clapping his hands like a schoolboy, as he watched with intense eagerness his shot strike the hull of the brig just at the water-line, sending the white splinters flying in every direction. "fairly won, bubble, fairly won!" we all exclaimed; "if they don't plug that hole pretty quickly, they will soon find their jackets wetter than they like." in return for the mischief we had done him, the pirate let fly his whole broadside at us. he was every instant drawing nearer and nearer, either to give his guns more effect, or to attempt carrying us by boarding. he probably fancied that we were by this time weakened by loss of men, as he very likely was not aware of the little effect produced by his own guns. dismasted as we were, and low in the water, we presented, indeed, a somewhat difficult mark to hit. the pirate's approach gave us another advantage, as we were now able to bring our own musketry into play, which somewhat made up for the lightness of our guns. we had a great advantage also in the rapid way we were able to load our guns, which were of brass, while our opponents' were probably of iron. our muskets, too, were kept constantly at work; ruggles, the steward, and pepper, the boy, being set to load them as fast as they were discharged, while carstairs had a first-rate rifle, with which he picked off every fellow whose red cap appeared above the bulwarks with as much _sang froid_ as he would have knocked over a partridge on the st of september. as our yachtsmen had had no practice with their guns, they were not particularly good shots, so that none of them surpassed bubble in the accuracy of their aim, greatly to his delight. the enemy's shot now began to fall rather thicker around us, while two or three of our people were hit with their musket-balls. none of them were hurt sufficiently to make them leave the deck; we could not, however, expect that this state of impunity would long continue. i every now and then turned an eye on bubble to watch his energetic proceedings, though i had enough to do to load and fire away with my own musket. on a sudden, as he jumped up to watch the effect of his shot, i saw him stagger back and fall on the deck; i sprang forward to raise him up, "oh, it's nothing, nothing," he exclaimed, turning, however, at the same time very pale; "only the wind of a shot or a little more; but it's a new sensation; took me by surprise; just set me on my legs again, and i shall be all to rights soon." this, however, was more than i could do, poor fellow. he had been hit, and badly too, i was afraid; i sent ruggles down for a glass of brandy and water. "just bring up a flask, and a jug of water also," said i, "others may want it." bubble was much revived by the draught, and binding a handkerchief over his side, which was really wounded, though not so badly as i feared, with the greatest pluck he again went to his gun. during this interval the enemy had ceased firing, having shot some way ahead of us, but he now again tacked, and, looking well up to windward, stood towards us on a line which would enable him to run us aboard, if he pleased, or to strike us so directly amidships, that there was every probability of his sinking us. this last proceeding was the one most to be feared, and i felt sure that he would not scruple so to do. i could not tell if my friends saw the terrific danger we were in; i thought not, for they went on peppering away with their fire-arms, and laughing and cheering, as if the whole affair was a very good joke. i confess that my heart sank within me as i contemplated the fate which awaited us. "how soon will those gay and gallant spirits be quenched in death," i thought. "how completely will our remorseless enemies triumph. they have all this time been merely playing with us as a cat does with a mouse." five minutes more would, i calculated, consummate the catastrophe. a minute had, however, scarcely passed, when i saw the brig square away her yards; and putting up her helm, off she went before the wind. her courses were let fall; topgallant-sails were set, studding-sails and royals soon followed. every stitch of canvas she could carry was got on her, while not the slightest further attention did she pay to us. i rubbed my eyes, for i could scarcely believe my senses. we, however, continued firing away as long as there was the chance of a shot reaching her, and then our men set up such a jovial, hearty cheer, which if it could have reached the ears of the pirates, would have convinced them that we had still an abundance of fight left in us. what had caused the enemy so suddenly to haul off was now the wonder. at all events, i trust that we were thankful for our unexpected deliverance. when i pointed out to my companions the danger we had been in, they at once saw it themselves. porpoise had seen it, indeed, all along, but had concealed his apprehension as i had done mine. "the rascal found we were too tough a morsel to swallow, so thought he had better let us alone at once," said hearty. "i cannot think that," i observed; "he had some other reason, depend on it." i was right; the mystery was soon solved. all hands at once set to work to fit and rig the jury-masts, when we were called from our occupation by a cheer from bubble, whose wound made it clearly dangerous for him to exert himself in any way. "a sail, a sail!" he exclaimed; "a big ship, too, i suspect." i looked in the direction in which he pointed away to windward, where the topsails of a ship appeared rising above the horizon; from their squareness i judged her to be a man-of-war. the rising sun just tinged the weather-side of her canvas, as she bore down on us with a streak of light which made her stand out in bold relief against the deep blue sky. the pirate crew had, of course, seen her from aloft long before we could have done so. she was welcome in every way, as she would probably enable us to get into port. the only provoking part of the business was, that the pirate would in all probability get away with impunity. had she but come on the scene an hour earlier, she would, probably, have been down upon us before either we or the pirate could have seen her, and would most assuredly have nabbed our amigo. "never mind," said porpoise, "the fellow can scarcely get out of the straits, even if he wishes it, and if i ever fall in with him within the boundaries of the mediterranean, i have no fear of not knowing him again; we shall hear more of him by and by, depend on it." our fighting had given us an appetite, so we went to breakfast with no little satisfaction, though we had not much time to spare for it. bubble would not acknowledge that his wound was of consequence, though he let me look to it, as i did to the hurts of the other poor fellows who were hit. from the appearance they presented, i was truly glad that there was a good prospect of their having surgical aid without delay. they did not know, as i did, that their wounds would be far more painful in a few hours than they were at that time, so they made very light of them. as the stranger drew nearer, we made her out to be a sloop-of-war, and the ensign flying from her peak showed her to be british; she had been standing so as to pass a little way to the westward of us. when, however, she made us out, which she did not do till she was quite close to us, she altered her course and was soon hove-to, a few cables' length to leeward. a boat was lowered, and, with an officer in the stern-sheets, came pulling towards us. "what in the name of wonder is the matter?" exclaimed the officer, standing up and surveying us with no little surprise. "why, sprat, the matter is that we have been dismasted in a white squall, which would have sent many a craft to the bottom," answered porpoise, who in the officer recognised an old shipmate; "we since then have been made a target of by a rascally pirate, whose mastheads have scarcely yet sunk beneath the horizon." "if that is the case, we must see if we cannot catch her," answered lieutenant sprat, who was second lieutenant of the corvette. "what, sir! leave us rolling helplessly about here like an empty tub?" exclaimed hearty, in a dolorous tone. "but never mind, if you think you can catch her, i dare say we can take care of ourselves." "i'll report the state of things to captain arden, and learn what he wishes," quoth lieutenant sprat, as he pulled back to his ship. in another minute the corvette's jolly-boat was seen leaving her side, while she, putting up her helm, stood away in the direction the pirate had taken. the jolly-boat soon came alongside, with a midshipman and six men. "captain arden has sent me with the carpenter's mate and some of his crew to help you in," quoth master middie, addressing porpoise; "we'll soon get a new mast into you, and carry you safely to old gib, or wherever you want to go." porpoise looked at him, and evidently felt very much inclined to laugh. he was one of the shortest lads in a midshipman's uniform i ever saw; but he was broad-shouldered, and had a countenance which showed clearly that he very well knew what he was about. "thank you," answered porpoise; "we shall be much beholden to you i doubt not, though we should have been glad if your captain had sent us a doctor as well. may i ask your name, young gentleman?" "mite, sir; anthony mite," answered the midshipman, a little taken aback at porpoise's manner. the old lieutenant did not quite like his patronising airs. "i thought so," observed our worthy skipper; "your father was a shipmate of mine, youngster, and you are very like him." "in knowing my father you knew a brave man, i hope, sir, you will allow," replied master mite, with much spirit. "but i did not know that you were in the service. a better or braver fellow never stepped," answered porpoise, warmly, putting out his hand. "i've no doubt you are worthy of him, youngster. we'll have a yarn about him by and by. however, just now, we must try to get the craft in sailing trim again." small as the young midshipman was in stature, he soon made it evident that he was of the true stuff which forms a hero. he was here, there, and everywhere, pulling and hauling, directing and encouraging. so rapid were his movements, that his body seemed ubiquitous, while the tone of his voice showed that he was well accustomed to command and to be obeyed. we had no reason to complain of either the officer or labourers captain arden had sent us. meantime i had been keeping my eye on the proceedings of the corvette. she at first stood away steadily to the northward and eastward, in the direction the brig had taken, and it seemed evident that she had her in sight; then she altered her course to the westward, but finally disappeared below the horizon, steering nearly due north. "if the man-of-war has still the brig in sight, the latter must be making for some spanish port, where the pirates hope to lie concealed till the search for them is over," i thought to myself. "however, sandgate, if he really is the commander, is up to all sorts of dodges, and will very likely, somehow or other, manage to make his escape." as may be supposed, we watched very anxiously for the re-appearance of the corvette, but the sun went down, and we saw nothing of her. however, we had by this time got up apologies for three masts, and, moreover, managed to make sail on them. it was a great satisfaction to feel the poor little barkie once more slipping through the water, though at a much slower pace than usual. as i feared, both bubble and the men who had been wounded began, towards midnight, to complain somewhat of their hurts. while we were all sitting round the table in the cabin at supper, before turning in, hearty, as porpoise had done, expressed his regret that captain arden had not sent us a surgeon. "oh, we didn't know that any one was hurt," observed mr mite. "but never mind, i understand something of doctoring. i can bleed in first-rate style, i can tell you. don't you think i had better try my hand?" "thank you, they have been bled enough already, i suspect," answered hearty. "i'm afraid no one on board can do much good to them. i only pray the wind may hold, and that we may soon get into gibraltar." but master mite was not so easily turned aside from his purpose of trying his hand as a surgeon. he begged hard that he might, at all events, be allowed to examine the men's wounds. we of course assured our young friend that we did not doubt his surgical talents; but still declined allowing him to operate on any of the yacht's crew. we were not sorry, however, to let him take the middle watch, which he volunteered to do, for both porpoise and i and old snow were regularly worn out. the wind held fair, and there was not much of it. the night passed away quietly, and when morning broke we saw the corvette standing after us. she had been, as i expected, unsuccessful in her chase of the greek brig. she had made all sail after a craft which she took for her, but on coming up with the chase, discovered her to be an honest trader laden with corn. she now took us in tow, and in the afternoon we reached the rock. hearty very soon heard that the "zebra" had gone on to malta, with miss mizen on board, and from the way he received the information, i suspected that his feelings towards her were of a warmer character than i at first supposed. he was very anxious to be away again, and urged on porpoise to do his utmost to expedite the refitting of the yacht. fortunately, we were able to procure a spar intended for the mast of a man-of-war schooner, and which was not refused to the application of an mp. in a week the little craft was all to rights again, and once more on her way to that little military hot-house--the far-famed island of malta. chapter twenty. valetta--a glimpse of the pirate. malta lay basking on the bright blue ocean, looking very white and very hot under the scorching rays of a burning sun, as, early in the afternoon, we stood towards the entrance of the harbour of valetta. passing st. elmo castle on our right, and fort ricasoli on our left, whose numberless guns looked frowning down upon us, as if ready, at a moment's notice, to annihilate any enemy daring to enter with an exhibition of hostile intent, we ran up that magnificent inlet called the grand harbour. malta harbour has been so often described, that my readers will not thank me for another elaborate drawing. only, let them picture to themselves a gulf from three to four hundred yards across, with several deep inlets full of shipping, and on every conspicuous point, on all sides, white batteries of hewn stone, of various heights, some flush with the water, others rising in tiers one above another, with huge black guns grinning out of them, the whole crowned with flat-roofed barracks, and palaces and churches and steeples and towers, with a blue sky overhead, and blue water below, covered with oriental-looking boats, and lateen-rigged craft, with high-pointed triangular sails of snowy whiteness, and boatmen in gayly-coloured scarfs and caps, and men-of-war, and merchant-vessels--and a very tolerable idea will be formed of the place. valetta itself, the capital, stands on a hog's back, a narrow but high neck of land, dividing the grand harbour from the quarantine harbour, called, also, marsa muceit. the chief streets run in parallel lines along the said hog's back, and they are intersected by others, which run up and down its steep sides. in some parts they are so steep that flights of steps take the place of the carriage-way. the best known of these steps are the nix mangiari stairs, so-called from the troops of little beggars who infest them, and assure all passers-by that they have had nothing to eat for six days. "_oh, signori, me no fader no moder; me nix mangiari seis journi_!" an assertion which their fat cheeks and obese little figures most undeniably contradict. few people will forget those steep steps who have had to toil to the top of them on a sweltering day, not one, but three or four times, perchance; nor will those noisy, lazy, dirty beggars--those sights most foul--those odours most sickening--fade from his memory. we ran up the harbour and dropped our anchor not far from the chief landing-place, abreast of nix mangiari steps. there were several men-of-war in the harbour. among them was our old friend the "trident." "if piper sees us, we shall soon have him on board to tell us all the news," observed porpoise. "i don't think master mite will forget us, either, if he can manage to come. our good things, in the way of eating and drinking, made no slight impression on his mind, whatever he may have thought of us as individuals. if he has an opportunity, that little fellow will distinguish himself." while stowing sails, the rest of the party having gone below to prepare for a visit to the shore, my eye, as it ranged round the harbour, fell on the sails of a greek brig, which was just then standing out of the galley port. i looked at her attentively, and then pointed her out to snow, who was so earnest in seeing that his mainsail was stowed in the smoothest of skins, that he had not observed her. "what do you think of her?" said i. "why, sir, if she isn't that rascally craft which attacked us, she is as like her as one marlinspike is to another!" he exclaimed, slapping his hand on his thigh. "i'll be hanged but what i believe it is her, and no mistake about it." "i think so, too. call mr porpoise," said i. porpoise jumped on deck with his coat off, and a hairbrush in each hand, to look at her. "i couldn't swear to her; but she is the same build and look of craft as our piratical friend," he answered. "hang it! i wish that we had come in an hour or two sooner; we might have just nabbed her. as it is, i fear, before we can have time to get the power from the proper authorities to stop her, she will be far away, and laughing at us. at all events, there is not a moment to be lost." by this time all hands were on deck, looking at the greek brig; but all were not agreed as to her being the pirate. however, the gig was lowered, and we pulled on shore, to hurry up as fast as we could to the governor's palace, to make our report, and to get him to stop the brig before she got out of the harbour. landing among empty casks and bales on the sandy shore, we hurried up nix mangiari stairs, greatly to the detriment of porpoise's conversational powers, and then on to the residence of the governor, once the palace of the grand master of the far-famed knights of malta; a huge square structure, imposing for its size, rather than for the beauty of its architecture. the governor was within, and without delay we were ushered through a magnificent suite of rooms into his presence. he received us politely, but raised his eyebrows at the account of our adventure with the pirate, and seemed to insinuate that yachting gentlemen might be apt to be mistaken, and that we had perhaps after all only found a mare's-nest. "but, hang it, sir," exclaimed hearty, "the villain fired into us as fast as he could; and that gentleman, mr bubble, and several of my people, were hit. there was no fancy in that, i imagine." "ah, i see; that alters the case," said the governor. "we will send and stop the brig; but understand, that you will have to prove that she is the vessel which fired into you; and, if she is not, you must be answerable for the consequences." "by all manner of means," sung out hearty. "i suppose the consequences won't be very dreadful." "hang the consequences," he exclaimed, as soon afterwards we were left to ourselves, to await the report from the telegraph-station. "i cannot bear to hear these official gentlemen babbling of consequences when rogues are to be punished, and honest men protected. a thing must be either right or wrong. if it's right, do it--if it's wrong, let it alone. i hate the red-tape system which binds our rulers from beginning to end. we must break through it, and that pretty quickly, or old england will come to an end." we were all ready enough to argue with hearty in this matter, though the said breaking through an old deep-rooted system is more easy to propose than to carry into effect. after we had waited some time, word was brought to the palace that, as i expected would be the case, the suspicious brig had got out of the harbour; and was out of the range of the guns on the batteries before the message had reached them. a gun was fired to bring her to, but of course she paid no attention to the signal. once more we were ushered into the presence of the governor. he was very civil and very kind, be it understood. "your best course is to go to the admiral, and tell him your story, and perhaps he will send a man-of-war after her." "thank you, sir," said hearty, rising. "we will do as you advise; though i fear, before a man-of-war can get under way, our piratical friend will be safe from pursuit." "it matters little. he is very certain to be caught before long; and we will have him hung at his own yard-arm, like some of his predecessors," observed the governor, politely bowing us out. "humph!" muttered hearty, as we descended the superb steps of the palatial abode. "it matters not, i suppose, how many throats may be cut, and how many rich cargoes sent to the bottom, in the mean time. hang official routine, i say again. we must get these things altered in parliament." [note.] the admiral was living on shore, and to his residence we repaired as fast as our legs would carry us, with the thermometer at . "i wish that we had taken the law into our own hands, and made chase after the fellow in the yacht," exclaimed poor porpoise, wiping the perspiration from his forehead. "a few hours' fighting would have been better than this hot work." "all very well if we could prove that she was the vessel which attacked us; but if it should have turned out that we were mistaken, we should have been in the place of the pirates, and have been accused of murder, robbery, rapine, and all sorts of atrocities," remarked bubble. "no, no; depend on it, things are better as they are. retribution will overtake the fellows one of these days." the admiral's abode was reached at last; but the admiral was not at home, though his secretary was. the admiral had gone into the country, and would not return till the cool of the evening. the secretary received us very politely, though he seemed rather inclined to laugh at our suspicions. a pirate sail into malta harbour,--beard the lion in his den! the idea was too absurd. it was scarcely possible that any pirates could exist in the mediterranean. a few had appeared, from time to time, it was true; but several had been hung, and the example had proved a warning to other evil-doers. he would, however, as soon as the admiral returned, mention the circumstance to him, and if he thought fit he would undoubtedly send a vessel in chase of the suspected polacca. such was the substance of the worthy secretary's remarks to us. we could not go in search of the admiral, as it was uncertain where he was to be found, so, very little satisfied with our morning's work, we left the house. "what shall we do next?" exclaimed hearty. "there seems to be no chance of our catching master sandgate." "oh, by all means, let us go on board and get cool," answered porpoise. "certainly," said bubble, "i want to look out some zephyr clothing. one can bear nothing thicker than a cobweb this sultry weather." so on board we went, and lay each man in his cabin with all the skylights off, and wind-sails down, an awning over the deck, and a punkah invented by bubble, kept working, which sent a stream of air through every portion of our abode, so that we were far more comfortable than we could have been anywhere else. when yachting i always make a point of going everywhere in the yacht, and living on board her, scarcely ever entering an hotel. we thus spent two or three hours--some reading, others smoking or talking, bubble every now and then giving vent to his feelings in snatches of song. i am not certain that we did not all drop asleep. we were aroused from our quietness by the sound of footsteps on deck, and by the descent of the steward into the cabin. "please, sir, that young gentleman that came aboard from the sloop-of-war, after we lost our masts, wants to know if he may come below to see you," said he to hearty. "by all means," cried hearty, springing up; "glad to see him." master mite had followed the steward, and heard the last observation. "thank you, sir," quoth he, helping himself to a seat. "glad to see you, too. scarcely thought you would be here so soon. just in time for a grand ball. you'll like it. we can take you there. i'm a great favourite with the signora. told me to bring all my friends--the more the better--very hearty people for smaitches. that's what we call the maltese here, you know. i saw your craft come in, and wanted to come on board before, but couldn't. a midshipman is not always his own master, you know. at last i got leave from our jolly old first, tom piper. he told me to say that he would come as soon as he could. i know that he wants to press you to come to the ball, also." thus did the young midshipman run on. hearty told him that he should be very happy to go to his friend's house under his chaperonage, and that so should we all, which mightily pleased master mite. "that's right," he exclaimed. "it will be jolly good fun, i can tell you. there are some very nice english people, too, great friends of mine. such a splendiferous girl, too--a miss mizen--came out with her uncle, old rullock, in the `zebra.' i dance with her whenever i can. if you could but see her i'm sure you'd say my taste was very good. some people think that she is cut out by another fine girl, a miss jane seton; but i don't. jane's all very well in her way, very fine to look at, and all that sort of thing; but to say the truth, she's rather addicted to snubbing midshipmen, and that we don't approve of. as for her mother, she wouldn't touch one of us with a boarding-pike. she's a terrible old harridan, and that's not in jane's favour. oh, no, give me laura mizen for my money, and all our mess say the same. she's the toast of the mess just now, i can tell you." while the youngster was running on thus i watched hearty's countenance. he fairly blushed, and looked more pleased and astonished and puzzled than i had ever seen him before in my life. he evidently did not like to stop the boy, though he winced at hearing miss mizen spoken of as the toast of the mess. he was astonished, and clearly delighted at hearing that she was so near him, for, as may be remembered, i had not told him that she and her mother had come out to malta, nor did he hear of the circumstance during our stay at gibraltar. dinner was soon brought on the table, and tom mite did not fail to do ample justice to it. "well, you yachtsmen do live like princes," quoth the young gentleman, as he quaffed his cool claret. "when i come into my fortune, i'll get a yacht, and cut the service. then, if miss mizen, or some other fine young girl like her, will have me, she shall become the rover's bride. oh, wouldn't it be jolly! here's to her health in the mean time." i could stand the joke no longer, and burst into a fit of laughter. "what's the matter?" asked tommy, guessing he might have been saying something he had better not have said. "only that captain rullock and his sister and niece are great friends of ours, and that they will be highly flattered at the high estimation in which they are held by your mess," i answered. mite, who had plenty of tact, very adroitly replied, "well, gentlemen, i hope that you will come to the ball, and meet your friends." his invitation was backed by lieutenant piper, who soon afterwards came on board, and it was arranged that we should call alongside the "trident" for them just before sunset. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ note. let no one suppose that this incident is intended to reflect on any particular governor of malta. it is, unhappily, only too characteristic of many of our governors, ambassadors, and consuls, and other authorities in various parts of the world, both at home and abroad. certainly, old tom, well-known to fame, would not have so acted. chapter twenty one. a ball--what occurred at it--the greek count--mrs skyscraper. we were conducted by our friends to a handsome palace in one of the principal streets of valetta. the ball-room was full of naval and military officers in uniform, and ladies in dresses of every hue and gossamer texture. many were fair and blooming, but the dark skins and flashing eyes of a southern clime predominated. hearty and i walked in together. he cast a glance eagerly round the room. laura mizen against the field, as carstairs would say, thought i. how will she receive him, however, is the question? we men are too often apt to forget that point. he was not long in finding her; he walked up hastily, and put out his hand. she looked up, a gleam of pleased surprise lighted up her eyes, and a slight blush suffused her cheek, and then she put out her hand with the same frankness he had offered his. all right, i thought; that is just as people should meet; they will understand each other very soon. miss mizen had entirely overlooked me when meeting hearty, which, however complimentary to him, might, under some circumstances, have hurt my feelings. after allowing them to talk a little, i went forward and was cordially received as his friend. i was surprised that carstairs and bubble had not found their way to that end of the room. on returning towards the door, after exchanging a few words with some old naval acquaintance, i caught sight of him bending over a lady who was leaning back in an arm-chair flirting with her fan. her face was thus hidden from me, but on getting nearer i beheld no less a personage than mrs skyscraper; at a little distance was bubble, carrying on an animated conversation with miss jane seton, greatly to the chagrin, as it appeared, of a magnificently dressed albanian who stood near them. the stranger's face was turned away from me, so that i could not see the expression of his countenance; but the convulsive clutch which he ever and anon made at the handle of his jewel-hilted dagger showed the irritation of his feelings; and so strongly did this movement impress me with his evil intentions, that i kept my eye fixed on his weapon to hold him back should he attempt to do any mischief. just at that moment mite came up to me. "this is fun, isn't it?" quoth my young friend. "now to my mind there's a fine woman, the one mr carstairs is talking to; but by jupiter ammon she's cut out by that girl there mr bubble has ranged up alongside. she's superb, isn't she? what a juno-like head! still, do you know that i don't think i should quite like to offend her. she looks as if she could twitch a fellow by the ear pretty sharply. look there now, there's another girl, she's much more to my mind, though she has nothing of the stunner about her. the primrose style is what i like, or the violet, if that's more to your taste--quiet and neat. now, that's what i should call that little fair girl there. i say, i must just try and have a dance with her; i ought to, for the skipper made me toe and heel it with a little smaitch girl, who was wonderfully heavy to haul about; and as she didn't understand a word i said, and as i couldn't make out a word she said, there was no great fun in it." thus the youngster ran on somewhat flippantly, perhaps, drawing off my attention from bubble and the greek. i was, however, conscious that the latter had turned his head and looked at me. directly afterwards he walked off to another part of the room. as i was neither lazy nor too old to dance, nor blind to the charms of beauty, i was soon after this engaged in moving about to the sound of music among the laughing throng. among others, the fair jane honoured me with her hand. i found her any thing but a lively companion; somewhat absent, and far from haughty as before. had the avenging nemesis of an unrequited passion punished her for her treatment of my friend loring? it looked very like it; she answered my most brilliant sallies of wit by monosyllables, and smiled faintly, putting her bouquet to her nose--but i am certain the sweets therein conveyed no sensation to her olfactory nerves. what was the matter with her i could in no way make out. i was leading her to a seat, somewhat weary with my vain endeavours to arouse her, when we encountered sir lloyd snowdon, one of the officers of the garrison, and evidently an admirer of hers. "it's all arranged, miss seton; we have fixed to have the pic-nic to-morrow. mrs seton has promised and so has mrs mizen, and mrs rowley, and mrs grey, and her daughters, and that charming personage mrs skyscraper only waits to be asked." i recollected the pic-nic we had had to netley, when my friend loring had apparently made such way into the good graces of the fair jane, but she made no sign to betray any recollection of the event. i was acquainted with sir lloyd, and he knew hearty well, so he invited all our party to join the pic-nic on the morrow. old rullock of the "zebra" of course was asked, and so was captain arden of the "trident," and requested to bring some of their officers, rather an unusual stretch of military politeness at malta, where midshipmen, and even lieutenants, are held often in but slight estimation. we were to visit the old capital of citta vecchia and the catacombs, and the grotto of st. paul's, and then to go on to a sheltered bay on the seashore, where the operation of dining was to be performed. the whole plan was soon arranged, and everybody was pleased. i was talking to mrs skyscraper when sir lloyd snowdon came up to us. "by the by," said he to the widow, "i quite forgot to ask your friend the greek count; can you, my dear madam, tell me where he is to be found? i would remedy my neglect." "indeed, i cannot," answered the lady with a toss of her head; "i saw count gerovolio, but i have not watched his proceedings." "oh, mrs skyscraper--mrs skyscraper!" thought i, "what were your eyes about when they wandered just now so often towards miss seton and that finely dressed albanian?" i had missed the fair jane after supper, and heard her mother inquiring for her. i had wandered out on a narrow terrace which ran under the windows of a long corridor, to enjoy the fresh air and the moonlight. as i passed under one of the windows, i saw two figures standing in the recess. one i saw was count gerovolio, the other i felt sure was miss seton. i would not have willingly been an eavesdropper, but i could scarcely help hearing what was said. i was arrested, also, by finding that the speakers were conversing in english. "beautiful girl," exclaimed the count, in a tone of deep devotion, "you have enslaved me completely. i sought you but for my amusement, and you have thrown your golden chains around me, so that i could not break from them if i would." "oh! who are you?" exclaimed miss seton, in an agitated tone. "you did not tell me you could speak english. surely you are not an englishman." "whatever i am, i am a greek at heart and by adoption," answered the stranger, with a slight hesitation in his voice. "i was first led to the shores of that classic land to fight for the cause of her long-oppressed children. my sword raised me to my present position. let that suffice you. and now, lovely girl, do not longer hold me in torturing suspense. you know how deeply, how earnestly, i love you. your mother, you tell me, will not consent to our union. fly with me at once. my beautiful vessel waits off the coast to receive us on board, and to convey us to a land of freedom and romance; and where, emancipated from the trammels of the cold, calculating world, we may enjoy that bliss reserved for so few on earth." miss seton's answer i could not hear. i could scarcely believe that she could be influenced by such palpable sophistry. still i knew that there are moments when even the wisest among the daughters of eve, thrown off their guard by the wiles of the evil one, are ready to listen to his most barefaced falsehood; if they trust to their own strength--their own wisdom--and seek not protection from the only source whence it can come. "oh, you consummate scoundrel!" i muttered to myself, as i retreated to the doorway, whence i had come out. i had no longer a doubt as to the identity of the pretended greek. i resolved to put the matter to the test. entering the house, i walked briskly along the gallery, towards the window where i had seen the two speakers. miss seton was there--more like a statue than a living being--leaning against the wall, with her hands pressed to her forehead; but the pretended greek was gone. "miss seton," said i, going up to her, "tell me what has become of mr sandgate." "i know not of whom you speak," she answered. "i know no one of that name." "the man in the greek dress," i replied, calmly, for i felt that much depended on my tone and manner. "what! do you know him?" she asked in a faltering voice. "i do," said i; "and, miss seton, i would save you from him. he is worthless. he lives with a halter around his neck, and he will some day find it hauled taut." she stood perfectly silent for some time. i allowed her to remain so that she might regain her composure. she did this in a wonderfully short space of time. i suspected that her feelings were not very acute. "you know my secret. i throw myself on your generosity, and i am sure that you will not betray me, mr brine." "indeed, you may trust me, miss seton," i replied; "i shall rejoice at being the means of saving you from a very great danger. let me entreat you, therefore, not to see that man again on any account. keep close to your mother, and let nothing separate you from her. another time i will tell you his history, and you will see that you have reason to be guarded." "oh, tell me now, tell me now!" she exclaimed. "i will follow your advice; but i would hear all about him, and then shut him out of my thoughts forever." i saw that she was right, so i told her briefly all i knew about sandgate. she shuddered several times at the narrative. she was not particularly romantic, and fully alive to the advantages of a good position, thanks to her mother's instruction. though she had seen no great objection to becoming a greek countess, she had reason to be thankful at having escaped falling into the power of a villain of the stamp of sandgate. "now let me lead you to mrs seton," i replied, offering my arm. she took it. hers trembled as it pressed mine. "why, jane, my dear, you look very ill; what is the matter?" exclaimed the old lady, starting up with a look of real alarm in her countenance. i believe she loved her daughter, and fancied she showed it by helping her to make what she called a good match. "oh, nothing, nothing--the heat, i believe," she answered, turning still paler. "i think that i had better leave the room." her mother thought so likewise. i found their carriage. they lived not far off; so, following on foot, i watched them till they were safely within their own doors. on returning to the ball-room i heard mrs skyscraper making anxious inquiries as to what had become of count gerovolio. "never mind, we shall see him to-morrow at the pic-nic. he promised to be there," she observed. i saw from the look carstairs gave that the count had better behave himself should he venture to make his appearance, which i did not think very likely. chapter twenty two. our malta pic-nic--the catacombs--the pirate in sight--sandgate again escapes us--our expedition with the men-of-war--return from our fruitless cruise. my friends were not a little astonished when i told them, on getting on board the yacht, that sandgate was in the island. the question was, how to catch him. we had no moral doubt whatever that he had come on board our vessel with the intention of plundering us, and that he had afterwards endeavoured to send us to the bottom by attacking us in the polacca-brig; still no one could swear to the fact. we were not certain that the brig which left the harbour that morning was the one which had engaged us--we could not prove that he belonged to her; scarcely, indeed, could we expect to induce the authorities to believe that the greek count and sandgate the smuggler were one and the same person. "take my advice," observed carstairs; "don't let us fash ourselves on the subject, but give the rogue a long rope, and he will soon hang himself." we all agreed to the wisdom of this remark, and resolving to wait the course of events, turned in and went to sleep. a large and merry party set off to the scene of the pic-nic, some in caleches, and others in carriages of higher pretensions, and vehicles of all sorts, and others on horseback. i will not stop to describe the scenery. stone walls, and here and there an orange grove, form its chief characteristics. it is wonderful that there is any cultivation, considering that the greater portion of the soil has been brought from other lands. that which is produced on the island is formed from the crumbling away of the surface of the rock of which it is composed. our party met by agreement near the gates. hearty, greatly to his satisfaction, managed to undertake the escort of mrs mizen and her daughter; the widow fell to the lot of carstairs, and i took charge of mrs and miss seton. "oh! but where is count gerovolio?" exclaimed mrs skyscraper, as we were driving off. "i fully expected to have him of our party. has anybody seen him? miss seton, do you know what has become of him?" poor jane for a moment looked dreadfully disconcerted at hearing the name of the impostor; but she soon recovered her self-possession, and i did my best to rattle on, so as to draw off the attention of her mother and mr mite, who had been admitted as a fourth in the carriage. mrs skyscraper looked about in vain for the count; i thought that he would scarcely have the boldness to make his appearance. our drive, as far as we four ill-matched beings were concerned, was any thing but a pleasant one. old mrs seton was annoyed at not having sir lloyd snowdon, or any other eligible gentleman, to act the suitor to her daughter. poor jane could not drive away her own bitter thoughts. mite would infinitely rather have been in the company of one of his jolly little maltese acquaintances, and i felt oppressed at being the keeper of a young lady's secret. at last we arrived at the spot where our lionising was to commence--the old capital of the island, citta vecchia, and had to descend from our conveyances. the structure would delight a connoisseur in mediaeval antiquities, for a more ancient-looking collection of tumbledown houses i never saw collected together. here stand the first palace of the grand masters, and the cathedral of malta, celebrated for the pertinacity with which its bells are rung. but the great sight we had all come to see was the catacombs. guides and lights were procured, and the whole party descended to them. incongruous, indeed, seemed the light dresses of the ladies, the glittering uniforms of the officers, and the merry laughter of the party, with the solemn, silent gloom of this vast receptacle for the dead. these catacombs consist of long galleries or streets cut in the rock, extending a great distance, and intersecting each other at right angles about fifteen feet beneath the surface of the ground. the gloom, the chilly, confined atmosphere, the dark shadows, the mysterious passages and recesses, the undefined shapes which flitted before us, were ill calculated to dispel poor miss seton's melancholy. she walked on, however, silently by my side, avoiding rather than courting the attention of sir lloyd snowdon, who at length joined us, and who, seeing this, devoted himself with much tact to her mother. "if you have any intention, sir lloyd," thought i, "you'll win the day, notwithstanding the present appearance of matters." we could hear behind us the cheery voice of captain rullock, and every now and then a laugh from hearty, who seemed to be in high spirits. "he feels that he does not stand ill in the good graces of miss mizen, i suspect," thought i. "most sincerely do i rejoice at it; for though not to be compared in point of beauty to the lovely girl by my side, she will make him a very far better wife. her straightforward honesty, her modesty, her bright intelligence, her well-cultivated mind, her unvarying good temper, her genuine wit, her loving disposition, are certain to secure her husband's affections and respect." little did the lady by my side dream of the comparison i was drawing, and yet i verily believe that she might have been not much inferior to miss mizen in all those womanly qualities, had they not been crushed or perverted by the false system of education which her mother had adopted. such were the somewhat incongruous thoughts which passed through my mind in the catacombs of citta vecchia. i ought to have been duly oppressed with the gloom of the place, and to have thought of nothing but ghost-like forms flitting through the mysterious passages. i do not know what my companion was thinking about, but she sighed deeply and sadly. that sigh touched my heart with pity, and reminded me how little i had attempted to do to restore her mind to a state of composure. we had, as i said, walked on somewhat ahead of the rest of the party, and old rullock and hearty had just hailed us to return, when directly before us appeared the figure of a man who was evidently endeavouring to conceal himself in one of the niches cut in the rock. it had, however, been blocked up, and he was frustrated in his intention. he wore a large cloak, such as the italians call a _feriuoligio_, with which he was attempting to hide his head, but the light of the torch carried by our guide fell directly on him, and revealed the features of miles sandgate. he must have guessed that he was known, for he advanced a step or two rapidly towards us, but then, whatever were his intentions, he must have changed them, for he retreated as hurriedly, and was lost to view amid the surrounding gloom. i knew that miss seton had discovered him by the way in which her arm trembled in mine, and most certainly she would have fallen had i not supported her. "i fear, miss seton, that the atmosphere of this place oppresses you; we will get out of it as soon as possible," said i. "thank you, thank you," she answered, leaning heavily on my arm. "i long for a breath of fresh air; i shall be better then." sir lloyd snowdon was much concerned at finding that miss seton was unwell, and the whole party hurried to the mouth of the catacombs. it was very provoking to have sandgate almost within one's very grasp, and yet not to have the power of punishing him. on reaching the open air, miss seton at first nearly fainted. restoratives of all sorts were recommended by her friends, but before any could be applied, she recovered, and endeavoured to laugh off any disagreeable inquiries as to the cause of her attack. the exertion necessary to do this still further aroused her, and she speedily became one of the most lively and animated of the party. i saw that she could now do very well without me, so i retired from her side. sir lloyd snowdon took my place. he was enchanted, and abandoned himself to the happiness of the moment. she saw her advantage, and not unmindful of her wise mother's instructions, seemed resolved to make the most of it. still i thought that i detected at times the signs of unnatural spirits, and forced laughter, and i would not have answered for the consequences had the so-called count gerovolio appeared in the midst of us with a hundred well-armed followers, and summoned her to accompany him. from the catacombs we drove to the grotto of st. paul, which is at no great distance. whether the apostle to the gentiles ever took shelter within it matters but little; the monks of old decreed that he did, and therefore a fine statue of white marble has been placed within it, and the faithful have been encouraged to offer their gifts at his shrine. the statue stands in the farthest from the entrance of three grottoes, one within the other. we looked at them very much in the way that people in general look at sights with very little interest, but thinking it necessary to give utterance to certain set expressions of surprise or admiration. the most interesting sight was a portion of the cavern which resembles the nave of a church, overgrown with verdure. it is surprising that vegetation should flourish in such a position. when we had all satisfied our curiosity, we proceeded to a small sheltered bay, where the most important part of the day's entertainment was to be performed. there was no great beauty of scenery, but the blue sea, and the pure sky, and the fresh salt breeze, and the rugged rocks, made it pleasant to the sight and feelings; and as most of the party had very good appetites, and tolerably clear consciences, we were altogether very merry. captain rullock, hearty, bubble, and mite did their best to make it so. miss mizen was naturally very happy; so was her mamma, for hearty had that day very palpably declared his intentions. sir lloyd snowdon was happy because he thought he had won the beauty of the season; and mrs seton, because she fancied that the great object of her life was on the point of being accomplished. several vessels had been for some time in sight, but we had been so much engaged in our own immediate occupation, that neither i nor any of the other naval men had paid them much attention. the heavier portion of the feast had been concluded, and sparkling wines filled our glasses, and luscious grapes our plates. bubble had been called on for a song, and sir lloyd snowdon for a speech, when we were somewhat startled from our propriety by a loud exclamation from porpoise. "why, by the lord harry, there's that rascally polacca-brig again!" he cried, pointing to a vessel which was standing under full sail in-shore. our pocket-telescopes were in instant requisition. the vessel in question was a polacca-brig, of the same size, and paint and build, and appearance aloft as the one which had attacked us; but still it was impossible to be certain as to whether the vessel in sight was the pirate or not. porpoise was the only person who was positive as to her being so. hearty was inclined to side with him. still, what was to be done? captains rullock and arden were ready enough to go in chase of her, but their ships were on the other side of the island, and by the time they could have got back to valetta and obtained permission from the admiral, and been under way, the suspicious brig would have been far away again. this discussion once more nearly upset poor miss seton, but she seemed relieved, and recovered somewhat of her vivacity when it was resolved not to take any notice of the stranger. i, of course, as she did, could not help connecting the brig in sight with the appearance of the pretended count gerovolio in the catacombs. he had, i suspected, been hiding there for some reason or other, till he could get on board his vessel. after a little time the fun of the pic-nic went on as before. i, however, not being in love, nor having any lady to whom it was necessary to pay exclusive attention, kept my eyes about me, and every now and then swept the line of the coast with my telescope, while i also did not neglect to watch the movements of the brig. as she came clearly into the plane of my glass, i observed a dark cloth on her fore-topgallant-sail, which i suddenly recollected to have remarked on the same sail of the brig from which sandgate boarded us, as she lay becalmed before the squall came on. this to my mind was conclusive evidence; but my suspicions were further confirmed by seeing the polacca-brig lower her topgallant-sails, and bring her head up to the wind. when hove-to, she lowered a boat, which, well-manned, at once made for the shore. i said nothing, but narrowly watched the point for which she was steering. as she drew near, i saw a figure climb a rocky point and waive to her. the dress and air of the person left no doubt on my mind that he was no other than the greek count, or rather miles sandgate. it was, indeed, provoking to see the rascal escaping before our very sight. had we taken upon ourselves to make chase after him, he would have got on board the boat before we could have reached him. still i felt that i ought to point out the state of things to rullock and arden, and let them judge what should be done. "go in chase after the fellow, by all means," they exclaimed; "we must not be too sanguine as to catching our bird, or proving him a culprit if we do catch him, but still we'll try." it was arranged, therefore, that while the ladies and military men, and non-combatants, should take their time to return, we naval men should hurry back to valetta, and take the necessary steps to go in chase of the pirate. hearty looked at miss mizen and thought he should very much like to stay with her, but his manhood would not let him; so he, with bubble and carstairs, settled to go away in the yacht. mrs skyscraper made an effort to detain the latter, but her admirer was not a man to shirk work where any was to be done, so he set off with the rest of us. this time we were more successful in finding the admiral. he was eager as we could be to catch the pirate, and instantly ordered the "trident" and "zebra" to go in chase of her. when last seen, after sandgate, or the man we supposed to be him, had got on board, she was standing to the southward and east, with the wind from the northward; in which direction she would ultimately shape her course it was impossible to say. calculating that she might probably be still hovering about the island, the "trident" was ordered, after leaving the harbour, to beat round to the northward of malta; while the "zebra" was to keep to the southward, so as to intercept her, should she steer a course for the straits. it was arranged that the "frolic" should accompany the "zebra," but to keep to the nor'ward of her, within telegraph distance. "this is exciting," exclaimed bubble, as we bowled along in company with the brig-of-war, away from malta harbour. "it seems like real work, going in chase of a pirate; only i hope that he may not give us the go-by in the dark." the sun sank into the ocean before we had rounded gozo, so that we were not able to see what vessels were to the eastward of us. we kept, however, a very bright lookout on either hand, so that we thought no vessel could pass between us and the land on one side, or us and the "zebra" on the other. we were to stand on till we fell in with the "trident" at daylight, and then the three vessels, spreading wide apart, were to continue the chase all day, and return or not at discretion. it was at first a lovely night, starlight and bright, with just such a breeze that we could carry our gaff-topsail, and yet the cutter scarcely heeled over to it. none of us felt inclined to go below, notwithstanding the fatigues of the day and the previous night. hearty, of course, had pleasant thoughts; porpoise was eagerly watching for the pirate; i was running over the events of the day, and bubble was whistling, while carstairs was, i suspect, pondering on the advisability of proposing to mrs skyscraper. at first we had been very loquacious, but the silent solemnity of the night had an influence on all of us, and by degrees our remarks grew less and less frequent, till we were found standing, in meditative mood, in different parts of the vessel. the hours of the night passed by, and still we all kept the deck far later than was our usual custom. towards midnight, either from a mist rising, or from some other cause, the darkness very much increased. "if this continues we shall have to shorten sail, or we shall be running into some craft or other," observed porpoise, who was no great admirer of romance, and would rather all the time have been listening to a jovial song. "yes, indeed," said i; "very little chance, though, of falling in with our roving friend, even should he be in the neighbourhood." "we'll get the gaff-topsail off her, mr snow," said porpoise; "the brig will be shortening sail, and if we do not, we shall be running ahead of her." the order was given, and the hands had gone aloft to execute it, when an exclamation from the look-out forward made us open our eyes. "a sail ahead, on the starboard-bow!" he shouted, with startling energy. we looked in the direction indicated. "luff--luff all you can," cried porpoise, with equal animation. "luff! or she'll be into us." the helm was put down; happily the gaff-topsail had not been taken in, and the cutter, having good way on her, shot up to windward. close on our quarter appeared, towering up, it seemed, into the sky, a wide spread of canvas. the stranger rushed on past us, the white foam hissing and bubbling at her bows. "what vessel is that?" shouted porpoise. i thought i heard a shout of derisive laughter in return. the next moment, as she came beam on, i distinctly made her out to be a greek polacca-brig. "the pirate--the pirate!" shouted all hands. "we had a near chance of being run down by the rascal," cried porpoise; "but we must be after him as soon as we can let the `zebra' know in what direction to make chase." to do this we had to edge away to the southward, firing our guns to call the attention of the man-of-war brig. this was not so easy to do as might be supposed. we stood on and on, blazing away to no effect. we reached the track of the brig, but still we did not find her. it was difficult to say what we should do next. daylight came, and we had the satisfaction--a very poor one, thought i--of seeing her hull down to the eastward, while we had every reason to believe that the chase was merrily bowling away to the westward. there was no use going after the pirate brig by ourselves, so that all that we could do was to make sail in the hopes of catching up our friend. porpoise bit his nails with vexation. hearty wanted to get the matter over to return to malta. it was noon before we came up with the "zebra." this we should not have done had she not hove-to for us. we then had to wait for the "trident," which appeared to the northward, standing towards us. we were all so confident that the polacca-brig which passed us in the night was the pirate, that our naval friends were obliged to be convinced, so we all hove about, and stood back the way we had come in chase. i think it better to make a long story short. we crowded every thing we could carry, and the little "frolic" behaved beautifully alongside her big companions, shooting somewhat ahead of them in light winds, and keeping well up with them when there was a sea on. we scarcely expected that the pirate would attempt to get through the gut, and therefore we might hope to pick him up inside it. i could not help suspecting, however, that all the time mr sandgate was laughing at us in his sleeve, and that we should see no more of him. so it proved. ten days were fruitlessly expended in the search, and at the end of that time we were all once more at anchor in malta harbour. hearty very speedily reconciled himself to the disappointment in the society of miss mizen. carstairs was soon at the feet of mrs skyscraper, while i went to inquire for miss seton; but as i found sir lloyd snowdon occupying her entire attention, i paid a short visit, and went to dine with piper on board the "trident." chapter twenty three. ladies aboard--our crew's dread of the consequences. we had not been many days in harbour, when rullock received orders to take a cruise to the westward to practise his crew, who, being mostly raw hands quickly raised at plymouth, required no little practice to turn them into men-of-war's men. as plenty of sea-air had been prescribed for miss mizen, and change of scene--not that i think she now required either--it was arranged that she and her mother should take a cruise in the "zebra." had mrs mizen been his wife instead of his sister, captain rullock could not have taken her, as the rules of the service do not allow a captain to take his wife to sea with him, though he may any other man's wife, or any relative, or any lady whatever. under such circumstances, it was not to be supposed that the "frolic" would remain at anchor. accordingly she put to sea with the brig-of-war. carstairs, however, had metal more attractive to his taste at valetta, so decided on remaining on shore. we did not fail to miss him, and to wish for his quaint, dry, comic remarks, and apt quotations from shakespeare. never, certainly, was a party better constituted than ours for amusing each other, all of us having that indispensable ingredient of harmony, perfect good humour; and had not that arch mischief-maker cupid found his way among us, we should have continued in united brotherhood till the yacht was laid up. a light breeze brought off faintly the sound of the evening gun from the castle of st. elmo, as, in company with the "zebra," we stood away from malta to the westward. hearty walked his deck with a prouder air and firmer step than was his wont. nothing so much gives dignity to a man as the consciousness of having won the affections of a true, good girl. his eye was seldom or never off the brig, even after the shades of night prevented the possibility of distinguishing much more than her mere outline, as her taut masts and square yards, and the tracery of her rigging appeared against the starlit sky. he had charged porpoise to have a very sharp look-out kept that we might run no chance of parting from our consort; but, not content with that, he was on deck every half-hour during the night to ascertain that his directions were obeyed. "i say, bill, the gov'nor seems to fancy that no one has got any eyes in his head worth two farthing rushlights but hisself, this here cruise," i heard old sleet remark to his chum, frost. "what can a come over him?" "what, don't you know, bo?" answered bill; "i thought any one with half an eye could have seen that. why, he's been and courted the niece of the skipper of the brig there, and soon they'll be going and getting spliced, and then good-bye to the `frolic.' she'll be laid up to a certainty. it's always so. the young gentlemen as soon as they comes into their fortunes goes and buys a yacht. we'll always be living at sea, say they. it goes on at first very well while they've only friends comes aboard, but soon they takes to asking ladies, and soon its all up with them. either they takes to boxing about in the channel, between the wight and the main; for ever up and down anchor, running into harbour to dine, and spending the day pulling on shore, waiting alongside the yacht-house slip for hours, and coming aboard with a cargo of boat-cloaks and shawls, or else, as i have said, they goes and gives up the yacht altogether." old sleet gave a munch at his grub and then replied,--"but if i don't judge altogether wrong by the cut of this here young lady's jib, i don't think she's one of those who'd be for wishing her husband to do any such thing. when she came aboard of us, t'other day, she stepped along the thwarts just as if she'd been born at sea. says i to myself, when i saw her, she's a sailor's daughter, and a sailor's niece, and should be a sailor's wife; but if what you say is true, bo, she's going to be next door to it, as a chap may say, and that's the wife of a true, honest yachtsman. no, no, there's no fear, she won't let him lay up the `frolic,' depend on't." "well, i hope so," observed frost; "i should just like to have a fine young girl like she aboard, they keeps things alive somehow, when they are good, though when they are t'other they are worse than one of old nick's imps for playing tricks and doing mischief." "you are right there again, and no mistake, bo," answered sleet. "i once sailed with a skipper who had his wife aboard: i never seed such goings on before nor since. the poor man couldn't call his soul his own, or his sleep his own. she was a downright double-fisted woman, a regular white sergeant. she wouldn't allow a drop of grog to be served out without she did it, nor a candle end to be burned without logging it down; she almost starved the poor skipper--she used to tell him it was for his spirit's welfare. he never put the ship about without consulting her. one day, when it was blowing big guns and small-arms, she was out of sorts, and says he-- "`molly, love, i think we ought for to be shortening sail, or we may chance to have the masts going over the sides.' "`shorten sail?' she sings out, `let the masts go, and you go with them, for what i care. let the ship drive, she'll bring up somewhere as well without you as with you.' "the poor skipper hadn't a word to say, but for his life he daren't take the canvas off the ship. "`my love, it blows very hard,' says he again, in a mild, gentle voice. "`let it blow harder,' answers the lady; and you might have supposed it was a boatswain's mate who'd swallowed a marlinspike who spoke. "presently down came the gale heavier than ever on us. crack, crack, went the masts, and in another second we hadn't a stick standing. "`where's the ship going to drive to, now?' asks the skipper, turning to his wife. `i've been a fool a long time, but i don't mean to be a fool any longer; just you get the ship put to rights, or overboard you go.' "`how am i to do that same?' asks mrs molly, very considerably mollified; `i don't know how.' "`then overboard you goes,' says the skipper, quite coolly, but firmly. `if the wind shifts three or four points only we shall have an ugly shore under our lee, which will knock every timber of the ship into ten thousand atoms in no time, and you may thank yourself for being the cause of the wreck.' "`oh, spare my life, spare my life, and i'll never more interfere with the duty of the ship,' cries the lady, in an agony of fear. "the captain pretended to be softened. `well,' says he, `take the oaths and go below, and i'll think about it.' "mrs molly, as we always called her, sneaked to her cabin without saying another word. all hands set to work with a will, and obeyed the skipper much more willingly than we had ever done before. we got jury-masts up, and carried the ship safely into port, but from that time to this i've always fought shy of a ship with petticoats in the cabin, and so i always shall, except i happen to know the sort of woman who wears them." i was much amused with old sleet's remarks, and in most respects i agreed, with him. a day or two afterwards the crew had their suspicions confirmed by the appearance of mrs and miss mizen on the deck of the cutter. in the mean time hearty had been constantly on board the brig-of-war. he dined on board every day, as indeed we all did, only we dined in the gun-room, and he with the captain and ladies. the accommodation, however, on board the brig was rather confined, and as the weather promised to continue fine, he became naturally anxious to get them on board the yacht. at last he broached the subject. old rullock did not object; the ladies finding that there was nothing incorrect in the proceeding were very willing; and to give them more accommodation, an exchange was effected between them and bubble, who took up his quarters on board the brig. i should have gone also, but porpoise begged i would remain and keep him company, so i doubled up in his cabin to give the ladies more accommodation. hearty took snow's berth, and the old man was very glad on such an occasion to swing in a hammock forward. the thought of those days are truly sunny memories of foreign seas. miss mizen, by her kind and lively manners, her readiness to converse with the crew, her wish to pick up information about the sea and the places they had visited, and their own histories, and her unwillingness to give trouble, soon won the love of all on board; while her mother, whose character was very similar to her daughter's, was a general favourite, and i heard old sleet declare to frost that the old lady wasn't a bit like mrs molly magrath, and as for the young girl she was an angel, and old as he was he'd be ready to go round the world to serve her, that he would. "now don't you think mr hearty, that you could find some one who can spin a regular sea matter-of-fact yarn about things which really have been?" said miss mizen, one fine afternoon, with one of those sweet smiles which would have been irresistible, even if a far more important request had been made. the owner of the "frolic" thought a little. "yes, by the by, i have it," he exclaimed; "one of the men i have on board is a first-rate yarn-spinner. once set his tongue a going, it is difficult to stop it, and yet there is very little romance about the old man. he has, i conclude, a first-rate memory, and just tells what he has seen and heard. i'll call him aft, and will try what we can get out of him." hearty on this went forward, and after a little confab with the crew, returned with old sleet, who, instead of being bashful, was looking as pleased as punch in his most frolicsome humour, at the honour about to be done him. without hesitation he doffed his hat, threw his quid overboard, smoothed down his hair, and began his tale. i must confess that i have not given it in his language, which was somewhat a departure from the orthodox vernacular, and might weary my readers. "now, gentlemen and ladies all, i'm going to tell you--" how joe buntin did the revenue. the "pretty polly" was the fastest, the smartest, and the sweetest craft that sailed out of fairport; so said joe buntin, and nobody had better right to say it, or better reason to know it, he being part owner of her, and having been master of her from the day her keel first touched the water. she was a cutter of no great size, for she measured only something between thirty and forty tons; she had great beam for her length, was sharp in the bows, rising slightly forward, and with a clean run; she was, in fact, a capital sea-boat, fit to go round the world if needs be--weatherly in a heavy sea, and very fast in smooth water, though the nautical critics pronounced her counter too short for beauty; but joe did not consider that point a defect, as it made her all the better for running in foul weather, which was what he very frequently wanted her to do. she carried a whacking big mainsail, with immense hoist in it, and the boom well over the taffrail. her big jib was a whopper with a vengeance, and her foresail hoisted chock up to the block. she had a swinging gaff-topsail very broad in the head, and a square-sail to set for running, with prodigious spread in it; so that, give the "pretty polly" a good breeze, few were the craft of anything like her own size she couldn't walk away from. in fact, anybody might have taken her for some dandified yacht, rather than for a humble pilot-boat, which the number on her mainsail proclaimed her to be. now the "pretty polly," like other beauties, had her fair weather and her foul weather looks, her winter as well as her summer suit. she had her second, and third, and storm-jibs, a trysail of heavy canvas, and even a second mainsail, with a shorter boom to ship at times, while her standing and running rigging was as good as the best hemp and the greatest care could keep it, for every inch of it was turned in under joe's inspection, if not with his own hand. joe buntin loved his craft, as does every good sailor; she was his care, his pride, his delight, mistress, wife, and friend. he would talk to her and talk of her by the hour together; he was never tired of praising her, of expatiating on her qualities, of boasting of her achievements, how she walked away from such a cutter--how she weathered such a gale--how she clawed off a lee-shore on such an occasion; there was no end to what she had done and was to do. she was, in truth, all in all to joe; he was worthy of her, and she was worthy of him, which reminds us that he himself claims a word or two of description. he had little beauty, nor did he boast of it, for in figure he was nearly as broad as high, with a short, thick neck, and a turn-up nose in the centre of his round, fresh-coloured visage; but he had black, sparkling eyes, full of fun and humour, and a well-formed mouth, with strong white teeth, which rescued his countenance from being ugly, while an expression of firmness and boldness, with great good nature, made him respected by all, and gained him plenty of friends. joe sported a love-lock on each side of his face, with a little tarpaulin hat stuck on the top of his head, a neat blue jacket, or a simple blue guernsey frock, and an enormously large pair of flushing trousers, with low shoes; indeed, he was very natty in his dress, and although many people called him a smuggler--nor is there any use in denying that he was one--he did not look a bit like those cut-throat characters represented on the stage or in print-shops, with high boots, and red caps, and cloaks, and pistols, and hangers. indeed, so far from there being any thing of the ruffian about him, he looked and considered himself a very honest fellow. he cheated nobody, for though he broke the revenue laws systematically and regularly, he had, perhaps, persuaded himself, by a course of reasoning not at all peculiar to himself, that there was no harm in so doing; possibly he had no idea that those laws were bad laws, and injurious to the country; so out of the evil, as he could not remedy it, he determined to pluck that rosebud--profit--to his own pocket. remember that we are not at all certain that he actually did reason as we have suggested; we are, we confess, rather inclined to suspect that he found the occupation profitable; that he had been engaged in it from his earliest days, and therefore followed it without further troubling his head about its lawfulness or unlawfulness. so much for joe buntin and his cutter the "pretty polly." his crew were a bold set of fellows, stanch to him, and true to each other; indeed, most of them, as is usual, had a share in the vessel, and all were interested in the success of her undertakings; they were quiet, peaceable, and orderly men; their rule was never to fight, the times were too tranquil for such work, and a running noose before their eyes was not a pleasant prospect. they trusted entirely to their wit and their heels for success, and provided one cargo in three could be safely landed, they calculated on making a remunerating profit. the days when armed smuggling craft, with a hundred hands on board bid defiance to royal cruisers, had long passed by, for we are referring to a period within the last six or eight years only, during the last days of smuggling. now the contraband trade is chiefly carried on in small open boats, or fishing craft, affording a very precarious subsistence to those who still engage in it. after what has been said it may be confessed that the "pretty polly" was chiefly employed in smuggling, though her ostensible, and, indeed, very frequent occupation, was that of a pilot-vessel. now we must own that in those days we did not feel a proper and correct hatred of smugglers and their doings; the dangers they experienced, the daring and talent they displayed in their calling, used, in spite of our better reason, to attract our admiration, and to raise them to the dignity of petty heroes in our imagination. the dishonest merchant, the dealer in contraband goods, the encourager of crime, was the man who received the full measure of our contempt and dislike--he who, skulking quietly on shore, without fear or danger, reaped the profits of the bold seaman's toil. fairport, to which the "pretty polly" belonged, is a neat little town at the mouth of a small river on the southern coast of england. the entrance to the harbour is guarded by an old castle, with a few cannon on the top of it, and was garrisoned by a superannuated gunner, his old wife and his pretty grand-daughter, who performed most efficiently all the duties in the fortress, such as sweeping it clean, mopping out the guns, and shutting the gates at night. sergeant ramrod was a good specimen of a fine old soldier, and certainly when seeing his portly figure and upright carriage, and listening to his conversation, one might suppose that he held a higher rank than it had ever been his fate to reach. he had seen much service, been engaged in numerous expeditions in various parts of the world, and went through the whole peninsular war; indeed, had merit its due reward, he should, he assured his friends, be a general instead of a sergeant, and so being rather an admirer of his, we are also apt to think--but then when has merit its due reward? what an extraordinary hoisting up and hauling down there would be to give every man his due! sergeant ramrod always went by the name of the governor of fairport castle, and we suspect rather liked the title. he was, in truth, much better off than the governors of half the castles in the world, though he did not think so himself; he had no troops, certainly, to marshal or drill, but then he had no rounds to make or complaints to hear, and his little garrison, composed of his wife and grandchild, never gave him a moment's uneasiness, while he might consider himself almost an independent ruler, so few and far between were the visits of his superior officers. the town of fairport consists of a long street, with a few offshoots, containing some sixty houses or so, inhabited by pilots, fishermen, and other seafaring characters, two or three half-pay naval officers, a few casual visitors in the summer months, a medical man or two, and a proportionate number of shopkeepers. the castle stands at one end of the town, close to the mouth of the river, the tide of which sweeps round under its walls, where there is always water sufficient to float a boat even at low tide. in the walls of the castle are a few loopholes and a small postern-gate or port to hoist in stores, and close to it is a quay, the chief landing-place of the town. here a revenue officer is stationed night and day to prevent smuggling, though there are certain angles of the castle-wall which he cannot overlook from his post. this description we must beg our readers to remember. one fine morning, soon after daybreak in the early part of the year, joe buntin and his crew appeared on fairport quay with their pea-jackets and bundles under their arms, and jumping into their boat pulled on board the "pretty polly." her sails were loosened and hoisted in a trice, the breeze took her foresail, the mainsail next filled, the jib-sheet was flattened aft, and slipping from her moorings she slowly glided towards the mouth of the river. the jib-sheet was, however, immediately after let go, the helm was put down, and about she came--in half a minute more, so narrow is the channel, that she was again about, and at least six tacks had she to make before she could weather the westernmost spit at the entrance of the harbour, and stand clear out to sea. "i wonder which of the french ports she's bound to now," observed a coast-guard man to a companion who had just joined him on the little quay close to the castle. "after some of her old tricks, i warrant." "we shall have to keep a sharp look-out after him, or he'll double on us, you may depend on it," replied the other; "joe buntin's a difficult chap to circumvent, and one needs to be up early in the morning to find him snoozing." "more reason we shouldn't go to sleep ourselves, ben," said the first speaker; "i must report the sailing of the `pretty polly' to the inspecting commander, that he may send along the coast to give notice that she's out. captain sturney would give not a little to catch the `pretty polly,' and he's told joe that he'll nab her some day." "what did joe say to that?" "oh, he laughed and tried to look innocent, and answered that he was welcome to her if he ever found her with a tub of spirits, or a bale of tobacco in her." "i'll tell you, though, who'd give his right hand and something more, to boot, to catch master joe himself, or i'm very much mistaken." "who's that?" "why, lieutenant hogson, to be sure. you see he has set his eyes on little margaret ramrod, the old gunner's grandchild, but she don't like him, though he is a naval officer, and won't have any thing to say to him, and he has found out that joe is sweet in that quarter, and suspects that if it weren't for him, he himself would have more favour. now, if he could get joe out of the way, the game would be in his own hands." "oh, that's it, is it? well, i think the little girl is right, for joe is a good fellow, though he does smuggle a bit; and as for lieutenant hogson, though he is our officer, the less we say about him the better." while this conversation was going on, the "pretty polly" had reached down abreast of the quay, when buntin, who was at the helm, waved his hand to the coast-guard men, they in return wishing him a pleasant voyage and a safe return. "thank ye," answered joe, laughing, for he and his opponents were on excellent terms. "thank ye, and remember, keep a bright look-out for me." the cutter then passed so close to the castle that her boom almost grazed its time-worn walls. joe looked up at the battlements, and there he saw a bright young face, with a pair of sparkling eyes, gazing down upon him. joe took off his tarpaulin hat and waved it. "i'll not forget your commission, miss margaret. my respects to your grandfather," he sang out. there was not time to say more before the cutter shot out of hearing. the flutter of a handkerchief was the answer, and as long as a human figure was visible on the ramparts, joe saw that mistress margaret was watching him. now, it must be owned, that it was only of late joe had yielded to the tender passion, and it would have puzzled him to say how it was. he had been accustomed to bring over trifling presents to the little girl, and had ingratiated himself with the old soldier, by the gift now and then of a few bottles of real cognac; but he scarcely suspected that his "pretty polly," his fast-sailing craft, had any rival in his affections. the day after the "pretty polly," sailed, margaret was seated at her work, and the old dame sat spinning in their little parlour in the castle, while mr ramrod was taking his usual walk on the quay, when a loud tap was heard at the door. "come in," said the dame, and lieutenant hogson made his appearance. now, although by no means a favourite guest, he was, from his rank and office, always welcomed politely, and margaret jumped up and wiped a chair, while the dame begged him to be seated. his appearance was not prepossessing, for his face was pock-marked, his hair was coarse and scanty, and sundry potations, deep and strong, had added a ruddy hue to the tip of his nose, while his figure was broad and ungainly. he threw himself into a chair, as if he felt himself perfectly at home. "ah, pretty margaret! bright and smiling as ever, i see. how i envy your happy disposition!" he began. "yes, sir, i am fond of laughing," said margaret, demurely. "so i see. and how's grandfather?" "here he comes to answer for himself, sir," said margaret, as old ramrod appeared, and, welcoming his guest, placed a bottle and some glasses before him, while margaret brought a jug of hot water and some sugar. the eyes of the lieutenant twinkled as he saw the preparations. "not much duty paid on this, i suspect, mr ramrod," he observed, as he smacked his lips after the first mouthful. "can't say, sir. they say that the revenue does not benefit from any that's drunk in fairport." "a gift of our friend buntin's, probably," hazarded the officer. "can't say, sir; several of my friends make me a little present now and then. i put no mark on them." "oh, all right, i don't ask questions," said the lieutenant. "by the by, i find that the `pretty polly' has started on another trip." "so i hear, sir," said ramrod. "can you guess where she's gone, miss margaret?" asked the officer. "piloting, i suppose, sir," answered the maiden, blushing. "oh, ay, yes, of course; but didn't he talk of going anywhere on the french coast?" "yes, sir," answered margaret, "he said he thought he might just look in at cherbourg." "and how soon did he say he would be back?" asked the officer. "in four or five days, sir," said margaret. the lieutenant was delighted with the success of his interrogations, and at finding the maiden in so communicative a mood; so mixing a stiffer tumbler of grog than before to heighten his own wits, he continued, "now, my good girl, i don't ask you to tell me any thing to injure our friend buntin, but did he chance to let drop before you where he proposed to make his land-fall on his return--you understand, where he intended to touch first before he brings the `pretty polly' into fairport?" "dear me, i did hear him talk of looking into--bay; and he told denman, and jones, and tigtop, and several others to be down there," answered margaret, with the greatest simplicity. "i don't think the girl knows what she's talking of, mr hogson," interposed old ramrod, endeavouring to silence his grand-daughter. "but of course any thing she has let drop, you won't make use of, sir." "oh, dear, no! of course not, my good friend," answered mr hogson. "i merely asked for curiosity's sake. but i must wish you good afternoon. i have my duties to attend to--duty before pleasure, you know, mr ramrod. good-by, miss margaret, my ocean lily--a good afternoon to you, old hero of a hundred fights;" and, gulping down the contents of his tumbler, with no very steady steps the officer took his leave. as soon as he was gone, ramrod scolded his grandchild for her imprudence in speaking of buntin's affairs. "you don't know the injury you may have done him," he added; "but it never does to trust a female with what you don't want known." "perhaps not, grandfather," said margaret, smiling archly. "but joe told me that i might just let it fall, if i had an opportunity, that he was going to run a crop at--bay, and i could not resist the temptation when mr hogson asked me, thinking i was so simple all the time. i'm sure, however, i wish that joe would give over smuggling altogether. it's very wrong, i tell him, and very dangerous; but he promises me that if he can but secure two more cargoes, he'll give it up altogether. i'm sure i wish he would." "so do i, girl, with all my heart; for it does not become me, an officer of the government, to associate with one who constantly breaks the laws; but yet, i own it, i like the lad, and wish him well." margaret did not express her sentiments; but the bright smile on her lips betrayed feelings which she happily had never been taught the necessity of controlling. mr hogson esteemed himself a very sharp officer; and, as he quitted the castle, he congratulated himself on his acuteness in discovering buntin's plans. he had spies in various directions, or rather, people whom he fancied were such, though every one of them was well-known to the smugglers, and kept in pay by them. by them the information he had gained from margaret was fully corroborated, and accordingly he gave the necessary orders to watch for the cutter at the spot indicated, while he collected a strong body of men to seize her cargo as soon as the smugglers attempted to run it. his arrangements were made with considerable judgment, and could not, he felt certain, fail of success, having stationed signalmen on every height in the neighbourhood of--bay, to give the earliest notice of the smugglers' approach. as soon as it was dark, he himself, with the main body of coast-guard men, all well-armed, set off by different routes, to remain in ambush near the spot. while they lay there, they heard several people pass them on their way to the shore, whom they rightly conjectured were those whose business it was to carry the tubs and bales up the cliffs to their hides, as soon as landed. the night was very dark, for there was no moon, and the sky was cloudy; and though there was a strong breeze, there was not sufficient sea on to prevent a landing; in fact, it was just the night the smugglers would take advantage of. mr hogson, having stationed his men, buttoned up his pea-jacket, and drawing his south-wester over his ears, set off along the shore to reconnoitre. he rubbed his hands with satisfaction when he perceived a number of people collected on the beach, and others approaching from various directions. "i'm pretty sure of forty or fifty pounds at least," he muttered, "and if i can but nab master joe himself, i'll soon bring his coy sweetheart to terms, i warrant. ah! the cutter must be getting in with the land, or these people would not be assembling yet." just then a gleam of bright light shot forth from the cliffs, at no great distance from where he was standing; it was answered by the gleam of a lantern from the sea, which was instantly again obscured. he watched with intense anxiety, without moving for some minutes, when he thought that he observed two dark objects glancing over the waters towards the shore. his difficulty was to select the proper moment for his attack. if he appeared too soon, the people on shore would give notice, and the boats would return to the cutter; if he did not reach them directly after they touched the shore, he knew from experience that he should certainly find them empty, a minute or two sufficing to carry off the whole cargo. at last he had no doubt that the smugglers were at hand; and, as fast as his legs could carry him, he hurried back to bring up his men. we must now return to the "pretty polly." besides joe buntin, the crew of the cutter consisted of dick davis, tom figgit, and jack calloway, as thorough seamen as were ever collected together, and all of them licenced pilots for the channel, each having a share in the craft; then there were, besides them, twice this number of men shipped on certain occasions, who, though they received a share of the profits, had no property in her. joe had determined to run great risks this voyage, in the hopes of making large profits, and had invested a large part of his property in the venture, which his agent had prepared ready for shipment at cherbourg. the wind shifted round to the nor'ard, and the "pretty polly" had a quick run across the channel. the evening of the day she left fairport, she was riding at anchor in the magnificent harbour of cherbourg. as soon as they arrived, he and his mates went on shore, and the agent, not expecting him that evening, being out of the way, they betook themselves to a _cafe_ on the quay, overlooking the harbour. joe always made himself at home wherever he went, and although he had no particular aptitude for learning languages, he managed, without any great difficulty, to carry on a conversation in french, and his thorough good nature and ready fund of humour gained him plenty of friends among the members of the great nation. the house of entertainment into which the englishmen walked, is entitled "le cafe de la grande nation." the room was large, and had glass doors opening on the quay, through which a view of the harbour was obtained. it was full of little round tables, with marble slabs, surrounded with chairs, and the walls were ornamented with glowing pictures of naval engagements, in which the tricolour floated proudly at the mastheads of most of the ships, while a few crippled barks, with their masts shot away, and their sails in tatters, had the british ensign trailing in the water. the prospect before them was highly picturesque. directly in front was an old tower, the last remnant of the ancient walls of cherbourg. beyond, spread out before them, was the broad expanse of its superb harbour, capable of containing all the fleet of france. in the centre, where labourers were busily at work, was the breakwater, the intended rival of plymouth, one entrance guarded by the fort of querqueville, the other by that of pelee; and on the western shore, guarded by numerous ranges of batteries, was the naval arsenal and dockyard, the pride of the people of cherbourg, and which, when finished, is intended to surpass any thing of the kind possessed by the _perfide anglais_. joe and his friends, having ordered some _eau de vie_ and water, and lighted their cigars, took their seats near the door. they did not stand much on ceremony in passing their remarks on all they saw, particularly at the men-of-war's men who were strolling about the town. "my eyes, dick," exclaimed tom figgit, "look at them fellows with their red waistcoats and tight jackets, which look as if they were made for lads half their size, and their trousers with their sterns in the fore part. just fancy them going aloft." "they are rum enough, but, to my mind, not such queer-looking chaps as the sodgers," answered dick. "do you know, dick, that i've often thought that a frenchman must be cast out of quite a different mould to an englishman? the clothes of one never would fit t'other. it has often puzzled me to account for it." "why, tom, it would puzzle one if one had to account for all the strange things in the world," answered the other. "you might just as well ask why all the women about here wear caps as big as balloons; they couldn't tell themselves, i warrant." just then their conversation was broken off, that they might listen to joe, who had entered into a warm discussion with the boatswain, or some such officer of one of the french ships-of-war, on the relative qualities of their respective navies. the _salle_ was full at the time of naval and military officers of inferior grades, douaniers, gens-d'armes, and worthies of a similar stamp, all smoking, and spitting, and gesticulating, and talking together. "comment, monsieur buntin," said the frenchman; "do you mean to say that you have got an arsenal as large as le notre de cherbourg in the whole of england?" "i don't know how that may be," answered joe, quietly; "portsmouth isn't small, and plymouth isn't small, but perhaps we don't require them so big. we get our enemies to build ships for us." "bah," exclaimed the frenchman, shrugging his shoulders; "les perfides!" just then a fine frigate was seen rounding point querqueville. like a stately swan slowly she glided through the water till, when she approached the town, her rigging was crowded with men, her courses were clewed up, her topsails and topgallant-sails were furled, and she swung round to her anchor. she was a model of symmetry and beauty, and the frenchmen looked on with admiration. "there," exclaimed joe's friend, "n'est-ce pas que c'est belle? have you got a ship in the whole english navy like her?" "i don't know," answered joe, innocently. "but if there came a war, we very soon should, i can tell you." "comment?" said the frenchman. "why you see, monsieur, we should have she." "sare!" exclaimed half a dozen frenchmen, starting up and drawing their swords. "do you mean to insult la grande nation?" whereupon tom figgit and dick davis, though they did not exactly comprehend the cause of offence, jumped up also, and prepared for a skirmish, which might have ended somewhat seriously for the three englishmen, had not joe's agent at that moment appeared and acted as a pacificator between them, joe assuring them that he had no intention of insulting them or any one of their nation, and that he had merely said what he thought would be the case. joe did not spend a longer time than was absolutely necessary at cherbourg, and as soon as he got his cargo on board, the "pretty polly" was once more under way for england. her hold was stowed with much valuable merchandise, chiefly silks, laces, and spirits. she had also on deck a number of empty tubs, and a few bales filled with straw. as soon as he had got clear of the land, the wind, which had at first been southerly, shifted to the south-west, and it soon came on to blow very fresh. this he calculated would bring him upon the english coast at too early an hour for his purpose, so when he had run about two-thirds of his distance, he lay to, with his foresail to windward, waiting for the approach of evening. as he walked the deck of his little vessel, with tom figgit by his side, he every now and then broke into a low quiet laugh. at last he gave vent to his thoughts in words. "if we don't do the revenue this time, tom, say i'm no better than one of them big-sterned mounsieurs. what a rage that dirty spy, hogson, will be in! ha, ha, ha! it's a pleasure to think of it." tom fully participated in all his leader's sentiments, and by their light-hearted gaiety one might have supposed that they had some amusing frolic in view, instead of an undertaking full of peril to their personal liberty and property. all this time a man was stationed at the masthead to keep a look-out in every direction, that no revenue-cruiser should approach them without due notice, to enable them to get out of her way. we must now return to lieutenant hogson. as soon as he felt certain that the boats had landed, he hurried down with his men to the beach. his approach was apparently not perceived, and while the smugglers were actively engaged in loading themselves with tubs and bales of goods, he was among them. "stand and deliver, in the king's name," he shouted out, collaring the first smuggler he could lay hands on, his men following his example. for a moment the smugglers appeared to be panic-struck by the suddenness of the attack; but soon recovering themselves, as many as were at liberty threw down their loads and made their escape. "seize the boats," he added. "here, take charge of this prisoner." and rushing into the water, he endeavoured to capture the boat nearest to him; but just as he had got his hand on her gunnel, the people in her, standing up with their oars in their hands, gave her so hearty a shove, that, lifting on the next wave, she glided out into deep water, while he fell with his face into the surf, from which he had some difficulty in recovering himself with a thorough drenching; the other boat getting off in the same manner. in the mean time, signals had been made by the revenue-men stationed on the neighbouring heights, that the expected run had been attempted, and the coast-guard officers and their people from the nearest stations hurried up to participate in the capture. some came by land, while others launched their boats in the hopes of cutting off the "pretty polly" in case she should not have discharged the whole of her cargo. with muffled oars and quick strokes they pulled across the bay; but if they expected to catch joe buntin, or the "pretty polly," they certainly were disappointed; for although they pulled about in every direction till daylight, not a sign or trace of her did they discover. not so unfortunate, however, was lieutenant hogson, for although he did not capture his rival, he made a large seizure of tubs, and several bales of silk, as he supposed, and a considerable number of prisoners, which would altogether bring him in no small amount of prize-money. one prisoner he made afforded him considerable satisfaction. it was no other than tom figgit, who, having jumped out of the boat with a tub on his back, was seized before he had time to disengage himself from his load, and this, with many a grimace, he was now compelled to carry. "i hope you've made up your mind for a year in winchester jail, master tom," said mr hogson, holding a lantern up to his face. "it isn't the first time you've seen its inside, i warrant." "it would be, though; and what's more, i intend to spend my christmas with my wife and family," answered tom, doggedly. the prisoners were now collected, and marched up to the nearest coast-guard station, but there were so many tubs and bales that the coast-guard men were obliged to load themselves heavily with them; for it was found that should only a small guard be left to take charge of them, the smugglers would carry them off. the wind whistled coldly, the rain came down in torrents, and the revenue people and their prisoners had a very disagreeable march through the mud up to the station, tom figgit being the only person who retained his spirits and his temper-- though he grumbled in a comical way at being compelled to carry a tub for other people, and insisted that he should retain it for his trouble at the end of his journey. when he reached the guard-house, he slyly tumbled the tub off his shoulders, and down it came on the ground with so heavy a blow that it was stove in. the names of the prisoners were now taken down in due form, and they were told they must be locked up till they could be carried before a magistrate, and be committed to jail for trial. as soon as the officer had done speaking,-- "please, sir," said tom, "there's one of the tubs leaking dreadfully, and if it isn't looked to, it will all have run out before the morning; though for the matter of that, it doesn't smell much like spirits." "bring me a glass," said the lieutenant, who, wet and cold, was longing to have a drop of spirits. "i'll soon pass an opinion on your _eau de vie_, master tom." tom smiled, but said nothing, while one of the men brought a glass and broached the leaky tub. "show a light here," said tom. "well, i can't say as how it's got much of the smell of spirits--hang me, if i can make it out." tom filled the glass, and, with a profound bow, worthy of a mandarin, presented it to the officer. lieutenant hogson was thirsty, and, without even smelling the potion, he gulped it down. "salt water, by george!" he exclaimed, furiously, spitting and spluttering it out with all his might, and giving every expression to his disgust. tom, forgetful of the respect due to a king's officer, burst into a fit of uproarious laughter. "well, i warned you, sir. i told you there was something odd about it-- ha, ha, ha--and now you find what i said was true--ha, ha, ha!" "what do you mean, you scoundrel?" cried the lieutenant, stamping furiously. "how dare you play such a trick?" "nothing, sir, nothing," answered tom, coolly; "you see i should have been very much surprised if there had been any thing else but salt water; for you see we was bringing those tubs on shore, full of sea-water, for a poor old lady who lives some way inland, and her doctors ordered her to try sea-bathing on the coast of france; but as she couldn't go there herself, you see, she has the water carried all the way from there to here. it's a fancy she has, but it's very natural and regular, and we get well paid for it, sir." "do you, master tom, actually expect me to believe such a pack of gross lies?" stammered out the lieutenant, as well as his rage would let him. "i don't know, sir," answered the smuggler; "some people believe one thing, some another, and i hope you won't think of keeping us here any longer, seeing as how we've done nothing against the law in landing tubs of salt water for old missis grundy up at snigses farm, sir. you may just go and axe her if what i says isn't as true as gospel. it might be the death of her if she didn't get her salt water to bathe in, you know, sir." "old missis grundy! i never heard of her before," exclaimed the lieutenant, growing every moment more angry; "and snigses farm, where's that, i should like to know?" "why, sir, you see it's two or three miles off, and rather a difficult road to find," answered tom, winking at his companions. "you first go up the valley, then you turn down by waterford mill, next you keep up by dead man's lane, and across carver's field, and that will bring you about a quarter of the distance." "why, you scoundrel!" exclaimed the lieutenant, who recognised the names of these places, and knew them to be wide apart, "you impudent rogue, you--why, you are laughing at me!" "oh, no, sir," answered tom, demurely, pulling a lock which hung from his bullet-shaped head, "couldn't think of laughing at you; besides, sir, you knows one can't always make one's face as long as a grave-digger's apprentice's." "i'll make it long enough before i've done with you, master tom, let me tell you," exclaimed the officer. "now let us see what are in those other casks and bales." "what, all them that your people have had the trouble of carrying up here?" cried tom. "lord! sir, the tubs, of course, is all full of salt water, too, for missis grundy." "we shall soon see that, my fine fellow," answered the officer, thinking tom had only told the tale to annoy him; but to make sure, seizing a gimlet, with his own hands he broached tub after tub, his face elongating as he proceeded, and the visions of his prize-money gradually vanished from his eyes. tom and the other smugglers looking on all the time with a derisive smile curling their lips, though prudence prevented their saying any thing which might further exasperate the lieutenant. at last, with an angry oath, he threw down the gimlet. they one and all contained nothing more potent than salt water. he then, with eager haste, anticipating disaster, tore open the bales. they were composed solely of straw and a little packing cloth. "them be life-buoys, sir," said tom, quietly. "we carries them now always, by the recommendation of the humane society." the smugglers now burst into fits of laughter at the rage and disappointment of the outwitted officer, and even his own men could scarcely restrain their tittering at his extravagances. there was, however, not a shadow of excuse for detaining the smugglers. they had a full right to land empty tubs and life-buoys at any hour of the night, and they had not offered the slightest resistance when captured by the coast-guard. in fact, as tom expressed it while narrating his adventures with high glee to joe buntin, they "fairly did the revenue." the next morning, the "pretty polly" appeared beating up towards fairport, and before noon she was at her moorings, and joe was exhibiting a variety of pretty presents to the delighted eyes of miss margaret ramrod. rumours were not long in reaching her ears that one of the largest runs which had been known for ages had been made on the coast at some little distance from fairport, the very night lieutenant hogson seized the tubs of salt water; and joe confessed that he had only one more trip to make before he settled for life. we need not detail the events of the next few days in the quiet town of fairport. those we have narrated served for conversation to the good people for full nine days, and during that time poor mr hogson never once ventured to show his face inside the castle-walls, for he had a strong suspicion, though an unjust one, that pretty mistress margaret had something to do with his disappointment. for her credit, however, we are certain that she was innocent of any intentional falsehood. joe suspected that mr hogson would attempt to pump her; so, as we have seen the contents of a bucket of water thrown down a ship's pump to make it suck, joe took care that the lieutenant should get something for his pains, by telling the young lady to answer, if she was asked, that she had heard him say that he intended landing at--bay. for the three following weeks joe buntin contrived to spend several days on shore in the society of sergeant ramrod's family, though the "pretty polly" during that time made several trips down channel, and was very successful in falling in with some large east indiamen, the pilotage money of which was considerable; and besides that she landed several rich passengers who paid well, so that joe was rapidly becoming a wealthy man. he would have been wise to stick to his lawful and regular calling; but there was so much excitement in smuggling, and the profits of one trip were so much more than he could gain in several winters' hard toil, that he could not resist the temptation. had he taken the trouble of comparing himself with others, he would, we suspect, have considered himself a more honest man than the railroad speculators of the present day. it was again the last quarter of the moon, and the nights were getting dark, when the "pretty polly" once more left her moorings in fairport harbour. now it must not be supposed that she ran over at once to the coast of france, and taking in a cargo, returned as fast as she could to england. joe was not so green as to do that. he, on the contrary, as before, cruised about the channel till he had put two of his pilots on board different vessels, and, to disarm suspicion, they took very good care to present themselves at fairport as soon after their return as possible; and even mr hogson began to fear that there was very little prospect of making prize-money by capturing the "pretty polly," or of wreaking his vengeance on joe. as soon as the last ship into which he had put a pilot was out of sight, joe shaped his course for cherbourg, where he found a cargo of tubs ready for him, but he this time did not take any silks in his venture. in a few hours he was again on his way across the channel. the weather was very favourable. now some people would suppose that we mean to say there was a clear sky, a smooth sea, and a gentle breeze. far from it. it blew so fresh that it might almost be called half a gale of wind; the clouds chased each other over the sky, and threatened to obscure even the stars, which might shed a tell-tale light on the world, and there was a heavy sea running; in truth, it gave every promise of being a dirty night. nothing, however, in this sublunary world can be depended upon except woman's love, and that is durable as adamant, true as the pole-star, and unequalled. the "pretty polly" was about fifteen miles from the land, and joe and tom figgit were congratulating themselves on the favourable state of the weather, when the breeze began to fall and veer about, and at last shifted round to about east-south-east. gradually the sea went down, the clouds cleared off, and the sun shone forth from the blue sky bright and warm. "now this is what i call a do," exclaimed tom figgit, in a tone of discontent. "who'd have thought it? here were we expecting the finest night heaven ever made for a run at this time of the year, and now i shouldn't be surprised that there won't be a cloud in the sky just as we ought to be putting the things on shore." "it can't be helped, tom," answered joe; "our good-luck has not done with us yet, depend on it." "i wish i was sure of it," replied tom, who was in a desponding mood;-- he had taken too much cognac the night before. "remember the story about the pitcher going too often to the well getting a cracked nose. now, captain, if i was you i'd just 'bout ship and run back to cherbourg till the weather thickens again. we should lay our course." "gammon, tom. what's the matter with you?" exclaimed joe. "one would suppose that you had been and borrowed one of your wife's petticoats, and was going to turn old woman." "you know, captain, that i've very little of an old woman about me, and that it's for you i'm afeared more than for myself," replied tom, in a reproachful tone. "a year in jail and the loss of a few pounds is the worst that could happen to me, while you would lose the vessel and cargo, and something else you lay more value on than either, i suspect." "well, well, old boy, we'll be guided by reason," said joe. "we won't run any unnecessary risks, depend on it. i'll just take a squint round with the glass to make sure that no cruiser has crept up to us with this shift of wind." saying this, joe carefully swept the horizon with his telescope, but for some time it rested on nothing but the dancing sea and the distant land. at last, however, his eye caught a glimpse of what, to him, appeared a very suspicious-looking sail dead to windward. "what do you make her out to be?" he asked, handing the glass to tom figgit, and pointing towards the sail, which appeared no bigger than a sea-gull's wing gleaming in the rays of the sun. tom took a long look at her. "she's a big cutter, and no mistake," he answered, still keeping his eye to the tube. "and what's more, she's standing this way, and coming up hand over hand with a fresh breeze. i don't like the cut of her jib." "let's have another squint at her," said joe, taking the glass from the mate's hand: then letting it come down suddenly, and giving a slap on his thigh, he exclaimed, "you are right, tom, by george; and what's more, if i don't mistake by the way her gaff-topsail stands, she's the `ranger' cutter which we gave the go-by in the winter, and they've vowed vengeance against us ever since." davis and calloway then gave their opinion, which coincided with the rest, nor did there appear to be any doubt that the approaching vessel was the "ranger." the wind, as we said, had fallen, but there was still a considerable swell, the effects of the past gale, which made the little vessel pitch and tumble about, and considerably retarded her progress. joe now scanned his own sails thoroughly to see that they drew well, and then glanced his eye over the side of the cutter to judge how fast she was going through the water. he was far from satisfied with the result of his observations. "it won't do," he remarked; "we must be up slick, and run for it, or she'll be overhauling us before dark. if we was blessed with the breeze she's got, we wouldn't mind her. rig out the square-sail boom, bend on the square-sail. come, bear a hand my hearties, be quick about it. none of us have much fancy for a twelvemonth in winchester jail, i suppose. that'll do; now hoist away." and himself setting an example of activity, the helm being put up, the main-sheet was eased off, a large square-sail set, and the cutter, dead before the wind, was running away from her supposed enemy. the square-topsail was next hoisted, and every stitch of canvas she could carry was clapped on, and under the influence of the returning breeze, the "pretty polly" danced merrily over the waters, though not at all approaching to the speed her impatient crew desired. tom figgit shook his head. "i thought it would be so," he muttered. "i knowed it when i seed the wind dropping. well, if it weren't for joe, and to see that blowed coastguarder, hogson, a-grinning at us, and rubbing his paws with delight, i shouldn't care. if we might fight for it it would be a different thing, but to be caught like mice by a cat, without a squeak for life, is very aggrawating, every one must allow." tom had some reason for his melancholy forebodings, for the "pretty polly" most certainly appeared to be out of luck. do all she could, the "ranger," bringing up a fresh breeze, gained rapidly on her. the people in the revenue-cruiser had evidently seen her soon after she saw them, and, suspecting her character, had been using every exertion to come up with her. they had, in fact, long been on the watch for her, and quickly recognised her as their old friend. the smugglers walked the deck, vainly whistling for a wind, but, though they all whistled in concert, the partial breeze refused to swell their sails till it had filled those of their enemy. nothing they could do, either wetting their sails, or altering her trim by shifting the cargo, would make the "pretty polly" go along faster. one great object was to retain a considerable distance from her till darkness covered the face of the deep, when they might hope more easily to make their escape. as the sun went down the heavens grew most provokingly clear, and the stars shone forth from the pure sky, so that the smugglers saw and were seen by the revenue-cutter, and the character of the "pretty polly" was too well-known by every cruiser on the station to allow her to hope to escape unquestioned. still joe boldly held on his course. he never withdrew his eye from his pursuer, in order to be ready to take advantage of the slightest change in her proceedings, but he soon saw that he must make the best use of his heels and his wits, or lose his cargo. poor joe, he thought of his charming margaret, he thought of his good resolutions, he thought of tom's evil prognostications, but he was not a fellow to be daunted at trifles, and he still trusted that something in the chapter of accidents would turn up to enable him to escape. the breeze at last came up with the "pretty polly," but at the same time the "ranger" drew still nearer. all their means of expediting her movements had been exhausted, every inch of canvas she could carry was spread aloft, and even below the main-boom and square-sail-boom water sails had been extended, so that the craft looked like a large sea-bird, with a small black body, skimming, with outspread wings, along the surface of the deep. the land, at no great distance, laid broad on their beam to the starboard. with anger and vexation they saw that all their efforts to save their cargo would probably be fruitless. "it can't be helped, my lads," cried joe; "better luck next time. in with all that light canvas. be smart about it, stand by the square-sail halliards--lower away; hoist the foresail again; down with the helm, bill, while we get a pull at the main-sheet. we must run into shoal water and sink the tubs. it will come to that, i see." as joe said, there was no time to lose, for the revenue-cruiser was now a little more than a mile distant, looming large in the fast-increasing obscurity of night. there promised, however, to be too much light during the night for them to hope to elude the sharp and practised eyes of her lookouts. while the smuggler, with the wind nearly abeam, was running in for the land, her crew were busily employed in getting the tubs on deck, and slinging them in long lines together, with heavy weights attached, over the side, so as to be able, by cutting a single lanyard, to let them all sink at once. no sooner did they alter their course than their pursuer did the same. they had, at all events, gained the important advantage of escaping being overhauled in daylight. they now stood steadily on till they got within a quarter of a mile of the land, the revenue-cutter not having gained materially on them. by this time every tub was either on deck or over the side. "starboard the helm a little, tom--steady now!" sung out joe; "we'll have the marks on directly; i can just make out pucknose knoll and farleigh church steeple. now mind, when i sing out cut, cut all of you." it was not without some difficulty that the points he mentioned could be distinguished, and none but eyes long accustomed to peer through darkness could have seen objects on the shore at all. his aim was to bring certain marks on the shore in two lines to bisect each other, at which point the tubs were to be sunk, thus enabling him to find them again at a future day. "starboard again a little, tom--steady now--that will do--luff you may, luff--i have it. cut now, my hearties, cut!" he exclaimed, and the next moment a heavy splash told that all the tubs slung outside had been cut away, and sunk to the bottom. "stand by to heave the rest overboard," he continued, and a minute afterwards, with fresh bearings, the remainder of the cargo was committed to the deep. "now let's haul up for fairport, and get home to comfort our wives and sweethearts. better luck next time." with this philosophical observation, joe buttoned up his pea-jacket, and twisted his red comforter round his neck, determined to make himself comfortable, and to bear his loss like a man. by the "pretty polly's" change of course she soon drew near the "ranger," when a shot from one of the guns of the latter came flying over her masthead. on this significant notice that the cruiser wished to speak to her, joe, not being anxious for a repetition of the message, let fly his jib-sheet, and his cutter coming round on the other tack, he kept his foresail to windward and his helm down, thus remaining almost stationary. a boat soon pulled alongside with the mate of the cruiser, who, with his crew, each carrying a lantern, overhauled every part of the vessel's hold, but not even a drop of brandy was to be found, nor a quid of tobacco. "sorry, sir, you've taken all this trouble," said joe, touching his hat to the officer. "i thought, sir, you know'd we was a temp'rance vessel." it was diamond cut diamond. the officer looked at joe, and burst out laughing, though disappointed at not making a seizure. "tell that to the marines, mister buntin," he answered. "if you hadn't, half an hour ago, enough spirits on board to make the whole ship's company of a line-of-battle ship as drunk as fiddlers, i'm a dutchman." "i can't help, sir, what you thinks," replied joe, humbly; "but i suppose you won't detain us? we wants to get to fairport to-night, to drink tea with our wives and nurse our babies." "you may go, my fine fellow, and we will bring in your tubs in the morning," answered the mate, as he stepped into his boat. "thank ye, sir," said joe, making a polite bow, but looking very much inclined to expedite his departure with a kick, but discretion withheld him. "let draw!" he sang out in a voice which showed the true state of his feelings, beneath his assumed composure; "now about with her." in a short time after, the "pretty polly" was safely moored in fairport river. the next morning at daybreak, the "ranger" was seen hovering in rather dangerous proximity to the spot where the tubs had been sunk. she was then observed to get her dredges out, and to be groping evidently for the hidden treasures. in the course of the day, joe and his crew had the mortification to see her come into the harbour with the greater part of their cargo on board. of course they all looked as innocent as if none of them had ever before seen a tub, for there was nothing to betray them, though it was not pleasant to see their property in the hands of others. the revenue-cutter then hauling alongside the quay, sent all the tubs she had on board up to the castle, where they were shut up securely while she went back to grope for more. joe watched all these proceedings with apparently calm indifference, walking up and down all the time on the quay, with a short pipe in his mouth, and his hands in his pockets. no sooner, however, had darkness set in, than he and his companions might have been seen consulting earnestly together, and going round to the most trustworthy of their acquaintance. what was the subject of their consultations may hereafter be guessed at. their plans, whatever they were, were soon matured, and then joe repaired to pay his accustomed visit to sergeant ramrod and his grand-daughter. joe buntin was, as i have hinted, not the only lover margaret ramrod possessed, which was, of course, no fault of hers. one of them, for there might have been half-a-dozen at least, was james lawson, a coast-guard man, belonging to fairport; and if he was aware that he was a rival of his superior officer it did not afflict him. as it happened, he was stationed at the castle to guard the tubs which had been captured in the morning. having seen that every thing was safe, he soon grew tired of watching on the top of the castle, for it was a dark, cold night, with a thick, driving rain, and a high wind, so he persuaded himself that there could be no harm looking into sergeant ramrod's snug room, lighted up by pretty margaret's bright eyes, and warmed by a blazing fire. the sergeant welcomed him cordially, and margaret mixed him a glass of hot brandy and water, while discussing which, a knock was heard at the castle-gate, on which mistress margaret, throwing her apron over her head, ran out to admit the visitors. she was absent a minute or more; probably she had some difficulty in again closing the gates on so windy a night: at last she returned, followed by no less a person than joe buntin, and his shadow, tom figgit. a smile stole over margaret's pretty mouth as she watched joe, who looked as fierce as he could at lawson, and by ramrod's invitation, sat himself down directly opposite the revenue-man. lawson was not to be stared out of countenance, so, notwithstanding joe's angry glances, he firmly kept his post. tom figgit quietly sipped his grog, eyeing lawson all the time much in the way that a cat does a mouse she is going to devour, so that at last the revenue-man, feeling himself rather uncomfortable, he scarcely knew why, helped himself thoughtlessly to another stiff glass. joe laughed and talked for all the party, and told several capital stories, contriving in the interval to whisper a word into margaret's ear, at which she looked down and laughed slyly. she was soon afterwards seen filling up the coast-guard man's glass, only by mistake she poured in hollands instead of water. the error was not discovered, and lawson became not only very sagacious, but brave in the extreme. after some time he recollected that it was his duty to keep a look-out from the top of the castle, and accordingly rose to resume his post. joe on this jumped up also, and wishing the old couple and their grand-daughter good-night, took his departure, followed by tom; sergeant ramrod and lawson closing the gates securely behind them. no sooner were joe and his mate outside the walls than they darted down a small alley which led to the water, and at a little sheltered slip they found a boat, with a coil of rope and some blocks stowed away in the stern-sheets. joe, giving a peculiarly low whistle, two other men appeared crawling from under a boat, which had been turned with the keel uppermost on the beach, and then all four jumping in, pulled round underneath the castle-wall to a nook, where they could not be observed from the quay even in the daytime. it was, as we have mentioned, blowing and raining, and as dark as pitch, so that our friends had no reason to complain of the weather. after feeling about for some time, joe discovered a small double line, to which he fastened one of the stouter ropes, and hauling away on one end of it, brought it back again into the boat. who had rove the small line we cannot say, but we fear that there was a little traitor in the garrison; perhaps joe or tom had contrived to do it before they entered the sergeant's sitting-room. "hold on fast," joe whispered to his comrades; "i'll be up in a moment." saying this, he climbed up the rope, and soon had his face flush with the summit of the castle-walls. looking round cautiously, he observed no one, so he climbed over the parapet, and advanced across the platform to the top of a flight of steps which communicated with the lower part of the building. he looked over the railing, but his eyes could not pierce the gloom, so he descended the steps, and had the satisfaction to find lawson fast asleep at the bottom of them, sheltered from the rain by one of the arches. "all's right: he won't give us much trouble, at all events," he muttered to himself; and returning to the parapet he summoned his companions. two other boats had now joined the first, and, one after the other, twelve smugglers scaled the walls. others were, it must be understood, watching at various points in the neighbourhood, to give the earliest notice of the approach of the coast-guard. joe stationed two men by the side of lawson to bind and gag him if he awoke, which he was not likely to do, while the rest proceeded with their work. they soon contrived to break open the door of the store, opening from the platform, where the tubs had been deposited; then each man, carrying one at a time, like ants at their work, they transported them to the parapet of the castle-wall. from thence, with great rapidity, they were lowered into the boats, and then conveyed round to the foot of a garden belonging to an uninhabited house, which, of course, had the character of being haunted by spirits. joe and his friends worked with a will, as much delighted with the thought of doing the revenue as at recovering their property. the greater number had been thus secured when the rain ceased, and the clouds driving away, the smugglers were afraid of being seen by their opponents. they therefore secured the door of the nearly empty store, and all descending, unrove the rope from the breech of the gun to which it had been fastened, so as to leave no trace of their proceedings. the next morning lawson, on recovering from his tipsy slumbers, seeing the door closed, reported that all was right. mr hogson was the first person to make the discovery that all was wrong, and his astonishment and rage may be more easily imagined than described. nearly every tub of the rich prize had disappeared; and the lieutenant swore he was certain that wicked little vixen, margaret ramrod, had something to do with it. neither sergeant ramrod nor lawson could in any way account for it; and as it would have been a subject of mirth to all their brother-officers, who would not have shared in the prize, the authorities of fairport thought it wiser not to say much on the subject. several persons were suspected of having had a hand in the transaction; but the smugglers were known to be too true to each other to afford the remotest chance of discovering the culprits. soon after this joe buntin married margaret ramrod; and, wonderful to relate, forswore smuggling ever after. whether her persuasions, or from finding it no longer profitable, had most influence, is not known; at all events, he is now one of the most successful and active pilots belonging to fairport, and though he does not mention names, he is very fond, among other stories, of telling how a certain friend of his did the revenue. as soon as old sleet had finished his story, which was much more effective when told by him than as it now stands written down by me, he scraped his right foot back, made a swing with his hat, and was rolling forward, when hearty cried out, "stop, stop, old friend, your lips want moistening after that long yarn, i'm sure. what will you have, champagne, or claret, or sherry, or brandy, or rum, or--" the honest seaman grinned from ear to ear. "grog," he answered, emphatically. "there's nothing like that to my mind, mr hearty. it's better nor all your french washes put together." due praise was bestowed on joe buntin's history, but he evidently thought the extra glass of grog he had won of far more value. "health to you, gentlemen and ladies all, and may this sweet craft never want a master nor a mistress either," he rapped out; then fearing he had said something against propriety, he rolled away to join his messmates forward. chapter twenty four. the polacca-brig again--the "zebra" in chase--reflections on africa and the slave-trade. it was now time for the officers of the "zebra" to return on board their ship. another night and day passed away much in the same manner as its predecessors. all this time we were edging over to the african coast. miss mizen was rapidly recovering her strength, indeed she could no longer be declared an invalid, and it was very evident that a sea-life perfectly agreed with her. though i missed bubble's fun and anecdotes, and his merry laugh and good-natured visage, i must confess that i much enjoyed the society of the two ladies. mrs mizen was a kind-hearted, right-minded, good-natured, sensible, motherly woman, without a particle of affectation or nonsense of any sort. she had seen a good deal of the world, and of the people in it, and could talk well of what she had seen. under present circumstances, indeed, i preferred her, as a companion, to her daughter. barring the difference of age, they were very like each other. miss mizen also treated me with the utmost frankness and kindness as the friend of her intended husband, and i often enjoyed a pleasant conversation with her, though, of course, it more frequently fell to my share to entertain her mother. while the fine weather lasted, the life we led was excessively pleasant; but as winter was now rapidly approaching, we knew that we must look out for squalls and heavy seas. we had, as i before remarked, been making our way to the westward along the african coast, now making the land, and then standing off again at night-time. one morning when daylight broke, we found ourselves rather in-shore of the brig. as i came on deck to relieve porpoise, i saw her signalising. we got the signal-book. "what is rullock talking about?" asked my brother-officer, as i was looking over the leaves of harriot's well-known work. "a suspicious sail to the north-west. stay where you are. i shall chase, but be back by nightfall," said i; on which porpoise ordered the answering signal to be hoisted. the brig now crowded all sail, but as she kept away i saw that the bunting was again at work. "if we do not appear by noon to-morrow, return to malta," said i, interpreting the flags. "and so our pleasant cruise will be up: but all things pleasant must come to an end. i wish it could have lasted longer." "well, porpoise, what do you make of the stranger he is after?" "by--that she is no other than our friend the greek polacca-brig," he exclaimed, almost letting his glass fall from aloft, where he had gone to get a look of the vessel the brig was chasing. "i have a great mind to rouse hearty up, and get him to disobey orders, and go in chase of her also. i don't like the thoughts of the pirate being captured without our being present." "remember that we have ladies on board, and i don't think hearty will be inclined to run the risk of carrying away our spars or mast for any such gratification," i remarked. "he'll be for obedience in this case, depend on it." "that's the worst of having ladies on board," answered porpoise with a sigh. "but, i say, they have been rather more alive on board the brig than i should have given them credit for. how could they have suspected that the polacca out there was our friend?" "you forget that will bubble is on board, and probably he was on deck, and aloft, indeed, at sunrise, and made out the greek," i answered, not that i considered that there was any want of strict discipline or sufficient alertness kept on board the brig, though the crew were any thing but first-rate specimens of men-of-war's men. by the by, that reminds me that i should like to say a few words about manning the navy. but i won't, though, simply because the subject is just here somewhat out of place. we are off the northern coast of africa in a yacht with some ladies on board, and they might be bored, and we have to watch the proceedings of the brig-of-war and the vessel of which she is in chase. only i would strongly urge any members of parliament, or other law-makers, or persons of influence, whose eyes may glance over these pages to think, and talk, and _do_ very seriously about the matter. it will not bear letting alone or sleeping over. something must be done, and at once. i've known ships-of-war go to sea with not a quarter of the men seamen--because seamen were not to be got. how would it fare with us had we to engage in a downright earnest naval war? our men, it will be answered, will fight like britons; so they will, i doubt not, but is it just to oppose landsmen to the well-trained seamen of other nations? is it just to the able seamen to make them do the work which should be shared by others? but now we will again look after the brig-of-war and the chase. the polacca, as soon as she saw that the british man-of-war was in pursuit of her, made all sail to the northward and westward. old rullock was evidently determined that she should not escape from any neglect on his part of carrying enough sail. royals and studding-sails were quickly set, and under a wide spread of snow-white canvas away stood the "zebra," leaving us jogging slowly on, with the purpose of returning to the spot whence we started. hearty's surprise, as may be supposed, was very considerable, and so was that of his lady guests, when they found that the brig had run away from us. "however, mrs mizen, i suppose we must obey orders, must we not?" said he, with a shrug of his shoulders. "if you do not blame captain rullock for his treachery, i am sure that i do not, since he has left with me hostages of so much value for his safe return." mrs mizen and her daughter seemed to think the affair a very good joke, only they could not understand why the cutter should not go in chase of the polacca as well as the brig-of-war. "perhaps the captain wishes to have all the honour of capturing the pirate by himself without our assistance," observed porpoise; "i suppose the fellow will show fight should he come up with him." "no fear of that," i remarked. "the truth is, i suspect, that captain rullock feared, that had he allowed the yacht to proceed in chase of the pirate, we might have come up with her before he could, and had to bear the brunt of the action. he probably would not have cared very much about that, had there been only four yachting gentlemen on board to be shot at, but the case was very different when his sister and niece might be placed in danger." "he did very right. there can be no dispute about it," said hearty. "we must bear our disappointment like men, and during breakfast we will consider what amusement we can afford our guests, to recompense them for the absence of the brig in the landscape--or rather seascape we ought to call it--for little enough of the land have we had this cruise." we had a great deal of amusing conversation during breakfast. it is a pleasant meal everywhere, if people are well and in spirits, and nowhere is it more pleasant than at sea under the same provisions. "what do you say to a look at the african coast, mrs mizen?" exclaimed hearty. "we could get there very soon--could we not, porpoise?" "we should be well in with the land, so as to have a good view of it before the evening, and if the wind holds, we might be back here before the brig-of-war returns to look for us," was the answer. "capital; then let us stand in there at once," said hearty. "it is a fine, mountainous, bold coast, very picturesque. you will have your sketching things ready, i hope," he added, looking at miss mizen. he had not learnt to call her laura when any one else was present. miss mizen said she would get her drawing-board and colour-box ready, and porpoise went on deck to put the cutter's head to the southward. a steady breeze from the south-west enabled us to stand in for the land close-hauled. as we rapidly approached it, the mountains, with their lofty peaks and wooded sides, seemed to rise out of the water like the scene at a theatre, till the lower lands at their base--rocky, undulating heights, and even the seashore--became clearly visible. "how very different is this scenery from the common notion of africa!" said miss mizen, as, with hearty's help, she was arranging her sketching-board, to make a view of the coast. "i have hitherto always pictured it to myself as a country of arid sands and dense jungle." "you'd find jungle enough and sand enough in many parts, miss mizen, where i have been," observed porpoise. "but both in the north and south there are districts which will vie in fertility with most in the world. just think of egypt; what an abundance of corn does that produce! all along this north coast are many fertile districts: so there are on the west coast, only it is rather too hot there to be pleasant; and then at the cape and natal are to be found spots rich in various productions." "you draw a glowing picture of the country, mr porpoise," observed mrs mizen. "i do, ma'am, because the country deserves it," he answered. "the world owes a great deal to africa, and i should like to see every possible attempt made to repay it by continued and strenuous efforts for the civilisation of her people. the work is a very great one, there is no doubt about that, and a few feeble and isolated efforts will not accomplish it. the merchant princes of england must take the matter up, and send out several expeditions at the same time. the officers should be experienced, energetic men, the vessels well supplied with merchandise, and well-armed to protect it. but what can we hope for while the abominable slave-trade still flourishes? england is doing her best to put it down, but she is but ill supported by other nations. america, with all her boasting about freedom, protects and encourages those engaged in it; while france, professing to be the most civilised and liberal of countries, does the same. spain and portugal only occasionally pretend to interfere with a very bad grace, and secretly aid and abet the wretches carrying it on under their flag. i say, at any cost and at every cost, england must put it down. no matter if she goes to war with all the world to do so. it will be a glorious war for the most holy cause, and honest men will be able to pray with sincerity and faith, that heaven will protect her in it." "i am very glad to hear you speak so, mr porpoise," said mrs mizen; "i will answer for it, that no war would be so popular among the women of england as a war against slavery and the slave-trade. no one worthy of the name of an englishwoman would refuse to sell her jewels and every thing of value to support it." "that's the spirit that will put it down, ma'am," exclaimed porpoise, enthusiastically. "when we sailors know that we have the prayers and good wishes of the ladies of england with us, we should very soon sweep all our enemies from the seas." the rest of the party responded in most respects to these sentiments. hearty suggested that much might be hoped for from a wise and firm diplomacy, and by calmly waiting the course of events. "no, no," answered porpoise. "that's what the people in parliament say, when they want to shelve a question. do nothing, and let affairs take their own course. it's a very easy way of doing nothing, but that is not like you, mr hearty. you would manage the matter in a very different way, i'm sure, if it was left to you." "i should be very much puzzled if the question were left for me to decide it," said hearty. "what do you think i should do?" "oh, i will soon tell you what you would do," replied porpoise. "why, you would look out for all the energetic, dashing officers you could find, and send them to the coast in command of as many fast steamers, and other small craft, with orders to overhaul every suspicious sail they could find on the coast. then you would have a whacking big fleet in the channel, and several others in different parts of the world. you would not forget to keep your coast defences in good order, and to have a compact well-disciplined army on shore, and a numerous trained militia, ready to call out at a moment's notice. that's what you and every other sensible man would do, mr hearty, and then i think we need have no fear that any one would causelessly attempt to molest us, or that we should be unable to make other nations keep their treaties with us." "bravo, porpoise, bravo!" cried hearty. "i wish that you were prime minister, or first lord of the admiralty, or dictator, or something of that sort for a short time. i doubt not but that you would get things in prime order in a very short time." while this conversation was going on, we were rapidly drawing in with the coast. miss mizen made two or three very masterly sketches, though the blue sea and water filled up the larger portion of the paper. the less there is in a subject the more does it exhibit a master's talent if the picture is interesting. a fresh breeze had been blowing all day, but towards evening the wind fell, and the cutter lay floating idly on the water. we were assembled after dinner as usual on deck, laughing, talking, yarn-spinning, and occasionally reading aloud, enjoying the moments to the full, and little dreaming of what a few short hours were to bring forth. evening was about to throw its dusky veil over the african shore. the idle flap of the mainsail showed us that there was a stark calm. a fish would occasionally leap out of the water, or the fin of some monster of the deep might be seen as it swam by in pursuit of prey, or a sea-bird would come swooping past to ascertain what strange craft had ventured into its haunts, ere it winged its way back to its roosting-place for the night, amid the crags of the neighbouring headland. i was taking a turn on deck, when, as i looked over the side and measured our distance from the land, it appeared to me that, although the calm was so complete, we had considerably decreased our distance from it. walking forward, i asked snow if he had remarked any thing particular. "why, yes, sir; i was just going to speak to you or mr porpoise, about the matter," he answered. "i've been watching the land for an hour or more past, and it strikes me that there is a strong current, which sets in-shore to the westward hereabouts; it's just the sort of thing, which, if we hadn't found out in time, might have carried us much too close in on a dark night to be pleasant; as it is, if a breeze doesn't spring up, and we continue to drift in, we must just get the boats out and tow her head off shore, so there'll be no great harm come of that." "you are right," said i; "there's little doubt about it; i'll mention the matter to mr porpoise, and he'll approve of what you propose. but i do not think there's any use in letting the ladies know, or they'll be fancying all sorts of dreadful things--that they are going to be cast on shore, or eaten up by lions, or murdered by savages. i should not like to give them any uneasiness which can be helped." i watched the old man's countenance while i was speaking, to ascertain what he really thought about the matter. the truth was that i was not quite satisfied myself with our position. i had been along that coast some years before, looking into several of the ports; and i remembered that the moors inhabiting the villages just above there, bore anything but a good character. i began to blame myself, when too late, for not having thought of this before. when the brig-of-war was with us, it mattered little; for no pirates would have ventured to come out to attack her: they would have known that she would have proved a dear bargain, even if they could ultimately have taken her, and very little value to them if taken, but with a yacht the case was different. we could not fail to appear a tempting prize, and easily won. had we, however, been without ladies on board, we should, i expect, all have enjoyed the fun of showing the rascals that they had caught a tartar, and am fully certain that we should have been able to render a good account of them. i remember that these ideas crossed my mind as i walked the deck, waiting for an opportunity of speaking to porpoise, who was still engaged in conversation with mrs mizen; then i burst into a fit of laughter at the thought of the ideal enemy i had so busily conjured up to fight with. porpoise, who just then joined me, inquired the cause of my merriment. "it suddenly occurred to me that we were off a somewhat ill-famed part of the coast, and i could not help fancying i saw half-a-dozen or more piratical row-boats come stealing out from under the cliffs there, with the intention of cutting our throats and rifling the vessel," i answered; "but of course it is a mere fancy. i never heard of an english yacht being attacked by pirates hereabouts, and it would be folly to make ourselves anxious about such a bugbear." now even while i was saying this i was not altogether satisfied in my own mind about the matter. if, as i before said, we had had only men on board, we might have fought to the last, and could only then have been killed; but should we be overpowered, the fate of the women committed to our charge would be too horrible to contemplate. "i'm glad that you think there is no cause for apprehension," said i to porpoise. "still it might be as well to keep a sharp look-out during the night, and should a breeze spring up, to give the coast a more respectful offing." "i'll do that same," he answered. "i feel no inclination to turn in myself, so that should any of the natives of whom you are suspicious be inclined to visit us, they may not find us altogether unprepared." the ladies soon after this retired to their cabin; we only then had an opportunity of mentioning the subject to hearty. he rather laughed at the notion, but begged that he might be called when the fighting began. after taking a few turns on deck, he also turned in, and porpoise was left in charge of the deck. i, after a little time, went to my cabin; it seemed too ridiculous to lose my night's rest for the sake of an idea. i had slept about a couple of hours, when i awoke by hearing the sound of porpoise's voice. he was standing directly over my skylight, which, on account of the heat of the weather, was kept off. "can you make any thing out, snow?" he asked. "i think i can now, sir. it seems to me that there are four or five dark spots on the water, just clear of the shadow of that headland in there," was the answer. "i can't just make out what they are for certain." i was on deck in a few seconds, with my night-glass at my eye pointed in the direction indicated. "what think you of their being row-boats?" said i. "they look wonderfully like them." "i can't say that they are not," answered the old man. "they may be rocks just showing their heads above water. but what, if they are boats, can they be doing out there at this time of night?" "coming to pay us a visit, perhaps," i remarked. "we really should be prepared in case of accidents, porpoise. by timely preparations we averted danger once before, when otherwise, in all probability, we should have had our throats cut. do not let us be less wise on this occasion." "certainly not," said porpoise; "and as discretion is the better part of valour, we will try and tow the cutter offshore. it will prolong the time till our visitors can overtake us, and will give us a better chance of having a breeze spring up. if we get that, we shall be able to laugh at any number of such fellows. they are only formidable when they can find a vessel becalmed. after all, i don't say that those are pirates, and if it were not for the ladies on board, we would very quickly learn the truth of the case." the thorough john bull spoke out in these remarks. porpoise did not at all like the idea of flying from an enemy under any circumstances, and as he had to do it, he wished to find every possible reason for so doing. "turn the hands up and get the boats out, snow; we'll see what towing will do," he continued. "you see that this current is setting us far too much in-shore, and, at all events, it is necessary to get a better offing before daybreak, lest no breeze should spring up in the morning to carry us back to the spot where rullock was to find us." three boats were got into the water and manned forthwith; porpoise, hearty, snow, and i, being the only people remaining on board. the crews gave way with a will, and the cutter soon began to slip through the water. she went along, probably, faster than the current was carrying her in an opposite direction. these arrangements being made, i took another scrutiny of the suspicious objects under the land. i had no longer any doubt in my mind that they were boats, and that they were pulling out to sea towards us. it was now time to call up hearty. we had seen no necessity before this of making him unnecessarily anxious, and the noise of lowering the boats had not roused him; indeed, he would have slept through a hurricane, or while a dozen broadsides were being fired, i verily believe, if not called. he was brisk enough, however, when once roused up. as i expected, he was very anxious at the state of affairs. "we were thoughtless and unwise to stand in so close to this shore," he remarked. "brine, my friend, we must sink the cutter or blow her up rather than yield to those villains!" he spoke with much emotion, and i could sincerely enter into his feelings. he did not utter a word of complaint against porpoise or me, though i think he might have had some reason in blaming us for allowing the cutter to get into her present condition. he paced the deck with hurried steps, looking every now and then anxiously through the glass towards the objects we had observed, and then he would hail the boats. "give way, my lads--give way!" he shouted; "if any one knocks up, i'll take his place." again he looked through his glass. "can they be rocks?" he exclaimed. "i seen no alteration in their appearance." "i do, though, i am sorry to say," i answered. "they have got considerably more out of the shade of the land since i first saw them." this became very evident after some time; nor could hearty any longer doubt the fact. i counted five of them, largish boats (i suspected), each pulling some twenty oars or more, probably double-banked. very likely each boat carried not much fewer than sixty men--fearful odds for the "frolic" to contend with. the "zebra" would not have found them altogether contemptible antagonists, if, as i said, my suspicions were correct as to their size. still, i hoped that i might be mistaken; we could not be certain as to their object. they might be mere fishing-boats magnified by the obscurity, or coasters which had pulled out in the expectation of getting a breeze in the morning to carry them alongshore, or to get into some current which might set in the direction in which they wished to go. all these ideas i suggested to hearty; still my original notion outweighed all others in my mind. indeed i have always found it wisest to take the point of view which requires the most caution; precautions can, at the worst, only give a little trouble; the neglect of them may bring ruin and misery. on this principle i was most anxious to get as far as possible from the shore. no one was idle. happily the ladies slept on, so that we had not the additional pain at feeling that they were left in a state of anxiety. porpoise took the helm; snow went forward to direct the boats how to pull; while hearty and i busied ourselves in getting out the arms, arranging the ammunition, loading the guns, and muskets, and pistols; indeed, in making every preparation for a desperate struggle. the boats came on very warily. i suspected that we had been seen in the afternoon from the shore, and that as we appeared a tempting prize, the expedition had been planned to capture us. "a very short time longer will settle the question," said i to hearty. "we must endeavour to keep them at a respectful distance as long as we can; should they once get alongside they would overpower us with their numbers. happily these sort of gentry are as great cowards as they are scoundrels, and a firm front is certain to make them consider whether the profit is likely to be worth the risk of a battle." i have gone through a good many anxious moments in the course of my life, but never did i feel more apprehension for the result of an adventure than i did for that in which we were at present engaged. a waning moon had now risen, and showed us very clearly the number and character of the strangers--whether friends or foes was hereafter to be decided. another look at them through my night-glass showed me that they were large boats, as i had suspected, and full of men. "there is little use in making any farther efforts to escape," said i to hearty; "i would hoist in the boats and serve out some grog to the men. they want something after their exertions, though they do not require dutch courage to defend the ship." porpoise agreed to my suggestions; they were immediately put into execution. the men threw off their grog as coolly as if they had been about to sail a match at a regatta, instead being about to engage in deadly fight. "here's to your health, mr hearty, and gentlemen all, and may we just give those scoundrels out there a thorough good drubbing if they attempt to attack us," quoth snow, in the name of his shipmates. "thank you--thank you, my men," answered hearty; "you'll act like true-hearted englishmen, and what men can do you'll do, i know, to protect the helpless women we have on board. i won't make you a long speech, you don't want that to rouse your courage, but i do ask you not to yield while one man of us remains alive on deck." "that's just what we are resolved to do, mr hearty; no fear, sir," answered all hands, and they would have cheered lustily, had i not restrained them for two reasons: i was unwilling to awaken the ladies sooner than was necessary, and also should the pirates have expected to surprise us, it would be a great advantage if we, on the contrary, should be able to surprise them. i mentioned this latter idea to my companions, and they immediately entered into it. the moors had been too far off to allow them to perceive us hoisting in the boats, so they could not tell but that we were all fast asleep on board. accordingly, the guns were loaded up to the muzzle with langrage and musket-balls; pistols and cutlasses were served out to the men, and it was encouraging to see their pleased manner as they stuck the one into their belts, and buckled the other round their waists. some had, in addition, muskets, and a reserve of small-arms was placed amidships to be resorted to in case of necessity. the men then went and lay down so as to be effectually concealed under the bulwarks: porpoise and i only walked the deck, as if we were the ordinary watch, and we agreed to pretend to be looking seaward when the boats drew near, as if unconscious of their approach. meantime hearty went below to perform the painful task of informing the ladies of our dangerous position. he did it with his usual tact. "mrs mizen," i heard him say, "i must beg you and miss mizen to dress, but not to come on deck. we have got too close in-shore, and some moorish boats appear to be coming off to us; they may not mean to do us any mischief, but it is as well to be prepared, and we do not intend to allow them to come too near to us." there was a short pause. i heard no exclamations of surprise or terror--no cries, or lamentations, or forebodings of evil, but mrs mizen simply answered in a firm voice:-- "we trust, then, mr hearty, to you and your companions to defend us, and may a merciful god give you strength to fight and beat off our assailants!" "that's a speech worthy of a true heroine," exclaimed porpoise, who had likewise overheard it. "just the thing to strengthen our nerves, and to put true courage into us. i trust, mrs mizen, we shall not be long in beating off the pirates," he added, looking down the skylight; "do you, in the mean time, keep snug below, and don't mind the uproar." "now, my lads, be ready; we mustn't let the blackguards get on board to frighten the ladies, mind that. when i give the word, be up and at them." porpoise having thus delivered himself, in accordance with our plan, pretended to be intently looking over the taffrail. the row-boats were all the time drawing disagreeably near, and i had no longer in my mind any doubt as to their character and intention. we, also, were anxiously looking out for a breeze which might enable us to meet them at greater advantage. i took a glance at the compass; as i did so i felt a light breeze fan my cheek; it came from the westward. the cutter's head was at that time tending in-shore, for as soon as the boats had been hoisted in she had again lost all steerage-way, and had gradually gone round. again the puff of air came stronger, and she gathered sufficient steerage-way to enable us to wear round just before the boats reached us. the pirates must have thought that we were very blind not to perceive them. silently they pulled towards us in two columns: we let them approach within a quarter of a cable's length. just as a tiger springs on his prey, they pulled on rapidly towards us, evidently expecting to catch us unprepared. "now, my lads, up and at them?" sung out porpoise, in imitation of the speech of a somewhat better-known hero. our jolly yachtsmen did not require a second summons. up they sprang to their allotted duties. "steady!" added porpoise, "take aim before you fire. those forward aim at the headmost boats; let the after guns give account of those coming up next astern. now give it them." the orders were comprehended, and executed promptly and well. cries and groans and shouts from the row-boats followed the simultaneous discharge from our great-guns and small-arms. the pirates ceased rowing, and a second intervened before they fired in return, but their shot generally flew wide of us, our unexpected commencement of the action having evidently thrown them into not a little confusion. for an instant it occurred to me that we might have been too precipitate, and that perhaps after all they might not have been pirates, but for some reason or other had come off to us at that unseasonable hour. it was therefore, in one respect, a positive relief to me when they began to fire, and i discovered their real character. still undaunted, on they came. before, however, they could get alongside, our people had time to load again and fire; this time not a shot but took effect. the moors did not relish the dose; some attempted to spring on board, but were driven back by pike and cutlass into the sea, hearty setting the example of activity and courage by rushing here and there, cutting and thrusting and slashing away, so that he did the work of half a dozen men. indeed i may say the same without vanity of all on board, or we could not have contended for a minute against the fearful odds opposed to us. the low deck of a yacht, it must be remembered, does not present the difficulties to assailants which even a brig-of-war or an ordinary high-sided merchantman is capable of doing. ours was literally a hand-to-hand fight without the slightest protection, our slight bulwarks alone separating us from our enemies when they once got alongside. happily the breeze increased, and giving us way through the water, the moorish boats having failed to hook on to us, we once more slipped through them. some of the men in the bows continued firing at us, but a little delay occurred before the rest could get out their oars to follow the cutter. the chiefs of each boat appeared to be holding a consultation, and i only hoped that they would come to the decision that the grapes were sour, or rather that the game was not worth the candle to play it by, as the frenchmen say, and give up the pursuit. but they were not so reasonable; they probably thought that if we fought so desperately we had something on board worth fighting for; not considering that our lives and liberties were of very much consequence, and so they showed a resolution once more to attempt to overhaul us. this hesitation was much to our advantage, as it enabled us once more to load our guns up to the muzzle, and to take a steady aim as they came up. in all my fighting experience i have come to the conclusion that there is no system equal to that of waiting for a good opportunity, mustering all resources, and then, once having begun the attack, to continue at the work without relaxing a moment till the day is won. the moorish pirates did not follow this course. at last came the tug of war. their fury and thirst for vengeance was now added to their greed for plunder, and the boats ranged up on either side of the little "frolic" with seemingly a full determination on the part of their crews to overpower us at once. "steady, my good lads, steady!" shouted porpoise. "remember, fire as before, and then load again as fast as you can." off went our guns with good effect; while hearty and i, and three or four others, armed with muskets, blazed away with them, taking up one after the other as fast as the steward could load them. the report of the guns must have been heard on shore, and far out to sea over that calm water, while the bright flashes lighted up the midnight air. musket-balls and round-shot don't often fly about without doing some damage; and while ours were telling pretty well among the thickly crowded boats of the moors, we were not altogether free from harm. two of our people had been wounded. one of them fell to the deck, and, from the way the poor fellow groaned, i was much afraid that he was mortally hurt. i drew him close to the companion-hatch, that he might, in a slight degree, be protected from further injury; but we were too hard pressed to spare any one for a moment from the deck to take him below. hearty was passing close to me, when, by the flash of the guns, i saw him a give a sudden, convulsive movement with his left arm. i felt sure he was hit. i asked him. "oh, nothing, nothing," he answered. "don't say a word about it. i can fight away just as well as ever, and that is all i care about just now." one of our chief efforts was to prevent the moorish boats from hooking on to us. this they frequently attempted to do, and each time the lashings they tried to secure were cut adrift. i was indeed surprised to find them so pertinacious in their attack, for a resolute resistance at the commencement will generally compel those sort of gentry to give up an enterprise, unless they are certain a great deal is to be gained by it. the breeze was now increasing, and old snow stood at the helm, with his left hand on the tiller, and his right hand wielding a cutlass, with which, aided by another man, he kept at bay any of the moors who attempted to climb on board over the stern. still, so overmatched were we by numbers, that i felt even then, in spite of our determined resistance, that the result was very doubtful. i almost sickened at the thought; but i was very certain that, before such a sad consummation should occur, not a man of us would be left alive on the deck. "and then, should the day be evidently going against us, should no help remain--not a shadow of hope--would it be right to blow up the vessel, and preserve those innocent ones below from an ignominious slavery--from a worse than death?" "impious man," responded a voice within me, "think not to rule the providences of thy creator. do not evil that good may come of it. who can tell what means he has in store, even at the very last moment, to preserve those whom, in his infinite wisdom, he has resolved to preserve?" i felt the frailty of human thoughts and human intentions, and banished the terrible idea from my mind. still i could not feel but that our case, to outward appearance, was very desperate. porpoise himself was wounded, i found, though the pain he suffered did not allow him for a moment to relax in his defence of the vessel. his voice was heard everywhere as loud and cheering as before, encouraging our crew to persevere. once more the pirates drew off. "huzza, huzza!" shouted all hands; "they have had enough of it." but no. "load your guns, load your guns?" shouted porpoise. "don't trust to them." it was fortunate this was done. with terrific cries and yells they for a third time gave way towards us, completely hemming us in, so that some boats going ahead almost stopped the vessel's way through the water. keeping up their hideous yells, firing their pistols, and flourishing their scymitars, they flung themselves headlong on board. many were driven back, but their places were speedily filled by others. the physical power of the cutter's crew, exerted so long to the utmost stretch, was almost failing, when, far in the offing, to the northward, the bright flash of a gun was seen, followed shortly afterwards by another and another. i pointed them out to hearty. "there's help coming, my lads!" he shouted. "never fear; but let's have all the glory of the fight to ourselves, and drive these scoundrels off before it arrives. huzza, huzza! back with them! no quarter! cut them down! drive them into the sea?" all this time he was most completely suiting the action to his words. at last some of the pirates saw the flashes. the morning light was just breaking in the east, for the action had endured far longer than it has taken to describe it. they must have suspected that they foreboded no good to them, and that the sooner they were off the better. orders were shouted out by the chiefs. those who could obeyed them, and, leaping back, the boats in a body shoved off from us; but some unfortunate wretches were still clinging to our bulwarks. they fought as they clung with all the fanaticism of mohammedans; but our seamen made quick work of them, and in less than two minutes not one was left alive. the grey light of dawn showed us the dark boats pulling in-shore, and as the sun arose its early beams lighted up the canvas of a man-of-war brig, close-hauled, laying up towards us. our people shouted lustily when they saw her; and hearty, forgetting his wound and his begrimed and war-stained appearance, hurried below to assure his charges of their safety. we quickly recognised the "zebra," and were not long in getting within hail of her, when rullock, accompanied by bubble, came on board of us, to inquire into the particulars of our adventure. old rullock at first was somewhat inclined to be angry with us for getting so close in-shore, and will almost pulled his hair off in his vexation that he had not been with us to share in the honours of the fight and defence. our loss had been serious; the poor fellow who had been the first wounded had died just before sunrise, and the surgeon of the brig pronounced the other cases to be somewhat bad. porpoise's was a flesh-wound--the advantage, as he observed, of being a fat man; but he forgot that if he had not been fat he might not have been wounded at all. hearty, though he made light of his hurt, was very much injured; and the surgeon, with a somewhat significant look, advised him to get on shore as fast as he could, and to get carefully nursed for a time. "you'll have no great difficulty to get some one to nurse you," he remarked. i really believe that he did not think so badly of the case as he pretended. be that as it may, we made the best of our way to malta harbour, where we all took up our abode on shore, while the cutter was undergoing some necessary repairs. the brig also requiring repairs, rullock took lodgings, and in the most considerate way had hearty conveyed to them, and invited his sister and niece to stay with him--a very indelicate proceeding, i dare say; but the jolly old sailor observed, "who was so fit to look after a wounded man as the girl he was going to marry, and in whose defence he was wounded? a fig for all such rigmarole prudisms, say i." as the parties concerned did not disagree with him, so the matter was arranged to the satisfaction of everybody. chapter twenty five. the bachelors at sea--the ionian islands--return to malta--sad news-- homeward-bound--horrible suspicions--the pirate's handiwork--a burning ship--traces of our friends--the rescue--the bachelors become benedicts, and thus terminates in the most satisfactory manner imaginable the cruise of the "frolic." it took nearly two months before hearty recovered even partially from his wound; and at the end of that time, the "frolic" being ready for sea, the surgeons insisted that to re-establish his health he must take a trip away for a few weeks in her. this proceeding became somewhat more necessary, as the "zebra" had been ordered off to the levant, and he could not well remain the guest of mrs mizen during captain rullock's absence. among the lovely isles of greece, then, it was resolved we would take a cruise. both carstairs and bubble joined us: the former, in his usual way, had been carrying on with mrs skyscraper; but the widow had been unable to hook him firmly; indeed, as bubble observed, he was somewhat a big fish to haul on shore. he, on his part, also, could not tell whether the lady cared for him or not. in my opinion she did, but could not quite make up her mind to lose her liberty. once more we five jolly bachelors were afloat together, on our passage to greece. hearty was in fair spirits. the fresh air after the confinement of a sick-room, raised them, in spite of himself; indeed, considering that he was certain of laura's affection, and hoped in a few months to be united to her, though parted from her for a brief space, he had no reason to be melancholy. we had a fine run to the eastward. what words can describe the picturesque beauties of corfu and the albanian coast--the classic associations of athens and the varied forms of the isles and islets scattered over the aegean sea! bubble and i revelled in them; but it must be owned that carstairs, and even hearty, thought more of the wild fowl and snipes and woodcocks to be shot in the marshy valleys or thyme-covered heights, than of their pictorial effects, or classic association. whenever we were at sea our people kept a very sharp look-out for sandgate's polacca-brig, in the hopes that she might be cruising in those parts. after, however, the various pranks he had played in the mediterranean, i suspected that he would have shifted the scene of his exploits to some other part of the globe. greece and her islands, lovely and interesting as they are, have been so often described by more graphic pens than mine, that i do not think my readers would thank me for filling my pages with an account of what we saw. we had not much personal communication with the ionians. what we saw and what we heard of them did not raise them especially in our estimation. however, what could be expected of a race so long under the dominion of venice, during the worst times of her always nefarious system of policy? by the venetian system discord was fermented among all the states subject to turkish rule, and miscreants of all classes who could help to effect that object were protected and supported. crime was thus openly encouraged; the assassin who had committed ten murders was only sent to the galleys for the same number of years; and any one speaking disrespectfully of any person high in office was actually punished with the infliction of a like sentence. the young men of the noble families were brought up in italy, and while they learned all her vices, were taught to despise their native land, and to forget their mother-tongue. falsehood, revenge, a foolish vanity, a love of political intrigue, were but some of their most glaring vices; justice was openly sold; public faith was unknown; their peasants were grossly ignorant; their nobles were without honour; and their merchants were destitute of integrity; while their priests were generally illiterate and immoral in the extreme. _heu mihi_! a pretty picture of a people. well, i fancy they have improved somewhat under british protection; and when i was among them i do not believe they were so bad as all that. still they were in an unsatisfactory state, and a very difficult people to govern. they may have improved still more now; and i hope they have. we sailed about from island to island, and visited them all in their turn. first we went to that of the ancient teleboans; once conquered by king cephalus, who gave it his name, and whose descendants for many generations reigned over them--so bubble informed us; and we were not a little interested in visiting various cyclopic remains, and among them those of the ancient city of cranii. the island is very rugged and mountainous; the highest mountain, that of montagna negra, being upwards of three thousand feet above the level of the sea. we spent a couple of days also at the handsome city of zante, the capital of the island of that name, famous for the longevity of its inhabitants, and its currants, oil, wine, and fragrant honey. santa maura, once known as leucadia, was our next resort. little cared we for its classical recollections, but far more interested were we in visiting the tomb of the gallant clarke, who fell under the walls of its fortress, which was attacked by the english in , under general oswald. the island is separated from the main land by a narrow channel. there is a curious natural mole running out from the island, which has exactly the appearance of being the work of art. we all anticipated much pleasure in visiting ithaca, the birth-place and patrimony of ulysses; but when we got there none of us felt inclined to envy him his rugged, inhospitable-looking territory, and were not surprised that he was anxious to get a footing in a more fruitful portion of the globe. still it is a very romantic and picturesque spot; and produces the vine, orange, lemon, and other fruits in abundance. pasco also we saw, once noted as a retreat for pirates, and cerigo and cerigotto; and thus, having made the tour of the septinsular republic, we sailed back to malta, with the anticipation of a hearty welcome from the friends we had left behind there. how glittering white looked the houses of the city! how blue the water, how gay the caps and sashes and jackets of the boatmen as they pulled about in their fancifully painted boats, and came vociferating alongside as we beat up the harbour of valetta, and dropped our anchor not far from the landing-place. we all of us hastened on shore; hearty to see his betrothed, and i to take care of him; carstairs to throw himself at the feet of mrs skyscraper; bubble, as he himself said, to see that no one got into mischief; and porpoise to order certain stores for the cutter. hearty and i walked up at once to mrs mizen's lodgings. he knocked hurriedly at the door. perhaps some of my readers know how a man feels under similar circumstances--i don't. an italian servant appeared, a stranger. "que vuole, signori?" he asked. "are mrs or miss mizen at home?" inquired hearty, in an agitated voice, not heeding the man's question. "do you understand me? an english lady and her daughter?" "oh, capisco, capisco!" answered the italian, running away up stairs. i thought he was going to announce our arrival; but he speedily returned holding a letter. i saw that the address was in a lady's handwriting as he delivered it to hearty. hearty opened it with a trembling hand. his countenance assumed a look of blank disappointment as he read its contents. as soon as he had glanced hurriedly through it, he began and read it over again; and then as he held it in his hand his eye still rested on it. "what has occurred, my dear fellow?" i asked, anxiously. i must confess--and oh! my fair readers! don't be angry with me, an old bachelor--i did truly suspect that it was the old story, and that the fair laura had for some reason or other thought better of it; that she had heard something against her intended's character, and believed it; or that sir lloyd snowdon, or somebody else, whose metal was more attractive, had stepped in and cut him out. i say these ideas glanced through my mind. they were very wrong and very disparaging to the sex, and most unjustifiable, and i was quite angry with myself for entertaining them, but i had seen so much that was bad in the world that they came in spite of me--i crave for pardon. i had also seen much that was good, and noble, and excellent; examples of the most devoted, self-sacrificing, all-enduring affection, and i ought at once to have remembered those examples and balanced them against all my evil suspicions. i did not, however, at that time; so i waited with no small amount of anxiety for hearty's answer. "they are gone," he replied; "gone away to england." then my suspicions are correct, i thought. "it is a very sad case, i fear. soon after we sailed, mrs mizen received notice of tom mizen's illness, and the next post brought out such alarming accounts that she and her daughter resolved at once to return home. a fine fast-sailing merchant-brig, the `success,' was on the point of sailing, so, as a journey by land through italy and france would be injurious to laura, they determined to go by her. what was their surprise on going on board to find the other berths occupied by mrs seton and her daughter, and mrs skyscraper, who, for some business matters connected with property left them, had to go england. miss mizen wrote as they were on the point of sailing, and the people of the house took charge of the letter to deliver to me. she speaks in favourable terms of the brig and of the master, captain hutchins, so i trust that they may have a good passage home. but it is disappointing. you'll not mind, my dear fellow, sailing at once to follow them? i am afraid there is no chance of catching them at gibraltar, but if the `frolic' behaves as well as usual, we may get to england almost as soon as they do. not that i wish that either--i would far rather the `success' had a speedy passage. i am certain also carstairs will be ready to start; and as for bubble, he'll wish to do what is reasonable; so i suppose there is nothing to prevent our sailing as soon as we have got a fresh supply of water, and a few more provisions on board." i assured my friend that i was perfectly ready to go to sea that very hour, if the necessary preparations for the voyage could be made; and volunteered at once to go in search of porpoise, to hasten what was required to be done; while he himself went to his bankers, and settled a few bills he had left unpaid. on my way i encountered carstairs, who had received no notice of the widow's departure, and was therefore still engaged in searching for her, as much puzzled as hearty had at first been. i never saw a fellow more taken aback than he was when i communicated the truth to him, and he directly became all eagerness to put to sea. what his feelings were i cannot exactly tell. i suspect that his confidence in the durability of mrs skyscraper's regard for him was not quite up to the mark of hearty's for that of his intended. "why hasn't she written to me, to tell me what she was going to do, and why has she hurried away to england? hang it, they are all alike, i suppose, and delight to make fools of us poor men. now let us go and hunt up porpoise. bubble said he should tend to him while i was paying my visit to my--my--hang it, to the widow, i mean." poor fellow, he was sadly put out i saw. porpoise was soon found; and when he heard the state of the case, he set to work as if life and death depended on it, in getting the cutter ready for a long voyage. he had plenty of lieutenants in us three gentlemen; and while one went off in one direction another started away in an opposite one to order what was required, and to see the orders executed, while the crew did their part with right good will. water and coals, and stores and provisions, were soon alongside, and quickly hoisted on board and stowed away below. hearty was surprised and highly gratified when he got on board and found what was done. "where there's a will there's a way," is a very true saying; and "if you want a thing done, go and do it yourself," is another. the portuguese say, "if you want a thing _go_, if you don't want a thing _send_." that very evening, with a fair wind, we were running out of malta harbour. away glided the "frolic" over the moonlit mediterranean, with every stitch of canvas she could carry set alow and aloft. we had a sharp look-out kept ahead so that we might avoid running down any boat, or running into any vessel; while the three landsmen agreed to keep watch with porpoise and me, to add to the number of hands on deck. porpoise prognosticated a very rapid passage home, and certainly, from the way we commenced it, we had reason to hope that he would not prove a fallacious seer. we speedily lost sight of malta, and its rocks and fortifications; with its scanty soil and swarthy population, and noisy bells, and lazy monks, without any very great regret on our part. we had altogether passed a pleasant, and not unexciting time there; and i, for my part, look back to those days with fewer regrets as to the way i spent them than i do to some passed in other places. i am somewhat inclined to moralise. i must own that often and often i wish that i could live my early days over again, that i might employ them very differently to what i did. deeply do i regret the precious time squandered in perfect idleness, or the most puerile frivolities, if not in absolute wickedness; time which might have been spent in acquiring knowledge which would have afforded the most intense and pure delight in benefiting my fellow-creatures; which would have assuredly afforded me happiness and peace of mind in the consciousness that i was doing my duty. but ah! time has gone by never to be recalled; but happily it may be redeemed while health and strength and vigour of mind remain. often have i thought to myself, "why was i sent into the world? why was i endued with an intellect--with a heart to feel--a soul to meditate on things great and glorious--with powers of mind which i am conscious are but in embryo, and which but await separation from this frail body to comprehend some, if not all, the great mysteries of nature! surely i was not placed here merely to kill time--to amuse myself--to employ my faculties in trifles; still less, to indulge myself in mere animal gratification. no, no; i am certain of that. i was sent here as a place of trial--as a school where i might learn my duties--as a preparation for a higher sphere." when i understood this, the great problem of existence was at once solved; difficulties vanished; the whole government of the world at once seemed right and just and reasonable; and my thoughts, feelings, tastes, and aspirations became changed. i was led to look upward as to the only source of happiness, and a pure and unfailing source it has ever since proved to me. brother yachtsmen who may glance your eye over these pages, meditate seriously on this matter. as you walk the deck on your midnight watch, looking up ever and anon into the dark sky where flit countless numbers of brilliant stars to guide you on your path across the ocean, ask yourself the question, "why was i sent into this world?" and do not be satisfied till you have found an answer, and resolved to profit by it. i do not pretend that i thought much about this matter when i was on board the "frolic," yet now and again some thoughts of the sort did flash across my mind, but my companions rallied me on my seriousness and they vanished. but to my history: away sailed the saucy little "frolic" over the blue waters of the mediterranean. we laughed and sang and chatted, much as usual, and carstairs quoted to as good effect as in days of yore; but we failed entirely in our long stories, for our pens had been idle, and our imaginations were much at fault. what we might have done i do not know, had not a reality occurred which effectually put all fiction to flight. we were about half-way between malta and gibraltar, a succession of light winds having made old snow confess that he was afraid his prognostications of a rapid passage were not likely to be realised, when one forenoon when i came on deck, i found porpoise scrutinising through his glass an object which he had discovered on the water nearly right ahead of us. "what is it, do you think?" i asked. "i can't quite make out," he answered, handing me the telescope. "it looks to me like the hull of a dismasted ship--an ugly thing to run foul of on a dark night with a heavy gale blowing." "you are right as to its being a ship's hull, i am pretty certain," i answered. "we shall be up to it soon, and that will settle the question." some of the people, however, declared that what we saw was a rock or an island, and others that a dead whale had floated in through the straits. as we approached, however, our opinion was found to be the correct one, and then it became a subject of discussion as to what she could be. "she is a good-sized craft, whatever she is," observed hearty, who had joined us on deck. "is she an english or foreign vessel do you think?" "english by her build," replied porpoise, observing her narrowly through the glass; "i cannot make it out. i see no one on board. how she came into that state puzzles me." "my dear fellow, have you any idea what sort of a vessel the `success' is? does any one on board know her?" exclaimed hearty, suddenly turning pale, and literally trembling from head to foot, as all sorts of horrible suspicions and fears flashed through his mind. inquiries were made, but no one recollected to have seen the brig in which our friends had taken their passage. we did our best to calm hearty's apprehensions, but under the circumstances they were very natural, and in spite of all we could say, they rather increased than diminished, as we approached the wreck. carstairs shared them, but, being of a far less excitable temperament, in a much less degree; indeed, hearty seemed to look on him as being very callous and insensible, for not making himself as miserable as he felt. the breeze was very light, and our progress seemed terribly slow to the impatient feelings of our kind-hearted host. his glass was never for a moment off the wreck; indeed we were all of us constantly looking at her, in the hopes of seeing some one appear. the afternoon was drawing well on, before we got up to her. the instant we approached her, two boats were lowered, and hearty and i jumped into the first, and away we pulled as fast as the men could bend to their oars--the men evidently entering fully into the feelings of their master. i went with him that i might really look after him, should his worst anticipations be realised. we were soon alongside, and in an instant scrambled on board. the masts, and rigging, and sails, hung over the side; the former in their fall having carried away the bulwarks and smashed the boats. i saw before we got on board, that she had lost her masts with all sail set, in some unaccountably lubberly way it seemed. the sea had washed away some of her spare spars and the caboose, but she had apparently righted directly her masts went, and there seemed no reason why she should have been deserted by her crew. as we pulled up under the stern, we looked out for a name painted there, but a sail hung over it, and if there was a name it was not perceptible. hearty, the moment he was on board, rushed with frantic haste along the deck, to ascertain the important fact, and very nearly fell overboard in his attempt to remove the sail, till others could aid him. the sail was soon dragged aside, and as we hung down over the taffrail, a large s appeared, there could be no doubt of it. there was the word "success" of london. i had to help my friend on board again. "what can have happened! what can have happened!" he exclaimed, as soon as he could find words to speak. "why, i trust that they fancied the brig in a much worse condition than she appears to us to be, and that they quitted her in the boats, or some other craft which was fortunately passing soon after the catastrophe." but as i spoke, our eyes fell on the shattered boats, and i recollected that the former hypothesis could not be correct. "they must have fallen in with some vessel," i remarked to hearty. "the ladies were happily conveyed on board her, but why the crew deserted the ship i cannot say." "but where can they have gone to--what port can they have put into--what sort of vessel can they be on board?" exclaimed hearty, almost frantic with agitation. "it's very dreadful." by this time the other boat had got alongside, with carstairs, bubble, and porpoise in her. together we commenced a search over the deserted vessel. the appearance of the cabin again raised our doubts as to the reason of the desertion. the ladies had evidently been at work just before the catastrophe. their work-baskets were on the floor, with their work, in which needles were sticking; and needle-cases, thimbles, and reels of cotton, skeins of silk and worsted, and similar articles, were strewed about. as i looked more minutely into the state of affairs, i observed that every thing of value had been carried off; not a silver spoon or fork, not a piece of plate of any description remained. the ladies' jewels were all gone. this was what was to be expected, but i was also certain that they would not leave their daily work behind. i did not increase hearty's apprehensions by pointing this out to him. carstairs all the time, though he took matters in a very different way, seemed to be much alarmed and anxious. i saw the chronometer, sextants, charts, compasses, and every thing in the captain's cabin had been carried off. the ship's log and manifest could nowhere be found, nor indeed could any of her papers. from the cabin we went to the hold, and there also the cargo had evidently been disturbed, and i judged that a considerable quantity had been carried away; a few bales of silk and velvet only remaining. this was a very suspicious circumstance. still, had there been time to remove any thing, the captain would of course have carried away what was likely to be of most value. the forepeak was next searched. the seamen's chests had been broken open, and the contents of many of them were strewed about--why the men did not use their keys was surprising. still, in their hurry they might not have had time to find them. hearty went about looking into every hole, and making his observations on all he saw. he had collected every thing belonging to the ladies as treasured relics, and had them packed and conveyed on board the "frolic," while carstairs took charge of all mrs skyscraper's property, and sighed over it with a look of despair, and we were about to quit the vessel, when one of the men declared that he heard a voice proceeding from the fore-hold. forward we all went again. certainly there was a groan. guided by the sound, and by removing some of the cargo, we arrived at a space where lay a human being. we lifted him up, and carried him out of the dark noisome hole, and the fresh air speedily revived him. at first his startled look showed that he did not know what to make of us, but by degrees he recovered his senses, though his first words increased our apprehensions. "what! are you come back again? don't murder me!--don't murder me!" he exclaimed, with a look of terror. "murder you, mate! what should put that into your head?" asked one of our men who was supporting him. by pouring a little brandy and water down his throat, he in a short time recovered altogether. he told us that he had been the cook of the brig. he was an old man, and almost worn out, and that this was to have been his last voyage. "well, gentlemen," he continued, "when i see a number of young ladies come on board, and their mothers to look after them, and no parson to make davy jones angered like, which he always is when any on 'em gets afloat, says i to myself, we shall have a fine run of it home, and the chances are that the `success' will make a finer passage than she ever did before. well, we hadn't been two days at sea before we falls in with a polacca-brig, which speaks us quite civil like, and a man aboard, though he was rigged like a greek, asks us in decent real english, quite civil like, what passengers we'd got aboard. so, thinking no harm, we told him, and he answered `that he'd keep us company, and protect us, for that to his knowledge there was a notorious pirate cruising thereabouts, and that if he fell in with us he might do us an injury.' the captain did not seem much to like our new friend, and would rather have been without his company, but as he sailed two knots to our one, we couldn't help ourselves, do ye see. for two days or more he kept close to us, and then it fell almost to a calm, and what does he do, but quietly range up alongside with the help of some sweeps he had, and before we knew where we were, he had thrown some two-score or more of cut-throats aboard of us, who knocked some of our crew down, drove others overboard, and very soon got possession of the brig. i was ill below, but i popped my head up to see what was happening, and when i found how things were going, thinks i to myself, the best thing i can do is to be quiet; if they cut my throat, they may as well do it while i'm comfortably in bed as struggling away on deck. instead, however, of turning into my berth again, i thought that i'd just go and stow myself away in the hold under the cargo, where they wouldn't be likely to look for me, so there i went, and there i've been ever since. i felt the ship some time afterwards thrown on her beam-ends, and thought she'd be going down, but she very soon righted. i felt the masts shaken out of her, but i could not tell what else had happened. i tried to get out to see, but the cargo had shifted and jammed me in so tight that i couldn't break my way out. i suppose i should have died if you hadn't come to help me, gentlemen." "but can you not tell what became of the passengers and crew?" exclaimed hearty, interrupting him. "no more than the babe unborn, sir," answered the old man; "i suppose they were all carried aboard the pirate. from what i know of some of our crew, i don't think they would have much minded joining the villains, and several i myself saw killed and hove overboard." this fearful information gave us still more concern than we had felt from what we had already discovered. there was some cause for hope before, now there was none. there was no doubt whatever that our friends had fallen into the power of the villain miles sandgate. grown desperate, it was impossible to say to what extremes he might not venture to go. still i had less apprehension for the fate of mrs and miss mizen than for that of jane seton. it could scarcely be expected that he would again let her out of his power. i was offering what consolation i could to hearty as well as to carstairs on these grounds, in which i was joined by bubble, whose heart was overflowing with commiseration for them and those they were so deeply interested in, when hearty suddenly exclaimed,-- "but, my dear fellow, is it not possible that the same squall which struck this vessel and reduced her to a wreck may have struck the pirate, and sent her and all on board to the bottom? or can you answer me that this is not possible? still it may have preserved them from a worse fate. oh, horrible, horrible!" "i do not think it is probable that people so thoroughly acquainted with these seas should not have been forewarned in time to guard against even the most sudden squall. there are always some indications; only those who do not regard them are the sufferers. just as likely after he had rifled the brig, sandgate (for i doubt not that he is the culprit) may have put the passengers on shore somewhere or other, and made some plausible excuse for having taken them on board his vessel. i think, in truth, that for the sake of making friends at court, he is much more likely to have treated them with perfect civility than to have ventured in any way to insult or injure them." all the time i was trying to persuade myself that i was speaking what i thought; but i must own that i had very serious apprehensions for their safety. there was no object in remaining longer on board the wreck. to prevent any vessels running into her, for that night at all events, we secured a large lantern with a burner full of oil to the stump of the mainmast. we were very unwilling to quit her, but we could not venture to leave anybody on board to look after her till we could despatch a vessel to bring her into gibraltar, lest before this could be done a gale might spring up, and she might founder. so, taking tom pancake, the old man we had found, on board with us, we returned to the cutter. we forthwith held a council of war, when it was resolved to steer a direct course for gibraltar, that we might then get vessels sent out in all directions to look for the daring pirate. i never saw any one suffer so much as did hearty. a few nights of the anxiety he was now doomed to suffer would, i feared much, not only turn his head grey, but completely prostrate him. carstairs suffered a good deal, but his regard for mrs skyscraper was of a very different character to the deep affection hearty entertained for miss mizen; and if he was to lose her, i suspected that he would have no great difficulty in supplying her place as the queen of his affections. no sooner had we left the unfortunate ship, than a fresh breeze had sprung up, and before sunset we had run her completely out of sight. for all the first part of the night the breeze lasted, and we made good way on our course for gibraltar. for a long time poor hearty would not turn in; but at last i persuaded him to lie down and take some of that rest which he so much required. i also went below, but i was restless, and just as the middle watch was set, i returned on deck. porpoise and bubble were there. i found them watching a bright glare which appeared in the sky. i considered a moment our whereabouts. "that must be from a ship on fire," i exclaimed. "there is no doubt about it," replied porpoise. "she has been blazing away for the last hour or more, i fear, for all that time i have observed that ruddy glow in the sky. i hope we may be in time to render some assistance to the unfortunate crew." the wind freshened even still more as we advanced towards the burning ship, but not enough for our impatience. hearty and carstairs were called, and when they came on deck they exhibited equal eagerness with the rest of us; indeed, hearty seemed for a time almost to forget his own anxiety in his zeal in the cause of humanity. surely we seldom know even our most intimate friends without seeing them tried under a variety of circumstances. sometimes i must own that i have been sadly disappointed in them; at other times i have been as agreeably surprised by the exhibition of self-denial, courage, warmth of heart, and judgment, which i did not believe to exist in them. such was the case with my friend hearty. we got the boats ready to lower the instant we should be close enough to the vessel. the interval which elapsed before we drew up to her was one of great anxiety. all sorts of ideas and fears crossed our minds, and at all events we felt that many of our fellow-creatures might be perishing for want of our assistance. through our glasses, as we drew on, we discovered that the greater part of the vessel was enveloped in flames; the poop alone was not entirely consumed, though the devouring element had made such progress that the people were already seeking for a momentary safety by hanging on to the taffrail quarters. "stand by to shorten sail!" sang out porpoise. the square-sail and gaff and square-topsail were taken in, and the foresail being hauled up to windward, and the jib-sheets let fly, the cutter was hove-to and a boat instantly lowered. as before, hearty and i went in her, while the other gig immediately followed us. our appearance took the poor wretches by surprise, as from the darkness of night our approach had not been perceived. they raised a cry to implore us to hasten to their assistance. our men shouted in return. they needed no cry to urge them to exertion. by the bright glare of the flames we saw that the men clinging to the wreck were by their costume greeks, while the hull itself had a foreign appearance. the vessel was a brig, we observed. the foremast had already fallen, the flames were twisting and twining in serpentine forms along the yards and up to the very maintop-gallant masthead. some, as i said, were still clinging to the wreck, others had leaped overboard, and were hanging on to spars and oars and gratings, and a few were in a boat floating near the vessel; but she appeared to be stove in, and to have no oars or other means of progression. with all these people, blinded with terror and eager to save their lives, it was necessary to use much precaution to prevent ourselves from being swamped by too many leaping on board at a time. the first thing was to rescue those who were in the most imminent danger of being burned. while we pulled under the stern, and as the people dropped into the water picked them up, the other boat hauled those on board who were already floating, and seemed most to require help. we had got most of the people off the burning wreck, but two still hung on to the burning taffrail, and seemed unwilling to trust themselves in the sea. "never fear, jump, jump, my lads!" sung out our men; then turning to the greeks whom they had saved, added, "tell them to jump in your own lingo; they don't understand us." the greeks said something about "inglesi," but i did not understand what they meant. at last, however, the flames rushing out from the stern ports and along the deck, gave them no alternative, and they had to throw themselves into the water, whence we quickly picked them out, and with a boat loaded almost to sinking, returned on board the cutter. i was especially struck by the appearance of the two men last saved. certainly they were much more like englishmen than greeks. no sooner, however, did the old man we had saved from the "success" see them than he exclaimed, "what mates! is that you? how did you get aboard there? why, as i live, that craft must be the greek pirate which plundered us, and carried off the ladies." the worst suspicions which had been floating through my mind were confirmed by these remarks. poor hearty seemed thunderstruck. carstairs had not yet returned. the men could not deny their identity, and they instantly began to offer excuses for having been on board the greek. "never mind that!" exclaimed hearty. "tell me, my men, where are the ladies? what has become of them? help us to find them, and all will be overlooked. they could not have been left to perish on board the burning vessel." "we can't say much about it, sir," answered one of the men, who seemed to be the most intelligent. "we were forward when the fire broke out, and it was with great difficulty that we managed to crawl aft. when we got there we found that a raft had been built and lowered into the water, and that the boats had been got out, and that several people were in them. some got away, and we don't know where they went, but we towed two of them after us. one was swamped and went down, and the other, as you saw, was stove in. what became of the other two we don't know; we believe that the ladies were in them, but we can't say for certain; all we know is, that we did not see them on the deck, or in either of the other two boats, when we got aft; still we believe that nearly half the people on board, in one way or another, have been lost." then, supposing the seaman spoke the truth, there was still hope; but how dreadful at the best must be the condition of our friends, exposed in open boats with the most lawless of companions! while we were still examining the men, carstairs and the rest returned on board. he had also with him one of the crew of the "success," who, on being examined, corroborated the statement of the other two. the character of the men whose lives we had preserved was now clear; but, wretches as they were, and deserving of the heaviest punishment, we could not have avoided saving them from drowning, even had we known the worst at first. scarcely were they all on board before every portion of the burning vessel was enveloped in flames. porpoise all the time was fortunately not forgetful of the safety of the cutter, and, having let draw the foresail, we had been standing away from her. suddenly there was a fiercer blaze than before--a loud, deafening report was heard, the remaining mast and deck lifted, the former shooting up into the air like a sky-rocket surrounded by burning brands, and then down again came the whole fiery mass, covering us, even at the distance we were, with burning fragments of wreck, and then all was darkness, and not a remnant of the polacca-brig remained together above water. after the character we had heard of the rescued crew, without giving them any warning, we suddenly seized them, and, lashing their arms behind them and their legs together, made them sit down in a row under the bulwarks. they seemed to be very much surprised at the treatment, but we did not understand their expostulations, and should not have listened to them if we had. we, however, served out provisions to them, and they very soon seemed reconciled to their fate. the three english seamen vowed that they had been kept on board the brig by force, and, as we would fain have believed this is to be the case, we did not treat them as prisoners, though we kept a very sharp eye on their movements; so, especially, did old pancake, who appeared to have no little dread lest they should play him some scurvy trick in return for his having betrayed them. these arrangements were very quickly made. the most important consideration, however, was the best method to pursue in order to discover what had become of the raft reported to have been made, and the missing boat. unless by those who have been placed in a similar situation, the nervous anxiety and excitement which almost overcame every one of us would be difficult to be conceived. hearty thought of sending the boats away to range in circles round the spot, in the chance of falling in with the raft or boat; but porpoise overruled this proposal by assuring him that the raft could only have gone to leeward, and that the boat probably would be found in the same direction. keeping, therefore, a bright lookout, with a light at our masthead, we kept tacking backwards and forwards so as to sweep over every foot of the ground to leeward of the spot where the fire first burst out. we had hinted to the english seamen taken from the pirate that their future prospects depended very much on the success which might attend our search. they accordingly gave us all the information and assistance in their power, by showing us how the pirate had steered from the moment the fire was discovered, and how far she had gone after her captain had placed the ladies on the raft. nothing could we discover during the night. hearty was in despair; so was carstairs; only he was rather inclined to be savage than pathetic in his misery. daylight came; as the dawn drew on nothing could be seen but the clear grey water surrounding us. then, just as we had gone about and were standing once more to the westward, the sun rose from his ocean bed, his beams glancing on a small object seen far away on our port bow. "huzza! huzza!" shouted bubble, who was the first to bring his glass to bear on it. "some people on a raft! there is no doubt on the subject. white dresses, too! it may be the ladies! it must be! oh, it can't be otherwise! keep up your spirits, hearty, my dear fellow; all will go well! it will, carstairs, i tell you! don't be cast down any more! i think i see them waving!" thus the worthy bubble ran on, giving way to the exuberance of his feelings and sympathy for his friends. every yard of canvas the cutter could carry was pressed on her, and each moment rapidly decreased our distance from the raft; for that a raft it was, or a piece of a wreck, there could be no doubt. our telescopes were kept unchangeably fixed on it. it was with no little apprehension, however, as we drew nearer, that i perceived that there were but three persons on it. one was standing up; the other two were seated on benches, or chests, or something of the same size, secured to the raft. the figure standing up was that of a man in the greek costume; the other two were females. i had little doubt in my own mind who they were. as we got still nearer i fancied that, under the greek cap, i could distinguish the features of miles sandgate. the features of the ladies were more difficult to make out, but i heard hearty exclaim, "yes, it is her--it is her!" meaning miss mizen; and i felt sure he was right. but who was the other person? the figure was not like that of either mrs mizen or mrs seton, but whether it was jane seton or mrs skyscraper was the question. poor carstairs, he must have felt that, in all probability, it was miss seton. what would sandgate do when he found himself thus completely brought to bay? it was a serious question, for he had the two ladies entirely in his power, and, had he chosen, might, holding them as hostages, make any terms with us he pleased. i saw him watching the approaching cutter. he must have recognised her as soon as she hove in sight. yet he did not quail, but stood up boldly confronting us. then he seemed to be addressing one of the ladies. i looked again; i was certain she was jane seton; and i clearly recognised miss mizen. jane had given her hand to laura. the pirate seemed to be urging her to fulfil some request; he half knelt before her with uplifted hands; then he sprang up, with a look of bitter reproach. by this time the cutter was close up to the raft, and a boat was on the point of being lowered. again, with an imploring gesture, the pirate urged his suit. miss seton shook her head. he seized her hand. she struggled violently. it appeared that, in his rage, he was about to drag her into the water. he would have succeeded, had not miss mizen held her hand and drawn her back. hearty and bubble were in the boat pulling rapidly to the raft. the pirate let go miss seton's hand, and drew himself up to his full height; he seemed to be uttering some strong reproaches. the bows of the boat were almost touching the raft, the oars were thrown in. at that moment the pirate, uttering a fearful cry (and if ever i heard the cry of a madman that was one), turned round, and plunged headlong into the water. down, down, he sank! scarcely an eddy marked where he had sprung in, with such determination had he endeavoured to reach the bottom. i watched for him, but he never rose again. such was the dreadful end of miles sandgate. the next moment hearty was on the raft, and had clasped laura mizen in his arms, while miss seton was borne fainting into the boat by bubble. they were quickly conveyed on board, while the raft and its freight were allowed to go adrift. the two young ladies were immediately carried to the cabin, where laura rapidly described to hearty all that had occurred. poor miss seton, however, required their whole attention, and for the moment drew them off from all thoughts about themselves. not that miss mizen for a moment forgot her mother and her other companions, and it was a relief to us all to find that she had seen them placed in the first boat which had left the vessel just before they had been carried by sandgate to the raft. he intended, it seemed, to have taken possession of one of the other boats, and when she was swamped he managed to get on the raft, and clear away from the burning vessel before any one else reached it, while he left the rest of his companions in crime to perish without an attempt to afford them aid. the general opinion was that the boat would be steered to the southward, for the purpose of making the moorish coast, where the pirates fancied that they might find protection. "the chances are that they will all get murdered if they reach it," observed porpoise; "but we must try and catch them up before they get there." fortunately we had the whole day before us. all sail was again made on the cutter; the sun rose high in the heavens; tolerably hot came down its beams on our heads. at noon a meridional observation was taken, and just as we were shutting up our sextants, bubble, who was keeping a sharp lookout on every side, sang out that he saw a speck on the water almost ahead of us. i went immediately with my glass aloft. after waiting a little time i made out distinctly that the speck was a boat. as we drew on we made out that the boat was strongly manned, and that the people in her were doing their utmost to keep ahead of us. they could not have known what the "frolic" was made of to suppose that they had a chance of escaping. the breeze freshened. hard as they were pulling, hand over hand we came up with them. there were women in the boat, or we should have sent a shot after her to stop her way; we ran a gun out to frighten them. on we stood; the women in the boat now first observed us. "oh, help us! help us! help us!" they shrieked out. we required no summoning, however. there were three ladies, we saw, the number we expected to find. we soon ran up alongside the boat, though it required nice steering not to sink her. our earnest hopes and wishes were realised. in the stern-sheets sat mrs mizen and mrs seton, and, to the very great relief of poor carstairs, the fair mrs skyscraper. the pirates saw that they had not a prospect of escape, so they threw in their oars, and quietly allowed us to get alongside them, and to hook on their boat to us. i need not describe the joy of the two mothers at finding their daughters safe, or that of the daughters at seeing their mothers; nor will i do more than touch on the effect which the risk she had endured, and the satisfaction carstairs displayed at having her restored to him, worked on the heart of the widow. we very soon got to gibraltar, where we at once landed our very troublesome prisoners. mrs mizen had written to england to desire that letters might be sent to meet her there. in a day or so they arrived, and they gave so favourable an account of her son's health that as there was no necessity for her hurrying home, she was able to wait till we were at liberty to accompany her, having given our evidence against the pirates. several of them suffered, as the papers say, the extreme penalty of the law, and it was certainly a pity, for the sake of justice, that miles sandgate had not been alive to keep them company. at length we all reached england, and not long afterwards i had the satisfaction of seeing my friend edward hearty united to miss laura mizen, and the next week was called away to act as best-man to captain carstairs on his marriage with the fair relict of the late lieutenant skyscraper, of the rifle brigade. poor miss seton suffered much from the severe trial she had gone through. it was, i rejoice to say, not without good effects, and i had the opportunity of observing a great improvement in her character. some years passed by, during which she remained single, but on the death of her mother she became the wife of sir lloyd snowdon; and, living constantly on his estate in wales, proved a blessing to her family, and to the poorer inhabitants of the surrounding district. may all the trials any of us have to endure have a like good effect; for we may depend on it for that purpose are they sent. i am happy to say that, notwithstanding old snow's prognostication, hearty's yacht was not sold, and that many a pleasant summer cruise did i afterwards take with him on board the "frolic." the end. a madcap cruise by oric bates [illustration: logo] _boston and new york_ houghton, mifflin & company the riverside press, cambridge copyright by oric bates all rights reserved _published march _ to my father [illustration: decoration] contents _chapter_ _page_ i. the cardinal points ii. the fog comes in iii. it blows southeast iv. it blows northwest v. land ho! vi. dinner ashore vii. luncheon aboard viii. a change of tactics ix. the doldrums x. mr. wrenmarsh, the extraordinary xi. a lone-hand game xii. at vergil's tomb xiii. a bid for the odd trick xiv. clearing the decks xv. in the cattewater xvi. storm! xvii. facing the music xviii. epilude [illustration: decoration] a madcap cruise chapter one the cardinal points "it strikes me," said jerrold taberman, "that we are booked for everlasting fame, win or lose. we'll either sail down the ages as a brace of heroes, or as the most egregious pair of donkeys that ever botched a job." "well, jerry," returned his companion, smiling, "you've as much to do with making the thing a success as i have. i hope you realize the responsibility." the young men chuckled in concert at the thought of all that was involved in this remark, although they looked, not at each other, but out over the sea. it was early twilight in the last week of the month of may. the two speakers were standing on a little jetty that ran out into a small and all but landlocked harbor of an island in east penobscot bay. both were evidently in the earlier twenties, both were dressed in such canvas working-suits as are worn by the sailors in our navy, and both were, at half a glance, gentlemen. the second speaker, john castleport, was tall and dark. his face, with its prominent features and keen brown eyes, was rather striking than handsome. he stood looking southward to where, in the fading light, the atlantic shouldered away to the west as if with a hidden purpose of its own. in his hand he held a pair of powerful binoculars, and despite his smile he had the air of being pretty seriously in earnest. taberman contrasted curiously with his host. he was short and thickset, with blue eyes and fair hair which showed a tendency to curl. as he stood with shoulders turned to the wind, the square collar of his canvas jumper was blown against his round pate, and made a background for his tanned face. he held a briar drop-pipe between his teeth, and his hands were thrust deep into his trousers pockets. working his pipe into the corner of his mouth, he spoke again. "hope this breeze won't trouble the old gentleman," he remarked, casting a glance at the billowing double-headers that were driving by aloft. the wind shrilled by the watchers on the jetty, clear, strong, and salt. "guess not," replied castleport; "anything short of a hurricane's a sailing-wind for him. he's a mettlesome old chap." "that's right enough. can't have him spoiling our game by being late, you know. let's go up; it's getting beastly chilly." they turned and walked along the pier. at the point where it met the shore stood a small boathouse. thence the ground, covered with a stunted growth of spruce and fir, and the inevitable new england boulders, rose abruptly. directly in the line of the jetty the shingled roof of a small house showed above the trees. to the westward, in the dimming afterglow of the sunset, the camden hills stood out luminous, purple, yet rimmed with a thread of golden fire. away to the east, clad in soberer colors, rose mt. desert, a mass of shadowy greens and blues. the steepness of the path they were ascending soon cut off from the view of the young men these beauties and grandeurs, which, however, they were probably not in a mood to dwell upon; and a minute's walking brought them to the door of the house, a small affair with high-pitched roof and broad veranda. its shingles were almost the color of the dark evergreens that encircled the clearing in which it stood; its windows reflected with a vacant and glassy stare the fast-fading light. castleport opened the door for his guest, and followed him into the living-room. the darkness seemed the greater from its contrast with what light yet remained outside, and not until taberman had put a match to the pile of old shingles and light driftwood in the wide fireplace could they see fairly. the crimson glow showed a room some twenty feet square, with windows on two sides,--the south and east. the joists and sheathing were of planed spruce, left unpainted. the big mexican fireplace of brick occupied the northwestern corner; in the middle of the room stood conspicuously a round deal table, covered with a litter of pipes, tobacco, magazines, and nautical hardware; between the two eastern windows, below a box-like cabinet which was attached to the wall, was a smaller table with a square top, piled with books and charts. beneath the southern windows was placed a heavy desk with a faded baize top, the cloth ink-stained and full of holes due to moths and carelessly handled cigars. of the happy-go-lucky assortment of chairs which completed the furniture of the room, no large portion was in an entirely unbroken condition, but all evidently were meant for service and ease. the walls of the room were decorated with devices in scallop-shells and a few unframed water-colors of the impressionist type. a large chart of penobscot bay was tacked to the inside of the door, and a venerable flintlock musket hung below a battered quadrant over the chimneypiece. everything was simple almost to rudeness, yet the place gave at once and most strongly the impression of comfort and good-fellowship. castleport laid his binoculars on the desk, and, stepping to a door on his right, opened it and called out:-- "oh, gonzague?" "sair?" promptly replied some one from beyond the short passage into which he looked. "dinner when you're ready, gonzague." "a' right, sair." taberman had seated himself by the fire, and here castleport joined him. each filled and lighted a pipe, and together they stared at the flames roaring up the wide chimney. the smaller sticks already began to fall apart, pitching outward or dropping between the dogs, and for some moments the young men watched them in silence. at length, as taberman flung a fresh stick into the flames, castleport spoke, half to himself. "what a lesson it'll be to the old chap! my aunt! he'll grind his teeth to powder!" "tooth-powder, eh?" queried the other with a grin. "but we must be sure we have the laugh on the right side. it isn't merely the getting away with the merle that's the joke; it's the hanging on to her and bringing her back safe." "that's true enough," assented castleport; "but with pluck and luck and an eye to the three l's, we ought to manage." "you'd better go over the whole plan for me, jack; you haven't given me half the details, and i'd like to know the latest version. it's certainly important to have everything perfectly understood beforehand." "all right; i'll go over the whole business after dinner, old man. we will act the conspirators rehearsing their villainy; but let's wait for food. i hate discussions on an empty stomach." "correct; here's gonzague now." a tall, gray-haired man, with a much-bronzed face, came in and began to clear away the litter on the round table. he had a rugged, weather-beaten countenance, with prominent features and luminous black eyes. beneath his big, hooked nose a large white mustache, stiff and curled like that of a walrus, half hid a firm, full-lipped mouth. a native of provence,--soldier, sailor, cook, and deck-hand,--old gonzague mairecalde had led sixty-odd years of exciting and polyglot existence, the last three of which had been spent in castleport's service. dressed in blue flannel trousers and an immaculate white jacket, the old man moved noiselessly about, swiftly disposing of the things on the table. he seemed to have a place for everything, and the lightest tread and deftest hands imaginable. having cleared away, he went out, and soon reappeared with linen and service. in a short time the table was ready for the bringing in of the food. "a' ready, sair?" asked gonzague, tugging at his mustache with his bony fingers. "two minutes," answered jack. "come on, jerry; let's scrub up." in ten minutes they were seated before a dinner plain but hearty, well cooked and appetizingly served. they were apparently not at all troubled by any incongruity between their rough and not over-fresh sailor clothes and the snowy napery and the silver on which the fire threw dancing and wavering lights. on the walls opposite the fireplace mute, shadowy grotesques helped each other to huge supplies from dishes of vague outline and uncertain size, plied dark forks and spoons with ogre-like gusto, or with heads thrown back and crooked elbows drank like trolls from enormous tankards. after dinner the table was cleared, a jug of ale was placed upon it, with a plate of ship-biscuit and a supply of tobacco. it was the theory of castleport that the climate of the island was english enough to warrant this nightly attack upon the october, of which his uncle, who owned the island, kept always a butt in the cellar. in truth, the fresh coolness of the air at night, the pleasant blaze of the fire, the agreeable scent of burning tobacco, made a tankard or two of ale seem hardly to need an excuse of any sort. with the table pulled forward so that its edge came between them, their pipes lit, their feet stretched out comfortably toward the hearth, the pair of friends smoked for a time in silence, until at last jack, after refilling and relighting his pipe with great deliberation, broke into speech. "before i go into the details of this job," he observed, "there's one thing i have to say. it's a waste of breath for me to talk until i know you're with me. i haven't done anything more than to ask you off-hand, old man; now i'd like you to say seriously whether you'll come on this cruise with me or not. i hate to be so horribly businesslike, jerry, especially in the matter of a lark; but in--er--larking on this scale, things have got to be put on a definite basis,--be perfectly understood, as you said before dinner." taberman gave his companion a sidelong glance, and began to smile. the smile grew into an audible chuckle; and this in its turn developed into a laugh increasing to a jovial roar. "you solemn old pirate," he cried, "what sort of a quitter do you take me for? i'll give you any kind of a promise you like, provided--_semper more equitis_, you know--can't bind myself to cut throats, scuttle ships, fly the jolly roger, et cetera. what's your form of oath, eh? do we drink each other's blood out of a skull, or what?" there was a boyish exuberance about jerrold taberman, a debonair abandon, which he never could outgrow. it accorded well with his youthful face and careless mien, which made him so marked a contrast to his friend. castleport, although impulsive and disposed to jollity as only a hale and hearty young man of twenty-two can be, was, on the whole, of a temperament the reverse of boisterous. he responded frankly to jerry's outburst. "well, old man," said he, "there's nothing more needed than your word that you'll go, and stick it out to the end. i knew you would, jerry. confound it, give us your flipper!" in his enthusiasm he caught taberman's hand and wrung it heartily, being evidently moved more by some inner consciousness of the weighty nature of the scheme he was about to outline than by anything that had actually been said between them. jerry laughed, and returned the grip with interest. "and now," continued castleport, "i'll let you have particulars galore. i'll tell you the beginning of it first: how the idea came to me. about three weeks ago i decided i'd go abroad,--i wrote you, you remember. well, i went to uncle randolph, and asked him for a letter of credit. that's what comes of the pleasant arrangement by which all my property's in trust till i'm twenty-five! beastly nuisance!" "of course it is," assented his companion. "it's queer your father made such a will. however," he added, as if with the feeling that he was perhaps touching upon delicate ground, "that's neither here nor there. heave ahead." "you know why i wanted to go," jack went on, "and so"-- "slow up a bit," interrupted the other, mischief shining in his eyes; "why should you want to go particularly?" "confound you!" retorted castleport. "you know perfectly well! do you think it's any fun to be here when--when"-- "when miss marchfield's on the other side," finished jerry, with the air of enjoying a huge joke. jack shifted uncomfortably in his seat, leaned forward to rap the ashes out of his pipe on the firedog, and then looked at his friend seriously. "i won't be roughed, jerry," he said. "you know perfectly well i'm dead in earnest about her, and i'll thank you to let up." "all right, jack; i beg your pardon; but i would like to ask one thing. it's not exactly my business, of course, but really it's something i'd like to know in connection with this scheme." "fire away," castleport said rather grimly. "well, then, what i want to know is why the president's so set against your marrying katrine marchfield?" "it isn't time to talk of marrying," jack returned somewhat stiffly. "she may have something to say to that." "of course, old fellow; but you know what i mean. what's his objection to your trying?" "i don't see how that affects the cruise, exactly, but i don't mind telling you; only of course i shouldn't want it talked about. it's so unreasonable, and honestly i should hate to seem to be giving uncle randolph any sort of a black eye." "i shouldn't repeat it, jack; but you needn't say anything if you'd rather not." "it's only that it looks as if uncle randolph was infernally obstinate and cranky, and he really isn't. he hadn't any reason to give me, that amounted to anything. he talked about katrine's not having any money; but of course that's all poppy-cock. i've got a good bit myself when i come into it, and he's always told me i should have all his. of course katrine hasn't much, though she'll have something, i suppose, from her aunt." "aunt?" "why, mrs. fairhew. katrine's traveling with her now. she's the only near relative katrine has." "but if it isn't money"-- "no, it isn't that. the truth is--i heard it from mrs. fairhew once; i wasn't sure then, and i'm not now, whether she knew quite how much she was telling me, and meant it for a warning, or not. i'm half inclined to think she did." "but what was it?" inquired jerry, as jack paused to meditate, with his eyes fixed earnestly on the fire. "oh, uncle randolph had some sort of a row with katrine's father when they were young men. i fancy it was about a girl, for i know there was one somewhere along about that time. i've heard father speak of it, and say it altered uncle randolph's whole life. anyway, there was some sort of a scrap, and uncle randolph never forgave it." "humph!" was taberman's comment. "it's rather crotchety of him to vent his spite on miss marchfield." "of course it is," castleport answered, "but he's not so bad as it looks. he's been awfully good to me all my life." a brief pause followed, in which both were probably reflecting upon the character of randolph drake, one of boston's prominent men, president of one of the largest banks, and trustee of a dozen important corporations; a man whose chief aim in life was, apparently, making money, whose amusement was yachting. it was in connection with this sport that he had a few years before bought the island and put up the house in which his motives were now being discussed. the place served as a shooting-box or as a base of supplies, and was provided with a trig little harbor exactly adapted for the accommodation of the president's yacht, the merle. "after all," jack said at length, "uncle randolph really cares more for me than he does for anything else in the world." "and so when he suspected that you were going abroad to try to marry the daughter of his old enemy, he wouldn't supply the funds." "he can't seem to get it into his head that i am grown up, anyhow," grumbled jack. "i've made up my mind now that i'll convince him that i am." "why in the world didn't you borrow the money, jack? that would have been easy enough." "well, when i came of age i made uncle randolph a sort of a promise that i wouldn't borrow. he put it that it would be evading the intent of my father's will; and of course it would. anyway, uncle randolph himself put a bigger idea into my head. it took me one day and two nights, mostly without sleep, to think it out, and then i got hold of you." "how did he suggest it?" "he was really sorry for me; i could see that. only he had the air of feeling i was so young that any other cake would do as well as the one i wanted. the very day that he refused to let me go abroad, he suggested that i come down here with gonzague and some friend or other. he thought that if i fooled round the bay until he came to pick me up on the merle, i should get over my wish to go abroad. he said i was run down, needed change, and so on. he's coming june , and plans to go on down to the provinces. then he said that after he had had his cruise on the merle i might perhaps like to have her a week or two myself. it was a mighty great concession, let me tell you. when i think of taking the boat, i'm half ashamed of myself, the old gentleman's so rum fond of her." "and that put the notion into your head?" "yes, only not at the moment. i said to myself that if i was going to cruise in the merle i'd like to go across in her; but it wasn't till that night, just as i was turning in, that the idea of getting her now and running off came to me. it fairly bowled me over!" "i should think it might!" laughed taberman. "at first it seemed the easiest thing in the world. then i began to think of objections, and as fast as i got one out of the way another popped up. i've worked at it like a prize puzzle. i've got my crew picked out, i've planned how to get possession of the yacht and to get rid of her old crew; and then--hurrah for the mediterranean!" "oh, jacko, you devil!" cried taberman. "i wouldn't have believed you had it in you! do you really think we can do it?" "do it! of course we'll do it. didn't i tell you i'd got my crew already? ten strappers, not counting gonzague." "did gonzague kick?" "gonzague? did you ever consider, tab, those eyes of his, with that nose and mouth?" "no," jerry responded, "i've never given his features any especial critical overhauling." "_saracen!_" jack said, lowering his voice. "when you see that combination in a spaniard or a provençalese, it spells moorish marauder every time. he doesn't know it, i fancy; but there's good old ripe moorish pirate blood in him, and it came sizzling to the top the moment i broached the scheme. besides, gonzague would have his throat cut for me any time." "that's so, but he's as honest an old soul as there is above ground." "of course i told him, and i told the crew, that it was a lark. you know i've knocked about penobscot bay ever since i got out of the nursery. everybody knows me, and at isle au haut i've been so much that i'm almost like one of their own pals to the natives. i got hold of my men pretty easily. of course they look on me as the same as the president's son; and they were willing enough to leave the fishing for better wages than they could earn anywhere else. they all like me, and so of course they all take advantage of me in the way of wages." "i confess i don't see where your economy comes in, jacky," observed taberman, giving a poke to the wasting fire. "i don't know much about expenses, but i should think it would cost as much to hire a crew as to go without one." castleport grew grave and moved a little impatiently. "there's a question for a casuist," he said. "i'm taking these men off on the trust that uncle randolph will let me pay them when i get home. it's a deuced sight more like borrowing than i wish it were, though of course my allowance comes in; but i'm bound that he shall get it into his head that i'm no longer in leading-strings, and"-- taberman looked at him affectionately and comprehendingly. "that'll be all right, old man," he said consolingly. "we'll get out of that somehow. i'd like to see the president's face when he finds he's left high and dry down here and the merle has flitted across the atlantic without him." "oh, he won't be here. we'll capture the yacht at north haven. i'll show you the whole scheme to-morrow on the chart. i've brought down more than a thousand for this coast and the mediterranean! now let's get to bed. it's only a week or so that we have left to sleep with a clear conscience." taberman rose from his seat, then without warning suddenly slapped his knees with his hands and burst into a roar of laughter. "oh, by george," he cried, "what a jolt it'll be for uncle randolph!" "that's the cream of the whole thing," responded jack, joining in the laugh. "he'll be so surprised to find out that i'm grown up." [illustration: decoration] chapter two the fog comes in the casino at north haven is a curious little box, known locally--possibly from its situation at the end of a fairly long wharf--as the "fo'c'sle." it has but one room, paneled with imitation japanese carvings, and having an attractive divan-like seat in a wide bay-window, where one may lounge and watch the vessels passing through the thoroughfare. outwardly the building is very plain, its two prominent features being the bay-window, which looks south, and a flight of outside stairs on the west which lead to a little nest of a balcony half hidden under the gable-end of the roof above this window. the balcony is so covered by the peak of the roof that its interior is not visible from the wharf, and a person sitting on the settle at the back of it can be seen only from a boat some distance out on the water. the casino is little used, and although the caretaker unlocks the door each morning, the place is more generally deserted than not. the subscribers who come down to the wharf to start for rowing or sailing sometimes step in, wait for friends, or use the place as a storage for extra wraps; sometimes a riotous group of children holds brief but noisy possession; but after sunset the solitude is generally unbroken until ten o'clock, when the caretaker comes to lock up for the night. if the weather be bad, it is not unusual for the casino to remain unvisited for the entire day. it affords a convenient shelter when it is needed, however, and its wharf, with a float on either side, makes a good landing-place; and it is, in a word, one of the numerous class of things which in this world are not constantly in demand, but which, when they are wanted at all, are wanted badly. here, on the evening of the fourth of june, jerrold taberman, wrapped in a shapeless ulster,--for a thick fog was driving in from the southeast,--sat awaiting his friend. half an hour earlier jack had gone to get something to eat, and jerry had agreed to meet him here. taberman was somewhat tired to-night, and beginning to feel the strain of three crowded and exciting days in which he had had little time for anything but action and sleep. the young men had completed their arrangements at the island, had left gonzague in charge there, had notified the future crew to report to the provençalese on the evening of the third, and to hold themselves in readiness to sail immediately on the arrival of the merle. the pair had then taken the big market-boat, a whitehall used for bringing supplies from isle au haut, and with a couple of the most able of the isle au haut men, selected beforehand, had sailed over to an unfrequented cove in vinal haven, on the south side of the thoroughfare. there they encamped in hiding. they had reached their place of concealment by night, and next afternoon had the satisfaction of seeing the merle come in from the westward and drop anchor just inside the channel, off the "fo'c'sle." "by jove, isn't she a fine sight!" castleport exclaimed enthusiastically; and jerry assented no less warmly. the merle ran in under full sail, with a quartering breeze. her clean white hull, eighty-four feet on the water-line, her shining brasses, her broad spread of snowy canvas, the easy run of her long counter, combined to make a picture which, even personal interest aside, could not fail to stir such enthusiasts as jack and tab. on the evening of the arrival of the merle two gentlemen and three ladies had gone on board, evidently to dine, as they did not leave until nearly ten o'clock. castleport and taberman, lying concealed among the bushes overgrowing a tiny promontory on vinal haven, had watched all this through their night-glasses. jack, whose eyes were as keen as a hawk's, had even thought that he could distinguish who the visitors were. with guests on board there was evidently nothing that the conspirators could do but to watch, and when this was over they smoked a good-night pipe together over their campfire, and for the hundredth time fell to considering their chances of success. behind them in the shadow lay the two sailors, wrapped in their blankets and sleeping the sleep which only the genuine mariner knows; jack glanced at them as if he felt that somehow he was personally responsible for carrying through the enterprise for which they had been enlisted. "what the deuce shall we do if the president takes it into his head to get under weigh for the island to-morrow?" jerry demanded in a subdued voice. "oh, that's all right," jack answered in the same key. "he won't. he's fond of north haven; it's an old stamping-ground of his, and he'll never go on without having had at least one night's bridge here. that's part of the cruise. besides, it's going to be thick, or i'm a duffer." thick it certainly was next day. the brisk southeasterly breeze that blew through the thoroughfare all day seemed to roll in white billows of fog far more rapidly than it could take them out at the other end. the strait acted as a sort of condenser, in which the mist became almost tangibly more solid, until at nightfall it was, as one of castleport's men put it, "blacker 'n a tar-bucket." under cover of the obscurity jack had had the market-boat reloaded with such necessities as they had brought over for their camp, and rowed silently over to one of the casino floats. here he and taberman got out, and then the men, by his orders, worked the boat into concealment between the spiles of the wharf, there to await further orders, utterly invisible in the fog. the two arch-conspirators mounted the wharf, and for some time kept watch to see if any one came ashore from the merle; but as the time wore on to half-past seven they concluded that the president must be dining on board. assured of this, jack left jerry to keep watch, and went up to the village bakery for food, dinner for himself and his friend having been forgotten in the midst of more important things. tab, left alone in the wet darkness, had mounted to the balcony, and there sat in gloomy state, wondering if jack were never coming back. he had no light by which to see his watch, but since he had heard seven bells from the merle he felt sure that eight o'clock must be close at hand, when his attention was caught by the sound through the fog of the quick _thud-thud_, _thud-thud_ of oars against thole-pins. in an instant he was thoroughly alert, his senses primitively acute, and his growing sensation of vague depression utterly dispelled. he heard some one pull hastily to the "fo'c'sle;" the muffled chugging of the oar-blades as the rower held water; the gentle slapping of the boat's wash against the float; and then the clatter of the oars on the thwarts. then by the dim light of the lantern at the end of the pier he saw a man spring on to the east float and secure his boat; give a quick, nervous tug at the painter to be sure that it was fast, and disappear from the field of vision which was bounded by the edge of the sloping roof. he fancied he heard a murmur as if the newcomer spoke a word of encouragement to the sailors in damp concealment under the wharf, and then had hardly time to wonder where jack had been in a boat, before castleport had run lightly up the plank from the float to the pier, and thence up the steps to tab's place of concealment. "sit tight!" whispered castleport breathlessly. "what's--" began jerry. "sh! we've the chance of a lifetime! i--i"--he gasped for breath, but caught it with a great gulp, and hurried on. "i've been aboard, tab! come in, man! get back, get back!" he forced his friend into a seat in the farthest corner of the little balcony, caught his breath again, and began to chuckle. the sound of oars was again audible,--this time the steady, measured stroke of a heavy boat well pulled. "here's uncle randolph," cried jack with a sort of whispered shout. "here's uncle randolph!" and seizing his friend by the shoulders, he shook him and banged his head noiselessly against the wall for sheer glee. "stop, jacko, stop it! hold up, or by jumbo i'll yell! look there! here they are." as the pair hurried cautiously to look out over the edge of the balcony, a large cutter, pulled by six men, came out of the fog into the dim illumination of the pier-light. three gentlemen in light overcoats were visible in the stern-sheets, the one in the middle steering. a little removed from the president and the two men who were evidently his guests, sat one of the officers of the merle. "way enough," called the steersman in a sharp voice. "oh, my aunt!" whispered tab, giving jack a nudge. "the president has very little idea that he's made all the way in the merle he's likely to for one while." the cutter ran smoothly along beside the float. "in bows! fend off, there!" at the word the oars were unshipped, and a couple of sailors caught the rope which edged the staging. the cutter came to a stop. a seaman leaped out and held the boat, the officer sprang to the float and presented an arm for the president and his guests as they stepped to land. "we'll be down at eleven," the president said to the officer. "if you want an hour or two ashore, there's some sort of a shindy going on opposite the post office, i believe--dance or something. mind you're sharp on time for me, though." "all right, sir. eleven o'clock it is, sir," returned the officer, touching his cap deferentially as the three gentlemen turned away. "great scott!" cried jack into tab's ear in an excited whisper. "do you suppose the president's going to get rid of all those men for me himself? was ever such luck!" the boat still lay at the landing. the men began to discuss going ashore, and every word was easily audible to the two watchers in the balcony. "i vote we go," quoth he with the boat-hook. "it ain't every day the old hunks gives us a chance to stretch a leg ashore." "it'll be dry, tom," spoke up one in the boat. "ye won't get so much as a swig o' cider-water this side o' bar harbor." "well, boys, let's try it, anyhow," advised the officer. "if it's dry there, it's wet enough here." "that's right," responded another. "damn yer slops, bill, ye dude; the' 're's good as mine, an' any togs is good enough for po'r jack. let's go ashore an' take a look at these thoryfare bewties." this seemed to settle it. the boat was made fast, and the men straggled up the pier, talking and laughing as they went. tab and jack fairly hugged each other in delight at this development, and then jerry opened fire. "you said you'd been aboard," he began, "what"-- "when i left the bakery," jack answered, without waiting for the question to be finished, "i said to myself that the fog was so thick it would be perfectly safe to take a boat and row out, on the chances that i might find out something. i meant to get astern of the merle and give the wind a chance to bring me some of the talk aboard. i borrowed a little pea-pod from the pier behind staples', and out i went. when i got to the yacht, i found i could lay alongside, for there wasn't a soul on deck. i hauled off my jacket and hung it over the boat's side for a fender, so she wouldn't make any noise, and took the painter in my fist. then i stood on the thwart and jumped for the rail on the port side." "you'd have made the devil of a mess if you'd missed it," commented jerry. "but i didn't. i got hold, but, gad, i came near going overboard!" he stopped to laugh, this time fearlessly aloud, while jerry chuckled. "i lay flat along the bulwark," jack went on, "by the main rigging. the skylight-covers were on, of course, but the frames were half up, and i could get scraps of the talk in the cabin. the men uncle randolph's got along with him are old melford and tom bardale. i thought i'd die to hear them go on. old melford was grumbling away,--he's always an awful croaker, you know. he piped up once, and said it was just his luck to have to suffer both fog and bridge when he came for solid cruising. uncle randolph and bardale both poo-poohed him, and asked him if he'd rather play slap-jack. the old boys are going to play bridge somewhere,--i didn't find out where, but it doesn't matter; they're settled, anyway. i didn't hear anything else, for i'd hardly time to drop into the pea-pod and get out of the way of the men from the fo'c'sle that came out to haul in the cutter on the boat-boom. i rushed ashore as tight as i could pelt, and you saw the rest. this dance business, too! luck's with us!" he stopped, all but breathless. with one accord the pair started for the stairs, and took their way to the pier, where the lantern made a dim and watery illumination in the midst of the fog. castleport seized jerry by the arm and led him to the edge of the pier. "with this wind," he said with great earnestness, "we'd best run out to the westward, and beat along the south of vinal haven. we'll have more sea-room, and with the weather as thick as this, i don't deny that even that's risky enough." "it is a nasty night," taberman assented with emphasis. "are you for going outside wooden ball island?" "tell that when we've got by dogfish and the rest of 'em," replied jack briefly. "i mean to leave that to dave, anyhow." "you're dead sure you want to do it, old man?" queried tab with the air of one who would not have asked the question had he not been confident that the answer would be in the affirmative. "i'd do it ten times over just for the lark!" snorted jack. "now then--business!" they descended the ladder to the eastern float, and castleport called out guardedly to the men who had all this time been lying concealed in the market-boat under the wharf. a slight bumping, a muttered oath, the rattle of an oar on the thwart, and then the nose of the boat emerged from beneath the pier. a vigorous thrust with the boat-hook against one of the outer stringers shot her up alongside the float. "all right?" inquired jack. a stoutly built man of short stature standing in the bow of the boat answered. "right enough, sir; but a mite holler." "well, dave, we'll fix that in a spell," said jack. "we've got a bit to do first, though. let's have your watch, tab." he pulled out his own as he spoke, and took jerry's with it in one hand. then with the other hand he struck a match, which he craftily sheltered from the wind. "you're a minute fast of me, jerry," he commented, throwing away the match and returning the watch. "i say eight seventeen, and you say eight eighteen. you and jim take the market-boat and go over to the other float. take the merle's cutter and tow her out to one of the moorings off the club here. at eight forty-eight sharp,--just half an hour,--you hail the merle. sing out like the deuce, and tell 'em to send a boat ashore. i'll see that they send one, and that when they've left there'll be nobody aboard but me. in about fifteen minutes from now a boat'll come ashore, but you needn't mind her. dave'll look out for that business. just you pick out some mooring a bit to windward of the direct line between the yacht and the casino, so they shan't spot you. when you hear a boat coming in answer to your hail, you come out yourselves, and tow the cutter. that you're to make fast astern the merle. got it all clear?" "i guess so," jerry answered. "i don't notice a boat till eight forty-eight; then i hail, and when i hear a boat coming in answer i cut out to the merle. give me some matches to see the time with. well, good luck, old man; be sharp, or you'll dish the whole game." with this parting caution taberman stepped into the market-boat, while dave got out. oars were not needed, but jerry and the sailor easily pulled the market-boat around by the spiles to the other float, where they lay concealed in the rolling fog. "now then, dave," jack said as they disappeared, "you and i are the ones that are going to open this ball. you take me out, set me aboard just as if you did that sort of thing regularly,--do you see? as if i'd paid you a quarter for setting me aboard, you know. then you row back. here's a boat that'll do," he broke off, pointing to a small whitehall boat made fast to the staging. "get in, and pull me out." the pair stepped into the little craft, and when dave began rowing jack continued his instructions. "when you get back to the float," he said, "you just make this boat fast, and hide under the shadow of those stairs on the outside of the casino--you know?" "yes, sir." "wait for a boat from the yacht with three or four men in it.--pull on your port oar a bit; that's good.--when they get ashore and go up the wharf, you take their tender and rush her out to a mooring same as mr. taberman's done. do you see?" "guess so, sir," was dave's response. "do you want me to catch the same one?" "any one'll do, provided it won't be seen by a boat pulling ashore from the merle. you won't have to go far to hide in this fog.--little stronger on your port oar again; tide's cutting you down.--when you hear mr. taberman hailing, you stand by, and as soon as a boat goes by in answer, you pull out to the yacht and make fast astern. give her plenty of painter; all she's got. do you see now?" "i guess i do, sir. you're going to have a boat on every davit that way, ain't you, sir?" "if it works," jack answered in a low voice, for they were now under the yacht's port quarter. dave pulled around in silence to the steps on the starboard side. "here we are, sir," he said in an even tone as he caught at the ladder grating. the merle, dimly visible by the foggy glow of her riding-light, was pitching slightly in the chop, and the small dinghy bobbed up and down beside her like a cork beside a floating spar. the waves slapped against the yacht's sheer, wetting her top-sides with spray and poppling away merrily under her counter. in the thick dimness her masts loomed up almost supernaturally tall. "hello aboard the merle," shouted castleport. "hello?" answered a voice from forward, and in a moment a tall, burly figure appeared on deck by the ladder. "what is it?" asked the tall man. "what d' you want?" "hello, camper," cried jack, recognizing the voice as that of his uncle's sailing-master. "hello, camper, don't you know me?" he sprang up the steps and gained the deck. "why, mr. castleport," the skipper cried in a hearty tone, "whatever are you doin' here? thought you was over to the island. how are you, sir?" "cold," jack answered with a laugh. "how's yourself? fit as usual, i suppose. president aboard?" "no, sir. he's gone ashore to some sort of a gatherin'. i never thought to see you here, sir." "oh, i came over to join the yacht here. i got tired of waiting. i shan't want you any longer," he called down to the figure in the dinghy below. "much obliged." the dinghy and dave melted into the blackness of the night. "come below, mr. castleport, sir. you'll have a bracer?" the genial sailing-master asked. "nasty night, ain't it?" "it is that," jack agreed, "but i'm in hopes there'll be a change soon." and smiling at the thought how truly the words expressed his secret intent, he followed the worthy camper below. [illustration: decoration] chapter three it blows southeast the saloon of the merle was a spacious cabin, paneled in cuban cedar. along both sides ran transoms cushioned in dark green corduroy, which contrasted pleasantly with the red of the woodwork. on either side of the companion-way were big closets, the doors of which, framing large mirrors, opened forward against the after ends of the transoms. both to port and to starboard the cabin was lined with lockers for flags, charts, and bottles, except where the recessed bookcases came in the middle. large nickeled argand lamps to port and starboard on the for'ard bulkhead illuminated the interior. sheathed in cedar, the butt of the schooner's mainmast stood in the fore part of the saloon; and aft from it ran a mahogany table around which were placed some comfortable-looking chairs. all in all, the impression of power and grace which one received from regarding the outside of the merle was equaled by the feeling of comfort, and, indeed, almost of luxury, one had upon viewing her below decks. it was in this pleasant retreat that jack had settled himself in less than a minute after his arrival on the yacht. the good skipper, who had kept an almost fatherly eye on the youth ever since he was old enough to "fist a rope," sat uneasily on the edge of the divan on the port side. jack, sprawled out on the opposite transom, lit a cigarette, and looked up at the skylight. "my aunt! but i'm glad to be aboard again," he declared. "how is everything? what sort of a run down did you have?" "pretty fair, sir," returned the master. "we went to marblehead, and then to portsmouth. mr. drake, he spent the time in seeing his friends. then we run to portland, and then to boothbay. we run in here yesterday. nothin' much to tell of on the cruise." "you've made schedule time," jack commented. "you are here just when you were due." "yes, we got here," camper assented, "though 't one time, when i see the stores that had to come aboard, i doubted if we should get started for a week." "more stores than usual?" queried jack, with a little spark of interest in his eye. "well, mr. drake, he 'lowed that last year when we got becalmed down the coast some of the provisions fell short, and he vowed he'd never get caught in that shape again; so this time he's stocked up fit to do the nor'west passage. he's got every kind of a thing to eat that man ever put into tins, you may bet your life." "trust him to have an eye to the galley," laughed jack, reflecting how satisfactory a complement to the plain provisions waiting at the island would be this extensive assortment of choice eatables. "well, i'm for sleeping aboard. can you give me a lift with my luggage?" everything he had said since he came on board had been preliminary to this. his one chance of getting the sailing-master to a safe distance lay in inducing camper to go ashore on an errand. to this question the skipper replied, yankee fashion, with another. "where is it, sir?" "go to mullin's and tell 'em you're from me;--you'd better do it yourself, camper;--and get them to give you a steamer-trunk and two bags. do you know the place? it's the only boarding-house there is in the village. anybody can tell you." "i know it, sir. 'bout a cable's length up the road." "yes; that's it. i don't think you'll find the trunk heavy," jack went on, with a secret inclination to speak very fast and a consciousness that he must appear cool and deliberate. "of course you'll take a couple of men to tote it, but i don't like to send an ordinary seaman up there." he wondered what he should reply if asked why not; but camper, who had long been trained under president drake to habits of unquestioning obedience, replied with perfect simplicity:-- "all right, sir, i'll have it aboard in half an hour. your old stateroom's all ready, i believe. you just ring for the steward if you want anything, sir." "thanks," responded jack, taking a book from its place as he spoke, as if with the intention of settling himself to read. camper withdrew, and jack listened eagerly till he heard footsteps on the deck, the rattle of the davit-tackle, the splash of the boat alongside, and then the rhythm of receding oars. the moment he was sure of not being seen by the skipper he closed his book with a bang, flung it on the table, looked at his watch, and went hurriedly on deck. in the lee of the mainmast he paused to light a fresh cigarette, and then began untying the cover of the mainsail, loosening the points and pulling them through the grommets. as he worked his way aft, he suddenly thought he heard the sound of oars. he stopped to make sure: there could be no doubt of it; some one was pulling toward the merle. in a flash jack saw his scheme ruined in any one of a thousand ways. he set his teeth and ran over rapidly in his head the possibilities, but without reaching any satisfactory conclusion. then he walked aft, and putting his hands on the rail, bent over the yacht's port quarter and peered into the fog. with a feeling of relief he realized from the sound and time of the strokes that the approaching boat was a small one, and was pulled by one pair of oars only. he had hardly decided this when he discerned the cause of his alarm, and almost laughed to see nothing more formidable than a small pea-pod, pulled by a boy. the rower came alongside and rested on his oars, while jack watched him curiously. "is that mr. drake's vessel?" inquired the boy. "yes," jack returned. "what's wanted?" "the postmaster said 'f i'd bring ye these letters ye'd give me a quarter," replied the youthful oarsman. "mr. drake isn't aboard now," said jack. "well, ye c'n give me my quarter jes' the same," the boy rejoined. "i'll let ye hev the letters, 'n' he'll make it right with ye later. he lef' word this evenin' for his mail to be brung him every time it come, an' 't was that foggy the sylvy got in late from rocklan', 'n' i couldn't get roun' to bring it out before. 'twan't sorted till after mr. staples hed his supper." "all right," jack said hastily. "come alongside." he feared to create suspicion, and felt that the only thing to do at the moment was to get rid of the boy. he gave the youth a quarter, and took the letters in exchange, mentally saying to himself that he hoped they were not of importance. the boy went pulling away as if in most unusual elation, and castleport, thrusting the letters into the breast pocket of his coat, returned to his work. he had not quite finished untying the points when he heard jerry's hail from the mooring. "merle, ahoy! ho-ro aboard the merle!" came booming through the fog in taberman's most stentorian tones. jack placed himself in the companion-way as if just emerging from the cabin, and waited for another hail. "merle ahoy! aho-o-o-y aboard the merle!" again rang through the thick night above the sound of the wind, the water, and the cordage. "hallo-o-o!" bawled back castleport. "send ... boat ... ashore!" came the voice. jerry was apparently able to outroar all the bulls of bashan, and was doing his worst. "aye--oh!" jack yelled in reply, and walked quickly forward. the steward had heard the rumpus, and was standing in the forecastle companion. capless, and wearing his white jacket, he gaped about like a quizzical seal. "some one hailing from the shore," said jack shortly; "want a boat. don't know what you'll take unless you go in the longboat. tell the men." "beg pardon, sir; there's only me and the cook and two hands aboard. it'll take us all to pull the longboat." the steward had a slow, exasperating whine which always irritated jack. "then you'll have to take an oar," jack responded roughly. "there's some one ashore waiting, and i said i'd send a boat. get a move on. i'll watch ship." the steward went below grumbling, but soon reappeared with the cook and the two hands. with some delay they got off in the longboat, pulling wretchedly toward the shore and nagging at each other. as he stepped to the foot of the mainmast to take the halyards off the pins, jack fervently thanked his stars for the heaviness of the boat and the evident fact that both cook and steward were hopeless duffers with an oar. he cleared the halyards with nervous fingers, stripped off the cover of the mainsail, and undid the canvas stops with which it was furled. then he turned to the headsails, and had all clear before his ear again caught the sound of oars. he ran aft, and called out guardedly. dave's voice answered him, and then he heard taberman urging his companion to quicken his stroke. in the mist castleport could dimly distinguish the heavy boats slowly nearing the yacht. it was all the men could do to get them alongside and make them fast astern. once this was accomplished, all hands turned eagerly to the still harder labor of getting the merle under weigh. "jim," ordered castleport, "skip along for'ard and take down that riding-light. set it on deck so it won't show out-board. dave, you get up the boat-boom. haul it right up, 'thout minding the guys! lively, now!" as dave and jim hurried forward to execute these orders, jack himself stepped aft, took off the binnacle-cover, and got the lamps lit and in their places. "all hands for'ard on the anchor!" he sang out, rapping his shins on the cockpit combings as he scrambled out and ran along the deck. "we'll make sail when we get out the mudhook. 'f we try to get her mains'l up, they'll hear us all over the place. we'll drop down under heads'ls. catch ahold there!" the merle was riding at her port bower in some six fathoms of water. she had out a good bit of scope, however, and between the eight hands which gripped the quarter-inch chain and the anchor to which it was bent were some ten fathoms to be "handed over." in the light of the big fresnel anchor-lantern upon the deck, the men, silent, rigid, braced back, strained steadily. for a full half-minute there was no gain whatever, but then one link of the chain came to the brazen lip of the hawse-hole with a sharp rap. the men grunted and hissed, bringing every muscle into play. taberman was foremost on the chain. he faced the hawse-hole squarely, his legs wide apart, and his head thrown back. his face, even as seen by the white light of the fresnel, was a dark brick-red, and out of the left corner of his mouth his tongue protruded. dave was behind him, his left knee bent, and his right leg straight from toe to hip. he hung on savagely, his face unnaturally blank; his hair, damp with fog and sweat, clung to his brown forehead and temples. the third man was jim, lying back in a strange posture, as though the small of his back were invisibly supported. his cheeks were white; his breathing was inaudible. with a little salvo of metallic snaps a scant dozen links more came in. jack was last on the chain, and was separated from the man next him by a space greater than that between any other pair, so that he could when necessary take a turn of the slack about one of the brass-capped bollards at his side. his body was tense and rigid, his face and forehead full of odd puckers and lines. he was white at the lips, and the corners of his mouth were drawn down. his nose moved nervously with almost the suggestion of a rabbit's. one more link came in. "better take it on the winch," gasped jerry. "damn it,--pull!" cried jack. jim grunted and dave drew a breath through his closed teeth with a sharp whistling sound. suddenly the chain rattled in so quickly that they could almost over-hand it. the merle was moving at last. "smartly!" jack cried. "smartly, and we'll make her trip it out herself." the four hauled lustily. "nigh up and down," called jerry. jack threw a couple of bights of the chain over the bollard, and held it. the big yacht forged ahead slowly into the eye of the wind, carried along by the impetus given her by the handing of the chain. the bits creaked a little, the chain grew very taut and vibrant. the merle checked up and began to drift back. "now then!" cried jack. "lay along!" each one of them grasped the chain with a fierce vigor, as a man might seize the throat of his enemy, while jerry burst into an explosive whaling chantey, and the men fell into time with its rhythm. "haul the bowline, the bowline, the bowline; haul the bowline, the bowline,--_haul!_" "here she comes!" he shouted in the midst of a stave, as, all at once, the anchor was broken out. jack dropped his end of the chain and ran aft to mind the wheel, leaving the men to take in the rest of the slack. the headsails were up in stops, but before breaking them out it was necessary to lay the yacht round on the port tack. as she was under sternway, jack whirled the spokes over to port, and so--for her steering-gear was "balanced"--brought her head around to the southward. when he felt the wind on his left cheek, he put his hand to his mouth and shouted. "break out fore-staysail!" he bellowed. "trim it a-weather!--hang on to the weather-sheet till she falls well off!" with a great slatting and booming of canvas the schooner payed off rapidly. "catch on to that port sheet there!" shouted jack. "port, i say, port! make fast! not too flat! give her all she'll use!" the merle was now moving slowly before the wind. "break out the jibs," ordered jack, "both jibs! that's good. make fast!" the wind had so freshened that the yacht began to move in earnest. at this juncture voices, faint but frantic, were heard hailing from astern. "merle ahoy! ahoy-oy-oy! show--light! a-hoy-oy-oy--'board the merle!" "hear the steward?" called jack to jerry, who was at work with the head-sheet cleats. "hear him!" laughed jerry. "his music's a merry send-off." "ahoy-oy-oy!" came the voice again, fainter and full of a dismayed distress that made them both break out afresh into derisive laughter. "ahoy! anchor! an-chor--anch"-- the despairing wail died away on the freshening wind. "hope they won't poke round in the fog all night looking for the merle," jack said gayly. "i never did like that steward, though." a moment or two later, as the yacht was nearing the entrance of the thoroughfare, jack called for dave. the man came aft. "see here, dave," castleport asked, suddenly grown grave; "we've got more weather than we counted on. can you pilot this yacht round vinal haven in this fog?" "reck'n i kin, sir," dave replied with pleasing assurance. "man and boy i've worked round these shores twelve years." "very well, then,--come down here and take her. her gear's balanced: put the wheel over same way you want to swing her head. she's quick as a flash. if you want the chart"-- but dave shook his head with a grin. "well, anyhow," said jack, turning to leave him, "there's your compass." "that don't bother me none," replied the intrepid dave, with a glance at once scornful and defiant at the smart binnacle. "i go mos' gin'rally by the smell," he added by way of explanation. "all right," laughed jack. "handle her carefully." "one thing, sir,--how much does she draw?" "twelve feet," returned jack. then he stepped up on to the deck, and the merle sped on into the black night. [illustration: decoration] chapter four it blows northwest with dave as her palinurus the merle ran down the wind until she was well outside the western entrance to the thoroughfare. the headsails were then dropped, the yacht was put into the wind, and the mainsail was hoisted. the foresail was left furled, as the wind had freshened considerably, and the schooner started on a southerly course on the port tack. how dave knew where he was or by what subtle instinct he was moved to give the merle now a spoke or two to starboard or again to port, were mysteries as insoluble as complex. taberman was lost in wonder at dave's cool assurance; but to jack, who knew of old the marvelous way in which the local fishermen handle their craft in the fog, the helmsman's skill, if wonderful, was yet no new thing. the beat to the island was not, however, without incident. twice, as they were tacking about in the thick fog, they ran close to wicked ledges over which the slow seas just rolled without breaking. at another point they came about just in time to avoid going ashore against a precipitous cliff which loomed high in the mist. near the end of the run they worked into some shoal water where the uneasy heave and thrust of the sea made the schooner reel and stagger madly, while all about them was the thunder of unseen breakers. but in each and every peril dave kept his head completely and brought the merle through in safety. the passage was a busy one. three times they luffed up in open water, and each time took a boat aboard. it was a difficult--almost a perilous--operation, but the night was flying and the boats dragged heavily. the foresail was made ready for hoisting, a reef being tucked into it without its being raised. the port bower was taken aboard; lanterns were got ready against the work which was to be done at the island; a careful survey was made of the places available for stowage. jack and taberman made a list of the men, assigned watches and berths. they agreed that gonzague, as cook, steward, and general major-domo, should have to himself the little cabin formerly occupied by the steward. to the men they gave the berths of the old crew; and in general arranged everything for the ocean voyage which had been left for adjustment until they should be actually on board. the personal effects of the president, his guests, the officers and the crew, they made ready to leave at the island. "how about clothes for the men?" taberman asked. "i never thought of that; and we should look like the deuce with a crew in fishermen's rigs. the police of any harbor in the world would be after us." "the uniforms belong to the yacht," jack answered. "they are cut for the crew, but the men never own them." "do you suppose those poor devils' traps will be safe at the island?" "safe as in a church." "but how'll they get 'em?" "oh, by nine o'clock to-morrow morning the president will be on his way to the island if he has to buy the sylvia to go on. camper'll tell him i ran away with the merle, and he'll start to the island to find me or get track." so they talked until, about two in the morning, the yacht ran past hardwood island, hauled her wind, and worked along to the southeast. suddenly through the fog a dull red gleam showed on the weather bow. "there's gonzague's bonfire," jack cried. "you've brought us through, dave, about as slick as anything ever was done in this world. 'twas a tough job, too." the main-peak was dropped to lessen the yacht's way, and as the red flare became more distinct, the outer jibs were doused. keeping the shore close aboard on the port side, the merle ran along toward the ruddy blur of the fire, which was now seen to be burning at the end of a point. as the boat neared this point, jack seized the megaphone, and putting the big cone to his lips, faced the fire, which was now abeam. "hallo!" he roared. "hallo, there! gonzague!" a sudden and confused shouting out of the fog answered him. then black figures, silhouetted against the red brightness of the fire and waving burning brands, ran to and fro with odd antics and caperings. "'bout ship!" cried dave. "'ware boom! douse the heads'ls!" the merle came over on the other tack, and the staysail and jibs were run down. the main-sheet was then so started as to spill the wind out of the sail, and the yacht's way was quickly lessened. having rounded the point, the schooner moved ahead sluggishly, again passing the bonfire on the port hand. "stand by the anchor!" sang out dave, as they ran by the end of the jetty. "hooray!" yelled a chorus of voices from the pier. "hooray, dave!" dave twirled the wheel to starboard, and the merle came slowly into the eye of the wind, where he kept her until she seemed to be making sternway. "well enough!" he shouted. "let her go!" and the anchor-chain rattled down in three and a half fathoms. it was after two o'clock, and still thick. the wind, however, was hauling around to the southward, and the fog was beginning to thin a little. the main-sheet had hardly been hauled aft when some of the men were alongside in a boat. jack stood by the steps, which had not been taken aboard during the run, while tab, standing by his side, held a lantern. the first man aboard was gonzague. agile as an ape, for all his years, the old provençal ran up the steps and touched his cap smartly, man-o'-war fashion. "i see you leaf in a great hoory, cap'n," he chuckled to jack. "you 'av' loosed de matting of de step-grating, eh?" "yes, rather," laughed jack. "pile aboard there," he added, addressing the men in the two boats now alongside. the new crew made their boats fast to the grating and came on board. "now, then, all hands aft here for a minute," jack ordered, when every one was assembled on deck. he knew that with such men as he had been able to collect for this expedition it was essential to bind them in some way. he had therefore prepared a paper in which were five articles for them to sign, and he was firmly resolved that unless they agreed to bind themselves, he would not trust the president's schooner to their care. the men were resolute in the face of danger, yet were unused to discipline; they were imbued with a crude sense of loyalty, but were unruly and quick to take offense; and unless they should consent at the outset to submit to his authority, jack knew that little dependence could be put upon them. he instinctively assumed an arbitrary air,--almost dropping half consciously into the latent bully which lies hid in all strong characters. had he reasoned it out, he would have adopted much the same tone as that which he took by instinct. these men, wild followers of the sea, would scorn to be led, and were to be mastered only by one who could browbeat and domineer,--who could, in their own word, "man-handle" them. they responded to the primitive necessity of seeing force in the man who is to command; and in showing his determination at the outset jack was displaying at least one characteristic of a proper leader of men. he took from his pocket the list of names, and telling the men to answer to the roll he read it off by the light of tab's lantern. "elihu coombs?" he read. "here," answered a thickset lad with a rugged and weather-beaten face. "here, sir!" said jack sharply, as he check'd off the name. "edward turner?" "here, sir," answered a quiet voice on the outer ring of the men. "haskell dwight?" "here, sir." they were all aboard: ten men, exclusive of jack, jerry, and gonzague. when he had finished the list, jack handed it to jerry, and taking from his pocket a second paper,--the simple articles he had written,--he knocked the creases out of it with a back-handed rap, and then made a short speech. "my men," he began, "i don't want to haul you into any game with your eyes shut, so i've drafted articles for you to sign. of course this whole business is only a joke, but it's got a serious side to it too. you can all see that plain enough; and it's my interest--and yours--to see to it that we don't have to laugh out of the wrong side of our mouths. "if you come on this cruise you'll sweat for your wages, now let me tell you! i'm not for grinding any man,--most of you know what i am, for you've seen me growing up from a kid,--but the yacht's got to be kept up, and that means that every man-jack aboard has got to keep as neat as a pin and not slight his job. "on the other hand, you men'll get a lot of experience in handling a larger vessel than you've been used to; you'll have good grub; and you'll see foreign ports. top o' that, you draw good pay, and keep what clothes you can save. "now then, these are the articles that every man who sails with me has got to put his name to." he read the whole paper, as distinctly and as impressively as he could. "now," he concluded, "if any man here lacks the heart for this business, let him clear out. the rest of you, step up and sign." jack laid the paper on the companion-hatch, and produced a fountain-pen, which he put beside it. jerry was the first, in virtue of his position as mate, to put down his name. he set down his lantern and scrawled his signature at the foot of the articles in a hand that would have dwarfed that of john hancock. he passed the pen to gonzague, who, laboriously fisting it, wrote his name in a small, cramped hand, absurdly unlike the characters above it. for an instant--an appreciable instant--the rest hung back. jack's brown eyes challenged theirs, and every one was very silent. that castleport was seconded by those who were obviously attached to him gave the men, rather than confidence, an uneasy feeling of being another party, and this prompted an instinctive caution almost like antagonism. had things been allowed to rest for a moment, the day might easily have been lost. discussion might have arisen to beget argument and discord, explanations have been demanded, and the men have asked to be satisfied as to the real grounds on which castleport was to be justified in appropriating his uncle's yacht and making off with it, a question which could hardly have been answered so as to satisfy everybody. at this unrealized crisis, old gonzague quietly stepped among the men, passed a jest with one of them in an undertone, and so equilibrium was restored. he at once became one of them, and the vague idea of parties and opposition vanished into thin air before the men had had time even to recognize it. dave stepped forward and signed, jim followed him, and the rest of the men came after. jack had sounded all of them separately before unfolding his plans, and the result was that not one of them drew back now. as the last one laid down the pen, castleport spoke. "before we fall to work i don't think anybody'd mind a good glass of grog; and while gonzague's getting it, i just want to add one word to my say. i know this gentleman, mr. jerrold taberman, to be a good navigator, and i've chosen him as my mate. gonzague'll be cook and steward, and a you'll find him. i'm bound to make things go as easy as may be, and i will. i'm sure you'll do your duties, and you may bank on my doing mine." the grog being brought, tab proposed the captain's health, and the crew drank it with enthusiasm. jack emptied his glass to the "crew and a good cruise;" and then the entire company went to work, loading and stowing. under jerry's orders part of the crew began to carry provisions from the boathouse to the yacht, while under jack's surveillance gonzague and two of the crew stored what the others brought out. gun-tackle purchases were rigged by the foremast to take the heavier cases aboard. the men worked feverishly, and almost without sound, as if subdued by the fear of being heard. at the end of a couple of hours the merle had only to fill her water-tanks and she would be ready for sea. the fog was by this time so thin that in the dim light of the yet unrisen sun jack, as he stood in the rigging, could discern vaguely the form of the house on the island. as he was considering the weather, gonzague, his face red with exertion and his usually immaculate clothes stained and torn, came up hastily. "mistair castleport, sair," he said, "i don' fin' any beeg funnel for de watter-tank. dey mus' always feel dem from de watter-boat 'ose,--stick de en' into de deck-plate, i t'ink." "how's that?" exclaimed jack. "no funnel?" the tender containing the first installments of the water-supply had already left the jetty, and jack fell hastily to considering how the water was to be got out of the big unheaded casks into the tanks without its being dribbled in by the dipperful. "did you look everywhere?" he demanded. "i look in de peak and go all de way aft to de run," replied the steward, "and all i find was de funnel in de kerosene-barrel. it ees too small, and it do fair reek wid de pairfume of de oil, sair." "is there any piping aboard? any hose?" jack asked. "we might siphon it." gonzague shook his head, and at that moment the boat laden with water came alongside. jack leaned over the rail. "i say, jerry," he called out, "there's no funnel to fill the tanks with. how the deuce can we make water-stowage?" "search me," returned jerry with cheerful inelegance. "how should i know? might use the megaphone." "you're a genius!" roared jack. "it'll do to a t!" the keys were found, the caps unscrewed from the deck-plates, and the large papier-maché cone of the megaphone was set big-end-up over the orifice. two men held it by the rim, while others kept it brimming with buckets of water bailed out of the casks. at the end of another hour both tanks were filled and the caps screwed down. the merle was ready for her long cruise. jack was well satisfied with the sufficiency of her stores, as in addition to the plain provisions which he and taberman had provided, the yacht had been most abundantly victualed by the president for her summer's cruising. "think of anything we've left, jerry?" jack asked. "the president?" tab suggested. jack's official seriousness went entirely to pieces at this suggestion, but he turned to the steward with an air of business. "have you got everything, gonzague?" "yes, sair. i t'ink de leest is feel," the old man responded, closely regarding the dirty paper on which he had made his inventory and checked off each article as it came on board. each item in the list had a black scratch beside it. "well, then," the captain said, with a spark in his eye, "we're off!" he gave the word to clear the decks and to get under weigh. the wind had come around to the west, and was blowing fresh. they made all sail, however, chancing the gusty squalls which they were likely to meet off the high land of isle au haut, which they meant to leave on the starboard. the fog had gone entirely, except for long ghostly wreaths clinging to the dark green gullies of the haut or encircling the distant mountain-tops of mt. desert; and when the sun rose clear and fair, all auspices seemed most cheeringly propitious. jack took his departure from the eastern ear of the haut, when it bore west-northwest three miles. at four that afternoon, when he and jerry came on deck for time-sights, no land was to be seen. [illustration: decoration] chapter five land ho! some three weeks after the morning when the merle left the island, jack and tab were sitting in the saloon, working out the sights they had just taken for longitude. it was shortly after eight o'clock in the morning; the air was warm, and had in it a suggestion of the south. through the open skylight came a shaft of light which cast a brilliant patch on the green cushions on the port side of the cabin. as the yacht rolled or pitched easily over the long seas, the patch of light moved about,--up, down, fore, aft; now it glanced on the rich red sheathing, now on the transom, and again on the big table. on the leeward side of this table the two men, dressed in canvas trousers and blue flannel shirts, were seated with their work lying before them. between them lay several sheets of paper, parallel-rulers, the log-book in its brown duck cover, a copy of norie open at the tables, and the american "ephemeris." a large sheet-chart of the north atlantic, weighted with a pair of binoculars, was spread in front of jack. a heavy line, full of zigzags and acute angles, and running nearly across this chart, represented the merle's track. presently jack laid down the pencil with which he had been figuring, and reaching out for the "epitome," turned to the table of functions. "through?" asked tab, without looking up. "'most," returned jack, running one finger down a column of figures as he glanced first at his paper and then at the book. "i have it now," he added, and after jotting down a number he pushed the volume over to tab, went to a cupboard on the port side, and brought back a case of instruments. he took out a pair of long-legged dividers, and with these and the parallel rulers he bent over the chart a minute or two, until the silence was again broken by jerry. "what d' you get?" he asked. "nine-eighteen-fifteen," replied jack. "what's yours?" "nine-sixteen-nought," answered tab. "wait a shake, i'll average them;" and he fell to figuring rapidly. "mean is nine-seventeen-seven plus. prick it off, and let's see where we're at--the d. r. latitude's thirty-six forty-eight." they bent together over the chart. jack carefully manipulated rulers and dividers, found the point, and marked it in red ink. "she's making just over six knots now," he said. "we ought to make old cape st. vincent shortly. let's put up these traps and go on deck." they stowed the things in their several lockers, and went out together. the merle was running along with a quartering breeze, under all lower sails, sliding easily over the long swell on the port tack. "how about putting a lookout up aloft, jack?" asked tab. "we'll be raising the land pretty soon--if we're anywhere right in our reckoning, that is." "all right," agreed jack. "step down and get a pair of glasses; i fancy hunter has the best eyes of any of the men. i'll get hold of him." jerry disappeared below, and jack walked along the windward side. the sea, rolling eastward in long, measured swells, reflected the sun from a myriad of glancing ripples that gleamed and glittered in the morning light. the sky, light blue and cloudless, looked like pale fire. on board the schooner the brass-work, as she rose and dipped in the troughs of the long seas, flashed and shone like burnished gold. the white canvas caught the sunshine, while on the decks, still undried from their recent scrubbing, the putty in the curving seams showed sharply white. the four boats were inboard, turned bottom up and cross-lashed to the rail. castleport found the four men of the watch gathered in the peak, looking over the bows. he came up and saw that they were watching a school of dolphins that were keeping ahead of the yacht. the big fish seemed to vibrate. they sounded and leaped clear of the water, flashing and dripping with sparkling drops. a thousand colors rippled along their backs, as they turned and swayed, and they swung ahead like the very incarnation of frolic. the captain saw the man he wanted standing on the port side, and called him to him. "hunter," he said, "go aft to mr. taberman; he'll give you a pair of glasses. go aloft and keep a sharp lookout for land. we ought to raise it on the port bow." the effect produced by this order was electrical. the four men whipped around and stared at jack and at each other. "land!" exclaimed one with a foolish grin. "land!" hunter touched his duck hat and flew aft; jack followed more leisurely. in a couple of minutes hunter was ensconced in the foretop, eagerly scanning the eastern horizon. castleport settled himself in the sun on the leeward side of the cockpit, and filled his pipe. he had hardly lighted it and taken half a dozen whiffs, when from aloft rang out the magical cry, "land!" "where away?" shouted the captain, leaping to his feet just as tab appeared in the companion-way. "have we raised it, jack? have we raised it?" tab demanded excitedly. "not yet, tab. just been sighted," returned jack, peering up at the fore-crosstrees, and awaiting the lookout's answer to his hail. "'bout two points off the weather-bow," sang out hunter from aloft. "just a low bank. looks like cliffs through glasses!" "come along, tab!" cried jack. "let's go aloft and have a look at it." they made their way quickly along the deck, gained the weather-shrouds, and ran up. the watch below had turned out, just as they were, half-dressed and bareheaded. two of the men had run out to the bowsprit's end, and holding on to the topmast stay were looking over the luff of the flying-jib. old gonzague, venerable as vanderdecken, his white hair stirred by the wind,--for he was as usual without a cap,--had already gained the main-trees, where he stood shading his eyes with one hand while he gripped the shrouds with the other. "where is it?" demanded jerry, when he and jack had reached the trees. "there away, sir," hunter answered, pointing as he passed the glasses to the captain. with the unaided eye jack and jerry could discern, lying low on the eastern rim of the horizon, a faint brownish streak. with one arm about the topmast for support, jack looked at the land through the glasses. at first, owing to the oscillation of the mast, he could not keep the brown streak in the field of vision, but in a moment he overcame this difficulty, and was able to make out a length of cliff of nearly uniform height, although split by numerous fjord-like bays. by its varied color--for he could see that the ribbon of shore was splashed with reds and blues--he decided that the land-fall was in the neighborhood of cape st. vincent. "have a look?" he asked, passing the glasses to tab. "it's the painted cape, fast enough,--or close to it." "what country is that, please, sir?" asked hunter, in a tone almost of awe. "portugal," the captain answered. "sou'-western point of the land. we'll have spain aboard before eight bells this afternoon." "by grab, sir! beg pardon, sir, but do them portigee fishermen ye see to boothbay an' boston, do they come from hereaway?" "here or from the islands,--cape verde, the canaries, or the azores; here for the most part. you may go below, if you want, hunter." the man went, frequently pausing to look over his shoulder at the coast, glimpses of which could now be caught from the deck between the rolls. after a brief consultation, the captain and the mate followed hunter, and went aft to consult the chart. as they passed along the deck, they noted that all hands were much excited. these men, used as they were to the sea, had been fishermen of the purely local sort, and it was doubtful if any one of them save gonzague had ever before been out of sight of the high land of his native place; and here they were, in view of a strange country where the people spoke outlandish jabber, and, for all they knew to the contrary, went about in toggery as ridiculous as that of the chinese laundrymen at green's landing. discussion became all the more heated when hunter came down and told them that the land was one of the countless possessions belonging to the "portigee king." frequent appeals were made to gonzague, who had descended, and was the centre of an excited group. as tab remarked, it was a sight worth remembering to see these self-contained new englanders in such a state. down below, jack and tab held a brief colloquy over the chart. they calculated, if the wind held, to make the straits at nightfall, and run through by the aid of the lights on cape spartel and tariffa. having settled this point, they went on deck and had the course changed slightly. "by jumbo!" cried jerry, banging his fist on the deck as he stood in the cockpit, "by jumbo, i can't sleep a wink with this land in sight. portugal, too! by jove, it's all very fine," he ran on, "for a _blasé_ old globe-trotter like you to keep cool, but i'm fair dry with it all." jack laughed, and reminded his friend of having lived in england and france, and of having traveled not a little in northern europe. "pooh!" sniffed tab. "that's not really doing anything; everybody does that. and to think," he burst out, "that we brought ourselves! god bless me, jacko, i little thought when you crammed me with navigation in vacation days aboard the old luna that i'd ever use it all; really, that is, as we have used it these three weeks past." "well, i hope you're duly grateful," laughed jack. "it may prove a source of bread and butter if you're ever stranded." all that day the merle ran along gallantly over the bright seas, occasionally passing ships of different nationalities bound in or out of the straits. at sundown, although the bold coast of morocco was not yet in sight, a lookout was sent aloft to watch for the light on cape spartel. at a little before nine o'clock in the evening, the breeze had so died down that the yacht hardly had steerage-way. jack was asleep below; tab had charge of the deck. what air there was was soft and warm. it had hauled around a couple of points against the sun, and was now fragrant with a faint tellurian odor, which would have been imperceptible to a landsman, but which was full of meaning to those who follow the sea. overhead the great stars blazed in lustrous serenity. their images kept appearing and vanishing on the now smooth and oily surface of the restless sea. the only sounds were those of the water and the cordage,--the sudden spanking of a big wave under the counter as the yacht flung her nose starward; the occasional crashing of the great booms and traveler-blocks as she righted suddenly after a heavy roll to port or a lurch to starboard; the pattering of the reef-points against the canvas; and the sharp reports made by the slatting of the lazy-jacks against the sails. in the west, growing smaller and smaller in the distance, the receding stern-light of an italian steamship glimmered faintly. taberman watched it long after it kept sinking out of sight and again rising in the weltering seas, and until it at last vanished as if quenched. he was following out certain grim speculations as to the feelings of a forsaken swimmer who should watch this star of his hope moving relentlessly away into the west, grower fainter each time it emerged from the waves, when-- "light ho!" shouted the lookout from the darkness aloft. "there's--light; 'bout--point--off--starb'd--bow!" "what kind?" hailed jerry from the deck, straining his eyes to where, a dim blot against the stars, the figure of the lookout could be discerned standing by the rigging on the cross-trees. "fixed white, red flash," called the man. "all right," shouted jerry; and added in his ordinary tone of command to the hands on deck: "lay along, now! trim in main-sheet a bit--well enough. now then, fore and head sheets. good. that'll do.--we want to get what air there is," he added to himself. although the wind was slight, yet about the straits is always a strongish set of current. the surface current flows into the mediterranean continuously, and it kept setting the merle steadily ahead. when taberman judged the light to be no more than five or six knots away, he sent below to rouse the captain, who was asleep. when castleport came on deck, the bearing of the light was taken, the chart consulted, and a slight change made in the course. it was now calm, and the yacht, no longer steadied by the wind, rolled heavily. "we ought to see it air up before long," remarked jack, after a short silence. "it's so beastly calm now. when it's calm on one side of the straits, it's always blowing on the other. an italian sea captain told me there is always just so much air about here, and however much or little is on one side, the balance is always kicking about on the other." "then we'll take the sticks out of her, once we're through the straits," jerry responded with conviction. as the schooner entered the straits, the blue-black sky to the eastward became dimly albescent, and shortly a blood-red moon rose slowly behind the inky mass of monkey mountain. the huge pile of rock, the more impressive though the less famous of the pillars of hercules, loomed vast, mysterious, and perdurable in the soft darkness. the waves, as the face of the moon cleared, were lit with a gray light. suddenly, as a long, smooth swell shouldered the yacht past the edge of a small promontory, they opened out the lights of tangiers on the starboard beam. the moon as yet illuminated only the western half of the scarped bowl in which lie the little villas which surround the town. the scattered lights on the east side of the valley were accentuated by the surrounding gloom. "there's tangiers," cried jack. "there's old tangiers." "those lights?" asked jerry. "what sort of a place is it?" "jolly little hole. all white and pink in the daytime, with red tile roofs. hot as tophet, though. there's tariffa, boy! that's tariffa over there." they excitedly discussed the points along their way. to jerry it was all new, but jack had traveled a good deal about the mediterranean, and was well able to play the mentor. for an hour they talked, and the merle drifted with the current; but they had not passed out of the shadow of monkey mountain before a faint breath of air stirred the headsails. it came stealing down out of the upper canvas, hot and dry. "by jove!" cried jack, "we'll have all the wind we want in a bit. you can tell how hard it is blowing outside the straits by the distances it reaches in." then he raised his voice, and called to the watch,-- "hello there! clew up the topsails! pass gaskets on them!" the men, who had a dog-like trust in the captain, obeyed quickly, though from the remarks they interchanged _sotto voce_ it was easy to see that the order puzzled them. when everything was made snug aloft, jack had a reef tucked in the main and foresails, and the outer headsails stowed. still no wind. the schooner slowly moved along the edge of the great shadow of the mountain, only her topmast trucks and the peak of her mainsail silvered by the moonlight. a dull, hoarse whisper, faint and continuous, was now audible ahead. it grew louder by very slow degrees, and jerry, unused as he was to mediterranean weather, knew it for the roar of a mighty wind. in the moonlight ahead the waters appeared troubled, the hard-heaving seas being strangely and almost weirdly demarked from the calm in which the merle rolled forward languidly. all at once, as the yacht emerged from the obscurity of the mountain's shadow, a sudden gust of warm air struck her without warning, and heeled her lee-rail under. "hard down!" roared jack. jerry leaped to the wheel, and it took all the force of himself and the helmsman to put the helm hard-a-lee. the merle righted, and being unusually quick, flew into the eye of the wind. from the threshing sails came a thunderous volley of heavy boomings. the sheet-blocks were whipped to and fro with such violence that twice jack saw red sparks struck from the fore-traveler guard. then, as suddenly as it had come, the wind left, and it was only by the way she had gathered that the helmsman could pay the yacht off. "we are going to catch it for fair," jack said. "best dowse the foresail entirely, i fancy. pass the word along to gonzague to make all snug below. jerry, step into the cabin and make sure of the course from off ceuta to port mahon." "right-o," answered jerry briskly, diving down. "get down the fores'l!" shouted the captain to the men. "helm up a bit there--steady! that's the talk! get all the stops on.--now then--make fast that sheet there." the merle was hardly on her course again when a second squall struck her. her canvas having been reduced, however, the helmsman kept her broadside to it. the yacht's strongest point was the quickness with which she gathered way, and on this occasion, when nine tenths of her class would simply have lain over and quivered, she rushed ahead with the fury of an avenging goddess. when the hot flaw left her, she was at the very last verge of the calm water. "stand by the main-sheet to square off when she meets it!" shouted jack. the men had hardly time to get to their stations before a third squall caught the merle and sent her tearing over the line into the full strength of the wind. the air, hot from the desert, and laden with fine, parching dust, sang in the shrouds and the running-rigging. it slashed the salt spindrift in the smarting faces of the men. the seas grew suddenly confounding in size; huge weltering masses--tons--of greenly black water wallowed without rhythm all about the yacht, up as high as the light-boards. to a landsman it would have seemed impossible that thus scourged by the sirocco across these maddened seas the schooner should escape destruction. the sheets were started, the yacht was paid off before the wind, and began the last stretch of her run. tab came on deck with the course, staggering and holding on, and shouted it into jack's ear. jack nodded, and gave orders for setting it, a fresh departure being taken from the light on the mole at ceuta. the merle ran close in on the eastern side of gibraltar. the great rock, sheer and silver-gray in the moonlight, rose out of the raging seas which ringed it about with a zone of roaring breakers. grimly self-reliant, it stood grand, silent, stupendous, unassailable in the midst of the turmoil and uproar. as the yacht raced by, staggering under her reefed canvas, taberman regarded the rock, in face of which their craft seemed a mere mote on the blast, with a feeling as near awe as it is possible for buoyant youth to feel. he did not speak until the merle had swept past the rock-hewn fortress. then he drew a deep breath and bent over so that jack could hear him amid the hissing of the sirocco. "that's immense, jack, isn't it?" he said. without taking his eyes from the throat of the mainsail he was watching as a physician at a crisis watches the pulse of a patient, jack nodded a deep assent. at times the merle seemed fairly to leap like a flying fish from one wave-crest to the next in her northeasterly flight. [illustration: decoration] chapter six dinner ashore on a thursday afternoon in the middle of july, the merle dropped anchor behind the inner mole of nice. in her course northward from the straits, she had passed to the eastward of the baleares, crossed the gulf of lyons, and run smoothly into harbor before the same powerful wind that had greeted her so boisterously on her entrance into the middle sea. the moment when the port officer came aboard had been a nervous one, but the dapper little official had merely glanced at the yacht's papers, complimented the captain on his seamanship, and then gone ashore without a sign of suspicion. the yacht had no sooner been made trig and ship-shape, her sails stopped with "harbor furl," the canvas covers on, the boats unlashed and swung on the davits, the running-rigging coiled down, and the details proper to coming into port attended to, than jack, unable to put off going ashore until the morrow, gave orders for the crew to turn out in their best attire. then with taberman he went below to array himself for the land. in castleport's mind the idea of calling on mrs. fairhew and miss marchfield, who he knew should now be in nice, was paramount to all else. he would see mrs. fairhew, he would see katrine, and then--well, then it would be time to consider. once below, jack and jerry began the overhauling of their wardrobes, doing their dressing half in their staterooms and half in the cabin, that they might go on with afternoon tea at the same time. during the voyage they had gone about most of the time in flannel shirts and duck trousers, the only two rules in regard to toilet having been that they should shave regularly, and that they should not come to dinner in oilers, no matter what the weather. the first rule had been framed by jack; and tab, as author of the second, had declared that he would rather eat hardtack in his pajamas, than a six-course dinner in his oilers. now, as they stood in the doors of their staterooms examining their shore clothing,--each holding, like the hatter at the trial of the knave of hearts, a teacup in his hand,--they had the air of being almost surprised at finding themselves in possession of so many garments, or of not knowing exactly what to do with them. "got any extra duck trow-trows, jack?" asked jerry. "we made a great mistake not shipping a laundress along with the other stores." "hanging them up on the rigging to dry doesn't give them an extra fine polish," jack returned. "i have two pairs i've been saving for shore, and i suppose i can sacrifice one of them on the altar of friendship." "that's truly noble of you," tab said, coming over to jack's cabin after the clean ducks; "but it's all right. when we go ashore we'll take gonzague and a bag of things, and have some real washing done on land. what's that official-looking envelope?" from the pocket of a coat which castleport had thrown aside in his search for the desired garment, a long blue envelope, still sealed, had fallen to the floor. jack pounced upon it, with an exclamation of dismay. "great guns!" he exclaimed. "it's uncle randolph's mail!" "it's what?" "why," the captain explained, rummaging in the pocket from which the letter had fallen and producing a couple of others, "i told you about the boy's bringing out the letters to the merle while she was changing crews at north haven." "you mean the letters the boy brought out for the president?" "yes, damn it!" responded the other, regarding the letters with a troubled brow. "this is a pretty kettle of fish. uncle randolph's letters are apt to be important, and this one has a beastly official look. it's sure to be something that couldn't wait. it's probably the thing he was looking for when he gave orders to have his mail brought out to him." "'if not delivered in five days return to r. b. tillington, state street, boston,'" read jerry over his shoulder. "tillington's the zinc-mine man, isn't he?" "zinc, copper, gold,--any old thing that you can make a mining speculation out of. i think he's a slippery old fraud, but he's hand in glove with uncle randolph; or rather they have a lot of business together. uncle randolph thinks tillington wouldn't dare to play him false, but he's an eely old beggar. anyhow, this letter may mean the making or the losing of a fortune for all i know. gad! running away with his yacht is nothing to going off with his letters!" "i don't suppose it would do to mail them here?" suggested jerry. "that would dish us all right," jack answered. "it would give us away by the postmark. uncle randolph isn't likely to think of our coming across. he can't know we were provisioned, and he very likely thinks we are still knocking about on the other side of the atlantic." "he might find out about the stores by asking at the express offices and that sort of thing." "why should he, unless something puts the idea into his head?" "i suppose he wouldn't," jerry assented thoughtfully. "how would it do to return this letter to tillington?" "just as bad as to send it direct to uncle randolph. once let them know at home where we are, and we are done for fast enough." "well," taberman said, after a brief pause in which he had apparently been summing up the situation in his mind, "the harm's done by this time, anyway; and i don't see that there's anything for us but to stick to our guns, blow high, blow low. we'll mail 'em when we get ready to go back." castleport regarded the letters in his hand gravely. "i suppose there's nothing else to do," he said slowly. "the merle is of course registered at lloyd's, and he'd only have to cable over to have us nabbed anywhere along the whole coast." "he may see the arrival in the shipping-lists as it is, i should think," jerry observed rather gloomily. "of course; but we've got to run our chances on that. he's not very much in the habit of studying the sailing-lists as far as i know, but he may do it now. anyway we've got to run for luck." "the luck has been pretty good so far," was jerry's consoling observation; "and i won't begin to distrust it now." the result of the conversation was that the letters were put carefully away, and the two adventurers resolved not to worry about them. castleport admitted that the matter troubled him not a little, but he was under the circumstances disposed to accept his comrade's very sensible observation that after all the letters might be of no especial importance. "you see," jerry said, with a laugh, as he gulped down the last of his tea, which had had time to become thoroughly cold, "we are really pirates, and here you go bringing the conscience of a gentleman into the business. none of that." castleport laughed, and once more their attention was given to dressing for the shore. no one aboard understood the care and manipulation of the small steam-launch which the president used on state occasions, so they went ashore in the big cutter, with six men to pull and old gonzague in charge. they landed at the quays, and left gonzague to act as interpreter and mentor to the men, while they took their way across the quay rosaglio and along the narrow rue paglione. they came out soon upon the promenade des anglais, thronged, in spite of the time of year, with foreigners of many nationalities. delicate french ladies in the latest fashions from paris, were here escorted by anæmic gentlemen looking absurdly out of place in evening dress; vulgar teutons in baggy trousers with impossibly dowdy wives, legitimate evolutions from generations of sauerkraut and beer; now and then an unmistakable "remittance man" from england, with puffy eye-sockets and brutal face, accompanied by the companion paid by some noble family to take charge of the prodigal till he drank himself into a dishonored grave; the british cleric, too, with the inevitable string of hopelessly dull daughters tagging after him like bobs on a kite; swarthy roumanians or swabians; russians deep-eyed and surrounded by an almost palpable atmosphere of haughtiness; in a word, the cosmopolitan crowd of a fashionable promenade of southern europe. through such a throng jack and jerry made their way toward the centre of the foreign element of the better sort, the hôtel des anglais. as they reached their destination, jack became visibly excited, and made his way to the office with an air of determination vastly amusing to his companion. he was on the point of asking for mrs. fairhew when he was startled by a voice behind him. "why, mr. castleport!" her voice! jack spun around like a teetotum. "katrine--miss marchfield!" he cried. "how do you do? i--i-- you know, i came here--this minute--i was just going to ask if you were here." "well," laughed the lady, whose heightened color and shining eyes were evidences of a pleasant excitement, "you see i am.--oh, mr. taberman, how do you do? i'm delighted to see you." "how are you?" responded jerry, taking her slim hand in his own hard paw. "it's awfully jolly to see you here. how's mrs. fairhew? well, i hope." "yes, thank you," answered katrine. "she's never better than when she's traveling, you know." miss katrine marchfield was one of those girls who, though not beautiful, are more than pretty. she was too attractive to be fairly disposed of by being credited with mere prettiness; yet she had not fully that quality, august and indefinable, which confers upon the fortunate possessor real beauty. she was slightly above medium height, and could now, having been out for a couple of winters, carry herself exquisitely. a beautiful figure could not have been denied her by the most envious rival; and her fairly broad shoulders, always drawn well back, gave her a charming air of delicately athletic power. her face, at first merely piquant,--perhaps from the slight arching of her eyebrows and the wholly delightful way in which she carried her head,--showed at a second glance, by the height of the forehead, the clear chiseling of the features, and the intelligent sympathy of the gray eyes, a true and sensitive nobility of nature which gave to her countenance a charm at once fine and abiding. her eyes jack--and for that matter a score of adoring youths--considered her greatest beauty. they were at times thoughtful, at others sparkling with vivacity. now and then they might be surprised in a quickly vanishing expression wistful or even almost sad, as if some deeper self looked out but did not will to be seen. a mouth small, the upper lip a trifle fuller than the under; a nose almost greek; and above the high forehead a cloud of dusky brown hair,--these physical attributes, with a sympathetic temperament and a mind sensible yet deliciously feminine, a pleasant voice and a delightful laugh, had won for katrine marchfield more conquests than could be boasted by many an older woman of really marked beauty. her relations with jack castleport, whether she had admitted it to herself or not, had for some time been greatly different from those she held with any one else. they had met at a dinner shortly after katrine, for two years doubly orphaned, had come from philadelphia to live with her widowed aunt, mrs. fairhew, in boston. after meeting katrine, castleport had taken to calling at mrs. fairhew's, at first nominally to see the aunt and later frankly to see the niece. he was at this time a junior at harvard, and a popular man on both sides of the river; the acquaintance during his senior year had ripened into friendship, and the most important feature of class day for jack was the presence of miss marchfield; he had thought more of her in the audience than of the dignitaries on the platform when on commencement day he had taken his degree; and what with dancing with katrine, driving with katrine, and dreaming of katrine for the winter which lay between harvard and this summer, he had come to measure the uses of life chiefly as they might help to make her care for him or to reveal to him what were her feelings toward him. for a moment or two the three americans stood talking near the desk of the hotel. then miss marchfield stepped forward and dropped into the mail-box some letters she was carrying. "if you'll excuse me one minute," she said, "i'll send for aunt anne, and see about dinner. of course you'll stay to dine?" "delighted," jack said. "that is," he added, "if it's all right for us in these clothes. you see, we stupidly came off without evening togs." "that's all right," katrine returned; and went away smiling. jack looked after her with an expression which made jerry smile. "gad! she's looking ten times better than when she left home," tab said in an undertone. "she always does," the captain responded with fervent fatuousness. "she can't help it, you know. god bless me," he added with equal fervor and absurdity, "it's worth coming over steerage just to hear her voice!" "well, you _are_ hit!" commented his friend; and then, seeing a shade come over jack's face, he laid his hand on his friend's shoulder, and added: "don't mind my chaff, old man. i really wish you all kinds of luck." jack gave him a flash of sympathy and understanding, and then turned his head aside. "pity we haven't got evening slops," jerry remarked, by way of changing the conversation; "but i suppose we'll do, seeing the way we came over, and all that." "i'm not worrying about clothes," returned the captain of the merle. "men wear all sorts of things traveling. i'm thinking what mrs. fairhew'll say about our being here in the yacht without uncle randolph." "what's your game if we're quizzed about the president?" "i'm hanged if i really know," jack returned; "but i've got to pull it through somehow, and you'll have to follow my lead." he had time to say no more, for katrine came forward to rejoin them, and before she had reached the friends, mrs. fairhew appeared. mrs. fairhew was a striking woman of some forty years, of medium height, with quick and alert bearing, with the unmistakable air of a well-bred woman of the world. a widow of some six years, she still, except upon occasions of particular state, wore black,--from devotional feeling, according to her friends, and, according to the captious, because it so well became her. between her and her niece existed a subtle and baffling likeness, but in what it consisted one would have found it well-nigh impossible to say. of good birth, perfect breeding, and a wide social experience, she possessed also an intellect naturally good and improved by careful training; while for her rare good taste she was perhaps equally indebted to nature and to a somewhat old-fashioned training in whatever is best in the english classics. with these good gifts and graces and a perfect poise, she combined whatever is most admirable in the best type of american gentlewoman. "mr. castleport," she said, giving that gentleman her hand with gracious cordiality, "this is an unexpected pleasure! how do you do, mr. taberman. i am very glad to see you both." greetings were exchanged, and then, after a moment's chatting, the men gave over their hats to an attendant, and the party went into the dining-room. on account of the season, the number of people at the hotel was comparatively small, and the huge _salle à manger_, with its slim pilasters and its long french windows, its tubs of palmetto and oleander, might have impressed jack and jerry as rather barn-like and forsaken had either been in the mood to find anything in their surroundings unsatisfactory. the four made their way to a small square table in an alcove, behind which stood a tall, round-shouldered waiter in an antediluvian dress-suit. jack put katrine into her chair and was placed next her, and with much pleasant talk the party began dinner. the fish was served before any mention was made of the president. then jack suddenly found himself in dangerous waters, owing to a random remark from mrs. fairhew. "and mr. drake?" she asked. "what a pity he didn't come too. i suppose he couldn't get away." "not on the merle," responded jack. "it takes a long time to cross on such a small boat." jerry watched his friend closely to detect signs of embarrassment, but was able to perceive nothing more than a faint flush in the brown cheeks. he recalled the captain's words about following his lead, and at this point, in his own picturesque phraseology, "shoved in his oar." "besides," he said glibly, with a secret mischievous glee at feeling jack's anxious eye upon him, "it's so hard to get the president away from his everlasting bridge,--_pons asinorum_, i call it. when we left north haven he was so absorbed in his game that he didn't even see us off." "i didn't know he was so attached to cards," mrs. fairhew commented, with a smile. "as you have the yacht, mr. taberman, you should at least speak well of the bridge that has brought you over." "did mr. drake put you two in charge of his sailing-master, mr. taberman?" asked katrine, with a suspicion of a glance at jack, as if she meant to tease him. "no," returned jerrold. "jack and i did the navigating; he's a past master, i assure you." "yes," rejoined katrine, "but i should have fancied he would have had some one that was--well, some one with a professional experience, you know." "if the idea struck him he didn't mention it," put in jack. "if it occurred to him after we left, i can't tell, as i haven't heard from him." "haven't heard from him!" exclaimed mrs. fairhew in mild surprise. "haven't you been to your bankers?" "haven't been anywhere except at this hotel," jack returned sturdily; and then added: "it was after bank hours when we came ashore." "of course you cabled him your arrival?" "mercy! i might have done that, mightn't i? upon my word, it never occurred to me." "thoughtful of you," katrine commented demurely. "well, i did get some letters ready to send to him," jack protested, while jerry grinned broadly. "got them ready! how like a man!" laughed mrs. fairhew. "a woman would have had them ready before she saw land, and had them mailed by the time the anchor was down." "so did jack have them ready," put in jerry imperturbably. "then it's doubly dreadful that they are not posted," retorted mrs. fairhew. jack leaned forward and settled a pink candle-shade that threatened a conflagration, and by a comment on the inflammability of these table ornaments managed to bring the conversation into safer channels. in the course of the talk it transpired that the ladies had no very definite plans, except that mrs. fairhew had determined, despite the heat of the italian summer, to visit an old school friend, whose husband was vice-consul at naples. "i fancy," she said, "that we shall go straight to genoa. i'm going to make katrine work, and to see that she does her duty by the galleries and things,--florence and all the tuscan cities, you know. then rome and the campagna. it will be dreadfully hard on us both, i dare say, but we shall be upheld by the proud consciousness of doing our best." she made a little gesture of comical despair, and her niece laughed. "it would doubtless be intolerable to either of you without the other," said jerry in one of his boyishly elaborate attempts to be gallant. mrs. fairhew regarded him with a glance well-bred though quizzical, but evidently perceived that he was completely sincere in his desire to say something agreeable, and smiled, although less broadly than katrine, who showed in her amusement a row of beautiful teeth. "won't it be pretty hot in the south?" asked jack. "i've never been in naples in summer, nor south of rome, in fact; but i've always been told that it is too torrid for foreigners." "oh, we are used to it," mrs. fairhew returned. "besides, it is after all the english that have spread the stories about italy's being so hot. they've been kept at so low a temperature all their lives by their horrid fogs that they're the greatest babies imaginable about climate." "i fancy you're right," assented jack. "at all events, as you are used to all climates, and as miss marchfield comes from philadelphia"-- "oh, but i've never been there in summer," katrine broke in. "and, besides, i've lived in boston so long that"-- "that you can stand anything?" interrupted jerry in turn. "i think i can," laughed katrine. mrs. fairhew toyed with her coffee-spoon thoughtfully a moment; then she looked up at jack. "where are you bound, mr. castleport?" she asked. "i don't know," jack answered quite frankly. "i think we shall probably coast along--monaco, bordighera, and mentone, you know; and then go to genoa. then perhaps we'll see elba and naples and capri. after that we must start for home. nothing is settled with us." "i detest monaco," mrs. fairhew said, with some irrelevance. "why?" inquired jack, with a smile. "does the gambling offend the puritan that is in every bostonian?" "it certainly does," was the reply, "though my aversion isn't entirely a matter of conscience. i bought it on the spot for a thousand francs." "that was awfully dear," remarked jerry. "it would have been much cheaper to be born with it." "as in your case?" asked the lady, raising her eyebrows a little and smiling. "oh, one can't inherit all the virtues!" responded taberman with the greatest seriousness. "most certainly not," laughed mrs. fairhew. "at least i had not that good fortune." "nature left you one to get for yourself, because she knew you'd do it so easily," tab said gallantly. "really," cried the lady, "you are evidently determined to overwhelm me, mr. taberman. compliments drop from your lips like the traditional showers of pearls." "there are frogs too in that fairy story," suggested jack. "oh, mr. castleport," declared katrine, coming to the rescue of jerry, "that is simply brutal." "of course it's brutal," retorted jack, willfully twisting her meaning, "but he keeps it up all the same." jerry tried to defend himself by charging jack with never being able to appreciate a compliment unless he were himself the subject, and so they drifted lightly from one bit of good-natured raillery to another. now and then a more serious note was struck, and through it all the spirit of the party was more kindly and friendly than could be pictured by any words in which they might have tried to express it. when dinner was over, they went for a short stroll on the promenade. it naturally happened that mrs. fairhew walked with taberman, and that jack and katrine strolled on together some little distance behind. "you don't know," said jack, for the fourth or fifth time that evening, but with an evident sincerity which might have excused even further repetition, "how good it is to see you again." "yes," katrine responded with a carelessness too complete to be entirely genuine, "i suppose that it must be pleasant for you to see any one after being cooped up in a boat for five or six weeks." "that's not at all what i meant," he returned pointedly, and with a little vexation. "perhaps not; but it's practically what you said." "i said it gave me pleasure to see you," jack insisted, with a daring emphasis on the final pronoun. "oh, a compliment!" she exclaimed, as if the thought had just struck her. "you may take it as such," he replied rather grumpily. "it's the feminine attitude toward everything." katrine was silent a moment, examining with an appearance of the greatest interest the ground at her feet. "how queer you are this evening," she said at length. "am i?" he retorted. "well, i suppose if i'm only amusing into the bargain that's all that's necessary." another brief interval of silence intervened, and then he remarked blunderingly:-- "i suppose it makes very little difference to you whether you see any one while you're here." "what an atrocious reflection on my efforts to be entertaining," she laughed. "oh," he said savagely, "that's a nice meaning to twist out of my words! you know i don't mean that." "you seem to have some difficulty in saying what you do mean this evening," katrine commented mockingly. jack laughed uneasily, with that absurdly tragic air possible only to a young man much in love. "see here," he asked explosively, "why do you think i came over here?" "i'm sure i can't say, mr. castleport," she replied, with a touch of coolness. "i never was good at riddles. don't you think we had better catch up with aunt anne and mr. taberman?" and greatly to his own disgust, and perhaps, could he but have known the truth, to the secret disappointment of katrine, jack acted upon her suggestion without a word more. as they were taking leave of the ladies at the hotel a little later, jerry broke out with a clumsily worded invitation that they should on the morrow go for a sail on the merle. "you are really very good, mr. taberman," mrs. fairhew said, "but i 'm afraid it's only half an invitation, for mr. castleport doesn't second it." "i certainly do," jack responded. "i was hesitating only because i didn't think the yacht, just in from an ocean voyage, was exactly in trim. i wasn't sure it was fair to invite you." "i think we can put up with anything that is amiss in that line," mrs. fairhew answered, smiling. "what do you say, katrine? would you like to go?" "very much, aunt anne," her niece said, with a quick little glance at jack, a sort of bird-twinkle of the eyes, "if we shall not be too intrusive." "capital!" cried jack, whose good nature had returned, and who was anxious to make amends for his fit of pique. "i'll call for you in the morning at about noon, if that will suit you. we shall want a little time to get the yacht in trim." "any time after ten will do for us," mrs. fairhew answered. "don't, i beg, bother too much about making things neat. i know how necessary disorder is to the real happiness of you men." [illustration: decoration] chapter seven luncheon aboard noon. the famous promenade was deserted, and all the foreigners who were able were safe in the coolest retirement of their little pink and white villas. a warm off-shore breeze wandered through the silent streets of nice, came to the water-front, and there, as if alarmed by the noise and bustle of the few sailors and fishermen whom the heat had not driven from the quays, grew brisker and fled away southward over the sea. down one of the smaller streets between the hôtel des anglais and the porta vecchia, mrs. fairhew and her niece, escorted by jack, were making their way. miss marchfield, dressed in a simple gown of white, looked deliciously rosy under her red sunshade. mrs. fairhew walked in the narrow strip of shadow next the wall; katrine was between her and jack, who, owing to the straitness of the sidewalk, picked his way--to the evident amusement of miss marchfield--along the kennel. as katrine was fond of him, she paradoxically took unfailing delight in seeing him humiliated, always provided, of course, that no one other than herself was the author of the discomfort. the three were nearing the water-front when the elder lady broke a silence of some minutes' duration. "i hope the yacht is not very much farther, mr. castleport," she ventured. "no," jack answered, "she's at the foot of the next street. 'twas awfully stupid of me not to have got hold of a fiacre, but it seems so short a distance for me to walk that i didn't think." "i wonder why a yacht is always _she_ and _her_," observed katrine. "why not _it_?" "oh, the reason's plain enough," was jack's answer. "yachts have two characteristics that are thoroughly feminine,--caprice and beauty." "it is good of you to temper the aspersion on my sex with a compliment," katrine returned. "it is obliging in me," jack assented; "but politeness requires that i should stretch a point, since you are my guest." "i am sorry to put you to the inconvenience," she said. "of being polite? thank you!" "do you know, i'm sorry that your uncle is not here, mr. castleport," said mrs. fairhew, as they turned the corner. "it is all very well to have an old woman for a chaperon, but it is rather hard on you and mr. taberman not to have some older man to talk to me." "oh, you mustn't depreciate your charm at the expense of your age," jack cried. "very pretty," laughed mrs. fairhew; "but your uncle"-- "ouch!" exclaimed jack, making a fine show of stubbing the toe of his rubber-soled shoe against a projecting paving-stone. "what did you say?" inquired katrine, with an air of mild interest. "nothing. i stubbed my toe on that beastly stone," answered jack, with a feeling of satisfaction that the president was once more shelved. "now," he added, "the boat is just here." a small but motley crowd was scattered along the water-front: bronzed fishermen, with close-cropped hair and long earrings, carrying osier baskets of shining sardines from their boats to their little carts; fat, raucous-voiced women, with red or yellow scarves pinned across their bosoms; lean-shanked 'longshoremen, too old for the sea this many a day; brown sailors, picking their way among the piles of iridescent fish,--liver-colored squid and flabby octopi; half-naked boys, outrageous and beautiful; with a miscellaneous sprinkling of human flotsam and jetsam, as if the sea had cast them up battered and damaged. over all floated a distracting hubbub, made up of the rattling of cart-wheels on the flags, the shrill cries of the venders, the calls of the lads, the songs of the fishermen, and a medley of oaths, jests, curses, directions, questions, and all sorts of vociferous shoutings. both the ladies drew closer to jack, who, masterfully making his way through the press, piloted them across the quay. at the landing-steps they found jerry and the merle's cutter, the object of the staring curiosity and admiration of the wharf-rats and the loungers of the docks. "good-morning, mr. taberman. have we kept you waiting long?" asked mrs. fairhew. tab had been broiling for half an hour, but was too courteous to say so. he responded cheerily, then helped the ladies aboard, and established them in the sheets. jack took the tiller-lines, word was given, and the men fell to pulling. the breeze was fresher and cooler on the water; it made the ripples dance and glitter in the sunshine, and kept playfully curling the ensign at the stern of the cutter about jack's head. according to previous instructions, the watch on the merle got up anchor on seeing the cutter leave the quay, and were now holding the yacht in the wind's eye. when the boat came alongside, the ladies were handed aboard, the guest-salute was fired, the cutter was hoisted to the davits, and the yacht was paid off. they ran out past the old battery and the lighthouse on the outer mole, and coasted along to the westward. in the bright sunlight the numerous dwellings--villas, hotels, and _pensions_--showing among the green foliage of the trees looked very gay and attractive. the sea was dimpled with laughter. the breeze, although it gave promise of freshening, was now only strong enough to make the schooner, which was carrying all sail, heel gracefully as she slipped along. the day was perfect for light sailing. at one o'clock old gonzague, his linen jacket dazzling in its whiteness and his snowy hair brushed back from his high forehead, served luncheon. jack sat by mrs. fairhew on the starboard side, with katrine and jerry opposite. gonzague had outdone himself for the occasion. a provençal by birth, he knew the culinary value of all the wares--to foreign eyes so puzzlingly useless and hopelessly inedible--displayed in mediterranean markets. the dishes which appeared on the table made jack and tab stare: fresh sardines broiled and served with some mysterious sauce of which they tried in vain to guess the ingredients; something which katrine pronounced delicious until she discovered it to be cuttlefish, and then could not be prevailed upon to taste further; a salad which had lettuce as its obvious foundation, but which was fragrant with a dozen strange and piquant herbs; ripe citrons and limes; figs and bullaces; and a wonderful fruity sherbet for dessert. "do you generally fare like this on board the merle?" mrs. fairhew inquired. "if you do, i should like to come here to board while you are in harbor." "not much," returned jerry bluntly. "this is all gonzague's gallantry to you ladies. as a rule he gives us only pork and beans." "dear me," she commented. "that's pretty hard fare." "do you really have to live on pork and beans on a cruise?" asked katrine. "jerry was only speaking figuratively," explained jack, with a laugh. "of course we do better than that. the only time we really suffered was in a bit of a shake-up we had on the way over. the second week out we had a blow, and had to live on hardtack and coffee for three days." "and gonzague must have stood on his head to make the coffee, too," put in tab. "was it really so bad as that?" asked katrine. "i mean," she explained as the others laughed, "did it really blow so hard he couldn't cook things?" "well," responded taberman, "for forty hours we had it so hard we jolly well thought we'd have to cut." "cut?" queried mrs. fairhew. "yes, the sticks, you know," jack explained. from the expression on her face it was abundantly evident that the lady did not know, but she said nothing. she had but the most casual acquaintance with nautical affairs, and made no pretense of understanding the speech of mariners; and she was always willing to let a matter of this sort go, rather than to submit to a lengthy exposition. katrine, on the other hand, while of course not proficient in the art of handling yachts, knew enough to appreciate that when cutting away the masts had been contemplated, things must have been at a pass really dangerous. now she made no comment, but she gave a swift glance at jack, that had in it much of the admiration which desdemona felt at the recital of the perils through which othello had borne himself bravely. jack happened to catch her eye; she flushed and turned to jerry. "don't you tire of it all?" she asked. "i should think that to have the monotony broken only by danger in which you can't have any rest or comfort would be dreadfully wearisome." "oh, it's great sport!" cried tab heartily. "besides, you know, there are no end of things to do." "such as what?" inquired mrs. fairhew. "i've always found the ocean voyage the most boresome thing about traveling, although i'm a perfectly good sailor." "oh," said jerry, with a flourish of his cigarette,--for coffee had been served and the ladies had permitted smoking,--"there are rope-ends to be attended to, and gear changed, and all that sort of thing, besides seeing that the men go over the brasswork properly every day; and there is taking sights, and making reckonings, and all sorts of things." "but i thought the men did all the work on the ropes and things." "so they do," jack said, with a smile; "but it is our business to tell them what to do and to see that they do it. you must remember that we are the ship's officers." "we have to look things over all the time," jerry added. "just before we went ashore to-day i saw a thing that'll have to be attended to as soon as we get back at anchor. the fore-peak halyards are 'most chafed through where they reeve through the block on the cap." "dear me!" said mrs. fairhew. "is it dangerous?" "not in the least dangerous," jack returned reassuringly. "is it really bad, tab?" "oh, well, i fancy it'll hold; leastways if there's no sudden strain on it. the rope's new enough; but it jammed there the other day, you remember." "well, let's go on deck," suggested the captain. "it's such a gorgeous day, it's a shame to miss any of it." on coming up they found that the wind had so freshened that the fore-topsail and staysail had been struck, as well as the outer jib. "we can run on till about four o'clock," castleport said, "and have plenty of time to run back with this wind." they still held to the westward, keeping about a mile off shore, now and then passing fishing craft, headed for nice, their big lateen sails shining in the sunlight. jack, watching katrine keenly, read her delight and enjoyment in her eyes, and could see how she responded to the beauty of the day, the picturesqueness of the shore, the exhilaration of the wind, and the sparkling sea. at eight bells they had tea _au russe_ on deck, and before they had finished drinking it the merle was put about and headed for the harbor. they had hardly gone a knot before they fell in with a large black yawl flying the english colors and the burgee of the royal yacht squadron. she was sailing easily along under all lower canvas, her black hull lifting gracefully over the sloping seas at about two cable-lengths ahead. she was in cruising rig, with no boom to her mainsail, yet was so large that her spread of canvas was at half a glance much greater than that of the merle. she crossed the schooner's bows, and then, luffing occasionally, waited until the american yacht was on her beam. "looks's though she wanted something of us," remarked jerry. "will you take another look at her, miss marchfield?" and he handed her the glasses. "she is a beauty!" exclaimed katrine, regarding the yawl through the binoculars. "i can see her name now. i-s-i-s isis, of--of plymouth. don't you want to look at her, aunt anne?" mrs. fairhew took the glasses with the air of a person doing a favor, and stared at the yawl in a perfunctory manner. "what an absurd bobtail of a sail that is set 'way back," she observed. "it looks quite like a deformity." "that's for balance in heavy weather," said jerry, with gusto. "hadn't we better salute, jack?" "i suppose so," was the answer. "see; he's fallen off. means to give us a run for it, i fancy." the merle dipped her ensign, and the englishman returned the salute in kind. "i say," cried jerry, "they're setting their topsail. they want a race in earnest." "they've an able boat, to carry all sail when it's breezed up like this," commented jack, giving the black yawl a critical look. "come!" urged tab. "let's take a brace and give 'em a run for their money. we can beat 'em all right enough, both sides of the atlantic." jack looked first at katrine and then at her aunt. "would you mind?" he asked. "mind?" cried mrs. fairhew, "i shouldn't mind it the least in the world--especially if we beat them." "all right," shouted tab, leaping boyishly out of his wicker chair. "we'll show 'em! watch along!" he roared to the crew. "sway up on the main-peak halyards there," sang out jack, who had also started up quickly. "that's good! fore-peak now--that'll do! set fore-topsail there--haul away! good enough! all hands up to windward!" then he turned to the helmsman. "i'll take her," he said. "you get up to windward with the rest." the man handed the helm over to him, and the race began. the yawl was on the windward beam, and both she and the schooner were carrying so much sail as now and again to be heeled lee rail under. at the end of twenty minutes the american boat seemed to be drawing ahead, although the englishman, his red flag blowing out from his maintop, was still to windward. katrine and her aunt had abandoned their chairs for the weather transom of the cockpit. katrine was thoroughly alive to the excitement of this impromptu contest, while mrs. fairhew's well-bred face wore a smile which might be taken to signify either her superiority to such a youthful means of enjoyment or confidence in the power of the merle to outstrip her rival. jack, his strong, shapely hands grasping the spokes of the wheel, glanced only from the sails aloft to the yawl and back again. katrine watched him furtively. his keen, eager pose, wholly free from self-consciousness and suggestive of power and vigilant activity, his masterful management of his craft,--she noted them all, and felt a certain pleasure in them, as if in some way she were responsible for them. "think we'll come 'round, jerrold," said the captain. he gave a rapid succession of orders as he twirled the spokes to port. the merle came about on the other tack, the men got to stations on the weather side, and the ladies changed their places. "now we'll see how much we've gained on them," said jerry, half to the guests and half to himself. they drove toward the shore in the roughening sea, the port runway being now covered with a thin sheet of hissing green water. up forward an occasional wave would come slap against the yacht's shoulder with a sound like a rifle-shot. the isis crossed their bows at a distance so little ahead of them that her name and hail could be read easily without the aid of a glass. "we're outfooting them, jack. we'll have 'em cold in twenty minutes!" cried tab enthusiastically. "don't count your chickens before they're hatched," laughed katrine. "oh, but we can't help doing 'em," he responded. "we'll have 'em so walloped that they'll go into dry-dock for a month." "you'd better rap on wood, mr. taberman," cautioned mrs. fairhew, with a smile. "i don't wish to be a croaking raven, but surely they're ahead now." mrs. fairhew had, as the race went on, grown more and more alert. her eyes had in them the spark of a genuine lover of sport, and all the womanly love of contest and conquest showed in the eagerness of her pose and air. "of course they're ahead," jerry answered; "but we have the wind of them by a good deal." "i hope that means something," the lady commented, with a movement of the head half eager, half humorous, "but i confess that it is all greek to me." jerry began to explain, but before he could make things clear to the lady's unnautical mind, the yacht came about again to the port tack. the merle was then so far to weather of the yawl that jack ordered the sheets to be started a trifle. "now then, jerry, here's where we overhaul them," jack cried exultingly. "just set the balloon-jib outside the headsails. i think she'll stand it." "want the staysail?" asked the mate. "no--'twould spoil her helm," returned the captain. "jump along, old man." the change was effected as quickly as might be, and the yacht's speed was visibly increased. "that yawl's better on the wind than off," the captain commented. "we're picking up on 'em now like smoke." after an hour's chase and half an hour's jockeying off the mouth of the port, the merle was about to run in when the english yacht luffed up and crossed the schooner's bows. both boats were close-hauled, but the american was on the starboard tack and had the right of way. the helmsman of the isis gave jack his choice of running the yawl down or luffing himself. jack chose the latter alternative; although naturally angry at such an unsportsmanlike trick, he could not take risks with his uncle's yacht, least of all with the ladies on board. the englishman did not spare him, but first blanketed him, and then, putting his helm up and leaving the merle with a small ledge frothing to leeward, forced the schooner about. under his tan jack grew white with indignant anger. he was not the man to lose his temper in his pastimes, but he had a strong sense of justice, a thorough contempt for trickery, and he was quick to resent a deliberate outrage of this sort. the performance was so evidently premeditated on the part of the isis that it amounted to a most flagrant insult, a cold-blooded piece of sporting caddishness. the only remedy possible under the circumstances was a desperate one, but in his state of mind he did not hesitate. "stand by to jibe!" he roared. "cast off the topsail halyards! now aft on the sheets!" it was blowing too hard for jibing with safety even under reduced cloth, and barring staysail and topsails, the merle was under full canvas. "my god!" exclaimed jerry to the winds, as he tumbled aft to help on the sheet, "he'll pull the sticks out of her! something's bound to go!" jack held the wheel hard up, and the schooner swung steadily off. the booms rushed over the decks, fetched up with a crash, and then swung out as the men payed off the sheets. the lee rail went clean under, and for a second or two unpleasant and portentous creakings and groanings filled the air. the men flew about with wonderful dexterity, while the two ladies held on to each other to avoid being pitched headlong. "are any of your teeth shaken out, katrine?" mrs. fairhew inquired, when they were able once more to sit up. "all mine were loosened by that awful jerk." "they are all safe, aunt anne," katrine cried, her voice vibrant with delighted excitement. "isn't it splendid?" her hair was blowing about her face, her eyes were shining, her cheeks were flushed; and jack, though his swift glance merely caught a view of her as it flashed up to the sails, carried the alluring picture in his mind for many a day. the thought of it was for the time being instantly crowded out of his mind as he caught sight of the rigging. as the merle had leaped ahead, the fore-peak halyards, which had not been started before the yacht was jibed, had parted. the gaff hung nearly at right angles to the boom, and the sail was being strained out of shape. the captain was so upset that in his rage he was guilty of swearing before ladies. "what shall we do?" sang out jerry. jack's cry had called his attention to the mishap, and he had run forward. "really this grows exciting," remarked mrs. fairhew, as if she were at the theatre. "oh, what a shame! what a shame!" wailed katrine, looking despairingly up at the drooping gaff. "get some half-inch on it!" shouted jack, almost beside himself at having been bullied into this predicament. "take it out as far as you can! reeve it through the cap-block first. move along there! smartly!" "all right!" cried tab; and in the same moment, with a coil of new rope over his shoulder, and followed by one of the men, he ran up the weather rigging. on reaching the cross-trees, tab passed the end of his rope through the block on the masthead cap and fastened it to his belt. then he swung himself down to the jaws of the gaff and lay out along the spar. the big stick threshed about wildly, threatening to snap him into the sea at every fling. slowly and painfully he worked his way out. he clung on desperately, so that it seemed like a conscious fight between himself and the plunging spar whether he should be shaken off. it was like a man's trying to tame a bucking horse, only a hundred times more exciting, and katrine grew pale as she watched, while even mrs. fairhew set her lips closely. the three minutes it took jerry to reach the peak-halyard block seemed to every person on the merle all but interminable. twice he nearly fell,--once at the outset when he slipped, and again when he had to crawl around the throat halyards between rolls. the second time he was actually thrown off the spar, but fortunately he held his grip on the halyards. the next lurch of the yacht playfully tossed him into the air, and he was lucky enough to regain his position on the spar. getting to the peak-block, he unknotted the rope from his belt, passed it about the spar, and took a "timber-hitch." he then slowly worked his way back, and eventually reached the cross-trees in safety. the nervous tension had been so strong that when the men saw him coming down the ratlines they fell to cheering lustily, gonzague, his white hair ruffled by the wind, waving his arms and out-shouting the whole of them. they speedily got hold of the jury halyard, and even before jerry had reached the deck, the gaff was again well raised, and the topsail set. in the mean time the isis had in her turn got into difficulties. it is poor business jockeying among reefs, and the yawl had been forced to come about, luff up, and drift sternwards until her chances of beating the merle were utterly gone. the fact seemed to be that the english captain had counted upon the merle's not daring to jibe, and so had been too clever by half. jerry came aft, very red in the face, and with the customary twinkle in his eye. the ladies were evidently greatly impressed by his feat, and jack, who of course understood more clearly than they how dangerous the task had been, took one hand off the wheel and wrung jerry's. "awfully sorry, old man," he said. "but i was so hot at that englishman i lost my head for a minute." "oh, go 'long!" returned jerry, grinning. "don't you suppose i was hot myself?" he dropped on to a seat beside mrs. fairhew, to recover his breath. "mr. taberman," said that lady, "i'm an old woman,"--it was one of mrs. fairhew's idiosyncrasies to call attention thus whimsically to the fact that she looked hardly more than thirty,--"i'm an old woman, and consequently i disapprove of rashness; but i don't mind saying that i like your pluck." she looked at him in a curious way, as if he were an amusing case of arrested development, but her glance was full of kindliness. "thank you," tab answered, with a smile which was too confused not to be almost a grin. "it's more a sound wind than pluck, i assure you." "it was perfectly magnificent!" katrine cried. "you're a perfect hero!" they all laughed, more perhaps from the nervous reaction after the strain than from any especial amusement, and jerry blushed more than ever. "i'm afraid you're inclined to make a mountain out of a molehill," he said. "we don't allow heroics aboard here, you know. jack did the only"-- "that'll do, jerry," called jack from the wheel. "all right, captain," tab returned, laughing. "under orders." "oh, but that's not fair," cried katrine. "if mr. castleport played the hero too, we want to know all about it." "i'll masthead that mate if he goes on talking about his superior officer," jack threatened. "see, the isis has given the whole thing up." "she'd better," commented jerry, "though i don't see that she had anything left to give." the yawl was well astern now. her sailing-master had for a little time, in a vain endeavor to overtake his rival, pinched his boat unmercifully, so that with her nose in the wind's eye her sails were every now and then a-shiver. now she had evidently accepted the inevitable, and was making quietly for an anchorage. "tell us about mr. castleport," katrine said to jerry in an undertone. "oh," returned tab, "he stuck to the wheel over forty-eight hours when we had that blow we were talking about. it was a magnificent thing to do, and i think he saved us from everlasting smash. of course he pooh-poohs the idea, but jack's never willing to have anybody say he's done anything big. he's as modest as he is stunning," he ended warmly, throwing at the captain a glance of admiration and affection. katrine made no audible comment, but her glance followed his, and had jack intercepted her look at that moment, he might have felt his heart beat more briskly. the superior speed of the merle, aided by the poor tactics of the skipper of the isis, who seemed to lose his head when he found he was beaten, gave the american so much the lead that the schooner had dropped her anchor a minute or two before the yawl rounded the inner mole. "i never had so splendid a sail in my life," katrine said. "i was sure you would beat that other boat, mr. castleport," mrs. fairhew told him, "and i confess i enjoyed seeing you do it." "i couldn't be so rude as to let you ladies be beaten in a race," the captain responded, laughing. "of course not," put in jerry; "no gentleman would let a lady be beaten." "what an atrocious pun!" cried katrine; "and mr. taberman looks actually wistful for fear we shouldn't see it." "well," her aunt said, moving toward the ladder, where the cutter was in waiting, "it has been a delightful day, and we are greatly obliged." while the ladies were being pulled ashore, and before jack and jerry had returned, everything on the merle was put in order. just as they went below to dress for going ashore for dinner, a boat from the yawl came alongside with a note for the "captain of the merle; sch. y't." gonzague brought it to castleport, who looked at it, and then read it aloud to jerry. yawl yacht isis. y. s. lord merryfield presents his compliments to the gentleman who handled the merle in such a masterly fashion this afternoon, and requests the honor of his presence at dinner on board the isis this evening at six bells, a. t. it will be an additional pleasure to lord merryfield if the gentleman who so pluckily rose to the occasion in the matter of a parted halyard will accompany the captain of the merle. r. s. v. p. nice, july , . "rot!" said jerry inelegantly. "let me answer it." "get out!" responded jack. "i think i can settle him." he got out the president's most elaborate stationery, and after some meditation and the destruction of one or two epistles which would not go quite to suit him, he handed to jerry the following:-- sch. yt. merle, e. y. c. captain john castleport and mr. jerrold taberman present their compliments to lord merryfield and regret that, owing to a previous engagement, it is impossible for them to accept the invitation so kindly tendered to them. captain castleport further desires earnestly to express his opinion in regard to having been forced about by the y. yt. isis this afternoon when he had the right of way; and to say that he considers such a manoeuvre so unsportsmanlike and insulting that it should be impossible in a gentleman's race. as the injured party, he ventures to remind lord merryfield that the only reparation that can be made is the severest reprimanding of the sailing-master, or whoever was responsible for this inexcusable expedient. nice, july , . "you see," jack explained, "we let him know what we think of that caddish trick without being in the least rude ourselves. of course the chances are that he was responsible for the thing himself, and there we have him on the hip." "i suppose it's all right," grumbled jerry. "you know best; but if i 'd written it, i should have told him straight out that i thought him a damned cad!" [illustration: decoration] chapter eight a change of tactics as they sat that evening in the garden of the hotel drinking their after-dinner coffee, which the gentlemen accompanied with cigarettes, they discussed the news from home contained in a batch of letters mrs. fairhew and her niece had found awaiting them on their return from the yacht. the announcement of an engagement, rumors of flirtations which might end in others, the latest gossip about people they all knew, were mingled with chat about an extraordinary yacht race at northeast harbor, a russian princess at nahant, an automobile accident at lenox, and a fresh divorce at newport. "everything else," mrs. fairhew said at length, "is simply nothing at all in comparison to a piece of business news i received. have you heard of the tillington failure?" "what!" cried jack. "r. b. tillington?" "yes. their own notice was with the other mail this afternoon," she responded. "liabilities something like a third of a million and their assets nothing." "how in the world did it happen?" asked tab. "i knew they had a lot to do with mines, and of course those are always risky; but tillington always had the name of being awfully clever." "perhaps he was too clever," jack suggested. "clever or not," mrs. fairhew said, "he has come to grief, and, i am ashamed to confess, he has lost some money for me." "i am very sorry for that," jack responded. "i'll wager you'll have plenty of distinguished company. i'm awfully afraid uncle randolph got his fingers burned. he's had dealings with tillington for ever so long. i never took kindly to the man myself, but uncle randolph had a great opinion of his business sagacity." "i'll wager mrs. fairhew's bound to be in good company even in misfortune," jerry declared with his usual somewhat clumsy gallantry. mrs. fairhew smiled, and made a little sweeping gesture with her fan as if the subject were a disagreeable one and should be waved aside. "even that," she said, "doesn't soothe my wounded vanity. the money i've lost is fortunately not very much, but i pride myself on my business head, and i made this investment in spite of the advice of my banker. think how he will chuckle! i'd rather have lost three times as much on an investment he selected." "how thoroughly feminine!" jack laughed. "of course you can't understand," katrine struck in. "i agree with aunt anne entirely. of course one would rather lose money than to give a man a chance to crow over her." the talk was thus drawn into the inexhaustible discussion of feminine and masculine characteristics, that topic about which revolves two thirds of all the small talk of the world. then it drifted back to the personal news of the letters. "i don't think billy rafton's to be congratulated," announced tab emphatically, in reference to a recent wedding. "edna leighton has plenty of money of course, and is a stunning girl and all that; but she's so horribly ambitious that she won't give poor billy a minute's peace." "and billy is one of the most quiet men alive," put in jack. "ambitious?" queried katrine. "how? i've known her pretty well, and to me she always seemed nice. certainly she's clever." "so she is clever," jerry assented; "but of course that'll make it harder for billy to stand out against her." "she naturally would have the instinct to get ahead in the world," commented castleport. "her mother was a farquhar." "mr. castleport," remonstrated mrs. fairhew, "that remark is too feminine to be worthy of you." "do you regret that i didn't leave it for you to say?" he asked saucily. "i know you entirely agree with me." "her father, stephen leighton," mrs. fairhew continued, making no answer but a hardly perceptible smile to his statement, "was a thoroughly charming man and of very good family. you can't deny that, mr. castleport." "i haven't any wish to. i'm not trying to run down edna leighton--rafton, that is." "i always thought," began katrine. then she stopped, with an involuntary movement of the eyes in the direction of taberman. "oh, i was hit there once," tab said jovially, "if that's what you mean. i got over it at a boat race." they all laughed, and the topic seemed exhausted, when the elder lady said:-- "we shall have sight of them at florence, i suppose. they are to be at the villa foscagni for the summer. it belongs to the raftons." "when do you expect to get there?" tab inquired carelessly. "florence? in five or six days." "five or six days!" cried jack. "why, when do you leave here?" "to-morrow afternoon," answered katrine in a tone of which the indifference might have struck jack as a little overdone had he not been too perturbed to notice. "why--but--" jack began; "i had no idea"-- "did you fancy we were here for the summer?" queried katrine with demure interest. the hint of teasing in her tone brought castleport to himself. half his social success lay in the fact that he was not easily disconcerted. "as mrs. fairhew was good enough to tell me her plans," he returned coolly, "i naturally understood that you were to leave here before long, but i admit i hadn't thought you would go so soon." "you see," mrs. fairhew explained, "we really must get on. katrine has to do museums and things, as i told you. when i was a girl it wouldn't have been thought respectable for a girl to come out before she'd seen the pitti and uffizzi; but it's all different now." "what nonsense, aunt anne! i don't believe you'd seen the galleries yourself when you came out." "indeed i had. i'll make you read all the finest print in the guide-books if you are impertinent. we take," she added, turning to castleport, "the . for genoa." jack was by nature quick and resolute; and before mrs. fairhew had got to this remark he had conceived a plan, and resolved to follow it out. gravely regarding the thicket of oleanders behind miss marchfield, yet with the tail of his eye on the face of jerry, which was alternately lighted and obscured as his cigarette glowed or waned, the captain remarked coolly:-- "that's a curious coincidence." "coincidence?" repeated mrs. fairhew questioningly. "it would seem so," jack almost drawled. "you said the . , didn't you? how far do you go? all the way to genoa?" "yes. what is there extraordinary about that?" "why, nothing much," returned jack in a brisker tone, throwing away the butt of his cigarette; "only--yes--that's the very train i go on myself. same destination, too, unless i decide to stop at bordighera." there naturally was a sensation at this unexpected announcement. katrine drew in her breath audibly; in the very nick of time jerry caught himself in the act of saying profanely what he would be; mrs. fairhew closed her fan quickly, but she was too much mistress of herself to give any indication of her feelings beyond a little quick laugh. "i had not remembered that you spoke of going," she said. "no?" jack said politely. "but," gasped jerry, "i say--you know, i say"-- evidently his feelings were too much for him, and he collapsed. so sudden a move on the part of jack was sure to disconcert his slower-witted comrade, and the captain had fortunately been prepared by previous experiences for some mental confusion on the part of the mate. "yes, jerry?" he asked. "nothing--i--i don't remember what i was going to say," murmured the bewildered tab. "really," observed mrs. fairhew, "it hadn't occurred to me that you could or would leave the yacht. what becomes of her?" "oh, you don't doubt jerry, do you? he's going to take her in charge." once determined upon his plan, jack felt it best to carry matters off with a high hand. he did not in the least care whether mrs. fairhew and katrine suspected that his resolution to go on by land had been taken on the spot or not; but he liked to play the game well, and to put a good face on things. he spoke as though his mind had been made up long before, although all the time his brain was working with furious energy, as he tried to shape the scheme thoroughly and to foresee all possible contingencies. to give over to jerry the care of the president's yacht was a bold stroke, but he said to himself that he was confident his friend was entirely competent to manage her for the comparatively short run to naples; and his thought nimbly disposed of objection after objection as they rose in his mind. rapid as had been his decision, it was less wild than it might seem; and by the time he spoke again jack had all the details pretty well mastered. "do you leave the merle here?" inquired mrs. fairhew. katrine, jack noted, had said nothing, but he had heard that quick, indrawn breath, and he did not believe that her silence arose from indifference. "oh, no; jerry's going to take her to naples," was castleport's cool reply. it was to tab's credit that at this astounding piece of intelligence he did not make a violent demonstration; but he was not unaccustomed to the rapidity with which jack came to a decision, and he had before been trained in accepting what his captain said. now he only dropped his cigarette, and on picking it up put the lighted end between his lips, spluttered and smothered a profane comment, and hurled the offending butt as far as he could. "have another?" asked jack, unruffled, as he pushed his case across the little table by which they were sitting. "thank you, no!" replied tab with quite unnecessary emphasis. "you've no need to touch your lips with fire, mr. taberman," mrs. fairhew observed, opening and closing her fan in a way which she had when amused; "you have been sufficiently eloquent in compliments ever since you arrived. may we hope, then," she went on, turning to castleport, "for the pleasure of your company on the journey?" "if you and miss marchfield do not object, i shall be delighted." "it will be a great pleasure to me. of course i can't speak for katrine." jack turned to look at katrine. on her face the soft light of a japanese lantern fell between a couple of trees, but she at once moved so that the shadows hid her expression. "nothing could please me more, aunt anne, than that you should be pleased," she responded. "then you had better bring mr. taberman and your luggage ashore, and come to luncheon to-morrow," the aunt said, rising. "in that way we can take our time and be comfortable. does that suit your plans, mr. castleport?" jack detected the suspicion of mirth in her voice, but he felt that if she had disapproved she would not only have shown no amusement but that she was clever enough to have thwarted his scheme. "i don't want to abuse your hospitality," he said. "oh, we shall make you useful as an escort, and get enough service out of you on the journey to pay that," spoke katrine, with the air of feeling that she had been too noticeably silent. "we're only too delighted to come, of course," jerry said with boyish enthusiasm. "anybody'd be glad of a chance to lunch with you, mrs. fairhew." "your compliments are rather direct, mr. taberman," that lady answered with a laugh. "we'll say . , then. that will give us plenty of time. i hate to be hurried; it is so undignified." as mrs. fairhew had risen the others were of course on their feet, and as jack stood aside for katrine to pass him, the elder lady took his arm. by this she detained him an instant, until her niece and jerry were a few yards away. when they approached the door of the hotel and it was light enough for him to see her clearly, she dropped his arm; and as he turned his face toward her at the movement, she regarded him through her lorgnette with a look quizzical though kindly. "you are a clever boy," she said after a little, and with a peculiar faint stress on the adjective. "do you want to marry my niece?" jack of course recognized that the question would never have been asked had there been any doubt of the answer, and even in the confusion of the moment he had a dim perception that mrs. fairhew was, with kindly whim, helping him to ask her sanction to his wooing. he felt his cheeks grow hot, but he faced his inquisitor frankly, and he spoke with a manner which though instinctively subdued was full of energy and feeling. "you know i do," he said. "you know i'd die the worst of deaths for her. i--as god's above me," he burst out, breaking off and feeling himself strangle with his emotion, "i'll win her or die trying! i--i-- of course i want to marry her! what do you suppose i came to europe for?" mrs. fairhew's face softened, for no true woman could have heard the passion of his voice unmoved; but she laughed at the sudden change with which he ended. "i hope you may succeed," she said softly. "i think you will." then she took his arm again, and spoke in her ordinary voice: "come, we must go in." "now, then, jack, in the name of heaven," demanded jerry, as soon as he and the captain were out of hearing of the ladies, "what is this awful josh of yours about leaving the yacht?" "i'll tell you when we get aboard," his friend answered. "don't bother me now; i'm thinking." tab snorted contemptuously, and in silence the pair held on until they reached the quay. the cutter awaited them, and still in silence they were pulled out to the merle. there was not a breath of wind now; the stars blazed brilliantly above them, and not a cloud-blot was to be seen. in a stillness broken only by the rhythmical oar-strokes the pair watched the myriad star-points which dotted the heavens as they had adorned it centuries before when old nice was new nicæa, and some brown sicilian pilot may have gazed up at them and made haven by their faithful guidance. no sooner were they aboard than gonzague came to ask if they would have supper. "oh, i don't know," jack answered, still in a dream from the spell of mrs. fairhew's words. "well, i do," put in jerry. "we'll have some caviare sandwiches, gonzague, and a glass of sherry." the supper was eaten almost in silence, and it was not until gonzague had taken away the things and left them with pipes lighted that the inevitable explanation was reached. "now then?" said tab impatiently. his face wore a sober expression, full of expectancy, but not without a hint of annoyance and reproach. jack blew a large smoke-ring at him, and laughed to see how in dodging it jerry kept his solemnity unchanged. "well, tab," he began, "i don't suppose it's necessary to say that the idea of leaving the yacht never came into my head till i knew mrs. fairhew and katr--miss marchfield were off to-morrow." "heave ahead," grumpily retorted jerry. "don't mind me. of course i shall be delighted to be left alone on the yacht." "come, cheer up, old man," jack exhorted. "don't be grouchy. i'm awfully sorry to leave you; but of course it's only for a little while, and we shall both have compensations. i hope i shall be coming nearer to--to--well, to something definite, you know; and you'll have the merle to do what you jolly well please with." "that's all very well, of course," tab responded, his face relaxing a little; "but what's your game? we've beastly little money, you know; and this shore cruise of yours is bound to sop up a lot of tin." "we've money enough to carry us through," jack declared. "i'll go to genoa, of course. i know italy pretty well, and i can make myself useful,--sort of 'guide, philosopher, and friend,' and courier all in one. when they go on to naples,--well, from something mrs. fairhew said to-night, i think i shan't have any difficulty going on to naples with them. a man's a handy article in traveling, you see, especially if he knows the language." jerry regarded the captain as if his slower wits found it somewhat hard to follow the swift flights of his friend's mind. "but the merle?" he objected. "it's bad enough for you to be skylarking about the world with the president's yacht, but when it comes to turning it over to me--why, the old gentleman would throw five hundred fits at the bare idea." "oh, i'll trust you there," jack said lightly, consciously trying to make his confidence as flattering as possible. "you can manage, and do as you please for the next month. who ever heard of a mate that didn't jump at the chance of taking command for a while. i'd advise you to stop, say, at elba, if you're for doing the sights. then, if you like, while you're on the napoleonic tack, you might run 'round to ajaccio. it's an out-of-the-way place, rather, but it's jolly when you get there. as for elba, i've never been ashore there, though i've passed it and know the chap that owns it. i'll give you a letter in case you want to go ashore." "but, jack--damn it!" broke out jerry, as if exasperated by the very feasibility of his friend's sudden change of tactics, "i can't speak a word of their blessed lingo!" "pooh! your french will carry you about well enough, and if worst comes to worst, you can fall back on gonzague. at naples you'll find them speaking english all over the lot." "jack castleport, you're certainly the damnedest man to handle i ever came across," jerry said in despairing tones. "a fellow might as well try to bully-rag a sea-cow as to argue you out of any of your confounded schemes." "that's because they're so good," laughed jack. "you see their profound wisdom carries me away so completely that objections can't touch me." then he stretched his hand across the table corner, and caught hold of jerry's. "i'm deuced sorry to give you the slip like this," he said, "but you know the reason." the good-natured tab melted at once. he returned the pressure of his friend's hand and tried to quote "but when a woman's in the case, all other things, you know, give place;" but made so hopeless a mess of it that he could only break out into one of his boisterously jovial guffaws. "well, by george," he cried, "if she only knew how devoted you are, jack, she'd let you wait a dog's age, just to try you." they spent an hour or so in arranging details, going over charts, dividing their funds, and so on. jack gave tab addresses at genoa, florence, and rome by which he might be reached, and told him that at naples he should go to the hôtel du vesuve. on the twentieth of august jerry was to inquire for him there. these and other affairs having been arranged, the pair smoked a final pipe, and turned in. jack was very wakeful. he lay thinking of this and of that, restlessly tossing about in his berth. just as at last he was dropping off to sleep, he was aroused by the voice of jerry, who called softly across the passage:-- "i say, jack,--are you awake?" "almost," replied jack; "but i shouldn't have been, if you'd let me alone." "i say, jacko, do you fancy the president came a cropper in that tillington smashup?" "don't know," jack answered. "he's pretty shrewd, and mrs. fairhew would have been likely to hear of it, i should think, if he had come seriously to grief." "well, you know, it struck me that perhaps that beastly letter from tillington might have been something important, and"-- "oh, take a liver-pill!" interrupted jack. "you've got an attack of _conscientia novanglicana_." "what's that?" "forerunner of nervous pros.," replied the captain with a chuckle. "go to sleep or you'll get it." "well, good-night." "good-night, boy." silence again reigned, but jack, once more aroused, threshed about uneasily until far into the night. resolutely as he might determine not to think of the possible consequences of the carrying off of that big blue letter, he could not prevent doubt from recurring constantly to his mind, and something not so far removed from remorse mingled with his thoughts of katrine and of the delight of traveling in her company. he was so long awake that on the next afternoon mrs. fairhew, when he had installed her and her niece comfortably in a first-class compartment on the . train, and they were beginning to see the olive groves and the villas slip picturesquely past the windows, noted the shadows beneath his eyes, and smiled to herself discreetly and unseen. [illustration: decoration] chapter nine the doldrums for two weeks the merle had been lying at anchor at naples. from nice she had run first to elba; thence she had doubled north again and rounded corsica; she had touched at calvi and ajaccio; and lastly, running through the straits of bonifacio, she had held on east-southeasterly to her present anchorage off the castle. despite the novel pleasures of command, taberman felt jack's absence so much as at times to be almost unhappy, even at times a little inclined to be resentful. he was still too boyish not to feel that to leave a yacht for a girl was the height of madness, if not of idiocy; and while he was too loyal to jack to confess this feeling even to himself, it would at times rise in his mind, especially when he felt more than usually lonely. on his arrival at any port jerry experienced to the full the excitement which even the oldest traveler feels in some degree at entering a new town. whenever the port officer appeared in his official dignity, another sensation was added in the fear of detection and apprehension. a reaction would set in with the departure of the easily satisfied official, and jerry would go mooning about with his hands in his pockets, whistling some spiritless tune until the time came to get up anchor and sail anew. at naples, however, things went somewhat better with jerry than at any of his previous ports. in the first place even jerry, unæsthetic as he was, could not escape the magic of the beautiful bay and the surroundings which opened up before him in the morning light as he approached the city. he said to himself, half as if in excuse for being so much pleased by mere scenery, that it looked as it should. it had, as it were, kept faith with him; and its beauty was to him an honest fulfillment of its fame. the gray cone of vesuvius, palpably and gratifyingly like the pictures, stood at the head of the bay, crowned with an inky cloud of smoke. away from it to the south stretched the cliffs of blue sorrento and bluer capri, melting magically into a background of hills or of the azure sky. on the north of the smoking cone a stretch of shadow-wrought shore, and then naples itself, from the old spanish fort on the water-front to the castle of st. elmo, long and gray, crowning the summit of the ridge behind, and the stone-pines silhouetted like palms against the sapphire sky. naples, with its great four-square houses of pink, and white, and yellow, heaped, as it were, one above another; its red-tiled roofs, its terraces tricked out with vines or fig-trees; naples, with its church roofs of variegated tiles, its long quays yellowish gray about the shore--jerry could well have believed himself in some enchanted picture city, a city which might almost be expected to vanish suddenly if one should close the book it graced. behind the government mole were lying five italian battleships, their big red, white, and green flags floating over their sterns, and everywhere over the liquid blue of the bay sailed fisher-craft and small boats, gilded with the morning light. scarcely was the merle's anchor down than the yacht was surrounded by a gay flotilla of boats, all laden with piles of fruit or vegetables, and manned by crews as noisy as they were picturesque. baskets heaped with figs, great piles of green melons, lemons, citrons, plums, fresh vegetables of all sorts, were there; and each ware was extolled by the vendors with vociferous volubility, until the ears of jerry fairly sang with the din. from the crowding boats screamed blowsy, dark-eyed women with brown oval faces and raiment of reds and yellows; boys with greek faces and slim bare arms yelled with shrill voices; doddering old men, sitting in the stern-sheets of skiffs pulled by impish youngsters, waved impotent hands and moved toothless mouths whose sounds were lost in the feverish uproar; stalwart market-men, with brown, wrinkled faces and hairy bosoms exposed, fought their way through the press, disregarding age, sex, and condition in their effort to be nearest the possible purchasers on the merle; all around the yacht the piratical water-peddlers made a floating pandemonium, at which the yankee crew stared not only in surprise but with some appearance of not unnatural alarm. as an opposing bulwark to this flood of southern vivacity, old gonzague alone stood as the spokesman of the yacht. requested by jerry to make the vendors "stow their jaw," he laid about him right and left with a profane volubility which outdid even that of the assailants. the old man had not spoken italian for so long that he might well be supposed to have forgotten it, but the occasion found him splendidly adequate to all the requirements of the situation. the neapolitans raved and pleaded, execrated and lowered their prices, with appeals to the madonna and all the saints to witness their honesty and their liberality; but once the floodgates of gonzague's italian were opened, he dealt with them so eloquently and so roundly, his objurgations were so much more picturesque and more emphatic than any they could compass, that one by one they drew away baffled, calling on high heaven and the blessed virgin to protect them when vesuvius should belch forth a torrent of fire to overwhelm this blasphemous and impious _vecchiastro_. gonzague was perhaps sustained under the volleys of curses which the defeated bumboat men and women threw back at him, by the admiration with which he was regarded by the crew of the merle. they had come to idolize the old man, and to look upon him with roughly affectionate wonder. the beauty of the scenes through which they had been passing in the mediterranean had of course impressed them very little æsthetically, and naples with its matchless bay they saw only with the eyes of isle au haut fishermen. they were, however, never tired of wonders. the childlike sailor nature is always easily touched by the marvelous, and a real volcano was something worth seeing. as long as the merle was in sight of vesuvius they would hang over the rail and watch it for hours. if the smoke ceased they would cluster together and discuss the probable causes; they would talk of the mountain as if it were a conscious monster, lying in wait for prey, whose every movement was to be watched with a view to detecting the sinister design that must lie behind it. when a great dun cloud would suddenly puff up from the cone, the men would greet it with deep exclamations half of awe and half of applause. continually they beset gonzague with questions, as if he were the keeper or the high priest of this fiery monster. they apparently had complete confidence that gonzague could explain it all if he would. his knowledge of the language and such use of it as he made in dispersing the voluble rabble of vendors were exactly in the line of their understanding, and they followed his every movement with an admiration amusingly tinged with something not unlike uncouth reverence. on the afternoon of his arrival at naples taberman had gone ashore. he had landed at the steamship quay, and passed half the night in an aimless ramble. there is something about naples at night which goes to the head like wine; especially if the head is young and set on the shoulders of one who has never before known the life of southern cities. jerry walked from the railroad station to the public gardens, and from the mola to the hôtel britannique upon the heights. he attempted no systematic exploration, but simply wandered with no other object than the simple delight of rambling. by daylight the picturesque streets; the variegated rabble, ragged, dirty, beautiful, impudent, at once repulsive and enchanting; the crooked, crowded ways that climb the hill; the awnings, the heaps of fruit, the strange wares, the familiar air of the family life which made of the streets a home, and seemed to turn all the inhabitants of the town into one huge family; the unconsciously artistic groups, the tumbling _bambini_, the women, bold, piquant, handsome, or ugly with a hideousness of which jerry had never conceived,--all these things passed before him like the whirling shows of an opium dream. as night fell, and the lights appeared, the scenes through which he went half dazed and wholly delighted took on a new quality of the weird and fantastic. the flaring lamps, the mysterious shadows, the blazing colors which not even the night could subdue, the theatrical effects seen down the narrow streets as on a stage set for opera, the inexhaustible vivacity, which seemed not to diminish with the lateness of the hour, all blended in an intoxicating experience such as taberman had never known, and indeed such as had never come into his liveliest fancy. the next day jerry went ashore in the morning, and set himself to more regular sight-seeing under the care of a professional guide. he went over the famous museum, saw vergil's tomb, posilipo, sanazar's house, and marti's _pozzo_. after a capital luncheon in one of the cafés in the arcade, he rejoined his guide, who took him to the aquarium. on the way they stopped at the royal palace and the morro, tab being duly impressed by the grandeur of royalty and the majesty of the law. continually he wished that jack were with him, for he had so fallen into the habit of depending on jack for opinions that without his friend his impressions seemed to lack the clearness of sanction. when it came to the aquarium, however, not only did the things he had seen in his day's explorations fade from his mind, but he was too delighted not to know exactly what he felt. the aquarium of naples is by far the most wonderful in the world. it is smaller and less elaborate than others, as, for instance, that of the trocadero, but it outranks all in interest and impressiveness. the virtue of the place lies in its simplicity of construction and in the rarity of its exhibits. a sense of restful shadow and coolness succeeding to outside glare and heat; a dim greenish light in broad, glass-faced tanks of sea-water; an odd feeling of being fathoms deep in a tropical sea,--these are the sensations the visitor has first in this wonderful home of strange fish in exile. tab made the rounds half a dozen times before he could bring himself to leave. quite unscientific, but as enthusiastic as a boy, he stood in front of each tank, and tried vainly to determine which was most fascinating. here were spiny lobster-like crustacea, spotted with a dozen colors; there were beautiful fish with shining iridescent sides and waving filmy, vaporous tails; one tank was inhabited by repulsive, warty octopi, splotched with dull browns and plague-spots of ugly red, which melted and slimed about, so disgusting that they seemed almost obscene; from another a huge sea python, with body as large as the thigh of a man and a head like that of a bald wolf, seemed to grin with sinister, snarling face at jerry, while all about the monster bloated globe-fish and distorted marine shapes swam and circled; in a corner tank a brood of asp-like fish, with skins that seemed of richest velvet, dusky and wonderful in hue, lay heaped like incarnate poison; and near by the angel-fish went waving and trailing their way about the sand. jerry was perhaps most impressed, however, by the mysterious life which went on in a tank to which he came among the last. thin, slow-waving filaments of colorless jelly, crowned with diaphanous cups, not differing greatly from the poppy-flower in shape; and near them other forms, transparent, hardly more than condensed sea-water in appearance, yet with slow pulsations, continuous and wonderful, of phosphoric sparks,--as if one saw life itself throbbing rhythmically in the pellucid hairs of jelly. jerry had not been so completely happy since he parted from jack. he reveled in a boyish delight, and let no wonder of the place escape him. he tipped the keeper to feed the octopi with young crabs, lowered on a string; he took a smart electric shock from a morose torpedo which lay sulkily in a small open tub with a pebbly bottom; he had the big anemones and the coral-polyps "put to sleep," in the words of his guide,--an operation consisting simply of the moving in the water of a small stick which caused them to close in alarm; he did, in a word, everything his guide could think of for him to do, and went away in the end only half content to leave. after the aquarium, jerry turned a deaf ear to the alluring speeches of the guide, the burden of whose song was all of curiosities unseen and of pleasures untasted. he paid the importunate manikin, and made his way back to the merle. the truth was that he had seen something which thoroughly pleased him, and after that it was impossible to return to the perfunctory seeing of regulation sights which really did not take hold of him in the least. before the first week was ended, jerry had visited pompeii and baiæ, and what was to be seen of herculaneum. he had made some purchases; and then he began to wait about, ashore or aboard, for jack. that gentleman had written no response to tab's letter announcing the arrival of the merle at naples, and jerry could only think of him as so absorbed in his wooing as to have forgotten all about his friend. some not unnatural jealousy began to ferment in his mind, and did not add to his comfort. by the advice of gonzague he took the market-boat, and setting out early one morning he sailed with a couple of the men across the bay to capri, where he passed the day. the only thing which cheered him on his lonely expedition was a tarantella, which was danced for his diversion by a romantic-looking _raggaza_, with black eyes and short petticoats. the moonlight sail back would have pleased him more had it not been necessary to keep the men rowing for two thirds of the way. on the whole, jerry could find nothing to please him on land or sea. the major part of the next week he had spent stretched out in a cane _chaise longue_ in the cockpit, drinking iced sangaree and reading didron's _artémise_. he had a fly stretched over the awning for increased coolness, and the "dusters" put up to shut out the glare from the water; there, like some melancholy monarch beneath his canopy, he read, dozed, and grumbled--without even the satisfaction of any fit audience--from morning to sundown. in the cool of the evening he usually went ashore, and one night he was strolling along the water-front, stick in hand and his panama set well back on his head. as he passed the hôtel du vesuve, wondering when jack would arrive, a small figure moved quickly in front of him and bowed. at first he was startled, but almost instantly he saw that it was the valet de place who had gone about with him in the early days of his stay at naples. "hello," said jerry in surprise, yet not without a feeling of satisfaction at finding even this apology for a companion. "_buon' sera, signor_," responded the little man vivaciously. "how do? you tek-a de night air? _Ã� verament' un' bellissima notte._ it mek-a cool, eh?" and he waved his arms expressively. he might have been thirty or thirty-five, and had coarse black hair, with fiery eyes. he was not ill-looking, but his clothes were hopelessly threadbare and his face pinched. he bore dark circles under his eyes, and was in no way markedly different from others of his numerous and futile class, who, with a smattering of french, german, or english, struggle desperately for a livelihood by acting, not always very virtuously, as guides for traveling _forestieri_. "you busy?" jerry asked, a sudden thought striking him. "no--no," replied the neapolitan, his face as eager as his tone. "what-a you like see? eh? some of dose oder curiosities _forse_?" he asked with a suggestive smile. "thanks, no," jerry returned dryly; "but if you aren't busy, i wish you'd walk along with me. i'm bored--tired--'most to death, and i fancy you might tell me how i may best kill time for the next few days." the little guide was delighted. he suggested a multitude of things which might be done,--visits to castellmare and sorrento or amalfi; wonders the signor had neglected in the museum; the _pasta_ shops; and so on for a variety of possible and impossible diversions. but still taberman shook his head. he wanted to be amused, but he was lonely and rather homesick, so that while he regretted being so difficult, nothing appealed to him. finally, the guide, quite at his wit's end but still bland, smiling, patient, obsequious, and apparently unruffled by the careless way in which the american rejected all his suggestions one after the other, mentioned pesto. "pesto?" queried tab carelessly. "what is that?" "_si!_ pesto. it ees dere dey hav-a de gret-a temple; t'ree gret-a temple, all put een de row-a,--_uno, due, tre_." and he held up three fingers to make his statement at once clearer and more emphatic. "temples? real ones?" asked jerry. "i mean are they old--roman, that is--or just churches?" "_ma verament'_," laughed the valet de place, "_ci son' tre templi_; bot-a dey not-a roman; dey gre'k. fin-a, big-a temple; big-a like hôtel du vesuve!" he waved his spread arms as if he would embrace the universe. jerry laughed at the little man's enthusiasm, but his interest was excited. "greek, eh?" he said. "how far is it? how do you get there?" the guide explained volubly, told the time of trains to pæstum, declared that the trip was easily made in a day, and proffered his services as escort. this jerry declined, quite as much from motives of economy as from any other reason; but he invited the little guide to sit down at one of the small tables on the sidewalk before zinfoni's, where he furnished him with refreshments and made him repeat his account of the temples, the details of the journey, and whatever information he could furnish. jerry was really lonely enough to be amused by the company of the neapolitan, and as he sat listening and watching the people drifting past, he was soothed with the feeling of being not so entirely alone. from zinfoni's the pair sauntered down to the quay, where they parted. the italian was profuse in his thanks and protestations, and jerry was considerate enough to act in such a manner as to make the little man think him the most affable of _inglesi_. when he was aboard again, jerry got out a chart, and after some searching located pæstum. as it was not too far from naples to be possible in a day, he determined upon the expedition. jack was not due for two or three days yet, and the time must be killed somehow. he summoned gonzague, ordered an early breakfast, told him he should be absent all the next day, and that he should leave him in charge. he had a sort of mild exhilaration at his boldness in thus venturing off into the midst of a land whose language he could not speak, and he went to bed that night with a great feeling of relief. the doldrums were over; he had something to do to bridge the time until jack came. [illustration: decoration] chapter ten mr. wrenmarsh, the extraordinary on the following morning, as, a few minutes after nine, the southbound train from naples to tarento drew out of the station, taberman, winking a little at the sudden glare of the sun, began to look about him. the morning promised a hot day, and his comfort in traveling was likely to be lessened by the fact that in the second-class compartment with him were five italians. they had already settled themselves back against the cushions, turning upward sunburnt, perspiring faces, and allowing themselves to be jolted by the train like so many dead-weights. their ugly straw hats, high-crowned and narrow-brimmed, were set on their knees or wedged beside them on the seat; two of the travelers had gay bandannas tucked into their collars about their throats. one man--a pursy old codger in the corner--had lighted, after a mumbled "con permesso," a long virginia, which filled the compartment with a thin blue haze and an acrid smell as of burning leather. the train rumbled along over a dubious roadbed, flanked by its cinder-strewn berms; and tab, looking through the window on his right, recognized the line as that by which he had gone to pompeii. at times the train went close to where the curling ripples of the sapphirine bay were breaking gently on the shore; sometimes it ran through small hamlets, and again passed country places where the busy peasants were at work in the rich vineyards, the orchards, or the tilled fields. at the end of half an hour, they stopped at pompeii for a moment, and jerry, through the opposite window, recognized the station and the paltry inn beyond. as the train drew out again, he caught brief glimpses of the ancient city, dull red-brown walls among the silver-gray of the olive-trees. the train sped on southward. it dipped into little vales, and wound its way up and into the hills that ring themselves around the plain of pæstum. in an hour's time they pulled up at a small town on the left of the track. jerry made out the name of the station, enameled in big white letters on a blue field, battapaglia. the guard came by, unlocking the compartment doors, and as the men in his compartment got out and left their luggage behind them, jerry concluded that here was to be a wait of some minutes. he therefore followed the example of his fellow travelers, and stepped down upon the sunny platform. it was very hot. tab mopped his face with his handkerchief and turned down the brim of his panama all around. "_graniti, signor? citron? orang'?_" a small boy had singled him out, probably because he was the only _forestiere_ on the platform, and was offering him syrupy drinks cooled with cracked ice. for a soldo tab secured a glass of sherbet, fruit-juice and water half frozen and very delicious. it was so refreshing that he bestowed an extra soldo on the vender in sheer gratitude. the lad rewarded him with a curt "grazie," and a look half grateful and half suspicious, and then hastened on to urge his wares on other travelers. jerry looked after him in amusement at the fringe made by the tatters of his trousers, and in lazy admiration of the sinewy brown arms left bare by the sleeveless cotton shirt and of the jaunty poise of the curly head. the train still waited. jerry lighted a cigarette and got into the shadow of the cars. presently a big express came thundering out of the pass in the hills with a roar, and rushed away to southward on the main track. "_pronto! partenza! partenza!_" cried the guard, with a blast of his horn. the road was again clear, the express-mail having passed. the passengers clambered aboard, and settled themselves in their former places. the old man with the virginia had purchased a copy of "il papagallo," though it was a mystery how he could have got hold of it in such a place. he clucked oilily as he read, occasionally calling the attention of his nearest neighbor to some gaudy cartoon or some political pasquinade. jerry speculated in regard to what it might all be about, and was filled with that vague sense of baffled irritation which comes from seeing others enjoying jokes in a language one cannot understand. mile after mile of level track, flanked by the interminable cinder-covered berms. once in a while the level was broken by clumps of dusty cactus, ugly and forbiddingly aggressive in the sun. to the right, beyond a flat, gorse-grown waste, relieved only by an occasional palm or oleaster, tab could discern the blue shimmer of the sea. to the left, he could see only the same dull plain, bounded by bluish hills, which rose about it like the seats of some titanic amphitheatre. now and again two or three buffaloes, their black hides caked with patches of yellow mud, lay in their wallows or stood contemptuously indifferent to the noisy train, which beside them seemed so impertinently modern. at last the train, with a screaming of gritty brakes on the wheels, and the inevitable clanking and banging of cars and couplings, drew up beside a tiny station on the right of the track. "pesto! pesto!" the guard unlocked the compartment door, and jerry stepped out. the station was smaller than any they had passed, and tab smilingly reflected that the lodge at the entrance of his father's place at dedham was bigger. he was the only passenger to alight, and no sooner was he out than the guard, like an overgrown mechanical toy, called out his "_pronto! partenza!_" blew his toy horn, and swung himself aboard again. the long train, with bitter metallic complaint at being obliged to go farther, drew past the little station, and rolled away toward a gap in the southern hills, far beyond which lies tarento. taberman turned to the station master, a discouraged-looking individual who stood on the platform with his truncheon tucked under his arm, examining a batch of dispatches as if this were the first time such papers had ever come under his notice. jerry's italian vocabulary was limited to some score of words, with a few expressions, such as _dolce far niente_ and the like, more ornamental than useful. as, however, he could perceive no sign of any temples,--or town either, for the matter of that,--he determined to question the _capo_. "_bonn giorno_," he began with a painful sense of effort, but with a mild self-congratulatory thrill at having said something in italian. "_buon' giorno_," responded the station master, turning a pair of dull eyes and an emaciated face from the dispatches to taberman. jerry spoke french moderately well, and resolved to address the official in that tongue, in the hope that the italian might understand. "peut-être vous parlez français?" he began. "_cosa?_" asked the italian, obviously puzzled, as he stepped out of the sun into the shadow of the little station. "what?" demanded jerry in english, and with much the same puzzled air. "_non capisco_," said the man, with a sort of dull finality. conversation languished. jerry felt himself pretty well baffled, yet he had no choice but to go on with the unpromising attempt to elicit information here, as no other human being was in sight. he considered a moment, and then in an explosive tone, demanded:-- "_templi?_" "_bruto inglise!_" murmured the _capo_ under his breath. "_che volete?_" he added aloud. "what?" asked jerry, again scared over the dubious boundary of his italian into english. "_non capisco_," repeated the italian morosely, wetting his dingy forefinger, and going over his papers for at least the third time. "damn it!" cried jerry, in complete exasperation, "if you say that again i'll punch your head!" the other started back in such obvious terror that tab hastened to propitiate him by putting on quickly his most ingratiating smile, and nodding as if he had made a merry joke. the other seemed reassured, although he edged away a little, as if he were doubtful of the sanity of this foreign brute; and tab fell again to the effort to rally all the words in his italian vocabulary about one idea. "_dove_," he began in one grand final attempt to wring information out of this sullen and taciturn official, "_dove_"-- he was so pleased with himself for having remembered the word that he came near forgetting all the rest, but with a desperate rally, he went blundering on. "_dove_, i say, is--is--_la via per i templi_?" the _capo_ looked at him, apparently in mingled curiosity and disgust. then he beckoned him to the edge of the platform on the other side of the station, whence stretched westward a ribbon of dust-heaped road. "_ecco-la_" he ejaculated, waving his truncheon vaguely toward the distance. "ah," said jerry, "_grazie_." as the _capo_ responded to this speech not at all, tab set out on the dusty road without more ado. the way was inches deep in loose, gray dust, and spiny cacti bristled on either hand. jerry had not gone far before, turning a bend, he saw at no great distance ahead of him an arched gateway through which the road passed. the arch, broken and crumbled, was set in a ruined wall, which trailed away on either hand, now rising to the height of something like a dozen feet, now razed to the very ground. "that's a forlorn-looking piece o' work," commented tab aloud. had jerry been blessed with the education of his forefathers, instead of having brought out of school and college a hodgepodge smattering of physics and economics, he might have known and reflected that the wall he thus carelessly characterized had been standing some two thousand years, and gloriously attested the puissance of old rome. with no such thought, however, he passed beneath the crumbling gateway and continued his march. at some distance ahead he now perceived signs of life in the shape of a few dwellings. as he looked at them he became aware of two horsemen, who were cantering toward him on the crest of the little slope made by the road just inside the old gateway. their horses' hoofs stirred up light clouds of yellow dust. even at first glance the riders showed themselves to be ruggedly dressed, and with something of a thrill jerry noticed instantly that slung across their shoulders they carried carbines. wild tales of brigands flashed confusedly through his brain, and especially a tale the neapolitan guide had related of the capture and murder at this very place of an english gentleman and his wife. the guide had said that that was sixteen years ago, but the place seemed so lonely, so remote, tab's ideas of rural italy were so vague, the effect of the landscape and of these wild figures was so startling as, riding toward him, they stood out against the sky, that it was no wonder jerry involuntarily cast a quick glance around to note the lay of the land and to see if any possible help were in sight in case of need. the horsemen rode down to him on a lazy lope. they were big, bronzed fellows, smoking cigarettes, and riding with their feet out of the stirrups. they nodded to him pleasantly and smiled, showing large white teeth. they had about them, these big fellows, a look so engaging that tab was won at once, and the vague mist of his suspicions vanished like smoke in air. he grinned to himself at the idea of brigands. "_dove templi?_" he asked, returning their salutation. the big men smiled more broadly, and one of them replied in french. "vous ne parlez pas beaucoup d'italien?" he asked in a pleasant voice. "ne pas de tout!" responded jerry heartily, with a laugh. having found some one with whom he could talk, he at once began a lively conversation. he found the two men to be the custodians appointed by the government to look after the temples and to collect the fees of travelers. they explained that at this season it was extremely rare for a visitor to appear, and that they were therefore not particular about being exactly at their posts. they had heard some rumor of the discovery of antiques by peasants, and were setting out to investigate. they explained, however, that the chances of finding out anything were very small; the peasants all held together, and would all lie for one another. jerry inferred, moreover, that they were by no means anxious to make discoveries. it was part of their duty to investigate such a rumor, for the government claimed the right to have a hand in the disposal of any treasure-trove; but the custodians seemed to have a good deal of sympathy with the wretched peasants, who tried to conceal anything they might find, in order to sell it for a fraction of its value to any stray _forestiere_ who might appear. now that a visitor had come, one of the men went alone on this errand, and the custode who spoke french returned toward the temples, which were near at hand, that he might formally take tab's lira at the gate. the italian walked his horse beside taberman past the two or three ruinous and apparently deserted houses, and in a few minutes the pair came to where their road ended in a broad turnpike which ran at right angles to it. on the other side of this turnpike, a little distance to his left, jerry saw the ruins of a couple of temples, and beyond them the sea. his guide disregarded them, and led him to the right hand, where, a hundred yards or so along the highway, they came to a square two-story building of gray rubble. on its dingy front was painted in black letters the word "osteria." "v'là l'auberge," announced the jovial custodian. "if michu is fatigued, he can get eggs and polenta within. the wine is rough, but not so bad as the water. this way, michu." and leaving his horse to crop the rank grass by the doorway, he strode into the building, tab following. the inn was a poor place, even for southern italy. the floor was of trampled clay; the walls were unfinished within as without, but like the ceiling, from which hung bunches of garlic and black and dusty herbs, they were garnished with abundant cobwebs and a generous coating of soot and dirt. at the back of the room was a counter, above which a grimy sign announced the right of the proprietor to sell salt and tobacco. in the left-hand corner of the back of the place was one of the altar-like ranges of italy, upon which glowed a minute heap of charcoal. tab smiled to find himself recognizing its use from its resemblance to the cooking-places he had seen in the ruins of pompeii, and reflected, with the superiority of a youth born in a young land, upon the conservatism which keeps its kitchen arrangements practically the same as they were two thousand years ago. the room was lighted simply by the door through which the visitors had entered. another doorway at the left simply yawned blackly like the mouth of a cavern. the furniture consisted of a small square table and three stools. over the entire place was spread an appearance of squalor and neglect, depressing, but in key with the air of poverty and of deadness which had been more evident to tab with every step he had taken in pæstum. the room was empty when they entered it, but after the custode had bellowed lustily once or twice for "angelo," the innkeeper appeared suddenly. he was a little man doubled up as if with rheumatism, and with a face as yellow as a dried lemon. on seeing taberman he croaked something to the custode, and bowed to his guest again and again, rubbing his hands and all but losing his crooked balance with each genuflection. with the air of an archduke ordering a banquet for his retainers, jerry's companion gave some rapid instructions to the innkeeper, told the michu to make the place his own, and then departed to attend to his horse and other trifles, saying that he would be back in half an hour. tab seated himself on a stool to await his luncheon. his host puttered about the altar, occasionally mumbling to himself, like the devotee of some stygian power making sacrifice. jerry was watching him with amusement, and wondering what would be the outcome of his incantations in the way of food, when on a sudden the doorway was darkened, and a man entered the room. at a glance jerry saw that the newcomer was, like himself, a traveler. the stranger was of medium height, rather inclined, hardly to stoutness, but certainly to plumpness; he was well proportioned, with broad shoulders, but had a carriage curiously shuffling and insignificant. he held a stiff-brimmed straw hat in his hand, and tab could see, where the outer light fell upon his crown, that his hair was slightly touched with gray. his face, jerry decided, would have been handsome, had it not been marred by two deep lines from the nostrils to the corners of the mouth, which gave an appearance of sinister suspicion not without a hint of selfish cruelty. except for a very silky mustache, he was clean-shaven. the traveler threw taberman a quick, almost furtive glance, and then, turning to the innkeeper, addressed that individual sharply in italian. the crooked host bowed furiously, made apologetic and deprecatory gestures with the rapidity of a mountebank, skipped about in feverish excitement, and jerked his head more and more frantically. the gentleman--for he seemed one--continued his objurgations unappeased by all these demonstrations, and ended by swearing roundly in english. "oh!" exclaimed taberman involuntarily. the stranger turned to him. "i beg your pardon," he said in a curious sing-song voice with a markedly rising inflection, "but this brute has not prepared my luncheon. do you mind sharing the table with me?" "not the least in the world," replied jerry. "i'm sure it will give me great pleasure." "good," said the stranger. "i see you are an american," he flung out as an addition. "i am," returned taberman, feeling a simple pride in the fact. "thank god i'm not," remarked the stranger. his voice showed no trace of truculence; it was murmured as if to himself. before jerry had time to explode the gentleman continued: "i'm english. what does that mean? celt, angle, saxon, and ages of tradition--ages of it. by the bye, you mustn't mind the things i say, you know; your pernicious self-respect would force you to resent them if you did. may i ask your name?" "my name is taberman," jerry replied, struggling with a mingling of indignation, amazement, and amusement, "jerrold taberman. i live in boston." "dedham rather," returned the other easily. "i knew a taberman when i was in college. curious chap. i-- my name's wrenmarsh, gordon wrenmarsh. fact is, i was an american, but i couldn't stand the place. bostonians have good manners; but new york is a vile spot. so is boston; that is-- well, perhaps you see the difference." the tricks this extraordinary man played with his voice were astonishing, and as he went on talking he quite dizzied tab by the cryptic, baffling nature of his nervous speeches. he had, too, a curious and disconcerting habit of displaying great emotional intensity--opening his eyes to their greatest extent and distending his nostrils--in dealing with trifles of the slightest consequence; while whenever, as happened once or twice in the course of the luncheon, they touched even remotely on subjects of really vital importance, the extraordinary mr. wrenmarsh fairly oozed indifference. his conduct was so thoroughly strange that once or twice jerry felt a puzzled doubt whether the man were entirely sane. "i'll tell you," said mr. wrenmarsh, when their slight repast was over, "we'll do the temples together. i've been camping in this abominable hole of an _osteria_ for over a week, so that i know them pretty well. one of them is in my period, moreover." jerry looked at him as if to ask if the stranger claimed to be a contemporary of the ruins. "your period?" he echoed confusedly. "yes; you see, i'm an archæologist--collector, in fact. hello; here's the custode." the custodian entered as mr. wrenmarsh spoke, and taberman had somehow the idea that the look he gave the englishman was not very friendly. "ah, michu, have you found a friend?" he asked in his queer french. "i don't know," jerry returned, with a half laugh. "well," responded the italian, "if michu is ready to see the temples, i am waiting." "bien," responded jerry; and then turning to the archæologist, he asked, "are you coming?" "of course," the englishman answered. "never mind this custode; he's only an ignorant pig." jerry secretly felt that, ignorant or not, the big italian, with his merry face and open smile, would be a much more companionable guide than the eccentric collector; but without comment he paid the reckoning, and they set out. they went down the road to a gate, paid a lira each to the custode, and entered upon a field of ploughed land, planted with maize. the italian, who had more and more the air of not liking the englishman, made some remarks to the effect that michu l'anglaise was a very learned man, and one much better fitted to explain the marvels of ancient architecture than he, a plain man who had had to pick up his education in the army. on these grounds he excused himself and went into a little lodge, while the others walked on to the temples which stood before them, ideal in their beauty. the two pushed their way across the field and entered the nearest temple. jerry's was not an impressionable nature, and in one way to him these august colonnades meant little; yet despite a certain sophomoric exuberance which he had never outgrown, his nature was fundamentally too refined to fail to respond to the silent grandeur of this solemn harmony in stone. the roofless enclosure, after all the indignities a score of centuries had been able to inflict upon it, possessed still a nobility and a beauty which seemed almost personal and conscious. one feels in seeing the ruins at pæstum as if a certain inherent and indestructible loveliness would pervade the very stones were they thrown down to the last one; and while the columns stand, the place is one to make the visitor catch his breath with admiration and almost with awe. taberman did not analyze, and indeed he was instinctively so occupied in concealing from his companion how profoundly he was impressed as to have little attention left for introspection; but he was more deeply stirred than he could have conceived possible. he walked about with mr. wrenmarsh, who talked along in his curious voice, expatiating upon styles and orders, influence and epochs, with all sorts of things of which jerry understood at best not more than a quarter; until at last, instead of going on to the neighboring temple, the strangely assorted pair sat down on the western steps of the ruin through which they had come. taberman looked away westward, where the rim of the sea shone like a fillet of molten silver. for some time neither spoke; but at length mr. wrenmarsh broke in upon tab's train of thought with a question. "are you traveling alone?" he asked quite suddenly. taberman explained that he had come over from america in a yacht. it is to be feared that it was vanity which led him to make the unlucky addition that he was in command of her until his friend should rejoin him at naples. "ah," commented the archæologist, with a new appearance of interest; "you're cruising." "yes," said jerry. the spell of the temple was upon him, and he had no inclination to talk. he was conscious of a half-defined desire to have this stranger take himself off, and not bother him further with questions. "and what do you suppose i am doing here?" queried the collector in a tone of almost fierce intensity. "why," jerry responded rather absently, "i supposed you were studying or something." "why, yes, to be sure i am; haven't i told the custode so?" chuckled mr. wrenmarsh. his laughter was as extraordinary as his speech and manner. he would double up as if with a sort of a spasm and snigger gastrically. "but that's not all," he went on, as jerry turned to look at him questioningly; "that's not all. i'm doing something else. i'm waiting." "what for?" asked taberman, seeing that he was expected to speak. "help," replied wrenmarsh laconically. "help?" repeated jerry blankly. "yes, help; waiting. collecting is nothing but waiting anyway,--waiting for news, waiting for funds, waiting for auctions, waiting for old countesses to die, waiting for some fool of a peasant to discover something; waiting, waiting, waiting all along the line. it's the man who waits with his ears and eyes open and his mouth shut that gets what he wants. he's the man." "but--but what sort of help do you want now?" tab inquired. he was sympathetic by nature, and this extraordinary individual had aroused not only his curiosity, but in some mysterious manner stimulated him to a desire to be of service. he had come to pæstum for amusement. he felt that in meeting the collector he had been amply repaid. the unwonted emotion which had been stirred by the temple melted in his boyish heart before the warmer human interest which the collector aroused, and it was perhaps with some unrealized relief at getting back to more familiar levels of feeling that he now began to enter into the affairs of his companion. it came over him that he was being appealed to, and he was ready to take the position that if any aid of his could bring relief to mr. wrenmarsh, that eccentric gentleman should no longer need to go on waiting for help. "i'll tell you the whole business," said the archæologist, in a sudden burst of frankness. "you look trustworthy. i've been here ten days--waiting. i've written, of course, for help; but it doesn't seem to come. three weeks ago i was in naples, and heard--no matter how--that somewhere down here a lot of good stuff had turned up. i kept coming down here daily until, by dint of discreet questions--discretion's the backbone of the game--i found out what had happened. a peasant here had been spading over some ground. one day the earth sunk suddenly under him, and down he went into a hole. he found, as soon as he could get his wits together, that he had broken through the roof of an ancient _cella_ of some sort. he got out without much trouble, pulled himself together, and did what any peasant would know enough to do,--covered the place with brush and dirt so that no news of the thing should get to the custodi. then he went on with his spading." "without investigating?" asked jerry, full of interest. mr. wrenmarsh looked at him curiously. "of course," he responded. "if he had let his curiosity get the better of him, or his tongue wag, he'd be a good deal poorer than he is at present. they are stupid louts, these peasants, but they do learn enough not to take the government into their confidence when they find anything. they know that they'd get nothing out of it if they did. besides, they are as stolid as buffaloes. they can wait well enough." "but what did he find?" demanded taberman, his interest thoroughly aroused by this tale of treasure-trove, which appealed to every boyish and every adventurous fibre in him. "he went by night with a lantern and a couple of panniers. he filled his baskets twice, filled them with priceless things in a perfect condition--beautiful kylixes and glass bowls. there's one that measures at least half a metre across the top. think of that! why, it's the finest glass i've ever seen or heard of! it's the finest glass there is!" "great scott!" cried jerry, alive with excitement. "it must be awfully old!" "old!" retorted wrenmarsh with scorn; "do you know where you are?" jerry twisted his head to look up at the tall columns and broken pediment above him, on the pinkish-gray stones of which the afternoon sun fell with loving warmth. "yes, of course," he said. "but what did he do with the things?" "i kept at him till i wormed the whole business out of him," the collector answered, "and i bought his things--damn him!" he brought out the objurgation with amazing vigor; then stopped and stared gloomily before him. "well?" said jerry. "what are you waiting for? more?" "more!" exploded the collector, disgust and indignation in his face. "man, i've got hold of a collection that is all but unique! more! don't you see--i can't get away with it! piece by piece i could run it out of the country, but i don't dare to leave anything behind me. if only my men were at hand--but they're not, they're not. one's off the track in the t road, and the other's in america." he passed his hand before his eyes with a gesture so expressive that it was even more impassioned than his tone. taberman was moved, both by the enthusiasm of this man for his work and by the exciting romance of the finding of this treasure. he knew vaguely of the laws that forbade the taking of works of art out of italy and greece, but he had no conception that they were strictly enforced. it gave him a new sensation to be thus brought in contact with the actual working of a statute which was aimed to prevent a man from removing his own possessions from one country to another. he had been too well brought up under a high protective tariff to have any moral scruples about smuggling anything. a mugwump atmosphere had acted upon the natural inclination of youth to defy authority, and had bred in jerry the feeling that smuggling, however little its true nature was appreciated in high places, was really in its essence a maligned virtue. in the present instance, moreover, the boyish feeling that what one owns is his to do what he chooses with despite all fiats of principalities, potentates, and powers, helped to make the idea of this especial case of an attempt to defy the laws one of particular merit. he gave himself eagerly to considering how it could be done. "can't you take your traps to naples, and ship 'em from there?" he at last demanded of the archæologist. "you don't understand, i'm afraid," replied the other. "my reputation in itself compels me to lie close. besides that, there's the awkward problem of the octroi and the export examinations. i couldn't take the things into naples without running into the one, or out of it without getting afoul of the other. they'd be no end sharp in examining anything i tried to pass. i'm hideously notorious in italy." his pride in this last statement was entirely evident, but jerry was impressed by the deeds of archæological daring which were implied in such a reputation. "i simply can't get these things away without help," he continued. "i've written and telegraphed to every mortal i can count on,--there are only five or six of them,--and not one of them can help me out just now. meanwhile i starve on eggs and polenta, under the suspicious eyes of the custodi--damn 'em! they'd have got me a week ago if they'd had any brains." "upon my word," cried jerry, the idea suddenly striking him for the first time, "it's extraordinary you should tell me all this, and i a stranger." "i count on your helping me," responded mr. wrenmarsh in keenly incisive tones. "my helping you!" ejaculated tab in amazement. "what in the world have i to do with the business?" "you practically said so," returned the collector. "at least your face did." he looked at jerry, and then turned away to the brown expanse of plain in a manner so stricken and so reproachful that taberman could not help feeling convicted of consummate wickedness. "i counted on you," he added, in a tone of profoundest pathos. jerry was completely nonplussed. he felt that he was being played with; he was angrily conscious that the whole affair was no concern of his, and that he had no business to be dragged into it. yet he felt no less but rather more keenly that he could not endure the imputation of having encouraged a man in difficulties with a hope of assistance and of having then refused to fulfill them. his youthful blood, moreover, was stirred by the flavor of adventure which came alluringly to his inner sense. for a moment there was a strained silence, and then it was broken by tab. "you've mistaken my interest for something else, i'm afraid," he said, trying to speak lightly, and feeling that he was making a mess of it. "it never even occurred to me that i could help you out of this blessed muss; and i don't see that there's anything i can do anyway, except to keep mum about it. of course that i'd do anyway." "no use," retorted the archæologist. "if you can help me and won't, after my taking you into my confidence, you--you ruin me." "hmm," jerry observed rather coldly, "that's too subtle for me. i fail to see it in that light. you're no worse off than you were before." "i'm sure, mr. tableman"-- "taberman," jerry corrected. "pardon me, mr. taberman; but you don't see the _catena logica_ by which i arrive at my conclusions!" mr. wrenmarsh, both in speech and gestures, was momentarily growing more and more theatrical. "suppose you should, knowing my story and the law against taking works of art out of the country, tell my case to the police. what then?" "it would be the trick of a blackguard, of course," jerry replied promptly, "but"-- "_momento!_" interrupted the other, holding up his hand. "now suppose things to be as they are, and you learn that the custodi are on my track"-- "they've heard something of the find," interposed jerry; "they told me that." "there! you see!" wrenmarsh said, with a gesture which seemed to appeal to all humanity to bear witness that in whatever he had said he had been completely right. "suppose, now, that you have--with perfect security to yourself, mind--a chance to give me a friendly word of warning, and don't do it. what then?" "why," tab answered, feeling every moment more and more as if he were being snarled up in a web, "it would be, in such a case as you suppose, a pretty shabby trick, of course. at the same time"-- "wait a bit," cried mr. wrenmarsh, again interrupting him, and growing visibly more excited still; "wait a bit. i want you to consider the present case. you say yourself the secret is leaking out, and of course every moment makes my danger greater. with practically no bother and with absolute safety you can help me out of the whole tangle. if you don't, i shall be caught; i shall lose this incomparable treasure and all the money i paid for it,--and that's no small sum, let me tell you,--and all because you, my forlorn hope that i've confided in _in rebus angustis_, won't devote twenty-four hours of your time to saving your own self-respect. by jove!" he cried, starting to his feet, "if you don't help me you betray me as much as if you went straight to the custodi with my story." "sit tight!" cried jerry, startled by the violence of the other's demonstration. "sit tight!" "will you help me?" demanded mr. wrenmarsh, his brown eyes blazing. "will you help--help me to dodge these italian robbers and get my things--my antiquities that i have paid for with hard cash--out of this rotten country? will you help, or will you desert me, and take sides with those that are waiting to rob me?" "by george, i've a mind to try!" incautiously ejaculated jerry, for the moment carried off his balance by the enthusiasm and the persuasive personality of the other. "good man!" cried the antiquarian in a rapture; "good man! i knew you would. we'll beat 'em! i"-- "hold your horses a bit!" put in tab hastily, taken aback by the force wrenmarsh gave to his unconsidered words. "go slow, please. i may have"-- "oh, that's all right," returned the collector impetuously. "we'll take a turn down the road, and plan it all out. i can think better when i'm walking--sort of peripatetic, you see. ha, ha!--and it'll look queer if you don't go down to see the other temple. come on." mr. wrenmarsh made his way toward the road, trampling impetuously over the wild thyme and the acanthus, while taberman followed in a mixture of amused amazement and indignation, but with a full determination to expostulate. he found, however, that he was not allowed any opportunity for remonstrance. every sentence he began was choked off with some fresh exclamation of gratitude from the collector, or by some burst of delight that out of the skies, as it were, he had fallen to be the savior of the perplexed archæologist. by the time they had walked around the third temple, which stands at some distance from the other two, taberman had given up protesting. he merely listened to his companion's bewildering flow of talk, and felt as if he were being drawn into a whirlpool. he was helped by his own secret delight at the thought of having a share in a real adventure, and perhaps pushed on by a boyish shame at the idea of seeming to draw back and to fail another in an extremity. he had not much chance to speak,--but he soon found that what he did say was in the line of his having accepted the position into which mr. wrenmarsh had been endeavoring to force him. as they returned from the third temple they found the custode beside the fountain which stood across the road from the inn. he was trying to teach his horse to shake hands. "ah, michu," the italian said as they came up to him; "i hope you were pleased with the temples." "much," taberman assured him. "they are magnificent." seeing his companion fee the man, he in turn slipped a coin into the brown hand. his conscience gave him a little twinge at the thought of plotting to outwit this frank, big creature; but he reflected instantly that the matter was entirely impersonal, and it was not in a tariff-hating youth like jerry to have any scruples over tricking the italian government in a matter of this sort. "how long would it take you to sail down here from naples?" asked wrenmarsh, as they took the road toward the station. tab considered. "five or six hours with a good breeze," was his conclusion. mr. wrenmarsh wrinkled his brows and quickened his pace. those uncomfortable lines from the nostrils to the corners of his mouth deepened, and he half shut his eyes. after a little meditation he spoke again. "very good," he said decisively. "this is the way we'll put the thing through. you go back to naples now. be off the shore here by eleven o'clock, and send a boat ashore for me and my boxes. they're rather big, and fairly heavy; and they've got to be handled tenderly. i couldn't get proper means of packing the things, and i've had to take what there was. once we get the stuff on board, we must run back so as to be in naples by sunrise. does that suit you?" "you seem to be running this cruise," laughed jerry. "i suppose it's all right; but there's one thing i must know. there's no chance of getting the yacht into a scrape, is there?" "oh, no danger whatever." "you're sure?" tab insisted. "it wouldn't be exactly pleasant to get my friend's boat confiscated, you know, or into any sort of a mess of that kind." "bosh!" retorted mr. wrenmarsh brusquely. "you may make your mind easy. the worst that could happen is that i might lose my things. but we must walk a bit faster, if you're to get your train." "it's better to say to-morrow night," tab remarked, as they took their way down the road and beneath the old roman arch. "you see i might be late in getting back, and"-- "of course, of course," interrupted the collector. "you can't count on getting here to-night. to-morrow night, of course." at the station the _capo_ was standing almost where jerry had left him, looking at the hills. when the two came up, he merely turned his head and nodded. "the _facchino_ must be doing ticket-duty," the collector remarked. "we'll go in and get your ticket." a tall, yellow, broken-looking man was behind the little wicket in the ticket-office, puttering with some sort of repair work on a shelf. mr. wrenmarsh addressed him in italian. the man took a blue and green ticket from a pigeon-hole on the wall, placed it under the stamp, on the knob of which he then brought down his fist with a nervous bang. instantly he broke out into a violent exclamation. "_sacro sangue della madonna!_" he shouted, and began to rave hysterically. "what's the matter?" asked taberman. "what is he saying?" "he is cursing quite well," returned the archæologist coolly. "his hand was unsteady, and he's broken the stamp. he wants to know what will become of him when the _capo_ finds the punch is broken." "is he tight?" inquired jerry inelegantly. "oh, he's only bally-rotten with malaria. look at his face." "tell him he ought to take some quinine," suggested taberman, genuinely sorry for the wretched-looking fellow. mr. wrenmarsh interpreted, but the italian replied in a tone of mingled despair and contempt, and went out to show the broken punch to his superior. "what does he say?" asked jerry. "says he took twenty-four grains this noon," answered wrenmarsh, chuckling as if it were funny. "gad!" exclaimed tab. "no wonder his hand shook. what a country!" "you say that?" returned the other. "you may remember that i'm tied to it till i can get my things out." they went out to the platform, and at the moment the train came in. jerry took his seat in an empty compartment, and the collector stood outside the window. "you'll surely come?" asked mr. wrenmarsh, in a voice almost threatening. "i can't see that i should," taberman returned; "but wind and weather permitting, i suppose i shall." "i can't attempt to argue with you here," the other said; "but mind--you'll come." "_pronto! pronto!_" called the guard in his hoarse sing-song. "i shall come," jerry said reassuringly. "you may bet on it." "_partenza! partenza!_" the guard bawled, blowing his horn. "good-by. don't miss it!" cried wrenmarsh, giving jerry's hand a farewell grip. "to-morrow night," returned taberman. "i show a light," the collector vociferated, running along the platform beside the now moving train, and repeating the details he had already arranged. "a white light." "right-o!" shouted taberman, as the train bore him beyond the reach of further communication. he threw himself back into the corner of the compartment, and all the way to naples he kept wondering over and over what there was about mr. wrenmarsh that had induced him to promise to have a share in a scheme so mad. [illustration: decoration] chapter eleven a lone-hand game on the morning after his return jerry rose at an hour comfortably late, took a swim, shaved, and having finished his breakfast, sat down to write a short note to jack. as the captain might put in an appearance at any moment now, taberman did not wish to go away from naples without leaving some explanation and a hint as to his whereabouts. he found the letter somewhat difficult to write, since to give jack a satisfactory reason for his errand to pæstum, especially in brief space, was no easy task. he had been more or less troubled ever since his preposterous promise to mr. wrenmarsh; but now that he was confronted with the difficulty of making his course appear rational to jack, he felt himself so completely a fool that he groaned as he wrote, and then tore up the note, with a curse. on the whole, he decided to say no more than that he had gone to take a short run down the coast, as he was bored at naples. he went ashore with the note himself, and leaving the cutter at the quay to wait for him, he set out on foot for the hôtel du vesuve, where jack was to report on his arrival. the morning was already well advanced, and the heat was becoming fervent; but jerry, freshened by his recent swim, went blithely on his way. at the hotel he said to the porter that he wished to leave a letter for a gentleman who was soon to arrive, and produced his note. the official glanced at the superscription, and observed that the traveler was already there. jerry stared at him dumfounded. "arrived?" he gasped. "when?" "he came on the night train from rome," replied the porter, whose english was almost as good as that of taberman. "he came on the train that gets in at half-past eight in the morning. he is escorting two ladies. they are now at breakfast." tab stood for a moment plunged in perplexity. this unexpected arrival of jack made his scheme of aiding wrenmarsh dreadfully difficult, and perhaps even impossible. he felt himself pledged, however, and he reflected that whatever were jack's plans the captain would hardly hinder him from keeping a promise which he had made on the strength of the supposition that the merle was to be in his hands a full month. jack had come back before his time, but tab said to himself that this would surely make no difference in his fulfilling his obligations to the archæologist. he asked for the breakfast party, and was shown into the carefully shaded dining-room where they were seated. hearty greetings followed, and he sat and talked with them while they finished their repast. all three looked a bit fagged. even mrs. fairhew, accustomed as she was to european travel of all sorts, had dark circles under her keen eyes. she was dressed, not according to her wont in black, but in a soft gray which well set off her brilliant complexion, so that in spite of the look of fatigue she appeared much as she had when the travelers had met at nice. jack was clad in a suit of white linen, with a collarless jacket such as is worn by naval officers in hot climates. his hair had been recently cut, and in such a manner as to cause each separate spike along the parting to stand up in stiff defiance. jerry politely told him he looked more like a criminal than usual, but miss marchfield protested rather indignantly. in katrine jerry seemed to detect more alteration than in the others. her air had grown more sedate, as if the widening of her mental horizon had, even in these few weeks, given her a new maturity and self-poise. the heat had perhaps told on her more than on the others, but in spite of some appearance of fatigue she had an air of joyous alertness which showed her buoyant and happy. "how is it that you are here so soon?" taberman asked, after a minute of general talk. "i thought you'd be late, if anything." "there was a good deal of sickness at rome," jack answered, "and when a man died of typhoid fever in the very hotel we were at, it seemed time to move on." mrs. fairhew gave a little shudder. "only fancy," she said,--"we knew nothing about it until he had been dead an hour. they told us after breakfast yesterday morning. it was rather unpleasant, you'll grant." "it must have been ghastly," agreed tab, "but i hope you'll do better in naples. it has at least the advantage of being on the sea." "and of being one of the dirtiest places in italy," she responded grimly. "however, i'm not one to borrow trouble, and we'll trust in the sea air." "you're really becoming amphibious, mr. taberman," katrine observed, with a smile. "i half fancy that if you were blindfolded you could smell your way to the water like a turtle." "the man that piloted the merle from north haven to the island said he went by smell," responded jerry. he caught jack's eye as he spoke, and cast down his glance in confusion. mrs. fairhew regarded him curiously. "how did mr. drake like that sort of a pilot?" she asked. "he didn't hear the remark," jack put in hastily. "uncle randolph wouldn't have approved of that sort of work, i rather fancy." jerry made a grimace, and echoed the sentiment, but he added that dave was really an excellent sailor, and that personally he'd trust the fellow's sense of smell sooner than he would the skill of most pilots. the dangerous moment passed without further allusion to the president, and the talk turned to other matters. "is there any one here we know?" inquired mrs. fairhew. "i suppose it is hardly possible at this time of year." "i don't believe there is," answered tab, "unless," he added, a sudden thought striking him, "you know where pæstum is?" "certainly. i've been looking forward with dread to dragging katrine down there to see the temples, though really the time of year ought to excuse us." "well, there's a sort of anglo-american lunatic archæologist down there, named wrenmarsh. have you ever heard of him? he has relatives in boston, i understood him." mrs. fairhew set down the coffee-cup she was just raising to her lips, and looked at jerry with a keen glance in which amusement and surprise seemed to be mingled. "what is his christian name?" she asked. "gordon." "gordon wrenmarsh at pæstum! well, the world is small, and he might be anywhere,--at least anywhere where he was not expected to be. did you never hear of him? but no, you wouldn't; you're too young. he is one of my contemporaries, and he has been on this side of the water for ever so long." "is it possible?" jerry cried gallantly. "i shouldn't have suspected that he was so young!" "nobody can mistake you when you wish to pay a compliment," she said, with a smile that had in it a tinge of satire. "but did you really see gordon wrenmarsh? i haven't heard of him for years. what is he doing? at one time he was a friend of mr. fairhew; they were in the same class at harvard." she showed a genuine interest, jerry thought; and at any rate this seemed to him a good time to prepare jack for the plan evolved between him and the archæologist, so he launched forth on the narrative of his visit to pæstum. he did not particularize, but he did not hesitate to say that the archæologist had chanced upon a rich find which he was guarding in the hope of running it safely out of the country. "why shouldn't he take it out of the country if he's bought it?" katrine asked, with an air of interest. "the italian law says he shan't," jack answered, with a smile. "why, if it's his, he has a right to do what he pleases, i should think," she responded. "but there's a law against carrying works of art out of the country." "what a horrid, unjust law!" she protested. "if they were mine, i'd take them out; you may be sure of that." "i'd help you," jack assured her lightly. jerry was secretly so pleased at this passage that he endeavored to keep the conversation in the same line by inquiring of mrs. fairhew further particulars about the strange creature with whom he had made tryst. "was mr. wrenmarsh always as peculiar as he is now?" he asked. "i'm not able to tell you that," she returned, "as i have no means of knowing how much he has changed; but when i knew him he was the most extraordinary creature. he was always offended if people didn't notice his eccentricities, and if they did he jibed at their provincialism. he said he had to become an englishman because our civilization was so crude, and he never forgave bostonians for being so little concerned by his change of nationality." "you seem to have picked up rather a choice acquaintance, jerry," observed jack good-naturedly. "oh, mr. wrenmarsh became utterly impossible," mrs. fairhew continued. "he really had a lot of ability, and i'm told that now he's done some remarkable things in getting antiques for the british museum. his own people couldn't get on with him at all." "what an extraordinary creature he must be!" commented katrine. "did you take him for a wild man, mr. taberman, when you found him wandering about among the ruins of pæstum?" "no," jerry returned, rather regretting that he had continued the talk about mr. wrenmarsh. "he came into the little hovel of an inn there while i was trying to get something to eat." "well, anyway i hope he'll get his things safe," she added. "they're his, and the government has no right to interfere with him." "i hope he may," tab responded rather dispiritedly. breakfast being ended, the ladies betook themselves to their rooms to rest after the fatigues of their night of travel. "if i were a billionaire," mrs. fairhew observed, "i would never go anywhere by night except on my own private car. all sleepers are an abomination, and i hate the thought of who may have been in the compartment when i have to sleep in it. i hope we shall see you at dinner, mr. taberman?" "thank you," jerry answered, "but i have business to-night. i assure you i regret it tremendously." "well," the lady returned over her shoulder as she departed, "at least we shall expect to see you to-morrow; and i hope you'll leave us mr. castleport. "glad to," laughed jerry, with a nod; and the men were left to themselves. jerry turned quickly to jack the moment they were alone, with a look of earnestness and concern in his face. "cap'n," he said urgently, "come somewhere where we can talk, will you? we've got heaps to say, and my time's precious." "jerry," cried the other, catching him by the arm, "something has happened to the merle!" "not a thing, jacko. she is as right as a trivet, but i'm in a hurry. come on!" "hurry?" echoed jack, following him in evident disquiet; "what in the world's up? it can't be mutiny, and if the yacht's all right, i don't see"-- "i'll explain," taberman responded. "i know a jolly little place just round the corner. come on." jack suffered himself to be led to a small café which bore the rather incongruously ambitious name _albergo del sole_, and which displayed on the yellowish wall above its entrance a rising sun, blood-red and most magnificent as to its rays. at one of the little tables which covered the sidewalk before this establishment, the pair took their places. tab produced his cigarette-case and ordered a glass of vermouth as he offered his friend a smoke. jack, with a hardly perceptible compression of the lips which showed that he was controlling his impatience and waiting for tab to speak, rolled his cigarette between his thumb and forefinger to loosen it, tapped it on the table-top, and lighted it with great deliberation. jerry did the same, but with evident nervousness. "jack," said he, "i have been, and gone, and done it, for fair!" "what?" inquired jack in a tone mildly incisive. "well, you see--it's this way," tab answered. "of course i haven't really done anything yet, but i think i'm bound to, and if you don't think so--well, you can see it'll be devilish hard on me as well as him." jack blew a smoke-ring, and looked at jerry with a queer smile. "it must be something pretty bad, jerry," he said, "if you don't dare tell me what it is." jerry looked at him a minute, and then broke into a grin. "why," he said, more at his ease, "it's that damned archæologist, that bedlamite wrenmarsh i was talking about at the hotel. well, not having anything else to do, i went down to pæstum to see the temples and kill time, and i fell into his clutches. i had a lot of talk with him, or he did with me. he knows a pile about the temples, and he did the showman in great shape. incidentally he told me all about his own affairs. i didn't ask him, mind you. he just did it off his own bat. i couldn't help that, now could i?" "i don't see how you could," jack assented; "and no more do i see why you should want to." "why, a chap down there--a dago peasant, you know--has turned up a dreadful mess of stuff wrenmarsh has bought. i told you all that at breakfast." "yes," jack said imperturbably. "you see, wrenmarsh turned to and bought the whole slithering lot of it, and he's just crazy over it; but as i said at the hotel, he's up against the government, and he doesn't know how under the heavens he's going to get the loot out of italy." "great scott, tab, did you undertake to run his things out of the country for him? in the merle, too?" cried jack, at last showing some consternation. "it's not quite so bad as that," jerry protested; "but i did tell him i'd help him out of pæstum and up here. naples is all i agreed to. that's all he asked." castleport smoked in silence a moment, looking decidedly grave. "jack, old man," jerry said pleadingly, "i've been an awful ass, but the way that beastly wrenmarsh snarled me up with his talk was perfectly inconceivable. he'd have talked the tail off a brass monkey. he kept appealing to my sense of honor and heaven knows what, until i felt that i'd be a perfect cad not to help him." "that's all right, tab," jack answered thoughtfully. "it's only the merle--i should hate awfully to get her into a mess." "he assured me that nothing could happen to her, and i don't think he'd lie." "well, if that's so, there's no great harm done, old man. what are you worrying over?" "i'm not worrying at all, jacko, if you don't object to my keeping my word. just continue my letters of marque until to-morrow. i promised him i'd go down this afternoon. you will be in command, of course, now you're here; but i'd hate to think of the poor wretch waiting down there in the marshes for me--it's an awful place for malaria!--and i not coming at all." "oh, i shan't interfere," jack said quickly. "i had made up my mind to stay on shore one night more anyway, and i really gave you the yacht till the twentieth. you shall run this thing yourself; but, by jove, to think of uncle randolph's merle in business like that!" "we started out to be pirates anyway," laughed jerry, "and we haven't lived up to our reputation so far. well, i'll try it. i shall be rid of the beggar by ten o'clock to-morrow, wind and weather permitting. it's awful good of you, old man. i thought you'd think i was a bally-ass to let myself be bamboozled that way; but when he was talking to me i felt as if he was being awfully bully-ragged, and i ought to help him out." "of course," was jack's response. "didn't you notice how katrine had exactly the same feeling, just from your telling about it?" tab felt like winking to himself, but he preserved a grave countenance, and only asked,-- "what will you tell mrs. fairhew about the merle's being away?" "oh, that 's simple enough. i'll tell her you wanted to visit pæstum again, and you can say afterward that you ran across wrenmarsh and brought him up to naples. twig it?" "clear as a bell. come down and see me off." he sprang from his chair with animation, greatly relieved that the captain had not prevented him from carrying out his plan. as jack rose also, jerry laid his hand affectionately on his shoulder. "it's awfully good of you, old man," he said. "nonsense. it's a mighty little thing to do for you, when you came across the atlantic for me." "oh, rats!" tab rejoined inelegantly. "i came for the fun of it." they paid the reckoning, and made their way to the quay, where for an hour and a half the boat had been waiting for jerry. the men were lolling about in the stray corners of shade available, smoking and sleepily exchanging occasional remarks; but at the sight of the captain they woke up at once. "here's the skipper," cried one, jumping to his feet and saluting. the others followed his example with alacrity, and jack could not but be gratified by the unmistakable pleasure they showed at seeing him again. "how are you, boys?" he said cheerily. "glad to see you all. you seem to be in fighting trim, the whole lot of you." "we're bang up, sir," responded dave, with a grin. "'tain't the kind o' weather we left home in, sir." "not exactly," jack responded laughingly, as he took his place in the stern-sheets; "but i hope you don't miss the fog too much. oars!" jack stayed on the merle for an hour and a half, reading the log and exchanging with jerry all the news that either could rake up. gonzague made errands into the cabin evidently for the purpose of feasting his eyes on his master, and beamed with delight at every word castleport spoke to him. when the old man found that the captain had not come to remain, he looked so doleful that castleport rallied him about not liking tab as a skipper. "eet ees not dat," gonzague responded, with eloquent hands and shoulders; "he ees fine as de seelk, but--but mistaire taberman he ees not zee capataine you." jerry was anxious to make an early start for pæstum, as the wind was light, so jack took his leave with hearty wishes for a prosperous run. jerry went with him to the steps. "by the way, jack," he asked in an undertone, as the captain was about to descend to take his place in the cutter, "are congratulations in order?" castleport looked away from his friend toward where, across the bay, in a dim haze of purple, stood capri. then he glanced quickly into jerry's eyes. "i--i haven't said anything to her," he answered simply. he ran down the steps to the cutter. gonzague himself had taken the boat-hook to hold the craft steady. castleport put his hand kindly on the old man's shoulder. "good-by, gonzague," he said. "i'm coming aboard for keeps to-morrow. good-by, jerry." "good-by, and--good luck," called tab in reply, as the cutter started away. it lacked a quarter of an hour to twelve that night when the merle hove to a cable's length off pæstum. the wind had freshened at sundown, and was blowing a smart breeze from the west. jerry had the cutter lowered, and, leaving gonzague in charge, with stringent orders to keep the yacht lying where she was, had himself pulled toward the shore. the men had no notion what was going on, but they obeyed orders with a prompt alacrity which showed that they felt that something of unusual import was in this business. when the cutter was within about a hundred feet of the shore, tab ordered the men to lie on their oars, and keep watch for a light. in silence and utter darkness, for though the stars were shining there was no moon, they tossed about in the black troughs of the sea for twenty minutes. then dave uttered a guarded exclamation. "there's a light, sir," he said. "see, there it is again." "lay her head for it, and pull!" commanded jerry, feeling as if he were in a pirate novel. "no noise, mind!" the light had appeared for an instant some two or three hundred feet up the shore from the point off which the cutter lay rolling. they pulled quietly for the spot, the oars sounding softly, the water lapping the bows of the boat, and the wind bringing to their ears the muffled rote as of a sand beach. "let her run," ordered tab in an undertone. "can you see the light?" for a minute they rolled in darkness as before, and then again sighted the signal, this time straight in shore. jerry felt his heart beat as he gave the order to run in, and a consciousness of romantic adventure, lawless and wild, was like a sweet and exhilarating flavor in his mouth. such a deed on his native shores would have had an atmosphere of secret villany about it, but here, in alien waters, on a foreign coast, under the darkness of night, the romantic side was intensified a thousand-fold. a whimsical feeling flitted through the back of his head that he ought to be dressed differently for such an occasion; that he should have had a shaggy black beard, a red sash stuck full of pistols, and half a dozen cutlasses disposed promiscuously about his person. he was not without a fleeting consciousness that some time he might at home, to the old crowd of college boys, find a keen joy in telling of this night, and--but the light flashed out again, this time so near that the cutter lay full in the middle of the dark, fire-sprinkled path it illumined; and jerry's entire mind was called back to the business in hand. he could in the light see the cheeks of the men in front of him as they swayed with their rowing, the brass rowlocks of the cutter, and the dripping blades of the oars. he strained his eyes toward the land, but was blinded by the glare into which he looked; and on the instant a voice, eager but subdued, hailed from the shore some twenty feet away. "hallo! are you there, mr. taberman?" "here all right," answered jerry. "eyes in the boat!" he added sharply to the men, every one of whom except dave had turned to look ashore. "three good strokes now: stroke! stroke! stroke!... let her run!" the nose of the cutter ground on a sand-beach; the bowsman sprang ashore with the painter and held her, while jerry clambered forward, steadying himself with a hand on the shoulder of the rowers. on leaping to the land, he was confronted by mr. wrenmarsh. that gentleman shifted the lantern he held from his right hand to his left, and shook hands with taberman fervently. "you're just in time," he said hurriedly. "we haven't a second to lose. the boxes are right here on the edge of the grass. come on with your men. it'll take four of them for that biggest box." jerry called the four men who were nearest, and telling the rest to stand by, he hurried up the beach. in the sand, by the light of the lantern with which the archæologist came after him, he saw the print of wheels leading up to a pile of rude wooden cases. three of them were of moderate size, but the fourth looked to tab huge in the semi-darkness. "how big is that thing?" he asked, touching it with his foot. "don't kick it!" wrenmarsh responded quickly and sharply. "it's only about a metre square and half as deep. i couldn't make it any smaller." jerry whistled with dismay. "we may lose it overboard on the way to the merle," he remarked cruelly. then without heeding the dismayed exclamation of the collector, he ordered the men to take that first. "put it as far astern as you can," he said. "i'm afraid you'll have to wade in with it." "for god's sake hurry," cried wrenmarsh. "i know that beastly carter has put the custodi up to the job by this time. only don't drop that case!" he added, running along by the side of the bearers with the lantern swinging wildly to and fro and bumping against his legs. the case was evidently pretty heavy, and the men breathed deep as they carried it across the loose sand. by dint of the men's wading in beside the cutter the big box was safely deposited in the stern-sheets, and the sailors went back for a new load. a second box was stowed without trouble, but as the two others, which were fortunately the smallest, were being lifted by two men each, wrenmarsh clutched taberman by the arm. "look there!" he cried. "look there! quick, men! for god's sake, quick!" not more than a hundred yards away on the beach to the southward was an advancing lantern. suddenly it stopped. "what is it?" asked tab. the men, spurred on by wrenmarsh, were fairly running across the sand, and tab skurried along with them toward the boat. "hurry! hurry!" was the breathless response of wrenmarsh. "it's the custodi and the police--those cursed _carabinieri_! i told you the carter'd sell me out." it was only a minute before the men had reached the boat, and hurriedly stowed the boxes they carried. taberman and wrenmarsh scrambled in, and jerry, sitting in a distorted and cramped position behind the big box, got hold of the lines. the men pushed off, and got into their places anyhow. just as tab opened his lips to order the men to give way, a peremptory voice came to them from the shore to the south. the light had not advanced from where they had seen it stop, but it had gone waving wildly up and down the beach as if the bearers had encountered some impassable obstacle and sought in vain for a place which would allow a passage. "_aspetta!_" bawled the voice. "_aspetta nel nomme del re!_" "what's that?" asked jerry. "they're calling us to stand--in the king's name," mr. wrenmarsh returned with sullen nervousness. "head the boat 'round," cried tab. "why the devil don't they come down if they want us?" "i can't imagine," the collector answered. "perhaps they're afraid of us; but i don't think that can be it." "_aspetta!_" thundered the voice on shore more savagely. "_aspetta o tiriamo!_" "by jove! the sands!" cried wrenmarsh. "there's a brook there--the bottom's quicksand. they daren't try to cross." "quicksand?" echoed tab. "how'd they come there, then?" "they must have thought we were on the other side of the stream. they've come up on the wrong bank, and now they can't get over." bang! there was a quick, loud report, and jerry heard the _wht_ of a carbine ball close astern. "great scott!" he shouted. "douse that glim! pull! pull!" wrenmarsh seized the lantern and dipped it overboard, an effective if irregular way of quenching it. bang! bang! two more shots. one of the men, hunter, pulling on the third thwart, afterward swore that he felt the wind of the second bullet. bang! "pull hard, men! steady!" cried jerry. a man of race and training, while in a crisis of this sort he feels more excitement than his thicker-skinned fellows, displays more outward coolness. social development means the power of self-control, especially when any sense of responsibility is involved. taberman was inwardly wild with the stirring emotions of an experience such as he not only had never encountered but of which he had heard in a hundred ways which lent associations to heighten the effect; yet he did not lose for a moment his sense of having the men to care for. he kept his head, and called the stroke for the rowers. they showed by their tendency to pull wildly how near they were to demoralization, and jerry urged them to steadiness with language of the most picturesque emphasis. bang! bang! bang! three shots. at the third there was a sharp rap, as if the cutter had been hit by a pebble, and a queer little squeak of splintering wood. tab started up, but instantly sat down again, catching at the yoke-line he had half let fall. "close call," wrenmarsh said nervously. "yes," jerry answered laconically. "stroke! stroke! steady!" at the instant he had heard the sound of the ball on the wood of the boat, he had felt a sharp twinge in his left arm, as if the muscle had been suddenly tweaked off the bone by a pair of white-hot pincers. the pain was exquisite, but he forced himself to keep calm, and beyond the first involuntary spring he gave no indication that he had been hit. in a sort of double consciousness he kept saying to himself that he wondered how severe the hurt was, and at the same time he seemed to be lifted by sheer will and excitement above even the physical feeling of the moment. "steady!" he said, and was queerly conscious of a sort of exultation that his voice was so strong and natural. "we're 'most out of range." other shots followed, but they splashed harmlessly astern. the darkness was a shelter, and although the carbines flashed again and again from the shore, no more damage was done on board the cutter. ahead of them tab, holding himself together grimly, saw the red and green sailing-lights of the merle, and realized that at the sound of the firing gonzague must have run the yacht in shore. "ahoy!" jerry called. tears of pain suffused his eyes in spite of him, and made the colored lights big and blurry, as if they were the glaring orbs of some huge dragon. "hollá!" came gonzague's voice. "a'right, sair!" and with a deafening boom of canvas the schooner luffed up. jerry put his right arm behind him, his left hanging limply, and getting hold of the rudder-yoke he laid the cutter alongside the yacht. he and wrenmarsh got up to the deck, a davit was turned out-board as a crane and the boxes hoisted, and then the boat slung up. faint and savage with pain, jerry still fought with himself to keep up, and to fulfill his duties as commander. he remembered that his order for the merle to lie to where she was had been disregarded; and though he was inwardly glad that the yacht had been brought to meet the cutter, he felt that discipline was discipline, and he was in no mood to let any infringement of orders go unnoted. he called gonzague. "what's the meaning of this?" he demanded fiercely. "didn't i give orders to keep the yacht hove to till i came out?" "yes, sair," gonzague answered contritely, stroking his stiff white mustache with nervous fingers, "bot i heer de shotin' ashore, an'"-- "that made no difference. i'm ashamed that an old seaman like you should disobey orders simply because he heard a row ashore. go forward. i shall mark you in the log." the old man took himself off without a word. however much he was likely to feel the sting of this reproof, he was not the man to fail to respect the mate for it, and of this tab might be assured when he had the calmness to think things over. jerry gave the helmsman the course for naples, and the merle swung off on her return. then he started to go below, but now that the need of immediate action was over he suddenly turned sick and dizzy. he put out his uninjured arm with a quick clutch at mr. wrenmarsh. "give me--your arm," he said weakly. "i'm--i'm hit, you know, and things go round." "hit!" echoed the collector. "where? is it serious?" "arm," answered jerry. "help me get below." the archæologist supported jerry to the companion, and then almost carried him down the steps. he tried to place him on the transom, but taberman stubbornly walked half the length of the cabin, and sank into a chair by the table. his lips seemed to him queerly stiff as he twisted them into a wry smile. "mustn't bleed on the cushions, y' know," he said feebly. "call gonzague." wrenmarsh shouted the name explosively, hovering solicitously over jerry, and in a moment the provençal appeared. jerry made a mighty effort to pull himself together. "here, gonzague," he said, "get the medicine-chest, and strip my coat off. i've got to be fixed. i want some hot water and a b. and s. beg your--pardon," he added, turning slowly to mr. wrenmarsh, and confusedly wishing that the cabin would not turn so much faster than he could. "i'm forgetting. this gentleman's to have jack's--the captain's stateroom. will you have anything to drink? 'fraid i'm poor host, but"-- "no, no," cried the archæologist. "that's all right. the brandy, gonzague, quick!" a brandy and soda put fresh life into jerry, who still tried to be polite, and protested that the collector should not bother. "you'll find me a first-class chirurgeon," responded the other. "where's the medicine-chest, gonzague?" he proved remarkably ready and efficient and kindly withal. he stripped off jerry's jacket and cut away the shirt-sleeve, to discover a two-inch sliver of african oak from the gunwale of the cutter stabbed into a jagged hole in the forearm. he probed and cut and trimmed with the skill of a trained surgeon, while jerry, pale and with set teeth, bore it all with spartan firmness until everything was over, and then, as he tried to rise when the last bandage was in place, fainted dead away. when the plucky mate had been brought round and stowed away in his berth, gonzague again took charge of the merle, and dropped her anchor once more in the harbor of naples at about eight o'clock in the morning. just before mr. wrenmarsh turned in for the night, he put his head into the door of jerry's stateroom to ask if he could do anything for him. "no, thank you," jerry returned. "much obliged; but the man by my door will hear if i want anything. i'm all right now. i'm jolly much obliged to you for fixing me up." "'pon my word, table--taberman, you're the most extraordinary man for a bostonian i ever saw. good-night." "good-night," jerry responded. then he chuckled, and added, "but boston's full of better men than i am, if you'd only stayed there to see 'em." [illustration: decoration] chapter twelve at vergil's tomb "i never could touch it," katrine said, with an emphatic shake of her head. "i should think a baby brought up on goat's milk would run round and bleat. why, i think the idea of it is horrid!" her eyes sparkled and her whole air was full of a delicious animation, so that it was no wonder jack threw back his head and laughed, as much in sheer admiration as from amusement. he was in high spirits this morning, the excitement of a mighty resolve stirring in his blood. "how do you know that you haven't been having goat's milk at the hotel?" he demanded. "aren't you afraid you'll begin to break out in a baa yourself all of a sudden?" "why, how rude you are!" she cried, her dimples deepening and shoaling. "of course they wouldn't dare to give it to us, and we should know it if they did!" the young people were being driven in a neapolitan _vettura_ to the tomb of vergil. jack had mentioned the spot that morning at breakfast as being well worth a visit, if only for the view, and said that the ladies ought to see it. mrs. fairhew had, for reasons perhaps not wholly unconnected with remembrances of her own youth and the late mr. fairhew, declined to make the jaunt, on the score that it was too hot and that she had a thousand trifles to attend to. she had refused her niece's prompt offer of assistance, and so left that young woman free to accept jack's invitation that she take the drive with him. their talk was light enough, the lighter because jack at least hardly dared to venture to be serious lest he betray how terribly in earnest he was. the sight of a little flock of goats, which had scattered at the pistol-like crack of their driver's whip, had given them a theme for a moment. the agile brown animals skipped along the gutters, assailed by the effervescent profanity of their conductor, a half-naked, slim-limbed lad browner than the beasts themselves; and with more detonations of the whiplash the carriage whirled up the hill with hardly diminished speed as the grade grew steeper. through picturesque, squalid streets, braver in their poverty than many a splendid thoroughfare, through nooks that seemed to be private courtyards with entire families disposed about them, the carriage took its way noisily; it turned now to the left, now to the right, continually ascending; it brought them to the top of narrow ways down which they looked as through a kaleidoscope gleaming with a confusion of gay colors; it seemed about to land them on the roof of some building which lay directly before them, and then at the last moment whisked around some unseen corner and carried them still higher. "isn't it wonderful," katrine said. "i never saw such a city. i feel almost as if we were in a flying-machine,--we keep going up so and see such wonderful sights all the time. oh, do look down that street! did you ever see such colors?" "it is stunning," castleport answered, his eyes on her face. "you didn't look at it at all," she said half pouting, as the carriage whirled them past. "oh, i could see it all in your eyes," he returned. "you don't know what excellent mirrors they are." "what nonsense! how silly you are this morning!" her color deepened, however, and jack did not feel that his remark had missed fire. he smiled to himself, and just then the carriage brought up with a jerk on the left side of the way, in front of a small green door in a gray retaining-wall. over the door was printed in black letters: _tomba di virgilio_. "here we are," jack said. he got out with the field-glasses he had brought, and extended his hand to assist katrine. she hardly touched his arm with her finger-tips, but the air was electric, and he felt the thrill like a pulse of warm blood from head to foot. he did not speak to the driver, but with a manner that made that piratical neapolitan regard him with a new respect simply ordered him in the sign-language of the town to remain in waiting. a soldier came slouching out of a shop near by wherein he was evidently lounging, took the prescribed gate-fees, and then opened the narrow door. this disclosed a staircase, strait and steep, cut from the living rock, which led upward and to the right. they climbed the stone stairs without speaking, but at the top the wonderful beauty of the view which burst upon them called from katrine an involuntary exclamation of surprise and delight. below them, red-roofed and multi-colored, naples lay bathed in the strong white light of the southern sun; beyond, marvelously blue and ruffled by a gentle breeze, the waters of the bay flashed and sparkled; and beyond again, farther yet, stood purple capri and the piled-up southern shore, luminous and mistily azure. to the eastward, brooding and tragic, yet with a thrilling beauty of its own in softly flowing curves and wavering outline, showed vesuvius, and stupendous as it was, seemed crouching sinister and awful, the incarnation of pitiless power. jack focused the glasses, and handed them to katrine. then he began to point here and there, showing her the different things of interest visible from the spur of the hill on which they were standing. as she was looking toward the mole and the new harbor, suddenly she uttered a little cry of surprise. "there's the merle," she said. "i'm sure it is. at least she's flying the american flag." "yes," jack responded. "that's she, fast enough." "doesn't it seem like a bit of home to see her down there?" katrine went on. "i think it was perfectly wonderful that mr. drake let you take her this summer." jack gave a quick movement of the shoulders, and then set his lips together more firmly. "i shall have to tell her the whole thing," he thought to himself. aloud he said, "i shouldn't have been here when you were if it hadn't been for having the merle." "i suppose not," she answered, and the change in her tone showed most clearly that she understood in the words more than met the ear. after they had stood for a time in admiration of the magnificent view before them, they turned to go to the tomb, twenty yards away. the uneven path, bordered by beautiful wild poppies and violets, was shaded by gnarled fig and plum trees. a splendid stone-pine rose superb on the left, crowned by its dome-shaped cluster of branches. "oh," katrine cried, "it's perfectly beautiful, isn't it? it makes you feel solemn, it's so lovely." "yes," he assented, and unwonted emotion left him with no word to add. "just look at those flowers," she went on. "what a pity it is that we don't have them like that at home." "it's a fitting place for vergil to be buried in, isn't it?" jack said. "i thought you would like it." "it is a place i shall remember all my life," she replied. her eyes met his as she spoke, and her glance fell with quick consciousness. before he could speak, she added hurriedly, "is this the tomb?" "yes," he answered, entirely undisturbed by any chilling scholastic doubts on the subject, "this is the tomb." before them was a lowly structure of old rubble, four square, and a narrow door, at which the path, with a sudden dip, came to an end. "will you go in?" he said, standing aside. katrine entered, and he followed. the place was as simple within as without. the floor seemed to be of beaten earth; the single room, or _cella_, was lighted by a small window, and it contained only two or three cinerary urns of dark red clay, which leaned against the wall opposite the door. above these, in brown letters on a tablet of white marble, was an inscription set there by the academy of france. the pair stood silent for a minute, katrine reading the tablet, and jack, his head bared, standing beside her. as she turned her head she caught for a second time his glance. she colored, and moved quickly to the small window. "isn't the view wonderful!" she said, as if she had caught at the first words that came into her mind. "yes," he returned absently. "fine, isn't it?" she looked a moment out of the window, and then, avoiding his eyes, she turned back to the latin distich cut in the tablet, and by tradition assigned to vergil himself:-- mantua me genuit, calabri rapuere, tenet nunc parthenope. cecini pascua, rura, duces. "you'll think i am unspeakably stupid," she said, "but i confess i cannot make it out. 'mantua gave me birth,' i can read that." "'the calabrian winds carried me away,'" jack went on. "oh, yes; but i don't understand the parthenope." "that's naples," he answered. "'naples holds me.'" "oh, is that it? i know the rest. 'i sang pastures, fields, leaders.'" "good! you shall have an a in the examination in spite of parthenope," he assured her. "perhaps 'heroes' is a better word for _duces_, though." "i'm afraid i don't deserve an a," she laughed, "but i am satisfied if i pass at all." as they came out of the tomb jack picked a spray from the beautiful laurel growing beside the entrance, and held it out to her. she took it with a murmured word of thanks, and put it in her gown. not far away on the right of the path was a rude seat or bench, shaded by fig and olive trees, and partially screened from the path by dwarf plums. it was slightly higher than the way by which they had come. "here," jack said, "let's go up and rest a bit. the view is worth seeing." they turned to the seat and took their places in silence. the view was not perceptibly different from that which they had on the path, but as jack looked at katrine and katrine cast down her eyes, this was not a matter which they were likely to notice. "katrine," the captain began,--for they had come, almost by insensible degrees, to call each other by their christian names,--"i've got to tell you something. it isn't altogether pleasant for me, but it's only fair that you should know." she looked up at him in evident surprise and with some disquiet. "why, what is it?" she asked. "i hope it isn't anything really terrible." he hesitated, and began to scrape the ground with his foot nervously. "i--er--well, to be honest, i don't know exactly how to tell you so you won't be too hard on me," he answered frankly. "is it so bad?" she queried in a tone which showed some concern under its assumed lightness. "what in the world have you been doing? you haven't been murdering anybody, i hope." "what would you say," asked jack, "what would you think of a man that acted like this? suppose a case. suppose the chap was, in the first place, in america. suppose he had a friend, a friend he cared a lot about, one he thought more of than anybody else in the world, and that friend was on this side. suppose the man's property was all tied up,--in trust, you know,--and he'd promised not to borrow, so he couldn't honorably raise the money to come over unless his trustee would let him. the trustee, we'll say, is a nice old fellow,--really nice, you know, only rather crotchety,--who wouldn't hear a word of the chap's going." he stopped as if for encouragement, and katrine, with evident appreciation of this, murmured, "yes, i understand." "and suppose," castleport went on, a new hesitancy coming into his voice, "that this trustee--of course the chap is his nearest relative, you know--has an able schooner yacht. now if the chap simply couldn't stand it, but captured that yacht--not violently, of course, but by stratagem,--and came over to see his friend, and to ask her"-- "why, jack castleport!" cried katrine, with eyes open to their widest. "you don't mean that you ran away with the merle! i never can believe it!" "it's true, though," he responded. "do you blame me so very much?" her glance dropped before his, and her manner instantly lost its boldness. "i--why, of course that depends," she murmured. "depends on what?" "on--how--how necessary it was for him to see his friend." "oh," jack cried. "i had to see her! you know i had to come, katrine! i had to tell you i love you, and i stole uncle randolph's yacht because he wouldn't let me come any other way. i had to come." he sprang up in his excitement, and stood before her, his hands twisting each other in a way odd enough for one of so much self-control. "you must have known how i cared for you, katrine. i couldn't tell you without making a clean breast of this, but don't be too hard on me. i had to come." she flashed up at him the merest hair's-breadth of a glance, and with her hands pressed to her bosom, said softly, "i never could have forgiven you if you hadn't come." he simply stooped over and took her unceremoniously in his arms, and it was several moments before she had breath and presence of mind to protest. "heavens!" she cried with mock terror. "am i in the arms of a pirate? jack, i never knew anything so shocking in my life! how could you do it?" "i had to get across the atlantic to you," he answered, as if that were an excuse all-sufficient. and the sun shone down on the sea and on vesuvius and on vergil's tomb, and on that which is more enduring than all these,--the sweetness of young love. [illustration: decoration] chapter thirteen a bid for the odd trick while the captain was looking with katrine down on the merle, as the yacht lay quietly at anchor in the harbor, a notable conversation was taking place on board. at no very early hour tab had risen, tubbed with difficulty, and, with some aid, got into his clothes. his left arm was stiff and very sore, but beyond that he felt no discomfort. his magnificent physique, improved by the hardy life he had been leading, saved him from any consequences more serious; so that the archæologist, who was in capital spirits, rallied him on the prodigious appetite he displayed at breakfast. "i have to eat double to make up for the blood i lost last night," jerry said, with a grin. "i find there's nothing for the appetite like a regular brush with the police. i've found it so before, when i was in college." after breakfast the two went on deck, and seated under the awning, with the beautiful bay before them and a soft air to bring a delicious coolness, they talked over the adventure of the previous night. then from this they branched off to more general matters. mr. wrenmarsh was a man of wide experience and of good observation, and was well informed on almost every topic the talk touched upon. his tricks and eccentricities had been for the time being laid aside, or showed only as a flavor of personality piquant and attractive. jerry found himself soothed and entertained, although, remembering his previous experience with the collector, he was not without a feeling that wrenmarsh had a propensity to use speech as a squid does his ink, to conceal his course, and so wondered what the collector had still to gain. wrenmarsh suddenly took to intricate and unintelligible sentences without warning and equally without apparent excuse, when jerry brought him back to earth with a question what he intended to do next. "do?" exclaimed wrenmarsh, as if shocked and astonished by such an inquiry. "of course i shan't think of setting foot on shore again till i get to england." jerry hardly suppressed an instinctive whistle, and for a brief instant he had nothing to say; but after all he was not without a shrewdness of his own. he was still chagrined to remember that the archæologist had played upon him once for his own purposes, and he had at least learned that in dealing with this man it was necessary to be cautious. "to england?" he repeated in a voice so casual as to rouse wrenmarsh and to tickle himself inwardly. "how do you go?" "go?" once more echoed the other. "with you, of course." "oh, are we going to england?" jerry asked more carelessly than before. "surely you are," wrenmarsh retorted with some sharpness. "are we really?" was jerry's comment. a refrain from a song in a pudding play popped into his head, and he hummed it in derision hardly disguised,-- "you surprise me!" "will you--er--say that again?" asked the collector most courteously. "oh, quite unnecessary," tab returned, not to be trapped into an apology. "it was only a bit of a song." he was filled with a pleasant feeling that he was bothering the collector, astute as that person was, and he determined, as the circumstances certainly were in his favor, to hold his own with him this time at least. "i don't think you have a very clear view of the case," wrenmarsh said, after a moment of silent musing with contracted brow. "if you had, you'd see that it isn't possible for me to go ashore now, after that beastly business of last night. i assure you, i'm awfully sorry for that mess. there's another thing,--i couldn't get those boxes ashore from the yacht without their being examined, and then there'd be the devil of a row." "that must have occurred to you before you left pæstum," jerry remarked with coolness. mr. wrenmarsh did not move a muscle. "so it did," he said blandly; "but of course i knew it must have been evident to you also." jerry laughed in spite of himself at the cool impudence of this. "i confess that it wasn't," he responded. "even if it wasn't," the other went on, as smoothly as ever, "i never for an instant supposed that when once you'd started out to help me, you'd funk. that is a contingency, i confess, never occurred to my mind. i thought you were made of different stuff. you were clear game last night." jerry looked at his guest and burst into deep-throated laughter. "well, for clean cheek!" he cried. "do you think i'm going to tote you about in a yacht i don't own for the rest of my life?" "would you like to?" asked the collector, with a fresh aspect of interest. "because in the Ã�gean sea i've a"-- "whatever it is, please keep it to yourself, or you'll insist that i promised to help you with it," interrupted tab grimly. "as for going to england in the present case, that's quite out of the question. what are you going to do? if you stay on board, you'll land in boston." mr. wrenmarsh's face took on for an instant a look distinctly ugly. it suddenly occurred to taberman that the collector was in rather an evil plight,--worse, indeed, than that from which the merle had rescued him. "surely you're not serious?" wrenmarsh asked slowly. "i think i am," jerry responded pleasantly. "what are you going to do?" "damn!" the other broke out explosively, lying back in his chair and running his fingers through his gray-sprinkled locks. jerry was too soft-hearted not to be touched by the other's perplexity, but an involuntary movement of sympathy which he made happened to give him a painful twinge in the arm, and he hardened his heart. there was a silence of some minutes, during which he tried to make out from the face of his companion what thoughts were passing behind that mask. suddenly the cloud lifted from the face of wrenmarsh, and he flashed a bright glance on jerry. "bless me," he cried gayly. "i might have thought! plutus--mammon--filthy lucre! but how extraordinary in an american--not to ask for it, you know! what'll you take for it?" "for what?" responded tab, not catching his drift. he had a dreadful feeling that by becoming incomprehensible, the other might be getting the better of him. "what's to pay for a passage of myself and my boxes to--let us say plymouth?" indignation for the instant flared up in jerry. "this is not a passenger ship," he responded brusquely. "oh, of course not, my dear fellow; but as every man has his price, i suppose a yacht has too." common-sense and indignation worked together now to keep taberman from an angry retort. it flashed upon him that here was a chance, one in a thousand, to pay off the hands of the merle without troubling the president; it was a chance, too, to score off this cheeky archæologist. taberman had already noted that wrenmarsh was a penurious soul who hated to part with money, and he felt something of the godly joy of the departing israelites when moses announced the project for the spoiling of the egyptians. england was not such an impossible distance off. they might take the great circle track home. surely if jack-- "don't you see my position, mr. wrenmarsh?" he asked. "i haven't the power to dispose of the merle. i'm simply in charge of her while the captain's ashore, don't you see? still"-- he paused dramatically. "well?" ejaculated wrenmarsh, apparently keeping his gaze fixed in the closest interest on the red sails of a big felucca that was standing in toward the mole. "well, i think i might be right in making a sort of conditional--a purely conditional"--he repeated the word for caution, wondering if he ought to make it any stronger--"arrangement. it wouldn't be valid without the sanction of the captain. you see that, of course." "well?" repeated the other. "do you see--merely conditional?" insisted taberman. "yes, i suppose so," assented the other grudgingly. "i might make a sort of conditional arrangement, then, to go to plymouth, or perhaps to any other english port not too much out of the way, for a consideration of"--he paused again. "ten pounds," suggested the archæologist. "two hundred," said jerry coolly. he could have hugged himself with joy at the sound of his own voice naming the sum in such a matter-of-fact fashion. he knew well enough that but for the enormous handicap which circumstances had put upon the archæologist he would have had no chance whatever to outmanoeuvre him, but this he did not bother to reflect on at the moment and might have had scruples about if he had. he gave himself up to the delight of feeling that he had distinctly the better of the man who had so carried him off his feet at pæstum, and who had involved him in an affair of the seriousness of which jerry had had good reason to meditate in the times in the night when his arm kept him awake. it was certainly something to have the upper hand now; and two hundred pounds, which he had named almost at random, multiplied itself in his head into a most satisfactory number of dollars. "two hundred pounds!" cried out the archæologist, nearly jumping out of his chair. his affected surprise was dramatic, but unfortunately for its effect it was overdone, so that even jerry felt it to be theatrical. "shall we call it two hundred and fifty?" the mate asked, enjoying himself more every minute. "two hundred and fifty devils!" shouted wrenmarsh, who appeared more irritated, it seemed to jerry, on account of being outmanoeuvred than because the price was so high. "not devils--pounds," tab responded, smiling at his own wit. "leave off the two hundred," begged the collector. "the agreement is only conditional anyway," jerry said, with something of an air, "but if it seems to you fairer, we'll leave off the fifty, and call it an even two hundred--one for you and one for those precious boxes, to be paid on arrival. i'm not a neapolitan. will you go ashore here or wait for the captain?" "i'll wait for the captain, mr. taberman," wrenmarsh replied. he glowered across the bay for a moment, and then added, "he may not be so infernally exorbitant as you are." jerry smiled secretly to himself, and resolved that at least jack should be persuaded to make no easier terms. then he went to write a note to summon the captain to come aboard to consider this proposition of taking a passenger. [illustration: decoration] chapter fourteen clearing the decks when jack appeared on the merle, rather late that afternoon, jerry met him by the steps, his arm in a sling. "good heavens, tab," cried the captain, "what's the matter? what have you done to your arm, boy?" "nothing much," jerry answered. "just got a little piece of the cutter in it in a night engagement. what the deuce kept you so long?" "but was it last night?" jack insisted. "did you get into trouble?" "we were under fire," jerry laughed; "but i had the only casualty." "the devil you did! what sort of a trap did your infernal englishman lead you into?" "that's just what i want to tell you before you see him. what in the world made you so late? i've been waiting all the afternoon." the captain's face grew radiant. "well, you see," he returned, with a little laugh in his throat, "time passed so quickly, and katrine and i had so much to talk about"-- "jacko! you've done it!" shouted tab, loud enough to be heard from one end of the yacht to the other. the captain grinned warmly, and nodded with sparkling eyes. "oh, good man!" cried tab, wringing his hand. "good old jack! long life and all happiness to you, you dear old pirate!" his words tumbled out helter-skelter, and his honest blue eyes were moist with pure joy at his friend's happiness. he admired miss marchfield from the bottom of his heart, and jack was the dearest friend he could ever have. he rejoiced as sincerely and as warmly as if the good fortune of the captain had been his own. "thank you, old man," laughed jack, bubbling over with good spirits; "but if it hadn't been for you, i--i'd never have done it." "tush!" flouted jerry. "don't talk bosh! it was only a matter of time anyway. but i'm glad it's all right." they had been standing at the head of the steps, and now the captain moved along the deck. "what did you send for me to come out in such a hurry for?" he inquired. "hurry!" ejaculated jerry. "do you call this coming out in a hurry? if it hadn't been that you left a born diplomat in charge, you might have lost two hundred pounds by being so slow." "two hundred pounds?" the other echoed. "what on earth are you talking about?" "come into the cabin before you go aft," was jerry's answer. "i want to tell you about that." "and about your arm, old man. what is the matter with you?" "that's part of it," tab returned, as they went below together. "i'm trying among other things to recover damages." when some little time later the two friends came on deck and went aft to where the guest was sitting, jack was in full possession of the whole situation. "jack, mr. gordon wrenmarsh; mr. wrenmarsh, captain john castleport," jerry said. "pleased to meet you, mr. wrenmarsh," jack said, extending his hand. he was evidently in the best of humor. his spirits on that day could hardly be other than at their highest, and he had been vastly amused by jerry's plan of raising funds to pay off the men. "thanks," responded the archæologist. "i was afraid the pleasure was largely mine. i've been expecting you all day." "well," jack said, seating himself comfortably, "i am here at last. i am sorry if i kept you waiting. you might have arranged anything with mr. taberman, though." "i tried to," mr. wrenmarsh responded dryly, "but he seemed to me so unpractical in his ideas that i thought it better to wait for you." "i hope you won't find me unsatisfactory in the same way," jack returned. "at least i am practical enough to know that in this weather it will be more comfortable if we have something." he summoned gonzague, and the trio were soon furnished with tall glasses of sangaree, which they sipped with relish. "mr. taberman has suggested,--though i fancy he's half in jest," began the collector, when these preliminaries had been attended to, "that two hundred pounds is a fair price for such a trivial service as running up to england and landing me and my boxes." "i am glad you think the matter trivial," observed jack, with a smile; "it makes it so much easier for me to say that i do not find it convenient to go to england at all." "oh, i say now," wrenmarsh responded, with a sudden keen glance at jack as if he were surprised at the quickness with which his remark had been met and turned against him; "of course you'll go to england. that was settled long ago, you know." "was it? i supposed that i, as captain of the merle, had some voice in such a matter." "of course nothing was settled," broke in jerry. "i made a conditional arrangement--entirely conditional, mind you--with mr. wrenmarsh that you would take him to england." "yes; that is what i said," the collector asserted imperturbably. "only the price that you named"-- "seems to me a very reasonable one," interpolated jack. "not seriously?" wrenmarsh said, evidently determined not to show that he was at all ruffled. "only consider, if i go ashore here, i may get--i might become a national complication. and you wouldn't want to be mixed up in that sort of a thing," he added, with a chuckle. "an international complication," he murmured to himself, as if the idea appealed so strongly to his vanity that he was half tempted to be put on land at once to take up the part. then he recalled his wandering thoughts, and looked captain castleport in the eye. "if you land me in any country except england, i am quite done for, as you americans would say. it stands to reason if there is any paying to be done, you should pay me for keeping you out of a scrape; for of course if i go ashore it will be known that the merle ran away from the _carabinieri_ at pæstum, and"-- "rubbish!" interrupted jack brusquely. "don't talk that kind of poppy-cock! even if there were any truth in it, it wouldn't be decent for you to say so after getting the merle into the scrape." "and giving me your word that the yacht was in no possible danger," put in jerry indignantly. "oh, no real danger, of course," wrenmarsh said hurriedly, "only it might be unpleasant for you, and you might not like to be detained." "why must you go to england?" asked castleport. "why not to malta or cyprus or korfu even? they're protectorates and english ground." "the sun never sets, you know," responded wrenmarsh, with his extraordinary ventral chuckle. "the truth is they won't do. korfu and cyprus would be as bad for me as naples, on account of my reputation. i'm known to have run out a lot of things, you see. gibraltar or malta would suit me well enough--if it weren't for the same reason. there isn't a hotel on the entire shores of the mediterranean that i could put up at with those boxes in safety." "i hardly suppose i'm expected to take that too literally," jack said, with a smile. he reflected a moment. he could see that the collector certainly had good reason for wishing to remain on the yacht, and that it could not but be of very great convenience to him to be taken to england. he was no less convinced from what jerry had told him that the antiquities which the archæologist had on board must be worth thousands of pounds, and that their possessor could afford to pay well for their safety. he was thoroughly stirred up, moreover, by the thought of the episode of the night before. that jerry should have been put in actual peril of his life by wrenmarsh for his own purposes was to jack so outrageous that he was half tempted to order the collector and his boxes off the merle at once to take his chances with the officials on the quays of naples. as jerry had planned reprisals along another line, however, and as after all jack could not have brought himself to desert a man in extremity, the captain determined to go on as they had begun. "two hundred pounds strikes me as fair enough," he said. "too much--too much! make it fifty," responded wrenmarsh. "two hundred!" repeated jack. "i'm sorry; i can't do that," the collector said, with a great show of decision. "you'll have to take me to malta. what'll you do that for?" "three hundred," jack returned quietly, although he could not refrain from a secret exchange of glances with jerry. "what!" the other cried, in an exaggerated shriek. "a run like that? three hundred pounds! it's not a twentieth the distance to england." "that's so," was the captain's answer, "but you see we should have a good deal less value in your company. besides, you'd get your boxes _ex territorio_ a great deal quicker." he had by this time become so interested in the game he was playing that the beating of the collector seemed in itself a thing worth straining every nerve to gain. "they're _ex territorio_ now," mr. wrenmarsh said, "as they're on a foreign yacht. but no matter about that. what'll you take to set me over to gibraltar?" "oh, that would cost you three hundred and fifty, because there you're so much nearer england than you'd be at malta." he glanced again at jerry, with an inward chuckle at the utter balderdash he was talking and a consciousness how closely it resembled the nature of the arguments with which wrenmarsh had beguiled tab. for a minute there was silence, and then the archæologist spoke angrily. "you're too commercial," he said, with an unconcealed sneer. "i see no way in which we can come to an agreement. i never was equal to trading with a dollar-getting yankee." tab started and looked to hear jack break out at an insult so gross, but the captain merely smiled. "as you are our guest," he said, "there's no chance for me to answer you properly, but you must remember we're not looking for a job. shall i send you ashore now, or would it suit you to take a boat with me in half an hour? or perhaps," he added, his manner most elaborately courteous, "on account of your boxes, it would suit you better to be set ashore after dark." "give you one hundred pounds," the collector said, still fighting, and ignoring the captain's words entirely. "we need not go on with the wrangle," jack said, rising. "i'm not bargaining with you. if it's worth two hundred pounds to you, all right. if it isn't, we'll part here, and hope you have the gratitude to appreciate what has already been done for you at the risk of mr. taberman's life. come, we've wasted too much time over this already." "do you think my time isn't worth anything?" cried the other,--apparently losing all control of his temper. "i've wasted too much already. get up your damned anchor, you mercenary yankee"-- "come, sir!" broke in jack sharply, "apologize at once! at once! you have been insulting us this half hour like an utter cad, and i've made all the allowances i'm equal to." the collector regarded him with furious eyes, but seemed struggling with himself until he could command his manner and his voice. "i--i beg your pardon," he said in a hard tone. then he added, in a voice softer and more grave, "indeed, i beg your pardon most sincerely. my cursed temper got the better of me. does your offer still hold?" "if you wish," jack answered stiffly. "then--two hundred pounds--i accept it. two hundred pounds sterling, to be paid on our safe arrival in port at plymouth." he sighed, and put out his hand to the captain. "will you pardon my tongue?" he asked. there was more ingenuousness in this trifling act than in anything tab or jack had yet seen in him. the real man seemed for a moment to show; and as jack accepted the collector's apology and took his hand, jerry had a fleeting glimpse--short as a flash of changing light--of another and franker wrenmarsh, accustomed to hide under a veil of shams and mockeries made necessary by his difficult vocation. wrenmarsh then asked if he might have some letters mailed ashore, and jack offered to take them himself in half an hour's time. while the collector was below writing these, the captain and the mate talked things over on deck. tab had to congratulate jack again, and over and over, fairly beaming with delight whenever he thought of the happy stage to which affairs had been brought. when he discovered that the captain had confessed the lifting of the merle, he was for a moment disconcerted. "oh, jacko, how could you give that away?" he cried. "i had to be honest," jack replied, and added, with a little shade of unconscious patronage, "you'll see how it is yourself, old man, when it comes your turn. you have to make a square deal, of course." "yes, i s'pose so," assented the mate humbly. "i hope she won't tell mrs. fairhew." "oh, we told her together," jack stated cheerfully. "katrine thought we'd better. i'm glad i did, too; for she's written home about meeting us, and it's sure to get round to uncle randolph sooner or later." "how did she take it?" "oh, do you know," returned jack, laughing at the remembrance of his talk with mrs. fairhew, "i think she was more bothered that she hadn't guessed it than she was shocked at us. she couldn't help letting me see that she thought it an awfully good joke on uncle randolph. she said she should write to him to-day and remind him that she'd often told him he tried to keep me in leading strings. she said she did have a suspicion from your jocoseness when we first came over that there was some joke about our coming, but we parried her questions so well she forgot all about it. she said nobody could have dreamed of anything so preposterous, so of course she didn't guess it." "didn't she say it was on account of her age she didn't see through us?" queried jerry, with a grin. "by jove, she did; and then turned it off by saying she never supposed a marchfield would be engaged to a pirate. she says, though, that i've got to cut back at once. she won't have me going about with katrine in a stolen yacht." "it's time to start anyway. it'll be getting late by the time we're across, and if she's written home, the sooner the merle is in boston harbor the better. i suppose we can get off in a week?" "we go to-morrow," jack answered calmly. "to-morrow! great scott! what are we sitting here for? there are oceans of things to be done." "of course we can get stores at plymouth if we need to, and i've already ordered a lot of things to come out to-night. we have to get wrenmarsh safe, of course, and that'll take some time." "he's a windfall," commented jerry. "and like most windfalls, not entirely sound? tell gonzague to fix up the stateroom bardale had, the one next mine. i must get ashore now; she'll be waiting. you're to come to dinner." "i'll come fast enough. oh, you bully old pirate, i'm awfully glad for you!" [illustration: decoration] chapter fifteen in the cattewater the merle was at anchor off plymouth. by the round brass ship's clock placed over the passageway door, in the saloon, jerry could see that it was a little after ten o'clock. the yacht had come to anchor in the small hours, and the gentlemen had in consequence slept late. the dull light of an english morning in september came through the big skylight, and showed the captain, the mate, and mr. wrenmarsh lingering over their breakfast. "on my word, mr. wrenmarsh," said tab, "we'll be sorry to lose you. you've been aboard so long and your"--he almost blurted out "eccentricities," but fortunately had the unusual luck to stop in time to substitute a better word--"your--er--conversation has such--er--has been so very entertaining, that is, that we're sure to miss you." "ah, well," said the collector, "i'm in hopes that you've improved so much by contact with me that you'll be able to entertain each other." "wouldn't you like to take passage across?" suggested jack. "your rates are too high," the other rejoined grimly. "gonzague, _'n' altro bicchier' d' aqua fresca_." the old steward, who had come in while jerry was speaking, served the archæologist with the ready alacrity which marked all he did, and then departed with a handful of dishes. "why do you always speak to gonzague in italian?" inquired jerry. "you said yesterday that you always had a reason for everything you do." "oh," the guest returned, fixing his eyes not on the questioner but on the ceiling above him, "i speak to him in italian because he understands it." "but he isn't an italian," tab objected. "no, but then i'm not either." "but he understands english, french, and spanish, for the matter of that," jerry persisted. whenever wrenmarsh began to talk in this whimsical fashion, taberman had always a teasing desire to push him into a corner. "ah, but, my dear fellow," wrenmarsh replied, unaccountably addressing jack, and making his words seem more distraught by one of his most earnest, almost burning glances, "i do not speak spanish, you see." "then why not french or english?" "because they're so different," returned the collector. "why, what rot!" jerry burst out rudely; then as usual he added apologetically, "i beg your pardon, but i'm afraid i don't follow you." "oh, no; i suppose not," mr. wrenmarsh rejoined with much sweetness. he rose, and with an entire change of manner, added briskly, "well, i'm ready. as i wish to catch the eleven thirty-four for london, we must make haste; otherwise i shouldn't have time to take mr. castleport to the bank, and settle my financial obligations. can we get ashore?" "yes," answered jack, rising also. "the cutter's ready, and your boxes are on board. by the by, you said you'd tell me how you dodge--pardon the word, we use it on the other side--the customs." "simplest thing in the world," returned wrenmarsh, lighting a cigarette. "address my boxes to a good friend of mine in the british museum. they go through the customhouse as things for the museum, you know." "does your friend do that sort of thing as a business?" inquired jerry with a laugh. "i wish you'd give me his name, so i could come that game." "his name is gordon wrenmarsh," said the collector quietly; "but his charges are high. shall we go?" "yes," jack responded. "it is high time we were off. i'm not anxious to speed the parting guest, but a good send-off means an early start." jerry left his place, and the three went on deck. the cutter, already manned, was by the steps. the bleak english air struck chill and raw to these men fresh from the warm sunshine of the mediterranean. the harbor and sound, crowded with shipping as they were, seemed flat and dull; the citadel, the battery, the various docks and buildings were depressing. a great volume of dun coal-smoke overhanging the "three towns," from the hamoaze to sutton pool, added to the general air of gloom. to cap all this, the fog was coming in from seaward, and already its ghostly echelons had floated past the north end of drake island. as the three men came on deck the cutter was bobbing up and down in the wash of the ferry which plies to and fro across the cattewater, and which had just gone heavily past. "dear england!" ejaculated mr. wrenmarsh fervently under his breath in the face of all this. then turning to taberman, "you're not coming ashore with us?" jerry shook his bare head, and gave an exaggerated shiver for reply. "no?" the collector said. "well, we'll say good-by here, then. lucky we met, wasn't it? those combinations--they make the world go round; stop it sometimes. good-by. pity, great pity, you weren't at oxford, mr. taberman. it would have done you good, made a man of you." "not if harvard's failed to," retorted jerry loyally. "good-by, and good luck. hope we'll meet again some day." they shook hands, and mr. wrenmarsh and jack descended to the waiting cutter. "_adio, signor'_," called out old gonzague, who was standing by the main-rigging. "_a riverderla forse_" returned the collector from the stern-sheets of the cutter. "_il mondo è piccolo, signor'. spero_," answered the provençal. "oars!" cried jack. "bear away,--let fall,--ready,--pull." and the cutter bore away the strange collector toward the shore of his adopted country. jerry watched the boat for a moment, his big heart not untouched by a sympathetic friendliness for the lonely man, whose life seemed to him so warped and melancholy. he half expected wrenmarsh to look back to nod or to wave his hand, but the collector's eyes were turned steadily to the shore. it was chill on deck, and tab went below. gonzague was just taking away the last of the breakfast things. he set his tray on the table, and approached the mate deferentially. "mistaire taberman, sair," he said, putting his hand in his pocket, and drawing out a small square blue box and a note, "mistaire wrainmairsh he geeve me de box and de lettair--also a crown in extrair dat i geeve dem to you when he have leef." "eh? what?" asked jerry. "oh, i see. thank you." he sat down on the port transom, and opened the box. it contained a small object carefully wrapped in tissue paper. he unfolded the paper, and between his fingers a gold finger-ring slipped on to the green corduroy cushion of the transom. "great scott!" he ejaculated. then he picked it up and examined it carefully. in a thin band of red gold was set a carnelian of beautiful tone, the color of a red hyacinth blossom. the stone was oval, cut with an exquisite design in intaglio. it represented a god holding a trident in his left hand, and on his right a small winged figure. his right foot rested on a stone, and he was gazing at the figure he held. the gem was inscribed with the greek letters [greek: lil]. jerry tore open the note. it read as follows:-- really, my dear fellow, had you viewed me more as a friend and less as a curiosity, you might have found it to your advantage. but to the point. i hope you will wear the ring in memory of our little escapade. the figure represents poseidon, holding a victoriole in his hand; and is, as the letters signify, designed to commemorate the naval victory of lilybæum (capo boao), in which some of the original wearer's ancestors (more likely pretended than real) were evidently supposed to have taken part. of course the wearer, though not the cutter, was a roman; but you won't mind that. not a bit. so no one gets hurt--your arm, you know--in my behalf without cause to remember the fact--pleasantly. the stone is by no means the best that i obtained, but it seemed appropriate. poseidon with a victoriole--usually an attribute of zeus soter (see your furtwängler's a. g.)--is rare enough to give the thing value. with merriment, wrenmarsh. "by jove!" cried jerry to himself, gloating over the ring, "what a calf i was to that--that white man! by gad, though, he was a stunner, and no mistake!" he slipped the gold band on his finger. after a time of admiration he took a book from the shelf, and tried to read; but every minute or two he stopped to look again at the jewel. he had not turned many pages when he heard a boat alongside, and a strange voice hailing. "hallo," he thought. "i wonder what that is. it can't be the port officer; we satisfied him at daybreak." he tossed aside his book, and went on deck. a shabby jolly-boat was lying alongside. jerry noted instantly and with consternation that she was manned by six men in uniform, in charge of a burly old fellow liberally adorned with brass buttons and gold braid, who looked to be every inch a sea-dog. at a second glance tab decided that these men were not government employees, such as coast-guards, but belonged to some sort of a company. with one stunning blow, sudden as the bursting of a waterspout, the truth flashed over him; at the last, at the very last, when they had escaped so long that they had practically ceased to think of the danger, the agent of lloyd's was upon them. "hello there, what d'ye want?" called out the man doing anchor-watch. "captain aboard?" demanded the burly officer in charge. "no," answered the hand suspiciously. "what will you have?" "i want to see the officer in charge, my spruce little sea-cook," returned the big man genially; and the grating of the steps being handy, without further ceremony he came aboard. the sailor keeping the deck, although of a slow and plodding disposition, might have resented the coolness of the stranger, had jerry given him time; but with a commendable promptness and a sinking heart the mate advanced. he told jack afterward that he felt as if he were leading a forlorn hope, and had not the remotest idea of what he had better do or say. "i am in charge here," he said in a perfectly neutral voice. "what do you want?" "you are captain castleport?" inquired the big man, giving jerry a keen glance not without a suspicion of kindly humor. he was a fine, strapping creature of perhaps forty-five or fifty, with fair hair, and a large bushy beard tawny as a lion's mane. "captain castleport is ashore, sir. i am the mate." "mr. taberman, eh?" asked the other. "may i see you in private for a minute or two, sir? i'm lloyd's deputy inspector for plymouth. i've been hunting about in the fog for you these thirty minutes past. i thought you were nigh out o' the cattewater, over toward the hoe." "will you come below?" said jerry grimly. inwardly he groaned for the arrival of jack. this was a task he felt himself unable to deal with. had the emergency called simply for physical powers or for manual dexterity, the chances were large that he could rise to the occasion; but in a pass where the demand was for mental adroitness and nimble wits, jerry knew the captain to be infinitely his superior. he determined to devote himself to gaining time, and to refrain from committing himself until his comrade should come aboard. jerry escorted the burly guest to the cabin without further speech, and turned to ask him to be seated. the visitor at once drew over his jovial face like a veil a serious expression, and regarded taberman with the greatest gravity. unbuttoning the top of his serge jacket, he thrust his hand into an inner pocket as if it were a dip-net, and brought it up again full of dismally official-looking documents. "this is bad business, sir," he remarked, eyeing the mate as if to be sure he was producing a proper impression. "eh?" ejaculated jerry, trying to look like consolidated innocence. "p'haps you'll be so good's to look these through, sir," the englishman went on, proffering his batch of papers. "are they for me or the captain?" asked taberman, fencing to gain time. "why, as to that," the official replied, "i expect what they contain's ekally to your int'rest and 'is." "sit down, please," jerry said, with a confused wave of the hand, which seemed to invite the visitor to occupy all the seats in the cabin at once. "you may be right, but i shouldn't want to look any important papers over until the captain'd seen them." "oh, that don't matter," the other said easily, as he settled himself in a chair. "i don't think you 'ave any cause to mind, sir. you represent 'im aboard." "yes," jerry returned, obstinately determined that nothing should make him go through the papers without jack; "but if you're not too much pressed for time, i'd much rather wait for the captain. he'll be here presently." "why, sir, for the matter o' that, i dunno's i've much to 'urry me this mornin'; an' i must say i'd rather like a look at 'im. 'e must be a rare one." "then," jerry said, with infinite relief, "we'll wait till he gets aboard." he rang, and gonzague appeared. the old provençal stood stroking his mustache and watching the englishman furtively out of the corners of his eyes, as if he appreciated the situation and hoped to have orders to assist in throwing him overboard. the glance of the bluff briton at the same time lighted up in evident anticipation that the appearance of the steward meant refreshments. "gonzague, i'll have a little scotch and soda. will you take a glass of anything, sir?" "why, sir, seein' 's i 'ave to wait a bit, i'm not strong agin a finger or two." "what will you have?" asked jerry, enormously relieved to get on ground so safe as that of playing the host. "i like red rum 's well 's most, sir," replied the other, his jolly eyes twinkling. "it's sort o' oilin' to the in'ards." they were soon served, and gonzague, on leaving the cabin, placed the spirits and a siphon in most engaging proximity to the guest. time passed in the exchange of more or less nautical chit-chat for half an hour or so; when, to the great comfort of jerry, who had been listening with one ear to the talk of his companion and with the other for the coming of the captain, jack's hail sounded outside. jerry, listening acutely, heard castleport pause on deck, and at the companion-way caught a syllable or two in the unmistakable tones of gonzague, so that he apprehended that the captain would come to the interview forewarned. the captain came briskly into the cabin, his blue pea-jacket beaded with little globules of moisture from the fog, his hair damp and clinging to his temples. "hallo, tab," he said. "the fog's as thick as it was the night we started. ah!" the exclamation cleverly conveyed the impression that he perceived the guest for the first time, and apologized for not being prepared to meet him. "jack, this is lloyd's deputy inspector, mr. ----?" jerry began, and stopped with an interrogative inflection. "my name, sir, 's tom mainbrace." "mr. thomas mainbrace," jerry concluded his presentation. "mr. mainbrace, captain castleport." "pleased to know ye, cap'n," the englishman said cheerfully, as jack bowed. "yes, sir; i'm lloyd's deputy inspector." "i saw your boat alongside," jack returned pleasantly. "we haven't any deputies aboard that need inspecting, though." "'aven't ye?" the visitor asked, his eyes twinkling so that the laugh with which he followed his words seemed a sort of overflow of their merriment. "i kind o' thought there might be a deputy owner or som'thin' o' the sort 'ere." jack apparently tried to look grave, but ended by grinning in spite of himself. he put out his hand and laid his fingers on the papers. "you have business with us?" he asked. "yes, sir. the mate 'ere, 'e said 'e 'd rather not begin on it till you come aboard, sir." "quite right," jack responded quietly. "shall i read these papers?" "yes, if ye'll be so good, sir," mr. mainbrace said seriously, and not without a trace of regret in his jovial, weather-beaten face. the captain seated himself with deliberation, and began to read; the englishman applied himself afresh to his glass, and taberman watched closely for a lead. jerry was not clear what line was to be taken in this difficult situation, and was keenly anxious to back up the captain in any way possible. to his surprise jack began first to smile, then to grin; from that to chuckle gleefully, and at last he broke out into full-throated laughter. "by jove!" he cried, striking his knee with the hand that held the papers. "but that is one on uncle randolph, and no mistake!" the deputy inspector looked up with an expression of bewilderment, and jerry felt that he was no more enlightened as to what jack had in mind than was the guest. "what is it?" tab asked. "oh, we're run down at last! think of our being nabbed at the last moment, when we've done all we wanted to with the yacht!" and he fell to laughing again, as if being caught red-handed in a pirated yacht were the merriest jest in the world. taberman was still completely bewildered, but he at least perceived that jack was bound to carry off the matter with laughter; and by way of assisting as well as he could, he began also to laugh. he took the papers, and glanced at them enough to see that one was a letter from lloyd's, containing a notification of the merle's disappearance, with a description of the yacht and a specification of her captors; the other a warrant for search and apprehension. he followed jack's lead, and if his efforts did not ring as true, he at least made more noise. "that's rich!" he roared. "ha! ha! ha!" he thrust the papers back to the captain, who tossed them on the table, and both together they broke out afresh. "excuse our laughing," jack said, turning to the inspector, who gazed from one to the other as if he thought they had gone mad; "but really it's too ripping!" "ain't ye the parties?" demanded the official sternly. "oh, we're the parties all fast enough; but--well, now, look here. this yacht belongs to my uncle, you see." "yes, sir," replied the honest mainbrace, evidently puzzled, as he would have put it, to make out the other's numbers, but still britannically deferential to the nephew of a man who was able to own a yacht such as the merle. "well, you see, i ran away with her because he wouldn't let me come across, and he's had no good of her the whole summer. from your papers i judge he looked for me on the other side six weeks before he notified you at all. you see how much of the summer that leaves him; and now, just as i'm starting to carry her back as fast as the wind will take her, you step in and stop us." "why, ye see, sir," began the inspector, evidently endeavoring to accommodate himself to the new light thrown by the captain on the situation, "the fact is 'e says 'e wants 'er in a 'urry." "he won't get her, then," jack said with a grin. "by the time you've red-taped her, and charged for her, and negotiated her, and sent her over with a hired crew, it'll be december at the very earliest--to say nothing of the twenty or thirty pounds he'll have to pay you and the cost of the crew you send her over by. it is hard lines for uncle randolph." "it is so," jerry agreed, fervently glad to be at last in possession of the way jack meant to work. "i'm really sorry for uncle randolph," jack continued, sobering down. "but then, he might have trusted me to bring the merle back." "ye ain't takin' it too much to 'eart, are ye, sir?" queried the big englishman, with a look so humorous and quizzical that jerry was seized by a dreadful suspicion that the twinkling eyes saw through the whole scheme of bluff. "not i," jack assented blithely; "though of course i'd rather have taken the yacht home myself. what's the next move? do you put us in irons, or hang us to the crosstree-ends?" "why, they sent word from lloyd's," replied mainbrace, with the unmistakable grin of a man who regards himself as a humorist, "that the owner said not to be too 'ard on ye. i expect 't'll be no worse nor transportation for life." then he put on a graver and more professional look, and added, "i'm afraid we'll 'ave to be more serious, sir. will ye kindly show me your papers and the log? i suppose you 'ave 'em 'andy." "certainly," the captain said, also assuming an official air. "jerry, will you give the inspector the papers? i'll get the log." the examination of the papers was a short matter, and then they took up the log. it was at once evident that the englishman had a keen curiosity to discover what the young men had been doing with the merle, and that he was no less eager in his interest in all things nautical. jerry sat by in almost open-mouthed admiration to see how the captain took advantage of both these characteristics. jack could be most attractive, and from the start it was evident that he was doing his best to please mr. mainbrace. he explained all the manoeuvres of that memorable night when the merle had been spirited away in the fog, while the jolly face of the deputy inspector became more and more radiant with each new development of the story. the charts were produced, each detail of seamanship carefully brought out, and the whole episode lived over again. jack warmed to his subject as he went on; jerry threw in a word now and then when the captain in his eagerness seemed in danger of forgetting to mention some detail; the englishman listened with chuckles and with laughter which soon came to be devoid of the slightest pretense of official dignity; and, in a word, the three became as merry and companionable over the log as if they were all pirates together. mainbrace had been a sailor and a mate in his day, and showed the keenest zest for every nautical experience. there is no surer bond of comradeship than mutual love of the sea; and despite differences of race, age, and social position, jack, jerry, and the deputy inspector fraternized over the merle's log as only sailors can. the log-book was read to the last entry. over the account of the gale the yacht had encountered on her way across the atlantic mainbrace became as excited as if he had had a personal stake in the safety of the merle. his ejaculations became more and more emphatic and more and more picturesque, and his rejoicing over the safe weathering of the storm almost as fervid as if he had been in it himself. the race at nice jack told of with as little reflection on the unsportsmanlike conduct of lord merryfield as was possible; but the jovial countenance of mainbrace darkened, and he expressed an opinion of the absent nobleman which was sufficiently tonic to satisfy even taberman. jack said afterward that by the time they got through the log a quotation from "horatius" popped into his head, and he came very near breaking out with it:-- with weeping and with laughter still is the story told. to which jerry replied that he couldn't think of quotations, he was so carried away by the enthusiastic delight of the jolly old inspector and the quaint ways in which it was expressed. when at last the record was closed, the conversation still at first ran on the cruise, but soon it began to take a turn which made jerry prick up his ears anew. the inspector remarked, with an exceedingly droll twinkle of his eyes, that duty was duty, but that he would be summarily dealt with if he wouldn't feel bad to have to bear on hard on a couple of fellows that had played the biggest joke he ever heard of in his life, and had carried the whole thing through with so much cleverness and grit. to this jack responded that he was most appreciative of the kindness of mr. mainbrace, but that of course duty was duty--although it would really have been luck for the owner of the merle, quite as much as for himself and his mate, if the yacht could have gone on her way uninterrupted. to this in turn mainbrace gave his assent, and went on to say that he must, of course, carry out instructions, and that he was legally empowered to leave a keeper on board until he could come out again to-morrow with directions he expected to receive from london. "though i dunno," he added drolly, "'s it's safe to trust a man with ye. ye're cap'ble o' runnin' off with 'im." "we might," jack responded brightly. "i wouldn't be responsible." "or we might throw him overboard," suggested jerry, with the broadest possible grin. "most o' my men kin swim some," mainbrace retorted. "i should 'ave to tell 'im 'f 'e got overboard to tow the yacht in shore." the jest was not of the first water, but they had got to a merry mood, and it was properly laughed over. then mainbrace, in high good humor, went on to say that he'd been so well treated, and he had so enjoyed the log, that he thought on the whole he would not put a man in charge. he added that it was late, and he must be on his way ashore now, but that they might expect him out again to-morrow. "i'm sorry i 'ave to bother ye, gentlemen," he added, as they went on deck. "i've been to sea myself too many years not to 'ate this bloody red-tape business,--an' they do reel it off by the cable-length when they 'ave 'arf a chance." the inspector's jolly-boat, the most appropriate of conveyances for the jovial sea-dog, was still alongside. the fog had lightened somewhat, and watery beams of the sun leaked through it overhead. as mr. mainbrace was about to descend the steps to the boat, he paused a moment and pulled at his thick beard as if meditating profoundly. "i'm 'most afraid if you gentlemen took it into your 'eads to give us the slip we shouldn't know it on shore in this 'ere fog," he observed, casting a queer, sidling glance at jack. "it is trusting somewhat to luck to leave us," the captain responded coolly, "and i want to say now that i appreciate your kindness in not forcing a keeper on us." "well, cap'n," continued the inspector, gazing out over the water with the look of one who has no personal interest in the matter under discussion, "i was goin' to say, if you get a good chance, you'd better shift your berth. you'll find it kind o' snugger ridin' some ways along to the west'ard, i expect. but you know best, o' course. all is, you're in a tightish place here. i alers liked more sea-room myself. good-day, sir." "good-day. maybe you'll find we've shifted by to-morrow. if we have, it'll be to westward." "i'll come out to-morrow," said the old sailor in his most official manner. then he looked from one to the other with his merriest twinkle and an emphatic nod. "duty is duty," he remarked. "good-day, sirs." he turned to descend, but suddenly jack arrested him. "oh, you've forgotten your pipe," he said. "my pipe?" echoed mainbrace, stopping short. "yes, i'll get it." the captain dashed into the cabin, and reappeared with a silver-mounted briarwood, colored just enough to suggest a comfortable chimney-corner and a mind at ease. "you left it on the table," he said, presenting it to the big inspector. the other took it with an expression queerly compounded of surprise, awkwardness, amusement, and delight. "thank ye, sir," he said. "it's 'ansome of you to fetch it up ye'self,--most 'ansome. i'm mortal fond o' that pipe." he regarded it affectionately a moment, and then stowed it away inside his jacket. then he turned again to go down to the waiting jolly-boat. "i'll come out to-morrow," he called up to them. "duty is duty. good-day, sirs." "good-day," they called in concert; and off went the deputy inspector toward the hardly perceptible shore through the fog. "by george, he's a brick!" jack cried. "right-o," assented jerry, "but it took you to cement him." "atrocious! if you're going to pun like that you must be taken home to your family at once. 'duty is duty'! did you see the solemn wink the old fellow tipped me when he spoke of shifting to westward? i thought i should burst out laughing on the spot, and give the whole thing away. how's the water?" "tanks chock-a-block. gonzague had them filled from the water-boat this morning. did you get your money?" "every pound of it. wrenmarsh took me to the bank and identified me, and was mighty nice about the whole thing. provisions are o.k. off we go. call the watch." "yes, but see my ring first," tab said, holding it out. in half an hour the merle was changing her berth to the westward. [illustration: decoration] chapter sixteen storm! a gray sea, a gray sky, and the mid-atlantic ocean in september. over the heaving waters the merle, under reduced canvas, was staggering westward on the port-tack with a stiff southerly breeze. jack, clad in his yellow oil-skins like the rest of the hands, was standing just outside the cockpit on the windward side of the yacht. jerry was asleep below. having had the early morning watch, he had turned in directly after breakfast. the captain glanced aloft uneasily, and wondered if they were going to encounter on their return such a gale as they had weathered while going over. he reluctantly admitted to himself that there was every appearance of dirty weather, and thought he had better step below to take a look at the glass. he pushed back the companion, and descended. the cabin was stuffy and no warmer than the air without. the racks were on the table, and the lamps swung in erratic circles in their gimbals. the barometer, a beautifully finished instrument of the columnar type, was placed against the after-bulkhead of the saloon on the starboard beside a closet door, its slender length enclosed in bronze. it gyrated wildly, in unison with the thom's list-indicator above it. jack steadied the tube with his hand, and looked anxiously to see if the mercury had fallen. "good god!" he burst out. at eight bells that morning the vernier of the glass had been set at . . with staring eyes, jack saw that now, little more than two hours later, the mercury had sunk to . ,--a drop portentous of a furious gale. for one brief moment, in the face of approaching danger, and filled with a quick sense of his great responsibility, he stood appalled. he put his hand to his forehead as if he were dizzy and found it hard to think. "how's the glass, jack?" asked a voice beside him. he turned with troubled eyes to see tab in his pajamas, a freshly lighted cigarette between his fingers. "what's the trouble?" the mate demanded instantly, seeming bewildered at the captain's appearance. "what brought you out here?" the captain retorted, though why he should have asked he could not have told. "heard you exclaiming. what's the trouble?" "look!" jack answered, pointing to the glass. "all that!" gasped jerry. "get your togs on," was the only reply jack offered. "be quick, and come on deck." jerrold left him without a word, and padded off to his cabin. jack reset the vernier, and went out. to his disturbed mind it seemed as if in the brief interval during which he had been below the whole appearance of nature had grown more ominous. in five minutes jerry was with him. "well, jack?" "i've made up my mind what to do," the captain announced. "it's going to blow fit to take your hair out by the roots: that much is sure." jerry nodded soberly, and looked his friend straight in the eye. "we'll have to lay-to before we see the end of this, and i'd rather do so at sea-anchor 'n any other way. what do you think?" "that's right enough. i suppose we'd better make ready now?" "we sha'n't have much time when it does come. we must get a mess of things together up for'ard fit to hold a liner. we'll need it." jack got the hands together around the winch forward, and set them at once, under his direction, to the making of the "sea-anchor." the spinnaker-boom and the two shorter boat-booms were first lashed firmly together with inch rope in a rough isosceles triangle. "now," jack ordered, "fetch the old staysail, and bend it on in the frame." "how are you going to ballast the thing?" asked tab. "it'll float flat if you don't give it a sinker." "i fancy the market-boat's killock would be about the right thing if we could get at it," jack answered. "do you know where"-- "yes, yes," interrupted jerry hastily. "it's with the rest of her gear. i'll get it." and he went aft. although the wind had not as yet increased in violence, jack, standing as he did almost at the peak of the vessel, felt the motion much more than he had farther aft. the great gray-green seas heaved hard about the plunging yacht, and every now and then she ran bowsprit under. she was a rather dry boat, fortunately, of the "hollow bow" model, and in the fifteen or twenty minutes that the men had been working on the anchor, she had not taken any waves aboard. the spindrift, it is true, flew across her by the bucketful, but the men, dressed in their oilers, blinked the cold water out of their eyes and went on with their work. before jerry returned, however, as the crew were bending the old staysail to the triangular frame, the captain, to his consternation, saw that the merle was just working her way up the breast of a mighty hill of water with all likelihood of burying herself in the rising wall of a wave ahead. "'ware water!" he shouted. the men dropped their work and caught at whatever was nearest at hand. some threw an arm about the bollard by the knighthead; some jumped for the winch; two men got a tight grip on the large ring-bolts by the port cat-heads; jack himself leaped for the winch and put his right arm around the drum. the merle labored to the crest of the hill of water. it sank away beneath her instantly, and she shot down the slope of the wave into the trough of the sea with a headlong, staggering rush. towering above her was the roughened, foam-blotched face of the succeeding wave. she tried bravely to climb it, but she was too near, the angle was too sharp; she could not so quickly recover from the impetus of her downward plunge. she seemed to tremble--to hesitate--for an instant, and then as if in the courage of despair, to leap forward with a jerk into the very midst of the flood as if she would force her way through its tons of swinging sea-water. jack went to the deck under the tremendous blow of the on-rushing wave as if he had been struck down by a thunderbolt. he felt the shock, the biting cold of the water, and then it seemed as if a giant had gripped him with hands of ice and were trying to wrench him from his hold. he clung on, drenched, bewildered, desperate, until he wondered if his arm would be pulled out of its socket. he had a stifling sensation of having been for hours without air; he felt as if he were being dragged by some terrible power swiftly through the sea miles below the surface. on a sudden he again felt the deck under him, and opened his eyes. the merle had forced her way through the wave, and they were again free. he gasped, spluttered, and rose to his feet, the water streaming from him. inside the bulwarks to starboard the green, foam-mixed brine washed about knee-deep, and was pouring with a hoarse gurgling out of the scuppers forward. the "anchor" had been swept bodily aft as far as the foremast, and there was jammed between the mast itself and the weather-shrouds. drenched and cursing, the men squelched their way aft, dislodged the structure, and dragged it forward again. luckily the mishap, really a slight one of twenty seconds' duration, had wrought no damage which could not be easily repaired, and so the crew took up their work where they had left it. jerry reappeared with the killock of the market-boat just as they got into place once more. "did you get wet?" he asked cheerily, with a broad grin which showed that he saw what had happened. "what do you think?" burst out the captain hotly. "no; i got dry, damn it!" "did you really, though! well, i thought you looked damp." jack paid this boyish jest with a word that was sharp and a look that was too near a grin not to take the sting from it. he took the killock that jerry had brought, and had the men make it fast to the lower point of the kite-like frame where the short boat-booms met. to the ends of the long spinnaker-boom he fastened lengths of strong inch manilla, and a piece somewhat shorter to the point where the killock was attached. the captain meant that the "sea-anchor," when in the water, should ride not exactly vertical, but that by the shorter line the weighted point should be lifted a little toward the yacht as the merle dragged back on it. in the end of each of these lines a bow-line was bent, and through the bights of them he had the rode bent and made fast. the whole contrivance was then like a triangular kite weighted at the point made by the shorter sides, and held by lines from the three corners joined on the rode, which corresponded to the string. when the work was finished jack inspected it all carefully, and examined the fastenings. "it's a rough enough concern," he said to jerry; "but it's stanch, and if we have to use it, it'll do good service. make it fast," he added to the men. "put on a couple of strong gaskets for stoppers. come on, tab; i don't want another ducking." they went aft to the cockpit, and the captain started to go below. "i'll just take another look at that glass," he said. "it's well to keep a"-- "look!" cried jerry suddenly, seizing him by the arm, and pointing away to the southward. jack's eyes followed the mate's arm. afar off on the gloomy horizon, the black sea below and the gray sky above were in one place welded together by a wall of impenetrable haze. it was not much more than a spot, but jack at a glance took in its full significance, and knew that before the merle was a struggle that would try her strength and his seamanship to the very utmost. he opened his mouth to speak, and closed his lips firmly without a word. he looked a moment at the inky mist, and then dashed below. in a couple of minutes he reappeared with a grim look on his usually genial face. "jerry," he said hurriedly, "i've been down and tried the storm-card on the chart. if we keep on as she's going, we'll fetch up plumb in the centre of this mess. the merle wouldn't live there half an hour." "well?" questioned jerry. his face was sober, and had about it a suggestion of a big, serious dog that watches its troubled master. "what can we do?" "there is only one thing to do," jack responded quickly, but with absolute decision. "the centre bears southwesterly,--that's why our wind's hauled 'round. we've got to put about and run into the heart of that greasy streak yonder. it'll be a tough job, but not so bad as if we were farther westward. when we get the wind westerly, we'll lay to. if we do anything else, we'll be swept into the centre, sure's fate." "can't we run it out?" jerry asked desperately. "it'll be tremendous! that blow we had coming over'll be pale beside it. think, man!" "i have," jack said shortly. "ready 'bout ship!" he shouted. the men sprang to their places, although jack could see that they threw swift glances of surprise at him as they did so. the evidence, slight as it was, that he was acting alone, and that he must see farther and more wisely than the men under him, accustomed as they were to the sea, imparted a new ring of command to his voice as he gave the necessary orders. with some difficulty and with much uproar of booming canvas and slatting ropes, the schooner came about, and jack had her headed straight for the black spot on the horizon. jack hurried on preparations for the storm before them. he had sail taken in and double-reefed; the "spitfire" jib set in place of the larger forestaysail, and tarpaulins battened over the skylights. he put the yacht as completely as possible in heavy-weather trim, to meet the gale scudding along over the black sea toward them. he was none too soon, for the storm was not long in coming. the gray sky above the yacht grew darker and darker, the sea about her more and more "cobbly." the wind freshened rapidly, and veered more toward the west. the merle sailed on gallantly, the green waves breaking against her weather shoulder, and the spindrift flying down the decks as she slashed her way to windward. the tops of the great seas, as they heaved themselves skyward, were snatched off by the gale, and sped in white sheets down the wind. jack was standing in the cockpit with jerry. he was watching the weather narrowly, and now and then, with a brief word or two, gave the steersmen--for the wheel needed two of them--a command or a warning. the force of the gale so increased that at the end of an hour and a half the mainsail, though triple-reefed, was got down and furled, and the forestaysail, which had been unbent to give place to the spitfire, was set on the boom as a trysail. it had come on to rain, and the big drops were driven along almost in horizontal lines. when they struck the face jack felt as if he had been pelted with hailstones. mixed with the flying spindrift they filled the air as if with a mist, blinding and fierce. suddenly, as the yacht was dipping into the trough of a long sea, a strong gust listed her over so that aft the green water rose on the decks to within a fathom of the cockpit combings. a sharp report burst out above all the roaring of the wind and the multitudinous clamor of the waters. jack looked up to see the trysail streaming out in tattered ribbons, writhing and twisting like pale snakes in mad fury. the sight inflamed him like a personal insult flung at him by the storm. he broke out with a cry, and with a great oath swore he would see the merle through in spite of everything. "tab," he shouted in the mate's ear, "get along forward on that sea-anchor! stand by to launch it. we don't want any more of this!" he saw jerry gather the port watch,--for all the men had been on deck for two hours past, clinging to whatever was nearest and alternately watching the storm and the captain,--and with them scrabble forward, making way by the help of whatever could be grasped. their difficulty in getting forward was to jack like a sudden realization of the danger they were in, and made him for the moment think of the men, whereas he had before been conscious of nothing but of the yacht herself. he saw the men gather about the "sea-anchor," swaying and pitching with the motion of the bow, and jerry turn to look for his signal. the yacht was carrying such a strong lee-helm that the steersmen could not keep her head to the wind, and jack shouted and gesticulated frantically to jerry to get down the storm-jib, while at the same time he ordered the starboard watch to unstop the mainsail. he was in deadly fear lest the vessel should get clean broadside to the wind and that the decks would be swept. "unstop the mainsail!" he roared. "show the peak! douse the jib!" again he motioned to jerry, knowing that his voice would not be heard forward. he saw tab pause a moment, and then wave his arm in reply. to his utter dismay, however, he saw the mate and the men with him stoop, get hold of the "sea-anchor," and, tugging and stumbling, begin to haul it up to the weather side. it flashed on jack that his gestures had been misunderstood, and his order to get down the jib mistaken for a command to launch the "anchor." with a sickening plunge the merle at that moment coasted down a mighty wave, fell off, and lay broadside to the seas. for a second he felt as if everything was lost. "smartly!" he roared to the starboard watch, who were working for their lives upon the main-boom. he gave them one glance, and started to rush forward, running recklessly along, and feeling for his sheath-knife as he went. a quick lurch of the yacht to port flung him off his feet, and shot him forward and to his right. he instinctively flung out his hand, and clutched something metallic. "'ware water!" he mumbled, half stunned. a green shadow curled over him. there was a crashing roar to leeward. he felt the yacht stagger and tremble, and suddenly and with an odd mental twist he remembered vividly an earthquake shock he had once felt at patras. the shadow disappeared, a little water came slap! on his oilskin jacket between the shoulders. the rest of the wave--tons and tons of green water--had curled itself over him, and crashed on the decks to leeward. he got to his feet unsteadily, and with a queer singing in his ears ran forward. he threw a quick look to port as he ran. the force of the sea had evidently been heaviest amidships, for he saw that for thirty feet on the lee beam the rail had been burst out between the fore and main rigging; two boats were gone, and the skylights, broken, yawned blackly. jack groaned inwardly, but did not stop. pitching and staggering, he made his way to the foremast. a sudden fling of the yacht threatened to make him, as he afterward put it, "overshoot the mark" and tumble past the halyards. fortunately, however, he checked himself by catching at the foretopsail-clewline as he was being pitched by, and he clung to it desperately. he laid hold of the spitfire halyard. one quick glance at the turns about the pin in the rack told him how much time he should save by cutting the rope, and with a swift backdrawing of the sharp sheath-knife he severed it. the fall of the halyard flew up aloft, playfully dealing him a smart rap on the chin as it went; the sail ran down in thunder, and blew away in shreds. the merle began to rise, and jack felt a thrill of joyful relief to see that she was coming up into the wind. the men aft had showed the peak of the mainsail, and the schooner was feeling its effects. a few yards forward, jerry and the port watch were still toiling over the "sea-anchor." twice they had tried to set it in position for launching, and each time wind and sea had overmastered them. jack, in an agony lest the structure should be launched before the yacht was laid about on the other tack, or at least so near the wind that the awkward contrivance could be got over the bows to port, stumbled forward shouting. "to port!" he roared. "get it over to port!" he gripped jerry by the arm. "the wrong tack!" he bellowed in the mate's ear. "run it over to leeward, and put it over when i wave my arm. watch sharp!" "aye!" shouted tab, but jack was already gone. castleport stumbled aft much as he had gone forward, now climbing laboriously up hill, now leaning back and struggling to keep himself from rushing headlong down the sloping deck with an impetus that would have carried him overboard. when he reached the cockpit, he dropped inside almost spent. "back the helm every time she rises!" he called to the men at the wheel. "we want her to fall over!" "aye, aye, sir." "now, then,--over with her!" he cried, as the yacht rose. the men gave her all they dared. the effect was imperceptible. "hold her!" shouted jack. at the risk of their lives, the two helmsmen held her as the schooner slid down the big slope of the wave, shivering as she went. as she rose, the captain, with a laughing heart, saw that she would make it. he tore off his "sou'-wester," and waved it frantically to tab forward. jerry threw up his arm in reply; the big "sea-anchor" rose from the deck, and went out on the port side. "helm amidships!" sang out jack. "aye, aye, sir." the merle began to drift back. "watch along!" the captain roared again. "gaskets on the mainsail!" the starboard watch began to wrestle with the heavy canvas which they had partially freed from its bonds so short a time before. the sail was made snug, and the merle dragged back on her "anchor," and though she plunged and tugged, pitched and rolled, still kept her sharp nose to the wind. through the mist of the stinging brine which the wind drove down the decks in sheets, the captain saw the hands forward pay out some forty fathoms of scope, and then, man by man, work their way aft. "i'm awfully sorry i--i made such a mess," tab shouted in the captain's ear as he reached him. "it's all right," returned jack, aglow with a wild exultation. "it's all right! no matter." the ominous belt of opaque mist which they had so shortly before seen on the horizon was now all about them. the merle and her crew were enveloped in a shroud of rushing rain. it drove before the blast in incredible torrents, and with a force that made them catch their breaths chokingly whenever they faced it. the seas increased to frightful size. even to the sailors, bred on the sea, it seemed hardly possible that the schooner could live in such surges. the cockpit, although self-bailing, was kept flooded; in it the water, sloshing about with the motion of the schooner, was as high as the transoms. the uproar of the wind, singing on the ropes strung by its own force to tautness, was like the shrieking of an immense and untuned harp. the crash of the waves sounded like a continuous cannonade all about the yacht. the mingling of sea and air produced a vertigo, as if everything was resolving again into its original chaos. yet in the midst of it all jack felt his blood sing in his veins with pure joy of the battle. suddenly the captain remembered the broken skylights. he splashed out of the cockpit, where he stood almost waist-deep in the jumping water, steadied himself by the combings, and started forward. "pumps!" he shouted. "come!" he waved his arm to the men, and the yellow-clad figures detached themselves in the mist and blurring rain from the points of vantage to which they had clung, and dumb, obedient, followed him. the pumps were just abaft the foremast, and were of the semi-rotary sort. the bars were fitted, and two of the men, swinging themselves back and forth, back and forth, with a dull and dreary monotony, began pumping as if they had become parts of a machine. a steady flow of water came from the waste-pipe in a continuous stream. it spread out over the deck to port and to starboard as the yacht swayed. it was full of bubbles and flecks of froth, and was a sickly yellow in hue. jack set the rest of the men to stretch new tarpaulins over the gaping skylights, and then he went below to look at the glass. drenched, bruised, cold from his long fight with the storm and the hours which had gone by without his having had food, he found himself, now that for the moment action was not imperative, seized with a sort of terror at the perils he had gone through. the instant reflection that worse might be yet to come restored his courage. he could face whatever might befall as long as he might act. the sight which met him in the once trig cabin was sufficiently dispiriting. a thin sheet of water swashed softly about over the turkish carpet. it chuckled in dark places as if sentient and fully aware of the impropriety of its being there. a locker door had burst open, and was banging maddeningly. farther forward, in the dark staterooms, similar noises could be heard, with sounds which suggested that all sorts of small things were being flung about. everything was sopped with sea-water and drenched by the beating rain: the transom-cushions, two of which were skating about the cabin with the wicker deck-chairs; the books on their shelves; the lockers, the mirrors, the sheathing, down which large drops ran in dizzying zigzags,--in short, everything. the sight gave jack a feeling of discouragement worse than anything on deck--even the tearing away of the bulwarks--had been able to produce. he felt as if the cruel old ocean were mouthing the schooner as a beast breaks the bones of its prey before devouring it. he drew in his breath with fierce resolution, all his combative spirit aroused to fight to the last gasp, and made his stumbling way to the barometer. he steadied it with his hand, and read it. it stood at . . this was a drop of only . since his last observation, and the captain's face cleared a little. if the glass had practically stopped falling, as apparently it had, the hardest part of the gale would come soon, and be speedily over. the old weather saw came into his head,-- long foretold, long last; short notice, soon past. the relief, slight as it was, affected him so strongly that he almost smiled. he reflected that the merle was as well prepared to meet it as under the circumstances she could be, and he had no real doubt of her ability to ride it out, unless some unexpected accident disabled the "sea-anchor." when he came on deck he was greeted by tab, who had taken charge in his absence, and who asked eagerly the state of the glass. jack told him, and drawing him into the companionway, where they could escape the wind enough to talk, he added his reasons for thinking that a short time might see them through the worst. "how are things below?" asked the mate. "look!" the captain answered, with a sweep of his hand. tab bent down and peered into the dismantled cabin. "the devil!" he cried in dismay. "precisely--but it might be worse," returned jack; "but by george, tab!" he burst out with sudden vehemence, "i--i'm glad i haven't got all this to do over again. you don't know--can't imagine the strain of this sort of thing." "does your conscience get up like a cat with the wind?" laughed jerry. "no, tab," jack answered soberly, "but the men, you know, and thinking i took them into this when i'd no right to. oh, rot! no matter, only i'm jolly glad i ran off with the merle before i realized all this. i couldn't bring myself to do it again for"-- "come on deck, jacko," tab said, after a brief silence in which with eyes cast down awkwardly he had waited for the captain to continue. "i know how you feel, but thank the lord there's work to be done, and we'll fight through all right. besides, gonzague's forward getting a ration of some sort. we can't afford to miss that." he put out his hand, and jack grasped it appreciatively, with a half-conscious thanksgiving for the comfort of a friend. "right you are!" the captain said heartily. "we're both of us ready for a feed, i fancy." and out into the storm they went again, buoyant and ready. [illustration: decoration] chapter seventeen facing the music "well," tab said, "i'll see you as far as the door for fear you'll bolt. you're a sight nearer funking than i ever saw you, jacko. you must have your nerve with you if you don't want to come out of the little end of the horn." "i feel small enough to go through it," jack retorted. "oh, that's all right. just take a brace, and"-- "humph!" snorted the captain. "it's all well enough for you to snoozle round and give me advice, but if you had to face uncle randolph yourself, you wouldn't be so chipper, let me tell you!" the young men were crossing atlantic avenue not far from the east boston ferry. they had at last, sea-weary and glad of land, made harbor on the previous evening. jack had hardly waited for the anchor to be down before he had sent off in haste for his european letters, intrusting the messenger to post a voluminous epistle on which he had written industriously at intervals all the way over; and for half the night he had read and reread katrine's missives, giving jerry tantalizing bits now and then, with messages from mrs. fairhew enjoining him not again to aid and abet jack in any nefarious schemes. in the morning the crew had been paid off generously, and given passages on the city of rockland. then gonzague had been left in charge of the yacht, and now, with feelings curiously mixed, the captain was bound for the office of his uncle for the inevitable reckoning with the owner of the stolen merle. it was a bright, sharp morning, without a cloud in the sky. the air had a clean crispness which went to the head like wine. the streets were thronged and noisy. heavy trucks rolled past the pair like batteries moving into action; the elevated thundered overhead with its rumbling screech. the teamsters shouted profanely at their straining horses; a fat policeman at the crowded crossing waved his arms like semaphores, now holding up the traffic and again with commanding gesture sweeping it along. the shrill voices of the newsboys rang out in mechanical iteration of the leading sensations of the morning journals. "oh," cried tab, as they walked briskly up state street, "how good it is, isn't it, jacko?" jack was too much absorbed in the interview before him to do more than nod mechanically. he could not at the moment bring himself up to the gay mood of his friend. "there's no place like it after all," jerry ran on, his honest, homely face aglow with delight. "my word, you may talk about italy and all the rest of it till the crack of doom, but they can't hold a candle to good old boston! blest if this isn't the best part of the whole cruise!" "think so, do you?" asked jack dryly. "it's funny, but the very reverse was in my head. what the deuce," he burst out, "what the deuce am i going to tell the president anyway?" "oh, just give him the yarn off the reel," returned tab, as if it were all the simplest thing in the world. "you've got the log with you, and--i say, do look at those pigeons! aren't they jolly! come, brace up!" "oh, yes," said jack. "brace up, of course--in the very mouth of the lion's lair. here's the building,--we're just about seventy feet under uncle randolph's den. brace up! the very thing, of course! so glad you suggested it!" "now, jacko," protested jerry, "you mustn't take things this way. do put some spirit into it. i'll leave you here; but if you want, i'll face the music with you." "no, thank you," his friend said gravely; "i'll take the medicine alone." "well, that's what we decided last night when we threshed things out. go ahead. bring the remains round to lunch, though. the roundheads at one. it's eleven now, and you've got two hours for the job of placating the president. come sure; for i shall be in a stew till i know how you two get on together." "all right," jack responded dispiritedly. "good luck," jerry said, stretching out his hand. "thank you," jack returned, giving tab a hearty grasp. "so long." "one o'clock," jerry repeated; and with a buoyant wave of the hand, he went on his way up state street. "suppose he'll weep when he sees the frog pond," muttered jack to himself with a wan smile. "wish i felt half as chipper." he went to the elevator, and pressed the electric button. the big cage came down, the boy clashed the door, and jack went in as he might have mounted the steps to a scaffold. "mr. drake's," he said briefly, moistening his lips, and wondering why they seemed so stiff and dry. deposited on the proper floor, he tucked the brown log-book more tightly under his arm, and approached his uncle's office. "i must have time," he said to himself. "i haven't thought this business out for a cent." he turned on his heel, and walked slowly down the marble-flagged corridor past the glazed doors of half a dozen offices. then he stopped with sudden resolution. "damn it! be a man!" he adjured himself. "this won't do." he walked resolutely up to the door, and entered his uncle's outer office. a typewriter was clicking busily at one desk, and various clerks were scratching away assiduously. several people were seated about, evidently waiting to speak with mr. drake. even as jack entered, the door opened, and a man came out from the inner room. the head clerk nodded to jack, but regarded him curiously. "how do you do, mr. castleport?" he said. "can i see my uncle?" jack asked, returning his salutation, and he added to himself, "he knows all about the merle. i can tell by his looks." "he's pretty busy this morning," the clerk answered, "but i'll tell him you're here. of course he'll see you as soon as he can." jack took a seat and waited until the next man came out of the inner office. then the head clerk went in, and in a moment returned with a queer look on his face. "mr. drake says these men are here by appointment," he reported, "and he cannot see you till they are gone." "all right," jack answered, reflecting ruefully that he was not accustomed to be thus kept waiting in his uncle's office. "i am in no hurry." he settled himself in his chair, feeling that he could have borne anything better than this delay, and half tempted now to give it up, and beat a retreat. he saw one man after another go into the inner room, and after a time return and go away. he crossed and recrossed his legs with an impatient feeling that he had never sat in so uncomfortable a chair. he tried to beguile the time by reading the log, but first he opened to the account of the lifting of the merle, and then to the story of how her bulwarks were torn away by the storm. he fell to thinking how good uncle randolph had always been to him, and every minute felt more and more like a wretch for having left the old gentleman stranded at north haven. the time grew longer and longer, and every moment more intolerable as the second hour began to drag its slow length after the first. then he noticed that only one man remained to delay his interview, and so completely was he demoralized that he felt that he would have given anything in the world to be excused from the trial before him. it seemed to him that the last man but one did his business, whatever it was, in an amazingly short time; and he all but bolted when the last went to his appointment. if he could get away and think things over once more, he might perhaps be able to devise some sort of excuse more plausible than anything he had to offer; and he all but started to his feet to fly when the door opened to let out the only visitor who had stood between him and the dreaded encounter with the president. "mr. drake will see you now, sir," said the office boy. jack got to his feet as if by automatic action, and felt them drag him forward against his will. another instant, and the door had closed behind him; he stood in the inner office. with a tremendous effort--an effort which was almost physical--to pull himself together, he looked up at his uncle. he saw a slight gentleman, dressed in a well-fitting suit of gray, looking out of one of the windows with his back to the door. the office was high enough to command a view of the harbor, shining blue in the sun beyond the clusters of roofs and chimneys. mr. drake stood for a moment as if examining the view for the first time, while jack wondered whether this unconsciousness of his presence was real, or was of a piece with the infliction of the long wait. then the president turned to him, and bowed formally, as if to a stranger. his face wore a curious look of weariness and patience which somehow reminded jack of his father. the high forehead was wrinkled with a line or two that jack did not remember, and the curly hair was surely more thickly streaked with gray. "well, sir?" mr. drake said in a tone hard and even. "well, uncle randolph," said jack, confused, "i--i'm here." "so i see," remarked the president. "is that what you came to say?" jack felt that the interview promised to be even worse than he had feared. he shuffled his feet uncomfortably, and studied the figures in the rug. then he looked up at the face of the elder man, and something in it smote him to the heart. "uncle randolph," he said suddenly, "i suppose it's pretty late to say anything of the sort, but--but something that happened on the way over made me see that--made me see what a blackguard i'd been to steal the merle as i did. i don't think apologies are much good, anyway, especially after you've had all the fun. it's a good deal like trying to sneak out of consequences, but i--i really mean most sincerely that i'm beastly sorry." mr. drake did not move a muscle of his keen, well-bred face, but into his eyes came some faint glint of humor which made jack stop in confusion. "are you done, sir?" his uncle asked. "i'm not quite through, sir," jack said in a sort of desperate humility. "i--i--that is"--he floundered for a moment, and then went on with a rush, "i may as well explain that i'm not sorry one way; that is--i can't honestly say i wish i hadn't taken the merle, for i--you know i'm engaged to miss marchfield, and i never could have been except--that is, unless i'd got over there. i can't be sorry for that." "no?" queried mr. drake, raising his brows. "you are not thinking, perhaps, what is the price i have paid for the privilege of congratulating you on this engagement. i have no son, and from the day your father died i have made one of you. you deceive me, humiliate me in the eyes of my guests, make me the joke of my club, leave me high and dry at north haven"-- sad and sorry as jack really was, he could not help the impulse that made him see the chance, and murmur under his breath,-- "i didn't think anything could be high and dry in the sort of fog we went off in." his uncle gave a slight cough, as if he were strangling an inclination to laugh, and then went on in the same even voice as before. "of course i can't expect you to have any feeling about the way i felt about your tricking me, any more than of the anxiety i went through when the merle disappeared, and i didn't know whether you were on top of the sea or under it." "i--i never thought of that," stammered jack, feeling his cheeks grow hot. "no, i suppose not. nor how i enjoyed the storm you must have been in on the way home. lloyd's people sent me word of your giving them the slip at plymouth." "but they let us," jack put in eagerly, seizing with avidity at any point which seemed to afford him a chance to defend himself. "i didn't think, uncle randolph, and i'm afraid i've been a beastly cad to you. i am sorry to the very bottom of my heart." the president took a quick stride forward and clapped one hand on his nephew's shoulder, while with the other he grasped warmly the hand jack put out swiftly to meet him. "there, jack," he said, "that's all i want. you don't know what we old fools go through worrying over you young ones. perhaps it's just as well you don't." he gave jack's hand a vigorous shake, and then turned away to blow his own nose with equal violence. jack himself felt hot in the eyes, but he had no words which seemed adequate to the situation. "sit down," his uncle said, waving him to a chair, and then going to his desk. he took from a pigeon-hole some letters and papers. "i have several things to say to you. mrs. fairhew writes a very spicy letter when she wants to." "i should think she might, sir. she can be spicy when she talks." "she says i didn't know you were grown-up, jack." jack blushed at the remembrance, vivid and sharp, of his declaration to jerry that he would make his uncle realize that he had come to man's estate. "oh, ho," said mr. drake, regarding him keenly, but with humorous eyes, "you thought so too, did you? of course you did! well, i know it now, and i've been an old fool. i congratulate you, jack, with all my heart. if miss marchfield is like her mother"--he broke off as if his thought had got the better of his speech. "if she is all that mrs. fairhew says she is, you have a treasure, my boy. don't ever run off with her yacht." "i never mean to repeat that performance with anybody," jack declared stoutly, again shaking hands fervently. "you've always been awfully good to me, uncle randolph, and i've never done anything for you." "hum, perhaps not that you know of," the other replied, with a humorous lift of his eyebrows; "but we sometimes do good when we think we're doing harm. read this." he held out a long blue envelope, much stamped and written upon, and provided with both american and english postage-stamps. jack knew it at a glance as the one he had taken from the messenger that foggy night at north haven, had found in the pocket of his coat at nice, and had after much cogitation remailed at plymouth. in the upper left-hand corner was the notice to return to r. b. tillington, if not delivered in five days, and the boston address written in his own hand. he drew out the letter and read:-- my dear drake,--you and i have known the ins and outs of the market for so many years that we ought to appreciate both the danger of getting into an unsound stock and the foolishness of letting the real thing go by for the want of a little courage. i think you are not likely to have forgotten what orrington said in the club last week about orion copper, or that i told you i meant to sift that thing to the very bottom. well, i have been looking it up with a microscope ever since. i enclose three or four copies of letters,--this is all confidential, of course; you would know that without my saying so, but the thing's too important not to be particular about. i write to you because i've got to have somebody share the thing, and i think you can raise the money without putting anybody on the scent. besides that, we have always got on well together, i believe in your luck, and i want somebody to stand with me in running the whole thing. there's nothing less than millions in it if we can get control at once. sell anything,--i'm selling _everything_ myself,--and get in on the ground floor of orion. if i had known just where to hit you, i'd have got you to town to investigate for yourself; but i've wasted a small fortune already telegraphing to every damned port on the coast i could think of. you'll find wires waiting at every place you put into. orion's bound to be the coming financial constellation. b. b., mellington, foster, and two or three others have blundered into it just by bull luck, but they haven't got enough stock to hurt us if you'll stand by me. yours for orion, r. b. t. jack read in steadily increasing consternation. "good heavens!" he said. "did i make you lose the chance? did you get the telegrams?" "i got them, but they referred me to the letter, and i was too upset about the merle to pay much attention. then i went over to the island, and stayed there three or four days; so that by the time i did get a letter--a second one--the whole thing was over." "was that what broke tillington?" jack asked, feeling as if his escapade had destroyed half the financial world. "it saved me from going with him," mr. drake returned, with a smile. "see here." he extended a lot of newspaper cuttings, and then drew them back. "never mind, though," he went on. "there's no need of going into the particulars. the whole thing was a trap from beginning to end. if you made a fool of me, jack, by running off with the merle, it isn't a circumstance to the fool i'd have made of myself if i'd got that letter. if it hadn't been for that perfectly heartless and entirely inexcusable performance of yours, we'd both of us be beggars at this blessed moment. we came so near it that i can't read that sign downstairs, 'beggars and peddlers not allowed,' without thinking how near i was to having it forbid me my own office." "do you really mean it, uncle randolph?" jack asked half breathlessly. "i do mean it, my boy, though i'm afraid the moral of it all's pretty crooked. i had been led in with a cleverness that gives me cold shivers. that talk at the club that i'd heard as if by accident had all been planned out, and so on for a lot more things i won't go into. mellington's blown his brains out, and poor old foster isn't up to anything but cadging for drinks at the club, and telling how he was roped in when he was drunk, poor old fellow! i was so sure of orion that i'd have put in the last dollar of yours or mine i could have laid hands on! i feel like a humbug when men congratulate me on knowing enough to keep out of the mess." "and i saved you?" cried jack, bending forward with boyish eagerness. "yes, you rascally jackanapes; but small credit to you!" jack sent the log up into the air, and, bounding to his feet, caught it as it fell. "whoop!" he shouted. "oh, how glad i am old tillington wrote that letter and i carried it off!" the president laughed with responsive joyousness, but reminded his ebullient nephew that there were clerks in the other room. he began to ask questions about the voyage, but the clock struck one and jack recalled the fact that taberman was waiting for him at the roundheads, and probably was on tenterhooks for his news. "you'll come to luncheon, won't you, sir?" he pleaded. "that'll look well," retorted his uncle with humorous derision. "everybody knows about your running off with the merle--bardale couldn't hold his tongue--and i shall be accused of condoning a felony." nevertheless they set out arm in arm for the club, and as they went the president informed his secretary that he should not be back at the office that afternoon. "we shall want to run over the log," he explained to jack as they waited for the elevator. "i've no doubt it will make you blush to have me read it, but i'm going to." "i brought it for you," jack answered, with a grin of pure joy. "do you mind waiting a minute, while i send a cable to katrine? she was awfully anxious to know how hard you'd be on me." "now she'll think i've no backbone at all. well, when you played me that trick, jack, i felt terribly old and alone; but i think i am a little bit younger now you're back, and prepared to behave yourself." "wait till you've read the log," laughed jack, "and you'll think you're in your teens!" [illustration: decoration] chapter eighteen epilude jack, who had been dining at mrs. fairhew's, was taking leave of katrine one evening a few weeks before the day set for the wedding. the farewell had all the characteristic deliberateness which has marked the unwilling separation of engaged couples from time immemorial, and was to-night prolonged more than usual by his teasing refusal to answer a question. "do tell me what the great secret is between you and mr. drake, jack," she begged. "i think you are perfectly horrid!" he looked down into her face and laughed softly. "you're not," he returned. "you're perfectly stunning to-night." "of course i am," she retorted, laughing and pouting; "but you can't put me off with a compliment. if you hadn't meant to tell me, you wouldn't have spoken about it at all; and i think you've teased me enough. what is it about the president and you?" she touched the tips of her fingers to his cravat, as if she were straightening it, whereas she was probably only exerting instinctively her privilege of proprietorship in jack and his belongings. "well," he laughed, "you have borne it beautifully, and i've had you crazy with curiosity till i don't dare put off telling you. but you'll probably lie awake half the night thinking about it." "that depends upon how important it is." "i expect to be paid for telling you," he declared with a look that made her flush. "i should think you might be generous enough to tell me for nothing," she responded; but her dimples deepened. he stooped forward quickly, and kissed her. then he took both her hands in his, and stood caressing them while he went on. "the news is this," he said. "we've got to change our plans for the wedding journey from stem to stern." "why, jack! what do you mean?" "it's a fact, dear," he went on, assuming an expression of profound regret which was too obviously artificial to be depressing. "but why?" "because--are you ready for a great shock? wouldn't you like me to support you in case you couldn't bear it?" "don't be silly," she urged, with an adorable smile. "because what?" "because uncle randolph has given us the merle as a wedding present. he told me this afternoon, so that we should have time to shape our plans accordingly." "oh, dear jack!" "splendid of him, isn't it? how would it strike you to have the merle sent over and to take a whole year in her on the mediterranean?" "oh, that would be too beautiful!" katrine cried. she clasped her hands, and looked up at him with loving brave eyes. her first thought was of his pleasure, and instantly followed the reflection that she was making her first sacrifice; for her quick mind foresaw that jack on a yacht, with duties in which he delighted, would probably be less wholly hers than in the travel by land which they had arranged. she smiled wonderfully, and for the first time in their engagement she bent forward of her own accord, and offered him her lips. the riverside press _electrotyped and printed by h. o. houghton & co._ _cambridge, mass., u. s. a._ +-------------------------------------------------+ |transcriber's note: | | | |obvious typographic errors have been corrected. | | | +-------------------------------------------------+ [illustration: "here grit, old fellow, give it to me! that's a good dog!" _dick hamilton's steam yacht._ _frontispiece_--(_page ._)] dick hamilton's steam yacht or a young millionaire and the kidnappers by howard r. garis author of "dick hamilton's fortune," "dick hamilton's cadet days," "from office boy to reporter," "larry dexter, reporter," "larry dexter's great search," etc. _illustrated_ new york grosset & dunlap publishers books for boys by howard r. garis the dick hamilton series dick hamilton's fortune or the stirring doings of a millionaire's son. dick hamilton's cadet days or the handicap of a millionaire's son dick hamilton's steam yacht or a young millionaire and the kidnappers dick hamilton's football team or a young millionaire on the gridiron (other volumes in preparation) _ mo. cloth. illustrated._ the young reporter series from office boy to reporter or the first step in journalism larry dexter, the young reporter or strange adventures in a great city larry dexter's great search or the hunt for a missing millionaire larry dexter and the bank mystery or a young reporter in wall street larry dexter and the stolen boy or a young reporter on the lakes _ mo. cloth. illustrated._ grosset & dunlap publishers new york copyright, , by grosset & dunlap _dick hamilton's steam yacht_ preface my dear boys: perhaps some of you, at one time or another, have had a desire to be cast away on an island in the middle of the ocean, there to have all sorts of adventures, to build a boat, and sail away, maybe; or, at any rate, to have some experience on the great sea. something like this fell to the lot of dick hamilton, though he was not exactly looking for it, and it is my privilege to give you in this, the third volume of the "dick hamilton series," an account of what happened to the young millionaire when he had purchased a steam yacht, and started out on a cruise with some of his friends. dick was marooned on a small island, but, far from that proving a delightful experience, he was very glad to leave, even though it was on a raft, which he and his companions constructed. how the wealthy youth happened to be marooned there, an account of how he got his yacht, how he foiled the plans of the kidnappers and his uncle ezra larabee, how the wrong young man was spirited away, how dick gave chase, and the surprising rescue at sea--all this you will find set down in the present book, and i venture to hope that you will like it. thanking you for the appreciation you have accorded my previous books, i remain, yours sincerely, howard r. garis. contents chapter page i dick's company wins ii mr. hamilton's letter iii dick's steam yacht iv uncle ezra's plot v dick is shadowed vi dick enters the trap vii the escape viii the fight in the dark ix out to sea x uncle ezra's offer xi plum duff falls overboard xii saved from the sea xiii the mermaid's song xiv just in time xv tim muldoon disappears xvi uncle ezra as a sailor xvii widdy hears a voice xviii the princess passes xix at havana xx off to santiago xxi the kidnappers xxii the wrong captive xxiii dick on the trail xxiv off for stone island xxv dick's yacht is gone xxvi marooned xxvii dick finds his relatives xxviii building a raft xxix the rescue xxx the pursuit xxxi "man overboard!"--conclusion dick hamilton's steam yacht chapter i dick's company wins "halt!" the command rang out sharply, and hundreds of cadets came to a stop, standing as stiff as ramrods, with their eyes staring straight ahead at--absolutely nothing. "right dress!" captain dick hamilton stepped out the regulation number of paces in front of his company, wheeled on his heel, looked critically over his command, wheeled about again, and stood at attention. then he awaited the approach of colonel masterly, superintendent of the kentfield military academy. "say, fellows, i hope we're looking all right," whispered jim perkins, to his next in line, george ball. "we want to take first prize, for dick's sake, and----" "silence in the ranks!" exclaimed first lieutenant paul drew. "here come colonel masterly and major rockford." dick hamilton never moved from his rigid position, but with a slight motion of his hand he cautioned his men to maintain order. for it was the final inspection, at the close of the academy for the term, and he wanted his command to have a perfect score. farther along the big parade ground were other companies of cadets, in their dress uniforms, and in front of them were other captains, as eager as was dick to win the coveted medal, which was offered each year for the best appearing command. "here come the grand-high-muck-a-mucks!" whispered the irrepressible perkins. "stand up straighter, ball. you're as crooked as a rail fence." "silence!" hissed lieutenant drew sharply. dick was almost ready to squirm, in his eagerness to turn around and administer a rebuke, yet he was inwardly laughing at the remark of perkins. colonel masterly, the head of the big school, and the commandant, major rockford, were now inspecting the company, which was standing stiffly at the right of dick's command. the two officers, together with several visitors, and a colonel from the regular army, were critically examining the ranks of anxious cadets. "i know i've got a speck of dust on my belt," whispered perkins. "can't one of you fellows brush it off with your bayonet?" and he half turned his head to look at the lad behind him. "si----!" began lieutenant drew, but he did not finish, for at that moment the squad of officers approached, having finished with the other company. dick stiffened the least bit more in his tracks, if such a thing were possible, and raised his glittering sword in salute. the inspection was on. there was no further chance to improve the appearance of his cadets. slowly and carefully the officers looked over the lads, some of whom felt an uncontrollable desire to sneeze, or to scratch the middle of their backs. but they nobly resisted. colonel masterly spoke a few words in a low tone to major webster, a retired army officer, who was the academy instructor in military tactics. in turn the latter spoke to major rockford, and then to colonel whitford, of the regular army. dick wondered what they were saying, but as they were behind him now he could not hear. the officers paused in front of the joking perkins. they seemed to see something. "great scott!" mused captain dick hamilton. "has perk disgraced us by putting his belt on wrong side out?" yet he dared not turn to see. a moment later the inspectors passed on, and dick breathed easier. then, as colonel masterly and the others passed behind the rear rank of dick's cadets, finishing their examination, and moved on to the next company, our hero breathed a sigh of relief, and somewhat relaxed his stiff position. "i feel as if i'd just been to the dentist's," whispered perkins, though not so quietly but what it carried to every lad in the company. "silence, perk!" commanded paul drew, but he shook with inward laughter. there were two more companies to inspect, and until they had been passed on it would not be known which command had been awarded the prize. but the delay was not for long, and presently the group of officers returned, and stood in front of dick's company. colonel masterly then announced, in a few, well-chosen words, that the young millionaire's cadets had won the prize, though, he added, that it had been difficult to decide, where there was so much general excellence displayed. "and so allow me, captain hamilton, on behalf of the faculty of the kentfield military academy, to present you and your company this medal," went on colonel masterly, and stepping forward he handed dick a small box, on the white satin lining of which glittered a shield of gold. "three cheers for captain hamilton and company b!" called captain teddy naylor, of company e. and, though it might have been against strict military rule and practice the applause was given with a will. dick flushed with pleasure as he saluted, and soon ranks were broken, and the inspection was over. "has any one seen grit?" asked the successful captain, as he and some chums were strolling over the parade ground, after they had left their rifles in the armory racks. "here he comes now," remarked paul drew. "they had to keep him double chained, i guess, or he'd have nipped the legs of the entire faculty in case the medal hadn't gone to company b." "hi, grit, old boy!" cried dick, and a handsome bulldog--that is, handsome as bulldogs go--leaped upon the youth, and wagged his stump of a tail so violently that it was a wonder it was not dislocated, while, at every word from his master, the animal grew so demonstrative that finally, in the excess of joy, he finally rolled over and over on the grass, whoofing out the words he could not speak. the throng of cadets separated, as the various members of the little party started for their rooms, to get off the tight dress uniforms, and don fatigue suits. "i say, will you fellows come around to-night?" asked dick. "sure! what for?" asked paul. "i'm going to have a little spread in honor of our fellows getting the medal." "what a thing it is to be a millionaire!" exclaimed perkins with a mock sigh. "oh, cut it out," advised dick good-naturedly, for he disliked any reference to his wealth, which, at times, was a handicap rather than a help. "will jimmie let you have the grub-fest?" asked paul, using the cadets' private title for their superintendent. "sure. he can't refuse very well, after we won the prize. you fellows come around, and we'll have some fun," and, as there came a chorus of eager assents, dick hamilton hurried to his room. there, even before he rid himself of his uncomfortable uniform, he drew from his pocket a letter which he began to read for perhaps the fifth time. as he perused it a puzzled look came over his face. "i can't understand why dad is so anxious for me to come home and do some investigating for him," he mused. "i wonder what sort of investigating it can be? maybe he wants me to turn detective. perhaps some persons have been demanding money from him, and he wants to find out who they are. yet it can hardly be that, either. let's see what he says about it." then the young millionaire, who had been so taken up with trying for the annual prize offered for the best appearing company, that he had not had time to properly read a very important letter he had received from his father that day, set himself to the task of trying to fathom what his parent wanted him to do. he had not read more than a dozen lines, when there sounded a knock on his door, and, opening it he saw one of the janitors, corporal bill handlee, standing there. "well, what is it, toots?" asked the lad, giving the old soldier the name bestowed on him from the fact that he was always whistling military airs. "colonel masterly wishes to see you, captain hamilton." "all right. tell him i'll be with him at once." dick slipped the letter into his pocket, adjusted his uniform, and hastened out. "i wonder if i'll ever get time to read my letter without being interrupted," he mused. chapter ii mr. hamilton's letter colonel masterly's summons to the young millionaire was to give him the permission, asked for shortly after the parade, to have a spread in one of the unused rooms of the academy, and once that he was assured that everything was all right, dick set to work to provide for the good time he anticipated. he hurried into town, and gave orders to a caterer for a "spread" such as had seldom before been given at kentfield. then the lad had to arrange for various details, improvising tables from boards and saw-horses, seeing to the seating arrangements, sending out his verbal invitations, in which paul drew helped him, for, as it was impossible to have the entire student-body at the little dinner, dick had to confine it to his closest friends, and the members of his prize company. that he had many friends, those of you who have read the previous volumes of this series will testify, though at first, on coming to the military academy, dick's millions had been a handicap to him. the son of mortimer hamilton, of hamilton corners, himself a millionaire many times, dick had inherited a large fortune from his mother, who had been dead some years; but, as told in the first volume of this series, entitled "dick hamilton's fortune," he was not to have the use of this money until he had complied with certain conditions of mrs. hamilton's will. one stipulation was that dick must make a paying investment of some of his funds within a year. if he did not do this he was to go and live with a crabbed old uncle, named ezra larabee, of dankville, and attend a boarding school of that relative's selection. dick had a taste of what he might expect of his uncle, when he paid a week's visit to dankville, and he at once made up his mind that if hard work would accomplish it, he would make that paying investment, for he realized that he never could stand life with his uncle and aunt. the young millionaire tried several schemes for making money, from buying real estate to purchasing shares in a gold mine, but, one after another, they all failed, and the lad was on the verge of having to go and dwell in the gloomy dankville house, called "the firs." how dick fulfilled the conditions of the will, most unexpectedly, from a small investment he made for a poor youth named henry darby, how grit, the bulldog, routed uncle ezra when he came to take his nephew back home with him, is told in the first volume, as well as how dick got the best of some sharpers who tried to swindle him. secure in the possession of the great fortune his mother had left to him, dick began to enjoy life, and did much good with his money, while he gave not a little pleasure to those not so well off as himself. in the second volume, "dick hamilton's cadet days," our hero was obliged to fulfill another condition of his mother's will. he was to attend a military academy, and win his way up, not only in studies, but in the affections of his classmates, without any influence from his wealth. how he succeeded again heavy odds, how there were plots and counterplots against him, how he fought a duel with one of the cadets who disliked him, and how he solved the mystery of corporal handlee's identity is told in the second book. dick's first term ended with a glad surprise, just when it looked as if everything had turned against him, and he came back to hamilton corners to spend the summer vacation, having done more than was expected of him in the matter of winning his way. dick returned to kentfield academy in the fall, and remained there all that winter. he was promoted to a captaincy, and was more popular than ever, winning glory for himself and his mates on the gridiron, for he was one of the best football players who ever wore moleskin. when the present story opens the summer vacation was again at hand, and during it dick was destined to have more stirring adventures than had yet fallen to his lot. it took dick all the afternoon to complete arrangements for his spread, even though several of his comrades helped him. there were many details, however, which he had to see to himself, but finally he had the assurance of the caterer that everything necessary would be sent out to the academy. dick gave his personal check for the cost, and it was not a small sum, but the young millionaire had plenty of money to his credit. then he hurried home to dress for the affair. "oh, you look good enough; come on!" exclaimed paul drew to dick, as the latter was surveying his uniform in a small glass in their room that night, just before the time set for the farewell supper. "this isn't a fancy dress ball, and there aren't going to be any girls at it. don't primp!" "i'm not primping, but the tailor made this coat too tight, and i'm afraid if i reach across the table i'll split it down the middle." "which, the table or the coat?" "both," retorted dick, and then, to test the garment, he stretched out his arms. there was an ominous ripping sound, and he hastily threw back his shoulders in alarm. "what did i tell you?" he asked, reproachfully. "don't stretch; that's all," advised paul. "but come on if you're coming." they descended to the improvised banquet hall. the place was tastefully arranged, except that toots had taken the cut flowers dick had ordered--a mass of roses, pinks and smilax--and stuck them into a big water pitcher in the centre of the table. "oh, wow! see that!" cried dick. "it looks like a boarding-house hash-foundry! here, paul, help me scatter the posies more artistically. they remind me of a cabbage-head at a county fair; but toots meant all right." the two cadets soon had made several bouquets of the flowers, and set them in different places on the table, producing a much more artistic effect. then dick stepped back to admire it. "i smell grub!" cried a voice outside. "hash and baked beans!" added another. "pickled pigs' feet!" was a third contribution. "if i can't have quail on toast, stuffed with horse chestnuts and snowballs i'll not play!" howled a fourth. "here they come," said paul, significantly. "i hear 'em," replied dick, with a grin. the door flew open, and in rushed a crowd of the cadets of dick's company. at the sight of their captain, they stopped momentarily, and several hands rose in salute. "drop it!" cried dick, warningly. "we're here to have fun. the book of rules and military tactics has been burned at the stake. we're all alike, now." "that is, we're all hungry," added perkins, with a laugh. "say, but this is going some; eh, fellows?" "talk about a grand spread!" exclaimed ball. "this puts it all over anything i've been to since my sister had a surprise party." "glad you like it," remarked dick, simply. to do him credit the banquet was really quite an elaborate affair, and he had spared no money to have it just as his cultured taste told him it should be, even if it were an informal affair. more cadets came piling in, laughing and shouting, until the room was filled. "sit down, fellows," invited dick, and when they were in their chairs he gave orders to the caterer's men to serve the spread. from then on there was heard the clatter of knives, forks and spoons, the rattle of dishes mingling with the talk and laughter of the guests. "dick, you've got to make a speech!" shouted perkins. "tell us how we won the medal." "no speeches," mumbled dick, his mouth half full of roast chicken. "speech! speech! speech! speech!" yelled a score of voices. they were not to be denied, and dick, blushing in spite of his effort to remain cool, stood up. "all i've got to say is that it was you fellows who won the prize--not me," he said. "i'm proud of you, proud of--er--and proud of--er--that is--oh, hang it all! go on eating. there's lots more when this is gone!" and dick sat down, amid laughter and applause. the banquet proceeded amid much merriment. there were songs and college yells, and the musicians hired by dick added to the din. "what are you going to do this summer?" asked paul drew, who, as first lieutenant, sat at the young captain's right hand. "don't know. haven't exactly made up my mind yet. i want to travel, but i fancy dad has some plans for me. by jove! that reminds me. i got a letter from him this morning, but i haven't had a chance to read it through and get the hang of it yet, though i've tried half a dozen times. it's something important, but i don't know just what it is." "go ahead and read it now," advised paul. "the bunch is singing the 'cannon song' and they won't notice." "guess i will," agreed the young millionaire, and he drew out the letter. it was filled with general news of hamilton corners, and mr. hamilton expressed the pleasure it would be to see his son again, when school closed. then followed this: "now, dick, i've got what may prove quite a task for you this summer. i don't know what your plans are, but i hope you will have time to give me a little assistance. "you remember i once spoke to you of some valuable property your mother owned, and how i planned to form a syndicate and erect a large factory on it. well, i started the syndicate, got a number of friends interested in it, and we were ready to go ahead when unexpected difficulties cropped up. we found it hard to interest outside capital because of a certain flaw in the title to the property, and, curiously enough, the flaw has to do with some distant relatives of your mother. "these relatives have disappeared, and i have been unable to get a trace of them. it is very necessary that i find them, and i am in hopes that you can help me. so, dick, there is work cut out for you this summer, if you wish to do it. come home as soon as you can after the academy closes, and i will tell you more about this. it is very important, not alone to me, but to a number of comparatively poor persons who have invested money in this enterprise, and who may lose if the affair is not straightened out. i am depending on you to help me." dick folded up the letter and put it back in his pocket. his face wore a serious look. "any bad news?" asked paul, anxiously. "no; only it seems that i'm about to start off on a mysterious quest for missing relatives." "that sounds good. wish i had something like that to occupy me this summer. i hope you have luck." "thanks. i haven't the least idea where i'm to go, or how. but dad will explain when i get home." "come on, now, everybody! we're going to sing 'farewell to old kentfield'!" cried ed watson. "everybody!" the cadets leaped to their feet, and soon the strains of the grand old song welled out of the banquet hall. grit, the bulldog was hoisted to a place of honor on two chairs, beside dick, and he looked on as if he understood it all. the banquet was nearing an end, and at last, with a clasping of hands around the tables, and a rendering of another verse of the song, while cheers for dick were mingled with the strains, the affair came to a close. "what's your hurry?" asked paul, as dick walked toward his room in the barrack building. "i'm going to pack up to-night, and take the first train for home in the morning. i'm anxious to find out what dad wants of me." "that's so; you're going off to trail a forty-second grand-aunt, or something like that. well, i may see you this summer," and the two friends shook hands. the next morning, after a prolonged series of farewells, dick and his bulldog took a train for hamilton comers, a fair-sized town in one of our middle western states. "i wonder where dad's quest will lead me?" mused dick, as the train speeded him homeward. little did he realize what perils were to follow his search for the missing relatives. chapter iii dick's steam yacht entering the front hall of his home, some hours later, with grit leaping joyfully about at his heels, dick was greeted by gibbs, the butler, with a warmth warranted by many years of service in the hamilton family. "is my father at home, gibbs?" asked dick. "he's in the library, mr. dick. your uncle is with him." "my uncle? you mean----?" "mr. larabee," finished the butler. "oh!" exclaimed dick, regretfully. "uncle ezra here!" he murmured. "i wonder what's wrong at dankville? or, maybe there's some new plan afoot, and that i have, after all, to go and live with him." there was dismay on dick's face. for uncle ezra larabee was not a very pleasant individual. he was quite wealthy, but he did not enjoy his money. he had a fine place at dankville, a village about a hundred miles from hamilton corners, but the house, which was gloomy in itself, was hidden in the midst of a grove of dark fir trees, that made it more gloomy than ever. inside scarcely a room was open to the sunlight, and once, when on his trial-visit, dick had opened the parlor to look at some pictures, his aunt samanthy exclaimed in horror that the apartment was never used save for funerals. dick's uncle ezra was a curious, crabbed sort of a man, who doubtless meant well, but who had a queer way of showing it. he liked order and neatness to extreme, and there was not a misplaced stick or a stone about his farm and house. he even disliked to have persons step on the gravel walks, for fear of dislodging some of the small stones, and spoiling the trim symmetry of the paths. mr. larabee was very fond of money--too fond, mr. hamilton used to think, for the millionaire was of a generous disposition. uncle ezra never could reconcile himself to dick having such a fortune in his own right. more than once he and his nephew had quarreled over what uncle ezra called the "foolishness" of mrs. hamilton, his sister, leaving so much money to a mere youth. of a sour disposition, hating to spend a cent unnecessarily, somewhat bitter against dick's habit of making his money bring him pleasure, and helping others with his wealth, it is no wonder that when uncle ezra came to hamilton corners dick was not happy. mr. hamilton himself was not overly-fond of his brother-in-law, but he always treated him well. "i suppose i may as well go in the library, say how d'ye do to my respected relative, and get a bad job over with," remarked dick, in no pleasant frame of mind at the information gibbs furnished. "uncle ezra will be sure to scold me for 'wasting my time' as he calls it, at the military school, and he's positive to make a fuss about grit. he always does. grit, old man, i guess you'd better stay out in the hall, until we get this business over with. you remember uncle ezra, don't you?" grit whined, and growled. evidently he did remember. it was no easy matter to make him stay away from dick, and out in the hall, but he knew when to mind, and, with a sort of reproachful look on his ugly but honest face, the bulldog stretched out on a rug, as much as to say: "don't be any longer than you can help, dick." dick could hear the voices of his father and uncle in the big, handsome library, where our hero had spent many pleasant hours with his favorite books. mr. larabee was speaking. "i tell you what it is, mortimer," he remarked to his brother-in-law. "it's all a sinful waste of money, and the sooner you find it out the better. why it's the most crazy idea of any that my sister ever got into her head! don't let dick do it!" "they're talking about me," thought the young millionaire, and he hardly knew whether to go in, or wait for another time. but, before he could move away from the door, he heard his father's voice. "well, ezra, i don't agree with you, but that's not strange, since i seldom do." "it would be a lot better if you did," snarled uncle ezra. "there are two opinions about that. at any rate, i shall carry out the wishes of my wife. she wished dick to be brought up in a certain way, and i shall do my best to fulfil her plans. she would have done it herself had she lived. so dick shall make the experiment. i know it will do him good. he needs change after a hard winter in school." "but, mortimer, think of the cost! it's going to be awful!" and there was agony in the crabbed old man's voice. "oh, it won't cost such a pile, ezra. besides, dick can afford it, and if he can't i can. the money couldn't be put to better use." "yes it could, mortimer. there's where you're mistaken. it could be invested in tenement houses, and made to pay big interest. you could----" "i'll never build tenements with any of my money, nor with dick's, either!" interrupted mr. hamilton. "i don't want to make a profit out of the poor." "then invest it in stocks or bonds," went on mr. larabee, eagerly. "they pay well." "i have enough investments as it is, and so has dick," answered the millionaire. "no, ezra, i have made up my mind. dick shall have a chance to see the world--or, at least, part of it. as soon as he comes home i'll tell him of his mother's plan----" dick thought it time to make his presence known. he rattled the knob of the library door, and heard a start of surprise from within. then he entered. "hello, dad!" he exclaimed, fairly rushing up to mr. hamilton, and clasping his two hands in an eager grip. "how are you, uncle ezra?" "why, dick, my boy!" cried the rich man, heartily, "i didn't expect you so soon. oh, but i _am_ glad to see you! it's like old times to have you back! where's grit?" and he clapped his son on the back more like some fellow-cadet than a father. "i--i left grit outside, dad." "have you got that miserable dog yet?" demanded uncle ezra, giving dick one finger to shake, and that rather grudgingly. "grit is outside, uncle. i knew you didn't like him, and----" "like him? i should say not! why that critter eats as much as a horse, and doesn't do a stroke of work to pay for his keep." "well, dick, how are you?" asked his father, holding him off at arm's length, to get a better view. "my, but you've grown, though you're a little pale." "yes, there wasn't much chance to tan up in the winter. but i'm glad to get home. how's everybody? you're looking well yourself, dad. oh, uncle ezra," spoke dick quickly, as he thought of something, "how's aunt samanthy?" "oh, she ain't as well as she might be. she has something the matter with her stomach, and the medicine she has to take is very expensive--very! besides, she's had the doctor real frequent of late, and that runs up an expense; not that i mind it so much, but it seems doctors charge more than they used to. no, your aunt samanthy ain't as well as she might be." "i'm sorry to hear that," murmured dick, as sympathetically as he could. "everything go off well at school?" asked mr. hamilton. "yes, dad; and my company took first prize." "good! glad to hear it." "i treated the boys to a good feed on the strength of it, too, last night." "that's right." "did it cost much?" asked uncle ezra, putting his hand into his pocket, doubtless to see if his purse were safe. "oh, not so very much; but it was worth all it cost." "a sinful waste of money!" murmured the crabbed old man. "you could have given them coffee and sandwiches, just as well as an elaborate supper, richard." "well, we're glad to have you back, dick," went on mr. hamilton, hoping to change the subject. "didn't expect you until this evening. we were just talking about you--your uncle and i." "yes--i--er--i overheard some of it," said dick. "then i hope you'll profit by it!" exclaimed uncle ezra, quickly. "for of all the foolish, nonsensical, wasteful, extravagant ideas, the one your father has got into his head now is the worst i ever heard." dick looked questioningly at his parent. "your uncle ezra doesn't agree with what i am going to propose, dick," said the millionaire with a laugh, "but i hope you will. i did not intend telling you this until to-morrow, but it will do no harm to mention it now. "dick, your mother, as you know, had very advanced ideas as to what a young man with considerable wealth ought to do with it. some of her plans for you have already been carried out. there are others which are mere suggestions, communicated to me before she--before she left us," and mr. hamilton spoke softly, while dick felt a lump come into his own throat. "dick, my boy, your mother wanted to have you see the world, when you got old enough to appreciate the beauties of it, and i think you are at about the right age to begin now. she suggested to me that, when i thought it wise, i should let you have a well-equipped steam yacht, and cruise about during an entire summer." "a steam yacht, dad!" cried the youth, his eyes sparkling. "that's it, dick. how do you like the idea?" "like it? why, dad, it's immense! great! fine! when can i have it, and where can i go?" "you may have it as soon as you like, and go where you please--that is, except to cross the ocean. i hardly think i'd like to have you venture as far as that on your first voyage. otherwise you're unrestricted; though i have a suggestion to make later." "oh, dad! do you really mean it? a steam yacht all for myself?" "certainly, and you can take along as many of your friends as you please. perhaps uncle ezra would like to go." "who, me? are you crazy, mortimer? i wouldn't go in one for a thousand dollars, and besides, i can't spare the time from my business and farm. my hired man would be sure to burn the barn down, and i'd lose more money than i could make in a year. no sea voyages for me!" "am i going to have a yacht made to order?" asked dick. "because if i am, it will take so long that i can't get started this summer." "that's right," agreed mr. hamilton. "so you had better look around for a good boat that has been slightly used. i think you can find one in new york. there, the news is out, dick, and i hope you are pleased." "pleased? i can't begin to thank you! i wonder where i shall go?" "i may have something to suggest on that score later," went on mr. hamilton. "just now, suppose we have a little lunch. come, ezra." "not for me, mortimer!" exclaimed mr. larabee. "it's bad for the digestion to eat between meals, and besides, it's a wasteful habit. but, nephew richard, i want to protest against this idea of you buying a steam yacht, and squandering money on travel. there is no sense in it! you had much better put the money out at interest. i can sell you some shares in a woolen mill i own, and you could spend your summer vacation in the factory, learning a useful trade." "no, thank you, uncle ezra, i think i'll do as my mother wished me to, and travel," said dick. "oh, the wastefulness of this rising generation!" murmured the old man. "it is terrible! terrible!" dick and his father turned to leave the library. "a steam yacht! a steam yacht all for myself and friends! it's too good to be true!" cried dick enthusiastically, as he linked his arm in his father's. "can't you come along, dad?" "i'm afraid not. but now let's discuss some details. you haven't any too much time. come along, ezra, and have a cup of coffee, anyhow." mr. ezra larabee declined and lingered behind as his nephew and brother-in-law left the handsome room. "a steam yacht," murmured the old man. "a sinful waste of money! it's time i took a hand in this! mortimer hamilton is crazy to let his son do this. it will be the ruination of the boy. i--i must stop this waste of money in some way, even if i have to prevent him--but no, i mustn't even whisper it. but i have a plan--i have a plan! perhaps, after all, i can keep richard from becoming a spendthrift. that would be terrible! i must try! i must try!" and, rubbing his gnarled hands together, the old man sat down in an easy chair. there was a look of cunning and craftiness on mr. larabee's face, and, as he thought of something, a smile spread itself over his wrinkled features, and the little tuft of white whiskers on his chin moved up and down as he mumbled to himself: "i must prevent it! i must prevent it! i can think of some scheme. the hamilton fortune shan't be squandered if i can help it, for it will come to me and my wife when they--when they are both gone, and i'm going to live a good while yet--a good while," and uncle ezra rubbed his dry hands together, and chuckled in a mirthless fashion. meanwhile dick and his father talking over the scheme of purchasing a steam yacht, were all unconscious of the plot that mr. larabee was planning against them. chapter iv uncle ezra's plot "this isn't to be altogether a pleasure trip, dick," went on mr. hamilton, when he and his son were alone in the reception hall. "i suppose you got my letter, telling you about some distant relatives i need to locate?" "yes, i got your note, but you didn't go into details." "no, it wasn't exactly safe, in a letter. i'll tell you about it now, and i hope you can combine business and pleasure. how would you like to sail for cuba?" "cuba? fine! that would suit me." "well, i'd like to have you make a trip down there, and, after you find the persons i'm looking for, you can cruise somewhere else; along the new england coast, if you like." "all right, dad. let's hear the story." "i think i never told you," began mr. hamilton, "that your mother had some distant relatives in cuba. one of her cousins named rose martin married a cuban gentleman, named raphael valdez. for a time they were quite well off, but, just before your mother left us she learned that her cousin had died, and that her husband and son were in want. "your mother endeavored to send them some relief, but just then the spanish-american war broke out, and all trace was lost of the valdez family, who were of spanish extraction. your mother grieved very much at not being able to help her relatives, even if they were so distantly related, and i promised that i would aid her. "then--then came your mother's death," and mr. hamilton's voice faltered. "i had many cares, and the matter slipped from my mind. now, it is to find, if possible, these people that i wish you to go to cuba, dick." "in order to give them aid?" "yes, if they need it; but also for another reason. that reason i hinted at in my letter. it seems that, some time ago, your mother purchased a large piece of valuable property in the business section of new york. it has increased in value of late, and a syndicate has been formed to erect a large office building on it. i am interested in it--in fact, i hold a majority of the stock. "well, when the time came to interest outsiders, and borrow money to erect the building, for i do not care to finance it all alone, we found that there was a flaw in the deed. your mother paid cash for the property, and she thought she had a good title, but it seems that now, when the ownership has passed to me by will, that the names of this senor valdez and his son are needed on the deed." "and you want me to locate them, and get their signatures?" asked dick. "either that, or bring them to hamilton corners, or new york, where they can sign. i also want you to aid them if they are in want. i have had several firms of lawyers, both in new york and in cuba, looking for the valdez family, but no trace of them can be found. i have spent much time and money on it, for i want this matter cleared up. the whole thing is hanging fire until we can get those signatures. outside capital will not be invested in the enterprise, for the title guarantee company will not certify to the title while this flaw exists. so you see it is very necessary to find the valdez father and son, and i hope you can do it." "but couldn't you erect the building on this land yourself, and finance it alone?" "i could, but it is a sort of philanthropic enterprise. it is a stock company, and the funds of widows and orphans are tied up in it. if it goes through they will make considerable money, but if it does not they will lose. of course, i could step in and take entire financial responsibility, but if i did this it might be said that i had put up a game, to enrich myself at the expense of the poor who invested their money because i stood back of the enterprise. it would look as though i had invented this fact of the title not being clear, to gain some advantage." "i see," said dick. "another thing," went on his father. "your mother left a certain sum, under her will, to senor valdez and his son, and they are also, it seems, entitled to a tenth part of this new york property, and i wish them to have their rights. "so i want to find these people, get their signatures to a deed, and the title will be clear. then the work can proceed, the building will be erected, and all will be well. it is very important, dick, and it is growing more so every day. "that is why this plan of your mother's to have you get a steam yacht happens at a good time. you can go to cuba, and begin this search for me--the search in which the lawyers have failed." "well, dad, i'll do my best!" exclaimed the young millionaire. "and it will be just as well if your uncle ezra doesn't know that you are going to cuba to look for your mother's relatives," went on mr. hamilton. "not that it would make any particular difference, only i would prefer that the fact did not become generally known. so, ostensibly, you will be going on a mere pleasure trip, and in a sense it will be that, for you will probably take some of your friends along." "so i will, dad. it will be great!" "well, now that so much is settled, we can defer talking about the rest until after supper," suggested mr. hamilton, as he and his son walked toward the dining-room. "about how large a yacht do you think i ought to get, dad?" asked dick, as the butler placed their chairs at the table. "well, suit yourself about that. of course, you want a good, seaworthy craft, but i shouldn't get one too large. if you do you'll have to engage a big crew to help navigate it; and again, while i have no wish to restrict you in the spending of your fortune, you will find yachting pretty expensive." "expensive! i should say it was, mortimer!" exclaimed mr. larabee, coming into the dining-room at that moment. "don't think of letting richard have a yacht." "we have already discussed that," said mr. hamilton, somewhat coldly, "and my mind is made up. better have something to eat, ezra." "well, i will have a bit of dry toast and a cup of weak tea. i don't believe that will give me the dyspepsia," and the butler tried to conceal a smile as he set before the crabbed old man the very frugal repast. dick and his father talked yachting from the beginning until the end of the meal, and uncle ezra larabee was a silent, but objecting listener. occasionally a crafty look came over his face, to be replaced by one of agony when dick mentioned the spending of large sums of money. at length, mr. hamilton said: "well, my boy, i think the simplest way out of it would be for you to go to new york, and look around for yourself. perhaps you may pick up a bargain in a steam yacht. you have my full permission to do as you think best, only, as i said, don't get too large a craft. take a week for the task, and i think you'll get what you want." "that's what i'll do, dad. i'll go to new york in a few days, and see what i can do." "perhaps your uncle ezra would like to go with you," went on mr. hamilton. "who, me?" exclaimed the old man, carefully picking up from the table-cloth some crumbs of toast and eating them. "no, mortimer, i haven't any money to waste on trips to new york. living is frightfully expensive there." "i'll pay for everything," said dick, generously. "no--no," and his uncle spoke slowly, and with an evident effort. "i--i--er--i've got to get back to dankville. i know some of my hired men will waste the oats in feeding the horse, or else they'll burn too much kerosene oil, sitting up nights to read useless books. no, i must get back. the gravel walks need raking, and i always cut my lawn this time of year. i'll go home. but, before i go, i want to have a little talk with you, mortimer, on a very serious subject." "all right, ezra. i guess dick will excuse us." mr. hamilton arose from the table, followed by his brother-in-law. as uncle ezra pushed back his chair there was a mingled howl and growl, followed by a short bark. "grit!" cried dick. "you've stepped on my bulldog, uncle ezra!" "served him right!" snapped the old man. "dogs have no business in the house. i'd have him shot if he were mine!" an angry retort rose to dick's lips, but by an effort he calmed himself. "here, grit, old fellow," he called soothingly, and the dog crawled up to him, limping slightly. "dogs are no good," went on mr. larabee, pointing a long, lean finger at grit. "if he were mine i'd----" he didn't finish the sentence, for the bulldog, with the hair on the ridge of his back standing up in anger, and with his lips parted in an ugly snarl, darted away from dick. the animal might have sprung at mr. larabee, but for the restraining hand of his master on his collar. however, the crabbed old man did not wait. toward the library he fled, crying out: "hold him, richard! hold him! if he bites me i'll sue your father for damages!" he reached the library and slammed shut the door. mr. hamilton followed more slowly, endeavoring not to smile or laugh. "better put grit outside, dick," he said. "your uncle is going home in the morning." "all right," agreed the young millionaire, somewhat regretfully. "come on, grit, old man, we'll go out to the stable and see how rex is getting along," for dick had not greeted his pet horse since his return from the academy. mr. hamilton continued on to the library, and tried the door. it was locked. "let me in, ezra," he called. "is that savage dog gone?" inquired mr. larabee, with anxiety in his voice. "yes, dick has taken him to the stable." "that's where he belongs. wait a minute and i'll open the door." there were sounds inside, as though tables and chairs were being moved away from the portal, and then uncle ezra's lean face was thrust carefully out of a crack of the door, as he cautiously opened it. he took a survey up and down the hall, and, seeing no signs of grit, swung the door wider. "he wouldn't hurt you," said mr. hamilton, as he entered. "grit is as gentle as a lamb." "lamb! humph, you can't make me believe that!" snorted mr. larabee. "he'd have bitten me if i'd stayed there." mr. hamilton did not answer, but drawing up an easy chair, and indicating another for his brother-in-law, inquired: "what was it you wanted to see me about, ezra?" "it's this," went on mr. larabee, walking over and locking the library door. "i'm going back to dankville to-morrow, but, before i go, i consider it my duty to make one last appeal to you not to let richard go off on this yachting cruise." "why not?" "because it will squander a lot of money that he ought to save up against the time of need." "oh, dick has plenty, and so have i." "that may be, but it's the wrong sort of training for a young man. richard ought to be taught the habits of thrift and frugality." "his mother and i think he ought to be trained to fulfill his station in life, which is that of a millionaire. did you ever stop to think, ezra, that a millionaire may do good by spending his money freely, not foolishly." "no, i don't know as i ever did." "well, he can. think of how many persons he keeps employed, and how he helps to give them a chance to earn their living." "well, mortimer, you and i never will think alike on that subject. but will you do as i ask--not let richard waste this money for a yacht?" "i'm afraid i can't do as you ask, ezra. i've promised dick that he may have the boat, and i'm sure it will do him good." "humph!" exclaimed uncle ezra. then his face took on a hard and determined look. "mortimer," he said finally, after a silence, "i don't like to interfere, but you must remember that richard's mother was my only sister. i loved her, though i did not agree with some of her views. i'm fond of richard, and i want to see him grow up a careful and saving man. but he never will as long as you allow him to go on in this fashion." "i'm afraid it's too late to change our plan, ezra." "no, it's not too late! i'll take a hand in this myself. if you won't bring your son up in the right way, then i'll do it for you!" the lean old man had arisen from his chair, and was excitedly pacing the room. "why, ezra, what do you mean?" asked mr. hamilton, wondering what sudden emotion had possessed his brother-in-law. then mr. larabee seemed to recollect himself. his manner suddenly changed. "excuse me, mortimer," he said more mildly. "i spoke too hastily. i--i wasn't thinking what i was saying. i--i--er--that is, i had some hopes that you might let richard come to live with me and samanthy at the firs for a time. i would give him good training." "i've no doubt you would, ezra, but dick doesn't want to go, and i have fallen in with his late mother's plan of having him travel and see the world. besides, there is another important phase to it." "very well," spoke mr. larabee, and he seemed to be careful of his words. "then we'll say no more about it, mortimer. now, i think i'll get ready to return to dankville." "why, it's too soon. you're not going until morning, are you?" "no, but i must get my things in order, and i have some business to attend to. i think i'll go do it now. do you think that savage dog is out of the way?" "oh, yes; you needn't fear him." mr. larabee cautiously unlocked the library door, and looked out. then he stepped into the hall. the coast was clear, and he went upstairs to his room. mr. hamilton remained in the library. as dick's uncle reached the head of the stairs, he turned and looked toward the room where his brother-in-law was sitting. "so you won't agree to my plan, to save your son from being a spendthrift, eh?" he murmured. "then, i'll do it for you in spite of you and him! i'll prevent richard from wasting all of his money, if i have to lock him up away from you, and where you can't see him." after supper that night, or, rather, following dinner, as gibbs, the butler, preferred to call it, dick saddled rex, his horse, and galloped over to town in the pleasant late june evening. as he was turning into the main street he saw a wagon coming toward him, drawn by a sleek, fat horse, and driven by a genial-faced lad of about our hero's age. "hello, henry!" called the young millionaire, pleasantly, drawing rein. "got a new horse, i see. how's the old iron business? rattling away, i suppose?" "that's right," answered henry darby, with a laugh. "but this isn't a new horse, dick." "no? you don't mean to say that it's the one you used to have--the same one that couldn't draw the load of iron when i once met you?" "the same one. i bought him from the man who sold me the iron, and i fattened him up. the horse got rid of the ringbone, spavin, blind staggers, dinkbots, and a few other things he had, and he's all right now." "you must have fed him on some iron filings to make him so strong," for the animal was pulling a heavy load. "no, i didn't do that, but maybe he got out of the stable and helped himself to an old radiator or a wagon tire once in a while. so you're back from the military school, dick?" "yes, and glad of it in a way. i'm going to have a steam yacht, and travel around a bit this vacation." "my, oh my! some folks are born lucky!" cried henry, with a jolly laugh. "now, if i'd only been rich instead of good looking i'd buy a yacht, too," and the two lads, both of whom were really fine-appearing chaps, laughed together. "i'll give you a ride when you get your vacation," promised dick. "the trouble is i never get one," replied henry. "the old iron business, that you helped me start on such a good footing, takes all my time. well, i must be traveling, dick. this horse hasn't had his supper, yet, and he needs it. so long." "so long, henry. come over and see me when you get a chance." "humph! there aren't many millionaires who would give a fellow like me such an invitation as that," remarked henry darby as he drove along, while dick galloped off in the opposite direction. dick met several of his friends in town, and spent a pleasant hour chatting with them, before he trotted leisurely back home. he found his father reading in the library, but uncle ezra had gone to bed early, as he said he must take the first train for home in the morning. mr. hamilton did not tell his son of the peculiar words and actions of his uncle. "well, dick," said mr. hamilton, musingly, "i suppose you'll soon be going to new york, to buy your yacht." "day after to-morrow, dad." "all right. i'll give you a letter to my lawyers there, and they'll see to the transfer of the boat, and attend to the legal matters. now, don't buy any gilt-edged mining shares, dick," and mr. hamilton smiled grimly, in memory of a visit his son once paid to the metropolis, as related in the first volume of this series. "i'll not," promised the young millionaire, and, after he and his father had spent an hour chatting in the big apartment, the walls of which were lined with many books, dick retired to bed, mr. hamilton soon following. dick's room was over an extension to the main part of the house, and was fitted up like the "den" of any other lad, whether he has a million dollars to his credit, or only one. there were various trophies, some swords and guns, indian relics, odds and ends of no earthly use to any one but a boy, and a few pictures. yet, everything in it meant something to dick, and, after all, that is the real way to decorate a "den." mr. larabee, the next day, completed his preparations for returning to the firs, and dick began to pack for his trip to new york. he offered to drive his uncle to the railroad station in his auto runabout, but mr. larabee did not trust autos. "besides," he added, "you might run over somebody, and then they'd bring a suit for damages, and i'd be liable for part of it, on account of being in the car with you. no, i'll walk and save the street-car fare." "i'll take all responsibility for the damage," promised dick, but his uncle would not agree to an auto trip, and walked. as mr. larabee said good-by to his brother-in-law and nephew, he murmured to himself: "i certainly must put my plan into operation. that boy richard has absolutely no idea of the value of money. i must save him from himself and his father. i certainly must." uncle ezra was very thoughtful on his way home that day. riding in the train he worked out the details of a plot that was destined to have a very important effect on dick's life. "it's a little risky," thought mr. larabee, as the train neared dankville station, "and it's going to cost me considerable, but i can get it back from the hamilton fortune in the end, and i can charge interest on whatever i spend. it's in a good cause, and i'll do it, for i must teach richard the value of a dollar!" mr. larabee reached home, and was welcomed by his wife, who carefully watched him to see that he wiped his feet as he entered the house. he told of his visit to his brother-in-law's house, and denounced mr. hamilton's action in letting dick have a steam yacht. then, after a frugal meal, the lights were put out, to save kerosene oil, and the gloomy house of the firs was shrouded in darkness. but, somehow, uncle ezra larabee couldn't sleep. he tossed from side to side in the bed, and, now and then, he muttered to himself: "i'll do it! i vum i'll do it! it's the only way." his wife noted his restlessness. "what's the matter, ezra?" she asked. "can't you sleep? are you sick?" "nope. i'm all right." but mr. larabee wasn't. sleep would not come to him. he was busy thinking of many things, but chief of all was a plan he had evolved to save dick hamilton from what the old man thought was a trip that would "waste" much money. "i've got to do it," murmured uncle ezra to the darkness all about him. "it may not be accordin' to strict law, but it's justice. i've got to do it," and he turned wearily from one side of the bed to the other as he worked out the details of his plot. "for land sakes!" exclaimed his wife at length, for she was being kept awake, "can't you doze off, ezra?" "no, i can't seem to, samanthy." "maybe your railroad trip upsot ye?" "no, i guess not. i think i'll sleep now. i've had lots to think of, samanthy." once more he shifted his position and tried to close his eyes, but they would not stay shut. he found himself staring up at the ceiling in the darkness. he arose, got a drink of water, and came back to bed. but he seemed more wide-awake than ever. "ezra," called his wife again, "are you thinkin' of the dollar an' nineteen cents you once lost? maybe that's what's keepin' you awake." "no, it ain't that, samanthy." "then, what is it?" "i can't tell you." "why, ezra. you ain't in trouble; be ye? you ain't goin' to keep a secret from me; be ye?" "i ain't in trouble, no, samanthy, but i've got to keep this thing quiet until--well, until i'm ready to tell it." "but what's it about, ezra?" "well, it's about nephew richard and his money. he'll run through his mother's fortune in no time, if i don't take a hand and save it." "do tell, ezra! what are you goin' to do?" "samanthy, i'm going to do something desperate! i've got to do it to save dick. why, his father's as crazy as he is about spending money. i've got to do something desperate." "you--you won't get arrested for it; will you, ezra?" "i hope not. but go to sleep, samanthy. i'll tell you about it--when it's time," and, having thus gotten this much of the plot off his mind, uncle ezra turned over and went to sleep. but he did not have pleasant dreams. chapter v dick is shadowed bearing a letter to his father's attorneys in new york, messrs. blake & carrington, dick started for the metropolis the second day after his uncle's visit. "now use your own judgment about getting your yacht," said the millionaire to his son, "but, of course, be guided by the lawyers. buying a steam craft is rather a large operation, especially if you don't know much about it." highly elated at the prospect of the good times before him, dick sat in the parlor car of the fast express, as he was whirled toward the big city, and made plan after plan. "i'll get a lot of the fellows, some from the academy and some from town, and we'll have a glorious time yachting," he told himself. "we'll go up the new england coast, and down to florida and maybe even to bermuda and to cuba, and--by jove i've a good notion to try to double cape horn! that would be something to talk about when i got back." it did not seem to occur to dick that he was laying out sufficient travel for several vacations, all in one. but it's lots of fun to make plans, especially when you have the money to carry them out--and sometimes even when you haven't. dick reached manhattan after a day and night of travel, registered at a hotel that his father frequently stopped at when in new york, and was shown to a suite of rooms that suited his ideas of luxury. they were not too elaborate, consisting of a bedroom, sitting-room and bath, but they were tastefully furnished. after a dinner, at which he ordered as the chief dish lobster, principally because he seldom could get it fresh at home, he went to a theatre. "i'll see the lawyers the first thing in the morning," thought dick, "and then the sooner i can buy that yacht the better. i'm anxious to get out to sea." mr. blake, the senior partner of the firm, received the young millionaire cordially next morning. "your father wrote to me some time ago," he said, "stating that you might come on to select a steam craft, and so i have been on the lookout for one for you. i have several in view, and if you wish we'll go and take a look at them." "nothing would suit me better," announced dick, eagerly. piloted by the attorney, dick was taken to the anchorage of the new york yacht club. there were several trim craft there, which could be purchased, and dick was shown over them by the persons in charge. one was a rakish-looking, clipper-built boat, constructed more for speed than for comfort. it was a beautiful craft, but dick decided he did not care for swift sailing, and would rather have more room. another yacht, the _isabelle_ seemed to him, at first, to be just right. she had new engines and boilers, and was magnificently fitted up. but the price was very high, and, while dick could have afforded it, mr. blake pointed out that the yacht would require a crew of about twenty-five men, and dick did not think he cared to preside, as captain _pro tem_, over such a force. "i want something smaller, i think," he said. "that's my own opinion," remarked mr. blake. they had exhausted the possibilities at the yacht club anchorage, so the lawyer proposed a trip to st. george, staten island, off which several yachts, that their owners wished to dispose of, were anchored. there dick found three which would have suited him, but mr. blake advised him not to commit himself, but to look further before deciding. "we'll go over to brooklyn," proposed the lawyer. "we may as well put in the entire day, for buying a steam yacht is not to be disposed of too lightly." as they were taken out in a small motorboat, past several yachts at anchor, they passed one, over the rail of which an old, grizzled man was leaning, calmly smoking a short, black pipe. he was a veritable picture of an "old sea dog," and dick's eyes danced with pleasure at the sight of him. a moment later his gaze wandered to the yacht herself. he could not repress a murmur of admiration. "what's the matter?" asked mr. blake. "that yacht," replied the young millionaire. "that's exactly my idea of what i want. i wonder if we can buy her?" "i don't know, but it's easy to find out." the lawyer directed the engineer of the motorboat to put them alongside. as dick approached nearer his admiration grew, until he had made up his mind that if the interior suited him as well as did the outside that boat would be his. he saw the name on her stern as they approached--_albatross_--and even that pleased him. the yacht was a trim craft, narrow enough in beam to indicate speed, with a high bow to take a heavy sea well, and long enough to afford plenty of room, while her breadth was not such as to make her too much of a roller, or wallower, in the trough of the sea. two slender masts, for auxiliary sails, and for signal flags, with the conductors of a wireless apparatus strung between them, rose fore and aft of a buff-colored funnel, rakishly set. in short, the yacht was a beauty. "on board the _albatross_!" called mr. blake, when they were within hailing distance. "aye, aye, sir," answered the old sea dog, pulling at his cap. "i understand that yacht is for sale," went on the lawyer, for, on consulting a list he had, he saw that she was among those he had put down to examine. "she might be, if any one had the money," replied the old sailor, stuffing his thumb into the bowl of his pipe, to tamp down the tobacco. "well, i have the money," spoke dick, quickly. "then come aboard, if you please, sir," was the more genial reply, and the old man walked forward to where an accommodation ladder was suspended, and lowered it. the young millionaire observed that the old sailor walked with a limp, and he at once made up his mind that he had a wooden leg. this diagnosis was confirmed when dick and mr. blake stepped on deck a few seconds later. "well, here's the _albatross_, and she's for sale, more's the pity," went on the old man, respectfully. "many's the voyage i've sailed in her when mr. richardson was alive. but he's dead, and the pretty craft's on the market. i'm stayin' here to look after her, and d'ye know," and his voice sank to a whisper, "i've had half a notion, more'n once, to hist the anchor, make sail, an' start for davy jones' locker, me an' her together. for i've been on her for so long that she's like a wife to me." "then she is an old boat?" asked mr. blake, apprehensively. "old enough to know how to weather many a storm that some of the new-fangled craft wouldn't dare venture out in. the only thing i have agin' her is that she's a steamer instead of a sailer, but with her engines stopped she can pick up a bone in her teeth when all her canvas is spread," added the old man, proudly. "she has new engines and boilers, and she's fit to make a trip around the world starting to-morrow; and i wish she was!" "maybe she will!" cried dick, enthusiastically. "i think i'll take her, mr. blake. the _albatross_ is just what i want." "wait until you go below," suggested the lawyer with a smile. "will you show us down, mr.--er--mr.--?" he paused significantly. "widkin is my name--ebenezer widkin," answered the old sailor, with a touch of his cap. "an' you can take your choice by callin' me ebby or widdy. most of 'em calls me widdy," he added with a grin, "in consequence of me never havin' married." "well, then, widdy, take us below," suggested mr. blake, and soon he and dick were exploring the interior of the craft. if the exterior, with its snow-white decks and mahogany rails, its ample companionways and other details had captivated dick, the cabins, engine room, dining saloon and galley completed the conquest. "i'll take her!" he said enthusiastically to mr. blake. "she's just big enough, and not too big. the engines are new, and she's fitted up just as i want." dick stood in the owner's cabin, the most elaborate one on the yacht. "well, it's up to you, as the boys say," remarked the lawyer. "of course, there are many details to be looked after, but if you are satisfied, we won't seek further. i'll see the owner's representatives, and negotiate with them." "is there--if i might be so bold as to ask, sir," began widdy, as he shall be called, "is there a chance of the yacht being put into commission, sir?" "every chance!" cried dick, with sparkling eyes. "every chance, widdy." "an' would you--that is, do you think you could find room for such a worn-out old sea dog as me on board? i'm a a sailor, sir, even if i have a wooden leg, an' i can do my share with the best of 'em, if i do say it myself." "i think i'd be very glad to have you as a member of the crew," answered dick, for he had taken a liking to the old man. "thank you, sir, for sayin' that. many's the day i've sat here, smokin' my pipe lonesome-like, wishin' some millionaire would come along and buy her. why, would you believe it," and his voice sank to a whisper, "i've even been thinkin' of turnin' pirate myself, an' pickin' up a crew of my old mates to navigate her, i've been that desperate for action, sir." "well, if everything goes right, you'll soon have plenty of action," promised the young millionaire. "i intend to take a long voyage, and nothing would suit me better than to go in the _albatross_." "and you couldn't find a better craft to sail in, if you was to search the world over!" cried widdy. "there! i've said it, and dash my lee scuppers! i'll stand by it in fair weather or foul! i've got a prospect of action at last, an' i'm a bit excited-like, but you must excuse me." then, with a sudden motion, he took his short, black clay pipe from his mouth, dashed it to the deck, where it broke into a score of pieces. then, drawing a new clay from his pocket, and breaking off the stem short, he proceeded to fill it with tobacco, and light it. next he stumped off after a deck swab, with which he proceeded to clean up the fragments of pipe and ashes. "i'm a bit excited at times," he went on more calmly, "but i don't mean nothin' by it. i'll smoke a new pipe to the new owner," he added. "how soon can we sail?" he whispered hoarsely, with his hand to his mouth, as though much depended on the secrecy of the answer. "it will be hard to say, at present," answered mr. blake for dick, "but, if all goes well, probably within a couple of weeks." "then, splice my mizzen-shrouds but you'll find me ready an' waitin'!" cried widdy. "ready an' waitin'!" "very well," said dick, with a jolly laugh. "and i hope we'll have many voyages together." "by neptune's whiskers, sir, so do i!" retorted widdy, and he blew out a great cloud of smoke. mr. blake and his youthful client returned to shore in the motor craft, and the lawyer promised to at once start negotiations looking to the purchase of the yacht. as a measure of precaution, however, he insisted that a competent expert be hired to examine the hull, engines and boilers, and, though this meant a little delay, dick felt obliged to consent to it. there was nothing more to be done that day, and, after having sent a telegram to his father, describing the _albatross_ in brief, and stating that he had made up his mind to purchase her, dick went back to his hotel. as he was turning down a quiet street leading to it, he became aware that two men were regarding him rather closely. they were coming from the opposite direction, and as they passed him they gave dick sharp glances. "humph! they'll know me again, at any rate," thought the lad. then he dismissed the incident from his mind. he was used to a certain sort of publicity and attention, for, on a previous visit to new york, his trip had been made much of by the sensational papers, and he had been credited with doing many eccentric things of which he never even dreamed. his picture had been frequently published, and he was more or less stared at. he thought this was but a reflection of that episode. being fond of theatres, dick decided to go to another play that evening. he called up mr. blake, asking him to accompany him, but the lawyer had another engagement, so dick started off alone. he thoroughly enjoyed the performance, and as he came out to get into a taxicab, to return to his hotel, he noticed that two men, who were standing near the vehicle which he had summoned, were looking at him rather more closely than at other persons in the street. dick glanced at them. as he did so one of the men made a remark to the other, and both turned quickly to one side, but not before the youth had had a chance to look at their faces. "why, they're the same fellows i met this afternoon, near the hotel," he said to himself. "they must think i'm quite a curiosity." he entered the taxicab, and was rapidly whirled toward his stopping place. his mind was filled with thoughts of his steam yacht, and with chance adventures that might happen on the cruise. possibly, if he had seen the actions of the two men, immediately after his departure, he would have not felt so easy. for the twain, no sooner had dick entered his vehicle, summoned another. "follow that car," directed the taller of the pair. "don't let it get away from you, and there's a fiver in it." "you're rather free with the old man's money, ain't you, sam?" asked the short man, with a laugh. "might as well be. he's so close-fisted that it'll do him good to be bled a bit. but hit it up, sport," this to the chauffeur of the taxicab they were in. "i don't want to lose our young friend." "all right," was the answer, and after dick's vehicle sped the other, containing the two men who were shadowing him. chapter vi dick enters the trap the young millionaire was hungry, after the three hours spent in the theatre, and, knowing of a restaurant famed for its late suppers, dick determined to go there, partly to see some of the gayer side of life in new york at midnight, and partly to satisfy his appetite. accordingly he gave directions to the chauffeur, who, after speeding the machine down broadway, turned into twenty-third street. as the vehicle swung around the corner a lad, who was crossing the thoroughfare, had to jump nimbly to get out of the way. he reached the curb, and standing there shook his fist at the occupants of the taxicab--dick and the driver. "what's the matter?" cried the lad who had so nearly escaped being run down. "ain't the street big enough for you? or do you want to chase folks up on the sidewalk?" "aw, beat it!" retorted the chauffeur, with all the contempt some automobilists feel for pedestrians. he had slowed up at the turn, but was about to turn on more power. "wait! hold on a minute!" cried dick, leaning forward at the sound of the other lad's voice, and a sight of his face in the gleam of an electric lamp. "how are you, tim muldoon?" for a moment the other stared at the well-dressed youth in the taxicab, for the vehicle had come to a stop. then over the features came a look of glad surprise. "why, if it isn't mr. hamilton!" cried the lad in the street. "who'd ever think to see you here? how are you, mr. hamilton?" "make it dick, if you don't mind, tim," suggested the millionaire's son. "i'm dick and you're tim," and the wealthy lad reached out and shook hands with the lad, whom he had once befriended as a "fresh-air kid," and who, later, he had set up in the newspaper business. tim muldoon, a typical new york newsboy, had accompanied dick on a trip out west, to inspect a gold mine, and had been instrumental in aiding him. our hero had not seen his protégé in some time, though he knew him at once when the auto so nearly ran him down. "well, well, tim," went on dick. "what have you been doing with yourself since last we met? you've have grown considerable. is the paper business good?" "fine, thanks to the start you gave me, mr. ham--i mean dick. i'm running three stands now, and i have two assistants. i get time to go to night school, now, and i'm studying bookkeeping." dick had noticed that tim spoke better language than formerly, for the use of "dis," "dat," "youse" and kindred expressions was almost entirely eliminated from his conversation. "where are you going now, tim?" asked dick, when they had exchanged some remarks. "home. i've just finished work. have to get ready for the early morning papers soon, though, so i'm bound for home." "no, you're not!" exclaimed the rich youth. "you're coming to have something to eat with me. it's lonesome dining alone. come on, hop in and we'll be there in no time. then i'll run you up home in this buzz-wagon." "but, dick, i haven't any decent clothes on. i've been working and----" "nonsense! what do i care about clothes? get in. we'll hire a private room if you're so afraid some one will see you." "it isn't that, only you----" "don't you worry about me; get in." tim complied, rather diffidently, and the much-wondering chauffeur started the car again. as it went along there was another closely following it, and, as the vehicle containing dick and tim made various turns and twists through the different streets, to reach the restaurant, the other taxicab did the same. finally tim, whose life in new york had made him quick-witted along certain lines, leaned out of the open cab, looked back and said: "any of your friends in that machine, dick?" "friends? no. why?" "because it's sticking to us like court-plaster. say, sport," and tim leaned forward to the chauffeur, "are you wise to de--i mean _the_ fact that we're being chased?" "hadn't noticed it," replied the driver, shortly. "well, we are. is it a fly-cop; or has your license expired?" "search me," was the characteristic reply of the chauffeur. "but we'll give 'em a run for their money," and increasing speed, he turned first down one street and up another until, after five minutes' run, the other cab was not in sight. "we either lost 'em, or else they got wise and dropped back," was tim's opinion. "but who were they, dick?" "i can't imagine, unless they are some cranks who like to look at a chap because he has a little money. maybe they're fellows who hope to work me for some game like colonel dendon did, when he tried to sell me fake mining shares. i've noticed a couple of men who kept rather close watch on me once or twice to-day, but i guess we've lost track of them. well, here we are; come in and have a good meal." dick paid, and dismissed the chauffeur, for other taxicabs could be summoned at the restaurant. as the young millionaire and tim entered the place another machine came to a stop near the curb, a short distance away. "thought they'd fool us, didn't they, sam?" asked one of the two men who alighted from it. "they sure did, but it isn't so easy to lose us. we're right after him." "you're not going to attempt anything to-night, are you?" "no, i just want to get the lay of things. i think we can work the racket better from a boat-end, as he'll fall easier for that; so we'll wait a couple of days. we've got lots of time, and the graft is too good to shorten up," after which rather enigmatical words, the two men sauntered past the restaurant, inside of which dick and tim could be seen seated at a table. the two friends--friends in spite of the differences in their stations--had a jolly time over their meal, dick telling tim something about the proposed yachting trip, and the newsboy, in turn, relating some of his experiences in the great city. true to his promise, dick insisted on taking tim home in another auto, which he summoned, and then, rather later than he was in the habit of turning in, the young millionaire sought his hotel well satisfied with his evening's pleasure. "well, he's safe for to-night, anyhow," remarked one of two men, as they saw dick pass through the hotel lobby. "now we can get some sleep." they had resumed their shadowing from the restaurant. "yes, and we'll try the game to-morrow, or next day," responded the other. dick's first visit after breakfast was to the office of mr. blake, the lawyer. the attorney was not in, but a clerk informed the young millionaire that matters concerning the purchase of the _albatross_ were proceeding satisfactorily. it would take several days, dick was told. "well, the best thing i can do is to amuse myself," he remarked, as he left the lawyer's office. he strolled back to the hotel, intending to take a bath, and don a new suit he had just received from the tailor. as he went up to the desk to get the key of his room, the clerk handed him a letter, with the remark: "messenger left that for you a little while ago, mr. hamilton." dick read it hastily. it said: "dear mr. hamilton: i am trying to hurry along matters concerned with the purchase of your yacht. i have seen the present owners, but there appears to be a slight hitch, to use a nautical term. i have another vessel in view, in case we can not get the one you want. i expect to be aboard her this morning. could you meet me on her? she is the _princess_, and is anchored off one hundred and eightieth street. suppose you run up there? you will find a launch at the dock to bring you out. i think, in case we can not secure the _albatross_, that you will like this vessel fully as well. come if you can. "yours sincerely, "james blake." "can't get the _albatross_!" thought dick, in dismay. "that will be too bad! i'll never care for any other yacht as i did for her. but i suppose i'd better go and see mr. blake. queer, though, that they didn't tell me in the office how things were. maybe they didn't know, or this may have cropped up after i left. i'll go and see the other boat, anyhow." dick started for the anchorage of the _princess_, and, as he was about to engage a taxicab, he bethought himself of the old sailor on the _albatross_. "widdy would be just the one to take along," reasoned dick. "he knows all about yachts--more than either mr. blake or myself. i've a good notion to go get him, and see what he has to say. even if we do have to take a different craft from the _albatross_, i'd like widdy to sail with me. i'll go get him." the old sailor, who knew nothing of the hitch in the arrangements to sell the yacht he was on, was a bit surprised at dick's proposition, but readily agreed to accompany him. he left one of his on-shore acquaintances in charge of the _albatross_. "but as fer findin' as good a boat as that," said widdy, waving his hand toward her, as he and dick were speeding shoreward in a motor launch, "you can't do it. split my lee scuppers if you can!" and dick, with a sigh, agreed with him. his heart was set on the _albatross_. at the foot of one hundred and eightieth street dick and the old sea dog found a small motorboat in waiting. "is this the launch of the _princess_?" asked dick of the man in charge. "no, it's a public launch, but i can take you out to her in it. there's the yacht, out there. a gentleman on board told me he was expecting a visitor, and i said i'd wait around and bring him out. are you the one?" "i expect so," answered the young millionaire, and his eyes were taking in the details of the yacht _princess_. he did not like her, at first view. she was too small, and there was none of that trimness about her which marked the _albatross_. "that's nothing but a dinghy with an engine in her," was the contemptuous remark of widdy, as he relighted his short pipe, which was assuming a black hue, like unto the one he had smashed on deck. "well, we'll go aboard," decided dick. "i want to hear what mr. blake has to say." a few minutes later he and the old salt were ascending the accommodation ladder of the _princess_. they were met by a sailor in uniform. "you'll find him below," he said to dick, without being asked any questions, and he motioned to an after companionway. dick started down. had he but known it the young millionaire was entering the trap set for him. chapter vii the escape followed by widdy, the wealthy lad groped his way along a rather dark passage. he expected every minute to be greeted by mr. blake, or to hear the lawyer's voice bidding him welcome. dick was a little surprised that the attorney had not been out on deck, for the atmosphere below was anything but refreshing, indicating that the _princess_ was none too well ventilated. "this way, if you please," spoke a voice, and dick had a glimpse of a big man, attired in a sailor's suit, holding open a cabin door for him. the lad, suspecting nothing, was about to enter, but at that moment there came from widdy, the old salt who was directly behind him, a snarl not unlike that of the bulldog grit, at a sight of uncle ezra larabee. "oh, ho! it's you, my fine swab, is it?" cried widdy, pushing his way past dick, and confronting the big sailor. "it's you, is it, an' up to some of your knavish tricks, i'll be bound! let me get hold of you, jake shrouder, and i'll pay back some of the scores i owe you! split my lee scuppers! i didn't think to find you here! i made sure you was in jail, if davy jones hadn't claimed you! look out, mr. dick!" and with that widdy, stumping forward on his wooden leg, made a dive for the husky sailor, like a man making a tackle on the football field. as for shrouder, if that was his name, he seemed to turn pale under his bronzed skin. "widdy! you here!" he gasped, and leaped back, as if to shut himself in the cabin he had invited dick to enter. "yes, i'm here! what thieving trick are you up to now? is it to scuttle the ship, or shanghai somebody? wait until i get hold of you, with a belayin' pin in the other hand, an'----" but shrouder gave widdy no chance to reach him. with a muttered imprecation, he slammed the door shut in the face of the old sailor. nothing daunted, widdy threw himself against it, using his artificial leg as a battering ram. there was a splintering of wood, and, as the broken door flew back, dick saw the large man running through the cabin toward another portal, which he frantically unlocked. "what's the matter? what's up?" demanded the young millionaire, anxiously. "what's wrong, widdy?" "everything, mr. dick. look out for yourself. there's bad business afoot here, or jake shrouder would never be on hand. but i'll get him!" he stumped forward, swinging his powerful arms to and fro, as if eager to clasp his enemy in them, but he stumbled, and would have fallen inside the cabin with the broken door, had not dick caught him. at the same time the fleeing man called out: "the jig's up! widdy's here!" "who's widdy?" asked a man's voice, and it was followed by confused shouts. "never mind. the jig's up, i tell you! better get ashore. cast off the boat!" yelled the big sailor. there was the tramp of rapid footsteps on deck. then came a sound as of something being dragged along--a scraping of wood on wood. "quick!" cried the old sailor to dick. "they're trying to shut the hatches on us. we must get on deck!" puzzled and alarmed--not knowing what to make of the strange actions of widdy, yet vaguely fearing, the lad turned from the cabin, and hastened toward the companionway down which he had come. as he sprang up it he saw the young sailor who had told him to go below shoving the hatch cover over. "quit that!" cried dick. with a quick motion he caught up a coil of rope that had dropped on the steps, and thrust this into the crack as the man pushed the cover forward. this prevented it from being closed. [illustration: with a quick motion he caught up a coil of rope, and thrust this into the crack.--_page ._ _dick hamilton's steam yacht._] a moment later widdy was at dick's side. the old sailor thrust his gnarled hands into the crack, and, with a wrench, sent the companionway cover sliding back. "hop out!" he called to dick. "i'll follow." as the lad reached the deck he saw, disappearing over the side, the young sailor, and the big one whom widdy had called shrouder. they seemed to be descending into some boat. dick rushed to the rail. in a small barge were two men, and it needed but a glance to disclose to the young millionaire that they were the same two who had stared at him so persistently the day before, and though dick did not then know it, they were the same pair who had followed him in the taxicab. shrouder and the other sailor dropped into the barge with them. "grab him, mr. dick! grab him!" cried widdy, as he saw his old enemy escaping, but dick did not think it wise to attempt to hold back the desperate men. a few seconds later the four were pulling away from the _princess_ for dear life. "well," remarked dick, drawing a long breath, as though he had just taken part in a desperate race, "what's this all about, widdy?" "about? it's about villainy, that's what it's about, mr. dick! villainy, and scheming, and black tricks and underhand work and shanghai-games, and looting and scuttling ships and anything else that's bad--that's what it is," growled the old seaman, as he stumped to the side, and shook his fist at the craft containing the four men. then he filled his pipe, and began to smoke more calmly. "we could chase them in the motorboat," suggested dick, hardly yet understanding what it was all about. "what's the use? shrouder is as slippery as a greased sheet in a hail storm. let him go--he won't sleep any the easier to-night from having met me. but i wish i could have laid my hooks on him," and widdy opened and shut his gnarled hands suggestively. "but i don't understand," said the lad. "where is mr. blake? why should those fellows disappear so suddenly? i was to meet the lawyer here, and look over this boat----" "mr. blake never came here," said widdy, bluntly. "it's a plant--a game--to get you on board. i'll wager that note sent to your hotel was forged." "but why should they want to get me here?" "to rob you, most likely. they know you're rich." "then that must have been why those two men paid such close attention to me," decided dick. "of course," agreed the old sailor. "as soon as i clapped eyes on jake shrouder i knew there was something crooked afoot. i've known him for years--sailed all over in ships with him--and i never knew a piece of black business afoot anywhere near him that he didn't have his finger in. i knew there was something wrong as soon as i see him, and that's why i made a jump for him, but he was too quick for me." "but who does this yacht belong to?" asked dick. "we seem to be all alone on it." "i hope we are. i don't want to have anything to do with those fellows. i don't know who owns the craft. like as not shrouder has an interest in her. but let's get ashore, and then we'll call on mr. blake and let him know what's in the wind. it was all a plant, i tell you, to get you aboard, and then they'd have robbed you." "but i don't carry much money with me," objected dick. "no matter. they'd have found some way to get it out of you, or your father. but, come on, let's leave this bilge-water craft. phew! it hasn't been swabbed out in a month of sundays." stumping to the opposite side of the deck widdy signaled to the motor launch at the dock, the owner of it having agreed to come off and take dick and the sailor whenever they waved a flag. in a few minutes the two were speeding down-town toward the lawyer's office, their questioning of the captain of the launch having resulted in nothing. he had no knowledge concerning the _princess_, or the men on her. as widdy had surmised, the note purporting to come from mr. blake was a bald forgery, but, since dick had never seen the attorney's writing, it was easy enough to deceive him. "but what was their object?" asked the young millionaire. "robbery," decided mr. blake. "but how did they know of my plans to buy a yacht?" "oh, easily enough. talk travels quickly in marine circles in new york, and i fancy you are more of a public character than you imagine. at any rate, the men, whoever they are, knew something of your plans, and took advantage of them to lure you to the yacht, which they either hired for the purpose, or perhaps own. it was a clever trick, and it was lucky widdy recognized that man in time, or you might have been locked in a cabin, and kept there until they had what they wanted out of you." "i'm glad i took my sailor friend along," said dick. "but how about the _albatross_? am i likely to get her?" "i think so. i will have her examined in a few days, and, if she passes inspection, i will complete the purchase, and you can arrange about a captain and crew. perhaps your old sailor can help you out there." "that's a good idea. i'll ask him." it was decided that little good could be accomplished by notifying the police of the attempt to work harm to dick, and so no report was made of it, for our hero disliked the newspaper sensationalism he knew would follow. only mr. blake warned the young millionaire to be careful of where he went, and in what company he lingered. a week passed, during which dick enjoyed himself in new york. the steam yacht proved to be all that was claimed for her, and the purchase was completed. "you are now the owner of the _albatross_," said the lawyer to dick, one morning, handing him several papers. "that's great! now to get a captain, a crew, put coal and provisions aboard, and set sail." "for what port?" "i'm going to cuba, partly on business and partly for pleasure. some of my school chums are going along, and we'll have a good time. and that reminds me of something. there's a friend of mine in new york, whom i'd like to have go along with me. he's tim muldoon, a former newsboy." "a newsboy?" and mr. blake looked surprised. "yes, and one of the truest characters who ever sold a paper. i must look him up. he's good fun, and will enjoy the trip." two days later, the legal formalities all being completed, dick engaged the services of captain amos barton, a grizzled veteran of the seas, to command the _albatross_, and then the young millionaire returned to hamilton corners. captain barton had agreed to select a small, but competent crew, and he would also see to putting the yacht in commission. she would be ready to sail within a week, he stated, and all dick would have to do would be to name the port for which he wished the graceful prow pointed. he consulted his father on this point, and mr. hamilton on looking over his papers learned that the valdez family formerly lived in santiago or havana, though his lawyers had been unable to get a trace of them at either place. "but you might go to santiago, and then to havana," suggested mr. hamilton. "you'll have to do some detective work, i fancy. but look out for those men who tried to trap you." "oh, i'll soon be far enough away from them, dad. i'm not worrying. besides, they won't try to board us with widdy on guard. he's a great character!" "so i imagine. well, good luck to you. do your best, and use your own judgment. you'll have to depend on yourself from now on. have you arranged for your friends to accompany you?" "not completely yet, but i will soon." chapter viii a fight in the dark there were many busy days for dick, following his purchase of the _albatross_. he received word from captain barton that the coaling and provisioning of the craft were proceeding satisfactorily, and that a good crew had been signed. dick had invited tim muldoon to go on the trip, and the newsboy agreed, after arranging with a younger brother to look after his business. henry darby also planned to accompany the young millionaire, a clerk in mr. hamilton's office agreeing to have an eye to the old iron business. bricktop norton was to drive the horse and collect scrap for henry. dick invited a number of his military academy chums to make the cruise with him, but he received several letters of regret, the lads stating that vacation plans, previously made by their parents, would not permit them to accept the young millionaire's hospitality. paul drew was to go and captain innis beeby, the cadet commander of company c, wrote that he might meet dick in savannah, georgia, if the yacht would stop there on the way to cuba. "of course, we'll stop for beeby," said dick to paul drew, who had arrived at hamilton corners a few days before the date set for the departure for new york. "yes, beeby's good fun. we'll have a swell time on this trip, dick." "i hope so. i want the fellows to enjoy themselves." uncle ezra paid another visit to dick's house, though it must have cost him a pang to part with the money for a railroad ticket. he said he had come to make one more appeal to dick's father, not to allow the youth to squander his fortune on a yacht. "it's too late, uncle ezra," exclaimed dick, gaily. "i've bought the yacht, and we shall sail in a few days." "well, of all the senseless, wasteful proceedings--but there, i'm done expostulating--i'm--i'm going to----" but the churlish old man stopped short, and closed his thin lips like a steel trap. there was a dangerous, crafty look in his eyes, which boded dick no good, but the young millionaire did not see it. the night before the wealthy lad and his friends were to leave for the metropolis, there to go aboard the yacht, in company with tim muldoon, dick found he had to go down-town to send some telegrams, one to captain barton and another to the lawyer, mr. blake. paul drew, who, with frank bender and henry darby, was at dick's house, volunteered to accompany him, but our hero said he would run down with grit, and hurry back, leaving his friends to amuse themselves. it was rather a dark night, with a promise of a storm, and when the wealthy lad started out he wished that he had not gotten a puncture in his auto tire that day, so that he might have used the car. but he had not had the tube repaired, and the machine was out of commission. "but we don't mind the walk, do we, grit?" asked the lad, and the dog whined an answer. the messages sent, dick started back home, hurrying along, for the first few drops of rain were falling, and indicated a heavy storm to come. the wind was blowing hard, and, after an effort to keep his umbrella right side out, dick gave it up, furled the rain-shield, and tramped on through the drizzle, with grit splashing at his heels. as the young millionaire turned the corner of a dark street, before emerging into the thoroughfare that led to his house, he collided full tilt into a man who suddenly seemed to jump from behind a tree. "i beg your----" began dick, contritely, though it was not his fault. the next instant, and before the youth had a chance to finish his apology, he felt himself seized from behind by a second man, while the one who had leaped out in front of him placed his hand over his mouth. dick felt himself being borne backward. he struggled to maintain his footing, and struck out blindly. he felt his fists land on soft bodies, and once an exclamation of pain escaped his assailants. "we've got him!" a voice whispered. "where's the rig?" dick partly squirmed loose, and wrenched the man's hand from over his mouth. "take 'em, grit!" he cried, and there was a rush of feet, while a savage growl told dick that his faithful dog, who had lingered somewhat behind, was about to attack the footpads. chapter ix out to sea the unequal fight continued, the unknown men seeking to overpower dick, while he, on his part, made a desperate attempt to break the hold of the scoundrels who held him. he was engaged in a losing game until the arrival of his dog, when the tide of battle suddenly turned in his favor. grit seized a man's leg in his jaws, and bit savagely. there was a howl of pain, and the intelligent animal, well knowing that dick had two foes to deal with, did not hold his grip. instead, after making his teeth felt, he let go, and made a dive for the legs of the other fellow. "shoot the brute, sam!" yelled the second man as he felt himself attacked by grit. "blow his head off! he's biting me!" "he's bit me, too!" exclaimed the other, faintly, and he loosed his hold on dick to make a grab for his injured leg. "let go, you beast!" yelled the man to whom grit was still clinging. the man endeavored to kick the bulldog loose, but the intelligent animal knew his business. he let go, to avoid a savage kick, and made a spring for the rascal's throat. this was too much for the footpad. he quickly thrust the young millionaire from him and staggered away, breaking into a run a moment later, and calling to his companion: "come on! i've had plenty!" the other was glad enough to follow. dick stumbled and fell, when the men released their hold, but recovered his balance after an effort. grit, snarling and growling, started down the dark road after the men, splashing through muddy puddles. "here, grit! come back!" yelled dick. he did not want his pet shot, and he had no doubt but that the desperate characters would use their weapons on the valuable animal. breathing hard from his struggle the lad darted forward. the cool rain soon revived him sufficiently, so that his strength, which had been well-nigh spent in the contest, came back to him, and he was racing with all his speed through the storm and darkness. he wanted to see who the men were--to fathom the reason for their attack on him. "here, grit! grit!" he called. "come back!" the dog barked a protest, for he wanted to finish the work he had begun. "come back, grit!" cried dick again, and the dog knew there was no disobeying that voice. with a menacing growl he turned and leaped joyously about his young master, now and then glancing in the direction which the men had taken, and sending a challenging bark toward them in the darkness. "no use chasing them," murmured dick, as he bent over to pat grit, and felt to see if the dog had been injured. there seemed to be no cuts on him. the animal had been too quick for the men. as for the youth he had been roughly handled, and his neck and arms were strained and bruised, while his clothing was disarranged. but he had suffered no harm, and a hasty search through his pockets convinced him that neither his watch nor money had been taken. "well, that's the first time hold-up men ever tackled me," murmured the young millionaire, as he walked back to the scene of the struggle, and picked up his umbrella. "i didn't know members of that profession cared to come to hamilton corners. i guess i'd better notify the police. it might be dangerous for other people, to have such scoundrels about." keeping a sharp lookout, lest the men return, but feeling pretty sure that they had had enough, dick turned into a better-lighted street, and, going to the house of an acquaintance nearby, he called up the police station, and reported through the telephone his experience. there was much wondering and excitement at headquarters, and the chief promised to send several officers to the scene of the outrage at once. dick met them, but the search that resulted amounted to nothing. the men had disappeared, and even in daylight to hunt for them would have been difficult, to say nothing of a chase in the storm and darkness. the chief promised to have his men keep their eyes open the rest of that night, and the next day, for any suspicious characters, but none was seen. dick's friends, from whose house he had telephoned, wanted to hitch up the horse and drive him home, but he said he was so wet that a little more water would not hurt him. accordingly he walked, one of the few policemen of hamilton corners insisting on accompanying the lad. dick said it wasn't necessary, as long as he had grit with him, but the chief of police was taking no chances with the millionaire's son. of course, there was plenty of excitement when dick reached his father's house, and told mr. hamilton, and the boys there, what had detained him. "you certainly had a narrow escape!" said mr. hamilton, seriously. "do you think they meant to rob you, dick?" "what else would they have attacked me for? of course, it must have been that. but grit and i were too quick for them." "could you see their faces?" asked paul drew. "no, it was too dark." "then, you couldn't tell whether or not they were the same men you met before in new york, and who got you on board their yacht?" asked henry darby, for the wealthy youth had told of his experience on the _princess_. "no--i don't believe they were the same fellows," replied dick, slowly. "they were ordinary highwaymen," but, though he said nothing about it, he was puzzled over a remark one of the men had made while holding him. it was when the footpad said: "we've got him! where's the rig?" "rig--that is, horse and carriage," murmured dick to himself. "i wonder why highwaymen wanted a rig? unless," he added slowly, "they had an idea of carrying me off. but that's nonsense. maybe i misunderstood them." but the more he thought about it and puzzled over it, the more it worried him, until he put the matter out of his mind and devoted his time to getting ready for the yachting trip. no further trace was found of the footpads next day, and, though the hamilton corners police made inquiries in nearby towns, no suspicious characters were reported as being about. mr. hamilton was worried, and considered a scheme of having a private detective guard his son, for he knew that many unscrupulous scoundrels had designs on wealthy lads. but dick called the plan off. "i'll soon be at sea, dad," he said, "and i guess with grit on board, and the fellows i'm going to take along we can stand off a small army of hold-up men." "all right," agreed the millionaire, "but i'll feel easier when you are out of sight of land." dick had a telegram from captain barton, saying that the _albatross_ was only waiting the command to hoist anchor and start, and on the receipt of this the lad decided they would leave for new york the next day, as he had been delayed getting his outfit together, and henry darby wanted to close an important transaction in old iron before he went away. as dick, frank bender, paul drew and henry darby were being driven down to the depot in dick's auto, to take a train for the metropolis, two lads, standing on a street corner, observed the happy quartette. "there they go," observed guy fletcher, a town lad whose father was quite well off. "there they go, and i wish i was going off on a trip like that myself." "not with dick hamilton," added simon scardale, who was guy's crony. the two lads had no friendly feelings toward the young millionaire, and, indeed, simon had once tried to make dick lose considerable money. "dick hamilton hasn't much use for us, nor we for him, guy. i wouldn't care if his yacht sunk at sea." "i don't know's i would, either, though i wouldn't want any one to get drowned. but, come on, and i'll shoot you a game of pool." "can't. i'm dead broke." "i'll pay for it," offered guy, as dick's auto swung around a corner and as the two lads, who were rather inclined to a "sporty" life, turned to seek a pool "parlor," they were confronted by an elderly man, with a small tuft of white whiskers on his chin, which moved up and down as he talked. "was that dick hamilton who just passed?" asked the old man. "sure," replied simon, flippantly. "do you know him?" "i guess i ought to, i'm his uncle," was the answer. "but i couldn't see very good, 'cause the sun was in my eyes. now, didn't i hear you say you didn't care whether or not his yacht sunk." "oh, we were only fooling," spoke guy, with an uneasy laugh, thinking he was to be called to account for the remark. "oh, you needn't worry," returned ezra larabee, quickly. "i just happened to hear what you said, and it occurred to me that perhaps you two lads, who, i believe, are acquainted with my nephew, would like to earn a little money easily. would you?" "would we? well, i should lose a gold tooth if we wouldn't, old sport!" exclaimed simon, slangily. "what's the game?" "suppose you come with me," answered mr. larabee, and he looked around hastily to see if he was observed before leading the two ill-favored lads down a quiet street. meanwhile, dick and his friends continued on in the auto. they stopped at the bank where mr. hamilton had his private office, to say good-by, and half an hour later were speeding toward new york in a fast express. grit was in the baggage car, but he cried and whined so mournfully, because he was out of dick's sight, that his master had to go forward from the parlor coach to pay frequent visits to his pet. arriving at the big city, the young millionaire piloted his friends to the same hotel where he had stopped before, and they were assigned to a suite of connecting rooms. dick then sent for tim muldoon, the newsboy, who shortly appeared, resplendent in a new suit, and looking quite different than when he first came under his friend's notice, as a ragged "fresh-air kid." the young owner of the _albatross_ had sent word to captain barton that he was in town, and would shortly come aboard, and dick asked that the yacht be in readiness for putting to sea at once. "now," said our hero to his friends at the hotel, "i have to go see mr. blake, the lawyer, and then i guess i'm done with business for a while. i want to ask his advice about locating those cuban relatives of my mother." "guess i'd better go along with you," suggested tim. "you might be held up again, and i know almost every detective in new york. i could signal to one in a jiffy for you, and we'd have bully fun arrestin' the fellows. it'd make a corkin' story. shall i come?" "oh, it's hardly necessary," objected the rich youth, but tim insisted on it, and went with his friend in the taxicab. however, nothing happened, and after stating the case about the missing relatives to the lawyer, and listening to mr. blake's advice, dick put in his pocket a letter the attorney had given him. it was addressed to don ferdinand hondora, a havana lawyer. "he will give you any assistance in his power, in locating the valdez family," said mr. blake, as he bade his young client good-by. "now, then, for the _albatross_!" cried dick, as he returned to the hotel and greeted his chums. but there was still a delay, for every one wanted to purchase several articles, forgotten in the departing rush, and this required visits to a number of stores. but finally, with their trunks and suit-cases well packed, the crowd of happy lads entered a big auto which dick hired, and were soon at the dock, where they took a motorboat out to dick's steam yacht. "welcome on board!" cried captain barton, cordially, as the youthful millionaire and his party mounted the accommodation ladder, while the blue flag at the masthead fluttered down, indicating the presence on the yacht of the boat's owner. "we're all ready and waiting for you, and the tide is just on the turn." grit had already leaped on deck, and, at a word from his master, made friends with the commander. "is widdy here?" asked dick, looking about for a sight of the old seaman. "he is," replied captain barton, "and i've made him honorary second mate, at your suggestion." "oh, yes; there he is," cried dick, waving his hand toward the grizzled sea dog, who stumped about near the ship's bell, as proud as the proverbial peacock to be thus recognized by the millionaire skipper. "now, fellows, make yourselves right to home," invited their host. "we're going to live here quite a while, and i hope you find everything comfortable." "if we don't it'll be our fault," observed tim muldoon, looking about with awe, for the yacht was handsomely fitted up. "what's the matter, henry?" asked dick, noting the young iron merchant staring about him, in rather a dazed fashion. "oh, i was just wondering how much old scrap iron i'd have to sell to buy a boat like this," was the answer, and dick laughed. the anchor was hoisted to the musical clank-clank of the winches. the accommodation ladder was slung up alongside, and with a hoarse blast from her whistle the _albatross_ slowly swung around with the outgoing tide. from her funnel there poured black smoke, and from the steam pipe there spouted a jet of white vapor. under her stern the water was churned to foam, and a white "bone" appeared at her sharp bow. "we're off!" cried the young captain, gaily. "three cheers for skipper hamilton and his steam yacht!" yelled paul drew. "cut it out!" ordered dick, turning red. "you can cheer the boat, but not me." but his companions did not heed, and sent out their ringing cries. commanders on other vessels nearby heard, and, thinking a gay party was starting off on a cruise, saluted the _albatross_ with the regulation three blasts of their whistles, to which captain barton responded, so that the progress down the bay was somewhat in the nature of an ovation, as other craft, following suit, also rendered homage. down through the narrows steamed the fine yacht, gathering speed; out past forts wadsworth and lafayette, threading her way along the buoyed channel, passing coney island on the left, swinging out more to sea as atlantic highlands was sighted, and then, pushing across the nose of sandy hook, the _albatross_ flew on toward the deep ocean. "we're off!" cried dick again, as he leaned over the rail and watched the blue water. "off for cuba, and all sorts of adventures, fellows." there were more adventures in store for the young millionaire and his chums than they ever imagined. chapter x uncle ezra's offer simon scardale and guy fletcher had heard something of dick's uncle ezra. they knew of his dislike for spending money, and they were not a little surprised, therefore, when he led them toward a restaurant, shortly after the young millionaire had gone to the depot in his auto. "i believe he's going to treat us to a dinner," remarked simon, in a low voice to his companion. "don't be too sure," was the guarded response. "he's one of those fellows who squeeze a dollar so hard that he gets enough feathers off the eagle to make a sofa cushion." "well, boys," remarked mr. larabee, as he paused in front of the eating place, "i got up early this morning, to take the first train here from dankville, and i didn't eat much breakfast. so i think i'll go in here for a cup of coffee. you wait outside, and when i get through i guess i can put you in the way of making a few dollars." "do you want us to wait _outside_?" asked simon, suggestively. "yes; why not? you had your breakfast; ain't you?" "we also ate early," spoke guy, with a grin at his companion; "didn't we, simon?" "sure," answered the other. "besides, if mr. larabee has anything to say to us it's more private in the restaurant than out in the street. some one might see us here." uncle ezra made a wry face. he had outlined a certain plan of procedure for himself, along the lines of what he considered was his duty, and he had made up his mind that it would cost him some money. yet, when the time came to begin spending, he was averse to it. but he did not see how he could get out of it. "it's bad to eat in between meals," he remarked, still pausing on the threshold of the restaurant. "i wouldn't do it myself, only i'm quite hungry." "so are we," said guy boldly, and he added: "if you want us to play any game on dick hamilton, you've got to pay us well for it. he doesn't like us, and he wouldn't hesitate to do us some harm. so if you want us to help you----" "hush!" exclaimed uncle ezra, nervously looking around, and taking a tighter grip of his purse. "some one might hear you. come on in, but, mind you, i'm not going to pay for a whole breakfast for you boys. a cup of coffee, and a sandwich, is all you can have. i'm only going to take coffee, and very weak at that. maybe i can get a weak cup for three cents. they charge awful for coffee in some of these places." the boys had gained their point, however, which was to be invited inside the restaurant, and soon the three were seated at a table in a secluded corner of the room. "a cup of weak coffee," ordered mr. larabee, as the waitress came to the table. "strong coffee and griddle cakes to start with, and then ham and eggs," ordered simon. "i'll take the same," spoke guy. mr. larabee turned pale and cried out: "here! hold on! i thought you boys were going to----" "i guess, guy, we'd better be going," interrupted simon, gravely, as he got up and reached for his hat. "mr. larabee doesn't want to do business with us." "yes, i do. sit down!" cried the miserly old man. "oh, dear! boys have such terrible appetites. you may bring me a very small cup of weak coffee," he said to the waitress, who seemed amused at something. "it's all the same price," she stated. "what? haven't you any cheap cups--any at half price?" "no." uncle ezra groaned, and, while he sipped his beverage, he kept a watchful eye on the well-filled plates of simon and guy. they were doing hearty justice to the meal they ordered. "pretty good cakes they have here; eh, guy?" mumbled simon, pouring some maple syrup over the last brown one on his plate. "fine! yes," agreed his crony. "what do you say to another helping before we tackle the ham and eggs?" "i don't mind." simon raised his finger to summon the waitress. "we'll have some more cakes," he ordered grandly, "and be sure to have the ham and eggs kept hot. two more plates of cakes." "no--no!" gasped uncle ezra, almost over-turning his cup of coffee. "do you want three plates?" asked the girl, turning to him. "i--er--no--of course, not," stammered the old man. "i never eat 'em. they give me indigestion, and then i have to pay a doctor's bill. i was just going to say----" he looked appealingly from guy to simon and from simon to guy. the lads winked at each other. "queer what an appetite i've got," murmured simon. "i didn't know i was so hungry." "me either," added guy. "do you think another plate of cakes will be enough?" "well, i don't know----" "it's all you'll git!" snapped uncle ezra, quickly. "do you think i'm going to pay--i mean you'll have indigestion something terrible," he finished, for he saw that the pretty waitress was looking sharply at him. "oh, well, i guess with one more stack of the buckwheats and with the ham and eggs and another cup of coffee we can make out," conceded simon, and the second plates of cakes were brought. uncle ezra sat in gloomy silence during the remainder of the meal. simon and guy ate the last of the ham and eggs, and drained their coffee cups. "i _would_ like a cigar," began simon, in a reflective sort of tone. "then, you'll buy it yourself," fairly growled mr. larabee. "boys shouldn't smoke, nor men neither. now, if you've finished, and the land knows you've eaten enough for two days, we'll talk business. i have some work i think you can do for me, but it must be kept quiet. i'll pay this bill, though probably it'll be terrible high, and then we can go to some private room. is there a secluded room here?" the old man asked the waitress. "yes," she assented, as she handed mr. larabee a slip with the amount of the charge on it. "as much as that?" he gasped. "can't you make it a little less?" "those are the regular prices," she answered with scornfully curling lip, as she handed him the bill of fare. he scanned it carefully through his spectacles, and, finding that the waitress was right, slowly counted out the change. he wanted the girl to accept, with the other money, a quarter with a hole in it, which piece he had vainly tried to pass several times before, but without success. she took it to the proprietor, who offered to accept it at fifteen cents. "no, i won't take less than twenty-three for it," said uncle ezra. "it's a very small hole," and he put the quarter back in his pocket, to save for a future occasion. carefully closing the door of the private room, to which the waitress showed him, mr. larabee had a long talk with guy and simon. that there were differences of opinion was evident from the loud voices which came from the apartment at times. finally the old man was heard to say: "well, that's my offer; take it or leave it." "it's very small pay, considering the risk we run, and counting that the boat might sink in a storm," said guy. "hush!" begged mr. larabee, "not so loud! some one might hear you. will you do the work, or not? i only want you to help the two men i've engaged." "guess we might as well," assented simon. "it will be a good trip for us. and you want us to help get dick----" "will you be quiet?" pleaded mr. larabee. "now it's settled, and you can meet me in new york, say, in two days." "then leave us the money for our railroad fares," demanded guy, and with many a wry face, and after some hesitation, uncle ezra took out his wallet, removed a leather strap and several wrappings of cord from around it, and counted out some bills. with crafty smiles on their unpleasant faces, guy and simon pocketed the cash. "now, dick hamilton can look out for himself," said guy, as the three left the room. "i'll get even for the way he once treated me." "so will i," added simon. "only i hope grit, his dog, isn't around when the thing comes off." chapter xi plum duff overboard remaining on deck until the yacht was well on her way down the jersey coast, dick and his chums at length decided that they would go below and arrange their belongings in their staterooms. captain barton turned the wheel over to ted midwell, the first mate, who, with old widdy, and his short pipe to keep him company, would navigate the _albatross_ until the commander returned on deck. mr. barton wanted to have a talk with dick, to arrange certain details, and then pick out the two watches who would, in turn, have charge of the vessel. "isn't this slick, though!" exclaimed tim muldoon, as he gazed about below decks, and inspected the stateroom assigned to him. "it's great to be a millionaire!" "yes, it's lots of fun when you can have a boat like this," admitted dick, "but----" he did not complete the sentence. he was thinking of the men who had attacked him in the dark, and those who had lured him to the other yacht. "a millionaire's life is not all roses." captain barton showed the boys how to stow away their belongings to the best advantage. dick's things had been put in the owner's cabin, which consisted of a large stateroom, a little parlor and a private bath. "oh, say, this is too gorgeous for me," objected the young millionaire. "i want a room like the other fellows." "no, you stay here," advised paul. "don't you s'pose we want to put on some style when we have visitors? as soon as you come on board, down comes the blue burgee, to show you're ready for company, and then we chaps will escort 'em down below here, chuck a big bluff, and you can serve 'em with cocoa and cakes, or whatever other form of stuff they are addicted to." "it sounds good," admitted dick, with a laugh, and he was finally prevailed upon to occupy the rooms designed for the owner. captain barton had a good-sized stateroom near dick's, and the other boys were provided with comfortable quarters adjoining, so they were all together. grit was given a kennel on deck, but he knew the freedom of the yacht was his, and he poked his nose into every corner, from the engine room to the chart house. their trunks were put away, after their clothes had been taken out, and the boys arranged their rooms, donned suits in keeping with their characters as sailors, and then were ready to go again on deck. that is all but dick and the captain, who wanted to have a talk. "what's the matter, henry?" asked the millionaire's son, as he saw the young iron merchant standing irresolutely in front of his stateroom. "i don't know, but i can't seem to get used to it," was the reply. "seems as if i'd ought to be hitching up, to go out and get a load of junk, or see a man about buying some, or else i ought to feed my horse, so his ribs won't stick together." "drop all that," commanded dick, with a laugh. "you're out for pleasure now, and i want you to enjoy yourself. get up on deck and watch the waves. maybe you'll sight a wreck, and can get a lot of old iron out of it." "maybe," assented henry, chuckling, but it gave him something to think about, and he hurried up the companionway with the others. dick and the captain discussed various details of the voyage. as the youthful owner was in no hurry, it was agreed not to crowd on any speed, but to proceed leisurely along, stopping at savannah to see if innis beeby would join them, and then going on down the coast to cuba. they would land at havana, and from there dick would begin to make inquiries concerning his mother's distant relatives. after that their program was not made out, but the young millionaire wanted to cruise about between florida and cuba, stopping at some of the many florida keys, and, perhaps, spending a few days camping on one. captain barton submitted to dick a schedule of the management of the yacht, how he proposed dividing the crew into watches, and other matters which the lad, as owner, must sanction. "i leave it all to you," said dick. "we're out for a good time, and we're going to have it. i guess we'd all like it if we could help navigate some." "of course, you may," agreed the captain. "i'll be glad to teach you boys the rudiments of it, for it will be useful in case of trouble. well, now that's settled, i think i'll go on deck and take the noon observation." "and i'll watch you," said dick, "for that's a good thing to know how to do. another matter, captain barton, let the crew have plenty of good stuff to eat. i've read how sailors weren't treated any too well, and i'd like those on this boat to have the best." "they'll get it," was the answer, with a laugh. "your lawyer, mr. blake, said your father had written to him on that point, and the stores we took aboard can't be beat, even on an ocean liner. the crew will live higher than they have on many a voyage before this." "i'm glad of it," and then dick followed the captain on deck, while the other lads gathered about them to witness the taking of the noon observation. the _albatross_ fairly flew along the blue sea, putting knot after knot behind her, leaving new york and hamilton corners farther and farther astern, and slowly forging toward cuba, where, had dick but known it, a curious and trying experience awaited him. "let's get widdy to tell us a sailor's yarn," proposed frank bender, toward the close of that afternoon, when the lads had inspected every part of the ship, from the engine room to the chart house, and had even climbed part way up the shrouds. "fine!" cried dick. "widdy knows some good sea stories," and they gathered about the sailor who sat on a coil of rope, smoking. "an' so," concluded the old salt, at the finish of his story, as he loaded his short, and rapidly blackening pipe, with some very dark tobacco, "an' so we was rescued an' taken aboard, an' the first thing my messmate, marlinspike ned, called for was plum duff, an' what's more, he got it." "what's plum duff?" asked paul drew. "it's a sailor's plum pudding," volunteered dick, who had read many sea tales. "right," assented widdy, "only it's better." "i think i could make some," said the wealthy lad, who was not a little proud of his cooking abilities, and who had often shown his culinary skill when in camp. "ah, my boy!" exclaimed the old sailor, "plum duff ain't what it used to be. it ain't got the same flavor, split my lee scuppers if it has!" "i'm sure i could make some that would have," declared dick. "i'm going to try, too. do you think the crew would like some?" "dash my belayin' pin, but they would!" exclaimed widdy. "that settles it!" cried the young yacht owner. "i'll make a lot, and we'll have some aft, too, fellows." "not any for mine, thank you," said frank bender, hastily, moving off to try a new acrobatic stunt he had been practising. "why not?" asked dick, somewhat indignantly. "i don't believe you know the difference between plum duff and sea biscuit," was frank's answer, and he dodged behind a deck chair, to be safe, in case dick threw anything at him. "you'll see," was the yacht owner's comment, as he moved toward the galley, where a fat german cook, hans weyler, presided. dick's chums wanted to see him at work, but he shut himself in with the cook, and soon curious sounds proceeded from the galley. there was the rattle of pots and pans, and an occasional deep-voiced german exclamation, followed by dick's calm words. "_ach himmel!_ vy you do it dot way?" cried the cook, so that he could be heard from one end of the yacht to the other. "because that's the right way," answered dick. "but, oxcuse me, herr hamilton, dot stuff should boiled be, und you haf roasted it on der oven alretty yet." "sure, i'm baking it. that's the proper way to do it. i'll steam it afterward." "_ach!_ vot a foolishness vaste of der good t'ings," was the cook's despairing remark. "fellows, there's going to be some fun before this plum duff is made," prophesied paul drew. "it sure looks that way," agreed frank, as he balanced himself on his hands and head on a coil of rope. dick was in and out of the galley several times. on each occasion he seemed to have accumulated a little more flour on his clothes or face. finally, after more than an hour's work, he announced triumphantly: "now, fellows, it's done, and i want old widdy to have the first sniff of it. he said i couldn't make one, and i want to show him that i can. ask him to step here, tim." the newsboy found the old salt splicing a rope, and soon widdy, having put away his pipe, stumped toward the galley. dick emerged, gaily bearing on a large platter a round, brown, smoking object, with a cloud of steam hovering over it, and a most appetizing odor wafting from it all about the deck. "here, widdy, take a look at this!" cried dick, proudly. "is this plum duff, such as you used to get, or not?" "it looks like it," admitted the old sailor, carefully. "how does it smell?" asked the young millionaire, holding it toward the old salt. "it certainly do smell like it," further confessed widdy. "it _is_ it!" insisted dick. "now the crew will have some for supper to-night, and i guess you fellows will admit that i can make a sailor's plum pudding as good as the next one." with a smile of triumph at his chums, dick advanced toward them, bearing the smoking platter. he was going to display the duff to them, but, as he neared the rail, the yacht lurched, and dick gave a little jump to retain his balance. the platter tilted. the plum duff began to slide off. "look out!" shouted frank bender, making a spring toward dick. "i've got it!" cried the millionaire's son. he tried to straighten up, and, at the same time, keep the platter on a level keel. a moment later, before the eyes of all his chums, the elaborate concoction slid off the big plate, over the yacht's rail, and splashed down into the sea. "plum duff overboard! plum duff overboard!" yelled old widdy, stumping forward and catching up a coil of rope on the way. "plum duff overboard! lower a boat!" "well, split--my--lee--scuppers!" exclaimed dick, slowly, as he peered over the side. "wouldn't that frazzle your main topsail!" chapter xii saved from the sea for an instant after dick's disgusted exclamation no one spoke. then paul, with a regretful sigh, remarked: "it certainly smelled good." "it _was_ good," declared dick. "i put twice as much stuff in it as was necessary." "maybe that's what was the trouble," suggested henry darby. "likely it was topheavy, as i once had a load of old iron, and it overbalanced." "well, i like your nerve!" spluttered the young millionaire, with a show of pretended anger. "comparing my plum duff to a lot of old iron! it was frank bender's fault that it was lost overboard." "my fault?" demanded frank. "how do you make that out?" and he leaned far over the rail, to look back toward where the plum pudding had disappeared in the ocean. "your fault--yes!" repeated dick. "but look out, or you'll go overboard, too. if you hadn't made that jump for me, when you did, i'd have managed it all right. it's up to him, fellows! frank's to blame!" "i am like pie!" cried the acrobatic lad, turning a handspring to calm his excited feelings. "of course, it's your fault," added paul, with a wink at the others. "sure," came from henry. "maybe it was grit's fault," suggested tim muldoon, gently, for he wasn't quite sure whether dick and his chums were in earnest or not. "i saw grit trying to wag his tail, just as the puddin' went overboard." "tim, you've solved the mystery!" declared dick. "it _was_ grit's fault. grit, you old sinner, don't you know any better?" and the dog leaped about joyously, barking in delight at the fun and excitement. "well, it's gone, and i reckon the crew doesn't mingle any plum duff with their ship's biscuit to-night," observed widdy, with a sigh. "it sure did smell good, mr. hamilton, and it looked good, too," and the old sailor recoiled the rope he had grabbed up in his excitement. captain barton came on deck, then, to inquire the cause of the fun, and laughed when told the story of the pudding, to the rescue of which widdy had sprung so valiantly. but if there was no plum duff for supper there were other good things, for dick had well stocked the yacht's larder. "der crew needn't mind so mooch," spoke the fat german cook. "i'll make 'em noodle soup, mit onions in, und i makes it goot und strong," and the crew did full justice to the generous quantity hans sent to the forecastle. the boys did not go to their staterooms early that night, but sat up on deck, listening to yarn after yarn, reeled off by old widdy, who, every now and then, interrupted his narratives to stump to the side, empty out the ashes from his short pipe, and refill it. but at length captain barton suggested that it was getting late, so dick and his chums went below, for their first night aboard the steam yacht. they were lulled to rest by the soft swish and murmur of the waves, and the hum and throb of the powerful engines, which were urging the fine craft over the water. the young yachtsmen were up in time next morning to witness the swabbing down of the decks, in which task dick and the others insisted on taking a hand, as the work was a novelty to them. barefooted, and with trousers rolled up, they helped with the hose, which was attached to a steam pump, and used the big swabs with good intentions, if not with skill. "pretty good for land-lubbers," widdy condescended to say, as he watched the work. "well, if it doesn't do anything else," observed dick, "it gives one a tremendous appetite. hans, don't you dare burn the omelet this morning." "_ach himmel!_ me burn a omelet! i vould as soon bite mine own ear, herr hamilton. me burn a omelet!" and the cook was quite indignant, until dick's laugh told him it was a joke. coming up on deck after a substantial meal, tim muldoon, who was first out of the companionway, uttered a cry. "hi, fellers, here's a ship that's been wrecked!" he cried. there was a rush to the rail and the boys saw, not far off, on the port side, a large vessel, with queer stumpy masts, on the tops of which were big, round objects. "is it sinking?" asked henry darby. "can't we rescue the people?" "that's a lightship," explained captain barton, who was just being relieved at the wheel by widdy. "it's the one about twenty miles off cape may, the southernmost point of new jersey. we haven't made very good time during the night, or we'd be farther south. but i thought it best to proceed slowly, until i got better acquainted with the yacht." "that's right," agreed dick. "we're in no hurry." the lads watched the lonely vessel, anchored so far off from land, until they had left it quite a distance aft, and then they found new matters to occupy their attention. "this is certainly great, dick," remarked paul drew, some hours later, as he sat in a steamer chair near his chum. "it beats turning out at reveille, forcing yourself into a tight uniform, and getting ready for drill and chapel; doesn't it?" "yes, but old kentfield is all right, at that. this is good for a change. but wait until we get to cuba, and wait until we camp out on one of the florida keys. then we'll be right in it." "this is good enough for me," observed henry. "if i only was sure that the old iron business, and my horse----" "drop it!" commanded dick, with a laugh. "this is no time----" he ceased speaking, and arose to observe widdy, who had stumped to the yacht's side, and was earnestly gazing at some object on the water. "what is it?" demanded dick, as he advanced to where the old sailor stood, bracing himself against the rail, for there was quite a sea on. "it's a small boat!" was the reply, "and i think some one is in it." "a small boat!" repeated dick. "wait and i'll get a glass." "a boat," murmured paul, as he came forward, while his chum hurried to the chart house. "maybe there's been a wreck, and these are the survivors." "such things have happened," agreed widdy. "yes, it's a boat, sure enough," he added a moment later, as a small object was seen for an instant on the crest of a wave, and then disappeared in the trough of the sea. dick took a quick observation through the binoculars when the boat next rose, and immediately uttered a cry: "there is some one in it!" he shouted. "i can see 'em moving about! where's captain barton? we must stop the yacht to rescue them!" "what's up?" asked the commander, coming on deck at that moment. "yes, it's some one, or something in that boat," he agreed, after an observation. "mr. midwell," he added to the first mate, "signal for the yacht to lie to, and order a boat lowered. we can't pass the poor creature by." "i'm going to help with the rescue!" cried dick. "come on, fellows! we'll all go." "better take the dory, then," suggested captain barton, for one of those substantial small craft, which could live in almost any sea, was included in the complement of the _albatross'_ boats. tim muldoon was not quite bold enough a sailor to care to venture in the small craft, and henry darby did not want to go, but dick, paul and frank bender, with two of the sailors, made up the party that set off to the rescue. grit was wild to accompany his master, but dick gently ordered him back. with lusty arms the sailors, aided by dick and paul, who insisted on each taking an oar, pulled toward the small boat, which was seen one instant, and the next lost to view. as they neared it, after fifteen minutes of rowing, for it was farther off than it looked, dick cried: "fellows, there's a baby in that boat!" [illustration: with lusty arms the sailors, aided by dick and paul, pulled toward the small boat.--_page ._ _dick hamilton's steam yacht._] the oars were rested between the thole-pins and, above the gentle swish of the water against the sides of the dory, could be heard a wailing cry, coming over the waste of water. "give way!" shouted dick, as he bent to the ashen blade once more. "we've got to save that baby!" chapter xiii the mermaid's song forward shot the boat, impelled by the sturdy muscles of the sailors, dick and paul. in another minute the dory was lifted high on the crest of a wave, while the drifting craft was down in the hollow. the pitiful crying-whine sounded more plainly, and a moment later dick shouted: "fellows, it isn't a baby at all. i can see it plainly now. it's a puppy! a little, brown puppy!" and, at the sound of the lad's voice the frantic animal redoubled its cries. "well, we've got to rescue it just the same," declared frank, after a moment's blank look at his chums. "we'll go alongside and take him out," suggested the young millionaire. "the poor brute must be almost starved." "better go easy," cautioned one of the sailors. "if you and mr. drew will unship your oars, mr. hamilton, larson and i will go as close as we can. i don't want to have the side of our dory stove in, and there's quite a swell on." dick recognized the fact that neither he nor paul were skilful enough in handling a heavy boat at sea to successfully accomplish the work of rescue, so the two lads took in their oars. "maybe we can pick up the painter and tow the dinghy back," suggested larson, and kenby, the other sailor agreed. by this time they were quite close to the drifting craft, and the puppy was leaping from seat to seat in its eagerness, crying, whining and barking by turns, and almost ready to leap overboard, so lonesome and terrorized by hunger was it. "easy now, old chap," counseled dick, in soothing tones, and the puppy nearly wagged off its tail in joy. fishing about at the bow of the dinghy, larson did manage to pick up the rope, without coming dangerously close. it was made fast, and once more the oars began to propel the dory toward the yacht, it being decided to wait until the arrival there before taking out the puppy. but the animal had no such intentions. seeing what probably looked as if its rescuers were deserting it, the little dog, with a frantic howl, leaped overboard, and tried to swim to the boat containing dick and the others. "grab him!" cried the young millionaire, ceasing rowing, an example followed by the others, and when the half-starved pup came alongside frank bender lifted him in. instantly the brute wiggled away from him and tried to crawl over and nestle in dick's arms. "here, hold on! wait a minute! not so fast! give me a sponge and a towel!" begged the wealthy lad with a laugh, trying to keep the dog in the bottom of the boat, at the same time appreciating the poor brute's evident pleasure in being rescued. "he must have absorbed about a gallon of water," added dick, ruefully, as he looked at his clothes, and the little salty puddle forming at his feet. "queer looking baby," commented paul, with a grin at his chum. "that's all right. it did sound like one crying; didn't it?" and dick appealed to the sailors. "sure," agreed larson, respectfully. "certainly," said frank. "i'll take him on board and feed him up," went on the millionaire's son, "and then----" "maybe grit will eat him before you get a chance to feed him," suggested paul. "by jinks! i never thought of that," admitted dick. "i wonder if i can risk it?" for grit had little use for other dogs, though he never went out of his way to fight. "i'll chance it, though," the lad went on. "i'll make grit be friends with him." nor was it a difficult task, for the little puppy was so weak and forlorn, as it sprawled awkwardly on deck that grit, after an ominous growl and a showing of his ugly teeth, changed his temper all of a sudden, and began to lick with his tongue the rescued brute. "they're all right now," declared dick, with an air of relief. "that's the way to behave, grit. i'm proud of you!" grit wagged his stump of a tail, and the puppy thumped his longer appendage weakly on the deck. "what will you call the new one?" asked captain barton. "call him gritty," suggested henry darby, "for he has some of grit's grit to live all that while in the open boat." "gritty it shall be," decided dick. "i wonder where he came from, and how the dinghy got adrift?" "it's a boat from some fishing vessel," said captain barton, when the craft that had contained the puppy was hoisted aboard and examined. it had no name on, and was rather battered and old. "it must have gone adrift, for the end of the painter is frayed, as though it was chafed through. probably the dog was asleep in it when it drifted off," added the commander. "well, he's a new member of the crew," said dick. "here, hans, give my puppy some quail on toast, or beefsteak smothered in onions. he's hungry." "i gif him some veak soup--dot's vot he needs vurst," decided the big german cook, picking up the half-starved animal, and carrying it off to the galley. grit followed, with a happy bark. he seemed to have accepted gritty at once as a friend and companion. the yacht was gotten under way once more, slipping through the water like some graceful fish, and making better time, for now the new crew was familiar with the engine and boilers, and more speed was being maintained. what with watching the running of the engines, helping in taking observations, signaling other vessels they passed, and strolling about the deck, dick and his chums found plenty to occupy their time. the young millionaire and paul had taken up the study of wireless telegraphy during their last term in kentfield, and, as the _albatross_ had an apparatus aboard, the two cadets crackled off several greetings to their friends, while mr. hamilton was kept informed of the progress of the yacht, and also sent some messages in answer to those of his son. the _albatross_ ran into a storm on the third day out, as she was rounding cape hatteras, that always treacherous point on the atlantic coast, and for a time the boys had all they wanted of sailor life, and a bit more. it was the first time any of them had been seasick, and henry darby and frank bender were the ones to succumb. frank was too limp to even move an eyelash, dick said pathetically as his friend was stretched out in his berth. as for dick and paul, they behaved like old sea dogs, and even tim muldoon, though it was his first voyage, stood up well under the strain. the yacht pitched and tossed, now on top of a big green wave, and again sliding down into the trough, as though she was going to the bottom. but she was a staunch craft, and when they had passed the point, with its conflicting currents, the storm had blown itself out, and a period of calm and fog succeeded. through the gray, damp mist the _albatross_ was creeping one afternoon, with her whistle sounding mournfully at regular intervals, and widdy, and another sailor, stationed in the bow to peer through the blanket of whiteness, to give warning when anything should loom up in front of them. "wouldn't it be better to anchor, or run in to shore?" suggested paul, as he and dick were standing forward, trying in vain to pierce the mist. "it's just as well to keep on going," explained widdy, with the freedom engendered by the young millionaire's treatment of him. "it's better to run into some other ship than to be run down yourself, if it's goin' to be done. an' we're safer out here than in nearer shore. we'll be all right, if----" widdy suddenly paused, and leaned forward in a listening attitude. dick and paul rubbed the drops of fog from their eyes, in a vain attempt to see something. what would loom up in front of them? some ocean liner, which might cut them in two, and send them swirling to the bottom? dick felt a sense of fear. then, out of the fog, there came the sound of a voice singing, and at the first words the old sailor fairly leaped back from the rail, his wooden leg thumping on the deck. to the ears of the watchers came this song: "oh, it's ten long years since i sailed away, when the wind was blowing free. and i've anchored since in every port that's touched by the salty sea. "there was once just ten in the sallie sue, as we sailed the watery plain. but the sharks gobbled every one but me, and now i'm back again." "get below, boys! get below!" yelled widdy, showing every appearance of fear. "get below, if you value your lives!" and he clapped both hands over his ears, and hobbled toward the companionway, his pipe falling from his chattering teeth, and smashing to fragments on the deck. "what's the matter?" cried dick. "that's a mermaid! a mermaid singing!" replied the old salt, "and it's death to every man within the sound of her voice! get below, boys! get below!" chapter xiv just in time dick and paul did not know whether to laugh at the old sailor, or follow him in his mad rush for the forecastle. this latter inclination was not because of any fear of the superstition regarding mermaids, but because they thought there might be a collision with the unseen vessel, and it would be wise to prepare for it. once more, out of the fog and mist came the voice: "i remember well, in the days of old, how a sailor lad named bill fell overboard near the hole in the wall, a dolphin's maw to fill. "oh, it's there one night, a terrible sight, did happen----" "ahoy there!" yelled dick. "who are you, and where are you going?" for it needed but a moment's harkening to the second part of the song to demonstrate that it issued from the mouth of some burly follower of the sea and not from the salty lips of some fish-maiden. "who are you?" back came the challenge from the swirling fog. "the yacht _albatross_, bound for havana," answered dick. "who are you?" "i'm a lobsterman, fog-bound, and my 'put-put' boat is out of gasolene. for the love of davy jones, have you any aboard? i've been here ten hours, and i'm hungry enough to eat a raw crab. give a hail until i get my bearings." "a lobsterman!" cried paul. "and old widdy thought it was a mermaid!" jack called to midwell, the mate, to have the whistle sounded, and then, yelling to the unseen mariner to approach slowly, the two lads peered forward from the bow of the yacht, for the first glimpse of the helpless craft. there was the sound of oars being used, and presently there loomed up through the mist a small dory motorboat, containing a grizzled son of the sea, his craft piled high with boxes of lobsters. a moment later widdy popped his head up through the companionway. behind him were several of the crew. "is--is she--has she sung again?" asked the wooden-legged sailor, cautiously. "it doesn't happen to be a 'she,' widdy," answered dick. "you don't mean to say that it's a he-one, do you?" "it's a lobsterman," spoke paul. "he's out of gasolene. have we any, captain barton?" for the commander was approaching. "yes, i guess there's some among the stores." the lobster boat came alongside, and a very much relieved fisherman looked up at the trim yacht. "hum, that's quite some of a smack," he remarked with calm enthusiasm. "i'm right glad i met-up with you. i calculated i'd have t' stay out all night, or until the fog lifted, an' that ain't goin' to be very soon. has any one a chaw of tobacco?" "was that you singin'?" demanded widdy, suspiciously, while one of the crew, at captain barton's direction, went to get some gasolene. "well, if you call it singin' i was," guardedly answered the lobster man. "why and wherefore was you a-doin' of it?" inquired the wooden-legged sailor. "i took you for a mermaid, an'----" "a mermaid! ho! ho! a bloomin' mermaid i'd make! why i was only a sort of hummin' to myself because i'd lost my fog horn overboard, an' i didn't want to be run down, with all these lobsters aboard, for lobsters is high now. that's why i was sort of hummin' an' singin', as you call it. has any one got a chaw of tobacco?" "well, seein' as how you're not a mermaid, you can have it," responded widdy, as he passed over a generous portion. "but it's the first time i ever heard of a lobsterman losin' his fog horn overboard. some careless of you, wa'n't it?" "you might call it that," admitted the other, cautiously, "but i was so busy haulin' up my pots an' emptyin' 'em that i didn't notice it right away, an' you know," he added gravely, "a horn won't float." "hum," remarked widdy, as he took back what was left of the plug of tobacco. the gasolene was handed down into the small craft, and the lobsterman insisted on giving dick a generous portion of his catch in payment therefor. "ho, for some lobster salad!" cried the young millionaire, as he held up by the back a squirming crustacean. "hans, get busy making about a peck of mayonnaise dressing." "_yah!_ i dresses dot sea-bug all right!" exclaimed the cook with a grin. "i knows how to fix dem!" the lobsterman started his gasolene engine, and "put-putted" off through the fog, seeming to get his bearings instinctively. he called a good-by, and once more started his fog-horn song. "well, i wish we'd meet such mermaids every day in the week," commented paul drew, as he looked at the pile of lobsters on deck, for he, too, was very fond of them. the _albatross_, which had been hove to on meeting the small craft, was once more sent slowly forward. the fog lifted about two hours later, and the speed was increased. there was a fine supper aboard dick's yacht that night, and even the crew had lobster salad, as a sort of side dish with their pork and beans. "we'll be at savannah to-morrow," announced captain barton one afternoon--a glorious, sunny afternoon, when dick and the boys were sitting about the deck in steamer chairs. "do you think your friend, mr. beeby, will meet you there, captain hamilton?" "i don't know," answered dick. "you never can tell what innis beeby will do. he's always changing his mind at the last moment, and he's so fat that it doesn't worry him." "nothing does," said paul. "i hardly think he'll join us, though." "well, we'll put in and see," decided the lad of millions. at savannah, when the yacht had docked, dick found a telegram awaiting him from his chum, beeby. it read: "will be with you at ten a.m. to-morrow." "and, just as likely as not he won't," commented the young captain. "but we'll lay up here over night and see." ten o'clock the next morning came, and the boys eagerly scanned the pier for a sight of the fat lad. there were all sorts of people coming down to the water-front, but innis beeby was not of them. "guess we'd better get under way," suggested dick, when eleven o'clock had passed, and there was no sign of the cadet. the gang-plank was being hauled in, and captain barton was about to swing the engine room telegraph signal over to "half-speed ahead," when a shout sounded up the broad pier. "here he comes!" cried paul. "here comes innis, on the run!" the boys saw a very stout lad waddling along at what he probably considered a run, but which was far from it. in front of him, trundling a hand-truck, containing the cadet's trunk and suitcase, was a tall, thin porter, built on the lines of a racer. he would rush along and, on looking back, would see his employer about twenty feet in the rear, coming slowly. "can't you hurry, sir?" the porter shouted, so that dick and the others heard him. "the ship's about to sail, sir." "tell--'em--to--hold--her," panted beeby. "i'm--com--ing!" forward ran the porter, trundling the truck. after him came beeby, going slower and slower, for he was winded. captain barton, unaware of the impending arrival of dick's guest, had shoved the telegraph lever over. there was the ringing of a bell in the engine room, and the yacht gathered way. "hold on!" cried dick. "stop the engines!" "run out the gang-plank again!" ordered paul. "come on, innis, come on!" yelled dick to his friend. "get on the truck, and let the porter wheel you," suggested paul. he scarcely believed the fat cadet would do it, but the suggestion came at just the right time, and the fleshy lad called: "here, porter, let me sit on top of my trunk. i can't go another step." "sure!" assented the man, and, a moment later, he was assisting the late passenger up on top of the baggage. there was a laugh from the crowd on the pier, in which dick and his chums joined, but innis beeby cared little for that. he could breathe easier now, and there was a better chance of him catching the yacht. the porter broke into a run with his load, and soon was alongside the _albatross_. but the vessel was now in the grip of the tide, and, though the engine had been stopped, the yacht was moving. the gang-plank could not be run out, for a snubbing post was right in the way. "get off, and i'll throw your baggage on board!" cried the porter, for there was, as yet, but a small space of water between the steamer's rail and the bulkhead. "yes--but--how--am--i--going--to--get--on--board?" panted the exhausted cadet. "we'll pull you up!" yelled dick, for it would mean a lot of work to stop, and back up to the landing place. up over the rail went tumbling the trunk and suit-case. dick threw beeby a rope's end. the stout lad grasped it firmly. he was quite muscular, from his athletic practice at the academy. "now, all together, fellows!" ordered dick. "haul him up!" there was a heave and a pull--a straining and creaking of the rope. innis planted his feet against the side of the yacht, and "walked" up, after the manner of scaling a wall at the military school. his training stood him in good stead. a moment later beeby was on deck, and only just in time, for the yacht swung far out from the pier. "well--i'm--here--fellows," said beeby, slowly, as he flung a dollar to the dock for the porter. "i--said--i'd--come--and--i'm--here--(puff) i'm--(puff) here--(puff) all right--(puff) am--(puff) i--not--(puff), dick?" "to use a classical and poetical expression, you _be_," answered dick, with a laugh, as he grasped his chum's hand, "and we're mighty glad to see you, innis. let her go, captain barton." the _albatross_ swung out into the channel. chapter xv tim muldoon disappears "well, beeby, and how are you?" asked the young millionaire, when the late arrival had somewhat recovered his breath, and had slumped down in a steamer chair, with a sigh of relief. "fine and dandy. came pretty near not making it, though; didn't i? i'd been visiting some relatives, here in savannah, and they kept me until the last minute. i tried to run, but----" "the less said about your running the better, innis. let me shake hands with the _late_ mr. beeby," and paul drew joined the group about the fat cadet. "i may be a bit late, but i'm far from being a dead one, paul. say, dick, my boy, it looks very fit here," and the new guest gazed about the yacht with marked approval. "yes it'll do for a starter," admitted the owner of the _albatross_. "we've hardly got settled down to the run of things yet." "it looks all right to me," went on beeby. "she's a pretty boat, and i'm glad i didn't miss her. got much of a party aboard?" "no, not many. oh, i forgot, you haven't met my friends, henry darby, frank bender and tim muldoon," and dick introduced the newsboy with no less ceremony than that with which he presented the young acrobat, who, as some would have regarded it, was more in innis beeby's "set." "glad to meet you fellows," said the fat cadet, rising slowly and ponderously, and shaking hands. "guess i'm able to go below now, dick, and stow away my luggage. where am i to berth; in the engine room?" "we're going to put you forward with the crew," spoke paul. "they need a fat and jolly companion." "it wouldn't be a bad idea for me," answered beeby. "i was off yachting down east with a friend of mine, once, and i enjoyed being with the crew immensely. they had no end of good yarns to spin." "we've got a chap aboard who can do the same thing," said dick. "we'll have to introduce him to widdy, fellows." "sure thing," chimed in frank bender, and then, as he had been keeping quiet for nearly ten minutes, he proceeded to climb up the shrouds and pretend to make a dive into the bay. beeby was given a stateroom near dick's, and when his trunk and suit-case had been put away, and he had donned a rough suit, in which he said he felt more at home, he went on deck with the others, and was shown about the yacht. he found much to admire, and warmed dick's heart with his praise. for the stout cadet was a bit older than our hero and his chums, and had seen more of the world. in consequence the young millionaire rather looked up to him, and valued his opinion. on his part beeby had formed a strong liking for dick, and soon made friends with the other three lads. paul drew he had known for some time. in captain barton, beeby discovered an old friend. they had met once, when beeby was on a yachting cruise, and, though the commander had not recollected the name when dick had casually mentioned his friend, the sailor at once recalled the fat lad's face and figure. soon they were renewing their acquaintanceship, and swapping yarns in the pilot house. swinging out of the harbor, and into the deep water beyond, the _albatross_ was quickly making good time down the coast. dinner was served, and a jolly party gathered in the dining saloon, hans weyler outdoing himself in the matter of providing good things to eat. "i say, dick, but you _are_ a lucky dog," remarked beeby, somewhat enviously, as he leaned back in his chair, after the dessert. "how did it all happen, anyhow--this fine yacht, the way you take it off, and all that?" "i hardly know myself," answered dick. "i'm afraid i'll wake up some morning and find it all a dream." "and you've nothing to do on the entire trip but have fun, eh?" asked the stout lad. "well, mostly; though, as i've told you, i expect to look up some of my mother's distant relatives in cuba. but that may not take long, and then we'll go off on an exploring expedition, and live on a desert island for a change." "fine and dandy!" exclaimed beeby, enthusiastically. the rest of the day was spent in sitting about deck, the boys telling stories, or swapping school experiences, while occasionally widdy would come aft on some errand, and dick would detain him long enough to have him tell some sea yarn, more or less true. grit and gritty gamboled about together, playing like two puppies, for grit, usually grave and dignified, as suited a blooded bulldog, seemed to renew his youth in the presence of the little waif from the sea. there was an indication of a storm that night, and captain barton, looking anxiously at the barometer, ordered everything made snug below and aloft. the wind freshened about midnight, and when the boys awoke early in the morning they found the yacht pitching and tossing in an angry sea. "whew!" exclaimed beeby, as he just avoided being tossed out of his berth, "rather rough, isn't it, dick?" "oh, so-so. does it bother you?" asked dick, from his stateroom. "not a bit. i've got my sea legs on now, and i feel fine. i'm going on deck for a breath of air. come along." they dressed hastily and, followed by the other lads, ascended the companionway, not without some difficulty, for at times the _albatross_ seemed trying to stand on her beams' ends, while at others she appeared to want to plunge to the bottom of the sea. "it's some rough," remarked paul drew, as he clung to the handrail. "but the boat seems to go right through it," added the young owner, proudly. once they poked their heads outside they were made aware that there was plenty of what sailors call "dirty" weather. there was a strong wind blowing, and a rain was falling, being driven sharply into the faces of the lads, while the spume and spray from the sea, with its tang of saltiness, soon made their cheeks feel as though they had on thin masks of brine. "oilskins and sou'westers to-day," remarked dick, as he dodged back inside, almost wet through from a brief dash across the deck. "it'll be stay below for mine," decided frank bender. "i can practise some of my new motions without much effort. all i'll have to do is to stand still and be tossed about." "yes, stand on your head in the dishpan, balanced on a tumbler," suggested paul. "you'll have a nice tumble, if you do." "and i guess you'd like to see me," suggested the aspiring acrobat. "well, i'm not going to. tim, you and i will get up a daily paper. we can gather news by wireless. i'll write out the sheets by hand, and you can sell 'em." "sure," agreed the newsboy. "i'm lost without something like that to do. i'm not used to this sporting life. i'd like to see an extra edition out now." they ate breakfast under difficulties, and many cups of coffee were spilled in places not intended for them. but, for all that, it was jolly fun, and, donning oilskins a little later, they all went on deck, where they watched the big waves which were running quite high, their crests whipped into foam and spray by the wind, which every moment was increasing. tiring of the exposure to the rough weather, they came below in about half an hour, and put in the rest of the morning at various occupations. some wrote letters, to be posted when sighting the next inward-bound coast steamer; dick was going over some details of the mysteries of navigation with captain barton, and beeby was peacefully slumbering, braced up on a divan, with many cushions to soften his descent in case he was pitched to the cabin floor. the striking of eight bells, or the noon call to dinner, saw reassembled in the dining-room dick and his friends. none of them seemed to have lost their appetites because of the rolling and pitching, for, by this time, even the most indifferent lad was a good sailor. "well, i guess we can sit down, and spill some soup in our laps," remarked the young yacht owner, looking around at his chums. "but, hold on, where's tim?" "he was here a while ago," volunteered henry darby. "i saw him going toward the engine room." "yes, he likes to see the machinery," added frank bender. "i'll call him." but frank presently returned to report that tim had not been in the engine compartment. "look in his stateroom; maybe he's asleep," suggested beeby. "i had a nice nap myself." but tim was not there, and by this time dick was becoming a bit worried. he and paul made a search in various parts of the yacht, but tim was not seen, nor did he answer their calls. "that's rather odd," mused dick, with a puzzled air. "did you look in the pilot house?" asked frank. "maybe he's in there with captain barton, who hasn't come out yet to get his dinner." "tim's not here," was the commander's report a little later, and on his face there came an anxious look, as dick mentioned the newsboy's absence. "did you try the forecastle?" but tim was not in the crew's quarters, though he was a general favorite with the men forward, and often spent much time in their company. "let's get this down to a system," suggested dick. "who saw him last--and where?" it developed that they had all seen the newsboy quite recently, but when it came to saying where there was a conflict of opinion. "well, this yacht isn't such a big place," remarked the owner. "if he's on board we ought to find him." "maybe he's fallen overboard," spoke henry darby, almost before he thought of the significance of his words. "i saw him with his oilskins on," volunteered widdy, who had been called into the general conference. "was this before or after we all had them on, and were on deck?" asked paul drew. "afterward. in fact, it wa'n't more'n an hour ago. he come up on deck in 'em, an' then went below." "are you sure he went below?" asked dick, quickly. "well, no; not exactly. i saw him start for the companionway, but just then we struck a big wave, and i had to grab a lifeline myself. so i didn't notice, but i think he went below." a curious hush fell upon them all. they were all thinking of the same direful thing. another hasty, but thorough search of the yacht was made, and there was no trace of tim. "he _can't_ have fallen overboard!" cried dick. "we'd have heard him cry." "not in the noise of this storm," spoke captain barton, solemnly. "i'm afraid he's gone, boys. we were boarded by some big waves," and a gloomy silence followed his words. "poor tim," murmured dick, "and to think i urged him to make this voyage. it's all my fault!" "don't give up so soon," urged beeby, who was the most hopeful person in the group. "let's have another look. dinner can wait. we'll find tim muldoon, if he's aboard. he's a new yorker, and they're hard to lose anywhere. we'll find him yet," and the search was begun again. chapter xvi uncle ezra as a sailor two days after the _albatross_ left savannah harbor, another small steam vessel made her way in. had any one been interested in her identity he could have made out the name _princess_ on bow and stern, but to the casual observer this meant little or nothing, save that the craft was not a very spruce-looking member of the royal family. there was an air of neglect about her. the paint was scraped off in many places, and was dingy in others. when she rolled a bit on the swells a glimpse could be had of many barnacles clinging to her copper plates. in fact, she was rather a forlorn _princess_ who came to anchor on the edge of the channel. "now, you boys get into a boat, go ashore and see if he's been here," said an old man, whose chin was adorned with a small bunch of white whiskers, that moved up and down when he talked. "just make some inquiries, and find out if the yacht _albatross_ has been here, and when she left. and, mind you, don't you go to spending money, 'cause i won't give you any more." "maybe sam or i had better go along," suggested the shorter of two men, who stood leaning over the yacht's side. "we can make better inquiries than either guy or simon, mr. larabee." "that may be, sam newton," admitted dick's uncle ezra, whom, i suppose, the reader has already identified as the old man in question. "that may be, but i want you and ike murdock to stay on board, and have a talk with me. we've got to plan to catch my nephew, and he's ahead of us in a fast yacht." "then why did you want to stop here?" asked the man addressed as ike murdock. "i wanted to make sure he'd been here. you never can tell what that boy will do. since his father so foolishly let him have all the money he wants, he goes all about, looking for ways to spend it." "and you're going to stop him," suggested sam newton. "that's my intention. he'd have been stopped by this time if you men had managed to get hold of him, as i told you to, and paid you for. you bungled the whole business, and made me have to hire this steamship to take after him. why didn't you get him into my hands secretly, as i thought you would?" "because he was too smart for us," admitted ike, bitterly. "we had him fairly on board this yacht, and only for that old sailor, who happened to recognize one of our crew, your nephew would be where you want him, by this time." "and that would be in a place where he can't squander his fortune," went on uncle ezra, savagely. "if his father won't teach him habits of thrift and industry, and how to save his money, i will, for he is my only sister's child. i may be running a big risk in doing it this way, but it's worth it." "it certainly is a risk--for you and for us--if we're caught," murmured sam. "but i don't care, as long as i get well paid." "me either," added ike. "well, are you and guy ready to go ashore?" asked the old man, addressing simon scardale. "all i want to find out is if my nephew's yacht has been in this port, and when she left. i heard dick say to his father that he was to stop here to take aboard some friend of his. oh, the way my nephew wastes his money! he doesn't care how big a party he has aboard to feed. it's a shameful waste!" "yes, we're ready to go," said simon. "but can't we signal for a motorboat to take us off, and bring us back? it's quite a way to row ashore." "no, you can't signal for no motorboat," snapped mr. larabee. "motorboats cost money, and i've spent nearly a thousand dollars on this business already, and i suppose i'll have to spend more. you boys can row. it'll be good exercise for you. boys should exercise." "then, can't you advance us a little more money?" asked simon. "i need a new necktie." "you don't need one aboard this ship, and when we get through, and i pay you the rest of your wages, after you've helped me to capture my nephew, you can buy as many neckties as you want. now, hurry off, for i don't want to stay here any longer than i have to. it costs money every day i have this steamer." grumbling at the stinginess of their employer, guy and simon, with the help of one of the few sailors on the _princess_, lowered a small boat, and pulled laboriously ashore. meanwhile, mr. larabee went below with the two men, whom, had dick seen, he would have at once recognized as those who acted so strangely toward him in new york. "if we can't intercept him any sooner, we'll have to go all the way to cuba, i guess," admitted mr. larabee, after a long talk with the two unscrupulous men he had hired. "but it's going to cost me a power of money." "what of it? you'll get it all back, won't you?" asked ike. "indeed, i will, and with interest, too. but i hate to put out so much at once. this is more than i've spent in a whole year at dankville, and we've only been on this trip a few days. oh, why didn't you hold on to him, when you had him that night in the rainstorm at hamilton corners?" "we had a very good reason," said sam. "his dog had too good a hold on us. i can feel his teeth yet, and my leg is still sore. if i'd got hydrophobia i'd had to sue you for damages, mr. larabee," and sam winked at ike. "no, you wouldn't!" exclaimed the crabbed old man. "you signed a paper to do this work at your own risk, and i'll hold you to it. you can't sue me, no matter what happens." "oh, well, let's not quarrel," suggested ike. "now, when the boys come back we'll know what to do. while we're waiting, i guess i'll eat." "seems to me you're always eating," grumbled uncle ezra. "the salt air gives me a good appetite," said ike. "me, too," added his crony. "it takes a powerful lot of money to run a steamship," complained the old man. "if i'd a known how terrible much it took i don't believe i'd ever gone into this thing, though i do want to prevent my nephew from wasting his fortune, and this was the only way i saw, for it was useless to appeal to him or his father." "still, kidnapping is a dangerous business," suggested ike. "don't say that word!" cried mr. larabee, quickly, looking around apprehensively. "ain't i told you this isn't a regular kidnapping? i'm only doing it for his good. it ain't kidnapping in the real sense of the word." "have your own way about it," conceded the ill-favored man. "i'm going to eat." guy and simon came back in about two hours, to report that dick's yacht had been in savannah, and had left. "then we must get right after him!" cried uncle ezra. "i only hope we can overtake him before he gets to cuba. it will be terribly expensive to go there. now, get up steam, or make anchor, or whatever the proper term is, and sail fast. he may give us the slip." there was soon activity aboard the _princess_, and a little later the dingy vessel, with her dingy crew, and the oddly-mated occupants of the cabin, were sailing over the course taken by the young millionaire and his chums. ezra larabee had undertaken a desperate and peculiar plan to "save" his nephew. it was not long before the pursuing yacht ran into the same storm felt by those aboard the _albatross_, and, being a smaller and less staunch craft, the one hired by the old man pitched and tossed rather dangerously. mr. larabee had taken to his berth as soon as the ship left the harbor, for he was but an indifferent sailor, and the least motion made him ill. when the storm came his malady increased, and he thought surely his last hour had come. "oh, why did i ever try this plan?" he wailed. "why did i come to sea? i might have known better. i wish i was back at dankville. samanthy didn't want me to come, and i wish i'd heeded her words of warning. oh, i'm sure i'm going to die. get a doctor, can't you?" "there's no doctor aboard," said ike. "but you'll be all right as soon as it stops blowing. i'll have the cook make some strong coffee for you." "maybe that will make me feel better," gasped mr. larabee. "oh, why didn't you get my nephew hid away when you had him in hamilton corners that night?" and he turned his face to the wall and groaned. "haven't i told you it was because his dog attacked us?" asked ike, indignantly. "we couldn't fight that dog." "why didn't you shoot it? i hate the brute!" "so do i," murmured sam, rubbing his leg reflectively. "i'll shoot it the next time i get a chance." "do, and i'll give you a dollar extra," spoke uncle ezra. "oh, how miserable i am! is that coffee never coming?" "be here directly," said ike, grinning cheerfully at his crony, for they were used to rough weather. and the _princess_ staggered on through the storm, trying to catch up to the _albatross_, while in his berth, a most forlorn figure, mr. larabee tossed and moaned in anguish. chapter xvii widdy hears a voice innis beeby's confident words, that tim muldoon would be found did not find echo in fulfilment. a systematic search of the whole interior of the yacht was made without success. "he couldn't be hiding on deck--that is, maybe hurt, and have fallen under something; could he?" asked frank bender. "we'll look," agreed dick, as they fairly crept up the companionway, for the rolling and pitching of the yacht made other progress impossible. it needed but a few glances around the wind-and-water-swept deck to show that tim was not there. everything had been made snug, in preparation for the storm, and there was no place where a youth might lie concealed. "i'm afraid he's gone," spoke dick, solemnly. "but i'm not going to give up. we'll put back, captain barton, and see if we can pick him up. when he went overboard he might have grabbed something to cling to, and still be floating. we'll put back." "put back!" exclaimed the commander. "it's hardly possible in the teeth of this wind. the gale is increasing, and our only hope is to run before it. we would barely move trying to make headway against it." "we're going to put back," insisted dick, and the captain put the wheel over, the _albatross_ swinging around in a big circle. mr. barton had not exaggerated the strength of the storm. if it had been hard work scudding along before it, aided by the wind, while the screw threshed the water to foam, it was exceedingly difficult to stem the howling wind that whipped the big green waves into spume. but dick's yacht was a gallant craft, and she staggered back over the course she had just covered, making better work at it than many a larger vessel would have done, for she was not so high in the water as to offer much resistance to the wind. on either side of the rail, while a lookout was stationed in the bow, the boys watched for a sight of tim. they looked for a black speck amid the foam of the waters, but saw none. when they had gone back far enough to cover the point where the newsboy had been missed, dick gave the order to swing around again, and run before the storm. the yacht rode more easily at once, and she was not boarded by so many smashing seas. even then dick would not give up, but he and the others peered forward into the mist of rain with eager eyes, which, every now and then, were blinded by the salt spray. they ate dinner in gloomy silence, occasionally some one making a remark about tim's good qualities, and his jolly disposition. "it makes me feel like turning back, and not making the trip," said dick, "to have bad luck like this at the very start." "it is too bad," agreed beeby, "but maybe he'll be picked up by some other vessel, and saved. if he went overboard he might have grabbed something, and be floating. we could hardly see him in the rough water." "let's look on deck and see if any life buoys are missing, or anything else gone that he might have taken overboard with him," suggested frank, and another hasty search was made. but it only increased the uneasy feeling, since none of the articles was missing, and gloom once more settled down. the storm did not abate in violence all the rest of that day, and the boys sought their bunks with the yacht rolling and tossing on a heaving sea. it was midnight, when the watch was changing, that dick, who could not sleep, from thinking of tim, heard voices in captain barton's room. one he recognized as that of the commander, and the other was widdy's. "i tell you i heard it, as plain as i'm hearin' you now," the old salt was saying. "i couldn't be mistaken. it's in the after compartment, near the shaft tunnel, an' some of the crew heard it, too. it's the ghost of that mermaid, sir. she took the form of a lobsterman just to fool us that time, but she slipped aboard later in the fog, an' now it means death to some one aboard. i knowed we'd have no good luck from meetin' that there mermaid. i heard her voice, i tell you, captain." dick, who was partly dressed, slipped on his coat and trousers, and staggered to the captain's cabin. there he saw widdy, looking wild and disheveled from his watch on deck, and plainly alarmed from some other emotion than seeing the big green waves. "what is it?" asked the young millionaire. "i heard you saying something about a mermaid, widdy, and----" "yes," answered the old sailor, with a bow. "that's right, mr. dick. it was my watch on deck, an' i was just comin' below. one of the men from the engine room come up to say there was a peculiar noise in the shaft tunnel. i thought there might be somethin' wrong, so i called mr. midwell, whose trick it was next, an' i turned the wheel over to him, an' come below. me and jim carter, the chief engineer, went into the after compartment, sir, an' there we both heard it." "heard what?" asked captain barton. "the mermaid groanin', sir. that was her, disguised as a lobsterman, an' she slipped aboard to bring death an' destruction. that's why that poor lad fell overboard. it'll be some of our turns next." "nonsense!" cried dick. "what you heard was probably the creaking and squeaking of the ship's timbers and machinery in the storm." "do ship's timbers groan like a man dyin', sir, an' call for help, sir?" inquired widdy, solemnly. "answer me that! do the machinery cry for help? answer me that!" "did you hear some one calling for help?" asked dick, quickly. "i did, sir." "wasn't it some one on deck, or didn't you imagine it?" inquired captain barton. "i did not, sir," replied the old sailor, doggedly. "it was in the after compartment, sir." "and what sort of a voice was it?" asked dick, "and what did it say?" "it was a voice, sir, like some one in pain, and it called 'help! help! help!' three times, just like that." "well, why didn't you look further, see who it was, and help 'em?" demanded the captain. "maybe it was one of the crew, who had fallen and broken his leg. why didn't you look further?" "because, sir," answered widdy, "it ain't healthy to help mermaids, an' jim carter an' me ran out as soon as we heard her voice. it was the mermaid, sure, an' all on this ship are doomed, davy jones has rooms all ready for us in his locker." "don't be an idiot!" cried captain barton, sharply. "there are no such things as mermaids." "that lobsterman was one," insisted widdy. "he vanished into fog as soon as he got out of sight, an' turned into a mermaid, an' come aboard. she's here now." "i suppose the lobsters he left us were mermaid lobsters, too," suggested the commander, trying to make the old sailor see how foolish was his superstition. "i don't know nothin' about that, but there's a mermaid below, in the after compartment, near the shaft tunnel, sir, an' i know it!" insisted the old salt, shaking his head. dick hamilton gave a sudden cry. "captain barton, i believe i know what that is!" he exclaimed. "come on," and he made his way toward the stern of the yacht, while the commander, wondering what was going to happen, followed. chapter xviii the princess passes his excitement increasing at every step, dick hurried to where widdy had said the mysterious sounds came from. as the young millionaire and the captain entered the compartment they heard distinct groans, and a weak voice cried: "help me out! help me out!" "it's him!" cried dick. "get a lantern and help him out!" "help who out?" demanded captain barton. "tim muldoon!" shouted dick. "he's in there--in the shaft tunnel--hurt, most likely--that's where he's been all this while! hurry and get him out! show a light!" widdy, whose courage had returned with the presence of dick and the captain, passed forward a lantern he had. dick crawled into a dark passage, which was partly occupied by the long propeller shaft of the yacht. a moment later he uttered a cry. "tim! tim! we're going to get you out! we thought you were drowned! come and help me, captain! tim's hurt!" "oh, i'm so glad you came," spoke the newsboy, faintly. "i--i thought no one would ever come. i--i crawled in here----" and then his voice went off into a weak whisper. "he's fainted!" cried the young millionaire. they soon had tim out of his uncomfortable prison, and in his berth, where he quickly revived under the care of captain barton, who was a sort of doctor and surgeon combined, as indeed every seaman of ability is usually. tim's eyes slowly opened, and the color came back into his pale cheeks. they had taken off his heavy oilskins, which he wore when found in the after compartment. he looked around on the kind faces of dick and his chums, who were crowded about the stateroom door. "i'm still here--am i?" asked tim, faintly. "yes, and we're glad to see you," spoke dick. "we thought sure you had gone to pay davy jones a visit, as widdy would say. but whatever in the world possessed you to do it, tim? were you in there all the while?" "i guess so," answered the newsboy, while a spasm of pain shot over his face, as a lurch of the ship wrenched him in his berth. "something's the matter with my ankle," he went on. "bad sprain," said captain barton, briefly. "that, and the knock you got on the head, made you insensible. you had a bad time of it. there's a lump on your head as big as a coil of rope." "how did you come to go in there?" inquired dick. "just to see what was there," replied tim, with a faint smile. "i heard the engineer talking about the shaft tunnel, and the thrust block, and the propeller, and i wanted to see what they looked like. so i crawled in----" "you couldn't see the propeller from inside the yacht," broke in paul. "the screw is outside." "i know that, now," went on tim. "but i wanted to see what _was_ in there. there wasn't anything else to do, and as the storm kept us all below decks, i thought i'd do a little exploring. i put on my oilskins, to keep my clothes clean, and crawled in the back part of the yacht. i found the shaft, and saw it going around, and then i must have slipped on some oil, or something, and fallen. anyhow, it all got black, and i didn't know anything for a long time. then i woke up, and felt a terrible pain in my leg and head. i tried to move, and crawl out, but i couldn't. i called, but no one answered." "the noise of the storm was too loud," suggested henry. "maybe," assented tim. "then i must have fainted again, and, when i got conscious once more, i yelled louder. then i heard some one running away----" "that was me," confessed widdy. "i thought you was a mermaid." "i wish i had been one," replied tim, with a rueful smile. "then i'd have known better than to crawl in where i did. but i kept on calling, though i was getting weaker, and then----" "then we came," finished dick. "now, don't think any more about it. we'll doctor you and feed you up, and--well, don't go in there again." "don't worry--i won't," promised tim, and then he took some quieting medicine which the captain mixed for him. they left him to sleep off the effects of his ordeal, and the boys gathered in the main cabin, for a sort of impromptu thanksgiving meeting. the atmosphere of gloom had been dispelled, and they were all happy again, for the thought of one of the members of the yachting party being drowned would have spoiled the whole outing. tim was much better the next day, and the storm had blown itself out, so that he could limp up on deck. there the bracing air brought back the color to his cheeks, and he was soon himself again. the swelling in his ankle went down, and he was able to get about nicely on a crutch made by widdy. "we've got two cripples aboard now," said the old salt, with a grin. "between us both, we'll make an able seaman, though." meanwhile the yacht was slipping through the water at a good rate of speed, lessening the knots between her and the island of cuba. the boys found so much that was new and interesting to occupy them, that time passed all too quickly. "do you think you'll spend much time in cuba?" asked innis beeby of dick one afternoon, as they sat on deck. "well, i want to make a good attempt to find mother's relatives, and it may not be an easy task. why do you ask?" "well, i've got a new camera, and i want to get some good views--that's all." "oh, i fancy you'll have all the chance you want. but if you've got a camera, why didn't you say so before? you can take some pictures here on board. i meant to bring one, but i forgot it. bring out yours and snap some of us." which the fat cadet did, posing dick and his chums in all sorts of attitudes, more or less nautical. the crew, too, came in for their share of pictures, and they were snapped collectively and individually, doing all sorts of things, from clambering up the shrouds to swabbing down the decks. then captain barton had to pose as he was taking a noon observation, while dick was taken in so many different styles that finally he rebelled, when he was requested by beeby to don a ragged suit, and stand in the bows, with his hand shading his eyes, to represent a shipwrecked mariner looking anxiously for a sail. but it was jolly fun, making snapshots, and even grit and gritty had to pose, while hans, the cook was so delighted with the result of his snapshot, that he would have stood on his head for beeby. for the cadet developed and finished the pictures on board, improvising a dark room from a closet. down the coast went the yacht, past st. augustine, jupiter inlet and other places on the florida coast, and it seemed as if the cruise would be run off without serious incident, for they were nearing cuba. but, one day, when in sight of the bemini keys, a group of little islands about sixty miles off miami, jim carter, the chief engineer, hurried on deck to report to dick and captain barton a break in the machinery. "is it serious?" asked the young millionaire, fearing for his fine yacht. "no, only it will mean a delay of a day or so. my men can repair it." "and will we have to lie-to all that while?" dick wanted to know. "we can use the sails, though we'll not make much speed," put in the commander. "oh, well, time is no object," remarked dick, with an air of relief, and then, to the no small delight of the boys, the steamer became a sailing yacht, and they learned many new points in seamanship. but, as the captain had said, they did not make very good time, for the sail area was small for a boat the size of the _albatross_, and at times they barely had steerageway, for the winds were light and baffling. it was on the second day of the machinery being out of commission (for the engineers had not been able to repair it as speedily as they had hoped to) that, as dick and his chums were reclining in deck chairs, the lookout exclaimed: "sail ho!" "where away?" demanded dick, with a seaman's instinct. "astern, sir, and she's overhauling us fast. she's a small steamer." they all looked to where a volume of black smoke indicated the presence of another vessel. the smoke became more pronounced, and, in a little while, the hull of a steamer was visible. the boys watched her through glasses. she seemed to be sailing the same course as was the _albatross_, and was likely to pass close by. but, as she neared the sailing yacht, the steamer suddenly changed her course, and sheered off. she was, however, close enough to enable the boys to read her name without the aid of the glass. "_princess!_" exclaimed paul drew. "why, dick, isn't that the vessel on which they attacked you?" dick did not answer for a minute. he had snatched up the binoculars and was pointing them at the passing vessel. "it might be the same one," he murmured, "yet the name is common enough. i guess----" he stopped suddenly. the glasses came down from his eyes, and he stared at the _princess_. then he cried out: "by jinks, fellows! it doesn't seem possible!" "what's the matter?" asked beeby. "see your best girl aboard her, dicky, my lad?" "no," answered the young millionaire, "but if i didn't know that he was afraid of the water, i'd say that my uncle ezra was aboard that vessel," and once more dick took a long observation through the glasses. "your uncle ezra?" repeated paul. "yes," went on dick. "see that man standing near the rail? the man with the little bunch of white whiskers on his chin?" "i see him," assented paul, who had taken the binoculars from his chum. "well, he's the very image of my respected relative, only, of course, it can't be him." at that moment the man at the rail seemed aware that he was under observation. he quickly disappeared from view, and the _princess_ passed on. "i wonder if that could have been uncle ezra?" murmured dick. "but, of course, it couldn't be. what would he be doing away off here?" if dick had only known! chapter xix at havana the machinery of the _albatross_ was repaired by the next day, and then the welcome throb and tremor of the screw replaced the stillness and quietness of the sails. but the boys welcomed the change, for, though it was ideal to slip through the summer sea like some great fish, without noise, they had become used to the swifter motion, and liked it. "well, we'll soon be at havana," remarked captain barton, one fine moonlight night, when it was too lovely to go to one's stateroom. "have you any special orders, captain hamilton?" "none, except that we'll stay there until i can make some inquiries of don ferdinand hondora, the lawyer, regarding my mother's relatives." "and what after that?" "i don't know, exactly. it will depend on what the lawyer says. we may cruise about, go to another part of cuba, or go off camping on some of the keys. we'll decide when we get to havana. i may have to take these cubans back to new york." the completion of the first part of the voyage was made in good time, and one morning, as the boys came up on deck captain barton, pointing to a line of haze on the horizon, said: "there lies cuba!" "good!" exclaimed dick. "now, we'll see what happens." they at once got ready for a landing, though it would not be for some hours yet. every one on the yacht, though the voyage had been most pleasant, was glad of the prospective change. hans, the cook, got up a specially fine dinner in honor of the occasion. "haven't you anything for grit and the puppy, hans?" asked dick, as he passed the galley. "they're both hungry." "sure, i feeds 'em," answered the german, who was cutting up some meat from pieces brought from the refrigerator, for the _albatross_ was fitted up with an artificial ice-making machine. "i gifs dem some nice bieces of meat," went on hans. a few minutes after this the young millionaire was startled to hear snarls, growls and barks coming from the direction of the galley, while, mingled with the noise made by the dogs was the voice of the cook crying: "don't! stop i dells you, grit! behafe yourself alretty now! i did not mean to onsuld you. i--i--oh, herr hamilton! come quick alretty yet! your bulldog will devour me! oh! ouch!" a moment later a very much frightened german cook burst out on the deck. he was carrying a plate of meat-scraps, and behind him, growling and snarling, came grit, his legs working in and out like the pistons of a steam engine. but, as the animal's legs were short, and as the cook had long ones, the race might not prove so unequal. "what's the matter?" cried dick. "stand still, hans! grit won't hurt you!" "he vunt; hey?" cried the german. "vell, i ain't goin' to take no chances--no, sir, herr hamilton! i runs; dot's vot i do! stop chasin' me!" the cook cried, turning to glance at grit. but this nearly proved disastrous for him, as he stumbled over a rope, and only recovered himself as grit almost reached him. "what does he want?" shouted dick. "here, grit! stop it! come here! what does he want, hans?" "he vants me, but, py jimminity, he don't got me, not if i knows it alretty yet!" responded the german. "i fools him!" and with that the cook, dropping his plate of meat, sprang up into the shrouds of the aftermast. at once grit lost interest in the chase, and stopped to eat the scraps of meat, while hans looked down at him from his perch of safety. "there, you see," said dick, laughing. "the meat was all he wanted. grit was hungry." "ha! i knows pretty vell alretty dot he vos hungry," admitted hans. "but i t'ought he vos hungry after me; so!" "he was hungry after you," cried paul drew, who had witnessed the chase, and he doubled up with laughter. "you can come down now," suggested dick. "grit won't hurt you." "vait until he has all dot meat eaten up, den i comes down," replied hans. "he vunt be hungry so much alretty," and he would not descend until grit, licking his chops, had gone to lie down in the sun. "how did it happen?" asked the young millionaire. "i never knew grit to chase any of his friends." "i ain't no friend to him--not no more--no, sir," declared hans, firmly. "i vos goin' to feed der dogs, as you tolt me, herr hamilton, und i got der meat, und i gif der little dog some first, und den your big dog, he growled avay down in his throat, und he took after me, un--vell--i runs, mit der meat--dot's all; see?" "yes, i see," spoke dick. "grit was jealous because you fed the puppy before you fed him. grit is used to eating at the first table. he didn't mean any harm." "dot's all right, only me an' him ain't friends no more, dot's all," said hans, with an injured air, as he descended to the deck. "i vos goin' to gif him--_ach himmel!_ der soup is burnin'! i schmell her!" and, with a cry of anguish, he ran toward the galley, where he was soon rattling away amid his pots and pans. if the soup was burned no one noticed it at the excellent dinner which the cook served later. he seemed to have gotten all over his fright, and he even spoke kindly to grit, who appeared to have forgotten his temporary lack of manners. the _albatross_ docked late that afternoon, and, with expressions of delight and wonder at the sight of what, to them, was practically a foreign city, dick and his chums went ashore. they were soon in the midst of as much bustle and excitement as the slow-moving natures of the residents of havana permit. "by jove! this is great, old man!" exclaimed beeby, as he waddled up the pier, with a smile on his fat, good-natured face. "i've never been in cuba. there'll be lots of new sights, and i can get some stunning pictures. there's an old man asleep on that bale who will make a good subject," and the stout cadet proceeded to snap the "subject." but, just as he was ready, some one called to the sleeping man. he awoke with a start, gave one look at beeby and the camera, and, with a spanish expletive, rolled off the bale, and ran away as fast as his legs would take him. "hum! i wasn't going to shoot you!" exclaimed the fat lad in disgust. "now, i've wasted a film," for he had pressed the button just as the man moved. the american youths were surrounded by a crowd of natives, who talked rapidly, in "more or less united states" as dick said. the young millionaire observed tim looking wonderingly about. "miss anything, tim?" he asked. "yes, i don't hear anybody hollerin' 'extree--extree!' down here," replied the newsboy, to whom the excitement of an edition, hot from the presses, was lacking. "no, i fancy extras are few and far between down here," agreed dick. "but, fellows, i want to go to see that lawyer, so as to know what plans to make. so, if you'll step in here, and have some chocolate on me, i'll leave you for a while, and come back," and the wealthy lad led his companions to a restaurant built partly on the street, with tables in the open air, where soon they were being served, while mr. hamilton's son asked his way to the office of the attorney, of whom he wished to make some inquiries regarding the missing valdez family. chapter xx off to santiago "ah, senor hamilton, i will be most happy to do all in my power for you," remarked don ferdinand hondora, the spanish lawyer, when he had read slowly through the letter of introduction from the law firm of blake & carrington, which epistle dick handed him. "most happy to oblige you. you do me an honor to call on me thus, and to-morrow--or _manana_--as we spaniards say--_manana_, i shall be most happy to set on foot an inquiry to locate the valdez family." "can't you do anything to-day?" asked dick, who was used to business being attended to promptly. "to-day, my dear senor hamilton? to-day?" and the lawyer looked surprised. "why, already i am in my office later than i ever stay. it is unusual that i am here to this hour. it just happened so by accident. no, nothing can be done to-day. perhaps to-morrow--or the next day----" "why not to-day?" asked dick, bluntly. "i am willing to pay----" "it is not a question of money, dear senor hamilton," and don ferdinand hondora shrugged his expressive shoulders, elevated his eyebrows, and made deprecatory gestures with his fat hands; "money does not figure. but now it is the hour for the band to play in the plaza, and i like to listen to it as i sit and sip my chocolate. business is over long ago for havana. i shall be most happy to have you join me at the plaza. my carriage will be here shortly." "thank you, but i have left my friends, and i must return to them," answered the youthful millionaire. "but i will be here early in the morning, and----" "not--er--not too early, if i may venture to suggest such a thing, my dear senor hamilton," spoke the lawyer, gently. "i seldom breakfast before ten, and at eleven o'clock i shall be most happy to receive you." "very well, eleven o'clock then," conceded dick. "and then we can take the rest of the morning, and the whole afternoon, to looking into this matter." "pardon me, senor, but did i hear you aright--the _whole_ afternoon, did you say?" and don ferdinand hondora looked pained. "yes--why not?" "ah, but senor hamilton forgets that there is the noon siesta to be taken into consideration. one must have the siesta or--well, business is never done during the siesta or sleep hour," and once more the spanish lawyer shrugged his shoulders, raised his eyebrows, and threw his hands out in front of him as if he had no further use for them. "well," remarked dick, with a sigh, "when you're in rome, you have to do as the romans do, i suppose." "that's it, senor hamilton!" cried the attorney, with a relieved laugh. "and when one is in havana, he goes to hear the band, he sips his chocolate, and he takes his siesta at the usual hour. to break the customs is to--well, it is never done," and once more he went through his little performance, which seemed to save him considerable in the way of talk. "then i'll meet you here at eleven o'clock," added the youth, as he turned to go. "i'll leave these papers, which my father gave me, with you, and, if you should happen to hear any news this afternoon, or evening, you might send word down to my yacht--the _albatross_. we're going to stay on board to-night, and put up at a hotel to-morrow. so, if you have any word----" "pardon me, senor hamilton, it is not likely that i shall have any word of the missing family, who are distant relatives of your late respected mother, to-night--hardly possible. all business is over in havana long ago. now, i go to hear the band, and to drink my chocolate, and i would only be too happy to have your pleasurable company." "no, thank you, i must get back," answered dick, and, having witnessed don ferdinand hondora give once more his shadow-pictures with his shoulders, eyebrows and fingers, dick parted from him, after an elaborate series of bows and handshakes. "this life is too slow for me," remarked our hero, as he got outside, and made his way back to where he had left his chums. "business from eleven to twelve, and from three to four, i presume. two hours a day! whew! if dad was down here he'd turn things upside down, and as for uncle ezra, he'd have a conniption fit! a _siesta_! good land! i'm beginning to feel sleepy myself!" the youth walked rapidly along, thereby attracting much attention, for his pace was entirely different from that of the slow-moving and leisure-loving cubans and spaniards. dick found his chums waiting for him, and they had had their fill of the very excellent chocolate served to them. the young millionaire explained his visit to the lawyer, and amused them with his account of the easy-going methods in vogue. "think of a lawyer closing up his office to go to hear the band play!" exclaimed dick. "it sure is odd," agreed beeby. "if it was a ball game now, it wouldn't be so bad." "but there's nothing to hinder us from going to hear the band; is there?" asked paul drew. "especially as we're very likely to see some pretty girls," added frank bender. "i say let's go." "all right," agreed dick, always ready to fall in with the wishes of his guests. "i'll call a couple of carriages. it seems that no one who can afford to ride walks in havana." accordingly, in easy-moving, open carriages, drawn by rather sorry-looking specimens of horses, the lads were soon rolling down to the open plaza, where a marine band was already making music. the boys thoroughly enjoyed the varied strains, and they were equally interested in the scenes all around them. the day was fine, and a large throng was out, many cubans and spaniards, and not a few americans strolling about, while more were in open carriages. frank's remark about the pretty girls was not a bit exaggerated. there were hundreds of them, dark, languishing spanish beauties, some of whom favored our friends with quick glances from their snapping, black eyes. the boys dined in a havana restaurant that evening, where they saw more to interest them, while the highly spiced food was a source of some conjecture to them. "guess i'll have to have some more water, dick," spoke tim muldoon, after he had emptied several glasses. "what's the matter; too much salt in something?" asked frank. "i noticed it myself." "no, it's too much pepper," replied the newsboy. "gee-horse! but i struck a mouthful of the red kind that kicks, just then!" and he drained his glass, which a waiter filled, the man laughing silently the while. "i guess we'll have to get used to it," remarked dick. "i should think, though, that, eating so much red pepper as these folks do, that they'd have a little more motion to them. 'to-morrow' seems to answer for everything. i couldn't stand it for very long at a stretch." they spent that night on the yacht, after an evening in the plaza, where the band continued to play. the next day, at eleven o'clock, dick again visited don ferdinand hondora, who leisurely began to examine the documents regarding the valdez family. "it will be a difficult piece of work," he remarked finally, "but i think i can promise you a report in a month, senor hamilton." "a month! i've got to have it inside of a week!" cried dick, and, after much argument, and lifting of his eyebrows, shrugging of his shoulders and throwing out of his hands, remarking the while that such a thing--such haste--was never heard of in havana, the lawyer agreed to do his best. it was two weeks later before he made his final report, with dick importuning him every day, for, after the yacht had been tied up at havana seven days, our hero and his chums found they had exhausted the possibility of amusement in that cuban city. true, they made excursions inland, and enjoyed the slow-going, easy life, but dick wanted action, and his plan of going to some lonely island, and camping out, seemed to strike his friends as just right. so it was with no little satisfaction that the young millionaire was informed one day, by don ferdinand hondora, that the case was closed, as far as he was concerned. "i have made diligent inquiry, senor hamilton," spoke the spanish advocate, "and your valdez family is not in this vicinity. they did live here, but they left about the time this island was acquired by the united states. there was much confusion of records at that time, and the best i can learn is that the family now consists of father and son, the senors miguel and raphael valdez." "but where are they now?" asked dick, impatiently. "ah, now we are coming to it," spoke the spaniard, with his usual course of motions. dick thought he might have "come to it" some time ago. "i learn," the lawyer went on, "that they were last heard of in santiago de cuba. if senor hamilton is pleased to go there next week, or the week after----" "next week?" cried dick. "i'll start to-night!" "ah, such haste!" murmured the spaniard, as he looked at his watch. "very well. it is now the hour for the band to play, and for me to sip my chocolate, but if you will come in to-morrow i will be pleased to give you a letter to a lawyer friend of mine in santiago. come to-morrow----" "can't you give me the letter now?" interrupted dick. "ah, senor hamilton, such haste! already the band is playing, and i----" "if i can't get the letter now, i'll have to leave without it, senor hondora. i'm in a hurry!" "ah, santa maria!" the lawyer's head nearly disappeared amid his shoulders, so high did he lift them, and his eyebrows were a half-circle, but he sat down, and slowly wrote out a letter by hand, giving it to dick. "don't you use a typewriter?" asked the young millionaire. "a typewriter? the saints forbid! it is too rapid--too--er--what you americans call swift," explained the attorney, with a smile. "there is no need of such haste," and pocketing the generous fee which dick paid, the lawyer bowed our hero out, with a look of relief on his face. five minutes later don ferdinand hondora was in his carriage, riding slowly on his way to the plaza, to hear the band play, while dick was hurrying toward his yacht. "well, the first part of my search ended in failure," he said. "now to try santiago." that night the _albatross_ put to sea, on her cruise to the other side of cuba. chapter xxi the kidnappers dick and his chums spent the better part of a week making the voyage around to the chief city near the southeastern end of cuba. the weather was fine, and there were many novel sights to attract their attention. they passed several other vessels, and with some dick and paul exchanged wireless greetings. dick sent several messages home, as did also his chums, and there were some aerograms in reply. mr. hamilton communicated with his son, and commended his plan of making a further effort to locate mrs. hamilton's relatives. "but if you don't find them in santiago, what will you do?" asked beeby, when the boys and their host had talked over their plans. "go off on a little trip, come back, and try the next likely place," answered the young millionaire, grimly. "i'm going to find them." as the _albatross_ swung into santiago bay, past the lighthouse at the entrance of the harbor, those on board of the trim yacht would have been interested if they had known how closely they were observed from the deck of another vessel, hidden from view around the point. and the name painted on the bows of the hidden craft was _princess_, though stress of weather had almost obliterated it. narrowly did an old man on the deck of the _princess_ watch dick's yacht glide up the harbor. he was a man with a little bunch of white whiskers on his chin, and they moved up and down when he talked. "well," he remarked slowly, as he laid aside a glass through which he had been peering, "them fellers in havana told us true. my nephew did sail for santiago, and here he is." "and i said we'd beat him here," remarked a man standing on deck. "so you did, sam newton, so you did," assented ezra larabee, "an', because we got here first, i'll pay you the ten dollars extra, as i promised." "when?" demanded ike murdock. "jest as soon as----" "as soon as the kidnappin' is done?" asked simon scardale. "hush! don't use that word!" exclaimed mr. larabee. "ain't i told you this ain't a regular kidnappin'; not in the eyes of the law. it's for my nephew's good." "well, we'll soon have him, if things go right," muttered ike. "now, what's the program, mr. larabee? shall we follow that yacht up the bay or stay back? we've laid here long enough." "i should say we had," admitted the crabbed old man, with a look of anguish, as his hand felt of a wallet in his coat. "and expenses going on something frightful all the while. never mind, i'll take it out of my nephew richard's money, that's what i'll do. i hoped we could catch him in havana. why didn't you?" and the old man looked reproachfully at those whom he had hired to do the risky work. "didn't have no chance," murmured guy fletcher. "but we'll get him now." "i hope so, and end this terrible expense i'm under," went on mr. larabee. "better start the ship, ike. no use burning coal, and standing still." with ill-concealed contempt for their employer, the two men went to give the necessary orders, and soon the _princess_ was following dick's yacht up the harbor. there were so many vessels moving to and fro that there was little danger of detection. all unconscious of the nearness of his uncle, and the unscrupulous men and youths whom mr. larabee had engaged, dick and his chums went ashore as soon as the _albatross_ was docked. "well, it certainly feels good to be on dry land again," remarked beeby, as he got his camera ready for some snapshots. "i hope i get some good pictures." "and i hope i find those people i'm searching for," said dick. "say, if you fellows will amuse yourselves a bit, i'll look up this other lawyer," he went on. "i guess it will take him about a week to get started, and the sooner i begin the quicker i'll be through." "i guess we'll have some cocoanut milk for a change," suggested paul drew, when dick had ridden away in a dilapidated carriage, toward the lawyer's office, and the cadet led the others into a place where a specialty was made of cocoanut milk, drawn directly from the fruit, the top of which the clerk sliced off with a big knife, not unlike a _machete_ in shape. "fine!" gurgled henry darby, as the delicious beverage trickled down his throat. "dandy!" was the opinion of the others. they strolled about the city, and after an hour of sightseeing, beeby proposed that they go down to the dock, where dick had agreed to meet them on his return from the lawyer's office. as the lads approached the pier, henry, who was in the lead, called out: "why, there's dick now, waiting for us." the others looked, and saw a lad of exactly dick's build and height gazing at them. and, what is more, his features bore a strong resemblance to those of the young millionaire. but a glance at his clothes showed that they were not such as were worn by our hero. "that isn't dick," said beeby. "that's so, but it looked an awful sight like him," agreed the young iron merchant, with a laugh. "i beg your pardon," he added, for the youth had seen the attention paid to him. "granted, senor," was the reply, and the boys started, for his voice had tones in it resembling dick's. a nearer view made his features seem even more like those of the young millionaire, but he was darker in complexion. still, had he worn better clothes, and had he and dick stood side by side, more than a casual glance would have been needed to distinguish the difference between them, for dick was almost as dark as a spaniard or cuban. "dick's double," as the chums dubbed him, moved away, and, soon afterward, our hero appeared. he was amused at the account of some one who looked like him, and said he hoped the unknown would not run up any accounts in the name of hamilton. "well, how did you make out with the lawyer?" asked paul. "about the same as with don ferdinand hondora. he says it will take two weeks to make inquiries, and when i tried to cut him down to one he nearly fainted on my hands. but, come on, let's go aboard, and report to captain barton." dick and his friends spent that evening wandering about the city. they had engaged some carriages to drive them to various points of interest, but, at the last moment, dick changed the program, and proposed a visit to the opera house, where a musical comedy was being presented. the boys thoroughly enjoyed the play, and, as they came out with the crowd of pleasure-seekers, they were aware that something unusual was taking place in the street. there were a number of police officers and soldiers hurrying to and fro, and many commands in excited spanish were being given, while, in the distance, shots were heard. "what's it all about? is there a fire?" asked henry. "maybe it's an extra edition out," suggested tim muldoon, hopefully. "no, somebody walked along in a hurry, and the people can't get over it," declared beeby. "what's the matter?" asked dick of one of the drivers of the carriages he had hired for himself and his chums. "kidnapping!" exclaimed the man, who spoke fairly good english. "kidnapping!" repeated dick. "who was taken?" "i don't know. some young fellow, i heard the police say. it seems that some men off a yacht came ashore, and followed him. he ran, and tried to get away, but they took after him, and, just as he got in front of this theatre, they grabbed him, put him in a carriage and drove off. the police rushed up, but----" "they were too slow," finished paul, with a laugh. "but why did they kidnap him?" persisted dick. "i do not know. for ransom, perhaps. it is sometimes done. he was a young fellow, and, maybe wealthy, though his dress did not show it. but will the senors be pleased to ride farther with me?" "guess we might as well," assented dick. "a kidnapping, eh? i'd like to hear more about it, and know who the fellow was." "it will be in the gazette to-morrow--or the next day," said the driver, calmly. "yes--always _manana_," murmured dick. "if it was in new york, there'd be an extra out about it by this time," declared tim, in disgust. "this is a great country--not!" and dick and his chums drove back to the yacht, little dreaming what an effect on all of them the kidnapping was to have, and that very soon. chapter xxii the wrong captive while the police and soldiers of santiago were hurrying about like mad, trying to find some trace of the kidnappers who had acted so boldly, there might have been seen, driving rapidly down a dark and unfrequented street toward the water-front, a closed carriage. the man on the seat was urging his steeds to faster speed in response to calls from occupants of the coach, which, as the vehicle passed under a dim lamp, could be seen to contain two men and a boy. "well, we got away with him all right, ike," spoke the taller of the two men, as he looked at the youth sitting between them. "yes, and he didn't make near as much fuss as i expected. from what happened when we tried it last time, i thought sure he'd put up a stiff fight. and where was his dog, i wonder, sam?" "that's right, i didn't see the brute anywhere on shore. but i'm glad of it. once to feel his teeth is enough. hurry up there, driver, whatever your name is, or they'll be after us. old man larabee will be glad enough to see us, and get started out to sea again, so keep moving." "_si_, senor," answered the driver, and he lashed the horses, though the animals seemed to be doing their best. "it _is_ sort of curious he didn't make more of a fuss," remarked ike, glancing at the youth huddled up between him and his confederate. "maybe he's waiting until he gets a good chance to spring out," suggested sam, taking a firmer grip on the kidnapped youth. "he'd better not try it!" fairly growled ike. "look here, my wealthy friend," he went on, snarling the words into the ear of the frightened and shrinking youth, "don't try any of your funny tricks now, or my partner and i will be forced to take extreme measures, as they say in the books. we'll do it, too, no matter if your uncle ezra did warn us to be careful, and not harm you. you've given us trouble enough, and we won't stand for any more nonsense; will we, sam?" "that's right. but he won't have much more chance. we're almost at the pier, and we'll soon be aboard the yacht. then----" "pardon, senors!" exclaimed the lad in the carriage, and then followed a question in rapid spanish. "here, drop that kind of lingo," growled ike. "we don't understand anything but plain united states talk." "pardon, senors," spoke the youth again, gently, but with an accent of fear in his tones, and this time he used fairly good english. "pardon, but you are taking me to a yacht; yes?" "sure--to your uncle ezra," answered sam. "i have no uncle ezra." "no uncle ezra! come, that's a good one!" exclaimed ike. "but i s'pose you're joking. that's why you talked spanish to us. no uncle ezra, eh? next you'll be telling us your father isn't a millionaire." "he is not, senors," was the simple answer, and the youth could hardly restrain the sobs in his voice. "i am the son of a poor man, by name--er--alantrez," and the youth appeared to hesitate. "why are you taking me away?" he went on. "if it is for ransom, it will be useless, as we are poor--my father and i." "poor! ha! ha! that's pretty juicy!" chuckled sam. "i wish i was as poor as you and your father are, kiddo!" "same here," added ike. "but you have no right to take me away like this," declared the youth, with more spirit. "it is infamous! it is wrong! and when the police hear of it you will suffer." "we don't care a fig for the police of cuba!" declared ike. "we walked away, right under their very noses, with you, and all they did was to rush about, waving their swords and firing their revolvers in the air, like a lot of kids at a fourth of july celebration. police! huh! we don't worry about them!" "but what do you want with me?" persisted the lad. "haven't i told you that your uncle ezra larabee wants to have a talk with you," said sam. "he's afraid you're wasting your money, and he wants to sort of supervise it. he claims he has that right, being your mother's brother, as long as your father won't do it." "you are pleased to speak in riddles, senor," remarked the youth with dignity. "i repeat that i have no uncle ezra larabee. that is no cuban name. also, my mother, who is among the saints, she had no brother. likewise i am not rich--i wish i was. i am only pedro alantrez, as i have said." "now, don't waste any more words talking like that," suggested sam newton. "do you mean to say you're not dick hamilton, the millionaire?" "certainly not, senor," declared the youth, with dignity. just then the carriage approached one of the few street lights. the two men peered forward, and looked full in the face of their captive. "well, that's pretty good!" announced sam. "take a close look at him, ike. isn't he dick hamilton?" "he sure is," was the firm response of ike murdock. "i've seen him too often lately, and at close quarters, to be mistaken. but here we are on the pier. i hope guy and simon are waiting with the boat, and we'll soon be away from this half-civilized country." the carriage came to a stop, after rumbling over the plank flooring of the pier, and the two men alighted, fairly dragging their captive after them. the lad hung back, and a cry of protest and fear came to his lips. then, seeming to feel that he was called upon to be brave, he drew himself up proudly, and said: "you need not drag me, senors. i will go with you, but you will regret your action. you are under a great mistake." "stow your talk," commanded ike, roughly. "if we're making a mistake we're getting paid for it, and you needn't be so high and mighty with us. 'senors' be hanged! talk english!" the lad did not answer, but followed his captors, who had him by an arm on either side. sam flung the driver of the coach some money, and the vehicle rumbled off in the darkness. "now, if guy and simon are waiting, we'll be all right," murmured sam. as they approached the stringpiece he gave a cautious whistle, which was answered from a small boat lying out a little distance from the wharf. the craft was rowed in, and a few seconds later the two men with their prisoner were aboard, while guy fletcher and simon scardale handled the oars, and sent the boat out toward the yacht _princess_. "did you get him?" asked simon, when they were well out from the shore. "sure," answered sam, "though he says he isn't dick hamilton." "you know _me_, don't you, dick?" asked simon, with a sneering laugh. the captive returned no answer. as the rowboat approached the yacht, a figure could be seen leaning over the rail--the figure of an old man. "did you get him?" he called in a cautious whisper, as the craft came alongside the accommodation ladder. "sure thing," answered ike. the five were on deck shortly, and mr. larabee, approaching the youth who had been kidnapped, said: "i'm sorry, nephew richard, that i had to act this way, but it's for your own good, as you will come to acknowledge in time. it is done to prevent you from making a beggar of yourself. now, if you will come below, i'll explain my plans to you. my, but i'm glad this chase is over! i had a hard time to get you--me and er--me and these friends of mine. but now i have you, and we'll go back home. yachting is terribly expensive--terribly!" with a sigh, the old man led the way to the cabin. the others, including the captive, followed. the latter maintained a grim silence. in the well-lighted apartment uncle ezra turned to behold his nephew. he looked once, and started. twice, and he threw up his hands in amazement. then he cried: "land o' goshen! you've got the wrong boy! what does this mean? this isn't my nephew, richard hamilton! you've made a terrible mistake! oh, dear! oh, dear! now, i'll be sued for damages!" "a mistake?" echoed ike murdock. "a mistake?" faltered sam newton. "mistake?" chorused guy and simon. they all took a good look at the youth whom they had kidnapped. there was no doubt of it. though he bore a strong resemblance to dick hamilton, the lad was unmistakably a cuban or a spaniard. he drew himself up proudly and fairly glared at them. "what did i tell you, senors?" he asked, softly. "fooled!" gasped ike, and, as he spoke, the yacht began to gather headway, for the engineer had orders to get in motion as soon as the party came from offshore. "we are moving! you are taking me away!" he sprang toward the companionway. "easy now," cautioned sam, roughly. "stay where you are. maybe we did make a mistake," he went on, turning to mr. larabee, "but it may be all right, after all. we'll keep this young fellow aboard. i think ike and i can fix up a scheme that will change matters a bit," and with that he thrust the young spaniard into a small room off the cabin, and locked the door. meanwhile the yacht was increasing her speed, and moving out of the harbor. chapter xxiii dick on the trail the santiago papers, the next day, contained a full account of the bold kidnapping, and, with fervid language, described how the scoundrels had spirited the cuban youth away from under the very noses of the police. strong and vigorous action was called for, and it was suggested that a reward be offered. there had been too many cases of late, the gazettes stated, where youths had been taken away, and held for ransom. in this case the object of the kidnappers was likely to fail, the papers stated, as the victim was the son of a poor man--senor alantrez--who would be unable to pay any money. senor alantrez was a clerk in the government employ, and he and his son were worthy persons, it was said. "well, i call that a shame!" exclaimed dick to his chums, as, seated on the deck of his handsome yacht, he was reading aloud to them the account of the outrage. "the police here ought to get busy, for a fact." "is that all there is to it?" asked beeby. "no," answered the young millionaire. "there's more. it goes on to say that it is believed that the boy was taken off in the yacht--hello! what's this? why, fellows, it says that he was taken off in the yacht _princess_, which recently came here from new york. there was something mysterious about the craft, it states. mysterious! i should say so. why, i'll wager a good bit that this is the same yacht they tried to get me aboard of, to rob me!" "you're right," exclaimed widdy, who was stumping about the deck, near the boys. "that's her name, mr. dick." "but it might not be the same one," suggested paul. "wait until i read a bit further," said dick. "yes," he went on, "it says that men from the yacht were seen in several places about town yesterday and last night. and the description of them tallies with those two men who followed me about in new york." "you don't think they tried to kidnap you, do you?" asked henry darby. "not a bit of it," answered the young millionaire. "i think they were just ordinary thieves, but i also think that they might attempt a more desperate game down here. probably they are the same fellows, who took a trip in their yacht to see what luck they would have in cuba. then they decided to try kidnapping, as the paper states there have been several cases of it lately. only they happened to get the wrong lad--one with no money--instead of a rich chap." "yes, they would have done better to have picked up you," remarked frank bender. "but, when they find out their mistake, they'll let this pedro alantrez go, i guess." "sure," agreed dick, "and it will be a good joke on them. i hope they are caught and punished." they discussed the kidnapping further, wondering if it would be of any service to the police for dick to tell what he suspected of the men--namely, that they had followed him in new york. "i think i would," suggested beeby. "i'll go ashore with you, and we'll call on the police. we'll tell 'em what you know, and i can get some good snapshots of the officers, maybe." "oh, you and your snapshots!" exclaimed dick, good-naturedly. "you'll be taking your own picture next, beeby. but i think your proposition is a good one. fellows, let's go ashore. widdy, have the launch gotten ready; will you?" "aye, aye, sir," answered the wooden-legged sailor, and soon the young millionaire and his chums were scudding toward the landing dock. while the others rode about the city in carriages which dick hired, the young yacht owner and beeby were driven to the office of the chief of police. dick's reputation as a master of money had preceded him, and he was ushered into the private room with no little ceremony. he told his suspicions of the men who had taken part in the kidnapping, and received the thanks of the official, who said he would communicate with the police of new york, toward which city the scoundrels were undoubtedly bound. as dick came out of the chief's private room he saw, standing at the desk of one of the lieutenants of police, a man who seemed greatly affected. he was evidently under some poignant grief or sorrow. "and you say there is no news?" he asked in spanish, which language dick understood slightly. "they have taken my boy out to sea! oh, my poor son! why can not a boat be had to follow the scoundrels?" "because there is no boat available," answered the lieutenant. "we would gladly accommodate you, senor alantrez, but it is impossible." "that is the father of the boy who was kidnapped," said the chief, in a low tone to dick. "he will be glad to meet you, and to know that you have given us some information that may prove valuable. come, if you like; i will present him to you, senor hamilton." "very well," assented dick, and he was shortly shaking hands with the grief-stricken parent. "do you think there is any chance of catching the villains?" asked senor alantrez of dick, in fairly good english. the man seemed nervous and anxious for some one to give him hope. "yes, i think they'll get them," declared the young millionaire. "when those men find out that your son is not--er--not as--" dick hesitated. he did not wish to embarrass the father by referring to him as poor. "do not be afraid to speak it, senor," said mr. alantrez, with a sad smile. "poverty and i have been close friends, of late, though we were not always such. i am poor, and i am glad, for now the scoundrels may the sooner return my son to me. if there was but a fast boat to be had, we would give chase to them. but there is none to be secured without much money, and i, alas, have none. so i must wait; but it is hard! my poor boy!" dick's face shone with a sudden light, and his eyes brightened. he took a step forward. "would you like to get a boat, and take a cruise after those men who have your son?" he asked. "ah, senor, it would give me the utmost happiness! but why ask me? i can get no boat." "yes, you can," cried the young millionaire. "i wonder i didn't think of it before. my yacht, the _albatross_, is at your disposal, senor alantrez! if you will be my guest we'll get up steam at once, and trail after those villains! i'd ask nothing better than to run them down!" and dick's eyes sparkled with righteous anger. "they tried to injure me, and i'd be glad of a chance to get back at them. come, senor, we'll start at once, if you are ready, and i think we can overtake the _princess_, though she has a good start." "oh, i can never thank you enough, senor!" cried the father, seizing dick's hand, and attempting, in his warm, spanish way, to kiss it, only the lad drew it quickly away. "i am your debtor for life!" he cried. "wait until we see if we catch those fellows," spoke dick, as he led the way from the police station, followed by senor alantrez, and beeby, who had been busy taking several snapshots. the chief of police and his lieutenant shrugged their shoulders. "these americanos!" murmured the chief. "they are always in such a hurry. to-morrow would have done as well." but dick, hurrying toward his yacht, with the now hopeful father, waited for no to-morrows. he was going to get on the trail at once. chapter xxiv off for stone island dick's chums, when they returned to the yacht, after waiting in vain for him at the plaza, where the band played, and where he had promised to meet them, were surprised to see him in earnest conversation with a spanish gentleman on the deck of the _albatross_. "well, we've been looking everywhere for you, dick," said paul drew. "we were beginning to be afraid you had been kidnapped." "the saints forbid!" cried the cuban, fervently and earnestly. "come here and meet a friend of mine," invited dick, and, when the lads crowded up, he presented them to senor alantrez--that is, all save beeby, who, having accompanied dick to the police station, was already acquainted with the father of the kidnapped lad. "we are going to sea once more, fellows," announced the young millionaire. "we're going to chase after those kidnappers." "but what about the search you came here to make?" suggested paul drew, in low tones. "aren't you going to look for your mother's relatives?" "yes, but i've got the lawyer doing that. he can accomplish all that i can, and more too, only not so quickly. it will be two weeks before he has any definite news for me, and, in the meanwhile, i don't want to stay tied up to a dock. i want to be doing something." "that's dick hamilton, all the way through," murmured henry darby. "so i proposed to senor alantrez that we give chase to these villains, and we're going to," went on the young millionaire. "we'll start as soon as we have taken some coal aboard and some more provisions, and that can't be until to-morrow morning, i'm sorry to say. but we are a faster boat than is the _princess_, and we may be able to overtake her, even if she has a start of us." "where will you look for her?" asked frank bender. "oh, along the route to new york. i think they'll head for there, or, maybe they'll come back, when they find out their mistake." "the saints grant that they may," murmured the father. "oh, if i can see my boy again, unharmed, i will be happy forever!" "we'll get him," promised dick, firmly. "we'll get him, or twist off the propeller!" dick hurried all he could the coaling of the yacht, but even his utmost efforts were of little avail. the laborers were not in the habit of exerting themselves, and they took the usual time. captain barton did manage to get the stores and provisions aboard sooner than he expected, but taking on coal was a slow and unpleasant task. at length, however, it was finished, and dick, having left word with the santiago lawyer that he might be gone on the search for several days, prepared to sail. captain barton had taken counsel with some local pilots as to the best plan for their cruise, and had secured considerable information about a number of islands, and dangerous reefs in the neighborhood of the coast off santiago. senor alantrez readily obtained leave from the government office, where he was employed, to be away for as long as was necessary, and, on the second morning after the kidnapping, dick, with his friends, and the father of the missing lad, stood on deck, and gave the order to cast off. "and when we come back, i hope we'll have your son, and also those scoundrels who took him away," said our hero to the grief-stricken father. as the yacht was slowly moving away from the dock, a boy was seen running down the pier, waving something over his head. it looked like a letter, and he was shouting at the top of his voice. "there's some one for you, mr. dick," said widdy, who was smoking his pipe near the after companionway. "wait, we must see what that is," called the youthful yacht owner. "perhaps it's a note from the police about the kidnappers." captain barton swung the indicator over to half-speed astern, and the craft's way was checked. the boy with the letter came on faster. "wonderful!" cried beeby, as he saw the speed the lad was making. "i must get a snapshot of him. i have really lived to see some one in cuba in a hurry! i must make a picture of it, or no one will believe me when i tell them." he focused his camera on the lad, who, seeing the glistening glass point at him, ducked, and would have run back. "stop it!" commanded dick, with a laugh. "wait until he delivers that letter, beeby, and then you can snap him going back. he's afraid to come on." the cadet put his camera out of sight, and the boy advanced again. "is senor alantrez on board?" he asked in spanish. "yes, yes, i am here! what is it? is my boy found? is it news from the scoundrels who carried him away?" and the father was trembling in his eagerness. "it came to the office for you," explained the boy, "and they hurried me down here with it. it arrived through the mail, senor." with a skilful flip of his fingers he sent the envelope scaling on deck, like a miniature aeroplane. dick tossed the lad some coins, and, picking them up, he ran back up the pier as if some one was after him. "quick, beeby!" called paul, "if you want a snapshot, now's your chance." "now he's in _too_ much of a hurry," objected the cadet, as he snapped his camera at the fleeing lad. "wonderful to relate, he's entirely too quick for me." senor alantrez was reading his letter. as he finished it he uttered a cry, and extended the missive to dick. "it is news of my boy!" he exclaimed joyously. "the scoundrels have given him up. oh, the saints be praised! now, we can get him--if only he is unharmed. see--read, senor hamilton!" the note was brief, and was written in english, which senor alantrez was familiar with. dick perused it: "senor alantrez," the letter began. "we regret having been the cause of annoying you, but it was not altogether our fault. we made a mistake. we did not mean to kidnap your son. we wish to restore him to you unharmed, but we do not care, for obvious reasons, to venture back to santiago. therefore, we have taken this plan: we will leave your son on a small island, called stone island, where you can call for him at your leisure. he will be provided with sufficient food and water to last two weeks, and, in addition, there is food to be had on the place. he will not suffer, as the weather is warm, and there are natural shelters on stone island. regretting the trouble we have caused you, at the same time assuring you that it was unintentional, we beg to remain unknown to you, except as "the kidnappers." "well, what do you think of that?" cried beeby, when dick had read the letter aloud. "talk about nerve!" exclaimed paul. "what'll you do?" asked tim muldoon. "do, why the best thing is to go to stone island," decided dick, promptly. "this letter may be a fake, but it sounds genuine. anyhow, it won't be much out of our way to call there; will it, captain barton?" "no," announced the commander, after consulting his charts, and some memoranda given him by a santiago pilot. "stone island is a small one, rather isolated, to be sure, and not near any others. it is about a hundred miles south of the laberinto de doce leguas group of keys, which are themselves only a few miles from key grande and key caballones, two rather large islands. i think we can pick up stone island, all right." "then we'll do it!" cried dick. "this letter came in the nick of time. we'll rescue your son, senor alantrez, and do it as soon as steam can take us there. i hope we find him all right, though he may be a bit lonesome from his robinson crusoe existence." "oh, my poor boy! but he is brave! once he is out of the hands of those scoundrels, all will be well!" "it's the only move they could make," said dick, reflectively, "for they knew they would be arrested if they set foot on cuban soil. now, to the rescue! let her go, captain barton!" and once more the yacht gathered headway, and was soon on her way to stone island. chapter xxv dick's yacht is gone as may well be imagined, there was, at the start of this voyage, more excitement aboard the _albatross_ than at any time since the eventful cruise had been begun, save, perhaps, during the time when it was thought that tim muldoon was drowned. dick was eager to make speed to the island where the kidnapped youth was said to be, and, after that, he had it in mind to chase after the kidnappers, if he could get a clew to their whereabouts. this, however, he feared would be difficult. as for captain barton, and the others, they, too, were all as anxious as was the owner of the yacht to effect the rescue, and, as the craft sailed over the heaving ocean, the boys talked of little else as the hours passed, save what would happen when they found the marooned youth. senor alantrez took up his position near the bows, peering eagerly forward, as if to get the first glimpse of the lonely island where his son was supposed to be. the yacht, though it was making good time, seemed to him barely to be crawling through the water. but, after the first day of travel, matters settled down more into the usual routine, though the subdued air of excitement and expectancy was never absent. "well," remarked innis beeby one morning, as he got up from the breakfast table, "i think i'll take a few snapshots." "for the love of a celluloid film, beeby!" exclaimed dick, "is there anything on board that you haven't snapshotted? if there is, name it, and i'll make you a present of it as a souvenir." "well, i haven't been able to get a picture of grit and gritty together," answered the stout cadet. "they won't stand still long enough. every time i think i have them posed, the pup makes a nip at grit's ear, or tail, and then they mix it up in a make-believe fight, and it's all off." "why don't you take 'em as they're playing," suggested paul. "make a sort of moving picture." "by jove! i never thought of that," said beeby. "i'll do it," and he hurried off to get his camera. dick was busy for the next few minutes, talking to captain barton, but his attention was suddenly taken by a series of howls and yells, mingled with barks and growls, coming from the main deck. "by jinks!" dick exclaimed, as he ran up the companionway, "i guess grit is after hans again." he was just in time to see his bulldog shaking something in his strong jaws, while beeby, who had arisen from a sprawling position on the deck, was crying out: "here, grit, old fellow, give it to me! that's a good dog! don't smash it, now! come on, old fellow. i didn't mean you any harm; honest, i didn't!" grit only growled the harder, and shook more vigorously the object he held. "what's he got?" asked dick. "my camera," replied the fleshy lad. "i was taking a snapshot of him, sitting alone--the first chance i had at him--but when he heard the shutter click, i guess he must have imagined i was trying to poison him. he made a jump for me, and----" "did he bite you?" asked the young millionaire, anxiously. "no, he only grabbed the camera away from me, and now he's trying to make splinters of it. drop it, grit, i say!" but the bulldog, growling and snarling, never heeded. "here, grit!" called dick in a low voice. "bring it here!" the dog obeyed instantly, and the camera, rather the worse for wear, as paul said, was laid on the deck. "here it is--guess it isn't hurt much," observed dick. "if it is, i'll get you a new one, beeby, and you can sell that to henry darby, for old scrap iron and leather." "humph! it looks pretty well chewed," spoke beeby, "but i guess it's all right. i hope he didn't shake it so hard that he fogged the film." "maybe he took some views on his own account," suggested frank bender. "i'm going to develop the roll and find out," declared the fat youth, and he came back presently from the improvised dark room, to report that the only good picture on the strip of film was the one of grit. it had been taken just before the dog sprang, and was a characteristic likeness. several days passed, with good weather to make the cruise more enjoyable. senor alantrez maintained his watch for the first glimpse of stone island, the others taking observations now and again through the powerful glasses. it was toward the close of a warm, lazy afternoon, when dick and his chums were sitting on deck, under an awning, sipping iced lemonade and eating some thin crackers which the steward served to them, that from the lookout in the crow's nest, at the forward mast, there came a cry: "land ho!" "where away?" demanded captain barton. "dead ahead!" "then, that must be what we are looking for," went on the commander. "i thought it was about time we picked it up." dick sent for the glasses, and, taking an observation through them, reported that he could see a low-lying island, which bore a resemblance to the description given them of the lonely land whither they were bound. "and oh, if only my son proves to be there!" exclaimed the anxious father. "let's make a little more speed," suggested dick, "and we can anchor, plenty of time before night." the engine room telegraph gave the necessary order, and the yacht slipped through the water more quickly. the island loomed up larger, and, though dick and his chums could see it plainly now, through the binoculars, there was no sign of life about it. "maybe it's only a blind trail they sent us on, after all," suggested paul. "i'll not believe that, until we've landed and made a search," cried dick. in another hour the _albatross_ had dropped anchor in a quiet little bay, where there was good holding ground, and sufficient depth of water. they could get a partial view of the island now. it was possibly five miles long, and about half as broad, with a very much broken and indented shore-line, as far as could be seen. there appeared to be a heavy growth of vegetation on the place, which was partly of coral formation, but from the bay, where the yacht was anchored, no very good view could be obtained. the centre of the land was high and rocky, showing evidences of volcanic formation. "well, we're here!" cried dick, as the _albatross_ swung around with the current. "now to go ashore and find your son, senor alantrez!" "and may that be speedily!" exclaimed the father. "i can not thank you enough, senor hamilton, for bringing me here; i am ever your debtor!" "nonsense!" cried dick, who did not relish praise. "any one would have done as much as i have. get the launch ready, mr. midwell, if you please, and we'll go ashore." "who are going?" asked paul. "well, i thought we fellows would all go," said dick, "and senor alantrez, of course. then i'll take widdy to help with the boat, and that will be enough. unless you want to come, captain barton." "it's not necessary, unless you think you'll need help. i don't like the looks of the weather, and i should prefer to stay by the ship, when i'm on an unknown island coast." "oh, i don't fear anything from those kidnappers," said dick. "they've probably gone long ago, leaving the young man here alone. we'll very likely find him on the other side of the island. perhaps it will be as well for you to stay on board, however, captain. come on, fellows." "yes, don't lose any time," advised the commander. "i'd like to get plenty of sea room, if it comes on to blow, as seems likely now." the gasolene launch was quickly awaiting the young millionaire, and his guests, at the foot of the accommodation ladder, and soon, with widdy at the steering wheel, dick and the other five young men were on their way ashore. they found an easy, sandy beach on which to land, and, taking the kedge anchor of the launch well up on shore, to prevent the tide from floating off the craft, they all started inland to look for the kidnapped youth. grit and the puppy raced on ahead, gamboling over the sands, and glad enough to be on shore again. "which way shall we go?" asked dick. "to the right," decided paul. "looks like a better place off to the left," came from beeby. "if i might advise," remarked widdy, "i'd make for the high ground. then you can get a view over the island, an' see if there is a signal shown anywhere, or some sort of a place where he might live." "good idea!" cried dick; "we'll do it! come on, fellows! come on, senor alantrez!" forward they went, climbing the rough, high land in the centre of the island. it was no easy task to mount to the summit, and, when they were near it, dick, who was in the lead, called: "quiet, everybody! i hear some one coming!" there was a sound of crackling underbrush, and of tree branches pushed to one side. "maybe it's an animal," suggested paul. "i brought one of your rifles, dick." "good! have it in readiness, though it walks more like a person than an animal." the sounds suddenly ceased. "maybe it's some of the kidnappers," came from beeby. "if i get a chance i'll snapshot 'em, and we can use the pictures for evidence. i----" beeby didn't have a chance to finish. a moment later there was a sudden cry of joy, and a figure burst through the fringe of underbrush. right toward senor alantrez it sprang, and paul, who had half-raised the rifle, lowered it, for he saw that the figure was that of a youth. "padre! padre!" shouted the lad, and then in rapid spanish he greeted his father. "my son! my son!" cried senor alantrez, in delight. "i have really found you! the dear saints be praised! heaven has been good to me!" and father and son were clasped in each other's arms, while dick and his chums felt the moisture come into their eyes, and they found something exceedingly interesting to look at in the other direction. the two cubans embraced warmly, held each other off at arms' length, as if to make sure there was no mistake, and then clasped each other close again, all the while murmuring endearing terms in their own tongue. "but i forget myself!" exclaimed the elder cuban at length. "pedro, here is our benefactor--yours and mine--but for him, you would never have been found. kiss his hand!" "no, you don't!" cried dick, who was not used to such things. "i don't want to be thanked. i've been thanked enough. if i hadn't come here for you some one else would. but i'm glad you're all right, pedro alantrez. did those scoundrels treat you badly?" "no, it was all a curious mistake, and, as soon as they discovered it, they set me ashore here, and said my father would be told where to come for me. i have been waiting two days. i have not suffered, save from loneliness. i erected a signal on the other side of the island, and i was crossing to put one up over here, when, as i was walking along, i heard voices. i grew afraid. i hid, but when i peered out, and saw you, i knew it was all right. oh, padre, how happy i am!" "well, we're glad, too," spoke dick, "but as it's growing late, and as captain barton says a storm is coming up, suppose we return to the yacht. i fancy you have had enough of this place, pedro?" "too much, senor hamilton. i shall be glad to leave it." they turned to make their way down the slope. it was getting late, though there was still plenty of light. they had been out of sight of the yacht and launch for some time, as the bay where they had landed was on a curve, and trees hid it from view. as they came down to the beach, where they should have had a glimpse of the launch, dick rubbed his eyes, took a second look, and cried out: "fellows, we're not sailors. the launch has been carried away by the tide!" "carried away by the tide?" repeated widdy, wonderingly, as he stumped forward. "it couldn't be! she was well fastened, and the kedge anchor was out of reach of high water." "but she's gone!" declared dick. "maybe we're at the wrong place," suggested paul. "this is where we landed," insisted henry. "it sure is," agreed beeby. "i remember it, for i took a picture of the launch as it was drawn up on the beach, and i stood near this big shell," and be pointed to one of peculiar formation. "then captain barton must have come ashore and got the boat," said frank bender. dick glanced across the bay. there was a wide expanse of water, but nothing was visible on it. a cry of fear and wonder came to his lips. "fellows!" he exclaimed, "my yacht is also gone!" "gone?" echoed the others. silently dick pointed to the place where the _albatross_ had been anchored. there was no mistaking it, for the craft had been just opposite where the launch landed. but the yacht was not there, and a rapid survey of the shore in both directions did not disclose either her or the launch. "fellows, we're marooned on this island!" spoke dick, solemnly. chapter xxvi marooned for a few moments after dick had spoken his companions hardly realized the import of what he said. it came rather as a shock to them, following the disappearance of the launch and yacht. senor alantrez and his son looked at each other, not quite understanding, for, though they spoke english fairly well, the talk of the young millionaire and his chums had been so rapid and excited that the two foreigners had not gathered the full meaning of what was said. "is it that the steamer has gone, but will return presently?" asked the elder cuban of dick. "it's gone--that's sure," was the reply, "but whether it will come back or not----" the lad shrugged his shoulders, a spanish trick he had acquired lately. "what does it all mean?" asked beeby. "is the yacht really gone, dick?" "do you see it anywhere?" inquired the young millionaire in his turn, and he swept his hand toward the ocean. "if you do, you have better eyes than i. and the launch seems to have disappeared also." "but i can't understand it," put in paul. "i guess it's as frank said," remarked henry darby. "the captain saw a storm coming up, and came to get the launch. then he put out to sea." "he wouldn't do it, and leave us marooned on this island, with nothing to eat," declared dick, positively. "no, fellows, there's something queer and mysterious about this. either the yacht and launch suddenly sank, which is out of the question, or they were taken away. pedro alantrez," he went on, turning quickly to the young cuban, "did those kidnappers, who landed you here, go away?" "as far as i know, they did, senor hamilton," was the answer. "they anchored about where you say your yacht was, and brought me ashore in a small boat, with some food. then they rowed back, got up steam, and sailed away, leaving me all alone." "did you think those men might have stolen your yacht, dick?" asked beeby. "i was beginning to think so--in fact, i was sure of it, but if they went away i don't see how they could. they would hardly stay around, after sending word to senor alantrez that his son was here, knowing, as they must have, that he would come to get him. it wouldn't be safe for them. no, they probably have gone, but there may be cuban pirates, or some other criminals, on this island, who sneaked around when we were inland, and took the launch and yacht." "but they'd have to overpower captain barton and the crew to do such a thing," objected frank bender. "well, that's possible," argued dick, "especially if they sneaked up on the _albatross_ in the launch. captain barton and the others, seeing the yacht's launch approach, wouldn't suspect anything until it was too late. i'm afraid something serious may have happened to them. did you notice any signs of pirates, or other desperate characters, on the island since you have been here?" asked dick, of the young cuban. "no, senor, but then i did not explore this place much. i was too full of grief. i merely erected a signal on the other side of the island, and was coming to do the same here, when i met you." there was silence for a few minutes, while the grim, dismal fact that they were marooned on a lonely and seldom-visited island, sank deeper into the minds of the young millionaire and his chums. they gazed helplessly across the stretch of ocean, which was fast becoming covered with a haze, added to which the falling darkness made it impossible to make out objects more than a short distance away. "well, what's to be done?" asked beeby at length, and he emitted a sigh. "if we've got to stay here all night, we'd better do something." "we'll probably have to stay here for several nights and days," declared dick. "fellows, we're up against it. i think the first thing to be done is to go to some high point--the highest on the island--and see if we can get a glimpse of the yacht. it can't have gotten out of sight so quickly." "maybe not, but by the time we get to the high point, it'll be so dark we can't see anything," put in widdy, who had said little since the astonishing discovery was made. "if i might say something, mr. dick, i'd say the best thing to do would be to find a shelter for the night, as it's cold an' damp when the sun goes down." "it's about down now," replied the young millionaire. "but, you're right, widdy, we do need shelter." "and something to eat," added beeby. "what about that, dick? i'm hungry!" "don't think of it," advised paul. "i can't help it, when i remember all the good things on board the yacht," went on the fat cadet. "the chicken, the roast beef, the soups, the pies and cakes that hans used to make--the omelets, and----" "cut it out!" yelled frank. "do you want us all to die of indigestion?" "not much danger," put in dick, with a grim laugh. "but let's take a vote on what to do. where shall we spend the night?" "at a moving picture show, or a comic opera," said tim muldoon, with a laugh. "that's right, jolly us up a bit," cried dick. "we need it. but it's going to be serious enough later on." "pardon, senors," spoke the young cuban, "but of the food which the kidnappers left me there is still a considerable quantity left, and the few days i was alone here i made a sort of shelter on the other side of the island. if we hasten we can get to it before dark, and spend the night there. it is better than on this side of the island." "fine!" cried dick. "why didn't you say something about that before, pedro?" "i did not like to interrupt the senors," was the lad's gentle answer. "but the food is not very choice, and there is not much of it." "it'll have to do," declared the wealthy lad. "come on, fellows, for a walk over the hill to the other shore. we'll make-believe we're on a practice march, paul and beeby." "sure," agreed the fat cadet, "only let it be more practice than march, if you please, for my feet are sore." they started off, retracing their course in the same direction as when they had looked for the kidnapped lad. dick led the way, with grit coursing along at his heels, while widdy carried gritty, the puppy, whose short legs got tangled up in the underbrush. they reached the other shore just as dusk fell, and there saw a mass of leaves and branches which the spanish lad had piled into a rude sort of shelter. he showed them where he had stored the canned stuff which his captors had left for him. "why, that isn't so bad," announced dick, as he saw the food supply. "is there any fresh water?" asked tim muldoon. "i'm as dry as a fish!" "there is a good spring near here," announced pedro. "then we'll build a fire and camp out!" declared paul. "being marooned isn't so bad, after all; eh dick?" "maybe not," agreed the young millionaire, as he helped the others gather fuel for the fire. soon a cheerful blaze was roaring on the beach, fed by pieces of driftwood which widdy brought from various points. the leaping flames illuminated the place, and cast dancing, fantastic shadows of the little party upon the sands. "frank, you get some water," ordered dick, "and then see what you can find to boil it in. pedro says they left him some coffee." "yes, and a few cooking utensils," added the cuban. "i think there is also a coffee pot." "good!" cried dick. "beeby, drop your camera and get busy. what do you think i'm paying you for--to pose as a living picture?" "i was going to take a snapshot of the fire," pleaded the fat lad. "make a snapshot of yourself bringing up more wood," ordered dick, with a laugh. "we'll need it before morning. tim, you and paul and henry get busy on enlarging the shelter. there is quite an addition to your family, pedro, since last night." "yes, but there will be room for all," said the elder cuban, cheerfully. nothing mattered to him, now that his son was found. and so the marooned party, gathered about the fire, took a happier view of their situation as they bustled about, trying to get something to eat, while widdy piled the wood on the blaze, and the two dogs played about in the sand, as if the whole affair was arranged for their especial benefit. chapter xxvii dick finds his relatives it can not be said that the supper was a very elaborate one. they ate canned corned beef and crackers, and drank coffee from clam shells and empty tin cans, but dick said it tasted as good, if not better, than the most complete meal hans, the cook, had ever served to them on the yacht. "it sure does," agreed beeby, with a sigh of satisfaction. "i'll have a little more of that fricasseed corned-beef on toast, with a bit of mushroom sauce on the side, if you don't mind, old man," and he passed his clam shell to dick. "you'll have nothing of the kind," announced the young millionaire, peering into the frying pan, in which the beef had been warmed, "for the simple reason, beeby, that it's all gone." "ah, a very good and sufficient reason," admitted the stout cadet. "then i'll fill up on water. there's plenty of that." they sat about the campfire after the meal, discussing over and over again the strange disappearance of the launch and yacht, but being unable to come to any conclusion regarding the matter. dick's theory, that some criminals (who were either concealed on the island, or who had been on their craft, hidden in some bay) had sneaked out to the yacht when the young millionaire and his chums were prospecting inland, was generally accepted. "but what can we do about it?" asked henry darby, who was intensely practical. "we'll think of that in the morning," decided dick, who was both worried and tired. he knew their situation was desperate, for the food supply was very limited, and he dared not think what would happen when it was all gone. and, in a measure, he felt a sense of responsibility for the welfare of the whole party. "let's get under shelter now," went on the young yacht owner. "it's getting damp and chilly from the dew. in the morning we'll make a better shelter, see what there is on this island to eat, and put up some signals. it will probably be only a short time before we can be taken off by some ship." but, though he spoke thus hopefully, dick was far from feeling the confidence with which he wished to inspire his companions. the night under the flimsy shelter would have been uncomfortable to a degree had not the faithful widdy replenished the fire at frequent intervals. indeed, he scarcely seemed to sleep, but was up and about all night, piling on wood, and making a roaring blaze the genial heat of which penetrated to the bower where dick and the others were stretched out on the ground, endeavoring to get a little rest. widdy constituted himself cook, and the first sight that greeted the eyes of dick when he crawled out the next morning, rather sore and stiff, from his uncomfortable bed, was the old seaman, stumping around on the sand, making coffee over the campfire. "my, but that smells good!" cried the young millionaire. "just tell the steward to serve mine in my stateroom this morning, will you, old chap?" drawled beeby. "i think i'll lie abed a bit longer." "yes, you will!" cried paul drew, and, with a shove of his foot, he sent the fat lad rolling out of the bower, and over the sloping sand toward the waves. "'up, up, lucy, the sun is up, and we must be up, too,' as it used to say in the school books," cried dick, gaily. "we've got lots to do to-day, fellows, and we'd better get at it. so, after some coffee and rolls--we'll omit the omelet this morning, because--ahem!--because the hens seem to be off on their vacation--but after some coffee and hard-tack we'll get busy. we must set up some signals of distress, erect a better shelter, see what food we have on hand, look to see what there is to be gotten here, and take another look at the place from where the launch disappeared. maybe we can discover some clews. come on, tumble out, everybody!" "me for a dip in the briny!" cried paul, and, stripping to his undergarments, he ran down the beach, and was soon splashing about. the others followed his example, with the exception of widdy and senor alantrez, and when the lads came back, glowing from their bath, they found a table set on the sands--a primitive table, with tin cans for cups, and shells for plates. but no coffee ever tasted better, as they sat around in negligee costumes and drank it, for the weather was warm enough to permit of light attire. "now, fellows, here's the program, as i see it," said dick, when the meal was finished. "senor alantrez, his son and i will go over to the other side of the island and erect some sort of a distress signal. we will also take a look around while there. widdy, you and henry darby and tim muldoon can get busy and make a better shelter. you have pocket-knives, and can cut branches when you can't break 'em. paul, you and beeby take a stroll around, and see if there is anything to eat on this place. take the rifle, which you were lucky enough to bring with you, paul, and if you can pot a brace of quail or a roast turkey, so much the better." "and i'll take some pictures," added beeby. "yes, it will keep you out of mischief," declared dick, smiling. "now we all have something to do." "aye, aye, captain hamilton!" exclaimed paul, with a left-handed salute. "your orders shall be obeyed." "i wish i had some sort of a hatchet with which to cut a tree to stick down near the beach for a signal pole," went on dick. "the kidnappers left me one, but it's not very sharp," said pedro alantrez, as he brought it forth. "it'll have to do," observed the young millionaire. "now, come on. we'll be back to dinner, fellows, so be sure to have a good one ready," he added, as he and the two spaniards started across the island. when the wealthy youth and his companions reached the high ground in the middle of the place, they looked long and earnestly across the waste of waters, but there was no sign of the yacht, nor any other vessel. dick could not help sighing, as he started to ascend the slope. "i regret, senor, that you have suffered so much on my account," spoke pedro, softly. "your fine yacht is gone." "but i'll get it back!" declared dick, with anger in his eyes. "it wasn't your fault at all--i'm only too glad that we came here for you." they made a careful examination of the beach upon which the launch had been hauled when the party went ashore, but no clews could be had. the tide had washed away most of the footprints, and those that were left were so intermingled that it could not be told whether they had been made by dick and his chums, or by strangers who landed, took away the launch and thus reached the yacht. "well, we'll put up a signal, and leave a note in some stones at the foot of the pole, telling any rescue party that may land, to come to the other side of the island," proposed dick. "and there's another thing--what shall i make the signal of?" "we'll have to use some of our clothing," suggested senor alantrez. "i can spare my vest." "i guess we all can," said dick. "we don't need 'em in this climate, and three vests, fluttering from a flagstaff, will attract attention almost anywhere." they cut down a tall, slender tree, tied their vests to it, one below the other, and then, digging a hole in the sand with the hatchet, well above high-water mark, they set up the pole. the signal showed conspicuously. "now, that's done, we'll take a walk along the beach before we go back," proposed dick. "maybe we can find some clams or some crabs to eat. well, this is certainly a change from what i was doing yesterday. by the way, pedro, how did you come to be kidnapped, anyhow. i meant to have you tell us, but so many other things happened that i overlooked it. did you get any clew to who the men were?" "i was just going to speak about it myself," said the young cuban. "i meant to last night, for i think you are much concerned in it." "i am concerned in it?" "yes." "how is that?" asked dick, wonderingly. "because i was kidnapped by a man named ezra larabee, and the men he hired to take me away thought they were taking a certain dick hamilton." "my uncle ezra here? he wanted to kidnap me? they took you for me?" gasped dick, wondering whether he had heard aright. "yes. you and i strongly resemble each other," went on the spanish youth. "i know that," assented dick, "but--my uncle here--trying to kidnap me? it seems incredible. what vessel did he have?" "the _princess_." "ha! then it _was_ the same one on which they tried to decoy me while in new york. i begin to see through some things," cried dick. "those men--the two who attacked me--they were kidnappers instead of thieves, as i thought. but i never suspected uncle ezra, though he did bitterly oppose me in this yachting business. but what can be his object? is he crazy?" "he is possessed with an idea that you must be prevented from wasting your money," answered pedro. "i gathered that much while a captive on the _princess_. he wants to kidnap you for your own good, he says." "then he must have gone insane. to think of taking you for me!" "yes, your uncle was very much put out over the mistake the men and boys made," said pedro. "boys--were there boys aboard the _princess_?" asked dick. "guy fletcher and simon scardale," answered the spaniard. "guy and simon? worse and more of it!" cried dick. "but how did my uncle happen to get in with them--how did he get away down to cuba?" "it seems that he followed you from new york," went on pedro, who had overheard considerable during his captivity. "he knew you were coming to cuba to look up some distant relatives." "that's right, so i did, but i don't seem to be able to locate them," said the young millionaire. "i am looking for some relatives of my dear mother--their names are miguel and raphael valdez, but they seem to have disappeared." "miguel and raphael valdez?" gasped senor alantrez, springing to his feet. "are you searching for _them_, senor hamilton?" "i am, but i've about given up. they are not to be found, and i'm sorry, for mother wished to have them aided if they were in want. besides their signatures are needed to important papers. however, if i can't locate them----" "they _are_ to be found!" cried the elderly cuban. "where?" asked dick, eagerly. "here," replied senor alantrez, with a dramatic gesture. "allow me to make known to you the identity of myself and my son. i am senor raphael valdez, and he is miguel, and we are relatives of your mother, if you are the son of mortimer hamilton." "i certainly am," responded the youth, in puzzled tones, "but i thought your name was alantrez." "i changed my name when i lost my money, as i was too proud to let my friends know of my misfortune," went on senor valdez, as we must now call him, "but we really are the last of the valdez family, as i shall soon convince you. we are your mother's relatives, though i never suspected it, for the name hamilton is not uncommon. please to be seated, senor, and i will relate our story to you," and the cuban politely waved dick to a seat on the sand. "and to think that i have been chumming with you all this while, and never knew you were my relatives!" cried the young millionaire. "this beats a story in a book. go ahead, senor, tell me all you can, and then we'll hurry back to camp with the good news." chapter xxviii building a raft senor raphael valdez was not long in proving the identity of himself and his son. several years back he had fallen in love with a miss rose martin, who was dick's mother's cousin. he had married her, taken her to cuba, where he had large possessions, and, after many years of happiness she had died, leaving him an only son. when the war with spain broke out, all of the wealth of senor valdez was swept away, and he became poor. unwilling to let his friends know of his plight--for his was a proud spanish nature--he changed his name, and he and his son set out to mend their broken fortunes. but it was hard work, and for years he struggled along, concealing his whereabouts to such advantage that none of mr. hamilton's inquiries located him. finally senor valdez, under the name of alantrez, secured a place with the government, in santiago, his former home, but he and his son had so changed in appearance that none of their former friends knew them, and they had no near relatives. all this the elder cuban related to the young millionaire, as they sat on the sands at the foot of the signal mast. "and that accounts for the likeness of you and my son," finished senor valdez. "he has some of the martin blood in his veins, i am glad to say, and i am proud that your mother, senor hamilton, was related to the martin family." "so am i," added dick, "and i'm happy that i have found you. i have been able to fulfil the mission my mother left unfinished, and also clear up dad's property affairs. i hope you will not be too proud, senor, to accept help from me," he continued wistfully, for dick liked nothing better than to help other people. "besides, there is a tenth share of the property in new york coming to you." "you have already placed me so much in your debt that i am overwhelmed," said the cuban, warmly. "then you might as well let me make a complete job of it," spoke dick, quickly, with a laugh. "but, suppose we start back. the others may be getting anxious." senior valdez returned to his pocket certain papers, by which he had proved his identity, and arose. "come on, cousin miguel," dick said to the cuban lad. "i'm going to call you cousin, from now on, if you don't object." "i am honored," answered miguel, with a stately bow. exploring part of the beach, near the signal mast, dick and his two companions found a number of soft clams, of which they gathered a quantity, carrying them in a bag which the kidnappers had left with miguel. "we'll have them steamed on a fire in a pile of seaweed," suggested the young millionaire. "it'll be a shore dinner, though the usual fixings will be missing." they found the whole party assembled on the beach, near the campfire, waiting for them, paul and beeby having returned empty handed. there was rather a glum look on their faces. "what's the matter?" asked dick. "you look as if you'd lost your last friend." "we didn't find any grub," explained beeby. "but _we_ did, and i found something else," went on the lad of millions. "here are slathers of soft clams. we can't starve while they hold out." "we saw some like those, but i didn't think they were any good," remarked beeby. "we were looking for something worth while." "you'll find these worth while when you're hungry," went on dick. "come on, now, fellows, get a good fire going, gather some seaweed and we'll have a feast. but, first, i've got some news for you," and he proceeded to relate his unexpected, but perfectly simple, finding of the relatives he had come so far to seek. "it's just like when once i found a whole lot of scrap iron i wasn't expecting," declared henry darby, and then he wondered why dick and the others laughed, hastening to explain, as soon as he saw the joke, that he had no intention of comparing the young millionaire's relatives to iron junk. while the boys were discussing the strange outcome of the affair, widdy was busy with the steaming of the clams. in a short time an appetizing aroma filled the air, which caused the boys to inquire anxiously when the "shore-dinner," as they dubbed it, would be ready. they ate in rather primitive fashion, with fingers doing duty for knives and forks, but they all said they had never tasted any better clams, though there was no drawn-butter to dip them into. [illustration: they ate in rather primitive fashion, with fingers doing duty for knives and forks.--_page ._ _dick hamilton's steam yacht._] "now," suggested dick, as they finished, and wished for more, "we will take an account of stock, and see what's next to be done." "the bower or bungalow, or whatever you're going to call it, isn't quite finished," said tim muldoon. "it won't take long," was widdy's opinion; so they all set to work on that, and soon had a fairly good shelter constructed; one that would keep out the cold, and damp night winds. "next is the food supply," went on dick, and when they looked over what the kidnappers had left with miguel valdez there were anxious looks on every face, for the quantity was barely sufficient to last them a week. "there's only one thing to do," declared dick, grimly, "we will have to go on short rations until we are rescued, or until we can get away from this place." "and when will that be?" asked beeby, nervously. "how about it, widdy?" inquired dick of the old sailor; "are any vessels likely to pass this way?" "not many," was the response. "we're out of the track of most vessels, though, of course, there's always the chance of a tramp steamer seein' our signals. as the flagpoles are on both sides of the island, they can hardly miss 'em." "well, we won't sit down and wait for some one to come along," decided dick, after a moment's thought. "if we want to get away from this place we've got to help ourselves." "and how's that?" inquired paul. "are we going to build a boat, like robinson crusoe did, out of a hollow tree?" "not much," declared dick. "we haven't any tools to make a boat, but we can build a raft, and float away on that, and perhaps get in the track of some steamer; eh, widdy?" "i think so, mr. dick. we'll try, anyhow." "but how can we build a raft?" asked beeby. "do you expect us to cut down trees with our pocket-knives? it can't be done, dick. we're in a bad way, and our only hope is a steamer sighting us." "you get out!" cried dick, vigorously. "we may starve before a steamer comes. we've got to get afloat before all our grub is gone, and that means we'll have to build a raft at once. i saw a lot of dead trees in the woods. they're light, and will float well. then we can cut down some others with the hatchet." "and tie 'em together with a fishline, i s'pose?" added beeby, gloomily. "not at all, but if you've got a fishline i can see what you're going to be up against," spoke the young millionaire, quickly. "go off and try to catch some fish, beeby. we can fasten our raft together with wild vines. i tripped over enough in the forest to make a dozen rafts, and they're almost as strong as wire cable. now, get busy, fellows, and we'll soon be afloat again." dick's enthusiasm and energy were contagious. in a short time they were all busy dragging small dead trees from the woods to the beach. the logs were laid criss-cross, and under widdy's direction, were tied together with strong, trailing vines, of which there were many available. to make the raft more secure, they cut down, with the hatchet, a number of saplings, which were bound in and out among the larger logs, giving them the necessary stiffness. at the close of the first day they had a large raft, capable of holding them all, and it was nearly ready to be floated. "but it must have more wood in," decided dick, as they sat about the campfire that night, eating a scanty ration which was served out. "we may encounter a storm, and the more wood we have in our craft the higher it will ride. then we must build a sort of platform on which to store our food and water, and we'll also rig some lifelines, of the vines, to keep us from pitching overboard." "right you are, my hearty! all regular and shipshape!" exclaimed widdy. "we'll get away from this place, and catch those kidnappers yet, split my lee scuppers if we don't!" "and get my yacht back, too, i hope," added the young captain. "i'd like to know who has her." if dick had been able to peer into the comfortable cabin of his yacht at that moment he would have been very much surprised at the sight which would have met his eyes. they renewed work on the raft next morning, after a more comfortable night spent in the bower than was their first. other logs and saplings were added to the rude craft, and a platform was constructed out of driftwood, and pieces of the boxes in which the kidnappers had left food for the young cuban. "there, that will keep our stuff dry for a while, anyhow," remarked dick. "now about taking some fresh water along; what would you advise, widdy?" "water's going to be our worst trouble," declared the old sailor. "but we've got quite a few tins that's had food in 'em. we can fill those, and by only taking a small sip when we're dry it may last us until we are picked up. if it doesn't----" he did not finish, but the boys knew what he meant--they would suffer terribly. for two days more they worked on the raft, for they knew their very lives would depend on its stability, and dick would take no chances. they even made a sort of awning on it--a shelter from the sun--using old bags. then a good-sized cask was luckily cast ashore by the tide, one morning, and that served admirably to hold a good supply of water. all this while a sharp lookout had been kept for passing vessels, but, though once or twice smoke from steamers, hull down on the horizon, had been seen, none approached the island, and the tattered signals fluttered desolately in the wind. but dick and his marooned chums were too busy to give up hope. "if we only had more food i wouldn't worry so much," said the young millionaire, the night before they were to start off on the raft. "our supply is getting lower, and, though we can take along a lot of clams, and maybe catch some fish, it's going to be mighty small eating for a while, fellows." "i had pretty good luck catching fish to-day," announced beeby. "maybe we can get a lot and smoke 'em!" "the very thing!" cried dick. "we'll wait another day, and take along a supply of smoked fish." they crawled into the bower that night, and stretched out on beds of dry seaweed, wondering and fearing what the morrow would bring forth. chapter xxix the rescue with soft clams for bait, paul drew and tim muldoon made up the fishing party next day, while dick, henry and widdy, aided by the two cubans, put the finishing touches on the raft. beeby went off with his camera, which he had brought to the island. he said he wanted to get some last views of the place where they had been marooned. the fishing, which was done off some rocks that jutted out from shore, was good, and soon the two youths had a fine supply. the old sailor cleaned them, and then, laid on a network of sticks, over a slow fire, the fish were smoked, to preserve them for use as food when the voyage of the raft should have been started. the tins and cask were filled with water, and fastened to the raised platform in the centre of the craft. what little food remained was carefully stored aboard, together with as many soft clams as could be gathered. "we can catch some fish as we sail along," remarked frank bender, "but we'll have to eat them raw." "raw? not a bit of it!" cried dick. "i've just thought of something. we can make a stone fireplace aboard the raft, and take along some wood. then, when it doesn't rain--and it's not likely to for a while--we can cook. i never thought of that before, but i've often seen fires built on big lumber rafts, and ours is large enough. we won't have to eat our fish raw, if we're lucky enough to catch any. and another thing, i'm going to rig up some sort of a sail. we can do it with pieces of the bagging. then we can get some motion beside that of drifting. oh, before we get through with this we'll have a regular ocean steamer," and he laughed gaily. he was soon constructing the fireplace on the raft, with a bed of dirt beneath the stones to avoid danger from fire. henry darby helped, and frank bender gathered a supply of dry wood, which was stored in one of the wooden boxes under the platform. then a mast, with a boom at top and bottom, to hold distended a square sail of bagging, was made, and erected. "now, we begin to look like something," declared dick, as he surveyed the raft. "we'll float her at high tide to-morrow, and then we'll see how she rides. she may not be as swift as my steam yacht, but she'll answer, i hope." "what are you going to christen her?" asked henry. "guess we'll call her the _albatross ii_," said dick, and that name was selected. it was now time for the scanty dinner, which was all that could be served, for rations were scarce, when beeby came panting from the woods, and dashed down the beach toward his companions, who were grouped around dick. "i got 'em!" he cried. "i got 'em!" "got what?" asked the young millionaire, anxiously. "a whole lot of birds! they're like chickens, nice, and plump, and fat! i got 'em. i sneaked up on 'em, and they didn't hear me, and i got 'em! they ought to make fine eating!" "good for you!" cried dick. "like chickens, eh? well, we'll wait dinner and cook some now, and also take some cooked ones along on the raft. you're all right, beeby, if you are fat. where are they, and how many did you kill?" "kill? i didn't kill any!" was the surprising answer. "i meant that i snapshotted 'em. i'll make a dandy picture! there must have been a hundred birds! i used my last film on 'em!" for an instant dick looked at the fat cadet. the hope that had risen high in all their hearts was rudely dispelled. beeby gazed about, trying to understand wherein he had offended, for the silence was ominous. "throw him down, and stuff sand in his mouth!" cried dick, at length. "the idea of telling us you have a whole lot of birds like chickens, and we about to eat some scraps of corned-beef, and cold clams, and then, when our mouths are all watering, you say you snapshotted 'em! snapshotted 'em! you ought to be made to eat some fricasseed clam shells, beeby." "why--why, didn't you want me to take a picture of 'em?" asked the stout youth, blankly. "take a picture of 'em? why, in the name of the sacred cat, didn't you shoot some for dinner?" asked dick. "i--i didn't have the rifle. but i'll go back and see if i can pot some. there are hundreds of 'em." "no, we'll have grub first, and then we'll see what we can do. it sounds good, and i guess, after all, you're entitled to a vote of thanks, innis, for discovering them." dick and beeby went hunting that afternoon, and the young millionaire, who was a good shot with the rifle, managed to get a number of the plump birds. they were roasted, and furnished a good supper, while a quantity of the cooked fowl were put aboard the raft for future use. the next morning, bidding farewell to the desolate island, where they had been marooned for nearly a week, the little party floated the raft at high tide, got aboard, and, hoisting the rude sail, while widdy steered with a sweep, which he had improvised from a sapling, and a board from a box, they set off--for where they did not know. there was a light wind, and the day was fair, and widdy, who had all the instinct of an old salt, headed the raft, as well as he could, toward cuba. they did not hope to reach it, or, rather, they hoped they would be picked up before having to sail so far. of their voyage on the raft they talked for many years afterward, for it was a novel experience. at first, it was not so bad, for the sea was calm, and they even built a fire and cooked some fish which they caught. senor valdez volunteered to serve in the "galley," as dick called it, the cuban gentleman proving an expert chef, even with such rude facilities at his command. he and his son were jolly good companions, as well, for, now that they had each other, no hardships seemed too much for them. the raft, naturally, made slow progress, but to the boys anything was better than remaining on the lonely island, waiting for a vessel to take them off. for three days they sailed on, uneventfully. they had enough to eat to keep them from feeling hungry, though there was no great variety, and they had water to drink, though it was flat and warm. they even managed to get some sleep on piles of seaweed which had been put on the raft. but the sea, as if tired of being so calm, kicked up a fuss on the fourth day out, and waves began to come aboard. the fire was put out, and some of the tins of water washed overboard. this was a severe loss, for their scant supply was getting lower each hour. they were wet and miserable, and when it came on to rain, the only consolation in the storm was that they caught a little fresh water. the next day proved hot and muggy, when the body seemed to want as much water as a sponge. dick, backed up by widdy, would let only a little of the fresh fluid be used. the boys were advised to keep their bodies wet, as this helped to slake their thirst. there was little difficulty in this, as the spray and waves kept every one aboard the raft more or less soaked. they had to eat cold victuals, and on the fifth day, even these were limited in quantity, for the food was giving out. it was a forlorn and weary raft of adventurers that sailed slowly over the sea, with every one aboard straining his eyes for a sight of a ship that would rescue them. "it certainly is tough," murmured beeby, when he was allowed but a mouthful of water. "terribly tough! i'm awful dry!" "think of something else!" counseled dick. "we may be picked up to-morrow." they were not, though, and with their supply of food down almost to nothing, and only a little water left, their situation was desperate. poor grit whined and looked up into dick's face, as if trying to understand why he did not have all the meat and water he wanted. the young millionaire (and what a mockery his wealth seemed to him then) shared his rations with the dogs, but would not allow the others to deprive themselves of any of theirs. dick only drew his belt tighter, and gazed off into space, hoping against hope that he would see a ship. he wet his parched lips, and prayed silently--not so much for himself, as for the others, while grit whined at his feet, and licked his hand. the little puppy, not being able to stand the strain, died, and, rather sorrowfully, they cast him overboard. it was on the ninth day out--a hot, broiling day--when the sun seemed fairly to sizzle through the bagging awning, and force out every drop of moisture from one's body. there was not an ounce of water left, and death stared them in the face. they lay about the raft limply, almost too weak to speak. it was widdy who first saw the approaching, ship. at first he feared his eyes were deceiving him, and he rubbed them, and stared again and again, to make sure, before he ventured to cry out: "sail ho!" they all leaped to their feet with new strength at his words, and gazed where he pointed. at first it was but a speck, but they shouted and waved any rag or piece of clothing they could catch up. of course, their feeble voices did not carry, but they must have been seen, for, presently, when the ship was made out to be a steamer, they saw the course changed, and she bore down upon them. "we're saved, thank god!" gasped dick, and there were tears in his eyes, while grit, as if catching the spirit of hope, leaped about, and barked joyously. an hour later they were aboard the steamer _trascaron_, and were being fed cautiously on soup and weak tea, while their raft was abandoned, and with thankful hearts they learned that they were aboard a vessel bound for santiago. "and when we get there i'm going to hire another yacht, and search for mine!" declared dick, with something of a return of his former energy. chapter xxx the pursuit no bad effects followed our friends' exposure on the raft, and starved bodies were soon well nourished by the good food supplied aboard the _trascaron_, whose captain could not do enough for the young millionaire's party. dick asked eagerly for news of his missing yacht, but could obtain none, and was forced to content himself until they arrived at santiago. there his first act was to send a cablegram to his father, telling something of uncle ezra's daring acts, how they were marooned on the island, and of his intention to search for the _albatross_. incidentally, dick asked for some money, since most of his was aboard the stolen yacht, and mr. hamilton promptly cabled a large sum, sufficient to hire a steamer for a month. dick, after fitting himself and friends out with new clothing, next visited the lawyer, whom he had engaged to search for the valdez family, informing the attorney that no further steps were necessary. the cuban father and son were installed in comfortable rooms in the hotel where dick and his companions were quartered, and senor valdez was told that mrs. hamilton, his wife's cousin, had made ample provision for him, so that he could set up in business again. senor valdez and his son also signed certain papers in reference to the property in new york, clearing the title, and making it unnecessary for them to leave cuba. they would receive their tenth share of the value of the land, which, with what provision mrs. hamilton had made for them in her will, placed them beyond the reach of want. "and, now that's done, i'm going to get busy on my own account, and find my yacht," remarked dick one evening to his chums, as they sat in the parlor from which their sleeping-rooms opened. "yes, it's time you did something for yourself; you've had us on your hands long enough," remarked paul. "well, we had lots of fun, even if we were marooned, and nearly shipwrecked," declared the young millionaire. negotiations for the hire of a small, but swift, steamer were completed the next day, and dick and his friends went aboard. of course, grit went also. inquiries had failed to throw any light as to who might have stolen dick's yacht and launch from stone island, nor was any trace found of the steamer _princess_, containing uncle ezra and the men and two youths whom he had hired to kidnap dick. "then, if you can't get any trace, how are you going to know in which direction to search?" asked beeby. "you can't cover all the waters around cuba." "i don't intend to," replied dick. "in the first place, captain barton, and the others of the crew are--or were--aboard my yacht when it was captured. they are either aboard her now or they have been put ashore somewhere by the thieves. in the latter case, we will hear something from them sooner or later, for they'll communicate with us, and we'll get a clue to work on. if they are still held as prisoners, i'll have to adopt a different course." "and what'll it be?" asked paul drew. "why, i think our best plan is to sail back to stone island." "stone island?" cried henry darby. "do you mean to camp out there again?" asked frank. "no, we had enough of that," answered the wealthy lad. "but i have an idea that the men who stole my yacht have a sort of headquarters on that island. we didn't have time to look for it, but it must be there. what would be more natural than that they will either hang around in that vicinity, or even visit the island." "hardly that, if they think we are there still," objected beeby. "that's just it. they may think we have been taken off by some steamer, and that the coast is clear, so that they can come back. if they do we have them, and so i think our best plan is to set sail for the island where we were marooned." "i guess you're right, dick," admitted paul. the next day the _golconda_, which was the steamer dick had hired, slipped away from her dock, and headed for stone island. aboard her, though the boys did not live as finely as they had in the yacht of the young millionaire, they had a good time, and most of their hours were spent on deck, as they cruised on, looking for a sight of the _albatross_. dick declared that he was getting cross-eyed from so constantly looking through the binoculars, but he would not give up. many ships were passed, but they proved to be other than the _albatross_. nor was the _princess_ sighted. "i guess uncle ezra and his crowd had enough, and went back to new york," ventured dick. "my uncle is probably in dankville now, figuring up how much money he lost. oh, won't i have the laugh on him when i jolly him for kidnapping the wrong person!" "i'd do more than _jolly_ him," said beeby, vindictively. "he ought to be arrested." "oh, uncle ezra is a peculiar man," said dick. "he can make himself believe that he acted just right. he's afraid i'll die a pauper in the poorhouse, i guess." forward sailed the _golconda_, even to stone island, but there was no sight of the missing yacht. they anchored in the bay where dick's fine craft had previously come to rest, just before the theft, and, cautioning captain and crew to be on their guard, dick and his chums, well armed, went ashore with widdy, who was now one of their party. but there was no trace of any visitors since they had left to make the voyage on the raft, and they found their camp desolate, and undisturbed. "well, i guess i was wrong, thinking they'd come back here," said dick, rather disappointed, when, after a day spent on the island, they prepared to go back on board the steamer. "but we'll search farther." they did, and the voyage was kept up for a week, sailing here and there, but always in the vicinity of the island. once they returned to santiago to inquire if any news had been heard of either ship, but none had. then they began their search of the waste of waters again, stopping at or near several small islands or keys, and inquiring of many vessels which they spoke as they manoeuvred about. "my yacht seems to have disappeared from this vicinity," admitted dick, ruefully, when the second week was half gone. "i guess i'll have to give up." "don't you do it, matey!" exclaimed old widdy, smashing his pipe down on deck, a favorite diversion of his whenever he was excited. "keep after 'em! you'll find 'em yet, split my lee scuppers if you won't!" and so the young millionaire resolved not to give up just yet. it was on the last day of the second week, when, as they were cruising about almost within sight of stone island, that they saw the smoke of a steamer, which seemed bearing down in the direction of the place where the kidnapped youth had been left. "here comes a ship," spoke beeby, who was using the glasses. "let me see?" requested dick, and he took a long view. "i don't believe it's my yacht," he said, "yet it's coming in this direction, and very few ships have trade or business in this locality. captain, i think we'll steam forward and meet her." the young millionaire's word was law aboard the ship he had hired, and, accordingly, the _golconda_ was put about, and headed toward the unknown vessel. this soon gave them a better view, and the boys crowded around their host, anxious for the first word that would proclaim if it was the yacht they sought, or some other craft. dick's eyes were glued to the binoculars, as he stood on the bridge, peering eagerly forward. "is it her?" asked beeby. "i can't quite make out. she looks something like the _albatross_, yet the funnel is a different color." "maybe they painted it again, to deceive people," suggested henry darby. "why--look--she's turning around!" they all stared in wonder, for the vessel, for some reason, was swinging about in a big circle, retracing her course. "can we go a little faster?" asked dick of the captain. "_si_, senor," was the reply, and the engine room telegraph clanged out an order. the _golconda_ leaped ahead. as the boat, to which the gaze of all was directed, swung around, so that her stern was toward the vessel containing dick and his chums, the young millionaire uttered a startled cry. passing the glasses to paul drew, and bidding him look, dick exclaimed: "it's her! it's my yacht! it's the _albatross_!" "it sure is," agreed paul, a moment later. "i can read her name under the stern." "after her!" fairly yelled dick. "after her, captain! use every ounce of steam you can, for we _must_ catch her!" "i'll go down in the engine room and talk dutch to the firemen," volunteered widdy, who had the privilege of the bridge. he hastened away, while dick took another view of his yacht, that was steaming away from him so rapidly. but the _golconda_ was increasing her speed also, and the "bone in her teeth" grew larger in size, while the screw threshed the water at the stern more violently. the pursuit was on. chapter xxxi "man overboard!"--conclusion of the eagerness with which he watched the chase, and noted the distance between the two vessels, dick was hardly aware at the time. but he realized that he was under a great strain, and none more strongly than when he found he could scarcely open his cramped hands from holding the binoculars, through which he was looking at his yacht. he tried to make out figures aboard the steamer, but could not. "why do you think they turned about and ran?" asked paul. "they probably suspected something," replied dick. "they saw us headed toward them, and got frightened." "do you think you can catch up to her?" asked beeby. "she's going at a pretty good clip." "the time was when i wanted my yacht to be swift," answered dick, "but now i wouldn't care if she was a regular canal boat--until i boarded her. but this steamer's got some speed, too, and i am hoping that those on the _albatross_ won't know how to get the best out of her. in that case, we can overhaul her." but it was not going to be an easy task, as was soon demonstrated. the _golconda_ closed up part of the gap between her bow and the stern of dick's yacht, and that seemed all she was able to do. the stern chase was kept up, and was likely to prove a proverbially long one. then, whether widdy succeeded in infusing some of his own eagerness into the firemen, or whether the _golconda_ took it into her own notion to do better, was not apparent, but, at any rate, she did several more knots an hour, and toward the close of that afternoon, dick was made happy by seeing his stolen yacht nearer to him. "we must get her before dark, or she'll slip away in the night," he said. "_si_, senor," replied the spanish captain. "we will have her soon, now. they are losing speed." and it did seem so. little by little the _golconda_ crept up. persons aboard the _albatross_ could be seen hurrying to and fro on deck, but dick could not make out who they were. "but we'll board her, and put them in irons, whether they're pirates, with the reputation of captain kidd, or not," declared the young millionaire, savagely. nearer and nearer raced the pursuing vessel. the two were now but half a mile apart, and every moment was lessening the distance. dick was in a fever of impatience, fearing something would happen that would allow the thieves of his yacht to escape with her. "we'll have her in half an hour more!" he cried. "eh, captain?" "_si_, senor. perhaps in less. i will see----" he did not finish the sentence. instead he half uttered a cry of astonishment, and pointed toward the _albatross_. dick looked, and saw a figure shoot over the rail of his yacht, and fall into the sea with a splash. "man overboard! man overboard!" he yelled, as if those aboard his own swift vessel could hear him. "why--why--they're not going to stop to pick him up!" cried beeby, who was beside his wealthy chum. "they're going to let him drown!" "he's struggling in the water!" announced paul drew. "shall i----" began the captain, looking at dick. the young millionaire knew what was meant. in the name of humanity they must stop and lower a boat to save the man in the sea, for the _albatross_ was keeping on, at unslackened speed. dick hesitated. the _golconda_ was nearing the struggling figure. to stop meant that his yacht ahead would draw further away--she might so increase her distance that it would be impossible to catch up to her before dark--and then--dick knew the chances were slim of ever seeing his craft again. yet he hesitated only for a moment. "lay to, and lower a boat, captain," he said quietly. "we can't let the poor fellow drown." no one knew what it cost dick to say those words. the engine room telegraph clanged out an order to slow up. almost at once the effect was apparent. the _albatross_ seemed to shoot ahead. a boat was quickly lowered from the _golconda_, and the spanish sailors soon had rescued the man in the water. a limp and wet figure he lay in the bottom of the small craft, as it was rowed back to the steamer's side. dick was gazing at his fast-fleeing yacht, and he could scarcely keep down a lump in his throat. there was a mist before his eyes. he thought she was gone forever. the rescued man was hauled up on deck. "get under way as quickly as you can, captain," ordered dick, as the boat was hoisted to the davits. "we may catch them yet." "_si_, senor." dick strolled off the bridge to inquire how the half-drowned man was getting on, and also, to learn, if possible, the identity of the men who had stolen his yacht. the rescued one was sitting up on deck, in a steamer chair, having recovered consciousness, due to the rough and ready treatment of the sailors. dick saw an elderly man, with a little bunch of white whiskers on his chin. he rubbed his eyes and looked again. grit, at his master's heels, growled ominously. the hair on his back stood up, as it only did when he saw some one whom he hated, and who disliked him. "quiet, grit!" said dick, in a low voice. at the sound of the lad's words the man, who was covered with a blanket, arose unsteadily to his feet. dick could scarcely believe his eyes. "ah--er--is it you, nephew richard?" asked the rescued one, slowly. "uncle--ezra--larabee!" gasped the young millionaire. "is it possibly you?" "what's left of me--yes--nephew richard. oh, i've had a fearful time--i almost drowned, and those terrible men took all my money. oh, it was awful! never--never again will i undertake such a task, no matter who i try to save!" "did those pirates capture you, too, as well as my yacht, uncle ezra?" asked dick. "no--i--i captured your yacht, nephew richard," gasped mr. larabee, slowly. "but it's a long story, and i'm too weak to tell it now. i--i fell overboard, trying to look and see how near you were to us! oh, i thought i'd drown, but you saved me! i--i--thank you!" the words seemed to come unwillingly. "you--captured--my--yacht?" asked dick, slowly, wondering if he had heard aright. "that's what i did--but it was for your own good, nephew richard. i'm too weak to talk more now. please get me some medicine. i know i'll catch rheumatism from getting wet, and then i'll have a doctor's bill to pay." "take him below--to my stateroom," ordered the young millionaire. "i'll see him later. now to try and get my yacht. the idea of uncle ezra having taken her! i never dreamed of it! i can't understand it." dick hastened to the bridge again. it was getting dusk, and he feared the chase would be useless. he was met by widdy. "she's stopped! she's laid to, mr. dick!" cried the old salt. "who has?" "your yacht! she's waiting for us--she's coming to meet us! i guess they're giving up!" dick, scarcely able to believe his eyes, peered off in the direction of the _albatross_. true enough, she was swinging about and approaching the _golconda_. dick could not understand what it meant. he did a little later, though, when, having come within hailing distance, the spanish steamer having been brought to a stop, dick, looking across the intervening water, saw captain barton waving his hand to him. "captain hamilton ahoy!" cried the old skipper. "are you all right?" "yes! how about you? is my yacht safe?" yelled back dick. "aye, aye! my crew and i have been the prisoners of a gang of dastardly scoundrels, up to within a few minutes ago, when we broke out, and took command again. i've got the villains in irons in the brig, but your uncle ezra is missing. he fell overboard and was drowned, they tell me." "no, we have him here," shouted dick. "it's all right, but there's lots to be explained. i'm coming aboard." ten minutes later he was on the deck of his own yacht once more, shaking hands with captain barton, while grit was frisking joyously about, even making friends with hans, the cook. "and they made you prisoners, did they?" asked dick of the commander. "yes, and we've been locked up ever since they sneaked up on us at the island, and took the vessel." "but dey didn't shut me oop," explained hans, the cook, proudly. "dey vanted some one to make noodle soup for dem, und dey left me loose. den i bakes a pie, und i puts in it alretty a file und a saw, und vat should happen but dot captain barton he gets der pie und saws mit 'em his way out alretty yet. yes--no?" "that's how it happened," declared the commander, with a glance of approval at hans weyler. "but how did you ever get on our track, dick? i was afraid you had died on that island." "i'll tell you all about it," promised the young millionaire, "but first let me know whom you have locked up as prisoners? are they a regular band of pirates?" "they're the same fellows who, under the misdirected ideas of your uncle ezra, tried once before to kidnap you," said the captain. "locked up in the brig are sam newton and ike murdock, and with them are two young acquaintances of yours--guy fletcher and simon scardale!" "well, wouldn't that jar you!" exclaimed dick, weakly. "i never suspected they had my yacht. and uncle ezra, too! well, it's been a series of wonders all the way along! but is the yacht damaged?" "not a bit, only those fellows didn't know how to sail her. ike and sam brought some of their crew aboard, and i've got them in irons, too, though they aren't really to blame, as they only did what they were hired to do. now for explanations." they were soon briefly told. beginning from the time when he cast anchor in the little bay, off stone island, and dick and his chums went ashore in the launch, captain barton told of the capture of his vessel. he and his crew suspected nothing when they saw the yacht's launch approaching, and it was not until newton and murdock, in company with a number of lusty and savage men, had gained the deck, and attacked captain barton and his crew, that any hint of foul play was suspected. taken unawares, the commander of the _albatross_ and his men could do little. they were locked up below, and what happened after that they learned from time to time. the launch was hoisted aboard by the kidnappers, and the anchor gotten up. then out from a small bay, where she had been hidden, came the steamer _princess_, containing, among others, uncle ezra, guy and simon. with a couple of men left aboard her to steer, the others of the rascally crew, whom mr. larabee had hired, took up their quarters on dick's yacht, which was soon towing the _princess_. it seems that after newton and murdock had made the blunder, and captured the cuban youth instead of dick, they evolved a plan to redeem their mistake. they learned, by skilfully questioning the youth, that alantrez was not his real name, and, forcing him to tell his true one, and knowing something of the quest of the young millionaire, they figured out that the cuban was the relative whom dick was seeking. they planned to leave young valdez on stone island, with enough food for a long stay, and then the kidnappers sailed away, touching at a small seaport to send the letter which the cuban lad's father received. newton and murdock, who were shrewd scoundrels, figured that when the parent of the kidnapped boy learned that he was gone, he would reveal his true name, and that dick would thus discover his relative. the kidnappers also thought that nothing would be more natural than that the young millionaire would offer the use of his yacht to aid his mother's relative recover his son. things turned out just as the scoundrels desired, though not exactly in the order on which they counted, for dick did not discover his relatives' identity until on the island. but he did sail for the lonely place, as we have seen, and uncle ezra, and the men whom he had hired, were on the watch. the crabbed old man thought that if he could capture dick's yacht, it would so discourage his nephew that he would give up the cruising notion, and so save his money. watching their opportunity, newton, murdock and the others stole out from their hiding-place, when dick and his companions were ashore, seeking for the cuban, and captured the _albatross_, as i have said. they had no intention of leaving the young millionaire and his friends to starve, for mr. larabee insisted that they must return, and take off his nephew after a few days. they knew there was food enough on the island to last them all for some time. but dissensions arose among the scoundrels, when they had put out to sea, and quarrels delayed the return of the yacht to the island. in the meanwhile, the _princess_ had been sold, and the entire party went aboard the _albatross_, the captain and crew of which, with the exception of the cook, were kept close prisoners. finally, mr. larabee, anxious about his nephew, prevailed upon newton and the others to return to stone island, but dick and his chums had set off on their raft. not finding the young millionaire, and fearing that the entire party had perished, mr. larabee was a very much frightened man. he did not know what to do, fearing to return home, and face mr. hamilton, yet dreading to leave the vicinity of the island, where he had left his relative after confiscating his yacht. so the crabbed old man, and his companions cruised about, hoping to hear some news from the marooned party, yet being afraid to venture into port to make inquiries, for they reasoned that search would be made for them, because of the kidnapping. thus they sailed aimlessly about until the _golconda_ sighted them, and, suspecting from the manner in which she headed directly for them, that she was looking for them, murdock and his cronies turned and fled, mr. larabee urging them to speed away from what he feared would prove to be the grip of the law. the rest is known; how mr. larabee, leaning too far over the rail, to watch the chase, fell overboard and was rescued by the vessel dick had hired. captain barton told how he and his crew, about this time, broke from their prison, having sawed their way out by tools furnished by hans, the cook. they had a hard, desperate, but short struggle to subdue murdock and his men, but succeeded the more easily as the firemen and engineers were becoming dissatisfied with mr. larabee's treatment of them. in his turn, dick told all that had happened to him since sailing away from the island on the raft. "and now i'm here, and i'm going to stay on my own yacht," declared the young millionaire. "i guess the boys will be glad to come aboard, too." the two cadets, henry, frank and tim muldoon were soon in their former staterooms, while guy, simon, the two kidnappers, and the men in their employ were told that they would be sent aboard the _golconda_, to be returned to santiago. "the authorities there can do as they please with them," said dick. "senor valdez and his son can make a charge of kidnapping, if they choose. i'm not going to bother with them, or take them as prisoners to new york. i don't want to see them again. let 'em go, as far as i'm concerned. they didn't kidnap me." guy and simon pleaded to be taken back home, but dick was firm. he said he would run no further chances with them, and so, closely guarded, the two unscrupulous youth, together with their older companions, were transferred to the spanish steamer. "what are you going to do with your uncle ezra?" asked captain barton. "take him back home," answered dick. "i guess he's had his lesson," and very glad mr. larabee was to be taken aboard the _albatross_. "and what are your plans, captain hamilton?" inquired captain barton, as the two vessels parted company the next day, the _golconda_ sailing back to santiago, and the other yacht making toward new york. "oh, i'm going to give the boys a good time," announced the young millionaire. "we haven't had much fun, as yet. too much going on. now for a quiet cruise, life on some unknown island, if we like, and back home in time for the winter term at the kentfield academy. we're out for fun, now." "but--but, my dear nephew," ventured uncle ezra, "it will cost a lot of money to keep this yacht going. i know, for i have spent considerable of late." "i don't mind," answered dick. "i'm going to give my friends a good time. i may not have another chance to travel." but dick did, as will be related in the next volume of this series, which will be entitled "dick hamilton's football team; or, a young millionaire on the gridiron," and in which book we will renew our acquaintance with the wealthy lad, and his friends and enemies. dick's first act, after straightening out the tangle in which he found himself, was to send a wireless to his father, telling of his safety, and giving, in brief, an account of what had happened. then the yacht headed for new york, which was reached without incident, save that off cape hatteras they went through a severe storm, carrying away one of the auxiliary masts, and part of the wireless apparatus. then, after a visit to hamilton corners, with his friends, dick arranged to take his party for a trip along the new england coast, where later they had a fine time, camping on a small island. mr. larabee was a very much subdued man when he got back home. he even tried to pet grit, but the bulldog would have nothing to do with him, for which dick was thankful. mr. hamilton was very indignant at his brother-in-law, and was half-minded to take some action against him. "whatever possessed you to do such a thing, ezra?" asked the millionaire. "why, as i understand it, you tried twice to have my son kidnapped, and nearly succeeded the third time." "don't--don't use that word 'kidnapped,' mortimer," pleaded the old man. "it wasn't really kidnapping. i only wanted to get dick away a certain time for his own good, until he was over this yachting notion. it was to keep him from wasting his money, since you wouldn't prevent him." "of course not; it was his own money," answered mr. hamilton. "but do you know you laid yourself liable to a severe penalty of the law, ezra? you might be given a long sentence, or a heavy fine, for what you did." "don't say that, mortimer," begged mr. larabee. "i meant it for the best. i had dick's interests at heart. land knows, i lost enough money as it was, and i was in hopes that you would reimburse me. hiring steamers is very costly." "you'll not get a cent from me!" declared mr. hamilton, decidedly, "and you can consider yourself lucky if senor valdez doesn't prosecute you." "oh, dear! i never thought of all that!" exclaimed the old man. "i did it all for dick's good. i would have treated him well if i had only succeeded in getting him away." "well, i'm glad you didn't," said mr. hamilton, more softly. after all, he could partly forgive mr. larabee, who might honestly have been actuated by what he thought was a right idea. mr. larabee did not stay long in hamilton corners. he and grit did not get on at all well together, and the old man had to be constantly on the lookout for the bulldog, who took delight in hiding in dark places, and unexpectedly making a dash for the old man's legs, growling fiercely. perhaps the animal would not have bitten him, but mr. larabee said it made him nervous. so, after begging dick's forgiveness, which the young millionaire freely offered, the crabbed old man went back to dankville, sadder, and, perhaps, wiser, in a way. dick, on thinking the whole affair over, came to the conclusion that, after all, he had rather enjoyed it than otherwise, and so had his chums, though they had been in danger at times. henry darby found his old iron business more prosperous than ever. frank bender said he felt so fine from the cruise that he could do a number of new "stunts," and was sure of getting a place in a circus. as for tim muldoon, he declared he was going to sell an account of the yachting trip to some new york newspaper, and get a lot of money for it. paul drew and innis beeby returned to their homes after the new england cruise, both declaring they had never before so enjoyed a vacation, and, as for the fat cadet, he had enough pictures to stock a photo-supply shop. dick kept his yacht in commission until nearly time for the military academy to open, and, in company with captain barton and widdy, and with some of his friends for guests, enjoyed several short cruises. murdock, newton, guy and simon dropped out of sight for a time, after being taken to santiago, where, following a short imprisonment, they were released. and so ends the story of dick hamilton's yachting trip, but it was not the last of the stirring times he had, in which his millions played a part, for he and grit were destined for other adventures. the end. advertisements the famous rover boys series by arthur w. winfield american stories of american boys and girls a million and a half copies sold of this series mo. cloth. uniform style of binding. colored wrappers. the rover boys at school or the cadets of putnam hall the rover boys on the ocean or a chase for a fortune the rover boys in the jungle or stirring adventures in africa the rover boys out west or the search for a lost mine the rover boys on the great lakes or the secret of the island cave the rover boys in the mountains or a hunt for fame and fortune the rover boys on land and sea or the crusoes of seven islands the rover boys in camp or the rivals of pine island the rover boys on the river or the search for the missing houseboat the rover boys on the plains or the mystery of red rock ranch the rover boys in southern waters or the deserted steam yacht the rover boys on the farm or the last days at putnam hall the rover boys on treasure isle or the strange cruise of the steam yacht the rover boys at college or the right road and the wrong the rover boys down east or the struggle for the stanhope fortune the rover boys in the air or from college campus to the clouds the rover boys in new york or saving their father's honor the rover boys in alaska or lost in the fields of ice the rover boys in business or the search for the missing bonds the rover boys on a tour or last days at brill college grosset & dunlap, publishers, new york the dick hamilton series by howard r. garis a series that has become very popular dick hamilton's fortune or the stirring doings of a millionaire's son. dick, the son of a millionaire, has a fortune left to him by his mother. but before he can touch the bulk of this money it is stipulated in his mother's will that he must do certain things, in order to prove that he is worthy of possessing such a fortune. the doings of dick and his chums make the liveliest kind of reading. dick hamilton's cadet days or the handicap of a millionaire's son. the hero is sent to a military academy to make his way without the use of money. life at an up-to-date military academy is described, with target shooting, broadsword exercise, trick riding, sham battles, etc. dick proves himself a hero in the best sense of the word. dick hamilton's steam yacht or a young millionaire and the kidnappers. a series of adventures while yachting in which our hero's wealth plays a part. dick is marooned on an island, recovers his yacht and foils the kidnappers. dick hamilton's football team or a young millionaire on the gridiron. a very interesting account of how dick developed a champion team and of the lively contests with other teams. there is also related a number of thrilling incidents in which dick is the central figure. dick hamilton's touring car or a young millionaire's race for a fortune. dick's father gives him an automobile made to live in, which enables him and his companions to have a good time. dick hamilton's airship or a young millionaire in the clouds. tells how dick built an airship to compete in a twenty thousand dollar prize contest, and of many adventures he experiences. mo. handsomely printed and illustrated, and bound in cloth stamped in colors. printed wrappers. grosset & dunlap, publishers, new york the putnam hall series companion stories to the famous rover boys series by arthur m. winfield open-air pastimes have always been popular with boys, and should always be encouraged. these books mingle adventure and fact, and will appeal to every manly boy. mo. handsomely printed and illustrated. the putnam hall mystery or the school chums' strange discovery the particulars of the mystery and the solution of it are very interesting reading. the putnam hall encampment or the secret of the old mill a story full of vim and vigor, telling what the cadets did during the summer encampment, including a visit to a mysterious old mill, said to be haunted. the book has a wealth of fun in it. the putnam hall rebellion or the rival runaways the boys had good reasons for running away during captain putnam's absence. they had plenty of fun, and several queer adventures. the putnam hall champions or bound to win out in this volume the putnam hall cadets show what they can do in various keen rivalries on the athletic field and elsewhere. there is one victory which leads to a most unlooked-for discovery. the putnam hall cadets or good times in school and out the cadets are lively, flesh-and-blood fellows, bound to make friends from the start. there are some keen rivalries, in school and out, and something is told of a remarkable midnight feast and a hazing that had an unlooked for ending. the putnam hall rivals or fun and sport afloat and ashore it is a lively, rattling, breezy story of school life in this country written by one who knows all about its pleasures and its perplexities, its glorious excitements, and its chilling disappointments. grosset & dunlap - new york the flag and frontier series by captain ralph bonehill. these bracing stories of american life, exploration and adventure should find a place in every school and home library for the enthusiasm they kindle in american heroism and history. the historical background is absolutely correct. every volume complete in itself. mo. bound in cloth. stamped in colors. with boone on the frontier, or the pioneer boys of old kentucky. relates the true-to-life adventures of two boys who, in company with their folks, move westward with daniel boone. contains many thrilling scenes among the indians and encounters with wild animals. pioneer boys of the great northwest, or with lewis and clark across the rockies. a splendid story describing in detail the great expedition formed under the leadership of lewis and clark, and telling what was done by the pioneer boys who were first to penetrate the wilderness of the northwest. pioneer boys of the gold fields, or the nugget hunters of ' . giving the particulars of the great rush of the gold seekers to california in . in the party making its way across the continent are three boys who become chums, and share in no end of adventures. with custer in the black hills, or a young scout among the indians. tells of the experiences of a youth who, with his parents, goes to the black hills in search of gold. custer's last battle is well described. boys of the fort, or a young captain's pluck. this story of stirring doings at one of our well-known forts in the wild west is of more than ordinary interest. gives a good insight into army life of to-day. the young bandmaster, or concert, stage and battlefield. the hero is a youth who becomes a cornetist in an orchestra, and works his way up to the leadership of a brass band. he is carried off to sea and is taken to cuba, and while there joins a military band which accompanies our soldiers in the attack on santiago. off for hawaii, or the mystery of a great volcano. several boys start on a tour of the hawaiian islands. they have heard that there is a treasure located in the vicinity of kilauea, the largest active volcano in the world, and go in search of it. a sailor boy with dewey, or afloat in the philippines. the story of dewey's victory in manila bay as it appeared to a real, live american youth who was in the navy at the time. many adventures in manila and in the interior follow. when santiago fell, or the war adventures of two chums. two boys leave new york to join their parents in cuba. the war between spain and the cubans is on, and the boys are detained at santiago, but escape across the bay at night. many adventures follow. grosset & dunlap, - new york the railroad series by allen chapman. ralph fairbanks was bound to become a railroad man, as his father had been before him. step by step he worked his way upward, serving first in the roundhouse, cleaning locomotives; then in the switch tower, clearing the tracks; then on the engine, as a fireman; then as engineer of the overland express; and finally as train dispatcher. in this line of books there is revealed the whole workings of a great american railroad system. there are adventures in abundance--railroad wrecks, dashes through forest fires, the pursuit of a "wildcat" locomotive, the disappearance of a pay car with a large sum of money on board--but there is much more than this--the intense rivalry among railroads and railroad men, the working out of running schedules, the getting through "on time" in spite of all obstacles, and the manipulation of railroad securities by evil men who wish to rule or ruin. books that every american boy ought to own. ralph, the train dispatcher or the mystery of the pay car. ralph on the overland express or the trials and triumphs of a young engineer. ralph on the engine or the young fireman of the limited mail. ralph of the round house or bound to become a railroad man. ralph in the switch tower or clearing the track. mo. illustrated. handsomely bound in cloth. grosset & dunlap, - new york the tom swift series by victor appleton mo. cloth. uniform style of binding. colored wrappers. these spirited tales convey in a realistic way the wonderful advances in land and sea locomotion. stories like these are impressed upon the memory and their reading is productive only of good. tom swift and his motor cycle or fun and adventure on the road tom swift and his motor boat or the rivals of lake carlopa tom swift and his airship or the stirring cruise of the red cloud tom swift and his submarine boat or under the ocean for sunken treasure tom swift and his electric runabout or the speediest car on the road tom swift and his wireless message or the castaways of earthquake island tom swift among the diamond makers or the secret of phantom mountain tom swift in the caves of ice or the wreck of the airship tom swift and his sky racer or the quickest flight on record tom swift and his electric rifle or daring adventures in elephant land tom swift in the city of gold or marvellous adventures underground tom swift and his air glider or seeking the platinum treasure tom swift in captivity or a daring escape by airship tom swift and his wizard camera or the perils of moving picture taking tom swift and his great searchlight or on the border for uncle sam tom swift and his giant cannon or the longest shots on record tom swift and his photo telephone or the picture that saved a fortune tom swift and his aerial warship or the naval terror of the seas tom swift and his big tunnel or the hidden city of the andes grosset & dunlap, publishers, new york the moving picture boys series by victor appleton mo. bound in cloth. illustrated. uniform style of binding. moving pictures and photo plays are famous the world over, and in this line of books the reader is given a full description of how the films are made--the scenes of little dramas, indoors and out, trick pictures to satisfy the curious, soul-stirring pictures of city affairs, life in the wild west, among the cowboys and indians, thrilling rescues along the seacoast, the daring of picture hunters in the jungle among savage beasts, and the great risks run in picturing conditions in a land of earthquakes. the volumes teem with adventures and will be found interesting from first chapter to last. the moving picture boys or perils of a great city depicted. the moving picture boys in the west or taking scenes among the cowboys and indians. the moving picture boys on the coast or showing the perils of the deep. the moving picture boys in the jungle or stirring times among the wild animals. the moving picture boys in earthquake land or working amid many perils. the moving picture boys and the flood or perilous days on the mississippi. the moving picture boys at panama or stirring adventures along the great canal. the moving picture boys under the sea or the treasure of the lost ship. grosset & dunlap, publishers, new york the motion picture chums series by victor appleton mo. bound in cloth. illustrated. uniform style of binding. in these stories we follow the adventures of three boys, who, after purchasing at auction the contents of a moving picture house, open a theatre of their own. their many trials and tribulations, leading up to the final success of their venture, make very entertaining stories. the motion picture chums' first venture or opening a photo playhouse in fairlands. the adventures of frank, randy and pep in running a motion picture show. they had trials and tribulations but finally succeed. the motion picture chums at seaside park or the rival photo theatres of the boardwalk. their success at fairlands encourages the boys to open their show at seaside park, where they have exciting adventures--also a profitable season. the motion picture chums on broadway or the mystery of the missing cash box. backed by a rich western friend the chums established a photo playhouse in the great metropolis, where new adventures await them. the motion picture chums' outdoor exhibition or the film that solved a mystery. this time the playhouse was in a big summer park. how a film that was shown gave a clew to an important mystery is interestingly related. the motion picture chums' new idea or the first educational photo playhouse. in this book the scene is shifted to boston, and there is intense rivalry in the establishment of photo playhouses of educational value. the motion picture chums at the fair or the greatest film ever exhibited. the chums go to san francisco, where they have some trials but finally meet with great success. the motion picture chums' war spectacle or the film that won the prize. through being of service to the writer of a great scenario, the chums are enabled to produce it and win a prize. grosset & dunlap, publishers, new york the boys of columbia high series by graham b. forbes never was there a cleaner, brighter, more manly boy than frank allen, the hero of this series of boys' tales, and never was there a better crowd of lads to associate with than the students of the school. all boys will read these stories with deep interest. the rivalry between the towns along the river was of the keenest, and plots and counterplots to win the champions, at baseball, at football, at boat racing, at track athletics, and at ice hockey, were without number. any lad reading one volume of this series will surely want the others. the boys of columbia high or the all around rivals of the school the boys of columbia high on the diamond or winning out by pluck the boys of columbia high on the river or the boat race plot that failed the boys of columbia high on the gridiron or the struggle for the silver cup the boys of columbia high on the ice or out for the hockey championship the boys of columbia high in track athletics or a long run that won the boys of columbia high in winter sports or stirring doings on skates and iceboats mo. illustrated. handsomely bound in cloth, with cover design and wrappers in colors. grosset & dunlap, publishers, new york the outdoor chums series by captain quincy allen the outdoor chums are four wide-awake lads, sons of wealthy men of a small city located on a lake. the boys love outdoor life, and are greatly interested in hunting, fishing, and picture taking. they have motor cycles, motor boats, canoes, etc., and during their vacations go everywhere and have all sorts of thrilling adventures. the stories give full directions for camping out, how to fish, how to hunt wild animals and prepare the skins for stuffing, how to manage a canoe, how to swim, etc. full of the spirit of outdoor life. the outdoor chums or the first tour of the rod, gun and camera club. the outdoor chums on the lake or lively adventures on wildcat island. the outdoor chums in the forest or laying the ghost of oak ridge. the outdoor chums on the gulf or rescuing the lost balloonists. the outdoor chums after big game or perilous adventures in the wilderness. the outdoor chums on a houseboat or the rivals of the mississippi. the outdoor chums in the big woods or the rival hunters at lumber run. the outdoor chums at cabin point or the golden cup mystery. mo. averaging pages. illustrated. handsomely bound in cloth. grosset & dunlap, publishers, new york the outdoor girls series by laura lee hope author of the "bobbsey twin books" and "bunny brown" series. mo. bound in cloth. illustrated. uniform style of binding. these tales take in the various adventures participated in by several bright, up-to-date girls who love outdoor life. they are clean and wholesome, free from sensationalism, absorbing from the first chapter to the last. the outdoor girls of deepdale or camping and tramping for fun and health. telling how the girls organized their camping and tramping club, how they went on a tour, and of various adventures which befell them. the outdoor girls at rainbow lake or stirring cruise of the motor boat gem. one of the girls becomes the proud possessor of a motor boat and invites her club members to take a trip down the river to rainbow lake, a beautiful sheet of water lying between the mountains. the outdoor girls in a motor car or the haunted mansion of shadow valley. one of the girls has learned to run a big motor car, and she invites the club to go on a tour to visit some distant relatives. on the way they stop at a deserted mansion and make a surprising discovery. the outdoor girls in a winter camp or glorious days on skates and ice boats. in this story, the scene is shifted to a winter season. the girls have some jolly times skating and ice boating, and visit a hunters' camp in the big woods. the outdoor girls in florida. or wintering in the sunny south. the parents of one of the girls have bought an orange grove in florida and her companions are invited to visit the place. they take a trip into the interior, where several unusual things happen. the outdoor girls at ocean view or the box that was found in the sand. the girls have great fun and solve a mystery while on an outing along the new england coast. the outdoor girls on pine island or a cave and what it contained. a bright, healthful story, full of good times at a bungalow camp on pine island. grosset & dunlap, publishers, new york the moving picture girls series by laura lee hope author of "the bobbsey twins series." mo. bound in cloth. illustrated. uniform style of binding. the adventures of ruth and alice devere. their father, a widower, is an actor who has taken up work for the "movies." both girls wish to aid him in his work and visit various localities to act in all sorts of pictures. the moving picture girls or first appearance in photo dramas. having lost his voice, the father of the girls goes into the movies and the girls follow. tells how many "parlor dramas" are filmed. the moving picture girls at oak farm or queer happenings while taking rural plays. full of fun in the country, the haps and mishaps of taking film plays, and giving an account of two unusual discoveries. the moving picture girls snowbound or the proof on the film. a tale of winter adventures in the wilderness, showing how the photo-play actors sometimes suffer. the moving picture girls under the palms or lost in the wilds of florida. how they went to the land of palms, played many parts in dramas before the camera; were lost, and aided others who were also lost. the moving picture girls at rocky ranch or great days among the cowboys. all who have ever seen moving pictures of the great west will want to know just how they are made. this volume gives every detail and is full of clean fun and excitement. the moving picture girls at sea or a pictured shipwreck that became real. a thrilling account of the girls' experiences on the water. the moving picture girls in war plays or the sham battles at oak farm. the girls play important parts in big battle scenes and have plenty of hard work along with considerable fun. grosset & dunlap, publishers, new york the girls of central high series by gertrude w. morrison mo. bound in cloth. illustrated. uniform style of binding. here is a series full of the spirit of high school life of to-day. the girls are real flesh-and-blood characters, and we follow them with interest in school and out. there are many contested matches on track and field, and on the water, as well as doings in the classroom and on the school stage. there is plenty of fun and excitement, all clean, pure and wholesome. the girls of central high or rivals for all honors. a stirring tale of high school life, full of fun, with a touch of mystery and a strange initiation. the girls of central high on lake luna or the crew that won. telling of water sports and fun galore, and of fine times in camp. the girls of central high at basketball or the great gymnasium mystery. here we have a number of thrilling contests at basketball and in addition, the solving of a mystery which had bothered the high school authorities for a long while. the girls of central high on the stage or the play that took the prize. how the girls went in for theatricals and how one of them wrote a play which afterward was made over for the professional stage and brought in some much-needed money. the girls of central high on track and field or the girl champions of the school league this story takes in high school athletics in their most approved and up-to-date fashion. full of fun and excitement. the girls of central high in camp or the old professor's secret. the girls went camping on acorn island and had a delightful time at boating, swimming and picnic parties. grosset & dunlap, publishers, new york the bobbsey twins books for little men and women by laura lee hope author of "the bunny brown" series, etc. mo. bound in cloth. illustrated. uniform style of binding. copyright publications which cannot be obtained elsewhere. books that charm the hearts of the little ones, and of which they never tire. many of the adventures are comical in the extreme, and all the accidents that ordinarily happen to youthful personages happened to these many-sided little mortals. their haps and mishaps make decidedly entertaining reading. the bobbsey twins the bobbsey twins in the country the bobbsey twins at the seashore the bobbsey twins at school telling how they go home from the seashore; went to school and were promoted, and of their many trials and tribulations. the bobbsey twins at snow lodge telling of the winter holidays, and of the many fine times and adventures the twins had at a winter lodge in the big woods. the bobbsey twins on a houseboat mr. bobbsey obtains a houseboat, and the whole family go off on a tour. the bobbsey twins at meadow brook the young folks visit the farm again and have plenty of good times and several adventures. the bobbsey twins at home the twins get into all sorts of trouble--and out again--also bring aid to a poor family. grosset & dunlap, publishers, new york images made available by the hathitrust digital library (http://www.hathitrust.org/digital_library) note: images of the original pages are available through hathitrust digital library. see http://mirlyn.lib.umich.edu/record/ adventure stories for girls the cruise of the o moo by roy j. snell the reilly & lee co. chicago printed in the united states of america copyright, by the reilly & lee co. all rights reserved contents chapter page i a mysterious tapping ii the blue face in the night iii lucile's quick action gas iv trapped in the old museum v a catastrophe averted vi the blue god vii the mystery deepens viii a strange game of hide-and-go-seek ix someone drops in from nowhere x the real cruise begins xi a mysterious adventure xii the o moo rides the storm xiii land at last xiv "a phantom wireless" xv the island's secret xvi an unexpected welcome xvii hot water and a ghost the cruise of the o moo chapter i a mysterious tapping lucile tucker stirred in her berth, opened her eyes drowsily, then half-framed a thought into a whispered: "what was that?" the next instant she sat bolt upright. she had heard it again, this time not in a dream. it was a faint rat-tat-tat, with a hollow sound to it as if beaten on the head of a barrel. she strained her ears to catch the slightest sound but now caught only the constant lash-lash of the flag-rope as it beat the mast of the yacht, the o moo, a sure sign of a rising storm. she strained her eyes to peer into the darkness to the right of her; she wanted to see her two companions who should be sleeping there to make sure they were still with her. she could not see; the shutters were tightly closed and there was no moon. the place was dark; black as soot. she stilled her breathing to listen again, but caught only the lash-lash of that flag-rope, accompanied now and then by the drumlike boom of canvas. the storm was rising. soon it would be lashing the waves into white foam to send them crashing high above the breakwaters. she shivered. a storm aboard ship had always frightened her. yet now as she thought of the term, "aboard ship," she shrugged her slim shoulders. her lips parted in a smile as she murmured: "the cruise of the o moo." suddenly her thoughts were broken in upon by the repetition of that mysterious sound of a rat-tat-tat. "like a yellow-hammer drumming on a hollow tree," was her unspoken comment, "only birds don't work at night. it's like--like someone driving--yes, driving tacks. only who could it be? and anyway, why would they drive tacks into our yacht at midnight." the thought was so absurd that she dismissed it at once. dismissing the whole problem for the moment, she began thinking through the events which had led up to that moment. she, with marian norton, her cousin--as you will remember if you chance to have read the account of their previous adventure as recorded in the book called "the blue envelope"--had spent the previous year on the shores of behring straits in alaska and siberia. there they had been carried through a rather amazing series of thrilling adventures which had not been without their financial advantages, especially to marian. lucile's father had been, when she had left her home at anacortes, washington, a well-to-do salmon fisherman. she had felt no fear of lack of money for further schooling. the two girls had therefore planned to study during this present year, lucile at a great university situated near the shore of lake michigan and marion in a renowned school of art in the same city. but fortune plays rude tricks at times. they had returned to find that lucile's father's fortune had been dissipated by an unfortunate investment in fish-traps for catching a run of sock-eyed salmon, a salmon run which failed, and that marian's father had grub-staked a "sure-winner" gold mine which had panned out not enough gold to pay for the miner's "mucklucks" (skin-boots). so marian had given up the major portion of the money paid to her by the ethnological society for her sketches and lucile had abandoned all hope of receiving money from her father for a university education. they had not, however, given up their plans for further schooling. "have to live carefully and not spend an extra cent," had been marian's way of summing up the situation. "and we can make it all right. why, just look at the price for rooms at the university." she referred to a catalogue in her hand. "twenty-three dollars a term. that is less than two dollars a week. we could pay that. rooms outside the university certainly can't be any more--probably not as much." lucile smiled now as she recalled this bit of crude reasoning. they had hurried on to the university with their little checking accounts. they had had-- but here again lucile started and sprang half out of her berth. came again that mysterious rat-tat-tat. "what can it be?" she whispered. "marian! florence! wake up. someone is--" these last words, uttered in a whisper, died on her lips. the other girls slept on. what was the use of waking them? couldn't be anything serious. and if it were, what could they do at this mad hour of night? suppose they routed out old timmie, keeper of the dry dock, what could he do? it was black as jet out there. so she reasoned, and, having settled back between her blankets, began again the recalling of events. they had arrived in the city by the lake to be completely disillusioned. all university rooms had been reserved for months ahead. so too had all outside rooms which might be had for a reasonable price. to pay the price demanded for such rooms as were available had been impossible. they faced the danger of being obliged to return to their homes, and this, to such girls as they were, was a calamity unthinkable. just at this critical moment, the o moo had shown her masts above the horizon. she was a trim little pleasure yacht, thoroughly equipped for living on board. she belonged to a wealthy doctor named holmes, a life-time friend of lucile's father. "she's in dry dock down about two miles from the university," he had told the girls. "you're welcome to live in her for the winter. canvas over her now but you can prop that up here and there, i guess. make a snug place to camp, i'd say. cabin's about ten by thirty and there's everything you'd need, from an eggbeater to an electric range. there's electric lights and everything; valve-in-the-head motor supplies 'em. go on; live there if you want to; keep house and everything. pretty stiff walk to the u. but there's the lagoon in winter, with good skating a mile and a half of the way. what say--want to try it? old timmie, the keeper of the dry dock, will see that nobody bothers you. there's some chinamen living in a barge out there, some fishermen in a smack and a young chap in a gasoline schooner. guess they are all peaceable folks, though. might get another girl or two to go in with you. plenty of room. we live on board her two months every summer, two families of us, six in all." if the girls had been captivated at once by this novel plan, once they had climbed aboard the yacht, they had been thrilled and delighted at the sight which met their eyes. "she--she's a regular little floating palace!" lucile had stammered. "tut! tut!" mr. holmes had remonstrated, "not quite a palace, though comfortable enough, and not floating at all, at the present moment." "it will be a cruise--the winter cruise of the o moo," lucile had exclaimed in delight. had she but known how real these words would be to her some time hence--"the winter cruise of the o moo"--she might have shuddered with fear and been sorely tempted not to accept her new home. the power of divination was not one of her talents, so, with marian at her side, she had proceeded to lift the heavy canvas which enshrouded the yacht's deck, and, having crept ... a truly wonderful cabin it was, all done in dark oak, with broad panels of green canvas along the walls, equipped with heavy oak tables and heavily over-stuffed chairs and lounges. it presented the appearance of a splendidly furnished but rather eccentric living room. here at one end the touch of a lever sent an electric range springing up from the floor. a second lever lowered a partition between this suddenly improvised kitchenette and the living room. two cupboards to the right of this kitchen displayed dishes and cooking utensils. the opposite wall furnished a table which folded up when not in use. behind this was a fully equipped kitchen cabinet. "convenient when in use, out of the way when not needed," had been the doctor's only comment. this kitchen was forward. aft were to be found four double berths. modeled after the upper berths of a pullman sleeper, these gave the maximum of comfort and when folded up occupied no space at all. "it's wonderful!" had been the most the girls could say. "and, oh! doctor holmes, we'll pay you rent for it. you surely must allow us to do that," marian had exclaimed. "nonsense!" the good doctor had exclaimed. "worked my way through school myself. know what it means. all i ask is that you pass the good work on to some other fellow who needs a boost when you are through with school and making money." so here they were, and had been for two months, all comfortably established in the cabin of the o moo. dr. holmes had suggested that they might be able to accommodate another girl. they had become acquainted with florence huyler, a freshman in the physical culture department, and had decided at once that she was just the girl to join them. florence had not waited for a second invitation and here she was sleeping in the berth to lucile's right. just why she should have seemed most fitting as a companion for such an adventure i can best tell you as events progress. the long hike back and forth to the university and the art school had been a bit tiring at first, but in time they had come to enjoy it. then winter had come and with it ice on the lagoon. only yesterday they had had their first wonderful race over its shining surface. her recollections came slower and slower and she was about to drift off into a dream when there came again that strange rat-tat-tat. once more she sat bolt upright to peer into the darkness; once more she asked herself the questions: "what can it be? should i waken marian and florence?" she did not waken them. to do so would seem, she thought, a trifle silly. the yacht stood upon a car with iron wheels which rested on a track raised five feet above the ground by a stout trestle work. the sides of the yacht towered above this trestle. altogether the deck of the yacht was fully twenty feet from the ground. they ascended and descended by means of a rope ladder. this ladder, at the present moment, lay on the deck. no one could enter their cabin unless he were possessed of a ladder and any person attempting this would at once be detected and might be arrested for it, so why be afraid? but, after all, that sound was puzzling. she wanted to know what it meant. for some time she contemplated slipping on her dressing-gown to creep out on deck and peer over the side. but the wind was chill and still rising. the flag-rope was whipping the mast with ever-increasing fury. "cold out there," she thought with a shiver. "glad the o moo is in dry dock and not on the water!" a sudden thought brought a new fear. of a whole line of schooners and yachts on that track in the dry dock, the o moo was the one closest to the water. what if she should slip back into the water and be driven out into the lake! lucile shivered again. then she smiled. how absurd. did not a heavy cable hold her in place? were not the wheels of the car, on which she rested, blocked? how then could she glide back into the lake? fortunately, it did not occur to her that this very tap-tap-tapping might be the knocking of a hammer which was driving those blocks from their positions before the wheels of the car. since this thought did not come to her and, since the tapping did not come again, she at last snuggled down among the blankets and fell asleep. hardly had she wakened in the morning before she recalled this strange incident of the night. hurriedly slipping into a middy suit and slippers, she raced up the short gangway and across deck, tossing the rope ladder over the side. the next moment she might have been seen walking slowly about the hull of the yacht. she was searching for traces of the strange tapping. having passed along the south side, she climbed through the trestle and made her way along the north side. she was about to conclude that the night's experience had been purely an imaginary one when a white spot near the prow attracted her attention. she caught her breath as her hand reached for it. it was a square bit of paper held in place by four tacks which had apparently been driven into the hull with great deliberation. "that explains the tapping," she whispered to herself. "sure had their courage right along with them. thought we'd be afraid to interfere, being just girls, i suppose. wonder what it is." she reached up and pulled the paper free from the tacks. as soon as she had it in her hand she realized that written on it was a message. she read it--read it twice--then stood there staring. the paper was of a peculiar rice-straw variety. the words were written in a strangely artistic fashion. fine as the tracing of a woman's pen, each letter stood out distinct, done in curves of wonderful perfection, the work of a master penman. but she did not pause to admire the handwriting; it was the meaning of the words that startled her as she read: "you must not stay here. you shall not stay. i have said it." it was signed only with a crosslike figure, a bizarre sketch that might well have represented the claw of a bird--or a dragon, lucile added with a little intake of breath. "i must show the girls," she exclaimed, and nimble as a squirrel, was away over the trestle and up the rope ladder. when the other girls had heard lucile's story and had read the note they were more astonished than alarmed. "huh!" exclaimed florence, gripping an iron rod above her and lifting her full hundred and sixty pounds easily with one hand. "who's telling us whether we can stay here or not?" "i'd say they better not let you get near them," smiled lucile. florence laughed and, releasing her grip on the rod, sat down to think. "doesn't seem possible it could be anyone living in the other boats," she mused. "i've seen that young man they call mark pence, the fellow who lives in the gasoline schooner, just once. he seems to be decent enough." "and the old fishermen," put in marian, "i hired two of them to pose for some sketches last week. nice old fellows, they are; a little rough but entirely harmless. besides, what difference could it make to them whether we live here or not?" "there's the chinamen who run a little laundry in that old scow," said lucile thoughtfully, "but they are the mildest-mannered of them all, with their black pajama suits and pigtails." "and that's all of them, except old timmie and his wife," said florence, rising and pressing the lever which brought the electric range into position. "and as for timmie, i'd as soon suspect my own father." "we'll tell him about it," said lucile. "he might help us." they did tell timmie, but he could throw no light on the subject. he appeared puzzled and a little disturbed, but his final counsel was: "someone playing a practical joke on you. pay no attention to it. pay no attention at all." the girls accepted his advice. indeed, there was nothing they could do about it. "all the same," was lucile's concluding word, "i don't like it. looks as if someone in this vicinity were doing something they should not do and were afraid we'd catch them at it. i for one shall keep an eye out for trouble." the other two girls agreed with her, and while they did not alter their daily program in the least, they did keep a sharp lookout for suspicious characters who might be lurking about the dry dock. chapter ii the blue face in the night lucile need not have kept an eye out for trouble. trouble was destined to find her and needed no watching. as she expressed it afterward: "it doesn't seem to matter much where you are nor what you are doing, if you are destined for adventures you'll have them." but the thing which happened to her on the following evening, though doubly mysterious and haunting in its character, appeared to have no connection whatever to the incident of the note. the storm which had been rising all night had lulled with the morning sun, but by mid-afternoon was raging again with redoubled fury. sending the spray dashing high above the breakwaters, it now and then cast a huge cake of ice clear of the water's tallest crest and brought it down upon the breakwater's rim with the sound of an exploding cannon. carrying blinding sheets of snow before it, the wind rose steadily in force and volume until the most hardy pedestrian made headway against it with the greatest difficulty. when lucile left the university grounds to face east and to begin forcing her way against the wind to the yacht, night had fallen. "dark as it should be at seven--woo! what a gale!" she shivered, as buttoning her mackinaw tightly about her throat, she bent forward to meet the storm. for a half hour, her body beaten and torn by the wind, her face cut by driving sleet, she fought her way onward into the night. she had reached the shore of the lake and was making her way south, or at least thought she was. so dense was the darkness that it was with the utmost difficulty that she kept her directions. "wish--wish i had tried getting a place to stay nearer the university," she half sobbed. as if in answer to these words, the storm appeared to redouble its fury. seizing her with its whirling grip, it carried her in a semicircle, to land her at last against a stone wall. so great was the force of her impact that for the moment she lay there at the foot of the wall, only partly conscious of what was going on about her. when at last she was able to rise, she knew that she had completely lost her way. "might as well follow the wall," she thought desperately. "little more sheltered here. bring me to some place after a time." the fury of wind and snow continued. at times she fancied she felt the spray from waves dampen her cheeks. she heard distinctly the break of these waves--"against the wall," she told herself, shuddering as the thought came to her that she might suddenly reach the end of this wall and be blown into the lake. "anyway i can't stay here," she muttered. "too cold. face is freezing, i guess." she paused to remove a glove and touch her cheek. the next instant she was rubbing it vigorously. "frozen all right. have to get in somewhere soon." just at that moment her heart leaped wildly. for a moment the drive of snow had slackened. in that moment, a great, black bulk loomed up at her right. "some building," she thrilled, and at once doubled her efforts to escape from the storm and reach this promised shelter. as, still hugging the wall, she came closer to the looming structure, she saw that it showed not a single gleaming light. the next moment her lips parted in an exclamation of dismay: "the old spanish mission! no one there--hasn't been for years." once she had forced her mind to sober thought, she realized that she had no reason to hope for anything better. there were but four structures on that mile of park-front on the lake all deserted at this time of year: a broad, low pavilion; a huge, flat bath-house; a towering castle, relic of a great fair once held on these grounds, and this spanish mission, which never had been a real mission, but merely a reproduction of one dating back into other centuries, a huge wooden hull of a thing. resembling a block-house, with its narrow windows and low doors, it had always stirred lucile's curiosity. now she was about to seek shelter in it, or at least in the lee of it. it was deserted, empty, fast falling into decay, a mysterious, haunty place. yet, so buffeted by the storm was she, so frightened by the onrush of the elements, that she felt quite equal to creeping through some opening into its vast emptiness should an opening appear. and an opening did offer her opportunity to test her nerve. it was a window, the glass shattered by the storm. her heart beating wildly, she squeezed through into the inky blackness. on tiptoe, she made her way down the wall to the right. she was obliged to feel for every step. there was not a ray of light. "some big hall," she decided. after she had moved along for a space of forty feet or more she whispered: "the chapel!" her heart skipped a beat. "imagine being in a deserted chapel on such a night!" suddenly overcome with the thought that she might stumble into an altar or a crucifix, she halted and stood there trembling. she had always felt a great awe for such things. she stood there until her legs ached with the strain of holding to one position. then she pushed on slowly. suddenly she brushed against something. recoiling in fright, she stood there motionless. at last she had the courage to bend over and put out a hand. to her intense relief, she found that she had come upon a bench standing against the wall. having tested its strength, she sat down. leaning back, she rested. "that's better," she breathed. "the storm will soon be over. then i'll get out of here and go to the yacht." the drive of the wind, the chill of the storm had made her drowsy. the night before her sleep had been disturbed. as she sat there her head drooped more and more. it began nodding, then suddenly came up with a jerk. again she was awake! she would not fall asleep, she told herself. would not. would not! yet, in three minutes she was nodding again. this time her chin sank lower and lower, until at last it rested on her breast, which moved slowly up and down in the rhythmic breathing of one who sleeps. how long she slept would be hard to tell. so natural was her awaking that she did not realize that she had been asleep at all. yet she sensed that something about the place was different. a vague uneasiness stole over her. once she had opened her eyes, she knew what it was. there was light--a strange light, somewhere in the room; a dim, almost imperceptible illumination pervaded all. as she turned her head, without moving in her seat, she with difficulty suppressed a scream. at the far end of the room was an apparition, or so at least it seemed. "a blue face! a face of blue fire. it can't be." she rubbed her eyes. "and yet it is." her mind did all the talking. her lips were numb. it is doubtful if she could have spoken had she dared to. but this was no time to speak. she did not believe in ghosts, yet there was a face, an illumined face; an ugly face, more fiendish than any she had ever seen. appearing alive, it rose from the center of a decaying table standing before an altar. beside the altar, revealed by the pale, bluish light which the face appeared to shed about it, were two tarnished candlesticks and back of it, against the wall, hung a crucifix. completely paralyzed by the sight of this blue face in the night and by its awesome surroundings, she sat there quite motionless. the light of the blue face appeared to wax and wane, to come and go like the faint smiles that often pass over a child's face. lucile was suddenly seized with the notion that the face was looking at her. at the same time there came the question: "is there light enough to reveal my face?" she glanced down to the floor, then breathed a sigh of relief; she could not see her own feet. silently drawing her scarf over her face, covering all but her eyes and hiding her hands beneath her coat, she sat there hardly daring to breathe. she did not have long to wait for, out of the darkness into the pale blue light, there stole three figures. whether these were men or women, monks, nuns or devils, she could not tell, so closely were they enshrouded in robes or coats of black cloth. they knelt before the blue face and remained there motionless. to quiet her nerves, lucile began to count. she had reached one hundred, when, for fear she would lose all control of herself and scream or run, she closed her eyes. she had counted to one thousand before she dared open them again. when she did so she found another surprise awaiting her. the kneeling figures were gone. gone, too, was the face; or at least, it was no longer illumined. the place was dark as a dungeon. strangely enough, too, the wail of the storm had subsided to a whisper. only the distant boom of breakers told her that a terrific blizzard had passed over the lake. rising without a sound, she tiptoed her way along the wall. reaching the window, she leaped out upon the ground and was away like a flash. with knees that trembled so they would scarcely support her, she ran for a full half mile before she dared slow down and look back. the snowstorm was over, the moon half out. she could see for some distance behind her, but all she saw was a glistening stretch of snowy landscape. then she made her way thoughtfully to the dry dock. once on board the o moo she told the other girls nothing of her adventures; merely said she had been delayed by the storm. but that evening as she attempted to study, she would now and then give a sudden start. once she sprang up so violently that she upset her chair. "what in the world is the matter?" marian demanded. "nothing, just nerves," she said, forcing a smile, but she did not attempt to study after that. she went and curled up in a huge, upholstered rocker. even here she did not fall asleep, but sat staring wide-eyed before her until it was bedtime. they had all been in their berths for fifteen minutes. florence had dozed off when she was suddenly wakened by a hand on her arm. it was lucile. "please--please!" she whispered. "i can't sleep alone to-night." florence put out a strong hand and drew her up into the berth, then pulled the covers down over them both and clasped her gently in her arms. lucile did not move for some time. she had apparently fallen asleep when she suddenly started violently and whispered hoarsely: "no! no! it can't be; i--i don't believe in ghosts." at the same time a great shudder shot through her frame. "tell me about it," whispered florence, holding her tight. then, in halting, whispered sentences, lucile told of the night's adventure. "that's strange!" whispered florence. "reminds me of something an aged sailor told me once, something that happened on the asiatic side of the pacific. too long to tell now. tell you sometime though. doesn't seem as if there could be any connection. surely couldn't be. but you never can tell. better turn over and go to sleep." relieved of half her fear by the telling of the story, lucile fell asleep and slept soundly until morning. chapter iii lucile's quick action gas you must not imagine (and you might well be forgiven for doing so, if you have read the preceding chapters) that the experiences of the three girls whose lives are pictured here were a series of closely crowded thrilling adventures. it was not the case that no sooner was the curtain run down on one mysterious happening than the stage was set for another. few lives are like that. adventures do come to us all at times and we face them for the most part bravely. some amuse and entertain, others startle and appall, but each teaches in its own way some new lesson of life. adventures taken from the lives of others bring to us the greatest ratio of entertainment, but it is our own exciting and mysterious adventures that we speak of most often when we are clustered on the deck of some vessel or gathered about a camp fire. while not many pages of this book may be devoted to the everyday school life of these girls, they had it just the same. florence and lucile strolled the campus as other girls strolled. they cut classes at times. they passed difficult examinations with some credit. they reveled in the grandeur of the architecture of the buildings of the university. they thrilled at the thought that they were a part of the great throng that daily swarmed from the lecture halls, and were somewhat downcast when they came fully to realize their own insignificance when cast into such a tossing sea of humanity. marian, the artist, also had her everyday rounds to make. she caught the : car downtown five days in the week to labor industriously with charcoal and brush. she saw her alaskan sketches, which had been praised so often and so highly, picked to pieces by the ruthless criticism of a competent teacher, but she rallied from her first disappointment to resolve for better work in the future. she began to plan how this might be accomplished. florence, marian and lucile were plain, ordinary, normal girls, yet in one respect they were different from others; at least lucile and marian were from the first, and florence, being the strongest, most physically capable of them all, soon caught their spirit. they had about them a certain fearless outlook on life which is nearly always found in those who have spent many months in the far north--an attitude which seems to say, "adventure and trouble, i have met you before. i welcome you and will profit by and conquer you." two or three rather ordinary incidents in their life on board the o moo prove that the life they lived there was, on the whole, a very simple, normal life, yet they also illustrate the indisputable fact that the simplest matters in the world, the casting of a tin can off a boat for instance, may be connected with some interesting and thrilling adventure. as to that particular tin can, marian bought it at a grocery store along with twenty-three other cans, filled with some unknown contents and sold at the ridiculously low price of eight cents per can. the reason that the price was so low and the contents unknown was that the labels had, during the process of handling, been accidentally torn off. the cans had been sent on to the retailer and were sold in grab-bag lots of two dozen each. "you see," the obliging grocer had explained, "there may be only corn or peas in them. very well, they are even then worth twelve cents a can at the very least. but then again there may be blackberries in thick syrup, worth thirty or forty cents a can. then what a bargain!" "well, girls," marian exclaimed when she had finished telling of her bargain and they of exclaiming over it, "what shall we have for dinner to-night? loganberries in thick syrup or sliced pineapple?" "oh, pineapple by all means!" florence exclaimed. "good enough for me," smiled lucile. "all right. here goes." marian stabbed one of the unknown quantities with the can-opener, then applied her nose to the opening. "corn!" she exclaimed in disgust. "oh, well," consoled florence, "we can eat corn once. lucile doesn't care for it, but she can have something else. here's a bowl; pour it out in that. then open the loganberries. they'll do." again the can-opener fell. again came the disgusted exclamation, "corn!" lucile giggled and florence danced a hornpipe of joy. "that's one on you, marian, old dear," she shouted. "oh, well, just give us plain peaches. they'll do." "here's one that has a real gurgly sound when you shake it," said lucile, holding a can to her ear and shaking hard. "i think it's strawberries." when marian opened that can and had peered into it, she said never a word but, walking to the cabin door, pitched it, contents and all, over the rail and down to the crusted snow twenty feet below. there it bounced about for a time, spilled its contents upon the ground, then lay quite still, a new tin can glistening in the moonlight. but watch that can. it is connected with some further adventure. "corn! corn! corn!" chanted marian in a shrill voice breaking with laughter. "and what a bargain." "but look what i drew!" exclaimed lucile, pointing to a can she had just opened. "pineapple! sliced pineapple!" the others cheered in unison. then the three cans of corn were speedily forgiven. but the empty can lay blinking in the moonlight all the same. the other affair, which occurred a few days later, might have turned into a rather serious matter had it not been for lucile's alert mind. lucile had what she styled a "bug" for creating things. "if only," she exclaimed again and again, "i could create something different from anything that has been created before i know i should be supremely happy. if only i could write a real story that would get into print, or discover some new chemical combination that would do things, that would be glorious." from these words one is not long in concluding that lucile was specializing in english and chemistry. the yacht afforded her exceptional opportunities to pursue her study of chemistry out of regular school hours, for dr. holmes, who devoted much time to delving into the mysteries of organic chemistry, had installed in a triangular space at the back of the cabin a perfectly equipped laboratory. here, during the days of the summer tour, he spent much of his time. this laboratory he turned over to lucile, the only provision being that she replace test-tubes, retorts and other instruments broken during the course of her experiments. here on many a stormy afternoon, and often long into the night, she worked over a blue flame, concocting all manner of fluids and gases not required by the courses she was taking. "if only i could create--_create_!" she whispered to herself over and over. "memory work i hate. imitation i like only because it tells me what has been done and helps me to discover what has not been done. but to create--oh--oh!" she would at such times grip at her breast as if her heart were paining her at the very excitement of the thought. on one particular afternoon, she did create something--in fact she created a great deal of excitement. she had taken down a formula which dr. holmes had left in a notebook. "looks interesting," she whispered to herself. she had worked herself up, that day, to a feverish heat, to a point where she would dare anything. as she read a closely written notation beneath the formula, her eyes widened. "it is interesting," she exclaimed. "tremendous! i'll make it. wouldn't dare try it on anyone, though." "better have a gas mask," she told herself after a moment's thought. digging about in a deep drawer she at last took out a strange canvas bag with a windpipe-like attachment. this she hung upon a peg while she selected the particular vials needed. after that she drew the gas mask over her head and plunged into the work. "ten grains," she murmured; "a fluid ounce; three drams; three fluid ounces; heat this in a beaker; add two drams--" so she went on mumbling to herself in her excitement, like some witch in a play. "too bad! too bad! won't hold it," she mumbled at last, after waiting for her concoction to cool. "won't go in one vial. have to use two." having filled one thin glass vial and closed it with a glass-stopper, she was in the act of filling the second when the half-filled vial slipped from her hand and went crashing to the tile floor. "oh! help!" she uttered a muffled scream, and, before she realized what she was doing, threw the door leading into the main cabin wide open. before her, regarding her in great astonishment, were marian and florence. for a few seconds they stood there, then of a sudden they began to act in the most startling manner. jumping up and down, waving their arms, laughing, screaming, they vaulted over tables, knocked chairs end-over-end and sent books and papers flying in every direction. having recovered her power of locomotion, lucile dashed for the outer door. this she flung wide open. then, watching her chance, she propelled her two delirious, dancing companions out into the open air. there, for a moment, she was obliged to cling to them lest they throw themselves over the rail, to go crashing to the frozen earth below. in another moment it was all over. the two wild dancers collapsed, crumpling up in heaps on the deck. "oh, girls, i'm so sorry. i really truly am." lucile's mortification was quite complete, in spite of the fact that she was fairly bursting with a desire to laugh. "what--what--made us do that?" florence stammered weakly. "gas, a new gas," answered lucile. then, seeing the look of consternation on the girls' faces, she hastened to add, "it's perfectly harmless; doesn't attack the tissues; works on the motor nerves like laughing-gas only it gets all the muscles excited, not just those of the face." "well, i'll say," remarked marian, "you really created something." "i only wish i had," said lucile regretfully, "but that chances to be a formula worked out by dr. holmes. i merely mixed it up. the bottle slipped from my hand and smashed on the floor--i didn't aim to try it out on you." after the cabin had been thoroughly aired, the three girls went back to their work. as lucile put the laboratory in order she noted the vial containing the remainder of the strange fluid. having labeled it, "quick action gas," she put it away on the shelf, little dreaming that she would find an unusual use for it later. it was two weeks after lucile's mysterious experience in the old mission building. things had settled down to the humdrum life of hard work and faithful study. on saturday night two girls from the university dormitories skated down the lagoon and walked down the beach to spend the evening at the "ship," as they called it. they were jolly western girls. the five of them spent a pleasant evening popping corn, pulling candy and relating amusing incidents from their own lives. at eleven the visitors declared that they must go home. "wait, i'll go a piece with you," suggested florence, reaching for her skates. at the end of the lagoon the three put on their skates. florence's were on first, for she wore a boyish style which went on with a clamp. gliding out on the ice, she struck out in a wide circle, then returned to the others. just as they came gliding out to meet her, she fancied she caught a movement in the branches of some shrubs at the left which grew down to the edge of the ice. for a second her eyes rested there, then she was obliged to turn about to join her companions. it was a glorious night; the skating was wonderful. keen air caressed their cheeks as they shot over the glistening surface to the tune of ringing steel. little wonder she forgot the moving bushes in the joy of the moment. florence was a born athlete. tipping the scale at one hundred and sixty, she carried not a superfluous ounce of fat. four hours every day she spent on the gym floor or in the swimming pool. she was equipping herself for the work of a physical culture teacher and took her task seriously. she believed that most girls could be as strong as boys if they willed to be, and she proceeded to set a shining example. it was on her return trip that she was reminded of the moving bushes. catching the distant ring of skates, she saw a person dressed in a long coat of some sort coming rapidly toward her. the channel where they would meet was narrow. some instinct told her to turn back, to circle the island and to reach the nearest point to the yacht that way. whirling about, she set herself going rapidly in the other direction. "now that was a foolish thing to do," she told herself. "probably someone saving a long walk by putting on his skates, same as i'm doing. might embarrass him to have me turn about that way." she was getting in some long, strong strokes now. there were few who could gain on her when she chose to exert herself. she rounded the point of the island with a swift curve, then went skimming down the other side. without further thought of the lone skater, she was nearing her goal and had gone into a long slide when, of a sudden the clip-clip of skates again came to her ears. it was hardly necessary for her to turn about to make sure that the stranger in the long coat had also rounded the island. for a second she glided on, uncertain what course to take. it was nearing midnight. she was alone on the lagoon, a long way from any habitation. a stranger was following her; why, she could not tell. to throw off her skates and gain the bank before he came up was impossible. she decided, without being greatly alarmed about it, again to circle the island and, if necessary, take a spin the whole length of the lagoon. chapter iv trapped in the old museum florence had little fear for the outcome of this rather amusing adventure. she had been trailed over the ice by possible admirers before. she did not care to allow this one to catch up with her, that was all. she would skim along down to the far end of the lagoon where, a mile and a half away, the dome of the old museum loomed, a black bulk in the dark. she would then make the broad turn which this end of the lagoon afforded. she would have a clear mile and a half in which to put forth her best efforts. surely she could outdistance the stranger and, with skates off, be away over the slope and down the beach toward the o moo before he had reached this end of the lagoon once more. saving her strength on the down trip, keeping an even distance from the mysterious skater, she glided onward toward the old museum. just as she neared the broad end, where she was to make the turn, she glanced back. at that very moment, the flash of a powerful automobile lamp on the park drive a half mile away fell full upon the stranger's face. a little cry escaped her lips. this was no mere youthful enthusiast. his was the face of one whom few would trust. at that very moment his visage was twisted into an ugly snarl which said plainer than words: "now, young lady, i have you!" "why!" she whispered to herself, "that might be the face of a murderer!" at that same instant, there flashed through her mind the note of warning tacked on the schooner. perhaps this was the man who had placed it there. in her consternation, she missed a stroke. one skate struck a crack in the ice; the clamp slipped; the skate went flying; disaster impended. florence was not a person to be easily defeated. one instant she had kicked the remaining skate from her foot and the next she was racing away over the glistening ice. she stumbled and all but fell. but, gaining courage from the near-by sloping bank, she plunged on. now she was ten yards away, now five. the metal cut-cut of skates behind her grew louder. redoubling her efforts, she at last flung herself upon the snowy slope, to climb on hands and knees to the crest, then to race across a level space and gain the sheltering shadows of the museum. it had been a hard struggle. for a few seconds she leaned panting against the wall. one skate was still in her hand. without thinking why, she tucked this skate into the belt of her coat. her mind was in a whirl. what should she do? she was not safe here. for the man to remove his skates and scale the bank required but a moment. they were alone in the frozen park, a mile from any protection she could be sure of. she was not a good runner. "no," she whispered, "i couldn't do it." she chanced to glance up, and her lips parted in a suppressed exclamation. there was a window open above her. true, it was some fifteen feet up, but there was an iron grating on the window beneath it. "if only the grating is not rusted out," she murmured hopefully, and the next instant she had reached the ledge of brickwork and was shaking the railing vigorously. "it'll hold i guess." up she went like a monkey climbing the side of a cage. at the top of this grating there came an agonizing second in which she felt herself in danger of toppling over before she gained her balance on the window ledge above. her splendid training served her well. she threw herself across the stone casing and, for a few seconds, lay there listening. hardly had she dropped noiselessly to the floor, some three feet below, than she heard the thud-thud of hurrying footsteps on the hard-packed snow. holding her breath, she crouched there motionless, hoping beyond hope that she might hear those footsteps pass on around the building. in this hope she was disappointed. like a hound who has lost his scent, the man doubled back, then paused beneath her window. the girl's heart raced on. was she trapped? the man, she felt sure, would, somehow, gain access to the building. nevertheless, she might escape him. the building had once been a museum, the central building of a great world exposition. no longer used as a museum, it stood there, an immense, unused structure, slowly dropping into decay. the floor on which she had landed was really a broad balcony with a rusty railing at its edge. from where she crouched she could see down into the main floor where stretched, twining and inter-twining, mile upon mile of rooms and corridors. slipping out of her shoes, she buttoned them to her belt, then stole noiselessly along the balcony. moving ever in the shadow of the wall, she came to a rusty iron stair. here she paused. would the stair creak, give her away? the man might at this moment be in the building on the ground floor. yet, on this narrow balcony, she was sure sooner or later to be trapped. she must risk it. placing one trembling foot on the top step, she allowed her weight to settle upon it. there followed no sound. breathing more easily, she began the descent. only once did her heart stand still; a bit of loose plaster, touched by her foot, bounded downward. she dared not pause. the die was cast. once on the ground floor, she sprang across a patch of light and found herself in the shadows once more. moving with the greatest possible speed, yet with even greater caution, avoiding bits of plaster, rustling papers and other impediments in her course, she made her way along a wall which to her heightened imagination seemed to stretch on for a mile. once as she paused she thought she caught the sound of heavy breathing, followed by a dull thud. "must have come in through my window," she decided, and, indeed there appeared to be no other means of access; all the ground floor doors and windows were either heavily shuttered or grated. "these shutters and gratings," she told herself, trying to still the fear in her heart by thinking of other things, "are relics of other days. here millions of dollars worth of relics, curios, and costly jewels were once displayed. mounted animals and birds, aisle after aisle of them, rooms full of rich furs and costly silks, jewels too in abundance. they're all gone now, but the shutters are still here and i am trapped. there's only one exit and that guarded. well, perhaps another somewhere. anyway, i can wait. daylight drives wolves to their dens. if only i can reach the other balcony!" she had been in the building in the days of its glory, and had visited one of the curators, a friend of her mother. there were, on this other balcony, she remembered, a perfect labyrinth of rooms--cubbyholes and offices. once she gained access to these she probably would be safe. but here was another stair. she must go up. only partially enshrouded in darkness, it might betray her. dropping on hands and knees, she began to climb. a bit of glass cut her stocking. she did not notice that. a crumpled sheet of paper fluttered away; that was maddening. a broad patch of light from far above her head threw her out in bold relief for a second. for a second only. then, leaping to her feet, she raced down the balcony and again entered the shadows. pressing a hand to her breast to still her heart's wild beating, she listened intently. did she hear? yes, there could be no mistake, there came a soft pit-pat, the footsteps of a person walking on tiptoes. "like one of those mounted tigers come to life," she thought with a shudder. slowly she moved along the wall. if only she could reach a door! if she only could! but that door was a distance of some fifty yards away. could she make it? stealthily she moved forward. stopping now and then to listen, she caught as before the stealthy pit-pat of footsteps. once some object rattled on the floor and she heard a muffled exclamation. then she caught a creaking sound--was he mounting the stair? had the banister creaked? now she was twenty yards from the door, now ten, now five, and now--now she gripped its casing. excitedly she swung around, only to find herself facing a rusted square of steel. the labyrinth of rooms was closed to her. she was trapped on a narrow balcony with no way to turn for escape. as she crouched there trembling, her hand touched something cold--her skate. here was hope; if the worst came to worst, here was a formidable weapon and she was possessed of the power to swing it. cautiously she drew it from her belt, then crouching low, gripping the small end, she waited. came again the pit-pat-pit-pat. he was on the balcony, she felt sure of that now. her hand gripped the skate until the blade cut through the skin, but still she crouched there waiting. * * * * * * * * when florence failed to return, marian and lucile might have been seen pacing the floor while marian pretended to study and made a failure of it. "i think we should go out and look for her," said lucile. "probably just a bit overcome by the wonderful skating in the moonlight," answered marian, in what was intended as an unworried tone, "but we'll go down to the lagoon and have a look." "wait just a moment," said lucile as she disappeared inside her laboratory. when she returned, something beneath her coat bulged, but marian did not ask her what it might be. after dropping down the rope ladder they hurried along the beach and across the park to the lagoon. from the ridge above it they could see the greater part of the lagoon's surface. not a single moving figure darkened its surface. for fully five minutes they stood there, looking, listening. then marian led the way to the edge of the ice. by the side of a clump of bushes she had spied something. "what's that?" "pair of men's rubbers," replied lucile kicking at them. for a full moment the two stood and stared at one another. "she--she isn't down here," said lucile at last. "perhaps we had better go up and look among the boats." silently they walked back to where the hundred boats were looming in the dark, their masts like slender arms reaching for the moon. as they rounded a small schooner, they were startled by a footstep. "don't be afraid. it is only i," called a friendly voice. "out for a stroll in the moonlight. wonderful, isn't it?" marian recognized the young man of the schooner, mark pence. she had talked with him once before. he had helped her home with her two dozen cans of label-less fruits and vegetables. having liked him then, she decided to trust him now, so in a few well-chosen words she confided their fears for their companion's safety. "shucks!" said the boy. "that'll be all right. she'll show up all right. probably went farther than she intended. but--sure, i'll take a turn with you through our little village of boats. be glad to." they wandered in and out among the various crafts. scarcely a word was spoken until they came to the great black bulk of the scow inhabited by the chinamen. "i'll rout 'em out. might know something," said mark. he knocked several times but received no response. he was about to enter when lucile whispered: "wait a minute. were--were you in the war?" "a trifle. not to amount to much." "know how to use a gas mask?" "well, rather. six seconds is my record. know that old joke about the 'quick and the dead,' don't you? i was quick." lucile smiled. she was holding out an oblong package fastened to a strap, also a small glass bottle. "take--take these," she whispered nervously. "you can't tell about those folks. break the bottle if they go after you, then put on the mask. it's pretty powerful gas but does no permanent injury." mark smiled as he slipped the strap over his shoulder. "nonsense, i guess," he murmured, "but might not be. just like going over the top, you never can tell." he drew a small flashlight from his pocket, then pushed the door open. he was gone for what to the girls seemed an exceedingly long time. when he returned he had little enough to tell. "not a soul in the place, far as i could see," he reported. "but, man, oh, man! it's a queer old cellar. smells like opium and chop-suey. and talk about narrow winding stairs! why, i bet i went down--" he paused to stare at the scow. "why that tub isn't more than ten feet high and i went down a good twenty feet. rooms and rooms in it. something queer about that." the girls were too anxious for florence's safety to give much attention to what he was saying. "well, we are greatly obliged to you," said lucile, taking her bottle and gas mask. "i guess there's nothing to do but go back to the yacht and wait." with a friendly good-night they turned and made their way back to the o moo. chapter v a catastrophe averted as florence crouched in the dark corner of the deserted museum, many and wild were the thoughts that sped through her mind. could she do it? if worse came to worst, could she strike the blow? she had the power; the muscles of her arm, thanks to her splendid training, were as firm as those of a man. yes, she had the power, but could she do it? there could be no mincing matters. "strike first and ask questions after," that must be her motto in such an extremity. there would be ample opportunity. a beast always hunts with nose close to the ground. the man would be a fair mark. the skate was as perfect a weapon as one might ask. keen and powerful as a sword, it would do its work well. yet, after all, did she have the nerve? while this problem was revolving in her mind, the pit-pat of footsteps grew more and more distinct. her heart pounded fearfully. "he's coming--coming--coming!" it seemed to be repeating over and over. then, suddenly, there flashed through her mind the consequences of the blow she must strike. the man must be given no chance to fight; one blow must render him unconscious. whatever was done must be done well. but after that, what? she could not leave him alone in this great, deserted shell of a building. neither could she await alone his return to consciousness. no, that would never do. she would be obliged to seek aid. from whom? the police, to be sure. but then there would be a court scene and a story--just such a story as cub reporters dote on. she saw it all in print: "three girls living in a boat. one pursued by villain. an amazon, this modern girl, she brains him with her skate." yes, that would make a wonderful news story. and after that would come such publicity as would put an end to their happy times aboard the o moo. that would mean the end of their schooldays, just when they were becoming engrossed in their studies; when they had just begun to realize the vast treasures of knowledge which was locked up in books and the brains of wise men and which would be unlocked to them little by little, if only they were able to remain at the university. the whole thing was unthinkable. she must escape. she must not strike the blow. there must be another way out. yet she could think of none. before her was an iron railing, but to go over this meant a drop of twenty feet. beyond her at the end of the balcony, towered a brick wall; at her back, an iron door. to her left there sounded ever more plainly the pit-pat of tiptoeing feet. "i must! i must!" she determined, her teeth set hard. "there is no other way." and yet, even as she expected to hear the shift of feet which told of a turn on the balcony, some ten feet from where she cowered, the pit-pat went steadily forward. she could not believe her ears. what had happened? then on the heels of this revelation, there followed another: the sound of the footsteps was growing fainter. of a sudden the truth dawned upon her: the man was not on the balcony. he had not ascended the stairs. he was still on the floor below. her sense of location had been distorted by the vast silence of the place. she was for the moment safe. a wave of dizziness swept over her. she sank into a crumpled heap on the floor. reviving, she was seized with an almost uncontrollable desire to laugh, but, clenching and unclenching her hands, she maintained an unbroken silence. at length, her nerves in hand once more, she settled down to watchful waiting. with eyes and ears alert, she caught every new move of the prowler. as the sound of his footsteps died away in the distance, she settled herself to calmer thoughts. this place she was in was a vast cathedral of gloom. when the moon went under a cloud, blotting out the broad circle of light which fell from the vaulted dome, the darkness was so profound that she felt she must scream or flee. yet there was something magnetic about the place. she might have been held there even though she were not pursued. it was a place to dream of. some twenty-eight years before a hundred thousand people in a single day had passed in and out along the aisles of this vast structure. that had been in the days of its glory. all--the rich, the poor, the cultured, the illiterate, the laborer, the street gamin--had peered at the marvels displayed between its walls. and now--now two beings haunted its vast corridors, the one pursuing the other. how strange life was! a whiff of wind sweeping over the main floor sent a whirl of waste paper flying in circles halfway to the ceiling. two tiny red eyes peered at her at a safe distance--then another and another. "rats," she whispered. "three of them." the pit-pat of feet became distinct again. putting out her hand to grip the skate, she discovered that her fingers were too stiff for service. she had grown cold without sensing it. rubbing her hands together, she warmed them. her limbs too had grown stiff. rising silently, she went through a series of exercises which sent the blood coursing through her veins. "must get out of here some way," she told herself, "but how?" then suddenly she thought of the girls. they would be anxious about her, might come out to seek her, only to fall into a trap. a trap? she thought of lucile, slim, nervous. lucile hovering as she had in the corner of that old mission on that other night; thought too of the things lucile had seen there; admired the nerve she had displayed. but what did it all mean? she could but feel that it all was connected in some way; the note of warning tacked to the schooner; lucile's experience in the mission and her present one, all fitted together in one. what was it all about? were they innocently checkmating, or appearing to checkmate, some men in their attempt to perform some unlawful deed? were these persons moonshiners, gamblers, smugglers, or robbers living in the dry dock? if so, who were they? again the sound of footsteps grew indistinct in the distance. "ought to be getting out of here," she told herself. "getting late--horribly late and--and cold. the girls will be searching for me. there's an open window over there to my right. terribly high up, but i might make the ground though." she listened intently, but caught no sound. then stealthily, step by step, she made her way toward the window. now she was fifty feet away from it, now thirty, now ten. and now--now she dropped silently to the floor and crept to the opening. there was no glass; she was glad of that. flattening herself out, she peered over the sill to the void below. "terribly far down. easily thirty feet!" she breathed. "two gratings; rotten too, perhaps. ground frozen too." she reached far down and, gripping the top of the nearest window grating, threw all her strength into an effort to wrench it free. "that one's strong enough," she concluded; "but how about the other?" again she lay quite still, listening. in the distance she fancied she caught the pit-pat again. "better try it while i've got a chance," she decided. with the care and skill of a trained athlete she swung herself over the window sill, clung to the grating with her toes; dropped down; gripped the grating with her hands; slid her feet to the grating below; tested that as best she could; trusted her weight to it; swung low; touched the ground; then in her stocking-feet sped away toward the nearest street. arrived at a clump of bushes which skirted the street, she sat down and drew on her shoes. then with a loud "whew!" she crossed the street and made her way toward the o moo over a roundabout but safe route, which led her by the doors of closed shops and beneath huge apartments where some of chicago's thousands were sleeping. her mind, as she hurried on, was deep in the mystery and full of possible plans as to the uncertain future. "i suppose," she mumbled once, "we should give up the o moo. most people would say it was a wild notion, this living on a ship, but what's one to do? no rooms you can pay for, and who would give up a university education without a fight? what have we done? what are these people bothering us for anyway? what right have they? who are they anyway?" this cast her into deeper reflections. the face she had seen was not that of mark pence. whether it was one of the orientals living on the scow, or one of the fishermen living in their fishing smack, she could not tell. she had never seen the fishermen. even marian had seen but two of them. "might not be any of these," she concluded with a shrug. "might have been some night prowler who will never come back." * * * * * * * * the two girls in the cabin of the o moo had waited an hour. lucile had fallen half-asleep. marian had lifted a trap door and had started the small gasoline-driven generator which furnished them light and heat. the engine was racing away with a faint pop-pop-pop, when lucile sat up suddenly. "marian," she exclaimed, "what did that boy say about the scow those chinese people live in?" "why," said marian, wrinkling her brow, "he said something about going down twenty feet." "that seems strange, doesn't it?" lucile considered for a moment. "yes, but then it was a winding stairway. probably he isn't used to that kind. perhaps he just thought it was farther down than it really was. i--" "what was that?" exclaimed lucile, starting up. there had come a muffled sound from below, barely heard above the pop-pop of the engine. in a second marian had stopped the generator. each girl strained her ears to listen. it came again, this time more distinct; tap-tap-tap, a pause, then a fourth tap. "florence!" exclaimed lucile springing for the door. three taps, a halt, then a tap was the signal for lowering the rope-ladder. a moment later florence was being dragged into the cabin and ordered to give an account of herself. "sit down," she said. "it's rather a long story. when i'm through you'll very likely be for leaving the o moo in the morning, and i'm not so sure but that is the right thing to do. the cruise of the o moo," she laughed a bit uncertainly, "gives some indication of turning out to be an ill-fated voyage." with lucile and marian listening intently florence told her story. "florence," said lucile, when she had finished, "do--do you suppose that has anything to do with the old mission affair i told you about?" "or the warning tacked on our hull?" suggested marian. "i don't know," said florence thoughtfully, "it might. the point really is, though, are we leaving in the morning?" she was answered by an emphatic: "no! no!" "do you know," said lucile a few moments later as she sipped a cup of hot chocolate and nibbled at a wafer, "i peeped into that room in the old mission yesterday. the shutter had been replaced but i could see through the cracks. there really wasn't anything on the table. the candles and crucifix were there, but nothing on the old table--not anything at all. i--i must just have imagined that face." "i'm not so sure," said florence mysteriously. "oh!" exclaimed lucile suddenly, "you were going to tell me the story that face reminded you of--the story told by an old seaman." "i will," said florence, "but not to-night. just look," she sprang to her feet, "it's after three o'clock and to-day is already to-morrow." chapter vi the blue god as florence returned from her lectures the following afternoon she passed across the end of the lagoon. once she had found her skate, lost on the previous night, and thrust it into the bag with her books, she glanced up at the ragged giant of a building which lay sleeping there on its blanket of snow. she felt an almost irresistible desire again to enter and roam about its deserted corridors. walking to the corner beneath the broken windows, she glanced to the right and left of her, allowed her gaze to sweep the horizon, then, seeing no one who might observe her actions, she sprang upon the edge of the wall, scaled the grating with the agility of a squirrel, tumbled over the upper window sill and found herself once more inside. in spite of the fact that it was now broad daylight and would be for an hour, she found her heart fluttering painfully. the experiences of the previous night were all too freshly burned on the tissues of her brain. as she tiptoed down the balcony, then dropped from step to step to the main floor below, the unpleasant sensations left her. she found herself walking, as she had some years before as a child, in the midst of a throng, exclaiming at every newly discovered monster or thing of delicate beauty. the treasures had long since been removed to newer and more magnificent quarters, but the memory of them lingered. she was wandering along thus absorbed when her foot touched something. thinking it but a stray brick or crumbling bit of plaster, she was about to bestow upon it only a passing glance when, with a sudden exclamation, she stooped and picked it up. the thing at first sight appeared to be but a bundle of soiled silk cloth of a peculiar blue tint. florence knew, however, that it was more than that, for when her toe had struck it, she had thought it some solid object. with trembling fingers she tore away the silk threads which bound it, to uncover a curious object of blue stone shaped like a short, squat candlestick. indeed, there were traces of tallow to be seen in the cuplike hollow at the top of it. "looks like it might be blue jade," she told herself. "if it is, it's worth something--" the whisper died on her lips. a thought had come to her, one which made her afraid of the gathering darkness, and caused her to hastily thrust the thing into the pocket of her coat and hurry from the building. that night, after the dinner dishes were washed, florence, who had been fumbling with something in the corner, suddenly turned out the lights. scratching a match, she lighted the half of a candle which she had thrust into the candlestick she had found in the museum. "gather round, children," she said solemnly. placing the candle on the floor, she sat down tailor-fashion before it. "gather round," she repeated, "and you shall hear the tale of the strange blue god. it is told best while seated in the floor as the negontisks sit, with legs crossed. it is told best by the dim and flaring light of a candle." "oh! good!" exclaimed lucile, dropping down beside her. "but where did you get the odd candlestick?" asked marian as she followed lucile. "what a strange thing it is; made of some almost transparent blue stone. and see! little faces peer out at you from every angle. it is as if a hundred wicked fairies had been bottled up in it." all that marian had said was true, and even florence stared at it a long time before she answered: "found it in the old museum. probably left behind when the displays were moved out. i ought to take it down to the new museum and ask them, i guess." there was something in florence's tone which told lucile that she herself did not believe half she was saying but she did not give voice to those thoughts. instead she whispered: "come now, let us have the story of the blue god." "as the old seaman told it to me," said florence, "it was like this: he had been shanghaied by a whaler captain whose ship was to cruise the coast of arctic siberia. so cruel and unjust was this captain that the sailor resolved to escape at the first opportunity. that opportunity came one day when he, with others, had been sent ashore on the asiatic continent somewhere between korea and behring straits. "slipping away when no one was looking, he hid on the edge of a rocky cliff until he saw the whaler heave anchor and sail away. "at first it seemed to him that he had gone from bad to worse; the place appeared to be uninhabited. it was summer, however, and there were solman berries on the tundra and blueberries in the hills. there were an abundance of wild birds' eggs to be gathered on the ledges. the meat of young birds was tender and good; so he fared well enough. "but, not forgetting that summer would soon pass and his food supply be gone, he made his way southward until at last he came within sight of the camp fires of a village. "it was with much fear that he approached these strangers. he found them friendly enough, ready to share food and shelter with him providing he was willing to share their labor. "you wouldn't care to hear of his life among these natives. only the part relating to the blue god is of importance. "he found that these people worshipped a strange god, or idol. this idol was a very ugly face carved out of a block of solid blue jade. when being worshipped it was always illumined by some strange light which caused it to appear to smile and frown at alternating intervals." lucile leaned over and gripped the speaker's arm. "see how the faces in the candlestick smile and frown," she shuddered. florence smiled and nodded, then proceeded with her story: "little by little, as these people who called themselves negontisks, who lived in skin tents and traveled in skin boats as the eskimos do, and are considered by some to be the forefathers of the eskimos, came to have confidence in the seaman, they told him the story of the blue god. "so ancient was this god that not the oldest man in the village could recall the time when it had first been accepted as their god. they did know, however, that one time when there were but five villages of their tribe, and when all these villagers had joined in a great feast of white whale meat and sour berries, on a slope at the foot of a great mountain a huge rock had come rattling down from the cliffs above and, passing through their midst, had crushed to death five of their number. "as is the custom with most barbaric tribes, these people considered that anything which had the power to destroy them must be a god. this rock, which proved to be of blue jade, became their god. and that they might have it ever with them as they traveled, that it might protect them and bring them good fortune, they carved from it five hollow faces, like masks. one of these was taken by each village. then they went their way. "from that day, so the story goes, the negontisk people were greatly prospered. they found food in abundance. no longer were there starving times. they had children in numbers and all these lived to grow to manhood. "as the tribe grew, they wished to create new villages. they returned to the place of the rock for new gods, only to find that the rock had vanished. "their medicine men explained that, being a god, the rock had the power of going where it pleased. so there could be only five blue gods. but the people lived on and prospered. "as the years passed, many cruel practices grew up in connection with the worship of these gods. some of them are so terrible that the old seaman would not tell me of them. one, however, he did tell; that was that all the illuminations of the gods were held in a tent made of many thicknesses of skins. only men were permitted to be present during the illumination. the life of a woman or child who chanced to look into the tent at such a time must be sacrificed. their blood must be spilled before the face of the blue god. very strange sort of"--she broke off abruptly, to exclaim: "why, lucile, what makes you tremble so?" "nothing, i guess." lucile tried to smile but made a poor attempt at it. "it--it's ridiculous, i know," she stammered, "but you know i saw a blue face illumined and i am a girl, so--" "nonsense! pure nonsense!" exclaimed marian. "you are in america, chicago. this story comes from siberia. probably not one of those tribesmen has ever set foot on the american continent, let alone in chicago. and if they did, do you suppose for a moment that our authorities would allow them to continue to perform these terrible religious rites?" florence was silent. suddenly lucile whispered: "listen! what was that?" for a moment the room was silent. only the faint tick-tick of the clock in the wall disturbed the stillness. then, faintly from outside there sounded a sort of metallic jingle. "someone out there, below," whispered marian. "he has kicked that tin can i threw out there; the third can of corn, remember?" the answer was a faint "ah." then again all was silence. two or three moments had elapsed when there came a faint scratching sound, seemingly upon the side of the yacht. "last time," said marian, setting her teeth tight, "he got away with his note tacking. this time he shall not." tiptoeing down the room without the least sound, she climbed upon her berth, which was made up for the night. by propping herself upright on her knees she could just see through a small, circular window. this window was directly opposite the opening made by propping up the canvas. florence had placed herself between marian and the candle. no light fell upon marian to betray her presence. when one is in a dark room at night, he may peer into the moonlit outer world without being seen. marian had poised there motionless for a full moment when, without altering her position other than turning her head, she whispered: "lucile, bring me that bottle of gas." understanding at once what bottle was meant, lucile tiptoed down the length of the room, managed to open the laboratory door without noise, then put her hand to the shelf where the "quick action gas" was kept. with this in her hand she returned to marian. she whispered as she passed it up to her: "be careful not to drop it in here. it would drive us all out and we're hardly dressed for that." shrugging her shoulders beneath her dressing gown, marian placed the bottle on the blankets, then reached for the catch which kept the window closed. this window was seldom opened and she was not sure but that the unused hinges would give out a rusty squeak. in this case her purpose would be thwarted. she could but try. catching her breath, she turned the handle, then gave a slight pull. to her immense relief, there came no sound as the window swung inward. seizing the bottle, she brought her hand even with her head, then sat poised there quite motionless as if impersonating the statue of a hand-grenade thrower. then, suddenly, her whole body became tense. the hand holding the bottle flew back. it shot forward. chapter vii the mystery deepens when they saw marian's hand go back for the throw, the two other girls, their fear overcome by curiosity, sprang silently to a position beside their companion. what they saw made them draw back in fright. two rounds of a ladder extended above the outer rim of the boat. above the last round appeared a face. this face, though almost completely hidden by a heavy muffler, was undoubtedly that of a man. before they had time to move, however, they saw the bottle of liquid gas strike the top rail and burst. the liquid spattering over the man's face and clothing, brought forth a sharp exclamation. the next instant, seeming to struggle against an invisible foe, he made desperate attempts to dismount from his lofty position. in this he was partially successful. he disappeared from sight. but the next moment there came the thud of a falling body. the ladder was still in position. the three girls held their breath. "he fell," said lucile in a tremulous whisper. "i only hope he--" "no you don't!" lucile interrupted. "no one wishes a person seriously injured." lucile shuddered. "well, anyway he wasn't," said florence, "for there he is. the gas is working splendidly." the man was dancing about below, swinging his arms and shouting madly. "like a drunken man," whispered marian, with a frightened laugh. "he'll be over it in a minute," said lucile. "liquid's all over his clothes--keeps evaporating and getting into his lungs." true to lucile's prophecy, the man, a few moments later, having calmed down, appeared to pause to consider. it was evident that he wavered between two opinions. twice he started in the direction of the ship, each time sending cold chills creeping up lucile's spine. "we have no more gas," she whispered. "make it sulphuric acid this time!" marian whispered savagely. "no! no! you couldn't!" lucile shuddered. pausing each time, the man turned back. the second time he wheeled about and, racing madly down the beach, disappeared beyond a long line of pleasure boats. "well," said florence, gathering her dressing gown about her and springing through the window, "we have a ladder. looks like a good one." "it _is_ a good one!" she exclaimed a moment later, "a brand new one. we'll show it to timmie. perhaps it will serve as evidence to trap the rascal." "speaking of rascals," said marian a few moments later as they sat looking at one another in silence, "what do you think is the meaning of all this?" "perhaps he came for the blue candlestick," lucile suggested. "how could he?" demanded florence. "how would he know we had it? what would he want of it? it's only a curio. belongs to the museum, i guess. anyway, i'll see to-morrow. i'm going to take it to the new museum and show it to one of the curators, a mr. cole. i met him at a party on the campus a short while ago." suddenly lucile sprang to her feet, then rushed to the other end of the room. "wha--what's the matter?" demanded marian. "going to prepare some more gas," lucile called back over her shoulder. "nothing like having a little chemist in the family these days. gas is almost as useful in times of peace as it was in the days of war." next morning marian showed the ladder to the aged dry dock keeper. "no," he said after examining it carefully, "i never saw that before. it's new and not very heavy. probably bought for the purpose and carried here. you say you didn't see the man's face?" "not much of it." "wouldn't recognize him?" "probably not." "well, i'll go round and see the folks close to here that sell ladders, but i guess it won't be any use. there's too many places where you can get ladders in a big city like this. he might 'a' stole it too. mighty queer!" he shook his head as he walked away. that same day florence wrapped the blue candlestick carefully in tissue paper, snapped three rubber bands about it, then made her way with it to the surface line where she took a car for down town. she kept a close watch to the right, to the left and back of her for any signs of being followed. she scrutinized the faces of those who entered the car with her and even cast a glance behind the car to see if there chanced to be a taxi following. truth was, the events of the last hours had played havoc with her nerves. the candlestick in her possession was like the presence of some supernatural thing. it haunted her even in the day, as a thought of ghosts in a lonely spot at night might have tormented her. it was with a distinct sense of relief that, after leaving the car and passing over a half mile of board-walk, she entered the massive door of the new museum. for a moment, after entering, she permitted her eyes to roam up and down its vast, high-vaulted corridors, to catch the echo of voices which came murmuring to her from everywhere. she saw the massive pillars, the polished floors, the miles of glass cases, then a distinct sense of sorrow swept over her, a feeling of pity for the ragged giant of a building out by the lake front which had once housed all these treasures of beauty, antiquity and wealth. "temporary! temporary" kept running through her mind. "too hastily built and of poor material. now it is abandoned to decay. life is like that. that's why one should struggle to lay foundations, to prepare one's self for life. for eighteen years, without education, one may be good enough. then, like the old museum, one is cast aside, abandoned to decay." as these thoughts swept through her mind she resolved more strongly than before, that, come what might, she would continue her battle for a university education. suddenly recalling her mission, she asked the attendant to tell her where she might find mr. cole. "mr. cole's office," said the man courteously, "is in the left wing, third floor. see those stairs at the other end of this hall?" "yes." "take those stairs. go to the third floor. at the last landing go straight ahead. his door is the fourth to your right." "thank you," and florence hurried on her way. a moment later she was knocking at the door of the great archaeologist's studio. "why, it's miss huyler!" he exclaimed as he opened the door to her. "come right in. what may i do for you?" ruthaford cole was one of those rare men who have studied their subject so thoroughly and who have traveled so widely in search of further knowledge that they have no need to assume a false air of importance and dignity to make an impression. under middle age, smooth-shaven, smiling, he carried the attitude of a boy who has picked up a few facts here and there and who is eager to learn more. but show him a bit of carving from the congo and he is all smiles; "oh! yes, a very nice bit of modern work. good enough, but done to sell to traders. possesses no historical value, you know." a bit of ivory from the coast of alaska, rudely scratched here and there, a hole torn out here, an end broken off there, browned with age, is presented and he answers, his face lighting up with genuine joy, "now there is really a rare specimen. handle of a bow-drill; made long before the white man came, i'd say. tells stories, that does. each crudely scratched representation of reindeer, whale, wolf or bear has its meaning." that was the type of man cole was. frank and friendly to all, he gave evidence in an unassuming way, of a tremendous fund of knowledge. now, as florence unwrapped the blue candlestick, he watched the movement of her hands with much the same look that a terrier wears when watching his master dig out a rat. once the candlestick was in his hand, he held it as a merchant might a bit of costly and fragile china-ware. florence smiled as she watched him. she had hoped he would say at first glance: "why, where did you chance to find that? it was lost from one of our cases while we were moving! we believed it stolen." florence had had quite enough of adventure and mystery. she was convinced that holding this trophy she was sure to experience more trouble. mr. cole did not do the expected thing. what he did was to turn the candlestick over and over. a look of amazement spread over his usually smiling face. "no," he murmured, "it can't be." two more turns. he held it to the light. "and, yet, it does seem to be." stepping to a door which led to a balcony, with an absent-minded "pardon me," he disappeared through the door, but florence could still see him. as he held the thing to the light, turning, turning, and turning it again, the look of amazement grew on his face. as he re-entered the room, he exclaimed: "it is! it most certainly is! i am astounded." motioning florence to a seat he dropped into the swivel chair before his desk. for a moment he sat staring at the candlestick, then he asked: "would you mind telling me where you found this?" "in the old museum." "the old museum!" "yes, i thought you might have lost--" "no, no," he interrupted, "we never possessed one of these. there is one in the metropolitan museum. it's the only one i ever saw save one i chanced upon on the east coast of russia. i tried to buy it from the natives. they would not name a price. decamped that very night; utterly disappeared. thought we might steal it, i suppose. suspicious. superstitious lot. "the question is," he said after a moment, "now you have it what are you going to do with it?" "why," smiled florence, "return it to the owner if--if he can be found." "the owner," cole's eyes narrowed, "i fancy will not call for it. i have reason to believe that were you to advertise your find in the papers he would not venture to call for it. and yet," he said thoughtfully, "it might be worth trying." he sat for a long time in a brown study. "miss huyler," he said abruptly, "this is a strange affair. i am not at liberty, at the present moment, to tell you all i know. one thing is sure: it is not safe for you to be carrying this thing about, for in the first place it is valuable, and in--" "valuable? that?" exclaimed the girl. "quite valuable. well worth stealing. i'd almost be tempted myself," he smiled. "but there is another reason why it is not safe. i am not at liberty to tell you. but if you will trust me with it, i will place it in one of the gem cases. our gem room is guarded day and night. it will be safe there, and neither it nor you will be safe if you keep it. by the way," he broke off suddenly, "what is your address?" florence gave the address of a friend where her mail was left. "you live there?" "no, but no mail is delivered where i do live." "where can that be?" he asked in some surprise. "in a boat," she smiled. "in a pleasure yacht. oh, it's not afloat," as he looked at her in astonishment. "might i ask the name of the boat and the location?" he half apologized. "someone might wish to visit you. it will be proper and very important that he should. otherwise i would not ask." "the o moo," answered florence quietly. "foot of st street." she rose to go. he grasped her hand for a second, looking as if he would like to say more, then bowed her out of the door. as she entered the corridor, she was conscious of a strange dizziness. it was as if she had spent the better part of a night poring over an absorbing story. she had come to the museum to rid herself of the blue candlestick and the mystery attached to it. the candlestick was gone but the mystery lay before her deeper and darker than ever. chapter viii a strange game of hide-and-go-seek the next short chapter in the story of the mystery of the blue candlestick followed closely upon florence's visit to the new museum. it was on the following morning, as she and lucile were strapping up their books preparatory to leaving the o moo, that they heard a sudden loud rapping on the hull of the yacht. "who can that be?" exclaimed lucile. "i'll see," said florence racing for the door. much to her astonishment, as she peered down over the rail she found herself looking into the blue eyes of a strapping police sergeant. "florence huyler?" he questioned. "ye--yes," she stammered. "how do i git up?" he asked. "or do you prefer to come down? gotta speak with you. nothin' serious, not for you," he added as he saw the startled look on her face. with trembling hand florence threw the rope ladder over the rail. as the officer set the ladder groaning beneath his weight, questions flew through her mind. "what does he want? will he forbid us living in the o moo? what have we done to deserve a visit from the police?" then, like a flash mr. cole's words came back to her: "someone else may wish to talk with you." that someone must be this policeman. "will you come in?" she asked, as the officer's foot touched the deck. "if you please." "you see," he began at once, while his keen eyes roamed from corner to corner of the cabin, "my visit has to do with a bit of a curio you found lately." "the blue candlestick?" suggested florence. "exactly, i--" "we really don't know much--" "you may know more than you think. now sit down nice and easy and tell me all you do know and about all the queer things that have happened to you since you came to live in this here boat." florence seated herself on the edge of her chair, then told in dramatic fashion of her adventures in the old museum. "exactly!" said the officer emphatically when she had finished. "queer! mighty queer, now, wasn't it? and now, is that all?" "lucile, my friend here, had a rather strange experience in the spanish mission. perhaps she'll tell you of it." lucile's face went first white, then red. "oh, that! that was nothing. i--i went to sleep and dreamed, i guess. you see," she explained to the officer, "i had been out in the storm so long, i was sort of benumbed with the cold, and when i got inside i fell asleep." "and then--" the officer prompted with an encouraging smile. "it won't do any harm to tell," encouraged florence. stammering and blushing at first, lucile launched into her story. gaining in confidence as she went on, she succeeded in telling it very well. when she came to the part about the blue face, in his eagerness to drink in every detail the officer leaned forward, half rising from his chair. "hold on," he exclaimed excitedly. "you say it was a blue face?" "yes, blue. i am sure of that." "blue like the candlestick?" "why, yes--yes, i think it was." "can't be any mistake," he mumbled to himself, as he settled back in his chair. "it's it, that's all. wouldn't i like to have been there! all right," he urged, "go on." lucile finished her story. "and is that all?" he repeated. "all except something that happened the night florence was caught in the old museum and didn't get home," said lucile, "but what happened wasn't much. you see, we went out to search for her, and a boy named mark pence, who lives in a boat here too, joined us. we couldn't rouse anyone at the old scow where the chinamen live, so he went in. he didn't find anyone, but when he came out he said it was such a queer sort of place. he said there was a winding stairway in it twenty feet high. but i guess he doesn't know much about winding stairways, because the scow is only ten feet high altogether. so the stairs couldn't be twenty feet deep, could they?" the officer, who had again half risen from his chair, settled back. "no," he said, "no, of course they couldn't." but florence, who had been studying his face, thought he attached far greater importance to this last incident than his words would seem to indicate. "well, if that's all," he said rising, "i'll be going. you've shed a lot of light upon a very mysterious subject; one which has been bothering the whole police force. i'm from the d street station. if anything further happens, let me know at once, will you? call for sergeant malloney. and if ever you need any protection by day or night, the station's at your service. good day and thank you." "now what do you think of that?" said florence as the officer's broad back disappeared beyond the black bulk of a tug in dry dock. "i--i don't know what to think," said lucile. "one thing i'm awfully sure of, though, and that is that living on a boat is more exciting than one would imagine before trying it. "i wish," said lucile that night as she lay curled up in her favorite chair, "that i could create something. i wish i could write a story--a real story." then, for a long time she was silent. "professor storris," she began again, "told us just how a short story ought to be done. first you find an unusual setting for your story; something that hasn't been described before; then you imagine some very unusual events occurring in that setting. that makes a story, only you need a little technique. there must be three parts to the story. you look about in the story and find the very most dramatic point in the narrative--fearfully exciting and dramatic. you begin the story right there; don't tell how things come to be happening so, nor why the hero was there or anything; just plunge right into it like: 'cold perspiration stood out upon his brow; a chill ran down his spine. his eyes were glued upon the two burning orbs of fire. he was paralyzed with fear'." florence looked up and laughed. "that ought to get them interested." "trouble is," said lucile thoughtfully, "it's hard to find an unusual setting and the unusual incidents. "after you've done two or three hundred words of thrill," she went on, "then you keep the hero in a most horrible plight while his mind runs like lightning back over the events which brought him to this dramatic moment in his career. then you suddenly take up the thrill again and bring the story up to the climax with a bang. simple, isn't it? all you have to do is do it; only you must concentrate, concentrate tremendously, all the while you're doing it." for a long while after that she lay back in her chair quite silent, so silent indeed that her companions thought her asleep. but after nearly an hour she sprang to her feet with sudden enthusiasm. "i have it. three girls living in a yacht in dry dock. that's an unusual setting. and the unusual incident, i have that too but i shan't tell it. that's to be the surprise." the other girls were preparing to retire. lucile took down her hair, slipped on a loose dressing-gown, arranged a dark shade over her lamp, then, having taken a quantity of paper from a drawer and sharpened six pencils, she sat down to write. when she commenced it was ten by the clock built into the running board at the end of the cabin. when she came to an end and threw the last dulled pencil from her it was one o'clock. for a moment she shuffled the papers into an oblong heap, then, throwing aside her dressing-gown and snapping off the light, she climbed to her berth and was soon fast asleep. but even in her dreams, she appeared to be experiencing the incidents of her story, for now she moved restlessly murmuring, "how the boat pitches!" or "listen to the wind howl!" a moment later she sat bolt upright, exclaiming in a shrill whisper, "it's ice! i tell you it's ice!" marian was the first one up in the morning. it was her turn for making toast and coffee. as she passed lucile's desk she glanced at the stock of paper and unconsciously read the title, "the cruise of the o moo." gladly would she have read the pages which followed but loyalty to her cousin forbade. "to-day," said lucile at breakfast, "i am going to have my story typed, and next day i shall take it to the office of the literary monthly." "i hope the editor treats you kindly," smiled marian. "you must remember, though, that we are only freshmen." but lucile's faith in her product, her first real "creation," was not to be daunted. "i did it just as professor storris said it should be done, so i know it must be good," she affirmed stoutly. that night lucile spent an hour working over the typewritten copy of her story. tracing in a word here, marking one out there, punctuating, comparing, rearranging, she made it as perfect as her limited knowledge of the story writing art would permit her. "there now," she sighed, tossing back the loose-flung hair which tumbled down over her shapely shoulders, "i will take you to ye editor in ye morning. and here's hoping he treats you well." she patted the manuscript affectionately, then stowed it away in a pigeon-hole. if the truth were to be told, she was due for something of a surprise regarding that manuscript. but all that lay in the future. florence and marian were away. they had gone for a spin on the lagoon before retiring. she was alone on the o moo. tossing her dressing-gown lightly from her she proceeded to put herself through a series of exercises such as are calculated to bring color to the cheek and sparkle to the eye of a modern american girl. coming out of this with glowing face and heaving chest, she threw on her dressing-gown and leaped out of the cabin and into the moonlight which flooded a narrow open spot on deck. away at the left she saw the ice on the lake shore stand out in irregular piles. here was a huge pile twenty feet high and there a single cake on end. there was a whole forest of jagged, bayonet-like edges and here again pile after pile lay scattered like shocks of grain in the field. "for all the world like the arctic!" she breathed. "what sport it would be to play hide-and-go-seek with oneself out there in the moonlight." she paused a moment in thought. then, clapping her hands she exclaimed, "i'll do it. it will be like going back to good old cape prince of wales, in alaska." hastening inside, she twisted her hair in a knot on the top of her head, drew on some warm garments, crowned herself with a stocking-cap, and was away toward the beach. since the o moo was on the track nearest to the shore, she was but a moment reaching the edge of the ice which, packed thick between two breakwaters, lay glistening away in the moonlight. here she hesitated. she was not sure it was quite safe. the wind had been blowing on shore for days. it had brought the ice-packs in. under similar conditions in the arctic, the ice would have been solidly frozen together by this time, but she was not acquainted with lake ice; it might be treacherous. "pooh!" she exclaimed at last. "wind's still onshore; i'll try it." stepping out upon the first flat cake, she hurried across it to dodge into the shadow of a towering pile of broken fragments. "catch me!" she exclaimed joyously aloud. "catch me if you can!" she had reverted to the days of her childhood and was playing hide-and-go-seek with herself. first behind this pile, then that, she flitted in the moonlight like a ghost. on and on, in a zigzag course, she went until a glance back brought from her lips an exclamation of surprise: "how far i am from the shore!" for a moment she stood quite still. then the startled exclamation came again. "that cake of ice tips. it moves! i must go back." springing from the cake, she leaped upon another and another. she had just succeeded in reaching a spot where the rise and fall of the ice in response to the swells which swept in from the lake, was lessening, when something caused her heart to flutter wildly. had she seen a dark form disappear behind that ice-pile off to her right? in an instant she was hugging the shadow of a great, up-ended cake. no, she had not been mistaken. out of the silence there came the pat-pat of footsteps. "what can it mean?" she whispered. locating as best she could the position of the intruder, she sprang away in the opposite direction. she was engaged in a game of hide-and-go-seek, not with herself, but with some other person, a stranger probably. what the outcome of that game would be she could not tell. chapter ix someone drops in from nowhere pausing to listen whenever she gained the protecting shadow of an ice-pile, lucile caught each time the pit-pat of footsteps. this so terrified her that she lost all knowledge of direction, her only thought to put a greater distance between herself and that haunting black shadow. suddenly she awoke to her old peril. the ice beneath her was heaving. before her lay a dark patch of water. in her excitement she had been making her way toward open water. with a shudder she wheeled about, and forcing her mind to calmer counsel, chose a circling route which would eventually bring her to the shore. again she dodged from ice-pile to ice-pile, again paused to hear the wild beating of her own heart and the pit-pat of the shadow's footfalls. but what was this? as she listened she seemed to catch the fall of two pairs of feet. in desperation she shot forward a great distance without pausing. when at last she did pause it was with the utmost consternation that she realized that not one or two, but many pairs of feet were dropping pit-pat on the ice floor of the lake. as she dodged out for another flight, she saw them--three of them--as they suddenly disappeared from sight. one to the right, one to the left, one behind her, they were closing in upon her. there was still a space between the two to right and left. through this she sprang, only to see a fourth directly before her. as she again dodged into a sheltering shadow she nerved herself for a scream. the girls were away, but someone, mark pence, the fishermen, old timmie, might hear and come to her aid. but what was this? she no longer caught the shuffle of moving feet. all was silent as the tomb. for a moment she hovered there undecided. then she caught the distant, even tramp-tramp of two pairs of heavy, marching feet. glancing shoreward, she saw two burly policemen, their brass buttons gleaming in the moonlight, marching down the beach. it had been the presence of these officers which had held her pursuers to their shadowy hiding-places. if she but screamed once these officers would come to her rescue! but she had, from early childhood, experienced a great fear of policemen. when she endeavored to scream, her tongue clung to the roof of her mouth. and so there she stood, motionless, voiceless, until the officers had passed from her sight. * * * * * * * * while lucile was experiencing the strange thrills of this terrible game out on the lake ice, florence and marian were witnessing mysterious actions of strange persons out on the lagoon. in spite of the lateness of the hour, there were a number of persons skating on the north end of the lagoon, so the two girls experienced no fear as they went for a quarter-mile dash down the southern channel which lay between an island and the shore. at the south end of the lagoon the channel, which became very narrow, was spanned by a wooden bridge. this bridge, even in the daytime, always gave marian a shock of something very like fear, for it was here that a great tragedy ending in the death of a prominent society woman had occurred. now, as she found herself nearing it, preparing for a long skimming glide beneath it, she felt a chill shoot up her spine. involuntarily she glanced up at the bridge railing. then she gripped florence's arm tightly. "who can that be on the bridge at this hour of the night?" she whispered. "probably someone who has climbed up there to take off his skates," said florence with her characteristic coolness. "but look! he's waving his arms. he's signaling. do you suppose he means it for us?" "no," said florence. "he's looking north, toward the edge of the island. come on; pay no attention to him. under we go." with a great, broad swinging stroke she fairly threw her lighter partner across the shadow that the bridge made and out into the moonlight on the other side. marian was breathing quite easily again. they had made half the length of the island on the return lap, when she again gripped florence's arm. "a sled!" she whispered. "what of it?" florence's tone was impatient. "you are seeing things to-night." the sled, drawn by two men without skates, was passing diagonally across the lagoon. it was seven or eight feet long and stood a full three feet above the ice. the runners, of solid boards, were exceedingly broad. "what a strange sled," said marian as they cut across the path of the two men. "sled seems heavy," remarked florence. "at least one would think it was by the way they slip and slide as they pull it." they had passed a hundred yards beyond that spot when florence turned to glance back. "why! look!" she exclaimed. "there's a man sitting on the ice, back there a hundred yards or so." "one of the men with the sled?" "no, there they go." "some skater tightening his strap." "wasn't one in sight a moment ago. tell you what," florence exclaimed; "let's circle back!" marian was not keen for this adventure, but accompanied her companion without comment. nothing really came of it, not at that time. the man sat all humped over on the ice, as if mending a broken skate. he did not move nor look up. florence thought she saw beside him a somewhat bulky package but could not quite tell. his coat almost concealed it, if, indeed, there was a package. "two men drawing a strange sled," she mused. "one man on the ice alone. possibly a package." turning to marian she asked: "what do you make of it?" "why, nothing," said marian in surprise. "why should i?" "well, perhaps you shouldn't," said florence thoughtfully. there was something to it after all and what this something was they were destined to learn in the days that were to follow. * * * * * * * * out among the ice-piles between the breakwaters, cowering in the shadows too frightened to scream, lucile was seeing things. hardly had the policemen disappeared behind the boats on the dry dock than the dark figures began to reappear. "and so many of them!" she breathed. she was tempted to believe she was in a trance. to the right of her, to the left, before, behind, she saw them. ten, twenty, thirty, perhaps forty darkly enshrouded heads peered out from the shadows. "as if in a fairy book!" she thrilled. "what can it mean? what are all these people doing out here at this ghostly hour?" suddenly she was seized with a fit of calm, desperate courage. gliding from her shadow, she walked boldly out into the moonlight. her heart was racing madly; her knees trembled. she could scarcely walk, yet walk she did, with a steady determined tread. past this ice-pile, round this row of up-ended cakes, across this broad, open spot she moved. no one sprang out to intercept her progress. here and there a dark head appeared for an instant, only immediately to disappear. "cowards!" she told herself. "all cowards. afraid." now she was approaching the sandy beach. unable longer to restrain her impulses, she broke into a wild run. she arrived at the side of the o moo entirely out of breath. leaning against its side for a moment, she turned to look back. there was not a person in sight. the beach, the ice, the black lines of breakwaters seemed as silent and forsaken as the heart of a desert. "and yet it is swarming with men," she breathed. "i wonder what they wanted?" suddenly she started. a figure had come into sight round the nearest prow. for an instant her hand gripped a round of the ladder, a preparatory move for upward flight. then her hand relaxed. "oh!" she breathed, "it's you!" "yes, it is i, mark pence," said a friendly boyish voice. "i--i suppose i should be afraid of you," said lucile, "but i'm not." "why? why should you?" he asked with a smile. "well, you see everyone about this old dry dock is so terribly mysterious. i've just had an awful fright." "tell me about it." mark pence smiled as he spoke. seating herself upon the flukes of an up-ended anchor she did tell him; told him not alone of her experience that night, but of the one of that other night in the spanish mission. "do you know," he said soberly when she had finished, "there _are_ a lot of mysterious things happening about this dock. i don't think it will last much longer, though. things are sort of coming to a head. know what those two policemen were here for?" lucile shook her head. "made a call on the chinks, down there in the old scow. came to look for something. but they didn't find it. heard them say as much when they came out. they were mighty excited about something, though. bet they thought it was mighty strange that there was a stairway in that old scow twenty feet deep." "are--are you sure about that stairway?" the boy's reply was confident: "sure's i am that i'm standing here." lucile protested: "but most folks don't use circling stairways much. they don't know--" "i do though. i work in a library. there are scores of circling stairways among the stacks and i know just how high each one is." "it _is_ queer about that stairway," lucile breathed. "i must be going up. i'm getting chill sitting here." "well, good-bye." mark pence put out his hand and seized hers in a friendly grip. "just remember i'm with you. if you ever need me, just whistle and i'll come running." "thanks--thanks--aw--awfully," said lucile, a strange catch in her throat. her eyes followed him until the boat's prow had hidden him; then she hurried up the rope-ladder and into the cabin. she was shivering all over, whether from a chill or from nervous excitement she could not tell. the other girls came in a few moments later. for an hour they sat in a corner, drinking hot chocolate and telling of their night's adventures. then they prepared themselves for the night's rest. for a long time after the others had retired, florence sat in a huge upholstered chair, lights out, staring into the dark. she was thinking over the experiences of the past few weeks, trying to put them together in a geometric whole, just as an artist arranges the parts of a stained glass window. "there's lucile's experience in the old spanish mission," she mused, "and my own in the museum. then there's mark pence's visit to the old scow and the circular stairway. then there's the blue candlestick. it's rare, mysterious and valuable. why? the police are interested in it. why? then there's the police-sergeant's visit, and lucile's experience on the ice, and the two policemen visiting the old scow, and there's that man on the bridge to-night, the two with the sled and the one sitting on the ice. it's all mysterious, so it ought all to fit together somehow." for a long time she sat wrapped in deep thought. then she started suddenly. "blue!" she whispered. "the face lucile saw in the mission was blue, illuminated and blue. in the story the old seaman told me the face of the god of the negontisks was illuminated and blue. the candlestick i found was blue. what should be more natural than that a blue jade candlestick should be made in which to set a candle with which to illumine the blue god? blue jade is valuable. a ring or stickpin set with a small piece of it is costly. that makes the candlestick both costly and valuable. all that," she sighed, "seems to hang together." again she sat for a time in deep thought. "only," she breathed at last, "who ever heard of a tribe of negontisks in america, let alone here in chicago? try to imagine a hundred or more near-savages, with no money and no means of transportation but their native skin-boats, traveling eight thousand miles over land and sea and ending up in chicago. it can't be imagined. it simply isn't done. so there goes my carefully arranged puzzle all to smash." throwing off her dressing-gown, she climbed into her berth, listening to the flag-rope lashing the mast for an instant, then fell fast asleep. chapter x the real cruise begins next morning florence was skating down the lagoon, deep in thoughts of the mysterious events of the past few days. so deeply engrossing were these thoughts that she did not see what lay before her. suddenly her skate struck some solid obstacle. she tripped, then went sprawling. her loosened skate shot off in another direction. "that's queer," she murmured as she sat up rubbing her knees. glancing back over the way she had come, she saw nothing more than a circular raised spot which had formed when water had sprung up through a hole in the ice. "that's strange," she mused, and rising, she hopped and glided back to the spot. "someone must have cut a hole in the ice," she reflected, "though what they'd do it for is more than i can see. we youngsters used to do that to get a drink when we were skating on a little prairie pond, a long way from nowhere. but here the ice is fourteen inches thick and there's a drink of water to be had for the asking up at the skate house." as she glanced down at the spot, another strange circumstance surprised her. "what makes that spot look so much bluer than the other ice?" she asked herself. as she examined it more closely she saw that this patch of blue had a very definite outline, but rough and jagged, like the edges of a piece of cloth haggled by a child who is just learning to use a pair of scissors. having recaptured her fugitive skate, she clamped it to her foot and was about to go on her way when another startling fact arrested her. "why, that," she thought, "is just about where that man was sitting last night; the one marian and i saw who had apparently dropped in from nowhere." so struck with the discovery was she that she skated over to the edge of the ice where the sled drawn by the two strangers had left the snow. there she took good notice of the direction in which the sled had been going when it came upon the ice. turning about, she skated backward with her eyes on the track made by the sled runners. she was endeavoring to retrace the sled over the ice where no tracks were visible, in an effort to prove that the sled had arrived at the point on the ice where the hole had been cut when it turned and struck off at another angle. so successful was she in this that she all but fell over the rise in the ice a second time. "that's that," she murmured. "now for something else." skating rapidly to the end of the lagoon nearest the dry dock she circulated about until she discovered the spot at which the sled had left the ice. again guiding herself by the course taken by the sled, she skated backward and in a short time found herself once more beside the spot in the ice where the hole had been cut. "that proves something," she told herself, "but just how much i can't tell. but i'll leave that to study out to-night. must hurry on or i'll be late to my lecture." "that sled track went toward the dry dock," she told herself a few moments later. "to-night when i go home i'll try to trace it out and see where it went." lucile was home early that day. marian had not gone to school at all. she had stayed on the beach making sketches of the ice-jam on the lake front. "i'll be going out again to-night," she told lucile. "wind's shifted. it's offshore now and rising. there are certain effects of lights and shadows which you get on the rim of a body of fresh water which you don't in the sea ice. sea ice is white, dull white, like snow. fresh water ice is blue; blue as the sky sometimes. i want to catch it before it blows out again. but what brings you home so early, lucile?" "cut my lecture. headache," she explained, pressing her temples. "nothing much though. and, marian," she exclaimed suddenly, "what do you think? that story!" "did he take it?" "the editor of the literary monthly? no, better than that." "could anything be better than that?" "lots of things." "what _is_ better?" "listen," declaimed lucile, striking a mock dramatic attitude. "he said, the literary editor did, that it was too good for his _poor little publication_! fancy! 'his poor little publication!' my story too good! my story! a freshman's story!" she burst into sudden laughter, but stopped abruptly and sat down pressing her temples and groaning: "my poor head!" "you never can tell about it--about stories," said marian. "heads either. you'll have to go to bed early to-night and get a good night's sleep. there's been entirely too much excitement on board these last few nights." "he said," lucile went on, "that the literary monthly didn't pay for stories. of course i knew that. and he said that he thought i could sell my story; that he thought it was good enough for that. the technique was not quite perfect. there was too much explanation at the beginning and the climax was short, but the theme and plot were unusual. he thought that would put it over. he knew exactly the place to send it--'seaside tales,' a new magazine just started by a very successful editor. he knows him personally. he gave me a letter of introduction to him and i mailed the story to him right away. so you see," she smiled folding her arms, "i am to be an authoress, a--a second george eliot, if you please!" "but seaside tales is published right down town. why did you mail it?" "do you think," said lucile in real consternation, "that i would dare beard that lion of an editor in his den? the editor of a real magazine that pays genuine money for stories? why i--i'd die of fright. besides, one does not do it. really one doesn't." "what was your story about?" asked marian suddenly. "why, i--i wasn't going to tell, but i guess i will. it was about three girls living on a yacht in a dry dock. and, one night in a storm the yacht broke loose on the dry dock and went out into the water. then it drifted out to sea. then, of course, they had to get back to land. wasn't that dramatic?" "yes, very!" smiled marian. "goodness! i hope it never happens to the o moo! just think! not one of us even knows how to start the engine." "i mean to have dr. holmes show me the very next time he and mrs. holmes come down." "he'll think you're crazy." "maybe he will. but you never can tell." that was one time when lucile was right; in this queer old world you never can tell. when florence returned from the university the shades of night were already falling. there was, however, sufficient light to enable her to follow the track of the sled she had seen the night before. this track led straight across the park to the beach, then along the beach in the direction of the dry dock. a few hundred yards from the dry dock it turned suddenly to the left and was at once lost among the tumbled masses of ice, where no trace of it could be found. "sled might be hidden out there," she mused. for a time she contemplated going out in search of it. when, however, she realized that it was growing quite dark, and recalled lucile's unpleasant experience of the night before, she decided not to venture. "if they come back to the beach again," she told herself, "i can pick up their tracks in the snow farther down." walking briskly, she covered the remaining distance to the spot on the beach opposite the o moo. "not yet," she whispered, and climbing over the trestle she made her way on down the beach. her eyes were always on the ground. now she climbed a trestle, now walked round an anchor frozen into the sand, but always her eyes returned to the tracks in the snow. tracks enough there were, footprints of men, but never a trace of a sled leaving the ice. she had gone a considerable distance when she became conscious of some person not far away. on looking up she was startled to note that she had reached a point opposite the great black scow where the orientals lived. at the end of the scow stood a man. his face disfigured by a scowl, he stood watching her. he was dressed in the black gownlike garb of the chinese. he wore a queue. there was, however, something strange about his face. she fancied she had seen him somewhere before, but where she could not tell. then the man moved out of the light that shone on him from a window and was swallowed up by the shadows. "no use going farther," she told herself. "if the sled belongs on the dry dock somewhere it would be the easiest thing in the world for two persons to lift it on their shoulders and carry it in from the ice. that would throw one completely off the trail." turning, she retraced her steps along the beach to the trestle work on which the o moo rested, then swinging about to the right she made her way to the yacht's side. once on deck, she made certain that the other girls were aboard, then retraced her steps to the deck's side, where she pulled down the canvas and tied it securely. for a moment she stood listening to the lash of ropes on the mast. the canvas covering bulged and sagged. cool air fanned her cheeks. "going to be a bad storm," she told herself. "offshore wind, too. all the ice will go out to-night, and everything with it that isn't tied down." when all was tight on deck she slipped into the cabin. lucile, who ate very little dinner that night, retired early. marian studied until nine-thirty. the clock pointed at eleven when florence, with a sigh of regret, put down her psychology to prepare for sleep. "whew!" she breathed, "what a storm! listen to the canvas boom! like a schooner at sea! hope it doesn't tear the canvas away. hope it doesn't--" she did not finish the sentence. the thought which had come to her was too absurd. once snugly tucked in her bed, she found her mind returning to the morning's discovery. what did that new ice on the lagoon mean? why had the hole been cut? why was the ice blue? did the sled and the man sitting on the ice the night before have anything to do with it? did the man cut that hole? if so, why? he might, she told herself, have had something to conceal, some valuables, stolen diamonds or gold. but how could he hope to recover it if he dropped it through a hole in the ice. the water beneath the ice was always murky and there was a strong current there. anything dropped beneath that ice would be lost forever. she remembered the two policemen whom lucile had seen on the beach that same night. perhaps those two men had been running from the officers, trying to conceal something. but how had the man come there on the ice? perhaps--she started at the thought--perhaps this man rode there beneath the sled. the runners had been extraordinarily broad. a man could easily ride between them. the thought gave her a start. she thought of lucile's experience in the old mission, and of her own with the blue candlestick. perhaps, she told herself, they dropped the blue god through the ice. then she smiled at herself. how could the blue god be in chicago? if it were they would never drop it in the water beneath the ice where it could never be recovered. yet why had the ice been blue? why-- she fell asleep, to listen in her dreams to the lash of ropes, the boom of canvas and to dream of riding a frail craft on a storm-tossed sea. it would be difficult to determine just why it is that one knows how long he has slept, yet we very often do know. one wakens in the middle of the night and before the clock strikes the hour he says to himself, "i have slept three hours." and he is right. when florence awoke that night she knew she had been asleep for about five hours. it was dark, pitch dark, in the cabin. the storm was still raging. "just listen," she murmured dreamily, "one could easily imagine that we were out to sea." there was a tremendous booming of canvas and a lashing sound which resembled the wash of the waves, but this last, she told herself, was the ropes beating the mast. she had dozed off again when some strange element of the storm brought her once more half awake. "one would almost say the yacht was pitching," she thought as in a dream, "but she's firmly fastened. it is impossible. she--" suddenly she sat up fully awake. she had moved a trifle closer to the porthole. her head had been banged against it. "it _is_ pitching!" she exclaimed in an awed whisper. her mind whirled. what had happened? was the storm so violent that the o moo was being rocked from side to side on her trestle. would she soon topple over, to go crashing on the frozen sand? or had they in some way been blown out to sea? this last seemed impossible. she thought of the block beneath the wheels of the car on which the o moo stood, then of the strong cable fastened to her prow. "it _is_ impossible!" she muttered. there was one way to prove this. she proceeded to apply the test. turning a screw which held her porthole closed, she swung the metal framed glass wide open. instantly she slammed it shut. she had been soaked with a perfect deluge of water. her heart stopped beating. she tried to shout to the other girls, but her tongue clung to the roof of her mouth. there could no longer be any doubt concerning the nature of the catastrophe which had come over them. how it had happened, she could not even guess. this much she knew: _they were afloat._ "girls! girls!" her own voice shouted to her like that of a ghost, "marian! lucile! wake up! we're afloat! the o moo's adrift!" marian groaned; sat up quickly, then as quickly fell back again. her head had collided with a beam. "what--what's the matter?" she stammered. there came a low moan from lucile: "i'm so sick." "seasick. poor child," said florence. "no--no, not that." lucile's voice was faint. "it's my head--it's splitting. i can't raise it. i--i'm afraid it's going to be--be--bad." florence leaped to the floor. her feet splashed into a thin sheet of water which washed about on the carpet. the cold chill of it brought her to her senses. they were afloat. someone had cast them adrift. was that someone on deck at this moment or had he merely cut the cable, removed the blocks and allowed the wind to do the rest? this must be determined at once. hastily dragging some rubbers on her benumbed feet, she splashed her way to the door. having made sure that this was securely locked, she went to each window and porthole, fastening each as securely as possible. this done, she fought her way to lucile's berth and, steadying herself with one hand, placed the other on lucile's brow. an exclamation escaped her lips. the forehead was burning hot. lucile had a raging fever. "if i had the coward who cut us loose," she cried through clenched teeth, "i--i'd kill him!" chapter xi a mysterious adventure there are people who cannot sleep during a storm. it sets their nerves a-tingle, sets wild racing thoughts crowding through their minds and leaves them sleeplessly alert. it is as if a thousand wild witches rode on every mad rush of the wind, their shrill voices screaming in each blast, their fingers rattling at every windowpane and their breath puffing at the flickering light. mark pence could not sleep during that storm. rocking every schooner, yacht and yawl on its cradle of trestlework, it went racing out over the lake, carrying every movable object with it. after many vain attempts to close his eyes, he at last rose and drawing on his clothes, said to himself: "i'll go out and fight with it for a time. after that i may be able to sleep." "whew! what a whooper!" he exclaimed as the wind, slamming the door after him, blew him half-way to the beach. grappling with the wind, as one grapples a wrestling mate, he stooped low, then shot forward. "like springing against a volley-ball net." he shrieked the words in wild defiance of the wind. then, steadily, step by step, he fought his way toward the nearest schooner. having gained the lee of it he paused a moment for breath. the storm came in gusts. now in a blinding fury of snow, it blotted out everything about him. now there was a lull. the wind appeared to pause to regain its breath. at such times as this his eyes penetrated the space before him. "don't look quite right over there," he grumbled. "something the matter with the sky line. not enough boats, one would say!" he had regained his breath. for a moment he debated the advisability of venturing further into the storm. finally he buttoned his coat collar tighter as he muttered: "go over and see." as he moved from his position of safety there came another gust. more furious than any that had gone before, it threatened to lift him from the earth and hurl him into the lake. but, stooping low, all but crawling, he made headway and, just as the lull came, gripped the top rail of the trestle on which the o moo had rested. hardly had he seized it than his hand slipped and he went sprawling. "that's strange!" he muttered, "awful slippery!" removing one glove, he felt of the other. "grease!" he muttered in blank astonishment. "somebody's greased that track." then, with the suspicion of treachery dawning upon him, he glanced up at the spot where the o moo should have been. "gone!" he exclaimed. "the o moo's gone! and six hours ago, she was here. i'd swear it. saw it with my own eyes. light in the window. girls there. now she's gone and the girls with her. gone in such a storm! what madness!" again he thought of the greased track. "no! no! what treachery!" from his pocket he drew a flashlight. he meant to examine that track. it had been heavily greased all the way down to the water. that the iron wheels of the car on which the o moo had rested had passed down the track, there could be no doubt. mingled with the grease there was much iron rust. drawing from his pocket a used envelope, he scraped a quantity of the grease into it, then replaced the envelope. "evidence," he said grimly. "might not be worth much; might mean a lot." the wind was roaring again. clinging to the trestle, he waited its passing. "gone!" he exclaimed. "gone out to sea! it's those chinks. what beasts! i'll get them! go after them in just another minute. then i'll make them help me launch my schooner to go in search of that o moo. three girls! not one of them knows how to start the engine. girl called marian told me so. and in such a storm! got to make sure though! got to get all the evidence i can!" again he fought his way against the wind until he came to the point where the heavy blocks had held in place the wheels of the truck beneath the o moo. these had been fastened by strong cleats. hard, silent work had been required to loosen them. throwing the light upon the blocks, he examined them carefully. on the side of one he discovered a peculiar mark. the wood, flattened out under pressure for a space of some four square inches, was raised in the very center in two narrow lines, each an inch long. these lines crossed one another. "take it home. more evidence, perhaps." having fought his way up to the place where the cable had been fastened he examined the loosened end without discovering anything peculiar about it. "that's all i can do here," he decided. "now for the rescue. got to have help. old timmie's not much good--too old. fishermen all gone up the coast to fish through the ice. chinks all there are left. make 'em help undo what they've done. if they won't come, i'll fetch 'em!" during a lull in the storm he returned to his schooner. there he deposited the "evidence," then throwing a small, cloth-strapped case over his shoulder and thrusting a bottle into his pocket he again ventured out into the storm. this time he turned his face toward the scow inhabited by the orientals. * * * * * * * * hardly had florence, standing by the side of lucile's berth, hurled out her fiery denunciation of the wretch who had cast their yacht afloat than the o moo gave a sudden lurch which threw her to the floor. pandemonium broke loose. there came a crash of glass from the laboratory. out of the darkness a bulk loomed at her. as she attempted to rise the thing appearing to spring at her, knocked her down. then some other thing buried her deep. the thing that had struck her was a heavy chair. she was buried beneath the blanket and mattress from her own berth. as she attempted to extricate herself it seemed that the entire contents of the cabin played leapfrog over her head. careening like a deserted airship the o moo appeared to plunge prow first down an endless abyss, only to climb laboriously up on the other side. this did not last for long. there was no engine going, no driving power. suddenly she slipped into the trough of a huge wave and wallowed there helplessly, while tons of rushing water swept across her deck. "the engine!" gasped florence. "it should be started." struggling to free herself, she thought of lucile. "may have been thrown from her berth," she groaned. groping about she found lucile's berth, clung there while the yacht gave a wild, circling lurch, then felt for her sick companion. clinging to the rail of her berth, lucile lay there silently sobbing. securing two blankets, florence twisted them into ropes, then bound them across lucile, one at her knees, the other at her chest. "that'll hold you," she whispered hoarsely. starting across the cabin to the electric switch, she was caught again and thrown off her feet. she collided with something. that something put out two arms which encircled her. the two of them fell to the floor, then rolled half the length of it. having regained her breath, florence put out a hand. she touched a garment. she knew by the feel of it that it was marian. "thank goodness!" she said, "you're still here--and alive." in the midst of all this catastrophe, marian began to giggle. "it's too absurd!" she exploded. "i've traveled on the arctic and pacific, real oceans, and come here and have a mere lake kick up such a rumpus!" "but, marian," florence expostulated, "it's serious. these winter lake storms are terrible. the ship may go to the bottom any moment. it wasn't built for this. and there may be ice, too. one crack from ice and she'd burst like an eggshell. c'mon, we've got to get lights. gotta start the engine." dragging marian to her feet, she made her way along the wall to the light switch. there came a sudden flood of light which brought out in bold relief the havoc wrought by the storm. tables, chairs, lounge, writing paper, notebooks, shoes, garments of all sorts, were piled in a heap forward. the heavy carpet was soggy with water. one glance revealed that. the next instant the lights flickered and went out. "have to find a candle," said florence soberly. "water on the battery wires. caused a short circuit. we can't hope to use electricity. ought to get engine started some way. got to get a candle. you just--" "watch out!" screamed marian, as she leaped toward a berth. the o moo had suddenly shot her prow high in air. the entire contents of the cabin came avalanching down upon them. * * * * * * * * having made his way, in the midst of the storm, to the door of the scow on the dry dock occupied by the orientals, mark pence paused to arrange the cloth strap carefully over his shoulder and to feel in his pocket. then he beat loudly upon the door. as he had expected, he received no answer. without further formalities he put his knees to the door and gave it a shove. the flimsy lock broke so suddenly that he was thrown forward. losing his balance, he plunged headforemost down a short flight of stairs. with a low, whispered exclamation he sprang to his feet. putting his ear to the wall, he listened. there were sounds, low grunts, slight shuffling of feet. it was uncanny. a cold perspiration stood out on his brow. "danger here," he whispered as he once more adjusted the cloth strap. the corridor in which he was standing was dark, but a stream of blue light poured out from beneath a door to his right. "hey! you! come out of there!" he shouted. instantly bedlam followed. doors were flung open. a glaring blue light flooded all. "o we-ee-ee! o wee-ee-ee," came from every side. a knife flashed before him. springing back, he tripped over something, then suddenly plunged downward. he had fallen down the circular stairway. after a wild dizzy whirl, he reached bottom with a bump. immediately he was on his feet. his hand gripped the bottle. it was dark down here; dark as a dungeon. "got to get out of here," he whispered. "whew! what a lot of them! twenty or thirty! no use hoping for help from them. fool for thinking i could. got to get out and find help somewhere else--and get out quick. be coming down." drawing something from the case slung across his shoulder, he pulled it down over his face. it was a gas mask, his old war mask, recharged. gripping the bottle in his pocket, a bottle of lucile's quick action gas, he began to climb the stairs. he had made two-thirds of the distance when, sensing someone close to him, he threw his flashlight open. right before him, grinning fiendishly, a knife between his teeth, was a giant oriental. mark did not wait for the attack he knew was coming. he drew back his arm. when it swung forward his hand held the bottle of gas--he sent it crashing against the iron post. the oriental sprang back up the stairs. following him closely, mark made a dash for the door. all about him sounded wild exclamations. "gas getting in its work," he muttered, darting among the writhing bodies. he reached the foot of the short stairs which led to the outer door. now his hand was on the knob. and now the door flew open. he was free. but what was this? just as he made a dash for it, the gruff voice of someone very near him shouted: "here they come. nail 'em. there's the first one. got a mask on. get him!" that was all he heard, for a stunning blow crashed on his head; he staggered, fell, then all was dark. chapter xii the o moo rides the storm florence and marian lay clinging to the bare springs of a berth. they had made that point of safety before the avalanche of furniture, books and bric-a-brac had reached their end of the cabin. they were enduring discomforts beyond description. the yacht was now pitching from side to side in an alarming fashion. the wires of the spring on which they rested cut their tender flesh. their scant clothing was saturated with cold water. the cabin had grown cold. since the burning of the electric fuses, there was no heat. they were chilled to the bone, yet they dared not move. the heavy furniture, pitching about as it did, was a deadly menace. here, above it all, they were safe. as florence lay there, benumbed with cold, suffering agonies of suspense, listening to the thud and smash of furniture, the rush and crush of waves that washed the deck, awaiting the crash which was to be the final one, only one question occupied her mind: how and when would the final moment come? she dared not hope that the o moo would ride such a storm safely. "would the o moo," she asked herself, "turn turtle in the trough of a wave and, floating, mast down, would she hold them there to drown like rats in a cage? or would some giant wave stave her in to sink to the bottom like a water-soaked log?" an answer was postponed. the o moo rode bravely on. they were in the worst of it; she was sure of that. "ought to get the engine started," she told herself. "then we could cut the waves; ride them, not wallow along in a trough." she half rose to attempt to reach the engine room. "no use," she groaned; "no light. if we fool around with gasoline and a candle we'll blow the whole thing up." but even as she thought this, she became conscious of a dim light. what could it be? she sat up quickly, then she uttered a hoarse laugh. "first gray streak of dawn," she muttered. then she thought of lucile. "stay where you are," she said to marian. "i'm going to try to get to lucile." by the aid of the feeble light she saw her opportunity to vault over a careening chair and to make a dash for it. a second later she was at lucile's side. "lucile!" she said softly. "lucile!" the girl's eyes were closed. a sudden fear seized florence and her heart stood still a beat. was lucile asleep, unconscious, or--or was she dead? * * * * * * * * over in the darkness and storm by the old scow, mark pence was slowly regaining consciousness. at first he imagined that a tiny train of cars was running about on the top of his head. this illusion vanished. he felt something hard in his mouth--tried to think what it was. he had been gagged! that was his first thought. no, that wasn't it. he was breathing through the thing. the mouthpiece to his mask! that was it. he had kept it in his mouth. he was fully conscious now but did not attempt to sit up. footsteps were approaching. he heard a voice. "they got away," a man's voice grumbled. "all but one. drunk, that's what they was. you can't hardly shoot drunk men." the first voice retorted: "no, you can't." "well, anyway, we got one; the one with the mask. didn't hit him hard. he ought to be coming round." mark tried to discover the meaning of all this. the place had been raided. the orientals had escaped. they had swarmed out yelling like mad men probably. the quick action gas would make them act as if under the influence of liquor. probably they had tumbled the raiders over. but who were these raiders? he did not have long to wait for the answer. a rough hand dragged the mask from his face. he looked up into the frank blue eyes of a burly policeman. "you're comin' round. sit up. why, you're no oriental! you're a white kid. what you doin' here?" mark sat up and told them what he had been doing. "that quick action gas now," laughed one of the men, "wouldn't be bad stuff for the police force now and again." suddenly mark made an effort to rise. he had thought of the plight of his friends on the o moo. "you--you'll help me launch my schooner!" he exclaimed. "what's the idea?" "why you see those girls in the o moo don't know how to start their engine. somebody's got to bring them in." "what's your schooner?" "the elsie c." "that turtle shell? you'd be committin' suicide to go in her. you come along with us. we're holdin' you as a material witness and--and to prevent you from committing suicide by trying the lake in that shell." reluctantly mark obeyed. "can't something be done?" he demanded desperately. "not before morning. not much then, probably. how'd you find a yacht blowin' round loose in this whirlin' bag of snow?" * * * * * * * * there is a bottom to every depth, a state of darkness which cannot be exceeded, a limit even to despair. as florence looked upon lucile's closed eyes she reached the bottom; experienced the utter darkness; found the limit of despair. and then a strangely joyous thing happened. lucile's eyes opened. she smiled faintly. strange to say, in the midst of this tumult, she had merely fallen asleep. florence took a new and firmer grip on hope. "how--how do you feel?" she stammered. "i think i am better," lucile whispered. "where are we?" "we're all right," said florence quickly. "day is breaking. the storm will go down as the sun rises. they'll be after us in a tug. in a few hours we'll be back on the dock?" she said all this very quickly, not knowing how much of it she believed herself, but feeling quite sure that lucile ought to believe it. just then a chair, pitching across the floor, caught her behind the knees and sent her sprawling. the very shock of this set her blood tingling. "believe we could do something about the furniture now it's getting light," she told herself. "marian," she called, "come on down and let's see what we can do to save things. we're ruined as it is. no more university for us. it will take all the money we have to put this cabin back into condition. but we might as well save what we can." a table came lurching at her. she caught it as if it were a piece of gymnasium equipment. then rescuing a water-soaked sheet from the floor she tied the table to a hand-rail. marian joined her in pursuit of the cabin furnishings. it really grew into quite a game. if a chair came at them too viciously they were obliged to vault over it and bring up an attack from the rear. if a whole platoon of tables and chairs leaped at them in the same second, they took to the cots. little by little order was restored. when a survey had been made it was found that one table was broken to splinters, two chairs had broken legs and numerous books and pictures had been utterly ruined. "it might have been worse," said florence cheerfully. "yes," agreed marian, "we might have gone to the bottom. i do believe the storm is letting up." she attempted to look out of a porthole. daylight had come. snow had ceased falling but a heavy fog was driving over the turbulent waters. "fine chance of anyone finding us," marian whispered. "sh!" florence warned as she shook a finger at lucile's berth, then aloud: "boo! but i'm cold. where are our clothes?" marian pointed mournfully at a mass of soggy rags in the corner. "no!" she exclaimed suddenly, "no, not all. we put our evening skirts and middies and slippers in the hammock of our berths. and," she shouted joyously, "they are there still." after some desperate struggles at keeping their balance and dressing at the same time, they found themselves warmly clad and immediately matters took on a different aspect. "i believe," ventured florence, "that we might get the generator going. there's just one place where water would cause a short circuit and that can be dried out by a candle. then we can put in a new fuse and that little old friend of ours will be chug-chugging as well as ever. not that i feel any need of heat," she mocked with a shrug and shiver, "but you know the supplying of warmth to our homes has become a social custom." having taken a candle from a drawer she lighted it, lifted a trap door and descended to the generator. she was relieved to note that the o moo had shipped very little water. "she's a dandy staunch little craft," she sighed. "it's a pity to have abused her so. i'd like to have a hand on the person who turned her loose." for a quarter of an hour she worked patiently on the generator; then there came a sudden pop-pop-pop and the hardy little machine was doing its work once more. at once a drowsy warmth began to creep over the cabin. the storm was really beginning to abate. waves no longer washed the deck. the o moo rose high, to fall low again as great, sweeping swells raced across the surface of the lake, but she did not pitch and toss. marian brought the electric range up from its hiding. after wiping it dry, she made toast and tea. the first she gave to lucile. then, after seeing her eyes close once more in sleep, she shared a scant breakfast with florence. "things are looking better, don't you think?" she sighed. "i am really beginning to think we'll get out of this alive. won't that be wonderful?" "those questions," smiled florence, "must be answered one at a time, but i have faith that they will both be answered and that we'll be back in the dear old city for christmas." "christmas?" "two weeks off. next week is final exams. we've just got to be back for them." "in that case let's have a look at the engine." a half hour later the two girls, dressed in greasy overalls, their hair done in knots over their heads, their hands black with oil, might have been seen engaged in the futile attempt to unravel the mysteries of the small gasoline engine, which, in other days, had been used to propel the o moo when the wind failed to fill her sails. "we might be able to sail her home," suggested marian. "might," said florence. risking a look out on deck, she opened a door. her eyes swept the space before her. her lips uttered a low exclamation: "gone! mast, canvas, everything. we can't sail home, that's settled." * * * * * * * * mark pence, after his strange adventures at the old scow, was marched off to the police station, where he was allowed to doze beside the radiator until morning. soon after daybreak he was motioned to a desk, where a sergeant questioned him closely regarding his knowledge of the events of the night and of the orientals who lived in the old scow. he was able to tell little enough and to explain next to nothing. when he had told of the disappearance of the o moo, of the grease on the tracks, of the sample he had saved and of the block of wood with the cross embossed upon it, the officer proposed that they should together make a trip to the beach and go over the grounds. "but these friends of mine? these girls in the o moo?" he protested. "oh! that!" exclaimed the sergeant. "what could you do? that was reported to the life-saving station hours ago. best thing you can do is to help us track down the rascals who played such an inhuman trick on your friends." "what could have been their motive?" demanded mark suddenly. "that," said the officer, "is a mystery which must be cleared up. we think we know. but you never can tell. are you ready? we'll have a cup of coffee before we go." a half hour later mark found himself standing once more before the old scow. in the broad light of day it had lost much of its air of mystery. the door had been left open and had been blown half full of snow. having climbed over this pile of snow, they entered the hallway and descended the narrow, circular stairs. a hasty search told them that the place was deserted. a careful examination revealed the fact that the bottom of the scow had been cut away; that a cellar had been dug beneath it, then walled up with cement. "regular underground den," the officer exclaimed. "must have been a swarm of them." "twenty or thirty, i guess," said mark absent-mindedly. he had picked up a clumsily hand-forged ax. "guess i'll take that along," he said presently. in another room he found a large iron pot one-third full of a peculiar grease. "that settles it," he murmured. "come on over to my schooner." they went to his schooner. a comparison of his sample of grease with that in the iron pot left no doubt as to who had greased the track over which the o moo had glided to the water. the ax he had brought from the scow had a cross on one side of it, cut no doubt with a chisel when the steel was still hot. the cross embossed on the wood exactly fitted in the cross on the side of the ax. "they drove the ax in to pull the nails," mark explained. "then when the cleats didn't give way, they used something to pry the ax loose. that's how the ax came to leave its mark." "you'd have thought the noise would have wakened your friends," said the officer. "there was a wild storm. couldn't hear anything." "well," said the sergeant, yawning as he rose, "that fixes something definitely on them. that's what we've been trying to do for some time. next thing is to catch them." "but why did they do it?" insisted mark. "well," replied the sergeant, "since you've helped us and i know you won't go blabbing, i'll tell you what we think." it was a long story, a story so absorbingly mysterious that mark started when he looked at the clock and saw that a whole hour had been consumed in the telling of it. "so that's that," smiled the officer as he rose to go. "tell your lady friends on this o moo if you like but not anybody else. they've got a right to know, i guess, and they'll keep quiet about it until the thing's settled for good and all." chapter xiii land at last florence stood upon the deck. the storm had swept it clean. she was clinging to a hand rail at the side of the cabin. the water was still rolling about in great sweeping swells. fog hung low over all. strain her eyes as she might, she could see but a hundred yards. the boat, she discovered, had no horn or siren attached to it. "if only we had one," she told marian, "we could keep it going. then, if anyone is searching for us, he would be able to locate us by the sound." she stood there trying to imagine where they were, and what was to be the next scene in their little drama. all efforts to start the engine had been futile. there are a thousand types of gasoline engines. marian had at one time managed a small motor on lucile's boat but that one had been of quite a different type. "'tisn't any use," marian had sighed at last. "we can't get it going." so there florence stood thinking. marian was in the cabin preparing some hot soup for lucile. lucile's condition was much improved. she was sitting up in her berth. that much was good. but where were they and whither were they bound? they had gone over their supplies and had found in all about eight pounds of flour and part of a tin of baking powder, three pounds of sugar, a half pound of coffee and a quarter pound of tea, two tins of sardines, a few dried prunes and peaches, two glasses of preserves and a few other odds and ends. beside these there were still twelve cans of the "unlabeled and unknown" vegetables and fruit. "i hope," marian had smiled, "that they are all corn. one can live much longer on corn than on pineapple." "but we can't live long on that supply," florence had said soberly. "something has just got to happen. and," she had added, "perhaps it won't. if it were summer, things would be different, for at that time of the year the lake is dotted with vessels. but now they are all holed up or in dry dock. only now and then one ventures out. we may have been blown out a long way from shore too; probably were." she was thinking of all this now. at the same time her eyes were squinting, half closed. she was trying to pierce the fog. suddenly she started. had she seen something off to the left? a whitish bulk rising out of the fog? she could not be sure. well aware that one's eyes play tricks on him when out at sea, she looked away, then turned her gaze once more to the left. "gone!" she muttered. "never was there at all." again she struck that listless, drooping pose which gave her whole body rest. "but no," she murmured, "there it is again. they have come for us. they have found us!" she wanted to scream, to tell the other girls that help was near, but "no, no!" she decided, "not too soon. it might not be. if it is, they'll see us. the o moo stands well out of the water." to still her wildly beating heart, she allowed her gaze to wander off to the right. instantly she blinked her eyes. "it can't be," she exclaimed, then, "yes it is--it is! another." turning once more to the left, she found still another surprise. two of them off there. fear began to assail her. her forehead grew cold. her hands trembled. was it, after all, a false hope? she had but a moment to wait. then she knew. the fog had lifted slightly. she could see farther, could tell what was closing down upon them. the shock was too much for her. she sank limply to the deck. it was as if she had been wandering in a fog on a rocky hillside searching for sheep, had thought she saw them coming out of the fog, only to discover that the creatures she saw were prowling wolves. the white bulks on the surface of the water were not boats searching for them but cakes of ice. and these, there could be no doubt about it, were fast closing in upon the o moo. with the water still heaving, this meant danger--might indeed mean the destruction of their craft. "i ought," she struggled to her feet, "i ought to tell the girls." yet she did not tell them. what was the use? she reasoned. there was nothing to do but wait, and that she could do very well alone. there is something awe-inspiring about the gathering of great bodies of ice which have been scattered by a storm. they come together as if each had a motor, an engineer and a pilot on board. and yet their coming is in absolute silence. if one cake chances to touch another, the contact is so slight that there is no sound. and so they assemble. coming from all points of the compass, they reunite as a great fleet might after a mighty and victorious battle. the o moo chanced to be in the very midst of this particular gathering. as florence watched she was thrilled and fascinated. now the surface was a field of blue cloth with a white patch here and there. now the white covered half, now two-thirds, now three-fourths of the field. and now a cake brushed the hull of the yacht ever so gently. suddenly she realized that a strange thing had happened. the water which had been rolling had ceased to roll. "the ice did that," she whispered. "perhaps it's not dangerous after all." she watched until the cloth of blue had been almost completely changed to one of white, then burst into the cabin. to her unbounded surprise, she found her companions sitting on lucile's berth with wrapt attention staring out of the window. "isn't it wonderful!" whispered lucile. "i--i thought it would be terribly dangerous," said florence. "not now," said marian. "it may be if we come to shore and the wind crowds the ice, but even then we'll be safe enough. we can escape over the ice to shore. only," she added thoughtfully, "in that case the o moo will be crushed. and that would be too sad after she has carried us through the storm so bravely." florence still looked puzzled. "you see," smiled marian, "lucile and i have been in the ice-packs on the arctic, so we know. don't we, old dear?" she patted lucile on the shoulder. "uh--huh," smiled lucile as she settled back on her pillow. ice, as marian had said, is quite a safe convoy of the sea until some shore is reached. for twenty-four hours they drifted in the midst of the floe. now a sea gull came soaring and screaming about the yacht. and now he went skimming away, leaving them to the vast silence of the conquered waters. fog hung low over the water and the ice. no long-drawn hoot of a fog horn, no shrill siren's scream greeted their anxious ears. a great silence hung over all. then florence, who was standing on deck, noticed that, almost inperceptibly, the fog was lifting. she had been thinking of the last twenty-four hours. lucile, who was much better, had left her berth and was sitting on one of the upholstered chairs. marian was trying for the hundredth time to start the engine. as florence thought this through, she found herself at the same time wondering what the lifting of the fog would mean to them. had they, after all, drifted only a short distance from the city? would they be able, once the fog had cleared, to distinguish the jagged shore which the city's sky line cut out of the blue? would there be some boat nearer than they had dreamed? or had they really drifted a long way? would they look upon a shoreless expanse of water or would the irregular tree-line of some unknown shore greet them? the fog was slow in passing. she was eager for the unveiling of this mystery. impatiently she paced the deck. then, suddenly, she paused, shaded her eyes, and looked directly before her. was there some, low, dark bulk appearing off there before the very course the ice was taking? for a long time she could not be sure. then with a startled exclamation she leaped to the door of the cabin crying: "girls! marian! lucile! look! land! land ahead of the ice-floe." marian came racing out on deck, followed more slowly by lucile. for a moment they all stood there looking. "it's land all right," said marian at last, "but not much land. a little sandy island with a great many small evergreen trees growing on it, i should say." "or perhaps a point," suggested lucile hopefully. "you see, if it's a point we can go back just a little way and find people, people with plenty of food and--and everything." lucile had had quite enough of this adventure. "it's better not to hope for too much," smiled marian, "'hope for the best, be prepared for the worst,' is my motto. and the worst!" she exclaimed suddenly, "is that the ice will begin to buckle and pile when it touches that shore." "and it will crush the o moo," said florence with a gasp. "yes, unless," marian was studying the situation carefully, "unless we can escape it." for a moment she said no more. then suddenly: "yes, i believe we could. there are pike-poles in the cabin. florence, bring them, will you?" florence came back presently with two stout poles some twelve feet long. these were armed with stout iron hooks and points at one end. "you see," explained marian rapidly, "we are much nearer the fore edge of the floe than to either side or to the back, and up there some forty feet there is a narrow channel reaching almost through to the edge. all that is necessary is that we crowd the ice to right and left a bit until we reach that channel, then draw the o moo through it. if we reach the sandy shore before the floe does, the worst that can happen is that the o moo will be driven aground but not crushed at all, and the best that can happen is that we will find some sort of little harbor where the yacht will be safe until the wind shifts and the ice goes back out to sea." "but can we move that ice?" florence's face showed her incredulity. "it's easier than it looks. come on," ordered marian briskly. throwing the rope ladder over the side, she sprang down it to leap out upon a broad ice pan. florence shuddered as she followed. this was all new to her. marian had said that it was easy, but they did not find it so. true, they did move the o moo forward. inch by inch, foot by foot, fathom by fathom she glided forward. but this was accomplished only at the cost of blistered hands, aching muscles and breaking backs. all this time the ice-floe was moving slowly but surely forward. now it was a hundred fathoms from the shore, now fifty, now thirty. and now-- but just at this moment the yacht moved out into the open water before the floe. at the same time marian caught sight of a narrow stream which cut down through the sandy beach some fifty yards from the point where they had broken through. "if only we can make that channel," she panted. "if the water's deep enough all the way to it, we can. or if the floe doesn't come too fast." florence, who thought she had expended every ounce of energy in her body, took three long breaths, then, having hooked her pole to the prow of the o moo, began to pull. soon marian joined her on the pole and together the girls struggled. by uniting their energies they were able to drag the reluctant o moo length by length toward the goal. once florence, having entrusted her weight to a rotten bit of ice, plunged into the chilling waters. but by marian's aid she climbed upon a safer cake and, shaking the water from her, resumed her titanic labors. twice the hull of the o moo touched bottom. each time they were able to drag her free. at last with a long-drawn sigh they threw their united strength into a shove which sent her, prow first, up the still waters at the mouth of the stream. there remained for them but one means of reaching shore--to swim. with a little "oo-oo!" marian plunged in. she was followed closely by florence. twenty minutes later they were in the cabin of the o moo and rough linen towels were bringing the warm, ruddy glow of life back to their half-frozen limbs. the o moo was lying close to the bank where an overhanging tree gave them a safe mooring. as florence at last, after having drawn on a garment of soft clingy material and having thrown a warm dressing gown over this, sank into a chair, she murmured: "thanks be! we are here. but, after all, where is 'here'?" chapter xiv "a phantom wireless" it was night, dark, cloudy, moonless night. florence could scarcely see enough of the sandy beach to tell where she was going. she had, however, been over that same ground in the daytime, so she knew it pretty well. besides, she wasn't going any place; just walking back and forth, up and down a long, narrow stretch of hard-packed and frozen sand. she was thinking. walking in the darkness helped her to think. when there is nothing to hear, nothing to see and nothing to feel, and when the movement of one's feet keeps the blood moving, then one can do the best thinking. anyway that was the way this big, healthy, hopeful college girl thought about it. so she had wrapped herself in a heavy cape and had come out to think. they had been ice-locked on the island for thirty-six hours. the ice had crowded on shore for a time. it had piled high in places. now the wind had gone down and it was growing colder. it seemed probable that the ice would freeze into one solid mass, in which case they would be locked in for who knows how long. the water in their little natural harbor had taken on something of a crust. it was possible that the boat would be frozen into the stream. "not that it matters," she told herself rather gloomily. "we can't start the engine and as long as we can't it is impossible for us to leave the island; only thing we can do is wait until someone discovers our plight or we are able to hail a boat." they were on an island; they had made sure of that first thing. she and marian had gone completely around it. it wasn't much of an island either. just a wreath of sand thrown up from the bottom of the lake, it could scarcely be more than three miles long by a half mile wide. the stream they had entered, running almost from end to end of it, drained the whole of it. the highest point was at the north. this point was a sand dune some forty feet high. their boat was moored at the south end. the entire island, except along the beach, was covered with a scrub growth of pine and fir trees. as far as they could tell, not a single person had ever lived on the island. "it's very strange," marian had said when they had made the rounds of it. "it doesn't seem possible that there could be such an island on the lake without summer cottages on it." "no, it doesn't," florence had answered. "what an ideal spot! wonderful beaches on every side. fishing too, i guess. and far enough from land to enjoy a cool breeze on the hottest day of summer." though they had constantly strained their eyes in an endeavor to discover other land in the distance, they had not succeeded. "probably belongs to someone who will not lease it," said florence at last. so here she was trying to think things through. there was danger of a real catastrophe. the food in their pantry could not possibly last over ten days. then what? as far as she knew, there was not a thing to be eaten on the island. it was possible that fish could be caught beneath the lake ice or in their stream. she meant to try that in the morning. "what a plight to put one in!" she exclaimed. "who could have done it and why did they do it?" this question set her mind running over the mysterious incidents which, she could not but believe, had led up to this present moment. there had been lucile's seeing of the blue face in the old mission, her own affair with the stranger in the museum; the blue candlestick; the visit to mr. cole in the new museum; lucile's frightful adventure on the lake ice; the incident of the two men with the sled on the ice of the lagoon and the single man sitting on the ice; then the spot of blue ice discovered next day. "blue ice!" she exclaimed suddenly, stopping still in her tracks. "blue! blue ice!" florence frowned, as she considered it. a new theory had come to her regarding that spot of blue ice on the lagoon, a theory which made her wish more than ever to get away from this island. "ho, well," she whispered at last, "there'll probably be a thaw before we get back or those men will come back and tear it up. but if there isn't, if they don't then--well, we'll see what we'll see." she was still puzzling over these problems when a strange noise, leaping seemingly out of nowhere, smote her ear. it was such a rumble and roar as she had heard but once before in all her life. that sound had come to her over a telephone wire as she pressed her ear to the receiver during a thunderstorm. but here there was neither wire nor receiver and the very thought of a thunderstorm on such a night was ridiculous. at first she was inclined to believe it to be the sound of some disturbance on the lake, a sudden rush of wind or a tidal wave. "but there is little wind and the sea is calm," she told herself. she was in the midst of these perplexities when the sound broke into a series of sput-sput-sputs. her heart stood still for a second, then raced on as her lips framed the word: "wireless." so ridiculous was the thought that the word died on her lips. there was no wireless outfit on the yacht; could be none on the island, for had they not made the entire round? had they not found it entirely uninhabited? whence, then, came this strange clash of man-made lightning? the girl could find no answer to her own unspoken questions. after a moment's thought she was inclined to believe that she was hearing the sounds created by some unknown electrical phenomena. men were constantly discovering new things about electricity. perhaps, all unknown to them, such isolated points as this automatically served as relay stations to pass along wireless messages. not entirely satisfied with this theory, she left the beach and, feeling her way carefully among the small evergreens, came at last to the base of a fir tree which capped the ridge. this tree, apparently of an earlier growth, towered half its height above its fellows. reaching up to the first branch she began to ascend. she climbed two-thirds of the way to the top with great ease. there she paused. the sound had ceased. only the faint wash-wash of wavelets on ice and shore, mingled with the mournful sighing of the pines, disturbed the silence of the night. for some time she stood there clinging to the branches. here she caught the full sweep of the lake breeze. she grew cold; began to shiver; called herself a fool; decided to climb down again, and was preparing to do so, when there came again that rumbling roar, followed as before by the clack-clack-clack, sput-sput. "that's queer," she murmured as she braced herself once more and attempted to pierce the darkness. then, abruptly, the sound ceased. strain her ears as she might she caught no further sound. she peered into the gloom, trying to descry the wires of an aerial against the sky-line, but her search was vain. "it's fairly spooky!" she told herself. "a phantom wireless station on a deserted island!" ten minutes longer she clung there motionless. then, feeling that she must turn into a lump of ice if she lingered longer, she began to climb down. "i'll come back here in the morning and have a look," she promised herself. "won't tell the girls; they've troubles enough." she made her way back to the yacht and was soon in her berth fast asleep. it was with considerable amusement that she retraced her steps next morning. there could not, she told herself, be a wireless station of any kind on that island. a wireless station called for a home for the operators and there was no such home. she and marian had made sure of that. "but then what was it?" she asked herself, "what could it have been?" she climbed the tree, this time up to its very top, then, turning, shaded her eyes to gaze away the length of the island. "just as i thought," she murmured. "nothing. just nothing at all." it was true. there could be no wireless tower. if there had been she could have seen it. what was more, there certainly was no house on the island. had there been, she could not have failed to detect its roof from her point of vantage. there was no house and no wireless station, yet, as she looked her lips parted in an exclamation of surprise. she was witnessing strange things. toward the other end of the island something was moving in and out among the drifting ice-cakes. this, she made out presently, by the flash of a paddle, was some sort of a boat. "and it is," she breathed. "no--no it can't be! yes, it is, it's an eskimo kiak!" at once she thought of the negontisks. could it be possible that they had stumbled upon a secret home of some of these people? as if in answer to her question, the strange manipulator of this queer craft drew the kiak on shore, then, skipping hurriedly along the beach and up a sandy ridge, suddenly put two hands on something and the next instant dropped straight down and out of sight. florence caught her breath sharply. she clutched the fir boughs in the fear that she would fall. then, realizing that she might be plainly seen if anyone chanced to look her way, she began hastily to descend. "he might come out of his igloo and see me," she told herself. that the thing the person had entered was an igloo she had no reason to doubt. igloos go with kiaks and are built beneath the earth. "but," she said suddenly, "the other girls will know a great deal more about those things than i do. i must tell them at once. we will hold a council of war." chapter xv the island's secret twenty-four hours after florence's mysterious discovery, the cabin of the o moo was pervaded by a quiet and studious atmosphere. lucile, who was quite herself again, was mastering the contents of a book devoted to the study of the technique of short story writing. florence was delving into the mysteries of the working of the human mind. marian was doing a still life study in charcoal. one might conclude that by some hosts of good fairies the yacht had been spirited back to its place on the dry dock. this was not, however, the case. the o moo was still standing in the little stream on the sandy island. its position had been altered a trifle. it had been poled out into midstream and there anchored. this precaution the girls had felt was necessary. in case the negontisks attempted to board the yacht it would give those on board a slight advantage. it is difficult to board a yacht from kiaks. that the strange persons who lived in holes beneath the sand dunes were these wild natives they did not doubt. "for," marian had reasoned, "who else in all the wide world would live in such a manner?" "yes, but," florence had argued, "how did they ever get to the shores of lake michigan anyway?" the question could not be answered. the fact remained that there were people living beneath the ground on this island and that the girls were afraid of them, so much afraid that they were not willing, voluntarily, to expose themselves to view. this was why they were remaining aboard the o moo and studying rather than attempting to catch fish. "might as well make the best of our time," florence had reasoned. to this the others had agreed but when she went on to say that she somehow felt that they would be back at the university for final exams, they shook their heads. the food supply was growing lower with every meal. six cans of the unknown fruits and vegetables had been opened and with all the perversity of unknown quantities had turned out to be fruit, pleasing but not nourishing. "there's some comfort in knowing that there are other people on the island, at that," lucile had argued. "they've probably got a supply of food and, rather than starve, we can cast ourselves upon their mercy." "how many of them do you suppose there are?" marian suddenly looked up from her book to ask. "only saw one," answered florence, "but then of course there are others." "strange we didn't see any tracks when we went the rounds of the island." "snowed the night before." "but people usually have things outside their igloos; sleds, boats and hunting gear." "not when they're in hiding. there might be fifty or a hundred of them. nothing about an igloo shows unless you chance to walk right up to the entrance or the skylight. and we didn't. we--" she broke off abruptly as lucile whispered. "what was that?" she had hardly asked the question when the sound came again--a loud trill. it was followed this time by a musical: "who-hoo!" "i never heard a native make a sound like that," exclaimed lucile, springing to her feet. "nor i," said marian. "sounds like a girl." throwing caution to the wind the three of them rushed for the door. on reaching the deck, they saw, standing on shore, a very short, plump person with a smiling face. though the face was unmistakably that of a white girl, she was dressed from head to toe in the fur garments of an eskimo. "hello there," she shouted, "let down the gang plank. i want to come aboard." "haven't any," laughed florence. "wait a minute. you climb out on that old tree. we'll pole the yacht around beneath it, then you can drop down on deck." "what a spiffy little cabin," exclaimed the stranger as she entered the door and prepared to draw her fur parka off over her head. "i wasn't expecting company. when did you arrive?" "came in with the ice-floe," smiled marian. "are--are you a captive?" asked lucile suddenly. "and--and do they make you live with them?" "captive? live with whom?" the girl's eyes were big with wonder. "the negontisks." "the what?" "the negontisks." "why, no, child. of what are you dreaming? i never saw a negontisk, let alone living with them. heard of them though. please explain." she bounced down into one of the overstuffed chairs with a little sigh of "oh! what delicious comfort! you don't know how strange it is to live like an eskimo. it's trying at times, too." it took a great deal of explaining for lucile to make the reasons for her questions clear to the stranger. in the meantime, florence had an opportunity to study their visitor. "very small, not weighing over ninety pounds, very vivacious, decidedly american and considerably older than we are," was her final analysis. "why! my dear!" the little lady cried when lucile had explained. "you may put your mind quite at ease. besides yourselves i am positively the only person on the island. what's more," she smiled, "i have in my igloo oodles and oodles of food, enough for all of us for six months to come." the three girls fairly gasped in their relief and delight. it was with the greatest difficulty that they refrained from embracing the visitor. "i suppose," said the stranger, "that you would like to know how it comes about that i am living here on this island all by myself; and, above all things, in an igloo. well, you see, my uncle owns this island. he is a retired arctic trader. for twenty years he lived on the coast of the arctic--made a huge fortune in furs and whale bone. then he came back to the city to live. "well, you see," she sighed after a pause for breath, "he had lived in igloos on the arctic coast for so long that he wasn't satisfied with the cave he lived in on the shores, in the noisy city. so what does he do but buy this little island and have a wonderful little igloo built beneath one of its sand dunes? "of course he doesn't live in his igloo all the time; just comes over when he wishes to. this winter he is spending in florida so he lent his igloo to me. "i graduated from the university last year. and i wanted to write a book, a book about the vanishing race--the eskimo. sort of an eskimo ramona, don't you know. "i had never been in alaska but my uncle had told me about it. nights and nights he talked about nothing else, so i knew enough to make a book. all i needed was the atmosphere. i thought i could get that best by coming out here and living in his igloo all by myself, paddling about in a kiak, fishing through the ice and all that. so that," she laughed, "is how i came to be here." the three girls stared at her with looks of wonderment in which was mingled not a little joy. had she been a fairy come down from some magic kingdom to render them a great service she could hardly have been more welcome. "oh!" she cried, bouncing up from her chair, "you shall all go to my igloo. we will have dinner together there and--and why don't you bring along a few of your things, prepared to stay all night? you'll hardly be leaving to-night. no, of course you won't. ice won't let you." "it's not alone the ice," said florence soberly. "we don't know how to start our motor." "oh! those motors! there now!" she exclaimed "i've never told you my name. it's marie neighbor. what are yours?" the girls told her. "motors are a real bother," she said, returning to her original subject. "uncle has had six or eight of them in all, on cars, yachts and all that. not one of them was like any other one. i puzzled my poor old head nearly off over them but i always succeeded in making them go. they're worse when there's no gas. once i tried a pint of ether and some moth balls instead of gas. that came near being my last experiment. the cylinder exploded. perhaps i can help you with your engine. let's have a look." florence led the way to the engine room and there switched on a light. marie studied the motor for a moment. "but my dear," she exclaimed at last, "this wire should be fastened there and that one here. you have them crossed. that will never do. hope you haven't ruined your batteries. but never you mind, i have a set down at the igloo." "now about the timer. that screw's loose there. off time of course. why, there's nothing the matter with the motor; not really. we'll have it going in a moment." she gave the balance wheel a turn. there followed a sucking sound. a second turn brought a similar result; the third elicited a loud explosion and the fourth threw the engine into such a spasm of coughing as set the whole yacht a-tremble. "there you are," she exclaimed triumphantly. "i told you there wasn't anything the matter." she touched a lever. the engine stopped. then she reached for a handful of waste with which to clean her dainty fingers. "now," she said, "shall we go over to the igloo? i think the wind is changing. the ice may be going out to-night. in that case you may be wishing to leave in the morning. the yacht will be all right here. no one about and no chance for her to go out of the river. throw a line out and tie her to the shore. that'll make her doubly safe." delighted with this strange and efficient hostess, the girls went about the task of making the ship snug, then, having each gathered up a small bundle of clothing, went ashore. "by the way," said marie, "if you don't mind i think i'd like to go back to the city with you. i'll work my passage as chief engineer." "that would be splendid!" said florence enthusiastically. "i've been worrying about the engine. we might get it going and not be able to stop it." "and might stop it and not get it going again," laughed marie. "well, i'm glad that's arranged. a friend had promised to come after me, but i was talking to him night before last and he told me his boat had sprung a leak. didn't think he could come." "you were talking with him?" cried marian. "yes, radio, don't you know. oh! i didn't tell you. i have a radiophone for short-distance work. uncle insisted on my having it; thought i wouldn't be safe without it. when i wish to talk to shore all i have to do is to hoist up my two portable towers, key up my instrument and start right in jabbering away. i have the wireless too, and can talk to my uncle way down in florida." florence took a long breath. "so this," she told herself, "is the explanation of the phantom wireless." "by the way," said marie, "your friends must be anxious about you. of course they must be. i'll get my little talking machine going as soon as we are at the igloo and you may tell them all your troubles; also assure them you'll be home to-morrow or the next day." "oh! how can we thank you?" cried lucile. "don't have to," laughed their hostess. "it doesn't cost me anything and i'm to get a free passage home for it." "talking about things being free," she said pointing to the splendid little evergreens all about them. "see all those trees! they really should be thinned out. they're free for the asking. yet there are ten thousand homes in the city where there will be no christmas tree this year. what do you say we cut down two or three hundred of them and take them along? we can play santa to that many families anyway." "i think it's a fine idea," said lucile. "so do i! so do i," said the others in unison. "well then that's all settled. and now for a lark. watch out; here's the entrance to the igloo. just take a look down, then we'll get up the towers and start talking across empty space to the poor tired old city," laughed marie. chapter xvi an unexpected welcome "it's an exact reproduction of an igloo!" exclaimed lucile. the three girls, following the example of their hostess, had dropped through a hole some three feet square, had poised for an instant upon a board landing, to drop a second three feet and find themselves in a small square room. leaving this room, they had gone scooting along a narrow passageway, to drop on their knees and crawl through a circular opening into a room some twenty feet square. "why!" exclaimed their hostess, "have you seen an igloo somewhere?" lucile smiled. "marian and i spent a year on the arctic coast of alaska and marian has lived most of her life in nome on behring sea." "why then," marie neighbor's face was a study, "then i'm just a--a--what do you call it? a chechecko, i guess--beside you." "oh, no, nothing like that," smiled marian. "anyway you'll help me with my book, won't you? i have it only a third finished. after dinner i'll read that to you and you may tell me frankly whether it's any good or not." "i tried a story once myself," said lucile with a laugh. "how did you come out with it?" "haven't come out yet, but i'm really crazy to get back to the city and find out about it. i mailed it to the editor of 'seaside tales'." the igloo was heated by genuine seal-oil lamps and over these marie cooked her food. the pots and kettles were of the antique copper type traded to eskimos by russians long before the white man reached the arctic shore of alaska. the food cooked in this manner over a slow fire was declared to be delicious. "and now," said their hostess, when the dishes had been washed and put away, "i'll introduce you to my alcove bedroom." drawing aside a pair of heavy deerskin curtains she revealed a platform some six by eight feet. this was piled high with skin rugs of all descriptions. white bearskin, russian squirrel, red fox and beaver rivaled one another in softness and richness of coloring. "you see," she explained, "it's sort of a compromise between the narrow shelf of the eskimo igloo and the broader sleeping room of the chukches of siberia." lucile and marian were fascinated. it took them back to the old days of cape prince of wales, of east cape and siberia. "tell you what," exclaimed lucile. "we'll all get fixed nice and comfy for going to sleep, then we'll spread ourselves out in the midst of all those wonderful rugs and you may read your book to us." "yes, and you'll be asleep in ten minutes," laughed marie. "no, no! no we won't," they all exclaimed. "then it's a bargain." a few moments later filmy pink and white garments vied in color and softness with the rugs of arctic furs while marie in a well modulated tone read the beginning of the story of nowadluk, the belle of alaska. the three companions were quite content to listen. the ways of life seemed once more very good to them. their friends had been notified by radiophone of their safety. they were to return to-morrow or the day after. the wind had changed. the ice was already beginning to scatter. now and then lucile or marian would interrupt the reader to make a suggestion. when the end had been reached they were unanimous in their assurance that it promised to be a wonderful story. their only regrets were that more of it was not completed. a half hour later lucile and marian were asleep. florence and marie were talking in whispers. florence had been relating their strange and weird experiences while living aboard the o moo. "so that's why you thought i was held captive by the negontisks?" marie chuckled. "but really," she said presently, "there _were_ some of those people in chicago. may be yet, but no one knows." "tell me about it," florence breathed excitedly. "i don't know a great deal about it, only they were brought over from siberia for exhibition purposes during a fair in seattle. from there they were brought to chicago by a show company. the company ran out of money and disbanded. the negontisks were thrown upon their own resources. "they were getting along one way or another when it was discovered that they were worshipping some kind of idol." "a blue face," whispered florence breathlessly. "something like that. it was believed that in their religious rites they resorted to inhuman practices. the government looked into the matter and decided to deport them. but just when the officials were preparing to round them up, they found that the last one of them had vanished--vanished as completely as they might had the earth opened up and swallowed them. "that was two or three years ago. the papers were full of it. i think there was a reward offered for their capture. but i believe they never found a trace of them or their blue god." "oh!" whispered florence, suddenly sitting up among the robes. "oh, i do hope the ice is gone by morning!" "why? aren't you happy here?" "yes, but i want to get back to the city--want to awfully. you see, i think i know where the blue god is and i want to go and find it." it was the afternoon of the second day following the night spent in the igloo before they were able to leave the island. ice still blocked their path, that first day, so they had spent the whole day piling the deck of the o moo high with christmas trees. since fate had been kind to them in landing them on the hospitable shores of this island they had been glad to do this much toward the happiness of others. the lake could never have appeared more lovely. its surface, smooth as a mirror, reflected the white clouds which drifted lazily overhead. the sun, sending its rosy reflections over all, made each tiny wavelet seem a saddle on the back of a fairy horse of dreamland. across this dreamland the o moo cut her way. now they were nearing the city. for some time they had been seeing the jagged line of sky scrapers. now they could catch the outline of the beach by the dry dock. toward this they pointed the prow of the o moo. a wireless telephone message had made known to dr. holmes the probable hour of their arrival. old timmie would doubtless be prepared to get the o moo back upon her trestle. "but what makes the shore all around the dock look so black?" puzzled lucile. just then there came a succession of faint and distant pop-pop-pops. "someone coming to meet us," lucile decided, pleased at the thought. then there came another set of poppings, another and another, all in slightly different keys. now they could see the gasoline launches coming toward them. seeming but sea gulls for size at first, they grew rapidly larger. "six of them," murmured marian. "i didn't know we had that many friends." their amazement grew as three other boats put out from shore. then lucile, who had been studying the beach exclaimed: "i do believe that black spot about the dry dock moves. it seems to contract and expand, to waver backward and forward. you don't think it could be--be people?" "why no, of course--yes! i do believe it is!" cried marian. "it's the newspapers," exclaimed florence. "they've published a lot of nonsense about our silly adventure and all those people have come down to see us come in." "and the people in those motorboats are reporters," groaned marian. "it's the last of our life on the o moo." "that's over anyway," said lucile. her face was very sober. "by the time we've paid for having this yacht put back in order, i figure we'll have about enough money left to buy soup and crackers for examination week and a ticket home. good-bye old university!" "ho! well," laughed florence, "no use being gloomy about it. no use being gloomy about anything. life's too long for that. let's make up what we'll tell the reporters. they won't print the truth anyway, so we might as well tell them plenty." "tell them what you like," said marie neighbor, "only please don't give them the location of my island. i don't want them to come out there bothering me." "we'll guard your secret, never worry," smiled lucile. when the reporters' boats swarmed about them, the girls told as little as they could, but when later dr. holmes came on board with three official reporters, they gave them the true story of their adventures. they were shown their own pictures on the front pages of all the papers and were assured that nothing but their adventure had been talked of since their disappearance. a woman had come on board with the reporters, a trim, matronly woman in a tailored suit. at her first opportunity she drew florence to one side to talk with her long and earnestly. "the cabin of the o moo is a wreck," marian said to dr. holmes. "but really, mr. holmes, you may trust us to put it back into perfect shape if it takes our last penny. you may send upholsterers and decorators over as soon as the o moo is in dry dock." "tut--tut!" exclaimed the good doctor. "don't let that trouble you. that's all provided for." "oh, no! really you must let us pay for all that." "did it ever occur to you," his eyes were twinkling, "that the o moo might be insured?" "in--insured!" marian's knees gave way. the news was too good to seem true. "then, then we can stay?" "in school, yes, but on the o moo, probably not. too much publicity, you see. university people would object and all that, don't you know. but then, cheer up. i fancy the lady dean is telling florence of something which will interest you all." "in the meantime," he exclaimed, "we are not getting ashore. yo-ho, timmie," he cupped his hands and shouted, "bring on the rowboats and tackle. let's get her brought in." chapter xvii hot water and a ghost it was night. the crowd that had screamed its welcome to the returning o moo and her crew was gone. a great truck loaded high with christmas trees had departed with marie neighbor bouncing about on top of it. the three girls were in the cabin of the o moo. this, they were sure, was to be their last night on board. the lady dean had told florence that a flat belonging to the university, three rooms, kitchenette and bath, was at their disposal. the rent seemed terribly high to them, but someway they must meet it, since the dean had looked very sternly adown her nose and said, "of course this sort of thing cannot be gone on with. the university would be scandalized. besides, there is no telling what may happen to you if you remain here." "of course," lucile said with a long face as the three of them discussed the matter, "she says it's a very nice apartment but it can't be half as nice as--" "as the o moo," florence put in. "of course not. nothing ever can be." "oh, well," marian sighed, "i guess we'll have to do it. but i do think the old o moo is a dear. i shouldn't like anything better than rambling through a whole summer with her almost anywhere on the great lakes." since this was to be their last night they determined to make the most of it. they had mark pence in for hot chocolate and vanilla wafers. they told him of their adventures and he spoke modestly of his own. "so you see," he said, going back to the very beginning of the story as he now knew it, "when these negontisks found out they were going to be deported they hunted out an unscrupulous chinaman who transformed them into people of his own race. that wasn't hard. they were orientals anyway. all he had to do was to provide them with black sateen suits and artificial pigtails and the transformation was complete. "then the chinaman saw a chance to make a lot of easy money. he put them to work in his laundry--virtually made slaves of them. fixed up that old scow for them secretly and made them sneak back and forth to work during the night. "that lasted for a time, then the greedy old chinaman suddenly disappeared. negontisks sacrificed him to the blue god, like as not. served him right too. "but that was where the police took up the trail. the savages knew there was trouble coming. they thought you were a plant--that you were set here to spy on them. they'd been betrayed by some woman before, it seems. when they couldn't get rid of you by frightening you, they decided to cut you loose in a storm." "and now--" began florence. "now they've vanished. not a trace of them has been seen since that night." "not a trace?" "not one." "why then," exclaimed florence leaping to her feet, "i invite you all to a ghost hunt. a ghost hunt for a blue god." "anything for a last nighter," agreed lucile. "for this type of ghost hunt," said florence, "one needs an ax and two kettles of boiling water." "i'll provide the ax," volunteered mark. "and we the boiling water," chimed in marian and lucile in unison. it was a strange little procession that stole from the shadow of the o moo a short time later. florence led the way. she was profoundly silent. lucile and marian followed, each with a tea kettle of boiling water carefully poised at her side. mark, as a sort of vanguard, brought up the rear with his ax. now and then mark let forth a low chuckle. "sh!" marian warned. "you might disturb her serious poise." straight away toward the end of the lagoon florence led them. once on the surface of the lagoon her course was scarcely less certain until she had reached a point in the center of the broad, glistening surface. "should be right about here," she murmured. snapping on a flashlight she moved slowly backward and forward, studying the ice beneath the circle of intense light. "cold place for a ghost," whispered mark. "ten thousand people have skated over it and cut it down. can't tell. maybe it's gone," florence said under her breath, but still she kept up the search. "water's getting cooled off in the kettles. ghost won't mind it at all," whispered mark. pausing on tiptoe for a moment, florence fixed her eyes on a certain spot. then, bending over, she brushed the ice clear of frost. "there!" she announced. "there! that's it." "right here," she pointed, motioning to mark. "cut here. no--let me have the ax. you might go too deep." with measured and cautious swings she began hacking a circle in the ice some two and a half feet in circumference. mark's amusement had vanished. curious as the others, he bent over and watched in awed silence. eight inches of solid ice had been chipped up and thrown out when they began noticing its peculiar blueness. "like a frozen tub of blueing," whispered marian. "sh!" warned lucile. "now, let's have the water." florence took one of the teakettles and poured the hot water into the hole she had cut. as they stood there staring with all their eyes, they thought they made out the outline of something. "like a dream picture on the movie screen," whispered marian. lucile pinched her arm. "a face," came from mark. suddenly lucile gasped, wavered, and all but sank down upon the ice. "the face!" she cried in a muffled scream. "the horrible blue face." "i thought it might be." florence's voice was tense with emotion. she poured the second kettle of water into the hole. the pool of water was blue, but through it there appeared the dim outlines of an unspeakably ugly face. with trembling fingers florence tested the water. twice she found it too hot. the third time she plunged in her hand. there followed a sound of water being sucked up by some object. the next instant she placed on the ice, within the circle of light, a strange affair of blue stone. covering her eyes lucile sprang back shuddering. "the blue face! the terrible blue face." marian and mark stared curiously. florence straightened up. "that," she said with an air of great satisfaction, "is the marvelous and much-sought blue god." "oh! ah!" came from marian and mark. lucile uncovered her eyes to look. "perfectly harmless; merely a blue jade carving. nevertheless a thing of some importance, unless i miss my guess," said florence. "i suggest that we take it to the police station." "to-night?" exclaimed marian. "oh, yes! right now!" demanded lucile through chattering teeth. "i could never sleep with that thing on board the o moo." arrived at police headquarters, they asked for their friend, the sergeant. when he came out, his eyes appeared heavy with sleep, but once they fell upon the thing of blue jade it seemed that they would pop out of his head. "it ain't!" he exclaimed. "it is! no, it can't be." taking it in his hands he turned it over and over, muttering to himself. then, "wait a minute," he said. handing the blue face to florence, he dashed to the telephone. there for a moment he quarreled with an operator, then talked to someone for an instant. "that," he said as he returned, "was your friend, mr. cole, from down in the new museum. he lives near here. he's coming over. he'll tell us for sure. he knows everything. sit down." for ten minutes nothing was heard in the room save the tick-tock of a prodigious clock hung against the wall. from florence's lap the blue god leered defiance to the world. suddenly a man without hat or collar dashed into the room. it was cole. "where is it?" he demanded breathlessly. "here." florence held out the blue face. for a full five minutes the great curator studied the face in silence. turning it over and over, he now and again uttered a little cry of delight. florence, as she watched him, thought he could not have been more pleased had a long-lost son been returned to him. "it is!" he murmured at last. "it is the blue god of the negontisks." "see that!" exclaimed the sergeant, springing to his feet. "i told you he'd know. and that's the end of that business. the whole gang of 'em was caught in sioux city, iowa, last night, but they didn't have the blue god. they'll be deported." "will--will you give it back to them now?" faltered lucile. "give it back?" he roared. "i'd say not! you don't know what crimes have been committed in the name of the blue god. no! no! we'll not give it back. if they must have one when they get to where they're going they'll have to find a new one." "sergeant," said cole, "i'd like to speak with you, privately." "oh! all right." the two adjourned to a corner, where for some time they conversed earnestly. the sergeant might be seen to shake his head emphatically from time to time. at last they returned to the group. "i have been trying," said cole thoughtfully, "to persuade the sergeant to allow you to sell the blue god to our museum. it is worth considerable money merely as a specimen, but he won't hear to it; says it's sort of contraband and must be held by the police. i'm sorry. i'm sure you could have used the money to good advantage." "oh, that's all right--" the words stuck in florence's throat. "hold on now! hold on!" exclaimed the sergeant, growing very red in the face. "i'm not so hard-hearted as i might seem. there's a reward of five hundred dollars offered for the arrest and conviction--or words to that effect--of this here blue god. now you girls have arrested him and before mr. cole he's been convicted. all's left is to make out the claims and i'll do that free gratis and for nothing." "five hun--five hundred dollars!" the girls exclaimed. the sergeant stepped back a pace. it was evident that he was in fear of the embarrassment which might come to him by being embraced by three young ladies in a police station. "i--i'll lock him up for the night," he muttered huskily and promptly disappeared into a vault. "well, i guess that's all of that," breathed florence. "quite a thrilling night for our last on the o moo." "not quite all," said cole. "there's still the blue candlestick. the state makes no claims upon that. in the name of the museum i offer you two hundred dollars for it. how about it?" "splendid! wonderful!" came from the girls. "all right. come round in the morning for the check. good-night." he disappeared into the darkness. "we--we're rich," sighed lucile as they walked toward the o moo, "but you know i have a private fortune." she drew a letter from her pocket and waved it in air. "one hundred dollars for my story. hooray!" "hooray!" came from the rest. "of course," sighed lucile, "the editor said the check would spoil me for life, but since the story was worth it he was bound to buy it. regular fatherly letter, but he's a dear and the check is real money." "to eat has a more pleasant sound than to sleep," said florence when they were once more in the cabin of the o moo. "what do you say to lamb chops, french fried potatoes, hot coffee and doughnuts?" "at two in the morning?" grinned mark. "what's a better time? all in favor, say 'aye.' the ayes have it." "there are a few things i don't yet understand," said lucile as they sat enjoying their repast. "and a lot that i don't," added mark. "miss florence huyler, the pleasure's all yours." "well," said florence, "it was about like this: the negontisks were living in that old scow. instead of three or four sleepy old chinamen, there were twenty or thirty near-savages skulking about this dry dock. being afraid of us, they tacked a note of warning to our yacht. when we didn't leave they decided to frighten us or kill us, i don't know which. they chased me into the old museum and tried to surround lucile among the ice-piles. lucile's seeing the blue face in the old mission was of course an accident; so too was my finding the blue candlestick. that man who chased me lost it. when other plans failed they decided to set us adrift, which they did." "but the blue god frozen in the ice?" questioned marian. "you remember the two men with the sled and the one man who appeared to come from nowhere? well, i guess he was dropped off the sled with the blue god, a jug of blue water, and an ax. he cut a hole in the ice and, after covering the blue god with blue water left it to be frozen in. i stumbled upon the spot next morning. little by little i guessed what was hidden there and how it was hidden." "seems strange they never came back for it," said lucile. "police were too hot on their tracks," declared mark. "they didn't dare to." "and that," said florence, "is the story of the blue god. quite an exciting episode. to-morrow we enter upon the monotonous life of modern city cave dwellers. good-bye to romance." "well," said mark, "you never can tell." he rose. "i must bid you good-night and good-bye. i work in the 'stacks' of your great university library. come to see me there sometime. perhaps i might dish up a bit of excitement for you, you never can tell." he bowed himself out of the cabin. fifteen minutes later the cabin was dark. the cruise of the o moo was at an end. the roy j. snell books mr. snell is a versatile writer who knows how to write stories that will please boys and girls. he has traveled widely, visited many out-of-the-way corners of the earth, and being a keen observer has found material for many thrilling stories. his stories are full of adventure and mystery, yet in the weaving of the story there are little threads upon which are hung lessons in loyalty, honesty, patriotism and right living. mr. snell has created a wide audience among the younger readers of america. boy or girl, you are sure to find a snell book to your liking. his works cover a wide and interesting scope. here are the titles of the snell books: _mystery stories for boys_ . triple spies . lost in the air . panther eye . the crimson flash . white fire . the black schooner . the hidden trail . the firebug . the red lure . forbidden cargoes . johnny longbow . the rope of gold . the arrow of fire . the gray shadow . riddle of the storm . the galloping ghost . whispers at dawn; or, the eye . mystery wings . red dynamite . the seal of secrecy . the shadow passes . sign of the green arrow _the radio-phone boys' series_ . curlie carson listens in . on the yukon trail . the desert patrol . the seagoing tank . the flying sub . dark treasure . whispering isles . invisable wall _adventure stories for girls_ . the blue envelope . the cruise of the o moo . the secret mark . the purple flame . the crimson thread . the silent alarm . the thirteenth ring . witches cove . the gypsy shawl . green eyes . the golden circle . the magic curtain . hour of enchantment . the phantom violin . gypsy flight . the crystal ball . a ticket to adventure . the third warning * * * * * * * * transcriber's note: --obvious typographical errors were corrected. non-standard spellings and dialect were left unchanged. --promotional material was relocated to the end of the book, and the list of books in the three series was completed using other sources. --standardized the ship name "o moo", variously spelled "o'moo" and "o-moo" in promotional material. --added an ellipsis on page indicating where a line or two was apparently omitted in the printed edition. made available by the hathitrust digital library.) the flying girl series the flying girl and her chum [illustration: "well, i declare!" exclaimed orissa, sitting up.] the flying girl and her chum by edith van dyne author of the flying girl; aunt jane's nieces series etc. illustrated by joseph pierre nuyttens [illustration] the reilly & britton co. chicago copyright, by the reilly & britton co. _the flying girl and her chum_ contents chapter page i the girl with the yacht ii the girl with the aËroplane iii a prodigy in aeronautics iv the aluminum chest v the last drop of gasoline vi castaways vii two girls and one island viii an owl concert ix miss columbus and miss crusoe x madeline dentry's proposition xi a game of checkers xii the quest of the "salvador" xiii capricious fate xiv on the bluff xv boat ahoy! xvi an island kingdom xvii don miguel del borgitis xviii the mask off xix an exciting race xx besieged xxi capturing an aËroplane xxii ramon ganza xxiii a desperate alternative xxiv the diplomacy of chesty todd xxv scuttled xxvi orissa returns xxvii facing the crisis xxviii the prisoner xxix orissa decides list of illustrations "well, i declare!" exclaimed orissa, sitting up. _frontispiece_ "it--it has run away with 'em, steve. it's gone wrong, man; there's danger ahead!" _page_ suddenly a huge form filled the doorway, inspecting the newcomers with a quick, comprehensive glance. _page_ madeline, seated at the table, studied the faces before her curiously, while an amused smile played around her lips. "we cannot accept our enemy's proposition," she announced. _page_ the flying girl and her chum chapter i the girl with the yacht perhaps they call them "parlor" cars because they bear so little resemblance to the traditional parlor--a word and a room now sadly out of style. in reality they are ordinary cars with two rows of swivel seats down the center; seats supposed to pivot in every direction unless their action is impeded by the passenger's hand baggage, which the porter promptly piles around the chairs, leaving one barely room to place his feet and no chance at all to swing the seat. thus imprisoned, you ride thoughtfully on your way, wondering if the exclusive "parlor car" is really worth the extra fee. however, those going to san diego, in the southland of california, are obliged to choose between plebeian coaches and the so-called "parlor" outfit, and on a mild, sunny morning in february the san diego train rolled out of the los angeles depot with every swivel seat in the car de luxe occupied by a passenger. they were a mixed assemblage, mostly tourists bound for colorado, yet quite unknown to one another; or, at least, not on speaking terms. there was a spanish-looking gentleman in white; two prim, elderly damsels in black; a mamma with three subdued children and a maid, and a fat man who read a book and scowled at every neighbor who ventured a remark louder than a whisper. forward in the car the first three seats were taken by a party from new york, and this little group of travelers attracted more than one curious glance. "that," murmured one of the prim ladies to the other, "is madeline dentry, the famous heiress. no one knows how many millions she has just inherited, but she is said to be one of the richest girls in america. the stout lady is her chaperon; i believe--she's a distant relative--an aunt, or something--and the thin, nervous man, the stout lady's husband, is madeline dentry's financial manager." "i know," replied the other, nodding; "he used to be her guardian before she came of legal age, a month or so ago. his name is tupper--martin j. tupper--and i'm told he is well connected." "he is, indeed, to have the handling of madeline's millions." "i mean in a family way. the dentrys were nobodies, you know, until madeline's father cornered the mica mines of the world and made his millions; but the tuppers were a grand old baltimore family in the days of washington, always poor as poverty and eminently aristocratic." "do you know the tuppers?" "i have never met them. i strongly disapprove of their close association with miss dentry--a fly-away miss who kept bryn mawr in a turmoil while she was a student there, and is now making an absurd use of her money." "in what way?" "haven't you heard? she has purchased lord tweedmonk's magnificent yacht, and has had it taken to san diego harbor. i was told by the bell boy at the los angeles hotel--bell boys are singularly well-informed, i have observed--that madeline dentry is to take her new yacht on a cruise to hawaii and japan. she is probably now on her way to see her extravagant and foolish plaything." "dreadful!" said the other, with a shudder. "i wonder how anyone can squander a fortune on a yacht when all those poor heathens are starving in china. what a pity the girl has no mother to guide her!" "tell me about the beautiful girl seated next to madeline." "i do not know who she is. some stranger to the rich young lady, i imagine. they're not speaking. yes, she is really beautiful, that girl. her eyes are wonderful, and her coloring perfect." "and she seems so modest and diffident." "evidence of good breeding, whoever she may be; quite the opposite of madeline dentry, whose people have always been rapid and rude." the fat gentleman was now glaring at the old ladies so ferociously that they became awed and relapsed into silence. the others in the car seemed moodily reserved. mr. martin j. tupper read a newspaper. his stolid wife, seated beside him, closed her eyes and napped. madeline dentry, abandoning a book that was not interesting, turned a casual glance upon her neighbor in the next chair--the beautiful girl who had won the approval of the two old maids. madeline herself had a piquant, attractive countenance, but her neighbor was gazing dreamily out of the window and seemed not to have noticed her. in this listless attitude she might be inspected at leisure, and madeline was astonished at the perfect profile, the sheen of her magnificent hair, the rich warm tintings of a skin innocent of powders or cosmetics. critically the rich young lady glanced at the girl's attire. it was exceedingly simple but of costly material. she wore no jewels or ornaments, nor did she need them to enhance her attractiveness. perhaps feeling herself under observation, the girl slowly turned her head until her eyes met those of madeline. they were gloriously blue eyes, calm and intelligent, wide open and fearless. yet with a faint smile she quickly withdrew them before madeline's earnest gaze. "will you have a chocolate?" "thank you." the strong hand with its well-shaped fingers did not fumble in madeline's box of bonbons. she took a chocolate, smiled again, and with a half shy glance into her neighbor's face proceeded to nibble the confection. madeline was charmed. "are you traveling alone?" she asked. "yes. i am to meet my brother and--some friends--in san diego." "i am miss dentry--madeline dentry. my home is in new york." "and mine is in los angeles. i am not straying very far away, you see." madeline was piqued that her hint was disregarded. "and your name!" she asked sweetly. the girl hesitated an instant. then she said: "i am miss kane." mr. tupper looked up from his newspaper. "kane?" he repeated. "bless me! that's the name of the flying girl." "so it is," admitted miss kane, with a little laugh. "but flying is not in your line, i imagine," said madeline, admiring anew the dainty personality of her chance acquaintance. "at present our train is dragging, rather than flying," was the merry response. mr. tupper was interested. he carefully folded his paper and joined in the conversation. "the idea of any girl attempting to do stunts in the air!" he remarked disdainfully. "your namesake, miss kane, deserves to break her venturesome, unmaidenly neck--as she probably will, in the near future." "nonsense, uncle!" cried madeline; "orissa kane, so far as i've read of her--and i've read everything i could find--is not at all unmaidenly. she's venturesome, if you like, and manages an aëroplane better than many of the bird-men can; but i see nothing more unwomanly in flying than in running an automobile, and you know _i_ do that to perfection. this flying girl, as she is called, is famous all over america for her daring, her coolness in emergencies and her exceptional skill. i want to see her fly, while i'm out here, for i understand there's to be an aviation meet of some sort in san diego next week, and that orissa kane is engaged to take part in it." "flying is good sport, i admit," said mr. tupper, "but it would give me the shivers to see a girl attempt it. and, once a machine is in the air, you can't tell whether a man or woman is flying it; they all look alike to the watcher below. don't go to this aviation meet, madeline; you've seen girls fly. there was miss moissant, at garden city----" "she barely got off the ground," said miss dentry. "and there was blanche scott----" "they're all imitators of orissa kane!" declared madeline impatiently. "there's only one real flying girl, uncle, and if she's on the program at the san diego meet i'm going to see her." "you'll be disappointed," averred the gentleman. "she's a native of these parts, they say; i presume some big-boned, masculine, orange-picking female----" "wrong again, sir! the reporters all rave about her. they say she has a charming personality, is lovely and sweet and modest and--and----" she paused, her eyes dilating a little as she marked the red flush creeping over miss kane's neck and face. then madeline drew in her breath sharply and cast a warning glance at her uncle. mr. tupper, however, was obtuse. he knew nothing of madeline's suspicions. "have you ever seen this dare-devil namesake of yours, miss kane?" he asked indifferently. "yes, sir," she answered in a quiet tone. "and what did you think of her?" madeline was powerless to stop him. miss kane, however, looked at her questioner with candid eyes, a frank smile upon her beautiful face. "she has a fine aëroplane," was her reply. "her brother invented it, you know. it's the kane aircraft, the safest and speediest yet made, and stephen kane has taught his sister how to handle it. that she flies his aircraft successfully is due, i am sure, to her brother's genius; not to any especial merit of her own." mr. tupper was staring now, and beginning to think. he remembered reading a similar assertion attributed to orissa kane, the flying girl, who always insisted on crediting her brother with whatever success she achieved. perhaps this girl had read it, too; or, perhaps---- he began to "put two and two together." southern california was the favorite haunt of the flying girl; there was to be an aviation meet presently at san diego; and on this train, bound for san diego, was riding a certain miss kane who answered to madeline's description of the aërial heroine--a description he now remembered to have often read himself. uncertain what to say, he asked haltingly: "do you call it 'aviatrix' or 'aviatrice'? the feminine of 'aviator,' you know." "i should say 'aviatress,' now that you appeal to me," was the laughing reply. "some of the newspaper men, who love to coin new words, have tried to saddle 'aviatrice' on the girl aviator, and the french have dubbed her 'aviatrix' without rhyme or reason. it seems to me that if 'seamstress,' 'governess' or 'hostess' is proper, 'aviatress' is also correct and, moreover, it is thoroughly american. but in--in the profession--on the aviation field--they call themselves 'aviators,' whether men or women, just as an author is always an 'author,' regardless of sex." mr. tupper had made up his mind, by this time. he reasoned that a girl who talked so professionally of aviation terms must be something more than a novice, and straggled to remember if he had inadvertently said anything to annoy or humiliate miss kane. for, if the little maid so demurely seated before him was indeed the famous flying girl, the gentleman admitted he had good reason to admire her. madeline was watching his embarrassment with an expression of amusement, but would not help him out of his dilemma. so mr. tupper went straight to the heart of the misunderstanding, as perhaps was best under the circumstances. "your first name is orissa?" he inquired, gently. "it is, sir." "won't you have another chocolate!" asked madeline. orissa took another chocolate, reflecting how impossible it seemed to hide her identity, even from utter strangers. not that she regretted, in any way, the celebrity she had gained by flying her brother stephen's aircraft, but it would have been so nice to have ridden to-day with these pleasant people without listening to the perfunctory words of praise and adulation so persistently lavished upon her since she had acquired fame. "i knew cumberford some years ago," continued mr. tupper, rather aimlessly. "cumberford's your manager, i believe!" "yes, sir; and my brother's partner." "good chap, cumberford. had a queer daughter, i remember; an impossible child, with the airs of a princess and the eyes of a sorceress. she's grown up, by this time, i suppose." miss kane smiled. "sybil cumberford is my best chum," she replied. "the description still applies, so far as the airs and eyes are concerned; but the child is a young lady now, and a very lovable young lady, her friends think." "doubtless, doubtless," mr. tupper said hastily. "if cumberford is in san diego i shall be glad to renew our acquaintance." "you are bound for coronado, i suppose," remarked orissa, to change the subject. "only for a few days' stay," madeline answered. "then we expect to make a sea voyage to honolulu." "that will be delightful," said the girl. "i've lived many years on the shores of the pacific, but have never made a voyage farther to sea than catalina. i'm told honolulu is a fascinating place; but it needs be to draw one away from coronado." "you like coronado, then?" "all this south country is a real paradise," declared orissa. "i have had opportunity to compare it with other parts of america, and love it better after each comparison. but i am ignorant of foreign countries, and can only say that if they excel southern california they are too good for humans to live in and ought to be sacred to the fairies." madeline laughed gayly. "i know you now!" she exclaimed; "you are what is called out here a 'booster.' but from my limited experience in your earthly paradise i cannot blame you." "yes, we are all 'boosters,'" asserted the younger girl, "and i'm positive you will join our ranks presently. i love this country especially because one can fly here winter and summer." "you are fond of flying?" "yes. at first i didn't care very much for it, but it grows on one until its fascinations are irresistible. i have the most glorious sense of freedom when i'm in the air--way up, where i love best to be--but during my recent exhibitions in the east i nearly froze making the high flights. it is a little cold even here when you are half a mile up, but it is by no means unbearable." "they call you a 'dare-devil,' in the newspapers," remarked mr. tupper, eyeing her reflectively; "but i can scarcely believe one so--so young and--and--girlish has ventured to do all the foolish aërial tricks you are credited with." mrs. tupper had by this time opened her eyes and was now listening in amazement. "yes," she added, reprovingly, "all those spiral dips and volplaning and--and--figure-eights are more suited to a circus performer than to a young girl, it seems to me." this lady's face persistently wore a bland and unmeaning smile, which had been so carefully cultivated in her youth that it had become habitual and wreathed her chubby features even when she was asleep, giving one the impression that she wore a mask. now her stern eyes belied the smirk of her face, but orissa merely smiled. "i am not a 'dare-devil,' i assure you," she said, addressing mr. tupper rather than his wife. "i know the newspapers call me that, and compare me with the witch on a broomstick; but in truth i am as calculating and cold as any aviator in america. everything i do is figured out with mathematical precision and i never take a single chance that i can foresee. i know the air currents, and all their whims and peculiarities, and how to counteract them. what may seem to the spectators to be daring, and even desperate, is often the safest mode of flying, provided you understand your machine and the conditions of the air. to volplane from a height of five or ten thousand feet, for example, is safer than from a slight elevation, for the further you drop the better air-cushion is formed under your planes, and you ride as gently as when suspended from a parachute." madeline was listening eagerly. "are you afraid?" she asked. "afraid? why should i be, with my brother's wonderful engine at my back and perfect control of every part of my machine?" "suppose the engine should some time fail you?" "then i would volplane to the ground." "and if the planes, or braces, or fastenings break?" "no fear of that. the kane aircraft is strong enough for any aërial purpose and i examine every brace and strut before i start my fight--merely to satisfy myself they have not been maliciously tampered with." then madeline sprung her important question: "do you ever take a passenger?" orissa regarded miss dentry with a whimsical smile. "sometimes," she said. "do you imagine you would like to fly?" "no--no, indeed!" cried mr. tupper in a horrified voice, and mrs. tupper echoed; "how absurd!" but madeline answered quietly: "if you could manage to take me i am sure i would enjoy the experience." "i will consider it and let you know later," said the flying girl, thoughtfully. "my chum, sybil cumberford, has made several short flights with me; but sybil's head is perfectly balanced and no altitude affects it. often those who believe they would enjoy flying become terrified once they are in the air." "nothing could terrify madeline, i am sure," asserted mrs. tupper, in a rasping voice; "but she is too important a personage to risk her life foolishly. i shall insist that she at once abandon the preposterous idea. abandon it, madeline! i thought your new yacht a venturesome thing to indulge in, but flying is far, far worse." "oh; have you a yacht?" inquired orissa, turning eagerly to the other girl. "yes; the _salvador_. it is now lying in san diego harbor. i've not seen my new craft as yet, but intend it shall take us to honolulu and perhaps to japan." "how delightful," cried orissa, with enthusiasm. "would you like to join our party?" "oh, thank you; i couldn't," quite regretfully; "i am too busy just now advancing the fortunes of my brother stephen, who is really the most clever inventor of aëroplanes in the world. don't smile, please; he is, indeed! the world may not admit it as yet, but it soon will. have you heard of his latest contrivance? it is a hydro-aircraft, and its engines propel it equally as well on water as on land." "then it beats my yacht," said madeline, smiling. "it is more adaptable--more versatile--to be sure," said orissa. "stephen has just completed his first hydro-aircraft, and while i am in san diego i shall test it and make a long trip over the pacific ocean to exploit its powers. such a machine would not take the place of a yacht, you know, and the motor boat attachment is merely a safety device to allow one to fly over water as well as over land. then, if you are obliged to descend, your aircraft becomes a motor boat and the engines propel it to the shore." "does your brother use the gnome engines?" inquired mr. tupper. "no; stephen makes his own engines, which i think are better than any others," answered miss kane. by the time the train drew into the station at san diego, madeline dentry and her companions, the tuppers, knew considerably more of aëroplanes than the average layman, for orissa kane enjoyed explaining the various machines and, young and unassuming as she appeared, understood every minute detail of their manufacture. she had been her brother's assistant and companion from the time of his first experiments and intelligently followed the creation and development of the now famous kane aircraft. at the depot a large crowd was in waiting, not gathered to meet the great heiress, madeline dentry, but the quiet slip of a girl whose name was on every tongue and whose marvelous skill as a bird-maid had aroused the admiration of every person interested in aërial sports. on the billboards were glaring posters of "the flying girl," the chief attraction of the coming aviation meet, and the news of her expected arrival had drawn many curious inhabitants of the sunshine city to the depot, as well as the friends congregated to greet her. first of all a tall, fine looking fellow, who limped slightly, sprang forward to meet orissa at the car steps and gave her a kiss and a hug. this was stephen kane, the airship inventor, and close behind him stood a grizzled gentleman in a long gray coat and jaunty scotch cap. it was mr. cumberford, the "angel" and manager of the youthful kanes, the man whose vast wealth had financed the kane aircraft and enabled the boy and girl to carry out their ambitious plans. this strange man had neither ambition to acquire more money nor to secure fame by undertaking to pilot the aircraft to success; as he stood here, his bored expression, in sharp contrast to the shrewd gray eyes that twinkled behind his spectacles, clearly indicated this fact; but a little kindness had won him to befriend the young people and he had rendered them staunch support. on mr. cumberford's arm was a slender girl dressed all in black, the nodding sable plumes of whose broad hat nearly hid orissa from view as the two girls exchanged a kiss. sybil cumberford had no claim to beauty except for her dark eyes--so fathomless and mysterious that they awed all but her most intimate friends, and puzzled even them. and now an awkward young fellow--six feet three and built like an athlete--slouched bashfully forward and gripped orissa kane's outstretched hand. here was the press agent of the kane-cumberford alliance, mr. h. chesterton radley-todd; a most astonishing youth who impressed strangers as being a dummy and his friends as the possessor of a rarely keen intellect. orissa smiled at him; there was something humorous about radley-todd's loose-jointed, unwieldy personality. then she took her brother's arm and passed through the eager, admiring throng to the automobile in waiting. beside mr. cumberford's car stood a handsome equipage that had been sent for miss dentry's party, and as orissa nodded to her recent acquaintances sybil cumberford inquired: "who is that girl?" "a miss dentry, of new york, with whom i exchanged some remarks on the train. she has a yacht in the bay here." "oh, yes; i've heard all about her," returned sybil, indifferently. "she's dreadfully rich; rather snubbed new york society, which was eager to idolize her--says she's too young for the weary, heart-breaking grind--and indulges in such remarkable fancies that she's getting herself talked about. i hope you didn't encourage her advances, orissa?" "i fear i did," was the laughing reply; "but she seemed very nice and agreeable--for a rich girl. tell me, steve," she added, turning to her brother, "what news of the hydro-aircraft?" "it's great, orissa! i put the finishing touches on it night before last, and yesterday mr. cumberford and i took a trial spin in it. it carries two beautifully," he exclaimed, his eyes sparkling with enthusiasm. "did you go over the water?" asked orissa. "nearly half a mile. then we dropped and let the engine paddle us home. of all the hydro-aëroplanes yet invented, ris, mine will do the most stunts and do them with greater ease." they were rolling swiftly toward the ferry now, bound for the hotel del coronado, a rambling pile of spanish architecture that dominates the farther side of san diego bay. presently the car took its place in the line of vehicles on the ferry and mr. cumberford, who was driving, shut off the power and turned to orissa. "you are advertised to exhibit the new hydro-aircraft the first day of the meet--that's monday," he announced. "do you think you can master the mechanism by that time?" "is it the same old engine, steve?" she inquired. "exactly the same, except that i've altered the controlling levers, to make them handy both in the air and on water, and balanced the weight a little differently, to allow for the boat attachment." "how did you do that?" "placed the gasoline tanks in the rear. that makes the engine feed from the back, instead of from directly overhead, you see." orissa nodded. "i think i can manage it, mr. cumberford," she decided. "will steve go with me on monday?" "why--no," returned the manager, a trifle embarrassed. "our fool press agent had an idea the event would be more interesting if two girls made the flight out to sea, and the trip back by boat. sybil has been crazy to go, and so i let chesty todd have his own way." "you see, miss kane," added mr. h. chesterton radley-todd, who was seated beside mr. cumberford, while stephen and the two girls rode behind, "the management of the meet couldn't get another aviatress to take part, because you had been engaged to fly. the other air-maids are all jealous of your reputation and popularity, i guess, so the management was in despair. the dear public is daffy, just now, to watch a female risk her precious life; it's more thrilling than when a male ventures it. so, as they're paying us pretty big money, and miss cumberford was anxious to go, i--er--er--i----" "it is quite satisfactory to me," announced orissa quietly. "i shall enjoy having sybil with me." "i knew you wouldn't object," said sybil. "the only thing i don't like about it," observed stephen, reflectively, "is the fact that you have never yet seen my hydro-aircraft. it's safe enough, either on land or water; but if the thing balks--as new inventions sometimes do--there will be no one aboard to help you remedy the fault, and the invention is likely to get a black eye." "give me a tool bag and i'll do as well as any mechanician," responded orissa, confidently. "and your hy is not going to balk, steve, for i shall know as much about it as you do by monday." chapter ii the girl with the aËroplane the morning following orissa kane's arrival, which was the saturday preceding the meet, she went with her brother stephen to his hangar, which was located near the glenn curtiss aviation camp on a low bluff overlooking the pacific. there the two spent the entire forenoon in a careful inspection of the new hydro-aircraft. as she had told madeline dentry, the flying girl never wittingly took chances in the dangerous profession she followed. the remarkable success of her aërial performances was due to an exact knowledge of every part of her aëroplane. she knew what each bolt and brace was for and how much strain it would stand; she knew to a feather's weight the opposition of the planes to the air, the number of revolutions to drive the engine under all conditions and the freaks of the unreliable atmospheric currents. and aside from this knowledge she had that prime quality known as "the aviator's instinct"--the intuition what to do in emergencies, and the coolness to do it promptly. stephen kane, who adored his pretty little sister, had not the slightest fear for her. as she had stood at his side during the construction of his first successful aëroplane and learned such mechanical principles of flying as he himself knew, he had no doubt she could readily comprehend the adaptation he had made to convert his aircraft into the amphibious thing that could navigate air and water alike. "it seems to me quite perfect, steve," was orissa's final verdict. "there is no question but the hydro-aircraft will prove more useful to the world than any simple aëroplane. if we could carry gasoline enough, i would venture across the pacific in this contrivance. by the way, what am i to do on monday? must i carry sybil in any certain direction, or for any given distance?" "i'll let chesty explain that," said steve, turning to the youthful press agent, who had just then entered the hangar in company with mr. cumberford and sybil. "why, er--er--a certain program has been announced, you know," explained chesty todd; "but that doesn't count, of course. we'll say that owing to high winds, contrary air currents, or some other excuse, you had to alter your plans. that'll satisfy the dear public, all right." orissa frowned slightly. "you mustn't compromise me in such ways, mr. todd," she exclaimed. "the kane-cumberford camp has the reputation of fulfilling its engagements to the letter; but if you promise impossible things of course we cannot do them." the young man flushed. in the presence of orissa kane this big fellow was as diffident as a schoolboy. "i--i didn't think i promised too much," he stammered. "there are two or three islands off this coast, known as the coronado islands. the big one--you can see it plainly from here--is named sealskin. no one knows why. there are seals there, and they have skins. perhaps that's the reason. or they may all be related, and the seals' kin play together on the rocks." "be sensible, chesty!" this from mr. cumberford, rather impatiently. "i'm quite sensible of miss kane's annoyance," resumed mr. radley-todd, "but i hope she will find her task easy. she has merely to fly to sealskin island, a dozen or fifteen miles--perhaps twenty--and alight on the bosom of the blue pacific. mighty poetical in the advertisements, eh? then she'll ride back in motor boat fashion. when she approaches the shore she is to mount into the air again, circle around the hotel and land on the aviation field before the grand stand. if any part of this program seems difficult, we can cut it out and tell the reporters----" "steve," interrupted orissa, "can i rise from the water into the air?" "of course. that's my pet invention. while skimming along the water you lift this lever, free the propeller, then point your elevator and--up you go!" "run out the machine. we will make a trial and you shall show me how it is done. the rest of chesty's program seems easy enough, and if i master this little trick of rising from the water we will carry out our contract to the letter." "all right. your costume is in that little dressing room in the corner, ris." while his sister donned her short skirt, leggings and helmet, stephen kane called his mechanicians and had the hydro-aircraft rolled out of the hangar and headed toward the ocean. for himself, he merely put on a sweater and his cap and visor, being ready long before orissa appeared. the inventor seldom flew his own craft, for an accidental fall had lamed him so that he was not as expert an aviator as his sister had proved to be. he was recovering from his hurt, however, and hoped the injured leg would soon be good as new. meantime orissa was doing more to render the kane aircraft famous than any man might have done. a wire fence encircled the kane-cumberford camp for some distance, except on the ocean side, where the bluff protected it from invasion. there was an entrance gate adjoining the beach road, and while the assembled party awaited orissa's appearance steve noticed that a motor car stopped at the gateway and a man and woman alighted and entered the enclosure, leisurely approaching the spot where the hydro-aircraft stood. "oh!" exclaimed sybil, whose dark eyes were far-seeing; "it's that girl who owns the yacht, madeline what's-her-name." "dentry," said steve. "i wonder if orissa invited her here. go and meet them, chesty, and find out." mr. radley-todd promptly unlimbered his long legs and advanced to meet madeline and mr. tupper. the press agent had an unlimited command of language when driving his pen over paper, but was notably awkward in expressing himself conversationally. he now stopped short before the visitors, removed his hat and said: "i--er--pardon me, but--er--was your appointment for this hour?" "is miss kane here, sir?" asked madeline, unabashed. "she is, miss--er--er----" "dentry." "oh; thank you." "then i will see her," and she took a step forward. but chesty todd did not move his huge bulk out of the way. so many curious and bold people were prone to intrude on all aviators, and especially on miss kane, that it was really necessary to deny them in a positive manner in order to secure any privacy at all. the press agent, in his halting way, tried to explain. "we--er--miss kane--is about to--er--test the powers of our new hydro-aircraft, and i regret to say that--er--er--the test is private, you know." "how fortunate that we came just now!" cried madeline, eagerly, as she flashed her most winning smile on the young man. "please lead us directly to miss kane, sir." "yes; of course; please lead us to miss kane," echoed mr. tupper pompously. chesty succumbed and led them to the group surrounding the machine, just as orissa emerged from the hangar. recognizing her recent traveling companion, the flying girl ran up and greeted her cordially, introducing her and mr. tupper to the others present. "i'm going to try out our new hy," she said, with a laugh. "'hy,' you must know, is my abbreviation of the hydro-aircraft--too long a word altogether. if you will promise not to criticize us, in case we foozle, you are welcome to watch our performance." "that will be glorious," returned madeline. "we have been to the bay to inspect the _salvador_, my new yacht, but being anxious to see your new aircraft and hoping to find you here, we ventured to stop for a few minutes. forgive us if we intruded." she spoke so frankly and was so evidently unconscious of being unwelcome that the entire group accepted her presence and that of her uncle without murmur. steve took his place in the "hy" and orissa sat beside him. the motor boat attachment, which took the place of the ordinary running gear, was of sheet aluminum, as light and yet as strongly built as was possible for a thing intended to be practical. adjustable wheels, which could be folded back when the boat was in the water, were placed on either side, to give the craft a land start. the huge engine was beautiful in appearance, while the planes--a crossed arrangement peculiar to the kane aircraft--were immaculately white in their graceful spread. "this upper plane," said steve, proud to explain the marvels of his latest mechanical pet, "is so arranged that its position may be altered by means of a lever. if you're on the water and want to save gasoline you adjust the plane as a sail and let the wind drive you." "clever! very clever, indeed," observed mr. tupper. "i had no idea these flying machines had been improved so much since i last saw an aviation meet, some six months ago." "the art of flying is still in its infancy, sir," replied mr. cumberford. "it is progressing with wonderful strides, however, and young kane is one of those remarkable geniuses who keep a pace ahead of the procession." even as he spoke steve started the engine, and as the first low rumble of the propeller increased to a roar the machine darted forward, passed the edge of the bluff and, rising slightly, sped over the placid waters of the pacific, straight out from shore. he did not rise very high, but half a mile or so out the aviator described a half-circle and then, as gracefully as a swan, sank to the surface of the ocean. instantly a white wake of foam appeared at the rear of the boat, showing that the propeller was now churning the water. and now, with speed that to the observers appeared almost incredible, the hydro-aircraft approached the shore. a few yards from the bluff it abruptly rose from the water, sailed above the heads of the spectators, and after a circle of the field, came to a halt at almost the exact spot from which it had started. this remarkable performance had taken place in so brief a space of time that those on the bluff had scarcely moved during the entire period. they now hastened forward to congratulate the inventor. mr. cumberford's grim features were for once wreathed in smiles; chesty todd capered like a schoolboy and flung his hat into the air as he yelled "hooray!" while sybil impulsively grasped steve's hand in both of her own. as for madeline dentry, she eyed the young man wonderingly, asking herself if the marvel she seemed to have witnessed had actually occurred. "do you know," said mr. tupper, his voice trembling with excitement, "i wouldn't much mind a ride like that myself!" orissa was much pleased with this successful test of the new machine's powers. as the men wheeled the hydro-aircraft back to its hangar she turned to chesty and said: "i forgive you, sir. really, you were too modest in your promises. sybil and i will carry out your program to the entire satisfaction of the management and the public, i am positive." "i can hardly wait for monday, ris," exclaimed sybil. "if father wasn't so afraid, i would learn to navigate the hy myself." "ah, you interest me, my dear," returned her father, blandly; "you do, really. but as your talents will never enable you to rival orissa it will be well for you to curb your ambitions. i've conceded a lot, to allow you to go with her on that long jaunt monday." "you have, indeed," laughed orissa. "but sybil and i will have a real joy ride, and be perfectly safe in the bargain. how long a time will the trip take us, steve?" "oh, a couple of hours, or so; it will depend on whether the current is favorable to your paddling back. in the air you can do forty miles an hour, easily." "we will take some lunch with us," said sybil. "don't forget to order it, daddy." mr. cumberford nodded. unimpressionable as this strange man seemed, his daughter was verily the "apple of his eye" and he was not likely to forget anything that might add to her comfort. sybil's desire to aviate had been a constant source of disturbance to her father. he had worried a good deal over orissa, during her first attempts to fly, but was now convinced of the girl's capability and, although he exhibited nervousness every time she gave one of her exhibitions, he had by degrees acquired supreme confidence in her skill. still, being thoroughly experienced in all aviation matters, through his connection with the kane aircraft, mr. cumberford realized that flying is always accompanied by danger, and whenever an aviator met with an accident on the field he was wont to inform sybil that on no account could she ever accompany orissa again in a flight. he would even urge orissa to abandon the dangerous work; but she answered him gravely: "this accident, as well as all others i ever heard of, was the result of carelessness and inexperience. the more flights i make the less liable am i to encounter accident. perhaps i realize better than you do, mr. cumberford, the elements of danger, and that is the reason i am so careful to avoid every hazard." flying was an intoxication to sybil. she never had enough of it and always complained to orissa that their flights were of too short duration. each time she was obliged to plead and argue with her father for days, before obtaining his consent to let her go, and even now, when he had given his reluctant permission to chesty todd to advertise sybil as the companion of the flying girl, he was frequently impelled to forbid the adventure. his only consolation was that the new invention seemed very safe and practical, and with orissa's guiding hands at the levers his beloved daughter would be as well guarded as possible under such conditions. as a matter of fact, protests from mr. cumberford had little value, as sybil possessed a knack of getting her own way under any and all circumstances. she had really no great desire to operate an aëroplane herself, being quite content to remain a passenger and enjoy the freedom of riding, untrammeled by the necessity of being alert every instant to control the machine. orissa, excusing herself, retired to the hangar to change her costume, and the young inventor was left to listen to the enthusiastic comments of his friends. "when will your hydro-aircraft be on the market, mr. kane?" asked madeline. "in the course of the next three months we expect to complete two other machines," he replied. "i want one of them," she said quickly. "will you teach me how to operate it?" "of course," he answered. "that is part of the bargain. but you have not asked the price, and for all business transactions i must refer you to mr. cumberford." "madeline, my dear! my dear madeline!" protested mr. tupper; "what in the world are you thinking of?" "that i would give mr. cumberford a check at once," she calmly answered. "but i--we--that is, i can't permit it; i--i really can't allow it, my dear!" asserted the gentleman, evidently alarmed by her positive attitude. madeline's slight form stiffened and her eyes flashed defiantly. "mr. tupper," said she to her uncle, "do i employ you to advise me, or to manage my business affairs?" that he was greatly humiliated by this attack was evident. his face grew red and he half turned away, hesitating to make reply. then mr. cumberford came to mr. tupper's assistance. "your--eh--friend--is quite right, miss dentry; quite right to oppose your--eh--reckless impulse, if i may put it that way. your enthusiasm interests me; it--eh--interests me greatly; but for your own welfare and the comfort of mind of your friends, i should advise you to--eh--curb your adventurous spirit, for the present. you have what is known as the 'flying fever,' which attacks the most conservative people when on the aviation field. let it alone and it will dissipate, in time; but if you nurse it you--eh--buy a flying machine and become a slave. we have machines to sell, you know; we are anxious to dispose of all we can; but kindly keep your check for three months, and if at the end of that time you are still disposed to purchase, i will deliver the machine to you promptly." "how can you do that? the demand will be greater than your ability to build the hydro-aircraft, after the exhibition of next monday," she affirmed. mr. cumberford regarded her thoughtfully. "i believe you are right," said he. "anyhow, i hope you are right. but i'll promise to reserve a machine, pending your decision. young ladies who are seriously determined to become aviators and who--eh--have the means to indulge the fad to any extent, are rare; very rare. therefore, my dear miss dentry, you--eh--interest me, and i'll keep my promise." madeline could not refuse to admit the fairness of mr. cumberford's proposition, and mr. tupper was grateful to him for his efficient support, so harmony was once more restored. sybil, indeed, smiled derisively as she exchanged a meaning glance with madeline--a glance that said as intelligently as words: "how clever these men think themselves, and how helpless they really are to oppose us!" then miss dentry invited them all, including chesty todd, to dine on board her yacht the next day, which was sunday, and the invitation being promptly accepted they all motored back to the hotel. chapter iii a prodigy in aeronautics san diego bay is always interesting, with its shipping from all ports of the world, but on this gorgeous sunday afternoon there was no prettier sight among the scattered craft than the trim yacht _salvador_, lying at anchor just north of the ferry path. the kane-cumberford party found a small launch awaiting them at the pier, which quickly took them aboard the big white yacht, where madeline, attired in appropriate sailor costume, cordially welcomed them. "this affair is fully as great a novelty to me as it must be to you," she explained, as they cast admiring glances over the decks. "i bought the boat of an englishman several months ago, with the understanding it should be delivered to me here; but i only arrived to claim it the day before yesterday. it has a crew of seven, besides the chef, who, i must admit, is my own selection, as i feared to trust the english taste in cookery. the english crew, however, seems capable and every man jack wants to stay with the boat; so i've agreed to keep them. i'll introduce you to the skipper presently. he rejoices in the title of 'captain' and has quite awed me with his superior manner and splendid uniform. but i'll introduce you to the creations of my chef, first, for dinner is waiting. forgive monsieur champetre, if he falls down occasionally; he is as unused to the kitchen--or is it scullery? oh, i know; the 'galley'--as i am to the cabin." really the chef needed no excuses, and after the meal they made a thorough inspection of the beautiful craft, peeping into the state-rooms, the men's quarters and even into the sacred galley. everyone aboard, including the big, bluff skipper, was so proud of the boat that he delighted to have it exhibited, and when it was understood that the slim, beautiful young lady guest was the famous flying girl the deference shown orissa was amusing. "i had intended to test the _salvador_ to-morrow and make a short run to sea in it," said madeline; "but i am so eager to witness the aërial exhibitions that i shall postpone the voyage until later. my yacht is permanent, but this aviation meet is temporary." the visitors returned to their hotel early in the afternoon, for orissa and sybil had still a few preparations to make for the morrow's trip, while steve and mr. cumberford decided to pay a visit to the aviation field, to which both the kane aircraft and the kane hydro-aircraft had been removed by the mechanicians in charge of them. chesty todd's labors that sunday evening were perhaps more onerous than those of the others of his party, for he had to meet an aggressive band of newspaper reporters and load each one to the brim with material for a double-header next morning. having served as a journalist--and an able one--himself, mr. radley-todd understood exactly the sort of priming these publicity guns required. the home of the kanes was a delightful orange ranch near los angeles, where the blind mother of stephen and orissa--their only parent--lived surrounded by every comfort and devoted attendants, while her boy and girl were engaged in the novel and somewhat hazardous exhibitions of the new kane aircraft. orissa had remained at home with her mother while stephen was perfecting his latest machine at san diego, and had not left there until it was necessary to prepare for the meet, in which she had engaged to take part. mrs. kane, perhaps because of her blindness, seemed to have little anxiety on account of her daughter's ventures, although at the time of orissa's first flights her nervousness had been poignant. assured of her girl's skill and coolness, the mother had come to accept these occasions philosophically, as far as the danger was concerned, and she was naturally interested in steve's inventions and overjoyed at the financial success which mr. cumberford's business ability had already insured the firm. this sunday evening orissa wrote a long letter to her mother, telling how perfectly her brother's new machine worked, and assuring mrs. kane of her confidence in winning new laurels for stephen on the morrow. "the latest engine, made for the hy, is more powerful than were the others," she added, "but its operation is practically the same and while the combination of boat and aircraft necessitated a more complicated arrangement of the control, i have easily mastered all the details and could take the whole thing apart and put it together again, if obliged to do so." the girl slept peacefully that night and neither she nor sybil were in the least nervous when they went to the aviation field, overlooking the sea, after an early luncheon on monday. they found the kane hydro-aircraft reposing majestically in its hangar, in perfect order and constantly surrounded by a group of admiring and interested spectators. the little band of professional aviators present at the meet welcomed orissa very cordially, for every one of them knew and admired the brave girl who had so often proved her ability to manage her brother's machines. the grand stand was packed with spectators, and long rows of automobiles lined the edge of the enclosure reserved for the exhibitors. the "kane event," as it was called, was early on the program of the day, for it was understood that the flight over the ocean and the voyage back would consume much of the afternoon. many had brought binoculars and other powerful glasses to watch the flying girl and her chum during their progress. sealskin island lay a little to the south of the aviation field and was one of a group of barren rocks jutting out of the sea and plainly visible from the mainland. the coronado islands, which have little or no value, belong to mexico, as the mexican boundary is only twelve miles south of san diego, and this group, although not appearing to be so far south, is below the line claimed by the united states. therefore orissa's flight would be in a southwesterly direction and most of her journey made in plain view of every spectator. as the "hy" was run out to the center of the field steve said to orissa: "i've anchored an aluminum chest just back of your seats, at the suggestion of mr. cumberford. in it are all the tools you could possibly need in case of emergency, a couple of warm blankets to use if your return trip proves chilly, and enough 'lunch'--which i think sybil pleaded for--to last you both a week. the chest enables you to carry all this safely and comfortably, and it won't be at all in your way. personally, i think such a precaution wholly unnecessary, but mr. cumberford is a good deal of an old woman where sybil is concerned and it is easier to give up to him than to try to argue him out of an idea. take the trip easy, ris; we don't need to make time. what we want to demonstrate is the practicability of the machine, and we ourselves already know that it is thoroughly practical, and we therefore ought to be able to convince the world of the fact." orissa nodded. "how about gasoline?" she asked. "both tanks are filled. there's enough to run you a hundred miles in air and fifty miles in water, which is far more than you will require. be gentle with the steering gear; it is such a long connection that it doesn't respond as readily as the old one, and i guess i've made the rods a trifle too light. i mean to rig up a more substantial device as soon as i get time, but this will do you all right if you don't jerk it. put a little more strength to the wheel and turn it gradually, that's all." "i understand," she replied. "are you ready, sybil?" "waiting on you, ris." "and i think the crowd is waiting on us." the band was at this moment playing its loudest and most stirring tune and as the two venturesome girls, dressed in appropriate aërial costume, appeared on the field, wildly enthusiastic shouts rose from ten thousand spectators. chesty todd had decorated the braces of the machine with bunches of fresh violets and the aluminum and nickeled parts shone gloriously in the sun. "be good, sybil," said mr. cumberford. "take care of her, orissa." the girls laughed, for this was the old gentleman's customary parting warning. "all right, ris," said steve. she applied the power and one of the mechanicians gave the propeller a preliminary whirl. then orissa threw in the automatic clutch that started the machine and it ran forward a few feet and promptly rose into the air. a moment later it was speeding straight out to sea, at an altitude of a hundred feet, and the wonderful voyage of stephen kane's new hydro-aircraft was begun--a voyage destined to vary considerably from the program mapped out for it. chapter iv the aluminum chest orissa realized quite perfectly that sealskin island was much farther away from the mainland than it appeared, so on leaving the shore she pursued a direction straight west for several miles, intending to make a turn and proceed south to the island which was the terminus of her flight. that prolonged the trip somewhat, but she figured it would prove more interesting to the spectators, since for a part of the journey she would be flying parallel with the coast. on the return she planned to run straight back from the island. when she decided they had reached a point about as far out as was the island, she attempted to make the turn--a mere segment of a circle--but in spite of steve's warning orissa was surprised at the stiffness of the steering gear. the engines were working beautifully and developing excellent speed, but the girl found she must apply all her strength to the wheel to make the turn. she succeeded, and brought the head to bear directly upon the island, but the gear grated and stuck so persistently that orissa's effort sent the entire craft careening at a steep angle. sybil gave a gasp and clung to the supporting rods and both girls heard a loud "chug" that indicated something was wrong; but the kane balancing device was so perfect that almost immediately the machine righted itself and regained its equilibrium, darting swiftly and in a straight line in the direction of the island. "what was it?" asked sybil, putting her head close to orissa's to be heard above the whir of the motors behind them. "the steering gear binds; that's all," was the quiet response. "i think it will work better when we are in the water." "but what made that noise? didn't something give way?" persisted sybil. "glance behind us, dear, and see." sybil carefully turned so as to examine the parts of the aëroplane. "oh!" she exclaimed. "well?" said orissa. "that chest that steve loaded us with. it has broken away from its fastenings and is jammed edge downward against your gear." orissa thought about it. "that's unfortunate," said she. "i suppose the bolts broke when we tipped so badly. but it hasn't interfered with our engines any." "no," answered sybil, still examining the conditions; "but it has interfered seriously with your control, i fear. both your levers are thrown out of position and even the front elevator bars are badly bent." for the first time a worried expression appeared on orissa's face. "if that is true," she said, "our best plan is to return at once." "do," urged sybil, her dark eyes very serious. orissa tried to turn the wheel. it resisted. she applied more strength. something snapped and the released wheel whirled so freely that the girl nearly lost her seat. recovering instantly she turned a pale face to her companion and said: "we're wrecked, sybil. but don't worry. with the boat under us and in this quiet sea we shall be quite safe." "i'm not worrying--especially--ris," was the reply; "but it occurs to me to wonder how you're going to get down to the ocean." "why?" "you can't stop the engines, unless one of us crawls back over the planes." "i can cut off the spark." she tried it, but the engines chugged as merrily as before. "guess there must be a short circuit," gasped orissa. "and you can't depress your elevator, i'm sure." "i'll try it," announced orissa, grimly. but the fatal chest balked her attempt. the elevator was steadfastly wedged into its present position; the engines were entirely beyond control and the two helpless girls faced one of the most curious conditions ever known in the history of aviation. at an altitude of perhaps a hundred and fifty feet from the water the aëroplane sped swiftly on its way, headed a trifle to the west of south. it passed sealskin island even while the girls were discussing their dilemma, and stubbornly maintained its unfaltering course. the air conditions were perfect for flying; scarcely a breath of wind was felt; the sky above was blue as azure. suddenly sybil laughed. "what now?" demanded orissa. "i was thinking of the consternation on shore at about this moment," explained miss cumberford. "won't they be amazed to see us continue this course, beyond the island? not understanding our trouble, daddy will think we're running away." "so we are," replied orissa. "i wish i knew where we are running to." "i suppose we can't stop till the gasoline gives out," said sybil. orissa shook her head. "that's what scares me," she admitted. "even now the mexican shore is a mere line at the left. we're gradually diverging to a point farther out at sea, and when at last we alight, drained of the last drop of gasoline, how are we to run the boat back?" "we can't. steve's wonderful hy will become a mere floating buoy on the bosom of the rolling blue," responded sybil lightly. "oh, i'm so glad i came, ris! i'd no idea we were going to have such fun." orissa did not return her chum's smile. "sit still and balance her, sybil," she said. "i'm going to make an investigation." exercising the necessary caution she turned and knelt upon the foot bar, clinging to the seat rail and in this position facing the aircraft so she could examine its mechanism. sybil had described the condition of things quite accurately. the engine control was cut off and as the gasoline tanks fed from the rear orissa had no way of stopping the flow. the steering gear was broken and the front elevator firmly wedged in position by the chest. "i wonder if we could manage to move this thing," she said, and getting a hand on one corner of the aluminum chest she gave a tug and tried to raise it. it proved solid and unyielding. not heavy in itself, or perhaps in its contents, the thing was caught between the rods in such a manner that no strength of the girls, limited in movement as they were, could budge it a particle. realizing this, and the folly of leaving the seats to get at the gasoline feed, orissa resumed her place and faced the inevitable as bravely as she could. "steve told me," she said to sybil, "that the gasoline would last a hundred miles in air and fifty in water; that's at least two hundred miles in an air line. have you any idea where we shall be by that time?" "not the slightest," responded her companion, cheerfully. "ocean, of course; but latitude and longitude a mystery--and not important, anyhow." sybil cumberford was a reserved and silent girl on most occasions. few were attracted toward her, on this account. her dark eyes seemed to regard the world with critical toleration and she gave one the impression of considering herself quite independent of her fellows. moreover, sybil was eccentric in character and prone to do and say things that invoked the grave displeasure of her associates, seeming to delight in confusing and annoying them. but there was a brighter side to this queer girl's nature, which developed only in the society of her trusted friends. on any occasion that demanded courage and resourcefulness she came to the front nobly, and at such times sybil cumberford became vivacious, helpful and inspiriting. here was such an occasion. danger was the joy of sybil's heart and the "breath of her nostrils." indifferent to the ordinary details of life, any adventure that promised tribulation or disaster was fervently welcomed. then the girl's spirits rose, her intellect fairly bristled and she developed an animation and joyous exhilaration entirely at variance with her usual demeanor. so now, as orissa kane, a girl of proved courage and undaunted spirit, grew solemn and anxious at the perilous condition that confronted them, sybil cumberford became gay and animated. "it's such an unusual thing, and so wholly unexpected!" she said blithely. "i'm sure, ris, that no two girls who ever lived--in this world or any other--ever found themselves in a like dilemma. we're as helpless as babes, chummie dear; only no babes were ever forced to fly, willy-nilly, for hundreds of miles through the air to some forlorn spot in the dank, moist ocean." orissa let her chatter. she was trying to realize what it might mean to them and how and when, if ever, they might be rescued from their difficulties. "our great mistake," continued sybil, as they swept along, "was in not rigging the machine with a wireless outfit. to be sure, neither of us could operate it; but a wireless, in such a case--if we understood its mysteries--would solve our problem." "how?" asked orissa. "we could call up the shore at san diego and tell them what's happened, and give them the direction in which we are flying; then they could send a fast steamer for us, or perhaps madeline dentry would loan her yacht." "they may follow us with a steamer, anyhow," said orissa, thoughtfully. "if we manage to land safely, sybil--which means if we drop to the water right-side-up--we could float for some days, until we were found and rescued." "thirst is a terrible thing, at sea; and hunger is almost as bad." "but in that dreadful chest, which has caused all our trouble, steve told me he had packed provisions. probably there is water there, too," asserted orissa, hopefully. "yes, dad said there was lunch for two. well, that's one good feed we shall have, anyhow, provided the chest doesn't get away from us entirely, and we can manage to open it. in its present position, neither event is at all probable." she seemed to love to discover and point out the gloomy side of their adventure, that she might exult in the dangers that menaced them. meantime, swift and straight as an arrow the aircraft continued on its course. not a skip to the engines, not an indication of any sort that the flight would be interrupted as long as a drop of gasoline remained in the tanks. they could only be patient and await the finale as bravely as possible. chapter v the last drop of gasoline hour after hour they flew, while each hour seemed, to orissa, at least, a month in duration. sybil chatted and laughed, refusing to take their misfortune seriously. "but," said she, "i'm getting famished. an air-trip always stimulates the appetite and that lunch of steve's is so very near to us--and yet so far! i how did he expect us to get at the repast, anyhow?" "why, in water," replied orissa, "the chest and its contents would be handy enough. i do not think it would be safe for us to creep into the boat underneath us now, for we must maintain the aërial balance; but, even if we could get below, we couldn't open the chest while it is wedged crosswise among the braces and levers." "all true, milady," commented sybil, her usually pale cheeks now flushed with excitement. "our present stunt is to 'sit still and take our medicine,' as the saying goes." by this time the mexican coast had vanished entirely and only the placid blue waters of the pacific remained visible, even from the altitude of the aircraft. once or twice they sighted a small island, bleak and bare, for this part of the ocean is filled with tiny islets, most of which are unfertile and uninhabited. farther along, in the south pacific, such islands have verdure and inhabitants. at about four o'clock a change occurred in the atmospheric conditions. a brisk wind arose, blowing steadily for a time from the southwest and then suddenly developing puffs and eddies that caused the aircraft to wobble dangerously. one powerful gust seized the helpless flying-machine and whirled it around like a toy balloon, but failed to destroy its equilibrium because the girls balanced it with their bodies as well as they might. when their craft was released, however, it pointed in a new direction--this time straight west. an hour later a similar gust swept its head to the southward, and in this direction it was still flying when the red sun dipped into the water and twilight fell. "i don't like this, syb," said orissa, anxiously. "if the gasoline holds out much longer it will be dark, and when we drop our danger will be doubled." "what will be the fashion of our dropping, anyhow?" asked sybil. "we can't volplane, with no control of the rudder. chances are, dear, the thing will just tip over and spill us in the damp." "hold fast, if it does that," cautioned orissa. "if we become separated from the boat we will drown like rats. the engine may swamp the boat, in any event, but it has air compartments which will keep it afloat under any favorable conditions, and we must trust to luck, sybil--and to our own coolness." "all right, ris. a watery grave doesn't appeal to me just now," was the reply. "i'm too hungry to drown comfortably, and that's a fact. on a full stomach i imagine one could face perpetual soaking with more complacency." "huh!" cried orissa. "listen!" sybil was already listening, fully as alert as her chum. the speed of the engine was diminishing. gradually the huge propeller slackened its rapid revolutions, while its former roar subsided to a mere moan. "thank goodness," said sybil, fervently, "the gasoline is gone at last!" "look out, then," warned orissa. with a final, reluctant "chug-chug!" the engine stopped short. like a huge gull the frail craft remained poised in the air a moment and then a sudden light breeze swept it on. it was falling, however, impelled by its own weight, and singularly enough it reversed its position and proceeded before the wind with the stem foremost. splash! it wasn't so bad, after all. not a volplane, to be sure, but a gentle drop, the weight of the heavy engine sustained by the "air-cushions" formed beneath the planes. orissa wiped the spray from her eyes. "that would have been a regular bump, on land," sybil was saying affably, "but the old ocean has received us with gracious tenderness. are we sinking, ris, or do we float?" how suddenly the darkness was falling! orissa leaned from her seat and found the water had turned to a color nearly as black as ink. beneath her the bow of the aluminum motor boat was so depressed that it was almost even with the water and as it bobbed up and down with the waves it was shipping the inky fluid by the dipperful. she scrambled out of the seat, then, to step gingerly over the unlucky chest and crouch upon a narrow seat of the little boat, near the stern. "come, sybil," she called; "and be very careful." sybil promptly descended to the boat, which now rode evenly upon the waves. in this position the propeller was just under water and the engine rested over the center of the light but strong little craft. but propeller and engine were alike useless to them now. overhead the planes spread like huge awnings, but they carried so little weight that they did not affect the balance of the boat. "steve planned well," murmured orissa, with a sigh. "if only he had never thought of that dreadful chest, we would not be in this fix." as she spoke she kicked the chest a little resentfully with her foot, and it seemed to move. sybil leaned forward to eye it as closely as the gathering darkness would allow. "why, ris," she exclaimed, "the thing has come loose. help me to tip it up." between them they easily raised the chest to its former position, where it rested just before them. steve had bolted it at either end, but one of the bolts had broken away and the other had bent at almost a right angle. perhaps this last bolt would have broken, too, had not the chest, in falling, become wedged against the braces. "this horrid box has heretofore been our dire enemy," remarked sybil; "but let us be forgiving and encourage it to make amends--for it holds eatables. how does the cover open, ris?" stephen had shown orissa how to work the sliding catch and in a moment the girl had the lid open and held it upright while sybil searched within. "hooray! we've discovered a regular cafeteria," said the latter, jubilantly, as she drew out a number of parcels. "i was afraid we'd have to nibble, orissa, so as not to gorge ourselves to-night and starve to-morrow; but i reckon there's enough to last two delicate girls like us a week. what shall we tackle first?" "let us plan a little, dear," suggested orissa, restraining her own eagerness, for she was hungry, too. "we cannot possibly tell to-night what this precious chest contains or how much food there really is. we must wait for daylight to take an inventory. but here are some tins, we know, which will keep, and that package of sandwiches on your lap is perishable; so i propose we confine our feast to those for to-night." "perishable it is, cap'n," answered sybil, consuming half a sandwich at a single bite. "if there's only a pickle to go with these breadspreads i shall be content. it's not only luncheon that we're indulging in, you know; it's our regular dinner, as well, and there ought to be two courses--pickles and sandwiches--at the least." "you must feel for the pickles, then," returned orissa, intent upon her own sandwich, "for it's too dark to use eyes just now." sybil found the pickles--who ever put up a lunch for two girls without including pickles?--and declared she was quite content. "if we hadn't discovered the eats, my dear cap'n," she remarked with cheery satisfaction, "i think i could have dined on my own shoes. that's a happy thought; we'll keep the shoes in reserve. i'd no idea one's appetite could get such an edge, after being tantalized for a few hours." "do you realize, sybil," asked orissa in a grave tone, as she took her second sandwich, "that we must pass the night in this wiggly, insecure boat?" "what's insecure about it?" demanded sybil. "it won't stand much of a sea, i fear. this attachment to the aircraft was intended for pleasant weather." "all right; the weather's delightful. those long, gentle rolls will merely rock us to sleep. and--oh, ris!--we'll have rolls for breakfast." "do be serious, syb! suppose a storm catches us before morning?" "then please wake me up. where do you suppose we are, anyhow?" "i've no idea," answered orissa, soberly. "we must have traveled a couple of hundred miles, but it wasn't in a straight line, by any means. let's see. perhaps a hundred miles on our first course--over sealskin island and nearly south--then forty or fifty miles north----" "oh, no; west." "yes; so it was. then twenty-odd miles south, ten miles or so east, a couple or three miles west again, and then--and then----" "dear me! don't bother your head with it, orissa. we zigzagged like a drunken man. the only fact we can positively nail is that we were getting farther away from home--or our friends, rather--every minute. that's a bad thing, come to think of it. they'll never know where to search for us." "true," responded orissa. "but i am sure they will search, and search diligently, so we must manage to keep afloat until they find us. what shall we do now, sybil?" "sleep," was the prompt reply. "if we lift this seat off--it seems to be removable--i think there is room enough for us both to cuddle down in the bottom of the boat." "oh, sybil!" this from orissa, rather reproachfully. "well, i can't imagine anything more sensible to do," asserted her chum, with a yawn. "these air-rides not only encourage hunger, but sleep. did you cork that bottle of water? i want another drink." "i--i think we'd better economize on the water," suggested orissa, "at least until morning, when we can find out if there's any more in the chest." "all right. help me bail out this overflow and then we'll cuddle down." "steve said there were two blankets in the chest," said orissa, presently, when the bottom of the boat was dry. "i'll search for them." she found the blankets easily, by feeling through the contents of the chest. offering no further objection to sybil's plan, she prepared their bed for the night. neither of these girls had ever "roughed it" to any extent, but in spite of the peril of their situation and the liability of unforeseen dangers overtaking them, they were resourceful enough and courageous enough to face the conditions with a degree of intrepid interest. afloat on an unknown part of the broad pacific, with merely a tiny aluminum boat for protection, with final escape from death uncertain and chances of rescue remote, these two carefully nurtured young girls, who had enjoyed loving protection all their lives, were so little influenced by fear that they actually exchanged pleasantries as they spread their blankets and rolled themselves in the coverings for the night. "the lack of a pillow bothers me most," remarked sybil. "i think i shall rest my head on one of those cans of baked beans." "i advise you not to; you might eat them in your sleep," was orissa's comment. "may i rest my head upon you, chummie dear?" "you may not. try the engine." "that's hard. and there are enough wheels in my head already, without pounding my ear with them. suggest something else." "your own elbow, then." "thanks, dear. where's that slab of aluminum that used to be a seat?" it was a happy thought and furnished them both with a headrest. the seat was not an ideal pillow, but it answered the purpose because there was nothing better. chapter vi castaways "well, i declare!" exclaimed orissa, sitting up. after a moment sybil said, sleepily: "go ahead and declare it, ris. only, if we're drowned, please break the news to me gently!" "how strange!" muttered orissa, still staring. sybil stirred, threw off the blanket and also rose to a sitting position. "if it's a secret," she began, "then--oh, goodness me!" during the night the boat with its great overhead planes had gently floated into a little bay, where the water was peaceful as a millpond. two points of black rock projected on either side of them, outlining the bay. between these points appeared an island--a mass of tumbled rocks guiltless of greenery. there was a broad strip of clean, smooth sand on the shore, barely covering the slaty ledge, but back of that the jumble of rocks began, forming irregular hillocks, and beyond these hillocks, which extended for some distance inland, there seemed to be a great dip in the landscape--or rockscape--far back of which arose a low mountain formed of the same unlovely material as all else. "it's an island!" gasped sybil, rubbing her eyes to make sure they were working properly. "now, see here, cap'n ris, i want it understood right now which one of us is to be robinson crusoe and which the man friday. seems to me, i being the passenger and you the charioteer, the prestige is on my side; so i claim the crusoe part. i can't grow whiskers, and i'm not likely to find a parrot to perch on my shoulder, but i'll promise to enact the part as well as circumstances will permit." "i can't see a sign of life," announced orissa, regretfully. "there isn't even a bird hovering over the place." "lizards and snakes among the rocks, though, i'll bet," responded sybil, with a grimace. "all these rocky pacific islands are snaky, they say. i wonder if i can learn to charm 'em. you don't object to my being crusoe, do you?" orissa sighed; then she turned to her cheery comrade with a smile. "not at all," said she. "but i'll be columbus, the discoverer, for i've discovered a desert island while you were peacefully dreaming." "there's no desert about your island," stated sybil. "a desert would be a relief. what you've discovered, miss ris columbus--or what's discovered us, rather--is a rock heap." "desert or not, it's deserted, all right," maintained orissa. "and you may not have discovered it, after all," said sybil, musingly examining the place. "these seas have been pretty well explored, i guess, and although no nation would particularly care to pin a flag to this bunch of rocks, the maps may indicate it clearly." "ah, if we only had a map!" cried orissa eagerly. "what good would it do us?" asked sybil. "it couldn't help us to find ourselves, for we don't know what especial dot on the map we've arrived at. with muggins' complete atlas in hand, and a geography teacher thrown in, we wouldn't be able to pick out this island from the ones that litter these seas." "that is, unfortunately, quite true," sighed orissa; "and anyhow it's not worth an argument because we have no map. but we must be up and doing, sybil. if we are to keep ourselves alive, we must take advantage of every favorable circumstance." "what time is it?" yawned sybil. orissa looked at her watch. "a little after six." "call me at eight. i can't get up at six o'clock; it's too early, entirely." "but you went to bed at about seven." "did i? well, how about breakfast?" "we must inspect our stores and take inventory. then we must plan to make the provisions last as long as possible." "how dreadful! why, this is a real adventure, ris--threatened famine, and all that. we're regular castaways, like we read about in the fifteen-cent story magazines, and i wouldn't be surprised if we had to endure many inconveniences; would you?" "sybil," said orissa earnestly, "we are face to face with privation, danger, and perhaps death. i'm glad you can be cheerful, but we must understand our terrible position and endeavor to survive as long as possible. we know very well that our friends will have a hard time finding us, for they cannot guess what part of the ocean we descended in. it may take days--perhaps weeks--for them to discover us in this dreary place, and meantime we must guard our safety to the best of our ability." "naturally," agreed sybil, duly impressed by this speech. "your head is clearer and better than mine, orissa; so you shall take command, and i'll gladly follow your instructions. you mean to land, don't you? i'm tired of this cramped little boat and even a rocky island is better than no refuge at all." "of course we must land," replied orissa; "and that, i think, must be our first task. the shore is only a stone's throw from here, but we're fast on a sand bar, and how to get off is a problem." sybil began to take off her leggings, then her shoes and stockings. "we'll wade," she said. orissa peered over the side. "it's very shallow. i think we can wade to shore, syb, and pull the hy in after us. we must get the whole thing high and dry on the beach, if possible." sybil plumbed the water by tying a can of sardines to a cord from around one of the parcels. "i guess we can make it all right, cap'n," she said. "it's not very deep." "it may be a lot deeper closer in. but i guess we'll have to take a chance on it. and if the worst comes to the worst we _can_ dry our clothes on the beach." the sun was showing brilliantly above the horizon as the two girls stepped into the water. both could swim fairly well, but where the boat was grounded on the sand bar the water was scarcely knee-deep. they dragged steve's invention over the bar with little difficulty, the wheels materially assisting their efforts. beyond the bar the water deepened in spots, and once, as they drew the wrecked hy after them, the waves reached perilously high. then they struck the shelving beach and found hard sand under their feet. by pushing and hauling energetically they managed to run the boat, with its attached planes, to the shore, where the wheels on either side enabled them to roll it up the slope until, as orissa said, it was "high and dry." "seems to me," remarked sybil, panting, "we ought to have breakfasted first, for all this exercise has made me ravenous. that'll diminish our precious store of eatables considerably, i fear." with the machine safely landed they proceeded to dress themselves, after which orissa arranged upon the sand the entire contents of the aluminum chest. a kit of tools, adapted for use on the aircraft, together with some extra bolts, a strut or two and a coil of steel wire were first placed carefully on one side. "with these," said the girl, "i can easily repair the damage to our machine." "but what's the use, without gasoline?" asked sybil. orissa had no reply to this. she proceeded to inspect the provisions. mr. cumberford had a way of always providing enough for a regiment when he intended to feed a few, so in ordering lunch for two girls on an aërial voyage his usual prodigality had been in evidence. perhaps with an intuition that a delay or even an accident might occur to sybil and orissa, the old gentleman had even exceeded his record, in this instance. a big box of dainty sandwiches had been supplemented by three cartons of biscuits, a whole edam cheese, a bottle of pickles, two huge packages of cakes and eighteen tins of provisions, provided with keys for opening them. these consisted of sardines, potted ham and chicken, baked beans, chipped beef and the like. in another parcel was a whole roasted duck, in still another an apple pie, while two jars of jam completed the list of edibles. for the voyagers to drink mr. cumberford had added two half-gallon jars of distilled water, a bottle of grape juice, two of ginger ale and one of lemonade. the girls examined this stock with profound gravity. "i wish," said orissa, "there had been more bread and biscuits, for we are going to need the substantials rather more than the delicacies." "thank goodness we have anything!" exclaimed sybil. "i suppose we must breakfast on the cakes and jam, and save the other truck until later." "that's the idea," approved orissa. "the cakes won't keep for long; even the sandwiches will outlast them, i think." "true, if i eat all the cake i want," added sybil. "cakes and jam make a queer breakfast, orissa. in new england the pie would be appropriate." "let's save the pie--for lunch." "agreed. breakfast isn't usually my strong point, you know." as they ate, seated together upon the sands, they cast many curious glances at the interior of the island--a prospect forbidding enough. "do you know," said orissa, "the scarcity of food doesn't worry me so much as the scarcity of water. grape juice and ginger ale are well enough in their way, but they don't take the place of water." "we may possibly find water on this island," replied sybil, after a little thought. "i don't believe it. i've an idea that, hunt as we may, we shall find nothing more than rocks, and rocks, and rocks--anywhere and everywhere." "that's merely a hunch, and i distrust hunches. it will be better to explore," suggested sybil. "yes; i think we ought to do that. but--the snakes." "ah, the exclusive rock theory is already exploded," said sybil, with a laugh. "yet even snakes can't exist without water, can they? just the thought of the wrigglers makes me shudder, but if they are really our co-inhabitants here we won't be safe from them even on this shore. have we anything in the way of clubs?" orissa considered the question. then she went to the machine and with a wrench unfastened the foot-bar, which was long enough to extend across both seats and was made of solid steel. she also took the bolts out of one of the levers, which when released became an effective weapon of defense. thus armed, and feeling somewhat more secure, the girls prepared to move inland to explore their new habitation. they found the climb over the loose rocks adjoining the shore to be quite arduous, and aside from the difficulties of the way they had to exercise constant caution for fear of snakes. they saw none of these dreaded reptiles, however, and when they came to the hillocks they selected a path between the two most promising and began the ascent, keeping close together. so jagged were the tumbled masses of rock and so irregular in their formation that it was not a question of walking so much as crawling, but with their leggings, stout shoes and thick cloth skirts they were fairly protected from injury. the silence throughout the island was intense. the girls spoke in hushed tones, awed by their uncanny surroundings. from a clear sky the sun beat down upon their heads and was refracted from the rocks until the heat was oppressive. added to this a pungent, unrecognized odor saluted their nostrils as they progressed inland. "reminds me of the smell of a drug store," asserted sybil; but orissa replied: "it's more like the smell of a garage, i think." after a long and weary climb they reached the brow of the rock hills and were able to look down into the "dip" or valley which lay between them and the mountain. the center of the depression, which was three or four miles across, appeared to be quite free from rocks except in a few places where one cropped up in the form of a hummock. elsewhere the surface seemed smooth and moist, for it was covered with an oozy, stagnant slime which was decidedly repulsive in appearance. looking beyond this forbidding valley they discovered the first interesting thing they had yet observed. at the right base of the far-away mountain, lying between it and the sea, was a patch of vivid green, crowning an elevation that distinctly separated it from the central depression of the island. it might be grass or underbrush, this alluring greenery, but in any event it proved a grateful sight to eyes wearied by the dull waste of rocks. from the point where the girls stood they could also see the top of a palm tree which grew around the edge of the mountain. "well!" said orissa, drawing a long breath, "there is the first sign of life--animal or vegetable--we have found in this wilderness. that tree must indicate water, sybil." "whatever it indicates," was the reply, "yonder bluff is a better place for our camp than the bay where we floated ashore. how shall we get to it, though? it will be a heart-breaking climb cross-lots over these interminable rocks." "an impossible climb," orissa agreed. "i think our best plan will be to go around the island, following the sandy beach. it seems from here as if that bluff drops sheer down to the sea, but it will be much easier for us to climb a bluff than to navigate these rocks. let's go back and try it." cautiously and laboriously they made their way back to the beach, feeling considerably cheered by what they had seen and reassured by the total absence of the dreaded "wigglers." after resting a little from their exertions they prepared for the more important journey of discovery. sybil carried some food and the bottle of lemonade, while orissa secured two straps from the aëroplane and the coil of wire. then, still armed with their steel bars, they set out along the beach. their first task was to climb the rocks of the point which formed the bay, where it jutted out from the shore. this being accomplished they encountered another stretch of smooth beach, which gradually circled around the north end of the island. here it was easy walking and they made good progress, but the coast line was so irregular that it wound in and out continually, and in places huge boulders interrupted their passage and obliged them either to climb or wade, whichever seemed the most desirable. "already," sighed sybil, "we have tramped a thousand miles. did you mark that place, orissa, so we will know when we come to it?" "yes; i can tell it by the position of the sun. that side of the island faces the northwest." "and we haven't passed it?" "no; but we must be drawing near to it. i've been looking for the bluff the last half hour. the green place was quite elevated, you remember, and must be well above the sea level. look ahead; you'll notice the rocks are gradually rising, from here on." sybil nodded and again they trudged on. as the rocks grew higher at their left, the girls kept to the narrow strip of beach, which was beginning to be washed by an occasional wave. "the tide is rising," announced orissa; "but we shall be at the bluff very soon, and can then climb above this moisture. feet wet, syb?" "pickled in brine. wet feet signify a cold; cold signifies la grippe; la grippe signifies a doctor; the doctor signifies a depleted bank account. science of deduction, ris. it's only a step from wet feet to poverty." "i prefer a doctor to an undertaker," said orissa, "but as neither profession is represented here i advise you to forego the pleasure of taking cold." "right you are, cap'n columbus. no doctor, no cold. banish the thought! we can't afford the luxury of illness, can we? oh, here's the bluff." there it was, indeed; but absolutely unclimbable. it was sixty feet high, at least, and overhanging the sea like a shelf, the waves having cut it away at the base. "now, then," said orissa, after a careful inspection, "we must either go back or go on, in order to find a way up. as we haven't passed any steps or easy inclines, i propose we advance farther and see what the west end looks like." "i'll follow the leader; but the waves are already covering the beach," asserted sybil, with a grimace. "then let us wade; and don't lose any precious time, for the tide will come in faster every minute. shoes off, crusoe!" "aye, aye, columbus." with shoes, leggings and stockings in hand they began the advance, hugging the wall of rock and proceeding as swiftly as they could. at times one or the other would cry out as she stepped on a sharp bit of rock, but this was no time to shrink from petty trials and they bore up with admirable fortitude. chapter vii two girls and one island plodding along the narrow ledge of beach and constantly soused by the waves, the girls began to fear, as afterward proved to be fact--that the bluff covered the entire west end of the island. the water beneath their feet grew deeper and the undertow stronger with every step they advanced, but fortunately for their safety they finally came to a crevasse that split the bluff in twain, and down this rift trickled a rill of pure water. they both exclaimed with delight as they crept into the shelter of the crevasse. the fissure was not level, but extended upward at an acute angle, yet there was room enough at its mouth for the girls to creep above the wash of the waves. examining the place carefully, orissa thought they might be able to follow the rift up to the top of the bluff, and so at once they began the ascent. the two walls were so close together that they could touch both by extending their arms, and there was room, by stepping occasionally into the shallow brook, for them to climb from shelf to shelf without much difficulty. at the very top, however, they were brought to an abrupt halt. a waterfall leaped from the edge of the bluff, dropping a good ten feet to the point they had now reached, from whence there seemed no way of gaining the top. orissa and sybil looked at each other and laughed, the spray from the waterfall wetting their cheeks, which were now rosy from exercise. "trapped, cap'n!" cried sybil, merrily. "what next?" "we can't go back, you know." "not unless we prefer davy jones' locker to this stronghold--which i, for one, don't. therefore, let's eat." "that seems your resource in every emergency, sybil." "naturally. feasting stimulates thought; thought develops wit; wit finds a way." orissa raised herself to a seat upon a projecting crag and then, swinging her feet, proceeded to think while sybil brought out the food. "could you climb a wire, syb?" "not without years of practice. have you positively decided to establish a circus in these wilds, ris?" orissa stood upon the crag, examined the face of the rock and then drove the end of the bar she carried into a small fissure that was nearly on a level with her head. sybil observed the horizontal bar and laughed gleefully. "have a sandwich, chummie, and curb your imagination," said she. "i catch your idea, but respectfully decline to accept the hazard." orissa ate her sandwich and drank from the bottle of lemonade. then she rinsed her fingers in the brook, dried them on her handkerchief and again mounted the crag. "listen, crusoe: i'm going to make an attempt to break out of jail," she said impressively. "if i can reach to the top i'll find some way to get you up. as soon as i get my feet on that bar, you are to come up on this crag and hand me your lever. if i can find a pocket to stick that into, the deed is done." "bravo, ris! what a pity you haven't any spangles on your skirt. if you fall, fall gradually, for i'll be afraid to catch you." orissa's fingers clutched at the rough projections of rock and with some difficulty she gained a footing on the bar. then, still clinging to the face of the rift, she made a further examination. there seemed a small hole at the right, about breast high, and she called for the lever. this sybil promptly passed up. orissa thrust in the lever and the next instant nearly lost her footing, for with a bewildering hoot a white owl of monstrous size fluttered out and tumbled almost at sybil's feet, who uttered a shriek like an indian war whoop. the creature was blinded by the glare of day and went whirling down the incline of the crevasse until it was lost to sight. "first sign of life," called sybil. "don't look so scared, ris; there's nothing more harmless than an owl." "did you yell because _i_ was scared?" inquired orissa. "no, i was reproving the owl, who has a voice like a steam calliope. it would take more than a blind bird to scare either of us; wouldn't it, cap'n?" "i--i wish it hadn't been so--so unexpected," muttered orissa, feeling her way up to the second projection. with her feet on the lever she found her head well above the edge of the precipice and the first glance showed her a good hold for her hands. orissa kane was no skilled athlete, but her experience in steve's workshop, together with her aërial exercises and constant outdoor life, had given her well developed muscles which now stood her in good stead. she drew herself up, got her knee on the edge of the rock, and a moment later was on level ground at the top of the bluff. then she leaned over and called to sybil: "can you manage it?" "what a question!" retorted sybil, indignantly. "i stood below to catch you in case you slipped; but who is there to catch _me_, i beg to inquire?" "the owl," said orissa. "will you try it?" "is it worth while? tell me what you've found up there." orissa turned and examined the scene now spread before her. "better come up, syb," she said. "but wait a moment and i'll help you." she attached one of the straps to the coil of steel wire and passed the end down to her chum. "buckle the strap around you--just under your arms," she called. "i'll hold fast the wire at this end. you can't fall, then; but be careful, just the same." with this support sybil gained confidence. exercising extreme caution she followed orissa's example in scaling the cliff and as fast as she mounted her companion took up the slack in the wire and kept it taut. as soon as sybil stood on the upper bar orissa grasped her arms and drew her up beside her in safety. "there!" she exclaimed triumphantly. "where there's a will, there's a way. it wasn't such a difficult feat, after all." "there isn't enough money in the world to hire me to do it again," panted sybil, trembling a little from the giddy experience. "that may be true, but if our safety requires it we may repeat the performance more than once," declared orissa. "unfortunately, we have lost our weapons of defense." "can't we recover the bars?" "not without going down for them. if you think you could lower me over the edge----" "i just couldn't, ris. don't mention it." "very well; then we will proceed unarmed. look, sybil! isn't it a glorious prospect?" "in point of comparison, yes," admitted sybil, speaking slowly as she gazed around her. they were standing on a level table-land which lay between the base of the mountain and the sea. the "mountain" was really a great hill of rock, rising only a hundred and fifty feet or so from the table-land. the level space before them was clothed with a queer sort of verdure. it was not grass, but plants with broad and rather crinkly leaves, so tender that wherever the girls stepped the leaves were broken and crushed. nor was the color an emerald green; it was rather a pale pea-green and the plants grew not in soil but sprang from tiny cracks and fissures in a sort of shale, or crushed slate, which was constantly kept moist by the seepage of the little stream. the island here made an abrupt curve to the west and a little farther along the girls saw patches of bushes and several small groups of tall, tropical trees, resembling plantains, or palms. there were vines, too, which grew in rank profusion among the rocks and helped relieve the dismal landscape by their greenery. but nowhere appeared any earth, or natural soil; whatever grew, grew among the crushed rock, or shale, which seemed to possess a certain fertility where moisture reached it. "this part of the island seems by far the best," asserted sybil. "let us explore it thoroughly." they set out to skirt the edge of the bluff and on reaching the first group of trees found they were bananas. several bunches of plump fruit hung far up among the branches, quite out of reach. "we'll find a way to get at them if we are detained here long enough to need them," said orissa. a half mile beyond the place where they had so laboriously climbed the bluff they came upon a broad ravine which led directly down to the water's edge. it appeared as if a huge mass of rock had at some time become detached from the mountain and, sliding downward, had cut away the bluff and hurled itself into the sea, where it now lay a few rods from the water's edge and formed a sort of breakwater. the swirl of the waves around this mass of rock had made a small indentation in the shore, creating a tiny bay with a sandy beach. "ah," said orissa, examining this place, "here is where we must establish our camp; there is room enough to float our boat into the bay, where the water is calm, and on that smooth beach i can repair the hy at my leisure." "also, from this elevation," added sybil, "we can fly a flag of distress, which would be seen by any ship approaching the island." orissa nodded approval. "here is also water and food," said she. "if we can manage to navigate the hy to this place we have little to fear from a temporary imprisonment." "we must wait for low tide before we start back," observed sybil. "meantime, let's run down to the beach and see how it looks." the descent to the water's edge was easy, and they found the little bay ideal for their purpose. but they could hear the waves breaking with some force against the face of the cliff, just outside their retreat, and it would be hours before they might venture to return to the other side of the island. so again they ascended the bluff and selected a place for their camp, beneath the spreading foliage of the tall bananas. afterward they sought the source of the little brook, which was high up on the mountain and required a difficult climb to reach it. a spring seemed to well up, clear and refreshing, from a cleft in the rock, but even at its source there was no more water than would run from an ordinary house faucet. "isn't it astonishing," said orissa, "how much moisture is dispersed from this tiny stream? i think it never rains here and this spring of water supplies all the island." "this part of it, anyhow. it's mighty lucky for us the babbling brook is here," declared sybil, drinking deeply of the cool water and then bathing her heated brow with it. "but what stumps me, ris, is the lack of any life on the island. with water and green stuff both animals and birds might thrive here--to say nothing of bugs and lizards and serpents galore--yet aside from that great white owl we've not seen a living thing." "it really _is_ curious," admitted orissa. then, turning her gaze seaward, she exclaimed: "see there, sybil! isn't that another island?" "it surely is," was the reply; "and only a few miles away. it's a big island, too, ris--far bigger than this. did you bring along your glasses?" "no; they are in the boat." "when we get them we can inspect that island better. perhaps we could manage to get to it, ris." "we'll see," was the doubting answer. "i imagine, if that island is so much larger, and proves to be more fertile than this, that we have discovered the reason why the live things, such as birds and animals, prefer it as a place of residence." they made their way back to the bluff and waited patiently for the tide to ebb. according to orissa's watch it was quite four o'clock before they deemed it safe to venture on the sands, and even then they went barefooted, as an occasional wave still crossed their narrow path. by the time they reached the bay and their boat the two girls were very tired with their long tramp and as it was nearly sundown they decided to spend the night in this location and make the attempt to shift camp next day. chapter viii an owl concert while daylight lasted orissa was busy examining the injury to the aircraft and attempting a few preliminary repairs. her long mechanical experience in the workshop with her brother enabled her to determine accurately what was required to put the machine into proper working order, and she thought she could accomplish the task. "i can't see that it matters, anyhow," said sybil, watching her chum from a seat upon the sands. "we can't fly, and the boat is our only refuge. even that we must manage to row or sail in some way." "all very true," returned orissa, "but i can see no object in neglecting these repairs when i am able to make them. i can take off the bent elevator rods and straighten them, after which the elevator and rudder may assist us in sailing, as we can oppose them to the wind. the engine control is a more serious matter, for the wheel connection was broken off short. but i shall take a rod from a support and fit it in place and then replace the support with our steel wire. that is a sort of makeshift and will require time and nice adjustment, but i can do it, all right. the tools steve supplied were quite complete; there's even a box marked 'soldering outfit.'" "is there?" asked sybil, eagerly. "see if any matches are in it, ris." "matches?" "yes. the lack of matches has disturbed me considerably." "why, syb?" "we can't cook without them." "cook! why, i never thought of such a thing," said orissa, truly astonished. "what is there to cook, in this place?" "fish," answered sybil. "and what would you use for fuel?" "fuel?" "yes; what is there to make a fire with?" "never mind that. just see about the matches." orissa opened the soldering case and found an alcohol torch, a flask of alcohol, solder, acid and a box of matches. "good!" cried sybil, joyfully. "don't you dare do any wasteful soldering, orissa kane. save every drop of that alcohol to cook with." orissa laughed. "i have nothing to solder, just yet," said she. "and you've nothing to fry." "i soon shall have, though," was the confident reply. "we've assured ourselves of one thing, miss columbus, and that is that we can sustain life, in case of necessity, on bananas and spring water. so i propose we have one good, luxuriant square meal this evening by way of variety. we've done nothing but lunch for two whole days and i want something hot." "i'm willing, sybil. can you catch a fish?" "if there's one in our neighborhood. i'll try it while you are tinkering." among the tools was a ball of stout cord, and for hook sybil cut a short length of wire and bent it into shape with a pair of nippers, filing a sharp point to it. then she opened a can of chipped beef and secured a couple of slices for bait. going to the point of rock she found a place on the ocean side where a projecting shelf afforded her a seat above fairly deep water, and here she dropped her line. mr. cumberford was an enthusiastic fisherman and while sybil had never cared particularly for the sport she had accompanied her father on many a piscatorial expedition. a tug. the girl hauled in, hand over hand, and found she had captured a large crab, which dropped from the hook to the rocks and with prodigious speed made for the water and disappeared. "good riddance, old ugly!" laughed sybil. scarcely had she thrown her line when another tug came. a second crab floundered upon the rocks, but fell upon his back and lay struggling to turn himself. sybil ruefully contemplated the empty hook. "i can't feed all our good beef to horrid crabs," she exclaimed; "but the beef seems a good bait and i'll try again." another crab. orissa came clambering over the rocks to her friend's side. the sun was sinking. "what luck, syb?" "only three crabs. i'm afraid it's too shallow here for fish." orissa leaned over the still struggling crab--the only one that had not escaped. "why, we pay big money in los angeles for these things," said she. "they're delicious eating; but they have to be boiled, i think, and then cracked and newburged or creamed." "keep an eye on the rascal, then," said sybil. "can't he be eaten just boiled?" "yes; with mayonnaise." "there's none handy. let the high-brow go, and we'll fish for something that doesn't require royal condiments." but orissa weighted the crab with a heavy stone, to hold him down. then she sat beside sybil and watched her. "i'm afraid our fish dinner must be postponed," began miss cumberford, sorrowfully; but at that moment the line jerked so fiercely that she would have been pulled from her seat had not orissa made a grab and rescued her. then they both clung to the line, managing to draw it in by degrees until there leaped from the water a great silvery fish which promptly dove again, exhibiting a strength that nearly won for him his freedom. "hold fast!" gasped sybil, exerting all her strength. "we mustn't let him escape." the fish, a twelve-pound rockcod, made a desperate fight; but unfortunately for him he had swallowed the entire hook and so his conquest was certain if the girls could hold on to the line. at last he lay flopping upon the rocks, and seeing he was unable to disgorge the hook, they dragged him to the beach, where orissa shut her eyes and beheaded him with a hatchet from the tool chest. in the outfit of the chest, which had evidently been intended by steve and mr. cumberford for regular use in connection with the hydro-aircraft, they had found two aluminum plates, as well as knives and forks and spoons. sybil cut two generous slices from the big fish and laid them upon one of the metal plates. then they opened a can of pork and beans and secured a lump of fat to use in frying. orissa lighted the alcohol torch and sybil arranged some loose rocks so that they would support the plate suspended above the flame of the torch. the intense heat melted the fat and the fish was soon fried to a lovely brown. they ate it with biscuits and washed it down with ginger ale, confiding the while to one another that never had they eaten a meal so delicious. they let the torch flicker during the repast, for night had fallen, but when from motives of economy orissa had extinguished the flame they found a dim light suffused from a myriad of stars. later a slender crescent moon arose, so they were able to distinguish near-by objects, even with the shadow of the bleak mountain behind them. they had arranged their blankets in the boat and were sitting upon them, talking together in the starlight, when suddenly an unearthly cry smote their ears, followed by an answering shriek--then another, and another--until the whole island seemed echoing with a thousand terrifying whoops. "ku-whoo-woo-oo-oo! ku-whoo! ku-whoo-oo!" the two girls clung together tremblingly as the great chorus burst upon them; but after a moment sybil pushed her companion away with a nervous little laugh. "owls!" she exclaimed. "oh!" said orissa, relieved as the truth dawned upon her. "i--i thought it was savages." "so it is. i challenge any beings to yell more savagely than those fearful hoot owls. something must have happened to them, ris, for they've never made a mutter all day long." "because they have been asleep," answered orissa. they had to speak loudly to be heard above the turmoil of shrieks, although the owls seemed mainly congregated upon the distant mountain. the rocks everywhere were full of them, however, and hoots and answering hoots resounded from every part of the island. it was fairly deafening, as well as annoying and uncanny. they waited in vain for the noise to subside. "there must be thousands of them," observed sybil. "what's the row about, do you suppose!" "perhaps it's their nature to, syb. i wonder why we didn't hear the pests last night. when we wakened this morning all was silent as the grave." "i think we floated into the bay about daylight, when all the big-eyes had ducked into their holes. do you know, ris, the owls must be responsible for the absence of all other life on the island? they dote on snakes and lizards and beetles and such, and they'd rob the nests of any other birds, who couldn't protect themselves in the nighttime. so i suppose they've either eaten up all the other creatures or scared them to death." "that must be so. but, oh, sybil! if this racket keeps up every night how are we going to be able to sleep?" "ah. just inquire, cap'n, and if you find out, let me know," replied sybil, yawning. "i got up so early this morning that i'm dead for sleep this blessed minute." "lie down; i'll keep watch." "thank you. this lullaby is too entrancing to miss." the air grew cool presently, as it often does at night in the semi-tropics, and the two girls crouched down and covered themselves to their ears with the blankets. that deadened the pandemonium somewhat and as the owls showed no tendency to abate their shrieks, an hour or two of resigned submission to the inevitable resulted in drowsiness, and finally in sleep. as sybil said next morning, no one would have believed that mortal girl could have slumbered under the affliction of such ear-splitting yells; but sleep they did, and when they wakened at daybreak profound silence reigned. chapter ix miss columbus and miss crusoe sybil cooked more fish for their breakfast, although orissa objected to the extravagant waste of alcohol. but her chum argued that they must waste either the alcohol or the fish and as they had a strenuous day before them a substantial breakfast was eminently desirable. they now packed the aluminum chest and made arrangements for the voyage, for the sea in the bay was smooth as glass and the ocean seemed nearly as quiet outside. orissa had straightened and repaired the elevator rods and firmly bolted the chest in its original position, but the control must be a matter of future tinkering, the rod needed for its repair being at present stuck in the side of the bluff. it was easy to roll the machine down the beach into the water and set it afloat, but the difficult matter was to propel their queer, top-heavy craft through the water. a quiet sea meant no wind, nor could they feel the slightest breath of air stirring. oars they had none, nor any substitute for such things; nor could they find anything to pole the boat along with. "there's just one thing to be done," announced orissa, gravely, "and that is for us to take turns wading behind the thing and pushing it along. by keeping close to the shore we ought to be able to accomplish our journey in that way." "suppose we strike deep water?" suggested sybil. "we'll stay close to shore. there seems to be a beach all the way." "i'm game to try," declared sybil, in a brisk tone, "but it seems at first sight like an impossible task. i'm glad, miss columbus, that under these circumstances your island is uninhabited--except by owls who can't see in the daytime." "were there other inhabitants," returned orissa, "we would not be undertaking such a thing. the natives would either eat us or assist us." "true for you, cap'n. i'm going to keep my stockings on. they'll be some protection against those sharp rocks which we're liable to tread on." "i shall do the same," said orissa. "take your seat in the boat, syb, and i'll do the first stunt shoving. after we get around the point i will give you a chance to wade." "unanimously carried," said sybil. this undertaking did not appear nearly so preposterous to the two castaways as it may to the reader sitting quietly at home. except that circumstances had made orissa and sybil aëronauts at a time when few girls have undertaken to fly through the air--as many will do in the future--they were quite like ordinary girls in all respects. a capricious fate had driven them into a far-away, unknown sea and cast them upon an uninviting island, but in such unusual circumstances they did what any girls would do, if they're the right sort; kept their courage and exercised every resource to make the most of their discouraging surroundings and keep alive until succor arrived. so far, these two castaways had shown admirable stamina. had either one been placed in such a position alone, the chances are she might have despaired and succumbed to girlish terrors, but being together their native pride forbade their admitting or even showing a trace of fear. in this manner they encouraged and supported one another, outwardly calm, whatever their inward tremors might be. orissa kane was habitually dainty and feminine in both appearance and deportment, yet possessed a temperament cool and self-reliant. her natural cleverness and quickness of comprehension had been fostered by constant association with her mechanical, inventive brother, and it seemed to her quite proper to help herself when no one was by to render her aid. to wade in the warm, limpid water of the pacific, at a place far removed from the haunts of humanity, in order to propel the precious craft on which her life and that of her companion might depend, to a better location, seemed to this girl quite the natural thing to do. sybil's acute sense of humor led her to recognize the laughable side of this queer undertaking; yet even sybil, much more frail and dependent than her beloved chum, had no thought of refusing her assistance. the aluminum boat rode lightly upon the surface of the sea, the broad, overhanging planes scarcely interfering with its balance. indeed, the planes probably assisted in keeping the boat upright. orissa, knee-deep in the water, was not called upon to exert herself more than to wade; but this was a slow and tedious process and required frequent rests. at such times she would sit in the back of the boat and let her feet dangle in the warm water. gradually the hy was propelled around the point of rock into the open sea, and by keeping close to shore the girl seldom found herself out of her depth, and then only temporarily. sybil kept up a constant chatter, inducing orissa frequently to laugh with her, and that made the task seem more an amusement than hard labor. they took turns at the wading, as had been agreed upon, but because orissa was much the stronger her periods of playing mermaid were longer than those of her chum. in this manner they made good progress, and though sybil made a great deal of fun of what she called her "patent propeller," she took her turn at wading very seriously and pushed the strange craft through the water at a good rate of speed. by midday they reached the point where the bluff began to rise and here they sat together in the boat, shaded by the planes, and ate their luncheon with hearty appetites. they found it high tide, yet the water was more quiet than on the preceding day, and when they resumed their journey their progress was much more rapid than before. by two o'clock they had cautiously propelled the boat around the huge boulder that marked the ravine they had found and soon after had rolled it upon the sandy beach and anchored it securely beyond the reach of the tide. "if it would fly," said orissa, "i think we could push it to the top of the bluff; but if we use it at all, before our friends arrive, it must be as a boat, and not an aëroplane." "then," returned sybil, "let's remove the canvas from the lower plane and make a tent of it." "i've been thinking of that," said orissa, "and i'm sure it is a wise thing to do. i know how to take the clips off, and it won't injure the cloth in the least." "then get busy, and i'll help you." so, after a good rest on the beach in the sun they resumed their clothing. the wet stockings were thoroughly dried by the sun by the time they were ready for them, and presently they set to work removing the cloth from the lower plane. the task was almost completed when sybil suddenly exclaimed: "how about a frame for our tent?" orissa looked puzzled. "come up on the bluff," she proposed. the incline was not at all difficult and they soon stood on top the bluff. a thorough examination of the place disclosed no means of erecting the tent. a few dead branches that had fallen from the banana trees lay scattered about and there was a quantity of anæmic shrubbery growing here and there, but there was nothing to furnish poles for the tent or to support it in any way. "stumped, columbus!" laughed sybil, as they squatted together in the shade of the trees. "we shall have to drag up the aëroplane, after all, and use the plane-frame for our ridge-pole." orissa demurred at this. "there is always a way to do a thing, if one can think how," she said. "in this case, chummie dear, magic or legerdemain seems the only modus operandi," maintained sybil. but orissa was thinking, and as she thought she glanced at the trees. "why, of course!" she exclaimed. sybil's eyes questioned her gravely. "come on!" cried orissa, jumping up. "not a step, miss columbus, until i'm enlightened." "oh, crusoe, can't you see? it is so extremely simple that i'm ashamed of our stupidity. we've but to stretch our coil of wire between these two trees, throw the canvas over it and weight the bottom with rocks to hold it in place." sybil sighed. "it was _too_ easy," she admitted. "i never _could_ guess an easy conundrum; but give me a hard nut to crack and i'm a regular squirrel." they returned to the beach for the canvas and wire and orissa took several of the clips, with which to fasten together the ends of their tent. ascending once more, this time heavily loaded, to the group of bananas on the bluff, they proceeded to attach the wire to two of the trees. the plane-cover was large enough to afford a broad spread to their "a" tent and when the lower edges were secured by means of heavy stones, and the scattered rocks cleared away from the interior, their new domicile seemed roomy and inviting. their next task was to fetch the aluminum chest from the beach, and after they had lightened its weight by leaving in the boat all the tools except the hatchet and a small hack saw, they were able to carry the chest between them, although forced to make frequent stops to rest. "the lack of a bedstead worries me most," remarked sybil. "i don't like the idea of sleeping on the bare ground. how would it do, ris, to build a stone bed--something like an altar, you know, with a hollow center which we could fill with sand?" "that is a capital idea, crusoe, and will help clear our front yard of some of those flat stones. they are mostly slate, i think, instead of rock formation. heave-ho, my hearty, and we'll do the job in a jiffy." the girls lugged into the tent a number of stones of such size as they could comfortably move, and then orissa, who could put her hand to almost any sort of work, planned and built the extraordinary bedstead. it was laid solid, at first, but when about a foot from the ground she began to extend the sides of the pile and leave a hollow in the middle. this hollow they afterward filled with sand, carrying it in their dress-skirts from the beach. when finally the "altar to morpheus"--as sybil persisted in calling it--was completed, they spread their blankets upon it and it made a very comfortable place to sleep. they also erected a small rock stove, for there was enough firewood to be gathered, in the way of fallen branches, dead leaves and "peelings" from the tree-trunks, to last them for several days. the hatchet and hack saw helped prepare these scraps to fit the stove and by sundown the girls felt quite settled in their new residence. "we ought to fly a flag of distress from some place high up on those trees," observed orissa; "but we've no flag and no way to shin up the tree." "couldn't any ship see our white tent from the ocean?" asked sybil. "yes; i think so." "as for climbing the tree," continued sybil, "i wish your creative brain would evolve some way to do it. those fat, yellow bananas look mighty tempting and they would serve to eke out our larder. supplies are beginning to diminish with alarming rapidity, ris. only a box and a half of those biscuits left." "i know," said orissa, soberly. "to-morrow we will see what may be done to capture the bananas." after a time sybil said, softly: "by to-morrow we may begin to look for daddy and steve. of course it will take them some time to find us, but----don't you think, orissa, they're quite certain to find us, in the end?" orissa looked at her companion with a gleam of pity in her deep blue eyes; but she had no desire to disturb sybil's confidence in their rescue, whatever misgivings oppressed her own heart. "i believe they will find us," she affirmed. "it may not be to-morrow, you know, nor in a week, nor--perhaps--in a month----" "oh, orissa!" "but they'll cover the entire pacific in their search, i am positive, and sooner or later they'll come to this island and--take us away." "alive or dead," added sybil, gloomily. "oh, as for that, we are perfectly safe, and healthy--so far--and i imagine we could live for a long time on this island, if obliged to." again they sat silently thinking, while twilight gave way to darkness and darkness was relieved by the pale moonlight. suddenly a shriek sounded in their ears. a great white bird swooped down from the mountain and passed directly between their two heads, disappearing into the night with another appalling cry. this shriek was answered by another and another, until the whole island resounded with the distracting "ku-whoo-oo!" "the owls are awake," said orissa, rising resignedly. "come into the tent, sybil. i'm not sure they wouldn't attack us if we remained in the open." chapter x madeline dentry's proposition at the aviation field the crowd had watched the departure of the two girls, flying the famous kane hydro-aircraft, with eager interest but assured confidence in their making a successful trip. the flying girl never indulged in accidents, and her skill was universally admitted. to be sure, there was an added risk in flying over the water, but with a motor boat to sustain them when they alighted, the danger was reduced to a minimum and, in the minds of nearly all the spectators, a triumphant return was unquestioned. hundreds of glasses followed the flight and although the management sent several bird-men into the air to amuse the throng the real interest remained centered on the dim speck that marked the course of the flying girl. no sooner had orissa and sybil started on their voyage than stephen kane and mr. cumberford ran to the bluff overlooking the sea, where with powerful binoculars they could obtain an unobstructed view of the entire trip to the island and back again. presently madeline dentry joined them, in company with mr. and mrs. tupper, all standing silently with leveled glasses. "she's working beautifully," muttered steve, referring to his invention with boyish delight. "i'm sorry ris didn't make a straight line of it, but she always likes to give the dear public the worth of their money.... ah-h!" "by jove! that was an awkward turn," cried mr. cumberford, as they saw the aircraft keel at a dangerous angle and then slowly right itself. "i'm surprised at orissa. she usually makes her turns so neatly." "i've an idea that blamed steering gear stuck," said steve, ruefully. "i've been a little afraid of it, all along. but the girls are all right now. they're headed dead for the island and if orissa makes a neat drop to the water the rest is easy." no one spoke again for a time, all being intent upon the flying-machine. when it had seemed to reach the island, and even to pass over it, without a halt, there was an excited hum of amazement from the grand stand. madeline glanced at stephen kane's face and found it as white as a sheet. he was staring with dilated eyes toward the aircraft. "what in the mischief is orissa up to now?" questioned mr. cumberford, uneasily. "wasn't she to alight this side of the island?" "yes," answered steve hoarsely. "then----she can't be joking, or playing pranks. it isn't like her. why, they haven't swerved a hair's breadth from the course, or even slackened speed. they--they----" "they're in trouble, i'm afraid," said steve in trembling tones. "the control has failed them and they can't stop." "can't stop!" the little line of observers on the bluff echoed the thrilling words. from the grand stand came a roar of voices filled with tense excitement. some thought the flying girl was attempting a reckless performance, with the idea of shocking the crowd; but stephen kane knew better, and so did mr. cumberford. as the two men held their glasses to their eyes with shaking hands, straining to discover a sign that orissa had altered her course and was coming back, madeline dentry turned to look earnestly at the brother and father of the girls, knowing she could read the facts more truly from their faces than by focusing her own glasses on that tiny speck in the sky. the moments dragged slowly, yet laden with tragic import. the powerful lenses lost the speck, now found it again--lost it for good--yet the men most affected by this strange occurrence still glared at the sky, hoping against hope that their fears were unfounded and that the aircraft would come back. some one plucked steve's sleeve. it was chesty todd, his big body shaken like an aspen. "it--it has run away with 'em, steve. it's gone wrong, man; there's danger ahead!" "eh?" said steve, dully. "wake up and do something!" steve lowered his glasses and looked helplessly at mr. cumberford. cumberford returned the stare, glowering upon the inventor. "that's right; it's up to you, kane. what are you going to do?" he asked coldly. "there's no other hydro-aëroplane on the grounds," said the boy brokenly. "then get an aëroplane," commanded cumberford, sharply. "it would mean death to anyone who ventured to follow our girls in an aëroplane--not rescue for them." cumberford moaned, as if in pain; then stamped his foot impatiently, as if ashamed of his weakness. "well--well! what then, stephen kane?" he demanded. [illustration: "it--it has run away with 'em steve. it's gone wrong, man; there's danger ahead!"] steve wrung his hands, realizing his helplessness. "gentlemen," said madeline dentry, laying a gentle hand on mr. cumberford's arm, "let me help you. there is no reason for despair just yet; the condition of those girls is far from desperate, it seems to me. did i understand you to say, mr. kane, that your sister is unable to stop the engine, or to turn the machine?" steve nodded. "that's it," he said. "something has broken. i can't imagine what it is, but there's no other way to explain the thing." "very well," rejoined madeline, coolly, "let us, then, try to consider intelligently what will happen to them. will they presently descend and alight upon the surface of the water?" "i'm--i'm afraid not," steve answered. "if that were possible, orissa would have done it long ago. i think something has happened to affect the control, and therefore my sister is helpless." "in that case, how long will they continue flying?" persisted madeline. "as long as the gasoline lasts--three or four hours." "and how fast are they traveling, mr. kane?" "i think at the rate of about forty-five miles an hour." miss dentry made a mental calculation. "then they will descend about a hundred and fifty miles from here, in a straight line over that island," said she. "having a boat under them, i suppose they will float indefinitely?" again steve nodded, looking at the girl curiously and wondering at her logic. "if--if they manage to alight upon the water in good shape," he replied more hopefully, "they'll be safe enough--for a time. and they have food and water with them. the only danger i fear for them, at present, is that when the gasoline is exhausted the machine will be wrecked." "don't you aviators often shut off your engine and volplane to the ground?" asked madeline. "yes, with the elevator and rudder in full control. but that isn't the case with orissa. i'm certain her elevator control has bound in some way. were it broken, and free, the aircraft would have wobbled, and perhaps tumbled while we were looking at it. the elevator is wedged, you see, and my sister can't move it at all. so, when the gasoline gives out, i--i'm not sure how the machine will act." "anyway," exclaimed madeline, with sudden determination, "we are wasting valuable time in useless talk. follow me at once." "where to?" asked steve, in surprise. "to my yacht. i'm going after the girls. please come with us, mr. cumberford--and you, too, mr. todd. aunty," turning to mrs. tupper, "if you require anything from the hotel for the journey i will send you there in the car; but you must hurry, for every moment is precious." mr. cumberford straightened up, animated and alert, while his face brightened with a ray of hope. "we will take my car to the bay," said he, eagerly, "and mr. and mrs. tupper can use your own car to visit the hotel. will you accompany us, or ride with your aunt?" "with you," decided madeline. "i must have the captain get up steam and prepare to sail. it won't take long; i've ordered them to keep a little steam all the time, in case i wish to take a party out for a ride." even as they were speaking all walked rapidly toward the long line of motor cars. mrs. tupper, who had not ventured a remark or made any protest--quite contrary to her usual custom--now astonished her niece by saying: "never mind the hotel; let us all go directly to the yacht. with those two poor girls in danger i couldn't bear to think i had caused a moment's delay. it is very comfortable on the yacht and--we'll get along all right for a day." "to be sure; to be sure," agreed mr. tupper, nervously. "i shall be seasick; i'm bound to be seasick; i always am; but in this emergency my place is by madeline's side." of course no protest would have affected madeline's determination, and the worthy couple recognized that fact perfectly; hence they diplomatically abetted her plan. captain krell had attended the exhibitions at the aviation field, but while there he kept one eye on miss dentry. during the panic caused by the runaway aëroplane he saw miss dentry in earnest conversation with cumberford and kane and marked their hurried departure from the field. so the gallant captain scuttled back to the yacht at his best speed, to find miss dentry already aboard and the engineer shoveling in coal. both mr. cumberford and steve knew that the _salvador_ was by odds the fastest ship in the bay, and madeline's prompt offer to go to the rescue of their imperilled daughter and sister awakened hope in their breasts and aroused their lively gratitude. after all it did not take the yacht long to get under way. it was so perfectly manned and in such complete readiness that steam was the only requisite to begin a trip instantly. madeline could scarcely wait while with aggravating deliberation they hoisted anchor, but she became more composed as the yacht slowly headed out of the bay, the crew alert and the big captain as eager as any of them to rescue the daring bird-maids. by the time the _salvador_ reached the open sea the shore was lined with thousands of spectators, and the sight of the graceful yacht headed in chase of the two girls raised a cheer so lusty and heartfelt that it reached madeline's ears and caused her to flush with pleasure and renewed determination. chapter xi a game of checkers "nine o'clock!" cried orissa, giving sybil a nudge. "are you going to sleep all day, crusoe, like those dreadful owls?" "i'd like to," muttered miss cumberford, regretfully opening her eyes. "my, what a blessed relief from that night of torture! don't you think, ris, that those feathered fiends only stopped the concert because they'd howled until their throats were sore?" "i fear we made a mistake in changing our camp," returned orissa, busy with her toilet. "the shrieks sounded much louder than they did the night before." "question is," said sybil, rolling off the improvised bed, "how long we are to endure this imprisonment. if it's to be a mere day or so, don't let's move again. however, if you think we're here for life, i propose we murder every owl and have done with them." "we can't read the future, of course," remarked orissa thoughtfully, as she stroked her beautiful hair with her back-comb--the only toilet article she possessed. "steve may get to us any day, or he may have a hard time finding us. he will never give up, though, nor will your father, until our retreat is located and--and--our fate determined." "poor daddy!" sighed sybil; "he'll be worried to death. i've led him a dog's life, i know; but he's just as fond and faithful as if i'd been a dutiful daughter." "i hope they won't tell mother," said orissa. "the anxiety would be so hard for her to bear. _we_ know we're fairly comfortable, syb; but they can't know that, nor have any clear idea what's become of us." they fell quiet, after this, and exchanged few words until they were outside the tent and had made a fire of twigs and leaves in the rock stove. sybil warmed the last of the baked beans, adding a little water to moisten them. with these they each ate a biscuit and finished their breakfast with a draught of cool water from the spring. after the meal they wandered among the queer greenery they had before observed and sybil called attention to the fact that many of the broad, tender leaves had been nibbled at the edges. "the owls did that, of course," said orissa, "and if it is good food for owls i'm sure it wouldn't hurt us." "doesn't it look something like lettuce?" asked sybil. "yes; perhaps that is what it is--wild lettuce." she plucked a leaf and tasted it. the flavor was agreeable and not unlike that of lettuce. "well," said sybil, after tasting the green, "here's an item to add to our bill-of-fare. if only we had dressing for it a salad would be mighty appetizing." "there's the vinegar in the bottle of pickles," proposed orissa. "it won't go very far, but it will help. let us try the new dish for luncheon." "and how about the bananas?" asked miss cumberford. "i'll proceed to get them right now," promised orissa, walking back to the group of trees. the bare, smooth trunks extended twenty feet in the air before a branch appeared. the branches were broad, stout leaves, among which hung the bunches of fruit. "i hate to ruin a perfectly good tree," declared orissa, picking up the hatchet, "but self-preservation is the first law of nature." "goodness me! you're not thinking of chopping it down, i hope," exclaimed sybil. "no; that would be too great a task to undertake. i've a better way, i think." she selected a tree that had three large bunches of bananas on it. one bunch was quite ripe, the next just showing color and the third yet an emerald green. each bunch consisted of from sixty to eighty bananas. first orissa chopped notches on either side of the trunk, at such distances as would afford support for her feet. when these notches rose as high as she could reach, she brought two broad straps from the aircraft, buckled them together around the tree-trunk, and then passed the slack around her body and beneath her arms. thus supported she began the ascent, placing her feet in the notches she had already cut and chopping more notches as she advanced. in this manner the girl reached the lower branches and after climbing into them removed the strap and crept along until she reached the first bunch of bananas. "stand from under!" she cried to sybil and began chopping at the stem. presently the huge bunch fell with a thud and sybil gleefully applauded by clapping her hands. "the lower ones are a bit mushy, i fear," she called to her chum, "but that can't be helped." "we will eat those first," said orissa, creeping to the second bunch. she managed to cut it loose, and the third, after which she replaced the strap around her body and cautiously descended to the ground. the two girls then rolled over the ripest bunch and found the damage confined to a couple of dozen bananas, the skins of which had burst from the force of the heavy fall. a moment later they were feasting on the fruit, which they found delicious. "i've read somewhere," said sybil, "that bananas alone will sustain life for an indefinite period. they are filling and satisfying, and they're wholesome. we needn't worry any longer for fear of starvation, ris." "i imagine we'd get deadly tired of the things, in time," replied orissa; "but, as you say, they'll sustain life, and just at present they taste mighty good." they drew the ripest bunch into the tent, but left the others lying in the bright sunshine. "now," announced orissa, "we must make an expedition to that crevasse and rescue the bar and the lever, which we left sticking in the rocks. the tide is low, so we may go around by way of the shore." a leisurely walk of fifteen minutes brought them to the crevasse, down which tumbled the tiny brook. orissa, as the most venturesome, climbed to the bar, from whence she managed to pull the lever out of the owl's nest into which she had formerly thrust it. if the owl was hidden there now it failed to disclose its presence and on descending to the rocks orissa easily released the bar. so now, armed once more with their primitive weapons, the girls returned to their camp. "i can attach these to our machine at any time," said the air-maid, "so i think it may be best to keep them beside us, to use in case of emergency. i haven't felt entirely safe since we lost them." "nor i," returned sybil. "we haven't encountered anything dangerous, so far, but i like to feel i've something to pound with, should occasion arise." that afternoon orissa worked on the aircraft, repairing the damage caused by the sliding chest. she also took apart the steering gear, filed the bearings carefully, and afterward replaced the parts, fitting them nicely together and greasing them thoroughly. as a result of this labor the gear now worked easily and its parts were not likely again to bind. "steve made it altogether too light for its purpose," said the girl. "on the next machine i must see that he remedies that fault." sybil had been lying half asleep on the sands, shaded by the spreading plane of the aircraft. she now aroused herself and looked at her companion with a whimsical expression while the other girl carefully gathered up the tools and put them away. "all ready to run, ris?" she asked. "all ready." "i suppose with the gasoline tanks filled we could go home?" "yes; i think so. with the wind in our favor, as it was when we came, we ought to cover the same distance easily." "very good. i hope you are now satisfied, having worked like a nailer for half a day, getting a machine in order that can't be utilized. gasoline doesn't grow on this island, i imagine--unless it could be made from bananas." "no; it doesn't grow here." "and none of the department stores keep it." "true." "but we've got a flying-machine, in apple-pie order, except that we're using one of the plane coverings for a tent and a lever for a weapon of defense." "absolutely correct, crusoe." "hooray. let's go to sleep again, dear. those screechers will keep us awake all night, you know." she closed her eyes drowsily and orissa sat beside her and looked thoughtfully over the expanse of blue ocean. there was nothing in sight; nothing save the big island at the west, which seemed from this distance to be much more desirable than the bleak rocks on which the adventurers had stranded. orissa got her binoculars and made a careful inspection of the place. through the powerful glasses she could discover forests, green meadowland and the gleam of a small river. it was a flat island, yet somewhat elevated above the surface of the sea. she judged it to be at least four times bigger than the island they were now on. the distance rendered it impossible to discover whether the place was inhabited or not. no houses showed themselves, but of course she could see only one side of the island from where she sat. orissa did not feel sleepy, in spite of her wakeful night, so she took sybil's fishline and baited the hook with a scrap of beef. going to the top of the bluff she began to fish, and as she fished she reviewed in mind all the conditions of their misfortune and strove to find a way of relief. being unsuccessful in both occupations she finally came back to the little bay and waded out to the big rock that guarded the mouth of the inlet. on the ocean side there was good depth of water and in the course of the next half hour she landed a huge crawfish, two crabs and a two-pound flat fish resembling a sole. this last is known as "chicken-halibut" and is delicious eating. she aroused sybil, and the two girls built a fire, using dry twigs from the brushwood, a supply of which they had gathered and placed near their tent. in the fat taken from the crawfish they fried the halibut for supper. then among the coals and hot stones they buried the crabs, keeping a little fire above them until they were sure the creatures were thoroughly roasted. next day they cracked the shells and picked out the meat, deciding they might live luxuriously even on an island of rocks, provided they exercised their wits and took advantage of all conditions nature afforded them. at dark thousands of great owls came from their retreats among the rocks and flew ceaselessly about the island, uttering their distracting cries. nor was there a moment's peace again until daybreak. the birds were evidently in search of food, and found it; but what it consisted of the girls could not imagine. singularly enough, the castaways were growing accustomed to the deafening clamor and as they felt quite safe within their enclosed tent they were able to sleep--in a fitful, restless way--a good part of the night. the following day they began to find the hours dragging tediously, for the first time since their captivity. arm in arm the two girls wandered around the elevated end of their island, exploring it thoroughly but making no new discoveries of importance. the barren, slimy hollow that lay inland had no temptations to lure them near it and so there remained little else to do but watch the ocean and prepare their meals. "this is our fourth day of isolation," announced sybil, in a tone more irritable than she was wont to use. "i wonder how long this thing will last." "we must be patient," said orissa, gently. "our dear ones are making every effort to find us, i'm sure, and of course they will succeed in time. we are at some distance from the usual route of ships; that is evident; and for this reason it will be more difficult for our friends to locate us. i suppose that a few days more may easily pass by before we catch sight of a boat coming to get us. but they'll come, syb," she repeated, confidently, "and meantime we--we must be--patient." sybil stared across the water. "do you play checkers?" she asked abruptly. "steve and i used to play, long ago. i suppose i could remember the game, and it might amuse us; but we have no checkerboard, nor men for it." "pah! and you the sister of an inventor!" cried sybil scornfully. "i'm astonished at you, miss kane. haven't you enough reflected ingenuity to manufacture a checkerboard?" "why, i think so," said orissa. "the idea hadn't occurred to me. i'll see what i can do." "you make the board, and i'll find the men," proposed sybil, and springing to her feet she ran down to the beach, glad to have anything to occupy her and relieve the dreary dragging of the hours. orissa looked around her, pondering the problem. material for a checkerboard seemed hopelessly lacking, yet after a little thought she solved the problem fairly well. first she ripped the flounce from her black silk petticoat and with the jackknife from the tool kit she cut out thirty-two black squares, each two inches in diameter. then she took a tube of prepared glue that was in the outfit and walked up the incline to their tent, in the center of which stood the aluminum chest. this chest, being of a dull silvery color, and quite smooth on all its sides, was to be the groundwork of the checkerboard squares, as well as the board itself and the elevated table to play on. orissa glued the squares of black silk to the cover of the chest, leaving a similar square space on the aluminum surface between each one. when this was accomplished she pasted a narrow edge of black around the entire sixty-four squares, thus marking their boundary. she was very proud of this work and was regarding it admiringly when sybil entered. "how clever!" cried her chum, genuinely enthusiastic. "really, miss columbus, you have done better than i. but here are the checker-men, and they'll do very nicely." as she spoke she dumped from her handkerchief upon the board twenty-four shells which she had carefully selected from those that littered the beach. twelve were dark in color and twelve pearly white and being of uniform size they made very practical checkers. "now, then," said she, squatting beside the chest and arranging her shells in order, "i'll play you a series of games for a box of bonbons, to be purchased when we return to civilization." "how many games?" asked orissa, seating herself opposite. "let us say--the best three in five. if that's too rapid we will make the next bet the best six in ten, or twelve in twenty. agreeable, columbus?" "entirely so, crusoe." it was really a capital diversion. sybil played very well and it required all orissa's cleverness to oppose her. at times they tired of the play and went for a stroll on the bluff; and always, no matter how intent they were upon the game, they kept watchful eyes on the ocean. and in this manner the days dragged on their weary lengths and the nights resounded to the shrill cries of the owls. one morning sybil asked: "isn't to-day tuesday, orissa?" "yes," was the quiet reply. "we've inhabited this wilderness just a week." chapter xii the quest of the salvador on the roomy forward deck of the _salvador_ an earnest conference was held. "how fast are we going?" asked steve. "the captain says about fifteen miles an hour. that's our best clip, it seems," replied madeline. "and very good speed," added captain krell, proudly. "so it is, for an english yacht," agreed mr. cumberford. "in that case," said steve, "we are moving one-third as fast as the aircraft did, and we were about two hours later in starting. provided the girls exhaust their gasoline in flying, they will make a hundred and fifty to two hundred miles, requiring five or six hours' time. then they will alight, bobbing upon the water and helpless to move in any direction except where the current carries them. it will take us eighteen hours to reach that same spot, and we will therefore be twelve hours behind them. do you all follow me?" they nodded, listening intently. "now, the girls left at about one thirty this afternoon. if my calculations are correct, they'll take to the water anywhere from six thirty to seven thirty this evening. we shall overtake them at about the same hour to-morrow morning. unless they drift considerably out of their course we shall see the white planes at daybreak and have no trouble in running alongside. but there's always the chance that through some cause they may manage to drop to water sooner, and perhaps run the boat toward home. orissa is a very clever girl, as you all know; calm and resourceful; quick-witted and brave. she will do all that anyone could do to bring the aircraft under control. so the one danger, it appears to me, is that we may pass them during the night." "that danger, sir," said captain krell, "may be reduced to a minimum. we carry a very powerful searchlight, which shall be worked by my men all night, illuminating not only the course ahead, but the sea for miles on every side. as you say, mr. kane, the white planes may be easily seen against the blue water, and we positively cannot miss them during the night." "you--er--interest me," said mr. cumberford, looking more cheerful. "we seem to have everything in our favor, thanks to miss dentry's generosity." "i'm _so_ glad i bought this yacht!" exclaimed madeline, fervently, "for it enabled me to go to the assistance of those poor girls. i'm sure it was all providential." "let us hope," said mr. tupper pompously, "the young women will survive until we reach them. however, we shall learn their fate, in any event, which will afford us a certain degree of satisfaction." that speech was like a douche of cold water, but although the gentleman received various indignant and reproachful looks he had "sized up the situation" with fair accuracy. mr. cumberford, however, since those first despairing moments on the aviation field, had recovered command of his feelings and seemed hopeful, if not confident, of his daughter's ultimate escape from serious mishap. he was exceedingly fond of orissa, too, and even had not sybil been with her it is certain that he would have been much worried and eager to go to her assistance. stephen kane, on the contrary, grew more nervous as time passed. better than the others he knew the dangers that threatened the girls if, as he suspected, the steering gear had broken and the elevator and engine control been rendered useless. he racked his brain to think what could have caused the trouble, but never a hint of the truth dawned upon him. the third member of the kane-cumberford party, mr. h. chesterton radley-todd, had maintained a discreet silence ever since miss dentry had invited him to join the rescue party. this she had been led to do by the look of abject misery on the boy's face, and he had merely pressed her hand to indicate his thanks. chesty todd was never much of a conversationalist and his appreciation of his own awkwardness rendered him diffident unless occasion demanded prompt and aggressive action, when he usually came to the front in an efficient if unexpected manner. madeline dentry, seeing chesty todd merely as he appeared, wondered in a casual way why such a blundering, incompetent booby had been employed by the kane-cumberford firm, but as the big boy was a part of the "camp" and was so evidently disturbed by the accident, she was glad to relieve him to the extent of adding him to the party. very soon after the _salvador_ started, however, nearly every one on board began to feel the presence of the youthful press agent. it was chesty todd who discovered the searchlight aboard and long before the conference on the deck he had primed the captain to use it during the coming night. it was chesty todd who sat on a coal-bunker in the hold, swinging his long legs and inspiring the engineer, by dark insinuations concerning the _salvador's_ ability to speed, to give her engines every pound of steam she could carry. it was chesty who pumped the steward to learn how well the boat was provisioned and supplied the deck hands with choice cigars until they were ready to swear he was a trump and imagined him quite the most important personage aboard, after miss dentry. the chef served an excellent dinner in the cabin, to which no one did full justice except mr. tupper. all were loth to leave the deck long enough to eat, although they knew a watch was stationed in the "crow's nest" with powerful glasses. when night fell the searchlight came into play and the entire party sat huddled forward, eagerly following the sweep of light across the waters. it was ten o'clock when mr. and mrs. tupper retired, and midnight when madeline went to her room, leaving orders to call her if the aircraft was sighted. stephen kane, mr. cumberford and chesty todd sat by the rail all night, wide-eyed and alert. once the searchlight caught the sails of a ship and they all leaped up, thinking it was the aircraft. again, something dark--a tangled mass of wreckage--swept by them and set their hearts throbbing until they held the light steadily upon it and discovered it to be a jumble of kelp and driftwood. daylight came and found them wan but still wakeful, for now they were getting close to the limit of flight possible to the aircraft. captain krell was a skillful navigator and, having taken his course in a direct line from sealskin island, following the flight of orissa's hydro-aircraft, had not swerved a hair's breadth from it the entire voyage. "you see," said steve, peering ahead in the strengthening daylight, "the _salvador_ hasn't dodged a bit, and the aircraft couldn't. so we're bound to strike our quarry soon." "wind," suggested chesty. "yes; the wind might carry them a little out of their course, to be sure," admitted steve; "but i think--i hope--not far enough to escape our range of vision." at about seven o'clock, at chesty todd's suggestion, the engines were slowed down somewhat, that the lookout aloft might have better opportunity to examine the sea on all sides of the ship. the yacht still maintained fair speed, however, and the call to breakfast finding no one willing to respond, madeline ordered coffee and rolls served on deck, where they could all watch while refreshing themselves. "what's your run, captain?" asked steve, nervously. "hundred and forty miles, sir." "indeed! go a little slower, please." the captain rang the bell to slow down. presently the _salvador_ was creeping along at the rate of ten miles an hour. "the gasoline," said steve, "may have carried them farther than i figured on. it's a new machine and i haven't had a chance to test the exact capacity of the tanks." the moments dragged tediously. every person aboard was laboring under tense excitement. "what's the run, captain?" "one fifty-two, sir." "ah." nothing was in sight; only an uninterrupted stretch of blue sea. hour after hour passed. at noon the run was two hundred and twenty miles and the aëroplane had not been sighted. steve turned and faced those assembled. "it's no use going farther in this direction," he said, the words trembling on his lips. "i'm very sure they couldn't have made this distance." "evidently their course has been altered by the wind," added mr. cumberford. "gusty, at times, last night," asserted chesty. steve nodded. "a strong wind might do what the girls couldn't," said he. "that is, it might alter the direction of their flight. how did it blow?" "at four o'clock, from the north; at five fifteen, from the west; at six, due south," said chesty. there was silence for a few minutes. the engines had been shut down and the boat lay drifting upon the water. "i think it will be well to examine the charts," suggested mr. todd, "and find out where we are." "i know where we are," said captain krell. "wait a moment; i'll get the chart, so you may all study it." he brought it from his cabin and spread it upon a folding table on the deck. a penciled line ran directly from the port of san diego to a point south by southwest. "a few more hours on the same course and we'd sight the little island of guadaloup, off the mexican coast," explained captain krell. "but the aëroplane couldn't go so far; therefore we must search on either side the course we've come." they all bent their heads over the map. "what are those unmarked dots which are scattered around?" inquired mr. cumberford. "islands, sir. mostly bits of rock jutting out of the sea. they're not important enough to name, nor do they appear on an ordinary map; but a seaman's chart indicates them, for unless we had knowledge of their whereabouts we might bump into them." "they're mostly to the south of us, i see," remarked mr. tupper. "yes, sir." "and it's south we must go, i think," said steve, looking at chesty todd for the youth to confirm his judgment. "there was no wind to take them to the west of this course, i believe." "that's my idea," declared the press agent. "i would suggest our doubling back and forth, on the return trip, covering forty or fifty miles at each leg. seems like we couldn't miss 'em, that way." after much consultation this plan was finally agreed upon. the captain outlined his course and followed it, so that during the next four days not a square yard of ocean escaped their search. but it was all in vain and at the end of the fourth day, with the california coast again in sight, there was scarcely a person aboard who entertained the slightest hope of finding the missing girls. chapter xiii capricious fate a wireless was sent to the shore, reporting the failure of the _salvador_ to locate the runaway aëroplane and asking if any tidings had been received of orissa kane and sybil cumberford. there was no news. madeline called her passengers together again for a further consultation. "what shall we do?" she asked. neither steve nor mr. cumberford could well reply. miss dentry had generously placed her splendid yacht at their disposal and in person had conducted the search, neglecting no detail that might contribute to their success. but failure had resulted and they could not ask her to continue what appeared to be a hopeless undertaking. steve, who had had ample time to consider this finale, tried to answer her question. "we are very grateful to you, miss dentry," he said, "and both mr. cumberford and i fully appreciate the sacrifice you have made in so promptly trying to rescue our girls. that we face failure is no fault of yours, nor of your crew, and i realize that you have already done all that humanity or friendship might require. of course you understand that we cannot give up until my sister's fate, and that of miss cumberford, is positively determined. therefore, as soon as we reach shore we shall organize another expedition to continue the quest." "you are doing me an injustice, sir," returned the girl gravely. "whatever my former plans may have been i am now determined not to abandon this voyage until we have found your sister and her companion. i was greatly attracted by orissa kane, and grieve over her sad fate sincerely. moreover, i do not like to put my hand to the plow without completing the furrow. unless you believe you can charter a better boat for your purpose than the _salvador_, or can find a crew more devoted to your interests, i shall order captain krell to turn about and renew the search." that, of course, settled the matter. the _salvador_ put about and returned to a point where the see-sawing must be renewed and extended to cover more expanse of ocean. chesty todd, coming to where madeline stood beside the rail, looked into her piquant face with frank admiration. "excuse me, miss dentry," said he, "but you're what i'd call a brick. i knew, of course, you'd stick it out, but there's no harm in congratulating a girl on being true blue. i'm awfully glad you--you had the grit to tackle it again. i'll never be myself again until those girls are found." she looked up at him reflectively. "which of the young ladies are you engaged to?" she asked. "me?" blushing like a schoolboy; "neither one, if you please. they--they're only kids, you know." "then which one do you love?" "both!" said chesty todd, earnestly. "they're splendid girls, miss dentry; _your_ sort, you know." she smiled. "then it's the 'sort' you love?" she asked. "yes, if you'll allow me. not the individual--as yet. when i love the individual i hope it'll be the right sort, but i'm so humbly unlucky i'll probably make a mistake." for the first time since their acquaintance madeline found the big boy interesting. she knew very little of the history of the kanes and cumberfords, but found chesty eager to speak of them and of his past relations with them, being loud in his praise for the entire "combination." cumberford was an eccentric fellow, according to mr. radley-todd, but "straight as a die." steve was chock full of ability and talent, but not very practical in business ways. mrs. kane, orissa's blind mother, was the sweetest and gentlest lady in the world, sybil cumberford a delightful mystery that defied fathoming but constantly allured one to the attempt, while orissa---- "orissa kane is a girl you'll have to read yourself, miss dentry, and the more you study her the better you'll love her. she's girl all over, and the kind of girl one always hopes to meet but seldom does. old-fashioned in her gentleness, simplicity, truth and candor; up-to-the-minute in the world's latest discovery--the art of flying. modest as tennyson's dairymaid; brave as a trooper; a maid with a true maid's heart and a thorough sport when you give her an aëroplane to manage. excuse me. i don't often talk this way; usually i can only express myself in writing. but a fellow who wouldn't enthuse over orissa kane could only have one excuse--total dumbness." "i see," said madeline, slyly. "miss kane is the type of the 'sort' of girl you love." "exactly. but tell me, since you've started on such an indefinite cruise, is the _salvador_ well provisioned?" "from the sublime to the ridiculous! we have stores to last our party six weeks, without scrimping." "good. and coal?" "enough for a month's continuous run. i had intended a trip to honolulu--perhaps as far as japan--and had prepared for it even before i was privileged to lay eyes on my yacht." "how fortunate that was, for all of us! somehow, i've a feeling we shall find those girls, this time. before, i had a sort of hunch we were destined to fail. can you explain that?" "i shall not try." "we didn't allow enough for the wind. a sudden gust might have whirled the aircraft in any direction, and it would jog along on that route until the next blow." "do you believe they are still alive?" she asked softly. "yes; i've never been able to think of them as--as--otherwise. they are wonderfully clever girls, and orissa knows aëroplanes backwards and forwards. she's as much at home in the air as a bird; and why shouldn't the machine fall gently to the water, when the gasoline gave out? if it did, they can float any length of time, and the pacific has been like a mill pond ever since they started. according to mr. cumberford, they have enough food with them to last for several days. i've an idea we shall run across them bobbing up and down on the water, as happy and contented as two babes in the wood." the big fellow sighed as he said this, and madeline understood he was trying to encourage himself, as well as her. in spite of chesty todd's prediction, day followed day in weary search and the lost aëroplane was not sighted. captain and crew had now abandoned hope and performed their duties in a perfunctory way. stephen kane had grown thin and pale and deep lines of grief marked his boyish face. mr. cumberford was silent and stern. he paced the deck constantly but avoided conversation with steve. madeline, however, kept up bravely, and so did chesty todd. they were much together, these trying days, and did much to cheer one another's spirits. had a vote been taken, on that tenth dreary day, none but these two would have declared in favor of prolonging what now appeared to be a hopeless quest. "you see," said chesty to madeline, yet loud enough to be heard by both cumberford and steve, "there's every chance of the girls having drifted to some island, where of course they'd find food in plenty; or they may have been picked up by some ship on a long voyage, and we'll hear of 'em from some foreign port. there are lots of ways, even on this trackless waste, of their being rescued." this suggestion was made to counteract the grim certainty that the castaways had by now succumbed to starvation, if they still remained afloat. several small islands had already been encountered and closely scanned, with the idea that the girls might have sought refuge on one of them. the main thing that kept alive the spark of hope was the fact that no vestige of the aircraft had been seen. it would float indefinitely, whether wrecked or not, for the boat had enough air-tight compartments to sustain it even in a high sea. on the evening of this tenth day the _salvador_ experienced the first rough weather of the trip. the day had been sultry and oppressive and toward sundown the sky suddenly darkened and a stiff breeze caught them. by midnight it was blowing a hurricane and even the sturdy captain began to have fears for the safety of the yacht. there was little danger to the stout craft from wind or waves, but the sea in this neighborhood was treacherous and full of those rocky islets so much dreaded by mariners. captain krell studied his chart constantly and kept a sharp lookout ahead; but in such a night, on a practically unknown sea, there was bound to be a certain degree of peril. there was as little sleep for the passengers as for the crew on this eventful night. the women had been warned not to venture on deck, where it was dangerous even for the men; but madeline dentry would not stay below. she seemed to delight in defying the rage of the elements. clinging to the arm of chesty todd, the huge bulk of whose six-feet-three stood solid as a monument, she peered through the night and followed the glare of the searchlight, now doubly useful, for it showed the pilot a clear sea ahead. mr. tupper bumped into them, embraced chesty for support and then bounded to the rail, to which he clung desperately. "why are you on deck?" asked madeline, sternly. "go below at once!" just then a roll of the yacht slid him across the deck, tumbled him against the poop and then carried him sprawling into the scuppers. when he recovered his breath mr. tupper crawled cautiously to the companionway and disappeared into the cabin. steve and mr. cumberford had lashed themselves to the rail and in spite of the drenching spray continued to peer into the wild night with fearful intensity. both were sick at heart, for they knew if the girls had managed to survive till now, their tiny boat would be unable to weather the storm. every shriek of the wind, which often resembled a human cry, set them shivering with terror. it was toward morning when the glare of the searchlight suddenly revealed a dark peak just ahead. stephen kane and mr. cumberford saw it, even as the warning scream of the lookout rang in their ears. captain krell saw it, and marveling at its nearness, sprang to the wheel. madeline and chesty saw it, too, and instinctively the big fellow put his arms around her as if to shield her. wild cries resounded from the deck; the bells rang frantically; the engines stopped short and then reversed just as a huge wave came from behind, caught the _salvador_ on its crest and swept her forward in its onward rush. two men threw their weight upon the wheel without effect: the propeller was raised by the wave above the water line and whirred and raced madly in the air, while beneath the gleam of the searchlight a monstrous mass of rock seemed swiftly advancing to meet the fated ship. past the port side, where madeline and her escort clung, swept a jagged point of rock; the yacht bumped with a force that sent everyone aboard reeling forward in a struggling heap; then it trembled, moaned despairingly and lay still, while the wave that had carried it to its doom flooded the decks with tons of water and receded to gloat over the mischief it had caused. the searchlight was out; blackness surrounded the bruised and bewildered men and women who struggled to regain their feet, while in their ears echoed a chorus of terrifying shrieks not of the wind, but so evidently emanating from living creatures that they added materially to the panic of the moment. chesty todd released madeline, gasping and half drowned, from the tangle of humanity in the bow, and succeeded in getting her to the rail. the bow of the yacht was high and it lay over on one side, so that the deck was at a difficult angle. "are--are we sinking?" asked the girl, confused and unnerved by the calamity. "no, indeed," replied chesty, his mouth to her ear. "we can't sink, now, for we're on solid ground and lying as still as a stuffed giraffe." "oh, what shall we do?" she cried, wringing her hands. "if we are wrecked we can't save orissa--perhaps we can't save ourselves! oh, what shall we do?--what shall we do?" the boy saw that the shock had destroyed her usual poise and he could feel her trembling as she clung to him. "my advice," he said quietly, "is that we all get to bed and have a wink of sleep. it has been a long and exciting day for us, hasn't it?" chapter xiv on the bluff sybil clapped her hands gleefully and looked at orissa in triumph. "the rubber is mine!" she cried. "you now owe me sixteen boxes of chocolates, nine of caramels and twelve of mixed bonbons--enough to stock a candy store. tell you what i'll do, commodore columbus; i'll pit my desert island and my man friday against your fleet of galleys and the favor of queen isabella, and it shall be the best three out of five games. are _you_ game, my dear discoverer?" orissa laughed. "you ought to give me odds, crusoe, for you are the more skillful checker player," she replied. "but i won't play any more to-day. this heat is dreadfully oppressive and from the looks of the sky i'm afraid a storm is brewing." "what? a rain storm?" asked sybil, jumping up to go outside the tent and examine the sky. "rain, hail, thunder, lightning and tornadoes; anything is likely to follow a storm in this latitude," declared orissa, following her. "i think, sybil, we ought to make all as safe and secure as possible, in case of emergency, while we have the time." "what can we do?" asked sybil. "i won't mind the storm very much, if it doesn't have lightning. that's the only thing i'm afraid of." orissa examined the sky critically. "i predict high winds," she presently said, "and high winds might endanger our property. let us get to the beach, first, and see what may be done to protect the aircraft." they found the flying-machine fairly well protected by the walls of the ravine in which it lay, but as the big upper plane offered a tempting surface to the wind orissa set to work and removed it, a task that consumed two full hours. then she wired the framework to a big rock, for additional security, and carrying the canvas from the plane between them, the girls returned to their tent. "will our house stand much of a wind?" asked sybil. "it is rather exposed, on this bluff," replied orissa, doubtfully. "i think it will be wise for us to pile more rocks upon the edges. the wire will hold, i'm sure, for it is nickel-steel, and if we close the ends of the tents securely we may escape damage." "all right; i'm glad to have something to do," cried sybil, picking up a rock. "we'll build a regular parapet, if you say so." this was exactly what they did. in spite of the oppressive heat the two girls worked faithfully piling the rocks around the tent, until they had raised a parapet nearly half its height. they were inspired to take this precaution by the glowering aspect of the sky, which grew more threatening as the afternoon waned. finally orissa wiped the perspiration from her brow and exclaimed: "that'll do, i'm sure, syb. and now i'm ready for dinner. what's to eat?" sybil made a grimace. "bananas and jelly," she replied. "could you conceive a more horrible combination?" "meat all gone?" "we've part of a baked crab; that's all." "and the lettuce. i shall have crab salad, with bananas for dessert." "a salad without lemon or vinegar is the limit," declared sybil. "i shall stick to bananas and jelly." their appetites were still good and orissa really enjoyed her salad, which she seasoned with salt which they had obtained by evaporating seawater. the bananas were getting to be a trifle irksome to the palate, but as food they were nourishing and satisfying. neither of the castaways grumbled much at the lack of ordinary food, being grateful at heart that they were able to escape starvation. the storm burst upon them just after dark and its violence increased hour by hour. there was little rain, and no lightning at all, but the wind held high revel and fluttered the canvas of the tent so powerfully that the girls, huddled anxiously in bed, feared the frail shelter would be torn to shreds. but the plane-cloth used by stephen kane was wonderfully strong and had been sized with a composition that prevented the wind from penetrating it. therefore it resisted the gale nobly, and after a time the fears of the two girls subsided to such a degree that they dozed at times and toward morning, when the wind subsided, sank into deep sleep. the hooting of the owls no longer had power to keep them awake, and on this night the owls were less in evidence than usual, perhaps deterred from leaving their nests by the storm. weather changes are abrupt in the semi-tropics. the morning dawned cool and delightful and the sun shone brilliantly. there was a slight breeze remaining, but not more than enough to flutter orissa's locks as she unfastened the flap of the tent and walked out upon the bluff to discover if the aircraft was still safe. it lay at the bottom of the ravine, in plain sight from where she stood, and seemed quite undisturbed. orissa turned her eyes toward the distant island, let them sweep the tumbling waves of the ocean and finally allowed them to rest upon the bay at the east, where they had first landed. then she uttered an involuntary cry that echoed shrilly among the crags. a ship lay stranded upon the shelving beach--fully half its length upon dry land! the cry aroused sybil, who came running from the tent rubbing her eyes and with an anxious face. "what's up, ris?" she demanded. orissa pointed a trembling finger across the rock-strewn plain to the bay, and sybil looked and gave a gasp of delight. "oh, orissa, we're saved--we're saved!" she murmured. then, sinking upon the sand, she covered her face with her hands and began to cry. but the air-maid was too interested to weep; she was looking hard at the boat. "isn't it madeline dentry's yacht?" she asked. "yes; i'm sure it is. then they've been searching for us and the storm has wrecked them. sybil, your father and steve may be on that ship, alive or--or----" sybil sprang up. "do you see anyone?" she asked eagerly. "no; it's too far away, and the sun interferes. i'll get the glasses." she was quite composed now and her quiet demeanor did much to restore sybil's self-possession. orissa brought the binoculars, looked through them for a time and then handed the glasses to her chum. "not a soul in sight, that i can see," she remarked. "try it yourself." sybil had no better luck. "can they all be drowned?" she inquired in horrified tones. "i think not. they may have abandoned the wreck, during the storm, or they may be hidden from us by the side of the boat, which lies keeled over in the opposite direction from us." "can't we go there, orissa, and find out?" "yes, dear; at once. the tide is out, and although there is quite a sea left from last night's hurricane i think we can manage the trip, by way of the sands, with perfect safety." each tore a couple of bananas from the bunch and then they ran down the incline to the beach. knowing every turn in the coast and every difficult place, they were able to scorn the waves that occasionally swept over their feet, as if longing to draw them into their moist embraces. chapter xv boat ahoy! the first indication of dawn found anxious faces peering over the side of the _salvador_. passengers and crew gathered at the lower angle and inspected the position of the boat with absolute amazement. "never, in all my experience," said captain krell, "have i heard of so remarkable a wreck. we struck the only channel that would have floated us; a few yards to either side and we would have been crushed to kindling wood. as it is, we lie high and dry on this shelf--a natural dry dock--and not a timber is cracked." "are you sure of that?" asked madeline. "quite sure, miss dentry. we have made a thorough investigation. but i do not wish to create any false hopes. our condition is nearly as desperate as if we were a total wreck." "you mean we can't get the yacht off again?" "i fear not. even a duplicate of that gigantic wave which hurled us here would be unable to float us off, for our tremendous headway carried us beyond the reach of any tide. this island is of rock formation. i know at a glance that a solid bed of rock is under us. therefore we cannot dig a channel to relaunch the _salvador_." "couldn't we blast a channel?" asked mr. tupper. the captain merely gave him a reproachful glance. "to be sure," replied chesty todd, seriously. "we'll have kane invent a sort of dynamite that will blast the rocks and won't hurt the ship. good idea, mr. tupper. clever, sir; very clever." mr. tupper glared at the boy resentfully, but his wife said in a mild tone of rebuke: "really, martin, my dear, the suggestion was idiotic." the steward came crawling toward them with a coffeepot, followed by a man juggling a tray of cups. it was quite an acrobatic feat to navigate the incline, but they succeeded and everyone accepted the coffee gratefully. "this place is nothing but a rock; an extinct volcano, probably," remarked madeline, gazing thoughtfully over the island. chesty, having finished his coffee, climbed to the elevated side opposite. "here's a far better view of the place," he called. "it's quite a----" he stopped short, staring fixedly at a white speck far up on the bluff beside the low mountain. they waited breathlessly for him to continue. then steve, reading the expression on chesty's face, quickly clambered to a place beside him. as he looked he began to tremble and his face grew red and then pallid. "mr. cumberford," called the press agent, "bring your glasses, please." "what is it?" pleaded madeline. "why, something--just--curious, miss dentry. we can't say what it is, as yet, but----" they were all scrambling up the incline by this time and soon all eyes were directed upon the white speck. mr. cumberford focused his glasses upon the spot. "ah," said he presently; "this interests me; it does, indeed!" "is it a--a--tent?" inquired steve, a catch in his voice. "looks like it," was the reply; "but not a regulation tent. seems more like--like----here, see for yourself, steve." steve seized the binoculars. "i think--it's--the--plane-cloth!" he gasped. mr. tupper lost his balance and slid down the deck, landing with a thud against the opposite rail. that relieved the tension and a laugh--the first heard on the _salvador_ since she left port--greeted the gentleman's mishap. "why--if it's the plane-cloth, the girls are alive!" cried madeline. "to be sure," added chesty, with joyful intonation, "and doubtless enjoying their outing." the discovery changed the current of all thoughts and led them to forget their own calamity. the _salvador_ carried a small gasoline launch and two life-boats, all of which were in good condition. "may we take the launch, miss dentry?" pleaded steve. "i was about to order it lowered," she said. "can you run it, mr. kane?" "certainly," he replied. "then i shall go with you. it will carry six comfortably, and more uncomfortably; but as we may have passengers on our return trip only four had better go." steve ran to assist in lowering the launch. it had to be unlashed from its rack, first of all, and the tank filled with gasoline, the engine oiled and the boat prepared for action. the men worked with a will, however, and within half an hour the launch was lowered to the rocks and slid safely into the water. the landing-steps being impracticable, a rope ladder was lowered and by this means madeline easily descended to the launch. mr. cumberford followed, as a matter of course, but chesty todd modestly waited to be invited to make the fourth voyager. "come along, sir," said miss dentry, and he eagerly obeyed. "how about food?" he suggested. the chef, a fat little frenchman who was much interested in the fate of the flying girl and her chum, had foreseen this demand and now lowered a hamper. "any water in it?" asked chesty. "certainmente, monsieur." "all right. let 'er go." steve started the engine and the little craft quickly shot out of the bay into the open sea and took the long swells beautifully. bounding the point, kane kept as close to the shore as he dared, making for the place where the bluff began to rise. "boat ahoy!" cried a clear voice, so suddenly that they nearly capsized the launch in their first surprise. and there were the two lost damsels prancing and dancing up and down the beach, waving their handkerchiefs and laughing and crying with joy at beholding their friends. chapter xvi an island kingdom it was a merry reunion, in spite of the dangers that were past and the tribulations that threatened. because the yacht's deck afforded precarious footing they all landed on the flat rocky shore, where the breakfast, hastily prepared by the chef, was served to the united company. "my greatest suffering," said sybil, nestling close to her father, "was for want of coffee. i've dreamed of coffee night after night, and hoped i would be privileged to taste it again before i was called to the happy hunting grounds." "ah; that interests me; it does, really," said mr. cumberford, filling her cup anew. "but--who knows, dear?--you might have reached the happy coffee-grounds." they laughed at any absurd remark just now, and when orissa related how they had subsisted of late on bananas and jelly you may be sure the castaways were plied with all the delicacies the ship's larder afforded. most of the day was spent in exchanging stories of the adventures both parties had encountered since the hydro-aircraft ran away. everyone wanted to add an incident or tell some personal experience, and it was all so interesting that no one was denied the privilege of talking. but afterward, when an elaborate dinner was served in the cabin--the table having been propped level to hold the plates--they began to canvass the future and to speculate upon the possibility of getting to civilization again. "our situation is far from hopeless," remarked steve, who was now bright and cheery as of old. "we have the launch and the life-boats, and orissa says the aircraft is in fine condition again. all the trouble was caused by that unlucky aluminum chest--and the fact that my steering gear was too frail." "i wouldn't call the aluminum chest unlucky," said sybil. "without it we should have suffered many privations, for it carried our blankets and provisions as well as our tools." "but it was unfortunate that you didn't bolt it securely," added orissa. "could we venture some two hundred and eighty miles in open boats?" inquired madeline. "we could if obliged to," asserted young kane. "of course, after we got into the track of coastwise ships, we might be picked up. but i do not like to abandon this beautiful yacht, which must be worth a fortune and is not damaged to any extent. i believe the best plan will be for me to fly home in my machine and secure a boat to come here and pull the yacht off the beach. there is a whole barrel of gasoline aboard, intended to supply the launch, so there is no longer any lack of fuel for our aircraft." they canvassed this plan very seriously and to all it seemed an excellent idea. but the engineer, an irishman named o'reilly, respectfully suggested the possibility of getting the yacht launched by means of a tackle, using her own engines for power. steve caught at this idea and said they would try it the following morning. everyone retired early, for one and all were exhausted by the trying experiences they had passed through. the girls, however, warned them that the owls would interfere seriously with their sleep. it was not an easy matter to rest, even in the comfortable berths, on account of the slanting position of the ship. those berths on the right side tipped downward and the mattresses had to be bolstered up on the edges to prevent the occupants from rolling out. on the opposite side the sleeper was pushed to the wall and the mattress had to be padded in the corner where the wall and bunk met. but they managed it, after a fashion, and sybil and orissa, at least, slept soundly and peacefully, the luxury of a bed being so great a relief from their former inconvenient rock "altar." the hoots of the owls proved very distracting to the newcomers, and mrs. tupper declared she would go mad, or die painfully, if obliged to endure such a screeching for many nights. even the crew grumbled and there were many tired eyes next morning. as soon as breakfast was over they set to work to right the yacht, steve overseeing the work because of his mechanical experience. a pulley was attached, by means of a chain, to a peak of rock on the point opposite the high side of the yacht, and then a strong cable was run through the pulley, one end being fastened to the mainmast and the other to the anchor-windlass, which was operated by the engine. the stoker got up steam and then o'reilly started the engines very slowly. lying as it did on a shelf of solid rock, which had been washed smooth by centuries of waves, there was only the resistance of the yacht's weight to overcome; and, although it required all the power the cable would stand, the boat gradually came upright until it stood upon a level keel. then the men braced it securely with rocks, on either side the bow, to hold it in position, after which steve declared that part of the task had been accomplished to his entire satisfaction. it was indeed a relief to all on board to be able to tread a level deck again, for, although there still remained a decided slant from bow to stern it did not materially interfere with walking, as had the sharp side slant. the next task was to arrange the tackle so that the engines would pull the yacht off the beach into deep water. but in spite of every effort this plan failed entirely. the boat would not budge an inch and after breaking the wire cable again and again, until it was practically useless, the undertaking had to be abandoned. "it's up to the airship to rescue the party, i guess," sighed steve, as they sat at dinner after the energetic and discouraging day's work was over. "do you know, there's a big island just west of here," said orissa, thoughtfully. "through our glasses we could see that it is green and fertile, and i've an idea it is inhabited. wouldn't it be a good idea to run the launch over there before steve undertakes his journey, and see if we can't secure help to get the yacht off the beach?" they all became interested in the proposition at once. "how far is the island?" asked mr. cumberford. "only a few miles; perhaps an hour's run in the launch." "then let us try it, by all means," proposed the captain. "we will run over there the first thing in the morning, with miss dentry's consent," decided steve. madeline heartily agreed and as the sea was enticingly calm the next morning a party was made up to visit the larger island in the launch. at first captain krell suggested he should go with part of his crew, saying that no one could tell what sort of people might inhabit the island, if indeed any inhabitants were to be found there; but steve scorned the notion of danger. "we are too near the american coast to run against cannibals or hostile tribes," he argued; "and, in any event, our mission is a decidedly peaceful one. i'll take my revolver, of course, but it won't be needed. what do you say, mr. cumberford?" "i quite agree with you," replied that gentleman. "i'm going along, if only for the ride." "so am i," said madeline. "really, my dear!" began mr. tupper; but she silenced him with a single look. "that means i must go as chaperon," sighed mrs. tupper. "i'll be chaperon," laughed sybil; "but as we shall go and return in a couple of hours i don't believe madeline will really need one." "you shall stay comfortably on the yacht, aunt anna," said madeline. "who else wants to go? we can carry six, you know." it was soon arranged to add mr. radley-todd and orissa to the four, thus completing the complement of the launch. just before they set off monsieur rissette, the alert chef, appeared with his hamper of lunch, for he had an established idea that no one should depart, even on an hour's journey, without a proper supply of food. then, merrily waving adieus to those on board, the explorers glided out of the bay into the open sea. rounding the north end of their islet they saw clearly the large island ahead, and steve headed the launch directly toward it. the trip consumed rather more than the hour orissa had figured on, but it was a light-hearted, joyous party, and they beguiled the way with conversation and laughter. "i am quite sure," said madeline, "that i am enjoying this experience far more than i would a trip to hawaii. think of it! a chase, a rescue and a wreck, all included in one adventure. i'm rather sorry it's about over and we are to return to civilization." "sybil and i have had a glorious time," added orissa. "barring the fact that we were a bit worried over our fate, those days when we played crusoe and columbus on a forsaken island were full of interest and excitement. i know now that i enjoyed it thoroughly." "i quite envy you that delightful experience," asserted madeline. "don't," said sybil. "the adventure wasn't all pleasant, by any means. the hoots of those dreadful birds will ring in my ears for years to come; the food was far from satisfying and i piled rocks and tramped and sweated until i was worn to a frazzle. if we had not invented our checker set i believe we would have become raving maniacs by the time you found us." as they drew near to the island they found it even more green and beautiful than they had suspected. "it's queer," said steve, eyeing the place thoughtfully, "how very imperfect those seamen's charts are. the one captain krell has indicates nothing but barren rocks in these seas. not one is deemed important enough to name; yet here is a good-sized island that is really inviting enough to attract inhabitants." "and, by jove, it has 'em!" cried chesty todd, pointing eagerly to a thin streak leading skyward. "see that smoke? that means human beings, or i'm a lobster." "good!" exclaimed mr. cumberford. "that interests me; it does, really. head around to the right, steve; that's where we'll find the natives." steve obeyed. skirting the shore of the island he rounded the northern point and found before him a peculiar inlet. the shore was rocky and rather high, but in one place two great pillars of rock rose some fifty feet in the air, while between them lay a pretty bay which extended far inland. they afterward found this was the mouth of a small river, which broadened into a bay at its outlet. as the launch turned into this stretch of water, moving at reduced speed, their eyes were gladdened by one of the loveliest natural vistas they had ever beheld. the slope from the table-land above to the inlet was covered upon both sides with palms, flowering shrubs and fruit trees, all of which showed evidence of care. a quarter of a mile up the little bay was a little dock to which were moored several boats. the largest of these was a sixty-foot launch, which made madeline's little craft look like a baby. two sailboats and a trio of rowboats, all rather crude in design, completed the flotilla. on the end of the dock two men stood, motionless, as if awaiting them. "why, they're not natives at all," exclaimed sybil, in a low voice. "they--they're clothed!" so they were, but in quite a remarkable fashion. their feet were bare, their trousers ragged and soiled; but they wore blue vests highly embroidered in yellow silk, with velvet jackets and red sashes tied around their waists. add to this outfit, peaked panama hats with broad, curling brims, and a revolver and knife stuck in each sash, and you will not wonder that our friends viewed this odd couple with unfeigned amazement. one was a tall, thin man with but one good eye, which, however, was black and of piercing character. his face was sullen and reserved. the second man was short and fat, with profuse whiskers of fiery red and a perfectly bald head--a combination that gave him the appearance of a stage comedian. the skin of both was of that peculiar dingy brown color peculiar to mexicans and some spaniards. the little one, with hat in hand, was bowing with exaggerated courtesy; the taller one stood frowning and immovable. when steve steered the launch alongside the dock a broad roadway came into sight, leading through the trees to the higher elevation beyond, where stood a white house of fair size which had a veranda in front. the architecture was of spanish order and in its setting of vines and trees it looked very picturesque. there were climbing roses in profusion and gorgeous beds of flowers could be seen in the foreground. despite the appearance of the two men, who might easily be taken for brigands, the place was so pretty and peaceful and bore such undoubted evidences of civilization that the visitors had no hesitation in landing. chesty leaped to the dock first and assisted the three girls to alight beside him. mr. cumberford followed and steve tied up to an iron ring in the dock and also stepped ashore. the tall man had not moved, so far, except that his one dark eye roved from one member of the party to another, but the little fat man continued to bow low as each one stepped ashore, and they accepted it as a sort of welcome. neither had uttered a word, however, so mr. cumberford stepped forward and said: "do you speak english?" they shook their heads. "ah! that is unfortunate. can you tell me, then, the name of this island, and who inhabits it?" "of course not, daddy," cried sybil. "try 'em in spanish, steve." but before stephen, who could speak a little spanish, had time to advance, the men turned abruptly, beckoned the strangers to follow, and deliberately walked up the broad pathway toward the dwelling. "well?" inquired steve, doubtfully. "let's follow," said chesty. "i've an idea these are hired men, and they're taking us to be welcomed by their master." "interesting, isn't it?" muttered mr. cumberford, but with one accord they moved forward in the wake of their guides. chapter xvii don miguel, del borgitis halfway up the road they noticed on the left a large clearing, in which stood a group of thatched huts. some women and children--all with dark skins and poorly dressed--were lounging around the doorways. these stood silently as the strangers passed by. a little farther along three men, attired in exactly the same manner as the two who were escorting them, were cultivating a garden patch. they gave no indication they were aware of the presence of strangers. there was something uncanny--wholly unnatural--about the manner of their reception and even about the place itself, that caused some of them to harbor forebodings that all was not right. yet they had experienced no opposition, so far--no unfriendliness whatsoever. up to the broad veranda they were led, and this, now viewed closely, showed signs of considerable neglect. the house, built of rough boards, needed whitewashing again; the elaborate stained-glass windows were thick with dust; the furnishings of the wide veranda, which were somewhat prodigal, seemed weather-stained and unkempt. on a small wicker table was a dirty siphon bottle and some soiled glasses with bugs and flies crawling over them. beside these stood a tray of roughly made cheroots. the fat man at once disappeared through the open doorway of the dwelling, but the tall man faced the strangers and, spreading out his arms as if to forbid their entrance, pointed to the chairs and benches scattered in profusion about the veranda. "invited to sit," interpreted mr. cumberford. "interesting--very." suddenly a huge form filled the doorway, inspecting the newcomers with a quick, comprehensive glance. the man was nearly as tall as chesty todd, but not so well built. instead of being athletic, he possessed a superabundance of avoirdupois, evidently the result of high living. he was clothed all in white flannel, but wore a blue linen shirt with a soiled collar and a glaring red necktie in which glittered a big diamond. jewels were on his fingers, too, and even on his thumbs, and a gold chain passed around his neck fell in folds across his breast and finally ended in his watch-pocket. on his feet were red slippers and on his head a sombrero such as the others had worn. a man of perhaps thirty-five years of age, rather handsome with his large eyes and carefully curled mustache, but so wholly unconventional as to excite wonder rather than admiration. [illustration: suddenly a huge form filled the doorway, inspecting the newcomers with a quick, comprehensive glance.] he had merely paused in the doorway for that one rapid glance. immediately he advanced with a brisk step, exclaiming: "welcome, señors and señoritas--americaños all--most joyous welcome. you the spanish speak? no! it cannot matter, for i speak the english. i am so pleasured that my humble home is now honored by your presence. you make me glad--happy--in rapture. you do not know to where--to whom--you have come? imagine! i am don miguel del borgitis, and this"--extending his arms with a proud gesture--"my own island of borgitis--a kingdom--of individual property, however small, for it owes allegiance to no other nation on earth!" this was spoken very impressively, while the shrewd eyes read their faces to determine the degree of awe created. "yes," he went on, giving them no chance to reply, "i am really king--king of borgitis--but with modesty i call myself don miguel del borgitis. as such i welcome you. as such i take you to my arms in friendship. observe, then, all my kingdom is yours; you shall reign in my place; you shall command me; for does not don miguel ever place his friends above himself?" this seemed cordial enough, certainly, but it was rather embarrassing to find an answer to such effusiveness. don miguel, however, did not seem to expect an answer. with merely an impressive pause, as if to drive the words home, he continued: "may i, then, be honored by a recital of your names and station?" "to be sure," said mr. cumberford. "you--er--interest me, don miguel; you do, really. quite a relief, you see, to find a gentleman, a civilized gentleman, in these wilds, and----" "my island kingdom is very grand--very important--señor americaño," interrupted don miguel, evidently piqued at the use of the term "wilds." "in effect have i reign over three islands--the one from which you now come, the one to the west of here, and--the grand island borgitis! three islands and one owner--one king--with privilege to decree life and death to his devoted subjects. but you have more to say." they were a bit startled to hear that he knew they came from the island of the owls. but they reflected that some of his people might have watched the progress of their launch. mr. cumberford introduced his party to don miguel, one by one, afterward briefly relating the aërial trip of the two girls, the search for them by the yacht and the unfortunate beaching of the _salvador_ on the island during the recent storm, ending with the surprising reunion of the party and their desire to secure help to get the launch into deep water again, that they might return home. to all this don miguel listened intently, his head a little to one side, his eyes turning critically to each person mentioned during the recital. then said he, more soberly than before: "how unfortunate that your ship is wreck!" "oh, it is not wrecked," returned madeline. "it is merely stuck on those rocks--'beached' is, i think, the proper word." "then, alas! it is wreck." "it is not injured in the least, sir," declared steve. don miguel's face brightened at this statement, but he controlled his elation and responded sadly: "but it is no longer a ship, for you cannot get it off the land." "not without your kind assistance, i fear," said miss dentry. "make me obliged by resuming your seats," requested don miguel. then he clapped his hands, and the red-bearded man appeared. "refreshments, pietro!" he offered the cheroots to the men, and when they refused selected one for himself and lighted it. then, leaning back in his arm-chair, he regarded his guests musingly and said: "it is laughable. really, it amuses one! but under the spanish grant by which i hold my islands--my kingdom--i am exclusively owner of all wrecks on my shores. in fact, were you not my dear friends, i could take your yacht, which i now own because it lies wreck on my coast." "but it is _not_ wrecked!" asserted steve, frowning, for he was beginning to suspect don miguel. "perhaps not, since you tell me so; but i will see. i will see for myself. ah, the poor refreshments--the offering of hospitality to a king's friends. partake, is my earnest implore, and so honor your humble host--don miguel del borgitis." the tall man and the short man brought wines, liquors and glasses, with a fresh siphon of clear water. following them came a sour-faced woman of middle age and a pretty young girl of perhaps sixteen years--pretty in the spanish fashion, with plump cheeks, languid dark eyes and raven hair. these last carried trays of fruits and cake, which they passed to the company. the woman's face was expressionless; that of the girl evinced eager curiosity and interest; but neither spoke nor seemed to receive the notice of the royal don miguel. when they had all positively refused to accept any of the strong drink, the don helped himself liberally to a milky liquor diluted with water, which he called pulque. as he sipped this he said to them: "the life here on borgitis is grand--magnificent--entrancing--as you will easily conceive. but it is also lonely. i have here no equals with whom i may freely associate. so it delights me to receive you as guests. may you long enjoy my hospitality--it is a toast which i drink with fervency." "we return to the yacht at once," said steve, stiffly. "my mansion is roomy and comforting," continued the other, as if he had not heard, "and here are no owls to annoy one. some day i will take you to visit the third island of my kingdom. it is called chica--after my daughter, here." he glanced at the young girl, as he spoke, and she cast down her eyes, seeming frightened. mr. cumberford arose. "sir," said he, "we thank you for your hospitality, which we regret we are unable to further accept. let us come to the point of our errand. we need your assistance and are willing to pay for it--liberally, if need be. you have plenty of men here, i observe, and a large launch. send a crew with us to our island----" "my island, señor, if you please." "very well. send a crew of men to help us, and come along yourself, if you like. but whatever you do, kindly do it at once, as we have no time to waste." he spoke positively, in a way that required an answer; but don miguel merely took a cake from the tray, and as he munched it said casually in spanish, as if addressing the air: "prepare my launch; have the men in readiness; lock the little boat securely." without a glance at his master, the one-eyed man deliberately left the veranda and walked down the path. steve pricked up his ears. he understood the carefully veiled command, and it nettled him. "what little boat do you refer to, sir?" he pointedly asked. don miguel gave a start, but tossed off the contents of his glass, and rose. "i shall prepare to go at once to visit your yacht, with my own men and in my own launch," said he. "you will be good enough to amuse yourselves here until i send you the word that i am ready to depart." with this he lazily stretched his big body, yawned, and turned his back on his "beloved guests," to leave the veranda and proceed leisurely down the path to the inlet. chapter xviii the mask off "come!" cried steve, impatiently. "the don is either a fool or a rascal, and in either event i propose to keep an eye on him." "quite right," said chesty todd, nodding approval. as with one accord they rose and started to leave the veranda the fat little man with the red whiskers barred their way, removing his hat to indulge in his absurd bow. "my noble master has desire that you remain his guests," said he in bad english. "some time will he send word he is ready for you to depart." "out of the way, fellow," said chesty, pushing him aside. "my noble master has desire that you remain his guests," repeated the man, moodily, and there was a defiant twinkle in his pig-like eyes that indicated he had received positive orders to detain the strangers. but mr. radley-todd's ire was aroused. "stand back!" he cried threateningly. "your master is not our master." "very true, chesty," said mr. cumberford; and then they all hurried down the path toward the inlet. they were not three minutes behind don miguel, yet as they reached the dock the big launch left it, filled with dark-skinned men. in the stern stood don miguel, smoking his cheroot, and he made them an elaborate bow. "have patience, dear guests," said he. "i will satisfy myself if your boat is wreck or is not wreck, and soon will i return to consult with you. kindly excuse until i have investigation made. oblige me to use my island as if it were your own." "the rascal!" cried mr. cumberford, as the boat of don miguel swept down the inlet. "tumble into the launch, girls, quick! i believe we can get to the yacht before he does." but the girls hesitated to obey, for steve and chesty todd were bending over the bow of the launch, where the rope hawser had been replaced by a heavy chain, which was fastened by a huge padlock. steve picked up an iron bar, twisted it in the chain and endeavored to wrench the iron ring from its socket; but it was firmly embedded in the dock, being held by a powerful cement. then he tried breaking away the launch, but the fastenings held firmly. "no use, steve," said chesty, squatting down on the dock. "we must have the key. question is, who's got it? that pirate, or--or----" "he's a pirate, all right," said sybil, angrily. "what do you think he intends to do?" madeline quietly asked. "take the folks on the yacht by surprise, capture the ship and then claim it is his, because it is beached upon his island," replied steve. "how absurd!" exclaimed orissa. "yes; but the scoundrel knows no law," declared mr. cumberford. "in this lost and forgotten island he has played the tyrant with a high hand; i can see that by the humble subjection of his people; and so he thinks he can rob us with impunity." "he is mistaken, though," asserted madeline greatly annoyed. "if this is really an independent island, i shall send an armed ship here to demand reparation--and force it. if the don lies, and he is under the domain of any recognized nation, then our government shall take the matter up." "to be sure," said mr. cumberford. "interesting; very. provided, of course, we--we----" "go on, sir." "er--er--it is really a pretty island, and--interesting," he mumbled. "daddy means," said sybil, "that don miguel has no intention of letting us get back to civilization again, provided the yacht proves to be worth taking--and keeping." "that's it, exactly," said chesty; "only mr. cumberford did not like to disturb your equanimity. but he sized up the situation, as we all did. eh, steve?" steve nodded, looking gloomily at the three girls. "how many men did he take with him?" asked madeline. "about fifteen. i tried to count 'em," said mr. todd. "but they did not seem to be armed." "there are seven on the yacht, besides mr. tupper, who doesn't count; and they have no arms, either, that i know of." "they won't be expecting to defend themselves, anyhow," observed chesty. "therefore the yacht is as good as captured." "and with the noble don in possession," added sybil, "our plans for a homeward voyage are knocked sky-high." "the yacht will be a great find for him," remarked mr. cumberford; "so i imagine he will condemn it as 'wreck' on his shores and keep it for himself." "with certainty, señor," said a soft voice beside him. they all turned to find that the spanish girl had quietly joined their group. behind her came limping the red-beard, sullen and muttering at his rebuff. the girl faced pietro and uttered a sharp command in spanish. he hesitated, mumbled a reply and retreated up the path. "so you think don miguel will keep my yacht?" asked madeline, approaching the pretty child and speaking in a kindly tone. "i do, señorita. but his name is not don miguel del borgitis, as he said. he is ramon ganza, a fugitive from mexico, where he robbed a bank of much money and escaped. he came here in his launch with ten men, and has been hiding for many years in this island, where no people lived before he came." "dear me!" exclaimed madeline; "a criminal and a refugee! and you are his daughter?" "no, señorita. he said so, but he lied. he lies always, when he speaks. he coaxed me away from my people in mazatlan, when he came there to buy provisions, saying i would become a princess. but i am merely a housemaid, in truth." "how many years has he lived on this island?" inquired mr. cumberford. "i do not know, señor. but it is many. he has built the house, yonder, or rather he has forced his poor men to build it. ramon loves to pose as a royal don, but i do not think he is of noble birth. once every year he goes to mexico or the united states for supplies, and sometimes he coaxes others to come back with him, and be his slaves." "and do the people love their master?" asked madeline. "no. they hate him, but they fear him. not one who has ever come here has gone away again, for he dares not let them return to tell where he is hiding. now there are seventeen men and nine women here. with you, and those he will fetch from your yacht, there will be many more; but none of you will ever leave here with ramon's consent," declared the girl. "then we will leave without it," remarked mr. todd, easily. she gave him a quick, eager look. "will you dare to oppose ramon, then?" she asked. "on occasion we are rather daring," said chesty, smiling at her simplicity. "the fellow ought to be arrested and given up to justice." "oh, if you would do that, we could all go away!" said the child, clasping her hands ecstatically. "please arrest him, sir; i beg you to." "we'll see about it, little one. meantime, how can we get the key to unlock this chain?" "would you follow ramon?" she asked. "that is our greatest ambition, just now." "then i'll get you the key. pietro has it." "the red-beard?" "yes. pietro is my friend. he is not so bad as some of the other men." "they must be a sorry lot," decided chesty. "come on, then, chica; i'll help you to interview pietro." the man was sitting on a rock nursing his grievances. "the key, pietro," said chica. "no," he answered surlily. "i want it, pietro." "he'll whip me. but then, he'll whip me anyhow, for not to stop his 'guests.' take the key, chica. pah! a few lashes. who care?" he tossed the key upon the ground at her feet and chesty promptly picked it up. the girl looked hard at red-beard. "you will not be whipped," she said softly. "it is all right, pietro. the americaños will arrest ramon ganza and deliver him up to justice; they have promised it; so you will be safe. come with me. our new friends need guns." "what!" the man fairly gasped in his amazement at her temerity. "our new friends shall take all they need of ramon's store of guns. they are not like the others who come here; the americaños are not cowards. you will see them conquer ramon very nicely, and with no trouble at all. come, pietro--the guns!" the man slowly rose and led the way to the house, while chesty called for steve and then followed. in ten minutes chesty and steve returned to the dock where the others awaited them, and both were loaded with rifles, revolvers and ammunition, ruthlessly abstracted from the private stores of the island magnate. when these were distributed, the launch unlocked and they were ready to start, madeline turned to chica. "get in, dear," said she. "i think it will be best for you to come with us. provided we ourselves manage to escape, i promise to take you to mazatlan and restore you to your own people." the child hesitated, looking at the little fat red-beard. "i--i'm afraid pietro will suffer for helping us," she said. "ah; 'tis true," agreed red-beard. "unless you please will arrest ramon, ramon will whip me until i faint. i know; it is his habit when he is opposed." "get aboard, then," said steve, impatiently. "there's room enough, and your service may come handy to us." somewhat to their surprise the man came aboard without an instant's hesitation, and at once steve started the engine. "are any other men left upon this island?" asked mr. cumberford, as the launch gathered way and darted down the inlet. "two," said chica. "but they have no orders to interfere with you, so they will be blind. fourteen have gone with ramon." "are they armed?" asked orissa. "i do not know, señorita. francisco may be, and perhaps tomas; but ramon is afraid to trust many of his men with guns." heading out of the inlet they rounded the pillar of rock and skirted the shore until the open sea lay between them and owl island. now they were able to see plainly the big launch of ramon ganza plodding along in advance. it had fully half an hour's start of them, yet from the distance it had gone steve awoke to the fact that it was not nearly so speedy as madeline's little boat. although the big launch had gasoline engines of comparatively modern pattern, the lines of the boat were broad and "tubby," in strong contrast with the slender, graceful waist of the _salvador's_ launch. moreover, ramon had neglected his machinery, as he had everything else on the island, and the engines did not work as well as they should. "i've an idea that i can beat the pirate to the _salvador_," said steve. "by jove!" cried chesty; "if you could do that, old man, you'd save the day." "what difference would it make?" inquired madeline. "their plan is to take our crew by surprise, board the yacht and make prisoners of every man jack--also of mrs. tupper," explained chesty. "then, when we arrive, our capture could be easily accomplished. but if we manage to get there first, warning our men and taking them these weapons, we stand a good chance of beating off the rascally potentate and holding possession." "they are not really pirates, i suppose," remarked sybil. "according to this child's story," declared mr. cumberford, "the man is a fugitive from justice and so has no respect for the rights or property of anyone. mexico, his own country, has outlawed him and doubtless if the authorities could put their hands on the fellow they'd clap him in jail and keep him there." they considered this statement gravely. "for which reason," remarked chesty todd, "ramon ganza is desperate. he can't afford to let us get away and carry the news of where his island retreat may be located. therefore, good people, this is going to be a lively little scrap, so let's grit our teeth and do our level best." chapter xix an exciting race steve was giving the engine all his attention and coaxing it to develop all the speed of which it was capable. even with eight people aboard--two more than its regular complement--it was beginning to gain on the big boat ahead. orissa, at the steering wheel, was also intent upon her task. mr. cumberford turned to chica. "how did ramon manage to build that house, and make such a big settlement on the island, all in secret?" he asked. "pietro knows," said she. "in mexico," stated red-beard, halting at times in his english, "ramon rob bank of much money. then he escape in boat an' find islan'. he think it fine place for hide. so he go to unite' state--to san pedro--an' buy much thing with his money--much lumber--much food in tin can--many thing he will need. he hire ship to take all to his islan'. it big sail-ship, but it old an' not ver' good. in san pedro ramon find some mexicans who do bad things an' so are afraid to go back to mexico. he say he make them rich, so they go with him on ship. i go, too. "storm come an' make ship leak, but we get to islan' an' unload ever'thing. captain start to go back, but ship leak so bad he run on rocks at west islan'. ship go wreck an' men drown. by'mby ramon go out to wreck, take all thing he want an' let wreck go. it now on rocks at west islan'. no good, now." this terse recital was listened to with astonishment. "interesting--very," was mr. cumberford's comment, and they all supported his verdict. "then ramon make us build house an' make garden," continued red-beard. "when we get mad an' not mind ramon, he whip some of us with his own hand, an' then others scare an' work hard. two, three time, ramon go in launch to mexico. he land secret, in night time, and get more men to come back with him to islan'. nobody know him in the places he goes. one time he coax chica from her nice home, that way, an' bring her to islan', to make her help the women work in his house." chica nodded. "but now i go home," she said, confidently. "when kind americaños arrest ramon, i go free." but arresting ramon was not so much in the thoughts of the americaños just then as the result of the race to reach the _salvador_. madeline's launch was gaining steadily, but both boats were gradually drawing nearer to their destination and the problem was which could arrive first? already the little boat had been seen and its purpose understood by the wily mexican. he could not know how it was that the americans had managed to secure their boat and were able to follow him so soon, but the fact that they were in his wake and quickly closing the gap between the two launches was sufficient information for the time being, and it did not particularly disturb him. ramon ganza reasoned that in order to beat him to the yacht the little launch must pass near him, but in doing so he would intercept it and by grappling it with boat-hooks take it and its occupants along with him. if the americans kept out of range and gave his boat a wide berth, he would be able, in spite of their superior speed, to beat them to the yacht by maintaining his course in a straight line. this danger was soon appreciated by the pursuers; for, whenever they altered their course, ganza altered his, to head them off by getting directly in their way. "ah," said mr. cumberford, grimly, "this interests me." "it interests us all," observed steve, dryly. "the big boat is like a rock in our path." orissa looked at her brother inquiringly. "how shall i steer?" she asked. "we shall have to circle around them, to keep out of their way. they think that they will beat us, and they may; but i'm not sure of it--as yet." "is it best to argue the point, steve?" asked chesty. "i really think our salvation depends on our getting to the yacht first," was the reply. for some time after this no one spoke. the engine, under steve's skillful handling, was doing its utmost, with never a skip or protest of any sort. the man who was running the larger boat was also crowding his engines, urged thereto by his domineering master. the sea was ideal for the race and favored both boats alike. they continued the dodging tactics some time longer, the smaller boat being forced to the outside and unable to cut in ahead. "confound it!" cried steve, much chagrined, "here's the island, and they've got the inside track." "yes; but something's wrong with them," remarked mr. cumberford. "they're slowing down." "by jove, that's a fact!" cried chesty, elated. steve stood up and shaded his eyes with his hand. "their engines have stopped," he said. "that's a streak of luck i hadn't banked on. head in, orissa. we're all right now, if they don't start again promptly." there was evident excitement on board the larger motor boat. ramon kicked the new engineer away and himself took his place. the engine revolved, made a brief spurt--and stopped dead. ramon made another attempt, while his boat bobbed placidly up and down on the waves. meantime the launch, still keeping to its wide circle, rounded the point of rock and headed into the bay, where the _salvador_ lay with her trim white sides glistening in the sunshine. "quick!" cried steve, as soon as he could be heard by those at the rail, "let down the ladder. they're after us!" "who is it?" demanded mr. tupper, curiously; but captain krell marked the panic on the faces of those on board the launch and issued prompt orders. the aft davits were run down in a jiffy and steve and chesty hooked them to the launch, which was quickly raised with all on board and swung over the rail to the deck. there were a few tumbles and some scrambling to get out of the boat, but at that moment ramon ganza's big launch swept into the bay, and the mexican, assured by one sharp glance that his clever plan to surprise the yacht was thwarted, shut down the engines and halted his craft while he examined the situation at his leisure. madeline dentry's superb yacht was indeed a prize worth winning. it was even worth running some risks to acquire. ramon reflected that the _salvador_ and her helpless crew were really at his mercy, for they were unable to float the ship and were at present securely imprisoned. he laughed rather maliciously at their vain opposition, and said to his lieutenant, the one-eyed man: "very good, francisco. everything comes my way, you see. a little patience and the beautiful ship is ours, for it surely is wreck, and i justly claim all wrecks on my islands. there will be rum aboard, or at least plenty of liquors and wines. champagne, perhaps. you shall have all the spirits for your drink if you back me up firmly in my demands." "what will you do, señor?" "insist on taking possession of the ship, which, according to my law, is mine," he answered, with grim humor. "perhaps they may object, in which case you will stand by your chief. but understand: you must use no knives or pistols; i can't afford to have murder added to the charges against me. if diplomacy fails, we will fight with our bare fists, in american fashion, and our numbers will suffice to conquer those insolent strangers who come here uninvited and then refuse to abide by my laws." he took from his pocket a note-book and with a fountain pen wrote upon one of the leaves as follows: "to my beloved friends, the americaños: alas, your ship is hopeless wreck. i, the lord and ruler of these islands, behold the sad condition and with grief, for i must condemn the ship as wreck, which i do by right of spanish grant to me, from which is no appeal. with pain for your loss, i am obligated to confiscate the ship that before was yours, with all it contains, and to declare it is now mine. i demand that you deliver my property into my hands at once, in the name of law and justice, and i believe you will do so, because otherwise you will become the enemies of the kingdom of don miguel del borgitis, rex." he tore out this leaf, folded it neatly and then boldly ran his launch to the side of the yacht. francisco stuck the paper on the point of a boat-hook and standing on a seat thrust the epistle so far up the side that captain krell was able to lean over and grasp it. then the launch returned to its former position, while the captain carried the note to madeline. she read it aloud and their anxiety did not prevent the americans from laughing heartily at the preposterous claim of this audacious mexican refugee. "at the same time," said miss dentry, resuming her gravity, "our case appears to be somewhat serious. the man has unmasked and shown us clearly his intentions. he believes we can expect no succor from outside, and in that he is quite correct. only by our own efforts and the exercise of our wits may we hope to circumvent his intentions and retain our freedom and our property." chapter xx besieged disregarding the lordly disposal of the yacht and its contents so coolly outlined by señor ramon ganza, those aboard the _salvador_ began to face the probability of a siege. they all gathered aft, where, shielded by the bulwarks from the view of the mexicans, they could converse at leisure and with safety. at madeline's suggestion, every member of the crew, seven in number, was present while the details of their visit to the larger island were related by his principals. the character of the lordly islander, and his history as gleaned from pietro and chica, were likewise canvassed, and his evident intention to add the strangers to his band of cowed subjects was impressed upon the entire company in a most forcible manner. "it would have been serious, indeed," continued madeline, "had ganza arrived here before us and found you unwarned and unarmed, for you could not have resisted his invasion. but his clever scheme was frustrated by an accident to the engines of his launch, and now we must bend our every energy to driving him away and making our escape from this dreadful island." "we don't know yet, of course, how that can be done," added mr. radley-todd, reflectively; "but there's no hurry about deciding it. we are pretty well provisioned for a siege, and steve and i captured from the enemy and brought with us nine rifles, half a dozen revolvers, and some ammunition." "we have also a small supply of arms and ammunition in the storeroom of the yacht," said captain krell. "the former owner was something of a sportsman, and i think you will find the guns to be shotguns." "all the better," said chesty. "these fellows may decide to board us, in which case the shotguns, at short range, will scatter their loads and do fearful execution. get 'em up, captain. let's have on deck, where it's handy, every offensive and defensive weapon aboard." "i don't want any shooting," protested madeline; "i'd rather give them the yacht." "we won't need to shoot," returned steve. "a big bluff is all that is necessary." the entire company now understood the importance of a successful resistance, and aside from the fact that mrs. tupper had violent hysterics, which lasted several hours and nearly caused her devoted husband to jump overboard, the situation was accepted by all with philosophical composure. a definite plan to guard the deck and prevent the foe from scaling the sides was adopted and each man given his position and instructed what to do. as they were dealing with a desperate and unscrupulous man, a self-constituted autocrat in this practically unknown group of islands, they realized the wisdom of being constantly alert; so all the men, passengers and crew alike, were divided into watches during every hour of day and night, and those not on duty slept in their clothing that they might respond instantly to any call to action. the mexican, however, proceeded very deliberately with the siege, believing his victims were trapped and unable to escape him. he withdrew for a time around the rocky point, where he disembarked ten of his fourteen men. with the other four he ran the launch to the mouth of the bay again and dropped anchor, evidently intending to block any egress by the boats of the yacht. that night, under cover of the darkness, for the moon was often obscured by shifting clouds, ramon's men deployed among the rocks on both sides of the narrow channel, where they erected two miniature forts, or lookouts, by piling up the loose rocks. behind each rock barrier some of the men were stationed, with instructions to watch every movement on the deck of the _salvador_ and report to their master. the mexicans were well protected by the rocks from the firearms of those on board, if the defenders resorted to their use, and because of the slant of the deck from fore to aft ramon could himself command almost the entire deck as he sat in his launch. realizing this disadvantage, radley-todd and o'reilly, the engineer, crept down to the stern and by pushing the ends of their rifles through the hawser-holes were able to bring the launch under such direct fire that the outlaw decided that discretion was the better part of valor and withdrew his boat to a safer anchorage around the point, where he might still intercept the passage of any boat that ventured to come out. the next morning francisco of the one eye and a comrade took the launch back to the other island for a store of provisions. when they returned, at noon, they brought the two men who had been left behind when the first expedition set out, and also one of the rowboats, which was allowed to trail behind the launch. with the americans surrounded and on the defensive ramon felt that he could safely remove his entire force from his home island and leave the place to the keeping of the women. if it came to a fight he would need every man he had. on that first day those on the yacht were alert and excited, but the marked composure on the part of their besiegers gradually quieted their fears of immediate violence. the decks were not really dangerous, although constantly under the observation of the men in the rock fortresses, so they ventured to use them freely. at one time, when chesty todd made a feint of landing on the shore, a group of mexicans quickly gathered to prevent his leaving the ship, thus demonstrating their open enmity. "this won't do!" declared steve, savagely, as he faced the company assembled around the cabin table that evening. "those infernal bandits mean to keep us here till doomsday--or until we go crazy and surrender. they'll make our lives miserable unless we dislodge them from those rocks." "i prefer them there to having them attempt to scale the sides of our ship," returned chesty. "a hand-to-hand fight would be far more serious." "interesting, isn't it?" said mr. cumberford. "i don't think they care for a hand-to-hand fight," observed the captain. "such fellows as this ramon ganza are always cowards." "i don't know about that," said madeline. "he has faced all the men he brought here and in spite of their numbers and their hatred of him has cowed them, every one, single-handed." "ramon is not a coward," the child chica declared very positively. "he is bad; yes. but not a coward." "he has sixteen men--with himself, seventeen--and we have but eleven," said steve. "however, the advantage is with us, because the yacht is a fort." "you spoke a moment ago of dislodging them," remarked radley-todd. "can't we manage to do that, steve?" "how?" "if we could make some bombs," suggested the press-agent, slowly, "and hurl them among those rocks, i've an idea we could drive them away." steve was thoughtful a moment. "we'd need nitro-glycerine for that," said he. "i suppose there's none aboard, captain krell?" the captain shook his head. "plenty nitro-glycerine at big islan'," announced pietro. "ramon use it to blast rock." "ah, but that's a good way off," declared steve. chesty drummed on the table, musingly. "if pietro will go with me," he said presently, "i'll get you the nitro-glycerine." "you're crazy, man!" "not quite," said chesty, with a smile. "every man belonging to ramon's band is now here. i'm not afraid of the women he has left back there." "but how will you get there--swim?" "we'll take the launch, pietro and i, and run the blockade at dead of night." "no," said madeline, with decision, "i can't allow that. it would be too dangerous an undertaking. you might be captured." "i don't think so. if we are discovered, your launch can outrun theirs and i'll lead them a merry chase and come back again. what do you say, pietro?" "who? me, señor? why, ramon my enemy now. so i go with you." "you needn't fear ramon, pietro," said madeline, gently. "we shall manage in some way to get you safely back to mexico." the man's expression was stolid and unbelieving. "perhaps he doesn't dare go back to mexico," said sybil. "oh, yes;" replied pietro. "i not 'fraid of mexico. i smuggle, sometimes, before ramon get me; but they forget all that by now. it is ramon i fear. he is very bad man, as little chica say. always he wins, never he loses, in what he tries to do. for me, i have disobey an' defy him, so ramon he whip me sure, when he catch me, an' when ramon whip it is as bad as to die." it was impossible to overcome this stubborn belief in ramon's omnipotence and they did not argue with the man further. but orissa, who had been thoughtfully listening to the conversation, now said: "i do not like the plan of bringing nitro-glycerine here, even if chesty could succeed in getting it. the stuff would be dangerous to us and to our enemies, for a slight accident would explode it or careless handling might blow us all to eternity. but, admitting you made the bombs, without accident to any of our party, what would be the result of exploding them among those little rock forts yonder? wouldn't the rocks scatter in every direction and bombard us and the ship, perhaps causing damage that would be fatal to our hopes of escape?" "orissa is quite right," said mr. cumberford, decisively. "we must abandon the idea at once." "i know it appears a desperate measure," admitted radley-todd, "but something must be done, both to drive away our enemies and get the _salvador_ afloat again. cut the explosives, and what remains for us to do?" "make a sortie and drive them away from here," replied cumberford. "i'm a little old for a pitched battle or guerrilla warfare, but this extraordinary mexican--er--er--interests me. i'm willing to have it out with him here and now." "one white man is worth six mexicans," declared captain krell, belligerently. "won't do at all," asserted steve. "we can't afford to take the chances of defeat, gentlemen, while we have these girls in our care. the ship is a fort that is almost impregnable, and we mustn't leave it for an instant--under any circumstances." chapter xxi capturing an aËroplane as they sat with downcast countenances, reflecting upon their uncomfortable position, orissa said quietly: "i've thought of something to relieve us. the idea came to me when chesty insisted our launch could run the blockade." "speak out, ris," exclaimed steve. "your ideas are pretty good ones, as a rule. what's the proposition?" "why, we all seem to have forgotten the hy." "the hydro-aircraft?" "yes. it is lying quite safe, and in apple-pie order, in the little ravine at the foot of the bluff where we camped." "but it is minus its plane-cloths," added sybil. "our tent is still standing, for i saw it from deck only an hour ago." "it won't take long to attach the plane-cloths," said steve, "provided those brigands will let us do it. it's rather odd they haven't taken the trouble to capture the aircraft already. it would be easy for ramon to declare it 'wreck.'" "what would be the use?" asked madeline. "they could not fly it, even if they knew how to put it in order; and, as they imagine we cannot get to it, they are not worrying about the thing. of course they are able to see that tent on the bluff as easily as we can, and by and by they will go there and capture whatever the girls left." "true. that is why we must lose no unnecessary time," observed orissa. "i do not yet see what the proposition is," asserted chesty, in a puzzled tone. "i know what orissa means," returned steve quickly. "there's plenty of gasoline on board--i think nearly a barrel--intended for the use of the launch. if i could get to the aircraft and fill its tanks with gasoline no one could prevent my flying home, where i could get a ship and men to come to our rescue." "that interests me; it does, really!" said mr. cumberford. "it's so easy and practical i wonder none of us thought of it before." "i've had the possibilities in mind for some time," declared orissa, "but i had no idea we could get to the aircraft until chesty proposed running the blockade in our launch." "it's a fine idea," said chesty, with enthusiasm. "i mean both our ideas--the combination, orissa." "i believe it will solve all our difficulties," added madeline, confidently. "but will not this journey be a hazardous one for mr. kane to undertake?" "i think not," replied orissa. "the same amount of gasoline that brought sybil and me to this place will carry the machine back again, and steve can go more directly than we came, for he knows exactly how to head." "then!" said chesty todd, "the plan is this: we'll put enough gasoline in cans to fill the tanks of the aëroplane, load 'em into the launch, and to-night steve and i will sneak out of this inlet, slip past the mexican's launch and hie us to that ravine of yours. is there room enough for our boat to enter the bay you described, or is that big rock too close to shore to let us pass?" "there will be just about room for you to pass in, i think," answered orissa. "but the big launch couldn't do it?" "ramon's? no, indeed." "very good." "who will fly with me to san diego?" asked steve. "the aircraft carries two, you know. one of the women ought to go. i wish we could carry them all away from this dangerous place." "let them draw cuts for it," suggested chesty. "you can let me out," said sybil; "i won't leave daddy." "nonsense!" cried her father. "then i'm nonsensical," laughed sybil, "for i won't budge an inch without you. that wicked mexican might capture you in a jiffy if i wasn't here to look after you. not a word, sir; the thing is settled, as far as i am concerned." "i cannot go, of course," said madeline. "this is my yacht and i must stand by it, and by my men, to the last. nor could i with courtesy escape and leave my guests in danger." "then it shall be mrs. tupper," proposed orissa. "me? me? goodness sakes, child," cried mrs. tupper, in great alarm, "do you think i'd risk my life in that dreadful airship?" "you'll risk it by staying," suggested her husband. "but there's a chance of salvation here," asserted the lady, with nervous haste. "i'd get light-headed and tumble out of that aëroplane in two minutes. and they'd hear me yell from japan to san francisco, i'd be so scared. i can stand death, mr. tupper, with christian fortitude; but not torture!" "orissa?" said steve, inquiringly. "yes; i'll go. i may be of more assistance to you all by going than by staying. and i will run the machine, steve, and take you as a passenger. i've tinkered that steering-gear until i know just how to manage it." steve nodded. "as i understand it, miss dentry," said he, "my mission will be to charter a fast steamship, for which mr. cumberford and i will pay, and bring it here to drag the _salvador_ off this beach. the crew, which i will see is well armed, will work in conjunction with yours and when we outnumber ramon ganza's band of rascals he will probably run away to his den without attempting to fight." "ramon never run," protested pietro, shaking his head. "you cannot scare ramon. the more men you bring, the more he has to fight; that is all." this gloomy prophecy made them look grave for a time. "our pietro is a pessimist," said chesty, with assumed cheerfulness. "but some day the mexican government will find this invincible hero and send a warship to blow his island out of the water." "why--yes!" exclaimed madeline, with sudden inspiration; "the mexican government is interested in this affair. why not fly to the nearest point on the mexican coast, mr. kane, and from there telegraph president madero? i believe he would send a warship at once, both to capture ramon ganza and to rescue us from his clutches." "um-m. madero has his hands full, just now, putting down revolutions at home," mr. cumberford reminded her. "and maybe he isn't interested in ganza, who was convicted of a felony under the régime of diaz." "i can try him, anyhow," said steve. "the mexican coast is about fifty miles nearer than san diego." "madero has offer one thousan' dollar--mexican--for capture of ramon," said pietro, proudly. "so much money shows ramon is great man." "in that case you'd better give madero a chance at him, steve," decided mr. cumberford. "a man-o'-war would be more effective here than a trading ship, and in the interests of humanity we should put an end to this fellow's cruel tyranny for good and all. he's far better off in jail." after some further discussion this plan was finally decided on and preparations were begun for the adventure. during the afternoon the cans of gasoline were placed in the launch and steve went over the machinery of the little boat with great care, to assure himself it was in perfect order. the nights were never really dark until toward morning, when the stars seemed to dim and the moon dipped below the horizon. sometimes there were a few drifting clouds, but they never obscured the sky long enough to be utilized as a mask. so steve decided to make his attempt at the dark hour preceding dawn and made orissa go to bed and get what sleep she could. she said her good-byes to the others then, so it would not be necessary to disturb them at the time of departure. at three o'clock her brother called her and told her to get ready. chesty and steve were seated in the launch when the girl arrived on deck, and she quickly took her place. while it was much darker than it had been earlier in the night, orissa found she could see near-by objects quite distinctly. four of the crew, headed by captain krell, were standing by to lower the launch over the side, and as the owls were hooting their most dismal chorus their screams drowned any noise made by the windlass. no sooner had the launch touched the surface than chesty dipped his scull in the water and with a dexterous motion sent the little craft forward toward the mouth of the inlet. they might have been seen from the shore had the mexicans been alert, but at this hour many who were supposed to be watching had fallen asleep, and if any remained awake their eyes were not turned upon the waters of the tiny bay. quite noiselessly the launch moved on and presently turned the point of rock at the right. orissa stifled a cry and steve's heart gave a bound as the bow of the launch pointed straight at the big boat of ramon, scarcely ten feet distant; but chesty saw the danger, too, and a sharp swing of the scull sent the light craft spinning around so that it just grazed the side of the mexican's boat, in which all the occupants were fast asleep. next moment they had passed it, and still chesty continued sculling, as it was not safe as yet to start the engines. but when they had skirted the shore for such a distance that the screeching of the owls would be likely to drown the noise of their motor, steve started the machinery and the launch darted away at full speed. half an hour later they crept between the big rock and the bluff and were safe in the deep hollow at the foot of the ravine, having accomplished the adventure so easily that they marvelled at their own success. "strikes me as a good omen," remarked orissa, cheerfully, as they disembarked and drew the launch upon the sands. "i hope the luck will follow you on your return, chesty." "me?" replied the big boy. "why, nothing ever happens to me. let us hope the good luck will follow you and steve, on whom the safety of the entire party now depends. what first, steve? "the tent. we must get that down before daybreak, so they won't see us working on it from the bay, and interfere with our proposed flight." orissa led the way to the bluff and at once steve and chesty began tumbling the rocks from the edges of the canvas. this was no light task, for the girls had erected a solid parapet in order to defy the wind; but just as the first streaks of dawn appeared the tent came down and they hastily seized the canvas, added it to the covering of the upper plane, which had been inside the tent, and lugged it all down the incline to where the frame of the aircraft lay. "very good," said steve. "we'll need the daylight now, in order to attach the cloth." they had not long to wait, and while steve, assisted by radley-todd, fastened the cloth in place with the clips provided for that purpose, which orissa had carefully saved, the girl herself inspected the machinery and all the framework, even to the last brace, to be sure it was in condition for the long trip. she also oiled the steering gear and thoroughly tested it to see that it worked freely. by nine o'clock the planes were tautly spread and the tanks had been filled with gasoline. "i think we are all ready for the start," said steve. "but how about you, chesty? as soon as we roll the aircraft to the top of the bluff the mexicans will see us and start for this place to try to intercept us. orissa and i will be gone, when they arrive; but they may find you, unless you make tracks." "how do you expect to regain the ship?" asked orissa, who had not considered this matter before. "don't worry about me, i beg of you," retorted the boy, hastily. "i shall be all right. all ready, steve?" steve looked at him thoughtfully. "i think that when they see us fly away they may give up the idea of coming here," said he; "and, in that case, you'd better lie here in the ravine until night, when you can try to steal back in the same way we came." "all right, old man; never mind me." "but we _do_ mind you, chesty," said orissa, earnestly. "you've been a faithful friend ever since we got into this difficulty--and before, too--so we can't have anything happen to you." he blushed like a girl, but declared he would be perfectly safe. "don't take any foolish chances," urged orissa. "i won't." they rolled the aircraft up to the top of the bluff and set it with the head facing the sea. then steve and orissa took their places and chesty, giving them each a hearty handclasp, spun the propeller blade as steve started the engine. at once the aëroplane darted forward, rose as it passed the bluff, and sailed gracefully into the air. chesty hid his six-feet-three behind a boulder, to shield himself from observation, while he watched the splendid machine turn upon its course and speed away over the pacific on its errand of rescue. then, with a sigh of relief and elation, the boy crept into the ravine and descended to where his boat lay. seated in the launch, calmly awaiting him, were three of the mexicans, headed by the one-eyed francisco. chapter xxii ramon ganza when madeline came on deck, soon after daybreak, captain krell reported the successful departure of the launch. "are you sure they were not seen?" she asked. "quite sure, miss dentry, for we heard not a sound, either from our party or from the besiegers, although we listened intently." long before steve could have prepared the aëroplane for the journey those on board the yacht were gazing expectantly at the bluff. the tent had disappeared, which was proof that the undertaking had so far been successful. at this time there seemed to be a little stir among the mexicans and mr. cumberford suggested, rather nervously, that they also had noticed the absence of the tent, without understanding what could have become of it. at half-past eight they heard the sound of the engines of ramon's big launch, and that made them worry more than ever until sybil suddenly cried: "there they are!" upon the distant bluff appeared the aircraft. a little cheer, which none could restrain, went up from the deck of the yacht. there was no delay. scarcely was the machine in position when it mounted into the air and headed directly toward the east. every eye watched it eagerly until it had become a dim speck against the blue sky and finally disappeared from view altogether, flying steadily and with a speed that raised their hopes to the highest pitch. then, with one accord, they returned to the cabin to discuss the chances of radley-todd's getting back to them safely with the launch. "i don't worry much about that young man," said cumberford. "he's as full of resources as a pincushion is of sawdust, and i'll bet my hat we shall soon see him again, safe and sound." the captain now entered with an anxious face. "that confounded mexican king is signaling us with a flag of truce," he reported. "what, ramon?" exclaimed madeline. "yes. what shall we do?" "stay here, miss dentry," said cumberford, rising. "i'll go and see what the fellow wants." "i will go with you," returned madeline, quietly. "i wish you would not." "why?" she asked. "if he bears a flag of truce there is no danger." "i do not believe he would respect a flag of truce--nor anything else," asserted mr. cumberford. "do you, captain?" "no, sir. he's tricky and unreliable. don't trust him for a moment." but madeline would not be denied. she accompanied the captain and mr. cumberford to the deck. just beside the yacht floated the little rowboat which had been brought from ramon's island, and in it sat ramon himself, all alone, holding aloft a handkerchief attached as a flag to a boat-hook. as they peered over the side at him he bowed profoundly and removed his hat to miss dentry. he was still clothed in his white flannels and his fingers glittered with jewels. "what do you want?" demanded mr. cumberford sharply. "the pleasure of conversing with you, señor," was the confident reply. "if you will kindly let down your ladder i will come on board. you see, myself i place in your power. we have, i much regret, some slight misunderstanding between us, which a few words will assuredly correct." "don't let him up, sir," advised captain krell, in a low voice. "but he is unarmed," said madeline. "i think it will be best to confer with him." "then do it from a distance," grumbled the captain. "sir," called mr. cumberford, "if you have any apologies to make, you may speak from where you are." "then, alas, my overtures of peace are refused?" said ramon, not defiantly, but in a tone of deep regret. "no; we don't refuse any sincere overtures of peace; but you have treated us in a scoundrelly manner, and we don't trust you." "such a terrible mistake, señor; so sad! but i cannot explain it from here. with utmost trust in your honor i offer to come to you alone, and--see!--unarmed. will not you, for the sake of the ladies who are with you, encourage my friendliness?" "let him come up," said madeline again. there seemed a veiled threat in ramon's appeal. "very well. but tell your men to watch his every movement, captain, and if he makes a treacherous move shoot him down without hesitation." the rope ladder was cast over the side and ramon promptly seized it and climbed to the deck. "follow us below," commanded mr. cumberford, turning toward the cabin. the man hesitated, casting a shrewd, quick glance around. then he bowed again and said: "i thank the señor for his courtesy." in the cabin were assembled mr. and mrs. tupper and sybil cumberford. chica and pietro discreetly kept out of view. mr. cumberford entered first, followed by madeline. then came ramon ganza and behind him the captain and little o'reilly, the irish engineer. this last personage was virtually "armed to the teeth," for he carried one of ramon's own rifles and a brace of revolvers. "be seated," said mr. cumberford, pointing to a chair. "and now, sir, state your errand." ganza's comprehensive glance had taken in every member of the party, as well as the luxurious furnishings of the _salvador's_ cabin, which seemed to please his aesthetic taste. "i ask to be inform, being in ignorance, if three people may ride in one flying-machine," he blandly announced, looking from one face to another as if uncertain whom to address. "three?" asked cumberford, as if puzzled. "yes. i see that one young lady and two men are missing from your party." "i suppose three can ride, if need be," muttered cumberford. "is your mission here to gain information concerning aëroplanes?" "only in part, señor." the mexican's features had hitherto been composed and smiling, despite the stern and mistrustful looks he encountered on all sides. but now, perhaps understanding that these americans were not easily to be cajoled, his own face grew somber and lowering and he said in a sharp, incisive manner: "you prefer to discuss business only?" "we do, sir," was the reply, mr. cumberford continuing to act as spokesman. "very nice. i have a wish to invite you all to my island, where you shall be my respected guests. my mansion shall be at your service; my servants shall obey your commands; you shall delight in the grand scenery and enjoy yourselves as you will." "thank you; we decline your hospitality." "but i fear in that you make bad mistake, señor," continued ramon ganza, unabashed by the rebuff. "my island is a pleasant place, and where else can you find so much happiness when my ship, which you now inhabit, is destroyed?" "oh; that's the idea, is it?" exclaimed mr. cumberford. "you interest me, sir; you do, really. perhaps you will state how you intend to destroy our ship, which is not, permit me to say, your ship as yet." "is it necessary to say more?" asked the mexican, spreading out his jewelled hands with a deprecating gesture. "i think it will enable us to understand you better." as if in deep thought, ganza drummed upon the cabin table with his fingers. "i am very sad at your refusal to be my guests," he said after a time. "this, my ship, is in a most dangerous position. it is half out of water, on an island that is a bleak rock. i come here from the island where i reside to befriend you--to offer you my humble hospitality--when i have taken possession of the wreck--and in your blindness--do you call it fatuity?--you receive me as an enemy. some of your people chase my boat, as if i have no right to sail the seas of my own islands! yet i am not resentful; not at all. i enjoy some humor and i am good man, with much respectability. when your ship catches on fire, as it will probably do very soon, you must escape to these bare rocks, where you can find no assistance, no food to keep you alive. then perhaps you will feel more kindly toward poor don miguel del borgitis--your humble servant--and find willingness to accept his beautiful home as your own. but why wait for fire to drive you to death most terrible or to my great hospitality? is it not the best to accept my offer, and so save yourselves from--inconvenience?" beneath the smooth words the ugly threat was so visible that even brave madeline paled, and mr. tupper shuddered vigorously. but mr. cumberford, gazing critically into the man's face, replied: "i see. interesting; very. you want to save this yacht. you would like to drag it afloat and carry it away to your own island, where we, accepting your hospitality, would become your prisoners. but if we refuse to surrender the ship, you say you will set fire to it, in which case you would burn us up or force us to land. if we land, you will capture us and force us to become your unwilling subjects. is that a clear understanding of your statement, ramon ganza?" the outlaw gave a start as he heard his true name mentioned, but quickly recovered his assurance. "the señor is very intelligent," he said. "at any rate, the señor is not demented," retorted cumberford, grimly. "why did you venture to place yourself in our power, ramon ganza, and then threaten us as you have done?" "i came under flag of truce." "and you think, on that account, we will let you go again, to carry out your cowardly designs?" "i am certain of that. before i came i took care to protect myself." "in what way?" he looked at his watch, a huge jewelled affair. "underneath your ship," said he quietly, "is anchored a mine of very much power. it lies under that part which is in the water--i think just below the place where we now sit. if i do not depart from here in safety within fifty minutes from now, my men will kindly explode this mine and blow us all to--well, where we go. the poor ship, alas, will be destroyed with us." "would your men execute such an absurd order?" asked cumberford sneeringly. "with much satisfaction. you see, it would make them free. they do not love me very much. if i die, they will have my beloved island and all my possessions--so they think." "and you would be willing to forfeit your life as the alternative of not getting control of this yacht? do you expect us to believe that?" the outlaw's glittering fingers drummed upon the table again. "the señor is not so wholly intelligent as i believed," said he. "i do not contradict his statement that he is not--eh--what you call it?--demented, or a fool; but the statement seems open to suspicion." "ah; that interests me." "it ought to. you seem to know my name, señor; therefore you doubtless know my history. pietro will have told you, or chica, for both are now with you. my safety has depended on my keeping hidden upon my island. i must not let any who has seen me there, and recognized ramon ganza, depart to carry the tale to the mainland. in mexico a price is set upon my head and they have condemned me to years in prison. but--there! i assure you all that i am good man, and honest; but my enemies have conspired to destroy me. "as don miguel del borgitis i have lived very respectable until, unfortunately for us all, you came here. i knew two girls had been wreck on this island in a flying-machine--a very strange and exciting invention, is it not?--but i did not disturb them nor allow them to become aware of my existence. why? all i wish is safety. when some of you people, after this yacht is driven ashore in storm, intrude on me by coming to my hiding-place, i was obliged to protect myself. i started to come here to get every one on board and invite them to my island--where i meant to keep you all indefinitely, for i did not dare allow you to return to america and say where you had found ramon ganza. this yacht i could use to advantage, i admit; but i would be better pleased had i never seen it--nor you. "almost at once you are my enemies, and defy my laws. that did not change my plans except to make them harder. in this unknown island i am really king. i must conquer you, which i thought with good reason i could easily accomplish in time. so i make siege to your boat, laughing to think you cannot escape me. but one man cannot comprehend all things, señor, and i failed to consider that devilish contrivance, your flying-machine. i thought it was wreck, and no good any more. some time last night three of your party get away and go to flying-machine, and this morning some of them--one, two, three; it does not matter--have fly away in it. of course they will go to the mainland. that means they send assistance to you. they float your ship, take you back to america and you all have knowledge where ramon ganza may be found by those that seek his capture. now you understand me, do you not? you have make it very unpleasant for me. if i escape from my island in little boat, where can i got? if i stay i will be arrest and carried to mexico to be put in prison. very well; i must escape. but not in my launch, which is old and not very good. i must have this yacht, which will carry me to any far part of the world, where mexico is not known. perhaps in it i could be privateer, if that seemed best way to protect my liberty--which is dearer to me than life. with this yacht i could defy all enemies; without it--i face death, or at least ruin. you have driven me to this desperation, so i come to make you my proposition. now that i have explained all with much frankness, you will understand i mean what i say, for i am talking for my liberty--the liberty of a man who would soon die in confinement, for i am used to the open and could not exist as a convicted felon, in chains and abused by dogs of jailers. for your party i have no especial enmity; neither do i care for you the snap of my fingers. but believe this: either i will save myself in this yacht, as i have proposed, or i will die in your company." chapter xxiii a desperate alternative ramon ganza had spoken slowly and with deliberation, choosing his words with care. his story seemed plausible, except where it referred to the planting of the mine, which he claimed to be the last resort of a man so desperately situated. some of his hearers were quite convinced of his sincerity in making this statement, but mr. cumberford was not among them. he remembered chica's artless statement: "ramon lies; he always lies," and it confirmed his skepticism. "as i understand you," he made answer, after a little thought, "you consider your retreat no longer safe because we have discovered it. therefore, on obtaining possession of this yacht, you propose to sail to parts unknown, leaving us stranded on this rocky island." "from whence you will soon be rescued," added the outlaw, with a bow. "the siege which you had planned, in order to force us to surrender through starvation, is no longer practical; for time presses and if you delay you will be surprised by the ship sent to rescue us--perhaps a mexican man-o'-war." the man nodded, watching the speaker's face with an eagerness he could not dissemble. "for which reason," continued mr. cumberford, "you decided to force a climax by coming on board and threatening us--as you have done. well, we intend to force your alternative, ramon ganza. you are our prisoner, and if your men blow up this yacht you shall go to eternity with us!" the mexican's face grew rigid a moment. then he smiled in a sardonic way and shrugged his shoulders. but mr. tupper, white and trembling as with an ague, leaped to his feet and cried: "in heaven's name, cumberford, what do you mean? would you destroy us all in this heartless fashion?" "no. there is no mine; or, if there is, it will not explode." "i--i differ with you. this--er--person--is desperate. he--he knows what he's talking about. i refuse to ta-ta-take the chances, sir! i must consider the safety of my wife and myself, and of our niece, miss dentry. this is our yacht, cumberford, not yours, i beg to remind you, and we shall decide this important question ourselves." even before he ceased speaking mrs. tupper, whose eyes had been wild and staring, uttered a piercing shriek and tumbled to the floor of the cabin in violent hysterics. sybil and madeline rushed to her assistance and this confusion further unnerved mr. tupper. with sudden energy he pounded his fist upon the table and cried: "i won't allow it! i won't allow this sacrifice. madeline is rich; what does she care for this miserable yacht? take it, you mexican thief, if you want it! our lives are far too precious to be put in peril." ramon ganza's face showed his satisfaction but his eyes expressed nothing but contempt for the terrified mr. tupper. mr. cumberford sat calmly regarding the contortions of the afflicted lady, as if wondering how much was involuntary and how much pure perversity. the captain twirled his thumbs and seemed absolutely unconcerned, while little o'reilly's attention was fixed, in keen amusement, on the scene before him, as if it were a vaudeville act performed for his especial edification. as mrs. tupper continued to pound the floor with her heels madeline first emptied the water pitcher over her aunt and then slyly pinched her, which torture may have been responsible for some of the frantic screams. mr. tupper bowed his head despairingly on the cabin table, in an attitude so pitiable that it should have aroused the sympathy of all beholders, as he intended it to do. but meanwhile his good wife gradually recovered; her screams subsided to heart-rending wails and then to moans, after which she became quiet except for a series of nervous sobs. madeline and sybil now raised the poor woman and supported her to her stateroom, where she fell exhausted upon the berth. it was not until the girls returned to the cabin that the discussion of ramon ganza's proposition was renewed. miss dentry gave him a searching look as she entered and noted the outlaw's smirk of satisfaction and the triumphant glitter of the dark eyes beneath their half closed lids. then her own expression hardened and she turned to mr. cumberford, as if inviting him to proceed. "madeline," implored mr. tupper, "be good enough to assure this man--mr.--mr.--eh--ganza--that the yacht, which is your property, is at his disposal in return for our--safety." "the yacht is really miss dentry's property," added mr. cumberford coolly. "she will dispose of it as she thinks fit." [illustration: madeline, seated at the table, studied the faces before her curiously, while an amused smile played around her lips. "we cannot accept our enemy's proposition," she announced.] madeline, seated at the table, studied the faces before her curiously, while an amused smile played around her lips. she knew she was enjoying the scene, and also knew the moment was critical, but no fear of consequences caused her courageous heart to falter an instant. "we cannot accept our enemy's proposition," she announced. "ramon ganza is not the man to abide by any promises he makes, and if once we left the protection of this yacht we would probably be treated with little mercy. it would not save a single life, uncle martin, to agree to ganza's proposal. threatening and browbeating those weaker than himself seems to be the man's pet recreation and before he left the island he would leave us to our fate, virtual prisoners. it might be years before any ship chanced to sail this way." "i give you my pledge of honor to send word to your friends where you are," protested ganza, eagerly. "as you have no honor, sir, your word has no value. but i have a counter-proposition to suggest which will, i think, satisfy all concerned. order your men, ramon ganza, to lay down their arms and surrender themselves to our keeping and to obey us unreservedly. then, under command of captain krell, all hands must attempt to get the yacht afloat in deep water. when that is accomplished we will take you with us back to the united states and secretly land you in any port you select. afterward we will not betray you nor attempt to hunt you down. if you need money, i will even supply you with a small sum that will enable you to flee to europe or south america. that is fair. it is more fair than you deserve. but, if you accept our terms, we will abide by them faithfully." the mexican was intensely annoyed. "no!" he exclaimed, abruptly. "if you cannot trust me, why should i trust you?" "because my plan is by far the better way," she rejoined. "if you seek liberty, if you desire to avoid arrest, this plan will surely accomplish your purpose. you cannot prefer prison to assured freedom, and the alternative, if you reject my plan, is simply to explode your mine." he drummed on the table again, rather nervously. "pardon me, miss dentry," said cumberford, "but you are proposing to aid and abet the escape of a condemned criminal. you will render yourself, and us, liable to punishment." "i know," she answered. "i despise myself for treating with this scoundrel, but do it to relieve the fears of the tuppers and perhaps others aboard who have not yet protested. if i dared follow my own counsel i would defy him, as you have done." "my dear sir," said mr. tupper, looking at the mexican beseechingly, "accept miss dentry's terms, i implore you. she will do exactly as she agrees; she always does!" "puh!" muttered ganza, uneasily shifting in his chair; "perhaps we can arrange. but the trust shall not be all on one side. if i trust you, you must trust me--to an extent--a few more details. instead of giving you my men, you must give me yours, and place all weapons in my control. also i will take command of this yacht, for i am good sailor. in an hour's time i will float the ship; then, with my men, i will sail it back to united states, to land your party on the coast near to some city which you can reach easily by walking. after that i will sail away in this yacht, which you will present to me in return for my services to you. you see, in this way you assure absolute safety to yourselves. as this wise and agreeable gentleman," indicating mr. tupper, "has with cleverness stated, the young lady is rich enough to afford the loss of her boat, so you can have no objection to my generous proposition." "none whatever!" exclaimed mr. tupper. "agree, madeline, agree!" "no," she said, shaking her head, "i will not. the man is not sincere, or he would not require us to place ourselves in his power." "but i insist, my dear. he--he seems quite honest. i--i----" "be quiet, confound you!" roared cumberford, losing patience. "you're a doddering old idiot, tupper, and if you don't shut up i'll gag you." he turned to ganza. "miss dentry's proposition still stands, and it's the final word. you'll either accept it--right now, on the spot--or take the consequences." "already i have refuse," said the outlaw calmly. "very well. o'reilly, march this fellow to the cage, for'ard, and lock him in. then stand guard before the door and shoot him if he bothers you." "thank 'e, sor; it's proud i am to do that same," answered the engineer, gleefully. "one moment, please," said ganza. "you make doubt of my saying that you all face a most horrible death. you are stupid americans, and must be convinced. come with me on deck and i will prove to you your danger." "no harm in that," replied cumberford. "it's on your way to the cage." with one accord they all accompanied o'reilly and his prisoner to the deck. "now," said ramon, standing by the rail, "i have some men hid in those rocks yonder. their names are paschal, mateo, gabrielle, gomez, francisco, pedro, gonzales, juan and tomas. tell me which one i shall call--i care not which, myself--and the man will assure you my orders are positive to them, and that they will carry out the explosion of the mine as i have arranged, provided i do not return in safety." cumberford was curious to learn the extent of the rogue's bravado. "call mateo," he suggested. the mexican did so, raising his voice to utter the summons. from behind a pile of rocks nearly opposite them sprang a thin, gaunt man. he ran down to the water's edge, saluted his chief and stood at attention. "come here, mateo," commanded ganza. without hesitation the man waded into the inlet and swam to the rope ladder which dangled over the side. this he seized and climbed on deck, where, dripping with water, he again faced his master and saluted him. "tell me, mateo," said ramon ganza, "where is it, beneath this boat, that the mine has been planted?" "fourteen feet from the stern, capitan." "and is it powerful enough to destroy the ship?" "to make it in small pieces, capitan--an' ten ship like it, if ten ship were here." "very nice. you know what time the mine is to explode?" "at eleven o'clock, capitan, unless you come ashore to countermand the order." "ah yes; so it is. you may go back to your post, mateo." the man, looking neither to right nor left, descended the ladder, swam to shore and retreated behind the rocks again. ramon turned to mr. cumberford, showing the open face of his watch. "in five minutes it will be eleven o'clock," he quietly announced. "take him to the cage, o'reilly!" two other armed men had joined the engineer on deck and the three now surrounded ganza and started forward with him. "mercy, cumberford! save us--save us!" howled mr. tupper, frantic with fear. "i can't die now--we ought none of us to die! give him the launch. give him the----" a cry interrupted him. mason, the man nearest the rail, dropped his gun and staggered back with his hands clasped to his side, from which a stream of blood gushed forth. at the same moment the huge form of ramon ganza leaped the rail and dove headforemost into the water. but everyone else was more interested in the wounded man, who seemed to be badly hurt. ramon ganza was forgotten as the girls bent over the poor fellow with anxious looks. "have mason brought to my own cabin, at once," said madeline to captain krell. they carried the wounded man below, to be placed in madeline's roomy cabin. mr. cumberford was not a surgeon, but there was no one aboard who knew more of surgery than he and so he went to mason's side at once. ganza had struck the man with a knife of the stiletto type, the narrow blade of which had penetrated his side just above the hip joint. mr. cumberford's "first aid" outfit, which the captain was able to supply, enabled him to stop the bleeding, but he was unable to tell how serious the injury might prove. the man was in considerable pain, which cumberford partially relieved with a hypodermic injection of morphine. during this interesting period no one gave a thought to the escaped mexican, but when nothing more could be done for his patient cumberford left the girls to watch over him and walked into the cabin, where he found mrs. tupper sobbing as if in great grief while her husband sat in his favorite despairing attitude, his head bowed on his arms. "what's wrong?" demanded cumberford, in surprise. "wrong!" cried tupper, lifting his head; "why, at any moment may come the crash of the explosion that will send us all to eternity. we--we can't escape it. it's inevitable!" cumberford looked at his watch. "it's a quarter to twelve," he said. "the explosion was due at eleven." "but the mexican brigand--the pirate chief--the----" "he has escaped, so there'll be no explosion at all. i believe he threatened to fire the ship; but he won't do that. ganza's sole ambition is to capture this boat, so he can sail away from his countrymen, escape imprisonment, and perhaps become a really-truly pirate. interesting, isn't it? forget the explosion, tupper; if you must worry, worry about our real danger." "what is that, sir? what is our real danger?" cried madeline's uncle, springing to his feet in a new access of terror. "there'll be fighting, presently," predicted mr. cumberford. "having failed in all else, the mexican will find a way to board us--in the night, probably--and will try to slice us to goulash or pepper us with bullets, as opportunity decides." "great heavens!" "to be sure. to avoid getting to those great heavens, where you don't belong, i advise you to arm yourself properly and be ready to repel the attack." then cumberford went on deck and found the captain. "how about ramon ganza?" he asked. "i think ganza kept swimming and reached the shore, where his men dragged him to cover. the fellow seems to bear a charmed life." "that's bad," observed cumberford, shaking his head regretfully. "i've an idea, captain krell, that unless we manage to capture ramon ganza during the next twenty-four hours, he will manage to capture us." "so soon?" asked the captain. "he won't dare to wait longer. there's help coming." "well, sir, in that case----" the captain hesitated. "in that case it will be pleasanter and more satisfactory for us to capture ganza," said mr. cumberford. "interesting; isn't it?" "how can we do it?" asked captain krell. "i don't know," replied cumberford. chapter xxiv the diplomacy of chesty todd when mr. h. chesterton radley-todd discovered the one-eyed francisco and his two comrades calmly seated in the _salvador's_ launch, engaged in nonchalantly smoking their brown-paper cigarettes, he merely raised his eyebrows and continued down the slope. they had seen him as soon as he saw them and, confident in their superior numbers, awaited his advance with serenity. chesty knew there was little chance of escape, and he knew the men knew he knew it. the launch was his sole resource, and the enemy had captured it. he might, perhaps, dodge behind the rocks on the mountain for an indefinite period, but they'd get him in the end, so such an undertaking was scarcely worth the exertion it required. therefore, on he came, walking leisurely and picking his way deliberately down the incline until he stood beside the launch, which was still beached upon the shore of the little pocket-like bay. then he drew out a silver case and, choosing a cigarette with solicitous care, turned to francisco and said: "will the señor favor me with a light?" the men grinned. they enjoyed the humor of the situation. francisco, with a bow of mock deference, furnished the required light from his own cigarette. chesty climbed into the launch, took a seat facing francisco and remarked: "fine day, señors." "good to fly in air," nodded one of the men, with a laugh and a glance skyward. "oh; did you see the machine fly? pretty sight, wasn't it? and you boys saw it for nothing. in the united states we charge fifty cents to tickle the vision like that." francisco looked at him, meditating. "where they go?" he asked. "to mexico, to ask president madero for a battleship." the men exchanged significant glances. "for why, señor?" inquired one of them. "to come and get ramon ganza and clap him in prison. perhaps hang him to one of those banana trees, on the bluff up there." the mexicans looked their consternation. "if that is true," said francisco, slowly, "then i may be capture an' put in prison, too." "i suppose so; because you belong to ganza's gang and have probably broken the laws more than once." "i not murder," protested the man. "ramon do that, i know; but not me. i very hones' an' good. but come," he added, throwing away his cigarette and rising. "we mus' go back. you are our prisoner, señor." chesty did not move. he took the silver case from his pocket and offered it to the mexicans. "help yourselves, boys," he said. "there's no hurry. let us sit here and have a little talk. when you get back to ramon he'll be sure to keep you busy enough. this is a good time to rest." they hesitated a little, but took the cigarettes and lighted them. "i suppose," remarked mr. todd, leaning back with his arms clasped around his knees, "if i asked the warship to take ganza, and let my friends--you are my friends, i suppose?" they all nodded, watching his face eagerly. "and let my friends escape--with me, in our yacht, the _salvador_--they would do so without question. madero knows me, and he usually does what i ask." "you know madero?" asked francisco, his back against the boat and his elbows resting on the gunwale, in a lounging attitude. "we are like twin brothers," asserted chesty. "that is why he will send a warship to take ramon ganza and all his gang--except those who are my friends." they smoked a while in silence and chesty noted that they now forbore meeting one another's eyes. "ramon great man," said one, presently, as if to himself. "ramon bad master; his people are dogs; but ramon have his own way, an' nobody dare stop him." "wrong, my friend," rejoined mr. todd. "ramon is stopped right now. his time is up; his days are numbered. he has run the length of his rope. presently he'll be confined in a dungeon, on bread-and-water, or breaking stone on the roads--in chains and very miserable. poor ramon. what a fool he was to break the law--which leads to breaking stones!" "ramon very clever," suggested another man, but in a doubtful tone. "cleverness has failed him this time," said chesty. "your leader is caught like a rat in a trap. if he could get hold of our yacht he'd skip out and save himself; but he can't do that in a thousand years." "an' why not, señor?" "we're too strong for him." they pondered this. "ramon have sixteen men," said francisco, presently. "you had 'leven; but one fly away, an' one--that is you, señor--is now capture. that make you nine. nine to sixteen--an' ramon to lead those sixteen!" "you didn't remain in school long enough to complete your education, francisco," declared the prisoner, calmly. "in other words, you can't figure. here's the real situation, and it's worth your while to study it: the yacht has a crew of seven--all splendid warriors. then there's general cumberford, a terrible fighter, and major-general tupper, who cries every night if he can't kill a man before he goes to bed--it makes him sleep better, you know--and the invincible captain krell, who once cut down a whole regiment with his own saber--chopped them into mince-meat by the hundreds, and was given a gold medal with his monogram engraved on it, to commemorate the event. that's an even ten defenders. and then there's myself. i won't say much about myself, but you might look me over carefully. it is possible that if i was aroused i might crush you three in my arms until your bones cracked like walnuts." they did look at him, and it seemed as if the big fellow might do it, exactly as he said. but chesty continued, reassuringly: "however, i never injure my friends. i'm noted for that. let's see; ten in our party, so far, wasn't it? then there's that red-beard--pietro--who has been given a charm by one of our witch-women which will not only preserve his life but enable him to defeat all his enemies. pietro desires to return to civilization, a free man, and we will allow him to do so." they were much impressed by this statement. chesty's idea of the "witch-woman" was destined to prove his most forceful argument. "pietro makes eleven," he continued, "and you three bring the number up to fourteen, which leaves ramon but thirteen followers to be arrested with him--unlucky number, thirteen. haven't you noticed it?" "you think we join you, then?" asked francisco, curiously. "i'm sure of it. you are no longer afraid of ramon, for his jig is up. you don't want to go to prison with him, because it is very disagreeable to break stone on the roads, i'm told, and in prison they deprive a man of even his cigarettes. i know you have been bad boys, all three of you, and until now the law has threatened you. but you have reformed. remember, señors, you have reformed, and are now honest men. i will tell madero, my friend the president, what honest men you are, and how you have helped to defy ramon, the outlaw, and give him up to justice. madero will then reward you, and you will live happy ever after." it was an enticing picture. the men looked grave and undecided. in their hearts they hated ramon; but they also feared him. for years they had lived in daily terror of the tyrant who ruled them with an iron hand, who whipped a man brutally if he incurred his anger, who dominated them so utterly that they grovelled at his feet like the curs they were. if they could be sure of ramon's downfall; if they could believe this big american boy, who was fully as powerful of frame as ramon himself, then they would gladly desert the tyrant and save themselves by joining his enemies. it was only their inbred fear of ramon and their confidence in his cleverness in defying justice, that made them hesitate. chesty saw this. he racked his brain to find other arguments. "you have witch-women?" asked one of the men, in an awed tone. "three of them, all very bewitching." "one has fly away." "yes; to cast a spell over the captain of the mexican battleship, and make him hurry. the two most powerful are still here on this island." "then why they not use their witchcraft to push your ship into deep water!" inquired francisco, his one eye flashing triumphantly. "why the witch-women let ramon make trouble for you? eh? tell me, señor." chesty looked at the man reproachfully. "how stupid you are, francisco. must we not keep ramon busy, to hold him here until the warship comes? why do you suppose we came to this island at all, and ran our ship high on the beach, without hurting it in any way! did we lay a trap for ramon? did we coax him to come and try to capture us, that we might prove he is a wicked law-breaker? we do not seem much afraid of your ramon, do we? am i frightened? do i grow pale, and tremble? here--feel my pulse--does my blood beat faster in my veins because ramon ganza, the trapped criminal, is waiting here to be captured, and thinks he is making us worry?" the two men exchanged a few sentences in spanish. francisco listened to them and nodded approvingly. "the case is this, señor," he announced, addressing mr. todd. "we would like to leave ramon. we would like to join your ship an' go back to mexico, an' have pardon. but ramon is not trap yet. ramon great man. many time he escape. if we leave him, an' he then capture your ship, ramon flog us with whip, which make great pain in us." "true, that might be the result if ramon captures the ship; but he can't do that--not in a century of sundays, which is a long time. and if you stay with ramon you will surely be made prisoners when the warship comes, which will be in another day or two. you must make up your minds which is the most powerful--we and our witch-women, with the mexican government and its warships to back us, or poor ramon, who is caught in a trap. i like you, all three--but not too much. you are fine men--unless i am lying--and i would grieve to see you imprisoned with ramon. but otherwise i do not care what you decide to do. come with me and i will save you, just as i intend to save myself, from ramon's anger. but if you stick to your old master i cannot say one good word for you when you face the mexican authorities. now i am tired talking. make up your minds and let me know." he carelessly rose, lighted another cigarette and strolled down to the water's edge, where he stood with his back to them. the three rascals took advantage of the opportunity and argued among themselves for half an hour. "señor!" called francisco, who, as a trusted lieutenant of ramon ganza, was the more important of the three. mr. radley-todd came back to the launch. "it is this way," explained francisco. "we desire to be save, señor, but we have caution. we believe you speak true, but not yet have you conquer ramon; not yet has the warship come to take him to prison. so we think of a way to be safe if ramon win, an' safe if you win. it is but just to us, as honest men, that we do that way." chesty smiled, really amused. "how childlike and bland you naughty, naughty men are!" he exclaimed. "but let me hear your clever plan to play both sides and win hands down." "when we find you escape from ship," began francisco, "then ramon think you have come here, for the tent is gone from the top of the bluff. so ramon tell us to come here in big launch, to see what you do, an' he say capture you an' bring you back to him. when we get here we find this boat; but two fly away in air-machine, an' only one is left to capture. but ramon not know if we come before the two fly away or not; he not know if we three, who come to capture, get capture ourselves. so that is what we mus' do. we get capture. you tie up our arms an' our legs an' put gag in our mouth. then you put us in boat an' take us away to your ship. if ramon stop us, we say we have been capture. if ramon see you take us on your ship, he think we have fight hard an' been capture, an' he sorry but not mad. then, if he take your ship, he set us free; if warship come an' capture ramon, we safe on your ship an' be hones' men, like you say, an' get reward from madero. is it not good way, señor?" chesty's sentiments wavered between indignation and admiration. such a combination of low cunning, cowardice and absence of all shame he had never encountered in any being of human origin. but his cue was not to quarrel with the men at this time. it was enough to realize that instead of becoming a prisoner he was to carry his three captors, bound, to the ship, and so deprive ramon of that many assistants. in the outlaw's big launch, which was anchored just outside the tiny bay in the open sea, were plenty of stout ropes. francisco waded out and got a supply, and then he proceeded deftly to bind his two comrades, trussing their arms to their bodies and their legs together, so that they were helpless. the fellows grinned with delight at this experience, thinking how cleverly they were fooling ramon ganza, and when they were laid side by side on the beach chesty stuck a lighted cigarette in the mouth of each, to afford them comfort and render them patient. then francisco bound his own legs and turned to mr. radley-todd, who at once completed the operation and fastened francisco's arms to his body--not too tightly, but in a very secure manner. when this was done the big boy breathed a sigh of contentment and set himself down beside his captives. "now," said francisco, "you mus' put us in big boat an' go back to ship with us." chesty shook his head. "not yet, old man," said he. "not yet?" "no; i shall wait for night. it will be safe in the darkness." "then you are 'fraid of ramon?" "not much. just a little." the prisoners wriggled uneasily. "listen, then, señor american," observed francisco. "if we not go before night, then release our bonds--make loose the ropes--so we will rest more easy. when night come you will again tie us up." mr. todd was unresponsive. "too much trouble, francisco," he remarked, with a yawn. "why do the work twice?" "but--to lie here all day? san sebastian, it is too horrible!" "fortunes of war, my dear boy. ramon might appear unexpectedly, you know. we made a bargain, to ensure your safety, and we're going to keep it." all three turned their heads to regard him with interest. there were sparks of glowering resentment in their dark eyes. presently one of them said in humble tones: "with your kind permission, señor americaño, i think i will change my mind." "certainly," replied chesty; "do anything you please with your mind. it's yours, you know." "i think, then, señor, i will not be your prisoner--until night." "don't think any such thing. it's wicked of you. try to guide your thoughts into right channels. make up your mind to be true to your bargain, because--you have to be." francisco groaned. "all masters are cruel," he muttered. "this americaño is as bad as ramon!" "but he's going to preserve your liberty and keep you out of jail," chesty reminded him. "and now, boys, try to sleep, for i'm going to take a little walk and stretch my legs." chapter xxv scuttled a modicum of truth had been included in ramon ganza's recital of falsehoods during his interview with those on board the yacht. the outlaw was really in a tight place and only by forcing, in some way, the capture of the yacht could he hope to escape in a manner at all agreeable to his requirements. by this time he was fully aware of the situation that confronted him. the flying-machine, if it encountered no accident, would reach the mainland and secure assistance for the stranded americans. perhaps it was true that president madero would send a warship to capture him. like most fugitive criminals, he had an exaggerated idea of his own importance. in any event he must abandon his island kingdom and seek another hiding place. his first intention--to make everyone of these intruders prisoners and subjects, so they could not betray him--was frustrated by the escape of the two in the aëroplane. it would be useless to capture the others when these two had already carried the news to the authorities who were seeking him. two courses of procedure were, open to ganza. one was hastily to outfit his sixty-foot launch and run it to the south pacific in search of some other island that was uninhabited, taking with him enough men and women to start a new colony. the other was to capture the yacht, put his most cherished possessions on board and then make off in it before any help could arrive from the mainland. the first was by far the most sensible course, but the beauties of the _salvador_ had so enraptured him and he was so well aware of the value a yacht would prove to him that he could not bring himself to abandon the idea of securing it until the last moment of grace had arrived. this led him to consider how much time remained to him in which to carry out his intentions. he figured that at least thirty-six hours must elapse before any ship could possibly arrive. it was unlikely that the messengers would find a ship prepared to sail at a moment's notice, and therefore three or four days might pass before he would be disturbed by any outside foe. ramon had hoped to frighten the americans into surrender and therefore had arranged the little drama so lately enacted; but the finale had disappointed him. there was no mine planted beneath the yacht, but he had instructed one of his men to answer to his call, no matter what name he cried out, and to make the statement to the americans which he had so cleverly invented. he made a mistake in thinking the flag of truce would protect him, for these strangers were not so simple as he had believed; so he had been forced to attempt a desperate escape, which succeeded because it was so bold and unexpected. recovering his breath as his white flannels dried upon the rocks, ramon ganza carefully considered his next move in the game. the yacht was a glorious prize. he must certainly have it for his own. the people on board seemed unequal to a successful defense. there might be half a dozen determined men among them, but the rest were women and cowards. he laughed as he recalled mr. tupper's terror at his threats. the outlaw decided to carry the ship by assault. a night attack would be best. as soon as francisco returned with the launch he would call his men together and instruct them what to do. being informed of every movement on the part of the besieged, ganza was aware that three people had escaped in the small launch to the bluff where the flying-machine lay. as soon as he discovered that the tent was gone he had dispatched francisco with two men to capture the three, or as many as he could find. when the aëroplane ascended ganza watched it carefully and decided it contained but two people; therefore francisco would find the other and presently return. but francisco failed to put in an appearance, to his master's great annoyance. that old tub of a launch was precious to him, for if all else failed he must use it to make good his escape. also he needed the three men to assist in boarding the yacht in the night attack. his men were unarmed, while the yacht's crew seemed well provided with weapons of defense. as the day wore on he considered sending the rowboat to search for francisco's party, but decided not to risk it. of course francisco would come, in time; doubtless he was delayed because he experienced difficulty in capturing his man. evening came, but no francisco. ramon ganza was perplexed; he was even somewhat troubled. he must defer the attack until the launch arrived, for he intended to use it to carry his men to the side of the yacht. his plan was to have the launch run up to one side and make a noisy attack, to create a diversion and concentrate the attention of those on board, while he and a party of picked men stole silently to the other side in the rowboat, climbed to the deck and overcame all who opposed them. the bow was too high to scale, where it rested on the beach; the attack must be made near the stern, which sat low in the water. therefore the launch was quite necessary, as were the three men who were absent with it, so ramon was angry with francisco for not returning more promptly. the outlaw paced up and down the rocks in the starlight and cursed his dilatory lieutenant most heartily. but the launch was coming. in fact, two launches were coming to the bay. as soon as night had really settled down, mr. radley-todd quit loafing and suddenly became active. he carried his trussed and helpless prisoners, one by one, to the small launch and laid them gently along the bottom. he had already, during the afternoon, waded out to the larger launch of ganza, bored a large hole in its bottom and then stopped the inrushing water with a plug. he chuckled while doing this, being greatly pleased by what he called his "foxy plan to fool the pirate." with his prisoners aboard, the boy shoved the _salvador's_ launch into the water and cautiously paddled it between the rocks and to the side of the big launch, to which he attached it by means of a rope. "i think i shall gag you boys, as you suggested," he said to the prisoners, who by this time had become sullen and decidedly unfriendly. "no!" cried francisco, partly in anger and partly in fear; "it is not necessary. we know what to do." "will you promise not to cry out and attract ramon's attention?" "we swear it!" they all cried eagerly. "then i think i shall gag you. not because i doubt your word but because i've whittled out three lovely gags and i'm anxious to see how they work." they began to protest vigorously at such unkind treatment, but chesty gagged them, by turns, and they were effectually silenced. "you boys are splendid actors," he told them, admiringly, "and you are performing your parts with great credit to us all. no one would guess this was your plan, would he? ramon least of all. if we are not captured, you will make an important addition to our party on the yacht. if we are, you will lie gloriously to ramon and say i sneaked up behind you and sandbagged all three before you saw me. eh? never mind answering, for you can't." as he spoke, chesty climbed into the big launch and started the engines. they grumbled and refused to act, at first, but finally overcame their reluctance and the boat chug-chugged on its way to the south bay, making such a racket that the owls thought it was defying them and redoubled their frantic screeches. "ramon will be certain to hear me coming," reflected the boy as the boat swept on. "he's a clever scoundrel, that mexican; exceptionally clever; but if he guesses this riddle he's a wizard." he kept the launch well out from the shore and as it approached the points of rock behind which the yacht lay hidden he set the steering wheel to carry the boat a couple of hundred yards past the entrance to the bay, lashing it firmly in place. then, while the engines continued their monotonous "chug-chug," he pried the plug out of the bottom of the boat, crept aboard the _salvador's_ launch and unfastened the rope, cutting the two craft apart. the big launch quickly forged ahead and chesty sat down and let the smaller boat drift peacefully where it lay. ramon ganza had heard his boat coming, as chesty had intended he should. greatly relieved, but still angry with francisco, he ran as far out upon the point as the rocks would permit and peered through the starlight to catch sight of the approaching launch. presently it appeared, making good time, the old engines working steadily and doing their full duty. but it did not turn into the bay, for some extraordinary reason; instead, it kept straight on and headed for some indefinite point out at sea. "francisco!" shouted ganza, in a rage; "francisco--villain--fool! what are you doing? wake up, francisco! the idiot is asleep." as the precious launch did not halt, the outlaw ran along the shore, following its track and shaking his fist at the perverse francisco with vengeful energy. most of his men, attracted by their chief's excitement, left their posts to join him on the shore; the others gazed wonderingly in the direction of the disappearing launch. meantime, chesty todd cautiously paddled his little boat into the bay, crept to the side of the yacht and uttered a low whistle--the signal agreed upon. those on board, who had been interested in ramon's shouts and suspected something was about to happen, lost no time in lowering the davits and chesty promptly attached the grappling hooks. a few moments later the launch and its occupants were safely on deck and the boy stepped out to be greeted by hearty handshakes and congratulations on his safe return. "you'll find three prisoners in the launch, captain krell," he said. "when you remove their gags they'll protest they are our friends; but i wouldn't trust 'em. better lock 'em in the cage until this cruel war is over." "what has become of the mexican's launch?" asked mr. cumberford. "the pirates seem to be having some trouble over it." "it won't bother 'em for long," replied mr. todd, complacently. "the boat is headed out to sea, all by its lonesome; but there's a hole in the bottom and it's fast filling with salt water. i imagine that within the next fifteen minutes it will go to davy jones's locker, and be out of commission." chapter xxvi orissa returns if ever man was thoroughly perplexed it was ramon ganza the outlaw. he heard his launch proceed for a distance out to sea, then listened while the engines hesitated and stopped, and saw the boat on which his liberty might depend whirl slowly around and disappear beneath the waves. what could it mean? were his men on board, and had they met with some astonishing accident, or had they deliberately committed suicide? the curses died on his lips; the affair was too startling and too serious for mere raving; he must try to think of a logical solution of the problem. the loss of the launch, his last refuge from captivity and imprisonment, left him caught like a wolf in a trap--in case he failed to get possession of the yacht. all night long he sat on a rock by the sea, smoking his black cheroots and thinking--thinking--thinking. neither he nor his men knew that chesty todd had returned to the yacht; but if ramon had known it he would not have attached especial importance to the fact. it would merely mean one more person to capture during the assault. morning found ganza still deep in thought. he glanced rather uneasily at the ocean and at times swept the horizon with his glasses, which were slung by a strap to his shoulder. his men brought him food and a cup of hot coffee, but dared not speak to him in his present mood. they suspected his case was growing desperate, yet they still retained confidence in their resourceful, clever master, who had never yet failed to accomplish whatever he undertook. in this crisis of his career the fugitive, usually irritable and quick to act, proved his strength of mind by taking time to consider his position from all points and to weigh carefully the merits of the different plans that suggested themselves. he realized that an error at this time would prove fatal. the hours wore on until, at about the middle of the afternoon, as ganza made one of his periodic inspections of the horizon, his glasses caught a speck in the sky--a speck that moved and grew larger. at first he thought it a gull or an eagle; later he changed his mind, for the speck rapidly increased in size and took form, and the form was that of an aëroplane. those on the yacht saw it now and great was the wonder and excitement it caused. here was a messenger from the great world, bringing them hope of succor or black disappointment. presently the broad spreading planes bore down upon the island and circled gracefully over the ship. "it's orissa!" they cried in chorus and chesty todd added: "she wants to land on deck. clear a space--quick!" they did the best they could. it seemed like a tiny place for that great sweeping thing to land on and even sybil exclaimed: "she'll never make it in the world!" but orissa, hovering above them in her aircraft, observed carefully the conditions below and shutting off her engine began to volplane. the huge machine settled quietly down and alighted fairly upon the deck. one rail caught the lower plane and tipped it, but the girl leaped lightly from her seat and was caught by mr. cumberford, whose gray eyes sparkled with joy from behind their spectacles. you may be sure the brave girl received a glad welcome, but as soon as her safety was assured she was deluged with questions. the ping of a rifle ball warned them to scuttle below to the cabin, where orissa tried to explain. "why on earth did you venture to come back?" demanded madeline. "we had told ourselves that you, at least, were safe from the dangers that menace us, and it pleased us to know that. but where is your brother?" "did you get to land?" cried half a dozen voices, eagerly. "what did you do? tell us!" orissa laughed and held up both hands, imploring silence. "i came to bring you good news," she began. "and now that you are assured of that, please let me tell the story my own way, or i shall bungle it." "go ahead," they answered and settled themselves to listen. "we followed the route captain krell had mapped out for us," said orissa, "and in four hours after leaving here we sighted the mexican coast. fifteen minutes' run to the north brought us to the village of san blas, where there is a telegraph office. we landed and had some difficulty in satisfying the authorities that we were harmless americans, but finally they agreed to escort us to the telegraph office under guard. we wired our story direct to president madero, putting it as briefly as possible and asking him for a warship to rescue our friends and capture ramon ganza. there was no answer until evening, when we received a message from the secretary of the navy saying he had conferred with the president and secretary of state and would be glad to accede to our request. in eight or ten days he thought he could spare a warship to go to the island for ganza. unfortunately, the entire navy was in use at the present time. "that dashed our hopes, you may be sure, for we feared you couldn't hold ganza at bay for so long; so steve and i determined to fly to san diego and secure help there. the secretary of the navy had wired the authorities of san blas to afford us every consideration and hospitality, so we filled our tanks with gasoline and slept at a little inn until daybreak. then we were off for the north, and in two hours met the united states torpedo fleet, on its way to magdalena bay for target practice. we made out the flagship and dropped to the water beside it. commodore davis at once laid to and sent a boat to us. steve went aboard and explained fully to the commodore our story and the need for immediate help. as a result the _mermaid_ was signaled and its captain presently came aboard and received his orders. he was to take us directly to this island, drive off ganza or fight him, as circumstances might require, and then assist in getting the _salvador_ afloat again. if he captures ganza he is to carry him away a prisoner and turn him and his men over to the mexican authorities at magdalena. "captain swanson undertook the adventure gladly and is now on his way here with the _mermaid_, with steve to guide him. my brother and i thought it best for me to come on ahead and tell you the good news, for we have worried about you and knew that with rescue at hand you would have courage to hold out, no matter how desperate your condition. so here i am, and the _mermaid_ will arrive either to-night or early in the morning." they were indeed delighted with this assurance and it put new heart into the most timorous of those aboard. "however," said chesty todd, "we seem to be in no danger, just now, and since our clever enemy has failed to scare us into surrender he has remained quiet and behaved himself as well as could be expected." they told orissa all that had transpired in her absence and the conversation continued all during the dinner--on which the chef exercised his best talents, in honor of orissa's return--and even until bedtime, there was so much to say. chesty went on watch at eleven o'clock, and as he leaned silently over the rail at a point near the bow of the launch he detected a series of queer sounds coming from below. this part of the yacht was high on the shelving beach and it was here that they had arranged huge piles of rock, on either side, to hold the keel level. it sounded to mr. todd as if some one was at work near these rocks, for on account of the swell of the boat's side it was impossible to see, from the deck, anyone below, in case he kept close to the keel. so chesty crept aft, held a whispered conversation with captain krell, and quickly divested himself of his clothing. at the stern, which was settled quite close to the surface of the water, the boy let himself down by means of a rope, descending hand under hand, and silently dropped into the dark water. swimming was one of radley-todd's principal accomplishments and he scarcely made a ripple as he crept alongside the boat until the bow came into full view. the night was somewhat darker than usual, but the american had sharp eyes and it did not take him long to discover that the besiegers were employed in removing the rocks from the right hand side of the keel. instantly comprehending their purpose in this, chesty turned and quickly regained the stern, climbing to the deck. his report to captain krell seemed so serious, because it meant a desperate attack presently, that it was promptly decided to arouse the entire party and warn them that a crisis was at hand. chapter xxvii facing the crisis consternation reigned in the cabin when the principals assembled there with white and startled faces. on deck captain krell was instructing his men how to act in the threatened emergency. pietro was among them, accepting his rifle and his instructions willingly, but shaking his head at what he considered a vain attempt to resist ramon ganza. "ramon great man!" he said to captain krell. "ramon always win; nobody can conquer him. i knew ramon would win this time, an' when he does he will capture me an' whip me hard. all right; i know i am to be whipped at the time chica tell me to leave ramon. never min'. pietro can stand it, for others have been whipped by ramon an' lived--with marks like a zebra's on their skins." in the cabin chesty was trying to explain the situation. "it's this way," he said; "when the rocks are all removed the yacht will fall over on her side, as she was at first, with the rail quite near to the water. you remember how she lay before we propped her up. well, that means we have no secure footing on deck and that the pirates can easily climb aboard and have the best of the argument. if we slip, we fall into their arms; if we stick to the deck--like flies to a ceiling, they'll rush and get us." "we can't fight from the deck," declared cumberford. "tell captain krell to come here." the captain arrived and after a consultation it was decided to gather all hands in the cabin and fortify it as strongly as possible. the roof projected a few feet above the deck and there was a row of small windows on either side, but these were supplied with heavy shutters designed for use in case of storms, when the shutters were readily fixed in place. the stairway might be well guarded by one man, and above the windows were small ventilators through which several rifles could be pointed. by standing upon the cabin table the defenders could command the deck in this way. they were instructed not to shoot, however, unless absolutely obliged to. all the hatches were battened down, so that if ganza gained the deck he could not get below and was welcome to remain aboard until the rescuers arrived. orissa, who had listened silently, now approached mr. cumberford and said: "when the yacht tips, our aircraft will be ruined, for the chances are it will slide overboard. even if it doesn't, those scoundrels will wreck it completely, for it will be quite at their mercy. so i've decided, while there is yet time, to fly it across to the bluff, where i can remain until you are rescued." "can you manage to get away from the deck?" "easily." "then i think it best for you to go." "may i take sybil with me?" he hesitated a moment; then replied: "yes. it will be a good thing to have you girls away from here when the attack is made. here you could be of no service whatever, and your absence will--eh--give us more room to defend the cabin." "you will have to act quickly, miss kane," suggested chesty. "i know. come, sybil." they drew on their jackets as they went on deck, both girls realizing that no time must be lost if they hoped to get away. once the yacht tipped on her side it would be impossible to fly the machine. as they took their places mr. radley-todd inquired: "plenty of gasoline?" "i think so," said orissa. "i'm not sure how much is left in the tanks, but it ought to be enough to get us to the bluff. whirl the propeller, chesty." he did so, and the engine started with a roar. cumberford and chesty steadied the aircraft until the motor had acquired full speed and then orissa threw in the clutch and the big aëroplane rose as easily as a bird takes flight and ascended into the starlit sky at a steep angle. this feat is what is called "cloud climbing" and orissa understood it perfectly. it seemed a bold thing to undertake such a flight in the nighttime, but the flying girl's friends had so much confidence in her skill that they never considered the danger of the undertaking. across the barren island to the bluff was so unimportant a flight to one of orissa's experience that when she was once away they believed her quite safe. while the men stood watching the aircraft mount into the dim sky the yacht suddenly trembled and keeled over, throwing them all flat upon the deck. with one accord they scrambled up and dashed into the cabin, which they reached just as ramon ganza and his men swarmed over the rail. chapter xxviii the prisoner "what's wrong, ris?" asked sybil, as the engine skipped and wavered. "gasoline," was the brief answer. "oh. can you get to the bluff?" "i--don't--know. there!" as the propeller ceased to whirl; "now i'll volplane. it's a long reach, syb; but we'll land somewhere--right side up." the dim mountain seemed far ahead of them; below was the "dip," or valley, which lay between the rock ridges and the mountain. as they had casually glanced toward it in former times, it seemed a forbidding place, slimy and moist, devoid alike of any green thing or living creature. even the owls shunned the "dip." to-night, when everything was obscure, they seemed gliding into a black pit. orissa had to manipulate her levers cautiously, for she could not tell just when they would reach the ground. as it was they bumped, bounded forward, bumped again and brought up suddenly between two boulders that topped a rugged knoll. "any damage?" asked sybil, catching her breath. "not much, i'm sure," replied her chum. "but here we are; and here we'll stay until some one comes with gasoline. can you see anything, syb?" "the mountain, over there against the sky. it seems so near i could almost touch it. it wouldn't have taken but a few drops more to have landed us on the bluff, drat the luck!" "see anything else?" "where?" "around us." "no; but i can smell something. smells like spoiled gasoline. does gasoline ever spoil, ris?" "not to my knowledge. but come; let's crawl into the boat and get the blankets out. wherever we are, it's our hotel, and we must make the best of it." skyward, there could be distinguished the mountain at the west and the rock hills at the east; but the pocket in which they lay was black as ink. from the boat orissa managed to open the aluminum chest and take out the blankets. they then arranged a temporary bed in the bottom of the boat and covered themselves up. "anyhow, i managed to save the aircraft," sighed orissa, contentedly. then she sat bolt upright and cried: "listen!" "the battle's on," answered sybil, as a succession of wild shouts reached their ears. it was very aggravating to be so ignorant of what was happening to their friends. the shouts continued, at intervals, but there was no sound of firearms. evidently the mexicans had gained the deck but had found it a barren victory. on the mountain the owls were hooting and flying about as usual, but the shouts that had come from the bay were of such a different nature that the shrieks of the night-birds did not drown them. suddenly a broad streak of light shot over them, rested a moment on the mountain, swayed to right and left and then sank below the ridges of rock. above the bay where the _salvador_ was beached thin shafts of white light radiated, illuminating the sky like an aurora borealis. "a searchlight!" "the torpedo boat!" the girls cried in one breath; and then they sat trembling and straining their ears to listen. a dull, angry "boom!" rent the air and echoed from the mountain. it was a warning gun from the _mermaid_. the shouts became screams of fear. then silence followed, complete and enduring. orissa breathed heavily. "it's all over, sybil!" she gasped. "i--i wonder if--anyone was--hurt." "any of our people?" "of course." "i think not. that gun was merely a signal and i imagine the mexicans ran like rats. how fortunate it was that captain swanson arrived with the _mermaid_ so soon!" "how unfortunate he didn't come sooner. we wouldn't have been in this awkward predicament. it will take them hours to get to us over those sharp rocks." orissa did not reply. she was trying to understand the events transpiring around the _salvador_. had there been a tragedy? or had the torpedo boat merely frightened the outlaws, as she had imagined, and driven them away? there was no sleep for the isolated girls during the brief hours preceding the dawn. as it gradually lightened they peered about them to see where they were, and by degrees made out their surroundings. there were fewer rocks in this cup-shaped hollow than in other parts of the island. on the knoll where the aircraft rested were the two big rocks which had arrested its progress, and between these the body of the aluminum boat was tightly wedged. at intervals throughout the valley were similar rocky hummocks, but all the space between consisted of an oozy, damp soil of a greenish-brown color, with glints of red where the sun caught it prismatically. looking at this ooze critically, as the light strengthened, it seemed to the girls to shift somewhat, showing here and there a thick bubble which slowly formed and disappeared. orissa put her hand over the side of the boat and withdrew it again. "look, sybil," she exclaimed. "it's oil." "hair or salad oil, ris?" orissa sniffed at her dipped finger. "petroleum. this is the crude article, and seeps up from some store of oil far down in the earth. there would be a fortune in this find, syb, if it happened to be in america. out here it is, of course, valueless." "don't they make kerosene and gasoline of it?" "yes; of course." "then make some gasoline and let's fly away." orissa laughed. "if you will furnish the distillery, syb, i'll make the gasoline," she said; "but i believe it's a long, slow process, and----" "look!" cried sybil, with a start, as she pointed a slim finger toward the east. from a far distant ridge a man came bounding over the rocks, leaping from one to another with little hesitation in picking his way. he was a big man, but as the light was still dim they could see no more than his huge form. presently he paused to look behind him; then on he dashed again. he had come from the direction of the bay and was at first headed toward the mountain, but in one of his pauses, whether to regain his breath or look behind, he caught sight of the aëroplane and at once turned directly toward it. "do you think," asked sybil, uneasily, "it is one of our people come to look for us?" "no," returned orissa, positively. "that man is a fugitive. he has escaped over the rock hills and is trying to find some hiding place." "then i wonder he dares come in our direction." "it is _strange_," agreed orissa, with a shudder as she remembered how helpless they were. then, with fascinated gaze, the two girls fell silent and watched the approaching fugitive. as he neared that part of the valley where the oil seeped up he proceeded more cautiously, leaping from one point of rock--or hummock--to another. once, when forced to step on the level ground, the oil tripped him. he slipped and fell, but was instantly up again and bounding on his way. it seemed no easy task to make speed over such a rough and trackless way, yet here it was easier to proceed than back in those almost impassable hills. it was wonderful that he had succeeded in crossing them at all. "i think," said orissa, as she sat cold and staring, "it is ramon ganza." "the outlaw? but he wears white flannels." "not now. he probably changed them for the night attack; but i can see the rings glitter on his fingers, and--none of the other mexicans is so big." sybil nestled a little closer to her friend. "have you a revolver, ris?" orissa shook her head. "no arms at all--not even a hatpin?" "nothing whatever to use for defense." the man was quite near now. yes; it was ramon ganza. his clothes were torn by the rocks and hung around him in rags, and where he had fallen the thick, slimy oil clung to them. his face was smeared with dust and grime and the whole aspect of the outlaw was ghastly and repulsive--perhaps rendered more acute by the jewelled rings that loaded his fingers. he was obliged to step with more care as he neared the aëroplane, in which crouched the two girls, and finally he came to a halt on a hummock a few paces away. the oil lay more thickly around the aircraft than elsewhere, and ramon ganza eyed it suspiciously. then he spoke, resting his hands on his hips and leering insolently at sybil and orissa. "so, i have caught you, then," he cried. "why did you try to escape?" "for the same reason you are trying to escape, perhaps," retorted orissa, summoning what courage she could command. "but i warn you that our friends will presently come for us, and--you may not care to meet them." he uttered an angry snarl and cast a quick glance around the valley. in all its broad stretch not a person other than themselves was visible. ramon sat down on his knoll, breathing heavily from his long run. "yes, i have run away," he admitted, bitterness and hate in his tone. "i can fight ten--or twenty, perhaps--with my single hand; but not fifty. they have come to put me in prison, those fiends over there," jerking his thumb toward the bay, "and seeing they were too strong for me to oppose, i came away. it is what you call discreet--eh?--which is more safe, if less noble, than valor. but they have the island and they will hunt me down. and once more i shall laugh at them--once more ramon ganza will defy them all!" "how?" asked orissa, curiously. "have you not the flying-machine--the airship?" he asked, simply. "and are you not here alone, and in my power? it carries but two, i see, so one of you shall stay here. the other must fly with me to my own island, where i will take a sailboat and--vanish from the dogs who are hounding me." "that," said orissa, with forced calmness, for her heart was beating wildly, "is impossible." he uttered a fierce growl. "it is _not_ impossible," he cried. "i have seen your machine fly, and know it can fly when you want it to. it must fly now, or by san filippe i will tumble you both out and fly it myself. it is best that you not arouse my anger, for ramon ganza is desperate and will not be denied. get ready, girl! we will fly to my island, or----" he laughed harshly. "or you will both ruin your beautiful toilets, and--the mire is dangerous," he added. "we have no gasoline," pleaded orissa. "pah! a trick to deceive me." "no; it is true," cried sybil, who grew more quiet as fear possessed her. he hesitated, a look of despair flashing across his features. then he said with grim determination: "i will see for myself," and stepped recklessly into the pool of oil that lay between him and the hummock where the aëroplane perched. the slime reached to his ankle, but he kept doggedly on. the second step sent him knee-deep into the ooze and he had to struggle to wade farther in. but now he sank nearly to his waist and the sticky soil held him fast. then suddenly the man seemed to realize his peril and uttered a shrill cry of terror. "help, young ladies! for the love of humanity--help! will you see me die like this?" he screamed. orissa and sybil, both horrified, had risen to their feet. the sinking outlaw was fully five yards distant and there seemed no possible way to aid him. but it was terrible to allow a human being to perish in such a way, even when it was a confessed enemy who stood in peril. orissa caught up a blanket and hurled it toward him, and he seized it eagerly and spread it around him for support. next moment sybil had hastily folded the second blanket and cast it with all her strength toward ganza. one corner he caught and in a moment had added it to the first, now becoming saturated with oil. yet the blankets would not have availed much had not ramon's feet now rested upon a rock far beneath the surface, effectually preventing him from sinking any lower. almost waist-deep in the putty-like mire he stood a fast prisoner, for no effort of his own could enable him to free himself. he realized, presently, that he was not fated to be entombed in the mire, so part of his old assurance returned to him. as he stared at the girls and they returned his gaze with horrified looks, he remarked: "well, i am caught, as you see; but it was no officer of the law that did it. ramon ganza can defy mankind, as he has often proved, but he bows to nature. also, young ladies, i beg to point out that--if you have spoken truly--you are likewise caught, and alas! we cannot assist one another. what, then, shall we do for amusement?" "i think," said sybil gravely, "you ought to pray." "i? i have forgotten how. what then? shall we sing songs? if you will accompany the chorus i will delight your ears with my excellent tenor voice." this bravado, coming from a man stuck fast in the mire, was so gruesome that it made the girls shudder with aversion. but sybil, happening to glance up, cried with sudden animation: "look, orissa!" and pointed with a trembling finger. in the distance a group of men had appeared over the edge of the rock hills. they saw the stalled aëroplane and waved their arms encouragingly. ganza screwed his head around with some difficulty and also observed the rescue party. "it cannot matter," he said coolly. "as well one prison as another, and no mexican dungeon could hug me tighter than this." he fell silent, however, and no further remarks were exchanged as the distant party drew nearer. they were forced by the treacherous nature of the valley to move cautiously and when they entered the area of oil seepage more than one slipped in the slimy pools. but gradually they approached the spot where the aëroplane rested and now orissa and sybil could make out stephen kane, mr. cumberford, captain krell, chesty todd and an unknown man in uniform, who were accompanied by several seamen. the girls stood up and waved their handkerchiefs and then cried out warnings to beware the mire. not until the rescuers were quite near to the place did they perceive the upper half of ramon ganza protruding from the imprisoning slime. "dear me," cried mr. cumberford; "this is interesting; very! how are you, girls? all right?" through the bombardment of eager questions they assured their friends that they had suffered no serious discomfort because of the accident to the aircraft. "but," added sybil, "we had a good fright when ramon ganza threatened us, unless we assisted him to escape in our aëroplane. fortunately the mire came to our assistance, for he stepped into a soft place and it held him fast--as you see." all eyes turned upon the helpless outlaw, who nodded his head with astonishing nonchalance. "i bid you good morning, señors," said he. "when you are sufficiently rested from your walk, be kind enough to pull me out of this loving embrace; but gently, or you may dislocate my bones." "who is this?" asked the officer in uniform, a fine featured young man. "the rascal who has so boldly annoyed us, regardless of consequences," replied cumberford, frowning upon the mexican. "he escaped us last night, but we have him now, sure enough, and i intend to see he is handed over to the authorities of his country, whose laws he has defied." "what did he do?" the officer inquired, gazing at ganza curiously. "permit me to explain that i robbed a bank--a bank engaged in robbing others under government sanction," said ganza. "to rob is a small thing, señors; but it is a crime to be discovered robbing. that was my fault. others in my native land, who are more successful embezzlers than i, are to-day respected, rich and happy." "was that your only crime?" "so far as is known, señor. otherwise i am very good man and quite respectable." "he is a tyrant and a bully, and whips his men if they disobey him," declared steve. "pah! they are curs. the whip is less than they deserve," retorted ganza. "but permit me to remind you of my present discomfort, señors. i will gladly exchange this bog for a mexican prison." they managed to drag him out, none too gently, and the seamen scraped the oily slime from his legs and body so that he could stand erect. then they turned to examine the condition of the aëroplane. chapter xxix orissa decides only by taking the aircraft entirely apart, decided steve, might he hope to remove it to the bay, for it could not be flown from the hummock where it was wedged between the rocks. but they could not wait to do that now. the girls were very near one of those feminine crises so familiar to mrs. tupper, and their friends realized the nervous strain they had endured and made haste to lead them back to the yacht. the seamen looked after ramon ganza, who was so physically exhausted by his late experience that he made no endeavor to escape. it was a tedious climb, by no means devoid of danger, but so anxious were orissa and sybil to escape from the dread valley that they energetically persevered until the last rock hill was passed and they descended the slope to the inlet. there lay the _salvador_; keeled over, indeed, but safe and sound. just without the bay floated the _mermaid_, and one of her boats was run upon the beach and another clung to the _salvador's_ side. a hearty cheer greeted the return of the rescue party when orissa and sybil were observed approaching with them, and captain swanson himself came forward to offer his congratulations. on their way, steve had briefly related the events of the night attack and told how the defenders, fortified within the cabin and below decks, had been quite safe from ganza until the arrival of the torpedo boat relieved the situation. then the mexicans fled and made frantic attempts to escape, hiding themselves in the wilderness of rocks that littered the island. when captain swanson learned of the capture of ramon ganza and the rescue of the young ladies he decided to attempt no pursuit of the scattered mexicans but to apply himself promptly to the task of floating the yacht, which he succeeded in doing before night. the _salvador_ was in no way injured and as soon as she had anchored outside the bay was again in commission and fully able to care for herself. madeline invited the officers of the _mermaid_ to dine aboard her yacht and monsieur risette prepared a repast that surprised even his employer, so elaborate and delicious it proved. as they conversed together afterward, commenting upon the exciting experiences of the yacht and her company and the daring flights of the kane hydro-aircraft, madeline said to captain swanson: "what shall we do with ramon ganza?" "where is he, miss dentry?" "locked up in our cage. but i don't want him aboard. won't you take him to magdalena and turn him over to the mexican police?" "i am not sure i have authority to arrest the man," replied the captain gravely. "i will send a wireless to the fleet to-night and endeavor to get the admiral and receive his instructions concerning ganza." he wrote out a message at once and dispatched it to his ship by one of his men, that the wireless operator aboard might repeat it a number of times in the attempt to reach the ship for which it was intended. a wireless message travels farther by night and is more distinct. madeline now urged captain swanson to carry chica and pietro to magdalena, which would enable them to reach their homes quickly and he agreed to do this. miss dentry supplied the two with sufficient money for their needs and the red-beard and the child said their good-byes and were rowed to the _mermaid_. the yacht party, now reunited and safe from further molestation, thoroughly enjoyed the evening and expressed their gratitude again and again for the prompt assistance rendered them by their fellow countrymen. madeline had already written a nice letter to the admiral, which she entrusted to captain swanson. as orissa and sybil, as well as many others of the party, had passed a trying and sleepless night, the officers thoughtfully retired early, returning to their quarters on the _mermaid_. breakfast was in progress on the _salvador_ next morning when a note was brought from the captain of the torpedo boat. "i was fortunate in reaching the admiral," it said, "and i beg to enclose you a copy of the message i have received from him in reply. i further regret to state that i am ordered to rejoin the fleet without delay and must therefore bid you all adieu." the wireless read: "president madero proclaimed a general amnesty to mexican refugees some three months ago. on the list of pardons appears the name of ramon ganza." madeline drew a long breath. "i'm sorry for that," she said. "ramon ganza has escaped the penalty of breaking his country's laws and we are powerless to punish him ourselves--even though he struck poor mason with a knife." "how is mason getting along?" asked orissa. "very nicely," stated mr. cumberford. "it was a deep cut, but reached no vital organs and the man will soon be as good as new." "that does not alter the fact that ganza is a wicked desperado," said sybil. "it's a shame to allow him to escape," exclaimed mr. tupper, indignantly. "can't we arrest him for disturbing the peace, and trying to capture our yacht, and attempting to murder one of the crew?" "no," replied mr. cumberford. "this island doesn't belong to the united states. i believe it is mexican territory. but if we can prove damages we might be able to recover from the mexican government--and then, again, we might not." "i'll never put in a claim, for my part," said madeline, laughing. "but what are we to do with ramon ganza--and those three rascals imprisoned with him, whom chesty captured and brought to us?" "let chesty get rid of them; they're his prisoners," suggested sybil. "the chief bandit is your own prisoner--and orissa's," declared chesty. "what do you intend to do with him, miss cumberford?" sybil laughed. "it's a problem," she confessed. "can you solve it, miss dentry?" "i fear not," answered madeline, indeed puzzled. "our prisoners are likely to prove white elephants on our hands. to carry them to america would involve us in endless difficulties, and--i have other plans, wherein their presence is better dispensed with." "then," said chesty, after due reflection, "let us leave them all behind us, on the island. not this island, where they would be prisoners and perhaps starve, because i have sunk their gasoline launch and they cannot get away, but on ramon ganza's own island. then the fellow may decide his future as he deems best and we may wash our hands of the whole disagreeable affair." "i hope you won't inform him that he is pardoned," said mr. tupper, earnestly. "why not?" asked madeline. "let us return good for evil. perhaps, when ramon ganza is no longer a refugee and can face the world a free man, he will redeem his past and become honest." "i doubt it," declared mr. cumberford; "but i think you are right to give him the chance." it was so decided. there remained on owl island but one of ganza's rowboats which would be available for use by the men hidden among the rocks, but at the larger island was a small sailboat in which, during calm weather, the chief might go for his men and transport them to their former quarters. next morning a party accompanied steve into the valley once more, where the aircraft was taken apart and brought with considerable labor to the bay, from whence it was conveyed to the yacht and compactly stored away below decks. "there's no use putting it together until we get back home," said the inventor; and his partner, mr. cumberford, agreed with him. this task had consumed the entire day, during which orissa and sybil had kept to their state-rooms, trying to quiet their nerves and get some much-needed sleep. madeline, in the meantime, had ordered a store of provisions placed on the beach for the use of the band of mexicans until they were rescued by their leader, as she did not wish them to suffer for lack of food, however mischievous and lawless they might be. the following day captain krell hoisted anchor and headed for the larger island, and it was good to all to feel the water slipping along underneath the _salvador's_ thin keel again. ramon ganza accepted his liberty with the same stoical indifference that characterized all his actions. he strutted a bit when chesty told him of his pardon, but declared he would continue to inhabit the island where he was virtually a king. "with no fear of a prison to haunt me," he said, "i can make the island a paradise. many mexicans will settle there and become my subjects." "you'll have to cut out the flogging, then," suggested chesty. "it will gratify me to do so. before, i have the obligation to flog the disobedient ones because i dared not send them away; but now, if they prove obstinate, i may send them back to mexico." he took off his hat with an elaborate bow as the _salvador's_ boat left him standing with his three men on the little dock below his residence; but francisco and the other two scowled fiercely at mr. todd, whom they reproached for deceiving them about madero's reward, although they had elected to remain with their old master rather than be taken to america. "it's a good thing for civilization that those villains are sequestrated on a far-away, unknown island," remarked chesty, when he had regained the yacht's deck. "i suppose anyone can reform, if he tries hard, but i'll bet a hat that francisco and his comrades never make the attempt." "we are well rid of them, in any event," asserted mr. cumberford. orissa and sybil appeared at dinner, both considerably improved in spirits after their long rest. "when do we sail for san diego?" sybil asked madeline. "captain krell is ready. i am waiting for orissa and you to decide," was the reply. orissa looked up in surprise. "what have we to decide?" she inquired. "merely which way we shall proceed. my yacht hasn't had a fair trial yet and i had in mind a trip to honolulu before we went in chase of two runaway girls. we still have on board enough coal and supplies for such a trip and i have resolved to invite you all to make it in my company--in which case we will head directly for hawaii from here." orissa was thoughtful for a time and looked inquiringly at steve, who smiled in return. "i think such a trip would do us all good," he suggested. "the flying girl has no important engagements, at present," added mr. todd, the press agent. "if she had, i think she deserves a little recreation after her late trying experiences," said mr. cumberford. "why, orissa, it has all been decided in advance," exclaimed sybil. "they're merely asking our consent out of politeness." orissa turned to madeline and pressed her hand gratefully. "you've really been our guardian angel, miss dentry," she said. "we can never repay your great kindness and generosity, nor properly thank you for what you have done for us." "why should you?" asked madeline. "think what a splendid time i've had during this adventure, all due to the flying girl and her chum--and to a defect in the famous kane aircraft. but if you sincerely wish to please me, come with me on the trip to honolulu." "of course i will," orissa responded. "i've always longed for an ocean voyage, and in such company, and on the dear old _salvador_, the trip will be delightful." the others of the kane-cumberford party, who were every one eager to go, rapturously applauded this decision. the end. * * * * * =_exhilarating books for girls of today_= the flying girl series _by_ edith van dyne _author of "aunt jane's nieces" series_ capital up-to-the-minute stories for girls and young people, in which the author is at her very best. thrilling and full of adventure, but of that wholesome type parents are glad to put in the hands of their daughters. two titles: the flying girl orissa kane, self-reliant and full of sparkling good nature, under-study for her brother, prospective inventor and aviator whose experiments put the kane family into great difficulties, in the crisis proves resourceful and plucky, and saves the day in a most thrilling manner. [illustration] the flying girl and her chum this story takes orissa and her friend sybil through further adventures that test these two clever girls to the limit. a remarkably well told story. _ mo. bound in extra cloth with design stamping on cover and fancy jacket. printed on high grade paper. illustrated in black and white._ _price cents each. postage cents._ publishers the reilly & britton co. chicago * * * * * =_books for older children by l. frank baum_= the daring twins series _by_ l. frank baum in writing "the daring twins series" mr. baum yielded to the hundreds of requests that have been made of him by youngsters, both boys and girls, who in their early childhood read and loved his famous "oz" books, to write a story for young folk of the ages between twelve and eighteen. [illustration] =a story of the real life of real boys and girls in a real family under real conditions= _two titles:_ =the daring twins= = phoebe daring= while preparing these books mr. baum lived with his characters. they have every element of the drama of life as it begins within the lives of children. the two stories are a mixture of the sublime and the ridiculous; the foibles and fancies of childhood, interspersed with humor and pathos. _price cents net each_ publishers the reilly & britton co. chicago * * * * * annabel _by_ susanne metcalf a girls' book with a clever, quick-moving plot is unusual. annabel is that kind. the heroine is a lovable girl, but one with plenty of snap--her red hair testifies to that. her friend, will carden, too, is a boy of unusual qualities, as is apparent in everything he does. he and annabel make an excellent team. [illustration] the two, the best of chums, retrieve the fortunes of the carden family in a way that makes some exciting situations. the secret of the mysterious mr. jordan is surprised by annabel, while will, in a trip to england with an unexpected climax, finds the real fortune of the cardens. annabel is a book whose make-up is in keeping with the high quality of the story. _beautiful cover and jacket in colors, mo._ _illustrated by joseph pierre nuyttens. price cents_ publishers the reilly & britton co. chicago * * * * * =popular memory books for girls= =my golden school days= _by_ janet madison a very attractive memory book for girls, in which they can keep a record of happy school days. there are places and departments for every item of interest--classmates, colors, yell, photographs, autographs, dances, etc. appropriate decorations and headings for each department, with verses and poems. in special box. two bindings. _half cloth, cents. swiss velvet ooze, $ . _ * * * * * my sorority _designed by_ louise perrett a complete and cleverly designed memory book for girls who are members of the well-known "greek letter" societies in high school or college. a record book with appropriately decorated headings for name, colors, secret motto, pin, grip, initiation, spreads, banquets, etc. in three styles. _cloth, $ . . swiss velvet ooze, $ . _ _de luxe, flexible morocco, $ . _ publishers the reilly & britton co. chicago transcriber's note: italics are indicated by _underscores_. bolds are indicated by =equal signs=. small capitals have been rendered in full capitals. a number of minor spelling errors have been corrected without note. available by internet archive (https://archive.org) note: project gutenberg also has an html version of this file which includes the original illustration. see -h.htm or -h.zip: (http://www.gutenberg.org/files/ / -h/ -h.htm) or (http://www.gutenberg.org/files/ / -h.zip) images of the original pages are available through internet archive. see https://archive.org/details/elsieyachtingwit finl transcriber's note: text enclosed by underscores is in italics (_italics_). elsie yachting with the raymonds * * * * * * a list of the elsie books. _arranged in the order of their publication._ elsie dinsmore. elsie's holidays at roselands. elsie's girlhood. elsie's womanhood. elsie's motherhood. elsie's children. elsie's widowhood. grandmother elsie. elsie's new relations. elsie at nantucket. the two elsies. elsie's kith and kin. elsie's friends at woodburn. christmas with grandma elsie. elsie and the raymonds. elsie yachting with the raymonds. elsie's vacation. elsie at viamede. elsie at ion. * * * * * * [illustration (frontispiece)] elsie yachting with the raymonds by martha finley author of "elsie dinsmore," "elsie's womanhood," "elsie's kith and kin," "elsie and the raymonds," "the mildred books," "wanted--a pedigree," etc. new york dodd, mead, and company publishers copyright, by dodd, mead, and co. all rights reserved. prefatory note. the author, having received many letters from young and interested readers, has decided to acknowledge them in this way, because feeble health and much work for the publishers make it impossible to write a separate reply to each gratifying epistle. she also desires to freely acknowledge indebtedness for much information regarding revolutionary times and incidents, to bancroft and lossing; and for the routine at west point, to an article in harper's magazine for july, , entitled "cadet life at west point," by charles king, u. s. a. m. f. chapter i. the train, which for some hours had been running very fast and too noisily to admit of much conversation, suddenly slackened its speed, and lulu turned upon her father a bright, eager look, as though some request were trembling on her tongue. "well, daughter, what is it?" he asked, with an indulgent smile, before she had time to utter a word. "oh, papa!" she began in a quick, excited way, and quite as if she expected her request would be granted, "i know we're going through new york state, and i've just been thinking how much i would like to see saratoga,--especially the battle-field where the americans gained that splendid victory over the british in the revolutionary war." "ah! and would max like it, too?" the captain asked, with a smiling glance at his son, who, sitting directly in front of them, had turned to listen to their talk just as lulu began her reply to their father's query. "yes, sir; yes, indeed!" max answered eagerly, his face growing very bright. "and you, papa, would you enjoy it, too?" "i think i would," said the captain, "though it would not be for the first time; but showing the places of interest to two such ardent young patriots will more than compensate for that.--and there have been changes since i was there last," he continued, musingly. "mount mcgregor, for instance, has become a spot of historic interest. we will visit it." "oh, yes! where dear general grant died," said lulu. "i would like to go there." "so you shall," returned her father. "this is friday; we shall reach saratoga saturday night, should no accident detain us, spend sunday there resting, according to the commandment, then monday and tuesday in sight-seeing." "how nice, papa," lulu said with satisfaction. "i only wish mamma vi and gracie could be there with us." "it would double our pleasure," he replied. "i think we must go again some time, when we can have them along." "oh, i am glad to hear you say that, papa! for i am quite sure i shall enjoy going twice to so interesting a place," said lulu. "i, too," said max. "i don't know of anything that would please me better." "i am glad to hear it, and hope there will be no disappointment to either of you," their father said. but the train was speeding on again, too fast and too noisily for comfortable conversation, and they relapsed into silence, the captain returning to his newspaper, max to a book which he seemed to find very interesting, while his sister amused herself with her own thoughts. lulu was feeling very happy; she had been having so pleasant a summer out in the west with papa and maxie, and was enjoying the homeward journey,--or rather the trip to the sea-shore, where the rest of the family were, and where they all expected to remain till the end of the season,--the prospect of seeing saratoga and its historical surroundings, and other places of interest,--a view of which could be had from the boat as they passed down the hudson; for she and max had both expressed a preference for that mode of travel, and their father had kindly consented to let them have their wish. she thought herself a very fortunate little girl, and wished with all her heart that gracie could be there with them and share in all their pleasures. dear gracie! they had never been separated for so long a time before, and lulu was in such haste for the meeting now that she could almost be willing to resign the pleasure of a visit to saratoga that they might be together the sooner. but no, oh, no, it would never do to miss a visit there! it would defer their meeting only a day or two, and she should have all the more to tell; not to gracie only, but to evelyn leland and rosie travilla. ah, how enjoyable that would be! oh, how full of pleasure life was now that papa was with them all the time, and they had such a sweet home of their very own! with that thought she turned toward him, giving him a look of ardent affection. he was still reading, but glanced from his paper to her just in time to catch her loving look. "my darling!" he said, bending down to speak close to her ear, and accompanying the words with a smile full of fatherly affection. "i fear you must be growing very weary with this long journey," he added, putting an arm about her and drawing her closer to him. "oh, no, not so very, papa!" she answered brightly; "but i'll be ever so glad when we get to saratoga. don't you think it will be quite a rest to be out of the cars for a day or two?" "yes; and i trust you will find them less wearisome after your three days at saratoga." "what time shall we reach there, papa?" asked max. "not long before your bed-time, i understand," replied the captain. "then we cannot see anything before monday?" "you will see something of the town in walking to church day after to-morrow." "and we can start out bright and early on monday to visit places of interest," added lulu; "can't we, papa?" "yes, if you will be careful to be ready in good season. we want to see all we can in the two days of our stay." "and i don't believe we'll find lu a hindrance, as some girls would be," said max. "she's always prompt when anything is to be done." "i think that is quite true, max," their father remarked, looking from one to the other with a smile that was full of paternal love and pride; "and of you as well as of your sister." "if we are, papa, it is because you have trained us to punctuality and promptness," returned the lad, regarding his father with eyes full of admiring filial affection. "and because you have heeded the lessons i have given you," added the captain. "my dear children, when i see that you are doing so, it gives me a glad and thankful heart." they reached saratoga the next evening more than an hour earlier than they had expected; and as the moon was nearly full, they were, much to the delight of max and lulu, able to wander about the town for an hour or more after tea, enjoying the sight of the beautiful grounds and residences, and the crowds of people walking and driving along the streets, or sitting in the porches. they visited congress park also, drank from its springs, strolled through its porches out into the grounds, wandered along the walks, and at length entered the pavilion. here they sat and rested for awhile; then the captain, consulting his watch, said to his children, "it is nine o'clock, my dears; time that tired travellers were seeking their nests." he rose as he spoke, and taking lulu's hand, led the way, max close in the rear. "yes, papa, i'm tired enough to be very willing to go to bed," said lulu; "but i hope we can come here again on monday." "i think it altogether likely we shall be able to do so," he replied. "if we are up early enough we might run down here for a drink of the water before breakfast on monday," said max. "can't we, papa?" "yes, all three of us," replied the captain. "let us see who will be ready first." they passed a quiet, restful sabbath, very much as it would have been spent at home; then, on monday morning, all three were up and dressed in season for a visit to some of the nearer springs before breakfast. they went to the park together, took their drinks, returned after but a few minutes spent in the garden, breakfasted, and shortly after leaving the table were in a carriage on their way to schuylerville. they visited the battle-ground first, then the place of surrender, with its interesting monument. "we will look at the outside first," the captain said, as they drew near it. "it is called the finest of its kind, and stands upon the crowning height of burgoyne's intrenched camp." "i wonder how high it is," max said inquiringly, as they stood at some distance from the base, he with his head thrown back, his eyes fixed upon the top of the shaft. "it is said to be more than four hundred and fifty feet above the level of the river," replied his father. "oh, i wonder if we couldn't see the battle-field from the top!" exclaimed lulu, excitedly. "i suppose they'll let us climb up there, won't they, papa?" "yes, for a consideration," returned the captain, smiling at her eager look; "but first let us finish our survey of the outside." "what kind of stone is this, sir?" asked max, pointing to the base. "light granite," replied his father. "and the shaft is of dark granite, rough hewn, as you will notice." "and there are gables," remarked lulu,--"great high ones." "yes; nearly forty feet high, and resting at their bases upon granite eagles with folded wings. observe, too, the polished granite columns, with carved capitals, which all the cornices of doors and windows rest upon." "and the niches over the doors," said max, still gazing upward as they walked slowly around the shaft, "one empty i see, each of the others with a statue in it. oh, they are the generals who commanded our troops in the battle!" "yes," said his father, "generals schuyler, morgan, and gates,--who by the way was hardly worthy of the honour, as he gave evidence of cowardice, remaining two miles away from the field of battle, all ready for a possible retreat, while burgoyne was in the thickest of the fight. the fourth and empty one, do you not see, has the name of arnold carved underneath it." "oh, yes, arnold the traitor!" exclaimed max. "how _could_ he turn against his country? but, papa, he did do good service in this battle and some of the earlier ones, and it's such a pity he turned traitor!" "yes, a very great pity!" assented the captain, heaving an involuntary sigh. "while detesting his treachery, i have always felt that he has not received deserved credit for his great services in the earlier part of the war,--the expedition to canada, and besides smaller engagements, the terrible battle of valcour island, lake champlain, in which he was defeated only by the great superiority of the enemy in numbers of both men and vessels. though beaten, he brought away to ticonderoga his remaining vessels and surviving troops. his obstinate resistance so discouraged the british general, carleton, that he retired to montreal for the winter, which made it possible for the northern army to spare three thousand troops to help washington in striking his great blows at princeton and trenton." "and after all that, as i remember reading," said max, "congress treated arnold shamefully, promoting other officers over his head who neither stood so high in rank nor had done half the service he had. i'm sure his anger at the injustice was very natural; yet he still fought bravely for his country,--didn't he, papa?" "yes; and all that occurred some months before this battle of saratoga, in which he did such service. ah, if his career had ended there and then, what a patriot he would now be considered! it is almost certain that if he had been properly reinforced by gates, he would have inflicted a crushing defeat upon burgoyne at, or shortly after, the battle of freeman's farm. but gates was very jealous of arnold, disliking him as a warm friend of general schuyler, and the two had a fierce quarrel between that battle and the one of saratoga, occasioned by gates, prompted by his jealousy, taking some of arnold's best troops from his command. arnold then asked and received permission to return to philadelphia; but the other officers, perceiving that another and decisive battle was about to be fought, persuaded arnold to remain and share in it, as they had no confidence in gates, who was, without doubt, a coward. he showed himself such by remaining in his tent while the battle was going on, though burgoyne was, as i have said, in the thick of it. it was a great victory that crowned our arms on the th of october, , and was due more to arnold's efforts than to those of any other man, though morgan also did a great deal to win it." "wasn't arnold wounded in this battle, papa?" asked max. "yes, severely, in the leg which had been hurt at quebec. it was just at the close of the battle. he was carried on a litter to albany, where he remained, disabled, till the next spring. one must ever detest treason and a traitor; yet i think it quite possible--even probable--that if arnold had always received fair and just treatment, he would never have attempted to betray his country as he afterward did. now we will go inside, and see what we can find of interest there." the captain led the way as he spoke. they lingered awhile in the lower room examining with great interest the tablets and historical pictures, sculptured in bronze, _alto rilievo_, which adorned its walls. "oh, papa, see!" cried lulu; "here is mrs. schuyler setting fire to a field of wheat to keep the british from getting it, i suppose." "yes," her father said; "these are revolutionary scenes." "here is george iii.," said max, "consulting with his ministers how he shall subdue the americans. ha, ha! they did their best, but couldn't succeed. my countrymen of that day would be free." "as americans always will, i hope and believe," said lulu. "i feel sure your countrywomen will anyhow." at that her father, giving her a smile of mingled pleasure and amusement, said, "now we will go up to the top of the shaft, and take a bird's-eye view of the surrounding country." they climbed the winding stairway to its top, and from thence had a view of not only the battle-field, but of other historic spots also lying in all directions. max and lulu were deeply interested, and had many questions to ask, which their father answered with unfailing patience. but, indeed, ardent patriot that he was, he keenly enjoyed making his children fully acquainted with the history of their country, and there was much connected with the surrounding scenes which it was a pleasure to relate, or remind them of, as having happened there. from the scenes of the fight and the surrender they drove on to the marshall place, the captain giving the order as they reseated themselves in the carriage. "the marshall place, papa? what about it?" asked max and lulu in a breath. "it is a house famous for its connection with the fighting in the neighbourhood of saratoga," replied the captain. "it was there the baroness riedesel took refuge with her children on the th of october, , about two o'clock in the afternoon, going there with her three little girls, trying to get as far from the scene of conflict as she well could." "oh, yes, sir!" said max. "i remember, now, that there was a baron riedesel in the british army,--a hessian officer, in command of four thousand men; wasn't he, papa?" "yes; and his wife seems to have been a lovely woman. she nursed poor general frazer in his dying agonies. you may remember that he was killed by one of morgan's men in the battle of bemis heights, or saratoga, fought on the th,--or rather, i should say, he was mortally wounded and carried to the taylor house, where the baroness riedesel had prepared a dinner for the officers, which was standing partly served upon the table. he lay there in great agony until the next morning, and then died." "oh, yes, papa, i remember about him!" said lulu; "and that he was buried the same evening in the great redoubt, which was a part of the british intrenchments on the hills near the river." "yes, the strongest part," said max. "i remember reading of it, and that the americans opened fire on the procession from the other side of the river, not understanding what it was; so that while the chaplain was reading the service at the grave, hostile shots were ploughing up the ground at his feet, and covering the party with dust." "oh, papa, won't you take us to see his grave?" asked lulu. "yes, daughter, if we have time." "here we are, sir. this is the marshall place," announced the driver, reining in his horses in front of a modest-looking farm-house; "and here comes a lad that'll show you round, and tell you the whole story of what happened in and about here in the time of the revolution." the captain quickly alighted, helped lulu out, and max sprang after them. the lad had already opened the gate, and lifted his hat with a bow and smile. "good-morning!" he said. captain raymond returned the salutation, adding, "i would like very much to show my children those parts of your house here connected with revolutionary memories, if--" "oh, yes, sir; yes!" returned the boy, pleasantly. "i'll take you in and about; it's quite the thing for visitors to saratoga to come over here on that errand." he led the way into the house as he spoke, the captain, max, and lulu following. they passed through a hall, and on into the parlour, without meeting any one. "this," said the lad, "is the northeast room, where surgeon jones was killed by a cannon-ball; perhaps you may remember about it, sir. the doctors were at work on him, cutting off a wounded leg, when a ball came in at that northeast corner and took off his other leg in its way diagonally across the room. they gave up trying to save him, then, and left him to die in yon corner," pointing to it as he spoke. "poor fellow!" sighed lulu. "i can't help feeling sorry for him, though he was an enemy to my country." "no, miss, it was a pity, and does make one feel sorry; for i suppose he really had no choice but to obey the orders of his king," returned the lad. "well, the ball passed on, broke through the plank partition of the hall, and buried itself in the ground outside. they say eleven cannon-balls passed through the house in just a little while. for my part, i'd rather have been in a battle than keeping quiet here to be shot at." "i certainly would," said the captain. "i, too," said max. "i should say there was very little fun in standing such a fire with no chance to return it." "yes; and our people would never have fired on them if they had known they were women, children, and wounded men; but you see they--the americans--saw people gathering here, and thought the british were making the place their headquarters. so they trained their artillery on it, and opened such a fire as presently sent everybody to the cellar. will you walk down and look at that, sir?" addressing the captain. "if it is convenient," he returned, following with max and lulu as their young guide led the way. "quite, sir," he answered; then, as they entered the cellar, "there have been some changes in the hundred years and more that have passed since that terrible time," he said. "you see there is but one partition wall now; there were two then, but one has been torn down, and the floor cemented. otherwise the cellars are just as they were at the time of the fight; only a good deal cleaner, i suspect," he added, with a smile, "for packed as they were with women, children, and wounded officers and soldiers, there must have been a good deal of filth about, as well as bad air." "they certainly are beautifully clean, light, and sweet now, whatever they may have been on that october day of ," the captain said, glancing admiringly at the rows of shining milk-pans showing a tempting display of thick yellow cream, and the great fruit-bins standing ready for the coming harvest. "yes, sir; to me it seems a rather inviting-looking place at present," returned the lad, glancing from side to side with a smile of satisfaction; "but i've sometimes pictured it to myself as it must have looked then,--crowded, you know, with frightened women and children, and wounded officers being constantly brought in for nursing, in agonies of pain, groaning, and perhaps screaming, begging for water, which could be got only from the river, a soldier's wife bringing a small quantity at a time." "yes, a woman could do that, of course," said lulu; "for our soldiers would never fire on a woman,--certainly not for doing such a thing as that." "no, of course not," exclaimed max, in a scornful tone. "american men fire on a woman doing such a thing as that? i should say not!" "no, indeed, i should hope not!" returned their young conductor, leading the way from the cellar to the upper hall, and out into the grounds. "yonder," he said, pointing with his finger, "away to the southwest, burgoyne's troops were stationed; the german auxiliaries, too, were resting from their fight, near bemis heights. away to the west there, morgan's famous riflemen were taking up their position along burgoyne's front and flank, while colonel fellows was over yonder," turning to the east and again pointing with his finger, "bringing his batteries to bear upon the british. just as the baroness riedesel in her calash with her three little girls stopped before the house, some american sharpshooters across the river levelled their muskets, and she had barely time to push her children to the bottom of the wagon and throw herself down beside them, before the bullets came whistling overhead. neither she nor the little folks were hurt, but a soldier belonging to their party was badly wounded. the baroness and her children spent the night there in the cellar. so did other ladies from the british army who followed her to this retreat that afternoon. they were in one of its three divisions, the wounded officers in another, and the common soldiers occupied the third." "it must have been a dreadful night to the poor baroness and those little girls," remarked lulu, who was listening with keenest interest. "yes, indeed," responded the lad; "the cries and groans of the wounded, the darkness, dampness, and filth and stench of the wounds, all taken together, must have made an awful night for them all. i wonder, for my part, that the women and children weren't left at home in their own countries." "that's where they ought to have been, i think," said lulu. "was it that night surgeon jones was killed?" "no, miss, the next day, when the americans began firing again harder than ever." "where were they firing from then?" lulu asked. "the other side of the river, miss; probably from some rising ground a little north of batten kil." "well, sir, what more have you to show us?" asked the captain, pleasantly. "a plank cut and shattered at one end, probably by the ball that killed the surgeon. this way, if you please; here it is. and here is a rafter which you see has been partly cut in two by a shell. it was taken out of the frame of the house while they were repairing in . here are some other bits of shot and shell that have been ploughed up on the farm at different times. ah! there are some things at the house i should have shown you." "we will not mind going back so short a distance," said the captain, "and would be glad to see everything you have to show us." "yes, sir; and i think you will say these things are worth looking at." he led them back into the house and exhibited, first, a gold coin with the figure and inscription of george iii. on one side, the british arms and an inscription with the date on the other, then a curious old musket, with bayonet and flint lock, which was carried in the revolutionary war by an ancestor of the family now residing there. chapter ii. "you may take us now to frazer's grave," captain raymond said to the driver as they re-entered their carriage after a cordial good-by and liberal gift to their young guide. "please tell us something more about frazer, papa, won't you?" requested lulu. "willingly," returned her father. "frazer was a brave and skilful officer; made brigadier-general for america only, by carleton, in june, . he helped to drive the americans out of canada in that year. burgoyne chose him to command the light brigade which formed the right wing of the british army, so that he was constantly in the advance. in the fight of october th he made a conspicuous figure, dressed in the full uniform of a field-officer, mounted on a splendid iron-gray gelding, and exerting himself to encourage and cheer on his men. morgan saw how important he was to the british cause, pointed him out to his sharpshooters, and bade them cut him off. 'that gallant officer,' he said, 'is general frazer. i admire and honour him; but it is necessary he should die, because victory for the enemy depends upon him. take your stations in that clump of bushes, and do your duty!' they obeyed, and in five minutes frazer fell mortally wounded, and was carried from the field by two grenadiers. only a few moments before he was hit, the crupper of his horse was cut by a rifle-ball, and directly afterward another passed through the horse's mane, a little back of his ears. then his _aide_ said, 'general, it is evident that you are marked out for particular aim; would it not be prudent for you to retire from this place?' 'my duty forbids me to retire from danger,' frazer answered; and the next moment he fell. that is lossing's account; and he goes on to say that morgan has been censured for the order by some persons, professing to understand the rules of war, as guilty of a highly dishonourable act; also by others, who gloat over the horrid details of the slaying of thousands of humble rank-and-file men as deeds worthy of a shout for glory, and have no tears to shed for the slaughtered ones, but affect to shudder at such a cold-blooded murder of an officer on the battle-field. but, as lossing justly remarks, the life of an officer is no dearer to himself, his wife, and children, than that of a private to his, and that the slaying of frazer probably saved the lives of hundreds of common soldiers." "yes, papa," returned max, thoughtfully; "and so i think morgan deserves all praise for giving that order to his men. if frazer did not want to lose his life, he should not have come here to help crush out liberty in this country." "papa, do you think he hated the americans?" asked lulu. "no, i presume not; his principal motive in coming here and taking an active part in the war was probably to make a name for himself as a brave and skilful officer,--at least, so i judge from his dying exclamation, 'oh, fatal ambition!'" "how different he was from our washington," exclaimed max. "he seemed to want nothing for himself, and sought only his country's good. papa, it does seem to me that washington was the greatest mere man history tells of." "i think so," responded the captain; "he seems to have been so entirely free from selfishness, ambition, and pride. and yet he had enemies and detractors, even among those who wished well to the cause for which he was doing so much." "such a burning shame!" cried lulu, her eyes flashing. "was gates one of them, papa?" "yes; to his shame, be it said, he was. he treated washington with much disrespect, giving him no report whatever of the victory at saratoga. it was not until early in november that he wrote at all to the commander-in-chief, and then merely mentioned the matter incidentally. in that month gates was made president of the new board of war and ordnance, and during the following winter he joined with what is known as the 'conway cabal' in an effort to supplant washington in the chief command of the army." "what a wretch!" exclaimed lulu. "it would have been a very bad thing for our cause if he had succeeded,--wouldn't it, papa?" "without doubt," answered the captain; "for though gates had some very good qualities, he was far from being fit to fill the position held by washington." "he wasn't a good christian man, like washington, was he, papa?" she asked. "no, not by any means at that time, though it is said--i hope with truth--that he afterward became one. he was arrogant, untruthful, and had an overweening confidence in his own ability. yet he had some noble traits; he emancipated his slaves, and provided for those who were unable to take care of themselves. also, he was, it is said, a good and affectionate husband and father." "papa, wasn't it known whose shot killed frazer?" queried max. "yes; it was that of a rifleman named timothy murphy. he was posted in a small tree, took deliberate aim, and saw frazer fall. frazer, too, told some one he saw the man who shot him, and that he was in a tree. murphy was one of morgan's surest shots." "i should think he must always have felt badly about it, only that he knew he did it to help save his country," said lulu. "it seemed to be necessary for the salvation of our country," replied her father; "and no doubt that thought prevented murphy's conscience from troubling him." "didn't the americans at first fire on the funeral procession, papa?" asked lulu. "yes; but ceased as soon as they understood the nature of the gathering, and at regular intervals the solemn boom of a single cannon was heard along the valley. it was a minute-gun, fired by the americans in honour of their fallen foe, the gallant dead. ah, here we are at his grave!" added the captain, as horses and vehicle came to a standstill and the carriage-door was thrown open. they alighted and walked about the grave and its monument, pausing to read the inscription on the latter. "though an enemy to our country, he was a gallant man, a brave and good soldier," remarked the captain, reflectively. "yes, papa; and i can't help feeling sorry for him," said lulu. "i suppose he had to obey his king's orders of course; he couldn't well help it, and probably he had no real hatred to the people of this country. it does seem hard that he had to die and be buried so far away from all he loved." "yes," said max; "but he had to be killed to save our country, since he would use his time and talents in trying to help reduce her to slavery. i'm sorry for him, too; but as he would put his talents to so wrong a use, there was no choice but to kill him,--isn't that so, papa?" "i think so," replied the captain; "but it was a great pity. frazer was a brave officer, idolized by his own men, and respected by even his enemies." "it seems sad he should lie buried so far away from all he loved,--all his own people; and in a strange land, too. but he could hardly lie in a lovelier spot, i think," remarked lulu; "the hills, the mountains, the beautiful river, the woods, the fields, and these tall twin pine-trees standing like sentinels beside his grave,--oh i think it is just lovely! i think he showed excellent taste in his choice of a burial-place." "yes, nice place enough to lie in, if one could only be on top of the ground and able to see what it's like," came in hollow tones, seemingly from the grave. the captain glanced at his son with a slightly amused smile. lulu was startled for an instant; then, with a little laugh, as her father took her hand and led her back to the waiting carriage, "oh, maxie, that was almost too bad, though he was an enemy to our country!" she exclaimed. "i wouldn't have done it if i'd thought it would hurt his feelings," returned max, in a tone of mock regret; "but i really didn't suppose he'd know or care anything about it." "where now, sir?" asked the driver as the captain handed lulu to her seat. "to the schuyler mansion," was the reply. "oh, i'm glad we're going there!" exclaimed lulu. "i've always liked everything i've heard about general schuyler; and i'll be ever so glad to see the house he used to live in." "it isn't the same house that burgoyne caroused in the night after the battle of bemis heights, is it, papa?" asked max. "no; that was burned by burgoyne's orders a few days later," replied the captain. "and when was this one built?" asked lulu. "that is a disputed point," said her father. "some say it was shortly after the surrender in ; others, not until soon after the peace of ." "anyhow it was general schuyler's house, and so we'll be glad to see it," she said. "papa, is it on the exact spot where the other--the first one--was? the one burgoyne caroused in, i mean." "they say not, quite; that it stands a little to the west of where the first one did." "but general schuyler owned and lived in it, which makes it almost, if not quite, as well worth seeing as the first one would have been," said max. "yes," assented the captain. "it was on his return from bemis heights that burgoyne took possession of the mansion for his headquarters; that was on the evening of the th of october. his troops, who had been marching through mud, water, and rain for the last twenty-four hours, with nothing to eat, encamped unfed on the wet ground near schuylerville, while he and his cronies feasted and enjoyed themselves as though the sufferings of the common soldiery were nothing to them." "wasn't that the night before the day the baroness riedesel went to the marshall place?" queried max. "yes," replied his father. "her husband, general riedesel, and others, urgently remonstrated against the unnecessary and imprudent delay, and counselled hasty retreat; but burgoyne would not listen to their prudent advice. while the storm beat upon his hungry, weary soldiers lying without on the rain-soaked ground, he and his mates held high carnival within, spending the night in merry-making, drinking, and carousing." "what a foolish fellow!" said max. "i wonder that he didn't rather spend it in slipping away from the americans through the darkness and storm." "or in getting ready to fight them again the next day," added lulu. "i think there was fighting the next day,--wasn't there, papa?" said max. "yes; though not a regular battle. burgoyne was attempting a retreat, which the americans, constantly increasing in numbers, were preventing,--destroying bridges, obstructing roads leading northward, and guarding the river to the eastward, so that the british troops could not cross it without exposure to a murderous artillery fire. at last, finding his provisions nearly exhausted, himself surrounded by more than five times his own number of troops, and all his positions commanded by his enemy's artillery, the proud british general surrendered." "and it was a great victory,--wasn't it, papa?" asked lulu. "it was, indeed! and god, the god of our fathers, gave it to the american people. the time was one of the great crises of history. before that battle things looked very dark for the people of this land; and if burgoyne had been victorious, the probability is that the struggle for liberty would have been given up for no one knows how long. perhaps we might have been still subject to england." "and that would be dreadful!" she exclaimed with warmth,--"wouldn't it, max?" "yes, indeed!" he assented, his cheek flushing, and his eye kindling; "the idea of this great country being governed by that bit of an island away across the sea! i just feel sometimes as if i'd like to have helped with the fight." "in that case," returned his father, with an amused look, "you would hardly be here now; or, if you were, you would be old enough to be my grandfather." "then i'm glad i wasn't, sir," laughed max; "for i'd rather be your son by a great deal. papa, wasn't it about that time the stars and stripes were first used?" "no, my son; there was at least one used before that," the captain said with a half smile,--"at fort schuyler, which was attacked by st. leger with his band of british troops, canadians, indians, and tories, early in the previous august. the garrison was without a flag when the enemy appeared before it, but soon supplied themselves by their own ingenuity, tearing shirts into strips to make the white stripes and stars, joining bits of scarlet cloth for the red stripes, and using a blue cloth cloak, belonging to one of the officers, as the groundwork for the stars. before sunset it was waving in the breeze over one of the bastions of the fort, and no doubt its makers gazed upon it with pride and pleasure." "oh, that was nice!" exclaimed lulu. "but i don't remember about the fighting at that fort. did st. leger take it, papa?" "no; the gallant garrison held out against him till arnold came to their relief. the story is a very interesting one; but i must reserve it for another time, as we are now nearing schuyler's mansion." the mansion was already in sight, and in a few moments their carriage had drawn up in front of it. they were politely received, and shown a number of interesting relics. the first thing that attracted their attention was an artistic arrangement of arms on the wall fronting the great front door. "oh, what are those?" lulu asked in eager tones, her eyes fixed upon them in an intensely interested way. "please, sir, may i go and look at them?" addressing the gentleman who had received them and now invited them to walk in. "yes, certainly," he answered with a smile, and leading the way. "this," he said, touching the hilt of a sword, "was carried at the battle of bennington by an _aide_ of general stark. this other sword, and this musket and cartridge-box, belonged to john strover, and were carried by him in the battles of the revolution." "valuable and interesting souvenirs," remarked captain raymond. they were shown other relics of those troublous times,--shells, grape, knee and shoe buckles, grubbing-hooks, and other things that had been picked up on the place in the years that had elapsed since the struggle for independence. but what interested max and lulu still more than any of these was a beautiful teacup, from which, as the gentleman told them, general washington, while on a visit to general schuyler, had drunk tea made from a portion of one of those cargoes of boston harbour fame. "that cup must be very precious, sir," remarked lulu, gazing admiringly at it. "if it were mine, money couldn't buy it from me." "no," he returned pleasantly; "and i am sure you would never have robbed us, as some vandal visitor did not long ago, of a saucer and plate belonging to the same set." "no, no, indeed!" she replied with emphasis, and looking quite aghast at the very idea. "could anybody be so wicked as that?" "somebody was," he said with a slight sigh; "and it has made us feel it necessary to be more careful to whom we show such things. now let me show you the burial-place of thomas lovelace," he added, leading the way out into the grounds. "i don't remember to have heard his story, sir," said max, as they all followed in the gentleman's wake; "but i would like to very much indeed. papa, i suppose you know all about him." "i presume this gentleman can tell the story far better than i," replied the captain, with an inquiring look at their guide. "i will do my best," he said in reply. "you know, doubtless," with a glance at max and his sister, "what the tories of the revolution were. some of them were the bitterest foes of their countrymen who were in that fearful struggle for freedom,--wicked men, who cared really for nothing but enriching themselves at the expense of others, and from covetousness became as relentless robbers and murderers of their neighbours and former friends as the very savages of the wilderness. lovelace was one of these, and had become a terror to the inhabitants of this his native district of saratoga. he went to canada about the beginning of the war, and there confederated with five other men like himself to come back to this region and plunder, betray, and abduct those who were struggling for freedom from their british oppressors,--old neighbours, for whom he should have felt only pity and kindness, even if he did not see things in just the same light that they did. these miscreants had their place of rendezvous in a large swamp, about five miles from colonel van vetchen's, cunningly concealing themselves there. robberies in that neighbourhood became frequent, and several persons were carried off. general stark, then in command of the barracks north of fish creek, was active and vigilant; and hearing that lovelace and his men had robbed general schuyler's house, and were planning to carry off colonel van vetchen, frustrated their design by furnishing the colonel with a guard. then captain dunham, who commanded a company of militia in the neighbourhood, hearing of the plans and doings of the marauders, at once summoned his lieutenant, ensign, orderly, and one private to his house. they laid their plans, waited till dark, then set out for the big swamp, which was three miles distant. there they separated to reconnoitre, and two of them were lost; but the other three kept together, and at dawn came upon the hiding-place of the tory robbers. they were up, and just drawing on their stockings. the three americans crawled cautiously toward them till quite near, then sprang upon a log with a shout, levelled their muskets, and dunham called out, 'surrender, or you are all dead men!' the robbers, thinking the americans were upon them in force, surrendered at once, coming out one at a time without their arms, and were marched off to general stark's camp, and given up to him as prisoners. they were tried by a court-martial as spies, traitors, and robbers; and lovelace, who was considered too dangerous to be allowed to escape, was condemned to be hanged. he complained that his sentence was unjust, and that he should be treated as a prisoner of war; but his claim was disallowed, and he was hanged here amid a violent storm of wind, rain, thunder, and lightning." "they hung him as a spy, did they, sir?" asked max. "as a spy and murderer. he was both; and," pointing out the precise spot, "after his execution he was buried here in a standing posture." "and his bones are lying right under here are they, sir?" asked lulu, shuddering as she glanced down at the spot the gentleman had indicated. "no," was the reply; "his bones, and even his teeth, have been carried off as relics." "ugh! to want such things as those for relics!" lulu exclaimed in a tone of emphatic disgust. "they are certainly not such relics as i would care to have," returned the gentleman, with a smile. then he told the captain he had shown them everything he had which could be called a souvenir of the revolutionary war, and with hearty thanks they took their leave. chapter iii. it was dinner-time when captain raymond and his children reached their hotel, and at the conclusion of the meal they went immediately to the station of the mount mcgregor road. there was just time for the buying of the tickets and seating themselves comfortably in the cars before the train started. "papa, how long will it take us to go there?" asked lulu. "thirty-five minutes," he answered. "it is about ten miles to the mountain; then we go up about eleven hundred feet above saratoga springs." "yes, sir," said max; "and here on this time-table it says that in some places the grade is as high as two hundred and forty-six feet to the mile." "set that down in your memory," returned his father, with a smile. "now look out of the windows, max and lulu; the country is well worth seeing." the ride seemed very short,--it was so enjoyable,--and lulu was quite surprised when the car stopped and all the passengers hurried out. every one went into the drexel cottage, which was close at hand. a man showed them about, pointing out the objects of special interest,--the bed where general grant died, the candle he had extinguished but a few minutes before breathing his last, and so on. they spent some time in the cottage, going quietly about, looking with a sad interest at everything which had any connection with the dear departed great man, then went on up to the mountain top, where stood a large hotel. they passed it, and went on to the edge of the mountain, which overlooks the hudson river valley. "oh, what a lovely view!" cried lulu, in delight. "what mountains are those, papa?" "those to the east," he replied, pointing in that direction as he spoke, "are the green mountains, those to the north are the adirondacks, and those to the south the catskills." "oh, lu, look yonder!" cried max. "there's schuylerville with its monument, i do believe,--isn't it, papa?" "yes, you are right,--the place of burgoyne's surrender, which we visited this morning," the captain answered. "now suppose we go to the observatory at the top of the hotel, and take the view from there." max and lulu gave an eager assent to the proposal. there were a good many stairs to climb, but the view fully repaid them for the exertion. they spent some minutes in gazing upon it, then descended and wandered through the woods till the train was ready to start down the mountain. max and lulu were tired enough to go to bed at dark; and the next morning they took an early train to albany, where they boarded a fine steamer, which would carry them down the hudson river to west point, where, to the children's great delight, their father had promised to stay a day or two, and show them all of historical interest connected with the spot. it was the first trip on the hudson that max or his sister had ever taken, and they enjoyed it greatly,--all the more because their father was sufficiently familiar with the scenes through which they were passing to call their attention to whatever was best worth noticing, and give all desired information in regard to it, doing so in the kindest and pleasantest manner possible. the weather was all that could be desired,--cloudy, with an occasional shower, seldom heavy enough to obscure the view to any great extent, and just cooling the air pleasantly, as lulu remarked with much satisfaction. it was not raining when they landed at west point, though clouds still veiled the sun. they took a carriage near the wharf, and drove to the hotel. as they alighted, some gentlemen were talking upon its porch, one of whom was in military uniform. "raymond, this is a meeting as delightful as unexpected,--to me at least!" he exclaimed, coming hastily forward with out-stretched hand. "keith, i don't know when i have had a pleasanter surprise!" returned captain raymond, taking the offered hand and shaking it heartily, while his eyes shone with pleasure. "you are not here permanently?" "no; only on a furlough. and you?" "just for a day or two, to show my children our military academy and the points of historical interest in its vicinity," replied captain raymond, glancing down upon them with a smile of fatherly pride and affection. "max and lulu, this gentleman is lieutenant keith, of whom you have sometimes heard me speak, and whom your mamma calls cousin donald." "your children, are they? ah, i think i might have known them anywhere from their remarkable resemblance to you, raymond!" mr. keith said, shaking hands first with lulu, then with max. he chatted pleasantly with them for a few minutes, while their father attended to engaging rooms and having the baggage taken up to them. when he rejoined them keith asked, "may i have the pleasure of showing you about, raymond?" "thank you; no better escort could be desired," replied the captain, heartily, "you being a valued friend just met after a long separation, and also an old resident here, thoroughly competent for the task, and thoroughly acquainted with all the points of interest." "i think i may say i am that," returned keith, with a smile; "and it will give me the greatest pleasure to show them to you,--as great, doubtless, as you seemed to find some years ago in showing me over your man-of-war. but first, let us take a view from the porch here. yonder," pointing in a westerly direction, "at the foot of the hills, are the dwellings of the officers and professors. in front of them you see the parade-ground: there, on the south side, are the barracks. there is the grecian chapel, yonder the library building, with its domed turrets, and there are the mess hall and hospital." then turning toward the west again, "that lofty summit," he said, "is mount independence, and the ruins that crown it are those of 'old fort put.' that still loftier peak is redoubt hill. there, a little to the north, you see old cro' nest and butter hill. now, directly north, through that magnificent cleft in the hills, you can see newburgh and its bay. of the scenery in the east we will have a better view from the ruins of 'old put.'" "no doubt," said the captain. "shall we go up there at once?" "if you like, raymond. i always enjoy the view; it more than pays for the climb. but," and mr. keith glanced somewhat doubtfully at lulu, "shall we not take a carriage? i fear the walk may be too much for your little girl." "what do you say, lulu?" her father asked with a smiling glance at her. "oh, i'd rather walk, papa!" she exclaimed. "we have been riding so much for the last week and more; and you know i'm strong and well, and dearly love to climb rocks and hills." "very well, you shall do as you like, and have the help of papa's hand over the hard places," he said, offering it as he spoke. she put hers into it with a glad look and smile up into his face that almost made donald keith envy the captain the joys of fatherhood. they set off at once. lulu found it a rather hard climb, or that it would have been without her father's helping hand; but the top of mount independence was at length reached, and the little party stood among the ruins of fort putnam. they stood on its ramparts recovering breath after the ascent, their faces turned toward the east, silently gazing upon the beautiful panorama spread out at their feet. it was the captain who broke the silence. "you see that range of hills on the farther side of the river, children?" "yes, sir," both replied with an inquiring look up into his face. "in the time of the revolution every pinnacle was fortified, and on each a watch-fire burned," he said. "they had a battery on each, papa?" queried max. "yes; but yonder, at their foot, stands something that will interest you still more,--the beverly house, from which arnold the traitor fled to the british ship 'vulture,' on learning that andré had been taken." "oh, is it, sir?" exclaimed max, in a tone of intense interest. "how i would like to visit it,--can we, papa?" "i too; oh, very much!" said lulu. "please take us there,--won't you, papa?" "i fear there will be hardly time, my dears; but i will see about it," was the indulgent reply. "you have been here before, raymond?" mr. keith said inquiringly. "yes; on my first bridal trip," the captain answered in a low, moved tone, and sighing slightly as the words left his lips. "with our own mother, papa?" asked lulu, softly, looking up into his face with eyes full of love and sympathy. "yes, daughter; and she enjoyed the view very much as you are doing now." "i'm glad; i like to think she saw it once." an affectionate pressure of the hand he held was his only reply. then turning to his friend, "it is a grand view, keith," he said; "and one that always stirs the patriotism in my blood, inherited from ancestors who battled for freedom in those revolutionary days." "it is just so with myself," replied keith; "and the view is a grand one in itself, though there were no such association,--a superb panorama! the beautiful, majestic river sweeping about the rock-bound promontory below us there, with its tented field; yonder the distant spires of newburgh, and the bright waters of its bay, seen through that magnificent cleft in the hills," pointing with his finger as he spoke,--"ah, how often i have seen it all in imagination when out in the far west scouting over arid plains, and among desolate barren hills and mountains, where savages and wild beasts abound! at times an irrepressible longing for this very view has come over me,--a sort of homesickness, most difficult to shake off." "such as years in the ports of foreign lands have sometimes brought upon me," observed the captain, giving his friend a look of heartfelt sympathy. "dear papa, i'm so glad that is all over," lulu said softly, leaning lovingly up against him as she spoke, and again lifting to his eyes her own so full of sympathy and affection. "oh, it is so pleasant to have you always at home with us!" a smile and an affectionate pressure of the little soft white hand he held were his only reply. "ah, my little girl, when papa sees a man-of-war again, he will be likely to wish himself back in the service once more!" remarked keith, in a sportive tone, regarding her with laughing eyes. "no, sir, i don't believe it," she returned stoutly. "papa loves his home and wife and children too well for that; besides, he has resigned from the navy, and i don't believe they'd take him back again." "well, lu," said max, "that's a pretty way to talk about papa! now, it's my firm conviction that they'd be only too glad to get him back." "that's right, max; stand up for your father always," laughed keith. "he is worthy of it; and i don't doubt the government would be ready to accept his services should he offer them." "of course," laughed the captain; "but i intend to give them those of my son instead," turning a look upon max so proudly tender and appreciative that the lad's young heart bounded with joy. "ah, is that so?" said keith, gazing appreciatively into the lad's bright young face. "well, i have no doubt he will do you credit. max, my boy, never forget that you have the credit of an honourable name to sustain, and that in so doing you will make your father a proud and happy man." "that is what i want to do, sir," replied max, modestly. then hastily changing the subject, "papa, is that town over there phillipstown?" "yes; what do you remember about it?" "that a part of our revolutionary army was camped there in . and there, over to the left, is constitution island,--isn't it, sir?" "yes," answered his father; then went on to tell of the building of the fort from which the island takes its name, and its abandonment a few days after the capture by the british of forts clinton and montgomery, near the lower entrance to the highlands, in . "such a pity, after they had been to all the expense and trouble of building it!" remarked lulu. "yes, quite a waste," said max; "but war's a wasteful business anyway it can be managed." "quite true, max," said, mr. keith; "and soldier though i am, i sincerely hope we may have no more of it in this land." "no, sir; but the best way to keep out of it is to show ourselves ready for self-defence. that is what papa says." "and i entirely agree with him. shall we go now, raymond, and see what of interest is to be found in the buildings and about the grounds of the academy?" the captain gave a ready assent, and they retraced their steps, he helping lulu down the mountain as he had helped her up. keith took them, first, to the artillery laboratory to see, as he said, some trophies and relics of the revolution. conducting them to the centre of the court, "here," he remarked, "are some interesting ones," pointing, as he spoke, to several cannon lying in a heap, and encircled by some links of an enormous chain. "oh," exclaimed max, "is that part of the great chain that was stretched across the hudson, down there by constitution island, in the time of the revolution?" "yes," replied keith. "and these two brass mortars were taken from burgoyne at saratoga; this larger one, wayne took from the british at stony point. i dare say you and your sister are acquainted with the story of that famous exploit." "oh, yes, sir!" they both replied; and lulu asked, "is that the english coat-of-arms on the big cannon?" her look directed the query to her father, and he answered, "yes." "and what do these words below it mean, papa,--'aschaleh fecit, '?" "aschaleh is doubtless the name of the maker; '_fecit_' means he executed it, and gives the time when it was done." "thank you, sir," she said. "is there any story about that one?" pointing to another cannon quite near at hand. "yes," he said; "by its premature discharge, in , a cadet named lowe was killed. in the cemetery is a beautiful monument to his memory." "here are two brass field-pieces, each marked 'g. r.,'" said max. "do those letters stand for george rex,--king george,--papa?" "yes; that was the monogram of the king." "and the cannon is fourteen years younger than those others," remarked lulu; "for, see there, it says, 'w. bowen fecit, .'" "oh, here's an inscription!" exclaimed max, and read aloud, "'taken from the british army, and presented, by order of the united states, in congress assembled, to major-general green, as a monument of their high sense of the wisdom, fortitude, and military talents which distinguished his command in the southern department, and of the eminent services which, amid complicated dangers and difficulties, he performed for his country. october th, .' oh, that was right!" supplemented the lad, "for i do think green was a splendid fellow." "he was, indeed!" said the captain; "and he has at last been given such a monument as he should have had very many years sooner." "where is it, papa?" asked lulu. "in washington. it is an equestrian statue, by henry kirke brown." "yes; and very glad i am that even that tardy act of justice has been done him,--one of the bravest and most skilful commanders of our revolutionary war," remarked mr. keith. then he added, "i think we have seen about all you will care for here, raymond, and that you might enjoy going out upon the parade-ground now. the sun is near setting, and the battalion will form presently, and go through some interesting exercises." "thank you!" the captain said. "let us, then, go at once, for i see max and his sister are eager for the treat," he added, with a smiling glance from one brightly expectant young face to the other. chapter iv. they reached the parade-ground just in time to see the battalion forming under arms, and max and lulu watched every movement with intense interest and delight,--the long skirmish lines firing in advance or retreat, picking off distant imaginary leaders of a pretended enemy in reply to the ringing skirmish calls of the key-bugles, deploying at the run, rallying at the reserves and around the colours. that last seemed to delight lulu more than anything else. "oh," she exclaimed, "isn't it lovely! wouldn't they all fight for the dear old flag if an enemy should come and try to tear it down!" "i'm inclined to think they would," returned mr. keith, smiling at her enthusiasm. "now look at the flag waving from the top of the staff yonder." the words had scarcely left his lips when there came the sudden bang of the sunset gun, and the flag quickly fluttered to the earth. then followed the march of the cadets to their supper, and our little party turned about and went in search of theirs. on leaving the table they went out upon the hotel porch and seated themselves where the view was particularly fine, the gentlemen conversing, max and lulu listening, both tired enough to be quite willing to sit still. the talk, which was principally of ordnance and various matters connected with army and navy, had greater interest for the boy than for his sister, and lulu soon laid her head on her father's shoulder, and was presently in the land of dreams. "my poor, tired, little girl!" he said, low and tenderly, softly smoothing the hair from her forehead as he spoke. at that she roused, and lifting her head, said coaxingly, "please don't send me to bed yet, papa! i'm wide awake now." "are you, indeed?" he laughed. "i think those eyes look rather heavy; but you may sit up now if you will agree to sleep in the morning when max and i will probably be going out to see the cadets begin their day. would you like to go, max?" "yes, indeed, sir!" answered max, in eager tones; "it's about five o'clock we have to start,--isn't it?" "yes, max. lieutenant keith has kindly offered to call us in season, and become our escort to the camp." "oh, papa, mayn't i go too?" pleaded lulu, in the most coaxing tones. "i won't give you the least bit of trouble." "you never do, daughter, in regard to such matters; you are always prompt, and ready in good season." "then do you say i may go, papa?" "yes, if you will go to bed at once, in order to secure enough sleep by five o'clock in the morning." "oh, thank you, sir! yes, indeed, i will," she said, hastily rising to her feet, and bidding good-night to mr. keith. "i too," said max, following her example. "good children," said their father; then noticing the longing look in lulu's eyes, he excused himself to his friend, saying he would join him again presently, and went with them. "that is a beautiful, bright, engaging, little girl of yours, raymond,--one that any father might be proud of," remarked keith when the captain had resumed the seat by his side. "she seems all that to me; but i have sometimes thought it might be the blindness of parental affection that makes the child so lovely and engaging in her father's eyes," returned the captain, in tones that spoke much gratification. "i think, indeed i am sure, not," returned keith. "about how old is she?" "thirteen. actually, she'll be a woman before i know it!" was the added exclamation in a tone of dismay. "i don't like the thought of losing my little girl even in that way." "ah, you'll be likely to lose her in another before many years!" laughed his friend. "she'll make a lovely woman, raymond!" "i think you are right," answered the father; "and i confess that the thought of another gaining the first place in her heart--which i know is mine now--is far from pleasant to me. well, it cannot be for some years yet, and i shall try not to think of it. perhaps she may never care to leave her father." "i don't believe she will if she is wise. you are a fortunate man, raymond! your son--the image of his father--is not less attractive than his sister, and evidently a remarkably intelligent lad. he will make his mark in the navy; and i dare say we shall have the pleasure of seeing him an admiral by the time we--you and i--are gray-headed, old veterans." "perhaps so," returned the captain, with a pleased smile; "but promotion is slow in the navy in these days of peace." "quite true; and as true of the army as of the navy. but even that is to be preferred to war,--eh, raymond?" "most decidedly," was the emphatic reply. "you leave for home to-morrow evening, i think you said?" was keith's next remark, made in an inquiring tone. "that is my plan at present," replied the captain, "though i would stay a little longer rather than have the children disappointed in their hope of seeing everything about here that has any connection with the revolution." "they seem to be ardent young patriots," said keith. "it does one good to see their pride and delight in the flag. how their eyes shone at the sight of the rally round the colours." "yes; and they feel an intense interest in everything that has any connection with the revolutionary struggle. they get it in the blood; and it has been their father's earnest endeavour to cultivate in them an ardent love of country." "in which he has evidently been remarkably successful," returned keith. "i am much mistaken if that boy does not do you great credit while in the naval academy, and, as i remarked a moment since, after fairly entering the service." "a kind and pleasant prediction, keith," the captain said, giving his friend a gratified look. "how many children have you, raymond?" was the next question. "only five," the captain said, with a happy laugh,--"five treasures that should, it seems to me, make any man feel rich; also, a sweet, beautiful, young wife, who is to her husband worth far more than her weight in gold. 'her price is above rubies.' and you, keith,--you have not told me whether you have yet found your mate." "no, not yet. i sometimes think i never shall, but shall soon become a confirmed old bachelor," keith replied. then, after an instant's pause, "i wonder if lulu's father would give her to me should i wait patiently till she is old enough to know her own mind in such matters, and then succeed in winning her heart?" "ah, keith, is that a serious thought or a mere idle jest?" queried the captain, turning a surprised and not altogether pleased look upon his friend. "a sort of mixture of the two, i believe, raymond," was the laughing reply; "but i haven't the least idea of putting any such mischief into your daughter's head,--at least, not at present. but if i ask your permission half a dozen years hence to pay my court to her, i hope it will not be refused." "well, keith," the captain said, after a moment's silence, "i should be very loath to stand in the way of your happiness,--still more of that of my dear daughter; but the time is so far off that we need not discuss the question now. my little girl seems still the merest child, with no thought of the cares, pleasures, and duties of womanhood; and i wish to keep her so as long as i can. that is one reason why i rejoice in being able to educate her myself in our own home; and thus far the loves of the dear ones in it have seemed all-sufficient for her happiness. and i own to being particularly pleased with her oft-repeated assurance that she loves papa better than she does any one else in all the wide world." "ah, i do not wonder that she does, for her father is altogether worthy of all the love she can give him!" keith said, with a half-sigh, thinking of the loneliness of his lot compared with that of the captain. "keith," the captain said, after a moment's silence, "you tell me your furlough will not expire for some weeks yet. can you not spend them with us at the sea-shore?" donald demurred a little at first, saying he had made other plans; and besides, his going might interfere with his cousins' arrangements. "not the slightest danger of that," the captain averred; "and i am certain that one and all will be delighted to see you." "and i own to being fairly hungry for a sight of them," laughed donald. "so, raymond, your invitation is accepted, and on your own head be the consequences." "no objection to that; i'm delighted to have you on any terms, reasonable or otherwise," the captain said, with his pleasant smile. max and lulu had an hour or more of good refreshing sleep before the two gentlemen separated for the night. captain raymond went very softly into lulu's room, and stood for a moment by the bedside looking fondly down into the rosy, sleeping face, then, bending over her, kissed her tenderly on cheek and lip and brow. her eyes opened wide and looked up into his, while a glad smile broke over her face. "you dear, good papa, to come in and kiss me again!" she said, putting her arm round his neck and returning his caresses. "oh, i do think i have just the very dearest, kindest, best father in the whole wide world!" "that's rather strong, isn't it?" he returned, laughing, but at the same time gathering her up in his arms for a moment's petting and fondling. then, laying her down again, "i did not mean to wake you," he said; "and i want you now to go to sleep again as fast as you can, because, though to-morrow will, i hope, be a very enjoyable day to you and max, it is probable you will find it quite fatiguing also." "yes, sir; but i don't mean to think about it now, else i'd be wide awake presently, and maybe not sleep any more to-night," lulu answered drowsily, her eyes closing while she spoke. he was turning away, when she roused sufficiently to ask another question. "papa, will you please wake me when the time comes to get up?" "yes, daughter," he replied. "do not let the fear of not waking in season rob you of a moment's sleep. i think you may safely trust to your father to attend to that for you." it seemed to lulu that but a few moments had passed when her father's voice spoke again close to her side. "wake up now, little daughter, if you want to go with papa and max to see what the cadets will be doing in their camp for the next hour or so." "oh, yes, indeed, i do!" she cried, wide awake in an instant. "good-morning; and thank you ever so much for calling me, dear papa!" and with the words her arms were round his neck, her kisses on his cheek. he gave her a hearty embrace in turn; and then, with a "now, my darling, you must make haste, we have only ten minutes; but i shall bring you back to rearrange your toilet before going down to breakfast," he released her and went back to his own room. lulu made quick work of her dressing, and when her father tapped at her door to say it was time to go, was quite ready. they found mr. keith waiting on the porch, exchanged a pleasant "good-morning" with him, and at once started for the camp. max and lulu were in gayest spirits, and were allowed to laugh and talk till the little party drew near the camp, when their father bade them be quiet, and amuse themselves for the present by looking and listening. he spoke in a kind, pleasant tone, and they obeyed at once. down by the guard-tents they could see a dim, drowsy gleam, as of a lantern; the gas-jets along the way seemed to burn dimly, too, as the daylight grew stronger, and up about the hill-tops on the farther side of the river the sky was growing rosy and bright with the coming day. but all was so quiet, so still, where the tents were that it seemed as if everybody there must be still wrapped in slumber; and lulu was beginning to think mr. keith must have called for them a little earlier than necessary, when a sudden gleam and rattle among the trees almost made her jump, so startled was she, while at the same instant a stern, boyish voice called out, "who comes there?" and a sentry stood before them wrapped in an overcoat,--for the morning was very cool up there among the mountains,--and with the dew dripping from his cap. "friends, with the countersign," replied mr. keith. "halt, friends! advance one with the countersign," commanded the sentry; and while the captain and his children stood still where they were, mr. keith stepped up to the levelled bayonet and whispered a word or two in the ear of the young sentinel which at once caused a change in his attitude toward our party,--respectful attention taking the place of the fierce suspicion. "advance, friends!" he said, bringing his heels together and his rifle to the carry, then stood like a statue while they passed on into the camp he guarded. max and lulu, remembering their father's order to them to keep quiet, said nothing, but were careful to make the very best use of their eyes. down by the tents, on the south and east sides, they could see sentries pacing their rounds, but there was as yet no sound or movement among the occupants. some drummer-boys were hurrying over the plain toward the camp, while a corporal and two cadets were silently crossing to the northeast corner, where stood a field-piece dripping with dew. max motioned to lulu to notice what they were doing, and as he did so they had reached the gun, and there was a dull thud as they rammed home their cartridge. the drummer-boys were chattering together in low tones, glancing now and again at the clock in the "academic" tower over on the other side of the plain. suddenly a mellow stroke began to tell the hour, but the next was drowned in the roar of the gun as it belched forth fire and smoke, while at the same instant drum and fife broke forth in the stirring strains of the reveille. lulu almost danced with delight, looking up into her father's face with eyes shining with pleasure. his answering smile was both fond and indulgent as he took the small white hand in his with a loving clasp; but it was no time for words amid the thunder of the drums playing their march in and about the camp. lulu could see the tent-flaps raised, drowsy heads peering out, then dozens of erect, slender lads, in white trousers and tight-fitting coatees, coming out with buckets, and hurrying away to the water-tanks and back again. presently the drums and fifes ceased their music; there was a brief interval of silence, while the streets of the camp filled up with gray and white coated figures. then came another rattle of the drums like a sharp, quick, imperative call. "fall in!" ordered the sergeants; and like a flash each company sprang into two long columns. "left face!" ordered each first sergeant, while the second sergeant, answering to his own name, was watching with eagle eye a delinquent who came hurrying on, and took his place in the ranks too late by a full half-second. "ah," exclaimed keith, "that poor lad will be reported as too late at reveille!" lulu gave him a look of surprise. "dear me," she said to herself, "if papa was that strict with his children what ever would become of me?" but the first sergeant was calling the roll, and she listened with fresh astonishment as he rattled off the seventy or eighty names without so much as an instant's pause, using no list, and seeming to recognize each lad as he answered "here." it took scarcely a minute; then at a single word the ranks scattered, the lads hurrying away to their tents, while the first sergeant made a brief report to the captain, who stood near, then the captain to the officer of the day. our little party had now seated themselves where a good view of the camp might be obtained, and max and lulu watched with great interest what was going on there. they could see the lads pull off their gray coats, raise their tent-walls to give free circulation through them to the sweet morning air, pile up their bedding, and sweep their floors. lulu gave her father an inquiring look, and he said, "what is it, daughter? you may talk now, if you wish." "i was just wondering if you had to do such work as that at annapolis," she said in reply. "i did," he responded, with a smile, "and thought you had heard me speak of it." "maybe i have," she said, with a tone and look as if trying to recall something in the past. "oh, yes, i do remember it now! and i suppose that's the reason you have always been so particular with us about keeping our rooms nice and neat." "partly, i believe," he returned, softly patting the hand she had laid on his knee; "but my mother was very neat and orderly, and from my earliest childhood tried to teach me to be the same." "and i think i'll find it easier because of your teachings, sir," remarked max. "i hope so," the captain said; "you'll find you have enough to learn, my boy, without that." "a good father is a great blessing, max, as i have found in my own experience," said mr. keith. but the roll of the drums began again, now playing "pease upon a trencher;" again the ranks were formed, rolls called; the sergeants marched their companies to the colour line, officers took their stations; first captain ordered attention, swung the battalion into column of platoons to the left, ordered "forward, guide right, march!" and away they went, to the stirring music of the fifes and drums, away across the plain till the main road was reached, down the shaded lane between the old "academic" and the chapel, past the new quarters, and the grassy terrace beyond. then each platoon wheeled in succession to the right, mounted the broad stone steps, and disappeared beneath the portals of the mess hall. our party, who had followed at so slight a distance as to be able to keep the cadets in sight to the door of entrance, did not attempt to look in upon them at their meal, but hurried on to the hotel to give attention to their own breakfasts,--the keen morning air and the exercise of walking having bestowed upon each one an excellent appetite. max and lulu were very eager to "get back in time to see everything," as they expressed it, so began eating in great haste. their father gently admonished them to be more deliberate. "you must not forget," he said, "that food must be thoroughly masticated in order to digest properly; and those who indulge in eating at such a rapid rate will be very likely soon to suffer from indigestion." "and we may as well take our time," added mr. keith, "for it will be an hour or more before anything of special interest will be going on among the cadets." "what do they do next, sir?" asked max. "morning drill, which is not very interesting, comes next; then the tents are put in order." "that must take a good while," remarked lulu. "from three to five minutes, perhaps." "oh!" she cried in surprise; "how can they do it so quickly? i'm sure i couldn't put my room at home in good order in less than ten minutes." "but, then, you're not a boy, you know," laughed max. "i'm quite as smart as if i were," she returned promptly. "isn't that so, papa?" "i have known some boys who were not particularly bright," he answered, with an amused look. "perhaps you might compare quite favourably with them." "oh, papa!" she exclaimed; "is that the best you can say about me?" "i can say that my daughter seems to me to have as much brain as my son, and of as good quality," he replied kindly, refilling her plate as he spoke; "and i very much doubt his ability to put a room in order more rapidly than she can, and at the same time equally well," he concluded. "well, it's a sort of womanish work anyhow,--isn't it, papa?" queried max, giving lulu another laughing look. "i don't see it so," replied his father. "i would be sorry to admit, or to think, that women have a monopoly of the good qualities of order and cleanliness." "i, too, sir," said max; "and i'm quite resolved to do my father credit in that line as well as others, at the academy and elsewhere." "are we going at once, papa?" lulu asked as they left the table. "no; but probably in ten or fifteen minutes. can you wait so long as that?" he asked, with a humorous smile, and softly smoothing her hair as she stood by his side. "oh, yes, sir!" she answered brightly. "i hope i'm not quite so impatient as i used to be; and i feel quite sure you'll not let max or me miss anything very interesting or important." "not if i can well help it, daughter," he said. "i want you and max to see and hear all that i think will be instructive, or give you pleasure." a few moments later they set out; and they had just reached the grove up by the guard-tents, and seated themselves comfortably, when the drum tapped for morning parade, and the cadets were seen issuing from their tents, buttoned to the throat in faultlessly fitting uniforms, their collars, cuffs, gloves, belts, and trousers of spotless white, their rifles, and every bit of metal about them gleaming with polish. "how fine the fellows do look, lu!" remarked max, in an undertone. "yes," she replied; "they couldn't be neater if they were girls." "no, i should think not," he returned, with a laugh. "oh, see! yonder comes the band. now we'll soon have some music." "and there come some officers," said lulu; and as she spoke the sentry on no. rattled his piece, with a shout that re-echoed from the hills, "turn out the guard, commandant of cadets!" and instantly the members of the guard were seen hastily to snatch their rifles from the racks, form ranks, and present arms. "oh, maxie, isn't that fine!" whispered lulu, ecstatically. "wouldn't you like to be that officer?" "i'd ten times rather be captain of a good ship," returned max. "i believe i'd rather be in the navy, too, if i were a boy," she said; "but i'd like the army next best." "yes, so would i." but the drum again tapped sharply, the cadets in each street resolved themselves into two long parallel lines, elbow to elbow, and at the last tap faced suddenly outward, while the glistening rifles sprang up to "support arms;" every first sergeant called off his roll, every man as he answered to his name snapping down his piece to the "carry" and "order." that done, the sergeant faced his captain, saluting in soldierly fashion, and took his post; the captain whipped out his shining sword; the lieutenants stepped to their posts. "this is the morning inspection," mr. keith said in reply to an inquiring look from max and lulu. "are they very particular, sir?" queried max. "very; should a speck of rust be found on a cadet's rifle, a single button missing from his clothing, or unfastened, a spot on his trousers, a rip or tear in his gloves, or dust on his shoes, it is likely to be noted on the company delinquency-book to-day, and published to the battalion to-morrow evening." "i wonder if they're as strict and hard on a fellow as that at annapolis," thought max to himself. "i mean to ask papa about it." the inspection was soon over. "now," said mr. keith, "there'll be a moment's breathing spell, then more music by the band while the cadets go through some of their exercises, which i think you will find well worth looking at." they did enjoy it extremely,--the music, the manoeuvres of the cadets under the orders now of the adjutant, and again of the officer in command. there followed a half-hour of rest, in which mr. keith introduced his friend, captain raymond, to some of the other officers, and they all had a little chat together. but as the clock struck nine the cadets were again in ranks. "what are they going to do now, mr. keith?" asked lulu. "this is the hour for battery drill," was the reply. "ah, i'm glad we're going to see that!" said max. "i'd rather see it than anything else." "the cadets are dividing and going in different directions," said lulu. "some of them seem to be going down by the river." "yes; some members of the senior class. they are going to what is called the 'sea-coast battery' at the water's edge, and presently you will hear the thunder of great guns coming from there." "oh, can we go and look at them?" asked lulu, excitedly. "may we, papa?" turning to him. "i think we shall have a finer sight up here," he replied. "am i not right, mr. keith?" "yes; i think we would better remain where we are. i would like you to see what daring horsemen these youngsters are. see yonder are the seniors in riding-dress, with gauntlets and cavalry sabres. watch how easily they mount, and how perfectly at home they are upon their steeds." with intense interest and no little excitement max and lulu watched and listened to all that followed,--the rapid movements of column, line, and battery, the flash of sabres, the belching of flame and smoke, accompanied by the thundering roar of the great guns, the stirring bugle blasts, the rearing of the horses when brought to a sudden halt. even the gentlemen showed unmistakable symptoms of interest and excitement. the hour of battery drill passed very quickly. when it was over the captain called a carriage, and he, mr. keith, max, and lulu drove from one point of interest to another, occupying in this way the time till the hour for the boat from albany to touch at the point. they took passage on it to new york city, where they left it to board a sound steamer,--a few hours' journey in which would take them to that part of the sea-coast of rhode island which had been selected as the summer resort of the family connection. chapter v. early the next morning our party landed at newport, where they took a carriage for their sea-side home. it was early when they arrived, but they found everybody up, and ready with a joyful welcome, in both that house and the next two, occupied by the dinsmores, travillas, and lelands. the delight of all the raymonds, from the captain down to the baby boy, was a pretty thing to see. the occupants of the other cottages were present, and rejoiced with them; and from one and all cousin donald received a very warm welcome. they were evidently much pleased to see him, and soon made him feel quite at home among them. they all sat down to breakfast together, almost immediately upon the arrival of the travellers, and lingered over the table in pleasant chat, talking of what had occurred to one and another during the absence of the captain, max, and lulu, questioning cousin donald in regard to loved ones more nearly related to him than to themselves, and laying plans for his and their own entertainment during his stay among them. "i hope," remarked the captain, "that some naval vessel will come within reach, so that we may have a chance to visit her in your company, donald." "thank you; i would greatly enjoy so doing," donald answered. "i suppose a visit from such a vessel is by no means rare in these parts at this time of year." "no," the captain replied, glancing through a window looking upon the sea, as he spoke. "why, there is one in plain view at this moment!" he cried, starting to his feet. they all hastily left the table and gathered upon a porch which gave them a good view of the sea and the man-of-war, hardly a mile away. "my spy-glass, max, my son," the captain said. "here, papa," answered max, putting it into his father's hand. "i knew it would be wanted." "good boy," returned the captain. "ah, yes," looking through the glass, "just as i thought. it is the 'wanita,' captain wade, an old friend of mine; we were boys together in the naval academy." his face shone with pleasure as he spoke. "we must visit her," he added, passing the glass to donald. max and lulu exchanged glances of delight,--papa was so kind and indulgent they were almost sure he would take them along if he knew they wished to go. "not to-day, levis? i am sure you must be too much fatigued with your long journey," violet said, with a look into her husband's eyes that seemed to add, "i could not be content to part from you for an hour just yet." his answering look was as fond as her own. "no, dearest," he said, low and tenderly, "nor do i intend to go at all without my little wife, unless she absolutely refuses to accompany me; we will stay quietly at home to-day, if you wish, and perhaps visit the 'wanita' to-morrow." it was a bit of private chat, the others being quite engrossed with the 'wanita,' taking turns in gazing upon her through the glass. the next moment lulu was by her father's side, asking in eager beseeching tones, "papa, if you go on board that war vessel won't you take max and me with you?" "i think it highly probable, in case you should both wish to go," he said, smiling at the look of entreaty in her face and its sudden change to one of extreme delight as she heard his reply. "oh, papa, thank you ever so much!" she cried, fairly dancing with delight. "there's nothing i'd like better; and i hope we can all go." "you would enjoy it, my dear?" asked the captain, turning to his wife. "i would enjoy going anywhere with you, levis; and your company is particularly desirable on a man-of-war," violet answered with a happy laugh. "thank you," he returned, with a bow and smile. "we must have them--wade and his officers--here too. it will be a pleasure to entertain them." "oh, papa, how delightful!" cried lulu, clapping her hands. "ah, my child, let me advise you not to be too much elated," laughed her father; "they may have or receive orders to leave this port for some other before our plan can be carried out." "what plan is it?" "to what do you refer, captain?" asked several voices; for nearly every one had now taken a look at the man-of-war, and was ready to give attention to something else. the captain explained. "oh, how delightful!" exclaimed zoe. "will it be a dinner, tea, or evening party, captain?" "that question remains open to discussion, sister zoe," he returned, with a twinkle of fun in his eye. "what would you advise?" "oh," she said laughingly, "i am not prepared to answer that question yet." then the others joined in with proposals and suggestions, but nothing was positively decided upon just at that time. the day was spent restfully in wandering along the shore, sitting on the beach or the cottage porches, chatting and gazing out over the sea, or napping,--most of the last-named being done by the lately returned travellers. the little girls of the family, occasionally joined by max raymond and walter travilla, spent much of the day together, rather apart from their elders,--lulu most of the time giving an account of her trip out west and weeks of sojourn in the town of minersville, the acquaintances she had made, and all that had happened during the stay there, especially of the sad occurrence which so seriously marred the enjoyment of the last days of their visit, max now and then taking part in the narrative. both had a great deal to tell about west point and saratoga, and the places of historical interest in their vicinity. evidently the trip to the far west and back again, with their father, had been one of keen enjoyment to both of them. so the day passed and evening drew on. the little ones were in bed, the others all gathered upon the porches enjoying the delicious sea-breeze, and the view of the rolling waves, crested with foam, and looking like molten silver where the moonbeams fell full upon them. every one seemed gay and happy, and there was a good deal of cheerful chat, particularly on the porch of the raymond cottage, where were grandma elsie, edward travilla, donald keith, the captain, with violet and his older children, and some of the other young persons. the sound of approaching wheels attracted their attention. a carriage drew up in front of the house, and from it alighted a gentleman in the uniform of a captain in the navy. "wade!" exclaimed captain raymond, hurrying out to meet him. "my dear friend, this is very kind in you. i had hardly hoped to see you until to-morrow, and not then without hunting you up. you are as welcome as this delicious sea-breeze." "thanks, raymond, that's quite a compliment," laughed the other, shaking hands heartily; "but i deserve no thanks, as i came quite as much for my own satisfaction as for yours. i understand you have been here for some weeks, but i only heard of it accidentally this morning." "but it was only this morning i arrived," captain raymond said in a tone of amusement; then, as they had stepped into the midst of the group upon the porch, he proceeded to introduce his friend to the ladies and gentlemen composing it. there followed an hour of lively, pleasant chat, during which captain wade made acquaintance with not only the grown people, but the younger ones also, seeming to take a great deal of interest in them,--max especially,--listening with attention and evident sympathy as captain raymond told of his son's prospect of soon becoming a naval cadet. "you have my best wishes, max," said captain wade. "i hope to live to see you a naval officer as brave, talented, and as much beloved as your father was, and still is." max's eyes sparkled, and turned upon his father with a look of deepest respect and affection as he replied, "i could ask nothing better than that, sir, i am sure." "and i could wish you nothing better than that you may prove a son worthy of such a father," returned captain wade. "i have known him since he was a boy of your age, and never knew him to be guilty of a mean or dishonourable act." "thank you, sir," said max, his cheeks flushing, and his eyes again seeking his father's face with a look of reverence and filial love; "it is very kind in you to tell me that, though it's no news to me that i'm so fortunate as to be the son of a man any boy might be proud to own as his father." "bravo, max!" exclaimed mr. keith, with a pleased laugh. "i like to hear a boy talk in that way of his father, and certainly you have a good right to do so." "no boy ever had a better right than max has to speak well of his father," remarked violet, lightly, but with an earnest undertone in her sweet voice, "and no one is more capable of judging of that than i, who have lived with them both for years." "and no one could speak too well of papa," said lulu, with impulsive warmth, "for there couldn't be a better man than he is." "i should be sorry to believe that, little daughter," he said, putting an arm round her as she stood close at his side. then he changed the subject of conversation. a few minutes later captain wade took leave, giving all a cordial invitation to return his call by a visit to the "wanita." "we had talked of giving you a call to-morrow," said captain raymond, "but that would be a very prompt return of your visit." "none too prompt," returned wade. "our time here together, raymond, is likely to be all too short, and we would better make the most of it." "so i think," returned the person addressed; "and i hope we shall have the pleasure of seeing you here frequently." "i think he's just as nice as he can be," remarked rosie travilla, as the carriage drove away with captain wade, "and i hope he'll visit us again soon." "so do i," said lulu, "i believe naval officers are the very nicest gentlemen in the world." "that's rather strong, isn't it?" laughed her father; "and as you have made the acquaintance of only two or three in the course of your life, i fear you are hardly a competent judge." "and what of army officers, my little lady?" asked donald keith, with a good-humoured laugh. "have you nothing to say for them?" "oh, yes, sir!" she said. "i forgot them at the moment, and i do really think they are _almost_ equal to the naval ones." "almost!" he repeated. "well, even that is saying a good deal for us if your father is a fair sample of those belonging to the navy." but it was growing late, and the little party soon separated for the night. lulu was nearly ready for bed when her father came to her room to bid her good-night in the old way she liked so much. he took her in his arms with a fond caress, asking, "does it seem pleasant to be at home--or with the home folks--again?" "yes, indeed, papa," she answered, putting an arm about his neck and laying her cheek to his, "but you are always a great deal more than half of home to me. oh, i do love you so dearly!" "and i you, my own darling," her father replied, caressing her again and again. "i'd rather have you to love me, papa, than have all the money in the world without you, or with a father that didn't care much about me," she continued. "dear child," he said in tender tones, "i value you, and each one of my children, more than words can express. now i must bid you good-night, for you need all the sleep you can get between this and sunrise." "oh!" she exclaimed, "i do hope to-morrow will be clear, so we can go to see the 'wanita;' or at least that it won't rain. perhaps it would be all the pleasanter for a few clouds to keep the sun from being so hot on us." "no doubt," he replied; "but we must take the weather our heavenly father sends, and be content and thankful." "yes, sir, i'll try to do so; but i do hope it will be such that we can go." "i hope it will, daughter; but if you should have to give up the trip for the time, i hope and expect to see you do so pleasantly,--which you well may, considering that we are very likely to have other opportunities." "well, if anything should happen to keep me at home, and i'm cross or sulky about it, i just hope you'll punish me well for my naughtiness," she said so earnestly that he could scarcely refrain from smiling. "i'm sure that in that case i should punish myself quite as much as you," he said, giving her another hug. "my dear child, if you care at all for papa's happiness,--as i am sure you do,--try to be so good that he will never have the pain of inflicting any kind of punishment upon you." then he bade her good-night, and left her to her rest. lulu's head was scarcely on the pillow before she was fast asleep. when she woke, it was already broad daylight. she sprang up and ran to the window to take an observation of the weather. "cloudy, but not raining," she said, half-aloud. "just as i'd like to have it, if only it will keep so, and not turn to actual rain." with that she began making a rapid toilet, thinking she would like to take a little run on the beach before the summons to breakfast; but when she reached the porch below, the rain was falling pretty fast. "oh, dear!" she sighed, "why couldn't it keep off for a few hours longer?" "what, daughter,--the rain?" asked her father's voice close at her side, while his hand was laid caressingly upon her head. "oh, good-morning, papa!" she returned, lifting to his a sorely disappointed face. "i didn't know you were here. yes, sir, it is the rain i'm mourning over,--i do so want to visit that man-of-war to-day; it's really a great disappointment!" "i'm sorry you should feel it so!" he returned in a sympathizing tone; "but we won't despair yet. i think this is but a passing shower, which will make the trip all the more enjoyable by cooling the air nicely for us. however, should it prove too inclement for our contemplated little jaunt, we must try to remember that our kind and loving heavenly father orders all these things, and to be patient and content,--more than content, thankful for whatever he sends!" "i'll try to be content and thankful, papa; i certainly ought, when i have so many, _many_ blessings, and don't really deserve any of them," she answered, putting her hand into his, and letting him lead her back and forth along the porch, which they had to themselves for the time. "no; that is true of each one of us," he said. "did you sleep well?" "just as well as possible, papa," she answered, smiling up into his face. "i didn't know anything from the time my head touched the pillow till i woke to find it broad daylight." "that is something to be very thankful for, daughter, as you will discover should sickness and pain ever give you long hours of wakefulness, such as fall to the lot of many a poor sufferer." "i hope that time will never come to either of us, papa," she said; "but i'd rather it would come to me than to you. oh, it was so hard to see you suffer that time you were sick here, and that other time, when thunderer threw you!" "ah, i shall never forget how tenderly affectionate and helpful my children were to me then," he said, with a look and smile that made her heart bound. now others of the family began to join them. mr. keith came out upon the porch too, and after exchanging a good-morning with those who had preceded him, remarked that it seemed doubtful if they would be able to take their proposed trip to visit captain wade and his man-of-war. but by the time breakfast and family worship were over, the clouds began to scatter; and in another hour the carriages were at the door ready to convey them to the wharf, whence a boat would take them to the "wanita." every one did not care to go that day; the party consisted of grandma elsie, edward, zoe, rosie travilla, evelyn leland, mr. keith, and the raymonds, not including the very little ones, who were left at home in the care of their nurse. it was pronounced by all a most enjoyable little excursion. the weather proved favourable, clouds obscuring the sun, but no rain falling; the officers of the "wanita" were very polite and attentive, taking them about the vessel, and showing them everything likely to interest ladies and children. they, particularly grandma elsie and violet, were charmed with the perfect neatness everywhere noticeable; the decks, the store-rooms, the magazine and shell rooms, the passages, the engine and fire rooms (into which they took a peep),--indeed, all parts of the vessel shown them,--were most beautifully neat and clean. the battery, which contained some new guns, seemed to interest captain raymond and mr. keith more than anything else, while the ladies and little girls greatly admired their brilliant polish. when they returned to the shore there was still time for a delightful drive before dinner, which they took,--the best hour for bathing coming in the afternoon. captain wade and his officers took dinner and tea with them the next day by invitation. a great interest in the navy had been aroused in the breasts of the young people, and they watched the officers furtively, and listened with attention to all they said that had any bearing upon that subject. max was more and more in love with the prospect before him, and quite resolved to make the very best of his opportunities should he be so fortunate as to gain admission to the naval academy. his father had told him he might have this week entirely for recreation, but on the coming monday must begin to review his studies preparatory to the examination he would be called upon to pass through at annapolis. "i'm very willing, papa," he replied. "i've had a long and delightful vacation already out west with you; and as i'm very anxious to pass as good an examination as possible, i want to study hard to get ready for it. and i think it's ever so kind in you to help me by hearing my lessons." "well, my boy," the captain said, with a pleased look, "make the most of your holidays while they last, though i do not mean that it shall be all work and no play even after this week; a couple of hours given to study each day will probably be all-sufficient." "and may i get up early and take them before breakfast when i choose, sir?" max asked in an eager tone, that told how delightful he would esteem it to be ready to join in the pastimes of the rest of their party,--driving, boating, fishing, bathing, and strolling along the beach and through the woods. "yes, my son, if you can manage to get enough sleep in season for that," the captain replied in an indulgent tone. "i think i can, sir," said the boy. "i'll take an afternoon _siesta_ if i don't get enough sleep without." "that will do," said his father. "remember health and study must be well attended to, and the more fun and frolic you can manage to get besides, the better i shall be pleased." bent on carrying out his plan, max went early to bed sunday night, and was up at his books working hard for a couple of hours before breakfast. it still wanted fifteen or twenty minutes of that time when he went down to the porch with his book in his hand. his father was alone there, looking over the morning paper. "good-morning, papa," max said. "i am ready to recite whenever you want to hear me." "ah! are you, indeed?" the captain said, taking the book; "then i shall hear this lesson at once." max recited very creditably. his father commended him kindly, then said, "i am going in to the city directly after we have had breakfast and family worship, and shall take you with me if you would like to go." "thank you, sir; indeed i would!" returned max, his eyes shining, for he esteemed it one of his greatest pleasures and privileges to be permitted to go anywhere with his father. "yes, i think you will enjoy it," the captain said, smiling to see how pleased the boy was; "i have an errand which i shall tell to no one but cousin donald and you. see here," pointing to an advertisement in the paper he had been reading. "a yacht for sale!" exclaimed max; "oh, papa, are you going to buy it?" "that is a question i am not prepared to answer till i have seen it, my boy," replied his father. "i shall take you and cousin donald, if he will go, to look at it and help me to decide whether to buy it or not." mr. keith joined them at that moment, and was greeted with a pleasant good-morning and shown the advertisement, the captain telling him that if the yacht proved such as he would like to own, he meant to buy it, and if the plan was agreeable to his wife, to spend the rest of the summer on board, taking his family and friends with him, making short voyages along the coast and perhaps some distance out to sea. "taking the opportunity to give my son some lessons in navigation," he added, with a smiling glance at max. "papa! i couldn't ask anything better!" exclaimed max, hardly able to contain his delight. "i'm glad to hear it, my boy," his father said. "but now remember that our errand is a secret between us three until we return from the city." "then you'll tell mamma vi and the rest, sir?" asked max. "if i have made the purchase, yes." the call to breakfast came at that moment and was promptly obeyed. max could hardly eat, so excited was he over the prospect of going to the city with his father on so delightful an errand, but he said not a word on the subject. the coachman had been given his order in good season, and by the time family prayers were over the carriage and horses were at the gate. "my dear," captain raymond said to violet, "a business matter calls me to the city, but i hope to return in season to take my wife in bathing, or out driving, or wherever she may wish to go." "thank you, sir," she said, smiling up into his eyes; "i'll try to be ready for either by the time you return. but is not this a sudden move? i had heard nothing of it before." "yes, my dear; but as i am in some haste, i must defer my explanation until i get home again." "oh, i don't ask for an explanation," she returned laughingly, as he gave her a hasty good-by kiss; "you have always been so good since my first acquaintance with you, that i am quite sure you may be trusted." "ah! i'm much obliged for your good opinion," he answered, with a twinkle of fun in his eye, as he hastily kissed the children, then hurried with donald and max to the carriage. chapter vi. the "dolphin" proved a trim little craft, beautifully finished and furnished, a schooner-rigged sailing-yacht, gracefully modelled and nearly new; but her former owner had died, and the yacht was to be sold as a necessary measure for the settling of the estate. max went into raptures over her; and the captain was evidently pleased, though he said very little as he went about examining every part of her with keen scrutiny. "isn't she all right, papa?" max at length ventured to ask. "i think she is, my son," was the prompt, pleasant-toned reply. "what is your opinion, keith?" "it exactly coincides with yours, raymond; and if i wanted, and could afford so expensive a luxury, i think i shouldn't hesitate to make an offer for her." "we seem to be quite agreed in our estimate of her," said captain raymond; "and i shall take your advice." "you are quite sure of her speed?" queried keith. "yes; i have seen accounts of her in the papers, showing that she is a fine sailer, as i should feel confident she would be, judging merely from her appearance. she is a beautifully modelled, well-built little craft." "looks rather small to you after the naval vessels you were wont to command?" queried donald keith, with a good-humoured laugh. "yes; but quite captivating to a lover of the sea, nevertheless, and as i see she is such to max, and have no doubt that she will be to the rest of my family, i am about decided to make the purchase." max drew a long breath, while his eyes sparkled with pleasure. they at once sought the agent whose business it was to attend to the sale of the vessel. it did not take long for him and the captain to come to an agreement; and the "dolphin" quickly changed owners. max was enraptured, his cheeks glowing, his eyes fairly dancing with delight. he managed, with some difficulty, to keep quiet till they were in the carriage again on the way home, then burst out, "papa, i think it's just splendid that you're the owner of such a beautiful vessel! and i hope to learn a great deal about the proper management of one while we're sailing round in her." "i shall try to teach you all i can, my boy," was his father's smiling reply; "and your pleasure in the purchase doubles my own." "thank you, sir," said max. "i intend to pay good heed to your instructions, and learn as much as possible, so that i may pass a good examination at annapolis, and do my father credit." "but, max, you might do him as much credit in the army as in the navy; and how you could resist the fascinations of west point, i don't see," remarked donald keith, with a twinkle of fun in his eye. "well, sir, i suppose it's because i am the son of a seaman; love for the sea runs in the blood,--isn't that so, papa?" "altogether likely," laughed the captain. "i have been supposed to inherit it from my father, and he from his." violet, and the other members of the family, with some of the relatives from the adjacent cottages, were all on the porch as the carriage drew up in front of the house, and its occupants alighted. "papa! papa!" shouted little elsie and the baby boy, running to meet him. "papa's darlings!" the captain said, stooping to caress and fondle them; then, taking them in his arms, he followed donald up the porch-steps, max close in his rear. "take a seat, cousin donald," said violet. "we are glad to see you all back again. i have been wondering, my dear, what important business you had to keep you so long away from me and your children." "it was rather important," returned the captain, pleasantly. "max," with an indulgent smile into the lad's eager face, "you may have the pleasure of telling where we have been and what we have done." "oh, thank you, sir!" cried max, and proceeded to avail himself of the permission, going into an enthusiastic description of the beautiful "dolphin," and winding up with the news that papa had bought her, and expected to take their whole party--or, at least, as many of them as would like to go--coasting along the shores of all the atlantic states of new england, and for some distance out to sea. lulu was dancing with delight, hugging and kissing her father in a transport of joy, before max's story came to an end. "oh, papa, how good,--how good and kind you are!" she exclaimed. "i don't think anything could be pleasanter than such a trip as that. it'll be the greatest fun that ever was. and you'll command the vessel yourself, won't you? i do hope so; for i am sure nobody else could do it half so well." "what a flatterer my eldest daughter can show herself to be!" he said, with a good-humoured laugh. "yes, i do expect to take command of the dainty little craft,--a small affair, indeed, compared with a man-of-war. my dear," turning to violet, "we have yet to hear from you on this subject. i hope you approve of your husband's purchase." "entirely, levis. in fact, i am quite as much delighted as lulu seems to be," she answered, smiling up into his face. "what could be more enjoyable than sailing about in such a vessel, with a retired naval officer in command? when am i to see your 'dolphin'?" "yours quite as much as mine, my dear," he replied. "you have only to say the word at any time, and i will take you over to look at her." "oh, will you?" she exclaimed. "then suppose we all go over this afternoon, and see what she is like." "agreed!" the captain said; then glancing round at the eager faces, "how many of you would like to go with us?" he asked. he was answered by a prompt and unanimous acceptance of his invitation. they all wanted to see that beautiful "dolphin;" and after a little discussion of the matter, it was decided that they would give up the bath for that day, and start for newport harbour immediately upon leaving the dinner-table. they made a very jovial party, and were delighted with the vessel and the prospect of sailing in her under the command of one so kind and competent as her new owner. for the next few days captain raymond was busy with his preparations for the voyage,--engaging a crew and getting everything on board that would add to the comfort and enjoyment of his family and guests; the ladies also were occupied with theirs, which were not sufficiently great to interfere with the usual pleasures of a sojourn by the sea-side; then one bright morning saw them all on board,--a merry, happy party. "where are we going first, papa?" asked lulu, when they were fairly under way. "on a little trial trip along the coast," he answered. "and then coming back to newport?" questioned gracie. "possibly," he said, with a smile into the bright, eager face. "i think i know, though i'm not right sure," max said, looking at his father with a rather mischievous twinkle in his eyes, "what papa is thinking about." "do you, indeed?" laughed his father. "well, what is it?" "well, sir, i overheard captain wade telling you he expected the rest of the squadron would be in soon,--in a day or two, i think he said,--and i have a notion it would be a fine sight for us all, and that my father kindly means to give it to us." "ah, indeed! you seem to have a great deal of confidence in your father's desire to give pleasure to you all," laughed the captain. "well, my boy, events may perhaps show whether you are right." the three had followed their father to a portion of the deck at some little distance from the rest of the party, so that their talk was not overheard by them. "a squadron?" repeated grace. "what is that? oh, it's a good many ships belonging together,--isn't it, papa?" "that will answer very well for a definition, or description," he replied. "oh, how glad i am!" exclaimed lulu, clapping her hands in delight. "and will they go through all their manoeuvres, papa?" "as i am not the admiral whose orders are to be obeyed, i cannot say exactly what will be done, my child," the captain replied. "i can only say i intend to have you in the vicinity in season to see all that may be done. does that satisfy you?" "oh, yes, sir! and i thank you very, very much!" she said, taking his hand in both of hers and squeezing it affectionately. "i too, papa," said grace. "i'm sure we'll enjoy it ever so much." "i hope so," he answered. "and now can you three keep the secret from the others, that they may have a pleasant surprise?" "if we can't, or don't, i think we ought never to be told a secret again," exclaimed lulu, in her vehement way. "perhaps you would not be intrusted with one very soon again," her father said; "but," he added, with a look from one to the other of mingled pride and affection, "i feel quite safe in trusting a secret to the keeping of the eldest three of my children. i am quite sure no one of you would tell anything you knew your father wished kept secret." "no, indeed, papa!" said max. "we would certainly deserve to be severely punished, and never trusted by you again, if we should ever so abuse your confidence." "just what i think," said lulu. "i too," added grace. "and, papa, it's so nice and kind in you to trust us!" looking up into his face with a loving smile as she spoke. "is it?" he asked, smoothing her hair with fond, caressing hand. "well, my pet, it is a very great pleasure to me to be able to do so." at that moment they were joined by mr. keith. the two gentlemen entered into conversation; the two little girls ran down into the cabin to see that the maid was making such disposition of their effects as they desired; while max, joined by walter travilla, made the tour of the vessel for perhaps the fiftieth time,--for ever since the purchase, he had spent at least half of every week-day there, learning from his father and others all he could of her different parts and of her management. walter, too, had been there again and again, spending hours at a time in climbing about with max, who took much pleasure in handing over to him the lessons just learned by himself. the rest of the party were seated on deck enjoying the breeze and the beauties of sea and land,--for the latter was not yet out of sight, though fast receding. the weather was lovely, every one in the best of spirits, the younger ones full of fun and frolic, and the day passed most enjoyably to all. the evening was enlivened by music from a very sweet-toned piano in the cabin, by singing, conversation, promenading the deck, and gazing out over the water, watching the rise and fall of the waves, and the passing of ships and steamers. but the day had been an exciting one, especially to the children, and they were willing enough to retire at an early hour. they gathered on deck, each repeated a verse of scripture, after which they united in singing a hymn, and mr. dinsmore led in prayer. then the good-nights were said, and all the young people, with some of the older ones, retired to their pretty, cosey state-rooms and their berths. great was the surprise of nearly everybody when, coming on deck the next morning, they discovered that they were again in narragansett bay. there were many exclamations and questions, "how did it happen?" "whose mistake was it that instead of being away out at sea, we are back at our starting-point again?" these and other like queries were propounded to the owner and commander of the yacht. he pointed, with a good-humoured smile, to a number of war-vessels lying quietly at anchor at no very great distance. "the squadron is in, you see; and i thought my passengers would not like to miss the sight of its evolutions, so brought them back to view them. there will be time afterward for a pleasant little voyage along the coast, or where you will." the explanation was entirely satisfactory to every one, and there was great rejoicing among the lads and lasses. "what is it they're going to do, papa?" asked gracie. "i have not been let into that secret, daughter," he answered; "but we may find out after awhile by keeping a close watch upon their movements." "oh, papa, you can read their signals, and tell us what's coming, can't you? won't you?" exclaimed lulu. "yes, my child, i can and will," he replied. "but there is the call to breakfast, and you needn't hurry through your meal; for they are not likely, for some hours yet, to begin anything you would want to see." encouraged by that assurance, no one cared to make undue haste in eating all that appetite called for of the excellent breakfast presently set before them. but an hour later found them all on deck, young and old keeping a sharp watch on every movement of the vessels composing the squadron, several spy-glasses being constantly turned in their direction. "ah!" exclaimed the captain, at length, while at the same instant max asked eagerly, "papa, what is it they are doing there on the 'wanita'?" "getting ready for inspection by the admiral," was the reply. "see, the men have donned their uniforms and are taking their places on the deck. and yonder--do you see?--the admiral and his staff are pushing off from the flag-ship." the boatswain's whistle and the roll of a drum were now heard coming from the "wanita." "oh, and is that the executive officer on the bridge of the 'wanita,' papa?" asked max, excitedly. "and what is he doing?" "giving an order to the gunner, doubtless to fire a salute in honour of the admiral." before the words had fairly left the captain's lips, the loud boom of the first gun burst upon the ear. "oh, max, wouldn't you like to be in that admiral's place?" queried walter travilla; "i would." "oh, our maxie means to be an admiral one of these days; and i'm sure i hope he will," said rosie. "very good in you, rosie," returned max, smiling and blushing; "but i'm afraid i'll be an old man before that happens, if it ever does." "but you may comfort yourself that you can be very useful in maintaining your country's honour without waiting to be made an admiral," remarked evelyn leland, smiling pleasantly at max. "yes," he said, returning the smile, "and it _is_ a comfort. we'd any of us feel it an honour to be useful to our country." "i'd like to be," remarked gracie, "if little girls could do anything." "little girls are sometimes a very great blessing and comfort to their fathers," the captain said, smiling down into her eyes while he laid his right hand tenderly on her pretty head, with its sunny curls streaming in the wind. in the mean while the firing of the salute had gone on, the admiral and his staff had reached the deck of the "wanita," the marines presenting arms, and-- "there, what is he going to do now, papa?" queried lulu,--"the admiral, i mean." "inspect the ship," replied her father. "what for, papa?" asked grace. "to see that every part of it is in perfect order." "i'm sure he will find it so," said lulu; "for when we were there and were taken all over it, every part was as clean and neat as any lady's parlour." captain raymond now turned away and began talking with mr. keith on some subject that did not interest the children, but they continued a close watch of the "wanita." the admiral presently disappeared from the deck, but at length they saw him there again, talking with captain wade and his officers; then, in a few moments he and his staff re-embarked and returned to the flag-ship. "what's going to be done now?" asked one and another. "watch, and you will see presently," said captain raymond. "if you do not wish to miss something, i advise you to keep both eyes and ears open." the advice seemed to be promptly followed. all eyes gazed intently in the direction of the "wanita" and the flag-ship. presently a signal was shown by the flag-ship which captain raymond promptly interpreted for the enlightenment of those about him,--"abandon ship." "what does that mean, papa?" asked grace. "look and see if you can't find out for yourself," he answered in a pleasant tone. the signal seemed to have caused a commotion on the deck of each vessel belonging to the squadron. then there was a great splashing of boats into the water, and of other craft which the captain explained were life-rafts and catamarans; while at the same time men and boys were scampering about with various articles which he said were provisions, nautical instruments, etc., such as would be needed if the ships were really abandoned out at sea. "but why would they ever do that, papa?" grace asked wonderingly. "i should think it would always be better to stay in their ships, wouldn't it?" "not always, daughter. the ship might be on fire, or leaking so badly that she would be in danger of sinking." "oh, yes, sir! i didn't think of that," she responded. "oh, see!" said rosie; "they've all pushed off away from their ships, and the 'wanita's' boats are ahead of all the others." "now what are they going to do, papa?" asked lulu. "i can tell that only when i see the flag-ship's next signal," he replied. "ah, there it is, and tells them to go round the harbour under sail." the children watched with interest and delight as the order was obeyed. it was a very pretty sight, but soon came another signal from the flag-ship, which the captain told them was one of recall; and the boats returned to their ships. chapter vii. the squadron steamed out to sea, the "dolphin" keeping most of the time within sight of the naval vessels, its passengers being anxious to see more of the evolutions of the men-of-war, and their commanding officer very willing to indulge their wish. they were out simply for pleasure, and were free to turn in any desired direction. the weather was all that could possibly be wished; and in the evening everybody was on deck except the very little ones, who were already in their nests. the vessels of the squadron were in sight, and all eyes turned frequently in their direction. "do you think they'll do anything to-night, papa?" asked grace, taking possession of her father's knee, for at the moment he was sitting among the others. "who, daughter?" he asked, smoothing her hair with caressing hand. "oh, the admiral and the rest of them on those war-ships. what do they do at such times when they seem to be sailing around just for pleasure?" "i rather think it is for profit too," he said. "'in time of peace prepare for war.'" "but how do they prepare for war, papa?" "by having sham fights: going through the motions in a way to do harm to no one; firing what we call blank cartridges,--powder but no balls; getting the men so familiar with their guns that they can handle them rapidly and without making mistakes even in the dark. ah, see! there it comes!" as at that instant a signal-light from the flag-ship shot up several hundred feet into the air, speedily followed by another and another, till the whole sky seemed bright with them; while captain raymond, the only one on the yacht who understood the messages, read them off to the others and called their attention to the movements of the ships in prompt obedience to the orders. "what is that they're doing, papa?" asked grace, presently. "arranging themselves in different orders of battle," he replied, and proceeded to explain each movement as it was made. "it's ever so nice to see them," she said, "though i do hope they won't ever have to do any real fighting." "i hope not, indeed," her father said; "but in this wicked, quarrelsome world the only way to secure peace is to show that we are ready for self-defence in case of attack." "how beautifully and promptly every signal is obeyed!" remarked grandma elsie. "it is a sight worth coming a long distance to see." "yes, mamma," said violet; "and i'm proud of our navy, even though it is so inferior in size to that of england." "inferior in size, but in nothing else, i believe, mamma vi," said max, speaking with some excitement. "you know we've whipped the british twice on the sea in spite of their navy being so very much larger than ours." "yes, maxie, i believe i'm as proud of that fact as even you can be," laughed violet, while his father gave him a look of mingled amusement and pride. "i think," remarked edward travilla, "that from the beginning of our national life our navy has been one to be proud of." "in which i entirely agree with you," said the captain. "but the exhibition seems to be over for to-night, and the hour is a late one to find our young people out of bed." "must we go now, papa?" lulu asked in a coaxing tone which seemed to add, "i hope you will let us stay at least a little longer." "yes," he said; "my little girls may say good-night now and go at once." they obeyed promptly and cheerfully, and before long the others followed their example, till mr. keith and the captain had the deck to themselves. they lingered there for quite a long while, seeming to have fallen upon some very interesting topic of conversation; but it was suddenly broken in upon by the sound of the flag-ship's drum, instantly followed by those of all the other vessels of the squadron. "ah, what is the meaning of that, raymond?" asked keith, gazing toward the war-ships with keen interest and excitement. "it sounds to me like a call to battle." "so it is," replied the captain,--"a night exercise at the great guns, training the men so that they may be ready for all the surprises of a time of war." even as he spoke his passengers came hurrying from the cabin, the ladies and young girls wrapped in dressing-gowns and shawls, hastily thrown on to conceal their night-dresses, one and another asking excitedly what was going to be done now. but even as the words left their lips the thunder of cannon burst upon their ears, drowning the captain's voice when he would have replied. "oh, is it war, brother levis, _really_ war?" queried little walter, in great excitement. "no, my boy; only a playing at war, i am thankful to be able to say. you may look and listen without fear that any one is to be killed, or even wounded, unless through carelessness." but the cannon were thundering again, ship after ship firing off whole broadsides at some imaginary foe. at length, however, it was all over, and the passengers of the "dolphin" returned to their berths to stay there for the remainder of the night. "why, we are anchored, are we not, levis?" violet asked of her husband on awakening the next morning. "yes, my dear," he answered; "we are riding at anchor in gardiner's bay. i suspected that would prove the destination of the squadron, it being about the best place for naval exercises in our northern waters; and it seems i was right. the squadron is at anchor now at no great distance from us." "and what do you suppose they will do here?" "probably fight some sham battles on sea and land. do you care to witness such?" "oh, very much! i should greatly prefer witnessing a sham battle to a real one. but they won't be likely to begin it immediately, i suppose?" "no; i presume we shall have time for a hearty breakfast first," replied her husband, with a slight look of amusement. "don't allow the prospect of witnessing a battle to spoil your appetite for your morning meal, little wife." "oh, no," she answered, with a pleasant laugh. "i really am not now so much of a child as all that would come to." it was not long before she and nearly every other passenger had sought the deck to take a look at their surroundings. they found gardiner's bay a beautiful body of water bounded by islands on nearly every side, that forming its eastern shore bearing the same name. there were a large number of vessels in the bay,--several sloops, schooners, and a yacht or two beside the "dolphin," to say nothing of the squadron of war-ships. but all were lying quietly at anchor, and our friends willingly responded to the call to breakfast. yet no one cared to linger at the table; and when all had finished their repast they quickly repaired to the deck to watch the movements of the squadron. but for a while there seemed to be none, the vessels all riding quietly at anchor. "dear me!" rosie at length exclaimed, "i wish they'd begin to do something!" "i think they are going to," said max. "see, there's a boat leaving the flag-ship; i suppose to carry a message to one of the others." "oh, i'll go and ask papa about it!" exclaimed lulu. "about what, daughter?" asked the captain's voice close at her side. "that boat that has just left the flag-ship, sir," she answered. "do you know where it's going, and what for?" "i can only conjecture that it carries some message, probably from the admiral to the commander of one of the other vessels." "it's pulling for the 'wanita,'" said max; "and see, there are other boats going about from one vessel to another." "yes," his father said, "and see yonder are several boats filled with marines, pulling for the shore of gardiner's island. evidently there is to be a sham fight." "i'm ever so glad it won't be a real one, papa," said grace. "it would be so dreadful to see folks killed." "it would indeed," he answered. "but you may enjoy the show as much as you can, for no one will be hurt unless by accident." "all the ships seem to be getting boats ready packed with things," remarked lulu; "i wonder what they are." "quite a variety," replied her father,--"great guns, baggage, arms, provisions, and boxes that doubtless contain materials and tools for repairs, compasses, and other articles too numerous to mention. there! the vessels are signalling that they are ready." "they are getting into the boats!" exclaimed max, clapping his hands in delight; "and the other fellows that went first to the island seem to be waiting and all ready to fight them." every one on the "dolphin" was now watching the embarkation with interest, the children in a good deal of excitement; it was like a grand show to them. "oh, it's a beautiful sight!" said eva. "how bright their guns and bayonets are, with the sun shining on them! and there are the beautiful stars and stripes flying from every boat. but they are all in now,--at least i should think so; the boats look full,--and why don't they start?" "they are waiting for the admiral's inspection and order," replied captain raymond. "ah, see, there he is on the bridge of the flag-ship, with his field-glass, looking them over. and now the signal is given for them to proceed." the boats moved off at once in the direction of the island where the marines had preceded them. captain raymond's explanations making all their movements well understood by the young people around him, who thought they had never witnessed so fine a sight as the mimic fight that presently ensued, opened by the marines firing a volley of blank cartridges from the shore, which was immediately replied to by the approaching boats with musketry, howitzers, and gatling guns. soon they reached the shore and landed, the marines meanwhile pouring forth an unceasing fire from behind their breastworks. a fierce battle followed; there were charges and counter-charges, advances and retreats, men falling as if wounded or killed, and being carried off the field by the stretcher-men. that last-mentioned sight brought the tears to gracie's blue eyes, and she asked in tremulous tones, "are they really hurt or killed, papa?" "no, darling," he said, pressing the small hand she had put into his, "it is all pretence, just to teach them what to do in case of actual war." "oh, i hope that won't ever come!" she exclaimed, furtively wiping away a tear. "do you think it will, papa?" "hardly," he said; "but it would be the height of folly not to prepare for such a contingency." "hurrah!" cried max, throwing up his cap, "our side's whipped and the other fellows are retreating!" "which do you call our side? and do you mean it _is_ whipped, or _has_ whipped?" asked rosie, with a laughing glance at the boy's excited face. but the captain was speaking again, and max was too busy listening to him to bestow any notice upon rosie's questions. "yes," the captain said, "the marines are retreating; the battle is about over. our side, as max calls it, you see, is throwing out advance-guards, rear-guards, and flankers." "what for, brother levis?" asked walter. "to make sure that they have taken the island." "and what will come next, captain?" asked grandma elsie, who was watching the movements of the troops with as much interest as the children. "fortification, doubtless," he replied. "ah, yes; they are already beginning that work. they must fortify the island in order to be able to hold it." "how, papa?" asked grace. "by throwing up breastworks, digging rifle-pits, planting guns, and so forth. if you watch closely, you will see what they do." the children--to say nothing of the older ones--watched closely and with keen interest all the movements of the troops until interrupted by the call to dinner. they had scarcely returned to their post of observation on the deck, having had barely time to notice the completed fortifications, the tents pitched, and the troops at their midday meal, when a tiny strip of bunting was seen fluttering at the flag-ship's main. captain raymond was the first to notice it. "ah!" he said, "the fun on the island is over,--at least for the present,--for there is the admiral's signal of recall." "i'll bet the fellows are sorry to see it!" exclaimed max; "for i dare say they were going to have some fun there on the island they've taken." chapter viii. things were rather quiet for the rest of the day, much to max's disgust, though at his father's bidding he tried to forget the disappointment in study. toward evening captain raymond learned something of the admiral's plans. two of the vessels were to take possession of a part of the bay set off as a harbour, the others to blockade the entrance. in reporting the matter to his passengers, "now," he said, "the preparations will take them two or three days, and the question is, shall we stay to see it all, or turn about and seek entertainment elsewhere? let us have the opinion of all the older people, beginning with grandpa dinsmore," looking pleasantly at the old gentleman as he spoke. "my preference would be rather for going at once," replied mr. dinsmore; "yet i am entirely willing to have the matter decided by your younger people. i shall be quite content to stay on if it seems desirable to the rest of the company." the vote of the ladies and gentlemen was then taken, when it appeared that the majority were in favour of immediate departure; and the children, though at first disappointed, grew quite reconciled when a little time had been spent in considering what might be seen and done in other quarters. "i think, ned," zoe said to her husband, "that we would better go back to our cottage, because laurie and lily are growing fretful,--tired of the sea, i think." "very well, my dear, we will do so if you wish it," was the good-natured reply. "strange as it may seem, i too am quite desirous to make our twin babies as comfortable as possible," he added, with a pleasant laugh. "i am sorry you should miss the sight of further operations here, cousin donald," remarked grandma elsie, turning to her kinsman. "thank you, cousin elsie," he replied; "but though that would be an interesting sight to me, i expect to find almost if not equal enjoyment in a run out to sea or along shore with my friend raymond in command of the vessel." "oh, i think that'll be just splendid," exclaimed max, "and that before we get back, cousin donald, you'll be ready to own up that the navy is a more desirable place to be in than the army." "perhaps he wouldn't own up even if he thought so," remarked rosie, with a merry look at her cousin; "i don't believe i should if i were in his place." "possibly i might," he returned, laughingly, "but i certainly do not expect to fall quite so deeply in love with a 'life on the ocean wave,' though i hope to be always willing and anxious to serve my country wherever and whenever i may be needed. i think both army and navy always have been, and always will be, ready to defend her on land or sea." "yes, sir, i believe that's so," said max. "and if ever we should have another war, i hope i'll be able to help defend her." "i hope so, my boy," the captain said, regarding the lad with an expression of fatherly pride and affection. an hour later the "dolphin" was sailing out of the bay, all her passengers gathered on deck, taking a farewell look at the vessels belonging to the squadron, and on awaking in the morning they found themselves lying at anchor in newport harbour. they returned to their cottages for a day or two; then the raymonds, grandma elsie, with the youngest two of her children, and donald keith, again set sail in the "dolphin." the weather was all that could be desired, every one well and in the best of spirits. max was required to devote a part of each day to study, and recitation to his father, but did not grumble over that, and took great delight in the lessons in practical navigation given him daily by the captain. "papa," he asked one day, "what's the need of a boy going to the naval academy when he can learn everything he needs to know on shipboard with a father like you?" "but he can't," replied the captain; "how to sail a ship is by no means all he needs to know to fit him to be an officer in the navy." "why, what else is necessary, sir?" asked max, with a look of surprise. "a number of things which you saw done at newport and at gardiner's bay are quite necessary. he must know how to fight a battle, take charge of an ordnance foundry, and conduct an astronomical observatory; must have a good knowledge of history, be an able jurist and linguist, and a good historian,--besides knowing how to manage a ship in calm or storm." "whew! what a lot of things to cram into one head!" laughed max, with a slightly troubled look on his bright young face. "isn't yours big enough to hold it all?" asked his father, with an amused smile. "i dare say it is, sir," replied max, "but the difficulty is to pack it all in right. i presume the teachers will help me to do that, though." "certainly; and if you follow their directions carefully you will have no need to fear failure." "thank you, sir. that's very encouraging," said max; "and i am fully determined to try my very best, papa, if it was only not to disgrace my father." "my dear son," the captain said, a trifle huskily, and taking the boy's hand in a warm clasp, "i don't doubt that you intend to do as you have said; but never forget that your only safety is in keeping close to him who has said, 'in me is thine help.'" it was saturday evening,--the first that had found them on the broad ocean, out of sight of land. they were all on deck, enjoying the delicious evening breeze and a most brilliant sunset. "papa," gracie said, breaking a momentary silence, "what are we going to do about keeping the lord's day to-morrow? we can't go to church, you know, unless you can sail the 'dolphin' back to land in the night." "i cannot do that, daughter," he answered; "but i can conduct a service here on the deck. how will that do, do you think?" "i don't know, papa," she replied, with some hesitation, blushing and looking fearful of hurting his feelings; "i s'pose you couldn't preach a sermon?" "why not?" he asked, smiling a little at her evident embarrassment. "because you're not a minister, papa." "why, gracie! papa's as good as any minister, i'm sure," exclaimed lulu, half reproachfully, half indignantly. "of course he is; i didn't mean that!" returned gracie, just ready to burst into tears; "i didn't mean he wasn't as good as anybody in this whole world,--for of course he is,--but i thought it was only ministers that preach." "but i can read a sermon, my pet," the captain said, "or preach one if i choose; there is no law against it. and we can pray and sing hymns together; and if we put our hearts into it all, our heavenly father will be as ready to listen to us as to other worshippers in the finest churches on the land." "that is a very comforting truth," remarked grandma elsie; "it is very sweet to reflect that god is as near to us out on the wide and deep sea as to any of his worshippers on the dry land." "you will hold your service in the morning, i suppose, captain?" mr. keith said inquiringly. "that is what i had thought of doing, sir," was the reply. "have you any suggestions to make?" "only that we might have a bible class later in the day." "yes, sir; that was a part of my programme,--at least i had thought of teaching my own children, as is customary with me at home; but if the suggestion meets with favour, we will resolve ourselves into a bible class, each one able to read taking part. what do you all say to the proposition?" "i highly approve," said grandma elsie; "i am sure the day could not be better spent than in the study of god's holy word." "nor more delightfully," said violet. "i think we would all like it, captain," evelyn remarked in her quiet way. "i'm sure i shall," said lulu; "papa always makes bible lessons very interesting." "that's so," said max; "i was never taught by any minister or sunday-school teacher that made them half so interesting." "it is quite possible that your near relationship to your teacher may have made a good deal of difference, my children," the captain said gravely, though not unkindly. "but who shall act as teacher on this occasion is a question still to be decided. i propose grandma elsie, as the eldest of those present, and probably the best qualified." "all in favour of that motion please say ay," added violet, playfully. "i am sure no better teacher could be found than mamma, though i incline to the opinion that my husband would do equally well." "much better, i think," grandma elsie said; "and i would greatly prefer to be one of his pupils." "i can hardly consider myself wise enough to teach my mother," said the captain, colouring and laughing lightly, "even though she is far too young to be own mother to a man of my age." "but you may lead a bible class of which she forms a part, may you not?" queried donald keith. "i suppose that might be possible," the captain replied, with a humourous look and smile. "i'm sure you can and will, since such is your mother's wish," grandma elsie said in a sportive tone, "and so we may consider that matter settled." "and mamma's word having always been law to her children, we will consider it so," violet said. "shall we not, levis?" "as good and dutiful children i suppose we must, my dear," he returned in the playful tone she particularly liked. sunday morning dawned clear and beautiful, a delicious breeze filling the sails and wafting the vessel swiftly onward over the sparkling water. an hour or so after breakfast, captain, passengers, and crew, except the man at the helm, gathered on deck, every one in neat and appropriate dress. the ladies, gentlemen, and children sat on one side, the crew on the other, captain raymond standing between. a bible and a pile of hymn-books lay on a stand before him, and max was directed to distribute the latter. they were a part of the supplies captain raymond had laid in for the voyage. a melodeon also stood near the stand, and violet, seating herself before it, led the singing with which the service opened. the captain then offered a short prayer, read a portion of scripture, a second hymn was sung; then he gave them a short discourse on the text, "they hated me without a cause." with much feeling and in simple language that the youngest and most ignorant of his hearers could readily understand, he described the lovely character and beneficent life of christ upon earth,--always about his father's business, doing good to the souls and bodies of men,--and the bitter enmity of the scribes and pharisees, who "hated him without a cause." then he went on to tell of the agony in the garden, the betrayal by judas,--"one of the twelve,"--the mockery of a trial, the scourging and the crown of thorns, the carrying of the cross and the dreadful death upon it. "all this he bore for you and for me," he concluded in tones tremulous with emotion; "constrained by his great love for us, he died that dreadful death that we might live. and shall we not love him in return? shall we not give ourselves to him, and serve him with all our powers? it is a reasonable service, a glad service,--a service that gives rest to the soul. he says to each one of us, 'take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for i am meek and lowly in heart; and ye shall find rest unto your souls. for my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.' "ah, do not refuse or neglect his invitation, for the only choice is between his service and that of satan,--that malignant spirit whose fierce desire and effort is to drag all souls down to his own depths of sin and misery; and jesus only can save you from falling into his cruel hands. but he--the lord of life and glory--invites us all to come and be saved, and 'now is the accepted time; now is the day of salvation.' delay is most dangerous; life is very uncertain. we are sure of no time but now." he closed the bible and sat down; and violet, again seating herself before the melodeon, softly touched the keys and sang in sweet, low tones, but so distinctly that every word reached the farthest listener,-- "come to jesus, come to jesus; come to jesus just now, just now; come to jesus, come to jesus just now." then, at a sign from the captain, mr. keith followed with an earnest prayer; and with another hymn in which all united, the services closed. among the crew was one young man in whom the captain and grandma elsie had both come to feel a peculiar interest. he was evidently an american, and possessed of more intelligence and education than the average sailor before the mast. he had listened with close attention to the captain's discourse, and with a troubled countenance, as mrs. travilla had noticed. "the holy spirit is striving with him, i have little doubt," she said to herself. "ah, if i could but help him to find jesus, and to know the sweetness of his love!" it was not long before the desired opportunity offered. the young man was at the wheel and no one near, while she paced the deck slowly and alone. gradually she approached, and when close at his side made some pleasant remark about the vessel and the course they were steering. he responded in a polite and respectful manner. then she spoke of the service of the morning, said she had noticed the attention he paid to the captain's short sermon, and asked in kindest words and tones if he, like herself, was one who loved jesus, and trusted in him for salvation from sin and eternal death. he sighed deeply, then said with emotion, "no, madam, but--i wish i were." "but what is to hinder, my friend, since he says, 'him that cometh to me i will in no wise cast out'?" she asked gently, feelingly. he was silent for a moment, evidently from emotion, then said, rather as if thinking aloud than addressing her, "if i only knew just how!" "he is very near, and his omniscient eye reads the heart," she said low and feelingly. "speak to him just as if you could see him,--as if you were kneeling at his feet,--and he will hear. "the bible says. 'if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.' do you want that cleansing, my friend?" he bowed a silent assent. "then go to jesus for it," she said. "he, and he alone, can give it. he shed his blood for us that 'god may be just and the justifier of him that believeth in jesus;' for 'the blood of jesus christ his son cleanseth us from all sin.'" there was a moment's silence; then, "i'd like to be a christian, ma'am," he said, "such as i see you and the captain are, but--" the sentence was left unfinished; and after a moment's pause. "i should like you to be a better one than i am," she said, "but jesus only can make you such. the work is too difficult for any human creature; but jesus is all-powerful,--'able to save them to the uttermost that come unto god by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.' is not that a precious assurance?" "it is indeed, ma'am, if--if i only knew it meant me." "you certainly will be one of those of whom it speaks if you 'come unto god by him;' and he invites you to come: 'come unto me all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and i will give you rest.'" "could you tell me just how, ma'am,--as if you were pointing out the right road to a traveller, for instance?" "i will try," she said. "you must remember that he is always near,--close to us, though we cannot see him; and you may speak to him as readily, and with as much assurance that you will be heard, as you have been speaking to me. "he is full of love and compassion,--love so infinite, compassion so great that he was willing to endure all the agony of death upon the cross, and the far greater suffering caused by the burden of the sins of the world and the consequent hiding of his father's face; therefore he will not cast you out, will not turn away from you, if you come in true penitence and faith. "make confession of your sins and plead for pardon and acceptance as you would if you could see him while kneeling at his feet; and he will grant it, will forgive all your transgressions and adopt you into his family to be his own child forever." but others of the passengers were now drawing near, and he had only time to thank her for her kindly interest in him, and promise to think of what she had been saying, before walter and max were at her side, calling her attention to a passing vessel. a very interesting bible lesson filled up most of the afternoon, both adults and children taking part; and in the evening hymns were sung and conversation held such as was suited to the sacredness of the day. chapter ix. a few days longer the "dolphin" kept on her eastward course, then was headed for the shore of massachusetts, bound for boston, where mr. keith must leave her, his furlough having now nearly expired. he and his cousins would be sorry to part; but there was no help for it, as uncle sam's orders must be obeyed. the young folks of the party had particularly enjoyed the little trip out to sea, but expected to find a sail along the coast of the new england states quite as much to their taste, particularly as it would give them an opportunity to look upon some of the scenes of incidents in the two wars with england. they had come in sight of the coast and were all gathered upon the deck. "that is scituate, is it not, captain?" asked grandma elsie, indicating a town that had just come into view. "yes," he replied, "and i presume you remember the story of the last war with england, connected with it?" "i do," she answered; "but i presume it would be new to some at least of these young people." then entreaties for the story poured in upon her and the captain from both boys and girls. "it is but a short one; and i would prefer to have the captain tell it," mrs. travilla replied. "oh, papa, please do!" exclaimed lulu; and he complied. "it was, as i have said, during the last war with england that the occurrence i am about to tell of took place. at that time there was a light-house in the harbour kept by a man named reuben bates, who had a family of grown-up sons and daughters. "he and his sons were members of a militia company of the town, and one day during the war they were all absent from home on that business, leaving the light-house in charge of the daughters, abigail and rebecca. "the girls, who were no doubt keeping a vigilant watch for the approach of the enemy, saw a british ship entering the harbour, and conjectured that it was the design of those on board of her to destroy the fishing-boats in the harbour and perhaps burn the town, or at least rob its inhabitants. "they must have been brave girls, for at once they began to consider what they could do to drive away the would-be invaders. "i presume abigail exclaimed, 'oh, if we could only make them think there were troops ready to defend the town, and so frighten them away!' and very likely rebecca replied, 'perhaps we can. if you can play the fife, i'll beat the drum; and if we are hidden from sight they may think there are troops ready to receive them if they come ashore, and so be afraid to land.' "so they went around behind some sand-hills and played 'yankee doodle' in a lively way that had exactly the desired effect. "the british ship had sent out boats filled with armed men who were pulling for the shore; but on hearing the music of the drum and fife, they evidently concluded that there might be a large force of american soldiers ready to receive them, and thinking 'discretion the better part of valour,' turned about and pulled back to their ship again without attempting to land." "oh, wasn't that good?" exclaimed lulu; "i think the fathers and brothers of those girls must have been proud of them." "yes, i dare say they were," said max. "i wonder what became of them--those girls--afterward?" said rosie. "of course they must have been dead and gone long before this." "no," replied the captain, "abigail died only recently at the advanced age of eighty-nine." "papa, won't you stay awhile in boston and take us to see some of the places connected with revolutionary times,--bunker hill and its monument, and maybe some others?" asked max. "i shall be pleased to do so, my son, if nothing happens to prevent," was the pleasant-toned reply. "it is my strong desire to have my children well-informed in regard to the history of their own country." "and ardent patriots too, papa, ready to defend her to the utmost of their ability should she be attacked by any other power?" queried max, looking smilingly up into his father's face. "yes, my son; particularly the boys," replied the captain, smiling in his turn at the lad's enthusiasm. "well, there's one of your girls that i am sure would find a way to help, papa,--nursing the wounded soldiers perhaps, or carrying despatches or something," said lulu; "perhaps giving information of an intended attack by the enemy, as lydia darrah did." "i have no doubt you would do all you could, daughter, and might perhaps be of more assistance than many a man," her father answered kindly. "i'm afraid i shouldn't be brave enough to do such things as that," remarked grace, with a look that seemed to say she felt herself quite inferior to her braver sister; "but i could pray for my country, and i know that god hears and answers prayer,--so that would be helping, wouldn't it, papa?" "yes, my dear child; the bible tells us a great deal about the power of prayer; 'call upon me in the day of trouble: i will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me,' is one of its promises." "yes," said grandma elsie, "a cry to god, the ruler of the universe, for help, may accomplish more than any effort on the part of man to do for himself." "but people must help themselves too, mamma?" walter said, half in assertion, half inquiringly. "yes, my son, if they can; 'faith without works is dead,' the apostle says. the right way is to do all we can to help ourselves, at the same time asking god's blessing upon our efforts." "as general washington did," remarked mr. keith. "he was a man of both works and prayer,--a blessing to his country, and to the world; in my estimation the greatest mere man that ever lived. 'first in peace, first in war, first in the hearts of his countrymen.'" "yes," assented grandma elsie, "i like the toast given by some one,--i have forgotten who it was,--'washington: providence left him childless that his country might call him father.' he seems to me to have been as nearly perfect as one of the sinful race of man could be!" "yes," responded captain raymond; "thoroughly unselfish, just, generous, modest, self-denying and self-sacrificing, charitable to the poor, forgiving, fearless and heroic; a god-fearing man who sought nothing for himself, but was ready to do or die for his country; true to her, to his friends, to his god; a sincere and earnest christian,--where can a more noble character be found?" "i think," said mrs. travilla, "he was an instrument raised up and prepared of god for the work that he did in securing to our beloved country the liberties she now enjoys." "i very much like what lord brougham says of him," remarked violet. "oh, can you repeat it, mamma vi?" queried lulu, eagerly. "yes, i think i can," returned violet, who was blessed with an excellent memory. "'it will be the duty of the historian and sage in all ages to let no occasion pass of commemorating this illustrious man; and until time shall be no more, will a test of the progress which our race has made in wisdom and virtue be derived from the veneration paid to the immortal name of washington!'" "i like that," said rosie, her eyes sparkling with pleasure and enthusiasm, "and it's none the worse for having come from an englishman." "not a bit," assented keith. "mamma, was washington commander at the battle of bunker hill?" asked walter. "i ought to know; but i can't remember just now." "no, my son," she answered, "it was fought before he reached boston,--in fact, the very day, june , that congress agreed to his commission as commander-in-chief of all the continental forces raised, or to be raised; and on the st he set out on horseback from philadelphia for boston to take command of the american army encamped there,--or rather around it, the british being in possession of the town itself. news did not fly then as it does in these days, by any means; and it was not till he arrived in new york, on the th, that the tidings reached him. "the next day he was in the saddle again, pushing on toward the scene of conflict. he reached cambridge on the d of july, and the next day took command of the army, drawing his sword under an ancient elm." "why, just think!" exclaimed walter, "it took him nearly two weeks to travel from philadelphia to boston, while now we could do it in less than two days. no wonder it took so long to fight the british and drive them out of our country!" "i think we'd do it in less than half that time now," said max. "we could move so much faster, besides raising a great deal bigger army; to say nothing of the navy, that i believe has done better in every one of our wars than the land forces. i remember to have read that the army washington took command of then consisted of only seventeen thousand men, only fourteen thousand five hundred of them fit for duty; that they were without needed supplies of tents or clothing or as much as nine cartridges to a man." "yes; it's a wonder washington wasn't completely discouraged," remarked evelyn. "i think he surely would have been if he had not put his trust in god and the righteousness of our country's cause." "no doubt it was that which strengthened him for the long and arduous struggle," said mrs. travilla. "washington was, as i said a moment since, a man of prayer; he looked to god for help in the hour of his country's sorest need, and surely his prayers were heard and answered." "yes, mamma," said rosie; "i remember reading that he would go into the woods to pray privately for his bleeding country and his suffering soldiers; that some one happened to see him alone there in prayer with the tears coursing down his cheeks. oh, it's no wonder that with such a leader and in so righteous a cause, our arms were victorious in spite of the fearful odds against us!" "and it was god who gave us such a leader," responded her mother, "and gave him wisdom and courage for his work, and final success in carrying it on to the desired end." "wasn't he a member of the continental congress before his election as commander-in-chief of the armies?" asked rosie. "yes," replied her mother. "so was patrick henry; and he, when asked whom he considered the greatest man in that body, replied, 'if you speak of eloquence, mr. rutledge, of south carolina, is by far the greatest orator; but if you speak of solid information and sound judgment, colonel washington is unquestionably the greatest man on that floor.'" "how long did washington stay there close to boston, papa?" asked gracie. "he carried on the siege for eight months, then on the th of march, , succeeded in driving the british away." "then did he take possession of the town and stay there awhile?" "he stayed until april, then went to new york, reaching there on the th. soon after he went to philadelphia to confer with congress, then back to new york. "while he was there anxiously awaiting an attack from the british, the declaration of independence, just passed by congress, was sent him. the troops were quickly paraded, and the declaration read at the head of the army. "in the orders of the day washington said to the troops, 'the general hopes that this important event will serve as a fresh incentive to every officer and soldier to act with fidelity and courage, as knowing that the peace and safety of his country depend, under god, solely on the success of our arms.' "but i cannot tell you now the whole story of washington's services to his country in the war for independence, to say nothing of all that he did for her afterward." "i think we will read about it after we go home to woodburn," the captain said. "frederick the great was a great admirer of washington," remarked mr. keith. "he is said to have pronounced washington's masterly movements on the delaware the most brilliant achievements recorded in military annals. and lossing tells us of a portrait of himself which frederick sent to washington accompanied by the very gratifying words, 'from the oldest general in europe to the greatest general in the world.' as for myself, i must say that i think washington's success, in spite of all the difficulties and discouragements he had to encounter, was something most wonderful, and was given him in answer to prayer, and because he put his trust in god and looked to him for wisdom and for help." "he was certainly one of the most unselfish of men," remarked violet. "what other man would have refused with scorn and indignation, as he did, the suggestion that his army would like to make him a king?" "oh, did they want to make him king, and tell him so?" asked gracie. "yes; didn't you know that?" returned lulu. "papa, won't you tell about it?" grace asked, turning to her father. "i will, daughter," he answered in a kindly, affectionate tone, and taking in his the hand she had laid upon his knee. "the battle of yorktown, which practically secured the independence of our country, was fought in october, , but the treaty of peace was not signed till jan. , ; so our armies were not disbanded, and officers and soldiers were sorely tried by their pay being delayed, and feared, not without reason, that they might be disbanded without congress making proper provision for meeting their just claims. "some of the officers began to doubt the efficiency of the government, and of all republican institutions, and talked among themselves as to whether it might not be better to establish a monarchy instead; and at length one of them was deputed to confer with washington on the subject. "he did so,--it seems in writing,--and even ventured to suggest for him the title of king. "but, as you have just heard, washington rebuked the writer severely, saying he was at a loss to conceive what part of his conduct could have given encouragement to an address that seemed to him big with the greatest mischiefs that could befall his country; that if he was not deceived in the knowledge of himself, they could not have found a person to whom their schemes were more disagreeable. "he also conjured the writer, if he had any regard for his country, concern for himself or posterity, or respect for him, to banish these thoughts from his mind, and never communicate a sentiment of such a nature from himself or any one else." "did they give it up then, papa?" gracie asked. "nothing more was ever said about making washington king," he answered; "but the next december they sent to congress a memorial on the subject of their pay. a resolution was adopted by that body, but such as did not satisfy the complainants. then a meeting of officers was arranged for; and anonymous addresses, commonly known as the newburg addresses, were sent out to rouse the army to resentment. "washington insisted on attending the meeting, and delivered an impressive address. "he had written down what he wished to say, and after reading the first paragraph paused to put on his spectacles, saying most touchingly, as he did so, that he had grown gray in the service of his country, and now found himself growing blind. "he then went on to read a most noble paper which he had prepared for the occasion. in it he acknowledged the just claims of the army against the government, and assured them that they would not be disregarded; then he entreated them 'to express their utmost horror and detestation of the man who wishes, under any specious pretences, to overturn the liberties of our country, and who wickedly attempts to open the floodgates of civil discord and deluge our rising empire in blood.' "then, having finished his address, he retired from the meeting; but resolutions were at once offered by general knox, seconded by general putnam and adopted by the meeting, agreeing with all he had said and reciprocating his expressions of esteem and affection. they were relieved of their doubts and fears and restored to their wonted love for their country." "oh, that was nice, papa!" exclaimed gracie, her cheeks flushing and her eyes shining. "how good and great our washington was! it seems to me we would never have got free from great britain if we hadn't had him to help." "yes: it does seem very doubtful," her father replied. "as grandma elsie has said, god seems to have raised up and prepared him for that very work." "and how soon after that was the war really over, papa?" "the treaty of peace was signed in paris on the th of january, , as i remarked a moment since; but as it took a long while in those days for people and news to cross the ocean, it was not till the th of the following april that washington received the proclamation of congress for the cessation of hostilities. then on the th--which, as you may remember, was the eighth anniversary of the battle of lexington, the opening conflict of the war--the cessation was proclaimed at the head of every regiment." "what joyful news it must have been to the poor, weary soldiers!" said violet. "i trust their hearts were full of gratitude to god, who had prospered the right in spite of the fearful odds against those who were battling for it." "yes," returned her husband; "and no heart could have been more thankful than that of the commander-in-chief, who said in the general orders, 'the chaplains of the several brigades will render thanks to almighty god for all his mercies, particularly for his overruling the wrath of man to his own glory, and causing the rage of war to cease among the nations.'" "what a good, good christian man washington was, papa!" exclaimed gracie. "and yet he had enemies; and there are still some among his own countrymen who are far from appreciating him,--can even speak evil of him. but even our lord jesus christ had enemies and detractors--bitter and implacable foes--among his own countrymen; and 'the servant is not greater than his lord,'" was the captain's reply. "yes, papa, i remember that washington had enemies,--gates for one, and that infamous conway for another," said max. "how glad i was to read of the continental congress accepting the resignation he offered in a fit of anger, so that he had to leave the army for good, though he didn't want to!" "i think it was for good, max," remarked mr. keith, with a slightly amused smile,--"for the good of the country, though perhaps not for his own. conway was a man america was well rid of; and the same may be as truly said of charles lee. what would have become of our liberties had that infamous cabal succeeded in getting the command taken from washington and given to any one of themselves!" chapter x. evelyn leland was the only one of the party on the "dolphin" who had never seen boston; but to all the young people entering the city from the sea was a new experience, and as the vessel neared the harbour they gazed about them with great interest, while the captain pointed out and named the forts and the islands as they came into view. "yonder is boston light," he said, "two miles east of fort warren,--on george's island, which i will point out presently; it is a revolving light, ninety-two feet above the level of the sea. and yonder is spit or bug light; it is only thirty-five feet high, and stands upon iron pillars fixed in the rock. they show a red fixed light there which can be seen at the distance of seven miles. "then there is long island light, named from the island on which it stands. the tower is only twenty-two feet above the ground, but eighty feet above the sea. "yonder," again pointing with his finger, "is fort independence (called in revolutionary times castle william) just at the entrance of the main channel; and opposite it is fort winthrop. and yonder is george's island with its fortification,--fort warren." "and this was the harbour where the boston tea-party was held!" remarked evelyn, in a half-musing tone. "what an exciting time that must have been! i think it was grand in the people to give up the tea they so enjoyed drinking, rather than submit to 'taxation without representation.'" "which all women possessed of landed property do to this day," returned rosie, mischievously. eva laughed. "oh, well," she said, "you know american women can influence the voters to whom they are related,--their brothers, husbands, and sons." "if they have any, and they happen to be particularly tractable," laughed rosie. "but how about poor fatherless and brotherless single women? the men may vote as heavy taxes upon their property as they please, while they can't lift a finger to prevent it, or say a word as to what is to be done with the money taken from their purses without their consent." "why, rosie, are you turning into a woman's rights woman?" queried max, laughing. "i don't know, maxie; those ideas just happened to suggest themselves," she answered. "i'll take time to think it all out one of these days, though; and i'll not promise not to turn into an advocate of women's right to have some say about the taxing of their own property. i see no reason why a man's rights in that direction should be considered superior to a woman's." "no; nor i either," max said. "and i'm as willing as possible that american women should have all their rights; but i shouldn't like to let ignorant women--foreign or coloured ones--vote." "yes, that's the trouble," laughed rosie; "i shouldn't like that either. but i can't see that it's any better to let foreign men who are too ignorant to understand much or anything about our institutions, have a vote. i must say it strikes me as exceedingly insulting to educated, intelligent ladies, who are native americans, to refuse a vote to _them_, and at the same time give it to _such foreign-born men_, or to male natives who know nothing, can't read or write, and have no property at all." "coloured men, for instance?" queried max. "yes, coloured or white; it's the education i'm concerned about, not the colour. mamma, do not you agree with me?" "yes, i do," mrs. travilla answered. "i have no desire to vote myself; but i think only native-born citizens, or those who have been twenty-one years in the country, should have a vote, and not even they unless able to read and write, capable of understanding our form of government, and possessed of some little property,--that last in order that they may appreciate more fully the burdens of taxation, and be less ready to make them heavier than need be." "papa," asked gracie, "where abouts were the tea ships when the folks went on board and threw the tea into the water?" "they were moored at griffin's wharf," he replied; "i can point it out to you directly." "what is it, papa, gracie's talking about? a story?" queried little elsie. "please, papa, tell it to us." "i'm afraid you would hardly understand, papa's darling," the captain said, stroking the soft, shining, golden curls as he spoke, and smiling down into the bright, eager little face. "i think i should, papa. wasn't it something 'bout a tea-party?" she asked coaxingly. "yes, papa, please do tell the story; we'd all like to hear it over again now when we're just at the place where it happened," added gracie. "well, my darlings, to please you," he said; "also because i want you to be thoroughly grounded in the history of your own country. "you must remember that these states,--or rather the original thirteen, there were only so many at that time,--were then called colonies, and were ruled by england. the english government claimed the right to tax the colonies just as they pleased. that right the people of the colonies denied. "they were not allowed to send any members to parliament to help decide who in america should be taxed and how much; so they determined that rather than pay a tax put upon the article without their knowledge and consent, they would do without tea. "then the english government tried to force it on them; and these ships came into their harbour loaded with the tea, which they intended to land. "one of those tea-laden ships, called the 'dartmouth,'--captain hall in command,--came to anchor yonder, near the castle, as it was then called. it was on sunday the 'dartmouth' came in; and as you may suppose, the sight of her caused a great excitement in boston. "early on monday morning a placard was posted all over the town. i committed it to memory when a school-boy. it said:-- "'friends! brethren! countrymen! that worst of plagues, the detested tea shipped for this port by the east india company, is now arrived in the harbor; the hour of destruction, or manly opposition to the machinations of tyranny, stares you in the face; every friend to his country, to himself, and to posterity, is now called upon to meet at faneuil hall, at nine o'clock this day (at which time the bells will ring), to make united and successful resistance to this last, worst, and most destructive measure of administration.' "that was the handbill; its date was november , ." "was that the 'vite to the tea-party?" asked little elsie. "not to what proved to be the principal one," he answered. "in response to the call they met that day at faneuil hall, but the excitement was so great and brought so many people together that they adjourned to the old south meeting-house which was larger. "at that meeting it was resolved that the tea should not be landed, that no duty should be paid on it, and that it should be sent back in the same vessel it had come in; also they notified the owner and the commander of the vessel that to land and enter the tea was at their own peril, ordered the ship to be moored at griffin's wharf, and appointed a guard of twenty-five men to watch her. "at the meeting a letter was received from the consignees offering to store the tea till they could hear from england; but the people were determined not to allow it to be landed, so rejected the offer with scorn. "then the sheriff read a proclamation from the governor ordering them to disperse; but it was received with hisses, and they went on with the business that had called them together. "they passed a resolution ordering the vessels of captains coffin and bruce, which were hourly expected to arrive with their loads of tea, to be moored at griffin's wharf." "did they come, papa? and did the men watch all the ships that had tea?" asked elsie, who was listening with a look of interest and intelligence that seemed to say she understood a great deal, if not all her father had been saying. "yes; and about two weeks afterward another meeting was held in the old south church, when it was resolved that mr. roch must immediately apply for a clearance for his ship and send her out to sea again. but the governor had already taken measures to prevent him from doing that, ordering admiral montague to fit out two armed vessels and station them at the entrance to the harbour, and colonel leslie, who was in command of the castle, not to allow any vessel to pass out under the guns of the fortress, unless she could show a permission signed by himself." "i should think," remarked max, "that mr. roch and captain hall must have been quite puzzled to know how to act to suit all parties." "what happened next, papa?" asked gracie. "two days later there was another meeting in the old south,--the largest meeting that had then ever been known in boston; for the people were greatly excited. "several persons made addresses, but josiah quincy was the principal speaker. he advised the people to weigh and consider before they took measures that would bring on a trying and terrible struggle such as had never been seen in this country." "why, papa," exclaimed lulu, "i thought mr. quincy was one of the patriots!" "so he was, my child; but he wanted the people to look before they leaped. "when he had finished his speech the question was put, 'will you abide by your former resolutions with respect to not suffering the tea to be landed?'" "and what did they say?" asked gracie. "that they would; the whole vast assembly speaking as with one voice." "i hope mr. roch was there to hear them," said lulu. "no," said her father. "the governor was at his country-house, a few miles out of boston, and mr. roch had been sent to him to ask a permit for his vessel to leave the harbour. "he returned late in the afternoon, before the meeting at the old south had broken up, and reported to them that the governor refused a permit until a clearance should be shown him; and the collector refused that until the tea should be landed." "what a fuss about nothing!" exclaimed little elsie, with a look of disgust. "oh, no," her father said, stroking her hair as she leaned upon his knee; "some day when my little girl is older and wiser, she will understand that it was very far from being about nothing. "the people were very much excited. it was beginning to grow dark in the old church and somebody called for candles; but just then somebody in the gallery showed himself disguised like a mohawk indian, raised the indian war-whoop, and was answered in the same fashion by some one outside the building,--for the throng a good deal more than filled the church; then another voice in the gallery shouted, 'boston harbour a teapot to-night! hurrah for griffin's wharf!' "at that there was an instant motion to adjourn, and the people crowded into the streets. "it was a clear, moonlight evening, still quite early, and the british squadron not more than a mile away; british troops were near too, but neither interfered with what was going on. "it is probable that everything had been arranged beforehand; and seeing several persons disguised as indians going toward griffin's wharf, the people hurried thither. some fifteen or twenty were so disguised, but about sixty boarded the vessels in the first place; and it is said that as many as a hundred and forty were engaged in the work before it was finished. "a man named lendall pitts acted as leader; and under his direction the 'dartmouth' was boarded first, the hatches were taken up, and her cargo of one hundred and fourteen chests of tea brought on deck, where the boxes were broken open and the tea was thrown into the water. "then the other two vessels were boarded and their cargoes of tea also thrown into the harbour." "and that's what is called the 'boston tea party,'" remarked max with satisfaction. "i'd wish i'd been there to help, only that i'd rather be here now." "that's just the way i feel about it," said walter. "you may be thankful, my dear boys, that you live in these days," remarked grandma elsie, smiling kindly upon them. "war times are more interesting to tell about, but far harder to live in. our hearts may well be filled with thankfulness to god for the success of our fathers in securing the blessings of liberty for not themselves only, but for us also. we assuredly have more to be thankful for than any other nation, and ought therefore to be better and more earnest christians, doing all we possibly can to spread abroad through all the earth the glad news of salvation by christ, and to help the down-trodden and oppressed to share with us the inestimable blessings of freedom,--life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, as our declaration of independence has it." but the "dolphin" was fast approaching the city, and there was so much to look at and talk about, relating to the present, that for a time the past was well-nigh forgotten, except when the captain pointed out as nearly as he could, the precise spot where the never-to-be-forgotten "tea party" had been held. when he had done so, max broke out into a song to the tune of "yankee doodle," the other young folks joining in with a will on the chorus. "once on a time old johnny bull flew in a raging fury, and swore that jonathan should have no trial, sir, by jury; that no elections should be held across the briny waters; and now said he, 'i'll tax the tea of all his sons and daughters.' then down he sate in burly state, and blustered like a grandee, and in derision made a tune called 'yankee doodle dandy.' yankee doodle,--these are facts,--yankee doodle dandy! my son of wax, your tea i'll tax; you--yankee doodle dandy! "john sent the tea from o'er the sea, with heavy duties rated; but whether hyson or bohea i never heard it stated. then jonathan to pout began,--he laid a strong embargo,-- 'i'll drink no tea by jove!' so he threw overboard the cargo. then johnny sent a regiment, big words and looks to bandy, whose martial band, when near the land played 'yankee doodle dandy.' yankee doodle,--keep it up,--yankee doodle dandy! i'll poison with a tax your cup; _you_--yankee doodle dandy! "a long war then they had, in which john was at last defeated; and 'yankee doodle' was the march to which his troops retreated. cute jonathan, to see them fly, could not restrain his laughter; 'that time,' said he, 'suits to a t. i'll sing it ever after.' old johnny's face, to his disgrace, was flushed with beer and brandy, e'en while he swore to sing no more this 'yankee doodle dandy.' yankee doodle,--ho, ha, he,--yankee doodle dandy! we kept the tune, but not the tea; yankee doodle dandy! "i've told you now the origin of this most lively ditty, which johnny bull dislikes as 'dull and stupid'--what a pity! with 'hail columbia' it is sung, in chorus full and hearty. on land and main we breathe the strain john made for his 'tea party;' no matter how we rhyme the words, the music speaks them handy, and where's the fair can't sing the air of 'yankee doodle dandy'? yankee doodle, firm and true,--yankee doodle dandy! yankee doodle, doodle do, yankee doodle dandy!" chapter xi. a few days were spent in boston, principally in visiting places of historical interest,--christ church on salem street, where as the captain told the children, paul revere's signal was hung out from the steeple, in the revolutionary war, by captain pulling, a boston merchant; and the old south church, about which they had already heard so much. "in ," the captain said, as the little group stood gazing about it in deep interest, "the british soldiers desecrated this place by using it for cavalry drill, having first torn out the galleries and covered the floor with earth. it is now no longer used as a church, but, as you see, is a historical museum. now we will go to faneuil hall,--'the cradle of liberty.'" they did so; and next visited the old state house. as the captain told them, the boston massacre occurred in the street before it; and there, during the excitement in regard to the stamp act, the stamped clearances were burned by the mob. from the balcony the declaration of independence was read. many town-meetings were held there, and many patriotic speeches made,--among them those of otis, who foretold probable war, and urged resistance to tyranny "even unto blood" if necessary. "who was otis, papa?" asked lulu. "a boston lawyer of that time, a patriot,--as evidenced by even the few words of his i have just quoted. he was advocate-general with a good salary at the time when the revenue officers in boston took out search-warrants to look for smuggled goods, and called upon him to defend their cause; but he at once resigned his office and took the other side,--that of the merchants of boston, who were protesting against the writs. they offered him a large fee, but he refused it, saying, 'in such a cause i despise all fees.'" "that case was tried in this old state house; and otis made a grand speech of such length that it took him five hours to deliver it." "what was it all about, papa?" asked gracie. "it was on the question whether americans were bound to obey laws which they had no share in making, and all the arguments in the wonderful speech answered doggedly, 'no.' "john adams, who heard the speech, afterward said that on that day 'the child independence was born;' and no doubt the argument assisted the popular leaders very much in furnishing them with weapons for their work." "weapons, papa?" grace asked with a puzzled look. "yes, daughter; arguments with which to show the people what the english government was doing to take away our liberties. "otis afterward, when governor bernard called upon the general assembly of massachusetts to rescind the resolution it had passed against the right of the english parliament to tax the colonies without their consent,--which they boldly disregarded,--made a powerful speech in which he said, 'when lord hillsborough knows that we will not rescind _our_ acts, he should apply to parliament to rescind _theirs_. _let britons rescind their measures, or they are lost forever!_' he went on speaking in that way for nearly an hour, till even the sons of liberty began to tremble lest he should go too far, and be charged with treason." "and did he fight for the country, papa?" asked gracie. "no, poor fellow!" replied the captain, with a slight sigh; "before the war had fairly begun he became insane from injuries inflicted by one robinson, a commissioner of customs, who, with several army or navy officers set upon, beat, and otherwise injured him, inflicting a sword-cut on his head from which he never recovered." "and he didn't have the pleasure of seeing his country free and separated from england?" lulu said, half inquiringly. "no; he was killed by a stroke of lightning in , which you will remember was several years before the war was over." our little party next visited lexington and concord. "how far must we travel to get there, papa?" queried gracie, as they took their seats in the car. "only a few miles to lexington, and a little farther to reach concord," he answered. "that won't seem very far by rail," remarked max; "but it must have seemed quite a distance to the soldiers who marched there in revolutionary times." "i find we are early," the captain said, looking at his watch; "and as we have the car nearly to ourselves, it may be well for us to talk over what occurred in at the places we are about to visit. i think it will make the visit more interesting to you." "oh, do tell us the whole story, papa," requested gracie, with a look of pleased anticipation. the others all joined in her petition, and the captain good-naturedly complied. "matters had been growing worse and worse between the british government and the colonies," he said, "till a struggle seemed almost inevitable. general gage discovered that the patriots were privately conveying arms out of boston, that some brass cannon and field-pieces were at salem; and on a sunday in february, , he sent some troops to seize them. "an express from marblehead arrived at salem while the people were in church, with the news that british troops were landing from a transport at that place, and were about to march to salem. "the congregations were at once dismissed, and, led by colonel pickering, stopped the british at a drawbridge. pickering succeeded in effecting a compromise, and the troops marched back again to marblehead without having done the errand upon which they had been sent. "let me see," continued the captain, meditatively; "i think i can recall some lines by trumbull, referring to that incident:-- "'through salem straight, without delay, the bold battalion took its way: marched o'er a bridge, in open sight of several yankees arm'd for fight; then, without loss of time or men, veer'd round for boston back again, and found so well their prospects thrive, that every soul got back alive.' "it was some two months after this that the battles of lexington and concord took place. on april , the patriots learned that the next day british troops were to visit concord for the purpose of destroying some military stores there, and passing through lexington seize the persons of john hancock and samuel adams, who were both in that town at the house of the rev. jonas clark. "gage had tried to keep all this a profound secret, but somehow the patriots had learned what he was attempting, and were making their preparations accordingly. warren and his friends had gone, paul revere and william dawes had just rowed across the river to charlestown, taking a message from warren to adams and hancock. they were very near being captured by the guard at charlestown, but escaped, and reached lexington a little after midnight. "they went at once to mr. clark's house, but found a guard of eight minute-men placed about it to protect adams and hancock. "these refused to let revere and dawes into the house, as orders had been given not to allow the inmates to be disturbed by noise. "'noise!' exclaimed revere, 'you'll have noise enough before long; the regulars are coming!' "they were quickly admitted then, roused hancock and adams, and knowing how unlikely to escape being taken prisoners they were, should they remain in lexington, persuaded them to retire to woburn. "then revere and dawes pushed on to concord to give the alarm there. "by two o'clock in the morning a hundred and thirty of the lexington militia were collected at the meeting-house upon the green. the roll was called; then, as the early morning air was very chilly, they were dismissed with orders to remain within drum-beat." "papa, the british marched very quietly, didn't they?" asked max. "yes, in perfect silence; hoping and believing that none of the americans were aware of their movements." "ha, ha, how mistaken they were!" laughed max. "yes," his father said, "there were vigilant eyes upon them. as they passed through west cambridge they were seen by lee, gerry, and orne,--members of the provincial congress,--and as i have told you, others learned the secret also. "as the british neared lexington their ears were greeted by the sound of bells and guns, warning them that their expedition was known." "i s'pose they didn't like that," observed gracie, "but what did they do about it, papa?" "colonel smith dispatched six companies of troops under major pitcairn, with orders to press on to concord and secure the two bridges. he also sent a messenger to boston for reinforcements. "pitcairn hastened on toward lexington, capturing several persons on his way. one of them--a man named bowman--escaped, hurried into lexington on horseback, and notified captain parker, commander of the minute-men, that the enemy was approaching." "and did they make a great fuss and wake up all the people, papa?" asked gracie. "they rang the bells, fired guns, and beat the drum, so that doubtless everybody was soon aroused. "it was between four and five in the morning. about one hundred of the militia were quickly collected on the green; but being raw troops, and uncertain how large a force was coming against them, they were in some confusion. "and indeed it was an overwhelming force they presently saw marching toward them, their scarlet uniforms gleaming out through the early morning mist. "the british halted within a few rods of the meeting-house and loaded their pieces. but the americans stood firm and undismayed. "their orders were not to pull a trigger till fired upon by the enemy, and for a moment there was silence and hesitation on both sides; neither americans nor british seemed willing to become the aggressors. "but it was only for a moment; pitcairn and other officers galloped forward, waving their swords over their heads, and followed by their troops in double-quick time. "'disperse you villains!' they shouted, 'lay down your arms and disperse. why don't you disperse, you rebels? disperse!' and as the patriots did not instantly obey the command, pitcairn wheeled his horse, waved his sword, and gave orders to press forward and surround the militia. "at that instant some random shots were fired by the british, and promptly returned by the americans." "oh, papa, was anybody killed?" asked gracie. "not by those shots," replied her father; "but the next minute pitcairn drew a pistol and discharged it, at the same time shouting 'fire!' "his troops instantly obeyed that order. four of the patriots were killed, and the rest dispersed. they were fired upon again while retreating, and several of them halted and returned the shots, then concealed themselves behind buildings and stone walls. "eight americans were killed, three british soldiers and major pitcairn's horse were wounded." "i thought you said only four americans were shot, papa," said gracie, looking up inquiringly into his face. "four by the first discharge of musketry, and as many more while trying to escape over the fences," he answered. "did the british care for having killed those poor men?" she asked, tears of sympathy shining in her eyes. "if so they gave no evidence of it," her father replied. "they hurried on to concord in high spirits. but the news of their approach had been communicated, and a formidable body of militia was waiting to receive them." "oh, yes!" said rosie, "i remember that dawes and revere had hurried on to warn them after doing the lexington people the same service." "yes," the captain said, "but on the way they were taken prisoners by some british officers. they had stopped to tell the news to dr. samuel prescott, who escaped over a wall, they being captured. prescott made his way to concord, reaching there about two o'clock in the morning, and gave the alarm. then the bells were rung, and the people armed themselves, so that before daylight they were ready to receive the british." "they knew what the british were after, and made haste to conceal the stores of powder, shot, and so forth,--didn't they, papa?" asked max. "yes; the whole male population and some of the women assisted in that work, and succeeded in concealing them in a safe place in the woods before the arrival of the british." "that was good," remarked gracie. "and didn't the british get anything at all, papa?" "yes, a little. they knocked off the trunnions of three iron twenty-four-pound cannon, cut down a liberty-pole, set the court house on fire, and burned a few barrels of wooden trenchers and spoons, and sixteen new carriage-wheels. also they threw five hundred pounds of balls into a mill-pond, and broke open about sixty barrels of flour; but the people succeeded in saving a good deal of that, and mrs. moulton put out the fire in the court house before much damage was done." "but was there no fighting, papa?" gracie asked. "there was fighting," the captain answered. "while the british were at the mischief i have been telling you of, the american party was rapidly increasing by the coming in of minute-men from the neighbouring towns. they formed into line as fast as they came. there were nearly four hundred of them. "from the place where they were forming they could see the fire the british had started in the centre of the town, and of course the sight greatly increased their excitement. "joseph hosmer, the adjutant, made a stirring appeal, after a brief consultation with prominent citizens and members of the committee of safety, who were present, and ready to take part in repelling the british. "it was agreed to dislodge them from the north bridge. captain davis saying, 'i haven't a man that's afraid to go.' "they wheeled into marching order, and joined by other companies, pushed forward to the bridge, under the command of major john buttrick, of concord. "the british guard were on the west side of the river, but crossed to the east on seeing the americans approaching, and began taking up the planks of the bridge. "major buttrick called to them to stop, and urged his men on to try to save the bridge. "the british formed for action as the americans drew near, and some of the regulars fired, killing captain davis, abner hosmer, and wounding another man. "then buttrick shouted, 'fire fellow soldiers! for god's sake fire!' and instantly they gave the british a full volley. "in a few minutes the british retreated, and the americans took possession of the bridge. "their volley had killed three british soldiers, two of whom were left on the ground. the americans afterward buried them, and we shall find their graves only a few feet from the monument." but other passengers had entered the car, and the train was now in motion. "there, that must do for the present," the captain said; "the story will have to be finished after we leave the train." their first halt was at lexington where they viewed with much interest the ground where the skirmish took place, the monument commemorating the devotion of those who fell, and everything to be found that had any connection with the events which have made the place famous in the annals of our country. evelyn leland gazed long at the inscription on the monument, then read aloud,-- "sacred to the liberty and the rights of mankind!!! the freedom and independence of america--sealed and defended with the blood of her sons--this monument is erected by the inhabitants of lexington ... to the memory of their fellow citizens ... the first victims of the sword of british tyranny and oppression, on the morning of the ever-memorable nineteenth of april, a. d. . the die was cast!!! the blood of these martyrs in the cause of god and their country was the cement of the union of these states, then colonies, and gave the spring to the spirit, firmness and resolution of their fellow citizens. they rose as one man to revenge their brethren's blood and at the point of the sword to assert and defend their native rights. they nobly dared to be free!!! the contest was long, bloody and affecting. righteous heaven approved the solemn appeal; victory crowned their arms, and the peace, liberty and independence of the united states of america was their glorious reward. built in the year ." "you didn't read it all, eva," said walter; "you skipped the names." "yes," she said, "because i didn't want to take time to read it all; though i'd be ever so unwilling to rob the poor, dear, brave fellows of any of the credit that belongs to them." chapter xii. from lexington our little party went on at once to concord. there they saw the monument, and near it the graves of the two british soldiers of whom the captain had spoken as having fallen in the fight. "the british entered concord in two divisions," he said; "one by the main road, the other passing over the hill north of it. captain beeman, of petersham, and other tories had given them information in regard to the stores secreted in concord, and captain parsons with six companies was sent to destroy them." "sent where, papa?" asked lulu. "to the house of colonel barrett," replied her father. "captain lawrie, with three companies was stationed at the north bridge, just here. the monument stands upon the very spot where the british stood, and on yon plain across the river is where the american militia were when the fire of the british killed hosmer and davis. "colonel smith, in the village, heard the firing, and sent a reinforcement to lawrie's help; but seeing that the militia were increasing in numbers, they turned about and joined in the retreat. then the party under captain parsons, who, you will remember, had gone to colonel barrett's to destroy the secreted stores, returned, and were allowed by the militia to pass the bridge unmolested." "why didn't they attack them, captain?" asked eva, "weren't they strong enough?" "yes; but war had not yet been declared, and the colonists had been enjoined to act only on the defensive and let great britain be the aggressor. "besides, the militia at concord had not yet heard of the slaughter of their brethren at lexington. they themselves had just killed three british soldiers, to be sure, but it was purely in self-defence." "the british started back to boston pretty soon after that, didn't they, papa?" asked lulu. "yes; colonel smith thought it prudent, seeing how rapidly the militia were gathering, to return at once, and a little after twelve o'clock began his retreat toward lexington, covering his main column by strong flanking guards. "as you may suppose, the people had become intensely excited by this time, and i dare say very many were burning to avenge the slaughter of their comrades. they no longer adhered to the cautious counsels given them at concord, and secreting themselves behind barns and fences, fired upon the british troops as they passed. all along the line of march to lexington the british were terribly galled in this way. guns were fired with sure aim from every house, barn, and stone wall. as we noticed in coming here the road between this town and lexington passes through a hilly country, as well calculated as possible for such work. at almost every wooded defile numbers of the british were picked off by concealed marksmen, and at hardy's hill there was a severe skirmish. "there was no longer any military order among the americans, but each man fought as he deemed best. some of them were killed by the british flankers coming suddenly upon them in their places of concealment, but their numbers were comparatively small. "several of the british were shot near the battle-ground of the morning at lexington, and colonel smith was badly wounded in the leg at fiske's hill, near the town." "so they didn't have a very good time on their march back to boston," remarked max. "no, very far from it," replied his father. "you will remember they had been marching the night before, marching and fighting pretty much all that day, and attacked every now and then by a concealed foe, who shot down one after another; they became at last so fatigued that they must have surrendered to the americans if reinforcements had not reached them. "i have said a request for help had been sent to general gage from lexington early in the morning, and he had responded with about nine hundred men under lord percy,--three regiments of infantry and two divisions of marines. these left boston about nine o'clock in the morning and marched toward lexington. "as they passed through roxbury they played 'yankee doodle' in derision, having before used it as a rogue's march." "papa," gracie asked, "did the roxbury people know about the fight at lexington and concord?" "they had heard vague rumours of a fight at lexington, and the marching in that direction of these boston troops confirmed their worst fears." "what an excitement the marching of those british troops must have caused all along the way as they went!" exclaimed eva. "yes," replied captain raymond, "one of their officers said, 'they [the americans] seemed to drop from the clouds.'" "percy's brigade met them about half a mile from lexington. he formed a hollow square, and for its defence, planted a cannon on high ground near monroe's tavern, and received into his enclosure the wearied troops of smith. some of them were so heated and worn out that they lay exhausted and panting upon the ground, their tongues hanging out of their mouths, as a dog's does when he is tired and overheated. "but percy did not dare allow them to rest long, for the militia had gathered from all quarters, and the woods were swarming with minute-men. they were given a little refreshment, a brief rest, then hurried on their way, committing as they went deeds of ruffianism of which they had reason to be heartily ashamed; property was destroyed, houses were plundered, and several innocent persons were murdered. "of course the americans were filled with indignation as well as grief for the sufferings of friends and neighbours, some of them their near kindred." "yes; oh, it was just dreadful, papa!" exclaimed gracie, her eyes filling with tears. "i think the british of those days were very, very cruel." "very true," replied her father; "there were very many deeds of blood and violence, for which there was no excuse, committed by them during that war. rawdon, tarleton, and even cornwallis showed themselves men of savage cruelty." "yes," exclaimed rosie, "i perfectly detest and abhor that brutal tarleton! no indian was ever more heartless and cruel than he!" "i think that is true," the captain said. "he treated american prisoners so unfortunate as to fall into his hands, with most inhuman cruelty; also he was so vain, conceited, and untruthful that in a 'history of the campaigns of and in the southern provinces of north america,' which he wrote after his return to england, he distorts events for his self-glorification to such a degree as has seldom been paralleled. yes, take him all together he was, i think, one of the most despicable characters of the revolution." "i have always been so glad over his defeat by morgan at the battle of the cowpens," said eva, "and have always admired the reminders of it given him by some of the southern ladies, particularly of the wound on his hand that colonel washington gave him in chasing him from that battle-field." "yes, i remember," said rosie. "the ladies were great admirers of colonel washington, talked a great deal about him, and at least two or three times gave that vain, boastful, cruel tarleton a rub about that wound." "yes," said the captain, "those sallies of wit were expended on him by two sisters,--daughters of colonel montfort, of halifax county, north carolina. when cornwallis was there on his way to virginia, colonel washington was the subject of conversation one evening; and tarleton, nettled doubtless by the admiration freely expressed by the ladies, began talking against him, saying that he was an illiterate fellow, hardly able to write his own name. "the remark was made in the presence of mrs. willie jones, one of the sisters i have spoken of, and she replied, 'ah, colonel, you ought to know better, for you bear on your person proof that he knows very well _how to make his mark_.'" "i shouldn't have liked to be in his place," remarked max. "i dare say he felt like shooting mrs. jones for her compliment." "that is not at all unlikely," said his father. "it is said that when her sister, mrs. ashe, twitted him in like manner, he showed his temper plainly. he had been talking again, sarcastically of colonel washington, in her presence, and finally said with a sneer, 'i would be happy to see colonel washington.' to which she instantly replied, 'if you had looked behind you, colonel tarleton, at the battle of the cowpens, you would have enjoyed that pleasure.'" "that was just good for him!" exclaimed lulu. "i wonder what he said to it,--if he answered her at all." "he was very angry (for no doubt the words stung him) and laid his hand on the hilt of his sword, while he regarded her with a frown," replied the captain. "but general leslie, his superior officer said, 'say what you please, mrs. ashe; colonel tarleton knows better than to insult a lady in my presence.'" "did tarleton ever insult a lady, papa?" asked gracie. "i have read that he once insulted an american woman,--one who was large and strong,--and that she knocked him down upon the floor, seized him by the throat, and choked him till he was black in the face; she probably would have killed him if some one had not come to his assistance and pulled her off." "surely he must have been proud of _that_ encounter," laughed max. chapter xiii. there were several more souvenirs of the revolution shown the young people by captain raymond that morning,--among them boston's "liberty tree," or rather the sculptured representation of it set within a niche on the front of a house, and exactly over the spot on which the tree stood before its destruction by the british during the siege of boston. "it was under that tree the association calling themselves 'sons of liberty' used to hold their meetings," he said. "they met there in the summer of when there was a great excitement over the passage of the stamp act by the british parliament, and continued to do so until the destruction of the tree by the british during the siege of boston, . it was called 'liberty tree' and the ground under it 'liberty hall.' "a newspaper of that time, the 'essex gazette,' of aug. st, , describes the destruction of the tree. it says, 'they made a furious attack upon it and after a long spell of laughing, grinning, sweating and foaming with malice diabolical they cut down the tree because it bore the name of liberty. a soldier was killed by falling from one of its branches during the operation.'" it was dinner time when our party reached the hotel, where they had left grandma elsie and violet with the little ones and their maids. the ladies had not cared to join in the morning's excursion as they wanted to do a little shopping, and had already seen concord, lexington, and the places of historical interest in the city itself. but bunker hill was to be visited that afternoon, and from that little trip neither lady asked to be excused. they all went together, starting directly after leaving the table. every one greatly enjoyed the view from the top of the monument: it was like a vast painting, showing them the city of boston with its harbour, where could be seen vessels from almost every part of the world, and the many towns and villages in its vicinity, each with its own story of its struggles for liberty in "the days that tried men's souls." far in the northwest the higher peaks of new hampshire's white mountains were visible: on the northeast they could discern the peninsula of nahant, while still farther in the distance was cape ann. the captain gave them a brief account of the erection of the monument. "it was not till that a movement was made to that end," he said. "general la fayette was at the time the nation's guest, and was invited to lay the corner-stone, which he did on the th of june, , the fiftieth anniversary of the battle. "the hon. daniel webster made an oration on the subject to an immense crowd which had gathered for the occasion. there were forty of the survivors of the battle present, and probably la fayette met more of his fellow-soldiers of that war then than at any other time or place." "was it finished in that year, papa?" asked lulu. "no, indeed, my child; not for seventeen years. the last stone was raised about six o'clock on the morning of the d of july, , and with it--waving the american flag as he went up--was mr. edward carnes, jr., of charlestown, the roar of cannon at the same time announcing the event to the surrounding country." "but that wasn't the anniversary of the battle?" remarked rosie, in a tone of inquiry. "no," the captain said; "but on the next anniversary,--june th, ,--the monument was dedicated. daniel webster was the orator on that occasion also, addressing a vast audience composed of citizens and soldiers." "oh, how i would have liked to hear his speech, if only he could have waited till i was in this world and old enough to understand what he was talking about!" exclaimed rosie. a remark which called forth a good-humoured laugh from her hearers. "now, papa, the next thing is to tell us about the battle of bunker hill,--isn't it?" lulu said with a bright, coaxing look up into his face. "i suppose so," he replied, with an indulgent smile. "but first let us look at these cannon,--the 'hancock' and the 'adams;' you will readily understand for whom they were named. they belonged formerly to the ancient and honourable artillery company. this one--the 'adams'--you see is not sound; it was burst in firing a salute. you also see that they bear an inscription, which i shall read aloud for the benefit of the company:-- "sacred to liberty. this is one of four cannons which constituted the whole train of field-artillery possessed by the british colonies of north america at the commencement of the war, on the nineteenth of april, . this cannon and its fellow, belonging to a number of citizens of boston, were used in many engagements during the war. the other two, the property of the government of massachusetts, were taken by the enemy. by order of the united states in congress assembled, may nineteenth, ." "what strong faith in god and the righteousness of their cause they must have had, to begin a war with great britain with only four cannon in their possession!" remarked grandma elsie. "yes," responded the captain; "and it was by his good help that they conquered in spite of the seemingly insurmountable obstacles in their way. it was a fearful struggle, but with god and the armies of heaven on their side they could not fail. "the events of that ever-memorable th of april were speedily heralded over the whole land, from the scenes of their occurrence down to south carolina and georgia, west to the first settlers of kentucky, and north to montreal and quebec. "it electrified its hearers, and with one impulse they of the colonies--soon to become states--sprang to arms. as bancroft says, 'with one spirit they pledged themselves to each other to be ready for the extreme event.' with one heart the continent cried, 'liberty or death!' "the massachusetts committee of safety sent a circular to the several towns of that state, conjuring them to encourage enlistments by every means in their power, and send the troops forward to headquarters at cambridge with the expedition that the urgency and importance of the affair demanded. but the people had not waited for the call. "hearing of the slaughter of their brethren, men snatched their firelocks from the walls and rushed to the camp, often with scarcely any preparation, some of them with almost no provision, no money in their pockets, and only the clothes on their backs. they were hastening to the defence of their country and their endangered brethren. "so boston was besieged; prescott of pepperell and his middlesex minute-men kept watch over the entrance to that city. gage was forced to fortify the town at all points, while the americans talked of driving him and his troops into the sea. "new hampshire sent men under the command of john stark, a noble fellow well known as brave, fearless, and worthy of all confidence. "israel putnam was another, who, hearing the cry from lexington, which reached him on the morning after the battle, while he was helping his hired men to build a stone wall on his farm, hurried thither without waiting to so much as change the check shirt he was wearing in the field; though first he roused the militia officers of the nearest towns. "he reached cambridge by sunrise the next morning, having ridden the same horse a hundred miles in eighteen hours. he was full of courage and love for his country, and hundreds had already chosen him for their leader. "benedict arnold was still another who made haste to boston to assist in the siege. by the st of april it was estimated that twenty thousand men were collected about that city. "the battle of bunker hill, you will recollect, was not fought till the th of june. during all the intervening time the americans had kept the british officers and their troops besieged in boston, and they were beginning to be much ashamed of their confinement. "the americans had decided to throw up a breast-work across the road near prospect hill, and to fortify bunker hill as soon as a supply of powder and artillery could be obtained; but learning that gage had planned to extend his lines north and south over dorchester and charlestown, and had fixed upon the eighteenth of june for so doing, they decided to anticipate his movement, and on the fifteenth of that month the massachusetts committee of safety informed the council of war that, in their opinion, dorchester heights should be fortified; and they recommended unanimously the establishing of a post on bunker hill. "the choice of an officer to conduct the enterprise fell upon william prescott, who was colonel of a regiment; and the next evening a brigade of a thousand men was put under his command. "soon after sunset they paraded on cambridge common. they were not in uniform as american troops would be in these days, nor had they such arms; for the most part they had fowling-pieces,--no bayonets to them,--and only a small supply of powder and bullets, which they carried in horns and pouches. "four days previously a proclamation had been issued threatening all persons in arms against their sovereign with death under martial law, by the cord as rebels and traitors. that menace these men were the first to defy; and he, prescott, was resolved 'never to be taken alive.' "langdon, the president of harvard college, prayed fervently with them. then as it began to grow dark on that summer night, they marched silently and without noise across the narrow isthmus, taking with them their wagons with intrenching tools; and prescott, calling around him his officers and richard gridley, an experienced engineer, consulted with them as to the spot on which they should erect their earthworks. "bunker hill had been proposed by the committee, but prescott had received orders to march to breed's hill, and obeyed them. it was nearer boston, and he and his companions thought it better suited than the other for annoying the british in the town and the shipping in the harbour. "so the engineer drew there, by the light of the stars, the lines of a redoubt nearly eight rods square. the bells of boston had struck twelve before they began their work by turning the first sod, but every man of the thousand plied the pickaxe and spade in turn, and so rapidly that the parapet soon assumed form and height sufficient for defence, and prescott said to himself, 'we shall keep our ground if some screen, however slight, can be completed before discovery.' "he set a watch to patrol the shore, and twice went down to the margin of the water, on which three british vessels lay at anchor,--the 'lively' in the ferry between boston and charlestown, and a little to the eastward of her the 'falcon,' sloop-of-war, and the 'somerset,' a ship-of-the-line,--and listening intently he could hear the drowsy cry of the sentinels on their decks, 'all is well.'" captain raymond paused and looked at his watch. "it is time we were going," he said. "i will just point out to you all the localities made interesting by the events of that day, and finish my story on board the 'dolphin,' to which we are just about to return. we may be in the way of other visitors here, but there will be quite to ourselves, and an annoyance to no one." they went back to their hotel, where the captain left them for a little, saying he had some purchases to make for use on the voyage, but would return shortly to see them on board the yacht. he was not gone very long, and on his return the entire party--with the exception of donald keith who had bidden them farewell early that morning--returned with him to the "dolphin," which presently sailed out of the harbour and pursued her way up along the new england coast. chapter xiv. the evening proved a rainy one and cool for the season; but the "dolphin's" cabin was found an agreeable resort. all gathered there, and at once there was an urgent request from the young people that the interrupted story of the battle of bunker hill might be resumed. "you know, papa, we left off just where prescott's men were digging and making a redoubt," said lulu. "the night before the battle, wasn't it?" "yes," he replied. "the british were greatly astonished when daylight revealed the work that had been going on during the hours of darkness; for it was done so quietly that their suspicions had not been aroused. "no shout disturbed the night before that fearful fight; there was no boasting high, no marshalling of men who ne'er might meet again; no cup was filled and quaffed to victory! no plumes were there, no banners fair, no trumpets breathed around; nor the drum's startling sound broke on the midnight air." "what nice verses, papa!" said gracie. "did you make them yourself?" "no, daughter," he replied, "it was merely a quotation from john neal, one of our own american poets. "but to go on with my story. as soon as the british discovered the redoubt our men had constructed on breed's hill, the captain of the 'lively' put springs on his cables and opened a fire upon it without waiting for orders. "the noise of the cannon aroused the sleeping people of boston, and by the time the sun was up every eminence and roof in the city swarmed with them, all gazing with astonished eyes upon the strange apparition on breed's hill. the 'lively's' shots did no harm, and the americans went on as before with their work. they were behind their intrenchments busied in strengthening them, and toiled on till pick and shovel had to be laid aside for guns to defend them with. "the firing presently ceased for a little, by order of admiral graves, the british naval commander-in-chief, but was soon resumed by the shipping, while a battery of six guns on copp's hill in the city joined in with them. "early that morning the british general, gage, called a council of war, and it was decided to drive the americans out of their works, and that the attack should be made in front. "boston was full of excitement, drums were beating, dragoons galloping about the streets, regulars and royalists marching and counter-marching, artillery trains rumbling and church-bells ringing." "ah, how the hearts of wives and mothers, brothers and sisters, must have been torn at thought of the terrible struggle just at hand!" sighed grandma elsie, as the captain paused for a moment in his narrative. "yes," he replied, "then and still more when from the roofs, steeples, and every sort of elevation, they watched with streaming eyes the progress of the fight after it had actually begun." "oh," exclaimed gracie, "how glad and thankful i am that god let us live in these later days when there is no war in our dear country! "yes, dear child, we should thank god for peace," her father responded, softly smoothing her hair and pressing his lips to her cheek for an instant as she stood by his side, her head resting lovingly on his shoulder. "the americans worked faithfully on their intrenchments all the morning," he continued, "prescott doing all he could to encourage them by his voice and example, even walking leisurely around upon the parapet in full view of the british officers who were still in boston. "it is said that gage was looking at the american works through a field-glass, and saw prescott, who was a tall man of commanding appearance, going his rounds, and that he inquired of counsellor willard, a brother-in-law of prescott, who was standing near, who it was. "'that is colonel prescott,' was the reply. "'will he fight?' asked gage. "'yes, sir,' answered willard, 'he is an old soldier, and will fight as long as a drop of blood remains in his veins.' "'the works must be carried immediately,' was gage's rejoinder, and he at once proceeded to give the order for the attack. "he sent between two and three thousand picked men under the command of generals howe and pigot. they crossed the water in twenty-eight barges, and landed at morton's point beyond the eastern foot of breed's hill, covered by the guns of the 'falcon' and other vessels. there they waited for reinforcements, which were sent howe about two o'clock. "while the troops of howe and pigot were waiting, they dined; but the poor americans behind their intrenchments, at which they had been working all the morning as well as from twelve o'clock of the previous night, had little or nothing to eat or drink, and were suffering with hunger, thirst, and the extreme heat of the weather as well as fatigue, for the day was one of the hottest of the season. "besides, the reinforcements sent to their assistance were so few and feeble that a dreadful suspicion arose in their minds that they were the victims of treachery. "still they could not doubt the patriotism of their principal officers; and before the battle began, the arrival of their beloved dr. warren and general pomeroy entirely relieved their doubts. "dr. warren was suffering from sickness and exhaustion; and putnam, who was at cambridge forwarding reinforcements and provisions to charlestown, tried to persuade him not to take part in the coming fight. but his heart was in the cause, and he was not to be induced to give up doing all he could to help in the approaching struggle for freedom. "he mounted a horse, sped across the neck, and just as howe gave orders to advance, entered the redoubt amid the loud cheers of the men who so loved and trusted him." "such a lovely man, and ardent patriot as he was!" exclaimed violet. "oh, it makes my heart ache to think that he was killed in that battle." "it was a very great loss to the american cause," responded her husband, taking a book from a table near at hand as he spoke. "this," he said, "is bancroft's history, which i bought this afternoon that i might have his help in going over the story of the battle of bunker hill and other interesting events of the revolution. this is what he says of joseph warren:-- "in him were combined swiftness of thought and resolve, courage, endurance, and manners which won universal love. he opposed the british government not from interested motives nor from resentment. guileless and intrepid, he was in truth a patriot. as the moment for the appeal to arms approached, he watched with joy the revival of the generous spirit of new england's ancestors; and wherever the peril was greatest he was present animating not by words alone, but ever by his example. "his integrity, the soundness of his judgment, his ability to write readily and well, his fervid eloquence, his exact acquaintance with american rights and the infringements of them, gave authority to his advice in private and in the provincial congress. had he lived, the future seemed burdened with his honors; he cheerfully sacrificed all for the freedom of his country and the rights of man." "he left some children, if i remember right?" remarked violet in a tone of inquiry, as her husband paused in his reading. "yes, four of them," answered the captain; "and his wife having died about two years before, they were now left orphans, in straitened circumstances. "and that reminds me of a good deed done by gen. benedict arnold. he was a warm friend of warren, and for that reason came to their relief, himself contributing five hundred dollars for their education, and obtaining from congress the amount of a major-general's half pay, to be applied to their support from the time of their father's death until the youngest child should be of age. "but to go on with the account of the battle. warren had been entreated not thus to expose his life. his answer was, 'it is sweet and becoming to die for one's country.' he saw all the difficulties in the way of his countrymen, and desired to give all the help in his power. "putnam expressed himself as ready to receive his orders; but warren declined to take the command from him, and passed on to the redoubt which seemed likely to be the chief point of attack by the enemy. "prescott there offered the command to him, as putnam had just done; but warren again declined, saying, 'i come as a volunteer, to learn from a soldier of experience.' this though three days before he had been elected a provincial major-general. "after the british had landed and before the battle began, col. john stark arrived with his new hampshire troops. except prescott he brought the largest number into the field. he was a very brave man, and so cool and collected that he marched leisurely across the isthmus, raked by the cannon of the enemy; and when one of his captains advised a quickstep, he replied, 'one fresh man in action is worth ten fatigued ones.' "there was not time for him to consult with prescott. they fought independently,--prescott at his redoubt, stark and knowlton, and reed's regiment to protect its flank. "months before that,--two days after the battle of concord,--gage had threatened to burn charlestown in case the americans should occupy the heights. so an order was now given to set it on fire, and it was done by shells from copp's hill; the houses being mostly of wood, two hundred of them were soon in flames. "the british thought to be protected in their advance by the smoke of the burning houses, but a gentle breeze, the first that had been felt that day, arose and wafted it aside, so that they were not hidden from the eyes of the americans. "it was somewhere between two and three o'clock when the british began their approach. they were in two columns, one led by howe, the other by pigot, howe no doubt expecting to get into prescott's rear and force him to a surrender. but i will give another extract from bancroft. "as they began to march, the battery on copp's hill, from which clinton and burgoyne were watching every movement, kept up an incessant fire, which was seconded by the 'falcon' and the 'lively,' the 'somerset' and the two floating batteries; the town of charlestown, consisting of five hundred edifices of wood, burst into a blaze; and the steeple of its only church became a pyramid of fire. all the while the masts of the british shipping and the heights of the british camp, the church towers, the house tops of a populous town, and the acclivities of the surrounding country, were crowded with spectators to watch the battle which was to take place in full sight on a conspicuous eminence." "oh, papa," pleaded gracie, as he paused for an instant, "please tell it. i like that so much better than listening to reading." "quite a compliment to me as a reader," he returned with an amused look. "no, sir, as a talker. i like to hear you tell things," she responded, with a sweet, engaging smile. "do you, dear child? very well, i'll try to gratify you. "when prescott saw the red-coats moving toward his redoubt he ordered two separate detachments to flank the enemy, then went through his works encouraging his men, to whom this was an entirely new experience. 'the red-coats will never reach the redoubt,' he said, 'if you will but withhold your fire till i give the order; and be careful not to shoot over their heads.' then he waited till the enemy had come within a few rods, when waving his sword over his head he gave the word, 'fire!' "every gun was instantly discharged, and nearly the whole of the front rank fell; the rest, astonished at this unexpected resistance, stood still. then for some minutes the fire of the americans continued, answered by the british, till at last they staggered, wavered, then fled down the hill toward their boats. "howe had been treated to a like reception by stark's and knowlton's troops, cheered on by putnam who, like prescott, bade them reserve their fire till the best moment, when they poured in one as deadly and destructive as that which came from prescott's redoubt." "wasn't prescott's order to his men to reserve their fire till they could see the whites of the british soldier's eyes?" queried violet. "yes, so lossing tells us; and that he added, 'then aim at their waistbands; and be sure to pick off the commanders, known by their handsome coats.' "his men were filled with joy when they saw the british fly, and wanted to pursue them, some even leaping the fence; but their more prudent officers restrained them, and in a few minutes they were all within their works again, and ready to receive and repulse a second attack. "colonel prescott praised and encouraged them while putnam rode over to bunker hill to urge on reinforcement; but 'few additional troops could be brought to breed's hill before the second attack was made.' before that the british were reinforced by four hundred marines from boston, then they moved against the redoubt in the same order as at first, their artillery doing more damage to the americans than in the first assault." "papa," asked gracie, "what had become of the wounded men they'd left lying on the ground?--those the americans shot down at their first fire over the redoubt?" "they were still lying there on the ground where they had fallen, poor fellows! and the others marched over them. ah, war is a dreadful thing, and those who forced it upon the patient, long-suffering americans were either very thoughtless or exceeding cruel." "yes," exclaimed rosie, "i don't know what george iii. could have been made of to be willing to cause so much suffering even to innocent defenceless women and children, just that he might play the tyrant and forcibly take from the americans their own hard earnings to pay his way." "he was perhaps not quite so wicked as weak," replied her mother; "you know, i think, that he afterward lost his mind several times. indeed he had done so once before this,--in ." "he had been wicked and cruel enough for a guilty conscience to set him crazy, i should think," remarked max. "please go on, again, papa, won't you?" entreated lulu. "i will," he said. "the british fired as they drew near, but with little effect; and the americans, reserving their fire as before, till the foe was within five or six yards of the redoubt, then poured it on them with deadly aim, as at the first attack. it told with terrible effect; whole ranks of officers and men fell dead." "oh, didn't they run then, papa?" queried gracie with a shudder of horror as she seemed to see the ground strewed with the dead and dying. "they were thrown into confusion and retreated to the shore," the captain replied,--"retreated in great disorder. it seemed that the american fire was even more fatal than before. in telling the story afterward prescott said, 'from the whole american line there was a continuous stream of fire.' "the british officers exposed themselves fearlessly, and urged their soldiers on with persuasions, threats, and even blows; but they could not reach the redoubt, and presently gave way, and, as i have said, retreated in great disorder. "at one time howe was left nearly alone for a few seconds, so many of his officers had been killed or wounded; while 'the dead,' as stark said in his account of the battle, 'lay as thick as sheep in a fold.' "now i think my little gracie will have to put up with some more reading," added the captain, with a smiling glance at her; then opening his book, read aloud,-- "at intervals the artillery from the ships and batteries was playing, while the flames were rising over the town of charlestown and laying waste the places of the graves of its fathers, and streets were falling together, and ships at the yards were crashing on the stocks, and the kindred of the americans, from the fields, and hills and house-tops around, watched every gallant act of their defenders. 'the whole,' wrote burgoyne, 'was a complication of horror and importance beyond anything it ever came to my lot to be witness to. it was a sight for a young soldier that the longest service may not furnish again." "if," remarked captain raymond, again closing the book, "it was so dreadful a sight for soldiers accustomed to the horrors of war, what must it not have been to the american farmers taking their first lesson in war? but not one of them shrank from duty. i think we may be very proud of those countrymen of ours. prescott said to his men, 'if we drive them back once more they cannot rally again.' at that his men cheered him, and shouted. 'we are ready for the red-coats again.' "but alas! the officers now discovered that the supply of gunpowder was nearly exhausted. prescott had sent in the morning for more, but it had not come; and there were not fifty bayonets in his party." "they were wonderfully brave to stand for a third attack under such circumstances," remarked evelyn. "they were indeed," responded the captain. "no one of the seven hundred men with prescott seems to have thought of giving up the contest without another effort. some gathered stones from the redoubt to use as missiles, those who had no bayonets resolved to club their guns and strike with them when their powder should be gone; all were determined to fight as long as a ray of hope of success could be discerned. and they did. "they waited with quiet firmness the approach of the enemy who came steadily on with fixed bayonets, while their cannon were so trained that they swept the interior of the breast-work from one end to the other, obliging the americans to crowd within their fort. "the americans were presently attacked on three sides, at once; and there were, as i have said, but seven hundred of them, some of whom had no more than one round of ammunition, none of them more than four. but they did not quail, and prescott calmly gave his directions. "he bade his men wait, reserving their fire till the enemy was within twenty yards. then they poured in a deadly volley. every shot told. howe was wounded in the foot, and several of his officers were killed besides the common soldiers. but they pressed on to the now nearly silent redoubt, for the american fire had slackened and begun to die away. "and now there was only a ridge of earth between the combatants, and the first of the british who reached it were assailed with a shower of stones. then some of them scaled the parapet and were shot down in the act. one of these was major pitcairn, who had led the troops at lexington. as he mounted the parapet he cried out, 'now for the glory of the marines!' and was answered by a shot from a negro that gave him a mortal wound. his son carried him to a boat, conveyed him to boston, and there he soon died." "oh!" exclaimed gracie, "i hope that brave colonel prescott didn't get killed, papa!" "no; he escaped unhurt, though his coat and waistcoat were pierced and torn in several places by the bayonets of the british, which he parried with his sword. "it was now a hand-to-hand fight, british and americans mingled together, our men walking backward and hewing their way out, dealing deadly blows with their muskets. "fortunately the british were too much exhausted to use their bayonets with vigour; and so intermingled were they and the americans that the use of firearms would have been dangerous to their own men as well as to ours." "oh," sighed rosie, "i have always been so sorry that our men didn't have plenty of gunpowder! i don't think there's a doubt that if they had been well supplied with it, they would have won a grand victory." "yes; they did wonders considering all they had to contend with," said the captain. "their courage, endurance, and skill as marksmen astonished the british, and were never forgotten by them during the long war that followed. "the number engaged in the battle of bunker hill was small, all taken together not more than fifteen hundred of the americans,--less than seven hundred in the redoubt,--while of the british there were, according to gage, more than two thousand; other and accurate observers said, 'near upon three thousand.' "but in spite of the smallness of the numbers engaged, the battle was one of the severest and most determined on record. neither side could claim a victory, but both displayed great courage and determination." "and joseph warren was one of the killed!" sighed grandma elsie, "one of the bravest, best, and most lovable of men, as those who knew him have testified. i remember reading that mrs. john adams said of him and his death, 'not all the havoc and devastation they have made has wounded me like the death of warren. we want him in the senate; we want him in his profession; we want him in the field. we mourn for the citizen, the senator, the physician, and the warrior.' general howe said, 'his death was worth more to the british than that of five hundred of the provincial privates.'" "and that was not an over-estimate, i think," said the captain. "it was indeed a sad loss to the cause of the colonies when he was slain." "but there were more of the british killed than of our men,--weren't there, papa?" asked lulu. "yes, very many more. by gage's own account the number of killed and wounded in his army was at least one thousand and fifty-four. the oldest soldiers had never seen anything like it,--so many officers killed and wounded. bancroft tells us that the battle of quebec, which won a continent, did not cost the lives of so many officers as the battle of bunker hill, which gained nothing 'but a place of encampment.' "the american loss was one hundred and forty-five in killed and missing, three hundred and four wounded. no doubt the loss would have been very much greater but for the brave conduct of the men at the rail fence and the bank of the mystic, who kept the enemy at bay while the men from the redoubt retreated. you may remember that they were stark's men from new hampshire and knowlton's from connecticut." "i hope the result of the battle encouraged the americans as much as it discouraged the british," remarked rosie, "and i think i have read that it did." "yes," the captain replied, "it did. in his general order, thanking the officers and soldiers for their gallant behaviour at charlestown, ward said, 'we shall finally come off victorious, and triumph over the enemies of freedom and america.'" "did they fight any more that night, papa?" asked gracie. "no," he said, "though prescott went to headquarters and offered to recover his post if he might have three fresh regiments. he did not seem to think he had done anything more than his duty, and asked for neither praise nor promotion, though others gave him unstinted praise for what he had done. "putnam was absent from the field, engaged in trying to collect reinforcements, when the third attack was made, and the retreating party encountered him on the northern declivity of bunker hill. he tried to stop and turn them about,--commanded, pleaded, and used every exertion in his power to rally the scattered corps, swearing that victory should crown the american arms. 'make a stand here; we can stop them yet!' he exclaimed. 'in god's name, fire, and give them one shot more!' "it is said that after the war was over he made a sincere confession to the church of which he was a member; but he said, 'it was almost enough to make an angel swear to see the cowards refuse to secure a victory so nearly won.'" "and couldn't he stop them, papa?" asked gracie. "he succeeded with some few," replied her father, "joined them to a detachment which had not reached the spot till the fighting was over, and with them took possession of prospect hill, where he encamped for the night." "oh, papa, what did they do with all those americans and british who had been killed?" asked gracie. "there must have been many a sad funeral," the captain said in reply, "many a widow and fatherless child to weep over the slain. ah, let us thank our heavenly father for the liberty and security bought for us at so fearful a price." "yes," responded grandma elsie; "and let us keep them for ourselves and our children by the eternal vigilance which is the price of liberty.'" chapter xv. to the great delight of the young people on board the "dolphin" the sun shone in a clear sky the next morning. soon after breakfast they were all on deck, as usual in pleasant weather, enjoying the breeze, the sight of passing vessels, and a distant view of the land. the captain and violet sat near together with the two little ones playing about them, while grandma elsie, in a reclining chair, at no great distance, seemed absorbed in a book. "mamma is reading something sad, i know by the look on her face," said walter, hurrying toward her, the others following. "what is it you are reading, mamma, that makes you look so sorry?" he asked, putting an arm about her neck, and giving her a kiss. "oh, that's bancroft's history!" "yes," she said, "i was just looking over his account of the battles of lexington and concord, and some things he tells do make me sad though they happened more than a hundred years ago." "oh, please read them to us!" pleaded several young voices, all speaking at once. "i will give you some passages," she said; "not the whole, because you have already been over that ground. it is what he tells of isaac davis that particularly interests me," and she began reading. "at daybreak the minute-men of acton crowded, at the drum-beat, to the house of isaac davis, their captain, who 'made haste to be ready.' just thirty years old, the father of four little ones, stately in his person, a man of few words, earnest even to solemnity, he parted from his wife, saying, 'take good care of the children;' and while she gazed after him with resignation, he led off his company. "between nine and ten the number of americans on the rising ground above concord bridge had increased to more than four hundred. of these there were twenty-five minute-men from bedford, with jonathan wilson for their captain; others were from westford, among them thaxter, a preacher; others from littleton, from carlisle, and from chelmsford. the acton company came last and formed on the right. the whole was a gathering not so much of officers and soldiers as of brothers and equals, of whom every one was a man well known in his village, observed in the meeting-house on sundays, familiar at town meetings and respected as a freeholder or a freeholder's son.... 'the americans had as yet received only uncertain rumors of the morning's events at lexington. at the sight of fire in the village, the impulse seized them to march into the town for its defence.' but were they not subjects of the british king? had not the troops come out in obedience to acknowledged authorities? was resistance practicable? was it justifiable? by whom could it be authorized? no union had been formed, no independence proclaimed, no war declared. the husbandmen and mechanics who then stood on the hillock by concord river were called on to act, and their action would be war or peace, submission or independence. had they doubted they must have despaired. prudent statesmanship would have asked for time to ponder. wise philosophy would have lost from hesitation the glory of opening a new era on mankind. the train-bands at concord acted and god was with them. "the american revolution grew out of the soul of the people, and was an inevitable result of a living affection for freedom, which set in motion harmonious effort as certainly as the beating of the heart sends warmth and color through the system. the rustic heroes of that hour obeyed the simplest, the highest, and the surest instincts, of which the seminal principle existed in all their countrymen. from necessity they were impelled toward independence and self-direction; this day revealed the plastic will which was to attract the elements of a nation to a centre, and by an innate force to shape its constitution. "the officers, meeting in front of their men, spoke a few words with one another, and went back to their places. barrett, the colonel, on horseback in the rear, then gave the order to advance, but not to fire unless attacked. the calm features of isaac davis, of acton, became changed; the town school-master of concord, who was present, could never afterward find words strong enough to express how deeply his face reddened at the word of command. 'i have not a man that is afraid to go,' said davis, looking at the men of acton, and drawing his sword, he cried, 'march!' his company, being on the right, led the way toward the bridge, he himself at their head, and by his side major john buttrick, of concord, with john robinson, of westford, lieutenant-colonel in prescott's regiment, but on this day a volunteer, without command. "these three men walked together in front, followed by minute-men and militia, in double file, trailing arms. they went down the hillock, entered the byroad, came to its angle with the main road, and there turned into the causeway that led straight to the bridge. the british began to take up the planks; to prevent it, the americans quickened their step. at this the british fired one or two shots up the river; then another, by which luther blanchard and jonas brown were wounded. a volley followed, and isaac davis and abner hosmer fell dead. three hours before, davis had bid his wife farewell. that afternoon he was carried home and laid in her bedroom. his countenance was pleasant in death. the bodies of two others of his company, who were slain that day, were brought to her house, and the three were followed to the village graveyard by a concourse of the neighbors from miles around. heaven gave her length of days in the land which his self-devotion assisted to redeem. she lived to see her country reach the gulf of mexico and the pacific; when it was grown great in numbers, wealth, and power, the united states in congress bethought themselves to pay honors to her husband's martyrdom, and comfort her under the double burden of sorrow and of more than ninety years." "ninety years!" exclaimed walter. "oh what an old, _old_ woman she was! i think they ought to have given it to her a great deal sooner,--don't you, mamma?" "i do, indeed," she replied. "what a dreadful time it was! the british soldiery behaved like savages or demons,--burning houses, murdering innocent unarmed people. one poor woman--a mrs. adams, ill in bed, with a baby only a week old--was driven out of her bed, out of her house, and had to crawl almost naked to a corn-shed with her little one in her arms, while the soldiers set fire to her house. "they shot and killed an idiot perched on a fence looking at them as they passed; and they brutally murdered two aged, helpless, unarmed old men, stabbing them, breaking their skulls and dashing out their brains." "i don't wonder the americans shot down as many of them as they could!" exclaimed max, in tones of hot indignation. "men that did such things were not brave soldiers, but worse savages than the indians. oh, how i wish our people had had the abundance of good weapons and powder and balls that we have now! then they'd have taught the insolent british a good lesson; they would soon have driven gage and all his savage soldiery into the sea." "i presume they would," said mrs. travilla; "but poor fellows! they were very destitute of such needed supplies. this is what bancroft says about it:-- "all the following night, the men of massachusetts streamed in from scores of miles around, old men as well as young. they had scarce a semblance of artillery or warlike stores, no powder, nor organization, nor provisions; but there they were, thousands with brave hearts, determined to rescue the liberties of their country. "the night preceding the outrages at lexington there were not fifty people in the whole colony that ever expected any blood would be shed in the contest; the night after, the king's governor and the king's army found themselves closely beleaguered in boston." "did the news fly very fast all over the country, mamma?" asked walter. "very fast for those times," she replied; "you must remember that then they had neither railroads nor telegraph, but as bancroft says, 'heralds by swift relays transmitted the war messages from hand to hand, till village repeated it to village; the sea to the backwoods; the plains to the highlands; and it was never suffered to droop till it had been borne north and south, east and west, throughout the land.'" "but there wasn't any more fighting till the battle of bunker hill, was there, mamma?" asked walter. "yes," she replied, "there was the taking of ticonderoga and crown point early in may, by a party under the command of ethan allen; there were about a hundred 'green mountain boys' and nearly fifty soldiers from massachusetts besides the men of connecticut. the thing was planned in connecticut, and the expense borne there. "allen marched in the night to the shore of the lake opposite to ticonderoga. a farmer named beman offered his son nathan as a guide, saying that he (the lad) had been used to playing about the fort with the boys of the garrison, and knew of every secret way leading into it. "allen accepted the offer, but there was a difficulty about getting boats in which to cross the lake. they had but few and day began to dawn. if the garrison should be aroused their expedition was likely to fail, for a great deal depended upon taking them by surprise; so allen decided not to wait for the rear division to cross, but to make the attempt with the officers and eighty-three men who were already on that side. he drew up his men in three ranks on the shore and made them a little speech in a low tone: 'friends and fellow-soldiers, we must this morning quit our pretensions to valour, or possess ourselves of this fortress; and inasmuch as it is a desperate attempt, i do not urge it on, contrary to will. you that will undertake voluntarily, poise your firelock.' "instantly every firelock was poised. 'face to the right!' he cried, putting himself at their head, benedict arnold close at his side, and they marched quietly and steadily up to the gate. "the sentinel there snapped his fusee at allen, but it missed fire, and he retreated within the fort. the americans rushed in after him, another sentinel made a thrust at one of them, but they ran upon the guard, raising the indian war-whoop, allen giving the sentinel a blow upon the head with his sword that made him beg for quarter. "of course the shout of our men had roused the garrison; and they sprang from their beds, and came rushing out only to be made prisoners. "then young beman guided allen to the door of the sleeping apartment of delaplace, the commander. the loud shout of the americans had waked him and his wife, and both sprang to the door as allen gave three loud raps upon it with his sword and thundered out an order for the commander to appear if he wouldn't have his whole garrison sacrificed. "delaplace threw open the door, showing himself only half dressed, in shirt and drawers, with his pretty wife standing behind him peering over his shoulder. he immediately recognized allen, for they were old friends, and assuming an air of authority, demanded his errand. "allen pointed to his men and said sternly, 'i order you instantly to surrender.' "'by what authority do you demand it?' asked delaplace. "'in the name of the great jehovah and the continental congress,' thundered allen, and raising his sword over his prisoner's head, commanded him to be silent and surrender immediately. "delaplace saw that it was useless to refuse, so surrendered, ordered his men to parade without arms, and gave them up as prisoners. there were forty-eight of them; and they, with the women and children, were sent to hartford as prisoners of war." "and what did our men get besides the soldiers and women and children, mamma?" asked walter. "cannon, and guns of various kinds, other munitions of war, a quantity of provisions and material for boat building, and so forth, besides the fortress itself, which bancroft says had 'cost the british nation eight millions sterling, a succession of campaigns, and many lives, yet was won in ten minutes by a few undisciplined volunteers, without the loss of life or limb.'" "oh, that was the very best of it, i think," said gracie. "war wouldn't be so very, very dreadful if it was all like that,--would it, grandma elsie?" "no dear," mrs. travilla replied, smiling lovingly upon the little girl, and softly smoothing her golden curls. "was there any other fighting before the battle of bunker hill, mamma?" queried walter. "yes," she said, "there were some encounters along this new england coast." "and crown point was taken too,--wasn't it, mamma?" asked rosie. "ah, yes! i had forgotten that part of my story," replied her mother. "it was taken two days later than ticonderoga, also without any bloodshed. about the same time that ticonderoga was taken, there was a british ship called the 'canceaux' in the harbour of portland. the captain's name was mowat. on the th of may he and two of his officers were on shore, when a party of sixty men from georgetown seized them. "the officer who had been left in command of the vessel threatened what he would do if they were not released, and even began to bombard the town. mowat was released at a late hour, but felt angry and revengeful, and succeeded in rousing the same sort of feeling in the admiral of the station. "a month later the people of a town called machias seized the captain of two sloops that had come into their harbour to be freighted with lumber, and convoyed by a king's cutter called the 'margaretta.' the lumber was for the british army at boston, and they, the americans, got possession of the sloops, after taking the captain, whom they seized in the 'meeting-house.' the 'margaretta' didn't fire on the town, but slipped away down the harbour in the dark that night, and the next morning sailed out to sea. "then forty men, under the command of capt. jeremiah o'brien, pursued her in one of the captured sloops, and as she was a dull sailer, soon overtook her. an obstinate sea-fight followed; the captain of the cutter was mortally wounded, six of his men not so badly, and after an hour's fight the 'margaretta's' flag was struck. it was the first time the british flag was struck on the ocean to americans." "but not the last by any means!" cried max, exultantly; "whatever may be said of our land forces, america has always shown herself superior to great britain on the sea. i'm very proud of the fact that though at the beginning of the last war with england we had but twenty vessels (exclusive of one hundred and twenty gun-boats), while england had ten hundred and sixty, we whipped her." "quite true, max," mrs. travilla said, smiling at the boy's ardent patriotism, "and i am as proud of the achievements of our navy as you can be; but let us give all the glory to god who helped the oppressed in their hard struggle against their unjust and cruel oppressor." "yes, ma'am, i know," he answered; "america was most shamefully oppressed, and it was only by god's help that she succeeded in putting a stop to the dreadful treatment of her poor sailors. just to think of the insolent way the british naval officers used to have of boarding our vessels and carrying off american-born men, who loved their own country and wanted to serve her, and forcing them even to serve against her, fairly makes my blood boil!" max had in his excitement unconsciously raised his voice so that his words reached his father's ear. the captain looked smilingly at violet, "my boy is an ardent patriot," he said in a pleased tone. "should we ever have another war (which heaven forbid!), i hope he will do his country good service." "i am sure he will if he lives to see that day," returned violet; "but i agree with you in hoping the need of such service will never arise." "but let us always remember," evelyn said in reply to max, "that those cruel, unjust deeds, and the feelings that prompted them, were not those of the english people, but of their government and the aristocracy,--i suppose because of their hatred of republicanism, their desire to keep the masses of the people down, and themselves rich and powerful." "yes," said rosie, "it was just pure pride and selfishness. they didn't like the doctrine of our declaration of independence that 'all men are created equal.'" mrs. travilla was turning over the leaves of her book again. "mamma," said walter, "haven't you something more to read to us?" "yes," she replied, and began at once. "on the ninth (of june) the 'falcon,' a british sloop of war, was seen from cape ann in chase of two schooners bound to salem. one of these was taken; a fair wind wafted the other into gloucester harbor. linzee, the captain of the 'falcon,' followed with his prize, and, after anchoring, sent his lieutenant and thirty-six men in a whale-boat and two barges to bring under his bow the schooner that had escaped. "as the barge men boarded her at her cabin windows, men from the shore fired on them, killing three and wounding the lieutenant in the thigh. linzee sent his prize and a cutter to cannonade the town. they did little injury; while the gloucester men, with the loss of but two, took both schooners, the barges, and every man in them, linzee losing half his crew." "how vexed he must have been!" laughed lulu. "did he ever go back to take revenge, grandma elsie?" "no, i think not," she said, "though gage and the british admiral planned to do so, and also to wreak vengeance on the people of portland,--then called falmouth,--where, as you probably remember, mowat had been held prisoner for a few hours in may of that same year. "on the morning of the th of october mowat again appeared in their harbour in command of a ship of sixteen guns, attended by three other vessels, and at half-past nine in the morning began firing upon the town. "in five minutes several houses were in a blaze; then a party of marines landed and spread the conflagration. he burned down about three fourths of the town,--a hundred and thirty dwelling-houses, the public buildings, and a church,--and shattered the rest of the houses with balls and shells. the english account makes the destruction still greater. so far north winter begins early, and it was just at the beginning of a severe one that he thus turned the poor people of that town out of house and home into the cold, in poverty and misery." "that was a christian deed worthy of a christian king," remarked rosie, scornfully. "bancroft says," continued her mother, "that the indignation of washington was kindled by 'these savage cruelties, this new exertion of despotic barbarity.' general green said, 'death and destruction mark the footsteps of the enemy; fight or be slaves is the american motto.'" "and who wouldn't rather fight and die fighting, than be a slave?" cried max, his eyes flashing. "grandma elsie," he said, "you haven't told us a word about the american navy. didn't they begin one about that time?" "i think they did, max," was her reply; "but suppose we call upon your father to tell us about it. he is doubtless better informed than i in everything relating to that branch of the service." "papa, will you?" asked the lad, turning toward the captain and raising his voice a little. "will i do what, my son?" "tell us about the doings of the navy in revolutionary times, sir," replied max, "as grandma elsie has been telling of the fights on land." "oh, do, papa; won't you?" pleaded lulu, hastening to his side, the other girls and walter following, while max gallantly offered to move grandma elsie's chair nearer to his father and violet, which she allowed him to do, thanking him with one of her rarely sweet smiles. chapter xvi. the captain, gently putting aside the two little ones who were hanging lovingly about him, saw every one seated comfortably, and near enough to hear all he might say, then resuming his own seat, began the account they had asked for of the early doings of the embryo navy of their common country. "we had no navy at all when the revolutionary war began," he said. "rhode island, the smallest state in the union, was the first of the colonies to move in the matter of building and equipping a continental fleet. on october , , its delegates laid before congress the instructions they had received to do what they could to have that work begun. "they met with great opposition there; but john adams was very strongly in its favour, and did for it all in his power. "on the th of october, washington was authorized to employ two armed vessels to intercept british store-ships, bound for quebec; on the th, two armed vessels, of ten and of fourteen guns, were voted; and seventeen days later, two others of thirty-six guns. that was the beginning of our navy; and it was very necessary we should have one to protect our seaport towns and destroy the english ships sent against us, also to make it more difficult and hazardous for them to bring over new levies of troops to deprive us of our liberties, and from using their vessels to destroy our merchantmen, and so put an end to our commerce. "rhode island had bold and skilful seamen, some of whom had had something to do with british ships before the war began,--even as early as . "in that year there was a british armed schooner called the 'gaspee,' in narragansett bay, sent there to enforce obnoxious british laws. "its officers behaved in so tyrannical a manner toward the americans of the neighbourhood that at length they felt it quite unbearable; and one dark, stormy night in june, capt. abraham whipple, a veteran sailor, with some brother seamen, went down the bay in open whale-boats, set the 'gaspee' on fire, and burned her. "the british government of course wanted to punish them, but all engaged in the work of destruction were so true to each other that it was impossible to find out who they were; but three years later--in , the year that the war began--the bay was blockaded by an english frigate, and in some way her commander learned that whipple had been the leader of the men who destroyed the 'gaspee.' he then wrote him a note." "you, abraham whipple, on the seventeenth of june , burnt his majesty's vessel the 'gaspee,' and i will hang you to the yard-arm." "whipple replied with a note." _to sir james wallace_: sir,--always catch a man before you hang him. abraham whipple. "good!" laughed max; "and i think he never did catch him,--did he, papa?" "no, though he made every effort to do so, being greatly angered by the impudent reply." "but you don't blame whipple for answering him in that way,--do you, papa?" queried lulu. "i can't say that i do," her father said with a slight smile. "and i think the legislature of rhode island did a right and wise thing in fitting out two armed vessels to drive sir james and his frigate out of narragansett bay, giving the command of them, and thus the honour of firing the first gun in the naval service of the revolution, to captain whipple." "oh, that was splendid!" cried several young voices. "that gave washington a hint," continued the captain, "and he authorized the fitting out of several vessels as privateers, manning them with these sailor-soldiers." "what is a privateer, papa?" asked gracie. "a vessel belonging to some private person, or to more than one, sailing in time of war, with a license from government to seize, plunder, and destroy the vessels of the enemy, and any goods they may carry, wherever found afloat." "and how do they differ from transports, brother levis?" asked rosie. "transports are vessels used for the carrying of troops, stores, and materials of war," he answered. "did they do their work well, captain?" asked evelyn. "some did, and some did not," he answered. "the most successful was capt. john manly, who had been thirty years, or nearly that, on the sea. he was a skilful fisherman of marblehead, and washington commissioned him as captain. "he was doubtless well acquainted with the qualifications of the sailors of that part of the coast, and knew how to select a choice crew, at all events he was very successful in annoying the enemy, and soon had captured three ships as they entered boston harbour. one of them was laden with just such things as were badly needed by the americans, then besieging boston,--heavy guns, mortars, and intrenching tools. "manly became a terror to the british, and they tried hard to catch him." "if they had, i suppose they'd have hung him," remarked lulu, half inquiringly. "no doubt they would have been glad to do so," her father replied. "they sent out an armed schooner from halifax to take him; but he was too wary and skilful a commander to be easily caught, and he went on roaming along the seacoast of new england, taking prize after prize from among the british ships." "what was the name of his vessel, papa?" asked max. "the 'lee.' it was not long before congress created a navy, and manly was appointed a captain in it. he did gallant service until he was taken prisoner by sir george collier in the 'rainbow.'" "did they hang him, papa?" asked gracie, with a look of distress. "no; he was kept a prisoner, first on that vessel, then in mill prison, halifax, exchanged after a while, then again taken prisoner while in command of the 'pomona,' held a prisoner at barbadoes, but made his escape and took command of the privateer 'jason.' he was afterward attacked by two privateers, ran in between them, giving both a broadside at once and making them strike their colours. "later he was chased by a british seventy-four, and to escape capture ran his ship aground on a sand-bar; afterward he succeeded in getting her off, fired thirteen guns as a defiance, and made his escape." "please tell us some more, brother levis," urged walter, as the captain paused in his narrative; "we'd be glad to hear all the doings of our navy." "that would make a long story indeed, my boy," the captain said with a smile; "longer than could be told in one day or two. i will try to relate some few more occurrences of particular interest; and i advise you all to consult history on the subject after we get home. the coming winter will be a good time for that. "in october, , as i have already said, congress resolved that a swift sailing-vessel, to carry ten carriage-guns and an appropriate number of swivels, should be fitted out for a cruise of three months for the purpose of intercepting british transports. they also formed a marine committee consisting of seven members, and ordered another vessel to be built,--the marine committee performing the duties now falling to the share of our secretary of the navy. "later in that same year congress ordered thirteen more vessels to be built. they were the 'washington,' 'randolph,' 'warren,' 'hancock,' 'raleigh,' each carrying thirty-two guns; the 'effingham,' 'delaware,' 'boston,' 'virginia,' 'providence,' 'montgomery,' 'congress' and 'trumble;' some of these were armed with twenty-eight, others with twenty-four guns." "they made abraham whipple captain of one,--didn't they, papa?" asked max. "yes; nicholas biddle, dudly saltonstall and john b. hopkins captains of the others, and esek hopkins commander-in-chief. he was considered as holding about the same rank in the navy that washington did in the army, and was styled indifferently admiral or commodore. "among the first lieutenants appointed was john paul jones, who became a famous commander before the war was over,--a great naval hero. but you have all heard of him i think." "oh, yes," said rosie. "it was he who commanded the 'bonhomme richard' in that hard-fought battle with the british ship 'serapis.'" "yes," replied the captain. "it was one of the most desperate conflicts on record, and resulted in victory for jones and the 'bonhomme richard,' though she was so badly damaged,--'counters and quarters driven in, all her lower-deck guns dismounted, on fire in two places, and six or seven feet of water in the hold'--that she had to be abandoned, and sank the next morning. "pearson the captain of the 'serapis,' though defeated, had made so gallant a fight that he was knighted by the king. when jones heard of it he said, 'he deserves it; and if i fall in with him again i'll make a lord of him.' "i think he--pearson--was more gallant than polite or generous; for on offering his sword to jones after his surrender he said, 'i cannot, sir, but feel much mortification at the idea of surrendering my sword to a man who has fought me with a rope round his neck.'" "just like an englishman!" exclaimed max, hotly; "but what did jones say in reply, papa?" "he returned the sword, saying, 'you have fought gallantly, sir, and i hope your king will give you a better ship.'" "that was a gentlemanly reply," said lulu, "and i hope jones got the credit he deserved for his splendid victory." "europe and america rang with his praises," said her father. "the empress of russia gave him the ribbon of st. ann, the king of denmark a pension, and the king of france a gold-mounted sword with the words engraved upon its blade, 'louis xvi., rewarder of the valiant assertor of the freedom of the sea.' he also made him a knight of the order of merit. "nothing ever occurred afterward to dim his fame, and he is known in history as the chevalier john paul jones." just here a passing vessel attracted the attention of the captain and the others, and it was not until some hours later that the conversation in regard to the doings of the navy was resumed. chapter xvii. toward evening the young people again gathered about the captain, asking that his story of naval exploits might be continued. "i am not sure," he said pleasantly, "that to recount naval exploits is the wisest thing i can do; it stirs my blood, and revives the old love for the service." "oh, papa, please don't ever, ever go back to your ship and leave us!" exclaimed gracie, tears starting to her eyes at the very thought. "i am not at all sure that i would be accepted should i offer my services again, my darling," he answered, drawing her into his arms and caressing her tenderly; "but really i have no serious thought of so doing." "oh, i'm glad of that, you dear papa!" she said with a sigh of relief, putting her arm about his neck and kissing him with ardent affection. "so am i," said lulu. "i don't know what i wouldn't rather have happen than to be parted again for months and maybe years from my dear father." a loving look was his reply as he drew her to his other side and caressed her with equal tenderness. at that little elsie came running toward them. "me too, papa," she said, "kiss me too, and let me sit on your knee while you tell 'bout things that happened a long while ago." "yes, the baby girl has the best right to sit on papa's knee when she wants to," said lulu, good-naturedly making way for the little one. a loving look and smile from her father as he lifted the baby girl to the coveted seat and gave her the asked for caress, amply rewarded her little act of self-denial. "i cannot begin to tell you to-day all the exploits of our navy even during the first war with england," the captain said; "you will have to read the history for yourselves, and i trust will enjoy doing so, but i shall try to relate some of the more prominent incidents in a way to entertain you." "what kind of flag did our naval vessels carry at the beginning of the revolutionary war, captain?" asked evelyn. "it was not till , if my memory serves me right, that our present flag was adopted by congress." "you are quite right," the captain said, "and up to that time each vessel of the little continental navy carried one of her own choosing; or rather each commander was allowed to choose a device to suit himself. it is claimed for john paul jones that he raised with his own hands the first flag of a regular american cruiser. the vessel was hopkins's flag-ship the 'alfred.' it was at philadelphia, early in the banner was raised. it had a white field, with the words 'liberty tree' in the centre above a representation of a pine tree; beneath were the words, 'appeal to god.'" "yes, sir; but didn't some one about that time raise a flag composed of thirteen stripes?" queried eva. "quite true," replied the captain, "and across it a rattlesnake; underneath that, the words, 'don't tread on me.' "both continental vessels and privateers were very successful, and by mid-summer of they had captured more than five hundred british soldiers. there was a captain conyngham, a brave and skilful seaman, who sailed from dunkirk in may, , in the brig 'surprise,' under one of the commissions which franklin carried with him to france for army and navy officers. (those of you who have studied geography will, i suppose, remember that dunkirk is in the north of france.) conyngham was very successful; had in a few days captured the british packet ship 'prince of orange' and a brig, and returned with them to dunkirk. the english ambassador at paris complained very strongly, and to appease the wrath of the english, the french government put the captain and his crew in prison." "oh, what a shame!" cried lulu. her father smiled slightly at that. "they were not kept there very long," he said, "but were soon released, and conyngham allowed to fit out another cruiser, called the 'revenge.'" "a very suitable name," laughed max. "yes," assented his father, and went on with his history. "the british government had sent two vessels to arrest conyngham and his men as pirates, but when they reached dunkirk he had already sailed. had the british succeeded in taking them, they would no doubt have been hanged as pirates; for both government and people of great britain were at that time much exasperated by the blows americans were dealing their dearest interest, commerce. 'the revenge' was doing so much injury,--making prizes of merchantmen, and so putting money into the hands of the american commissioners for public use,--that the british were at their wit's end; the people in the seaports were greatly alarmed, and insurance on cargoes went up to twenty-five per cent. some of the british merchants sent out their goods in french vessels for greater security,--so many of them, in fact, that at one time there were forty french vessels together in the thames taking in cargoes. "at that time british transports were engaged in carrying german troops across the atlantic to fight the americans. conyngham was on the look-out for these, but did not succeed in meeting with any of them." "such a despicable business as it was for george iii to hire those fellows to fight the people here!" exclaimed max. "i wish conyngham had caught some of them. papa, didn't he at one time disguise his ship and take her into an english port to refit?" "so it is said," replied the captain; "it was for repairs, after a storm. it is said also that he obtained supplies at one time in an irish port." "didn't british ships take ours sometimes, papa?" asked grace. "yes," he replied, "victory was not always on the side of the americans. the fast-sailing british frigates captured many privateersmen and merchantmen, and considering their great superiority of numbers it would have been strange indeed had that not been the case. the war on the ocean was very destructive to both parties; yet the americans were, with reason, amazed and delighted with their measure of success, astonishing in proportion to the odds against them. "during that year-- --they had captured three hundred and forty british vessels; four had been burned, forty-five recaptured, and eighteen released. "it was in the fall of that year that benedict arnold commanded some stirring naval operations on lake champlain. in the previous spring the british had made preparations to invade the champlain and hudson valleys, hoping thus to effect a separation between new england and the other colonies which would naturally make it an easier task to conquer both sections. "to ward off that threatened danger the americans holding ticonderoga and crown point--both on the lake as you will remember--constructed a small squadron, the command of which was given to arnold, who knew more about naval affairs than any other available person. three schooners, one sloop, and five gondolas were armed and manned, and with this little squadron arnold sailed down to the foot of the lake and made observations. "in the mean time the british had heard of what was going on, and they, too, had prepared a small squadron on the river sorel, the outlet of the lake. their navy consisted of twenty-four gun-boats, each armed with a field-piece or carriage-gun, and a large flat-bottomed boat called the 'thunderer,' carrying heavy guns. "it was not till the middle of october that the fight took place. arnold, with his flotilla, was then lying between the western shore of the lake and valcour island. the 'congress' was his flag-ship. the british attacked him, and a very severe fight followed. it was brought to a conclusion only by the coming of a very dark night. the americans had lost the 'royal savage' in the action; the rest of the flotilla fled up the lake, eluding the british in the darkness. "the next morning the british followed; and all that day and the following night the chase continued. early the next morning the british succeeded in coming up with the americans, and another battle followed. arnold, who was on the galley 'congress,' fought hard until his vessel was nearly a wreck, then ran her and four others into a creek and set them on fire to prevent their falling into the hands of the foe. "those who were left of the crews escaped and made their way to crown point." "arnold did do good work for his country in the early part of the war," exclaimed rosie. "if he had been killed in that fight he would always have been considered as great a patriot as any other man of the time." "yes," replied the captain with an involuntary sigh, "if he had fallen then, or even some years later, his memory would have been as fondly cherished as that of almost any other soldier of the revolution. he would have been considered one of the noblest champions of liberty. ah, what a pity he should turn traitor and make himself the object of infamy, as lasting as the history of his native land, which he attempted to betray into the hands of her foes!" "doubtless after years must have brought him many an hour of bitter regret," said mrs. travilla, echoing the captain's sigh. "poor fellow! i hope he repented and was forgiven of god, though his countrymen could never forgive him. he had a pious mother who tried to train him up aright, and certainly must have often prayed earnestly for her son; so i hope he may have repented and found forgiveness and salvation through the atoning blood of christ." "i would be glad indeed to know that he had, mamma," said violet. "i too," added the captain. "i think he must have been a very wretched man in the latter years of his life." "was he treated well in england, papa?" asked lulu. "not by every one," replied her father; "some of the noble-minded there showed him very plainly that they despised him for his treason. george iii. introduced him to earl balcarras, who had been with burgoyne at the battle of bemis's heights; but the earl refused his hand, and turned on his heel saying, 'i know general arnold, and abominate traitors.'" "how arnold must have felt that!" exclaimed rosie. "i would not have liked to be in his shoes." "nor i," said her mother. "the british officers thoroughly despised him, and there is an anecdote of a meeting he once had with talleyrand which must have been trying to his feelings, if he had any sense of honour left. "it seems that talleyrand, who was fleeing from france during the revolution there, inquired at the hotel where he was at the time, for some american who could give him letters of introduction to persons of influence here. he was told that an american gentleman was in an adjoining room. it seems it was arnold, though no one, i suppose, knew who he was. talleyrand sought an interview with him, and made his request for letters of introduction, when arnold at once retreated from the room, as he did so saying with a look of pain on his face, 'i was born in america, lived there till the prime of my life, but, alas! i can call no man in america my friend.'" "i should feel sorry for him in spite of that black act of treason," violet said, "if he had not followed it up by such infamous deeds against his countrymen, even those of them who had been his neighbours and friends in his early years. i remember lossing tells us that while new haven--set on fire by arnold's band of tories and hessians--was burning, he stood in the belfry of a church watching the conflagration with probably the same kind of satisfaction that nero felt in the destruction of rome. think of such a murderous expedition against the home and friends of his childhood and youth! the wanton destruction of a thriving town! it showed him to be a most malicious wretch, worthy of the scorn and contempt with which he was treated even by many of those who had profited by his treason." "yes; 'the way of transgressors is hard,'" quoted her mother. chapter xviii. for some days the "dolphin" rode at anchor in bar harbour, mount desert, while its passengers found great enjoyment in trips here and there about the island, visiting the ovens, otter cliffs, schooner head, and other points of interest. but the time was drawing near when max must show himself to the examiners of applicants for cadetship in annapolis, and early one bright morning, a favourable land breeze springing up, the yacht weighed anchor and started southward. they were to touch at newport on their way and take on board any of their party left there who might care to visit annapolis with them. as usual all gathered upon deck shortly after breakfast, and again the young people besieged the captain with requests for something more about the doings of revolutionary days. "you know, papa," said lulu, "we've been so busy visiting all those lovely places on mount desert that we haven't had time for anything about the wars since you told us how arnold fought the british on lake champlain." "yes, i remember," he said. "how would you like now to hear of some of the doings and happenings of those times in and about newport?" "oh, please do tell of them! we'd like it ever so much," answered several young voices, and the captain good-naturedly complied. "i will begin," he said, "with a bold and brave exploit of major silas talbot, in the fall of . the british had converted a strong vessel into a galley, named it the 'pigot,' in honour of their general of that name, and anchored it in the channel between the eastern side of the island bearing the same name as the state, and the main land. it was armed with twelve eight-pounders and ten swivels, making a formidable floating battery, the object of which was to close up the channel against the french fleet which lay off newport. "it also effectually broke up the local trade of that section; therefore its destruction was very desirable, and major talbot proposed to head an expedition to accomplish that, or its capture. general sullivan thought the thing could not be done, but finally gave consent that the effort should be made. "sixty resolute patriots were drafted for the purpose and on the th of october they set sail in a coasting-sloop called the 'hawk,' armed with only three three-pounders, beside the small arms carried by the men. "they passed the british forts at bristol ferry and anchored within a few miles of the 'pigot.' major talbot then procured a horse, rode down the east bank and reconnoitred. he saw that the 'pigot' presented a formidable appearance, but he was not too much alarmed thereby to make the proposed attempt to capture her. "at nine o'clock that same evening he hoisted his anchor, and favoured by a fair wind, started on his perilous errand. he had with him lieutenant helm, of rhode island, with a small reinforcement. he had also a kedge-anchor, lashed to his jib-boom, with which to tear the nettings of the 'pigot.' the darkness of the night enabled him to drift past fogland ferry fort under bare poles, without being discovered; he then hoisted sail and ran partly under the stern of the 'pigot.' "the sentinels hailed him, but no answer was returned; and they fired a volley of musketry at the 'hawk,' which fortunately hit no one, while her kedge-anchor tore the 'pigot's' nettings and grappled her, and so gave the americans a free passage to her deck. they poured on it from the 'hawk,' with loud shouts, and drove every man from the deck except the captain. he, in shirt and drawers, fought desperately till he found that resistance was useless, when he surrendered his vessel with the officers and crew. "the americans secured the prisoners below by coiling the cables over the hatchways, weighed anchor, and started for the harbour of stonington, which they entered the next day with their prize." "good!" cried max. "i'd have liked to be one of those brave fellows, and i hope congress rewarded them for their gallant deed." "it did," said the captain; "presented talbot with a commission of lieutenant-colonel in the army of the united states, and complimented both him and his men." "i suppose they'd have given them some money if they'd had it to spare," remarked lulu; "but of course they hadn't, because the country was so dreadfully poor then." "yes," said her father, "it was poor, and newport, rhode island, was suffering greatly from the long-continued occupation of the british. the people of that colony had from the first taken a bold and determined stand in opposition to the usurpations of king george and his ministers, and the oppressions of their tools in this country. "in the summer of a british armed sloop, sent there by the commissioners of customs, lay in narragansett bay, she was called 'liberty,' certainly a most inappropriate name. her errand was similar to that of the 'gaspee' about the destruction of which i have already told you,--though that occurred some three years later. the commander of the 'liberty,' was a captain reid. a schooner and brig belonging to connecticut had been seized and brought into newport; also the clothing and the sword of the captain, packwood, commander of the brig, had been taken, and carried aboard the 'liberty.' he went there to recover them, was badly maltreated, and as he left the sloop in his boat, was fired upon with a musket and a brace of pistols. "this occurrence greatly exasperated the people of newport, who demanded of reid that the man who had fired upon captain packwood should be sent ashore. "reid again and again sent the wrong man, which of course exasperated the people, and they determined to show him that they were not to be trifled with. accordingly, a number of them boarded the 'liberty,' cut her cables, and set her adrift. the tide carried her down the bay and drifted her to goat island, where the people, after throwing her stores and ammunition into the water, scuttled her, and set her on fire. her boats were dragged to the common, and burned there." "was she entirely burned, papa?" asked gracie. "almost, after burning for several days." "and that was nearly six years before the battle of lexington," evelyn remarked in a half musing tone. "how wonderfully patient and forbearing the americans were, putting up for years with so much of british insolence and oppression!" "i think they were," responded the captain. "nor was it from cowardice, as they plainly showed when once war with great britain was fairly inaugurated. "and the little state of rhode island had her full share in the struggle and the suffering it brought. let us see what bancroft says in regard to the action of her citizens at the beginning of the conflict, immediately after the battles of lexington and concord," he added, taking up and opening a book lying near at hand. all waited in silence as he turned over the leaves and began to read,-- "the nearest towns of rhode island were in motion before the british had finished their retreat. at the instance of hopkins and others, wanton, the governor, though himself inclined to the royal side, called an assembly. its members were all of one mind; and when wanton, with several of the council, showed hesitation, they resolved, if necessary, to proceed alone. the council yielded and confirmed the unanimous vote of the assembly for raising an army of fifteen hundred men. 'the colony of rhode island,' wrote bowler, the speaker, to the massachusetts congress, 'is firm and determined; and a greater unanimity in the lower house scarce ever prevailed.' companies of the men of rhode island preceded this early message." "the little state took a noble stand," remarked violet, as her husband finished reading and closed the book. "yes," he said, "and their consequent sufferings from british aggressions promptly began. admiral wallace, an inhuman wretch, that summer commanded a small british fleet lying in newport harbour. it was he who promised to hang abraham whipple, but never caught him. it was discovered by the americans that he (wallace) was planning to carry off the livestock from the lower end of the island to supply the british army at boston." "going to steal them, papa?" asked gracie. "yes; but the people were too quick for him. some of them went down one dark night in september and brought off a thousand sheep and fifty head of cattle; and three hundred minute-men drove a good many more to newport, so saving them from being taken by wallace and his men. "wallace was very angry, ordered the people to make contributions to supply his fleet with provisions, and to force them to do so took care to prevent them from getting their usual supplies of fuel and provisions from the mainland. "the people were much alarmed, and about half of them left the town. shortly afterward a treaty was made by which they engaged to supply the fleet with provisions and beer, and wallace allowed them to move about as they pleased. but soon, however, he demanded three hundred sheep of the people of bristol, and upon their refusal to comply, bombarded their town. "he began the bombardment about eight o'clock in the evening. the rain was pouring in torrents; and the poor women and children fled through the darkness and storm, out to the open fields to escape from the flying shot and shell of the invaders." "oh, how dreadful for the poor things!" exclaimed gracie. "yes, there was great suffering among them," replied her father. "the house of governor bradford was burned, as also were many others. wallace played the pirate in narragansett bay for a month, wantonly destroying the people's property, seizing every american vessel that entered newport harbour and sending it to boston,--which, as you will remember, was then occupied by the british general, gage, and his troops,--plundering and burning all the dwellings on the beautiful island of providence, and all the buildings near the ferry at canonicut. "he kept possession of the harbour till the spring of ; but in april of that year some american troops came to try to drive him away. captain grimes brought two row-galleys, each carrying two eighteen-pounders, from providence. provincial troops brought two more eighteen-pounders and planted them on shore where the british, who were anchored about a mile above newport, could see them. "wallace evidently thought the danger too great and immediate, for he weighed anchor, and with his whole squadron sailed out of the harbour without firing a shot." "he must have been a coward like most men who revel in such cruelty," remarked max sagely. "not much like the wallace of scotland who fought the english so bravely in early times." "i quite agree with you in that thought, max," his father said with a slight smile. "this wallace was the same who, later in the war, plundered and destroyed the property of the americans on the hudson, desolating the farms of innocent men because they preferred freedom to the tyrannical rule of the english government, and laying the town of kingston in ashes. "soon after he sailed out of narragansett bay another british vessel called the 'glasgow,' carrying twenty-nine guns, came into the harbour and anchored near fort island. she had just come out of a severe fight with some american vessels, held the same day that wallace left newport. probably her officers thought he was still there so that their vessel would be safe in that harbour, but they soon discovered their mistake. the americans threw up a breast-work on brenton's point, placed some pieces of heavy artillery there, and the next morning opened upon her and another vessel so vigorous a fire from their battery that they soon cut their cables and went out to sea again." chapter xix. "had the land troops of the british gone away also, captain?" asked evelyn. "no," he replied. "early in may the british troops left the houses of the town and returned to their camp. it was some relief to the poor, outraged people whose dwellings had been turned into noisy barracks, their pleasant groves, beautiful shade-trees and broad forests destroyed, their property taken from them, their wives and children exposed to the profanity, low ribaldry, and insults of the ignorant and brutal soldiery; but there was by no means entire relief; they were still plundered and insulted. "clinton had gone to new york with about one half the troops, but a far worse tyrant held command in his place, major-general prescott by name; he was a dastardly coward when in danger, the meanest of petty tyrants when he felt it safe to be such, narrow minded, hard hearted and covetous,--anything but a gentleman. a more unfit man for the place could hardly have been found. "when he saw persons conversing together as he walked the streets, he would shake his cane at them and call out, 'disperse, ye rebels!' also, he would command them to take off their hats to him, and unless his order was instantly obeyed, enforce it by a rap with his cane." "that must have been hard indeed to bear," remarked violet. "yes," cried max hotly. "i'd have enjoyed knocking him down." "probably better than the consequences of your act," laughed his father; then went on: "prescott was passing out of town one evening, going to his country quarters, when he overtook a quaker, who of course did not doff his hat. prescott was on horseback; he dashed up to the quaker, pressed him up against a stone wall, knocked off his hat, and then put him under guard. "he imprisoned many citizens of newport without giving any reason. one was a man named william tripp, a very respectable citizen, who had a wife and a large and interesting family, with none of whom was he allowed to hold any communication. "but tripp's wife had contrivance enough to open a correspondence with her husband by sending him a loaf of bread with a letter baked in the inside. whether he could find means to send a reply i do not know, but it must have been some consolation to hear from her and his children. "while tripp was still in prison she tried to see prescott, to beg that her husband might be set free, or she allowed a personal interview with him. she was told to come again the next day. her application had been made to a captain savage, the only person through whom she might hope to gain the coveted interview with prescott; but when she again went to him, at the appointed time, he treated her very roughly, refusing her request to see the general, and as he shut the door violently in her face, telling her with fiendish exultation that he expected her husband would be hung as a rebel in less than a week." "truly, his was a most appropriate name," remarked grandma elsie. "and did they hang the poor man, papa?" asked gracie. "i do not know, my darling," he answered, "but i hope not. would you all like to hear something more about his persecutor, prescott?" "yes, sir, yes," came promptly from several young voices. "you may be sure," the captain went on, "that the people of newport grew very tired of their oppressor, and devised various plans for ridding themselves of him. none of these proved successful, but at length a better one was contrived and finally carried out by lieutenant-colonel barton, of providence. lossing speaks of it as one of the boldest and most hazardous enterprizes undertaken during the war. it was accomplished on the night of the th of july, . "at that time prescott was quartered at the house of a quaker named overing, about five miles above newport, on the west road leading to the ferry, at the north part of the island. "barton's plan was to cross the bay under cover of the darkness, seize prescott, and carry him off to the american camp. but it was a very dangerous thing to attempt, because three british frigates, with their guard-boats, were lying in the bay almost in front of overing's house. but taking with him a few chosen men, in four whale-boats, with muffled oars, barton embarked from warwick point at nine o'clock, passed silently between the islands of prudence and patience over to rhode island, hearing on the way the cry of the british sentries from their guard-boats, 'all's well.' "they--the americans--landed in coddington's cove, at the mouth of a small stream which passed by overing's. barton divided his men into several squads, and assigned to each its station and duty. then in the strictest order and profound silence they made their way to the house, the larger portion of them passing between a british guard-house and the encampment of a company of light-horse, while the rest of the party were to reach the same point by a circuitous route, approaching it from the rear, then to secure the doors. "as barton and his men drew near the gate they were hailed by a sentinel stationed there. he hailed them twice, and then demanded the countersign. barton answered, 'we have no countersign to give,' then quickly asked, 'have you seen any deserters here to-night?' "that query allayed the sentinel's suspicions, so putting him off his guard, and the next moment he found himself seized, bound, and threatened with instant death if he attempted to give the alarm. "while barton and his party had been thus engaged the division from the rear had secured the doors, and barton now walked boldly into the front passage and on into a room where he found mr. overing, seated alone, reading, the rest of the family having already retired to their beds. "barton asked for general prescott's room, and overing silently pointed to the ceiling, intimating that it was directly overhead. barton then walked quietly up the stairs, four strong white men and a powerful negro named sisson, accompanying him. he gently tried prescott's door, but found it locked. there was no time to be lost; the negro drew back a couple of paces, and using his head for a battering-ram, burst open the door at the first effort. "prescott, who was in bed, thought the intruders were robbers, and springing out, seized his gold watch which hung upon the wall. but barton, gently laying a hand on his shoulder, said, 'you are my prisoner, sir, and perfect silence is your only safety.' "prescott asked to be allowed to dress, but barton refused, saying there was not time; for he doubtless felt that every moment of delay was dangerous to himself and his companions, and as it was a hot july night there was no need for his prisoner to fear taking cold. he therefore threw a cloak about him, placed him and his _aide_, major barrington (who, hearing a noise in the general's room, had taken the alarm and leaped from a window to make his escape, but only to be captured by the americans) between two armed men, hurried them to the shore where the boats were in waiting, and quickly carried them over the water to warwick point. when they reached there prescott ventured to break the silence that had been imposed upon him by saying to colonel barton, 'sir, you have made a bold push to-night.' "'we have been fortunate,' replied barton coolly. "prescott and barrington were then placed in a coach which captain elliott had waiting there for them, and taken to providence, arriving there about sunrise." "i wonder," remarked lulu, "if prescott received the harsh treatment from our men that he deserved." "no," replied her father, "i am proud to be able to say that american officers rarely, if ever, treated their prisoners with anything like the harshness and cruelty usually dealt out by the british to theirs. prescott was kindly treated by general spencer and his officers, and shortly after his capture was sent to washington's headquarters at middlebrook, on the raritan. "but it seems that at a tavern on the way he received something better suited to his deserts. at lebanon a captain alden kept a tavern, and there prescott and his escort stopped to dine. while they were at the table mrs. alden brought on a dish of succotash." "what's that, papa?" queried little elsie, who had climbed to her favourite seat upon her father's knee. "corn and beans boiled together," he replied; "a dish that is quite a favourite with most people in that part of the country; but was, i presume, quite new to prescott, and he exclaimed indignantly, 'what! do you treat me with the food of hogs?' then taking the dish from the table he strewed its contents over the floor. "some one presently carried the news of his doings to captain alden, and he walked into the dining-room armed with a horse-whip and gave prescott a severe flogging." "i think it served him right," remarked lulu, "for his insolence, and for wasting good food that somebody else would have been glad to eat." "prescott must surely have been very badly brought up," said rosie, "and was anything but a gentleman. i pity the poor newport people if he was ever restored to his command there. was he, brother levis? i really have quite forgotten." "unfortunately for them, he was," replied the captain. "he was exchanged for general charles lee the next april, and returned to his former command. "while he was still there the newport people sent a committee--timothy folger, william rotch and dr. tupper--to him to arrange some matters concerning the town. they found some difficulty in gaining an interview; and when at length folder and the doctor succeeded in so doing, prescott stormed so violently at the former that he was compelled to withdraw. "after the doctor had told his errand and prescott had calmed down, he asked, 'wasn't my treatment of folger very uncivil?' "the doctor answered in the affirmative, and prescott went on to say, 'i will tell you the reason; he looked so much like a connecticut man that horse-whipped me that i could not endure his presence.'" chapter xx. there was time for only a brief stay in the cottages near newport before the "dolphin" must sail for annapolis, in order that max might be there in season for the examination of applicants for cadetship in the united states navy. he had not changed his mind, but was looking forward with delight to the life that seemed to be opening before him; for he loved the sea, and thought no profession could be more honourable than that chosen by his father, who was in his eyes the impersonation of all that was noble, good, and wise. he was not sorry that his suspense in regard to acceptance would soon be ended, though both he and the other young people of the party would have liked to visit places in the neighbourhood of newport made memorable by the occurrence of events in the revolutionary war; but the captain encouraged the hope that they would all be able to do so at some future time; also said they would find at annapolis some souvenirs of the struggle for independence quite as well worth attention as those they were for the present leaving behind. so they started upon their southward way in excellent spirits, mr. and mrs. dinsmore accompanying them. on the first evening of their renewed voyage the young people gathered around the captain and begged for some account of revolutionary occurrences in the state they were now about to visit. "i will go back a little further than that," he said pleasantly, drawing gracie to a seat upon his knee,--"to the action of the people of maryland upon hearing of the passage of the stamp act. in august, , there was a meeting at annapolis of the 'assertors of british american privileges' held 'to show their detestation of and abhorrence to some late tremendous attacks on liberty, and their dislike to a certain late arrived officer, a _native of this province_.' "the person to whom they referred was a mr. hood, who had been appointed stamp-master while in england shortly before. dr. franklin had recommended him for the place; but the people were so angry that no one would buy goods of him, though offered at a very low price. he learned that they intended to give him a coat of tar and feathers, but escaped to new york in time to save himself from that. "as they couldn't catch him they made an effigy of him, dressed it oddly, put it in a cart, like a malefactor, with some sheets of paper before it, and paraded it through the town, the bell tolling all the while. they then took it to a hill, punished it at the whipping post and pillory, hung it on the gibbet, then set fire to a tar-barrel underneath and burned it." "oh," gasped gracie, "how dreadful if it had been the man himself!" "but it wasn't, gracie dear," laughed lulu; "and if it had been, i'm not sure it was worse than he deserved." "but i suppose they had to use the stamps for all that,--hadn't they?" asked rosie. "the people refused to use them, and for a time all business was at an end," said the captain, going on with his narrative. "governor sharpe sent back some of the stamped paper which arrived in december, informing the colonial secretary of the proceedings of the people, and said that if they got hold of any stamped paper they would be pretty sure to burn it. "on the st of october the 'maryland gazette' appeared in mourning, and said, 'the times are dreadful, dismal, doleful, dolorous and dollarless.' on the th of december the editor issued 'an apparition of the late "maryland gazette,"' and expressed his opinion that the odious stamp act would never be carried into effect. "there was great rejoicing when the intelligence reached annapolis that the act had been repealed. there were many manifestations of mirth and festivity; but, as you all know, that rejoicing was short-lived, for the king and his ministers continued their aggressions upon the liberties of the american people. "in the autumn of the people of annapolis were greatly excited over the boston port bill, and ripe for rebellion. they also resolved that no tea should be landed on their shores; and when on saturday, october , the ship 'peggy,' captain stewart, arrived from london, bringing among other things, seventeen packages of tea, the citizens were summoned to a general meeting. "it was the first arrival of tea since it had become a proscribed article. it was ascertained that it was consigned to t. c. williams & co., of annapolis, that they had imported it, and that antony stewart, proprietor of the vessel, had paid the duty on it. this the meeting looked upon as an acknowledgement of the right claimed by king and parliament to tax the tea brought to the colonies, and it was resolved not to permit the tea to be landed. "the people of the surrounding country were summoned to a meeting in the city, to be held on the following wednesday. mr. stewart published a handbill of explanation of his connection with the affair, saying that he had no intention of violating the non-importation pledges, and regretted that the article had been placed on board his ship. "but the people had been deceived on former occasions, and knew that when men got into trouble they were apt to whine and pretend innocence; therefore they were more disposed to punish than forgive mr. stewart, and at their wednesday meeting resolved to destroy the vessel with its packages of tea. "but mr. stewart, by the advice of some of his friends, decided to destroy the vessel and the tea himself, and did so. he ran the ship aground near windmill point and set her on fire. that satisfied the people and the crowd dispersed. "a historian of the time says, 'the destruction of tea at boston has acquired renown as an act of unexampled daring, but the tea burning of annapolis, which occurred the ensuing fall, far surpassed it in the apparent deliberation, and utter carelessness of concealment, attending the bold measures which led to its accomplishment.'" "did the americans hold any other such 'tea parties,' papa?" asked lulu with a humorous look. "yes," he said; "in new york and new jersey; but i will reserve the stories of those doings for another time, and go on now with what occurred in maryland,--principally at annapolis,--in the times now under consideration. "there was a small tea-burning at elizabethtown--now called hagerstown,--the committee of vigilance obliging a man named john parks to go with his hat off and a lighted torch in his hand and set fire to a chest of tea in his possession. the committee also recommended entire non-intercourse with parks; but that did not seem sufficient to the people, and they added to it the breaking of his doors and windows. it is said too, that tar and feathers were freely used in various places. "maryland was not ready quite so soon as some of the other colonies to declare herself free and independent; but charles carroll, william paca, samuel chase, and others, called county conventions, and used their influence to persuade their fellow-citizens of the wisdom and necessity of such a course, and on the th of june, the maryland convention empowered their delegates to concur with the other colonies in a declaration of independence. "as you all know, that declaration was drawn up and signed by congress shortly afterward, and the men whose names i have mentioned were all among the signers." "was there any fighting in or about annapolis, papa?" asked lulu. "no," he said, "but it was frequently the scene of military displays." "i'd have liked that a great deal better if i had been there," remarked gracie. "but won't you please tell us about them, papa?" "i will," he answered, smiling upon her and softly smoothing her hair. "washington passed through annapolis on his way northward after the battle of yorktown, which, as you will all remember, virtually ended our struggle for independence, though there was still fighting going on in different parts of the country. business was suspended in annapolis when washington was known to be coming, and the people crowded streets and windows to gain a sight of the chief as he passed. a public address was made him, and everything done to show their appreciation, respect, and esteem. "again he was there when, the war at an end, he resigned his commission as commander-in-chief of the american forces. "'the state house at annapolis, now venerated because of the associations which cluster around it, was filled with the brave, the fair, and the patriotic of maryland, to witness the sublime spectacle of that beloved chief resigning his military power wielded with such mighty energy and glorious results for eight long years into the hands of the civil authority which gave it,' says lossing." "but why did washington go to maryland to do that, papa?" asked gracie. "because the continental congress was then in session there," replied her father. "it was a most interesting scene which then took place in the senate chamber of the capitol. the time was noon of the d of december, . beside the congressmen there were present the governor, council and legislature of maryland, general officers, and the representative of france. places were assigned to all these, while spectators filled the galleries and crowded the floor. "bancroft tells, us that 'rising with dignity, washington spoke of the rectitude of the common cause; the support of congress; of his country-men; of providence; and he commended the interests of our dearest country to the care of almighty god. then saying that he had finished the work assigned him to do, he bade an affectionate farewell to the august body under whose orders he had so long acted, resigned with satisfaction the commission which he had accepted with diffidence, and took leave of public life. his emotion was so great that, as he advanced and delivered up his commission, he seemed unable to have uttered more.' "washington still stood while the president of congress, turning pale from emotion, made a short address in reply, only a sentence or two of which i will quote:"-- "having taught a lesson useful to those who inflict and those who feel oppression, with the blessings of your fellow-citizens you retire from the great field of action; but the glory of your virtues will continue to animate remotest ages. we join you in commending the interests of our dearest country to the protection of almighty god, beseeching him to dispose the hearts and minds of its citizens to improve the opportunity afforded them of becoming a happy and respectable nation." "which i think we have become," added max, with satisfaction, as his father paused in his narrative. "by god's blessing upon the work of our pious forefathers," added the captain, with a look of mingled gratitude and pride in the land of his birth. "i think we must all visit the state house when in annapolis," remarked grandma elsie, who sat near and had been listening with almost as keen interest as that shown by the younger ones. "certainly we must," said mr. dinsmore. "some of us have been there before, but a second visit will not prove uninteresting, especially along with the young folks, to whom it will be quite new," and he glanced smilingly around upon the bright, eager faces. his suggestion was followed by expressions of pleasure in the prospect. then the captain was besieged with entreaties that he would go on with his account of things of historical interest to be found in annapolis. "there is the little gallery in which mrs. washington and other ladies stood to witness the scene i have tried to describe," he continued. "it is said to be unchanged, as are also the doors, windows, cornices, and other architectural belongings. i confess it sent a thrill through me when i first saw them all, to think they were the very same which echoed the voice of the father of his country on that memorable occasion. "also the very spot where mifflin, the president, and thomson, the secretary, of congress sat when the treaty of peace with great britain was ratified, can be pointed out to the interested observer, which i certainly was." "it is a fine building," remarked mr. dinsmore, "much admired for its style of architecture and the beauty of its situation." "it is indeed," assented the captain. "it is built of brick, has a fine dome, surmounted by two smaller ones, with a cupola of wood. as it stands upon an elevation in the centre of the city, there is a magnificent prospect from its dome. one sees the city and harbour, while far away to the southeast stretches chesapeake bay, with kent island and the eastern shore looming up in the distance." "i remember two incidents which i have heard were connected with the building of that state house," remarked mrs. dinsmore. "one is, that when the corner-stone was laid by governor eden, just as he struck it with a mallet a severe clap of thunder burst over the city out of a clear sky; the other, that the man who executed the stucco-work of the dome, fell from the scaffold and was killed just as he had completed his centre-piece." "yes," the captain said, "i have heard those incidents were traditional, but am not able to vouch for their truth." "is there not a portrait of washington there?" asked violet. "yes," replied her husband, "in the house of delegates; it is a full-length likeness, and he is attended by la fayette and colonel tilghman, the continental army passing in review. it was painted by peale as commemorative of the surrender at yorktown, having been ordered by the assembly of maryland. "there are also full-length portraits of carroll, stone, paca, and chase on the walls of the senate chamber. the first two were painted by sully, the other two by bordley,--both native artists. there is also a full-length portrait of william pitt, earl of chatham, in roman costume. peale painted that also, and presented it to maryland, his native state, in . the work was done in england, and is of a high order. "the only other portrait i recollect as being there is one of john eager howard, who, you doubtless remember, was one of the heroes of the revolution." favourable winds and weather enabled the "dolphin" to reach her destination a day or two earlier than the captain had expected, so giving our party a little more time for sight-seeing than they had hoped for. they made good use of it, going about and visiting all the places of interest. almost the first that received their attention was the state house, with its mementos of the revolutionary days, of which the captain had been telling them. they lingered long over the portraits and in the senate chamber, where the father of his country had resigned his commission as commander-in-chief of the continental armies. they ascended to the cupola also, and gazed with delight upon the beautiful landscape spread out at their feet,--max manifesting great interest in the vessels lying in the harbour, particularly the practice-ship "constellation" and the school-ship "santee," and scarcely less in the monitor "passaic" and the steam-sloop "wyoming," swinging at their anchorage in the river. "papa, can i visit them?" he asked. "yes, my boy, i hope to take you to see them all," was the pleasant-toned reply. "i intend that you and all the party shall see everything that is worth their attention." "that's very kind of you, captain," remarked evelyn in a lively tone. "i for one am very desirous to see the naval academy, its grounds and the drills,--one at least. i so enjoyed seeing those on gardiner's island." "you shall," replied the captain, with his pleasant smile. "it will give me pleasure to take any of you who wish to go." "i think that will be all of us," remarked violet, with a bright and happy glance up into her husband's face. they were descending the stairs as they talked, and presently had all passed out into the state house grounds. there they met a gentleman in undress naval uniform who, coming forward with a look of extreme pleasure, warmly grasped the hand of captain raymond, calling him by name, and saying, "i do not know when i have had so agreeable a surprise." the captain returned the salutation as warmly as it was given, then introduced the rest of his party, telling them that this friend of his was commander-commandant of cadets. at that max's eyes opened very wide and fixed themselves upon the gentleman with as eager interest as if he had been a king. captain raymond noted it with a look of mingled amusement and pride in the lad. "this is my son max, sir, a candidate for cadetship," he said, laying a hand affectionately upon max's shoulder, "and i see he is much interested in this his first sight of one who will, he hopes, soon be his commander." "ah! a son of yours, raymond? but i might have guessed it from his striking likeness to his father," the commandant said in a pleased and interested tone, grasping the boy's hand warmly as he spoke. "i have little doubt that he will pass," he added with a smile, "for he should inherit a good mind, and he looks bright and intelligent,--his father's son mentally as well as physically." max coloured with pleasure. "it is exactly what i want to be, sir," he said,--"as like my father as possible." and his eyes sought that father's face with a look of love and reverence that was pleasant to see. the captain met it with a smile of fatherly affection. "one's children are apt to be partial judges," he said; then changing the subject of conversation, he stated the desire of those under his escort to see the naval academy and the naval vessels lying at anchor in the harbour. the commandant, saying he had some hours at his disposal, undertook to be their escort; and thus they saw everything under the most favourable auspices. the drill of the artillery battalion seemed to max and lulu very similar to that they had witnessed at west point, but was scarcely the less exciting and interesting. they watched it all with sparkling eyes and eager, animated looks, max hoping soon to take part in it, and not at all regretting his choice of a profession. he was not a bashful lad, though by no means conceited or forward, and his father had assured him that if he retained his self-possession, not giving way to nervousness or fright, he was fully competent to pass. the boy had unbounded confidence in his father's word, which helped him to so fully retain his self-possession that he found little or no difficulty in answering every question put to him,--for the captain had been very careful to drill him perfectly, making him thorough in all the branches required,--and passed most successfully. he was also pronounced by the examining physician physically sound and of robust constitution. he was accepted, took the oath of allegiance, and felt himself several inches taller than before. captain raymond attended to all the business matters, saw the room and room-mate selected for his son, and did all that could be done to secure the boy's comfort and welfare. the parting from mamma vi, his sisters, and baby brother was quite hard for the lad's affectionate heart, but he managed to go through it almost without shedding tears, though one or two would come when gracie clung weeping about his neck; but the last, the final farewell to his father, was hardest of all. in vain he reminded himself that it was not a final separation, that he might hope for long visits at home at some future time, that letters would pass frequently between them, and a visit be paid him now and then by that dearly loved, honoured, and revered parent; just now he could only remember that the daily, hourly intercourse he had found so delightful was over, probably forever in this world. the captain read it all in his boy's speaking countenance, and deeply sympathized with his son; indeed his own heart was heavy over the thought that this, his first-born and well-beloved child was now to pass from under his protecting care and try the world for himself. he felt that he must bestow upon him a few more words of loving, fatherly counsel. they were leaving together the hotel where the remainder of their party were domiciled for the present. "max, my son," he said kindly, looking at his watch as he spoke, "we have still more than an hour to spend as we like before you must be at the academy. shall we spend it on board the yacht?" "yes, sir, if you can spare the time to me," answered the lad, making a great effort to speak brightly and cheerfully. "then we will go there," the captain said, giving his son an affectionate look and smile. "i can find no better use for the next hour than devoting it to a little talk with my first-born, on whom i have built so many hopes." a few minutes later they were sitting side by side in the "dolphin's" cabin, no human creature near to see or overhear what might pass between them. for a little while there was silence, each busy with his own thoughts. it was max who ended it at last. "papa," he said brokenly, his hand creeping into his father's, "you--you have been such a good, _good_ father to me; and--and i want to be a credit and comfort to you. i"-- but there he broke down completely, and the next moment--neither ever knew exactly how it came about--he was sobbing in his father's arms. "i--i wish i'd been a better boy, papa," he went on, "it 'most breaks my heart to think now of the pain and trouble i've given you at times." "my boy, my dear, dear boy," the captain said in moved tones, pressing the lad to his heart, "you have been a great joy and comfort to me for years past, and words would fail me to tell how dear you are to your father's heart. it seems scarcely longer ago than yesterday that i first held my dear boy in my arms, and prayed god that if his life was spared he might grow up into a good, useful, christian man, a blessing to his parents, to the church, and to the world. oh, my boy, never be afraid or ashamed to own yourself one who fears god and tries to keep his commandments, who loves jesus, trusts in him for salvation from sin and death, and tries to honour him in all his words and ways. strive to keep very near to the master, max, and to honour him in all things. never be ashamed to own yourself his disciple, his servant, and him as your lord and king. remember his words, 'whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words, in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him shall also the son of man be ashamed when he cometh in the glory of his father with the holy angels.' doubtless it will at times bring the ridicule of your companions upon you, but he is only a coward who can not bear that when undeserved; and what is it compared to christ's sufferings on the cross for you?" "oh, papa, nothing, nothing at all compared to what jesus bore for me! he will give me strength to be faithful in confessing him before men, and your prayers will help me, too." "yes, my boy, and you may be sure that you will be ever on your father's heart, which will be often going up in prayer to god for a blessing on his absent son. it is to me a joyful thought that he is the hearer and answerer of prayer, and will be ever near my son, to keep him in the hour of trial and temptation, though i may know nothing of his danger or distress. "let us kneel down now and ask him to be your guard and guide through all life's journey, to help you to be his faithful servant in all things, and to bring you safe to heaven at last." they knelt side by side, and in a few well chosen words the captain commended his beloved son to the care, the guardianship, and the guidance of the god of his fathers, asking that he might be a faithful follower of jesus through all life's journey, and afterward spend an eternity of bliss in that happy land where sin and sorrow and partings are never known. a hearty embrace followed, some few more words of fatherly counsel and advice, then they left the vessel, wended their way to the naval academy and parted for the time, the captain comforting the heart of the more than half homesick lad with the promise of a visit from him at no very distant day and frequent letters in the mean time. the "dolphin" was to sail northward again that evening; and as max watched his father out of sight it required a mighty effort to keep back the tears from his eyes at the thought that he should behold that noble form and dearly loved face no more for months or--"oh, who could say that some accident might not rob him forever of his best and dearest earthly friend?" but he struggled with himself, turned resolutely about, and entered into lively chat with some of his new comrades, all the while the cheering thought in his heart that nothing could separate him from the presence and loving care of his heavenly father; also that he surely would be permitted, before many months had passed, to see again the dear earthly one he so loved and honoured. and in the meanwhile he was resolved to do everything in his power to win that father's approbation, and make him proud and happy in his first-born son. * * * * * transcriber's note: obvious punctuation errors were corrected. the rover boys in southern waters or the deserted steam yacht by arthur m. winfield chatterton-peck company publishers copyright by the mershon company contents chapter i. the rover boys and their friends ii. about a missing houseboat iii. a friend in need iv. harold bird's strange tale v. stuck in the mud vi. fighting bob cats vii. the houseboat in the bushes viii. in the swamp ix. two young prisoners x. the chase on the river xi. what the rockets revealed xii. stuck on a snag xiii. the capture of solly jackson xiv. on a gulf steamer xv. the castaways of the gulf xvi. a deserted steam yacht xvii. in undisputed possession xviii. in peril of steam xix. the storm on the gulf xx. a night of anxiety xxi. the picture in the cardcase xxii. an unexpected meeting on the water xxiii. the enemy tries to take possession xxiv. in the engine room xxv, one plot and another xxvi. turning the tables xxvii. dan baxter's repentance xxviii. hatchway and door xxix. an exciting time all around xxx. homeward bound--conclusion introduction my dear boys: "the rover boys in southern waters" is a complete story in itself but forms the eleventh volume of a line known by the general title of "the rover boys series for young americans." eleven volumes! just think of it! what a great number to write about one set of young people and their doings! when i started out, as i have mentioned before, i thought to pen three volumes, possibly four. i was not at all sure that the boys and girls would wish any of them. but no sooner had i given them "the rover boys at school" than there was a demand for "the rover boys on the ocean" and then "the rover boys in the jungle," and then, year after year, there followed "the rover boys out west," "on the great lakes," "in the mountains," "on land and sea," "in camp," "on the river," and "on the plains," where we last met them. in the present tale the scene is shifted to the lower mississippi and then the gulf of mexico. as before, sam, tom, and dick are introduced, along with a number of their friends, and all have a variety of adventures and not a little fun. while on the gulf the boys discover a deserted steam yacht, board the craft, and try to ascertain who is the owner, and this leads to a mystery which i leave the pages that follow to unfold. once again i take the opportunity to thank the thousands of young folks all over our broad land who have signified their appreciation of my efforts to afford them amusement and at the same time teach a moral. were it possible i should like nothing better than to write to each and shake everyone by the hand. but that is out of the question, so i can simply pen my thanks, and subscribe myself, affectionately and sincerely yours, arthur m. winfield. the rover boys in southern waters chapter i the rover boys and their friends "the houseboat is gone!" "tom, what do you mean?" "i mean just what i say, sam. the houseboat is gone--vanished, missing, disappeared, drifted away, stolen!" ejaculated tom rover, excitedly. "tom, don't go on in such a crazy fashion. do you mean to say the houseboat isn't where we left it?" "it is not,--and it is nowhere in sight on the river," returned tom rover. "come, we must tell dick and the others about this." "but we left the _dora_ in charge of that big planter last night," insisted the youngest of the rover boys. "he said he would take good care of the craft." "well, he is gone too. i hunted high and low for the houseboat, and for that planter, but without success." "maybe the boat drifted away, with the planter on board, tom. the current has been pretty strong since those heavy rains." "she was tied up good and tight," answered tom rover, his usually merry face wearing a troubled look. "i can't understand it." "i must say i didn't like that planter's manner much. he looked to be rather a sly one. come on, let us find dick and the others at once," went on sam rover. "if the houseboat has been stolen we want to know it right away, so we can get on the trail of the thief." "true for you, sam." tom rover heaved a short sigh. "my! what a lot of troubles we have had since we started on this houseboat trip!" "yes--but we have had lots of sport too." the two brothers were standing near the bank of the broad mississippi river, just below the town of shapette, in louisiana. the party to which they belonged had reached the town on their journey down the father of waters the day before, and an hour later the houseboat had been tied up at a bend in the stream and left in charge of a planter who had appeared and volunteered for the task. the planter had given his name as gasper pold, and had stated that his plantation lay half a mile inland, on higher ground. he had mentioned several people in shapette as being his close friends--among others the principal storekeeper--and the boys had thought it all right to get him to look after the houseboat while they paid a visit to a sugar plantation where one of their party had a distant relative living. to my old readers the rover boys, sam, tom, and dick, need no special introduction. sam was the youngest, fun-loving tom next, and cool-headed and clever dick the oldest. when at home the three boys lived with their father, anderson rover, and their uncle randolph and aunt martha in a pleasant portion of new york state called valley brook, near the village of dexter's corners. from that home they had gone, as already related in "the rover boys at school," to putnam hall, an ideal place of learning, where they made many friends and also some enemies. a term at school had been followed by a brief trip on the atlantic ocean, and then a journey to the jungles of africa, where the lads went in a hunt for their father, who had become lost. then they had gone west, to establish a family claim to a valuable mine, and afterwards taken two well-deserved outings, one on the great lakes and the other in the mountains. from the mountains the rover boys had expected to go back to putnam hall, but a scarlet fever scare caused a temporary closing of that institution of learning and the lads took a trip to the pacific coast and were cast away on the ocean, as told of in "the rover boys on land and sea," the seventh volume of this series. but all came back safely and returned to the hall, there to do their duty and have considerable fun, as set forth in "the rover boys in camp." the boys' uncle, randolph rover, had taken an elegant houseboat for debt. this craft was located on the ohio river, and in a volume called "the rover boys on the river," i related how sam, tom, and dick resolved to take a trip on the craft during their summer vacation. on this outing they were accompanied by "songbird" powell, a school chum given to the making of doggerel which he persisted in calling poetry, fred garrison, who had stood by the rovers through thick and thin, and hans mueller, a german youth who had not yet fully mastered the english language. to make the trip more interesting the boys invited an old friend, mrs. stanhope, to accompany them, and also mrs. laning, her sister. with mrs. stanhope was a daughter dora, who dick rover thought was the best and sweetest girl in the whole world, and with mrs. laning were her daughters grace and nellie, warm friends of tom and sam. the trip on the houseboat started well enough, but soon came trouble through the underhanded work of dan baxter, a big youth who had been the rovers' bitter enemy ever since they had gone to putnam hall, and another boy named lew flapp. these young rascals ran off with the houseboat and two of the girls, and it took hard work to regain the craft and come to the girls' rescue. lew flapp was made a prisoner and sent east to stand trial for some of his numerous misdeeds, but dan baxter escaped. "we don't want to see any more of baxter," sam had said, but this wish was not to be gratified. floating down the mississippi, the houseboat got damaged in a big storm, and had to be laid up for repairs. this being so, all on board decided to take a trip inland, and accordingly they set out, the ladies and girls by way of the railroad and the boys on horseback. as already told in "the rover boys on the plains," this trip was full of mystery and peril. dan baxter turned up most unexpectedly, and our friends visited a mysterious ranch only to learn that it was a rendezvous for a band of counterfeiters. through a government detective the counterfeiters were rounded up, only one man, sack todd, escaping. dan baxter also got away, but later on he was traced to a big swamp, where his horse was found, stuck fast in the slimy ooze. it was thought by some that baxter had lost his life trying to find his way through the swamp, but of this the rovers were somewhat doubtful. after the capture of the counterfeiters the boys and their chums had gone on to meet the ladies and the girls, and had spent a full week at the ranch of a friend, having the best times possible, horseback riding, hunting, and helping to round-up cattle. then the whole party had gone back to the mississippi, embarked on the _dora_, as the houseboat was named, and floated down the mighty stream once more. "this sort of thing is simply grand," fred garrison had remarked, as he stood on the forward deck of the craft, yet an hour later he had changed his tune. the houseboat had gone whirling in a bend of the stream, struck a snag and hurled poor fred overboard. he was hauled up by sam and dick rover, and then it was ascertained that the houseboat was leaking and would have to be laid up again for repairs. they had stopped at the town of shapette, a small place, and there they found a carpenter who promised to do what they wanted. when the houseboat was laid up the captain had come to them with a letter. "my brother in cairo is dead," said captain starr. "i shall have to leave you and look after his children." the captain was an eccentric individual and the rovers did not like him much, so they were perfectly willing to let him go. they decided to look around for somebody else to manage the houseboat and in the meantime run the craft themselves. with the party as cook and general housekeeper was alexander pop, a colored man who had once been a waiter at putnam hall, but who was now attached to the rover household. the boys had expected to leave aleck, as he was called, in charge of the _dora_ while they visited a nearby sugar plantation, but the colored man had begged to be taken along, "jes fo' de change," as he expressed it. as aleck had remained on the houseboat during the entire time the boys were on the plains dick agreed to take him along; and thus, for the time being, the _dora_ had been left in the sole care of the planter. after the visit to the sugar plantation the party had ridden to shapette, to do a little shopping before returning to the houseboat. there tom and sam had left the others, to make certain that the _dora_ was in proper trim to continue the trip down the mississippi. on the way sam stopped at a plantation house to get a drink of water, and when he rejoined his brother it was to learn the dismaying news that the houseboat and the man left in charge of the craft had mysteriously disappeared. chapter ii about a missing houseboat "let us go down the river and see if the _dora_ is behind yonder trees," suggested sam, after he had had time to digest what his brother had said. "all right, if you say so," answered tom. "but i feel it in my bones it won't do any good." the two brothers ran along the wet and slippery bank of the river, which at this point sprawled out into almost a lake. they had to walk around several wet places and were pretty well out of wind by the time they gained the patch of wood the youngest rover had pointed out. they ran to a point where they could get a clear view of the stream for a full mile. "gone--just as i told you," said tom, laconically. "oh, tom, do you really think that planter stole the houseboat?" "i don't know what to think, to tell the truth. we have fallen in with all kinds of evil characters since we began this trip." "even if we go back to dick and the others and tell them, what good will it do?" "i don't really know. but i am going to tell dick, just as fast as i can." there seemed really nothing else to do, and with heavy hearts sam and tom retraced their steps to where the _dora_ had been tied up, and started to return to town. "this will certainly worry the ladies and the girls a good deal," observed sam, as they hurried along. "if the houseboat is gone, we can't continue the trip." "they won't be worried any more than we are, sam. it's hard lines all around. if that planter really stole the boat he ought to suffer for it." "just what i say." the brothers soon came in sight of shapette,--a small settlement where half of the inhabitants were of french extraction. as they reached one of the streets they heard a cheerful whistle. "that's dick!" said sam. "he won't whistle so happily when he learns the news." "hullo!" came from dick rover, as he caught sight of his brothers. "what brings you back so soon?" "thought you were going to stay on the houseboat until we got there," added fred garrison, who, with hans mueller, accompanied the eldest rover. "there is no houseboat to stay on," answered tom. "what!" "the houseboat is gone--and so is that planter who said he'd take care of her." "mine cracious me!" burst out hans mueller. "you ton't tole me alretty!" "tom, you don't mean--" dick paused. "the houseboat is gone, clean and clear, dick." "and that planter, gasper pold--" "is gone too," returned sam. "and so is that carpenter who said he'd repair the craft." "this is certainly too bad. tell me the particulars," and dick's face grew decidedly serious. "there isn't much to tell," said tom. "we got there, looked around, made a search, and here we are. no boat in sight, no person to be seen, just nothing and nobody." "but the houseboat must be somewhere, tom." "i agree with you, but not being a second-sight mind reader i can't tell you where." alexander pop, who was with the boys, had listened closely with his eyes rolling in wonder. "fo' de ian' sakes!" he ejaculated. "dat's de wuss news i's heard in a long time. seems lak da was no end of troubles fo' dis crowd!" "well, if this doesn't beat the dutch!" murmured fred garrison. "yah, und it beats der irish too alretty!" came from hans mueller. "chust ven ve dink der sthars vos shinin' it begins to rain; eh, ain't dot so?" "you've struck the nail on the head, hans," answered sam. "i thought we'd have plain sailing from to-day, and now it looks as if we'd have no sailing at all!" "boys," spoke up dick, sharply, "if that houseboat has been stolen we must get the craft back." "so say i, dick," answered tom. "but how are you going to begin about it?" "that remains to be seen. of one thing i am pretty certain--if the houseboat went anywhere it went down the stream. only a powerful tug or steamboat could pull such a boat up this mighty river." "that's true--and we must look down the mississippi for the craft," said fred. "where is songbird?" asked tom. "i left him with the ladies and the girls. they will be along presently, in a carriage," answered dick. "there won't be any use of the ladies and girls going down to the river, so long as the _dora_ is missing," said sam. "they'll have to stay in town, or go back to that sugar plantation, until we learn about the craft." it was decided that sam should join the other crowd and acquaint them with the news. he found them at one of the stores, where mrs. stanhope was buying some embroidery silk. "have you got tired of waiting for us, sam?" asked grace laning, who was the first to see the youngest rover. "oh, i've got bad news, grace." and then he told the girl of what had occurred, in the midst of which the others came up. "missing again!" ejaculated songbird powell. "too bad! what's to be done?" "we don't know yet." the ladies were much alarmed and so were the girls. sam did what he could to quiet their fears, yet he felt unhappy himself. "i did not like the looks of that planter at all," declared dora stanhope. "he had the face of a sneak. i was going to speak to dick about it, and i am sorry now that i didn't." "i presume we shall have to remain here until you find the houseboat," came from mrs. laning. "either here or at the sugar plantation," answered sam. "what will you do?" "i don't know yet--probably go down the river and look for the _dora_. she is so large they can't hide her very well." "maybe the current of the river carried her away and the planter got scared and left," suggested songbird. "you'll remember, she broke away once before." "she couldn't break away--she was tied up good and tight," answered sam, decidedly. "well, if you cannot find the houseboat, we'll have to go home from here instead of from new orleans," said mrs. stanhope. "that will shorten our trip somewhat but not a great deal. but i hope, for your uncle's sake, that you get his property back." "we'll do that, or know the reason why," answered sam. "what's this trouble about your houseboat?" asked the storekeeper, who had caught part of the conversation. "it's missing." "so you said. too bad!" "do you know the planter who had charge of the craft?" went on sam. "he was tall and thin and went by the name of gasper pold." "what, did you leave your boat with that man? you should have known better. didn't you know pold was an old lottery sharp?" "we did not." "well, he is, and has cheated many a poor white man and nigger out of his hard-earned savings. he's in bad flavor around here, and some of the citizens were just about to ask him to leave or run the risk of tar and feathers." "well, he has left, and taken our houseboat with him," said sam, bitterly. "what about solly jackson, the carpenter who was going to do some repairs for us?" "oh, solly's a fairly good kind, but years ago he used to work the lottery ticket game with pold. he's an old bachelor and never has much to say about anything." "has he any regular shop?" "oh, no; he's a come-day-go-day sort of fellow, boards around, and like that." "then he must be in with gasper pold," said the youngest rover. "they've cleared out together with our property." "hum! might be so, lad. have much on board the craft?" "yes, a great many things--furniture, a piano, books, and all of our clothing." "hum! quite a haul--if they can get away with it. maybe you had better notify the authorities." "we certainly will--if we can't find the houseboat," said sam, and then, after a few words more with the ladies and the girls, he started off to rejoin tom and dick, and songbird powell went with him. chapter iii a friend in need it was ten o'clock in the morning when the discovery was made that the houseboat was missing, and by the middle of the afternoon the rover boys and their chums were certain that the craft had been stolen by gasper pold and solly jackson. a negro boy who went by the name of wash--evidently short for washington--gave them more information than anybody else. this boy, who had been fishing near the woods below shapette, stated that he had seen the two men go aboard the houseboat early in the morning, accompanied by a young man who was a stranger. the three had cast off the ropes, poled the houseboat far out into the stream, and then drifted out of sight down the mighty mississippi. "i thought dat it was werry funny da should be gwine away," said the young darkey. "but i didn't dare to go show myself, fo' i know dat gasper pold is a bad aig when he's riled up, yes, sah!" "you didn't know the young man who went along?" asked dick. "no, sah--neber see him afoah, sah." "how did he look?" "he looked putty much lak a tramp, yes, sah! he was putty dirty too, he was!" "some tramp they got to help them," was tom's comment. "the question is, where will they go with the houseboat?" "i don't think they'll dare to go to any of the big towns," said dick. "they'll be afraid we'll telegraph ahead to catch them. more than likely they'll land at some out-of-the-way spot and cart our valuables off in a wagon. then possibly they'll cast the houseboat adrift, or set fire to her." "if that's the case, what's to do?" questioned fred garrison. "i hate to sit still and do nothing." "yah! let us go after dem fellers mit pitchforks alretty!" added hans, vehemently. "such robbers ought to peen electrocutioned mit a rope, ain't dot so?" "you mean hung, hans," said sam. "they certainly ought to be punished. "well swing them high, i do declare, and let them dance on naught but air! and when they've danced and hour so slick, we'll cut them down and bury them quick," came softly from songbird, who could not resist the temptation to burst into verse. "great shoestrings, songbird! to think you'd make up poetry on such a subject," cried fred. "couldn't help it--i haven't composed anything to-day," was the calm answer. "maype songpird been komposing boultry ven he been in his coffin," remarked hans. "all of which doesn't answer the question, what are we going to do?" said sam. "i wonder if i can charter a small tug or steamboat to go down the river after the houseboat," came from dick. "there isn't much to be had in the town," answered fred garrison. "still, we can try." the rovers with their friends returned to shapette. here they ran into the chief of police, who also acted as a sort of detective. "boat stolen! is it possible!" burst out that official. "never heard of such a thing befo', sah, never! i am sorry, sah, exceedingly sorry, sah! have you any idea who is guilty, sah?" "i have," answered dick, and told what he knew. "a bad man, sah, that gasper pold--ought to have been arrested long ago, sah, yes, sah. but nobody would make a complaint--all afraid of a shooting--very quick man to draw a pistol, yes, sah." "that's interesting," said tom. "he'll be a fine man to confront, if we catch up to him." the chief of police said he would do anything he could, but in the end refused to leave shapette, and so did nothing. the rovers soon learned that all he was good for was to talk, and they left him in disgust. "we must take this trail up ourselves," said sam. "and the quicker the better." they walked down to the river front, and after a number of inquiries found out that to charter a tug or small steamboat was just then out of the question, for no craft of that sort was near. but they learned that a young man of the vicinity named harold bird, who was the owner of several valuable plantations in that district, owned a new gasoline launch of good size which was housed at a place a mile away. "i am going to see harold bird," said dick. "perhaps he'll lend us his launch." they found out where the young man lived and visited the plantation in a carriage. it was a beautiful place, with an old family mansion surrounded by grounds laid out with exquisite taste. "evidently these folks have money," observed tom. "oh, some of these planters are immensely wealthy," answered sam. as they drove into the grounds they saw a young man playing with a bird dog on the lawn. he smiled at them pleasantly. "is this mr. harold bird?" asked dick. "yes," was the reply. "what can i do for you?" "let me introduce myself, mr. bird. i am dick rover, and these are my brothers. sam and tom. these are my friends, fred garrison and john powell." "is it possible!" exclaimed harold bird. "why, i was reading about you only yesterday, in the newspaper. you are the young fellows who helped to round up that gang of counterfeiters at red rock ranch. it was certainly a stirring piece of work. you deserve a great deal of credit." and then the young southerner shook hands all around. "mr. bird, we are in trouble," went on dick, "and we thought that perhaps you would be able to help us out." "i will certainly do anything that i possibly can for you. come, sit down and tell me what is wrong." the young southerner led the way to the broad veranda, and all took seats. then dick and the others told about the missing houseboat and of how they had wanted to charter a tug or a steamboat to go in pursuit. "i could not find a vessel of any kind," said dick. "but some folks told me that you had a big gasoline launch, and i thought perhaps you would let us have that. of course we'll pay you for--" "never mind about pay, mr. rover. i shall be glad to be of service to you. i will let you have my launch on one condition." "and that is--" "that you will take me with you. i love excitement, and this pursuit of those rascals is just to my taste. we can take one of my best dogs along, so, if we find they have landed anywhere, we can readily trace them." "but the danger?" said sam. "why should i be afraid if you are not? of course you will go well armed." "indeed we will," said tom. "more than likely they'll be well armed, too." after that a long talk ensued, and harold bird had the servants treat the boys to light refreshments. he was a capital fellow, with a winning, though rather sad smile, and all liked him from the start. "i've seen a bit of adventure myself,--visiting mexico and europe, and climbing high mountains," he said. "but i haven't had such stirring times as you. it is very quiet here, and i shall enjoy the change." "are you alone here, may i ask?" said fred, curiously. "yes, excepting for my overseer and the servants. the estate was left to me by my mother, who died three years ago." "it must be rather lonely," murmured songbird. "it is exceedingly lonely at times, and that is why i travel a great deal--that and for another reason." and the face of the young man clouded for the time. evidently he had something on his mind, but what it was he did not just then mention. he told them how he had come to buy the gasoline launch and said it was big enough to take on board a party of twelve or fifteen with comfort. it was decided to take some provisions along, for there was no telling how long the chase would last. it was evening before all arrangements were completed and the whole party went to town. there they met the ladies and the girls, and harold bird was introduced. "i should consider it an honor to have you remain at my plantation while we are off on this search for the houseboat," said the young southerner. "you can stay there as long as you please and make yourselves thoroughly at home." as there was no good hotel in the town, this invitation relieved mrs. stanhope and mrs. laning a great deal, and they said they would accept the offer, and thanked the young man very much. carriages were obtained, and inside of two hours the ladies and the girls were at lee hall, as harold bird called his place. there were rooms in plenty for all, and each was made to feel perfectly at home. it was decided that aleck pop should also remain at the plantation for the time being. "the hospitality in the south is certainly marvelous," said dora to dick. "when i left home i never thought i should be treated so well." "you are right, dora. the whole world over, you will find no greater gentleman than one from our south." "and what a beautiful plantation!" cried nellie. "what grand walks, and trees and flowers!" "and what a fine lot of colored servants," came from grace. "really they won't let me do a thing for myself!" "i should think mr. bird would be very happy," said mrs. laning, for at that moment the owner of the estate was not present. "you'd think so," answered dick. "but do you know, notwithstanding his smiling face he appears at times to be very sad." "i thought so," said mrs. stanhope. "he acts as if he had something on his mind." "yes, and something that worried him a great deal," added tom. they were right, harold bird had a great deal to worry him, and what it was we shall learn as our tale proceeds. chapter iv harold bird's strange tale early in the morning the rovers and their friends were ready to take their departure. dick came down in the garden at sunrise, and was soon joined by dora, and they took a short walk together. "oh, dick, you must keep out of danger," said dora. "promise me you will be careful!" "i will be careful, dora," he answered, as he looked down into the depths of her clear eyes. "i will be careful--for your sake," he added, in almost a whisper. "if something sh--should happen to you!" she faltered. "i'll take care of myself, don't fear, dora," he made reply, and then, as they were all alone he drew her up to him. "dora, may i?" he asked, softly and tenderly. she did not answer, but looked up at him, innocently and confidingly. he bent over and kissed her, and gave her hand a little squeeze. "we understand each other, don't we, dora?" he whispered. "of course we do," she whispered in return. "and some day you'll be mrs. dick rover?" "oh, dick!" "but you will be, won't you?" "i--i--suppose--oh!" and then dora broke from dick's hold, as fred garrison and hans mueller appeared, around a bend of the pathway. "breakfast is waiting!" sang out fred. "hurry up, if we are to start that search." "all right," answered dick.--"we'll be in right away." "see, i vos bick me a peautiful roses," put in hans mueller, coming closer. "dick, of you ton't peen--vot you call him?--jealousness, yah, i gif him to dora," and he passed over the flower. "oh, thank you, hans," replied dora, and she placed the flower in her hair. then she gave dick a look that meant a good deal, and they understood each other perfectly, and both went in to breakfast feeling very happy. in the meantime sam and tom had been out on a side veranda with grace and nellie. tom was as full of fun as ever and kept the two girls in a roar of laughter. yet both girls grew serious when the time for parting came. "you look out for yourself," said grace. "remember, those men are bad characters to meet." "yes, i shouldn't want you to get hurt for the world," added nellie, and when she shook hands with tom there was something like a tear in her eye. then came good-byes all around, and the carriage that was to take dick and the others to the town drove around to the door. the party climbed in and in a moment more were off, the girls and ladies waving their handkerchiefs and the boys swinging their caps and hats. "yo' boys dun take good care ob yo'selves," said aleck, who stood by, with a look of concern on his ebony face. "if yo' come back killed dis coon will neber fo'give himself!" "come back as soon as you can!" called out dora. "don't worry--we may be back in a day or two," answered dick. but it was destined to be many a long day ere the two parties should meet again. down at the riverside they found the launch in charge of a negro and all ready for the start. the provisions were stored in two lockers on board, and another locker held their firearms and some raincoats. "hurrah! here is news," cried dick, after perusing a telegram that had been handed to him. "you'll remember i telegraphed to benton, the town below here. well, here is word that the houseboat was seen passing benton yesterday at about five o'clock, and headed towards the west shore. that ought to give us something to work on. "it will," answered harold bird. "come, the sooner we get started the better." all stepped aboard of the _venus_, as the launch was named, and soon the gasoline motor was buzzing away at a good rate of speed. then the power was turned on the screw, harold bird took his station at the wheel, and away they sped from the landing and out onto the broad mississippi. "hurrah for a life on der oceans vafe und a ship on der rollings deeps!" sang out hans, who sat near the bow. "gosh, hans is getting poetic!" said tom. "that's right, hansy, my boy, keep it up and you'll soon put songbird out of business." "what i want to know is," came from fred, "if we strike a sunken snag is this launch safe?" "as safe as any craft of her size," answered harold bird. "but i shan't strike a snag if i can help it. i am not running at full speed, and if you'll notice i am keeping where the water is fairly clear." "which isn't saying a great deal," came from sam. "i never saw a river as muddy as the mississippi." "i know one other stream that is worse, and that's the missouri," said harold bird. "and as that flows into the mississippi it makes the latter almost as bad." as soon as they were well on their way dick brought out the firearms which had been brought along, and examined them with care. "you certainly have some fine weapons," said he, referring to the pistols brought by harold bird. "do you do much shooting--i mean with a gun?" "i never go shooting at all," was the young southerner's reply, and once again the boys saw that strange look of sadness come over his face. "funny, you wouldn't care to go out," said songbird, carelessly. "must be quite some game around here." "there is plenty of game, but--" harold bird heaved a deep sigh. "i presume i may as well tell you my story, for you are bound to hear it sooner or later," he went on. "about four years ago my father went out hunting in the forest to the north of our plantation. he was out with two friends, but about the middle of the day the party separated and my father found himself alone. then he saw something that to him looked like a wildcat on a big rock. he fired quickly, and when he drew closer he saw to his horror that he had shot and killed a man--an old hunter named blazen. "the shock of the discovery made my father faint, and when the others came up they found him working over the dead body of blazen in a vain endeavor to bring the hunter back to life. a doctor was called, but nothing could be done for blazen, for the shot had killed him instantly, taking him squarely in the heart. of course it was an accident, but my father couldn't get over it. he raved and wept by turns, and at last the doctors had to place him in confinement for fear that he would try to do himself some injury. my mother was prostrated by the news, and you can imagine how i felt myself." "it was certainly terrible," said dick, and the others nodded in silence. "blazen was an old bachelor, with no relatives, so there were few to mourn over his death. we saw to it that he was given a decent burial and advertised for his heirs, but nobody appeared. in the meantime my father grew melancholy and the doctors thought he might become insane. they advised a trip to new scenes, and my mother and i took him to europe and then to kingston, jamaica, where an old friend of the family had a plantation. one day my father disappeared." "disappeared?" echoed sam and tom. "yes, disappeared utterly and forever. we hunted high and low for him and offered a big reward for any information. it was useless. we have never seen him or heard a word of him since." "and what do you think became of him?" questioned songbird powell. "i cannot imagine, excepting that he may have thrown himself into the bay and drowned himself. he had a habit of going down to the water and gazing out to sea by the hour." "too bad!" murmured dick. "mr. bird, i sympathize deeply with you." "and so do i," came from the other boys. "the disappearance of my father made my mother ill and it was all i could do to get her back home. there we procured the best of medical skill, but it did little good. she had always had heart trouble and this grew rapidly worse until she died, leaving me utterly alone in the world." harold bird stopped speaking and wiped the tears from his eyes. all of his listeners were deeply affected. it was several seconds before anybody spoke. "i don't wonder you don't care to go hunting," said sam. "i'd feel the same way." "i have never visited the forest since the time the tragedy took place," answered harold bird. "at first i thought to sell off the stretch of land to a lumber company, but now i have changed my mind, and i intend to give it to the heirs of blazen, if any appear." "is it a valuable tract?" asked fred. "the lumber company offered me twenty thousand dollars for it." "if your father was drowned it is queer that you never heard anything of his body," said fred. "bodies of drowned people are not always recovered," answered the young southerner. "but he must have been drowned, for if he had been alive we surely would have heard something of him. the reward we offered set hundreds of people to hunting for him." "it is certainly a mystery," said dick. "i suppose you'd give a good deal to have it cleared up. "i'd give half of what i am worth," answered harold bird, earnestly. chapter v stuck in the mud noon found our friends at the town of benton--a place of some importance in the cotton trade. without delay dick sought out the man who had had to do with the telegrams. "i can't tell you much more than what i put in the message," said the man. "i saw the houseboat out yonder and headed in that direction. i was watching her when a fog came up and hid her from view." "i think i can follow her," put in harold bird. "anyway, we can try." "did those fellows steal the houseboat?" questioned the benton man. "they did." "then i hope you catch them." our friends did not stop to get dinner, but took their lunch on board of the _venus_. the river at benton was broad and deep and consequently harold bird turned on full speed, sending the launch forward with such a rush that the water often came in a shower of spray over the bow. "i may be mistaken, but i have an idea that those rascals headed for lake sico," said the young southerner. "gasper pold used to hang around that lake, and most likely there are men there who would aid him in disposing of whatever is on the _dora_ of value." "where is lake sico?" asked sam. "about fifteen miles from here. it is a very broad and shallow sheet of water, and is reached by a narrow and tortuous bayou all of four miles long. one end of the lake is a perfect wilderness of bushes and brake--an ideal hiding-place for the houseboat." "then perhaps we had better explore the lake," said tom. "there is only one objection," answered dick. "if the houseboat is not there, we'll be losing a lot of valuable time." "is the entrance to the bayou very narrow?" asked tom. "for if it is, the houseboat would be apt to strike the mud shore and leave marks." "yes, it is narrow, and we'll look for marks by all means," answered the young southerner. as they were moving with the stream it did not take the launch long to reach the bayou that connected the lake with the mississippi. but close to the bayou entrance the swirling waters had cast up a ridge or bar of mud and on this the launch slid and stuck fast. "hullo, we're stuck!" cried tom. "and we are up out of the water too," came from his younger brother. "can't we back?" asked fred. "i'll try it," returned harold bird. the screw of the launch was reversible and he made the change in power. the water was churned up into a muddy foam, but that was all. the _venus_ did not budge an inch. "one of the joys of a life 'on der rollings deeps'!" grumbled tom, imitating hans. "songbird, can't you compose an ode in honor of the occasion?" "certainly i can," said songbird promptly, and started: "as firm as a rock, our launch now rests upon her bed of mud, as safe as a ship on a golden sea--" "or a clothespin in a tub!" finished tom. "songbird, give us something better, or none at all." "say, vot has a clothesbin in a dub to do mit being stuck here alretty?" questioned hans, innocently. "why, hansy, old boy, that's easy," cried tom. "a clothespin is for sticking something fast, and we are stuck fast. now, can't you see the joke, as the blind astronomer said to the deaf musician?" "yah, dot's so, but ve ain't stuck on no clothes-pins," answered hans, soberly. "ve vos stuck on der mississippies rifer, ain't it." "score one for hans," came, with a laugh, from sam. "hans, what do you think we ought to do?" "dake a rope py der shore und bull der poat loose." "that's the talk," said songbird. "hans can carry the rope ashore. the water is only a foot deep." "and the mud is about sixteen feet deep," put in dick, quickly. "don't try it, unless you want to sink out of sight." for several minutes all sat still in the launch, viewing the situation with considerable dismay. "this is something i didn't bargain for," said fred. "but we may as well make the best of it." "let us try to shove her off," suggested dick. on board the launch were three poles of good size, each fixed so that a small, square board could be fastened to one end. dick took one of these poles and tom and sam seized the others. "now, hans, fred, and songbird, get in the stern," said dick. "that's the talk, and i'll try to back her at the same time!" cried harold bird. "all ready?" in a minute they were ready to try the experiment and the power was turned on. as the screw churned the water and mud once more, the three rovers pushed on the poles with all their might. "hurrah! she's moving!" cried fred. he was right, the _venus_ was slowly but surely leaving the bank of mud. suddenly she gave a twist and then ran backwards rapidly, and then the power was shut off again. "free at last!" cried tom. "now what's the next move?" "we must find the proper channel into the bayou," answered the owner of the launch. dick and tom went to the front with their poles and the power was turned to a slow speed forward. the rovers felt their way in the water with the poles, calling to turn to the right or the left, as the case required. by this means they soon left the treacherous mud bars behind and reached a point where forward progress was more certain. "now then, let us look around and see if we can find any traces of the _dora_," said dick. "the houseboat couldn't have come over that spot--she would have been stuck sure," said fred. "years ago solly jackson used to be a riverman," said harold bird. "he would probably know exactly how to get the houseboat into the bayou. gasper pold couldn't run the craft himself, so he had to take in a fellow like solly." as the gasoline launch entered the bayou all kept their eyes on the alert, and presently songbird set up a shout: "look over yonder--there are some sort of marks on the bank!" he was right, and they turned the launch in the direction indicated, advancing slowly. there was a sharp cut in the mud and also several pole holes which looked to be rather fresh. a few feet further on they came to a piece of a pole painted blue. "that settles it," exclaimed dick. "they certainly brought the houseboat in here. our poles were painted blue, and that is a piece of one." "the very one i cracked in the storm," added sam. "i can explain it," said harold bird. "they got the houseboat around the mud bars, but the force of the current, combined with the current in the bayou, swung the craft up against this bank. then they had to pole the houseboat off." "but how did they go on, against the current from the lake?" asked songbird. "pulled and poled the houseboat. just wait and see if i am not right." they waited, and soon reached a point where one bank of the bayou was fairly firm. here they could see footprints and the "shaving" of a rope as it had passed over the edge of the bank. "we are on the right track," said dick. "now, all we have to do is to locate the houseboat and corner the rascals who stole her." "all!" cried fred. "i should say that was enough!" "especially if they offer to fight," added sam. "it is a pity we can't come on them unawares," said tom. "but that is impossible, for you can't run the launch without making a noise." "maybe you don't besser git out dem bistols alretty," came from hans. "of da ton't gif ub ve plow der heads off, ain't it!" "yes, we may as well get out the firearms," said dick. "the sight of the pistols may have a good effect. perhaps the rascals will give up without fighting." the pistols were gotten out, and all of the youths saw to it that they were in perfect condition for immediate use. as he looked at the weapons harold bird shuddered. "i suppose you hate the sight of them,--after what happened to your father," said dick, in a low tone. "i do. i sincerely trust there is no bloodshed," answered the young southerner. it was nightfall by the time the launch was clear of the bayou. in front of them lay the calm waters of lake sico--a shallow expanse, with mud flats at one side and a wilderness of trees, bushes, and wild canebrake at the other. they shut off the power and listened. not a sound broke the stillness. "talk about solitude," was tom's comment. "here is where you can chop it out with an ax!" "it's enough to make one shiver," added fred. just then the dog harold bird had brought along set up a mournful howl. "even the dog doesn't like it," said songbird. "let us go on--i'd rather hear the puff-puff of the gasoline motor than listen to such stillness." "i thought a poet craved solitude," said dick. "this ought to fill you with inspiration." "i think it will fill us with chills and fever," said fred. "ugh, how damp it is, now the sun is going down." "there is a mist creeping up," said harold bird. "too bad! i was in hope it would remain clear." soon the darkness of night settled over the lake. the mist continued to roll over them until they were completely enveloped and could no longer see where they were going. "it can't be helped," said the owner of the launch. "we'll have to wait until daylight. if i light the acetylene gas lamp it will simply put those rascals on guard." "vot is ve going to do--sthay on der poat all night?" asked hans. "we can either do that or go ashore--just as you wish." "let us move towards shore," said dick. "it will be more pleasant under some overhanging trees or bushes." this was agreed to, and they steered for the bank of the lake, which was not far away. none of them dreamed of what that night was to bring forth. chapter vi fighting bob cats it was certainly a dismal and dreary outlook, and it did not help matters much to run the launch under the wide overhanging boughs of several trees growing at the edge of the lake. they were in something of a cove, so the view was shut off on three sides. "i wish we had brought along some extra blankets," said sam. "if it is raw now what will it be by midnight?" "hadn't we better build a little campfire?" questioned fred. "it will make it ever so much more pleasant." "i do not advise a fire," answered harold bird. "if those rascals should see it, they'd come here to investigate, and then try to slip away from us in the darkness." "you are right," put in dick. "we must keep dark until we have located them,--otherwise the game will be up." to protect themselves still more from the mist and cold, they brought out four rubber blankets of good size. these were laced into one big sheet and raised over the launch like an awning. then all huddled beneath, to make themselves as comfortable as possible. "don't you think somebody ought to remain on guard?" asked tom. "we don't want those fellows to carry us off and us not know it!" "da can't vos carry me off dot vay," said hans, who could never see the funny side of a remark. "i vould kick, i tole you!" "as there are seven of us, why not have everybody stand guard for just an hour?" suggested sam. "if we turn in at ten that will carry us through to five in the morning--when we ought to continue our hunt." "providing the mist will let us," smiled harold bird. "but i think your plan a good one," he added. lots were drawn and fred went on guard first, to be followed by hans and tom. at ten o'clock all of the crowd but fred turned in, to get as much sleep as possible. "i tole you vot." remarked hans, as he tried to make his head feel easy on one of the seats. "dis ton't vos so goot like mine ped at putnam hall!" "not by a good deal!" answered songbird. "dear old putnam hall! after all the pleasures we have had, i shall be glad to get back to that institution again." the rover boys had been through so much excitement during their lives they did not think the present situation unusual and so all went to sleep without an effort. harold bird remained awake nearly an hour, thinking of the new friends he had made and of the strange fate of his father. the young southerner was of a somewhat retiring disposition, and it astonished even himself when he realized how he had opened his heart to the rovers and their chums. "i feel as if i had known them for years, instead of hours," he told himself. "there is a certain attractiveness about sam, tom, and dick i cannot understand. yet i do not wonder that they have a host of friends who are willing to do almost anything for them." when tom went on guard he was still sleepy and he did a large amount of yawning before he could get himself wide-awake. he sat up in the bow of the launch, the others resting on the cushions on the sides and stern. all was as silent as a tomb, and the mist was now so thick that he could not see a distance of six yards in any direction. "ugh! what a disagreeable night!" he muttered, as he gave a shiver. "i'd give as much as a toothpick and a bottle of hair-oil if it was morning and the sun was shining." a quarter of an hour went by--to tom it seemed ten times as long as that--and then of a sudden the lad heard a movement at the bottom of the launch. the dog harold bird had brought along arose, stretched himself, and listened intently. "what is it, dandy?" asked tom, patting the animal on the head. "what do you hear?" for reply the dog continued to listen. then the hair on his back began to rise and he set up a short, sharp bark. "he certainly hears something," reasoned tom. "can any of those men be in this vicinity?" the bow of the launch was close to a sprawling tree branch, and to look beyond the rubber covering, tom crawled forward and stepped on the branch. the dog followed to the extreme bow of the boat and gave another short, sharp bark. "he hears something, that is certain," mused the boy. "but what it can be, is a puzzle to me." tom tried to pierce the darkness and mist, but it was impossible. he strained his ears, but all he could hear was the occasional dropping of water from one leaf to another over his head. "maybe i had better arouse the others," he murmured, for the barking of the dog had apparently not disturbed them. "i am sure the dog wouldn't bark unless there was a reason for it; would you, dandy?" tom looked at the animal and saw the dog had his nose pointed up in the tree next to that which the launch was under. he peered in the direction and gave a start. was he mistaken, or had he caught the glare of a pair of shining eyes fastened upon him? tom was naturally a brave boy, yet a strange shiver took possession of him. the dog now bristled furiously and gave two sharp barks in quick succession. "hullo, what's up?" came from dick, who was awakened. "i believe there is some wild animal up yonder tree, spotting us," answered tom. "i think i just caught a glimpse of its eyes." this announcement caused dick to rouse up, and taking his pistol he crawled to the bow of the launch and joined his brother on the tree limb. just then the dog started to bark furiously. "there he is!" cried tom, and raised the pistol he had in his pocket. there could be no mistake about those glaring eyes, and taking hasty aim, he fired. the report of the firearm had not yet died away when there came the wild and unmistakable screech of a wounded bob cat--a wildcat well known in certain portions of our southern states. at the same time the dog began to bark furiously, and everybody on board the launch was aroused. "what's the matter?" "who fired that shot?" "vos dose rascals here to fight mit us alretty?" "it's a bob cat!" cried dick. "tom just fired at it!" "look out, it's coming down!" yelled tom, and that instant the bob cat, unable to support itself longer on the tree limb, fell with a snarl on the rubber covering of the launch, carrying it down upon those underneath. the next few minutes things happened so rapidly that it is almost impossible to describe them. the bob cat rolled over and over, clawing at the rubber cloth and ripping it to shreds. the boys tried to get another shot, but did not dare to fire for fear of hitting each other. but the dog leaped in and caught the bob cat by the back of the neck, and an instant later cat and canine went whirling over the side of the boat into the waters of the lake. "they are overboard!" cried sam. "make a light, somebody!" yelled songbird. "it isn't safe in the dark." the acetylene gas lamp of the launch was ready for use, and striking a match harold bird lit it. the sharp rays were turned on the water, and there dog and bob cat could be seen whirling around in a mad struggle for supremacy. bang! went dick's pistol. he had taken quick but accurate aim, and the bob cat was hit in the side. it went under with a yelp, letting go of the dog as it did so. dandy gave a final nip and then turned and swam back to the launch and was helped aboard by his master. "wonder if the bob cat is dead?" asked fred, in a voice that he tried in vain to steady. "hasn't come up again," came laconically from songbird. he had taken the lamp from harold bird and was sending the rays over the surface of the lake in several directions. they watched for several minutes and then made out the dead form of the bob cat floating among the bushes on the opposite side of the little cove. "done for--and i am glad of it," murmured tom, and he wiped the cold perspiration from his forehead. "i don't know if we are out of the woods or not," said the owner of the launch. "where there is one bob cat there are often more." "in that case i think we had better move the boat away from the shore," answered dick. "it may not be as comfortable as under the trees but it will be safer." at that moment the gas lamp began to flicker and die down. "here, give the lamp to me," said the launch owner, and taking the lamp he shook it and tried to turn more water on the carbide. but the water would not run for some reason and a few seconds later the light went out. in the darkness the boys started to untie the launch. as they did this they heard a movement in the tree directly over their heads and then came the cry of a bob cat calling its mate. "there's another!" yelled sam. "say, we had better get out as fast as we can!" the gasoline launch was just shoved away from the tree limb when the bob cat above made a leap and landed on the bow of the craft! it glared a moment at the boys, its two eyes shining like balls of fire, and then started to make a leap. bang! crack! bang! went three pistols in rapid succession, and as the reports died away the bob cat fell in a heap on the bottom of the launch, snarling viciously. then dandy, still exhausted from his fight in the water, leaped on the beast and held it down while tom finished it with a bullet in the ear. "is it dead?" asked songbird, after a painful silence. "i guess so. light a match, somebody." several matches were lit and then an old oil lantern which chanced to be on board. the bob cat was indeed dead and near it lay the dog, with a deep scratch in its foreshoulder. "noble dandy, you did what you could," said harold bird, affectionately. very gingerly tom and dick picked up the carcass of the bob cat and threw it overboard. by this time the launch had drifted a good fifty feet from shore, and there they anchored. "keep that lantern lit," said fred. "i can't stand the darkness after such doings!" "if those thieves are around they must have heard the shots," said sam. "so a light won't make much difference." "i am going to examine the gas lamp," said the young southerner, and did so. a bit of dirt had gotten into the feed pipe of the lamp, and when this was cleaned out with a thin wire the light worked as well as ever. it was some time after the excitement before any of the crowd could get to sleep again. then hans got a nightmare and yelled "bop cats! fire! murder!" and other things as loudly as he could, and that put further rest out of the question, and all waited anxiously for the coming of morning. chapter vii the houseboat in the bushes with the coming of morning the mist cleared away as if by magic, and soon the warm sunshine put all on board of the gasoline launch in better spirits. "how is the dog?" questioned dick, of the owner of the canine. "he has been pretty well mauled up, but i think he'll come around with proper attention," answered the young southerner. "he is a valuable animal--valuable to me because he was a pet of my father--and i'd hate to lose him." all were hungry and ate their morning lunch with considerable satisfaction, washing it down with some coffee made on a small oil stove that had been brought along. "well, i don't see anything of the houseboat," announced dick, as he stood on a seat and took a long and careful look around. "not a craft or a building of any kind in sight." "some negroes used to live on the north shore of the lake," said harold bird, "but the floods last year made them vacate in a hurry." it was decided to move around the shore of the lake slowly, scanning every cove and inlet with care. that the houseboat was hidden somewhere on that expanse of water none of the party had any doubt. "you could take quite a trip in this launch," said sam to harold bird, as they moved along. "the more i see of the craft the better i like her. may i ask what she is worth?" "i gave two thousand dollars for her. i bought her in new orleans and brought her up the river myself. the folks around here don't know much about gasoline launches, but i think she's as nice a craft as anybody would wish." "how much water does she draw?" "only two and a half feet when loaded down--so you see we can get over some pretty shallow spots, if it is necessary." they were moving along a scantily-wooded stretch of shore when tom let out a short cry: "stop!" "what's up, tom?" asked several. "i saw somebody just now--back of yonder bushes. he stepped out and then stepped back again." "was it one of the men we are after?" asked sam. "i don't know--he got out of sight before i had a good look at him." "we'll have to investigate," said dick, and to this the others agreed. with all possible haste the launch was run to the shore and sam, tom, and dick got out, followed by harold bird. the dog came also, limping along painfully. "find him, dandy, find him!" said the young southerner, in a low tone, and the dog seemed to understand. he put his nose to the ground, ran around for several minutes, and then started off through the bushes. "do you think he has struck the trail?" asked tom. "i am sure of it," was harold bird's positive reply. the young southerner called to the dog, and dandy went forward more slowly, so that they could keep him in sight. they passed through one patch of bushes and then came to a clear space, beyond which was a field of wild sugarcane. hardly had the dog struck the cleared spot when from a distance came the report of a pistol. dandy leaped up in the air, came down in a heap, and lay still. "somebody has shot the dog!" cried sam. "what a shame!" harold bird said nothing, but ran to where the canine lay. dandy was breathing his last, and in a minute it was all over. "poor fellow!" murmured the young southerner, and there were tears in his eyes. "first the bob cats and now a pistol bullet! oh, if i can only catch the rascal who fired that shot i'll make him suffer for this!" "the fellow killed the dog, so the animal could not trail him," said dick. "it was certainly a dirty trick." "it shows that the man is a criminal," put in tom. "he would not be afraid of us if he was honest." "and therefore it must have been gasper pold or solly jackson," said sam. "what will you do with the dog?" asked dick, after an awkward pause. "take him back to the boat and bury him," answered the young southerner. "i don't want the wild beasts to feed on him." "hadn't we better follow up that man first?" "we can do so, if you wish." they passed on and looked around that vicinity with care. it must be confessed that they were afraid of being shot at, but nothing of the sort occurred. at one point they saw some footsteps, but these came to an end in a creek flowing into the lake. as the ground in that vicinity was very treacherous there was nothing to do but to return to the launch and this they did, harold bird and dick carrying the dead dog between them. all were sorry that the canine was dead, for they realized that the animal had done its best for them against the bob cats. they had no spade, but with some flat sticks managed to scoop out a hole of respectable depth and in this they buried the canine. over the spot the young southerner placed a peculiar stick to mark the spot. "he was a fine dog and was once the pet of my father," he said. "some day i may place a monument over his grave." they left the vicinity and continued on their trip around the lake, scanning every indentation of the shore for a possible glimpse of the _dora_. there were many winding places, so it was noon before the task was half completed. "this is growing to be a longer hunt than i anticipated," remarked fred. "i thought finding the houseboat would be dead easy."' lunch was had, and once again they went on the search, this time at a point where a bayou joined lake sico to a smaller lake. here they had to move with care, for the bayou was filled with the hidden roots of trees long since thrown down by storms. "of ve ton't look out ve peen caught in dem dree roots," observed hans, looking down into the water. "say, ton't da look like vater snakes?" "they certainly do, and they are almost as dangerous--for the launch." soon came a grinding tinder the boat and the screw came to a standstill. a tree root had caught fast, and further progress was out of the question until the screw could be cleared. "i'll go over and do the job!" cried tom. "i know how." and the others being willing he divested himself of most of his clothing, leaped overboard, and was soon at work. it was no light task, as he had to cut the root in several places with a jackknife. "we had better land and look around," said harold bird. "i'd hate to get the screw caught again and break it, for then we'd certainly be in a pickle." "could the houseboat get through here?" questioned fred. "yes, they could pole her through, with hard work," answered dick. they turned the gasoline launch to shore and tied fast. then all began to leap out. "this won't do," cried dick. "somebody ought to remain on the launch." "i would like to go with you and look for the houseboat," answered harold bird. "i think the launch will be safe where she is." "if you want me to stay i'll do it, if songbird will stay with me," said fred. "i'll stay," said songbird, promptly. so it was arranged, and leaving the two in charge of the gasoline launch, all the others of the party set off on their search for the missing houseboat. walking along the shore of the small lake was decidedly treacherous, and more than once one or another would slip down in the mud and slime. "hellup!" cried hans, who had dragged behind, and looking back they saw the german lad in a bog hole up to his knees. "hellup, oder i vos trowned alretty!" "can't you crawl out?" questioned dick, running back. "no, der mud vos like glue!" gasped hans. tom came back also, and between them they managed to pull hans from the sticky ooze, which was plastered over his trousers and shoes. the german lad gazed at himself ruefully. "now, ain't dot a nice mess?" he observed. "vosn't i a beach!" "yes, but a pretty muddy one," laughed dick. "but never mind now, come on. you can clean up when we get back." the party soon reached a spot where the bushes grew in water several inches deep. here, to avoid sinking in the mud, they had to make a wide detour. "listen!" cried sam, presently, and held up his hand. "what did you hear?" asked harold bird. "i heard something as if somebody was walking through the brush yonder!" "maybe it was the men we are after!" cried dick. "come on!" they continued to move forward until some fallen trees all but barred their further progress. then they came to a small rise of ground--a veritable island in this swamp,--and reaching the highest point, gazed around them. "what is that?" asked sam, pointing with his hand to a round, black object showing above some bushes at a distance. "why, that looks like the smokestack of the houseboat!" cried tom. he meant the stack to the chimney, for several rooms of the houseboat were furnished with stoves, to be used when the weather was chilly. "we'll soon make certain," said dick. "forward, everybody!" "be careful!" cautioned harold bird. "remember, you have desperate characters with whom to deal." "isn't everybody armed?" asked sam. "i brought my pistol." all were armed, and each took out his weapon and carried it in his hand. they wanted no shooting, but, after the killing of the dog, decided to take no chances. it was no light task to reach the spot where the smokestack had been seen. they had another creek to cross and then had to crawl through some extra-thick bushes. but beyond was a stretch of clear water, and there they saw, safely tied to two trees, the object of their search, the missing houseboat. chapter viii in the swamp "there she is!" "she seems to be all right!" "shall we go on board?" such were the cries from the rovers and their friends as they came in sight of the _dora_. the view of the houseboat filled them all with pleasure. "wait!" said harold bird. "don't show yourselves!" dick at least understood and held the others back. "keep out of sight--we want to investigate first," he said, in a low tone. "there is no use in our running our heads into the lion's mouth." "mine cracious, vos der a lion aroundt here?" demanded hans, turning pale. "maybe you'll find a lion if you don't keep quiet," answered sam, with a snicker. after that but little was said. gradually they drew so close that they could see from one end of the _dora_ to the other. not a person was in sight. "really does look as if the craft was deserted," was harold bird's comment. "perhaps they got scared when they saw what a crowd was following them." "i move two of us go on board and the rest stay here," said tom. "then, if there is trouble, the crowd to stay behind can come to the rescue." "that's a good scheme," answered his elder brother. "supposing sam and i go? you can lead the rescuing party, if it becomes necessary." this was also agreed to, and a minute later dick and sam, with their pistols in hand, crawled from the bushes and made for the side of the houseboat. a gangplank was out and they saw the footprints of several men and also two horses. "i don't like those much," said dick, pointing to the hoofprints. "a horse here means that he was used for carrying some stuff away." as nobody came to stop them, they walked on board of the _dora_ and looked into the gallery, that being the nearest apartment. the cook stove was still there, just as aleck pop had left it, but the pots and kettles were scattered in all directions and some of the best of the utensils were missing. "this looks as if the houseboat had been looted!" cried dick, and ran from the galley to the dining room and then to the living room, while sam made his way to several of the staterooms. nobody but themselves was on board the houseboat and they soon announced that fact to the others in the bushes, and they came forward on a run. "did they steal anything?" demanded tom. "steal anything?" repeated sam. "they have taken about everything they could lay their hands on!" "everything is gone but the stove, piano, and bedding," said dick. "and just to show their meanness they hacked the top of the piano with a hatchet!" what dick said was almost wholly true. the rascals had stolen everything of value that they could possibly carry, leaving behind little outside of the things already mentioned. not only was the piano mutilated, but also the chairs, the dining-room table, and the berths in the stateroom. all of the lanterns but one were missing, and the small rowboat resting on the rear deck of the houseboat had its side stove in from an ax-blow. "the fiends!" muttered dick, as he gazed at the wreckage. "what they couldn't carry they tried to ruin!" "what could you expect from fellows who would shoot my pet dog?" returned harold bird. "i tell you, dick rover, those men ought to be landed in jail!" "well, we'll land them there!" cried dick, earnestly. "do you mean that?" "i certainly do." "i will aid you all i can," answered the young southerner heartily. after that all made a thorough examination of the houseboat, to learn if they could find out anything concerning the thieves. muddy footprints were visible in every apartment, but they told little. "i think we are simply wasting time here," said tom, presently. "the best we can do is to follow up those footprints outside and see where they lead to." "dot's so," said hans. "dis muss is so bad like it vill pe lund vill get no petter py looking at him, ain't dot so?" "all right, come on," said sam, and led the way off the houseboat. "i don't believe those chaps intend to come back. they took all they wanted." to follow the footprints was no easy task, and before long, they found themselves going through a swamp where the walking was extremely treacherous. "i don't like this," said sam. "they may have known the way, but we don't; and if we don't look out we'll get in so deep we'll be helpless." "yah, let us go back," said hans, who had not forgotten his experience in the bog hole. "a feller can't schwim in vater mit mud up to his neck alretty!" again they had to turn back. as they did this dick fancied he heard a faraway cry for help. "did you hear that?" he asked of tom. "what?" "i heard somebody call, i think." "so did i," put in harold bird. "listen!" they listened, but the cry, or whatever it was, was not repeated. soon they were back to the side of the houseboat once more. "do you think that call came from fred or songbird?" asked sam. "it might be, sam," answered dick. "maybe we had better get back to the launch." "yes, yes, let us go back by all means!" exclaimed harold bird. "if your friends are in trouble we ought to aid them." as rapidly as they could do so, they started back for the spot where the gasoline launch had been left. once they lost their way, and got into a swamp from which it was next to impossible to get out. "we'll have to go back!" cried sam, after he had moved in several directions, only to find himself worse off than before. "be careful," warned harold bird. "if you aren't careful--stop!" all of the boys halted, for the command was out of the ordinary. the young southerner was looking straight ahead of him. "what is it?" questioned tom, in a low tone, thinking some of the enemy might be near. "am i right, and is that a snake ahead?" asked harold bird. "it looks like a snake and still it may be nothing but the dead limb of a tree." "say, i ton't vonts me no snakes in mine!" ejaculated hans, trying to retreat. all the boys gazed at the object ahead with interest. then tom broke off a stick near him and threw it at the object. the latter did not budge. "must be a tree limb," said tom. "but it looked enough like a snake to frighten anybody." "i am not sure yet," answered harold bird. "you must remember that some of our southern snakes are very sluggish and only move when they are hungry or harassed." "we'll give the limb, or whatever it is, a wide berth," said sam. they started to move to one side. but tom was curious, and chancing to see a stone among some bushes, hurled it at the object, hitting it directly in the center. up came an ugly-looking head, the object whipped around swiftly, and the next instant the boys found themselves confronted by a swamp snake all of six feet long and as thick as a man's wrist! "mine cracious!" burst from hans' lips. "it vos a snake annahow! look out! he vill eat us up alife!" "we must get out of here!" cried sam. "oh, tom, why didn't you leave it alone?" "i didn't really think it was a snake," answered the fun-loving rover. "somebody shoot it!" queer as it was, nobody had thought to use his pistol, but as tom spoke dick pointed his weapon at the snake, that was crawling rapidly over the tree roots towards them. the puff of smoke was followed by a writhing of the reptile, and they saw that it had been hit although not fatally wounded. "wait, i'll give him another shot!" cried sam, who now had his pistol out, and as the head of the snake came up over a tree root, the youngest rover fired point-blank. his aim was true, and the head of the snake went down, and the body whirled this way and that in its death agonies. "is he--he dead?" faltered tom. "next door to it," answered harold bird. "that last shot took him directly in the throat. i do not think he will bother us any more." they saw the body of the snake sink down in the water beneath the upper roots of the tree, and then continued to retreat, making their way to what looked like safer ground. they were now completely turned around, with only the sun to guide them in their course. "this is no joke," said dick, gazing around in perplexity. "if we are not careful we'll become hopelessly lost." "i think somebody had better climb a tree and look around," said tom. "i'll go up if somebody will boost me." the others were willing, and soon the fun-loving youth was climbing a tall tree which stood somewhat apart from the others. he went up in rapid fashion and before long was close to the top. "can you see anything?" called up sam, after what seemed to be a long pause. "hello!" cried tom. "why, there is the small lake and, yes, the launch is moving from the shore." "the launch?" ejaculated harold bird. "do you mean my gasoline launch?" "it must be yours--or some craft very much like it," answered tom. "there, it is out of sight now behind the trees." tom waited for fully a minute, but the launch did not reappear. "who was on board?" questioned dick, as his brother came down. "i couldn't make out." "which is the way to the spot where we tied up?" asked the young southerner, impatiently. "we must investigate this without delay." "over that way," answered tom, pointing the direction out with his hand. "come, i think i saw a good way to go." then all of the party struck out to reach the landing-place without delay. they felt that something unusual had occurred, but what, they could not surmise. chapter ix two young prisoners left to themselves. fred garrison and songbird powell hardly knew what to do to pass away the time. with all of the others away the spot where the gasoline launch had been tied up appeared to be unusually lonely. "i can tell you what, i shouldn't care to be caught all alone at night in such a spot as this," said fred, with something of a shiver. "it is about as dismal as any place i've seen." "right you are," murmured songbird and then continued: "the lonely waters washed the lonely shore, where they had washed full many a moon before, i listened pensively--not a sound was there to break the tomblike silence all around!" "great mackerel, songbird!" cried fred. "don't go on like that. it's enough to give a fellow the creeps!" but the would-be poet only continued: "i listened for a single bird, but not a note my ear there heard, i looked up in the calm, clear sky--" "and nervous enough was i to fly!" finished fred, and went on: "songbird, if you've got to make up poetry give us something cheerful. can't you make up something about--er--about circus clowns, or apple pie, or--er--" "circus clowns or apple pie!" snorted the would-be poet, in deep disgust. "well, you are the limit, fred garrison. no, i can't make up poetry about circus pie or apple clo--i mean apple clowns or circus, pshaw, you know what i mean--" "i didn't mention mixed pickles," observed fred, demurely. "but if you can mix--what's that?" he stopped short and straightened up on the launch seat, and so did songbird. both had heard voices at a distance. "they must be coming back," said songbird. "it didn't take them long." they listened, and set up a call, but no answer came back. then they looked around searchingly. "that's funny," murmured fred. "i don't think it's funny," was the low answer. "something is wrong." "help! my foot is caught!" came presently, in a muffled voice. "hello, the launch! help me somebody, quick!" "who is that calling?" asked songbird. "somebody of our crowd and in trouble," answered fred, and leaped ashore with songbird at his heels. the call had come from a thicket about a hundred feet away, and in that direction dashed the two unsuspecting youths, never dreaming of the plan laid to trap them. as they ran into the thicket four persons came behind them, and in a trice each was thrown violently forward on the ground and held there. "wha--what does this mean?" gasped fred, as soon as he could get his breath. "it means that you are prisoners," came in the voice of gasper pold. "keep quiet now, it will be best for you." "blindfold 'em and be quick about it," came in a low tone from one of the others of the party. "dan baxter!" exclaimed songbird, recognizing that voice. "is it possible! i thought you died in the swamp!" "hang the luck!" muttered the former bully of putnam hall. "i didn't want them to know i was here." by this time the two boys had had their hands tied behind them. then they were allowed to rise. "don't you make a noise, if you value your lives," came from another of the men, and to their surprise they saw that it was sack todd, one of the head counterfeiters of red rock ranch and the only man who had escaped from the authorities at the time the noted gang was rounded up. how slick an individual this chap was those who have read "the rover boys on the plains" already know. the boys now saw that the fourth person who had attacked them and made them prisoners was the carpenter solly jackson. the fellow took small part in the proceedings and was apparently under the thumb of gasper pold. "what is the meaning of this outrage?" asked songbird. "you'll find out quick enough," answered dan baxter, with a chuckle. "so you thought i perished in the swamp, eh? ha! ha! i thought i'd fool you!" "did you get away with sack todd?" asked fred. "not exactly--but we soon met--after that fight was over--and here we are, to fix you for interfering with our business," went on the big bully. "look here, baxter, we can't stop to talk now," broke in gasper pold. "those other fellows will be back soon. we've got to make the best possible use of our time." "tie 'em to the trees," said sack todd. "quick now, and then we'll be off. you say you can run the launch?" he asked, turning to the former bully of putnam hall. "sure i can--used to do that sort of thing at home, years ago," replied dan baxter. without ceremony fred and songbird were tied fast to two trees near by, the ropes being passed from their wrists directly around each tree. then the men and baxter departed, taking with them several heavy bundles which they had been carrying. "that stuff they have must be from the houseboat," said fred, when he and songbird were left alone in the forest. "they are going to run off with it on the launch!" "i reckon you are right." songbird gave a groan. "gosh! they tied my wrists together so tightly the blood won't circulate!" "they are first-class rascals, and dan baxter is as bad as any of them," was the answer. "isn't it strange that he should escape from that swamp, and after losing his horse, too!" after that the two prisoners listened intently and soon heard the putt-putt of the gasoline launch, as the power was turned on. gradually the sound grew fainter and fainter. "they are off!" sighed fred. "perhaps now we'll never see the launch again!" "this will make harold bird angry, fred. first his pet dog and now his new launch. he'll want to land those rascals in jail just as much as we do." half an hour went by--the young prisoners thought it must be four times that long,--and still nobody came near them. each tried to free himself from his bonds, but without avail. fred cut one wrist and songbird scraped off the skin and that was all. "it's no use," sighed the would-be poet. "we'll have to stay here till the others get back." "what fools we were to be deceived into thinking one of our party was in trouble! i thought that cry for help didn't seem just right. we walked right into the trap." "i was afraid--my gracious me! look!" at this exclamation both boys looked into the forest they were facing and there they saw a sight that almost made the blood freeze in their veins. crouching down between some bushes was a bob cat larger than either of those that had been killed the night before. "oh!" cried songbird. "scat!" at the cry the bob cat turned and disappeared into the bushes like a flash. but then they heard it leap into a tree, and the rustling of the branches told them only too plainly that it was approaching closer and closer. "this is--is awful!" groaned fred. "it will surely pounce down and tear us to pieces. help! help, somebody! help!" songbird joined in the cry and the forest rang loudly with the sounds of their voices. then they stopped to get their breath. "i see him--he is almost over our heads!" gasped songbird. "help! help!" he yelled, at the top of his lungs. "what's the trouble?" came from close at hand, and dick rover burst into view, with tom and sam at his heels and each with his revolver drawn. not far behind were hans and harold bird. "a bob cat! look out for him!" cried fred. "protect us!" put in songbird. "we are helpless!" "see, they are tied to the trees!" exclaimed tom. "what does this mean?" "i see the bob cat!" said sam rover, and without ado fired up into the tree. down came the beast, spitting viciously and clawing the air, to fall at tom's feet. bang! went tom's pistol and then all of the others fired, and almost as quick as i can tell it the beast lay dead where it had fallen. then the boys looked around for other bob cats, but none showed themselves. "oh, how thankful i am that you came," said fred, as he was being released. "and you didn't arrive a minute too soon either," said songbird. "that bob cat was getting ready to spring on us! it was a narrow escape!" "who made you prisoners?" asked dick. "but i suppose it was that gasper pold and his tools." "yes, and who do you think his tools are?" answered fred.--"solly jackson, sack todd--" "sack todd!" exclaimed sam. "yes, and dan baxter." "baxter!" came from the others. "the young rascal you told me about?" said harold bird. "exactly, and all of them have run away with your launch," put in songbird. "they went quite a while ago." "i was afraid of it," answered the young southerner. "of course they must have steered for lake sico." "yes, and as they have had a good start, they must be a long way off by now," added tom. chapter x the chase on the river the whole party walked down to where the launch had been tied up, and fred and songbird told their story and then heard of what had happened to the houseboat. "what rascals!" murmured fred. "we must do our level best to catch them." "i am going to catch them, if i have to follow them a thousand miles!" exclaimed harold bird, impulsively. "that's the talk!" came from dick. "we are bound to catch them sooner or later, if we stick to the chase." yet, though he spoke so hopefully, the outlook just then was dismal enough. the gasoline launch had a good start, and they had nothing at hand with which to follow the craft and those on board. "i'd hate to see the launch wrecked," said tom. "but i'd like to see those fellows blow themselves up!" "well, in that case i could almost stand the loss of the boat," answered the young southerner, with a faint smile. they sat down and talked the matter over for quarter of an hour, fred and songbird in the meantime bathing their wrists and having them bound up with handkerchiefs. not only was the launch gone, but their food also. "i saw a few things left on the _dora_," said dick; "canned stuff and like that, which they forgot to take or ruin. that will give us something to eat." "we might find a trail out of the swamp to some plantation," suggested harold bird, "but that would take time, and i think we ought to be following the launch." "how?" asked fred. "ve can't schwim," put in hans. "go back for the houseboat and follow them in that. it will be slow, but it will likewise be sure." "we'll do it," answered dick. this time all set out for the houseboat. they followed the first trail that had been taken and, remembering the bad spots, covered the distance without serious mishap. by this time all were hungry, and while hans and fred set to work to make a fire in the cook stove and prepare the best meal possible under the circumstances, the others turned the houseboat down the inlet and out into the small lake. it was hard work poling the big craft along, but once in the little lake they were delighted to find that the current was fairly strong towards the big lake and the mississippi. they used both poles and sweeps and worked like trojans. "dinner is ready!" called fred at last, and one after another took a seat and ate the canned corn, tomatoes, and salmon which had been made ready. they also had a few crackers and a pot of rather weak coffee, but they were sincerely thankful that matters were not worse. "the worst of it is, we are not the only sufferers," said dick to harold bird. "the ladies and the girls who have been traveling with us have lost all their valuables--that is, such things as happened to be left on the _dora_. just what is missing they will have to tell us." "well, as i said before, i shall do all in my power to bring them to justice. i should think you'd be more than anxious to have this dan baxter locked up." "yes." "you say he has been your enemy for years?" "yes. when my brothers and i started to go to a boarding school called putnam hall, in new york state, we ran across this baxter. he was annoying miss stanhope and her two cousins, grace and nellie. we had a row then and there, and ever since that time he has been our bitter enemy and has tried, in a thousand ways, to make trouble for us. not only that, but his father was a bitter enemy of my father and was locked up. but strange to say, arnold baxter has reformed, while dan seems to go from bad to worse." "then you don't think dan will reform?" "hardly. if he does, it will be the surprise of my life," answered the eldest rover. the meal, slim as it was, put all on board the houseboat in better humor, and as he washed the dishes hans hummed a little german ditty to himself. soon the small lake was left behind, and they found themselves skirting the upper shore of lake sico. nothing was in sight on the broad bosom of this body of water. "can the launch be in hiding in some cove?" asked sam. "we don't want any more tricks played on us." "it is possible," answered harold bird. "still i think our wisest course will be to get to the river as soon as possible. if the launch has passed out we may find somebody who has seen her." all worked with vigor, and by nightfall they gained the bayou leading to the mighty river beyond. as they came out they saw a lumber barge tied up not far away. "ahoy there!" shouted dick, using his hands for a speaking trumpet. "ahoy!" came the answering shout, from a man on the barge. "have you seen anything of a gasoline launch around here?" "yes." "when?" "about an hour ago." "coming from the bayou?" "yes." "which way did she head?" "down the river." "are you sure of that, dillard?" called out harold bird. "hullo, mr. bird, that you?" "i say, are you sure the launch went down the river?" "positive, sir--we watched her out of sight. was she your boat?" "she was." "stolen?" "yes." "you don't say so! hope you get her back." "who was on board?" "four men, so far as we could see. we weren't very close to her." "we are on the right trail!" cried tom. "now the question is, how can we follow her down the river?" "on the houseboat, of course," answered his elder brother. "if we stop to do anything else we'll lose too much time." "but that launch can run away from us." "perhaps, but you must remember that they'll have to be cautious, because the craft is strange to them. they won't dare to run full speed for fear of blowing up or of striking a snag." "i vish da struck a hundred of dem snags alretty!" cried hans. "then again, they may tie up as soon as they think they can leave the river with safety. i think we can follow in the houseboat as well as in anything." "yes, let us stick to the houseboat," came from the young southerner. "but wait, pole her over to the barge. perhaps we can buy some food." "yes, let us get food by all means," added sam. they were soon beside the lumber barge, which had a comfortable cabin and sleeping quarters. as harold bird knew the owner well, there was little difficulty in obtaining provisions and at a reasonable price. then off those on the _dora_ pushed, and soon the current of the broad mississippi carried them out of sight down the stream. "we must keep a good lookout," said dick, as night came on. "we don't want to miss them in the dark." "and we don't want to run into anything either," added sam. "dis ain't kvite der life on der oceans vaves vot i like," observed hans. "i dink me after all a sail ship oder a steamer been besser, hey?" "yes, a sailboat or a steamer would be better just now," answered tom. "but we have got to put up with what we happen to have, as the dog said who got lockjaw from swallowing a bunch of keys." "did dot dog git dot lockjaw from dem keys?" asked hans, innocently. "sure he did, hans. you see, they didn't fit the lock to his stomach, so he couldn't digest them." "poor dog, vot vos his name?" "why, his name was--er--picker,--but he couldn't pick the lock, so he died." "is he teat yet?" "is he dead--say, hans, what do you mean?" "oh, it ton't madder," answered the german boy, and walked away, leaving tom wondering if the joke had been turned on him or not. on and on swept the houseboat over the broad bosom of the mississippi. fortunately for our friends, it proved a clear night, with countless stars bespangling the heavens.--they had managed to find two lanterns fit for use and each was lit and placed in position. most of the boys remained on the forward deck, watching anxiously. dick was at the rudder, steering as harold bird directed. it was not long before something dark loomed up along shore and they knew they had struck one of the numerous levees, or artificial banks, along the mississippi, put there to prevent the country from being inundated during the freshets. the levee was very high and looked strong enough to withstand almost any pressure that could be brought to bear against it. "and yet they sometimes give way and cause a terrible amount of drainage," said harold bird, in reply to sam's question. "i have seen the river spread out for miles, and houses and barns carried off to nobody knew where over night." "well, i don't think the launch would tie up at the levee, do you?" "it is not likely. i have an idea those fellows will try to get down to new orleans." after that an hour passed without anything unusual happening. twice they passed river steamboats, one of them sweeping quite close to the houseboat. "why don't you put out more lights--want to be run down?" came the cry. "haven't any more lights," answered tom, and then the two boats swept apart, so no more could be said. a mile more was passed when fred set up a cry: "i see a light ahead, flashing from side to side," he said, and pointed it out. "it is the acetylene gas lamp," ejaculated harold bird, "and it must be aboard of the launch!" chapter xi what the rockets revealed all of those on board of the houseboat watched the flashing light with keen interest. that it came from the gasoline launch none of them doubted. "if we can only catch up to them," said tom. "and do it on the sly!" "we want to be on guard--they may be ready to do some shooting," returned sam. "does you dink da vill shoot?" inquired hans, anxiously. "i don't think they will kill more than three or four of us," answered tom, by way of a joke. "vat?" screamed hans. "not me, by chiminatics! i ton't vos vant to been shot dree oder seven dimes alretty!" "i doubt if they'll do any shooting," answered harold bird. "i can't believe that," said dick, with a shake of his head. "that sack todd is a bad one, and baxter can be very wicked at times. we certainly want to be on guard against any underhanded work." the launch had been running somewhat across the river, but was now headed straight down the mississippi. "we don't seem to be gaining," said fred, after a silence of several minutes. "it appears to be just as far ahead as when we first saw it." "we are certainly not gaining much," answered the young southerner. "but i think we are gaining a little." harold bird was right, they were gaining probably one rod in twenty. thus, in a little over half an hour, they saw that the launch was almost within hailing distance. the acetylene gas light was thrown ahead and to the right and left, and lit up the surface of the river for a considerable distance. against the rays of the lamp they could make out four persons in the launch. "they must be the four we are after," said dick. "i wish they would turn into shore, at some town. then we'd have an easier time of it, rounding them up." "i have an idea!" cried sam. "why not follow them until they do land somewhere and go to sleep? we'll have a better chance to capture all of them than in a fight out here. here, if we get into a row, somebody may fall overboard and be drowned." "yes, let us follow them until they stop somewhere," came from songbird, who had no desire to fight out there on the bosom of the swiftly-flowing mississippi. this decided on, they did not attempt to catch up to the launch, but, getting near enough to keep the craft in plain view, held back just a trifle. "do you suppose they see us?" asked fred. "they may see the houseboat, but they don't know what craft it is, or who is on board," answered dick. presently the launch stopped running and merely drifted with the current. those in the houseboat saw the gas lamp turned toward the shore. "i think they are making preparations to land," said harold bird. a moment later the acetylene lamp was turned back and the sharp rays fell full upon the _dora_ and those on the forward deck. "hi! there is the houseboat!" cried dan baxter, who was following the rays of light with his eyes. "that's so!" returned gasper pold. "they must be following us!" "how did they do it so quickly?" questioned solly jackson. "that's a puzzle, but it certainly is the houseboat, and there are three or four of the crowd on board," said sack todd. those on the launch were amazed to think they had been followed so quickly and for the moment knew not what to do. then sack todd drew his pistol. "hi, there!" he yelled. "keep your distance, if you know when you are well off!" "they know us right enough," murmured tom. "and they mean to fight!" "go ahead,--we can't afford to land around here!" said gasper pold, to baxter, who had been running the motor of the launch. and soon the power was turned on and the launch started down the river faster than ever. "they are running away from us!" ejaculated dick. "oh, what luck!" "stop!" yelled sam. "stop, or we'll fire at you!" "that's the talk," said harold bird. "if you do any firing, so will we!" came back from one of the persons on the _venus_. then of a sudden the acetylene gas lamp was either turned off or its rays were hidden, for the launch was almost lost in the darkness of the night. "they were trying to hide," said fred. "and it looks as if they would succeed," he added, as the launch seemed to fade utterly from view. "if we only had that gas lamp,--to keep them in view!" sighed sam. "are you certain there is nothing of the kind on board?" questioned songbird. "didn't you buy some rockets when we stopped at--" "sure i did!" shouted dick. "just the thing--if they are still on board. and they may be--for i put them in a closet we don't often use." dick started on a hunt and soon put in an appearance with several rockets, such as are generally used on a ship as a signal of distress. "they'll be good in more ways than one," said tom. "they will keep those rascals in sight and also let folks know that we need help." "py golly! ve vill haf a regular fourth of chuly, hey?" came from hans. a rocket was placed in position at the bow end of the houseboat and the eldest rover touched it off. it sizzed for an instant and then shot forward over the water in the direction of the gasoline launch, making the scene light for the time being. it came down just over the _venus'_ bow. "hi! stop that, or we'll fire at you!" came from the launch, and then a pistol rang out and the ball whistled over the deck of the _dora_. "are they really shooting at us?" asked songbird, nervously, while hans sought the shelter of the cabin in a hurry. "i reckon not," answered harold bird. "that was simply meant as a warning." those on the houseboat waited for several minutes and then, imagining the launch was turning to the shore, dick prepared another rocket. "get behind the woodwork," he said. "they may take it into their heads to aim at us when this goes up." all sheltered themselves and with a rush the second rocket flew skyward. it had not been aimed at the launch, yet it cut the water within a yard of the _venus'_ side, much to the alarm of those on board. "they are trying to shoot us with rockets!" yelled dan baxter. "take that!" said sack todd, and fired point-blank at the houseboat. the bullet hit a pane of glass in the cabin window, and there was a jingle followed by a yell from hans. "sthop dot! ton't kill me! i ain't vos tone noddings alretty! of you schoot me again i vos haf you but in prison for a hundred years, ain't it!" "are you hit, hans?" questioned dick, running to the german boy. "putty near, dick. dot pullet knocked owit der glass chust ven i vos going to look owit!" "they have hit on something!" came from harold bird, who had remained outside, behind a barrel. "hit?" queried sam. "yes, they are stuck fast, and we are drifting right on top of them!" the news proved true, the launch had gotten caught on a sunken tree trunk and was helpless on the bosom of the river, the propeller whirling madly. the houseboat was less than two hundred feet away and coming forward as swiftly as the current could carry her. "look out! don't smash us--we are stuck!" yelled dan baxter. "sheer off!" came from solly jackson. "sheer off, or we'll all be wrecked!" it was a position of unexpected and extreme peril, and those on the houseboat realized it as well as those on the launch. yet what to do our friends did not exactly know. "out with the sweeps--on this side!" called out dick, and ran for the biggest sweep he could find. "jam over the rudder!" he called to songbird, who was at the tiller. the rudder went over in a jiffy and out went three long sweeps. this served to swing the houseboat over several points, but not enough to take her entirely out of the course of the launch. "we are going to hit as sure as fate!" cried sam. "yes, and we may all go to the bottom," answered fred. chapter xii stuck on a snag it was certainly a moment of intense anxiety, both for those on the launch and on the houseboat, and for the time being the fight between the two factions came to an end. a smash-up out there in that swiftly-flowing current might make it necessary for everybody to swim for his life. "can't you back the boat?" asked sack todd of dan baxter. "we must get out somehow!" dan baxter worked over the motor for a few seconds, and just as the houseboat swung closer started the launch backwards. all expected a crash, but it did not come. "the _dora_ is stuck!" called out dick. "we have hit something under water!" the eldest rover was right, and slowly the houseboat began to swing around. in the meantime the launch backed away, made a half-circle, and began to move again down the mississippi. "they are loose!" called out sam. "yes, and we are fast," answered harold bird. "but i am rather glad we didn't run into the launch and smash her completely." the moving of the launch had caused the sunken tree trunk to turn partly over, and in this position two immense limbs caught the _dora_ tightly so that, although the houseboat swung broadside to the current, she could get no further. "they are getting away from us!" cried tom, as the _venus_ disappeared from view. "don't you dare to follow us any further," called out a voice from the darkness. "if you do, it will be at your peril!" "it doesn't look as if we were going to follow them right away." grumbled tom. "vos dose rascallions gone alretty?" questioned hans, coming cautiously from the cabin. "yes." "dot's goot!" the lanterns were lowered over the side of the houseboat, and after several minutes of inspection our friends located the source of the trouble. "if we had the power to back away from that tree we'd be all right," observed dick. "but as we haven't such power i do not know what we are going to do." "maybe we'll have to wait until morning," said tom. "then some passing boat can pull us away." "and in the meantime those rascals will have a good chance to outwit us," said sam, bitterly. "it's a shame!" "let us try to get the sweeps between the tree limbs and the houseboat," suggested harold bird. "perhaps we can thus pry ourselves loose." all were willing to try the plan, and while the young southerner took one sweep dick took another, with sam and tom to help them. it was no easy matter to get the sweeps into position, for there was danger of one or another slipping overboard. to protect themselves each of the workers wound a rope around his waist and made the end fast to a stanchion. "now then, all together!" cried dick, when the sweeps were finally in proper position, and they strained with all their might. then came a crack, as one sweep broke, and harold bird and sam were hurled flat on their backs on the deck. "never mind, better luck next time," said songbird, as he brought another sweep forward. they adjusted the new sweep with care and pulled on it gradually. at first the houseboat refused to budge, but presently it swung around a little and then more and more. "hurrah! we are getting her!" yelled tom. "now then, all together, as the tomcat said to the boy's with the brickbats." they strained and the houseboat came loose, but alas! at that moment both sweeps slipped and slowly but surely the _dora_ swung into her former position and became jammed tighter than before. "another failure," sighed dick. "i'm about out of breath," said sam, with a gasp. "let me try it," said fred, and he, hans, and songbird set to work, with the others helping. but it was of no avail, the houseboat could not be moved sufficiently to clear herself of the sunken tree trunk with its immense limbs. "well, there is one thing to be thankful for," said dick, as they rested from their labors. "that trunk might have gone through our sides or bottom and sunk us." during the next hour two steamboats passed them, but not near enough to be asked for help. they cleaned their lanterns and hung them high up, so as to avoid a collision. "it's queer that no craft came out to learn why the rockets were sent up," said dick. "perhaps they thought some celebration was going on," answered harold bird. "it's nearly two o'clock and i am dead tired," announced tom. "any objections to my going to sleep?" "not if you can get to sleep," answered his older brother. "half of us might as well turn in, while the other half remain on guard," said sam, and so it was arranged. two hours later the guard was changed, so that all got some much-needed rest, although a sound sleep was out of the question. with the coming of morning the youths looked around eagerly for some craft to give them assistance. yet it was a good hour before a steamboat came down the river and stopped at their call. "what's wanted?" "we want to be towed down the river," said dick. "we'll pay you for the job." "are you stuck?" "yes, but you can easily pull us back and out." "where do you want to go?" those on the houseboat had already talked the matter over and decided to move on at least as far as baraville, about twenty miles from new orleans. dick had once heard sack todd speak of the place and knew the man was acquainted there, and had also heard solly jackson say he had once lived in that locality. "i'll tow you to baraville if you wish it," said the captain of the small steamboat. "it will cost you ten dollars." "all right, but get there as fast as you can," answered dick. "we are in a big hurry." a line was thrown out and made fast, and in a few minutes the houseboat was freed from the sunken tree. then steamboat and houseboat swung around and the journey to baraville was begun. it did not take long, and by half-past ten o'clock the _dora_ was tied up at the town levee, much to the astonishment of many colored folks who had never seen such a craft. the rovers' first movement was to ask if the launch had stopped there, and from a colored riverman they learned that the _venus_ had come in very early in the morning and had left again after those on board had gotten breakfast and a box of things--what the negro did not know. "i heah dem folks talk erbout new orleans," said the colored man. "i dun 'spect da gone dat way fo' certainly, i do!" "did you see the launch leave?" asked sam. "i suah did--an' a mighty po'erful smell dat boat did leab behind it!" "that was the gasoline," said fred, laughing. "i 'spect it was, yes, sah," answered the colored man. "if they went to new orleans then we ought to go too--and be quick about it," said dick. "don't you want to send some word to the ladies and the girls first?" asked harold bird. "to be sure. we can send a telegram for all, and then send letters, too." this was done, and the ladies and girls were told not to be alarmed--that all were satisfied everything would come out right in the end. "no use of worrying them," said tom. "they can worry after all the trouble is over," and at this quaint remark the others had to smile. how to get down the river was at first a problem, but it was soon settled by dick and harold bird. it was decided to leave the houseboat in the care of a trustworthy person at baraville and then charter the small steamboat for the trip to new orleans. as the captain wanted to go down the river anyway he made the charge for the charter very small, and before noon the craft was on her journey. fortunately for our friends the weather remained fine, and had they not been worried over the outcome of what was before them, they would have enjoyed the brief trip on the small steamboat very much. the captain had heard of the capture of the counterfeiters and was surprised to learn that the rover boys had been the ones to aid in the round-up. "you've got courage," said he. "i admire what you did. but if i were you i'd fight shy of that sack todd. he'll certainly have it in for you, for having broken up that gang." "i only want to lay my hands on him, that's all," answered dick. "i am not afraid of him." "and that gasper pold is a bad one too," went on the captain. "i heard about him down in new orleans. he cheated a lot of people with lottery tickets and policy-playing once, and they got after him hot-footed, and he had to clear out and lay low for awhile." "well, in one way the folks who are foolish enough to invest in lottery tickets or play policy deserve to lose their money," put in sam. "you are right, lad,--gambling is nothing short of a curse and nobody ought to stand for it. why, on this very river men have been ruined by gambling, and some have committed suicide and others have become murderers, all because of cards--and drink. one is as bad as the other, and both as bad as can be." "of course they don't gamble as they used to," came from harold bird. "the times have changed a great deal for the better." chapter xiii the capture of solly jackson the rover boys and their friends from putnam hall had never been as far south as new orleans before, and they viewed the city and its approaches with deep interest. the levees were piled high with cotton, molasses, and other commodities, and more activity was shown than they had witnessed since leaving the ohio. the small steamboat had a regular landing-place, but under orders from dick and harold bird the captain took her up and down the levees and also to the other side of the stream. all on board kept their eyes open for a possible view of the launch, but nothing was seen of the _venus_. "it is possible that she has gone further," said tom. "wonder if we can't find out from some of the rivermen?" "we can try anyway," returned sam. "it doesn't cost money to ask questions." they spent the remainder of that day in hunting for some trace of the launch and then put up at one of the leading hotels over sunday. they rested soundly and after dinner felt, as tom put it, "a hundred per cent. better and some extra." then they took another walk and made more inquiries. the captain of the small steamboat had no charter for the next few days, so he was anxious to remain in their employ, and he took them along the waterfront again early monday morning. during this trip they fell in with another captain who told them he had seen the _venus_ on sunday afternoon, with four men on board, puffing down the river. "i was interested in the launch, so i noticed her particularly," said he. "two of the men had quite some liquor aboard and i was thinking they might fall overboard, but they didn't." then he described how the party was dressed, and our friends came to the conclusion that they must be pold, todd, jackson, and baxter. "where could they be going to next?" asked fred. "that remains for us to find out--if we can," answered dick. "all i can think of to do, is to follow them." "can't we telegraph ahead to stop the launch and arrest those on board?" questioned songbird. "yes, we can do that." the authorities were consulted and the telegrams sent. then off our friends hurried, and were soon on the way down the mississippi once more. about ten miles below new orleans is the entrance to lake borge canal, an artificial waterway connecting the mississippi with lake borge, which opens, through mississippi sound, into the gulf of mexico. the captain of the small steamboat had an idea the men who had stolen the launch were making for this canal, and he was not mistaken. arriving at the canal entrance, our friends learned that the launch had been taken through very early in the morning. "well, this ends the search so far as i am concerned," said the steamboat captain. "i suppose you want to go on somehow." "can't we send word to the other end of the canal?" asked sam. "yes, we can telephone to the station there," answered harold bird, and this was done without delay. "want the launch _venus_, do you?" came back over the wire. "she went through some hours ago. "where did she go to?" "somewhere on the lake." this was all the satisfaction they could get, and bidding the steamboat captain goodbye after paying him off, the rovers and their friends looked around for some means of getting to lake borge, a distance of seven or eight miles. a barge was going through, and they were soon on board. they urged the owner to hurry and offered him big pay, and as a consequence before noon they reached the lake. here they ran into an old fisherman, who told them that the persons in the launch had had a quarrel with two officers of the law and had sailed off in the direction of bay st. louis. "this is certainly getting to be a long chase," remarked tom. "first thing we know we'll be following them all the way across the gulf of mexico." "well, i am willing," answered dick, promptly. "and so am i," added harold bird. "i intend to bring them to justice if i possibly can." again there was a consultation, and the old fisherman told them how they might reach bay st. louis, a town of considerable importance on mississippi sound. the trip took some time, and on the way they looked around eagerly for some sight of the launch, but the craft did not appear. at bay st. louis came a surprise. the launch had entered the harbor on fire and those on board had had to swim for their lives. the craft had been running at full speed, had struck a mud scow and gone under, and was now resting in eight feet of water and mud. "was she burnt very much?" asked harold bird, of the person who gave this information. "i don't think she was," was the answer. "she went down before the flames got very far." "and what of the rascals who ran, or rather swam, away?" asked dick. "they came ashore, went to a hotel, where they dried their clothing and got something to eat, and then went off to get the launch raised." "i don't believe they intended to raise the launch," said sam, promptly. "that was only a bluff." "exactly what i think," put in tom. "those fellows know they'll be followed sooner or later, and they'll try to make themselves scarce." what to do next our friends scarcely knew. they went to several points along the sound front, but could gain no information of value. "we've lost them," said songbird, dismally. "all our long chase for nothing." they were moving from one dock to another when they saw a man sitting on some bales of cotton, sleeping soundly and snoring lustily. "why, isn't that the carpenter who was going to repair the _dora_?" cried sam. "sure it is!" answered tom. "here is luck!" "i wonder if those other rascals are near?" questioned fred. they looked all around, but soon reached the conclusion that solly jackson was alone. then they shook the fellow and roused him. he had evidently been drinking, but he was now almost sober. "what's the matter?" he demanded, sleepily. "lemme alone, pold." "wake up, you rascal!" cried dick. "you're not on the launch." "what's the reason i ain't?" stammered solly jackson. "oh, she got on fire, didn't she? well, let her burn!" and he attempted to go to sleep again. "you'll wake up!" cried harold bird, and between them he and dick shook the fellow until he was thoroughly aroused. when he realized his position he was greatly alarmed. "oh, gentlemen, it's all a mistake," he whined. "i--er--i didn't run off with the launch, or the houseboat either. all a mistake, i tell you!" "it was a mistake," answered dick, grimly. "and you'll find it so when you are behind the prison bars." "whe--where are the others?" "that is what we want to know," said tom. "where did you leave them?" "ain't they here?" "no. where were you with them last?" solly jackson scratched his head thoughtfully. "at the tavern. i had several drinks, and that's the last i knew." "did they bring you here and leave you?" asked sam. "i reckon they did--i don't know exactly. but, gentlemen, i didn't steal the boats and things, really i didn't. it was gasper pold did the trick." "you aided him," said tom. "he said at first he had bought the houseboat and was going to take her to new orleans. he wanted me to go along and finish the repairs, and i didn't find out what was really up till we got to the lake sico bayou. then he told me that if i didn't stick to him he'd shoot me." "when did sack todd and dan baxter join you?" asked sam. "just before we left. i don't know where they came from, but pold knew sack todd well and todd brought in the young fellow. then they hid the houseboat in the bushes and stole what they could, and afterwards ran off with the launch." "yes, but you helped the others to make us prisoners," came from songbird, severely. "i did it because i had to--pold said he'd shoot me if i went back on him. mr. bird,"--solly jackson turned to the young southerner,--"you know i ain't no bad man like pold an' that sort." "i know you are weak-minded and weak-kneed," answered harold bird, in disgust. "but you stood in with those rascals and you must take the consequences." "it's mighty hard on a fellow as ain't done nothin'!" "where did the other fellows go?" demanded tom. "i don't know--reckon they left me when i went to sleep here." "didn't they mention any place?" demanded dick, sternly. "come, if you expect us to be easy on you, you must tell us all you know." "they did," answered solly jackson, after scratching his head again. "gasper pold said he thought of going to tampa, florida, where he has several friends. that young baxter said he'd like to go to tampa, and sack todd said he might go along. then they talked of going over to mobile, to get a steamer there for tampa, but pold said it wouldn't do, as all the steamboat landings and railroad offices might be watched. so then pold said he would look around and see if he couldn't find some boat that was going to tampa from here." "a steamer?" queried harold bird. "either that or a sailing vessel, he didn't much care which. he said a sailing vessel might be safer, especially if they could ship without those on shore knowing it." this was practically all that solly jackson could tell them. as he grew more sober he seemed truly repentant of his misdeeds. he said gasper pold had plied him with liquor before running away with the _dora_, and that had he been perfectly sober he should never have aided in such a rascally bit of work. that he had been nothing more than a tool from start to finish there could be little doubt. he agreed to go with them and do all he could to locate his former companions, and also do what he could towards having the gasoline launch raised and put in order. chapter xiv on a gulf steamer "well, now for a life on the ocean wave!" came from tom. "und a houses on der rollings deeps," put in hans. "and may the enemy be captured in short order," came from harold bird. "all well enough to hope that, but i am afraid we have some work before us, perhaps something we won't like," said dick, seriously. "those men know that the prison is staring them in the face, and they will do all in their power to escape. if cornered they may put up a stiff fight." "well, we can put up a fight too," answered sam. the conversation took place on the forward deck of the _mascotte_, a gulf steamer running from mobile to tampa and other points on the florida coast. two days had passed since the boys had arrived at bay st. louis and in that time they had accomplished several things of more or less importance. it had been an easy matter to obtain all possible information from solly jackson, and for the time being the fellow was in the hands of the law, awaiting further developments. he had promised, if the others were captured, that he would give evidence against them, and in return for this dick and harold bird said they would be easy on the carpenter when he came up for trial. the gasoline launch had been raised without much trouble and towed to a shipyard, where she was to undergo repairs. the craft was not damaged a great deal, but would need a new gasoline tank and some new seats. fortunately the gasoline supply had been low at the time the fire broke out, otherwise those on board would have been blown sky-high. after numerous inquiries tom and sam rover had learned that pold, todd, and dan baxter had taken passage for tampa on a schooner named the _dogstar_. the vessel carried a light load of lumber consigned to a firm that was erecting a new winter hotel on tampa bay, and expected to make a fairly quick passage across the gulf. the rovers and their friends had taken the train from bay st. louis to mobile, after first sending messages to mrs. stanhope, mrs. laning, and the girls. at mobile they had just been in time to catch the _mascotte_ and had been equally fortunate in securing several vacant staterooms. "we'll head them off this time," said tom, yet this was by no means certain, it depending somewhat on the quickness of the trip made by the lumber schooner. the _mascotte_ was by no means a first-class steamer, and it had been a question, the day before the voyage was undertaken, if she had not better be laid up for repairs to her engine and boilers. but of this our friends knew nothing. as soon as the trip was begun dick and harold bird had an interview with the captain of the steamer and told the latter how anxious they were to get track of the _dogstar_. to their dismay, however, the captain proved to be anything but agreeable and said he could not bother himself over their personal affairs, even when offered pay to do so. "he's a regular lemon," said tom. "i don't think he'd do a favor for anybody." "and this steamer is a tub," answered sam. "i shouldn't wish to travel very far in her." yet with it all the boys felt in pretty fair spirits as they gathered on the deck and talked matters over. but in less than an hour they were in open rebellion. they went to the dining room for dinner and were served with food that was scarcely fit to eat. as they had paid for first-class accommodations all found fault. "waiter, bring me some meat that isn't burnt," said sam. "and bring me some that is fresh," added harold bird. "and bring me a cup of coffee that is worth more than ten cents a pound," came from songbird. "this is nothing but mud." "even this bread is next door to being sour," said fred. "yah, dis vos der vorst tinner vot i efer see alretty!" was hans' comment. "i vos make a kick py der cabtain, ain't it!" "sorry, gen'men," said the waiter. "but dat meat am de best we have, an' dar ain't no udder kind ob coffee an' bread, sah!" "whose fault is it, the cook's or the captain's?" asked tom. at this question the waiter shrugged his shoulders. then he leaned over and whispered into tom's ear. "wish yo' would make a kick--i hates to serve sech food--'deed i does!" the boys left the table half hungry and so did the other passengers. dick walked up to one of the others. "don't you think we ought to make them serve us with better food?" he asked, flatly. "i do, sir," was the answer of the passenger. "but the cook said it was the best he had. he said we might go to the captain or to anybody we please. he is going to leave the boat when we arrive at tampa." without more ado dick, harold bird, and about a dozen others sought out captain fretwood, who was in his private cabin. "what is it?" demanded the officer, eying the crowd sourly. "we have come to complain of the food served at dinner," said dick. "it was so poor we could not eat it." "oh, the food is all right," answered the captain in an overbearing tone. "no, it is not all right," put in harold bird. "we paid for first-class accommodations and we want first-class food," put in tom, with spirit. "that's the talk," came from several in the crowd. "see here, i am not to be dictated to by a lot of boys!" cried captain fretwood, angrily. "we are giving you good food, and that is all there is to it." "it's a fraud!" cried sam. "a downright imposition," added songbird. "our tickets read 'first cabin with meals,'" said fred. "those meals aren't good enough for steerage passengers. unless you give us something better--" "ha! do you threaten me on my own ship?" bellowed the captain. "we certainly do!" said dick, as fred glanced at him questioningly. "i can put you in irons for it, young man!" "no, you can't. we are not going to touch you or any of your crew. but unless you serve us with first-class food from now on i, for one, shall make a complaint against you as soon as we land, and have you arrested." at this announcement the face of the captain of the _mascotte_ grew purple with rage. he stepped forward as if to strike dick. but the latter stood his ground, looked the irate officer full in the eyes, and the man paused. "we have had trouble enough without your adding to it," said harold bird. "we ask only that which is due us." "the young man is perfectly right," said an elderly passenger. "the food is horrible. if he makes a complaint to the authorities i shall sustain him." "so will i," added several. "all right, have your own way," grumbled the captain. "i see you are bound to get me in a hole. if the food wasn't good it was the fault of the cook." "he says it is your fault, and he is going to leave you at the end of this trip." "bah! well, we'll see. if he can't serve the food properly cooked i'll be glad to get rid of him." after that an all-around discussion ensued, lasting quarter of an hour. led by the boys the passengers were very outspoken, and as a consequence the next meal was fairly good, although not exactly first-class. "we tuned him up, that's certain," said sam. "i am glad you did," said a passenger sitting opposite. "i was afraid i should be starved to death before we reached land." "he'll have it in for us," said fred. "every time he looks at me he glares like a wild beast." "we'll keep our eyes open," said dick. "but i don't think he'll do anything. he knows we were in the right. i reckon he's more of a talker than anything else," and in this surmise the eldest rover was correct. during the afternoon a heavy mist swept over the gulf and the speed of the _mascotte_ had to be slackened. two men were placed on watch besides the pilot, but they could see little. "this is going to delay us still more," said tom, and he was right. about six o'clock they came near crashing into another steamboat, and after that the forward movement was almost checked entirely. all on board felt it would be a night of more or less peril, and consequently the trouble over the meals was forgotten. the captain paced the deck nervously, and the pilot and other watchers strained their eyes to pierce the gloom. "i must say, i don't feel much like turning in," remarked sam. "i can't tell why it is, either." "i feel myself as if something unusual was in the air," answered tom. "boys," said dick to his brothers, "if anything should happen, stick together." "to be sure," came from sam and tom. "but do you think something will really happen?" added the youngest rover. "i don't know what to think. i know this steamer is worse than an old tub, and i know that the mist is getting so thick you can cut it with a knife." "i wish we were on shore again, dick." "so do i." "py chiminatics!" came from hans. "owit on der deck you can't see your face before your nose alretty!" "of course you know what this means, hans," answered tom, who was bound to have a little fun in spite of the seriousness of the situation. "vot does dot mean?" "you know they have great earthquakes down here, and great volcanoes." "vell, vot of dot?" "when it gets so misty as this then look out for a fearful earthquake and a great volcanic eruption." "you ton't tole me!" gasped the german youth. "say, i ton't vont no earthkvakes, not much i ton't!" "maybe it won't do much harm--only sink the ship," put in sam, taking his cue from tom. "sink der ship? den ve peen all drowned, ain't it? say, sam, how kvick you dink dem earthkvakes come, hey?" "oh, some time to-night," answered the youngest rover. "mine cracious! ve peen all killed asleep!" groaned hans. "say, i dink i ton't go py der ped, not me!" he added, earnestly. at that moment came a cry from the deck. it was followed by a thump and a crash that threw all of the boys flat on the floor of the cabin of the steamer. chapter xv the castaways of the gulf "it vos der earthkvake!" yelled hans, as he scrambled to his feet. "der oceans vos all busted up alretty! safe me!" and he ran for the cabin doorway. "we must have struck something in the fog!" cried dick, as he, too, arose. "oh!" another crash had come, heavier than the first, and the _mascotte_ careened far over to port. then came wild screams from the deck, followed by orders delivered in rapid succession. all in a moment the passengers were in a panic, asking what had been struck and if the steamer was going down. the rovers and their friends tried to make their way on deck, but another shock threw fred and songbird back into the cabin and partly stunned them. then harold bird ran to his stateroom, to get a pocketbook containing his money. out on the deck all was misty, the lights gleaming faintly through the darkness. to one side loomed up another steamer, of the "tramp" variety, heavily laden with a miscellaneous cargo from central american ports. "the _mascotte_ is going down!" was the cry, as the steamer gave a suspicious lurch. then came another crash, and before he knew it dick rover went spinning over the side, into the dark and misty waters of the gulf! it was certainly a time of extreme peril, and had not poor dick kept his wits about him he must surely have been drowned. down he went over his head and it was fully quarter of a minute before he came to the surface once more, spluttering and clashing the water from his eyes. he looked around, felt something hard hit him, and then went under once more. he knew he was near the bottom of some ship and held his breath as long as possible. when he again arose it was to gasp for air. now he was free of the ship, and the rolling waters of the gulf of mexico lay all around him. his first impulse was to cry out for help, and again and again he raised his voice. but the confusion on board the _mascotte_ and the other steamer was so great that nobody heard him, or, at least, paid any attention. dick strained his eyes and could make out the steamer lights dimly. he was about to yell again, when something floated near and struck him down once again. but as he came up he caught at the object and held fast to it. it was a large crate, empty, and with considerable difficulty he climbed on top. "this is better than nothing," he thought. and then, catching his breath, he set up a long and lusty cry, in the meantime watching with a sinking heart the lights of both steamers as they faded from view. a quarter of an hour passed--it seemed much longer to poor dick,--and the lights disappeared entirely. his heart sank like lead in his bosom. "they won't come back for me now," he reasoned. "perhaps the steamboat is sinking and the others have enough to do to think of saving themselves." the crate dick was upon was not extra large, and it merely allowed him to keep his head and shoulders out of water. fortunately the night was not cold, so he suffered little from his involuntary bath. but he realized the seriousness of his situation and was correspondingly sober. "i must be a good way from land," he reasoned. "i'll have my own troubles saving myself, even if the mist clears away." another quarter of an hour went by and then dick thought he heard voices. he strained his ears. "i think dick went overboard too, although i am not sure," came, in sam's tones. "yah, i dink dot," answered hans mueller. "und i dink tom he falls ofer also alretty!" "hullo, there!" cried dick.--"is that you, sam?" "who calls?" came the answering query. "it is i, dick rover!" "dick!" came from sam and hans. "where are you?" "this way!" called sam, and kept on calling until dick drew closer and at last made out his brother and the german boy clinging to another crate. "this is lucky--as far as it goes," said sam. "are you hurt?" "not at all. and you?" "i got a scratch on my wrist, that is all, and hans says he twisted his left ankle a little. but we are glad we weren't drowned." "what of the others?" "i am almost sure tom went overboard. i think the others remained on the steamer." "was she sinking?" "i think she was. i heard somebody say there was a big hole stove in her near the port bow." after that the three youths pulled the two crates together. a grass rope was fastened to one of the affairs and they used this in joining the two, and then the castaways made themselves as comfortable as possible on their improvised raft. the thought that tom might have been drowned cast a gloom over sam and dick and also made hans feel bad. consequently but little was said for the next few hours. all kept their eyes strained for the sight of some friendly light, but none came to view. "how many miles do you think we are from shore?" asked sam, presently. "i haven't any idea," answered dick. "at least fifty or a hundred." "ve vill nefer see der land again!" groaned hans. "i vish ve had gone to dot dampa py railroad drain, ain't it!" "well, even railroad trains occasionally have smash-ups," answered dick, philosophically. at last it began to grow light and with the coming of morning the mist lifted a trifle, so that they were able to see around them. a gentle breeze was blowing, causing the bosom of the gulf to ruffle up. sam climbed up to the top of the crates. "see anything?" queried his brother. "well, i never!" ejaculated the youngest rover. "if that doesn't beat the nation!" he pointed off to their left and then all looked--and actually laughed. and well might they do so. there, on the waters, rode a rude raft made of several empty boxes and crates. on the top of this affair stood a campstool, and on the stool sat tom rover, making himself as comfortable as possible. "tom!" the others yelled in concert, and the fun-loving rover looked around eagerly. "hello, you!" he called back. "how many?" "three," answered sam. "dick, hans, and myself." "good enough." "you certainly seem to be taking it easy," said dick, as the two rude rafts floated close to each other. "well, why not take it easy if it doesn't cost any more?" demanded tom, coolly. "i either had to sit on the chair or in the water, and i preferred to sit on the chair." "do you know anything about the others, tom?" "no, but i am afraid they are drowned," and now the fun-loving rover became serious. "what makes you think that?" asked sam. "i think the steamer went down with nearly everybody on board." "dot is terrible!" burst out hans. "poor fred! und poor songpird! vot vill der folks say ven da hear dot?" and he shook his head, dubiously. "and poor harold bird!" added dick. he had taken a strong liking to the young southerner. as it grew lighter those on the bosom of the gulf looked vainly for some sign of land or a sail, but hour after hour passed and nothing came to view but the waters under them and the mist and sky overhead. "i am more than hungry," grumbled tom. "i didn't get half enough to eat on that steamer and now i could lay into almost anything." "ditto here," answered his younger brother. "der poat must haf gone town," said hans. "of not, den da vould look aroundt and pick us ub, hey?" "i don't believe captain fretwood would put himself out to look for us," answered dick. "he hated our whole crowd and would gladly get rid of us." a little later sam shifted his position and chanced to place a hand in one of his coat pockets. "here's luck!" he cried. "not much, but something." and he drew forth a thick cake of sweet chocolate, done up in tinfoil and paper. "oh, it's salted and will make us thirsty," said dick. the chocolate was examined and found to be in fairly good condition, and despite the salt they could not resist the temptation to divide the cake and eat it up. as my readers must know, chocolate is very nourishing and they felt much better after the brief lunch, although very thirsty. "i bought that on the train from bay st. louis to mobile," explained the youngest rover. "sorry now i didn't get half a dozen." "and a bottle of lemon soda with it," added tom, who was bound to have a little fun no matter how serious the outlook. slowly the morning wore away. about eleven o'clock it looked as if the sun might come out, but soon it clouded over as before and then the mist began to crawl up. "this is terrible," sighed sam, at last. "dick, what can we do?" "i don't know, sam. if we knew in what direction the land lay we might make some effort to reach it." "we couldn't paddle the rafts fifty or a hundred miles." "i am in hope that some steamer or sailing vessel will come this way and pick us up," answered dick. then a silence fell on the little crowd. matters were growing serious indeed, and all wondered how the adventure would end. chapter xvi a deserted steam yacht "dick, am i mistaken, or do i see a vessel over yonder?" tom asked the question, as he suddenly straightened up and took a long look over to where the mist had temporarily lifted. "it certainly does look like a ship of some sort," answered dick, gazing forward with equal eagerness. "shall ve call owid?" asked hans. "it is too far off." "is she coming this way?" asked sam, who had gotten so much salt water in his eyes that he could not see very well. "i am not sure if it is a ship," said tom. "but it is certainly something." "let us try to paddle closer," suggested his older brother, and all set to work; tom using the folded campstool, and the others some bits of boards from the crates. very slowly they approached the object, until they felt certain it was a vessel, a steam yacht, as they made out a few minutes later. but no smoke curled from the funnel of the craft, nor could they make out anybody on the deck. "yacht ahoy!" yelled dick, when he felt that his voice might be heard. to this hail there was no answer, and although the boys strained their eyes to the utmost, they saw nobody moving on the craft ahead. "yacht ahoy!" screamed tom, using his hands as a trumpet. "yacht ahoy!" still there was no answer, nor did a soul show himself. the curiosity of the castaways was aroused to the highest pitch, and as vigorously as they could they paddled to the side of the steam yacht. the craft was not a large one, but seemed to be of good build and in first-class trim. the wheel was lashed fast, causing her to ride fairly well in the faint breeze. not a sail was set. "ahoy! ahoy!" yelled all of the boys in concert. "vos you teat, alretty?" asked hans. "of you vos, vy ton't you tole somepoty?" "gracious, do you think all on board are dead?" cried sam. "either that or else the owners belong to a deaf and dumb asylum," responded tom. the castaways continued to call out and in the meantime brought their rude raft close to the side of the steam yacht. as the vessel slipped past them slowly, they threw a bit of rope to the rudder post and made fast. "everybody must be below and asleep," said dick, "although i never before heard of such strange proceedings." "nor i," came from sam. "but the question is, are we going on board or not?" "are we? of course we are!" burst out tom. "they couldn't keep me off with a pitchfork. i want a drink of water if nothing else, and i am bound to have it." "aboard the yacht!" yelled dick again. "why don't you show yourselves and say something? are you all deaf?" still no answer, and the boys looked at each other in amazement. "am i dreaming?" demanded tom. "maybe the ship is a--a--phantom?" whispered sam, and gave a little shiver. "well, i am going on board, even if it's the _flying dutchman_ himself," cried tom, bravely. "_flying dutchmans_?" queried hans. "der vos no dutchmans vot fly, vos dare?" "tom is speaking of a phantom ship with a phantom crew, i guess," said sam. "tom, how are you going to get on deck?" he added, to his brother. this was a question tom could not answer at once. the rail of the steam yacht was some feet above their heads and how to reach it was a problem. "you can take the ropes from the rafts," suggested dick. "perhaps we won't want them any longer." they took the ropes, tied them together, and tom threw one end upward. after several failures he got the rope around the rail and the end down within reach, and then he went up hand over hand, in true sailor fashion, for tom had been a first-class climber from early childhood, "always getting into mischief," as his aunt martha had been wont to say. "don't you fellows want to come up?" asked the fun-loving rover, as soon as he was safe. "certainly we do," answered dick. "go on, hans and sam. i can wait till last." it was not so easy for hans to get up and tom at the top and dick at the bottom had to aid him. then sam went up like a monkey, and the eldest rover followed, and the crates and boxes, with the campstool, were allowed to drift away. once on board the steam yacht the rovers and hans looked around with keen curiosity. not a soul was on deck, in the upper cabin, or in the tiny wheelhouse. "this is enough to give a fellow the creeps!" declared sam. "i must say i almost hate to go below." "just the way i feel," added tom. "perhaps we've run into some great tragedy." "everything on deck is in apple-pie order," was dick's comment. "it certainly is a mystery. but i am going below." "wait, dick!" cried sam. "would it not be as well to arm yourself?" "perhaps," was the reply, and then all of the "boys procured belaying pins or whatever was handy, with which to ward off a possible attack. "maybe they had a lion on board and he ate the whole crew up," suggested tom. "say, of der vos a lion--" began hans, drawing back. "oh, tom is fooling," interrupted dick. "they don't carry a menagerie on a vessel like this. why, this is a gentleman's pleasure yacht." "well then, bring on the gentleman," responded the irrepressible tom. "i shouldn't like anything better than to be introduced to him." they had almost passed to the last step of the companionway when sam called a sudden halt. "boys, perhaps, after all, we had better keep out of that cabin," he said. "why, sam?" "this may be a pest ship. the whole crew may have died of yellow fever, or something like that!" at this announcement all looked at each other with added alarm showing in their faces. a pest ship! the idea filled them with horror. "if it's that--and we've caught the fever--" began tom. "oh, i vish i vos home, oder at school!" groaned hans, beginning to shake from head to foot. "of ve catch der yellow fefer ve peen all teat in a veek!" for several seconds there was silence, then dick walked down the last step of the companionway and threw the door below open with a bang. "i am going to find out what this means," muttered the eldest rover. "if we are to catch the fever, maybe we've got it already." and he walked into the cabin, and one after another the others followed. all was in as good order as on deck. on the table lay several books and magazines, one opened and turned face downward as if just placed there. "somebody has been reading," murmured sam. "what did he stop for?" he picked up the magazine and read the heading of one of the articles, "famous suicides of modern history." "ugh! what delightful literature to read. just the thing for the young ladies' department of a public library!" dick had moved forward to one of the staterooms. with caution he opened the door and peeped in. the apartment was empty, but the berth looked as if it had recently been used. "hullo, somebody has been camping out in here," he called. "the bed is mussed up and here's a suit of clothes hanging on the wall." "and a pair of slippers on the floor," added sam, over his shoulder. gradually the boys grew bolder, and traveled from one stateroom to another and then to the dining room and the cook's galley. not a person was to be found anywhere. in the galley some cooking had been done and several pans and pots were dirty, but that was all. "water!" cried tom, coming to a cooler. he got the cup and took a long drink, and the others followed. "and something to eat," added sam, with satisfaction. "owner or no owner, i am going to have a square meal just as soon as this inspection is over." "i dink i sthart now," commented hans, reaching for a box of crackers. he helped himself and passed them around, and soon all were munching. from the cook's galley they visited the engine room. the machinery appeared to be in perfect order, the bunkers were half-full of coal, and the firebox was still somewhat warm. but the place was totally deserted. "this is a deserted steam yacht," said dick, at last. "i do not think there is a soul on board. we are in absolute possession." chapter xvii in undisputed possession it was a remarkable state of affairs and it took the rover boys and the german youth a full hour to comprehend it. during that time they explored the steam yacht from end to end and then sat down to eat such a meal as they could fix up hastily. they had canned meat and vegetables, coffee and biscuits, and some canned fruit. "dick, how do you solve this mystery?" asked tom, while they were eating. "i can't solve it at all," answered his brother. "it is beyond me." "by the papers we found downstairs i should say the yacht might belong to a man named roger leland," put in sam. "but that doesn't help us out any, for none of us ever heard of that individual." "if there had been a storm we might think the persons on board had been swept away," went on dick. "but we haven't had a heavy storm for some time." "and the yacht hasn't run into anything, for she isn't damaged in the least." "if we take her into port we can claim salvage," said sam. "certainly, sam, and heavy salvage too," came from tom. "but i must say i'd let a dollar or two of that salvage slip right now just to know the explanation of this mystery. why, it's like a romance!" "it's a grand good thing for us," said dick. "if we hadn't found this steam yacht we might have died of hunger and thirst." "yah, dot's so," answered hans. "of you blease, dom, i takes me anudder cub of coffee, hey?" "hans, that makes four you've had already!" "vell, i vos alful try," answered the german youth, complacently. "the best of it is, the yacht seems to be fairly well stocked with food and water," was dick's comment, after a pause. "we'll not starve to death, even if it takes a week to reach port." "why, we ought to reach port in a couple of days!" cried sam. "some of these steam yachts can run very fast." "so they can--with a competent engineer. but who is going to be the engineer? and who the pilot?" "oh, we can pilot her," declared tom, loftily. "it's as easy as licking cream, as the cat said." "maype you vos run us on der rocks," put in hans. "i don't think there are many rocks out here--but we'll have to consult the chart," said dick. "oh, i think we can pilot her to some port. but i must confess i don't know much about running an engine." "we'll make her go somehow," answered tom. "even if i have to shove the piston rod myself," and at this remark both of his brothers had to laugh. the more they thought of it the more wonderful did the situation appear to be. it was so wonderful that for the balance of that day they allowed the craft to drift as before. tom and sam started up a fair-sized fire under the boiler, after making certain that the latter was more than half-full of water. they knew enough about an engine to locate the safety valve and saw that this was in working order. "now, if we get up steam we won't be blown sky-high anyway," said sam. while sam and tom were experimenting in the engine room, dick and hans tried to make themselves familiar with the wheel and the things on deck, and the oldest rover studied the chart found in the cabin, and the compass. "i think we are about here," said dick, when all came together in the cabin, and he traced a circle on the chart with a lead pencil. "now if that is so, then we'll have to steer directly southeast to reach tampa bay." "hurrah for captain dick!" cried tom. "dick, you get your diploma as soon as we land." "well, isn't that right?" "it certainly is according to the map," answered sam. "so all you and tom have got to do is to furnish the power--and not blow us up--and then you get your diplomas too." "vot do i got?" asked hans. "oh, you get a big limburger cheese," cried tom. "vell, dot's putty goot too," answered the youth of teutonic extraction. "we'll arrange it this way," said dick. "tom can be engineer, sam fireman, myself pilot, and hans can be admiral and crew combined." "vot does dot crew to?" asked hans, eagerly. "oh, the crew swabs the deck and keelhauls the anchor," answered tom. "in between times you thread the yardarm, too." "vell, den i vill haf mine hands full, ain't it!" "you eat so much you ought to do some work," said sam. "if you don't work you'll get as fat as a barrel." with the coming of night our young friends looked to the lanterns of the steam yacht and refilled those which were empty at an oil barrel stored in the bow of the craft. then they lit up, and also lit up the cabin. "i think we may as well cook ourselves a real dinner for this evening," said dick. "no makeshift affair either." all were willing, and an hour and a half later they sat down to the table and ate as good a meal as the stores of the steam yacht afforded. evidently the craft belonged to some person of good taste, for the eatables were of the very best. "there, that puts new life into a fellow!" declared dick, after the repast was over. "if i only knew what had become of the _mascotte_ and the other fellows--knew that our friends were safe--i'd feel quite happy." "oh, don't speak of the _mascotte_!" answered sam, with a shiver. "i can't bear to think that fred and songbird have been drowned!" "let us hope for the best," said tom, with a sigh. and for the moment all traces of fun disappeared from his countenance. thinking it might be a good plan to cast anchor over night, they attempted to do so. but although they let out all the rope and chain, no bottom could be found. "the water is certainly deep here," said dick, after the anchor had been brought up again. "i don't think there is any danger of striking rocks." "not unless the steam yacht sinks a mile or two," said tom, with a grin. it was decided that one person should remain on watch during the night, to report any vessel that might pass and to watch the fire under the boiler. dick said he would stay up, and tom told his brother to call him at two in the morning. "and call me at four," said sam. "i want to do my share." the night proved to be as misty as that previously passed, and although first dick and then sam and tom kept their eyes on the alert, nothing was seen or heard of any other vessel. once dick fancied he heard the faraway toot of a foghorn, but the sound, whatever it was, was not repeated. by morning it was raining. at first only a few drops came down, but then it began to pour, so that all were glad to remain under shelter. hans and sam prepared breakfast, while tom looked after the engine and the fire and dick kept watch on deck. "it is going to be a corker," was dick's comment, when he came in for something to eat. "the rain is so thick now you can't see a dozen yards in any direction." "let us hope that the rain will clear away the mist," said sam. "then perhaps we'll have some sunshine for a change." "it's all right, if only it doesn't start to blow," answered tom. "but you must remember that they have some pretty fierce storms down here." the rain continued to come down as hard as ever and kept up until near noon. in the meantime, however, sam and tom got up enough steam to run the yacht at a low rate of speed. "we can try her that way first," said tom. "then, if it's o. k., we'll give her a hundred pounds or so." "now, tom, be careful of that engine!" pleaded dick. "it won't do to monkey too much." "oh, i'll be careful, dick. i don't want to be blown up any more than you do." "remember the old saying, 'the more haste the less speed,'" warned the big brother. it was with a peculiar thrill that dick took his place in the wheelhouse and rang the bell for the engine to start. tom, below, was equally excited as he turned on the power. there was a peculiar hissing and bubbling, but the propeller did not turn. "what's the matter?" called down dick, through the speaking tube. "didn't you hear my signal?" he listened for a reply, but instead of tom's voice he heard the fierce hissing of steam. then, of a sudden, came a yell from tom. "shut off that steam, sam! quick! or i'll be scalded to death!" chapter xviii in peril of steam as quickly as he could, dick rushed from the wheelhouse and toward the companionway leading to the engine room. "vot's der madder?" bawled hans, who was at the rail, waiting for the steam yacht to start. "tom's in trouble," ejaculated the eldest rover, and went down the stairs four steps at a time, with the german youth behind him. the engine room was full of steam, so that for the moment dick could see little. a pipe running along one side of the engine had burst, and tom was hemmed in a corner. to get out he would have to pass through the furious outpouring of steam, which might scald him to death. not far away was sam, frantically trying to turn the steam off. but the youngest rover's knowledge of engines and marine machinery was limited and, while he fussed around, the steam in the narrow engine room kept growing thicker and thicker. "get down on the floor, tom!" yelled dick, as he took in the situation. "maybe you can crawl out." tom did as urged, and like a snake he attempted to crawl from his position of peril. but when he was only halfway he got stuck. "i--i can't make it!" he panted, trying to worm along. "i--i'm too big." "can you go back--i see a door behind you," said dick. tom went back, and as he did this dick ran out of the engine room and to one of the coal bunkers. here was the door the eldest rover had seen. it was closed and barred and somewhat rusty, and he had to exert all his strength to make it budge. "quick! quick!" came faintly from tom. "i can't stand this much longer!" "this way out, tom!" called dick, as the door at last flew open. in the cloud of steam that rushed into the coal bunker dick saw his brother faintly, and caught him by the arm and pulled him forward. in a moment more both were safe. "sam, are you all right?" yelled dick, rushing again to the engineroom door proper. "whe--where's tom?" "safe." "oh! then i'll come out," and sam staggered into the fresh air. "mine cracious! vos der ship going to plow up!" gasped hans, who had stood looking on with his hair standing on end. "i don't think so," answered dick. "the steam will soon blow itself away. you didn't have very much pressure; did you, tom?" "no, but it was too much when the pipe burst. gosh! i was afraid i was going to be boiled alive!" and he shuddered. "it's about gone now," came from sam, who was watching at the doorway. "it isn't hissing nearly as much as it did." he was right, and presently the hissing ceased entirely. then sam, dick, and hans opened all the portholes and doors, to let out the steam, and soon the scare was over. but tom felt "shaky in the legs," as he termed it, for some hours afterwards. "i suppose i should have tested all those pipes and valves as soon as i had just a little steam," said the fun-loving rover. "there is where i wasn't a good engineer. well, one thing is certain, nothing gave way but the single pipe." "and that could happen on any steamer," answered dick. "any engine is liable to a breakdown of this kind. the question is, are we machinists enough to repair the break? if we are not, then we'll have to let the steam power go and hoist some sails." "oh, that would be slow work!" cried sam. "let us try to fix the pipe. i saw some extra pieces in the tool room. maybe one of them will fit." with the engine room cleared of steam they inspected the split pipe. it was a piece exactly two feet long, and they looked over the pieces in the tool room and found one just half an inch shorter. "i think that will do," said dick. "we won't be able to couple it on quite so tightly as the other was but we can pack it well, and i guess it will last till we reach some port." the tool room was supplied with the necessary wrenches and all of the boys spent two hours in fitting in the new piece of pipe. then they inspected the other pipes and the engine, but everything appeared to be in first-class shape. the fire had been allowed to die down while the repairs were going on, and was not started up again until the work had been completed. "say, don't i look like a nigger?" demanded tom, as he put down some tools. "if i don't, i feel black from head to foot." "you are certainly pretty grimy," answered sam, with a laugh. "but i am that myself." "we'll all have to go in for a good wash," said dick. "vy ton't you chump oferpoard?" demanded hans, who was pretty dirty himself. "say! just the thing!" ejaculated tom. "a swim wouldn't go bad on such a hot day as this? let us go in by all means!" sam was delighted at the suggestion, for the calm waters of the gulf looked very inviting. dick did not care so much for a swim, but said he would go in if the others did. "dare vos a whole lot of pathing suits in von of der lockers," said hans. "i vill git dem." he soon appeared with the suits, and in less than ten minutes all of the boys were ready for a plunge. the waters of the gulf appeared to be unusually calm and nothing disturbed the surface. "here goes!" cried tom, and poised on the rail he made a splendid dive and disappeared like a flash. sam and dick immediately followed. hans remained on the rail, grinning. "why don't you come in, hans?" yelled sam, as he came up and commenced to swim about. "i dink you vos chumps alretty," answered the german boy, calmly. "chumps?" returned dick. "dot's it!" "why?" "you chump oferpoard und you ton't know how you vos going to git pack, ain't it!" and now hans laughed outright. "well, i never!" cried tom. "we forgot to throw even a rope down!" "we certainly would have had a time getting on deck," was dick's comment. "hans, throw an end of the rope ladder down." "dot vos vot i dink mineselluf," answered the german youth, and did as requested. then he, too, took a dive, coming up and blowing like a porpoise. it was certainly good sport and the four boys enjoyed it thoroughly. with the aid of the rope ladder it was easy to climb on the deck of the steam yacht, and they did a good deal of diving and running around. they also had a race, tom offering a pint of ice cream to the first one around the ship. dick won this race, with all of the others in a bunch at his heels. he was just reaching the end when tom caught him by the ankle and held him fast. "hi, you! let go!" yelled dick, and then turning, he promptly sent his brother downward, so that tom had to let go. "wish i had a plate of ice cream," murmured sam, when they were all resting on the rail of the steam yacht. "wouldn't it be fine?" "oxactly," came from hans. "ven i gits me to a hotel again i vos order a plate a foot high, mit vanilla, strawperry, chocolate, orange ice, lemon--" "don't, hans!" cried tom, reproachfully. "you hurt my feelings so!" and with a comical grin he placed one hand over his stomach. "just think of strawberry ice cream!" "or strawberries with cream! my, but it makes a fellow's mouth water!" came from sam. the boys remained in and out of the water the best part of two hours. it was so inviting all hated to think of dressing again. they had a game of tag and kept poor hans "it" for a long while, until, in fact, the german youth was out of breath and had to give it up. "i ton't run me no more, py golly!" panted hans. "of you vonts to been caught you caught yourselfs alretty!" and at this remark all of the others roared. "i shouldn't mind our situation a bit if only we were certain the others were safe," remarked dick, when they were dressing. "but when i think of fred, songbird, and harold bird--" he did not finish, but shook his head sorrowfully. "it makes a fellow sick, doesn't it?" returned sam. "oh, i do hope they are safe!" "i'll tell you one thing," came from tom, walking up at this moment. "this swim has made me as hungry as a bear." "tom, did you ever know the time you weren't hungry?" demanded his elder brother. "sure," answered the fun-loving rover, with a broad grin. "when?" demanded both of the others. "directly after a good, square meal!" answered tom, and then dodged hurriedly, to escape the shoe dick hurled at him. chapter xix the storm on the gulf "boys, we are going to have a corker of a storm if ever there was one." "i believe you, dick. my, how the black clouds are rolling up!" "and just when we were doing so nicely too." the three rover boys had come to the deck in a bunch, directly after the bath and a hearty meal. it was dick who had noticed the black clouds rolling up so suddenly and had called the attention of the others. "how kvick der veader can change," sighed hans. "ven ve vos in schwimming i dink it vos lofely for a veek, ain't it!" the boys had a good fire under the boiler and had tested the engine, to find it now in good working order. from one of the new joints the steam bubbled the least bit, but not sufficiently to do any harm or cause alarm. dick had tried the wheel, to find it in the best of order. it thrilled him to take hold of the spokes and make the steam yacht answer to his will. "i don't wonder some men wish to be pilots," he had said. "it's great to have a big steamer do just as you want her to." then he had run the vessel around in the form of the figure , just to "get the knack of it," as he said. "shall we start for land in such a storm as this?" asked sam. "it might drive us up on the rocks somewhere." "we're a good way from land, sam. let us see what the storm will do first." the black clouds increased rapidly, until the whole sky was overcast. then a strong wind sprang up and the gulf was covered with whitecaps as far as the eye could reach. "it's coming!" cried sam, as the big raindrops began to fall. "we may as well get out of the wet." "i think i'll run before the storm," said dick. "we must either do that or face it. the yacht is beginning to roil." "yah, i feel dot!" sighed hans, who had begun to turn pale. "hans, are you getting seasick?" demanded sam. "i ton't know, put i clink me my stomach vos going inside owid alretty!" "you're certainly seasick," said dick, with a grin. "better lie down for a while." "oh, my!" groaned the german youth, and rushed, first to the rail of the steam yacht and then to the cabin. he was indeed sick, and that was the last the others saw of him while the storm lasted. soon came a whistling wind and then the rain fell in torrents. the sea was lashed into a white foam and the waves became higher and higher, crashing against the stern of the _mermaid_, as she ran before them. at one moment the steam yacht would be on the top of the waves, the next she would sink down and down in the trough of the sea. "you don't think we'll be wrecked, do you?" asked sam, as he left his duty as fireman and came to the wheelhouse, where dick stood, with all the windows down, trying to peer forth through the fury of the elements. "not at all, sam,--but this is something fierce and no mistake." "poor hans is down and out. i heard him rolling on his berth and groaning with distress." "well, leave him alone. he'll be sick as long as the storm lasts, most likely, and you'll only make matters worse by looking at him." with the coming of night the storm appeared to increase. it was pitch-black on every side and dick did not dare to run the _mermaid_ at more than quarter speed--just enough to keep her from swinging around broadside to the storm. all the lanterns were lit and hung up, sam doing this with an oilsilk coat around him--a garment found in one of the staterooms. yet he came in pretty wet. "it's a screamer," he announced to tom, as he dried himself by the boiler. "never knew they could have such storms down here." "they have storms all over the world," answered tom. "what is dick doing?" "running before the wind." "he just told me to slow down more yet." "well, he can't see a thing ahead and he doesn't want to run into anything." "and hans?" "down, the sickest ever." "too bad! i know what it is to be sick. better leave him alone." "that's what dick said." as but little steam was needed sam had no call to urge on his fire beneath the boiler, and he and tom sat down near the speaking tube, to talk occasionally to dick. thus two hours went by. nobody had the least desire to go to sleep, even though the long swim had made each boy rather tired. the fury of the elements made them nervous. "this puts me in mind of the time we were on the pacific," called down dick through the speaking tube. he referred to the adventures they had had as related in "the rover boys on land and sea." "well, we don't want to be cast away on a lonely island as we were then," said sam. "there are no islands around here," answered tom. "i looked on the chart to make sure." "in that case we can't hit anything. i am thinking--" "back her!" yelled dick, through the speaking tube, and then jingled the bell. tom leaped for the engine and reversed it. there was a pause, and they felt the steam yacht swing half around. then, after a wait, dick ordered the speed ahead. "what was wrong?" asked tom, at the tube. "light right ahead," was the answer. "we cleared it by fifty feet. but i was scared, i can tell you that." "what kind of a light?" "a steamer--tramp, i reckon. she's way behind now." sam ran on deck to get a view of the stranger, but the fury of the storm shut out the sight. "i suppose you didn't see much of her, dick," he said, going into the wheelhouse. "i saw enough," was the grim response. "i thought we were going to have a smashup sure, and i reckon the other pilot thought the same." "did you see anybody on board?" "not a soul. she came up like a ghost, with only two lights showing, and by the time i had backed and turned she was gone. but it nearly gave me nervous collapse," added the amateur pilot. the wind was now so heavy that it sent the rain against the pilot house in solid sheets. dick could not see ahead at all and he requested sam to go to the bow, to keep the best lookout possible. "if you see anything wrong yell to me," he said. "and be careful that you don't tumble overboard." and then he spoke to tom through the tube and asked the amateur engineer to play fireman also for the time being. wrapped in the raincoat, and with a cap pulled far down over his head, sam took up his station near the bow, clinging to the rail for protection. he knew their safety depended in good part on keeping a sharp lookout and he eyed the darkness ahead closely. so far there had been little lightning and scarcely any thunder, but now the rumbling increased until there came a crash and a flare that made all on the _mermaid_ jump. "did that hit us?" yelled tom up the tube. "no, but it was pretty close," answered dick, "where is sam now?" "at the forward rail. i can see nothing from the wheelhouse." "if it gets much worse you had better come below and let the boat run itself, dick." "i can't do that, tom--i must stick to my post." another half-hour went by, and there was no let up in the fury of the storm. poor sam was almost exhausted and, tying the wheel fast for the time being, dick went to him. "better come in," he said. "if you'll take the wheel i'll stay out here. just keep her straight before the storm." "all right," panted poor sam, and made his way back to the wheelhouse step by step, and holding on to whatever was handy, to keep from being swept overboard. sam had interested himself in steering from the start and knew how to handle a wheel moderately well. he looked at the compass and saw that they were running almost due east, varying a little to the southward. he untied the wheel and kept to the course with but little trouble. "dick has gone on the lookout," he explained to tom. and then he added: "you've got the best job to-night." "i'd come up, if you could run the engine," was tom's reply. "no, you had better attend to that, tom." "doesn't the storm seem to be letting up?" "not a particle. if anything it is growing worse." "it must be a hurricane." "it is--or next door to it," answered the youngest of the rovers. the thunder and lightning appeared to draw closer, until the steam yacht was literally surrounded by the electrical display. the flashes of lightning were so blinding that, for the moment afterward, neither sam nor dick could see anything. sam tried to keep the windows of the pilot house fairly clean, but the effort was a dismal failure. presently came one awful flash and crash that caused sam to sink back in a heap on one of the pilot-house cushions. he felt that the steam yacht must have been struck and every nerve in his body tingled and quivered. only after a strong effort was he able to pull himself together and clutch the wheel once more. "dick must have felt that," he murmured. "i wish--" another flash of lightning, but less vivid, interrupted his meditations. he looked out of the front window towards where dick had been standing. then he gave a cry of alarm. his big brother had disappeared! chapter xx a night of anxiety had the lightning struck dick and knocked him overboard? such was the terrifying question which sam asked himself as he stared out of the pilothouse window into the darkness before him. another flash of lightning lit up the scene and he made certain that his big brother was nowhere in sight. "tom! tom!" he yelled down the tube, frantically. "what now, sam?" "dick is gone--struck by lightning, i guess. come up!" at this alarming information tom left the engine room at a bound and came on deck almost as soon as it can be told. he met sam running toward the bow. "where was dick?" he screamed, to make himself heard above the roaring and shrieking of the wind. "at the forward rail, on the lookout. he was standing there just before that awful crash came, and i haven't seen him since." no more was said by either, but holding fast to whatever came to hand, the two rovers worked their way forward until they reached the rail where dick had been standing. they now saw that the foretopmast had come down, hitting the rail and breaking it loose for a distance of several feet. "the mast must have hit dick and knocked him overboard," said tom, with a quiver in his voice. "oh, tom!" sam could say no more, but his heart sank. the two boys stared around helplessly, not knowing what to do. dick was very dear to them and they could not bear to think that he was lost, and forever. suddenly, as another flash of lightning lit up the scene, sam caught sight of something dark lying just a few feet away. he rushed over, to see dick lying in a heap, his head under his forearm. "dick! dick!" he cried. "are you killed?" there was no answer, and now both tom and sam knelt beside their brother and raised him up. his face was pale and the blood was flowing from a cut over the left temple. "the topmast hit him when it came down," said tom. "let us carry him to the cabin." they raised their brother up and, not without difficulty, took him to the companionway and down to the cabin. here they placed him on the couch and sam got some water and bathed his wounded forehead. they saw he was not dead but unconscious from the blow received. "i must look to the engine,--i don't want the _mermaid_ to blow up," said tom, and rushed off,--to get back in less than three minutes. by this time dick was gasping and groaning, and soon he opened his eyes. "dick," said sam, softly. "don't worry, you are safe." "sam! th--the mast came down on m--me!" "we know it. we found you in a heap on the deck. i was afraid you had been knocked overboard. it was that awful flash of lightning did it, i think." "yes." dick could say little more just then and did not try. sam and tom made him as comfortable as possible and found he had suffered only from the fall of the topmast and not the lightning stroke itself. "if hans felt a little better he might look after dick, but he is still as sick as ever," said tom. "he declares we are all going to the bottom and he doesn't care if we do!" "that's the way with folks who are real seasick," answered sam. "they feel so utterly miserable they don't care what happens." leaving dick on the couch in the cabin, sam returned to the wheelhouse and tom to the engine room. the steam yacht had been drifting and the waves were dashing over a portion of her deck. as quickly as possible sam brought the craft around and now headed her up to the storm, which made her ride better than ever. for some reason neither sam nor tom thought of the disagreeableness of the situation after that. both were overjoyed to think that dick had escaped serious injury. the foretopmast lay on the forward deck still, but as it was not in the way it was allowed to remain there for the time being. thus the whole of the night wore away, and with the coming of morning the storm gradually died down. but the waves still ran high and it was noon ere the sun came out, to cheer them up. "i am thankful that is over," said sam, breathing a deep sigh of relief. "i never want to go through such a night again." "nor i," answered tom. "it takes all the fun out of a chap." dick got up, a handkerchief tied around his forehead. he still felt a trifle weak but that was all. "i will take the wheel," he said to sam. "if you want to do something you can get breakfast--and be sure and make plenty of hot coffee, for we need it to make us less sleepy." as the storm went down, hans came forth from his stateroom, pale and so woebegone that tom had to turn away to hide a smile. "vos dot storm ofer alretty?" asked hans, sinking in a chair. "just about," answered dick. "oh, such a night, dick! i ton't forgot him of i lif a dousand years, ain't it!" "we shan't forget it either, hans." "dick, i durn me insides owit more as fifty dimes, yes!" went on the german youth, earnestly. "we've had our own troubles too," said the eldest rover, and then related what had occurred. hans was glad dick had escaped falling overboard but was still too weak to take a great deal of interest. the wheel was lashed fast and the engine slowed down, and all hands went to breakfast. it was by no means an elaborate meal, yet it made all but hans feel much better. the german youth had little appetite and ate sparingly. "der kvicker ve git py land on der besser vill i like him," said he. "maybe you won't be seasick after such a dose," said sam, hopefully. during the night all of the rovers had become more or less soaked and they were anxious to find a complete change of clothing, so that their own might be thoroughly dried. "sam, you can hunt around for some things," said dick. "i'll go back to the wheel and you, tom, had better go back to the engine. hans, will you help sam?" "sure i vill dot," answered the german boy. sam knew where there were several lockers containing both outer clothing and underwear and he proceeded to these, followed by hans. they soon had one locker open and hauled forth what it contained. "this underwear will about fit dick and tom," he said. "it's rather big for me, though." "vell, maype der udder closets got someding schmaller in dem," suggested hans, and opened up a second locker. here they found a variety of things, including socks, shoes, collars, cuffs, and even fancy neckties. "whoever was on board of this steam yacht left everything behind him when he went away," was the comment of the youngest rover. they next opened a locker filled with outer clothing, including linen coats and panama hats. as the weather was growing warmer this just suited the boys. "hello, here is a pretty big suit," observed sam, hauling it forth and holding it up. "the man who wore that must have been a pretty large fellow. even dick would get lost in that suit." "dot's so!" exclaimed hans. "vait, i try on dot coats. ha! ha! ain't he schmall alretty!" and hans began to roar, for the coat came to his knees and the sleeves hid his hands from sight. "you've got to grow, hans, before you can fill that," said sam, laughing. "vell, maype i grow some day." "you will if you eat plenty of sauerkraut and limburger cheese," and sam grinned broadly. "i vos eat vot i blease, sam rofer!" hans took off the coat and in doing so turned the garment over. from out of one of the pockets there fell a flat cardcase of red morocco leather. "hello, you've dropped something, hans." "so i tit," answered the german youth, and flinging aside the coat he picked up the leather cardcase. "has it got any cards in it?" questioned sam, with sudden interest. "dot vos vot i vos going to see. now vait, i vill oben him," went on hans, backing away as the youngest rover reached out for the case. "well, do hurry, hans! you are so slow!" cried sam, impatiently. "vot's der use of hurrying ven you got lots of dime, hey?" "i want to see what is in the case." "maype der tont been noddings in him." "hans, will you open it, please?" "yah." "well, then, do so." with great deliberation the german youth opened the leather cardcase. out of it fluttered a small card photograph. sam picked it up, gave one look, and let out a cry of astonishment. "well, i never!" chapter xxi the picture in the cardcase "who is it?" questioned hans, trying to gain possession of the photograph, but instead of answering sam started from the cabin. "i must show this to dick and tom!" he cried. "come along." "yah, put--" began the german boy, and then stopped, for there was nobody to talk to, sam being already out of sight. "dick, look what i found," cried the youngest rover, as he dashed into the pilot house. "a fortune?" asked dick, with a smile. "no, a picture. just look!" dick did as requested and gave a start. "you found this on the yacht?" he cried. "yes. in the pocket of a big coat hanging in one of the lockers. it was in a cardcase." "this is certainly queer. it looks exactly like harold bird, doesn't it?" "it certainly is harold. i wonder--oh, look!" sam had turned the picture over. on the back were these words, written in a strong, masculine hand: to father, from harold. merry xmas! "why, harold must have given this to his father," said dick, thoughtfully.--"and if so--" "do you think the coat belonged to mr. bird?" broke in sam. "perhaps. did you find anything else?" "ve titn't look," came from hans, who stood in the doorway. "so dot vos a picture of harold pird, alretty! dot vos kveer!" "it is astonishing," said dick. "sam, see if you can find anything else." sam went back and hans with him, and while they were gone dick, through the speaking tube, acquainted tom with the discovery made. "maybe mr. bird was on this steam yacht," called up tom. sam and hans went over the stuff in the lockers with care. they found some cards bearing the name of james morrison and a short note about a meeting of a yacht club addressed to barton knox. "those men must have been on the _mermaid_," said sam. "perhaps they were part owners. frequently several men or a whole club own a yacht like this in common." "vell, she ton't vos a common poat," was hans' comment. "she vos a peauty." sam was on the point of giving up the search when he saw something sticking from a crack next to the wall. he pulled the object forth and saw it was the photograph of a big, heavy-set man with rather a handsome face. he turned it over and gave a short gasp, for on the back was written in pencil: sharwell lee bird, murderer. "what a horrible thing to write!" murmured the youngest rover. "it makes a fellow shiver to read it!" "of he killed dot man ven he vos hunting he vos sure a murderer, sam." "not exactly, hans; he didn't mean to shoot the fellow. it was accidental." "yah, put der mans vos teat, ain't it!" "yes, and the death of the poor fellow drove mr. bird insane. i must show this to dick, and to tom, too." sam took the second picture, and all on board the steam yacht discussed the discovery for some time. but they could reach no conclusion saving that mr. bird had likely been on the vessel at one time and had left his coat and the two pictures behind him. "perhaps he was on this vessel after he disappeared from kingston," said tom. "if so, the question is, where did he go after that?" "we must tell harold of this, the first chance we get," said sam. "providing he is alive," answered dick. "remember, we are not at all sure that the _mascotte_ outlived that crash in the fog." the middle of the afternoon found the _mermaid_ steaming on her course at a good rate of speed. tom had now become fairly familiar with the engine and he allowed the steam to run up some pounds higher than before. hans fell to tending the fire and sam took turns with dick at the wheel. "we ought to sight some kind of land by to-morrow," said the eldest rover. "but of course there is no telling where we will fetch up, exactly." "somewhere on the coast of florida, and not very many miles from tampa bay, i reckon," returned sam. "by the way, dick, don't you think the rascals on the _dogstar_ have had ample time in which to make their escape?" "perhaps so. but the storm may have crippled them, and we may overtake them even yet. a sailing vessel can't make the speed a steamer or a steam yacht can." twice during the afternoon they saw vessels at a distance, one a steamer and the other a bark, and both bound westward. neither came close enough to be hailed and our friends did not think it wise to raise any signals of distress. "the yacht is running all right now," said dick. "we may as well take her into port and get the salvage money. the amount will be a good round sum." "do you know, i shouldn't mind owning a steam yacht like this myself," said tom, to whom he was speaking. "couldn't we take some dandy trips, off the coast of new england and elsewhere!" "we certainly could, tom. but you must remember that we ought to go back to school. if we don't, we'll never get through. it's about time i was thinking of college." "i hate to think of leaving putnam hall, dick. why, the place is just like a second home to me!" "it is to all of us. but we are growing older and must either go to college or get into business." the sun was setting when dick went on deck again. hans was preparing supper and sam was at his station in the pilot house. the waters of the gulf were growing calm and the scene was a beautiful one. "this is something like," remarked the eldest rover, as he drew in a deep breath of fresh air. "doesn't look like the storm of last night, eh, sam?" "no, dick, this is just splendid." "what's that ahead?" asked the big brother, casting his eye on a dark speck directly in the track of the steam yacht. "i don't know--i didn't see it before." the object, whatever it was, was a long way ahead, and by the time they drew closer it was too dark to see clearly. but dick saw enough to make him cry out in astonishment: "a rowboat, and full of men!" the eldest rover was indeed right, it was a large rowboat and it contained six persons, four of whom were at the oars and the others in the stern. the rowboat contained in addition a keg of water and several small boxes and tins. "ship ahoy!" came hoarsely over the water, as the steam yacht drew closer to the small craft. "ahoy!" called back dick, and ran forward, while sam signaled to tom to stop the engine. "can you take us on board?" was the question from a man in the rowboat. "we've lost our ship and we are played out." "certainly we can take you on board," answered dick. "wait a minute, and i'll throw you a rope ladder." "thank you very much!" called back the man. the steam yacht was brought to a standstill and the ladder thrown out. soon the rowboat came tip to the ladder, and one after another those aboard the small craft mounted to the deck of the _mermaid_. the three rovers and hans were at hand to see who they were. "dan baxter!" "sack todd!" such were the cries that came from sam and tom. two of the new arrivals were indeed the persons named, and a third was gasper pold. "did you come from the _dogstar_?" demanded dick. "we did," answered dan baxter, sullenly. evidently he was much chagrined over this unexpected meeting. "have you been following us in this steam yacht?" asked sack todd, with a sickly grin on his hard face. "we were certainly following you," answered tom. "but we didn't start out in this vessel. we--" "tom!" said dick, warningly, and then tom shut up instantly. "who's the captain here?" demanded one of the men from the rowboat. "i suppose i am, for the present," answered dick. "you!" and the man, a burly fellow, took a step back in astonishment. "yes. who are you?" "i am sid jeffers, first mate of the _dogstar_. we sprung several bad leaks in that storm last night and made up our mind the schooner was going down. so we got out the boats and i and two men and these three chaps manned one of them. we lost sight of the ship in the dark,--and here we are. we're mighty hungry and we'd like something to eat. and if you've got any liquor on board let us have it by all means," concluded sid jeffers. chapter xxii an unexpected meeting on the water it was plainly to be seen that the first mate of the _dogstar_ was in no wise an agreeable person to meet, and the rovers and hans were sorry that he and the others had come aboard the steam yacht. the two sailors from the lumber schooner were also rough men and probably under the thumb of the mate. "we can give you what is on board of the _mermaid_," said dick, a little stiffly. "i have not looked for liquor, so i can't say if there is any on the vessel or not." "captain, and don't know what's aboard!" exclaimed sid jeffers. while he was speaking sack todd and dan baxter had been looking around the deck in the semi-darkness. "where are the rest of the people on this boat?" demanded the ex-counterfeiter. "i don't see anybody," declared dan baxter. "say, do you know what i think?" he cried suddenly. "i think these fellows are all alone!" "humph!" muttered sack todd. "if they are--" he did not finish, but smiled quietly to himself. "where can we get something to eat?" demanded the first mate, after a rather awkward pause. "in the galley or the cabin, as you please," said dick. "but you will have to prepare it yourselves. we have no cook on board." "oh, that's it, eh? well, guirk can cook pretty good and he can do the trick for us, eh, guirk?" "aye, aye!" answered one of the sailors. "just show me the victuals an' the stove, an' i'll be after doing the rest in jig time. i'm hungry enough to eat 'most anything." dick led the way to the galley and the crowd from the small boat followed; one sailor stopping long enough to tie the rowboat astern. "nobody else on board, eh?" said sid jeffers, turning suddenly on dick. "no, not at present," answered the eldest rover, boldly. "where are you bound?" "for tampa bay." "what vessel is this?" "the steam yacht _mermaid_." "did you charter her?" "no, we found her," answered dick, resolved to tell the plain truth. "found her?" came from the mate and also from dan baxter. "yes." "where?" "out here in the gulf." "who was on board?" questioned sack todd. "nobody." "nobody!" came from all the newcomers. "do you mean to say there wasn't a soul on this boat when you found her?" asked dan baxter, in high curiosity. "that is the truth," said tom. "she was drifting around, abandoned. we simply climbed on board and took possession." "out in the middle of the gulf?" asked the first mate, incredulously. "yes." "ve vos shipwrecked and vos mighty glad to got on board," said hans. "oh, that's it!" cried sid jeffers and a gleam of intelligence shot from his eyes. "mighty lucky you was, and no error! a ship like this is worth a pile of money. but let us have something to eat and to drink first and then we can talk matters over. a fellow can't pow-wow well on an empty stomach." he spoke a few words in a low tone to his two men and they passed into the galley, where hans and sam showed them the food that was on board. in the meantime sid jeffers went on a hunt for liquor, and finding a bottle took a long drink, and then passed it over to sack todd and the others. "dick, i don't like this at all," whispered tom, as soon as he could get the chance. "neither do i, tom. i never expected to meet this crowd out here." "there are six of them, while we number only four," went on the fun-loving rover. "come with me," answered dick, softly. "sam, you take charge for a while," he added to his youngest brother. dick led the way to the main cabin of the _mermaid_ and to a case which was screwed fast to the wall. inside were several pistols, and below were several boxes of ammunition. "i reckon i understand you," said tom. "we had better arm ourselves at once. there is no telling what those fellows will take it into their heads to do." "let us four arm ourselves, and then hide all the other pistols," said dick. "then, if they are not armed, we'll have them at something of a disadvantage." they took four pistols,--one for sam and another for hans,--with the necessary cartridges, and then all of the remaining weapons were hidden at the bottom of one of the berths. this accomplished they went on deck again, and called sam and hans. "they are having a big time, eating and drinking," said sam, as he took the weapon handed to him. "i feel sure we will have trouble sooner or later. pold, todd, and baxter won't want to run the risk of being arrested as soon as we land, and that mate and his men may side with them." "that isn't the only thing," said dick. "they know this steam yacht is valuable. the party to bring the vessel in to port will get big money. didn't the mate speak of it? that shows how his mind was running." our friends talked the matter over for some time, but the conversation did not relieve their worry. they felt that there was serious trouble ahead of them and that it might break out at any moment. "you know the old school whistle," said dick. "if anybody gets into trouble whistle, and then the others can come to his aid." and so it was agreed. not knowing what else to do, dick went to the pilot house followed by hans, while tom returned to the engine room and sam to his job as fireman. soon the engine was started up once more, and the steam yacht headed again for the western coast of florida. it proved to be a clear night, and though there was no moon the stars shone brightly in the heavens. a full hour went by, during which time the party from the _dogstar_ made themselves at home aboard the _mermaid_. they feasted on the best the steam yacht afforded and several of the men drank a good-deal of liquor. "this is like falling into the softest kind of a snap," declared sack todd, after he and gasper pold had been talking in a corner for some time. "they don't own this steam yacht any more than we do." "right you are," answered the other. "and if they calculate to take us to tampa and hand us over to the officers of the law, why--" "not much, todd! i am not going to prison just yet." "can you trust jeffers? you seem to know him pretty well." "i think i can. jeffers is close--he likes money--and he sees big money in this steam yacht." "that's an idea! now what of the two sailors?" "i think guirk and the other fellow will do what the first mate tells them to--especially if he promises them good wages for the job." "and what of baxter? remember, he used to go to school with the rovers." "i don't know what to make of him. sometimes i think he is all right, and then again i don't feel like trusting him." "that's my way of it, too. we don't want anybody we can't trust in this." "oh, he'll have to do as we say." "hello, what's up there?" shouted sid jeffers, from the bench where he was sitting, finishing some liquor before him. "we want to talk certain things over," said gasper pold. "come here." in a cautious manner sack todd and gasper pold "sounded" the first mate of the ill-fated _dogstar_. they said, if they could get control of the steam yacht, it might mean big money to all concerned. "but what will you do with those rover boys and the dutch lad?" asked jeffers. "oh, we can either cast them adrift somewhere or else put them off on a deserted shore," answered sack todd. "then i can turn this steam yacht over to a friend of mine--an utter stranger to them--and he can get the salvage on the craft for us and we can divide up." this plan to make money appealed strongly to the first mate, and he finally agreed to aid the others in gaining possession of the craft. then the two sailors were instructed by jeffers and they agreed to do as ordered, leaving the consequences on the mate's shoulders. finally dan baxter was consulted. "i don't care what you do, so long as we can get away from the officers of the law," said the bully. "but don't kill anybody--i won't stand for that," he added, showing that his hard heart had at least one soft spot in it. chapter xxiii the enemy tries to take possession "say, boy, come down in the cabin; i want to talk to you." it was sack todd who spoke and he addressed hans, who had left the pilot house to look over the stern, to see if the rowboat was still safe. "vot you vonts of me?" asked hans, in surprise. "i want to ask you a few questions," returned todd, smoothly. hans was a trifle suspicious, and yet he saw no direct reason for refusing to comply with sack todd's request. he followed the ex-counterfeiter across the deck and down the companionway. "i want to ask your opinion of this letter," said sack todd, as he laid a written sheet on the table. "we can't understand it at all. i know you are a pretty smart boy and maybe you can help us." flattered by the compliment paid him, the german youth took up the letter and scanned it by the light of the swinging lamp. as he did so, sack todd closed the cabin door and motioned to gasper pold and dan baxter, who stood behind an angle of the wall. almost before he could realize it, poor hans was a prisoner. his arms were held tightly by someone, while someone else thrust a gag into his mouth and fastened it by means of a cloth running to the back of his neck. "sthop! ton't choke me!" he gasped, and that was all he was allowed to utter. then his arms were fastened, and his feet secured. "now, into the stateroom with him!" cried gasper pold, and the three evildoers lifted the prisoner up, carried him into one of the staterooms, and threw him on the berth. then the door was closed and locked. "that's number one," declared sack todd. "and an easy job, too." "if you can bag the others as easily, it will be a grand job," was dan baxter's comment. "we must get one of those chaps up from below next," said gasper pold. "baxter, you can go down and tell one of them his brother in the wheelhouse wants to see him. we'll catch him on the stairs." "all right," said the former bully of putnam hall. he hurried down to the engine room and then to the nearest coal bunker, where sam was shoveling coal. "sam!" he called out, to make himself heard. "hullo, dan baxter, what do you want?" "dick wants you on deck at once." "what for?" "i don't know--i think hans has a fit. that dutch boy always was a queer stick," muttered dan baxter. "all right, i'll go up," answered the youngest rover, and dropping his shovel, he hurried through the engine room. "sam!" called tom, warningly, but his brother did not hear him on account of the noise made by the machinery. all unconscious of the trap laid for him, poor sam started to go on deck, when he was hurled backward in a dark corner of a passageway. somebody came down on top of him, a gag was forced into his mouth, and a rope was brought into use. "let--let up!" he managed to say. "help!" and then his wind was completely cut off for the moment until the gag was secured. but though gagged the youngest rover was game and did not give up. he squirmed and kicked and landed a blow on gasper pold and another on dan baxter. in return the former bully of putnam hall kicked him in the side, and then the men tied him up, hands and feet. "where will you put him?" asked baxter. "put him in another of the staterooms,--for the present," answered sack todd. "after we have got them all we can put them somewhere else." "shall we search him?" went on dan baxter, who was anxious to know what sam might be carrying. "not now--we haven't time." poor sam was placed in a stateroom next to that occupied by hans, and then the evildoers hurried off to see what they could do in the way of capturing dick. they expected to take the eldest rover unawares, but in this they were mistaken. in the meantime, tom, full of suspicion from the very start, called up the speaking tube to his brother. "i say, dick, what's the mater with dutchy?" "hans? nothing that i know of," returned dick. "why?" "dan baxter was just down here and said you wanted sam quick--that something was wrong with hans." "i didn't send for sam!" cried dick, excitedly. he looked around him in the gloom. "hans isn't here," he went on, down the tube. "well, look out--i think something is wrong," shouted back tom. "got your pistol handy?" dick felt in his pocket, and found the weapon where he had placed it. then he looked around again, but the deck of the _mermaid_ appeared to be deserted. "i'm going to see what has become of sam!" he shouted down the tube. "i'll tie the wheel fast." "keep out of trouble!" shouted back tom. "if i don't hear from you pretty quick i'll be up myself," he added. with his hand on his pistol, dick left the wheelhouse and walked slowly and cautiously toward the waist of the steam yacht. as he rounded a corner of the cabin he heard a murmur of voices, and the next moment he found himself confronted by pold, todd, the mate of the _dogstar_, and dan baxter. the evildoers were taken somewhat by surprise and halted in confusion. in the semi-darkness dick saw that one carried a gag and cloth and the two others ropes. "there he is!" faltered dan baxter, before he had time to think. "no, you don't!" cried dick, stepping back several paces. "what were you going to do?" he demanded. "we want to talk to you," answered sack todd, smoothly. "what do you want? stand back! i don't want any of you to come closer." "see here, mr. rover, it's all right," came from gasper pold. "we ain't going to harm you. we only want to have a little peaceable palaver." "where is my brother sam? and where is hans mueller?" "they are both in the cabin. i was going to ask you to join us, in a general talk," said sack todd, catching his cue from gasper pold as to how best to proceed. "we want to find out where you are taking us," put in the mate of the _dogstar_. "you are acting very queerly," said dick. he had backed up close to one of the small cabin windows, which was open. "sam! hans!" he yelled suddenly, and at the top of his lungs. of course there was no reply, and satisfied that something was indeed wrong he retreated still further. "stop him!" yelled gasper pold. "don't let him get below to where his brother is!" he meant tom, and dick instantly made up his mind that the best thing he could do would be to get to the engine room and warn his fun-loving brother of their peril. he made a turn, sent sack todd and dan baxter sprawling, and an instant later was diving out of sight down the ladder leading to the machinery. "dick! i thought something was wrong and i was coming up!" came from tom. "what of sam and hans?" "i don't know. they are after me! have you your pistol?" "yes, and i'll use it too, if they bother me," answered tom, determinedly. "stop where you are!" cried dick, looking up the iron ladder. "my brother and i have pistols and we shall use them if you attempt to follow down here!" "look out!" yelled dan baxter, in alarm, and tumbled back to a safe place. "they'll shoot sure, i know 'em!" at these words all at the top of the iron ladder hesitated. in the meantime both tom and dick held their pistols up, so that the shining barrels could be dimly seen. "they are armed, hang the luck!" muttered sack todd. "and they tell me they can shoot, too!" "look here, we don't want any shooting," said gasper pold. "we want this affair conducted peaceable-like." "i know what you want," said tom, boldly. "you want to make us prisoners." "like as not sam and hans are already prisoners," said dick. "if they were not we'd surely hear something from them." "they are prisoners," answered dan baxter. "and you might as well give in. it won't do you any good to hold out--we are six to two, remember." "baxter, did you plan this?" asked tom. "oh, i'm not saying who planned it. we have simply made up our minds to take command of the steam yacht, that's all." "the yacht was a derelict," put in sid jeffers. "we have as much right to her as you have." "not at all--we found her," answered dick. "but you couldn't have brought her safely in to port," put in gasper pold. "we are going to do that--and get the salvage money," he added, triumphantly. chapter xxiv in the engine room after the bold declaration of gasper pold there was an awkward pause. dick and tom did not know what to do and neither did the party at the top of the engineroom ladder. "are you going to give in or not?" demanded sack todd, at length. "why should we give in?" asked dick. "because if you do, we'll treat you well." "and if we don't--" came from tom. "then you'll have to take the consequences. as baxter says, we are six to two, so it is all nonsense for you to think you can hold out against us." "supposing we do give in, what are you going to do with us?" asked dick, curiously but with no present intention of submitting to the evildoers. "oh, we'll treat you fairly enough," put in gasper pold. "we'll give you all you want to eat and drink and put you off at some safe place along the coast." "come, do you submit?" demanded the mate of the _dogstar_. "what do you say, dick?" whispered tom, so faintly that the others could not hear. "i don't want to give in to them." "neither do i. but it looks pretty shaky, doesn't it?" "yes, they have us cornered." "we are armed, and if there is to be any shooting we can do our share of it," resumed sack todd. "but there is no need to go to such an extreme. better submit quietly and let that end it. we wish you no harm, but we are bound to have our way." "let sam and hans come down and we'll talk it over," said dick, struck by a sudden idea. "you had better come up, and then you can talk it over in the cabin," said sack todd, and whispered something to his companion the rovers could not hear. "not yet," said dick, firmly. "all right, suit yourself. but if you won't come up, you can stay there. throw over the hatch, fellows." there was a hatch to fit over the opening to the engine room and without further words this was thrown into place and secured from the deck. "dick, we are prisoners!" cried tom. "it certainly looks like it," answered the eldest rover, soberly. "there is another door,--but it is locked from the other side, i think." they listened and heard the men and baxter walk away from the hatchway. then all became quiet, for tom had stopped the engine. for over half an hour the two rover boys remained in the engine room of the _mermaid_ doing little but walk around. with the hatch closed it was very hot down there, and dick, who had his coat on, was glad to discard that garment. they could get little or no fresh air, and both wondered how long they could stand the confinement. "i wouldn't care so much, if only i knew sam and hans were safe," remarked dick. "but for all we know, they may have been killed." "oh, i don't think that," answered his brother. "i don't think dan baxter is quite so wicked." presently there came a noise above and the hatch was raised. the next instant sam came tumbling down the iron ladder, followed by hans. "now you fellows can talk it over as long as you like," said gasper pold. "when you come to terms let us know by blowing the steam whistle." and then the hatch was put down and fastened as before. "sam, are you all right?" asked dick and tom, in a breath. "oh, yes, after a fashion," answered the youngest rover. "but they handled me pretty roughly." "and you, hans?" "i dink i vos peen putty vell hammered alretty. py chimanatics! i vish i could drow dem all oferpoard, ain't it!" "we are in a box, in more ways than one," said tom. "what did they do to you?" questioned dick, and then sam and hans told their stories, adding that they had been taken from the staterooms but a few minutes before, brought on deck, unbound and ungagged, and sent down the iron ladder as already mentioned. "i was afraid first they were going to throw us overboard," said sam. "i think sack todd is equal to it, and that gasper pold is about as bad." the four youths talked the situation over for a good hour, but could reach no satisfactory conclusion. they did not wish to submit to the others and yet they realized that they were "in a box" as tom said. "i know one thing--i want a drink of water," said sam. "i am as dry as a salt fish." "yah, i vont me a trink, too," added hans. "well, you'll have to go without," answered tom. "i am dry myself. i was going to get some fresh water just before the trouble began, but i didn't have the chance." "i know what they'll do--they'll starve us out," exclaimed sam. "i see their game plainly." "i am going to whistle for water," said tom, with something of his usual grin. "nothing like being stylish." he pulled the cord and the whistle gave a loud toot. he repeated this several times, when they heard footsteps and the hatch was raised about a foot. "ready to submit?" asked sack todd, peering down on them. "we want some drinking water," answered tom. "oh, pshaw!" said the man, in disgust. "will you give us a bucket of fresh water or not?' asked dick. "maybe--i'll see," said todd, and dropped the hatch into place once more. "i don't believe he'll give us a thing," was sam's comment. "he knows if he doesn't we'll have to give up sooner or later." "of ve only had apout two dozen policemans here!" sighed the german youth. in the meanwhile sack todd told the others about the water. "are you going to give it to them?" questioned dan baxter. "don't think i will," was the answer. "you can't let them die of thirst," went on the former bully of putnam hall, with some little show of feeling. "i've got an idea," came from gasper pold. "is there a medicine cabinet on board? generally such a vessel carries one." "yes, there is one in the cabin," answered sid jeffers. "what do you want of it?" "we might put some dope in the drinking water. that will fix 'em." "what, you wouldn't poison them!" cried dan baxter, and gave a little shiver. "oh, we'll only put them to sleep," answered gasper pold, but with a look on his face that baxter did not like. the men went to the cabin and the former bully of putnam hall followed. here the medicine cabinet was found filled with various liquids and powders and gasper pold looked them over with care. "i worked in a drug store when i was a young man," he explained. "and i took a good bit of interest in dopes and poisons." dan baxter heard him say this, and to the credit of the bully it made him shudder. he was no friend to the rovers, yet he did not wish to see them lose their lives. he paused for a moment, then turned and ran on deck. nobody was in sight, for the sailors from the _dogstar_ were asleep below. he ran for a bucket, filled it with water and took it to the hatchway, which he opened feverishly. "hullo there!" he whispered. "baxter, is it you?" queried dick, coming to the ladder. "yes. take this bucket of water, quick. it's clean and good. don't drink what the others bring you." "but, baxter--" began tom. "i can't stay. be careful of what they give you to eat and drink, that's all." and the next moment the bucket was passed to dick, the hatch closed down, and baxter fairly ran back to where he had left the men. "what can this mean?" asked dick, staring at his companions. "dick, be careful," warned sam. "it may be some plot of baxter's." "maype ve ton't besser trink dot vater," suggested hans. "i ton't vont to vake up teat in der morning, ain't it!" "can the water be poisoned?" asked tom. they poured some in a glass and held it close to the light. it looked good and dick tasted it cautiously. "baxter said to beware of what the others gave us to eat and to drink," said sam. "evidently something is in the air." all sniffed of the water and tasted it, yet each was afraid to take a regular drink. while they were deliberating they heard the hatch being raised again. then sack todd and gasper pold appeared once more. chapter xxv one plot and another "we've got the water for you," said sack todd. "we don't know as you deserve it, but we don't want to be mean." as he spoke he and gasper pold held down a jug containing not more than two quarts. "not a very big supply," grumbled tom. "we'll want a good deal more down here. this is a regular sweatbox." "you don't have to stay any longer than you wish," answered the ex-counterfeiter, with a sickly grin. "ven do ve git somedings to eat?" asked hans. "in the morning." this was all those above said, and soon the hatch was shut down and fastened and todd and pold walked slowly away. "they didn't seem to care much whether we surrendered or not," remarked sam. "that makes me more suspicious than ever," answered dick. "boys, dan baxter may have been acting on the square after all." "catch dan doing that!" retorted tom. "why, it isn't in him, dick." "i don't know about that. he is bad, i know, but he may not be as much of a villain as these men are. i am going to examine the contents of this jug." all gathered around while dick cleaned out the tumbler and then filled it with the liquid from the jug. the water looked fairly clear, although presently something like oil began to float on top. dick put his tongue to this and found it sweetish-bitter. "this has certainly been dosed," said the eldest rover. "i wouldn't take a drink of it for a good deal." "then baxter must have told the truth," said sam. "i think i know how the matter stands. baxter got scared at what the men wanted to do, and so started in to head them off. i believe i'll take a small drink of that other water." he did so, and the others followed, nobody, however, drinking more than half a tumbler of the liquid. this served to quench the worst of their thirst. "later on, if the water doesn't affect us, we can drink more," said tom. "if dan baxter really did mean well it's a great credit to him, no matter how bad he is otherwise." all sat down and talked in low tones. the night was now well advanced, yet nobody felt like sleeping. suddenly dick leaped up, considerably excited. "i've got it, fellows! maybe we can outwit them at their own game," he cried. "how?" asked the others. "perhaps that water was drugged and was given to us to put us to sleep. if we pretend to be overcome it may throw them off their guard, and that will give us another chance to gain possession of the vessel. what do you say if we lie down and pretend to be asleep when they open the hatch?" "all right, i am willing," answered tom. "there is no excitement in being cooped up in this hot place. tell you what i'll do, to force matters. you lie down and begin to snore and i'll pull the whistle. then, when they come, i'll demand to know what is wrong with you and pitch over myself. then we can see what happens next." so it was arranged, and half an hour later sam, dick, and hans stretched out on the engineroom floor as if completely dead to the world. then tom gave the whistle half a dozen sharp tugs. this brought todd, pold, jeffers, and dan baxter to the hatchway in a hurry. "what's the row?" demanded gasper pold, looking down curiously. "my brothers," came thickly from tom, as he reeled around. "what did you--you--do to them? my head--like--top! you--must--must--oh!" and then tom sank down on a bench, slipped to the floor, and lay beside sam. "he's poisoned!" shrieked dan baxter, and his face grew as white as a sheet. "shut up!" muttered sack todd. "the dose won't kill him." "reckon they are all laid out," was gasper pold's comment, as he peered down the hatchway. "i'll go down and make sure." and he passed down the iron ladder, pistol in hand. "how about it?" came from the mate of the _dogstar_. "stiff as corpses," was the brutal answer. "i tell you, that dope did the business." "are any of them dead?" asked dan baxter, hoarsely. "i don't think so," was the careless answer. "no, they are all breathing," went on pold. sack todd came down, followed by the mate of the _dogstar_, and all gazed coldly at the four youths lying on the hard floor around the machinery. dan baxter remained at the top of the ladder, shaking as if with the palsy. "how long do you calculate they'll remain in this condition?" asked todd, turning to pold. "ten or twelve hours at least," was the answer. "and maybe they won't get over it for twenty-four." "any bad effects?" "well, sometimes that dope paralyzes a man's tongue for six months or a year." "phew! that's pretty rough." "once in a great while the paralysis doesn't go away at all." "in that case, these boys will have it in for you,--if they ever get their hands on you," said sid jeffers, with a wicked leer. the men talked among themselves for several minutes and then agreed to take the boys up on deck and place them in two of the staterooms off the cabin. "they'll have to have more air than here," said gasper pold. "otherwise they'll surely die on our hands." dan baxter was called on to assist, and did so with his knees fairly shaking together. he thought that our friends had surely drank of the dosed water and were in a stupor next to death. "and if they die, they'll say i was as guilty as the rest!" he groaned to himself. "oh, i wish i was out of this!" it was no easy matter to get the three rovers and hans on deck and to the staterooms. here our friends were placed two on a berth, and, for the time being, left to themselves. "boys, we have had a narrow escape," whispered dick, when he at last thought it safe to speak. "that's the truth," came from sam. "and we have dan baxter to thank for it!" he added. "i can't understand that part of it." "i think i can," answered tom. "baxter is bad enough, but he didn't go in for poisoning us. i am glad to know he isn't quite so heartless as that." "dem fellers ought to be all hung, ain't it!" was hans' comment. "the question is, what are we to do next?" asked tom. "that question is not so easily answered," returned his elder brother. "i know what i should like to do." "what, dick?" asked sam. "i'd like to make all of the gang prisoners." "exactly!" exclaimed tom, in a low voice. "but can it be done?" "i don't know. for the present let us play 'possum and find out." "vot kind of a game vos dot possum?" asked hans innocently. "i ton't dink we got dime to play some games," he added, seriously. "dick means to lay low," explained sam. "vot, lay under der peds?" "no, keep quiet and watch out." "oh! all right, i done me dot kvick enough," said hans, and fell back on the berth and shut his eyes. "you fellows keep quiet while i investigate," said the eldest rover. "it is so late some of the crowd may have gone to sleep. if so, we may have a chance to capture the others first." so it was arranged, and making certain that his pistol was still in his pocket, dick slid from the berth, tiptoed his way to the stateroom door, and, opening it slowly and cautiously, peered out. one look into the cabin of the _mermaid_ told him the apartment was empty. there were two more staterooms, connected, as were those the boys were occupying. with a heart that beat rather violently, dick stepped to the door of one of these staterooms. from within came a deep and regular snoring. "somebody is asleep in there," he mused. "who can it be?" with great care he peered into the room. on the berth rested one of the sailors from the _dogstar_ and on the floor rested the other, both evidently much the worse for liquor. the door to the second stateroom was wide open and dick caught sight of a form on the berth in there. it was dan baxter. the bully was not asleep but was tossing about, as if in either mental or physical distress. as dick looked at him he suddenly started up, turned around, and stared. "dick rover!" he screamed. "are you alive, or is it a--a ghost?" chapter xxvi turning the tables "be quiet, baxter," said dick, softly but firmly. "don't you dare to make another sound." "i--i thought you were--were--asleep," faltered the former bully of putnam hall. "that you--" "that he had drank the poisoned water, eh?" "ye--es." "we did not. we took your advice and left it alone." "then when they brought you up out of the engine room--" "we were shamming, that's all. but i haven't got time to explain everything, baxter. where are the others?" "on deck, or down in the engine room, i guess--all but the two beasts in there," and baxter pointed to the overcome sailors. "what brought you in here? were you going to sleep?" "sleep! i--i couldn't sleep, dick; honestly i couldn't!" "why?" "because i--i--but what's the use, you won't believe me." and dan baxter hung his head for a moment. "maybe i will. tell me why." "i came away from them because i was sick of their doings, that's why. i--i am sick of all of it,--sick in body and in mind, too." "you didn't want to see us doped, as they call it?" "no! no!" "and that is why you warned us and gave us that good water?" "yes." "dan, you're a little bit more of a real man than i thought you were. i thought you were willing to do anything against me and my brothers." "well, i was once, but now--but what's the use of talking, you won't believe me. and why should you? i've been against you ever since we first met." "that's the straight truth, dan, and you've done some pretty mean and desperate things." "i don't know why i did them, dick--honestly i don't. lots of times i knew you and your brothers were right and i was wrong. but the old nick got in me and i--well, you know how i acted. now i'm an outcast--nobody decent wants to have anything to do with me. even my own father--" dan baxter stopped short. "see here, dan, i haven't time to talk now," said dick, after a short and painful pause. "i didn't expect this of you. the whole question just now is this, are you going to fight or keep quiet?" "are you going to fight those others?" "yes, if it becomes necessary." "i don't want to fight any more." "then will you keep quiet?" "i will. but, dick--" "well?" "if you capture those men, are you going to hand them over to the police?" "certainly." "and hand me over, too?" and again dan baxter hung his head. "don't you deserve it?" "i suppose so. and still i--er--i thought you might give me another chance. oh, that's what i want, another chance! you know how my father has reformed. i want to reform, too. i want to go away somewhere and begin all over again." "dan, come with me." "where to?" "to the others. you can talk with them while i take a look on deck." the former bully of putnam hall demurred but dick insisted, and soon the pair had joined sam, tom, and hans. "talk to him," said dick. "i'll be back soon," and then he left and made his way up the companionway to the deck of the steam yacht. his heart was in a strange tumult. that dan baxter should want to reform was a surprise of which he had never dreamed. could the former bully be playing a part? "he's sly enough," he reasoned. "and yet his eyes had a look in them that i never saw before. he looked like a worried wild animal, that doesn't know how to turn or what to do. he's down here all alone among strangers, and evidently he has found out that sack todd and the rest aren't his sort. well, if he wants to reform i shan't put anything in his way. but i am not going to give him too much rope--just yet." having gained the deck of the vessel, dick looked around cautiously. it was a dark night, the stars being hidden by clouds. he crept along slowly. "well, you'll have to give me a pointer or two about the engine," dick heard sack todd exclaim. "i thought i knew how to run it, but i reckon i was mistaken." "oh, why not let that go just now," growled the mate of the _dogstar_ in return. "we've got to make sure of those boys first, and get some sleep, too." "it won't take but a few minutes to explain about the engine," said gasper pold. "i ran one once for six weeks." "seems to me you have dabbled in a little bit of everything," observed sack todd. "so i have." the three men were near the pilot house, but came away and started for the hatchway leading down into the engine room. they had to pass close to where dick was crouching and the eldest rover hardly dared to breathe, so fearful was he of discovery. presently dick saw the three men go down the iron ladder, one after another. as they did this, a sudden idea came into his head. "i'll do it!" he told himself, and sneaked forward with the silence and quickness of a cat. the hatch still lay beside the opening, with the hooks that had been used to fasten it down. it was heavy and dick wondered if he could move and fasten it quick enough. "i wish sam or tom was here to help me," he thought. as he started to raise the hatch a sudden puff of wind made the mast creak loudly. this alarmed the men below and sack todd started up the ladder. "we ought to have somebody on guard," he said, so loudly that dick heard him. "i don't trust that baxter very much." "all right," answered gasper pold. "you go to the cabin, and--" he broke off short as a cry came from sack todd. the ex-counterfeiter had caught sight of dick as the latter was raising the hatch to drop it in place. "hi!" yelled sack todd, and then let out a scream as the hatch hit him on the head. "down you go!" answered dick and leaped on top of the hatch to force it into place. one of sack todd's fingers was caught and pinched and he let out another yell. but he kept his footing on the iron ladder and thus held the hatch up several inches. "what's up?" came from sid jeffers. "they are trying to shut the hatch! help me!" "what!" roared gasper pold, and sprang up beside the ex-counterfeiter. "tom! sam! hans!" yelled dick, at the top of his lungs. "help! quick!" he continued to call out and at the same time did all in his power to force the hatch into place. he was sprawled on top, and no sooner did he get one end down than the other bobbed up. then he heard gasper pold cry out: "look out! i am going to fire!" "don't hit me," cautioned sack todd. "if you fire, so will i," answered dick, "and you'll get the worst of it." "hang the luck! we didn't disarm them!" muttered pold. by this time tom was coming up on deck, followed by sam. hans was told to remain behind, to keep his eyes on dan baxter. as soon as sam and tom saw the situation they leaped to dick's assistance. tom saw sack todd's shoulder under the hatch and gave it a vigorous kick. this caused the man to lose his balance on the iron ladder and he went down a step. at the same time gasper pold fired. "oh, i am hit!" groaned the ex-counterfeiter, and fell in a heap on the head of sid jeffers. then the hatch came into place with a thud and in a twinkling the three rovers secured it. "we have them! we have them!" cried sam, in delight. "good for you, dick! that was a clever move." "run down and make certain that other door is fast," said dick, and away went sam with tom at his heels. they came back in less than two minutes. "it's fast," said tom. "we've got them in as tight a box as they had us." chapter xxvii dan baxter's repentance the three rover boys could scarcely believe their senses. here they were once more in full possession of the _mermaid_ so far as the deck and cabin were concerned--and those who had sought to make them prisoners were prisoners themselves. "this is where the biter got bit," remarked tom. "say, i feel so good i could almost dance." "sack todd got shot," said dick. "i'd like to know if it is serious." "well, i am not very sorry for him," said sam. "he's a thoroughly bad egg." "we want to make certain of dan baxter," went on the eldest rover. "he may fool hans." they walked toward the cabin and ran down the companionway. at the lower doorway they paused and then tom grinned. on one side of the room was dan baxter with his hands in the air. on the other side was hans, with a pistol in each hand. "ton't dare to mofe," hans was saying. "of you do i vos put oxactly fourteen shots into your poty, ain't it!" "i am not moving," grumbled baxter. "didn't i tell you i am sick of the whole thing, dutchy? i don't want to fight, or anything." "tan paxter, you chust remember dot old saying, beoples vot lif in glass houses ton't got no right to tell fish stories," answered hans, gravely. "hans, that's a good one!" roared tom, coming forward. "say, you're a whole regiment in yourself, ain't you?" "yah, i vos so goot like ten or sefenteen soljers, alretty!" answered the german youth, proudly. "paxter, he ton't got avay from me, not much!" hans lowered his pistols and dan baxter was glad enough to put down his hands. dick glanced into the staterooms and saw that the two sailors were still sleeping heavily. "we'll throw them down into the hold," said the eldest rover. "that will keep them out of mischief, when they awake." "vot apout dem men?" asked hans, anxiously. "all prisoners," answered sam. "prisoners!" ejaculated dan baxter. "yes, dan, they are prisoners, down in the engine room," answered dick. "we've given them the same dose they gave us." "then you are in possession once more?" "yes--as far as it goes. and i want to talk to you as soon as we've disposed of these sailors," added dick. "shall i help you carry them out?" "do you want to?" "if you wish it." "mind you, i don't want any trick played, dan." "i won't play any trick, dick--i give you my word." "this is a serious situation and we don't propose to take any more chances. we are on top and we mean to stay on top," added the eldest rover. while hans held a lantern, the three rovers and dan baxter carried the two sailors through the cabin and out on the deck. tom was working with the former bully of putnam hall and declared afterward that he never felt so queer in his life. but baxter worked with a will and did his full share of lifting. the hatch to the hold was not far off and the men were put down without great trouble. then the hatch was closed and fastened. "now, dan, you are the only enemy we have who is at liberty," said dick, turning to the big youth. "i want to know exactly what you propose to do." "what i do will depend a good deal on what you do," was the somewhat low answer. "i know i am in your power. but i'd like you to remember one thing--about how i warned you not to drink the drugged water and how i brought you some good water." "i am not going to forget that." "that's a point to your credit, dan," said sam. "if it hadn't been for that i--er--i don't know where you'd be now. as i said before, i've been pretty bad--but not quite as bad as that." "do you think we ought to let you go for what you did for us?" asked tom, who never wanted to beat about the bush. "i don't know as you ought to do that--but i'd like you to do it. i'd like to have the chance to go away--far away--and strike out fresh. my father wants me to do it--he's written me three letters about it. he wants me to go to the hawaiian islands, or the philippines, or to australia. he says--but i don't suppose you are interested in what he writes." "i am," answered dick, promptly. "he spoke of what you did for him and he says i--well, i ought to be ashamed to keep up the old enmity after what happened--after you saved his life. i--er--i guess he's right--and i am sick of it all." "well, i hope you stay sick of it--i mean sick of doing wrong," said sam. "maybe i will--i don't know and i am not going to promise. but i am sick enough of being here, among such rough men as sack todd and gasper pold and that crowd of counterfeiters that was captured. i haven't had any real comfort for months." "i don't believe a criminal ever feels real comfortable," said tom. "how can he, when he knows the officers of the law are constantly after him?" "there is something in that. when i go to bed i generally dream of being caught and dragged to prison. and those men always wanted me to drink, and i don't care much for liquor." "then cut it out--cut it out by all means," said dick. "you can't do better." "and there is another thing," went on dan baxter. "i don't feel well--everything i eat lately goes against me, and sometimes i'm in a regular fever. i ought to rest somewhere, i suppose, and have a good doctor attend me. but i can't do anything to make me feel better chasing around like this." after that dan baxter told a good deal more about himself--how he had been knocking around in all sorts of questionable places and how the dissipation had grown very distasteful to him. it had certainly ruined his health, and his eyes had a hollow, feverish look in them that made his appearance rather pitiable. "you are certainly run down," said dick, "and unless you take extra good care of yourself you'll be flat on your back with some serious illness. but the question still is, dan, what are we to do with you?" "i know what i'd like you to do." "what?" "let me land somewhere where i am not known, so that the officers of the law can't get hold of me. do that, and i'll promise to go far away and never trouble you again." "i don't think that would be right," said tom. "we might be willing, but we can't assist a criminal to escape--that's a crime in itself." "then you won't let me go?" "tom is right, we can't do it, legally. personally i'd be willing to let you go," said dick. "so would i--if you really wanted to do better," came from sam. "yah, i ton't stand in nopody's vay," added hans. "i vos glad to see a man make a goot poy of himselluf!" there was an awkward pause. twice dan baxter started to speak and checked himself. they almost looked for one of his former wild outbreaks, but it did not come. he hung his head low. "all right--have your way," he whispered, hoarsely, and dropped into a chair. "i am done fighting. i'll take my medicine, no matter how bitter it is." "perhaps we can make matters a little easy for you," said dick, in a gentle tone. "i am sure none of us want to see you suffer--if you want to reform." "of course we'll be easy," said sam, and tom and hans nodded. "well, if you'll do--what's that?" dan baxter broke off short and all in the cabin listened. there was a thud and a crash, followed by another crash. "they are trying to break out of the engine room!" yelled dick. "come, we must stop them!" and he started for the deck, and all of the crowd went after him. chapter xxviii hatchway and door the news that the men were trying to break out of the engine room was true. gasper pold and sid jeffers had gotten a long piece of iron pipe and with this they were hammering at the hatch. one of the fastenings was already off and the others much weakened. "stop!" cried dick, rushing up. "stop, or we'll open fire on you!" "we are bound to get out and you can't stop us!" yelled back gasper pold, and started to mount the iron ladder with a long wrench. this instrument he placed under a corner of the hatch and began to pry the wooden barrier upward. "not so fast!" sang out tom, and rushing up he sprawled over the hatch and caught the end of the wrench. "one good wrench deserves another!" he muttered, his love of fun coming to the surface even in such a pitch of excitement, and with that he gave the wrench a wrench that brought it from pold's grip and allowed the hatch to fall into place. "all aboard!" sang out tom, and dick, sam, and hans leaped on top of the hatch. "nothing like holding 'em down!" "let us up!" roared sid jeffers, and a moment later a pistol shot rang out and a bullet came crashing through the hatch, but its force was so spent it merely bounced against han's trouser leg. "i vos hit! i vos hit!" shrieked the german youth, dancing around. "i vos a teat boy alretty!" "hans, are you really hit?" asked dick, in alarm. "yah, but--i guess it ton't vos much," added hans sheepishly, as he realized that no damage had been done. "here, hold it down with this," cried dan baxter and came forward with two capstan bars. these were placed across the hatch and the four boys took their stations at the ends of the bars. thus they managed to get out of firing range of those below. "this is certainly growing interesting," was dick's comment, as there was a moment's suspension of hostilities. "i hardly know what to do next." "if you don't let us up we'll blow up the ship!" yelled gasper pold. he was in a terrible fury. "if you blow up the ship, you'll go up with her," answered sam. "gracious, vill da do dot?" asked hans, in alarm. "no, they'll not be so foolish," answered tom. "they value their worthless hides too much." "you've nearly killed sack todd and we'll have you arrested for it," went on gasper pold. "you'll be nearly killed if you don't look out," answered dick. "we are in possession and we mean to keep in possession." "you can't run the boat without the engine." "yes, we can, for the sails are ready for use. we won't have to run, though. by morning we expect to sight some other vessel and then we'll get help." "what have you done with those two sailors?" asked sid jeffers. "put them where they can't do any harm." "where is baxter?" asked pold. "that is for you to find out." "i am here," said the former bully of putnam hall. "helping that crowd?" "yes. i don't want anything more to do with you, or with sack todd either." "the young skunk!" muttered the mate of the _dogstar_. "i told you i didn't like his looks." "say, dick rover, let us talk this matter over," said gasper pold, calming down a little. "if you'll be reasonable i am sure we can come to terms that will be satisfactory all around." "i don't think so." "this craft is worth a lot of money, so the mate of the _dogstar_ says, and there is no reason why all of us shouldn't make a neat pile out of her." "do you want us to go in partnership with you?" asked tom, in disgust. "that's it, and if you will, we'll say nothing about your hurting sack todd." "is he bad?" asked sam. "he is bad enough. we want to get out so that he can have proper attention and medicine." "better give him some of that doctored water," suggested tom, grimly. "don't get fresh, young man!" "i think you are the one who is fresh!" retorted tom. "do you think we are going to train with such fellows as you? not much!" "then you won't make terms?" "no," came from the three rovers. at this the men at the foot of the iron ladder muttered something that our friends could not catch. the rascals were furious and wanted to do some more shooting, but did not dare, fearing shots in return. "will you let sack todd have some water?" asked pold, presently. "there is good water in the bucket," answered dick. "that's gone." "then you'll have to wait until later for more." "todd has got to have water." at this announcement the boys looked questioningly at each other. "it may be true," said dick. "i shouldn't want the man to die just because we had refused him water." "it may be a trick, just to get the hatch open again," put in dan baxter. "if i were you i wouldn't trust them. i know that crowd better than you do." "you can have water in the morning," called down dick. "in the meantime you keep quiet and do what you can for todd. if you don't keep quiet you'll get the worst of it." "wait till i get my hands on you!" came in the hoarse voice of sack todd. "i'll pulverize you!" "he's a long way from being dead, by his voice," said dick. "i reckon he was playing off on us." and this was largely true. sack todd's wound was painful but by no means serious. it must be confessed that the boys hardly knew how to proceed. but presently dick remembered where he had seen some hooks and nails and he sent dan baxter for these. when they were brought he calmly proceeded to fasten the extra hooks to the hatch and then hook them fast to the deck. "what are you doing now?" yelled gasper pold, and when he was told he muttered things i do not care to mention on these pages. "now, sam and tom, you remain on guard here, while the rest of us go and secure that door below," said dick. "it is secure," said tom. "yes, i know, but some extra cross bars won't do any harm." "want me to help?" asked baxter. "you can come along," said dick, not altogether willing to leave the former bully out of sight. he hurried to the door in question, one leading from the back of the engine room into something of a storeroom. the door was fastened by two ordinary bolts. "i'll soon fix that!" said the eldest rover. "dan, you hold the lantern. hans, bring that piece of board here." the board was brought, and dick began to nail it fast, directly over the door. he had still another nail to drive when there came an unexpected crash on the other side. "all together!" yelled the voice of gasper pold. "now then, with a will!" another mighty crash followed and then a third. with this the door flew from its hinges, and over it came, hurling hans flat on his back. then dick found himself confronted by pold, jeffers, and sack todd, each with a weapon ready for use. chapter xxix an exciting time all around "we've got him! down with him!" roared sack todd, as he leaped over the fallen door and made a grab for dick. for the instant dick did not know what to do, then he stepped backward and at the same time attempted to draw his pistol. "no, you don't!" yelled gasper pold, and aimed a blow at dick's head with an iron bar he carried. had the blow landed as intended, the eldest rover might have had his skull crushed in. but as the iron bar was descending dan baxter made a quick jump to pold's side, gave him a shove and hurled him flat. "stop it!" cried the former bully of putnam hall. "do you hear? do you want to kill somebody?" "so you're against us, eh?" yelled sack todd. "well, we'll fix you!" he tore a pistol from his pocket and started to aim it at baxter. but the latter was now on the alert and, whirling around, he caught sack todd by the coat collar with one hand and with the other raised the pistol up into the air. it went off, but the bullet merely plowed its way into the woodwork of the ship. by this time hans had managed to scramble from beneath the fallen door. the german youth had not been hurt very much but his "dutch blood" was up, and throwing prudence to the wind he sailed in vigorously, hitting pold a blow in the stomach with his fist, and kicking the mate of the _dogstar_ in the shin with his heavy shoe. then he caught hold of pold's iron bar and began to wrestle for its possession. "you dink i vos noddings put a poy, hey!" he snorted. "i show you, ain't it! you pig loafer!" and he ran pold up against a partition and got the iron bar directly under the rascal's throat so that the fellow was in danger of strangling. sid jeffers had now turned his attention to dick, and blows were given and taken freely between the pair. the noise made was considerable, and this finally reached the ears of sam and tom. "something is wrong!" cried tom. "i'll go and see. if you want me back whistle as loudly as you can." and he was off like a shot. the sight that met tom's gaze at first almost stupefied him. he came upon sack todd and dan baxter fighting hand to hand in a passageway leading to the deck. sack todd had fired one shot which had grazed dan's left cheek. but now the youth had the man against the wall and was banging his head against it again and again. "you will shoot me, eh?" cried baxter. "you're a villain if ever there was one, sack todd. i am bad enough but i'm not as dirty and black as you. take that, and that, and that!" "hi! let up! you'll smash my head!" roared the ex-counterfeiter, but dan baxter paid no attention until one blow caused sack todd to lose consciousness and sink down in a heap. tom had already passed on and was in time to aid dick. coming up to the side of sid jeffers he hit the mate of the _dogstar_ a stinging blow in the ear and then another in the chin. dick at the same time struck the rascal in the eye, and jeffers staggered back, tripped over the fallen door, and landed heavily on the floor. at once tom sat down on him, pulling out his pistol as he did so. "now keep quiet or something worse will happen," he said, and the mate of the _dogstar_ understood and subsided. with the fall of sack todd, dan baxter turned back to aid the others. he saw sid jeffers go down and then ran toward hans. "you might as well give up," he said to gasper pold. "they've got the best of your crowd." "yes, and you helped them," said pold, sullenly. "just wait. i'll fix you for this!" the noise continuing, sam had left his post and arrived on the scene. he ran off for a rope and with this sack todd was bound hands and feet. seeing this, gasper pold and the mate of the _dogstar_ retreated again into the engine room. "put up that door!" cried dick, and without delay it was raised and put in place and then fastened in such a manner that it was next to impossible to budge it. then they ran on deck and fastened down the hatch. after that they gave todd their attention. when he came to his senses the ex-counterfeiter raved wildly and demanded that he be set free. he was particularly bitter against dan baxter. "i'll fix you," he said. "wait till we get into court. i'll have a fine story to tell about you." to this baxter did not reply although he turned very pale. seeing they could do little with sack todd, the rovers decided to put him down in the hold with the sailors and this was done. then the party with baxter gathered on deck to discuss the situation. "talk about a strenuous night," exclaimed tom. "i don't think it could be more strenuous than it has been." "dan, i want to say right now that you have helped us a great deal," said dick, turning to the big youth. "but for you we might have lost that battle." "dot is so," said hans. "you vos tone splendidly alretty!" with two of the enemy in possession of the engine room, it was of course impossible to run the machinery of the steam yacht, and this being so our friends decided to wait until daylight before attempting to make another move. "it is after three o'clock," said dick. "we may as well get what rest we can. we can take turns at remaining on guard," and so it was decided. but it must be said that nobody got much sleep, so great was the general excitement. while he was on guard dick had a long private talk with dan baxter, and for once the former bully of putnam hall opened his heart completely. he had been knocking around "from pillar to post" so long that he was utterly discouraged and scarcely cared what happened. since his father had reformed, and he had lost the companionship of lew flapp, he had been traveling among strangers and not a one of them had proved worth knowing, as he expressed it. "i was a great big fool that i didn't turn over a new leaf when my father did," he said. "i had a chance then to do something for myself. now i am so deep in the mud i don't know how i'll ever get out." "i am certainly sorry for you, dan--especially after what you did for our crowd to-night. if you really want to turn over a new leaf i am willing to help you all i can. but you know how the law stands--we can't let you go after what has happened in the past. if you come up for trial, though, i'll be as easy as i can on you, and i know the others will be easy, too. perhaps, as you are young, you'll get off with a light sentence, and then you'll have a chance to reform after that." at this dan baxter hung his head. "it's a terrible disgrace--to go to prison," he answered, in a low tone. "but my father had to go through it, and i guess i am worse than he is." he heaved a deep sigh. "well, i'll try to stand it." "if it gets as far as that, when you come out, dan, you come straight to me and i'll help you." "will you do that, dick?" asked the former bully, eagerly, and for the instant his face brightened. "i will, and there is my hand on it," and then the two who had been enemies for so many years shook hands. after that dan baxter continued to talk about himself. he seemed anxious to unburden his heart, and dick allowed him to proceed and listened with interest to the recital. as soon as it was daylight the rovers, hans, and baxter went on deck to decide upon the all-important question of what to do next. dick had inspected the sails and found them in trim for use, and presently they set sail and once more the steam yacht was headed for tampa bay. there was a stiff breeze blowing, and although the craft made no such speed as when under steam she went along right well, and they were all content. about the middle of the forenoon they heard a thumping on the hatch over the engine room. pold and jeffers wanted something to eat and to drink, and wanted to make terms, but they told the rascals they would have to wait until land or some vessel was sighted. they also got a call from sack todd and the sailors who had revived from their stupor, but decided to let these fellows wait also. "the sailors have done us no harm," said dick. "but a waiting spell will do them good, after such a beastly spree." it was one o'clock, and hans was preparing dinner for all on deck when tom gave a cry. "a small steamer is approaching!" he said. "hadn't we better signal her?" "by all means," answered dick. "let us steer directly for her, too." and this was done. the vessel approaching proved to be nothing more than a regular gulf tug, carrying eight people. as it came closer sam, who had a spy-glass, gave a shout: "what do you think! there are fred and songbird, and yes, there is harold bird, too! oh, how glad i am that they are safe!" chapter xxx homeward bound--conclusion the report was true, the tug contained fred, songbird, and harold bird, and as soon as these three made out who were on board of the _mermaid_ they set up a cheer. then the sails on the steam yacht were lowered and the tug came alongside. in a minute more fred was scrambling on deck, followed by the others. "alive! all of you!" cried fred. "oh, this is the best news yet!" "and we are glad to see you alive too," cried tom. "we were afraid the _mascotte_ had been lost." "well, we came close to it," said songbird. "and when we got in to port some of the passengers had the captain arrested for ill treatment. but we didn't wait for that. we were wild to know what had become of you, and so we chartered this tug and began a hunt. you were lucky to be picked up by such a nice craft as this." "we weren't picked up,--we picked ourselves up," answered dick. "why, what do you mean?" asked harold bird, in puzzled tones. "we found this steam yacht on the water deserted--not a soul on board." "you don't mean it!" ejaculated fred. "what's her name?" "the _mermaid_." "creation!" shouted harold bird. "why, that's the steam yacht was advertised in all the newspapers some weeks ago. she was missing, and the club that owns her offered a reward of five thousand dollars for information leading to her return." "well, we picked her up as a derelict," said tom. "and we'll claim salvage accordingly. but how did she disappear?" "it's a long story. she was left in charge of an old man, and he went off and got intoxicated. then a storm came up and they found the old man in a rowboat and the steam yacht missing. she must have blown and drifted far away on the gulf. but it's queer she wasn't sighted before." "maybe she was, but nobody thought she was deserted," said sam, and his idea was probably true. thus far dan baxter had kept in the background. when he came forward there was more astonishment, and our friends had to tell about the arrival of sack todd and the others, and of what had been done since. "i want you to understand that dan helped us a great deal," said dick, to fred and songbird. "he isn't the fellow he was. he has changed so you would hardly know he was the same person. i think he is really on the right track at last." "it seems too wonderful to be true," was fred's comment. dan baxter was much interested in meeting harold bird, and while the others were talking in one part of the deck he called the young southerner to one side. "mr. bird, you know who i am, and i suppose you have no use for me," began the former bully. "i am sorry i went in with those men who stole your gasoline launch. if i had my choice again i shouldn't do such a thing. i am very sorry, and i am glad you got your boat back. but i want to speak to you about something else. i was going to write you a letter when i got the chance, but i'd rather tell you what i know." "what you know?" repeated harold bird, somewhat puzzled. "yes. since i have been traveling with gasper pold and sack todd i have learned a great deal, and much of it concerns yourself and your father." "my father!" gasped the young southerner. "yes." "what do you know of him? is he alive?" "i think he is--at least gasper pold said he was." "pold! what does he know about it? where is my father?" "as near as i know, your father is in mexico, at a place called troxapocca. he is somewhat out of his mind, and pold told sack todd he was working around a hotel there, doing all sorts of odd jobs. he goes by the name of bangs--why, i don't know." "is it possible! i must look into this without delay." "and then there is something else i want to tell you. i heard todd and pold talking about it when they thought they were alone. todd accused pold of having killed an old man, a hunter, in the woods, because the old hunter had vowed to expose one of pold's lottery swindles. it came out in the talk that pold had really done the deed and had put the dead hunter on a rock, where he was shot at by your father. your father didn't hit the body, but he thought he did, and thinking he had killed this old man was what made your father crazy." "i know it! i know it!" cried harold bird. "what a vile deed to do! and did pold admit his guilt?" "he did, but he warned sack todd to keep quiet about it. that was one of the things that turned me against that gang. they were altogether too bad for me. from that moment on i was sorry i had gone in with them." "this fairly staggers me, baxter. you--you must help me prove this--after i have found my father, or before." "i will, mr. bird--i'll do all i can to make things right again," answered dan baxter, earnestly. when the others heard of dan baxter's revelation they were almost as much astonished as harold bird. they were glad to learn that there was now a likelihood of clearing the young southerner's father of the crime of which he had been accused, and all trusted he would soon be able to locate mr. bird and nurse him back to mental and physical health. those on the tug were called on board and then sack todd was allowed to come on deck, followered by the two sailors. all were made prisoners. then gasper pold and sid jeffers came up and were handcuffed. gasper pold was amazed to find himself confronted by harold bird, and when accused of the shooting of the old hunter broke down utterly. he thought sack todd had exposed him, and a bitter war of words between the pair followed. "you have done me a splendid service, baxter," said the young southerner, after the excitement was over. "i shall not forget you. when the proper time comes, if you need legal aid, i'll see to it that you have a first-class lawyer." "thank you," answered the former bully, humbly. "i only did my duty, which i should have done long ago." it was found that the _mermaid_ belonged to persons living at mobile, and accordingly the steam yacht and the tug were headed for that port. the run did not take more than twenty-four hours and when the _mermaid_ appeared she created considerable excitement. one of the owners, james morrison, soon came to take charge, in the name of the yacht club, and he assured dick and the others that the club would pay anything that was fair for the return of the vessel. "we have found one thing that bothered us," said dick. "perhaps you can explain it. in a locker we found a picture of harold bird and also a picture of his father." "i know nothing of them. i did not know mr. bird at all." "i will have harold show you his father's photograph. perhaps you'll recognize him." the picture was shown and james morrison uttered a cry of astonishment. "i know that man, but his name was not bird. it was bangs. he worked on the yacht for awhile--queer sort of stick--and he left rather suddenly." "it was mr. bird. he went crazy over some personal trouble, and harold has been looking all over for him. he was last heard of in mexico. but this clears up the mystery of the photographs," dick added. and now let me add a few words more and then bring to a close this tale of "the rover boys in southern waters." as soon as they arrived at mobile the rover boys sent telegrams to their folks at home and also to the ladies and girls at the bird plantation, telling of the safety of the entire party. sack todd, gasper pold, sid jeffers, and the two sailors were locked up. nobody attempted to have dan baxter arrested, nor did the former bully of putnam hall try to run away. "i have made up my mind to take my medicine and i am going to do it," he said, almost stubbornly. "what a change in him!" was tom's comment. "the fellows at putnam hall won't believe it when we tell them." "here is the whole thing in a nutshell," said sam. "dan has found out that there is absolutely no happiness or satisfaction in being dishonest. even when he had money he didn't enjoy it--he told me so himself. he said there was many a day when he would have preferred being with the old crowd, even without a cent in his pocket." as soon as he could harold bird set off for mexico. a week later he sent dick rover a telegram stating that he had found his father and was taking him home. it may be added here that, cleared of the suspicion that had hung over his name, mr. bird speedily recovered from his insanity, and became the prosperous planter he had been in years gone by. when sack todd, gasper pold, and sid jeffers were brought to trial dan baxter was a witness against each one. for the shooting of the old hunter pold received a life sentence in prison, and for their various misdeeds todd and the mate of the _dogstar_ received ten and twenty years respectively. solly jackson was also a witness against todd and pold and was not prosecuted. "what are you going to do about dan baxter?" asked songbird of dick, one day. "i am going to do nothing," answered dick, firmly. "if you want to prosecute him you can do so." "he expects to be placed on trial." "well, he'll have to find somebody else to prosecute him." "i shan't do anything, dick. why, he isn't the same chap he used to be. he's as meek as any fellow i ever met." in the end nobody prosecuted dan baxter, and he was allowed to go his own way. the rovers talked the matter over and one day they sent for the former bully and asked him how much money he had on hand. "i've got exactly two dollars and a quarter," was the answer. "i am looking for work, but i haven't found anything yet," and baxter's face grew red and he hung his head. "we have made up a purse for you, dan," said dick, kindly. "those folks who owned the yacht gave us ten thousand dollars for bringing her in safely. i have had a talk with our crowd, and we are going to stake you for a fresh start." so speaking, dick handed out a new pocketbook. but dan baxter put his hands behind him. "thank you very, very much," he said, huskily, "but i don't want you to--to give me a cent--not a cent, understand? if you want to make me a loan, well and good. but i shan't take it if it's a gift." "well, we'll call it a loan then," said tom, who stood by. "and you can pay up whenever you please," added sam. dan baxter took the pocketbook and opened it. "why, ifs full of bills!" he gasped. "yes, a thousand dollars, dan. we want you to make a good start while you are at it," explained dick. the face of the former bully became a study. his eyes grew moist and his lips quivered. he had to turn away for a moment, for he could not control himself. "you're the best fellows in the world--the very best," he murmured, presently. "a thousand dollars! and you were going to give it to me--not loan it to me! i'll never forget that, never, if i live to be a hundred. but i am not going to take all that money--it's too much of a temptation. let me have a hundred as a loan, and that's all." this he stuck to, and in the end the hundred dollars was counted out and baxter placed it in his pocket. "this will take me to philadelphia," he said. "there i can get hold of some money that is rightfully mine, and then i'll return the loan. after that--well, after that i am going far away, to try to make a man of myself." "we wish you luck, dan," answered dick, gravely. "indeed we do," added sam and tom. there was an awkward silence. then dan baxter pulled himself up, hesitated, and held out his hand. "i don't know when we'll meet again," he said. "good-by." "good-by," said each of the others and shook hands warmly. the former bully walked to the doorway and there hesitated again. "please do me one favor," he said, his face growing red. "when you meet the stanhopes and the lanings tell them i am very sorry for what i did, and that i wouldn't do it again for the whole world. and tell captain putnam that, too." and then he went out, closing the door softly behind him. they listened to his footsteps, and as they died away each heaved a deep sigh. "i am sorry for him," said dick. "i pity him from the bottom of my heart," came from sam. "and so do i," added tom. "poor chap, i hope he does make a man of himself." it was a long time before they saw dan baxter again. what to do with the houseboat they did not know, but soon came a message from their uncle randolph, stating they might sell the craft. they found a ready purchaser at a fair price, and then joined the stanhopes and the lanings at the bird plantation. "oh, how glad i am that you are safe!" cried dora to dick, when they met. "it seems an age since you went away." "so it does--with so much happening," answered the eldest of the rover boys. "are we going home now?" asked sam. "we'll have to," answered tom. "we ought to be at our studies this minute." "yes, because you love study so!" cried nellie, mischievously. two days later found them on a river steamer that was to take them up the mississippi as far as st. louis, where they were to take the limited express for new york. "well, i suppose our good times and our adventures are over now," said sam. but he was mistaken. good times and strange adventures still awaited them, and what some of these were will be told in the next volume of this series, to be entitled "the rover boys on the farm; or, last days at putnam hall." the whole party remained in st. louis one day. then they sped eastward on the limited, and the following evening found them on their way to valley brook farm, the stanhopes and lanings having decided to stop off there for at least a day or two. "it will feel fine to get home again," said sam, as the train rolled into the oak run station. "hurrah! here we are at last!" "and there are father, aunt martha, and uncle randolph to meet us!" exclaimed tom. "hullo, everybody!" called out dick, and tumbled out of the train, to kiss his aunt and shake hands all around. "home again, and glad of it!" "and we are glad to see you all!" answered his father. and then there was general rejoicing, and here we will take our leave. the end none the rover boys onland and sea or the crusoes of the seven islands by arthur m winfield contents i. the rover boys on san francisco ii. the turning up of dan baxter iii. a discovery and what followed iv. good times at santa barbara v. on board the yacht vi. adrift on the pacific ocean vii. dismaying news viii. from one ship to another ix. in which the enemy is cornered x. a blow in the darkness xi. a call from the stern xii. another accident at sea xiii. the crusoes of seven islands xiv. settling down on the island xv. another castaway brought to light xvi. sam and the shark xvii. exploring the seven islands xviii. unexpected visitors xix. hot words and blows xx. the mate tries to take command xxi. the attack on the wreck xxii. a heavy tropical storm xxiii. what happened on the bay xxiv. in close quarters xxv. trying to come to terms xxvi. the cave on the island xxvii. a fight with a wild beast xxviii. the burning of the wreck xxx. the defense of the cave--saved! introduction. my dear boys: "the rover boys on land and sea," is a complete story in itself, but forms the seventh volume of the "rover boys series for young americans." as i mentioned in a previous volume of this series, when i began this set of books i had in mind to write no more than three volumes, relating the adventures of dick, tom, and sam rover, at home, at school, and elsewhere. but the publication of "the rover boys at school," "the rover boys on the ocean," and "the rover boys in the jungle," immediately called for more stories of the same sort, so year after year i have followed with "the rover boys out west," "the rover boys on the great lakes," "the rover boys in the mountains," and now the volume before you, which relates the adventures of the three brothers, and some of their friends and enemies, on the sea and on a number of far away islands, where, for a time, all lead a sort of robinson crusoe life. in writing this tale i had in mind not alone to please my young readers, but also to give them a fair picture of life on the ocean as it is to-day, in distinction to what it was years ago, and also to acquaint the boys and girls with some of the beauties of those mid-ocean lands which are generally, so strange to all of us. the boys see much that is new, novel, and pleasing--new fruits, new flowers, new animals--and have often to use their wits to the utmost, to get themselves out of serious difficulty and also to make themselves, and those under their protection, comfortable. once again i thank my young friends for the interest they have shown in my previous stories. i trust that all who peruse this volume will find it equally to their liking. affectionately and sincerely yours, arthur m. winfield. the rover boys on land and sea chapter i the rover boys in san francisco "well, dick, here we are in san francisco at last." "yes, tom, and what a fine large city it is." "we'll have to take care, or we'll get lost," came from a third boy, the youngest of the party. "just listen to sam!" cried tom rover. "get lost! as if we weren't in the habit of taking care of ourselves." "sam is joking," came from dick rover. "still we might get lost here as well as in new york or any other large city." "boston is the place to get lost in," said tom rover. "got streets that curve in all directions. but let us go on. where is the hotel?" "i'm sure i don't know," came from sam rover. "cab! carriage! coupe!" bawled a cabman standing near. "take you anywhere you want to go, gents." "how much to take the three of us to the oakland house?" "take you there for a dollar, trunks and all." "i'll go you," answered dick rover. "come on, i'll see that you get the right trunks." "i think we are going to have some good times while we are on the pacific coast," observed tom rover, while he and sam were waiting for dick and the cabman to return. "i shan't object to a good time," replied sam. "that is what we came for." "before we go back i am going to have a sail up and down the coast." "to be sure, tom. perhaps we can sail down to santa barbara. that is a sort of asbury park and coney island combined, so i have been told." dick rover and the cabman soon returned. the trunks were piled on the carriage and the boys got in, and away they bowled from the station in the direction of the oakland house. it was about ten o'clock of a clear day in early spring. the boys had reached san francisco a few minutes before, taking in the sights on the way. now they sat up in the carriage taking in more sights, as the turnout moved along first one street and then another. as old readers of this series know, the rover boys were three in number, dick being the oldest, fun-loving tom next, and sturdy-hearted sam the youngest. they were the only offspring of anderson rover, a former traveler and mine-owner, who, at present, was living with his brother randolph and his sister-in-law martha, on their beautiful farm at valley brook, in the heart of new york state. during the past few years the rover boys had had numerous adventures, so many, in fact, that they can scarcely be hinted at here. while their father was in the heart of africa, their uncle randolph had sent them off to putnam hall academy. here they had made many friends among the boys and also among some folks living in the vicinity, including mrs. stanhope and her daughter dora, a girl who, according to dick rover's idea, was the sweetest creature in the whole world. they had also made some enemies, the worst of the number being dan baxter, a fellow who had been the bully of the school, but who was now a homeless wanderer on the face of the earth. baxter came from a disreputable family, his father having at one time tried to swindle mr. rover out of a rich gold mine in the west. the elder baxter was now in prison suffering the penalty for various crimes. a term at school had been followed by an exciting chase on the ocean, and then by a trip through the jungle of africa, whence the rover boys had gone to find their long-lost father. after this the boys made a trip west to establish their parent's claim to the gold mine just mentioned, and this was followed by a grand trip on the great lakes in which the boys suffered not a little at the hands of the baxters. on an island on one of the lakes the rover boys found a curious casket and this, on being opened, proved to contain some directions for locating a treasure secreted in the heart of the adirondack mountains. "we must locate that treasure," said tom rover, and off they started for the mountains, and did locate it at last, but not before dan baxter had done everything in his power to locate it ahead of them. when they finally outwitted their enemy, dan baxter had disappeared, and that was the last they had seen of him for some time. the rover boys had expected to return to putnam hall and their studies immediately after the winter outing in the adirondacks, but an unexpected happening at the institution of learning made them change their plans. three pupils were taken down with scarlet fever, and rather than run the risk of having more taken sick, captain victor putnam had closed up the academy for the time being, and sent the pupils to their homes. "the boys will have to go to some other school," their aunt martha had said, but one and another had murmured at this, for they loved captain putnam too well to desert him so quickly. "let us wait a few months," had been dick's suggestion. "let us study at home," had come from sam. "let us travel," tom had put in. "travel broadens the mind." he loved to be "on the go" all the time. the matter was talked over for several days, and tom begged that they might take a trip across the continent and back, using some of the money derived from the old treasure. at last anderson rover consented; and two days later the three boys were off, going by way of new york city, on the chicago limited. they had spent two days in the great city by the lakes, and then come direct to the golden gate city. "i wonder if we will meet anybody we know while we are out here," said tom, as the carriage continued on its way. "if we get down to santa barbara i think we'll meet somebody," answered dick, and he blushed just a trifle. "i got a letter in chicago, as you know. it was from dora stanhope, and she said that she and her mother were traveling again and expected to go either to santa barbara or los angeles. her mother is not well again, and the doctor thought the air on the pacific coast might benefit her." "oh, my, but won't dick have an elegant time, if he falls in with dora!" cried sam. "tom, we won't be in it." "now don't you start to tease me," returned dick, his face redder than ever. "i guess dora always gave you a good time, too." "that's right, she did," said tom. and then he added: "did she say anything about the lanings?" for the laning girls, nellie and grace, were cousins to dora stanhope, and tom and sam thought almost as much of them as dick did of dora. "to be sure she did," replied dick. "but i guess it's--well, it's a secret." "a secret!" shouted sam. "not much, dick! let us in on it at once!" "yes, do!" put in tom. "but it may prove a disappointment." "we'll chance it," returned tom. "well then, dora wrote that if she and her mother could find a nice cottage at los angeles or santa barbara they were going to invite nellie and grace to come out and keep house with them for six months or so." "hurrah!" cried sam enthusiastically. "i hope they come. if they do, won't the six of us just have boss times!" and his face glowed with anticipation. "we can certainly have good times if mrs. stanhope's health will permit," said dick. "here we are at the hotel." he uttered the last words as the carriage came to a stop at the curb. he leaped out and so did the others; and a few minutes later found them safe and sound in the hotel. they were assigned to a large room on the third floor, and hither they made their way, followed by their trunks, and then began to wash and dress up, preparatory to going down to the dining room, for the journeying around since breakfast had made them hungry. "i think i am going to like san francisco," said tom, as he was adjusting a fresh collar and gazing out of the window at the same time. "everything looks so bright and clean." "they have some pretty tall buildings here, the same as in chicago and new york," came from dick, as he, too, gazed out of the window. "oh, all the big cities are a good deal alike," put in sam, who was drying his face on a towel. "san francisco is a mighty rich place," continued tom. "they are too rich even to use pennies. it's five cents here, or a bit there, or two bits for this and two bits for that. i never heard a quarter called two bits in new york." "i've been told that is a southern expression, and one used in the west indies," said dick. "the early californians--my gracious!" dick broke off short and leaned far out of the window, which they had opened to let in the fresh spring air. "what's up?" queried tom. "don't fall out." and he caught his elder brother by the arm. "i must have been mistaken. but it did look like him," said dick slowly. "look like whom?" asked sam, joining the pair. "dan baxter." "dan baxter! here?" shouted the others. "i am pretty sure it was dan baxter." "where is he?" asked tom. "he is gone now--he just disappeared around the hotel corner." "well, if it really was dan baxter, we want to keep our eyes open," was sam's comment. chapter ii the turning up of dan baxter the boys were very curious concerning their old enemy, and on going below took a walk around several squares in the vicinity, in the hope of meeting the individual who had attracted dick's attention. but the search proved unsuccessful, and they returned to the hotel and went to dinner, with a larger appetite than ever. "it would be queer if we met dan baxter out here," said tom, while they were eating. "he seems to get on our heels, no matter where we go. "if he came to san francisco first, he'll think we have been following him up," said sam. "he must have come here before we did," said dick. "our arrival dates back but three hours," and he grinned. the meal over the boys took it easy for a couple of hours, and then prepared to go out and visit half a dozen points of interest and also purchase tickets for a performance at one of the leading theaters in the evening. as they crossed the lobby of the hotel they almost ran into a big, burly young fellow who was coming in the opposite direction. "dan baxter!" ejaculated dick. "then i was right after all." the burly young fellow stared first at dick and then the others in blank amazement. he carried a dress-suit case, and this dropped from his hand to the floor. "whe--where did yo--you come from?" he stammered at last. "i guess we can ask the same question," said tom coldly. "been following me, have you?" sneered dan baxter, making an effort to recover his self-possession. "no, we haven't been following you," said sam. "supposing you tell us how it happens that you are here?" "suppose you tell us how it happens that you are here," came from dick. "that is my business." "our business is our own, too, dan baxter." "you followed me," growled the big bully, his face darkening. "i know you and don't you forget it." "why should we follow you?" said tom. "we got the best of you over that treasure in the adirondacks." "oh, you needn't blow. remember the old saying, 'he laughs best who laughs last.' i aint done with you yet--not by a long shot." "well, let me warn you to keep your distance," said dick sternly. "if you don't, you'll regret it. we have been very easy with you in the past, but if you go too far, i, for one, will be for putting you where your father is, in prison." "and i say the same," said tom. "ditto here," came from sam. at these words a look of bitter hatred crossed dan baxter's face. he clenched his fists and breathed hard. "you can brag when you are three to one," he cried fiercely. "but wait, that's all. my father would be a free man if it wasn't for you. wait, and see what i do!" and so speaking he caught up his dress-suit case, swung around on his heel, and left the hotel before anybody could stop him. "he's the same old baxter," said tom, with a long sigh. "always going to square up." "i think he is more vindictive than he used to be," observed sam. "when dick spoke about his father being in prison he looked as if he would like to strangle the lot of us." "well, i admit it would be rough on any ordinary boy to mention the fact that his father was in prison," said dick. "but we all know, and dan baxter himself knows, that one is about as wicked as the other. the only thing that makes arnold baxter's case worse is that he is old enough to know better." "so is dan old enough to know better," was tom's comment. "i believe he was coming here to get accommodations," said dick. "if he was, that would tend to prove that he had just arrived in san francisco, dick." "true. but he may have been in this vicinity, perhaps in oakland, alameda, or some other nearby town." "what do you suppose could have brought him here?" "that's a conundrum. maybe he thought the east was getting too hot to hold him." "i wish we knew where he was going." "let us see if we can follow him up." but to follow dan baxter up was out of the question, as they speedily discovered when they stepped out on the sidewalk. people were hurrying in all directions, and the bully had been completely swallowed up in the crowd. "we must watch out," said dick. "now he knows we are here he will try to do us harm, mark my words." the walk that afternoon proved full of interest, and in the evening they went to see a performance of a light opera at the columbia theater. the performance gave them a good deal of pleasure. "quarter past eleven!" exclaimed dick, when they were coming away. "that's the time we got our money's worth." "i thought it must be late," said tom. "i was getting hungry. let us get a bite of something before we go back to the hotel." the others were willing, and they entered a nearby restaurant and seated themselves at one of the tables. as they did this, a person who had been following them stopped at the door to peer in after them. the person was dan baxter. "they are going to dine before retiring," he muttered to himself. "the old nick take the luck! they have all the good times, while i have only the bad!" dan baxter had followed the boys from the hotel to the theater and had also waited around for them to come out. he wanted to "square up" with them, but had no definite plan of action, and was trusting to luck for something to turn up in his favor. he had drifted to the west for a double reason. the one was, as the boys had surmised, because the east seemed to be getting too hot to hold him. his second reason was that he hoped to get passage on some vessel bound for sydney, australia. he had a distant relative in australia, and thought that if he could only see that relative personally he might be able to get some money. he was nearly out of funds, and so far the relative, although rich, had refused to send any money by mail or express. "they have everything they want, while i have nothing," he went on savagely. "and they don't deserve it, either. oh, how i wish i could wring their necks for 'em!" suddenly an idea struck him and without waiting for the boys to come out of the restaurant he hopped on board of a street car running in the direction of the oakland house. entering the hotel office he asked to look at the register. "room ," he said to himself. "that is on the third floor, i suppose, since they generally start a new hundred for every floor. wonder if i can get up without being noticed?" he watched his chance, and slipping past the bell boys, made his way up the stairs, which, on account of the elevators, were but little used. in a few minutes he was in front of the door to room . he tried it cautiously, to find it locked. "now if only the keys will work," he muttered, breathing hard, and taking a bunch of keys from his pocket he tried them, one after another. he had tried four keys without success, when he saw a waiter approaching with a trayful of good things for a late supper in a nearby apartment. at once he moved away down the hallway and did not return until the servant had disappeared from view. he had five other keys and the third fitted the lock, although rather crudely; so crudely in fact that once the lock bolt was turned the key could not be withdrawn. "that's bad," he thought. "but as it cannot be helped i'll have to make the best of it. i mustn't stay here too long," and going into the room he closed the door after him. there was a faint light burning at one of the gas jets and this he turned up, and pulled down the shades of the windows. then he gazed swiftly around the large room, noting the boys' trunks and traveling bags and several articles of wearing apparel scattered about. "oh, if only i can find what i am after," he muttered. "but more than likely they carry their money with them, or else they left it at the hotel office." all of the trunks and traveling bags were locked, and to force the trunks open seemed at first impossible. one of the traveling bags was slit open with a sharp pocket-knife the bully carried and the contents emptied on one of the beds. "not much that i want," muttered dan baxter, as he gazed at the collection. then a jewel case caught his eye and he opened it. "a diamond stud and a diamond scarf pin! not so bad, after all!" and he transferred the jewelry to his pocket. a second later he came upon a bunch of keys. they proved to belong to the trunks and bags, and soon he had the trunks open and the contents scattered in all directions. then he went down on his knees, examining everything brought to light. it must be confessed that he was in a fever of excitement. the rover boys might return at any moment, and he knew full well that to be caught would mean a term in prison. he kept his ears on the alert while his heart thumped loudly within his bosom. "a pocketbook at last!" he cried softly, and snatched it up. one look showed him a, small pile of five and ten-dollar bills, exactly two hundred and seventy-five dollars in all. then he found another jewel case, and from it extracted a second diamond stud and a pair of very fine cuff buttons. "that is all i guess i can get," he muttered, as he stood up. "but i might as well take a new outfit while i am at it," he added, and picked up several articles of wearing apparel. these he stuffed in one of the bags which had not been cut, and around it put a small strap. tiptoeing his way to the door, he opened it and listened. nobody was within hearing or sight. but as he stepped out, the waiter he had before seen came once more into view, this time carrying a tray with some bottles and a box of cigars. the waiter eyed him curiously again, but said nothing. "too bad he saw me, but it can't be helped," thought dan baxter, and made his way downstairs with all possible speed. once in the lower hall he lost no time in gaining the street. in another moment he was swallowed up in the darkness of the night. chapter iii a discovery and what followed "hullo, what does this mean? here is a key in the door." it was dick rover who spoke. he stood in the hallway of the hotel, and beside him were tom and sam. they had eaten rather heartily at the restaurant and taken more time than they had anticipated. "i didn't leave the key there," came from tom. "here it is," and he brought it out of his pocket. "i meant to leave it at the desk, but it slipped my mind." dick found the door open and walked into the room, followed by his brothers. baxter had extinguished the gas and they stood in the dark until sam found a match and lit up. then a cry went up from all three: "we have been robbed!" "this is some sneak thief's work," came from dick. "run down and tell the hotel clerk at once." tom bolted from the room and went down the stairs three steps at a time. the clerk sat dozing in his chair and was roused up with difficulty. but as soon as he realized that something was wrong he was wide-awake. "a robbery, eh?" he queried. "what have you lost?" "we've got to find that out," answered tom. in less than a quarter of an hour they knew the extent of their loss--three diamonds and a pair of cuff buttons, in all worth over two hundred dollars, and two hundred and seventy-five dollars in cash--not to mention a ruined valise and one missing, and the loss of a light overcoat, some silk handkerchiefs and some underwear. "a total loss of over five hundred dollars," said tom. at this the hotel clerk gave a long whistle. "as much as that?" "yes," said dick. "we must get on the track of the thief, and without delay." "i reckon i know the thief," said sam. "you think it was dan baxter?" questioned his elder brother. "i do." "perhaps you are right. but there is no proof that he did it." the hotel clerk found the windows closed and locked. "the thief came in and went out by the door," he said. "the hall boys or somebody else must have seen him. this key is stuck in the lock, which proves that it is not a regular hotel key." without delay the story of the robbery was telephoned to the nearest police station, and soon two detectives appeared. by this time some of the servants noticed that something was wrong, and the waiter who had seen dan baxter come in and go out told his story, to which the boys, the hotel clerk, and the detectives listened with interest. "tell us just how that fellow looked," said dick, and the waiter gave a very good description of the person he had seen. "i imagine sam is right," said dick. "if it wasn't dan baxter it was his double." upon hearing this the hotel clerk and the detectives insisted upon knowing who dan baxter was, and the boys told as much of the bully as they deemed necessary. "of course, if he is guilty the chances are that he will leave san francisco as soon as possible," said one of the detectives. "the best we can do is to try to head him off." "and we'll do our best to find him, too," added tom. "i think the hotel ought to be responsible for this robbery," said dick. "you didn't leave your key at the desk when you went out," cried the hotel clerk, struck by a sudden idea. "what of that?" asked tom. "that makes the guest responsible." "what!" cried tom, aghast. "we are responsible only when the key is left at the desk. and jewels must be left for keeping in one of our safes," went on the clerk. "there are our rules," and he pointed to the printed form tacked on the inside of the door. "don't let us talk about that just now," said one of the detectives. "i think we can get hold of this thief, and if we are quick about it we'll get everything he took, too." the matter was talked over for a quarter of an hour longer and then the detectives went off to make their report and to follow on the trail of dan baxter, if such a thing was possible. it must be confessed that the three rover boys slept but little that night. the loss of the cash was something of a serious matter to them, even though they still possessed a hundred odd dollars in cash between them, and could easily telegraph home for more. more than this, the diamonds and cuff buttons had been gifts of which they were very proud. "and to think that dan baxter should get them," said tom. "i wouldn't feel half so bitter if it had been just some ordinary sneak thief." and the others said the same. two days went by and nothing was learned concerning dan baxter further than that he had put up at the montgomery hotel for one night and had left early in the morning. "he is hundreds of miles away from here by this time," said dick sadly. "he said he would get square, and i guess he has done it," returned tom. but dan baxter had not gotten as far as they supposed. he was in hiding in oakland, across the bay, having pawned the diamonds at a pawn-broker's of shady reputation for seventy-five dollars. this gave him three hundred and fifty dollars in cash, which made him, for the time being, feel quite rich. but he was afraid to take a train to some other town, and so remained in the boarding house for nearly a week, under the assumed name of robert brown. at the end of the fifth day dan baxter became acquainted with a seafaring man named jack lesher. lesher was a rough fellow, who had sailed to many ports on the pacific ocean. he had now obtained the position of first mate on a large schooner which was to sail in a few days from san francisco to several ports in australia. "i'd like to go on that trip to australia," said baxter, thinking of his distant relative. "do you want a passenger?" "i'll see about it, my hearty," replied jack lesher, and on the following day said that captain blossom would take him for an even hundred dollars. a bargain was struck at once, and dan baxter went on board of the schooner _golden wave_ that afternoon. "i'm glad i am out of it," he told himself, when snug on board of the craft. "i'll get to australia after all, and i'm considerably richer than i thought i would be. more than that, i've got in on those rover boys in a way they won't forget in a hurry." while the detectives looked for the thief, the boys had small heart to go sight-seeing. every time they, went out they looked for dan baxter. "if only i could meet him!" cried tom. "oh, but wouldn't i just punch him good before i passed him over to a policeman." during those days the lads received several letters from home, and also three communications from the stanhopes and the lanings. "the stanhopes have gone to santa barbara," announced dick, after perusing an epistle from dora. "and she says her mother is slightly better." "nellie laning is coming out, and so is grace," said tom. "when?" questioned dick. "they have already started, according to the letter i have," put in sam. "boys, i think we can have just the jolliest time ever was when the girls are all together." "right you are," came from tom. "what a pity we had to have that robbery to darken our fun." "i am not going to let it darken my fun," said dick. "don't worry but what some day we'll get the best of dan baxter. that stolen stuff will never do him much good." the very next morning came word from the detectives. one of them called at the hotel. "i am afraid the case is queered," said he. "we tracked the rascal to oakland, and now it looks as if he had given us the slip for good." "can't you find any trace of him?" questioned sam. "oh, yes! but he has shipped on a vessel which is bound for australia, and as she is already two days out of port he is out of our reach." "you are certain he went on that vessel?" cried tom. "yes. he went as a passenger, under the name of robert brown." "and did he take the jewels and money with him?" "more than likely. at any rate, we can find no trace of the jewels." "then that chase is done for," said dick, "and we shall have to pocket our loss." the detective was chagrined to think that he had tracked dan baxter only to lose him, and promised to see if anything more could be done in the matter. but nothing could be done, as there was no telling when the golden wave would arrive at australia, and what port the craft would first make. "we have seen the last of dan baxter," said sam. but the youngest rover was mistaken. they were to meet the bully again, and under circumstances as astonishing as they were perilous. chapter iv good times at santa barbara "what a land of plenty!" it was tom who made the remark. the rover boys were on their way to santa barbara, after having spent three weeks at san francisco and vicinity. they had received word that dora stanhope and her mother and the two laning girls were at the fashionable watering place, and they were anxious to meet their old friends. on sped the luxurious train, over hills and through the valleys, past heavy woodlands and by rich fruit farms. it was a scene which interested them greatly, and they never tired of sitting at the windows, gazing out. presently the car door opened and a tall young fellow, carrying a valise, stepped inside and walked down the aisle. as he came closer dick rover leaped up. "bob sutter!" he cried, with a smile of pleasure. "who would ever dream of meeting you out here?" "is it really dick rover?" questioned the newcomer, as he shook hands. "and tom and sam, too! i must be dreaming. is putnam hall on its travels?" "we are on our travels," replied tom, also shaking hands, followed by sam. "but what are you doing here?" bob sutter, a former scholar at putnam hall, smiled broadly. "i live in california now. my father is interested in real estate in los angeles, ventura, and santa barbara. our home is in santa barbara." "that is where we are going," came from sam. "what are you doing just traveling around?" "yes; we thought we'd put in time until the hall opens again." "i heard it had been closed. too bad! if you are going to santa barbara, you must call and see me by all means," went on bob sutter. "to be sure we will," said tom, and his brothers nodded. "we were going down there now to call on the stanhopes," said dick. "they have come here for the benefit of mrs. stanhope's health, and nellie and grace laning are with them. i guess you know them all." "i know the laning girls, and i think i did meet miss stanhope once--at a football game. i'll be glad to meet them again. but tell me about yourselves." bob sutter sat down, and soon all were talking at a lively rate. the newcomer was astonished to hear of the doings of dan baxter. "the baxters always were a hard crowd," he said. "i hope you'll get back your stuff some time." it was late at night when santa barbara was reached, yet many of the hotels were a blaze of light from top to bottom. at the depot the rover boys parted with bob sutter, but promised to call upon him in a day or two. "i've got a fine yacht," said bob sutter. "some time i want to take you for a trip." "just what we were wishing for!" cried tom. "just name your time, that's all." "how will next monday suit?" "will your yacht hold us?" asked sam. "the old glory will hold ten passengers on a pinch," answered bob sutter. "then you don't sail the craft alone." "i can sail her in fair weather. but father makes me take an old sailor named jerry tolman along with me. jerry is a character--a regular old salt, and i love to have his company. and that makes me think! why can't we make up a party and go out? you can bring the three girls you are going to visit, and i can bring my cousin, mary parloe." "now you are talking!" shouted sam. "what a jolly trip it will be!" the proposal met with immediate approval, and it was decided that the boys should meet not later than saturday afternoon to complete arrangements. the rover boys had received word that mrs. stanhope had rented a furnished cottage not far from one of the leading hotels. the lady was very nervous, and did not like too much noise and confusion about her. meals were brought in from the hotel, which made it very pleasant. when the three boys drove up in a carriage from the depot, three girls came rushing out to greet them. the three were dora stanhope and her two cousins, nellie and grace laning. "so here you are at last!" cried dora stanhope, as she gave dick's hand a tight squeeze. "we almost made up our mind you had missed the train," said nellie laning to tom, giving him a bright smile as she spoke. "how fine you are looking," said grace to sam. "traveling must agree with you." "traveling does agree with us," said sam. "we would have been here sooner, only we stopped to talk to an old schoolmate," said dick, and then he told about bob sutter. "oh, i remember bob sutter," said nellie. "we went on a straw-ride together once--before you came to putnam hall," she added, to tom. "i know him, too," put in grace. "he's a nice boy." "of course he is," said sam pointedly. "but he isn't as nice as some boys," went on grace in a lower tone, and giving sam an arch smile that made him feel very happy. they were soon in the cottage and greeting mrs. stanhope, who had been lying on a couch. the lady greeted them in a motherly way that made them feel more at home than ever. she thought a great deal of the rover boys, and especially of dick, and did not object in the least to the marked attention dick bestowed upon her only child. as my old readers know, the rover boys had, in the past, done mother and daughter more than one valuable service. the boys were fortunate in obtaining rooms in the hotel close to the cottage, which would make it possible for them to run in and out as they pleased. "it's like old times to be together again," said tom, when he and his brothers were retiring that night. "and, as mrs. stanhope is feeling so well, i guess we can have lots of fun." and fun they did have. there were bathing in the surf, and lawn tennis, and dancing at the hotel in the evening, and also lovely walks and drives, and once they went out on horseback to a large fruit farm some miles away, and were royally entertained by some of bob sutter's friends. bob sutter and his cousin, mary parloe, went along, and proved first-class company. the idea of a trip on bob's yacht suited everybody, and it was decided that the whole party should go out early monday morning, taking old jerry tolman with them. they were to load down well with provisions and visit not only several points along the coast, but also one or two of the islands lying twenty-five to thirty miles south of santa barbara. the rover boys had already inspected the old glory and found her to be a first-class yacht in every respect. the craft was about sixty feet in length and correspondingly broad of beam. she carried a tall mast, but the lead in her keel was amply sufficient to keep her from going over unless under full sail in a very heavy wind. the cabin was fairly large and richly furnished, for the sutters were a family of means, and desired everything of the best. if the boys liked the yacht they also liked the man who had charge of her, bluff and hearty jerry tolman--captain jerry, as bob sutter called him. he was truly an old salt, having sailed the ocean since his tenth year, on both whalers and merchantmen. captain jerry lacked a book education, but he was naturally shrewd, and far from being a fool. "downright glad to meet ye, my hearties," he said, when the boys were brought on board. and he gave each hand a grip like that of iron. "want to look over my lady, eh? well, she's a putty one to inspect, take my word on't." and he showed them over the craft with pleasure. they found the yacht clean "as a whistle," and each particular bit of brasswork polished like a mirror. by saturday evening all was ready for the trip. on sunday morning the rover boys went to church with the stanhopes and the lanings, and rested in the afternoon. they were just about to go to supper, when a note came for dick. it was from bob sutter, and ran as follows: "my dear dick: my cousin and i have been in an accident. we went driving to church this morning and the horse ran away and threw us both out on the rocks. miss parloe had her collar bone broken, and i broke my left ankle. kindly come and see me if you can." "an accident!" cried tom. "that is too bad." "let us all go and see him," suggested sam, and this plan was carried out. they found that bob sutter was resting easily on his bed. the doctor had set the broken ankle, and put it in plaster, and he had told bob that he must keep quiet for several weeks. "this ends that yacht trip, so far as i am concerned," said bob ruefully. "never mind, we can wait until you get well," said dick cheerfully, although he did not expect' to remain at santa barbara more than ten days longer. "no, i don't want you to wait," answered bob sutter. "my cousin won't be well, so they tell me, for several months, and i won't want to go without her. i've been thinking that you had better take the trip without us. captain jerry can easily run the yacht with your aid." "that's very kind of you," said tom. "but we'd rather have you along." the matter was talked over for an hour. the rover boys knew that dora, nellie, and grace would be sorely disappointed if the yacht trip was given up. at last they decided to accept bob sutter's kind suggestion and make the trip without the company of the young owner and his cousin; and then they withdrew, wishing bob a speedy recovery. chapter v on board of the yacht "what a glorious day for the trip!" "we are going to turn real sailors, aren't we?" "can't i help pull up a sail or something, tom?" such were the remarks of dora, nellie, and grace as they boarded the old glory early on monday morning. the boys and captain jerry were there to receive them, having arrived an hour before, to see that all the provisions were stowed away, and that the craft was in prime condition for sailing. by a curious combination of circumstances bob sutter had ordered far more provisions than were necessary for such a short trip, but captain jerry had found a place for everything, remarking that they might come in useful after all, but never dreaming how useful, as later events were to prove. mrs. stanhope had come down in a carriage to see them off. she kissed all of the girls an affectionate good-by. "have a good time," she said. "and be sure and come back safe and sound." "don't ye worry but what i'll bring 'em back safe enough, ma'am," said captain jerry, as he tipped his cap respectfully. when the girls were safe on board, the boys waved an adieu to mrs. stanhope. then they ranged up in a row in front of old jerry and each touched his forelock and gave a hitch to his trowser leg. "ready for orders, cap'n," they said, in unison, having practiced this little by-play in secret. "wh--what?" stammered captain jerry, gazing at them in bewilderment. "ready for orders, sir," they said. "shall we shake out the mainsail?" asked dick. "shall i hoist the jib?" came from tom. "can i set the topsail, captain?" put in sam. "well, by the son o' neptune!" gasped captain jerry. "got a real, generwine crew, aint i? all right, my hearties, i'll set ye to work fast enough." and then followed a string of orders in true nautical style, and the rover boys flew in one direction and another to execute them. up went the mainsail and the jib, and the top-sail followed, and soon the old glory was standing off into santa barbara channel, with mrs. stanhope in the carriage waving them an adieu, and the girls and the boys waving their handkerchiefs in return. it certainly was a glorious day, as dora had said, and after the sails were set, there was nothing to do but to take it easy on the cushions of the rail seats. captain jerry was at the wheel, but he promised to let each of them "take a trick" in his place before the trip should come to an end. "i jest wish we had another yacht to race with," said the old sailor. "then i could show ye what sort o' a clean pair o' heels the old glory could show the other craft." "it is easy to see the yacht is speedy," replied dick. "she cuts the water like a thing of life. and you know just how to get her best speed out of her," he went on, a remark that pleased old jerry very much. "will we have more breeze, do you think?" asked tom, later on, as he observed some in clouds to the westward. "can't say as to that, lad. those clouds may come this way and they may blow north'ard. if they come down here, we'll catch it putty lively." "i like a good, stiff breeze," came from sam. "oh, don't run us into a storm," cried grace in alarm. "we might all get seasick." "don't be alarmed," said dick. "we are a very long way from a storm, to my way of thinking." the morning passed quickly enough, and at noon they ran into a small harbor on one of the islands and had dinner in true picnic style. at one o'clock they packed up once more, went on board of the old glory, and stood off to the westward, for all wanted a run "right on the ocean," as tom expressed it. captain jerry was just a bit doubtful of the trip, for the clouds in the western sky had grown considerably larger than when first noticed. not that he did not think the yacht could weather a blow, but he was afraid the young ladies would get seasick. however, as he did not wish to put a damper on their fun, he said nothing, resolved to turn back at the first sign of any "inward upsettin'," as he expressed it. the breeze had increased, and as it was directly from off shore the old glory bowled along merrily over the waves. nobody showed the least sign of seasickness, and they talked, laughed, and sang as if they had not a care in the world. tom also did some fishing, and caught a string of the finny tribe, of which he was justly proud. "you can bake them for us when we get back," he said to nellie. "and then we can all have a fish party." "i could go on sailing like this for a week," said dick to dora, as they moved forward. "i mean if you were along with me," he added, in a lower tone, and she gave him a look that meant a good deal. when three o'clock came captain jerry announced that they must turn back. they were far out of sight of land, with nothing but the blue ocean around them. overhead the sky was still clear, but the clouds on the horizon were rapidly increasing. "oh, let us keep on a while longer," pleaded tom. "this is just glorious!" and the others said the same. so they kept on, although somewhat against captain jerry's better judgment. the old sailor was watching the clouds. presently there came an extra heavy puff of wind, and then the clouds seemed to rush up with lightning-like rapidity. "got to go back, now," said the sailor. "going to have a big blow afore night." and he threw over the tiller and gave the necessary commands to change the sails. "by jove, but those clouds are coming up fast!" exclaimed dick, after a careful survey. "i ever saw them come up like that on the atlantic, or on the great lakes." "it's unusual," replied captain jerry, with a shake of his head. "never seen it afore myself. the wind is coming around, too. it's goin' to be a different storm from what we generally git around these waters." the black clouds soon obscured the sun, and the wind began to blow stronger than ever, sending the whitecaps rolling over the ocean, and causing the spray to fly over the deck of the yacht. nellie clutched tom by the arm. "oh, tom, what does this mean?" she asked in a trembling voice. "it means that we are going to have a storm, that's all," he answered as lightly as he could. "but--but will it hurt us?" came from grace. "i don't think so," put in sam. "but we may get wet, unless we go into the cabin." "i vote the girls all go into the cabin," said dick. "sam can go with them if he wants to. tom, you and i can stay on deck to look after the sails." "i'm going to do my duty on deck, too," came from sam promptly. another rush of wind now sent the spray flying in all directions, and to keep from being drenched the girls retired to the tiny cabin, or, rather, cuddy, of which the old glory boasted. "i am sure it is going to be an awful storm," said dora. "i wish we were safe on land once more." "oh, dear! do you think we'll go to the bottom?" asked nellie. "the boys won't let the yacht go down," answered dora. "they are all good sailors, and captain jerry must know all about handling this craft. but we may have a very bad time of it before we get back to santa barbara." it was dark in the cabin, but the yacht pitched and plunged so violently that they were afraid to light the lantern. so they huddled together, each holding another's hand. on deck captain jerry gave orders to lower the topsail and haul in the jib. several reefs were also taken in the mainsail, and the boys stood ready to bring down the rest of the sheet with a rush at the first word from the old sailor. "it's a re-markable storm--re-markable," said captain jerry, chewing vigorously on the quid of tobacco in his cheek. "aint never seen no sech storm here afore. puts me in mind o' a blow i stood out in onct off the coast o' alaska when i was in a whaler. thet storm caught us same time as this an' ripped our mast out in a jiffy and drowned two o' the sailors." "i hope nothing like that happens to us," said dick, with a shudder. he was not thinking of himself, but of the three girls in the cabin. "well, lad, it aint goin' to be no easy blow, i kin tell ye that," responded captain jerry. soon the wind began to whistle shrilly through the air, and the sky became so black they could scarcely see a hundred yards in any direction, then came some distant flashes of lightning and rolling thunder, and soon the patter of rain. "now we are going to catch it," said tom, and he was right. ten minutes later it was pouring in torrents, and the rain continued to keep coming down as if there was to be no end of it. "boys, aren't you most drowned?" asked nellie, peeping out of the cabin door. "no, but you'll be if you come out here," called back tom. "we can't stand up and we can't sit still," came from grace. "sorry, but you'll have to make the best of it," answered sam. "oh, we won't mind, if only we reach shore in safety," put in dora, and then the door was closed again. on and on swept the old glory, through the wind, the rain, and the darkness. as there was no land near, captain jerry paid his whole attention to making the yacht ride easily, an almost impossible task in such a sea as was now raging. suddenly from somewhere out of the air came a humming sound. it grew louder and louder, and the boys felt a strange suction of wind which made them hold tightly to the rail for fear of being pulled overboard by some uncanny force. there followed a loud snap and a crash, and the mast began to come down. "look out for the mast!" screamed captain jerry, and all jumped just in the nick of time. down came the stick, to strike the rail and shatter it like a pipe stem, and then lay over the deck and over the waves beyond. chapter vi adrift on the pacific ocean "the mast has gone by the board!" screamed dick, on rising to his feet. "that stick will turn the yacht over!" gasped tom. poor sam could not speak, for a wave had struck him full in the mouth, and he had all he could do to keep from being washed overboard. the girls in the cabin heard the crash above the roaring of the elements, and let up a scream of alarm. "are we going down?" "shall we come out on deck?" "stay where ye are!" shouted back captain jerry, clinging to the wheel with a grip of steel. then he turned to dick: "can ye git an ax and clear away the wreck?" "i'll try it," replied the eldest rover, and he moved cautiously to where an ax rested in a holder. soon he had the article in hand, and was chopping away as fast as he could, while tom, holding to the bottom of the mast with one hand, held dick with the other. sam, in the meantime, cut away some.. cordage with a hatchet which was handy. it was truly a perilous moment, and it looked as if the mighty waves would swamp the old glory before the wreckage could be cleared away. the girls stood at a cabin window watching the work and ready to leap out if the yacht should start to go down. "there it goes!" cried dick, at last, and gave another stroke with the ax. there followed a snap and a crack, and overboard slid the broken mast, carrying a mass of cordage with it. at once the old glory righted herself, sending a small sheet of water flowing from one side of the deck to the other. some of the water swept into the cabin, and the girls were alarmed more than ever. "a good job done that it's overboard," said captain jerry. "another plunge or two and we would have gone over, sure pop!" with the wreckage cleared away the boys breathed more freely. but the peril was still extreme, for it was no easy matter to keep the craft from taking the mighty waves broadside. but the force of the wind drove them on, and captain jerry handled the wheel as only a veteran tar could. "i guess it's a hurricane," was tom's comment. "looks more like a cyclone to me," spluttered sam. "i'd give a good deal to be out of it." to keep from, being swamped they had to run out to sea. this was no pleasant prospect to the boys, but it could not be helped. "we needn't tell the girls," said dick. "it will only worry them more, without doing any good." two hours went by, and the storm kept on as madly as ever. night was now coming on, and soon it was impossible to see a hundred feet in any direction. the yacht's lanterns were lit, and one was hoisted on a stick which dick nailed to the stump of the mast. "we've got to, have some sort o' light," said captain jerry. "if not, we may run afoul o' some other craft." the time went by slowly, each hour seeming an age. nobody felt like eating, and nothing was said about supper until nearly nine o'clock, when dora opened the cabin door and called dick: "we thought we would get to shore before eating," she said. "how much longer will we be out, do you think?" "there is no telling, dora," he replied evasively. "no telling? doesn't captain jerry know where we are?" "hardly. you see it is so dark, and we can't make any headway with the mast gone." "how stupid of me! i should have known that. shall we try to fix up some supper?" "you might pass some sandwiches. but, no, we had better come down, one at a time," returned dick. this suggestion was carried out, captain jerry being the last to go down, leaving the wheel in the hands of dick and tom. "don't ye let it git away from ye," was his caution. "if ye do it will be good-by, 'liza jane, an' all of us goin' slam bang to davy jones' locker!" from old jerry the girls learned that they would probably have to remain on the yacht all night. "don't ye git alarmed," he said. "the storm's goin' down, an' we'll come out all right when the sun rises." the prospect of remaining on the ocean all night was dismaying, and all of the girls wondered what mrs. stanhope would say when they did not return. "i know mother will be very much worried," said dora soberly. it was decided by the boys that they should take turns at lying down, each being given two hours in which to rest. sam was the first to turn in, but it is doubtful if he slept to any extent. tom followed, and then came dick. captain jerry declined, stating he could sleep when he had the party safe on shore once more. by morning the storm had taken another turn. it no longer rained, but the sky was murky, and there was a dense fog, which the wind blew first in one direction, and then another. they were still running to sea, with small prospect of being able to turn back. "this is certainly more than i bargained for," observed dick to tom, in a low voice. "to me it looks mighty serious." "oh, the storm is bound to go down." "yes, tom, but how long do you suppose the provisions and water will last?" at this question tom's face fell. "i hadn't thought of that, dick. i don't suppose we have more than enough for to-day, have we?" "well, we might make it last two days on a pinch--we brought quite a lot along. but after that--" "do you think we'll have to stay out here more than two days?" demanded sam. "i don't know what to think, sam." "can't we rig up some sort of a jury-mast?" "captain jerry mentioned that. we'll try." there was no stick on board of the _old glory_ outside of the bowsprit, and at last they decided to saw this off and put it up as a small mast. the task was no easy one, and just as the temporary mast was being fitted into place there came an extra heavy puff of wind which sent the yacht far over on her side. "hold fast, all of ye!" roared captain jerry, and they obeyed, and the stick went rolling over the side and out of sight in the billows. "gone!" gasped tom. "that ends putting up another mast." slowly the day wore along. the girls were silent, and if the truth be told more than one tear was shed between them, although before the boys they tried to put on a brave face. there were no regular meals, and by the advice of captain jerry and dick they were sparing of the provisions and the water. "our only hope now is for the storm to go down, or else to sight some passing ship," said dick. "getting back to santa barbara at present is out of the question. for all we know, we may be a hundred or two hundred miles from the coast." about two o'clock in the afternoon the sky cleared a little. but as the fog lifted, the wind blew with greater force, sending them reeling and plunging into the mighty waves. "it looks as if we should be swamped after all," said tom dolefully. "never say die, tom," came from sam resolutely. "i suppose mrs. stanhope will be worried half to death." "no doubt of it." nobody had any heart to talk, and each watched eagerly for some sign of a sail. tom had a spyglass, and just before sunset he let out a shout: "a ship! a ship!" "where?" came from the others. "off in that direction," and tom pointed with his hand. all took a look through the glass, and saw that he was right. there was a steamer approaching. "if only they see us." said dick, and his brothers nodded. the girls had heard the cry, and now came on deck to learn what it meant. "oh, i hope they take us on board and back home," said nellie. "i must say i am heartily tired of this yacht." the wind was increasing, and the girls had to go back to the cabin to keep from getting wet. the boys put up a flag, upside down, on a piece of planking, and waited eagerly for the steamer to come nearer. "the yacht is settling," cried dick, a little while later. "don't you notice it?" "the old glory has sprung some leaks," responded captain jerry sadly. "take the wheel while i go and look them over." tom and sam, took the wheel, while old jerry and dick inspected the leaks. they soon reported that two seams had opened at the bow, and that there was a bad break at the stern, which was bound soon to interfere with the rudder. "i believe that steamer is going to leave us!" cried sam, a little while later. "oh, don't say that," said dick. "we must signal her somehow." "we'll fire some rockets," said captain jerry. this was done, and a little later they saw that the steamer was heading in their direction. by this time the old glory showed unmistakable signs of being on the point of foundering, and the girls were told to come on deck. everybody was given a life preserver, which had been kept close at hand since the beginning of the trouble. "we are seen!" cried sam joyously, as a signal came from the steamer. gradually the strange vessel drew closer, and they saw that she was a rather clumsy affair of the "tramp" pattern, used to carry all sorts of cargoes from one port to another. "they are lowering a small boat," said sam, a little later. "i wish they would hurry," returned tom, in a low voice. "i believe this yacht is going to go down very soon." at last the small boat was close enough to be hailed, and preparations were made for transferring the girls first. it was no easy matter to make the change, and it took a good quarter of an hour to land the girls on the steamer's deck. by this time the old glory was completely water-logged. "we have got to jump for it, lads!" cried captain jerry, "unless you want to go down with her!" and jump they did, into the mighty waves, and none too soon, for a minute later the yacht went down, out of their sight forever. the small boat was not far away, and soon sam and tom were picked up. to get dick and captain jerry was not so easy, but the task was finally accomplished, and soon all of our friends stood on the deck of the tramp steamer, safe and sound once more. chapter vii dismaying news "thank fortune we got away from the yacht just in time!" exclaimed tom, as he shook the water from his clothes. "i'm sorry to see the old glory go," said captain jerry sadly. "i thought a heap o' that craft, i did. it will be sorry news to take back to master bob." "never mind, we'll help pay for the loss," put in dick. "where are you folks from?" questioned the captain of the steamer, as he came up to, the crowd. "we came from santa barbara. the storm took our mast, and blew us out to sea," answered dick. "we owe you something for, picking us up." "you're welcome for what i've done," answered captain, fairleigh. "come with me, and i'll try to get you some dry clothing. i can trick out the men folks, and the young ladies will have to see my wife, who happens to be with me on this trip." "what steamer is this?" asked tom. "the tacoma, lad." "are you bound for san francisco?" questioned sam. "no, we are bound for honolulu, on the hawaiian islands." "honolulu!" burst out the others. "do you mean to say that the first port you will make will be honolulu?" demanded dick. "that's my orders, lad. i must get there just as quick as i can, too, for a cargo of sugar." "but we don't want to go to the hawaiian islands!" put in dora. "mercy! it's two thousand miles away!" at this captain fairleigh shrugged his broad shoulders. "i am sorry for you, but i can't put back, miss. perhaps we'll meet some vessel bound for some port in the united states. if so, i can ask the captain to take you back." "and if you don't meet any vessel?" came from grace. "oh, i think we'll pass some vessel," returned the captain. he took the girls and introduced them to, his wife, and then turned the boys and old jerry over to the first mate, who obtained for them some dry clothing. after this all were provided with a hot supper, which did much toward making them comfortable, at least physically speaking. but not one of them was comfortable mentally. to be carried to the hawaiian islands, two thousand miles away, was no pleasant thought. besides, what would their folks think of their prolonged absence? "mother will think that we have all been drowned," said dora. "and that is what our folks will think, too," said nellie. "oh, it is terrible, simply terrible!" and she wrung her little hands. by making inquiries dick learned that the steamer was expected to reach honolulu inside of two weeks, if the weather was not too, bad. from honolulu they could get passage to san francisco on the mail steamer, the trip lasting exactly seven days. "we'll have to get some money first," said tom. "and we can't cable for it, either," he went on, for the cable to the hawaiian islands from the united states had not yet been laid. "let us hope that we will see some ship that will take us back," said sam. day after day they watched eagerly for a passing sail. but though they sighted four vessels and hailed them, not one was bound for the united states, outside of a whaler, and that craft intended to stay out at least three months longer before making for port. "we are booked for this trip, and no mistake," sighed tom. "well, since that is so, let us make the best of it." the tacoma was heavily laden, and though the storm cleared away and the pacific ocean became moderately calm, she made but slow progress. "our boilers are not in the best of condition," said captain fairleigh. "i trust there is no danger of their blowing up," returned dick. "not if we don't force them too much." it had been arranged that the boys and girls should pay a fair price for the trip to honolulu, the money to, be sent to the captain of the tacoma later on. as for old jerry, he signed articles to work his passage to the hawaiian islands and back again. as captain fairleigh was rather short of hands he was glad to have the old sailor join his crew. the days slipped by, and, having recovered from the effects of the storm, the rover boys became as light hearted as ever. tom was particularly full of pranks. "no use of crying over spilt milk," he declared. "let us be thankful the pitcher wasn't broken, or, in other words, that we are not at this moment at the bottom of the pacific." "right you are," replied sam. there was an old piano on board, and the boys and girls often amused themselves at this, singing and playing. as there were no other passengers, they had the freedom of the ship. "this would be real jolly," said tom, "if it wasn't that the folks at home must be worried," and then he began to sing, for he really could not be sad: "a life on the ocean wave, a home on the rolling deep, a house in a watery cave-- where i might rest in sleep!" "did you ever hear such a song?" cried nellie, and tom went on: "the boy stood on the burning deck, munching apples by the peck; the captain yelled, he stood stock-still, for of those apples he wanted his fill!" "tom rover!" burst out dora. "i believe you would sing at your own funeral!" and tom continued gayly: "sailing, sailing, over the bounding main, for many a stormy wind shall blow, ere the rovers get home again!" "tom lives on songs," said sam slyly. "he'd rather sing than eat a pie." "pie!" thundered tom tragically. "who said pie? i haven't seen a home-made pie since--since--" "the time you went down in the pantry at midnight and ate two," finished dick, and then there was a burst of laughter. "never mind, tom, i'll make you half a dozen pies--when we get home," came from nellie. "will you really?" said tom, and then he began once more, as gayly as ever: "you can give me pudding and give me cake, and anything else you care to bake; but if you wish to charm my eye, just hand me over some home-made pie!" "that's all right," said dick. "but in place of eye you should have said stomach." "stomach doesn't rhyme with pie," snorted 'tom. "i'm a true poet and i know what i am doing." "talking about pie makes me think of pie-plates," said sam. "let us play spinning the plate on deck. it will be lots of fun trying to catch the plate while it is spinning and the steamer is rolling." "good!" cried grace, and ran to get a plate from the cook's galley. soon they were playing merrily, and the game served to make an hour pass pleasantly. when the forfeits had to be redeemed, the girls made the boys do several ridiculous things. tom had to hop from one end of the deck to the other on one foot, sam had to stand on his head, and recite "mary had a little lamb," and dick had to go to three of the sailors and ask each if they would tie the ship to a post during the night. "i'll wager you are a merry crowd on land," .said captain fairleigh, as he paused to watch the fun. "takes me back to the time when i was a boy," and he laughed heartily. even the captain's wife was amused. she was particularly fond of music, and loved to listen to the playing and singing. the days slipped by one after the other, until captain fairleigh announced that forty-eight hours more ought to bring them in sight of diamond head, a high hill at the entrance to honolulu harbor. but another storm was at hand, and that night the wind blew more fiercely than ever. the tacoma tossed and pitched to such a degree that standing on the deck was next to impossible, and all of the boys and the girls gathered in the cabin and held fast to the posts and the stationary seats. "it feels as if the steamer would roll clear over," said sam. "here we go again!" there was thunder and lightning, and soon a deluge of rain, fully as heavy as that experienced while on board of the ill-fated old glory. this continued all of the night, and in the morning the storm seemed to grow worse instead of better. "we are in a run of bad luck," said dick. "i really believe we will have all sorts of trouble before we get back to the united states." toward noon a mist came up, and it grew dark. lanterns were lit, and the tacoma felt her way along carefully, for captain fairleigh knew that they were now in the track of considerable shipping. by nightfall the steamer lay almost at a stand-still, for the mist was thicker than ever. for safety the whistle was sounded at short intervals. the girls were the first to retire, and the boys followed half an hour later. the staterooms of all were close together. dick rover was the last to go to sleep. how long he slept he did not know. he awoke with a start. a shock had thrown him to the floor of the stateroom, and down came sam on top of him. there were hoarse cries from the deck, a shrill steam whistle, and the sound of a fog horn, and then a grinding thud and a bump that told the tacoma had either run into some other ship or into the rocks. chapter viii from one ship to another "we struck something!" "what is the matter?" "are we going down?" these and a score of other cries rang out on board the steamer. the thumping and bumping continued, followed by a crashing that could mean but one thing--that the ship was being splintered, and that her seams were being laid wide open. as soon as possible the rover boys slipped into some clothing and went on deck. they were quickly followed by the three girls, who clung tight to them in terror. "oh, dick, this is the worst yet!" came from dora. "what will be the end?" "the tacoma is sinking!" was the cry from out of the darkness. "are we really sinking?" gasped nellie as she clutched tom. "yes, we are," came from sam. "can't you feel the deck settling?" they could, only too plainly, and in a minute more the water seemed to be running all around them. the cries continued, but it was so black they could see next to nothing. what happened in the next few minutes the rover boys could scarcely tell, afterward. an effort was made to get out a life-boat, and it disappeared almost as soon as it left the side, carrying some sailors with it. then some red-fire blazed up, lighting up the tragic scene, and revealing a schooner standing close by the steamer. the sailing vessel had her bowsprit broken and part of her forward rail torn away. "if we must die, let us die together!" said dick, and they kept together as well as they could. old jerry was with them, and said he would do all he could for them. he had already passed around life-preservers, and these they put on with all possible speed. then followed a sudden plunge of the steamer and all found themselves in the waves of the ocean. they went down together, each holding the hand of somebody else. when they came up, tom was close to a life-line thrown from the sailing vessel and this he clutched madly. "haul us in!" he yelled. "haul us in!" and the line was pulled in with care, and after ten minutes of extreme peril the boys and the girls and captain jerry found themselves on board of the sailing vessel, which proved to be a large three-masted schooner. all of our friends were so exhausted that they had to be carried to the cabin and here dora and grace fainted away completely, while nellie was little better off. tom had had his left arm bruised and dick was suffering from an ugly scratch on the forehead. it was fully an hour before any of them felt like moving around. in the meantime the two vessels had separated, and though red fire was burned twice, after that, and rockets sent up, nothing more was seen or heard of the tacoma or those left on board. "but i don't think she went down," said captain jerry. "she was too well built for that." and he was right, as events proved. much crippled the steamer two days later entered honolulu harbor, where she was laid up for repairs. worn out completely by what they had passed through, the boys slept heavily for the rest of the night, not caring what ship they were on or where they were going. everybody was busy with the wreckage, so they were left almost entirely to themselves. tom was the first to get up, and going on deck found that the storm had cleared away and that the sun was shining brightly. without delay he halted a sailor who happened to be passing. "what ship is this?" he questioned. "dis ship da _golden wave_," replied the sailor, who was a norwegian. "and where are you bound?" "da ship sail for australia." "great scott! australia!" gasped tom. "this is the worst yet." "what's up, tom?" asked sam, who had followed his brother. "this sailor tells me this ship is bound for australia." "why, that is thousands of miles away!" "i know it." "if we go to australia, we'll never get back." "not quite as bad as that, sam. but we certainly don't want to go to australia." "who is the captain?" "captain blossom," replied the sailor. "where is he?" the sailor said he would take them to the captain and did so. he proved to be a burly fellow with rather a sober-looking face. "got around at last, eh?" he said, eying tom and sam shrewdly. "we have, and we must thank you for rescuing us," replied tom. "that's all right." "one of your sailors tells me you are bound for australia," put in sam. "he told you the truth." "won't you stop at some port in the hawaiian islands?" "no." "but you might put us off." "can't spare the time. as it is, this storm blew me away out of my course," answered captain blossom. he had a twofold reason for not putting them ashore at or near honolulu. it would not only take time, but it might also lead to questioning concerning the fate of the steamer, and he was afraid he would be hauled into some marine court for running into the tacoma, for that was what he had done. "do you know anything about the steamer?" asked sam. "no, she got away from us in the darkness, after we hauled seven of you aboard." "the steamer lost some of her crew," said tom, shuddering. "did you lose any men?" "one sailor, and one of my passengers got hurt in the leg by the collision." by this time dick joined the party, followed by old jerry and the three girls. "will the captain carry us away to australia?" asked dora, when the situation was explained. "i suppose so," said dick soberly. "if i had some money i might buy him off, but i haven't a dollar. what little i did have i left on board of the tacoma." the others were equally destitute, and when captain blossom heard of this his face grew dark. he was a close man, and his first mate, jack lesher, was no better. "if you haven't any money, you'll have to work your passage," he growled. "i can't afford to carry you to australia for nothing." "then let us off at some port in the hawaiian islands," said tom. "can't do it, i told you," retorted captain blossom angrily. "and you'll either work while you are on board or starve." "my, what a tarter!" whispered sam. "well, we'll work," said dick. "but you must not force the young ladies to do anything." "i'm a sailor and will do my full share," said old jerry. but he did not like the situation any better than did the rovers. the matter was talked over, and seeing that they were willing to work, captain blossom became a little milder in his manner. he said he would give the three girls one of the staterooms, but the boys and old jerry would have to join the crew in the forecastle. fortunately the sailors on board the _golden wave_ were a fairly clean lot, so the forecastle was not so dirty a place as it might otherwise have been. the boys did not like to be separated from the girls, however, and dick called the girls aside to talk the matter over. "i want to know if anything goes wrong," said he. "if there is the least thing out of the way, let us know at once," and the girls promised to keep their eyes open. once in the forecastle the boys were given three rough suits of clothes to wear while working. then they were called out to work without delay, for the storm had left much to do on board the golden wave. "we have only one passenger," said one of the sailors, in reply to a question from tom.. "he is a young fellow named robert brown. he was hurt during the storm, but i reckon he's all right now." tom was set to coiling some rope and sam and dick had to scrub down the deck. this was by no means an agreeable task, but nobody complained. "we must take what comes," said dick cheerfully. "so long as we get enough to eat and are not abused i shan't say a word." the boys had been to work about an hour when sam saw a young fellow limping around the other end of the deck. there was something strangely familiar about the party, and the youngest rover drew closer to get a better look at him. "dan baxter!" he cried in astonishment. "dan baxter!" at this cry the person turned and his lower jaw dropped in equal astonishment. "who--er--where did you come from?" he stammered. "so this is the vessel you shipped on?" went on sam. and then he called out: "dick! tom! come here." for a brief instant dan baxter's face was a study. then a crafty look came into his eyes and he drew himself up. "excuse me, but you have made a mistake in your man," he said coldly. "what's that?" came from sam in bewilderment. "i am not the party you just named. my name is robert brown." "it is?" came from the youngest rover. "if that is so, you look exactly like somebody i know well." by this time dick and tom came hurrying to the spot, followed by dora, who happened to be on deck. "dan baxter!" came from tom and dick simultaneously. "he says he isn't dan baxter," said sam. "isn't dan baxter? why, baxter, you fraud, what new wrinkle is this?" said dick, catching him by the arm. "let go of me!" came fiercely from baxter. "let go, i say, or it will be the worse for you. you have made a mistake." "no mistake about it," put in tom. "he is dan baxter beyond a doubt." chapter ix in which the enemy is cornered the loud talking had attracted the attention of captain blossom, and now the master of the _golden wave_ strode up to the crowd. "what's going on here?" he demanded of the rover boys. "why are you not at work, as i ordered?" "i have made an important discovery," answered dick. "is this your passenger, captain blossom?" "he is. what of him?" "he is a thief and ran away from san francisco to escape the police." "it's a falsehood!" roared dan baxter. "they have made a mistake. i am a respectable man just out of college, and my father, doctor l. z. brown, is a well-known physician of los angeles. i am traveling to australia for my health." "his real name is daniel baxter and his father is now in prison," said tom. "he robbed us of our money and some diamonds while we were stopping at a hotel in san francisco. the detectives followed him up, but he slipped them by taking passage on your ship." "i tell you my name is brown--robert brown!" stormed baxter. "this is some plot hatched up against me. who are these fellows, anyway?" he went on, turning to the captain. "they came from the steamer we ran into," answered captain blossom. "i never saw them before." at this moment dora touched the captain on the shoulder. "please, captain," she said, "i knew dan baxter quite well and i am sure this young man is the same person." "it aint so. i tell you, captain, it is a plot." "what kind of a plot could it be?" asked captain blossom. he scarcely knew what to say. "i don't know. perhaps they want to get hold of my money," went on baxter, struck by a sudden idea. "that's right, we do want to get hold of the money!" cried sam. "for it belongs to us--at least two hundred and seventy-five dollars of it--not counting what he may have got on the diamonds and the cuff buttons." "you shan't touch my money!" screamed baxter. "captain, he ought to be placed under arrest," said dick. dora had gone back to the cabin and now she returned in great haste with nellie and grace. "to be sure, that is dan baxter," said nellie. "there can be no mistake," put in grace, "we all know him only too well." "you see, captain blossom, that we are six to one," said tom. "and you will surely believe the ladies." "how is you all happen to know him so well?" demanded the captain curiously. "we know him because we all went to school together," answered dick. "these young ladies lived in the vicinity of the school. we had trouble with baxter at school and later on out west, and ever since that time he has been trying to injure us. we met him in san francisco in the hotel lobby and at night he went to our room, cut open a traveling bag and unlocked our trunks and robbed us of two hundred and seventy-five dollars in cash, some diamond studs, a pair of cuff buttons, and some clothing." "i've got an idea!" almost shouted sam. "maybe he has some of the stolen stuff in his stateroom." "yes, yes, let us search the stateroom: by all means!" exclaimed tom. "you shall not touch my room!" howled baxter, turning pale. "i have nothing there but my own private property." "if that is so, you shouldn't object to having the stateroom searched," observed captain blossom. "if we get back our money we may be able to pay you something, captain, for our passage," said dick. this was a forceful argument and set captain blossom to thinking. he was a man who loved money dearly. "i will go along and we will look around the stateroom," he said, after a pause. "this is an outrage!" cried dan baxter. "i will have the law on you for it." "shut up! i am master on my own ship," retorted captain blossom, and led the way to the stateroom dan baxter occupied. the door was locked and baxter refused to give up the key. but the captain had a duplicate, and soon he and the rover boys were inside the room. baxter followed them, still expostulating, but in vain. "here is a pocketbook full of bills!" cried tom, bringing the article to light. "here is my light overcoat!" came from dick. "see, it has my initials embroidered in the hanger. aunt martha did that for me." "here are my gold cuff buttons!" exclaimed sam. "they were a present from my father and they have my monogram engraved on each." and he showed the articles to the captain. "i reckon it's a pretty clear case against you," said captain blossom, turning to dan baxter. "here are half a dozen letters," said tom, holding them up. "you can see they are all addressed to daniel baxter. that's his name, and he'd be a fool to deny it any longer." "well, i won't deny it," cried the big bully. "what would be the use--you are all against me--even the captain." "i am not against you," retorted captain blossom. "but if you are a thief i want to know it. why did you give me your name as robert brown?" "that's my business." baxter paused for a moment. "now you have found me out, what are you going to do about it?" he went on brazenly. "you can't arrest me on shipboard." "no, but we can have you arrested when we land," said dick. "and in the meantime we will take charge of what is our own." "here are some pawn tickets for the diamonds," said sam, who was continuing the search. "they show he got seventy-five dollars on them." "we will keep the tickets--and the seventy-five dollars, too--if we can find the money," said tom. but the money could not be found, for the greater part had been turned over to captain blossom for baxter's passage to australia and the rest spent before leaving shore. the pocketbook contained only two hundred and thirty dollars. "what did he pay you for the passage?" questioned dick of the captain. "one hundred dollars." "then you ought to turn that amount over to our credit." "why, what do you mean?" "i mean that dan baxter has no right to a free passage on your ship, since he bought that passage with our money. let him work his way and place that passage money to our credit." "that's the way to talk," put in tom. "make him work by all means." "he deserves good, hard labor," came from sam. "i don't think you can make me work!" burst out dan baxter. "i am a passenger and i demand that i be treated as such." "you are an impostor!" returned captain blossom bluntly. "the fact that you used an assumed name proves it. if i wanted to do so, i could clap you in the ship's brig until we reach port and chain you into the bargain. i want no thieves on board my ship." "here is more of our clothing," came from tom. "pick out all the things that are yours," said the captain. "and take the other things that are yours, too." this was done, nobody paying any attention to baxter's protests. when the rovers had what there was of their things the captain turned to the bully. "i've made up my mind about you," he said, speaking with great deliberation. "i am master here, and a judge and jury into the bargain. you can take your choice: either sign articles as a foremast hand for the balance of the trip, or be locked up as a prisoner, on prison rations." "do you mean th--that?" gasped baxter, turning pale. "i do." "but the passage money goes to the credit of these young fellows." "it's an outrage!" "no, it's simply justice, to my way of thinking. i'll give you until to-morrow to make up your mind what you will do." this ended the talk with dan baxter. the captain said he wanted to see the rover boys in the cabin, and they followed him to that place. "captain, i feel i must thank you for your fair way of managing this affair," said dick, feeling that a few good words at this point would not go amiss. "i hope you treat baxter as he deserves." "i will try to do right," was captain blossom's answer. "but what i want to know now is, what do you intend to do with that money? it seems to me i should be paid something for keeping you on board." "i have a proposition to make, captain. we will give you two hundred dollars if you will allow us to consider ourselves passengers. and by 'us' i mean the young ladies as well as ourselves." "it's not very much." "if we pay you that amount it will leave us but thirty dollars, hardly enough with which to cable home for more. of course, when we get our money in australia we will pay you whatever balance is due you,--and something besides for saving us." this pleased captain blossom and he said he would accept the offer. the matter was discussed for half an hour, and it was decided that the boys should have two staterooms, the one occupied by baxter and another next to that given over to the girls. when dora, nellie, and grace heard of the new arrangement that had been made they were highly pleased. "i didn't want to see you do the work of a common sailor," said dora to dick. "oh, it wouldn't kill me," he returned lightly. "even as it is, i'll give a hand if it is necessary." "it's a wonder captain blossom took to your offer so quickly." "he loves money, that's why, dora. he would rather have that two hundred dollars than our services," and with this remark dick hit the nail squarely on the head. chapter x a blow in the darkness it would be hard to describe dan baxter's feelings after captain blossom and the rover boys left him alone in his stateroom. at one instant he was fairly shaking with rage, and at the next quaking with fear over what the future might hold in store for him. "they have got the best of me again!" he muttered, clenching his fists. "and after i felt sure i had escaped them. it must have been fate that made captain blossom pick them up. now i've either got to work as a common sailor or submit to being locked up in some dark, foul-smelling hole on the ship. and when we get to australia, unless i watch my chance to skip out, they'll turn me over to the police." he could not sleep that night for thinking over the situation and was up and dressed before daylight. strolling on deck, he came face to face with sam, who had come up to get the morning air. "i suppose you think you have got the best of me," growled baxter. "it looks like it, doesn't it?" returned sam briefly. "the game isn't ended yet." "no, but it will be when you land in prison, baxter." "i'll get square." "you have promised to get square times without number--and you have failed every time." "i won't fail the next time." "yes, you will. wrong never yet triumphed over right." "oh, don't preach, sam rover." "i am not preaching, i am simply trying to show you how foolish it is to do wrong. why don't you turn over a new leaf?" "oh, such talk makes me sick!" growled the bully, and turned away. a little while later captain blossom appeared and hunted up dan baxter, who sat in his state-room, packing up his few belongings. "well, have you decided on your course, young man?" demanded the master of the _golden wave_. "do you mean to lock me up if i refuse to become a sailor?" asked dan baxter, "i do, and i won't argue with you, either. is it yes or no?" "i don't want to be locked up in some dark hole on your ship." "then you are willing to become a sailor?" "i--er--i suppose so." "very well, you can remove your things to the forecastle. jack lesher, the first mate, will give you your bunk." this was "adding insult to injury," as it is termed, so far as baxter was concerned, for it will be remembered that it was jack lesher who had obtained the passage on the _golden wave_ for the bully. but dan baxter was given no chance to demur. taking his traps he went on deck, where jack lesher met him, grinning in sickly fashion. "so you are going to make a change, eh?" said the mate. "you needn't laugh at me, if i am," growled baxter. "i shan't laugh, my boy. it's hard luck," said lesher. "come along." he led the way to the forecastle and gave baxter a bunk next to that occupied by old jerry. then he brought out an old suit of sailor's clothing and tossed it over. "you've run in hard luck, boy," he said in a low voice, after he had made certain that nobody else was within hearing. "i am sorry for you." "really?" queried dan baxter, giving the mate a sharp look. "yes, i am, and if i can do anything to make it easy for you, count on me," went on jack lesher. "thank you." "i suppose taking that money and the other things was more of boy's sport than anything, eh?" "that's the truth. i wanted to get square with those rover boys. they are my bitter enemies. i didn't want the money." just then old jerry came in and the conversation came to an end. but baxter felt that he had a friend on board and this eased him a little. he did not know that the reason jack lesher liked him was because the first mate was a criminal himself and had once served a term in a michigan jail for knocking down a passenger on a boat and robbing him of his pocketbook. as the old saying goes, "birds of a feather flock together." when the girls came on deck they found baxter doing some of the work which dick and tom had been doing the morning before. at first they were inclined to laugh, but dora stopped herself and her cousins. "don't let us laugh at him," she whispered. "it is hard enough for the poor fellow as it is." "i am not going to notice him after this," said nellie. "to me he shall be an entire stranger." and the others agreed to treat dan baxter in the same manner. but the boys were not so considerate, and tom laughed outright when he caught sight of baxter swabbing up some dirt on the rear deck. this made the bully's passion arise on the instant and he caught up his bucket as if to throw it at tom's head. "don't you dare, baxter!" cried tom. "if you do we'll have a red-hot war." "i can lick you, tom rover!" "perhaps you can and perhaps you can't." baxter put up his fists, but on the approach of dick and sam he promptly retreated. but before he went he hissed in tom's ear: "you wait, and see what i do!" "he had better keep his distance," said dick. "if he doesn't, somebody will get hurt." "i suppose it galls him to work," said sam. "he always was rather lazy." the day proved a nice one, and the rover boys spent most of the time with the three girls, who were glad of their company once more. all speculated on the question of what had become of the tacoma, and of what the folks at home would think concerning their prolonged absence. "i'd give a good deal to send a message home," said dick. "we must cable as soon as we reach shore," added dora. they saw but little of dan baxter during the day and nothing whatever of him the day following. "he is trying to avoid us," said sam. "well, i am just as well satisfied." through old jerry they learned that baxter hated the work given to him and that he was being favored a little by the first mate. "tell ye what, i hate that mate," said jerry. "he's got a wicked eye, and he drinks like a fish." "i know he drinks," answered tom. "i smelt the liquor in his breath." they were now getting down into warmer latitudes and the next night proved unusually hot. it was dark with no stars shining, and the air was close, as if another storm was at hand. "i can't sleep," said tom, after rolling around in his berth for half an hour. "i'm going on deck." and he dressed himself and went up for some air. he walked forward and leaned over the rail, watching the waves as they slipped behind the noble ship. tom's coming on deck had been noticed by dan baxter, who sat on the side of the fore-castle, meditating on his troubles. as the bully saw the youth leaning over the rail, his face took on a look of bitter hatred. "i'll teach him to laugh at me!" he muttered. gazing around he saw that nobody was within sight and then he arose to his feet. with a cat-like tread he came up behind tom, who still looked at the waves, totally unconscious of danger. baxter's heart beat so loudly that he was afraid tom would hear it. again he looked around. not a soul was near, and the gloom of the night was growing thicker. "he'll laugh another way soon!" he muttered, and stepped closer. his fist was raised to deliver a blow when tom happened to straighten up and look around. he saw the form behind him and the upraised arm and leaped aside. the blow missed its mark and tom caught baxter by the shoulder. "what do you mean, dan baxter, by this attack?" he began, when the bully aimed another blow at him. this struck tom full in the temple and partly dazed him. then the two clenched awl fell heavily against the rail. "i'll fix you!" panted baxter, striking another blow as best he could, and then, as tom struck him in return, he forced tom's head against the rail with a thump. the blow made tom see stars and he was more dazed than ever. "le--let up!" he gasped, but baxter continued to crowd him against the rail, which at this point was very weak because of the collision with the steamer. suddenly there was a snap and a crack and the rail gave way. baxter leaped back in time to save himself from falling, but tom could not help himself, and, with a wild cry, he went overboard! chapter xi a call from the stern for the instant after tom slipped over the side of the _golden wave_, dan baxter was too dazed to do more than stare at the spot where he had last seen the boy with whom he had been struggling. "gone!" he muttered presently. "gone!" he repeated and crouched back in the darkness. the great beads of perspiration came to his brow as he heard rapid footsteps approaching. would he be accused of sending tom rover to his death? "what's the trouble?" came in the voice of captain blossom. instead of answering, dan baxter crept still further back. then, watching his chance, he darted into the forecastle. "hullo, the rail is broken!" he heard the captain exclaim. "bring a lantern here, quick!" a sailor came running with a lantern, which lit up the narrow circle of the deck near the rail and part of the sea beyond. "somebody gave a cry," said the captain, to those who began to gather. "looks to me as if the rail gave way and let somebody overboard." "tom rover was on deck," came from old jerry. "do you reckon as how it was him?" "i don't know. it was somebody, that's certain. call all hands at once." this was done, and dan baxter had to come out with the rest. he was pale and trembled so he could scarcely stand. "all here," said captain blossom. "must have been one of the rover boys or one of the young ladies." word was passed along and soon sam and dick came rushing on deck. "tom is missing!" cried sam. "if that is so, i'm afraid, boys, you have seen the last of your brother," said captain blossom. he turned to his crew. "do any of you know anything of this affair?" there was a dead silence. then he questioned the man at the wheel. "don't know a thing, cap'n," was the answer. "it's queer. he must have pressed on the rail very hard.. here are half a dozen nails torn from the wood." while this talk was going on dick and sam had passed along the rail from the place of the accident to the stern. "perhaps he caught hold somewhere," said sam, who was unwilling to believe that his brother had really perished. they had just gained the stern and were looking over when a call came from out of the darkness. "he--help! help!" "it's tom!" screamed dick in delight. "tom, is that you?" "yes! help!" "where are you?" "holding on to a rope. help me quick. i--i can't hold on mu--much longer!" "we'll help you," answered dick. captain blossom was called and more lanterns were lit, and then a bengal light, and tom was seen to be holding fast to a rope which had in some manner fallen overboard and become entangled in the rudder chain. by the aid of the boat-hook the rope was hauled up and to the side of the _golden wave_. at the same time the sails were lowered, and then a rope ladder was thrown down. dick descended to the edge of the waves, and, watching his chance, caught tom by the collar of his coat. then the brothers came slowly to the deck. a cheer went up when it was found that tom was safe once more, and nellie laning could not resist rushing forward and catching the wet youth in her arms. tom was so exhausted he dropped on the nearest seat, and it was several minutes before he had recovered strength enough to speak. "i would have been drowned had it not been for that rope," he said when questioned. "as i slid along the side of the ship the rope hit me in the face. i clutched it and clung fast for dear life. then when i came up and swept astern i called as loudly as i could, but it seemed an age before anybody heard me." "it was a narrow escape," said dick. "you can thank a kind providence that your life was spared." "you must have leaned on the rail awfully hard," put in nellie. "leaned on the rail?" repeated tom. "it wasn't my fault that i went overboard. it was dan baxter's." "dan baxter!" came from several. "exactly. he tackled me in the dark, and we had it hot and heavy for a minute. then he crowded me on the rail, and it gave way. he jumped back and let me go overboard." "the rascal! i'll settle with him!" cried dick. "i'll teach him to keep his distance after this!" he knew baxter was still forward, and ran in that direction. the bully saw him coming and tried to hide in the forecastle, but dick was too quick for him and hauled him back on the deck. "take that for shoving my brother overboard, you scoundrel!" he exclaimed, and hit baxter a staggering blow straight between the eyes. "stop!" roared the bully, and struck out in return. but dick dodged the blow, and then hit baxter in the chin and on the nose. the elder rover boy was excited, and hit with all of his force, and the bully measured his length on the deck. "good fer you!" cried old jerry, who stood looking on. "that's the way to serve him, the sarpint!" slowly baxter arose to his knees, and then his feet, where he stood glaring at dick. "don't you hit me again!" he muttered. "but i will," retorted dick, and struck out once more. this time his fist landed on the bully's left eye, and once again baxter went down, this time with a thud. the sailors were collecting, and soon jack lesher rushed up. he stepped between dick and the bully. "stop it!" he ordered harshly. "we don't allow fighting on board of this craft." "i wasn't fighting," answered dick coolly. "i was just teaching a rascal a lesson." "it amounts to the same thing. if you have any fault to find tell the captain, or tell me." "well, i'll go to the captain, not you," retorted dick. "all right," growled the first mate. "but just remember you can't boss things when i'm around." when captain blossom understood the situation he was thoroughly angry. "baxter certainly ought to be in prison," he said. "i'll clap him in the brig and feed him on bread and water for three days and see how he likes that." "he ought not to be left at large," said dora, with a shudder. "he may try to murder somebody next." "we'll watch him after this," said the captain. he kept his word about putting baxter in the ship's jail. but through lesher the bully, got much better fare than bread and water. strange as it may seem, a warm friendship sprang up between the bully and the first mate. "i aint got nothing against you, baxter," said jack lesher. "when we get to australia perhaps we can work together, eh?" and he closed one eye suggestively. baxter had told him of his rich relative, and the mate thought there might be a chance to get money from baxter. "he'd rather give me money than have me tell his relation what sort of a duck he is," said lesher to himself. after this incident the time passed pleasantly enough for over a week. when baxter came from the brig he went to work without a word. whenever he passed the rovers or the girls he acted as if he did not know they were there, and they ignored him just as thoroughly. but the boys watched every move the bully made. as mentioned before, jack lesher was a drinking man, and as the weather grew warmer the mate increased his potions until there was scarcely a day when he was thoroughly sober. captain blossom remonstrated with him, but this did little good. "i'm attending to my duties," said lesher. "and if i do that you can't expect more from me." "i thought i hired a man that was sober," said captain blossom. "i won't place my vessel in charge of a man who gets drunk." yet he was not willing to do the mate's work, or put that work onto others, so jack lesher had to take his turn on deck, no matter in what condition. "i must say i don't like that first mate at all," said tom to sam. "he is very friendly with baxter." "i have noticed that," replied the youngest rover. "such a friendship doesn't count in the mate's favor." "last night he was thoroughly drunk, and wasn't fit to command." "well, that is captain blossom's lookout. the captain can't be on deck all of the time." two nights after this talk jack lesher was again in command of the ship, captain blossom having retired after an unusually hard day. it was hot and dark, and the air betokened a storm. the man at the wheel was following a course set by the captain, and the sailors whose watch was on deck lay around taking it as easy as they could. the mate had been drinking but little in the afternoon, but before coming on deck he took several draughts of rum. he was in a partiallarly bad humor and ready to find fault with anybody or anything. some of the sails had been reefed, and these he ordered shaken out, although there was a stiff breeze blowing. then he approached the man at the wheel and asked for the course. "southwest by south," was the answer. "that aint right," growled the mate. "it should be south by west." "the captain gave it to me southwest by south," answered the man. "don't talk back to me!" roared jack lesher. "i know the course as well as the captain. make it south by west, or i'll flog you for disobeying orders." "aye, aye, sir," answered the man at the wheel, and the course was changed, for the sailor stood greatly in fear of the mate. then the mate sent below for another drink of rum. chapter xii another accident at sea it was four hours later, and captain blossom was just preparing to come on deck, when there, came a fearful shock which threw the golden wave back and over on her side. "we have struck! we are on the rocks!" came a shrill cry from the deck, and immediately there was an uproar. the rover boys were thrown to the floor from their berths, and it was several seconds before they could realize what had happened. "we have struck something, that is sure!" gasped sam. as quickly as they could they donned their clothing and made their way to the large state-room occupied by the girls. "oh, what a shock!" came from nellie. "are you safe?" asked tom. "i am, but poor grace struck her head on the wall, and is unconscious." without ceremony tom picked up the unconscious girl, wrapped her in a blanket, and, aided by sam, carried her to the deck, the others following. a minute later grace revived. on deck they found all in confusion. the bowsprit of the _golden wave_ was gone, and also the main topmast, while a mass of the rigging littered the forecastle. it was also announced that the rudder was broken and the vessel was pounding helplessly on the rocks, with a big hole in the bow directly below the waterline. "who changed the course?" demanded captain blossom. "we should be fifty miles away from these rocks." "the first mate made me change the course," said the man who had been at the wheel. "i told him you had said southwest by south, and he made it south by west." "he don't know what he's talking about!" howled jack lesher. the shock had partly sobered him. "he was steering due south, and i told him to make it southwest by south." but little more could be said on the point, for it was feared that the schooner would go down at any moment. "we must man the boats," said the captain. "bring up the provisions and the kegs of water, and be quick about it." "are we near land?" asked dick. "there should be some islands four or five miles south of this spot," answered captain blossom. now that there was danger of going down some of the sailors seemed to grow crazy. half a dozen tumbled into one of the boats and began to lower it of their own accord. "stand back there!" shouted the captain. "the girls must go first." "not much!" shouted one of the sailors. "it's everybody for himself now!" and in a moment more the small boat had left the ship's side and disappeared in the darkness. there were three other boats and the remaining sailors, along with the first mate and dan baxter, wanted to crowd into these. but captain blossom said he would shoot the first man who tried to row away without his orders. then some provisions were put into the boats, and the captain divided the whole company among the three boats. "let us stay together, captain," pleaded dick. "we can row." "and what of the girls, rover?" "let us go with the rover boys," pleaded dora, and nellie and grace said the same. old jerry also stood by his friends. while this talk was going on there was a rush for two of the boats, and before captain blossom could do anything his men were off, taking jack lesher and dan baxter with them. "you can go down with the ship!" cried dan baxter mockingly. an instant later the darkness hid the speaker from view. "they have left us," cried captain blossom. "but, thank fortune, the best and largest boat is also left." some provisions had been tumbled into this boat, and a cask of water followed. then the girls were placed on board, the rover boys followed, and the captain and old jerry came behind, to cut away. down went the small boat into the mighty waves, and each of the boys caught up an oar. "pull!" roared captain blossom. "pull for your lives!" and they did pull, two boys on one side, and sam and old jerry on the other. the girls huddled in the stern, expecting every moment to see the little craft turn bottom side up. they scraped along the side of the doomed ship, and then along some rocks. captain blossom was in the bow, peering ahead. "to the left!" he yelled. "quick!" and then came a shock, and the captain disappeared beneath the waves. "the captain is gone!" screamed dora, but she was hardly heard, for the ship was pounding on the rocks, and the spray was flying in all directions. the boys and old jerry continued to pull, knowing not what else to do, and at last the spot was left behind and they found themselves on the bosom of the mighty pacific, in the black darkness, out of sight of everything, with only the sounds of the wind and the waves filling their ears. "do you think we will ever get out of this alive?" asked grace of dora. "let us pray that we may all be spared," answered dora, and they did pray, more earnestly than they had ever before prayed in their whole lives. it was a moment that put their faith to a supreme test. the boys did not dare to stop rowing, and they kept on until their backs ached and their arms seemed ready to drop from their sockets. "we had better take turns," said dick, at last. "we can't keep this up all night.." and his suggestion was followed out, two, rowing at a time, for a space of fifteen or twenty minutes. they thought they might see something of the other boats, but nothing came to view, and when they set up a shout at the top of their lungs, no answer came back. "they have either gone down or else got out of this neighborhood," said tom. "it was too bad to lose captain blossom," said sam. "he was not such a bad sort, after all." it was not long after this that a mass of wreckage drifted past them. there was a bit of broken spar and some other woodwork, but no human being, and they let the wreckage go. by looking at his watch dick saw that it was three o'clock in the morning. "it will be light in another couple of hours," he said. "if we can keep on top of the waves until then perhaps we can sight the islands the captain mentioned." "i wish it was daylight now," sighed nellie. fortunately a bundle of clothing had been brought along, and as the water was warm, nobody suffered much from the wetting received. care was taken to keep the provisions as dry as possible, for there was no telling how long it would be before they would be able to get more. slowly the night dragged by, and, with the coming of morning, the wind went down, the storm passing to the northward. "it is growing lighter," announced dora. "the sunlight is beginning to, show over the rim of the sea." half an hour later the sun came up, like a great ball of fire from a bath in the ocean, capping the high waves with gold. as the light spread around them, dick stood up on a seat and gazed eagerly in all directions. "what do you see?" demanded the others. "nothing," he answered, with a sinking heart; "nothing but water on all sides of us." "the islands--they must be somewhere!" cried tom, and he, too, took a look, followed by the others. the last to look was old jerry. "can't see much," said the old sailor slowly. "but i kind of reckon there's a dark spot directly southward." "it must be one of the islands the captain mentioned!" exclaimed dora. "we might as well row in that direction," said dick. "there is nothing else to do." "it's queer what became of the other boats," said sam. some of the provisions were brought forth and they ate sparingly, and drank a little of the water. then the boys and old jerry took up the oars once more and began to pull as nearly southward as they could make it, steering by the sun. when the sun grew higher it became very warm, so that the rowers were glad enough to lay aside their jackets. by noon they reckoned that they had covered six or eight miles. one after another stood up on the seats to take a look around. "nothing in sight yet," said dick, with a sorry shake of his head. "we must have been mistaken in that dark spot." "what will you do now?" asked grace. "the hot sun is beginning to make my head ache." sam's head also ached, but he said nothing. nobody knew what to suggest. "one thing is certain; we can't remain out on the bosom of the ocean," said dick. "better continue to pull southward," came from old jerry. "there are lots of islands down that way. the map is full of 'em." "yes, the map is full of them," answered dick. "but a quarter of an inch on the map means a hundred miles or two in reality." yet it was decided to row on, trusting to luck to strike some island, either large or small. it was now fiercely hot, and all hands perspired freely. by the end of the afternoon the boys were worn out, and had to give up rowing. the girls were dozing in the stern, having covered their heads with a thin shawl, stretched from one gunwale to another. tom and sam were dizzy from the glare of the sun on the water. "another day like this will set me crazy," said the youngest rover. "i'd give ten dollars for a pair of blue goggles." old jerry had been looking intently to the westward. now he pointed in that direction. "see that trail of smoke," he said. "unless i am mistaken a steamship is sailing toward us!" "a steamship!" cried tom, and the words awoke the girls. "we must hail the vessel by all means." "if she comes close enough," said captain jerry pointedly. "don't be too hopeful, my lads. she may pass us by." chapter xiii the crusoes of seven islands all on board of the rowboat watched the thin trail of smoke with interest. "i believe it is going away from us," said dora. "no, it is coming closer," said nellie. "it is certainly moving to the northward," put in sam. a quarter of an hour went by and the smoke came only a little nearer. "she is a big steamer," said captain jerry. "but she aint comin' jest this way." "you are sure?" cried tom. "yes, lad. it's too bad, but it can't be helped." the old sailor was right; half an hour later the smoke had shifted, and after that it faded gradually from sight. it was a heavy blow, after their expectations had been raised so high, and tears stood in the eyes of all of the girls, while the boys looked unusually sober. what was to do next? all asked that question, yet it was only captain jerry who answered it. "let us pull southward," said he. and they did so, although with hearts that were as heavy as lead in their bosoms. slowly the night came on. shortly after the sun set the moon showed itself and the sky became studded with stars, the southern cross standing out boldly among them. the pale light made the bosom of the ocean glisten like silver. "a beautiful night," said dora. "but who can enjoy it when we do not know what to-morrow will bring forth," and she sighed deeply. the boys and old jerry continued to take turns at rowing, while the girls sank into fitful slumber. presently the old sailor raised his head. "listen!" he said, and they did so, and far away heard a strange booming. "what's that?" questioned sam. "it's breakers!" cried tom. "we must be near some coast!" "the lad is right," came from captain jerry. "we are near an island, after all!" dick stood on a seat, and, as the boat rode to the top of a wave, took a look around. "an island!" he cried. "dead ahead!" "hurrah! we are saved!" ejaculated sam. "what is the matter?" questioned dora, rousing up, followed by the other girls. "there is an island ahead." "we must be careful how we approach the shore, lads," cautioned jerry. "if we strike the rocks, it may cost us our lives. perhaps we had better hold off until daylight." "i see a stretch of sand!" came from tom, who was standing up. "if we can reach that, we'll be all right." old jerry took a careful look. the sand was there, true enough, but there were dangerous breakers between the boat and that shore. "if you say so, we can run our chances," he said. "the young ladies must hold tight, and not mind a good ducking." the force of the waves was now carrying them closer and closer to the breakers. under old jerry's directions the boys took a short, sharp stroke, keeping the rowboat straight up to the waves. the noise was like thunder, and soon the spray was flying all over them. "now pull!" cried captain jerry. "one, two, three! hold tight, girls!" and away they went into the breakers. one wave dashed over the craft, but it was not swamped, and before another could hit them they darted up a swell and onto a long, sandy beach. in a twinkle the old sailor was out, along with dick, and, aided by another wave, they ran the boat well up the beach, out of the harm of the waves. it was a hard struggle, and when it was over dick sank down almost exhausted. "saved!" murmured dora, as she leaped out on shore. "thank heaven!" and all of the others echoed the sentiment. the empty boat was pulled up out of harm's way and chained fast to a palm tree growing near, and then the party of seven sat down to rest and to talk over the new condition of affairs. they were on a wild, tropical coast, with a long, sandy beach running to the ocean, and back of this a dense mass of tropical vegetation, including palms, plantains, cocoanuts, and date trees. back of the heavy growth was a distant hill, standing out dimly in the moonlight. "this looks like a regular crusoe-like island," said dora, as she gazed around. "there is not a sign of a habitation anywhere." "a good many of the south sea islands are not inhabited," said dick. "the natives won't live on them because they are subject to volcano eruptions, earthquakes, and tidal waves." "well, i hope we don't have any of those things while we stay here," came from nellie. "an earthquake would scare me almost to death." "i do not see that we can do better than to stay right here for the rest of the night," said tom. "i am too tired out to walk very, far." it was decided to follow tom's advice, and all made themselves as comfortable as circumstances permitted. they had some matches in a waterproof safe, and soon a camp-fire was started, at which they dried some of their garments. then, after eating some of the provisions that were left, they laid down to rest. strange as it may seem all slept soundly until sunrise, and nothing came to disturb them. when the girls arose they found the boys and captain jerry already preparing breakfast. on the shore tom, had found some oysters and shell-fish, and these were baking. among the provisions were a little tea and coffee, and old jerry had made a pot of coffee, which did one good to smell. sam had brought down some cocoanuts from a nearby tree, and also found some ripe bananas. "we won't starve' to death here, that's certain," said dick, when they all sat down to eat. "the island is full of good things. if i had a gun i could bring down lots of birds, and monkeys, too." "i don't think i'd care to eat a monkey," said grace. "but i wouldn't mind eating birds." "there must be plenty of fish here, too," said tom. "in fact i saw some sporting in the waters of a little bay up the coast." "shall we go up and down the coast after breakfast?" asked sam. "my advice is to climb yonder hill and take a squint around," came from captain jerry. "that's a splendid idea, providing we can get to the tap," said dick. "there is no use of all of us going, lad. you can go with me while the rest stay here." "what shall we do in the meantime?" asked sam. "better try your hand at fishin', lad, and see if you can knock some birds over with sticks and stones. if ye get anything, let the girls cook us somethin', for we'll be powerful hungry by the time we get back." half an hour later captain jerry and dick set out. each carried a few ship's biscuits and also a heavy stick which had been cut in the thickets. each wished he had a gun or a pistol, but those articles were not to be had. the climb up the hill was by no means an easy one. the rocks were rough and in many spots the jungle of brush and vines was so thick that to get through was next to impossible. it was very warm, and they had to stop often to cool off and catch their breath. "i don't wonder that people in hot countries move slowly," said dick. "i feel more like resting than doing anything else." it was almost noon when they came in sight of the top of the hill. there were still some rough rocks to climb, and these they had to ascend by means of some vines that grew handy. "what a magnificent view!" cried dick. it certainly was magnificent. looking back in the direction they had come they could see the pacific ocean, glittering in the bright sun-light and stretching miles and miles out of sight. the island they were on looked to be about half a mile in diameter. northward, eastward, and westward was the ocean, but to the southward was a circlet of six islands, having a stretch of calm water between them. between some of the islands the water was very shallow, while elsewhere it looked deep. "seven islands in all," said old jerry. "and not a sign of a house or hut anywhere." "we are the crusoes of seven islands," said dick. "but do you really believe they are uninhabited?" "do ye see any signs of life, lad?" "i must say i do not. it's queer, too, for i rather imagined one at least of the other boats had reached this place." "i thought the same. but it looks now as if they all went to davy jones's locker, eh?" "it certainly does look that way." from the top of the hill they took a careful survey of the situation. the elevation was in the very center of the island. down toward the other islands the slope was more abrupt than it was in the direction from which they had come. "we can take a look at those other islands later on," said old jerry. "reckon as how we have done enough for one day. if we don't git back soon, they'll become anxious about us." "i wish we had a flag," said dick. "here is a tall tree. we could chop away the top branches and hang up a signal of distress. if we did that, perhaps some ship would come this way and rescue us." "right ye are, lad, but it aint many ships come this way. they are afraid o' the rocks we run on." having looked around once more, to "git the lay o' the land," as captain jerry expressed it, they started to descend the hill. this proved as difficult as climbing up had been. dick went in advance, and was half-way down when he stepped on a loose stick and went rolling into a perfect network of vines and brushwood. "are ye hurt?" sang out old jerry. "no--not much!" answered the eldest rover. "but my wind--oh, goodness gracious!" dick broke off short, and small wonder. as 'he arose from the hole into which he had tumbled, a hissing sound caught his ears. then up came the head of a snake at least eight feet long, and in a twinkle the reptile had wound itself around the boy's lower limbs! chapter xiv settling down on the island "what's wrong, lad?" "a snake! it has wound itself around my legs!" "ye don't say!" gasped captain jerry, and then leaped down to the hollow. "well, by gosh! take that, ye beast!" "that" was a blow aimed at the reptile's head with the sailor's stick. old jerry's aim was both swift and true and the head of the reptile received a blow which knocked out one eye and bruised its fang. but the body wound itself around dick tighter than ever. fortunately the youth had not lost his wits completely, and as the neck of the reptile came up, he grasped it in his hand with the strongest grip he could command. "cut it--cut its head off!" he panted. "get your pocket-knife!" at once captain jerry dropped his stick and pulled out his jack-knife, a big affair, such as many old sailors carry. one pull opened the main blade, and then old jerry started in to do as dick had suggested. it was no easy job and the body of the snake squirmed and whipped in every direction, lashing each on the neck and the cheek. but the head came off at last and then they left the body where it fell, and leaped out of the way of further danger. "a close shave, lad," said the old sailor, as he peered around for more snakes. "i--i should sa--say it wa--was," panted dick. he was deadly pale. "i--i thought it would strangle me sure!" "if it had got around your neck, that is what would have happened. reckon as how we had better git out o' this neighborhood, eh?" "yes, yes, let us go at once," and dick started off once more. after that both were very careful where they stepped and kept their eyes wide open for any new danger which might arise. so they went on until they came in sight of the seashore. "we had better say nothing about the snake," said the eldest rover. "it will only scare the girls to death." "no, lad, you are wrong. we must warn them of danger. otherwise they may run into it headlong." all of the others were glad to have them back and plied them with questions. "so there are seven islands," said tom. "well, as there are seven of us, that is one island apiece. i don't think we need complain," and his jolly manner made all laugh. when jerry told the story about the snake dora set up a scream. "oh, dick, if it had really strangled you!" she gasped. "you must be very, very careful in the future!" "yes, and you must be careful, too, dora," he answered. "there is a nice beach right around the edge of the island," said old jerry. "so, when we want to visit the other islands, we can walk around on the sand. that is better than climbing the hill." "but the beach doesn't run to the other islands, does it?" asked sam. "no, but we can carry our rowboat around with us, to that bay between the islands. there the water is smooth enough for anybody to row in." "the six islands are shaped exactly like a ring," said dick. "and this island is the big stone on top." "as the island is uninhabited i suppose we'll have to settle down and build ourselves huts or something," came from nellie. "to be sure. we'll be regular robinson crusoes," answered tom. "why, i can tell you it will be jolly, when we get used to it." "where will we build our huts?" asked sam. "we can build them here, if we wish," replied dick. "but i rather favor the side fronting the other islands." "yes, that's the best side," said captain jerry. "if we build here, a strong storm may knock our huts flat. that side is more sheltered and, consequently, safer. besides, there is more fruit there, and i'm sure better fishing in the bay, and that's what counts, too." "of course it counts--since we must live on fruits, fish, and what birds and animals we manage to knock over," said tom. the boys had been fairly successful in hunting and fishing, having knocked over half a dozen birds and caught four fair-sized fish. everything had been done to a turn over the camp-fire, and dick and old jerry did full justice to what was set before them--on some dried palm leaves nellie had found. their coffee they drank out of some cocoanut shells. they had no forks, but used sharp sticks instead, and the knives the boys carried in their pockets. the weather continued fine and that night the moon shone as brightly as ever. the boys took a stroll on the beach to talk over their plans. "i am sorry to say there is no telling how long we may have to stay here," said dick. "it may be a day, a week, or for years." "oh, some ship is bound to pick us up some day," returned tom. "and if we can find enough to live on in the meantime, what is the use of complaining? i am glad my life was spared." "so am i, tom." "i would like to know what became of dan baxter," put in sam. "can it be possible that all of the rest perished?" "certainly it is possible, sam. you know what a time we had of it." "it is an awful death to die--in the midst of the ocean," and the youngest rover shuddered. "i agree with you," said tom. "but i am more sorry for captain blossom than for baxter." "the wrecking of the ship was the fault of the mate. he was drunk," said dick. "the man at the wheel was doing what was right until jack lesher came along." "well, i guess the mate went down with the rest." "look!" cried sam, pointing to sea. "i see something dark on the water." all gazed in the direction he pointed out and made out a mass of wreckage. they watched it steadily until the breakers cast it almost at their feet. "some wreckage from the ship!" cried dick, on examination. "see, here is the name on some of the woodwork. i reckon the vessel went to pieces on the rocks." the wreckage consisted mainly of broken spars and cordage. but there were also some boxes, which, on being opened, proved to contain provisions. "it's not such a bad find, after all," said tom. "i hope some more comes ashore." but though they waited the best part of the night, nothing more came to view. in the morning the boys felt tired and they did not rouse up until nearly noon. they found old jerry at the beach, inspecting the wreckage. "the ropes may come in handy," he said. "but the wood is of small account, since' we have all we want already to hand." it was decided to remain at the beach for the next day, to look for more wreckage. but none came in, and then they started in a body to skirt the shore around to the south bay, as old jerry called it. at first they thought to carry the boat around, but concluded to come back for that later. it was a journey full of interest, for the sandy beach was dotted with many strange and beautiful seashells, and just back of the sand was the rich tropical growth already mentioned. the woods were full of monkeys and birds, and once tom thought he caught sight of some goats or deer. they reached an ideal spot fronting the little bay a little before noon, and then the girls were glad enough to sit down in the shade and rest. the bay was full of fish, and before long they had caught three of the finny tribe. fruit was also to be had in plenty, and a spring of fresh water gushed from the rocks of the hill behind them. "this is certainly a beautiful place," murmured dora, as she gazed around. "were it not for the folks at home worrying about us, i could spend quite some time here and enjoy it." "well, as our situation cannot be helped, let us make the best of it," said dick cheerfully. "there is no use in being downhearted when we ought to be glad that we were saved." close to the rocks they found several trees growing in something of two circles, and they decided that these trees should form the corner posts of a double house or cabin. "if we had an ax we might cut down some wood, but as it is we will have to use strong vines and cover the huts with palm leaves," said captain jerry. the boys were soon at work, cutting the vines and gathering the palm leaves, and the girls assisted as well as they were able in fastening up the vine-ropes and binding in the leaves. it was slow work, yet by nightfall one half the house was complete and the other had the roof covered. "now, if rain comes, we can keep fairly dry," said tom. it rained the very next day and they were glad enough to crowd into the completed part, while the rain came down in torrents. when the worst of the downpour was over the wind arose and it kept blowing fiercely all of the afternoon and the night. "we can be thankful we are sheltered by the hill," said sam. "were we on the other side of the island, the wind would knock the hut flat and drench us in no time." the storm kept all awake until early morning and when it went down they were glad to sink to rest. all slept soundly and it was not until ten o'clock, when the sun was struggling through the clouds, that tom arose, to find the others still slumbering. "i'll let them sleep," he said to himself "they need it and there is no need for them get to up." stretching himself, he walked quietly from the hut and down to the beach. his first thought was to try to collect some wood, more or less dry, and start a fire. gazing across the bay to one of the other islands, he saw a sight which filled him with astonishment. there, on the beach of the island, lay the wreck of the _golden wave_. chapter xv another castaway brought to light "the _golden wave_! hurrah!" tom could not resist setting up a shout when he saw the familiar hull of the schooner, resting quietly on the beach of an island on the other side of the bay. the cry awoke sam, dick, and old jerry, and they came running out to learn what it meant. "the schooner!" came from sam. "how did that get there?" "the storm must have driven her off the rocks and into this bay," answered dick. "she didn't go down, after all." "it's a fine thing for us," put in captain jerry, his broad face beaming with pleasure. "now we can have all the provisions we want, and clothing and guns, and if we can anchor the wreck in some way, we can live on her just as comfortably as in a house at home." the excited talking brought the girls out one after another, and they were equally pleased over the stroke of good fortune. "she seems to be cast up pretty high on the sand," said old jerry. "but even so, the sooner we get to her the better, or the sea may carry her off." "i am ready to go now," said tom. "but how are we to get to that island? it's a pity we didn't bring our boat around." "there are two islands of the circle in between," came from sam. "why can't we swim from one to the next and get around that way?" "we can try it, lad. but we want to be careful. there may be sharks around in these parts." "oh, don't let the sharks eat you up!" cried grace. "we'll keep our eyes open, never fear," said dick. a vote was taken, and it was decided that sam should remain with the girls, to protect them in case of unexpected danger, while tom, dick, and old jerry should make their way as best they could to the wreck. the old sailor and the two boys were soon off. they tramped down the beach a short distance and then reached a coral reef leading to the next island. here the water was not over a foot and a half deep, and as clear as crystal, so the passage to island no. , as tom named it, was comparatively easy. the second island crossed they followed the shore around until they came opposite to the island upon which the wreck rested. here there was a channel sixty or eighty feet wide and of unknown depth, the channel through which the wreck had most likely entered the bay. the water here was by no means smooth and captain jerry shook his head doubtfully. "it won't be no easy swim," he said. "reckon as how i'll try it first." "i can get over easily enough," said dick, and threw off part of his clothing and his shoes. he was soon in the water and striking out boldly, and the others followed. short as was the distance, the swim was as hard as any of them looked for, and when they reached the other side of the channel all were out of breath and had to rest for a moment. "it's a good thing no shark happened to be near," said tom. "the monster would certainly have had us at his mercy." when they reached the wreck they found the stern well out of the water. the _golden wave_ lay partly on her left side and it was a comparatively easy matter to, gain the deck. the masts were gone and there was a big hole in the bow, but otherwise the craft had suffered little damage. why she had not sunk was a mystery until, later on, old jerry discovered that some of the cargo, consisting of flat cases, had got wedged into the break, thus cutting off a large portion of the leak. "we can anchor her without trouble," said the old sailor. "and perhaps straighten her up too, so the deck won't be so slanty. then she'll be a reg'lar hotel for all hands." "let us go below and see how things are down there," said dick, and he at once led the way. at that instant a loud sneeze reached their ears, causing dick to pause on the companion way. looking into the cabin he saw a man standing there, partly dressed. "captain blossom!" he ejaculated. "is it really you or your ghost?" "dick rover!" cried the master of the schooner. "then you weren't drowned, after all?" "no, captain. but--but how did you escape?" "is it really captain blossom?" came from tom, and he rushed down into the cabin, followed by old jerry. all shook hands, and the face of the captain showed his pleasure over the meeting. "so you all escaped and are here," he said. "i am downright glad to know it. what of the others?" "we don't know what became of the other boats," answered dick. "saw nothing at all?" "not a thing." the captain shook his head sorrowfully. "but how did you escape?" asked dick again. "that is a short story, lad. when i went overboard from the rowboat, i caught hold of some of the wreckage from the schooner. this was still fast to the deck, and by hauling myself in i soon got on board again. as i had no boat, i remained on board, for i soon saw that the schooner would not go down immediately. at daylight the ship left the rocks and drifted around on the ocean until the wind came up last night, when we struck this island and got beached, as you see. i was worn out with watching, and as soon as i found the boat was safe from sinking i went to bed, and slept soundly until i heard you three tramping around the deck." "we are stopping over on yonder island," said tom, when all went on deck, and he pointed in the direction. "see, sam and the girls are waving to us. let us wave in return, and stand apart, so they can see that there are four of us." they did as the youngest rover advised and soon saw that they were seen. then captain blossom held up his spyglass. "i reckon they will know who i am by that," he said, and he was right, for sam told the girls that the fourth man was captain blossom beyond a doubt. "how is your stock of provisions?" asked old jerry. "we are getting just a bit tired of living on birds and fish. and we want a gun or a pistol with which to protect ourselves." "the _golden wave_ has enough provisions to last this party a year," answered the captain. "we haven't anything very fine, but we have plenty of flour, dried beans, salt and smoked meats, and a good many cases of canned vegetables, as well as sugar, tea, coffee, salt, and pepper. with fresh fish and some game we'll be able to live as well here as if we were on shore,--that is, if we can find fresh water." "we have all the fresh water we want,--on the large island," said tom. "and lots of tropical fruit--cocoanuts, bananas, and the like." "if we are going to live on the ship, we'll have to bring fresh water over from the other island in a cask," said dick. "that will not be very handy." "can't we move the wreck over?" came from tom. "no, lad," answered captain blossom. "she is here to stay until her timbers rot. but if we wish, we can move some of the provisions ashore. there are the parts of a rowboat below, and i reckon i am carpenter enough to put the parts together in a day or two." "we have a boat on the north beach," said old jerry; "we can bring it around." "to do that, we'll have to swim the channel again," came from dick. "and i must say i don't like that." "let us make a raft," cried tom. "there must be plenty of material on board of the schooner for that." "there certainly is," answered captain blossom. "come, we can make a raft in less than an hour." all set to work, and in a short space of time they had the material together. ropes and spikes were there a-plenty, and as captain blossom laid out one stick and another, the boys and old jerry either nailed or tied them together. a board flooring was placed on top of the spars and then the whole affair was dumped into the bay with a loud splash. it floated very well, with the flooring a good ten inches above the surface of the water, and as the raft was nearly twenty feet long by ten wide, it was capable of carrying considerable weight. "that's better than a boat," said dick. "we can pile a good deal more stuff on it." "let us get on and paddle to where we left the others," said tom. "they will be anxious to learn the news." captain blossom was willing, and they took with them a variety of provisions and also some extra clothing and some firearms. then the raft was moved to where the boys had left part of their own clothing when they had started to swim the channel. the coming of the big raft and its passengers to the shore where the cabin was located was greeted with shouts of joy from sam and the three girls. "hurrah for the captain of the _golden wave_!" cried sam, swinging his cap in the air. "we are very glad to see you safe and sound." "and i am glad to see you," answered captain blossom, as he leaped ashore and grasped one and another by the hand. "last night i was thinking i would be a lonely castaway; now i find i shall have plenty of company." "we have brought along some provisions," put in tom. "and in honor of this reunion, and also in honor of the fact that the golden 'wave has not been sunk, i move we invite the girls to get us up a regular feast. i think all bands deserve it." "second the motion!" cried sam. "all right, we'll cook you anything you want," said nellie. "that is, if you will supply the things." "i will," answered tom. then he scratched his head. "well, by gracious!" "what's the trouble, tom?" asked grace. "did you forget to bring along some sugar?" "worse than that. i brought along all sorts of good things to eat, and not a single knife, fork, spoon, or dish outside of some cooking utensils." "oh, dear!" burst out dora. "it will be a sorry feast if we haven't anything to eat from!" "i'll go back for the dishes," replied tom promptly. "sam, do you want to visit the wreck? we can go and come by the time the things are cooked." "to be sure i'll go," said sam; and in a few minutes more the two boys were off on the clumsy raft. chapter xvi sam and the shark "the _golden wave_ looks like an old friend," said sam as they paddled across the smooth waters of the bay. "her coming here is the finest thing that could have happened," answered his brother. "i didn't want to say anything before, but if she hadn't come what would we have done for clothing and for eating? we couldn't live on fish all the time, and one can do mighty little hunting without a gun." "we would have had to set traps, tom, and dig pitfalls for larger game. but i admit it would have been hard work, and i fancy a suit of goatskins, like robinson crusoe wore, wouldn't be half as comfortable as a suit of clothes such as i am wearing." "if we could only float the schooner and sail away to some nearby port." "there is no port' within three hundred miles of us, so the captain says." soon the boys were halfway across the bay. but moving the big raft was a laborious task, and they were glad enough to sit down and rest for a few minutes. "there is no use of our hurrying," said tom. "our time is our own in this out-of-the-way place, and as we have next to nothing to do we want to make what little work there is last us." "like a lazy man working by the day," laughed sam. "i'm afraid i can't work that way. when i have something to do i'm not content until it is done." "are you hot, sam? here is something to cool you off." as tom spoke he playfully scooped up a handful of water and threw it at his brother. soon the two boys were having lots of sport, throwing handfuls of the salty water at each other. then sam made a motion as if he was going to push tom overboard with his paddle. "hi! none of that!" cried tom. "i don't mind a wetting by retail, but i don't want it by wholesale." he continued to throw water at sam and the youngest rover tried to dodge. the raft began to rock, and of a sudden sam lost his balance and went into the bay with a splash. tom set up a laugh, for it was a comical sight, and it had been sam's own fault that he went overboard. but then tom's laughter came to an end as he saw the form of a shark moving swiftly toward the spot. "a shark! a shark!" he screamed. "sam, get on board, quick! a shark is after you!" sam had gone far down beneath the surface and he did not reappear at once. then he came up spluttering. "gosh! i didn't want a bath! tom, you--" "hurry and get aboard, sam! a shark is after you!" sam was about ten feet from the raft, and running to the spot nearest to him, tom held out the end of his paddle. "a shark?" gasped the youngest rover. "yes! yes! catch the end of the paddle!" sam made a frantic effort to do so. in the meantime the shark came closer and tom could see his enormous mouth and sharp teeth clearly. his blood turned to ice in his veins. sam made a clutch at the paddle, missed it, and disappeared once more from sight. the shark rushed to the spot and turned in dismay, and driven to desperation, tom hit the monster over the head with the paddle. then the shark disappeared also. the next few seconds were full of agony for poor tom. he gazed in all directions for sam, and for the shark, but neither one nor the other was to be seen. "he must have caught sam under the water!" he muttered. "oh, sam, what an awful death to die!" a slight noise at the upper end of the raft disturbed him. he turned swiftly, to see a wet hand glide over the woodwork. he made a leap and clutched the hand, and then sam's head appeared. he gave a frantic yank, and both lay on the flooring of the raft. sam was saved. "the shark!" gasped tom, when he could speak. "did it--it--bite you?" "no, but it grazed my shoulder," answered sam. "if i had not dived down, i would have lost an arm at the very least." when they felt able they looked around, but the shark had disappeared. "that settles it," said tom. "we must be careful and keep out of this water in the future. if we want to bathe, we will have to build a pool." during the remainder of the trip to the wreck both were careful not to run the slightest chance of falling overboard. "not such a very lovely place to live in, after all," said tom. "snakes on land and sharks in the water, ugh!" and sam agreed with him. once on the wreck it was an easy thing to obtain the dishes and the knives, forks and spoons, and also some other things they thought they might require. they also brought away another gun, loading it up before leaving the ship. "now, if mr. shark comes around again, we can give him a dose of buckshot," said' tom. but the shark did not appear, excepting at a great distance. when sam. told his story all congratulated him on his narrow escape. "tom is right," said old jerry. "ye mustn't do no bathin' in the bay. we can fix two pools, one for the ladies and one for ourselves, and make another pool for fish, and another for turtles, if we can find any." the girls had cooked a splendid meal, and soon the table was set on a big flat rock lying near the beach. all sat down and captain blossom asked a blessing, and then they all fell to with vigor, for all were hungry. "the salt air gives one an appetite," said dick. the meal lasted the best part of an hour, for, as tom said, there was no use of hurrying. as they ate, and for some time afterward, they discussed their situation and tried to arrange plans for the future. it was decided that first of all dick and old jerry should climb to the top of the hill, taking with them an ax and a flag and some halyards, and fasten the flag to the top of the tree, stars down, as a signal of distress. then the whole party was to assist in bringing from the wreck as much building material as was necessary to construct a comfortable dwelling of three large rooms, one for the girls, one for the boys and men, and one as a general living room. a store-house was also to be built, in which could be stored such provisions as were brought away from the wreck from time to time. then they could live on shore or on the ship, as they pleased. the following day was sunday and all rested. the girls thought there should be some sort of religious exercises and all went to the wreck, where captain blossom read some chapters from the bible and the others sang hymns. the week to follow was a busy one and the time slipped by rapidly. a visit was paid to the hilltop and the flag raised, and tom and old jerry also went to the north shore and brought around the rowboat beached there. in the meantime captain blossom put together the rowboat parts stored on the _golden wave_, so they now had two boats and the raft for service across the bay and to other points on the water. building the house was by no means an easy task, but the rover boys thought it more fun than work, especially with the girls to look on, and by the end of the second week the building looked quite presentable. when the two bedrooms were finished, some berths were brought over from the wreck, along with bed-clothing, and also some furniture for the living apartment. outside the latter room a large porch was built, where they might eat and rest when the weather was fine. not to run the risk of burning down the building in a high wind, it was decided that the cooking should be done in a shed some distance away, in the shelter of the rocks and handy to the spring. "who is going to be the cook?" asked dick. "it won't be fair to put it off on one person." "we have decided to take turns," said dora. "each one will be the main cook for a day at a time, with the others to help, and to wash the dishes. we are going to do all the housework, too, so you men folks can hunt and fish, and make garden if you will, to your hearts' content." "what a lazy time we will have of it," laughed dick. "captain blossom says that as soon as we are settled we can explore all of the seven islands. who knows we may find out something of importance," came from tom, who stood near. "cannibals, for instance," put in sam. "oh, do you really think there are any cannibals here?" asked grace. "i believe he is fooling," said nellie. "he only wants to scare us!" and she tossed her pretty head. "perhaps we'll stir up some lions or tigers," said tom. "or an elephant," added dick. "but i don't think we will. my opinion is that these islands have nothing on them but birds, monkeys, small game, and snakes." "you've forgotten one thing," said dora, with an odd smile. "what, dora?" "castaways." chapter xvii exploring the seven islands another rainy spell, lasting three days, followed, but after that the sky cleared in a fashion which captain blossom thought betokened good weather for some time to come. "we can now explore the seven islands and learn just what they contain," he said. the question now arose as to who should go along and who should stay at home with the girls. lots were cast, and by this it was decided that the exploring party should consist of captain blossom, sam, and tom, leaving dick and old jerry with dora, nellie, and grace. it was decided that the exploring party should take the lightest of the rowboats and enough provisions to last for a week. each was also provided with a pistol, and captain blossom carried a rifle in addition. "if all goes well we will be back inside of four days," said the captain, when he and tom and sam were ready to depart. "but if we are not back at that time do not worry until at least a week has gone by." and so it was arranged. it was also arranged that three shots fired in succession should be a signal that one party or the other was in trouble. tom and sam were pleased over the prospect of going with the captain and they willingly took up the oars to row to the nearest island, which, as we already know, was close at hand. the boat was left on the beach and without delay the captain and the two boys plunged into the interior. the island was small, with but a slight rise of ground in the center. it was of small importance and they soon came out on the ocean side, where there was a beach strewn with shells and with oysters scarcely fit to eat. the growth on this island was mostly of young palms and the captain was of the opinion that the ground was not many years old. "this has been thrown up by an earthquake or a volcano," he said. "there is nothing here to interest us," and he turned back. they already knew something of the island on which the wreck was located, but, nevertheless, made a trip across it and up the outward coast. here they found a number of orange and lemon trees, and also a great quantity of tropical nuts and some spices. the lemons proved to be very refreshing, and tom said he meant to come back some day and get a bagful for general use. the next island was visited the next day, the party spending the night on the wreck. the passage to this island was rather a rough one, and they had all they could do to keep from having their provisions spilt overboard. "it is a blessing that the sea is comparatively calm," said captain blossom. "otherwise we could never make such a trip in a small boat." this island was the largest of the group outside of the one on which the castaways had settled. it was almost square in shape and had a double hill with a tiny valley running between. in this valley the tropical growth was very dense, and the monkeys and birds were thicker than they had before seen them. there were also large quantities of blue and green parrots, filling the air with their cawing and screaming. "this is a very nice island," said tom, while they were resting under some calabash trees. "the wood is very valuable--indigo, rosewood, mahogany, and lots of others. and what a sweet smell!" and he drew in a long breath of satisfaction. "it is certainly a lazy man's paradise," re-turned sam. "a fellow need do next to nothing to feed and clothe himself here, and a house isn't absolutely necessary excepting when it storms real hard." on this island they found numerous land crabs, some as large as their two hands, and many fierce-looking spiders, with long, hairy legs and bulging eyes. ants were also numerous, and in one spot they located fifteen anthills, each as large as a big beehive. insects of all sorts were numerous, and they had to continually slap at a specimen of red fly that annoyed them greatly. "how those ants would like to get at our provisions," said tom. "we can be thankful that we didn't locate here. once they got at the stuff, they would eat us out of house and home." after resting, and partaking of some of the food brought along, they continued their journey across the island. the way was up one of the hills, and tom was slightly in advance, when a noise ahead attracted his attention. "something is there," he called out, as he came to a halt. "what is it?" asked sam. "i don't know. perhaps some wild animal, or else a snake." "go slow there," cautioned captain blossom, coming up. "we don't want to run into unnecessary danger." "what did it sound like, tom?" "i can't describe it. something like a snarl, i guess." "perhaps it was only a monkey." all stopped to listen, but no, sound reached their ears but the hum of insects and the chirping of some distant birds. "i reckon i had best go first," said captain blossom, but he did not seem to relish the task. gun in hand, the captain advanced very cautiously. the boys came close behind him, each with his pistol ready for use. of a sudden there was a snarl with a strange "yow-yawing," and a great beast leaped up on all-fours directly in their path and darted through the bushes. the captain raised his gun and the boys their pistols, but before they could fire the beast had disappeared. "what was it?" asked sam, trembling with excitement. "i give it up, unless it was a bear," said tom. "i think i know what it was," said the captain. "a big baboon or a gorilla." "i guess you are right, captain," answered tom. "i saw a gorilla in a menagerie, and it was exactly like that beast. but what a big fellow he was!" "gorillas are highly dangerous, especially when cornered," said captain blossom. he himself was more frightened than he cared to admit. "they have been known to carry a man off in their arms and bite him to death." "thanks, but i want no gorillas around me," declared sam. they waited several minutes before advancing again. but the gorilla had disappeared, nor did it show itself again during that trip on the island. half an hour brought them in sight of the seashore once more. they were gazing at the sea when tom happened to glance back, and on the hill behind them saw four goats standing in a bunch, looking at them in astonishment. "quick! out of sight!" he cried, and dragged the others behind some trees. "what did you see?" "several goats. perhaps, if we are careful, we can get a shot at them. fresh goat meat won't go bad." "what's the matter with capturing some of the goats and getting the milk?" came from sam. "you'll have a job catching wild goats," answered captain blossom. "they are as fleet of foot as deer." it was decided to try two shots at the goats, providing they could get close enough. with care they plunged into the undergrowth and made their way back up the hillside until they thought they must be within fifty yards of the game. "there they are!" cried tom softly. bang! went the captain's gun, and crack! tom fired immediately after. two of the goats were hit, and one fell dead. the other staggered away with a broken foreleg. "we must get that second fellow!" cried sam, and rushed after the game. the goat tried to turn on him, but sam hit the beast over the head with a club he carried. two other blows finished the animal. "that isn't bad," said the captain. "they both look to be young. they ought to make good eating." "we are going to have no easy work of it, getting these animals down to the shore," said tom. "after we get them to the shore, what then?" questioned his brother. "we can't keep them in the boat all the time that we are exploring the other islands." "we had best make a trip back to the house," answered captain blossom. "if the others heard the shots they'll be wondering what has happened; besides, a storm is coming up." the captain said he would carry the smaller of the goats alone, leaving the two rovers to carry the larger game between them. after a rest and another look around the vicinity, they started for the boat and reached it after a walk which almost exhausted every one of the party. "i'll be glad enough to lay around our camp and rest for a day," announced sam. "this task of exploring is not as easy as it looks." a little later they were in the boat and rowing back to where they had left the others, little dreaming of the strange events that had happened in their absence. chapter xviii unexpected visitors it had been decided by the castaways to enlarge one of the rooms of the house, and as soon as the captain, tom, and sam had departed on their exploring tour, dick and old jerry set to work to cut down the posts necessary for the building. while this was going on the three girls were by no means idle. there were meals to get, dishes to wash, and it had been found that outdoor life was very rough on clothing, so there was a good bit of sewing and darning to be done. fortunately all of the girls were handy with a needle, so that a rent in a coat or a dress received immediate attention. "now you must make the alteration in the house very nice," said dora to dick. "remember, we want a regular queen anne building, with round bay windows, and--" "and inlaid floors," finished dick, "not to mention steam heat, and--" "mercy on us!" burst in grace. "don't mention steam heat in this climate." "of course we want hot and cold water in the kitchen," put in nellie. "what sort of a mansion would it be without hot and cold water,--and a dumb waiter from the cellar, too," and then all began to laugh. "i know what i should like," said dora, after a pause. "that would be a refrigerator." "if we had the ice," finished nellie. "dick, isn't there any ice on board of the _golden wave_?" "by jove! i think there is," cried the oldest rover boy. "i never once thought of it before." "if there is, i wish you'd bring some the next time you go over. we have lemons, and we could make delicious lemonade." "and we could make orange ice, too," put in grace. "i know there was an ice-cream freezer on board of the ship. it was in the cook's galley." old jerry was coming to the house with a small tree he had cut down, and dick sounded him about the ice. "to be sure there was ice, several tons of it," said jerry. "it was stowed away near the bow. i don't believe it's all melted, either." "i'm going over to see," cried dick. "we've got plenty of lemons and sugar; and lemonade, not to mention orange ice, would just strike the spot in this awfully hot weather." but as it was now noon, with the sun directly overhead, dick decided to remain in the shade until four or five o'clock. dinner was had, and then the work of enlarging the house went on as before. at half-past four dick got out the rowboat and started for the wreck. he had first thought to go alone, but old jerry wanted to pick out certain tools needed for the house-building, as well as hunt for a keg of nails, and the two decided to go together, going and coming as quickly as possible. "you won't be afraid to be alone, will you?" asked dick, of the girls. "not if you hurry," answered nellie. "but don't stay away after dark." left to themselves, the three girls swept up the chips the builders had left and started up the camp-fire. then they tidied up the house generally, and soon set about preparing the supper. dora was at the spring getting a pail of water when a sound on the rocks nearby caused her to look around in wonder. to her amazement dan baxter stood there, staring at her in open-mouthed astonishment. "dan baxter!" she gasped. "where in the world did you come from?" for a moment the bully did not answer, so great was his amazement. dora noted that he was dirty and unkempt, and that his clothing was almost in rags. "is it you, dora stanhope?" came slowly from the fellow's lips. "is it really you?" "yes," she answered. "how did you get here? are you alone?" went on baxter, coming closer. and then before she could answer, he added: "got anything to eat?" at the last question she looked at him more closely, and saw that he appeared half starved. she pitied him despite his character. "yes, we have plenty to eat," she said. "then give me something at once," he cried. "give me something at once!" "come with me." there was now a crashing in the bushes back of dan baxter, and in a second more jack lesher appeared on the scene. he too was haggard and dirty, and his eyes were much blood-shot, the result of living almost entirely on liquor for several days after being wrecked on the islands. "well, is it possible!" cried the mate of the _golden wave_. "they've got lots to eat," muttered dan baxter. "i'm going to have something to fill me up before i start to talk." "how many more of you are here?" asked dora, in something of dismay. "we came along alone," said baxter. "show us that grub." dora led the way to the camp-fire, where nellie and grace were also surprised at the unexpected visitors. some food was brought forth, and both baxter and lesher ate like two famished wolves. "got any liquor?" questioned the mate, casting his eyes toward the house. "we have a little," answered nellie, for captain blossom had brought over several bottles from the wreck. "bring it out." when the liquor was brought jack lesher took a long draught and then handed the bottle to dan baxter. "that's the stuff!" cried the mate, with a sly wink at dora. "better than eatin,' twice over," and he took another drink. the manner of the two newcomers was not at all pleasing to the girls, and they were sorry that none of the men folks were at hand. they asked the pair to tell their story, and baxter spoke up, while lesher applied himself to the bottle. "we floated around the ocean for several days," said the bully. "one sailor went crazy from the sunshine and leaped overboard, and was drowned. then a heavy wind came up and drove the boat, in the night, onto an island close to this one. we were cast ashore with hardly any provisions, and two of the sailors were sick. we had to live on fish, birds, and fruit, and we've had a hard lot of it, i can tell you that. yesterday lesher and i resolved to explore this island, thinking that perhaps some of the wreckage from the schooner had washed ashore here. we came over in the afternoon and tramped along the north shore until it grew dark, but without finding anything. we slept at the shore last night, and this morning started to go over the hill back there. but the snakes chased us off, and then we came around over some rough rocks, where both of us got our clothing torn. we thought we saw a flag up there somewhere, but we weren't sure." "yes, we have a signal of distress up there," answered dora. she hardly knew how best to reply. "who is here?" "captain blossom, old jerry tolman, and the three rover boys. old jerry and dick have just gone over to the wreck en an errand. the others have gone on an exploring tour among the islands, which are seven in number." "got the wreck, have yer!" came in almost a grunt from jack lesher. "sure enough!" he staggered down to the beach. "don't see why you stay here when you might be aboard of her." "it is cooler here," answered nellie. "how many sailors were saved?" asked grace. "nine were saved, besides lesher and myself," answered dan baxter. "you see, we picked up some of the men from one of the other boats." "then your party numbers eleven in all," said dora. "yes," came from jack lesher. "an' i am the cap'n of the lot," and he bobbed his head in satisfaction. he had partaken of just enough liquor to make him foolish. "i wish dick and old jerry would come back," whispered grace to dora. "i do not like mr. lesher at all." "i never liked him," replied dora. "when he gets intoxicated he is a bad fellow to deal with." "reckon we'll make ourselves comfortable here," said lesher, staggering to a hammock dick had put up for the girls to rest in. he pitched into the hammock, carrying a bottle of liquor with him. another drink was taken, and soon he was fast asleep, snoring loudly. chapter xix hot words and blows "what a shame!" said nellie, pointing to the slumbering mate. "that shows what liquor will do," came from dora. "oh, you mustn't blame him too much," returned dan baxter, who also liked the taste of the liquor. "remember that we have been living a dog's life since we came on shore, while you have been living on the best the ship affords." "i wouldn't touch liquor if i was starving!" cried grace. "and neither would the rover boys," added dora. "oh, you think the rover boys are regular saints!" grumbled the bully. "you don't know what they would do behind your back." "if they said they wouldn't drink they wouldn't," cried nellie, her eyes flashing. "we can trust them every time." "i suppose the rover boys run this place to suit themselves," went on baxter, eying the house and the general appearance of the camp sharply. "we all run it together," came from grace. "isn't captain blossom, in command?" "after a fashion, yes. we haven't tried to decide that point yet. have you a leader in your camp?" "not much of a one. lesher is leader when he is sober. of course we'll all come over here, now we've found you and the wreck," went on dan baxter. "but why should you come here?" asked dora, not at all pleased by the prospect. "we can let you have your share of what's on board of the schooner." "don't want me here, eh?" "i don't care for all of those rough sailors." "well, they are captain blossom's men, you mustn't forget that." "i suppose that is true," and dora sighed. with the coming of the sailors she was certain the camp would not be as pleasant as formerly. "i don't think you ought to be down on me, dora," continued dan baxter, after a pause. "i always liked you, and you know it." "thank you for nothing," she replied coldly. "i'm just as good a fellow as dick rover," went on the bully, and laid his hand on the girl's shoulder. "don't touch me, dan baxter!" she cried. "i won't hurt you. come, let us be friends. surely you don't want any enemies here, where there are only a handful of us, all told." "i want you to leave me alone." she tried to move away from him, but he caught her by the arm and tried to hold her hands. grace and nellie were out of sight, the one having gone into the house for some dishes, and the other to the spring for some water. "say that you'll be friends, and i'll let you go," he said, drawing her closer. "i won't be friends with you, dan baxter, so there!" she cried. "now let me go!" and she tried to push him away. "you--you little cat!" he cried, and then, as she let out a loud cry, he let go of her. "what a little fool you are!" and he walked away to the trees, and threw himself down to rest. red in the face and ready to cry, dora ran into the house. grace looked at her in wonder. "what is the trouble, dora?" "nothing." "did dan baxter try to--to--" "he wants to be--be friends!" sobbed dora. "he held my hand so i couldn't get away. oh, how i despise him!" "just wait till dick comes back; he'll make baxter mind his own business." "oh, don't tell him, grace." "but i shall, dora. baxter has got to keep his distance. i hate him myself, and so does nellie." "i wish he and mr. lesher had kept their distance." "do you think they will really come here--i mean all of the sailors?" "more than likely." the girls continued their work, and for the time being dan baxter kept his distance. jack lesher continued to snore away in the hammock, nor did he rouse up when dick and old jerry returned. "dan baxter!" cried dick, as he leaped from the rowboat. "where did you come from?" and then the story of the newcomers had to be told over again. dick eyed jack lesher with open disgust. "a man who will act like that has no welcome in our camp," he said to baxter. "you don't mean you are going to turn him out," said the bully, in alarm. "if he stays here he must behave himself." "you forget that he was the first mate of the schooner, dick rover." "we are not on the schooner now." "no, but you are getting your living--or the largest part of it--from the schooner." "what do you mean, baxter?" "i mean that it's the same as if you were on the schooner. and that being so, mr. lesher is the second in command here." at this statement the girls looked alarmed, and even old jerry's face showed his uneasiness. but dick's face was full of contempt. "do you mean to say that thing "--pointing to the drunken mate--" that thing can command any of us? if you do, let me say right now that you are mistaken." "we'll see about that later." "this is our camp, and it is not for you, the mate, or anybody else to come here and dictate to us. if you try that, we'll send you off in double-quick order." there was a pause, and dick and old jerry began to unload the things they had brought from the wreck. they had found a large cake of ice. but the coming of baxter and jack lesher had taken away the pleasure of making lemonade and orange ice, and the lump was placed in some water to cool it for drinking purposes. as soon as grace could get the chance she told dick of the way dan baxter had treated dora. at once dick's face took on a stern look that boded the bully no good. "i'll have a talk with him and come to an understanding," said the eldest rover, and strode out of the house and to where baxter was walking up the beach, picking up fancy-colored sea-shells. "look here, baxter, i want to have an understanding with you," he said, catching the bully by the arm. "what do you want now?" "i want you to promise to leave dora stanhope alone in the future." "how i treat her is none of your business," blustered the bully. "but it is my business, baxter." "see here, dick rover, i won't be bossed by you!" howled the tall youth. "you mind your own business." "if you touch her again, there will be trouble." "what will you do?" "i'll give you the worst thrashing you ever had in your life." "two can play at that game." "there will be only one in this game." "do you want to fight me?" "i am perfectly willing," responded dick recklessly. his anger was deep at that moment. "all right then, come on!" howled baxter savagely, and, squaring off, he aimed a blow at dick's face. the attack was so sudden that dick could scarcely prepare for it, and though he dodged, baxter's fist landed glancingly on his cheek. "there you are, and here's another!" cried the bully, and his other fist shot out, catching dick on the shoulder. but now the oldest rover was on his guard, and in a twinkle he let drive, taking dan baxter in the eye. it was a staggering blow, and made the bully gasp with pain. then dick followed it up by a crashing blow on the chin, which sent the bully reeling into the low water on the beach. "don't--don't run me into the ocean!" he spluttered, and, watching his chance, ran out of the water and up the beach. but dick was now thoroughly aroused, and he made after baxter. when he got close enough, he put out his foot and sent the bully sprawling. baxter came down on some rough sea-shells, cutting his face and hands in several places. "oh! oh!" he howled. "stop it!" "i will not stop it, dan baxter, until you promise to let dora stanhope and the other girls alone in the future. they want nothing to do with you, and you must keep your distance." "i--i didn't hurt anybody." "do you promise to let them alone?" without replying, the bully staggered to his feet. the blood was running from his nose and from a cut on his chin, and both of his hands were also bleeding. "do you want to kill me, dick rover?" "i want you to behave yourself. come, now, are you going to promise?" "what if i don't?" "then i'll give you the thrashing i promised." "all right, i'm cornered, and can't help myself." "will you let the girls alone in the future?" "yes. if they don't want to be friends, i'm sure i can get along without them," answered baxter sulkily. "very well; now see that you keep your promise. if you don't, i'll run you out of camp and never let you come near us again." with these words dick turned on his heel and walked away, leaving baxter to wash his cuts and bruises in the ocean and otherwise care for them as best he could. chapter xx the mate tries to take command the fight had taken place around a bend of the shore, so that it was not observed by old jerry and the girls. but when dick got back to camp dora at once noticed that something unusual had happened. "what is wrong, dick?" she asked. "oh, nothing much, dora. i merely made dan baxter promise to keep his distance in the future." "did you have a fight?" "it didn't amount to much. he had to give in pretty quickly." "oh, dick!" she caught his arm. "i won't have him annoying you, or the others, dora." "you are so good!" she whispered. supper was ready, and they sat down, leaving jack lesher still in the hammock. they had nearly finished when dan baxter came shuffling along. "do you want some supper?" asked dick. "if you do, come on." "i don't want anything more to-night," growled the bully, and sat down beside jack lesher. it was rather an uncomfortable evening. the thoughts of each of the party were busy. at the first opportunity dick called old jerry to one side. "jerry, we must watch those two fellows closely," he said. "right ye are, dick." "i am afraid lesher will be ugly when he wakes up." "more'n likely, lad--he always was on board ship. the drink gives him an awful temper." "i am, going to put the liquor where he can't get it." "he'll make ye give it to him." "will he? just you wait and see," replied dick firmly. it was decided to let lesher rest in the hammock all night. baxter was given a cot in the living room of the house. soon all had retired, and the camp was quiet for the night. dan baxter was the first to stir in the morning. his cuts smarted so he could not sleep, and he walked out to bathe them and put on some salve nellie had generously turned over to him. he found jack lesher stirring. "hullo!" grumbled the mate, sitting up and yawning. "where am i?" "don't you know we struck camp?" answered baxter. "oh, yes, i remember now. got some good liquor, too. where is that bottle?" "you emptied it, lesher." "did i? too bad! i'll have to find another. where are the girls?" "asleep in the house, and so are dick rover and old jerry tolman." "what of cap'n blossom and them other rover boys?" "they are not expected back for several days." "humph! say, i feel bad, i do. i must have something to brace me up." "you'd better not disturb them, lesher. they are mighty stiff-necked since they landed here." "what do you mean?" "they gave me to understand yesterday that they were going to run things to suit themselves. they are not going to let us interfere in anything." "i like that!" the mate yawned again, rose, and stretched himself. "baxter, do you know where they keep the liquor?" "no." "i'm bound to have what i want. didn't it all come from the golden wave, and aint i the first mate of that craft?" "to be sure you are, lesher." "they can't make me take a back seat," went on the mate. his head was still far from clear. "i told them that you were second in command--captain blossom being first--but they wouldn't listen. they said they were on land, and you didn't count." "don't i count!" cried jack lesher, his blood-shot eyes taking on an ugly look. "i'll show 'em!" just then old jerry came from the house. jack lesher staggered toward him. "ahoy there!" he called out. "what do you want, mr. lesher?" questioned old jerry, and touched his forelock. "bring me some liquor, and be quick about it." "i haven't any liquor." "what's that?" "i said i haven't any liquor." "aint there any more liquor ashore?" "if there is, i don't know where it is." "then find out, and be quick about it, or i'll give you the rope's-end!" roared the unreasonable mate. the loud talking aroused dick, and he soon came out. "what's the matter here?" he asked. "oh, so you have woke up," he went on to jack lesher. "yes, i'm awake, rover. and i want to know where the liquor has been placed." "it's been placed where you won't get hold of it, mr. lesher." "what! this to me!" yelled the mate, in fury. "to me, the first mate!" "a first mate doesn't count for anything here. this is a private camp, and if you don't behave yourself we'll pitch you out of it." "you--you--" jack lesher could not go on, and shook his fist in dick's face. "i told you what they intended to do," whispered dan baxter in lesher's ear. "they have the upper hand and mean to keep it. but don't forget that we have nine sailors in our camp to back us up," he went on suggestively. "don't grow abusive, mr. lesher," said dick as calmly as he could. "just think the matter over. it may save a good deal of trouble." "i don't have to think it over!" bellowed the mate. "during cap'n blossom's absence i am in command, just as much as if we were on the deck of the wreck over there. you were only passengers, but jerry tolman was a sailor, and he's under my command. i told him to bring me some liquor, and he has got to do it. if he won't obey, it's mutiny, just you remember that!" and he shook his finger warningly in old jerry's face. "i told ye i don't know where the liquor is," answered old jerry doggedly. "and he tells the truth," said dick. "i put it away myself." "then i command you to bring it to me." "i told you before your commands don't hold water here. even old jerry hasn't got to obey you. when the _golden wave_ was abandoned that ended your authority. we have simply made captain blossom our leader because he acted fair and square. but we don't have to obey him if we don't want to." "what of the nine sailors who are with me?" "we'll be pleased to give them their full share of what is on the wreck, and if they behave themselves they can build a camp right next to this one. but you must remember that we discovered the wreck first, and that captain blossom was the only man left on board." "we'll see what the men have to say about this," growled lesher. "then you aint going to give me no liquor?" "you can have one glass with your breakfast, and that is all. after this you can have the regulation ship's grog, with the other sailors. but getting drunk has got to be stopped, even if we have to dump all the liquor into the ocean." by this time the girls had appeared on the scene, and the talk came to an end, dick turning in to help get breakfast. jack lesher walked down to the beach, followed by dan baxter. "you see, it is just as i told you," said baxter. "they are going to ride right over us." "they wouldn't ride over us if i had those other sailors here," growled the mate. "or if we were armed," went on the bully. "i tried to get hold of a pistol, but dick rover watches me like a cat watches a mouse." "if we could get to the wreck we might arm ourselves," said lesher. "here is a boat; let us row over." "i'm willing," answered the bully. they walked to the boat, shoved it into the water, and leaped in. just as lesher picked up the oars dick saw what they were doing. "stop!" he cried. "what do you want?" growled the mate. "where are you going?" "over to the wreck." "what for?" "that is our business," put in dan baxter. "you shan't go over there until captain blossom comes back." "we'll go when we please," said lesher, and started to row away. "come back, i say!" cried dick, and, rushing into the house, he appeared with a shot-gun. "what are you going to do, dick rover?" questioned baxter in alarm. "i am going to make you come back," was the oldest rover's very quiet, but determined, answer. chapter xxi the attack on the wreck the appearance of dick with the shot-gun disturbed jack lesher quite as much as it did dan baxter, and the mate stopped rowing instantly. "hi! don't you fire at us!" he cried. "then come back here," said dick. "haven't i a right to visit the wreck?" "i am not sure that you have. anyway, you must wait until captain blossom returns." "it seems to me that you are carrying matters with a high hand, young fellow." "oh, dick, be careful!" whispered dora. "they may become desperate." "don't worry, dora," he whispered in return. unless i miss my guess, one is as big a coward as the other." "i hope ye aint goin' too far, dick," said old jerry, in a low tone. "don't you intend to stand by me, jerry?" "to be sure i do; but the mate is the mate, ye know." there was an uncertain pause all around. "there is no harm in my visiting the wreck," growled jack lesher presently. "perhaps not, but you had better wait until captain blossom gets back." "i only want to get some things that belong to me." "and i want to get my extra clothes," said baxter. "these are in rags, as you can see." "then wait until after breakfast and we'll all go over," said dick, but he had scarcely spoken when he felt sorry for the words. "oh, dick, don't trust yourself with them!" cautioned dora. "we want to hurry, for i want to go back to where i left the sailors before night," answered lesher. "then we'll have breakfast at once." rather reluctantly the mate turned back to the shore and he and baxter left the boat. then the girls prepared breakfast with all haste. lesher ate but little, but eagerly tossed off the glass of liquor dick allowed him. "give me one more," he pleaded, but dick was firm, and the mate stalked away muttering under his breath. before dick entered the rowboat he called jerry aside, and handed the old sailor a pistol. "we had better go armed," he said. "keep your eyes open, for they may try to play us a foul trick. and don't let lesher talk you into obeying him. he has no authority whatever over you." "all right, dick, i'll stand by ye always from this minit on," said jerry, and the compact was sealed by a handshake. the girls came down to see them off, and dora warned dick again to be on guard. it was decided that lesher and old jerry should do the rowing. baxter sat in the bow of the boat, and dick in the stern. the trip to the wreck was accomplished in almost utter silence. everybody was busy with his thoughts. as they drew near dick showed the mate where a ladder hung from the side, and as they drew close to this baxter was the first to mount to the deck. as dick had surmised, lesher's first hunt was for liquor, and he drank several glasses at a gulp. then he began to roam around the wreck, noting the damage that had been done and the amount of stores still on board. "might float her, if the tide got extra high," he said. "eleven men in our crowd and five in your own ought to be able to do something, surely." "the captain says the ship is too deep in the sand," answered dick briefly. "blossom don't know everything," growled the mate. both he and baxter soon found some comfortable clothing, and put it on. then they made up a bundle of things they said the other sailors needed. when arming themselves, the rovers and captain blossom had placed all of the remaining firearms in a stateroom and locked the door. "what did you do with all of the guns and pistols?" asked lesher presently, after looking in vain for them. "they are packed away in a stateroom. captain blossom thought it wouldn't do to leave them lying loose. some savages might come to the islands and steal them, and then we'd be in a bad hole." "we've got to have some guns and pistols, rover." "well, you can see the captain about that." "i shan't wait. which stateroom are they in?" dick would not tell the mate, and lesher went around trying the various doors. coming to one that was locked he burst it open with his shoulder. dick scarcely knew what to do, and while he was trying to make up his mind jack lesher secured a pistol and a rifle, and also a pistol for dan baxter. he would have taken more fire-arms, but dick stopped him. "that is enough," he said. "i want some for the men," said the first mate. "they can get pistols from captain blossom when they get here." "humph! you think you are in sole command, don't you?" "i am not going to allow you to take away all the firearms that are here, mr. lesher." "we'll see:" the mate went into the pantry and secured another glass of liquor. then he ordered old jerry to take the bundle of clothing and put it in the rowboat. "i've got some money on this schooner," he said. "i want to see if that's safe, or if you have stolen it." "we haven't touched any money," answered dick, his face flushing. "it would be of no use to us on these islands." "you come with me while i take a look," said lesher. behind his back he waved his hand for baxter to follow. all three went below again, and into a stateroom the mate had occupied. "the money was in that chest," said the mate. he threw open the lid. "it's gone!" he cried. interested for the moment, dick bent forward to look in the chest. as he did so, lesher suddenly hit him a savage blow over the head with the butt of a pistol. the blow was a heavy one, and dick fell like a log to the floor. "oh!" came from baxter. "have you killed him?" "no; only knocked the senses out of him," answered lesher, bending over his victim. "what did you do it for?" "to teach him a lesson. he shan't boss me, baxter. come, help me put him in the brig, and be quick, before jerry comes back." they lifted up the insensible form and made their way to where the ship's brig was located, a dirty closet once used for oil and lanterns. dick was thrown on the floor, and the mate shut the door on him and locked it. "now he can stay there for a day or two," he snarled. "reckon it will teach him a lesson." "what will you do with the sailor?" before lesher could answer old jerry appeared. "where is dick rover?" he asked. "none of your business," growled jack lesher. "see here, tolman, are you going to obey me after this?" "i want to know where dick is?" said old jerry stubbornly. "i put him in the brig to cool off. he's too hot-headed for his own good." "you had no right to lock him up, mr. lesher. you must let him out at once." "git out of here, quick!" roared lesher. "on deck, or i'll flog you well!" "ye won't tech me!" cried jerry, his temper rising. "i aint under orders no more, mind that. now you let him out, or i'll do it. you was a fool to lock him up in the first place." he moved toward the brig, but lesher caught him by the arm. "let's teach this chap a lesson, too!" came from baxter, and, like a flash, he struck old jerry in the back of the head. the first blow was followed by a second, and down went the tar, the blood oozing from one of his wounds. "don't hit him again!" cried lesher hastily. "he's out already." baxter grew pale, thinking he had gone too far. but he soon discovered that jerry still breathed, and then he felt relieved. it was decided by the pair that they should place old jerry beside dick in the brig, and this was quickly done. then they put into the prison a bucket of drinking water and a can of ship's biscuits, and another of baked beans. "they won't starve on that," said lesher. "and when they get out they'll understand that i am as much of a master here as anybody." "it serves dick rover right," said baxter. "he's the kind that ought to be kept under foot all the time." chapter xxii a heavy tropical storm "those girls will ask some awkward questions, i reckon," said jack lesher, as the two prepared to leave the wreck. "we had better not say too much," answered baxter. they were soon over the side and in the rowboat, which contained the bundle of clothing and a number of other articles. then an idea struck the mate. "wait; i am going back," he said, and disappeared on the deck one more. dan baxter imagined that lesher had gone for more liquor. but he was mistaken. when the mate reappeared, he carried a box containing half a dozen pistols, two guns, and a quantity of ammunition. "i am going to hide this in the woods on the other side of this island," he said. "the firearms may come in handy before long." "a good idea," replied baxter, and helped him place the case in a desirable spot, under some rocks, where the rain could not touch it. "we are going to have a storm before long," said the mate, as they started to row back to the camp. "and if it is a heavy one we'll have to wait till it clears off before we rejoin the rest of our crowd." the sky was growing dark, and by the time the beach in front of the house was gained the rain was falling. "where are dick and, old jerry?" asked dora in quick alarm. she had noted long before that only baxter and the mate were in the rowboat. "they stayed behind on the wreck," answered lesher. "come, help get the bundles out of the wet," he added to his companion. "why did they stay?" asked nellie. "don't ask me," growled lesher. he and baxter took the bundle to the house and dumped it on the floor of the living room. then they brought in the other things from the boat. by this time it was raining in torrents, and from a distance came the rumble of thunder and occasionally the faint flash of lightning. not wishing to remain out in the storm, the three girls came into the house.--"dora was very much disturbed, and nellie and grace were also anxious. "it is queer that dick and old jerry remained behind," whispered dora to her cousins. "they were so anxious to protect us before." "i cannot understand it, dora," returned nellie. "there has been foul play somewhere," came from grace. "oh, do you think--" dora could not finish. "see here!" burst in the voice of jack lesher. "we want some dinner. don't be all day getting it for us." the liquor he had imbibed was beginning to tell upon him.. he looked ugly, and the girls trembled before him. "dinner will be ready in a quarter of an hour," said grace, who had been doing the cooking. "all right." lesher turned to the bully: "baxter, join me in a glass of rum for luck." "thanks, i will," answered dan baxter, who did not particularly want the liquor, but did not dream of offending the mate. lesher produced a bottle he had brought away from the wreck, prepared two glasses of rum, and drank with great relish. then he threw himself into a chair at the rude dining-table. "i am the master here, and i want everybody to know it!" he exclaimed, banging his fist savagely. "there is dinner," said grace, and brought it in. "you can help yourself." and she went into the next room to join nellie and dora. "aint going to wait on us, eh?" grumbled lesher, with a hiccough. "all right, my fine ladies. but i am master, don't you forget that!" he began to eat leisurely, while dan baxter began to bolt his food. in the meantime the sky grew darker and the flashes of lightning more vivid. the girls were greatly frightened, and huddled together, while tears stood on grace's cheeks. "oh, if only somebody was with us," sighed nellie. by the time lesher and baxter had finished eating the storm was on them in all of its violence. the wind shrieked and tore through the jungle behind them, and often they could hear some tall tree go down with a crash. "this will tear our flag of distress to shreds," said nellie. "and just when we need it so much, too!" "i am thinking of the future as well as the present," said dora. "what a rough time there will be if lesher brings those other sailors here. some of them were heavy drinkers like himself, and only two or three were americans." the storm had whipped the waters of the bay into a fury, and the rain was so thick that to see even the island on which the wreck rested was impossible. "dick can't come now," said dora. "a boat on the bay would surely go down." having finished the meal, lesher and baxter sat down in the living room to smoke and to talk over the situation. the mate continued to drink, and half an hour later he fell asleep, sitting on the bench, and with his head on the table. "the beast!" said dora, as she peeped out at him. "well, there is one satisfaction," she continued: "he cannot harm us while he is asleep." "you girls better have your own dinner," called out baxter. "i aint going to eat you up." "we will get our dinner when we please," said nellie, as she came out. "we are not afraid of you, dan baxter." no more was said for a long time. the girls ate what little they wished and washed up the dishes. the rain still continued to fall in torrents, but the thunder and' lightning drifted away to the eastward. dora was the most anxious of the trio, and at every opportunity she tried to look through the driving rain toward the wreck. "i'd give almost anything to know if dick is safe," she murmured. "don't be discouraged, dora," said grace. "perhaps he will return as soon as the storm is over." the girls were huddled close to a window, looking out into the rain, when dan baxter threw aside the pipe he had been smoking and approached them. "see here, girls," he said, "why can't we be friends? what is the use of being enemies in such a place as this?" "dan baxter, we want you to keep your distance," said nellie coldly. "and if you do not, it will be the worse for you when the others come back," put in grace. "humph! i reckon you think it is fine to ride such a high horse," sneered the bully. "what are you going to do when we bring the rest of the sailors over here? we'll be eleven to seven then." "never mind what we'll do," said dora. "i would rather have the company of some of those sailors than your company." "that is where you make a mistake. the sailors are all rough fellows, some of them worse than jack lesher. now, if you are willing to count me as a friend, i'll stand by you when the crowd comes over." "we don't want your friendship, dan baxter, so there!" cried nellie. "we know your past, and we know that you cannot be trusted." "don't think i am as good as the rovers, eh?" "we all know that you are not," answered grace. "what have you done to dick rover?" questioned dora. "he ought to be here long before this." "oh, i guess the storm is holding him back," said baxter, shifting uneasily as she gazed earnestly into his eyes. "if anything has happened to dick, i shall hold you responsible," said dora. at that moment the fury of the storm cut off further talking. a sudden rush of wind had come up, whistling through the jungle and bringing down a palm close to the house with a crash. the fall of the tree made baxter jump in alarm. "the house is coming down!" he cried, and ran outside. the wind made the waves in the bay rise higher and higher until they lashed furiously in all directions. then came another downpour of rain, which caused the bully to seek shelter again. "hark!" said nellie suddenly, and raised her hand for silence. "what did you hear?" asked grace. "somebody calling. listen!" all were silent once more, and just then the wind fell a little. "i don't hear anything," said dora. but then followed a distant voice--two voices calling desperately: "help! help! our boat is sinking! help!" chapter xxiii what happened on the bay to go back to tom, sam, and captain blossom at the time that they placed the two dead goats in their rowboat and prepared to return to the camp. it was already raining by the time the shore of the bay was reached, and scarcely had they begun to row when the water came pouring down in torrents. "gracious! i must say i don't like this!" cried tom. "the rain is running down my neck in a stream." "i move we row into shore over yonder," said sam, pointing up the coast. "there are some trees which will shelter both us and the boat nicely." captain blossom was willing, and in a few minutes they were under the trees and wringing out their clothes as best they could. "if i know anything about it, this storm is going to last for some time," said the captain, after a long look at the sky. "such a downfall as this can't last," said sam. "perhaps we can get home between showers." it was dry under the trees for about half an hour, but then the water began to reach them once more, and they had to shift their position again. this kept up for some time, until all were wet through and thoroughly uncomfortable, when tom proposed that they start for home regardless of the storm. "we can't get any wetter than we are," he declared. "and the sooner we reach the house the sooner we'll be able to change our clothes." the others agreed, and when the worst of the lightning and thunder had passed they set off once more, two rowing and the third steering the boat and bailing out the water, which came in faster than was desirable. "when it rains in the tropics, it rains," observed tom. "puts me in mind of that storm we met when we were in africa. do you remember, sam?" "indeed, i do," answered his brother. "i thought we'd all be killed by the trees that fell in the jungle." "have you been in africa?" came from captain blossom in astonishment. "yes," answered tom. "our father got lost there once, and we went in search of him," and he gave a few of the particulars, as already related in another volume of this series, entitled "the rover boys in the jungle." "well, you boys have had some ups and downs," said the captain. "but i reckon you weren't cast away before like this." "not like this," answered sam. "but we were left on a lonely island once in lake huron," and he related a few particulars of their exciting experiences with the baxters while on the great lakes. another downpour of rain cut off the talking, and tom was kept busy bailing out the row-boat. with three persons and the two dead goats the craft was pretty heavily loaded, and more than once the rising wind swept some water over the bow. "i'd give a little to be ashore again," said tom presently. "it seems to me that the rain is shutting out everything." "we'll have to land again, lads," put in the captain, with a grave shake of his head. "this wind is growing worse. we don't want to be swamped." they turned to what they thought must be the direction of the nearest shore, but though they pulled with might and main for nearly quarter of an hour no land appeared. "we're mixed," cried sam. "the storm has twisted us up." by this time the wind was blowing a regular gale on the bay. it took off tom's cap, and in a twinkle the headgear was out of sight. "my cap's gone!" groaned the youth. "the water is coming in over the bow!" came from sam. "we will be swamped!" "we must throw the goats overboard," said the captain, and overboard went the game, much to the boys' sorrow. this lightened the craft a little, but still the waves swept over the gunwale, and now both sam and tom set to bailing, while the captain took both oars. then came another blast of wind, worse than before. "i see land!" cried sam. "we are going over!" yelled tom, and the wind fairly whipped the words from his lips. then came a mighty wave, and on the instant the rowboat was upset, and all three found themselves in the waters of the bay. as they went under the same thought was in the mind of each: were there any sharks around? "help! help!" cried sam, as soon as he came up. "our boat is sinking. help!" and tom soon joined in the cry. they had caught hold of the overturned boat, but the craft, for some reason, failed to support them. captain blossom was close at hand, and he advised them to strike out for the shore. "it's in this direction," he said, and led the way. "i--i can't swim very far with my clothes on," gasped sam, yet he struck out as best he could. "hullo! who calls?" came a cry from the shore, and, looking up, they saw dora standing there, with nellie and grace laning close beside her. "it's tom and sam!" cried nellie. "and captain blossom," added grace. "perhaps we can throw them a rope," came from dora, and she ran to get the article she had mentioned. but by the time she returned the three swimmers had reached a point where they could touch bottom with their feet, and, watching for a favorable opportunity, they rushed ashore, almost into the arms of the girls. "oh, tom, how glad i am that you are safe!" cried nellie, while grace caught hold of sam and asked if he was all right. "yes, i am--am all right, but--but pretty well fagged out," gasped sam. "it was a close shave," said captain blossom. "and our guns are gone." "we had two dead goats, too," put in tom. "they went overboard first, and--goodness gracious--is that really dan baxter?" "dan baxter!" ejaculated sam, and even captain blossom stared in amazement. "i see you've had a rough time of it," said baxter, coming forward coolly. "how are you?" he shook hands with captain blossom, while the rover boys continued to stare at him. "are you alone?" asked the master of the _golden wave_. "no, jack lesher is with me, and we left nine of the sailors on another island." "is that so? where is lesher now?" "in the house, asleep." "he is intoxicated," said nellie. "we has been drinking ever since he put in an appearance." "humph! that's like lesher," muttered the captain, and his brow darkened. all moved toward the house, and entered to get out of the wet. the mate was still at the table, snoring loudly. "might as well let him sleep it off," said the captain. "but when he is sober i'll have a talk with him." wet clothing was changed for dry, and then the captain and the boys listened to what baxter and the girls had to tell. the captain was glad to learn that so many of his men had been saved, and asked for the names. "i don't care much about peterson and mcglow," he said. "they are tough customers. i would rather have heard from peabody, dickson, and fearwell. you don't know anything about them?" "no," said dan baxter. "this news about dick and old jerry worries me," said tom. "dan baxter, i think you know more than you care to tell," said sam boldly. the bully hardly knew how to reply. he could not now fall back on jack lesher for support, and he had thought to be on his way to rejoin the sailors ere this. the storm had upset all of his calculations. it had been a foolish movement to attack dick and old jerry, and it now looked as if he must suffer for it. "well--er--i don't mind telling you that dick and the mate had something of a quarrel," he said hesitatingly. "how did it end?" asked tom. "i can't say exactly." "why not? you were with lesher at the time." "no, i wasn't. he ordered me to get into the rowboat and wait for him while he went back to get a pistol or a gun. i heard loud talking on the deck of the schooner, and i knew a row was on. i was just going back to the deck when the mate came and leaped into the rowboat. he said the sailor and dick were going to remain behind, and that we wouldn't wait any longer. then we rowed over here." "if that's the case i'll make lesher tell us what happened," cried tom, and shook the mate roughly. "wake up here!" he cried. "wake up and give an account of yourself!" chapter xxiv in close quarters slowly dick came to his senses. he remembered little or nothing, and only knew that all was dark around him, and that his head was spinning like a top. for several minutes he remained quiet, trying to collect his thoughts. then he sat up and passed one hand slowly over his forehead. "oh, how my heed aches!" he murmured. it was fully five minutes before he felt like moving around. then he arose and took a step forward and stumbled over old jerry's body. "oh!" he murmured, and felt of the body in the dark, "who is this? can it be jerry?" he asked himself. then came a recollection of the cowardly attack. but what had followed was a blank, and he could not imagine where he was. dick remembered that he had a match safe in his pocket, and soon he made a light. by this he caught sight of a lantern in the brig and lit it. then he bent over old jerry, and saw that the sailor was still alive, but suffering from his treatment. "he must have been attacked, too," murmured dick. the bucket of water was at hand, and he took a drink and bathed captain jerry's forehead. it was fully half an hour before the old sailor felt at all like himself. both sat down to review the situation. "the cowards!" said dick. "what do you suppose they attacked us for?" "can't say as to that," replied old jerry. "perhaps lesher wanted to show us he was master." "he'll settle with me if i ever get out of this hole, jerry. what place is this?" "the lock-up of the _golden wave_. i think it used to be an oil room." they gazed around them, and soon discovered the can of ship's biscuits and also the beans. "they evidently meant to keep us prisoners for some time," said dick. "hark, what is that?" both listened, and made out the sounds of distant thunder and heard the patter of rain on the deck. "a storm is brewing," said old jerry. "it sounds as if it was putty heavy, too." they tried the door to the brig, but found it locked and bolted. in vain dick kicked against it, and shoved with his shoulder. it refused to budge. "this looks as if we'd have to stay here--at least for the present," said dick, with a sigh. "i must say i don't like the prospect." "how long do ye calculate we've been here, lad?" "there is no telling, unless by my watch." but when he looked at the timepiece, he found that it had stopped. they ate some of the biscuits and drank some water and rested for a while longer. outside the wind blew furiously and they heard the rain and the waves dash in all directions. then some water came trickling in slowly, at one corner. "it seems to me as if the wreck was shifting," cried dick presently. "it won't shift very far in this bed o' sand, lad. but she may break up and go to pieces," added old jerry. "if she goes down, we'll be drowned like rats in a trap," said dick. "we must get out somehow." they talked the matter over and began a systematic examination of their prison. the four walls were solid and so was the ceiling above them. "the flooring has a couple of loose planks in it," announced. dick. "if we can get them up, where will the opening lead to?" "the forward hold, lad, and that is now half full of sand and water." "never mind, i'm going to get the planks up if i can." with his head still aching dick set to work and old jerry helped him. it was no easy matter to shift the heavy planking, but after a while they got one plank up and then used this as a pry to bring up the second. a dark hole was revealed, covered at the bottom with water. then dick took the lantern and let himself down cautiously. "the water is only about a foot deep," he announced. "i'm going to make a search around with the lantern." "hold on, i'll go with ye," cried old jerry, and came down with a splash. with great caution they moved around the hold, wading through sand and water, and climbing over boxes, barrels, and crates. "what a mixture of cargo," said dick. "and what a pity so much of it is going to ruin," and he pointed to some valuable mining machinery which was rusting in the salt water. fortunately old jerry had been in the hold before the _golden wave_ was wrecked, so he knew something of the surroundings. he led the way to some boxes directly beneath the forward hatch. "i don't reckon the hatch is fastened down," he said. "an' if it aint we may be able to shove it up by standing one box on top of another." this was tried, and after much difficulty the hatch was thrown to one side, and they crawled to the deck of the schooner. "i'm glad i am out of that!" ejaculated dick. "but how it's raining! let us go to the cabin for shelter." once in the cabin they proceeded to make themselves as comfortable as the state of affairs permitted. "with no boat it is going to be no easy matter getting back to the house," said dick. he was much worried concerning the girls. "we'll have to stay here until the storm is over," said old jerry. but dick demurred and at last it was decided to try getting to the house by journeying from one island to the next. this was a dangerous proceeding, as we already know. they had to build themselves a small raft and carry this from one crossing to the next. by the time the last crossing was made the storm was clearing and the day was drawing to a close. "we had best not show ourselves until we are sure how the land lays," said dick, as they came up the beach. captain jerry thought this good advice and they proceeded with caution until they came in sight of the house. then dick set up a shout. "tom, sam, and captain blossom are back! hurrah!" "they look as if they were having a row with baxter and the mate," came from old jerry. a row certainly was in progress, and as they came closer they heard tom talking. "yes, lesher, i want to know all about this quarrel with my brother dick. i am sure he was not in the wrong." "see here, i know my own business," the mate growled. "you shut up and leave me alone." "we won't leave you alone," came from sam. "we want to know the truth." "yes, tell us the truth, lesher," said captain blossom sternly. "all against me, aint you?" "we want the truth," answered tom. "well, if you must have it, all right. he got cheeky and hit me on the head with an oar. then i hit back and knocked him down. then he got mad and so did jerry tolman, and both refused to come back in the boat with baxter and me." "i'll wager you started to boss things," said sam. "dick doesn't raise a row without just cause." "good for sam," murmured dick. "your brother was entirely to blame," grunted the mate. he was still far from sober. "jack lesher, you tell what is not so," said dick loudly, and joined the group, followed by old jerry. had a bombshell exploded, lesher and baxter would not have been more astonished. then stared at the newcomers as if they were ghosts. "how--er--how did you get here?" stammered baxter, while the mate continued to stare, in open-mouthed astonishment. "that is our affair," responded dick. he strode up to lesher. "you miserable villain. how dare you say that i was to blame when you attacked me without warning? take that for what you did." and hauling off, dick hit the mate a fair and square blow in the nose which sent lesher flat on his back. chapter xxv. trying to come to terms as the mate went down the girls gave a scream, and even tom and sam looked at dick in wonder. never had any of them seen the eldest rover so aroused. "my lad, that was a hard blow," observed captain blossom, as jack lesher lay where he had fallen. "not half as hard as the blow he struck me," answered dick. "not hard as hard as thet chap hit me," put in old jerry, and turning quickly he flew at dan baxter and bore him to the ground. "hi! hi! let up!" roared the bully. "let up! take him off!" "i'll let up, when i'm done," panted old jerry, and he gave him a thump in the cheek, another in the eye, and a third on the chin. "now, then, dan baxter, see how you like that!" and then the old sailor arose once more. "i'll--i'll--" began baxter, in a terrible rage. "i'll--" "shut up, baxter, until we hear what they have to say," put in tom. "if you are not quiet, i'll give you a thumping on general principles." "no more fighting," commanded captain blossom. "dick rover, tell us what happened on the wreck." dick told his story, and then all listened to what old jerry had to say. in the meantime jack lesher arose unsteadily to his feet. "where is that boy?" he roared. "i'll fix him." and then he made a movement as if to draw his pistol, but discovered that the weapon had been taken from him. "who took my pistol?" he demanded. "be quiet, everybody," said captain blossom. "lesher, there will be no shootng here, unless i have to make an example of somebody. you had no business to attack dick rover on the wreck, nor attack jerry tolman, either. it was a mean thing to do. if we are to remain on these islands together, we ought to keep friendly." "i know my business," growled the mate. "and i know mine, lesher. please remember that i am captain." "and i am first mate." "your being first mate doesn't count with us," came from tom. "not for a minute," added dick. "if i had my own way, i'd pitch you out of this camp in double-quick order." "and dan baxter with him," put in sam. "why cannot both of them go and live with the other sailors who were saved?" asked dora. "they could have their share of what is on the wreck." "i see you don't care for their company," said captain blossom. "well, i can't say that i blame you, miss. after this they shall keep their distance. they can either live on the wreck or build themselves their own house, and so can the other sailors who were saved." "you are not my master!" cried dan baxter. "on these islands all are equal." "that may be so, but you have got to let the others alone," answered dick. "if you don't--" "what will you do?" "we'll punish you in a way you least expect." after this there was a general talk which almost ended in another all-around row. but the rovers and captain blossom were firm, and at last dan baxter and jack lesher said no more. "we ought to remain on guard after this," said dick to tom, when they and sam were alone. "i don't want to trust our enemies for a single moment." and it was agreed that one or another should watch constantly. the storm cleared away as suddenly as it had come, and the next morning the sun shone as brightly as ever. when baxter and lesher came to breakfast both were sullen. the mate had wanted more liquor, but captain blossom had refused to give him more than a single glass. "you had better return to the others at once," said the captain. "tell them they can come over here, and then we will make arrangements as to how all hands shall live until some ship comes to take us away." the rovers suspected that dan baxter wished to remain behind, leaving the mate to go after the others. but lesher would not go alone, and off they started at noon, each carrying a good supply of food with him, and also a pistol and some ammunition. "i wish they weren't coming back," murmured dora. "i wish the same, dora," said dick. "but it can't be helped and we must make the best of it." there was a general air of relief when the two had departed. later on each told his or her story once more, and a general conversation ensued regarding the future. "lesher is not the man i thought he would, be," said captain blossom. "if he insists on getting drunk he will surely cause us a good deal of trouble, and if i try to keep the liquor from him he will get ugly. more than that, he has several sailors with him who are old friends, and they like their liquor just as much as he does." it was seen that the flag of distress was down, as already mentioned, and after baxter and lesher had departed, tom and dick set off to put the flag up once more. the way was by no means easy, for the storm had washed the dirt and stones in all directions and the path was strewn with broken branches and torn-up bushes. on the way they picked up hard a dozen dead birds and also saw three dead monkeys. when the spot where the flag had been was reached they found the tree still standing. the halyard of the flag had snapped and the colors lay in a mass of bushes a hundred feet away. to get to the bushes the boys had to leap over something of a gully. tom took the leap in safety, but sam went down out of sight. "help! help!" cried the youngest rover. tom looked back, to see sam's fingers clutching at some brushwood which grew at the edge of the gully. then the hand disappeared and he heard a crashing far below, for though the gully was not wide, it was very deep. "sam! sam!" he called. "are you hurt?" no answer came back, and much alarmed, tom got on his knees and tried to look into the opening. at first he could see nothing, but when his eyes grew accustomed to the darkness, he made out the form of his brother lying on some broken brushwood which the storm had swept into the opening. how to get down to sam was a problem, and tom was revolving the matter in his mind when sam let out another cry. "are you hurt, sam?" "n--not much, but m--my wind was kno--knocked out of me." "can you climb up to the top?" "hardly, tom, the sides are very steep, and--yes, there is a regular cave down here," went on sam. "a cave?" "yes." "where does it lead to?" "i don't know. it's on the south side of the opening." tom's curiosity was aroused, and bringing forth the new rope they had brought along for hoisting the flag, he tied one end to a tree and lowered himself to his brother's side. by this time sam was on his feet and inspecting some scratches his left hand had received. "where is the cave, sam?" "there," and the youngest rover pointed it out. the opening was about two feet above the bottom of the gully. it was perhaps four feet in diameter, but appeared to grow larger within. "if we had a torch we might investigate a bit," said tom. "i'd like to know if the cave amounts to anything." "it might have a pirate's treasure in it, eh?" "not likely, sam. i don't believe it has ever been used. but if it was of good size it might prove handy for us at some time or another." they looked around, and finding some dry brushwood made two rude torches. with these flaring brightly they entered the opening, the flooring of which was of rock and tolerably smooth. "we could live in this cave, if it wasn't that the opening to it is in the gully," said sam as they advanced. "there may be another opening at the other end," said tom. "it is certainly quite long." they had advanced fully a hundred feet, and now found themselves in a chamber forty or fifty feet square. the ceiling was arched and so high that they could not touch it without jumping up. "this is as good as a house," said tom. "see how dry the flooring is. that proves that it is waterproof." from the large chamber there were several passageways, all leading toward the bay. "which shall we investigate first?" asked sam. "let us start at the right." "all right, tom; the right ought to be right," answered sam lightly. on they went once more, the flooring now sloping before them. here there was considerable moisture, and they had to walk with care for fear of slipping down. suddenly a number of bats flew out of a hole nearby, dashing against the torches and against the boys themselves. the rush was so unexpected that each youth dropped his light and put up his hands to protect himself. "get out! let me alone!" spluttered sam. "whoop!" roared tom. "confound the bats anyway! get along and let us alone!" lying on the flooring the torches soon went out, and in their efforts to protect themselves from the bats the boys rushed blindly down the passageway. then of a sudden both slipped on the wet rocks, slid a distance of several yards, and went down and down, landing into a well-like opening with a loud splash! chapter xxvi the cave on the island "tom!" "sam!" "are you safe?" "yes, but i wasn't looking for such a cold bath as this." "i guess we must have fallen into a regular well of spring water." "never mind what we are in. the question is, how are we to get out?" "can you touch the top of the opening?" "no." "neither can i." luckily the two boys could touch the bottom of the hole, so they were in no danger of drowning. they were in water up to their waists and calculated they had dropped a distance of two or three yards. all was pitch dark around them and as silent as a tomb, save for some water which trickled close at hand. the bats had departed, leaving them to their fate. "this is cave-investigating with a vengeance," said tom, with something like a shiver. "never mind, tom, we won't die of thirst anyway." "do you think this is a laughing matter, sam?" "no, i don't. i'd give a good deal to be out of this hole and out of the cave also." "i've got an idea. let me climb on your shoulders and see if i can reach the top that way." sam was willing, and soon tom was balancing himself as best he could. he felt around with care, sam moving from point to point as directed. "here is a sharp rock; i think i can pull myself up on that," said tom. he tried with all of his strength and went up off sam's shoulders. then the youngest rover heard him crawling around the wet flooring carefully. when tom felt fairly safe he brought out his waterproof match safe and lit a match. then one of the torches was picked up and he lit that, but kept it partly sheltered, fearing another attack from the bats. by the aid of the torch, sam was able to reach a sharp rock quite low down in the well hole, and when tom gave him a hand he came up with ease. both saw that the passage ended at the hole and hurried back to the main chamber of the cave. "that's the time that right was not right," said sam, wringing the water from his trousers, while tom did the same. "let us try the left after this." "i trust we don't get left by it," added sam. the passageway was small and winding, but fairly level. there were several sharp rocks to pass and then tom gave a cry. "i see a light ahead!" "it must be an opening, tam." "exactly what i think." both hurried forward. as they did this, the opening appeared to grow larger and they saw a number of bushes ahead of them. they pushed these aside and saw beyond a clear stretch of the bay and to the northward the house they had built. the opening was twenty or thirty feet above the beach and hidden in the rocks and bushes. "this is a short cut to the beach from the flagstaff," said sam. "i wish we had put up the flag. then we could carry the news of the cave to the others." "let us hurry back, sam. it won't take so very long to put up the flag, with the tree still standing." when they reached the gully they were careful that no further mishaps should befall them. having picked up the flag they hoisted it once more, stars down, and then went back through the cave to the beach. as they had imagined, the others were greatly interested in the news. all left the house and visited the place. the girls did not go any further than the main chamber, but the captain, dick, and old jerry made a complete investigation, taking care not to fall into the well-hole or any other unsafe place. "as the boys say, this cave may come in very handy some time," said captain blossom. "in case of a very heavy wind storm it would be a good place for shelter." "why couldn't the sailors, lesher, and baxter live here?" asked dick. "we don't want them, and it will save them the trouble of building a house, in case they don't want to live on the wreck." "no, i advise that we tell them nothing about the cave," said tom. "if we should have a fight and get the worst of it, we could hide here and they wouldn't be able to find us very readily." "do you think it will get as far as that?" asked dora, and her face showed she was much disturbed. "i hope not, dora," said dick. "but you must remember that we have had some pretty sharp quarrels already." "i think tom is right," came from sam. "we'll not tell the others anything about the cave. if they don't want to live on the wreck, they can build a house or two, just as we did." on returning to the shore of the bay, captain blossom and tom went on a hunt along the beach and presently discovered the rowboat that had overturned with them during the storm. the craft was but little damaged and they soon had it mended, and then the captain brought it around to the anchorage in front of the house. "i wonder when baxter and lesher will arrive with the sailors?" said nellie. "not before to-morrow night," answered tom. "then do you know what i would do if i were you?" went on the girl. "what, nellie?" "i'd bring some stores away from the wreck and hide them in the cave. if you did that, it might save us a good deal of trouble. for all we know, that mate might try to take command and refuse to let us get anything more from the ship." "do you think he'd do that while captain blossom was around?" came from grace. "oh, he might do anything when he is half full of liquor," answered tom. "i think nellie is right. i'll talk it over with the others." tom lost no time in the matter, and dick, sam, and old jerry agreed that nellie's idea was very good. captain blossom shrugged his shoulders and looked ugly. "jack lesher shall not take the command from me," he said. "if he tries it, he'll find himself in the biggest kind of a row." "but you must admit that there is grave danger," said dick. "yes, i admit that." "then you are willing that we shall hide the stores?" "if you want to." "won't you help us, captain blossom? of course, we recognize the fact that those things belong to you, since you remained on the ship up to the time she struck the island." this speech pleased the captain, and he said he would help them willingly. without delay the two rowboats and the raft were called into commission, and an hour later the men and boys were hard at work transferring goods from the wreck to the beach in front of the cave. five trips were made back and forth, the boats and the raft bringing over each, time as much as could be conveniently floated. by the time the last trip was made and the goods piled on the beach and covered with a large tarpaulin, it was dark and all were utterly worn out by their labors. the girls had prepared an extra good supper, and of this they ate heartily and then sat around a little while, when they went to bed. at the beginning the castaways had kept guard during the night, but of late this had been done away with, everybody being satisfied that no harm could befall them during the darkness. but as the doorway to the house was an open one it had been considered the duty of one or the other to sleep directly in the opening. this was dick's night, and the eldest rover lay there sleeping soundly until about two in the morning. by this time the moon had disappeared and the stars were partly hidden by some clouds. the night was quiet, save for the hum of insects in the jungle back of the house and the soft lap-lap of the waves on the beach of the bay. suddenly dick awoke with a start. he sat bolt upright, wondering what had brought him to his senses so quickly. he listened intently, but nothing unusual greeted his ears. "i must have been dreaming, or something," he thought. "but is queer i should be so wide.. awake." at first he was on the point of lying down again, but then concluded to get up and get a drink of water. he arose to his feet and stood in the open doorway, gazing into the darkness. the faint light of a few stars shone in the waters of the bay, and between the waters and himself he presently saw a dark form stealing along, close to the ground. what could that be? was it something real or only a shadow? dick rubbed his eyes and peered out more sharply than ever. it was not a shadow, but a real form, slowly moving around to the rear of the house. "an animal, or else a man crawling along," said dick to himself, and reached for his gun, which stood close at hand. then he made up his mind to investigate, and stepped outside of the doorway for that purpose. chapter xxvii a fight with a wild beast as dick stepped out of the house, gun in hand, the form disappeared behind a small clump of bushes growing not fifty feet away. "it's gone," he said to himself, but waited patiently, with his gun ready for use. the clouds were increasing, making it darker than ever. almost holding his breath, the youth took several steps forward. then he waited again. at last the form reappeared, crouched lower than ever, so that it was almost hidden by the rocks and low brushwood leading to the jungle. at first dick imagined the beast, or whatever it was, was going to retreat to the timber, but soon it appeared to turn back, as if to make another semicircle, this time around to the rear of the house. it must be admitted that dick's heart thumped madly in his breast. the gun was raised and he kept his finger on the trigger. but he did not dare to shoot until he was certain of the object of his aim. "i don't want to kill anybody," he reasoned. and he thought of a story he had once read of a hunter shooting his companion who had got the nightmare and was crawling around in his sleep. for all he knew, it might be sam or tom, or one of the others. but now came a sound which was not to be mistaken. it was a low, savage growl, followed by the rustling of a bushy tail among the brushwood. it was a wild animal, and it was getting ready to make a leap for the boy! taking aim as best he could, dick pulled the trigger. bang! went the firearm, and a snarl of pain and rage rang out. then the beast made its leap, striking dick in the breast and knocking him over. "hullo! what's the row?" the cry came from old jerry, who had been sleeping next to dick. "who fired that shot?" "help!" answered dick. "a wild beast has attacked me." "a wild beast!" came from several throats at once. "let me get a shot," came from tom, as he bounced out of the house, pistol in hand, followed by sam and captain blossom. by this time dick had gotten to his knees and was trying to fight off the animal which had fastened its teeth in the youth's trouser leg, for the boys slept with part of their garments on them. "shoot him! hit him over the head with a club!" screamed the eldest rover. he expected every moment to have the beast fly at his throat, and he knew that that would be his death. old jerry turned back to get a pistol or a club. as he did this tom rushed past him and up to dick's side. taking a hasty aim, tom discharged the pistol twice. another growl rang out and the beast dropped back, shot through the foreshoulder and the neck. then tom let drive once more and the beast fell forward, shot through the left front leg. "good for you, tom!" cried dick, as he arose. "what is it?" came from captain blossom, as he appeared with a shotgun. a shot from this finished the beast and it rolled over and over in its death agonies, and sam finished it with a blow on the head with a big club. by this time the girls were crowding outside, having clothed themselves with whatever was handiest. torches were lit, and a ship's lantern, and all went to examine the creature. "it looks like a tiger," declared tom. "only it is not quite so large." "i should say it was a california puma," came from old jerry. "he's a bad one, too." "i think they call them jaguars out here," said dick. "they all belong to the same family, you know. some old american hunters would call it a painter." "never mind what it is," said dora, with a shudder. "i am thankful that it is dead." "you can be thankful that it didn't chew dick up," added tom. "he was in a tight corner, i can tell you that." "i didn't want to shoot until i was certain of what i was shooting at," answered dick. "then, just as i fired, the beast leaped for me. if i hadn't wounded it, it would have had me by the throat sure. but my shot kind of made it fall back, and it caught me by the trouser leg." "are you sure you are not hurt, lad?" asked the captain. "not hurt in the least," answered dick, and all were thankful that this was so. the animal was dragged close to the cabin. it measured about five feet in length, regardless of the tail, and was of a dull yellowish color. its teeth were long and sharp, and its face had a fierce, blood-thirsty look about it that made all the girls shiver. "i must confess that i am surprised to find such a beast on these islands," said captain blossom. "usually they are to be found only on the mainland or on large islands." "what i am wondering is, are there any more around?" came from sam. "if there are, we'll have to be careful how we move around," put in old jerry. "i don't want any of 'em to leap out at me from behind a rock." "we'll have to be on the watch," said tom. "i'm sure i don't want to furnish any tropical tiger cat with a square meal." "oh, tom, how awful to even mention it!" cried nellie. "i think i know a way to keep 'em away from the house at night," said old jerry. "how?" questioned several. "keep a camp-fire burning close to the door. all wild animals hate a fire." "jerry is right," said captain blossom. "we'll do it after this." "what shall we do with the beast?" asked dick. "i don't think it is good to eat." "save the skin," said dora. "that will surely make an elegant rug." "leave the carcass until morning," said captain blossom. "we must get some more sleep if we want to go to work to-morrow." "to-day, you mean," said tom, looking at his watch. "it is already three o'clock." a camp-fire was lit and then all but jerry retired, it being agreed that the old sailor was to turn in once more when the others arose for breakfast. all but dick slept soundly, but even the eldest rover was benefited by the additional rest. the first work in the morning was to skin the wild beast. this was rather a difficult task since no one had had any experience, outside of the rover boys, on small game. old jerry said he would try a steak cut from the best part of the the animal, but when he did he said it was too tough to eat. then the carcass was dragged away and flung into a hole between the rocks. after breakfast, the men and boys began in earnest to place the stores brought to the beach in the cave. it was hard work getting the boxes and barrels up the incline to the mouth of the cave, and the work took until the middle of the afternoon. once at the entrance, the stores were speedily shifted to the chamber previously mentioned, and covered again with the tarpaulin. with the stores were placed a cask of fresh water, some dry pine torches and a box of matches. captain blossom left a gun and some ammunition in the cave, and the rover boys added two pistols and a couple of swords taken from the ship. "now we will re-arrange the entrance to the cave as it was before," said dick. "then the sailors will never suspect what we have done." by sunset the work was over and all hands were back at the house, taking it easy. supper was ready, but they waited hard an hour, thinking that baxter, lesher, and their party would put in an appearance at any moment. "i reckon they aren't coming just yet," said captain blossom, at length. "let us wait no longer." "i'm willing," said tom. the extra work had sharpened his appetite wonderfully. the evening passed quietly and soon one after another retired. as agreed, the camp-fire was left burning, and each took his turn at remaining on guard. in the morning it was dora who made an announcement that startled all of them. the girl had taken captain blossom's spyglass and was looking across the bay in the direction of the wreck. "there are men on board of the _golden wave_" she announced. "i can see them quite plainly." "men on board of the wreck!" cried dick. "are you sure, dora?" "look for yourself, dick." the youth did so and saw that dora was right. half a dozen figures could be seen walking to and fro. "who are they?" asked tom. "lesher and his crowd?" "that i can't make out," answered dick, and handed over the glass to his brother. all could see the men on the wreck, but at such a distance it was impossible to make out any faces. "maybe they are savages," came from grace. "no, they are dressed like white people," said captain blossom.. "perhaps another ship has come in!" ejaculated tom. "if it has, we are saved!" "i don't see any other ship," said old jerry. "it may be on the other side of yonder island," came from sam. "the best thing we can do is to row over and investigate," said captain blossom. "if another ship has come in, the captain may claim that wreck and everything on board." a hasty breakfast was prepared and eaten, and it was agreed that the captain, dick, and old jerry should row over to the wreck in the best of the boats. the three were soon on the way, wondering whom they were to meet and what sort of a reception would be tendered to them. chapter xxviii the mate shows his hand captain blossom had taken the spyglass along, and as they drew closer to the wreck he gazed long and earnestly at the men walking the deck of the _golden wave_. "they are my crew," he announced at last. "and they are in tatters." "they must have had a hard time of it since you were cast ashore," said dick. "unless i am mistaken, not a one of them is sober," went on the captain. "they are cutting up like a band of wild indians." before long they were within hailing distance of those on the wreck. then a voice from the rail hailed them. "boat ahoy!" "ahoy!" answered the captain. "what do you want?" demanded the sailor on the wreck. he could scarcely talk straight. "we want to come on board." "sorry, cap'n, but i can't let you come aboard," answered the sailor, with something of a hiccough. "can't let me come aboard?" repeated the captain. "why not?" "cause it's ag'in orders." "whose orders?" "captain lesher's." "captain lesher!" ejaculated captain blossom indignantly. "how long has he been a captain?" "we made him cap'n yesterday." "that's right," put in another sailor. "we 'lected him unan--nan-- nan'mously; yes, sir, unan--nan--nan'mously." "you are drunk, bostwick." "no, sir, aint drunk at all.--lesher, he's drunk--but he's cap'n all the same." "that's right," put in a third sailor. "hurrah for captain lesher and the rum he let us have!" "got to keep off, i tell you," went on bostwick. "if you don't, we have--er--we have strict orders to fire on you, yes, sir." "to fire on us!" cried dick.--"do you mean to say you would fire on us?" "now, see here, don't you put in your oar," said a fourth sailor. "you don't count with us. it's the cap'n that was we're talkin' to." "i am captain still," said captain blossom firmly. "if you don't want to obey me, you must leave the ship." "aint going to leave no ship!" was the cry. "she belongs to us. you keep off!" "yes, yes, keep off!" added the others on the deck. "the ship is mine," said the captain. "if you refuse to let me come on board--" at that moment two other figures appeared on deck. "dan baxter and jack lesher!" murmured dick. "captain blossom, you had better keep your distance," said lesher in a voice that showed he was just getting over a spell of drunkenness. "so you too refuse to let me come on board?" "i do. the boys have made me their captain, and as such i am bound to look after their interests. i have told them what you proposed to do, and they don't intend to stand it." "didn't i tell you we'd get square?" put in dan baxter, his evil face glowing with triumph. "we have all that is on board, and we mean to keep everything." "this is mutiny!" stormed captain blossom. "call it what you please," answered lesher recklessly. "i reckon i and the boys know what we are doing!" "that's right!" cried the half-drunken sailors. "hurrah for cap'n lesher. he's a man after our own hearts!" "supposing i demand to be let on board?" went on captain blossom. "don't ye go, cap'n," whispered old jerry. "they are in jest a fit mood to kill ye. the rum has put the old nick in 'em." "you can't come on board, and that settles it," roared jack lesher, drawing a pistol. "keep your distance." "yes, keep your distance," added baxter, and also showed a firearm. "this is a fine way to treat us, after what we did for you," said dick. "but, wait, baxter, the end is not yet." "bah! i am not afraid," said the bully. "these men are all my friends, and we know exactly what we are doing." "do you expect to remain on the wreck?" asked the captain, after a moment of silence. "that is our business," answered lesher. "i think you will find that you are making a great mistake, men, to follow lesher when you ought to follow me. i have always treated you fairly, and--" "hi! none of that!" roared the mate. "we won't listen to it." "the men shall listen, if they will. i "say another word and i'll fire!" cried the mate, and pointed his pistol at captain blossom's head. "do-do you mean that?" asked the captain, in as steady a voice as he could command. "of course he means it," said dan baxter. "he isn't a fool. we are all going to stand by him, too," he added. "that's right," came from part of the crew. dick noticed that a few of the others looked doubtful. "i mean it, and i want you to leave right now," stormed jack lesher. "i'll give you one minute in which to turn your boat around," and he pulled out his watch. "might as well go back," whispered old jerry. "you can't reason with a lot of half-drunken men." "very well, we'll go back," said captain blossom loudly. "but, remember, you haven't seen the end of this affair." "and remember another thing," added dick, in an equally loud voice: "don't any of you dare to come anywhere near our house. if you do, you'll be sorry for it." then the three turned the boat around and rowed slowly back whence they had come. "the rascals!" muttered captain blossom, when they were out of hearing. "lesher and baxter have poisoned the minds of the crew against me, and have bought over the men with liquor." "it's a mighty good thing ye put them stores in the cave," came from old jerry. "if ye hadn't we'd be a-wantin' a good many things in a few days." "that is true," answered dick. "dora told me they must have another barrel of flour by day after to-morrow." "how many at the cave?" "two." "well, it certainly was a good job done," said the captain. "but it makes me boil to think they want to keep me off my own ship. on the ocean that would be mutiny, and i could hang every mother's son of them from the yardarm for it." "lesher must have told 'em some putty strong stories," said old jerry. "otherwise the men wouldn't be so dead set ag'in ye, cap'n." "no doubt he made out the strongest possible case." "i wonder if they will stick to the wreck all the time," said dick. "they'll find it mighty hot when the sun shines." "oh, they'll most likely take some of the things ashore, and set up a camp nearby, rover." "we'll have to watch them closely." "i agree with you. now we have two kinds of enemies--beasts and men," and the captain laughed bitterly. the others were gathered on the shore awaiting their return, and they listened attentively to what was told them. "oh, lesher wanted to be leader, you could see that right off," declared tom. "and baxter will do anything to make it disagreeable for us boys," he continued. "well, there is one satisfaction," said nellie. "we haven't baxter with us." "if only a ship would stop here and take us away!" sighed dora. to her it seemed like an age since they had landed on the seven islands. "after this we must keep a regular guard," announced dick. "unless we do that, somebody may play us foul when we least expect it." slowly the day wore away. by the aid of the spyglass they could see the sailors still on the deck of the wreck. nobody appeared to go ashore. that night it fell to sam's lot to be on guard from nine to ten o'clock. the camp-fire was left burning brightly, and the youngest rover sat near it on a log, a gun in his lap. "no wild beast shall surprise me," he told himself, and kept his eyes on the jungle back of the house. his time for guard duty had almost come to an end when a noise down on the beach attracted his attention. by the faint light he made out a raft, which had just come in, bearing the figures of two sailors. "stop!" he called out. "do not come closer at your peril!" "don't shoot!" called back one of the sailors. "don't shoot! we mean no harm." sam had backed up toward the house, and now he called to those within. he was soon joined by captain blossom, dick, and several of the others. "who is it?" asked the captain, as he came forth, pistol in hand. "two of the sailors from the wreck, i think." "don't shoot us, captain," called one of the men. "we are unarmed and want to talk with you." "they are gibson and marny," said captain blossom. "they were generally pretty good sort of fellows. i reckon we have nothing to fear from them." "are you alone?" called out dick. "yes." "then come up to the fire. but mind, no treachery." "we don't wonder at your being on guard," said the sailor named gibson, a tall, thin yankee. "the others treated you like so many dogs." "we have deserted lesher," put in marny. "we came over here on the raft to see if you wouldn't take us in." "were you alone?" asked captain blossom. "no, we had hackenhaven with us. but he fell overboard just after we left the wreck, and the sharks caught him," answered gibson, with a bitter shake of his face. "what did lesher say to your leaving?" asked tom. "he didn't know it until after we were a hundred yards or more from the wreck. you see, he and the others were drinking in the cabin, so we got away without much trouble," answered marny. "they might have shot at us, but it was too dark for them. we had a hard pull to get over here, and when poor hackenhaven was gobbled up both of us felt bad, i can tell you." it was now seen that both sailors were almost exhausted, and captain blossom allowed them to rest, while dick prepared a pot of coffee. while they were drinking, gibson told them the particulars of how the mate had made himself leader of the sailors now left on the wreck. chapter xxix the burning of the wreck "when lesher and baxter got back to where they left us they were very bitter against you," began gibson. "they told us that you had tried to make them work like niggers, fixing up this house. they said that they wanted to come right back and bring us here, but you wouldn't let them go until the house was finished." "which is not true, as all of us here know," said captain blossom. "lesher also said that you were angry at us for leaving the ship before the rest, and that you had said you would have us all tried for mutiny the first chance you got. baxter said the same, and also told us that you were going to dump all the rum and other liquor into the ocean, so that the mate and none of the others could get a drop of it while they stayed on the islands." "i didn't say that, but i did say that lesher shouldn't have all he wanted," replied the captain. "this sort of talk made most of the sailors wild," went on gibson. "then lesher made a speech to them, and they voted to stick by him through thick and thin and not let you rule them. he promised them all the liquor they wanted, and told them that if they stuck by him the whole lot could swear in court that they had found the wreck deserted, so that they could get whatever was coming in the way of salvage. then he handed around some liquor he had brought along, and some pistols, and most of them said they would stick to him, as i said before." "what about going directly to the wreck?" asked tom. "that was baxter's idea, and it wasn't thought of until we were on our way to this spot. baxter said that if we captured the ship we would have you at our mercy, for sooner or later your provisions would run out, and you'd be begging for something to eat." "the scoundrel!" cried dick. "so he thought to starve us into submission, eh? well, he shan't do it." "i said i didn't think it would be fair on the young ladies," continued gibson. "but he told me he'd take care of the girls after he had brought you to your knees." "he'll never take care of me!" cried dora. "nor me!" came from nellie. "i'd rather die than leave this place in dan baxter's company," added grace. "captain, i want you to understand that gibson and i didn't agree to what they wanted to do," came from marny. "but we were overruled, and we had to hold our tongues for fear of being knocked down or shot." "do you want to join our crowd?" asked dick bluntly. "we do, and if you'll take us in we'll promise to stand by you to the end, no matter what comes. we know they've got the best of it--having the ship's stores--but we don't care for that. they are a drunken, good-for-nothing crowd, and we are done with them." "all right, men, i think we can trust you," said captain blossom. "it's a pity that hackenhaven was lost overboard and eat up by the sharks. we could rather have spared lesher." "or dan baxter," observed tom. "with three gone they have but eight men left on the wreck," said sam. "and we now number seven men and three ladies. if we stand our ground, i can't see as we have much to fear from them." "it will be all right so long as they keep their distance," said captain blossom. "but if they come over here in a body when they are half full of drink, there is sure to be a row and probably some shooting. still, we needn't try to meet trouble halfway." the sailors gave some more of the details of their doings while in lesher's company, and then they were provided with additional clothing, and each was given a pistol and some ammunition. nothing was said to them about the cave or the provisions stored there, captain blossom deeming it best to wait and make sure if they were to be thoroughly trusted. "you see," said he, "they may be straight enough, or they may be spies sent by lesher to find out just what we propose to do." "they look honest," said dick. "i should trust them." the long pull on the bay had worn the two sailors out, and they were soon sleeping soundly. the girls followed, and then the boys started to turn in. sam had just gone to rest, and tom was following, when dick, who had stepped out on the beach, uttered a cry. "what's up?" asked captain blossom. "look toward the wreck. what does that light mean?" the captain looked, and then ran for his spy-glass. "the _golden wave_ is afire!" he exclaimed. "that light is coming up out of the cabin!" "the wreck is on fire!" shouted tom, and this cry brought everybody out once more. with remarkable rapidity the light grew brighter, until the heavens and the entire bay were lit up by the conflagration. there was a strong wind blowing, which carried the sparks to the jungle back of the ship. listening intently, they could occasionally hear the roaring and crackling of the flames. "the ship is doomed, that is certain," said sam. "i wonder if all who were on board escaped?" "the fire has caught in the brushwood on the shore," announced captain blossom, who had continued to use the spyglass. "can you see any of the men moving around?" questioned dora. "i thought i saw one or two, but i am not certain. most of the men must have escaped, but if they were drunk, as gibson says, perhaps some have been caught like rats in a trap." the flames continued to roar upward, and toward the island back of the ship, for over an hour. during that time they heard two dull explosions, caused by some barrels of chemicals catching fire. the second explosion sent the bits of burning wood and rigging flying in all directions. "that will leave the mutineers without a home and without stores," said old jerry. "they're in a poor fix now." "i'd like to know how the fire started," said the captain. "can you explain it?" he went on, to gibson and marny. "i've got an idea," said marny. "just before we came away old man shular went down in the hold with a light to look for some certain brand of liquor we were carrying. he was more than half drunk, and he most likely dropped his lantern and set something on fire." at the end of an hour and a half the flames had died down to the water's edge. a few small bits of wreckage continued to burn, and also a grove of trees and brushwood on the island. but before morning every bit of the fire was out, and only a heavy smoke showed where the _golden wave_ had once rested. no one had thought of retiring again, and sunrise found them all worn out, and anxious to know what was going to happen next. "you can rest assured that some of them will be over here sooner or later," said dick. "now they have no place to shelter them, and no provisions, they will want us to help them out." "what will you do, dick?" asked dora. "that depends on captain blossom, dora. personally i want nothing to do with any of them." "but some may be badly burnt, and they may need medicine and bandages," came from nellie. "we can send them whatever we can spare," said tom. "but i object strongly to letting anybody come here." it was decided to remain on guard during the day, and all were cautioned to keep within call of the house. the bay was scanned for the sight of a rowboat, but none put in an appearance. "i'll wager that those who did escape are sorry they quarreled with us," said sam. "especially dan baxter," answered grace. "he'll find that living out in the woods isn't so pleasant as it looks." by nightfall all grew anxious, and sat in front of the house to discuss the situation. "it can't be possible that all on board were burnt up," said dick. "that would be horrible." "oh, some must have escaped," answered captain blossom. "but they may be suffering from burns, or they may have no means of getting here. with the ship burnt up, and all the tools gone, it would be no easy matter to build even the roughest kind of a raft." "what do you think about some of us rowing over to what is left of the wreck?" asked sam. "i was thinking of that. but, if we do that, we had better wait until to-morrow morning. you can't see much in the dark." "if i thought anybody was dying for the want of aid, i'd go over," said tom. "we all know what brutes lesher and baxter are. they wouldn't hesitate to go off and leave some of the others to die where they had fallen." "i think tom is right, and some of us ought to go over," said dick. "i'm willing to go," announced old jerry. "we can move around like cats in the dark, so they won't know we are near until we tell 'em." "you might take some medicines along, and some bandages," said nellie. "take a bottle of sweet oil and some flour," put in grace. "they are both good for burns." the matter was talked over until midnight, and then it was settled that dick, tom, and old jerry should take the largest rowboat and some bandages and medicines and row over to the vicinity of the fire. they were to land on the beach below what was left of the wreck and crawl through the bushes on a tour of discovery. if they found that they were not absolutely needed, they were to return without making their presence known to the mutineers and dan baxter. the two boys and the old sailor were soon on the way. care had been taken to wrap cloth around the oars where they slipped in the row-locks, so that the boat moved through the water, as noiselessly as a shadow. once out in the bay the boys and old jerry, pulled with a will, and in less than half an hour the beach north of what was left of the wreck was gained. they approached with great caution. "do you see or hear anything?" whispered tom. "no," answered dick, and then the rowboat grated on the sand, and all leaped ashore. with their medicines and bandages in their pockets, and pistols in hand, they commenced to crawl through the bushes. before long they came to a point from which they could look toward the wreck. all was dark and deserted and the air was filled with the smell of burnt wood and water. "i don't see anybody, do you?" whispered dick. "nary a soul in sight," answered old jerry. with equal care they moved around to the other side of the wreck, over a mass of burnt brushwood. "hark!" said tom. they listened, and, from a distance, made out a faint groan. "that is somebody, and in great pain," said dick. "come on," and he led the way. around a pile of rocks they found a sailor. he was propped up against a tree, and was suffering from some burns on his legs and feet. "bostwick!" said old jerry. "oh! oh! help me!" groaned bostwick piteously. "give me a drink of water!" "where are the others?" asked dick. "gone! they left me to take care of myself. oh, the wretches! please help me; won't you, for the love of heaven!" "yes, we will help you," answered tom. "you are certain they have all gone?" went on dick, as he got out some oil and bandages, while tom ran for water. "yes, yes!" "where did they go?" "they went--oh, my legs and feet! how they smart! they went to the--the--house! lesher said you must have set the ship on fire, and baxter said the same. they--oh, what a pain! please be careful!" bostwick gulped down the water tom gave him. "that is good." "what did they say, bostwick?" asked dick, as he continued to work over the hurt man. "they said they were going to pay you back. they all went armed; that is, all but me and shular. shular was burnt up. they said they were going to shoot you down on sight, and then run the house to suit themselves. i said--oh, the pain. i--i--how weak i am!" and with those words the burnt sailor fell back in a dead faint. chapter xxx the defense of the cave--saved! "he has fainted, poor fellow!" said dick, as he bent over the unconscious form of bostwick. "we ought to git back to the house at once!" put in old jerry. "we must warn the cap'n and the others of what lesher and his crowd intend to do." "that is true, but we can't leave this poor chap here. he might die for the want of care," came from tom. "we'll take him along," said dick. "come, lift him up." as carefully as they could they lifted the unconscious form up and bore it to where the rowboat was lying. soon all were on board, and while tom did his best to revive bostwick, dick and old jerry bent their back to the oars, pulling as they had seldom pulled before. the beach in front of the house was almost gained when they heard a shot ring out, followed by several others. "just as i feared!" groaned dick. "lesher and the others have begun the attack!" "then we'll have to be careful how we land," said old jerry. "if we aint, we may run right into 'em!" there was no moon, but the stars shone brightly, so the beach line was dimly visible in the distance. standing up in the bow, tom saw a flash of fire from the jungle below the house, and heard the crack of a firearm. then he saw some dark forms running along the beach. "our party is making for the cave!" he cried. "we had better turn in that direction." several other shots followed, but they could not tell if anybody was hit. in the distance several rum-crazed sailors were yelling like so many indians. bostwick came to his senses just as the sand was reached. "whe--where am i?" he asked feebly. "oh, my feet!" "we have brought you with us, bostwick," answered dick. "keep still, and we will do what we can for you." as soon as possible they took the hurt man up, and all started for the entrance to the cave. "who goes there?" cried a voice out of the darkness. "is that you, sam?" called back dick. "dick! i am glad you are back. they attacked the house, and we are going to the cave to--" "yes, we know all about it, sam. we have brought one of the sailors along. he is badly, burnt. are the girls safe?" "i guess so. we told them to go ahead," answered sam. carrying bostwick between them, dick and old jerry soon reached the cave, where they found the three girls standing in a group, each full of dread over what was occurring. hardly had they gotten inside when captain blossom came up on a run, accompanied by gibson and marny. "back, are you?" he said. "i am glad to see it. but it may put you in a tight hole. hullo, so you've got bostwick with you, eh? everybody get into the cave, just as quick as you can." once inside of the cave captain blossom commanded everybody to he silent. the hurt sailor was carried to the inner chamber, where a lantern was lit, for it would be impossible to see this light from outside. then the girls set to work to make bostwick comfortable. "has anybody been shot?" asked tom. "i got a bullet scratch on the arm," answered the captain. "and marny got a few buck-shot in his shoulder. but neither of the hurts amount to anything." "what do you think the mutineers will do next?" "ransack the house first," said sam. "oh, but they are a bad crowd! they came on like a lot of demons." "of course baxter was with them." "yes, but he kept in the background, for fear, i suppose, of being shot." with caution one after another left the mouth of the cave to look in the direction of the house. no one outside of their own party was visible. suddenly a glare lit up the scene, growing brighter each instant. "by the great boots!" ejaculated captain blossom. "they have set the house on fire!" "that shows how crazy they are," declared dick. "in their rage they are liable to do anything. ten to one they get to fighting between themselves before this is over." the house, being built of semi-green logs, burnt slowly. as it was consumed, they heard some of the sailors singing and yelling, and heard several pistol shots and a scream of pain. "some of them are coming now!" announced sam, half an hour later. "everybody get back out of sight," cried captain blossom. there was a wild scramble, and in the rush tom tripped and fell. his foot struck a stone, which went rolling down to the mutineers' feet. "hi! hi! there they are!" came in a rough, thick voice. "where?" roared back the voice of jack lesher. "up there, among the rocks and bushes." "let's go after 'em!" "shoot 'em down, boys! they deserve it for burning up the ship!" up the rocks came the hard-drunken sailors, accompanied by lesher, and with dan baxter in their rear. "back! back! all of you, stand back!" cried captain blossom. "come a step nearer at your peril. we are all armed and ready to fire!" at these words the sailors halted for a moment. "say, cap'n, why did you set the ship afire?" asked an unsteady voice. "we had nothing to do with that," answered captain blossom. "we were all over on this island when the blaze started." "it's a lie!" came in the voice of lesher. "of course it's a lie," added dan baxter. "they did their best to burn every one of us up. "it is the truth," cried dick. "now stand back, or we shall fire on you." "come on!" yelled lesher, and fired a pistol at those near the mouth of the cave. "if ever i get the chance to have you tried, every one of you shall be hung for mutiny and murder!" cried captain blossom, and then fired in return. the bullet hit dan baxter in the arm, and he fell back with a shriek of pain. "i am killed! i am killed!" he moaned, and ran down toward the beach. then came a volley from the mutineers, followed by one from those in the cave. "oh, what a close 'shave!" muttered tom. a bullet had grazed his ear, cutting away one of his curly locks. lesher was wounded in the shoulder, and in a moment more of the mutineers ran off, feeling that they were at a disadvantage. "they can see us out in the open, while we can't see them for the rocks and bushes," said one sailor. "let us wait till morning "; and so it was decided. inside of the cave a council of war was held, and it was decided to block up the entrance fronting the bay with large rocks, leaving only two loopholes open, for watching and for possible shooting. all of the wounded ones were cared for, and then a watch was set. in the meantime bostwick was put at ease, and he told the particulars of what happened on the burning wreck, and how lesher and baxter had urged the mutineers to attack those at the house. the remainder of the night wore away slowly. nothing more was seen of the mutineers, who had retired to the jungle, drank more liquor, and gone to sleep, baxter with them, moaning and groaning over his wound. "i am going to take a look around," said tom, early in the morning. "a look around where?" asked dick. "from where we have the signal of distress. i don't believe any of the mutineers are in that vicinity." "i'll go with you," put in sam, and so it was decided. it was an easy matter for the two boys to make their way to the gully entrance, and with great caution they climbed out of the opening and walked to where the flag of distress floated in the breeze. not a sight of the mutineers or dan baxter was to be had in any direction. "they are either sleeping, or else they are afraid we'll shoot at them if they show themselves," said tom. and he added: "i am going to climb the tree and take a look around." "be careful," cautioned sam; nevertheless, he went up the tall tree with his brother. once in the tree, directly under the flag, they took a careful look around the island and then out to sea. "my gracious, sam, look!" screamed tom suddenly, and pointed out to the ocean. "a ship! a ship!" ejaculated sam. "yes, and do you see what kind of a ship it is? a warship, and an american warship at that!" "hurrah, tom; we are saved!" "yes! yes! they are sailing this way. our flag of distress has been seen! hurrah!" "we must tell the others right away." both slid down the tree with all haste. as they reached the bottom a gun boomed out across the waves. "that is to let us know that our signal has been seen," said tom. "won't the others be delighted when they know a ship, an american ship at that, is so close at hand!" as quickly as they could they reentered the cave and ran to where they had left the others. the good news spread like lightning. "a ship! an american warship is coming!" was the cry. "oh, how thankful i am," came from dora. "what shall we do next?" asked nellie, with tears of joy streaming down her cheeks. "we'll go to the shore and meet the small boat that is sent in," answered captain blossom. without delay he set out, accompanied by dick and old jerry, leaving the others to defend the cave during his absence. it was nearly two hours before he returned. "the ship is the cruiser _jefferson_," he said. "she is bound for honolulu, to await orders. the captain says he will take us on board willingly, and he will do what he can to help us bring those other fellows to justice." "hurrah!" cried tom. "if that is so, then our troubles as castaways are over." "and we are not sorry," said grace. "not a bit sorry." and all of the others agreed with her. a few words more and i will bring to a close this story of the rover boys' adventures on land and sea. the captain of the warship was true to his word, and before nightfall all who had been in the cave were safe on board of the jefferson. those who were wounded or hurt were given the best of medical attention, and everybody was made comfortable. "what attracted me to the islands was the bright reflection in the sky when the wreck was burnt," said the captain of the cruiser. "i thought perhaps that a volcano had become active. but at daybreak we saw nothing unusual, and were about to turn away when the lookout discovered your flag of distress." "what will you do about the mutineers and dan baxter?" asked dick. "we'll bring them to justice, if we can, lad." when a visit was paid to the burnt house nobody was in sight. but in the woods nearby a wounded sailor was discovered. he was badly hurt, and, though given every care, died two days later while on shipboard. "you'll have a job finding lesher, baxter, and the others," he said, when being attended. "they said they wouldn't give in to anybody, and when they learned the warship was here they rowed away in a boat for one of the other islands, they'll hide away until after you are gone." "if that's the case, let them stay here," said captain blossom. "it will be punishment enough for them to live here without any stores." "they may find those at the cave," said tom. "even so, those stores won't last forever," said dick. "yes, they will be punished enough, for there is no telling when another ship will stop here and take them away." "more than likely they'll have to remain here a year or two," said captain blossom. everything of value was taken to the warship, and twenty-four hours later the jefferson steamed away on her journey to the hawaiian islands. "how glad mother will be to learn that i am safe!" said dora to dick. "it will be good news to all of our folks," answered dick. "they will welcome us as from the grave." "i hope we can get a steamer directly from honolulu to san francisco," said tom. "our little vacation has proved unusually long." "do you think that we will ever see dan baxter again?" questioned sam. "i hardly think so," said dick. "after what has happened he will not dare to show his face again." but dan baxter did show himself, and what he did to harm the rover boys in the future will be told in another volume of this series, entitled "the rover boys in camp; or the rivals of pine island," in which we shall meet many of our old friends again. it may be as well to mention here that baxter and two sailors escaped from the seven islands just one week after our friends left it. the others, including jack lesher, lost their lives while in a quarrel over the last bottle of rum which the mate had brought with him from the burning wreck. their taking off was an awful example of the evils of intemperance. it was soon seen that bostwick was not seriously burnt, and before the trip to honolulu was over he was able to sit up and to walk a little. the wounds of those who had been shot proved slight. "we are well out of that adventure," said tom one evening, as the rover boys and the girls sat on the deck in the starlight. "and i don't know as i want to go through anything like it again." "all i am thinking of is home, sweet home," said sam. "just what was in my mind," answered dick. "how father and uncle randolph and aunt martha will welcome us!" "let us sing," put in dora, and in a moment more all were singing the first verse of "home, sweet home"; and here let us bid them good-by. note: project gutenberg also has an html version of this file which includes the original illustration. see -h.htm or -h.zip: (http://www.gutenberg.net/dirs/ / / / / / -h/ -h.htm) or (http://www.gutenberg.net/dirs/ / / / / / -h.zip) hurricane island by h. b. marriott watson author of "captain fortune," etc. [illustration: "'may the lord help you,' says he in his voice of suet."] a. l. burt company, publishers, new york copyright, , by h. b. marriott watson copyright in great britain copyright, , by doubleday, page & company published, february, to richard brereton marriott watson my keen yet appreciative critic, who pleaded on behalf of the villains, this tale of adventure by sea is dedicated with love by its author and his [transcriber's note: the dedication is incomplete.] contents chapter page i. "the sea queen" ii. in the "three tuns" iii. mademoiselle trebizond iv. an amazing proposition v. the wounded man vi. the conference in the cabin vii. the rising viii. the capture of the bridge ix. the flag of truce x. legrand's wink xi. the lull xii. in the saloon xiii. the fog xiv. barraclough takes a hand xv. the fight in the music-room xvi. pye xvii. the third attack xviii. at dead of night xix. the tragedy xx. the escape xxi. on the island xxii. holgate's last hand hurricane island chapter i "the sea queen" pember street, e., is never very cheerful in appearance, not even in mid-spring, when the dingy lilacs in the forecourts of those grimy houses bourgeon and blossom. the shrubs assimilate soon the general air of depression common to the neighbourhood. the smoke catches and turns them; they wilt or wither; and the bunches of flowers are sicklied over with the smuts and blacks of the roaring chimneys. the one open space within reach is the river, and thither i frequently repaired during the three years i practised in the east end. at least it was something to have that wide flood before one, the channel of great winds and the haunt of strange craft. the tide grew turbid under the tower bridge and rolled desolately about the barren wilderness of the isle of dogs; but it was for all that a breach in the continuity of ugly streets and houses, a wide road itself, on which tramped unknown and curious lives, passing to and fro between london and foreign parts. unless a man be in deadly earnest or very young, i cannot conceive a career more distressing to the imagination and crushing to the ambition than the practice of medicine in the east end. the bulk of my cases were club cases which enabled me to be sure of a living, and the rest were for the most part sordid and unpleasant subjects, springing out of the vile life of the district. alien sailors abounded and quarrelled fiercely. often and often have i been awakened in the dead hours to find drunken and foreign-speaking men at my door, with one or more among them suffering from a dangerous knife-wound. and the point of it that came nearly home to me was that this career would not only lead to nothing, but was unprofitable in itself. i had taken the position in the hope that i might make something of it, but i found that it was all i could do to maintain my place. i made no charge for advice in my consultations, but took a little money on the medicine which i made up. is any position to be conceived more degrading to a professional man? the one bright time in my week was of a saturday, when i donned my best coat and gloves, took down my silkiest hat, and, discarding the fumes and flavours of the east, set out for piccadilly. i still remained a member of a decent club, and here i lunched in my glory, talked with some human creatures, exchanged views on the affairs of the world, smoked and lolled in comfortable chairs--in short, took my enjoyment like a man-about-town, and then went back to earn my next week's holiday. punctually to a minute i must be in the surgery in pember street at six o'clock, and the horrid round must begin to circle again. i will confess that there was a time when i could have loved that career as a saunterer in west end streets. it appealed to me at five-and-twenty almost as a romantic profession. other young men whom i had known, at school and college, had entered it, and some were, or appeared to be, signal stars in that galaxy of wealth and beauty. my means, however, denied me access, and at thirty i would have been content, after my experience of hardships and poverty, to settle in some comfortable suburb, not too distant from the sphere of radiance. as it was, i was in chains in the slums of wapping, and re-visited the glimpses of piccadilly once a week. when i rose on an evening in november to go down to the river almost for the last time, it was not a saturday, but a thursday, and the west end seemed still a long way off. i had finished my round of cases, and had sat waiting in my dingy surgery for patients. but none had come, and in the enforced meditation that ensued, as i reviewed my past and my prospects, my soul sickened in me. i wanted to breathe more freely--i wanted more air and something more cheerful than the low surgery lamp and the dismal lights that wagged in the street. i put on my hat and passed down to the river. it was quite dark, and the easterly drift had obscured and dirtied the sky, so that when i came out by a landing which i knew now familiarly, i could see only the lights across the water, and some tall spars and funnels in the foreground. but the river at full tide champed audibly against the wharves, and the various sounds of that restless port assailed my ears--the roar of the unseen traffic behind me, the fluting and screaming of whistles, the mingled shouts, oaths, and orders in the distance, and the drone of that profound water under all. i had stood for some minutes, drinking in the better air, when there were voices near, suddenly risen out of the flood, and i perceived two men had landed. they paused by me for one to relight his pipe, and in the flash of the match i gathered from the dresses that they were stevedores, newly come, no doubt, from unloading some vessel. but my attention was taken off them unexpectedly by a great flare that went up into the sky apparently in mid-channel. it made a big bright flame, quite unusual in that resort of silent lights, and one of the stevedores commented on it. "that'll be her," he said; "she was coming up round the dogs in a la-di-da fashion. maybe she'll fly rockets in another minute." "them steam-yachts are the jockeys to blue the money," responded his companion. "nothink's good enough for them." "what is it?" i asked. "only a geordie brig straight from winning the america cup, sir," said the first man with a facetious smile. "what did they make her out, bill?" bill hesitated. "i think it was the _sea queen_," he said doubtfully, and added, in harmony with his companion's mood: "they don't want to make themselves known, not by a long chalk." with which, the flare having died down, they tramped away into the night with a civil leave-taking. i followed them presently, moving along the road in the direction of the docks. when i reached the entrance i paused, and the gatekeeper addressed me. "going in, doctor? got a call?" i recognised him in the dimness of his lamp as a man whom i had attended for an accident, and i gave him good evening. "no," said i, "but i want some air. i think i will, if you don't mind." "welcome, sir," said he cheerily, and i found myself on the other side of the gateway. i walked along the vacant stretch of ground, lit only by dull gas-lamps, and, passing the low office buildings and storing sheds, came out by the water-basins. here was a scene of some bustle and disorder, but it was farther on that the spectators were engaged in a knot, for the caisson was drifting round, and a handsome vessel was floating in, her funnel backed against the grey darkness and her spars in a ghostly silhouette. the name i heard on several sides roused in me a faint curiosity. it was the stranger i had observed, the _sea queen_, the subject of the stevedores' pleasantries. "a pretty boat," said i to my neighbour. "what is she?" he shook his head. "_sea queen_ out of hamburg," he said, "and a pleasure yacht from the look of her. but what she does here beats me." the caisson closed, and the steam-yacht warped up slowly to the pier. there was little or no noise on her, only a voice raised occasionally in an authoritative command, and the rattling of chains that paid out through the donkey-engine. idly i moved to the stone quay when the gangway was let down, but only one man descended. the passengers, if there had been any, had long since reached town from tilbury, saving themselves that uninteresting trudge up the winding river-lane. i moved on to where a steamer was being loaded under the electric lights, and watched the same for some time with interest; then, taking out my watch, i examined it, and came to the conclusion that if i was to see any patients that evening at all i must at once get back to my unpalatable rooms. i began to go along the pier, and passed into the shadow of the _sea queen_, now sunk in quiet, and drab and dark. as i went, a port-hole in the stern almost on the level of my eyes gleamed like a moon, and of a sudden there was an outbreak of angry voices, one threatening volubly and the other deeper and slower, but equally hostile. it was not that the altercation was anything astonishing in human life, but i think it was the instantaneous flash of that light and those voices in a dead ship that pulled me up. i stared into the port-hole, and as i did so the face of a man passed across it 'twixt the light and me; it passed and vanished; and i walked on. as i turned to go down to the gates i was aware of the approaching fog. i had seen it scores of times in that abominable low-lying part of the town, and i knew the symptoms. there was a faint smell in the air, an odour that bit the nostrils, carrying the reek of that changeless wilderness of factories and houses. the opaque grey sky lost its greyness and was struck to a lurid yellow. banks of high fog rolled up the east and moved menacingly, almost imperceptibly, upon the town. for a moment there were dim shadows of the wharves and the riverside houses, with a church tower dimmer still behind them, and then the billows of the fog descended and swallowed up all. i moved now in a blackness, but bore to the right, in which direction i knew were the dock sheds and safety. i seemed to have been feeling my way for a long time--quite ten minutes--and yet i did not come upon anything. i began to be seized with the fear of a blind man who is helpless in vacancy. had i left the basin in my rear, or had i somehow wandered back towards it, and would another step take me over into the water? i shrank from the thought of that cold plunge, and, putting out my stick on all sides, tapped and tapped, and went on foot by foot. i was still upon the stone, when i should have reached the sheds, or at least have got upon the earth again, with the roadway running to the gates. angry at my own folly for lingering so long about the ships, i continued cautiously forward, trying each step of the way. presently i heard a sound of footsteps before me, and then a voice raised in a stave of song. there followed a loud oath and the splash of a heavy body in water. plainly the basin was, then, in front of me, and some one had fallen in. the poor wretch was doomed to drown in that horrid and impenetrable darkness. i shuddered at the thought of that fate, and moved faster under the whip of impulse. the next moment i brought sharply up against a stone post by which ships were warped in and fastened. below was the water, and now i could hear the sound of splashing, and a voice raised in a cry of terror. round the post was coiled a heavy rope which i loosened as rapidly as was possible and began to lower over the edge of the basin. "this way," i called; "make this way. here is the pier," but the splashing continued, and a smother of sound came to me, as if the swimmer were under water, and his voice stifled. almost without thinking, i gripped the thick, tarry rope and let myself over the basin, until i had reached the surface of the water. "this way," i called; "if you can get here, i can save you." the noise seemed to come from some little distance out, and now i was in the water myself, with the cable in my hand, striking out feverishly and awkwardly in the direction of the struggling man. i came upon him in a dozen strokes, and the first news i had of him was a kick in the shoulder that almost tore me from my rope. the next moment i had him by the collar and without more ado was retracing my way, towing a violent mass of humanity behind me. it was only by dint of hard work and by propping him in my arms that i at last landed him on the pier, and then i succeeded in following myself, very sore and stiff and cold. the first words that sprang from the prostrate figure on the quay were some incoherent oaths, which ultimately took form. "curse legrand, curse him!" "come," said i; "if you are well enough to swear you are well enough to travel, and we are both of us in a case for treatment." "i can't see you," said a voice, in a grumbling way, "but you saved me. pull along, and i'll do my best to follow. where the dickens are we?" i groped and helped him to his feet. "give me your arm," said i; "we can't afford to go in again, either of us." "were you in too?" he asked stupidly. "well, what do _you_ think?" i replied with a little laugh, and began to walk, this time, determinately at right angles from the basin. he said nothing more, but hung on my arm pretty limp, as we struggled through the darkness, and presently we both fell over a bale of goods. "so far so good," i said, picking him up; "we must be in the neighbourhood of the sheds. now to find them, and creep along in their protection." we struck the buildings immediately after, and i had no difficulty in working my way to the end. that took us to dry ground, or, at least, to the sloppy ground at the bottom of the docks. by good fortune we now hit upon the roadway, and it was to me a delight to hear the ring of the hard macadam under our squelching boots. i was now almost cheerful, for i was sure that i could not wander from the road, and, sure enough, we were advertised of our position and heralded all the way by the meagre lamps at intervals. soon after we reached the gates, which were opened by my friend. he peered into our faces. "it was a call, sure enough," said i, laughing. "and here's my patient." when we got into the road the fog had slightly lifted, and i had less difficulty in picking my way home than i had anticipated. once in the surgery, i turned up the lamp and poked the fire into a blaze, after which i looked at my companion. it was with a sense of familiarity that i recognised his face as that which i had seen flitting across the port-hole of the _sea queen_. he sat back in the chair in which i had placed him and stared weakly about the room. the steam went up from both of us. "look here," said i, "if we stay so, we are dead or rheumatic men"; and i went into my bedroom, changed myself, and brought him some garments of my own. these he put on, talking now in the garrulous voice i had heard on the yacht, but somewhat disconnectedly. "it's awfully good of you ... a good samaritan," and here a vacant laugh. "i wonder if these things.... how did i go over? i thought i was going straight. it must have been that infernal fog.... where the dickens are we?" "you are in my house," said i, "but you might be at the bottom of the basin." "good heavens!" he said, with a laugh. "i feel mighty shivery. don't you think a drop of something----" i looked at him closely. "i think it wouldn't be a bad idea in the circumstances," i said. "oh, i know i had too much to carry!" he said recklessly. "it made me quarrel with that wretched legrand, too--a fat-headed fool!" i rang for water, and mixed two hot jorums of whisky, one of which he sipped contentedly. "you see, we had a rousing time coming over," he observed, as if in apology. i looked my question, and he answered it. "hamburg, in the _sea queen_. the old man skipped at tilbury, and barraclough's a real blazer." "which accounts for the blaze i saw," i remarked drily. "oh, you saw that. yes, it was that that made legrand mad. he's particular. but what's the odds? the boss has to pay." his eyes roamed about the shabby room--shabby from the wretched pictures on the walls to the threadbare carpet underfoot, and, though he was not a gentleman, i felt some feeling of irritation. perhaps if he had been a gentleman i should not have been put out at this scrutiny of my poverty. "you saved me, and that's certain," he began again. "say, are you a doctor?" i admitted it. "well, can you recommend another glass of toddy?" he asked, smiling, and his smile was pleasant. "in the circumstances again--perhaps," i said. "oh, i know i played the fool," he conceded. "but it isn't often i do. i must have gone off in the fog. how did you get at me?" i told him. "that was plucky," he said admiringly. "i don't know two folks i'd risk the same for." "there wasn't much risk," i answered. "it was only a question of taking a cold bath out of season." "well!" he said, and whistled. "there's white people everywhere, i guess. business good?" the question was abrupt, and i could not avoid it. "you have your answer," i replied, with a gesture at the room, and taking out my cigar-case i offered him one. he accepted it, bit off the end, and spat it on the floor, as if preoccupied. his brow wrinkled, as if the mental exercise were unusual and difficult. "the _sea queen_ is a rum bird," he said presently, "but there's plenty of money behind. and she wants a doctor." "well," said i, smiling at him. "we left a scotch chap sick at hamburg," he continued. "the boss is a secret beggar, with pots of money, they say. we chartered out of the clyde, and picked him up at hamburg--him and others." "a pleasure yacht?" i inquired. "you may call it that. if it ain't that i don't know what it is, and i ought to know, seeing i am purser. we've all signed on for twelve months, anyway. now, doctor, we want a doctor." he laughed, as if this had been a joke, and i stared at him. "you mean," said i slowly, "that i might apply." "if it's worth your while," said he. "you know best." "well, i don't know about that," i replied. "it depends on a good many things." all the same i knew that i did know best. the whole of my discontent, latent and seething for years, surged up in me. here was the wretched practice by which i earned a miserable pittance, bad food, and low company. on the pleasure yacht i should at least walk among equals, and feel myself a civilised being. i could dispose of my goodwill for a small sum, and after twelve months--well, something might turn up. at any rate, i should have a year's respite, a year's holiday. i looked across at the purser of the _sea queen_, with his good-looking, easy-natured face, his sleek black hair, and his rather flabby white face, and still i hesitated. "i can make it a dead bird," he said, wagging his head, "and you'll find it pretty comfortable." "where are you going? the mediterranean?" i asked. "i haven't the least idea," he said with a frank yawn. "but if your tickets are all right you can bet on the place." "i'm agreeable," i said, in a matter-of-fact voice. "good man!" said he, with some of his former sparkle of interest. "and now we'll have another to toast it, and then i must be off." "don't you think you'd better stay here the night?" i asked. "i can put you up. and the fog's thicker." "thanks, old man," he replied with easy familiarity, "i would like a roost, only i've got an engagement. i wired to some one, you know." and he winked at me wickedly. "very well," said i. "if you have an appointment, i would suggest that we leave over the toast." "you're right," he said ingenuously. "but it was a nasty bath. all serene. i'll fix that up. by the way," he paused on his road to the door, "i haven't your name." "nor i yours," i answered. "mine's richard phillimore." "mine's lane," he said. "qualified?" "m.b. london," i replied. "good for you. that'll make it easier. i suppose i can go in your togs." "you're welcome," i said, "though they don't fit you very well." "oh, i'm a bit smaller than you, i know, but all cats are grey in the dark, and it's infernally dark to-night! well, so long, and i'm much obliged to you, i'm sure." he swung out of the door with his free gait, and i stopped him. "one word more. who's your owner?" "the boss? oh, morland--morland, a regular millionaire." with that he was gone. chapter ii in the "three tuns" the next day i had a full round of visits to make, so that i had little time to think over the adventure of the previous evening. on saturday i made my way, as usual, to the west end, and spent the afternoon in luxury, basking in the renewal of my self-respect. i had leisure then to reflect, and, although the more i considered the less appeared the likelihood of any advantage to myself derivable out of lane's promise, yet i allowed myself the satisfaction of certain inquiries. no one in the club had heard of morland, the millionaire, and the _sea queen_ was unknown to my yachting friends. moreover, no morland appeared in the "court guide." still, it was quite possible, even probable, that he was an american; so that omission did not abash me. it was only when i rehearsed the circumstances in bald terms that i doubted to the point of incredulity. i had fished up a tipsy fellow, of a loose good-nature, who, under the stimulus of more whisky, had probably at the best offered more than he was entitled to do, and who, at the worst, had long since forgotten all about his good samaritan. the situation seemed easy of interpretation, and in the warmth of my pleasant intercourse with my companions i presently ceased to ponder it. yet, when i arrived at my house and opened the letter that awaited me, i will confess that i experienced a thrill of hope. it was from hills, a firm of solicitors in lincoln's inn fields, and, premising that i was a candidate for the post of doctor in the ss. _sea queen_, requested me to call on monday at three o'clock. this looked, so to speak, like business, and i attended at the address with my mind made up and clear. if i was offered the position i would take it, and so cut my cable. i had to wait some time in an ante-room, but presently was ushered into the presence of one of the partners, an amiable, business-like man, with the air of a country squire. "dr. phillimore?" he queried introductively, and i assented. "please sit down, will you. you are anxious to take position of doctor on the _sea queen._" he consulted some note before him. "i see. your name has been mentioned to my client in this connection. i assume you are fully qualified?" i told him the facts and referred him to the "medical year-book." "moreover," i added, "i have no doubt, if a recommendation were necessary, sir john wemyss, of harley street, would be willing to write to you." "sir john wemyss," he echoed reflectively. "oh, yes, the cancer man. let me see, he was president, wasn't he, of the college of surgeons?" "yes, some years ago," i answered. "a good man," he declared with a friendly air of patronage. "well, i don't suppose there would be any difficulty on that score if sir john will write. my client is a prudent man, and would naturally like to have the best advice available. moreover, he is quite willing to pay for it. there is, of course, that question," and he looked at me as if inviting my suggestion. i laughed. "really i have no views, only that naturally i should like as large a salary as is compatible with the circumstances." "very well, dr. phillimore," said he, nodding. "i daresay we can arrange that too. you are young yet, and the position might lead----" he broke off, as the baize door on his left opened noiselessly. "what is it, pye?" the clerk bent down and whispered to him. "oh, very well! it's opportune in a way. will you ask mr. morland to be good enough to come in?" the little clerk went out with his neat walk, and the solicitor rose. "i shall be able to introduce you to my client, who is the owner of the _sea queen_," he said, with a certain change of voice, and quickly went forward to the outer door. "how do you do, mr. morland?" he exclaimed, with a cheerful deference, such as was due to the presence of wealth. "i was just engaged on a little matter of yours. i hope you came right up. these dull offices go so much by routine. it was the question of a doctor, sir." as he spoke he indicated me, and for the first time i saw mr. morland. he was a man of thirty-five, of middle height, slightly disposed to stoutness, but with a fine carriage, and with a bronzed, good-looking face, rendered heavier for the dull expression of his blue eyes. his hair, which was short and worn _en brosse_, after a foreign fashion, was straw-yellow. "is it the doctor?" he asked, after a glance at me, and though he spoke excellent english, there was also something a little foreign in his accent. "well, sir, we haven't reached that point yet," said the lawyer, smiling. "this is dr. phillimore, whom you wished me to----" "ah, yes," said mr. morland, and he put out a hand mechanically. "you will arrange it," he said to the other, with an air of command. "most certainly, sir, but i thought you would like to see, being on the spot----" "no, there is only one thing. you know anything of throats?" he asked suddenly. i told him i had studied under a specialist at the hospital, as it happened. in these days we doctors are compelled to take special courses in order to keep march with the times. "that is right," he said, nodding, and the smile that came upon his face turned the eyes bluer. he looked quite handsome. "we must all keep step with the times. i will look to you to arrange it," he added again to the lawyer, and seemed to wait for my dismissal. the solicitor bowed me sharply from the room, for was not his millionaire client in waiting? and i went down the stairs. it was now past four, and as i came out into the square i saw before me the little lawyer's clerk who had entered the room and had been called pye. he was talking amiably to another man, and as i passed smiled at me through his pince-nez. "you saw mr. morland?" he asked in a friendly way. "yes," i said, and looked at the stranger. there seemed no necessity to say more. "it is odd that you should encounter here, gentlemen," said pye, adjusting his glasses, "and yet i suppose it isn't. mr. holgate, this gentleman is the future doctor of the _sea queen_." "oh, dear me, it isn't settled," said i, with a laugh. pye beamed at me. "i think i know my chief's face," he said. "it's my business to interpret him, particularly when he can't interpret himself." the other man laughed lazily. he was a man with a big body, and a face round and gross in proportion, heavy-lidded eyes, and an imperturbable expression. "this is mr. holgate, the third officer," said pye, by way of introduction, and somehow or other we began to walk in the direction of holborn. when we had threaded the great turnstile the little clerk hesitated and swung round. "i was going to drink a glass of wine with mr. holgate. perhaps you would join us, sir?" "gladly," said i, for i had made up my mind to take tea before returning to wapping, and somehow my interview had inspirited me. i took a sanguine view of my chances, for all my words to pye. moreover, i have always been interested in my fellow-creatures, and, finally, i was in the mood for a glass of something. enters this trio, then, into the "three tuns" presently, and sits to a table in comfortable chairs, with the clatter of the street falling, like rain, on the senses, and the bright flare of gas among the dark barrels. there was about the place an odour of good-fellowship and of peace that pleased me who had not visited these haunts for years. little pye turned his pince-nez on me as the attendant advanced. "what'll you have, doctor?" he asked. i hesitated. "i suppose it must be port," said i; "port is more palatable and no more noxious in such places than any other wine." "any port in a storm, in fact," said the little man, looking at me quizzically. "for my part----" said holgate, in his stuffy, fat voice. "port, you should say," interposed pye with brisk wit. he smiled at his smartness and his eyes seemed to challenge me to respond. "there's nothing to beat spirits--and sound rum for choice, but as they won't have it here, i'll take brandy," continued the third officer. he lighted a cigar and began to smoke, examining everything within eyeshot attentively but with indifference. i think, except for the first glance he had bestowed upon me, that he had completely ignored my presence. little pye put up his glass. "i drink," said he, "to a prosperous voyage, mr. holgate, and to pleasant companions." "prosperous voyage," said the third officer wheezily, and i murmured something to the same effect. "you say the old man's velvet," said holgate, resuming his puffing. "well," said pye, beaming through his glasses, "i wouldn't go so far as to say it, but he looks it. he looks kid-glove." "i hate 'em," growled holgate. "i've seen that kind on the ferry--all airs and aitches, and frosty as a berg." "well, of course, it would be much more satisfactory to be sailing under a real tartar," remarked the little man with mild pleasantry. holgate cast him a glance which inquired, but was indifferent. "what's your idea, doctor?" he asked. "i have none," said i, smiling. "i am much more interested in third officers." his masklike face relaxed, and he stroked his black moustaches, and took a long pull of his cigar. "that was very nice of you, doctor," he said, nodding with more cordiality. pye drew an apple from his pocket, and carefully bit into it. i don't know why, but it struck me as comical to see him at this schoolboy business, his ears alert, his glasses shining, and his white teeth going to and fro. he reminded me of a squirrel, a fancy to which the little tufts of whiskers by his ears lent themselves. he eyed both of us brightly. "after all," said the third officer heavily, "it's more important in the end to know your owner, let alone his travelling with you. i wouldn't give two straws for the old man, velvet or iron, so long as i could get the lug of my owner." "you'll find them both all right," said pye reassuringly. "captain day i have seen and mr. morland i know." "he is very rich?" i asked. "i'll trouble you for a two and a half commission on it," said the clerk cheerfully, "and then i'd live like a fighting-cock. at least, that's what we all believe. there's no knowing." the shadows of the november afternoon had gathered in the streets without, and a thin scant rain was flying. into the area of warmth and brightness entered more customers, and shook the water from the umbrellas. they stood at the bar and drank and talked noisily. round about us in the loom of the great barrels the shadows lurched from the wagging gas-flames. the clerk had finished his apple. "we will have another," said holgate. "this is mine," i said. he shook his head. i protested. "doctor, you confess you live in doubt," he said, "whereas i have my appointment in my pocket. plainly it is my right." "i think that's a fair argument, doctor," said pye. "i am in both your debt," said i lightly. "for company and wine." "i'm sure we shall owe you both many a time yet," said the third officer civilly. at the table near us two men had sat and were talking even as we, but one had a half-penny paper, and turned the flimsy thing about, i fancy in search of racing news. "you see there is no doubt about you----," began pye amiably, and suddenly dropped his sentence. in the unexpected silence i caught some words from the other table. "well, it's good pluck of him if he wants to marry her. what's the odds if he is a prince? live and let live, i say." pye's little squirrel head turned round and he stared for a moment at the speaker, then it came back again. "you are uncommonly polite," said holgate irritably. "i'm sorry. i thought i recognised that voice," said the little man sweetly. "one gets echoes everywhere. i was going to say we took you for granted, doctor." "it's good of you," said i. "but will mr. morland?" "i can practically answer for my employer; i can't say anything about mr. morland, who has, however, authorised us to appoint." "the yacht is from hamburg?" said i. "i believe so," said he. "and its destination?" "that knowledge is quite out of my province," said the squirrel briefly. when one came to think of it, it was almost a snub, and i had never any patience for these legal silences. as he shut his jaws he looked a man who could keep a secret, and knew his own mind. yet he had been so easily familiar that i flushed with resentment. confound these little professional tricks and solemnities! we were meeting on another ground than lawyer and client. "i dare say it will be within the cabin-boy's province to-morrow," said i, somewhat sharply. "very likely," he assented, and holgate, who had turned at my tone, exchanged a glance with him. "mr. pye is fond of keeping his own counsel," said the third officer in his slow voice, "and i'm not sure he isn't right, being a lawyer." "but he isn't a lawyer here," i protested. pye smiled. "no; i'm not," he said, "and please don't remind me of it"; at which we all laughed and grew friendly again. "well, this is a funny sort of tea for me," said the clerk presently. "i generally patronise the a.b.c.," and he rose to go. holgate did not move, but sat staring at the fire, which shone on his broad placid face. "i knew a man once," he observed, "who kept his own counsel." "i hope he was a lawyer," said pye humourously. "no; he was a steward--the steward of an estate in the north. in the hills was the wealth of a millionaire; coal, doctor," holgate looked at me. "and he kept his counsel and held his tongue." "with what object?" i asked. "oh, a little syndicate succeeded in buying it from the owner, and now it's a seven-figure affair." his face had no expression of inquiry or of inviting comment. he had simply stated history, but i was moved to say flippantly, "what luck!" "the steward got it?" asked pye. "he romped in," said the third officer. "and will presently be a baronet," said i lightly. "stranger things have happened," he remarked, and began to smile. i fancy we all smiled, though it was not, of course, altogether humourous. "is that called robbery?" asked holgate. "i doubt if the law covers it," said pye. "no; it's quite an innocent transaction." "what is robbery?" i asked cynically. "lawyers may feel their way amid the intricacies, but no one else can hope to. i'm stealing now when i take these matches." "i will follow your example," said holgate, and did so. "i'm not sure that that's not perks," said little pye with his quizzical glance. "well, is it perks if i buy a picture from you for ten bob which i know to be worth £ , ?" inquired holgate. pye considered. "i give it up," he said. "which only proves," said i, continuing my mood, "that it takes a good capercutter to move in and out moral sanctions." "i don't believe i know what that means quite," said holgate, giving me the full charge of his steady eyes. i stooped and warmed my fingers, for the cold blast of the streets was forbidding. "well, the most famous people have been those who have successfully performed the egg dance between commandments," i remarked. "i suppose they have," said holgate thoughtfully. i rose abruptly, and in the glass above the mantelpiece the two figures behind me came into vision. the little clerk's eyebrows were elevated in a question, and the men faced each other. holgate's lips were pursed and he nodded. i saw this in the flash of rising, and then i turned about. "i shall get a wigging," said pye, seizing his umbrella. we walked out and i bade them good-bye after a civil exchange of amenities; then i took an omnibus down chancery lane and made for the underground. as i travelled back, my thoughts circled about the situation; i was glad to have made the acquaintance of one or more of my shipmates, if, of course, i was to join the company. holgate puzzled me for a third officer, until i reflected that in these days every officer had a master's licence. yet that this man should not by the force of his evident individuality take higher rank in life surprised me. what, however, was of most immediate concern to me was the extreme friendliness of my two companions. lane was well enough in his way, and certainly had shown his goodwill; but holgate was more than this to a lonely man with an appetite for society. holgate was intelligent. i found a few patients waiting, and disposed of them by eight o'clock, after which i strolled down to the docks, in spite of the drizzle. i have said that i am interested in my fellows, and, in addition, i confess to a certain forethought. i walked down to the docks with the deliberate intention of acquiring some information about the _sea queen_, if that were possible. i knew the name of the owner, or at least of the man who had chartered her; i had the name and acquaintance of one or two of the company; but i knew nothing as to her destination, her properties as a boat, or her time of sailing. some of this ignorance i hoped to remedy by my visit. and it seemed that i was in the way to do so from the start. for no sooner was i on the quay in the neighbourhood of the yacht than i came upon a handsome young man in the dress of a superior sailor, with whom i fell into talk. he was outspoken as a child, but volunteered nothing of his own initiative--an amiable, sluggish, respectful fellow who was, as he stated, quartermaster on the _sea queen_. i confessed my interest in her, at which he indulgently supplied me with information. "i signed on at glasgow, sir--and most of us too--and we picked up mr. morland at hamburg--him and the ladies." "the ladies!" i echoed, for here was a surprise. "yes; two ladies what came with him--miss morland and another lady, a dark one," said my friend. "oh!" said i. "then you're off for a pleasure cruise." "i hardly know, sir," said he. "they do say new york, but i haven't heard definite." that looked in favour of my theory of mr. morland as an american. he was perhaps a trust king, and miss morland a vivacious "beauty" from chicago. here my companion suggested that i might care to have a look at the yacht. "my friend," said i, "you mustn't let me take you on false pretences. i may be your doctor, and i may be not." "oh, that's all right, sir," said he easily. "it can't do no harm. we're only loading up with provisions, and there's no mess about." we ascended the gangway, and entered the dark ship, which was singularly silent. he had already the sailor's affection for his floating home, and pointed me out one or two points for admiration which i understood but ill, as they were technical. as we were peeping into the saloon, a man passed us and stopped sharply. "that you, ellison?" he asked in a harsh voice. "who's that?" "only a gentleman having a look round. he's to be doctor," said the quartermaster. the man made no reply, but stared at me, and then went on swiftly. "rather abrupt," i commented, smiling. "oh, that's nothing. it is only his way," said the good-natured fellow. "he's the boatswain." "is mr. morland an american?" i asked. "i don't know, sir. i've hardly seen him. we signed on at glasgow with a little slip of a fellow representing mr. morland--glasses and side-whiskers." "that would be mr. pye," i said. "very likely. would you like to take a squint at the engines? mr. mccrae is on board." he led me, without waiting for answer, towards the engine-room, and called out, "mr. mccrae!" which brought presently a little, red-faced, bearded man from the depths. "this gentleman wants to know what you can do," said my friend, by way of introduction. the engineer nodded towards me. "we can make eighteen," he said, wiping his hands on a greasy piece of rag. "eighteen at a pinch, but i keep her going steady at fourteen." "a good boat!" said i. "aye, tolerable," he said, and pulled out a sheet of paper, which he began to peruse under the slender light. "this now's another slap in the eye for the emperor," said mccrae, "this business of the prince." "what is it?" i asked. "i haven't seen the papers to-night." he rapped his knuckles on the newspaper. "this prince frederic of hochburg kicking over the traces. i tell ye i'm real sorry for the old man. i pity him, emperor though he be. he's had his sup of troubles." "but i don't understand what this new one is," i said. mccrae was not above explaining. "well, y'see, this prince frederic is the heir to the duchy of hochburg, and he has taken up with some singer, and swears he'll resign his inheritance and marry her. that's where the mischief is. not that the man's not right," proceeded the scotchman, warming, evidently, to his opinions. "for why should princes be exempt from the disposition of providence. let him come forward like a man, and, ye'll see, he'll gain the univairsal sympathy of europe for his honesty." "it certainly increases the emperor's difficulties," i said. "for with a vacancy at hochburg, and the pan-german movement in full swing----" "aye, ye're a student of political affairs," broke in the engineer in his broad glasgow accent. "and i'll not say there isn't something to be said at the present juncture of european politics. but, man, the principle's all wrong. why is a man, no better than you or me, to ride over us, whether it be riches, or kings, or emperors? it's the accident of birth, and the accident of riches, that dictates to us, and i'm thinking it ought to be set right by legislation." "well, we are getting along to the millennium famously," said i, jestingly. "the millennium!" he said, with a contemptuous snort. i think ellison was pleased to see us getting on so pleasantly in argument, as he was responsible for the introduction, and he now ventured on a statement in the hopes, no doubt, of cementing the acquaintanceship. "this gentleman's coming along with us, mr. mccrae," he said. the engineer looked at me. "i have put in for doctor, but it's by no means certain," i explained. "oh, well, we'll hope it is," he said affably, and to the quartermaster: "ellison, this gentleman'll, maybe, take a finger of whisky to his own health--and ours," he added, with a relaxation of his grim face at his jest. "ye'll find a bottle in my cabin." so when the quartermaster had returned, once more i had to drink to the success of my application. it appeared that the _sea queen_ was peopled with amiable spirits, if i excepted the boatswain; and as i went over the side i congratulated myself on having already made the acquaintance of two more of my shipmates on a friendly footing--if i were destined to the appointment. on my way home it struck me that i had already heard of the affair of prince frederic. the remark of the man at the next table in the "three tuns" must have referred to the scandal, and as i reflected on that, i could see in my mind's eye the little clerk's head go round in a stare at our neighbours. chapter iii mademoiselle trebizond pye had interpreted his employer's face correctly, and lane had not boasted unduly. on wednesday evening i received a letter appointing me to the position of doctor, and at the same time informing me of my remuneration. this was well enough, as it chanced; though not on too liberal a scale, it was yet sufficient to meet my wants, and mentally i cast myself adrift from wapping with a psalm of thankfulness. the _sea queen_ was to sail on friday, and so i had little time left; yet by a lucky chance i was enabled to dispose of my practice "on the nail," to use a convenient colloquialism, and, with that adventitious sum of money, equipped and fortified myself for my voyage. i paid two preliminary visits to the yacht, but found no one of importance on board, and it was not until the actual afternoon of our departure that i made the acquaintance of any more of my shipmates. we warped out of the docks, and dropped down the river unexpectedly, the captain on his bridge at intervals, and the pilot all the time, and at ten o'clock we reached gravesend, where we anchored in the stream. it was blowing hard of a cold night, and the wind was peppered with sleet; a depressing proem to our unknown voyage. we swung at anchor there until mr. morland came aboard with his friends, and we left on the turn of the tide about midnight. i did not see mr. morland arrive, as i was busy in the forecastle with a man who had met with a trivial accident. it was lane who informed me that the "butterflies were come" and we might spread our wings. lane i had encountered for a few minutes in the afternoon, when he smilingly saluted me. "well, what price me?" and hurried off ere i could answer him or thank him, as this form of salutation seemed to require. but he had more leisure at supper, to which he invited me in his cabin. "we chaps have the benefit of a pleasure yacht, doctor," said he, winking, "and you bet i'm not purser for nothing. blame me if i sup with that crew until they shake down a bit. barraclough's all right, and a gentleman, but i can't stand legrand or holgate." "i've met mr. holgate, and thought him intelligent," i ventured. lane emitted scorn. "intelligent! he's a bladder of peas, and thinks himself a monarch. precious little swank about him, if he can help it. he's fly enough there. well, a tot won't hurt us now. i can tell you i've been hustled." he had recourse to a decanter of whisky. "this is the real stuff. i took care of that. legrand can do on two-bob vitriol for all i care. he don't know the difference. well, the boss's aboard and his crowd, and we're off, and here's fortune, doctor." the toast was irreproachable, and i put down my glass and reverted to his phrase. "his crowd?" "yes, his sister and the other lady--rippers both. i saw them when they came aboard at hamburg." "and now can you tell me where we're going?" i asked. "i don't know," said lane carelessly. "i hope we're running out of this beastly weather--that's all." "i merely engaged for twelve months," i put in. "same here, and that's good enough," said lane. "i'll ask the old man to-morrow if his prickles don't stand up too thick. here she goes, doctor." when i left the purser i turned in, for the night was shrewd and discomfortable enough to bar romantic thoughts on leaving the english coast. besides, we were bound down channel, and should keep company with our native cliffs the whole of the next day. it would be time to wave a farewell when we passed the lizard. the quarters in the _sea queen_ were roomy. i was berthed aft with the other officers, and mr. morland's rooms and the cabins of the two ladies were on the upper deck, ample in appearance from the outside, and no doubt furnished luxuriously. the guests had the run of a fine saloon also, on the lower deck, as well as a music-gallery which ran round it, and there was a boudoir, as i heard, attached to the ladies' compartments, as well as a private room to mr. morland's. breakfast was mainly interesting as introducing me practically for the first time to my companions. we were then abreast of the isle of wight, and were keeping well away towards france. the chief officer i now, to my astonishment, discovered to be a man of title. sir john barraclough was a tall, loose-limbed, good-looking man of thirty something, with a blue eye, and a casual manner. he nodded at me amiably and continued his talk with legrand, the second officer, who was dark and high-coloured, with a restless expression of face. lane threw a jocular greeting across the table to me, and i shook hands cordially with holgate, whom i now saw for the first time since i had come aboard. presently barraclough turned to me. "glad to see you, doctor," he said in an indifferent manner. "hope it's goin' to be a fine cruise." i had just echoed his wish formally when the captain made his appearance from the deck. captain day was a most fastidious-looking man, with a brown vandyke beard and a flow of good manners. seeing me and holgate there as the only strangers, he singled us out at once with quite the right degree of friendliness. "glad to make your acquaintance, dr. phillimore. this your first voyage? i hope we'll make a happy family." but having thus condescended briefly, he relapsed into silence and shortly afterwards left us. "there's too much condemned r.n.r. about the old man," confided lane as we went on deck, "but he's all right." it was on deck that i met with my surprise, for the first person my eyes fell on was no other than pye, the little lawyer's clerk. "i never expected to see you here," i told him. "well, you see, i did expect to see you," he replied in his self-satisfied little way. "i'm here to represent mr. morland for the time being." "oh," said i, "then you can tell us all where we are bound for, for no one seems to know." he considered a little. "i shall be able to tell you shortly, i have no doubt," he said at last. "at present mr. morland alone knows. perhaps even he doesn't," he added with his smile. "i don't like that little buffer," declared lane grumpily as we walked on. "he is too fussy and by-your-leave-please for me. made me get out all my books yesterday, as if i were an office-boy." "he feels responsible, i suppose," i ventured. "well, who's responsible if i'm not?" demanded the purser hotly. "i've been at sea fifteen years, and this brat hasn't so much as been sick in the _marguerite_, i'll lay. let him look after his own books. i'm all right." it was quite manifest that lane was decided in his likes and dislikes, as his unreasonable objection to the second officer had already discovered to me. the passengers were not visible during the morning, but in the afternoon i received a message calling me to mr. morland's cabin. i found him seated before a bureau with a docket of papers before him, and he was civil and abrupt. "is there anything you can recommend for sea-sickness, dr. phillimore?" he asked bluntly. i told him of several remedies which had been tried, and mentioned cocaine as probably the best, adding that i had little faith in any of them. he thought a moment. "prepare me some cocaine," he said, and with a bow intimated that he had done with me. it was civil as i have said, but it was also abrupt. he had the air of a martinet and the expression of a schoolmaster who set his pupil a task. but i made up the doses forthwith and let him have them. later i saw two figures walking upon the hurricane promenade, one of which i easily made out as mr. morland, and the other was a woman heavily cloaked in fur. a strong breeze was beating up channel, and as they stood and faced it the woman put her hand to her hat. but for the most part they walked to and fro, sometimes in conversation, but often in silence. once, at eight bells, i noticed, from my point of observation, the woman stop, lean across the railing, and point towards the coast of france, which was fast fading into the gathering mists. she seemed to speak, her face turned level with her shoulders towards the man. he put out a hand and snapped his fingers, and they presently resumed their promenade. the sun had gone down, and darkness was settling on us; the _sea queen_ ploughed steadily westward, her lights springing out one by one, and the figures on the hurricane deck were presently merged in shadow. as i leaned over the stern, reflecting, and contemplating now the dull wash of the water about the screw, i was conscious of some one's approach. "well, doctor," said the cheerful voice of pye, "have you had a good look at our passengers?" "mr. pye," said i, pleasantly enough, "i am a man of moods. and i have lived long in silence and routine as no doubt you yourself also. i find occupation even in my own thoughts." "you are well equipped for the sea," he rejoined. "i'm not sure about myself. you see, i'm a londoner, and i shall miss those peopled spaces. here there's nothing but----" he waved his hand. "at all events. i see you're a respectable sailor," i said, "which, apparently, others are not." his silence seemed to inquire of me. "i gave mr. morland a prescription for sea-sickness this afternoon." "that would be for one of the ladies," he made answer; "he is evidently firm on his legs, and--and his companion. i suppose i may tell you that his companion is his sister," he said after a pause. "well, yes," i replied drily, for his precautions jarred on me. "for i suppose we shall discover the mystery in the course of the next twelve months." "mystery!" he repeated musingly. "i suppose i am by training somewhat circumspect. it's difficult to get out of it. but there's no mystery. mr. and miss morland have brought a friend with them." "if there's no mystery," i said, "the friend?" "i have not heard her name," he replied, "or at least, if i have, i have forgotten. it is a friend of miss morland's. i believe she is a french lady." the dusk had enclosed us, but through it i perceived some one hurriedly approaching. "is it the doctor?" said the steward's voice, and i answered in the affirmative. "you're wanted at once, sir. mr. morland has sent for you." i moved off quickly, and had got half-way down the deck when a woman came forward noiselessly through the gloom. "dr. phillimore," she said, "i want you to see to mlle. châteray at once. she is very ill." i entered the state rooms without further question, hurried down the handsome corridor, and under miss morland's guidance found the cabin. certain constitutions are peculiarly affected by the sea, and it is even undertaking a risk for some people to travel on that element. clearly it was, as pye hinted, for the french lady that my prescription had been required. outside the cabin in the corridor i encountered mr. morland, who exhibited a troubled face unusual to one of such apparent equanimity. but he said nothing, only looked at his sister and turned away. inside i found a blue chamber, roomy and well lighted by electricity, an elegant broad bed affixed to the one wall, and upon it, stretched in the most wonderful _déshabille_, my patient. mlle. châteray was of middle height, of a pleasant fulness, and dark of feature. she had large eyes that, as i entered, were roaming in a restless way about the room, and her voice was lifted sharply abusive of her maid, a mild frenchwoman who stood by her. "she is in a state of collapse, dr. phillimore," said my guide's voice in my ear. i knew better than that. it was hysteria, or i had never seen hysteria, and the _mal-de-mer_ had been merely provocative. i took her hand without ceremony, and, wheeling on me her lustrous eyes, she broke out in torrential french. she would die if she remained there. they were beasts to keep her there. why was she not put ashore at havre? havre was a port, as every one knew, and there were ports not only in england. i had a kind face and would do as she bade me.... very well, then, let her be put ashore. she began to tear at her elaborate dressing-gown, and i was afraid of one of those outbreaks which are known as _crises des nerfs._ i took her hands firmly. "you shall be put ashore as you wish," i said, "and in the meantime, while the yacht is going about, you will drink what i give you. it will comfort you." she gazed into my eyes, ceasing to struggle, and then said more quietly: "yes--yes, give it me quick." it was a case for bromide, and i turned away at once to go to my surgery. "you will lie exactly as you are, mademoiselle," i said peremptorily, "until i return." i left the cabin and descended, and i think i was not gone more than ten minutes. when mlle. châteray had taken the draught, i turned to her maid: "she will be quieter now," i said. "let me know if anything further develops," and i moved towards the door. miss morland stood in my way. for the first time i observed her. her cloak had fallen from her, leaving her fine figure in the full illumination of the light. her head was set well back above the eloquent lines of a strong throat and the square shoulders underneath. the lace over her bosom stirred with her breathing, and to my fancy at the moment she was as a statue into which life was flowing suddenly. i saw this before i met her gaze, and the calm beauty of that confirmed my fancy. she moved then and opened the door for me. "you have promised she shall be landed?" she said in a low voice. "madam, i would promise anything in such a case," i answered. a faint smile passed over her face, for we were now outside the cabin and in the ladies' boudoir. "you can promise relief, then, i understand?" she queried. "she will probably be all right to-night, though i cannot say the hysteria will not recur," i replied. an expression flitted over her face, but whether it was of pity or annoyance i could not have said. "my brother will not put the yacht about," she said. "i'm not going to ask him," i rejoined. "i thank you, doctor," said she simply, "and so will he." "it is my business," i responded indifferently. she had spoken with distance, even coldly, and with the air of condescension. there was no necessity to thank me at all, and certainly not in that way. bidding her good evening, i went down again, and as i went a problem which had vaguely bothered me during my administrations recurred, now more insistently. there was something familiar in mlle. châteray's face. what was it? i spent some time in the surgery, and later joined the officers at dinner. captain day wore a short dinner-jacket like my own, but the others had made no attempt to dress. perhaps that was the reason why the captain devoted his attention to me. his voice was that of a cultivated man, and he seemed to converse on the same level of cultivation. he made a figure apart from the rest of the company, to which little pye was now joined, and as i looked down and across the table (from which only holgate was absent on duty) their marvellous unlikeness to him struck me. even sir john barraclough and lane seemed by comparison more or less of a piece, though the first officer ignored the purser quite markedly. captain day, i discovered, had some taste in letters, and as that also had been my consolation in my exile in wapping, i think we drew nearer on a common hobby. i visited my patient about nine o'clock, and found her sleeping. as she lay asleep, i was again haunted by the likeness to some one i had seen before; but i was unable to trace it to its source nor did i trouble my head in the matter, since resemblances are so frequently accidental and baffling. pye had invited me to his room earlier in the day, and i went straight to him from the deck cabin. to find holgate there was not unpleasing, as it seemed in a way to recall what i almost began to consider old times--the time that was in the "three tuns." pye mixed the toddy, and we smoked more or less at our ease. i spoke of my patient, in answer to a question, as one suffering from sea-sickness. "what's she like?" inquired holgate. "i should say handsome," i rejoined. "i understood from mr. pye that she is french." "i think i heard so," said pye, "but you could tell." "well, she spoke french," i said with a smile. pye's smile seemed to commend my reticence, but holgate, ignoring the obvious retort on me, pursued a different subject. "upon my soul, i envy people like those millionaires. here am i working like a navvy for a bare living, never been able to marry; pye probably in the same case; and you, doctor?" "no; i'm a bachelor," i answered. "well, take us three--no doubt in our different walks every bit as capable as mr. morland on his wall street, or wherever it is. it isn't a righteous distribution of this world's goods." "it is odd," said i, speaking my thoughts, "how you came to take up this life." "the sort of blunder," said holgate, "that is made in three cases out of four. i hankered after it in my teens, and once out of them it was too late. who is going to adapt a youth of twenty-one, without capital, to a commercial life, or a legal life, or a medical life? there is no changing the dice. when the hands are dealt you must abide by them." "yes, we are all waifs," said i sententiously, not being greatly interested in the argument. "when i came back from my last voyage," pursued holgate, "i was in paris for a bit, and went into the comédie one night, and----" i never heard the rest of holgate's reminiscence, for the word regarding the theatre suddenly sent a message to my memory and lighted it up instantaneously. i said aloud, and with some excitement, "trebizond!" holgate ceased talking, and pye removed his cigarette hastily. "what, may we venture to ask, is trebizond?" he said presently. i smiled foolishly. "oh, it is only that i have made a discovery," i said, "a small discovery." again there was silence. "perhaps we are worthy to hear it," suggested holgate equably. pye still held his cigarette between his fingers and looked at me out of his gold-rimmed glasses. "oh, nothing much," said i, and glanced at my watch. "i'm sorry, i must see my patient safe for the night. i'll look in again." i left them and went upstairs, knocking on the boudoir door. miss morland opened it. "mlle. châteray is still sleeping," she said formally. "i will leave a dose with her maid," i replied, "so that if it be necessary it may be given in the night." "you will, of course, be in attendance if required," she said coldly. i bowed. "i am paid for it, madam," i answered, though i must confess to a hostile feeling within my heart. "i think, then, that is all," she said, and i took my dismissal at the hands of the arrogant beauty with an internal conflict of anger and admiration. i did not return to pye, but went to my own cabin in an irritable condition. it ought not to have mattered to me that the sister of a millionaire, my employer, should treat me more or less as a lackey; but it did. i threw myself on my bunk and took down a book at random from my little shelf. out of its pages tumbled an evening news-sheet which i now remembered to have bought of a screaming boy as i hurried into the dock gates on the previous afternoon. i had not had time to look at it in my various preoccupations, but, after all, it was the last news of my native land i should have for some time, and so i opened it and began the perusal. it was one of those half-penny journals which seem to combine the maximum of vulgarity with a minimum of news. but i passed over the blatant racing items and murder trials with less than my customary distaste, and was rambling leisurely through the columns when i was arrested by a paragraph and sat up briskly. it was the tail that interested me. "... it is stated that prince frederic is in london. the name of the lady who has so infatuated him is mlle. yvonne trebizond, the well-known prima donna." i had recalled the name trebizond during holgate's talk, and it seemed strange now that this second discovery should fall so coincidently. the face of mlle. châteray had taken me back, by a sudden gust of memory, to certain pleasant days in paris before i was banished to the east end. i had frequented the theatres and the concert-rooms, and i remembered the vivacious singer, a true _comédienne_, with her pack of tricks and her remarkable individuality. mlle. châteray, then, was no other than yvonne trebizond, and---- i looked down at the paper and read another sentence, which, ere that illumination, had had no significance, but now was pregnant with it. "the prince has the full support and sympathy of his sister, princess alix." i rose abruptly. i can keep my own counsel as well as a lawyer's clerk, but i saw no reason in the world for it now. i had left my glass untouched and my cigar unlit in pye's cabin. i went back forthwith to finish both. the pair were still seated as if expecting me. "patient all right, doctor?" inquired holgate. i nodded. "mr. pye," i said, "i find my discovery has amplified itself. when i was here it was of small dimensions. now it has grown to the proportions of a--well, a balloon," i ended. both men gazed at me steadily. "out with it, man," urged the third officer. "i have your permission?" i asked the lawyer's clerk, smiling. "when you have told me what it is, i will tell you," said he, gravely jocose. i put the paper in holgate's hands, and pointed to the paragraph. he read it slowly aloud and then looked up. "well?" he asked. "i am going to tell you something which you know," i said, addressing pye. "the lady in the deck cabin is mlle. trebizond." holgate started. "good heavens!" he exclaimed, but pye was quite silent, only keeping his eyes on me. "i recognized her, but couldn't name her," i went on. "now it has come back to me." "which means, of course," said pye unemotionally, "that mr. morland is----" "the prince," said holgate with a heavy breath. pye resumed his cigarette. "with all these sensations, my dear holgate," he remarked, "i have forgotten my duty. perhaps you will help yourself." holgate did so. "good heavens!" he said again, and then, "i suppose, if you're right, that we carry cæsar and his fortunes. he has got off with the lady and the plunder." "the plunder!" i echoed. he indicated the paragraph, and i read now another sentence which i had overlooked. "the prince has expressed his intention, according to rumour, of marrying as he chooses, and as he inherits more than a million pounds from his mother, he is in a position to snap his fingers at the empress. in that case, no doubt, he would follow precedent, and take rank as an ordinary subject." i looked up at holgate. "we carry cæsar and his fortune," he said with a smiling emphasis on the singular, and then he waved his arm melodramatically. "and to think we are all paupers!" and grinned at me. "it is inequitable," said i lightly; "it's an unjust distribution of this world's goods," echoing therein his own remark earlier in the evening. pye sat still, with an inexpressive face. his admirable silence, however, now ceased. "so we shall have this gossip all over the ship to-morrow." "no," said i curtly, for the suggestion annoyed me. "it is nothing to me. i told you because you knew. and i told mr. holgate----" i paused. "because i'm your chum," said the third officer. i did not contradict him. i had spoken really out of the excitement of my discovery. certainly i had not spoken because holgate was my chum. chapter iv an amazing proposition as i had said, it was no business of mine, and, having divulged my news, i was in no haste to go about with it like a common gossip. that prince frederic of hochburg was mr. morland, and that miss morland was princess alix, i was as assured as that i had identified in my patient the well-known parisian singer yvonne trebizond. but, having made the discovery, i promised myself some interest in watching the course of the rumour. it would spread about the ship like fire and would be whispered over taffrails, in galleys, and in stokehole. but, to my surprise, i could observe no signs of this flight of gossip. no one certainly offered me any communication on the subject, and i observed no curiosity and no surprise. the mess conducted itself with equanimity, and nothing was hinted of princes or of emperors, or of mysterious secrets. no facts ever hid themselves so cunningly as these obviously somewhat startling facts, and i wondered at the silence, but still held my tongue. mademoiselle continued to give me trouble during the next day, but that was more in the way of unreasonable demands and petulance than through hysteric exhibitions. she did not repeat her request to be landed, which was now quite impracticable, as we were well out in the atlantic, but she referred to it. "where are we, doctor?" she inquired languidly, and i told her; at which she considered. "well, perhaps it is worth it," she said and smiled at me confidingly. of mr. morland i saw little, for he was shut in his cabin a great part of the day, reading or writing, and smoking without cessation. and he walked regularly on the hurricane deck with his sister. once i encountered him in mademoiselle's room, and he nodded. "she is getting well, doctor; is it not so?" he asked in a pleasant way, and exhibited a tenderness in his words and manner to mademoiselle which i should not have associated with him. of his sister i saw even less, except in the distance, but her, too, i met in her friend's room. mademoiselle was talkative that day, the second of my attendance on her, and spoke of things with a terrifying frankness, sometimes in bad english, but oftener in her own tongue. she rehearsed her sensations during sea-sickness, criticised miss morland, and asked me about barraclough, whom she had seen passing by her window once or twice. "sir john," she said, speaking pretty broken english. "then he is noble. oh, comme il est gentil, comme il est beau!" and as quickly fell to cross-questioning me on my parentage and history. it was in the thick of this that miss morland made her entrance. i do not know if it be a confession of weak-mindedness, or even of snobbishness (i hope not), but the fact was that since i had discovered miss morland's identity i did not judge her coldness and aloofness so hardly. i am disposed to think it was merely a reasonable attitude on my part produced by the knowledge of her circumstances, and what i set down as her trials. she bowed to me, and addressed some words to mademoiselle which, sympathetic in their import, were yet somewhat frigid in tone. mademoiselle replied laughing: "you are very good, my dear, but i am progressing. we are sailing into the land of romance and will find what we shall find there." i lingered beyond what was necessary, and thus it happened that miss morland and i left the cabin together. outside she spoke: "is there any likelihood of a recurrence of the attack?" "i don't think so," i answered. "but mlle. trebizond is a nervous subject." it was the look in her eyes that made me suddenly realise my indiscretion. a light flashed in them, almost as if she would have struck me. "mlle. châteray is almost well enough to dispense with a doctor's services," she said with an accent on the name. "you must allow me to be the judge of that," i replied flushing. she was silent. "naturally," she said at last, and turned away. the newspaper had stated that princess alix was sympathetic to her brother's attachment, but was she altogether so? i could not but attribute her coolness and her reticence to some scruple. she walked daily with her brother, and it was evident that she was fond of him, or why was she here? but how much of personal prejudice and of private conviction had she sacrificed on that pious altar? i was sure that if the news of our passengers were bruited about at all i should hear of it from lane, who was a gossip at heart; and as he said nothing i knew that holgate had been silent--why, i could not conceive, unless pye had gagged him. but in any case it appeared that holgate also could keep his own counsel and hold his tongue. that he could speak i had yet to realise, as the astonishing narrative i am now approaching demonstrates. it was the evening of our fifth day out, and the long swell of the atlantic was washing on our port side, so that the _sea queen_ heeled over and dipped her snout as she ran. i had misgivings for my late patient, whom i had not seen for the last thirty-six hours, although she had made an appearance on the hurricane deck in a chair. holgate asked me to his cabin with his customary urbanity, saying that he wanted a few words with me. once the door was shut he settled down on his bunk and lit a cigar. "help yourself, doctor," he said. i declined and remained standing, for i was anxious to get away. he looked at me steadily out of his dark eyes. "do you know where we're going, doctor?" he asked. "no," said i, "but i should be glad to." "i've just discovered," he replied; "buenos ayres." i told him that i was glad to hear it, as we should run into better weather. "i couldn't just make up my mind," he went on, "till to-day. but it's pretty plain now, though the old man has not said so. any fool can see it with the way we're shaping." he puffed for a moment or two and then resumed: "i've been thinking over things a bit, and, if your theory is correct, mr. morland is to marry the lady at buenos ayres and probably make his home there, or, it may be, in some other part of america. a capital place for losing identity is the states." i said that it was quite probable. "but as the yacht's chartered for a year," pursued holgate evenly, "the odds are that there's to be cruising off and on, may be up the west coast of america, may be the south seas, or may be japan. there's a goodly cruise before us, doctor." "well, it will be tolerable for us," i answered. "just so," he replied, "only tolerable--not eighteen carat, which seems a pity." "shall we strike for higher wages?" i asked drily. "i've been thinking over what you said, doctor," said the third officer, taking no heed of this, "and it's gone home pretty deep. prince frederic has cut himself adrift from his past--there's no getting behind that. the emperor has thrown him up, and there's no one outside a penny-a-liner cares two pinches for him or what becomes of him. he's done with. the chancelleries of europe won't waste their time on him. he's negligible." "well?" said i, for i was not in the mood for a political discussion. "well, suppose he never turned up?" said holgate, and leaned back and stared at me. "i don't understand," said i. "i don't suppose he will turn up. as you say, he's done for." "i mean that the ship might founder," said holgate, still holding me with his eye. i was perplexed, and seeing it, he laughed. "let us make no bones about it," he said, laying down his cigar. "here's a discarded prince whom no one wants, sailing for no one knows where, with his fortune on board and no one responsible for him. do you take me now?" "i'm hanged if i do," i replied testily, for indeed i had no thought of what the man was driving at. but here it came out with a burst. "doctor, all this is in our hands. we can do what we will. we're masters of the situation." i opened my mouth and stared at him. the broad swarthy face loomed like a menace in the uncertain light before us. it was dark; it was inscrutable; a heavy resolution was marked in that thick neck, low brow, and salient chin. we eyed each other in silence. "but this is monstrous," i said with a little laugh. "you have not brought me here for a silly jest?" "it's god's truth i haven't, doctor," he replied earnestly. "i mean what i say. see, the prince carries away a million, and if the prince disappears the million belongs to those who can find it. now, we don't want any truck with dismounted princes. we're playing for our own hand. i know you take sensible views on these matters. i admit it makes one blink a bit at first, but stick on to the idea, turn it round, and you'll get used to it. it spells a good deal to poor devils like you and me." "you must be mad," i said angrily, "or----" he interrupted me. "that's not my line. i'm in dead sober earnest. you hold on to the notion, and you'll come round to it. it's a bit steep at first to the eye. but you hang on to it like a sensible man." "good heavens, man," said i, "are you plotting murder?" "i never mentioned that," he said in another voice. "there are several ways. it don't do to take more risks than you want. a ship can be cast away, and parties can be separated, and one party can make sure of the boodle. see?" "i only see that you're an infernal ruffian," i replied hotly. his countenance did not change. "hang on to it," he said, and i could have laughed in his face at the preposterous suggestion. "you'll warm to it by degrees." "you are asking me to join in wholesale robbery at the least?" i said, still angrily struggling with my stupor. "i am," he answered, and he leaned forward. "d'you think i'm entering on this game wildly? not i. i mean to carry it out. do you suppose i haven't laid my plans? why, more than half the men are mine. i saw to that. it was i got 'em." he placed a large hand on my shoulder and his eyes gleamed diabolically in his set face. "they'll do my bidding. i command here, sir, and damn your captain day. i'll take 'em to hell if i want to." i shook off his hand roughly. "i may tell you," i said in as cool a tone as i could assume, "that i am going straight on deck to the captain to retail this conversation. you have, therefore, probably about ten minutes left you for reflection, which i hope will bring you consolation." holgate got up, and without undue haste threw open the large port, through which streamed the clamour of the water. "i guess i've misunderstood you," said he quietly, "and it isn't often i make a mistake." he lifted his lip in a grin, and i could see a horrid tier of teeth, which seemed to have grown together like concrete in one huge fang. "it is in my power, dr. phillimore, to blow your brains out here and now. the noise of the sea would cover the report," and he fingered a pistol that now i perceived in his hand. "outside yonder is a grave that tells no tales. the dead rise up never from the sea, by thunder! and the port's open. i'm half in the mind----" he threw the weapon carelessly upon the bunk and laughed. "look you, that's how i value you. you are mighty conscientious, doctor, but you have no value. you're just the ordinary, respectable, out-of-elbows crock that peoples that island over yonder. you are good neither for good nor ill. a crew of you wouldn't put a knot on a boat. so that's how i value you. if you won't do my work one way you shall another. i'll have my value out of you some way, if only to pay back my self-respect. you're safe from pistol and shark. go, and do what you will. i'll wait for you and lay for you, chummie." i stood listening to this remarkable tirade, which was offered in a voice by no means angry, but even something contemptuous, and without a word i left him. i went, as i had promised, at once to the captain, whom i found in his cabin with a volume of de quincey. "well, doctor," said he, laying down the book, "anything amiss? your face is portentous." "yes, sir," i answered. he motioned me to a chair, and waited. "i suppose you're aware, sir, that you have on board prince frederic of hochburg and his sister," i began. "indeed, i'm nothing of the sort," said he sharply. "what on earth is this nonsense?" if i had not had such important information to lay before him i might have been abashed. as it was, i proceeded. "well, sir, it's a fact. mr. morland is the prince. i have known it some days, and would have held my tongue but for imperative necessity. mr. pye knows it, and mr. holgate." "this is most astounding," he began, and paced nervously about the cabin. "i say mr. holgate because i come about him," i pursued. "he has just made the most shameless and barefaced proposal, which amounts to a plot to wreck the ship and make off with the prince's property, which is supposed to amount to a great deal." captain day sat down heavily. "upon my soul, dr. phillimore," he said, "i shall begin to ask myself whether it is you or i who is mad." "that is exactly the sort of question i asked myself a few minutes ago," i replied. "and i've been able to answer it only on the supposition that your third officer is an amazing scoundrel." there was the pause of some moments, during which he studied my face, and at last he went to the bell. "very well," he said more calmly, "we can settle it one way, i suppose." and when the steward appeared, "ask mr. holgate to come to me at once." he sat down again, fidgeted with his book, opened it, endeavoured to read, and glanced at me in a perplexed fashion, as if he distrusted his eyesight; and so we remained without a word until a knock announced some one at the door, and the next moment holgate, large, placid and respectful, was in the cabin. "mr. holgate," said captain day in his most particular voice, "i have just heard the most remarkable statement by dr. phillimore. perhaps you will be good enough to repeat it, dr. phillimore," and he glanced askew at me. i did so bluntly. "this man," i said, "has proposed to me within the last ten minutes that i should join a plot to cast away the ship and seize the property of--of mr. morland." day looked at his third officer. "you hear, mr. holgate?" he said. "what have you to say?" a broad smile passed over holgate's fat face. "yes, sir," he said coolly, "it is just as dr. phillimore says, but the whole thing was a mere spoof." "i should be glad if you would explain," said day icily. "well, the doctor's not exactly correct," said holgate, still smiling, and he had the vast impudence to smile at me. "for what i proposed was to seize the property of prince frederic of hochburg, i think it is." "ah!" said day, letting the exclamation escape softly through his lips, and he cast his nervous glance at me. "you see, sir, the doctor has got some cock-and-bull tale into his head," went on holgate easily, "about mr. morland being prince frederic, and the ladies i don't know whom, and so i suggested that, that being so, we should take care of the prince's millions for him, and get a tidy sum all round. i daresay it wasn't a very funny joke; indeed, i thought he would have seen through it all along. but i suppose he didn't. the doctor's rather serious." i started up. "captain day," said i, "this man lies. the proposal was serious enough, and he knows it. mr. morland is prince frederic. i should advise you to ask mr. pye." "so be it," said day, with a gesture of helplessness, and thus pye was summoned to the strange conclave. day took up his book again. "pray sit down, mr. holgate," he said politely; "this is not the criminal dock yet," which seemed to augur badly for my case. the little clerk, on entering, fixed his glasses on his nose more firmly with two fingers and cast an inquisitive look at us. "mr. pye," said the captain, in his impeccable distant voice, "i am informed that mr. morland is not mr. morland, but some one else, and i have been referred to you. is this so?" pye glanced at me. "mr. morland is the name of the gentleman for whom my firm is acting," he said suavely. "and not any one else?" said day. "not according to my knowledge," said the clerk. "not according to his instructions, sir," i burst out indignantly. "he knows the facts, i'm certain. and if not, i can prove my point readily enough." "the point is," said day drily, "whether mr. holgate is guilty of the extraordinary charge you have preferred." "well, sir, it is material that i acquainted him with the identity of mr. morland in mr. pye's presence," i replied hotly, feeling my ground moving from under me. day looked at pye. "that is true, sir," said the clerk. "dr. phillimore stated in my presence that he had discovered that mr. morland was--i think he said prince frederic of hochburg." day was silent. "i think this is pretty much a mare's nest," said he presently, "and i really don't know why i should have been bothered with it." i was furious with pye and his idea (as i conceived it) of legal discretion. "very well, sir," said i somewhat sullenly, and turned to go, when the door of the cabin opened and there entered sir john barraclough with his customary _insouciance_. "it seems, sir john," said day, in his ironic tones, "that not only have i the honour of a distinguished baronet as first officer, but also a prince as cargo." there was, as i had gathered, little love between the captain and his first officer. barraclough laughed. "oh, you've just tumbled to it," he said. "i wonder how. but it was bound to leak out some time." i never saw a man more astonished than day. he leapt to his feet. "good god!" he said. "i seem to be the only one who doesn't know what's going on in my ship. is this part of the jest?" barraclough in his turn showed surprise, but it was holgate spoke. "is it true, sir john? it can't be true," he cried, opening his mouth so that the horrid tooth demonstrated itself. barraclough looked at pye, who was mum. "i suppose this gentleman is responsible for the news," he said. "no, sir, i have said nothing," retorted pye. "i can't pretend to judge other professions than my own," said the captain stormily, "but i'm inclined to think i might have been taken into the confidence. think where it places me. heavens, man, what am i in my ship?" "i think the--mr. morland perhaps had better answer that question," suggested barraclough with a little sneer. day moved some papers with a hand that trembled. "that will do then," he said shortly. "good evening, gentlemen. i've no desire to detain you any longer." "but----" said i. "silence, dr. phillimore. i command this ship," he cried angrily, "or at least i'm supposed to. you can settle your differences with mr. holgate elsewhere." i shrugged my shoulders and left the cabin, a very angry man. in his vanity the fool had refused to consider my charge. and, yet, when i looked at this business more deliberately and from a little distance, i could not deny that day had some excuse. holgate's story was remarkably natural. the captain would judge of the third officer's incredulity by his own, and would be therefore willing to accept the story of the "spoof." but then he had not seen holgate's face, and he had not heard holgate. even i was staggered by the turn things had taken, though infuriated by my treatment. and it did me no good to see holgate's face smiling at me as i went down the gangway. "oh, doctor, doctor, are you a scotchman?" he whispered; at which i would have turned on him savagely, but held myself in and passed on and was silent. i have always found the value of caution. chapter v the wounded man well, the whole affair had been a considerable farce, in which i had played the most humiliating part. indeed, but for the interposition of barraclough i must have come out of it the butt of all shafts. as it was, i was sensitive in regard to my position, and more than once was tempted to see myself as i must have appeared to others. but after all they had not gone through the scene with holgate, and were not witnesses to his astounding perfidy. i was angry with every one, with myself, with the captain, and, above all, with little pye. in the universal surprise that came of the discovery of mr. morland's identity, my shame, so to speak, was covered, but i felt myself the mark of ridicule, from holgate's cynical smile to the captain's open neglect of me. i turned on the lawyer's clerk in my fury, and gave him some home truths about solicitors and their ways; to which, however, he listened unabashed. "doctor," said he, "do you suppose a man in my position is his own master? you are welcome to know what you will about my own affairs, but i have my professional secrets to guard. what would be thought of me had i come aboard blabbing of my firm's clients fore and aft? it would have been a betrayal of confidence." there was, of course, something in this, but the argument did not allay my irritation; it merely directed it elsewhere, so that i began upon the third mate. he heard me quietly. "mr. holgate can answer for himself," he replied, "but it seems to me, if i may say so without offence, doctor, that you are misinterpreting a somewhat elaborate joke. mr. holgate's explanation is reasonable enough, and besides, the only other explanation is monstrous--inconceivable!" "i agree with you," i said shortly, "and so i say no more." he cast a shrewd glance at me, but made no comment. now, it was quite conceivable that holgate should have made me a derisive object in the ship, but, on the contrary, he did nothing of the sort. the charge i had made against him did not leak out at the mess-table. day, holgate and pye were aware of it, and so far as i know it went no further. this somewhat astonished me until i had some light thrown upon it later. but in the meantime i wondered, and insensibly that significant silence began to modify my attitude. had he known me in the fulness of my disposition he would probably have spoken; but as it was he had other plans to follow. one of these seemed to include a reconciliation with myself. his quizzical smile disappeared, and he shook his head at me solemnly at table. "doctor," said he, "that scotchman's head!" "i am not a scotchman," i retorted impatiently. "well," he breathed heavily, "i will admit it was a very bad joke." i was on the point of replying that it was not a joke at all, when i recovered my temper. after all, it is trying to the temper to sit opposite to a man whom you know to be a prime ruffian, however impotent his aspirations may be. since i had unveiled his plot, even though no credence was given it, still holgate was harmless. but, as i have already said, i am a man of precautions and i held my tongue. i think he had taken me only for a man of impulse. "i must confess i do not see the joke," i answered. "now you come to insist on it, and shed the cold light of reason on it, no more do i," he said with a laugh. "jokes are very well behind the footlights." i shrugged my shoulders. "think what a fool i look!" i said coldly. his friendliness increased. "my dear fellow," he said, bending over to me, "i give you my word i've held my tongue. i thought of that. i didn't know you'd take it so seriously." "your profession should have been the stage," i answered. he nodded. "low comedian. i wish i had. they make good salaries, i believe, instead of beggarly----" "oh, you have the prince's boodle," i said lightly. he laughed. "so i have." "and i'll be hanged if i apologise," i said. "i have suffered enough from the mistake." "quite right, doctor," said he gravely, "i would not apologise to a bishop, let alone a third officer." with that apparent advance to an understanding we parted, and i did not set eyes on him again until the abrupt events that brought about the conference in the cabin. if my personal appearance on the matter did not get out, at least the tale of the prince's identity passed swiftly from mouth to mouth. the whole ship's company was agog with interest, an interest which increased during the next two days. sir john barraclough expressed to me his opinion of day's behaviour very roundly, for the captain had icily withdrawn into himself, and spoke as little as possible to his first officer. "the man's a fool to take it this way, phillimore," he said. "does he suppose it was my doing? i happened to know, but, of course, it was not my secret." this, too, was pye's excuse for silence, and it was obviously adequate. but as the baronet's evidence of friendliness was thus betrayed in his confidence to me, i ventured on a question, which was not really inquisitive. "oh, well, you see i've known the prince off and on some time. he and i yachted together before i lost my money, and he gave me this chance. he's a good sort." with which bluff and british indifference he terminated the conversation. i think that the mysterious aloofness of our passengers served to keep the interest warm. had mr. morland and his party descended and been on show, so to say, before the company, it is probable that the bloom of surprise would have worn off with the contact. but they kept to themselves and the hurricane deck. every morning and afternoon the prince and his sister took a prolonged walk together, and at times they were joined by my patient, who, however, in the better weather we were enjoying, reclined in her chair and took the sun. on these occasions mr. morland and his sister ceased their promenade and sat with their guest. sometimes the full voice of mlle. châteray, or trebizond, would come to us below, and occasionally her light laughter was heard, very musical to the ears. speculations, it is not necessary to say, were rife among us. it was known we were set for buenos ayres, and it was taken for granted that there the prince was to effect his morganatic marriage. but what was to happen afterwards? we were chartered for twelve months. that bespoke a cruise, and guesses flew about the ship. lane, the purser, was the most in evidence in these discussions. he was an excitable man with a passion for talk and company, and he offered to lay me a certain sum that we should pull up in yokohama. "as like as not paid off there. we've no contracts against it," he said in a fume. it was the attitude of mccrae, the chief engineer, that interested me in view of his professed opinions. he unfolded his mind to me one evening when we had been out some ten days. "it's like this, doctor. the man's sheer sick of courts and barbarisms, and he's in search of a healthy, independent life, which he needs, i'm thinking. that's to his credit altogether. but it's a wonderful thing, when you come to think of it, that one man like that should upset the politics of europe, and a man that does not achieve it, mind you, but gets it by mere birth and chance. the paper said he had a million of his own. a fool could be independent on that, aye, and live healthy, too, if he weren't too much of a fool. but what right has a man with wealth like that, i ask you? as mr. holgate was saying yesterday, it's an insult to decent, hardworking men like you and me." "so that's mr. holgate's idea, is it?" said i, and mused. the engineer was proceeding in the strain when i saw the face of the boatswain jump suddenly into the dimness of the engine-room. it was a thin-lipped, gaunt face, lacking eyebrows, which added to the gauntness, and the general complexion was red to the shade of crimson. when his jaw was in repose it appeared as if the lower part of his face had been sucked up into the upper like a lid into its box. but now his jaw was open, disclosing a plentiful lack of teeth. "you're wanted, doctor," he said, in his abrupt voice. "there's been an accident forward." i left at once and followed him, asking some necessary questions. "i don't know exactly how it occurred," he said in answer. "one of the men, adams, fell on something and it's drilled a hole in him." when we reached the man's berth he was surrounded by a number of the crew, whom i ordered off. "if i've got anything to do i don't want to be hampered," i said, "so clear out and leave adams to me and the boatswain." when the place was clear, i made an examination, and found a wound under the shoulder-blade. it was not dangerous, but might well have been so. i sent for my bag and dressed it, the boatswain looking on. all the time i made no comment, but when i had finished i turned and met the boatswain's eyes. "that's a knife wound," i said, shortly. "is it, sir?" he replied, and stared down at adams. "how did it come about, adams?" he inquired authoritatively. "i was larking along with gray and ran up agen him," said the man, in a sullen voice. "i didn't see what he 'ad in his 'and." "more fool you!" said the boatswain angrily. "d'ye think i can go short of men for a lot of horse-play? all right, doctor? nothing serious?" "no," said i, deliberating. "if the knife was clean there's not much harm done except that you go short of a man, as you say, for some days." the boatswain swore as politely as an oath can be managed. "i'll come in again later," i said. "meanwhile keep him in bed." but on my next visit it was manifest that the wound was not such a simple affair, for the man's temperature had risen and he was wandering. he gave tongue to a profusion of oaths, which seemed to be directed, in the main, against gray, but also included the boatswain, raised himself on his arm, and shook his fist in my face, muttering "my share," and "not a brown less," and something about "blowing the gaff." it was with difficulty that i completed my ministrations; but i did so, and gave the boatswain a dose to be given to the wounded man at once and another four hours later. it was entirely an involuntary omission on my part that i said nothing of returning. nevertheless i did return only two hours later, and just before midnight. i had had the man removed to a disused cabin, and when i got there the door was locked. angrily i went on deck and found the boatswain. "pierce," i said, "the door of the sick-room is locked. what on earth does this mean? i want to see my patient." "oh, he's all right, sir. he went to sleep quite easy. i asked one of the hands to keep an eye on him, and i suppose he's shut the door. but it isn't locked." "but it is," i said angrily. "the blockhead!" said the boatswain. "i'll get the key for you, sir, if you'll wait a minute." but i was not going to wait. i was making for the hatchway when i was hailed through the darkness by a voice: "dr. phillimore!" i turned, and little pye emerged from the blackness. "i've been trying to get to sleep, but i've got the most awful neuralgia. i wish you'd give me something for it," said he. "in a moment," i said. "i've got to see one of the hands, and then----" "oh, come, doctor, give us a chance," said pye. "if you tell me what, i'll get it myself. look here, would a dose of chloral do any good?" "my dear sir," said i drily. "every man in these days seems to be his own doctor. try it, and if it's only satisfactory enough, we'll have a beautiful post-mortem to-morrow." "well," said little pye, with a return of his native repartee, "it's precisely because i don't want to be my own doctor that i've come to you." that naturally was unanswerable, and i acknowledged the hit by prescribing for him. then i went on my way. the door was open and the boatswain was waiting. he covered a yawn as i approached. "it was that fool, reilly, sir," he explained. "he mucked my instructions." i nodded and proceeded to examine my patient. the boatswain seemed to have spoken the truth, for the man was as quiet as a log, save for the movement of the clothes when he respired. but it was that very respiration that arrested my attention. i felt his pulse, and i took the temperature. as i moved to examine the glass, pierce's thin crimson face, peeping over my shoulder, almost struck upon me. the jaw was sucked into its socket. the temperature was still high, too high to allow of that placid sleep. i contemplated the thermometer meditatively. the port was shut, and the only sounds that broke the night were the dull beating of the screw and the duller wash of the waves against the side of the _sea queen_. the boatswain stood motionless behind me. "you are right," i said slowly. "he has gone off pretty comfortably, but i should like to see his temperature lower. however, the sleep will do him good, and i've no doubt i'll find him all right in the morning." as i spoke i turned away with a nod and passed out of the cabin. once on deck, i paused to consider what i should do. two things i knew for certain: firstly, that the knife-wound was no accident, for no mere horse-play could have resulted in such a deep cut; secondly, that adams was under the influence of a narcotic. who had administered it and why? i recalled the man's delirium and his wandering statements to which at the time i had paid little heed, and i thought i began to get the clue. i looked at my watch and found it half-past twelve. every one, save those on duty, was abed, and the steamer ploughed steadily through the trough, a column of smoke swept abaft by the wind and black against the starlight. i sought my cabin, poured myself out a stiff glass of grog, and sat down to smoke and think. at two bells i roused myself and went on deck. how singularly still was the progress of the vessel! i heard the feet of the officer on the bridge, and no other sound in all that floating house. a figure like a statue stood out in the dimness by the chart-house, and i came to a pause. it turned, and i thought i made out my friend the quartermaster. "that you, ellison?" i asked. "yes, sir." "i want to look at that man adams in the forecastle," i said. "please accompany me, as i may need your assistance." i descended the ladder and went forward till i reached the cabin which i had used as a hospital, and turned the handle of the door. it opened, but the darkness was profound, and ellison struck a match and lit the lamp. adams lay in his bunk groaning faintly. i turned up his sleeve and examined him. the wound was inflamed, as i had expected, and it was not that which arrested me, but a mark on the arm above the elbow. it was the prick of the hypodermic syringe. my doubts were now certainties. as we stood there adams opened his eyes, and struggled into a sitting posture. "no, my man," said i, "you must keep to your back." he stared at me, but allowed me to force him backwards, and continued to stare. "adams, can you understand?" said i firmly. "gray struck you with a knife?" "between the shoulders, damn him," he growled sulkily. "doctor, my head's bad--give me something to drink." i had come prepared, and i did so, and he fell back with a sigh, showing more signs of alertness. "you quarrelled?" i suggested, but he made no answer. "look you here, my man," i went on sternly, "i know a good deal about this, and what you quarrelled over. it would be wiser, believe me, to be candid. pierce had a hand in this." still he was silent. i pulled from my pocket a syringe, and showed it to him. "do you know what that is?" i asked. he shook his head, staring. "well," said i, "it came pretty near finishing you off. you have had a heavy dose. i want to know who did it." i caught up his arm, and thrust the puncture under his nose. he still stared. "you were talking pretty wildly in your delirium, and had to be silenced. that was how it was done. if they can't silence you one way they will another. how much was your share to be?" the man's face worked in an ugly fashion, and he was at any time a repulsive creature. the glitter in his eyes spoke of fever. "the devil's own," he said hoarsely. "they wanted to cheat me of it, and i said i'd split. damn pierce, and gray, and all!" "so you were going for the prince's cash-box, were you?" i said equably. "it's more than that," said he. "there's the treasure in the strong-room. that's their game." "now i see you are sensible," i said, "and i can undertake to make you well and sound and happy provided you tell the truth." "doctor, it burns like fire," he groaned. "i will see to that," i said. "what is the plot?" "i have cried off. that's why i got the knife," he said faintly. "but swear to god no harm'll come to me." "i promise you that," i said, nodding. "it's the boatswain's plot," he whispered, "and he has more'n half the men. they are going to rise ere ever we get to buenos ayres. but i was no party to their plans," he continued feverishly, and as if anxious to convince me, "that's why i've this knife, doctor, because i'm an honest man." i had more than my doubts of that, but i nodded again. "you have only done your duty in telling me, adams," said i, "and i'll keep my promise, provided you hold your tongue about this. they have given you a dose of morphia, and it's lucky it wasn't bigger. if you do what i tell you, we'll have you right in a couple of days." i made him drink a draught i had brought with me, and, closing the door, left him. a passage led from here to the men's quarters, and as i came out, i signed to ellison to be noiseless, and put out the light. then we moved towards the hatchway. when we reached it i happened to glance round at ellison, and through that brooding darkness, lightened only by a dim swinging lamp, i thought i saw a flitting shadow. but the next swing of the boat threw the light clear into the corner, and there was nothing. we emerged on the lower deck, and thence regained the quarterdeck. there was a bright light in the chart-room, and i led the way thither. i closed the door and turned on the quartermaster. his face was grey, and his hand trembled. "you heard?" said i. "yes, sir," he replied, and hesitated. "but he's wandering, sir, ain't he?" "my man," said i, "i'm a doctor--leave that much to me. i only want to know if you heard. that is all your part. no, there is one thing more. what about the hands?" "they're a pretty mixed lot, sir, not exactly what i would call yacht hands, but----" "were you engaged with them?" i interrupted sharply. "no, sir, sir john he got me on. i've sailed with him before." "thank the lord for that," i said heartily, for i had begun to suspect every one. the voyage was a nightmare, i thought. "who is the officer in charge?" i asked. "mr. legrand, sir," said ellison. the second mate and i had had few exchanges. he was a reserved man, and devoted to his duty. besides, as navigating officer he had his full share of responsibility for the safety of the ship. i moved out of the chart-house, leaving the quartermaster in a maze of bewilderment, and, i think, incredulity. the stars illumined the figure of the second officer on the bridge, and i stood in a little gust of doubt which shook me. should i sleep over the new discovery? i had ellison, a didymus, for witness, but i was still sore from the reception of my previous news. i took the length of the deck, and looked over the poop where a faint trail of light spumed in the wake of the ship. suddenly i was seized from behind, lifted by a powerful arm, and thrown violently upon the taffrail. it struck me heavily upon the thighs, and i plunged with my hands desperately in the air, lost my balance, and pitched over head foremost towards the bubbling water. as i fell my shoulder struck the bulge of the iron carcase of the vessel, and i cannoned off into the void, but by the merest chance my clutching hands in that instant caught in the hitch of a rope which had strayed overboard. the loop ran out with my wrist in it, and i hit the water. its roar was in my ears, but nothing else, and when i rose to the surface the ship was thirty yards away. but the rope was still over my arm, and as soon as i recovered breath i began to haul myself slowly and painfully in. as it was, i was being torn through the water at the rate of from twelve to fourteen knots an hour, and in a very few minutes the chill which my immersion had inflicted on me passed away, giving place to a curious warmth that stole throughout my limbs, and enabled me to continue the onward struggle. i drew nearer foot by foot, the sea racing past me, and burying my face constantly in floods of salt water. but i was encouraged to observe the _sea queen_ was now perceptibly closer, and i clung and hauled and hauled again. my danger now was the screw, and i could hear the thumping of the steel blades below, and see the boiling pit under the stern by the vessel. if i hauled closer should i be dragged into that terrible maelstrom, and be drawn under the deadly and merciless machinery? i could see the open taffrail, through which the stars glimmered away above me. it seemed that safety was so near and yet so far. she rolled, and the lights of the port-holes flashed lanterns on the sea in that uprising. i raised my voice, helplessly, hopelessly, in a cry. i repeated this shout three times, and then i saw a man come and hang over the taffrail. was it the unknown murderer, and did he look for his victim to complete his abominable job? as the thought struck me i was silent, and then i saw him stoop and examine the iron stanchions at his feet. next i felt the rope being pulled slowly in. at this i shouted again, and he ceased. "the screw!" i called. "the screw!" he moved away to the port side and once more the rope began to move. gradually i reached the side of the ship, about a dozen feet to port, and five minutes later i was safe on deck. "good lord, sir, what is it?" asked ellison's voice in terror. "my arm is cut through, and one leg is near broken," i gasped. "don't ask me more, but get me brandy." he returned in an incredibly short time, for if he was a man of leisurely british mind he was wonderful on his feet. i drank the raw spirit and felt better. "now, do you believe?" i asked him. "you mean----" "that i was knocked overboard. i knew too much," i said sharply. "don't stand staring, man. we don't know where we are, or what is afoot. give me your arm and let us get to the bridge. stay, have you any weapon?" "no, sir." "any available?" "no, sir, not without waking the carpenter." "that is the usual british way," said i. "believe nothing until it happens. nothing does happen, does it? nothing has happened, has it, ellison? well, we must chance it. at least we have stout fists. we made our way under the shelter of the saloon and smoking-room, and came to the steps of the bridge. i mounted with great difficulty, and ellison followed. legrand turned at our appearance and surveyed us under the gleam of his lamp with astonishment. "mr. legrand," said i, "i need not ask if you have weapons available, for i'm sure you have not. but you will need them." "what is't you mean?" he said sharply. "mutiny and murder," said i. he went straight to the speaking-tube without a word, and called down to the engineer's room, "mr. mccrae, will you personally bring me a couple of pistols, or any offensive weapon at hand. iron bars will do--at once, please." this was a man after my own heart. i could have embraced him. he came back to me. "and now, doctor?" i told him. he was silent, and then brought out a string of expletives. "i mistrusted the filthy pack from the first," he said. "see what they give us to work with, sir--the scum of glasgow and london; and none of us to have a say in the matter. i'd sooner go to sea with satan than scum like that," he said fiercely. "as soon as i set eyes on them i knew we were in for it--but not this," he added, "not this by a long chalk." "there's one thing to be done," said i. "we'll do it now," he replied, his fury gone as suddenly as it came, and we descended the ladder. at the foot we met mccrae, very angry and sarcastic, wanting to know since when the deck was allowed to order the engine-room about like pot-boys, but a few words put him in possession of the facts, and i think, if any argument had been needed, my exhausted and dripping body would have sufficed. "the old man?" said he. legrand nodded. chapter vi the conference in the cabin we opened the captain's door without knocking, but he was awake at once, and turned on the electric light. "what is this, gentlemen? is it a raree show?" he inquired in his particular voice. "it is some information dr. phillimore has to impart, sir," said legrand. day's eyes narrowed. "oh, i see dr. phillimore is taking part in some more theatricals," he said grimly. "and his costume seems suited to them." "i beg your pardon, sir," said i hotly. "if you would only listen instead of passing judgment we might get on." "i'm learning a lot this voyage," said day with a sneer; "pray proceed." again i told my story. day got up in his pyjamas, an insignificant figure of a man without his important uniform. he might have been merely a member of parliament, or a minor poet. but he had, with all his defects, the courage of his position and responsibilities. "this is a matter i feel unequal to alone. it has gone on too long," he said sharply. "it is time i knew where i stand." he left the cabin abruptly, and returned in a few minutes. "i have taken the liberty of inviting mr. morland's attendance," he said, "and have sent for sir john barraclough and mr. holgate. i will know once for all where i stand." "i beg you not mr. holgate, captain," said i. "and why not mr. holgate, sir?" he asked peremptorily. "here is a report of conspiracy and mutiny you bring me, and i will have my officers in attendance to weigh it." "you will remember my former charge, captain day?" i said. "well, sir?" he answered. "if my report to-night is correct, as i have a witness to prove, does it not shed some light on my former charge against mr. holgate? and is it, therefore, desirable that he should be here?" day considered, and then he looked me up and down. "if i were a doctor, dr. phillimore," he observed with sarcasm, "i should advise you to change your clothes." "oh, there is a more important matter than clothes," i replied angrily, "or should i be here? is it for fun, do you suppose?" he turned from me without saying anything, but my words had their effect, for when the door opened and holgate's face appeared day said civilly enough, "i am sorry to have disturbed you unnecessarily, mr. holgate, but i find i shall not need you at present." the third officer's big face moved slowly on his bull neck and his eyes met mine. "very well, sir," said he calmly, and there was nothing legible in his gaze. it was blank and insignificant, destitute even of curiosity. barraclough arrived immediately afterwards, and on his heels--mr. morland, dressed as when he walked the hurricane deck daily, his somewhat dull face owning and manifesting a certain dignity. "i have asked you here, mr. morland," said day at once, "because of certain rumours and mysteries and alleged discoveries which are in circulation. it is an untimely hour, but that is not my fault. dr. phillimore has brought me a story, which, if he is correct, is of vital importance to us. i should be glad, therefore, if you would answer a question. are you prince frederic of hochburg?" mr. morland's eyes lighted up. "i have employed you, sir," he began, "to work this ship----" "pardon me, it is necessary," said day with extreme politeness. "i hear a tale of conspiracy to rob my employer, who sails with me and whom i know as mr. morland, but who is stated to be prince frederic of hochburg. i am justified, therefore, in asking if mr. morland is prince frederic; and if he has the money on board which the tale alleges. according to that answer must i shape my conduct." mr. morland drew himself up. "it is reasonable," he said, as if reflecting. "yes, i am frederic of hochburg." day's fingers trembled. "and the money?" he asked in a hard voice. "there is some money on board," said the prince, looking round on our faces, and now i was surprised that i had not identified long since that guttural german accent. "but i should wish to know what this scene means, sir?" he said in a haughty voice. day waved his hand at me. "i have learned to-night," said i, "by an accident, that there is a plot among the crew to seize the ship and its contents before reaching buenos ayres." for the third time i then told my story, to which my sodden garments were a genuine witness. the prince listened to me with a frown. "i do not understand," said he. "i was led to believe that i was chartering a good vessel with a good captain and a crew for my cruise. i do not understand this." "nor i," said day, with a shrug of his shoulders. "i am not responsible for the crew. it was arranged by your agents, mr. morland." "ah!" said the prince shortly, and then, "but you tell me they have turned out to be pirates. this is ridiculous." "i must refer you to dr. phillimore, sir," said day curtly. "as for me, if i had known what i know now, you would have sailed under another captain. i am too old for mysteries." ignoring this, if he listened to it, the prince turned on me. "where is your evidence of this?" he asked, and his eyes fell on ellison, who was plainly uncomfortable. "ah! did what the doctor says happen?" "yes, sir." "then we must send for this man adams," concluded his royal highness. "let him be brought." i had in my hand during all this time the bar of iron which mccrae had brought. i gave it to barraclough. "if you are going," said i, "take this. it may be needed." he looked at me with a lift of his eyebrows. "all serene," said he with a smile. "this seems a pretty show altogether. come, quartermaster." legrand went back to his bridge with a revolver in his pocket, and i was left with mr. morland and the captain. the former scrutinised me closely and deliberately, without regard to my feelings, while day feigned to be busy at his table. "i stay here, sir," said i to the prince with emphasis, "because i seem in a manner to be a prisoner on trial. i have called my evidence, and it will be forthcoming presently. but i must say," i added bitterly, "that i resent the way in which my testimony has been received, and at buenos ayres, if we ever reach that port, i shall beg to be relieved of my duties and have my contract cancelled." "if mr.--mr. morland does not object certainly i shall not, dr. phillimore," said day drily. "oh, come, captain," said i impatiently; "we are in a peril together and you stand on ceremonies." "that has yet to be proved," he said. even as he spoke a noise announced the return of the party, and sir john barraclough entered. "your man's missing," said he. day uttered an exclamation, and the prince's frown deepened. "there's no one in the cabin," said barraclough. at that instant a knock fell on the door. "is the doctor here?" said a voice which i recognised at once. barraclough opened the door and holgate stood on the threshold. "it has been reported to me as i came on duty," he said, "that adams is missing, doctor. it seems a bad case. he was delirious, and two of the men say they heard a plunge. the port-hole is open." "it's a lie!" i cried. holgate's face twitched. "it's the report made to me," he said; "i came at once," and the fang showed clear under his upper lip. "it is foul play!" i said. "he was not likely to throw himself overboard. it all belongs to the plot." "was this man delirious?" asked day of me. i hesitated. "for a time he was slightly," i answered. "he was delirious when he told you these things?" "that i deny." he turned to ellison. "what do you say, quartermaster?" "i don't know, sir," said the man in confusion. "he didn't seem quite--quite all right." "ah!" said day, looking at mr. morland. "good heavens, sir, would you take a common sailor's word before a doctor's?" i asked indignantly. "no, dr. phillimore, i am only weighing the evidence," said he coolly. "this man was, according to you, delirious for a time. he made some communication as to a plot. then he disappears. it is either conspiracy or delirium. either accounts for the facts. which are we to believe?" "you forget the attempt on me," i said hotly. "not at all," he said, "i have not forgotten that--accident. but it hardly gets us further. it fits in with either supposition--the plot or"--he paused--"the delirium," he added significantly. "gentlemen, i wish you good night, or good morning," i said, turning on my heel. "and i will beg of you, mr. morland, to grant me the privilege of a substitute when we reach buenos ayres." mr. morland did not answer. he made an impatient gesture, and then: "are you satisfied, captain day?" he asked. "quite," was the laconic answer. "then may i request you will see that discipline is kept among your men," said the prince severely, and stalked out of the cabin. barraclough broke into laughter. "upon my soul----" he began, but was interrupted by an angry exclamation. "be good enough, sir, to keep your counsel till it is asked, sir," said day, trembling with fury. "i have too many princes and baronets here for my taste." he stamped round the room in agitation. "my men!" he cried. "good lord, what have i had to do with them? i wish i'd never seen the figurehead of the yacht. good lord! my men! i would sooner run an excursion steamer than submit to this." barraclough eyed him without any emotion, even with hard hostility. the exit of the prince had stayed my departure, and abruptly day came to a pause by me. "that will do, gentlemen," he said quietly. holgate, who was at the door, opened it, and his round face swung gently on his shoulders till his gaze rested on me again. something flickered in it, something like a leer on that malicious blackness, and then he was gone. day stood stock-still looking by me after him. as i turned to follow he addressed me. "dr. phillimore, if you can spare a moment before you change," he said civilly, "i shall be glad of a few minutes." i answered promptly, wondering, and the door closed behind barraclough. "doctor, i haven't slept a wink for nights," burst out the captain suddenly; "i must have something." he had a haggard, drawn look, and his eyes seemed sunken in his head. at once i was the professional man, and not an officer of the ship. "sit down, sir," said i, "and tell me. what is it?" he sat down shakily. "i don't like my officers, doctor, and i don't like my employer," he said peevishly. i held his pulse, which was jumping. "what else," i said. "you are not a married man?" he inquired, looking at me restlessly. "no; never mind," he paused, and proceeded in his ridiculously precise voice. "i had the misfortune to lose my wife and my son in a fortnight--about a month ago. it has rather upset me." it might have seemed comic communicated in that matter-of-fact tone, but somehow it struck me as tragic. that this vain, self-contained, and reticent man should confess to the frailty of humanity to a man he disliked was the measure of his suffering. "i can mend the sleep, captain," said i. "you must do the rest." "good god!" he shook his head and stood up. "no," said i, "sit down. i'll see to you. let me ring." in a few minutes i had my case of instruments, and carefully extracted what i wanted, while day looked on feverishly impatient. "i'm going to do what has already been done this night," i said gravely, "but in a better cause." i raised the syringe, and bade him put back the sleeve of his pyjama. a rush of pain went through my arm which had been bruised and battered in the sea, and suddenly the cabin went from me. for the first and only time in my life i fainted. when i came to day was bending over me, glass in hand, a look of solicitude on his face. "it seems we have changed places," said i feebly, "and that you are my physician." he set the glass down. "doctor, i did you less than justice just now," he said quickly. "but i have had my troubles." i picked myself up slowly. "i will now resume," i said, smiling. "if you are able," he said doubtfully, and then, "heavens, i should like just one hour of sleep." "you shall sleep till eight bells, i promise you," i answered, and once more i took the syringe. he sighed as if in anticipation. "doctor," he said, as he lay back. "not a word of this. we must talk about the other thing. i don't like my officers. i'll tackle this question to-morrow. there's something in it." i bade him "good night," and left with the conviction that in the difficulties before us captain day would count for little. to face such emergencies as i felt must now be faced we had no need of a neurotic subject. nevertheless i was mistaken in one particular. day sent for me next morning, and i found him in quite a brisk, cheerful state. he did not allude to what had occurred between us, but came straight to the subject of the plot. "nothing has happened, doctor," he said. i knew nothing could happen, for the disappearance of adams meant that the conspirators were not ready with their plans. otherwise they would not have been so determined to rob me of my evidence. this i explained, and he listened attentively. "you see the difficulty," he said at last. "there is no corroboration of your story, and i can take no action. i will have an inquiry into adams's disappearance, of course, but i fear nothing will come of it." he rubbed his hands nervously. "i wish to god it would." this was astounding from the man, but, as i looked into his eyes, i could see how deeply his nervous system had been shocked, and once more i despaired of such a captain in such circumstances. i carried my misgivings to legrand, with whom the events of the night had seemed to bring me in closer relationship. "the old man's all right," he said. "a better seaman doesn't exist. there's nothing he doesn't know." "except human nature," said i. "well, that may be. but who knows much about that?" said the second officer, setting his sextant. "you say we're slumbering over a volcano. i daresay we are. it's more or less what we're paid to do, and take all risks. things are quiet enough now, anyway." was this another sceptic, where i had sought to find an ally? "i am used by this to ridicule," i began drily. "who on earth is ridiculing you?" he asked. "you have only given us something to think of--and something pretty tall, too." i shrugged my shoulders. "i suppose it is my word against holgate's," i said wearily. "holgate's!" he said, lowering his sextant swiftly. "holgate's! i wouldn't trust holgate if he were on a dozen oaths--not if he were swung at a yard-arm, and were making christian confession," he said passionately. "nor would i," i said softly after a pause. we exchanged glances. he resumed his sextant. "the only thing to be done," he said, "is to keep a watch. we shall know shortly. excuse me, doctor, i must take the bearings." routine must go on aboard ship, but this cool attitude, reasonable as it was, was not to my taste in my condition. things moved as smoothly as before; the watch came and went, and the bells tolled regularly; but with the knowledge that i had that something evil was brewing, i fretted and worried and grew out of temper. the powers that were responsible for the safety of the ship and her good conduct were indifferent to the danger, or else incredulous. i alone knew how incompetent was the captain to secure his vessel, and the attitude of "mr. morland" filled me with contempt. it was very well for a royal prince in his palace, surrounded by his guard, servitors, and dependants, to assume an autocratic attitude, and take things for granted. but it was another case when he had deliberately abandoned that security and launched himself upon a romantic, not to say quixotic, career, in which nothing was certain. yet upon the promenade deck the prince and his sister took their constitutionals as if nothing had happened or would happen, and, as before, mlle. trebizond joined them, and her laugh floated down to us, musical and clear. would nothing make them understand the peril in which they stood? in all this vexation of spirit i still found time to be amused by lane. the affair of adams was, necessarily, public property, and the inquiry promised by day was in process. adams was gone, gone overboard, as i knew, and i could have put my hand on his murderer, if i could not also identify the man who had made an attempt to be mine. lane, on the rumour of the night's proceedings reaching him, sought me, and complained. it was ludicrous, but it was characteristic of the man, as i had come to know him. "where do i come in?" he asked plaintively. "you might have given me a call, doctor." "i wish i had been sleeping as sound as you," i said. "oh, hang it, man, it's dull enough on this beastly boat. if there's any row on, i'm in it." "do you think you guess how big a row you may be on?" i asked him. "oh, well, it's infernally dull," he grumbled, which, when you come to think of it, was a surprising point of view. the adams inquiry ended in what must necessarily be called an open verdict. the evidence of the boatswain and pentecost, one of the hands, assured that. both testified to the fact that they were awakened in the still hours by a splash, and one thought it was accompanied by a cry, but was not sure. at any rate, the boatswain was sufficiently aroused to make search, and to discover that adams was missing, and subsequently that the port-hole was open. he had then, as he declared, reported the matter at once to the officer of the watch, who was holgate. holgate came to the captain's cabin, as has been related. there was no discrepancy to be noted in the stories of the two men, nor was there any inherent improbability in their tale. so, as i have said, though no verdict was given, the verdict might be considered as open, and we had got no further. the captain, however, took one precaution, for the key of the ammunition chest was put in barraclough's charge. what others did i know not, but i slept with a loaded revolver under my pillow. we were now within a week of buenos ayres, and had come into summer weather. when we passed the twentieth parallel the heat was overpowering. we took to ducks, and the ladies, as we could observe, to the lightest of cotton dresses. for all, however, that we saw of them they might have been dwelling in another sphere, as, indeed, they were. the steward alone had the privilege of communion with them, and he, being a distant fellow, had nothing to say, though, i believe, lane cross-questioned him rigorously. i have said that we saw nothing of our passengers, but i, at least, was to see them more nearly very soon, and that in the most unexpected manner. one evening i had retired to my cabin and was stretched in my bunk, reading one of the gilded books from the yacht's library, when i was interrupted by a knock on the door. "come in," i called idly, and the door promptly opened, and to my amazement miss morland stood before me. she wore a plain evening dress of chiffon, very pretty to the eye, and over her head and shoulders a mantle of silk lace. she had naturally, as i had observed on my previous encounters, a sparkle of colour in her face; but now she had lost it, and was dead white of complexion under the electric light. "doctor phillimore," she said in english, which was more perfect of accent than her brother's, but speaking somewhat formally, "i understand that you believe you have discovered some plot." by this time i was on my feet. "madam, no one else believes it," said i. "i do," she said sharply; and then, "i want you to come and see my brother--mr. morland." "i will do as you will," i answered, "but, at the same time, i must point out that mr. morland has cognisance of my story. i stated what i had to say in his presence some days since." "ah," said she, "you do not understand. it is impossible for one in my brother's position to entertain these suspicions. it is not for him to take precautions--or should not be," she added bitterly. i bowed. "i will repeat what i have already stated," i said; and then, as she turned to go, i took a sudden impulse. my heart was beating faster at this unexpected appearance of an ally and i made up my mind to confirm the alliance if it was what it seemed. "miss morland," said i, "if i must continue to call you so." "that is my name, sir," she said loftily. "then if that is your name there is nothing in my plot," i answered bluntly. "this plot, imaginary or otherwise, but one in which you say you believe, is dependent wholly on your name not being morland, madam. assure me that it is, and i undertake that the plot shall cease--disappear in a twinkling." "you speak, sir, as if you had authority over it," she said, after a pause. "no. i reason only on what i know. this conspiracy has been evolved on the supposition that you and mr. morland are not what you claim to be, and on other suppositions. if these be untrue, and the mutineers can be convinced of that, the conspiracy naturally falls to the ground." again she made a pause, but spoke quickly when she spoke: "my brother is prince frederic of hochburg." i bowed. "and, madam, the ship contains treasure? let us finish our confidences." "there are bonds and bullion to a large amount on board," she said, as if reluctantly. "it was unwise of him, but he would have it so." "i may take it that the princess alix would not have it so," i suggested. "you may assume what you will, sir," she said coldly. "madam," said i seriously, for handsome as she was and royal, too, i was nettled by her distance, "you ask me to help you, and you keep me at arm's length. i am not asking out of curiosity. i only want to know what allies i can depend on. heaven knows i have gone through enough already to keep me silent henceforward for ever, even to the point of attempted murder." "i will answer any question you wish to put--if i can," she replied in a milder voice. "but my brother is waiting." "then may i know why you credit this plot?" i asked. "i know nothing of the plot," she said. "the news of it has just come to my ears, through some words dropped by mr. morland. but this i know--that he runs a great risk. he has always run a great risk ever since----" she stopped. "i am willing to believe the worst." "now," said i, "i am ready to accompany you," and forthwith, without more words, we went on deck. when we reached the cabin i found not only the prince, but day, who was clearly in one of his moods. he had a nervous way of flipping his fingers when put out, and he stood now firing off his white hand restlessly. he did not pay me any attention on my entrance, but fixed his gaze on princess alix. "as i am no longer in command on my boat, dr. phillimore," he said abruptly, "perhaps you will be good enough to explain to mr. morland what you propose to do." i looked at the prince, who nodded curtly. evidently there had been a scene. "i believe that a rising is contemplated before we reach buenos ayres," i said. "i would advise, therefore, that we change our course for rio janeiro at once. we are only thirty-hours' steam away." day turned his attention on me. "there is something in that," he said. "i shall be able to get a new doctor." the prince frowned. "it is for me to say," he said sharply. "you, sir, will then be able to get a new captain," said day politely. he bowed to the prince and princess. "that is very probable," said the prince, and added, "i order you to put into rio, captain. dr. phillimore's advice commends itself to me." i said nothing, but the princess gave me a quick glance, in which i seemed to read approval. "your orders shall be obeyed," said day, and ceremoniously left the cabin. when he was gone the prince turned to me. "i am obliged for your zeal in my service," he said, as if he were conferring a decoration; whereupon he bowed, and i followed the captain. i went at once to day's cabin and waited, for i had made up my mind as to the method in which he should be treated. the man was obviously incapable of discretion in his state. he entered presently with a heavy sigh, and only then observed me. a malignant look worked in his face blackly, but i interposed at once. "captain," said i. "if you are captain, i am doctor. this can only end one way, and i won't have it end that way if it is in my power to prevent it." "you are wrong," he said snappishly. "you are captain and doctor in one." "i am going to try on you a particular drug which i have faith in," i said, ignoring his words. "it is new, but there are great possibilities in it. if it is all i believe it to be, you will get up to-morrow another man." he put his arms on the table. "oh, my god!" he groaned. "night and day, night and day. for god's sake, doctor, give me something." that was what i wanted. he was a little querulous, spiteful child now, and i had possession of him. i had seen his soul undressed and naked, and it frightened me. i felt more than anxiety for him; i felt compassion. and it was i that put him to bed that night. but meanwhile we were on the way to rio janeiro. chapter vii the rising in advising that the yacht's course should be laid for rio i assumed that possibly the mutineers would not have completed their arrangements, and would be taken by surprise. my assumption was justified, though its very correctness came near to wrecking what reputation i had left as a man of sense. i had long recognised that i was looked upon as having a bee in my bonnet, and the fact that we arrived safely in the port must have increased the doubts of those who knew i was responsible for the alteration of the course. the change could not, of course, be concealed very long. the watch was privy to it, when day set the new course, and by next morning it was all over the ship. yet the same dignified routine proceeded; no one volunteered any act of violence; and if i believed in myself no one else did, i am sure. little pye mused openly on the change, but withdrew himself at once into his legal reticence when i also expressed my surprise. to say the truth, i was not anxious that it should be known that i was the author of the alteration, and so made inquiries with a show of innocence. nor do i think that any one suspected me, for neither the prince nor day would be likely to talk. day, indeed, surprised me. he thanked me privately for my medical advice, and, with a smile, added: "perhaps i should say also nautical." i shook my head, smiling also. "it was political, captain, and that's all." he nodded absently, and said suddenly, "i think, doctor, i will get rid of pierce at rio." i was heartily glad to hear this, and would have suggested that holgate also should go, but refrained. i knew not how far his improvement would bear the strain of the suggestion. we lay at anchor in the bay to coal, and the passengers took themselves off to the shore, mlle. trebizond in a wild flutter of excitement. this meant for her the nearest approach to paris, i suppose, that was available. at least she was in great spirits, and talked with the officers. as we entered the harbour we heard the sound of music pouring from the saloon, which had never yet been used by the party, and on that the rich notes of a fine mezzo-soprano. the little exhibition arrested the men at their work, and, after that long passage of silence, seemed to wake us up and put us in a better mood. as it was disagreeable on board during the coaling operations, i, too, followed the party on shore in the company of barraclough. we had arrived at mid-day, and the yacht was to sail on the following evening, for the simple methods of coaling in rio protract the business. i lunched at the english hotel, and occupied the time in the usual manner of the sight-seer; visited the summit of the hill by the alpine railway, and walked negligently in the botanical gardens. i slept ashore, and was joined on nightfall by lane, who was full of the gust of living. he could only be said to enjoy himself when he got ashore, and yet he could not keep off the sea. i learned from him with satisfaction that pierce, the boatswain, was gone, paid off at the captain's orders. so here was something for my consolation. i breathed a little more freely, and inquired further. but the rest of his information was not so satisfactory. besides the passengers, day, barraclough, mccrae, and himself had come ashore, leaving legrand with holgate and little pye to represent what might be termed the aristocracy of the deck. and next morning i got a glimpse in the streets of pye, so that holgate was, barring the second officer, master of the yacht. i will confess i did not like this look of things; so deep was my distrust of holgate. in the rua do ouvidor i had a fleeting vision of princess alix and mlle. trebizond as they turned into a shop; but for the rest i enjoyed myself as a stranger to the _sea queen_, and one with no concern in her fortunes. it was late afternoon when i got to the quay to take a boat to the yacht; for, as i calculated, that would leave me a full hour to the time appointed for sailing. judge, then, of my amazement when i saw her standing out, the smoke-wrack flying abaft, and trudging steadily for the mouth of the harbour. i stood there, i think, fully three minutes before i moved or took action, but during that space of time i had jumped at the conclusion. i was not wanted aboard. was it day? no; the idea was absurd, as he was most meticulous in his observation of the conventions. it certainly was not the prince. the inference was only too obvious. the hour of sailing had been shifted. by whom? i sprang down to the foot of the quay, where one of the big two-decked harbour ferry-boats was lying. "is your steam up?" i shouted to a man on the bridge. "i want you to catch that yacht." he stared at me in astonishment, and shook his head. i shouted back again, and he replied in portuguese, i assume, of which tongue i am quite ignorant. i clambered aboard and made my way to him, by which time he had been joined by another man, with gold lace round his cap. i repeated my query in french, and the second man replied indolently. "it was impossible." "i will give you twenty pounds if you catch her," i said, and fumbled in my mind for some computation in their wretched currency. i do not know how many hundred thousand reis i mentioned, but it seemed to have some effect. both men stared after the yacht. i added several hundred thousand more reis, and they were plainly shaken. heaven knew why i should have been offering my poor money for the sake of prince frederic of hochburg. i did not stop to reason, but acted merely on impulse. the man with the gold band went to the speaking-tube and shouted down it. the other man began to give brisk orders in a small, thin voice. evidently my offer was accepted. i turned and looked out into the bay, and there was the _sea queen_, still steaming leisurely for the heads. when once the ferry-boat shook herself loose she made fair way. she champed and churned in a fussy manner, and the great steel crank in her middle began to thud in a terrifying manner. we had backed out, and were driving down the harbour at the rate of perhaps nine knots. was the _sea queen_ making more? it was impossible to judge at that distance. the yacht might have been a mile away, and if she were going as fast as we it would probably be impracticable to attract her attention for some time, until, at any rate, we were clear of the shipping. surely then the sight of a cumbrous ferry-boat beating down on an unwonted journey to the heads would draw their eyes and fill their speculations. we were three miles out twenty minutes after starting, and now it was obvious that we were not making ground, but losing. the trail of the smoke swept the water behind her, and her nose was plunging for the open sea. i was in despair. i shouted to the captain in the effort to get him to hoist signals, and at last one was found which suited the emergency. i have forgotten what it was, but it apparently signified that help was required immediately. but still the yacht held on, and the distance between us grew. it seemed that i was after all destined to be free of the fortunes of that ship, whatever they might be; and i stood by the captain of the ferry-boat with a feeling of defeat and helplessness, silent, and almost resigned. and then, by one of those strange ironies the solution came to me, came to me too just as mere selfish considerations were asserting themselves. i had thought of the prince and the conspirators if i had thought at all, certainly not of myself; and now came the reflection that i had pledged my last sovereign in the endeavour to catch the yacht, and that i was to be landed again in that foreign port penniless. was it under the stimulus of that thought that i recalled of a sudden the first appearance of the _sea queen_ in my life, and remembered the flash of the rocket? "have you any rockets?" i asked, turning abruptly round. the man stared, smiled deprecatingly, and shook his head. he addressed his mate in portuguese, and they held an animated conversation. finally he turned to me, and the mate went below. "there is one, he believes, monsieur," said the captain. "it was for saving life, but it is old." well, old or new, i was resolved to try it, and presently, when the mate appeared with a huge bomb in his hands, we set ourselves to work. the men by this time were interested, and we had the rocket rigged in a trice. the anxious moment was when we came to fire it. would it fizzle out. was the touch long gone? it resisted sullenly for some minutes, and then unexpectedly took the bit in its teeth, if i may put it that way, and bolted. in the summer evening sky was a great rush of light, and in my ears the hissing of a hundred serpents. then there was silence, and the light, describing its arc, vanished into the water ahead. i gazed anxiously, but it was not until ten minutes later that we were able to judge of the success of our venture. then the little captain touched me on the shoulder, beaming. he did not trust to his inadequate french, but pointed. i had already seen the _sea queen_ lay to. a quarter of an hour later i stepped aboard her, and the man who let down the gangway was holgate. "why, doctor, we thought you were in your cabin. a near shave!" said he. "pretty close," said i; "i thought the hour was six." "it was changed to five by captain's orders," he replied. "notice was sent duly." "it missed me," i answered cheerfully. "i wasn't at the hotel all the time." i passed him and met legrand, who stared at me. "it's not your ghost, doctor?" "no," i said in a lower voice. "but maybe it will come to ghosts yet." he stroked his short beard, and turned about. day, i found, was surveying me from the bridge in the most elegant suit of ducks. "now that you have arrived, dr. phillimore, perhaps we may be allowed to proceed," he said sarcastically. i made no reply, but went aft, where my adventures must be poured into lane's ears. barraclough looked me up and down in his cool, indifferent way. "come aboard, sir?" he said, with a grin. "yes," said i with a deliberate drawl. "it cost me just twenty-five pounds." "damned if i wouldn't sooner have stayed and had a good old time," said lane. "what's the use of a bally ship?" "oh," said i, "being a millionaire i can't tell. if i'd only thought of it, lane, i might have followed your advice." "didn't you get the notice?" asked pye. "no, i was enjoying myself, you see. i'm a careless fellow, but i'm a modest one also; and i've made too much of a sensation for my taste." "you're fond of sensations, my good sir," said sir john, with his abominable arrogance. "well, if you'll allow me, i'll shed all i can of this--that is, clothes," i replied calmly, and i went below. when i had had a bath and assumed my yachting costume, i came on deck again, only to meet day in a furious temper, as i could tell from his eyes. i explained the circumstances of my mishap, adding that i had not received my notice, which was no doubt my fault. "i certainly might have made more changes at rio than i did," he said maliciously, and passed by me. it was ungracious, but the man was not responsible. from the deck above, the face of mlle. trebizond peered down at me, smiling and handsome. "it was an adventure," she said in her english, showing her pretty teeth. "it was most exciting, doctor, to be chased by a pirate." "i'm glad you enjoyed it, mademoiselle," said i politely. "i take some credit to myself for the rocket." "oh, but it should have been dark--that would have been much better," said she. "come up and tell me all about it." after a momentary hesitation i obeyed, and when i reached the deck i found princess alix there. once more i explained my misadventure, and mlle. trebizond chatted and laughed in great good-humour. she had made many purchases, but complained of the shops. she could not get her favourite perfume, she protested, and wondered how people could live in such remote regions. then she tired of me, i suppose, and walked off, leaving me to the princess. her blue eyes, as cold as her brother's, flashed a question at me. "it was not an accident?" she said. "the notice, i find, was sent last night, after mr. morland had communicated with captain day. it should have reached me at the hotel early this morning. it didn't." "i see." she looked towards the forts at the mouth of the harbour, which we were then passing. "i am glad you did your duty in rejoining the yacht," she said next. i think i was between amusement and irritation at her words, for, after all, i considered that it was not a time to talk of duty when i had been the victim of a trick, and had, after my own poor fashion, paid so heavily for it. i might even have looked for a sentence of thanks for my zeal. but the princess was a princess still, despite that she was also miss morland and the sister of a man who had thrown away all to contract a morganatic marriage. but amusement got the upper hand. i smiled. "oh, we english have usually a severe sense of duty," i replied, "at least, when it comes to a pinch. on the other hand, of course, we lack discipline." she glanced at me, and, with a little bow, moved away. i was dismissed. the yacht was pointed now for buenos ayres, at which port it was clear that, for reasons of his own, prince frederic was anxious to arrive. it was not until the second evening, however, that anything of importance occurred. but that was of considerable importance, as you shall see. i had occasion to pay a visit to the stoke-hole, where one of the men had injured his hand, and i had finished my work and was mounting the grubby wire ladder, when a fireman passed me with averted face. i hardly glanced at him, and certainly did not pause the least fraction of a second; but to the half-glance succeeded a shock. the nerves, i suppose, took a perceptible instant of time to convey the recognition to the brain; but, despite the grime on his face and the change in his appearance, i could not be mistaken. it was pierce, the discharged boatswain. here was news indeed! pierce, of whom day thought he had got rid in rio, was employed as stoker on the yacht. how came he there? this bespoke treachery again. and now i began to get some notion of how vast and subtle was the web of the conspiracy. it could not be that only a few men were concerned in it. holgate had been right. how many hands could we depend on? who put pierce in his present situation? i went on deck in a fume of wonder and excitement. plainly something was hatching, and probably that very moment. if fierce thought i had recognised him it would doubtless precipitate the plans of the villains. there was no time to be lost, and so, first of all, i went--whither do you suppose? to see the princess. she received me in her boudoir, where she was reclining in an evening gown that fitted her beautiful figure closely, and she rose in astonishment. but at once her eyes lighted. "you have something to tell me?" she inquired. "yes," said i. "the man who was dismissed is still on board. he is acting as stoker." she compressed her lips and eyed me. "that spells, madam, business," said i. "what is to be done?" she asked quietly, but i could see her bosom moving with excitement. "i have come to you first because it is you who must prepare the prince and persuade him of the crisis. i will go to the captain with my tale, and heaven knows how i shall be received. it is the prince who must act." "yes--yes," she said quickly. "go at once. i will find my brother." day was in his cabin, and, knocking, i entered without waiting for permission. i found him with his arm bared and a syringe in his hand. he stared at me and scowled. "there is no time for words, sir," said i. "pierce is on board, and there is danger. there will probably be a rising to-night." he threw the syringe down. "i'm very glad to hear it," he declared, in even tones. "take that away, doctor. where's sir john barraclough?" i told him that he was on the bridge. "send mr. legrand to me, and----" he broke off. "but how do you know?" he asked suspiciously. "it is not a case of knowledge. it is a case for preparation," he said. "if we have the arms distributed----" i was interrupted by a sharp report from below. day ran out in his pyjamas, and i followed. we heard barraclough's voice from the bridge, raised angrily. "go back there, man; get back, gray." it was a pitch black night, save for the glittering stars, and i could only make out a knot of men at the head of the ladder leading from the lower deck. "what the devil do you mean?" shouted barraclough; and then all of a sudden the knot of men opened in a struggle, and a man burst through and dashed towards us, falling at my feet. "for god's sake, sir," he panted out. "they've seized the engine-room, and mr. mccrae's shot. 'twas pierce done it." i recognised by his voice grant, one of the deck-hands, and i helped him to his feet. "who's in this?" i asked; but before he could reply the gang of men approached nearer, and some one spoke from their midst. it was holgate. "captain day, i regret to state that the men are not satisfied with the way things are being conducted," he said, in a level voice. "they are not satisfied with their pay, for one thing, and there are other matters. no harm is intended, but they have decided that i am to take your place, and for the present you are to consider yourselves prisoners--particularly the doctor," he added. the offensive assurance of the man made me boil, but on day it seemed to have a curiously astringent effect. "so, mr. holgate, there has been a council of war," he said quietly, even drily, "and you are to step into my shoes. i will give you three minutes to retire from the deck. go back! i tell you, do you hear, men? go back!" his acrid voice rang out thinly, but barraclough above shouted hoarsely: "good god, can't you do something to them?" at this moment i was aware of noises on the promenade deck, and, looking up, saw the prince's figure outlined dimly against the stars. "you have your orders," he called out in his deep voice. "go back to your quarters." there was a pause, and then the silence was broken by a shot, and one of the men fell. a second report rang out, and a curse rose on the air. a third followed, and the men turned and retreated. from the hurricane deck came still another shot, and they tumbled down the ladder pell-mell. the prince was shooting as calmly as at so many partridges. i ran down stairs and fetched my revolver, and when i returned i could hear no sound from the lower deck. barraclough met me at the door of the saloon. "there's not a pound of steam on her," he said. "the brutes have shut off the valves." "let her go," said i. "we have something more important on our hands. they'll be here again. the prince took them by surprise. no english captain would have used his weapons so." "no, by heaven," he exclaimed. "this makes it a question of----" he paused. mr. legrand came running along the deck. "we've got it now," he said. "oh, we've got all we want now." "look here," said i. "is ellison with you? i'm sure he's not in this?" "yes," said barraclough. "well, post him at the ladder, and here's grant. let's find out how we stand." "it'll be hot work to-night," said legrand. day's voice came to us from his cabin door: "sir john barraclough, be good enough to place all the men you can trust on guard, with orders to fire in case of necessity. i shall be obliged for your company and that of the officers in my cabin." we had four men, including ellison, on the deck, and there was also the man at the wheel, who had not quitted his place through all these events. one could surely rely upon a man with such a sense of duty; so, having made such dispositions as were possible, barraclough followed us to the captain. the ladies, i hoped, were safe in their cabins, as i had heard no sound of them. day was brief and businesslike. "dr. phillimore was right," said he. "i ask his pardon. we must see how many men we have. there is mr. lane and mr. pye. where is mr. pye?" "i am here, sir," said the little clerk from the back. "that makes, including mr. morland, twelve men to depend on, so far as we know--if, that is," he added almost with a sneer, "we can depend on them." "grant may know more," said legrand. "bring him," said day, and opened the door to the prince. prince frederic was cool and collected, and showed little to mark the disturbance and bloodshed of the last quarter of an hour--little, unless it were in the increased blue of his eyes, which shone frostily. "have you all your men, captain?" he remarked in his determined german way, quite free of vivacity. "we are sure of twelve," said day, "and we are trying to find out about the others, so as to separate sheep and goats." but here was grant arrived, blood on his face, and a brisk air of savagery about him. "grant, who are the mutineers?" said the captain. "couldn't speak to 'em all, sir," said the man. "i knew nothing of it till half an hour ago, when i ran into them, and they seized me. there was gray and pierce and mr. holgate and granger, and half a dozen in the lot that took me." "do you mean to say that you had no inkling of this?" said day, with asperity. "i'll take god to witness, no, sir," said the man earnestly, "and i'll take my oath williams and naylor hadn't neither." "that makes two more," said the prince, nodding. "but where are they?" grant looked over his shoulder in the direction which would indicate the forecastle. "if they're not here, sir, your highness," he said hesitatingly, "i don't know where they are. the stokers is all joined, i heard 'em say." "good lord, they've made a clean sweep," said barraclough, with a laugh. "and what's this about mccrae?" "mr. mccrae was shot at the first, sir, in seizing the engines." "and they've fetched her pretty nigh to a standstill," growled the first officer. "phew! no, there she goes," he exclaimed, as the screw began to bump. "they've picked her up. that'll be crossley. he's with them, confound him." "then that leaves twelve," said the purser, "and forty-odd t'other side. oh!" he whistled, "this makes swank, don't it?" "silence, mr. lane," commanded the captain. "we must first of all be on our guard, armed; and, secondly, see if we are in a position to add to our numbers. but we have the deck, which can only be reached one way. the stewards, mr. lane?" he asked quickly. "i'll answer for the three, and the cuisine," declared the purser boldly. "i'll go bail on them. i've known jackson on other voyages. i engaged 'em myself." "then who the devil engaged the others, i'd like to know?" asked day, in his old irritable tone; at which, to the astonishment of all, a small voice broke the silence. "i did, sir." we all wheeled round. it was pye. the little man fixed his gold glasses on his nose with two fingers in his nervous way, and blinked through them at us, unruffled as a cock-sparrow that yet had doubts. "he, by heaven!" whispered legrand to me, with infinite scorn. "he chose 'em!" "and i regret to find, sir," pursued pye, "that some of them have gone wrong. i feel myself in a way responsible." "it all comes of putting things in the hands of lawyers," said lane, with innocent recklessness. day looked down his nose. "well, mr. pye," he said drily, "we'll try to forgive you. you fell in with the wrong crowd. if i had known----" he paused. "the question is, how are we to get in touch with the faithful men who may be in the forecastle?" "if you will allow me, sir, i will venture into the forecastle and find out," said pye, with a restrained sense of importance. "you!" cried day in amazement, and there was a general burst of laughter, except on the part of the prince, who was eyeing pye severely, and on the part of myself, who did not see anything for ridicule in the unexpected courage of a timid man. "i feel in a way responsible," repeated pye; but his protest was feeble in effort, for day put him curtly aside. "i fear you will not do, sir," said he. "but i will, captain," i called out. the prince's eyes came over to me, leaving pye. he nodded and addressed day in an undertone. "my dear sir, they've marked you out first and foremost," said barraclough. "i'll back the doctor," declared lane excitedly. "oh, i go only in the mission of humanity," i replied. "mccrae may not be dead. no one knows. and, what's more, the mutineers have two or three cripples on their hands. they won't lay a hand on me at present." "that's true, dr. phillimore," remarked day. "well, if you have weighed the risks i will not prevent you. it is essential we should know something more. it will come to blows again, and that without notice. mr. morland," he hesitated, "wishes me to express his thanks for your offer." "in that case," said i, acknowledging the compliment with a bow, "i may as well take time by the forelock," and nodding to legrand, i slipped out on the deck. chapter viii the capture of the bridge i walked through the darkness to the head of the ladder, where ellison was on watch. "any news?" i asked the quartermaster. "no, sir; all quiet," he answered, and as i made to go down he cried out, "where are you going, sir? don't do that. you can't go there." "it's all right," i answered. "keep your eyes open. nothing will happen to me. and don't be lured from the staircase, whatever occurs; and here, take my revolver. i'm on a mission of peace." i slipped down the ladder and found myself in the gloom of the orlop deck. a lantern was hanging in the shrouds and i had not reached it before i was challenged. "it's the doctor, gray," said i, recognising his voice, "and come no earlier than you want him, i'll wager. there's more than one of you has got his gruel, i'm thinking." he came into the light. "are you armed, doctor?" said he. "you can feel," said i, and he clapped his hands down my pockets. "well, i don't know," he said, in a hesitating way. "it's true enough. davenport's dead as mutton, and stephenson and coyne are down in their bunks. but it's mr. holgate commands here. i'll call him." he went forward and whistled, and presently two other men approached, one of whom i saw was holgate by his rolling form. "glad to see you, doctor," he said cheerfully. "i was hoping to be honoured by a visit, but, hang me! if i expected it. come along now, and let's get some light on the case." he led the way into the forecastle quarters, and emerged into the room in which the hands had their meals, which was lit by electricity, as were all the cabins and saloons of the _sea queen_. "these digs are not what i'm accustomed to, doctor," he said, taking a seat. "i'm frank, you see; but of course i retire only to jump better. isn't that how it goes? we jumped too soon, you see; and that was you. if it had not been for that fool pierce! twice the essential ass played into your hands. you were pretty smart, though i gave you a lead. there i was the fool." "well, mr. holgate, as between man and man, you were," i said. he laughed. "oh, it will work out all right, but it makes it bloody. now, there was no need of blood in this little job, not if it had been rightly managed, and i'll take blame for that. no, you were my mistake." he looked at me in his tense unblinking way, as if he would have torn out of me on that instant what i thought and what i really was. "i shall not be your last," i said indifferently. "have a drink," he said. "we've got some good champagne, all under lock and key, you bet, my son. that's not going to be my mistake, at any rate. i've not lived forty years for nothing. i'm going to pull this off." "thank you," said i. "but it's business i've come on." "business and 'the boy' go together in the city, i've heard," he answered. "well, is it terms you want?" "oh, dear, no," i replied. "only an affair of mercy. you've got two wounded men, and there's mccrae." he looked down for a moment. "mccrae was another mistake, but not mine," he said. "you can't do any good to mccrae. but you can see the others, if you will. not that that's what you've come for. shall i tell you what, doctor? you've come like the gentlemen who went to the holy land, and came back carrying grapes, eh? i remember the picture when i was a boy--a precious huge bunch, too. well, you can have the grapes if you'll take 'em in a liquefied form, and carry them in your belly." i rose. "i'll see these men," i said abruptly. he led me to the bunks, and i examined the wounded men. one was beyond hope; the other was but slightly injured; and i told holgate the truth. he nodded. "i don't much want coyne," he said musingly. "i've no use for him. he's a bungler." the cold-blooded way in which he delivered this heartless criticism raised in me a feeling of nausea. i was moving away when he stopped me. "stay; you're not going back empty-handed, doctor, after all your kindness. any one you'd like to see?" i thought. "yes," said i. "naylor or williams." holgate moved out, and lifted the hatch. "naylor!" he called. "granger, let naylor up." he turned to me. "we don't starve 'em. it's pretty comfortable 'tween decks when you're used to it." i made no reply, and presently a voice hailed us from below. "is that naylor?" asked holgate. "yes." "naylor, here is the doctor inquiring after your health. any questions he puts to you you are at liberty to reply to." he moved away whistling cheerfully, and i called out, "naylor, i only want to know one thing. how many of you are there?" "six, sir," said the man. "all under hatch?" "yes, sir." "very well; keep up your hearts. this is not the end. good-night." i went to holgate. "really," said i lightly, "i find there are more honest men in this ship than i had anticipated." i don't think he liked that. "you've got twelve," he said drily. "and there's more than thirty with us." "you forget one thing," i said. "we have the wheel, and to-morrow you may find yourselves steaming cheerfully up the river to buenos ayres, like any good liner." "that would be a pity, wouldn't it?" he said with a grin. "but you also forget one thing doctor--that is, i've got the engines. supposing those engines stopped?" "well, we can get a press of canvas on her," i suggested. "great heavens!" says he. "can you? what are we doing?" "i think," said i, "that we have a good marksman on board." "you're right," he said savagely, "and, by thunder, i won't forgive him for that. i had meant---- by thunder, i'll play old harry and merry hades to him for that. lord, doctor!" he added with a sneer, "to think of you sucking up to a potty prince! or perhaps it's the ladies." "yes; i hope you remember the ladies," said i. "it's not too late, holgate." he was silent a moment. "i take no stock in women," he said at length. "they're nothing to me. let the little innocent birds go free. i'll tell you what, doctor. i'll offer terms, and generous terms, considering i've got the trumps. i'll drop the whole pack of you at the mouth of the river, ladies and all, and add all personal possessions of every one save what's in the prince's safes. now that's fair. i'll make you ambassador. by gad, it will be the only chance you will ever have of being a prince's ambassador." he laughed. "holgate," said i, "i've met many generous men, but you appropriate the gingerbread, as you might say. now i wish you good-night." he advanced two steps towards me. "doctor," said he gravely, "you've got to consider this. it's important. i'm not here to play marbles. it's a sure thing. i give you up there"--he made a movement of his thumb to the quarterdeck--"just this chance. strike a bargain and i'll see you through. there's not a hap'orth of harm will come to any. otherwise----" he shrugged his shoulders. "mr. holgate," said i, "i will deal with you as frankly as you seem to desire. this spells for you, in my opinion one thing, and that's the dock." "oh, dear, no," he interrupted, smiling. "the men were discontented, despatched a deputation, and were fired on by the prince. english juries don't like these arbitrary german military ways." "you forget mccrae," said i. "no, i don't. there was an accident in the engine-room, and the second engineer can bear witness to it, as well as some others. oh, we stand very well, doctor." even as he spoke i saw a shadow steal out of the deeper darkness and draw to his side. i made it out for pierce, the murderer. i will say that that interruption of the ruffianly boatswain turned unexpectedly the course of my blood. i had seemed somehow to have been dealing with holgate, as a scoundrel, certainly, yet upon terms of fair warfare. but that shadow struck us all down to a lower level. murder had been committed, and here was the murderer. without one word i turned and made my way towards the ladder communicating with the upper deck. i had no good news to offer to my comrades; indeed, had i spoken quite what was in my thoughts, it was a black prospect with which i must present them. but i did not wish to increase the tension of the situation, and merely recounted the facts i had gathered. "thirty against twelve," mused day, "and there are six true men in the hold. three head men. we have opened well, gentlemen." he looked round sarcastically as he spoke, but at once returned to his colder formal manner. "they have the engine-room and we the bridge. that means that their attack will be on the bridge." "i have no doubt that is what they mean," i said. "very well, gentlemen," said day. "we know exactly where we are now, thanks to dr. phillimore. you have your stations. i shall be obliged if you will take them. we are likely to have a lively night." "and let me say, gentlemen," said the prince, raising his voice, "that i do not conceive it possible that a pack of mutineers can secure the control of their ship from their officers. it is inconceivable, i repeat. i shall be at your disposal, captain," he turned to day, "when it is necessary. i will take my share in the common danger and struggle." there was a murmur of applause at this, and we dispersed to our quarters. legrand had the bridge, and the man at the wheel was turning the spokes as calmly as if there had been no such thing as an alarm or a rising. down below all was quiet, and the engines were moving slowly. it was now about one in the morning, and on our beams the wind was rising. the yacht was making about eight knots and no more, and we were still a day's steam from buenos ayres. i paced the deck in cover of the chart-house for an hour or more in a condition of nervous impatience. holgate, i knew, would move deliberately, but when he moved this time he would strike hard. it was towards the dawn that, stopping in my walk, i listened, and heard amid the whistling of the wind and the wash of the water a little mutter of sound somewhere in the disintegrating darkness below. i called to legrand under my breath, and i heard his "hist." he was at attention, his ears straining in the wind to get news of what was passing. then there was a shot, and the noise of a _mêlée_ at the ladder. oaths and shouts and the reports of revolvers echoed from the wooden walls. "can you see, phillimore?" screamed legrand against the wind. "they are attacking the gangway," i shouted back. one of the two men who stood armed near me rushed forward. "go back, go back," thundered legrand from the bridge. "go to your post." i was aware that the prince had come out on the hurricane deck, which was on the level of the bridge, and as i peered into the gloom, suddenly a shout from the second man in my neighbourhood made me wheel sharply about. i turned in time to see him fire at some figures that came over the port side of the yacht. immediately i guessed that this was the real attack, and that the assault on the ladder was but a diversion, i ran forward, calling to legrand, i found barraclough on the other side of the deck-houses, using a cutlass, and i moved to his assistance. three men had reached the deck, and a fourth was clambering over. the seaman who had called out fired wide, and the next moment went down under a heavy blow from the figure in front. i discharged a shot, but missed the man as he made his rush. barraclough simultaneously gave way, and i saw him being pushed backwards against the side of the saloon. i fired again at one of his assailants, who fell away with a curse, and just then the first flush of the coming dawn moved over the waters, and shed a little light on the scene. it disclosed the burly form of holgate in grips with legrand, who had descended from the bridge, and barraclough still struggling with his opponent. i had just time to make this out when one of the mutineers struck at me with a heavy bar, and the blow, owing to a movement on my part, fell on my right arm and paralysed it. he raised his weapon again while i fumbled to get the revolver out of my useless hand into my left, when day suddenly emerged from somewhere with a levelled pistol. my antagonist dropped like a log. day fired again, and then with an oath holgate threw the second officer heavily to the deck, and pointed a revolver. there was a pause of two seconds, then a report, and day slipped, moved his arms helplessly, and slid along the deck. a shout now came from the other side of the ship where the struggle at the gangway had been going on; and in a moment a stampede was upon us. i was forced back by sheer weight of numbers to the head of the companion-way, using my weapon with some wildness, for all was passing before me in confusion. i had received a hard crack on the head and scarcely knew what i was doing, but was merely sustained in my resistance by a sense of continuity, inherited, as it were, from the earlier part of the struggle. somehow i found myself in the shelter of the corridor that led to the apartments of the prince, his sister and his guest, and, for some reason i could not with my dizzy head conjecture, i was alone. i looked down the corridor, which was in gentle light, but saw nothing; it was as silent as though it had been plunged in the profound peace and slumber of the night. without, the racket of noises reached me as in a dream, and i remember that i sat down on a couch in the corridor, my empty revolver in my hand. what ensued or how long i sat there i do not know; but i think it could not have been very long. i was aroused by a voice, and looked up stupidly. a face floated in the mists before me, and i nodded in a friendly way, smiling, and opened my mouth to speak. instead i lurched forward and was conscious of warm arms, the soft pressure of a human body, and the fragrance of a dress. there was a time when i seemed to sway alone in a cold and dreary vacancy, but soon there returned to my senses the warmth and the fragrance and the ineffable comfort of some presence. some liquid was forced between my lips, and i drank; and as i drank my brain cleared, and i looked and was aware who was supporting me with her arm. it was princess alix. "madam----" i began stuttering. "hush! drink this," she said quickly. "we have need of you. we cannot spare a man like you. you have no dangerous wound?" "i think not," i said with difficulty. "a blow on the head----" my hand went feebly to it as i spoke, and came away with a patch of red. i rose and totteringly picked up my revolver, which had fallen. "what has happened?" she shook her head. "i was up in the hurricane-deck, but my brother sent me down. there is nothing to be heard. i was going out when i found you here." "it is good of you," i said vaguely. "let us go out, then. take this weapon." "i have one," said she quickly. i nodded. "brave girl!" said i gravely. "brave heart, as brave as beautiful!" i felt vaguely i was paying her a necessary compliment, but that was all. yet the corridor was clearing before me now, and the light of dawn was filtering through the curtained windows. princess alix had turned to the door which gave on the deck. "if they have won," she said suddenly in a low voice, "why have they not come here?" i shook my head. "they do not want the saloon. they want other things," said i. "they want the strongrooms." "then are they----?" she began. "i cannot tell," said i. "i will go out." "no," she said imperatively. "wait." of a sudden a voice was raised in a scream from the farther end of the corridor. "it is mademoiselle," said she, with a little frown. "she is impatient of my return. i must go back." she glided off swiftly, and i stood by the door waiting for some moments. as she did not return, i opened it softly, and the strong wind off the morning sea took me in the face, refreshing me. i stepped out upon the deck. the sky was as grey as the sea, and the silhouette of the spars and funnel was ghost-like. the _sea queen_ thundered on her course, heeling to the broad wash of the water. as i stood watching, my ears alert for any sound that would give me information, i saw a figure detach itself from the bulwarks and move uncertainly about, and as it drew near i discovered it was pye's. his face was of a colour with the gray steel of his revolver, which he held loosely, as if he was not aware he held it. "oh, my god!" he said in a hoarse whisper. "oh, my god! i didn't know it was like this. oh, my god!" "pye!" i called softly; and he started and dropped his pistol. "pick it up, man, and keep silence," i whispered. "come this way." i took his arm and stealthily withdrew him into the corridor. "what has happened?" he gazed at me wildly. "they've got the ship," he said with a whisper. "oh, i didn't know it would be like this." i gave him a dose of the brandy which the princess had brought for me, and it seemed to pull him together. he blinked at me through his glasses, and eyed me with some terror and distrust. "do you know how things stand?" i asked. he shook his head. "the captain's killed," he said falteringly. "i don't know about the others." "we've got to find out," i said, and thought. then, for i saw he would be of little use to me in his present state, i said, "look here, pye, i'm going to explore, while you keep this door. mind you let no one in. we'll bolt it, see." i did so as i spoke, and turning found the princess coming down the corridor. i explained to her the situation, and added that pye would be placed on guard. she cast a glance at him, and looked at me inquiringly. "i'm going down to the saloon below," i said. "this set of cabins is isolated, except for the doors at each end to the deck and the door that gives on the staircase to the saloon. can i depend on you to hold out for five minutes? a shout will bring me up at a moment's notice." "yes," she said breathlessly. i opened the second door that admitted to the staircase and glanced down. no one was visible, and no sound was audible. i turned, nodded reassuringly to the princess, and descended. the saloon was empty, and there were no signs of any struggle. i passed along the passage towards the officers' quarters, but everything was in order; and finally retraced my way towards the kitchens, which abutted on the engine-room, but were separated from it by a thick partition of steel and wood. as i went, the yacht rolled and sent me against a closed door with a heavy bump. from within issued a sound, subdued but unmistakable as that of a human voice. i reflected that the mutineers would not be here, for it was evident that the door was locked, and no mutineer would secure himself in a cabin in the midst of his triumph. i rapped loudly on the door and called out: "it's phillimore. who is in here?" after a pause i heard the bolt go back and the door opened a little, disclosing the face of lane. "you, doctor?" he said. "thank the lord we're not all done yet." he flung the door wide, and i could see now that his companion was the head steward. "where's the prince?" i asked anxiously. "i don't know," he said, heaving a big sigh. "thank the lord there's some one else alive. i was forced down the companion and fell. lost my weapon, too, or i'd 'a' showed more fight. great scott, i rolled all the way down, not before i'd done for one or two, i tell you." "well, you're wanted upstairs now," said i, "both of you. we've got the ladies on our hands, and we've got to find out where the prince is. day is dead." lane whistled. "poor beggar!" he observed. "but jackson must stay here. this is our magazine, my boy--where the grub is. if we've got to stand a siege we've got to seize the grub-chest. the storage chamber's along here." the advice seemed excellent. "yes," i answered, "that is true. well, let jackson wait here and lie low. he won't be discovered here." "i dare say the cook's somewhere hidden about here, sir," observed jackson. "all the better. find him if you can. and remember that, if we pull through, this means a big business for you, jackson, and cook, too." "yes, sir," he assented mildly. "now, then, lane," i went on, and the purser followed me into the saloon. we mounted the staircase, and i took the chance of closing the doors at the head that gave access to the deck. then i rapped on the door that gave on the prince's corridor. it was opened by the princess eagerly. "we are two more, miss morland," i said cheerfully, "and here is one of them." "but my brother!" she cried out. "i've not discovered his whereabouts yet," i said evasively. "do you think that he's----" she did not finish. "not a bit of it," i said, as decidedly as i could, for, to tell the truth, i had my grave doubts. "i have unearthed mr. lane and the steward. why shouldn't i unearth mr. morland, too?" yet, if the others were alive, why was the yacht so quiet? she sighed, and then looked over at the couch on which pye sat huddled. "that man's no use," she said contemptuously. "he's been doing nothing but drink brandy." lane crossed over to him. "the beggar's drunk," said he in disdain. "then you must hold one door and miss morland the other," said i. "but you----" she paused. "i am going on another expedition. you must let me out and in. two knocks will warn you." so saying, i slipped the bolt and got out on deck. from the appearance of the sky i judged that it was only half an hour since i had found myself in the corridor. it was light enough to make out things fairly well, and now i could discern on the bridge the portly form of holgate struck with this light. the figure of a man was visible a little in front of me by the chart-house. i heard holgate's voice raised wheezily in orders, and the replies of the men came back to me inarticulately. as i crouched under the shelter of the cabins on the lee side i became aware of a faint but continuous line just over the bulwarks, and then the explanation of the mysterious silence on the yacht dawned on me. it was the coast line, from which we could not be more than a couple of miles away, and in the confusion of the fight, no doubt, the _sea queen_ had lost her course and been driven inshore. it had, therefore, become imperative for holgate to devote his attention and the activities of his men to the danger that threatened, more particularly as the heavy wind had threshed itself into a gale abeam. now at this juncture i must confess that i was entirely at a loss. i could not move a foot across the deck without being discovered, since it was merely the fact that i was in the lee of the cabins and in the deeper shadows of the dawn that enabled me to skulk where i was. yet i was reluctant to go back without having carried the search a stage further. it was obvious from the calm which reigned among the mutineers that the prince and his following were either dead or prisoners. which had been their fate? the shadow of the man in front of me, scarcely a dozen paces away, turned and stopped and seemed to put his ear to the woodwork. it must be (i reflected) the chart-house door by which he stood. what was he listening for? was it possible that some of our men were shut up in the chart-house? i shuffled a step or two nearer and watched him. he was fully armed, for i could make out a weapon in his hand, and he had something by his side, probably a cutlass. it was probable that he was placed guard over the prisoners. i drew two steps closer still. holgate's voice still painfully dominated the wind and water, and i ventured yet a pace nearer. did he turn now the man must see me, for i was in the gray light of the dawn, a deeper shadow than the wooden walls by which i lurked. my hands twitched, and i almost seemed to have sprung before i did spring. then i knew i was on his back and had a leg twisted about his legs. he fell heavily, and i thrust a hand across his mouth. he struggled hard, writhing upon the deck under the weight of my body like a snake, and a choking sputter issued from his throat. hastily i dragged a handkerchief from my pocket and pushed it into his mouth. the struggling increased. i glanced up and found that we had fallen under the door of the chart-house; also in that same glance i observed that the key was in it. no doubt it had been turned on the outside. i reached up a hand, but missed the key by a few inches. the endeavour had loosened my hold of my prisoner, and i was flung against the door with a thud; but i hurled myself upon him again just in time to prevent him from withdrawing the gag. in the struggle which ensued i managed to push him a little closer under the door, and then, with a desperate effort, stretched out and turned the key. i was fumbling for the handle when the man once again evicted me from the possession of his body, and i fell in a heap, jamming the door, which opened outwards. but on that i was aware that my back was being jarred and scored, and the next instant i was tumbled over at the foot of the mutineer, who had got on his legs at last. the door was thrust open with a noise, and men issued from it, stepping over my body. "it is i--phillimore," i gasped. "run for the cabins." some one helped me to my feet, and i saw the mutineer drop with a sword point through him; and then we ran, i between two of the others, one of whom i was conscious was ellison. a shout sailed down to us from the bridge, and there was the noise of a revolver shot, but luckily it missed us, and we gained the companion-way in safety, locked and barred the door, and knocked on the entrance to the corridor. lane opened it. "his royal highness, by gum!" he cried excitedly, and for the first time i was able to recognise my companions. the prince was there, safe and scathless, and with him barraclough, ellison, and a fourth man, who was grant. princess alix rushed on her brother, and was taken to his arms. he kissed her affectionately. "yvonne?" he said. "she is safe," said the princess, withdrawing herself. "she it safe, dear, but frightened." she spoke in german, and he nodded. "ah, she would be frightened. it is no woman's work this, alix. we must be tender with her." "we have done our best," she replied, i thought a little coldly; and at that a door down the corridor opened, and mademoiselle herself appeared. "frederic!" she cried ecstatically, and hastened towards us with graceful movements. "ah, frederic, it is cruel to leave me so. i wish i were back in paris. oh, _mon dieu!_ what a voyage, what a ship!" as they embraced i turned my head away, for this reunion of lovers was no sight for public eyes, and as i did so i swept the princess in my vision. her face had fallen dead and chill, and i thought that a little curl of her lips betrayed some impatience with these demonstrations. meanwhile barraclough was narrating in his deliberate way the adventures of the party; but i cut him short, only asking one question: "where is legrand?" "they took him up and carried him forward, but i couldn't say if he were dead." "we have no time to lose," i said. "they may attack at any moment, and we have too much space to defend for comfort." "why, we can manage this well enough," said he easily. "and be starved," said i. "no; we must keep the access to the saloon and the kitchens, and that means precautions. look at the windows through which we may be approached." "dr. phillimore is right," said the prince in his deep voice. "we must guard the windows." "we must close them," said i. "grant, you can use tools. ellison, you and grant do what you can. there is plenty of woodwork to draw on--doors and trappings in the cabins. the portholes are useless to the mutineers, but they can enter by the skylights or the windows. they must be all barred. we are in a state of siege." "you hear your orders," said the prince in his imperious voice. "the doctor speaks sense. see that it is done." barraclough and lane and the prince himself were left on guard, and the rest of us sallied down to hunt for tools and timber to carry out this primitive fortification. in this we had the assistance of the steward, jackson, and the cook, who had been discovered in one of his pantries. the work took us a full hour or more, but at last it was decently accomplished. the windows of the saloon and music-room that gave on the deck were shuttered, as also the windows of the cabins. nothing but the skylights remained unprotected, and these we could trust ourselves to guard. i reckoned that we were in a position to stand a siege indefinitely, unless something untoward occurred. the fortifications completed, we stationed our guards, two in the corridor, two in the saloon, and sat down at last, wearied out with the fatigue of that abominable night. chapter ix the flag of truce we were not interrupted during all this time, and from the sound of the screw we could tell that the yacht was still ploughing her way, but clearly it was not now for buenos ayres. at six we took some food prepared by the cook, and considered the position with more equanimity. counting the cook, who had not been reckoned in our previous numbering, we were now reduced to a party of ten men, if pye could be accounted a man after his cowardly behaviour. there were six sailors in the hold at present useless, and the mutineers, even after their losses, were not far short of thirty. of legrand we knew nothing, but could only hope for the best. so long as we could hold the saloon we had plenty of food and water, and our stock of ammunition was ample. the outlook did not appear so bad. only on the other side we had to remember that holgate had the ship and could go whither he wished. even if coal failed him he had the auxiliary power of the sails. our main hope was to hold out until his provisions should be exhausted and he should be obliged to put into some port. then would come the hour of reckoning, for we were probably better supplied with provisions than was the forecastle. the ladies breakfasted in their cabins, but the prince was present at our common table, showing a right democratic attitude. "we are all in a common peril, gentlemen," he said with spirit. "we must not make differences. but there must be discipline," he added. there was, therefore, a certain _camaraderie_ reigning which had been foreign to the yacht before, and lane gave way to his native garrulity, enlivening the table by some anecdotes, at which even barraclough condescended to smile. "my hat!" cried the purser suddenly, slapping his flank. "they've not got what they fought for, and we've none of us thought of it." there was a pause. it was true, none of us had thought of it; we had been too busy thinking of other things. "are you sure?" said i. lane rose. "let's go and see," said he. "but i've all the keys, and i'll swear no one came down in the neighbourhood of the strong-room while i was there." we trooped down, prince and all, and it was as the purser had said. the safes were untouched. barraclough elevated his eyebrows. "the fools!" he commented. "well, it doesn't seem to me quite that," said i slowly. "it only looks as if holgate was certain." "what do you mean?" he asked, and they all looked at me. "why, if he did not take the trouble to touch this, he cannot be in a hurry. i never came upon a man with a cooler head. he's not in a hurry, that's a fact. it's been deliberate all through, from the very moment we left the thames." we looked at each other now. "jerusalem!" said lane. "what a savage! he's made sure of us, then." "he can wait his time," i said. "he has waited, and can wait longer. the ship's in his hands." "you take a gloomy view, sir," observed the prince with a frown. "well, mr. morland," i replied drily. "i don't think we're here to glaze matters over. we've got to face things, and one of these things is that holgate hasn't worried us since he got possession. how are you going to account for that, save on my hypothesis?" "they shall be hanged--every one," he exclaimed angrily, the german accent emerging roughly now. "well, we'll do our best, sir," i replied lightly. i shut the strong-room door, and lane locked it; and, as i turned, i saw the white face of pye in the background. he had been missing from breakfast, and he looked very sickly, very pale, and very much abashed. the prince noticed him, too, and addressed him sharply. "why are you here, sir? what do you mean by leaving your quarters? i will have discipline kept on this ship." "i have no quarters," pleaded pye humbly. "i was feeling sick, and lay down in my bunk." "you shall get to your quarters now, sir," declared the prince severely. "sir john, order this man to his post." the little man was so downcast, and was obviously so unwell, that i took pity on him, and cheered him as he went upstairs. "never mind, pye," i said. "we'll pull through." he shook his head. "ah, it isn't that," he said. "but i disgraced myself, doctor. i'm not built that way. it was awful--awful." he shuddered. "yes, we'll get our little tum-tums full of it now, i guess," remarked lane cheerfully. "you freeze on to your barker, boy. you'll need it before we fetch up at albert docks again. it's execution docks for some of us, i'll lay. have a cigar, doctor?" i accepted, but pye refused, turning a sallow hue. his nerves had not yet recovered, and he had certainly drunk a good deal of brandy. ellison and jackson were on watch below, and when we reached the corridor grant signalled us in a whisper from his peep-hole. "some one coming along this way, sir." barraclough sprang to his side. "by heaven, it's holgate, damn him," he said, "with a flag of truce." "open that door," said the prince evenly. grant turned the key and drew the bolt, and the door fell ajar. holgate's big form was stationed before it, and he waved a flag. "a truce, gentlemen," he said wheezily. i looked at the prince and barraclough for the answer, and to my amazement saw that the former had his revolver at the level. his finger was on the trigger. i leaped forward and struck it up, and the bullet buried itself in the walls of the cabin. "what do you mean, sir?" he thundered, turning on me savagely. "how dare you?" "mr. morland," said i. "you spoke of discipline a little ago. well, how do you keep it?" "this is my ship," he said furiously. "yes," said i, "and it is in the charge of sir john barraclough here, who will tell you, perhaps, that it is against the laws of equity, not to say common sense, to fire on a flag of truce." sir john looked uneasy. "the doctor is right, sir," he said. "we ought to hear what he's got to say." "he is a villainous murderer. i will see that they are hanged," said the prince, with a scowl at me. but he let his arm fall. behind him i could see the princess, but her face was averted. holgate's figure blocked the doorway. "if i may come in," he said smoothly, "and you're quite done with your pistol practice, gentlemen, i should like to make a proposal to you." "it shall be unconditional surrender, sir john barraclough," said the prince morosely; "i will have no other terms." "you may come in," said barraclough shortly. holgate edged himself through. "i claim the protection of this flag," said he flatly, and looked about him. "i hope my men haven't knocked you about too much. doctor, my respects to you. you've got a head on you." "come to business, sir," said barraclough harshly. "sir john, i've saved your ship, and i hope you'll lay that to my credit," said holgate in his leisurely voice. "i found her drifting on a lee shore when i took charge, and, by thunder, she'd have floundered in another half-hour. so whatever you set on one side of the ledger, there's that lump on the other." "we're not here to talk about these matters," said barraclough sternly. "excuse me, sir john, we are," said holgate sweetly. "we're just on that and nothing else. it's pretty clear how you stand, but if you like i'll rehearse the situation. and i want you to understand where _i_ stand. see? i don't think that's so clear to you; and i want ventilation. this is a duffing game for his royal highness there. he stands to make nothing out of it, as things go, and there's precious little in it for any of you. here you are prisoners in these palatial rooms, outnumbered by more than two to one, and not a man of his hands among you, if i except the doctor. well, you can hold out, i daresay. i know all about that. you've got a call on the food cupboard, and you're welcome to it. but i've got the yacht, and she'll canter under my hands, not sir john's. don't you make any mistake. you're not in a first-class position, gentlemen." "you're a long time coming to the point," said barraclough with exemplary curtness. "we have no time to waste." "well, gentlemen, i'm willing to make a deal--that's the short of it--a deal that will suit both parties. that's the pith of the situation." he gazed from one to another of us unembarrassed, and even with an expression of amiable cheerfulness. "and my proposal's this----" "unconditional surrender," broke in the prince's harsh voice. "that so?" says holgate without concern, directing a glance at the speaker. "i guess, mr. morland, you're in this for more than your health. so am i. but i should like to know before starting whom i've got to deal with, just by way of encouragement, so to say." he paused. "i don't want to pry into any secrets, but it would suit me better if i knew whom to address. owing to the unfortunate decease of the late captain day----" "you infernal ruffian; you murderer!" broke fiercely out of lane's throat. "you'll hang yet, by heaven, or i'll eat my hat." holgate turned his heavy face and still sombre eyes upon the purser, but said nothing nor otherwise remarked his outburst. it was barraclough who spoke: "excuse me, mr. lane, this is my affair, not yours," he said abruptly. "go on, sir," to holgate. "i can wait, of course," said the mutineer with cool irony. "there isn't much hurry about the matter now the ship lays her course. but i should prefer a business deal with business people, and i take it that that means with you, sir john." barraclough nodded. "you may address me," he said. "and you will get your answer from me." "that's all right, then. and having settled so much, this is what i've got to lay before you," proceeded holgate placidly, breathing out his words. "there's been a certain amount of pawn-taking in this game, and we've both got to pass it over if we're coming to business. now you know what i want, and by this time you pretty well ought to know what you want also. you're in a tight fix. well, if you'll hand over the contents of the strong-room we'll get out a proper contract, as thus: self to take the said contents, agreeing therewith to allow his royal highness, or mr. morland (which you will), a moiety of the same, provided that the party be landed at a suitable place not more than ten miles from a civilised town, and provided always that no more be heard of the steps leading up to this contract." he came to a pause, and eyed us, with a gaze divested of any eagerness, even of any significance. the prince uttered a loud laugh, but barraclough, as became his position, kept his expression. i was a little out of the group, and i could pick out the faces of the company. the princess had moved forward and leaned now with her chin on her open palm, and one foot upon the settee near the door. she was frankly staring at the mutineer who made these astounding proposals. the prince and barraclough conferred in whispers, and presently the latter resumed his position. "if you want the contents of the strong-room," he said, "it is suggested that you had better come and take them." holgate's eyebrows went up. "well, i could do that, of course," he said slowly. "don't suppose i've overlooked that solution of the little problem. but i'm dealing with you squarely when i say i'd rather not. for why? because i don't want any further mess. we've slopped about enough for the present, and i should say you gentlemen know it." he paused again, as if to give us an opportunity of revising our decision, and once more the prince and sir john interchanged whispers. barraclough shook his head vigorously, and a frown gathered on his features. in the fine light of the skylights princess alix's silhouette stood out, and the soft hair on her forehead was ruffled by the breeze. she was still gazing at holgate. his bull-neck turned and he faced towards her, and their glances met. neither gave way nor winced before the salvos of the other, and i had the odd thought that some strange duel was in progress, in which the antagonists were that fair woman and that villainous, gross man. holgate's eyes shifted only when barraclough spoke next. "if you leave the yacht at the next port or place of call we shall be powerless to prevent you and the men under you," said barraclough in a dry, formal voice. "but the mutiny will be, of course, reported to the british consul at the most accessible port." "that's a compromise, i reckon," observed holgate with a grin, which showed his fang. "that's owner and first officer commanding rolled into one and halved, or i'm dutch. well, i'll let it go; but i've offered fair terms. and i'll tell you frankly that i wouldn't even have offered those had it not been for the doctor." he shook his head, wagging it at me. "oh, doctor, doctor, to think what i lost in you! why, we could have taken our time over the strong-room, barring your little intervention. you're a real daisy, and i won't forget it. but now it's in the hands of providence. it's war. sir john, i congratulate the double-barrelled leaders. there's two captains here, and that's one too many. i only allow one in my quarters. all right, gentlemen." he took up his flag and waddled towards the door. "good-morning. i've done what i could. don't blame me." on the threshold he paused, and his glance marched deliberately over us all, landing at last upon the princess. "may the lord help you," says he in his voice of suet. "may the lord be merciful to you--all!" the door went behind him with a snap. i turned almost unconsciously in that direction in which the last shafts of his eyes had flown. the accent on the "all" had been perceptible. princess alix had lifted her chin from her hand and set down her foot. she held on to the arm of the settee, and i could perceive her trembling. her face had gone white like paper, and she stared at the closed door. i moved quickly towards her, for i was a doctor, if i had no other right there. my arrival broke upon her thought; she started, and the colour flowed back slowly into her face. "that man is the most awful man i have ever seen," she said with a shudder. "he is not so awful as he thinks," i said encouragingly. she shook her head, and moved away. i followed her. "if i might suggest, i would advise you to take a rest," i said. "you have had a most trying night." "yes--i will rest," she returned with a sigh; and then, as we walked down the corridor together, "i thought you were right when you spoke to--to my brother in regard to the revolver; but now i don't know. i think anything that would rid the world of such a monster is justifiable." "perhaps," i replied. "but he is making war, and we are on terms of war, and more or less bound by them. at least, that is one's general notion. but who can tell? the ethical boundaries, and the borders of honour, are indefinable and intangible." "i think i would have shot him myself," she said vehemently. "i hope we shall hang him yet," i answered. she looked at me out of her blue lustrous eyes, as if deliberating. "we depend a good deal on you, dr. phillimore," she said next. "we are all dependent on one another," said i. "do you suppose that man meant what he said?" she asked. "no," i said. "i would distrust every statement of his. i can't determine what was in his mind or what he is aiming at. but this i know, that to make a compact with him would be to be at his mercy. he is ruthless; he would not consider what blood he shed; and, besides, he has committed himself too deeply, and is no fool to ignore that." she sighed again. "i am glad," she murmured. "i thought perhaps that it would be wise. but my brother would never consent. only i was afraid. but i am glad it would have been of no use. that makes only one course possible." "only one," i said gravely. we came to a pause by the door of the cabin. "i think i had better see to mademoiselle," i said, "in case of emergencies." "yes, please," she said with a start, and opened the door of the _boudoir_. mademoiselle, clad in a wonderful dishabille, was seated under the electric light, engaged in a game of dominoes with her maid, and just threw a glance at us as we entered. "there ... _tenez_ ... _là_, _là_ ..." she said excitedly, and marked her board and scrambled up the dominoes in a heap. "juliette has won never," she cried in her broken english. "i have won three times. where is frederic, _ma cherie_? he is not fighting? _non?_" "there is no fighting now, yvonne," replied the princess with admirable restraint, as seemed to me. "frederic is well." "oh, but the noise in the night," she rattled on in her own tongue. "it was dreadful. i could not sleep for the guns. it was abominable to mutiny. ah, it is the doctor. pardon, this light is not good, and they have boarded up the windows. we must live in darkness," she added peevishly. "but how are you, doctor? you have not been to cheer us lately. it is a dull ship." "why, we consider it pretty lively, mademoiselle," i answered lightly. "it keeps us occupied." "ah, yes," she laughed. "but that is over now, and you will only have to dispose of the prisoners, to guillotine? ... no, to hang?" "it is we who are prisoners," said the princess abruptly. mademoiselle stared. "_mon dieu!_ prisoners! oh, but it is not so, alix. juliette, shuffle, or i will box your ears, silly... whose prisoners are we?" "the anterooms, mademoiselle, are cut off from the rest of the ship," i explained. "are you prepared to stand a siege?" "oh, but we have gallant defenders enough," she said with her pretty laugh. "i am not afraid. it will be experience. juliette, open, open, stupid. do not stare at monsieur like a pig. play." i passed on, the princess following me. "when i left her she was in tears," she said in a low voice. "she may be in tears again," i said. "but at present she wants no help from me. she suffices entirely for herself." our eyes encountered, and i am sure of what i saw in hers; if we met on no other ground we met on a curious understanding of mademoiselle. i took my leave ceremoniously. chapter x legrand's wink as i went down the corridor the figure of little pye sprang out upon me from somewhere. "doctor," he said in a piteous voice. i stayed. "doctor, i'm very ill. i'm just awful." i looked at him closely. the flesh under his eyes was blue; the eyes themselves were bloodshot, and his hands shook. i felt his pulse, and it was racing. "you're in a blue funk, pye," said i severely. he groaned. "anything. i'll admit anything, doctor. but for heaven's sake let me go down to my bunk. i'll pull together there, i'll swear it." "you'll go down and drink too much," i said. "not if you'll give me something. there must be lots of things," he pleaded. "i've never seen--i'm not fitted for this. oh, doctor, i've only lived in a street before, a suburb, tulse hill. think of that." his voice cracked, and with the ghost of his favourite trick his fingers quavered with the glasses on his nose. i took a pity for the creature, a pity in which there was naturally some disgust. "very well," i said. "go down, and i'll make it all right. i'll pay you a visit later." he thanked me and scuttled away like a rabbit, and i sought barraclough and explained. "ill?" said he. "well, if he's ill----" "he's ill enough to count," i said. "he's in a dead funk, and about as much use as a radish." barraclough's nose wrinkled in smiling contempt. "better make him steward and promote jackson," he said. "he's part of a man, at any rate. they'll be on us before we know where we are." "do you think so?" i asked. "well, to say the truth, holgate puzzles me. why did he make that offer?" "because he'll find it infernally difficult to get in here," said barraclough easily. "because it's a frontal attack all the way and a costly business. if it's a case of half the party going to glory they'll look out for a cheaper way first. that's why." "you may be right," i answered. "but holgate isn't exactly particular, and anyway i want to find out." "find out?" he echoed in surprise. "well, holgate used a flag. why shouldn't i in my turn?" i asked. he screwed up his mouth. "well, i don't know," said he. "i won't say you nay, but--look here, there's risk, phillimore. you say holgate isn't particular. to put it plain, he's a black-hearted swine." "you couldn't put it too plain," i replied. "but i have my notion, and i may not be wrong. he's black enough, god knows, but i think i've gauged him a little. why didn't he push the assault? why doesn't he now? no, holgate's not all plain and easy. it's not like reading print. i'm hanged if i know what he's up to, but whatever it is, it's bad. and somehow i feel my way along this, and i don't think he'll do any harm at present. call it faith--call it instinct--call it superstition if you will." he bit his moustache doubtfully. "you're on duty in an hour," he objected. "i'll be back before," i answered. "and another thing, barraclough, there's legrand.... oh, they'll want a doctor." "that's true. well, god bless you," said he, placidly yielding, and unlocked the door. i had provided myself with a flag, and now emerged upon the deck clasping it in one hand. i walked past the barred windows of the music-room and saloon, and past the smoking-room beyond, until i was level with the chart-house. i was on the windward side of the yacht, and she was heeling gently as she ran down the coastline under a full head of steam. above me i could discern also the white spread of her wings, and from the look of the long white water that leaped and fell off her sides in a welter i guessed that we must be footing it to a pretty tune. if poor mccrae had been right in estimating her rate at eighteen knots, she could not be making much less than sixteen now. the sails were full of noise, and the wind rattled and sang in the ventilators. the first sight that struck me as i came back square with the bridge was a man swinging in a travelling-cradle and leisurely painting the funnel. it seemed so peaceful an occupation, and so strangely out of accord with those terrible transactions of the night, that i stared in wonder. then my eyes went to the bridge and marked something more in keeping with the situation, for the bridge had been boarded about in the rear and sides with a wall of timber, so that the helmsman and the man in charge, holgate or another, were invisible from the deck below, as also from the hurricane-deck. i suppose that this structure had been put together in memory of the prince's prowess, and of his ruthless performances from the hurricane-deck. i advanced to the end of the deck and hailed the forecastle, waving my flag. "is mr. holgate there?" i called out. "i wish to see him," and again i waved my flag. a man came into the open on the deck below and stared up at me, and presently after he was joined by another whom i recognised as gray. they exchanged words, and i knew also from a sound overhead that some one was peering at me from the bridge. once more i called out for holgate, brandishing my flag vigorously: and then i heard holgate's voice below. "hold on, doctor!" he emerged into my line of vision and with him was pierce, his lank red face upturned to me, his lower jaw in its socket. gray gesticulated, indicating me, and holgate stood passively looking at me. suddenly the ex-boatswain put his hand in his pocket, pulled out a revolver and presented at me. it was the work of a moment. holgate struck his arm up, and the bullet whizzed past me and banged into the chart-house. "steady there, doctor," said holgate. "glad to see you. just in time, wasn't i? step along down there." i moved towards the ladder and descended to the lower deck, where holgate met me. "difficult to keep our respective men in hand, isn't it, doctor?" he said with a quizzical look. "but i won't have any firing on a flag of truce any more than you. you and i keep to the code of honour." i could have sworn that the piece of comedy which had just been performed had been his. i knew for certain now that it was his jest, this crude and savage joke that was on the margin of tragedy, and might have gone over the border. but what would he care, this infamous man of astute intelligence, cold, cunning, and ruthless determination? his eyes twinkled, and he laughed now so as to disclose his abominable fang. "we are now quits, eh, doctor?" he said. "his royal highness would have had me but for you, and now pierce yonder would have potted you but for me. i like honourable warfare," he chuckled. "well," said i cheerfully, for i was resolved to take him in his own way, "then the prince's offence is wiped out. he is forgiven." "oh, there's nothing to forgive about the prince," says holgate indifferently. "i don't want him. i want his safe. what's a prince or two?" he looked at me narrowly. "shall we get to business? changed your minds?" "there's not the slightest chance of that," i answered. "you may set that on record." "say, i will," said he, unexpectedly turning, and called out, "pierce, gray, come here. just listen to the whoop our cockerels give up there. now, doctor, spit it out." "i have nothing to add to my statement that there is no chance of any terms," i said sharply. "think of that," observed holgate to the others. "they don't know what's good for them. well, let 'em alone, doctor. let 'em stew in their juice. they'll come round in a brace of shakes, after a little argument, let's say." gray guffawed, and pierce grinned, his thin face puckering to his eyes, an unpleasing sight. it was clear who was master here. holgate commanded by the sheer force of his individuality and his coolness. "well, to what do we owe the honour of this visit?" went on holgate easily. "come to borrow some of our provisions? strikes me you're a bit fond of the forecastle. we shall have to make room for you. got room for a little one inside, pierce?" the joke sent gray off again, but i was aware that this gross fooling was as much a piece of acting as had been the feint of shooting at me. he was playing to an audience, and that audience a gallery that dealt only in crude fun. why did he do it? what was his object? he puzzled me. but i made answer very plainly. "you know my profession, mr. holgate. we had a second officer...?" i paused. "have!" he corrected mildly. "have; not, of course, on active service--resting, let us say." gray giggled. his master was as good as the clown in a circus to his tickled ears. holgate looked at me. "there's nothing much the matter with legrand," he went on, "save natural chagrin and a crack on the head. you see, i got him just so." he put both hands together in a comprehensive gesture, "and it interfered with his vertebræ. but better see him, doctor, better see him; and while you're about it, we've got a job or two more for you." i followed him, as he spoke, towards the forecastle deck, and soon was busy in my professional capacity, holgate chatting the while very wheezily in my ear. and when i had finished he had the hatch opened and i descended to the prisoners. "i'm accompanying you, doctor," explained holgate, "not because i'm going to spy on you--that would be mean, and not in the game--but as a guarantee of good faith, as one might say. you see i feel responsible for you, and if some one with an imperfect sense of honour, say like the prince, should take it into his head to clap hatches on you, where would my reputation be?" he smiled, took a lamp from one of his men and descended after me. the prisoners were standing or squatting moodily about in that small compartment of the hold, which was otherwise almost empty, and lying on his back with his face turned towards us was the second officer. his eyes gave no indication that he was aware of my presence, though they were wide open, and, i confess, i was alarmed to see his condition. it looked like death. i felt his pulse, and examined him, and all the time his eyes were on me unwavering. his high colour had fallen away, and his face was now spotted with unhealthy blotches on a pallid skin. i pressed my fingers to the back of his neck, puzzled, and as i did so my body came betwixt holgate with the light and legrand. it seemed to me that now the eyes moved, and i could have declared that one of them closed sharply and opened again. but at the moment holgate shifted his position the eyes were again dull and vacant. i drew in my underlip, and stood up, looking at the mutineer. "a heavy crack," said i. "well, i suppose he came down rather nastily," said holgate, unperturbed. "i'm sorry. i bear legrand no grudge. he was a good navigating officer." "it looks like brain lesion," i said. "but i should like to examine more carefully." "welcome, doctor, welcome," said he cheerfully, "always welcome, so long as i command this ship. fly a flag and i'll see there's no reigning princes about. i'm the only prince here, you may take my word for that." i thanked him coolly, and giving the prisoners some directions for the care of legrand, climbed to the deck. as i left the lower deck with the suave compliments of holgate in my ears, i had two things in my mind to ponder. in the first place, there was the mystery behind the chief mutineer. what ailed him that he had made no attack on our weak garrison? and had the deviation of the yacht's cruise been an adequate reason for leaving the strong-room untouched? again, when he had offered terms, had he not known that we could not accept them, and why had he conducted himself with such easy insolence as to prevent us from accepting them had we been disposed to do so? this problem frankly baffled me. but the other thought was more consolatory. i was convinced that legrand was not much injured, and i guessed that he was "shamming." that he had winked at me to convey his real case seemed obvious. my heart rose at the thought, for it had been downcast, heaven knows. but it was something to feel that we had allies forward, in the heart of the enemy, even if they were at present under hatches. i had faith somehow in legrand, a silent, forcible man, and i entered the staterooms with cheerfulness. oddly enough, the note with which i was received bore some relation to that cheerfulness, for i was admitted to the tune of tremulous laughter. it was ellison who let me in, but the laughter did not proceed from him. half-way down the corridor was sir john in animated conversation with mademoiselle. at least, the animation was on her part, for he was decorously stolid, and favoured me with a nod. "managed it, then, phillimore. good for you," he said with amiable patronage. "i though it was all up when i heard that shot. but mademoiselle put her money on you." "ah, was i not right?" she asked archly in her pretty english. "i know the doctor. he is an old friend of mine." she was dressed in a smart morning gown, somewhat open at the throat, and her admirable voice seemed to encompass us in its sympathy. one could not but feel pleased and flattered by her faith. i smiled. "i am glad to say that legrand's safe, but _hors de combat_," i went on. "perhaps not for long. we may have a surprise in store for us. at any rate, holgate does not know everything. he's a little too clever, to my mind." "oh, i wish they were all hanged, and dead," broke out mademoiselle, with an impatient gesticulation. "they will be in due time," said barraclough. "tell me, sir john, tell me, doctor, is there any danger?" she asked vivaciously. sir john was ever deliberate, and i anticipated him. "none, or very little at present, i think." "ah!" she beamed on us both. "then you shall have time to play with me. do you play breedge, sir john?" i turned away, for it was time to relieve lane in the saloon. chapter xi the lull when you consider how i had parted from the prince, his subsequent conduct must be regarded as creditable. after my watch i fell dead asleep in my bunk, and might have slept till night had it not been for the sense of discipline possessed and exhibited by his royal highness. he visited me in person, and did me the honour to arouse me from my dreamless slumber, whereat i sat up cursing. "it is natural you should feel irritated, dr. phillimore," said he calmly. "but when you come to yourself you will perceive that duty must be performed. it is your watch." "oh, ah!" i blurted forth. "you must excuse me; sir, but i have had a night of it." he nodded amiably. "if you will come to my cabin after your watch," he observed, "i shall have something to say to you." i do not know that i looked forward to the interview with any interest. i expected some censure of my conduct earlier in the day, and i was resolved to defend myself. but the prince proved mild and even amiable. he offered me a cigar, and condescended to discuss some points of policy with me. "i have been told," said he, "that you have been in the forecastle, and have seen mr. legrand. you think that there is some chance of his joining us? well, it is good hearing. i have no doubt that we shall succeed in destroying the traitors." "mr. morland," said i, leaning forward to him, "i would not like to leave you in the thought that this is going to be easy." "oh, no; it will not be easy," he agreed. but plainly he was confident that it was possible, which i was not. if there was any one in that ship that doubted, it was i. i said nothing, however, but remarked that holgate was a man of resource and capacity. "i am willing to believe that," he said after a pause. "he is a very clever scoundrel. oh, yes." "we might be in a better position to counter his plans if we fathom them," i suggested. he looked at me, interrogation in his blue eyes, which were, and were not, so like his sister's. "the question that puzzles me, sir, is why holgate did not seize the saloon and the deck below last night when he had the chance--for down there is what he wants." "he had us locked up in the chart-house," replied the prince with assurance. "he did not anticipate that we should escape; and the yacht was running into danger." yes; that was the explanation that had occurred to me; indeed, it was the explanation that hitherto we had all accepted. but was it true? "it was his intention to possess himself of the papers at his leisure," continued prince frederic, smoking and gazing at me with the air of a preceptor instructing a pupil. "why should he?" i asked bluntly. the prince smiled pleasantly. "i will tell you, dr. phillimore," he answered. "when i left london, and europe, for good, i instructed my lawyers to put my property into three forms of goods--drafts on bankers, bank of england notes, and english currency. each kind would be of service to me, whose destination was not quite settled. but these would make a bulky load for any man. there is a large amount of specie, and is it not the bank of england that says, 'come and carry what gold you will away in your pockets provided you give us £ , '? well, there is that difficulty for these villains." "but," i objected, "do they know how the treasure is made up?" he cast a dark glance at me. "i have told you," he said, "i trust such as you in my service, doctor. but there has been treachery. who i am and what i carry became known. how, i cannot say. but it was treachery. the whole thing is a conspiracy," he cried, hammering on the table, "and it may be that my enemies in hochburg are at the bottom of it. i will find out. but, see you, doctor, i am mr. morland here and hereafter. let that be understood, and it is as mr. morland i will hang these ruffians." his frown knit his eyebrows closely, and his nostrils heaved, while the blue eyes were fired with sudden flame. if he had ideas on democracy, as reports of him had declared, he had also beyond question the temper of the martinet. it was possible, no doubt, to recognise these strange contradictions, but at the first sight it seemed difficult. i had yet to learn that i was dealing with a type of the fanatic, and a representative of that type, moreover, who exemplified in his blood the fatalism of his ascendants. yet the glimpse i had of the man was interesting. i began to understand him, and even to sympathise with him. he had foregone much for the sake of an ideal, and that was something. but just then i should like to have known exactly what his sister's attitude to that ideal might be. for princess alix, strange as her brother was, was even more baffling than he. though we kept a rigid watch all that day and night, no attack was delivered, and i began once again to speculate as to holgate's policy. was he trying to tire us out before he made his assault, or had he other ends in view? the second day passed as tranquilly as the first, and the yacht was still making her best southward. she had passed the mouth of the rio la plata, and was forging along the argentine coast, bound for--we knew not whither. her destination was in other hands, and we must be content to abide the issues, alert and equipped for any emergency. on the second day i revisited the forecastle, with my flag, and found holgate as amiable as before. "you give me your word, doctor, that you have no weapons?" said he, when i had attended to his wounded men, and was proceeding to the hold where the prisoners lay. "i give you my word," i replied. he nodded, and gave orders for the removal of the hatch; and down i went, this time unaccompanied. legrand still lay on his back, staring vacantly, and the sailors were grouped about, a despondent company, in that dark and stuffy hole. "any improvement?" said i to one of them. "not much, sir," said he, with a glance towards the open hatchway, where, no doubt, one of the mutineers stood on guard. "does mr. legrand take any nourishment?" i asked. "a bit, sir, but not too much. he doesn't seem to relish his food," the man answered. "does he talk?" i asked. "he has spoken about a dozen sentences, sir, but there don't seem much sense in them." "ah, i feared as much," i said. i was certain that holgate, for all his lordly air of unconcern, had taken steps to know what was forward in the hold. i made another examination, and was the more convinced that there was nothing seriously the matter with legrand. this time he frankly grinned in my face, as i laid him down. no doubt the sailors were in his secret, and primed for it. "i daresay i shall have to operate," i said, and, bidding them farewell, i ascended to the deck. holgate waved his hand cheerily at me. "always glad to see you, doctor," he called out, and went on with the conversation in which he was engaged. i could have whipped myself that i could not guess what his crafty design was. but, if i was ignorant, no one was likely to assist me. barraclough had no views; all that his purview compassed was the probability of an immediate fight, to which he looked forward with unconcern. lane was ridiculously inept in his suggestions, one of which involved the idea that holgate desired to "bag ladies and treasure with one gun." this suggestion irritated me, and i snubbed him, so far as any one could snub lane. the prince, i knew, was secure in his obstinate conviction, and naturally ellison had no views any more than barraclough. they were both very excellent examples of pure british phlegm and unimaginativeness. this seemed to cast the burden upon me, for pye was still confined to his cabin. the little man was undoubtedly shaken by the horrid events he had witnessed, and though he was confessedly a coward, i could not help feeling sorry for him. he was an abject creature now, and clung to his bunk, keeping out of the prince's way and barraclough's as much as possible, and pestering me with his consultations. "i believe i should be better, doctor, if we were to get into warmer weather," he said pleadingly. "cold does affect a man's nerves, doesn't it?" "well, you'll have to make love to holgate, if you want that," said i drily. "we're at his mercy." we were all, i think, conscious of that, if we did not always openly acknowledge the fact. yet it was astonishing that no attack was made on the state-rooms. holgate had promised it, and had even struck the shadow of deeper terrors during the concluding words of his interview in the corridor. but things went on peacefully; the sun rose in blurred heavens of blue and grey, and declined into rolling waters, and no event of consequence took place. the bells were sounded as of old; the wheelman in his armoured turret steered the yacht upon her course, and every day the _sea queen_ drew southward under the ordinary maritime routine. were it not for our memories, and for the outward facts of our predicament, we might have fancied ourselves merely upon a pleasant excursion. there was, however, this lacking, that no one knew our destination. the secret was locked in holgate's bosom, or perhaps he shared it with one or more of his desperadoes. and, as if to lull us into a sense of security and to persuade us that all was normal, mademoiselle suddenly developed and exhibited a remarkable liveliness. she was a thing of moods and impulses, restrained by no reason or consideration for others, so far as i could judge. and, having once got the better of her hysteric fear of the mutiny, she promptly discarded any thought of it. we were prisoners in our part of the yacht, it is true, but that did not interfere with our comfort. we had food and wine to spare; we were supplied with every luxury; and no one gave us any trouble. the guards were set regularly, but mademoiselle had no concern with that. i doubt if she even recognised that such precautions were taken. there was a certain romance in the situation which appealed to her and inflamed her imagination. she lived most of the day in her cabins, being tired by her maid, or playing dominoes or some other childish game; and in the afternoon she emerged upon us, a glorious figure in fine clothes, and gave us the benefit of her society. naturally she spent much of her time in company with the prince and his sister, but barraclough and myself were by no means denied her favours. barraclough spoke french very indifferently--as indifferently, indeed, as mademoiselle spoke english, but that did not prevent them from getting on very well together. as i have explained, barraclough was a tall, handsome fellow, lean and inflexible of face, with the characteristic qualities of his race. his eyes admired the lady profoundly, and he endeavoured to keep pace with her wits, a task rendered difficult by the breaches in two languages. this vivacity was crowned by exhibitions of her voice, to which she began to treat us. she had, as i remembered, a wonderful mezzo-soprano, and, being pent up in this comfortable prison, and denied access to the promenade, she used it to effect. as i have said, the music-room surrounding the saloon below, as a balcony, was in our suite, if i may put it in that way, and thither was mademoiselle accustomed to repair of an afternoon to keep her voice in practice, as she explained. the prince usually followed her there, and i have seen him more than once seated in the dimness of the farthest corner of the balcony, staring before him as a man lost in thought, or as one rapt out of himself into some sentimental ecstasy at the sounds of that divine music. here we felt, more or less, that we were in liberty hall, and, to do him justice, prince frederic encouraged us to feel this. it was understood that the saloon was open to all, and it became a resort for such of us as were off duty in those days--a resort that would have been improved by more light; for the windows were all barred and shuttered, and only the skylights admitted the day. the weather was now grown much colder, for we were off the coast of patagonia, and holgate appeared to be bent on doubling the horn and getting into the pacific. in the wilds of that wide domain there would be more chances for this crew of scoundrels to find refuge and security from the arm of the law. was it for this he was waiting? and yet that was no argument against an immediate attack, for it was clear that he might get the business over, deal with us as he chose, and make for his destination afterwards and at his leisure. nor could it be that he doubted as to the issue of the struggle, for his forces outnumbered ours greatly, and, if i knew anything of men, holgate was utterly without fear. but, on the other hand, he had a great deal of discretion. the only conclusion that emerged from these considerations was the certainty that in the end holgate had decreed our fate. _that_ had been settled when day fell, perhaps even before that, and when poor mccrae was shot by his engines. we were doomed to death. if any doubt as to our fate dwelt in princess alix's mind she did not show it. she was a girl of spirit and energy, and she had neat hands. thus her time was spent in such work as she deemed useful in the circumstances, or such as occupied her mind healthily. she made a handsome fur cap for herself against the biting wind, which now came snapping off the icy highlands of the coast, and she sketched, and designed, and photographed. above all, she was cheerful and self-reliant. there was not much in common between the brother and the sister save perhaps their aloofness from strangers. i questioned much if the princess had any of her brother's sentimentality. she had all her brother's decision and fire, however, as i was to see exemplified more than once. it was on the third of our quiet afternoons that i was sitting in the corridor with a volume in my hand, conscious merely of the many sounds in that silence, and scarcely aware of what i read. the voyage seemed to partake of the nature of that fabled voyage of the ancient mariner. some strange doom hung over us all, and yet the sky smiled, as it did that moment, and the cold breath of the blue sea was inspiring in one's nostrils like wine in the blood. i was aware in this dream that a door had opened and shut, and that the princess had come into the corridor. she sat on a chair not far from me and plied her needles in a way that struck me now, as i roused myself, as very homely and pleasant. i shot a glance at her. she was very simply dressed in what, for all i know, may have been a very extravagant fashion. she had the knitted waistcoat she was making (i concluded for her brother) across her knee, and i had a full view of her as she swayed and moved about her task. those flowing lines, that sweet ripeness, the excellent beauty of her face, impressed me newly. she met my glance, and smiled. "what do you find interests you, dr. phillimore?" she asked in her pleasant voice. "i was reading, or pretending to read, a book of poems," i answered. "poems," she replied, plying her needles, and then in a little, "it is strange you should be reading poems and i knitting here." "it puzzles me," said i. i rose and went to the window behind her which was not shuttered, and for the light from which she had seated herself there. the crisp sparkle of the sea rose to eyes and ears. when i turned, princess alix had ceased from her work and was looking towards me. "you wonder why?" she asked. "i have made many guesses, but have never satisfied myself yet why the mutiny is not pushed to its logical conclusion." "which would mea----" she said thoughtfully. "which would mean," i interrupted quickly, "the possession of the treasure." there was something deeply significant in her gaze, something that was brave, and appealed, and winced at the same time. she went on slowly with her knitting. "he is waiting his time," she remarked in a low voice. "he will wait too long," i said with a little laugh. "do you think so?" she asked, and, laying down her work, went to the window as i had done. "it is cold." "we are off an icy shore," i said. "yes, i found it on the map this morning," she nodded. "we are close to the straits of magellan!" at that moment the sound of the piano sailed through the door at the end of the corridor. she turned her head slightly, and then moved away restlessly. she went to the chair on which i had been sitting and picked up my tennyson. "i know him pretty well," she remarked, turning the pages. she halted where i had inserted a marker. "'the princess,'" she said slowly. she drummed her fingers on the leaf, read for a minute or two, and dropped the book lightly. "we have no literature in comparison with yours, dr. phillimore; but we have sometimes done better than that." "oh, not than the lyrics," i protested lightly. "_ask me no more_----" the music from without broke into louder evidence, and she turned frowning towards the door. "do you know, dr. phillimore," she asked hesitatingly, "if mr. morland is in his room?" "he went after lunch," i answered. she stood considering. "mademoiselle has a beautiful voice," i said tentatively. "oh, yes," she assented. "it is of good quality and training." her tone was curt, as if she were unwilling to continue the conversation, but she still listened. einsam wandelt dein freund im frühlings garten. it seemed to me that i could almost hear the words in that uplifted music. the song has always been a passionate fancy of mine, beguiling the heart of rock to romance. sentiment is on wing in every corner of one's consciousness when that song rises in its fulness and falls in its cadences on one's ears and deeper senses. in der spiegelnden fluth, in schnee der alpen.... ... strahlt dein bildniss. i could see mademoiselle trebizond at the piano with the vision of the mind, her soul enrapt, her features transfigured. she was a figment of the emotions. and the princess and i listened, she with a little dubitating look of perplexity, paying me no heed now, and i singularly moved. i walked down the corridor, past where princess alix stood, and as i went by i could have put out my arm and drawn her to me. she was wonderful in her beauty and her pride. deutlich schimmert auf jedem purpur blättchen. but i went by and opened the door that gave upon the saloon stairs. instantly the flood of music rolled into the room in a tide, and, glancing back, i saw the princess stir. she came towards me. "a voice is a beautiful machine," she said uncertainly as the notes died away. i could not answer; but she may have read an answer in my eyes. she passed me just as the singer broke into something new, and entered the music gallery. a shaft of light struck out her figure boldly. i walked round to the second door at the head of the stairs. right away in the corner was mademoiselle, and by her sir john barraclough lounged on the sofa, stroking his moustache uneasily. but my eyes lingered on the two not at all, for they were drawn forthwith to another sight which filled me with astonishment. the barriers had been removed from several of the windows, the windows themselves were open, and i could discern the figures of men gathered without on the deck. with an exclamation i ran forward, interrupting the mellifluous course of schubert's serenade, and barraclough started to his feet. "what is it?" he asked abruptly. mademoiselle turned on her stool and regarded me with curiosity, and behind the princess was approaching slowly. "the windows, man!" said i. mademoiselle burst into laughter. "it was so dark," she said prettily, "i could not see plainly. i must always have light when i play. and i made sir john open them." barraclough fidgeted, but turned a cold face on me. "what's all the fuss about?" he asked surlily. i pointed to the figures which we could see through the open windows. "well, that's my business," he said shortly. "i'm in command, and i'm not a fool." as he spoke he fingered his revolver. "oh, do not be afraid. it is all right," said mademoiselle cheerfully. "see, we will have more open. i will play them something. they are listening to my music. it will soothe them." she cast a look at sir john from her laughing dark eyes, and let her hands down on the keys with a bang, breaking into a jolly air of the boulevards. "stay," she cried, stopping quickly, "but i know one of your english tunes suitable for the sea. how do you call it? tom-bolling!" as she spoke she swerved softly into that favourite air, the english words running oddly from her lips. "'ere a sheer 'ulk lies poor tom bo-olling..." from the deck came a burst of applause. she laughed in delight, and winked up at me. "i can do more with them than your guns," she said boldly, and was sailing into the next verse when the princess intervened. "mademoiselle," she said in french, "you are inconveniencing the officers. they have much to do." mademoiselle turned about angrily and met the princess' gaze. she seemed about to fly out in a tempest, but as suddenly checked herself, leaving only a little frown on her forehead to witness to her annoyance. she had been engaged in a little triumph that suited her vanity, and she had been called away from it. i really do not think there was anything more than that in it--not then, at any rate. she rose. "you are a tyrant, my princess," she said, and nodding sweetly to barraclough and myself, left the gallery. princess alix followed, her face pale and still. more than ever was i convinced that, whatever feelings the lady had inspired in the prince, his sister was not party to them. chapter xii in the saloon i think it was from that hour that i began to get on badly with barraclough. it was in his power as acting captain, no doubt, to remit certain precautions, but the remission of those precautions was not to the credit of his head. he had been beguiled by the siren, and she, doubtless, by her vanity or her freakishness. when she had gone he turned on me. "what the devil do you want interfering, phillimore?" he demanded. "i'm in charge here." there never was a man so insensate. i shrugged my shoulders. "well, it was not my interference that was successful," i said curtly. he walked abruptly to the window and opened it wider i could not be mistaken as to the bulky form that blocked it. "nice music, captain," said holgate's wheezing voice. "i'll give you just three seconds to quit, or i'll put a hole through you, you infernal rascal," said barraclough savagely, raising his revolver. "oh, we're in no hurry," said the mutineer cheerfully, and moved away. i suppose that some gleam of reason prevented barraclough from firing. he barred the windows afresh, and came back to me. "why the mischief doesn't he attack?" he exclaimed peevishly. i did not know, but i was near guessing just then. in point of fact, i did guess that afternoon. i paid my usual visit to the forecastle and the hold. legrand played the same farce with remarkable persistence, and i was no longer puzzled by him. he was biding his time, like holgate, and his reasons were obvious. holgate's dawned on me just then--but some of them only, as you shall see during the progress of this narrative. he maintained his friendliness, inquired civilly after our health, and how the ladies bore the seclusion. "i wish i could make it easier for them, but i can't, doctor," he said amiably. he was an abominable liar, but i had a certain admiration for his effrontery. i was glad i could meet him on his own ground, so i answered deliberately: "of course, it would spoil your plans to get the job over." he eyed me smiling. "as how, my friend," he asked. "you would rather have us in charge of the treasure than yourself," i replied. he laughed. "doctor, there's imagination in you, as i've always said. it's a pity i made that blunder about you. not that it matters now. well, you've nicked it. what's the odds? you are welcome to the truth--now." there was a perceptible emphasis on his last word. "you're not afraid of the attack?" i said. he shook his head. "not much. while we have a common object we're all right. i'm afraid of success. doctor, you've a penetrating eye. why, the treasure might break us up. if you had sent it down to me i believe i'd have sent it back. that would have been your best chance. i wonder you didn't think of it. but you've got your flaws. if you'd sent that treasure down i'd have had to take it; and you might have sat down and waited on events. but it's too late now. i know where i am." "and where's that?" i asked bluntly. he smiled craftily. "we enter the straits of magellan this extra special night," he said. "let's put it at that." "and what's to come?" i asked in the same voice. "lord, one would suppose you in the counsels," he said equably. "and in a way you are. well, you can hand over that treasure which you have been good enough to guard for me better than i could myself as soon as you will. i've no objection now. good-evening, doctor." he wheeled about and went off humming a tune. but i was staggered. that meant, if he were not lying again, that we were near the end of our tether, that the truce was up, and that.... my mind shuddered in its train of thought. there was only one possible end for us if holgate was to secure himself; and he was capable of any infamy. as i looked at his broad back and bull neck i felt rage and hatred gather in me and surge together. but i was impotent then and there. i went back to our quarters sick at heart. it was falling dark when i reached the state-rooms, and all was as usual. the same vacant face of quietude was presented to me in the corridor. leaving the two men, of whom one was grant, on guard, i went below to my cabin; and, as i did so, thought to look in upon pye. faint shafts of light streamed in by the open port, but i could see no one. "pye!" i called, and received no answer. well, it was of small consequence to us if pye recovered or not, for he was negligible as a unit of our defence. but i was glad that the little man had sufficiently resumed what what might be called his manhood to be up and about again. maybe, i thought with some amusement, i should find him airing himself in the corridor or disporting in the music-room. coming out of my cabin, i groped my way along the passage in the direction of the stairs. when i reached the foot of them it was quite dark, and i stopped, arrested suddenly by a murmur of voices from the saloon beyond. i knew that some one must be on guard there, but i did not quite understand the murmur. i hesitated, making some inquiries in my mind. from the hour, i came to the conclusion that barraclough was on duty, and i turned and entered the saloon, the door of which was ajar. "is that you, barraclough?" i called. my voice penetrated the darkness, which was here alleviated by the dull gleam from the port-holes. i heard a rustling, and i was sure it was of a woman's skirts. "what do you want?" asked barraclough in a leaden voice. "oh, nothing," said i as coldly; "i only thought i heard voices." "now what the----" he pulled himself up sharply, for with all his faults (and heaven knows i had yet to find how many they were) he was a gentleman. "it is the doctor," came in mademoiselle's pretty accents. "oh, it is so cold upstairs, doctor. you must make us some machinery to warm us." "we shall be colder yet, mademoiselle," i replied indifferently; "we shall have the ices of magellan refrigerating us to-morrow." "magellan," said barraclough. "what the mischief does that mean?" "ask mr. holgate," i answered. "it's his affair, or he thinks it is. he has taken it on himself." i made my way to the electric-light knobs. "as it seems to be getting dark," i said, not without irony, "i will take the liberty of illuminating." "oh, it's none so dark," growled barraclough. "we ought to be used to darkness by this time. we're not all children at nurse," he sneered palpably. i turned the catch, but no light came. "it's gone wrong," i exclaimed. "yes, i did try it a little time ago," said mademoiselle sweetly, "when sir john and i were in so deep argument." of course it was a lie, but what did that matter. if i could have seen barraclough's face at that moment i felt sure it would have advertised a sense of shame, despite his passivity. but mademoiselle.... well, i could see in the dusk the shadow of her face, and it was a handsome shadow. almost i could see her smile. they were seated in the recesses of the saloon. i moved towards them. "i suppose you understand the hang of this, sir john," i said drily. "i'm not a patent detective," he answered with his arrogant sneer, but i paid no heed, for i felt sure of settling him then and there. "i suppose it has occurred to you to reflect on whose grace we have depended for our electric supply," i said mildly. "i know that it comes from the engine-room, if that's what you mean," he replied bluntly. "and now it's cut off," i said. there was a pause, and it was the lady who broke it. "what is it that you mean, doctor?" i addressed her. "the mutineers cut off the light preparatory to an attack." "you are the most wonderful sleuth-hound, dr. phillimore," said barraclough with a hard laugh; "your talents are quite thrown away." "i regret to say they are here," i answered sharply. "and where would he be if he had paid some attention to the patent detective? i tell you again, sir john barraclough, that we've got to expect an attack to-night, and that's why the light is gone." a man may endure hostility and defeat; he may suffer shame and injustice; he may undergo pangs of jealousy and remorse. all these things are dispiriting or humiliating, but i declare that i would willingly experience them all if i might save myself from the supreme dishonour of appearing in a ridiculous _rôle_. i had spoken strongly because i felt warmly, and there was a note of dictatorial assurance in my voice which might have convinced, or at least silenced, barraclough. but i had left the keys down, and to my shocking discomfiture as i finished my declamation the saloon was at a stroke flooded with light. the radiance discovered to me mademoiselle's piquante face, her eyes smiling, her lips full and pouting, and close beside her barraclough's fair saxon jowl. he grinned at me, but said nothing, for which perhaps i should have been grateful. but i was not. "but this is in our honour, then?" suggested mademoiselle yvonne prettily. i had no fancy for her, but i did not mind her little sarcasm. i bowed. "no doubt to celebrate my oratory," i said, recovering myself. "but as we do not know how long mr. holgate will condescend to continue his compliment we may as well make the most of it." "you're a cool hand, phillimore," said barraclough, now with the good temper of one who has triumphed. "but none so cool as holgate," i returned him in the same spirit, "for he has just warned me that his reasons for not attacking us are at an end." he regarded me interrogatively. "holgate is not only a cool hand, but a cunning hand, a far-reasoning hand. he has let us take care of his treasure until he was ready for it." "what do you mean?" asked barraclough in astonishment. "his men might have become demoralised if he had seized the safe. he has, therefore, feigned to them that it was not practicable. that has been his reason for our security--not tender mercy for us, you may guess. so we have kept his treasure safe, and now--he wants it." "why now?" queried barraclough, who frowned. "that's holgate's secret. i suppose he knows what he is going to do and what destination he wants. we don't. anyway, we're turning through magellan to-night, and he has no further use for us." "i wish i'd shot that fiend to-day," said barraclough savagely. mademoiselle looked from one to the other, a curious expression on her face. "he is a remarkable man, this 'olgate?" she asked. "he is--pardon, mademoiselle--the devil," said barraclough. she laughed her fluting laughter. "oh, but the devil may be perhaps converted," she said. "he may be tamed. you say music have powers to tame the savage breast." she tapped her bosom dramatically, and smiled. "there is many men that may be tamed." she cast a soft glance at barraclough and then at me. but i only got the edge of it, for at that moment i caught sight of a gray face, with little tufts of whisker under the ears, and glancing glasses that hung over the railings of the music balcony above. it was pye. had he been there long in the darkness or had he only just arrived, attracted by the light and the voices? the latter seemed the more probable assumption, for as i looked up he made an awkward movement as if he was embarrassed at being discovered. yet if he had been eavesdropping, where was the harm? but somehow i felt annoyed. the others followed my glance, but the clerk had gone. mademoiselle trebizond sighed and put her small hand over her mouth to hide a yawn. "it is so what you call dull, sir john," she protested in her coquettish way. "nothing but sea, sea, and not even the chance to go on deck. i would sooner have the mutineers. oh, but it was insensate to leave europe and france. no, it is a country the most diabolic this side of the ocean. what is there under the sea, sir john?" "why, the fishes, mademoiselle," said he, grinning. "no, no; understand me, monsieur. i mean under the ground. what is there?" she waved her hands. "sea, sea, sea, nothing else, and savages," she added thoughtfully. "they would be interesting," i suggested drily. she looked at me. "my good friend, doctor, you are right," she said charmingly. "more interesting than this company. monsieur 'olgate, he is interesting, is it not?" "we may have an opportunity of judging presently," said i lightly. mademoiselle got up and peered out of the port-holes. the glow of the electric light in the luxurious saloon threw into blueness the stark darkness of the evening. nothing was visible, but through the ports streamed the cadences of the water rising and falling about the hull. it had its picturesque side, that scene, and looked at with sympathetic eyes the setting was romantic, whatever tragedy might follow. that it was to be tragedy i was assured, but this pretty, emotional butterfly had no such thoughts. why should she have? she was safeguarded by the prince of a regnant line; she was to be the mistress of millions; and she could coquette at will in dark corners with handsome officers. she was bored, no doubt, and when dominoes with her maid failed her, she had barraclough to fall back on, and there was her art behind all if she had only an audience. i began to see the explanation of that astonishing scene earlier in the day. she was vain to her finger-tips; she loved sensations; and it was trying even to be the betrothed of a royal prince if divorced from excitements to her vanity. after all, prince frederic, apart from his lineage, was an ordinary mortal, and his conversation was not stimulating. in germany or in paris mademoiselle would have footed it happily as the consort even of a dethroned prince; but what was to be got out of the eternal wash and silence of the ocean, out of the sea, sea, sea, as she herself phrased it? she came back from the port-hole. "it is so dull," she said, and yawned politely. well, it was dull, but perhaps dulness was more pleasant than the excitements which we were promised. with a flirt of her eyes she left us. when she was gone barraclough eyed me coldly and steadily. "you didn't say all you had to say," he remarked. "no, i didn't. lights or no lights, holgate will attack presently--i will not pin myself to to-night. he is where he wants to be, or will be soon. then he has no use for us"--i paused--"women or men." "good god, do you think him that sort of scoundrel?" he inquired sharply. "what has he done? played with us as a cat with mice. oh, he's the most unholy ruffian i've ever struck. and you know it. look at his face. no, barraclough, it's death, it's death to every man jack." "and the women?" he said hesitatingly. i too hesitated. "no, i don't credit him with that. he threatened, but i don't quite believe. yet i don't know. no; i think it's a question of a terminus for all of us, man and woman"--i paused--"including your pretty friend there." he turned sharply on me, but made no remark. his eyelids were drawn and heavy and his eyes surcharged. he appeared to be under the stress of some severe thought. i moved away, leaving it at that, for it was obvious that he was moved. as i reached the door i happened to glance back. barraclough stood where i had left him, his brows knitted; but my eyes passed from him to the gallery, and there lighted on mademoiselle, who stood with one hand on the railing gazing down at barraclough. she had her hand to her heart, and her face was white like death, but that may have been the effect of the electric light. i wondered, as i had wondered about pye, how long she had been there, and if she had heard. had she spied on us of a set purpose? if so (god help her!) she had taken no good of her eavesdropping. a pity for her seized me. she was still and silent in the course of my gaze, but, as i looked, the ship heeled, her bosom struck the railing heavily, and she uttered a tiny cry. barraclough glanced up and saw her. as i went out a cold blast streamed off the sea and entered the open ports; the waters rocked and roared. i guessed that we were entering the channel. i had made my report to barraclough, but i had to report to the prince. when i reached his cabin i found him seated before his table, engaged in sorting a number of documents. he wore glasses, which i had never seen on him before, and he proffered me a severe frown as i entered. i have never to this day rightly assessed the character of prince frederic of hochburg, so many odd ingredients entered into it. he was dictatorial, he was even domineering, he was hard-working, and he was conscientious. about these qualities i had already made up my mind. but his acts had been wholly in disregard of the rhythmical and regular conventions which he should thus have associated with himself. he had broken with his fatherland, he had thrown over dynastic laws, he had gone by his will alone, and no red tape. perhaps there was the solution. he had gone by his conscience. i have said i was convinced of his conscientiousness, and possibly in these strange departures from the code of his fathers he was following a new and internal guide, to the detriment of his own material interests. he had abandoned the essence while retaining the forms of his birth and breeding. at least, this is but my assumption; his actions must explain him for himself. i have set down faithfully how he behaved from the first moment i met him. let him be judged by that. the prince, then, who had violated the traditions of his house by his proposed alliance, was occupied in his accounts. that, at any rate, is what i gathered from the hasty glance i got at the sheets of figures before him. "well, sir?" said he brusquely. "i report, sir, that we have entered the straits of magellan, and that we have every reason to look for an attack at any moment," i said formally. he dropped his pen. "so!" he said, nodding quite pleasantly. "it is just as well that it comes, doctor. we have been too long on the rack. it has done us no good." "i think you are right, sir," i answered; "and, on the other hand, it has been of service to the mutineers." he looked perplexed. "we have taken charge of the safes for them," i explained. he sat silent awhile, and then mechanically curled his moustache upwards. "yes--yes--yes," he said. "you are right. that, then, is the reason. this man is clever." it seemed the echo of what his lady-love had said a quarter of an hour before. i made no reply, as none seemed necessary. he went to the barred window, in which a gap was open, letting in the night, and the act recalled again to me mademoiselle. was this scion of royalty perishing for an idea? he looked very strong, very capable, and rather wonderful just then. i had never been drawn to him, but i had at the moment some understanding of what it might be to be the subject of so masterful and unreasonable a man. yet now he was not at all unreasonable, or even masterful. he turned back to me. "doctor," he said gently, "we must see that the ladies are not incommoded." "we will all do our best," i answered, wondering if he knew how inadequate a word he had used. incommoded! good heavens! was my knowledge of holgate to go for nothing? what would be the end? was the man an idealist? he seemed sunk in a dream, and i saw his face soften as he stared out at the sea. compassion gushed in my heart. i turned away. chapter xiii the fog my watch ended at ten o'clock, and i went direct to my cabin. i was a light sleeper, and could depend upon awaking at the slightest sound. thus i had no fear that i should be wanting in an emergency, quite apart from the fact that the steward was stationed at the opening into the saloon with strict orders. i suppose it must have been three hours later that i sat up in my bunk with a consciousness that something was wrong. i listened, but i could hear no sound, and i rose to my feet, seizing my revolver. then i understood. it was precisely that there was no sound, or rather that sounds had dwindled, that i awoke. the screw had stopped. i opened the door and went along the passage towards the saloon. grant was at the foot of the stairs, and i hailed him. "no, sir, i don't know, sir," he answered me in respect of my questions. well, one had to find out at any cost, and i ran up the stairs and got access to the corridor of the state-rooms. here were gathered the prince, barraclough, lane, and the quartermaster. "i believe he's been on the p.s.n.c," lane was saying as i came up. "he ought to be able to pull her through." "the question is, does he want to?" asked barraclough grimly. "good heavens, who wants to lock his ship in these accursed bilboes?" cried the purser. "it's enough to freeze one's hair stiff. can you see anything?" for answer, barraclough threw open the door that led upon the deck, and it was as if a vent had yawned in the night. it was pitch black, and, what was worse, banks of fog rolled along the thwarts. lane drew back a step, and shivered. "oh! my uncle!" he exclaimed. "you do not see any sign of them?" inquired the prince imperturbably. barraclough shook his head. "if they're coming they'll have their work cut out to find their way," he said. "oh, let 'em all come this weather," said lane agreeably. "'i wish i'd bought ducks'--i mean fires." he was shivering continuously and i pushed him back. "don't be a fool," said i. "we want all hands in good form during the next four-and-twenty hours." i peered out of the door, but the screen of sea fog shut off the view; it was as if i gazed at a blank wall, and the cold was intense. "what do you guess has happened?" i asked barraclough. "he's got her in a narrow gut somewhere and is frightened. i've only been through here twice in my life, and in both cases it was broad daylight. this is where they melt fogs for the world. oh, hang it, let's have the door shut." he shut it as he spoke, and i looked round. the prince sat on a sofa and waited. lane blew on his fingers and whistled. ellison stood, the respectful seaman as ever. "they've been kind about the electric light," observed barraclough, with a grin at me. i said nothing, for there was nothing i could rejoin in the circumstances. i retraced my way to the door and opened it. "oh! confound it all!" roared barraclough, as the fog rolled in. "don't you see the ladies are here?" i turned back, but only princess alix was visible. she moved white and tall under the lights. i shut the door again. "why has the yacht stopped, frederic?" she asked her brother. "the fog," he answered, with a gesture towards the door. she looked towards us, her upper lip lifted in a charming excitement and the colour flying in her cheeks. then she came forward swiftly, and, even as she did so, the _sea queen_ heeled over, rolling and trembling from her copper sheathing upwards. the shock sent me against the wall, and barraclough also staggered. princess alix in her flight was precipitated forward and ran upon me. she put up her hands instinctively to save herself, but in the rush she gathered momentum, and swung across the dozen paces between where she had been and the door with the speed of an arrow discharged in the air. her palms struck the woodwork with a resounding slap, but the full force of her sweet body fell on me. for one instant i held her in my arms quite closely, her breath upon my face. "are you hurt, princess?" i gasped. "oh! my hands!" she cried pitifully, and then ceased suddenly. she withdrew a little. "they sting," she said, also breathlessly. "but you--you must be injured." "i am a little out of breath," i answered, "but i was never better in my life." i cannot say why i blurted this forth. somehow i was beyond myself. "she has struck!" cried barraclough. the _sea queen_ righted herself slowly. "i can't stand this," i said. "i'm going to find out." i glanced at the princess, but she stood clinging to the wall, her bosom heaving, her eyes on barraclough. i opened the door, and, stepping out, closed it again behind me. i was determined to find out what had happened. after all, it was not a very hazardous enterprise. holgate had shown no disposition to take advantage of my visits to the forecastle, and it was pretty clear that no attack was possible at the moment. nevertheless, i will confess that i experienced a little elation in feeling my way through the dense darkness along the saloon. it is not always possible to analyse one's feelings, but i think afterwards (not at the time) i connected this mood with the princess. i had held her in my arms, her face to mine, and i was suddenly exalted to be capable of great things. there was nothing i would not have dared then, no danger from which i would have shrunk, no risk i would not have taken, however foolhardy. in a sense i walked on air; i was lunatic; and all because i had held for an instant of time an adorable woman in my arms with no consent of hers. i believe now (and i hope it will not be counted against me) that it was with a little swagger i opened the door and stepped forth into the rolling fog. the _sea queen_ stirred a little as if to show she still lived, but there was no motion perceptible. i had buttoned up my coat round my neck, but even so the mists from the ice-clad hills on either side of the passage bit hard into me. i groped to the chart-house and then paused. a twinkle of light was visible ahead and aloft. it was the bridge. i launched myself suddenly into the vacancy before me, and went like hoodman blind with arms outstretched towards the railing. i struck an iron pillar, and guiding myself from it to another, reached at last the foot of the ladder that ran up. this i mounted very deliberately and carefully until i had come to the bridge itself, where a dull light burned by the binnacle. instantly i was taken by the throat. i struggled with my assailant at a disadvantage, as i was unable to reach his face, owing to his superior grip of me; but i managed to get a leg at the back of his, and though the pressure on my windpipe was terrible, and i felt that i was weakening fast, i threw him back against the railings. as i did so a light was thrust into my face, and i heard holgate's voice. "it's the doctor. all right, pierce. hands off, man." even as he spoke my antagonist loosened his hold, and i drew off, the relaxed artery jumping in my throat painfully. "by thunder, doctor, you were near gone," went on holgate in his ruminating voice. "pierce don't take his fingers off no more than a bull-dog when he has once caught on. lucky i had a suspicion of you. i thought no one would be such a fool as to venture save you. glad to see you as always, if unexpectedly. any news?" he lighted a cigar as he spoke, and the fog was roseate about his head. i recovered my breath as best i might. "as you are reserving us--holgate, for a destiny of your own," i panted, "and we are not--particularly anxious to anticipate it--thought i would find out--if we are going down." he laughed fatly. "i like you, doctor. upon my soul i do. it's a real pity we couldn't have hit it off. no; you can sleep calmly. there's no going down; well, not yet. i've been through these straits a score of times, and in all weathers, and i've learned this much, that a fog spells the red flag. that's all, dr. phillimore. she's got no more than steering way on her, and i'll pull her up presently." "well," said i. "i suppose it matters nothing to us, but a wreck is a frightening matter this weather." he seemed to be studying me, and then laughed. "all serene. if you have made up your mind to your fate there's nothing to be said. but i'm in charge here, and not sir john barraclough. i suppose he has some use, but i've not made it out up till now." "holgate," said i suddenly, "this vessel's in your hands till she's out of the straits, if she's ever out. i don't deny it. but i should like a little further light on destiny, so to speak. you reckon you can take the safes. what more do you want?" "nothing in the world, my lad," he said comfortably. "you've hit it. nothing in the wide, wide world." "rubbish!" said i sharply. "does any one suppose you're going to turn loose witnesses against you?" he took the cigar from his mouth, and, though i could not discern his face in the fog, i knew its expression. "well, now, that's a new idea, and not a bad idea," he said equably. "of course i should be running a risk, shouldn't i? but what's to be done in conflict with a temperament like mine? i can't help myself. take your oath on one thing, doctor, and that is i'll die game. if the respectable folk whom i take pity on and land somewhere--somewhere nice--turn on me, why, i'll die game. but of course they won't. you know they won't, doctor." this question was not worth answering: indeed, i knew it was not meant for an answer; it was a palpable gibe. i held my tongue, but now i knew i should get no information out of this soft-voiced ruffian until it suited him to give it. our fate was still a mystery--if we were beaten in the struggle that was imminent, and i could not flatter myself with hopes of our victory. i bade him good-night, for there was no reason to dispense with ceremonies; we were still enjoying our armed truce. but i had got no farther than the ladder when he hailed me through the gloom. "i've pitched her to, now, doctor. you can sleep like a babe, and the princess too." i stopped--i knew not why; perhaps i had still a faint hope of discovering something. "that means you will attack," i said calmly. his figure loomed out upon me in the fog, the red cigar end burning in his mouth. "you don't mean that, my lad," said he, in an easy, affectionate tone. "i'm lancashire born and lancashire bred, and i'm shrewd enough to know a bit. you don't mean that, bless you. look ye here, doctor; go and take your rest, and pray god to deliver you from your folly. a foolish man you were and that you be. you'll die that, my lad, i fear. yet i would give you another chance. i liked you when i sat opposite to you in the tavern there." "ah, holgate," said i, sighing deeply. "how many weary years ago, and your doing!" i admit that this was theatrical; it was designed as such, and as a last appeal. i was afraid of that man, and that is the truth. i drew a bow at a venture. from the change in the position of the burning edge i gathered that he took his cigar out of his mouth. he was perceptibly silent for a time. then the light went back. "well, you'll have a sound sleep if you take my advice," he said in his normal tones. "and then ... a sounder," i said lightly. "you always take too much for granted, doctor," he replied, laughing. "by the lord, i wish i had your forward mind." "you shall have anything you like of mine directly," i said flippantly, and began the descent of the ladder. i was conscious that he leaned over the barrier of the bridge watching me, for i saw the point of his cigar, but that was soon swallowed up in the darkness, and i saw nothing more. the cold was so intense that my fingers had grown numb as i talked with holgate, and i could hardly feel the iron; moreover, my feet were like lumps of ice and seemed to rest on nothing as they met the rungs. this, i imagine, was the reason of my mishap. at any rate, i missed a rung, lost my catch, and tumbled heavily down the last three or four steps, falling, to my surprise, not upon the hard deck, but upon some warmer, softer body. remembering vividly and painfully my struggle with pierce, i was on my guard, and grabbed the man that lay under me. "for heaven's sake--" he gasped. "it's me--it's pye." i was astounded, and relaxed my hold! what was the little craven clerk doing there at this time of night, and in such weather? "what----" i began, when he uttered an exclamation of terror, as it seemed. "dr. phillimore!" "that is so," i answered. "what on earth are you doing here?" there was almost a whimper in his voice as he replied: "the fog, doctor. i was foolish enough to wander out on the deck, and i lost my way. i've been straying about for twenty minutes or more. i couldn't find the door again." "well, you won't in this direction," i assured him. "this part of the country belongs to the enemy. you've strayed afield, my friend, so, if you'll give me your arm, i'll do my best to put you straight." he thanked me, and did as i asked him, but, as i thought, somewhat timorously. his hand rested nervously inside my arm, as if he would have withdrawn it and fled at a moment's notice. and so we stumbled along the deck together to the state cabins. i gave the signal on the door, and we were admitted by ellison. there was no one else in the corridor except lane at the farther end, and, to my surprise, the princess. she was seated on a couch under the electric light, reading, clad in a long and flowing morning-gown. her hand with the book had dropped a little as we entered, and her eyes sought us. "there will be no alarm to-night, ellison," i said on the spur of the moment, and i caught the princess's eye. she rose, shut her book, and came towards us. "you have come back safely," she said in a quick way. "the fog was the only danger," i answered. "and it nearly did for mr. pye. you may confide your head to the pillow with a security to-night, miss morland. to-night mr. holgate is a sailor." she did not seem to understand. "his care is his ship to-night," i explained. "you have placed us in your debt," she said. "i do not think my brother knows how much we are indebted to you." i looked at pye. the praise was pleasant on her lips, but i felt a little embarrassed. the clerk's eyes were fastened on the princess alix with a certain definite avidity of gaze. it was as if some strange animal had suddenly stiffened at the sight of prey and was watching greedily. the look repelled me; it struck horror to my marrow. i could have seized him, shaken his miserable little bones and thrown him into a weeping, cowardly heap on the floor. but as i looked his gaze came round to me, and behold! it was only the feeble watery eyes behind the gold-rimmed spectacles that i saw. with a bow to the princess i proceeded on my way to give my report to her brother. chapter xiv barraclough takes a hand i did not take holgate's advice, although i had instinctively made up my mind that he was sincere in offering it. what reason he had for expressing kindliness for me--if he had any--i could not say. i reflected that it might very well be of a piece with his astute plans. he might seek to serve some purpose by it. i was useful as a doctor attending to his wounded men, but i knew enough of him to guess that that alone would not suffice to keep him friendly. there must be another reason, unless, indeed, it was as he said, and he really had been captivated by my personal charm! this solution of the problem was flattering, of course, but i was not disposed to accept it. so deep was my mistrust of the arch schemer that i racked my brain to find an explanation for his conduct. this, needless to say, was not conducive to sleep, and i passed a bad night. it was profoundly still, but towards dawn the screw began to move again, and i concluded that the fog had lifted. i got up and looked out of the port, and could discern dimly the white sheets of the mountains not two furlongs distant. the _sea queen_ began to tramp along at a slow pace at first, but finally, getting speed, resumed her normal rate of progress. if i knew holgate he was still on the bridge, and he would remain there until the danger was over. if he was an abominable scoundrel, he was indubitably also an admirable seaman with a sense of duty to his ship. i fell asleep shortly after that, and when i awoke the sun was full up, but setting low in the east, glittering upon a field of snowy pinnacles. i ascended to the state-rooms, and there found barraclough, who had just come on duty. he had a cheerful eye, and scanned me curiously. "well, are we going to get through this?" he asked. "we're going to get out of the straits, i believe," i answered. "ah!" he said, and frowned, as he was accustomed to do when thinking deeply. he was not a man of much thought. "and after that?" said he abruptly. "the deluge," said i, shrugging my shoulders. "look here, phillimore, do you believe we can hold out against holgate's forces?" he asked seriously. "i think we shall have to try," i replied evasively. "i'm damned if we can," he said bluffly. "it's all infernal nonsense." "well, we've got to try," i repeated impatiently. "oh, well! yes, we've got to try," he admitted, "unless holgate will hear reason." "good lord, man, do you suppose he's risked all this to listen to reason now?" i asked in amazement. barraclough turned away. "well, you see him. you ought to know," he growled. "if he doesn't, we're done." "i don't advise you to tell the others that," i said drily. he turned on me fiercely. "who said i would?" he snapped. "do you take me for a fool? and who's captain here? dr. phillimore, i'll have you know your place," he cried, in a black passion, unusual in him. "i'm commanding officer and responsible to none, not even the--mr. morland, by heaven, no--not on this ship, anyway!" and with that remarkable tempest of unreasonable fury he strode angrily away, leaving me annoyed and something abashed. assuredly the situation, the waiting, the suspense, had played havoc with all our nerves, even with this stolid english gentleman's. there was the development, in fact, as plain as a pike-staff. this tension had worn on us. barraclough lost his temper for inadequate reasons; the prince shut himself in his room morosely, for i shall come to that presently; and lane growled and grumbled so that it was difficult to avoid quarrelling with him. indeed, it was only by silence that i averted an open collision on more than one occasion. little pye was as nervous as a hen; a sound set him jumping. as i came up the stairs noiselessly, i encountered him, and his whole body started. "good gracious, man!" said i, with good-humoured contempt, "you'll be skipping away from your own shadow next. how do you expect to stand up against holgate with a spirit like that?" he was pale even through the strong colour that the sun had beaten into him. he eyed me without replying for a moment, and then, with the ghost of his old manner, answered: "i expect i shall sit down to him." the fingers with which he readjusted the glasses--his favourite trick--were tremulous. pye was to be counted out in case of an emergency, but pye somehow set me thinking. pye's cowardice was manifest--rampant, if one may use such a term; yet he had ventured into the fog the night before; not only so, but upon a deck which was filled in his eyes with horrid enemies, prowling in search of victims. how had he achieved that spirited action? it seemed incredible, yet i had come upon him at the foot of the bridge stairs, and i had his explanation. what induced the timid rabbit to venture out of his hutch upon such a night and in such circumstances? frankly the riddle beat me, and i should have worried over it had it not been for other matters that seemed more immediately important. i have spoken of the prince's seclusion. i admit now that it had already made an impression on me. he was, as became his nature and his training, a disciplinarian. each man had his place and his duties, and prince frederic appeared at due seasons and shared in the responsibilities. he did not shirk, in accordance with his promise. but for the rest he had withdrawn himself now for three days from the general company. his meals were served with his sister and mademoiselle, but from what i saw he was most often in his own cabin; and here it was i got a glimpse of him once again--a glimpse, i mean, into that strange and compound character. i forget the occasion, but it was necessary that i should see him, and i entered the cabin after knocking. when we were done he pulled his papers before him and sat looking at them dully. "have you any literary qualities, dr. phillimore?" he asked me, quite unexpectedly. i hesitated. "if so, they are quite undeveloped," i replied. "i have no reason to suppose so." "ah!" he sighed, and taking a volume which lay on the table he opened it. "do you know german?" i told him that i could read the language. he nodded. "it has never been properly appreciated," he said slowly; "the german literature is wonderful--ah, wonderful!" and he appeared to meditate over his page; then he set the book down and looked across at me. "you are married, doctor? ah, no!" he nodded again, and once more resumed his meditations. i might have taken it for granted that i was free to go, but for some reason i lingered. he frowned deeply, and sighed again. "there is a passage in schiller, but you would not know it----" he gave me no chance of saying, and i answered nothing; only sat and stared at him. "there is more music in germany's little finger than in all the world else--in composition, i mean," he added. "that has always been my opinion," i ventured at last. he turned his dull blue eyes on me, as if wondering what i did there. "so!" he said, and heaved a bigger sigh from his very heart, as it seemed. "when the attack is made, doctor----" he broke off, and asked sharply, "when will they attack, do you say?" "any moment now, sir," i replied. he rose. "we must remember the ladies, doctor," he said. "yes, we are not likely to forget them," i replied. he eyed me. "do you think----?" and paused. "that is all, sir," he said with a curt nod. it was not a ceremonious or even a fitting dismissal seeing the common peril in which we stood. in that danger surely we should have drifted together more--drifted into a situation where princes and commoners were not, where employers and hirelings did not exist. yet i was not annoyed, for i had seen some way into his soul, and it was turbid and tortured. black care had settled on prince frederic, and he looked on me out of eyes of gloom. the iron had entered into him, and he was no longer a prince, but a mortal man undergoing travail and anguish. by the afternoon we were clear of the straits, and the nose of the yacht turned northward. still there was no sign from the mutineers, and that being so, i felt myself at liberty to pay my accustomed visit to legrand in the forecastle. no one interfered with me, and i did not see holgate; but the man on guard at the hatch made no difficulty about letting me down. as i descended it came into my mind how easy it would be to dispose of yet another fighting man of the meagre force at the prince's disposal by clapping the hatch over my head. it would have been a grim joke quite in keeping with holgate's character, and for a moment i turned as in doubt; but the next second, banishing my misgivings, i went down to the floor. captivity was telling on the prisoners beyond doubt, for here they got no sight of sun, and the light was that of the gloaming. i remembered that i had forgotten to take a lantern from the sentry as soon as this twilight gloomed on me, and i was turning back when i heard a sound. "hsst--hsst!----" i stopped. "who is that?" i asked in a whisper. "it's me, jones, sir," said one of the hands. i walked towards him, for the light that streamed in by the open hatchway sufficed to reveal him. "anything wrong with you?" said i casually. "well, i could do with a bit more light and a smoke, sir," said the man, respectfully cheerful. but it was not his words; it was his action that arrested me, for he jerked his thumb incessantly as he spoke towards the darker recesses of the hold. "all right, my man," said i. "i'll speak to mr. holgate. he oughtn't to keep you in such close confinement if you are to remain human beings." so saying, i waded into the deeper shadows, and as i did i felt my hand seized and dragged downwards. "s-s-s-h!" said a very still voice, and i obeyed. what was it? i was drawn downward, and at last i knelt. i knew now, and somehow my heart leaped within me. i had never really understood legrand; i had taken him for a very ordinary ship's officer; but i had come slowly to another conclusion. i bent down. "heart pretty bad," i said in a mechanical way. "there's only one way out," whispered a voice below me, "and that's through the bulkheads into the engine-room. i've been waiting, and i think i can do it." "i don't like the look of the eyes," i remarked indifferently. "does he eat well?" "not very well, sir; it's a job to get him to take it," said jones. "we've had four days at it with a knife," said the whisper, "and by thunder we see light now. we'll get through, phillimore. how do you stand?" "sleep at all well?" i inquired. "i couldn't say, sir," said jones, "just lays there like a log." "attack may be made at any moment," i whispered back. "there are some ten of us holding the state-rooms and the ladies." he gripped my hand, and i rose to my feet. "well, i'm afraid i can't do any more," i said. "he's going on pretty much the same. good-bye, men." they returned the farewell, and i made my way to the ladder and ascended. the guard with emotionless face helped me out, and the first man my eyes fell on was holgate, standing with his hands in his pockets, looking at me. he whistled as he eyed me, and his teeth showed in his grin. "for sheer arduous pursuit of duty i don't know your equal, doctor," said he. "you just hang on to work as if you loved it. how's the patient?" i told him that it was a question of time, but that there was no reason why legrand should not get over the injury to his spine--"not that he will ever be the same man again," i added. "no," said he reflectively, "he won't. and he wants time, does he? well, perhaps we can give him time--though, mark you, my lad, i don't promise it," he said, with his ugly fang showing in a smile. he took ten paces along the deck with me, seeming to be wrapped up in his thoughts, and then he paused. "tell me, doctor, are you in this move?" he asked brusquely. "what move?" i asked in turn. "what do you mean?" he waved a hand towards the upper deck. "why, barraclough's, of course," he replied. "are you working with him? because, if so, i'd like to know, if only for amusement." "i haven't the faintest idea what you're talking of," i replied. "you're not making terms, eh?" said he, heavily leaden of face. "by gosh, you might be, doctor, but you ain't! more fool you. then it's barraclough, is it, playing on his own." he chuckled. "that man treated me as pretty dirt all along, didn't he? i'll go bail it was public property. barraclough's real blue blood. prick him and see. my son, he's got to be pricked, but i'm no surgeon." "i understand nothing of all this," i replied. "you enjoy mystification, holgate, and your talents are remarkable. you can beat sir john out of his boots. but i wish you'd used your talents elsewhere. better have buried them. for you've given us a stiff job, and we've simply got to lick you." you will see that i broke out here in his own vein. i had come to the conclusion that this was my best card to play. i could sum up holgate to a point, but i did not know him all through, and i was wise enough to recognise that. i think if i had been under thirty, and not over that sagacious age, i should have judged more rashly. but i had that unknown area of holgate's character to meet, and i thought to meet it by emulating his own bearing. i am not by nature communicative, but i feigned the virtue. i spoke to him as an equal, exchanging views upon the situation as one might exchange them on a cricket match. and i believe he appreciated my tone. "if you had as little character as sir john and more prudence, i would have bet on your future, doctor," he said soberly. "but you must play your own cards. and if sir john wants terms, he must be generous. generosity becomes the victor." he smiled, and nodded farewell, and i left him considerably puzzled. i had no guess as to what he meant by his talk of barraclough and terms. it could only mean one thing on the face of it, and that was that barraclough had been in communication with him. if so, was this by the prince's desire? and if so again, why had not i heard of it? our company was so small and our plight so desperate that it was unseemly to confine policy or diplomacy within a narrow circle. surely, we had all a right to a knowledge of what was forward--at least, all of us who were in positions of responsibility. as i went back i was consumed with annoyance that such an important matter as a possible compromise with the mutineers had been concealed from me. but then, was it a compromise authorised by the prince? if i had read that obstinate and that fanatical proud heart aright, i could not credit it. when i reached the state-rooms i inquired for barraclough, and then remembered that he would be on duty in the saloon. i immediately sought him there, but found only grant, who informed me that he had relieved sir john at his orders half an hour earlier. he could not give any information beyond that. it was possible barraclough had gone to his cabin, and so i repaired thither; but without success. i made inquiries of ellison, who had not seen the first officer, and of the steward, who was in a like case. it was lane who gave me the clue, in a vein which i will set down without comment. "he's on a perch, and crowing like a rooster, is the bart. you need not look for flies on barraclough, doctor. he's his own chauffeur this trip. i don't fancy the joy myself, but the bart. is rorty, and what would you say to mademoiselle, eh?" "oh, let's be plain, lane!" i said impatiently. he jerked his thumb across the corridor. "mademoiselle wants a partner at dominoes, matador, or bridge, doctor, and the bart. plays a good game. if you have to choose between your maid and a bart., you bet your life you'll pocket the bart. oh, this trip's about enough for me! where's it going to end, and where are we?" he made a wry face and sank in a heap on his chair. "if you've got any influence with holgate make him come in. i'm sick of this damn sentry-go. if it suits germans, it don't suit a true-born englishman." "is sir john with mademoiselle?" i asked simply. "guess again and you'll guess wrong," said lane moodily, kicking his feet about. i was not interested in his feelings at the moment. my mind was occupied with other considerations, but it certainly gave me pause that what i had myself seen was apparently now common knowledge. that sir john had been fascinated by the coquettish parisian was obvious to me; if it was obvious to lane, was it hidden from others who were more concerned? i had my answer as regards one almost immediately. if sir john were in the ladies' boudoir, it was not for me to disturb him, and i turned away and passed out of the corridor. as i was preparing to descend to the cabins i heard the low strains of the small organ which the piety of a former owner of the _sea queen_ had placed at the end of the music gallery. i entered, and in the customary twilight made out a figure at the farther end of the room. perhaps it was the dim light that gave the old air its significance. it had somewhat the effect upon me that music in a church heard faintly and moving with simple solemnity has always had. what is there that speaks so gravely in the wind notes and reeds of an organ? ein feste burg ist unser gott. i knew the words as familiarly as i knew the music, and yet that was almost the last place and time in which i should have expected to hear it. it was not mademoiselle who played so low and soft to hear. oh, i felt sure of that! the touch was lighter, graver and quieter. i drew near the player and listened. i had heard mademoiselle sing that wonderful song, "adelaide," and she had sung it divinely. but i would have given a dozen "adelaide's" for that simple air, rendered by no voice, but merely by sympathetic fingers on those austere keys. i listened, as i say, and into my heart crept something--i know not what--that gave me a feeling of fulness of heart, of a surcharge of strange and not wholly painful sentiment. i was still battling with these sensations when the music ceased and the player arose. she started slightly on seeing me, and i found myself stammering an excuse for my presence. "i was looking for sir john barraclough." "come," she said, after a moment's pause, "i will find him for you." i followed her into the corridor, until she paused outside a door and opened it abruptly without knocking. i waited without, but i heard her voice, strangely harsh and clear. "sir john barraclough, you are being sought by dr. phillimore." three minutes later barraclough joined me, red and discomposed. "anything the matter?" he growled. i knew now that i had been used as a definite excuse to get rid of barraclough, whose presence was not welcome to the princess alix; and with that knowledge i framed my answer. "yes; what terms have you made with holgate?" he started as if i had struck him, stared at me, and his jaw came out in a heavy obstinate fashion he had. "what's that to you?" "only this," said i, "that my life is as valuable to me as yours or the prince's to you or him, and that therefore i have a right to know." he laughed shortly. "i'm commanding officer." "oh, i'm sick of these airs!" i replied. "if you will not answer me, i will go to the prince and get an answer from him. he, at least, will see the reasonableness of my request for information." he changed his attitude at that. "you needn't do that, phillimore," said he. "i can tell you all you need know. after all, as you say, you've a certain right." he looked at me with his hard unfriendly look, and i met him with one of expectancy. "you know what my opinion is," he resumed. "it's only a bluff to say that we have a chance against holgate. he's got the ship, and he's got the men. i want to see if we can't make some arrangement." "and he will?" i inquired sceptically. barraclough hesitated. "he's inclined to. he's to let me know. i think he's a bit impressed by our bluff all the same, and if we could hit on a suitable middle course----" he stopped. "hang it, there are the women, phillimore!" he said vehemently. "and you suppose holgate will take them into consideration?" i said. "well, perhaps he may. i don't think either you or i really know much of holgate. but i think i know more than you. he's sociable and friendly, isn't he? one wouldn't take him for a rascally mutineer." "he's a most infernal ruffian," said he with an oath. "yet you would trust him in the matter of terms," i suggested. barraclough frowned. "we've got to," he said curtly, "unless you can show me a way to hold out." "oh! men have been in worse cases than ours and emerged all right--a little battered, no doubt. and then there's the coal. we can't cruise indefinitely. holgate's got to put in somewhere." "oh, he's not going to wait for that!" said barraclough moodily. "look here, phillimore; have you a guess at what he means to do?" "i have about ten guesses," i replied, shaking my head, "and none of them fits the case. what's he going to do with us? that's his real difficulty and ours. the money problem's simple. i can't see what's at the back of that black mind, but i don't think it's hopeful for us--women included." "there you are," he exploded savagely. "anything if we can prevent the worst." "yes," i assented. "provided you can trust to holgate's word. but would he let us off at any price and run the risk? and, moreover, the prince. what of him?" "he would refuse. he wouldn't budge. he's a nuisance," said barraclough moodily. "he's our stumbling-block." "quite so; and if we all caved in but mr. morland, what must his fate be? and we should look on, shouldn't we? and then go home in a tramp steamer, a happy family party with a nice little secret of our own. ten, twelve, well, say, sixteen of us. i can see holgate trusting to that, and comfortably lolling back in yokohama deck-chairs; and i can also see sir john barraclough reporting the total loss of the yacht _sea queen_, captain and owner and so-and-so going down with her. i can read it all in the papers here, and now; it will be excellent food for the ha'pennies!" the frown deepened on his face as i proceeded, but, contrary to my expectation, he did not display any temper at my mocking speech. he shrugged his shoulders. "i'll admit the difficulties. it looks like impossibility, but so's the alternative. i'm in despair." "there's only one thing will solve the problem," i said. he looked up. "action." "you mean----" "holgate won't wait till his coal's out. he's free for an attack now." "in god's name, let him!" said barraclough viciously. chapter xv the fight in the music-room the _sea queen_ was making way on her northerly course athwart the long rollers of the pacific. the wind blew briskly from the west, and the sea ran high, so that the yacht lay over with a strong list as she battled through the rough water. my watch began at twelve o'clock that night, and i took the precaution to lie down for a rest about eight. i fell asleep to the sound of the sea against my porthole window, but awoke in good time. it was full dark, and, save for the screw and the eternal long wash without, there was silence. somehow the very persistence of these sounds seemed profounder silence. i groped my way into the passage, with the screw kicking under my feet, and passed barraclough's cabin. still there was no sound or sign of life, but i perceived the glimmer of a light beyond, and seeing that it issued from pye's cabin i turned the handle of the door. it was locked. "who is that?" demanded a tremulous voice. "it's i. let me in," i called back. the door was opened slowly and little pye stood before me. in the illumination of the incandescent wire he stood out ghastly white. "it's you, doctor," he said weakly. the smell of spirits pervaded the cabin. i looked across and saw a tumbler in the rack, half full of whisky and water. he noticed the direction of my gaze. "i can't sleep," said he. "this heavy water has given me a touch of sea-sickness. i feel awfully queer." "i don't suppose whisky will do you any good," said i. he laughed feebly and vacantly. "oh, but it does! it stays the stomach. different people are affected different ways, doctor." as he spoke he took down the glass with quivering fingers and drank from it in a clumsy gulp. "i shall be better if i can get to sleep," he said nervously, and drank again. "pye, you're making trouble for yourself," said i. "you'll be pretty bad before morning." "oh, for goodness' sake, don't talk about morning!" he broke out in a fit of terror. i gazed at him in astonishment, and he tried to recover under my eyes. "that's not your first glass," said i. he did not deny it. "i can't go on without it. let me alone, doctor; for heaven's sake let me alone." i gave him up. "well, if you are going to obfuscate yourself in this foolish manner," i said, my voice disclosing my contempt, "at least take my advice and don't lock yourself in. none but hysterical women do that." i was closing the door when he put a hand out. "doctor, doctor...." i paused, and he looked at me piteously. "could you give me a sleeping draught?" "if you'll leave that alone, i will," i said; and i returned to my cabin and brought some sulphonal tabloids. "this will do you less harm than whisky," i said. "now buck up and be a man, pye." he thanked me and stood looking at me. his hands nervously adjusted his glasses on his nose. he took one of the tabloids and shakily lifted his whisky and water to wash it down his throat. he coughed and sputtered, and with a shiver turned away from me. he lifted the glass again and drained it. "good-bye, doctor--good-night, i mean," he said hoarsely, with his back still to me. "i'm all right. i think i shall go to sleep now." "well, that's wise," said i, "and i'll look in and see how you go on when my watch is over." he started, turned half-way to me and stopped. "right you are," he said, with a struggle after cheerfulness. his back was still to me. he had degrading cowardice in his very appearance. somehow i was moved to pat him on the shoulder. "that's all right, man. get to sleep." for answer he broke into tears and blubbered aloud, throwing himself face downwards on his bunk. "come, pye!" said i. "why, what's this, man?" "i'm a bit upset," he said, regaining some control of himself. "i think the sea-sickness has upset me. but i'm all right." he lay on his face, and was silent. and so (for i was due now in the corridor) i left him. as i turned away, i could have sworn i heard the key click in the door. he had locked himself in again. lane was on duty at the farther end of the corridor, and i had the door near the entrance connecting with the music balcony. two electric lights shed a faint glow through the length and breadth of the corridor, and over all was silence. as i sat in my chair, fingering my revolver, my thoughts turned over the situation helplessly, and swung round finally to the problem of barraclough and mademoiselle. the princess and i had guessed what was forward, and lane also had an inkling. only the prince was ignorant of the signal flirtation which was in progress under his nose. i suppose such a woman could not remain without victims. it did not suffice for her that she had captured a prince of the blood, had dislocated the policy of a kingdom, and had ruined a man's life. she must have other trophies of her beauty, and barraclough was one. i was sorry for him, though i cannot say that i liked him. the dull, unimaginative and wholesome briton had toppled over before the sensuous arts of the french beauty. his anxiety was for her. he had not shown himself timorous as to the result before. doubtless she had infected him with her fears. possibly, even, it was at the lady's suggestion that he had made advances to holgate. suddenly my thoughts were diverted by a slight noise, and, looking round, i saw lane advancing swiftly towards me. "i say, phillimore," he said in a hoarse whisper, "i've lost the key." "key!" i echoed. "what key?" for i did not at once take in his meaning. "why, man, the purser's key--the key of the strong room," he said impatiently. i gazed in silence at him. "but you must have left it below," i said at last. "not i," he answered emphatically. "i'm no juggins. they're always on me. i go to bed in them, so to speak. see here." he pulled a ring of keys from his pocket. "this is how i keep 'em--on my double chain. they don't leave me save at nights when i undress. well, it's gone, and i'm damned if i know when it went or how it went." he gazed, frowning deeply at his bunch. "that's odd," i commented. "it puts me in a hole," said he. "how the mischief can i have lost it? i can't think how it can have slipped off. and it's the only one gone, too." "it didn't slip off," said i. "it's been stolen." he looked at me queerly. "that makes it rather worse, old chap," he said hesitatingly. "for it don't go out of my hands." "save at night," said i. he was silent. "hang it, what does any blighter want to steal it for?" he demanded in perplexity. "well, we know what's in the strong room," i said. "yes--but----" there was a sound. "to your door," said i. "quick, man." lane sped along the corridor to his station, and just as he reached it a door opened and princess alix emerged. she hesitated for a moment and then came towards me. it was bitterly cold, and she was clad in her furs. she came to a pause near me. "i could not sleep, and it is early yet," she said. "are you expecting danger?" "we have always to act as if we were," i said evasively. she was examining my face attentively, and now looked away as if her scrutiny had satisfied her. "why has this man never made any attempt to get the safes?" she asked next. "i wish i knew," i replied, and yet in my mind was that strange piece of information i had just had from lane. who had stolen the key? the princess uttered a little sigh, and, turning, began to walk to and fro. "it is sometimes difficult to keep one's feet when the floor is at this angle," she remarked as she drew near to me; and then she paced again into the distance. she was nervous and distressed, i could see, though her face had not betrayed the fact. yet how was i to comfort her? we were all on edge. once again she paused near me. "what are our chances?" "they are hopeful," said i, as cheerfully as i might. "the fortress has always more chances than the leaguers, providing rations hold out, and there is no fear of ours." "ah, tell me the truth!" she cried with agitation. "madam, i have said what is exactly true," i replied gravely. "i have spoken of chances." "and if we lose?" she asked after a pause. her eyes encountered mine fully. "i have no information," i said slowly, "and very little material to go on in guessing. but i hope we shall not lose," i added. "this can't go on forever, dr. phillimore," she said with a little catch in her voice. "it has gone on so long." my heart bled for her. she had been so courageous; she had shown such fortitude, such resistance, such common sense, this beautiful proud woman; and she was now breaking down before one of her brother's employees. "it can't go on much longer," i said, again gravely. "it will come to its own conclusion presently." "ah, but what conclusion?" she cried. "who knows! who knows?" the sight of her agitation, of that splendid woman nigh to tears, thrilled me to the marrow with a storm of compassion and something more. i was carried out of myself. "god be witness," i cried, "that while i live you shall be safe from any harm. god be my witness for that." she uttered a tiny sob and put out her hand impulsively. "you are good," she said brokenly. "i am a coward to give way. but i was alone. i have brooded over it all. and frederic--thank you, oh, thank you! to have said so much, perhaps, has helped me. oh, we shall all live--live to talk of these days with shudders and thankfulness to god. you are right to call god to witness. he is our witness now--he looks down on us both, and he will help us. i will pray to him this night, as i have prayed three times a day." she spoke in a voice full of emotion, and very low and earnest, and her hand was still in mine. and, as she finished, the two electric lights in the corridor went out, leaving us in pitch darkness. i felt the princess shudder. "be brave," i whispered. "oh, be brave! you have called to god. he will hear you." "yes, yes," she whispered back, and clutched my hand tighter, drawing nearer me till her furs rested against my breast. "but what is it? what does it mean?" "it may mean nothing," i replied, "but it may mean----" i put my ear to the door, still holding her, and listened. through the noises of the sea i could make out other and alien sounds. "they come... you must go. can you find your way?" "let me stay," she murmured breathlessly. "no, no; go," i said. "your place is in your cabin just now. remember, i know where it is and i can find you." "yes, find me," she panted. "please find me. see, i--i have this." she put the butt of a revolver into my hand. "that has been by me since the first. but come; find me--if--if it is necessary." i raised her hand to my lips and she melted away. i turned to the door. "lane!" i called. "lane!" his voice sailed back to me. "what's gone wrong with the lights?" "they're coming," i said. "look to your door." and even as i spoke a bar crashed upon mine from without. in an instant the corridor was full of noises. the mutineers were upon us, but they had divided their forces, and were coming at different quarters. it remained to be seen at which spot their main attack was to be delivered. i put my revolver through one of the holes we had drilled in the door, and fired. it was impossible to say if my shot took effect, but i hoped so, and i heard the sound of lane's repeater at the farther end. the blows on the door were redoubled, and it seemed to me to be yielding. i emptied two more cartridges through the hole at a venture, and that one went home i knew, since i had touched a body with the muzzle as i pulled the trigger. ellison was on guard in the saloon below, and grant and the cook in the music saloon; and i judged from the sounds that reached me in the _melée_ that they also were at work. by this time barraclough and jackson and the prince had arrived on the scene, the last with a lantern which he swung over his head. barraclough joined me, and jackson was despatched to grope his way into the saloon to assist ellison. the prince himself took his station with lane, and i heard the noise of his weapon several times. my door had not yet given way, but i was afraid of those swinging blows, and both barraclough and i continued to fire. the corridor filled with smoke and the smell of powder. "do you think he's made up his mind to get through here?" asked barraclough. "i don't know," i shouted back. "he's attacking in three places, at any rate. we can't afford to neglect any one of them." "confound this darkness!" he exclaimed furiously. "oh, for an hour of dawn!" the blows descended on the door, but still it held, and i began to wonder why. surely a body of men with axes should have destroyed the flimsy boards by this time. it looked as if this was not the real objective of the attack. i sprang to the bolt and was drawing it when barraclough called out, for he could see in the dim light of the lantern. "good heavens, man, are you mad?" "no," i called back. "stand ready to fire. i believe there's practically no one behind this"; and, having now released the bolt, i flung open the door. simultaneously barraclough fired through the open darkness, and a body took the deck heavily, floundering on the threshold. the rest was silence. no one was visible or audible. but at my feet lay two bodies. "i thought so," i said excitedly. "this was mere bluff. and so's the attack on lane's door. see, there's no force there. i will settle that." i delivered a pistol shot along the deck in the direction of some shadows, and retreated, bolting the door behind me. "where is it?" gasped barraclough, out of breath. "one at each door will do," said i. "fetch lane here. i think its the music-room. you and i had better get there as fast as we can." without disputing my assumption of authority, he ran down the corridor, and explained our discovery, returning presently with lane. then we made for the music-room. it was pitch black on the stairs, but we groped our way through, guided by the sounds within. barraclough struck a match and shed a light on the scene. for an instant it flared and sputtered, discovering to us the situation in that cockpit. the place was a shambles. grant was at bay in a corner, the cook lay dead, and half a dozen mutineers were struggling in the foreground with some persons i could not see: while through the broken boards of the windows other men were climbing. with an oath barraclough dropped his match and rushed forward. my revolver had barked as he did so, and one of the ruffians who was crawling through the window toppled head first into the saloon. but the darkness hampered us, for it was impossible to tell who was friend or enemy; and i believe it had hampered the mutineers also, or they must have triumphed long ere this. i engaged in a hand-to-hand struggle with some one who gripped me by the throat and struck at me with a knife. i felt it rip along my shoulder, and a throb of pain jumped in my arm. but the next moment i had him under foot and had used the last cartridge in my chamber. "where are you, grant, barraclough, ellison?" i called out, and i heard above the din of oaths and feet and bumping a voice call hoarsely to me. whose it was i could not say and upon that came an exclamation of pain or cry. "my god!" with the frenzy of the lust of blood upon me, i seized some one and drove my revolver heavily into his skull. i threw another man to the floor from behind, and was then seized as in a grasp of a vice. i turned about and struggled fiercely, and together my assailant and i rocked and rolled from point to point. neither of us had any weapon, it appeared, and all that we could do was to struggle in that mutual and tenacious grip and trust to chance. i felt myself growing weaker, but i did not relax my hold and, indeed, came to the conclusion that if i was to survive it must be by making a superhuman effort. with all the force of my muscles and the weight of my body i pushed my man forward, at the same time striving to bend him backward. he gave way a little and struck the railings that surrounded the well of the saloon, bumping along them heavily. then recovering, he exerted all his strength against me, and we swayed together. suddenly there was a crack in my ears, the rail parted asunder, and we both toppled over into space. a thud followed which seemed to be in my very brain, and then i knew nothing. when i was next capable of taking in impressions with my senses i was aware of a great stillness. vacantly my mind groped its way back to the past, and i recalled that i had fallen, and must be now in the saloon. immediately on that i was conscious that i was resting upon some still body, which must be that of my opponent who had fallen under me. what had happened? i could hear no sounds of any conflict in progress. had the enemy taken possession of the state-rooms, and were all of our party prisoners or dead? i rose painfully into a sitting posture, and put out a hand to guide myself. it fell on a quiet face. the man was dead. it was with infinite difficulty that i got to my feet, sore, aching, and dizzy, and groped my way to the wall. which way was i to go? which way led out? the only sound i seemed to hear was the regular thumping of the screw below me, which was almost as if it had been in the arteries of my head, beating in consonance with my heart. then an idea struck me, flooding me with horror, and bracing my shattered nerves. the princess! i had promised to go to her if all was lost. i had betrayed my trust. as i thought this i staggered down the saloon, clutching the wall, and came abruptly against a pillar which supported the balcony above. from this i let myself go at a venture, and walked into the closed door forthright. congratulating myself on my luck, i turned the handle and passed into the darkness of the passages beyond. and now a sound of voices flowed toward me, voices raised in some excitement, and i could perceive a light some way along the passage in the direction of the officers' cabins. as i stood waiting, resolute, not knowing if these were friends or foes, and fearing the latter, a man emerged toward me with a lantern. "if that fool would only switch on the light it would be easier," he said in a voice which i did not recognise. but the face over the lantern was familiar to me. it was pierce, the murderer of mccrae, and the chief figure after holgate in that mutiny and massacre. i shrank back behind the half-open door, but he did not see me. he had turned and gone back with an angry exclamation. "stand away there!" i heard, in a voice of authority, and i knew the voice this time. it was holgate's. the mutineers had the ship. what, then, had become of the prince's party? what fate had enveloped them? i waited no longer, but staggered rather than slipped out of the saloon and groped in the darkness toward the stairs. once on them, i pulled myself up by the balustrade until i reached the landing, where the entrance-hall gave on the state-rooms. i was panting, i was aching, every bone seemed broken in my body, and i had no weapon. how was i to face the ruffians, who might be in possession of the rooms? i tried the handle of the door, but it was locked. i knocked, and then knocked louder with my knuckles. was it possible that some one remained alive? summoning my wits to my aid, i gave the signal which had been used by me on previous occasions on returning from my expeditions. there was a pause; then a key turned; the door opened, and i fell forward into the corridor. chapter xvi pye i looked up into barraclough's face. "then you're all right," i said weakly; "and the princess----" "we've held these rooms, and by heaven we'll keep 'em," said he vigorously. i saw now that his left arm was in a sling, but my gaze wandered afield under the lantern in search of others. "the prince and the princess are safe," said he, in explanation. "but it's been a bad business for us. we've lost the cook, jackson, and grant, and that little beggar, pye." i breathed a sigh of relief at his first words; and then as i took in the remainder of his sentence, "what! is pye dead?" "well, he's missing, anyway," said barraclough indifferently; "but he's not much loss." "perhaps he's in his cabin. he locked himself in earlier," i said. "give me an arm, like a good fellow. i'm winged and i'm all bruises. i fell into the saloon." "gad, is that so?" said he; and i was aware that some one else was listening near. i raised my head, and, taking barraclough's hand, looked round. it was princess alix. i could make her out from her figure, but i could not see her face. "you have broken an arm?" she said quickly. "it is not so bad as that, miss morland," i answered. "i got a scrape on the shoulder and the fall dazed me." i was now on my feet again, and barraclough dropped me into a chair. "they got in by the windows of the music-room," i said. "yes," he assented. "ellison and jackson ran up from the saloon on the alarm, apparently just in time to meet the rush. ellison's bad--bullet in the groin." "i must see to him," i said, struggling up. a hand pressed me gently on the shoulder, and even so i winced with pain. "you must not go yet," said the princess. "there is yourself to consider. you are not fit." i looked past her towards the windows, some of which had been unbarred in the conflict. "i fear i can't afford to be an invalid," i said. "there is so much to do. i will lie up presently, miss morland. if sir john will be good enough to get me my bag, which is in the ante-chamber, i think i can make up on what i have." barraclough departed silently, and i was alone with the princess. "i did not come," i said. "i betrayed my trust." she came a little nearer to my seat. "you would have come if there had been danger," she said earnestly. "yet why do we argue thus when death is everywhere? three honest men have perished, and we are nearer home by so much." "home!" said i, wondering. "yes, i mean home," she said in a quick, low voice. "don't think that i am a mere foolish woman. i have always seen the end, and sometimes it appears to me that we are wasting time in fighting. i know what threatens, what must fall, and i thank god i am prepared for it. see, did i not show you before?" and here she laid her hand upon her bosom, which was heaving. i shook my head. "you are wrong," said i feebly. "there is nothing certain yet. think, i beg you, how many chances god scatters in this world, and how to turn a corner, to pause a moment, may change the face of destiny. a breath, a wind, the escape of a jet of steam, a valve astray, a jagged rock in the ocean, the murmur of a voice, a handshake--anything the least in this world may cause the greatest revolution in this world. no, you must not give up hope." "i will not," she said. "i will hope on; but i am ready for the worst." "and the prince?" i asked. "i think he has changed much of late," she said slowly. "he is altered. yet i do think he, too, is ready. the prison closes upon us." she had endured so bravely. that delicate nature had breasted so nobly these savage perils and mischances that it was no wonder her fortitude had now given way. but that occasion was the only time she exhibited anything in common with the strange fatalism of her brother, of which i must say something presently. it was the only time i knew that intrepid girl to fail, and even then she failed with dignity. barraclough returned with my bag, and i selected from it what i wanted. i knew that, beyond bruises and shock, there was little the matter with me, and for that i must thank the chance that had flung me on the body of my assailant, and not underneath it. there was need of me at that crisis, as i felt, and it was no hour for the respectable and judicious methods of ordinary practice. i had to get myself up to the norm of physique, and i did so. "well," said lane, who had been attending to ellison, "they've appropriated the coker-nut. it wasn't my fault, for the beggars kept me and the prince busy at the door, and then, before you could say 'knife,' they were off. a mean, dirty trick's what i call it!" "oh, that's in the campaign!" i said. "and what said the prince?" "swore like a private in the line--at least, i took it for swearing, for it was german. and then we ran as hard as we could split to the row, but it was too late. there wasn't any one left. all was over save the shouting." "then the prince is well?" i asked. "not a pimple on him, old man," said the efflorescent lane, "and he's writing like blue blazes in his cabin." what was he writing? was that dull-blue eye eloquent of fate? when he should be afoot, what did he at his desk? even as i pondered this question, a high voice fluted through the corridor and a door opened with a bang. it was mademoiselle. she dashed across, a flutter of skirts and a flurry of agitation, and disappeared into the apartments occupied by the prince. princess alix stood on the threshold with a disturbed look upon her face. "she's gone to raise cain," said lane, with a grimace. "we've got enough cain already," said i, and walked to the window opposite. dawn was now flowing slowly into the sky, and objects stood out greyly in a grey mist. from the deck a noise broke loudly, and lane joined us. "another attack," said he. "they're bound to have us now." i said nothing. barraclough was listening at the farther end, and i think princess alix had turned her attention from mademoiselle. i heard holgate's voice lifted quite calmly in the racket: "it's death to two, at all events. so let me know who makes choice. you, garrison?" "let's finish the job," cried a voice. "we've had enough," and there was an outcry of applause. immediately on that there was a loud rapping on the door near us. "when i've played my cards and fail, gentlemen," said holgate's voice, "i'll resign the game into your hands." "what is it?" shouted barraclough. "fire, and be hanged!" "you mistake, sir john," called out holgate. "we're not anxious for another scrap. we've got our bellies full. all we want is a little matter that can be settled amicably. i won't ask you to open, for i can't quite trust the tempers of my friends here. but if you can hear me, please say so." "i hear," said barraclough. "that's all right, then. i won't offer to come in, for william tell may be knocking about. we can talk straight out here. we want the contents of those safes, that's all--a mere modest request in the circumstances." "you've got the safes," shouted barraclough. "let us alone." "softly, sir john, bart.," said the mutineer. "the safes are there safe enough, but there's nothing in 'em. you've got back on us this time, by thunder, you have. and the beauty of the game was its simplicity. well, here's terms again, since we're bound to do it in style of plenipotentiaries. give us the contents of the safes, and i'll land you on the coast here within twelve hours with a week's provisions." there was a moment's pause on this, and barraclough looked toward me in the dim light, as if he would, ask my advice. "they've got the safes," he said in perplexity. "this is more treachery, i suppose." "shoot 'em," said lane furiously. "don't trust the brutes." "wait a bit," said i hurriedly. "don't let's be rash. we had better call mr. morland. there's something behind this. tell them that we will answer presently." barraclough shouted the necessary statement, and i hurried off to the prince's cabin. i knocked, and entered abruptly. mademoiselle sat in a chair with a face suffused with tears, her pretty head bowed in her hands. she looked up. "what are we to do, doctor? the prince says we must fight. but there is another way, is there not?" she said in french. "surely, we can make peace. i will make peace myself. this agitates my nerves, this fighting and the dead; and oh, frederic! you must make peace with this 'olgate." the prince sat awkwardly silent, his eyes blinking and his mouth twitching. what he had said i know not, but, despite the heaviness of his appearance, he looked abjectly miserable. "it is not possible, yvonne," he said hoarsely. "these men must be handed over to justice." i confess i had some sympathy with mademoiselle at the moment, so obstinately stupid was this obsession of his. to talk of handing the mutineers over to justice when we were within an ace of our end and death knocking veritably on the door! "the men, sir, wish to parley with you," i said somewhat brusquely. "they are without and offer terms." he got up. "ah, they are being defeated!" he said, and nodded. "our resistance is too much for them." i could not have contradicted him just then, for it would probably have led to an explosion on the lady's part. but it came upon me to wonder if the prince knew anything of the contents of the safes. they were his, and he had a right to remove them. had he done so? i couldn't blame him if he had. he walked out with a ceremonious bow to mademoiselle, and i followed. she had dried her eyes, and was looking at me eagerly. she passed into the corridor in front of me, and pressed forward to where barraclough and lane stood. "the mutineers, sir, offer terms," said barraclough to the prince. "they propose that if we hand over the contents of the safes we shall be landed on the coast with a week's provisions." the prince gazed stolidly and stupidly at his officer. "i do not understand," said he. "the scoundrels are in possession of the safes." "that is precisely what we should all have supposed," i said drily. "but it seems they are not." "look here, holgate," called out barraclough after a moment's silence, "are we to understand that you have not got the safes open?" it seemed odd, questioning a burglar as to his success, but the position made it necessary. "we have the safes open right enough," called holgate hoarsely, "but there's nothing there--they're just empty. and so, if you'll be so good as to fork out the swag, captain, we'll make a deal in the terms i have said." "it is a lie. they have everything," said the prince angrily. "then why the deuce are they here, and what are they playing at?" said barraclough, frowning. "only a pretty little game of baccarat. oh, my hat!" said lane. "it seems to me that there's a good deal more in this than is apparent," i said. "the safes were full, and the strong-room was secure. we are most of us witnesses to that. but what has happened? i think, sir john, it would be well if we asked the--mr. morland forthwith if he has removed his property. he has a key." "no, sir, i have not interfered," said the prince emphatically. "i committed my property to the charge of this ship and to her officers. i have not interfered." barraclough and i looked at each other. lane whistled, and his colour deepened. "there, doctor, that's where i come in. i told you so. that's a give-away for me. i've got the other key--or had." "had!" exclaimed the prince, turning on him abruptly. "yes," said lane with sheepish surliness. "i was telling the doctor about it not long ago. my key's gone off my bunch. i found it out just now. some one's poached it." the prince's eyes gleamed ferociously, as if he would have sprung on the little purser, who slunk against the wall sullenly. "when did you miss it?" asked barraclough sharply. "oh, about an hour and a half ago!" said lane, in an offhand way. "he has stolen it. he is the thief!" thundered the prince. lane glanced up at him with a scowl. "oh, talk your head off!" said he moodily, "i don't care a damn if you're prince or pot-boy. we're all on a level here, and we're not thieves." each one looked at the other. "we're cornered," said barraclough. "it will make 'em mad, if they haven't got that. there's no chance of a bargain." "it is not my desire there should be any bargain," said the prince stiffly. barraclough shrugged his shoulders and said nothing. but it was plain to all that we were in a hole. the mutineers were probably infuriated by finding the treasure gone, and at any moment might renew their attack. there was but a small prospect that we could hold out against them. "we must tell them," said i; "at least, we must come to some arrangement with them. the question is whether we shall pretend to fall in with their wishes, or at least feign to have what they want. it will give us time, but how long?" "there is no sense in that," remarked prince frederic in his autocratic way. "we will send them about their business and let them do what they can." "sir, you forget the ladies," i said boldly. "dr. phillimore, i forget nothing," he replied formally. "but will you be good enough to tell me what the advantage of postponing the discovery will be?" well, when it came to the point, i really did not know. it was wholly a desire to delay, an instinct in favour of procrastination, that influenced me. i shrank from the risks of an assault in our weakened state. i struggled with my answer. "it is only to gain time." "and what then?" he inquired coldly. i shrugged my shoulders as sir john had shrugged his. this was common sense carried to the verge of insanity. there must fall a time when there is no further room for reasoning, and surely it had come now. "you will be good enough to inform the mutineers, sir john barraclough," pursued the prince, having thus silenced me, "that we have not the treasure they are in search of, and that undoubtedly it is already in their hands, or in the hands of some of them, possibly by the assistance of confederates," with which his eyes slowed round to lane. the words, foolish beyond conception, as i deemed them, suddenly struck home to me. "some of them!" if the prince had not shifted his treasure, certainly lane had not. i knew enough of the purser to go bail for him in such a case. and he had lost his key. i think it was perhaps the mere mention of confederates that set my wits to work, and what directed them to pye i know not. "wait one moment," said i, putting my hand on barraclough. "i'd like to ask a question before you precipitate war," and raising my voice i cried, "is holgate there?" "yes, doctor, and waiting for an answer, but i've got some tigers behind me." "then what's become of pye?" i asked loudly. there was a perceptible pause ere the reply came. "can't you find him?" "no," said i. "he was last seen in his cabin about midnight, when he locked himself in." "well, no doubt he is there now," said holgate, with a fat laugh. "and a wise man, too. i always betted on the little cockney's astuteness. but, doctor, if you don't hurry up, i fear we shall want sky-pilots along." "what is this? why are you preventing my orders being carried out?" asked the prince bluffly. i fell back. "do as you will," said i. "our lives are in your hands." barraclough shouted the answer dictated to him, and there came a sound of angry voices from the other side of the door. an axe descended on it, and it shivered. "stand by there," said barraclough sharply, and lane closed up. outside, the noise continued, but no further blow was struck, and at last holgate's voice was raised again: "we will give you till eight o'clock this evening, captain, and good-day to you. if you part with the goods then, i'll keep my promise and put you ashore in the morning. if not----" he went off without finishing his sentence. "he will not keep his promise, oh, he won't!" said a tense voice in my ear; and, turning, i beheld the princess. "that is not the trouble," said i, as low as she. "it is that we have not the treasure, and we are supposed to be in possession of it." "who has it?" she asked quickly. "your brother denies that he has shifted it, but the mutineers undoubtedly found it gone. it is an unfathomed secret so far." "but," she said, looking at me eagerly, "you have a suspicion." "it is none of us," i said, with an embracing glance. "that need not be said," she replied quickly. "i know honest men." she continued to hold me with her interrogating eyes, and an answer was indirectly wrung from me. "i should like to know where pye is," i said. she took this not unnaturally as an evasion. "but he's of no use," she said. "you have told me so. we have seen so together." it was pleasant to be coupled with her in that way, even in that moment of wonder and fear. i stared across at the door which gave access to the stairs of the saloon. "it is possible they have left no one down below," i said musingly. she followed my meaning this time. "oh, you mustn't venture it!" she said. "it would be foolhardy. you have run risks enough, and you are wounded." "miss morland," i answered. "this is a time when we can hardly stop to consider. everything hinges on the next few hours. i say it to you frankly, and i will remember my promise this time." "you remembered it before. you would have come," she said, with a sudden burst of emotion; and somehow i was glad. i liked her faith in me. "what the deuce do you make of it?" said barraclough to me. i shook my head. "i'll tell you later when i've thought it over," i answered. "at present i'm bewildered--also shocked. i've had a startler, barraclough." he stared at me. "i'll walk round and see. but i don't know if it will get us any further." "there's only one thing that will do that," said he significantly. "you mean----" "we must make this sanguinary brute compromise. if he will land us somewhere----" "oh, he won't!" i said. "i've no faith in him." "well, if they haven't the treasure, they may make terms to get it," he said in perplexity. "_if_ they have not," i said. he looked at me. "the question is, who has the treasure?" i continued. "good heavens, man, if you know--speak out," he said impatiently. "when i know i'll speak," i said; "but i will say this much, that whoever is ignorant of its whereabouts, holgate isn't." "i give it up," said barraclough. "unhappily, it won't give us up," i rejoined. "we are to be attacked this evening if we don't part with what we haven't got." he walked away, apparently in despair of arriving at any conclusion by continuing the conversation. i went toward the door, for i still had my idea. i wondered if there was anything in it. princess alix had moved away on the approach of sir john, but now she interrupted me. "you're not going?" she asked anxiously. "my surgery is below," said i. "i must get some things from it." she hesitated. "won't--wouldn't that man holgate let you have them? you are running too great a risk." "that is my safety," i said, smiling. "i go down. if no one is there so much the better; if some one crops up i have my excuse. the risk is not great. will you be good enough to bar the door after me?" this was not quite true, but it served my purpose. she let me pass, looking after me with wondering eyes. i unlocked the door and went out into the lobby that gave on the staircase. there was no sound audible above the noises of the ship. i descended firmly, my hand on the butt of a revolver i had picked up. no one was visible at the entrance to the saloon. i turned up one of the passages toward my own cabin. i entered the surgery and shut the door. as i was looking for what i wanted, or might want, i formulated my chain of reflections. here they are. the key had been stolen from lane. it could only have been stolen by some one in our own part of the ship, since the purser had not ventured among the enemy. who had stolen it? here was a break, but my links began a little further on, in this way. if the person who had stolen the key, the traitor that is in our camp, had acted in his own interests alone, both parties were at a loss. but that was not the hypothesis to which i leaned. if, on the other hand, the traitor had acted in holgate's interests, who was he? before i could continue my chain to the end, i had something to do, a search to make. i left the surgery noiselessly and passed along the alley to pye's cabin. the handle turned and the door gave. i opened it. no one was there. that settled my links for me. the man whom i had encountered in the fog at the foot of the bridge was the man who was in communication with holgate. that pitiful little coward, whose stomach had turned at the sight of blood and on the assault of the desperadoes, was their creature. as these thoughts flashed through my mind it went back further in a leaf of memory. i recalled the room in the "three tuns" on that dirty november evening; i saw holgate and the little clerk facing each other across the table and myself drinking wine with them. there was the place in which i had made the third officer's acquaintance, and that had been brought about by pye. there, too, i had first heard of prince frederic of hochburg; and back into my memory flashed the stranger's talk, the little clerk's stare, and holgate's frown. the conspiracy had been hatched then. its roots had gone deep then; from that moment the _sea queen_ and her owner had been doomed. i turned and left the cabin abruptly and soon was knocking with the concocted signal on the door. barraclough admitted me. "i have it," said i. "let's find the prince." "man, we can't afford to leave the doors." "we may be attacked," said he. "no; they won't venture just yet," i replied. "it's not their game--at least, not holgate's. he's giving us time to find the treasure and then he'll attack." "i wish you wouldn't talk riddles," said barraclough shortly. "i'll speak out when we get to the prince," i said; and forthwith we hastened to his room. "mr. morland," i burst out, "pye came aboard as representing your solicitors?" "that is so," he replied with some surprise in his voice and manner. "he was privy then to your affairs--i refer to your financial affairs?" i pursued. "my solicitors in london, whom i chose in preference to german solicitors, were naturally in possession of such facts relating to myself as were necessary to their advice," said the prince somewhat formally. "and pye knew what they knew--the contents of the safes in the strong-room?" he inclined his head. "it was intended that he should return from buenos ayres, after certain arrangements had been made for which he would lend his assistance." "then, sir," said i, "pye has sold us. pye is the source of the plot; pye has the treasure." "what do you mean?" exclaimed the prince, rising. "why, that pye has been in league with the mutineers all along, and--good lord, now i understand what was the meaning of his hints last night. he knew the attack was to be made, and he is a coward. he locked himself up to drink. now he is gone." "gone!" echoed barraclough and lane together; and there was momentary silence, which the latter broke. "by gum, pye's done us brown--browner than a kipper! by gum, to think of that little wart getting the bulge on us!" "i should like to know your reasons, doctor," said prince frederic at last. "i'm hanged if i can puzzle it out yet myself," said barraclough. "if they've got it, why the deuce do they come and demand it from us?" "oh, _they_ haven't got it," i said. "it's only holgate and pye. the rank and file know nothing, i'll swear. as for my reasons, sir, here they are"; and with that i told them what i knew of pye from my first meeting with him, giving an account of the transactions in the "three tuns," and narrating many incidents which now seemed in the light of my discovery to point to the treachery of the clerk. when i had done, lane whistled, the prince's brow was black, but barraclough's face was impassive. he looked at me. "then you are of opinion that holgate is running this show for himself?" he asked. "i will wager ten to one on it," i answered. "that's like him. he'll leave the others in the lurch if he can. he's aiming at it. and he'll leave pye there, too, i shouldn't wonder. and if so, what sort of a man is that to make terms with?" barraclough made no answer. for a man of his even nature he looked troubled. "if this it so, what are you in favour of?" he said at last. the prince, too, looked at me inquiringly, which showed that he had fully accepted my theory. "go on as we are doing and trust to luck," said i. "luck!" said the prince, raising his fingers. "chance! destiny! providence! whatever be the term, we must abide it. it is written, gentlemen; is has been always written. if god design us our escape, we shall yet avoid and upset the calculations of these ruffians. yes, it is written. you are right, dr. phillimore. there must be no faint heart. sir john, give your orders and make your dispositions. i will take my orders from you." this significant speech was delivered with a fine spontaneity, and i must say the man's fervour impressed me. if he was a fatalist, he was a fighting fatalist, and i am sure he believed in his fortune. i was not able to do that; but i thought we had, in the vulgar phrase, a sporting chance. and that i was right events proved, as you will presently see. chapter xvii the third attack holgate had given us till eight o'clock, but it was of course, uncertain if he would adhere to this hour. if i were right in my suppositions (and i could see no flaw in my reasoning), he would present himself at that time and carry out the farce. it was due to his men, to the other scoundrels of the pack whom he was cheating. and what would happen when we maintained that we had no knowledge of the treasure? it was clear that the men would insist on an assault. and if so, what chance had we against the infuriated ruffians? on the other hand, we had nothing to hope for from a compromise with such men. altogether, the outlook was very black and lowering. when the prince and all that remained with him were swept away, and were as if they had never been, holgate would be free to deal with the mutineers according to his tender mercies; and then, with such confederates as he might have in the original plot, come into possession of the plunder for which so many innocent lives and so many guilty ones would have been sacrificed. by now the wind had sprung into a gale, and the _sea queen_ was running under bare sticks. the water rolled heavily from the southwest, and the yacht groaned under the buffets. it became difficult to stand--at least, for a landsman. we had hitherto experienced such equable, fine weather that i think we had taken for granted that it must continue. but now we were undeceived. the yacht pitched uneasily and rolled to her scuppers, and it was as much as we could do to keep our legs. holgate, too, must have been occupied by the duties of his position, for he was a good mariner, which was, perhaps, as well for us. chance decides according to her fancy, and the most trivial accidents are important in the scheme of destiny. mademoiselle had an attack of _mal de mer_ and had recourse to me. nothing in the world mattered save her sensations, which were probably very unpleasant, i admit. but the yacht might go to the bottom, and holgate might storm the state-rooms at the head of his mutineers--it was all one to the lady who was groaning over her symptoms on her bed. she kept me an unconscionable time, and when i at length got away to what i regarded as more important duties i was followed by her maid. this girl, juliette, was a trim, sensible, and practical woman, who had grown accustomed to her mistress's vagaries, took them with philosophy, and showed few signs of emotion. but now a certain fear flowed in her eye. would monsieur tell her if there were any danger? monsieur looked up, balanced himself neatly against the wall, as the yacht reared, and declared that he had gone through much worse gales. she shook her head with some energy. "no, no, it was not that. there were the sailors--those demons. was it true that they had offered to put us all ashore?" "yes," said i, "if we give them what we have not got. that is what they promise, juliette. but would you like to trust them?" she considered a moment, her plain, capable face in thought. "no." she shook her head. "mademoiselle would do well to beware of them. yes, yes," and with a nod she left me. now what did that mean? i asked myself, and i could only jump to the conclusion that mademoiselle had thoughts of making a bargain with holgate on her own account. i knew she was capable of yielding to any caprice or impulse. if there had not been tragedy in the air it would have amused me to ponder the possibilities of that conflict of wits and brains between holgate and the lady. but she was a victim to sea-sickness, and our hour drew near. indeed, it was then but two hours to eight o'clock. it was necessary to take such precautions as we might in case holgate kept his word. but it was possible that in that wind and sea he would not. however, to be prepared for the worst, we had a council. there were now but the prince, barraclough, lane and myself available, for ellison was in a bad way. the spareness of our forces was thus betrayed by this meeting, which was in effect a council of despair. we made our arrangements as speedily as possible, and then i asked: "the ladies? we must have some definite plan." the prince nodded. "they must be locked in the _boudoir_," he said. "it has entrances from both their cabins." "the last stand, then, is there?" i remarked casually. he echoed the word "there." i had my duties in addition to those imposed by our dispositions, and i was not going to fail--i knew i should not fail. outside in the corridor we sat and nursed our weapons silently. i don't think that any one was disposed to talk; but presently the prince rose and retired to his room. he returned presently with a magnum of champagne, and barraclough drew the cork, while lane obtained some glasses. "let's have a wet. that's a good idea," said the purser. the prince ceremoniously lifted his glass to us and took our eyes. lane quaffed his, emitting his usual gag hoarsely. "fortune!" how amazingly odd it sounded, like the ironic exclamation of some onlooking demon of sarcasm. "fortune!" i drank my wine at a gulp. "to a good end, if may be," i said. "to rest, at least." barraclough held his glass coolly and examined it critically. "it's pommery, isn't it, sir?" he asked. i do not think the prince answered. barraclough sipped. "i'll swear it is," said he. "let's look at the bottle, lane." he solved his doubts, and drank and looked at his watch. "if they're coming, they should be here now." "the weather's not going to save us," i observed bitterly; "she goes smoother." it was true enough. the wind and the sea had both moderated. barraclough examined the chambers of his revolver. "sir john barraclough!" a voice hailed us loudly from the deck. sir john moved slowly to the door and turned back to look at us. in its way it was an invitation. he did not speak, but i think he invoked our aid, or at least our support, in that look. we followed. "yes," he called back, "i'm here." "we've come for the answer," said the voice. "you've had plenty of time to turn it over. so what's it to be--the terms offered or war?" "is it holgate?" said lane in a whisper. "oh, it's holgate, no doubt. steady! remember who has the treasure, barraclough." "the treasure is not in our possession," sang out barraclough. "but we believe it to be in the possession of holgate--one of yourselves." "oh, come, that won't do--that game won't play," said a familiar wheezy voice from behind us, and we all fell back in alarm and amazement. the boards had fallen loose from one of the windows, and holgate's head protruded into the corridor. in a flash the prince's fingers went to his revolver, and a report echoed from the walls, the louder for that confined space. holgate had disappeared. barraclough ran to the window and peered out. he looked round. "that opens it," he said deliberately, and stood with a look of perplexity and doubt on his face. "since you have chosen war and begun the offensive we have no option," shouted holgate through the boarding. "all right, drive ahead," growled lane, and sucked his teeth. crash came an iron bar on the door. barraclough inserted his revolver through the open window and fired. "one," said he. "two, by thunder!" said lane, discharging through one of the holes pierced in the door. "they'll play us the same trick as before," said i, and dashed across to the entrance from the music-room. noises arose from below. i tested the locks and bars, and then running hastily into one of the cabins brought forth a table and used it to strengthen the barricade. prince frederic, observing this, nodded and gave instructions to lane, who went on a similar errand on behalf of the other door. crash fell the axe on my door, and the wood splintered. lane and prince frederic were busy firing through the loopholes, with what result i could not guess, and probably they themselves knew little more. barraclough stood at his peephole and fired now and then, and i did the same through the holes drilled in my door. but it must have been easy for any one on the outside to avoid the line of fire if he were careful. i was reminded that two could play at this game by a bullet which sang past my face and buried itself in the woodwork behind me. the light was now failing fast, and we fought in a gloaming within those walls, though without the mutineers must have seen better. the axe fell again and again, and the door was giving in several places. once there was a respite following on a cry, and i rejoiced that one of my shots had gone home. but the work was resumed presently with increased vigour. and now of a sudden an outcry on my left startled me. i turned, and saw prince frederic in combat with a man, and beyond in the twilight some other figures. the door to the deck had fallen. leaving my own door to take care of itself, i hastened to what was the immediate seat of danger, and shot one fellow through the body. he fell like a bullock, and then the prince gave way and struck against me. his left arm had dropped to his side, but in his right hand he now held a sword, and, recovering, he thrust viciously and with agility before him. before that gallant assault two more went down, and as lane and barraclough seemed to be holding their own, it seemed almost as if we should get the better of the attack. but just then i heard rather than saw the second door yielding, and with shouts the enemy clambered over the table and were upon us from that quarter also. beneath this combined attack we slowly gave way and retreated down the corridor, fighting savagely. the mutineers must have come to the end of their ammunition, for they did not use revolvers, but knives and axes. one ruffian, whom in the uncertain light i could not identify, bore a huge axe, which he swung over his head, and aimed at me with terrific force. as i dodged it missed me and crashed into the woodwork of the cabins, from which no effort could withdraw it. i had stepped aside, and, although taking a knife wound in my thigh, slipped a blade through the fellow. but still they bore us back, and i knew in my inmost mind, where instinct rather than thought moved now, that it was time to think of the _boudoir_ and my promise. we were being driven in that direction, and if i could only reach the handle i had resolved what to do. but now it seemed again that i must be doomed to break my word, for how was it possible to resist that onset? there were, so far as i could guess, a dozen of the mutineers, but it was that fact possibly that helped us a little, as, owing to their numbers, they impeded one another. prince frederic was a marvellous swordsman, and he swept a passage clear before him; but at last his blade snapped in the middle, and he was left defenceless. i saw some one rush at him, and, the light gleaming on his face, i recognised pierce. with my left hand i hurled my revolver into it with all the power of my muscles. it struck him full in the mouth, that ugly, lipless mouth which i abhorred. he uttered a cry of pain and paused for a moment. but in that moment, abstracted from my own difficulties, i had given a chance to one of my opponents, whose uplifted knife menaced me. i had no time to draw back, and if i ducked i felt i should go under and be trodden upon by the feet of the infuriated enemy. once down, i should never rise again. it seemed all over for me as well as for the prince, and in far less time than it takes to relate this the thought had flashed into my head--flashed together with that other thought that the princess would wait, and wait for me in vain. ah, but would she wait? if i knew her fine-tempered spirit she would not hesitate. she had the means of her salvation; she carried it in her bosom, and feared not. no, i could not be afraid for her. as i have said, these reflections were almost instantaneous, and they had scarcely passed in a blaze of wonder through my brain when the yacht lurched heavily, the deck slipped away from us, and the whole body of fighting, struggling men was precipitated with a crash against the opposite wall. some had fallen to the floor, and others crawled against the woodwork, shouting oaths and crying for assistance. i had fallen with the rest, and lay against a big fellow whose back was towards me. i struggled from him and was climbing the slope of the deck, when she righted herself and rolled sharply over on the other side. this caused an incontinent rush of bodies across the corridor again, and for a moment all thought of renewing the conflict was abandoned. i recognised prince frederic as the man by me, and i whispered loudly in his ears, so that my voice carried through the clamour and the noises of the wind that roared outside round the state-rooms. "better make our last stand here. i mean the ladies...." he nodded. "it will be better," he answered harshly. "yes ... better." he turned about, with his hand on the door-knob behind him, and now i saw that we had reached the entrance to the _boudoir_. "alix! ... yvonne!" he called loudly through the keyhole. "you know what to do, beloved. farewell!" i had refilled my revolver in the pause and, with a fast-beating heart, turned now to that horrid cockpit once more. the first person my eyes lighted on was holgate, broad, clean-faced, and grinning like a demon. "he shall die, at any rate," said prince frederic, and lifted his revolver which he had reloaded. it missed fire; the second shot grazed holgate's arm and felled a man behind him. "no luck, prince," said the fellow in his mocking voice, and in his turn raised a weapon of his own. but he did not fire. instead, he turned swiftly round and made a dash towards the other end of the corridor. "to me, men; this way! by heaven and thunder!" his voice, fat as it was, pierced the din, and acted as a rallying cry. several of the mutineers, now confronting us again, turned and followed him, and there was the noise of a struggle issuing from the darkness of the top end of the corridor. "what the deuce is this?" screamed barraclough in my ear. "i don't know. let's fall on. there's an alarm. they're----! now, by the lord, it's legrand, thank god! legrand, legrand!" "bully for legrand!" cried barraclough, wiping some blood from his face, and he set upon the mutineers from the rear. those left to face us had scarcely recovered from their astonishment at the alarm when the prince shot two, and a third went down to me. the others retreated towards their companions, and the three of us followed them up. i say the three, for i could not see lane anywhere, and i feared that he had fallen. the conflict thus renewed upon more equal terms found, nevertheless, most of the participants worn and exhausted. at least i can answer for myself, and i am sure that my companions were in a like case. the twilight that reigned disguised the scene of the struggle, so that each man saw but little beyond his own part in the affair; yet i was conscious that the mutineers were being pushed back towards the deck door. they had been caught between the two parties as it appeared, and legrand's unexpected onset from the music-saloon entrance had thrown them into confusion. it was obvious that legrand and his men were armed, for i heard a shot or two issuing from the _mêlée_, and above the noise of the oaths and thuds and thumpings was the clash of steel. presently my man, who had engaged me over-long, dropped, and before me was a little vacancy of space, at the end of which, hard by the door, i discerned the bulky form of holgate. he was leaning against the wall, as if faint, and a revolver dropped from his fingers. "by god, doctor, if i'd had any idea of this i'd have crucified 'em all," he said to me savagely; "but i'll get square yet. first you, and now legrand! i'll be square yet." as he spoke, panting, he heaved himself higher against the wall and levelled his revolver. in a flash my arm descended and knocked the weapon to the floor. i could see his grin even in the dim light. "well, it was empty, anyway, man," he said, "but i'll give you best for the present. i've my ship to look after." i could have struck him down then and there, and i raised my point to do so; but he seized my arm. "don't be a fool, my lad. she'll be gone in this wind, if i don't take charge. have your fling if you want it," he screamed in my face above the clamour. for the noise of the wind was now increased and grown into a roar. it sounded as a menace in the ears, and i involuntarily paused and looked out of the doorway. the heavens were black, the waters ran white to the gunwale, and the _sea queen_ staggered like a drunkard on her course. holgate's practised eye had taken in the situation, and he had seen that he was necessary to the navigation of the yacht. and yet i marvelled at his coolness, at the strength of will and heroic resolution which could turn him of a sudden from one filled with the lust of blood and greed and battle into the patient sailor with his ship to save. these thoughts ran through my head as i paused. it was only a brief pause, so brief that it was no time ere i rejoined my companions in their attack on the failing mutineers; but in it i had a glimpse deep into the chief mutineer's nature. i let him go. his argument came home to me. i do not know that i could be said to have considered; rather his individuality dominated me in this appeal to something beyond our immediate quarrel, to a more ultimate good. perhaps his very assurance, which was almost contemptuous in its expression, helped to dissuade me. i dropped my arm and he went. outside, as i turned back, i saw him stay a moment and look upon us, that pack of desperate wolves and watch-dogs. almost i could think he lifted his lips in a grin over his fancy. then he disappeared into the gathering gloom, and, as i say, i returned to the attack. a few minutes later the mutineers broke and scattered. their resistance was at an end, and they fled out into the night, leaving our party breathless, wounded, but secure and triumphant. i say secure, but alas, the price of that security had been heavy! legrand with two of his men had escaped unhurt, but two were dead and two seriously wounded. lane had his face cut open; barraclough had come off with a nasty stab in the ribs, and prince frederic was not to be found. we hunted in that scene of carnage, and i discovered him at last under the body of a dead mutineer. when we had got him forth he was still unconscious, but breathed heavily, and i found traces of internal injuries. i administered what was necessary, including a restorative, and he came to presently. "well, sir," said he weakly, "what's the report?" "by heaven, sir, we've licked them," i cried. "good news, sir. the dogs have run." "they shall be hanged in due course," said he in a loud voice. "my luck holds, doctor." he waved his hand weakly down the corridor. "tell the ladies. acquaint--her royal highness." it was the first time he had given his sister her proper style, and in a way this might be taken by those who look for omens as auspicious. did his luck indeed hold, as he said? i took the office on myself. the _sea queen_ was galloping like a racer, and plunged as she ran. two steps took me to the _boudoir_ door, before which lay the body of one of our enemies. as the ship rolled it slipped away and began to creep down the corridor. the yacht reared before she dipped again, and a cascade of spray streamed over the side and entered by the broken door. i rapped loudly and called loudly; and in a trice the door opened, and the princess alix stood before me, glimmering like a ghost in the darkness. "they are gone," i shouted. "we have won." "thank god! he has heard us," she exclaimed. "i could hear nothing for the sound of the sea and the wind. but oh, the suspense was terrible! my hair should be white!" "mademoiselle?" i asked. "mademoiselle sleeps," said she, and i thought there was something significant in her voice. it was well that mademoiselle slept. i left her and went back to the prince, for more than he needed my care, and as i reached the group the roll of the yacht sent me flying. legrand caught me. "we can't spare you yet, doctor," he shouted. "thank god for you," i answered fervently. "you came in the nick of time." "i thought we might have cut our way out last night, but i found we couldn't," he explained. "you see, we only had one knife, and it has been a tough job to get through the heavy wood of the partition." "thank god," i repeated, and clutched at him again as the floor rose up. "i'm not accustomed to this," i said with a laugh. "it's worse than the mutineers." he answered nothing, for his gaze was directed towards the door. "we must take charge," he shouted. "good lord, there's no time to lose." "holgate's there," i screamed back. "he went to look after the ship." we stood holding on to each other, and barraclough, lane and the prince were holding on by the brass rods on the cabin doors. she rolled and kicked and stood up at an angle of °. "what is it?" i screamed. legrand pointed to the blackness without. "we'll get it in a little. i hope to god it will be no worse than this. she can't stand on her head with safety." suddenly the roar swelled louder, and dismal shrieks and whistlings sounded in the ears. the _sea queen_ sank, and a whole tide of sea rushed over the bulwarks and flooded the state-rooms. the water ran knee-deep and set the bodies of the dead awash. one struck against me in the whirlpool. it was a ghastly scene, set in that gathered darkness. "nothing can be done. we've got to hold on," said legrand. "he's a good seaman; i'll say that for him. but how many's he got with him? he's undermanned. it's all on the engine-room now." we were silent again, mainly because it was almost impossible to hear anything through that tempest of wind and volcanic sea. she came right for a moment, and our grip of each other relaxed. "i'm going, legrand," i called to him. "don't be a fool," said he. "oh, i'm all right. i've forgotten something," i shouted. "i'll see to myself"; and i cut myself adrift from him. i crossed the corridor successfully, and then the yacht heeled and i was almost precipitated to the other end of it. she was being knocked about like a tin pot in a gale. i seized a door-handle and hung on, and when the vessel recovered somewhat i twisted it, but it did not give. the _boudoir_ must be farther on. i crept on by means of the brass railing and at last reached a door which gave. i opened it and called out: "princess! princess!" blackness filled the room. i could hear and see nothing human. i entered, and the door swung to behind with a clang. "princess!" i shouted, but i could hear no answer. i groped in the darkness with both hands, and then i touched an arm! i seized it, and drew the owner to me gently. "princess!" i called, and this time an answer reached me through the raging elements: "it is i." "thank god, you're safe. do not be alarmed," i said, speaking into her ear. "the yacht's caught in a hurricane, but----" there fell at that instant a resounding crash far above the noise of the storm, and we were thrown headlong against the outer wall of the _boudoir_. i knew that only, and then i knew no more. chapter xviii at dead of night consciousness flowed back upon me slowly, and i emerged in pain and in intense bewilderment from my swoon. the first sound that came to me in my awakening was the terrific roar of the water against the side of the yacht, the next a woman's scream. recalling now the incidents exactly preceding my fall, i stirred and endeavoured to sit up, and then i was aware of being pinned down by a weight. it was, as will be remembered, pitch dark, but i put out my hand and felt the beating of a heart. there was also unmistakably a woman's bodice under my fingers. it was princess alix, who had fallen with me. but what had happened? and what noise was screaming through the night, even above all that awful tumult of waste water and wild wind? i answered the second query first. it was mademoiselle. well, she could wait. my first concern must be for the princess, who lay upon me a dead weight, but, as i knew, a living, breathing body. i carefully extricated myself and raised her. the yacht was stooping at an angle, and i was forced back against the wall with my burden. if it had been only light and i had known which way to move! i laid the princess on the couch, which i discovered by groping, and tried to open the door. it was jammed. then it dawned upon me that the screw had stopped. the noise of its beating was not among the many noises i heard. if it had stopped, only one thing could have happened. the _sea queen_ must be ashore. that was the explanation. we had struck. i was now the more anxious, as you may conceive, to get out of the cabin, for if we had struck it was essential to know how we stood and what degree of risk we ran. for all i knew, the yacht might be sinking at that moment or breaking up upon rocks. finding egress through the door impossible, i made my way with difficulty to the other side of the _boudoir_, where i knew there was a communication with the bedrooms. this door stood open, as it had been flung by the shock, and i was now able to locate the sounds of the screaming. they came from the cabin beyond, which i knew to be mademoiselle's. i guided myself as well as i could to the door giving access to the corridor and unlocked it. as i did so a speck of light gleamed in the darkness and arrested me. it enlarged and emerged upon me till it took the shape of a candle, and underneath it i beheld the capable face of the french maid juliette. "it is necessary i should have something to quiet mademoiselle, monsieur," said she in her tranquil way. "i am in search of something now for the princess, juliette," i explained. "thank god for your light. how did you get it?" "i always have a candle with me when i travel, monsieur," she replied. she was the most sensible woman i had ever met, and i could have embraced her. "the yacht has gone aground," i said. "i will find out how much damage has been done. i will bring back what is necessary. the princess lies in there. see to her." with that i left her and stepped into the corridor. like the cabins, it was opaque with the night, but i groped my way across it without hearing any sounds of living people--only that terrible turmoil of waters without. i knew where my bag was. it was in the small cabin which the prince used as his smoking-room, and in which we had sometimes played cards to pass the time during those days of anxiety and trouble. the first door i opened seemed to give me access to the open sea. the wind ramped in my face, and would have thrown me back, and i was drenched with a cascade of water. i thought i must have opened the door to the deck until i remembered that that had been destroyed in the fight. i put out a hand, and it touched a piece of furniture, and then once again the sea broke over me. there could be no other solution of the puzzle than this--that the outer wall of the cabin had been carried away. i judged that i was in the prince's room. i retraced my way, opening the door with difficulty, and, once more in the shelter of the corridor, felt my way along the railing. there seemed to be a foot of water about my legs, and it was icy chill. the next handle i hit upon i turned as before, and the door came back upon me with a rush, almost sending me headlong. i entered the cabin, and by dint of groping i reached the upholstered couch at the back. my bag was not where i had left it, but it could not be far away. the salt water flowed and oozed on the floor, but i dropped to my knees and hunted for it, and was at last rewarded by finding it jammed into a corner under a cupboard. getting back into the corridor, i had now to determine whether to return at once to the princess or to go in search of news. i stood wavering, reluctant to leave her in her swoon all untended, and yet conscious that it would be wiser to ascertain the extent of our damages. happily the decision was not forced upon me, for i saw in the distance a swinging lantern, which seemed to be advancing towards me down the corridor. i shouted, and the dim figure behind it stopped and turned the light upon me. "you, phillimore?" it was barraclough's voice. "what has happened?" i asked. "struck on a reef," he roared back. "she's tight yet, i think. but where are the ladies?" "let me have your lantern and i'll take you to them," said i, and, thanking providence for that signal mercy, i crossed the corridor with him. the lantern shed a benign light upon the wreck of the _boudoir_. the princess lay where i had left her; but her eyes were open, and i made use of my flask of cognac with beneficial results. then i was plucked by the arm, and barraclough claimed my attention. "mademoiselle trebizond is ill," he called. "give her something. you must see to her." of course that was my duty, and i took such steps as seemed necessary for one of so neurotic a nature. "she is all right," i explained. "if the ship's in no danger just now they are best here. the maid has a candle." i returned to princess alix and found her recovered, and i bade her be of good cheer, shouting (for it was always shouting) that we had defied the mutineers successfully, and that we should also successfully defy the elements. then i went back, for i had other work to do. barraclough informed me that the prince had been taken to the music saloon, and lane also was there. i therefore joined the relics of our company in that devastated chamber, and did what my skill availed to do for the injured. the prince had been struck on the head and in the body, but the marks were not very apparent. he breathed heavily, but had still his old air of authority. lane bubbled over with alternate fumes of petulance and passion; but he had his excuse, as he was suffering a great deal of pain. ellison, too, wounded as he was, had dragged himself from his temporary hospital to the music-room. but one of legrand's men had vanished, and it was supposed he had gone overboard in one of the great tides of sea that swept over the yacht. legrand had ventured on deck, and clinging to the railings, had endeavoured to get some notion of the position of things. but he had seen and heard nothing beyond the storm. "she's firm so far," he shouted in my ears, "and the night's clearing. i can see a star." "the star of hope," i answered. he shrugged his shoulders. "they may be at the pumps. but the sea's moderating and the wind's dropping. we shall know presently." something was now drawing me irresistibly back to the princess. my heart pined for the sight of her and the assurance that she had suffered no injury. i grew restless at the inaction, and, weary and bruised as i was, i think passion gave me wings and endurance. i left the music saloon and emerged into the lobby where the stairs went down to the saloon below. the sea was breaking through the shattered door on the one side, but on the lee the _sea queen_ was tilted upwards, and it was there she lay in irons, no doubt upon some rocks, or shores. if only the day would dawn! as i stood awhile, before entering the corridor through another shattered doorway, the glimmer of a light caught my eye. it came from the door upon the farther side of the lobby, seeming to shine through the keyhole. as i watched, the door opened and let in a blast of wind that shook the broken woodwork; it also let in the figure of a man, and that man, seen dimly in the shades of the light he carried, was holgate. i drew myself up into the fastness of the gloom and stared at him. he had turned the shutter in his lantern now, for it was a bull's-eye, and the darkness was once more universal, but i had a feeling that he had a companion, and although i necessarily lost sight of holgate i was assured in myself that he had descended the stairway. any noise his heavy feet might make would be absorbed into the general racket of the night. i stood and wondered. what was holgate's object in this silent expedition? i confess my curiosity rose high--to a pitch, indeed, at which it might not be denied. a surmise sprang into my mind, but i hardly allowed it time to formulate, for not a minute after the recognition i, too, was on my way down the stairs. it was comparatively easy to descend, for, as i have said, there was no danger of discovery from noise, and i had the balustrade under my hand. when i had reached the floor below i caught the gleam of the lantern in the distance, and i pursued it down one of the passages. this pursuit took me past the cabins towards the kitchen; and then i came to an abrupt pause, for the lantern, too, had stopped. i could make out holgate's bulky form and the light flashing on the walls, and now, too, i found that my senses had not deceived me, and that there was a second man. he stood in the shadow, so that i could not identify him; and both men were peering into an open door. my position in the passage began to assume a perilous character, and i made investigations in my neighbourhood. near me was the door of a cabin, which i opened without difficulty and entered. now, by putting out my head, i could see the mutineers, while i had a refuge in the event of their turning back. they were still bent forwards, peering into the room. i thought that, with good luck, i might venture farther while they were so engrossed with their occupation. so, leaving my hiding-place, i stole forwards boldly to the next cabin and entered it as i had entered the former. i was now quite close to them, and suddenly i saw who was holgate's companion. it was pye. with equal celerity did my brain take in the situation and interpret it. indeed, i should have guessed at it long before, i think, had not the events of the night thrown me into a state of confusion. it was the treasure they looked at, and this was where pye had concealed it. as this truth came home to me holgate lifted his head and i drew back, setting the cabin door ajar. presently after the bull's-eye flashed through the crack of the door, and stayed there. for a moment i thought all was up, and that my retreat had been discovered, but i was soon reassured. the noise of the water had fallen, and above it, or rather through it, i could hear holgate's voice fatly decisive. "she'll hold, i tell you, for twenty-four hours at any rate, even without pumps. hang it, man, do you suppose i can take the risk now? they're sick enough as it is--all blood and no money. we must let it lie for a bit and take our opportunity." pye's voice followed; i could not hear what he said, but holgate's was in answer and coldly impatient. "you've the stomach of a nursery governess. good heavens, to run in harness with you! what the deuce do i know? we're cast away, that's certain. but i will be hanged if i lose what i've played for, mr. pye; so put that in your pipe." the light went out and the voice faded. presently i opened the door and looked out upon profound darkness. i knew my way about the yacht by that time, and was not discomposed by the situation. the mutineer and his treacherous confederate were gone, and i must make the best of my time to follow them. nothing could be effected without a light, and i had no means of procuring one in those nether regions. i retraced my way more or less by instinct until i came out at the foot of the stairway, and knew it was easy to regain the upper regions. instead of going to the _boudoir_, i sought the group in the music-room, and was challenged by barraclough. "who's that?" "phillimore," i answered. "we must have more light. have we no more lanterns?" "yes, sir," said ellison's cheerful voice. "there's some in the steward's room." "good for you," said i. "if some one will give me matches i think i'll go on a hunt." the other sailor produced a box of vestas from his pocket, and as he was unwounded i took him with me on my return journey. in the steward's room we found several lanterns, as well as some bottles of beer and some cold fowl. we made a selection from this and got safely back to our friends. here we lit two or three of the lanterns, and i opened some of the beer and left them to a repast. you will be thinking that i had not kept my word, and had neglected what should have been my prime duty. i had not forgotten, however. was it likely? and i made haste at once to the quarters of the ladies, taking with me something which should make me welcome--which was a lighted lantern. princess alix was quite recovered, but showed great anxiety for news of her brother. i was able to quiet her fears by describing the supper at which i had left him, and her eyes brightened. "he is so good and brave!" she said simply. "he is so noble! he has always thought of others." that the prince was fond of his sister was manifest, and it was patent, too, that he was attached to the woman for whom he had thrown all away and was thus imperilled. yet i should not have attributed to him inordinate unselfishness. i made no reply, however, beyond urging her to follow her brother's example and fortify herself with food. she waved it aside. "no, no, i am not hungry! i am only anxious," she said. "tell me, are we safe?" "for the present," i said. "i gather that most of the mutineers are at the pumps." "then we are sinking?" she cried. "it does not follow," i answered. "holgate has his own hand to play, and he will play it. we are safe just now. god answered your prayers, princess." she looked me earnestly in the face and sighed. "yes," she said softly. meanwhile i discovered that mademoiselle had picked up her spirits. she complained of the noise, of the darkness, and of the lack of sleep, but she found some compensations, now that it was clear that we were not going to the bottom. "it was magnificent, monsieur, that storm!" she exclaimed. "i could see the demons raging in it. oh, _ciel_! it was like the terrors of the erl könig, yes. but what have you there, doctor? oh, it is beer, english beer. i am tired of champagne. give me some beer. i love the bocks. it calls to mind the boulevards. oh, the boulevards, that i shall not see, never, never in my life!" i consoled her, comforting her with the assurance that we were nearer the boulevards now than we had been a few hours ago, which in a way was true enough. she inquired after the prince pleasantly, also after barraclough, and asked with cheerful curiosity when we were going to land. i said i hoped it would be soon, but she was content with her new toy, which was english bottled ale, and i left her eating daintily and sipping the foam from her toilette glass with satisfaction. i returned to the music-room and joined the company; and, after a little, silence fell upon us, and i found myself drift into the slumber of the weary. i awoke with the grey dawn streaming in by the shattered skylights, and, sitting up, looked about me. my companions were all wrapped in slumber, lane tossing restlessly with the pain of his wound. i walked to the door and looked out. the sea had gone down, and now lapped and washed along the sides of the _sea queen_. the sky was clear, and far in the east were the banners of the morning. the gentle air of the dawn was grateful to my flesh and stimulated my lungs. i opened my chest to draw it in, and then, recrossing the lobby, i peered out through the windows on the port side. the dim loom of land saluted my eyes, and nearer still a precipice of rocks, by which the seafowl were screaming. we had gone ashore on some sort of island. this discovery relieved one of the anxieties that had weighed upon me. at last we had a refuge not only from the violence and treachery of the ocean, but also from the murderous ruffians who had possession of the yacht. it was, therefore, with a lighter heart that i descended into the cabins and made my way along the passage to the point where i had seen holgate and pye stop. i identified the door which they had opened, and after a little manoeuvring i succeeded in getting it open. it was the cook's pantry in which i now found myself, and i proceeded to examine carefully every drawer and every cupboard by the meagre light of the dawn. i had not been at work ten minutes before i came upon the contents of the safes, safely stowed in a locker. well, if the documents and gold could be shifted once they could be shifted again; and forthwith i set about the job. it pleased me (i know not why) to choose no other place than pye's cabin in which to rehide them. i think the irony of the choice decided me upon it, and also it was scarcely likely that holgate and his accomplice would think of looking for the treasure in the latter's room. it took me quite an hour to make the transfer, during which time i was not interrupted by any alarm. whatever holgate and his men were doing, they evidently did not deem that there was any center of interest in the saloon cabins at that moment. my task accomplished, i returned to the music-room, in which the wounded men still slept restlessly. i occupied my time in preparing a meal, and i took a strong glass of whisky and water, for my strength was beginning to ebb. i had endured much and fought hard, and had slept but little. as i stood looking down on my companions, i was aware of a grey shadow that the slender sunlight cast as a ghost upon the wall. i turned and saw the princess. she was clad as for a journey, and warmly against the cold, and her face was pale and anxious. "you are astir, dr. phillimore," she said. "yes," said i. "i could not sleep." "nor i," she returned with a sigh. "i sometimes feel that i shall never sleep again. the sound of the storm and the noises of the fight--the oaths--the cries--they are forever beating in my brain." "they will pass," i replied encouragingly. "i do believe we are destined to safety. look forth there and you will see the morning mists on the island." "yes," she assented. "i saw that we had struck on an island, and that is why i am here. our chance is given us, dr. phillimore. we must go." i looked doubtfully at the sleeping men. "yes, yes, i know, but my brother will be more reasonable now," she pursued; "he will see things in another light. he has done all for honour that honour calls for." "he has done too much," said i somewhat bitterly, for i realised how greatly he had imperilled his sister. she made no answer to that, but approached and looked down at the prince, who lay with his head pillowed on the cushioned seat. "he is well enough?" she asked. "he is well enough to leave the yacht if he will consent," i answered. perhaps it was the sound of our voices, though we had both pitched them low. at any rate, prince frederic stirred and sat up slowly. "good-morning, alix," he said affectionately, and his eyes alighted on me, as if wondering. the princess went forward and embraced him. "dr. phillimore has kindly got breakfast for you," she said. "you must eat, frederic, for we are going to leave the yacht this morning." she spoke decisively, as if she had taken control of affairs out of his hands, and he smiled back. "are those your orders, alix? you were always wilful from a child." "no, no," she cried, smiling too, "i always obeyed your orders, frederic. it was you who were hero to me, not karl or wilhelm--only you." he patted her hand and glanced at the food i had obtained. "we owe to dr. phillimore a debt of gratitude," he said in his friendliest manner. the talking had disturbed barraclough also, who now awoke and saluted us. he made no difficulty of beginning at once on his breakfast, cracking a joke at my expense. it was a strangely pacific gathering after the terrible night; but i suppose we were all too worn to take things in duly. there is a limit to the power of facts to make impressions on one's senses, and i think we had reached it. for the most part we were just animals with an appetite. but there was my news, and i hastened to break it. it was not startling, but it had an interest for us all. the prince deliberated. "it is fate," he said slowly. "it is the luck of the hochburgers." barraclough's comment was from a different aspect. "that's a trick to us. we've a shot in the locker yet." "what is it you mean?" asked the prince. "why, that we can drive a bargain with them," replied barraclough. "we've got the whip-hand." "there shall no bargain be made with murderers," said the prince in his deep voice. "frederic," said princess alix in a quick, impulsive way, "let us escape while there is time. the way is clear now. we can get to the island and be quit forever of those dreadful men and horrible scenes." the prince let his glance fall on her. "there is something to be done here," he said at last. "the luck of the hochburgers holds." he was ill for certain; perhaps he was more than ill; but at that moment i had no patience with him. i turned on my heel and left the room. chapter xix the tragedy it was quite obvious that we could not offer any resistance to another attack if one should be made. all told, and excluding the women, there were but seven of us, and three of these were disabled by their wounds. we did not, of course, know how the mutineers had fared, but it was certain that their assault had cost them dear. the heavy seas had washed overboard dead and dying, and it was impossible for us to say how many enemies were left to us. it might be that with their diminished numbers they would not risk another attack, particularly as they had found us develop so fierce a resistance. but, on the other hand, the rank and file of the mutineers believed us to be in possession of the treasure (as we actually were once more), and it was likely that they would make yet another attempt to gain it. but they on their side could not tell how we had suffered, and they would be sure to use caution. for these reasons i did not think that we need fear an immediate assault, but we thought it advisable to concentrate our forces against an emergency. we therefore abandoned the music-room and secured ourselves as well as possible in the wreck of the state-rooms, using furniture and trunks and boxes as barricades. for my part, my heart echoed the princess's wish. i was in favour of abandoning the yacht and trusting to the chances of the island. as the sun rose higher we got glimpses of this through the windows, and the verdure looked inviting after so many weary weeks of desolate water. the tops of the hills seemed barren, but i had no doubt that there was more fertility in the valleys, which were not swept by the bluff winds of the wild sea. but the prince was obstinate, and, relying upon his luck, was dragging down with him the lives of the two women he loved, to say nothing of the rest of our company. we had therefore to make the best of the situation, and to sit down and await issues with what composure we might. the prince himself had recovered wonderfully, though i did not like the look of the dent on his head, which had been dealt apparently by the back of an axe. his power of recuperation astonished me, and i was amazed on leaving the cabin in which lane was housed, to find him entering the doorway that led from the lobby. i remonstrated with him, for it was evident that he had been wandering, and i wanted him to rest, so as to have all his strength for use later should it be necessary. he smiled queerly. "yet you would have me take a turn on the island, doctor," he said. "i saw it in your eyes. i will not have you encourage the princess so. it is my wish to stay. i will see my luck to the end." this was the frame of his mind, and you will conceive how impossible to move one so fanatically fixed on his course; indeed, the futility of argument was evident from the first, and i made no attempt. barraclough, too, retired defeated, though it was by no means his last word on the point, as you shall hear. i was seated in the corridor some three hours later, near what should have been four bells, when i heard my name called softly. i looked about me without seeing any one. the wounded men were resting, and legrand was at the farther end of the corridor, acting as sentinel over our makeshift of a fortress. i sat wondering, and then my name was called again--called in a whisper that, nevertheless, penetrated to my ears and seemed to carry on the quiet air. i rose and went towards legrand. "did you call?" i asked. he shook his head. "no," said he. "i heard my name distinctly," i said. "oh, don't get fancying things, phillimore," he said with impatient earnestness. "my dear fellow, there's only you and barraclough and me now." "well, i'd better swallow some of my own medicine," i retorted grimly, and left him. i walked back again and turned. as i did so, the call came to me so clearly and so softly that i knew it was no fancy on my part, and now i involuntarily lifted my eyes upwards to the skylights. one of these had been shattered in the gale. "doctor!" i gazed in amazement, and suddenly holgate's face passed momentarily over the hole in the glass. "doctor, can you spare me ten minutes?" what in the name of wonder was this? i paused, looked down the corridor towards legrand, and reflected. then i took it in at a guess, and i resolved to see him. "where?" i asked, in a voice so modulated that it did not reach legrand. "here--the promenade," came back the reply. i whistled softly, but made no answer. then i walked away. "legrand," said i, "i'm going for a turn. i've got an idea." "don't let your idea get you," said he bluffly. i assured him that i was particular about my personal safety, and with his assistance the door was opened behind the barricade. for the first time for two days i found myself on the deck and in the open air. hastily glancing about me to make sure that no mutineers were in the neighbourhood, i walked to the foot of the ladder that gave access to the promenade-deck above and quickly clambered to the top. at first i could see no sign of holgate, and then a head emerged from behind the raised skylights and he beckoned to me. "sit here, doctor," said he. "you'll be safe here. no harm shall come to you." he indicated a seat under cover of one of the extra boats which was swung inside the promenade-deck for use in the event of emergencies, and he himself set me the example of sitting. "i suppose you've come armed," he said. i tapped my breast-pocket significantly. "so!" said he, smiling. "well, you're plucky, but you're not a fool; and i won't forget that little affair downstairs. i'll admit you might have dusted me right up, if you'd chosen. but you didn't. you had a clear head and refrained." "on the contrary," said i, "i've been thinking ever since what a dolt i was not to shoot." "you don't shoot the man at the wheel, lad," said he with a grin. "oh, you weren't that; you were only the enemy. why, we struck half an hour later." "yes," he assented. "but we're not down under yet. and you can take your solemn alfred that that's where we should be now if you hadn't let me pass. no, doctor, you spared the rod and saved the ship." "well, she's piled up, my good sir," i declared. "so she is," he admitted. "but she's saved all the same. and i'll let you into a little secret, doctor. what d'ye suppose my men are busy about, eh? why, pumping--pumping for all they're worth. i keep 'em well employed, by thunder." he laughed. "if it's not fight, it's pump, and if it weren't pump, by the blazes it would be fight. so you owe me one, doctor, you and those fine friends of yours who wouldn't pick you out of a gutter." "supposing we get to the point," i suggested curtly. "that's all right. there's a point about here, sure enough. well, we're piled up on blessed hurricane island, doctor, as you see. we struck her at a proper angle. see? here lies the _sea queen_, with a bulge in her and her nose for the water. she'd like to crawl off, and could." he waved his hand as he spoke, and for the first time my gaze took in the scene. we lay crooked up upon a ridge of rock and sand; beyond, to the right, the cliffs rose in a cloud of gulls, and nearer and leftwards the long rollers broke upon a little beach which sloped up to the verdure of a tiny valley. it was a solitary but a not unhandsome prospect, and my eyes devoured it with inward satisfaction, even with longing. far away a little hill was crowned with trees, and the sun was shining warmly on the gray sand and blue water. i turned, and holgate's eye was on me. "she's piled up for certain, but i guess she could get up and waddle if we urged her," he said slowly. "come, holgate, i have no idea what this means," said i. "i only know that a few hours ago you would have annihilated us, and that we must look for the same attempt again. i confess there's nothing else plain to me." "i'll make it plain, lad," said he with his lancashire accent uppermost. "i'm not denying what you say. i told you long ago that i was going through with this, and that holds. i'm not going to let go now, no, by thunder, not when i'm within an ace of it. but there's been a bit of manoeuvring, doctor, and i think we can help each other." "you want a compromise," i said. "you can call it that if you will," he said. "but the terms i offered yesterday i repeat to-day." "why do you take this method of offering them?" i inquired. "why not approach the prince officially?" "well, you see, doctor, i don't hanker after seeing the prince, as you might say; and then, between you and me, you're more reasonable, and know when the butter's on the bread." "and there's another reason," said i. he slapped his thigh and laughed. "ah! ah! doctor, there's no getting behind you. you're a fair daisy," he said good-humouredly. "yes, there's another reason, which is by way of manoeuvring, as i have said. my men are at the pumps or they would be at you. you see you've got the treasure." "oh, only a few hours since," i said lightly. his fang showed. "that's so. but so far as my men know you've had it all along. now i wonder where you hid it? perchance in a steward's pantry, doctor?" "very likely," i assented. his sombre eyes, which never smiled, scrutinised me. "i'd put my shirt on it that 'twas you, doctor," he said presently. "what a man you are! it couldn't be that worm, pye, naturally; so it must be you. i'm nuts on you." i rose. "i'm afraid, holgate, you can't offer any terms which would be acceptable," i said drily. "well, it's a fair exchange," he said. "i guess i can keep my men aloof for a bit, and we can get her off. there's not much the matter with the yacht. i'll land your party on the coast in return for the boodle." "the prince would not do it," i answered. "nor would i advise him to do so--for one reason, if for no other." i spoke deliberately and looked him in the face fully. "what may that be?" he asked, meeting my gaze. "you would not keep your word," i said. he shook his head. "you're wrong, doctor, you're wholly wrong. you haven't got my measure yet, hanged if you have. i thought you had a clearer eye. what interest have i in your destruction? none in the world." "credit me with some common sense, holgate," i replied sharply. "dead men tell no tales." "nor dead women," he said meaningly, and i shuddered. "but, good lord! i kill no man save in fight. surrender, and i'll keep the wolves off you. they only want the money." "which they would not get," i put in. he smiled, not resenting this insinuation. "that's between me and my maker," he said with bold blasphemy. "anyway, i'm not afraid of putting your party at liberty. i know a corner or two. i can look after myself. i've got my earths to run to." "it's no use," i said firmly. "well, there's an alternative," he said, showing his teeth, "and that's war; and when it comes to war, lives don't count, of either sex; no, by blazes, they don't, dr. phillimore!" he stood up and faced me, his mouth open, his teeth apart, and that malicious grin wrinkling all but his smouldering feral eyes. i turned my back on him without a word and descended to the deck. i had not a notion what was to be done, but i knew better than to trust to the ravening mercies of that arch-mutineer. holgate was aware that the treasure was gone, and he wished to jockey us into a surrender. that was the gist of my interview, which i hastened to communicate to my companions. legrand and barraclough listened with varying faces. expressions flitted over the former's as shadows over a sea, but the baronet was still as rock, yes, and as hard, it seemed to me. "you people have all got a bee in your bonnet in respect of a compromise," he said with a sneer. "you follow the prince, and god knows he's no judge. he's a fanatic. hang it, phillimore, haven't you tumbled to that yet?" he was a fanatic, it was true, but i did not like barraclough's tone. "then you would trust the lives of this company, including the ladies, to holgate?" i asked sharply. "with proper reservations and safeguards," he said. i threw out my hands. "you talk of safeguards, and you're dealing with a cut-throat. what safeguards could you have?" "well, we might stipulate for a surrender of all the firearms," said barraclough, knitting his brow. "it wouldn't wash," said legrand decidedly. "do you think they'd give up all they had? no, it would only be a pretence--a sham. i agree with the doctor that holgate's safety is only spelled out by our deaths. there you have it in a nutshell. the man can't afford to let us go free." barraclough assumed a mule-like look. "very well," said he. "then we're wiped out as soon as he cares to move," and he turned away angrily. an hour later i was passing the ladies' cabins when a door flew open, and mademoiselle jumped out on me in a state of agitation. "what is this, doctor?" she cried. "this 'olgate offers to put us on shore safe, and you refuse--refuse to give him up the money. you must not. you must bargain with him. our lives depend on it. and you will arrange that he leaves us sufficient to get to civilisation again." "mademoiselle," said i quietly, "i am not in authority here. it is the prince." "the prince, he is ill," she went on in her voluble french. "he is not master of himself, as you well know. he is not to be trusted to make a decision. sir john shall do it. he is captain." "it should be done with all my heart and now, mademoiselle," i said, "if we could put any reliance on the man's word. but how can we after his acts, after this bloody mutiny?" she clasped her hands together in terror. "then we shall be doomed to death, monsieur. ah, try, consent! let us see what he will offer. sir john shall do it for me whose life is at stake." i was sorry for her fears, and her agitation embarrassed me. heaven knew i understood the situation even more clearly than she, and to me it was formidable, pregnant with peril. but what could i do? i did what i could to reassure her, which was little enough, and i left her weeping. the singing-bird had become suddenly conscious of her danger, and was beating wildly against the bars of her cage. poor singing-bird! princess alix had taken upon herself the office of nurse to her brother, and although he refused to acknowledge the necessity of a nurse, he seemed glad to have her in his room. when i entered early in the afternoon after tending my other patients, they were talking low together in german, a tongue with which, as i think i have said, i was not very familiar. but i caught some words, and i guessed that it was of home they spoke, and the linden-trees in the avenue before the castle of hochburg. the princess's face wore a sad smile, which strove to be tender and playful at once, but failed pitifully. and she dropped the pretence when she faced me. "dr. phillimore, my brother is not so well. he--he has been wandering," she said anxiously under her breath. i had been afraid of the dent in the head. i approached him and felt his pulse. "it will not be long, doctor, before we have these scoundrels hanged," he said confidently, nodding to me in his grave way. "we have nearly finished our work." "yes," said i, "very nearly." i did not like his looks. he raised himself in his chair. "'_den lieben langen tag_,' alix. why don't you sing that now? you used to sing it when you were but a child," he said, relapsing into german. "sing, alix." he stared about as if suddenly remembering something. "if yvonne were here, she would sing. her voice is beautiful--ach, so beautiful!" there was a moment's silence, and the princess looked at me, inquiringly, as it appeared to me. i nodded to her, and she parted her lips. sweet and soft and plaintive were the strains of that old-world song. ah, how strangely did that slender voice of beauty touch the heart, while mademoiselle had sung in vain with all her art and accomplishment: den lieben langen tag hab ich nur schmerz und plag und darf am abend doch nit weine. wen ich am fendersteh, und in die nacht nei seh, so ganz alleine, so muss ich weine. her voice had scarce died away gently when a sound from without drew my ears, and i turned towards the door. the prince had closed his eyes and lay back in his chair as if he slept, and his face was that of a happy child. motioning to the princess to let him stay so, undisturbed, i moved to the door and opened it noiselessly. i heard legrand's voice raised high as if in angry altercation, and i stepped into the corridor and closed the door behind me. i hurried down to the barricade and found barraclough and legrand struggling furiously. "shame!" i called, "shame! what is it?" and i pulled legrand back. "he has only one arm, man," i said reproachfully. "i don't care if he has none. he's betrayed us," cried legrand, savagely angry. i stared. "what does it mean?" "why, that his friends are outside, and that he wants to admit them," said legrand with an oath. barraclough met my gaze unblinkingly. "it's more or less true," he said bluntly, "and i'm going to let them in. i'm sick of this business, and i've taken the matter in hand myself. i'm captain here." he spoke with morose authority and eyed me coolly. i shrugged my shoulders. we could not afford to quarrel, but the man's obduracy angered me. alas! i did not guess how soon he was to pay the penalty! "then you have come to terms, as you call it, on your own account, with holgate?" i asked. "yes," he said defiantly. "and what terms, may i ask?" he hesitated. "they can have the treasure in return for our safety. you know my views." "and you know mine," said i. "then, i may take it you have revealed the secret of the treasure?" "what the devil's it got to do with you?" he replied sullenly. "stand out of the way there! i'm going to open the door!" "and why, pray, if they already have the treasure?" "you fool! it's only holgate, and he's here to get us to sign a document." "meaning," said i, "that we are not to split on him, and to keep silent as to all these bloody transactions." "it's our only chance," he said savagely. "out of the way!" i hesitated. if holgate were alone, there was not much to be feared, and, the treasure being now in his hands, what could move him to visit us? surely, he could have no sinister motive just then? could he, after all, be willing to trust to his luck and release us, his predestined victims, as the unhappy prince had trusted to his? the omen was ill. the barricades had been removed evidently before legrand had arrived on the scene to interfere, and even as i hesitated barraclough turned the key, and the door fell open. holgate waddled heavily into the corridor and took us all three in with his rolling eyes. his face seemed to be broader, more substantial, and darker than ever, and his mouth and chin marked the resolute animal even more determinedly. the open door was behind him. "as sir john will have told you," he began slowly, moving his gaze from one to another, "i have come on a little business with him which we've got to settle before we part." legrand stood in angry bewilderment, and, as for me, i knew not how to take this. had he come in good faith? "i would be damned if i would have struck a bargain with you, holgate, or dreamed of trusting you," said legrand, fuming. "but as it's done, and you have the spoils, what's your game now?" holgate sent a quick look at him, and passed his hand over his forehead. then he eyed me. "what do you suppose i'm here for?" he asked, his eyes looking out as tigers waiting in their lair. "all unarmed, and trusting, as i am, it is only reasonable to suppose that i come to fulfill my promise to sir john here. he knows what that was, and he's done enough to have got his money's worth." "we will sign if you produce the document," said barraclough curtly. "you'll sign, phillimore, and you?" he said, looking at legrand. it had the air of a command, but what else could we do? we were at holgate's mercy, and the act of signature could do us no harm. on the other hand, it might save us. "yes," i said reluctantly, "i'll sign, as it's come to that." "i'll follow," growled legrand. "but if i'd known----" "hang it! let's get it over!" said barraclough. "you shall have our word of honour as gentlemen." "it's a pretty big thing you're asking," said legrand moodily. "i don't know. let's think it out." "and the prince?" said holgate; "he must sign. you can manage him?" barraclough frowned. after all, it seemed more complex now with the cold light of reason on the compact. "look here, man," said he, and i never was nearer liking him, "if you'll put us ashore within forty-eight hours after floating--and you can--on the chili coast, you'll have a fortnight's start, and can chance the rest. hang it! holgate, take your risks." holgate showed his teeth in a grin. "i have lived forty years," said he slowly, "and, by thunder, i've never taken an unnecessary risk in my life--no! by god i haven't!" and he whistled shrilly through his teeth. instantaneously (for they must have been in waiting) half a dozen of the mutineers dashed through the doorway, and, before any of us could finger a weapon, we were in their grip. it was the simplest booby-trap that ever was laid, and yet it was prepared with consummate skill. he had come alone and unarmed; he had held us in converse; and when we had lost our sense of suspicion and precaution he had brought his men upon us. down went the lid of the trap! i could have kicked myself. legrand struggled, as did barraclough; but what did resistance avail? the infamous pierce, who had me on one side, twisted my arm in warning lest i should kick futilely against the pricks. "steady!" said i. "it is not a question of war just now, but of parley," and i raised my voice so as to be heard above the noise. "what does this mean, holgate? more treachery of a special black die?" he seated himself on the barricade. "you may call it revenge," said he, considering me. "i exonerate sir john, and i think legrand there, but cuss me if i'm sure about you." "you're a black traitor!" cried barraclough, impotently fierce. "whoa there, sir john, whoa there!" said the mutineer equably. "i've already said i exonerate you; but, hang it, man, you're a flat. they've diddled you. i'm no traitor. i'd have struck to my bargain and trusted you, but by the lord, what am i to do when i find i'm dealing with a pack of hucksters?" "what's your game?" repeated legrand, blowing hard. holgate indicated barraclough. "if he had carried out his part i was prepared to carry out mine; as he hasn't----" he left his end in space. "you haven't the treasure?" i cried in surprise; but holgate's gaze had gone beyond us and was directed at something down the corridor. i moved my head with difficulty, and, as i did so, i saw holgate take a revolver from one of his men. he sat fingering it; and that was all i observed, for my eyes, slewing round, had caught sight of the prince and princess. the prince moved heavily towards us, with an uncertain gait, and alix's face was full of terror and wonder. in that instant i remembered something, and i saw in my mind's eye the figure of the prince labouring through the doorway that gave access to the stairs to the lower deck. it was he who had removed the treasure, and holgate had been cheated a second time. even as this revelation came to me, i wondered at the self-restraint of the man. he was as cool as if he sat at dinner among friends, merely resting a finger on the trigger of his weapon, the muzzle of which he held to the ground. "what is this, sir?" demanded the prince, coming to a pause and staring at the scene. holgate answered nothing. i doubt if the prince had seen him from where he stood, for he addressed barraclough, and now he repeated his question with dignity. at that moment a door opened somewhere with a click, and mademoiselle entered the corridor. barraclough made no sign, but with his teeth on his under lip stared before him helplessly. "but you have the treasure," suddenly cried a tremulous voice in broken english, and mademoiselle was in our midst. "go back, messieurs: you have broke your word. you have the treasure." the prince stared at her. "what treasure?" he asked with a puzzled expression. "sir john has made peace with them," she cried excitedly. "he has delivered up the treasure, and they will let us go free. it is all settled. let him go, 'olgate. you shall let him go." "why," said the prince with a singular expression on his face, "it means i am surrounded with traitors. there is treachery everywhere. yvonne, you have betrayed me." "ah, _non_, _non_!" she cried plaintively, clasping her hands together. "we shall be saved. sir john sees to that." "so you made terms," said the prince to barraclough in his deep voice of fury. "i acted for the best," said barraclough; and now that he met the storm he faced it with dignity. perhaps i alone knew the measure of his temptation. he had fallen a victim to the arts of a beautiful woman. there was nought else could have melted that obdurate british heart or turned that obstinate british mind. this obtuseness had been his ruin, and he must have recognised it then; for he had admitted the enemy and our stronghold was in their hands. but the last blow had yet to fall. "fool!" said the prince with a bitter laugh. "the treasure is not there. you have played without cards." "i will be damned if i didn't think it was his royal highness," said holgate in his even voice, and as he spoke he rose into sight. it was grotesque as it sounded, certainly not a bit like the prelude of high tragedy; yet that was on the way, and fell at once. holgate's voice arrested the prince, and he started, as if now for the first time aware of the presence of the mutineers. till that moment he had merely been bent on rating a servant. with the swiftness of lightning he drew and levelled a revolver; i saw holgate's fat bull neck and body lean to one side and drop awkwardly, and then an exclamation sprang up on my left, where gray and another were holding barraclough captive. the bullet had gone over holgate's head as he dodged it and had found its home in sir john's heart. his body dropped between the captors. the princess gave a cry of horror. holgate cast a glance behind him. "you're too mighty dangerous," he said easily, and put up his own weapon. but before it could reach the level, the prince with a slight start clapped the revolver to his own head and pulled the trigger. "alix!" he cried weakly, and then something low in german, and as he fell the life must have left him. his sister bent over him, her face white like the cerements of the dead, and mademoiselle ran forward. "frederic!" she cried. "_mon frederic!_" and broke into violent sobs. "good god!" said legrand, trembling. chapter xx the escape the shock of the tragedy which had taken place in so brief a space and so unexpectedly threw me into confusion. i knew i was gazing at the princess, who was bent over her brother, and i heard the weeping of mademoiselle trebizond punctuating the deep silence which had fallen after those two reports. there was some movement among the mutineers which i did not understand, and presently i found that legrand and i were being marched to one of the cabins. "doctor, do you know anything of this?" sounded a voice in my ear, and i was aware that holgate was speaking. "the treasure, man, the treasure!" he added, seeing, i suppose, some bewilderment in my face. "no," said i shortly; "the only man who did is dead." "very well," said he sharply, "i'll deal with you when i have time," and he hurried off. our captors shoved legrand and myself into what had been the prince's smoking-room, and gave us to understand that we were to be shot down if we made any attempt to escape. the rest of these pirates, i conceived, must be in full cry after the spoils, for i heard the sound of the doors being opened and the noise of voices exchanging calls and sour oaths. presently the door was thrust aside, and the princess and mademoiselle were ushered in unceremoniously by the foul-faced pierce. they were resolved to box us up in our prison until they had settled on a fate for us. the princess was pale, but quiet, in contrast with her companion, who was still in a storm of sobs. she declared that she was doomed, that she was betrayed, and in a breath vowed that her frederic would have saved her had he been alive. she appealed to us in turn for aid, and called god to witness that we were cowards and would desert her and hand her over to death. in a word, she behaved with that hysterical exhibition of nerves which i had noted in her at the outset of our hapless voyage. princess alix, on the other hand, was still and silent. she made no attempt to calm her companion, and it was as if she heard not those weak and selfish wailings. once her blank gaze fell upon me as it wandered, and i was alarmed, so tragic were the eyes. i got up, and put my hand impulsively on her arm. "princess," i said in a low voice. her lip quivered. she hid her face. i went back to my seat. who was i that i should intervene upon that infinite private sorrow? no, the past was not for me; the future faced me, pressed upon me, staring bleakly and cruelly upon our condition. was all over? had we to remain there, merely at holgate's pleasure helpless victims to his will, sheep ready for the slaughter that he destined for us? i swore in my heart in that hour that it should not be--not without a struggle. i took god to witness in my inmost soul that i would die before harm should touch the princess. no, all was not lost yet--not so long as we were free to move and breathe and think intelligently. but, if anything were to be done, it must be attempted ere holgate remembered us again. he had placed the guard upon us, and he would not turn his thoughts our way again until he had either found what he was looking for or despaired of finding it. how long would the search go on? as i resolved the situation in my head, ideas began to assume form in my quickening brain. in the cabin, under watch and ward, were the two ladies, legrand, and myself. lane and ellison were elsewhere, if they had not been killed by the mutineers, as i almost feared. also, there was juliette, mademoiselle's maid. what had become of her? it was not death i feared for her. but the mutineers, it was quite certain, would think of nothing but running to earth the treasure for the present. the prince had successfully concealed it, but, of course, the space on a yacht is limited, and it seemed as if in time the discovery must be made. how long would it be? but then came in a flash a disturbing thought. they would abandon their hunt when the light failed until the following morning, and the interlude would direct their attention to their unfortunate prisoners. if they found the treasure by that time, it might be too late for us, but if they went on till dark--i thought i saw light at last in these reflections. we must wait, and act as soon as darkness fell. one thing that gave me hope was that our guards showed no special vigilance. i suppose this was partly because we were considered to be safely disposed of, and partly because they were interested in the progress of the search. now and then one of them opened the door and glanced in, shutting it again abruptly, to resume conversation with his companion. we had been deprived of our weapons, and the outward windows towards the deck were so small as to forbid the possibility of escape that way, even had the intermittent visitations of our sentries been wanting. another thing encouraged me, which was, that we were free to talk unheeded. what could the communion of helpless, unarmed prisoners matter? i glanced at legrand, who sat back, his eyes staring at the ceiling, his arms folded, a deep frown bitten in his forehead. "legrand," i whispered. his eyes dropped to my level. "they will be busy till dark. what about dusk?" he stirred, and shifted towards me. "odd. i've been thinking the same," he answered in a low tone. "we may have one more chance if we make it." "we must make it," said i. "i'll tell you what it is, phillimore," said he. "there's something we can't do without, in our circumstances, and i think i know where to find it." he rose, and opened a cupboard in the wall, from which he brought out a bottle of brandy, some glasses and some tinned foods. "there's always been some kept here," he added. "and, as i live, a knife, if only a jack-knife. well, she'll do, man--first to open the tins, and then----" he left his meaning in the air. when the tins were opened, i endeavoured to persuade the princess to eat. she refused at first from lips of marble, but i used my authority as a doctor. "come," i said with asperity, "you're under orders here, princess. you must do as you're told." her lips quivered. "i will try," she said in a strangled voice. mademoiselle had sat up some time ago and dried her tears. i think she had worn herself out with that passion of weeping, and her nimble wits began to flow again. "you are right, doctor," she said. "it is well to eat, otherwise we become weak. i will eat and then see what may be done." "bravo, mademoiselle!" said i. "that is spoken like a sensible woman." "yes," she went on, "i will try my eloquence upon them--those beasts. they will not harm me, if i speak to them. it was sir john before, and he was only a man, and clumsy. i will sing to them, if necessary. i will charm them. have i not done it before?" i wondered if the poor lady had any guess in her mind, had any realisation at all, of what human passions, let loose as upon that ship, amounted to. she spoke as a child, as a vain and hopeful child, boasting of her influence. but it was the mood i wanted rather than the hysterical state of tears. we ate, and drank a little brandy and water, without interruption from without, and turned once more to the thought of escape. the search was still going on, as sounds that came to our ears indicated, and slowly the room darkened with the enveloping night. i could just see the princess across the cabin. legrand whispered to me: "they're still hard at work. we shall have our chance soon." our plan was simple, if we could once get quit of our guards. one of the smaller boats lay on the starboard side, and, hanging outwards from the davits, could, from the slant of the _sea queen_ as she lay on the rocks, be easily dropped and floated. if we could lower her into the water and get the ladies into her, it would be possible, under cover of the darkness and the preoccupation of the mutineers, to reach the island. once there, we must, of course, trust to our luck for food and shelter. legrand got to his feet and moved noiselessly towards the door. the yacht was comparatively still, and we could hear the lapping of the quiet sea beyond the broken windows. i followed him. "we have one jack-knife," i whispered in his ear. he nodded. "and there are two men," he whispered back. "is the door locked?" he fumbled softly. "i don't think so. they did not turn the key last time. but it's a question of who's outside. if the body of the mutineers are still there, we're done. if the two are alone----" "they are alone," i whispered. "i can hear no noise. they're hunting elsewhere." "the darkness about suits us now. explain to the ladies," he said under his breath. "let them be ready directly we are." i went back to the couch and poured out my story through the darkness. i spoke to two shadows, and as i did so a hand moved in the air and touched mine. i took it, and it was cold like the snows in january. i pressed it softly. "be of good heart. i will come back. and do not cry out." even as i stole back in that critical moment, my heart bounded, for i knew to whom the hand belonged. body of love! should not i know it in the grave? i reached legrand. "ready," i said. "you take the nearest," said he. "a jack-knife carries farther." "i shall want it," i said. "i have only my fingers." "you shall have it," he said grimly. "one at a time. fingers or throat, mind you, and no noise. have you got your muscles back? you're a strong man, phillimore, but, by heaven! all rests on your fingers. and you have been wounded?" "i could tear down the pillars of gaza at this moment," i replied. "my blood's afire." "god be with us!" he muttered, and slowly turned the handle. the door opened inwards, and in the darkness loomed a single figure. legrand sprang, and the two disappeared in a heap upon the floor. i had leapt to one side and was feeling in the air for my enemy, but my hands took nothing, nor could my eyes make out any other figure in the gloom. presently something rose from the floor, and i heard legrand's voice. "he's alone. there was only the one." "yes," i whispered back. "and the mutineers are gone from here." faint noises issued from below, acquainting us in what direction the search had flowed. "all the better," said legrand. "the way's clear for us. where are the women?" i found my way into the cabin again and called them in a low voice. "give me your hand," said i to the first that reached me. i recognised the tall figure. mademoiselle was _petite_. i conducted both through the doorway, and the princess stumbled and gave vent to a little moan. it was the dead man. i pulled her to me. "legrand," said i, "you must take mademoiselle; she will not find her way alone, and i must have an arm free." "i want two," he growled. at that moment a beam of light flashed from the cabins across the way. legrand gave vent to a hiss of warning and moved off. i could see his shadow for a moment, and then it was swallowed in the blackness. he was waiting and watching outside the cabin. the light streamed out in a fan towards us, and revealed, in the opening of a door, a man's form, and even as it did, legrand struck. the man went down in silence, and legrand bent over and picked up the lantern which had clashed to the floor. he stooped and examined the face of his victim. then he crossed to us, and on my arm a hand was trembling like a leaf in the wind. "courage," i whispered, and i groped for mademoiselle on the other side. "it was the other man," said legrand calmly. "i don't know what he did there, but we've got a bull's-eye, which is so much to the good. come, let's get on." we passed down the corridor and through the bare doorway to the deck. here the breath of the night blew softly on our faces. legrand moved along the bulwarks till he reached the davits from which the boat depended. standing into the opaque blackness, he cut at the ropes above. presently i heard a splash. i did not offer to assist, for he had the knife and the knowledge; the two women were my charge. it must have been twenty minutes that we waited there silently, deep in the security of the darkness. "she's down," said legrand in my ear. "it's not a long drop, but it's a job for women. do you think you can manage it?" "i'm going to try," i said, and i whispered to the princess, "will you trust yourself to me? i must lower you into the boat?" "yes--yes," she answered in a low voice. "legrand," said i, "you go first. i'll lower them, and then i'll follow." he made no answer, but slipped over the railing, and presently his voice sounded softly from below: "now." i took the princess's hand from my arm. "you must go," said i; "legrand is awaiting you. if i put you over, can you hang by the rope and lower yourself? he will catch you." "yes," she said in the same voice. i lifted her gently to the top of the bulwarks and put the rope in her hands, and i felt her go down slowly. i had faith in her, yet i waited anxiously until i heard the voice below: "safe." i turned to where i had left mademoiselle, but my hands moving in the darkness encountered nothing. she was gone. what had become of her? i moved a little way, and almost fell on my face over some obstacle, which was soft and moved. i stooped, and felt there on the deck with a sudden misgiving. it was mademoiselle trebizond, who had gone off in a swoon! what was to be done? i racked my brains, and could not see any means by which she could be lowered in that unconscious state to the boat. i called out to legrand softly, informing him of the situation, and i heard an oath float on the air. suddenly a thought came to me and i leaned over. "wait," i said, "i have an idea. i will be back shortly." i had the bull's-eye, and now i turned it on and lighted myself back into the corridor. in a flash i had had a thought as to what the second guard had wanted in the cabin, and i retraced my way to it along the deserted corridor, and found the door open and the man's body blocking it. i stepped over this and threw the light about. i had guessed it was the _boudoir_. i pushed into the farther room, which had been mademoiselle's, and a cry greeted me. i had conjectured rightly. the second man had been set as guard on other prisoners. juliette ran to me quickly. "mademoiselle?" said she. "is safe," i answered, "but wants your help. come." i cast the light on lane. "can you walk, lane?" "yes," he said; "i'm fit for anything." "ellison?" "yes, sir." "well, follow me. if you'd known it, your prison was open for you. be as silent as you can. there's no time to lose." as i issued from the doorway, i stopped and took the revolver and cartridge-belt from the dead man, and ellison followed my example in respect of the other sentry. we reached the deck without a word, and i shut off the lantern. i called to legrand, and he answered. "hush!" he said. "there's been some one along here just now. be careful." i told him what had happened, and, as there was no time for more words, stooped to find mademoiselle's unconscious form. it was not there! perplexed, i communicated my discovery to my companions, and we searched in the dark for some minutes. but it then became apparent that she had vanished utterly. i heard legrand's voice in warning below. "there's a light coming aft. quick. we can't wait." i was fairly distracted, and knew not what to do. it was plain that, if we lingered there, we should be detected, and it seemed equally plain that there was no chance of discovering mademoiselle. some one who had passed that way had lighted upon her unconscious body. "quick, man," said legrand. "all will be lost." i ordered juliette down the rope, and as she protested, talking of her mistress, i told her all would be well if she would only descend. thus reassured--for she had understood but imperfectly what had happened through her ignorance of english--she jumped on the rail alertly and disappeared. lane followed, and ellison, despite his wound, was lithe as a cat. then i mounted. heaven was a vault of darkness, and the sea poured multitudinous small noises in my ears as it rippled against the side of the _sea queen_. there was visible but the loom of the funnel and the stack of the state-rooms turning night into deeper night. noises now arose from the saloon and streamed up to me. i put my hands on the rope, and then a voice wheezed almost in my ear. "i'll lay it's the doctor." it was holgate, as civil and indifferent as if he were greeting a friend on the quarterdeck. i started and gripped my revolver tightly. "it couldn't be any one else," pursued holgate; and now his bulk was a blacker shadow than the empty blackness around. "got a little party down there, i dare say? well, now, i never thought of that, doctor. for one thing, i hadn't an idea that you would have left a lady all alone in a faint. it wasn't like your gallantry, doctor. so i didn't tumble to it. but it's no odds. you're welcome. i make you a present of your party. good-night, doctor." i slipped down the rope and reached the boat ere this astounding speech was ended. he was a fiend. why did he torture us thus? "let her go, man," said i fiercely to legrand. "he's the devil in the flesh." the rope was overboard, and the oars dipped. a lantern flashed from the side of the yacht, and a trail of light spread faint over the quiet water. "shall i give him a barrel, sir?" asked ellison respectfully. "no," said i shortly; "we shall have enough to do with our barrels presently. besides, you wouldn't hit him." the boat sped out beyond the channel of light. "good-night, doctor," called out holgate. "we've got a little business on, but when that's over i hope to drop in to tea. you're not going far." no one answered, and the wash of the water foamed about the nose of the boat as she turned seaward. chapter xxi on the island we were not, however, bound to sea, a course which would in our situation have been madness. better have perished under the bloody hands of the mutineers than adventure on a wide ocean, without sail or food or compass, to die of thirst, exposure, or starvation. legrand took the boat well out upon that tranquil water before swinging her round to reach the island far away from the _sea queen_. we had no guess as to what size the island might be, but hoped that it might be sufficiently large to provide us a hiding-place, as well as with opportunities of securing food. the night was placid, and the sea like a smooth lake. when we had got some way out, and the sounds of the water on the yacht, together with the human noises of her crew, had faded, a singular silence fell. the plash of the oars was the only sound that broke on the ears. the air was soft and serene; nature seemed to have at last relented, and to be out of key with those tragic deeds committed on the sea. as i sat, passing such reflections in my mind, i heard a voice at my ear in french: "but, monsieur, where is my mistress?" it was juliette, faithful still. i had to explain, and she cried out in alarm, and then was silent. she was above all a practical woman, as i had gathered, and no doubt she saw the position. mademoiselle was gone, and it was patent how she was gone. holgate's words had put her fate beyond uncertainty. she was in the hands of the mutineers, but with what object i could not guess. possibly, holgate had some thought that she was privy to the hiding of the treasure. if he had, i knew better. but, meanwhile, whatever design he had, it was not likely that mademoiselle was in danger. probably, indeed, she was suffering less discomfort at the moment than she had endured during the last few hours. if we were destined to destruction by the mutineers, as i had no doubt, holgate was biding his time. it might be that he still had some suspicion that one or more of us knew the secret he sought. so he held his hand. under legrand's guidance, the boat grounded with a dull, soft, swishing noise on sand, and in the darkness we effected our landing. that done, it remained to conceal our craft in case of emergencies, which we succeeded in doing under a spreading patch of bushes well above the reach of the tides. then the question of shelter faced us. this part of the island appeared, from the trend of the ground, to move gently upwards among dwarf trees and shrubs, and, plunging almost at random in the night, we hit upon a knoll at the base of which was a hollow screened by some bushes. here we decided to stay till the sun was up. legrand helped lane, who was badly fatigued, and ellison made himself useful all round, paying complimentary attentions to the french maid. as for me, i am not ashamed to say that i had but one thought just then, and that was to render the princess comfortable. i found some dry ferns and piled them up as a couch, so that she was protected from the hard, unyielding earth, and then i bade her sleep. she had not spoken since we had entered the boat, and she rendered herself submissively as a helpless child to my directions. she lay down, and i was aware that she was looking into the depth of heaven, where a few stars shone dimly. she was thinking of her brother, and (dear heart) i pitied her. i yearned towards her as a lover yearns to his mistress, with the single desire that he may comfort and solace and protect her. ah, well! my secret had been no secret to me for many days. there was only one divine woman on earth, and she lay upon a rude couch in a savage island, under the naked stars, and stared disconsolately to heaven. i fell asleep at last, and when i awoke, stiff from the earthy bed, the night was receding westward. the dawn was merging in pearls and gray, and a little light was suffused about the hollow. it was still warm. my companions slept, some tossing restlessly, but the princess lay almost as if she had been sleeping under the hand of death. her bosom moved regularly, her parted lips disclosed the even white of her teeth; she was safe from fears and immune from sorrows now at least, and i thanked god. i got up and pushed my way through the bushes towards the beach on which the high tide rumbled monotonously. each moment the light grew stronger, and i had walked only a little way before i was enabled to make out the loom of the yacht some half-mile or more away. i mounted the rise behind our sleeping-place, and now perceived that the land ran upwards from where we were into a central ridge, dotted on the slopes with trees. on the south-easterly side the island appeared to be broken and to conclude in rocks, and here was where the _sea queen_ lay, with a seaward list. it was plain, then, that so small a sanctuary would not offer us adequate protection from holgate if he wished to pursue us, and my heart sank as i considered the position. would he at the best leave us to our fate on the island? and if so, would that be more merciful than despatching us by the bullet of the assassin? i returned to my companions to find legrand and the french maid awake. juliette was serviceable as of old. she inquired of me sweetly what chance her mistress had and took my assurances philosophically. she would do her duty, i was sure, but i doubted the depth of her affections. she came of sound, sensible peasant blood. and this was what was needed at the moment, for we had to see to some breakfast, legrand agreed to mount guard while i went on an excursion of investigation along the north shore. here i was hidden from the eyes of those on board the _sea queen_ by the intervening range of hills. it took me just twenty minutes of strolling to reach the farther end of the island, where the barren rocks swarmed with gulls and other sea birds, from which you may draw some idea as to the dimensions of our domain. i obtained some sea-gulls' eggs from the nests on the rocks, having to beat off some of the infuriated creatures to secure my booty, and, thus supplied, returned to the camp. the remainder of the party were now awake, and juliette prepared the eggs, roasting them in the sand by the aid of hot ashes. as we were well-nigh famished, i think we all ate with appetite, except the princess, who was still very silent and listless. "princess," i said to her presently, "if a man lose half his treasure, will he then throw away the other half recklessly?" she looked at me in wonder. "you have lost a brother," i continued, "but you have your own life which god gave you to guard." "yes," she said slowly, "i know you are right, but it is hard. i will try, but----" she shivered. "it is hard--so hard to forget. i live in a nightmare by day; it is only in sleep i can forget." but she ate her breakfast after that, and a little later accompanied me to a spring ellison had discovered for a drink of water. as we stood there in the morning sunshine, the fair wind tossing her skirts, she faced me gravely. "you have not given up hope, then?" "no," said i frankly. "we are not beaten yet. i think i shall be able to restore you to europe, to hand you back to your uncle's palace." she looked away to sea. "we were to have given up that for always--frederic and i," she said softly. "--we arranged it between us." "princess," i said, "you did not approve. i have always known it. you consented out of love for him. and now you shall go back." she shook her head. "it is too late. the mill will never grind with the waters that are passed. i did not--i was afraid. yes, but i made up my mind. he was all i had, and now i have nothing--i am alone." it was impossible to assure her. there was no consolation possible now, whatever might come hereafter. her eyes encountered mine. "but i am grateful--oh! so grateful, to those who stood by him to the end and risked their lives for him," she said in a broken voice and with tears in her eyes, and she put out her hand impulsively. i took it, and my voice was almost as broken as hers. "it is not true you are alone," i said, "for those who stood by your brother belong to you. they would die for you." "my friend," she murmured. "no; i am not alone." legrand expressed great anxiety that we should improve our position, which, indeed, left us a prey to any attack. we therefore wended our way along the northern beach towards the rocks, in the hope of hitting upon a situation in which we might have some chance of defence. the scarp descended boldly into the blue water here, and the edges were planted with brushwood. brushwood, too, covered the slope of the hills, interspersed with larger trees. here and there the rough rock outcropped and was broken, no doubt, by the winds of that tempestuous sea or by the frosts. legrand and i mounted, leaving the others below, and ascended to the top of the rise, from which the shafts of our eyes went down upon the southern beach. but the _sea queen_ was concealed from view by the abutment of hill which sloped outwards and formed an arm to a pleasant little ravine. from the top of this a stream bubbled out of the rock and fell downwards in a jet of silver. legrand stooped to refresh himself with a draught preparatory to turning back, for it was not advisable that we should venture lower upon that side of the hills. as he did so he stopped suddenly and straightened himself. with his hand he beckoned to me, pointing to the hillside. i looked and saw what was in his mind. just under the summit the rock-stratum emerged in mass, and on one side the earth yawned in a hole. cautiously we approached. it was the mouth of a shallow cavern some twelve feet through and some twenty feet in width. the cave admitted us by stooping. "the very place," said he significantly. "it's near water too, and has this advantage, that we can overlook the beach by which any movement will be made." that was in my thoughts also, and we rejoined our companions well satisfied. but some preparations were necessary before we installed ourselves in our new quarters. we made a larder of eggs and piled a heap of brushwood before the door of our house. so long as there were no mutineers in sight we should have liberty to come and go over the brow of the hill; and upon the north side, in a little dip, we built our fireplace, so that the smoke should not rise and attract the notice of the _sea queen_. these arrangements occupied a great part of the morning, during all which time we saw nothing of holgate's men. no doubt they were busily engaged in their hunt for the prince's treasure. the day passed wearily enough but in safety; and with the fall of night we felt even more secure, for our hiding-place could not be discovered in the darkness. i reckoned that we were not, as the crow flies, more than a few hundred yards from where the yacht lay aground, and in the greater stillness that seems to fall at night sounds reached us from the mutineers. as i sat at the door of the cave, with the stars overhead, i caught a snatch of song rolling up from below, and presently other voices joined in. a little later there was a riotous burst of noise, as from a quarrel in progress. had the treasure been found, and were the sailors celebrating their triumph, or was this merely a drunken debauch? it sounded as if the latter were the true alternative. in their disappointment the mutineers had gone to the rum cask for consolation. as time went on the sounds increased, and i listened to them with a trembling fear for the unfortunate woman who was still aboard. black of heart as those men undoubtedly were in their sober moments, and under the influence of the lust of gold, what would they be when inflamed by spirits and in the throes of angry chagrin? as i watched i was conscious that some one had issued from the cave on light feet and stood by my side. a low voice addressed me, but before she had spoken i knew who it was. my heart could not have failed to recognise her. "do you fear attack?" "no, princess," said i, "not to-night. they don't know where we are; and, besides, they are quarrelling among themselves." she was silent for a time, and then, "that unhappy woman!" she sighed. "she has lost all she cared for. i am sorry for her," i answered. "yes," she said slowly. "i suppose so; but what does any one of us care for? what does it all mean? the puzzle is too great for me. i am shaken." "you must trust yourself," i said impulsive. "trust to those who care for you." "you are--good," she replied softly. "princess----" i began, but she interposed quickly. "do not call me that. i am no princess. i have given all up. i am just alix morland." "you will go back," said i, "and resume your rightful place in courts, and this will only remain to you as a horrid nightmare." "i shall remember the evil dream. yes," she said; "but i shall also remember some heroic souls and noble deeds. but it will not be in courts." she was silent again, but presently said, in a hesitating voice: "dr. phillimore, i never wanted that marriage; i was always against it; and now i am sorry. poor frederic! i was a traitor to him." "no, no," i said, "but a loyal and devoted heart. why are you here? because, even though you mistrusted his judgment, you sacrificed yourself to your affection for him. the test of true affection is to stand by when you disapprove. any one can stand by if he approves." "and it has all come to this!" she said with a sigh. "this is not the end," said i stoutly. suddenly she laid her hand on my arm. "what has become of her?" she asked. "what has been her fate?" to say the truth, i knew not what to reply, and the trouble in her voice declared itself again. "can we do nothing?" she asked distressfully. "i did not like her, but can we do nothing? it is dreadful to----" i found my voice then. "not to-night, but to-morrow," i replied soothingly. "she will take no harm to-night;" but i wished i had been as sure as i seemed. about noon on the following day we took our first sight of the mutineers. a knot emerged into view on the beach below and spread out presently towards the wooded valley. this gave me some concern, for i guessed that they might be searching for us by holgate's directions. he had threatened to visit us. was he now fulfilling that threat? in any case, if they were hunting for us, we must in the end be run to earth in that small island. and then would come the final act. we had two revolvers and a limited amount of ammunition to defend ourselves against the resources of the mutineers, to whom the yacht was open. we saw no more of them, however, for two hours, and then they came straggling back towards the little bluff behind which the _sea queen_ lay. if they had been looking for us, they were so far foiled. but that was not the last of them. the boat which had landed the first lot of mutineers had returned to the yacht, and now again struck the beach with a fresh complement of hands. were they to renew the pursuit? i looked down from our eyrie, scarcely more than half a mile away, with some misgivings. legrand was upon the other side of the hill on an exploration of his own, and lane and ellison were still wounded men. i peered from behind our pile of brushwood and awaited events. the second gang of mutineers had brought a keg with them, and i saw them tap it. only too clearly was its nature revealed. they had come ashore to an orgie. i counted ten of them, and thought i recognised one or two of the figures--gray's and pierce's for certain. holgate evidently was not with them, for his form would have been unmistakable, nor could i discern pye. but why were they there? i could only answer my question on the assumption that they had found the treasure and were making merry. yet it was not like holgate to give them the reins so completely unless he had some purpose to serve by his complaisance. hurricane island, as the mutineer had dubbed it, lay under the broad face of the sun, and the cascade sparkled at my feet on its run to the sea. down below the ruffians were engaged in drinking themselves into a condition of maudlin merriment. well, so much the better, i reflected, for i had made up my mind that now, if ever, was the time to inquire into the fate of mademoiselle. when legrand returned, the debauch had developed, and the boat was clumsily put to sea by two of the hands. evidently a fresh supply of rum had been requisitioned, for shortly afterwards the boat returned and two more kegs were rolled out upon the beach. this time it also brought holgate himself, together with a companion, whom i made out to be pye. the men lolled in the sun, smoking and drinking, and now singing snatches of songs. what was holgate about, to let them get into this condition? well, holgate probably knew his own affairs. if he had not carefully calculated every step in this situation, i should have been much astonished. he himself, as far as i could see, took little part in the orgie, but the clamour of voices grew louder, and reached us in our retreat very distinctly. we could even catch the names and some of the words that flew about. the talk was boisterous, but i doubted if it was overmerry. had they been baffled by the treasure after all? i counted them again, and came to the conclusion that almost the whole of the decimated company must be ashore. if that were so, it was time for my excursion. presently, when the dark came, it might be too late. my plan, as i explained it to legrand, was this. i would descend across the spur of the hill, under cover of the bushes, and climb down the steeper heights that faced the _sea queen_. she lay scarce more than a hundred yards from the island, and it would be easy to reach her by swimming. if mademoiselle were safe on board as i conjectured, we could take advantage of a boat to reach the northern beach, and so make our escape without being seen by any of the mutineers ashore. as for the mutineers on the ship, if there were any, i must deal with them as chance suggested. legrand was doubtful as to my venture, his philosophy being summed up in the adage, "let well alone"; but he consented that the experiment should be tried when i pressed it. he had, in the course of his ramblings, discovered in the north side of the hill another cavern, which he declared would serve us on an emergency as a second hiding-place. it was quite possible that we might be driven from burrow to burrow like rabbits, and so it behooved us to examine well the lines of our retreat. i started on my journey just as the sun went down, spreading a deep rose colour on the western waters. i walked cautiously and deliberately, making deviations in my slanting course across the spur, so as to keep within the screen of the bushes. i had not gone more than a hundred yards when i was aware that i was being followed, and i stopped and looked back. to my amazement, i saw the princess coming up rapidly in my wake. she had evidently sped down the ravine, and was a little out of breath. this had imparted some colour to her pale face--a colour which made her radiantly beautiful. "princess!" i said in surprise. "i am come after you," she said hurriedly, "because i don't want you to go. oh, don't go, please! i did not know you were going until you were gone. mr. legrand told me so when i asked after you. but you must not go. i know you are going because of what i said last night. but you must not.... it is too dangerous. oh, did you not see that band of assassins there? they are wolves, they are ravening, fierce wolves. you will perish." my heart throbbed hard--harder than it had done before through all those terrible days of anxiety. i took her hand. "princess," i said, "i must go." i held her hand tightly. "you see that i must go. but ah, i will not forget your kindness!" "they will kill you!" she burst out. "no"; i shook my head and smiled. "god bless you! you are the most kind and most beautiful woman in life. god bless and keep you!" i kissed her hand and turned and went down. she stood awhile, as if lost in thought, and when i looked back i thought i could read upon her face trouble and fear. i would have gone back to her if i had dared, but had i done so i must have taken her in my arms. i kept my face steadily towards the descent, and when i at last summoned courage to adventure the gaze, she had turned and was slowly mounting the hill. my eyes left her and went downwards to the beach. i was almost at the top of the spur which rolled over towards the bay on which the yacht had stranded. what was my horror to notice some excitement among the mutineers, and to see a man with his face towards the hill and an uplifted arm. good heavens! the princess had been discovered. i stood stock-still, rooted to the ground with my apprehensions, and then several of the mutineers began to run towards the ravine. i started at once on a race up the slope. looking down i saw the full pack streaming up the valley, and i redoubled my exertions. i was some distance away, but i had not so far to go as they. the princess stopped, arrested by the drunken shouts from below, and then suddenly broke into a run. she had recognised her danger. i bounded through the bushes, and cut across to intercept the wolves. it was all a matter of little more than five minutes, and then i stopped and awaited their arrival. the first man, who was without a weapon, came to a pause a dozen paces from me. "stand, or i fire," i said, levelling my weapon. he looked uncertainly round for his companions. two or three joined him, and, encouraged by this accession to the force, he said jeeringly: "put that down, or it will be the worse for you. we've had enough of you. and now we've got you in a mucky hole." "that remains to be seen," said i calmly, for i noticed that they did not seem to be supplied with weapons. i could see others climbing up below, and among them holgate. a little lull fell on the scene. it was as if fate hung undecided, not certain whether the scales should go down on this side or that. i stood facing the group of dismayed and angry ruffians, and without turning my head was aware of some one running behind me. i do not think i gave this a single thought, so preoccupied was i with the situation in front. the group was enlarged by arrivals and one of these, stumbling, uttered an oath. "shoot him!" he said, and himself lifted a pistol at me. i raised mine also, and a second and a third were now levelled at me. the scales were against me, but even as this flashed across my mind, a report sounded behind me, and the drunken creature fell. i glanced about, and there was legrand, with his steady hand and flaming eye. my heart thrilled. a shout of fury went up in front. "shoot them--shoot them!" and the barrels directed at us seemed to be suddenly many. holgate had come to a pause on the outer edge of the group and was observing the scene with interest. he made no movement. death touched us with the breath of his passage. an arm was flung sharply about me. "if you die, i die too!" cried a voice--a voice, ah, so well remembered and so dear! ah, heaven! was it alix? a pistol barked, and i swerved, almost losing my feet. if we must die, we should die hard. i fired, and one of the mutineers uttered an exclamation. "stay there," called holgate. "easy, men. don't let's kill the goose that lays the golden eggs. let's have a few questions answered." "dent's down," sang out one. "well, there'll be all the more for those that are left," said holgate, easily, steering his way through the knot. a faint laugh followed on this, but i think even the mutineers, brutal as they were, were aghast at this revolting cynicism. "let's have a parley first," said holgate, now in the forefront of the gang. "business first--pleasure afterwards. now, doctor, out with it. where's that treasure?" "i have told you," said i, "that the prince removed it." alix's arms were about me still. i was dazed. "obstinate mule!" said holgate with a grin. "see that, boys? i've given 'em every chance. let her go." in response to his command revolvers were raised. it marked the end, the fall of the curtain on that long tragedy. alix's arms were about me, and suddenly my brain cleared. i saw as sharply and as definitely as if i had been aloof and unconcerned in that disturbing crisis. "stop, men," said i. "i have one thing to say before we go further. two things. you shall hear about the treasure." there was a pause. holgate turned his black, incurious eyes on me, as if he wondered. "i will tell you where the treasure is, if you will allow me to give you the history of a transaction," i said. my mind was quick, my nerve was cool. there was a chance in delay. "spit it out," said one of the men encouragingly. "the funeral will wait." "men, you've been taken in by that scoundrel there, your leader," i said, pointing at holgate. "he's diddled you all through. ask him about the treasure; ask him!" the eyes of all went round to holgate, who stood without a sign of discomposure. "well, are you going to let 'em go?" was all he said. once again the interest of the group returned to me, but i was fighting hard for--alix. "who was it planned this mutiny and the seizing of the treasure?" i cried. "why, holgate, you know well--holgate and pye. and who brought about the rising? holgate again. why didn't you push through and get hold of the treasure at the first? i suppose you were told it was too difficult. well, it would have been difficult, but that wasn't the reason. it was because this man had got his accomplice aft, stealing the treasure against your coming. and so, when you came, where was it? gone! look here, men; i swear to you i saw this man and pye gloating over the treasure they had removed before your coming. oh, he's a cunning devil, is holgate, and he's diddled you!" there were some murmurs among the mutineers, who looked dubiously at their master, and pierce spoke. "that's all very well, but how are we to know it's not mere bluff? you're putting up a bluff on us." holgate still stood there with his unpleasing smile, and he answered nothing. it was the truth i had spoken, but now i was to bluff. "well, i will prove my words," said i. "you asked me where the treasure is, and i'll tell you. it was removed from holgate's hiding-place by me and hidden in pye's cabin, and afterwards the prince and i removed it again and concealed it." "where! where!" shouted several voices; but holgate did not budge or speak. if we saved this situation, we should at least have a respite, another chance. there was no alternative but death. "why, in its proper place, to be sure," said i. "in the strong-room, where it should be. i suppose none of you thought of that. you're too clever for that, pierce." "by god!" cried pierce suddenly. but at the moment i was startled by a change in holgate. i had fired a barrel at random, and now he shot on me a diabolical glance. his eyes gleamed like creatures about to leap from cover; his lips in a snarl revealed his teeth. a flash of inspiration came to me, and i knew then for certain that, wherever the prince had concealed the treasure, it was now lying in the very place i had named in the presence of all those ruffians. holgate glanced a swift glance from left to right. "what's he take us for?" he said in a hoarse, fat voice, in which rage burned and trembled. "who's he stuffing with these fairy tales?" pierce, his thin lips moving, stared at him. "anyway, it's worth trying," he said meaningly. "you've had your shot; i'll have mine." "damn it, he's fooling you," called out holgate furiously; but already two or three of the mutineers had started down the ravine, and the others turned. excitement seized upon them, as it had been a panic. and then suddenly a cry arose: "look, by thunder, look!" the sun was gone, but the beautiful twilight lingered, serene and gracious, and in that clear light we could descry the form of the _sea queen_ forging slowly out to sea, and rolling as she moved on the ebb. "good lord! she's floated off! she came off on the high tide!" cried pierce; and instantly there was a stampede from the hillside towards the beach. pell-mell the mutineers tumbled down over bush and brier at a breakneck speed to reach the boat that tossed idly on the water to its moorings. chapter xxii holgate's last hand the first thought that passed through my mind was that we had lost our one hope of escape from hurricane island. insensibly i had come to look on the _sea queen_ as the vehicle of our rescue, and there she was before my eyes adrift on a tide that was steadily drawing her seawards. there could be no doubt as to that, for, even as i gazed, she made perceptible way, and seemed to be footing it fast. i turned to alix, who was by me, staring also. "i will come back," i said rapidly. "i must go down." "no, no," she said, detaining me. "dear, they will take no heed of me now. i am perfectly safe for the present. they are taken up with more important matters." i squeezed her hands in both mine, turned and left her. holgate was some hundred yards in front of me, plunging heavily through the bushes. he called to mind some evil and monstrous beast of the forest that broke clumsily in wrath upon its enemy. down on the beach i could see that pierce and some of the others, who had already arrived, were casting the boat from her moorings. i laboured after holgate, and came out on the beach near him. he ran down to the water's edge and called aloud: "put back. put back, damn you." the boat was some fifty yards from land by now, and was awash in a broken current. three men bent to the oars. holgate levelled his revolver and fired. one of the men lay down grotesquely on his oar. he fired again, and one of the remaining two stood up, shook a fist towards the shore and, staggering backwards, capsized the boat in the surf. he must have sunk like lead with his wound, for he never rose to the surface; but the last man, who was pierce, battled gallantly with the flood, and endeavoured to reach the boat, which was bottom upwards. in this, however, he failed, for the tide seemed to suck him away. the boat drifted outwards, and after a few ineffectual struggles, finding probably that his strength was failing him, pierce struck out towards the shore. he landed a hundred yards or more away from holgate. between the two men were gathered in a bunch, irresolute and divided in counsels, the remaining mutineers. for the moment i think i was so taken up with the situation that i did not consider my own case. no one had eyes for me in the fast-descending dusk, and behind the shelter of a bush i watched the course of that singular drama. holgate had indifferently reloaded his revolver, and now stood holding it carelessly by his side. "gray, is that you? come here," he called. but the knot of men did not move; and now pierce was walking rapidly towards it. it opened to receive him, and swallowed him up again cautiously, as if there was safety in that circle against the arch-mutineer. holgate strode leisurely towards them. "i suppose you guess where we are?" he said, in his malevolent, fluent, wheezing tones. "you've dished us, pierce, my man." pierce replied from the group with an oath, and there was an undercurrent of murmur, as if a consultation was in progress. "say, where's that damned little lawyer cuss?" asked a voice, that of an american, who was one of the hands. holgate put one hand in his trousers' pocket. "how should i know?" he said; "and what's that got to do with the situation?" "it's your doing. you've put us in this hole. you've strung us up to-day in this blooming island," said gray fiercely. "what did you shoot for? haven't you any other use for your pop-gun?" "come out, gray; come out, my man, and talk it over," said holgate suavely. "you were always good at the gab. step out in front, man," and he played with his revolver. but gray did not budge. i wondered why he was not shot there and then if they were in this temper, for it was plain that some of them were armed. but i suppose that they were overawed by the bearing of the man, and, lawless ruffians, as they were, were yet under the influence of some discipline. holgate had known how to rule in his triumph, and the ghost of that authority was with him still in his defeat. "look here," called out pierce after further consultation, "this is as good as a trial, this is. you're standing for your life, mr. holgate, and don't you forget it. what d'ye say, bill? speak up. give 'im 'is counts." "we accuse you of treachery and not behaving like a mate on ship about the treasure," sang out gray in a loud, high monotone. "we accuse you, mr. holgate, of the murder of our two companions, smith and alabaster. we accuse you, furthermore, mr. holgate, of a conspiracy to cheat the company, us all being comrades." "now, bill gray, that's a very parsonical view of yours, isn't it?" said holgate with a sneer. "by gum, you regularly hit me off, gray. you're the man to see his way through a brick wall. i killed smith and alabaster, did i? well, what's the odds? here was this man, pierce, who's frightened to face me in there with you, and his two pals, making for the _sea queen_ to rob you and me. don't i know him and you, too? where would we have been if i hadn't dropped 'em? why, left, my good man, left." "that's what we are now," said one of the mutineers, "regularly busted--busted and left. we're done." "that's so," said holgate suavely. "but at least smith and alabaster have paid their shot and lot too. and, by thunder, that skunk behind you shall do it too. come out there, pierce, sneak and dog, and take your gruel." he did not raise his voice perceptibly, but it seemed to wither the mutineers, who stood about ten paces from him. he waddled towards them. "out of the way, men, and let me see him. blind me, i'd sooner have taken a bug into my confidence than pierce. he gets ahead of us with his long thin legs, and without so much as 'by your leave' swims out to sea to cop what belongs to you and me and all of us." there was a murmur at this, and it was quite impossible to tell how the sympathies of the gang were going. but one called out again: "where's that damn pye? where's your spy?" "so," says holgate, "you are thinking of the doctor's story, are you? you fool, he was only playing for his life and the life of his best girl. haven't you got the sense of a louse between you? find pye then, and screw it out of him. thumbscrew him till he tells, and see how much he has to tell. it'll be worth your while, garratt. why, you fool, he's just a little clerk that was useful, and was going to get a tip for his pains. he wasn't standing in on our level. we came in on bed-rock." there was a hoarse, discordant laugh. "with the yacht gone, and us on a godforsaken tea-tray in mid-ocean!" said a voice. upon that in the dwindling light a shot came from the group, and holgate lifted his barrel deliberately. "so, that's pierce, by thunder, is it? well, johnny pierce, you're a brave man, and i'd take off my hat to you if my hands were free. stand aside there, men, and let's see johnny pierce's ugly mug. now, then, divide, d'ye hear, divide!" i never could determine whether holgate in that moment realized that all was up, and the end was come, and had carried things through with a swagger, or whether he had a hope of escape. nothing showed in his voice or in his manner save extreme resolution and contemptuous indifference. these men he had misled and cheated were to him no more than brutes of the field, to be despised and ridiculed and browbeaten. at his words, indeed, the old habit of obedience asserted itself and the knot fell apart; as it did i saw pierce with his revolver up, but holgate did not move. he fired carefully and pierce uttered a curse. then another weapon barked, and holgate moved a pace forwards. he fired again, and a man dropped. two or more shots rang out, and the arch-mutineer lifted his left hand slowly to his breast. "bully for you, pierce," he said, and fired yet once more. the knot now had dissolved, and gray ran in the gathering gloom a little way up the beach. he halted, and raising his weapon, fired. it was abominable. it may have been execution, but it was horribly like murder. as gray fired, holgate turned and put his hand to his shoulder. immediately he let his last barrel go. "ha! that's done you, pierce," he wheezed out. "by heavens, i thought i'd do for you!" crack! went gray's pistol again from his rear, and he swung round; his weapon dropped, and he began to walk up the beach steadily towards me. in the blue gloom i could see his eyes stolidly black and furtive, and i could hear him puffing. he came within ten paces of me, and then stood still, and coughed in a sickening, inhuman way. then he dropped and rolled heavily upon his back. i had witnessed enough. heaven knows we had no reason to show mercy to that criminal, but that last hopeless struggle against odds had enlisted some sympathy, and i had a feeling of nausea at the sight of that collapse. he must have fallen riddled with bullets. he had played for high stakes, had sacrificed many innocent lives, and had died the death of a dog. and there he would rest and rot in that remote and desert island. i stole from my bush and crept upwards through the darkness. i had not gone a hundred yards before my ears were caught by a rustling on my left. had i put up some animal? i came to a pause, and then there was a swift rush, and a man's figure broke through the undergrowth and disappeared across the slope of the hill. it was near dark, but i thought in that instant i recognised it as the figure of the little lawyer's clerk. when i reached the cavern i found no sign of any one, and i was wondering what could have become of my companions when i heard a voice calling low through the gloaming: "dr. phillimore!" it was alix. i sprang to her side and took her hands. then i learnt that legrand had decided, as a counsel of prudence, to occupy the second cavern on the northern slope, which he considered more private than that which we had found first. "and you came back to warn me?" i asked in a low voice. "no; i waited," said she as low. "i was afraid, although you told me.... ah, but you have never told me wrong yet! i believe you implicitly." "princess," i said with emotion. "no, no," she whispered. "not any more ... never any more." "alix," i whispered low, and i held her closer. she gave a little cry. "what is it?" i asked anxiously. for answer her head lay quiet on my shoulder, and the stars looked down upon a pale sweet face. she had fainted. now the hand which clasped her arm felt warm and wet, and i shifted it hastily and bent down to her. it was blood. she was wounded. tenderly i bound my handkerchief about the arm and waited in distress for her to revive. if we had only some of the mutineers' brandy! but presently she opened her eyes. "dearest ... dearest," she murmured faintly. "you are wounded, darling," i said. "oh, why did you not tell me?" "it was the first shot," she said in a drowsy voice. "when--when i had my arm about you." i kissed that fair white arm, and then for the first time i kissed her lips. we reached legrand's cave after alix had rested, and i related the tragedy that had passed under my eyes on the beach below. legrand listened silently, and then: "he was a black scoundrel. he died as he should," he said shortly, and said no more. wearied with our exertions, and exhausted by the anxieties of the day, we gradually sank to sleep, and as i passed off alix's hand lay in mine. she slept sweetly, for all the profound miseries of those past days. i awoke to the sound of a bird that twittered in the bushes, and, emerging from the cavern, looked around. the sun was bright on the water, the foam sparkled, and the blue tossed and danced as if nature were revisiting happily the scene of pleasant memories. it seemed as if those deeds of the previous night, that long fight against fate, those dismal forebodings, the tragedy of the prince, were all separated from us by a gulf of years. it was almost impossible to conceive of them as belonging to our immediate precedent past and as colouring our present and our future. and as my gaze swept the horizon for the orient towards the west it landed upon nothing less than the _sea queen_! i could have rubbed my eyes, and i started in amazement. my heart beat heavily. but it was true. there rode the yacht in the offing, idly swinging and plunging on the tide and clearly under no man's control. she must have drifted in upon hurricane island again through the stress of some backward tide, and here she bobbed on the broken water safe from the eyes of the mutineers. as soon as i had recovered from the shock of surprise, i reëntered the cavern and woke legrand, and in less than five minutes all of us were outside our shelter and gazing at the welcome sight. "we have the boat hidden," said legrand. "we must work our way back to it, and the sooner the better." "too much risk," said i. "i know a better way. at the tail of the island we may be seen and pursued. there are boats aboard, and she's not more than three hundred yards out." "what, swim?" he asked, and looked rueful. he was one of the many sailors i have known who had not that useful art. i nodded. "it won't take me long." as i passed, alix caught my hand. she said nothing, but her eyes devoured me and her bosom heaved. i smiled. "my princess!" i whispered, and her soul was in her look. "i can't see a sign of any one on board," said legrand, with his hand over his eyes. "mademoiselle would not be awake yet. it can't be later than five," said lane, who was much better to-day. "i make it : ," said legrand. "we have some time to ourselves if we have luck. after last night those fiends will sleep well and with easy consciences." he spoke grimly. "have everything ready," i called as i left. "we must not lose a chance or hazard anything." "what do _you_ think?" said lane, in his old cheerful manner. i quickly descended to the beach, threw off my coat, waistcoat, and boots, and tightened my belt. then i waded into the sea. it was cold, and, when i first entered, struck a chill into me. but presently, as i walked out into the deepening waters, with the sparkling reflection of the sun in my eyes from a thousand facets of ripples, i began to grow warm. i reached water waist-high, and next moment i was swimming. the tide sucked at me in a strong current, and soon, i perceived, would carry me across the _sea queen's_ bows unless i made a struggle. the water was racing under me, and i felt that my strength was as nothing compared with it. i was thrown this way and that as the flood moved. my passage had been taken incredibly quick, and now i was conscious that i was past the level of the yacht, and i turned and battled back. so far as i could see, i made no impression on the space that separated me from her, and i began to despair of reaching the yacht. in my mind i revolved the possibility of going with the flood and trusting to work ashore at the tail of the island. if that were not practicable, i was lost, for i should be blown out to the open sea. just as these desperate reflections crossed my mind, the _sea queen's_ stern, off which i was struggling, backed. she came round to the wind and jammed, so that the flutter of canvas which she still carried cracked above the voice of the seas. then her nose swung right round upon me, with the bubble under her cutwater. it was almost as if she had sighted a doomed wretch and was come to his assistance. her broadside now broke the tide for me, and i began to see that i was creeping up to her, and, thus encouraged, step by step made my way until at last i reached her, and by the aid of a trailing sheet got aboard. it had been half an hour since i left the island. once aboard, i waved across the intervening stretch of sea to my friends, and looked about me. there was no sign or sound of life anywhere on the yacht. she swung noisily, with creaks and groans, to the pulse of the tide, but there was no witness to human presence there. mademoiselle immediately was in my thoughts, and i found my way to the state-rooms to reassure her, if she should be awake. they were as we had left them, save that every cabin had been ransacked and every box turned inside out. the cabins were empty, and so was the _boudoir_. clearly, mademoiselle trebizond was not there. i went down into the saloon, but nothing rewarded me there; and afterwards i turned along the passage that led to the officers' quarters, and farther on, the steward's room. here, too, was my own surgery, and instinctively i stopped when i reached it. the door stood ajar. no doubt, i thought, like every other place, it had suffered the ravages of the mutineers. i opened it wide, and started back, for there on the floor, a bottle in her hand, and her features still and tragic, lay yvonne trebizond! i stooped to her, but i knew it was useless even without glancing at the bottle she held. she had sought death in the despair of her loneliness. the _sea queen_ had carried out upon the face of the dark waters the previous evening an unhappy woman to a fate which she could not face. she had chosen death to that terrible solitude on the wilderness of the ocean. i lifted her gently, and carried her to one of the cabins, disposing the body on a bunk. then i returned to the deck, for i had work to do that pressed. i experienced no difficulty in loosing one of the remaining boats, and, dropping into her, i began to row towards the island. legrand had the party at the water's edge, and they were in the boat in a very brief space of time. we shoved off, and now legrand and ellison had oars in addition to myself, so that, what with that and the tide, we made good progress. we had not, however, got more than halfway to the yacht when legrand paused on his oars and i saw his face directed along the beach. i followed his glance, and saw, to my astonishment, a boat bobbing off the spit of the island. "it's our boat!" said i. "yes," he said, "the ruffians are up and about. give way, give way!" we bent to the oars, but as we did so a number of figures appeared round the bend of the land where we had passed our first night. shouts reached us. the figure in the boat was working his oars with frantic haste, and now legrand called out suddenly, "pye!" pye it was, and it was also apparent now that he was aiming for us, and that he was striving to get away from the mutineers. he stood out to sea, and pulled obliquely towards the yacht. obviously, he was better content to trust himself to our mercies than to the ruffians with whom he had consorted. he was a coward, i knew, and i remembered then his white face and his terror at the time of the first onslaught. i remembered, too, how vaguely, how timidly and how ineffectually he had endeavoured to warn me of the coming massacre. he was a miserable cur; he had been largely responsible for the bloody voyage; but i could not help feeling some pity for him. i hung on my oars. "shall we pick him up?" i asked. legrand's only answer was an oath. he had forgotten the presence of alix, i think. his eyes blazed above his red cheeks. "let him drown," he said. by the time we reached the _sea queen_, some of the mutineers, who had started running when they saw us, had got to the water's edge opposite to us, and one or two of them plunged in. in the distance, the others were pursuing pye and his boat. legrand, meanwhile, had taken the wheel, and ellison set about the sails. i did what i could to help, and it was not many minutes ere we had the topsails going. under that pressure the yacht began to walk slowly. seeing this, the mutineers on the shore raised a howl, and two more jumped in to join the swimmers, who were now halfway to us. legrand cried out an order, and ellison had the jib-sail set, and the _sea queen_ quickened her pace under the brisk breeze. the swimming mutineers dropped behind. there must have been half a dozen of them in the water, and now we saw that they had given up the attempt to reach us in that way and had fallen back on a new idea. they turned aside to intercept pye. the little lawyer's clerk was paddling for life, and knew it, but he made no way. the yacht moved faster, and he sent up to heaven a dreadful scream that tingled in my ears. i made a step towards legrand, but he merely gave one glance backward towards the boat and then fixed his gaze on the wide horizon of interminable sea, as though he thus turned his back forever on hurricane island and all there. he pulled the spokes of the wheel, and the _sea queen_, breasting the foam-heads, began to leap. we were moving at a brisk pace. i looked back to the unhappy man. he had fallen away now, but still laboured at his oars. the swimmers could not have been more than twenty yards from him. just then alix's voice was low with agitation in my ears. "yvonne? where is yvonne?" i turned to her and took her hand. "she will need no further care of yours, sweetheart," i said. "she has played her last tragedy--a tragedy she thought destined for a comedy." alix, looking at me, sighed, and ere she could say more lane intervened in huge excitement. "good heavens, phillimore! the treasure's all in my safes again. by crikey, is it all a dream?" "yes," i answered, looking at alix, "all a bad nightmare." i looked away across the sea, for somehow i could not help it. "what are you looking at?" she asked. "they cannot catch us, can they?" the foremost mutineers had reached the boat and were climbing aboard. the little clerk, white and gasping, raised his oar and struck at them with screams of terror, striking and screaming again. "hush! don't look, darling," said i, and i put my hands before her eyes. "it is the judgment of god." she shuddered. pye's shrieks rang in my ear; i glanced off the taffrail and saw that the mutineers had possession of the boat. they were busy with the oars. i could see no one else. the boat was headed towards us. legrand cast a glance of indifference backwards. "if you care to hold the wheel, phillimore, we can rig that other sail," he said. i took the wheel. alix was by my side, and the breeze sang in the sheets. "we're going home, dear heart," i whispered. she moved closer to me, shuddered and sighed, and i think the sigh was a sigh of contentment. the _sea queen_ dipped her nose and broke into a sharper pace. she was going home! the end * * * * * good fiction worth reading. a series of romances containing several of the old favorites in the field of historical fiction, replete with powerful romances of love and diplomacy that excel in thrilling and absorbing interest. * * * * * windsor castle. a historical romance of the reign of henry viii., catharine of aragon and anne boleyn. by wm. harrison ainsworth. cloth, mo. with four illustrations by george cruikshank. price, $ . . "windsor castle" is the story of henry viii., catharine, and anne boleyn. "bluff king hal," although a well-loved monarch, was none too good a one in many ways. of all his selfishness and unwarrantable acts, none was more discreditable than his divorce from catharine, and his marriage to the beautiful anne boleyn. the king's love was as brief as it was vehement. jane seymour, waiting maid on the queen, attracted him, and anne boleyn was forced to the block to make room for her successor. this romance is one of extreme interest to all readers. horseshoe robinson. a tale of the tory ascendency in south carolina in . by john p. kennedy. cloth, mo. with four illustrations by j. watson davis. price, $ . . among the old favorites in the field of what is known as historical fiction, there are none which appeal to a larger number of americans than horseshoe robinson, and this because it is the only story which depicts with fidelity to the facts the heroic efforts of the colonists in south carolina to defend their homes against the brutal oppression of the british under such leaders as cornwallis and tarleton. the reader is charmed with the story of love which forms the thread of the tale, and then impressed with the wealth of detail concerning those times. the picture of the manifold sufferings of the people, is never overdrawn, but painted faithfully and honestly by one who spared neither time nor labor in his efforts to present in this charming love story all that price in blood and tears which the carolinians paid as their share in the winning of the republic. take it all in all, "horseshoe robinson" is a work which should be found on every book-shelf, not only because it is a most entertaining story, but because of the wealth of valuable information concerning the colonists which it contains. that it has been brought out once more, well illustrated, is something which will give pleasure to thousands who have long desired an opportunity to read the story again, and to the many who have tried vainly in these latter days to procure a copy that they might read it for the first time. the pearl of orr's island. a story of the coast of maine. by harriet beecher stowe. cloth, mo. illustrated. price, $ . . written prior to , the "pearl of orr's island" is ever new; a book filled with delicate fancies, such as seemingly array themselves anew each time one reads them. one sees the "sea like an unbroken mirror all around the pine-girt, lonely shores of orr's island," and straightway comes "the heavy, hollow moan of the surf on the beach, like the wild angry howl of some savage animal." who can read of the beginning of that sweet life, named mara, which came into this world under the very shadow of the death angel's wings, without having an intense desire to know how the premature bud blossomed? again and again one lingers over the descriptions of the character of that baby boy moses, who came through the tempest, amid the angry billows, pillowed on his dead mother's breast. there is no more faithful portrayal of new england life than that which mrs. stowe gives in "the pearl of orr's island." * * * * * for sale by all booksellers, or sent postpaid on receipt of price by the publishers, a. l. burt company, - duane st., new york. good fiction worth reading. a series of romances containing several of the old favorites in the field of historical fiction, replete with powerful romances of love and diplomacy that excel in thrilling and absorbing interest. * * * * * a colonial free-lance. a story of american colonial times. by chauncey c. hotchkiss. cloth, mo. with four illustrations by j. watson davis. price, $ . . a book that appeals to americans as a vivid picture of revolutionary scenes. the story is a strong one, a thrilling one. it causes the true american to flush with excitement, to devour chapter after chapter, until the eyes smart, and it fairly smokes with patriotism. the love story is a singularly charming idyl. the tower of london. a historical romance of the times of lady jane grey and mary tudor. by wm. harrison ainsworth. cloth, mo. with four illustrations by george cruikshank. price, $ . . this romance of the "tower of london" depicts the tower as palace, prison and fortress, with many historical associations. the era is the middle of the sixteenth century. the story is divided into two parts, one dealing with lady jane grey, and the other with mary tudor as queen, introducing other notable characters of the era. throughout the story holds the interest of the reader in the midst of intrigue and conspiracy, extending considerably over a half a century. in defiance of the king. a romance of the american revolution. by chauncey c. hotchkiss. cloth, mo. with four illustrations by j. watson davis. price, $ . . mr. hotchkiss has etched in burning words a story of yankee bravery, and true love that thrills from beginning to end, with the spirit of the revolution. the heart beats quickly, and we feel ourselves taking a part in the exciting scenes described. the whole story is so absorbing that you will sit up far into the night to finish it. as a love romance it is charming. garthowen. a story of a welsh homestead. by allen raine. cloth, mo. with four illustrations by j. watson davis. price, $ . . "this is a little idyl of humble life and enduring love, laid bare before us, very real and pure, which in its telling shows us some strong points of welsh character--the pride, the hasty temper, the quick dying out of wrath.... we call this a well-written story, interesting alike through its romance and its glimpses into another life than ours. a delightful and clever picture of welsh village life. the result is excellent."--detroit free press. mifanwy. the story of a welsh singer. by allan raine. cloth, mo. with four illustrations by j. watson davis. price, $ . . "this is a love story, simple, tender and pretty as one would care to read. the action throughout is brisk and pleasing; the characters, it is apparent at once, are as true to life as though the author had known them all personally. simple in all its situations, the story is worked up in that touching and quaint strain which never grows wearisome, no matter how often the lights and shadows of love are introduced. it rings true, and does not tax the imagination."--boston herald. * * * * * for sale by all booksellers, or sent postpaid on receipt of price by the publishers, a. l. burt company, - duane st., new york. good fiction worth reading. a series of romances containing several of the old favorites in the field of historical fiction, replete with powerful romances of love and diplomacy that excel in thrilling and absorbing interest. * * * * * darnley. a romance of the times of henry viii. and cardinal wolsey. by g. p. r. james. cloth, mo. with four illustrations by j. watson davis. price, $ . . in point of publication, "darnley" is that work by mr. james which follows "richelieu," and, if rumor can be credited, it was owing to the advice and insistence of our own washington irving that we are indebted primarily for the story, the young author questioning whether he could properly paint the difference in the characters of the two great cardinals. and it is not surprising that james should have hesitated; he had been eminently successful in giving to the world the portrait of richelieu as a man, and by attempting a similar task with wolsey as the theme, was much like tempting fortune. irving insisted that "darnley" came naturally in sequence, and this opinion being supported by sir walter scott, the author set about the work. as a historical romance "darnley" is a book that can be taken up pleasurably again and again, for there is about it that subtle charm which those who are strangers to the works of g. p. r. james have claimed was only to be imparted by dumas. if there was nothing more about the work to attract especial attention, the account of the meeting of the kings on the historic "field of the cloth of gold" would entitle the story to the most favorable consideration of every reader. there is really but little pure romance in this story, for the author has taken care to imagine love passages only between those whom history has credited with having entertained the tender passion one for another, and he succeeds in making such lovers as all the world must love. captain brand, of the schooner centipede. by lieut. henry a. wise, u.s.n. (harry gringo). cloth, mo. with four illustrations by j. watson davis. price, $ . . the re-publication of this story will please those lovers of sea yarns who delight in so much of the salty flavor of the ocean as can come through the medium of a printed page, for never has a story of the sea and those "who go down in ships" been written by one more familiar with the scenes depicted. the one book of this gifted author which is best remembered, and which will be read with pleasure for many years to come, is "captain brand," who, as the author states on his title page, was a "pirate of eminence in the west indies." as a sea story pure and simple, "captain brand" has never been excelled, and as a story of piratical life, told without the usual embellishments of blood and thunder, it has no equal. nick of the woods. a story of the early settlers of kentucky. by robert montgomery bird. cloth, mo. with four illustrations by j. watson davis. price, $ . . this most popular novel and thrilling story of early frontier life in kentucky was originally published in the year . the novel, long out of print, had in its day a phenomenal sale, for its realistic presentation of indian and frontier life in the early days of settlement in the south, narrated in the tale with all the art of a practiced writer. a very charming love romance runs through the story. this new and tasteful edition of "nick of the woods" will be certain to make many new admirers for this enchanting story from dr. bird's clever and versatile pen. * * * * * for sale by all booksellers, or sent postpaid on receipt of price by the publishers, a. l. burt company, - duane st., new york. good fiction worth reading. a series of romances containing several of the old favorites in the field of historical fiction, replete with powerful romances of love and diplomacy that excel in thrilling and absorbing interest. * * * * * guy fawkes. a romance of the gunpowder treason. by wm. harrison ainsworth. cloth, mo. with four illustrations by george cruikshank. price, $ . . the "gunpowder plot" was a modest attempt to blow up parliament, the king and his counsellors. james of scotland, then king of england, was weak-minded and extravagant. he hit upon the efficient scheme of extorting money from the people by imposing taxes on the catholics. in their natural resentment to this extortion, a handful of bold spirits concluded to overthrow the government. finally the plotters were arrested, and the king put to torture guy fawkes and the other prisoners with royal vigor. a very intense love story runs through the entire romance. the spirit of the border. a romance of the early settlers in the ohio valley. by zane grey. cloth. mo. with four illustrations by j. watson davis. price, $ . . a book rather out of the ordinary is this "spirit of the border." the main thread of the story has to do with the work of the moravian missionaries in the ohio valley. incidentally the reader is given details of the frontier life of those hardy pioneers who broke the wilderness for the planting of this great nation. chief among these, as a matter of course, is lewis wetzel, one of the most peculiar, and at the same time the most admirable of all the brave men who spent their lives battling with the savage foe, that others might dwell in comparative security. details of the establishment and destruction of the moravian "village of peace" are given at some length, and with minute description. the efforts to christianize the indians are described as they never have been before, and the author has depicted the characters of the leaders of the several indian tribes with great care, which of itself will be of interest to the student. by no means least among the charms of the story are the vivid word-pictures of the thrilling adventures, and the intense paintings of the beauties of nature, as seen in the almost unbroken forests. it is the spirit of the frontier which is described, and one can by it, perhaps, the better understand why men, and women, too, willingly braved every privation and danger that the westward progress of the star of empire might be the more certain and rapid. a love story, simple and tender, runs through the book. richelieu. a tale of france in the reign of king louis xiii. by g. p. r. james. cloth, mo. with four illustrations by j. watson davis. price, $ . . in mr. james published his first romance, "richelieu," and was recognized at once as one of the masters of the craft. in this book he laid the story during those later days of the great cardinal's life, when his power was beginning to wane, but while it was yet sufficiently strong to permit now and then of volcanic outbursts which overwhelmed foes and carried friends to the topmost wave of prosperity. one of the most striking portions of the story is that of cinq mar's conspiracy; the method of conducting criminal cases, and the political trickery resorted to by royal favorites, affording a better insight into the statecraft of that day than can be had even by an exhaustive study of history. it is a powerful romance of love and diplomacy, and in point of thrilling and absorbing interest has never been excelled. * * * * * for sale by all booksellers, or sent postpaid on receipt of price by the publishers, a. l. burt company, - duane st., new york. the rover boys on the ocean or a chase for a fortune by arthur m. winfield (edward stratemeyer) introduction my dear boys: "the rover boys on the ocean" is a complete tale in itself, but forms a companion volume to "the rover boys at school," which preceded it. in the former volume i tried to give my young readers a glimpse of life as it actually is in one of our famous military boarding schools, with its brightness and shadows, its trials and triumphs, its little plots and counterplots, its mental and physical contests, and all that goes to make up such an existence; in the present tale i have given a little more of this, and also related the particulars of an ocean trip, which, from a small and unpretentious beginning, developed into something entirely unlooked for an outing calculated to test the nerves of the bravest of american youths. how dick, tom, and sam, and their friends stood it, and how they triumphed over their enemies, i will leave for the story itself to explain. this volume will be followed by another, to be entitled, "the rover boys in the jungle," telling of curious adventures in the heart of africa. as the first volume of the series was so i well received, my one wish is that the present tale may find equal favor at your hands. affectionately and sincerely yours, edward stratemeyer september , the rover boys on the ocean chapter i something about the rover boys "luff up a little, sam, or the _spray_ will run on the rocks." "all right, dick. i haven't got sailing down quite as fine as you yet. how far do you suppose we are from albany?" "not over eight or nine miles. if this wind holds out we'll make that city by six o'clock. i'll tell you what, sailing on the hudson suits me first-rate." "and it suits me, too," put in tom rover, addressing both of his brothers. "i like it ten times better than staying on uncle randolph's farm." "but i can't say that i like it better than life at putnam hall," smiled sam rover, as he threw over the tiller of the little yacht. "i'm quite anxious to meet captain putnam and fred, frank, and larry again." "oh, so am i," answered tom rover. "but an outing on the hudson is just the best of a vacation. by the way, i wonder if all of our old friends will be back?" "most of them will be." "and our enemies?" "dan baxter won't come back," answered dick seriously. "he ran away to chicago with two hundred dollars belonging to his father, and i guess that's the end of him--so far as putnam hall and we are concerned. what a bully he was!" "i feel it in my bones, dick, that we'll meet dan baxter again," came from sam rover. "don't you remember that in that note he left when he ran away he said he would take pains to get square with us some day?" "he was a big blower, sam," put in tom. "i am not afraid of him. an his chum, mumps, was a regular sneak coward. i hope putnam hall will be free from all such fellows during the next term. but we--hold hard, sam--there is another yacht bearing down upon us!" tom rover leaped to his feet and so did dick. tom was right; another craft, considerably larger than their own, was headed directly for them. "throw her over to starboard!" sang out, dick rover. "and be quick about it--or we'll have a smash-up sure!" and he leaped to his brother's, assistance, while tom did the same. the rover brothers were three in number--dick, the oldest and most studious; tom next, is full of fun as an egg is full of meat, and sam the youngest. in a former volume of this series, entitled, "the rover boys at school," i related how the three youths had been sent by their uncle, randolph rover, to putnam hall, a military boarding school, situated upon cayuga lake, in new york state. whether the three boys were orphans or not was a question that could not be answered. their father, anderson rover, had been a geological expert and rich mine owner, and, returning from the west, had set sail for africa, with the intention of exploring the central region of that country in the hope of locating some valuable gold mines. the boys and their uncle knew that he had journeyed from the western coast toward the interior with a number of natives, and that was all they did know, although they had made numerous inquiries, and hoped for the best. the lads' mother was dead; and all these things had happened years before they had been sent to boarding school. randolph rover was an eccentric but kind hearted man, given over entirely to scientific farming, of which, so far, sad to relate, he had made a rather costly failure. he spent all of his time over his agricultural books and in the fields, and was glad enough to get the boys off his hands by sending them to the military school. when vacation came he wondered what he should do with them during the summer, but the problem was solved by the boys, who hated to think of remaining on the farm, and who proposed a trip up and down the hudson river and through long island sound, providing their guardian would furnish the boat and bear the expense of the outing. the outcome was the chartering of the yacht _spray_, and all of the boys took lessons in sailing from an old tar who knew exactly how such a craft should be handled. at putnam hall the boys had made a number of friends, and also several enemies, and had had several surprising adventures, as my old readers already know. who their friends and their enemies were, and what further adventures were in store for the three brothers, i will leave for the pages following to reveal. at present let us turn our attention to the boat which seemed on the point of running down the _spray_. like their own craft, the other boat carried but a single mast. but the stick was at least ten feet longer than the mast of the _spray_, and the boat was correspondingly larger in every respect. as she came nearer the rover boys saw that she contained two occupants, a boy and a somewhat elderly man. "sheer off there!" cried dick, at the top of his lungs. "do you want to run us down?" "get out of the way yourself!" came back the answer from the boy in the other boat. "we can't get out--we are almost on the rocks now!" yelled tom. then he gave a start of surprise. "why, it's mumps!" "by jinks, it is john fenwick!" muttered dick. "i remember now that he came from the hudson river and that his folks owned a boat." he raised his voice, "are you going to sheer off or not?" by this time the two boats were nearly bowsprit to bowsprit, and sam rover's heart almost stopped beating. but now mumps spoke to the man with him, and his craft, called the _falcon_, sheered to port, scraping the _spray's_ side as she did so. "mumps, what do you mean by such work?" demanded dick, when the immediate danger was past. "ha! ha! i thought i would give you a scare," laughed the former sneak of putnam hall. "you needn't be afraid but what i and old bill goss here know how to keep the _falcon_ out of danger." "it was foolishness to run so close," said tom. "don't you talk to me, tom rover. i've had enough of you, mind that." "and i want you to mind and keep off next time, mumps. if you don't--" "what will you do?" "i'll be tempted to come aboard the _falcon_ and give you a thrashing." "you'll never set foot on my boat, and i'm not afraid of you," roared mumps. "you think you got the best of me at putnam hall, but you didn't, and i want you to know it." "how is your friend, dan baxter?" cried sam. "has he landed in jail yet?" "never mind dan baxter," growled mumps, growing red in the face; and then the two yachts moved so far apart that further talk was impossible. "well, i didn't expect to meet him," muttered dick, after the three brothers had cooled down a bit. "he must have known we were in this boat." "i saw his craft last night, down near catskill," said tom. "i'll wager he has been following us up." "he wouldn't do that unless he had some reason for it." "i believe he would sink us if he could," put in sam. "to my mind he is almost as bad as baxter." "hardly, sam; dan baxter is a thief and the son of a thief," came from tom. "by the way, i wonder if arnold baxter is still in the hospital at ithaca." "more than likely, since he was so badly hurt by that fall from the train. if we--look, mumps has turned around and is following us!" sam pointed to the _falcon_, and his brothers saw that he was right. soon the larger craft was again within hailing distance. "hi, mumps, what are you following us for?" demanded, dick, as he stepped up on the stern seat. "didn't know i was following you," was the sour rejoinder. "i have a right to sail where i please." "if you have any game in mind i advise you not to try it on." "what game would i have, dick rover?" "some game to get yourself into trouble." "i know my own business." "alright, you can go about your business. but don't try to step on our toes--or you'll get the worst of it." "so you're going to play the part of a bully?" "no; i'm only giving you fair warning. if you let us alone we'll let you alone." "you have been watching the movements of the _falcon_ since day before yesterday," went on mumps, slowly and distinctly, as though he expected his words to have a great effect. "watching your boat--" began dick and tom simultaneously. "yes, watching my boat--and i don't like it," answered fenwick, and his face grew dark. "why should we watch your boat?" demanded sam. "never mind why. you've been watching her, and that's enough." "and why should we put ourselves out to that extent--when we are merely out for pleasure," said dick. "there is no fun in watching a fellow like you, i'm sure." "john is right; ye have been a-watchin' this boat," growled the old sailor named bill goss, who, it may be as well to state here, was thoroughly under his younger master's thumb for reasons best known to himself. "if i had my way i'd wollop the lot on ye!" and he shook his fist at the occupants of the _spray_. "you keep your oar out!" cried dick sternly. "you are entirely mistaken in your suspicions. we are not spying on you or anybody, and if you--" dick was permitted to go no further. while bill goss was speaking the _spray_ had been caught by a sudden puff of wind and sent over to starboard. now the _falcon_ came on swiftly, and in an instant her sharp bow crashed into the rover boy's boat. the shock of the collision caused the _spray_ to shiver from stem to stern, and then, with a jagged hole in her side, she began to slowly sink. chapter ii the encounter on the river for the instant after the collision occurred none of the rover boys uttered a word. tom and sam stared in amazement at mumps, while dick gazed helplessly at the damage done. "pull her away, quick, bill!" cried mumps in a low voice to the old sailor, who at once sprang forward and shoved the two yachts apart with a long boathook. then the rudder of the _falcon_ was put hard a port, and she swung, away for a distance of half a dozen yards. "we are sinking!" gasped tom, who was the first of the three brothers to find his voice. "mumps, you rascal, what do you mean by this work?" demanded dick. and then, without waiting for an answer, he turned to sam. "steer for the shore and beach her--if you can." "i don't believe we can make it, dick. but we can try." "we'll have you locked up for this, mumps," shouted tom. "i couldn't help it--it was an accident," returned the former sneak of putnam hall glibly. "you should have kept out of the way." "we'll see about that later on." "maybe you want us to help you." "we shan't ask you for the favor," burst out sam. "i'd rather drown first." but sam did not exactly mean this. he and his brothers could all swim, and he felt certain that they were in no immediate danger of their lives. "you had better not ask any favors. i wouldn't pick you up for a barrel of money." "i think we'll have to settle this in court, mumps," said dick, as quietly as he could. "you can't prove i ran you down." "don't you dare to have us hauled up," put in bill goss. "it was an accident, jest as john says. i reckon as how it will teach ye a lesson not to follow us ag'in." by this time the two yachts were once more so far apart that talking from one to the other became difficult. besides this, the rover boys felt that they must turn their whole attention to the _spray_, so no more was said. the yacht had been struck just at the water line and the hole made in her side was all of six inches in diameter. through this the water was pouring into the hold at a lively rate. "we're going down as sure as guns," groaned tom. "steer her right for the shore, sam." this was done, and just as the _spray_ began to settle they ran upon a muddy and rocky flat about thirty feet from the river bank proper. "there, we can't go down now," said dick, with something of a sigh of relief. "let us lower the mainsail and jib before the wind sends us over on our beam ends." the others understood the value of the advice, and soon the mainsail of the yacht came down with a bang, and the jib followed. the _spray_ seemed inclined to list to port, but stopped settling when her deck line touched the surface of the river. "that settles yachting for the present," said dick in deep disgust. "and the worst of it is, we haven't even a small boat to go ashore in," added sam. "what's to do?" "there is a rowboat putting out from the shore now," cried tom. "hullo, there!" he shouted, and waved his hand. the shout was returned, and the rowboat was headed, in their direction. as it came closer they saw that its occupant was a middle-aged man of pleasant appearance. "so you had a smash-up, eh?" shouted the man, as soon as he came near. "anybody hurt?" "our boat is hurt," answered tom dryly. "much of a hole?" "big enough to put us on the bottom." "so i see. want me to take you ashore?" "yes," put in dick, "if you will be kind enough to do it." "certainly; always willing to aid anybody in distress. that other craft run you down in short order, didn't she?" "did you see it?" burst out sam eagerly. "to be sure i did." "then you know it was her fault." "i do. she had no right to follow you up as she did." "i'm glad you saw the mix-up, mr..." "martin harris is my name. i'm an old boatman around here--keep boats to hire, and the like. and who is this i'm to take ashore?" "my name is sam rover. these are my two brothers, dick and tom." "do you know who it was ran into you?" "it was the _falcon_, a yacht owned by a mr. fenwick. his son and a man he called bill goss were aboard." at this martin harris drew down his mouth. "a bad set, those. i know 'em well." "and we know, fenwick, too," put in dick, "he's a regular sneak." "that's right--takes after his father, who did his best to defraud me in a boat deal. and that bill goss is a sneak, too, and worse," and martin harris shook his head decidedly. "well, we can't talk about those people now," said dick. "we're in a mess and must get out of it the best way we can. as you are an old boatman, what would you advise us to do?" "come ashore with me and then get dan haskett to take your boat in charge and fix her up. he can stop that leak somehow and pump her out and have her all right inside of twenty-four hours." "where can we find this haskett?" "come into my boat and i'll take you to him." the rowboat was now close at hand, and one after another the rover boys stowed themselves away in the craft. then martin harris took up the oars and started for the river bank. he turned down the stream a bit and landed them at an old dock over which hung the sign: "daniel haskett, boat builder and repairer jobs promptly attended to--charges small." dan haskett proved to be an elderly man, who was somewhat deaf, and it took the boys some time to make him understand the situation. "we've had a smash-up," began dick. "cash up?" said the deaf man. "cash up for what?" "we've had a smash-up!" repeated the boy in a louder tone. "we want our boat mended." "what's ended?" asked the boat builder. "your boat?" "almost ended," roared tom. "we--want--you--to--fix--up--our--boat," he yelled. "oh, all right. where is she?" dick pointed with his finger, and at once the boat builder understood. "there's a hole in her side," bawled the boy. "we want it patched up." "all right; i can do that." "can we have her by tomorrow?" "how's that?" and dan haskett placed his hand to his ear. "can--we--have--her--by--tomorrow?" yelled dick. "i guess so. i'll have to see how badly she is damaged first." haskett got out a small boat of his own and, taking dick with him, rowed over to the wreck. he pronounced the injury small and said the boys could have their boat by noon the next day. the charges would be twelve or fifteen dollars. "we'll be getting off cheaper than i thought," said tom, on dick's return. "ought to come out of mumps' pocket." "that's so," added sam. "by the way, i wonder what he meant by saying we were dogging him?" "i can't say," replied dick. "but i've been thinking that he can't be up to any good, or he wouldn't be so suspicious." "just exactly my idea!" burst out tom. "do you know what i half imagine?" "well?" "that mumps is cruising around waiting for dan baxter to join him." "but baxter went to chicago." "he won't stay there--not as long as his father is in the east. he will be back before long, if he isn't back already." "but he took that money belonging to his father." "what of that? his father can't do anything against him, for he himself is worse than his son, as we all know. besides, his father is most likely still in the hospital." "if you young gentlemen want to sail around until tomorrow noon, i can take you out in one of my boats," remarked martin harris. "i've got a first-class yacht, the _searchlight_, that i can let you have reasonably." "thanks, but i would just as lief stay on shore until our boat is mended," answered dick. "but i want to pay you for what you did for us," he added. "oh, that's all right." but the boys thought otherwise, and in the end gave martin harris two dollars, with which the boatman was highly pleased. "remember, i saw that accident," he said, on parting. "i can prove it was the _falcon's_ fault." "we'll remember that," answered dick. from time to time they had watched the _falcon's_ course until the yacht had disappeared down the river. after a short debate the brothers decided to put up at a hotel which stood not far away, on a high cliff overlooking the noble hudson. "we've been on the water for nearly two weeks now," said dick, "and to sleep in a real bed will be something of a novelty." as it was in the height of the summer season the hotel was crowded; but some guests were just departing, and they managed to get a fairly good room on the second floor. this had a double bed, and a cot was added, to accommodate sam; dick and tom sleeping together, as usual. it was supper time when the boys arrived, and as soon as they had registered and washed up and combed their hair, they descended to the spacious dining room, where fully a score of tables were set. "this way, please," said the head waiter, and showed them to a table at one side, overlooking one of the wide verandas of the hotel. "i'm as hungry as a bear!" exclaimed tom. "you can't serve us any too quick," he added, to the waiter who came up to take their orders. "yes, sah, do the best i can, sah," grinned the colored man. "what kind of soup, please?" "i'll have ox-tail--" began tom, when he happened to glance out of the window. as his gaze fell upon a man sitting in an easy chair on the veranda he uttered a low whistle. "by jinks, boys, look! josiah crabtree, as sure as you're born!" he whispered. chapter iii josiah crabtree frees his mind the individual to whom tom referred had been a former master at putnam hall, but his disagreeable ways had led to his dismissal by captain putnam. josiah crabtree was a tall, slim individual, with a sharp face and a very long nose. during the past term at putnam hall he had been very dictatorial to the rover boys, and it must be confessed that they had made life anything but a bed of roses for him. crabtree had been very desirous of marrying a certain widow by the name of stanhope, but the marriage was opposed by dora, the widow's daughter, and as dick was rather sweet on dora, he had done all he could to aid the girl in breaking off the match, even going so far as to send crabtree a bogus letter which had taken the teacher out to chicago on a hunt for a position in a private college that had never existed. dick knew that crabtree was comparatively poor and wished to marry the widow so that he could get his hands on the fortune which the lady held in trust for her only child. "it is crabtree," said dick, as he gave a look. "i wonder how he liked his trip to chicago?" laughed sam. "perhaps the mid-west national college didn't suit his lofty ideas." "hush! don't let him hear you talk of that," returned dick. "he might get us into trouble." "what kind of soup, sah?" interrupted the waiter, and then they broke off to give their order, and the waiter hurried off to fill it. "i'd like to know if he has been around the stanhope cottage again," mused dick, as he sipped his soup. "dick can't bear to think of anybody around dora," laughed tom. "i don't want _him_ around," retorted the elder rover, growing red in the face. "he wants the stanhopes' money and that's all he does want. i don't believe he really loves mrs. stanhope." "but why does she encourage him?" came from sam. "why don't she send him about his business?" "oh, she is sickly, as you know, and he seems to have a peculiar hypnotic influence over her, at least that's what dora thinks." "what are you laughing at, tom?" "i--i was thinking of the time we put the crabs in old crabtree's bed," answered the younger brother. "no, you, weren't--" "well?" demanded tom, as dick paused. "you were laughing because i mentioned dora, and--" "'pon my honor i wasn't," smiled tom, but his look belied his words. "you were. if i mention her cousins, grace and nellie laning, i guess the laugh will be on you and sam--" "we'll call it quits," answered tom hurriedly. "they're all nice girls, eh, sam?" "to be sure. but, i say, hadn't we best keep out of old crabtree's way?" "i don't know as it's necessary," said dick. "i'm not afraid of him, i'm sure." "oh, neither am i, if you are going to put it that way," answered the youngest rover. "if he's stopping here i'm going to have some fun with him," grinned tom. the evening meal was soon finished, and the boys took a stroll around the grounds. they were just on the point of retiring when dick drew his brothers' attention to a figure that was stealing through a nearby grove of trees. "there goes crabtree." "i wonder where he is going," mused sam. "where does that path lead to?" "down to the river," came from tom. and then he added suddenly: "come, let us follow him." "what's the good," grumbled dick. "i'm tired out." "there may be some chance for fun. come on," and thus urged dick and sam followed their fun-loving brother. the path through the grove ran directly to the cliff overlooking the hudson, at a point where a series of stone steps led up from the water's edge. as they gained a spot where they could look down upon the river, dick uttered a short cry. "look, boys, a yacht!" he said, pointing through the moonlight. "i'll wager it is the _falcon_!" "and mumps is coming to meet josiah crabtree," put in sam. "but what would he want to see crabtree about?" demanded tom. "that remains to be seen. remember at putnam hall the only friends josiah crabtree had were dan baxter and mumps." "that is true, dick. see, crabtree has his handkerchief out and is waving it as a signal." "and here comes somebody up the steps. mumps, sure enough," whispered sam. "let us get behind the trees and learn what is going on," came from dick, and the three brothers lost no time in secreting themselves in the immediate vicinity. "well, john, i've been waiting for you," said josiah crabtree, as mumps came forward and the two shook hands. "so have i been waiting for you," returned the former sneak of putnam hall. "why didn't you come yesterday?" "it was impossible to do so, my lad. is that the _falcon_ down there?" "it is." "who is in charge of her?" "a sailor named bill goss." "is he a--ahem--a man to be trusted?" "i guess i can trust him," snickered mumps. "if he dared to give me away, i could send him to jail." "you mean that you--er--have him--ahem--in your power?" "that's it, mr. crabtree." "very good. and is be, a good sailor?" "as good as any on the river." "then he can sail the yacht down the river without mishap?" "he can take her to florida, if you wish to go that far." "no, i don't want to go that far--at least, not at present." "don't you think you ought to let me in on your little game," went on mumps earnestly. "so far i'm in the dark." "you will know all very soon, john--and you shall be well paid for what you do." "that's all right. but if it isn't lawful--" "i will protect you, never fear." "where is dan baxter?" "hush! it will be best not to mention his name, my lad." "'but where is he?" "i cannot say exactly." "is he around lake cayuga?" "well--ahem--more than likely he is. to tell the truth, he is very anxious to see his father." "to bone him for some more money?" "i think not. daniel thinks a great deal of his parent, and when mr. baxter was so seriously injured--" "dan didn't care much for that. he isn't that kind." "daniel is a better boy than you think, john. he loves his parent, and when that imp of a rover got mr. baxter into trouble daniel was very much exercised over it." "gracious, but that's rich," murmured dick. "_i_ got him into trouble. i guess the rascal did that for himself." "well, we won't talk about that, professor," went on mumps. "you didn't stay in chicago long." "no, i--ahem--the position offered to me did not suit my views, so i declined it." "gee-christopher!" came from tom, and each of the rovers could scarcely keep from laughing. "i think those rover boys put up a job on you," said mumps. "at least, i got an inkling that way." "indeed. i would like to wring their necks, the imps!" burst out josiah crabtree. "oh, what have i not suffered at their hands! at one hotel where i stopped they placed live crabs--but let that pass, the subject is too painful. to come back to the point. i can have the _falcon_ at any time that i may need her?" "yes." "and you will promise to say nothing to a soul about what is done on the trip i propose?" "i will." "very good, you see, this is a--er--a delicate matter." "are you going to marry mrs. stanhope and use the yacht for your honeymoon?" said mumps somewhat slyly. "hardly--although that would not be a bad idea, my lad. but now i have a different deal on hand--something very much different. if you do not object i'll take a look at your yacht and interview this sailor you mention." "all right, come ahead." mumps led the way down the rocky steps and josiah crabtree followed, moving slowly that he might not fall. creeping to the edge of the cliff, the rover boys saw the pair reach the _falcon_ and go on board. "now what is in the wind?" said dick, as soon as the pair were out of hearing. "that's a conundrum," replied tom. "i'll wager one thing though--old crabtree is up to no good." "i believe you are right. i wish we could hear the rest of what is going on." "can't we get close to the yacht?" suggested sam. "see, the sky is clouding over. i don't believe they will see us going down the stairs." they talked the plan over for a moment, then began to descend the steps, keeping as low down as possible and close to some brush which grew up in the crevices of the stones. soon the river bank was gained at a point not over fifty feet from where the yacht lay. they halted behind a large stone close to the water's edge. by straining their eyes in the darkness they saw mumps, crabtree, and bill goss in earnest conversation in the stern of the vessel. a low murmur came to their ears, but not a word could be understood. "we must get closer," was dick's comment, when to the surprise of all they saw the sailor hoist the mainsail of the _falcon_. a gentle breeze was blowing, and soon the yacht was leaving the shore. they watched the craft until the gathering darkness hid her entirely from view. chapter iv the disastrous result of a trick "she's gone!" "yes; and i wonder where to, tom?" "i don't believe the yacht will go very far," said sam. "maybe old crabtree merely wants to see what sort of a sailing craft she is." "we can watch here for a while," returned dick. they sat down on a rock and waited, in the meantime discussing the strange situation. they could reach no conclusion but that josiah crabtree had some plot he wanted to put into execution. "and it's something underhand, too," was dick's comment. at last they grew tired of waiting and almost fell asleep. this being the case they returned to the hotel and made their way to the bed chamber. soon each was sleeping soundly. when they awoke the sun was shining brightly--and it was half-past seven o'clock. "all up!" shouted tom, and dragged sam out by the foot. soon they were dressed and made their way to the dining room. they had scarcely seated themselves when josiah crabtree came in and was shown to a seat directly opposite the boys. he did not notice them at first and began to eat a dish of oatmeal silently and rapidly. tom nudged sam, and the younger rover nudged his oldest brother, and a snicker went up. at this josiah crabtree glanced at them carelessly. then he started back in amazement. "why--er--why--ahem--so it is you!" he stammered. "i--er--where did you come from?" "we came from our bedroom," answered tom promptly. "where did you come from, mr. crabtree?" "why--er--don't be impertinent, rover. i might say that i came from my bedroom too." "i thought you came from the river," remarked dick carelessly. "from the river? "yes." "you are--ahem, mistaken, my lad. i have not been near the river--at least, not since i came up from new york on the boat." "stopping here for the summer?" put in sam. "i do not know as that is any of your business, samuel. i am no longer a master at putnam hall and when i left that place i washed my hands of all those connected with that place." "a good thing for the hall, sir," came from tom. "don't be insulting, rover. you go your way and i'll go mine." "as you please, sir. you spoke to us first." "i'll take good care and not do it again. but this looks as if you were following me up." "that's what mumps said," cried sam, before he had stopped to think twice. "ha! so you have met mum--i mean john fenwick?" "we met him on the river." "and he said you had been following him?" "never mind, mr. crabtree, we won't talk any more," put in dick, with a warning glance at sam. he turned to the waiter. "some fish, please, trout; and see that the biscuits are warm." "yes, sah," grinned the negro. tom at once took the cue. "it's going to be a warm day," he said to dick. "i wonder how sailing was last night," put in sam slyly. at this josiah crabtree looked as black as a thundercloud. "you boys have been playing the sneak on me!" he cried. "take my advice and beware of what you do in the future." "i wasn't talking to you," retorted sam. "kindly keep your remarks to yourself." by this time others were coming to the table, consequently the cross-fire of words had to come to an end. josiah crabtree finished his repast as speedily as possible and strode out of the dining room in high but suppressed anger. "he's a corker," remarked tom. "i believe he'd half kill us if he dared." "i guess he hasn't forgotten how i stopped him from maltreating dora stanhope," said dick. "i wish i knew if he had been around their place since he came back from the west." "of course he has been back," said tom. "and he'll marry mrs. stanhope yet--see if he don't." "not if i can help dora prevent it," said his elder brother firmly. breakfast finished they walked out to learn what had become of crabtree. they were just in time to see him leaving the hotel, valise in hand. "he's off," said tom. "i wonder where he is bound?" "let us follow him and find out," returned dick, this did not prove to be an easy matter, for at the foot of the hotel grounds josiah crabtree jumped into a stage which was in waiting, bound for the depot. "he's off on the train, i guess," said sam, and the others were inclined to agree with him. down at the river shore nothing could be seen of the _falcon_, and they concluded that mumps had also taken himself off. the morning was spent around the hotel, in reading the newspapers and taking it easy out on the beautiful lawn. "hullo, here's a novelty!" cried tom presently, and pointed to an italian who was coming up to the hotel. the fellow had a small hand organ and a trained bear and two monkeys. the monkeys were dressed in red, white, and blue, and sat on the bear's back as he trotted along. "he's going to give us a performance," said sam, as the italian came to a halt in the center of the grounds. "there they go!" the music started, and at once the bear reared himself on his hind legs and began to dance. in the meantime the monkeys climbed to the bear's head and began a little dance of their own. "now for a little sport," whispered tom, and started for the hotel. "be careful of yourself!" warned dick; "that bear looks as if he wasn't to be trifled with." but tom did not heed him, his whole mind being bent on having a laugh at the expense of the italian and his animals. going around to the kitchen of the hotel, he procured a couple of sugar cakes, pierced them with pinholes, and filled them up with pepper. when he returned he found that a crowd had gathered and the italian was passing around the hat. while sam and dick contributed several cents, tom gave the bear one bun and divided the other between the two monkeys. "cheep! cheep!" went the monkeys, as if highly pleased. "you're right, they are cheap," grinned tom. "hope you like the flavor." the monkeys began to eat ravenously, for they were nearly starved. but they had not swallowed many mouthfuls before they noticed something wrong. then one threw his bun at tom in a rage. a second later the other monkey leaped back on the bear's head and began to dance and scratch wildly, in the meanwhile scattering the bun crumbs in all directions. "hi! hi! whata you do to de monks?" demanded the italian. "you letta de monks alone!" "i'm not touching the monks," replied tom, and slipped out of sight in the crowd. by this time the bear had swallowed the larger portion of the bun given to him. it was the more peppery of the two, and it brought tears to the beast's eyes. with a roar of rage he, turned and shook the monkey from his head and leaped away from his keeper, dragging his chain after him. the monkeys were evidently not used to seeing the bear in an ugly mood, and at once they sought safety by getting out of his reach. one leaped into a tree and ran like a cat to the top, while the second pounced on the shoulder of an elderly damsel, who looked exactly what she was, a hot-tempered old maid. "oh, dear!" screamed the elderly damsel. "take the horrid thing off! take it off this minute!" "come here, jocko!" roared the italian. "come, jocko!" and he held out his hands. but jocko had no intention of coming. instead he clung the closer, his two forefeet in the lady's hair. the hair was largely false, and all of a sudden a long switch came loose and fell to the ground. at this the damsel screeched at the top of her lungs and, caught at the hair. the monkey cried, too, in concert, and then a young man rushed in to the rescue. but jocko's blood was up, and, leaping to the young man's shoulder, he tore off his straw hat and began to pull it to bits. then, with the hat still in his possession, he made a leap to the tree and joined his brother at the top. by this time the uproar was general, and it seemed to anger the bear still more. he had been rushing over the lawn, upsetting easy chairs and benches, but now he charged straight for the crowd. "look out for the bear!" "the beast is going mad and will chew somebody up!" "shoot him, somebody, before we are all killed!" such were some of the cries which rang out. the italian turned pale with anger and alarm. "no shootta marcus!" he cried. "no shootta heem. he de goodda bear!" "then catch him!" put in the proprietor of the hotel. "catch him and tie him up." but this the italian could not do, and when the bear headed for him he ran as hard as anybody present. around and around the grounds fled the people, some rushing for the hotel and the others to the stables and to a large summer house. the bear made first for one and then another, but at last halted in front of the stable, which now contained the rover boys, two ladies and an elderly man, and two colored hostlers. "shut the doors!" cried dick, but his words were unnecessary, for the colored men were already closing them. the bar had scarcely been dropped into place when the bear hurled himself with all force against the barrier. "he is going to break in the door!" cried one of the ladies. "let us go upstairs," said the elderly gentleman, and lost no time in leading the way. there was a back door to close, and one of the negroes started for this. but just as he got close to the door he saw the bear coming, and, uttering a wild yell, he too made for the stairs. tom was close at hand, and it must be confessed that he felt thoroughly sorry over what he had done. "i'm responsible for all of it," he groaned. then, as the bear stepped close to the back door, he got behind the barrier and tried to shove it shut. the result was a surprise for both boy and bear, for as the beast made a leap the edge of the door caught him, and in a twinkle the animal was held fast by the neck between the door and its frame. chapter v a never-to-be-forgotten swim "i've got him fast! help! help!" "tom's caught the bear!" shouted sam. "can you hold him, tom?" "i guess i can if some of you will help me!" panted the youth. "hurry up!" sam and dick were on the stairs, but now both ran to their brother's assistance, and all three pushed upon the door with all of their strength. the barrier groaned and creaked and it looked as if at any instant it would burst from its hinges. "gracious, we can't hold him very long!" gasped sam. "can't somebody hit the animal with a club?" "i reckon i can do dat!" shouted one of the hostlers, and caught up an ax-handle which stood in one corner. as he approached the bear, the beast uttered a roar of commingled rage and fear, and this was so terrorizing to the colored man that he dropped the ax-handle and ran for his very life. "come back here!" cried tom. "can't do it, boss; he's gwine ter chew me up!" howled the hostler. "hold the door--i'll hit him," put in sam and he picked up the ax-handle. stepping forward, struck out heavily, and the bear dropped in a heap, completely dazed and more than half choked to death. by this time the italian was again at hand. in one pocket he carried a thin but strong line, in a twinkle he had tied one fore and one hind leg together, so that the bear, when he got up again, could do little but hobble along. then from another pocket he drew a leather muzzle, which he buckled over the beast's head. but the bear had had all of the ugliness knocked out him and was once more as docile as ever. "tom," whispered dick. "i guess the best we can do is to get out of this place. if folks discover the trick you played, they'll mob you." "i guess you're right. but who'll settle our bill?" "i'll do that," said sam. "they know i wasn't near the bear when the rumpus started." so it was agreed, and while tom and dick left the hotel grounds. sam strolled into the office to pay their bill. it was some time before the clerk came to wait on him. "say, i believe, your brother started this kick-up," observed the clerk. "what?" demanded sam, in pretended astonishment. "i say, i think he started this kick-up." "what kick-up?" "the one with the bear, of course." "why, my brothers helped to catch the beast." "i know that; but one of 'em started it. what do you want?" "i want to pay our bill. how much is it?" "going to leave?" "yes." "think you had better, eh?" "we only hired our room until this noon." sam drew himself up. "if you want your pay you be civil." "yes, but--" the clerk broke off short. "that will be six dollars, please." "all right, there you are," and sam shoved the bills over. "now don't say we created a muss or i'll report you to the proprietor." "yes, but see here--" "i've not got my glasses just now. good-by, and--" "that man hasn't got his monkeys yet, and--" "what's that to you? are you afraid the proprietor will put one of 'em in here in your place?" and before the clerk could say another word sam ran off and joined his brothers at the river bank. soon the three reached the dock where the _spray_ lay undergoing repairs. the deaf man was just finishing his work. "she'll be about as good as ever," he said, in reply to dick's question. "she's a fine boat." "i guess he says that of every boat that brings him in a job," murmured sam. "come on." he went aboard and the others followed. dan haskett was paid off, the mainsail was hoisted, and once more they stood up the river in the direction of the state capital. it was their intention to spend two days in albany and then return to new york with the yacht. this would wind up their vacation, for putnam hall was to open on the following monday. the day proved an ideal one, but the wind was light and the yacht scarcely moved even with the mainsail and jib set to their fullest. this being so, the boys got out their fishing lines and spent an hour in trolling, and succeeded in catching several fair-sized fish. "we'll have to cook our own dinner," remarked dick. "tom, since you did us out of our meal at the hotel i reckon you are the one to fall in for this work." at this tom cut a wry face, but still, seeing the justice of his elder brother's remark, he went at the dinner-getting with a will. the yacht boasted a kerosene stove, and over this he set fish to frying and a pot of potatoes to boiling. as the river was calm and the yacht steady the little stove worked very well. they were still out of sight of albany when the midday meal was pronounced ready. in addition to the articles already mentioned, they had coffee, bread and butter, and what was left of a cocoanut pie purchased the day previous. the boys were all hearty eaters, and the food disappeared as if by magic. after dinner the breeze died out utterly, and sam proposed that they cast anchor close to shore and take a swim. the others were willing, and soon they had disrobed and donned their bathing trunks and were sporting in the water to their hearts' content. the water was somewhat colder than they had anticipated, and the effect upon sam was disastrous. the youngest rover had eaten more heartily than either of his brothers and this made him sick at the stomach. however, as he did not wish to alarm dick and tom and so spoil their fun, he said nothing about his condition. "let us race each other," suggested tom, and started off up the shore, with dick close beside him. sam brought up in the rear, but soon gave up the contest. "help!" the single cry reached the ears of tom and dick when they were fully a hundred feet from the _spray_. both turned just in time to behold sam throw up his arms and sink from view. "great caesar!" burst out dick. "what can that mean?" "maybe he is only fooling," replied tom. "yet i wouldn't think he would be so foolish." "i don't think sam is fooling," said dick seriously, and at once struck out to where the youngest rover had gone down. of course tom went with him. to reach the spot was not an easy matter, and they were still some distance away when they saw sam come up again. then there was a wild circling of arms and the boy disappeared once more. "he is drowning!" gasped dick hoarsely. "come, we must save him, tom!" "yes, yes," was the puffing answer, for tom was swimming as never before, and for a brief instant he remembered that awful adventure sam had had at humpback falls, the summer previous. at that time the youngest rover had nearly lost his life in the water. it was dick who gained the spot first, just as sam came up and went down again--totally unconscious. diving, the elder rover caught his brother around the chest, under the arms. "sam, sam, what is it?" he questioned, and as no reply came back his heart almost stopped beating. what if his brother was dead? the agony of the thought was terrible beyond description. "can i help you?" the question came from tom, who was now at the side of the others. "catch hold of one arm, if you will," answered dick. "he's a dead weight." "oh!" the moan came so unexpectedly that both tom and dick were amazed. then of a sudden sam opened his eyes and clutched dick by the throat. "save me!" clearly the youngest rover was out of his mind or he would not have taken such a hold. as it was, dick was nearly strangled and had to unlock the fingers by sheer force. then sam grabbed him again, and it looked as if both would go down to a watery grave. but now tom came to the rescue. swimming up from behind, he caught sam first under one arm--and then under the other, in a back-to-back fashion. then he bent forward and began to tread water, thus holding his brother's head well out of water. "push us ashore, dick!" he panted, and understanding the movement perfectly, the elder brother did as desired. soon all three gained a point from which tom could wade to the river bank with ease. it was an anxious pair that bent over sam, who rested on his back with his eyes closed. but the youngest rover was not allowed to remain long in that position. tom and dick knew something of how to handle a person who is nearly drowned, and they now made use of this knowledge with all speed. sam was rolled and hoisted up by the ankles, and thus he got rid of a large quantity of the water he had swallowed. yet even when he came to his senses he was too weak to walk, and tom had to bring the _spray_ close to shore, and the sufferer had to be carried on board, his brothers wading up to their waists for that purpose. "the first cramp i got was in the stomach," said sam, when he could talk. "then it went all over me like an electric shock, and i felt i was going to drown. what happened after that was like some awful dream!" and he shuddered. it was a long while before any of them got over that adventure. chapter vi an unexpected meeting as just related, the boys had brought the _spray_ as closely inshore as possible. all were now in the cabin, dick and tom attending to sam's wants; and consequently no one noticed the passage of one of the palatial steamers that make daily trips between new york and the capital of the state. these steamers, in running so fast, cast out long rollers on both sides that go tumbling shoreward one after another. the rollers now caught the _spray_ and sent her dancing up and down like a cork. "hullo, we're in danger!" shouted tom, and rushed for the deck, with dick almost at his heels. the anchor was dragging, and unless pushed off the yacht would soon be pounding on the rocks. "i'll put up the sail!" roared dick. "you bring up the anchor!" "i guess you had better pole her off," replied tom. nevertheless, he did as dick requested, working like a beaver. the wind was still faint, and when the mainsail was hoisted it failed to fill. seeing this, dick seized a pole and tom did the same. they speedily found that they could not send the yacht out any distance. but, with a pole at the bow and another at the stern, they managed to keep her off the rocks until the rollers began to go down. then they shoved off with ease and moved slowly up the river. "i'll tell you what, in handling a boat you have got to have your weather eye open all the time," observed tom. "yes, and you want to have it open on all sides of you," smiled dick. "if you don't, you'll catch it before you are aware." sam lay on one of the tiny berths with which the _spray_ was provided. his face was deathly white, and, to use his own words, he felt "as weak as a rag." "i'm just beginning to realize how close to death i was," he whispered to tom. "it was awfully good of you and dick to do what you did." "pooh! you would do just as much for us, sam," answered the fun-loving brother. but, just the same, he gave sam's hand a tight squeeze on the quiet. "what was that thumping, tom?" asked the younger brother a bit later. "the rollers from a big steamer nearly put us on the rocks." "gracious, more perils! don't you think we had better give up our outing on the water?" "it will come to an end in a few days, sam. we'll make the trip to albany, and that will be the last of it." it was nightfall by the time they came up to the capital city. getting the necessary permission to tie up at one of the private wharves, they locked up the cabin of the _spray_ and went ashore. "tom rover, as i live! and dick and sam, too!" the cry came from up the street, and soon a boy of dick's age was running to meet them. it was frank harrington, their old school chum and room-mate of dormitory no. . "frank!" came from the three, and a general handshaking followed. "what brings you here?" asked dick. "why, don't you know, my folks moved up to albany from new york--father's in the state senate now, you know," returned frank, with pride. "oh, that's so--and you are a senator's son," put in tom. "i guess we'll have to tip our hats to you after this and call you mr. harrington." "stow it, tom, and keep your jokes until school opens," interrupted frank. "yes, we live here, and i thought you knew all about it. i sent you a letter." "we've been away from home for several weeks," explained dick, and told of their outing on the water. "it must be jolly. my father owns a boat, but we seldom use it. so you are going to stay in albany over tomorrow? if that's the case you must come up to our house. i won't hear of your going to a hotel." "will that arrangement suit your folks?" questioned dick. "oh, yes! the girls are all away--down to asbury park--and so is mother; and father and i and the servants have the whole mansion to ourselves. i can tell you, it's just a bit lonely at times, and i'm real glad you came," concluded frank. "if your father is a senator perhaps you can get us a pass through the capitol building," put in sam. "you won't need a pass. i'll go with you. but, sam, you look sick." sam's tale had to be told to frank, who, meanwhile, led the way to a street car. boarding this, the boys soon reached the harrington mansion, located on one of albany's finest thoroughfares. here they met senator harrington and were speedily introduced. "i've heard of you before," smiled the senator. he was a pleasant-looking man of forty-five. "frank says the rover boys were the whole school--or something like that." at this there was a laugh. "i guess he must have been one of the rovers, then," rejoined tom; "he was just as good as any of us." and then there was another laugh, and the newcomers felt perfectly at home. there was a concert company in town, and, receiving permission from his father to do so, frank took his friends to see the performance. the singing was very good; and, despite the fact that it was still warm weather, the concert hall was packed. the program was a long one, and, with the numerous encores, did not come to an end until nearly eleven o'clock. "that was immense," remarked tom, when they were coming out. "i wish i could sing like that tenor." "we ought to get up a quartet at the hall," put in frank. "i understand they had a singing club year before last." "we're going to have a banjo club," said dick. "larry colby wrote to me about it. he has a new banjo that cost fifteen dollars, and he--" dick broke off short as a slouchy-looking man brushed against him. the eyes of the man and the boy met, and then the man disappeared in the crowd as if by magic. "well, i never!" "what's the matter, dick?" came from all the others. "didn't you see him?" "see who?" "buddy girk, the tramp thief, the fellow who used to train with dan baxter's father." "what, the fellow who stole your watch and broke jail at rootville?" came from tom. "the same." "where is he now?" questioned sam. "i don't know. the instant he saw me he skipped." "i'll wager he wasn't in the crowd for any good purpose," went on dick, as he remembered how he had suffered the loss of his timepiece at buddy girk's hands. dick had had a good deal of trouble in recovering the article. "he ought to be pointed out to the police," put in frank. "it's not safe to have such men at large." "i wish i could collar him and make him talk about father's affairs," grumbled tom. "why, did he know anything of your father's affairs?" exclaimed frank harrington, in astonishment. "i think so. you see, arnold baxter tried to defraud my father out of some western mining property, and this buddy girk was mixed up in the affair--how, i don't exactly know." "i see. by the way, tom, have you heard anything of your father yet?" "not a word," and tom's face grew sober. "it does beat all what has become of him, doesn't it?" he added. "i should think you would want to go and hunt him up." "we've talked about that already, but uncle randolph, who is our guardian, thinks it would prove a wild-goose chase. he says the interior of africa is a big place to hunt any man in." "he's right there. but still i would want to hunt for him, even if i had to go into the very jungles to do it." "we'll go some day--unless father turns up," put in dick decidedly. "if uncle randolph won't go, we'll go alone. but i would like to meet this buddy girk," he continued, after a brief pause. the boys had to walk to the corner of the block to get aboard of a street car, and while waiting there, somewhat in the shadow, sam pulled dick by the coat sleeve. "there he goes!" "who?" "buddy girk. see him sneaking along the buildings over there?" and the youngest rover pointed with his hand. all saw the figure, and tom at once proposed that they follow the fellow. frank was willing, and away they went across the street and also into the gloom. buddy girk was making good time past a number of business buildings which at this hour of the night were locked and barred up and practically deserted. "i wonder if he saw us start to follow him?" whispered dick, after several blocks had been passed. "i don't think so. if he had, it's more than likely that he would have legged it to get away. he--hullo, he's going into that alleyway!" as tom spoke he pointed to an opening between two tall office buildings. reaching the spot they saw, at the foot of the alleyway, a couple of tenement houses. buddy girk was ascending the steps of one of the houses, and presently he disappeared within the dark hall. "he must be stopping here," remarked sam. "that is something worth knowing--if we want to put the police on his track." "i might have him arrested at once," suggested dick. "he may not be here in the morning." "why don't you go and have a talk with him?" came from frank. "he may get scared and tell you all you want to know about that mining business." "by jinks, there is something in that!" cried dick. "don't you get into trouble," warned tom. "he may prove an ugly customer if you corner him." "let's all go in," said sam. "he won't dare to do much with four against him." the subject was discussed for a few minutes, and they resolved to follow sam's advice, dick to lead the way and learn just how the land lay. then all walked down the alleyway and toward the tenement, little dreaming of the surprise in store for them. chapter vii dick is made a prisoner the hallway of the tenement was pitch-dark, the door standing open for a foot or more. from a rear room came a thin stream of light under a door and a low murmur of voices. "i guess he went to the rear," whispered dick. "you wait around the corner till i see." noiselessly he entered the hallway and walked to the door of the rear room. listening, he heard an irishman and his wife talking over some factory work the man had been promised. "girk can't be there," he thought, when he heard an upper door open. "hullo, buddy, back again!" muttered a strangely familiar voice, and then the upper door was closed and locked. wondering where he had heard that voice before, dick came forward again and ascended the rickety stairs. they creaked dismally, and he fully expected to see somebody come out and demand what was going on. but nobody came, and soon the upper hall was gained, and he reached the door which he rightfully guessed had just been opened and closed. "yes, everything is all okay," were the first words to reach his ears. "but i had a sweet job to find mooney. he's cracked on music, it seems, and had gone to a concert instead of attending to business." "but he won't fail us tomorrow morning?" came in a second voice, and now dick recognized the speaker as arnold baxter, his father's worst enemy, who had been left at the hospital in ithaca with a broken limb and several smashed ribs. baxter had tackled dick while the two were on a moving train, and, while trying to throw the boy off, had gotten the worst of the encounter by tumbling off himself. "arnold baxter! is it possible!" muttered dick to himself. "he must have a constitution like iron to get around so soon." "no, mooney won't fail us," said buddy girk. "i gave him a mighty good talkin' to, i did." "i can't afford to have him go back on us," growled arnold baxter. "i'm not well enough yet to do this job alone." "how does your chest feel?" "oh, the ribs seem to be all right. but my leg isn't. i shouldn't wonder but what i'll have to limp more or less for the rest of my life." "that puts me in mind. whom do you reckon i clapped eyes on down at the concert hall tonight?" "i'm sure i don't know. any of our enemies?" "those three rover boys." "what!" arnold baxter pushed back his chair in amazement. "can they be--be following me?" he gasped. "no. i saw 'em by accident. they had been to the concert." "but they don't belong here. they live on a farm called valley brook, near the village of dexter's corners." "they were with another boy--a well-dressed chap. maybe they are paying him a visit." arnold baxter shook his head. "i don't like this. if they have got wind of anything..." "but how could they get wind?" persisted buddy girk. "that would remain to be found out. you must remember, buddy, that they are down on me because of that row i once had with their father over that gold mine." "i know it. and, by the way, i never got nothin' out of that deal neither," growled buddy girk. "didn't i tell you that some papers were missing? i half believe anderson rover took them with him when he set out for africa." "then they are gone for good." "not if he comes back, buddy. that man is like his boys--bound to turn up when you least expect it. that gold mine was--what's that?" arnold baxter stopped short and leaped to his feet. a wrangle in the hallway just outside of the door had interrupted him. "vot vos you doin' here, hey?" came in a heavy german voice. "i dink me you vos up to no goot, hey?" "let me go!" came from dick. "i have done no harm." "i dink you vos von sneak thief alretty! stand still bis i find owit." "it's dutch jake!" cried buddy girk. "he has collared somebody in the hall. i'll see who it is." he threw open the door and allowed the light of a lamp to fall on dick and the burly man who had captured the youth. "great smoke! it's one of dem rover boys!" he cried, dropping into his old-time manner of speech. "wot are you doin' here?" "you know dot young feller?" demanded the man who had been mentioned as dutch jake. "yes, i do, and he's up to no good here," replied buddy girk. "den maybe i best kick him owit kvick, hey?" "yes--no--wait a minute." girk turned to arnold baxter. "here is that oldest rover boy spying on us." "ha! i told you they were regular rats for that sort of work," fumed arnold baxter. "don't let him go." "why not?" "he may know too much. bring him in here till i question him." "not much!" burst out dick. "help! help!" his cries came to a sudden ending as buddy girk clapped a large and somewhat dirty hand over his mouth. "run him in here, jake," said the former tramp. "he is a fellow we have an account to settle with." "is dot so? vell, i ton't vont me no troubles," answered the german doubtfully. "it's all right--he--he stole some of our money. that's right, in with him," and dick was run into the room, after which dutch jake retired as suddenly as he had appeared. he was an elderly man, of a queer turn of mind, and, all by himself, occupied a garret room of the tenement. as soon as the door was locked arnold baxter faced dick. "now will you keep quiet, or shall i knock you over with this?" he demanded, and raised a heavy cane he had grown into the habit of carrying since he had escaped from the hospital, on the very day that the authorities were going to transfer him to the jail at ithaca. "don't you dare to touch me, arnold baxter!" cried the boy boldly. "will you keep quiet?" "that depends. what do you want of me?" "you followed girk to this place and were spying on us." "i think i had a right to follow girk. he is wanted by the authorities, as you know." "you heard us planning to do something." "perhaps i did." "i know you did." "all right, then; don't ask me about it." "you think that you are a smart boy," growled baxter uneasily. "thank you for nothing." "don't get impudent." "that is what old crabtree used to say." "the rovers always were too important for their own good, young man." "we know how to do the fair thing by others--and that is more than you!" "shut up; i'm in no humor to listen to your preaching." "then open the door and let me go." "not just yet. i want to know how much you overheard of my talk with buddy girk." "i reckon he heard all of it," growled the fool. "if i was you, baxter, i wouldn't let him go at all." "you would keep him a prisoner?" buddy girk nodded. "but we can't guard him, buddy." "we won't want to guard him. just bind him hands and feet, and stuff a gag in his mouth, and there you are." "would you leave him in this room?" "i don't know." girk scratched his tangled head of hair. "no, i wouldn't. i'll tell you where to take him." he finished by whispering into arnold baxter's ear. at once the rascal's face brightened, and he nodded. "just the thing!" he muttered. "it will serve him right." "are you going to let me go?" demanded dick uneasily, for he saw that the two were plotting to do him injury. "no," came from both. without another word dick leaped for the door. the key was in the lock, but ere he could turn it buddy girk hauled him back. a scuffle followed, which came to a sudden termination when arnold baxter raised his heavy cane and struck the boy, on the back of the head. with a million stars dancing before his eyes, poor dick went down completely dazed. girk lost no time in following up the advantage thus gained, and by the time dick felt like rising he found his hands bound behind him and a gag of knotted cloth stuffed into his mouth. then his feet were fastened together, and he was rolled up in an old blanket much the worse for wear and the want of washing. "now, come on, before anybody else spots us!" exclaimed baxter. "if you can lift him alone i'll bring the light. i'm no good on the carry yet." "all right, light the way," answered buddy girk, and took up the form of the boy. taking up the smoky lamp, arnold baxter led the way out of a rear door to a side hallway. here two flights of stairs led to a low and ill ventilated cellar. the underground apartment had never been used for anything but old rubbish, and this was piled high on all sides. "here we are," said baxter, as he paused in front of what had once been a stone coal bin. "dump him in there and shut the door on him. i don't believe he'll get out in any hurry." dick's form was dropped on a heap of dirty newspapers and straw. then girk and baxter left the bin. there was a heavy door to the place, and this they closed and shoved the rusty bolt into the socket. in a second more they were on their way upstairs again, and dick was left to his fate. chapter viii the search for dick "dick is taking his time, that's certain." the remark came from sam, after the boys who had been left in the alleyway had waited the best part of half an hour for the elder rover's reappearance. "perhaps he has found something of interest," suggested frank. "and perhaps he has fallen into a trap," put in tom. "i've a good mind to hunt him up." "if you go i'll go with you," said sam. "i don't want to be left out here alone," said frank. "let us wait a little longer." the best part of an hour passed, but of course nothing was seen or heard of dick. "i shan't wait any longer," began tom, when they saw the front door of the tenement opened and two men hurried forth. both had their hats pulled far down over their eyes and had their coat collars turned up, even though the night was warm. "out of sight!" cried sam in a low voice, and they dropped down behind the stoop of the second tenement. "one of those men was buddy girk!" ejaculated tom, when the pair had passed up the alleyway. "and don't you know who the other was?" demanded sam. "it was dan baxter's father!" "impossible, sam. arnold baxter is in the hospital, and--" "it was dan baxter's father, as true as i'm born, tom. no wonder he walked with a cane! am i not right, frank?" "i don't know, i'm sure i don't remember dan's father. but that was buddy girk, beyond a doubt." all of the boys were considerably excited and wondered if it would be best to follow up the vanishing pair. "i'd do it if i was certain dick was safe!" cried tom. "i'm going to hunt for him," he added, and before the others could stop him he entered the tenement. he stumbled around the lower hallway for several minutes and then called out softly: "dick! dick! where are you?" no answer came back, and he continued his search. then, lighting a match, he mounted the rickety stairs and called out again. "phat are ye a-raisin' such a row about?" demanded an irish voice suddenly, and a front room door was thrown open. "can't ye let a dasent family slape?" "i'm looking for my brother," replied tom. "sorry to disturb you. have you seen anything of him?" "sure an' i don't know yer brother from the side av sole leather, b'y. go 'long an' let me an' me family slape," replied the irishman. "i've got to find my brother, sir. i'm afraid he has met with foul play. he came to see the men who just went out." "oh, is that so now? foul play, is it? i thought them newcomers was up to no good. i heard 'em carryin' on in their room a while ago." "which room is it, please?" "there ye are--the wan on the lift. is the dure open?" tom tried the door. "no, it's locked--the two men just went out." he raised his voice. "dick! where are you? dick!" "if yez call like that yez will have the wholt tiniment aroused," said the irishman. "an' it's' a bad crowd on the nixt flure, i kin tell ye that." "i can't help it--i am bound to find my brother," replied tom desperately. disappearing for a moment, the irishman came out half dressed and with a lighted candle in his hand. by this time sam and frank had followed tom to the upper floor. soon several men and women put in an appearance, including dutch jake. "who vos dot poy you vos look for?" asked the aged german. "vos he der von vot was standin' by dis door apout an hour ago?" "i guess so," said tom. "dem mans vot got dis room open der door und took him inside." "took him inside!" burst out sam and tom simultaneously. "yah," replied dutch jake, but failed to add that he had had anything to do with the capture. "von of dem say dot poy vos stole some money alretty." "it was a cock-and-bull story to make him a prisoner," said tom. "i'm going to find him if i can," and he threw himself on the door with all of his strength. at first the barrier refused to budge, but when sam and frank also pushed, it gave way with a bang, hurling the trio to the floor inside. by this time the excitement had been communicated to the next tenement in which lived caleb yates, the landlord of the two buildings. yates, a sour-minded old man, lost no time dressing and coming over, armed with a nightstick. "what does this disturbance mean?" he demanded in a high-pitched voice. "who broke this door in?" "we did," replied tom boldly. "we want to find my brother," and he related how dick had disappeared. "i know nothing of your trouble with my tenants," said caleb yates. "but i won't have my property destroyed." "i'm going to find my brother if i have to turn the house upside down." "and i am going to find him, too," put in sam. "do you know that the men who have this room are thieves, and that one of them broke jail at rootville?" "i don't believe your yarn, boy--they looked like very respectable gentlemen, both of them. you had better go about your business--after you have paid me for breaking down the door. you shan't ransack their property." "if you stop us, i'll call in the police and have you arrested," came promptly from tom. this threat nearly took away caleb yates' breath. "arrested!" he gasped. "yes, arrested. my brother came in here, and is missing. those two men are our enemies. if you want to keep out of trouble you will help us to hunt up my brother." "that is just what you had better do, sir," added frank. "and who are you?" demanded the irate landlord. "i am frank harrington, son of senator harrington." at this unexpected announcement the jaw of the landlord dropped perceptibly. "why--er--i didn't know you were senator harrington's son," he stammered. "i think if you wish to keep out of trouble you had best aid us all you can. the young man we are after came in here a short while ago and has utterly disappeared. i am afraid he has met with foul play." "but mr. arson and mr. noble are gone." "is that the names they were known under?" "yes." "their right names are girk and baxter. they left the building just before we came up." "what was your brother doing here?" asked caleb yates in a calmer tone. "he was not my brother, but my warmest friend. he was tracking the short man, the fellow whose name is girk. girk once robbed him of his watch." "i see. and you are sure of your men? if you are, search away, for i want no shady characters in these houses." the search began immediately, several of the inmates of the tenements taking part. everything in the room girk and baxter had occupied was turned topsy-turvy, but no trace of dick was brought to light until tom looked under the table. "here's his pocket-knife!" he cried, and held the article up. "this proves that he came in here beyond a doubt." "yes; but where is he now?" put in sam. "they couldn't have spirited him away." "he can't be far off," said frank. again was the search renewed. the men had had one large room and one small apartment, where were located a dilapidated bed and a small writing table. on the table lay some writing material and several scraps of paper, but they were of no value. the search through the rooms and hallways of the tenement lasted fully an hour. by this time the tenants who had gathered began to grow sleepy again, and one after another went back to their apartments. "i don't think you are going to find anything," remarked caleb yates. "to my way of thinking, that boy must have followed the two men when they left." "he couldn't do that without our seeing him," said sam. "and why not? here's a back door, remember, and it's pretty dark outside." "that may be so," returned tom, shaking his curly head in perplexity. "it's too bad we didn't follow girk and baxter up--at least as far as the street." "perhaps dick is at our house waiting for us to come back," put in frank. "let us go home and see. we can come back early in the morning." he looked at his watch. "do you know that it is after two o'clock? i'm afraid my father will worry about me." they talked the matter over and decided to return to frank's home without further delay. it was a silent trio that walked the streets, which were now practically deserted. tom and sam were much worried and frank hardly less so, for the senator's son and dick had been warm friends for years. when they reached the mansion they found senator harrington pacing the library nervously. "well, here you are at last!" he cried. "i was wondering what had become of you." he listened to their tale with close attention. "no, dick has not come in," he said, "at least, i think not. run up to the bedrooms, frank, and see." frank did as requested, and soon returned. "no, he isn't about," he said disappointedly, "it's mighty queer what became of him." chapter ix a loss of importance half stunned dick lay for a long time on the newspapers and musty straw in the disused coal bin of the tenement cellar. "this is what i call tough luck," he muttered to himself, and tried to force the somewhat loose gag from his mouth. but it would not come. as soon as he felt strong enough he began to work on the rope which bound his hands together. but the rascals who had placed him in the cellar had done their work well, and the cord refused to budge. with difficulty he managed to stand erect. the bin was not only pitch-dark, but full of cobwebs and the latter brushed over his face whenever he moved. then a spider crawled on his neck, greatly adding to his discomfort. hour after hour went by, and poor dick was wondering what the end of the adventure would be when he heard a footstep overhead and then came the indistinct murmur of voice. "somebody is in the room overhead," he thought, and tried to make himself heard. but before he could do this the footsteps moved off and he heard the slamming of a door. then all became as quiet as before. an hour more went by, and the youth began to grow desperate. he was thirsty and his mouth and nose were filled with dust and dirt, rendering him far from comfortable. in moving around his foot came in contact with an empty tomato can and this gave him an idea. he knelt down, and with the can between his heels, tried to saw apart the rope which bound his hands behind him. the position was an awkward one and the job long and tiring, but at last the rope gave way and he found his hands free. he lost no further time in ridding himself of the gag and the rope which bound his feet. he was now free so far as his bodily movements went, but he soon discovered that the coal bin was without any opening but a long, narrow chute covered with an iron plate, and that the heavy door was securely bolted. with all force he threw himself against the door, but it refused to budge. presently he remembered that he had several loose matches in his vest pocket, and, taking out one of these, he lit it and then set fire to a thick shaving that was handy and which, being damp, burnt slowly. "hullo, here's something of a trap-door!" he exclaimed, as he gazed at the flooring above head. "i wonder if i can get out that way?" he dropped the lighted shaving in a safe spot and put up his hands. the cut-out spot in the flooring went up with ease and dick saw a fairly well furnished room beyond. through one of the windows of the room he saw that daybreak was at hand. "great caesar! i've been down here all night!" he ejaculated, and, putting out the light, leaped up and drew himself through the opening. once in the room he put the trap down again and rearranged the rag carpet he had shoved out of place. the door to the room was locked, so the boy hurried to the window. throwing open the blinds, he was about to leap out into the tenement alley when a woman suddenly confronted him. she was tall and heavy and had a red, disagreeable face. "what are you doing in my rooms, young fellow?" she demanded. "i'm trying to get out of this house!" "what are you--a thief?" "no. i was locked up in the cellar by a couple of bad men and got out by coming through a trap-door in your floor." "a likely story!" sneered the woman, who had been away during the night and had heard nothing of the search for dick. "you look like a sneak-thief. anyway, you haven't any right in my rooms." she came closer, and, as dick leaped to the ground, clutched him by the arm. "let me go, madam." "i won't. i'm going to hand you over to the police." "i don't think you will!" retorted dick, and with a twist he wrenched himself loose and started off on a run. the woman attempted to follow him, but soon gave up the chase. dick did not stop running until he was several blocks away. then he dropped into a walk and looked about to see, if his brothers or frank were anywhere in sight. "i suppose they couldn't make it out and went home," he mused. "i had, better get to frank's house without delay." dick was still a block away from senator harrington's residence when he espied tom, sam, and frank coming toward him. "my gracious, where have you been?" burst out tom, as he rushed forward. "you look as if you'd been rolling around a dirty cellar." "and that is just about what i have been doing," answered dick with a sickly laugh. "do you know anything of buddy girk?" he added quickly. "he ran away from the tenement, and arnold baxter was with him," replied sam. "did you follow them?" "no; we tried to find out what had become of you." each had to tell his story, and then dick was led into the house. he lost no time in brushing up and washing himself, and by that time breakfast was ready in the dining room. "it's a curious adventure, truly," said senator harrington, as he sat down with the boys. "i am glad you got out of it so well. the next time you see anything of those rascals you had better lose no time in informing the police." the senator was one of that class of busy men who eat breakfast and read their morning newspaper at the same time. having listened to what dick had to say, he unfolded his paper and propped it up against a fruit dish before him. "excuse me, but i am in a hurry," he remarked apologetically. "i want to catch a train for new york at eight-thirty-five, and--hullo, what's this! rush & wilder, brokers and bankers, robbed! thieves enter the office and loot the safe! this is news certainly." "rush & wilder!" cried frank. "is that the firm you do business with?" "yes, frank. they have lost over sixty-five thousand dollars, besides a lot of unregistered bonds. that's a big loss." "will you suffer?" "i don't know but what i shall. i'll have to let that trip to new york go and look into this." and senator harrington settled back to read the account of the robbery in full. "they haven't any trace of the thieves, have they?" asked tom. "no. it says a rear window was broken open and the iron bars unscrewed. the safe door was found closed but unlocked." "then the thieves had the combination," put in sam. "more than likely." "i wonder if baxter and girk committed that crime?" came from dick. "i think they would be equal to it. they were up to some game." "it might be," returned senator harrington, with interest. "but how would those men obtain the combination of rush & wilder's safe?" "i'm sure i don't know, but--yes, they mentioned a man named mooney who was to assist them. perhaps he is known around the bankers' offices." "we can soon find out. what were you boys going to do this morning?" "i was going back to the tenements to see if i couldn't have baxter and girk arrested," said dick. "if they learn you have escaped, they will probably clear out." "i suppose that's so. but i might go down and see." "yes, i'd do that. later on you can come over to rush & wilder's offices." this was agreed to, and as soon as breakfast was over dick and the other boys hurried off to where yates' tenements were located. caleb yates was on hand, and all visited the apartment baxter and buddy girk had occupied. it was found that the men had not returned, and it did not look as if they intended to come back. "they have skipped for good, take my word on it," muttered tom, and the others agreed with him. thinking it would be useless to remain around the alleyway any longer, the four boys left the vicinity, and, boarding a street car, made their way to the thoroughfare upon which were located the offices of the bankers and brokers who had been robbed. a crowd was collected about the place and two policemen were keeping those outside in check. "i want my money!" one old man was shouting. "this is a game of charley rush to do us out of our cash. i don't believe the office was robbed at all." "you keep quiet, or i'll run you in," replied, one of the policemen, and the old man lost no time in slinking out of sight. "can we go in?" asked frank, and told who he was. "i'll send in word and see," answered the policeman at the door. "oh, frank!" came from the main office, and senator harrington beckoned to his son; and all four of the boys went in. they found half a dozen men present, including the members of the firm, a detective, and the bookkeeper, a young man named fredericks. "you are the only one who had the combination besides ourselves, fredericks," charles rush was saying to the bookkeeper. "i hate to suspect you, but--" "mr. rush, you can't think i took that money and those securities!" gasped the bookkeeper, and fell back as if about to faint. "i don't know what to think." "i can give you my word i was not near the offices from four o'clock yesterday afternoon until i came this morning, after you." "have you spoken of the safe combination to anybody?" "no, sir." "did you put the combination down in writing?" asked mr. wilder. "no, i never did anything of that sort. the combination was an unusually easy one, as you know." "yes, far too easy for our good," groaned mr. rush. then he gazed at the four boys curiously. "what brought you here?" he asked. "we thought we might know something of this affair," said dick, and told his story. "there may be something in that," said the detective. "especially if those men fail to turn up at that tenement again." "did you mention a man named mooney?" cried fredericks. "i did." "do you know this mooney?" put in mr. wilder to the bookkeeper. "subrug, the janitor, has a brother-in-law named mooney--a wild kind of a chap who used to hang around more or less." "we'll call subrug in and find out where this mooney is now," said charles rush. the janitor proved to be a very nervous old man. "i don't know where mooney is," he said. "he's been a constant worry to me. he used to borrow money, but lately i wouldn't give him any more, and so he stopped coming around." "was he ever in here?" the janitor thought for a moment. "i think he was, sir--about a month ago. he started to help me clean the windows, but he was too clumsy and i made him give it up." "i remember him!" cried the bookkeeper. "he was at the window, mr. rush, while you were at the safe. he must have watched you work the combination." chapter x tom, sam, and farmer fox for an instant there was a dead silence in the bankers' offices. charles rush looked blankly at his bookkeeper. "i believe fredericks is right," said mr. wilder, the first to break the awkward pause. "i remember the fellow very well. i thought at the time that he was watching mr. rush rather closely." "you had no business to bring in a man that was not to be trusted," growled charles rush, turning to the janitor. "do you think he stole the stuff?" ejaculated subrug. "sure mooney wasn't smart enough for such a game." "perhaps not, but he got others to help him," said dick. "he got buddy girk and arnold baxter, i feel positive of it." "the whole thing fits together pretty well," said the detective. "if only we, can lay hands on these men the boy mentions, we'll be all right." a long conversation followed, and then dick and the others went to the police station. the rooms at yates' tenement were thoroughly searched once more, and a watch was set for girk and arnold baxter. but the rascals had flown and the watch proved useless. in the meantime two detectives tried to trace what had become of mooney, but this work also amounted to nothing, and it may be as well to add here that mooney was never heard of again, having sailed for south america. upon an accounting it was learned that rush & wilder were by no means in a good financial condition and that senator harrington would lose a good sum of money should they fail. "i'd give a thousand dollars to collar those thieves," said the senator dismally. "if arnold baxter and girk got that money they'll live in high clover for a while," remarked dick, when the excitement was over and they had returned to frank's home. "my! what a villain that baxter is proving to be! no wonder dan was bad! it must run in the blood." the robbery kept the boys in albany several days, and this being so, it was decided to abandon the trip on the river to new york. "i'll send the _spray_ down by somebody," said dick, "and then we can take a train from here direct to oak run," and so it was arranged. the trip to oak run proved to be uneventful. and at the railroad station they were met by jack ness, the rovers' hired man, who had driven over with the carryall to take them home. "glad to see you all looking so well," grinned the hired man. "getting fat as butter, master tom." "thanks, jack, i'm feeling fine. any news?" "no, sir, none exceptin' that your uncle has had a row with joel fox, who has the farm next to ours." "what was the row about?" questioned dick. "all about some fruit, sir. we had a tree hangin' over fox's fence--finest pear tree on the place, that was. fox strips the tree at night, sir--saw him with my own eyes." "oh, what cheek!" burst out sam. "what did uncle do?" "tried to talk to him, and fox told him to mind his own business, that he could have what fruit hung over his fence. so he could, but not half of it hung that way, and he took every blessed pear." "fox always was a mean man," murmured tom. "i'd like to square accounts with him before i go back to putnam hall." "i reckoned as how you might be up to something like that," said ness, with another grin. "but you want to be careful. only yesterday fox shot off his gun at some boys who were after his apples." "did he hit the boys?" "i don't think he did." "who were they?" "i don't know. and i reckon he don't either." "humph!" tom mused for a moment. "i'd like to scare the mean fellow by making him think one of the boys was killed." "that's an idea!" cried sam, and winked at his brother. "let's do it!" they were soon bowling over swift river and along the road leading to valley brook farm. at the farmhouse their uncle randolph and aunt martha stood in the dooryard to greet them. "back again, safe and sound!" cried randolph rover. "i suppose you feel like regular sailors." "well, we do feel a little that way," laughed sam, and returned the warm kiss his aunt bestowed upon him. "it's nice to be home once more." "would you rather stay here than go back to putnam hall?" asked his aunt quickly. "oh, no, i can't say that, aunt martha. but it's awfully nice here, nevertheless." a hot supper was awaiting them, and while they ate they told of all that had happened since they had been away. randolph rover shuddered over the way dick had been treated. "be careful, my boy," he said. "remember, even your father could not bring this arnold baxter to justice. he is evidently a thorough-paced scoundrel, and his companion is probably just as bad." "and how goes the scientific farming, uncle randolph?" asked tom, who knew how to touch his uncle in the right spot. "splendidly, my boy, splendidly! i am now working on a new rotation of crops. it will, i am certain, prove a revelation to the entire agricultural world." "did you make much money this season?" asked sam dryly. "well--er--no; in fact, we ran a little behind. but we will do finely next year--i am certain of it. i will have some strawberries and celery which shall astonish our state agricultural committee," answered randolph rover. he was always enthusiastic, in spite of almost constant failure. thus far his hobby had netted him a loss of several thousand dollars. it was friday, and saturday was to be given over to packing up for school. yet on saturday morning tom managed to call sam aside. "we'll go over to fox's," said he. "are you ready?" "i am, tom," answered the younger brother. "and be sure and pile it on." "trust me for that," and tom winked in a fashion that set sam to roaring. they found joel fox at work along the roadside, mending a part of a stone wall which had tumbled down. fox was a yankee, and miserly and sour to the very core. "well, what do you want?" he demanded, as the boys came to a halt in front of him. "why, mr. fox, i thought you had skipped out!" cried tom in pretended surprise. "skipped out?" "yes." "why should i skip out, boy?" "on account of harry smith." "harry smith? who is he?" "harry smith of oak run--the boy who was shot the other day. didn't you hear he was dead?" at these words joel fox dropped the tools he was using and turned pale. "is--er--is the boy--er--" he could not finish. "it was a wicked thing to do," put in sam. "any man that would shoot a boy ought to be lynched." "perhaps that crowd of men were coming up here," went on tom. "didn't they have a rope with them?" "to be sure they had a rope, tom. and one of 'em said something about hanging." "what crowd are you talking about?" stammered joel fox, growing paler and paler. "the crowd at the depot. did you shoot him, mr. fox? i can't hardly believe it true, although i know you were mean enough to take my uncle's pears." "i--er--the pears were on my property. i er--i didn't shoot at any boy. i--er--i shot at some crows in my cornfield," stammered joel fox. "did you say a crowd of men were coming over here with a rope?" "you'll see fast enough, you bad man!" cried tom, and ran off, followed by sam. in vain fox tried to call them back. the boys went as far as a turn in the road, then hid behind some bushes. soon they saw fox pick up his tools and make for his barn. then he came out and hurried for his house. "i guess he's pretty well rattled," laughed tom. "won't he be mad when he learns how he has been fooled!" they waited for a while, but as fox did not reappear they hurried back home by another road, that the man might not see them. tom was right when he said that the miserly old farmer was "rattled," as it is commonly called. all day long the coward remained in the house, as nervous as a cat and afraid that a crowd of men would appear at any minute to lynch him. his wife did not know what to make of such actions and finally demanded an explanation, and when it was not forthcoming threatened him with the broom, which she had used as a weapon of offense several times previously. "they say he's dead!" finally burst out joel. "they are goin' ter lynch me for it. hide me, mandy, hide me!" "who is dead, joel fox?" "the boy i shot at fer stealin' them apples. oh, they'll lynch me; i feel it in my bones!" groaned the old man. "who was it?" "harry smith of oak run." "and he is dead?" "so they say. but i didn't calkerlate i hit him at all," whined joel. "no more you did, for i saw him run away, and he went clear out o' sight up the road. who told you this?" demanded mrs. fox. "those rover boys, tom an' sam." "those young imps! joel, they are fooling you." "do you really think so, mandy?" asked the man hopefully. "i do. if i was you i'd go over to oak run and find out." "no, no--if it's true they'll lynch me, i know they will!" "then i'll go over. i know mrs. smith. if he's dead there will be crape on the door an' i won't go in," concluded mrs. fox. and getting out a horse and buckboard, she drove over to oak run and to the smiths' place. she found no crape on the door. harry smith sat on the porch, his arm in a sling. plucking up courage she drew rein, dismounted, and walked up to the boy, who was one of the rover brothers friends. "how is your arm, harry?" she began softly. "it's pretty fair," answered the boy politely. "won't you come in, mrs. fox?" "well, i guess not. harry, i'm sorry for this." "so am i sorry, mrs. fox." "i didn't think you would do it. why didn't you come up to the house an' ask for them apples?" the boy looked puzzled, for the simple reason that he was puzzled. "i don't understand you. what apples?" "the ones you tried to steal." "i didn't try to steal any apples, mrs. fox. what makes you think that?" "didn't you try to git in our orchard when joel fired on you?" cried mrs. fox. "why, i haven't been anywhere near your orchard!" "so?" mrs. fox looked bewildered. "then--then how did you get hurt?" she faltered. "why, mr. wicks and i were cleaning out pa's old shotgun when it went off accidentally, and i got a couple of the shot in my forearm," answered harry smith promptly. the answer took away mrs. fox's breath. "drat them boys--i knowed it!" she muttered, and drove away without another word. harry smith was much puzzled, but letters which soon after passed between him and tom cleared up the mystery. but the boys never heard of how joel fox fared when his wife got home. the lady arrived "as mad as a hornet," to use a popular saying. "you're the worst old fool ever was, joel fox!" were her first words, and a bitter quarrel followed that ended only when the man was driven out of the house with the ever-trustworthy broom. joel fox wanted to go over to the rover farm, to have it out with tom and sam, but somehow he could not pluck up the courage to make the move. chapter xi fun at putnam hall "back to putnam hall at last!" "yes, boys, back at last! hurrah for the dear old school, and all the boys in it!" peleg snuggers, the general utility man of the hall, had just brought the boys up from cedarville, to which place they had journeyed from ithaca on the regular afternoon boat running up cayuga lake. with the rovers had come fred garrison, larry colby, and several others of their old school chums. (for the doings of the putnam hall students previous to the arrival at that institution of the rover boys, see the putnam hall series, the first volume of which is entitled, "the putnam hall cadets."--publishers) "glad to welcome you back, boys!" exclaimed captain victor putnam, a pleasant smile on his face. he shook hands all around. "did you have a nice trip?" "splendid, sir," said tom. "oh, how do you do, mr. strong?" and he ran to meet the head teacher. he could not help but think of how different things were now to when he had first arrived at putnam hall the year previous, and josiah crabtree had locked him up in the guardroom for exploding a big firecracker in honor of the occasion. "well, thomas, i hope you have left all your pranks behind," observed george strong. "how about it?" and his eyes twinkled. "oh, i'm going in for study this session," answered tom demurely. and then he winked at larry on the sly. but his words did not deceive george strong, who understood only too well tom's propensity for mischief. it was the first day of the term, but as the cadets kept on arriving with every train and boat, no lessons were given out, and the boys were allowed to do pretty much as they pleased. they visited every nook and corner, including the classrooms, the dormitories, the stables, and the gymnasium and boathouse, and nearly bothered the life out of peleg snuggers, mrs. green, the housekeeper, and alexander pop, the colored waiter of the mess hall. "hullo, aleck!" cried tom rushing up and grabbing the colored man by the hand. "how are you--pretty well? i'm first-rate, never was better in my life!" and he gave the hand a hard squeeze. "stop, wot yo' up to, massah rober!" roared the waiter, leaping off his feet. "wot yo' got in yo' hand?" "why, nothing, aleck, my boy. yes, i'm feeling fine. i've gained fifteen pounds, and--" "yo' lemme go, sah-yo' is stickin' pins in my hand!" howled pop. "oh, deah, now de term's dun begun we'll all be dead wid dat boy's tricks!" he moaned, as tom ran off, throwing away several tiny tacks as he did so. "so you've come back, have you?" observed mrs. green, as tom stopped at the kitchen door. "well, just you mind your p's and q's, or there will be trouble, i can tell you that, tom rover." "why, we never had any trouble, mrs. green," he said soberly. "did we?" "oh, of course not! but who stole that can of peaches right after the christmas holidays, and who locked one of the cows in the back hall and nearly scared the washwoman to death? oh, dear, you never did anything, never!" and mrs. green shook her head warningly. "do you mean to say i would take a can of peaches, mrs. green?" asked tom, and then his face fell. "oh, dear, you always did put me down as the worst boy in the school, when--i--i--do--my--very best," and, almost sobbing, tom put his face up against his coat sleeve. mrs. green was very tender-hearted in spite of her somewhat free tongue, and she was all sympathy immediately. "there, there, tom, i didn't mean to hurt your feelings," she said soothingly. "i--i was only fooling. will you have a piece of hot mince pie? it's just out of the oven." "i--i don't know!" sobbed tom. "you treat me so awful meanly!" "i didn't mean it--really i didn't. come, sit down and have the pie, that's a good boy. i'm glad you are back, and you are better than lots of the other cadets, so there!" and tom slid into a seat and devoured the generous slice of pie dealt out to him with keen relish. "it's really like home," he murmured presently. "mrs. green, when you die, they ought to erect an awfully big monument over your grave." "but i'm not dying just yet, tom--pray don't speak of it." "by the way, my aunt was dyeing when i left home," went on the boy, as he moved toward the door. "indeed. didn't you hate to leave her?" "not at all. she didn't seem to mind it." "what was her trouble, tom--consumption?" "no, she had an old brown dress that had faded out green and she was dyeing it black," was the soft answer, and then tom ran for his life. mrs. green did not speak to him for almost a week after that. and yet with it all she couldn't help but like the boy. of course peleg snuggers came in for his full share of attention, and the utility man had all sorts of jokes played on him until he was almost in despair. "don't, young gents, don't!" he would plead. "oh, my! an' to think the term's just begun!" and he mopped his brow with his red bandanna handkerchief. "peleg, you are getting handsomer every day," remarked sam. "it's a wonder you don't go into the beauty show in new york." "wot kind of a joke is that, master rover?" "oh, it's no joke. you are handsome. won't you let me take your photograph?" "have you got a camera?" "to be sure. here it is." sam drew a tiny box from his pocket. "now stand still and i'll take a snap shot." snuggers had wanted to have his picture taken for some time, to send to a certain girl in cedarville in whom he was much interested. to have a photograph taken for nothing tickled him greatly. "wait till i brush up a bit," he said, and got out a pocket comb, with which he adjusted his hair and his stubby mustache. "now stand straight and look happy!" cried sam as a crowd collected around. "raise you right hand to your breast, just as all statesmen do. up with your chin--don't drop your left eye--close your mouth. now then, don't budge on your life!" peleg snuggers stood like a statue, his chin well up in the air and his eyes set into a steady stare. sam elevated the tiny box and kept the man standing for fully half a minute, while the boys behind snuggers could scarcely keep from roaring. "there you are," said sam at last. "now wait a minute and the picture will be finished." "don't you have to print 'em in the sun?" asked snuggers. "no, this is a new patented process." sam drew a square of tin from the box. "there you are, peleg, and all for nothing." "i don't see any picture," growled snuggers, looking at the square blankly. "you must breathe on it, peleg; then the picture will come out beautifully. it's a little fresh yet." peleg snuggers breathed on the square of tin as directed, and then there slowly came to view the picture of a donkey's head! the boys gathered around set up a shout. "hurrah, peleg, what a fine picture!" "you've changed a little in your looks, peleg, since you had the last taken, eh?" "your girl will fall in love with that picture, peleg, i'm certain of it." "sam rover, i'll git square, see if i don't!" roared the utility man, as he dashed the square of tin to the ground. "i knowed you was goin' to play a joke on me." and he started to walk off. "why, what's the matter?" demanded sam innocently. "isn't it a good picture?' "i'll picture you!" "i thought i was doing my best." "show me off for a donkey! if it wasn't against the rules i'd--i'd wollop you!" "a donkey! oh, peleg, i did nothing of the kind! here is your picture, on my word of honor." "it's a donkey's head, i say." "and i say it's your picture. i'll leave it to anybody in the crowd." "i guess i know a donkey's head when i see it, master rover. i didn't expect no such joke from you, though your brother tom might have played it." "boys, isn't this a good picture?" demanded sam, showing up the other side of the tin square. "why, splendid!" came from the crowd. "peleg, there is some mistake here." "oh, you can't joke me no more!" returned the utility man. "but just look!" pleaded sam. "isn't that a good picture of you? if you don't say so yourself i'll give you five dollars." he handed the tin over again, this time with the opposite side toward snuggers. he had just breathed on it heavily. "now blow on it," he continued, and snuggers did as directed. the moisture cleared away, revealing the face of the utility man in a bit of looking-glass! "oh, you're tremendously smart, you are!" muttered snuggers, and walked off. but he was not half as angry as he had been a few minutes before. chapter xii dick visits dora stanhope "battalion, fall in. attention! carry arms!" it was several days later, and the cadets were out for their first parade around the grounds. dick still retained his position as second lieutenant of company a, having been re-elected the term previous. tom was first sergeant of company b, while sam was still "a high private in the rear rank," as the saying goes. the day was an ideal one in the early autumn, and captain putnam and george strong were both on hand to watch the drilling. major bart conners had graduated the year before, and his place was now filled by harry blossom, formerly captain of company a. "shoulder arms!" came the next order. "battalion, forward march!" tap! tap! tap, tap, tap! went the drums, and then the bass drum joined in, and the two companies moved off. soon the fifers struck up a lively air, and away went the cadets, down the road, around grounds, and to the mess hall for supper. the boys felt good to be in the ranks once more, and captain putnam congratulated them on their soldierly appearance. "it does me good to see that you have not forgotten your former instructions in drilling and marching," he said. "i trust that during the present term we shall see even better results, so that the work done here may compare favorably with that done at west point." the school had now begun to settle down, and inside of a few days everything was working smoothly. "what a difference it makes to have dan baxter and mumps absent!" observed tom to dick. "we don't have any of the old-fashion rows any more." "i'd like to know what mumps and josiah crabtree were up to," put in the elder rover. "it's queer we didn't hear any more of them. i'm going to get off soon and try and see dora stanhope. perhaps she knows what crabtree is doing." on that day frank harrington received a letter from his father, in which the senator stated that nothing more had been heard of the men who had looted rush & wilder's safe. "i fancy they have left the state, if not the country," was mr. harrington's comment. the three rover boys got off the next day and took a walk past the cottages where resided the lanings and the stanhopes. at the lanings' place nellie and grace came out to greet them. "so you are back!" cried nellie, blushing sweetly. "father said you were. he saw you come in at cedarville." "yes, back again, and glad to meet you," answered tom, and gave the girl's hand a tight squeeze, while sam and dick also shook hands with both girls. "and how do you feel?" asked grace of dick. "wasn't that dreadful the way mr. baxter treated you on that train?" "well, he got the worst of it," answered dick. "oh, i know that! and now they suspect him of a robbery in albany. papa was reading it in one of the ithaca papers." "yes, and i guess he's guilty, grace. but tell me, does josiah crabtree worry mrs. stanhope any more?" continued the boy seriously. "why to be sure he does! and, oh, let me tell you something! dora told me that he was terribly angry over having been sent to chicago on a wild-goose chase." "i wish he had remained out there." "so do all of us," said nellie laning. "he seems bound to marry aunty, in spite of our opposition and dora's." "how is your aunt now?" "she is not very well. do you know, i think mr. crabtree exercises some sort of a strange influence over her." "i think that myself. if he could do it, i think he would hypnotize her into marrying him. he is just rascal enough. of course he is after the money mrs. stanhope is holding in trust for dora." "he can't touch that." "he can--if he can get hold of it. i don't think josiah crabtree cares much for the law. is dora home now?" "i believe she is. she was this morning, i know." "i'm going over to see her," went on dick. "i promised to do all i could for her in this matter of standing crabtree off, and i'm going to keep my word." as sam and tom wished to converse with the laning girls a bit longer, dick went on ahead, telling them to follow him when they chose. it did not take dick long to reach the stanhope homestead. as he approached he heard loud talking on the front piazza. "i want nothing to do with you, dan baxter, and i am astonished that you should come here to see me," came in dora stanhope's voice. "that's all right, dora; don't get ugly," was the reply from the former bully of putnam hall. "i'm not going to hurt you." "i want you to go away and leave my mother and me alone." "will you come and see mr. crabtree, as he wanted?" "no. if, mr. crabtree wants to see me let him come here." "but you told him you didn't want him here," said dan baxter. "neither i do--to see mamma. but i won't go to see him; so there! now please leave me." "you're a strong-minded miss, you are," sneered dan baxter. "you want taking down." "what's that you say?" demanded dick, as he strode up. "baxter, you deserve to be knocked down for insulting this young lady." "oh, dick, is that you?" burst out dora, her pretty face brightening instantly. "i'm glad you came." "dick rover!" muttered the bully, and his face fell. "what brought you here?" "that is my business, baxter, so josiah crabtree sent you to annoy miss stanhope." "it's none of your affair if he did." "i say it is my affair." "do you want to get into another row with me, dick rover?" and dan baxter clenched his fists. "if we fought, the battle would end as it did before--you would be knocked out," answered dick. "you have no right to come here if these people want you to stay away, and you had better take yourself off." "i'll go when i please. you can't make me go--nor the stanhopes neither," growled dan baxter. at these words dick grew white. dora, as old readers know, was his dearest friend, and he could not stand having her spoken of so rudely. for a moment the two boys glared at each, other; then baxter aimed a blow at dick's face. the elder rover ducked and hit out in return, landing upon baxter's neck. dora gave a scream. "oh, dick! don't fight with him!" "i won't--i'll run him out!" panted dick, and leaping behind the bully, he caught him by the collar and the back. "out you go, you brute!" he added, and began to run baxter toward the open gateway. in vain the bully tried to resist. dick's blood was up, and he did not release his hold or relinquish his efforts until the bully had been pushed along the road for a distance of fifty yards. "now you dare to come back!" said dick, shaking his fist at the fellow. "if you come, i'll have you locked up." "we'll see about it, dick rover," snarled dan baxter. he paused for an instant. "he laughs best who laughs last," he muttered, and strode off as fast as his long legs would carry him, in the direction of the lake. when dick returned to dora he found that the girl had sunk down on the piazza steps nearly overcome. "don't be afraid, dora; he's gone," he said kindly. "oh, dick, i'm so afraid of him!" she gasped. "was he here long before i came up?" "about ten minutes. he brought a message from mr. crabtree, who wants to see me in cedarville. i told him i wouldn't go--and i won't." "i shouldn't either, dora. perhaps crabtree only wants to get you away from the house so that he can come here and see your mother." "i never thought of that." "where is your mother now?" "lying down with a headache. she is getting more nervous every day. i wish mr. crabtree was--was--" "in halifax, i suppose," finished dick. "yes, or some other place as far off. every time he comes near mamma she has the strangest spells." "he is a bad man--no doubt of it, dora. i almost wish we had him back to the hall. then i could keep my eye on him." "i'm glad you are back, dick," said the girl softly. "if there is any trouble, you'll let me call on you, won't you?" "i shall expect you to call on me, dora--the very first thing," he returned promptly. "i wouldn't have anything happen to you or your mother for anything in the world." by this time sam and tom were coming up, and they had to be told about dan baxter. "he and his father are a team," said sam. "i wonder if he knows what his father has done. if i meet him i'll ask him." dick had expected to pay his respects to mrs. stanhope, but now thought best not to disturb her. all the boys had a short chat with dora, and then set out on the return to school. on the way the three boys discussed the situation, but could get little satisfaction out of their talk. "something is in the wind," was dick's comment. "but what it is time alone will reveal." and he was right, as events in the near future proved. chapter xiii the fire at the hall sam had been right when he said that dan baxter was like his father. parent and son were thoroughly bad, but how bad the rover boys and their friends were still to learn. on saturday the cadets had a half-holiday, and some of them went over to the lake to fish, sam and tom accompanying the party. while the boys were waiting for bites they espied a large sail-boat skimming along the lake shore. as it came closer tom and sam were much astonished to see that the boat contained dan baxter, josiah crabtree, and mumps. "by jinks, there is mumps' yacht!" ejaculated tom. "how in the world did he get her up here?" "brought her by way of the canal and the river, i suppose," answered sam. "hullo there!" called out larry colby, who was in the crowd. "mumps, you might be in better company." "you keep your mouth shut!" retorted fenwick. "if you talk to me, i'll come ashore and give you a thrashing," put in baxter. "i dare you to come ashore!" burst out tom. "you'll stay where you are if you know when you are well off." no more was said, and presently the boat sped out of sight around a bend of the lake shore. fishing proved to be good, and in the excitement of the sport baxter and the others were, for the time being, forgotten. it was late when the boys packed up. sam had six fish, tom as many more, and all of the others a fair catch. "we'll have fish tomorrow for breakfast, sure," said larry. "hurry up, or we'll be late." the party started off, but had only gone a short distance when sam remembered that he had left his knife sticking in the stump of a tree, and ran back to get it, in the meantime turning his fish over to tom. the fishing place was behind a grove of trees, and when sam reached it again he was much surprised to see dan baxter on shore, he having just left the yacht, which was cruising some distance away. "hullo! so you came back to have it out with me, eh?" cried baxter, and before sam could say a word, he was hurled flat and the bully came down on top of him. sam fought bravely, but was no match for the big fellow, who began to hammer him unmercifully. realizing how matters were turning, the youngest rover began to cry for help. "you shut up!" stormed dan baxter. "shut up, or i'll give it to you worse than ever!" but sam had no intention of taking such a drubbing quietly, and he yelled louder than ever. his cries reached tom, who had dropped behind to allow his brother to catch up. "something is wrong," he muttered, and hanging the fish on a bush, he ran back at the top of his speed. dan baxter heard him coming and tried to get away, but as tom called out, sam's courage rose, and he grabbed the bully by the foot and held him. "let go!" roared dan baxter, but sam would not, and in a second more tom was at hand and hit the bully such a stinging blow in the face that baxter went down in a heap. a rough-and-tumble scrimmage ensued, and it must be said that the bully got by far the worst of it. tom hit him again and again, and sam also, and when at last he staggered to his feet, one eye was almost closed and his nose was bleeding profusely. "now i guess you won't tackle any of us again," said tom. "i'll get even--mark my words!" roared baxter, and ran down the lake shore in the direction the _falcon_ had taken. when baxter reached the yacht he was so weak he could scarcely stand. it was a long while before he could stop his nose from bleeding, and his eye stung with a pain that was maddening. "did little sam rover do that?" asked mumps, while josiah crabtree looked on in curious silence. "sam rover?" snorted baxter. "not much! why, the whole crowd piled on me six or seven of them at a time. they tried to kill me!" "didn't you defend yourself, daniel?" asked crabtree. "of course i did. i knocked two of them down and another fellow had two of his teeth broken. but i couldn't fight all six single handed." "oh, i presume not--especially such brutes as captain putnam is now raising." "it's a pity we can't get square with them," said mumps. "oh, i'll get square! you just wait," answered the bully cunningly. "i'm not done with them yet by any means." "what will you do?" "just you wait and see." "i don't wish to have you interfere with our plans," put in josiah crabtree. "i won't interfere with the other plans. but i am going to get square." "we've had delay enough," continued josiah crabtree. "well, that wasn't my fault. mumps got sick, and that's all there is to it," growled dan baxter, and then went to dressing his swollen eye once more. in the meantime sam and tom had rejoined their fellows and told their story. all of the others were indignant at baxter's doing and glad to learn he had been given a sound drubbing. "i don't see why he hangs in this neighborhood," said larry. "it's a wonder he doesn't try to join his father." "they are probably on the outs since dan took that two hundred dollars," answered tom. the boys were all tired that night, and the occupants of dormitory no. retired early in consequence. it was a little after midnight that dick awoke with a cough. he sat up in bed and opened his eyes to find the room almost filled with smoke. "for gracious sake!" he muttered. "what's the matter here? sam! tom!" "what's this?" came from larry colby. "is the house on fire?" he leaped from his bed, and so did dick. by this time the smoke in the dormitory was getting thicker and thicker. it was coming through the door, which stood partly open. "wake up, boys; the hall is on fire!" "fire! fire! fire!" came from all parts of the building. one after another the cadets roused up. some were completely bewildered and did not know what to do. "we had better get out as soon as we can!" exclaimed dick, as he slipped into his trousers. "come, tom! come, sam!" he ran for the hallway, to find it so thick with smoke that escape in that direction seemed cut off. "we can't go down that way!" came from frank. "we'd be smothered to death." "let's jump from the windows," put in larry, who was more frightened than any of the others. "no, no; don't jump yet!" cried tom "you'll break a leg, and maybe your neck." "but i don't want to be burnt up," returned larry, his teeth chattering. "hold on, we have that rope we used when we had the feast last summer," said sam. "let us tie that to the window and get down on it." sam ran to the closet and found the rope just where it had been left, on a hook in the corner. soon they had it out and fastened to a bed-slat braced across the window frame. "down you go, larry!" said dick. "be careful; i reckon we have plenty of time." larry slid down in a jiffy, and one after another the others came after him, dick being the last. as the youth turned around on the window sill he saw the fire creeping in at the door. their escape had taken place none too soon. down on the parade ground they found a motley collection of half-dressed cadets, instructors, servants, and others who had been sleeping in the burning hall. in the midst of the group was captain putnam, pale but comparatively cool, considering the excitement under which he was laboring. "are all the boys out?" he asked of george strong. "line them up and call the roll." the roll-call was put through in double-quick order. only two lads were missing, a boy named harrison and another named leeks. "here comes harrison!" cried harry blossom, and the boy limped forth from the opposite side of the burning building. "i sprang from the east wing," he explained. "i guess my ankle is sprained." and then he dropped down and was carried away from the scene to a place of safety. "where can leeks be?" questioned captain putnam. "leeks! leeks! where are you?" he cried with all the power of his lungs. at first the only reply that came back was the roaring of the flames, as they mounted from one section of the hall to another. then, however, came a shriek from the rear end of the western wing. "help me! save me! i don't want to be burnt up!" "it is leeks!" cried tom. "see, he is on the gutter of the roof!" he pointed in the direction, and all saw the cadet, dressed in nothing but his white gown, clinging desperately to the slates of the roof above the gutter. he had run from the second floor to the third and sought safety by crawling out of a dormer window. "don't jump!" cried a dozen in concert. "don't jump, leeks!" "what shall i do? the flames are coming up here as fast as they can!" groaned the cadet. "oh, save me, somebody!" "let's get the ladder," said dick, and started for the barn, with a score of cadets at his heels and george strong with them. in the meantime captain putnam again urged leeks to remain where he was. "we will save you, don't fear," he added. the fire below now made the scene as bright as day, and already the neighbors were rushing to the scene, followed by the cedarville volunteer fire department, with their hose cart and old style hand-pump engine. soon the ladder was brought out of the barn and rushed to the spot directly below where leeks stood. willing hands raised it against the building. and then a loud groan went up. the ladder was too short by ten feet--and it was the only ladder to be had! chapter xiv the disappearance of dora stanhope "we can't reach him with that! he'll be burnt up before we can get to him. see, the flames are already coming out of the window beside him!" "save me! push the ladder up higher!" shrieked leeks. "i can't get down to it!" "wait, i've got an idea," put in dick, and ran behind the barn to the garden patch. soon he came back armed with a long and knotty beanpole. george strong was already on the ladder, and the beanpole was shoved up to him. "that's all right!" came the cry. "leeks, can't you get hold?" "i'll try," said the terrorized boy. as quickly as he could george strong mounted to the very top of the ladder. then the teacher raised the beanpole, heavy end upward, until leeks managed to grasp it. "can you steady it against the gutter?" asked the teacher. "i--i don't know. if i had a cord--" "there is a string on the window blind. tie the end of the pole to that." with trembling hands leeks did as directed. the cord was not a stout one, but it was sufficiently strong to keep the beanpole in position, and that was all that was required, since the teacher steadied it and held it up from below. but getting over the edge of the gutter was no easy movement, and those on the ground held their breath as leeks crawled to where he could grasp the beanpole. then the cadet came down on the run to where his feet struck the top of the ladder. in a minute more he and the head teacher came to the ground. a cheer went up. "hurrah! leeks is safe! good for mr. strong!" in the midst of the cries leeks fainted and had to be carried to the gymnasium for treatment. the fire had evidently started in the lower hallway of the building, in a closet under the broad stairs. it was burning furiously in all of the halls and toward the rear. as soon as captain putnam felt assured that the scholars and all others were safe he organized the boys into a bucket brigade. in the meantime mrs. grow, with more forethought than seemed possible to her nature, had turned on the water pipes leading from the water tower on the hall roof. thus a dozen small streams were thrown on the fire, to which the boys soon added their buckets of water. then the cedarville fire department added their services, and fighting the fire began in earnest, while captain putnam directed the removal of all furniture and other things which could be gotten out with safety. "say, but this is work!" panted tom, as he struggled along with a big bucket of water in each hand. "i only hope we succeed in saving the building." "we won't save all of it," replied sam, who was laboring as hard as anybody. "and i guess all of our clothing will be burnt up." "don't say a word about dat!" put in alexander pop. "i dun gone an' buy me a new pair ob checked pants las' week--an' a new silk hat, too!" and the negro was almost ready to cry with vexation at the thought that those new clothes, with which he had hoped to cut such a dash, would go down in the ruin. it was a good two hours ere the fire was gotten under control, and not until after sunrise was the last spark put out. then captain putnam and several of the others surveyed the damage that had been done. all of the stairways had been burned away, and the plastering from top to bottom of the three hallways was down. in the rear, two dormitories and the garret floor had been burned out. "a nasty fire," said the captain to his head assistant. "i'm afraid i will have to close down the school, at least for a while." "i don't know as i would do that, captain," replied george strong. "the classrooms are not touched, neither are some of the dormitories. we can bunch the boys up a bit--and i think they would rather be bunched up than be sent home." the matter was talked over at some length, and in the end put to the boys themselves, and all declared that they would rather remain, and some added that during their spare hours they would do all they could to put the place into shape again. "that will be unnecessary," said captain putnam. "the insurance companies will have to do the repairing, and i shall notify them without delay. as to the clothing that has been lost, i will make that good to each of you." the fire was not yet out when dora stanhope appeared, in company with john laning and nellie and grace. "i am so afraid somebody had been burnt up!" cried dora to dick. "i'm awfully glad you and your brothers are all right!" "we got out easily, answered dick, but he gave dora a bright smile for the interest she had shown in him. "how did the fire start?" questioned john laning. "nobody knows," answered tom. "captain putnam says it is a complete mystery." "i believe the hall was set on fire," put in sam. "and i believe i can point out the party who is guilty." "dan baxter?" put in larry. "yes." "would he be wicked enough to do that?" cried dora in horror. "yes, i guess dan is bad enough to do anything," said dick. "he was terribly mad over the way we mauled him," came from tom. "he was just about ready to kill us." "if that's the case captain putnam had better have baxter arrested," suggested john laning. "he is a dangerous boy to be at large." captain putnam came up and was soon told of what had occurred. he had not heard of the fight down at the lake, but was not greatly surprised. "i do not blame you boys, since baxter began the attack," he said. "and i agree, he is a thoroughly bad fellow. yes, i'll have him arrested--providing we can locate him." word had already been sent to a clothier, and a gentlemen's outfitter, both of whom had stores in cedarville, and before noon these men came to the hall, and the students were fitted out temporarily--that is, the portion who had lost the majority of their clothing. then a gang of laborers and scrub-women were sent to work to clean up the mess and make the classrooms and unburned dormitories fit for occupation. in two days putnam hall was once more in full sway, as though nothing out of the ordinary had happened, the burnt section being boarded entirely off from the other. the search for dan baxter began at once, but nothing could be ascertained concerning him. a search was also made for the _falcon_, but that craft had disappeared from the lake. "well, i hope we never hear or see anything more of baxter," said sam. "i declare, he is worse than a snake in the grass." "i'd rather see him locked up," answered dick grimly. "then i'd know he was out of the way of harming us further." several days slipped by and the boys were deep in their studies, when, late one afternoon, dick was greatly astonished by being told that mrs. stanhope was in the parlor waiting to see him. "she seems very much agitated," said captain putnam. "i am afraid something is wrong." "can you say what it is, richard?" "no, sir; excepting dan baxter or josiah crabtree may have been worrying them again." "do you mean to tell me that baxter goes to their house?" "he has been there several times to my knowledge. he's as sweet on dora stanhope as josiah crabtree is anxious over mrs. stanhope--and neither person deserves any encouragement." "i thought the engagement between mrs. stanhope and crabtree was off." "it was--for the time being. but it seems mr. crabtree isn't going to give her up--he is too anxious to get hold of dora's money," and with this remark dick hurried to the parlor. "oh, dick rover!" cried mrs. stanhope, when he entered, "do tell me what has become of dora." "dora!" he repeated in bewilderment. "i don't know, i am sure. has she left home?" "she hasn't been home since she answered your note yesterday afternoon." "my note? i sent her no note." "but i found it lying on the dining-room table last evening, when i came from my room. you see, i had been lying down with a headache." "mrs. stanhope, i sent dora no note. if she got one that was signed with my name it was a forgery." "oh, dick rover!" the lady had arisen on his entrance, now she sank back into a faint. the youth was greatly alarmed, and at once rang for one of the servants and also for captain putnam. "what is the matter?" asked the master of the hall. "something is very much wrong, sir," replied dick. "dora stanhope has disappeared." "disappeared!" "yes, sir. she received some sort of a note signed with my name." no more was said just then, dick, the captain, and the servant doing all they could to restore mrs. stanhope to consciousness. when the lady finally came to her senses she could not keep from crying bitterly. "oh, where can my dora be?" she moaned. "something dreadful has happened to her--i feel certain of it." "where is that note?" asked dick. "i left it on the mantelpiece in our dining room. it said: 'dear friend dora: meet me as soon as you can down at the old boathouse on the lake. i have something important to tell you,' and it was signed 'richard rover.'" "mrs. stanhope, as true as i stand here, i never wrote that note or sent it." "i believe you, dick. but who did send it?" "some enemy who wanted to get her away from the house--dan baxter or--" dick paused. "or who?" "well, josiah crabtree, if you must know. he hates her and he wants to separate her from you." at the mention of josiah crabtree's name a curious shiver passed over mrs. stanhope. "we--we'll not talk about mr. crabtree," she faltered. "but, oh, i must have my dora back!" and then she came near to fainting again. "i would like to go over to the stanhope cottage and investigate," said dick, after the lady had been placed in mrs. green's care. "to my mind it won't do to lose time, either." "you can go, richard," answered captain putnam. "but be careful and keep out of trouble." "can i take tom and sam with me?" at this the master of putnam hall smiled broadly. "always like to be together, eh? all right, i don't know but what it will be safer for the three of you to go together," he said; and dick lost no time in telling his brothers. in a few minutes the trio set off for the stanhope cottage, little dreaming of the long time that was to elapse before they should see putnam hall again. chapter xv dick's bravery and its reward the three rover boys reached the stanhope cottage on a run, to find nobody in charge but a washwoman, who was hanging up some clothing in the back yard. explaining the situation so far as was necessary, they went inside and hunted up the note mrs. stanhope had mentioned. "i believe that is dan baxter's writing," said dick slowly. "it is," came from sam. "i know it from the flourishes on the capitals. he was always great on flourishes." "we won't waste time here," went on dick. "let us go down to the old boathouse." they were soon on the way, along a road lined with brush and scrubby cedars, the trees which in years gone by had given cedarville its name. at the old boathouse everything was quiet and not a soul was in sight. walking to the end of the house float they gazed out on the lake. "not a boat anywhere," murmured dick. "now, what could have become of dora, do you suppose?" "it's ten to one that baxter took her off in mumps' boat!" cried tom. "by jinks, i think i see through this. don't you remember the plot josiah crabtree and mumps were hatching? i'll wager they are all in this, to get dora away from her mother." "i believe tom is right," came from sam. "and if that is true, dora was taken off on a boat beyond a doubt.' "if she was it won't take very long to find her," returned dick. "let us go to cedarville and see if anybody has seen the _falcon_." dick had scarcely spoken when a small steam tug hove into sight, bound up the lake. "there's a tug now!" exclaimed tom. "hi there! hi!" he yelled. "stop!" the captain of the tug heard him and saw him waving his hand, and, slowing up, made a half circle toward shore. "what's wanted, young man?" he asked. "anything wrong?" "yes, a good deal is wrong," replied tom. "have you seen a yacht named the _falcon_ today?" "no, but i saw her late yesterday afternoon," was the reply. "around here?" "no, further down the lake. i think she was bound for cayuga." "did you notice who was on board?" "you seem to be very particular about it." "we are particular. a young lady has disappeared, and we think she was taken away on that yacht," explained dick, as the steam tug came to a halt. "is that so? yes, i did see a young lady on board of her. she called to our boat as we passed, but i thought it was only in fun." "i guess she wanted you to help her," said dick bitterly. then he continued suddenly: "have you anything to do just now?" "no; i was going up to ithaca to look for a tow." "what will you charge to take us down to cayuga?" the captain of the tug thought for a moment. "three dollars. it ought to be worth that to find the young lady." "we'll go you," answered dick promptly. "swing in and we'll jump aboard." captain lambert did as requested, and in a moment more the three rover boys were on board of the _cedar queen_, as the craft was named. the captain proved to be a nice man and became thoroughly interested in the story the lads had to tell. "i hope we spot the rascals," he said. "i'll certainly do all i can for you." the _cedar queen_ was a little craft and somewhat slow, and the boys fretted a good bit at the long time it took to reach cayuga. when they ran into the harbor of the town at the foot of the lake they looked in vain for the _falcon_. "we'll take a sail around," said captain lambert; and this they did, continuing the hunt until long after dark. "it's no use!" groaned dick. "we've missed her." it took nearly all the money the boys could scrape up between them to pay off the captain of the tug, and when they had been landed at one of the docks they wondered what they had best do next. "we've got to stay here over night," said dick. "we may as well telegraph to captain putnam for cash," and this they did, and put up at one of the hotels. the place was crowded, for there was a circus in the town and a public auction of real estate had also taken place that day. the boys could get only a small room, but over this they did not complain. their one thought was of dora and of the rascals who had carried her off. "we must get on the track somehow," said dick. but how, was the question. he could not sleep and after the others had retired took a long walk, just to settle his nerves. dick's walk brought him to the lot where the circus had held forth, and for some time he watched the men as they worked under the flaring gasoline torches, packing up what still remained on the grounds. the tent men had to labor like slaves in rolling up the huge stretches of canvas and in hoisting the long poles into the wagons, and he shook his head grimly as he turned away. "no circus life in mine," he mused, "at least, not that part of it." dick had moved away from the grounds but a short distance when his attention was attracted to the strange movements of two rough-looking individuals who were hurrying off with a third man between them. "i don't want to go, i tell you," the middle man muttered; "i don't want more to drink." "that's all right, mr. castor," said one of the other men glibly. "just have one more glass, that's a good fellow." "i won't take it, so there!" cried the man called castor. "i know when i've had enough." "you've got to come along with us," put in the third man savagely. "you owe us some money." "i don't owe you a cent, fusty." "yes, you do--and i'm bound to have it. hold him, mike, till i go through him." of a sudden there was a struggle, and the man called castor found himself helpless, while the fellow called fusty began to go through his pockets with great rapidity. the scene alarmed dick, and he wondered what he had best do. then he made up his mind to go to castor's assistance, and ran forward. "here, let that man alone!" he cried, as he picked up a fence picket which happened to lie handy. "leave him alone, i say!" "the old nick take the luck!" muttered one of the other men. "who's this?" "help! help!" cried castor. "let him alone, i say!" repeated dick, and then struck at one of the men and hit him on the arm. seeing himself thus re-enforced, castor also struck out, and continued to call for help. "we might as well give it up, fusty!" cried one of the rascals, and took to his heels, and then there was nothing to do for the other man but to follow him. "are you hurt?" asked dick as he helped the man who had been assaulted to his feet. "not much," was the slow reply. "young man, you came in time and no more." "do you know those fellows who just ran away?" "i met them at the circus this afternoon. we had several drinks and they became very friendly. i believe they were after my money." "i think so too, mr." "my name is george castor. and who are you?" "i am dick rover, sir." "rover, i must thank you for your services. i shan't forget you, not me!" and george castor held out his hand cordially. "i think i made a mistake by drinking with those fellows." "i haven't any doubt of it, mr. castor." "do you reside in town?" "no, sir; i am stopping at the hotel with my brothers. we just came into town tonight on rather a curious errand." "indeed, and what was that?" in a few words dick explained the situation. he had not yet finished when george castor interrupted him. "my boy, you have done me a good turn, and now i think i can return the compliment." "do you mean to say you know something of this case?" demanded dick eagerly. "perhaps i do. describe this dan baxter as well as you can, will you?" "certainly." and dick did so. "it is the same fellow. i met him last night, down near the lumber wharves. you see, i am a lumber merchant from brooklyn, and i have an interest in a lumber company up here." "you saw baxter? was he alone?" "no, there was another man with him, a tall, slim fellow, with an unusually sour face." "josiah crabtree to a t!" burst out dick. "did you notice where they went?" "i did not. but i overheard their talk. they spoke about a boat on the hudson river, the _flyaway_. they were to join her at albany." "who was to join her?" "this baxter, if it was he, and somebody else--a man called muff, or something like that." "mumps! you struck them, sure enough! but did they say anything about the girl?" "the tall man said that he would see to it that she was there--whatever he meant by that." "i can't say any more than you, mr. castor. but i guess they are going to carry dora stanhope through to albany from all appearances." "then perhaps you had better follow." "i'd go at once if i had the money that i have telegraphed for. you see, my brothers and i came away in a hurry, for the stanhopes are close friends of ours." "don't let the matter of money worry you. do you know how much i have with me? "i haven't the slightest idea, sir." "nearly eleven hundred dollars--and if those rascals had had the chance they would have robbed me of every dollar of it." "i shouldn't think you would carry so much." "i don't usually; but i was paid a large bill today, and went to the circus instead of the bank--not having seen such a show in years. but to come back to business. will a hundred dollars see you through?" "you mean to say you will loan me that much?" "perhaps i had better give it to you, as a reward for your services." "i won't take it, for i don't want any reward. but i'll accept a loan, if you'll make it, and be very much obliged to you," continued dick. "all right, then, we'll call it a loan," concluded george castor, and the transfer of the amount was made on the spot. later on dick insisted upon returning the money. chapter xvi the search for the "flyaway" "tom! sam! get up at once!" "what's the row now, dick?" came sleepily from tom. "have you discovered anything?" "yes! i've discovered a whole lot. get up if you want to catch the next train." "the next train for where?" demanded tom, as he hopped out of bed. "the next train for albany." "have they taken dora to albany?" questioned sam, as he too arose and began to don his garments. "i think so," was the elder brother's reply, and while the pair dressed, dick told of what had occurred and what he had heard. "this is getting to be quite a chase," was tom's remark. "but i reckon you are right, and we'll land on them in the capital." "if we aren't too late," answered dick. "i'd like to know how they are going to take dora to albany if she doesn't want to go?" came from tom, when they were dressed and on their way to the railroad station. no one could answer this question. "josiah crabtree is a queer stick and can do lots of queer things," was what dick said. the train left at half past two in the morning, and they had not long to wait. once on board, they proceeded to make themselves as comfortable as possible, each having a whole seat to himself, and sam and tom went to sleep without much trouble. but dick was wide awake, wondering what would be the next move on reaching albany. "poor dora!" he murmured. "oh, but that crowd shall be punished for this! if she comes to harm it will almost kill mrs. stanhope." and his heart sank like a lump of lead as he thought of his dearest friend in the power of her unscrupulous enemies. it was just getting daylight when the long train rolled into the spacious depot at the state capital. only a few working people and newsboys were stirring. tom and sam pulled themselves together with long yawns. "sleeping in a seat doesn't come up to a bed, by any means," remarked tom. "which way now?" "we'll go down to the river and look for the _flyaway_," answered his elder brother. "it will be like looking for a needle in a hay-stack," said sam. "the boats are pretty thick here." "that is true, but it is the best we can do," replied the elder rover. once along the river front they began a careful inquiry concerning the boat of which they were in search. "not much progress," remarked tom, after two hours had been spent in vain. "this climbing from one dock to the next is decidedly tiring." "and i'm hungry," put in sam. "i move we hunt up a restaurant." an eating place was not far away, and, entering, they ordered a morning meal of ham and eggs, rolls, and hot coffee. while they were eating a man came in and sat down close by them. it was martin harris, the fellow who had come to their assistance after the collision between the _spray_ and the _falcon_. "hullo, how are you?" he said heartily. "still cruising around in your yacht?" "no, we just got back to albany," replied dick. "we've been to school since we left you." "i see. how do you like going back to your studies?" "we liked it well enough," put in tom. "but we left in a hurry!" he went on, thinking martin harris might give them some information. "have you been out on the river yet this morning?" "yes; just came up from our place below to do a little trading." "did you see anything of a yacht called the _flyaway_?" "the _flyaway_? what sort of a looking craft is she?" "i can't tell you that." "one boat there attracted my attention," said martin harris slowly. "i saw two boys and a girl on board of her." "how was the girl dressed?" cried dick. "she had on a light-blue dress and a sailor hat." "and the boys?" "one was dressed in gray and the other in dark-blue or black." "that was the boat! where did she go?" ejaculated dick, who remembered well how mumps and baxter had been attired, and the pretty dress and hat dora was in the habit of wearing. "she was bound straight down the river." "we must follow her." "that's the talk!" burst out tom. "but how?" "what do you want to follow the _flyaway_ for?" asked martin harris curiously. "those two boys are running away with that girl!" "impossible!" "no, it isn't. one of the fellows--the fellow in dark clothing--is the chap who ran into us that day." "well, now, do you know i thought it looked like him," was harris' comment. "and, come to think of it, that boat got as far away from me as she could." "do you think you would know her again? i mean the _flyaway_--if we got anywhere near her?" asked dick. "i think i would, lad. she had a rather dirty mainsail and jib, and each had a new patch of white near the top. then, too, her rig is a little different from what we have around here. looked like a southern boat." "have you your boat handy?" "yes, she's right at the end of this street. do you want me to follow up that crowd?" "could your boat catch the _flyaway_, do you think?" "my boat, the _searchlight_, is as good a yacht as there is anywhere around, if i do say it myself," answered martin harris promptly. "it you don't believe it, try her and see." "we will try her," came promptly from dick. "and the sooner you begin the chase the better it will suit me." "all right; we'll start as soon as i've swallowed this coffee," answered the skipper of the _searchlight_. "but, hold on, this may prove a long search." "do you want to make terms?" "i wasn't thinking of that. i'll leave it to you as to what the job is worth, after we're done. i was thinking that i haven't any provender aboard my yacht, if we want to stay out any length of time." "i'll fix that," answered dick. "come, sam. you say the yacht is at the foot of the street?" "yes." "we'll be there in less than five minutes." "where are you going--to buy provisions?" "yes." dick made off, followed not only by sam, but likewise by tom. he found a large grocery close at hand, and here purchased some coffee, sugar, canned meat and fish, a small quantity of vegetables, and also several loaves of bread and some salt. to this tom added a box of crackers and sam some cake and fruit, and with their arms loaded down they hurried to the _searchlight_. martin harris was on hand, and ready to cast off. "hullo, you did lay in some things?" he grinned. "i reckon you calculate this chase to last some time." "we've got enough for several days, anyway--that is, all but--water," returned dick. "i've got a whole barrel full of that forward, lad." "then we are ready to leave. i hope, though, we run the _flyaway_ down before noon," concluded the elder rover, as he hopped on board. leaving sam to stow away the stores as he saw fit, dick and tom sprang in to assist martin harris, and soon the mainsail and jib were set, and they turned away from the dock and began the journey down the hudson. as soon as they were clear of the other boats, the skipper set his topsail and flying jib, and they bowled along at a merry gait, the wind being very nearly in their favor and neither too strong nor too slack. "now i'd like to hear the particulars of this case," remarked martin harris, as he proceeded to make himself comfortable at the tiller. "you see, i want to know just what i am doing. i don't want to get into any trouble with the law." "you won't get into any trouble. nobody has a right to run off with a girl against her will," replied dick. "that's true. but why are they running off with her?" "i think they have been hired to do it by a man who wants to marry the girl's mother," went on dick, and related the particulars of what had occurred. martin harris was deeply interested. "i reckon you have the best end of it," he said, when the youth had finished. "and you say this dan baxter is a son of the rascal who is suspected of robbing rush & wilder?" "yes." "evidently a hard crowd." "you are right--and they ought all of them to be in prison," observed tom. "by the way, have they heard anything of those robbers?" "the detectives are following up one or two clues. one report was that this baxter and girk had gone to some place on staten island. but i don't think they know for certain." chapter xvii in which dora is carried off perhaps it will be as well to go back a bit and learn how poor dora was enticed into leaving home so unexpectedly, to the sorrow of her mother and the anxiety of dick and her other friends. dora was hard at work sweeping out the parlor of the stanhope cottage when she saw from the window a boy walking up the garden path. the youth was a stranger to her and carried a letter in his hand. "is this mrs. stanhope's place?" he questioned, as dora appeared. "yes." "here's a letter for miss dora stanhope," and he held out the missive. "whom is it from?" "i don't know. a boy down by the lake gave it to me," was the answer, and without further words the lad hurried off, having received instructions that he must not tarry around the place after the delivery of the communication. tearing open the letter dora read it with deep interest. "what can dick have to tell me?" she mused. "can it be something about mr. crabtree? it must be." dropping her work, she ran upstairs, changed her dress, put on her hat, and started for the boathouse. it took her but a short while to reach the place, but to her surprise nobody was in sight. "can i have made some mistake?" she murmured; when the _falcon_ hove into view from around a bend in the shore line. "is that miss stanhope?" shouted a strange man, who seemed to be the sole occupant of the craft. "yes, i am dora stanhope," answered the girl. "dick rover sent me over from the other side of the lake. he told me if i saw you to take you over to nelson point." nelson point was a grove situated directly opposite cedarville. it was a place much used by excursionists and picnic parties. "thank you," said dora, never suspecting that anything was wrong. "if you'll come in a little closer i will go with you." the _falcon_ was brought in, and dora leaped on board of the yacht. she had scarcely done so when mumps and dan baxter stepped from the cabin. "oh, dear!" she gasped. "where--where did you come from?" "didn't quite expect to see us here, did you?" grinned the former bully of putnam hall. "i did not," answered dora coldly. "what--where is dick rover?" "over to nelson point." "did he send you over here for me?" "of course he did," said mumps. "i do not believe it. this is some trick!" burst out the girl. "i want you to put me on shore again." "you can't go ashore now," answered baxter. "ease her off, goss." "right you are," answered bill goss. "what's the course now?" "straight down the lake." "all right." "you are not going to take me down the lake!" cried dora in increased alarm. "yes, we are." "i--i won't go!" "i don't see how you are to help yourself," responded baxter roughly. "dan baxter, you are a brute!" "if you can't say anything better than that, you had better say nothing!" muttered baxter. "i will say what i please. you have no right to carry me off in this fashion!" "well, i took the right." "you shall be locked up for it." "you'll have to place me in the law's hands first." "i don't believe dick rover sent that letter at all!" "you can believe what you please." "you forged his name to it." "let us talk about something else." "you are as bad as your father, and that is saying a good deal," went on the poor girl bitterly. "see here, don't you dare to speak of my father!" roared the bully in high anger. "my father is as good as anybody. this is only a plot against him--gotten up by the rovers and his other enemies." dan baxter's manner was so terrible that dora sank back on a camp stool nearly overcome. then, seeing some men at a distance, on the shore, she set up a scream for help. "here, none of that!" ejaculated mumps, and clapped his hand over her mouth. "let me go!" she screamed. "help! help!" "we'll put her in the cabin," ordered dan baxter, and also caught hold of dora. she struggled with all the strength at her command, but was as a baby in their grasp, and soon found herself in the cabin with the door closed and locked behind her. it was then that her nerves gave way, and, throwing herself on a couch, she burst into tears. "what will they do with me?" she moaned. "oh, that i was home again!" it was a long while before she could compose herself sufficiently to sit up. in the meantime the _falcon_ was sailing down the lake toward cayuga with all speed. "this must be some plan of josiah crabtree to get me away from home," she thought. "poor mother! i wonder what will happen to her while i am away? if that man gets her to marry him what will i do? i can never live with them--never!" and she heaved a deep sigh. presently she arose and walked to the single window of which the cabin boasted. it was open, but several little iron bars had been screwed fast on the outside. "they have me like a bird in a cage," she thought. "where will this dreadful adventure end?" hour after hour went by and she was not molested. then came a knock on the cabin door. "dora! dora stanhope!" came in dan baxter's voice. "well?" "will you behave yourself if i unlock the door?" "it is you who ought to behave yourself," she retorted. "never mind about that. i have something for you to eat." "i don't want a mouthful." and dora spoke the truth, for the food would have choked her. "you had better have a sandwich and a glass of milk." "if you want to do something, give me a glass of water," she said finally, for she wished a drink badly, the cabin was so hot and stuffy. baxter went away, and presently unlocked the door and handed her the water, of which she drank eagerly. "where are you going to take me?" she questioned, as she passed back the glass. "you'll learn that all in good time, dora. come, why not take the whole matter easy?" went on the bully, as he dropped into a seat near her. "how can i take it easy?" "we won't hurt you--i'll give you my word on that." she was about to say that his word was not worth giving, but restrained herself. if she angered baxter, there was no telling what the fellow might do. "is this a plot of josiah crabtree's?" she asked sharply. baxter started. "how did you--" he began, and stopped short. "you had better not ask any questions." "which means that you will not answer any?" "you can take it that way if you want to, dora." "it was a mean trick you played on me." "let's talk of something else. we are going to leave the _falcon_ soon, and i want to know if you are going with us quietly?" "leave the _falcon_?" "yes, at cayuga." "are we there already?" gasped dora in dismay. "we soon will be." "i don't wish to go with you." "but we want you to go. if you go quietly all will be well--and i'll promise to see you safe home in less than twenty-four hours." "you wish to keep me away from home that length of time?" "if you must know, yes." "and why? so josiah crabtree can--can--" she did not finish. "so that mr. crabtree can interview your mother--yes," put in mumps, who had just appeared. "baxter, there's no use in beating around the bush. crabtree is bound to marry mrs. stanhope, and dora may as well know it now as later." chapter xviii still in the hands of the enemy "that man will never marry my mother with my consent!" burst out the unhappy girl. "she probably won't ask your consent," sneered mumps. "she would not marry him if i was with her. he only has an influence over her when i am away." "exactly--and he knows that," put in baxter. "do you mean to say josiah crabtree is going to marry her now?" demanded dora, springing to her feet. "more than likely." "then he--he hired you to carry me off?" "we'll talk about something else," said the bully. "will you leave the _falcon_ quietly?" "where do you want me to go?" "to the home of an old lady who will treat you as nicely as she possibly can." dora shook her head. "i don't wish to go anywhere excepting home, and i won't submit a bit longer than i have to." "don't be foolish!" exclaimed mumps. "we might treat you a good deal worse if we were of a mind to do so. crabtree told us to bind and gag you." "he did?" "yes. he says you are a perfect minx." a few words more followed, and then both of the boys left the cabin. "she won't submit," whispered mumps. "what had we best do?" "use the drug crabtree gave us," answered baxter. "it's a lucky thing i brought that vial." "yes--if we don't have any trip-up in the matter," answered the toady, with a doubtful shake of his head. mumps had gone into the whole scheme rather unwillingly, but now saw no way of backing out. a little later the _falcon_ ran into the harbor of cayuga and came to anchor close to one of the docks. then baxter appeared with some sandwiches and a glass of milk. "you might as well eat; it's foolish not to," he said, and set the food on a little stand. by this time dora was very hungry, and as soon as the bully had left she applied herself to what had been brought. poor creature, she did not know that both sandwiches and milk had been doctored with a drug calculated to make her dull and sleepy! she had hardly finished the scant meal when her eyes began to grow heavy. then her brain seemed to become clouded and she could scarcely remember where she was. "here's news!" cried baxter, coming in an hour later. "we are to join your mother and mr. crabtree at albany." "at albany?" she repeated slowly. "have--have they gone there?" "yes; they are going on a honeymoon on the yacht _flyaway_. your mother wants you to join her and forgive her." dora heaved a long sigh. "i cannot! i cannot!" she sobbed, and burst again into tears. nevertheless, she allowed herself to be led off the _falcon_ and to the depot. "your face is full of tears," said baxter. "here, put this veil over it," and she was glad enough to do as bidden, that folks might not stare at her. what happened afterward was very much like a dream to her. she remembered entering the cars and crouching down in a seat, with baxter beside her. a long ride in the night followed, and she slept part of the way, although troubled with a horrible nightmare. she wanted to flee, but seemed to lack both the physical and mental strength to do so. the ride at an end, baxter and mumps almost carried her to the river. here the _flyaway_ was in waiting. bill goss had gone on ahead and notified his wife that she was wanted. it may as well be added here that mrs. goss was as coarse and unprincipled as her husband. when dora's mind was once more clear she found herself in a much larger cabin than that she had formerly occupied. she lay on a couch, and mrs. goss, a fat, ugly-looking creature, sat beside her. "are you awake, dear?" asked the woman as smoothly as she could. "who--who are you?" asked dora feebly. "i am mrs. goss." "i don't know you. where--where is my mother--and mr. crabtree?" "you'll have to ask mr. baxter or mr. fenwick about that." "do you belong on this boat?" "i do, when i go out with my husband." "was he the man who was with those boys?" "yes." "where are we now?" "on the hudson river, just below albany." "where are they going to take me next?" "you had better ask mr. baxter. i was only brought on board to wait on you." "then that means that they wish to take me quite a distance!" cried dora, and ran on deck. mumps and baxter were talking earnestly together near the bow. at once she ran to them. "where is my mother?" "you'll see her soon," answered the former bully of putnam hall. "it was another trick of yours!" burst out dora. "and i think you gave me something last night to make me sleepy." "what if we did?" came from mumps. "you are all right now." "i do not want to go another step with you." dora looked around and saw a strange boat passing. "help! help!" she screamed. at once there was another row, in which not only the boys, but also bill goss and his wife, took a hand. in the end poor dora was marched to the cabin and put under lock and key. if the girl had been disheartened before, she was now absolutely downcast. "they have me utterly in their power!" she moaned over and over again. "heaven alone knows where they will take me!" and then she sank down on her knees and prayed that god might see her safely through her perils. her prayer seemed to calm her, and she felt that there was at least one power that would never desert her. "poor, poor mamma, how i wish i knew what was happening to her!" she murmured. slowly the hours went by. mrs. goss came and went, and dora was even allowed to go on deck whenever no other boat was close at hand. thus martin harris saw her; but, as we know, that meeting amounted to nothing. it was mrs. goss who served the meals, and as dora could not starve, she was compelled to eat what was set before her, the fare being anything but elaborate. "sorry, but we haven't got a hotel chef on board," observed dan baxter, as he came in during the supper hour. "but i'll try to get something better on board at new york." "do you mean to say you intend to take me away down to that city?" queried dora. "humph! we are going further than that." "and to where?" "wait and see." "are you afraid to tell me?" "i don't think it would be a wise thing to do." "we are just going to take a short ocean trip--" began mumps, when baxter stopped him. "don't talk so much--you'll spoil everything," remarked the bully. "an ocean trip!" burst out dora. "no! no! i do not wish to go on the ocean." "as i said before, i think you'll go where the yacht goes." "does my mother know anything of this?" "she knows you are away," grinned mumps. "you need not tell me that!" exclaimed dora. "you are a mean, mean boy, so there!" and she turned on her heel and walked off. she wished she had learned how to swim. they were running quite close to shore, and she felt that a good swimmer could gain land without much effort. then a man came out from shore in a large flatboat. "help! help!" she cried. "save me, and i will reward you well! they are carrying me away from home!" "what's that?" called out the man, and dora repeated her words before any of the others could stop her. "all right, i'll do what i can for you," said the man, and running up beside the yacht, which had become caught in a sudden calm, he made fast with a boathook. chapter xix dora tries to escape "now we're in a pickle!" whispered mumps. "that man may cause us a whole lot of trouble." "you let me do the talking," answered dan baxter. "help goss get her back to the cabin." "i won't go back!" screamed dora. "let me be!" and she ran for the rail. but mumps caught hold of her and dragged her back. then bill goss approached, followed by his wife. "you must go below, miss," said the sailor. "come, nancy, give us a lift." poor dora found herself at once surrounded and shoved back. she tried to call out again, but mumps checked her with that ever-ready hand of his. "be careful!" shouted baxter, for the benefit of the man on the flatboat. "treat her with care, poor girl." "all right," grinned mumps. "come, down you go," he went on, to dora, and literally forced her down the companionway. once in the cabin she was left in mrs. goss' care. the door was locked, and goss and mumps went on deck to learn what baxter was doing. "what does this mean?" asked the man in the flatboat. he was a farmer, who had just been taking a load of hay across the stream. "oh, it's all right," answered baxter carelessly. "that's my sister." "your sister?" "yes." "what's the row?" "no row at all--excepting that i am trying to get her back to the asylum." "is she crazy?" "a little bit; but not near as bad as she used to be. she got out of the asylum in brooklyn yesterday, and i've had my hands full trying to get her back. she imagines she is a sea captain and always runs off with my uncle's yacht." "i see. that's putty bad for your family." "oh, yes; but we are getting used to it. take care, we are going to swing around." never suspecting that he had been regaled with a string of falsehoods, the farmer let go with his boathook, and yacht and flatboat speedily drifted apart. it was with a big sigh of relief that dan baxter saw the flatboat recede in the distance. "that was a narrow shave," he muttered. "if that fellow had insisted on talking to dora there would have been a whole lot of trouble." in vain dora waited for the man to come on board. he had said that he would do what he could for her. surely he would not desert her! but as the time slipped by her heart failed her and she gave herself up to another crying spell. this caused mumps and goss to withdraw, and she was left alone again with mrs. goss. "where are we now?" she asked at length. "we are approaching new york," was the answer. "and that man, what of him?" "oh, he didn't come an board." it was night when the _flyaway_ came to a landing near the upper portion of the metropolis. the boys and bill goss went ashore, leaving dora in mrs. goss' care. "be careful and don't let her escape," cautioned dan baxter. "we won't be gone very long." baxter had left for a telegraph office, expecting to receive a message from josiah crabtree. for half an hour mrs. goss sat in the cabin watching dora, who was pacing the floor impatiently. "make yourself comfortable, miss," said the woman. "it won't do you any good to get all worked up over the matter." "you do not understand my situation, mrs. goss," faltered dora. "if you did understand, i am sure you wouldn't keep me a prisoner in this fashion." "i am only obeying orders, miss. if i didn't my bill would almost kill me." "is he so harsh to you?" "he is now. but he didn't used to be--when he didn't drink." "then he drinks now?" "yes; twice over what is good for him." "where have they gone?" "to a telegraph office." "didn't they say they would be back soon?" "yes." dora said no more, but sank down on the couch. then an idea came to her mind, and lying back she closed her eyes and pretended to go to sleep. the woman watched her closely for a while; then, satisfied that the girl had really dropped off, gave a long sigh of relief. "i guess i can get a little sleep myself," she muttered. "i think i deserve it." she locked the cabin door carefully and placed the key in her pocket. then she stretched out in an easy chair with her feet on a low stool. dora watched her out of the corner of her eye as a cat watches a mouse. was the woman really sleeping? soon mrs. goss' breathing became loud and irregular. "she must be asleep," thought dora, and stirred slightly. mrs. goss took no notice of this, and with her heart in her throat the girl slipped noiselessly from her resting place and stood up. still the woman took no notice, and now dora found herself confronted by a most difficult task. without the key to the cabin door she could do nothing, and how to obtain the much coveted article was a problem. with trembling hands she sought the pocket of mrs. goss' dress only to find that the woman was sitting on the key! "oh, dear, this is the worst yet!" she murmured. as she stood in the middle of the cabin in perplexity, her captor gave a long sigh and turned partly over in her chair. the pocket was now free and within easy reach, and with deft fingers dora drew the key forth and tiptoed her way to the cabin door. she was so agitated that she could hardly place the key in the keyhole. the lock had been used but seldom, and the action of the salt air had rusted it greatly. as the key turned there was a grating sound, which caused mrs. goss to awaken with a start. "what's the matter? who is there?" she cried, and turned around to face the cabin door. "come back here! come back!" she started after dora, who now had the cabin door wide open. away went girl and woman up the low stairs. but dora was the more agile of the two, and terror lent speed to her limbs. on the deck, however, she came to a pause. the _flyaway_ was a good six feet from the dock, and between lay a stretch of dark, murky water the sight of which made her shiver. what if she should fall in? she felt that she would surely be drowned. but as mrs. goss came closer her terror increased. she felt that if she was caught she would be treated more harshly than ever for having attempted to run away. "i'll take the chances!" she though, and leaped as best she could. her feet struck the very edge of the string piece beyond and for an instant it looked as if she must go over. but she clutched at a handy rail and quickly drew herself to a place of safety. and yet safety was but temporary, for mrs. goss followed her in her leap and struck the dock directly behind her. "come back, you minx!" she cried, and caught dora by the skirt. "i won't come back! let me be!" screamed the girl, and tore herself loose, ripping her garment at the same time. then she started up the dock as swiftly as her trembling limbs would carry her. but fate was against her, for as she gained the very head of the dock, bill goss appeared, followed by baxter and mumps. "hullo, who's this?" cried the sailor. "the gal, sure as you are born!" "she is running away!" called out mrs. goss. "stop her!" "here, this will never do," roared dan baxter. "come here, dora stanhope!" and he made a clutch at her. soon the two boys were in pursuit, with the sailor close behind. fortunately for the evildoers the spot was practically deserted, so that dora could summon no assistance, even though she began to call for help at the top of her lungs. the girl had covered less than a half-block when baxter ranged up alongside of her. "this won't work!" he said roughly. "come back," and he held her tight. "let me go!" she screamed. "help! help!" "close her mouth!" put in mumps. "if this keeps on we'll have the police down on us in no time!" again his hand was placed over dora's mouth, while baxter caught her from behind. then goss came up. "we'll have to carry her," said the former bully of putnam hall. "take her by the feet." "wot's the meanin' o' this?" cried a voice out of the darkness, and the crowd found themselves confronted by a dirty-looking tramp who had been sleeping behind a pile of empty hogsheads. "help me!" cried dora. "bring the police! tell them i am dora stanhope of cedarville, and that i--" she could get no further, for mumps cut her short. "dora stanhope," repeated the tramp. "if you forget this, my man," said baxter, "here's half a dollar for you. this lady is my cousin who is crazy. she just escaped from an asylum." "t'anks!" came from the tramp, and he pocketed the money in a hurry. then he ran off in the darkness. "he's going to tell the police anyway!" cried goss. "you had better get away from here." "you are right," responded mumps. "hurry up; i don't want to be arrested." as quickly as it could be done they carried dora aboard of the yacht and bundled her into the cabin. "now keep her there!" cried baxter to mrs. goss. "after we are off you can explain how she got away." "she hit me with a stick and knocked me down," said the woman glibly. "she shan't get away a second time." once again poor dora found herself a prisoner on board of the _flyaway_. then the lines were cast off, the sails set, and they stood off in the darkness, down new york bay and straight for the ocean beyond. chapter xx a long chase begun as they journeyed down the hudson the boys and martin harris scanned the river eagerly for some sign of the _flyaway_. "it's ten to one she put down a pretty good distance," remarked dick. "they wouldn't bring dora over here unless they were bound for new york or some other place as far or further." "i believe you," said tom. "but she may be delayed, and if what harris says is true the _searchlight_ ought to make better time than baxter's craft." several miles were covered, when, sam, who had just come up from the cabin, called attention to a farmer who was ferrying a load of hay across the river. "if he's been at that sort of work all day he may know something of the _flyaway_," he suggested. "we'll hail him, anyway," said tom. "it won't do any harm, providing we don't lose any time." so the farmer was hailed and asked if he had seen anything of the craft. "waal now, i jest guess i did," he replied. "they war havin' great times on board of her--a takin' care of that crazy gal." "a crazy girl!" cried dick. "who said she was crazy?" "one of the young men. he said she was his sister and had escaped from some asylum. she called to me to help her. but i don't want nuthin' to do with crazy gals. my wife's cousin was out of his head and he cut up high jinks around the house, a-threatenin' folks with a butcher knife." "that girl was not crazy, though, as it happens," said dick coldly. "that villain was carrying her away from home against her will. she was no relation to him." "by gosh!" the farmer's face fell and he stared at the youth blankly. "you are certain of this?" "yes. we are after the crowd now. if we catch them we'll put them in prison, just as sure as you are the greatest greeny we ever met," continued dick, and motioned to harris to continue the journey. the farmer wanted to "talk back," as the saying is, but could find no words. "well, maybe i deserved it," he muttered to himself. "i was tuk in, no doubt on't." and he continued to ferry his hay load along. "well, we are on the right track, that's one satisfaction," said tom. "that farmer couldn't have done much against a man and two big boys." "he could have gone ashore and got help," replied dick. "but he was so green he took in all that was told to him for simple truth. how dan baxter must have laughed over the way his ruse worked!" "yes, and mumps too," added sam. "say, we ought to punch their heads well for them when we catch them." "let us get our eggs before we cook them," said tom. "by the way, i'm getting hungry." "ditto," came from harris. "will you boys see what you can offer? i don't like to leave the tiller, for i know just how to get the best speed out of the _searchlight_." "i'll get up some kind of a meal," said sam, who had played cook on many previous occasions. inside of half an hour he had the table set and harris was called down, dick taking his place. by the time all hands had been served they were in sight of upper new york city. "now we had better take in some sail," said the old sailor. "the yachts are pretty thick around here and we will miss the _flyaway_ without half trying unless we are careful." by the time it was dark they were pretty well down the water front of the metropolis. a consultation was held, and it was decided to lower the mainsail and topsail and leave only the jib flying. "we can't go much further tonight, anyway," said harris. "i don't know but what it may be as well to tie up somewhere." "we'll have to do that unless we can catch some sort of clue," responded dick gloomily. "if they have taken her to some place in new york we'll have a big job to find her." a half-hour passed, and they were on the point of turning in at a dock when tom gave a cry. "look! look!" "what's up, tom!" came from dick and sam simultaneously. "is that the _flyaway_?" all gave a look and saw a large yacht moving away from a dock just below where they had thought to stop. "call harris!" cried dick, and sam ran to the cabin for the sailor, who had just gone below. "i reckon that's our boat," said martin harris, after a quick look. "hark!" cried dick, and held up his hand. "that's dan baxter's voice, just as sure as fate." "i believe you," returned sam. "come, we can run her down in no time." as quickly as it could be accomplished the course of the _searchlight_ was changed. but the tall buildings of the city cut off a good deal of wind, and it took several minutes before they could get their sails filled. "boat ahoy!" shouted tom, before dick could stop him. "is that the _flyaway_?" "that's tom rover!" came back, in mumps' voice. "they have tracked us, after all!" "tom, what made you call?" demanded dick in disgust. "we might have sneaked upon them unawares." "never mind, i reckon we can catch them any how," returned tom, but he was crestfallen, nevertheless, as he realized the truth of his elder brother's observation. "crowd on the sail, harris." "that's what i am a-doin'," came from the sailor. "we'll catch 'em before they gain the battery." "yes, but we must be careful," said dick. "we don't want to have a collision with some other boat." "no, indeed," put in sam. "why, if one of those big ferryboats ran into us there would be nothing left of the _searchlight_." "you jest trust me," came from martin harris, "i know my business, and there won't be any accidents." "the other yacht is making for the jersey shore," cried sam, a little later. "if we don't look out we'll lose her. there she goes behind a big ferryboat." "she's going to try to bother us," grumbled martin harris, as he received a warning whistle from the ferryboat and threw the yacht over on the opposite tack. "the fellow who is sailing that boat knows his business." "it's that bill goss, i suppose," said tom. "there they go behind another ferryboat." "it won't matter, so long as we keep her in sight," said harris. "we are bound to run her down sooner or later." inside of half an hour the two boats had passed the statue of liberty. the course of the _flyaway_ was now straight down the bay, and the rover boys began to wonder where dan baxter and his crowd might be bound. "they must have dora a close prisoner," mused dick, with a sad shake of his head. "that is if they didn't leave her in new york," he added suddenly. "do you suppose they did that?" asked sam. "perhaps--there is no guessing what they did." "we missed it by not telegraphing back to the authorities at cedarville to arrest josiah crabtree," said tom. "i think we can prove that he is in this game before the curtain falls on the last act." "we'll telegraph when we get back," answered dick, never thinking of all that was to happen ere they should see the metropolis again. gradually the lights of the city faded from view and they found themselves traveling down the bay at a rate of five to six knots an hour. "we don't seem to be gaining," remarked 'tom, after a long silence. "i can just about make her out and that's all." "but we are gaining, and you'll find it so pretty soon," answered martin harris. "they had the advantage in dodging among those other boats, but now we've got a clear stretch before us." on and on went the two yachts, until the _flyaway_ was not over five hundred feet ahead of the _searchlight_. "what did i tell you?" said harris. "we'll overtake her in less than quarter of an hour." "this is a regular yacht race," smiled dick grimly. "but it's for more than the american cup." "keep off!" came suddenly from ahead. "keep off, or it will be the worse for you!" it was dan baxter who was shouting at them. the former bully of putnam hall stood at the stern rail of the _flyaway_ and was using his hands like a trumpet. "you had better give up the race, baxter!" called dick in return. "you can't get away from us, no matter how hard you try." "keep off," repeated baxter. "we won't stand any nonsense." "we are not here for nonsense," put in tom. "what have you done with dora stanhope?" "don't know anything about dora stanhope," came back from mumps. "you have her on board of your boat." "it's a falsehood." "then you left her somewhere in new york." "we haven't seen her at all," put in baxter. "if you are looking for her you are on the wrong trail. she went away with josiah crabtree." "did he take her to albany?" "no. they went west." "we do not believe you, baxter," said dick warmly. "you are one of the greatest rascals i ever met--not counting your father--and the best thing you can do is to surrender. if you don't you'll have to take the consequences." "and we warn you to keep off. if you don't we'll shoot at you," was the somewhat surprising response. "no, no; please don't shoot at them!" came in dora's voice. "i beg of you not to shoot!" she had escaped from mrs. goss' custody and now ranged up alongside of dan baxter and her other enemies who were handling the _flyaway_. her hair was flying wildly over her shoulders and she trembled so she could scarcely stand. chapter xxi the meeting in the bay "there is dora now!" cried dick, and his heart leaped into his throat at the sight of his dearest friend. "dick rover, are you there?" came from the girl in nervous tones. "yes, dora, i am here, with my brothers and a sailor friend." "save me, please!" "we will!" came from all of the rover boys in concert. "take her below!" roared baxter angrily, as he turned to mrs. goss, who had followed dora to the dock. "didn't i tell you to keep a close eye on her?" "she said she wished to speak to you," answered the woman. "i thought she wanted to make terms with you." mrs. goss caught dora by the wrist and, assisted by mumps, carried her below. she struggled and tried to fight them off, and her cries, reaching dick, made the youth long to be at her side. "let her alone, baxter!" he cried hotly. "if you harm her you shall pay dearly for it, remember that!" "talk is cheap, dick rover," came back with a sneer. "now keep off, or i'll do as i threatened." "you won't dare to fire on us." "won't i? just come a little closer and you'll see." by this time the two yachts were not over a hundred feet apart, the _searchlight_ to the starboard of her rival. so, far the countless stars had brightened up the bosom of the ocean, but now martin harris noted a dark mass of clouds rolling up from the westward. "we'll have it pretty dark in a few minutes," he cautioned. "if you want to haul up close, better do it at once." "all right, run them down," ordered dick, half recklessly. "i don't care how much their boat is damaged, so long as i save the girl. mumps ran me down, remember." "i reckon i can sheer 'em all right enough," grinned harris, who by this time had entered fully into the spirit of the adventure. "but will they shoot?" "i don't believe they have any firearms," said tom. "and if they have i don't think baxter could hit the side of a house at fifty yards." "are you going to keep off or not?" yelled baxter. "i'll give you just ten seconds in which to make up your mind." "by jinks! he has got a gun!" whispered sam, as he caught a glint of the polished barrel. "the villain!" "baxter, you are playing a foolish game," answered dick. "what do you intend to do with dora stanhope?" "that's my business. i shan't harm her--if you'll promise to leave me alone." "did you run off with her on crabtree's account?" "it's none of your business," put in mumps, who had just returned to the deck, after making sure that dora should not get away from mrs. goss again for the time being. "it is my business." "you're awfully sweet on her, ain't you?" "do you know it's a state's prison offense to abduct anybody?" "i haven't abducted anybody. she came of her own free will--at first. it's not my fault if she's sick of her bargain now." "i don't believe a word you say." "do as you please. but are you going to keep off or not?" "we'll not keep off." "then i'll fire on you." "if you do so, we'll fire in return," said sam. "maybe we can scare him too," he added, in a whisper. "i don't believe you've got any weapon," came from mumps, in a voice that the toady tried in vain to steady. if there was one thing mumps was afraid of it was a gun or a pistol. "try us and see," said tom. then he raised his voice. "harris, bring up that brace of pistols you said were in the locker." "all right," answered the sailor, catching at the ruse at once; and he hurried below, to return with two shining barrels, made of the handles of a dipper and a tin pot. he held one of the tin barrels out at arm's length. "shall i fire on 'em now?" he demanded at the top of his voice. "don't!" shrieked mumps, and dropped out of sight behind the mainmast of the _flyaway_. the toady had scarcely uttered the word when a loud report rang out, and a pistol bullet cut its way through the mainsail of the _searchlight_. baxter had fired his gun, but had taken good care to point the weapon over the rover boys' heads. the bully now ran for the cabin, expecting to receive a shot in return, but of course it did not come. by this time the two yachts were almost side by side and running along at a high rate of speed. harris got out his boathook to catch fast to the _flyaway_, when a cry from tom made him pause. "help me! don't leave me behind!" "great caesar!" gasped sam. "tom's overboard!" "down with the mainsail!" roared harris. "how did he fall over the side?" "he tried to jump to the other boat," said dick, who had seen the action. "i was just thinking of doing it myself." with all possible speed the big sheet of the _searchlight_ was lowered, and then they turned as fast as the wind would permit, to the spot where unlucky tom was bobbing up and down on the swells like a peanut shell. "catch the line!" cried dick, and let fly with a life preserver attached to a fair-sized rope. his aim was a good one, and soon tom was being hauled aboard again with all possible speed. "oh, what a mess i made of it!" he panted when he could catch his breath. "i'm not fit to hunt jack rabbits." "it's lucky you weren't run down by the yacht and killed," said dick. "i was going to jump, but when i saw you go down i thought better of it." ten minutes of precious time had been lost, and now the _flyaway_ was once more far in the distance. she was heading for shore, and soon the oncoming darkness hid her from view. "now what's to be done?" questioned sam. "she'll slip us sure." "she can't go very far," answered harris. "the water-line around here is rather dangerous in the dark." "is that a storm coming up?" asked dick. "i wouldn't be surprised." with care they continued on their way, taking the course they surmised their enemies had pursued. "there is some kind of land!" cried sam, who was on the watch. "what place is that, harris?" "becker's cove, so they call it," answered the old tar. "it's not far from staten island." "do you think they came in here?" "if they did i reckon they calculate to stay over night." "why?" "because they'll want a pilot otherwise. it's rather dangerous sailing about here--especially in the dark." five minutes later found them close to shore, and the sails were lowered and the anchor cast out. "i'm going to land," said dick, and, after a consultation, it was decided that he should take sam with him, leaving tom and martin harris to keep watch from the yacht. if either party discovered anything, a double whistle twice repeated was to notify the others. now that dan baxter had actually opened fire on them, dick wished he had a firearm of some sort. but none was at hand, nor did he know where to obtain such a thing in that vicinity, and the best he and sam could do was to cut themselves clubs out of some brush growing not far from the shore line. the spot at which they had landed was by no means an inviting one. it looked like a bit of dumping and meadow ground, and not far away rested the remains of half a dozen partly decayed canal boats which the tide had washed up high in the bogs years before. "if they landed around here i'd like to know where they went to," grumbled sam, after he and his big brother had trudged around for half an hour without gaining any clue worth following. "it begins to look as if we had missed it, doesn't it?" "never give up, sam. we have got to find them, you know." "yes, if we don't break our necks before that time comes, dick," and as sam spoke he went down into a meadow hole up to his knees. dick helped him out, and as he did so the sound of two voices broke upon their ears. "you needn't come if you don't want to, mumps," came out of the darkness, in dan baxter's voice. "i only thought you would be glad of the chance." "there they are," whispered dick. "lie down, and we'll see where they are bound, and if dora is with them." he threw himself to earth, and sam followed. in another moment baxter and his toady came into plain view, although still some distance away. "i'll come," came from mumps. "but i didn't expect to meet your father here." "i did. he's been here for several days. that's the reason why i had goss bring the _flyaway_ over. i'm going to kill two birds with one stone." "what do you mean?" "i'm going to carry dora stanhope off, just as old crabtree wanted, and i'm going to give my father a lift." "you mean that you are going to help him to escape from the authorities?" "i didn't put it that way. he wants to keep out of sight." "it amounts to the same thing, dan." "as you will. will you come, or do you want to go back to the yacht?" "i--er--i guess i'll come," faltered the toady. "but we must be careful." "to be sure. i reckon i have as much at stake as you." the two passed out of hearing, and dick touched his brother on the arm. "did you hear that, sam?" he asked excitedly. "i did. what can it mean?" "mean? it means that dan baxter's father is in the neighborhood and dan is going to call on his parent." "i know that, but--" "you are surprised that father and son are equally bad? i'm not; i thought it all along." "what will you do?" "follow them." "will you whistle for tom and martin harris?" "no; that might arouse suspicion. let us follow them alone. when they return to their yacht we can tell the others," concluded dick. chapter xxii the baxters make a new move as silently as possible dick and sam came after baxter and his toady john fenwick. the pair of evildoers left the stretch of meadow as fast as they could, and hurried up a narrow path leading to a half-tumbled-down brick factory. at the corner of the dilapidated building they paused, and dan baxter emitted a long, low whistle. a silence of several seconds followed, and then a man appeared out of the darkness. "who's dat?" came the question. "it's me, girk--dan baxter," replied the former bully of putnam hall with small regard for the grammar that had been taught to him. "who's dat with you?" "mumps. he's all right." "i don't know about dat. yer father t'ought yer would come alone," growled the tramp thief. "i've got a new movement on, buddy. take us to my father without delay." "is dat fellow to be trusted?" "yes, you can trust me," replied mumps with considerable nervousness. his steps in the direction of wrong were beginning to frighten him. at the start he had thought of nothing but to aid josiah crabtree in his suit with mrs. stanhope, and had calculated that after the marriage the running off with dora would be overlooked. but here he was taking the girl miles from her home and associated with two men who had robbed a firm of bankers of many thousands of dollars. the outlook, consequently, worried him very much. "all right, den," muttered buddy girk. "follow me." he disappeared within the ruined factory, and baxter and mumps went after him. listening intently at a broken-out window, dick and sam heard them ascend to an upper floor. "i guess we have tracked arnold baxter," whispered dick. "i wonder if he and girk have that stolen money and the securities here?" "more than likely, dick. thieves don't generally leave their booty far out of their sight, so i've been told." "i would like to make sure. i wonder if we can't go inside and hear some more of their talk?" "we would be running a big risk. if arnold baxter caught us he would--would--well, he wouldn't be very friendly, that's all," and sam gave a shiver. "i'm going in. you can remain outside, on watch. if you want me, whistle as we agreed." "but be careful, dick!" pleaded the younger brother. "i will be." "and don't stay too long," added sam, who did not relish being left alone in such a forlorn looking spot, and in the intense darkness which had now settled down over them. "i won't be any longer than necessary, you can depend on that," replied the big brother. as silently as a cat after a mouse, dick entered the gloomy building and felt his way over the half-rotted floor to where the stairs were located. ascending these, he found himself in something of a hallway, the upper floor of the building being divided into several apartments by wooden partitions nine or ten feet in height. from one of the apartments shone a faint light. to this he made his way, and, looking through a good-sized knot-hole in the partition, he saw arnold baxter, girk, and the two newcomers, seated on several boxes and boards. on one box stood a candle thrust in the neck of a bottle, some liquor and glasses, and a pasteboard box containing a cold lunch. "so you're glad i've come, eh?" dan baxter was saying to his father. "yes, i am glad," was the slow reply, "that is--i want to get away from here as soon as possible." "why don't you go?" "i'm afraid to go up into the town. i would prefer to go away by boat." "to where?" "to searock, on the jersey coast." "do you want us to take you there?" "if you can do it, dan. i'll give mumps and your sailor friend a nice little sum for your trouble." "and don't i get anything?" cried the son sharply. "to be sure, dan." "how much?" "i'll give you a hundred dollars." "pooh! what's that? i want more." "we'll arrange that later." "you and girk are making a fortune out of this deal." "not as much as you think." "i've read the newspapers and i know how much was in the haul. i want a thousand dollars." "we'll arrange that afterward, dan. remember, in the future what is mine is yours." "now you're talking, dad," was the bully's quick reply. "i like the way you are doing things, and i'm going to stick to you as soon as this little matter mumps and i have on hand is settled." "all right, you shall stay with me," responded the elder baxter. "where is your boat?" "not over half a mile from here." "all ready to sail?" "yes." "then let us make off at once." "dat's it," put in buddy girk. "i'm afraid the police will let down on us any minit." "the trouble is, that other boat i mentioned is after us." "how many are on board?" "the three rover boys and an old sailor." "four, and we'll be five, not counting the woman you mentioned. i don't think i am afraid of the rovers," returned arnold baxter. "besides, can't we get away from them in the dark without their knowing what is up?" "perhaps we can," said the son slowly. "the trouble is--what's that?" dan baxter stopped short, as a cracking sound broke upon their ears. dick had stepped on a rotten board, and it went down. his foot was caught and held at the ankle, and before he could extricate himself arnold baxter and buddy girk had him in their grasp. "dick rover again!" ejaculated arnold baxter. "where did you come from?" "your son can tell you that," answered dick. "let go of me!" "to be sure i will!" returned the elder baxter sarcastically. "are you alone?" "you can look for yourself." "i don't see no buddy here," announced girk, as he held up the candle. "maybe somebody is downstairs." "i'll go down and see," put in dan baxter. fearful that sam might be caught, dick did his best to break away. "sam! sam! look out for yourself!" he yelled. "don't let them catch you! call tom and harris, and the police, quick!" "hang the luck!" muttered arnold baxter. "we must cut for it, and be lively about it, too." "take de swag," said girk, referring to a tin box hidden under the flooring of the factory. in this was hidden the money and securities stolen from rush and wilder. he ran off to get the box. in the meantime arnold baxter stood undecided as to what to do. then he raised his fist and struck dick with an unexpected blow to the temple. "take that, you imp!" he cried, and the youth went down at full length more than half stunned. in the meantime sam heard the rapid footsteps and the cry of alarm, and his heart leapt to throat. then, as dan baxter and mumps came towards him, he retreated in the direction of the _searchlight_, giving the danger signal as he ran. "i've got de box!" shouted buddy girk to arnold baxter. "wot's de next move?" "follow me," said dan baxter. "and lose no time. that other boy will soon have the whole neighborhood aroused." away went the crowd out of the factory, the bully leading. once down in the meadow, dan baxter hurried them off in the direction of a tiny cove where the _flyaway_ lay at anchor, with bill goss on watch at the stern and mrs. goss in the cabin with dora. as quickly as they could do so, one after another tumbled on board of the yacht. they heard cries in the distance, as tom and martin harris leaped ashore to join sam. "up the mainsail!" roared dan baxter, and goss obeyed the order with alacrity. at the same time dan baxter and mumps pulled up the anchor; and in less than two minutes the _flyaway_ was standing out into the bay. chapter xxiii down the staten island shore to sandy hook "dick! dick! what ails you?" "my head, sam! arnold baxter struck me down," came with a groan. "can you get up? we want to follow them," cried tom, as he caught his brother by the arm. he had just reached the factory on a dead run, lantern in hand, to find dick. "i guess i can stand, tom. but i can't run yet." "here, take the lantern and i'll carry you," came quickly, and in a moment more tom rover had dick on his back and was running for the _searchlight_ as rapidly as the nature of the meadow land permitted, dick holding the light over his head so that both might see. the alarm had now become general, and by the time the yacht was gained two police officers, who had been on the hunt for harbor thieves, appeared. "what's the row about?" demanded one of the officers of the law, as he came into view. "is that an officer?" questioned dick feebly, "i am an officer--yes." "we are after some thieves and some parties who have abducted a girl. will you help us?" "certainly, if what you say is true. where is the crowd?" "they ran off in that direction," came from sam, as he loomed up out of the darkness. "they have a yacht out there somewhere." "then we can't catch them--unless we get a boat," answered sergeant brown. "we have a boat, out this way," and sam pointed with his hand. "but i guess we had better make certain that they go out first." "true for you, young man. lead the way and we'll be with you." all ran on again, tom bringing up in the rear with dick. soon the cove previously mentioned was gained. they were just in time to see the _flyaway_ disappearing in the darkness. "come back here!" cried tom. "if you don't it will be the worse for you!" "don't you attempt to follow us!" came savagely from arnold baxter. "if you do, somebody will get shot!" "by crickety, he's a bad one!" cried the second police officer. "stop! i order you to stop, in the name of the law!" shouted sergeant brown. "it's the police!" howled mumps in sudden terror. "oh, dear! i knew we should catch it." "shut up," muttered dan baxter. "run up the jib, goss, and be quick about it!" "you do it--i'll have to steer here," answered the sailor, and dan baxter leaped for the sheet mentioned. "are you going to stop?" cried sergeant brown, after a few seconds' pause. to this there was no answer. the sergeant drew his pistol, but before he could use it, even if he so intended, the yacht was nothing but an uncertain shadow in the gloom of the night. "we had better get to your boat," said the police officer. "all right; come on," said sam, and showed the way, which was decidedly uncertain. at one point there was a wide ditch to cross, and tom had his hands full getting dick over. martin harris was watching for them, and had all ready to cast off should this be required. "i'm mighty glad you found the police," he said to dick, who now felt able to do for himself once more. "will they go with us?" "you are certain those folks on the other boat are thieves?" demanded sergeant brown. "carter and i don't want to go off on any wild goose chase." "they are not only thieves, but abductors," said dick. "we can easily prove it. they must be caught if it is possible to do so." "all right then, we'll go with you. come, carter," and the two officers hopped on board. soon the mainsail was set, followed by all the other available canvas, and the _searchlight_ was continuing the chase which had been so curiously broken off. martin harris was in the dark so far as knowing what course the _flyaway_ had taken, and had to trust to luck to fall in with the fleeing craft. "if she's going outside of staten island, i reckon i can spot her before long," he said. "it looks to me as if the clouds were blowing away," said tom. "if they do, the starlight will help us a good deal." as the yacht tore along through the water, the two police officers listened with close attention to what the boys had to tell them. "if they are the men who robbed rush & wilder it will make a fine haul to capture them," said sergeant brown. "we want to save dora stanhope as much as we want to catch those thieves," returned dick. "i wonder if her disappearance has been reported to the police?" "i can't say. you see, carter and i have been out all day looking for a pair of harbor thieves who stole some clothing from a pleasure yacht lying off the staten island shore." "did you see anything of your men?" "we saw them; but they got away in a rowboat. where they have gone to is hard telling. but i don't imagine the theft amounted to much--at least, it was nothing in comparison to the crimes you are trying to run down." on and on went the _searchlight_ through the night, and slowly but surely the clouds in the heavens cleared away, letting the stars shine down once more on the silent waters. suddenly martin harris gave a murmur of satisfaction. "there she is." "the _flyaway_!" came from several of the others. "yes. just as i thought; she is heading down the staten island shore straight for sandy hook." "they are bound for searock!" cried dick suddenly. "mr. baxter mentioned the place just before they discovered that i was spying on them." "that's a good way down the new jersey coast," said sergeant brown. "can this boat stand such a sail?" "can she?" snorted harris. "she's strong enough to go to europe if you want to make the trip." "thank you; when i go to europe i'll go in a steamer," laughed the police officer. "i don't think you'd do much in a heavy blow." "the _searchlight_ would hold her own," answered the old sailor confidently. the breeze was increasing, and they rounded the narrows at a lively rate. the swell from the ocean now struck them, and the yacht occasionally dipped her nose a little deeper into it than was expected. "here, i don't want, to get wet!" cried carter. "i'm no sailor, you know." "you won't get much," laughed harris. "this roll is just enough to be pleasant." "perhaps--to some people," came from the policeman, who had never cared for the rolling deep and who was beginning to feel a trifle seasick. fortunately for him, however, the sickness proved mild and of short duration. the _flyaway_ was now in plain sight but too far off to be spoken. she had every sail set to its fullest, and for the time being it seemed impossible for the _searchlight_ to gain upon her. thus mile after mile was covered, until sandy hook lighthouse could be plainly seen but a short distance away. "we are out in the ocean now," remarked dick an hour later. "gracious, when i left cedarville i didn't think that this was going to develop into such a long chase!" "never mind how far we go, if only the chase proves a success," answered tom. "if we succeed in not only rescuing dora, but also in bringing those thieves to justice, it will be a big feather in our caps." "i'm glad the police are along," came from sam. "they must be well armed, and i don't see how arnold baxter and the others will dare resist them." "they will dare a good deal to keep out of prison, sam," remarked dick. "they know well enough that if they are caught it may mean a long term for each of them." on and on went the two yachts until sandy hook lighthouse was left in the distance. once it began to cloud over as if there was a storm in sight, but soon the rising sun came out brightly over the rim of the ocean. when it came mealtime sam prepared the repast, and all, even the officers of the law enjoyed what was served to them. "it gives one an appetite, this salt air," was sergeant brown's comment. soon they were standing down the new jersey coast, but so far out on the ocean that the shore line was little more than a dark streak on the horizon. "are we gaining?" that was the question each asked, not once but a score of times. martin harris felt sure that they were; but if this was so, the advantage on the side of the _searchlight_ was but a slight one. chapter xxiv searchlight and lantern "one thing is in our favor," remarked dick, as the day wore away and the distance between the two yachts seemed undiminished. "even if we don't succeed in catching them before tonight we know where they are bound." "perhaps it might be as well to hang back!" burst in tom. "if we remain in sight they won't land as intended." "the thing of it is, they may change their plans, especially if they think your brother overheard their talk," put in the police sergeant. "my idea is, they'll keep right on down the coast until the darkness hides them from us. then they'll try to sneak in some cove or river and abandon the boat." "they'll have a job taking dora stanhope along," was sam's remark. "i don't believe she'll go another step willingly." "as if she has gone willingly!" said dick. "well, i mean she'll be more on her guard than she was, and they'll have more of a job to make her go along." night settled down gradually and found every heart full of serious speculation. dick was especially affected, for he had hoped to see dora rescued hours before. "goodness only knows where they will take her by morning!" he groaned. "i'd give almost anything to be at her side!" with the going down of the sun the wind died away and the sails of the _searchlight_ flapped idly to and fro. "now it's a waiting game," announced martin harris. "if we can't move neither can they." "just the same, the _flyaway_ is turning out to sea!" cried tom. "now what can that mean?" "that may be only a blind," said carter. "no, they are afraid of drifting on the sands," answered the skipper of the _searchlight_. "i reckon we'll have to turn out, too," and he changed the course of the yacht. darkness found both boats far out on the atlantic and almost out of sight of each other. "this is maddening!" cried dick. "can't we row, or do something?" "rowing wouldn't count much, i'm afraid," laughed martin harris. "but don't fret. unless i am mistaken, we'll have a breeze before midnight." "and they may be out of sight long before that time!" "that's to be seen, lad. i'll watch the thing closely, for i'm as anxious to catch 'em as you are." "i'd give a good deal for a small boat." "so would i." "i thought all yachts carried them." "they do generally, but mine was stove in at a catskill dock about a week ago and is being repaired." "here comes the wind!" shouted sam, half an hour later, and when the _flyaway_ was almost out of sight. "now, harris, let us make the most of it." "we will, and i hope there isn't too much of it," was the quick reply. soon the breeze struck them, and, as it came from shore, it hit the _searchlight_ first and drove her fairly close to the other yacht. but before anything could be said or done, the other craft also moved; and then the chase began as before. "we're getting all we want now," announced tom, as the wind grew heavier. "just look how the yacht dips her nose into the brine!" "we'll have to shorten sail before long," said martin harris. "if we don't, a sudden gust might make us lose our stick." "i'd like to see the _flyaway_ lose her mast!" cried tom. "it would just serve the baxters right if they went to the bottom."' "no, we don't want to see that yacht harmed," put in dick quickly. "remember, dora is on board--and that stolen fortune, too." swiftly both yachts flew on their outward course, the ocean growing more tempestuous each minute. the police officers viewed the turn of affairs with alarm. "if it's not safe, let us turn back," whispered carter. "don't get scared so soon," replied harris, who overheard the remark. "i've been' in a worse blow than this, twice over." the sails were reefed, and they continued on their course. the _flyaway_ was now but a shadow in the gloom, and presently even this died out. "the chase is over," announced harris with disgust. "hang the luck anyhow!" "what do you, mean?" demanded dick. "she's out of sight, and there is no telling now how she will turn." "but she can't tack back in this wind." "she can make a putty good try at it, lad." "not much of a one, lad. there is a little electric battery and light in the cabin, one that was used by a professor that i took out two years ago, when the yacht was built. he was interested in electricity and he made the light himself. i never used it, for i didn't understand how it worked." "let us look at the light; perhaps we can do something with it," said dick. "that's the talk," came from tom. "anything is better than holding your hands and doing nothing." martin harris was willing, and led the way into the cabin. battery and light were stored away in a couple of soap boxes, and the boys brought them out and set them on the cabin table. "i think i can fix these up," said dick, after a long examination. "the batteries are not in very good shape, but i think they will do. they are meant to work on the same plan as these new electric lights for bicycles, only they are, i reckon, more powerful." "well, do what you please with the machine," said martin harris. "in the meantime, i'll see what i can do with a lantern and a tin reflector. sometimes you can see a white sail putty good with a tin reflector." he hurried to the deck again, and sam, who was not much interested in electricity, followed him. one of the best of the yacht's lanterns was polished up to the last degree, and they also polished the metal reflector until it shone like a newly coined silver piece. "that's a good light!" cried sam, when it was lit up. "where will you place it?" "up at the top of the mast," answered the old sailor. "i'll show you." it took some time to adjust the lantern just right, but this accomplished they found that they could see for a distance of a hundred yards or more. "i see the sail!" announced harris. "don't you--just over our port bow?" "i see it," answered sergeant brown. "not very far off either." without delay the course of the _searchlight_ was changed so that she was headed directly for the _flyaway_. "keep off!" was the cry out of the darkness. "keep off, or it will be the worse for you!" "you may as well give up," shouted back the police sergeant. "you are bound to be caught sooner or later." "we don't think go. if it comes to the worst, remember, we can do a heap of fighting." "we can fight too," was the grim response. "dora! dora! are you safe?" shouted sam, with all the strength of his youthful lungs. "save me!" came back the cry. "don't let them carry me further away." "we'll do our best, don't fear." dora wanted to say more, but was prevented from doing so by mumps, who again hurried her below. "you must lock her up," he said to mrs. goss, and once more the unhappy girl found herself a prisoner in the cabin. she had hoped for much during the chase along shore, but now her heart sank like a lump of lead and she burst into tears. "no use of crying," said mrs. goss. "it won't help you a bit." "i want to be free!" sobbed dora. "where will they take me?" "never mind; you just be quiet and wait." "but you are running directly out into the ocean!" "what of that?" "i don't wish to go." "you'll have to take what comes, as i told you before." "mrs. goss, have you no pity for me?" "if i did have it wouldn't do you any good, miss dora. i've got to do as the men folks want me to do. if i don't they'll make--" the woman did not finish what she was saying. a loud report rang out on deck, followed by the distant crash of glass. then came a yell, followed by another report and more crashing of glassware. "what can that mean?" burst out dora, but instead of answering her, mrs. goss bounced out of the cabin, locking the door after her, and hurried to the deck. chapter xxv a shot from the darkness the shots which had reached dora's ears had come from a gun in the hands of arnold baxter. the man had been enraged at the sight of the lantern on the mast of the _searchlight_, and, taking careful aim, had sent a charge of shot into the affair, smashing globe, reflector, and tin cup, and scattering the oil in all directions. "hurrah, i struck it!" shouted arnold baxter gleefully. "now they won't see us quite so plainly." "knock out the other lantern, pop," put in dan baxter, and the parent turned in the second barrel of the shotgun with equal success. for an instant the deck of the _searchlight_ seemed to be in darkness. sam felt a bit of hot glass strike him on the cheek and raised his hand to brush it off. then he felt something warm on the back of his leg. looking down he saw to his horror that some of the oil from the lantern had fallen on him and that it was ablaze! "help! help!" he shrieked. "i'm burning up!" his cry alarmed everybody, and all, even dick and tom, came rushing to his aid. but sergeant brown was first, and he promptly threw the boy down flat and, whipping off his coat, began to beat out the flames. another shot now rang out, aimed at a third lantern, but the light was not struck. by this time martin harris made the discovery that the mainsail was on fire in two places, while the jib was also suffering. "this is getting hot!" he cried, when carter opened up fire at random, determined to do what he could. a yell and a groan followed, and then all became quiet, and firing on both sides was over. fortunately for sam, the flames upon his person were quickly extinguished, and all the lad really suffered was the ruin of his trousers and an ugly blister on the calf of his leg. but he was badly scared, and when it was over he had almost to be carried to the cabin. in the meantime martin harris procured several pails of water and a long-handled swab and with these did what he could to extinguish the fire on the sails. several of the others joined in, and inside of ten minutes all danger of a conflagration was past. "that's the worst yet!" growled the old sailor, as he surveyed the mainsail, which had two holes in it each is large as a barrel. "i'd like to wring the neck of the fellow as did it, yes i would," and he shook his head determinedly. "that's the end of that light," said sergeant brown. "what are you going to do next?" "i think i can get that searchlight to work," put in dick. "but will it be of any use? they may start to shooting again." "we've got to have some kind of a light, even if it's only a tallow candle," grumbled harris. "if we haven't got a light some coastwise steamer may run us down." he set to work to rig up a temporary light, and in the meantime dick returned to the cabin to experiment with the electric light. he found sam on the couch, bathing his leg with oil to take away the sting of the bum. "how is it, sam--hurt much?" "i suppose it might be worse," was the younger brother's reply. "i wonder who fired that shot?" "one of the baxters, more than likely. they are a cold-blooded pair." "one or more of us might have been killed if we had been directly behind the lights." "that is true. i don't suppose arnold baxter would care much if we were. he was father's enemy, you must remember, and he said he hated all of us." sam resumed his bathing and dick turned to the cabin table, upon which the battery and other portions of the searchlight rested. dick had always been greatly interested in electricity and therefore the parts of the battery before him were not hard for him to understand. but there was one trouble with the battery which did not reach his eye as he turned it around and started it up. that was that a portion of the insulation of a main wire was worn off. as he turned on the current there was a flash and the light blazed up almost as bright as day. "that's fine!" cried sam. "we'll be able to see the _flyaway_ a long distance off now." "well, i only hope when we put this up it won't be knocked out like the other lights were." "of course we'll have to run that risk." in a minute more dick started to carry the searchlight to the deck. he had turned off the light proper, consequently the way to the companionway was rather dark. he had almost reached the top of the steps when sam heard a scream, saw a flash of fire, and then dick came tumbling to the cabin floor in a heap, with the battery and light beside him. "my gracious, he's been shocked!" burst out the youngest rover; and, forgetting all about his burn, ran to his brother's assistance. "what's that noise?" came from the deck. "dick's been shocked by the searchlight!" cried sam. "come down here, somebody, and let us see what we can do for him." "shocked, is it!" cried sergeant brown. "if that's the case, look out that somebody else don't catch it." tom came tumbling down, followed by both police officers, and dick was picked up and deposited on the couch. then sam kicked the searchlight and batteries into a corner. "they can stay there for all i care," said he. "they are too dangerous, unless, a chap knows just how to handle them." dick lay with his eyes wide open, but unable to move. tom bent down and announced that his heart was still beating. but little in the way of restoratives were at hand, and the most they could do was to rub the youth's body in an attempt to restore the circulation. "oh, i hope he isn't permanently injured!" cried tom. "if he should turn out a cripple it would be awful!" "that's so," answered sam. "poor dick! he's as bad off as if those rascals had shot him." slowly dick came to his senses. but he was very weak, and soon he discovered that he was powerless to move his left arm. "it's all numb," he announced. "it feels as if it was dead." "let me shake it for you," said tom, and both brothers went to work, but with small success. the arm hung down as limp as a rag, and the left leg was nearly as badly off, although dick said he could feel a slight sensation in it, like so many needles sticking him. "you see, i've been afraid of that battery right along," said martin harris. "the professor got shocked once, and he limped around for a long while after." "but he got over it at last, didn't he?" questioned tom eagerly. "i can't say about that. he went off, and i haven't seen him since," was the unsatisfactory reply. the injuries to dick and to sam had somewhat dampened tom's ardor, and he wondered what they had best do next, and spoke to the police officers about it. "i don't know of anything but to turn back to shore," said sergeant brown. "we've lost them in the dark, and that is all there is to it. if we go ashore we can send out an alarm, and as soon as the _flyaway_ is spotted, somebody will go out and arrest everybody on board--i mean everybody but the young lady, of course." "but they may come ashore in the dark." "and they may do that even if we stay out here--and then they'll have more of an advantage than ever. no, i think the best thing we can do is to turn back to the coast and make the safest landing we can find." when dick heard of this, however, he shook his head. "don't go back yet," he pleaded. "see if you can't make out the _flyaway_ somewhere. she won't dare to sail very far without a light." "i don't go for giving up just yet," put in martin harris. "as the lad says, she'll show a light very soon now--for there is a coastwise steamer a-coming," and he pointed in the direction of sandy hook. he was right, and soon the many lights from the big steam vessel could be plainly seen. she was heading almost directly for them, but presently steered to the eastward. "she must be almost in the track of the _flyaway_," went on martin harris. "just wait and see if i ain't right." they waited and watched eagerly, and thus five minutes passed. then from a distance they saw a light flash up. "there she is!" cried tom. "let us head for her at once. they won't keep that light out long--just long enough to let that steamer go by." martin harris was already at the tiller, and soon the _searchlight_ was thrown over and was again dipping her nose in the long ocean swells. the wind had died away only to freshen more than ever, and the chase now became a lively one. the enemy seemed to know that the exposure of their light had given those on the _searchlight_ the cue, and they were sailing as rapidly as all of their canvas permitted. but harris was now handling his craft better than ever before, and slowly but surely the distance between the two craft was diminished, until the _flyaway_ could be made out faintly even without a light. "don't lose her again," said dick. "we must keep at it until we run them down completely." and harris promised to do his best. it was now past midnight, and the police officers said they were tired out and dropped into the cabin to take a nap. dick likewise remained below, trying to get up some circulation in the lamed arm. "can't you feel anything?" queried tom. "i think i can," answered his big brother. "yes, yes, it's coming now!" he went on. "thank god!" and he suddenly raised the arm and bent the fingers of his hand. by daylight that member of his body was nearly as well as ever. but this experience was one which dick has not forgotten to the present day. sam had bound up his burn with a rag saturated with oil and flour, and announced that he felt quite comfortable. "but just let me get hold of those baxters," he added. "i shan't stand on any ceremony with them." "i don't believe any of us will," said tom. "but as anxious as i am to have this over, i would just as lief have the chase last until morning. then we'll be better able to see what we are doing." "or trying to do," said sam with a faint smile. chapter xxvi a flag of truce sunrise found the two yachts far out on the ocean with land nowhere in sight. the breeze was still stiff, but it was not as heavy as it had been, and martin harris was unable to decrease the space which separated his own craft from that of the enemy. "you see, the _searchlight_ is the better boat in a strong blow," he explained. "when the wind is light the _flyaway_ has as good a chance of making headway as we have." "well, one thing is certain," said tom. "this chase can't last forever." "it may last longer than you imagine, lad." "hardly. we haven't more than enough provisions aboard to last over today." "perhaps the other boat is even worse off," said sergeant brown hopefully. "if that's the case we'll starve them out." "i don't care what we do, so long as we rescue dora and get that stolen fortune," said dick, as he dragged himself to the crowd, followed by sam. "and how's sam?" questioned tom, turning to his younger brother. "oh, i'm all right--if it comes to fighting." "and you, dick?" "i think i can do something--at least, i am willing to try." breakfast--a rather scant meal--had just been disposed of, when martin harris uttered a shout. "they want to do some talking," he announced. "why, what do you mean?" asked dick. "they are hoisting a white rag." "sure enough!" ejaculated tom, as he pointed to a flag of truce which dan baxter was holding aloft, fastened to an oar. "what do you make of that?" "they want to make terms," laughed sergeant brown. "i reckon things are coming our way at last." "do we want to talk to them?" asked tom. "let us make them surrender, and do the talking afterward," came from sam. "it won't hurt to let them talk," said the police sergeant. "we can do as we please, anyway, after they are done." the matter was discussed for a moment, and then tom tied his handkerchief to a stick and held it up. "ahoy there!" came from arnold baxter. "will you honor the flag of truce?" "yes," yelled sergeant brown. "and let us have our distance after our talk is over, if we can't come to terms?" "yes." "all right, then; we'll come close enough to talk to you." slowly and cautiously the _flyaway_ drew nearer, until all on board of harris' yacht could see their enemies quite plainly. arnold baxter was armed with a shotgun, while buddy girk and dan baxter carried pistols. mumps kept out of sight as much as possible, while bill goss attended to the steering of the boat. dora and mrs. goss were below. "well, what have you got to say?" demanded dick, as soon as the others were within easy talking distance. "how many on board of that yacht?" demanded arnold baxter, as he looked at the police officers glumly. "enough," replied dick. "is that all you've got to say?" "don't grow impudent, boy. it won't set well." "a person couldn't be impudent to such a rascal as you, arnold baxter." "have a care, dick rover. what do you propose to do?" "land all of you in jail, rescue dora stanhope, and recover that money you stole." "indeed!" "yes--indeed! don't you think we are pretty close to doing it?" "no, you are a long way off. you won't dare to break this truce while the flags fly. if you do, i'll shoot you just as sure as you are born." "i don't intend to dishonor any truce, arnold baxter. but, nevertheless, you and your crowd are almost at the end of your rope, and you know it." "feeling hungry, ain't you?" put in martin harris. "you shut up!" roared dan baxter, for harris had hit the nail exactly on the head. "we'll settle this with the rovers and the police, not with you." "you'll settle with me for burning my sails and breaking my lanterns," retorted the skipper of the _searchlight_ wrathfully. "let us come to terms," went on arnold baxter in a milder tone. "i reckon what you want principally is to rescue dora stanhope?" "yes, i want that," said dick quickly. "if we hand her over to you, will you promise not to follow us any longer?" "well--er--what of that money--" began dick, glancing at those around him. "we can't let you go," interposed sergeant brown. "you are wanted for that robbery in albany." "we deny the robbery," said arnold baxter. "all right--you'll have a chance to clear yourself in court." "we are not going to court, not by a jugful," put in buddy girk. "if we give up the gal that's got to end it. otherwise, we don't give her up, see?" "but you'll have to give her up later on," put in tom. "and the longer you keep her the more you will have to suffer for it, when it comes to a settlement." "let's give her up," whispered mumps to dan baxter. to the credit of the toady let it be said that he was heartily sick of the affair and wished he had never entered into it. "you keep your mouth shut!" answered the former bully of putnam hall. "my dad knows how to work this racket." "somebody said something about being hungry," continued arnold baxter significantly, "i imagine miss stanhope is as hungry as any of us, if not more so." "do you mean to say you are starving her!" cried dick indignantly. "i mean to say that she will have to starve just as much as we do," was the unsatisfactory answer. "and you have run out of provisions?" "we have run out of provisions for her, yes." "that means that you won't give her any more, even though you may have some for yourselves? you are even bigger brutes than i took you to be," concluded the elder rover boy bitterly. "we've got to look out for ourselves," said dan baxter. "if we let you have the girl you ought to be satisfied." "let us talk to dora," suggested tom. "no, you can't see her unless you agree to our terms," said arnold baxter decidedly. "if we bring her up now she may try to get away from us." "you have got to submit to arrest and stand trial," said sergeant brown. "there are no two ways about it. if you won't submit quietly we'll have to fight. but let me tell you, if you fight it will go hard with you." "that's right; make them give up everything," put in tom. "i'll fight them if it comes to the worst." "if only they don't harm dora!" whispered dick. "think, they may be starving her already!" "i don't believe they would dare, dick." "dare? i think the baxters are cruel enough to do most anything." "officer, do you know that you are on the high seas and can't touch us?" went on arnold baxter, after an awkward pause. "i know nothing of the kind, and i'll risk what i am doing," retorted sergeant brown. "can't we compromise this matter?" "what else have you to propose?" "i'll tell you what i'll do. if you'll agree not to molest us further i'll turn the girl over to you and make each of you a present of one hundred dollars," went on arnold baxter nervously. "want to bribe us, eh?" cried tom. "thanks, but we are not in that business." "i never took a bribe yet, and i've been on the force six years," put in carter. "you can't bribe me," said the sergeant, in a tone that admitted of no argument. "you must surrender absolutely or take the consequences." "all right, then; we'll take the consequences," was the reckless response. "and remember, we hold that girl, and any harm you do us will only counteract on her head." "don't you dare to harm her, you villain!" cried dick, turning pale. "whatever you do you shall answer for in court." "humph, dick rover, don't be so smart," put in dan baxter. "this game is still ours, and you know it." "i know nothing of the kind. we will starve you out and fight you, and you will see what the end will be, dan baxter," retorted dick; and then the two yachts began to drift apart once more. as the _flyaway_ moved off, mumps, who had disappeared for a minute, came into sight once more. in his hand he hold something white, which he threw with all force at the _searchlight's_ mainsail. "take that!" he cried. "take that, and remember me!" by this time the two yachts were so far apart that no more could be said. "what was that you threw on their boat?" demanded baxter, turning to his toady. "a seashell," replied mumps. "i thought i could hit dick rover with it." "humph, you had better take some lessons in throwing," muttered the bully. "you didn't come within a dozen feet of him." "never mind; i showed them i wasn't afraid of them," said mumps, and turned away. then he looked back anxiously. "i hope they pick it up and see what's inside!" he murmured. "oh, but ain't i tired of this crowd! if ever i get out of this, you can wager i'll turn over a new leaf and cut dan baxter dead." chapter xxvii the collision in the fog "hullo! mumps isn't keeping this flag of truce very good," remarked sam, as the seashell dropped at his feet. "there is something inside of the shell," said tom. "a bit of paper. perhaps it's a message?" "i'll soon see," returned his younger brother, and ran to where he could not be seen from the other yacht. he pulled from the seashell a small, square of paper, upon which had been hastily scrawled the following in lead pencil: "i will help you all i can and hope you won't prosecute me. i will see that dora s. gets something to eat, even if i give her my share. they intend to go to sand haven if they can give you the slip." "good for mumps! he's coming to his senses," cried sam, and showed the others the message. dick read the words with much satisfaction. "i hope he does stand by dora," he said. "if so, i'll shield him all i can when the crowd is brought up for trial." "if he tells the truth we may as well put into harbor and make for sand haven," said martin harris, who had now resumed the chase once more. "yes; but he may not be telling the truth," was sergeant brown's comment. "the whole thing may be a trick to get us to go to sand haven while that crowd goes somewhere else." "i think they are tired of carrying the girl around," said carter. "to give her up to us would have been no hardship." "that's it," put in martin harris. "well, i'm willing to do whatever the crowd says." the matter was talked over at some length, and it was finally decided to cruise around after the _flyaway_ for the best part of the day. if, when night came on, the other craft should steer in the direction of sand haven, they would do likewise, and land as soon as darkness came to cover up their movements. slowly the day wore along and the two yachts kept at about the same distance. they were both running due south, and land was out of sight as before. "this is developing into a regular ocean trip and no mistake," remarked tom, as he dropped into a seat near the cabin. "who would have thought it when we left cedarville in such a hurry?" "i'd like to know how things are going up there," mused dick. "it will be too bad if josiah crabtree succeeds in marrying mrs. stanhope while we are away." "let us hope for the best," put in sam. "hullo, the _flyaway_ is moving eastward!" "what does that mean, harris?" cried dick. "it means that they want to make the most of this wind," responded the skipper of the yacht grimly. "i'm learning a trick or two on 'em, and i'll overreach 'em if they ain't careful." "you can't do it any too quick," answered dick. "when next we meet there won't be quite so much talking. instead, we'll have some acting, and pretty lively at that." sergeant brown was questioned concerning his weapons, and said he had two pistols and carter had the same. one of the extra weapons was loaned to dick and the second went to tom. it was decided that in case of a close brush sam and harris were to arm themselves with anything that was handy, but otherwise they were to attend to the sailing of the _searchlight_. provisions, to use tom's way of expressing it, were now "more than low," and as they ate the scant food dealt around, dick could not help but think of how dora might be faring. "i'd willingly starve myself if only it would give her what she needs," he thought. it made him sick at heart to think of how she might be suffering. mile after mile was passed, until the sun began to descend over to the westward. the yachts were now close on to quarter of a mile apart. "here comes another steamer!" cried tom presently. "look here, why can't we get some help from her?" "perhaps we can!" burst out dick. "i never thought of that." "let us signal her anyway," suggested sergeant brown. a flag was run up as high as the topmast permitted, and they headed directly for the steamer's course. as the ship came closer they made her out to be a big "tramp" from the south american trade. for the benefit of those who do not know, let me state that a tramp steamer is one going from one port to another regardless of any regular route, the movements of the craft depending entirely upon the freight to be picked up. "she sees the signal!" exclaimed dick, after an anxious wait of several minutes. slowly the steamer came up to them, and then her ponderous engines ceased to work. "what is wanted?" came in spanish from a dark-looking man on the forward deck. "can't you talk english?" cried dick. "a leetle." "we are after that other sail-boat. the men in her are thieves and have abducted a girl, too. will you help us catch them?" at this the man on the steamer drew down his face and held a consultation with several behind him. "you are sure they are thieves?" he asked presently. "yes." "have they with them the money that was stolen?" "we are pretty certain they have." "and the girl?" "yes." "and what is the reward for the girl, senor?" "well, i declare!" burst out tom. "they are after a reward the first thing." "no reward yet," answered dick. "but there may be." at this the south american scowled. "we cannot lose time on a hunt that is worth nothing," he said. "we must get to brooklyn by tomorrow morning." "you won't help us bring them to justice?" "we cannot afford to lose the time." without further words the big steamer's engines were started up again and away she sped, leaving the _searchlight_ to sink and rise on the rollers left in her wake. "my, but that fellow is accommodating!" groaned dick. "he isn't doing a single thing without pay." "we might have bought some provisions from him," put in martin harris. "i reckon he'd sell some for a round price--being so near to the end of his voyage." "i don't want his stuff," remarked sam. "i'm afraid it would choke me if i tried to eat it." the stop had given the _flyaway_ an advantage, and she was making the most of it. but before the gun went down those on the other yacht saw her head for the coast once more. "i guess the note told the truth," said harris. "is sand haven near here?" questioned tom. "it is not over half a mile further down the coast." "and how far are we out?" was the police sergeant's question. "between five and six miles, as near as i can calculate." "will they be able to run in by dark?" "i think so. you see, the wind is shifting, and it depends a good bit on how much it veers around," concluded the old sailor. slowly the sun sank in the west. it was growing cloudy and a mist was rising. the mist made martin harris shake his head; but, not wishing to alarm the others, he said nothing. but soon dick noticed the mist and so did the rest. "gracious, supposing we get caught in a fog!" muttered tom. "i was just thinking of it," returned his elder brother. "there will be no fun in it--if we are out of sight of land." a quarter of an hour went by, and still no land appeared. it was now so raw that the boys were glad enough to button their coats tightly about them. then, of a sudden, the fog came rolling over them like a huge cloud, and they were unable to see a dozen yards in any direction. "this is the worst yet!" groaned sam. "what's to do now?" "yes, what's to do now?" repeated sergeant brown. "can you make the coast, skipper?" "to be sure i can," replied harris, as he looked at the compass. "but i don't know about landing. you see we might stick our nose into a sandbank before we knowed it." "perhaps the fog will lift?" suggested carter. "a fog like this isn't lifting in a hurry," said dick. "like as not it won't move until the sun comes up tomorrow morning," and in this guess he was right. a half-hour went by, and from a distance came the deep note of a fog-horn, sounding apparently from up the shore. "we ought to have a horn," said sam. "some big boat may come along and run us down." "there is a horn in the cabin pantry," replied martin harris. "we might as well bring it out. if we are sunk one or more of us will most likely be drowned." "oh, don't say that!" ejaculated carter. "i'll get the horn," and, running below, he brought it up, and he and sam took turns at blowing it with all the strength of their lungs. "one thing is comforting; those rascals are no better off than we are," was tom's comment. "yes; but if they founder, what will become of dora?" "i don't believe any one of them would put himself out to save her." "i guess you're right there, dick. i never thought of her, poor girl," replied the brother. dick and sergeant brown were well up in the bow, one watching to starboard and the other to port, for anything which might appear through the gloom. the horn was blowing constantly, and now from a distance came the sounds of both horns and bells. "we are getting close to some other ships," said martin harris. "i reckon we had best take a few reefs in the mainsail and stow away the jib," and these suggestions were carried out. the minutes that followed were anxious ones, for all felt that a collision might occur at any moment. the fog was growing thicker each instant, and this, coupled with the coming of night, seemed to shut them in as with a pall. "a boat is dead ahead!" came suddenly from dick, and sergeant brown also gave a cry of warning. then came a shock and a crash and a splintering of wood, followed by the cries of men and boys and the screams of a woman and a girl. "we've struck the _flyaway_!" called out tom, and then he found himself in the water, with sam alongside of him. chapter xxviii home again--conclusion when the collision came, dick, to save himself from injury, gave a leap up into the air, and sergeant brown did the same. the shock sent the _searchlight_ backward, and when the youth came down he found himself sprawling on the _flyaway's_ deck, close beside dan baxter. "dick rover!" gasped the former bully of putnam hall. "so it is your boat that has run into us?" "baxter, where is dora stanhope?" panted dick, as soon as he could speak. he was afraid that one or both yachts were going down and that dora might be drowned. even in this extreme moment of peril his one thought was for his girl friend. "find out for yourself," burst out baxter, and aimed a blow at dick's head with his fist. but the blow never reached its mark, for mumps hauled the bully backward. "we've had enough of this--at least, i've had enough," said fenwick, astonishing himself at his own boldness. "dick, dora is in the cabin--no, she's coming up." "save me!" came in a scream from the girl. "oh, dick, is it really you!" and she ran right into dick's arms. by this time it was discovered that the two yachts were locked together, the bowsprit of the _flyaway_ having become entangled in the rigging of the _searchlight_. both yachts were badly damaged, but neither sufficiently so as to be in danger of sinking. "back with you!" came from arnold baxter, and fired his shotgun at the police officer. but the rocking of the boats spoiled his aim. then sergeant brown fired, and the elder baxter went down, shot through the left leg. by this time all of the evildoers realized that the final struggle for freedom was at hand, and began to fight desperately, buddy girk engaging dick, bill goss facing carter, and mrs. goss beating martin harris back with a stew pan from the gallery. in the meantime tom and sam swam back to the _searchlight_, and clambered on board as rapidly as possible. they were in time to see carter go down, hit over the head by bill goss. but that was the last of the fight, so far as the skipper of the _flyaway_ was concerned, for two blows, delivered by tom and sam simultaneously, stretched him senseless on the deck. "you had better give up!" cried tom to dan baxter, who was doing what he could to get the two yachts apart. "this is our battle." "not much!" muttered the bully. "stand back, or it will be the worse for you!" he sprang at tom and shoved a pistol under the boy's very nose. but before the weapon could be discharged, dick, leaving dora, kicked the pistol from the bully's hand! "you villain, take that!" cried dick, and grappled with baxter. both rolled over on the deck, and, shoved by somebody from behind, sam rolled on top of the pair. a second later all three rolled down the cabin stairs in a heap. "oh, my back!" it was baxter who uttered the cry, and not without cause, for his backbone had received a hard crack on the bottom step of the stairs. "you lie still!" commanded dick, as he leaped to his feet. "if you dare to move i'll put you out of the fight altogether." "don't--don't shoot me!" panted dan baxter in sudden fear. "do you give in?" "yes." "then keep still. sam, guard him, will you? i want to see how matters are on deck." "yes, i'll guard him," answered the youngest rover. the fight on deck had been short and fierce, but our friends had had the best of it from the very start, and when dick came up he found but little for him to do. arnold baxter lay where he had fallen, moaning piteously, while buddy girk and bill goss were in irons. mrs. goss still stood at bay, flourishing her stew pan over her head, while mumps remained at a distance, his arms folded over his breast and an anxious look in his eyes. "i won't go to prison!" shrieked mrs. goss. "you let me and my husband go." "mrs. goss, you had best give in--" began sergeant brown, when tom, sneaking up behind her, snatched the stew pan from her grasp. as she turned on the boy, carter ran in, and in a twinkle she was held and her hands were bound behind her. then the crowd turned to mumps. "i submit," said the misguided boy. "didn't i tell you in the note that i would help you?" "yes, he has tried to do better," put in dora. "if it hadn't been for him i wouldn't have had a mouthful to eat today." "i guess we can trust him, then," said dick. "but, mumps, take care that you don't go back on us." "i won't go back on you," said the toady. "i'm going to cut that crowd after this." "you can't make a better move," was dick's comment. now that affairs were in their own hands, our friends hardly knew how to turn next. after a discussion it was agreed to place the _flyaway_ in charge of dick and tom, who were also to carry dora and mumps. all of the others went aboard of the _searchlight_, arnold baxter being carried by the police officers, who attended to his wound as well as the accommodations on board of the yacht permitted. so far nothing had been said about the money and securities stolen by baxter and girk, but they were in a locker in the _flyaway's_ cabin, and easily brought to light. "this is a big day for us," said dick. "won't folks at home be astonished when they hear of what we have done?" "i cannot get home fast enough," said dora. "poor mama, if only i knew she was safe!" "josiah crabtree shall suffer for this," said dick. "remember, it was he who had you carried off by mumps and dan baxter." the _searchlight_ was already on the way and the _flyaway_ came behind her. the course was due west, and they kept on until the breakers could be heard in the distance. then martin harris bore away to the northward. with the coming of daylight the fog disappeared as if by magic, and they found themselves close to the seashore town of lightville. here there was a small river, and they ran into this and came to a safe anchor close to one of the docks. on going ashore dick's first movement was to send two telegraph messages, one to rush & wilder, telling them that the stolen securities and money had been recovered, and the second to captain putnam, breaking the news of dora's safety and requesting the master of the hall to acquaint mrs. stanhope with the fact and take steps toward josiah crabtree's arrest. later on another message was sent to randolph rover so that the boys' uncle might no longer be alarmed over their safety. sergeant brown also telegraphed to his superiors. inside of an hour after landing, arnold baxter, buddy girk, dan baxter, and the two gosses were safely housed in the lightville jail. at first it was thought to arrest mumps also, but he begged for his liberty, and promised, if let go, to tell everything. as some witness would be wanted when the others came to trial he was taken at his word. it was a happy party that started for cedarville that evening. no one could have been more attentive than dick was to dora, and no one could have been more appreciative than the girl of what the three rover boys had done for her. at ithaca a surprise awaited the crowd. frank, fred, and larry were there to welcome them, and soon after captain putnam appeared. "i am very glad to see you all safe and sound," said the captain, as he shook hands. "you have had a regular ocean chase, and no mistake." "and how is my mother?" questioned dora quickly. "she is happy, miss stanhope; but the shock of your sudden disappearance has made her quite ill." "and josiah crabtree?" "has disappeared. your mother said he wanted to marry her after you went away, but she would not listen to him. i imagine that after this he will keep his distance." "he had better keep his distance--if he wants to remain out of jail," put in dick. the return of the boys to putnam hall was the signal for a regular jollification, and my readers can rest assured that all of the cadets made the most of it. captain putnam ordered an extra dinner for them, and in the evening a huge bonfire was started on the campus, and, as the boys gathered around dick, tom, and sam they sang "for he's a jolly good fellow!" until they were hoarse. it was a celebration never to be forgotten. "just the right sort for a home coming," as sam expressed it. "let them have it," said the master, as he looked on. "they deserve it." "you are right," returned george strong. "those rover boys have proved themselves regular heroes." * * * * * here i will bring to a close the story of the rover boys' doings on the ocean while trying to rescue dora stanhope from her abductors and while endeavoring to recover the fortune stolen from rush & wilder. words cannot describe the happiness which mother and daughter felt when mrs. stanhope and dora found themselves together once more. tears were freely shed, and the widow blessed the boys who had done so much for herself and her child. she declared that her eyes were now open to the real wickedness of josiah crabtree, never more would she have anything to do with the man. rush & wilder were immensely pleased to recover what had been taken from their safe, and when money and securities were returned to them they rewarded the rover boys and the others handsomely for their work. but to this day dick declares that the recovery of the stolen fortune was "only a side issue." "we were out to rescue dora," he says. "and, thank god, we did it!" in due course of time the evildoers were brought to trial, and with mumps and the others to testify against them, all were sentenced to various terms of imprisonment. being wounded, arnold baxter was taken, as before, to a hospital; but this time the authorities kept a close watch on him. with their enemies in custody the rover boys imagined that life at putnam hall would now run along smoothly. but in this they were mistaken. they had hardly settled down to their studies when a strange message from over the sea started them off on a search for their father, the particulars of which will be related in another volume, to be entitled: "the rover boys in the jungle; or, stirring adventures in africa." in this book we will not only meet dick, tom, and sam again, but also dan baxter and several others with whom we are already acquainted. but for the time being all went well, and here we will leave the three boys, wishing them the best of good luck in the future. the end